100 years ago

The sturdy Conservative organisation of the Grassington polling district lacked a common meeting place and centre. In a word, the Grassington workers wanted a club. The Herald mused: "Such an institution has been found necessary in less important places than Gerston' and the wonder is that this popular pleasure resort has so long been left out in the cold".

As a result of a spell of cold weather, the park pond in Clapham had been covered in ice and many people had enjoyed the skating. One youth engaged in a game, slipped and fell heavily on the ice. Dr White was consulted and found that the left collar bone was fractured.

The chairman of the Skipton Urban District Council expressed his sympathy with the Rural District Council over the way it had been treated by West Riding County Council. The problem related to the new bridge on Carleton Road and the curious fact that the county authority had requested that the urban council keep the bridge and the road over it in repair.

50 years ago

"Wilful destruction" was reported at Sutton. The park keeper told the parish council a sign prohibiting tipping at Hazelgrove Bottom had been ripped out of the ground and thrown into the beck. He said youngsters could not have done it and blamed "someone from away".

Thirty pigs perished in a fire at Whinburn Farm, Bradley. Owner Mr H Thornton noticed smoke coming from the Nissen-type piggery, but when he went to investigate the building burst into flames. He said there was no hope of saving the trapped animals. It is thought the blaze started when one of the pigs knocked over an infra-red light, igniting some hay. The damage was estimated at £1,000.

West Yorkshire County Council was accused of extravagance over its plans to build two detached houses for police officers in Grassington and Cracoe. "We feel that, if possible, some recommendation ought to be made to the county police authorities informing them that we think detached houses at the cost at which they are being built are very extravagant, particularly when we are doing all we can to cut expenditure on council houses," said Mr J Whitham. Members said a council house could be supplied at a much cheaper rate.

25 years ago

The future of Skipton's central area rumbled on. Just as a decision was expected on who would be chosen to develop the area around Victoria Street, a third contender entered the ring, throwing Craven District Council into chaos. A promise had already been made not to consider any more plans, but the new scheme by Jephson Housing Association was put forward for debate. "It is going to be never-ending," declared Coun Robert Heseltine. Members voted to put off a decision until the new plan had gone before the policy and finance committee.

Lucky black cat Sambo scooped a major award at one of the country's top shows. He took the best-of-breed trophy for Black Persians at the Supreme Championship at Birmingham. Sambo - whose full pedigree name was Koochi Tar Baby - was accompanied to the show by his owner Maureen Thomas, of Barnoldswick.

10 years ago

Health secretary Frank Dobson visited Airedale Hospital at Steeton and promised that its special care baby unit would stay open. He had accepted an invitation from local MP Ann Cryer to visit the hospital after rumours started to circulate about the unit's future. "It is reassuring for the people of Airedale to be told that their unit is to stay," said Airedale NHS Trust chief executive Bob Allen.

Children playing with a lighter set fire to a barn at High Skibeden Farm, Skipton, causing £30,000 damage. It was only the direction of the wind that saved 30 cows from being burned alive. "It does not bear thinking about," said John Stapleton, who helped at the farm.

Retired Craven farmer Walter Umpleby was awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list. He was recognised for services to conservation after dedicating his life to traditional farming methods. Former Skipton MP John Watson received an OBE for services to regeneration while former Grassington man Michael Gains was awarded the Queen's Police Medal.

9:25am Friday 11th January 2008

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