125 years ago

At a meeting of the local board it was announced that a scheme was on foot for converting the Green Man Inn, in Kirkgate, Otley, into a post office. It was thought the site was a very good one, as the position was central. Complaints were made of obstructions in the market place and other thoroughfares on market days.

A labourer from Horsforth was sent to the House of Correction for 14 days for travelling on the train without having paid his fare. He was seen to get into the train at Leeds and get out again at Horsforth. On getting out he went into the urinal and then tried the goods yard gate but finding it fast offered the fare to an inspector saying he had not enough time to get a ticket. He pleaded not guilty to fraud but the magistrates found the case proved.

An inquiry was held into the death of a delver, 62, who met with an accident at Hawksworth Quarries, Woodside, Horsforth. After the accident where his right foot was lacerated and broken, the deceased was advised to have it amputated to save his life but he declined. Gangrene set in and although his foot was taken off, it was too late to save his life and he died of exhaustion.

100 years ago

In the discussion which took place at the last meeting of the Burial Council on the question of the desirability of providing a recreation ground for Otley by setting aside part of the land which was purchased some 21 years ago for burial purposes, some of the speakers seemed to have lost sight of the fact that the land belongs to the council and, through the council, to the ratepayers of the several townships forming the burial district, namely Otley, Lindley and Newall-with-Clifton.

A memorial service for the late Mr James Burnley of Bramhope Hall was held last Sunday evening in the Bramhope Wesleyan Church. The large congregation attired in mourning, together with the sombre drapings of the pulpit and chapel, were deep and true evidence of the high esteem in which Mr Burnley was held in the hearts of the Bramhope people.

A case which came before the Otley Petty Sessional Court proves that if the local police are energetic in pulling up offending motorists whose love of rapid travelling makes them regardless of the safety of others, they can still find time to give attention to other transgressors. An Ilkley boy was summoned for leaving broken glass upon the highway. This type of offence is all too prevalent and is more dangerous than is generally realised. There are hundreds of motorists and cyclists who are liable to become victims of this thoughtless and reprehensible practice.

75 years ago

A ten-year-old boy ran for help after the car he was travelling in was involved in a smash near Burley in Wharfedale. Peter Jackson was badly bruised when the car was shunted by another vehicle which completely overturned. The plucky youngster, whose mother and father were also in the car, ran to a nearby farm and asked for help.

Talented archer Thomas Kirkby Kelly is to compete in the Scorton Arrow contest at Ripon. The contest is one of the oldest in the country. Mr Kelly took an interest in the sport and later found out that one of his 18th century ancestors had won the title 200 years before.

A motor lorry went out of control on the steep gradient down Pool Bank and overturned. The lorry was on its way from Manchester to Harrogate with a load of about three tons of salt.

50 years ago

The long-heralded epidemic of Asian 'flu has hit Wharfedale schoolchildren in increasing numbers this week. In Otley alone there were yesterday more than 700 children away from school. It was officially estimated that throughout the Wharfedale district, about one-third of the schoolchildren are away. Yesterday the epidemic spread to members of the teaching staff at some schools.

In the Otley Congregational Church on Sunday morning, a stained glass window was dedicated to the memory of Sub-Lieut Christopher John Hall, RN (Fleet Air Arm), of Otley, who died on active service during the Suez Campaign. The window, which is in the north aisle, is a gift of Christopher's family and was unveiled and presented to the church by his brother, Andrew Hall.

A cashier at Otley Picture House was treated at Otley hospital on Wednesday morning for injuries caused when a heavy sheet of glass fell from a canopy outside the cinema. An electrician was working on the canopy, which extends over the pavement on Kirkgate. An ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital suffering with cuts to the head and legs, and shock.

25 years ago

Members of the Otley branch of the Ecology Party distributed leaflets in support of CLEAR, the campaign for lead free air. CLEAR exists to campaign against all forms of lead pollution, but its primary concern is to co-ordinate and mobilise the overwhelming public support for the elimination of lead in petrol.

What is believed to have been a crossbow arrow was fired at an airliner as it took off from Leeds-Bradford Airport hit a propeller, penetrated the wing and ripped part of the fuselage. Shortly after take-off, the 44-seater British Aerospace HS748 was hit by a 'missile' but the luckily the two-engined Dan-aircraft was able to continue its holiday flight to Jersey, where it landed safely.

The Vicar of Bramhope, the Rev J Raymond Ward celebrated 25 years of priesthood this week. He was ordained in Ripon Catheral and was later made a Deacon at Leeds Parish Church.