From our archives:

85 years ago

Two important decisions had been made at the Quarterly Court of Governors of York County Hospital. On recommendation of the House Committee it had been agreed that the building of the new out-patients ward should commence immediately and that the letters of recommendation to subscribers for the admission of patients should discontinue by the end of the year. The report had also stated that the appeal on behalf of the Building Fund had reached a whopping total of £3,524 thanks to many generous donations and promises. Almost every cathedral and minster in England had its legends, for Beverley Minster it was William Conqueror. Apparently, William I, had journeyed to the north to punish the people who had taken part in the revolt in Yorkshire. When he and his soldiers neared the town of Beverley, the people of the district fled with their possessions and sought refuge in the Minster. And the restoration of Aysgarth School, was nearly complete, with pupils hopefully returning to the fire ravaged school for the Autumn term.

50 years ago

Banks throughout Britain had announced that they would now close on Saturday mornings as of July 1. The decision had come after five years of discussion by the Committee of London Clearing Bankers and staff representatives. The bankers had also decided that the Monday to Friday service would be extended with late opening hours. Egyptian actor Omar Sharif was currently filming the title role in Che, the controversial film about the Cuban revolutionary leader Che Guevara, who was killed in Bolivia. And the Ouse in York was 10ft 7ins, above normal and still rising. The level had was not expected to rise any higher, but having risen four inches in four hours, occupants in the Marygate area and on the King’s Staith were keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

20 years ago

More than 500 dancers had gathered at York’s Barbican Centre for a disco championship after members of the Club 68 in Monkton Road had raised £5,000 sponsorship to host the competition. Martina Hingis had gained sweet revenge on Jana Novotna by sweeping into the final of the US Open. And things were changing in the world of Quality Street for chocs that hadn’t made the grade. The unpopular chocolates which had been left at the bottom of the Quality Street box had now been replaced with four new flavours.