Friday, April 9, 2004

100 years ago: General Baden-Powell hit upon a bad day for his visit to York, but his object was not to see one of your starchy, ceremonial parades, but to get an idea how the 18th Hussars kept themselves fit for service at short notice.

There was no referee to declare the ground unfit for play, though getting about was a funny business for those on foot, and the chargers were pushed along through the mud, fetlock deep, and stood the test as well as the troopers. No programme was laid down, the regiment instead going through its usual morning's work. Dummy chasing provided great sport, the well-stuffed figures being hunted round the field, chased by yelling cavalrymen, who cut and slashed at the hay figure tied in the saddle.

50 years ago: The Castle Museum in York was offered the timbers from an old thatched cottage in Town Street, Old Malton, which was soon to be demolished. The old cottage is an example of "cruck" construction, a very early form of building, the crucks being the main timbers which, in the shape of an arch, support the building. Old Malton was also expected to lose its last thatched cottage that was still occupied in Westgate, unless a thatcher could be found to repair the roof.

10 years ago: Ducks of a different kind were taking over one section of the River Ouse, as 1,000 plastic ones were launched from Scarborough Bridge as part of a fundraising effort for Martin House Hospice. Helped by a stiff breeze, the ducks sped under Lendal Bridge and Ouse Bridge before entering the home straight alongside South Esplanade. They winning ducks were retrieved from the river by a team of canoeists who were on hand for the event.

Updated: 08:44 Friday, April 09, 2004