125 Years Ago – 1892

Under the auspice of the Mechanic’s Institute, Yeadon, in connection with which a class in scientific dress-cutting has been formed, a lecture on this subject was delivered in the Town Hall schoolroom on Monday by Mrs. Bellhouse. In a very interesting manner she showed how much easier and better a dress could be cut and made under scientific principles as compared with the old methods.

On Wednesday forenoon last, Mr. Craven Smith, butcher, of Town Street, Horsforth, died suddenly. The deceased was 70 years of age, and will be greatly missed in Horsforth and surrounding district,where he was well known as a butcher and cattle dealer

100 Years Ago – 1917

Private Robert Hardisty, aged 37, West Riding Regiment, is officially reported to have died of wounds received in action on September 2. He resided in North Parade, Ilkley, and was a joiner by trade. He leaves a widow and six children, the eldest nearly 16 years of age, and the youngest one year and four months.

Mr. Edgar Wood conducted an inquiry concerning the death of Ernest Earle, of Kimberley Street, Ilkley, son of a soldier at present in hospital wounded, whose body was taken out of the river at Burley. It was stated that the boy, along with three others, was playing on the side of the river at Ilkley, trying to catch pieces of wood floating down. Earle slipped in and was carried down the stream. The other boys raised an alarm and Private Albert Shires, at present in hospital at Ilkley, who had previously warned the boys of their danger, ran to the spot and waded into the river, notwithstanding the fact that his left arm was in a sling. The stream carried the boy right past him however, and although he made another attempt at rescue lower down, his efforts were unsuccessful and he saw the boy sink.

75 Years Ago – 1942

Proceeds of a social held in St John’s Methodist Schoolroom, Burley, were in aid of the wool fund of Knitting Circle to provide comforts for the R.A.F. and the Merchant Navy.

Two Otley brothers – Corporal Eric Connolly, of the Royal Engineers, and Gunner James Connolly, of the Royal Artillery – have met in the Middle East after not having seen each other for two years.

50 Years Ago – 1967

The purchase of a refuse destructor unit for the joint use by Otley and Ilkley Councils was suggested at a meeting of the Public Health Committee of Otley Council. This follows an application by Ilkley to be allowed to tip household refuse in the disused railway cutting at Milner Bank, in the Otley Council area. Coun. Mrs. Fowler said: “I cannot see why Ilkley cannot tip their refuse on that part of the old railway line which is in their own area."

If a certain monkey by the name of Sally does not get her share of Yorkshire pudding first at Sunday lunchtime, she makes quite a fuss. Sally, the 22 month old vervet monkey, sits up to the table each Sunday lunch time with Mr. and Mrs. Brian Butterfield, of Birdcage Walk, Otley, and their two daughters Margaret Susan (6) and Anne Marie (3). Sally has her own part of the table, and although she does not use a knife and fork she is quite handy with a spoon. “If she does not get her Yorkshire pudding first she makes quite a noise,” Says Mrs. Peggy Butterfield.

25 Years Ago – 1992

Showbusinees star Sir Harry Secombe burst into song at the Cow and Calf rocks yesterday – but resisted the temptation to give a rendition of On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At. Instead, the Yorkshire anthem was substituted by the hymn We Plough the Fields and Scatter, as Tyne-Tees television brought the religious Highway programme to town.

A decision will be made tomorrow which could pave the way for Ilkley Grammar School to opt out of local education authority control. Governors are expected to announce whether they will ballot parents on the issue. Should such a vote support the move the school could apply for grant maintained status to Education Secretary John Patten.