1885

AT the Ilkley School Board meeting, attention was drawn to irregular attendance at the national schools and on the names of parents whose children attended irregularly coming up, it transpired that in more cases than one the children had presented themselves at the schools on Monday morning with the school pence in their hands, but were refused admission because arrears were owing. It was explained that such action on the part of teachers was illegal, and they had their remedy to recover arrears through the ordinary method of the County Court.

A DASTARDLY attempt to wreck the 1.50 Midland express or the Scotch express leaving Normanton was made early on Wednesday morning by some evil-disposed person; but happily their intent has been frustrated, and nothing but slight damage to an engine has been caused. On Wednesday morning the Bradford and Leeds train carried a larger number of passengers than usual owing to the Edinburgh University football team and their friends returning by it, and met an obstruction which had been placed on the metals. This consisted of a stone of great weight, measuring 18 inches by 20 inches, and nearly a foot thick. The stone had been placed on the left rail near to Gill’s Crossing, about half a mile from Keighley station, and against this the engine, which was travelling at a high rate of speed, dashed. The shock was a severe one, but fortunately the left lifeguard, which came into contact with the stone, threw the obstruction off the line. Both the driver, the stoker, and the passengers were much startled. It took two men to carry the stone to Keighley station, and from its size the detectives are of the opinion that more than one person has had a hand in the matter.

ON Thursday morning, an ewe belonging to the late Mr Thomas Iveson, of Manor House, in Addingham, gave birth to a fine lamb.

1910

ILKLEY Hospital and Convalescent Home – Mr S Keller, president, said he thought it was desirable to arrange a system of interchange with places like Southport and Blackpool. He didn’t know exactly how his proposal would be put into practical effect, but he hoped it was possible to make an arrangement by which people living in this neighbourhood might go to Southport while Southport people in return would be received into the Ilkley home.

UNDER the capable management of Mr A Lee, the Ice Skating Rink has run its usual smooth course during the past week, and though there have been no record attendences, it has been fairly well patronised. Skaters are now looking forward with pleasant anticipation to the promised “Barn Carnival” when the ice rink will be decorated in a style more novel than any yet seen in Ilkley. A farm-yard scene and all the paraphernalia pertaining to it will be made as realistic as possible.

THE official syllabus for the Wharfedale Musical Festival, which is to take place in the Ilkley Town Hall next April, is replete with information which will be found of great interest by those concerned about the culture of music in the towns and valleys, as well as Guiseley, Yeadon and Menston. The President of the Society is the Duke of Devonshire, and the list of vice-presidents includes the names of many of those most closely associated with the musical and social life in the dale and immediate localities.

1935

TESTS were carried out in Ilkley on Tuesday of the new footbridge which has been erected over the River Wharfe near Crum Wheel. The bridge not only provides a means of easy access to the beauties of Middleton Woods but also carries the pipe line for the new scheme for dealing with the sewage of the Middleton district. To test the strength of the structure bags of gravel were placed on the bridge until, including the pipe line, it was bearing a total weight of 33 tons; 85lbs to the square foot in addition to the weight of the pipe. It is understood there will be no official opening of the bridge. Indeed, the public are now at liberty to cross the bridge at any time.

WHEN Mr Albert Modley and other members of the company of Mother Goose from the Leeds Theatre Royal visited Middleton Sanatorium last Thursday they inspected the solarium where the artificial sunlight is given. Here they induced Mr Modley to mount the table whilst a member of the medical staff inspected the interior of his mouth, seeking the source of the jokes with which he keeps his audiences in roars of laughter. MR W H Watson of Bradford, our Chairman of Directors, suggested the name Wharfedale Mills said Mr A Peltzer of the Peltzer-Lister Velvet Co. Ltd of Wharfedale Mills, Addingham, in an interview this week. “We could not make anything of it at the time,” he continued, “but Mr Watson, who was born near here, said it sounded like music to him. Now I think the name sounds like music to us, for we have come to appreciate how wonderful is this beautiful valley of Wharfedale.” Mr Peltzer was discussing the approaching third birthday of the firm and the progress which has been made in the comparatively short time since it was founded in March, 1932.

1960

THE tender of O’Brien and Richmond Ltd, Cambridge St, Otley, of £7,919 16s 1d has been accepted by Ilkley Council for the restoration, alteration and improvement of the Old Manor House, Ilkley. The Council in submitting the tender to the Ministry of Works is to apply also for an increase in the amount of grant to a sum equal to the total cost of repairs to this building estimated at £3,817 A SEVEN-year-old boy was admitted to the Ilkley Coronation Hospital on Tuesday suffering from bruises and shock after being involved in an accident with a motor car on Springs Lane, Ilkley. After hospital treatment, he was allowed to go home. The car was driven by a Huddersfield man who was driving in the direction of Ben Rhydding.

EXPRESSING the view that it was opportune to consider the provision of more car parking accommodation in Ilkley, a Committee of the Chamber of Trade has suggested a meeting between members of the Chamber and representatives of the council. The Council appointed Mr OB Moss and the surveyor and the clerk as their Chamber representatives and the police.

1985

TRAFFIC through the centre of Ilkley was affected at lunchtime on Tuesday when a lorry started shedding its load of hay. Bales of hay started falling from the lorry's trailer as it rounded a bend in the main road near the junction with Little Lane and by the time the vehicle had stopped at the traffic light quite a number had been lost. For almost half an hour traffic leaving the main road through the traffic lights was reduced to a single lane, as the driver was helped by a number of schoolboys to reload the lorry.

A 19th Century stone horse trough which for years stood at the top of Brook Street, Ilkley, in horse cab days, may once again be seen at that site. After its removal from Brook Street, some years ago it eventually found its way to Ilkley's historic Manor House, but now the Friends of the Manor House want it moved from outside the building and re-sited in Brook Street.

A three-year-old English setter from Bolton Abbey has come third in the one of the sections at the Crufts dog show. Owner Mrs Pat Coulton was successful with Coldynne English Relish, whose pet name is Tom.