100 years ago

A highly interesting lecture was given on local history. Kildwick Church was a subject of much interest to the lecturer, who delighted in telling the audience the many incidents in connection with weddings and burials. It was for a long period the only church in the neighbourhood and for some time used as a day school. It was considered a mark of respectability to hold a pew in the church and those pews were handed down from generation to generation.

In Clapham, a party organised by the head keeper renewed attempts to cut short the depredations carved out by foxes. Their nocturnal visits had been traced to the confines of the village and had resulted in losses to hen roosts. A 15lb dog fox was caught and carried in triumph to Ingleborough from where it was sent to a taxidermist.

Golf was going strong in the Skipton district. The Skipton club's success had encouraged others to emulate its example. Plans to establish a club to serve Barnoldswick had been announced and foundations had been laid at Ghyll Golf Club.

50 years ago

A new style of music called "rock 'n' roll" was blamed for a number of violent disturbances during a dance at the Jubilee Hall in Earby. It was reported: "The dance had been extremely well conducted until a few young Teddy Boys who had been drinking came in not a long time before the dance was due to end, and soon a dozen or more youths were fighting. Most of the girls ran downstairs screaming and police were called to reprimand any hooligans."

Questions were being asked about whether Skipton Rural District Council had economised too much. The Government had ordered local authorities to control their spending, but there was concern locally that the cutbacks had gone too far. Upper Wharfedale representative Mr F Lupton claimed residents were suffering hardship with appalling housing conditions.

25 years ago

Gargrave was becoming "the Blackpool of North Yorkshire" claimed local planning committee member Alan Sutcliffe. David Wade, a guesthouse owner, had appealed for planning permission to create a restaurant to serve non-residents within his premises. But Coun Sutcliffe said there were already an excessive number of licensed premises in Gargrave - three pubs, one hotel and three restaurants.

The future of Skipton's central area was decided - by one vote. After more than 30 years of dispute and debate, Craven District Council decided the prime site should be occupied by a mixed commercial and residential scheme, designed by Wales, Wales and Rawson, in association with Jephson Housing Association. Fifteen members voted for the scheme, but 14 favoured an alternative development put forward by Bowman Riley, with Anchor Housing Association.

Addingham sea captain David Rundle received an OBE at an investiture for heroes of the Falklands War. During the conflict, Capt Rundle narrowly missed death when his oil tanker was attacked by enemy aircraft.

10 years ago

A Skipton mechanic was cleared of manslaughter after the Sowerby Bridge lorry disaster in 1993. Prosecutors had tried to prove "defective" brakes had been responsible when a lorry careered down a hill, killing the driver, a van driver and four pedestrians. Judge Justice Hooper, at Newcastle Crown Court, urged the jury to find the man, who was transport manager of Fewston Transport which serviced the lorry, not guilty due to poor technical evidence from the prosecution about the lorry's brakes.

Coronation Street actor Peter Armitage, better known to viewers as Bill Webster, was busy preparing for an illustrious stage role by carrying out research in Skipton. He was set to star in the stage adaptation of British box-office smash "Brassed Off" at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. He researched the role of band conductor Danny - made famous on the big screen by Pete Postlethwaite - by observing members of Skipton Brass Band.

9:07am Friday 8th February 2008

Print   Email this   Comment