Otley Museum & Archive Trust

20/10/2026

Come along on Wednesday 4 November between 5.30 pm and 7.00pm to share your ideas. Otley Parish Church

Your chance to have your say

19/10/2026

View looking down Beech Hill before the demolition of Brown's Court in 1967.
This was where the current car park is now sited, as can be seen on the current photo.
Note the distinctive building which was the Leeds Industrial Co-operative Society which still stands, but no longer the Co-op.

Museum Ref: O/BH/ph/18d

otleymuseum.org

12/10/2026

Railway timetable from 1865.

Travel to London Kings Cross.
Depart Otley 8:15am, 55 minutes to Leeds and arrive London 3:50pm, for the price of 54 Shillings (£2.70) First Class.

The line had opened on 1st February 1865 and the last timetabled passenger train left 100 years later on 20th March 1965.

Otley by-pass now occupies the old railway route.

Museum Ref: O/R/hb/3

otleymuseum.org

05/10/2026

Brass memorial plaque, removed from the wall of the old Sunday School in Wharfe Street after closure of Further Education classes in 1996.

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF ALFRED EDWARD PULLAN A TEACHER IN THIS SUNDAY SCHOOL, WHO DIED DECEMBER 7TH 1895 IN HIS 17TH YEAR. THESE PICTURES ARE DEDICATED".

Very young to be a Teacher!

Dimensions 12x9 ins.

Museum Ref: O/CG/ml/1

otleymuseum.org

03/10/2026

Here's the missing photo

03/10/2026

In a previous post on 1st June we showed a copy of the first Wharfedale Observer printed in Otley and asked if anyone knew when the last edition was printed in the Town.

It appears that the last one was dated 29 April 1988.
After that edition, papers stated that they were printed by John H Hurst & Co. in Cleckheaton.

Here's a photo, courtesy of Rawdon Library, where there are a large number of back issues of the paper available to view.

otleymuseum.org

28/09/2026

Biscuit tins (2), with printed wrappers for "Robinson's Ginger Wafers, The Different Biscuit" from c.1960.

Biscuits made by William Robinson (Otley) Ltd at his factory on the back of Station Road, east side.

Sold at his shop at 3 Kirkgate, which is pictured on the right of the photo.

Dimensions 4.75 x 3.75 x 3.5 inches.

Museum Refs: O/K/pk/3 & 10 and ph/113.

otleymuseum.org

21/09/2026

Rope spinning wheel, as featured in our video post last week!

Formerly used at the works of James Robert Whitaker Margerison (1888-1979) to the rear of 15 Bondgate, an area previously known as "Ropewalk" and now demolished.

Wheel stands 137cm high, 67 wide, 99 diameter.
9 octagonal spokes are set into an iron rimmed hub.
Turning handle with iron spindle and 6 revolving grooved spindles with projecting hooks at the top.
All set on a wooden base & frame.

How this wheel turns twine into rope, does anyone know?

In the early 20th century the business was run by Matthew Whitaker Margerison, Father of James.

Photo shows the wheel in situ in the Bondgate works, with James and (it is believed) his Wife, Polly (nee Wise).

Museum Refs: O/BO/sw/1 & ph/21

otleymuseum.org

20/09/2026

What an incredible turnout at yesterday's Heritage Day exhibition, Everyday Lives, Everyday People. It certainly sparked lots of interesting conversations about the rich history of Otley's people.

As we embark on an exciting new chapter for the Museum preparing for a move to the heart of Otley, we invite you to be a part of shaping our future - information in the attached display from yesterday. If you can offer any time to help us make this a reality, please get in touch - [email protected]

18/09/2026

Ropemaking Wheel arriving at Otley Courthouse ready for Otley Museum's Heritage Day exhibition.
Saturday 19 September 10.00 to 16.00.