Beyond the Headlines | Features | Homepage - Wharfedale Observer

Wheels in the air for roaring Mr and Mrs racers from Otley

3:01pm Thursday 17th January 2013

A husband-and-wife team from Otley have formed a winning partnership in the adrenaline-fuelled world of cross-country motorsport.

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Wharfedale filmmaker's return to the bloodbath isle

1:13pm Tuesday 4th December 2012

A Wharfedale filmmaker has revisited a fledgling south-east Asian nation 20 years on from his groundbreaking undercover documentary in which he recorded a massacre of more than 250 people by Indonesian soldiers.

Mavis's memories of Ramsden’s record-breaking day

9:08am Thursday 9th February 2012

It was a day which would go down in local history while setting a world record – and Harry Ramsden’s anniversary party also brought a little bit of fame to teenagers Mavis and Wendy Raistrick.

• Fish and chip rival steps in to save Harry Ramsden's

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Community hero Jim steps down as Poppy Appeal organiser

10:16am Thursday 22nd December 2011

Jim Shelton is to retire from running Burley-in-Wharfedale's Poppy Appeal, after almost 60 years in the role.

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Curtain comes down on Cherie's Dress Circle shop

12:34pm Thursday 8th December 2011

As Dress Circle sells off its stock, Annette McIntyre meets the daughter of the woman who made costumes her life.

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Young entrepreneurs who became disco pioneers

8:36am Thursday 3rd November 2011

The man who helped Jimmy Savile stage one of the world’s first discos in Otley has paid tribute to “an amazing character”.

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Highs of airport's history captured in new book

9:34am Thursday 20th October 2011

It has been a high-flyer since 1931 and shows little sign of slowing down.

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Do you have a Courthouse story to tell?

10:42am Thursday 18th August 2011

It has been the scene of countless dramatic scenes stretching back to the 19th century, and now the memories of people who experienced Otley Courthouse’s heyday as a magistrates’ court are to be documented for posterity – thanks to a £9,500 Heritage Lottery Fund award.

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Our performing animals are part of the family, say circus bosses

8:00am Thursday 8th April 2010

Annette McIntyre considers the arguments surrounding the use of animals in circuses.

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Family history quest from New Zealand to old country

8:43am Monday 5th April 2010

Annette McIntyre explains how a photocopied page from a family diary began a written journey linking New Zealand to 19th century Yorkshire.

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Growing clamour for ban on plant food used as legal high

9:05am Thursday 25th March 2010

Amanda Greaves examines the moves being made to combat the dangers of mephedrone.

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Nell Bank boss has no doubts: We are the best!

9:17pm Wednesday 17th March 2010

Suzy Poole finds out what makes an outstanding outdoor educational centre.

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When the rights of wildlife and livestock take priority

3:04pm Thursday 11th March 2010

Amanda Greaves discovers whhy it is important that dog owners and moor users show respect for nature.

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Family connection traced from Ireland to UK, Spain and US

8:24am Thursday 4th March 2010

RESEARCH across three countries has led the Spanish descendent of a renowned Wharfedale family to uncover more about the people who left much to the local community.

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Transforming lives of women and children in world’s poorest country

11:16am Thursday 25th February 2010

Making a difference to the poor people of war-torn Sierra Leone.

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Inspiring women who work hard for their share of 21st century life

10:57am Thursday 18th February 2010

Photographer's new book is a fascinating snapshot of modern life in China

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The women determined to provide comfort for flood ravaged Peru

3:11pm Thursday 11th February 2010

Fundraisers see much of their work washed away by a debastating flood

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The ancient art that is so much more than putting pen to paper

10:05am Thursday 4th February 2010

In the days of e-mail and text messages, we rarely put pen to paper. Now there is an Ilkley class learning an ancient writing skill.

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No disguising the skills of the men from Guiseley who turn TV beauties into beasts

8:54am Thursday 28th January 2010

They are responsible for some of the best disguises ever to hit our television screens.

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Horsforth childcare expert says we need to try and understand why youngsters behave in a bad way

9:59am Thursday 28th January 2010

ONCE again another truly horrific attack involving children has hit the headlines. A childcare expert explains why it is important to look at what causes such behaviour.

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These people are desperate, says woman who taught in Haiti

2:22pm Thursday 21st January 2010

The woman who has first hand knowledge of the poverty in Haiti where a massive earthquake has caused widespread devastation and loss of life.

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‘It’s a very strange feeling turning on the tap and nothing comes out’

11:56am Thursday 14th January 2010

A local church official tells of her moving visit to Uganda.

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The hardy souls who plunge into new year with an icy dip

11:46am Thursday 7th January 2010

Children do it, pensioners do it and even toddlers have been known to do it. Plunging into the bath at White Wells, Ilkley, has become something of a New Year tradition over the years, inspiring hundreds of hardy souls aged between two and 82 to wash away the past.

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The man who creates cool figures of the famous

9:10am Wednesday 30th December 2009

His breathtaking sculptures have wowed audiences in cities and towns all over the world. From sand sculptures in the centre of Bradford, to an ice hotel in Finland, artist Jamie Wardley has certainly achieved a wide and varied audience for his work.

