From our archives:

85 years ago

The “Yorkshire Herald” had been informed by Mrs J A Mollinson (Miss Amy Johnson) that she and her husband intended to make a bid that year to fly together in a two-seater aeroplane across the North Atlantic from East to West and back again.

Meanwhile Mr Mollinson was still completing his plans for the projected crossing of the South Atlantic.

A South-westerly gale of exceptional force had swept over the British Isles, rising to high velocities in exposed areas around the coast.

Throughout the night the wind was blowing at gale force speeds, keeping up an average velocity of between 39mph and 46mph.

And the brother of “The World’s Sweetheart,” Miss Mary Pickford, had died at the age of 36.

It was understood that Jack Pickford had been suffering from a nervous breakdown.

50 years ago

As an added treat to round off an exciting afternoon at the pantomime, 100 York children had the pleasure of meeting Dick Whittington (Gary Miller) and other members of the cast after the show at the Theatre Royal.

The children who were at the pantomime as guests of York Rotary Club and Inner Wheel, were also provided with presents distributed by the cast and Mr T H Shouksmith, oldest member of the club, provided ices for the children.

The Ryedale Joint Water Board had instructed its staff to draw up plans for a four-year programme of capital works costing £437,400.

The works which formed part of a 15-year development programme included a new reservoir at Piper Hill, Thirsk, providing extra storage for the area, and a new main from the proposed reservoir to Thirsk.

20 years ago

A computer glitch had left shelves empty at Tesco’s giant Clifton Moor store.

One customer at the store was told staff were desperately ferrying supplies across from supermarket chain’s Askham Bar Outlet to keep goods on the shelves.

North Yorkshire had braced itself for storms and gale-force winds of up to 70mph in gusts strong enough to damage buildings and uproot trees.

After a night of heavy rain, the River Ouse had swollen to 9ft 10in above its normal levels.

And the BBC had pulled the plug on its Saturday night flagship light entertainment show Noel’s House Party, just 24 hours before it was due to be screened.