From the archives (From Craven Herald)

From the archives

8:10am Saturday 13th June 2009 in

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100 years ago

The joining up of towns by electric tramway, which was taking place on every side of Skipton, led to suggestions that there was ample scope for some such linking up of Skipton’s neighbours, Keighley and Colne. It was said to be an ambitious scheme, but no more so than in other parts of the country.

A party of about 40 people took part in a motor charabanc trial trip from Grassington to Lofthouse in Upper Nidderdale. On arrival at Lofthouse, the party walked through a ravine and visited a cave. The run was an experiment to try the capabilities of the cars in climbing the lofty hills around Pateley Bridge. The cars weighed more than five tons each and were owned by Mr Chapman of Grassington.

50 years ago

For the past few months, scholars had been attending the new Settle High School, a comprehensive school ultimately to accommodate 480 boys and girls. It was not until this week, however, that the school was formally opened by county alderman Major J H Hudson, vice-chairman of West Riding County Council.

History was made at Skipton Rural District Council by the presentation of a civic gold chain and badge – the gifts of ex-councillor G S Green. Mr Green had served on the council for almost 50 years and retired in 1954. He was chairman from 1941 to 1944. The chain contained 47 links – one for each parish in the Skipton rural district – and was divided by representations of the Yorkshire rose.

25 years ago

Former Craven District Council chairman and bus operator Norman Simpson described Skipton bus station as a slum. His comments came as the district council announced it was increasing its bus station charges. There was also an attack from the manager of the West Yorkshire Road Car Company, Mr A Guest, who said the bus station was in a deplorable state and in need of restoration.

Gargrave Parish Council was on the offensive to stop gypsies on their way to Appleby Fair churning up the village greens. After being bombarded by complaints, the council decided to stop caravans and vehicles from getting onto the greens.

Upper Wharfedale Cricket Club hosted a charity match. A team captained by local cricket legend Fred Trueman took on a side led by Coronation Street star Johnny Briggs, alias Mike Baldwin. Other players included cricketers Brian Close and Ray Illingworth, Corrie star Michael le Vell (Kevin Webster) and Grumbleweed Maurice Lee. The match ended in victory for Fred Trueman’s team.

10 years ago

A Glusburn man was reunited with the sister he had given up for dead 60 years ago. George Allport, 78, thought his youngster sister, Lucy, had been killed in the Blitz during World War Two. She had been in domestic service in London and a series of events meant they lost touch. However, with the help of a national organisation that traced missing people, the siblings were reunited.

A sportsman from Malham was appointed to the RFU national panel of referees. Chris Sharp, 36, used to play for Wharfedale before becoming a referee in 1991. He said he was delighted to be nominated.