125 Years Ago - 1991

On Saturday afternoon last the teachers of the Wesleyan Sunday School in Guiseley and a few friends, numbering altogether about 70, had an excursion to Ingleton, and on the same day the members of the local branch of the Girls' Friendly Society had a meeting to Otley and Farnley Hall. In both cases an enjoyable time was spent.

On Saturday last between 30 and 40 members and friends of the Provident Mutual Improvement Society, Horsforth, visited Roundhay Park, that being the place selected for this year's picnic. After a very pleasant drive in waggonettes, the party reached their destination about five o'clock and were in good form for the excellent tea provided for them in the Canal Gardens. After tea the evening was spent very pleasantly, and in various ways, some visiting the beautiful gardens and rambling through the woods.

100 Years Ago - 1916

Corporal Horace Hustwick, of the West Yorks, in a letter home to Addingham, writes: "I hope you all had a nice Whitsuntide. Mine was spent in the trenches, and I shan't forget Whit-Saturday night, 1916, for a long time, as the Bosches gave us it hot for an hour and a half, but I think he always gets it the worst when he starts. I am pleased to inform you that I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the Addingham lads. During this last week or two I have seen Jack England, Arthur Holmes, Ellis Kettlewell, Wilfred Ettenfield, Teddy Lister, and Patsy McShea, and Larry McRink, and they are all looking well. I am pleased to say it is nice to come across old faces out here. I have seen Tom Throup too. I was sorry to hear about Fred Fisher getting killed, and a few more, and I can only wish all those who are left the best of luck in the future."

Since the outbreak of war the townspeople of Yeadon have provided and maintained two beds in the Yvetot Hospital near Rouen, France, for two years, have supported three or four families of Belgian refugees, contributed over £100 for the relief of Belgians in Belgium, and raised over £100 for sending Christmas presents to the many local soldiers and sailors who are doing their duty manfully for the country.

75 Years Ago - 1941

An inquest was open at Skipton, and adjourned for formal evidence, on Herbert Wood, aged 49, a garage proprietor, of Bolton Bridge, Bolton Abbey, who met his death on Monday in unusual circumstances. Mr Wood had been to Catgill Farm, Bolton Abbey, the home of Mr George Demaine, to repair an electric plant at the farm. As he was returning home he stopped to talk to Mr Demaine at the farm gates. Aircraft were flying overhead and Mr Wood had not sooner finished speaking when he fell to the ground. It is understood he had been struck by a machine-gun bullet. Mr Wood lived for about an hour but never regained consciousness.

The Farnley Estate Women's Institute started this week with jam-making under the Ministry of Food co-operative scheme for dealing with surplus fruit. A quantity of gooseberries and rhubarb was sent in, and the jam was made in the Parish Room at Leathley. Altogether 143 lbs of jam were made, and this is awaiting instructions from the Ministry of Food as to its disposal. Jam-making is to continued next Tuesday.

50 Years Ago - 1966

The opening of Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) for the Guiseley and Menston telephone areas will be marked by a ceremony at the Telephone Exchange in Bradford Road, Guiseley on Wednesday July 20.

Today most people realise that baths are of great importance to general health and fitness.Yet still a great many do not know the most beneficial way to take a bath, particularly in hot weather. Temperature of the water is most important. The warm bath, such as is take regularly, should not, for health sake, exceed 98 degrees fahrenheit.

25 Years Ago - 1991

Developers came under fire this week after unveiling a major scheme for a million pound motel in Addingham. Leeds-based Goldspot Limited wants to inject new life into the derelict former Dickinson's garage site by building a 34-bedroom motel, a restaurant and petrol station.

Ilkley's position within the Bradford district could be used as a yardstick for Britain's future role in a United Europe, an MP said this week. Ilkley and Keighley Tory MP Gary Waller was commenting on the raging debate over Britain's uncertain stance on the possibility of a Federal Europe. Mr Waller fears that a Brussels democracy would interfere in areas and issues which could be be handled better in this country. He said he did not want to see decisions for Britain being taken in Europe.