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 1919

Social events

As the first year of peace since 1913 came to a close, a number of social events occurred in Farnhill and Kildwick. Including:

A whist drive held at the Institute, to provide funds for Kildwick Albion Cricket Club.
A dance, with music provided by Kildwick and Farnhill Prize Brass Band, in support of band funds.
A Christmas tea and entertainment at St. Andrew's Sunday School.
A New Year's Eve dance, held at the school, in aid of Kildwick Old Boys' Football Club.

Sources: Craven Herald, 5th and 26th December 1919; Keighley News, 3rd January 1920

Horse theft prevented by Farnhill man

Jack Cain, a weaver, was found guilty at a court in Colne of stealing a horse and trap valued at £100, the property of Colne butcher Charles Wilkinson. Principal witness for the prosecution, Tom Wrathall of Farnhill, said that he saw Cain driving the horse and trap on the road between Skipton and Keighley at 6:20am on December 16th. He took hold of the reins and asked Cain where he was going. Cain replied that he was going to Keighley to collect Wilkinson's man who had gone there to buy a pig. Not happy with this tale, Wrathall took the horse to his farm on the pretext of giving it some feed and, while there, contacted the police.

The accused said that he did not take the horse and trap to sell them but simply wanted to get to Keighley to visit his aunt in order to get money to go to Scotland, where he planned to join the Army.

Cain was found guilty of theft and committed to Preston court for sentencing under the Borstal system.

Source: Keighley News, 27th December 1919

National and International news

1st - Lady Astor - Lady Nancy Astor became the first woman to sit as an MP in the House of Commons.

22nd - Partitioning of Ireland - A Bill "to provide for the better government of Ireland" was introduced into parliament. It proposed two Parliaments for Ireland: one for the six counties of north-east Ulster and one for the other twenty-six.

23rd & 30th - End of sex discrimination - Sex discrimination in the professions was made illegal on the 23rd. On the 30th Lincoln's Inn admitted its first female bar students.

31st - Inflation in Germany - By the end of the year the value of the German Mark stood at just a quarter of its April value against the US dollar.
Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; Nancy Astor

November 1919

Rare birds in Farnhill

Sightings of a pair of Golden Plovers were reported in Farnhill. It was thought that exceptionally cold weather had brought the birds further inland than was usually the case.

Source: Keighley News, 1st November 1919

Elocution recitals

Over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd, Farnhill was visited by the well known elocutionist Mr. Edward French who gave performances in the Methodist Church, on the Saturday evening and again during the Sunday services. The performances were supplemented by pieces by villagers, including Miss Dorothy Hill, Leo Spencer, and Mr. R.E. Barker.

Source: Keighley News, 8th November 1919

Oddfellows Presentation

On the 5th, the Staincliffe Lodge of Oddfellows, meeting in the Farnhill Methodist schoolroom, made a special presentation to one of their members, William Hill, who was retiring as secretary after 42 years.
Speeches were made, and a letter was read from the District Grand Master who noted that Brother Hill had steered the Lodge through many difficulties and had brought it to a safe place.

Brother Hill was presented with a wallet containing £33.

Sources: Keighley News, 8th and 15th November 1919; Craven Herald, 14th November 1919

Dances and concerts

Throughout the month a number of dances, concerts and other social events were held at the Institute and in the Methodist Church schoolroom. Including: a dance to recruit young men to the Duke of Wellington's Cadet Battalion, a special musical church service, and a social evening to raise funds for a new piano for the Chapel.

Sources: Keighley News, 15th and 22nd November and 6th December 1919

Anniversary of Armistice Day

The first anniversary of Armistice Day was celebrated at Kildwick School with a tea for the pupils, followed by a fireworks display.

