FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - GREAT GALE. Thirsk. Since 1862 no such gale has been experienced as that of yesterday. It commenced on Thursday night, and continued during the whole of Friday. Chimney pots, tiles, and everything up aloft were blown down. A narrow escape from fatal injury occurred in Millgate, where a chimney fell through the roof and on to a bed, inflicting wounds on the occupant. At Freeman, Hardy, and Willis' establishment, in the Market-square, the roof was completely stripped of tiles. A C Bamlett's saw mill was blown down, and in the surrounding district trees were uprooted, whilst the poultry in the vicinity of Carlton Miniott were blown into the ponds and drowned. There is a great amount of damage to stock and property.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Weardale Rural Council. Because the League of Friends of the South-West Durham Hospitals had decided to raise funds by means of a sweepstake, Coun R W Metcalfe announced that he wished to resign as the Council's representative of the league. Coun T W Sparks said that he did not think the running of a sweepstakes should be a reason for the Council not being represented on the league and Coun Metcalfe immediately proposed Coun Sparks for the vacancy. This was carried unanimously. Coun Metcalfe said: "This was a cause in which I was very much interested, but since they are raising funds in pubs and clubs by sweepstakes I am against it." Coun Sparks: "I will accept the job rather than tolerate a theological discussion."

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - A Ripon firm's patriotism would result in the Dallamires Lane Industrial Estate looking "like a fairground" a city councillor claimed this week. Coun Barbara Fisher told a meeting of Ripon planning committee on Monday that she was against allowing Kennel Nutrition to fly the Union flag from a 20ft pole outside their premises. "It will make the industrial estate look like a fairground," she claimed. Coun Fisher said the flag would be visible from a long way off and would spoil the landscape of the area. Coun Arthur Hardy said he could not understand why the firm wanted to fly the flag, but he could see no objection to it