125 Years Ago – 1890 A son of Mr WM Hepworth, of Yeadon, while recently hunting with the Bramham Moor Hounds, lost a splendid specimen of a King Charles II, three-guinea piece, a coin somewhat rare, which had been in the possession of the Hepworth family ever since the period of its issue. Like a sensible being, the loser advertised the fact in these columns, and we have received a letter in which Mr Hepworth informs us that Mr Harper, a farmer of Rigton, found the missing coin and returned it.

The evidence given at the inquest on the body of the Yeadon man Scott, who died in the Guiseley police cells last week, shows the danger of what has hitherto been regarded as a harmless joke. Snuff, we are afraid, has often been put into the beer of an unsuspecting person, who has by these means been made drunk almost immediately, and it is as well that those who are guilty of practical jokes of this kind should know that they are liable to serious penalties, for in the event of a fatal ending, can be indicted for manslaughter.

100 Years Ago – 1915 The war has afforded an opportunity unique in history for testing and proving the worth of men. In such a terrible struggle as is proceeding on the continent, the men with grit are brought prominently to the front, and the long list of honours which are forwarded by Sir John French are signal instances of the pluck and valour of British soldiers. In these dispatches there are no fewer than five Wharfedale men honoured, the three recent ones being Major Muirhead, Captain Beilby, of Otley, and Sgt-Major J Barwick, of Burley. With Lieut Rabagliati and Corporal Ernest Dickenson, of Ilkley, Wharfedale will remember these men with a burning pride in the days when the stories of the Great War are re-told.

T Pagan writes: “I think the Kaiser will be catching his toe and falling a cropper before long. I think he will soon be having all the world after his blood. The artillery about here have been giving him something to go on with, but we have had it very quiet.” H Butcher, who is a clerk at the railway transport base at Boulogne, writes: “I haven’t seen a fireside since leaving England, for they seem to all have stoves out here, so you can just imagine how I shall enjoy the little home comforts if ever I have the luck to return safe. I heard a married man say the other day that if ever he got home safe, he would never grumble at his wife again after this lot.”

75 Years Ago – 1940 No decision has been reached by the War Office to call up in August men over the age of 28, it was stated this week. The question whether age groups would be called up at more frequent intervals, it was said, would be dictated by the development of the situation in the field. According to present arrangements, the registration of 24-year-olds will take place next month.

Summonses for unscreened lights in buildings were dealt with as follows: Harold King (35), fish fryer, Otley, fined 25s. for having an unscreened external shop light. PC Firth said he could see the sign, which stated ‘Open – Fish and Chips’ 150 yards away. It was 3.45am and the defendant, after being knocked up, said he had forgotten it.

50 Years Ago – 1965 Steps have been taken to reduce the height of one of the coal stacks at Menston coal yard which has been the subject of criticism by local residents. Instructions have also been given that the grab for the moving of coal should be lowered to the utmost extent into the hoppers in order to avoid dust.

The Otley Committee for Polio Research held a Continental Evening in the Station Road Schoolroom on Saturday. The Secretary, Mr E J Connelly, said the efforts of the committee are now to be concentrated towards the care of children affected by the disease.

25 Years Ago – 1990 The full weight of local opposition to the introduction of pay-parking on all six car parks in Otley town centre, is being directed at Leeds City Council this week in an eleventh hour bid to seek a reprieve. It is claimed the proposal would cause chaos in the town.

A horse and carriage, or a vintage car, is needed by Guiseley St Oswald’s C of E Junior School, who this year celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the school. The carriage or car is needed to carry the ‘King and Queen’ to a special ceremony.