125 Years Ago – 1886

A public meeting of ratepayers in Ilkley was called to consider the action taken by the Local Board to deprive the ratepayers of one-third of their representation and to consider the means of protecting the interests of the ratepayers on the Board. As the meeting progressed, Dr Little’s attention was called to Mr Joseph Lund, who was suddenly taken ill, and considerable consternation was caused by Dr Dobson being hastily summoned from the audience by Dr Little. In spite, however, of the efforts of the two medical men, Mr Lund expired in a few minutes and the fact was announced to the audience by Mr J Wilde, upon whose arm Mr Lund expired. The meeting was therefore at once dissolved.

Some little commotion was caused on Friday last by the appearance of a runaway horse attached to an unoccupied trap, dashing through the principal streets of Guiseley. The animal turned up Station Road and, on reaching Town Street, a large number of persons had assembled. The animal turned into Carlton Lane in the middle of which the runaway came to grief, owing to its feet becoming entangled in the reins. The freight, which consisted of a quantity of boots, was scattered in all directions. The animal was secured by those in pursuit.

100 Years Ago – 1911

At the meeting of the Burley District Council Water Committee, it was reported that the state of the reservoirs was as follows: Hollin Nook, 131,000 gallons, Carr Bottom, 8,773,000 gallons, Low Lanshaw, full, High Lanshaw, 2ft down, Hartleys, 579,000 gallons. A special Water Committee considered the question of revision of water regulations, but the meeting was adjourned.

George Anderson, weaver, of Yeadon, was summonsed at Otley Petty Sessions for neglecting to send his child to school at Yeadon. The defendant’s child, 12 years of age, had only made 73 attendances out of a possible 130. The defendant’s wife said the child had been “all swelled up with mumps” and had a “gathered heel”. A fine of 5s and costs was imposed.

75 Years Ago – 1936

Five Yeadon boys whose ages ranged from 11 to 13, went before magistrates on summonses of thefts from gas meters in Yeadon houses that had been vacated prior to demolition. The total amount involved was said to be £1 19s 2d. All the boys pleaded guilty. They were each fined 5s, ordered to pay 9s 3d costs, and between them make good the loss to the Gas Company.

There were 270 passengers on the “Wharfedale and Airedale Observer” excursion by special LMS train to London, and all were supplied with tickets for the international printing exhibition. Otley-made machines valued at £38,000 were on show, and many orders were placed for Otley Machines.

50 Years Ago – 1961

A proposal by the Boundary Commission that the River Wharfe should be the dividing line between the West Riding and a new enlarged North Riding startled some of the Wharfedale towns, and Otley in particular, and provided a weekend of speculation of what was quite intended in the “fringe” area of which they form part. The idea, as reported, appears to slice Otley completely in half and would also separate Ilkley from its bathing pool and sports grounds.

When Otley Division police received an SOS call from a woman living in Station Road, Menston, that she was alone in the house, and had just found an owl perched in the sitting room, an officer went along to see what he could do about it. He found a full-grown tawny owl perching in the room and refusing to quit. The problem was solved when a woman neighbour with a liking for birds walked into the room and and carried it out.

25 Years Ago – 1986

An Ilkley Parish Councillor said this week he was concerned at the way the Parish Council was handling negotiations to get Ilkley out of the Bradford Metropolitan District and into North Yorkshire. But the chairman of the council, Coun Howard Scaife, gave assurances that investigations were proceeding and said the council preferred to take time and get the right answer than rush in and get the wrong one. An opponent to moving Ilkley out of Bradford, Coun Jim Shelton, of Burley, said it was a waste of time trying to join North Yorkshire and since investigations had begun, he was getting reports marked “confidential”. He could not understand the reason for any secrecy.

At the monthly meeting of Otley Chamber of Trade, grave concern was expressed that since the opening of the new Presto supermarket between Westgate and Burras Lane, the shopping pattern in Otley had changed with trade moving away from the heart of the town and from the traditional shopping areas in the vicinity of the market place. It was pointed out that this fear had been expressed to Otley Town Council when the supermarket was in the planning stage.