Friday, November 25, 2005

100 years ago

The distractions at the Martinmas Hirings had brought about in their train a partial dislocation of trade in the ordinary Saturday market. Stallholders had been ousted from their usual stands and customers found it rather an ordeal to press their way through the crowds attracted by the "fun of the fair." But, apart from these inconveniences, trade was reported to be very flat in the fruit market. It was unfortunate to find that the apple crop was not a good one, and there was every likelihood of this seasonal fruit being dearer than usual for Xmas. Time was when bananas were considered great delicacies, but the trade had expanded to such an extent that the markets were almost glutted with the delicious fruit, and cheap and wholesome though it was, demand was not great.

50 years ago

Talk of a university for York was premature, said Dr J S Purvis, Director of the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research, when he spoke at the annual dinner of the York Engineering Society at the Royal Station Hotel. But if something of that sort was eventually established, he added, it should not be in the nature of a competitor with the more conventional type of university. In certain things, such as its history and its magnificent buildings, the city had few rivals, and these were the assets it would have to exploit as an academic centre. "If there is to be a University of York or any similar body it must be a body which can show to the world what York has got which nobody else has."

25 years ago

An old railway viaduct at Stamford Bridge, near York, was to be saved. Land surrounding the 133-year-old structure was to be bought from British Rail for recreational purposes. North Wolds Tourism Committee, which took the decision, was also to look into ways of making the viaduct safe, in consultation with Stamford Bridge Parish Council. The viaduct, built in 1847, was the only one of its kind in Humberside. It stood on the old York-Market Weighton line, closed in 1965. Councillor Mrs Hilary Saynor, of Stamford Bridge, said the parish council had mixed feelings about the matter, and thought there may be some risk to children climbing on the structure. But Councillor Mrs Joan Burnett, of East Cottingwith, said it would be a shame to demolish it. It was of some importance and merit, and it would cost £60,000 to bring it down. Councillor Tom Craven said the people of the borough could use the site for recreation. "There are hundreds of similar viaducts in the West Riding, and the only reason it is the only one around here is because the area is so flat."

Updated: 08:50 Friday, November 25, 2005