DID you know that tomorrow marks the 938th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings?

Neither did we before opening a letter from Margaret Birch.

Nine hundred and 38 years. Doesn't time fly.

The milestone prompts a plea from Margaret, of Fenwick's Lane, Fulford, York.

"Some time ago (probably around 1946/47) a school friend regaled myself and other friends with a poem about the Battle of Hastings which we all enjoyed," she writes.

The first verse has stuck in her mind:

William The Conqueror, ten-sixty-six

Said to his followers: "I mean to affix

England to Normandy, Go out and borrow

Some bows and some arrows - we're starting tomorrow.

Margaret would love to know how the rest of it went. Does anyone have a copy of the complete poem, or can you remember the lot?

"I think there may have been a refrain about ''Arold on 'is 'orse with an arrow in 'is eye'," she adds.

"A possible clue: my friend's father taught at Nunthorpe School. Was this a poem that was circulating at Nunthorpe at the time?"

The Diary is now equally keen to hear the full ode. Any help gratefully received, especially if it arrives before the 939th anniversary.

FURTHER to our trawl for the best business names around York, Andy Scaife is in touch.

Andy is best known for his roadside recovery service for cyclists, BikeRescue.

"Many Yorkies will have seen the fleet of tricycles operated by Josh Parker's Special Branch Garden Services, based in Heworth.

"Then there's Maximus Gluteus's Roamin Tours.

"While my own business names are dull and 'to the point', I do lay claim to one of the best slogans.

"Pharmacouriers specialises in fast delivery and collection of medical samples by bike for analysis at the hospital.

"On the back of the first Pharmacouriers bike was displayed the slogan: 'Taking the p**s with Pharmacouriers'."

ANDY also enclosed the photo on the left. It shows York cycling crusader Paul Hepworth apparently under police escort.

Was he caught speeding along York's footstreets? Did he need police protection from rabid motorists enraged that their road space was being given away to the two-wheeled brigade?

Alas, the truth is less exciting. "The photo was actually taken as Paul was bringing up the rear at the York Cycle Rally parade," writes Andy.

The back of Paul's bike bears a notice reading "The End."

"The sign does not say 'is nigh' on the other side," Andy reassures us.

BACK to the subject of names. The Diary has been sent details of a book called Far From Dull - And Other Places (Sort Of Books, £8.99). This documents Dominic Greyer's photographs of road signs for the most peculiar place names in Britain. The Yorkshire signs featured are: Sexhow, Fryup, Crackpot, Giggleswick, Bedlam, Wham, Thwing, Octon, Swine, Land Of Nod and Netherthong.

Has Dominic missed any?

Updated: 11:35 Wednesday, October 13, 2004