From this newspaper 150 years ago. – Richmond Corporation and Theatrical Representations. Memorial to the Mayor. On Wednesday afternoon a deputation waited upon the Mayor of Richmond (Mr H P Bruno), for the purpose of presenting the memorial, which for some time past has been in course of signature, urging his Worship to reverse his recent decision with regard to the letting of the Town Hall for theatrical representations. The deputation consisted of Mr Thompson (chemist), Mr Hunt, Mr Anderson, Mr T Blades, Mr J W Smith and Mr John Robinson. Mr Thompson said he had no doubt that the Mayor was perfectly acquainted with their mission, which was to present a memorial numerously signed by burgesses and inhabitants of the Borough, requesting that the Town Hall be let for dramatic representations. His Worship would observe that amongst the signatures there were the names of many influential gentlemen resident in Richmond, who were desirous that the request should be complied with. The theatre having been taken from them there was no other place adapted for the drama, and he believed that the Mayor was not against the Town Hall being used for that purpose. Mr Thompson presented the memorial which had about 260 names attached to it. It was as follows:- The Mayor: I have not the slightest personal objection, only I should like to know whether the Town Hall is the proper place for this purpose. Mr Thompson: I do not see that we have any other place. We see the Town Hall in other places employed on such occasions. The Mayor: If you will leave the memorial with me I will give you an answer in three days. I am going away from home. Of course as you have said in the memorial, I am not personally averse to it, and I have not the slightest objection myself. The only objection is the County Court. Mr Thompson: I do not suppose Serjeant Dowling would have the slightest objection. The Mayor: If he did we are not bound to consider his objections. Mr Anderson: It was only natural that we should ask for the Town Hall, the theatre being appropriated to other uses, and as we see Town Halls used for this purpose at other places. After some further conversations, the Mayor said:- I shall give you an answer in three days, and you must understand, so far as regards myself, I have not the slightest objection to accede to the memorial. The hall has been applied for again, but I did not give an answer to the applicant until I had receive this memorial.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – Heavy snowstorms visited the North of England and Scotland on Thursday. Snow drifted in many places to a considerable height, and there was much dislocation of railway traffic, while the telegraph and telephone services were greatly interfered with. Big seas prevailed off the North East coast, and a number of fishermen lost their lives.

Not for many years has such a blizzard been experienced in Upper Wensleydale. The snow, which fell incessantly for hours, was driven and whirled around by a strong east wind. Huge drifts were soon lying in sheltered quarters, whilst the more exposed parts were swept bare. The cold was intense. Many roads were completely blocked, and numbers of sheep will have been overblown.

A platelayer named Jeffrey Iveson, residing at Moorcock Cottages, Hawes Junction, was assisting to keep the points clear of snow at Hawes Junction on Thursday night, when he was knocked down by a passing train and killed. It is assumed that either in trying to avoid the train he unfortunately stepped the wrong way or that in the blizzard he failed to hear its approach. He leaves a widow and five children. Snow descended heavily in Northallerton and Wensleydale during Thursday afternoon and evening, and the high wind caused great drifts, in some places as high as the hedges and walls, and traffic on the roads was practically suspended. A party from Catterick, competitors in the Swaledale Tournament of Song, who drove to Northallerton, found it impossible to return, and had to stop all night at Northallerton. The rural postmen, who go out on cycles, had to proceed on horses or foot. The mail carts to Osmotherley and Carlton-in-Cleveland and up Wensleydale were both stopped, and people who had to drive or walk a few miles had an exhausting struggle.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. – During Thirsk Rural Council's debate on Monday about the future of the privately-owned Market Place, the chairman, Coun Peter Consett, said that he thought that if anybody were injured while walking across the cobblestones - which they had a perfect right to do - "no doubt they could start an action at common law....and good luck to them." Coun Miss Joan Maynard said that the Council had waited seven months for a reply from Major Peter Bell, owner of the Market Place, to their inquiry about the price he would want for it if he decided to sell to a local authority. She said that present-day conditions were likely to drive people away from Thirsk. They would not contend with the Market Place as it was now. Miss Maynard said that Major Bell had said that he was willing to sell to the appropriate authority if it could be negotiated satisfactorily, and she asked: "Surely he can tell us what he wants?" Chairman: He has been asked. He may have changed his mind, and may not now be so keen to sell. Miss Maynard: Cannot a deputation go and ask him? Chairman: Would it not be better coming from the Parish Council? I would have thought that the business people and inhabitants who live round the Market Place were the people mostly concerned. Miss Maynard: It is the responsibility of all of us. We cannot pass the buck to the Parish Council. We have got to the stage of agreeing that we would meet the owner and discuss with him the price he may ask for it. I suggest that we pursue it and ask him if he has changed his mind, and if not what he wants for the Market Place. Coun Arthur Pallister asked whether the Council was to wait for someone "to be damaged" on the Market Place before the Council took action. The chairman said that public health was a matter for the Council and its MoH, but public danger was a matter for the owner of the Market Place.