From our archives:

85 years ago

The differences in driving conditions in this country and India was one of the excuses used during a court case in Stockton, by an officer of the Prince of Wales’ Own Battalion, Captain Henry Howse, of Catterick Camp. Disputing the charge of dangerous driving, Captain Howse blamed it on the fact that he had recently returned from India and found the conditions extremely different in this country. And in Selby it was a case of “where have all the books gone?” after a letter had been sent from the West Riding Librarian to the Selby Urban Council stating that according to their records, 161 volumes had gone a miss from the Selby Library Centre in the last 10 years. Their response was a series of posters dotted around the village, requesting borrowers to return any volumes they may have in their possession.

50 years ago

Thousands of posters showing an undertaker carrying a coffin, had been distributed to local authorities as part of a Christmas Campaign by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. With the caption “Don’t let this be your Christmas box” Rospa had hoped it would at least make people think. In Kirkbymoorisde, the new boathouse at the Welburn Hall Special School had its official opening. Built by the Ryedale Lions Club during their spare time, it was the club’s first outdoor project. After the opening, children of the school gave a display of canoeing on the lake and screened a colour film made by the school’s film unit. And members and friends of St John’s College, York, held a service in York Minster to mark the opening of the college’s 1968/69 session.

20 years ago

York’s Waterworks was facing a £5 million bill to tackle rising levels of pesticides in York’s water supplies. All the water from the Ouse had to be filtered due to the inability to supply “wholesome” water and major investment would be needed to reduce water leakage. Blaming farmers for using more pesticides upstream the Waterworks confirmed that water rates would go up. Preparations had started for the opening night of the world-famous Moscow State Circus. Performing on Knavesmire under the new “pole-free” big top, which provided a better view for the audience, it was the first time in three years that the acclaimed circus had been to York.