IT is often said that the subject most likely to inflame public outrage is that of dog mess - and has been for some years, so it seems. A report in the Craven Herald of 1969 said statistics suggested there were - at the time - around one dog for every household in Skipton and in Barnoldswick. And, although most owners took their responsibilities seriously, there were many others that did not. Some, said the Herald, seemed ‘completely oblivious’ to the feelings of their neighbours, let alone the ‘public at large’. One of the reporters at the paper had been approached by two shopkeepers urging action against the ‘constant fouling of Skipton pavements by dogs’. One of the worst areas was the Middletown area where the problem had been made worse by recent paving and surfacing of streets between Sackville Street and Castle Street. The paper reported that pedestrians were more likely to use the streets now they were no longer ‘rough and grassy’. One ‘old lady’ said the paper had lost her footing and had fallen onto a stretch of pavement which had been made treacherous after being soiled by dogs. The shopkeepers - described as ‘highly indignant’ said dogs could be trained to use the gutters and those that didn’t were clearly owned by ‘lazy and careless’ people. Of course, 50 years ago, there was no suggestion of picking up after dogs, that was yet to come, but the Herald in a message to dog owners said not only was the fouling of footpaths unsightly, it was also illegal. “Come on, dog owners of Craven; you can do better than this,” it said.

WE’RE all very familiar with the war memorial at the top of Skipton High Street - but a hundred years ago, at the end of the First World War, talk of a suitable memorial to honour all those who had lost their lives in the war were centred around a YMCA building or public baths. A private meeting - without members of the public or press - was held by the then Skipton Urban Council to discuss two schemes - the use of the former home of mill owner Mr T Dewhurst as a YMCA, or the building of a town swimming pool. The two options were to go to public vote at a meeting of ratepayers. Meanwhile, the Craven Herald threw its editorial weight behind a YMCA. Such a facility was the choice of soldiers, and the youth of the town, and future generations would be the ‘better for it’. Meanwhile, a late suggestion by the parent of a fallen soldier was for a memorial in Caroline Square, which could e engraved with all the names of those who had lost their lives, and would be seen by all those entering the town.

ELSEWHERE in the paper of 1919, a ‘doctor’ put forward his views on women and pain. Women, believed the doctor, were less affected by shock than men. And, not only that, they endured surgical operations better than men, and coped with anaesthesia ‘more rapidly, quietly and safely’. So, there you have it.

ANGEL Lorenzo Cabello, chef at Skipton Girls High School (pictured) is hoping to be named top school chef in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Lorenzo was up against six other top school chefs at the regional competition, due to be held yesterday in Doncaster. The contest, which has been going for 20 years, is organised by the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA) and is sponsored by McDougalls.

Angel, along with his six regional finalists at yesterday’s live regional final held at Doncaster College, had to prepare four portions of a main course and a dessert suitable for serving to 11 year olds in school. They had up to 90 minutes and a maximum spend of £1.30 is allowed for the cost of a single meal.

For the Skipton chef, it was his La Prawn Croquette, a ‘flavoursome prawns and spinach milky paste with spinach spices in breadcrumb coating on sauteed vegetables’ and All Bananas’ - an ‘Oaty and crumbly banana cake with a fresh mango and yoghurt ice cream’. Winner of the Yorkshire and Humber heat will go on to the national final, due to be held on March 7 in Stratford upon Avon.

MEMBERS of Cross Hills Social Club are preparing to celebrate the club’s 100th birthday later this year. Celebrations will be marked with a members night with entertainment. There are also plans to display photographs around the clubhouse, showing how it has changed over the years. Member, Anita Robertson, says the club is appealing to present and past members to get in touch who may have any old photographs or documents. Anyone able to help, can contact her by email crosshillssocialclub@hotmail.co.uk.

Meanwhile, the club will be celebrating Burns Night on Friday, January 25, with a right royal knees up. A haggis will be brought to Cross Hills all the way from Scotland by a club member before being toasted by Barry Reay who will also say the ‘Selkirk Prayer’. Carol Ellison will carry out the important role of carving the haggis. It is bound to be an excellent evening, membership of the club is just £7.50 a year, to join, contact the club on 01535 632270.

IF you’re looking for an interesting challenge in 2019, with plenty of exercise and open air - how about becoming a Pendle Hill volunteer? The Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership has plenty of opportunities from tree planting, and path maintenance, to cutting and baling grass and rushes, hawthorn and scrub removal – all with aims to bring sites into better condition for wildlife or to repair popular paths for walkers. The volunteers meet at least twice a month, on the first Sunday and third Wednesday of the month, and are always looking to invite new volunteers to come along! There are also opportunities for volunteers to help with family friendly nature events during school holidays and Little Saplings woodland play and outdoor learning for under five year olds. And, if volunteers can’t commit to regular days, there are opportunities to adopt a walking route and manage and maintain it for other walkers.

The volunteers meet across the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership area, which covers the hill itself and villages such as Gisburn, and Downham. To find out more, email volunteer@pendle-hill-lp.co.uk, visit the website: pendlehillproject.com/get-involved or call 01200 420420.

AN interesting query has come to us from the seller of second hand books in northern Greater Manchester. She sells at community jumble sales and has been given a copy of a book printed by The Craven Herald in 1930 - when the paper was also a publishing company. The title of the book (pictured) is ‘Craven and District Sheep Marks Guide’ and was issued by the Craven Tenant Farmers’ Association, in conjunction with the local branches of the National Farmers Union.

Our correspondent says she has tried to find out more about the book, but has been unsuccessful, and wonders if anyone in Craven can shed any light on it. “It is fascinating little book and I do not think that many people in my area will have much interest in the subject, our village being in the northern part of Greater Manchester,” she says. Can anyone help? If anyone can, I shall pass it on.

FINALLY, reporter Lesley Tate decided to have her long hair cut off for 2019, and has donated all 16ins of it to the Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs to children and young people up to 24 years old who have lost their own hair due to cancer treatment, or other illnesses. She tells me she is very grateful to John and his team at Saks Hair, in Skipton, for painstakingly plaiting it first so it could be sent off to the charity to be made into a wig. John says they often help clients out this way, and I have to say, what a great use of hair, which would have ended up in the bin.