Q Quality Town Council Otley Town Council, 7 Bay Horse Court, Otley LS21 1SB. Tel: 01943 466335 Email: [email protected] September 2012 No 61 Sinclairs celebrates its 175th Anniversary One of Otley’s oldest businesses, Sinclairs, this year celebrates its 175th Anniversary having begun business in 1837. Following his apprenticeship to William Walker on And each day produces a pile of books higher Kirkgate, Otley man, William Sinclair set up his than Ben Nevis. Although many people remember own business as a stationer in Wetherby, presumably the red Silvine exercise book with the tables on to avoid any conflict with Walker’s business. He the back and the red pocket notebooks, both returned to Otley in 1854, using premises in Westgate, of which are still in demand, the current product now occupied by the Toymaster shop. range has many new attractive designs. The business continued to grow and in 1884 William’s The company is still very much a family company, two sons erected a new factory on land at Low Lycks. owned & managed by the 5th & 6th generations This factory, although greatly expanded, remains of the Sinclair family. The the home of Sinclairs to this day, supplemented by company employs about 120 warehousing at Bremner Works. people, many of whom have In those early years handmade ledgers would have been their own family links with the mainstay of their production and family tradition Sinclairs. has it that Sinclairs supplied Marks & Spencer when Sinclairs remain proud of its they were still on a stall in Leeds Market. Woolworths history and loyal to Otley were supplied before they came to the UK and Mr F and is keen to demonstrate W Woolworth toured the Sinclair operation in Otley, that manufacturing in Britain smoking his cigar! is still possible. Sinclairs The present day business is the only large stationery remain committed to manufacturer left in the UK, converting paper into continuing to invest in the stationery such as refill pads & exercise books. Sinclairs business and Otley. convert 90,000 miles of paper per annum (enough to go round the equator 11 times) 250th Anniversary of Freemasonry in Otley Royal British The 16th of August 2012 marks the 250th anniversary of Freemasonry in Otley. The first freemasons lodge Legion was warranted in 1762 at the Half Moon Inn, Westgate, now a retail shop. It is now generally accepted that Otley Branch 90th Anniversary Freemasonry had its origins in the operative mason's Guilds who travelled throughout the country in the As part of our anniversary celebrations, we have held two construction of major ecclesiastic and civic buildings. events that have both been a great success despite the This Lodge ceased to exist in 1769. weather! The Buttercross stall raised over £200 even though it was not a typical summer’s morning. The concert by Otley The consecration of the ‘Wharfedale Lodge’ in 1866 coincided with Brass Band held in the Parish Church was well attended, even the industrial revolution and the coming of the railway to Otley though it was one of the wettest days of the summer. We in 1865. The Lodge first met in the Fleece Hotel, in Westgate, Freemasonry is essentially a way of life devoted to making good men thank everyone who supported us. subsequently moving to premises in Boroughgate. better and supporting the community in general. It is reputed to be the second largest Charity in the UK next to the National Lottery and has The remaining two events are both to be held on Saturday 10th November. At the end of World War II, when the troops returned home, There will be a stall at the Buttercross (9am-noon) that will be manned by assisted many local and national charities, in addition to giving major recruitment into Freemasonry led to two more Lodges being formed the Army Cadets. On the same evening at 6.30pm there will be a concert grants to disasters throughout the world. ‘Harewood’ and ‘Chevin Lodge’. In 1959 the Otley Lodges purchased performance by the Yorkshire fellowship Band of the Salvation Army in the and moved into Westbourne House and were subsequently joined A recent independent report concluded that Freemasonry is as relevant Wesley Hall (adjacent to the Methodist Church). All profits from these two by two Leeds Lodges, ‘Alfred’ and ‘Leodiensis’ and more recently today as it ever was and it is good to see the Otley Lodges still thriving events will be added to the Otley Poppy Appeal Fund. ‘Horsford Lodge’. after 250 years in Otley. We thank you for your continued support. Well done to Lizzie Armitstead in securing the first medal for Great Britain at the London 2012 Otley’s Lizzie Olympic Games. Lizzie claimed Silver in the Olympic Women’s