HOBNOBBING, we were. Our nobs had never been so hobbed, as York's own Frankie Howerd might have observed.

At the launch of Sir Thomas Ingilby's new book, Yorkshire's Great Houses (Dalesman, £19.99), the Diary mingled with the likes of fiery Fred Trueman and bestselling author Gervaise Phinn. Sir Thomas himself was there, of course, showing off his own great house, Ripley Castle, and revealing what goes on behind the battlements of Yorkshire's stateliest piles.

Stockeld Park, near Wetherby, was the home of renowned bon viveur George Gough and doubled up as Lady Tara's sumptuous home in Emmerdale, he explained.

It so happened that poor George died during an Emmerdale shoot and he was carried out of the house in a body bag in the middle of filming. "For goodness sake," shouted an over-eager Emmerdale producer, "the body isn't due until next week."

Stately homes are regularly required for TV backdrops. After Jane Eyre was filmed at Ripley in 1968, several young American women applied for the post of governess at the castle. Sir Thomas's father, Sir Jocelyn, having seen some of their photographs, was all for employing at least one of them.

Life in a castle, especially one open to the public, is full of surprises. As Sir Thomas and his wife Emma were sitting down to dinner a few months ago, they were startled by some raucous laughter outside. Pulling back the curtains, they saw six naked men, who had strayed from a wedding reception, playing football in the courtyard, while other wedding guests filmed them.

"We eventually drew the curtains," laughed Sir Thomas, "but not before Emma had had a good look." For the full story, see our Life & Times supplement tomorrow.

YOU'LL not need reminding, but this is the 50th anniversary of one of British science's greatest achievements: the silent loo.

It is five decades since the Department of Science and Industrial Research announced the invention of a new type of ball valve which would hush the flush.

"Imagine it," wrote our columnist John Blunt, on March 12, 1955. "No longer will your home be plagued by the penetrating effervescence that periodically resounds from the smallest room in the house." He went on to suggest future inventions for boffins to work on: the slamless door, the suckless soup spoon and the trickleless tap. We're still waiting.

WHILE we're stuck in 1955, time for our last extract from the York Chief Constable's report for that year.

The force had recently set up a Policewomen's Department, with eight WPCs to add to York's 178 PCs.

"This department continues to be most useful," wrote Chief Constable Cyril Carter, "and as has been the case since the introduction of policewomen in this city. The members all work under the Policewoman Sergeant."

Their womanly duties were increasing. Nevertheless, "policewomen are available to work with any of the specialised departments as well as undertaking enquiries particularly relevant in their own branch".

What would Mr Carter, who died in 1991, have made of Della?

Updated: 09:30 Friday, March 11, 2005