100 years ago

We were informed by the Chief Constable of York (Mr J Burrow) that the alarm siren which would be used in the event of an air raid on the city would be tested at the Electricity Works at 3pm on Wednesday, for the purpose of making the public familiar with the sound.

The signal would be as follows: Five blasts of one minute duration each, with an interval of 15 seconds after each blast.


50 years ago

“These are people’s homes, not just numbers on a map,” said Mr Geoffrey Mitchell at a York public inquiry.

The inquiry was into the City of York De Grey Street Compulsory Purchase Order, for which the City Council was seeking the confir¬mation of the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

The order involved a total of 77 houses, and the land concerned in the order was in Charles Street, De Grey Street, De Grey Terrace, Clarence Street and Lord Mayor's Walk.

Mr Mitchell, who was representing the owners of two houses in De Grey Terrace, said the people living in the homes concerned were those best equipped to say whether they were fit to live in.

Mr R M Brydson, representing another objector, said the word defect was a relative one, and many defects could be quite reasonably rectified.

When one saw the list of defects in many new houses these days one could be excused for believing these related to old houses. Miss Marjorie Terry, the 63-year-old owner-occupier of 7 Charles Street, said it was wicked nonsense to say that her house was unfit for human habitation.

It was dry and well ventilated, well planned, and could be cleaned with the minimum of exertion. It enabled one to live a comfort able, uncluttered and civilised life. It was convenient for many amenities.


25 years ago

Duck-nappers had struck at Tadcaster. Hundreds of yellow plastic ducks used in the annual carnival duck race down the River Wharfe had gone missing.

Carnival organisers were appealing for their return so that this year's race could go ahead without the expense of having to buy replacements.

Carnival president Alan Greenheld said the ducks had been stored in a building in Bridge Street but were not there when carnival or¬ganisers went to pick them up.

Meanwhile, the carnival committee was hoping for dozens of young girls to turn up at the Manor Farm Youth Centre at Tadcaster to take part in a contest to find a carnival queen, who would lead the big procession through the town in June.