From our archives:

85 years ago

The “Yorkshire Herald” had confirmed that York had lost its bid for a new aircraft factory by Airspeed Ltd, to Portsmouth.

Discussing the Skelton Grange site near York, industry specialist Mr Norway confirmed: “To put it shortly, that offer from York Corporation came too late; in other words they missed the boat.”

A large number of adults and children had filtered into the streets of York to watch a lunar eclipse.

The weather was thankfully particularly clear enabling the crowds to see every stage of the eclipse until it reached almost totality at 10 o’clock.

In Leeds shopping giant Lewis formally opened its new Yorkshire store providing employment for nearly 1,100 people, making it the largest business organisation of its kind in the country.

Speaking at a Press luncheon managing director Mr Marquis said: “We are seeking to bring luxuries of the rich within range of the poor.”

50 years ago

The Forest of Galtres Group of Women’s Institutes had a great turn out for what proved a very successful show at Stillington village hall.

Eight of the nine institutes in the group took part with Easingwold earning the most points with a display depicting York’s Shambles.

Wass were runners up with an exhibition based on Denmark and Danish products; and Huby third with Scottish handicraft and produce.

Pictured in the Press was York Theatre Royal having its outside walls cleaned, just one of the jobs being carried out during its renovation.

The picture clearly showed the astonishing difference between the newly cleaned section of the wall and the section still bearing the grime of the years.

And York girl Miss Janis Oxtoby didn’t waste any time getting to the top, for at 19 she had landed her first job as secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Wilson.

20 years ago

Nestle Rowntree had launched radical new versions of its bestselling Smarties and Kit Kat.

Children’s favourite Smarties had come out of the traditional tube and into a foil bag, which also contained a free mini-comic and giant speckled strawberry-flavoured Smarties and Kit Kats were to be sold for the first time in Britain with a dark chocolate coating, and a new 3D logo on its traditional wrappers.

Children at Heworth Primary School were given an exclusive taste test ahead of its launch and were wild about the Smarties Secrets.