From this newspaper 100 years ago. - AN interesting visitor was seen in Darlington on Saturday, who proved to be none other than the individual who is walking from London to Dundee and back (1,000 miles) with a wheelbarrow. He had then come from Richmond, and was proceeding to Newcastle. He has travelled 316 miles in three weeks, via St Albans, Coventry, Birmingham, Crewe and Harrogate. He is sending about £1 a week to his wife and family in London, on whose behalf he is making the journey, as he is unable to obtain employment. He will accept work if it is offered him.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - After suddenly becoming totally blind, a condition which persisted for eight days, Mr Ernest Boddy, a 38-year-old Stockton Corporation bus driver, of 5, Crisp Street, has regained his sight and can see as well as ever. Credit for the "miracle" goes to Dr F D McGilp, a psychiatrist at Stockton and Thornaby Hospital, who talked him back to sight. It all started when Mr Boddy, father of two young sons, awoke to find himself completely blind. For a week he stumbled and groped his way around the house, his wife constantly at his side. On Friday of last week he visited Dr McGilp and they talked together for a long time. "Then I went into a sort of coma in which the doctor's voice seemed far away," said Mr Boddy. "When I came to the doctor told me to open my eyes. A blurred image sharpened into focus, and I could see again. Some form of anxiety complex preying upon his subconscious mind was probably partly the cause of the blindness, according to Dr McGilp.

From this newspaper 20 years ago. - Over 20,000 people are expected to turn out at Teesside Airport in December to see Concorde land at the airport for the first time. Mr Ian Hunter, assistant airport director, said the arrival of Concorde on December 11 would cause some problems. "On Teesside Air Day we were able to park visitors' cars on the grass but this will be impossible in the winter. We expect between 20,000 and 40,000 people and our advice is that they should try and come by public transport. We will approach British Rail about arrangements for the day. "We would also advise anyone who is coming to put on their wellies and be well wrapped up.