Thursday, May 27, 2004

100 years ago: A plasterer's labourer was summoned to a Harrogate court by his wife for neglecting to maintain her. The defence solicitor stated that the parties had been married ten years, but had only lived 14 weeks together. The defendant had always had a home and he was not guilty of wilful neglect, he claimed, and added that he was willing to take his wife back. However, she declined this offer, and so the Mayor agreed that there was no wilful neglect, and the Bench could not make an order. The wife said that in that case she would have to go to the Union (the workhouse) - leaving the Mayor wondering why so many women preferred going there rather than going back to their husbands.

50 years ago: To those women who were weight conscious, and saw a good meal in terms of calories and vitamins, there was a dress displayed in a shop in Coney Street which would answer all their problems, according to columnist Mr Nobody. It was plain and summery, and in each square of the pattern was printed the calorie content of some food and drink. A quick reference to the pattern on the hem of the dress, and its wearer would be able to tot up the number of calories in almonds and sole, deemed fairly safe for those on a diet, with 150 calories each. Going into details, the pattern showed that fried eggs assessed at 100 calories were no more harmful to the waistline than a boiled egg. Mr Nobody asked: "I wonder who will dare to buy - and wear - the dress?"

10 years ago: The tale of the uncouth tourists eyeing up the "big church" in Minster Yard unleashed a number of similar anecdotes from readers. A pair of "our beloved cousins from across the pond" were overheard in High Petergate, gaping in awe at our magnificent cathedral of St Peter. The moment of reverence was ruined, however, when one turned to the other and said: "Gee, it's just like a skyscraper."

Updated: 16:05 Wednesday, May 26, 2004