Monday, January 3, 2005

100 years ago: The recent wolf hunt prompted a reference to Colonel Thornton, a famous Yorkshire sportsman, who once proposed establishing a wolf hunt in the county. In August 1804 the papers contained the extract: "Colonel Thornton is well known for his sporting eccentricities. Last year he alarmed the Yorkshire farmers by the project of a wolf hunt, and now he astonished the country by transforming his lady into a racing jockey." Mrs Thornton rode against a Mr Flint on the Knavesmire at York, she was the favourite but he was the eventual winner. Mrs Thornton was said then to be the only lady who appeared in the Racing Calendar. As for the wolf, there were claims that three animals had been at large, one killed by a train, another caught in a trap and a third still at liberty. Eventually, the trappers admitted theirs was a practical joke, the one in a cage being their decoy wolf, and although the sheep killings continued near Hexham they were now being blamed on a large dog.

50 years ago: The highlight of York's New Year's Eve celebrations was the Scottish Ball, attended by 300 members and guests of St Andrew's Society of York at the Assembly Rooms. Exiled clansmen and their ladies danced the eightsome reel, the military two-step and slow Scottish waltzes to the music of a bag-piper. While the attendants distributed favours of spring flowers, roses, white heather and snowballs to the women guests, a huge thistle slowly opened and out climbed the 11-year-old Miss 1955. Finally the seasons were chased away by Father Time, ending the tableaux.

25 years ago: New charges were proposed for Aldwark Toll Bridge, the first increases since 1768 when the statute for the bridge was drawn up, which would see charges at least double for users. The charge for private cars would go up from 4p to 8p, and the same increase would apply per ton for goods vehicles and coaches, while pedestrians and cyclists would also have to pay double as charges for them went up to 1p. The cost of taking a trailer or caravan over behind a car went up even further, from 5p to 12p, and the charge for motorcycles and scooters going up from 1p to 4p. The increases were to cover the cost of maintenance for the bridge, and would apply from March subject to Government approval.

Updated: 08:52 Monday, January 03, 2005