Tuesday, March 8, 2005

100 years ago: The new lancets at the west end of the Priory Church of Holy Trinity were filled with stained glass by Kempe, through the liberality of two brothers, one of whom also made a number of generous gifts to the church including the whole of the furnishings for the St Nicholas Chapel, a set of bell-ropes and holder, and provided the churchwardens with a set of wands. The old bosses adorning the roof of the west bay, which formerly belonged to the church of St Crux, were also a gift from the same parishioner, and the new bay of the north aisle with the beautiful doorway and the restored fifteenth century door were also his gifts. Above the door he had also paid for a lancet window consisting of a representation of Jacob and the appropriate words: "This is the House of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven."

50 years ago: Mr Nobody asked if anyone had seen a lunar rainbow recently, after an Easingwold reader had told the columnist that at about 10.30pm one evening he saw what appeared to be a curved searchlight beam. Thenreader said: "I realised it was not caused by the Northern Lights because the arc was stationary. It was the shape of more than a half-circle, and stretched from horizon to horizon. The moon was in the arc, but its light was so bright that it obliterated the top portion of the bow." Authoritative works on the subject stated that lunar rainbows often occurred, but the comparative feebleness of the moon's light usually prevented any colours being observed. The phenomenon known as the "white rainbow" occurred chiefly in alpine or polar regions and was only seen when the sunshine - rarely moonshine - and cloud or fog occurred at the same time.

25 years ago: A working party at York City Council was discussing applications for permission to reproduce the city arms by three companies, when it was suggested that in future royalties should be charged, and added to council coffers. It hadn't been council policy in the past, and so long as it was something tasteful the chief executive wouldn't object to it, although he pointed out that he had never given any of the shops selling souvenirs permission to use the city arms, yet they carried many items that incorporated the design.

Updated: 15:37 Monday, March 07, 2005