125 Years Ago - 1891

The Ambulance Centre in Otley is in urgent need of funds, and it is to be hoped that the public will liberally support any movement which may help to fill the coffers of the executive. Surely it is scarcely necessary to plead with our ever-widening circle of readers for this great work of affording aid to the injured in time of sore need?

The season is commencing once more for the frolicsome performance of those highwaymen who care nothing for the laws of meum et tuum and who break off branches of laburnums, lilacs, rhododendrons and whatever their destructive vandalism may suggest to their vacuous minds, with glorious impartiality as to the person owning the bloom.

100 Years Ago - 1916

Pte John Burke of Addingham, in a letter to Mr C Flint says: "At first when we came out we went to the base to finish our training. Then we were sent to join our battalion. They were in a wood behind the firing line, but they did not stop there very long. I have been posted to the bombers, and within four or five days I was in the trenches. The first time in is a very exciting time,what with hearing the whirl of the whizz-bangs and the screech of the shells as they go over head. My word, it is a very different experience to what most people in England think it is, but one soon gets used to it, and is able to look after one's-self."

Mr and Mrs F. A. Bould, of 2, Rockville Terrace, Yeadon, have received an official communication from the War Office, that their son, Pte. Reg. Bould, of the London Riffles, who has previously been reported "Missing since May 10th, 1915" is now "presumed to have met his death on or about May 10th, 1915." This information is given after very exhaustive enquiries.

75 Years Ago - 1941

Otley has lost by far the oldest milk retailer in the town, and the oldest tradesman, by the death on Monday of Mr Harry Seaman, of West Chevin Cottage, Otley. He was 86. Mr Seaman came to Otley with his mother and three sisters in 1869, at the age of 14 years, and for a time worked at Maple Bank( now Maple Grange) Later he worked for the late Mr Stephen Parkinson, at the Old Beehive grocer's shop and then set up on his own account in 1883 as a milkman.

There is a danger that the siren at Bramhope may not be used owing to a lack of volunteers. Mr Phil S Wade, Clerk to the Wharfedale Rural District Council, in a letter to the Editor writes: - "After much negotiation the Council was successful in persuading the 'powers that be' to establish a siren at Bramhope on the condition that it was continuously manned. I am informed that owing to the number of resignations it may not be possible to continue this siren. If volunteers do not come forward within the next few days I shall reluctantly have to give instructions for the siren to be discontinued. " As this letter so clearly indicates, it now rests with the people of Bramhope as to whether or not they shall be warned of impending danger.

50 Years Ago - 1966

Last Saturday marked the end of the removal of the Ilkley-Skipton railway line. Workmen cut the lines on the embankment overlooking the Brook Street car park before moving on to take up the rails over Brook Street bridge. It is understood that work on the removal of the bridge will be carried out one weekend in the very near future.

Quite contrary to the national trend, Ilkley's National Savings have increased over the past year, when over half a million pounds were saved at a rate of almost £10,000 per week. This was announced at the annual meeting of the Ilkley National Savings Committee, held on Wednesday.

25 Years Ago - 1991

An ancient well is being restored to protect one of the few remaining examples of Ilkley's spa town history. And the Olicana Museum and Historical Society is hoping the improvements of the Victorian well will boost the town's entry in the Entente Florale - the top European floral contest. The well is situated in what used to be the garden of the Spa Hydropathic Hotel, in The Grove, which was demolished last year.

Airport chiefs who were given the go-ahead to extend the apron at Yeadon never expected to end up digging up coal. But that's exactly what happened. While excavation work was going on to move soil, workmen struck a seam containing between 5,000 and 8,000 tonnes of coal.