FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Yesterday, on the Stud Farm of Messrs J and D Linton, of Low-street, Bedale, the trial of a new labour-saving machine, called the Macdonald Turnip Lifter and Topping Machine, took place. The weather was most favourable, and a numerous company assembled, on the invitation of Messrs Ord and Maddison, Darlington, to witness the trial ... The machine was first of all tried with a field of swede turnips, the roots being of most difficult character, but the machine performed its work in a most satisfactory manner, and several orders were placed for next season. It was clearly demonstrated that the machine was capable of raising from three to four acres per day with one man and a horse, while its working is estimated to cost about one-third of the money expended in hand labour.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - The creation of an open space, akin to Trafalgar Square, in the centre of Darlington was envisaged by the Mayor (Coun G Dougill), speaking at Darlington Soroptimist Club's second annual dinner in the Queen's Hall on Saturday night ... Endorsing Mrs John Neasham's recognition of St Cuthbert's church as Darlington's most beautiful architectural feature, the Mayor said: "I have often thought that the view of the church could be improved. I would like to see St Cuthbert's standing on its own in the centre of the town without any buildings between the church and High Row. I have often felt that this would be a notable improvement and I have even likened it to Trafalgar Square which, like our Market Place, is on a slope. If we had a square like that, laid out properly, it would be a great improvement to the town."

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - Teesdale farmers were warned on Monday of the growing menace of sheep rustling. Mr Ralph Hutchinson told the annual meeting of Barnard Castle NFU: "We have been the victims of rustlers here for the last three years. Only when you become involved do you realise how widespread it is. He called for heavier sentences in a bid to halt the increase. Fines were useless when it was so easy to take sheep, and so difficult to trace the culprits. Mr Hutchinson, of Valley Farm, Bowes, said he was dismayed to hear recently of a rustler being fined the "paltry sum" of £100. Mr Hutchinson said: "I'm beginning to think it's much more profitable to steal sheep than it is to breed them."