Wharfedale news, s port, entertainment and local information from Wharfedale Observer

Electoral Commission to monitor voting in Bradford district

9:00am Saturday 25th May 2013

Plans to restrict postal voting and introduce ballot box identity checks have been welcomed by senior politicians, after it was announced the district of Bradford will be monitored closely during the next 12 months by an elections watchdog in a bid to clamp down on polling fraud.

Beamsley Project chief says farewell

2:00pm Saturday 25th May 2013

Trustees of the Beamsley Project have said farewell to their chairman Peter Shields.

Otley campaigners' trip to London to support stop hunger rally

1:00pm Saturday 25th May 2013

Campaigners from Otley will head to London next month as part of a new drive to end world hunger.

Grand opening of Ilkley community cafe draws closer

1:00pm Saturday 25th May 2013

More than 40 people went along to Ilkley’s community cafe Outside the Box as the venture held its first volunteer recruitment evening.

Ilkley allotments back in parish council's hands

11:00am Saturday 25th May 2013

Allotments in Ilkley will officially be back in the hands of the town’s councillors soon, almost 40 years after they were taken over by Bradford Council.

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Guiseley salon achieves four-star rating in Good Salon Guide

10:00am Saturday 25th May 2013

A Guiseley hairdressers has been awarded a four star rating in the Good Salon Guide.

Otley schools get help with growing own vegetables

9:00am Saturday 25th May 2013

An Otley supermarket will be working with schoolchildren to encourage them to grow and sell their own produce.

Former Ring o' Bells pub will be Otley Tavern after opening night

9:00am Saturday 25th May 2013

An Otley pub is ringing the changes with a new name, new look, more space - and the introduction of cask ales.

Appeal to get Otley business booming

9:00am Friday 24th May 2013

A local councillor is calling for city-wide support to help Otley establish the first Business Improvement District in Leeds.

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Bradford district's healthcare consumer champion scheme launched

4:00pm Friday 24th May 2013

The Bradford district’s new consumer champion for health and social care is ready to help people get the best from health and social care services.

Meditation day on Ilkley Moor

12:15pm Friday 24th May 2013

The Kagyu Buddhist Group, Ilkley, will host a day of Buddhist meditation on Ilkley Moor on Saturday, May 25. The venue is Black Pots Farm (Light Bank Lane, Silsden BD20 0NL) and the cost is £10, or £7 for concessions. Refresh-ments are provided, but participants should bring outdoor wear and lunch to share. For more details, call (01535) 655217 or see dechen.org.

Otley Chevin to host national dry stone walling contest

12:00pm Friday 24th May 2013

Dry stone wallers from across the country will take part in a competition at Otley this year.

Bramhope Arts Club holds outdoor exhibition

11:38am Friday 24th May 2013

An outdoor exhibition of works by Bramhope Arts Club will be held at Golden Acre Park this Bank Holiday weekend. Paintings and cards created by members will be on sale in the park between 10am and 4pm on Sunday and Monday.

Horsforth pub holds pint and pie festival

11:36am Friday 24th May 2013

The Bridge, in Low Lane, Horsforth, has announced its first ever Beer and Pie Festival to be held this weekend. Making full use of its large beer garden, The Bridge will be offering 20 cask ales. The pub’s chef is busy preparing a wide range of his famous pies. The festival will include a hog roast, raffle, quiz and for children a bouncy castle. Tickets are available in advance with a discount for early booking.

Number of development sites in Ilkley doubled by Council

9:00am Friday 24th May 2013

A new Bradford Council land survey has doubled the number of sites identified for potential housing development in Ilkley.

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Hunt is on for Ilkley Literature Festival resident poet

9:00am Friday 24th May 2013

The hunt is on for an official poet in residence and short term staff to work at this year’s 40th anniversary Ilkley Literature Festival.

Submit your Tour de France poems for Otley anthology

9:00am Friday 24th May 2013

Otley Word Feast Press is calling for submissions of poems for their anthology to celebrate the 2014 Tour de France starting in Yorkshire and passing through Otley, a nationally recognised centre for cycling with its famous cycling heritage.

Yeadon

12:48pm Friday 24th May 2013

ST JOHN’S CHURCH: This week our Sunday services will be a 9.30am morning prayer, an 11am contemporary communion, and a 3pm traditional holy communion. Join us at any of these services or come to the church hall on Saturday, June 1, from 10am to noon for a coffee morning in aid of Christian Aid. Come along to have a chat, a drink, cake or biscuit and support the work of Christian Aid.

Wharfedale

12:48pm Friday 24th May 2013

BRIDGE CLUB: On Friday, May 17, six and a half tables played 21 boards, N/S: 1st Mrs Myers & Mrs Pacey, 2nd Mrs Denmark & Mrs Forster; E/W: 1st Mr & Mrs Sunderland, 2nd Mrs Carter & Mrs Suddards.

