100 years ago in Farnhill and Kildwick

Select year
1925
1924
1923
1922
1921
1920
1919
1918
1917
1916
1915
1914

The aim of this page is to provide a monthly summary of events in Farnhill and Kildwick 100 years ago, as reported in the local newspapers of the time: the Craven Herald, Keighley News, and West Yorkshire Pioneer.

We begin our diary in May 1914, three months before the start of WWI.

If you have any additional material please email the web administrator.

Note: The Farnhill and Kildwick History Group would like to thank the staff at Skipton and Keighley libraries for their help with this project.

December 1922

"Pleasures of Life"

In a talk on the "Pleasures of Life" given in the Farnhill Methodist chapel, the speaker, Mr. Laycock of Cowling suggested "[people] had to live their life somehow, and it was better to smile through life than grunt through it".

Source: Keighley News, 9/12/1922

Winter Carnivals

Two "Winter Carnival" events were held, on successive evenings, in Farnhill Institute. The evenings included entertainments, supper and dancing. A total of £35 was raised for Institute funds.

Source: Keighley News, 9/12/1922 and 16/12/1922

Music student's success

It was reported that Phyllis Baxter, of Farnhill had passed the Elementary examinations of the London College of Music, with honours. She had also been awarded the prize for the best student in her cohort.

Sources: Keighley News, 16/12/1922; West Yorkshire Pioneer, 22/12/1922

Prehistoric Man in Farnhill

The local press reported on a talk given this month by Mr. William Hiscoe, to the Farnhill Men's Club, in the Methodist Chapel. Using the mounds and barrows on Farnhill Moor as his evidence, Mr. Hiscoe suggested that ancient religious practices would have been performed in this area; that Hamblethorpe was probably a site where sacrifices took place; and also that Farnhill was probably originally called Cairn Hill, on account of the mounds.
Source: Keighley News, 16/12/1922; Craven Herald, 22/12/1922

Christmas celebrations

Pupils at Kildwick school took delivery of a Xmas tree on the 18th and decorated it with toys. One toy had been provided as a gift for each member of the infant school; with gifts of books and other presents provided for the older pupils.
The gifts were removed from the tree on the last day of term (22nd) when the pupils were entertained to tea by the staff. Gifts were sent out to those pupils too ill to attend, and to certain older people in the village.

The vicar and other members of St. Andrew's Church hosted a pie supper for the boys of the choir and members of the boys' club.

Children of the members of Farnhill Institute had their party on the evening of the 22nd. A Christmas tree was decorated with presents and electric lights. The children had refreshments and games, and each left with a present.

Source: Kildwick school log, December 1922; Keighley News, 30/12/1922

National and International news

5th to 7th - Ireland - The Irish Free State comes into being, with George V as its monarch. The six counties of Northern Ireland vote to remain part of the UK.

11th - Thompson and Bywaters - The trial of Edith Thompson and Frederick Bywaters, for the murder of Thompson's husband, comes to an end. Both are found guilty and sentenced to hang.

undated - What a pickle - The Crosse and Blackwell company begins production of condiments in Branston, Staffordshire.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

November 1922

W.A. Brigg stands for election

W.A. Brigg, of Kildwick Hall stood as the Liberal candidate for Keighley in the General election held this month. He had previously been mayor for the town for four years and it was the parliamentary seat held by his father, John Brigg, from 1895 to his death in 1911.

The results were: Hastings Lees-Smith (Labour), 13978; William Anderton Brigg (Liberal), 9262; Charles Henry Foulds (Unionist), 6955.

Sources: West Yorkshire Pioneer, 10/11/1922; Wikipedia - Keighley (UK Parliament constituency)

Former Kildwick headmaster retires

It was reported that Mr. T.H. Haswell had retired from his post of headmaster of a school in Flintshire. He had been headmaster at Kildwick for 11 years from April 1879, and subsequently headmaster at Haworth.

Source: West Yorkshire Pioneer, 17/11/1922; Keighley News, 11/11/1922

Chicken pox

On the 21st two children were reported absent from school due to chicken pox. The following day another case was reported and a further pupil was sent home. On the 23rd the school medical inspector attended, but no further action was taken.

The number of cases reached 17 by the middle of December.

Source: Kildwick school log, November and December 1922

Bazaar

At the end of the month a two-day bazaar was held at the Friendly Society in Crosshill to raise funds for Kildwick Church, including the planned installation of electric lighting. The event, which raised £380, merited reports in three successive issues of both the Craven Herald and the Keighley News and included an "Mrs. Glentic" competition. Research has failed to identify the nature of this competition.

