MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL 2013 - 2014

North Ward Councillor Paul Howard Whitaker, Glendale, 59 Grassington Road, Skipton, BD23 1LL Tel: 01756 709531 Councillor John Dawson, 42 Gainsborough Court, Skipton, BD23 1QG Tel: 01756 700151 Councillor Roland Wohlrapp, Thorncroft, 60 Raikeswood Drive, Skipton, BD23 1LY Tel: 01756 798643 Councillor Calvin Dow, The Castle Inn, 2 Mill Bridge, Skipton, BD23 1NJ. Tel: 01756 796304

East Ward Councillor Pamela Heseltine, 10 Nelson Street, Skipton, BD23 2DT Tel: 01756 700165 Councillor Eric Jaquin, 11 Grassington Road, Skipton, BD23 1LL. Tel: 01756 799684 Councillor Christopher Harbron, 20 Long Meadow, Skipton, BD23 1BH Tel: 01756 790758 Councillor Wendy Clark, 28 Regent Crescent, Skipton, BD23 1BG Tel: 01756 798077

South Ward Councillor Robert Geoffrey Heseltine, The Ginnel Place, Newmarket Street, Skipton, BD23 2JA Tel: 01756 701243 Councillor Martin Emmerson, 4 Greatwood Avenue, Skipton, BD23 2RU Tel: 01756 701304 Councillor Karen McIntyre, 52 Roughaw Road, Skipton, BD23 2QA Councillor Gordon Bell, 39 Western Road, Skipton, BD23 2RU Tel: 01756 790155

West Ward Councillor Paul Albert English, 98 Burnside Avenue, Skipton, BD23 2DB Tel: 01756 790287 Councillor David Walsh, 38 Western Road, Skipton, BD23 2RU Tel: 01756 797238 Councillor Bernard Clarke, 21 Park Avenue, Skipton, BD23 1PN Tel: 07922 277852

OFFICERS

Chief Officer Mr Dave Parker e-mail: [email protected]

Project Manager Mr Les Chandler e-mail: [email protected]

Administration and Finance Officer Mrs Jill Peacock e-mail: [email protected]

Civic Administration Assistant Mrs Wendy Allsopp e-mail: [email protected]

Administration Assistant Mrs Elaine Rushworth e-mail: [email protected]

Office 2nd Floor, Barclays Bank Chambers, 49 High Street, Skipton BD23 1DT Tel: 01756 700553

Members of Skipton Town Council since re-organisation of Local Government.

Florence M Adams 1976 – 1987 David John Barrett 1979 – 1981 Roger Barrett 1979 – 1984 A. Beevers 1975 – 1975 Kathleen Claire Brooks 1976 – 1979 Margaret Carr 1974 – 1976 Robert Foster Charlton 1975 – 1981 Annie Clark 1975 – 1983 Mitchell Wignall Crabtree 1974 – 1979 K Cracknell 1974 – 1975 Katherine Farey 1974 – 1991 Patrick Gallagher 1977 – 1978 Philip Allan Giles 1974 – 1974 Ernest Gill 1974 – 1976 Dennis Hall 1974 – 1979 Egils Ernest Henkelis 1974 – 1979 Judith Ann Hollings 1976 – 1987 Ronald Hollings 1975 – 1991 George Jones 1974 – 1979 George Leatt 1974 – 1978 Richard Lofthouse 1974 – 1979 John Donaldson McNeil 1974 – 1976 Ronald C Noble 1976 – 1986 Bernard O’Neil 1979 – 1991 Brian Melvyn Phillip 1976 – 1987 Harry Pickles 1974 – 1975 Jack Wilson Robinson 1974 – 1987 Mary Margaret Shaw 1978 – 1983 Brian Thackeray Short 1974 – 1983 Edwin John Spencer 1978 – 2001 Edward Laurence Tanfield 1974 – 1976 Francis Edward Walsh 1974 – 1977 Peter Norman Willey 1974 – 1976 Kathleen Claire Brooks 1979 – 1999 Lawrence Richard Collett 1979 – 1989 William Roger Holden 1980 – 1982 Gladys Gwynne Walters 1981 – 1991 Elizabeth Diana Brazier 1981 – 1987 Diane Benson 1982 – 1986 Edna Whelan 1983 – 1985 Marlene Walker-Coward 1983 – 1986 John Tomlinson 1983 – 1987 Michael Garner 1984 – 1989 Elizabeth Campbell 1985 – 2011 Betty Lister 1986 – 1995 Peter Geoffrey Madeley 1986 – 1987 Norman Martyn Dawson 1986 – 1988 Fred Armitage 1987 – 1995 Janet Oxley 1987 – 1999 Paul Howard Whitaker 1987 – Valerie A Lowe 1987 – 1991 Eric Stodart 1987 – 1997 Paul B Greaves 1987 – 2003 Mary E Hurst 1987 – 1991 Anthony John Macaulay 1988 – 1990 Janet Gott 1989 – 1991 Dennis Hall . 1989 – 2003 Henry A Gillett 1990 – 1995 Hazel Audrey Thornton 1991 – 2011 Darryl Banks 1991 – 1994 John Binns 1991 – 2003 Beverley Taylor 1991 – 1994 Patricia Fairchild 1991 – 1995 Pamela Heseltine 1991 – Sandra Jane Turner 1991 – 1999 Peter Andrew Gregory 1994 – 1996 Richard Vincent Colley 1995 – 2002 Pauline English 1995 – 2014 Janet Gordon 1995 – 1999 Melvyn Seward 1995 – 1999 Judith Hughes 1995 – 1997 Christopher Robins 1996 – 1998 Paul Albert English 1997 – Peter Bishop 1997 – 1998 Fred Armitage 1998 – 1999 Marcia Turner 1997 – 2007 Alan Ripley 1999 – 2000 Adrian Green 1999 – 2001 Beryl Binns 1999 – 2001 Enid Turnock 1999 – 2002 Andrew Rankine 1999 – 2011 Chris Harbron 2000 – 2003 Michael R Hill 2001 – 2003 Eric Jaquin 2001 – Mohammed Rafiq 2001 – 2003 Margaret Spence 2001 – 2006 Sandra Turner 2001 – 2003 Darren Moorby 2002 – 2004 Andrew B Solloway 2003 – 2007 Kenneth J Creek 2003 – 2007 Robert Geoffrey Heseltine 2003 – Andrew Cook 2003 – 2004 Michael Doyle 2003 –2007 Carole Manley 2004 –2011 Christopher Harbron 2004 – Hazel Bulcock 2007 –2011 Lindsay Bottomley 2007 –2011 Wendy Clark 2007 – John Kerwin-Davey 2007 –2014 John Manley 2007 –2011 Linda Dalton 2011-2014 Martin Emmerson 2011 - David Walsh 2011 - Karen McIntyre 2011 - Bernard Clark 2011 - Roland Wohlrapp 2011 – John Dawson 2011 Gordon Bell 2014 Calvin Dow 2014 -

First Members of Skipton Town (Successor) Council

Margaret Carr Mitchell Wignall Crabtree Katherine Farey Phillip Allan Giles Ernest Gill Dennis Hall Egils Ernest Henkelis George Jones George Leatt Richard Lofthouse John Donaldson McNeil Harry Pickles Jack Wilson Robinson Brian Thackeray Short Edward Laurence Tanfield Francis Edward Walsh Peter Norman Willey

Chairman of the Board and the Council since the formation of the Local Government District

June 1858 to April 1862 Henry Alcock April 1862 to April 1870 Christopher Sedgwick April 1870 to April 1885 Robt. Hodgson Sidgwick April 1885 to April 1904 John Bonny Dewhurst April 1904 to April 1911 Wm. Rich. Gibbs Farey April 1911 to April 1913 Thomas Duckett April 1913 to April 1915 James Leonard Kidd April 1915 to April 1917 Joseph Platt April 1917 to April 1918 Chas. P Charlesworth April 1918 to April 1920 John Walker April 1920 to April 1922 John Wm Broughton April 1922 to April 1924 George Aldersley April 1924 to April 1925 John Hopwood April 1925 to April 1927 William Bellamy April 1927 to April 1929 John Mallison April 1929 to April 1931 Wesley Jennings April 1931 to April 1933. Henry C C Holmes April 1933 to April 1934 Joseph Edward Daly April 1934 to April 1935 John Churchman April 1935 to April 1936 Evan Vaughan April 1936 to April 1937 Mark Henry Morris April 1937 to April 1938 Joseph Armitage April 1938 to April 1939 Alfred Elks April 1939 to April 1940. Arthur Chris Bailey April 1940 to April 1941 Benjamin Curry Walls April 1941 to April 1942 Arthur Townsend April 1942 to April 1943 William Arthur Judge April 1943 to April 1944 David Smith Jones April 1944 to April 1945 Francis Longdon Smith April 1945 to April 1946 Ralph Wynn April 1946 to April 1947 William Henry Rycroft April 1947 to April 1948 Percy Parker Illingworth April 1948 to May 1949 William A Anderson May 1949 to May 1950 Percy Aldersley May 1950 to May 1951 Ernest Percival Rowley May 1951 to May 1952 Henry Hurst Walker May 1952 to May 1953 John Darlington Tanswell May 1953 to May 1954 Mollie Mitchell (Mrs) May 1954 to May 1955 Edwin Moorhouse May 1955 to May 1956 William A Anderson May 1956 to May 1957 Wilfred Smith May 1957 to May 1958 Jack Annis Kenyon May 1958 to May 1959 James William Jewitt May 1959 to May 1960 Ernest Percival Rowley May 1960 to May 1061. John Donaldson McNeil May 1961 to May 1962 John Darlington Tanswell May 1962 to May 1963 Smith Waddington May 1963 to May 1964. William James Allen May 1964 to May 1965. Mitchell Wignall Crabtree May 1965 to May 1966 John Albert McBride May 1966 to May 1967 Richard Lofthouse May 1967 to May 1968 John Donaldson McNeil May 1968 to May 1969 Katherine Farey May 1969 to May 1970 John Gunby May 1970 to May 1971 Brian Thackeray Short May 1971 to May 1972 Brian Thackeray Short May 1972 to May 1973 Peter Norman Willey May 1973 to May 1974 Katherine Farey

Town Mayor Deputy Mayor

1974/5 Ernest Gill Dennis Hall 1975/6 Dennis Hall Jack W Robinson 1976/7 Jack W Robinson Brian T Short 1977/8 Brian T Short Katherine Farey 1978/9 Robert F Charlton Judith A Hollings 1979/80 Judith A Hollings Katherine Farey 1980/1 Judith A Hollings Katherine Farey 1981/2 Katherine Farey Bernard O’Neill 1982/3 Bernard O’Neill Brian M Phillip 1983/4 Brian M Phillip Ronald Hollings 1984/5 Ronald Hollings Kathleen C Brooks 1985/6 Kathleen C Brooks Edwin J Spencer 1986/7 Edwin J Spencer John Tomlinson 1987/8 Edwin J Spencer Elizabeth Campbell 1988/9 Elizabeth Campbell Laurence R Collett 1989/90 Eric Stodart Fred Armitage 1990/1 Fred Armitage Betty Lister 1991/2 Betty Lister Dennis Hall 1992/3 Elizabeth Campbell H Audrey Thornton 1993/4 H Audrey Thornton John Binns 1994/5 John Binns Dennis Hall 1995/6 Dennis Hall Paul B Greaves 1996/7 Paul B Greaves Pamela Heseltine 1997/8 Pamela Heseltine Paul H Whitaker 1998/9 Paul H Whitaker Richard V Colley 1999/00 Richard V Colley Marcia Turner 2000/01 Richard V Colley Pauline English 2001/2 Pauline English Andrew S Rankine 2002/3 Andrew S Rankine Paul A English 2003/4 Paul A English Marcia Turner 2004/5 Marcia Turner Margaret Spence 2005/6 Margaret Spence Michael P Doyle 2006/7 Michael P Doyle Carole Manley 2007/8 Carole Manley Eric Jaquin 2008/9 Carole Manley Chris Harbron 2009/10 Chris Harbron Robert G Heseltine 2010/11 Robert G Heseltine John Manley 2011/12 Paul Whitaker Wendy Clark 2012/13 Wendy Clark John Kerwin-Davey 2013/14 John Kerwin-Davey John Dawson 2014/15 John Dawson Karen McIntyre

Craven District Councillors Skipton East Eric Jaquin Chris Harbron Skipton North Marcia Turner John Kerwin-Davey Skipton South Andrew Barry Solloway Robert Geoffrey Heseltine Skipton West Paul Albert English Vacancy

North Yorkshire County Councillors Skipton East Robert G Heseltine Skipton West Vacancy

Member of Parliament: Julian Smith MP

Justices of the Peace resident in Skipton

M A Cory 17 Hall Croft, Skipton, BD23 1TG G E Harper 7 Marina Crescent, Skipton, BD23 1TR J M Face 37 Raikeswood Drive, Skipton, BD23 1NA J Tatling 9 Burnside House, Carleton Road, BD23 2BE

Clerk

Tho. Heelis, first Clerk to local Board of Health resigned January 6th 1869, died May 29th 1878. John Heelis, appointed January 6th 1869; resigned June 6th 1890, died February 26th 1895. Richard Wilson, appointed July 4th 1890; became first Clerk of Urban District Council; resigned November 1923; died November 8th 1931. J P Horne, appointed November 5th 1923; died April 9th 1940. E Jones (previously Treasurer only) held office of Clerk and Accountant from May 1st 1940, to March 7th 1944. K B Robinson (Surveyor), Acting-Clerk, February 10th 1944 to February 5th 1946. James Smith (Solicitor), appointed February 6th, 1946 to July 31st, 1948. Leslie Ewart Smith, appointed August 1st, 1948; retired 24th November, 1969. E Gilbert Sharp, appointed Joint Clerk to the Council and to Skipton Rural District Council on 24th November, 1969, in the first instance for one year, confirmed 13th October 1971, on re- organisation of Local Government appointed Chief Executive Officer to the Craven District Council. M Garbutt appointed as Clerk to the Council February 1974, resigned November 1976. J Perkin, appointed December, 1976, resigned October 1977. A Gill, appointed November 1977, resigned 1986 Mrs Jean Jeffrey, appointed June 1986, resigned January 1999. Mrs Andrea Adams, appointed August 1999, resigned August 2003. Mrs Lis Moore, appointed November 2003, resigned March 2008. Mr Dave Parker, Chief Officer, appointed March 2008.

Surveyor

W Bradley, first Surveyor to Local Board of Health, died in 1888. A Ramsden, appointed February 12th 1879, resigned December 1st 1884. J W North, appointed December 29th, 1884; died July 24th, 1893. Thos. Mallinson, appointed September 30th, 1893; died July 10th 1898. John Mallinson, appointed July 14th, 1898; died May 1st, 1908. A E W Aldridge, appointed July 21st 1908, resigned December 31st 1936. Kenneth B Robinson, appointed January 1st, 1937, retired November 12th, 1968. Died April 7th, 1976. F J Moulden, appointed September 30th, 1968. On re- organisation of Local Government, appointed Chief Technical Officer to the Craven District Council.

Treasurer Geo. Robinson, appointed June 21st, 1858, died September 8th, 1907. R I Jefferson, appointed October 16th, 1907, resigned May 20th 1919. Died March 14th, 1941. L Jacques, appointed May 20th, 1919; died July 10th, 1921. W H Hitchin, appointed September 20th, 1921, resigned October 1st, 1936. E Jones, Treasurer and Accountant, and Chief Rating and Valuation Officer appointed October 1st, 1936 to April 30th, 1940. Martin Banks Limited Treasurer May 1st, 1940 to July 2nd, 1944. M Lofthouse, appointed Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief rating and Valuation Officer from July 3rd, 1944 to July 14th, 1947. Died October 1959. George Staniforth, appointed July 14th, 1947. Resigned March 31st, 1974 on re-organisation of Local Government.

Collector John Calvert (Collector), resigned February 16th, 1877, died June 26th, 1883. Thomas Gill, appointed Collector March 2nd, 1877, resigned May 18th, 1900. Died August 10th, 1904. Fred E Dodson, appointed Accountant and Collector June 21st, 1900; resigned December 31st 1916. Tom Pickles, appointed Accountant, Collector and Chief Rating and Valuation Officer February 1st 1917, resigned September 30th, 1936; died August 2nd, 1947.

