100 years ago

An interesting gift of stuffed wild animals had been made by Lord Durham to the blind people of Sunderland.

It consisted of a fine specimen of a leopard, a small Himalayan bear, a young fish-eating crocodile, and an Indian antelope, which had been set up in a large glass case displayed in jungle scenery. The gift was the outcome of recent experiments in Sunderland in the showing of exhibits of museums and art galleries to the blind which were rapidly being adopted in various parts of the world. The leopard had been shot by Lord Durham in India in 1882.

Lord Durham had shown his kindly interest in the blind on the occasion of the recent visit of the King and Queen to Lambton Castle, when he had the clay models in the museum (which were made by the blind) taken to Lambton for the inspection of their majesties.

 

50 years ago

Anyone who had driven the Triumph Herald would tell you that its 25 ft turning circle was the biggest single aid to town driving that had ever been built into a motorcar in 70 years.

If you imagined having to reverse in a cobbled side street, say 25ft kerb to kerb, with every hazard from bollards to boundary stones trying to baulk you, in the Triumph Herald you would not reverse at all. You would hairpin round in one sweet go. But the delights of driving a Herald did not end with this turning circle. In a Herald you took pleasure in the quietness of the engine. In the luxury which surrounded you – the deeply padded seats, the polished walnut fascia. In the exceptional forward, rearward and sideward visibility.

These were some of the reasons why informed motorists said the Herald was the most delightful light car to drive, as well as being the best-looking.

 

25 years ago

Selby MP Michael Alison wanted vigilantes to be enlisted to help protect Britain’s churches from theft and vandalism. He said a Guardian Angel group could provide the solution to a problem which was causing major concern particularly in inner city areas.

Mr Alison, who was a Government spokesman on church affairs, put forward his vigilante plan in the Commons when he was asked during Question Time about vandalism to ecclesiastical buildings. He said the protection of parish churches could be an ideal role for the Guardian Angels squad aiming to cut down on crime on the London Underground.

Mr Alison later said that it was essential to have people on hand to ensure churches could remain open during the day and free from attack.