Monday, January 9, 2006

100 years ago

The parents-in-law of William Berger of the USA, and his bride Nannie, had established a much needed precedent. They had given their consent to the young people's union only on condition that each sign an agreement promising the other certain matters considered by their careful seniors to be essential to perfect matrimonial bliss. It was Nannie's mother's idea. She submitted to William 14 resolutions, mostly beginning with "I will not." Prospective British mothers-in-law would be interested in scanning a selection from the list, and deducing from it what sort of hubby Nannie's mother had to put up with. The promises included; I will not chew tobacco around the house or smoke in the bedrooms, I will not pretend to have business down town that calls me away right after supper, I will not insist on choosing all the names for all the babies. William's father retaliated with a list for Nannie to promise including; not to sigh or weep because other women had prettier clothes, not to keep pet dogs and not to join more than three women's clubs.

50 years ago

Half the young children in what some people called "higher Acomb" - that being the Cornlands Road - Thoresby Road area - did not attend church or chapel. At least according to Mrs L Jones of Collingwood Avenue, who felt that this could be attributed to the fact that most of the mothers in the area had other children to look after, and that the distance into "the village" was too far for many youngsters. Mrs Jones not only underlined the problem she had found, but put forward a solution too. "Couldn't something be done?" she asked. "Even if it was only the provision of a small hut for an afternoon service, just to give the grounding a small child needs. I am sure mothers would appreciate it."

25 years ago

York city bus fares would be increased by between 2p and 11p. The existing minimum adult single fare would go up to 10p with a 2p increase on the existing 11p, 14p and 18p fares. The higher range fares would increase by between 6p and 11p. Mr Brian Horner, West Yorkshire Road Car Co Ltd's General Manager, said the additional revenue was "vital to cover cost increases." The new fares were expected to raise a further £300,000 a year and take into account wage settlements in 1981. Mr Horner said the York-West Yorkshire Joint Undertaking, which operated York bus services, "regretted" the increased charges which had been delayed for as long as possible. He said there had been a drop in takings due to the recession and rising unemployment in York.

Updated: 08:20 Monday, January 09, 2006