Medical Officer of Health Dr West-Symes, first Medical Officer of Health for the Combined Craven District, appointed October 3rd, 1873, resigned 1878; died December 28th, 1912. Dr F W Barry, appointed February 9th, 1878, resigned 1880; died October 12th, 1897. Dr F E Atkinson, appointed November 6th, 1880; died September 2nd, 1928. Dr W Scatterty, appointed temporary Medical Officer of Health, October 1928 to January 31st, 1948. Dr Matthew Hunter, appointed February 1st, 1948, retired December 31st, 1971. Dr Ranjit Singh, appointed April 17th, 1972.

Public Health Inspector John Parker, appointed October 1873, resigned February 5th, 1875. Robert Harger, appointed April 9th, 1875; died November 25th, 1885. C C Smith, appointed June 18th, 1886, resigned July 3rd, 1891. Joseph Petyt, appointed November 7th, 1891, resigned 1892 Joseph Ackernley, appointed December 7th, 1892; died April 27th, 1924. Frank Holmes, appointed May 20th, 1924, retired February 18th, 1946; died December 27th, 1956. Eric Hargreaves, appointed January 14th, 1946, retired 1972; died May 12th, 1975. Harry H Crabtree, appointed January 14th, 1972. On re- organisation of local Government, appointed Chief Environmental Health Officer to the Craven District Council.

Librarian Leonard Hetherington, first librarian, appointed October 5th, 1909; died October 29th, 1921. Davis Ettey, appointed April 12th, 1923, retired December 10th, 1948; died August 27th, 1958. Angus Dunn, appointed December 11th, 1948, resigned September 19th, 1952. Percy S Baldwin, appointed September 22nd, 1952. On re- organisation of Local Government appointed Local History Librarian under the North Yorkshire County Council.

Gas Engineer and Manager James Henry Woodward, appointed January 1st, 1900, retired Mach 31st, 1928. N B Thompson, appointed April 1st, 1928, resigned May 31st, 1936. Leslie Benjamin Chapman, appointed June 1st, 1936, resigned September 30th, 1945. J McNair, appointed October 15th, 1945; transferred to Board on Nationalisation on May 1st, 1949; retired January 25th, 1970.

Electrical Engineer R E Rushforth, appointed October 16th, 1923, resigned November, 1927. W V Smythe, appointed January 1st, 1931; transferred to Board on Nationalisation on April 1st, 1948.

COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEES 2014/15

Mayor: Councillor John Dawson Deputy Mayor: Councillor Karen McIntyre Leader of the Council: Councillor Chris Harbron

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are ex-officio members on all Committees

AUDIT & SCRUTINY

Councillor Wendy Clark Councillor Bernard Clarke

ENVIRONMENT & PLANNING

Councillor Paul Whitaker Councillor David Walsh

FINANCE & POLICY

Councillor Christopher Harbron Councillor Karen McIntyre

PUBLIC SERVICES

Councillor Robert G Heseltine Councillor John Dawson

Trustees to Manage on Behalf of the Council:

John Rimington Trust – Councillors Bernard Clarke John Dawson Marsden Trust and Mullineaux Bequest – Councillors Pamela Heseltine Eric Jaquin Karen McIntyre Paul Whitaker Heap Parkinson Trust - All Councillors. Heap Parkinson Management Committee – Councillors R G Heseltine, Mrs Heseltine and Whitaker. Managing Trustees Tarn Moor Estate – Councillors Whitaker and R G Heseltine. Petyt Library - All Councillors. Craven Museum – Councillors Eric Jaquin David Walsh Roland Wohlrapp

Other Public Bodies

Sylvester Petyt Charity – Councillors Wendy Clark, Vacant, John Dawson Greatwood and Horse Close Estate Committee – vacant St Thomas Charity - Councillors Pamela Heseltine and Karen McIntyre Yorkshire Local Councils Association – Councillors Whitaker and Walsh Skipton-Simbach Association – Councillor Clark Skipton Citizens Advice Bureau – Councillor Paul English Coulthurst Craven Sports Centre – Councillor R G Heseltine Skipton Gala Committee - Councillor K McIntyre Roebuck Collection - The Mayor. Skipton Chamber of Trade – vacant Skipton Tourist Information Centre – Councillor Pamela Heseltine Steering Group of S.t.a.n.d. – Bernard Clark. Renaissance - Councillors Paul English and David Walsh Rural Action Yorkshire – Councillor Clarke

Other Local Authorities

NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, County Hall, Northallerton. Tel. 0845 8727374.

CRAVEN DISTRICT COUNCIL, Granville Street, Skipton. Tel: 01756 700600.

COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES

 Finance and Policy  Public Services  Environment and Planning  Audit and Scrutiny

A. Finance and Policy Committee

The Finance and Policy Committee normally meets Bi-Monthly with a schedule of items to address, in addition to the normal agenda. e.g. May/June- to receive end of year income and expenditure in relation to the budget July/August - to receive year-end accounts prior to external audit September/October- to receive interim report of finances in relation to budget, committees and cash flow November/December - to prepare outline budget January/February- precept meeting March/April – to monitor investments- to receive interim report of finances in relation to budget, Committees and cash flow and to consider the Council’s insurance levels.

A Monitoring Group, of four persons will be selected from the Committee, including the Chairman of the Committee.

The task of the Monitoring Group is: to meet with the Chief Officer at regular intervals and between meetings, to attend to day to day financial matters as required by the Chief Officer and the Committee.

That the functions of the Committee are as follows:

(i) To formulate a budget for consideration, modification or acceptance by Full Council and to submit the agreed precept (ii) To formulate, in conjunction with all Committees, their detailed spending plans prior to the Precept meeting (iii) To receive examine and approve the monthly income and expenditure accounts (iv) To receive interim statements of income and expenditure in relation to the Council’s agreed budget; to ensure that it is on target (v) To monitor the expenditure incurred by all committees in relation to their spending plans ((ii)above) and the Council’s spending generally, ensuring that Standing Order 19 is complied with. (vi) To monitor cash flow and bank balances (vii) To ensure that the bank accounts and investments are advantageous to the Council (viii) To raise loans and to maintain sinking funds or other means of repayment (ix) To ensure that the accounts are correct, kept and presented in an acceptable legal format (x) To carry out an internal audit prior to audit by the Internal and External Auditor (xi) To receive and examine and implement the auditors recommendations (xii) To consider all aspects of staffing (xiii) To deal with legal and statutory matters (xiv) To ensure that declarations of interests are appropriately maintained and that the New Code of Conduct, is implemented (xv) To manage the Councils’ land and buildings and ensure its safety and maintenance (xvi) To oversee leases of land and buildings (xvii) To prosecute and defend legal proceedings as necessary for the protection or promotion of the interests of the inhabitants of the town (xviii) To monitor and recommend any changes to insured interests (xix) To ensure that risk assessments are carried out of the Councils activities as legally required (xx) To address any other matters of finance related business (xxi) To approve proposals from the policy committee and advise on the financial implications of each proposal prior to consideration or acceptance by Full Council (xxii) To review budget alteration requests from other committees and Full Council in accordance with Standing Order 19

B. Public Services

The number of meetings should normally be monthly:

The functions of the Committee are as follows: (i) To consider matters relating to the Town’s public amenities. (ii) To take responsibility for the Town Council recreation grounds in matters of maintenance and appropriate development. (iii) To ensure that Equipment and installations are to the recognised British and European standards. (iv) To take responsibility for the nature and quality of work undertaken by Ground Staff and/or contractors. (v) To ensure that all equipment purchased and used is to the appropriate standard and quality for the task and give attention to health and safety matters. (vi) To encourage Community Groups to be established, to work with the Town Council in raising funds and refurbishing and maintaining sites and/or to facilitate community projects. (vii) To take responsibility for the administration, letting and maintenance of the Town Council allotment sites. (viii) To attend to the routine maintenance of trees on the High Street. (ix) To attend to the repair and replacement of street furniture. (x) To attend to the Wilderness Woods. (xi) To manage and maintain the closed burial grounds. (xii) To maintain clocks, statues and monuments under Council control. (xiii) To ensure the Council’s waste bins are emptied. (xiv) To foster and maintain satisfactory Public Relations within the Town. (xv) To promote an environmentally sound town centre and support associated environmental projects individually or in partnership. (xvi) To assist and facilitate Skipton based organisations and individuals in their pursuit of grant funding (xvii) To assist and facilitate civic events and to facilitate and promote the Mayoralty. (xviii) To support the Mayor in promoting the Mayor’s Charity. (xix) To assist and facilitate bodies associated with tourism, arts, leisure and festivals (including such matters as the Christmas lights). (xx) To promote and facilitate festivals and events within the town. (xxi) To maintain the Millennium Walk. (xxii) To be the primary link with Twinned Towns and associated functions. (xxiii) To prepare annually a plan of action and a budget to present to the Finance and Policy Committee for approval. (xxiv) To manage the budget in line with the approved plan. (xxv) To attend such other related business which from time to time may be delegated.

C. Environment and Planning

The Committee because of the nature of the remit shall meet every three weeks.

The functions of the Committee are as follows:

(i) To consider and comment on all plans and maps relative to Skipton Town submitted by other authorities, and to forward observations to the appropriate authorities unless otherwise directed by the Town Council. (ii) To consider all other matters analogous to Planning and to bring to the notice of the appropriate authority any apparent breaches of the Planning Regulations. (iii) To consider matters relating to Tree Preservation Orders. (iv) To consider matters relating to the Town’s footpaths and bridleways. (v) To consider other matters relating to the build and rural environment not directly covered by other committees including issues from the Countryside Commission Maff and CPRE. (vi) To liaise with the police and relevant authorities regarding road traffic and road and pedestrian safety issues.

D. Audit and Scrutiny

Normally eight meetings per year.

The functions of the Committee are as follows:

Audit Function

(i) To review and evaluate any sample of payments authorised by the Finance and Policy Committee. (ii) To monitor and evaluate expenditure incurred by all committees in relation to their spending plans and budgets. (iii) To evaluate and confirm that the Council’s banking arrangements and investments are advantageous to the Council. (iv) To evaluate and confirm that the Council’s accounts are correct, kept and presented in an acceptable legal format. (v) To appoint an Internal Auditor to carry out an internal audit prior to submission of the Annual Return to the Audit Commission’s representative. (vi) To receive, examine and oversee the implementation of, where appropriate, recommendations of both the Internal Auditor and the Audit Commission’s representatives.

Scrutiny Function

(vii) At its own discretion, or as directed by Full Council, to consider and evaluate any aspect of the Council’s operations to ensure value for money, compliance with statutory legislation and adherence to Council Policy. (viii) To report its findings to Full Council and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate. (ix) To maintain an overview of Council Standing Orders and make appropriate recommendations to Full Council. (x) To maintain an overview of the development of the Audit and Scrutiny function of the Council and make appropriate recommendations to Full Council.

CHARITIES

1. Earl of Cumberland’s Gift

The sum of £50, given to the poor of Skipton by Henry, Earl of Cumberland, in about the year 1643, was laid out in 1668 in the purchase of a leasehold close, containing 4a. 1r. 5p., called Langcrofts, situate at Halton, held for the residue of a term of 4,060 years. The rent is added to other funds and distributed as aforementioned. At some time the close has been disposed of and the gift is now in the form of £886,71 of 2.5 % Consols.

2. Lord Craven’s Gift

John, Lord Craven, by will dated May 28th, 1647 bequeathed for and towards the relief of the poor within the town of Skipton, the sum of £200, to be employed as a stock from year to year by the parson and church wardens thereof for the time being; the yearly profit thereof to be distributed yearly at Christmas amongst such poor inhabitants within the town of Skipton, and in such proportions and manner as said Vicar and Church Wardens, or the major part of them, should think fit. In addition to land at Brocca Flats let to Skipton Auction Mart and Skipton Town Council the Trustees hold £57.65 of 2.5%.

3. Newby’s Dole

This consisted of an annual payment issuing out of two closes of land called Turnbull’s Butts, containing about eight acres, and situated in the Township of Draughton, which is understood to have been purchased with moneys originally given to the poor by Elizabeth Newby in 1633. The rent charge was paid by the tenant of the closes and the amount was divided between the several townships in the Parish of Skipton, in the proportion of 50p to the township of Skipton and 25p to each of the other townships of Barden, Draughton, Embsay-with-Eastby, Halton, Hazlewood-with-Storiths and Stirton-with-Thorlby. This rent charge is now represented by the interest on £36.37 of 5.5% Treasury Stock 2008/12.

4. Robinson’s Gift

Robert Robinson, by will, dated February 5th, 1801, bequeathed £100 to the Church Wardens of Skipton for the time being, in trust, to place the same at interest and to pay the interest to some one poor industrious person, whose legal settlement is in the township of Skipton, not having less than three children born in wedlock and who has nor received any relief from the poor rates for one year before according to their discretion; no person to receive the benefit of the legacy more than once. This gift is represented by £103.01 of 2.5% Consols.

5. St Thomas’ Charity

By virtue of the provisions of the Local Government Act 1894, an order was made vesting in the Urban District Council certain powers of vestries, overseers of the poor and Church Wardens of the Parish of Skipton. Acting on this order, the Council decided to appoint trustees in the case of certain charities, but on a point of law regarding the autonomy of the civil Parish of Skipton with the Ecclesiastical Parish, the Charity Commissioners, ruled that the Urban District Council had no power to appoint trustees in place of the existing trustees. As a result the Council decided to communicate with the Rector and Church Wardens with a view to the Council appointing two additional trustees to act with them, and eventually in November 1897, the Charity Commission made an Order authorising the appointment by the Council of two members on the governing bodies of each of the charities Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Either by a Deed, which cannot be traced, or by custom, the incomes from charities Nos. 1 and 2, and the proportion of No.3 belonging to the township of Skipton, were added together and distributed as St Thomas’ Charity among the poor persons of the township not receiving parochial relief. (St Thomas’ Day, 21st December). The Trustees of Charities 1, 2, 3 and 4 being also known as the Trustees of St Thomas’ Charity; the recipient of the gift from Charity No. 4 also being selected by these Trustees at Christmas time. Under a fresh scheme drawn up by the Charity Commissioners under the terms of the Charities Act 1960 and dated the 24th February, 1975 the following seven charities: 1. John Lord Craven founded 1647 2. Henry Earl of Cumberland founded 1643 3. John Jackman’s Gift 4. Newby’s Dole founded 1784 5. Catherine Priest’s Gift founded 1784 6. Robert Robinson’s Gift founded 1801 7. Paget Dole founded 1915 were combined into one Charity to be known as “SKIPTON ST THOMAS’ CHARITY”, all the property thereof to be managed and administered by a body of four ex-officio trustees and two nominative trustees “for the relief of either generally or individually of persons resident in the Town of Skipton who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.” The four ex-officio trustees are the Rector and Church Wardens for the time being of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity, Skipton-in-Craven. The two nominative trustees are each appointed for a term of four years by Skipton Town Council and may, but need not, be members of the Council.

6. Marsden Trust & Mullineaux Bequest

By a scheme of the Charity Commission, dated 12th May, 1969, the Skipton Urban District Council have had placed upon them the duty of appointing the body of Trustees which consists of four persons. The object of the Charities is to relieve either generally or individually persons resident in the Urban District of Skipton who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress. Originally the Mullineaux Bequest and the Marsden Trust were separate but they were amalgamated at the request of the Skipton Urban District Council to enable more effective use to be made of the income from the two Charities. This was one of the aims of the Charities Act 1960. The Mullineaux Bequest was founded by the will dated 31st October, 1888, of Mrs Hannah Mullineaux, widow (formerly of Skipton, but then of Holme House Farrington, near Preston). She bequeathed to the Local Board (now the Urban District Council) of Skipton-in-Craven, the sum of £2,000 free from legacy duty, the income obtained from the investment of such sum to be applied half-yearly, for the equal benefit of any eight poor spinster women of the age of 50 or upwards, of good respectable moral character, at the time being resident in the Parish of Skipton, not receiving alms or parochial relief, to be from time to time chosen or selected by the Board. If it appeared that there were no poor spinster women who fulfilled the conditions, or that there were not the full number of eight, then the Board (subsequently the Council) might at their discretion make up the number by including widowed women of the age of 50 or upwards similarly qualified. The Testatrix died on January 3rd, 1894, and the Council received the amount of the bequest on January 28th, 1895. The Marsden Trust was founded by the will of Marsden Great Rex, proved at Norwich on 24th March, 1933, and under a scheme made by the Charity Commission dated 11th February, 1938, the Skipton Urban District Council had placed upon them the duty of appointing the body of Trustees, which consisted of three persons. The income of the Trust was applied for the general benefit of the poor of Skipton in accordance with the provisions of the scheme.

