Days when the trademen's ball was a major event

Rawdon has no gas lamps. Its local board have not yet considered it necessary to follow the civilised procedure of other localities and light up the streets in its district. The consequent complaints are bitter enough.

At a meeting of the Wharfedale Board of Guardians the Otley workhouse master's book stated that treats had been given to the inmates by Mr Fawkes of Farnley Hall, Mr Briggs of Rawdon and Mr Rawson, of Bramhope Hall. Guardian Mr Sykes said he was sure that it would have been a treat to see the poor people enjoying themselves, not at the expense of the ratepayers, but at the expense of private individuals.

100 years ago

The smart capture at Rawdon of a party of wilful destroyers of public street lamps has been the chief topic of conversation in that village this week. The circumstances of the case show a deliberate and malicious intention to do damage to public property - and that, too, at a time when, on account of the fog, it was desirable that the lights in the street lamps should be perfectly protected. PC Cooper is to be complimented upon the smart way in which he effected the capture of the offenders.

James McSawley, Wm Rawnsley, Walter Rawnsley, Thomas Duffisey, and Harry Marston, labourers, and Tom Harrison, mechanic, all of Otley were summoned for gaming with coins at "pitch and toss" at Farnley on the 13th of January. McSawley, Wm Rawnsley and Walter Rawnsley were each fined 2s. 6d. and the costs, and Duffisey, Marston and Harrison each 1s. and the costs.

The past week in the Yeadon and Guiseley district may be said to have been one of great political activity. The most important gatherings were those held last Sunday by the Independent Labour Party at Yeadon, the visit of Halifax's Junior MP (Mr James Parker), who spent part of his childhood in Yeadon, no doubt forming a strong attraction.

75 years ago

In celebration of the coming of age of Yeadon and Guiseley Secondary School, an old scholars reunion dance was held at Henshaw Schools when about 280 old scholars and friends passed a pleasant evening dancing and renewing old acquaint-ances. The actual 21st anniver-sary of the school was in October last year. There were only 74 scholars on the roll when the school opened in 1910. Today there are 400. The affair was thoroughly successful from both a social and financial point of view.

The alleged closing of a footpath in the Washburn Valley has aroused strong protest. It was stated that the path had been closed by the Leeds Waterworks Department. The path, from the right hand side of the Washburn from Dob Park Bridge, had been regarded by the rambling fraternity for years as a public right of way. It had been traversed, it was stated, by thousands of ramblers for as far back as any member could re-member but it was now closed by a padlocked gate, a prohibition notice and even to the extent of savage bulls in the field.

At a meeting of the governing body of Otley Prince Henry's Grammar School, the headmaster, Walter Robinson, reported that ten scholars had now left, six new scholars had enrolled, making a total number on the books of 420. The staff was again at full strength.

50 years ago

Schoolboys walking through Wharfemeadows Park on their way home from school rescued a five-year-old Otley boy who had fallen into the Wharfe. The boy had been feeding the swans when he fell into the river, which was running high, and was immediately carried out of his depths. Two boys from the secondary school, Leslie Hunter, 13, and Melville Smith, tried to throw a lifebelt to the little boy, but could not land it near him. Some older boys from the Grammar School, Alan Smith, Christopher Gamble and Colin Lee, who managed to throw it far enough for the boy to clutch, and drew carefully on the rope to bring him in to the riverbank where he was brought safe and sound..

Members of Otley Urban Council expressed gratitude at the gesture of the Mechanics' Institute in offering the building as a gift to the town. Provision is to be made for work of putting into first-class repair and decoration of the main hall and lavatories, as a first step towards the rehabilitation of the premises. The transfer is to become effective on April 1.

Plans for enlargement and improvement of passenger buildings at Yeadon Airport are to be put into operation imme-diately the Air Ministry gives an assurance that it intends to de-requisition the airport. It is intended to construct a new pas-sengers' lounge and a smaller lounge to be used by passengers when they gave passed through customs and are waiting to board an aircraft.

25 years ago

One of Otley's oldest and most historic buildings, the 17th century Old Grammar School in Manor Square, is to be sold. On the instructions of its owners, the Chippindale Foundation, it is to be auctioned. The present tenants, Otley Arts Club and the Manor Club, are to meet to consider whether they can make an offer for the building. It is listed because of its character and distinctive design and is under-stood to date back to 1622 and was originally the home of Prince Henrys Grammar School.

Long-standing discussions concerning the apportionment of land between the Otley firms of Ogden's and R G Fowler Ltd, have finally reached a conclu-sion. The firms have approved a line of division on the land and they now need to put in planning applications for their parts of it. Once both sets of planning applications had been received, it was intended to hold a public meeting.

An assurance was given that areas which were flooded when the Wharfe burst its banks - notably Otley and Ilkley - wouldl not be overlooked in a comprehensive report by the Yorkshire Authority. Ilkley and Otley had suffered as a result of melting snow and heavy rain.