From this newspaper 150 years ago. – Catterick. Ball – During the past few months the young people of this place and neighbourhood have been receiving lessons from Mr Hill, of Kirby Fleetham, in the art of some of the more modern and fashionable dances, than had hitherto being known to many of them, and as a wind up for the season a ball was held in the Assembly Room, Angel Inn, on Monday last, the 27th ult., which was well attended, and in many respect surpassed its predecessors. The dresses of the ladies were observed to be arranged with much taste, and the whole of them were greatly admired. The sovereign charm of the dance we conceive is the fusion of propriety and mirth, in that degree which prevents the one from petrifying into the excessively ceremonious, and the other from expanding into objectionable exuberance. The presence of the charm was quite the impression of the night; all were animated, with unfettered enjoyment, but all was duly toned with good taste, which is not always to be seen in the public ballroom. Hill's quadrille band was engaged for the occasion, and dancing commenced to their enlivening strains at half-past eight o'clock, and with right good will did the fair maidens and gallant sons of "Merrie Englande," who luckily were present, thread of mazes of the merry dance until after five next morning. Refreshments were provided by Mrs Bennison, and served out in an ante room, with her usual good ability, giving every satisfaction, which was worthy of her reputation, and a higher encomium could not possibly be accorded.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – Tragic occurrence at Croft. – A tragic motor fatality occurred at Croft Spa, three miles south of Darlington, early yesterday morning, and from what has transpired there appears to be little doubt that five lives have been lost. Four of the victims of the disaster are believed to be Darlington tradesmen: Mr W Noble, engineer, Glencroft Terrace; Mr J H Robinson, proprietor of a fried fish establishment, Victoria Road; Mr A Cole, china merchant; and Mr C Smith, licensee of the Red Lion Hotel; who motored to Leeds on Tuesday and had sent a communication home that they intended to return early yesterday morning. The fifth is Mr William P Cauldwell, of Northallerton, who joined the car on the return journey at Northallerton. The accident itself was not seen by anyone, but from the information that can be gleaned a big grey car was observed to pass under the railway bridge on the road between Croft and Dalton shortly after five o'clock by some soldiers stationed at the bridge, who noticed that there were several occupants. The car passed the Spa Hotel and apparently negotiated Croft Bridge with safety, but immediately afterwards the soldiers heard a crash as if a collision had taken place. Two or three of the men hastened to the place, but they could find no trace of the car or of its occupants. The stillness of the early morning, however, was broken by cries for help from someone in the river and they observed a man floating in the water. As the river was in flood and flowing strongly the men were unable to render any assistance and the body in the river was seen to float towards the bridge and not seen again.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. – Northallerton's five-day shopping week controversy goes on, and the introduction of a five-day shopping week from this week, with closure on Thursday has been postponed. Meanwhile a number of traders have decided to go it alone – several of them now closing all day on Thursday. The decision to postpone the implementation of a five-day week was made at an extraordinary general meeting of the Chamber of Trade on Monday. It will hold another meeting in a month to try and get implementation after Easter. Immediately after Monday's meeting the Chairman of the Butchers' Association, with 100 per cent membership, Mr T P Turnbull, told the D and S Times: "We have decided to go it alone and will be closed on Thursdays as planned." The Northallerton Co-operative Society has already introduced a five-day shopping week with Thursday closing and some other traders, including shoe shops, are also closed. A few traders are closed Monday instead of Thursday. The extraordinary meeting was called at the direction of the executive after finding out that several of the traders, including the multiples, did not intend closing Thursday. Mr R Badby complained that news of the recommendation to postpone had appeared in the Press before members were told personally. "It made us look like a lot of little lads," he observed. Mr Jack Barker, vice-chairman presiding, said the executive met and it was found that quite a lot of people did not intend to close Thursdays, which would have jeopardised its success as there was only a narrow majority for Thursday rather than Monday closing. In view of the shortness of time available notice was given to the Press. They were merely trying to achieve unanimity in view of the fact there were so many differences of opinion. Coun C H Sawdon said there had only been a narrow majority for Thursday closing, and it was found a lot were not going to come in. From information before the executive it was found that about five of the multiples were not closing. It was decided to call a meeting to see if they should go on or postpone the implementation to try and achieve unanimity. "We cannot afford to have a situation applying on Teesside and York with half-closing one day and half another. A small community like ours cannot afford to have Thursday and Monday spoiled for trading." Mr R Scales (for Messrs Barkers) said that when they had backed up a five-day week it had been suggested there should be a majority of 85 to 90 per cent in support of it. The shopping public had to be considered, and if the town was divided, it could seriously jeopardise the future progress of Northallerton as a first-class shopping centre. His firm was not prepared to close Thursday.