Rawdon

12:47pm Friday 24th May 2013

MERCURY MOVIE MAKERS: Our recent meeting featured films from Roy Vickers’ extensive library of films. Roy and his wife Jean are accomplished film-makers and have been members of Mercury Movie Makers for some years. Plant Magic, filmed in 1987, described wildflowers on Otley Chevin with their names and uses being described by a botanist. Spoilt for Choice followed and then Woodman’s Dream, filmed in 1985, showed how a man with a chainsaw can create works of art from a tree trunk, showing the felling right through to the finished article. As time goes by, filmed in 2006, visited the Yorkshire Film Archives with an interview of Binnie Baker. Busfield's last run, of 1996, showed the process of making and bottling soft drinks, starting with the washing of the returned bottles right through to the labelling of bottles ready to go to the shops. It was their last run as their equipment was outdated and could not take the modern process of PET bottling and canning. Yorkshire Broad Acres, from 1996, was a typical Out and About of Yorkshire with excellent commentary by Peter Byrne. Old Peculier and Wensleydale Cheese both filmed in 1996 were excellent films promoting the manufacture of beer in Masham and cheese in Hawes. Bosom Friends, of 2012, was taken at Bradford Grammar School where the awareness of breast cancer was demonstrated by ladies giving a fashion show. This sequence was shot for ITV’s Calendar. A similar film showed the opposition of the proposed building on a greenfield site in Menston where Roy was present during the filming for the One Show on BBC television in 2013. This proved to be another interesting view of the various aspects of filming in Yorkshire. Further details of the club may be available on its website at mercurymovie makers.com.

Pool-in-Wharfedale

12:45pm Friday 24th May 2013

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: We opened the meeting debating the resolution on the ‘decline of our streets and town centres’. After a very interesting debate we voted for or against it and the result will be taken to the national AGM in Cardiff in June. We then went on to have a fun afternoon with a chocolate tasting quiz and a chocolate quiz. Our tea hostesses provided us with lovely chocolate cakes and a superb cup of tea. It was an afternoon with a difference but very enjoyable. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, June 11, when the speaker will be Julie Clarke talking to us about B&B. We meet in the comfortable lounge of Wharfedale Court, Main Street, starting at 2pm. Come and join us, you will be given a warm welcome. For further details, ring Sue Brown on (0113) 2842983.

Otley

12:44pm Friday 24th May 2013

MEN’S FORUM: Jerome Kern, the writer of 700 songs and famous for the first modern musical Show Boat, said of Irving Berlin: “He has no place in American music: he is American music.” Ken Humphreys came to tell us about Israel Beilin, who eventually became Irving Berlin the centenarian writer of more than 1,000 songs who in 1911 made $50,000 in 12 months with his first major hit Alexander’s Ragtime Band. He then raised $150,000 with his song Always for the American World War One effort. The quality of his music and lyrics was so good that, during the time when good tunes and lyrics were appreciated, he always seemed to have major hits on stage and screen. Ken, as well as telling us the story of Berlin’s life, played many of his songs. We heard songs from the Fred and Ginger musicals, such as Top Hat, produced by RKO and from other films and shows sung by the best of popular singers such as Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, Ethel Merman, Andy Russell and Gordon MacRae. Still popular, Top Hat, the stage version, is currently playing to full houses at the Aldwych Theatre in London. But the show stopper was Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. This was Berlin’s most popular song with the Crosby version selling more than 50 million copies and total sales according to the Guinness Book of Records being over 100 million. This was our penultimate talk, our last for this session being on Thursday at 10am at Otley Methodist Church when Ray Georgeson will give a talk called RGR Informs.

Menston

12:43pm Friday 24th May 2013

ST JOHN’S CHURCH: Copies of the book of lively memories by Menston folk, Jubilee Diamonds, are in great demand, with many people wishing to be patrons and to make early reservations. The book launch will be on Friday, July 12, at 7.30pm in the parish room, with bubbly wine, readings and signings, tickets from the parish office in the mornings (01943) 872433 or from editor Joyce Simpson. The St John’s Flower Festival from June 21–23 promises to be a delightful and lively weekend, with the preview evening with canapes and wine to be opened by Councillor Dale Smith, the Follow the Fleece Company in concert on the Saturday and a Songs of Praise evening on the Sunday. Watch out for more details! Meanwhile St John’s is honoured to welcome the internationally-renowned writer Bob Hartman, creator of the Open the Book movement so lively in Menston and on both sides of the Atlantic. Bob, a fascinating man to listen to, will be talking about The Art of Storytelling in the parish room on Tuesday, June 11, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 including refreshments. Another event not to be missed. Services on Sunday are: 8am holy communion, 10am Sunday together eucharist with visiting speaker the Archdeacon of Bradford.

Ilkley and Otley

12:42pm Friday 24th May 2013

BETHEL CHURCH: The Matrix, which has been a talking point ever since the first film in the trilogy was screened, was the subject under consideration in the series Reel Life at Bethel church recently. The film has come under scrutiny from many faith groups, which see parallels with their understanding. Christians, among others, have certainly seen the theme of salvation dealt with in the film. Invitations to the series at which Pastor Martin Woodier brings the Bible’s perspective to the themes identified in popular films were distributed on the church’s stand at Ilkley Carnival. Face painting offered by church members was in great demand.