Cycling Road Race. Following 3 hours and 35 minutes of competition in heavy rain at times, it came down to a nail biting sprint along the Mall to the finish, with Lizzie beaten to the line by Marianne Vos of the Netherlands. wins Olympic 23 year old Lizzie was educated at the Whartons Primary School and Prince Henry’s Grammar School. Otley is so proud of her achievement and the commitment, dedication and devotion Silver of Lizzie to take part in the Olympics and ultimately her success in finishing second. www.otleytowncouncil.gov.uk UPCOMING EVENTS September OTLEY CYCLING FESTIVAL 8 Heritage Days Otley’s first ever cycling festival was held on Otley Courthouse & The White House – Otley Chevin Sunday 8th July. Over 100 cyclists gathered to 9 Otley Vintage Transport Extravaganza tackle a variety of routes which ranged from 20-23 Otley Black Sheep Folk Festival four miles to 80 miles before enjoying a social 22 Folkin’ Reservoir Ramble event which included displays at Otley Museum, 30 Otley Farmers Market a show of cycling art at the Courthouse and 30 Designer Craft Fair also a barbeque. October Mary Vickers, Otley Town Mayor, commented: 28 Otley Farmers Market "It was a pleasure to see so many people of all 28 Designer Craft Fair ages out on their bikes. What was impressive was November the range of rides available offered by Otley Cycle 11 Remembrance Sunday Parade Club. They cater for anyone new to cycling to the 12-17 Otley Science Festival most experienced road cyclists. There are also op - 16-17 Otley Beer Festival portunities for families to cycle safely together." 25 Otley Farmers Market 25 Designer Craft Fair Christmas Lights Switch-on December OTLEY VINTAGE TRANSPORT 9 Victorian Fayre 23 Otley Farmers Market * Otley Market Days held every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. EXTRAVAGANZA The 15th Otley Vintage Transport Extravaganza will once again be held at Knotford Nook, Pool Road, Otley, on Sunday 9th September 2012. With a record number of entries of almost 500, it promises to be one of the largest vehicle gatherings ever to be held in Otley, with most classes looking like being up on last year, and even at this stage it looks like we will have an event that the whole town Mon 12th - Sat can enjoy. 17th Nov 2012 The list of attractions is growing by the day and Otley Science Festival will be back with a week of fantastic, fun events for all ages with a chance there will be a number of bands and entertainers to meet some very well-known scientists, discover new ideas and take part in exciting activities. on the field as well as a fairground and Punch and Judy for the youngsters. Trampolines will This year’s programme includes Silly Science Toddler provide a sky lift and when you come down Time for the under 5s, a new show from our own to earth you can play on the children’s party Marty Jopson, a Science Lunch, Science Café, Film, fire engine! We will once again be having Book Club, shows from Dr Allan McRobie and the the very popular Bernese Mountain Dogs and BBC’s Prof. Jim Al-Khalili and of course our FREE, Fun also for the older people we have the Knares - Family Event, Otley Science Fair. borough Accordion and Fiddle Band and the Definitely something for everyone. Hall Royd brass band and the City of Leeds There will also be special Schools Events taking Pipe Band. place. Most events take place at Otley Courthouse, please see website www.otleycourthouse.org.uk The steam railway will return to Otley, be it For further information please ring the Box Office on 01943 467466 for one day and model scale, along or visit the Courthouse Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. SPONSORED BY OTLEY with this we shall have a number of TOWN COUNCIL 2012/13 Look out for the Science Festival brochure, available from October! full size steamers and scale model www.otleysciencefestival.co.uk www.facebook.com/otleyscience www.twitter.com/otleyscience steamers as well. For the bargain hunters there will be auto jumble stalls OTLEY & DISTRICT MEN’S FORUM and various charity and Community stalls. “Fraternity and Enlightenment” is our slogan and serious talks in our programme. Membership is free our members benefit is their enjoyment. but there is a charge for coffee and biscuits. The ‘real stars’ of any vintage transport For over forty years we have provided a programme We start on 6th September with a talk by Alan Stut - show are the vehicles themselves. With of twenty talks from early September to mid June tard that he calls “Did I See Marilyn ?” This title many of them traveling from all over the following year. The last meeting of the 2011- raises many thoughts on who she could be.