7. Heap Parkinson Trust

By her will, dated December 7th, 1907, with subsequent codicils thereto, Mrs Jane Parkinson, who died on April 23rd, 1918, bequeathed to the Council land bought by her on Otley Road, Skipton, with the six almshouses erected upon it, and by a scheme of the Charity and the endowments thereof specified in the scheme, the Urban District Council of Skipton (acting as individuals, and not in their corporate capacity) were appointed as Trustees of the Charity, and such Charity is now administered by them in accordance with the provisions of Mrs Parkinson’s will and codicils. An improvement of the almshouses was completed in 1957. A major modernisation scheme was approved by the Charity Commissioners in 1977 and completed in March 1980. The modernisation was officially commemorated by the unveiling of a plaque by the Mayor, Councillor Mrs J A Hollings on 22nd April, 1980. The cost of £43,000 being raised by public subscription to the Mayor’s appeal, a donation from Skipton Town Council, government grants and a mortgage.

8. Petyt Library

The late Sylvester Petyt established in the Church of Skipton in the year 1707 a library to be known as the "Petyt Library" and from that time to the time of his death in 1719 he added books to the library. The library appears to have been kept under the custody of the incumbent and churchwardens. In December 1880, the Charity Commission gave their sanction to the library being handed over to the Governors of the Grammar School upon their undertaking to provide room for it, and that it should be accessible to the public. This arrangement was put into effect the following year. In a scheme made up by the Charity Commissioners on September 9th 1914, the Skipton Urban District Council were appointed as Trustees of the "Petyt Library Charity": the books belonging to the Charity to be kept in the building known as the Free Library, Skipton. Provided that free access shall be accorded at all reasonable times for the inspection and use of the said books by the public. A new scheme for the administration of the Sylvester Petyt charity came into effect in October 1957, by which an annual sum was no longer payable for the upkeep of the library: but the scheme provides for "occasional grants" to be made. By the generosity of the Colthurst Trust the library has been largely re-bound and now consists of more than 5,000 volumes, which are housed in a separate room in the Library. This room was officially opened by Mrs Colthurst, JP on July 8th 1964 at a ceremony which also marked the publication of a printed catalogue of the Library, prepared at the expense of the Trust.

9. New Craven Museum

By arrangement with the Trustees of the Coulthurst Trust, the Council undertook the construction of an extension to the Town Hall, the first floor of which was designed as a museum, and the Coulthurst Trust agreed to donate a sum of money representing the estimated cost of building the upper floor, which was accepted by the Council on behalf of the inhabitants of the District. The Trust deed provides that on completion, the upper floor shall be conveyed to five Trustees, one of whom shall be appointed by the Coulthurst Trust and four by the Council from amongst their number. Any Trustee ceasing to be one of the Coulthurst Trustees or a member of the Council shall cease to be a Trustee for the Museum. The said Trustees shall permit the trust property to be used in perpetuity by the Council as a public museum for the display of the collections of the Craven Museum and of such other exhibits as the Council may acquire or accept. As and when need shall require, the Trustees shall permit the trust property to be repaired, pulled down, altered or rebuilt by the Council in order to render the same better adapted for the purpose. The Trustees shall not be responsible for the maintenance, repair or insurance of the trust property or for the payment of any charges thereon; these shall be the responsibility of the Council.

10. Tarn Moor Estate

The following extract from a return presented to Parliament in August 1894, records the origin of the Tarn Moor estate: “An old document in the possession of the overseers, was produced at the inquiry, states as follows:- “The common land known by the name of the Tarn Moor, consisting of 141 acres, having been occupied and enjoyed in common by the freeholders of the township of Skipton and the tenants from time immemorial save that for a few years previous to 1766 the same had been let out to tenants, and the money arising there from had been by them applied in aid of the poor rate of the township. It was resolved at a meeting of the freeholders of the township held on January 31st 1766, that, as the township is now burdened with numerous poor, it is apprehended that the enclosing and dividing of the said moor and applying the profits thereof towards the relief of the poor of the said township would be a great benefit and advantage to the freeholders and other inhabitants of the said township, that a petition be drawn up and presented to the House of Commons for the leave to bring in a Bill for the purpose of enclosing and dividing the said moor.” The document further stated that a petition, dated December 10th, 1766, was accordingly presented on February 29th, 1767, with the result that an Act was passed, which received the Royal Assent on April 3rd, 1767. Trustees administered the estate and held regular meetings until 1917, but from then until 1927 the estate was administered and managed by the overseers of the poor. By the Rating and Valuation Act. 1925, the Rating Authority assumed control of the estate. In 1932, it was found that neither the overseers not the Rating Authority had power to manage or deal with the estate in the way they had done. To put the matter right, application was made to the Charity Commissioners for a scheme, which was approved and sealed on September 25th, 1934.

Scheme

1. The above mentioned Charity and the endowments thereof specified in the Schedule hereto, and all other endowments (if any) of the said Charity, shall be administered and managed, subject to and in conformity with the provisions of this Scheme by the Urban District Council of Skipton as the Trustees of the Charity. 2. Any lands and hereditaments comprised in this Scheme are hereby vested in the said Council for all the estate and interest belonging to or held in trust for the Charity. 3. The said Council shall hold the endowments of the Charity as parish property subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1933.

Schedule

Lands containing 130 acres or thereabouts situate in the ancient township of Skipton, and known as Tarn Moor, together with the Inn and Farm Buildings erected there on, which lands are now let to various tenants at yearly rents amounting to £321.88p. Sealed by order of the Board, this 25th day of September, 1934. Application of Charity – The rents and other income arising from the property are applied for the general benefit of the rate payers in the urban District.

11. John Rimington

By the will of John Rimington deceased, dated 26th March 1973. Clause 3(c) To the Skipton Urban District Council (or such other Council which at the date of my death has succeeded to and carries out the functions of the said Urban District Council) Two Thousand Pounds (nominal value) of my 3.5% War Stock Upon Trust to retain the same and to apply the income there from for or towards providing a Christmas tea for Old Age Pensioners residing in the said Urban District or former District of Skipton (such Pensioners to be selected at the discretion of the then Council) in memory of my late mother and father Provided Always that the then Council shall have power to sell the said stock and invest the proceeds in any investment permitted by law for the investment of Trust funds with power from time to transpose any such investments into others of a like nature.

