From the archives (From Craven Herald)

From the archives

10:00am Saturday 20th February 2010 in

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100 years ago

Skipton’s new public library was formally opened and, during the week, the ratepaying public had been taking advantage of the fine collection of books. Instead of having to wade through a catalogue, readers could choose books for themselves, depending on their tastes.

It was not the decrepitude of advancing age that caused Sir Mathew Wilson to limp so at the opening of the library, but the outcome of an accident sustained when out with the Craven Harriers. Sir Mathew, master of the Craven Harriers, was out hunting in Barnoldswick when he was thrown from his horse and, alighting on a hard surface, sustained some bruising that temporarily crippled him.

50 years ago

Dr George Charlesworth, son of Mr J W Charlesworth, a former headmaster of Glusburn Council School, was appointed head of the new traffic management unit, set up in London to devise new means of controlling the almost chaotic traffic situation which threatened daily to bring the capital to a standstill. The unit had been set up by the Ministry of Transport.

The passengers and crew of a double decker bus were lucky to escape serious injury when the Colne to Keighley bus skidded through a wall and plunged 15 feet down a ravine. The incident took place on the notorious double bends on the Lancashire side of Reedshaw Moss, Cowling. The road was packed hard with snow and ice when the bus went into a skid. The two passengers were able to crawl out into the snow uninjured and caught the next bus to Keighley. The bus driver was taken to hospital with head injuries.

The stamp club met at Airton Methodist Sunday School to continue talks on famous persons on stamps. The subject was Baden Powell and the Boy Scout Movement.

25 years ago

Craven District Council found it had a spare £250,000 to spend – and proposed using it to kickstart a new old people’s housing scheme at Town End, Glusburn. Members were told the money had come from the Government and could be loaned to Anchor Housing to get the proposed housing project off the ground. Coun Harold Gresswell said there was a desperate need for the scheme. “The air seems to suit everyone in Glusburn. They go on living forever,” he joked.

Eleven Skipton licensees fought to retain their traditional market day extensions. For years, the public houses had been allowed to open from 3pm to 4pm on Mondays and Wednesdays to cater for “market” visitors. But magistrates decided to review the situation. Police inspector Terence Prigmore argued the market referred to was the cattle mart, so there should be tighter restrictions in the town centre pubs, while John Mewies, for the licensees, said a charter granted by King John in 1204 enabled a weekly market and two fairs to be held and it was on this foundation the market days had evolved. Magistrates decided the Midland Hotel – which, at that time, was opposite the cattle mart – could keep its licence extensions, but the others would only be allowed to extend their opening hours during the summer.

Sub-zero temperatures hampered firefighters tacking a barn blaze at Prospect House Farm, Kildwick. For, as the crew fought to control the flames, their water hoses froze up and ice formed on their helmets and uniforms.

10 years ago

A pilot project was launched to make Bentham a centre of excellence. It was chosen as a case study because of its unique self-sufficiency for a town with a population of around 3,000. The initiative, backed by Yorkshire Forward, would look at investment opportunities so the town could retain its self-sufficiency for many years to come.

Threshfield climber Angela Soper had set herself a towering challenge. She was planning to climb the Old Man of Hoy – the most difficult and inaccessible rock in Britain – to raise money for ME sufferers.

Craven District Council appointed a new chief executive, Rachel Mann. She had been the council’s temporary executive director and director of public services. Miss Mann had come to Craven after a 20-year career in the NHS.