FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - To those who have a superstitious dread of the unlucky number 13, a curiosity in the scoring-board figures at one period of Kent's first innings against Yorkshire at Bradford on Tuesday will be interesting. The total was 39, a multiple of the unlucky number; the score of J R Mason, who was batting, was 13; the last man out, whose figures appeared on the board, had also made 13; the batsmen were numbered 8 and 5, which add to 13; and the bowlers, whose numbers were signalled, were also 8 and 5. Is it wonderful that Kent were beaten, with all this unlucky number about?

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - In a children's painting competition organised by Messrs J Bibby and Sons Ltd, 11-year-old Pamela Ross, of Smithy House Farm, Great Smeaton, came second in her class and won a pedigree Large White gilt. Of the 10,000 entries several came from the Darlington district. Pamela, who was the only local girl to gain a prize, was taken by Mr R K Tippin, district manager, in his car to Cheshire, where the presentations were made by Mr H P Bibby, chairman of the firm.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - On a sunny Sunday in 1890, two-year-old Gertie Hatton, of Stockton, was taken to the local Unitarian church by her brother and sister to join the Sunday school. Yesterday, Gertie, now Mrs Jones, 89, of Romsey Road, was back at the same church in Wellington Street. With her was her friend, Mrs Mary Fellows, 89, of Craigwell Crescent, Stockton, who has been attending the church since she was seven. Because between them the two grand old ladies had completed an astonishing 170 years of church membership, the Women's Friendly Hour section decided to do something special.

There was a presentation of bouquets and a special address, and members sang an adaptation of the Cliff Richard Eurovision song Congratulations. "Thank you," said the octogenarians. "What a lovely surprise."