100 years ago

A wounded French soldier told the following story: “The enemy threw themselves upon us in great masses and although we inflicted heavy losses upon them they would not be stayed.

"Repulsed again and again, they returned to the attack in ever greater numbers. I have seen a trench lost and regained by us seven times in one day. For 40 hours we fought almost foot to foot. It is impossible to describe such a hell. Our losses were serious; but those of the enemy were terrible.

"I saw a regiment advance with colours flying. A terrible fire was opened upon the advancing troops 300 metres from our trenches. They recoiled in disorder, but reformed and returned in diminished numbers. This time they advanced to about 100 metres from our lines. They were swept away by our fire and again retreated.

"A third time they advanced, having already lost two-third of their strength. The command to open fire was given at a distance of 20 metres. Ten minutes later the regiment had ceased to exist. In less than an hour 3000 men had been exterminated.”


50 years ago

York was another important Northern racecourse likely to suffer from a big sponsor withdrawing a £5000 sponsorship, and the event concerned was the Ebor, one of the country’s most popular handicaps.

The William Hill Organisation had sponsored the Ebor for several years, and it had now announced it would not sponsor the race the following season.

It was possible the matter would be considered at the next meeting of the Race Committee on November 27. The Ebor had been regarded as being among Europe’s richest handicaps.

The withdrawal of Hill’s £5000 left a big gap in the stake money, and the Committee would have to consider how to make it up again. This year the winner of the race got £10,208, the second £1,243, the third £621 and the fourth, £310.


25 years ago

Pudsey Bear could be seen as you had never seen him before - made out of chocolate!

The lovable symbol of the BBC’s Children in Need appeal had been given the chocolate treatment by Rowntree worker Brian Sollitt.

Brian, an assistant product development technician, used 250lb of chocolate to mould the 4ft high chocoholic’s delight. It took Brian, who worked in the product development department, nearly three days to complete Pudsey.

Rowntree public relations manager Mike Blackburn said the company had already donated £1000 to Children in Need with the workforce adding another £500 from the Employee Community Fund.

Radio York would be taking bids for the bear, with all money raised going towards Children in Need.