Old York photos capture some of the city’s hottest moments

Our search found sun‑bleached prints from 1976 when the city sweltered in the heat that following the long dry spell that began the previous year.

1976 – Crowds on the slopes of Clifford’s Tower during the hot summer of 1976. (Image: Newquest)

The heatwave lasted for months – by the end of June, water supplies were becoming a cause for concern as North Yorkshire residents were asked to cut down on watering their parched gardens, or face a hosepipe ban.

York was relatively unaffected as the city’s supplies came from the River Ouse which had dropped ten inches in eight weeks.

By July 1976, temperatures were invariably in the 80s, and sometimes in the 90s.

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The fine weather was a gift for organisers of the York Festival as bumper crowds watched the outdoor theatre, music and parades.

Shirtless children baked in the heat and crowds gathered on the slopes of Clifford’s Tower for the festival where signs now ask people to stay off the grass.

Racegoers flocked to the Knavesmire, and few minded losing their shirts on the horses in that sunshine.

Older readers may remember that the North York Moors Railway withdrew steam engines on the Goathland to Pickering line as the slightest spark from the trains could start a fire on the tinder-dry moorland.

Grass fires were a very real threat, with hundreds of acres on Danby High, Glaisdale, Wheeldale and Rosedale Moors ablaze at different times. By mid-August, tax-payers had spent £9,000 on the cost of fighting the fires.

Business was booming to ice cream vendors and pubs with outdoor spaces were enjoying bumper trade.

A boat-worker keeps cool in 1984.

There were obviously memorable warm spells after that too. Who remembers the summer of ’84? These two youngsters cooled off on the Ouse in a scene not often seen or encouraged today, while a boat-worker was captured splashing her feet in the water.

These youngsters play a dangerous game on the Ouse in 1984.

Forward to 1989 and the Museum Gardens remained a popular place to be, with youngsters quenching their thirst from carton drinks while adults sipped something stronger as they caught the rays beside the Ouse.

Museum Gardens in 1989.

We hope you enjoyed these old York photos that capture some of the city’s hottest moments.

We’d love to hear your memories and see photos of your experience of past heatwaves in York.

Share your stories and photos by email to nadia.jeffersonbrown@newsquest.co.uk