Chronological Table of Events

In the days of the Saxons, Skipton was a small but important town, the centre of a Lordship comprising a considerable portion of the district of Craven. In the Domesday Book Earl Edwin is described as the last Saxon Lord of Skipton. About the end of the 11th Century, Skipton became the property of a Norman, Robert de Romille, who erected Skipton Castle. 1221 Rebellion of William de fortibus, Earl of Albermarle and Lord of the Honour of Skipton, against Henry III. Siege of Skipton Castle by Lancashire levies, under the leadership of John de Lacy, Constable of Chester and Earl of Lincoln. 1273 Honour of Skipton escheated to Crown on death of Avelina de Fortibus, Countess of Albermarle in her own right, and wife of Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Chester, Lancashire, and brother of Edward I. 1280 Manor and Castle of Skipton granted by Edward I to his mother, Queen-dowager Eleanor, in part satisfaction of dowry lands in Gascony assigned to her by Henry III. Manor and Castle were at this time valued at £188 11s. 1d per annum. 1292 Edward I stayed at Skipton castle, September 23rd to 30th on his journey to Scotland. 1295 Skipton Castle used as a place of detention for 10 of 156 Welsh hostages distributed among castles of England after suppression of last Welsh rising during reign of Edward I. 1300 Skipton Castle granted to John De St. John in part compensation for a grant of land on Galloway from which he was excluded by war against Scots. 1306 First mention of Hospital of St. Mary Magdalene at Skipton. During this year wardenship of Hospital became vacant, and John, Prior of Bolton, took opportunity to seize goods and chattels, consisting of corn, barley, oats and brazen cups and plates, to the value of 20 marks. The seizure was subject of lawsuit instituted against the Prior in 1327, by Thomas de Gloucester, who was appointed Master in 1326. Other notices of Hospital occur in 1350, when William de Cheston, clerk, was appointed Master; and in 1351, when one Robert styled himself “Capellanum Hospitals”, 1307 Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, appointed custodian of Skipton Castle. 1308 Skipton Castle granted to Royal favourite, Piers de Gavestone. 1309 Skipton Castle granted to Robert de Clifford in exchange for lands in Monmouth. 1322 Roger de Clifford executed for his share in rebellion of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and Skipton again reverted to Crown. 1323 Edward II stayed at Skipton Castle, September 29th to October 2nd. 1324 Joan, wife of Roger Mortimer of Wigmore, one of the Lancastrian rebels detained at Skipton Castle “together with a damsel, an esquire, a laundress, a groom and a page”. 1384 Grant to Nicholas de Scardeburgh, John de Malghom and Robert Leder of Skipton, of pontage (bridge toll), for three years for repairs of “Engeway-Briggs” (Inghey Bridge), to be taken for things for sale passing by River Aire between Cononley and Conistone. 1401 Murder of Richard de Wyntyngham, Vicar of Skipton, by John de Rilleston, at Katerellydate, between Gisburn and Sawley. 1461 Grant to Sir William Stanley of Castle, Manor and Lordship of Skipton, forfeited by attainder of John, Lord Clifford. 1475 Lordship of Skipton granted to Richard, Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Richard III. First mention of Charity of St Nicholas, in Skipton Church, founded by Peter Toller, Rector, of a mendacity of the living of Linton and Dean of Craven. A grammar school, from which originated Skipton Grammar School was maintained in connection with this Charity. 1548 Free Grammar School for Boys founded by Canon Wm. Ermysted. Lands belonging to Grammar School were originally valued at £9 9s. 4d. yearly. In 1834 they were worth about £600, and in 1875 income was £923. In January 1880, however, land to value of £13,120 was sold yet annual income in 1882 was about £750. New school in Gargrave Road opened in January 1887, cost £12,800. 1590 January 30th – Lady Anne Clifford, daughter of George, Earl of Cumberland, born in Skipton Castle. 1628 Millbridge built at a cost of two Wapontakes of Staincliffe and Ewecross. 1648 August 14th – Oliver Cromwell passed through Skipton. 1662 George Holmes, born in Skipton, became Deputy Keeper of the Records in Tower of London. He died February 16th 1749. 1719 Death of Sylvester Petyt, founder of the Petyt Charity. 1733 The Stocks stood by the side of Market Cross, in front of premises in High Street now occupied by Barclays Bank Ltd. Corner stones of portable Market Cross, erected after ancient permanent structure had been removed in 1841 are still in position. 1757 May 23rd – Shortbank Common Land handed over to Vicar by Freeholders in lieu of paying tithe. 1764 June 26th – Rev. John Welsley preached in Skipton. 1770 Pillory which stood in Market Place was taken down. 1773 Parliamentary powers obtained for constructing Springs Canal. 1773 April 17th – Leeds and Liverpool Canal extended to Skipton and first boat arrived. 1781 February 12th – Edward B Sugden, who became Lord St Leonards and Lord Chancellor of England, was born in Skipton. 1785 High Mills, near Castle Woods, built. 1791 Craven Bank Co., established. 1803 Old Roman Road to Draughton diverted, the new road running along base of moor instead of over summit. 1821 Poor House Bridge in Broughton Road, erected. At the same time road from bridge to Belmont was filled up to its present level. Original level is to be seen in road leading to Union Square. 1821 April 30th – Old Roman Road to Draughton stopped up by order of Quarter Sessions. 1829 February 17th – Mr J B Dewhurst, founder of Belle Vue Mills, commenced manufacturing. 1829 Traveller’s Friend Lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., formed. 1831 January 1st – J B Dewhurst’s cotton mill destroyed by fire; rebuilt and working again same year. 1832 Present road to Gargrave (Gargrave Road) constructed about this time. 1834 Skipton made Polling Station after passing of Reform Act. 1835 New clock placed in parish Church. 1836 Skipton Rock Railway constructed. 1836 October 27th – Foundation stone of St Stephen’s R. C. Church laid by Sir Charles R Tempest, Bart Broughton Hall. 1837 June 21st – Foundation stone of Christ Church laid by Rev. H. Robinson of Liversedge. It was said that similar ceremony had not been performed in Craven during three preceding centuries. 1839 Low Mill in Sackville Street built by J B and R H Sidgewick. 1840 Union Workhouse built. 1840 Earl of Thanet Lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., opened. 1840 The Stocks removed, portions may be seen on either side of Old Town Hall steps. 1840 Bridge built over Springs Canal in Coach Street. 1842 Formation of Royal Shepherd Lodge, No 20 of I.O.G., B.U. 1842 August 16th – Plug Drawers visited Skipton, and were dispersed by military. 1843 Yorkshire Banking Co. founded. 1844 Number of voters in Skipton, 141. 1845 National School for Christ Church Parish was opened, and in 1845-46 Parsonage in Swadford Street was erected. 1846 Cemetery in Raikes Road opened. 1846 Otley Street opened out by Clitheroe School who were owners of property from the south side of Old George Inn to north wall of Craven Bank and extending east to Police Station; subsequently sold as building sites. 1846 British School, Otley Street, built. 1847 March 18th – County Court established – first Judge Mr C H Elsley. 1847 September 8th – First railway train, with passengers, came to Skipton. 1847 Victoria Corn Mills built by Mr Wm Wilkinson. 1847 Mechanics’ Institute established. 1848 Railway between Skipton and Colne opened. 1849 June 12th – The 11th and last Earl of Thanet died. Unmarried, he left no heirs and the title became extinct; estates passed to Sir Richard Tufton, Bart (1813 – 71). 1849 July 29th – Railway between Skipton and Lancaster opened. 1852 December 1st – First number of “Skipton Advertiser” issued by John Garnett, Printer, High Street; first periodical published in Skipton. 1853 January 1st – First number of “Craven Herald” issued by John Taske and Sons, Printers, High Street. 1853 June 19th – Parish Church struck by lightening during Divine Service. 1853 August 1st – Skipton Permanent Building Society established. Secretary, Mr Samuel Farey. 1853 August 27th – Skipton and Cracoe Turnpike Road opened. 1854 May 18th – Vestry Meeting at Parish Church decided to remove East gallery and restore Church after thunderstorm of June 19th, 1853. 1855 July 2nd – West Riding Midsummer Quarter Sessions held in Skipton. 1855 Penny Rate levied in parish for repair of Church. 1855 September 20th – Anniversary of Battle of Alma and fall of Sebastepol celebrated by general illumination of town. About 200 gentlemen sat down to dinner. 1856 April 23rd – Re-Opening of Parish Church after restoration. 1856 May 29th – Peace rejoicing. 1,200 men were regaled with dinner and 1,800 women with tea and on following day 1,600 children were provided with tea. Rejoicings were held in Jerry Croft. 1856 June 30th – Peace rejoicings wound up by dinner at Devonshire Hotel. Chairman, Mr Garnett-Orme. 1856 August 12th – Death of Mr James Hall, for upwards of 50 years, Parish Clerk. 1857 March 21st – Meeting of Rate Payers to hear report upon enquiry into sanitary conditions of the town. Local Board of Health formed, with an area of about half a mile in each direction from Craven Bank, and was not therefore co-extensive with, but was afterwards, varied to include whole of township. It was suggested that Board consist of nine members – six to be resident in town and three in township. Qualification of candidates was fixed at £20 annual rateable value, or £1,000 in personal estate. (Only qualification now is registration as a Local Government Elector of Parish of Skipton in the Craven District). 1858 Old Town Booth (Old Town Hall) ceased to be used as a Lock-up. 1858 April 8th – First number of “Skipton Pioneer” issued as a monthly by Mr Robert Tasker, High Street. 1858 June 10th – Death of Supt. Beanland, first Superintendent of Skipton. 1858 June 21st – First meeting of Local Board of Health. Mr Henry Alcock appointed first Chairman; Mr George Robinson, first Treasurer. 1859 August 30th – 12th W.R Yorks Volunteer Rifles formed. First name on roll is Mr Walter Morrison, of Malham Tarn, and first three names of Skipton Company are Mr George Robinson (Tarn House), Mr Tom Robinson and Mr George Robinson (late of Overdale). 1859 The Rectory built. 1859 August 7th – The following remarkable record is taken from a gravestone at east end of Christ Church burial ground: “In memory of Edwin Calvert, son of Richard Calvert, of Skipton, known by the title of Commander in Chief. He was the smallest and most perfect human being in the world, being under 36 inches in height and weighing 25lb. he died much lamented and deeply regretted by all who knew him, August 7th, 1859, aged 17 years.” 1860 March 5th – Craven Lodge of Freemasons, No 1112, established. 1860 “Pioneer” became a weekly newspaper, first weekly paper in Skipton. 1861 June 28th – Otley Street Baptist Chapel opened. 1861 Industrial Co-operative Society established. 1862 Town Hall erected by a Building Co. In 1878 large Hall was altered and its height increased. 1864 About this time, Eller Beck was diverted and bridge over it, near Burnside, erected. 1865 September 22nd – Walter Street Wesleyan Chapel opened. 1866 Mill Co. formed and Union Shed built. 1867 Fire Brigade re-organised under Local Board. 1869 March 22nd – Chancery Court order received to wind up Skipton and Wharfedale Railway Company. 1869 December 22nd – Mr Henry Alcock, first Chairman of Local Board of Health, died. 1871 June 23rd – Death of Sir Richard Tufton, Bart., who succeeded to Skipton Castle estates on the death in 1849 of the late Earl of Thanet. 1872 May 20th – Memorial stone of Temperance Hall laid by Lady F Cavendish. 1872 July 24th – Consecration of St Stephen’s R.C. Cemetery. 1872 November 5th – Guy Fawkes’ riot, caused mainly by indiscretion of Superintendent of Police. 1872 Rural Sanitary Authority constituted. 1873 April 2nd – Reporters first admitted to meetings of Local Board. 1873 June 5th – Resolution of Vestry of the Parish appointing a Burial Board. 1874 Parish Church Schools in Otley Street erected. 1874 “Craven Herald” revived by a Limited Liability Company. First number issued October 24th. 1874 January – Opening of a branch of Yorkshire Penny Bank in Mechanics’ Institute in Sheep Street. 1874 February 20th – Mr Matthew Wilson created a Baronet. 1875 March 11th – Water turned into Whinney Gill Reservoir for the first time. 1875 Present railway station built. 1875 April 29th – Burial Board purchased land under Burial Acts for Waltonwrays Cemetery. Total cost of land buildings £7,000. 1875 August 30th – Meeting of Craven Farmers at Black Horse Hotel to consider provision of a new market and weekly fairs. 1875 November 16th – Removal of Post office from Sheep Street to premises adjoining Providence Place Yard. 1876 May 1st – Settle and Carlisle Railway opened for passenger traffic. 1876 First internment in Waltonwrays Cemetery. 1877 January – Ermysted’s Grammar School (for Boys) in Newmarket Street closed, and new premises in Gargrave Road opened. 1877 February 20th – Discovery on Cockhill of momentoes of siege of Skipton Castle. 1877 Firth Shed built by Mr S Farey. 1877 Alexandra Shed built by Mr G Walton. 1878 United Methodist Church in Castle Street opened. 1878 Police Station in Otley Street opened. 1878 November 16th – Foundation stones laid of Primitive Methodist Chapel in Gargrave Road. 1879 May 9th – New scheme for management of Sylvester Petyt’s Charity approved. 1881 August 29th – Sir Henry James Tufton, Bart., raised to Peerage as Baron Hothfield, of Hothfield, Kent. 1884 October 25th – Skipton and Flasby footpath publicly re- opened. 1884 Sewage farm purchased 86 acres. 1886 September 14th – Girls’ High School opened in Temperance Hall, pending completion of building in Gargrave Road. 1886 November 29th – Weekly Cattle Fairs inaugurated. 1887 Belmont Bridge widened. 1887 July 21st – Jubilee celebrations in honour of H.M. Queen Victoria’s completion of 50 years reign. 1888 March – Telephone first installed in Skipton. 1888 June 7th – Sir Matthew Wilson’s statue in High Street unveiled by Marquis of Ripon. 1888 October 8th – Opening of Skipton and Ilkley railway (in part). 1888 November – Ship Hotel and adjoining property pulled down and set back for street improvements. 1889 June – Yorkshire Bank’s new premises opened. 1889 August 1st – Girl’s Endowed School in Gargrave Road opened. Total cost about £12,000. 1889 August 2nd – Local Board decided to accept Skibeden Water Scheme. 1889 September 20th – Conservative Club opened. 1890 January 18th – Sir Matthew Wilson, first Baronet, died. He was first member of Parliament for Skipton Division. 1890 August 15th – Adoption by Local Board of Health for Incorporation. 1890 October 22nd – Local Board decided to purchase Eastby Mill and Water Rights, and construct a reservoir at Skibeden. 1890 October 23rd – Ratepayers, in meeting assembled, decided to oppose Local Board’s Water Scheme, and on a Poll being taken on November 6th, 616 voted for Board’s Scheme and 748 against. Poll cost £42 3s. 2d. 1891 March 10th – Privy Council Inquiry into petition for Charter of Incorporation held in Town Hall. 1891 July 29th – “John Dawson” Scholarship founded at Girl’s Grammar School. £105 17s. 9d. presented to Governors. 1891 August 20th – Meeting of Ratepayers again rejected by a large majority the High Skibeden Water Scheme. No Poll demanded. 1891 September 29th – Diver at Whinny Gill Reservoir to bottom valve. 1892 Volunteer Drill Hall erected. 1893 April 28th – Demolition of old Police Station in Middletown. 1893 June 20th – Public Inquiry into Ancient Charities of Skipton and District. 1893 September 11th – Christ Church Schools opened. 1893 November 8th – Millfield’s Infant’s School opened. 1894 September 25th – New Science and Arts Schools opened. 1895 January 4th – First meeting of the Urban District Council. Town Hall purchased. 1895 March 30th – Final meeting of East Staincliffe Highway Board. 1895 December 6th – Formation of a Free Church Council. 1897 January 22nd – Traders’ Association formed. First President Mr T Fattorini. 1897 February 20th – Mr M R Knowles appointed Clerk to Board of Guardians and Rural District Council. 1897 June 30th – Diamond Jubilee and Thanksgiving Services held in Churches and Chapels. 1897 November 7th – High Street planted with trees, to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. 1897 December 2nd – Deed of Arrangement entered into by Urban District Council, Rural District Council and Silsden Urban District Council, forming Skipton Joint Hospital Committee, with power to erect and maintain hospitals for cases of infectious diseases from three districts. 1897 English Sewing Cotton Combine formed. 1898 May 7th – Liberal Club opened. 1898 June 23rd – resolution of Council transferring to Council powers and duties of Burial Board, as from September 25th 1898. 1898 September 1st – Yorkshire Penny Bank premises, on site of Bay Horse Inn, High Street, opened. 1898 September 10th – Foundation stones of Cottage Hospital laid. 1898 October 26th – Poll for compulsory purchase of Gasworks. For 1,403; against 431; majority 972. 1899 February 2nd – Purchase by Council of Old Grammar School Estate. 1899 February 18th – New clock in Parish Church Tower set going. The cost of the clock £285, paid by Council. 1900 January 1st – Council became owners of Undertaking of Gas Co. 1900 June 7th – Accountant’s Dept. of Council formed. 1900 June 7th – First sod of Yorkshire dales cut at Grassington. 1901 January 22nd – Death of H.M. Queen Victoria, aged 82. 1901 January 24th – H.M. King Edward V11 officially proclaimed King. 1901 Hospital Gala established. 1901 Remaining portion of Old Tithe Barn in Swadford Street pulled down. Original Tithe Barn site included whole of Central Buildings. 1901 Tenant Farmers’ Association established. 1901 November 9th – Amalgamation of Yorkshire Banking Co., with London City and Midland Bank. 1902 June 26th – Infectious Diseases Hospital opened. 1902 July 31st – Yorkshire Dales Railway opened. 1902 August 9th – Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in Westminster Abbey. Old Folk’s Dinner in Drill Hall and Scholar’s Teas at schools. 1903 July 22nd – Offer by Mr Carnegie of £3,000 towards erection of a Free Library. 1903 July 2nd – Gift by Lord Hothfield of about five acres of land on The Firth, for recreation purposes. 1903 August 6th – Resolution of Council to purchase five acres of land on The Firth to extend recreation ground presented by Lord Hothfield. 1904 January 11th – Statutory meeting of ratepayers to consider Council’s new Water Scheme and Improvement Bill, which was carried by an overwhelming majority, whereupon a poll was demanded. 1904 January 30th – Result of poll was declared: 146 for; 489 against; 657 majority. 1904 June 16th – Mr J B Dewhurst died, aged 85; keenly interested in local matters; a J.P. for the West Riding, Chairman of the Governors of Ermysted’s Grammar School, Trustee of Sylvester Petyt’s Charity, a Governor of the Girl’s Endowed School and Chairman of the Urban District Council. He was the last survivor of original nine members of Local Board of Health and had been connected with local government for 46 years. 1904 December 7th – Deputation visited Lord Hothfield at his town house when he agreed to lease Jerry Croft for purpose of a Cattle Market. 1905 May 23rd – Purchase of Dockyard from Governors of Ermysted’s Grammar School. 