PICTURE: It is April 1987 and Bedale’s tourism promotion team line up for the D&S photographer. The tourist information centre had been established in Bedale Hall two years earlier by the late Denis Stockwell, pictured second from the right, who initially set up his kitchen table in the hall foyer to offer visitors the service. By the time this photograph had been taken, the TIC had its own premises in the hall and a team of helpers, pictured from left, May and Bill Anderson, Marjorie Hewitt, Peter Schofield, Margaret Petty, Mr Stockwell and Virginia Stockwell.

From this newspaper 150 years ago

The annual festival of the Middlesbrough Temperance Society was held on Monday evening in the Oddfellows Hall.

Above 500 persons were present at the tea which, as usual, was of an excellent character and reflected great credit upon the ladies connected with the society, who had provided the trays. After tea, Mr C Bell, secretary, apologised for the absence of Mr G A Robinson, of Reeth, who was prevented through personal indisposition from taking the chair.

In a letter he had received from him, he stated that he was nursing himself for the “coming struggle”, which he (Mr Bell) construed to mean the forthcoming general election, when Mr Robinson would, he was sure, do his utmost to secure the return of a member of Parliament who would support the Permissive Bill. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, adverted to the misery and wretchedness which drunkenness entailed upon humanity, and expressed a hope that, by and bye, a measure would be obtained which would effectually close public-houses.

 

Darlington and Stockton Times:

CUP OF JOE: Advertisement from this newspaper 150 years ago

At the forthcoming election, the principles of the Permissive Bill would undoubtedly form a very prominent feature in the questions which would be put to the candidates, and, sooner or later, they would be able to extort from a sufficient number a pledge to help forward in Parliament the passing of such a measure. (Applause.) They did not want to interfere unnecessarily with the trades which ought legitimately to be carried out – with houses of entertainment for travellers – but they wanted to prevent the unnecessary sale of intoxicating drinks.

From this newspaper 100 years ago

At Stockton, where there was a “general election” in consequent of the borough extension and the re-arrangements of wards, the outstanding feature was the phenomenal success of the candidates officially put forward by the Labour Party. Not only were there three nominees returned, but in two wards they headed the poll by substantial majorities. The day was an ideal one for electioneering purposes, and the oldest inhabitants do not remember so many horsedrawn vehicles on the streets for the conveyance of electors, even in the old hustings days. Motors were flashing about everywhere, and burgesses who had not recorded their vote by early evening were given no rest.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

ENERGY DRINK: Advertisement from this newspaper 100 years ago

It was not surprising that the electors polled heavily, but few were prepared for such remarkable figures as the returns revealed. Allowing for deaths and removals well over 90 per cent of the electorate exercised the franchise.

From this newspaper 50 years ago

The National Union of Agricultural Workers should “blacklist” employers who take out court orders to enforce eviction from tied cottages, said the secretary of the North Riding county branch of the NUAW, County Councillor Miss Joan Maynard (Thirsk) speaking at Brompton on Friday of last week. Miss Maynard, who was talking to members of the Northallerton branch of the NUAW at their annual dinner said that the tied cottage problem had to be tackled strongly. “I do not hold out much hope that the present Government will do much about the situation but the Labour party have committed themselves to do something about tied cottages.

We in the NUAW will make sure that the promises are carried out and that no one will be evicted from a tied cottage before alternative accommodation had been found first.” She said that the tied cottage system was intolerable. She cited the case of a young farm worker at Thirsk who told her recently that since he moved into a tied house the attitude of his employer had changed altogether. “He said that he had thought, before he moved into the tied house, he would have been content to work for that employer for the rest of his life. Now he is not so sure.”