MANY years ago the concept of the council house was invented to solve the horrendous housing problems suffered by our industrial towns and cities. In post-Second World War Britain, millions of people were given the chance to exchange their privately-rented
Bradford Bulls chairman Chris Caisley has denied that the £2 million plus on offer to clubs in the Zurich Premiership next season was a consideration in their decision to take over Wakefield Rugby Union Club. The hand-out to rugby union's elite is more
Nicky Law gets a second bite at the FA Cup tomorrow - providing the wintry weather relents. Walsall were having a look at the Bescot Stadium pitch this afternoon to see if there was a chance of saving the third-round tie with the Bantams. If the game
A RUNNER who took on a 100-mile race across the Himalayas in aid of elderly Aireborough residents has arrived home triumphant. Retired social worker Hilary Wharam took part in the race to raise money for Aireborough Voluntary Services to the Elderly with
A SPECIAL guest has launched a school's new £35,000 Out of School Club for after school and holiday childcare. Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale, who is also chairman of Education Leeds, cut the ribbon on the converted former music room at Yeadon South
EXCITING plans to give the youth of Bramhope a new meeting place are expected to be revealed within weeks. Village organisations and volunteers working as newly-formed group Action Youth hope to announce details of their youth centre project after their
AFTER 40 years with the same company, the Guiseley-based manager of a well-known newsagents has retired. David Abbey, 55, has been a familiar face at the Ilkley branch of the newsagent chain WH Smith for almost 20 years. Before that he worked in WH Smith
A GINNEL used by generations of Otley people is set to become a public footpath. The cut through between Boroughgate and Courthouse Street has been used for hundreds of years, but never officially designated a public right of way. But now, Leeds City
LITTER, rowdy youths and new housing developments have topped concerns listed by people in parts of Yeadon and Guiseley. Drug taking and unnecessary speed bumps were also high on the list of complaints. Every householder in the area of Queensway was asked
PEOPLE are being urged to protest against plans to expand the controversial Menwith Hill listening station. RAF Menwith Hill, used by the US Department of Defense, wants to add a new 22 metre high giant 'golfball' radome to the site. Protesters claim
RAIL fares for passengers on the Wharfedale Line were frozen as main line tickets went up in price this week. Operator Arriva Trains Northern, which runs rail services from Ilkley to Leeds and Bradford, pledged to keep a freeze on the price of its rail
FARMERS are cautiously looking forward to a prosperous New Year after Yorkshire was declared foot and mouth free on the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. But they are also being warned to remain vigilant with biosecurity because whilst Yorkshire,
The number of glasses and broken bottles being dumped in Wibsey High Street by drinkers at local pubs is disgraceful. An estimate of 200 bottles, intact or shattered, left littering the street plus drinking glasses abandoned on walls and steps suggests
Margaret J Palmer (nee Hall) travelled to Keighley from her home in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, to be reunited with old friends at Keighley Girls' Grammar School. Back home she penned this report of her nostalgic visit and enclosed a number of photographs
Muslims in Keighley and around the UK have celebrated the Eid. Eid means recurring happiness or festivity. Coming with the new moon, the festival marks the end of Ramadan, a month when Muslims fast throughout the day and eat only at night. Prayers, feasts
Buddhists are "back home" in Keighley in the house they first used as a meeting place more than ten years ago. The three storey, 100-year-old terrace house, in Skipton Road, was sold in 1995 when the group outgrew the accommodation and most members moved
Harry Potter mania is adding extra magic to a group's activities. The hysteria surrounding the recent release of the movie based on JK Rowling's celebrated creation has sparked new interest locally in wizardry. And Bradford Magic Circle hopes the stories
motorists in Keighley will soon be able to display their patriotism. New legislation will allow drivers to show a national flag and symbol on their vehicle registration plates. Motorists could -- depending on their roots -- choose to display the Union
Bradford Council has carried out its annual review of fees and charges covering sports and leisure facilities in the district. A meeting of the council's Executive Committee has been advised of some changes to prices, which are necessary to meet the increased
A former head teacher of Hothfield School died peacefully at his home in Silsden aged 65, on December 30. Mr Peter West was head teacher at the school for 17 years and took early retirement in 1994. Born in London, Mr West always had a deep appreciation