1905 July 18th – Inauguration of new water supply. “Turning on” of temporary supply by Councillor Williams (Chairman of Water Committee). 1905 September 5th – Old “Rope Walk” merged in site of new Cattle Market. 1905 October 4th – Contract with Harold Arnold and Son, Doncaster, for construction of Embsay reservoir. 1905 October 19th – Eastby Mills Estate sold by Council to Duke of Devonshire. 1906 – January 12th – Board of Education Inquiry into proposed new Brougham Street Council School. 1906 April 9th – Craven Bank Ltd., amalgamated with Bank of Liverpool Ltd. 1906 June 4th – Cattle Market opened for business. (Formally opened May 28th 1906). 1906 July 20th – Lease to Mr J Scot of Old Reservoirs and land adjoining, for Swimming Baths and pleasure purposes, for 10 years from July 1st 1906. Term extended by further lease, dated March 21st, 1907, to 20 years. 1906 August 10th – Water supply to Carleton commenced. 1906 October 20th – Contract for improvement of Sewage Disposal Works. 1908 March – Bequest by Miss Isabel Brown of £1,000 for erection of Public Baths and £1,000 for recreation ground for north end of Skipton. 1908 June 3rd – Cloud-burst on Thorpe Fell and Barden Moor causing great floods and damage in Skipton. 1908 Fire destroyed Low Mills, in Sackville Street. 1908 Erection of Carleton new stone bridge over River Aire completed. 1908 Arrangements between Council and Lord Hothfield for public to have permission to walk over Old Roman Road to Draughton (Closed as a highway by Order of Quarter Sessions in 1821). 1909 February 20th – Purchase by Council from Mr J Scott of Moor View Swimming Baths and all his right and interest in the lease to him of July 1st 1906. (The purchase money, £675 was paid out of Miss Brown’s legacy above mentioned). 1909 September 23rd – Brougham Street Council School opened. 1909 September 23rd – Ceremony of closing bottom valve of Embsay Reservoir, to fill reservoir, performed by Councillor Duckett, Chairman of Water Committee. 1909 December 4th – Re-opening of Parish Church after extensive alterations. 1909 February 16th – Opening of Public Library by Sir Matthew Wilson, Bart. 1910 May 20th – Memorial Services at Churches in connection with funeral of King Edward VII. 1910 June 21st – Embsay Reservoir opened by Councillor W R G Farey, J.P., Chairman of the Council. After lunch at Town Hall, members of Council and guests proceeded to reservoir where Mr E P Hill (engineer) presented key of valve tower to Councillor Farey and Mr W S Arnold (contractor) presented Councillor Duckett, Chairman of Water Committee, with a rose bowl as a memento of the event. 1910 November 9th – Official testing of new Pinder Bridge by Council’s Surveyor and Mr E W Bateman, Leeds and Liverpool Canal Co’s Engineer, in presence of councillors and large gathering of general public. 1911 February 8th – Trustees of new Mechanics’ Institute and Science and Art Schools decided to sell or otherwise dispose of Public Library premises to Council for purpose of a Public Library. 1911 April 1st – Ings Council School opens. 1911 June 22nd – Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary. Local celebrations consisted of Old Folks’ Dinner in Drill Hall, Scholars’ Teas at Schools and Sports. 1911 December 21st – Purchase of 16a. 3r. 17p of land (part of Rockwood). Of this 9a. 3r. 13p. was for Recreation Ground for North Ward, costing £700, paid out of legacy of £1,000, less £100 legacy duty, left by the late Mrs Isabel Brown for purpose. Remaining 7a. 0r. 4p. was purchased for £500. 6a.1r. 12p. of land owned by Recreation Committee is let to Public Works Committee. 1912 May 20th – Erection of illuminated clock by Messrs. Manby over their premises in Middle Row. 1912 July-August – Visit of 10,000 members of the Territorial Force to district of annual camp. 1912 November 12th – Stables and Depot erected in Dockyard. 1912 December 30th – New footbridges connecting Middletown with Newtown opened. 1913 March 26th – Death of Mr John Parkinson, who along with his wife (who survived him) erected houses in Otley Road known as “Heap-Parkinson” Homes, for accommodation of widows and spinsters of straitened means. 1914 January 18th – Death of Sir Matthew Wilson, Bart. 1914 August 4th – European War commenced. 1914 September – Reception of Belgian Refugees. 1914 November – Erection of Camp by Bradford Corporation at top of Salisbury Street to accommodate Bradford Pals Battalion. Finally used to accommodate German officer prisoners of War (about 800). 1915 July – Nearly £3,000 subscribed to fund which provided and maintained three ambulances presented to the British Red Cross Society. 1915 August 15th – Registration of all persons between 15 and 65 under National Registration Act 1915. 1916 January 14th – Opening of Congregational Church, Newmarket Street. 1916 – First meeting of local military Service Tribunal. 1916 – March 2nd – Formation of Detachment of 5thVolunteer Batt. Duke of Wellington’s W.R. Regiment. 1917 March – Extension of Elections and Registration Act, 1915, for further period of one year. 1917 June 19th – Purchase for £250, of site of Belmont Baptist Chapel (recently destroyed by fire) in Broughton Road for road improvement purposes. 1917 June 19th – Gift of small piece of land by English Sewing Cotton Co. Ltd,. At junction of Broughton Road with Cavendish Street, for road improvement purposes. 1917 August – Establishment of Local Food Control Committee. 1917 November – North Ward Recreation Ground commandeered by Military Authorities for purposes in connection with the Prisoners-of-War Camp. 1917 December – Parliament and Local Elections Act, 1917, passed extending terms of office of Urban District Councillors for further period of one year. 1918 February 6th – passing of Representation of the People Act, 1918, which extended franchise to women for the first time. 1918 July 9th – Appointment of Local Fuel and Lighting Committee. 1918 November 9th – Midland Hotel gutted by fire, one life being lost. 1918 Germany signed Armistice, and hostilities ceased after more than four years of war. 1918 December 8th – Departure of colours of 6th Duke of Wellington’s W.R. Regiment for France. 1919 February – Local Inquiry into Council’s application for power to borrow £3,000 to purchase part of Unicorn Hotel site for improvement to Keighley Road. 1919 June 17th – Provincial agreement entered into with Mr John Wilkinson’s Trustees for purchase for £4,150 property in Keighley Road for road improvements. 1919 June 19th – Return of Cadre of 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s W.R. Regiment, and replacing of Colours in parish Church. 1919 June 28th – Peace signed with Germany. 1919 August – National Railway Strike. 1919 August 2nd – Peace celebrations. Service of thanksgiving around Cenotaph erected in front of Town Hall. Over 1,000 returned sailors and soldiers and their wives were entertained to lunch in Drill hall and children entertained to tea in schools. Sports were held in Blue Buttons Field, Gargrave Road. 1919 November 24th – Appointment of members of Council as committee for establishment of permanent memorial to sailors and soldiers of Skipton who fell or took part in the Great War. 1919 Branch of National Union and Provincial Bank of England opened. 1919 Branch of County of York Agricultural Association opened. 1920 Erection of large foundry off Carleton Road by Marsden and Naylor. 1920 February 17th – Induction of first Bishop of Bradford. Skipton, formerly in Diocese of Ripon, now part of Bradford Diocese. 1920 March 22nd – Selection of War Memorial Monument made by War Memorial Committee; Mr J Cassidy, of Manchester, commissioned to execute and erect Monument at cost not exceeding £3,000. Over 370 Skipton men lost their lives in the war. 1920 October – National coal strike. 1920 December 31st – Dissolution of Local Insurance Committees. 1920 December 31st – Dissolution of Local Food Offices. 1921 March – Bells removed from Parish Church for recasting. 1921 April – National coal stoppage commenced. 1921 June – Removal of statue of Sir Matthew Wilson in High Street to make way for War Memorial. 1921 June – Handing over to Council of Mrs Jane Parkinson’s Trust. 1921 July – National coal stoppage ended. 1921 August 6th – Dedication of re-cast Bells in parish Church. 1921 October – Contracts entered into for erection of 18 Council Houses on Carleton Road site. 1921 October – Purchase of Mrs Calvert’s property in Keighley Road, for road improvement (£3,000). 1921 November – Purchase of Wignall’s property in Keighley Road for road improvement (£1,600). 1921 December – Council adopted scheme for supplying electricity. 1922 January – Purchase of site off Carleton Road for housing purposes (£3,077). 1922 March – Contract entered into for laying electric cable in District. 1922 April 8th – Unveiling of War Memorial by children of Fallen. 1922 May – First 18 houses on Carleton Road site let. 1922 August – Voluntary Rate of 2d. in £ made to assist War Memorial Fund. 1922 December 5th – Council decided to supply gas to Gargrave subject to obtaining necessary power. 1922 December 31st – Absorption of Yorkshire Dales Railway by Midland Railway Co. 1923 February 20th – Acceptance of tenders for Keighley Road improvement from Swadford House to south side of Castle Street including covering in beck alongside Devonshire Place. 1923 April – Grants of £7,000 and £1,175 respectively from County Council in respect of Keighley Road and Millbridge improvements. 1923 July 17th – Purchase of property at Millbridge for road improvement purposes (£675). 1923 August 21st – Purchase of part of Unicorn Hotel site required for road improvement completed (£3,000). 1923 August 21st – Agreement with Yorkshire Electric Power Co. for bulk supply of electricity through Keighley Corporation. 1923 August 31st – Building line fixed for Millbridge and Water Street. 1923 September 12th – Opening of Electricity Station at Old Grammar School; current switched on. 1923 September 12th – Visit of General Booth (Salvation Army). 1923 October 16th – Contracts entered into for further 22 houses on Carleton Road site. 1924 April 5th – First portion of Keighley Road Improvement completed and road re-opened to traffic. 1924 June – Decision to purchase Motor Fire Engine (£1,200). 1924 Purchase of land “Bold Venture” from Lord Hothfield for £360.00 for recreation purposes. 1924 August 26th – Annual Outing of Councillors again instituted; Lake District being visited. 1924 November 4th – Opening of extensions to Sewage Disposal Works. 1924 November – First electric street lamp erected across Ship Corner. 1924 Completion of 22 houses on Carleton Road site. 1925 January – Approval of Minister of Health to erection of 118 houses (40 immediately) on Carleton Road site. 1925 April 7th – Lightning caused fire at Parish Church considerable damage done; organ destroyed. 1925 April 21st – New building line fixed on north side of Broughton Road (Coach Street to Brewery Lane). 1925 May 19th – Contracts entered into for 40 further houses on Carleton Road site. 1925 May 19th – Decision to erect public Mortuary at Depot. 1925 May 19th – “Turning on” of Gargrave gas supply at Holme Bridge, Gargrave. 1925 July 14th – Decision to grant subsidy of £75 per house in respect of houses erected under Housing, etc, Act 1923. 1925 August 16th – Presentation of new colours to 6th Batt. Duke of Wellington’s Regiment on Sandylands Cricket Ground. 1925 September – Lease from Mechanics’ Institute for 20 years of two rooms over Mr Wildman’s shop adjoining Public Library, for Library extensions. 1925 November 20th – Death of Queen Alexandra. 1925 November 27th – Funeral of Queen Alexandra. 1926 February 1st – Contracts entered into for 40 further houses on Carleton Road site. 1926 March 16th – New building line fixed in Coach Street, Bridge Street and Eastgate. 1926 April – Deduction by Railway Co., of road behind Hothfield Terrace, as a public highway. 1926 May 1st – National coal stoppage. 1926 May 3rd – General strike declared. 1926 May 10th – General strike ended. 1926 May 18th – Purchase of land adjoining Baths for recreation purposes. 1926 June 15th – Decision to erect a further 32 houses on Carleton Road site. 1926 November 16th – decision to purchase Thornton’s property in Keighley Road and Waller Hill. 1926 November 28th – Termination of coal stoppage. 1926 November 29th – Chickenpox notifiable declared in consequence of an outbreak of Small-pox. 1927 January 18th – New building lines fixed in Otley Road. 1927 March 1st – Local Inquiry into application to borrow £8,300 to purchase Thornton’s property (subsequently granted). 1927 March 15th – Purchase of strip of land in front of Working Men’s Club, Keighley Road, for road improvement (£900). 1927 March 15th – Purchase of further 8 acres of land adjoining Carleton Road site for housing purposes. 1927 July 19th – Contract entered into for further 84 houses on Carleton Road site. 1927 July 20th – Visit of South African farmers and inspection by them of farms in Craven District. Civic welcome in Town Hall. 1928 February 21st – Decision to extend Town Hall to provide office and waiting room accommodation. 1928 February 21st – A further 5,411 acres of land adjoining Carleton Road site acquired for housing purposes. 1928 April 17th – Contract entered into for further 50 houses on Carleton Road site. 1928 April 17th – New building lines fixed on both sides of Newmarket Street. 1928 October 6th – Craven Museum opened. 1928 November 20th – Land on Devonshire Place purchased for footway from Keighley Road to Devonshire Street. 1929 April – New Valuation list came into operation, and first General Rate levied. 1929 May – Scheme adopted for filtration of water from Embsay Reservoir (9,500). 1929 June – New building lines fixed on east and west sides of Keighley Road. 1929 August 6th – Presentation to Council by Professor Robert Williams, President of Northern University, Ohio, USA, of papers relating to Cresap Society of America, founded in America to perpetrate memory of Col. Thos. Cresap, who emigrated form Skipton to America in 1715, and who became famous as Pioneer, Pathfinder and Patriot in States. Papers are in Public Library. 1930 February 5th – Craven Museum offered to Council; consideration deferred for 12 months. 1930 February 18th – Decision to allow 2.5% discount on prompt payment of rates upon properties of over £13 rateable value. 1930 Formal approval by Minister of Health to extension of Roman Catholic Burial Ground. 1930 March 18th – Scheme for new gas holder off Carleton New Road approved (£14,000). 1930 March 18th – Scheme for improvement of sewage works by provision of storm water tanks approved (£3,000). 1930 April – County Council took over main roads under Local Government Act, 1929. 1930 Poor Law Guardians dissolved and their duties transferred to County Councils. 1930 August 19th – Presentation to Council from various sources of portraits of ex-Chairman. 1930 Additional filter installed at Sewage Disposal Works as work to relieve unemployment. 1930 November 18th – Purchase of land in Short Bank Road for housing purposes. 1931 January 20th – Filter House opened at Embsay Reservoir. 1931 May 19th – Contract entered into for 156 houses on Short Bank Road Estate. 1931 September 22nd – Unveiling of Tablet on Building on Chapel Hill in front of which John Wesley preached to inhabitants of Skipton on June 26th, 1764. 1931 December 3rd – Tablet unveiling commemorating site of Bay Horse Inn, and indicating position of Bull Baiting Stone, in front of Yorkshire Penny Bank, High Street. 1931 December 19th – Nine dwellings in Rogers Yard closed as unfit for human habitation (Housing Act 1930). 1931 New frontage line fixed in Old Raikes Road. 1931 December 20th – Tablet placed on Martins Bank, High Street announcing that in front of Bank there formerly stood the Pillory, which was taken down in 1776; also the market Cross and Stocks, which were removed in 1840. 1932 January – Presentation by Cresap Society of America of bronze tablet showing log cabin Col. Cresap, at Oldtown, Maryland,, USA. Tablet erected in entrance lobby of the Town Hall. 1932 June – Further presentation by Cresap Society of historical material, placed with other papers in Public Library. 1932 July – Presentation to Councillors G Alsdersley and J W Broughton, J.P., of testimonials on each having completed 21 years unbroken membership of the Council. 1932 August 3rd – Visit of H.R.H The Princess Royal, to open new hospital at Whinfield. Her Royal Highness was received at Boundary of District in Broughton Road by Councillor Holmes (Chairman of the Council), accompanied by Mrs Holmes, Mr J P Horne (Clerk) and Mrs Horne. After presentation of civic party to Her Royal Highness by Col. Brook, Chief Constable of West Riding, the Chairman welcomed Her Royal Highness on behalf of the inhabitants of Skipton, and conducted her to the hospital where she performed the opening ceremony. 1932 Presentation to Council of Insignia of Office, in form of a gold collar and jewels, for use of Chairman of Council at meetings of Council and other appropriate occasions. 1932 August – Improvement and making up of Short Bank Road decided upon (£3,100). 1932 August – Visit of Mr and Mrs Pinkerton of Marriot, Ohio, USA., descendants of Col. Thos. Cresap. 1933 January – Improvement line for Keighley Road, Caroline Square and Newmarket Street, defined in April 1921, superseded by new improvement line defined by County Council. 1933 August 24th – H.M. The Queen, the guest of Brig. Gen. and Mrs Tempest at Broughton Hall. 1933 September – maintenance of footbridge over Eller Beck between Carleton Road and Sewage Farm taken over from Airedale Drainage Commissioners. 1933 Petition Consistory Court of Bradford Diocese for demolition of Chapel and Hearse house in cemetery in Raikes Road granted, and building demolished. 1933 Agreement with Rural District Council to set up Joint Planning Committee to prepare Scheme for Urban District, and Townships of Broughton, Carleton, Gargrave, Stirton-with- Thorlby, Embsay-with-Eastby, Halton East, Draughton, Bradleys both and Cononley. 1934 March – Decision to apply to Charity Commissioners for Scheme for administration of Tarn Moor Estate. 1934 Land in Broughton Road purchased for housing purposes. 1934 April 1st – Craven Museum taken over by Council. 1934 June – Application for consent to build 98 houses and six bungalows on Broughton Road site. 1934 August 25th – Visit of H.M. The Queen and The Princess Royal to Skipton and the Craven Dales, as guests of Sir Wm. Milner. 1934 October – Council made contribution of £50 to Gresford Colliery Disaster Relief Fund. 1934 November 20th – Council undertook to contribute £1,000 to County Council in respect of Keighley Road and Caroline Square improvement, as a “Town’s Improvement”. 1935 January 23rd – Property adjoining Town Hall occupied by M R Knowles and J W Broughton purchased for Town Hall extensions. 1935 April – Pedestrian Crossing scheme approved. 1935 Decision to expend not exceeding £300 on celebrations in May next of Silver Jubilee of Their Majesties the King and Queen. 1935 Council extended superannuation to workmen. 1935 May 6th – Celebrations of Silver Jubilee of Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary. Ringing of Parish church bells, followed at 9.30am by procession of civic and other bodies to Parish Church for United Thanksgiving Service. Old folks had a dinner in the Drill Hall. Schoolchildren had sports and tea at their respective schools, and each child received a jubilee mug. In the evening adult sports were held at Sandylands. The Town Hall and Clifford Hall each held a celebratory ball. A beacon was lit on Rombalds Moor by the Chairman of the Council, igniting torch at Town Hall at 8.30pm and conveyed to Moor by Scouts. Streets were decorated and lit by electricity and Church, Castle, Town Hall, Public Library and many shops in the High Street were floodlit. 