125 Years Ago - 1891

We regret to have to chronicle another defeat for Horsforth on Saturday. But by all accounts there was not much in the game, their opponents, Normanton, having considerable worry before they succeeded in putting on a goal. During the first half no points were made, and in the second half play was very loose, both sides lacking in honest scrimmage work. Horsforth certainly was defeated but the defeat was not a great one and the members need not feel disheartened. Go on Horsforth, you may win next time!

At last the Otley bench of magistrates is taking sensible action against the rogues and vagabonds who threaten housekeepers in case their impudent demands are refused, and their lazy dodges are seen through. These professional beggars ought to have no consideration shown to them.

100 Years Ago - 1916

A letter has been received from a soldier in the R.A.M.C., in a hospital in France, by Miss Barrett, of Norwood, who had despatched a number of eggs which she collected. Some of the eggs, the gift of Miss Barrett herself, bore the name of the soldier, and the "Tommy" to whom welcome eatables came, has replied in the following terms: - "I thought you would like to know something of your kind and generous gifts. Well, I must say that a few of them got in my ward, and I can tell you all who got the eggs were very pleased, for it is something new for them."

At a meeting of the Ilkley education committee Mr Naylor remarked that some of the teachers at the Ilkley National Schools had found the school hours they had fixed for the winter inconvenient, and they were also awkward for tradespeople who employed boys out of school hours.

75 Years Ago - 1941

Never before have women been called upon to do so many and such widely varied tasks. Each day brings a new call for women to take over some job previously done by men. The increased mechanisation of the Fighting Services has resulted in an unprecedented demand for skilled engineers to maintain the equipment in first-class condition. Women of Wharfedale can back up their menfolk. At least 60 women aged 18 to 45 are wanted to operate capstan lathes and milling machines.

The story of how an Esholt man, George Rawson Rawnsley, of the Manor, met his death at sea, is told by a shipmate in a letter home. The letter states that their ship was torpedoed and sank somewhere in the Atlantic. Rawnsley was on the bridge of the merchantman when the ship was struck. Practically the whole bridge staved in but he was uninjured. The ship sank. Rawnsley and other survivors were picked up by a rescue ship. Twelve hours later the rescue ship was attacked from the air by aerial torpedoes, fire-bombs and machine guns, and Rawnsley was among those killed.

50 Years Ago - 1966

A public meeting is to be called by the Addingham Anti-Fluoride Committee, but Addingham Parish Council at its meeting on Monday night declined to add its support to the Committee. The Anti-Fluoride Committee, now with a petition signed by 500 people, was formed this year following the announcement that it was the intention to add fluoride to Addingham's water supply.

I still receive letters from readers asking for my definition of a "good farmer's wife". It reminds me of those early days when many of us appeared regularly on Young Farmers Club Brains Trusts. The number of fellow farmers who could recite the so-called fundamental principles that made a farmers' wife, and which, when you examined them, debarred possibly 99 per cent of the eligible females, was amazing. My own advice to the young farmer was simply to go out and fall neck and crop in love.

25 Years Ago - 1991

World famous artist David Hockney has painted a glowing picture of Bradford - to help promote the district's tourism drive. Hockney, who was born and educated in Bradford, has designed the cover of the Travel Manuel - a 76 page guide to the district. The richly coloured painting, which is signed with his initials, shows Bradford's City Hall and the statue of famous Bradford author, J B Priestley. It was provided by Hockney entirely free of charge.

A local crime prevention group has 100 security door chains to give away - but cannot find enough people to give them to. Horsforth Crime Prevention Panel bought the chains with the intention of fitting them free to the homes of the elderly and infirm in the Otley, Aireborough and Horsforth areas. But it cannot obtain the names of people who would benefit from the scheme.