ABOVE PICTURE: In October 1986, it appears the whole school was assembled for the presentation of a cheque for £539 - money raised by Leyburn County Primary School - to the Royal National Institute for the Blind Harrogate representative Keith Preston right. The names of the two pupils, presumably head girl and boy, and the head teacher, left, are not known. Can you help? Let From Our Archive know at dst@nne.co.uk

From this newspaper 150 years ago. –

During the last three months Mr Thomas Taylor, of Barnard Castle, has been giving lessons in dancing at the house of Mr Joseph Raine, Cross Keys Inn, and has met with very good patronage from the young ladies and gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood.

He has had upwards of sixty pupils during his stay, and his efforts have been quite a success. At the close of the course of lessons it is customary to wind up with a ball, and on Wednesday evening Mr Taylor’s pupils, and others who chose to take part in the entertainment, assembled at the above inn. There were upwards of fifty couples, and the music was supplied by the efficient band of the 12th Durham Rifles; Master Edward Raine and Miss P Todd leading off the dance in the “Triumph”. An excellent supper was provided by the worthy host, when dancing was again resumed, and kept up till the break of day.

During the course of the evening, a testimonial, in the form of a gold ring, value two guineas, was presented to Mr Taylor by his pupils in this town in appreciation of his services, and for his courtesy and gentlemanly conduct towards them in his charge. Mr Ralph Bell made the presentation, to which the recipient responded in appro-terms.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. –

Basil Leach, a Dartmouth man, aged 26, met with a fatal accident near Thirsk on Wednesday afternoon, being knocked down by a motor car on the York road near Thirkleby. It appears that he was riding with Mr H Rose, bill poster, Thirsk, and when getting out at Sessay lane-end stepped in front of the car.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

BRITISH MASTERPIECE: from this newspaper 100 years ago

The motorist, Mr Sydney Stobart, who was travelling from Gosforth to Hull, had no chance to avert the accident, so close was he to Leach when the latter stepped in his course. The unfortunate man sustained fractures of the right arm and left thigh, besides internal injuries, which later proved fatal. He was taken in Mr Stobart’s car to the Thirsk Lambert Memorial Hospital, where the matron, apparently failing to comprehend the gravity of the case, refused admittance, as - except in case of emergency - the hospital is not for the destitute. Leach was then taken to the Workhouse Infirmary, where he was attended by Dr Longford, and died later in the day. The inquest is to be held at 3.15pm today. Considerable indignation has been expressed in the town as to the refusal of admission to the Lambert Memorial Hospital, and the committee of the Thirsk Chamber of Trade have unanimously passed a resolution demanding an enquiry.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. –

Each time Mr George Peacock meets his wife, Ruth, Leake Parish ‘Council’ is in session. Not that ‘Council’ matters take up much of their time, for the only other parishioners are their two children and the only house in the parish is their 17th century farm, Leake Hall. Leake, in Northallerton rural district at the side of the Thirsk Yarm road just north of Borrowby, will have few contestants to its claim as the smallest civil parish in the country. There will be parishes with fewer than Leake’s 309 acres. But just four residents - that takes some beating! Mr and Mrs Peacock and the children, Brian, aged 12, and Anne, eight, live in the 11-roomed house which is scheduled as being of architectural or historical interest. The only regular visitors to the parish are the congregation at the Norman church next to the farmhouse. There are only three rating assessments on the parish - one for the farm, one for the sporting rights and one for a water board. The total rateable value is £106. “We never think of ourselves as the parish council,” says Mr Peacock. “I suppose we could call a parish meeting if we wanted one, but to us this is just our home. There is nothing really that we want that a parish council could provide us with.”

Darlington and Stockton Times:

PAY LATER: From this newspaper 50 years ago

The ancient farm house has all the modern amenities. It has a large kitchen, a dining room and lounge and six bedrooms. There are also three huge attic rooms and a roomy cellar.

“We haven’t come across any secret passages yet,” says Mr Peacock.