ABOVE PICTURE: Richmond Market Place in June 1964 after what was deemed experimental changes to the layout which had seen the stalls moved to their current position and the bus station moved to the old Toll Booth site. Part of the Market Place had been made one-way and motorists, according to our Richmond reporter, were not best pleased

From this newspaper 150 years ago. –

Presentation to the Lady Augusta Poulett.

The lamented decease of the late Duke of Cleveland having led to the removal from Raby Castle of the Lady August Poulett, the parishioners of Staindrop, as a token of their high appreciation of Her Ladyship’s virtues, presented to her, through the Vicar, the following address embossed on vellum, accompanied by a handsomely bound copy of the Holy Bible, enclosed in a carved oak case:- “We, the inhabitants of Staindrop, beg to express to your Ladyship our deep sympathy in the sorrow that has lately befallen you, – a sorrow which is shared by all classes alike in this parish. Your Ladyship’s resident at Raby for many years past has enabled us to appreciate your goodness and worth; and holding, as you do, the high esteem of us all, we cannot suffer you to leave us without testifying our unfeigned regret, and assuring your Ladyship of the solicitude we entertain for your future happiness. We ask you to accept, as a parting memento, the accompanying Bible, as expressive of our general feeling and best wishes, and that God, for Christ’s sake, may bless your Ladyship in life, and in the everlasting one to come, is the earnest prayer of the undersigned,”

– The address bore the signatures of three hundred and twenty-two subscribers, to whom her Ladyship has gracefully expressed her thanks.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. –

An inquiry was held at the King’s Head Hotel, Barnard Castle, on Tuesday at the instance of the Light Railway Commissioners relative to the proposed construction of a light railway from the terminus of the Forcett Railway to Hutton Magna. There was a very large attendance of agriculturists interested in the application. Mr C Paley Scott said that the line it was proposed to construct would be three and a half miles in length, and it would join the existing Forcett Railway at a point to the west of Eppleby Bridge. The new line would go from this point in a westerly direction to Hutton Magna, about 700 yards south west of Hutton Magna Church. It was being promoted by Mr William Spencer, a limestone merchant and quarry owner, carrying on business in Cumberland and Yorkshire, and the primary object of the railway was to develop a large and valuable bed of limestone at the west of Hutton Magna. Mr Spencer had entered into an agreement on behalf of her firm with the owner of the land whereby he was bound to take a lease for seven years, and thereafter with option of renewal to a total of 60 years if he was able to prove the limestone and satisfy himself it could be profitably worked. He had already proved the quality of the stone, and the question he was now faced with was whether it could be profitably worked.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. –

World Champion Jim Clark may be among the entrants at Croft Autodrome’s opening race meeting on August Bank Holiday Monday, writes David Watts.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

SLINGBACKS: From this newspaper 50 years ago 

If Clark does attend the Croft meeting then I wonder if we shall see other big names on the grid? It would be a great send-off for the new track. Meanwhile, thousands of pounds worth of contracts for the development of the circuit have been signed this week. All of them have gone to North- East firms. The main contract for building 5,000 square yards of completely new track and re-surfacing the rest of the runways and perimeter tracks goes to Val de Travers Asphalt Ltd. of Blaydon. This contract, worth about £12,500, will be started in two or three weeks and is expected to be completed by the end of May. The contract to convert a disused hut into a modern club house has been won by W Sanders Hutton Ltd, of Darlington.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

ELVIS IS IN THE BUILDING: From this newspaper 50 years ago

This £3,000 conversion will provide bar, snack bar, lounge, showers, changing rooms and toilets. Work is expected to start in a week or ten days. The track is to be surrounded by a safety ditch 20 feet from the edge and up to ten feet wide, with a 3’6” high safety barrier on the outside. This contract goes to Raisby Quarries Ltd, of Coxhoe, who will also prepare the car parks.