100 years ago

The county surveyor reported considerable damage had been caused at roads at Lothersdale and Thornton by the recent floods. The section from Dowhsaw towards Raygill was badly washed away, with both the road metal and foundation on one side being ploughed out in some places to the depth of two feet.

Burton-in-Lonsdale Parish Council complained about the state of the tip at Mill Hill. It was suggested that the tipping of rubbish be confined to the top part of the hill and that the police should prevent children from playing there because of the risk of old tins.

The annual hay harvest hiring fair was held at Bolton-by-Bowland and there was a big attendance. Hiring was brisk and wages were up to former years. Best English labourers made up to £8 10s for the month; inferiors and Irish £4 10s to £7; English youths up to £5 10s and Irish youths to £4 each.

50 years ago

Mr W Wild, of Malham, had 12 people in his blacksmith’s class at Craven College, and eight of them were women. A Craven Herald reporter who visited the class found he had to rid his mind of all preconceived ideas of the blacksmith as merely a shoer of horses. Mr Wild was an artist and sought to place the smith on the same level as the sculptor or painter.

David Hill, a pupil at Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton, received an invitation to take part in the National Youth Theatre production of Julius Caesar during the summer holiday. David, 16, was one of the youngest actors to be interviewed at the Manchester auditions. His uncle, Charles Hill, was a professional actor in London.

25 years ago

Silsden young farmer Marcus Preston won the sheep shearing championship of the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs for the second time. Marcus, of Dales Bank Farm, Silsden Moor, worked as a civil engineer in Bradley. He had been sheep shearing for seven years and had learnt the skill from his friend Robert Emmott, of Steeton.

Craven District Council voted against allowing eight display adverts in the annex foyer at Skipton Town Hall. Opposing the advertisements, Coun Claire Brooks said: “The town hall should be allowed to maintain its dignity.”

Sutton-born police officer Andrew Charlton received a commendation for bravery from the Chief Constable of Nottingham. He and a colleague went to arrest a car thief and there followed a 10-mile high speed chase through the city streets. Andrew continued the chase even after his colleague was injured. The thief was caught and was subsequently sent to prison. Twenty-five-year-old Andrew had joined the force three years previously.

10 years ago

Two Craven men were awarded MBEs in the Queen’s birthday honours list. Steve Woodford, of Settle, was recognised for his work with Leeds-based Foundation Housing. He was a pioneering force behind the charity and had set up THYNC (Training and Housing for Young People in North Craven) and the Craven Housing Scheme in South Craven. The second recipient was 96-year-old Arthur Wilson, who was honoured for his services to Steeton Male Voice Choir. He was a well-known baritone, who had been with the choir for 80 years.

Parents and children fighting to keep Skipton’s Bold Venture playground open were celebrating victory. The town council overturned an earlier decision to sell the land. Instead it agreed to remove the closure notice and spend money on updating and re-equipping the playground.

A Grassington woman was honoured for her dedication and exceptional voluntary service to St John Ambulance. Joan Shepherd was invested as a member of the Order of St John at a ceremony at the historic Grand Priory at Clerkenwell. Mrs Shepherd had been a volunteer for 40 years and her award had to be approved by the Queen - who was head of the order.