100 years ago

SKIPTON Football Club had for some time been sending consignments of cigarettes to players on active service. They received several acknowledgements.

The owner of a field in Giggleswick in which the council's road scrapings had for some time been deposited, wrote asking for an annual remuneration for granting the privilege, suggesting 50 shillings a year. The surveyor gave his opinion that the sum was too much. The clerk thought Giggleswick Parish Council would give a place for free.

A batch of five motorists appeared to answer charges of obstruction by leaving cars and cycles unattended for an unreasonable time on the highway at Bolton Abbey at Easter. It was agreed that the defendants had acted in ignorance and were dismissed on payment of costs.

50 years ago

AFTER much controversy, Skipton's new clinic and health office at the head of the High Street, was complete and in operation at a cost in the region of £65,000. The search for a suitable central site had been going on for more than ten years.

Tenders for the building of a new general hospital in Eastburn were to be invited in September. Work was due to start on site in January. It was to have 600 beds and was to be situated off the main Keighley to Skipton road.

Skipton Young Farmers' Annual Show at The Bailey was blessed with perfect weather. Classes included gymkhana, livestock, and a bonny baby contest, which was won by Andrea Wharton.

25 years ago

WORK on Gargrave's new bypass was due to start in the new year, the Department of Transport announced. Minister for Roads and Traffic Robert Atkins said: "I am sure this will be welcome news for the people of Gargrave. Gargrave will become a safer; cleaner place and the quality of life for those living near the existing road will be greatly improved." The bypass would be 3.3 miles long and would cost £10 million.

Craven District Council remained "hung" after the local elections. None of the seats changed hands, meaning the council had 12 Conservatives, 12 Liberals or Liberal Democrats, seven Independents and three Labour. However there were accusations of dirty tricks during the campaign, with Cllr Peter Willey, the senior Labour member, saying it was the dirtiest election he had known.

Gold medal athlete Diane Edwards visited Barnoldswick's Coates Lane School. Diane, from Manchester, won her medal in the 800 metres at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. And she joined pupils on a sponsored run to raise money for a new school library. Headteacher Barbara Hill said: "The visit went very well. Diane is one of the top ten athletes in the world and she first visited the school two years ago when we were raising money for the Olympic Games team. We have kept in touch ever since."

10 years ago

A CROSS Hills woman received the ultimate 40th birthday present when she met her American pen pal of almost 30 years. Helen Birch finally met Cindy Ribordy, from Kansas, after her husband, Andrew, arranged a birthday surprise. The pair started sending letters while still at school. "She's like the sister I never had," said Helen. "We have done nothing but laugh."

Twelve-year-old Adam Stockbridge, from Skipton, won a place at the prestigious Chethams School of Music in Manchester. Adam, who played the trumpet, said his ultimate career choice would be to play his trumpet in a professional brass band, "I like to play all sorts of music, jazz, orchestral, but I really like brass," said Adam, a pupil at Ermysted's Grammar School.

Settle's Townhead Surgery said goodbye to one of its founders after almost 30 years in practice. Welsh-born Dr John Lewis qualified in medicine in 1970 and started his GP training in Huddersfield. He then moved to Steeton's Airedale Hospital where his trainer was Settle's Dr Barry Brewster. Dr Lewis said he had enjoyed working in the town. Colleague Dr Eric Ward said: "John has given 100 per cent during his 30 years at the practice and he will be greatly missed."