Craven through the years

9:24am Saturday 5th July 2008

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100 years ago

A steam car being driven on the road between Hellifield and Gisburn turned completely over and rolled to the bottom of a hill. The car, a ton in weight and costing £1,000, was occupied by several people. It was returning from Hellifield and had reached the top of an incline when it refused to proceed. The driver succeeded in getting steam up, but the car rolled backwards and quickly sustained speed. The brakes failed and "with great presence of mind", the driver ordered everyone out.

The annual hiring fair and sports event was held at New Inn, Horton. A good number of men were present and were hired at last year's prices. Sports took place at the football field and glorious weather prevailing, a large company assembled.

A strongly worded letter was dispatched from Carleton Parish Council to Skipton Urban Council asking them to abate the nuisance arising from their sewage farm. Complaints were being made from all parts of the village about the nasty smell which was causing great inconvenience and making it almost impossible to open windows or to walk out with any comfort.

50 years ago

Charged with stealing a raincoat from Ashfield Hotel, Settle, a soldier from Horton-in-Ribblesdale told Settle Magistrates' Court that he was so drunk he thought the coat was his own. Dismissing the case, Major JEE Yorke, presiding magistrate, said: "If you must get drunk when you come on leave, there is no necessity to take other people's coats. Don't do anything like this again."

Meanwhile a 34-year-old Burnley salesman, who admitted taking a schoolboy's cap and wearing it in the street and in various public houses, was summoned before the magistrates' court for stealing the cap. The case was dismissed by Major JEE Yorke who warned him not to commit such "stupid folly" again.

After a week of anxious speculation with regard to the weather and a last-minute cancellation of the field events in sodden Aireville Park, Skipton Gala enjoyed a "brilliant day".

25 years ago

Glusburn's disputed piece of land was back under discussion in the council chamber. However, there were no protesters at the meeting of the Housing Services Committee when members considered a request from Anchor Housing Association for permission to build accommodation for the elderly on part of the land at Town End. The council gave its support in principle to the scheme.

An animal liberation group hit the wrong target when it daubed slogans on two lorries parked in a Cross Hills factory yard. The group believed the vehicles were owned by Webbs Poultry Products, of Skipton Road, whereas they actually belonged to Potts transport, who had neighbouring premises. The group had written "battery hell" and "chicks live in hell" on the side of two lorries.

10 years ago

Quarrying companies in Craven gave up their right to extract minerals worth more than £100 million from sites in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Residents living near an abandoned chapel demanded something was done about the building. Neighbours of the former Ickornshaw Chapel said bits were falling off the stone building and they wanted it made safe, developed or knocked down. The chapel had stood empty for a number of years and had fallen into disrepair.

Evening social life in Austwick was to get a big boost thanks to a £66,500 scheme to renovate the parish hall. The parish hall council hoped that when the renovated venue was unveiled, there would be more attractions for villagers, including a series of evening classes. Villagers had raised £16,500 to go with grants from Craven District Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Rural Development Commission.