100 years ago

According to a statement made at the Academy of Science by M. Dastre, the Germans were using shells in which a certain amount of red phosphorus was included.

The smoke of this enabled the gunners to see where the projectiles fell. The use of these shells, declared M. Dastre, constituted a fresh violation of the law of nations.

The phosphorus was only partially consumed by the bursting of the shell, portions adhered to the shrapnel bullets and fragments of the shells, and the wounds caused by such shells had been found to be so badly poisoned that treatment by essence of terebenthane , the usual remedy against phosphorus poisoning, was of no avail.


50 years ago

Although there was a bewildering array of holidays to choose from, more people than ever would be going abroad in 1965.

The Channel Islands, with a foreign flavour but nearer to home, were very popular and it was advisable to book for peak dates right away. Italy and Spain were tops with tourists, but Austria was becoming more popular every year.

Holidays to these countries were surprisingly reasonable: a 12-day holiday by coach to Spain's Basque Coast cost from 21gns, and 14 days in Majorca from 31gns.

First-time visitors to London would see as much as possible - without being exhausted - on an inclusive tour costing from £12 7s. The price included admission fees to historical places, the services of a guide and a full-day steamer excursion to Southend.


25 years ago

The company which owned Selby toll bridge had put out a “come and buy us” message.

The bridge manager, Mr Ken Trew, said the company would be only too willing to part with the bridge if the price was right.

Much depended on whether the two councils at the centre of a proposed by-out could come up with a good enough offer.

The dramatic message for frustrated Selby drivers, who had had to put up with years of queuing, came from Mr Andrew Percy, secretary of the Southampton-based company which owned the bridge.

Mr Percy, company secretary of the Company of Proprietors of Selby Bridge, said the district council, with the help of North Yorkshire County Council, had indicated they wanted to buy the bridge.

“If they can come up with a scheme, we are prepared to discuss it with them. But it is not just a matter of saying we can free the bridge of tolls because staff will still have to be employed there to keep it running. I think various figures have been thrown around but we have never discussed a price.”