From our archives:

85 years ago

“I cannot think that man is destined to atrophy and to cease through cultivating what after all is one of his most God-like faculties, the creative ingenuity of the engineer.”

It was in these words that Sir Alfred Ewing, the famous engineer, concluded his Presidential address to members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science which had met in York, the birthplace of the Association in an address which chronicled the proud progress of mechanical discovery, and the part which the Association taken in its advancement.

Two thousand people including many women had filled the Exhibition Hall, York, to hear Sir Alfred Ewing open the 101st meeting, which had only graced York’s hallowed ground 4 times since its formation a 101 years ago.

New Yorkers had the best view of the suns eclipse, thanks to an almost cloudless sky.

The maximum duration of totality was just over 100 seconds.

50 years ago

One of the two new 5,000 gallon milk reception tanks was gently guided into position before being lowered through the roof of the milk plant at Rowntree’s factory, York.

The tanks, in stainless steel, were part of a new plant which was to expand the capacity for making milk crumb at the factory.

Milk crumb was produced by evaporating and drying full cream fresh milk with sugar and ground cocoa beans, a basic ingredient of milk chocolate.

When it comes to thrift “the old ‘uns can show the young ‘uns a thing or two” according to a Selby landlord.

As a regular contributor to the York Theatre Royal appeal fund Mr Wilkinson gave half-a-crown a week towards the £10 name-on-a-seat scheme.

Another pensioner collected among her friends in bid to raise £5 towards the new coffee bar.

20 years ago

Buckingham Palace had announced that the funeral for Diana the Princess of Wales, was to take place at Westminster Abbey.

The 36-year-old Princess was to honoured with a special ceremony, followed by private burial at Althorp, Diana’s family home.

The Lord Mayor of York Councillor Mick Bradley had sent a message of condolence to the Royal Family on behalf of all the citizens of York.

Meanwhile former Lord Mayor Bill Fairclough, who met Diana on her flying visit to the city in 1981 also paid tribute to the princess.