From our archives:

85 years ago

Influenza was on the increase in Hull, where residents thought they had escaped the epidemic.

More than 80 Corporation tram and omnibus conductors were absent, and 70 assistants in one store were suffering from influenza or its effects.

In the City’s treasury department between 20 and 30 members of staff were off duty with only one regular counter cashier remaining fit.

In over a week 20 people had died from influenza or pneumonia.

Adolf Hitler had arrived in Berlin in preparation to talk business with General von Schleicher.

The Chancellor whom had planned to introduce Gregor Strasser, the former Nazi, to join the Government, had to change his strategy as it seemed like a direct plan to declare war against Hitler.

Instead the Chancellor showed an interest in negotiations if the Nazi leader was “ready to listen to reason”.

50 years ago

Devaluation had not stopped York holidaymakers from booking for their favourite continental resorts judging from the facts supplied by several travel agencies.

One Micklegate travel agent said: “Spain is an obvious popular choice, and some are going to Italy and Norway. I foresee it being very difficult to obtain accommodation there.”

Restoration work on St Martin-le-Grand Church, in Coney Street, York, which had been on going for eight years, was finally nearing completion.

The desolate surround of the church, with an adjoining yard, had been a thorn in the side of York Civic Trust, for many years.

Up to 500 people had arrived at Langwith College, to see York’s University’s Jazz Society give a concert starring American saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, the first man to try playing jazz on the saxophone.

Hawkins certainly did not disappoint as the frontier of new sounds.

20 years ago

Dame Judi Dench, the York-born actress had taken a step closer to winning an Oscar after winning a Golden Globe award for the best drama actress for her performance in Mrs Brown, in which she played Queen Victoria.

Her brother, Peter, a retired GP who still lived in York, greeted her success with delight.

And Brookside’s baddie Barry Grant made a rare appearance at York venue Fibbers.

Scores of screaming fans turned out to see Paul Usher follow in the soap pop stardom footsteps of Nick Berry and Jason Donovan.