125 Years Ago - 1891

The epidemic of influenza - or whatever the ailment should be called that is afflicting thousands of persons - is so widespread and so severe that it is becoming of national importance. In Yorkshire and the North of England it is increasing rapidly, and is not only causing great numbers of people to be invalided, but it is sending up the death-rate in an alarming manner.

In 1881 the population of Ilkley was 4,733; by the returns of the census just completed it has increased to 5,781, an annual growth of 100.

100 Years Ago - 1916

The eve of the Easter holidays at Yeadon was unhappily attended by a tragic event - the drowning of a little boy named Dick Myers, son of Sapper Fred Yeadon Myers, who is now fighting for his country "somewhere in France", who resides at Back Lane, Henshaw, Yeadon. Five years old, the lad, accompanied by a girl companion of about the same age, was sent by his mother to fetch some boots from the shop of Mr J W Driver, Ivegate, Yeadon. After obtaining the boots the two children appear to have wended their way to Yeadon Dam, where, it is believed, they indulged in the usual juvenile practice of throwing stones into the water. With the exception of his girl companion no-one seems to have seen the lad fall into the water, and she, unfortunately, instead of acquainting someone near of the unfortunate incident - a lack of forethought common to children of such tender years - picked up the boots and walked all the way back to Henshaw to inform the mother of what had occurred.

Roy Knipe, weaver, Guiseley, for riding a bicycle on the footpath at Pool on April 15, was fined 9s.

75 Years Ago - 1941

The value of immunisation against diphtheria was stressed by Dr. J. W. Hyslop in his annual report to the meeting of the Wharfedale Union Joint Isolation Board at Menston Isolation Hospital. Dr Hislop said that deaths from Diphtheria were preventable, and quoted one authority as stating: "It has been estimated that in Great Britain of every hundred children born and not immunised ten will contract diphtheria and and one will die. Of every hundred children who are immunised one will become mildly ill and none will die."

Mr Henry Fieldhouse, who died this week on his 84th birthday, was a link with a chapter of the Otley printing machine industry of which almost all visible evidence has now vanished. I refer of course to his association with the firm of Fieldhouse, Crossfield and Co., of which he was managing director at the time the firm dissolved ten years ago. Mr Fieldhouse also had the distinction of being the first Otley man to ride a bicycle fitted with pneumatic tyres. He was a cycling enthusiast in his younger days and had one or two of the old "bone-shakers" and later a "penny-farthing" and then a "safety" bicycle. The first pneumatic tyres seen in the town were brought by two Lancashire cyclists who competed in the Otley Athletic Sports. Their success led Mr Fieldhouse to obtaining similar tyres, and his initiative was justified, because on this machine, the only one in the event, fitted with pneumatic tyres, he won the Otley Cycling Club's championship in 1892.

50 Years Ago - 1966

Things have changed in Council offices, which today house some of the most businesslike administrations in the country. scores of them possess computers; photographic magic eye replaces traditional duplicators ; micro photo-films condense their overflowing filing systems; electric typewriters reduce strain and increase output. These new contrivances, in themselves, may not be all-important. What is important is the way whole systems of administration are being scientifically modernised to ensure improved efficiency and service to the public.

25 Years Ago - 1991

The announcement this week by the Princess Royal that organisers of official lunches should not lay on a meal for her but instead make a donation to famine relief caused some uncertainty to staff at the International Wool Secretariat at Ben Rhydding, who are making last minute preparations for the Princesses's visit next Thursday where as well as touring the centre she is due to have lunch.

Royal visits always generate interest and excitement and the Princess Royal's visit is no exception particularly at the Plantation Flower Shop in Railway Road, Ilkley. Owner Jane Tapper and her staff were delighted when they were invited by the IWS to design arrangements and a posy. But since, by coincidence, they were invited by Weaverstyle at Silsden, to provide the same service they have been on cloud nine ever since.