FROM OUR ARCHIVE: Back in August 1996, North Yorkshire County Council unveiled a new design for the lollipops brandished by its crossing patrols. Stuart Porter, nine, a pupil at Applegarth primary school, Northallerton, is helped across the road by, from left, Peter Bumbey, of Brompton school (holding the old-style lollipop), Julie Baker, of Mill Hill school, Mavis Batty, of Romanby school and Michael Costick, of Alverton school. On the right is Stuart's father Eric Porter. Are any of these stalwarts still manning the crossings 18 years later? Let From Our Archive know at dst@nne.co.uk

From this newspaper 150 years ago. – Fatal railway accident at a crossing. – About a quarter-past five o'clock on Saturday afternoon an accident occurred causing the death of Joseph Reynolds, a labourer at the Steel Works recently erected at Albert Hill, Darlington. The deceased had left work for the week, and was proceeding home by Haughton lane, where he had to cross the Stockton and Darlington Railway by the level known as Haughton crossing. Just at the moment he was on the line a train came up from Stockton. The engine caught him and dragged him about six or eight yards between the plates, where it went over his right arm, severing it near the shoulder. He was taken up and removed to the Havelock Arms Inn, where he immediately expired in great agony. Deceased was about thirty-five years of age. He leaves a wife and child, who are believed to be in Ireland. – The inquest was held at the house of Mr Grecar, Havelock Arms Inn, on Wednesday afternoon, at half-past one o'clock, before Mr Trotter, Bishop Auckland coroner for the district, when the following evidence was adduced:- John Meagan said: I am a labourer working at the Steel Works, and knew Joseph Reynolds, the deceased, who lodged in Tubwell-row. He was about 22 years old, and had a wife and child in Ireland. On Saturday night, November 19th, as we were leaving work, about five o'clock, we stopped at the Allan's Arms and had some liquor, but neither of us were the worse for drink. When we got to the gates of the crossing there was an engine coming from Middlesbrough, drawing a number of coal wagons. We waited till they all passed and then attempted to cross, but an engine, with only the tender, from the opposite direction, suddenly came upon us. I stepped backwards and thus escaped, but Reynolds was caught and dragged about ten yards. I called to the gatekeeper, and we went to search for my "mate," whom we found lying with the right arm nearly taken off, and the right side of his head crushed. We got assistance and removed him to the Havelock Arms, and found he was dead. The Coroner said that from the evidence they had heard, there was no blame to be attached to the engineman or gate-keeper, as they both appeared to have been attending to their duties. It seemed a question to him, however, whether one man was able to perform the duties of both gateman and signalman efficiently. – The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," at the same expressing an opinion during the nights an extra man ought to be employed.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – Thirsk work for soldiers and refugees. – The children of Thirsk Infant School have sent their second parcel for the soldiers. It contained twelve pairs of socks, four belts, and three helmets. The children, who have, of course, been helped by their teachers, have bought most of the wool, and their mothers have assisted with the knitting. Miss J M Hall, Thirsk, in an interesting communication writes: "The Working Party still continues to meet at the Friends' Meeting House, Thirsk, and last week sent off about twenty articles of clothing to France, where the Friends' War Victims' Committee have a party doing relief work with the support of the French Government in the devastated districts of Epernay and Vitry in the Department of Marne. The party includes doctors, nurses, ambulance men, architects, sanitary engineers, chauffeurs etc. They send heart-rendering accounts of the needs of these poor refugees. Workers at home may feel that all the self-sacrifice it means to them is amply rewarded by the comfort and help given to these unfortunates. Clothing has also been supplied to Belgian refugees at Barnsley and at Thirsk. The needs of non-combatants will be great even after the war is over, so it is intended to persevere with the work."

From this newspaper 50 years ago. – A festoon of overhead wiring, poorly designed lettering on shop and street signs, little continuity of shop fronts and a big "question" about the Town Hall. That is Northallerton High Street as seen by the architect, Mr Peter B Hill (Leeds), who is engaged in a project to give Northallerton a "face-lift." His major criticisms of the town's lay-out and design are given in a report, already approved by Northallerton Urban Council and Northallerton Chamber of Trade, which will be presented at a public meeting in the Town Hall on November 26. Mr Hill will then explain his plans for improving the look of the High Street and Town Centre and answer questions from townsfolk and shop and property owners. In his report, Mr Hill says: "Although the individual front properties are, in general, well kept, there is little continuity of design between each. Where effort has been made to improve facades the result is in so many cases marred by the festoon of overhead wiring. "Although the improvement of property frontages and the adoption of a unified colour design is vital, the success of the final result is not of first importance. A critical look must be taken at overhead wiring, road direction signs and the numerous pieces of wayside flotsam that neither serve inadequately or have no function." Mr Hill gives Northallerton people and the Urban Council a big question to consider over the Town Hall, already considered by many to be a blot on the High Street scene. "The Town Hall," he says, "presents Northallertion with a major problem - whether to "gild the lily" and hope that such cosmetic treatment will answer, or consider that the building has served well in its day but that day is past; that is a question of importance to those who have the interest of Northallerton at heart." Mr Hill's searching look at the 171 shops, houses, offices and public buildings in the centre of Northallerton is not all criticism. "Northallerton has a particular charm in that the High Street does not follow a straight line but a series of gentle curves which show the period property to best advantage. It is favoured also by the position of the Parish Church and the open areas about it."