125 Years Ago – 1888

The second annual exhibition of plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables, promoted by the Ilkley Floral and Horticultural Society, was held under very unfavourable auspices, on Saturday last. The committee, stimulated by the success attendant upon their initial venture – resulting in a balance in hand of over £24 – had laboured assiduously with the object of attaining further success, and certainly their efforts deserved a prosperous termination; but circumstances were not propitious and financially the show was a failure owing to adverse atmospherical conditions.

Grouse Shooting on the Ilkley Moors – A party consisting of Mr W H Bracken, of Farfield Hall, Addingham, accompanied by five other sportsmen, commenced shooting on Monday on the Ilkley Moors. The weather was very unfavourable for operations, the wind at times blowing a perfect hurricane.

100 Years Ago – 1913

A highly successful fancy dress ball took place at Marlborough Hydro on Monday evening. The costumes were very picturesque and original and a large amount of fun was caused by several gentlemen who represented humorous characters. Prizes were awarded to Mrs Coates and Mrs Richardson (invalid and nurse) and to Mr McCall (Bill Sykes).

Mr Stanley Carr, a light comedian, is appearing for the first time at the Arcadia in Ilkley this week, and besides an amusing patter song, ‘The Batchelor’s Paradise’, is providing two musical monologues ‘The Green Eye of the Yellow God’ and ‘The Street Watchman’s Story’.

75 Years Ago – 1938

Burley Methodist Church was struck by lightning in a thunderstorm over the Wharfe Valley on Monday evening. A heavy iron ornament on the front of the church crashed down into the churchyard which adjoins the main street, along with a quantity of masonry and slate. Residents in the vicinity speak of seeing what appeared to be a ball of fire pass between two houses on the opposite side of the road and strike the church roof.

Many people will have wondered what steps are to be taken for effectively warning the general public of this area in the event of enemy air raids. A scheme for that purpose is being prepared. In most places it will be possible to utilise existing mills buzzers, but whatever type of signal is used for warnings the code in all cases will be the same. For air raid warnings a signal of two minutes duration will be used.

50 Years Ago – 1963

The “new morality” which sets out a reconception of moral values, is commented on by the Vicar of Otley, the Rev Patrick Ashe, in his parish magazine. “The whitewashing of immorality and calling it ‘new’ does not make it any different from what went on in Babylon, Sodom or Pompeii,” he writes. “We Christians have to live in a world where dishonesty and unchastity are being accepted as normal living.”

A tree saved a car from hurtling over a 100 feet drop in West Chevin Road, Otley, early yesterday morning. The car was being driven by Mr Jack Powell, aged 27, of Prestwick Close, Otley, when it ran off the road and mounted the stone wall which separates the footpath from an almost sheer drop on the other side. The car was halted by a hawthorn tree.

25 Years Ago – 1988

Ilkley woman Mrs Liz Paul will be competing in the regional heat of a national competition tomorrow to find the “Woman Driver of the Year.” Mrs Paul, of South Parade, had entered the competition through “Woman” magazine by answering six questions on road safety and stating why, in less than 100 words, she should be chosen as the Woman Driver of the Year.

Replacement of Denton Bridge which spans the River Wharfe at Ben Rhydding is being delayed by Bradford Council. And if the replacement is delayed for too long the bridge might have to be closed to traffic. Tenders should have been sent out for work to replace the 101 year old single lane bridge but the plan has come to a standstill because of Bradford Council’s emergency spending freeze.