Keighley Playhouse stalwart Jack Hepworth, who for about 20 years was manager of the shoe department in the town's Co-op, has died aged 87. Dewsbury-born Mr Hepworth came to Keighley in 1956 from Horbury, where as a Pageant Players and Wakefield Little
A patient with a mental illness set fire to himself with lighter fuel at Airedale Hospital yesterday morning. The man - in his 60s - suffered extensive burns and was transferred to the burns unit at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. His injuries are
The euro is making its first appearance in Keighley holidaymakers' purses from this week. The currency adopted by 12 European countries became valid on New Year's Day. Although it has not been adopted by the UK it will still have a big impact on business
A former Keighley rugby star who played for his country in the 1930s has died, aged 89. Welsh winger Len Orchard represented his home nation at rugby league against England, in April, 1935. He scored a try in the match, at Liverpool, and won high acclaim
Saboteurs went on a wrecking spree in a bid to put a textile company out of business, it has been claimed. Over the Christmas shutdown intruders spent several hours systematically causing £200,000 worth of damage at Pennine Fibre Industries, at Denholme
Thefts and vandalism have forced the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway to get electricity for the first time in 135 years. Oakworth Station, on the restored line, switched on to modern power two months ago and has had a modern alarm system put in. The
Pensioners are prisoners in their own homes because Bradford Council says it cannot clear icy steps, it is claimed. Peter Dodgson said he was furious when the council housing department told him it did not have the resources to clear ice-ridden steps
AN Ilkley District Councillor aims to use the town and other country areas in the district to counter Bradford's image as a riot-torn city. The bid to promote the green fields surrounding the city is being made by Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford's environment
COUNTRYSIDE bosses have promised to improve Ilkley's footpath network after a damning report by the Audit Commission. While the council's countryside service was praised in the report, the rights of way section was condemned as 'poor'. Ilkley district
COUNCIL tenants in Ilkley are about to decide whether they want to take part in a major revolution in social housing. Bradford Council is proposing to transfer all its stock of 26,000 homes to a not-for-profit organisation - if tenants agree. It will
SIR, - How about making 2002 a year to remember by asking all your readers to take up Breakthrough Breast Cancer's £1,000 challenge? They'd by in good company - many of Breakthrough's celebrity supporters have already raised £1,000 or more for Breakthrough's
Ian McMillan is one of the country's best-known poets as well as one of the most versatile and humorous. He is Barnsley FC's poet-in-residence, Yorkshire TV's investigative poet and "mobile bard" for former rail network Northern Spirit. Ian presents his
One Door Away From Heaven Dean Koontz is a past master of blending genres like horror, suspense and sci-fi. And his intense, detailed, almost lyrical prose lifts his plots out of the pulp-fiction pigeonhole. Never have these two Koontz qualities been
Opera North returns to the Grand Theatre, Leeds, this month with its popular La Boheme, a new Benjamin Britten production and a songs-from-the-shows concert. Puccini's La Boheme follows a group of young Parisian artists falling in and out of love (January
Cultural pioneers and lost workers form the subject matter for artists at the Dean Clough Galleries in Halifax. Beautiful People features David Hancock's acrylics - including two composite panoramas about 25 feet long- enable viewers almost to walk into
A biology student is trying to raise enough cash to join an expedition to protect coral reef and rain forests. Chris Biggins, 19, of Cottingley, has been invited to take part in Operation Wallacea - a conservation project based in Indonesia. In his second
Dougie Lampkin won his first and last trial in this country this year when he rode his Radson Montesa to victory on Boxing Day in the Bradford Motor Club trial at Howden Wood, high above Silsden, beating Scorpa importer Martin Crosswaite and G.P. Beta
The annual Boxing Day Chevin Chase staged by AireCentre Pacers over a route round Guiseley and Otley Chevin, attracted around 850 runners and was won by Otley AC's Ian Fisher by a 15-yard margin from Bingley Harrier John Taylor. Third was Mike Burrett
Pool Reserves 1 Addingham 6 WITH the previous week's games frozen off across the region the signs last Saturday looked bleak. Overnight snow had left the Pool pitch under a thin blanket of snow and full credit to their ground staff who cleared the lines
AFTER a string of their Lancashire League fixtures have been cancelled Guiseley Reserves have been left kicking their heels amidst growing frustration. Their latest call off was at Accrington Stanley on Saturday when a frozen pitch prevented any play.
