From our archives:

80 years ago

After a stay in London, the Earl and Countess of Feversham had returned to Nawton where the Countess was preparing to entertain the local Women’s Institute. Given the fine weather there was high hopes for a grand soiree. The Tower was looking resplendent and the heather gardens were lovely, while on the big moors to the north, the purple of the “crawling” was transforming the moorland landscape. On Saturday an event of considerable importance had taken place in at Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, with the help of Mr Robert Wilson MBE, a native of Helmsley. A member of the Chipping Sodbury Council for the past 45 years Mr Wilson had handed over eight acres of his modern residence to the town in memory of his late wife. Always big-hearted and generous Mr Wilson was still affectionately and proudly remembered by his old friends in Helmsley. And despite a difficult season for gardeners, the second minor show of the Ancient Society of York Florists had been staged in the Exhibition Buildings, York.

50 years ago

Lunch was a little late when Lieut General Sir Walter Walker entertained two Gurkha heroes at Claxton Hall, near York. Missing their train from King’s Cross the two holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross were an hour late. After the late lunch, a smiling General Walker remarked: “We have all had a lot of curry.” An appeal had been made by Selby police chief Insp L Swann to people working in shops and offices in the town to be more careful where they leave valuables after a sneak thief stole a handbag from Wetherell’s store in The Crescent. And Husthwaite braved the weather with its 22nd annual show, getting through a wide and varied programme with scarcely a hitch. Attendance was good, better than a year ago, and total entries were well up.

20 years ago

A student pilot was lucky to escape serious injury after his helicopter crashed at a North Yorkshire RAF base. The pilot from Leeds, was rushed to St James’ Hospital after his Robinson 22 twin-seater tipped over on landing at the RAF base at Church Fenton, near Tadcaster. And singer Jane McDonald who had starred in the TV series The Cruise, was celebrating after her debut album entered the charts at number one.