FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - The Bill for amalgamating the York Newcastle and Berwick, York and North Midland, and Leeds Northern Railways was read a third time on Monday and passed in the House of Lords. The amalgamated lines will henceforth bear the name of "the North Eastern Railway".

From this newspaper 100 years ago. - The newly established mart at Stokesley will be open on Monday, when the first fortnightly sale will be held. Entries include 45 fat beasts, six veal calves, 34 diary cows, 17 grazers, 306 sheep and lambs, and 142 pigs. The mart is situated close to the station, with access to the cattle dock and water is laid on from the N.E.R companies premises.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Firemen, troops and farmers fought a fire on Preston moors in Wensleydale. At about 6.30pm on Tuesday Redmire and Preston-under-Scuar villagers saw great volumes of smoke coming from the direction of Preston moors and called the Leyburn section of the North Riding Fire Service. The section journeyed six miles to the main centre of the fire behind the Smelt Mills. The difficulty of taking fire equipment over the moors was overcome by the help of a tractor and utility vehicle. Within two hours some 25 to 30 acres of the fire region were under control with the help of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards from Catterick Camp, who used walkie-talkies and fire-fighting equipment.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - It was a day of joy and good cheer for managers, staff and scholars of the East Road Infants School, Northallerton, on Monday, when they held a street party in the school yard to mark the forthcoming closure of the 137-year-old school, once the main town centre school. The school will close in November when the new Alverton School in Crossbeck Road is ready. Children and staff of the 210 pupil school were dressed in period costumes marking the changing styles over the long history of the school.