FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - A successful garden fete and sale was held in the beautiful grounds of Woodside Hall, Preston on Tees, lent by Mrs R H Appleton, to raise funds for a mission church and Sunday schools for the parishes of Holy Trinity, Stockton, and Eaglescliffe. The site has been secured for £450 and is about three-quarters of an acre. The building is estimated to cost £1000. The weather was charming and the attendance of ladies from Stockton, Eaglescliffe and Yarm interested in the movement was large. The Rev J A Sharrock, vicar of Holy Trinity, Stockton, presided and was supported by Mr and Mrs R H Wilson and Lady Dale. Lady Dale said Eaglescliffe was growing very rapidly and it was right that they should provide for the spiritual needs of the people. The plan before them was excellent and she hoped that they would all live to see both the church and Sunday school built. (Applause). Lady Dale was presented with a bouquet of flowers. A heartfelt vote of thanks was passed to her on the motion of Mr R H Wilson. Yarm Brass Band played selections during the afternoon. Tea was served and a hat trimming contest took place, under the management of Mrs Rowland and Mrs Fothergill.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - The proposed closing of Pinchinthorpe station by the Railway Executive was considered by the Guisborough Urban Council last night. It was decided to inform the railway authority that, in the council's view, the station should be retained if only as a "Halt" station.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - A professional was needed to come up with ideas to bring more visitors into Ripon, the city's new tourism promotion association heard. Mr Barry Price, speaking at the first committee meeting since the association's launch, said members could think up ideas but, without a professional to carry them through, they would be lost. However, Mr Clive Dunning was concerned about cost. Ripon was already getting publicity from Harrogate district council at a cost to ratepayers. It seemed unnecessary to pay another individual to do the same work ... In reply, Mr Price said Ripon would get nowhere if it relied on promotion through the district council or the Yorkshire Tourism Board. "I do not mean that in any derogatory way. Those authorities promote Harrogate and Yorkshire respectively. We want someone who will do a bread and butter job for Ripon."