125 Years Ago – 1892

Under the auspices of the Yeadon, Guiseley and District Factory Workers’ Union a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, Guiseley on Tuesday. There was a large attendance, including a fair sprinkling of women, and the proceedings were characterised by great enthusiasm. Mr. Maguire and Miss Ford, (who also addressed the meeting) spoke upon the importance of organisation , and pointed out the advantages and benefits that could be gained by having a strong union.

The unwelcome presence of a smallpox epidemic in Otley can no longer be denied. For the past two or three weeks, it did not seem wise, nor productive of any possible good results, to alarm the public mind unnecessarily. But there is no longer any useful purpose to be served by reticence about this scourge; and it is better that the public should be warned to adopt measures of precaution.We are told that nearly two hundred and fifty people have been re-vaccinated in Otley during the past fortnight.

100 Years Ago – 1917

Captain Charles Nixon Smith, of the 2nd West Riding Field Ambulance, who resides at Summerdyne, Margerison Road, Ben Rhydding, has been awarded the Military Cross. Before the war he was one of the school doctors working under the West Riding County Council, and joined the R.A.M.C in 1914, proceeding to France in 1915. He was mentioned in despatches in 1916.

The first batch of Christmas parcels for men belonging to the Ilkley District serving in the Army and Navy are being despatched this week. For those serving abroad the parcel consists of a tin of tobacco, box of cigarettes, café au lait, tin of toffee, packet of spearmint, Christmas cake, plum pudding, box of oxo cubes, tin of Pomfret cakes, candles, and a pair of woollen socks.

75 Years Ago – 1942

Announcing two deaths at the Menston Isolation Hospital in the last month of children not immunised against diphtheria , and others in a serious condition, Dr J W Hyslop, Medical Superintendent at the Hospital, again stressed the importance of immunisation. Dr Hyslop told the Joint Hospital Board that of the 59 patients, 19 of these were suffering from diphtheria. Most were children from two to ten years of age.

Marking the retirement of Miss Holroyd from the position of headmistress of the Ilkley Church of England Girls’ School a presentation ceremony took place at the school. Miss Holroyd has been headmistress of the school since 1916.

50 Years Ago – 1967

The days when a notorious poaching gang at Horsforth was led by a woman are recalled in an interesting series of articles on the history of the township in the parish magazine of St. James’ Church, Woodside. One of the articles refers to Ann Page, ‘one of Horsforth’s famous, or rather, infamous characters who lived in the 1880’s. “At an early age she displayed a great liking for all types of mannish sports, of which her favourite was cock-fighting. She also took a great delight in dog fights, and the pure bred bull-dogs which she kept for that purpose were so savage as to be champions for miles around. She was also the leader of a gang of poachers and carried out thefts and burglaries.

Otley Estates Committee is to arrange a meeting of Otley Swimming Club to discuss any ideas the club may have for cutting the losses on the bathing pool in Wharfemeadows Park.

25 Years Ago – 1992

Crew members of HMS Osiris submarine are arriving in Ilkley tomorrow for celebrations marking the town’s links with the Royal Navy vessel. They are guests of the town which adopted the submarine in 1942. The boat’s bell is being handed over to Ilkley Parish Council as a souvenir of a vessel destined to be scrapped.

Wharfedale’s newest landmarks are now equipped and ready for action. The four 100ft high wind turbines sited at Chelker Reservoir were this week fitted with 35ft wide blades. The windfarm will eventually provide one quarter of the electricity needed to power the reservoir pumping station on the A65.