Craven through the years

3:33pm Saturday 28th June 2008

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100 years ago

It was announced that Skipton was free from the smallpox scourge which had scarred the bulk of inhabitants and caused the town to be shunned by outsiders. Skipton residents had also been banned by certain seaside health resorts.

A young cuckoo had been found in a titlark's nest in Bentham. Leading to the nest was a well-worn path which indicated many interested spectators had already viewed the singular sight.

The Millholme Shed Relief Fund for the relief of those thrown out of employment and rendered destitute by the disastrous flood at Millholme Shed, Embsay, in June had been placed on a proper business footing and the first distribution of grants was due to take place.

50 years ago

The rescue of six Bradford potholers, who had been trapped for several hours by rising flood waters in Penyghent Long Churn, served as a warning to other cavers that they must have regard to the weather conditions. The youths, all members of the White Rose Pot Hole Club, were part-way out when the water level rose considerably. Further along they found a rope ladder pitch near the mouth of the cave had been converted into a waterfall by the rushing waters.

The prompt action of two Earby Scouts probably saved the younger brother of one of them from a fatal accident. J Cryer and P King were out walking on the moors above Earby with the younger Cryer. He slipped into a bog and was sinking quickly, but the two Scouts, with the assistance of Gordon Duxbury, a member of the Earby Cub pack, formed a chain and pulled the little boy to safety.

25 years ago

A heartfelt plea went out to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to think again about the proposed closure of Grassington Hospital. Nellie Taylor, who had been a patient there since 1967 and had no relatives, told the Prime Minister: "We always think kindly of this hospital - we love to call it home."

Bradley was at last officially recognised by Craven District Council. The previous year the village was omitted from the authority's official guide book, but the parish council had been asked to write about the village for the next issue of the guide.

Metal detector enthusiasts were leaving Earby playing fields riddled with holes, the Neighbourhood Council was told. Rosemary Challenger said children and teenagers had been combing Springfield sports ground looking for buried treasure. Whenever the detector "bleeped" they dug into the ground.

10 years ago

Drivers who exploited orange parking badges issued to the disabled came under fire for clogging up Skipton's streets. While sympathising with the disabled, elderly and infirm who needed easy access to the town centre, the police and Craven District Council were fed up with cars being parked irresponsibly.

Wheelie bins were to be introduced throughout the whole of Skipton following successful trials in selected areas. The bins were already being used by half the country and eight out of 10 guinea-pig households in Skipton said they preferred the system to black bin bags.

Councillors gave the thumbs up to expansion plans by Ponden Mill, which would mean the company moving from Cross Hills to Silsden. The soft furnishing giant wanted to move its entire head office and warehousing operation to part of Laxton Crawford's Cobbydale Mills.