100 years ago

THE apprehension took place in Skipton of three Germans who, having taken out naturalisation papers, were liable to detention under an order issued by the military authorities. Two resided in Skipton, and one in Earby.

A further five officers, 191 men, 54 horses and the remainder of the heavy baggage left Skipton to join the 6th battalion at Grimsby. Long before they left, the streets were filled with sightseers. There was an entire absence of the jingo spirit, no flag waving or rowdy expression of empty patriotism.

The military authorities purchased 12 horses in the Kettlewell district. These were stabled at the Race Horses Hotel for a few days before being removed by a party of territorials. Their destination was not stated.

50 years ago

SOME 140 employees of T Stell and Co, Aireside Mills, Connonley, went to Scarborough. They were greeted with poor weather, but after lunch, the weather turned out lovely.

A service was held on Chapel Hill, Skipton, to mark the exact 200th anniversary of John Wesley's first visit to Skipton. The service was held at the exact spot where he preached.

Skipton MP G B Drayson attended a public meeting in Addingham and promised to impress upon the Minister of Transport the urgency of fixing a line for the bypass.

25 years ago

THE people of Tosside gave thanks for the successful completion of renovations to the village church. A thanksgiving service was held, at which the preacher was the Assistant Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev David Evans. An appeal was launched after it was discovered the bell turret was in a dangerous condition and parishioners rose to the challenge, raising enough to cover the £19,366 repair bill.

A Nottingham man was charged with the murder of Ingleton pensioner Jack Shuttleworth. Brian Newcombe, 51, a motor mechanic, was arrested at a guesthouse in Mansfield. After appearing at Skipton Magistrates’ Court, he was whisked away in an unmarked police car, covered in a blanket to shield him from the media’s gaze.

Merrie Olde England sprung to life on Skipton High Street when the Round Table held its annual market. The crowded high street had 40 stalls and other attractions included magic shows, Punch and Judy, balloon modelling, wet sponge hurling and a bouncy castle. A total of £10,000 was raised for local charities.

10 years ago

A MILLIONAIRE’S dream wedding party turned into a nightmare when he woke to find his luxury marquee under three feet of water. Kildwick businessman Ali Shan had spent £35,000 on hire costs and £80,000 on flowers, stage and decorations. He had been planning his big day with his partner, Shaneen, for the past six months. The pair had been married two weeks earlier and had planned to hold the party in a marquee near their home, Airedale House. Instead it was transferred to Skipton's Hanover International Hotel.

Work was due to start on a multi-million pound development at Rolls-Royce’s Bankfield site in Barnoldswick. The new factory would replace the 100-year-old mill currently used to make components for the company’s Trent family of engines. The old site would be sold off to the North West Development Agency to form a new business park. Project manager Stuart Walton said the new factory would be more spacious and have better lighting, better air quality and better facilities.

Several Craven holidaymakers were injured during a trip to Norway. They were on a holiday organised by Bibby’s of Ingleton and were enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride to the Briksdal Valley Glacier at Stryn when one of the horses bolted. It was thought it had been stung by an insect. Several carriages overturned, injuring 15 people. Among the most seriously hurt was former parish councillor Chris Mitton, who suffered a fractured pelvis, arm and ribs as well as cuts to his head.