100 years ago

A strike at Salterforth Shed had been in progress for 12 months and there was no progress in the way of a settlement. Many of the workers had left the village and found work in neighbouring districts, but some had returned to work in the shed.

The urban district council was called upon to improve the ventilation of the assembly room in Skipton Town Hall. With a full house, the atmosphere in the course of an hour became unbearable. There were many complaints on the occasion of the Skipton Permanent Orchestra's concert and when the interval came, many members of the audience escaped and refused to return.

After many years, Earby ratepayers obtained their hearts' desire - self government. The Herald said Kelbrook inhabitants would be disappointed, for although they were yoked to their Earby neighbours in parish council affairs, they did not look forward with equanimity to being yoked to Earby for home rule purposes.

50 years ago

At the 73rd annual meeting of the Skipton branch of the British Women's Total Abstinence Union, Mrs Moorhouse (president) spoke of the growing concern in the increase of drinking and drunkenness among young people. One factor in the trend, she said, was that they had more spending money, and posters, pictures and advertisements suggested there was an advantage in taking alcoholic liquor.

After simmering quietly for a few months, a dispute between Addingham Parish Council and Skipton Rural District Council over the latter's refusal to collect refuse from the outskirts of the village reached boiling point. In a letter, the rural council gave a flat refusal to the parish council's request for refuse to be collected and said the idea of communal collecting points was impractical. Members protested indignantly and it was agreed to ask the rural council to consider the question again.

25 years ago

Roast duck with caramel and brandy sauce was just one of the courses on a mouthwatering menu that won a Hellifield private the title of Young Army Chef of the Year. Brian Preston was stationed in Germany when he won the award. A former pupil of Settle High School, Brian joined the army when he was 16 with the intention of training in the catering section. His interest in cooking originated when his mother was ill and he took over responsibility for providing the family meals.

Skipton was failing as a tourist town because it was filthy, members of the Yorkshire Dales Tourist Association were told. At its annual meeting, members heard two of the town's nine guesthouses had closed, two were up for sale and the rest were struggling to survive. Skipton Town Council member Katherine Farey said: "The town is filthy. People come into the town and immediately leave it for Ilkley or Harrogate."

Skipton Town Council decided to put its precept up by 33 per cent. Coun Ronnie Hollings explained that for the previous few years the council had used its balances to keep rate increases low, but all the balances had been used up.

10 years ago

Otters would soon have new homes thanks to volunteers who created two holts on the River Wharfe, near Grassington. The work was organised by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Otters and Rivers Project and was part of a four-year plan to help the tiny otter population expand.

Lots of people in Ingleton had their lives made easier by the community-spirited actions of Dorothy Bains. And Dorothy, of the Little Wonder Shop, received national recognition for her efforts when local coal merchant Hugh Redhead nominated her in a competition to find the country's most community-minded people.

The first Fire Safety Advisory Service in the country was launched in Skipton. The aim of the advisory service was to provide help and advice to people in their own homes by identifying specific hazards, like chip pans and electric blankets.

9:59am Friday 14th March 2008

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