125 Years Ago -1891

Mr John Chaffer, a gentleman widely known and highly respected in the district of Yeadon and Guiseley, died on Sunday morning last from bronchitis, after a little over a week's illness. The deceased gentleman, who had attained his 70th year, had been for a period of 53 years an active worker in the cause of temperance, and had also for a considerable number of years taken a prominent part in the affairs of the Mechanic's Institute.

On Tuesday at the West Riding Police Court John Wm Jackson, cabinet maker, Town Street, Horsforth, was fined 7s 6d for allowing his dog to run about unmuzzled on the 6th inst.

100 Years Ago – 1916

Now is the time for the patriotic greybeard to prove the stuff he’s made of! Many over-age ineligibles have voiced the cry – “If only I were young enough!” The Volunteers have become recognised by the government under the Volunteer Act of 1863 and amendments, and the man who now joins, even though he is a good deal over the age limit for the Regular Army or the Territorials, can be as much a solider, and “do his bit “ equally with the Tommy in the trenches, all things considered.

Under the date of May 12th, Pte Fred Johnson, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, writes home to his mother ( Mrs Johnson, of 9, town Street, Yeadon) that he has won the new military medal, which he hopes to be lucky enough to come home and wear. It has been awarded to him, he says, for gallantry during a heavy bombardment on 26th of April.

Johnson, who went out to the front in July last year, has, we are informed, performed several daring deeds, including the saving of an officer’s life, and in celebration of the honour conferred upon him, several householders hung out flags on Wednesday.

75 Years Ago – 1941

Official intimation has been received that Signaller Herbert Bona, younger son of Mr Frank Bona, 40 Caxton Road, Otley and the later Mrs Annie Bona, had been killed in action in the Middle East. Signaller Bona, who was 21, was in the Royal Horse Artillery. He was called up in January last year and went overseas in September. Since then his father received two letters from him but no indication of his whereabouts was disclosed. A letter, posted on February 27, arrived at his home the day after the telegram announcing his death was received. Signaller Bona attended Otley St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School as a boy.

The question in Ilkley at the moment is not as to whether the Ilkley War Weapons Week will be a success; that is already, practically speaking, a foregone conclusion. When the objective was fixed at £220,000 some weeks ago, there were those who thought the Committee were being bold indeed. They pointed out that Otley and the Wharfedale Rural Area fixed their objective at £75,000 and regarded themselves as very fortunate in reaching a final total of £250,000.

50 Years Ago – 1966

The supply of a double pan fish fryer at an estimated cost of £240 for the Ilkley College of Education was approved by the West Riding County Council at its meeting on Wednesday. Arrangements are to be made for a sum of £1,000 to be included in the revised estimates to cover the cost of the provision of an electric sub-station at the College.

A solution to meet the increasing pressure on accommodation at the Ilkley Infants School is not easily found while uncertainty exists about the future pattern of education in the area. This was stated at the monthly meeting of the Ilkley Education Committee on Monday. Figures for the two schools showed that in April there were 169 children at the county infants school and 141 at the All Saints Infants School. This total of 310 was expected to increase to 380 in 19 70.

25 Years Ago – 1991

A leading television director has backed a growing campaign to save an Ilkley post office from closure. Alan Bell, whose famous credits include "The Bill," has joined protests at plans to close the near century-old sub-post office in Skipton Road, at the end of August. He has added his signature to a 400-strong petition against the closure.

Best-selling novelist Jilly Cooper will be making a welcome return to her home town Ilkley on Tuesday morning. Although she was born in Hornchurch, Essex, Jilly spent much of her childhood in Ilkley and was educated at Moorfield School, in Ben Rhydding Road. Jilly will be signing copies of her new book "Polo" at The Grove Bookshop.