Sources: Craven Herald, 1/12/1922, 8/12/1922 and 15/12/1922; West Yorkshire Pioneer, 8/12/1922; Keighley News, 2/12/1922, 9/12/1922 and 16/12/1922

Interference with the water supply

At the monthly meeting of Farnhill Parish Council it was reported that the stream that normally supplied water to the well in High Farnhill had been diverted by means of an iron pipe inserted under the road. It was decided that the clerk should write to the District Council asking that the situation be remedied without delay.

Sources: Farnhill Parish Council minutes, November 1922; Keighley News, 2/12/1922

National and International news

1st - Licence fee - A radio licence fee of 10/- is introduced.

4th - Tutankamun - In the Valley of the Kings, Howard Carter and his team locate the entrance to the tomb of Tutankamun. The tomb is opened on the 26th.

14th - Broadcast radio - The BBC begins broadcasting in London. Broadcasts from Birmingham and Manchester begin on the 15th.

15th - General election - The Conservatives win the General election. The Labour party becomes the opposition.

24th - Execution of Erskine Childers - The author of "Riddle of the Sands" is ececuted by firing squad in Dublin.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

October 1922

Village social events

In what was a very quiet month, there were only a couple of social events reported:

A talk on "Yorkshire Life and Character" was given at the Institute by Tom Appleby, headmaster of Kildwick school, in aid of funds for the ladies section<
On the last Saturday of the month a tea party was given in the school to raise funds for the Kildwick Unionist Club. This was followed by a whist-drive and supper on the Sunday. The events raised a total of £25 for club funds.

Source: Keighley News, 14/10/1922 and 4/11/1922

School allotment

By the middle of the month all the produce from the school alotment had been harvested. As the allotment was run by the school pupils as a collective, the headmaster was able to report that a dividend of 3d per shilling share would be paid.

Source: Kildwick School log book, October 1922

National and International news

15th - Waste Land - The Criterion magazine publishes the poem "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot.

18th - The BBC - The British Broadcasting Company (later Corporation) is formed.

19th to 23rd - Collapse of coalition government - The Liberal/Conservative coalition government under David Lloyd George is forced to resign. It is replaced by a minority Conservative government under Andrew Bonar Law.

31st - Mussolini - The fascists cease power in Italy and Benito Mussolini becomes Prime Minister.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

September 1922

Lady liberals at Kildwick Hall

On Tuesday 5th members of the ladies section of Keighley Liberal Party held a meeting and tea party at Kildwick Hall. The event was hosted by the Brigg family - W.A. Brigg was the prospective Liberal candidate in Keighley for the general election to be held in November; it was the seat his father, Sir John Brigg, had held from 1895 until his death in 1911.

The Keighley News sent a photographer.

Source: Keighley News, 9/9/1922

Church and Chapel harvest festivals

Three harvest festival services were held at Farnhill Chapel on Sunday 9th. They were all well attended with music performed by the choir and local soloists. All the services were well attended and raised funds for the chapel.

St. Andrew's celebrated its harvest festival at the end of the month. The church was decorated with fruit and vegetables which was later distributed to the sick.

Sources: Keighley News, 16/9/1922 and 7/10/1922

Suicide at Kildwick

On the evening of Tuesday 26th the body of Mr. Alexander Kemp, the former headmaster of Glusburn school, was found dead in the canal at Kildwick. His hat and coat and a walking-stick were found nearby. An inquest into the death, held at Kildwick the following day, determined that Mr. Kemp had taken his own life. It was recorded that Mr. Kemp had suffered from depression following the death of his wife in June 1920 and he had been seen by his wife's grave in Kildwick churchyard a short while before his body was found. He had made a previous suicide attempt.

Mr. Kemp's funeral was held at St. Andrew's on the 29th and was well attended. The Kildwick school log book noted the absence of the headmaster in order to be present.

Sources: Craven Herald, 29/9/1922; Keighley News, 30/9/1922; Kildwick School log book, September 1922

County library & burial spaces

At the monthly meeting of Farnhill Parish Council, held on the 28th, it was decided:

that Farnhill (and Kildwick) should join the county's Circulating Library scheme. It had already been agreed that the library would be housed in the Institute building and that Mr. Appleby, the headmaster of Kildwick school, would be librarian.

to approach Kildwick Church to see if further space could be made available for burials. The matter was also discussed at Kildwick Parish Meeting on the same evening, where a joint approach to the church was agreed upon.

