October 3rd, 2008

It is reported that a bed of ironstone has been discovered near the Vale of Mowbray Brewery at Leeming Bar, where boring has been in progress some time for the purpose of constructing an artesian well. To what extent the ironstone bed reaches is not at present known, but should it prove to be extensive the “find” will be a very important one. The ironstone was so hard that the work was considerably interfered with, and so much damage was done to the drills that they had to be sent to London to be repaired.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. – A farewell gift from Barnard Castle parishioners was presented to Mr and Mrs Thomas Wake in the Parish Hall. Mr Wake recently retired as curator of Bowes Museum, a position he had held for 12½ years. He and Mrs Wake have since taken up residence at Stanhope. The gift, a fruit dish, was presented by the Vicar of Barnard Castle (the Rev A B Webster).

From this newspaper 25 years ago. – A Northallerton hotel which retains the name of the former county, The North Riding Hotel, in South Parade, is to close by the end of this year. The hotel’s second claim to fame is that it sits astride the parish boundaries of Romanby and Northallerton. It is owned by the Hartlepool based brewery company Camerons, whose controller of tied trade, Mr Geoffrey Leech, said “It is all part of rationalising our estate.

We are well represented in Northallerton, Romanby and Brompton. We just have too many for the area.” The hotel will be put on the open market.

From this newspaper 10 years ago. – As the last batch of free Euro meat was being distributed throughout East Cleveland this week, its organiser was preparing to take on the Government to have it continued. Skelton parish councillor Alec Templeton, who voluntarily built up the supply line in the area, blames government bureaucracy for the stoppage decision. The intervention board announced in the summer that the scheme was to be discontinued in this country.