From this newspaper 100 years ago. - Bedale. Horse in a quagmire. At the beginning of the week, as Mr Conyers Scrope was hunting with the Bedale Hounds and going through a gate at Well, when the gate came against the breast of the horse, causing it to back into a bog of deep liquid mud. Mr Scrope adroitly threw himself onto the firm earth, but four or five workmen had to attack ropes to the animal and then drag it from the quagmire.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - The dales have met the full force of snowstorms, with fell ponies being taken off the hills and sheep dug out from drifts. Meanwhile, householders in our towns are watching coal supplies dwindle, observes Spectator. It is ironical that when snow and frost make a roaring fire most desirable, there is most likelihood of delay in delivery of coal. Darlington has not suffered from shortages reported further south, but a good many households have watched their decreasing supplies anxiously, as they await replenishment. Coal merchants have the coal but are unable to keep up deliveries. Many Darlington residential roads are too deep in snow for lorries to negotiate, and coal men have the unenviable job of walking through backyards piled high with snow. There is little surprise that many have succumbed to colds and influenza. Wet coal sacks also get frozen hard and have to be thawed before refilling. Surely some sympathy should be extended to these hard-working folk from citizens who are shovelling coal houses corners, to get the last little scuttle-full of slack.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - Tories reported a good year's work at the annual meeting of the Guisborough Branch of the Cleveland and Whitby Conservative Association. The event at Gisborough Hall was attended by Cleveland and Whitby MP, Leon Brittan. Retiring chairman Bob Ramshaw said the past 12 months were highly successful, politically and financially. The association had held two county council wards and won Kemplah ward from Labour, with a large majority. Mr Ramshaw thanked two retiring members. Lord Gisborough and Heather Jennyns for their work as county councillors. Fundraising included dances, discos, coffee morning and Event 77, which raised over £700 despite bad weather. Tribute was paid to secretary Margery Howarth. New officers included Lord Gisborough, president; Mrs Jennyns, chairwoman; and Coun Dan Humphrey, vice-chairman