From our archives:

85 years ago

A “murder” in the dark had taken place in London, but the result was as clear as day, thanks to new Infra-Red-light technology on show by expert Mr Olaf Bloch. Sitting on the stage in complete darkness, two actors were seen playing cards, when one of them suddenly produced a dagger and “stabbed” his companion. Ten minutes later the film of the incident had been shown to members of the British Kinematograph Society, who had witnessed the “tragedy” in the darkness. It was the first time such a film had been taken. And it was goodbye to Sir Francis Gathorne-Hardy, General officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command who after two years had now gone on to pastures new. A private dinner held been held in his honour and guests were asked to share any happy memories of the very popular General. Taking over the role was Lieut General Sir Alexander Wardrop, of the Royal Artillery, who had been stationed in Delhi, since 1930.

50 years ago

Mr John Ingamells, Curator of York Art Gallery, had made an appeal to any members of the public who would be willing to loan the gallery their most treasured Philippe Mercier paintings for next year’s York Festival exhibition. Mercier, born in Berlin, had lived in York from 1739 to 1951 and had painted over 300 pictures in his career. Mr Ingamells, hoped to find just 50 of them for his exhibit. And the Ministry of Transport faced strong criticism by Coun E Taylor, at a recent Kirkbymoorside Rural Council meeting, over the moving of the 30mph speed limit signs in Gillamoor Road, to Springwood Hill, to take in new housing development. Speaking at the meeting he stated that there had been a lack of co-operation with local authorities and a “failure to meet us half way.”

20 years ago

Some of York’s most colourful characters had bounded into York station to give their backing to a campaign to entice more visitors to the city in the winter months. Vikings, Romans and ghost walkers had joined the city’s town crier for the launch of First Stop York by Train at York Railway Station. And a replica medieval village near York, hit by arson, had been saved from total destruction by a quick-thinking museum worker who had torn straw off the roofs of the huts to prevent the fire from spreading.