100 years ago in Farnhill and Kildwick

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The aim of this page is to provide a monthly summary of events in Farnhill and Kildwick 100 years ago, as reported in the local newspapers of the time: the Craven Herald, Keighley News, and West Yorkshire Pioneer.

We begin our diary in May 1914, three months before the start of WWI.

If you have any additional material please email the web administrator.

Note: The Farnhill and Kildwick History Group would like to thank the staff at Skipton and Keighley libraries for their help with this project.

March 1926

Temporary headmaster

On the 1st Ambrose Longbottom took over as headmaster, due to the illness and hospitalisation of Thomas Appleby. Appleby would not return to the school until the middle of April.

Source: Kildwick school log book, March 1926

Experiments with liquid air

On the 6th a lecture and demonstration was held at the Institute, illustrating the properties of liquid air. It was shown, for example, how a hollow rubber ball, after being immersed in liquid air would shatter when dropped onto the floor. An egg, after being frozen, was shown to need a hammer to smash it; and a test-tube of liquid mercury, when frozen in liquid air, was used to hammer nails into a piece of wood.

The lecture was given by Norman Davy of University College Nottingham, who grew up in Crosshills.

Source: Craven Herald 12/3/1926; Keighley News 13/3/1926

Visits to the dentist

Between the 8th and the 10th a total of 17 children from Kildwick school went over to Glusburn school to attend a clinic set up there by a dentist.

Source: Kildwick school log book, March 1926

A slow melody contest

In an attempt to raise funds and stimulate interest, Kildwick and District Brass Band acted as hosts to a "slow melody contest" for brass players from local bands. First prize went to Mr. J. Smith, tenor horn player with Barnoldswick Band; with the second prize going to Mr. F. Duxbury (trombone) of the Cononley Band. Mr. Duxbury also won a special prize awarded by the principal trombonist of the Black Dyke Mills Band for the best trombone solo.

Sources: Craven Herald 12/3/1926; Keighley News 13/3/1926

Vicar appeals for funds

In the March issue of the parish magazine the vicar, Rev. Hodge, appealed for parishioners to give money for two projects in connection with St. Andrew's. The first was to cover the cost of designing and laying out the new extension graveyard; the second was to provide funds for the eventual puchase of land in Crosshills to allow the building of a new church hall.

Source: Craven Herald 12/3/1926

Farnhill's new Co-op store

Work started on the site a new Co-op store in Farnhill. When completed the new store, located in a more central position in the village, will replace the old store which has been rented for more than 20 years and which, it has been decided, is too small to meet increased demand.

Source: Craven Herald 19/3/1926; Keighley News 20/3/1926

Performance in the Methodist Chapel

On their first visit to the village, Cowling Dramatic Society gave two performances of the locally-set drama "The Tyrant of Gillbeck Mill" in the Chapel school room. Both performances, held on Saturday the 13th, were very well attended.

Sources: Craven Herald 19/3/1926; Keighley News 20/3/1926

Plans for a telephone box in Farnhill

At the meeting of Farnhill Parish Council, held at the end of the month, it was decided to write to the district head of the Post Office, based in Leeds, to request the installation of a telephone box in Farnhill for the use of parishioners of Farnhill and Kildwick. The possible provision of a bus shelter at Cononley Lane End was also discussed.

Sources: Farnhill Parish Council minutes, March 1926; Keighley News 27/3/1926

Rural District Council

At the end of the month the first ever local election was held in Kildwick to elect a replacement for Mr. Thomas Appleby as the representative on Skipton Rural District Council. Mr. Appleby had had to resign due to ill health, having held the post for three years. Of the 71 registered electors, 70 voted. Mr. Jame Bracken of Croft House, Kildwick Grange, was elected.

Source: Keighley News 3/4/1926

John Stainer's "Crucifixion"

On the Sunday before Easter St. Andrew's Choir, augmented with local soloists, gave a performance of John Stainer's oratorio "The Crucifixion". The piece was well performed and appreciated by a large congregation. A collection was taken, with the proceeds going to the Church of England "Waifs and Strays Society".

