Wednesday, June 9, 2004

100 years ago: Columnist TT was knocking the "old fashioned" idea of having a fixed day to discontinue fires, and another for starting them again, regardless of whether there was snow on the ground, or a blazing sun shining. He thought it was even worse that a similar rule held in Malton, in respect of the street lighting. For years it had been the custom to cut off the gas in the street lamps and in the town clock on June 1. The period of no gas continued for two months, and then, on the appointed day, light came again. He argued that if street lamps were not required on June 1, they were scarcely necessary on May 31, likewise June 10 might be as dark as pitch, but because it shouldn't be, no lights would be lit. TT thought this rule was especially hard on strangers who would have to stumble along over the kerbs, so a little elasticity was wanted - except for the clock which should be permitted its little jet all year round.

50 years ago: There was a shortage of masons to work on churches and cathedrals up and down the country. The Clerk of York Minster believed this was because work had been scarce for them for many years due to modern building methods. York Minister had five qualified masons of its own, where once there would have been 15 of them. More than 80 tons of stone per year had to be replaced on the Minster in the next 15 years, and to keep pace with the work more masons were urgently required. Another explanation for the lack of the skilled craftsmen was provided by one of the Minster masons, who, whilst being proud of his craft, wouldn't put a son of his to the trade, when he considered the time they would have to spend as an apprentice, the amount they had to learn, and all for poor remuneration.

25 years ago: Within days British Rail would be withdrawing a number of trains from York as part of its national plans to save fuel, although the cuts to diesel-operated trains would be less severe than first envisaged, as a result of further negotiations with the oil companies and "good housekeeping measures". Inter-city, commuter and power station delivery trains would all be unaffected.

Updated: 16:26 Tuesday, June 08, 2004