125 Years Ago - 1893

The first of the annual statute hirings was held at Otley to-day in unfavourable weather, there being a strong wind blowing, and showers falling at frequent intervals. This made matters very unpleasant for both masters and servants, of both of whom there was not such a large number present as at former statutes. For male farm servants, wages had a lowering tendency, but females maintained their old rates of payment.

Roman Catholic Funeral - The first internment at Bolton Abbey under the Burials Amendment Act took place on Saturday afternoon, when Father Galli, of Ilkley officiated at the funeral of Miss Cisoline Boyle. The deceased was a native of Dublin.

100 Years Ago - 1918

The effect of the Armistice is not to relieve the situation with regard to fuel and lighting. The re-occupation of Belgium and the task of clearing and sweeping the seas with the resumption of shipping activity for the provisioning of the Allied Countries rather increases than diminishes the demand for coal. Economy and care are needed more than ever, if the victory of battle is to be a real victory of a new settlement for the people.

In order to celebrate the end of the war, the visitors at Craiglands invited all the wounded soldiers in the hospital and at St Dunstan’s to an entertainment and tea at the hydro on Wednesday afternoon.

75 Years Ago - 1943

Mr. William Mathieson, Glenburn, Horsforth, died at his home on Friday, aged 91. A leading industrialist, he had made his home at Horsforth for over 60 years, and his name will be permanently linked with the district by his many public spirited benefactions, the greatest of which was the gift of Horsforth Hall and Park about 14 years ago.

Pte. James Henry Spence , son of Mr. F. H. Spence, 59, Boroughgate, Otley, has returned from India after spending seven years in that country and Burma, and will have 28 days’ leave before being posted to a unit in this country.

50 Years Ago - 1968

This is a week of memories for many people; memories that go flooding back to the days of the Great War of 1914-1918. For one person at least the date November 11 has a very special significance. It was on that date 50 years ago that Mrs. Winifred Steele, of Swaine Hill Crescent, Yeadon, then an 18-year-old telephonist at Leeds, was on the switchboard when she received the memorable call: “The Armistice has been signed. The war is over.” Mrs. Steele, formerly Miss Winifred Varley, was one of seven telephonists at an army headquarters in Regent Villas, Leeds. She remembers the call coming through and how she had to relay it to all units in the Northern Command, and to the Master gunner in charge of anti-aircraft guns in Leeds.

Problems that will be caused to workers and schoolchildren by the continuation of summertime, which means that it will be dark until 9.30am in the morning during part of the year, were discussed at a meeting of the Highways Committee of Otley council on Monday. Coun. F. W. M. Newbould asked if the council could write to the Government asking if the British Standard Time period of three years could be terminated.

25 Years Ago - 1993

Former Ilkley First World War veteran Norman Tennant returned on Armistice Day to Ypres where he was honoured for bravery more than 75 years ago. The 97-year-old retired arts teacher was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for repeatedly repairing telephone wires during a German gas attack in the bloody 1915 Belgian battle. Mr Tennant, a former Ilkley Grammar School pupil, who now lives at Shaftesbury, Dorset, travelled to Ypres for a ceremony to mark the dead of both world wars.

A new book written by an Ilkley economist disputes the belief that the Conservatives have continually introduced public spending cuts. Maurice Mullard, of St James Road, examines The Politics of Public Expenditure which has been published prior to Chancellor Kenneth Clarke’s Budget later this year.