125 Years Ago - 1892

A movement is on foot for the erection of a monumental stone to the memory of the late Mr. Sylvester Smith, a gentleman who, as is well known by our Guiseley readers, was one of the most active workers connected with the Primitive Methodist body.

John Ibbitson, who was the oldest inhabitant in Yeadon, passed away on Sunday. He was born in March 1800, and was therefore in his ninety-third year. His wife was Mary Laycock, and of the family which they brought up only two are living. There are, however, 17 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

100 Years Ago - 1917

The death is officially announced from wounds of Lance Corporal Edward George Graham, aged 27, who up to joining the West Yorkshires in January 1916, was employed as a cab driver by Mr. W. H. Hutchinson, Wells House Stables, Ilkley, and lived with Mrs Hunnebell, Wellington Road, Ilkley. He was wounded in the body on April 19th and died in a casualty Clearing Station on the 21st.

Amongst those who were on the Arcadian when the vessel was recently torpedoed by a German submarine in the Mediterranean was Sergeant Herman Weightman, of Menston. Before the war Sergeant Weightman was an attendant at the Menston Asylum. He was wounded during the fighting on the Somme, but rapidly recovered. A wire was received by his parents to say that he was amongst the rescued from the Arcadian, and this was confirmed on Tuesday by a postcard from the soldier himself.

75 Years Ago - 1942

The Ilkley Fuel Control Department has been under discussion in the House of Commons. Mr. Neal Maclean (Lab., Govan) asked the Secretary of Mines whether he was aware that staff had been employed by Ilkley Urban District Council to make out index cards for coal rationing, if this had been done by any other local authority, if it was authorised by his Department, how much time this work was expected to take, and what the estimated expense was. In reply Mr D. R. Greenfell said: "All local fuel operators were instructed on 13 March to compile from lists of registered customers, district registers of the premises controlled under the Fuel and Lighting Orders.

The crowning of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Ilkley, was performed by Norah Forrest, the May Queen. Her attendants were John Knight (cushion bearer), Ruth Dickinson and Muriel Griffith (train bearers) and Mary Hackett and Margaret Pell (maids of honour).

50 Years Ago - 1967

When "The Sooty Show" with Sooty, Sweep and Soo - to say nothing of the long-suffering Harry Corbett - leave their native Guiseley for a week's engagement in Birmingham there will be a reunion between Harry and Norman Bradley, an old friend who was best man at Harry's wedding to his wife, Marjorie. Mr. Bramley is now a Birmingham businessman.

An increase in the price of a dog licence would seem to be the only remedy for the acute problem of abandoned dogs and puppies. This was the opinion of the area organiser of the R.S.P.C.A., Mr. T. A. S. Bailey at a meeting in Ilkley. Far too many people accepted puppies and kittens as gifts, then tired of them and turned them adrift, he said.

25 Years Ago - 1992

Zak the cat certainly used up one of his nine lives when he was run over on a busy road. For the two year old black and white tom stopped breathing after the accident in Main Street near his home in Burley-in-Wharfedale. But fortunately for Zak, a passing motorist stopped his car after witnessing the accident - and he turned out to be a retired veterinary surgeon. The vet quickly brought him back to life.

Plans are afoot to get Otley in Yorkshire's tourism top ten, and the effort will be spearheaded by a new action group called the Traders Association, which will hold its inaugural meeting next month. Its aim is to get shopkeepers, businesspeople and market traders to rally together in a bid to get the historic town where it belongs - as a highlight on the tourist trail.