Tuesday, October 18, 2005

100 years ago

It was reported how Drake, in his book Eboracum, described how this day, St Luke's Day, was known in York by the name of Whip-dog Day, from a strange custom schoolboys had formerly practiced, whipping all the dogs that were seen in the street that day. Tradition ascribed this custom, on this day, to the times of Popery, a dog having swallowed a consecrated wafer which a priest let fall. The dog was killed, and from then on began a persecution, which had lasted until recent times, when a Lord Mayor of York had forbid it.

50 years ago

Road accidents in the East Riding in the first nine months of the year reached the highest total for more than ten years - 1,653; and the number injured - 908 (including 153 children), was also the highest for the period, although the number of fatalities, 16, was the lowest for ten years. Records relating to child accidents over the previous few years revealed that children of senior school age rarely met with an accident when crossing the road. These same children did not show up in such a favourable light when cycling and often displayed recklessness not pronounced in young children. In view of this, training in schools had been for some time on kerb drill for younger children and safe cycling for older ones. The signals given by road users were also criticised, the many and varied efforts seen showing little resemblance to those shown in the Highway Code. Perhaps the most abused hand signal was that indicating slowing down or stopping, which often took the form of a hand languidly drooped through the door window just as the vehicle was coming to rest. As a signal it was meaningless.

25 years ago

More than 100 cyclists broke the law in York to stress the need for better cycle facilities. The cyclists, who went the wrong direction along one-way Davygate, were taking part in a demonstration by York Cycle Campaign. Nearly 200 cyclists rallied in Exhibition Square and toured the city, on routes marking key points of their campaign. The protest in Davygate to stress the need for a south-north cycle route across the city went peacefully and was over in two minutes. "It is too soon yet to say whether anyone has been summoned," said a York Police spokesman. "The demonstration is intended to show people's continuing concern for more cycle facilities in York," said one of the organisers. "Some encouraging improvements have been made during the past year, particularly the introduction of the Fishergate cycle pedestrian crossing and the provision of more cycle stands in Parliament Street."

Updated: 16:29 Monday, October 17, 2005