THERE was an electric atmosphere at the council meeting debating parking charges, the Diary learns.

Trades unionist Brian Anderson helped organise a major lobby of councillors as they entered the Guildhall for last week's showdown. As he got to his feet to address the chamber, it was lit up by an enormous flash of lightning, followed swiftly followed by a loud crack of thunder.

Then came a cry from the public gallery: "There is a God!"

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat councillors, tormented for weeks by Evening Press chief reporter Mike Laycock's daily stories about the impact of the parking tax, took the opportunity to get their own back.

Hemmed in on the press bench, Mike and our Stop The Highway Robbery campaign certainly took some stick.

Coun Ian Cuthbertson got a bit carried away at one point when he referred to "Councillor Laycock," which he later described as a "Freudian slip". Mike would like to assure the honourable member for Strensall that he has never been a councillor and has no intention of standing at the next, or any other, election. He says it's quite enough reporting on them, thank you very much.

Later Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour's transport spokeswoman, took pity on the perspiring hack and fetched him a glass of water. Council leader Steve Galloway spotted the move, and branded it pathetic: if Mike were going to be bought, it should at least be a pint of ale...

IS the above a desperate attempt to avoid parking angst? The Diary feels it necessary to warn the owner of this motor, spotted in Sainsbury's car park, that advertising our great city on the numberplate does not qualify them for a discount. Our thanks to Simon Thackray, of top arts venue The Shed at Brawby near Malton, for the picture.

REVELATIONS that Football Association secretary Faria Alam had affairs with both England coach Sven Goran Eriksson and ex-FA boss Mark Palios have stunned York's sporting community. The saga reminded City fan John Clark of the time when football's leaders snubbed the Save Our City campaign.

On the Minstermen's email newsletter There's Only One Arthur Bottom, John, from Huntington, writes: "Perhaps now we all know why Mr Palios was too busy to see the City fans who went down to FA headquarters to present the petition."

GOOD to see Rebecca Howard extolling the virtues of York shops in Saturday's Evening Press. The Diary only hopes the article is not a bad omen.

The last time the Evening Press quizzed the lady of Castle Howard about bargain hunting, the interviewee was Rebecca's predecessor Annette.

I still shop at Tesco, she told Maxine Gordon, in an article published on Wednesday, May 12, 1999. Annette's role was to run the house while hubby Simon sorted the finances, she explained.

"It's very much a partnership and one they are equally devoted to. They were both hurt last year by rumours their marriage was in trouble and divorce was on the cards and spoke out immediately to quash speculation," wrote Maxine.

On Thursday, May 13, 1999, the Evening Press carried the headline: "Simon and Annette Howard to split after 15-year marriage."

Write to: The Diary, Chris Titley, The Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN

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Updated: 09:49 Monday, August 02, 2004