125 years ago

A petition of bankruptcy was filed at Bradford County Court against a private banker and money lender who carried on business at Hustlergate Bradford and resided in Ilkley. He has carried on his business in Bradford for many years and it was believed was in a sound financial position. But we understand that he has of late been engaged in considerable speculations on the Stock Market and finding himself in difficulties he has absconded.

The weather has been most favourable to the excursionists who have availed themselves of the special trains that were advertised to and from the various places during these holidays and we have not the least doubt but that they were thoroughly enjoyed. The streets of Ilkley presented a busy aspect on Friday and the number of persons who visited her must have been enormous.

In regard to the singular inter-ment of the lady who committed suicide at an Ilkley hydropathic establishment by cutting her throat with a pocket-knife, it is stated that she was about 50 years of age, has for a considerable time been suffering from a nervous debility. Two years ago her brother was Mayor of Oldham but 18 months ago committed suicide by blowing his brains out.

100 years ago

On Thursday afternoon, Station Road, Ilkley, was a scene of a fa-tal accident. The 15-year-old son of a pork butcher, left the shop about four o'clock on a bicycle to fulfil his order. Passing down Cowpasture Road he nearly ran full tilt into a loaded timber wagon. To avoid this he turned his machine on one side and bumped into a scavenger who was sweeping the road. He was thrown into the fore of the wheel of the wagon.

On Saturday afternoon a fire oc-curred, at the residence of Mr Jackson, Ilkley. A paraffin lamp exploded, used for heating an in-cubator. There was a big blast and the incubator and the eggs were destroyed, but no damage was done to the building. The Ilkley fire Brigade were on the scene in remarkably short time - this is the first time the brigade have been called out for considerably over a year.

The congregation at the Mount Hermon Wesleyan Reform Chapel have not for some years supported a resident minister. The church has been well served by ministers from other places, though on Sunday for once, this system failed. As the congregation assembled in the morning for the usual service the expected pulpit supply was not forth-coming. And after singing a hymn and prayer being offered by one of the brethren, the congregation dispersed.

75 years ago

Proposals that an evening class in English should be formed for the German workpeople, now employed in Addingham, were put before the Addingham Education Sub-Committee. It was reported that the Peltzer Lister Velvet Co Ltd., had brought 20 pivotal men from Germany to Addingham in connection with the new shed now being erected at the Low Mill, and that they were desirous that evening classes in English should be formed.

The Medical Officer of Health re-ported that there had been six deaths and 11 births during Feb-ruary. The ages at death were; males, 71, 76 and 77; and females, 80, 82 and 88 years. Mr Sugden said he would like to draw the at-tention of Ilkley Urban District Council to the remarkable aver-age age at death shown by these figures - an average of 79 years.

Another motor lorry crashed into the beck beside Addingham Main Street with the result that the driver was admitted to Ilkley Coronation Cottage Hospital suf-fering from various injuries. Laden with bacon for Newcastle the lorry was descending the Silsden Road towards Adding-ham shortly after 7am when the driver, attempting to change gears, apparently missed the gears and the brakes failed to check the speed. The lorry went across the road, knocked down 19 yards of wall and nine yards of retaining wall and crashed into the beck eight feet below.

50 years ago

The body of a an agricultural student from Grassington was recovered from the burnt out wreckage of a vintage Bentley car which caught fire at a point between Victoria Avenue and the first railway bridge on the Skipton side of Ilkley on Wednesday morning. The man was 15 miles from the end of his 215 mile journey from Sussex when his car overturned. It was first seen blazing at 3.30am by an Otley man who informed police and they sent for firemen. It was not until the flames had been extinguished that the man's body was seen.

Residents of Wharfedale View, Addingham, are complaining that the construction of a garage within a few yards of their homes has put their rooms in darkness. A letter from residents was read at Addingham Parish Council, and stated that the garage, which is to house luxury coaches, was now up to their bedroom windows and the roof was still to be put on the building.

In spite of losses by death, sickness and the removal, the congregations at Ben Rhydding Parish Church were increasing week by week, said the vicar, Canon A Edgar at the annual meeting. What pleased him most was that there seemed to be amongst them an increased sense of Jesus Christ's presence and a desire to get his help for life's battle.

25 years ago

Further details of what a merger could mean between colleges at Ilkley and Bradford have been given by the leader of Bradford Metropolitan Council, Councillor D Smith. He has assured mem-bers of Ilkley Parish Council there will be no compulsory retirement at Ilkley College. And he warned that after the first year they could be talking to people who might wish to retire voluntarily Easter Sunday this year will see the first joint concert by Ilkley and Coutances musicians for several years. Ilkley Music Centre and the Harmonie Municipale of Coutances will play an open concert dedicated to the people of Ilkley. The French musicians in a party of 75 people, are returning a visit made to them last year by the town's music centre.

Details of a £60,000 scheme to ex-tend St John's church at Ben Rhydding have been given by the vicar, the Rev Michael Savage. He said a decision had been taken to extend the church at the South East corner.