FROM OUR ARCHIVE: It was all hands to the tree for these pupils at Great Ayton Primary school in February 2002 as they prepared to plant a memorial to the school's late caretaker Norman Symmonds. The youngest should have completed their secondary education this year so where are they now? Let From Our Archive know at dst.nne.co.uk

 

From this newspaper 150 years ago. – A quack doctor's bills. At the Stockton Police Court, on Monday before the Mayor, W Benington, P Romyn, and R Craggs, Esqrs. Thomas Hetherington, of West Hartlepool, described as a "Quack doctor," was summoned by the Superintendent of Police on a charge of circulating bills of an indecent character in the Stockton Market Place on Wednesday, the 4th inst. The bench, after examining the bills, were of opinion that they did not exactly come within the meaning of the statutes, and they therefore dismissed the case, at the same time telling defendant they thought such things ought not to be distributed in so public a place.

Richmond Grammar School. – A liberal offer has recently been made to the Head Master, of an exhibition of £30 per annum, to be held for three years at either Oxford or Cambridge, by a boy proceeding from the school. It has been resolved that this prize shall be awarded on Oct 1st, 1865, and shall we open to all boys who have entered the school not later than the commencement of the next half-year.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – Recruits are still arriving in Northallerton, and there are now about 1,300 Territorials in the town. The authorities have commandeered the Zion Congregational School (which has lately been used as a social room for the Territorials) and also the Patriotic Club. It transpires that a second Reserve 4th Battalion is being formed at Northallerton. Among the men who during the past few days have arrived in the town to join this new battalion are a number of stalwart workers from the Cleveland district - members of the National Reserve. The War Office has issued instructions to county associations calling upon all Class 1 (under the age of 42 and Class II under the age of 50) of the National Reserve, who so far have not made good the obligation undertaken to place their services at the disposal of the country in case of national emergency. Those National Reservists who join the Regulars receive a bounty of £10, and those who join the Territorials £5. About 40 of these men have arrived at Northallerton, and are conspicuous from the ordinary recruit by their greater age and development. Sixty per cent of the present Reserve 4th Battalion PWO Yorkshire, are required to pass for foreign service, and 40 per cent of the new Reserve Battalion that is just commencing to be formed. This would seem to indicate that it is the intention to form from these two the second battalion for active service at the front. Between 50 and 60 per cent of the present Reserve 4th Battalion have passed the severe test of being medically fit for foreign service, and great disqualifications being defective teeth and sight. It is stated that of the 4th Battalion PWO Yorks Regiment, which is now billeted at Newcastle, 150 have to be sent from the Reserve 4th Battalion at Northallerton to fill their place in Newcastle. The training of these is being accelerated, and they were practising at the targets with the new service rifle on Sunday. The battalion has raised 50 recruits for the Cyclist Corps of the 4th Yorks at Newcastle, where they have joined their colleagues. As to when the Territorials are going to leave Northallerton no one seems to know, and hardly anyone seems to have the desire to see them gone - certainly not the tradespeople.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. – Mr Lance Jervelund, a 72-year-old native of Middlesbrough who spent his working life in Canada, said this week that he was tiring of his efforts to rid Thirsk Market Place of the heavy lorries which rouse nearby residents as early as 3 o'clock each morning. Looking out of the window of his modern flat high above the cobble-stoned square, he said that although there were many people who supported his campaign, none of them would come out openly and help. In his soft Canadian accent, he says: "I don't know why, but everyone seems scared to say anything openly." "It's an amazing situation. Everyone is secretly fuming about all the trouble, but they won't get up and say so. It's the sort of problem that just couldn't happen in Canada. But then we don't have dukes and lords over there." Mr and Mrs Jervelund have lived in the flat overlooking Maj Peter Bell's privately owned square since they returned to this county in 1963. He signed a three-year lease on the flat before he fully appreciated the inconvenience he says is caused by an average of 35-40 lorries parking overnight. "If I'd known what I know now I would never have decided to settle in Thirsk, especially here in the Market Place. This is a lovely little town, and it could be a real attraction. But while all these lorries are allowed free overnight parking, the place will continue to go down." He says that local people and the local councils appear very reluctant to complain too much. "I don't know what they are afraid of. How on earth they put up with it year after year I don't know." Mr Jervelund has written to several haulage firms to complain of the noise made in the early hours by their lorries being revved up. Some firms, including ICI, have written to apologise. "After I wrote to ICI the noise from their vehicles was stopped for a while; but now it is as bad as ever." He says that the pounding of heavy lorries has ruined the cobbled surface and made it very dangerous to walk over. "During wet weather the lorries dig up deep holes. It gets so bad that we've seen children sailing their boats in the pools." Mr Jervelund's suggestions to get rid of the lorries are a parking charge high enough for them to be priced out; and for Thirsk RDC to press forward with their plan to acquire the market place from the lord of the manor and pass a bye-law banning them.