100 years ago

Huge crowds had poured into Scarborough the previous day. It was generally acknowledged that the number of holidaymakers had been a record for Whitsuntide.

FP Raynham, on his water plane, concluded his flights.

A curious fact regarding these displays was that the tradesmen complained they had affected business, as the result of crowds congregating at specific points to see the aviator and not turning their attention so much to the shops.

Even the shopkeepers on the sea front, where displays had taken place, had felt some effect. On the other hand, the displays, it was suggested, might have attracted a large number of people to the town.

50 years ago

In the years between the two world wars, swimming had gradually found a place in the school curriculum, parties of pupils being taken to public baths by teachers who acted as instructors.

In some instances, owing to the distance between school and bath, transport was by coach, but most pupils walked, thus wasting considerable school lesson time.

Generally, these visits had faded out during the war, in many cases they could not be resumed afterwards, enemy action having put many pools out of use.

Teachers everywhere were worried. The Army had pointed out that more than 50 per cent of National Service recruits could not swim, and there were approximately 1000 deaths from drowning in the British Isles every year.

Only a very tiny percentage of school leavers could swim a few strokes and clearly something had to be done.

Slowly schools had followed the example of a Middlesex primary school headmaster, who with the advice of technicians, and the help of staff, parents and friends, had built a pool in the school grounds.

The scheme had grown to such an extent that there were currently about 3500 school baths in existence.

25 years ago

Brown and white tourist signposts looked likely to become more common around the North Yorkshire countryside.

Following recommendations from the Yorkshire and Humberside Tourist Board, councillors had decided at a meeting of North Yorkshire Highways Committee to relax the restriction on the use of boards.

They voted to end the minimum limit of 5000 visitors a year currently needed by a tourist site before it could put up a signpost.

Councillor Jack Blakey said: “The current rule is absolute madness. I know of four tourist attractions in North Yorkshire that don’t get 5000 visitors now, but would do if they had a signpost.”