Main Picture: In March 1995, Rod Hall, the acting headteacher of Gunnerside Methodist Primary School in Swaledale, was leading his school choir in recording almost forgotten Victorian hymns for posterity. The pupils were to record the songs which would be released on a cassette tape. Proceeds from sales of the tapes would go to cancer research charities. Were you a member of that choir and can recall how well the tapes sold. Let From Our Archive know at dst@nne.co.uk.

From this newspaper 150 years ago

Shortly after eight o'clock on Saturday evening last, a fire broke out at Mr Allison's ironmongery stores, Finkle Street, Richmond.

As the premises contained a large quantity of oils, turpentine, and powder, the greatest consternation prevailed amongst the inhabitants.

The powder was stored in such a position as to render it impossible to get it out of the warehouse, and every moment an explosion was expected, which, had it taken place, would have laid a great portion of the property in the neighbourhood of the market in a mass of ruins.

Very shortly after the flames were discovered some turpentine caught fire, and a violent explosion followed.

The effect was similar to that of a blast, and the people who were in the street at the time had to seek shelter as well as they could in order to avoid the falling pieces of brick, &c. No one was hurt, there were several narrow escapes.

The fears which were entertained with respect to the powder, the anxiety exhibited by those whose property was placed in danger, and the difficulty which was experienced in getting the engine to play upon the flames, rendered the scene one of the utmost confusion; and the greatest alarm was felt throughout the whole town.

An engine was at last got to work, and as there was plenty of assistance to be obtained, it soon did good service.

The men first turned their attention to the removal of the powder which, as soon as it could be got at, was conveyed to a place of safety. The fire was put out a little before eleven o'clock. The damage is not yet ascertained.

From this newspaper 100 years ago

The continued dry weather is doing a considerable amount of injury. Turnips are suffering very much from lack of moisture, whilst between frosty nights and lack of rain the pastures are rapidly deteriorating.

Another serious drawback is the continued inability of farmers to plough strong (land??), which will seriously reduce the area sown with autumn wheat.

Very few, if any, seasons have seen so little work done as the present in the time that has elapsed since harvest.

In a great portion of the northern district the only land that can be advantageously worked is fallow and potato land?

It is to be hoped that all the fallow and potato land will be sown down with wheat. The practice of keeping a portion of the fallow to be sown with barley in the spring ought to be departed from this season in favour of wheat.

There is no question that to grow a change of crops will pay better than to keep so much to one description, and the need appears to be urgent that every available acre of land should be cropped with the staff of life.

Should the war continue six months longer the quantity of land unsown that ought to have been sown in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria-Hungary, to say nothing of Servia, must make a most serious diminution in the acreage sown.

From the present temper of the nations involved in war the hostilities are more likely to last at least twelve months than six, and the loss of all kinds of grain must most seriously affect prices.

At the present moment the price of wheat is the most astonishing thing about the war.

The average hardly works out at 13d per stone, but the fact has to be kept in view that the war up to the present has had no effect on prices, thanks altogether to the Fleet having kept the seas open for importation from abroad.

Just now we are using up the surplus from the good world season of 1913. Now comes news of frosts in Canada that are having a serious effect on this season's production.

It is to be hoped that in the near future sufficient rain will fall to enable the farmer to get on with his work, and take no notice of the faddists who advise him to break up old grass land to be sown with wheat or planted with potatoes.

From this newspaper 50 years ago

Encouraging the growth and healthy prosperity of Northallerton, its Urban Council will let "not less than ten per cent" of houses to key workers coming to the town with new industry or Government departments.

The "not less than 10 per cent" clause, was written into a Housing Committee recommendation, so that Council officials can give an on-the-spot decision to allow more if inquiries are made from prospective new employers.

The Housing Committee had been looking at how to encourage industry to the town and also the possible demand for houses in staffing new Inland Revenue Offices.

In his housing report, Coun W Wake, Chairman of the Housing Committee, said 16 years ago Northallerton housing applications were 350.

They had now build 800 houses and there was an application list of 250. He reported on proposals to buy ten acres of land near Elm House to be developed for 120 houses, and said it was proposed to prepare lay-out so that buildings could go ahead, either at one or two stages, when a present contract of 81 homes was completed in July.

Coun Miss Pamela Bramley asked when there would be an end to the taking of valuable agricultural land, and suggested there could be more in-filling and the provision of flats.

Coun Wake said they would have to continue to take land where the planning authorities would allow on the Town Map.

The Council had wanted other land developed but the planners would not allow it. A private developer was prepared to build 200 to 300 houses, but was not allowed planning permission.

There were still 25 applicants on the housing lists and Northallerton must provide the houses. Coun Miss Bramley said they had now reached laying out stage three of Mowbray road private estate development, which should surely be helping with the housing shortage.

Coun Wake reported that they had had four applications for houses for key workers for Inland Revenue Departments and the house-letting committee had thought it should recommend the letting of up to 10 per cent.

Council houses for key workers. The town was expanding both in industry and in government offices, and this was important.

Coun A Cockerill said it was important for the healthy prosperity of the town and he thought the allocation should be not less than 10 per cent, but perhaps more.