100 years ago

The Primitive Methodists at Bradley unveiled their new organ, built by Messrs Laycock and Bannister of Cross Hills. It was a nice instrument, of credit to the two well-known organ builders. It was a two manual one, with four stops on each and a pedal organ of one stop.

The Skipton and District Warpdressers Association held its annual tea and social gathering. Tea was served to 152 people and in the evening there was a social gathering.

A widow was charged with trying to commit suicide and appeared before Settle Police Court. Witnesses saw her throw herself into the river at Gildersleets. It appeared she had recently been troubled about domestic matters. She realised the seriousness of her position and promised she would not try it again. She agreed to go to the workhouse where she would be cared for.

50 years ago

Stiletto heels were banned from all 120 schools in the West Riding. The ban was brought in after reports of floors being damaged. Some very costly floor finishes had been cut up badly, forcing the education authority to re-lay them. The ban was aimed mostly at adults who used the schools in the evenings for events.

Four men from the Duke of Wellington’s regiment, 1st Battalion, stationed in Kenya, joined an expedition to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the largest single peak in the world. They included L/Cpl F Eccleston of Settle, and L/Cpl D Normanshire of Barnoldswick.

Sutton Baptist Church was looking forward to its celebration of its 250th anniversary in 1961. Celebrations would kick off with an ambitious bazaar and would include visits from many of the ministers who had been pastors at the church.

25 years ago

Seventeen-year-old Andrew Myers became one of the youngest pilots in Britain when his licence from the Civil Aviation Authority dropped through his Cross Hills letterbox. The South Craven School pupil had achieved his licence through an RAF sixth former scholarship and his ultimate aim was to become a fighter pilot.

British Telecom was to close its operating centre in Skipton. Sixteen operators were set to lose their jobs as the company introduced a digital operator service system which would re-route calls to larger exchanges.

The Herald came up trumps when it reunited two men who had not spoken since serving together in Burma. The paper carried a story asking Jim “Dusty” Miller to get in contact with a Cross Hills family who had met Mr Miller’s wartime friend David “Rennie” Richards when on holiday in Spain. The appeal was successful and the two men had spoken on the phone and were planning a face-to-face reunion.

10 years ago.

The Rotary Club of Skipton voted to accept women members. A previous vote four years ago had been lost by one vote, but this time two-thirds were in favour of allowing Rotarians to suggest women for membership. President Adrian Newman said: “I think Skipton Rotarians have shown that they have a will and foresight to adapt to changes in society.”

Cowling’s last textile mill was to close. Hartley Mill on Keighley Road was to shut with the workforce transferred to Weavestyle at Silsden. Both firms were to be amalgamated with Harris Textiles to form a new company, F3. “It is a positive move as we have outgrown Cowling,” said managing director Peter Alderslade.

The new licensees of an Ingleton pub celebrated their move by getting engaged. Paul Faud and Fiona Steele, who had taken over the Craven Heifer, were planning an autumn wedding for 2001 or 2002. The couple were both musicians - Paul as a guitarist and Fiona as a singer.