100 years ago

MRS Ogden, of Cross Hills, received a letter from her husband, Private Charles Ogden, of the Bradford Pals, stating that he had been wounded in the back and left leg on July 1. He had been taken to the hospital at La Havre where he was being treated handsomely.

An appeal was heard at the military tribunals of a married man employed at a munitions factory in Keighley. His wife said his foot had been severely crushed while at work and that he had been brought home in a cab. He was given four months exemption.

An 11-month-old baby died after being badly scalded at his home in Halton Gill. His mother had been preparing for her weekly washing and had placed two bucketfuls of hot water in the machine tub. She had left the kitchen when the child touched the tub and released the water, badly scalding himself. She bandaged the scalds with linseed and lime water, but he died a day later.

50 years ago

A GYPSY-type caravan, which had stood on land near the Tennant Arms, Kilnsey, for 50 years, had to be removed under a county council order, and confirmed by the Ministry of Housing. The caravan belonged to Mr Thompson and his solicitor described it as a 'very small storm in a teacup'.

Instead of the bags of coal which had been the customary gift of the old people's welfare committee, the over 70s of Silsden were to receive cash gifts of 10 shillings. Not more than one gift per household was to be given out.

The rector of Carleton made some frank comments on the subject of youth and Carleton's lack of amenities. He criticised the one or two teenagers in the village who caused trouble. He also referred to the 'innate wickedness' of some youngsters and also the scandalous and long-standing lack of amenities in the village.

25 years ago

SETTLE'S retiring "Cloggy Postman" was presented with a Good Service Diploma. Allan Hartley joined the Post Office in August 1954 and had seen many changes, including pedal power being superseded by the van. And, to remind him of the days when he delivered the mail on two wheels, he was presented with a splendid new mountain bike. He earned the nickname Cloggy Postman as he always wore clogs - no matter what the weather.

Skipton's new Morrisons supermarket was about to open. Built on the site of the old auction mart, it had been designed to resemble an auction ring building and incorporated a cow weather vane and, inside the entrance, was the previous auctioneer's box. There was parking for 484 cars.

Tanks, gun-totting soldiers and armed car searches were just some of the sights seen by a Skipton couple, who decided to get away from it all - in Yugoslavia. Harry and Joyce Hills tried to avoid tourist traps - but found on this occasion they may have been a bit too adventurous. "We had never seen anything like it," said Harry. The couple abandoned their holiday on the Croatian coast and move to the Dolomites.

10 years ago

FREDDIE Trueman, for many cricket's greatest fast bowler of all time, died in Airedale Hospital of cancer. 'Fiery' Fred had lived for many years in Flasby, near Gargrave, with his wife, Veronica. He was the first Test cricketer to reach 300 wickets and captured a total of 2,304 first class victims for just 18.29 runs apiece. One of his last engagements had been to carry out of the switch-on of Skipton's Christmas lights.

Gordon Pickles, owner of theYorkshire Range Company in Halton East, received an order from a former Yorkshireman living in Terrell, near Dallas. The cattle breeder wanted a miniature range to sit by his desk at his Texas farm and a fully restored range for the kitchen. But the former Yorkshireman faced a wait at least 18 months as Mr Pickles could not produce his ranges fast enough to meet demand.

Gargrave was preparing for its biggest invasion ever - a Roman Legion complete with gladiators. The Romans were due to set up camp for a festival to celebrate the village's heritage. Pupils at Gargrave Primary School had made Latin banners for each business in the High Street and had taken part in a competition to make giant mosaics.