From our archives:

85 years ago

A ceremony which had been observed annually since 1917 in connection with the York Equitable Industrial Society, had once again taken place at York’s Co-operative Hall.

Honouring nine employees who had each completed 21 years’ service, was the Rev G S Woods, President of the Society.

The Prince of Wales had left London for Lancashire, where he planned to visit the thickly-populated industrial areas of the county to gain first-hand knowledge of the conditions under which the people were living.

The Prince himself however, would be residing with Lord Derby at Knowsley.

According to Reuter Hitler had decided to inform President Hindenburg that he didn’t see a possibility of forming a Cabinet with a Parliamentary majority on the conditions laid down by the President.

However, “contact would still be maintained with the Presidential palace”.

50 years ago

A medieval bell foundry had been found underneath the central tower of the York Minster.

So far, only the stoke hole and flue of the furnace had been uncovered, just underneath a medieval burial place.

The foundry believed to be built in the 13th century to cast bells for the medieval belfry of John Le Romanus, showed just how high level the craftsmanship was, even in the Middle Ages.

And a new science department at Red House School, Moor Monkton, was officially opened.

Thankfully headmaster Mr Peter Spencer didn’t have to look very far for somebody to run it, as his wife an was experienced teacher with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Although the school only had 53 pupils at present it had been raising an average of £140 a day during the past six months for its building fund.

20 years ago

TV Gladiator Khan flexed his bulging muscles to help open a newly-refurbished York pub.

The Flying Legends in Clifton Moor’s retail park had undergone a £800,000 facelift to revamp bar areas and install a new children’s section.

The new building which stood alongside the existing pub overlooked York’s largest out-of-town retail centre.

And environmental watchdogs resumed the search for the carcass of a 44-ft Minke whale that had been floating up and down Yorkshire’s river system for three weeks.

River users on the Ouse in the Goole and Selby areas were warned to keep an eye out for the giant carcass as it was feared it could constitute a danger to shipping.