December 11, 1965

THE D&S interviewed Miss Evelyn Collier, 78, of Sutton Grange, Masham, who had learned to drive during the First World War. She had then become a chauffeuse at Sutton Hall, near Malton – “I had a fine green uniform and a £2,000 Wolseley to drive” – and for 35 years had her own private hire business in Leeds.

“She had prepared herself for the rough customer by taking a course in the art of self defence,” said the interviewer.

Finally, in the mid-1930s, Miss Collier fulfilled her life’s ambition and became Yorkshire’s first female garage proprietor. “The sound of a motor car is like music to me," she said. "If the engine is out of harmony, it is a pain in the neck.”

However, in 1939, one of her mechanics who was working beneath a car engine when the pulley holding it up broke. Miss Collier took the full weight of the engine, thus saving his life, but sustaining such injuries that she was no longer able to drive, and was forced to retire to Masham.

But she was hoping to be fit enough to drive in the New Year. “If I could get better, I think I would have to start a helicopter service, “ she said.

December 11, 1915

THERE had been a rush to recruitment offices following Lord Derby’s new enlistment scheme which said that all men aged between 18 and 41 – except those in reserved, or “starred”, occupations – had to swear as to whether they intended to join up when the need arose.

“It is generally understood, however, that the eligible single men have been very shy in facing the music," said the D&S. "One estimate suggests that fully 95 per cent of the men that have passed through the Darlington office thus week are married and a large proportion of them, starred men. So far, the married men have proved themselves to be the most loyal, brave and patriotic.

December 9, 1865

UNDER the headline "A horsewhipping justice", the Ripon and Richmond Chronicle told how a farm labourer had left Thirsk to take up a new appointment. As he passed Mr Lloyd, the chairman on the town’s magistrates, the lad deferentially touched his cap and said “Good night, sir”.

This, though, was not a great enough show of respect for Mr Lloyd who dismounted, chased the lad across a field and then “applied a loaded whip to his head and shoulders”.

The lad shouted “murder”, a crowd quickly gathered, Mr Lloyd accused the labourer of begging and had him thrown in prison.

However, the lad’s former and future employers soon spoke out and it became so obvious that the boy was innocent that Mr Lloyd “dared not leave the courthouse for some considerable time”.

The D&S thundered: “Such a gross and scandalous outrage on the part of a magistrate is as disgraceful as it was uncalled for. The boy has been beaten to such an extent that, if his life is not in danger, he has been made almost helpless.”

The Home Secretary was now involved in the matter.