100 years ago

THE public of Skipton district would not let it be said that the 6th West Riding Regiment, whose headquarters were in Skipton, ever went short of a cigarette or a pipe or tobacco while fighting the battle of those who are obliged to stay at home.

The vicar of Windhill, the Rev Richard Whincup, left for the Front to act as chaplain to a Territorial battalion in France. He was previously curate of Christ Church, Skipton.

It was not without some trepidation that the Gargrave Floral and Horticultural Society decided to hold an exhibition. But the weight of opinion favoured a show being held and the profits handed over to one of the patriotic funds.

50 years ago

THE question of introducing a five-day week for shops in Barnoldswick was under discussion. Also put on the agenda for the chamber of trade's annual meeting was Saturday afternoon closing and early evening closing. At the time, many shops in Barnoldswick stayed open longer than shops in nearby towns, which closed at 6pm.

Well-known Skipton man David Hill was married in Coventry to Jane Mary Wood. Mr Hill, 21, recently completed a three-year course at the Rose Brueton Drama School in London where he qualified as an actor and teacher of dramatic art. He was one of the most gifted actors to have attended Ermysted's Grammar School.

The people of Malham were trying hard to keep their village green tidy. Many residents voluntarily emptied litter bins on the green during the busy summer months. Bins were also supplemented with dustbins and oil drums.

25 years ago

MORE than 120 officers and rescue workers launched a massive search for a six-year-old boy who went missing from a barge moored near Sunwin House on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Skipton. Daniel Harrison, who lived in Newcastle, had been on holiday with his family and disappeared just after arriving in Skipton. Sadly, the search ended four days later with the discovery of his body in the canal. It was thought Daniel had fallen in. Claro Coroner Dr Sydney Jacobs warned parents to be extra vigilant of children near water.

The Royal Shepherd excelled in the Yorkshire and Humberside in Bloom competition. The Canal Street hostelry came joint third in the commercial award category with 93 marks out of a possible 100, making it the best local achiever. Judges said the establishment with its colourful hanging baskets and plants had to be seen to be appreciated.

Celebrity Mike Harding officially opened Barnoldswick Town Square and information centre and launched a series of circular walks in the area. The Herald said the day's events had gone more or less without a hitch and Barlick had taken three big steps away from its "dirty old town image".

10 years ago

NAKED rambler Jeffrey Woodhouse appeared, fully clothed, before Skipton magistrates. The 40-year-old was one of three people arrested for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour after walking naked through Gargrave. And, within minutes of his court appearance, Jeffrey shed his clothes and walked along Skipton High Street, wearing just his sandals and rucksack! He told the Herald he would go to prison to defend his right to walk around naked.

Villagers in Halton Gill would be able to access a normal water supply in the future, thanks to a grant from the Rural Development Fund. Residents had previously had to buy bottled water or install expensive private filtration equipment. However, thanks to the £22,700 grant, they would be able to access healthy drinking water from a fresh moorland spring.

Plans were put forward to turn a former residential school into four-star holiday accommodation, with jobs for eight people. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority was being asked to approve 40 self-catering units and timeshares at the old Linton Camp School. Planning consultants JW PC Limited said the proposal would improve the site and would be in keeping with the surrounding landscape.