From our archives:

85 years ago

News around the York District consisted of reports of a very successful whist drive and dance held by the Allerston Cricket Club in Pickering, who managed to raise £13 for the club funds, to the progress on work being carried out on the extensions of York College for Girls in Petergate.

In Richmond, workman had uncovered an ancient water well during excavations to lay down a water main down Bargate.

Thirsk however had only grim news to report, after more than 6,000 chickens had perished in a farm fire in Isleback.

In addition to the poultry, about 3,700 eggs were also destroyed.

50 years ago

A former leading soprano with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, Mrs Enid Nicholson had opened her first ever public exhibition, showing some of her paintings at St Oswald’s Church Social Hall.

Mrs Nicholson who now lived in Fulford after being confined to a wheelchair hoped to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

More than 2,000 Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Cub Scouts thronged the nave of York Minster, for the annual St George’s Day and Founder’s Day service and The Archbishop of York, Dr Donald Coggan, officiated the wedding of Miss Elizabeth Anne Bates, daughter of his houseman, to the Rev Randell Tabrum Moll, at St Andrew’s Church, Bishopthorpe.

The Tufty Club in Osbaldwick held its first ever jumble sale in the Community Hall, raising a whopping £8 for the club funds.

20 years ago

A barge owned by Acaster Water Transport made one last journey up the River Foss after delivering newsprint from Goole to the Evening Press offices for more than 30 years.

The move to now transport all newsprint by lorry had ultimately sparked of a series of protests by environmental campaigners from the Foss Action Group, who then staged a peaceful demonstration at the lock linking the Foss with the Ouse.

Ryedale sheep farmers had also been put on high alert after a stolen lamb was found running up and down a street in Sunderland.

The group Sheepwatch said farmers must be on their guard after 30 sheep had been stolen from Spaunton Moor, near Kirkbymoorside.

And visitors to the Harrogate Flower Show were greeted by a 93ft-high bouquet after opening its doors to celebrate its 70th anniversary.