Sources: Farnhill Parish Council minutes, September 1922; Keighley News, 30/9/1922

National and International news

5th - Pit explosion - An underground explosion at a coalmine in Whitehaven killed 39 people.

Source: "1922 in the United Kingdom"

August 1922

Summer holidays

It was summer holiday time in the local area, with both Hayfield and Junction mills closed for a fortnight. People left en masse, mostly to the seaside. Rail bookings from Kildwick station included:

Morecambe - 386
Blackpool - 172
Lake District - 27
Douglas - 11

If you couldn't afford a week away, there were day trips:

Source: Keighley News, 5/8/1922 and 12/8/1922

Flooding throughout Airedale

While the lucky ones were sunning themselves at the coast, the Aire vally was inundated with flood water. In places only the tops of walls and fences were visible, and travelling by train from Keighley to Skipton was like going over a lake. Over 5 inches of rain was thought to have fallen in three days.

Source: Keighley News, 12/8/1922

Muffled bells at St. Andrew's

On Sunday 13th, muffled bells were rung at St. Andrew's in memory of the late J.W. Ackroyd who had paid for a new large tenor bell when they were recast in 1914.

Source: Keighley News, 19/8/1922

Back to school

On 21st, Kildwick school restarted after the summer break. There were 96 children present.

Source: Kildwick School log book, August 1922

Farnhill Parish Council

At the monthly meeting of Farnhill Parish Council, the following items were discussed:

It was decided to accept Mr. Hargreaves tender for lamplighting during the coming season, at a cost of £18-10s. Street lights would be lit from September 23rd to April 6th. Lights would be put out at 10pm, except on Saturdays when they would be kept lit until 10.30pm

A letter sent by Skipton Rural District Council, raising the rates for Farnhill from £2,220 to £2,628, was the cause of much anger; especially as it was noted that Cononley's rates had been reduced. It was decided that the matter should be taken-up with Skipton.

It came to light that a local man had been illegally fencing off part of Farnhill Moor. A letter would be written asking him to remove the fences; and a the lord of the manor was also informed.

Source: Keighley News, 2/9/1922

National and International news

17th - Dublin - Dublin Castle is formally handed over to the Irish Republican Army as the last British Army troops withdraw from the country.

22nd - Murder of Michael Collins - The Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State was shot and killed in an ambush.
undated - Hyperinflation in Germany - The value of the Deutschmark dropped to more than 1000 against the US dollar. Down from just over 500 in a month.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

July 1922

"The Hermit of Farnhill Crag"

On the 1st of the month, members of Kildwick and Farnhill Institute held a garden party in the grounds of Kildwick Hall. The major attraction came in the afternoon, with the performance of a musical, "The Hermit of Farnhill Crag", specially written for the occasion by William Hill.

The performance was well received although the weather deteriorated during the second half and plans for a repeat in the evening had to be abandoned. Instead, the performers gathered in the Institute and provided an evening of songs and light entertainment, which was followed by dancing.

Sources: Craven Herald, 7/7/1922; Keighley News, 8/7/1922

Lecture on flowers

The Farnhill Methodist Sunday School organised a lecture on the history and breeding of flowers, held in Farnhill Hall. The talk was given by Charley Hill a local man with a wide-ranging knowledge of gardening.

Source: Keighley News, 8/7/1922

Church Choir fund-raiser

St. Andrew's Church choir gave an open-air concert in the grounds of Kildwick vicarage on the evening of Tuesday 11th. The event raised £15 for the Church choir trip fund.

Sources: Craven Herald, 14/7/1922; Keighley News, 15/7/1922

Snooker

Meanwhile, indoors at the Kildwick Unionist Club, an exhibition doubles match of snooker was taking place with Mr. Medley (of Halifax) and Mr. Sturdy (Crosshills) taking on Mr. Hollis and Mr. Louis Medley (both of New York City). The local team came out winners with Mr. Medley making a break of 25 and Mr. Sturdy one of 22.

The rules of snooker were only formalised in 1919, after which there was a rapid growth in interest in the game which quickly overtook billiards in popularity.

Sources: Keighley News, 15/7/1922; World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) website, https://wpbsa.com/about-us/history/full-history/

Choir outings

Just a few days after their fund-raiser, the adult members of St. Andrew's Church choir had their annual outing, with a party of over 40 men and women spending a day in the Lake District. Towards the end of the month it was the turn of the choir boys, who had a day-trip to Morecambe.

