From this newspaper 100 years ago. - Richmond Guardians: It was decided to give 1s to each adult and 6d to each child on the relief list during Christmas week, and also to make the extra allowances asked for by other Unions. It was also decided to give the inmates their usual dinner of roast beef, plum pudding, etc, on Christmas Day, and the announcement of the chairman to give his usual dinner on New Year's Day was received with applause and gladly expected.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Yorkshire's smallest school, that at Snilesworth in the Hambleton Hills, may have to close at the end of this year, and will in any event close its doors at the end of next mid-summer term, when the number of pupils is expected to be down to three. The recent death of the teacher at Snilesworth, Mrs Scaife, has set the Education Committee the problem of finding a teacher for this lonely moorland school. The school stands on the estate of Mr Osbert Peake, Minister of National Insurance, and he and Lady Joan Peake have always taken a keen interest in the children's welfare, particularly at Christmas time. The school party has been supported by them and the few families of the district to give the children a pleasant treat. The children yesterday enjoyed their Christmas party at the school. It will be their last in a school which has such happy associations with many older people in the Snilesworth district and farther afield.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - Young Steven James Barker, of Heighington, must be the envy of all his friends for Steven, aged exactly six years and eight months, was a policeman for a day at the Newton Aycliffe station on Tuesday as a result of an application form he filled out earlier in the month to be a policeman. In the application Steven gave all the details required - his height, 119cms, plus the fact that he was unmarried, had no children and was a British subject. Steven was given VIP treatment on Tuesday, with a look round the station and a ride in a patrol car. He had finger prints taken, was weighed and measured in accordance with police procedure and given road safety literature - a day to remember indeed