VILLAGE blacksmith Stephen Clark was hailed as a hero after he saved a young boy from drowning in the River Wharfe at Burnsall. Three-year-old William Stockdale was playing with a friend on some boats near Manor House Gardens when he fell into the river and was washed downstream. Mr Clark heard the cries of his friend and ran to the water. He jumped in and managed to drag the young boy to the river bank.

Foundation stones were being laid for a new Primitive Methodist Chapel at Grassington. The church was located next to the town hall on the site of two former homes. It replaced the old, dilapidated base which the Methodists had been using on Ranters Fold. The idea of a new church was first mooted in 1902 and it was estimated it would cost £850 to build. Five years later, when the foundation stones were being laid, the project was still £300 short of its target.

Football clubs Skipton Town, Skipton United and Niffany Rovers decided to amalgamate. It was believed that between them they could produce a team, which could take a top position in the West Yorkshire League.

50 years ago

HISTORY was made in the Skipton Rural District Council elections. For the first time since the council's inception 64 years ago, a contest was held in Kettlewell and Starbotton. And it proved a very close affair, with the two candidates, Mr E Cumberland and Mr RH Tomalin, both polling 83 votes. The rules stated that in the event of a tie, lots had to be drawn by the presiding officer. The eventual winner was Mr Cumberland. Elsewhere the Labour Party took control of Barnoldswick Town Council for the first time. It had 10 members on the authority, nine of whom worked at the town's Rolls-Royce factory. And the Herald noted that in the Earby election, the only female candidate, Miss M Turner, had put up a magnificent fight, losing by only one vote to the sitting member.

Gargrave's new cricket pavilion was due to be opened. The occasion was to be marked with a commemorative match between Gargrave and a team captained by JRS Raper, who was well-known in Yorkshire Cricket Club circles. The pavilion had been provided by the Coulthurst Trust and Jessie Coulthurst - the club's president - had taken a keen interest in the building work.

25 years ago

TWO fires halted production at Silentnight's Moss Shed factory in Barnoldswick. Police and fire officers were treating the blazes as suspicious - particularly as they started at opposite ends of the mill. Nine fire engines from Lancashire and North Yorkshire tackled the fires.

Road workers rescued an 80-year-old woman from the River Aire at Cononley. The incident happened after Evelyn Abbey was walking along the river bank with a friend, but stumbled while negotiating a stile and plunged into the water. Her friend, Emily Lee, ran to raise the alarm and came across two men repairing the road. "They ran across the fields and pulled her out. They did a very good job," said Emily. The workmen were named as David Baughan and Paul Gilpin.

Volunteers carried almost 13,000 books down the stairs at Skipton Library. The lending section was being moved from the first floor to the ground floor as part of the International Year of the Disabled. Local people rallied round to assist in moving the books, under the watchful eye of librarian Miss DM Hudson.

The new chairman of Craven District Council, Norman Simpson, listed his priorities for the year. He wanted an extension of car parking charges, better control of the market stalls in Skipton and a rejuvenation of civic pride. Another Tory, John Dawson, was elected as vice-chairman - despite dissent among the Liberal ranks. The Liberals felt the new incumbent should be one of their members as the party had never held the post.

10 years ago

A SKIPTON family narrowly escaped death after their home was struck by lightning. The Spensley family could only watch as the ensuing fire engulfed their home on Jenny Gill Crescent. Eighty-year-old Donald Clay, who was living with the family, was watching television upstairs when the lightning hit the chimney pot, blew all the lights and set fire to his room. He was rescued by Tom Spensley, who had just arrived home. "We are just lucky no-one was killed," said Tom's wife, Wendy.

Settle's store wars took a new turn. Craven District Council's planning committee turned down all four rival bids to build a supermarket in the town. "Those who feel they have got a case can always appeal," said Coun Robert Walker.

Campaigners wanting to return West Craven to Yorkshire took their case to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The group, Unite Craven, questioned Government claims that there was insufficient support for the move. It wanted to know what percentage of support was needed before the transfer would be sanctioned.