For their annual outing, the choir of Farnhill Methodist Chapel spent the day in York; where not only were they able to visit the Minster, but were invited to sing in one of the chapels. The return journey was via Knaesborough and Harrogate, arriving back home at around midnight.

Sources: Craven Herald, 21/7/1922 and 4/8/1922; Keighley News, 22/7/1922 and 5/8/1922

A strange cricket match

On Saturday 22nd, the local cricket team, Kildwick Albion, took on a team of men who used the 7.53am train from Kildwick to Bradford, who called themselves "The Great Eleven". This team was made up of members of cricket clubs along the Airedale line, including several professionals, but Kildwick had good reason to believe that God was on their side as their captain was the Farnhill Methodist Minister, Rev. Ladley.

It was a close game, with "The Great Eleven" ending up winners by just four runs. After the match, tea was served at Kildwick Hall.

The event raised £5 for the blind cricketers of St. Dunstan's Home for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors, a charity supported by Mrs. Sharpe of Kildwick Hall.

Sources: Craven Herald, 28/7/1922; Keighley News, 29/7/1922

National and International news

21st - Austin 7 - The icon Austin 7 motor car was launched at Longbridge. It will remain in production for seventeen years

undated - Hyper-inflation - The value of the Deutschmark dropped to more than 500 against the US dollar. (Its value was 12 to the dollar in April 1919.)

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

June 1922

Anniversary church services

On Sunday 4th, special anniversary services were held at both St. Andrew's church and Farnhill Methodist Chapel to raise funds for the Sunday Schools associated with both denominations.

The Methodist services included special music written for the occasion, including hymns written and composed by William Hill who had been a member of the Chapel for almost 70 years.

Source: Craven Herald, 9/6/1922

A glowing report for Kildwick School

The report of a visit by His Majesty's Inspectors was included in the school log book. It included significant praise for the headmaster, Tom Appleby:

There is ... an advance, which is especially noticeable in Arithmetic and Poetry. The Head Master still makes his business his pleasure and is indefatigable in thinking out his work.

Towards the end of the month the headmaster reported that three pupils had been awarded Minor Scholarships, enabling them to attend secondary schools. Among these was the headmaster's own son, Benjamin William Appleby, who would later go on to become a renowned radio broadcaster.

Source: Kildwick School log book, June 1922

National and International news

14th - Presidential broadcast - US President, Warren Harding, made the first presidential address by radio.

22nd - IRA assasination - Members of the IRA murdered British Army field marshal Sir Henry Wilson in London

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

May 1922

Anyone for tennis ?

On the 4th, the senior girls of Kildwick school held a tea to which their parents were invited. There was a good turn-out and £3 was raised for the purchase of nets and supports for tennis. (Miss Petty had previously donated eight tennis racquets for the girls to use.)

Later in the month, the question of providing a tennis court and bowling green was discussed by Farnhill Parish Council but no final decision was taken. Reference was made to a plan, abandoned several years previously, to have a bowling green at the top of the Arbour.

Sources: Kildwick School log book, May 1922; Farnhill Parish Council minutes, May 1922; Craven Herald, 12/5/1922, 2/6/1922; West Yorkshire Pioneer, 12/5/1922; Keighley News, 26/5/1922

Sudden death of Councillor Tom Latham

Farnhill appears to have been shocked by the sudden death, following a heart attack on the 12th, of Tom Latham of Hellifield Farm House. Mr. Latham was 63 years old and had been a member of Farnhill Parish Council for nine years.

Farnhill Parish Council sent their sympathies to Mrs. Latham.

Sources: Farnhill Parish Council minutes, May 1922; Craven Herald, 19/5/1922; West Yorkshire Pioneer, 19/5/1922; Keighley News, 20/5/1922

"Captive Maid of Israel"

On the 14th the sacred cantata "Captive Maid of Israel" was performed in the Farnhill Methodist Chapel, which was full to capacity.
The chorus parts were sung by members of the chapel choir, with solo parts taken by local singers.

Source: Keighley News, 20/5/1922

Young Liberals at Kildwick Hall

On the 27th members of Keighley Junior Liberal Association gathered at Kildwick Hall, where they were entertained by the Liberal candidate for Keighley, W.A. Brigg.

