From this newspaper 100 years ago. - A Motherwell (Lanarkshire) household were thrown into a violent state of excitement the other night after they had retired by the intrusion of a strange visitor - an elephant which had strayed from a travelling menagerie. The huge beast forced an entrance into the kitchen, and almost killed with fright two children who were sleeping there. He poked his trunk into the cupboards, and ate all the food, and then turned his attention to the furniture, which he smashed. When there was nothing more to eat and nothing more to break up the animal departed, and was afterwards captured and taken back to the menagerie.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Because of pressure of his military duties, Field Marshal Lord Montgomery is unable to visit Ripon this week-end as he had planned and not the least disappointed are the schoolchildren, who were to have heard a talk from the famous leader of the "Eighth". He hopes, however, to fulfil the engagement at a later date. "Monty" was to have been the guest of the Dean of Ripon (the Very Rev, F L Hughes) who, as Chaplain General to the Eighth Army, served from Alamein to the Rhine. The Dean told the "Darlington and Stockton Times" this week that in a letter expressing regret at having to postpone the visit, Lord Montgomery said he hoped to come to Ripon to see the Cathedral and to renew acquaintance with old friends at a later date.

From this newspaper 20 years ago. - A new BBC television film is planned, based on the years in the James Herriot book The Lord God made them All, now out in paperback. Filming will be entirely on location in the Yorkshire Dales in May next year and will take about a month. The production manager, Mr David Istance, and production associate, Mr Ian Brindle, were in the district this week to familiarise themselves with the area. They were also searching for a suitable building for the shooting of the interior scenes of Skeldale House, which will not be done in a studio on this occasion. "This programme is a one-off 90-minute production for Christmas 1983," Mr Istance told the D&S Times. "We are doing it with the author's approval - it's his story," added Mr Brindle. "The same stars will take part with the exception of Mary Hignett, who has died. She played Mrs Hall, the housekeeper."