From this newspaper 50 years ago. – Where was Alfie Bass on Saturday afternoon? Several hundred people waited in vain for him for several hours at Thirsk Town Hall, and two men made a fruitless 50-mile round trip to York in the hope of meeting him off a train from King's Cross. He should have appeared at the town hall to open Thirsk and Malton Divisional Labour Party's big May Fair. His personal appearance was advertised several weeks ago, and hundreds of supporters went to the event from many parts of the North Riding. The much advertised star opening attracted a bigger than ordinary crowd. Later the divisional party were considering asking the television and film star for an apology and suggesting that as so many people were disappointed by his non-appearance he might like to make a donation to Thirsk's swimming baths appeal fund. On Saturday, when it got to the time for the fair's opening, Mr Jack Brocklebank, of Dishforth, the Labour Party's divisional chairman, announced that Alfie Bass had been held up in London to do some television film work. He would not be arriving at Thirsk until about 4pm, and Mr Brocklebank urged the audience to stay on and give a big welcome. Mr Cecil Tupil and Mr Bill Neesam, both of Thornton-le-Moor, drove to York to meet trains from London; but they arrived back alone in the early evening. Alfie Bass had not got either of the trains from King's Cross. Miss Joan Maynard, the Party's divisional secretary-agent, said last night that she had "felt terrible that so many people turned up and then the star did not put in an appearance." "Mr Martin Woolley, who handled the booking for us, had asked us to let Alfie Bass have any local references we would like including in his speech when he opened the fair. We had done that. Now we want to know why he wasn't there." Miss Maynard said that she had a letter dated March 6 confirming that Mr Bass would appear to open the fair. He was to receive a fee of £10.10s and the first class return fare from London. She said that on Wednesday of last week, she had received a telegram from Mr Woolley, who said he was acting on behalf of Mr Bass, saying that the star could not come to Thirsk. But when she telephoned and reminded Mr Woolley of the written agreement it was agreed that Mr Bass would arrive at York just after 4pm on Saturday and that a car would be waiting to rush him to Thirsk. Miss Maynard had no idea what had gone wrong. She had a definite confirmation by letter which she had acknowledged. "We go the people to the Town Hall from many parts of the division and there will be a profit of about £100, but it was most unfair that the opener was not there. We feel let down, and we think that the least he could do would be to make a donation to a local charity." There was no reply when attempts were made to telephone Mr Woolley's offices at 44/46 Kingsway, London.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. – Sir W Worsley, in moving the adoption of the report of the North Riding Education Committee, said the reason for the increase in the elementary education estimate was very simple. They anticipated a decrease in the attendance of children at school owing to the fact that so many of the attendance officers were serving with the colours, and then again they had allowed boys of suitable age to be employed by farmers at this period of stress. This would mean a decrease in the grants. Another reason was the increased cost of materials, for which they had to pay an additional 10 per cent, and the final reason was the increase of salaries to teachers in the schools. This was foreshadowed at the last meeting of the County Council. They were endeavouring this year to restrict their expenditure in every possible way. Capital expenditure would almost cease, and with regard to furniture and things of that sort they were endeavouring to cut down schedules wherever possible. They had estimated giving increments to their staff who were at the front. Their wish was that none of their employees should suffer in any way for their patriotic action. (Hear, hear). It had been their misfortune to lose one of their school teachers, and it was impossible to refer to that without saying what a thrill must have passed through the breasts of every member when they read of the deeds of their own men when under fire in most difficult circumstances. Sergeant Joy of the 5th Yorks., who had been head teacher at Sandhutton School died a gallant soldier's death in that encounter, and he (Sir William) wrote to his widow expressing their deep sympathy and he was sure she would have the entire sympathy of the member and the staff of the Council.

From this newspaper 150 years ago. – An accident occurred near the Stone Bridge, Darlington, last Saturday afternoon, to Mr Robson, of Gilling, who was driving a cart through the town for the purpose of going to Sadberge, whither he has gone to reside. When near the bridge, Mr Robson, whilst sitting in front of the cart, attempted to place his feet on the shafts but missed his footing and fell. In order as much as possible to prevent the fall, he laid his hand on the back of the horse, and the animal immediately sprang up, striking him on the forehead and causing him to fall between the horse and cart, the wheel of the latter passing over his ankle. Mr Robson was then taken to Mr Brown's Pack Horse, and medical assistance having been procured his wounds were bound up, and he was afterwards conveyed to Sadberge. After the accident the horse set off at full gallop and when in Parkgate ran into a horse belonging to the Board of Health, which also started and rushed into a cart standing near Mr Crawford's shop. The shafts of Mr Robson's cart were broken off, and the horse was not stopped until it ran into a passage in Parkgate, when not being able to get further it was secured, no further damage being done.