Wednesday, April 21, 2004

100 years ago: A sketch was printed showing the new Elect Cocoa Block being built for Messrs Rowntree at Haxby Road. The sketch showed the skeleton steel framework of the building, which was the first large structure to be built in England on the American principle. A full description of this addition to the architecture and industry of the north of England appeared alongside the sketch. The new method of construction was deemed most interesting, and the inner core of steel framework would make the Elect Cocoa Block one of the strongest and most rigid buildings in England.

50 years ago: The importance of lightning conductors and the maintenance of them was often overlooked, especially on churches, it was claimed in a York Institute of Architectural Study bulletin. It was at one time the custom to consecrate church bells in the expectation that their chimes would drive away thunderstorms and ensure safety from lightning. After long experience, however, it was found that the contrary was more often true: lightning used to strike steeples "by choice". In Britain, popular trust in conductors began in 1764 after the church of St Bride in London had been struck.

10 years ago: Another claim was made in the "Peacockgate" saga, that Pete the peacock belonged to the Museum Gardens, and so staff should collect him from Clifton, where he was waking up residents with his early morning cries for a mate. The curator of the gardens had declined to pick him up, on the grounds that there was no proof he was one of theirs, but a woman had now come forwards to say she saw Pete's "daring escape" by bus. She saw him leave the gardens and settle on top of a bus, which was heading towards Clifton, and was so concerned for his welfare that she offered to help out by paying for his feed once he was back in the gardens.

Updated: 08:49 Wednesday, April 21, 2004