From our archives:

85 years ago

The first beast offered for sale at the Goole Cattle Auction Mart was bought by the Goole Butchers’ Association. Costing £18 and weighing 83 stones, the ox was offered to town to be roasted on Victoria Pleasure Grounds in connection with its Charter celebrations. Peers and peasants stood shoulder to shoulder for the funeral of Lord Treowen, Lord Lieutenant of Monmouthshire, at Llanarth Parish Churchyard, near Abergavenny. The coffin covered with a union jack and made by estate workmen was carried in relays by over 100 grieving tenants. In Kirkbymoorside, the Jubilee Methodist Women’s own celebrated their second anniversary with guest speakers Sister Winifred and Mrs Redhead of Pickering. And during September, 950 recruits had finally been approved for the Territorial Army, taking the total strength of officers from all ranks to 127,572.

50 years ago

Ten girls of the Acomb nursing division of the St John Ambulance Brigade had been presented with Grand Prior badges, the movements highest cadet award. In York, the Olympia Coffee House, in St Sampson’s Square, was already doing a roaring trade despite only being open a fortnight. Apart from coffee, the management specialised in quick snacks for people wanting a meal in hurry at a reasonable price. For example, an omelette with peas and potatoes could be ready in just two minutes. The cafe manned by seven staff would also be serving tastily filled rolls and sandwiches, and egg or beans on toast. And York City had announced that they were advertising for a new manager. The post, vacant since Joe Shaw resigned on August 15, had been in the hands of player coach Billy Hodgson and trainer Ron Spence.

20 years ago

Former Coronation Street actress Jean Alexander had launched a scathing attack on TV soap bosses for “scraping around in the gutter” for storylines full of sex and violence. Jean, 72, who played loveable gossip Hilda Ogden for 24 years, slammed the Street for turning off its fans with doom, gloom and scandal. And a gentleman’s evening featuring topless barmaids imprisoned in cages had been scrapped for being “too successful”. York’s city centre jazz bar The Cells, stated that they had been inundated with calls from eager punters but were unable to accommodate the 200 or so people who said they would turn up on the night.