100 years ago

AT THE dinner table recently someone had quoted the story of the usher who, reproved for announcing a family of fourteen with all their Christian names at length, while a string of people waited impatiently, grouped a Mr and Mrs and Miss Penny into a laconic “Three Pence.”

This led to the recital of a companion story. The butler announced “Mr Tootle.” Then suddenly perceiving Mrs Tootle, who had stepped aside for a moment he further announced, “And Mrs Tootle, too.”


50 years ago

NELSON Mandela, the “Black Pimpernel” and seven others accused in the South African treason trial had escaped the death penalty and were sentenced to life imprisonment.

A statement on the British Government’s reaction was to be made by Mr R A Butler, the Foreign Secretary. Members of the anti-Apartheid movement had resumed their vigil outside Africa House in London, and a group of York students would hold a vigil in King’s Square from midnight until noon the next day.

Nelson Mandela and six other members of an alleged High Command, including Denis Goldberg, a European, had been convicted at Pretoria on all four counts involving sabotage.

Ahmed Kathrada, former secretary of the Transvaal Indian Congress, was found guilty only on the second charge, which alleged acts of planning the assistance of invading foreign military units and planning violent revolution.

They could all have been sentenced to death. Mandela and five of the accused admitted their guilt during the nine-month trial, during which the prosecution alleged the existence of a well-organised, well-financed African nationalist underground movement responsible for many acts of sabotage in recent years.

Its eventual aim was said to be the overthrow of the all-white Government.


25 years ago

THE leader of York’s pub landlords had called for a drinks ban in the streets of the city.

Ken Glover said a no-alcohol law was needed to stop drunken violence erupting in the centre of York, particularly on race days. But police in York denied that street drinking was a problem, and claimed that the measures to crack down on hooliganism were working.

Mr Glover, chairman of the licensees’ city-centre committee, said: “I think a drinks ban is something we should have, not just on race days but every day. When I walk around on race days people are congregated at the foot of Clifford’s Tower drinking. And they certainly aren’t drinking orange squash.”

Superintendent Chris Hudson said: “This is not widespread, and doesn’t really apply to race days. As the warmer weather comes we do have one or two people who sit drinking, and they are moved on.”