Wednesday, December 8, 2004

100 years ago: During a sale of cows in number one mart at York Cattle Market, a black bull, which had been let into the ring, suddenly became infuriated. A large number of farmers and buyers were in the ring at the time, and several had narrow escapes, as all exits from the ring were closed. Some of those inside were obliged to go over the fencing, while others were able to leap over the railings. The animal was not to be beaten, for it jumped clean out of the ring and scattered the spectators in all directions. Fortunately the beast was pacified and the sale proceeded with.

50 years ago: The first carol singers of the year wailed hopefully through Mr Nobody's keyhole as early as the second week in November. Since then, the young fortune hunters had visited him on at least five occasions, but their efforts had been in vain. He had also found the carollers to be decidedly lacking in the Christmas spirit when the coppers had not been forthcoming on demand. A preliminary jab at the bell push at the end of the first verse of the first carol had been followed by a more imperious ring and a garbled version of the old Christmas is Coming rhyme. When he pointed out to them in a reasonable manner that the time for carolling is Christmas week, the response he got - one that he warned readers that they too could expect - ranged from sullen silence to muttered insults and a savage slamming of the garden gate. It would be wrong to put all children in this category, he added charitably, but said there was no doubt that many looked upon carolling as an easy way of making money.

25 years ago: Skeldergate Bridge was in need of a £355,000 facelift, but the figure could increase when a full survey of all the work needed was complete. The amount was already twice that spent on Lendal Bridge, which reopened that April after a six-month closure for urgent repairs. North Yorkshire County Council was asked to make the money available for a start late the following year, to pay for a new waterproof membrane at an estimated cost of £80,000, and painting it at a cost of £140,000. A possible further £135,000 might be needed for strengthening work, and on top of this was the cost of scaffolding and labour.

Updated: 16:40 Tuesday, December 07, 2004