Source: Keighley News, 22nd November 1919

Boards of Guardians

At the end of the month, Skipton Board of Guardians (the authority that administered the Poor Law) received a report from Rural District Councillor George Bottomley of Farnhill on the conference of the Association of Poor Law Unions, which he had recently attended. The conference had had over a thousand representatives of Boards of Guardians from Berwick to Truro and the general view was that the work they did must continue as there was no other organisation that could take their place.

Source: Keighley News, 6th December 1919

National and International news

11th - Remembrance Day - The first anniversary of the Armistice was commemorated with two minutes silence at 11am.

19th - US Senate and the Treaty of Versailles - The Treaty of Versailles, the official end of war in Europe, failed to receive ratification in the US Senate. It would receive ratification, instead the US would conclude separate treaties with each of the Central Powers.

30th - End of the 'flu epidemic - Health officials in the US declared the Spanish 'flu epidemic, which had taken between 50 and 100 million lives (three to five percent of the world's population), to be over.

Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; 1918 flu pandemic

October 1919

Famous soprano marries Kildwick man

Skipton Congregationalist Church was the location for the marriage of Miss Lilian Dillingham of Skipton, and Mr. Robert Laycock of Prospect House Kildwick. Before her marriage Miss Dillingham was widely known as a soprano, and had done extensive war service providing entertainment for soldiers in France and raising funds in Canada and the USA.

Sources: Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 9th October 1919; Keighley News, 11th October 1919

Death of Farnhill war veteran

James Pollard, who had returned from France in August after 4 years in the army, died of pneumonia, at his home, Arbour House in Farnhill, on October 7th. He was 30 years old.

James Scarborough Theodore Pollard was buried in St. Andrew's graveyard and is commemorated on the Kildwick war memorial.

Sources: Keighley News, 11th October 1919; "Craven's Part in the Great War - James Scarborough Theodore Pollard"

Design for war memorial

Towards the end of the month details of the proposed design for the Kildwick war memorial were circulated in the village. The memorial, which had been drawn-up by a London architect, was expected to cost in the region of £500.

Sources: Keighley News, 1st November 1919

National and International news

2nd - President Wilson - President Woodrow Wilson had a stroke which rendered him disabled from the rest of his life.

13th - Adolf who ? - Former corporal in the German Army, Adolf Hitler, made his first major political speech, addressing the German Workers' Party.

13th/17th - Leeds United - On the 13th Leeds City were expelled from the Football League due to financial irregularities, leading to the formation of a new Leeds club, United, on the 17th.

Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"

September 1919

Wedding at Farnhill Chapel

The wedding took place, at Farnhill Chapel, between one of the Farnhill WW1 veterans, Herbert Barker, and Mary Nelson, the daughter of the Crosshills stationmaster. The bridegroom was the groom's brother, Rupert Edward; and the bridesmaid the bride's sister, Hetty.

After the service, tea was served for 100 guests at the Institute, followed by a concert and dancing. The happy couple received many gifts, including a barometer from the staff of Crosshills station.

Source: Craven Herald, 12th September 1919

Peace medals for school pupils

On the 9th there was a short ceremony at the school during which the pupils were presented with Peace Medals by W.A. Brigg. Hymns and patriotic songs were sung and Mr. Brigg reminded them that they were citizens of a great empire and that they must determine that the end of the war should be the beginning of a new and better world.

The text reads:
Crosshills & Dist. Peace celebrations to commemorate the victorious conclusion of the Great War and the signing of the peace June 28th 1919

Sources: Kildwick school log book (1907-1922); Keighley News, 13th September 1919

A recreation ground for the school

It was reported that a gentleman who wished to remain anonymous had ofered an acre of land to the managers of Kildwick school for use as a recreation ground, on condition that they would pay for it to be fenced off.

Source: Keighley News, 13th September 1919

Choir outing

Adult members of St. Andrew's Church choir had a motor charabanc trip to York. This was the first trip for the choir since the outbreak of the war. An enjoyable day was had by all, visiting various places of interest including attending a service at the Minster.

Sources: Craven Herald, 26th September 1919; Keighley News, 27th September 1919

Farnhill to become part of an Urban District ?

