From our archives:

80 years ago

Members of the Helmsley Nawton and Pockley Women’s Institutes had been entertained by Lady Feversham at Nawton Tower. Parties travelling up to the Tower by motor bus had the pleasure of joining the Countess in welcoming over one hundred Ryedale women to the event. Fine weather had favoured the occasion and the grounds at Nawton were at their best. Tea was served in a marquee and during an interval the Nawton Players gave an admirable performance of a play which had gained them success at the York Dramatic Competitions. In Derwent however, despite a day of almost continuous rain, there had been an excellent attendance for the village Hunt. After the annual puppy judging those present were entertained to tea by Mr Styring at the New Inn, Snainton.

50 years ago

The Prime Minister had to abandon plans for a quick Cabinet reshuffle because of a surprise decision which had put Mr Harry Nicholas into the top job as general secretary of the Labour Party. Mr Wilson, and many others, had expected that Mr Anthony Greenwood, would be approved for the post, but the National Executive Committee had rejected Mr Greenwood and a new situation had been created. After a last-minute scare York City had signed 19-year-old Phil Boyer from Derby County for a fee of £3,000. Arriving two hours late for his meeting after taking a wrong turn off the motorway the fair-haired player signed the necessary forms before been shown round the impressive facilities. And Pope Paul VI had banned the Pill and all other birth control devices for Roman Catholics.

20 years ago

The first wagon to roll off the production line at Thrall Europa had been unveiled, and the whole of York was celebrating. Opening the special ceremony was Craig Duchossois, chairman and chief executive of the parent company, Thrall Car of Chicago, who also commented that the new two-tonne iron wagon was making waves in the House of Commons thanks to a “delighted” John Prescott. The wraps had come off and Constantine the Great, or at least a huge bronze statue of him, got his first glimpse of York Minster. Peering back were crowds of onlookers who had gathered to be among the first to witness the sculpture of the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity.