From our archives:

85 years ago

The 15th annual cookery competition for elementary school girls, organised by the York Gas Company, went ahead at the company’s showrooms in Davygate.

Sixteen girls competed, working in two parties the first from 10am to noon, and the second from 2pm to 4pm.

Domestic science teacher Miss Nicholson was very impressed with how well they had performed on the gas cookers, and presented the star pupil with the first prize of a very handsome carriage clock, the hallmark of a professional cook.

News had spread that telephone operators from the London telephone service were up in arms after hearing that their morning tea break had been banned, due to the fact that the “casual relief allowed was so liberal it was affecting the service to the public”.

50 years ago

Thousands of holidaymakers flocked into the sea at Scarborough as temperatures soared into the seventies.

York had its busiest day of the summer for traffic as commuters enjoyed 14.2 hours of uninterrupted sunshine and youngsters made the most of York’s very own little seaside resort, which could be found under the Ouse Bridge.

For the second time in a fortnight, electricians employed by Rowntrees and Co Ltd were once again on strike as fifty members of staff from an entire department went on a four-day unofficial strike over a wage claim.

Jayne Mansfield’s 16-year-old daughter, Jayne Marie, was to stay in police custody before being taken to a children’s home after walking into a West Los Angeles Police Station stating she had been beaten by a male friend of her mother.

20 years ago

Ailing missionary Mother Teresa was given a boost by a visit from Princess Diana at a charity hospital where she was being cared for in the Bronx, New York.

Until Diana arrived at the Sisters of Mercy hospital Mother Teresa had been wheel-chair bound, thanks to her presence they both walked arm-in-arm praying together.

It may have taken 60 years, but one of York’s most popular products had finally grown up.

Smarties, a firm favourite with generations of children, was moving into the adult market having spotted a niche in the intensely competitive confectionary sector by launching Giant Smarties.

The new range adopted the familiar shape and colour of its smaller sibling but was nearly three times the size.