Thursday, April 21, 2005

100 years ago

There was an appearance of briskness in the river traffic at York. On this day there were199 keels and 20 steamers in the Ouse and Foss. The steamers included tugs, pleasure steamers, and steam barges. With these numerous craft and the lines of pleasure boats lying at the Staithes, there was every sign of animation along the river.

50 years ago

The newest stiff summer petticoats, costing 17s 6, were in fashion and had their own plastic cases. They were made of heavy buckram, having brightly bound hems and fitted snugly over the hips, flaring out at thigh-level. Two novel belts, one made of elasticated wood blocks cost 6s 11d, and the other, of wrought metal, cost 17s 6 in bronze or silver. Towelling beach robes for small children had arrived in York, priced from 29s 6d to 33s 6d according to size. You could choose between red and yellow stripes or blue and yellow stripes on a white ground. With button-up Peter Pan collars they were durable and gay little garments which could be used as dressing-gowns when summer was over. For hidden glamour the berry-red lastex pantie-cum-roll-ons which cost 39s 6d were commended. A similar featherweight foundation in blue-and-white check cost the same price.

25 years ago

A brass band contest at the Riley-Smith Hall in Tadcaster was declared to be the best in the history of the Yorkshire and Humberside Association by organiser, Fred Bradbury. The overall winners of the Fred Bradbury Trophy were the North Skelton Band from Cleveland, who won 345 points out of a possible 350. A record 24 bands entered the competition, which was the first the association had held outside York.

Updated: 08:46 Thursday, April 21, 2005