125 Years Ago - 1894

Ilkley - There has been on a visit to the host and hostess of the Rose and Crown Hotel quite a prodigy, in the person of “The Crosland Moor Giant.” Master Harry Hall, for that is the baby giant’s name, is fourteen months old, his weight is forty-five pounds, and his height over three feet. He has been greatly admired by many during his stay amongst us.

Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire arrived at Ilkley on Saturday evening by special train, and drove in an open carriage to Bolton Abbey. As a result of Her Grace’s arrival being whispered about there were present at the station quite a crowd of people.

100 Years Ago - 1919

The death occurred at Lenox, Massachusetts, U.S.A., on Monday, of Mr. Andrew Carnegie. Mr Carnegie had been an invalid since 1917, and death resulted from bronchial pneumonia, after a very brief illness, at the age of 81. Mr. Carnegie made an enormous fortune, and likewise distributed some millions of his wealth in various ways. He provided over 1600 free libraries and 6000 church organs and founded hospitals and colleges. Free libraries and organs in this district were provided, wholly or in part, by Mr. Carnegie; the Ilkley free Library and the Keighley Free Library amongst them.

Addingham has already made a practical move in the provision of a war memorial, for last week the first sod was cut on the site which has been given by Lord Masham.

75 Years Ago - 1944

By a Family Doctor - Some folk have a chronic catarrh; they seem never to be able to get rid of it. I think, if I were ever in that position and were young and starting my career, I should seriously consider leaving England for some dry warm climate when the war is over. The British Empire is vast, and a spot can be chosen where the absence of fogs and damp and dreary weather would allow the catarrh to cure itself. Talk over the possibility of going to New Zealand or Australia or Johannesburg after the war.

A Guiseley man’s part in fighting off a German surprise attack on an administrative transport in Normandy last week is told by a military observer. The Guiseley man is Private Dennis Robinson Oxley (30), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Oxley, “Kenmoor”, Ings Lane, Guiseley. Pte. Oxley was one of the first men to dash forward to engage the Germans. He chased them alone through the hedges, and eventually had to be brought back on a Bren carrier across exposed ground. “It was nothing spectacular - there was nothing in it,” he said.

50 Years Ago - 1969

White Wells could be returned to Ilkley tomorrow if Rombalds Water Board were assured of the exchange of six acres of Ilkley Moor to the west of the Keighley Road, said Cr. M. J. Boothman, Chairman of the Ilkley Urban Council’s Amenities Committee this week. “Rombalds Water Board want this land for waterworks purposes but until they have it they won’t let us have White Wells back,” said Cr. Boothman.

Serious damage to a 23 inch television set was prevented through the actions of Mrs. E. Snook, Wells Road, Ilkley, when the set caught fire on Tuesday. Mrs. Snook pulled the plug out and covered the set with a rug before raising the alarm. The fire was out when the Brigade arrived and all they were required to do was to carry out a check-up.

25 Years Ago – 1994

Environmentalists will be giving away bottles of fresh air when a Pennine cycle ride passes through Wharfedale this weekend. The joke is part of the Friends of the Earth’s ongoing campaign against the Government’s road building programme for the area. Cyclists will set off from Bolton Abbey at 2pm and expect to reach Ilkley an hour later.

Burley-in-Wharfedale woman Beryl Milner flies out of Britain tomorrow to spread the word of peace in the former Soviet Union. The 47-year-old, is bound for the republic of Uzbekistan as part of a mission for Mothers for Peace.