100 years ago

The police, after a free fight at Campden Hill-Square, London, had arrested a woman under the impression that she was Mrs Pankhurst, but who it appeared was another person “made up” to resemble the militant leader.

The hoax was perpetrated at the house at which it had been announced that Mrs Pankhurst was staying. Here a person, apparently Mrs Pankhurst, made a provocative speech from a window, and challenged the Government to re-arrest her. A woman then walked along a garden path into the street and was taken for the leader. Detectives made a dash to arrest her, and numerous men and women intervened.

There was a fierce struggle, but though out-numbered and almost overborne, the police took the supposed agitator into custody. It was not until this person had been taken to the station that the police discovered that it was not Mrs Pankhurst. There was no doubt that it had been Mrs Pankhurst, who had spoken from the window.

 

50 years ago

Japanese heavyweight wrestler Harold Sakata (popularly known as The Great Togo) had left the York wrestling scene with a sour taste in his mouth.

Ugly remarks from some members of the capacity audience at the SS Empire were thrown at the Japanese star following a fourth round incident, involving the popular mid-heavyweight champion Norman Walsh. Spurred by the encouragement of a contingent of fans from his home town of Thirsk, Walsh was pressing for an equalising fall. He seemed to have Sakata at his mercy when he bounced off the ropes in what looked like a promising move.

However, during his assault Walsh was fouled and he fell to the canvas writhing in pain. MC Bob Verlander announced that Sakata’s disqualification was automatic for an offence which had been committed “accidentally or otherwise.” However, Walsh rebutted the decision and allowed the bout to be adjudged a “no contest.”

 

25 years ago

The developers of a massive new shopping complex at Monk’s Cross on the outskirts of York had revealed a major expansion of the scheme. Investment in the expanded 535,000 square feet complex would top £30 million, up from £20 million, and the number of jobs created was expected to rise by 300 to 2500.

The number of major household name retailers occupying large “anchor” shop units – around which smaller shops were clustered – would rise from two to three. Mr Peter Smith, director of the Leeds-based developers, Standard Commercial, a division of Bass, said they were two years ahead of the rival out-of-town complex planned at Naburn.