125 years ago

The Midland Railway Bill, which is fraught with so much interest to the inhabitants of Ilkley, was read a third time in the House of Lords and passed. The bells of the parish church were not rung in honour of the 'long expected, come at last' as was anticipated, and indeed the event only called forth a line or two in the London papers.

Mr W A Johnson, confectioner, Church Street, Ilkley, exhibited a bridecake which is at once massive in proportion and elegant in design. The height of this indispensable adjunct to the wedding festivities was no less than 3ft 10in and its weight close on 80 lbs.

An entertainment which promises to be of a specially attractive character is to be given in the Ilkley Assembly Rooms in aid of the funds of the Ilkley Hospital. The promoters deserve a good house. 'Albert' alone is worth the price of the admission, and those who have not previously heard his wonderful feats on the mouth organ will endorse our opinion if they only visit the Assembly Rooms on this occasion.

100 years ago

A young woman in service in Ilkley was cycling down St Margaret's Terrace from Queen's Road, on Wednesday evening, and applying her brake rather too quickly she was thrown off the machine cutting her face and hands rather severely. A trained nurse nearby rendered assistance and Dr Bampton's services were also requisitioned but fortunately the young woman's injuries were not at all serious.

This week the scheme to teach Ilkley and Burley elementary school children the useful art of swimming has been given practical effect. On Monday 61 boys from the Ilkley National School attended the Ilkley swimming baths for an hour's tuition and on Tuesday 44 boys were present from the Burley schools; 34 Ilkley National school girls having had a dip on Wednesday and 33 Burley schoolgirls on Thursday.

A Keighley man was summoned at the Skipton Petty Sessions on Saturday on a charge of driving a motorcar at a speed dangerous to the public. The police gave evidence of timing the defendant from a measured distance through the Main Street of Addingham. He was found to be driving at the rate of 16 miles an hour.

75 years ago

During the heatwave at Ilkley on Monday, the hottest day of the year, hundreds of people were bathing in the river. Every stretch where the water was deep enough presented a lively scene, the gay colours of the costumes adding to the gaiety of the picture.

William E Ellis, farmer, Ilkley was summoned for allowing three sheep to stray on the highway. PC Wright said he saw the three sheep in Wells Walk, Ilkley, and after he had locked them up the defendant claimed them. He said he was having trouble with the sheep because of people walking on the moors and dogs chasing the sheep into the town. He was fined 10s.

Bolton Abbey, with its background of river and woods and hills, seen in the brilliant sunshine of Sunday afternoon, made a perfect setting for the colour and romance as associated with the annual service of the Yorkshire Chapter of the Order of Crusaders. It is an event which never fails to attract and hold the interest of large numbers of visitors, and the habits and robes of the Crusaders marching in procession round the ruins of the old Priory and the impressive ritual of the service in the church make the gathering curiously reminiscent of the days of chivalry.

50 years ago

After a lorry had attempted to pass under the first railway bridge travelling out of Ilkley on the Skipton Road, on Tuesday evening, the tractor it was carrying struck a bridge and was broken in two. An examination revealed no damage was done to the bridge. The lorry was driven by a driver from Preston.

It may be two years before Ilkley is fully wired for ITV relay service, says Electronics (Roberttown) Ltd, the firm whose scheme was approved by Ilkley Ratepayers Association. Unfortunately the owner of the farmland over which the initial cable must be wired, made a request that no work should be done in the fields until the end of June.

The Parent Teachers Association of Ilkley Secondary School has decided to hold a series of events to raise money for the purchase of a tape recorder for the school. The first of these is to be held in a fortnight's time.

25 years ago

Ilkley Rotary Club has managed its most ambitious project ever conceived to try to help alleviate problems for disadvantaged people. The club is setting up a fund called the Rotassist with the aim of raising £15,000 which will be invested to yield yearly income and used to help eligible applicants in appropriate ways.

All seven Ilkley doctors are seeking the support of residents in their opposition to proposals by the Airedale Health Authority to close the casualty department at Ilkley Coronation Hospital. Announcing the proposal last week the authority said the department was used by an average of only 12 patients a day. It treated only very minor injuries and cost £16,400 in 1981.

Lance Corporal Phillip Tinsley who was injured in the offensive on Port Stanley during the Falkland's conflict last year, will attend a reception held by the Prince and Princess of Wale, at Kensington Palace on Tuesday. Lance Corporal Tinsley is the son of Mr and Mrs Michael Tinsley, of Valley Drive, Ilkley.

3:50pm Thursday 26th June 2008

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