100 years ago

Great praise was due to a York man for a very plucky rescue from drowning in the Ouse.

It appeared that about half-past eight while a number of boys were fishing in the river from a raft at the bottom of Marygate, one of them, William Gledhill, 10 years of age, living with his parents in Smail Street, slipped and fell into the water, which was in full flood at the time.

The boy was being rapidly carried away by the tide when he was noticed by Mr Albert Waite, of 12 Bean Street, a flour packer at Messrs Leatham's Mills, who was walking along the Esplanade, and who, although fully dressed and wearing heavy boots, immediately plunged in to the lad's rescue.

Gledhill was sinking for the third time when Mr Waite seized him, held him up, and brought him to the river bank. The boy was no worse for his immersion, but Waite was somewhat exhausted after his gallant exertions.

50 years ago

Red House School, Moor Monkton, where Charles I slept in a large fourposter bed in 1633, was celebrating 60 years as a boys preparatory school and 400 years as an historic dwellinghouse on July 14.

To commemorate this double event, the 45 boys and their teachers were having a sports day and inviting as many old boys of the school as they could contact.

The house was founded in 1562 by Sir Francis Slingsby, of the noted Yorkshire family who lived there for generations until it became a school in 1902.

The Slingsbys were always Royalists and the second Sir Henry, who was created a baronet by Charles I, fought for his King through all the Civil War, with the consequence that when the cause was lost, his life was threatened.

25 years ago

Britain's outdated licensing laws were to be reformed at last as pubs got the go-ahead to open non-stop between 11am and 11pm. The news was warmly welcomed by York's tourist trade.

However, in reforming the laws - which dated back to the First World War - Home Secretary Mr Douglas Hurd would not forget the back-bench rebellion over Sunday trading. Sunday opening hours would be left untouched.

Mr Hurd said: “While it would not be sensible to replace the present law with a free-for-all, the time has clearly come for the law to be brought up to date and reformed. The great majority of people who drink alcohol do so responsibly and as part of their relaxation.

There is no justification for the State intervening to stop such people from enjoying a drink when they wish. Certainly there is no rhyme or reason to our present licensing hours.”