From our archives:

85 years ago

In the presence of about 30 members of a newly-formed club for the unemployed, guest of honour Mrs Woodhead had the pleasure of declaring Acomb and Knapton organisation officially open.

Providing the use of their premises, a representative from the Acomb Adult School had commented that the Parish Council had taken great steps in forming the club for the future of its residents.

Pickering was also following in Acomb’s footsteps by providing work for twenty of its unemployed, giving them the task of cleaning out Pickering beck.

“Cheerio, everybody. Hold your thumbs for me,” were Mrs Mollinson’s last words to the throng of a thousand cheering spectators just before taking off at 5am in an attempt to beat her Cape-Croydon record.

With her bag packed with only a few belongings, including a bottle of cordial, Mrs Mollinson said: “I will get there in record time all right. I must get back to Jim.”

50 years ago

Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones had successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal against his nine-month prison sentence on drug charges, finishing with only a probation order and a £1,000 fine.

Lord Parker, the Lord Chief Justice, told Jones: “Remember, this is a degree of mercy which the court has shown. It is not a let-off.”

About 600 elderly and disabled people of York had paid a visit to the Odeon Cinema, to each receive 8s from the Lord Mayor and Sheriff’s Christmas Cheer Fund.

Some walked to the cinema, but the majority were conveyed in a fleet of special buses which had called at various points in the city, just in time to enjoy a special screening of the film Father Goose, starring Cary Grant.

20 years ago

Santa Claus had flown into York to rescue the dreams of hundreds of North Yorkshire children, after a new grotto had opened on the patio of York’s Theatre Royal, ensuring youngsters could enjoy a magical visit to Santa after all.

A massive effort by businesses, organisations and individuals had ensured that children would not miss out after Victoria House department store, which traditionally had the best grotto in the North, remained closed awaiting refurbishment.

Heathrow, the world’s busiest airport, ground to a virtual halt after fire broke out in Terminal One. Road chaos built up for miles around as police tried to keep routes clear for emergency services.