25 years ago- 1986

Cinemas Close – Rumours that Yeadon’s cinema complex in High Street is to close were confirmed last week with an announcement by Cannon that the two cinemas are no longer a viable proposition and are to be put on the market.

Maternity Unit – In addition to hearing a report about the possible closure of the maternity unit at Otley Hospital, the Leeds Western Health Authority was told at its meeting at Middleton on Tuesday that the future of the children’s ward at Otley is also uncertain. Referring to the maternity unit, District General Manager Mr R A Oswald, reported that if the Secretary of State’s decision was not available by the end of December, or was not in favour of closing the unit, an alternative source would have to be found to finance extra staff at Clarendon Wing at Leeds at a time when resources were already under severe pressure.

50 years ago – 1961

Playing Fields – There was a long and complicated discussion on the question of land for a playing field for Burley School on the site of the Court, a house and grounds which was owned by the County Council. The Ilkley Committee have been pressing for some years for playing fields for the Burley School and seeking an interview with representatives of the County Children’s Committee.

UN Service – A service which is probably unique in the annals of Wharfedale will be held on Sunday, when the chairmen of both Ilkley and Otley Urban District Councils will attend the United Nations service in the Wells Road Methodist Church, Ilkley.

75 years ago – 1936

Milk Care – Producers, distributors and retailers of milk are made to keep their buildings, dairies and vessels clean, but there is always very great risk of contamination of milk in the home unless certain simple precautions are taken with the warning that ‘every person should see that in his home regular attention is paid to the care of milk’. In the first place the milk vessel should be quite clean before the milkman puts the fresh milk into it.

Coronation Trees – As a means of marking in Ilkley the Coronation of King Edward VIII a scheme has been worked out for planting of trees by the children of the local elementary schools and the Grammar School. Each of the local schools will be represented and each school will be responsible for the planting of its own little group of trees.

100 years ago – 1911

Vicar Drenched – The Reverend Edmund Sinker, vicar of Goole, and a brother of the vicar of Ilkley, has had an unusual and unpleasant experience whilst paying parochial visits. As he entered the gateway of a house, the maid, who was cleaning an attic window, accidentally pushed a bucketful of water off the window sill. The bucket, fortunately, fell by the side of the Reverend, but the contents completely drenched him.

Fair Pay – The Wharfedale Guardians on Friday adopted the Fair Contracts Clause. Mr J. W. Benson, Ilkley, said low wages were playing their part in the ghastly drama of destitution, and that such went to impair national efficiency.

125 years ago – 1886

Discovery of Water – The Ilkley Brewery Co have been very successful in their endeavours recently made to improve their supply of water. They have sunk a well upon their premises, and at a depth of 15 feet from the surface, have come upon a splendid spring, yielding a supply of 4,000 gallons per hour.

Skipton and Ilkley Railway – Owing to the continued rainy weather, the excavating and building works have been stopped on this line, the Midland Railway Co’s objecting to the formation of the banks etc during the prevalence of wet. The men are thus thrown out of employment for an uncertain time.