OUR picture of a group of fishermen heading off on a coach outing from York in the late 1940s or 50s has brought memories flooding back for readers.

Several contacted Diary to say they believed relatives were on board the bus, and confirmed our belief that the trip was organised by Crescent Working Men's Club.

Dave Fotheringham said his father, Jim, was there and he believed the trip was between 1947 and 1953, during which time the Crescent regularly organised such trips.

Among other readers contacting the paper was Margaret Frank, who said she wondered if the "very tall, dark-haired gentleman in the centre of the back row" could be her father. She said: "I have no way of proving it is him other than: 1 He was a great fisherman; 2 He lived round the corner from The Crescent; 3 He was a member of working men's clubs all his life; 4 He was a member of St Lawrence's WMC Fishing Club and used to go on trips with that club and 5 The man in the photo looks identical to him.

She added: "His name was Albert Ordish, usually known as Tiny as he was so tall! If any one knows of the true identity of the photo or can identify any of the men I would be grateful to know."


SWIMMERS in one North Yorkshire pool are in for a surprise if they take to the water on Friday night.

The Nidderdale Pool and Leisure Centre, in Pateley Bridge, has been saving up for months to "splash out" on disco lights.

The lights have been fitted on the poolside, and are used to illuminate a Friday night disco swim for kids.

Pat Jones is the local councillor who looks after cultural services in the borough of Harrogate.

She said: "There isn't that much to do locally, leisure-wise, particularly in the winter months, and it is expensive for parents to get their children out and about to attend activities elsewhere."

No word on whether there's a musical accompaniment - but the Diary might suggest Dire Straits's Twisting By The Pool - or maybe Charo's The Love Boat Theme.

Happily, the lights have gone down a storm.

Coun Jones said: "With the added excitement of music and lights, this Friday night event is proving very popular."

In fact, the pool lights can even be booked to add a bit of Seventies glam for kids' parties - just phone 01423 711442.


The Diary has long bemoaned how popular public festivals are getting "earlier" ever year, with companies sending out press releases promoting Easter eggs, Christmas presents and the like months in advance.

Yesterday, a release from Colloco popped into our inbox - apparently, the company has "Mother's Day all planned out", with its range of juice squeezers and coffee pots.

Mother's Day this year falls on March 18, so their message is more than two months early. Is nothing sacred?