FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Spectator writes: The gentlemen of Leyburn and District who promote the annual show of cheeses and butter deserve the thanks of all who are interested in the benefit of Wensleydale ... But it is stated that the show does not receive support from those for whose particular interest it is held, namely, the farmers. Agriculturalists, it is to be feared, are as a rule apathetic to all that is publicly done to promote their interests.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - The Clerk of Barnard Castle Rural Council (Mr Harry Leonard) pointed out that numerous complaints had been made by consumers depending on the Wackerfield-Hilton water supply ... The Surveyor (Mr F Blenkinsop) said he had frequently visited the area and on each occasion found pressure of water considerably changed. There was no doubt someone was tampering with the supply system ... The position was so serious he was having to consider turning off the water in order to conserve supplies ... The Surveyor suggested that anyone with a little ingenuity and a spanner could turn off the water.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - In two weeks Mrs Patricia Collinson wrote 5,000 words on a woman's role in equality, development and peace, and won for herself a £300 travelling scholarship in the International Women's Year Darlington Co-ordinating Committee's essay competition. Mrs Collinson, of 37 Milbank Court, Darlington, is a former English lecturer at Goldsmith's College, London, and at Sunderland Polytechnic, where her husband, Alan, is chief lecturer. She plans to use the £300 first prize on a two year Master of Philosophy course at York University. Mrs Collinson who has two younger sons, Paul and Thomas, was won of five entrants for the competition. The essays were read by a team of seven judges