WE have been having a rummage through our archives here at The Press: and it has turned up some wonderful old photographs of York which, as far as we know, haven't seen the light of day for quite a while. So we thought we'd share some of them with you in Yesterday Once More.

First up is a stunning photograph of a 'new' bell being installed at York Minster. The date of this event was April 9, 1980.

"A giant crane was brought in to hoist (the) bell 150 feet up the west face of the Minster," the caption reports.

We love the whole composition of this picture: the bell suspended by chains wrapped round a giant hook; two workmen standing precariously on the edge of an abyss; a stunning view of York unfolding beneath.

Next up is a photograph from 1988. Health bosses in York recently announced that they are planning to build a new, purpose-built mental hospital in York to replace Bootham Park.

It is generally recognised that the listed Georgian building, while beautiful, isn't up to the job of providing 21st century inpatient mental health care. This wonderful view of the open air ward, taken on July 4, 1988, is a perfect reminder, however, of the hospital's proud past.

Three contrasting views of Parliament Street next, showing some of the many phases it has been through. The earliest comes from a glass plate negative, and was taken before the First World War, when much of Parliament Street was still clearly cobbled.

"The men lining up could be war veterans from the Boer War," the caption explains. We love the shop fronts in the background: hatters and hosiers Dale & Dalby; tailor and clothier Greaves; and tobacconist Todd & Co.

York Press: Men lining up in Parliament Street could be war veterans from the Boer War or the South Africa War.Men lining up in Parliament Street could be war veterans from the Boer War or the South Africa War.

Fast forward to 1940, and the street is beginning to look more recognisable as the street we know today - although there are no avenues of trees, no fountain, and the centre of the street is given over to car parking.

York Press: 1940s pic Parliament Street YEP PIC (5874179)

The scene looks oddly quiet and deserted, the road surface shining softly as though after a shower of rain.

Fast forward again to 1957, and the scene is much more frenetic: Parliament Street is being dug up as workmen carry out repairs. How oddly familiar it all seems, apart from the old-fashioned appearance of the lorries.

Our next photograph is also familiar to our modern eyes, again apart from the antiquated appearance of the cars. It shows a traffic jam on Ouse Bridge on October 12, 1959 - who ever said congestion was a modern phenomenon?

"Vehicles from Skeldergate met further hold-ups today, when they joined the busy two-way stream of traffic using Ouse Bridge," says the caption. It then quotes an unnamed speaker making a prophetic prediction: "If we are to avoid strangulation by congestion... then we must accept the cost of road works, of having to pay for parking or road facilities."

That same year, 1959, the Regent cinema in Acomb appeared to be showing a double bill of Man Hunt and Blind Spot. It also offered a 'special, children's matinee every Saturday at 2pm'.

And finally, we have a photograph from 1969, showing York's new GPO sorting office under construction. A boxy Post Office van is parked in the foreground. "Use your house NUMBER please - not a name," urges a notice on the side of the van.