From our archives:

85 years ago

Special investigations had shown how far elementary school children had come by learning “standard” English from a simple wireless.

One hundred and thirty-nine schools from all different parts of the country had taken part in the experiment in a bid to improve pronunciation and English for the next generation.

According to features writer Anthony Clyne a roasted goose was the “piece de resistance” on many a Christmas dinner-table.

Traditionally associated with Michaelmas it also rivalled the turkey as Christmas fare.

Mr Clyne also stated that the ancient Egyptians were also well acquainted with its nutritious qualities, as priests were supplied with an abundance of goose flesh, a high compliment to the bird, since priests were fed on the fat of the land.

And Miss Amy Mollinson had to make a forced landing at Beni Ounif, 270 miles south of Oran, owing to bead weather.

50 years ago

A special preview of the Mecca’s new theatre-restaurant, The Cat’s Whiskers, in Fishergate was given to 300 of York’s pensioners.

The invited guests were all entertained to tea and cabaret, joined by the Lord Mayor of York, Ald W E Hargrave.

Post your Christmas cards early, with local mail in separate bundles, was the appeal made by York’s Head Postmaster, as he collected the mail from the Mansion House.

And three top-line groups all booked for the sell-out Christmas Ball at York University had failed to turn up.

Back word from The Mojos came at 4pm when the group’s leader rang from Hampshire to say that their van had broken down and they could not get a replacement.

Three hours later, when The Humming Birds were due at the campus, they called from the Midlands explaining that their vehicle had also broken down!

This left the students with only 800 tickets sold, an advertised five-hour dance, and only the bill-topping Alan Price, for entertainment.

20 years ago

Fantastic…brilliant… was how the sell-out 40th anniversary Community Carol Concert night was described as 1,500 people joyously sang the 12 days of Christmas and various carols to raise funds for the Cancer Haven Appeal.

And a solid bronze bust of India’s most famous son, Mahatma Gandhi, was now taking pride of place in York’s Mansion House.

The bust of the apostle of peace, non-violence and humanity was presented to the city by Dr Laxmi Singhvi, the high commissioner for India in the UK, in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of India’s independence.