THE experiences of the Otley family who 'went back in time' for a Channel 4 documentary on living in the 1940's should prove interesting viewing.

Of course, such a documentary can only touch the surface of real life, the family safe in the knowledge that no bombs were going to drop from the skies, no friends or family fall on a foreign battlefield and even that if something did go wrong at home, modern day health care standards were close at hand.

In many ways some aspects of going back 60 years seems somewhat attractive, less traffic, a more reliable rail system, a time when you could leave your front door unlocked and all other such cherished memories that are now gone forever.

One thing is for certain though, if the family had taken part in the experiment in Otley, this paper would have been as much an integral part of their lives in the 1940s as it is today.

For more than 120 years we have been proud to be Wharfedale's local newspaper and we look forward to providing this service long into the future.

DIDN'T we have a lovely time the day we went to Otley - or so went an alternative version of the song after Friday's Victorian Fayre.

Wandering through the damp and chilly streets of Otley early in the day, anyone in Victorian costume had a nasty suspicion that they had dressed up on the wrong day.

But as soon as the fairground rides, organs and entertainers moved in for the evening event, crowds not seen since the blazing heat of summer's Otley Carnival converged on the town centre.

The word on the street is that the event has become a firm favourite with families, who feel it is a fun event to take their children to, in a safe environment.

The organisers managed to put enough attractions around the town to spread the crowds out to areas previously left deserted. Although the icy wind meant youngsters were well wrapped up, this year's fayre seemed to have enough festive spirit in it to conquer the elements.

There have been fears in previous years that the annual event is about to grind to a halt - but surely all the fun to be had at this year's fayre is proof enough that there is enough enthusiasm to keep the fayre going for many years to come.

It is to be hoped that next year's will prove even bigger and better, and hopefully the weather will also be kinder on the day.