East End Park 0 Baildon Trinity 4 ON a snow-covered pitch which was in surprisingly good condition, Baildon Trinity Athletic turned in one of their best performances of the season in the West Yorkshire League Cup. From the moment they took the lead midway
Otley 25 Exeter 5 A SUPERB performance by Otley on a snow sprinkled Cross Green pitch put high flying Exeter to the sword on Saturday. Otley gained a convincing National One victory which showed great promise for the remainder of the campaign. Otley reduced
Guiseley 3 Workington 3 Guiseley needed an equaliser from young substitute Kevin Newhouse in the final minute of injury time to avoid defeat at home by an impressive Workington side who belied their UniBond Division One position. Guiseley clawed back
KEIGHLEY'S first Great War women munitions workers were photographed whilst being trained at the Keighley National Shell Factory in Dalton Lane in 1915. Once this was fully operational, a workforce substantially of women and girls was to make a total
A former Keighley rugby star, who represented his country in the 1930s, has died aged 89. Welsh winger Len Orchard represented his home nation at rugby league against England in April 1935. He scored a try in the match, at Liverpool, and won high acclaim
Firefighters today paid tribute to staff at a Baildon nursing home who led residents to safety after a serious blaze broke out last night. Crews were called to the Holden Grange nursing home in Holden Lane, Baildon, at 11.13pm after staff raised the alarm
A textile firm today placed a £5,000 reward on the heads of saboteurs who almost succeeded in closing it down. The head of Denholme-based Pennine Fibre Industries said its 90-strong workforce came close to the axe after the calculated attack which saw
A real ale enthusiast's success in setting up a brewery has led him to tap into the market of producing organic wines for London restaurants. David Earnshaw, pictured, is leaving the Halifax Steam Brewing Company plant at the bottom of the garden of his
One of the greatest survival stories of all time is to be brought to life once again in Bradford. The incredible true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton's two year ordeal in the freezing cold wastes of the Antarctic is the subject of a dramatic new film opening
A photograph of murdered mini-cab driver Mohammed Basharat sits in pride of place on a mantlepiece overlooking his colleagues as they wait for their next job. The interior of the Little Horton Private Hire office in Little Horton has been redecorated
A couple who were flooded out of their home when a burst water main sent tens of thousands of gallons gushing through their bungalow face a three-month wait before they can return. Denise and Barry Christy were watching television in the sitting room
Newly-wed Emma Benn's wedding dress and her toddler son's Christmas presents were destroyed when fire tore through the sitting room of her home yesterday. Mrs Benn, 24, grabbed two-year-old Daniel, wrapped him in a blanket and fled the terraced house,
A hospital surgeon rushed to give first aid to two victims of a serious car smash yesterday. The trauma surgeon used his medical skills as he was first at the scene of the smash in Calverley yesterday and helped treat the drivers of a Porsche Boxster
Three Bradford schools were today branded "immoral" for sitting on more than a million pounds of taxpayers' money. The three secondary schools should use the cash to employ more teachers and improve standards of education, say unions. In the latest figures
Police investigating the savage murder of have-a-go-hero Kevin Jackson today arrested a 20-year-old man in Bradford and began the hunt for two more. Officers raided four addresses in Manningham early today, seizing the man and recovering a car - thought
Results: 1 Ian Holmes (Bingley) 34:48; 2 Andy Peace (Bingley) 35:37; 3 Alex McVey (Horwich 37:12; 4 George Ehrhardt (Tod) 37:29; 5 Andrew Jones (E Cheshire) 37:34; 6 Sean Livesey (CleM) 37:38; 7 Damien Utter (Altringham) 38:22; 8 Paul Sheard (P&B)
Silsden 6 Keighley Pheonix 3 Silsden started off the much brighter in this local derby pinning Pheonix in their own half with Andy Holden breaking the dealock after 18 minutes. Good work by Michael Rhodes allowed Holden to slot home and five minutes later
Keighley 2nd XV 32 North Ribblesdale 2nd XV 10 Keighley's second string only saw their game go ahead after some hard work by the ground staff to clear snow off the pitch. The Keighley side had more than a smattering of younger players available due to
Huddersfield 66, Cougars 0 - GIANTS expect to bounce straight back into Super League and their one-sided demolition job on the Cougars backed up the hopes of their army of fans. For the Cougar faithful the performance of their team gave warning of a long
