100 years ago

At the Bulmer East Petty Sessions, held at York Castle, John Magson, haycutter, Old Earswick, had been summoned for riding a bicycle without a light.

Police Constable Manging stated that on May 5 he was on duty on the York and Huntington Road when he saw the defendant riding a bicycle without a light attached.

He had called out to the defendant to stop, but the latter only laughed at him, exclaiming, “You will have my name and address to find out.”

The constable borrowed a bicycle from a gentleman who was passing, and went after the defendant and caught him, telling him he would be reported.

The Magistrate’s Clerk (Mr C Cobb) said he had received a letter from the defendant’s sister in which she said the defendant expressed his sorrow, and added that he had no idea it was lighting-up time.

A fine of 1s, and costs, was imposed.


50 years ago

The problems of urban road congestion could largely be solved by a greater reliance on, and encouragement of, public transport, said Mr WM Dravers, chairman of the Public Transport Association.

He told the annual Conference of the Association, whose members operated 45,000 buses and coaches in Britain, that the all-important reason why urban and suburban bus services were less attractive than they ought to be was the effect of congestion on journey time.

“When bus passengers are held up in traffic jams, their impatience produces the natural reaction that they could do a good deal better in their own car.

The consequence is more cars on the roads, more congestion and longer journey times than ever for all.

The economy of buses in the use of road space is undeniable, though it is not even yet fully recognised by everyone, and the problems of urban congestion could be largely solved by a greater reliance on, and the encouragement of, public transport.”


25 years ago

The York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir was proud of its five major trophies after sweeping the board at the recent 85th Morecambe Festival.

It was the first time it had brought home all the silverware in its history.

Under the musical direction of Richard Bowman the choir performed Smugglers’ Song and Psalm 126.

Adjudicators praised the choir for its reservoir of colour and tone.

They said: “This choir flows music out of its musical director into the audience – a unique achievement.

“This choir is on top of the world.”

The 66-strong choir had been founded in 1925 and had won the prestigious Blackpool Music Festival in 1988.