YORK'S 1,900th birthday was officially endorsed by a visit from the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on June 28, 1971. That means it is 30 years ago since the celebrations reached their peak, and 1,930 years since York was founded. Either way, these anniversaries cannot go unmarked.
The Queen and Prince Philip's summer visit was only one, albeit very prestigious, item on York's year-long itinerary of celebrations. That began with a New Year's Eve Ball in the Assembly Rooms and finished with the December production of Handel's Messiah in York Minster.
All this revelry was inspired by the founding of the city by Roman governor Roman governor Petilius Cerialis. Geographer Ptolemy named the new outpost of empire Eboracum.
Probably the most spectacular event of the 1971 celebrations was the six-day Services Searchlight Tattoo on Knavesmire in September.
A new fanfare, called Eboracum, was composed for the occasion by Captain Keith Boulding, director of music for the Royal Signals at Catterick.
It heralded a magnificent programme featuring no fewer than 520 musicians from nine service bands.
Around £1 million-worth of military hardware formed a static display on the Knavesmire all week. Exhibits ranged from a Thunderbird guided missile and a 50-ton Chieftain tank to a Navy Whirlwind helicopter. Even freshly baked buns from a field bakery were on show.
Other events dotted throughout the year were lectures on Roman York; an archery tournament; a 'transport of yesteryear' fair; a Bootham Park gala with fireworks finale; an exhibition of Roman objects; an Edwardian fair; a 1,900th celebration evening race meeting; the Sealed Knot procession and ball; and the cremation of Emperor Severus after a torchlight procession.
Local traders soon realised that there was money to be made from York's birthday. All kinds of souvenirs were produced to commemorate the 1900th anniversary.
Replica Roman lamps, based on a Castor-ware Roman Hunt Cup from the Yorkshire Museum, were made by The Potters Wheel, Minster Gates and sold for £1.25. Bellerbys of Petergate were offering statuettes of Petilius Cerialis for 95p each.
Those with a few quid to spare might have been tempted by a limited edition of 1,900 York Goblets, from Henry Hardcastle of York, price £29.75.
Or you could simply toast the special year with a variety of celebration ales and beers, provided by local brewers especially for York.
So it was quite a party. The Evening Press described it this way in a special anniversary supplement:
"The celebrations throughout 1971 are designed as a prolonged birthday party for citizens of York. But it is a party to which everyone is invited.
"From within its ancient walls, York has not always looked favourably on outsiders - and sometimes with good reason.
"Today, however, the city is looking outwards, welcoming everyone from near and far to see and share in its proud heritage. This 1900th anniversary year will thus be a national and international occasion as well as a local celebration."
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