100 years ago

Another encroachment was about to be made on the City moats.

The moat at the Queen Street Bridge had already been cut away to a very large extent and, according to a report of the Tramways Committee, recently adopted by the council, another slice was to be taken off.

The angle of the wall at the Queen Street Bridge was one of the most picturesque points in the locality, but it would be greatly spoiled by this new encroachment, by which it was proposed to widen the roadway. The proposal had been very quietly made and carried.

The Tramway Committee’s minutes scarcely disclosed the real nature of the intended vandalism.

It was merely stated that the fence adjacent to the ramparts under the wall at Queen Street would be set back for a certain distance.

It was expected that the Yorkshire Archaeological Society would launch a protest against the action of the council and endeavour to stop the proposal being carried out.


50 years ago

There was a darts marvel at the Mail Coach Inn, St Sampson’s Square, York, named “Two-Foot”.

He had astonished other customers by becoming champion darts player at the pub eight months after throwing his first arrow.

But that was not all. He gained his nickname because he stood only 4ft 10ins and had to stretch to withdraw his darts from the top of the board. His real name was Cyril Wood, aged 18, and he said he would play - and beat - any contenders.

Cyril, who weighed 6st 4lb, spent most lunch hours practising. “I have rarely seen him beaten,” said landlord George Abbey.

Cyril had earned a reputation and had had comfortable victories against competitors twice his size in all his matches for the Mail Coach in the first division of the Magnets Darts League.


25 years ago

Comic relief had broken out in the classroom. And youngsters at Malton’s St Mary’s Primary aim was to ensure the lesson added up to a laugh a minute.

For an hour they would be holding a marathon during which all 61 pupils would tell a joke.

Joining the fun would be children in fancy dress with hooters at the ready. Thousands were expected to go Comic Relief crazy in North Yorkshire in a furious fun-filled, red-nosed drive to raise money for charity.

A custard-pie fight at New Earswick and 500 people playing red-nosed bingo at the Mecca Rialto in York, were just some of the activities lined up.