125 years ago – 1886 Sleeping in a Cab – At the Otley Police Court Albert Ashton and William Hopkins were charged with sleeping in a cab, in the yard of the Rose and Crown Inn, Ilkley. PC Wright apprehended them and the prisoner stated that they came from Leeds. Several complaints had been received by the police from various cab proprietors in Ilkley with regard to this offence. The magistrates sentenced both prisoners to 14 days imprisonment.

Carriage Accident – As Dr Carter was being driven by his coachman over Ilkley Bridge on Monday, the horse shied at a man approaching carrying a bundle on his head, and became so unmanageable that it eventually broke both shafts of the vehicle, and otherwise injured it. Neither of the occupants were hurt although both were considerably shaken.

100 years ago – 1911 Tram Shelters – We notice that the Horsforth District Council are building a tram shelter at the end of Hawksworth Wood Road, on the side of the Kirkstall highway nearest the river. The erection is of stone, with conveniences at one end, and about the size of – or perhaps a little larger than – the wooden erections put up at Hall Lane, Horsforth and Hall Lane, Rawdon, by the late Mr Thomas Arton.

Otley Strike – The moulders and labourers employed by Messrs. Payne and Sons (Otley) Ltd, at the Atlas Works, are still out on strike, and up to yesterday there were no signs of a settlement. The strikers, who are almost entirely dependent upon public sympathy (only four of their number being members of a trade union), have met with a generous response to their appeals for support.

75 years ago – 1936 Tips for the Housewife – Behindhand getting up in the morning means a day spent in trying to catch up with lost time; this is one of the most tedious days. Betake yourself to bed as early as possible. The busy housewife needs sleep if she is to do her work well and beseem her vocation.

Labour Youth – Organised by the Youth Advisory Committee of the Leeds Labour Party a weekend school was held at Heathmount Hall on Saturday and Sunday. Mr Michael Foot, a former president of the Oxford Union, and Labour candidate for Monmouth at the last election, was a visiting speaker, and in the morning he discussed the subject of The Empire And British Capitalism. In the afternoon he spoke on Labour Foreign Policy And The Revolt Against Imperialism.

50 years ago – 1961 Nuclear Fallout – As part of the campaign for recruitment into the Civil Defence a film entitled Fallout was shown to a good audience in the Kings Hall on Wednesday evening. Major J Diggle, Assistant Divisional Controller for this part of the country, emphasised the need for Civil Defence in this nuclear age and appealed to everyone to do his or her bit by becoming prepared.

Sew Far so Good – The last but one meeting of the 1961 session of the St Peter’s Church Ladies’ Sewing Party in Addingham took place on Wednesday at the home of Mrs D Ward. Refreshments were served by the hostess. The final meeting will be held in the Rectory on October 4.

25 years ago – 1986 Market Slump – Otley’s experiment of medieval markets ended this week , a month earlier than had been intended. The Monday markets at which stallholders were asked to wear period costumes were planned to run for 13 weeks. But last week a majority of the stallholders decided that this should cease early.

Fruit Tree – Residents living in Brownberrie Avenue, Horsforth, are proud of their fruit tree-lined road. It is an outstanding avenue in a village noted for its tree-lined streets and lanes. A good number of years ago about 30 plum and pear trees lined the avenue but today there are only 17. A good number of them have been taken away because the base of the trees became rotten.