From our archives:

85 years ago

The promptitude with which a woman gave information after she had observed smoke issuing from the roof of the Choir probably saved York Minster from serious fire damage. The congregation had just left the Minster at the close of Evensong when smoke was seen rising from the roof of the aisle connecting to the central tower. Seeing the smoke, the woman who lived near the Minster had informed the staff of the Clerk of Works, which in turn notified the City Fire Brigade. It was believed that the fire was caused by a cigarette which had been thrown by one of the many visitors onto a canvas or tarpaulin surrounding the scaffolding encased around the central tower. And 19-year-old, Mr Alexander Henshaw from Mablethorpe, one of the youngest pilots in the country, and the youngest flying member of the Skegness Aero Club, had won the “Round the Houses” air race, a feature of the Scarborough Aero Club’s display at East Heslerton, near Ganton.

50 years ago

The East and West Ridings were cut off from each other at Selby, after the toll bridge over the River Ouse was put out of action to both road and river traffic. The bridge which was badly damaged had been hit by a 450-ton vessel carrying a cargo to the Barlby factory of British Oil and Cake Mills which had collided with a fully laden motor lighter, Selby Peter. Bridge officials were now waiting for a low tide before they could make an accurate assessment of the damage. And a Scottish couple had fled their new home in Malton Road, York, because of what they believed to be a “hard-working” ghost. The 51-year-old plaster’s labourer and wife, who had just moved in from Edinburgh, claimed that the ghost breathes heavily and makes a sound, as though it is shovelling gravel. One of the neighbours suggested that it could just be the wind rustling in nearby trees.

20 years ago

Cancer-stricken Nick Leeson was now out of prison after being moved to a civilian hospital for treatment. The 31-year-old rogue trader who was jailed in Singapore after his financial scams brought down Barings Bank, faced an operation to discover how far his disease had spread. And Princess Beatrice, the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, celebrated her 10th birthday. The Princess was currently on holiday in Tuscany, Italy, with her mother and her eight-year-old sister Princess Eugenie.