Wednesday, February 2, 2005

100 years ago: A novel courtesy of the sea was paid to Filey the previous day by the Grimsby steam trawler Syrian, which put into the bay for shelter from the strong westerly gale. She had no sooner anchored under the lee of the Brig, and swung round with her head to the wind, then by means of an organ pipe arrangement on her siren she gave full blast to Auld Lang Syne. The tune was most admirably played, and brought scores of folk running to the foreshore and cliff tops to investigate the strange occurrence. After a short pause the siren broke into A Life on the Ocean Wave, the boat meanwhile pitching short at her anchor, whilst thunderous seas dashed over the reef. The Bay of Biscay was next rendered, the melody later giving place to The Death of Nelson. This novel salute of the town was acknowledged by the dipping of flags. Later in the afternoon the steamer obliged with Rule Britannia and God Save the King.

50 years ago: Mr Nobody had an announcement for those readers that didn't mind the weather and liked the thought of eating sausages and chips cooked over an open fire. They could go along to the Youth Hostel at Clifton the following week, where the annual tramps' supper was being held - old clothes were essential and the sausages and chips were provided. These "free and easy events" had been held for many years and usually attracted a good crowd, apparently no one worried about the weather - as long as it did not rain hard enough to put the fire out the supper would go on, the columnist was told.

25 years ago: The Monty Python film the Life of Brian would be coming to York later in the month, although it was banned at Scarborough, Whitby and Filey, but the decision could lead the city council to review its policy on the censoring of films. After the local government reorganisation in 1974 the city council abandoned secondary censorship for two years to see if the British Board of Censors would do the job itself. By 1976 the city council felt there was no need to bring it back, and so there hadn't been any secondary censorship up to the end of 1979. But some councillors were very worried about some recent productions, including what one councillor said sounded like an "extremely unpleasant" film, namely the Life of Brian.

Updated: 16:19 Tuesday, February 01, 2005