125 Years Ago - 1893

On Whit-Wednesday Mr. Thos. Duncan , J.P., gave his usual annual treat to all the inmates of the workshouse. It partook of a ham tea, to which ample justice was done. After a good supply of sweets, the Misses Duncan presented each smoker with an ounce of tobacco; non-smokers received a bag of spice and biscuits, and the invalid old women a bag of tea and sugar.

On Monday two cyclists, Mr. E. White, and his son, were riding a tandem bicycle along the Otley Road, near Menston Asylum, when they noticed a man, holding a garden shovel above his head, running across the fields towards them. Clearing the hedge at a bound the maniac, for such he proved to be, darted across the road, and with upraised shovel deliberately dashed himself against the side of the bicycle. Mr. White and his son were both flung violently to the ground. On picking themselves up they found a warder had arrived, and he succeeded in getting the man away.

100 Years Ago - 1918

To-day is Empire Day and as usual it was celebrated at the Ilkley Grammar School by the rendering of patriotic songs and an address suitable for the occasion. The boys were addressed by Mr. R. S. Dower. M.A., of Ilkley, lecturer in Economics at the Leeds University. Mr. Dower said the British Empire is unique. We should be proud and thankful to belong to it, for it is the largest, most free, and most varied Empire the world has ever seen. The Empires of the past, such as Rome, were based on military power and slavery. Our Empire is quite different. It is not held together by armies, but by affection loyalty and sympathy.

Lt. Philipp F. Dale, Essex Regiment, eldest son of the Rev. Herbert Dale, rector of Hornchurch,Essex, and grandson of Mrs. Cooke, Summerfield, Ilkley, has just reached his home, having escaped from Ludwigshafen, in Germany, where he has been confined for two years and seven months, having been captured at Loos on September 26, 1915. He had made four previous attempts to escape.

75 Years Ago - 1943

Here are some rules to be followed out for one month, two months or longer if necessary by those who are run down or look pale and thin. They are recommended to both men and women. Eat your full ration of fats, they are worth the money. Eggs, milk and butter are very valuable. Bacon, brown bread, cocoa and green vegetables are good. The diet should be varied , and should contain fresh vegetables or salads every day. Sleep with the window wide open: if possible sleep on a verandah or in the open air.

Flight-Sergt. Harold W. Mills, R.A.F., second son of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Mills, Grange Crescent, Yeadon, has been awarded the distinguished flying medal. The official citation states: Flight-Sergeant Mills has taken part in many operational sorties, including daylight attacks on Le Creusot and Osnabruck. On several occasions his aircraft been attacked by enemy fighters, both by day and night.

50 Years Ago - 1968

“Too rife is the attitude in this country today that Number One comes first and to hang with everybody else.” Speaking at the annual meeting of the Wharfedale District Scout Council in Burley-in-Wharfedale on Monday night, the District Commissioner, Mrs K. E. Day, said: “We have the chance of training boys to make them realise that self comes second.”

Ilkley Railway Supporters Association has informed the Ilkley Urban District Council this week of its disagreement with the proposal in the town centre redevelopment plan to move Ilkley Railway Station to a point east of its present site. The group has criticised the Bridge Lane - Castle Road proposals.

25 Years Ago - 1993

Artist Chris Wade has just finished one of his more bizarre paintings - a duck with bombs and missiles fitted under its wings! But the 38-year-old stresses that he has not suddenly gone quackers. The work simply adds the finishing touch to a major revamp of the Mallard Inn, in Church Street, Ilkley.

Elderly people are either patronised or insulted because of their age, it was claimed this week. Age Concern development officer Celia Duncalf says too many people treat pensioners as pitiful objects or soft targets of fun because ageism is infecting society. Now she has launched a new drive in the Wharfe Valley area in a bid to bridge the widening generation gap.