ABOVE PICTURE: In July 1962 the cobbles were being relaid in Richmond Market Place. Here a workman can be seen repositioning and cementing the cobbles back into place. Last year, North Yorkshire County Council was criticised for repairs to the same area carried out by contractors on its behalf which involved replacement of a cobbled area with tarmacadam.

From this newspaper 150 years ago. –

It used to be thought the ancient town of Guisborough was one of the healthiest in the North Riding of Yorkshire, but its recent history has in a measure removed this impression, the mortality of the town having, for some months past, been considerably above the average...

A public meeting was held in the Toll-booth on Tuesday last, in accordance with the following announcement: Mr Cyrus Smith, the Inspector of Nuisances appointed for this Union, having on Tuesday last, the 1st of March, reported to the Board of Guardians, that the sewers and drains in Northoutgate and the Back Lane, are in such a condition as to be dangerous to the health of the town, the Guardians gave the subject their best consideration, and they came to the conclusion that a general system of drainage ought to be adopted throughout the town, either upon the plan submitted to the inhabitants of Guisborough by the late Mr George Mason, CE, or upon some other approved plan, and thought the necessities of the case would be fitly met by calling a meeting of the ratepayers for the purpose of considering the subject and of adopting measures for carrying out a proper and effectual system of drainage.

The chairman in opening the meeting explained fully the cause of their having assembled together by going at length into the proceedings of the Board of Guardians, both prior and subsequent to the appointment of Mr Cyrus Smith, inspector of nuisances. They were aware that for some time past, and especially lately, there had been much disease in the town. Deaths had been numerous.

Of course he knew very well that death fell to every one; and he did not mean to say that the diseases from which the town had recently suffered were not to be found in better drains places – but this he would affirm, and he did not suppose there was any one there who would venture to contradict him, that scarlet fever, and smallpox, and similar maladies were greatly aggravated, if not created by the want of a proper system of drainage. And he would tell them also that if they did not look to its such diseases as he had mentioned would be sure to increase, and the next thing they would have would be some awful epidemic, which, in their present position as a town, would be a dreadful calamity.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. -

Head Teachers’ Conference at Darlington. A conference at which representative head teachers were present from Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool was held at the Technical College, Darlington, on Saturday.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

MAGNIFICENT SHOW: From this newspaper 100 years ago

Mr A Young, president of the Darlington and District Head Teachers’ Association was in the chair. Mr H Allsop, one of his Majesty’s Inspectors, read the first paper, entitled “Some practical considerations.” He said the most successful teacher was one who got the most from the child with the minimum expenditure of energy on his own part. Mr Allsop went on to give valuable hints on the best methods of teaching arithmetic, composition, and geography, urging them to do their utmost to draw out the latent possibilities in the children by practical work and lead them to use their own powers, rather than to be constantly pouring information into them.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. –

The battle for the future of the threatened Darlington to Richmond railway line took on a more hopeful look at the weekend with an announcement from the North Eastern Transport Users Consultative Committee. The committee told the Minister of Transport that the withdrawal will cause hardship to school children, workers, hospital patients and staff.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

USED MOTORS: From this newspaper 50 years ago

They are also not satisfied the proposed alternative transport would fully meet these hardships. At the public inquiry in Darlington, British Railways claimed a loss of £15,500 a year on the line. This figure did not include military travel, but, said the British Railways spokesman, even if these figures were included, it would not make the line economic. A week later, however, in reply to Mr Tim Kitson, Conservative MP for Richmond, the Secretary for War said the total value of rail travel warrants issued at Catterick in 1963 was £96,000. These figures were forwarded to the Transport Users’ Consultative Committee by Mr Kitson.