From this newspaper 150 years ago

Negro Emancipation. On Monday evening a meeting was held in the Friends’ meeting-house, Skinnergate, Darlington, for the purpose of hearing a statement from Mr Levi Coffin, who has been sent to this country by the “Western Freemen’s Aid Association,” in America, to advocate the cause of the Negro race, with more especial reference to that portion who, during the war, have made their escape from bondage and got into the Federal lines, and who are in a state of destitution and want. The meeting was well attended.

Mr John Pease was called upon to preside, and in opening the proceedings he dwelt upon the cruelties and atrocities to which the negro race have been subject under the Southern slaveholders.

He also alluded to the difficulty and danger to which all who tried to make their escape were subject, and the necessity there existed for some organisation whereby the needs of the slaves might be relieved; and then called upon Mr Levi Coffin, who addressed the meeting at considerable length upon the reason which had induced him to leave his own country and travel in distant lands, to call the attention of the people of this and other countries, to the necessity of doing something to relieve an afflicted and distressed people.

He alluded to the number of fugitives who had made their escape by means of the underground railway, and also to the danger to which his own life had been exposed in his endeavours to assist the unfortunate race to make their escape.

It was to him a source of gratification that out of some 3,300 negroes who had passed through his hands not one had ever been captured. The work of aiding in the escape of fugitives was participated in by persons of every religious denomination, who were at the same time labouring to elevate the moral and spiritual condition of that oppressed and suffering race.

Darlington and Stockton Times:
It is April 1990 and the village maypole in Ovington, between Darlington and Barnard Castle, is being “decapitated”. The top ten feet were taken down because they had started to warp and the weather vane need to be renovated. It was hope it would be restored to its full height and glory by May Day

He earnestly appealed to the philanthropic public for support in relieving the distress which already exists, and which would increase as the war progressed, and the slaves gained their freedom. The meeting was brought to a close and a collection was made at the doors in aid of the Western Freemen’s Association.

From this newspaper 100 years ago

A public meeting was held in the Market Hall, Hawes, to make arrangements for work to be done in aid of our soldiers and sailors, and to consider the furnishings of Simonstone Hall (offered by its owners, Messrs R Fawcett and S H Willan) as a convalescent home for the wounded.

The meeting was the outcome of a general earnest desire on the part of the Hawes people to do something to aid our gallant defenders on land and sea. Mr E P Gibson presided, and there was a representative gathering. Some discussion ensued as to the feasibility of going to the expense of equipping Simonstone Hall as a convalescent home, and it was decided not to do so at present. A suggestion was made that anyone in the district who had the means and accommodation should entertain the convalescent wounded in their own homes.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

The suggestion was cordially received, and a number of ladies and gentlemen present promised to entertain from one to three convalescents if required. The meeting then resolved itself into a committee to collect funds and to arrange sewing meetings for the making of clothing for soldiers and sailors. Several gentlemen present either gave or promised very generous assistance to the relief fund. Mr E P Gibson was unanimously elected president, and Mr J Oyston hon secretary. The committee urgently appeal for the co-operation of all ladies and gentlemen in the district.

The people of Askrigg and Aysgarth and district are contributing their quota to the war relief funds. Money is being raised locally for the purchase of materials for shirts, socks, etc., for soldiers and sailors, and the ladies are working hard in making the same. In all the parish churches in Wensleydale on Sunday, special intercessory prayers were offered and collections taken in aid of the National Relief Fund.

From this newspaper 50 years ago

Carrying its 125 years fairly well the Cleveland Agricultural Society’s Show on Redcar Racecourse last week was not one of the most successful by any means, and the weather did not help.

A cool breeze off the sea and a persistent drizzle dispelled any hope of repeating last year’s record attendance of 14,000 for the post-war period. Perhaps the brightest spots were the riding and leaping sections, with Pony Club members putting on a first-class show, as usual. What many of the smaller shows would do without the support of these young people and the interest they create, can only be conjectured,but it can mean the difference between success and financial loss. There is unmistakeable evidence that the public is now demanding something more than the familiar basic pattern of the average show if they are to be persuaded to spend a day on the showground. The very late start to the cattle judging at the Cleveland had a depressing effect.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

It dragged on to past midday and must have added to the worries of the stewards who were getting ready for the afternoon’s riding and jumping classes. The Cleveland can do much better than this and must do so if it is to retain the place it holds in the affections of so many people.

Nowadays to be an old established show is not sufficient to bring the public through the turnstiles or automatically ensure success.