100 years ago

The 28th annual Marton Horticultural Show was held in the village institute, West Marton. The attendance was down because of inclement weather.

The fifth annual show of the Long Preston Floral and Horticultural Society was held in the auction mart.

The hot dry weather which had prevailed in the last few weeks was responsible for a serious drought in the Ribble Valley.

50 years ago

Work was proceeding on the new Skipton swimming baths in Aireville Park. The building featured large windows, including large sections opening out to sunbathing terraces.

Bright weather favoured the 12th annual Clapham Sports. Bookmakers at the whippet racing had a busy time.

A party of Skipton people were given certificates proving they had walked across the sands of Morecambe Bay.

25 years ago

A civil air route which passed over Craven was set to see 25 per cent more traffic. The revelation came after MP David Curry raised concerns about aircraft noise with the National Air Traffic Services. In response, the services’ environmental adviser, John Duck, said he could not offer a great deal of comfort as traffic on the route – already the second-busiest in the country outside London – was set to increase because of a greater demand for business and holiday travel.

Skipton hairdresser Viv Ambrose was set to become the first female football referee in the Craven League. It was not the first time she had struck a blow for womankind – the 32-year-old was also the first female chairman of Carleton Football Club. She had started playing football at the age of 13, while a pupil at Aireville School, and had decided to become a referee because of a shortage in the Craven League.

Two West Craven men who used to travel on the same school bus had an extraordinary meeting. Earby’s Paul Zenon bumped into Barnoldswick’s Chris Pollard 8,000 miles away at a remote radar station at the top of a mountain in the Falkland Islands. Chris, 25, was working for the RAF and magician Paul, 24, was on a tour with a group of entertainers. Both men had met as pupils of Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton.

10 years ago

Five GCSE candidates from Skipton Girls’ High School achieved the best five marks in the country for English Literature. Sixteen-year-olds Nadira Wallace, Charlotte Jennings, Hannah Wilson, Natalie Walker and Moray-Hannah Lyle were top out of the 379,017 pupils sitting the exam. Headteacher Janet Renou said: “We are absolutely delighted, over the moon for the girls who have worked very hard.” All five girls were planning to study English at A-level.

English Heritage had offered a £90,000 “stop the rot” grant to help save the Independent Methodist Chapel on Walmsgate, Barnoldswick. It was the first step towards restoring the once-magnificent chapel to its former glory. It was one of the few remaining 19th century Methodist chapels, with an ornate frontage and impressive interior. Gargrave Agricultural and Horticultural Society held its centenary show. The anniversary event attracted up to 1,000 extra visitors and was blessed with good weather and a return of sheep and cattle following the devastating foot and mouth outbreak. “It is a very special occasion,” said Brenda Moorhouse, who shared the presidency with her husband, Brian.