Thursday, April 8, 2004

100 years ago: Despite the dullness of the weather, columnist TT was feeling "as joyous as the young rams that skip, and all the world seems fair", for the musical gentleman that lived next door to him was learning a new tune on his piano. This was not the direct cause of his joy - it really sprang from the fact that the neighbour had abandoned the old one, which for 18 solid months had wormed its way through the bricks every morning at eight and every evening at seven.

TT noted that an inventor in Stuttgart had patented an electrical contrivance, which it was claimed would so stimulate the performer that he would be able to sustain four hours practice at the piano without a feeling of weariness. The journalist thought it was no wonder inventors were not appreciated, and died in workhouses or county gaols.

50 years ago: York played its own part in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France. The Lord Mayor had sent off a telegram, which was delivered in the French town of Dijon, reading: "On the 50th Anniversary of the Entente Cordiale it is fitting that greetings should be sent by the City of York to the town of Dijon - a town which the citizens of York are proud to claim as their friend. On behalf of the citizens I send good wishes and warmest greetings for the future and for the increase of friendly relations between the two towns."

10 years ago: Daffodil lovers could get to North Yorkshire's haven of yellow flowers by bus for the first time this year, as a new service to Farndale was launched by the North York Moors National Park Authority, to help the thousands of visitors who flocked to the narrow dale during the daffodil season.

The park's tourism officer said the multitude of cars in the village were causing a problem of congestion and pollution, and so the service was an experiment to see how visitors could be persuaded to move to public transport, as part of a programme to maintain access at the least cost to the environment.

Updated: 08:38 Thursday, April 08, 2004