Tuesday, November 23, 2004

100 years ago: A columnist exhorted readers to not forget to feed the poor sparrows this winter. They were the greatest enemies to slugs, snails, and other destructive insects, he reminded them, and it was a common mistake amongst gardeners to trap and kill all birds in their neighbourhood, under the erroneous belief that fruit and crops were damaged and destroyed by the feathered intruders. As a matter of fact, birds were the gardeners' helpers, for they gave untold assistance in waging war upon the insect world, whose entry into the garden neither net nor trap could prevent; whereas birds were easily frightened away from freshly-sown seeds or young plants by exerting a little ingenuity with strings and scares, and all the fruit trees could be thoroughly protected by netting. In many a garden where no bird's note is audible, flower, fruit and vegetables were demolished or injured by innumerable hordes of the insect tribe.

50 years ago: Grass-track cyclists from Bishopthorpe, popularly known as "skid kids," held their own Grand National on Terry's hilly fields, just past the factory. Competitors, whose ages ranged from fourteen to the early twenties, had to ride over some rough ground yet the response was said to be "first class" and so far more than thirty had paid their shilling entrance fees. A well-known pair of York cycling brothers, who had made local history by riding to London and back on a penny-farthing and a bone-shaker, were organising events. Many entrants had not got suitable bicycles of their own so the brothers were assembling a number of special ones which were to be loaned out. Bishopthorpe was not the only York district with a "skid kid" club, one was being formed in the South Bank area and another in Acomb, and it was hoped that more such events would take place in the future.

25 years ago: There was a new fountain in York on Micklegate, just behind the bar, but only for half an hour before the water supply to it was cut off. The fire brigade were doing a routine test on fire hydrants in the road, when this particular one jammed while turned on. A jet of water nearly the height of the bar shut the road to most traffic, although one intrepid but wet cyclist was caught on camera pedalling through the edge of it.

Updated: 09:30 Tuesday, November 23, 2004