100 years ago

In consequence, it was stated, of their ears being assailed by the cries of fruit vendors in the market adjoining the Wirksworth Town Hall, the local magistrates had decided to transfer their petty sessional court to another building.

Strong complaints had been made by the justices at a recent sitting of the court at the action of the Wirksworth Urban Council in allowing a theatrical company, who had hired the hall, to leave their stage properties standing, contending that the spectacle presented by the Bench sitting amongst scenery depicting ruined castles and moated fortresses detracted from the dignity of the court.

On that occasion a sensation was created by the sudden collapse of a large piece of scenery as the oath was being administered to a witness.


50 years ago

Some very earthy problems for some of York Mystery Plays' "heavenly bodies," were thrashed out in Coney Street, when a conference was held between the production's costume designer, Miss Annena Stubbs, and the hairdressers, Mr A V Hart and Mr C Pinder.

Before the conference were Miss Stubbs's preliminary sketches for typical hairstyles for the 12 leading feminine roles in the play which, like their costumes, would be based on realism rather than symbolism and contemporary with the time of the Mediaeval plays, not Biblical times.

Between serious technical discussions of the relevant merits of natural hair and wigs there were moments to cause laughter in Paradise.

"The time before last," Mr Croft reminded, "we permanently waved the devil and gave him two frizzy horns."

"I don't like using wigs unless I have to," commented Miss Stubbs.

"Last summer, at Coventry Cathedral, we had the Twelve Apostles in 13th century wigs. They had to change in the Chapter House and walk around the cathedral in a high wind. They arrived looking like ragamuffins, and there was nothing we could do about it."


25 years ago

Be a Smartie - use the Park and Ride service! That was the message to York motorists from the Deputy Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Cyril Waite, who hoped that the service would beat its 1987 success.

The previous year usage improved by 30 per cent, cutting down on traffic congestion and pollution in the city centre. Further improvements had been made to this year's scheme with an earlier start of 9.45am and a 7pm finish, plus increased frequency for the bus runs.

"We hope that these improvements will help to take more pressure off city centre roads and car parks by encouraging more visitors to Park and Ride," said Councillor Waite, who was promoting the scheme with giveaway tubes of Smarties for children travelling on the service.