100 years ago

A remarkable story had been related by Peter Muldoon, of Bedlington, who was the only person who had sustained any personal injury as a result of the Zeppelin raid.

He lived with his parents in a typical row of miners’ dwellings, and himself was a pit lad, aged 17. He stated that on Wednesday night, about 8.15pm, he was going to the picture hall near Sleekburn pit (a colliery near Bedlington station). He had got away from the houses near his home when he heard a droning noise and on looking saw the outline of a cigar-shaped dirigible looming against the sky, and looking “like a bank of cloud.”

Muldoon said a light came straight down from the airship. Then he heard two loud explosions, and being alarmed he climbed the hedge and threw himself on the ground. “Then there was another loud explosion, which seemed to be above my head,” said the youth. “It dazed me, and I was knocked over, turning a somersault. At that time I did not think I had been hit at all. I pulled myself together, and scrambled over the field towards my home.

On the way I struck a match to light a cigarette, and then noticed my left hand was a mass of blood.” On going home Muldoon was medically attended, and it was found that a long wound had been inflicted between the middle knuckles. His clothes were torn, and he had some bruises about the body.

 

50 years ago

Complaints that parts of the village of Flamborough, near Bridlington, were “buzzed” by five RAF jet aircraft and many people terrified, were likely to follow a recent incident when the jets came across Flamborough at roof-top height.

People stopped in the streets, covered their ears, and hung their heads until the aircraft had gone over. Mr Albert Spencer said: “It was most frightening and we could feel the house shake. We did not see the aircraft but they seemed to go round twice and my wife tried to get onto the floor to escape the noise. They could not have been much higher than the roofs of the houses.”

Mrs Margaret Haley, of the Royal Dog and Duck, said the whole building shook. “Glasses jingled, and we thought the roof was coming in.”

 

25 years ago

Persistent offenders against York’s footstreet laws would be taken to court from now on in a new get-tough policy by the city council.

The enforcement officer, Mr Laurie Unstead, now had the power to launch prosecutions against those who flagrantly disregarded the rules, causing danger and nuisance to pedestrians.

“It’s sadly true that court action is the only remedy with some people,” said the city centre manager, Mr John Liley.