From our archives:

85 years ago

Moreby Park’s annual garden fete in aid of the Stillingfleet Parish Church funds took place at the weekend thanks to the kind permission of Major T Preston.

Attractions included a Cricket League match between Stillingfleet and Murton, tennis, a baby show and in the evening an ankle competition. For the fashion conscious the “Bows and Buttons” feature expressed that “Those who felt tempted by dresses with capes should consider the style here sketched”.

The attention should be turned to “a buttoned bodice in fine green wool marocain”.

According to “The Maid in Mayfair” the little Princess Elizabeth was revelling in her seaside holiday at Sandwich.

The pebbly beach was not well suited for paddling or bathing, but there was a magnificent road along the front, on which the little Princess was allowed to ride up and down on.

50 years ago

When the Fossgate furniture shop of Macdonalds Ltd opened that morning, in came the first customer… a peacock.

With its mate, the bird had decided to take a shopping stroll from the Museum Gardens.

After walking down Coney Street, the pair made their way on to Macdonald’s foot.

Shortly after the shop opened, one of the peacocks flew down and into the shop, crash landing on to mattresses and swooping down on a “York Press” photographer before settling on a shelf.

York Estates Committee had been informed that the cost of replacing defective railings along the bar walls between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar was likely to be in the region of £5,200 to £6,000.

The committee had planned to remove defective railings and to replace them only where necessary for the safety of people walking along the walls.

20 years ago

Youngsters from Scarcroft Primary School were going back in time after spending a day at Helmsley Castle as part of a very unusual history lesson.

Playing the role of Tudor characters, the children tried out ancient spinning and weaving techniques and even performed playlets.

The Michael Barratt Window Company celebrated its 10th anniversary with an open day at their showroom in Stockton-on-the-Forest.

And parish councillors at Sherburn-in-Elmet presented a cut glass vase to Alma Hodgson who had run the Brownies pack in the village for 50 years.

York based biscuit retailer Cookie Jar had been sold to a major rival, retailer Millie’s Cookies.