Friday, October 22, 2004

100 years ago: Arrangements were completed for reviving the custom instituted by Archbishop Tillotson back in 1678, of holding a special service for Yorkshiremen resident in London. The service, which was carried out under the auspices of the Society of Yorkshiremen in London, in co-operation with the Rector, would be held at Bow Church, on the afternoon of the first Saturday in December. Special chimes were to be rung on the church bells in honour of the occasion, and the sermon was to be preached by that distinguished Yorkshireman, the Rev Dr Wilberforce, Bishop of Chichester. The society had just acquired a copy of the original sermon preached by Archbishop Tillotson. It intended to republish it, along with that of the Bishop of Chichester, for distribution among the members.

50 years ago: A "flying saucer" made its first reported appearance over Ryedale, at a time when frequent reports of them were being made not only locally but world-wide. It was seen by many people in Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside districts. The object was plainly visible for some time, and some people who saw it described its outline as being much deeper in shape than that of a saucer. It threw off a brilliant light comparable with that of the sun, and after remaining stationary in the sky, it seemed gradually to disintegrate and finally disappear.

25 years ago: A new lightweight bell to add to the 13 bells already in York Minster arrived at the cathedral. It weighed nearly half a ton, a very light bell compared to the largest one, Big Peter, who weighed in at ten and three quarter tons. The new bell was being added, as the composition of the bell-ringers team had changed recently. Instead of being only able-bodied men, the age range had come down, and women were no longer excluded. The bell cost £2,000, half the cost being covered by a donation from a Rotherham woman, and so her initials were carved on the bell - along with 1978, the Friends of York Minster Golden Jubilee year. The bell, from a Loughborough foundry, would go on display under the bell founder's window probably until the following April, when it would be hung. The delay was due to a lack of scaffolding, as most of it was already in use around the Minster.

Updated: 11:59 Friday, October 22, 2004