WE want our plaque back. That's the cry from one corner of York after the sign announcing an ancient free way went missing.

The black-and-white plaque had adorned the brick wall along Scarcroft Lane for as long as anyone can remember. It stated simply: "This wall & carriage road belong exclusively to the Freemen of Micklegate Ward".

But all that is left today are four holes where the bolts fitted. Has it been stolen? No one is certain, and it would have been hard work to nick: but unhappily that appears the most likely explanation.

These days anyone can wander down the lane, which links Scarcroft School to Nunnery Lane. Once part of Micklegate Stray, it was the freemen's own private road.

Eight years ago Nunnery Lane Area Residents' Association noted the dilapidated state of the sign, and approached the Gild of Freemen to see if they could restore it.

Roger Lee, who was clerk of the Gild of Freemen for 20 years before stepping down last Friday, gave the go ahead and released gild funds for the materials.

Our old friend Dale Minks did a splendid paint job, as our picture shows. He was later to ask, during the height of the car park row last year, whether Dame Judi Dench, World Sidecar Champion Steve Webster and 2 Signals Regiment could park on the lane - as they were all Freemen of the City.

Precisely when the plaque went missing is not clear. Dale believes it was still in place for Royal Ascot. But its disappearance was certainly not at the behest of the Gild.

If anyone has information on the plaque's whereabouts please contact the Diary - and if appropriate, the police.

"NORMALLY we send monthly reminders to encourage people to pay any outstanding council tax, but we were unable to do this as often as normal in 2003/04 because of problems with a new IT system." The words of a City of York Council spokeswoman about the authority's failure to collect more than £3.6 million in council tax (April 1, 2004).

"The problem we've had is with the computers which has slowed down the chasing up progress." The words of Coun Quentin Macdonald, on the authority's failure to collect £6 million in council tax, (June 29, 2005).

Will some kind techie please get over to Library Square and help them out?

A BABY was crying so loud and long at Littlewoods caf in Parliament Street, York, yesterday that most of the diners fled. One concerned onlooker was heard to ask: "He's not on the menu, is he?"

Updated: 10:33 Thursday, July 07, 2005