At the Farnhill Parish Council meeting on the 25th, it was decided that the council would take part in a joint meeting with Cowling, Glusburn and Cononley, with a view to forming an Urban District.

Sources: Keighley News, 27th September 1919

National and International news

2nd - Jan Smuts - Jan Smuts became the second Prime Minister of South Africa.

27th - Britain leaves Russia - British involvement in the Russian civil war was brought to an end with the evacuation of the last British troops from Archangel.

Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"

August 1919

Flower and vegetable show

The Paxton Society held their annual fruit and vegetable show in the Institute on the 2nd. This was a little earlier than in the past and, as the season was running a little late, the number of exhibits was lower than usual.

Seth Walmsley, George Chivers and W.H. Heaton shared most of the prizes.

Source: Craven Herald, 5th August 1919

Summer holidays

Sunderland's weaving shed closed for the summer holidays from Friday 8th for 10 days. It was reported that many families had gone off to the west coast for their holidays, with Morecambe being the favoured destination.

Source: Keighley News, 16th August 1919

School re-opening delayed

The re-opening of the school after the summer holidays, due on the 25th, was delayed by a week on the order of the Skipton medical office of health, who ordered the building to remain closed because of reports of an outbreak of measles in Farnhill.

Source: Kildwick school log book (1907-1922)

National and International news

British War Medal ribbon - The War Office announced that the British War Medal ribbon could be worn by all discharged and serving men who had taken part in the war. Arrangements were in hand for the speedy issue of 8m ribbons.

15th - Back to work - The "Restoration of Pre-War Practices Act" ensured that returning servicemen could go back to their pre-war jobs.

18th - Britain attacks Russia - British aircraft and torpedo boats launched an attack on the Russian Bolshevik fleet at Kronstadt, near Petrograd. A number of vessels were damaged or destroyed in the operation.

30th - The return of football - League football was resumed, four years after it was discontinued due to the war.

Sources: Craven Herald, 5th August 1919; "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"

July 1919

Institute Summer Fete

The annual Summer Fete in aid of the Institute was held on the 5th, at Kildwick Hall. More than 250 people attended and the weather was very fine, allowing tea to be served on the lawn. Over £18 was raised for Institute funds.

Various concert items were given by local performers. Particularly amusing was a piece called "The Snowball Song" for which the singers each had a muff filled with artificial snowballs which were thrown into the audience during the chorus.

Sources: Craven Herald, 11th July 1919; Keighley News, 12th July 1919

Peace thanksgiving service

Following the signing of the Versailles Treaty, a special service was held at St. Andrew's on the 6th attended by members of the County Council and Farnhill Parish Council. A "Te Deum" was sung and Kildwick and District Brass Band played the National Anthem.

Sources: Craven Herald, 11th July 1919; Keighley News, 12th July 1919

Proposals for a war memorial

The vicar convened a meeting in the school to consider plans for a Kildwick Parish war memorial. It was agreed that the memorial should be of a "Christian character and non-utilitarian". Future meetings were planned for other townships in the parish.

Source: Craven Herald, 11th July 1919

Kildwick pupils take part in "Peace Festivities"

National Peace Day (19th) was celebrated at Crosshills and pupils from Kildwick school took part in a fancy dress parade, winning two of the six prizes on offer. They also took part in sports, with some success, but the tug-of-war team was defeated by the team from Glusburn school.

After dark, flares were lit at Farnhill Pinnacle.

All expenses were met by five local (anonymous) gentlemen, who also arranged for each school-child in the area to receive a souvenir medalion.

Sources: Keighley News, 26th July 1919; Kildwick school log book (1907-1922)

A strange egg-laying competition

Eight months into a year-long egg-laying competition, it was reported that hen number 59 was in third place. Pen 127a, of White Leghorns, was in eighth place in Section 1 - Division B.