1935 May 22nd – Inquiry by the Ministry of Health in respect of Clearance Orders made for demolition of old property in back Bridge Street and Calvert’s yard, no obligations being offered to Clearance Orders in respect of Brown’s Yard, Club Houses and Thornton’s Court. 1935 June 15th – Presentation by Chairman of Magistrates to Councillor Vaughan and Clerk and Surveyor, of King’s Jubilee Medal. 1935 June 25th – Confirmation by Minister of Health of Brown’s Yard, Calvert’s Yard, Club House and Thornton’s Court Clearance Orders. 1935 July 31st – Lease for 999 years of surplus Swadford House property entered into with Montagu Burton Ltd with option to purchase freehold within first 10 years. 1935 September – Five year plan prepared by Council at request of Minister of Transport for improvement of Carleton, Short Bank and Embsay Woods. 1935 October – Decision to demolish cottages on Waller Hill to make way for Bus Station. 1936 January 20th – Death of His Majesty King George V. 1936 January 23rd – Ministry of Health Inquiry into proposals of County Council for Review of Districts. 1936 January 25th – Proclamation by Chairman of Council (Councillor Vaughan) of accession of His Majesty King Edward VIII. 1936 May – Sales of part of Tarn Moor Estate. 1936 August 1936 August 27th – Outing given by Chairman to members of council. Morecombe, Fleetwood and Blackpool visited, where party were officially received by the Mayor. 1936 October 9th – Opening of Burton’s new premises in Skipton by Councillor Morris, Chairman of Council. 1936 December 11th – Abdication of His Majesty King Edward VIII and accession of His Majesty King George VI. 1936 December 16th – Proclamation by Councillor Morris, Chairman of Council, of accession of His Majesty King George VI. 1937 February – Purchase of further land off Shortbank Road for housing. 1937 May 12th – Celebration of Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on lines of that for Silver Jubilee of King George V. 1937 July – Contract entered into for 62 houses and bungalows off Shortbank Road (Greatwood Lane site). 1937 September – Gift by Exors. Of late Mr W Clough of his portrait in oils hanging in Public Library. 1937 October – Decision to establish further five pedestrian crossings. 1938 January – Property acquired adjoining Town Hall altered to offices for Clerk’s and Treasurer’s Department. 1938 March – Scheme made by Charity Commission for Administration of Mardsen Trust, and appointment of first Trustees. 1938 March 23rd – Local Inquiry into Ministry of Transport proposals for Trunk Road from Leeds to Liverpool. 1938 July 19th – Decision to acquire approximately 12 acres of land near Horse Close Bridge as a housing site. 1939 February 21st – Amended layout plan of Sod Hill, part of Tarn Moor Estate approved. 1939 Evacuation Scheme prepared in connection with Civil Defence measures. 1939 March 14th – Scheme for proposed new Baths and Recreation Centre at Moor View amended. 1939 May 8th – Motor vehicles replaced horses and carts in Health and Highways Departments. 1939 May 9th – Devonshire Street, Walton Street, Sun Moor Drive, Back Moorland Terrace and Greatwood Avenue adopted. 1939 June 12th – Consort Street and Windsor Avenue adopted. 1939 July 5th - £10,000 grant offered by National Fitness Council towards new Baths. (Offer withdrawn on outbreak of War, September 1939). 1939 July 18th – Purchase of 12.76 acres of land at Horse Close for £1,551, for housing purposes. 1939 September 3rd – War declared on Germany. Schoolchildren from Bradford evacuated to Skipton. 1939 October – Regional slaughtering came into operation. 1940 January and February – Severe snowstorms throughout the country. 1940 May 21st – Servicemen’s Comfort Fund established. Subscriptions £692 17s. 4d. 700 parcels sent Christmas 1940. 1940 July 1st – Compulsory salvage of household waste imposed. 1940 July 8th – Construction of public air raid shelters commenced. 1940 September 4th – Additional land leased at The Bailey for allotment purposes. 1940 September 5th – Public footpath constructed from the Bailey to Regent Housing Estate. 1940 September 10th – Agreement with Skipton R.D.C to provide Fire Brigade services in 31 Parishes. 1940 September 26th – Chlorination of water arranged (£92). 1940 October 10th – New Fire Engine and equipment ordered (£2,886). 1940 November 19th - £181,633 raised during War Weapons Week (£50,000) 1941 April 9th – H.R.H The Princess Royal visited Skipton to receive on behalf of the Y.M.C.A Mr and Mrs Mark Nutter’s gift of a Mobile Canteen, also £1,039 7s 5d. for the Y.M.C.A Appeal Fund. 1941 July 8th – Hostel built off Short Bank Road for female agricultural workers. 1941 July 11th – Transfer of Fire Brigade to National Fire Service. 1941 July 15th - £3,004 raised for Y.M.C.A Appeal Fund. 1941 November 12th – Zoning of 90 acres of Aireville Estate as park and open space. 1941 November 13th – Conversion of “Boothman’s” Slaughterhouse into Food Decontamination Station. 1941 December 3rd – Conversion of Nonconformist Chapel at Cemetery into war-time mortuary. 1942 February 14th – During Warships Week £492,887 raises (aim £210,000). 1942 May 3rd – Decision to establish a British Restaurant. 1942 May 12th – Agreement with Carleton Water Company for supply of water to Carleton. 1942 June 3rd – W R Urban District Council’s Association established. 1942 July 17th – Holidays-at-Home Week. 1942 July 21st – Presentations to Councillors J E Daly, H C C Holmes of Testimonials on their having completed 21 years unbroken membership of the Council. 1942 August 1st – “The Bailey” opened as a War-time Nursery for women war workers’ children under five years of age. 1943 February 25th – War department decided to erect Prisoners-of-War Camp near junction of Embsay – Harrogate Road. 1943 April 20th – Appointment of Mrs Monica Vaughan as Councillor (war time procedure): first lady member. 1944 January 29th – Lord Harewood inspected members of pre- service units in Skipton. 1944 April 21st – “Salute the Soldier” National Savings Week raised £343,403. 1944 May 22nd – Council abandoned proposition of a British Restaurant. 1944 June 26th – Lease of land at Burnside to Adult School Trustees extended for further 21 years. 1944 October 27th – Offer of Mr Cyril Dewhurst of Aireville Estate for £15,000 accepted. 1944 November 14th – Meeting held with neighbouring authorities to form a Divisional Executive under Education Act, 1944, for Craven Area. 1945 January 22nd – Golden Jubilee Meeting of Council, followed by Supper, to which Chairman Col. F L Smith, invited members, Chief Officers, and ex-members of Council residing in District. 1945 – Aireville Estate conveyances sealed at Jubilee Meeting. Estate previously belonged to Mr H Alcock, first Chairman of Skipton Local Board of Health; later to Mr J B Dewhurst, first Chairman of Council. 1945 May 8th and 9th – Victory in Europe (V.E) celebrated. Public holiday. Speeches of His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister relayed into High Street. Thanksgiving services held; dancing in High Street; Church and Cenotaph floodlit and High Street illuminated. 1945 May 13th – Thanksgiving Sunday. Victory parade of organisations connected with National Effort. Service in Parish Church relayed to Town Hall. Salute taken after service by Commanding Officer, 6th Batt. Durham Light Infantry. 1945 July 12th – Council convened meeting of representatives of organisations to appoint an Interim Committee to decide upon a War Memorial. 1945 August 15th and 16th – Celebration of Victory over Japan (V.J). Public holidays. Speech of His Majesty the King relayed into High Street. Thanksgiving services held on V.J Day. Floodlighting of Church and Cenotaph, illuminating of High Street and relaying of music for dancing as for the V.E celebrations. 1945 August 19th – Thanksgiving Sunday, Victory Parade of all organisations connected with National Effort. Service in Parish Church relayed to Town Hall. 1945 September 21st – First Meeting of Divisional Executive for Education for Barnoldswick, Earby, Skipton and Silsden Urban Districts and Skipton Rural District. 1945 October 6th – Thanksgiving National Savings Week raised £252,087. 1946 January 9th – Councillor Col. F Longden Smith M.C., T.D., awarded M.B.E. 1946 February 26th – Work commenced on Horse Close housing site roads and sewers using German P.O.W labour. 1946 March 30th – Mrs M Mitchell elected to Council. First lady member elected. 1946 April 10th – Town’s meeting received report of War Memorial Committee. Decision made to prepare a more detailed scheme. 1946 June 5th – Council considered tenders for first 30 post war houses. 1946 June 8th – Celebrated throughout country as Victory day and Public holiday. Music relayed from Town Hall into High Street for dancing, Band Concerts, Punch and Judy shows, bonfire and fireworks in Aireville Park, Church, Castle Gateway and Public Library floodlit and High Street illuminated. 1946 September 20th – Houses at Skipton and Earby damaged by heavy floods. 1946 December 31st – Branch of York County Savings Bank opened. 1947 February 3rd – Blizzard. Eight weeks snow. Surrounding districts isolated. 1947 March 10th – Mills close down through fuel shortage. 1947 June 5th – Fifteen European voluntary workers commenced work at Belle Vue Mills. 1947 August 5th – Thirteen young people from Holland visited Skipton on holiday arranged by World Fellowship Association. 1947 October 4th – Formation of Craven Branch of Council for Preservation of Rural England. 1947 October 23rd – Canal traffic between Skipton and Lancashire at a standstill as result of drought. 1947 November 20th – Marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Lieut. Phillip Mountbatten. 1948 April 1st – Nationalisation of Electricity Undertakings. 1948 April 20th – Presentation of Councillor A C Bailey of testimonials on completion of 21 years unbroken membership of the Council. 1948 – May 3rd – Arising from a petition, Council decided to submit draft order to Secretary of State, Home Office, for Sunday opening of Cinemas. 1948 May 20th – Purchase of 9.712 acres of land at Horse Close for £1,000 for housing purposes. 1948 June 29th – Public Meeting of Local Government Electors, when 195 voted in favour and 377 against Sunday opening of Cinemas. 1948 June 30th – Purchase of 21.601 acres of land at Horse Close for £3,010 for housing purposes. 1948 July 17th – Poll for Sunday opening of Cinemas 3,329 in favour and 2,596 against. 1948 August 7th – Opening of Old Folk’s Rest Centre in Swadford Street. 1948 August 9th -11th – Road Safety exhibition opened by Bruce Woodcock, British and Empire Heavyweight Boxing Champion. 1948 August 14th – Chairman gave reception to visitors from International Geological Congress. 1948 November 14th – Prince Charles born, son of Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh. 1949 April 4th – Erection of 100th post war Council house completed. 1949 May 1st – Nationalisation of Gas Undertakings. 1949 May 2nd – Supply of water by Urban Council to Embsay village commenced. 1949 May 20th – Purchase of 2.368 and 7.344 acres of land at Horse Close for £1,000 for housing purposes. 1949 June 1st – Chairman gave reception to British Council overseas visitors. 1950 January 6th – Appropriation of 2.84 acres of land at Firth Recreation Ground for allotment purposes. 1950 April 21st – Old People’s Welfare Committee set up. 1950 April 27th – Festival of Britain, 1951. Committee set up. 1950 May 8th – Opening of Bus Station, Waller Hill. 1950 May 10th – Appropriation of 1.32 acres of Firth Recreation ground for housing purposes and the giving in exchange of 5.98 acres of land on Horse Close Estate for the purpose of a public open space. 1950 June 20th – Hygienic Food Trades’ Guild formed. 1950 July 1st – Opening of new Broughton Road Methodist Chapel. 1950 July 8th – Opening of Burnside Chapel (Calvary Holiness Church), formerly adult school. 1950 August 1st – Faculty from Lord Bishop of Bradford for the Parish Churchyard Improvement Scheme. 1950 August 23rd – Approval of Minister of Health to construction of Crematorium at Cemetery. 1951 January 31st – Purchase of 67.881 acres of land at Horse Close for housing purposes. 1951 February 27th – Memorial submitted to Earl Marshal for Grant of Armorial Bearings. 1951 March 30th – First Skipton Civic Ball. 1951 May 2nd – Erection of 200th post war Council house completed. 1951 May 13th – Opening of Festival of Britain activities – Civic Service at Parish Church. Programme of events included natural history and art exhibitions. Dramatic and operatic performances given. Sports Week held and a week reserved for constructions from youth of Town. 1951 July 8th – Closing of Festival activities. Thanksgiving at Parish Church. 1951 September 10th – Building of private houses commenced on Sod Hill (Tarn Moor Estate). 1951 October 6th – Greatwood Junior School foundation stone laid. 1951 October 15th – Gift by ex-Councillor Col. F L Smith. M.B.E., M.C., T.D., J.P., of pendant to be worn by Lady of the Chairman of the Council. Chain for this pendant provided from subscriptions by local organisations and proceeds from Civic Ball also presented. 1951 December 5th – Letters Paten, dated 12th October, 1951 received, granting Armorial Bearings. 1952 February 6th – Death of His Majesty King George VI. 1952 February 9th – Proclamation by Chairman of the Council (Councillor H H Walker) of Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 1952 February 15th – United Service in memory of His Majesty King George VI, held in Parish Church, attended by Chairman and Members of Council and representatives of public organisations etc. 1952 March – Replica of Armorial Bearings incorporated in Chairman’s Chain and pendant of Lady’s Chain. 1952 April 2nd – Unveiling of carved oak plaque of Armorial Bearings on wall of Council Chamber, presented by Councillor W H Rycroft. Former emblems from Chairman’s Chain and Lady’s Chain Pendant presented to the Chairman (Councillor H H Walker) and Mrs Walker. 1952 May 30th – Opening of Crematorium by the Honourable Lord Horder, G.C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.P. 1952 August 15th – Lynmouth Flood Disaster. Chairman opened local Relief Fund, which realised £486 2s 6d. 1952 October 30th – Committee formed to organise celebrations for forthcoming Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. 1952 December 22nd – Death of Second Baron Hothfield, owner of Skipton Castle. 1953 February 4th – Chairman’s appeal for contributions to the Lord Mayor of London’s East Coast Flood Disaster Fund raised £1,166. 1953 March 24th – Death of Her Majesty Queen Mary aged 85. 1953 May 27th – Councillor Mrs Mitchell elected as first Lady Chairman of the Council. 1953 May 30th – War Memorial traffic island completed. 1953 June 2nd – Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. Main streets and public buildings in town were decorated and floodlit, as were many of the local shops. Celebrations took place from 1st to 7th June including competitions of decorating shop premises and a shopping week. Celebrations commenced by a Service of Thanksgiving in the Parish Church, and Church bells were rung in the morning and evening of Coronation Day. Service in Westminster Abbey was televised and old folks were invited to view it in the Town Hall. Tea and entertainment for old folks provided, sports and entertainment for young and old were much in evidence and a bonfire was lit on Rombalds Moor. 1953 September 19th – Visit of Nigerian administrators. 1953 December – Modernisation of slaughterhouse completed. 1954 February 11th – Formal consultation on draft Town Map with representatives of County Council. 1954 April 7th – Opening of automatic telephone exchange in Newmarket Street. 1954 August – Visit of Kenyan local Government official, Mr Joel Kiragu Gatungo. 1954 September 22nd – Amalgamation of Local Fuel Offices of Skipton Rural and Urban Districts. 1954 – November 10th – Cessation of control of Civic Building. 1955 January 12th – Decision to sell Council houses under Housing Act, 1952. 1955 February 9th – Diamond jubilee of Council. Commemoration dinner held at Midland Hotel. 1955 March 30th – Formal handing over of key to tenants of 1,000th house erected by Council. 1955 May – Visit of Ugandan administrator, Mr A B Mutashwera. 1955 May 24th – Councillor W A Anderson, first Skipton Councillor to be elected Chairman for a second period of office. 1955 August 15-21st – Inland Waterways Rally held at Skipton. 1955 September 22nd – Site of Cattle Market, Jerry Croft, purchased. 1955 November 16th – Decision to discontinue sale of Council houses, 234 having been sold. 1956 April 1st – First revaluation since 1934, increasing rateable value from £96,704 to £152,385. 1956 June 24th – Laying up of 6th Duke of Wellington’s Colours in Skipton Parish Church. 1956 November 12th – Skipton Castle bought by T Fattorini (Skipton) Ltd., from Lord Hothfield, in whose family it had been in for 107 years. 1956 December 15th – Opening ceremony and dedication of War Memorial gateway at Aireville park. 1956 December 18th – Official switch-on of new road lighting. 1957 February 21st – Tree Preservation Order confirmed to prevent indiscriminate felling of trees, mainly near Castle. 1957 February 23rd – Museum extension opened by Dr. A Raistrick. 1957 April 1st – Official re-opening of Moorview swimming baths following installation of new heating, filtration and chlorination plant. 1957 April 17th – Faculty from Lord Bishop of Bradford for Christ Churchyard Improvement Scheme. 1957 September 3rd – Visit of party of 40 Americans from Maryland, interested in Cresap Society. 1957 November 27th – Decision of Council to discontinue general rate discount as from April 1st 1958. 1958 March 30th – Broughton Road Shed (Rycroft and Hartley Ltd) destroyed by fire. 1958 May 6th – Re-opening of Moorview swimming baths following tiling. 1958 June 21st – Centenary of Skipton local government (first Local Board of Health Meeting). 1958 June 9th – Investigations into prehistoric glacial lake beneath Urban District revealed potentialities of additions to public water supply. 1958 July 14th – Cessation of Fuel Control. 1958 December 16th – Commemoration of centenary of Skipton local government at dinner held at Black Horse Hotel. Chairman of County Council chief guest. 1959 March 20th – Planting of trees in Aireville Park by Councillor J W Jewitt, J.P., (Chairman), Councillor J D Tanswell (senior member) and children representatives of schools in town further to commemorate the local government centenary. 1959 March 23rd – Planning approval received for use of land at Keighley Road for industry. 1959 April 1st – Craven Water Board formed. 1959 April – Visit of Malayan Administrative Officer, Mr Mohd. Sharriff bin Haji Ibrahim, N.C.S. 1959 May 13th – Colonel F Longdon Smith, former Chairman of Council, appointed Deputy Lieutenant of West Riding. 1959 May 21st – Presentation by retiring Chairman (Councillor J W Jewitt) and Miss Jewitt , of chain for use with Chairman’s Lady’s pendant. 1959 August 21st – Completion of 6” water pipe from Whinny Gill Reservoir to Elsack Reservoir to relieve water shortage in West Craven; cost £22,000. 