From this newspaper 100 years ago. - Census details were published this week, with details on occupations, industries and social issues of County Durham. Darlington has 44,000 residents and Stockton has 51,000.

The county's population has increased by nearly 17pc in the last decade to 1,187,474. There are 200,441 inhabited houses. The total population in urban areas is now 854,372 and 333,102 in rural districts, an increase of 18 and 12pc respectively.

There are 8,000 teachers, lecturers and professors; 98,000 miners, 56,000 metal workers, 28,000 shipbuilders, 30,000 domestic servants, 2,000 charwomen, 2,000 laundry women, 13,000 seamstresses and 1,000 commercial clerks.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - The Great Yorkshire Show will retain much of its traditional appeal this year, despite the cancellation of cloven hoof classes because of the threat of foot-and-mouth disease.

The show is the second at the society's permanent Harrogate show ground.

Details were announced this week about alternative classes and demonstrations, most with the accent on agriculture and the land.

Several hundred farmers had entered stock in the cattle, pig and sheep classes, and cancellation was even more disappointing because of the record entries. Yet, there is optimism - albeit tempered with caution - that the weather will be kind over the three days and the attendance will hold up.

One bright spot, however, is the big entry of both light and heavy horses. The Great Yorkshire Show has long been famed for the quality of its horses. With entries from all over the North and further afield, this year's show should be no exception.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - A small cottage in upper Swaledale built in the 1730s has been reconstructed by willing helpers from Darlington.

The cottage above Healaugh, near Reeth, is being turned into a weekend cottage for members of Eastbourne Youth Centre.

Called Nova Scotia, the building is owned by farmer Mr Peacock and being rented to the youth centre.

It has no electricity or running water, but has a cool spring. Senior members of the youth centre have been working there and it is beginning to take shape as a home.

Nigel Sharpe and David Cooke are supervising the reconstruction and praised the team of helpers from Darlington.

"When the work is complete, the cottage will look like a palace, said Mr Cooke.