100 years ago

THE introduction of the new five-a-penny Life Ray Cigarettes probably affected a larger number of people than would be affected by any other new introduction. For the number of five-a-penny cigarettes smoked in the United Kingdom was simply prodigious - totalling many millions daily.

The advantages of quality in Life Ray were made possible only by the introduction of the wholly new and up-to-date machinery by which the cost of making was much reduced, enabling the manufacturers to give a far better quality cigarette for five-a-penny than had heretofore been possible. Cigarette smokers were advised to look out for Life Ray, which would be on sale in the course of a few days.

 

50 years ago

A £20,000 improvement scheme would, within the next two or three months, transform the interior of York’s Odeon Cinema. The rather forbidding atmosphere of a ’30s “picture palace” would disappear, to be replaced by an elegant modern decor more in tune with current trends in cinema-going.

Work would start on the Tuesday after Easter. The manager, Mr G Shepheard, said that his cinema would be completely redecorated, with new carpeting throughout, and a new lighting system in auditorium and foyer. The foyer floor would be resurfaced, and a new canopy built. In addition, bulky columns upstairs would be removed, and replaced by a modern “picture wall”.

The Odeon would lose about 180 of its current 1,500 seats. Rows of seats in the stalls would be re-spaced, increasing the back-to-back distance between rows to three feet. In most cases it would no longer be necessary for patrons to stand up when somebody passed along their row. It would be “business as usual” at the Odeon while the alteration work was in progress.

 

25 years ago

The Great York Run had lived up to its title with a thrilling day for runners and spectators alike. Thousands turned out to cheer on the 3,900 hardy athletes who slogged round the half-marathon course.

It had been a day for all the family. People from all walks of life competed or just ran for fun in the three races which made the event an outstanding success. Fit, fat, fabulous or over-40 they lined up to tackle courses ranging from 3000 metres to the full 13-mile plus half-marathon.

Many younger children opted for the Pilcher Holmes 3000m fun run, covering roughly 2 miles, while the one-fifth marathon fun run, over five miles long, taxed more experienced runners. But the highlight of the day was the half-marathon. As athletes gathered at the assembly point at the end of Knavesmire Road, spectators were already lining the route which wound through the heart of the city and passed York Minster itself.