125 Years Ago - 1893

In order that the provisional arrangements entered into by the Ilkley Local Board, for the purchase of Ilkley Moor, at a cost of £13,500 may be ratified and sanctioned by the Local Government Board, the ratepayers and owners within the district are petitioning the body to approve of the proposal. It is stated that within the lands mentioned arises the present and future supply of pure spring water, to which the town of Ilkley owes its origin as an inland watering-place.

The death of Mr. N. B. Wormald, who has been ailing for some time past, took place yesterday (Thursday) morning at his residence in Town Side, Yeadon. The deceased gentleman, who was much respected and esteemed in the township, was a grocer by trade.

100 Years Ago - 1918

An Amusing Incident - In consequence of exceptionally heavy rain last week-end the Wharfe overflowed its banks in many places. On Monday morning the motor ‘bus which conveys munition girls belonging to Ilkley to and from Payne’s engineering works, Otley, stuck fast in the flooded part of the road at Esscroft. The girls were got out of the ‘bus in a farmer’s cart, but owing to the horse taking fright several were thrown into the water, and suffered a good deal of discomfort in consequence.

A largely attended meeting of women was held in St Margaret’s Hall, Ilkley, on Monday afternoon, on which addresses were given on “The Responsibility of the Vote for Women.” Mrs. Rabagliati remarked that they met that day for the first time as fully fledged citizens. The pioneers of women’s rights were looked on as very terrible and masculine individuals, although most of these pioneers were ladies who happened to be small and delicate looking, and also wives and mothers.

75 Years Ago - 1943

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Mollett, Cliffe Terrace, Cragg Hill,Horsforth, have received many congratulations this week on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary. They were married in 1878, at Whitkirk Parish Church. Mr Mollett, who is 88, is, in his own words, “plagued with rheumatism”. Mrs Mollett is 85 and does her own household work. Of the marriage there have been 13 children, 12 of whom are living, and there are 26 grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. The eldest son, Mr Arthur Mollett, served in the Boar War, and in the last war. He is 63, and has tried to join H. M. Forces to fight in this war, but was refused on account of his age.

Weekend camps for women war-workers, similar to the one which was organised with great success at Burley Woodhead last summer are to be held again this year. Already there is a long waiting list of workers who desire a week-end in the country.

50 Years Ago - 1968

Buyers should pay more for Council houses in future, Otley’s Housing Committee decided on Monday. It was decided to recommend the Council to changes its policy on the sale of Council houses and reduce the “discount” on market value of the houses from 20 per cent to 10 per cent.

A plaque to commemorate the formation of 609 (West Riding) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force is to be unveiled in the new terminal building at the Leeds-Bradford Airport at Yeadon on March 29 by Air Commander Harald Peake, the Squadron’s first C.O. The plaque records that 609 was formed at Yeadon on February 10, 1936, and that Yeadon was its home until 1951.

25 Years Ago - 1993

The Office of Fair Trading has issued a timely warning about choosing your holiday with care. Among its suggestions: Shop around. “Most destinations are covered by more than one operator so read all the brochures. Compare what they say about resorts and hotels but remember that brochures are designed to sell holidays so everything will be shown in a good light. Look at other information such as travel books from your library.”

Initiatives to encourage girls and women to consider a career in engineering are listed in a guide published this week. The engineering council’s publication Awards, Courses, Visits is a key part of the women in to science and engineering campaign.