FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Church discipline and attendance down. At a meeting at Ripon Cathedral on Thursday it was put forward that there never was a time when the clergy were less popular than today. This statement came from one of their fellow clergymen who emphasised that ministers generally were unpopular. But it was said that if this were true, it was not the worst thing that could befall them. They hoped to be measured by efficiency and devotion, as these were the means through which the church would be filled. The falling off of church attendance numbers was a subject of constant regret. They agreed to make their services brighter and shorter and infuse more order and reverence into the administration of the Sacrament. With regard to the absence of men, it was thought that it was largely a matter of sheer physical disinclination to confinement, from which their smaller sisters did not suffer to the same degree.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Stockton's oldest motorist celebrates driving anniversary. Believed to be Stockton's oldest motorist, Mr Alfred Smithson, is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a car owner. For half a century he has been continually on the road and is well known throughout the length and breadth of North Yorkshire. He told stories of the days when, in his first six horse power motorcar, he set off on the great adventure of hoping to reach some of the remoter Dales villages, where his arrival created consternation. Mr Smithson travelled about 60,000 miles in this car which had a top speed of 20 miles per hour.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - Another High Street traffic experiment for Northallerton. There will be a chance to try out an alternative scheme to the present experimental one in Northallerton Town Centre. Following the end of the present experiment, a new one suggested by the Hambleton District Council will be tried out. This plan is to re-introduce to the High Street two-way traffic and ban heavy goods vehicles over three tons except for access. Coun Pearson said the current scheme had been a tremendous improvement but because the street was cut in half motorised vehicles were taking a short cut through the Applegarth car park. The service road had been turned into a murder road and someone would be killed.