Archive
-
Date
Soccer teams played in Evans Cup final
READER Keith Turner has sent me these pictures. The top is of the Westhoughton North End team, the bottom of Horwich United. They were taken in the middle 1950s at Grundy Hill, and the clubs were in the final of the Evans Cup. Mr Turner says that second
-
Date
The days and nights of the domino set
"CALL in any of Bolton's dozen or so parks about dusk at this time of year, and the lights will be burning brightly in the pavilion," wrote an Evening News reporter in December, 1964. "Open the door, and in the warm, smokey, atmosphere inside will be
-
Date
Heading for the Palace to play football!
From the Evening News, April 18, 1903: THIS afternoon, everyone interested in Association football will, if he can, wend his way to the Crystal Palace, where the final tie of the English Association Cup will be contested by Bury and Derby County. The
-
Date
Football and fun at Turton Carnival
THE fact that over the past few weeks I have featured in this column both John Hamer's Brewery, Bromley Cross, and Foster's running shoes, brought a letter from Mr Neil B. Wild, of Station Road, Chapeltown, enclosing photocopies of pages from a booklet
-
Date
Clear the snow, it's time for bowls
MANY years ago the Bolton Evening News used to carry the results of professional bowling contests which took place on many greens in the area. It was called Panel Bowling, where you could even place bets on the results. It went on through the year, whatever
-
Date
Derby Street in 1964
THIS picture of Derby Street was taken in 1964
-
Date
Floating down the lane
THERE'S no date with this picture, which shows a horse-drawn milk float in the then cobbled Stitch-me-Lane, Harwood
-
Date
Widening work on Chorley Old Road
THIS picture, taken in April, 1932, shows how the narrow section of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, at the Boot Lane junction, was being widened. A slice was being taken from the land adjoining Johnson Fold Farm, seen in the distance on the extreme left. The
-
Date
A misplaced sign of the times
For some reason, the word "Harwood" was written on the back of this photograph in the Evening News' library. No way, as far as I am concerned (go on, someone, prove me wrong! It would be just my luck). These young people are for some reason looking at
-
Date
Labour Club's trip to the seaside, 1950
I KNOW no more details about this picture than that it was a trip to Southport in 1950 by members and children from the Tonge Moor Labour Club, Bolton. Well, at least they did not have to bother about the tide coming in . . . although these days it seems
-
Date
At work creating town's roads
THESE days when we drive along Bolton's roads we rarely think of all the work which went into creating them, before the heavy earth-moving equipment was invented. The photograph (above) shows excavations for road widening at Montserrat, in September,
-
Date
Festive present from the past
"AS the result of you publishing a picture of Hesketh's Mill of mine a few months ago," writes Mrs J. Rostron (nee Caloe), of Hope Street North, Horwich. "I was contacted by the daughter of my old nursery nurse, Mrs Minihane. "She took me to her house
-
Date
Bird's eye view of Wingates - and buildings on demolition list
This aerial picture was taken over Wingates, Westhoughton, in 1981. Terry Riley, of Dixon Street, Westhoughton, tells me that the Victoria Mill shown in the foreground is being demolished and "it will be the first time that residents of houses in Church
-
Date
Shop memories
"DO you remember this shop?" said a headline in Looking Back on December 4, over a couple of pictures taken at the turn of the last century of John Holt's shop at the corner of Higher Bridge Street and Back Haydock Street, Bolton. Well, it certainly brought
-
Date
Cars were from 50s and 60s
When reader Stephen Vernon saw my old picture of Chorley Old Road, Montserrat, outside the Old Links golf club, on January 31, he felt, because I could not date it, that he might have the answer. "I would suggest that it was taken in the mid-60s, but
-
Date
Borough is home to diverse culture and arts
SINCE the first Flemish weavers came to Bolton in 1335, the borough has benefited from a wide and diverse culture. The arrival of French bleachers who developed the town's textile industry in the late 1760s added to it. Irish navvies who helped build
-
Date
Pub theory on the wrong (rail) lines
NO names to this query," wrote an anonymous reader from Astley Bridge. "It may be a pub wind up." Subject: The disused Oaks Station at Bradshaw. Theory: It was built and maintained by "Lord Ashworth, of Oaks Hall and New Eagley Mills fame". Why: Lord
-
Date
In the swim
IN March, 1977, this picture showed Bolton Swimming Club members busy training for the forthcoming season when they would be competing in the Bolton and District and North Lancashire Leagues. The club catered for people of all ages, from four-year-old
-
Date
Guards get lesson in how to handle automatic rifle
MEMBERS of the Bolton, Bury and Manchester branches of the Coldstream Guards Association were shown an automatic rifle during their meeting at Fletcher Street Barracks, Bolton, in June, 1967. They were to use this rifle on camp later that year.
