From our archives:

80 years ago

An important page in the history of the York Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society had been written, with its first social gathering at the Windmill Hotel. The group’s main aim was to strengthen the society’s activities and to maintain the active co-operation of the public throughout the year. The meeting ended with a substantial programme of social and business activities for the coming year and a resounding congratulation to the York Amateurs on their recent productions. Several curious Easter Day customs were still being observed in Yorkshire. Some districts had risen early on Easter Day to look at the rising sun through a darkened glass, declaring that they could discern the figure of a lamb in the centre of the glowing sun. And if that wasn’t bizarre enough, many Yorkshire boys still claimed the privilege of pulling off the girl’s shoes. In retaliation the girls would pull off the boy’s caps.

50 years ago

Lightning had smashed through the home of Mr Colin Beedleston, of the Cedars, Temple Lane, Copmanthorpe, and blew his TV set apart. Mr Beedleston was watching the 10 o’clock news when the lightning struck. Two fire engines, from Tadcaster and York, were called to the scene, finding scores of slates that had been blasted off the roof and a gaping hole in the upstairs ceiling. Mr Beedleston believed the lightning had struck the wireless aerial and then jumped across to the TV circuit. A £14,200 community centre was opened on the Sutton Road Estate, Tadcaster, by the chairman of the rural council Charles Boddy. And playwright John Osborne and Actress Jill Bennett, had tied the knot in London.

20 years ago

Nestle Rowntree employees were having their cake and eating it to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Britain’s most famous mint. Workers at the sweet giant’s Polo plant and members of Polo support services gathered at the Moathouse Hotel in York to mark the golden jubilee of the much-loved mint with a hole, whilst tucking into a special birthday cake, designed in the shape of a special edition tube. Car park attendants in Ryedale had shed their prison officer-style uniforms to adopt a “softer” look, in an attempt not to frighten off motorists.