125 years ago

A rather serious accident occurred at Messrs Garnett's paper mill to a man named Charlie Longfield, who lives at Cross Green, Otley. It appears he was attempting to lift an iron door of a pump and let it slip. It fell on his hand. Several persons came to his aid and when the door was lifted off it was found that his hand was nearly severed off. He was taken to the Leeds Infirmary.

The distribution of prizes in connection with the Leeds Pupil-Teachers Prize Scheme Association was made. Three hundred and seventy egiht pupil-teachers have competed during the year, of whom 56 have been successful. We are pleased to note that among the successful competitors Miss Mudd and Miss Farrar, pupil teachers of the Otley National School.

A Horsforth paper manufacturer was brought up in custody before the West Riding Court charged with stealing three live ducks from the premises of a wine and spirit merchant. After missing the ducks from her master's fowl house, a domestic servant later identified them at the defendant's premises but during the examination of witnesses the ducks got changed and mixed up. He was committed to stand trial at a later date and bailed.

100 years ago

The black fog of last weekend were responsible for a number of accidents to travellers on the road, and amongst the victims was Mr W Wade, butcher, of Kirkgate, Otley. Mr Wade was going his usual round to Pool, Arthington and Weardley on Friday night and had reached the five mile post near Arthington Church when, owing to the fog and darkness, his horse turned from the highway and ran into a hedge. The sudden jerk of the trap caused Mr Wade and his companion - Mr B Simpson - to be thrown out, the former alighting on his shoulder five yards in front of the horse, while Simpson fell with his head on the road.

During the past 12 months 96 patients have had the advantage of the Yeadon nurse's services, and to these she has paid no fewer than 1,993 visits. That the people of Yeadon have a high appreciation of the work of the Nursing Association is shown by the liberal response made from year to year to the appeal for funds. No better or finer testimonial of appreciation than this could be desired.

For the first time since his visit here in September last we are able to give some tidings of Dr Collyer, America's great poet-preacher and whom even those not natives of beautiful Wharfedale delight in calling Wharfedale's blacksmith preacher. It is no mean boast to have produced from any district a man whose inherent genius and force of character have made him a power for good not only in his own native land, but also in the great continent of the west.

75 years ago

The influenza epidemic is on the wane according to local doctors. Last week an Otley doctor stated he was treating 30 new patients a day. This has now dropped to between 15 and 20. It is believed the drop in numbers is due to a recent frost.

A notable record of long service at Greenholme Mills, Burley, is held by two well-known Burley brothers, Mssrs. John and James Breare. Mr John Breare has just retired after 60 years and his elder brother, James, recently retired after a record of 67 years. This means the brothers have the remarkable record of a concurrent length of service of 128 years - believed to be unique in the West Riding.

An improvement in the local unemployment position was revealed this week in a report presented at a meeting of the Otley and District Employment Committee. The report stated that the improvement was largely due to better short-time working in the engineering and textile industries.

50 years ago

Weather conditions, including ice and fog, were responsible for a number of accidents at the weekend in the Wharfedale district. On Sunday evening a double-decker West Yorkshire bus, travelling from Otley towards Harrogate, missed the sharp left-hand bend to turn over Pool Bridge. The bus then went across a road and crashed through a stone wall. It dropped about four feet into the riverside field and came to rest with the rear wheels suspended on the footpath. No injuries were reported.

A large number of guests, including local councillors and nursing staff from Otley General Hospital, were invited to a showing of a film, 'No Time for Tears', at Beech Hill Cinema on Monday evening. The film had been chosen especially for the official reopening of the cinema, which has recently undergone extensive redecoration. The film is almost entirely devoted to life in a children's hospital.

Subscriptions from local firms, amounting to £3,903, were recorded at the annual meeting of Aireborough district branch of the Leeds and district Workpeople's Hospital Fund, held in Yeadon Town Hall. The secretary, Mr S Earle, said the total cost of all benefits in 1957 amount to about £96,000, including all cash benefits, convalescence and physiotherapy. A total of 1,200 patients had taken the opportunity of entering convalescent homes at Bridlington, including 19 women and 25 men from the Aireborough district.

25 years ago

The Otley textile firm William Ackroyd and Co. have called in the Receiver putting more than 80 jobs at risk. The Chairman of William Ackroyd's, Ronnie Duncan, said the worsted spinning company was the victim of the appalling recession. Textiles have been produced on the Otley mills site for 200 years.

A Bramhope man was rescued from the top floor of a Leeds building when fire broke out on Monday. Gordon Wells, 50, of Parklands Gate had to be rescued from the top floor of Concourse House in Wellington street. It took 100 firemen over an hour to control the blaze at the site which is owned by the Wilkinson Building Company Ltd of Bramhope.

Gale force winds created havoc this week with roofs being blown off houses and shops, trees being blown down and vehicles being blown over. At Arthington, the roof was blown off the hall and garage of a house and two ladies living in the house had to be evacuated. More than 200 homes in Arthington, Pool and Bramhope had their elecricity supply cut off when a tree crashed on to an overhead power line at Arthington. Gusts of up to 87 mph were recorded at Leeds Bradford Airport.