Friday, January 7, 2005

100 years ago: Consternation was caused in Scarborough by the rumour that the North Pier had been demolished during the night, and not surprisingly the North Side was visited by thousands of spectators in the morning. It soon became evident that it was no exaggeration as, excepting for the entrance to the pier, which included a restaurant and half a dozen small shops, and the pavilion at the far end of the pier, the whole fabric had been carried away leaving not an inch of support standing. It was presumed that the damage was caused at high tide, between 4am and 6am. There was an unusually heavy spring tide and a considerable wind at the back of it, so that the backwash was more than usually severe. Very probably the gale of the previous week, and the heavy wind which raged during the night, loosened the supports of the pier, and as soon as the tide came in the backwash found out the weak spots and quickly broke up the whole structure. The pavilion, now isolated, was expected to be carried away at the next strong tide.

50 years ago: Some American airmen with their wives, from the base at Full Sutton, were guests at the Twelfth Night party held in the Merchant Taylors' Hall by the York branch of the English-Speaking Union. They joined in the traditional celebrations and tasted a Twelfth Night cake, baked by the secretary of the York Georgian Society, who described it as a "fearsome recipe", and drank mulled ale with spices from two silver loving cups representing a wassail bowl. The party also included Scottish and Irish dancing and a cabaret by young members of the branch.

25 years ago: The idea of York City Council once again viewing films to see if they were suitable for public showing received condemnation, and some light-hearted volunteer viewers, at a meeting. The council was seeking the views of other local authorities about films, and asking if they would join together to approach the British Board of Film Censorship over tightening the control of certificates to films showing sex and violence. A councillor pointed out that when they previously issued X-certificates it was "an advertising man's dream", as for some reason the label encouraged people to go see films just because they were rated an X, and that the board did a "fine job" and should be left to issuing the certificates.

Updated: 16:17 Thursday, January 06, 2005