100 years ago

SNUFF was coming in again – if it had not already come. Many York ‘bloods’ were entertaining themselves with the pastime of taking it, and we would soon, no doubt, expect a boom in coloured pocket-handkerchiefs.

One observer had said: “The attempted revival of whiskers – said to be a by-product of the fancy-dress craze – has never won many converts, and I think we are pretty safe in the possession of our cigars and pipes, even if some would-be arbiter of fashion should try and make us take snuff instead. The only point about snuff is that one can inhale it – if that is the right word? – in places where tobacco is sadly needed, but not considered good form, such as church or the House of Commons.

Snuff may be an abomination in the ordinary way, but it is a very present help in such times of trouble.”

50 years ago

While there was a great deal to be said against the snow, it had one redeeming quality from the photographer’s viewpoint – it was photogenic.

Covered in white flakes, the most mundane object took on a new and exciting appearance. So when the next snow fell, we were advised to take our camera out of hibernation and set that shutter clicking, for we would find it difficult not to take striking pictures in the snow. For the most sparkling results it was best to wait until the sun put in an appearance, for it was then that the really brilliant qualities of the snow manifested themselves.

To impart a professional quality to your pictures it was best to use the sun wisely. While you would get acceptable results by placing yourself so that the sun shone from the ‘safe’ position – that was, over your shoulder – you would find that you would get a much richer texture to your photographs if the sun was shining either from one side or from somewhere ahead of you.

25 years ago

Prince Charles was on a crusade to revamp his role and bring social activism to royalty, reported the New York Times Magazine. “I wish I had been Bob Geldof,” he was quoted as telling a British news editor.

He continued: “I have been brought up to have an active role. I am determined not to be confined to cutting ribbons.” Friends described the 39-year-old prince as feeling frustrated, restless, insecure and confined, said the magazine. But he was determined not to sit idly by and wait for his accession to the throne.

The Prince of Wales had targeted architecture and inner-city rehabilitation as the vehicles to a more active and meaningful life, stated the article.