Across the years

However just much of the criticism upon the management of children at the present time may be, it is certainly true that in one respect at least modern mothers are wiser than were their mothers and grandmothers before them. It is only in a few homes that girls are now required to “sit still and be little ladies.” Why should a healthy growing girl be expected to sit still any more than her romping brother, about whom no concern is manifested? The daughters of the present generation are to be the mothers of the next and they need outdoor exercise and indoor sports to make them healthy in body and gentle in disposition.

The Otley Local Board have an important and difficult duty to discharge in determining what scheme they will adopt for dealing with the town’s sewage; but we credit the members with an honest desire to that which, according to their lights, they believe to be for the benefit of those whose interests they are supposed to safeguard. 100 Years Ago – 1913.

At a public meeting held in Town Hall Square, Yeadon, on Monday night County Councillor H Lockwood, secretary to the local Factory Workers’ Union, alleged that at four mills the recent agreement was now being violated by the employers in a manner which made him wish that something had happened to him before he ever signed it. Had the matter to be down again, knowing what he knew now, he would never sign such an agreement.

Through the enterprise and generosity of the rector, the Rev. J. F.Howson, Guiseley has been supplied with a new market cross, which has been erected on the triple base in the centre of Town Gate on which the old cross is supposed to have stood. The new cross is a replica of the one standing in the Market-place at Giggleswick. 75 Years Ago – 1938.

A peculiar phenomenon which was seen by many people in the Wharfedale district on Sunday night is believed to have been a meteorite which may have crashed to earth at Clifton, on the hillside to the North of Otley. In letters to newspapers this week the phenomenon has been described as “a peculiar bluish white light that left a tail” and “rocket like.” People saw it from places as far as Harrogate, Leeds, Horsforth and Burley Woodhead.

Plans are going forward for the storage of respirators for civilians in the area. The Home Office have now approved the scheme for the storage of civilian respirators, and work will begin at once in preparing local stores. These will be at Otley and at Pudsey. Volunteers are required to assemble these respirators in the event of an emergency.

50 Years Ago – 1963.

The possibility that a “dig” on the site of the old Archbishop’s palace in the Manor House grounds may not now take place seems to have caused more comment than the project itself. It seems odd that nobody has got down to digging before because it is on record that when the present Manor House was built extensive foundations were discovered. The palace is reputed to have been built by Wulstan, Archbishop of York, when King Athelstan made a gift to him of the manor of Otley about 938AD.

Retiring collections have been taken at services at Menston Methodist Church over the past fortnight for the Skopje earthquake relief fund. The sum of £17 3s. 3d. was raised and has been sent by the minister, the Rev J. D. Wood, to the Methodist Christian Citizenship, who are to forward the money to the ruined city.

25 Years Ago -1988.

Pupils not in danger – reassurances have been given that asbestos found in the roof at Ilkley Grammar School has in no way posed a danger to pupils. However pupils will be displaced when they return to school next month and will be accommodated in six temporary classrooms following investigations on the grounds of health and safety.

A campaign to put an end to the cruel and often pointless experiments carried out on innocent animals is being stepped up by the Ilkley and District branch of the Cats Protection League. The local CPL is joining a campaign to stop the USA from importing about 1,000 chimpanzees from Africa in order to inject them with the Aids virus and test vaccines on them.

l If you have any information about the above stories, get in touch. Email annette.mcintyre@gazetteand observer.co.uk or call Annette on 07816 168 373.