THE royals enjoyed themselves at York Racecourse earlier this year, so it is good to see they have returned the city's hospitality.

Clearly the Windsors would have struggled to invite the entire population back to their place. But a select group of eight York bigwigs have selflessly enjoyed Buckingham Palace largesse on our behalf.

They are all members of the York Central steering board, and were asked to dine at Buck House by Prince Andrew, who is patron of the project.

No doubt the prince wanted to congratulate the team on its efforts to ensure the redevelopment of York Central - the teardrop-shaped piece of land behind York railway station - is a mere three years behind schedule.

Or perhaps the Duke of York wanted to lobby for a golf course and helipad alongside the 3,000 homes and new businesses planned for the 80-acre site.

Attending the palace dinner on September 12 were Sir Graham Hall, chairman of the York Central steering board; council leader Steve Galloway; council chief executive David Atkinson; the council's York Central officer Sue Houghton; John Pike, of Network Rail; Christopher Garnett, of GNER; Jan Anderson, of Yorkshire Forward; and Brian Greenwood, the independent board member.

Their dedication to the future of our city is commendable, and no taxpayer would begrudge the £800 bill the council incurred during such an important mission.

This paid for the two officers' travel, hotel and dinner bills, and included a contribution towards the outlay of the chairman and independent member of the board.

Impressively, Councillor Galloway paid his own way.

Presumably, however, taxpayers also picked up the Yorkshire Forward representative's tab. Perhaps this could be confirmed at the next meeting of the steering board a week today, where refreshments might be a little less extravagant.

MY thanks to Peter Northfield, of Copmanthorpe, who was in touch to reveal that York has at least two centuries' experience of hosting public firework displays.

"According to York Herald of August 21, 1790, 'A Grand and general display of magnificent Fire Works' was planned for August 24 and 26," he writes. "The display was to be in the Bowling Green, without Bootham Bar, and would be 'composed and invented by that well known artist and engineer, Signior Hengler'."

Among the exhibits was a "Horizontal Wheel, called a Caprice" which was a "Whimsical, Fanciful, Maggotty, Humoursome Wheel in nine divisions".

The display culminated in a "Grand Sea Fight", between Admiral Rodney and Count de Grasse. Admission to the Cock-Pit Room was to be three shillings, and into the Bowling Green, one shilling.

Tickets were sold by "Signior Hengler" who appeared to reside at the Blue Bell, Coppergate. If only he were still around...

THE defendant in the dock at York Crown Court, facing a lengthy jail term, looked increasingly glum as one-by-one he pleaded guilty to the 11 charges against him.

But his face fell even further when the judge settled on Friday the 13th for his sentencing. "Let's hope it is lucky for him," quipped his barrister.

Updated: 10:22 Friday, November 18, 2005