From the archives (From Craven Herald)

From the archives

4:10pm Monday 11th June 2012 in Craven History

100 years ago

The rearranged course of Skipton Golf Club was ready for play. It was hoped to provide a welcome change for members unaccustomed to a hilly course.

Skipton was not losing its old-time attraction as a holiday resort and was actually gaining ground. The Whitsuntide holidays saw a welcome influx of visitors.

A horse took fright and bolted while the cart it was attached to was being loaded at Skipton Brewery. The terrified animal rushed over Belmont Bridge, but was stopped in Swadford Street by a plucky policeman, who was dragged along for 30 yards.

50 years ago

Nearly 300 ladies filled the Clifford Hall, Skipton, to watch a new form of entertainment. Miss Betty Phillip, a well-known Skipton ladies hair stylist, had recently returned from Paris with the new season’s hair styles.

Several demonstrations of haytime techniques, which had been due to take place in Craven, were delayed because the machines were ready before the grass.

Buckden celebrated the 50th anniversary of the building of the village’s Township Hall. It was built on the site of the old town hall and was opened on October 29, 1912.

25 years ago

A Malham woman and her Canadian penpal met for the first time since they began writing to each other in 1939. Dorothy Ingham, who ran Malham Post Office and shop with her husband, started writing to Jean Gough after asking her Malham Tarn School teacher Doris Thompson to find her a penpal. “It was just like old friends dropping in,” said Mrs Ingham.

Skipton Working Men’s Club celebrated its 80th birthday with a visit from the Tetley’s dray and horses. The first meeting of the club was held at the Globe Coffee Tavern on June 6, 1907.

Settle’s Stephen Lund won the Northern French open judo championship in Paris. Stephen, 17, who had recently joined the army, took the gold medal in the under-21, under 86 kilos category. “It was an enjoyable trip,” he told the Herald.

10 years ago

Craven celebrated the Queen’s golden jubilee. Events included street parties, processions, carnivals, sports days and a re-enactment of a royal visit of King Henry VI and Queen Margaret of Anjou to Skipton Castle.

Cattle and sheep were due to return to Craven’s agricultural shows. Kilnsey Show had already been granted a livestock licence by DEFRA and Malham was awaiting confirmation of its licence. However, Ribblehead Sheep Show and Horton-in-Ribblesdale Show had been cancelled and Gargrave Show had decided to go-ahead without any livestock. Problems had arisen because of movement restrictions in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis.

Car jackers in Skipton rammed a Mercedes car, forcing the driver to stop. After being hit from behind for the third time, the 57-year-old driver pulled over and got out. He was confronted by five youths, who tried to grab his keys. But the car jackers ran off after other motorists stopped at the scene. “What is it coming to when this happens in Skipton?” asked the victim. The incident was one of four reported in Yorkshire that day.