Wednesday, October 19, 2005

100 years ago

A labourer residing at Brompton Bar pleaded guilty at the North Riding Police Court, Scarborough, to trespassing in search of game. Frank Ward, of Hutton Buscel, head keeper to Lord Downe, said that he saw the defendant in the same field on two separate occasions, the defendant proceeding along the hedge and trying it in several places. He was seen to take something out of the fence, and afterwards found on him a hare with a wire snare round its neck and a gun shaped like an ordinary black ebony and silver-handled walking stick. The defendant acknowledged putting down two snares. He said that the gun was brought to him to clean and as times were hard and he had eight children, he thought he would get a hare for his dinner. There was a previous conviction in 1903 for game trespass, and he was now fined £1 and 3s 6d costs, no time being allowed for payment.

50 years ago

Among the more unusual and intriguing items to be seen at the 1955 Motor Show, which had just opened at Earl's Court, London, was a car fitted with cocktail cabinet and built-in television set. Then there was a cigarette lighter for cars, which, it was claimed, could not be burnt out by misuse. In a more serious vein, visitors would find an adjustable safety belt and harness for drivers and passengers; safety locks for cars which could lock the doors without the use of a key and which incorporated a children's safety catch for rear doors, and a wing mirror claimed to revert to its proper position after being displaced.

25 years ago

Esther Rantzen was arrested and charged with obstruction while filming her BBC-TV programme That's Life. She was arrested by a policeman in Northend Road Market, Fulham, West London, and taken to Fulham Police Station. Later she was charged with obstructing the highway and given police bail. Miss Rantzen was filming in the market, where many public participation sequences for the TV series were made. A police spokesman said: "Miss Rantzen was asking people their opinion of fried and stewed bat. A crowd gathered. One thing led to another. She refused to leave on a couple of occasions and a police officer was forced to arrest her." A police inspector added: "Usually I am told when they wish to film and proper arrangements can be made. This time I knew nothing about it."

Updated: 16:46 Tuesday, October 18, 2005