125 Years Ago - 1892

THE fortnightly meeting of the Horsforth Local Board was held on Monday evening. As to the question of the drain of Mr Lister’s Houses at Four Lane Ends, where typhoid fever had developed, the surveyor reported that he had been up that morning with a gang of workmen, and was about to take up and re-set the drain, but from solicitations from Mr Smith, who said he was going to remove his family when they were fit, he had refrained from opening the drains.

On Tuesday a horse belonging to Mr Cobb, of Summerfield, Apperley Lane, Guiseley, took fright at something whilst in Park Road, and bolted down the road at a fearful speed. The carriage to which the animal was attached, was very badly damaged, the shafts being broken clean off, and the horse was also very badly cut about the fetlocks. Fortunately, the occupants of the carriage - Mrs Cobb, and two children and nurse - were, with the exception of being considerably alarmed, not any the worse for the occurrence.

100 Years Ago - 1917

A MEETING is to be held in Ilkley in connection with the Serbian Relief Fund and the Red Cross Society. Their Highnesses, the Prince and Princess Alexis Kara Georgevitch have signified their intention to be present.

Mr Willima Le Queux, the well-known author, lectured on “The German Spy Peril” to a large audience in Ilkley Town Hall on Tuesday. Mr Le Queux, in referring to some of the events which led up to the war, mentioned that he placed in the hands of the British Secret Service, as early as 1908, the report of an amazing speech by the Kaiser, which showed very clearly what his intentions were towards England, yet even with the knowledge of this speech before them there were still Ministers then to be found ready to assure us that Germany was our firm and devoted friend. The danger of allowing Germans in this country their liberty, Mr Le Queux illustrated by quoting several cases which he had had to deal with.

75 Years Ago - 1942

THE Menston section of the Ilkley Home Food Production Corps held a show in the Menston Council School in aid of the Red Cross Agricultural Fund. Opener was Mr Henry Hargrave, chairman of Ilkley Council.

A bronze medal and certificate was awarded to Mr William Peart, of Pool, for having rescued a boy who was in danger of being drowned at New Brighton.

50 Years Ago - 1967

A SUGGESTION that the 250th anniversary next year of the birth in Otley of Thomas Chippendale, the cabinet maker, should be marked by a Post Office franking cancellation, was accepted by the General Purposes Committee of Otley Council on Monday. The Council is to be recommended to pay £75 towards the cost. The suggestion for a special postmark was made in a letter from the Chairman of the Chippendale Society County Coun. Austin E. Hughes.

Swinging Otley - for better, for worse, Otley’s Pop Civic Ball has come and gone. It had a big build-up, it roused interest over an area far and away beyond the town boundaries. It drew the crowds. It was a talking point long before it took place. It will be so for a long time to come. We may never see its like again. Whether it is a matter for regret or congratulations depends on individual viewpoint.

25 Years Ago - 1992

AN ANGLING society is aiming to provide a haven for birds and wildlife at an Otley lake. City planners will be asked to extend planning permission for the Leeds and District Amalgamated Society of Anglers, owners of Knotford Nook, Pool Road, to restore the banking at the lake and form a promontory and an island.

A memorial service for former Otley man Walter Hindle is to be held at the town’s Parish Church on Saturday, October 24. Mr Hindle, who emigrated to Canada and later moved to the United States, became a word-wide expert on man-made fibres. He died aged 83 in New York after a long illness. The New York Times published a full obituary on Mr Hindle, whose brother, Coun Norman Hindle, was last year’s Town Mayor of Otley.