Early motoring memories kept alive in growing stable of ’60s cars

8:10am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

Graham Dewhirst loves tinkering with history. The retired electrical engineer aims to restore the kind of cars he and his family had decades ago and return them to the roads. Gradually he is fulfilling his ambition.

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Step back in time delivers a festive boost for businesses

9:21am Thursday 17th December 2009

Reporter Jim Jack reflects on how Otley’s Victorian Fayre continues to boost the town’s trade.

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Plain sailing with mum at the helm

9:22am Friday 11th December 2009

A family whose teamwork is aimed at sailing success.

Leeds-Bradford Airport makes being a good neighbour its business

4:12pm Thursday 3rd December 2009

A look behind the scenes at Leeds-Bradford Airport where business is taking off.

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Scientist melts away the myth of the chocoholic

8:46am Thursday 19th November 2009

It smells good, it looks good and just the thought of it can cause a fully grown adult to drool at the mouth.

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Chloe's tumour ordeal inspires charity appeal

8:34am Thursday 12th November 2009

The second little Chloe Monte opened her sparkling blue eyes to take in the bright new world around her, her parents knew they had produced a little charmer.

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Burley couple send hope and support to the disabled youngsters of Nepal

8:20am Thursday 5th November 2009

The scenery is undoubtedly stunning – but as the people of Nepal are only too aware, you can’t eat the view.

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New band of talented artists are displaying their passion for art

9:45am Thursday 29th October 2009

Yorkshire’s chequered landscape and rugged coastline has inspired many artists to re-create its breathtaking views on canvas.

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Policeman’s lot could be happy and sad

8:32am Thursday 22nd October 2009

Trudging across muddy moorland on a cold October morning, policeman George Hobson knew this was the investigation that would be forever logged in his mind.

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Wharfedale couple explain how Alzheimer's Disease has changed their lives

9:01am Thursday 15th October 2009

It has been described by one of the country’s leading authors as an ‘inhuman condition’, reducing the final years of sufferers to a long, bad dream.

Ilkley women making their mark at rugby

9:33am Thursday 8th October 2009

Chasing after a ball in wet muddy conditions may not be every woman’s idea of a Sunday afternoon treat.

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Uncovering rich history of spa that put Ilkley on the map

8:35am Thursday 1st October 2009

ONE of the great landmarks from Ilkley’s spa town heyday is being uncovered by local heritage enthusiasts.

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The ‘miracles’ of bringing life into balance with yoga

8:52am Thursday 24th September 2009

Celebrities do it, businessmen do it and the Prime Minister should probably try doing it.

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Path to happiness is on the cards with astrologer Michael

11:30am Thursday 17th September 2009

Reporter Andrea Hardaker meets a man bidding to help people get on the right course to find happiness in their lives

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Addingham man's view on the plight of the humble bee

11:05am Thursday 10th September 2009

They are widely accepted as the busiest insect on planet earth, humming their way through the summer to sweeten our toast for breakfast.

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Ilkley's Summer Festival is becoming a hard act to follow

5:35pm Thursday 3rd September 2009

Ilkley Summer Festival proved a major hit with locals once again this year but organisers have warned that it could become a victim of its own success.

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Christian goes from Bird’s Eye burger ad to big-screen fame

10:50am Friday 28th August 2009

Reporter Andrea Hardaker talks to the actor whose latest role is alongside some of the biggest names in cinema.

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Young horsewoman riding high with place at therapy centre

8:19am Thursday 20th August 2009

A young rider with learning difficulties has won a dream opportunity to further her education at a pioneering centre which uses horses to teach life skills.

The Glorious Twelfth, protecting Ilkley Moor and grouse resurgence

8:08am Thursday 13th August 2009

The arrival of the Glorious Twelfth reminds me of the moors of Ilkley and Brandup, my playground as a boy. With the exception of Ilkley Moor they were all good grouse moors in those immediate post-war years and there were grouse on Ilkley Moor too but nothing to what there had been in the pre-war years when in 1934 the record bag for Ilkley was 1,502 brace and that was in the middle of the depression.

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Amazing tale of captured Ilkley soldier’s prison camp radio

10:28am Thursday 30th July 2009

Allied servicemen who found themselves in German prisoner of war camps risked serious consequences if they broke the rules.

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What it takes to serve up that special service at Bettys

7:40am Thursday 23rd July 2009

There is something swanlike about the waitresses at Bettys. As they glide around the tea-rooms in Ilkley they radiate calm, making their job appear effortless.

American dream comes true for car fan Andrew

9:10am Thursday 16th July 2009

Like any other little boy, Andrew Bosomworth always had an interest in cars.

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Rob’s pledge to eat only local produce for a year

8:50am Thursday 9th July 2009

It used to be the domain of the flat-capped brigade, complete with sleeves rolled up to their elbows and braces.

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Knitting fanatics are reviving the great wonder of woollies

2:03pm Friday 3rd July 2009

What do celebrities Sienna Miller, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman . . . and a group of trendy Otley women have in common?

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Comedy is no laughing matter

1:24pm Thursday 25th June 2009

Some would say that juggling a full-time career with two young children is no laughing matter.

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