125 Years Ago - 1893

On Monday, a pony, attached to a light trap, bolted from the Craven Heifer Inn, Addingham, and dashed through the village at a furious pace. Opposite Dr. Bates’s it ran into a projecting wall, breaking the shafts off the vehicle. The pony was not stopped til it reached Low Mill.

Our readers will be glad to learn that out of the mortality statistics presented to the County Council for the West Riding of Yorkshire, for the year 1891, Ilkley showed the lowest death-rate. This is the second year in succession that Ilkley has occupied this position.

100 Years Ago - 1918

Corporal Jasper Scaife, West Riding Regiment, whose wife and family resided in Railway Road, Ilkley, died of wounds on January 13th. Corporal Scaife joined the Ilkley “Pals” Company of the West Ridings after the great recruiting meeting in the King’s Hall in the early days of the war. He was three times wounded and once “gassed,” receiving terrible injuries to his back on January 6th, from which he died. Corporal Scaife had the reputation of being particularly brave and fearless, ready to volunteer for any kind of dangerous work necessary, and he had volunteered to undertake the task which led to his death. He was nearly 38 years of age, and leaves a wife and two daughters.

Wharfedale Squadron of National Motor Volunteers. Orders for the week - There will be a lecture to-night on poison gas, with demonstrations at 8.30. Members may bring a friend. - By order, W. H. Arnold-Forster, Squadron Commander.

75 Years Ago - 1943

Captain Fred Campion (West Yorks Regt.), whose home is at 22, Oatlands Drive, Otley, is on leave after two years, during which time he has had experiences to last a lifetime. He went out to the Middle East two years ago and saw a good deal of desert fighting. He was one of the garrison besieged in Tobruk for five months, he has been torpedoed, he was adrift in a lifeboat for six days, he dined on a German submarine, he was interned in French Morocco for five months, he was freed after the Allied landings, and was then taken to America before returning to England.

Clothing Coupon Law: When shopping over the counter never cut or tear the clothing coupons out of your book yourself. The coupons must be taken out by the shop keeper. It is illegal to sell coupons. Coupons may not be given away to anyone outside your family. If no one in the family needs them, no one else should spend them. It is illegal to ask for rationed goods - e.g., silk stockings - from abroad.

50 Years Ago - 1968

The dry stone walls around the Ilkley District greatly impressed Mr. Robert Rickwood, of North Surrey, British Colombia, Canada, during a visit to this country with his wife. Mrs Rickwood, who was formerly Ruth Dickinson, in a letter to the “Ilkley Gazette” says she was born in Ilkley and that her father was the late Jack Dickinson, a butcher in Leeds Road. Mrs Rickwood says that it was her husband’s first visit to England and as his father, Frederick Rickwood, was a native of the town he was most interested in his visit. His father was a prominent golfer in the Ilkley area and laid out the Ilkley Moor golf course. “My husband was fascinated by the stone walls around Ilkley,” says Mrs. Rickwood.

A rate reduction equivalent to 1d. in the pound is to be made by Addingham Parish Council during the 1968/69 financial year. From a 4d. rate for general expenditure last year the Council at its meeting on Monday agreed to cut this to 3d.

25 Years Ago - 1993

Anti-noise campaigners have stepped up their opposition to night flying from Leeds Bradford Airport. The airport is presently open from 7am to 11.30pm but there is the possibility of an application soon being made for 24-hour flying.

Agriculture Minister John Gummer has assured sheep farmers in the Dales that they would receive higher subsidies this year than last year. He says increases in the Sheep Annual Premium Subsidy would more than cancel out the reduction in Hill Livestock Compensatory allowances.