1959 August 31st – Presentation to Town of Commemoration seat to mark Centenary of Yorkshire Bank Ltd. (formerly Yorkshire Penny Bank Ltd). 1959 September 7th – Formation of Skipton Ratepayers’ Association. 1959 September 9th – Scheme approved for conversion of remaining gas lighting to electric – town divided into four sections for phasing of work. 1959 October 8th – General Election. By his fifth successive election, Mr G B Drayson set a new record for the Parliamentary Division. 1959 October 28th – Open air pool closed to bathing permanently on public health grounds. 1959 December 14th – Scheme approved for providing continuous footway on south-west side of Shortbank Road, from Brougham Street to existing footway opposite end of Hurrs Road. 1960 February 8th – In view of provision revealed by soils mechanics survey of industrial site, Keighley Road, support of County Council to be sought to designation of other land for industrial purposes. 1960 March – Councillor Transwell, 21 years service with Council 1939 – 1960. 1960 March 12th – Re-opening of Museum following transfer of exhibits from second floor. Museum now wholly contained on ground floor and in basement. 1960 April 4th – Opening of offices of Craven Water Board at Belmont Bridge. 1960 May 9th – Chairman of Council (Councillor E P Rowley) and Mrs Rowley attended the first annual Garden Party given by H.M. The Queen at Buckingham Palace. 1960 November 3rd – Decision to build swimming baths in Aireville Park. 1960 November 7th – Caravan site established at Overdale under Licence. 1961 January 5th – Home Safety Committee formed. 1961 February 7th – Opening of STD (subscriber trunk dialling) system at Telephone Exchange by Chairman of Council (Councillor J D McNeil, J.P.). 1961 March 27th – Chairman’s Chain of Office – 16 links added. 1961 May 3rd – Formation of Committee of Frontages and others to prepare scheme for improvement of High Street under auspices of Civic Trust. 1961 May 5th – Land purchased at the Ginnel for open space. 1961 June 21st – Formation of local Civic Society. 1961 August 15th – Visit of H.R.H. Princess Royal to opening of £125,000 extension of Skipton General Hospital. Her Royal Highness was received at the hospital by Chairman of the Regional Hospital Board, Major J C Hunter, M.C., C.B.E., and Chairman of Council J D Tanswell, J.P., accompanied by Mrs Tanswell. Before the ceremony, local and neighbouring dignitaries were presented to Her Royal Highness. After making a tour of the extension and the hospital, she was entertained to tea, when further presentations were made to her. 1961 December 5th – Action in County Court by Lennards Ltd., 48/50 High Street, against J E Walker, stall holder on sett- pavement frontage. Judgement proved Lennard’s frontage rights and offered them injunction against Walker. 1961 December – Building by Council of five shops and flats in Newmarket Street commenced. 1962 April 1st – Scheme approved for widening carriageway, Burnside Estate (first phase). 1962 May 1st – Presentation to Museum by Mrs Coulthurst, J.P., Gargrave of rare North British early Iron Age Sword found at Flasby Hall in 1848. 1962 October – Town Hall Improvements, Council Chamber refurnishing completed. 1962 October 4th – laying of foundation stone of Brown, Muff and Company’s new store in High Street by Chairman of Council (Councillor S Waddington). 1962 October 12th – Construction of swimming baths, Aireville Park commenced. 1962 November 14th – Presentation by Councillor W J Allen of new clock for Council Chamber. 1962 December 21st – New Valuation List (revision of 1956 re- valuation) deposited. Rateable value increased from £ 165,230 to £414,343 at that date. 1962 December 26th – Commencement of nine weeks heavy snow storms and continuous frost. Country roads blocked, farms etc isolated. 1963 January – High Street Stalls. Code of Practice and Regulations drawn up by Frontagers’ Committee. 1963 January 10th – First Smoke Control Order made, Burnside area. 1963 January 11th – Site at Greatwood Avenue sold to Brewery Company for public house. 1963 February 11th – Improved Head Post Office opened by Chairman of Council (Councillor S Waddington). 1963 March – Low Lodge, Aireville Park, demolished. 1963 March – Building by Council of 28 old people’s bungalows in Newmarket Street commenced. 1963 April 26th – Foundation stone of new swimming baths in Aireville Park laid by Chairman of Council (Councillor S Waddington). 1963 September – Cottages 5 – 11 High Street, demolished. 1963 October – Building of County Council Clinic, High Street, started. 1963 November 3rd – Moorview swimming bath closed after 57 years. 1963 November 21st – Proposed New Group Hospital at Eastburn announced. 1963 November 22nd – President of United States (J F Kennedy) assassinated. 1964 January 31st – Objection by 42 Hurrs Road frontagers to Council’s proposal to make up street dismissed by Magistrates. 1964 February 5th – Adoption of new Standing Orders. 1964 March 3rd – First tenants moved into Newmarket Street bungalows. 1964 May 14th – Ceremonial opening of new swimming baths in Aireville Park by Miss Anita Lonsborough, M.B.E. 1964 May 15th – Swimming baths in Aireville Park opened for public bathing. 1964 May 20th – Presentation to Councillor J D Tanswell of testimonial on completion of 25 years unbroken membership of Council. 1964 May 27th – Councillor S Waddington, Chairman of Finances and General Purposes Committee and a member and first Chairman of the Craven Water Board, elected a Vice- President of British Waterworks Association, a personal honour and one for the Board and the County. Only five Yorkshiremen have held this position since the Association was formed in 1912. 1964 July 8th – Formal opening of restored Petyt Library by Mrs Coulthurst, J.P., through whose generosity the work was possible and presentation by her of silver monteith which had been presented by the Trustees of Sylvester Petyt in the early 18th century to William Busfield (whose portrait hangs in the Petyt Library room) an old boy of Ermysted’s Grammar School who had been a generous donor of books to the Petyt Library. 1964 July 9th – Communal Centre for Newmarket Street bungalows formally opened by Councillor J D McNeil, J.P., Chairman of Housing Committee. 1964 October 7th – Adoption of new Standing Orders relating to Contracts. 1964 October 16th – General Election, Mr G B Drayson returned as member for Skipton Division for sixth successive time. 1964 November 2nd – Decision to authorise issue of minutes of Committees to Press each Wednesday. 1964 November 11th – Draft Town Map and Draft Town Centre Map approved by Council. 1964 December 1st – Mortuary at Depot closed in favour of mortuary facilities at Raikeswood Hospital. 1964 December 16th – Principle of combining with Ilkley to form joint Library Board agreed. 1964 January 24th – Sir Winston Churchill died aged 90; attended in illness by personal physician, Lord Moran, native of Skipton born at 2 High Street, where his father, Late Dr J F Wilson was in medical practice. 1965 February – Aireville Park drive lighting completed. 1965 February 16th – Visit of Zambian Municipal Councillors Mr H P Kasongo and Mr F M Phiri from Ndola. 1965 March 22nd – Divisional Health Office and Central Clinic at 9 High Street completed and occupied. 1965 April 1st – Revised scale of Town Hall letting charges and conditions came into operation. 1965 May – Councillor S Waddington elected Senior Vice- President of the British Waterworks Association. 1965 June 23rd – Presentation to Council by Councillor and Mrs M W Crabtree of silver letter knife. 1965 July – Mr L E Smith, Clerk of the Council, appointed Chairman of Law and Parliamentary Committee of Executive Council of Urban District Councils Association. 1965 August 6th – New Gas Showroom opened in Caroline Square, the Chairman of Council (Councillor J S McBride) officiating. 1965 September 28th – West Riding Education Committee agreed to buy Skipton Mechanic’s Institute property (Science and Art School building, etc) for £32,500. 1965 October 15th – Use of Slaughterhouse as Deadweight Certification Centre confirmed. 1965 October 21st – Second Five-year Slum Clearance Programme approved and submitted to Ministry of Housing and Local Government. 1966 January 3rd – Warden’s Service introduced for aged living in private accommodation. 1966 March 17th – Presentation to Council by Mrs S Ettey during National Library week of silver ink stand and silver/pen for use in Petyt Library, in memory of her husband, Mr D Ettey, former Librarian. 1966 March 31st – General Election, Mr G B Drayson returned as Member for Skipton Division for seventh successive time in 21st year of continuous representation. 1966 April 6th – First tenants moved into Princes Drive bungalows. 1966 April 25-30th – First Council-sponsored Art Exhibition held in Town Hall. 1966 May 20th – Council accepted principle of Sunday trading. 1966 June 14th – Councillor S Waddington elected President of British Waterworks Association. 1966 July 27th – Presentation of plaque by National Savings Committee to mark 50 years of co-operation and achievement in promoting National Savings. 1966 July 28th – Council approved payment of £1,000 a year over next five years towards cost of enlarging and improving existing Old Folk’s Rest Centre in Swadford Street. 1966 September 15th – Council accepted delegation of powers from County Council in respect of Diseases of Animals Act and Orders. 1967 February 12th – BBC “Down Your Way” programme featuring Skipton. 1967 February 27th – Skipton and District Council of Social Service formed. 1967 March – New Rural Council office completed and occupied. 1967 April 5th – Skipton and District Sports Advisory Council formed. 1967 August – Houses in Upper Commercial Street demolished. 1967 August 2nd – Comprehensive Development Area Map No 1 and Designation Map approved by Council. 1967 September – Widening of Burnside Estate roads and footways completed. 1967 October 1st – Civil Defence office in Keighley Road closed. 1967 October – Parish Church floodlighting began. 1967 November 15th – Presentation to Council by Mr Douglas S Young, London, of bronze model lion statue in memory of his father, Richard Henry Young, born at Skipton on 14th May 1842, who “became the greatest Art Founder of his generation” and cast the statue of Sir M Wilson standing High Street. 1967 November 16th - £ devalued. 1967 December – Eastgate widened (later re-named Coach Street). 1968 February – Kings Arms Hotel, High Street, demolished. 1968 March – Construction of car park at Lower Commercial Street (adjoining Coach Street) completed. 1968 April 1st – Street cleaning service transferred from Public works department to Health department. 1968 July 1st – Town hit by fiercest storm in living memory – drains and streams were unable to cope. There were hailstones as big as marbles. Water several feet deep rushed down streets and flooded property in centre of town. 1.11” of rain recorded between 11.30am and 2.30pm and 1.23” between 6.10pm and 6.30pm. 1968 July 19th – Mr L E Smith, Clerk to the Council, appointed Chairman of Executive Council of Urban District Councils Association. 1968 November 1st – British Summer Time introduced for experimental period of three years. (Making the time throughout the year one hour in advance of Greenwich Mean Time). 1968 November 1st – Mr W J Spence Solicitors’ Managing Clerk, of Charlesworth, Wood and Brown, the Council’s solicitors, retired, aged 93 years, after 73 years service with firm. 1968 December 18th – Draft Town Centre Map Implementation Phase 4 approved by Council as new Town Centre Map. 1969 February – Red Lion Conveniences closed. 1969 February 17th – High Street Car Park Conveniences completed. 1969 February 24th – Conservation Area designating centre of town as area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which should be preserved or enhanced. 1969 March 12th – Sir Alec Rose, round-the-world lone yachtsman in his yacht “Lively Lady”, visited Skipton at invitation of Mechanics Institute, and was given Civic Reception. 1969 March – Pitch-and-Putt course and Putting Green laid out in Aireville Park. 1969 March – Houses in Hill Street area demolished, and also those in Albert Terrace. 1969 March 17th – Hostel for children with learning difficulties opened at Cawder Lane. 1969 March 25th – Town Centre Map – Public Inquiry into objection held at Town Hall. 1969 March 25th – Railway closures – Public Hearing by Transport Users’ Consultative Committee into objection to proposed closure of intermediate stations between Skipton and Carlisle and withdrawal of local passenger train services. 1969 April 21st – Friends of the Craven Museum inaugurated. 1969 May 11th – Sunday opening of the Craven Museum commenced. 1969 May 12th – Order of Charity Commissioners establishing Scheme for amalgamation of Marsden Trust and Mullineaux Bequest. 1969 June 2nd – Councillor J D McNeil, J.P., appointed Chairman of the Craven Water Board. 1969 June 11th – Report of Royal Commission on Local Government in England, under Chairmanship of Lord Radcliffe- Maud, published. Rejected by the Council, 6th August, 1969. 1969 July 7th – Taxi rank for two taxis authorised at Waller Hill. 1969 July 31st – Pitch-and-Putt course at Aireville Park opened by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor J Gunby. 1969 August 27th – Joint Tourism Committee inaugurated. 1969 September 8th – Adoption of Council of right of way between High Street and Birtwhistle’s Yard. 1969 September 13th – Coach Street Car Park Conveniences open to public. 1969 October 1st – Offer for sale of pre-war 3 bedroom Council houses extended until 31st March 1970. 1969 October 8th – Mr E Gilbert Sharp appointed as Joint Clerk to the Council and to the Skipton Rural District Council, to take effect from 24th November 1969. 1969 December 16th – Ministry rejected Council’s appeal against County Council’s refusal to allow tipping of refuse on land off Ings Lane. 1970 January – Sale of 14 acres of land at Hurrs Road for private housing development. 1970 January 5th – Taxi rank for two taxis authorised at South side of Sheep Street Hill. 1970 January 13th – Ministry of Transport decision giving consent to closure of railway passenger services between Skipton and Colne, and local services from intermittent stops between Skipton and Carlisle. 1970 March 2nd – Scheme approved for modernisation of bungalows at Shortbank Road and Broughton Road. 1970 May – Opening of High Corn Mill at Mill Bridge as an industrial museum by Councillor George Leatt, who acquired the property after it had been in the ownership of Skipton Castle from the twelfth century until the middle of the twentieth century. 1970 June 18th – General Election. Mr G B Drayson returned as Member for Skipton Division for eighth successive time, with double majority obtained at 1966 election. 1970 July 20th – Rt Hon Ian McLeod, Chancellor of the Exchequer, died, having held the office for only one month after the return of a Conservative Government at the June Election. Born at Skipton on 11th November, 1913, at Clifford House. 1970 November – Recreation Ground established at Hillside Crescent. 1970 November 2nd – Decision to offer developers opportunity of negotiating scheme for central area redevelopment. 1970 November 11th – Decision to purchase engine sheds and land at Engine Shed Lane. 1970 December 11th – Ceremonial opening of Airedale General Hospital at Eastburn by H.R.H. Prince of Wales. 1970 December 16th – Decision to contribute £5,000 towards provision of sports facilities at Sandylands under scheme proposed by Trustees of Coulthurst Playing Fields. 1970 December – Closure of Mark Nutter Fabrics Ltd., Firth Mills, Sackville Street, affecting about 250 workpeople. 1971 January – First plot of land at Keighley Road Industrial Estate sold for factory building. 1971 – Town Hall façade cleaned and stonework repaired. 1971 January – Mill Bridge Improvement Scheme carried out jointly by Council and Civic Society who had raised funds by a public appeal. 1971 January – Building commenced on land at Upper Commercial Street, sold for private housing development. 1971 February – Houses at Alma Terrace and Wilson’s Buildings demolished. 1971 February 15th – Decimalisation Day. Coinage converted to decimal system. 1971 May 1st – By agreement with owners and Council, public allowed access to Skipton Wood. 1971 July 1st – Land at Mill Bridge laid out as garden and open space jointly by Council and Civic Society. Opened to public by Chairman of Council, Councillor Short. 1971 August – Land at North Parade levelled and seeded for use as recreation ground. 1971 September 1st – Council agreed in principle, to proceed with amended scheme submitted by Kirk Development/Newiss Group for shops in Central area. 1971 October – District converted to North Sea Gas. 1971 November 5th – Government decision to place Skipton in North Yorkshire County on Local Government Reorganisation. 1971-72 – Old people’s bungalows at Shortbank Road and Broughton Road modernised. 1972 January – Baths at Aireville Park tiled. 1972 January 31st – Citizens Advice Bureau opened at Bus Station. 1972 March – Sale of refreshments commenced from Bath’s Café to people in Aireville Park. 1972 April – Concessionary bus fares for old and disabled people introduced. 1972 May-June – Skipton Festival organised by Skipton Chamber of Trade. 1972 July 5th – Tennis courts in Aireville Park opened by Chairman of Council, Councillor Willey. 1972 August 20th – Bandstand erected in Aireville Park. 1972 October – Councillor McNeil appointed Chairman of National Housing and Town Planning Council. 1972 October 30th – New Museum Trust Deed entered in Register of Charities providing for property of new Craven Museum at rear of Town Hall to be vested in five Trustees, one to be appointed by Trustees of Coulthurst Trust and remaining four from members of the Council. 1972 November – Footbridge over Eller Beck, and handrail and footway alongside Springs Canal provided by Council. 1972 November – Old George Hotel, High Street, converted to shop premises by Brown, Muff & Co. Ltd. Front façade and part of internal walls retained; remainder demolished to make way for new shop. 1972 November 11th – Sandylands Sports Centre opened. Finance provided by Coulthurst Trust, County Council, Skipton Urban District Council, and Yorkshire and Humberside Sports Council. 1973 January – Spindle Shop Dam Area laid out as an amenity and car parking area. 1973 January 1st – United Kingdom became a member of the European Economic Community. 1973 January 24th – Area at Broughton Road declared a General Improvement Area. 1973 February 9th – New supper room at Town Hall used for first time on occasion of Civic Ball. 1973 April 1st – System of Value Added Tax introduced in United Kingdom. 1973 April 7-8th – Bicentenary of opening of canal from Bingley to Skipton commemorated. 1973 April 12th – First election of 93 Councillors for new County of North Yorkshire. 1973 May – New Magistrates Court, Otley Street, opened. 1973 June 7th – First election of 35 Councillors for new Craven District Council (no 5 District of North Yorkshire). 1973 July – Health Depot removed from High Street car park to new depot at Engine Shed Lane. 1973 Local Government reorganisation. Successor to the Urban District Council now Skipton Town Council with the first meeting 13th February, 1974. 1973 – Application for transfer of Armorial Bearings granted, Town Council and Mayoral Status established. 1973 Visit of Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Skipton. 