Main Picture: It is July 25, 1966, and this picture of the slow-flowing River Tees at Croft Bridge, just south of Darlington, was taken by our photographer on the eve of a public inquiry into the plans of the Tees Valley and Cleveland Water Board to build a weir and extract millions of gallons of water every day to meet the needs of ICI on Teesside.
Villagers at Croft, Hurworth, Neasham and Middleton-One- Row, fearful of what it might mean for the level of the river, fiercely opposed the plans. They won the battle because the abstraction ultimately took place further downstream at Low Worsall, near Yarm.
From this newspaper 150 years ago
The New Wesleyan Chapel, Northallerton. - On Thursday the foundation stone of the above place of worship was laid by Thos. Sadler, Esq., of Bedale.
At half-past two o'clock the ministers, trustees, and friends, assembled at the old chapel, and proceeded to the site, headed by the temperance brass band.
Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather a large concourse of persons assembled. After singing and prayer the stone was placed in readiness, when a handsome silver trowel and a oak mallet were presented to Thos. Sadler, Esq., by R M Middleton, Esq., one of the trustees.
The trowel bore the following inscription neatly engraved - "Presented to Thomas Sadler, Esq., of Bedale, by the Trustees of Wesley Chapel, Northallerton, on the occasion of his laying the Foundation Stone, 23rd June, 1864."
The mallet will form an interesting relic, being made from a piece of the oak used in the construction of the Pack Horse Inn, which was of very ancient date, and upon the site of which the chapel is now being erected.
A sealed jar containing some current coins of the realm, a copy of the chapel deed, the date of laying the foundation atone, and a local newspaper, were deposited in the cavity beneath the stone before it was lowered and formally laid by Mr Sadler.
Addresses were delivered by the Revs Joseph Hargreaves, of Scarborough, and James Sugden, of Leeds, and a collection was made amounting to £23.
A public tea was also provided on the premises lately occupied by Mrs Mudd, for which about 500 shilling tickets were disposed of. After tea, addresses were delivered by the Revs T Yeo, W Lister, W Stubbings and the circuit ministers.
From this newspaper 100 years ago
The show season in the area served by the "Darlington and Stockton Times" opened on Saturday at Gainford, and from now until the end of September there will be a continual succession of these gatherings.
It is pleasant to reflect that almost every village and hamlet boasts either its agricultural or horticultural exhibition, and the value of these small shows as a means of improving stock and produce cannot be over-estimated.
The agricultural show has done much to encourage and stimulate farmers in the matter of horse breeding, and the production of a better class of horse, and in this way the farmer himself benefits to a great extent.
An admirable illustration was forthcoming at a local show last season, when a competent judge affirmed that the animals shown were of from £15 to £20 more value than those exhibited at the show two years previously.
Indeed the excellent of British livestock is due in a large measure to the competitions introduced in the local shows.
The ordinary exhibitor, of course, would have no possible chance of success at the Royal and other big shows, and the district shows therefore open out a field for farmers and others who are not yet included among the class of professional exhibitors.
But it is no light task to conduct even small shows, and many are often in difficulties owing to the loss of gate receipts consequent upon unfavourable weather. It is a testimony to the popularity of these gatherings, however, that only on rare occasions are shows once established allowed to lapse.
From this newspaper 50 years ago
Mr Tim Kitson, MP for the Richmond Division, opening a £72,000 new twin suite operating theatre at the Northallerton Friarage Hospital on Friday of last week, shared the concern of the chairman (Mr J Weston Adamson) and the local management committee at the danger of losing impetus over future hospital development.
Their concern is at the delay with the next stage of development, the provision of new outpatients department and X-ray room, and that the new hospital replacement for the Friarage is not included in the Minister of Health's recent ten year plan.
Mr Kitson spoke of the splendid atmosphere created by the hospital over the years, the high standard of surgery, and the high standard of nursing - "attributable to some extent to the splendid Yorkshire girls trained at the hospital."
He referred to representations to the Minister of Health in which he had taken part pressing for early approval for the new out-patients and X-ray departments.
Mr Weston Adamson spoke of the management committee's efforts to give the hospital services the public deserve and the new twin theatre exemplified the success to date.
It was with great regret, however, that they had heard that the out-patients and X-ray rooms planned to start in September had been postponed, and they were trying to get that decision revised and had the support of the Regional Board.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here