LEE ATHERSMITH of Skipton won the first race of 2002 when he took the tape Silsden's New Year's Day fun run. He recorded a time of 16mins 53secs in the event which attracted 62 competitors. The race, which was organised by Paul Buckley, raised £75 which
HUNDREDS of athletes prepared for their new year celebrations by taking part in the Auld Lang Syne fell race on New Year's Eve. The race, which was organised by Dave and Eileen Woodhead attracted a record crown of 400 runners. "We certainly weren't expecting
WORLD CHAMPION motocycle trials rider has been made an MBE in the New Year honours list. The Silsden-based champ, who has dominated the sport for the last five years, aims to celebrate with another 'World Double' in 2002. "It was absolutely fantastic
WITH one of the fastest rising rivers in the country flowing through Otley,, the appalling state of the town's only public swimming pool has long been a matter of concern. At its height, more than 20 years ago, the swimming pool was one of the most popular
It is truly the best New Year present which could have been given to this area - the declaration that Craven is officially foot and mouth free. As National Farmers Union representative Rob Simpson says, it is great news and farmers have been waiting a
If the predicted thaw arrives in time, prospects for rugby union tomorrow are better than for the previous two weekends. Having not had the chance to play bottom club Wigton, the Bees are at home to third-from-bottom Middlesbrough in a crucial match as
Juanjo is eager to get his first slice of FA Cup action tomorrow. Weather permitting, the Spanish winger hopes to get the nod to take on Walsall - the side he scored against within seven minutes of coming on for his debut. Plenty has happened since City's
All of the top six non-league sides in the area will be hoping the forecast of milder weather comes soon enough for them to get back into full swing tomorrow. Bradford Park Avenue are due a visit from Hucknall Town in the UniBond Premier, and manager
PLANE spotters could soon have a formal viewing spot - if plans to improve an area near Leeds Bradford Airport go ahead. The land at Plane Tree Hill, off Bayton Lane, Yeadon, is popular with aviation enthusiasts and walkers. But it is also well used by
NEW Year's dippers and plungers braved freezing temperatures in Otley and Ilkley. In Otley, fewer people than usual swam in the River Wharfe, while in Ilkley a few brave souls leapt into the plunge pool at White Wells. With temperatures dropping as low
BRAMHOPE has led the way in the Leeds area in having a landmark document for the protection of the village accepted as official policy by councillors. Leeds City Council's planning department has agreed to accept Bramhope Village Design Statement as official
Farmers are hoping for brighter times in the new year after what has been described as 12 months of sheer hell by their union president Ben Gill. Disease, weather and economy all added to the anguish with some farms barely recovering from the ravages
PLANS to create new parking spaces and security fences at Menwith Hill base are to go ahead after being approved by council officers. The Ministry of Defence and Defence Estates Central has won permission from Harrogate Borough Council to site a temporary
A PLEA for unloved and unwanted bras has been put out by an Otley pub. The Junction Pub is keen to help an American artist make the largest bra ball sculpture in the world. But despite urging its customers to help out, so far not a single bra has been
A MAJOR £345,000 refurbishment of Otley's neglected public swimming baths is finally underway. But a former chairman of Otley Advisory Sports Council has warned that it will be hard work to encourage disillusioned swimmers back. And he has added the work
A Cross Hills teenager has become the first from the North of England to be accepted for accordion studies at the country's top music college. Richard Smith will join a Yugoslavian boy, ranked as the third best player in the world, as one of just two
Marie Campbell's recent book Strange World of the Bronts did not confine itself to stories of the famous family. David Knights takes a look at some other memorable people from Haworth's past, in her new book - a follow-up to Curious Tales of Old West
Welcome signs greeting people to Steeton and Eastburn, and honouring one of the oldest choirs in the district, have finally been put in place. It has been two years since the decision was made to erect the stones, and place Steeton Male Voice choir on
In 1740, Dr. John Fawcett was born at Lidget Green In 1885, Shipley became a Parliamentary Division. In 1944, the Berlin authorities began mobilising children as young as ten, to fight in the war. From the Telegraph & Argus of January 4th, 1977...
