Tuesday, June 1, 2004

100 years ago: At the York Police Court a woman was summonsed for "keeping certain premises in Tanner Row, York for improper purposes." Another woman was also summonsed for assisting the first defendant. A police sergeant and officer gave evidence and the defendants, who protested their innocence, and declared that they had not been aware of anything improper going on in their house, were found guilty and each fined £10 and costs.

50 years ago: The boys of St Peter's School had the rare experience of playing cricket against a team which included five Indian princes. The distinguished visitors were in a party of 14 Indian students and two masters who visiting this country, and were including a trip to York and St Peter's School. All were members of leading Indian families and were students at the country's principal educational establishment, Daly College, and on their tour of the British Isles, which was sponsored by the National Union of Students, they were keen to see a number of British public schools. As the weather was in a "co-operative mood," a cricket match was played in the afternoon, after an inspection of the school.

10 years ago: Amateur UFO spotters in York must have thought their luck was in as an unidentifiable flying object hovered over Monk Stray, but on closer inspection, the craft took on the familiar shape of the Cadbury's Caramel bunny. The 150ft balloon hopped into York as part of the Save The Children's 75th birthday appeal tour. The pilot said: "so far, the weather has been lousy. York looks like the first place we are going to be able to fly her. She is certainly one of the most unusual balloons I have piloted." He added that her vital statistics were: "12.5 miles of thread to sew together, her ears stand 35ft high and she contains 17,000 sq ft of fabric."

Updated: 08:21 Tuesday, June 01, 2004