THE hedges of Marston Moor have already played a vital role in history, and it appears that more recently they helped to put a top TV historian in a potentially tricky situation.

Readers will recall that last week a party of seven riders dressed as Cavaliers rode all the way from Liverpool to the battlefield site west of York.

They were tracing the route of the Royalist army of Prince Rupert just before it took part in the battle of Marston Moor in July 1644.

The purpose of the "Magnificent Seven" in 2005 was to raise the profile of the Army Benevolent Fund, and to raise cash for the charity which supports soldiers and their families when they need some back-up.

The riders, who included military historian Professor Richard Holmes, author of many books and presenter of the BBC series War Walks, certainly succeeded in both aims, for the ride drew plenty of media attention, and raised about £40,000 for the fund.

But the expedition nearly ended rather more dramatically than the participants intended, as the Diary can now reveal.

On the final day of the ride the Cavaliers arrived at the moor itself, to be greeted by about 40 local riders.

It was then that the drama occurred, if Roundhead rumourmongers are to be believed.

A group of horsemen, including Prof Holmes, were riding on part of the moor when their fiery steeds started heading towards one of the hedges that cross the open area.

These hedges - or their ancestors - played their part in the battle of 1644, when they helped to break up cavalry charges by Parliamentary riders under Sir Thomas Fairfax, and Royalist horsemen led by Lord Byron.

And they nearly had a similar impact on the modern-day riders, as their mounts headed for the barrier, heedless of all danger, to the consternation of those on board, Prof Holmes included.

Indeed, our Cromwellian spies have suggested that the good professor was yelling harsh words into the ear of his mount, before he managed to get it to veer away and avoid the looming collision - a situation possibly misinterpreted by a watching woman, who told her little girl: "Look at that man talking to his pretty horse."

When approached by the Diary, Prof Holmes took a calm view of the situation, paying tribute to his faithful steed, Thatch. He did confirm it had been heading for the hedge with the other horses - but they managed to swerve left and avoid disaster.

FLYING Scotsman bursting into York Station is a familiar enough sight and should not give anyone cause for concern.

Or so you would think. It seems the legendary loco's recent appearance at the station gave one passenger quite a shock.

As Flying Scotsman billowed and hissed smoke at platform five, one passenger responded in the only way they saw fit... by calling the fire brigade.

Three appliances duly turned up ready to fight the blaze only to find the grand old lady of steam rail in full flow.

Updated: 08:42 Wednesday, August 03, 2005