Source: Keighley News 3/4/1926

Social events

19th -- A jumble sale at the Kildwick Unionist Club raised £5 for club funds.

19th -- A masked ball was held at Farnhill Institute, to raise funds for the Institute.

23rd -- Members of Farnhill Institute celebrated the successful conclusion of their winter season of events with an evening of mixed entertainments, supper and dancing.

30th -- A whilst drive was held in the Kildwick Unionist Club.

Sources: Keighley News and Craven Herald; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

6th - Shakespeare memorial - The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon was destroyed by fire.

10th - "Amazing Stories" - The monthly Sci-Fi magazine was first published. It would provide a platform for many of the 20th century's best science fiction writers.

16th - Rocket flight - The first liquid-fuel rocket was launched on a farm in rural Massachusetts. It reached a height of 41 feet.

17th - University of Reading - The University of Reading was inaugurated. It would be the only UK university opened in the inter-war period.

Sources: "1926 in the United Kingdom"; "March 1926"

February 1926

Sickness at school

The headmaster's log entry for the first week of the month reported that 15 children had been absent all week. There were cases of mumps and influenza.

Source: Kildwick school log book, February 1926

Lorry fire

A lorry travelling from Leeds to Skipton began mis-firing on the road opposite Farnhill Wood, near the Wayside Cafe. The erratic movement caused the driver to lose concentration and the vehicle mounted the verge and then turned onto its side. The driver was able to escape the vehicle but subsequently collapsed unconcious nearby. The petrol tank then exploded destroying both the lorry and its load.

The driver was taken to Crosshills where he was treated for some serious head injuries.

Source: Keighley News, 6/2/1926

Fancy dress carnival

A well attended fancy dress carnival was held in Farnhill Institute on the 5th. There were a large number of costumes on display and the building was decorated for the occasion.

After the judging, supper was served and music provided for dancing. Proceeds were for Institute funds.

Sources: Craven Herald, 12/2/1926; Keighley News, 13/2/1926

A poor year for the cricket club

A small group of people attended the Annual General Meeting of Kildwick Albion cricket club held in the Institute on the 9th. The secretary reported that the 1925 season had been a poor one for the club, which lost 16 out of 20 matches played and had, for the first time in its history, finished bottom of the league.

On a brighter note, it was reported that the club's finances were in a good condition.

Source: Craven Herald, 12/2/1926

Thomas Appleby stops working for the parish council

At the meeting of Farnhill Parish Council, Thomas Appleby (headmaster of Kildwick school) reported that, owing to ill health, he would no longer be able to act as temporary librarian for the village library.

Sources: Farnhill Parish Council minutes, February 1926; Keighley News, 27/2/1926; Craven Herald, 5/3/1926

Owls and lambs

In a letter written to the Bradford Daily Telegraph, and reported in a Keighley News, a train driver recounted recently spotting two owls hovering close to side of the railway line between Steeton and Kildwick. He also remarked on seeing a group of lambs in a nearby field, which he thought was unusual for the time of year.

Source: Keighley News, 27/2/1926

Social events

2nd -- A dance, organised by Kildwick Athletic footbal club, was held in the Institute.

4th -- An evening of gramophone music was presented at Kildwick Unionist Club. The equipment for the event was loaned by Thomas Appleby.

4th -- A dance and supper was held for members at Farnhill Institute.

9th -- There was a moderate attendance at a whist drive held at Kildwick Unionist Club. Proceeds were for club funds.

9th -- A lecture entitled "A visit to Palestine" was given in Farnhill Methodist school room. The lecture was illustrated with over 100 lantern slides.

11th -- An evening of gramophone music was held in the Institute.

16th -- An evening of mixed entertainment, organised by Kildwick Church sunday school, was held in Kildwick Parish Rooms. The event was in aid of the Women's Help Society.

25th -- A lecture entitled "How we got our surnames" was given by Thomas Appleby in Farnhill Institute.

Sources: Keighley News and Craven Herald; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

This month - Telephone boxes - Starting in London, examples of what would become the standard design for public phone boxes in the UK, the red K2 (kiosk design no. 2) were put in place around the country.

