100 years ago

Householders in many districts were already receiving visits from the billeting officer, and many more would receive such visits.

The billeting officer in the district knew how many men and horses he had to find accommodation for. His first step taken with the assistance of the police, was to inspect suitable houses and mark on the door of each the number of men assigned to it. Any householder refusing to comply with his requests would at once find himself in conflict with the military authorities.

The householder might be required to furnish food and accommodation, or accommodation only. In the latter ones the soldier was entitled - in the words of the Army Act - to “candles, vinegar, salt, the use of fire, and the necessary utensils for cooking and eating his meat.”

In ordinary times the following were the rates per man: Lodging and attendance per night 6d, breakfast 5d, dinner 1s 1d, supper 3d. It was assumed that the same rates would be paid to private citizens.

 

50 years ago

Because of thefts from churches in the East Riding many incumbents were considering locking their church doors at certain times.

This had been stated by the Rev Charles Norfolk Brown, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Bridlington, in his magazine. He said the reason was because of the many cases of thefts and vandalism in the area. He said: “For centuries the church has been regarded as a sanctuary where a fugitive could find peace and refuge; the doors have always been open to the troubled as well as the devout, but times are changing.

Incumbents are having to consider locking their church doors. Several churches in this area have been attacked, and sometimes the damage seems to have been caused in a particularly senseless way; offertory boxes broken, a belfry key stolen, presumably thrown away. It would be a tragedy if the closing of church doors became prevalent.”

 

25 years ago

National Park Rangers were considering plans for a £1 million “yellow brick road” to save the 250-mile Pennine Way from being destroyed by the feet of thousands of walkers.

Because the peat which covered most of the route was being worn away by concentrated walking, a scheme had been devised to lay a bright orange gritstone footpath, which it had been said would look like a yellow brick road. Mr Ken Drabble, chief ranger at the headquarters of National Parks in Bakewell, Derbyshire, said the colour would be toned down by mixing the gritstone with other rock.

Earlier in the month the annual report of the Pennine Way Management Project proposed radical solutions to halt the erosion of paths.