Wednesday, October 12, 2005

100 years ago

General complaint was being made among the watermen and mariners plying between Hull and York as to the dangerous state of the river Ouse in the neighbourhood of Selby, and unless something was done it would soon be impossible to maintain the water traffic between the two important towns. Vessels were hardly able to get up the river from Selby to York owing to the silting of the warp which, in the vicinity of the Ness and Selby Long Ridge, had gathered in such large quantities that a boat, half loaded and drawing only 4 feet of water, could not even at high tide on one day the previous week, proceed on its journey. This, added the Selby correspondent was almost unparalleled in the history of maritime enterprise at the Abbey town. The boat grounded, and although two tugs were requisitioned they failed to move her. A well-known waterman at Selby said that the river was in a fearful condition, and this had a good deal to do with the reported collisions taking place and damage done to boats on their voyages to and from the town.

50 years ago

Such unlikely gifts - samples, of course - as jars of fish paste, packets of stuffing, jam and tins of water softener were thrust into the hands of the waltzing couples at the supper dance, organised by the York branch of the United Commercial Travellers' Association. There were about 120 travellers and their guests at the dance, which was held in Terry's ballroom. The music was played by the Premier Dance Orchestra.

25 years ago

Vacuum cleaners, washing machines and other 20th century gadgets were to go on show at York's Castle Museum. Other modern bygones would include radios, TV sets and motorcycling gear. It was all part of improvements costing £36,000, aimed at stimulating public interest in the exhibits. Plans for the 20th century display were outlined to the Castle Museum and Art Gallery Committee. Members heard that the display, costing £4,900 to set up, would be next to a new period room, reflecting the costumes and styles of the 20s and 30s. Dr Graham Nicholson, curator, said the museum would be happy to receive contributions from the public. "I would like to use this project as a way of re-establishing links with the public, who have given us things in the past," he explained.

Updated: 16:41 Tuesday, October 11, 2005