125 Years Ago - 1894

At the Otley Police Court on Tuesday, John William Read, groom, of Mounstead, was charged with being drunk whilst in charge of a horse in Church Street, Ilkley, at 3pm on Saturday. The accused was fined 5s. and 9s. 6d. costs.

To the Editor of the Ilkley Gazette - Sir, The state of our main streets during the past week has been something abominable, the dust blowing about in all directions. Surely during blustering days our Local Board might see that the principle thoroughfares are kept constantly watered as in other places of resort. A Tradesman.

100 Years Ago - 1919

After nearly five years of international strife and warfare, during which thousands upon thousands of our brave countrymen have given their lives in the defence of their homes and kindred, Peace - for which we were all longing - a glorious peace has been concluded. To celebrate such an important historical event, there will be Public Rejoicings throughout the British Empire on Saturday, July 19th, the day which the King has specially appointed to be observed as a day of National Rejoicing. In common with the rest of our fellow countrymen we in Ilkley shall celebrate the event in a fitting manner and the committee who have been appointed to organise the Peace Celebrations hope that every loyal citizen in the district will take part in the rejoicings.

On Tuesday afternoon Mr G. W. Hampshire, of New Brook Street, while cycling down Brook Street, collided with a motor car coming out of Church Street. He hurt his knee and was badly shaken, but happily his injuries were not serious.

75 Years Ago - 1944

The Ilkley Urban District is receiving into its midst a full share of the numbers of people, both unaccompanied children and families, who are being sent from the South of England and London to the safer towns of the North as a result of the effects of the flying bombs. The first organised party, which consisted of 38 unaccompanied children, arrived on Thursday evening last week.

A poem to the memory of Cpl. K. A. Mortimer, who was drowned on the landings on the Normandy beaches, has been written and dedicated to his memory by one of the sergeants in the unit in which he was serving, and was read by his Colonel at his funeral in a Normandy village. Cpl. Mortimer was the husband of Mrs. Ivy Mortimer, of Morley, and formerly of Menston, and the only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Mortimer, of Ilkley.

50 Years Ago - 1969

Hollin Hall is one of the most historic buildings in the district. It can be traced back to the mid-15th century and has been in the ownership of families who have contributed much to the district. The Maudes who were in Ilkley in 1340 were in it in the 16th century and from them it passed to the Rogersons and then to the Hebers who occupied it in 1638 and probably were there a little earlier.

Approving details of a proposed supermarket on the site of the Essoldo Cinema in Railway Road, the Planning Committee of the Ilkley Urban District Council had no power to refuse. Cr. A. Marshall at the meeting of the Council on Monday night said there had been a great deal of debate on this application but it was not within the Committee’s jurisdiction to dictate to anybody what they should do with their property.

25 Years Ago - 1994

If Ilkley people could use a time machine to travel to the year 2000, the damaging consequences caused by the closure of the town’s college would become immediately apparent. With 400 student members of the town population removed at a stroke, the side effects are bound to be much more than cosmetic. In pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops, the time traveller would see how students who once took on menial jobs to top up grants would be gone. Landlords and and landladies of flats or rooms to let would also be suffering from the loss of student life, struggling to attract tenants to dirt-cheap properties.