100 years ago

NEWS was received in Earby that Dr Philip Dobson Pickles had died in hospital in Malta, the result of injuries received during the disaster to HMS Russell, which was sunk in the Mediterranean.

At the request of Skipton Council, the headmaster of the town's Water Street School consented to organise flag days for the benefit of allies, Serbia and Russia.

A farmer appealing for the second time for the temporary exemption of a son to help him over haytime, was told there were provisions for military help. One member of the tribunal asked what the point was of sending the man to war while fetching another from the army to help out.

50 years ago

THE Yorkshire Dales Tourist Association played host to a party of travel agents and journalists from Holland, who were visiting for the purpose of stimulating the tourist trade between the county and the Netherlands.

At the age of 84, Harry Cox, of Settle, had been carrying out his duties as school traffic warden at Settle Junior School for 11 years.

Members of the Trinity Methodist Church continued efforts to raise funds for the rebuilding of their church premises in Skipton. The premises had been rendered unsafe for use because of serious defects in the roof.

25 years ago

AIREVILLE Swimming Pool was "dirty, untidy and boring" and putting it under new management would offer a chance to make it decent again, a councillor claimed. Cllr Paul Whitaker told fellow Craven District Council members that putting the Skipton facilities out to tender would be a move forward. But Cllr Claire Brooks accused the council of "asset-stripping".

Two young boys from Skipton's Holy Trinity Church choir sung their way through to the north-east regional final of the Choirboy of the Year competition. Water Street School pupil David Hamilton, 11, from Stirton, and Ermysted's student Simon Wormald, 12, of Skipton, were both experienced singers. It was the sixth time that choristers from Holy Trinity had been selected for the regional final.

Two Craven men were "bowled over" with surprise when they bumped into each other in Australia - after both emigrated more than 25 years ago. Former Skipton man Donald Wade, 70, was a keen bowls player and, after moving from Melbourne to Merimbula, New South Wales, joined a local bowls club. There, he found himself paired up Arthur Horsfield, 93, who it transpired was from Barnoldswick, but had lived in Australia since 1927.

10 years ago

NEARLY 50 jobs were to go at the Johnson and Johnson factory in Gargrave. The company announced plans to get rid of around 48 staff amid rumours that the company was moving part of its manufacturing operation overseas. A company spokesman said: "Johnson and Johnson Wound Management will continue to be a significant employer in the Skipton area and, based on its expertise and capabilities, will continue to play a critical role in the product development and manufacturing activities for the global business."

Bosses faced angry protests over the closure of Earby Youth Hostel - and were accused of simply "making noises" when they refused to reverse their decision. Youth Hostel Association operations director Mark Farmer heard from residents, councillors and visitors from as far afield as Essex in a packed St Peter's Methodist Church Hall. Pendle MP Gordon Prentice joined the chorus of voices opposing the sale, branding the move as "totally fraudulent". However, Mr Farmer defended the decision, claiming that changing times and leisure trends meant Earby's hostel was no longer viable.

Skipton greetings card company Kingsley Cards called in administrators less than a year after it received a £13.5 million investment from a private equity company. The company which occupied Belle Vue Mills, the biggest mill complex in Skipton, was being sold as a going concern. Administrators KPMG had been appointed to oversee the running and sale of the company, which employed 209 people.