125 Years Ago - 1891

Following the example set at Yeadon, the local temperance society have taken a house in Bingley Lands, Guiseley, and have fitted it up as a Temperance Home. The two bedrooms have been converted into one room, which, having been thoroughly renovated, will be used for holding meetings on Sunday afternoons. The rooms downstairs will be used for committee meetings and by members of the society as a sort of reading and conversation room, various periodicals being taken. The "Home" was formally opened on Saturday last when a social tea was provided.

Caution - Our advertising friends are warned that a man calling himself Turner, not know to, or employed by us, is getting orders for prepaid advertisements, securing the money and then leaving his confiding victims in the lurch. No one in Yeadon or Guiseley except our accredited representative Mr Emsley, or Mr Parker or Mrs Ward, have authority to solicit or receive advertisements on our behalf. The cases where this person Turner has received money are in the hands of the police at Shipley and Otley.

100 Years Ago - 1916

Driver William H. Terry, of Menston, who was married at Christ Church, Skipton, on Wednesday afternoon, had one of the briefest honeymoons on record, as a few hours after the ceremony he had to proceed to the Front. Driver Terry is the third son of Mr G Terry, of Menston, who is well-known as the leader of the Menston Asylum Orchestra. His two other sons are also on active service.

A notable instance of a patriotic family is provided by the four sons of Mr William Redshaw, of Churbrook, Canada, a well known Ilkley man who emigrated about three years ago. All these four sons are serving with the Canadian forces. Herbert, the eldest, is in Canada, the second son Walter is in France, while James and Baden are also both in Canada, the latter being a bugler. Prior to emigrating Mr Redshaw was water inspector at Farsley. He belongs to an old Ilkley family and at the time of the great flood in 1900 lived in Chapel Lane, when he and his family were washed out of their home.

75 Years Ago - 1941

Arrangements are now complete for the Otley and Wharfedale War Weapons Week, which opens tomorrow and continues throughout next week. The objects is to raise £75,000 in loans to the Government to buy "Bombers and Bombs for Victory" though that is a minimum sum, and it is hoped that the total will be a good deal more. The subtle distinction between food storing and food hoarding has been carefully drawn by the Ministry of Food, which wishes to encourage the first and prevent the second. Ministry experts consider that a week's supply of iron rations and cereals is essential, two weeks permissible, but more definitely unpatriotic. Lord Woolton, the Food Minister, has advised housewives to buy and store reserves of food, but has also declared: "If I find any hoarders I will deal with them remorselessly, ruthlessly and with intense pleasure.

50 Years Ago - 1966

If Harold Wilson remained in power for any length of time he would go down as the greatest Prime Minister of the 20th Century. This was claimed by Mr F. W. Simmons presiding at the annual meeting of the Ilkley Labour Party. Surely 1965 would go down as one of the most productive years in parliamentary history. It had certainly been as dramatic as anything that had happened in their movement, said Mr Simmons. When the leaders of the political parties had broadcast, millions had made it their business to listen.

Classes at infant schools in Wharfedale and Aireborough have been decimated by the influenza virus infection which has reached epidemic proportions in the North of England. Dr A. Relford Burn, Medical Officer of Health for the Wharfedale and Airedale division said yesterday that the figures of absenteeism from schools were 'very considerably up.' In some infant schools in the district the figure has reached as high as 40 per cent.

25 Years Ago - 1991

Some 200 employees of Wendy Wools, Netherfield Road, Guiseley, have collected a large amount of chocolate to send to British troops in the Gulf. The workers decided to send the chocolate when they heard that it was difficult to obtain in Saudi Arabia.

Fire chiefs fear that homes and garages across West Yorkshire are being turned into potential bombs by people storing petrol in a bid to beat any shortage caused by the Gulf War. Their warnings come after reports of several incidents where people have taken plastic containers - including large washing up liquid drums - and tried to fill them at local garages.