Guiseley

12:37pm Friday 24th May 2013

METHODIST CHURCH: Last Sunday morning the Rev Nick Baker took the service of holy communion and in the afternoon there was a session of messy church. Everyone is welcome at coffee stop this morning from 10am to 11.30am. This week Mr Baker will lead the Sunday morning service, which includes a baptism, and in the evening the Rev Tim Perkins will officiate at a service of holy communion at 6pm. Tuesday prayers is having a ‘spring break’ next week and will restart in June. The preachers at the Sunday services on Sunday, June 2, will be Mick Dock in the morning and Alan Sheath in the evening.

Horsforth

12:38pm Friday 24th May 2013

FORUM 2000: The group enjoyed a talk in April by Patrick Eyres on Wentworth Castle, near Barnsley, and on May 15 they went to see it for themselves. They chose a bitterly cold day with the heavens keeping up a steady downpour, not ideal for a day spent mainly in the parkland and gardens, famous for rhododendrons and azaleas which should have been in spectacular bloom but were late. There were things to admire, however, notably exotic tulips which showed up well against the gloomy background and the layout of the large ornamental garden. The castle itself with its arena for plays and so on was interesting. The forum has visited several stately homes but this was the first seen stripped of the fine furnishings and art works which made it an example of spectacular consumption in its heyday. Now leased to the Northern College and a setting for invaluable educational work, it can be viewed but the trust which runs the estate can only point out features of architectural interest in what is quite a sad experience of lost splendour. The jewel in the crown, the glass house, is being rebuilt and will open later in the summer. That will certainly attract crowds of visitors. The unpleasant weather was forgotten in the warmth of the welcome from everyone there, volunteers and staff. The food in the cafe was delicious and one could retreat there for hot tea and a warm. Most of the party felt they would recommend it with its spectacular setting, adventure playground, tower to climb, and deer park, as a wonderful family day out. Starting again in September, Forum 2000 meets on Wednesdays at 10am in The Grove Centre, New Street, Horsforth. Everyone is welcome.

Burley-in-Wharfedale

12:36pm Friday 24th May 2013

PROBUS CLUB: There is a saying that everyone has a story to tell and the truth of this was provided by two club members, Clive Moyns and Eric Verge, at our meeting on Tuesday. They joined forces to present their story We Were There. Both speakers had the privilege of taking part on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Coronation parade. They presented photographs and scenes from newsreels with Eric in naval and Clive in army uniform on the day. They told of the training and extensive preparations involved. Clive trained to march 15 miles (13 on the day) while Eric was training officers and men to line the streets along the Mall. Both speakers were, from their experiences, able to show different aspects of the organisation necessary for such a spectacular day to proceed faultlessly. The speakers were assisted by member Will Drake who helped with the audio/visual present-ation.

Bolton Abbey

12:35pm Friday 24th May 2013

PRIORY CHURCH: The services on Sunday are 8am communion (said), 10.30am sung eucharist and evening prayer at 6.30pm. On the first Sunday of the month we hold our liquid family service at 9.15am. This service is aimed at youngsters and there are songs, activities and refreshments. Each Wednesday there is a communion service at 10am. All services are BCP. On Thursday, May 30, we will celebrate Corpus Christi with a choral festal eucharist at 7pm. Parking is at the church and all are welcome. On Friday, May 31, at 7.30pm we will hold our first concert of our Concert Series which is Words and Music for a Summer Evening which is opera, operetta and the Broadway shows with prose and poetry by the presenter Geoff Druett with soprano Susan Lees, bass baritone David Owen-Lewis and accompanist Timothy Raymond. Tickets are £10 which includes an interval glass of wine. They are available from (01756) 710586 or on the door. Parking is at the church.

Ben Rhydding

12:33pm Friday 24th May 2013

METHODIST CHURCH: This Sunday there will be two services. In the morning the preacher will be Neil Moffoot, of Rawdon, and in the evening the Rev Rob Hilton will preside at a service of holy communion. We have been saddened this week by the death of Don Appleyard, who has given stirling service to the church over many years. The thanksgiving service for his life will be tomorrow at 11.15am and therefore the regular weekly soup lunch has been cancelled.

Addingham

12:31pm Friday 24th May 2013

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: This month members at our well-attended meeting were pleased to welcome Val Howson, who gave an amusing and enlightening talk called Tales from the Charity Shop. She told us about her humble upbringing in Leeds and the various jobs she had before, in 1997, she started running the Salvation Army Community Shop in Meanwood. Anecdotes about the shop were told with humour but it was uplifting to know how important the venture was to local people. All profits from the shop continue to be put into local community projects. The conclusion of our meeting involved discussion regarding our annual outing and our involvement in the Addingham gala. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, June 11, when Pat Osbourne will talk on the subject of Norman Wisdom’s life story. All are most welcome.

Pool-in-Wharfedale school caretaker faces charges of raping young girl

9:10am Thursday 23rd May 2013

A primary school caretaker has been charged with a catalogue of sex offences against a young girl.

Bank holiday repeat prescription warning

2:52pm Thursday 23rd May 2013

People across, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven are being urged to make sure they order any repeat prescriptions they need ahead of their GP practice closing tomorrow, Friday.

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