From our archives:

80 years ago

Yorkshire farmers paid a visit to Copenhagen to study the workings of a very successful Danish milk and pig industry. Visiting co-operative creameries and factories, the examination of Denmark’s bacon industry had thrown valuable light on the question of England’s need for factory rationalisation. For the keen gardener, now that roses and sweet peas were in full bloom, it was time to give them a special diet. An ounce of nitrate of soda scattered along each yard of the trench. “Keep the hoe going,” was the advice, as regular and deep hoeing promoted growth during dry weather. And virtually the whole of the village of Kirby Misperton, between Malton and Pickering, was offered for sale at Malton Assembly Rooms. The estate which for many years was the property of the late Alderman J R Twentyman, had recently been acquired by Mr F Hucklesby and was now up for auction.

50 years ago

Electricity failures in York and the North Riding could now be easily corrected thanks to a new £175,000 control centre. The mushroom shaped centre, in Dundas Street, York, was officially opened by the Lord Mayor, Coun Mrs M M Armitage. With its ultra-modern electronics equipment and push-button tele controls, the Dundas Street installation was the “nerve centre” for fault-finding in high voltage circuits. The giant East Window of York Minster, containing more than 2,000 square feet of priceless medieval stained glass, had been covered in reinforced plastic sheeting, to protect the glass while work took place on the new East End foundations. And on stand-by duty for the first time, in case the regular force needed any assistance was York’s first three women special constables.

20 years ago

A unique railway memorabilia shop which had moved from London to York was officially opened by two very special customers, the Lord Mayor of York and Sir William McAlpine, who once owned The Flying Scotsman. For years Collectors Corner in London, was the only official outlet to sell off old British Rail stock, but now rail enthusiasts could buy everything from station clocks to real signals from the George Hudson Street shop. And Selby’s 3,500 miners had put the champagne on ice despite predictions from Trade President Margaret Beckett and the town’s MP John Grogan that coal had a secure future.