From our archives:

85 years ago

There were only eight days left before Britain had to pay its overdue £30,000,000 war debt to the United States.

In a last-minute attempt to get some financial advice Mr Neville Chamberlain, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made a surprise dash to Paris, hoping that the French Premier M Herriot would be able to offer some advice.

In Berlin, a house packed with deputies, diplomats and spectators, but with empty Government benches, had gathered to hear the newly elected Reichstag.

One hundred and ninety-five Nazi deputies had turned up in full numbers, dressed in their party uniform, against 100 Communists who at times did their best to turn the place into a beargarden by yelling in chorus.

And the York Gas Company had placed an advert in the “Yorkshire Herald,” promoting the last word in domestic luxury, “A hot water supply which never runs cold, at a price which you can easily afford.”

50 years ago

Pickering’s Central Cinema, which had ceased as a cinema over a year ago, was now up for sale.

According to Mrs Nancy Marsay, managing director of Central and Gaiety Bingo Club, which was currently using the premises as a Bingo hall, the Central was being closed due to the inconvenience of her staff having to travel to Pickering each week to run the Bingo sessions.

And half a batch of Christmas puddings tested by an inspector from the York Weights and Measures department, at John Cross Ltd, in Micklegate had been found to be under the stated weight.

According a spokesman for the company, the puddings were last year’s stock which had not been sold and while they had improved in quality over time, they had also decreased in quantity.

20 years ago

York was to be the star of a BBC Christmas special alongside TV presenter Fern Britton, and naturalist David Bellamy, after cameras moved into the city’s Castle Museum to film the hour-long programme which was to be broadcast on Christmas morning.

It was also due to have a religious theme with the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, taking part, as well as an ensemble from the York Salvation Army band.

And a concert by rock band Oasis in Scotland, had ended in chaos after the band stormed off stage when a missile was thrown from the crowd and hit the guitar played by bassist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs.