100 years ago

THE York Centenary Cycling Club had had a run to Kirkham Abbey, leaving York at 2.45pm. A favourable breeze had made the journey outwards an easy one. The assent of Whitwell Hill, of course, had been made on foot.

On arrival at their destination the party had visited the Abbey ruins, picturesque locks and weir, and afterwards partook of a substantial tea in the garden of Mr Lazenby’s cafe.

The remainder of the evening had been spent in rowing on the river, and much amusement was occasioned by the efforts of some of the ladies to wield the oars.

At 9pm a start for home was made via Westow, Buttercrambe, and Gate Helmsley. York was reached at 10.35pm, and it was agreed by all that the outing had been one of the most enjoyable held in connection with the club.


50 years ago

A FORMER director of the Metropolitan police forensic laboratory said that he favoured fixing the limit of alcohol in the blood to deal with drunken drivers.

Mr Lewis Nicholls, speaking in London when a new breathalyser was introduced, suggested that a satisfactory limit would be somewhere between 0.1 per cent (six small tots of spirit or three pints of beer) and 0.15 per cent (nine tots or four and a half pints).

The limit in America was 0.15 per cent, but it was thought this might be too high. Mr Nicholls said the breathalyser was a perfectly satisfactory method and scientifically more accurate than others he had tried and therefore, as a scientist, he preferred it.


25 years ago

YORK-based General Accident was joining forces with a top building society in a £15 million venture which would create up to 40 jobs in the city.

The venture would give fresh impetus to plans for a riverside office block to house the company’s expanding York workforce. GA Life and National & Provincial would set up a life assurance company due to start trading in January 1990.

The York firm would use its sophisticated computer and Administration Systems to process the business from its Rougier Street headquarters. General Accident’s assistant general manager, Mr Bob Newton, said the partnership would create between 20 and 40 clerical and administrative jobs in York.

And he revealed that the former Stakis Hotel site, near Lendal Bridge, was currently being seriously considered to provide more office space.

Mr Newton said: “This is one more reason why we need further accommodation in York. We are expanding quite rapidly and need more room.”

General Accident had submitted plans for a six-storey office block for the prestigious riverside site the previous March, to provide office space for 1100 people.