1884

A lamentable affair occurred near the Otley Railway Station which resulted in the almost instant death of a 10-year-old girl, the daughter of a plate layer. The poor girl had been making her way home for dinner from school when at a level crossing, she did not notice a train coming and stepped in front of it. An inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Girl is killed on level crossing by train The annual general meeting of the Otley Liberal Club was held in the reading room of the club. The committee said that thought the circumstances of the times had not been of such a character to call for any strong manifestation of political feeling and effort, yet these important matters had not been entirely neglected.

  • At the Otley Police Court a Guiseley labourer was brought up charge with stealing three fleeces of wool, value 16s, the property of William Pullan, farmer, residing on the Chevin. It was alleged that the prisoner sold the wool to a local tanner for 7s. The prisoner, who was very deaf, was fined 20s, or the alternative of one month’s imprisonment. The fine was paid.
1909

As a result of the severe thunderstorm on Monday afternoon four sheep belonging to Mr George Newby of Castley were killed by lightning. The flash caught the hedge and narrowly missed some cattle which were close by. The sheep were grouped together not far from the hedge.

  • While a little boy named Roy Whitaker, aged four, of North Parade, Otley was playing on the bank of the Wharfe on on Friday afternoon he fell into the river. The water was much swollen and the child was carried by the current some distance but was fortunately kept afloat by his clothing. He was noticed by a woman named Mrs Marrie who at once called Mr James Wallace, who resides in North Street. Wallace succeeded in getting hold of the child and bringing him to the bank. He was conveyed home and was found little the worse for his immersion.
  • With the formal opening of the tramways from Yeadon to Guiseley on Wednesday it is now possible to make the journey from Guiseley to Leeds, a distance of nine and a quarter miles, entirely by car for the small charge of 5d, with special fares for the workmen by the early cars. Although Guiseley has not suffered for want of travelling facilities to and from the woollen metropolis to anything like the same extent as the townships of Yeadon and Rawdon, Guiseley too will share in the advantages likely to accrue from the introduction of the tramways.
1934

Whether goats should be allowed to be kept in Yeadon Cemetery was the subject of discussion at Yeadon Council meeting on Wednesday. The matter came up when the minutes of the burial board sub committee were discussed. There was a recommendation moved that the keeping of goats by the sexton in the grounds be discontinued. It was made on the grounds that the cemetery was a peaceful place for people to bury their dead.

  • Otley’s 49th effort for medical charities, organised on Saturday by the Otley Friendly Societies Association, was a carnival of sunshine, colour and laughter. It was a spectator’s day. The bright sunshine was an irresistible lure and the crowds watched the procession parade round the streets of the town and the picturesque ceremony of crowning the Rose Queen in the Manor House grounds were larger than usual.
  • An Otley young woman was killed an another injured in a distressing road accident at the entrance to Otley Bridge this week. The girl was only 25 years old and was on her own way for a mid-day meal after being at work. She was crossing the road by Manor Park to reach the Bridge when she was knocked down by a four-ton lorry.
1959

For the second week in succession the Wharfedale Observer is produced in emergency style as a result of the continuing printing dispute. We regret the interference with the service we normally provide and the inconvenience to advertisers in addition to the effect on newsagents but as far as possible we shall endeavour to supply information of local decisions and accounts of local events.

  • At Otley court on Friday, a hotel porter was remanded in custody for seven days charged with stealing two pairs of socks, a man was fined £3 for failing to conform to a halt sign at Catch ‘Em Corner, Norwood, and a hotel chef appeared on remand, charged with attempting to strange a woman at her house on Chevin Grange, Otley, on June 22, with intent to murder her. He was remanded until July 31, bail being allowed.
  • On Friday, Wharfedale Rural Council agreed to record appreciation of the presence of a newspaper reporter during the press crisis. Coun Wm Whitely said it was a pleasant to see local newspapers were still prepared to carry out their duties in connection with public service they gave even though reports they prepared might have little chance of being printed at present.
1984

A major step towards the possible development of the now disused Crabtree Vickers site at Otley once the home of the Dawson, Payne and Elliott printers engineering works as a residential complex, has been taken with the submission of a planning application to Leeds City Council. It has been put forward by Mountleigh Developments Ltd. and seeks outline permission to erect retail and residential development on the former factory site between Westgate and Burras Lane.

  • A ‘dog loo’ to be erected in Wharfemeadows Park, Otley in the next few weeks, is to be monitored by the Town Council to find out its effectiveness.

Discussing the problem of dogs fouling play areas Mr Leslie Oland, director of parks, told a meeting of the council that the problem had increased in recent years. If dog owners were approached and asked if they would take their dogs to rougher areas a large number resented it he said.It is now proposed to erect an enclosure in the park.