8th - Northern Ireland border - The border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic was formally ratified and details lodged with the League of Nations.

Sources: "1926 in the United Kingdom"; "February 1926"

January 1926

Sunday school events

The year started with the St. Andrew's Sunday school annual tea, concert and prize-giving event, which was held in Kildwick school. The vicar praised the fund-raising efforts of the school, which had provided donations totalling £25 to a range of good causes. In addition he welcomed the formation of a Boy Scouts troop. Prizes and certificates were presented by the vicar's wife, Mrs. Hodge.

The following weekend the Methodist Chapel held their annual event. This included a tea, concert and prize-giving in the school-room which was failled to capacity. 95 prizes were distributed between 38 scholars.

Sources: Craven Herald, 8/1/1926 and 15/1/1926; Keighley News, 9/1/1926 and 16/1/1926

Foot and mouth

On the 9th, Mr. Lister Rishworth appeared in court in Skipton charged with a breach of the foot-and-mouth regulations preventing the movement of livestock. It was claimed that he had moved sheep in Farnhill from one side of the road to the other. In his defence he claimed that part of the herd had been chased across the road by a dog that had got into the field and he was simply trying to get them off the road as quickly as possible.

Source: Keighley News, 16/1/1926

Poor attendence at school

Kildwick school re-opened on the 16th after more than 3 weeks holiday. Attendence for the rest of the month was poor, largely due to the extremely wet weather. On some days classes started half an hour late, in order that pupils could dry their clothes.

Source: Kildwick school log book, January 1926

A good year for the Conservative Club

At the annual general meeting of the Conservative Club, held on the 22nd, the secretary reported a good year with the membership having reached 73. The treasurer said that the club finances were in a good state, with a balance of £7 in the bank.

Source: Craven Herald, 29/1/1926; Keighley News, 30/1/1926

Poor conditition of footpaths

At the end of the month, Farnhill Parish Council discussed the state of the footpaths. It was reported that some were in a bad condition because they have previously been repaired with waste taken from the the village ash-pits and the material had been washed away during recent heavy rain storms.

It was also noted that the rain had left the surface of Newby Road in a very bad way, with deep puddles along its length. It was decided to write again to Skipton Rural District to ask for the surface to be renewed and the wall alongside the culvert to be repaired.

Source: Craven Herald, 5/2/1926; Keighley News, 6/1/1926

Social events

7th -- The Institute held its annual fancy-dress party, in aid of Institute funds. There was a large attendance. Prizes were awarded to costumes depicting: a wireless, a Christmas pudding, and spring cleaning, amongst others.

8th -- Children of the Methodist Sunday school were treated to an evening of games and entertainments. At the end, each was presented with an apple, an orange, and 3d.

12th -- The officers (church wardens, sidesmen, and members of the PCC), male members of the choir, and the bellringers of St. Andrew's sat down to a "sizeable" supper in the Parish Rooms.

11th to 14th -- Whist, billiards and snooker competitions were held at the Conservative Club throughout the week.

18th to 21st -- Whist and billiards competitions were held at Farnhill Institute throughout the week.

19th -- The annual series of "At Home" events, organised by members of the Methodist Chapel, started. They continued until the end of the month.

19th -- Whist drive held at the Conservative Club, in aid of club funds.

25th -- Social evening and presentation of prizes for Whist and billiards competitions held in the Institute.

29th -- A talk on the beauty of the Swiss alps, illustrated with latern slides was given at the Institute.

Sources: Keighley News and Craven Herald; various editions throughout the month.

National and International news

12th - Tetanus - The world's first vaccine against tetanus was announced by the Pasteur Institute, in Paris.

16th - Radio panic - A radio play about a workers revolution caused panic among people who had missed the introduction and didn't realise that it was fiction.

18th - Battleship Potemkin - The Sergei Eisenstein film about the Russian Revolution was premiered in Moscow.

26th - TV - John Logie Baird demonstrated a prototype of what he called a "televisor" to news reports and members of the Royal Instition.

Sources: "1926 in the United Kingdom"; "January 1926"