Saturday, July 24, 2004

100 years ago: Developments had been taking place in the neighbourhood of Selby which pointed to the probability of boring operations being commenced for coal. The particular locality was at the old brickyard, near the village of Barlow, about four miles from the abbey town. The Selby correspondent was informed that the New Calyx Drilling Company, of London, had been entrusted with the necessary work, and had matters well in hand with a view to endeavouring to find coal in that vicinity. In view of the fact that the North Eastern Railway Company's new line to Goole would, when completed, run through this area, the undertaking was creating a lively interest in Selby. Little was, however, known about what the intentions of the contractors were, as these conclusions had been arrived at due to the presence of mining machinery and appliances, which had been brought to the property of the lord of the manor.

50 years ago: Columnist Mr Nobody had a "very fine" legend to relate, concerning the churches at Shiptonthorpe and Hayton. The church had two towers, which was only fitting since the present village was one time divided into two parishes, Shipton and Thorpe-le-Street. Both towers narrowed towards the top, and the remaining tower is an example of that type of architecture. About the time the Minster was being built the Devil flew over the villages and snatched up one of the towers, intending to drop it on the Minster and ruin the work. But St John of Beverley saw the Devil and told St Peter, who made the sign of the cross. The Devil vanished with a loud bang and a puff of smoke. He dropped the tower, which fell at Hayton. But the tower fell upside down, and that is why the church which was built up around it had a tower which narrowed towards the foot.

25 years ago: Two skeletons were unearthed at Aislaby, near Pickering, found by contractors working on a cottage. A third had already been found in the same place a week before, and having been studied by an archaeologist it was declared to be that of a man aged about 30, and about five feet tall. He had been in the ground for at least 150 years, and the other two were thought to be of the same era. Near to where they were found there was also discovered a 17th century clay pipe and what was believed to be a metal hinge.

Updated: 10:52 Saturday, July 24, 2004