Across the Years
Across the Years
125 years ago
Rags and Bones was the title of a lecture delivered by Mr Frank Curzon in the Otley Mechanics' Institute. The lecturer was very successful in the descriptions he drew of the human form and its adornments, and in ridiculing some of the most objectionable modes of female attire he made frequent and effective use of the blackboard. The lecture was thoroughly enjoyed.
The polling in connection with the election of seven persons to serve on the Yeadon school board took place with ten candidates for seven seats. From four to five o'clock there was quite a rush of voters. An excited throng burst the polling station door off its hinges and a disgraceful scene ensued making it impossible to continue the poll.
A greengrocer was charged with being drunk in charge of his own horse and cart in Wood Street, Horsforth. A police witness proved the case and the prisoner was fined 10sh and costs or seven days imprisonment.
100 years ago
The last stage of the Bolton case was reached on Monday when Joseph Bolton surren-dered to his bail and appeared before Mr Justice Sutton in the Criminal Court at the Leeds Assizes in answer to two separate charges of embezzlement and falsification of books. The Judge: "Joseph Bolton, you have pleaded guilty to the indictments charging you with de-frauding, in various ways, the district council of Otley of a large sum of money. The district council must have reposed complete trust in you and you have, I am sorry to say, betrayed that trust. What you did was endeavour to restore this money by that extremely foolish means, speculating on the Stock Exchange. The case is a serious one, the amount is large, but you have hitherto shown good character. I will not send you to penal servitude but I sentence you to 12 months' imprisonment in the second division."
Dr Muschamp, the Medical Officer of Health for Yeadon, said: "The number of deaths occurring in the district was 90, giving a death rate equal to 11.46 per thousand of the population. Tubercular diseases head the list of the causes of death with 17 - pthisis 13, and other tubercular diseases four. I am sorry to record that so far as this district is concerned there does not ap-pear to have been any diminuition in this disease during the last 20 years.
A familiar figure in Wharfedale agricultural circles and a member of one of the oldest farming families in the district has passed away in the person of Mr John Dawson, of Newall, who died on Sunday evening from blood poisoning. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 76th year, led an active life despite his advanced age. Mr Dawson took a deep interest in the work of the Wharfedale Agricultural Society and was actively connected with the body until a few years ago.
75 years ago
At the meeting of the Guiseley Education Committee this week the Deputy Clerk reported that there had been flooding of the cellars at the Guiseley New Council School. It seemed as though floodwater had drained from lighter ground into the foundations of the school. The water had entered the cellars through the brick walls to a depth of about three inches. A report is being sub-mitted to the official surveyor.
Sunday boxing is to continue in Guiseley - despite protests by clergy and ministers. A crowd of 500 turned up to the event last Sunday and pro-moters Mr Milne and Mr Shakespeare said the boxing would continue until there was no longer public support for the venture.
No arrest has yet been made in connection with an alleged house-breaking at Horsforth this week. It is understood that two men are wanted by police. The men allegedly broke into the house while the occupant, Mr C Crabtree ,was out with his friend, Mr H Wilcock. The bungalow on Leeds Road, was securely locked and vacated by the occupants. When they returned it was opened by a stranger who told them to 'Stick 'em up.' There was a short scuffle before the men fled.
50 years ago
Otley's loan debt last year rose to a £101 12s 3d per head of the population, an increase of nearly £10 compared with the previous year. This is one of the facts contained in the council's Abstract of Accounts for last year. The total loan debt at the financial year end was £1,148,237, and loan interest paid was £42,892. Statistics quoted illustrate rising costs.
After discussions and conferences covering a period of over 12 years, at start is at last being made on the preparation of a site in Rawdon for a £60,000 crematorium to serve the Airedale and Wharfedale areas. A detailed scheme for the crematorium was prepared some years ago but was held up be-cause of the refusal of the Min-istry of Housing and Local Government to grant a loan sanction.
Miss Caroline Sinclair, daughter of W F Sinclair, of Billams Hill, Otley, is to go to New Guinea as a missionary nurse. Miss Sinclair has been nursing in England since 1948. Eight out of ten children in new Guinea die before they are 13 because of the lack of medical attention.
25 years ago
Angry protesters dumped their household rubbish on the steps of the Council office at Rawdon this week after dustmen failed to empty their bins. Now an investigation has been promised after 140 bags of debris were found outside the Leeds City Council's area office at Micklefield House. The protest was revealed by Counc. William Hudson of Guiseley at a full meeting of the council. He said council staff were unable to get into work because of the bags on the pathway.
Long cherished plans by Otley Town Council to create a 14-acre park and recreation area on the site of the old sewage works, at Gallows Hill have run into a snag. The council has been told that they do not qualify for full grant aid and if they go ahead with the scheme on their own, they will have to find £15,000 towards the cost of acquiring the land.
The metal bell hung from the western gable of the old Puritan Chapel in Bramhope, has been stolen by thieves who vis-ited the building towards the end of last week. The bell was installed in 1962 shortly after the Chapel was re-stored.
1:29pm Thursday 13th March 2008
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