COMEDY cricket was once all the rage - with players dressing and behaving foolishly to raise money for charity.

This group of men were clearly getting into the spirit when they posed for a photograph which was then made into a postcard and which has survived in the Ilkley Gazette archives.

No details remain but the picture looks at though it could date back a century or so. The tradition was still going strong in Ilkley in 1937 when a comic cricket match was filmed by British Pathe.

Men and women took part in the game and were seen struggling to grasp the rules and falling over theatrically.

An altogether more sober event was photographed decades later when the Otley and District Trades Council set up stall in the market town. The photograph is believed to have been taken in 1971.

First World War bulletins by Richard Thackrah: l Sgt Drummer Harry Blackie, a well-known Yorkshire musician, appointed Bugle Instructor to 17th Service Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment undergoing training in Ilkley.

l Showing at Kings Hall, Detective Burton’s Triumph.

l BR Wesleyan Church Sunday School Institute opened for use by soldiers.

l Royal Engineers parade on Regent Road after their arrival in the town.

l Ilkley workshops offered for production of munitions of war.

l In Ilkley and District there are several wheelwright, joiner and blacksmith shops and foundries. The Director of Artillery says Army Council will be in touch if need to use facilities.