Injured orphanage matron was brave enough to soldier on with her duties (From Wharfedale Observer)

Looking back with the Ilkley Gazette and the Wharfedale Observer

12:03pm Friday 25th May 2012 in Across the Years

125 Years Ago – 1887

The annual meeting in connection with the Ilkley and Wharfedale Orphanage was held at the Spa Hydropathic Establishment on Thursday afternoon. Dr Scott said the health of the institution in previous years had been excellent and the present was no exception to the rule. There had been a few ailments, the most serious of which was that of the oldest orphan – the matron, who had had an accident, but had since been able to discharge her duties.

A labourer, native of Dublin, was charged at Otley Police Court with being drunk and disorderly at 6pm the previous Saturday. PC Cookshaw proved the case and stated that the man was very drunk, and used disgusting language. When requested to leave the street he became very violent, challenging the officer out to fight, until after he was locked up at the police station. The prisoner was committed to Wakefield for 14 days.

100 Years Ago – 1912

On Friday afternoon a somewhat serious riding accident befell Miss Vera Garnett. Miss Garnett was riding on horseback unaccompanied, from Otley in the direction of Ilkley, and when passing a tar-engine the animal took fright and set off at a gallop along the road leading to Burley. She retained her seat until reaching Burley, when the horse slipped on the tarmac on the sharp bend opposite the Malt Shovel. She was picked up by several men who were standing near, and carried to the house of Dr Hebblethwaite. Fortunately no bones were broken, but Miss Garnett received several injuries about the face. The animal was bruised on the left side.

At the meeting of the Ilkley Footpaths and Commons Preservation Committee, it was reported that a path on Primrose Hill leading towards Middleton village had been blocked up. Suggestions were also made for an improvement and extension of the footpath of the proposed path to be made on the Moor to the Swastika Stone, so that it will join another path and give an outlet to the West.

75 Years Ago – 1937

A well-known local builder, of Yeadon, was removed to Leeds Infirmary in the Guiseley Motor Ambulance early on Tuesday morning suffering from a gun-shot wound in the chest. It is understood that he walked into his home, where he lives with his mother, about 1 o’clock on Tuesday morning. There was blood on his coat, and he was bleeding from the chest. A double-barrelled sporting gun was found in a field near his home. It is not known how he came to be wounded, but the police do not suspect foul play.

The funeral of Mr SM Whitaker, of Netherwood, Ilkley, one of Horsforth’s leading personalities in public life, took place on Friday at Horsforth Cemetery. Mr Whitaker died suddenly last week from heart trouble. A large gathering at the funeral was representative of Mr Whitaker's wide circle of friends in business and public life. A service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev FG Britton, of Addingham, assisted by the Rev EC Palmer, formerly minister of Horsforth Grove Methodist Church.

50 Years Ago – 1962

For the first time in ten years Otley Show was badly hit by the weather. A pouring wet night marred by a persistent drizzle during the morning of the show literally put a dampener on its prospects. Although the rain ceased for a time and there was even a burst or two of sunshine, the outlook never looked promising, and in the afternoon down came the rain again. Even so, it is estimated that 14,000 people braved the wet and muddy condition.

Wharfedale Business and Professional Women’s Club held their last international meeting of the club year on Tuesday evening, when Mrs ME Walton, international chairman, presided. After welcoming visitors from Greece, Holland, Germany and Ghana, and members’ friends, the chairman introduced Miss ME Thomas, secretary of the Harrogate branch of the United Nations Association.

25 Years Ago – 1987

The Conservative election campaign in the Leeds NW constituency reached its peak on Tuesday with a visit to Otley of Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe QC. This was the first time for several years that a senior minister has visited the town – apart from the Prime Minister passing through by coach – and his arrival was greeted by Conservative supporters. Amid tight security he was escorted into the Conservative Club in Boroughgate, to be met by Dr Keith Hampson and members of the local and constituency parties.

Simon Thornton, chartered surveyor and estate agent, has sold Westville House School in Ilkley to Dr Michael Tait, who will take it over in September. He will be building on the excellent reputation of his predecessors, John and Hilda Bennett, and is particularly pleased to have been able to acquire a school of such popularity. He is introducing scholarships and holding open evenings in June.