125 years ago

We observe under the University News, Durham, that Charles Dyson, an undergraduate in Theology, the second son of W B Dyson, of Wharfe View House, Addingham, has just obtained after severe competition, the first year’s Hebrew Prize, and also secured the appointment of Organist to the University.

A meeting of the Ilkley Local Board urged the railway companies involved in the Ilkley to Skipton railway to include a through communication for Bradford. Board member Mr Dewhirst said if it was made, no place on this side of Bradford would reap so much benefit as Ilkley.

Football - Ilkley v Addingham. Played on the ground of the latter, and after a very friendly game resulted in a complete victory for Ilkley by one goal, four tries, fifteen minor points to nil. All the visitors forwards worked exceedingly well, being on the ball for the whole of the time, while the backs did great execution.

100 years ago

A complaint has reached us regarding the museum specimens. These are considered too crowded and badly classified. The classification and arrangement of the specimens might be improved upon, but with the limited space at disposal the crowding is inevitable unless some of the specimens are transferred. If the council could anyway manage it, the geological and minimum specimens should be removed from the bottom of the cases in the middle of the rooms. These are practically on the floor; in some light the reflection of the pattern of the linoleum on the specimen is making it impossible to tell their nature.

A society is sprung into existence among us for the collections and preservation of folk songs, singing games and country dance. The village alehouse has been mentioned as one of the most likely places for folk songs to be found, frequenters of such generally indulging in some loud song or other if their free potations have begun to take hilarious effect.

The first annual meeting of the members of the Book Club formed in connection with the Ilkley Public Library was held at the Town Hall on Thursday evening.

75 years ago

For at least two Wharfedale villages it can be said that the Government’s grant of £1,000,000 for the improvement of rural water supplies has come at a most opportune moment. Both Middleton and Askwith suffered severely during the acute period of the protracted drought last summer, and as the money is only for the benefit of those who show a willingness to help themselves it looks as if both these places should be eligible to make a claim. A supply to the half-dozen or so houses at Middleton will not be difficult as the mains already go to the Sanatorium, from where it will only be necessary to extend them about 200 yards, over which distance water is now having to be carried – a slow and laborious process. Doubtless the question of making a claim to the Ministry will be considered at the next meeting of the Rural Council.

Ilkley skaters were given a thrill of anticipation followed by a disappointment on Wednesday, and those who hauled out their skates during that anticipation had to return them regretfully to the lumber room. Following slight frosts over a series of nights, there came a keen snap on Tuesday night. It was the coldest night of the present winter, and 12 degrees of ground frost were recorded at the Ilkley Weather Station, with eight degrees of frost in the shade. The water fowl on Ilkley Tarn found half-an-inch of ice between themselves and the water and there was every indication of the possibility of skating before the weekend. Then came the thaw.

The old topic of dogs being kept in houses on the Council Estate once more set members of Ilkley Council talking, the Housing Committee proposing to intimate that notices to quit will be served upon all tenants who continue to keep dogs after December 31.

50 years ago

Parents were asked by the Headmaster of Ilkley Grammar School, Mr F A Walbank, to co-operate in ensuring that their children’s last year at school was interfered with as little as possible. Weekend work or a regular daily job in this important period of the school career could have an important influence on the results of the GCE examination, he said. He spoke at the Grammar School’s speech day, where prizes were presented to pupils by Professor Asa Briggs, of Leeds University.

Married just 13 weeks, a couple in Ben Rhydding returned home after spending an evening with friends to find their home had been ransacked and solid silverware and other items valued at approximately £206 had been stolen, most of them wedding presents. It is believed that entry was gained by a duplicate key. They have been living at Ben Rhydding for only 11 weeks.

Ilkley’s public Christmas trees were coming from somewhere in South Wales, it was reported to the Council on Wednesday night. Cr H Bell had noticed from Moor and Parks committee minutes that the Parks Superintendent had been requested to take the necessary action for the provision of three Christmas trees at Ilkley, Burley and Menston. He hoped that it was not going to be nearly Christmas Eve before these trees were up.

25 years ago

Top wildlife artist David Shepherd will be coming to Ilkley next February for a unique series of events. He was so pleased with the response from the Yorkshire public to his paintings in the previous Yorkshire Artists Exhibition at Ilkley that he will not only be showing his work but will be personally opening the exhibition. He will be staying with his family in Ilkley for several days and will be giving one of his popular “World Wildlife” talks at the Kings Hall – a first for Ilkley.

Opponents to Green Belt proposals at Ilkley, Burley, Menston and Addingham have won a major victory. They have persuaded Bradford Metropolitan Council to change proposals affecting large areas of the Green Belt and on Monday significantly changed recommendations were presented by council officers to the planning sub-committee.

Father Christmas was at Green Frog restaurant Ilkley on Saturday to help the Candlelighters raise money for children’s cancer and leukemia research. The event, which was attended by about 300 children, raised £750.