FROM OUR ARCHIVE: In December 2005, these youngsters were the stars of the show in the Thirsk Community Primary School Christmas show. Unfortunately, our photographer didn't get their names. Can readers, or the young stars who will now be at secondary sch

From this newspaper 150 years ago. – We have had another very dull week in connection with the pig metal trade of this district. Stocks are not increasing to any great extent, as some of the makers are determined to sell in preference to putting to stock; and this, coupled with the small amount of speculation going forward at the Middlesbrough Exchange, will account for the very low range of prices now ruling there. In a circular from the Staffordshire district, allusion is made to the low price of Cleveland pigs in the market, and in adverting to those low prices, the charge of over production is laid against the Cleveland district. One thing is certain, that there is still no indication on the part of the ironmasters here reducing their make; but on the contrary, additional furnaces, now nearly ready it is stated will be put into the blast during this and the next month, whether this resolute and confident feeling is well supported it is difficult to say. One the one hand, there is the present large production and low prices; on the other, an easier money market, a time approaching when trade generally becomes more active, the manufacturers of iron in the district are each week consuming larger quantities of its pig metal, and are likely to continue to do so, and against the large make of the district the speculation in metal has effected but little so far, and stocks held by the makers and under warrants are comparatively small. Whilst, therefore, a continuation of the present prices would most likely lead to some restriction in the make of pig metal, a fair consideration of matters belonging to both sides of the question, leads us to believe that the balance is in favour of higher prices, and justifies makers in keeping their furnaces in blast, until other reasons arise for their being laid idle. At the different iron manufactories at Consett, Witton Park, Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough, they are busy as ever.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – The observations on potato growing which appeared in this column on the 12th inst. do not appear to have been understood by Mr Turnbull, to judge from his letter in last week's issue. The object of the Notes on the 12th inst. was simply to insist on the need for an increased acreage being planted in the spring of 1915, so that the people of these islands may have a supply of potatoes at a reasonable price. It is estimated that the imports of potatoes from Germany, France, Belgium and Holland are equal to the average quantity grown on 16,000 acres. Now it may be taken for granted that little or no potatoes will come from those countries in the ensuing spring, and from present appearances the countries named will be very unlikely to plant anything like the quantities next spring that they did last. This being the case, how is the shortage to be made up? The up-to-date farmer in future will have to consider very seriously what crops he should grow to meet the demand for any kind of produce that may arise. Mr Turnbull says in his letter that we have not been importing potatoes from Germany etc this autumn, and still the supply exceeds the demand. The crop in this district was about an average one in quantity, but in his opinion about 36 per cent were diseased. He goes on to say the average price from lifting time until now has not exceeded 50s per ton.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. – Television viewers in the North Riding, with the introduction of 625 lines and ultimately colour television, fear the prospect of getting an inferior service because the North York Moors National Park Committee objects to the 1,000-feet-high mast at Osmotherley. Because of the possible obstruction by the Park Committee, the GPO proposes to switch the site to Eston Nab, near Guisborough, but the Chief Engineer of Transmissions has acknowledged that the Guisborough site will be inferior "to the marked degree" to the site at Osmotherley. Members of the North Riding Rural Councils Association were told this on Monday by Coun Leslie Mollett of Whitby. The Association decided to urge the GPO to put forward its application for the Osmotherley site and that they would support it in the interests of the people of the Riding. Mr J Pattison (Croft) said here was something being stifled at birth by the Park Committee, and he wondered how much the Park Planning Committees were stifling development in the area. Coun Mollett, a member of the Post Office Advisory Committee, who admitted he was no technician, told of the proposed introduction of the new microwave transmission system, which would carry 625 lines, and be used eventually for colour television. He described the main broadcast links from London through Peterborough to Leeds and Newcastle, and said from Leeds was to be a spur for the whole North Riding. Post Office engineers considered the best site at Osmotherley and wanted a 1,000 feet mast, but having sounded out the Park Committee understood that an application for such a mast would be resisted. They did not want trouble and so chose a site near Guisborough, which was inferior to that at Osmotherley.