100 years ago.

THOMAS Appleby, of Kildwick, chose Rudyard Kipling as the subject of his lecture to members of the Skipton Mechanics Institute. Mr Kipling’s grandparents lived in the town and his grandmother kept a school.

The Bishop of Knaresborough dedicated new bells at Kildwick Parish Church. The treble and tenor bells were added to the church thanks to James Bairstow JP of Springfield, and Mr J W Ackroyd of Cross Hills.

In response to Lord Kitchener’s appeal, the ladies of Bradley sent 57 belts and 86 pairs of socks to each of the village lads who had gone to the front to serve their country.

50 years ago.

MAXIMUM publicity was given by the Skipton Road Safety Committee to a Christmas campaign by the Department of Transport plugging the slogan, Don’t ask a man to drink and drive. Also discussed was the issue of cars parking on both sides of Water Street.

Police Constable Horace Beaver, for the past ten years stationed at East Marton, officially retired from the police force after 29 years’ service. He took up employment with Silentnight, Barnoldswick, as a clerk.

Five Skipton doctors gave their views on the town centre development scheme. Their interest was great as their premises in Otley Street were to be demolished if the scheme went ahead.

25 years ago.

FORTY-eight animals were bludgeoned to death during a sickening bout of destruction at Settle High School. North Yorkshire Police scenes of crime officers were called in after the gruesome discovery was made. Four geese, two ducks, 36 hens, two guinea pigs and four rabbits had been butchered and mutilated. Insp Peter Lambert said: “This is a particularly distressing incident.”

Gargrave Parish Council celebrated a special anniversary – 80 years of service by chorister Elsie May Barrow. She was congratulated on the milestone at a sung Eucharist for which she chose the hymns. Aged 90, Miss Barrow joined the choir at the age of ten and was an associate and licentiate of the London College of Music.

An imaginative and budget-conscious menu won Skipton’s Otley Street Nursery cook Beverley Seward a place in the final of a national competition, which would be attended by Princess Diana. Mrs Seward, 30, was due to cook her menu of Indian meatballs, yellow rice, cucumber raita and tomato and pepper salad in front of TV cameras at the final in London.

10 years ago.

BRUCE Elsworth, of the Angel Inn, Hetton, was named Pub Chef of the Year. Bruce picked up his Pub Food Award for his hands-on approach to training staff and for introducing a food festival. He said: “It is important that we are innovative and maintain the Angel’s position as one of the best pubs for food and wine in the country.”

Contingency plans were in place to find alternative venues after the sudden closure of Rolls-Royce Social Club in Barnoldswick. The club closed just as it was about to face the busy Christmas period. The problem was blamed on the discovery of asbestos during a routine health and safety inspection. A Rolls-Royce spokesman said the extent of work needed was unclear. “The decision to close was not taken lightly,” he added.

Children in Need fever hit Craven. Helping to raise funds were Upper Wharfedale School Headteacher Phil Bennington, who found himself thrown into a swimming pool – fully clothed – and Skipton Building Society chief executive John Goodfellow, who swapped his executive role for a day spent washing up and making tea.