Pick of the Past (From Craven Herald)

Pick of the Past

1:10pm Saturday 6th February 2010 in

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100 years ago

The return of the Hon WGA Orde Powlett as Conservative member for the Richmond division was celebrated with enthusiasm at Askrigg. The function was to have taken place the week before but, owing to a severe snowstorm, the roads were blocked and the event was cancelled. The roads were still in a wretched condition, but some 300 supporters came from far and wide to welcome the new MP and celebrate his victory.

Fifty years of existence was something the Craven Lodge 810, whose headquarters were in Victoria Buildings, Skipton, was naturally proud of. Unfortunately, the original founders – the last of whom was the late Col Robinson – were gone, but their memory was held in grateful remembrance. The Craven Lodge was consecrated on July 3, 1867, but the warrant was dated February 14, 1860.

The Skipton Public Reading Room, whose doors had just opened, gave promise of being a popular institution. The room was plainly but sensibly furnished, the tables were well supplied with magazines and other entertaining and instructive literature and the chairs were just easy enough to be comfortable. The room, being on the ground floor, commanded a view of the upper part of High Street.

50 years ago

In view of the fact that the war memorial on its present site in Gargrave had been damaged several times by motor cars, the parish council considered a request from the British Legion for another site to be found for it. The council had already given this some thought and decided to ask the villagers for their thoughts.

A film entitled Radio Active Fall Out was screened in Skipton Town Hall. There was only a moderate attendance but, after the film, many questions were asked. The need was stressed for many more volunteers in Skipton. Those who saw the film saw that if they were properly trained they would be able to protect themselves, and others, against radioactive fallout.

A Government minister turned down planning permission for a petrol filling station and garage at Bridge End, Long Preston. The inspector said that if the station was used by local residents they would need to make a right-hand turn near an important road junction and that a petrol station on the site would result in increased traffic hazards.

25 years ago

Twenty-one-year-old Meg Holdsworth, of Langcliffe, was selected for the Cambridge University lightweight squad in the Varsity boat race against Oxford. Meg was in her final year at St John’s College studying classics and had only taken up rowing when she arrived at Cambridge.

Kettlewell’s Bluebell Hotel was put up for sale, with a price tag of £230,000. Dating back to 1680, it was being marketed by Hepper Watson, which said the price reflected the hostelry’s popularity and key position.

A freak explosion rocked Barnoldswick town centre and left shops in Albert Road without electricity for more than an hour. A heavy iron manhole cover in the pavement outside the Co-op was blown four feet into the air by the blast, but fortunately no-one was close by at the time. Although initially thought to be a gas explosion, the cause was actually water getting into the electrical cables, causing a short circuit.

10 years ago

Skipton’s municipal buildings were falling down. Local architects Bowman Riley had surveyed all the buildings owned by Craven District Council and their findings painted a dim picture. They estimated £3.5 million would have to be spent over the next five years for the buildings to meet health and safety requirements. Councillors decided to fund a £25,000 feasibility study to see whether the council’s services could be brought together under one roof.

WI members who had stripped for a cheeky charity calendar were set to become film stars. London-based Harbour Pictures were looking at making a movie of the women’s story. Calendar Girl Angela Baker, whose husband, John, inspired the calendar, said they wanted any potential film to be made in Britain, with the proceeds going to Leukaemia Research.