125 years ago

The round of treats to the inmates of the workhouse were continued on Sunday last. New Year's Day. When Mr Fawkes, as in previous years, generously provided an excellent dinner. This comprised rabbits, plum pudding etc; and subsequently apples, and oranges were given to the inmates. The comforts of the old men, too, had not been overlooked inasmuch as there was a profusion of tobacco for them.

At the meeting of the Rawdon Local Board the nuisance in Mrs Forrest's house was again brought forward; and the Inspector of Nuisances and Medical Officer of Health were instructed to examine the house and report to the Board the result of their examination.

A social tea and entertainment took place in the Old Schoolroom, Arthington, and was very well attended, though a slight deficit resulted from the meeting. A few carols were sung by the choir and the whole affair passed off very enjoyably.

100 years ago

New Year's Day marked an important stage in the history of the Wharfedale Board of Guardians, the occasion being the opening ceremony of the new Workhouse Infirmary, which completes a suite of splendid buildings on the north bank of the River Wharfe.

The ceremony was performed, in the presence of a large gather-ing, by Mr F H Fawkes, JP, of Farnley Hall. The interesting function was witnessed by a large number of people, including the majority of the members of the board. As a souvenir of the occasion, a gold key, appropriately inscribed, was handed to Mr Fawkes, the principal actor in the proceedings.

Wednesday was a great day with the church people of Guiseley, for then took place the formal induction into the living of the Mother Church of the old parish the clergyman who has been se-lected to succeed the late Rector - the Rev JF Howson, MA, who comes from Christ Church, Chester.

The enthusiastic welcome given to Mr Howson must have been very gratifying to him and at any rate shown him he enters upon his work in the parish with the hearty good wishes of all.

75 years ago

W Barker and Son, leather manufacturers of Gay Lane, Otley, state that last year trade was very largely handicapped owing to the unprecedented drop in prices of raw material in 1930. East India tanned kips, the material used by most curriers, had never been so low in price during the past 20 years and this was coupled with small demand. This had made it hardly possible to keep factories running.

About 500 patients at the mental hospital at Menston took part in the annual fancy dress ball. This event winds up the Christmas festivities and is always thoroughly enjoyed by patients. It is purely a patients' function. There are no outsiders present and the inmates are given a free hand in their cos-tumes. Many had made their own while others were provided by the institution's amateur dramatic department.

Tickets for the big boxing tournament at Otley Mechanics Institute are finding a ready sale. Already practically all of the reserved seats, numbering about 400, have been sold and the lower priced tickets are being snapped up. A fine pro-gramme is assured by the West Riding Constabulary Athletic Association, organisers of the event. Six-round contests will be arranged between a team of Irish policemen.

50 years ago

A lorry driver from Beverley was summoned by Otley Magistrates' Court for driving a motor lorry in a dangerous manner at Arthington. On November 7, the lorry carrying a seven-ton load was driving in Arthington Lane towards Otley when it went to the offside of the road, ran 174 feet on the grass verge, and de-molished a substantial portion of a stone wall. The defendant told police: " I must have dozed."

Mr Kenneth Wade Parkinson, of Spofforth, was honoured with a knighthood in the New Year Honours List, has a close association with Wharfedale. He is the son of the late Mr and Mrs Bertram Parkinson, of Creskeld Hall, Arthington, which is now the home of his brother-in-law, Colonel Stoddart-Scott. For the past two years, Mr Parkinson has been president of Wharfedale Agricultural Soci-ety.

It was learned this week that Yeadon Waterworks Company has made an offer to purchase the water undertakings of Otley, Ilkley, Aireborough, Horsforth and Baildon. Negotiations are taking place over a proposed grouping of local water undertakings. Local authorities have been asked to indicate by January 31 if they are prepared to open preliminary negotiations for purchase.

25 years ago

The three-week freeze which extended over the Christmas and New Year period came to a dramatic end with widespread flooding thought to be the worst for 20 years. The Wharfe burst its banks at sev-eral points and Otley was cut in two by floods. Water covered the road to a depth of three feet to the north of Otley Bridge. hundreds of people were carried through the floodwaters on high sided lorries. Most of the houses in Farnley Lane suffered to some extent but houses in Bridge Avenue escaped the flooding.

Problems caused by the behaviour of young people have prompted talks on the possibility of introducing earlier closing times at Burley's public library. It is claimed that youngsters are causing damage and intimidating the staff and an appeal has been made to the general public in alleviating the situation.

The Chevin Chase has continued to grow in stature since it was inaugurated in 1979. The race, now an annual event on Boxing Day, started with 220 en-tries. The 1980 event attracted 420 entries and the 1981 had 525 entries. It was surprising to have over 500 starters for the re-cent run for the weather condi-tions were poor.