There were dramatic scenes when a freak storm hit Aireborough in 1968. Many local people still have vivid memories of that day on July 2 when flood water swept through the area and hailstones lay 3ft deep on the ground.
It was reported that a woman needed medical treatment after being swept down The Steep, in Yeadon, by flood water. Cars were abandoned and hailstones froze together to form a solid mass.
These photographs come from Aireborough Historical Society. Archivist Carlo Harrison said: “I was working at Peates Mill at the time and remember the sky going black literally like night time and the yarn store which was below ground level filled with water in minutes, a lucky escape for the three men who worked in there.”
Another eye-witness remembered drain covers popping like corks on columns of water 2ft high, adding: “Walking down Cemetery Road, I was amazed at the number of birds that lay dead in the gutter. They had literally been hailstoned out of the trees.”

125 years Ago – 1889

The long talked-of bazaar in aid of raising money towards paying the Parliamentary expenses incurred by the promoters in obtaining the bill for the Skipton and Ilkley Railway, was opened in the National School, Addingham, on Saturday afternoon last, under very auspicious circumstances. The schoolroom had been very tastefully decorated and a very unpretentious interior was turned into a veritable “fancy fair”. Profusely laden stalls help to make up a gay and pleasing scene.

During the Easter holidays nearly all the hydropathic establishments have been filled to overflowing, several of them being under the necessaity of “lodging out” a number of their visitors. A grand Easter ball, promoted by a few Ilkley gentlemen, was given in the Assembly Rooms on Wednesday last, when there was a large number present.

100 Years Ago – 1914

With tragic suddenness the death took place at Fison & Co’s mill, Greenholme, Burley, on Saturday, of Mr John Osman, who had been an employee of the firm for 40 years. He was engaged in the waste room of the weaving shed, and on Saturday he was found behind the door dead. Mr Osman, who was 70 years of age, celebrated his golden wedding about a year ago. In his younger days he was a well-known rifle shot and had won many cups and other trophies in connection with the local corps of volunteers, of which he was a member for 35 years, retiring with the rank of sergeant.

Several interesting points affecting the future of Otley were raised at a Local Government Board inquiry on Tuesday, when the Otley Council sought permission to prepare a Town Planning scheme and also to borrow £2,010 for provision of playgrounds. There was some opposition by property-owners, chiefly to the Town Planning scheme.

75 Years Ago – 1939

It was learned yesterday that Horsforth has been brought within the distribution area for “Anderson” air shelters, of the type that have been widely distributed in Leeds, Bradford and other cities recently. A circular, issued by the Home Office, states that among areas in which distribution will not take place will be Horsforth and Pudsey. The Urban Council are instructed to send in a return forthwith of the number of persons entitled to receive shelters.

The distribution of gas masks in Burley has been practically completed, and any person who has not yet been provided with a mask should at once get in touch with the nearest Air Raid Warden, so that the matter can be attended to without delay. The number of wardens in Burley is 50 and all posts are all full strength.

50 Years Ago – 1964

The police are investigating two cases of safe blowing at Otley during Friday night. One safe was at Otley station. The other was taken from nearby premises and was blown in a railway tunnel nearby. The safe at the station was in the office and about £4 is missing. Parcels in the office are thought to have been used to surround the safe and deaden the sound of the explosion. Other parcels were taken and the wrappings thrown on the railway line.

Understandably, there has been some self-congratulatory comment in the local council chambers this week at the news that the Yorkshire Area Traffic Commissioners have refused to allow the West Yorkshire Road Car Co. Ltd to increase the local fares. The bus company applied for an increase in fares shortly after a pay award to employees. They claimed the award would cost them an extra £125, 347 in operating costs. The application was the signal for five authorities – Aireborough, Otley, Ilkley, Horsforth and Bingley – to go into action.

25 Years Ago – 1989

Wilbur, the Addingham pig who spent a dog’s life after being shunned by his relatives, has died following a three-hour emergency hernia operation. Wilbur lived his extraordinary life on High Sanfiit Farm, where the Greenwood family took him under their wing. The usual, untidy lifestyle of a pig was discarded as Wilbur settled in with his new-found friends – the family’s Jack Russell and cats. However tragedy struck when his hernia, a condition from birth, strangulated. The veterinary surgeon was called but Wilbur never recovered.

Five people in a Ford Escort had a lucky escape on Friday night when their car careered off Skipton Road, Ilkley, ploughed through a fence and hit a tree before coming to a stop in a field. The group of teenagers were travelling to Addingham to attend a disco being held for the Ilkley Upstagers group and Danish students who were in Ilkley on an exchange trip.