From our archives:

80 years ago

The Easingwold Railway Company, which ran between Easingwold and Alne, had claimed to be the smallest railway in the country. Two and a half miles in length, its rolling stock consisted of one engine, one passenger coach and no signalmen or signals. In terms of staff, there was just the stationmaster Mr Arthur Caygill whose duties included keeping the books and issuing tickets. And it was surprising to discover just how much fear there was still in Rural North Yorkshire of thunder. Some imagined it to be a sign of anger of the Almighty, others an indication that the end of the world was approaching. With no signs of letting up the dull skies and vivid lightning had sent many searching for refuge in dark places, pulling down their blinds and locking their doors.

50 years ago

The doors of the New York’s gothic Saint Patrick Cathedral had closed early after an estimated 150,000 mourners paid their last respects to Senator Robert Kennedy, who was lying in state before his funeral. Workmen had immediately begun preparing for the Requiem Mass for the 42-year-old New York Senator which would be celebrated before the body was borne by train to Ashington for interment in Arlington National Cemetery. Meanwhile a 25-year-old woman had been arrested for trying to smuggle three guns hidden inside a typewriter case into the Los Angeles jail where the alleged assassin of Senator Kennedy was being held. And people stopped and stared in King’s Square, York, at a bizarre procession advertising a charity dance at St John College Hall which consisted of about 14 students dressed in anything from swimming trunks to long trousers and anoraks.

20 years ago

Buddhist monks from across Yorkshire had protested in York city centre at rules imposed by their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, which they claimed restricted their religious freedom. Members of the Madhyamaka centre, near Pocklington, gathered in St Sampson’s Square to show their defiance as Migyur Dorje, the Dalai Lama’s representative, arrived in the city to promote the City Screen’s showing of Kundun, a film depicting the Dalai’s life. And Sir Paul McCartney and his family were joined by hundreds of friends to pay tribute to his late wife Linda at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. Singing Let It Be, Sir Paul was supported by his children as he paid tribute to his wife of 30 years.