100 Years Ago

A letter in the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer 100 years ago: Sir, I rather expected to see in the paper a string of protests from Menston and Burley readers against the proposed Mid Yorkshire Tramways scheme, but as there is not a single one. May I be allowed to raise my feeble voice against this invasion of our charming country lanes and roads by this hideous erection of overhead wires and poles and the dividing up of our roads and the taking away of that country appearance of quietness and peace.

It would be a pity if the streets of Otley during the winter were to be allowed to remain in a dirty state because two committees can't agree which should have the superintendence of the work. Yet such a thing has been in danger of happening. The state of Otley roads in bad weather has been brought up again and again.

Baildon has suffered very severely from measles during the last few months and at present the central schools are again closed on account of the infection. Parents are inclined to complain of the children having to spend their time at home. But it was said a necessary step to stop the infection spreading was the closure of the central schools.

75 Years Ago

Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles hunted with the Bramham Moor Hounds, which met at Rawden Hill, Arthington, the residence of Mr E B Whitley. A fox was killed in the wood surrounding the house and this was followed by a capital 90 minutes woodland hunt in Harewood Park which ended in a second fox being killed. A large crowd of spectators gathered to see the meet.

A rumour has been current that the London and North Eastern Railway Company are proposing to institute a service of steam coaches, built to carry 65 passengers, on the Leeds to Ilkley branch, via Arthington and Otley. Inquiries in official quarters elicit that nothing definite has been decided, although it seems quite possible that such a service may be instituted in opposition to the bus services already running.

The proposal for public motor ambulance services stretching from Skipton to Guiseley was discussed at a meeting of the urban district council. It was remarked that the Guiseley motor ambulance was managed very efficiently by those involved, although it had to be said that there were no new voluntary workers forthcoming

50 Years Ago

PUDSEY Division Conservative Association held a bright Elizabethan Fair at St Margaret's Hall, Horsforth, and visitors had a preview of delightful Coronation decorations. The fair was arranged on the lines of an Elizabethan open air market, with colourful awnings, while the walls were adorned with heraldic shields. The platform was banked with chrysanthemums and firs and a Christmas tree and illuminated castle were dominant features.

The Food Office in Boroughgate, Otley, will be closed and its duties transferred to the Employment Exchange in Charles Street. Reference to the change was made in a letter to Colonel Stoddart Scott from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food.

One of the most successful Christmas fairs to be held in the district was opened in Menston Church Hall. The effort, a two-day affair, was organised by members of the parish church, who were out to raise £1,500. The effort was organised to raise funds to meet the cost of extensive renovations, which at present are being carried out in the church hall. Preparations started for the Yuletide event as early as March.

25 Years Ago

A suggestion has been put forward by Councillor Stephen Day for overcoming public transport problems in rural villages such as Arthington where, he says, the service is 'totally inadequate, expensive and almost non-existent.' He suggests a complete disbanding of the National Bus Company and an end to the licensing powers of the Traffic Commissioners, so that private bus companies could operate on a competitive basis.

A hope that Guiseley School would eventually get a sixth form was again expressed by the headmaster at the annual speech day. The headmaster said the Leeds Education Committee had declared its support for the policy of developing sixth forms in all its secondary schools.

So few people have taken advantage of the police surgeries introduced at Yeadon and Guiseley that they have been abandoned following the expiry of a trial period. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said that during the six weeks the surgeries were open they had attracted very little interest. Each surgery had had an average of only two callers a week although they were open for five days. The surgeries were brought into being for an experimental period.