FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Squire Tomlinson has, with his usual generosity, given a load of coals to each of the poor people of Aysgarth this week. Entertainment was given in the Wesleyan Schoolroom on Wednesday evening, presided over by Mr George Dougill. Songs and recitations were given by members and friends, and a pleasant evening was spent.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - The possibility that new industry might be established on Teesside and thereby deprive Darlington industry of desperately needed labour was discussed by the district employment committee. It was agreed that statistics on the number of workers coming into Darlington and leaving it to work should be obtained. Secretary Mr S G C Harland had no figures but did not know why anyone would want to go out of Darlington, except to Aycliffe, as Darlington firms were still in need of women workers. But Mr Forrester Paton thought there might be a danger of workers going elsewhere. The committee heard there was heavy traffic heading out of Darlington to Teesside each day, 165 workers at the Rolling Mill were from outside the town, and many others at the North Road works lived elsewhere.

From this newspaper 20 years ago. - Hunting could be banned on agricultural land owned by Cleveland County Council.The authority's policy and resources committee is recommending a ban on the hunting of foxes, hares, deer, mink and coypu and the shooting of pheasant, partridge and wildfowl. The council owns 700 acres of agricultural land, most of which is made up of small holdings and grazing land. A ban would not effect land which is subject to tenancy agreements. Tenant farmers will be allowed to make their own decisions.The northern region of the British Fields Sports Society accused the Labour-run administration of making a political decision, following an £80,000 donation from the League Against Cruel Sports to the national Labour Party.