-
Date
Cricket ground verdict soon
THE fate of Westhoughton Cricket Club's proposed ground switch will be decided next week. Two years after club members approved plans to leave the current Tyldesleys ground on Cricketers Way -- after more than a century of cricket -- the scheme will finally
-
Date
Bolton Artillery in special training
With their annual camp only six weeks away, the Bolton Artillery, the town's only Army Volunteer Reserve Unit, held a special training in May, 1969. While recruits practised on the guns at the Fletcher Street headquarters, a group of NCOs and trained
-
Date
Home Guard on parade
Bolton's Home Guard went on parade for a Town Hall marchpast in December, 1944. They are seen here at the saluting base with the old Commercial Hotel in the background, and Naisby's shop on the corner A National Day of Prayer was held in September, 1940
-
Date
Do you recognise the famous face?
DAMON Gough, better known these days as well-known singer-songwriter Badly Drawn Boy, is shown here as a young boy at Bolton Lads' Club, second from the right on the back row. The picture, of St. Osmund's RC Primary School first team from the 1979/80
-
Date
A Wolf called Parsnip
ARNOLD HARRISON, of Manchester Road West, Little Hulton, tells another story of his childhood in Bolton THE 1st Deane Bolton Cubs, which I was a member of (Wolf Patrol), was situated on the top floor of the large stone building on the corner of Horsefield
-
Date
When Bolton was a war time port
CONVOYS of lorries, stacked with food, threading their way through town; bales of cotton stored in the open at places like Bradford Park; hundreds of railway wagons being unloaded at top speed. Those were some glimpses at Second World War-time Bolton,
-
Date
A look at the future
Time Traveller Simon Topliss concludes his weekly series delving into the history of Bolton with a round-up of the town through the ages -- and a glimpse of what the future has in store. THIS series of articles has been about the history of Bolton and
-
Date
Keeping an eye on the masses
This week Time Traveller Simon Topliss continues his step back into the history of Bolton with a varied look at a royal visit, a Mass Observation survey of the town, and the eventual slump of the cotton industry IN JULY 1921 the Prince of Wales, later
-
Date
How to see them at the Reebok
THERE are four ways of booking tickets for the Premiership action at the Reebok - in person, by phone, fax or post. The ticket office is open Monday to Friday 9.30-5pm and Saturdays 9.30-3pm. Phone 0871 871 2932. A £1 booking fee is charged on all orders
-
Date
Search for the oldest Wanderer
VINCE Dillon was one of the many talented centre-forwards who had the misfortune to be on Wanderers' books when Nat Lofthouse was ruling the roost. In almost four seasons, despite top-scoring for the reserves, he managed just 17 Division One appearances
-
Date
Fans launch media Hall of Shame awards
WANDERERS web fans, buoyed up by visions of glory from Jay-Jay, Youri, Spiros and Jardel, are on the attack against pundits predicting doom and gloom this season writes Chris Sudlow Tony Coffey, of the North of the Border www.bwfcscotland.co.uk admits
-
Date
Whites are top of the techno league
WITH laptops almost outnumbering footballs at the Reebok, Wanderers can justifiably claim to be in the vanguard of information technology. Dowloading data is now as commonplace as dubbing boots in the days before football entered the computer age. Even
-
Date
Fans' predictions for the season
WE went out on the streets to ask Wanderers fans what they thought of the prospects for the season. This is a selection of the views we obtained: Michael Dain, 42, Halliwell, welder Half way up the table would be an excellent season taking into account
-
Date
Sam hopes to end Ba deadlock
SAM Allardyce is still hoping to keep Ibrahim Ba at the Reebok, despite the Frenchman refusing to play for Wanderers in Saturday's FA Cup tie at Tranmere. The Frenchman told the manager to count him out of the third round tie after contract talks broke
-
Date
Big Sam is one of the few admired by Ferguson
A MYRIAD of admirers regard Sir Alex Ferguson as one of the greatest club managers the world has ever seen. But there are precious few who can claim the respect is reciprocated. Sam Allardyce is one of that select band and the Manchester United manager
-
Date
Pandemonium over £1.6m painting
THERE was 'Pandemonium' at Christies auction house when a painting first owned by a Victorian Bolton businessman fetched £1.6 million. An American dealer bought the John Martin masterpiece -- called Pandemonium -- when it went under the hammer. It was
-
Date
Glenn Ford's Horwich family tree riddle
HE IS a legendary Hollywood star with dozens of films to his name, fans across the world and a huge Beverly Hills mansion. But one thing is annoying him. The film legend knows little about the history of his family in his mother's hometown -- Horwich.
