Saturday, September 17, 2005

100 years ago

Several men of the 18th Hussars went through a severe test of endurance in the course of a novel competition organised by the officers of the regiment. The exacting conditions did nothing to dissuade nearly two-thirds of the Hussars to volunteer for this optional exercise and numbers had to be restricted by choosing two teams of four men each from the four squadrons. The competitors started at the Barracks at 2.30; walked to Bishopthorpe Ferry, swam across the Ouse, ran to the Bishopthorpe end of Knavesmire, rode across the common to the gates near Colonel Marling's residence, cycled to the west bank of the Ouse at Clifton Ferry, and rowed from there to the steps at Alma Terrace, opposite the barracks. When the men set off in light running costume, there were hundreds of spectators at the Barracks who had got wind of the competition and were determined to see as much of it as possible and thousands congregated at the other side of the river, on the plain, to witness the keen struggle of the run to Knavesmire. A winning time of 67 minutes was considered excellent, considering the work that had been done.

50 years ago

About 400 people attended the first big dance of the York social season, held in the Assembly Rooms the previous evening and organised by the York branch of the Royal Air Forces' Association. Music for dancing was played by the Derek Dunning Orchestra, of York, and as an innovation, one of the North's leading jazz groups, the Yorkshire Jazz Band, played for the more energetic dancers. Among those present at the dance were Wing Commander J Bradshaw, chairman of the York branch of the RAFA, and Air Commodore E L S Ward, Air Officer Commanding 64 Group, Rufforth.

25 years ago

Another tradition had been broken at St Peter's School, York. Four years after girls were admitted to the sixth form, a girl had been appointed head of house. Clair Lockey, aged 17, of Prospect Farm, Hessay, was in charge of eight girls and 50 boys in School House. Clair, a boarder at the school which numbered Guy Fawkes among its old boys, said: "I never thought that in a largely-male society there would be an opportunity for a girl to become a head of house. But I feel I can keep discipline among the boys as well as any senior boy in my position. The boys seem to respect me, and that is a help." Mr Barry Daniel, housemaster, said: "Claire's sex was irrelevant when I made the decision. She has leadership qualities, a positive approach to things and holds definite opinions. She is doing a very good job."

Updated: 15:24 Friday, September 16, 2005