From our archives:

80 years ago

The only Yorkshire entrant in the King’s cup Air Race for 1938, was Mr William Humble, of Doncaster. Mr Humble a member of the York and Leeming Flying Clubs, who frequently visited York Aerodrome planned to race his Miles Sparrow Hawk, with a Gipsy Major engine, capable of about 170 mph. North of England of onlookers however, would unfortunately miss the opportunity to see the eliminating contest, due to a last-minute cancellation. Despite showery weather, a good programme of cricket had been played in the Malton and Ryedale area with Malton narrowly escaping defeat against Hull Zingari, in the East Yorkshire cup. The game however was not without its ups and down’s after one player was hit in the face by a ball had to retire with a broken his nose. And Ampleforth College had nearly 1,200 visitors in connection with its annual exhibition.

50 years ago

Some train services in and around York had been cancelled due to a work-to-rule and overtime ban on railway staff. Telegrams had already been sent to all passengers who had booked train services, and the union expected more than 100 travellers per train would be affected by the strike. The only option for York’s holidaymakers was a long journey by road. Over 5,000 men had also been laid off at Ford’s Dagenham plant, due to strike action taken by 187 women machinists who wanted to be regraded and receive an extra 5d an hour pay increase. And the Evening Press made a surprise visit to a work session at York University after finding out that were two recording experts from the Decca company who planned to record 60 tuneful boys and girls from the Heslington Primary School choir.

20 years ago

Cyclists were riding high as thousands poured into York for the Cyclists’ Touring Club’s national rally. Among the 50,000 riders at Knavesmire there were also a number on vintage cycles, arriving in Victorian costumes to celebrate the bygone biker’s era. Once again Knavesmire was transformed into sea of coloured jerseys with its own tented town for the biggest event of its kind in the United Kingdom. And Hovingham Hall was the venue for a day of Midsummer Merriment, to celebrate the “almost-the-longest-day of the year” organised by the North Yorkshire East Federation of Women’s Institute.