Source: Craven Herald, 2/6/1922

National and International news

11th - Radio - Radio station 2LO became the second to broadcast regularly in the UK, operating from Marconi House in London, initially for one hour a day. It would later become the BBC

20th - Ship sinks - P&O liner SS Egypt sank in the English Channel, following a collision. There were 44 passengers, 294 crew and £1 million in bullion and coin onboard; 86 people died.

29th - Corrupt MP - MP Horatio Bottomley was jailed for seven years for fraud.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

April 1922

School pupils start work on their allotment

Senior pupils of Kildwick school started work on their allotment, under the supervision of a former gardener from Kildwick Hall. (This work continued even when the school was closed for the Easter holidays.)

Source: Kildwick School log book, April 1922

Problems with Farnhill rubbish tip

At the meeting of Farnhill Parish Council, on the 21st, Mr. Wrathall, the representative of the owner of the Farnhill estate, complained about the state of the village tip located (perhaps surprisingly) in Farnhill Wood. He reported that tins and items of broken glass were being left on the surface, rather than being buried as was the agreement. This made the wood dangerous for his cattle. He said that if the situation was not remedied he would close off access.

The Parish Council agreed to refer the matter of the tip to Skipton Rural District Council.

Source: Farnhill Parish Council minute book, April 1922

Stainer's "Crucifixion"

A performance of John Stainer's oratorio "Crucifixion" was given by Kildwick Church choir on the 9th, with soloists John Robertson (Leeds) and local man Sam Tillotson. There was a large congregation.

(The piece has been a staple in the repertoire of amateur choirs since it's first performance in 1887 - despite John Stainer himself calling it "rubbish".)
Source: Keighley News, 15th April 1922

National and International news

7th - Air crash - The first recorded mid-air collision of two passenger planes occurred near Amiens, France.

29th - Cup final - The last cup final before the opening of Wembley Stadium took place at Stamford Bridge. Huddersfield Town beat Preston North End, 1-0.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

March 1922

School "houses"

After a successful trial period it was decided that the pupils of Kildwick School would be divided into four separate "houses": Scott, Shackleton, Nelson, and Shakespeare. House points would be awarded and each month, members of the top-scoring house would be allowed home 20 minutes early on the last day of the month. A similar early release would be granted to each boy or girl who had kept a 100% attendance record during the month.

The school roll numbered 105 pupils: 62 girls and 43 boys.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book (1907 - 1922)

Objections to gas price rises continue

Objections to the planned gas price increases imposed by Kildwick Gas Company reached a new high at the meeting of Cononley Parish Council, held on the 9th, when letters of objection were read out from the councils of Bradley, Farnhill, Cowling, and Steeton-with-Eastburn. Notes of concern from both Skipton and Keighley Rural District Councils were also reported.

It was decided that the objections of all the local villages would be raised with the Board of Trade by the appropriate RDCs.

Source: Craven Herald, 17th March 1922

Farnhill "a failing village"

At a meeting of the Farnhill Parish Council on the 14th, George Bottomley reported on his 3 years as Rural District Councillor. His report ruffled a few feathers. He suggested that Farnhill was a "failing village", noting that the population was virtually unchanged from 1891. He also noted that there were very few rateable properties in the village, bringing in very little money, and argued that 8 more houses should be built as soon as possible.

Source: Keighley News, 18th March 1922

National and International news

1st - CAA - The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) established.

6th - Explosion - A serious explosion in a West Midlands (Tipton) factory involved in the dismantling of explosive cartridges results in the death of nineteen girls aged 13 to 15.

10th / 18th - Gandhi - Gandhi was arrested, in India, and subsequently sentenced to 7 years in prison for sedition.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

February 1922

Village social events

As always, there were a number of social events held in the village this month, including:

A Cricket Club dance, held at the Institute
A tea and social evening for members of the Bradford and Keighley "Co-operative Holidays Association".
Earlier in the day, members had met at Utley and walked to the Institute via Sutton.
A whist drive, held at the Unionist Club, in aid of club funds.
A talk, with lantern slides, on "Historic Spots in Airedale", in the Institute.
The ladies section of the Institute held a tea for members of Skipton Congregational Church Women's Guild.
Mr. J.J. Brigg, of Kildwick Hall, gave a talk on "India".
The Cononley troop of Boy Scouts gave an entertaining evening at Kildwick National School.
The school was also used for an illustrated talk on "The Oxford Mission to Calcutta".
Finally, at the end of the month, there was a dance held at the Institute in aid of the Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund.
(A charity supporting veterans blinded during the war.

