From the archives (From Craven Herald)

From the archives

10:00am Saturday 30th January 2010 in

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100 years ago

The flooding of the Ribble Valley from Conscience to Rathmell was blamed on the excessive rainfall and snow that had fallen over the weekend. A gap had been washed away on the bank of the river and hundreds of acres were covered with water, which was up against the railway. Roads to Wigglesworth and Rathmell were almost impassable.

An “exciting” runaway incident took place in Kildwick. Sir John Brigg’s daughter had been conveyed to the station in the carriage, which then returned to Kildwick half-empty. In the momentary absence of the coachman, the two horses bolted. They careered past Farnhill Hall, over the canal bridge and into the Skipton highway, then into Bradley Lane where they almost collided with a trap. They then went along the canal, the carriage overturned and they went into the water. Assistance was quickly given and with some difficulty they were got out, with little ill effect.

Snow fell heavily in Skipton with the result that traffic was considerably affected. The roads and footpaths were temporarily cleared in good time and the inhabitants thus enabled to get about.

50 years ago

The death was recorded of William Eastwood, one of three Barnoldswick survivors of the Rohilla disaster, in which 12 local men lost their lives. The Rohilla foundered off Saltwick Nab, Whitby, in 1914, when on its way to Dunkirk to bring back wounded British soldiers. Although the hospital ship broke up within hailing distance of the shore, the sea was so rough that it was virtually impossible for many hours to launch lifeboats to go to the aid of the victims.

A Government minister announced his decision on an application by the Skipton Rural Council for loan consent for the erection of public toilets at Gargrave. Although accepting the need for public conveniences in the area, he said the proposed site was not satisfactory because of its close proximity to houses. He was prepared to consider another site, however.

The question of buses cutting off the corner when entering Skipton bus station was raised at a road safety committee meeting. It was stated that some of the buses were actually mounting the pavement as the path was about the same height as the road. Tapering the pavement and raising it were suggested as ways of solving the problem.

25 years ago

Barden farmer Ralph Stott was elected president of the Yorkshire Sheepdog Society. He had a flock of Swaledale sheep and sheepdogs were part and parcel of his everyday life. He was also a regular competitor in the Yorkshire Novice Sheepdog Trials.

Bentham firefighters blazed through to the North Yorkshire Brigade finals of the National Technical Quiz for retained crews. The quiz was designed to raise standards of technical knowledge. Sadly the Bentham team were unable to take top honours – the victors were from Filey.

Chiropodists were in short supply, Airedale Health Authority was told. Members heard it was a national problem and Airedale was approaching chiropody schools in a bid to recruit students. “We are continuing to try to find extra people but they are just not there,” said authority chairman John Stanley Bell.

10 years ago

Grassington’s Dickensian Festival was to get a major overhaul. A public meeting, attended by 50 people, looked at the future of the festival, which was unrecognisable from the small community event it had originally been. The meeting decided the festival should be kept alive, but should be given a comprehensive overhaul. Threshfield woman Rosemary Biggin was appointed as festival co-ordinator.

Work was to start on improving Ingleton’s railway viaduct, which had grade two listed status. Owned by the British Rail Property Board, the viaduct would be waterproofed and repainted in Midland red – the colour of the London Midland and Scottish Railway. Downspouts would also be replaced and shrubs removed. However, plans to build a pathway over the viaduct had been rejected by local residents at a public meeting.

Barnoldswick woman Susan Pearson had donated bone marrow for a potentially lifesaving transplant operation. Susan, 33, had joined the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow register 12 years before and didn’t hesitate when she got a call saying her bone marrow was a match for a patient in America. She travelled to London where a litre of bone marrow was harvested and flown to the USA.