125 Years Ago - 1894

Much surprise and perhaps excitement, was occasioned in the town on Thursday morning by the news being spread abroad that Mr. E. Thompson, nurseryman, of Ilkley, had suddenly died. From inquiries this was proved to be correct. It appears that the deceased , who was the proprietor of the Brook Street Nurseries, had been in his usual health up to the time of his demise. Dr. Carter stated that death was due to aneurism, or the dilated condition of the walls of an artery, ending in rupture of the same and sudden death.

100 Years Ago - 1919

The Coal Strike’s Effect - Addingham is in a more fortunate position than that of its neighbour, Skipton, where the stocks of coal are very low, and many of the mills have had to close. At Addingham, the shortage of the fuel has not affected seriously either the mills or the gasworks, though naturally the householders are being put to much inconvenience.

On Wednesday morning a horse attached to a light cart was seen coming along Station Road with its blinders trailing on the road, It turned into the Railway Station yard, and one of the wheels struck the iron gate post and brought down both the gate and the post; the cart being overturned as a result of the collision.

75 Years Ago - 1944

The thunder of the Allied guns beats an unearthly tattoo in France, heralding a greater liberation than any that occurred with the fall of the Bastille 150 years ago. Letters come back to us from the orchards of Normandy telling how our forces are standing up to the brunt of battle. A gunner officer writes: “What we do for the French, we shall do for the world. We must bring hope to a people where hope is reviving. Yet this hope must have a solid basis if it is to thrive. I want to be one of those Englishmen who accept their responsibility for Europe.”

Letters bringing news of the four sons of Mrs. Bradley and the late Mr. Edgar W. Bradley, are constantly arriving at 10, Ilkley Road, Otley, from Normandy, Canada and Southern England. John, Victor, Rudolph and Eric are all in the Forces, and the last letters Mrs. Bradley received were from John and Victor, telling of a surprise meeting in Normandy. John is a driver, Victor a cook, and they met by accident behind the lines.

50 Years Ago -1969

Healthy children thrive best on routine. It is the sudden upset of their normal routine which, in summer, and especially on holiday, sometimes induces to minor disorders. Sea air and sea water, as well as the direct rays of the sun, have a highly stimulating effect on the nervous system. If normal hours of rest and sleep are interrupted , it is not surprising that with all these factors at work the system reacts with the appearance of some childish disorder. During holidays, the wise aim with the children is a gradual progression from the routine of school days to the free life of seaside or country.

The first public activity planned by the recently established Ilkley and District World Poverty Action Group will be a seminar on “Tackling World Poverty”in the International Wool Secretariat building next month.

25 Years Ago - 1994

Visitors to Ilkley Moor will be able to enjoy refreshments as they study the area’s history at the famous landmark known as White Wells. On Saturday White Wells was reopened as a centre offering a countryside service after the completion of renovations carried out by Bradford Council. The building was closed down earlier this year after vandals and thieves targeted White Wells which had opened as a centre for homeopathic and hydropathic remedies.

The American air base at Menwith Hill marks the end of the fifth annual women’s peace tour next month. Between 10 and 30 women from the Women on the Road for Peace Tour will be camping at Menwith Hill. The camp will culminate in a blockade of the base.