Both hen number 59 and Pen 127a were the property of Mr. Harry Whiteoak, of Kildwick.

Source: Keighley News, 26th July 1919

Raising money for a school war memorial

On the 26th a Sale of Work was organised by past and present pupils of Kildwick school, in order to raise money for a school war memorial. The sum of £35 was realised.

Speaking at the event, Mr Appleby the headmaster noted that 14 former pupils had been killed in the war.

Sources: Craven Herald, 1st August 1919; Keighley News, 2nd August 1919; Kildwick school log book (1907-1922)

Allotments for ex-servicemen and lamp-lighting

At the Parish Council meeting, held on the 31st, allotments and the lighting of the village was the major topics of discussion.

The Clerk reported that a government inspector had been around the parish looking for fields that would make suitable allotments; and the Chairman, W.A. Brigg, said he thought it was strange that the inspector had not announced himself to members of the council. In a neighbouring parish it had been reported that land would not be taken away from hard-working farmers but that it would be necessary to take whole farms.

Arrangements were made for the coming lamp-lighting season. There was some discussion about purchasing automatic lighters for the street lamps before it was decided to advertise the post of lamp-lighter.

Sources: Craven Herald, 5th August 1919

National and International news

2nd-6th - Transatlantic flight by airship - The British airship R34 made the first transatlantic flight by an airship, and the first westbound flight by any aircraft, from RAF East Fortune, Scotland, to Mineola, New York.

18th - Cenotaph - The Cenotaph, designed by Edwin Lutyens, was unveiled in central London.

19th - Peace Day - The signing of the Versailles treaty was celebrated with marches and parades across the country. In Luton, the Town Hall was burned down by ex-servicemen protesting about unemployment.

31st - Council Houses - The Housing, Town Planning, Act 1919 provided government subsidy for local authorities to provide council houses. The initial target was 500,000 houses to be completed by 1922.
Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; "Luton - Peace Day Riots"; "Housing, Town Planning, Act 1919"

June 1919

Vicar objects to artificial wreaths

In this month Parish Magazine the vicar of St. Andrew's, Rev. Hodge, wrote that in his absence several wreaths of artificial flowers had been placed on graves in the churchyard. He did not want to appear unsympathetic but made it clear that "breakable" memorials were unacceptable.

Source: Keighley News, 7th June 1919

Whit Monday festivities

On Whit Monday (9th), the Sunday schools of both St. Andrew's and the Methodist churches had their respective parades and festivities.

The St. Andrew's parade began at the school. A service at the church, conducted by the vicar, was then followed by a march through both Farnhill and Kildwick. Tea and buns were then served in the school, followed by games held on a field loaned by Mr. Robert Laycock.

The Methodist Sunday school parade went to both Farnhill Hall and Kildwick Hall. Tea was served in the school-room and games played on a field adjacent to Kildwick Hall.

Source: Keighley News, 14th June 1919

The return of the Brass Band

After a period of inactivity durign the war, when the absence of so many members had made it impossible to continue, the Kildwick and District Brass Band toured the village, playing selections of music and taking a collection to support band funds.

Sources: Craven Herald, 27th June 1919; Keighley News, 28th June 1919

A war memorial for Kildwick school

On the evening of the 23rd, former pupils of Kildwick school gathered to discuss the possibility of erecting a memorial to commemorate those of their number who had been killed in the war. A committee was formed and it was decided to hold events to raise the necessary funds.

Sources: Craven Herald, 27th June 1919; Keighley News, 28th June 1919

PC Maddison decides to leave

After more than six years as the policeman for the Farnhill and Kildwick district, PC Maddison left to work in Gargrave.

PC Maddison had been called up in March 1917 and had been gassed in May 1918, while serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Sources: Craven Herald, 27th June 1919; Keighley News, 28th June 1919

Parish Council supports land for former servicemen

Farnhill Parish Council agreed to support a petition of former servicemen asking for land for use as allotments, presented by their representative, George Holliday. The petition was forwarded to West Riding County Council.

