From the archives (From Craven Herald)

From the archives

9:30am Friday 1st May 2009 in

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100 years ago

More than ordinary interest was created by the sale of antique furniture and curios belonging to John Sunderland, of Aireview House, Skipton. Mr Sunderland had been an assiduous and enterprising collector for many years and had a private collection that was reputedly one of the best in the North of England.

While people all around were going mad for skating, Skiptonians looked quietly on and recalled that it was 20 years since the late Andrew Stockdale built the skating rink in Raikes Road where, for a few years, the pastime was very popular with the young people of the town.

50 years ago

The largest dog show since the war was held by the Craven Canine Association at Skipton Auction Mart. There were 12 judges, 104 classes, 247 dogs and more than 560 entries.

The discovery of safety razor blades in Sutton Park was deplored by the parish council. The park keeper produced a new safety razor blade and said it was one of several found in the park. One lot of boys brought him seven they had found.

Uneasiness was felt about the future of the railway line from Hellifield to Blackburn via Gisburn. It was revealed that surveys were being carried out to check the number of passengers using the line.

25 years ago

The Skipton Ladies Auxiliary held a Bell’s Whisky tasting evening at the Horse Close Hotel, Skipton. Local ladies sampled various types of Bell’s Whisky before enjoying a film and Easter bonnet competition.

Sheila Robinson, 59, retired after 35 years as Skipton’s longest serving ambulance worker. The control assistant once slept in the control room on a stretcher for more than three weeks during a strike by the ambulance men.

A children’s seesaw was installed at Sutton Park thanks to money raised by local women. The volunteers raised the money by selling refreshments in the park on summer afternoons.

10 years ago

Roger Somers, owner of Somers Tobacconists in Craven Court, Skipton, caused a stir at the Rochdale sorting office when he posted a product to one of his customers. The package contained a small amount of cherry and vanilla tobacco, but it was mistaken for explosives, causing the building to be evacuated and police to be called in.

Cracoe and District Village Hall opened for the first time after almost three years of work and £250,000 in fundraising and grants. It was first used for the annual general meeting of the trustees.

Ingleton general and grocery shop ‘The Little Wonder Store’ was to close after 77 years, it was announced. Sixty-year-old Dorothy Baines decided to close the shop – which was passed to her from her mother – as she had no children to leave it to.