FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. The farmers of Teesdale have suffered great losses from the recent storms. Mr Collinson of Wemmergill found 45 sheep dead and 50 are still missing.

Mr Peacock of Grainsbeck lost 28 and has a number missing. These are two cases amongst several.

The principal Martinmas hirings for Teesdale have seldom been held under worse conditions than those which prevailed on Wednesday. It never ceased to rain. Meagre, indeed, was the attendance. Best men asked from £20 to £27, plough boys asked £15, and lads were going out from £8 or £9 a year. Female servants were scarce; ordinary girls engaging at £13 or £14.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. A map of the North Riding measuring five feet by two has been embroidered by girls at Thirsk Grammar School to commemorate Festival year.

Under the supervision of their needlework mistress, Miss M Burton, some 60 girls have been steadily stitching away since January. Famous abbeys, churches and places of historical interest are marked and the borders between Lancashire and Yorkshire are indicated with red and white roses. The Festival emblem is shown off the Yorkshire coast.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - The premier of television presenter Gordon Honeycombe's play, The Princess and the Goblins, will be a first for the extended Rosehill Theatre in Great Ayton.

It is not Mr Honeycombe' s first work but he will be attending the first night in Ayton. Pupils from the Friend's School and local children have helped make the set, costumes and props. The play has been adapted from the Victorian children's book by George MacDonald. It is a mysterious story that has all the elements for a dramatic production. The music which was written by Robert MacKintosh has been adapted by the Friends school musical director Martin Essex. The Rosehill Theatre, which is owned by the Friends school, has been in use for many years but now has more and better-equipped rooms, and a foyer.