Sources: Keighley News, 28th June 1919; Craven Herald, 4th July 1919; FPC minutes, 26th June 1919

National and International news

14/15th - Non-stop transatlantic flight - A Vickers Vimy aircraft piloted by John Alcock with navigator Arthur Whitten Brown made the first nonstop transatlantic flight, from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Clifden, Connemara, Ireland.

17th - Canadian troops riot (again) - Unhappy at not being returned home, about 400 Canadian soldiers rioted and attacked the police station at Epsom, resulting in the death of Station-Sergeant Thomas Green.

21st - Scuttling of the German Fleet - The German High Seas Fleet, impounded by the British in Scapa Flow at the end of the war was scuttled on the orders of its commanding officer, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter. von Reuter believed that the alied forces were about to restart the war and use his ships against Germany. Nine German sailors were killed.

28th - Treaty of Versailles - The Treaty of Versailles was signed, formally ending World War I. Its repressive conditions would lead to the rise of Nazism in Germany and become a contributory cause of WWII.

Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; "Epsom Riot"; "Scuttling of the German Fleet"; "Treaty of Versailles"

May 1919

Re-forming of Kildwick Old Boys' Football Club

A decision was taken to re-form Kildwick Old Boys' Football Club. The club, originally formed in 1908, had suspended activities during the war as members went to join the forces. By the end of the war all except one of the 40 club members registered in 1913/14 had seen active service; six had been killed and many others wounded.

It was decided that the club would join the Keighley League for the 1919/20 season, if a suitable playing field could be found. The suggestion that a single club should be formed for the district, comprising Kildwick, Sutton and Crosshills, was dismissed.

Sources: Craven Herald, 9th May 1919; Keighley News, 10th May 1919

Farnhill lad joins the forces

On the afternoon of Saturday 17th, an event was held for students of Glusburn Technical Institute and Skipton Art and Science School who had been pupils of Thomas Appleby at Kildwick National School.

The group assembled at the school and walked up to Kildwick Hall and the moors; after which tea was served. Dancing and entertainments were provided in the evening and the event concluded with supper.

During the evening Harry Bottomley, of Farnhill, was presented with a cigarette wallet when it was announced that he had just joined the Army for a three-year term and was due to join his regiment the folowing Monday.

Source: Keighley News, 24th May 1919

Posthumous Mons Star for Joseph Smith

The widow of Private Joseph Smith, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, the first man from Farnhill and Kildwick to be killed in the war (19/9/1914), reported that she had received the Mons Star medal from the War Office on behalf of her husband.

Sources: Craven Herald, 30th May 1919; Keighley News, 31st May 1919

Plans for new houses in Farnhill and Kildwick

Having been told by Skipton Rural District Council that their rates would be increased whether or not any new houses were built in the village, Farnhill Parish Council decided that they would support the building of 20 semi-detached houses in High Farnhill.

The new homes would be built to face the canal, adjoining the existing houses in Middleton. This location was described by the chairman of the council as delightful "except when the wind was blowing".

Note: As there are very few semi-detached houses in High Farnhill even today, it seems as if the plan must have been revised (scaled-down or even cancelled) later.

It was suggested that houses could also be built in Kildwick, on a site close to the canal that would be "handy for the sewage". (Exact location unknown.)

Sources: Keighley News, 31st May 1919; Craven Herald, 6th June 1919; FPC minutes, 29th May 1919

Parish Council hears about allotments

The Parish Council heard from Mr. Armistead, the secretary of the Sutton Ex-Servicemen's Association, about the need for allotments in Farnhill. He reported that 17 ex-servicemen from Farnhill and Kildwick wanted land; 15 from Farnhill, and two from Kildwick.

The council asked that a petition be drawn up, with the men's names, and presented to the next meeting.

