Monday, February 21, 2005

100 years ago: The Dean of York made "a most interesting statement" at the anniversary meeting of the York Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in relation to the important library at present housed in what remained of Archbishop De Grey's Palace. The library, which contained a unique collection of Bibles, among them being the only extant copies of several famous editions, was is in many respects more complete than the notable collection at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. The Dean announced that it was to be removed to the old choir school adjoining the south transept of the Minster and the Archbishop's Registry. This building was being specially restored and prepared for the purpose, and when completed the volumes were to be enclosed in locked cases, and would remain permanently open to the inspection of the public, a privilege hitherto only extended to distinguished visitors and to the public on rare occasions.

50 years ago: John Blunt asked: "Is there anything nicer than seeing your own city's proud name way up in the headlines?" as he, like a good many readers, spent a day in a newsprint cocoon as the perfect epilogue to a day that "set the ancient walls a tremble and Yorkshire hearts a pounding" - the reason for this state of euphoria being York City's defeat of Tottenham Hotspur in the Cup. Their supporters didn't bargain for the drier kind of Yorkshire wit, such as the York policeman who went up to a noisy visitor carrying the Spurs mascot, a blue and white cockerel. "I hope you have a permit to move that bird," boomed the Yorkshireman. "We don't want any fowl pest here, tha' knows." The powerful surge of supporters' cheers that swept the York attacks along matched the players' unflinching determination and refusal to be rocked out of their heart's desire by that early Tottenham goal: the home team responded with three goals to win the day.

25 years ago: A visit to Castle Howard was described as a "must for cat-lovers", as for the first time the stately home's costume gallery would show its magnificent collection of more than 400 inanimate cats. They ranged from a 4,000 year old mummified Egyptian cat to models in china, porcelain, glass, bronze, brass, terracotta and stone. The collection had been there for about four years, but this was the first time it could go on public display following a refurbishment of the gallery.

Updated: 11:06 Monday, February 21, 2005