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.
A letter was read to the school board from the Vigilance Association referring to the sending of children to Industrial Schools from houses of ill-repute, without their parents or guardians first being cited. Discussion ensued and conclusion was come to that happily the matter was one which did not affect Ilkley.
Wanted for Canada. 250 domestic servants, male and female, general labourers, and others. Situations guaranteed at good wages; free rail pass. Government assisted passages from £3. Apply to Alex Wilson, emigration agent, Bradford.
100 years ago
A plot of land to the east of the Infants school in Leeds Road, and with an extensive frontage to Bath Street, containing 4,960 square yards was offered for sale at the Crescent Hotel on Thursday night and withdrawn at £100.
The thunderstorm up the Dale caused a remarkable rise in the River Wharfe at Ilkley. Near the Ilkley Golf House it was noticed to rise five feet in 10 minutes, and two anglers who were wading the river were suddenly overtaken, and with difficulty managed to get to the bank. Several sheep that were grazing at the Ilkley golf links near the river were washed away by the flood.
Every Tuesday a half-day excursion is run from Ilkley to Morecambe, the journey being unfortunately round by Shipley and overwise prolonged. Last Tuesday's excursion left Ilkley at one o'clock and landed before 5pm, those visiting the Naples of the North' on this occasion, having just time to take a peep and a sniff at the briny', get a cup of tea and make tracks for the railway station and home.
75 years ago
It was a record Whitsuntide - record sunshine, record crowds, record bathing, record riverside camping, record road traffic, and (though figures are unavailable to confirm this) probably also record perspiration. It is said there has not been a Whit Monday like it for 33 years - but even the 1900 figures must give place to the continued spell of brilliant sunshine which continued from Friday right through the holiday weekend.
There was a thrill for the bathers and spectators above the Old Bridge on Tuesday when a young man named G Saunders, 18, of 39 Wellington Road, Ilkley, was rescued from drowning. The rescue was gallantly accomplished by Mr Basil Ellison, of Vale Croft, Valley Drive, Ben Rhydding and he was assisted by two other young men. Saunders had been seized with cramp whilst in the river and his rescuer just reached him in time.
An Ilkley conversation on Whit-Monday - Visitor: which is the way to the Ilkley swimming baths? Resident: Ilkley hasn't got any swimming baths. Visitor: Well, which is the way to the nearest swimming baths? Resident: I think the nearest will be Cookridge Street, Leeds. Visitor: Oh, heck! I've come fra' there.
50 years ago
The first permanent camping site for scouts ever to be established in Ilkley was opened on Saturday evening by the vice-chairman of Ilkley Council, Mrs J Ellicott. The site consists of about four to five acres of land and is above and adjoins Middleton Woods at the top of and on the east side of Curly Hill.
Permission was given by Ilkley Council on Wednesday night for Heathcote, Grove Road, to be used as offices by a business concern. Heathcote is to be used by NG Bailey and Co Limited, of Leeds. A special meeting of the Town Planning Committee had been informed by the clerk that he had written to residents in the locality informing them of this application.
Applications for the use of the Ilkley King's Hall for wrestling and boxing tournaments have been approved by Ilkley Council. Twentieth Century Promotions, Halifax, have made application for the use of the hall on either Monday or Friday evenings for the promotion of wrestling. Ilkley Round Table have intimated that they have in mind the promotion of an amateur boxing tournament.
25 years ago
Cub scouts were out in force in Brook Street, Ilkley, on Saturday making cups of tea for shoppers. Members of the 1st Ilkley Pack made more than 300 cuppas' on Saturday as part of the National Cub Scout Tea-Making Fortnight and more than £15 was donated to Ardenlea nursing home.
The Ilkley rail service could soon be threatened with closure again according to a statementby the West Yorkshire County Council. Leader of the council, Coun John Gunnell, says the Government has told the County Council that it must not contribute more than £44m for public transport next year.
A new course of activities for unemployed youngsters is being launched at Hawksworth House, Ilkley, next year. Rock climbing abseiling, and caving will be among the many activities offered to young jobless youngsters between the ages of 16 and 18. The project - organised by Ilkley Grammar School, the college and Hawksworth House - aims to relieve some of the boredom for unemployed youngsters.