Sources: Keighley News, 31st May 1919; Craven Herald, 6th June 1919; FPC minutes, 29th May 1919

A complaint about tarmac roads

Mr. Wrathall, of Farnhill Hall Farm, complained about the new policy of tarmacing roads. He said that it was dangerous to take a good horse on such a surface.

Sources: Keighley News, 31st May 1919; Craven Herald, 6th June 1919

National and International news

8th - 5 minutes of silence to remember the WW1 dead - Australian journalist, Edward Honey, writing in the Evening News, first suggested that there should be "Five silent minutes of national remembrance" to take place at the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

12th - Pip, Squeak and Wilfred - The first appearance of the Pip, Squeak and Wilfred cartoon in the Daily Mirror. The names of the three characters were very quickly adopted as nick-names for the three medals awarded to WW1 servicemen: the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal respectively.

27th - Exchange of Fyodor Raskolnikov - Fyodor Raskolnikov, commander of the Russian Bolshevik fleet, who had been taken prisoner in December 1918, by British forces fighting the communists during the Russian Civil War, was released in return for 14 British prisoners held in Russia.

29th - Theory of Relativity Tested - Observations on the bending of light during a solar eclipse, made by Arthur Eddington, were used to test part of Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; "A Guide to British Campaign Medals of WW1"; "Fyodor Raskolnikov"; "Arthur Eddington"

April 1919

Tragic end to Aire fishing trip

An inquest held at Cross Hills returned a verdict of "Accidental death" on Clifford Rayne of Keighley who body had been recovered from the Aire the previous day.

Rayne had been seen fishing in the river on the Sunday by a local man, and his wife confirmed that he had gone fishing alone and that he could not swim. Dr. Canter of Cross Hills examined the body and found no sign of any injury; from the circumstances it seemed likely that death had been by drowning.

Source: Keighley News, 12th April 1919

Children allowed out of school early

On the 11th, 10 children were allowed to leave Kildwick school early in order that they could attend a "Wild West Show" in Skipton.

Here's how this event was advertised in the Craven Herald.

Source: Craven Herald, 4th April 1919; Kildwick school log book (1907-1922)

No new houses required in Farnhill

At its monthly meeting, on the 15th, Farnhill Parish Council responded to a letter from Skipton Rural District Council by adopting the following resolution:

That this Council does not know of any need for new houses in Farnhill at present but if the need arises in the immediate future this Council is willing to cooperate with the Rural District Council in the matter.

The council created a small committee to discuss the matter further with Skipton RDC.

Source: FPC minutes, 15th April 1919

Former servicemen want land for allotments

A meeting of over 20 ex-servicemen from Farnhill and Kildwick was held in the Institute on the 10th. The meeting, presided over by William Ward, decided to form a Smallholders' Association in order to lobby for land to be made available for ex-servicemen to work on. It was decided to send a representative, George Holliday, to speak to Farnhill Parish Council at their next meeting.

On hearing from Mr. Holliday, the council decided that they needed to know the amount of land required and asked him to attend the meeting in May and bring further details.

Sources: Keighley News, 12th and 19th April 1919; Craven Herald, 18th April 1919; FPC minutes, 15th April 1919

National and International news

3rd - Release of Conscientious Objectors - The government agreed to begin the release of imprisoned conscientious objectors.

13th - Amritsar Massacre - British and Gurkha troops massacred 379 Sikhs at a temple in Amritsar, in the Punjab Province. The massacre provided a major boost to the independence movement in India.

15th - Save the Children Fund - The Save the Children Fund was created to raise money for the relief of German and Austrian children.

Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; "Amritsar Massacre"; "Save the Children"

March 1919

William Slack of the Mercantile Marine returns home, and dies

William Slack returned home to his mother's house in Farnhill on March 1st, after serving for nine years in the Merchant Navy. He died on the 16th; he was 31.

William Slack's name was included in the list of "Farnhill Volunteers" recorded by the parish council in January 1916. His name does not appear on the Kildwick war memorial.

