100 years ago

The Mayoress of Scarborough had formally opened the new Peasholm Park which contained a fresh water lake four acres in area, and also the new bathing bungalows on the North Beach, whilst the Mayor had formally opened the completed nine holes golf course (extended from six holes) of the Scarborough North Cliff Golf Club.

At the southern entrance of Peasholm Park the Mayoress cut a ribbon stretched across the gateway and formally declared the park open. The party then proceeded to the picturesque boathouse, and the Mayor and Mayoress and others embarked in the new boats which the Corporation had provided, and were rowed round the lake to the bridge, which (having landed) they crossed to the island hillock.

The new Park occupied 11½ acres, and the lake, which was three feet deep, had recently been stocked with 2000 perch, roach, and tench.

50 years ago

The Judges' Lodgings in Lendal, York, would in future probably be used more than they had been for over 150 years.

The High Court judges would be staying there for longer periods as the number of Assize cases to be heard in the city increased. Before Whitsuntide Mr Justice Sachs and Mr Justice Atkinson sat for a fortnight and now had returned for about another three weeks. Perhaps criticism, saying that the old house, which was formerly shut up for ten or eleven months every year, was a “ridiculous waste of money,” would now stop.

In its early days the lodging was the home of Dr C Winteringham, who lived there until his death in 1748. Then it was occupied by a Dr Dealtry until 1773. In 1806, the county magistrates bought the house out of the county rates and furnished it for the Assize judges. Until then they had stayed at an ancient house in Coney Street, where there was still a Judge's Court. This was regarded at that time as inconvenient and inadequate.

The Judges' Lodgings once had a Royal visitor. The Royal Agricultural Society's show was held in York in 1848 (the first time the Royal Show was held in Yorkshire) and one of the guests was Prince Albert. The lodgings were specially prepared for him and his suite.

25 years ago

Brave Sarah Duffen had won a battle against handicap and prejudice to become what was thought to be the first Down's syndrome sufferer to pass the driving test.

Sarah, aged 20, was also believed to be the first person born with the illness to take to the road anywhere in the world. “It was a wonderful moment when he told me I had passed. I was very nervous, but I think I drove well,” said Sarah, who had passed the automatic test.