100 years ago

ENGLAND’s attitude towards Germany, in view of the latter’s threatened violation of the neutrality of Belgium, had become of paramount importance.

That the relations between Great Britain and Germany were strained to breaking-point was sufficiently indicated by the speech of Sir Edward Grey the previous day in the House of Commons.

Germany was exerting every possible influence, both overt and covert to secure a free hand in her design of “smashing” France.

It was in pursuance of the plan of campaign devised by her General Staff that she desired passage for her troops through Belgium in order to strike at the flank of the French defences. She was endeavouring to secure Britain’s neutrality to this scheme.

But England was bound by most solemn obligations to resist, by force if necessary, such an International outrage. And it was now evident that if Germany pursued her current policy nothing could prevent an open conflict between her and our country.

The Proclamation would shortly be issued for the mobilisation of the British Army and the embodiment of the Territorials.


50 years ago

ONE of Britain’s oldest circuses - Chipperfield’s - had decided to leave the country for good, because of the competition from television.

Famous animal trainer Mr Dick Chipperfield, head of the circus, said: “The English people haven’t yet got over television. The Continental likes to go out and about for his entertainment, but the Englishman likes his home. We hope business will be much better over there.

"Circuses in countries all over the world are going through a boom now - except for England. In South Africa, like Germany, America and Russia, people are much more circus-minded.”


25 years ago

LISTERIA hysteria had hit North Yorkshire again after the deadly germ was found in a pâté sold in Asda stores.

The Leeds-based firm was recalling all its pre-packed Galloway Pâté. And in two more food scares, Presto crisps sold in parts of North Yorkshire and bars of Turkish Delight were being dumped.

This followed revelations that half the ice cream sold in York might contain unacceptably high levels of bacteria. Asda had been contacted by an environmental health officer who had advised that the pâté contained unacceptably high levels of listeria and they were asked to take it off the shelves.

Asda were not concerned about the cost, said the company’s head of public relations, Trevor Greenwood. “We don’t count the pennies when it comes to something like this. The safety of the customers comes first.”