125 Years Ago - 1893

We have to record the death of Mr. W. Misdale, a familiar figure in Ilkley of late years. Mr Misdale, it may not be generally known, was something of a poet, and certain of his compositions possess marks of undoubted genius, notably “Schedule D,” which is a bitter tirade against the income tax and all those responsible for its imposition.

Dear Sir, - For the last few weeks we in Ben Rhydding have been inhaling a noxious effluvia arising from an open drain, which has had a most deleterious effect upon the health of visitors and residents alike. Diphtheria has made its appearance in one house; in another a visitor was obliged to seek healthier quarters after a stay of two days. Business men cannot reach their homes in the evening without receiving a nauseous dose, which takes away all appetite for tea.

100 Years Ago - 1918

Summer time closed on Sunday, and as this has cut off an hour of daylight in the evening, we seem to have plunged into the heart of winter very suddenly; with little in the way of street lighting, and the shops closing early. As it is necessary to save all the coal, and therefore all the gas possible, we shall probably have to continue to grope our way about the streets on this account, as well as to escape German air raids, though why Ilkley should have to be more dismally lighted than large towns, and even towns nearer the East Coast, is something I cannot understand. A gentleman staying in Ilkley last week said Ilkley was the worst lighted place he had struck in the whole of England, and I have certainly found places much better lighted, but none worse.

This week the price of milk locally has been increased from 6d. to 8d. per quart, compared with 3d. in pre-war days, if not for some time after the war started.

75 Years Ago - 1943

Home on leave is Second Radio-Officer Derek Walton (21), only son of Mr. Charles Walton, and Mrs. Walton, The Bungalow, Town Street, Rawdon. He has just completed nearly two years in Indian waters, and while working his passage home the freighter on which he served was torpedoed and sank within three minutes. At that time the ship was 400 miles from land and Radio-Officer Walton, with a number of other survivors, were adrift in an open boat in heavy seas for two days before they were picked up.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Youhill, 7 Glen Royd, Moorland Crescent, Menston, have received notification that their second son, Private W. Youhill, (24), serving with the Hampshires in the Middle East, has been wounded. The wound is not serious; it is an injury to a muscle in his left arm and he writes to say that it is a wonder he is not in a German prison camp, as he was taken prisoner, but being wounded he was allowed to go free.

50 Years Ago - 1968

From next Monday the introduction of pay trains on the Ilkley services will bring with it economy cuts to the station staff. Only four members - two foremen and two porters - will be retained to man the station through shift work.

Personal appearances were made before the General Purposes Committee by representatives of Crag Farm Cafe, Burley Woodhead, and Moor View Cafe, South Hawksworth Street, to state reason why the Council should not refuse their application for the provision of machines with prizes at each of these premises. The Chairman, Cr. D. Marshall, had explained the Council’s attitude as being one of refusing permission for such places as cafes and unlicensed places where children could attend.

25 Years Ago - 1993

West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service is taking part in a national ambulance appeal for survival packs for the people of Croatia. The appeal was launched on breakfast television at the end of last week and is being co-ordinated by the London Ambulance Service on behalf of Refugees Relief Humanitarian Aid. Members of the public are being asked to take their donations of food, toiletries and household/baby goods to their local ambulance station or headquarters where staff will be ready to receive them.

Residents are launching an appeal for cash to help their battle against all night flying from Leeds-Bradford Airport. They want at least £10,000 to recruit noise and health experts and perhaps a barrister for the expected public inquiry into 24-hour flight availability.