125 Years Ago - 1891

Some time ago Colonel Dawson offered to pay half the cost of establishing telephone communication from Otley to Weston Hall, so that in case of a fire, the steam-fire engine which he generously keeps ready and fully equipped might be summoned to the aid of the Otley fire brigade without a moment's delay, and even five minutes delay might mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The funeral of the late P. C. Dodsworth, of Yeadon, took place at the Yeadon Cemetery on Sunday afternoon last, and was very largely attended. The coffin was carried shoulder-height by policemen of the Otley Division.

100 Years Ago - 1916

When the war is over and the boys come home again, will they be content to resume their lives at the point they were broken off? That is a question which is bound to occupy the attention of all their relatives and friends, for a very large number of our soldiers were so young when they entered the army, and their responsibilities and experiences will have so widened their outlook upon life that though they went away boys, they will come back full grown and tested men. The war is giving them an opportunity to surprise themselves.

We regret to announce that news has been received, by Mr and Mrs T Rodgers, of Moorville, Bramhope ( who resided in Horsforth for 15 years) that their eldest son, Percival Hall Rodgers, was a victim of the disaster to the British submarine E20. It was in November that the announcement was made that the vessel was missing, and later Mr Rodgers received a communication to the effect that his son was a prisoner of war in Turkey. Last week, however, Mr and Mrs Rodgers were informed by the Admiralty that his name was not included in the list of survivors, and , therefore he must be regarded as having lost his life.

75 Years Ago - 1941

A suggestion that hostels should be established where husbands can stay at weekends when they want to visit their evacuated families, is among the recommendations put forward by a Ministry of Health Committee, set up for the dual purpose of easing the burden on householders and suggesting new methods of inducing evacuees to "stay put." We have a number of the London mothers and families in this area, but I am told that it is doubtful whether a move in the direction of hostels for the husbands will be necessary.

Good progress is being made in the project for an Aireborough municipal restaurant at Yeadon Town Hall. The appeal made in the "Wharfedale Observer" for women volunteers has met with an encouraging response, but still more women are needed. A meeting of women was held at Yeadon on Wednesday and a substantial batch of volunteers was registered. At least 100 women must be enrolled before an effective start can be made. Already 70 names have been handed in, so that another 30 are wanted for minimum requirements. As already stated, it is intended to provide hot mid-day meals, and the cost of dinners will be reasonable

50 Years Ago - 1966

The vicar of St Margaret's Church, Ilkley, the Rev Tom H. Levesley, in his report to the annual vestry and parish meetings on Monday evening said he regretted the fact that many of the parishioners did not use the Church of St Margaret's as their parish church. Brides and babies alike seemed to shun the church on these two great days of their lives, said Mr Levesley.

Chairman of several firms of road contractors and quarry owners Mr Leonard Booth (76) of Red Ridge, Ben Rhydding Road, Ilkley, died in Ilkley Coronation Hospital on Sunday morning. After leaving school Mr Booth began work as a pony boy in the pits before he eventually reached the position of a mining engineer.

Almost every week, an Horsforth engineer faces a new challenge to keep children and grown up television viewers happy. He is 53-year-old Mr Bill Garrett, of Regent Road, creator of the props and gadgets used by television personality Mr Harry Corbett, of Guiseley, in his children's television programme, "Sooty."

25 Years Ago-1991

Otley is bracing itself for an invasion by the Danes - but in the most acceptable and commercially promising way. Next Thursday the Netto grocery store, which is part of the Dansk supermarket group, with outlets in many parts of Europe, will open its doors in the large stone-faced premises at the bottom of Otley bus station.

Without exception, the weekend services at churches throughout the district, from tiny village chapels to parish churches in the larger towns, have included prayers for the safety of those engaged in the Gulf war and for an early cessation of hostilities. For the many families who have relatives or friends in the armed forces, and also those with loved ones working near the conflict, this is a worrying time.