Monday, November 21, 2005

100 years ago

The procession of the unemployed in York was a rather sad affair. As far as one could judge the great bulk of the processionists were genuine unemployed. Most of them were thinly clad and seemed to be suffering from cold in the chilly frosty fog. There were very few overcoats amongst them, and their appearance certainly excited the pity and compassion of the people who they passed. It was noticeable that women were the most numerous contributors to the collection boxes. Many a housewife on her way to or from the market, stopped, opened her purse, and dropped something into the boxes carried by the collectors.

50 years ago

With only five weeks to go, shopping thoroughfares were getting into their Christmas dress. Work had started on the famous Regent Street display, which some people of York thought worthy of a special trip to the capital to experience. For Christmas 1955 the street would have a "snowstorm" comprised of about 15,000 aluminium representations of a snow crystal, as seen under a microscope, suspended on wires through the length of the street. The "crystals," two to four feet wide would be floodlit at night. Oxford Street had no concerted plan of action for Christmas decorations, but it had so many big stores that their elaborate individual schemes would make an attractive show.

25 years ago

Tadcaster Grammar School was plugged into the computer age. Parents presented the school with a computer, which would enable pupils to see space invaders as a maths problem. Mr Arthur Harris, secretary of the Parents' Association, which raised £1,500 towards the equipment said: "Computer studies are becoming more important. We already hear of pupils going on to university and having to take a crash course in computers because they know nothing about them." Mr Harris said he was doubtful if, initially, the equipment would be of use other than for brighter children, but, in fact, all levels at the school would use it. "Now the teachers are taking courses in computer studies to keep up," he said. The association raised the money the previous year with functions that included a barbecue and a spring fair. The equipment was the biggest item bought for the school by the parents' group. "We see ourselves providing luxury items that an education authority would not be able to provide at the best of times. We do not see our role as providers of books and that sort of thing," said Mr Harris.

Updated: 11:03 Saturday, November 19, 2005