Way we were

100 years ago: Columnist TT knew that it was no consolation to say, in connection with the sad drowning of a little girl in the river opposite his office: "I told you so." He would have been happier if the words were unwritten, but it had "been as plain as a pikestaff" for months past that a fatality would ensue from the unprotected state of these steps. From North Street there led a narrow lane at right angles to the water, an iron railing, with a gateway always open, fencing off a dozen steep stone steps. On these steps were to be seen at any hour on a fine day children, aged from three to 15 years, romping about fishing or throwing stones into the river. The water at this point was never less than six feet, more often it was nine or ten, and the bottom steps were wet and slippery.

50 years ago: Several major changes were being made in York, with a wider bridge at Castle Mills and a new telephone exchange in Hungate. There were quite a number of smaller transformations taking place too, and people who passed Shambles would notice that work had begun on the new market in Newgate. When completed, there would be 17 temporary stalls on one side, with six permanent and 15 temporary stalls on the other side.

10 years ago: A former York actor, who learnt his trade at York Theatre Royal, was being tipped to become the new James Bond. Pierce Brosnan, who had recently starred in Mrs Doubtfire, was favourite to replace Timothy Dalton who had just quit as 007. Brosnan, who was first tipped to take over as Bond eight years ago, was with the York Theatre company from July 1966 to January 1977, during which time he appeared in Macbeth, A View from a Bridge, and Wizard of Oz.

Updated: 09:24 Thursday, April 22, 2004