Source: Craven Herald, 21st March 1919

Please can we have our Parish Clerk back ?

At the Farnhill Parish Council meeting on the 17th it was decided to send a letter to the Army authorities asking that the former Clerk to the Council, Arthur Turner, be released from military service as soon as possible.

Sources: Craven Herald, 21st March 1919; Keighley News, 22nd March 1919; FPC Minutes, March 17th 1919

Vicar returns home

The vicar of Kildwick, Rev. Hodge, wrote what he hoped would be his last letter from France in the St. Andrew's parish magazine. He said that nothing had been decided, but he had been told that the number of chaplains required to serve the army of the occupation had been fulfilled and the others were likly to be released soon.

He returned to the village on the 17th.

Sources: Keighley News, 3rd and 22nd March 1919; Craven Herald, 21st March 1919

Soldiers' entertainments

On Saturday 22nd former pupils who had served with the Forces were entertained at Kildwick school.

Over 200 people sat down to a tea provided by former members of the school staff, which was followed by a concert. The evening concluded with dancing.

Surplus food - pastries and ham - was sent to the Military Hospital at Keighley; and there were plans to send small gifts of money to all the men who had been unable to attend the event.

Sources: Craven Herald, 28th March 1919; Keighley News, 29th March 1919

Institute dance

At the end of the month a very successful dance was held in the Institute. A profit of £5 was made, for Institute funds.

Source: Keighley News, 5th April 1919

National and International news

4th/5th - Kinmel Park Riots - Troops of the Canadian Expeditionary Force awaiting repatriation at Kinmel Camp in North Wales rioted. Five men died and 28 were injured. 25 men were subsequently found guilty of mutiny.

23rd - Italian facist movement - Benito Mussolini founded the Fascist political movement in Milan. Of the 117 original members, five were Jewish.

Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; "Italian Fascism";

February 1919

Local airman dies of influenza

John Allen Smith, who was discharged from the RAF on January 28th, 1919, died of influenza at home in Junction on February 4th.

John Allen Smith is commemorated on the Kildwick war memorial.

Source: "Craven's Part in the Great War - John Allen Smith"

Local refugees return to Belgium

This month saw many of the displaced refugees who had been living in this area, some since the beginning of the war, return to Belgium.

The last departed from Kildwick and Crosshills station on the 5th. There were 10 from the Crosshills district; two from Cononley; and one from Bradley. They were given a warm send-off.

Source: Keighley News, 8th February 1919

A "Welcome Home" arranged

Plans were put forward for a "Welcome Home" event to welcome back the former pupils of Kildwick school who had been serving with the forces. It was decided to hold a tea, concert and dance, in March.

Source: Keighley News, 8th February 1919

"Winter Gardens"

Throughout the month, beginning on the 13th, a series of "Winter Gardens" events was held in the Institute. The events were to raise money for the Institute funds; with a third going to St. Dunstan's Hostel for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors (a charity supported by Mary Sharpe). The building was decorated with evergreens and supper was provided by ladies connected with the Institute.

Source: Keighley News, 15th and 22nd February 1919

Kildwick school closed due to influenza outbreak

On Tuesday February 4th Tom Appleby, the headmaster of Kildwick school, recorded in the school log that 20 pupils (out of a total of 103) were absent due to influenza. By the 7th, the figure had risen to 35; and to 45 by the 12th. On the 14th, Mr. Appleby himself was ill; and on the following Monday (17th), the school was closed for two weeks by order of the Medical Officer of Health.

Sources: Keighley News, 22nd February 1919; Kildwick school log book (1907-1922)

National and International news

3rd - Sinn Fein prison break - Three members of Sinn Fein, including the leader Eamon de Valera, escaped from prison in Lincoln.

6th - Weimar Constitution - The first meeting of the German National Assembly convened in Weimar and began work on a new constition for the country.

Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; "German National Assembly";

January 1919

Another returning POW

William Thompson, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, returned home to his uncle's house in Skipton Road, Farnhill, after years as a prisoner of war in Germany. He said he had not been badly treated, the food being the worst part of his experiences.

Source: Craven Herald, 3rd January 1919

Diverted water-course

At a meeting of Skipton Rural District Council it was reported that a property owner in Farnhill had laid a pipe to divert a water-course onto his land without permission. A letter was written to the offender asking him to restore the previous arrangement.

Source: Keighley News, 4th January 1919

New Methodist minister appointed

A new Methodist minister arrived in Farnhill to replace Rev. C.R. Dalton, who had died in November 1918. Rev. S.S. Coulson, who had previously been in charge of Nelson Methodist Church and who had been appointed for a six-month probationary period, took his first service on January 5th.

Sources: Craven Herald, 10th January 1919; Keighley News, 11th January 1919

Methodist "At Homes"

The new minister arrived just in time to take place in a series of "At Homes" that took place around Farnhill to raise money for Chapel funds. There were at least three events and they appear to have been very successfull; one of them raised over £34.

Sources: Craven Herald, 10th and 17th January 1919; Keighley News, 11th and 18th January 1919

Ladies needlework and knitting - a final tally

Throughout the war the ladies of Kildwick and Farnhill Unionist Club had met weekly to produce articles of needlework and knitwear for the lads from Farnhill, Kildwick and Junction who were serving with the forces. On the 14th they gathered for a supper in the club rooms and heard the final tally of their efforts. Since August 1914 they had made and sent out:

1,812 pairs of socks

59 pairs of bed socks

53 pairs of laces

101 pairs of mittens

13 pairs of gloves

233 scarves

112 body belts

2 blankets

50 day shirts

34 night shirts

25 invalid shirts

60 pillows

60 bandages

63 handkerchiefs

28 nightingales (a cape used for invalids with arm wounds)

79 swabs

In addition, they had sent:

254 cakes

254 packets of sweets

2,310 cigarettes

30 packets of tobacco

254 writing pads

309 postal orders

To pay for all this the ladies had collected £111 3s 1d from various sources.

A presentation of a pair of silver flower vases was made to the secretary of the fund, Mrs. Jack Smith.

Source: Keighley News, 18th January 1919

Housing and allotments

At a meeting of Farnhill Parish Council, held on the 23rd, a discussion of what the minute book called "Housing for the Working Classes" in Farnhill was set aside, until it was seen what assistance wouldbe forthcoming from the government.

It was decided that the rest of the field on which allotments had been created in 1918 would be made available for more.

Sources: Keighley News, 1st February 1919; Craven Herald, 7th February 1919; Farnhill Parish Council minute book

National and International news

3rd - Faisal-Weizmann Agreement - An agreement was signed between Emir Faisal (representing the Arab Kingdom of Hejaz) and Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann, in support of a Jewish homeland in Palestine and an Arab nation.

5th to 13th - Attempted revolution in Germany - Socialist demonstrations turned into an attempt at a communist revolution in Germany. In response, the German Workers' Party was formed (later known as the Nazi Party).

15th - Great Molasses Flood - A wave of molasses released from an exploding storage tank swept through Boston. 21 people were killed and 150 injured.

18th - Peace Conference - The Paris Peace Conference opened in Versailles.

21st - War for Irish Independence - The Irish parliament met for the firt time, in Dublin. It was made up of Sinn Fein MPs who had not taken their seats at Westminster. An independent Irish Republic was declared, triggering war with Britain.

31st - Riots in Glasgow - The government, fearing a possible Socialist revolution, used the army (equipped with tanks) to break up protests in Glasgow against high rents and in support of a 40 hour working week.
Sources: "1919"; "1919 in the United Kingdom"; "German Revolution 1918/19"; "Paris Peace Conference"; "Irish War of Independence"; "Battle of George Square (Glasgow)"