A new DVD available through The Press takes a fascinating look back at life in bygone York.

Mixing historic moving images with still photographs and a well-researched voiceover, York: The Way We Were recalls important events in the last 150 years of York’s history, including the lifting of tolls on Ouse Bridge, the opening of Lendal and Skeldergate bridges, the coming of the railways, and the inaugural electric tram to Fulford.

They're all things that we take for granted now but, as stories from the archives of the Press show, at the time they were the cause of great celebration in the city.

But there was another side to Victorian York. In poor quarters like Walmgate and Hungate thousands of people lived in abject poverty and in constant fear of diseases like cholera. As the DVD reveals, one particularly nasty epidemic has left a lasting mark on the city.

In a feature on York at war, the DVD describes the frenzied activity in the city in August 1914 following Britain’s declaration of war against Germany; the excitement that greeted the arrival of 300 German prisoners at York Railway Station; and the reign of terror caused by a German Zeppelin in 1916.

The Second World War brought more horror from the skies and the DVD shows the devastation left behind by Hitler’s Baedecker Raids. Understandably, the end of the war in Europe in May 1945 had the people dancing in the streets; but while one enemy had been banished, another age-old foe was waiting in the wings and in March 1947 the Yorkshire Evening Press described scenes that will be all-too-familiar to modern residents of York. The worst floods on record poured into many of the main streets and threatened about 5,000 houses in the city. A variety of small craft were used to take food to people who had not had food or drink for 18 hours.

The DVD is produced exclusively for the The Press and is narrated by Richard Vernon. It also includes a bonus film, ‘The Way We Were in the 1950s’which uses archive film and newsreel, to take a nostalgic look back at life in 1950s Britain.

One for the Christmas stocking, perhaps, if you're interested in York's history?

  • To get your copy of York: The Way We Were for £15.50 call in to The Press offices at 84-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. Alternatively, send a cheque to the same address payable to Newsquest; phone 01904 567204 and pay with a credit/debit card; or buy online at www.britainonfilm.co.uk Please add £1.50 for post and packing if requesting the DVD to be delivered by post.