Think you know everything about North Yorkshire? See how many of these curiosities - culled by CHRIS TITLEY from a new book - ring a bell.

Strangest animal lover

As eccentric Lumley Kettlewell had barricaded his house in Bolton Percy near Tadcaster, he had to enter via a ladder to a window. Inside was a menagerie, including a Maltese ass. For a while the animals were well fed. But one of Lumley's obsessions, which he forced on his pets, was fasting. His own favourite tipple was vinegar and water. His horse, then a dog, pined away. Their owner fell off his perch in 1820, aged 68

Greenest gas

Ripon's most remarkable item of street furniture is a lamp in Victoria Grove. It looks similar to other former gas-powered lights, except this one used to be powered by the miasma floating up from the town's sewers. Within the cast-iron column was a copper tube which carried sewer gas aloft to several burners which, in its Victorian heyday, created heat as well as light.

Poshest pigsty

It is an imposing edifice, a mock temple based on the classical Greek model, with a fine pediment and no fewer than six columns. Today the building, tucked away behind Old Fyling Hall, Robin Hood's Bay, is a holiday home. But it was built by squire John Walter Barry in 1883... as a pigsty for his two sows. What folly.

Craziest catch

We've all heard of mermaids, but know less of their male equivalent, the merman. But something resembling just such a creature, half-man, half-fish, was caught in the fishing nets off the coast of Skinningrove in the North York Moors in 1535. He was locked in a cottage and fed on fish. The merman proved to be an attraction and returned the affection abundantly to the womenfolk. As with many seemingly smitten men, the greater attraction was freedom and eventually he escaped.

Slowest SOS

A report in the Yorkshire Gazette of August 29, 1857, told the extraordinary story of a fishing crew from Montrose picking up a floating bottle with a pencil message inside: "On board ye brig Ellen of Whitby, 7th November 1749. Long 3.40, latitude 56. Blowing a hurricane, lying to. Ship waterlogged - no water - provisions all gone; eat the dog yesterday. Three men still alive. Lord have mercy on our souls. Amen. Thos Jackson, chief mate."

Oddest jobs

North Yorkshire has been home to some peculiar professions. There were the crossbow bolt makers of Knaresborough; the basil dressers of Aisanby; and Alfred Brown, the chemical manure merchant and cricket outfitter of Malton. In late Victorian times, Enos Thompson of Scalby was parish clerk, sexton, undertaker, plumber, decorator, glazier, locksmith, wheelwright, clock repairer, grainer, whitewasher, gas fitter, bellhanger, carver, gilder and pictureframe maker.

Cleanest sweep

Thirsk sweep George Thompson brought down more than soot when he attended the blocked kitchen chimney of Mrs Milburn of Thropfield. During his 1855 clean-up he also recovered 20 pairs of old boots and shoes, a redundant bonnet and hat, a discarded knife and various bits of wood.

Finest pick-me-up

In the 19th century, the favourite tipple in villages around York was Daffy's Elixir. It consisted of arbitrary ingredients dropped into a large helping of brandy and thoroughly warmed. It was supposedly popularised by a vicar's wife of Bishopthorpe. Cheers!

Luckiest prisoners

On March 27, 1634, common felon John Bartendale was cut down from the gallows by Micklegate Bar, York, having been hanging there for 45 minutes. After he was buried, the earth started to move and an onlooker pulled him out. He was subsequently discharged. Malton farmer's son and burglar John Smith was hanged before a crowd of 40,000 on Christmas Eve, 1705. Fifteen minutes after the noose tightened, a reprieve was brought by a messenger on a sweating horse. The prisoner was cut down, restoratives were applied and he recovered, to be known forever more as Half-Hanged Smith.

Grandest send off

A character called Keld produced one of the greatest ever wakes. After he died in Whitby in 1760, mourners consumed 100 penny loaves, eight hams, eight legs of veal, 20 stone of beef, 16 stone of mutton, 15 stone of Cheshire cheese, 30 ankers of ale and 1,000 sixpences to the poor. Were they sorry or glad to seem him gone?

Want to know more? Then check out Curious Tales of Old North Yorkshire by Howard Peach, published by Sigma Leisure at £8.95. Available in bookshops, or check out www.sigmapress.co.uk

Updated: 10:40 Friday, November 07, 2003