From our archives:

85 years ago

It was a big day for the cinema industry after three years of comprehensive investigations looking at the way cinematography may effect education and social progress they had now reached the paramount conclusion that they was an urgent need for the establishment of a national film institute.

While admitting that “the vulgarity and tedium of a really bad film was abominable and no doubt harmful,” the commission considered the evil effect of the cinema had been a little been overstressed.

Plans however were now in place to create a National Library were films could be rated with a certificate.

In a separate meeting the Home Secretary Sir Herbert Samuel stressed he would be amending the new Sunday Entertainments Bill to include that cinemas could now only open on a Sunday for five hours.

50 years ago

The first part of the new club for the British Railways Staff Association at Malton and Norton was now open.

The new building near the level crossing, was an extension to the club’s two adapted prefab bungalows.

Mr Peter Shepherd, chairman of the York building group, had been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Awards for his services, to wool and in Selby schoolchildren who had turned out to watch the launching of a tug from the yard of Selby shipbuilders Cochrane and Sons was left feeling just a little disappointed.

The children expecting to see the tug slide gracefully into the Ouse, waited and waited, but unfortunately nothing happened.

It was later explained that the launch had been called off, due to not enough water in the river.

20 years ago

Parents and governors made an impassioned plea to York’s council chiefs to keep Queen Anne School open.

The school had been earmarked for possible closure as one outcome of a major secondary education shake-up in the city.

At the public meeting City of York Council’s director of education outlined several options for consideration.

He then went on to admit that closing Queen Anne would be financially attractive.

A nationwide hunt was on for a sadistic rapist who detectives considered may have had a York link.

Operation Lynx appealed for the help of the people of York to catch the man who had struck at least five times in three countries over a 13-year period.