From this newspaper 50 years ago. – Three North-East farmers co-operatives who cover the East and North-East Coast and have between them an annual turnover of £7,101,386, have decided to merge. The decision reached by the different boards to do so was unanimously of directors. The new group will be called Farmway Ltd., and will be based in Darlington. The three groups are: Teesside Farmers Ltd., Darlington; Northern Farmers Ltd., Newcastle and East Yorkshire Farmers Ltd., Driffield. To put the seal on the directors' decision to merge, special meetings will be held by the various groups to confirm this. It is not expected that there will be any opposition to this by members of the groups. After this, a combined board will be elected. When Farmway Ltd., comes into being, it will be offering trading facilities which will cover the south-east of Scotland down to the east Yorkshire coast. It is proposed that Mr Edward J Richardson, recently appointed as general manager of Teesside Farmers, and Mr John Brind, general manager of Northern Farmers should be joint managing directors. Yesterday, Mr Richardson told the Darlington and Stockton Times: "This new merger will enable us to form a basis for an east coast farmers' co-operative which will give us a business-like approach to the job, of looking after farmers' interests. It will be an east coast farmers co-operative and these farmers on the east coast have common interests." Asked if the decision to merge had been influenced by the possibility of West Cumberland Farmers moving into the area, Mr Richardson said: "No. Long before this proposal we had been talking about mergers and these had been discussed during the past two years. Co-operators have now realised the advantage of being a bigger organisation, particularly with regard to the availability of more specialised staff and the need to be in a fairly big way when considering marketing activities. I think too, that its size will enable us to devote more time and energy to creating a new agricultural co-operative image and to establish better lines of communication between the group and its shareholders. It does mean too, that we have a pooling of existing facilities in so far as we are compound feed manufacturers and Northern Farmers are not. We have an active machinery division and Northern Farmers don't. On the other hand, Northern Farmers have an egg packing station and a subsidiary marketing organisation for potatoes and eggs which we don't have. The directors of the three groups have unanimously recommended this merger as it would obviously be to the advantage of all farmers," said Mr Richardson.

From this newspaper 150 years ago.Additional Curates' Society. - On Sunday last, the Rev W H Elliott, vicar of Sockburn, preached an able sermon in the Parish Church of Witton-le-Wear, on behalf of the Additional Curates' Society.

Hunting accident. – We learn with much pleasure that Lieut-Col Scurfield, of Hurworth-on-Tees, under the able medical superintendence of Dr Cossar, had so far recovered from the accident he received in the hunting field, as to have been able to start on his journey for the continent on Monday morning.

Brancepeth Castle. - We understand that the towers of this structure are to be taken down and re-built, in accordance with the original style of architecture. Mr Salvin, of London, by whom Alnwick Castle was restored, will be the architect. Mr John Forster, of Durham, has been entrusted with the execution of the work.

The Marchioness of Londonderry. – This lady, who, it was recently reported was in a bad state of health, is at present staying at Seaham Hall. Her medical attendant gives great hopes of her recovery. She is surrounded by several members of her family. We understand that the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough will visit Seaham Hall next week.

The Hurworth Hounds. – On Tuesday the pack met at Welbury - once a noted cover in the county, but now too short - which proved blank, and Deighton Whin was then made for, where three foxes soon broke, one of which gave two rings and was lost. Two others were found at Hornby, but there was no kill, consequent upon the very bad scent all day. There is hope, however, of excellent sport in the future, as there is plenty of foxes.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – Sunday picture shows for Thirsk. At Thirsk Police Court on Monday applications for a renewal of their cinema licenses were made by Mr W N Power and Mrs Bell respectively – In reply to the Chairman (Mr A J Walker), Mr Power said his application was for a seven days' license. The Chairman: What time do you open on Sundays? Mr Power: At eight o'clock, after church has left. You don't open before?: Not before. We make a special point of that, and the doors are locked. There is one other thing that magistrates would like to know. Do you make any distinction beween Sundays and week days in the class of pictures? - Yes: we make a difference in the pictures. Because we should like to know you make a difference? - We do make a very great difference, indeed, sir. We show a special and very enlightened programme, with a distinct moral influence in everything we show. Mrs Bell, who also applied for a seven days' license, said the doors were opened at a quarter to eight on Sunday evenings, the performances commencing at a quarter-past eight. She undertook not to open before eight in future. They had a special programme on Sundays. Both applications were granted.