Keighley motorists are being urged to carry out some simple safety checks to ensure their vehicle can cope with the ravages of winter. Gary Stevenson, dealer principal at Sunwin Peugeot, in Keighley, said: "Motorists should follow a few simple procedures
The devil was once raised in Wilsden to catch a scissors thief. This and other bizarre stories appear in Astrid Hansen's history of Wilsden -- the first comprehensive history book on the village. Astrid, who lives in Manor House Road, has gleaned various
At an age when most people are looking forward to retirement Malcolm and Janet Hughes were putting in 16-hour days to get a business venture off the ground. This time last year they were working round the clock to transform a derelict former sports club
The Tigre Trust Technical college lecturer David Wright, of Shipley, went to Eritrea under the Voluntary Services Overseas scheme about eight years ago. He found appalling poverty caused by the war for independence against neighbouring Ethiopia. Ending
The new Keighley Festival website is up and running, giving information about events planned for the June 15-23 jamboree. Local people wishing to take part or with imaginative ideas for new events can contact organisers by e-mail through the website.
A tractor and vintage vehicle outing has raised over £600 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance fund. A total of 48 different vehicles ranging from tractors and cars to Land Rovers and motorbikes drove in convoy from Cross Roads crag to Haworth on Sunday. The
The father of a Haworth teenager who died from breast cancer has been touched by the kindness of people who helped raise £10,000 for her memorial fund. Nineteen-year-old Sarah McKie (pictured opposite) died in June - less than a year after discovering
A colourful Keighley character known as 'Budgie Bill' has died at the age of 69. Bill Smith had a pet stall at Keighley market for 40 years and was widely known for his helpful service and advice. Mr Smith was born and bred in Keighley and he attended
Keighley suffered snow and sub-zero temperatures this week... it's no wonder the town's mascot Cliff is thinking of summer. He ventured into the cold to check how work was progressing on the new site for Children's Festival activities. He was delighted
Fun family activities and bus service improvements will accompany the opening of the new Keighley bus station next month. Construction work on the £3 million station is due to be completed by the end of this month, in time for an official opening around
The Keighley News has given Harry Sharp a very special 67th birthday present. Harry is the latest KN Loyalty Card winner, and takes away a rollover cheque for £450. The pensioner, who lives in Ivy Bank Lane, Haworth, said: "I was really surprised to hear
The floods of 1968 in Hampsthwaite and the snow drifts of the 1950's and 60's across Nidderdale were an amazing sight. Of course, at only 21-year-old and hailing from a little further north anyway, I wasn't actually there, but those days are brought back
A CAMPAIGN for councillors to undergo training for dealing with planning applications has received support from Ilkley's planning boss. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is calling for compulsory training for local councillors involved in
A MAN is hoping to enlist the help of the parish council in returning a piece of Ilkley's memorabilia to the town. Frazer Irwin, a local historian, believes an historic key, presented to Dr Robert Collyer at the opening of Ilkley Library in 1907, is part
THE village web site for Addingham is being reborn with a complete update of its contents and features. When it is complete, the site will form a perfect partner for the new village handbook being prepared by parish councillor Stephen Crossley-Smith.
A THIEF who broke into an Ilkley house over the New Year really did have his cake and eat it. For the burglar wolfed down not only a home-made Christmas cake but a box of chocolates as well. He then made off with Christmas presents worth more than £1,300
Farmers are cautiously looking forward to a prosperous New Year after Yorkshire was declared foot and mouth free on the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. But they are also being warned to remain vigilant with biosecurity because whilst Yorkshire,
Gordon Tyrrell is used to heralding the new year at Keighley's Bacca Pipes Folk Club. But his performance tonight also heralds the long-established club's move to a new venue in the centre of town. He will perform from 8.30pm in its new home at St Anne's
A Christmas Carol Fabulous costumes, expressive dancing and a host of Christmas carols come together to make this Northern Ballet Theatre adaptation of Dickens's novel a must. The set of falling snowflakes gives way to the funeral of Jacob Marley, Ebenezer
Passion, murder and the quest for a sporting holy grail form the ingredients of a new novel by Shipley man Karl Spracklen. The Cup is described as a no-holds barred story set in the late 19th century and focussing on the captain of the all-conquering
Motown and musicals, rock 'n' roll and religion, operatic ballet and Oscar Wilde - all make an appearance at the Grand Theatre this winter. Madame Butterfly becomes the latest classic to be cross genres and become a Northern Ballet Theatre production.
