FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Ripon schools and the Education Act. The managers of Ripon schools have been busy in the last week, selecting their foundation managers, preparatory to handing over the schools to the County Council. The Cathedral School managers held their meeting at the Town Hall on Monday night. After a long discussion, it was agreed to apply to the West Riding County Council for a scheme of twelve managers rather than six. Eight will be foundation managers, four being ex-officio, to include the Dean, the Mayor for the time being, and the two Minor Canons, while four will be elected by subscribers, and the other four appointed by County and City Councils.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Barnard Castle Music Pageant Society sub-committees have been told that the cost of their jubilee production at Bowes Museum Park, estimated at £2,500, is too high. The society is planning to stage "The Yeomen of the Guard" in July. Its executive committee chairman, Mr G R Bailey, this week urged costs to be pruned to the lowest possible minimum, on a recommendation of the Finance Committee. This measure of economy will in no way affect the quality of the production, which will be in the hands of Mrs G Chandos Craddock, director, and Fred Ferguson, honorary musical director.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - The new choirmaster at All Saints' Church, Skelton, is 17-year-old Andrew Hopwood, of Stump Cross, Guisborough. Andrew is studying music at Teesside Polytechnic and hopes to make music his career. He is working hard to get himself a place at the Royal School of Music. He has been a member of St Nicholas' Church Choir at Guisborough for the past nine years, under Jim Fletcher, Reg Denyer and Harold Hitchin. He has a wide experience of church music and has attended a number of courses under the auspices of the Royal School of Church Music. He also sung under Lionel Dakers, the head of the RSCM. Asked whether his age might cause problems in dealing with adults, many of whom have long experience of choirs, he said he could not see any problems. "They are a good crowd down at Skelton. I'm very pleased to have this opportunity. It's quite a challenge and will be a very valuable experience."