Scenes like this may be a thing of the past

This picture shows people trying to dig through a 12ft snowdrift outside the Dog and Gun at Oxenhope to free a stranded lorry carrying cattle food in 1958. It's one of many extreme pictures in a new book by TV weatherment Ian McCaskill and Paul Hudson. Click here to see Behind the News

Royal visitors head for Farnley Hall

9:43am Thursday 7th August 2008

125 years ago The Mayor of Leeds - Mr E Woodhouse - has received an intimation from Mr Ayscough Fawkes, of Farnley Hall, to the effect that their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany will be his guests during their approaching visit to Leeds in connection with the Musical Festival.

Temepernce Society head for the coast

10:18am Thursday 31st July 2008

125 years ago The Otley Temperence Society again announced two cheap trips: one to Blackpool and one to Scarboro (sic). At the latter place, the Engineer Volunteers will be in camp and, if the weather keeps up, there is no doubt that these annual trips, which are always well managed, will be liberally patronised. Captain Dawson, of the Engineer Volunteers, expressed his disappointment that he would not be allowed to take all the men to Scarboro.

Debating Society members visit Farnley Hall

8:48am Thursday 24th July 2008

125 years ago Farnley Hall, the ancient seat of the Fawkeses and the abode of Turner's most generous patron, was visited by members of the Leeds Debating Society, who had a most enjoyable time of it in inspecting the large collection of Turner's pictures, and the other relics and antiquities of a bygone age.

Flower Festival brings colour to Otley

9:30am Saturday 12th July 2008

125 years ago A Flower Festival is advertised to be held in the Salem School Room, Otley, when an attractive programme will be submitted for the delectation of the audience. There will be an address by the Reverend S D Hillman and songs and readings by members of the Sunday School Band of Hope.

Branch line agreed for High Royds

1:47pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

125 years ago The Justices Committee at the West Riding Sessions reported that a piece of land between the Midland Railway and the Otley and Skipton Road at Menston had been duly conveyed by the Clerk of the Peace for the purpose of making a branch railway to the asylum estate at Menston. The Lunacy Commissioners had approved of the plans for the asylum and the work was being carried out at a sum of £3,500.

Boy damaged arm trying to hitch a ride on a lurry

4:34pm Thursday 26th June 2008

125 years ago As Messrs. Duncan's lurry (sic) was going along Scarborough Street in Otley, a lad about five years of age, son of Mr Moon, boot and shoemaker ran behind it with the intention of securing a ride. The lad's arm caught between the wheel and a piece of wood, was drawn in causing bruising and tearing it badly. His injuries were later treated by Doctor Duckworth.

Driver of wherry trapped in Horsforth accident

2:38pm Thursday 19th June 2008

125 years ago The driver of a Wherry driving into the goods yard at Carr Bridge Station, Horsforth, by some means or other fell off on the shafts. The horse, being in the act of turning a sharp corner at the time he received a vary severe crushing between the shaft and the wherry. The man was insensible for threequarters of an hour. We understand he is doing well.

Cricket match treat for Otley publicans

9:53am Thursday 12th June 2008

125 years ago A friendly game of cricket was played on the Otley ground by a number of publicans from Leeds. At the close an adjournment was made to the Black Horse Hotel, where a capital spread was partaken of and an enjoyable evening spent.

Supply of sandbags to reduce flooding threat 4:00pm Thu 5 Jun 08 125 years ago An accident of a very serious nature happened to an Otley man of the name of John Barber. A man working with Barber asked him to give him a lift with some molten metal. One of them let the pan of metal fall and some of the molten fluid went on Barber inflicting serious injury. He was taken to Leeds Infirmary where he is progressing as well as can be expected.

Across the Years

4:23pm Thursday 29th May 2008

125 years ago During this week in Horsforth extra facillities for posting letters have been made, two new wall letter boxes having been put in, one in Doctor Pindar's garden wall, in Long Row and the other in Scotland Lane. The boxes will be collected at ten o'clock in the morning and seven o'clock in the evening; and no doubt will proved a great boon to the inhabitants.

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