Wednesday, August 25, 2004

100 years ago: When a man see a fish that he hasn't seen before, he calls it a devil fish, according to TT, after a York man was reported to have been severely stung whilst bathing at Scarborough, and in various newspapers the phrase "devil fish" was used. This "devil fish" the columnist believed was the stinging jelly-fish, about which he had warned readers some weeks ago. At this season of the year they were to be seen in thousands along the sands and they did not forget to sting if molested

50 years ago: A letter was printed in support of George Hudson. At one time Railway Street in York was called George Hudson Street in honour of the Railway King, but because the York draper after whom it was named broke the law of the realm and offended society, the street was deprived of his name and became Railway Street. The City of York owed much of its prosperity to railways, pointed out the letter writer, and a great deal to George Hudson for his vow to "make all the railways come to York." It would be a grand gesture on the part of York's citizens if they could forgive and forget and again call the street "George Hudson Street," and a plaque at the corner where the street joins Micklegate could then proudly announce that the "Railway King" was a citizen of York.

25 years ago: A letter arrived at County Hall, Northallerton, which said "please find enclosed a refund for the sum of £0.00," according to the quarterly journal of North Yorkshire County Council. Columnist Pressman was sent a copy of it, and was left wondering whether it was a mistake or a deliberate insult.

Updated: 15:26 Friday, August 27, 2004