-
Date
For sale -- 'canal family' monument
A PARAGRAPH which appeared in the news pages on February 14 was intriguing. It told of how the Grade-11 listed Gothic monument in Worsley, a memorial to Francis Egerton, the 1st Earl of Ellesmere, was on sale for £225,000. The estate agent said it was
-
Date
Phoenix triumph in blood and thunder classic
Manchester Phoenix 3 Sheffield Steelers 2 by Nigel McFarlane The traditional New Year clash between Manchester and Sheffield served up a gritty, thunderous, classic tie which had it all. Phoenix were looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat at Coventry
-
Date
Schoolday memories as pupils pose for the camera
ALL smiles from these pupils of St Simon and Judes School, Rishton Lane, Great Lever (now the Anglers' Club) in 1948. It has been sent to me by Mrs Margaret Ash (nee Barlow), of Sutton Road, Deane, who can be seen, aged 11, on the left of the front row
-
Date
Memories of St Thomas classmates
WHEN Stephen Savage saw a class photograph from St Thomas's School, Farnworth, in this column on February 14, he did not know any of the pupils shown. However, he did recognise the teacher, Mrs Yates, as he went to the school a few years later and she
-
Date
Health checks at superstore
HEALTH checks are being offered to customers of a supermarket in Astley Bridge. On Tuesday, January 6, and Thursday, January 8 people who want their blood pressure and weight checked can visit Asda on Moss Bank Way where staff from Esporta Health and
-
Date
School memories
WHEN a Bolton Evening News photographer took the picture shown above in 1960-61, these pupils at Markland Hill CP School were still in the old building. It has been sent to me by Mrs Jean B. Hurst (nee Hickson) -- she is the girl holding the watering
-
Date
Party time thanks to council department
ELDERLY people from all over Bolton enjoyed a carol concert by courtesy of the Commercial Services Department of Bolton Council. The concert took place at Emmanuel Church Hall, in Deane, and featured a choir from St Catherine's C of E School, Horwich,
-
Date
Glimpse life life in a Victorian school
A COLLECTION of historic log books has provided a headteacher with a fascinating glimpse into daily life at his school in the Victorian age. Since his arrival at Roscow Fold Primary School in Stephens Street, Bolton, headteacher Nigel Ashton has been
-
Date
Euro-MP joins GM crops fight
A BOLTON Euro-MP has joined with others in the European Parliament to call for measures to prevent GM crops contaminating organic and conventional varieties. MEPs voted in favour of geographic areas being declared as GM free zones if it is not possible
-
Date
School and scouts at summer camp
These two photographs have been sent to me by Mr Gordon White, of Fairfields, Egerton, who tells me that they were actually taken in 1949 by (or for) Mr Roy Grundy, a teacher, who at that time was "also the leader of my scout group, the 28th Bolton St
-
Date
Robberies down by a third say police
ROBBERIES in Bolton have fallen by a third, according to latest police figures. There was a 29 per cent reduction in reported incidents between April and November, 2003, compared with the same period in 2002. There has been a number of crackdowns aimed
-
Date
Life at school 100 years ago
WHEN I reported about the death of Cyril Rostron, a 14-year-old son of the headteacher at Daisy Hill school who fell through the ice on Rumworth Lodge and died, it alerted reader Catherine Bateson to a study about schools in Westhoughton which she wrote
-
Date
36-hour cheer for pub bosses
DRINKERS at a Bolton pub were able to enjoy 36 hours of uninterrupted New Year's Eve celebrations. The Dog and Partridge in Bank Street opened at midday on New Year's Eve and remained open for 36 hours until midnight on New Year's Day. Licensees Neil
-
Date
School's over for secretary Honoria
A SCHOOL secretary who has seen generations of children pass through the school gates has retired. Honoria Carr, aged 60, has said goodbye for the last time to hundreds of children at Holy Infants primary school in Astley Bridge after working at the school
-
Date
Sign up to help improve road safety
YOUNG drivers are being urged to sign up for an advanced driving course in a bid to slash the number of road accidents. Roy Sammons, chairman of the Institute of Advanced Motorists' Bolton branch, said young people were statistically at greatest risk
-
Date
Witness plea after pensioner dies
A FRESH appeal for witnesses was issued by police today after a pensioner died more than six weeks after a road accident. The 84-year-old woman was struck by a Transco van as she crossed Albert Road, Farnworth, near its junction with Edith Street on Friday
-
Date
Church to get festive bonus
A CHURCH in Farnworth has received a welcome Christmas boost. St James' Church, St James Street, New Bury, has been given two grants totalling £3,500 after an outbreak of dry rot was uncovered. The repair bill has been put at an estimated £10,000 and
-
Date
MP near bottom of voting league
FINANCIAL secretary Ruth Kelly turned up to fewer House of Commons votes than the majority of her colleagues. The Bolton West MP took part in just 29.2 per cent of divisions or votes in the last parliamentary session -- placing her 13th from bottom. But
-
Date
Top band 'thrilled' with Sean's art
ART student Sean Mort's work impressed the manager of top band The Thrills so much that he was asked to produce a tour poster for them. Now his poster will be seen by thousands of fans all over the country promoting the bands' October tour. He was asked
-
Date
Stroke girl, 5, returns home for New Year
A LITTLE girl who suffered a form of stroke at the age of five has been allowed home to start the New Year with her family. Melissa Lambert, five, became semi-paralysed four weeks ago when she contracted a rare illness known as ADEM -- acute disseminated
-
Date
Obelisk marked high point of town
ON Saturday I mentioned an obelisk on the side of Winter Hill, and Mr F Woodward, of Sheep Cote Green Farm, Smithills, asked if anyone knew details about it. Well, the answer so far is "no". However, a couple of people have contacted me. Connie Walker
-
Date
If walls could talk...
