100 years ago

“JE Bruce” wrote: “Without wishing to discuss the question of vivisection, may I suggest that all animal lovers should welcome the exemption of dogs, whose close association with humans and highly developed nervous system make them particularly susceptible to suffering through methods of research, of which anyone who read the evidence before the Royal Commission can judge.

"If those who sympathise with the Dogs Exemption Bill, which is to come before the House on the 17th, will write a personal letter asking for their MP’s support, that is the most effective way to help at the present moment.”


50 years ago

York’s Saturday market, which had moved from Parliament Street after 128 years, opened in Newgate today to bright sunshine – and few major grumbles.

What had been feared was that the position of the new market would lead to traffic confusion and chaos when the traders moved in early in the morning, to stock their stalls. But with several police officers on hand to help get vehicles in and out of the main loading bay, the operation went reasonably smoothly.

There were one or two strong critics of the move, but generally there was a first-day-at-school air about things. The market, with 110 stalls and accommodation for about 60 to 70 farmers’ wives selling eggs and dairy produce, was slightly smaller than the old one.

It had not been possible to find stalls for about 15 traders who stood in the old market, but there was a waiting list.

Thirty trolleys were provided by the Corporation to take goods from the offloading areas to the stalls. Traders found these a great help, but some said it had taken them much longer than usual to stock their stalls, due to the extra distance they had to wheel their goods.


25 years ago

The Settle-Carlisle railway would be saved, the Transport Secretary, Mr Paul Channon, was expected to tell the Commons shortly. The announcement would mark a victory for an eight-year-long campaign, but Labour MPs suspected a secret deal had been hatched under which British Rail would eventually surrender all control of the line to a private company.

Mr Robert Cryer, Labour MP, said: “It is vital that the Settle-Carlisle line remains part of the British Rail network. Any other arrangement is likely to be expensive and impractical and dreamed up only to satisfy the ideologues in the Thatcher Cabinet who have no practical knowledge of running a railway.”

Campaigners for the Settle to Carlisle line gave a cautious welcome to the prospect of a private company stepping in to buy the line.