1974 December – First function under the terms of the Rimington Trust held. 1975 September 23rd – Visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Skipton in connection with European Architectural Heritage Year. 1975 October – Official opening of Bunkers Hill Amenity Area: (Sponsored by Skipton Soroptomists Club). 1976 August – Presentation of Duke of Edinburgh Awards by the Mayor, Councillor J W Robinson. 1976 September – Public Local Inquiry into the Northern and Western By-passes of Skipton. 1977 March – Public Local Inquiry into the appeal by Lenton Properties against the refusal by the Craven District Council of their application for development in the Albert Street area. 1977 – Approval by the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Transport of the line of the Northern and Western By- passes. 1977 June 6th – Silver Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. Town decorated, lights switched on by Mayor (Councillor Brian T Short). Opening of the Ginnel Improvement Scheme by the Mayor. Thanksgiving Service at the Parish Church. Bonfire lit on Rombald’s Moor. Jubilee Ball held at the Town Hall. Events held at the Castle, Aireville Park and Sandylands. The Mayor attended the Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate to meet Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh. 1977 August 2nd – Rejection by the Secretary of State for the Environment of Lenton Properties appeal regarding Central Area Development. 1978 May – Belmont Bridge re-opened to traffic after having been closed for over four months owing to complete reconstruction. 1978 June – Opening of Skipton Building Society’s new head office in Court Lane. 1978 August – Closure of Messrs. Waterfall’s Bookshop, Sheep Street, after 128 years trading. 1978 October – Work commenced on Skipton Northern and Western By-passes. 1978 November – Closure of Messrs. Breares, Sheep Street, Skipton as Gents Tailors and Outfitters after 59 years trading. (The tailoring business remains in being at a new address). 1979 January to March – Wintry weather conditions worst since 1947 with heavy snowfalls and severe frosts, resulting in many roads being impassable and villages and farms isolated. 1979 May 3rd – George Burnaby Drayson T.D. retired as Member of Parliament for the Skipton Constituency after serving for 34 years. Mr John Watson elected as new Conservative M.P., for the Skipton Constituency. 1979 May 31st – Election of Skipton’s first Lady Mayor. 1979 May 31st – Messrs. Cork’s Tobacconists. Sheep Street, closed after 100 years trading. Messers. Meakin’s Boot and Shoe Repairers, closed after 70 years trading. 1979 June 13th – Cloudburst in the Eastby Moor area causing extensive flooding in the Newmarket Street, Swadford Street, Keighley Road, Shortbank Road area and in Brookside where Miss Jane Barraclough (90) was drowned in her living room. Severe damage to property, furnishings and stock in trade. 1979 June 14th – Mayor’s Flood Relief Appeal Fund opened. 1979 August – Mayor’s Flood Relief Appeal Fund realised £15846 within 6 weeks of launching. Donations received from abroad as well as nationally and locally. All funds distributed in cash to flood victims. Fund closed on 31st July 1979. Much of the re-decorating work necessary to the dwellings carried out by the local organisations. 1979 October – Yorkshire Dales Light Railway Order made in respect of that portion of the old Skipton to Ilkley line now opened by the Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust. 1979 November – Demolition commenced on existing Co-op in Swadford Street and building of new department store commenced, including culverting of Wilderness Beck at rear of premises. 1980 March 31st – R Parker, Ladies Outfitters, Newmarket Street, closed after 52 years trading. 1980 April – Councillor Miss K Farey (Deputy Mayor) presented an inscribed Deputy Mayor’s Medallion of Office to the Town Council in recognition of her family’s long service as Councillors in Local Government in Skipton. 1980 May – Messers. Ledgard & Wynn’s Gents Outfitters, High Class Furnishings etc, taken over by Schofields of Leeds after 59 years trading. Store to continue under same name. 1980 June 7th – Severe thunderstorm with heavy rain and hailstones. 2-3 inch layer of hailstones in the Raikes Road/Raikeswood Road area. Flooding in the Keighley Road area. 1980 – An additional eleven links to the Mayoral Chain of Office. 1980 August 28th – The Mayor (Councillor Mrs J S Hollings), attended the Full Council Meeting wearing, for the first time, the recently purchased Mayoral Robe and enlarged Chain of Office. 1981 – February – Skipton Interim District Plan published. 1981 February 2nd – After many years of disuse, the former volunteer’s Drill Hall on Otley Street was opened by Messers. Willie Holt (Burnley) Ltd., as a Billiard and Snooker Hall together with office accommodation. 1981 March 26th – West Yorkshire Co-op Society’s new department store in Keighley Road, opened. 1981 September – Closure of Fothergill’s Pork Butchers, Newmarket Street, after 52 years trading. 1981 December 10th – Opening of Northern By-Pass by Mr J Watson M.P. Miss K Farey (Town Mayor) was present at the function. 1982 March 31st – G Leatt (Seed, Corn and Hardware Merchants) closed down after 40 years trading. 1982 May – Messers. Lawson’s (Builders and Contractors) celebrated 100 years of trading. 1982 June 6th – Torrential rain in Embsay, Eastby and Skipton Moor areas again caused extensive flooding in Shortbank Road, Newmarket Street, Keighley Road, Swadford Street and Brookside. Damage to shops, business premises and houses, was, in some instances severe. 1982 June 21st – Well attended Public Meeting held in the Town Hall on recent flooding in Skipton. 1982 September 8th-11th – Skipton Chamber of Trades Fair in the Town Hall. 1982 September 11th – Town Twinning between Skipton and Simbach-am-Inn (Bavaria). Formal signing at the Trades Fair of the English version of the Charter by the Mayor of Skipton (Councillor B O’Neill) and Town Councillor Herr J Strasser (on behalf of the Mayor) of Simbach. 1982 October 26th – Opening of the Western By-Pass by the Earl of Avon. Town Council represented by the Mayor (Councillor B O’Neill). 1982 November 30th – Hillards Supermarket opened. 1983 May – Central Area Re-development scheme approved by Craven District Council. 1983 June 1st – Town Twinning between Skipton and Simbach- am-Inn (Bavaria). Formal signing of the German version of the Charter at Simbach-am-Inn by the Mayor (Herr H Murauer) and the Mayor of Skipton (Councillor B M Phillip). Skipton also represented by Councillors Mrs J A Hollings and Mrs D Benson. 1983 June 9th – Mr J G B Watson elected Conservative M.P. for the designated Skipton-Ripon Parliamentary Constituency. 1983 September 30th – Dewhurst’s (latterly English Sewing Cotton Co). Belle Vue Mills, Skipton, ceased operating as a textile mill. More than 250 persons made redundant. 1983 December – Kingsley Cards, manufacturers of greeting cards etc reopened Belle Vue Mills. 1984 January 27th – First Town Council Civic Dance held. 1984 April 20th – Official unveiling of four Town signs refurbished to include reference to Town Twinning. 1984 May – Alexandra Mills, Keighley Road, demolished for housing development. 1984 August – Retirement of Mr J Harrison, Clerk to Craven District Council after 36 years service in local government. 1984 September – 1st Medieval Street Market. 1984 September – Messers C P Breare, Tailors and Outfitters ceased trading after 65 years. 1984 Salvation Army Citadel, Castle Street (formerly Mt. Hermon Methodist Church) demolished to make way for housing development. 1984 December – Christ Church Floodlighting switched on. 1985 January 1st – Town Council assumed responsibility for Tourism and the Tourist Information Caravan in Skipton. 1985 June – Former cottage hospital in Granville Street demolished to be replaced by a housing development. 1985 July – Craven District Council flood prevention scheme completed at a cost of £250,000. 1985 September 23rd – Town Council officially agreed to assume responsibility for the administration of the new Tourist Information Kiosk in Central Area Development Scheme. 1985 September – Town Council assumed responsibility for Shortbank Close Play Area. 1985 December – 12th working Corn Mill closed due to death of owner. 1986 February 27th – Closure of Ledgard and Wynn in High Street. 1986 Dewhurst’s (English Cotton Sewing Co.) Dyehouse and Welfare Hall demolished to make way for D.I.Y. store and Garden Centre. 1986 March 21st – Central Area Development Scheme officially opened. 1986 March 28th – Tourist Information Centre in Victoria Square officially opened by the Mayor, Councillor Mrs K C Brooks, O.B.E. 1986 May 23rd-26th – Official visit by Mayor and party from Simbach-am-Inn. 1986 May 24th – Rowan Tree planted adjacent to Tourist Information Centre jointly by the Mayor of Skipton, Councillor E J Spencer and the Burgermeister of Simbach-am-Inn, Herr Richard Findl, to commemorate Town Twinning. 1986 July 5th – Retirement of Mr Alec Gill as Clerk to Skipton Town Council after 9 years service. 1986 July – Civic visit to Simbach-am-Inn by the Mayor Councillor E J Spencer and Councillors J Tomlinson and Mrs E Campbell. 1987 January 13th – Re-opening, after refurbishment of the Craven Heifer Inn under the new tenant Mr P G Smith. 1987 February 20th – Re-opening of High Corn Mill as retail units under ownership of Ledgard and Wynn. 1987 June 11th – Election of Mr David M Curry as Member of Parliament for the Skipton and Ripon Constituency. 1987 June – Hillards Supermarket taken over by Tesco. 1987 June – Civic Trust Award presented to Mr J Wales and the Jefferson Housing Association in respect of the Central Area Redevelopment Scheme. 1987 July 17th – Unveiling of plaque by the Mayor, Councillor E J Spencer, commemorating the birthplace in Queen Court, of Thomas Spencer, co-founder of Marks and Spencer. 1987 November 4th – Death of Dr. Geoffrey Rowley, Local Historian. 1987 November 5th – Presentation to Councillor Miss K Farey to mark 25 years as a Local Councillor. 1988 March 29th – Visit to Skipton of H.R.H. Prince Charles who visited the High Corn Mill, Skipton Castle, Craven Court and the Central Area Development. Presented with Dr Rowley’s Book of Skipton by the Mayor (Councillor E J Spencer). 1988 March 30th – Auction of the British School, Otley Street, the first independent school in Skipton. 1988 May 19th – Presentation to Mr P Baldwin on his retirement as custodian of the Petyt Library. 1988 June 13th – Laying of foundation stone of Randall’s Hotel by the Chairman of Craven District Council (Councillor K C Brooks O.B.E.). 1988 July 19th – Lighting of Beacons on Rombalds Moor and Sharphaw as part of chain of beacons to commemorate the sighting of the Armarda in 1588. Elizabethan Market held in town centre. 1988 July 27th – Official opening of Craven Court Shopping Centre by Mr Michael Parkinson. 1989 March 6th – Transfer of Health Centre to Skipton General Hospital. Subsequent acquisition of building by C.D.C. 1989 March 30th – Acquisition of part of the Bailey site from N.Y.C.C by Skipton Building Society for the provision of a new office block. 1989 April 19th – Cutting of the first sod ceremony, by the Mayor (Councillor Mrs E Campbell) and County Councillor Tow Stow, to commence by building of a new Craven College at Aireville Park. 1989 April 30th – Announcement by Minister for Transport, Paul Channon M.P., that the Settle/Carlisle Railway line was to remain open. 1989 July 31st – Skipton awarded fourth place in Yorkshire and Humberside Regional heat of Britain in Bloom Competition on first entry. 1989 August 31st to September 3rd – Civic visit of Herr Richard Findl, Burgermeister of Simbach-am-Inn with a party of Councillors and their wives. 1990 April 27th to May 1st – Return Civic visit by the Mayor (Councillor Eric Stoddart) and a party to Simbach-am-Inn. 1990 June – Death of Mr Alec Gill, Clerk to Skipton Town Council 1977 – 1986. 1990 August 1st – Celebration of Yorkshire Day held in Skipton. Procession of Civic Dignatories, Councillors and members of the Yorkshire Society to a Service at Holy Trinity Church led by the Bishop of Bradford, the Rev. Robert Williamson, followed by a buffet lunch and complimentary tour of Skipton Castle. 1990 September 11th – Official opening of Skipton Auction Mart at Gargrave Road by H.R.H. The Princess Royal. 1990 October 30th – Official opening of Old Fire Station, refurbished by North Yorkshire County Council to provide Hairdressing/Beauty Salon and Art Class facilities for Craven College. 1991 February 15th – Transfer of Tenancy of Craven Heifer Inn from Mr P Smith to Mr Paul and Mrs Jayne Mills. 1991 March – Announcement of Closure of Raikeswood Hospital. 1991 April 9th – Official opening of new squash courts at Sandylands Sports Centre. 1991 April 15th – Official opening of Randall’s Hotel by Viscount Ullswater. 1991 May 4th – Ceremony to confer Honorary Citizenship of Skipton on the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s regiment. Parade through town, display on the Bailey Site, Beating the Retreat and reception in Town Hall. Salute taken by the Mayor (Councillor Fred Armitage). 1991 May 24th-26th – Visit to Skipton by Herr Richard Findl, Burgermeister of Simbach-am-Inn accompanied by Anton Schubauer to welcome 14 cyclists who had ridden from Simbach to Skipton. Official greeting by Herr Findl and the Mayor (Councillor Betty Lister). 1991 July 15th – Opening of Morrisons Supermarket on site of Old Cattle Market. 1991 September – opening of Skipton Building Society Headquarters on the Bailey. 1992 February 2nd – Tenancy of Craven Heifer Farm surrendered by Mr & Mrs Dieter Hundsdoerfer after 36 years. Farm ceased to be a working dairy farm – Land let for grazing and farmhouse tenancy taken by Mr & Mrs McGrattan. 1992 April 9th – General Elections – David Curry elected for 2nd term of office and subsequently appointed Junior Minister for Agriculture. 1992 April 24th-28th – Civic visit to Simbach for the 10th Anniversary of Twinning Celebrations. 1992 June 1st – Visit of H.R.H. The Princess Royal to Ermysted’s Grammar School for the 500th Anniversary Celebrations. 1992 December 8th – Unveiling of plaque placed on Town Hall by Yorkshire Society to commemorate the contribution to aviation made by Herbert Smith. 1993 May 7th-8th May - Civic Visit from Simbach for 10th Anniversary of Twinning Celebrations. 1993 – Demolition of Dewhirst’s chimney. 1993 June – Visit to Simbach on the occasion of their being awarded the European Flag. 1993 November – Town Council offices moved to Old Town Hall. 1994 April 1st – Opening of Old Town Hall by Miss Katherine Farey. 1994 April 28th – Official opening of Simbach Close Housing Development by Burgermeister, Richard Findl. 1994 – Closing down of C J Lawson and Son. 1995 March 12th – Craven Heifer Inn and farm let to Mr Phillip Smith. 1995 December – First Medieval Market in Skipton. 1996 September 8th – Laying up of Ensign of HMS Vesper, the ship adopted by Skipton during the War in Holy Trinity Church for safe keeping. 1997 February 19th – Sudden death of Councillor E Stodart. 1997 May 1st – General Election. Mr David Curry elected for his third term of office. 1997 June 19th-23rd – Civic visit from Simbach-am-Inn of the Burgermeister, Herr Richard Findl, and 18 other delegates. 1997 August 31st – Death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in a car accident. 1997 September 7th – Skipton Railway Station 150th Anniversary. 1997 September 16th – Skipton Chamber of Trade Centenary Ball. 1998 June 25th-29th – Civic visit to Simbach. 1999 – March 31st – Council closed Skipton Tourist Information Centre. 1999 April 1st – Tourist Information Centre re-opened by Jackson Partnership in new premises in Craven Court. 1999 May 31st – Resignation of Jean Jeffrey, Clerk to the Council after 13 years service to the Council. 1999 – Control of the Tarn Moor Estate passed to Managing Trustees. 1999 August Appointment of Andrea Adams as Clerk to the Council. 2000 January Millennium Walk book produced. 2000 January Millennium Medals given to all primary school children in Skipton. 2000 July First Sheep Day held. 2000 November Severe floods threatened Skipton November 2000 leading to the towpath being closed on Spring Canal. Canal barrier erected behind Royal Shepherd to protect lower areas. 2001 April Foot and Mouth epidemic affecting Skipton and the surrounding areas. 2001 April Skipton Town Council offices moved to present address, 49 High Street. 2001 April Sudden death of Councillor John Spencer. 2001 May General Election called. Mr David Curry elected for fourth term of office. 2001 June Civic visit to Simbach Inn to witness the naming of Skiptonweb. 2002 Tercentenary celebration, Havercake March, celebration of the Duke of Wellington’s regiment and Freedom of the District. 2002 April HRH The Princess Royal opens the Lighthouse Project in Craven Court. 2002 June Her Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. A commemorative mug was given to all primary school children. Mayor attends church service for Jubilee. 2003 May Opening of the Woodland Burial Ground, Tarn Moor Estate. 2003 July Civic visit of Simbach party to commemorate 20 years of town twinning. 2003 August Clerk to the Council, Andrea Adams, resigns. 2003 Premiere of Calendar Girls film. 2003 November Lis Moore appointed Chief Officer and Clerk to the Council. 2003 December Official opening of the new Aireville baths by the Duke of Kent. 2003 December Opening of the Ginnel playground by Mayor and ex Clerk 2004 February HRH The Prince of Wales, visits Skipton Auction Mart. 2004 August Chris Aldred, first Town Centre Manager, is appointed. 2004 December The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment became part of the three Battalion Yorkshire Regiment known as 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) 2004 26th December The Asian Tsunami disaster killing over 250,000 people. 2005 February A new Archdeacon of Craven is appointed, Reverend Canon Paul Slater. 2005 March Death of Pope John Paul II 2005 April 9th Marriage of HRH The Prince of Wales to Mrs Camilla Parker-Bowles 2005 April Succession of Pope Benedict XVI 2005 May General Election called. Mr David Curry elected for fifth term. 2005 June Major refurbishment of the Cenotaph 2005 July 10th End of War Parade Anniversary 2005 November 29th – December 2nd Civic Visit to Simbach 2005 October Major refurbishment of Shortbank Gulley 2006 30th March Visit of Rural Affairs Minister Jim Knight to Skipton 2006 May Skipton Town Crier, Kevin Griffiths appointed. 2006 4th June First Transport Festival takes place in Skipton. 2006 9th November Death of Mrs Gwynne Walters, Secretary to the Craven Society, aged 81. 2007 April Resignation of Chris Aldred as Town Centre Manager. 2007 May Appointment of Dave Parker as Town Centre Manager. 2008 March Lis Moore leaves as Clerk. 2008 April Herr Richard Findl retires as Burgermeister of Simbach-am-Inn. 2008 April Councillor Paul English elected as Leader of the Council. 2008 August Appointment of Dave Parker as Chief Officer 2009 January Appointment of Brett Butler as Town Manager 2011 29th April Marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton 2011 May Councillor Chris Harbron elected as Leader of the Council 2011 May New Bishop of Bradford, Rt Rev’d Nick Baines 2012 Olympics held in London 2014 April Councillor Pauline (Polly) English passes away 2014 Tour de France (Grand Depart) held in Yorkshire and travelling through Skipton