Sources: Keighley News and Craven Herald, various February 1922 issues

Church congregations

In the February issue of St. Andrew's Parish Magazine the vicar, Rev. C.E.V. Hodge, raised concerns about the congregation. Apparently whilst numbers generally were holding up, the numbers attending early morning services were much reduced. He suggested that people were only concerned about religion as long as it did not inconvenience them.

Source: Keighley News, 11th February 1922

School library

During the second part of the month there was a drive to increase the number of book in the school library. By the end of the month the number had increaed from 150 to over 210.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book (1907 - 1922)

School takes on an allotment

At the Farnhill Parish Council meeting, held on the 23rd, it was decided that the school should be allowed to rent a 1.25 acre vacant allotment. (From April entries in the school Log Book will record how this allotment was managed by the pupils on a co-operative basis.)

Source: Farnhill Parish Council Minutes, February 1922

Cost of road maintenance

Also at the Parish Council meeting, it was suggested that Skipton Rural District should be approached about the poor condition of the road through the culvert and whether Newby Road could be resurfaced.

The local RDC councillor, George Bottomley noted that considerable work had been carried out on the roads in Farnhill recently, including the laying of a kerb from High Farnhill to the junction with Grange Road at a cost of almost £110 and the improvement and widening of the road near Box Tree Farm at a cost of £130 (including £25 for a new wall).

Source: Farnhill Parish Council Minutes, February 1922

Royal wedding

Children at Kildwick school were given the day off on the 28th to celebrate the wedding of Princess Mary (sister of the King) to Viscount Lascelles (later Earl of Harewood.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book (1907 - 1922)

National and International news

2nd - Ulysses - The novel by James Joyce published - on the author's 40th birthday.

5th - Reader's Digest - First issue published in the USA.

14th - Radio - The world's first regular radio broadcasts begin, for half-an-hour each Tuesday evening. The broadcasts are from the station 2MT at the Marconi Company laboratory, near Chelmsford in Essex.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"

January 1922

Poor attendance at school

A combination of factors led to a very poor attendance at Kildwick School this month - which was as low as 52% for infants in the week ending Friday 20th. A number of children were absent due to colds and influenza; bad weather made it difficult for some pupils from outlying areas to get to the school (including one day when a child arrived and was considered unfit to remain in class, and was taken home); finally, a shortage of coke due to the bad weather made it difficult to get the school sufficiently heated - with the school getting close to running out completely on the 23rd.

Source: Kildwick School Log Book (1907 - 1922)

Sunday school prize givings

This month saw prize-giving parties for the Sunday Schools attached to both St. Andrew's church and Farnhill Methodist Chapel. On the 2nd, there was a tea held in Kildwick school, followed by a concert; and on the 7th, a similar event took place in the Methodist school room.

Sources: Keighley News, 7th January 1922; Craven Herald, 13th January 1922

Social evenings at the Institute

A Fancy Dress party was held at the Farnhill Institute, organised by the lady members. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes and then the large gathering had supper and refreshments. The evening continued with music and dancing that went on until midnight.

The following week, the gentlemen organised a social evening for the lady members as a "thank-you".

Sources: Keighley News, 14th and 28th January 1922; Craven Herald, 27th January 1922

More objections to local gas price increases

Following the complaints made by Farnhill Parish Council about the increase in gas prices levied by the Kildwick Gas Company, this month's meeting of Cononley Parish Council saw similar objections raised. The council was read a reply from the company, sent in reponse to the complaints originating in Farnhill, that said that the price rises in local area were not excessive and that attempts to compare them to prices rises in, say, Keighley and Haworth were not appropriate. Furthermore, the letter went on, studies had shown that the quality and pressure of the gas supplied was up to the required standard.

It was agreed that the council should write to the Gas Company to express their dissatisfaction with the information provided.

Sources: Keighley News, 21st January 1922; Craven Herald, 27th January 1922

Success for local musician

The press reported that J.R. Williams, a former pupil of Kildwick School, had passed his examinations at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

[Joseph Russell Williams would subsequently go on to become a composer. Some of his orchestral works were played on the BBC Third Programme during WW2.]

Sources: Keighley News, 14th January 1922; Craven Herald, 20th January 1922

National and International news

11th - Treatment for diabetes - The first successful insulin treatment of diabetes was made, by Frederick Banting in Toronto.

24th - Façade, an entertainment - A collection of poems by Edith Sitwell recited over an instrumental accompaniment by William Walton, was first performed, privately in London.

Sources: "1922 in the United Kingdom"; "1922"