Way we were

100 years ago: "A Worker" wrote in regarding comments made about a "prominent citizen" who was anxious to build a large house and could not do so because the workmen in the building trade would not take lower wages, now that trade was bad. "He is a wise citizen who waits for a depression like this to build his house. If there are any more such prominent citizens no wonder trade is slack," the writer concluded. His comments were endorsed by the editor, who thought that there was no justification for asking men to accept reduced wages because trade was poor. In such a case as this they required more wages rather than less. The editor believed the citizen referred to would enjoy his new house all the better if he went on building it now and gave much needed employment to a number of workers at the full rate of pay.

50 years ago: The Christmas season was here in earnest, as shops were decked with toys and displaying cards, calendars and fir-tree ornaments by the thousand. W Boyes and Co Ltd already had its Father Christmas - accompanied by a fairy - installed, and young visitors also had a chance to see a miniature theatre which was showing five pantomimes. Half the younger generation in York was expected to be at the railway station when Father Christmas appeared in a sleigh on his way to York Co-operative Society's stores in Railway Street, accompanied by two "Cossacks" (members of the dairy staff) riding two piebalds (from the Society's dairy). For a shilling children received a gift and had a ride in a submarine. Leak and Thorp Ltd would also have their Father Christmas - but he wasn't to arrive until December 1, and his plans for arrival were "top secret."

25 years ago: York ratepayers were warned by Pressman that they shouldn't smile as they passed Exhibition Square and found the Etty Fountain foaming over the brim. Following the previous week's frolic by midnight bathers, the columnist checked with York's City Engineer about the cost to the city of practical jokers sprinkling detergent in the waters. As the foam penetrated all the pipeworks for the fountain it took two men a full day to drain the system and clean it. When you added the extra water that had to be run off to their transport and labour, the bill came to a "staggering" £70.

Updated: 16:48 Thursday, November 11, 2004