100 years ago

A Tynesider at the front, who was serving in the Transport Department, had had a long and interesting conversation with some ladies at a railway station.

One of the party kindly asked the soldier if there was anything she could do for him; and his reply was that he would be grateful if she would write to his wife and tell her that he was well. This the lady readily consented to do, and he gave her the address of his wife on Tyneside.

The letter arrived in due course, and concluded with the remark that the writer had a large house and would be pleased to welcome there the wife of the young soldier, adding that she would be able to occupy herself with the rest of the household in making articles of comfort for the troops.

The grateful recipient replied that she was unfortunately unable to accept the invitation as she was shortly to become a mother. Judge of her surprise when, a few days later, a parcel reached her, full of some beautiful and evidently costly baby clothes, addressed: “To Mrs ......, from her friend the Princess....”

 

50 years ago

The jumble sale was a British institution. It easily topped the list as a money spinner for organisations in need of funds to carry on their good work. Some women took to them like a fish to water, and they provided them with as much excitement as Bingo.

Some went the rounds, a friendly fraternity meeting in the queues, exchanging notes on bargains, handing out coppers for the children to spend at the toy stall, and keeping an eye on each other’s babies. Bras and nighties and frilly petticoats, lengths of material that might have been anything; foolish boxes and spilt jigsaws, faded photographs in solid frames.

“I only come for the books, research you know,” you say (nervously paying for a pair of evening shoes) to a friend you didn’t expect to see there, who is obviously thinking the same thing about you. “Funnily enough, so do I,” says she, stuffing what could only be a black nylon slip further into her basket.

 

25 years ago

York’s second biggest shopping centre, Acomb, had been given a big boost with the closure of Front Street.

The closure was officially performed by Councillor David Merrett, chairman of the traffic and transportation committee, helped by some pupils of Acomb Primary School, Front Street.

Councillor Merrett said: “We hope this will now become a safer and more pleasant place for people to shop and will encourage more trade to come into Acomb, York’s second biggest shopping centre, because it will be a nicer environment for shoppers away from the noise, fumes and danger of traffic.”