From the Yorkshire Gazette of Friday, May 14, 1954 (From Gazette & Herald)

From the Yorkshire Gazette of Friday, May 14, 1954

AN urgent radio message on Wednesday sent police patrol cars chasing a pig, a nine-month-old Welsh gilt by the name of Maesgwynne Countess 2nd. The chase was unsuccessful and the North Riding police had to be called in.

It all started when the gilt and its litter sister, Maesgwynne Countess, went into the sale ring at York cattle market. Countess was bought by Mr T G Elliott, of Oswaldkirk, for 68gns, and Countess 2nd by Mr W H Blackburn, of Orston, Nottinghamshire, for 63gns.

All seemed well, but when Mr Blackburn went to collect Countess 2nd from her pen, he found that the animal had gone. In her place was twin sister Countess.

Mr Elliott had obviously taken the wrong pig in error, and another problem arose - the animal was "on licence" and, if unloaded, could not be moved for 28 days.

The police were called in to help and a patrol car set off in pursuit of Countess 2nd. The car got as far as Sutton-on-Forest without sighting the wagon and then turned round and came back. Nevertheless, all ended well. The North Riding police were informed and were able to get in touch with Mr Elliott's home and point out the mistake. Within a few minutes of arriving, Countess 2nd was making the return journey to York market.

FLAXTON Rural Council, which last year successfully applied for a grant of arms, was officially presented with the letters patent by Mr John J McIntyre, secretary of the Rural District Councils' Association of England and Wales at a special meeting in the council chamber of York Guildhall.

Updated: 10:27 Wednesday, May 19, 2004