FROM this newspaper 100 years ago.

For some months past, the familiar figure of Mr John Rudd has been missed from Barnard Castle railway station. Passengers have always remarked well on his manly bearing and courteous demeanour.

It will therefore be a pleasure for them to know that Mr Rudd has retired and been presented with a handsome silver watch, a silver-mounted walking stick and an easy chair by the North Eastern Railway Co.

The presentation took place in the waiting room. Station master Mr Cooper handed over the presents in complementary terms. He remarked upon Mr Rudd's long service, characteristic regularity, and utmost courtesy to his employers and the travelling public.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - "A type of education which begins with disappointment and frequently ends in despair" was how County Alderman J T Fletcher of Redcar described secondary modern education to the North Riding County Council.

"The teachers do very well but the question is as to the type of education." He suggested the council see if all was well with this form of education.

Secondary modern schools turned out pleasant, happy children of 15 years, skilled in sports , handicrafts, science, music and the arts.

However, disappointment was evident in the minds of children and parents because the child had failed to enter a grammar school. If a grammar school boy and a secondary modern boy both wanted to go to a technical college, like Constantine College in Middlesbrough, the child from the secondary modern would be two years behind the grammar school child in mathematics.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - The fight to save Thirsk town hall for the use of local organisations promises to be one of the biggest tussles in the history of the town.

If the fight is lost, Thirsk will be without a venue large enough to hold events such as the annual trade fair.

At the chamber of trade, Mr K K Cartmel said 12,000 people used the hall in a period of 125 days. It was decided that the chamber should join other organisations to see what could be done to save the hall, which was built in 1913 and is located in Sowerby.