Picture: All the pupils of Leyburn County Primary School appear to have assembled for this picture in October 1986 for the handover of a cheque to the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Quite how the money was raised isn’t known. But how many of today’s Leyburn’s residents recognise their little selves? Let From Our Archive know at dst@nne.co.uk

From this newspaper 150 years ago

A young man, who gave his name as Charles Nield, and said he came from Blackburn, Lancashire, was charged by PC Garbutt with endeavouring to obtain charitable contributions under false pretenses. 

It appeared that the prisoner went to the Rev J G Pearson’s vicarage, with one of his arms in a sling, and represented to the vicar that he had received an injury to his hand – having had some fingers taken off at Messrs Thompson’s saw mills; that he was rendered unable to work, and that Messrs Thompson had been allowing him 4s per week.

 Darlington and Stockton Times:

NOTICE: From this newspaper 150 years ago

He was desirous to make up and obtain as much as would take him home. Mr Pearson gave the prisoner a letter, addressed to Mr William Thompson, in which he wrote that if the statement, (gave particulars) made to him, by the bearer, as correct, Mr Thompson was to give him 2s 6d and Mr Pearson would repay the money.

The man left Mr Pearson’s, as was thought to go to Messrs Thompson’s office but Mr Pearson afterwards heard that the man had been at Larchfield begging, and that he had there told a different story. Mr Pearson then went to Mr W Thompson and ascertained that there was no truth in the man’s statement. Information was given to the police, and PC Garbutt apprehended the prisoner in Commercial Street, with his arm still in a sling. On examination it was found that neither the prisoner’s arm or hand were injured and that the sling had only been used to mislead people.

Prisoner was affected to tears and stated that he had been “put up to the move” by a man with whom he had been lodging. The man had told him that he had obtained many pounds in the same way. Prisoner was sent to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.

From this newspaper 100 years ago

The Medical Officer for Thirsk reported the occurrence of five cases of scarlet fever in St James’s Green, Millgate, Sowerby, and Humberton, and two suspected cases. One of these latter was that of a child found peeling on the chest in an inspection of the Church School, Thirsk. The mother explained that knowing the inspection was about to take place she had washed the boy, and the roughness of the skin of the chest was due to vigorous rubbing.

 

Darlington and Stockton Times:

GUNSMITH: An advert from this newspaper 100 years ago

The other suspected case was that of a young baby in Norby. The British School, Thirsk, had also been inspected, but no suspicious cases were found. Two cases of diphtheria had occurred at Thorborough. He had inspected the Pickhill School in connection with an outbreak of whooping cough. There were seven cases of scarlet fever (four males and three females) in an Infectious Diseases Hospital.

From this newspaper 50 years ago.

Grave concern about the future of the Wensleydale Agricultural and Horticultural Show was expressed at the annual meeting, held at the show office on Friday of last week.

The chairman, Mr A K Slack, presiding, said that although the show had been successful in most respect its finances, to be revealed by the treasurer, were in a grave state and he doubted future prospects unless some drastic re-organisation was done to make certain of subscriptions and more donations. The treasurer, Mr P E Hartley, summarised the situation by stating that of a carry forward credit balance of £153 the sum of £28 was the balance left. A member asked about the rent of the show site but the owner, Mr F B Webster, a life member of the show, agreed to forego this, under the circumstances. Mr Hartley said that subscriptions of £494 were £40 lower than the previous year; entry fees were £203, but the prize money had risen to £749. In spite of a reasonably fine day, gate receipts of £494 were lower than the previous year.

The sale of catalogues might be increased if better selling arrangements were made as a quantity were left over unsold.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

MOD CONS: From this newspaper 50 years ago

Marquees were always a substantial expense of £213 but they provided an insurance in case the show had a wet day and also allowed comfortable room for people to walk about and enjoy seeing the exhibits. After further debate members ruled that no saving could be made in this respect, unless the poultry marquee could be done without but this was left over for the poultry committee to further discuss.