Wednesday, July 28, 2004

100 years ago: The Yorkshire Artillery Militia were thought to be having a good summer, as they were granted the honour of the title of the Duke of York's Own, as well being at camp. The Yorks, who were under canvas adjacent to the Royal Artillery Depot Barracks at Burniston, were expected to appreciate this, for the Prince of Wales had always been keen on gunnery. Their camp was at the RA depot, and what was not generally known was that it was also one of the Army convalescent homes. It was beautifully situated on the cliff tops close to the sea, within fairly easy distance of the town, and within a couple of hundred yards of "the noted picnicking resort Scalby Bec".

50 years ago: A letter was printed supporting the decision by Thirsk Rural District Council to open its meetings with a prayer for guidance in its deliberations, adding that this was "no doubt a good idea for it will act as a reminder that we do indeed belong to a professedly Christian country". It occurred to the writer that if all councillors were prompted to indulge in further private prayers, and ask for greater tolerance towards their fellows, a deeper desire to serve their neighbours, to be delivered from the temptation to consider personal advantages in their attitude towards problems, begged to be given clearer vision, wider understanding, and nobler purpose, the community would gain more advantage than from what may so easily become a conventional recitation. He also hoped that should the council continue to make mistakes and be criticised by electors, they would not merely retort that "we sought divine guidance and therefore we are not to blame".

25 years ago: A spate of cycle thefts in York might be linked with an international racket in stolen machines, according to one theory put forward by the chief inspector. He believed that the machines were being sent to the Third World, where they were seen as status symbols, a comment prompted by 12 bicycles worth hundreds of pounds disappearing from the city's streets in 24 hours.

Updated: 16:24 Tuesday, July 27, 2004