From this newspaper 100 years ago. - On Thursday evening a well-attended open-air meeting was held near the Market Clock in Thirsk to hear what Mr Guy Hayler, of Newcastle (secretary to the North of England Temperance League) had to say about England's greatest enemy - the drink traffic. Mr J E Hall presided, and Mr Guy Hayler, who was well known in Thirsk as a popular temperance advocate, delivered an interesting address. Several of the expected speakers, including Mr W H Wilson and Mr J W Hall, were prevented speaking by the wet.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - The Chairman of the Leyburn Playing Fields and Community Centre, Mr J H Siddall, presided at a meeting held in Leyburn County School on Wednesday to make final arrangements for the Bank Holiday Fair in the Market Place. The secretary, Mr C W Turner, reported that each hotel in the town had entered a team for the waiters' race in which each competitor must carry a pint glass and a bottle of beer to be consumed near the finishing post.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - Details of ghostly goings-on in a Stockton home are to be studied by the unofficial exorcist for the Durham Diocese. Later this month, the Rev Peter Brett, of Houghton-le-Spring, will examine reports on the situation at 38 Richardson Road and then decide whether he can help Mrs Bessie Hardie, 57, and her son and three daughters. They have been plagued for over 12 months by a noisy, objectionable poltergeist-type ghost who is now frightening the family several times a week and whose origins cannot be traced. Mrs Hardie said this week: "He was in my room again last night. I just froze. I couldn't move or speak. The bottom of my bed was shaken vigorously and there was a terrible sensation as if he was trying to pull me out of the bed by my feet. It was a living nightmare for about two minutes, then he went away.

"On an earlier occasion, my son Bobby's bed was rocked so violently he thought he was going to be thrown out and pitched across the room.