125 Years Ago - 1893

Otley has lost one of its noted characters, in the person of Mr. Daniel Winn, who died on Monday. Mr Winn, who was in his ninety-fifth year, was a green-grocer, and the powerful and stentorian voice in which he proclaimed his wares made him well-known all over Otley. He is reported to be the first Irishman who took up residence in Otley, and he has resided in this town for some fifty or sixty years.

On Saturday many old persons in Addingham had 2 cwts. of coal delivered at their homes. This was the gift of Mrs. Lister, of Farfield Hall. A few days ago Mrs. Lister presented to some villagers who had been asked to the Hall, various articles of underclothing, a half pound of tea, and 2s. in money to each. Times in Addingham have, of late, for many families, been somewhat hard and Mrs. Lister’s generosity is therefore timely.

100 Years Ago – 1918

On Saturday The Ilkley Fire Brigade were summoned to a fire at a farm on the Addingham Moor Side, and very shortly after the alarm was given several of the firemen turned up at the Fire Station, only to find no means of transport available. The two horses supposed to go on duty on such occasions were on their usual scavenging rounds - one at Ben Rhydding and the other at Cocken End. Under the circumstances there was nothing for it but to call for taxis, and after a considerable period of waiting these put in an appearance.

The children attending the Infants’ Department of the Ilkley National Schools are having a special “Peace Christmas” week. Yesterday Mrs. Higson, wife of the vicar of Ilkley handed gifts from the Christmas Tree to over 200 children. A special gift was given to those children who had lost their fathers in the war. This consisted of a book and a piece of money given by Mr. Talbot.

75 Years ago – 1943

Corporal Donald Watson, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Watson, White Cross, Guiseley, recently repatriated from Germany where he had been in captivity for over three years, is due at home today on leave from a convalescent home. Before leaving this country for France, Corporal Watson was asked by a Guiseley lady, a devout Catholic, to obtain for her a Rosary, and this he promised to do. In the meantime France was over-run and he was reported missing. The Guiseley lady often visited Mrs. Watson, expressing the conviction that Corporal Watson was alive and well and had with him the Rosary he had promised. She died before news of his safety was reported, and it is now revealed that throughout the years of his captivity he carried the Rosary in his tunic pocket. It has since become a treasured possession, regarded as a lucky charm.

While the whole country did not slacken in its efforts to achieve victory, much thought was given in many quarters this year to post-war plans for social improvement and amelioration. A four-year plan for Britain after Hitler’s downfall was suggested in March by Mr Churchill in his first public utterance after a serious illness from pneumonia. Points in such a plan would include compulsory insurance for all classes from the cradle to the grave and the abolition of unemployment.

50 Years Ago – 1968

Ilkley’s Christmas mail which in past years has tended to increase has been reduced this year by some people delivering their own cards and others including more than one greeting card in an envelope.

In these days when people have more time for leisure it is not unusual for them to take up hobbies – such as watching football, collecting stamps, or even chasing butterflies. But one man who prefers to do something different is 68-year-old Mr. Charles North, of Menston, who displays at his home his collection of more than 80 Toby Jugs. Many of the jugs are 150, 200, or more years old.

25 Years Ago – 1993

The cavernous roof shell of Harewood House was the stage for a most unusual cheque presentation. The Harewood House Trust has been given a major award by English Heritage of a 40 per cent contribution towards re-roofing costs of £700,000. The cheque was presented to the Earl of Harewood in the rafters themselves, 100 feet up.

Almost 700,000 passengers used Leeds-Bradford Airport this year and the airport made a pre-tax profit of £1.4m.