This picture of the Ilkley RUFC first team of the 1950s was rediscovered by team member Geoff Thompson, now of Knaresborough. We believe they were: Back row - Leslie Dolby,Eric Dalrymple, Peter Richardson, Alan Pedley, Stuart Herdman, Geoff Thompson, Geoff Hunter, Walter Holmes, Geoffrey Brook, - Laing. Second row: Tom Ackernley, Harry Loveday, Geoffrey King, \joe Dove, Peter Burtm Richard Armitage, Christopher Green, Sib Atkinson, Ken Murgatroyd, Harold Dolby, Derek Newsome, Mac Crawshaw, Sidney Hobbs. Seated: Maichae; Watson, Michael Dixon, Jack Taylor, John Gaunt, Clifford Wood, Michael Brook, Ronald Green (president), Peter Atkinson (captain), John Mounsey, Gerald Atkinson, Robert Shelton, David Riley, Michael Green. Front row: Paul Roberts, Ben Downs, John Moisley, Michael Clapham, Bernard Wilkinson, David Myers, Peter Waterhouse, Roy Arundel, Frank Hobbins, Christopher Hulme.

One shilling charge rocks church visitors

2:04pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

125 years ago The choir of St Margaret's Church, Ilkley, had their annual trip, the locality selected this year being Dacre Banks and Brimham Rocks. When an excessive charge of one shilling per head was demanded to allow the sightseers to look around at Brimham Rocks it was decided to abandon the inspection altogether and the party returned to Dacre Banks and were soon seated in front of a substantial dinner at the Royal Oak Hotel.

Third reading of Midland Railway Bill

3:50pm Thursday 26th June 2008

125 years ago The Midland Railway Bill, which is fraught with so much interest to the inhabitants of Ilkley, was read a third time in the House of Lords and passed. The bells of the parish church were not rung in honour of the 'long expected, come at last' as was anticipated, and indeed the event only called forth a line or two in the London papers.

Not all harmony on the music front

9:44am Friday 20th June 2008

125 years ago If the supply of music by outsiders is kept up to the same extent during the season as it has been during the past week, the Ilkley Tarn Band Fund committee - or more properly speaking, not that the Tarn has been deposed from its premier position with the Ilkley Band fund Committee - will find their occupation gone and the debatable question of who to pay and where to play will be settled between the musicians and the public.

Across the Years

11:14am Thursday 12th June 2008

125 years ago The long continued spell of dry weather is beginning to tell most unfavourably in some parts of the country. At Ilkley, owing to our splendid water supply, we have not as yet felt any inconvenience. The water in the reservoirs, however, is perceptibly diminishing and the Local Board officials are keeping a keen lookout for leakages.

Across the years

4:04pm Thursday 5th June 2008

125 years ago At a meeting of the Ilkley Burial Board it was recommended that the additional charge of one-half made to non-residents in the township of Ilkley for excavating and bricking of graves and vaults be remitted. The chairman explained that the charge in question made the fees amount to such a sum as practically prohibited non-residents from interring, and injured the revenue which otherwise be obtained from the cemetery.

Across the Years

4:34pm Thursday 29th May 2008

125 years ago The Midland Railway Bill in which is incorporated the Skipton and Ilkley Railway, has passed the House of Lords Standing Orders. We trust that having passed the standing stage it will soon break out into a steady run.

Grouse prospects are looking grim 3:11pm Thu 8 May 08 125 years ago We understand that the grouse prospects on Ilkley Moor are very disheartening. As many as 20 well-grown birds have been picked up dead in one day, and there has been a less average of eggs in the nests. Two birds have been packed up and sent to the Field newspaper for examination. It is believed that the mortality has been caused by scarcity of food and intense cold.

School examination boosts pupils' attendances

3:01pm Thursday 24th April 2008

125 years ago At a meeting of the Ilkley School Board members commented on the very marked increase in average attendance, the cause of which was explained to have been the examination, and it was thought that if scholars could be got together on an occasion like that, they should endeavour to keep up the average attendance. The chairman remarked on the apathy of poor parents applying to the relieving officer for the granting of school fees.

Earl Beaconsfield remembered in Ilkley 9:25am Thu 17 Apr 08 125 years ago The second anniversary of the death of Earl Beaconsfield was duly honoured at Ilkley in common with other places, and admirers of the departed statesman appeared to be pretty numerous. The wearing of the primrose seems to have been general amongst the Conservative Party but how long the custom will last remains to be seen.

Lecture on Palestine given at college 10:36am Thu 10 Apr 08 125 years ago In the hall of Ilkley College, Edward Worsdell BA, delivered a lecture on Palestine to the students attending the college and other guests. The lecturer was attired in flowing robes and turban, and would have passed muster in a crowd for an intelligent Oriental. He was further assisted in his illustrations by a large map showing the route travelled. A tall college youth, with the aid of a white tablecloth and veil, made a very presentable Eastern lady.

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