From our archives:

85 years ago

Entertainment was high on the agenda for York residents as the Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society made a highly popular change in reverting to musical comedy, for their production of “Miss Hook of Holland”.

The Theatre Royal audience showed its appreciation by demanding encores from both the principles and the chorus.

A Sunday concert given at the Grand Picture House, in aid of York Poor Children’s Fresh Air Fund raised approximately £30.

And hundreds of York people packed the Rialto Cinema, to enjoy a trip on screen ‘From Liverpool to Rome and the Vatican with the Roman Catholic Archbishop Dr Downey’.

Dr Downey’s popular talkie included some of the finest art in the world and ended with a plea, made by the man himself for financial help towards the cost of the £3,000,000 new cathedral.

50 years ago

York pop group Gideon’s Few had a wasted 135 mile trip from York to Birmingham, after arriving to find the Rainbow Rooms were they planned to play had burned down, only a few hours before.

Saxophonist Dave Alderson replied: “It must have been a hot group there the night before.”

The Lord Mayor Ald W Milburn presented nursing cadets from Acomb, with the St John Ambulance Brigade, Grand Prize award at the Mansion House, York.

Granada’s TV programme Double Your Money hosted by Hughie Green introduced the nation's chosen hostess winner, after attracting more 3,000 girls to apply for the job and over 60,000 viewers casting their votes.

20 years ago

Thousands of Star Wars fans turned out at the Odeon cinema, London, for the royal premiere of the revamped 1970s blockbuster, in a bid to catch a glimpse of a galaxy of stars from the world of film, television and pop.

Three thousand fans roared with approval as Prince Charles walked the red carpet, but it was the original stars that stole centre stage.

Children at the York District Hospital and Martin House Hospice received an early visit from the Easter bunny after sixth-formers from Huntington School, York, delivered Easter eggs donated by Asda stores and Nestle.