From our archives:

85 years ago

An interesting meeting for the sheep farmers of the district, had taken place in Skipton, under the auspices of the Craven Tenant Farmers’ Association.

The project under discussion was the possibility of establishing a laboratory for the study of the cause of “tremblings,” a mystery disease which affected hill sheep at lambing time.

Residents in Thirsk had been called up to join in with its Historical Play, a pageant of historical incidents in the town in seven scenes, which began with the Norsemen and the Britons in conflict in 630AD and ended with the news of the defeat of the Armada in 1588.

Between three and four hundred players were required to take part in the pageant to be held in July in the grounds of Thirsk Hall.

A meeting at Thirsk Church House had invited people of the district to submit their names, as they were all guaranteed a part.

50 years ago

Frantic efforts were being made to save an 800-ton coaster which had straddled the River Ouse at Selby and become firmly stuck in the mud of each bank.

As the crew of the motor vessel Aureity took emergency measures to lighten the vessel and prevent it from “breaking its back” the tide had fallen, and river traffic had built up on each side of the stranded ship.

The Aureity, which had a crew of about 12, was swinging round in the river to back up on to Oughtred and Harrison’s wharf when it became fast.

And actress Judi Dench, had been spotted in Welbeck Street, London, wearing ‘Cabaret’ a hat especially designed by Christian Dior Chapeaux for her to wear in the musical show Cabaret which had opened at the Palace Theatre.

20 years ago

Princess Margaret had arrived at a hospital in London for treatment for a mild stroke she suffered while on holiday in the West Indies.

The Queen’s 67-year-old sister was driven to the King Edward VII Hospital for officers in Marylebone in a chauffeur driven Mercedes.

Buckingham Palace had described the stroke as mild and that the Princess suffered no serious paralysis. Pigeons roosting at York Minster were in for a rude awakening.

The feathered friends, who were damaging one of the world’s finest cathedrals with their droppings, faced a hostile visit by their arch-enemy – the hawk.