Friday, October 28, 2005

100 years ago

An appalling picture of the state of anarchy that prevailed in Russia was presented by the telegrams from St Petersburg and the principal centres of the empire. It was clear that the existing situation was fast approaching revolution, and all the indications pointed to the complete subversion of the existing regime unless the government could suppress the dissenters either by force or by conciliation. The Tsar himself was still at Peterhof with his family. An Imperial yacht was kept all ready to move him and his Court to safer quarters if necessary, but His Majesty was said to be determined to remain.

50 years ago

Following the opening of Stonebow, a reader had sent in an interesting letter, which recalled the days of Stonebow Lane and the York Soup Kitchen. When he was a boy, the writer said "the soup kitchen was open to the poor of York during the winter months. I remember seeing the long line of people waiting with pots and pans of all descriptions. One receptacle stands out clearly in my mind. This was a large empty corned beef tin, which had holes punched in the top and a piece of wire placed to make it easy to carry. When the soup kitchen was open, it was one-way traffic in Stonebow Lane."

25 years ago

York Quakers had almost reached their building fund target, but all depended on the sale of the Friends' Meeting House in Clifford Street, York. The fund for the redevelopment of the rear of the property stood at well over £120,000. Sale of the Clifford Street part of the building would swell the fund to within £9,000 of its final target of £197,000. Mr Alan Pickard, joint treasurer of the York Friends' Building Fund, said: "We have been doing well lately, however, a lot still depends on the sale of the large front hall. We are hoping it will fetch between £60,000 and £70,000." The Grade II listed building was more than 250 years old. For the past 2 years it had been used as a courtroom by Bulmer East magistrates. Re-development of the rear of the building, adjacent to Friargate, included the building of new committee and meeting rooms and a flat for a warden. The property had been on the market since October 1979 and, although two offers had been made--the last in August--contracts were never completed.

Updated: 10:39 Friday, October 28, 2005