100 years ago

TWO men appeared in court charged with gaming with coins on a footpath leading from Howden to Addingham. Two police officers saw between 30 and 40 men men playing pitch and toss on Howden Moor. They watched for a time until the 'crow' became aware of them and gave the alarm.

A joiner's apprentice from Steeton was charged under the Military Service Act with being an absentee from the recruiting office. He was fined 40s and handed over to the military authorities.

Lambing was in full swing in the Ingleton area. The sheep had a severe winter and considerable losses were expected. There had been a marked contrast in the results between the high and low districts, with crop in the low district higher than average.

50 years ago

IN recognition of 40 years service to the Skipton Parish Church Boy Scouts' Association, Mrs Sheridan, of Skipton, was presented with a thank you badge. She was presented with her medal at the annual meeting at The Dump.

No fewer than 265 child cyclists were injured on the roads in the West Riding Police area in 1965, two of them fatally. In a bid to prevent the accidents, a special effort was made to help children improve their skills under the National Cycling Proficiency scheme.

For the second time in six months, the alms box at Dale Head Church was broken into and the contents stolen. Great force was needed as the box was made of steel and padlocked.

25 years ago

THE Duke and Duchess of Devonshire celebrated their golden wedding by officially opening Strid Cottage Montessori School, Bolton Abbey, for children aged from two-and-a-half and eight years. The youngsters presented them with a song, a poem, a bouquet and a cake, based specially for their anniversary. The Duke described the school as the jewel in the estate's crown.

Councillor Tommy Carter, one of the most respected and longest-serving members of Craven District Council, stood down. He was first elected to Skipton Rural District Council in 1956 and then continued his service with Craven District Council. He and his wife, Janet, were the first husband and wife councillors to serve South Craven. Mr Carter was also a Sutton parish councillor and, if all his service was added up, it would amount to 200 years.

As work continued on the 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct, a cheque for £168,000 was presented to British Rail towards the cost of repairs. With the structure, much of it wrapped in scaffolding, towering above them, Denis Vernon, the chairman of the trustees of the Settle-Carlisle Railway Trust handed the cheque to Tony Freschini, BR's special project resident engineer. "You cannot help but be infected by the goodwill of the public, who have tried to save this line," said Mr Freschini.

10 years ago

GARGRAVE Cricket Club faced financial ruin after 250 tonnes of water leaked out from underneath the pavilion. Members were oblivious to the leak until it was discovered by chance. As a result, the club received a bill running into thousands of pounds. Club secretary Ray Jones said: "If all the bill falls to the cricket club, it will bankrupt us instantly. We are urgently seeking assistance from Craven Council and other charities."

A talented trombone player from Embsay was selected to join the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Andrew Enzor, a 15-year-old pupil at Ermysted's Grammar School, only took up playing around six years ago. He attended an Easter course at Taunton School, Somerset, overseen by top conductor Bramwell Tovey. "The best young brass musicians were there," said Andrew. "It was fantastic to play with such good musicians."

Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway enjoyed its busiest ever day on Good Friday. More than 4,000 people flocked to see Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends as they steamed between the two villages. "It was absolutely fantastic," said the railway's business manager Stephen Walker. He estimated that visitor numbers for the whole of the Easter weekend were in excess of 12,500. "We broke all records, with Good Friday being particularly busy, " added Mr Walker. For the first time, the railway laid on free buses from Skipton and Ilkley.