100 years ago

The hay harvest was completed in Bradley, with farmers claiming the best crops for some years.

John Greenwood, of The Old White Bear in Cross Hills, with his exhibits of Wyandottes and Leghorns, secured first and second prizes at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Kildwick and District Brass Band held a gala after the swimming gala. The band played for dancing. Games were also indulged in, including quoits, brasseys, and throwing at the wicket.

50 years ago

Gargrave agricultural show celebrated its diamond jubilee when it continued to fascinate a large number of visitors.

A small party of leading Conservatives had an informal meeting with the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillian, at Bolton Abbey where he had been a guest of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for the grouse shooting.

Bentham Parish Council was asked to take steps to clear the rats from Sweetly Quarry.

25 years ago

Skipton MP David Curry made an impassioned speech in the House of Commons about the importance of the closure-threatened Settle-Carlisle Railway Line. He said: “The line stands as a symbol of the history of a culture and a character. It is very difficult for me to explain to my constituents why it is right that taxpayers should be asked to pay £5 million to restore the Albert Memorial, but it’s not right to pay a fraction of that to restore the Ribblehead Viaduct. Take these two together and the Ribblehead Viaduct is overwhelmingly more important to our nation’s history and has greater promise for the nation’s future.” In response, new Public Transport Minister Michael Portillo said he looked forward to applying his mind to the problems confronting him.

A £1.7 million TV series about the life of a country lawyer – based on the writings of a Settle solicitor – was to be filmed in Craven and South Lakeland. The series, Capstick’s Law, was commissioned by Granada TV from newspaper magnate Eddie Shah. Scriptwriter Jon Finch, from Giggleswick, created the series from the writings of Settle solicitor Wilson Goad, although the fictitious Capstick was not based on him.

The opening of the £14.8 million Aire Valley Trunk Road proved something of a washout as torrential rain cut short the ceremony. Roads and Transport Minister Peter Bottomley opened the road by driving through the tape in a 1924 racing Bentley.

10 years ago

The Craven Herald treated its readers to a free swim in the £3.5 million Craven Pool to mark the pool’s opening and the paper’s 150th anniversary. The new £25m pool and 34-station fitness centre had been financed with a £2.2 million Sports England grant.

Skipton’s Holy Trinity Church made the finals of a search to find the best church in the country. Organisers of the Ecclestical Insurance Group’s 2003 competition had whittled down hundreds of entries to just 12. Holy Trinity had impressed the judges because it had made itself part of Skipton life and attracted 80,000 visitors a year.

One hundred and one year old Edna Nasen won a bowling competition organised by Settle’s Greenfoot care home. Edna proved age was no obstacle by out bowling the opposition to take victory.