From our archives:

85 years ago

A new Salvation Army Hall had opened in Southgate, Pickering, more than 40 years since the first corps had started in the town. Officiating the ceremony was Brigadier Waters who congratulated the local corps on their new enterprise and thanked all the willing helpers who had worked hard to remodel and renovate the building. The drought had now received an official recognition. The Minister of Health had warned local authorities to conserve supplies, protect health, and adopt emergency measures if necessary. However, according to domestic supplies records, the water shortage was not as serious as the droughts of 1921 and 1929. And in view of the exceptionally fine weather, and to cater for the late holiday-maker, over 50 summer holiday expresses, which would normally have ceased due to the winter service, would now continue until September 30.

50 years ago

Mini-skirts and maxi-skirts had been banned by the Bar Convent school in Blossom Street. A directive to pupils and parents stated that skirts and dresses must be knee length. According to one spokesman from the school, the Bar Convent appeared to be the only school in York that was seriously bothered about the mini “threat”. Goodricke College, York University, was getting ready to receive its first residents on October 9. Goodricke, whose provost was Professor M M Woolfson, now had the ability of housing 162 undergraduate and 22 graduate students and was the fifth of eight colleges finally planned for the university. And eight clergymen from the York area had completed a course at York University to teach them TV techniques. “We haven’t been groomed for television stardom; we have been learning about production,” said the Rev Neil Capey, diocesan youth chaplain.

20 years ago

Farmers and consumers in North Yorkshire awoke to the disturbing possibility that sheep may also be infected with BSE. However, according to expert Professor Geoffrey Almond, “since 1996, only nine sheep had so far been tested for the disease”. Satellite broadcaster BskyB had officially confirmed that it was in takeover talks with Manchester United as shares in football clubs soared. The proposal wasn’t good news for everyone, as York City and Ryedale MP John Greenway warned that the move could threaten smaller clubs. And actress Britt Ekland had been robbed of a £10,000 Rolex watch during a mugging, half a mile from the Chelsea football ground.