Funds are needed for the Otley Ladies Sick Society

The Otley "Ladies" sick society - this unostentatious but thoroughly useful and hardworking society is again in need of funds; for there are really deserving applicants who cannot be put upon the books for want of means to carry out, to the full extent, this charitable mission. It has probably done more quiet work of relief than any other organisation in Wharfedale.

We hope the public of Otley will support the members of the Otley Gymnasium by attending its ball - a popular one at a cheap price - to be held in the Institute on the evening of Friday, December 18th, when an efficient band will be present to discourse satisfactory music.

100 Years Ago - 1916

Considerable interest has been aroused in Otley by the announcement that two teams, composed entirely of ladies, are to compete in a rugby football match, to be played on the Wharfedale ground on Saturday, December 23rd. The ladies taking part in the game are all employees of Messrs. Payne and Sons Ltd., and the idea has been adopted with enthusiasm, practice games already having been played. The proceeds will be devoted to the Otley Soldiers' and Sailors' Comforts Fund, the price of admission being four-pence, with an additional three-pence for the grandstand.

Pte. Charles Henry Summersgill, of the Motor Transport, is at present enjoying a ten-day leave of absence at his home at Burley. Pte. Summersgill enlisted in the Motor Transport just over a year ago, and within three weeks he was driving ammunition wagons in France. In this dangerous work he has had several narrow escapes as the roads over which he and comrades had to pass were continuously shelled by the German artillery.Lately he has been transferred to the Headquarters workshop and is now engaged in dispatch riding on various parts of the line. He says he likes the work but will not be sorry when it is all over and the boys get home.

75 Years Ago - 1941

Pilot-Officer Anthony Woods Hutton, elder son of Mr and Mrs F. B. Hutton, of Cartref Lodge, Pool, has been officially reported killed in action in the Middle East. News of his death was received only a few weeks after the the death had been reported of Sergt-Pilot Bertram Kaye, of Pool. The two men were close friends, and the only pilots from the village serving in the RAF. Pilot-Officer Hutton was 33 years of age. He volunteered for service in the R.A.F at the outbreak of war, and was called up in March 1940.

A familiar Wharfedale figure died on Sunday in Mr Joseph Ingham, of Rest Haven, Carlton, who for over 25 years served in the West Riding Constabulary. He joined the police force in 1888 and retired in 1913. At the outbreak of the last war in 1914 he was recalled as a Police War Reserve and and served until war ended.

50 Years Ago - 1966

Perhaps the most gratifying feature of Ilkley Swimming Club's highly successful and active year was the firm establishment in Ilkley of swimming as an all year round sport and pastime. This was stated by Chairman Mr W. G. Cox, at the club's annual general meeting on Monday night when he reported on an active and virile club. The trend began a few years ago, when the newly built dressing rooms at the Grammar School bath made winter swimming a practical proposition.

As far as the housewife is concerned, this last couple of weeks before Christmas are not only the most hectic but in many ways the most enjoyable of the year. Not only is it her lot to supervise the buying of presents for children, relatives and friends - all the time keeping a careful eye on the purse strings - but she has also the task of stocking up the household larder, ready for a holiday of sumptuous eating, occasional over-drinking and and always extra washing up.

25 Years Ago - 1991

An increased number of Fascists in the European Parliament is helping to boost right-wing confidence across the Community, claims Euro MP Michael McGowan this week. On the eve of Jean Marie Le Pen's visit to Britain, Mr Mcgowan said the European Community should fight against racism. He expressed concern that Conservative MPs had been invited to attend Le Pen's meetings during his London visit.

The Rev Irene Lincoln, minister of Burley-in-Wharfedale Methodist Church has given members of her church a graphic account of her recent visit to Sri Lanka during which she spent three days in the war zone. She describes her visit as "a devastating experience". Civil war rages in the once peaceful island and there is no doubt that Sri Lanka is fighting for survival, she said.