Wednesday, November 10, 2004

100 years ago: The woodcock was much more plentiful in Yorkshire than had been the case for some years past. The woodcock was partially prolific at one time in North Yorkshire, and indeed throughout the north generally. In an old journal, long since extinct, a columnist found the following paragraph: "A gamekeeper residing not far from Kildale, being actively engaged with the deadly weapon, the gun, in the latter part of April last (1843), chanced to fall in with some woodcock migrating to their native clime, when eight out of nine were bagged. Earlier than this, in 1804, says the Sporting Magazine of that year, another gamekeeper of Brayton killed sixteen woodcock. One of these woodcocks was of an extraordinary colour; a light yellow, with yellow eye and a bill somewhat larger than has generally been seen."

50 years ago: Strange things happen to reporters, Mr Nobody told readers, when they go to engagements and do not have time to introduce themselves properly. A junior reporter in Selby went to a concert audition last weekend, and was surprised to be handed a form when he asked the producer if he could tell him a few facts about the plans behind the party. Reading the document through he discovered that he had been mistaken for young "talent," an error that he pointed out to the producer, who apologised and added "he looked just like a comedian."

25 years ago: York was facing a Dutch invasion as a precision parts company from the country sent 825 workers and their guests to the city as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations. Twelve double-decker buses brought them to York for five hours during a mini-cruise between Holland and Hull. The visitors were issued with their own specially-printed guides for the trip, which not only had details of the ferry crossing and buses in England, but also had a city guide complete with details of places to shop for jewellery, clothes and books.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, November 10, 2004