SIR - Where can you go for a wee in Haworth? My wife and I live in Oxenhope, about 1.5miles from the centre of Haworth, and frequently walk on to shop or just look round. Over the last few years the number of public toilets has steadily reduced until
SIR, It is to be sincerely hoped that your leading article in the current edition of the Ilkley Gazette (December 27), coupled with the report of the six mums and the dangers caused by traffic on Bolton Road will finally spur the council into action.
Burley Trojans 3 Boroughbridge 0 BURLEY Trojans ended the year on a high as they completed a superb league double over champions Boroughbridge Reserves and closed the gap on leaders Beckwithshaw to just one point. Matchday dawned with a covering of snow
The weather again hit the West Riding County Amateur Lea-gue fixtures badly with over-night snow preventing the majority of games from taking place. Otley Town's visit to Hemsworth was called off early in the morning after three inches of snow fell on
Ilkley 10 Ripon 22 The sunshine and snow were a perfect setting for this Yorkshire League Division Two clash between third placed Ilkley and fourth placed Ripon. The ever-present Chris Pring was away so Anthony Cadman came in to scrum-half and Tony Smith
Saltaire home owners are set to benefit from buoyant property prices boosted by the village's new-found World Heritage Site status, estate agents predicted today. And Shipley's MP Chris Leslie, who lives in Saltaire, believes a village management plan
A drug addict who was caught burgling a student's flat in the halls of residence at Bradford University has been sent to prison for three years. Neil Hudson, of no fixed address, was involved in a struggle with trainee teacher Russell McClellan when Mr
Villagers are being invited to set out their stalls and have a say on whether Baildon should have a market. The principle of having an occasional village market has been welcomed by ward councillors but they are calling on residents to put their views
The brother-in-law of a former Bradford charity-shop worker being held in Pakistan for alleged links with Al Qaeda today claimed: "He's no terrorist." James McLintock, 37, was arrested near the Afghanistan border close to Osama bin Laden's Tora Bora cave
Angry residents today demanded publicans roll up their sleeves and clean up after drinkers flung hundreds of bottles down a Bradford street. One resident counted 200 bottles - many of them broken - littering Wibsey High Street, which has five pubs within
They think it is just harmless fun, playing on the ice-covered reservoir. But today these youngsters - and many others beside - were warned they were playing a dangerous game and putting their lives on the line. These children were caught standing on
Keighley 42 York RI 10 Keighley's forth consecutive win brought some late Christmas cheer to their shivering supporters and hoisted them into fifth place in the league. That the game took place was a credit to the loyal group of officials and members
Dougie Lampkin won his first and last trial in Britain this year when he rode his Radson Montesa to victory in the Bradford Motor Club trial at Howden Wood, Silsden, on Boxing Day. He beat Scorpa importer Martin Crosswaite and G.P. Beta team rider Ben
STAND-IN Cougar coach Paul Moses faces a selection headache for the home game against Doncaster on Sunday. Moses, who has taken over the job-share role as coach with Alan Boothroyd, was facing the prospect of trying to find some on-loan players to fill
THE fact that Wharfedale have booked a session on the all-weather training pitch at Giggleswick School tomorrow offers some indication of the chances of their National Division Two game against Waterloo at The Avenue going ahead, (writes Tony Simpson)
CRAVEN & District Football League officials are keeping their fingers tightly crossed that the weather will improve in time for the mouth-watering fixtures which are scheduled for tomorrow, highlighted by the meeting between Skipton rivals LMS and
SIR - Like many Bradford residents and visitors, I have had to endure nearly 18 months of traffic chaos caused by the introduction of a guided-bus system in Manchester Road, while businesses have suffered terribly as a result. I believe the cost of this
