125 Years Ago - 1893

In accordance with his usual custom at Christmas, Mr Wm. Stephenson, of Mount Pleasant, one of the overseers of the township, entertained to dinner all the residents of Guiseley who are in receipt of parish relief. Those who were unable to walk to Mr. Stephenson’s residence were conveyed in cabs. A liberal repast was provided for the poor people.

On Tuesday at the West Riding Police Court David Robertson, lately a gardener at the Convalescent Home, was summoned for the offence of extinguishing a public lamp. P.C. Firth stated that he saw the defendant climb up a lamp post, and deliberately put out the light. He evidently observed witness approaching and ran off home. The next night witness charged him with having put out the light, and informed him that proceedings would be taken against him. Joseph Clark, surveyor to the Local Board, stated that such antics had been carried on for a long time, to the annoyance of the public.

100 Years Ago - 1918

An interesting entertainment in aid of the Serbian Relief Fund was given by the pupils at the Froebelian School on Thursday afternoon, when an audience which filled St. Margaret’s Hall was delighted by the natural charm of the of the children taking part, and an entire absence of self-consciousness of artificial posing. Scenes from Tennyson’s “Idylls of the King” were enacted by the pupils of the Preparatory School; the costumes and stage effects being most picturesque and the action of the “knights of the Round Table” extremely spirited.

Private Edward Thwaites, West Riding Regiment, only son of the late Mr. John Thwaites and Mrs. Thwaites, Brooke Street, Ilkley, has been killed in action. Private Thwaites was educated at the Ilkley National Schools and Belle Vue School, Bradford, and joined the army in March 1915, being drafted to the front in February of 1917. A letter was received by Mrs Thwaites from Private Thwaites’ lieutenant yesterday.

75 Years Ago - 1943

The Kremlin bells rang out on New Year’s Eve 1942 to celebrate more Russian triumphs over the German invaders. A Soviet communique claimed that the Red Army had routed 175,000 enemy troops and captured a further 137,500 prisoners.

A Royal Air Force sergeant from Burley-in-Wharedale has been declared missing after taking part in night time operations. Sgt Fred Peace, 30, of Micklebrook, Menston Old Lane, joined the forces in 1941 and was attached to Coastal Command.

50 Years Ago - 1968

A design has been approved by the Post Office for a postal cancellation mark that will be used on all letters going through Otley Post Office for three months this year, as part of the celebration to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth at Otley of Thomas Chippendale, the cabinet maker. The design has been submitted by the Chippendale Society and includes a sketch of a typical “Chippendale” chair. The cost of using it on all letters passing through Otley Post Office in April, May and June will be paid by Otley Council.

The announcement by Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society that they have chosen “The Quaker Girl”as their 1969 production has turned the clock back almost 40 years for at least one former amateur actress, now aged 76. For in the 1928 production of the show, Mrs Annie Terry Vann, of Pendragon Terrace, Guiseley, and formerly of Menston, played a leading part as Madame Blum.

25 Years Ago - 1993

The threat of staff cuts at Ilkley Grammar School could become reality in the wake of a parents’ vote not to opt out of council control. Governors wanting to sever links with Bradford Council were defeated at the ballot box as 63 per cent of parents voted ‘no’ to a change in status - forcing the radical plans to be scrapped.

A plea to help spruce up a village received a unanimous thumbs down from residents. Addingham Britain in Bloom members delivered 100 letters in Main Street asking householders to attend the committee’s next meeting - yet not one person did.