Wednesday, January 26, 2005

100 years ago: The work in connection with the erection of the Yorkshire Inebriates Reformatory at Cattal was in such a forward condition that the institution would be ready for the reception of patients during March, and so at a meeting of the committee of the constituent authorities it was decided to make the preliminary arrangements for advertising for a suitable staff. In opening the Reformatory, the authorities in Yorkshire would have the benefit of the working of similar reformatories in other parts of the country, as well as the result of the enforcement of what was known as the "Black List." The list had not produced the results hoped for, and the working of the now certified reformatory would be watched with interest.

50 years ago: Fifty five years after the relief of Ladysmith and there were still veterans in York capable of commemorating it. The secretary of the local branch of the South African War Veterans' Association, told Mr Nobody that he and his colleagues had arranged a social gathering to mark the occasion. The secretary said that the South African war veterans, whom Kipling called "the absent-minded beggars," a title the members think should have been bestowed upon the government of the day when war broke out, would all be proudly wearing their medals and drink, with gusto, the health of another queen, Elizabeth the second.

25 years ago: The Dean and Chapter of Lincoln Cathedral were considering making an entrance charge to the building of at least 50p per adult, to pay for essential repairs. An editorial in the paper asked if they were bowing to the dictates of reality in the late 20th century, or underestimating the spiritual power of this legacy from the past on which no price can be placed. A Wetherby-based archaeologist who worked on the excavation of York Minster, wrote that a great church had always been an economic phenomenon, it formed a paradox - at once a denial and an affirmation of the Christian faith. He drew a parallel between medieval pilgrims flocking to shrines of saints buying spiritual privileges or petty relics, and the visitor of today buying postcards, books and Minutes of History. While this was generally acceptable, as was charging entrance to certain parts of the building, the introduction of a fee at the door suggested that the Minster would be institutionalised, rather as if it were a museum of religion.

Updated: 08:54 Wednesday, January 26, 2005