100 years ago

We understood that the parks and small holdings committee of the York Corporation were making arrangements for the provision of four lawn tennis courts for the use of the public.

One of these would be provided at the Holgate bowling green, another at Clarence Gardens, and the remaining two at Heworth.

The charge to be made for the use of a court was eminently reasonable, one shilling per hour, for if a foursome was played each player would have an hour's enjoyment for the modest outlay of threepence.


50 years ago

General manager of a brewery firm, Mr AE Marriner, was to exchange a room with a view for one steeped in history.

When JW Cameron and Co Ltd moved from its existing headquarters in Church Lane, York, to the house in Aldwark – once owned by Sir John J Hunt – Mr Marriner would lose his office overlooking the river.

In its place he would get a room with an historic ceiling that was said to date back to 1590.

The move to Aldwark was part of the extensive scheme to bring seven bars and three restaurants to Cameron's current offices and warehouses.

The house, used as self-contained flats for former brewery employees, was a mixture of Georgian and Elizabethan.

Next door to the Aldwark house – Sir John's brewery was bought out by Cameron's – was the Ebor Vaults, a public house which was soon to close, having been declared redundant.


25 years ago

Hot weather daredevils risked death by jumping from bridges into the river Ouse warned York police.

Hidden dangers lurked beneath the murky waters, according to Sgt Alan Wrigglesworth, of North Yorkshire Police's underwater search unit.

Protruding poles and dumped motorbikes were ready to trap or impale unsuspecting pranksters, he said.

The warning came after three young men were spotted jumping from Ouse Bridge in York city centre.

Sgt Wrigglesworth said hot weather and alcohol often formed a lethal cocktail, prompting a foolhardy prank people would not usually consider.