IF walls could talk historic Alder House at Atherton would have plenty of tales to tell. It was built in 1697 by Ralph and Ann Astley, who legend says were struck by lightning and buried at nearby Chowbent Chapel. Ralph Astley was an iron merchant who
-
Date
Bolton firm made gates for Sultan's Palace
BACK in 1838, before any of us were born (and if I'm wrong on that, please let me know; it would make a wonderful story!) a Bolton firm made these magnificent gates to have pride of place at the palace of the Grand Sultan of Turkey in Constantinople -
-
Date
Mere Hall dates from the 1830s
"I was a guest at a wedding at Mere Hall," writes Mr John Knowles, of Chetwyn Avenue, Bromley Cross. The groom and his family were all from the London area, and the groom's father asked me about the history of the historic building. "I couldn't help him
-
Date
Maypole group girls riddle solved
A GROUP of young girls, seemingly on a wagon of some sort, but what was the occasion? That was the question sent to reader Mrs M. Yates by a Mrs B. Bryan, who now lives in Tasmania but who used to live in Ringley, and whose maiden name was Wilson. Mrs
-
Date
So you think you get a raw deal from the NHS?
I KNOW that some of us grumble about the National Health Service sometimes (oh, yes you do!), particularly if we are on one of the long waiting lists, but Mrs Alice Cook, of Mealhouse Court, Atherton, has made me realise just how lucky we are. "Seventy
-
Date
How did Mam find the time for all she did?
CAN your grandchildren sew on a button or do a simple piece of knitting? Probably not, writes Mrs Dorothy Thornley, of Little Lever. She goes on: "Mam taught my sister and I to sew, knit, crochet and bake. I don't know how she found the time, because
-
Date
Riots when John Wesley first came to Bolton
JOHN Wesley, the founder of Methodism, first came to Bolton on August 28, 1748, and over the next 42 years his visits were numerous. However, the founder of Methodism in Bolton was John Bennett, who later broke away from Wesley. That first visit by Wesley
-
Date
Annual swimming gala
Children from Sunninghill Primary School, Bolton, taking part in the school's annual swimming gala in June, 1974, at the High Street Baths, Bolton.
-
Date
Pupils smile for the camera
This picture of pupils at Fourgates School in about 1956 has been sent to me by Mr Philip Page, of Church Street, Westhoughton, who can be seen second from the right on the bottom row.
-
Date
Schools sing out at tree lights switch-on
WHEN Bolton's Christmas Tree lights in Victoria Square were switched on in 1970, pupils from Canon Slade Grammar School and Smithills Grammar School provided the music and led the singing.
-
Date
Pupils made a splash at school swimming gala
These high-spirited young swimmers took part in Sunninghill County Primary School's annual gala at High Street Baths, Bolton, in June 1973. At the front were children who won trophies.
-
Date
Towers of strength
MEMBERS of the Guide companies of St. Bartholomew's and St. John, Westhoughton, took part in a variety show at the Parochial School, Westhoughton, in November 1982. Proceeds were going towards the Parish Church tower fund and the Guide companies.
-
Date
What happened to Town Boys' Brigade?
The Boys Brigade (14 Coy), Castle Street, Bolton, at camp in Towyn, North Wales, in 1953 are pictured here. Where are they all now? asks Barry Weston, who sent it to me. If you wish to let him know, his address is 8 Llainwen, Tynygongl, Anglesey, LL74
-
Date
Fun by the bucket full at Bradshaw Scouts
JUNE 1972, was a wet month, and you would think that after all the rain, everyone would have had enough water! But Cubs and Scouts at Bradshaw still took turns to sit under the cold water bucket as visitors to the church garden party paid to throw at
-
Date
Food hygiene on menu for cadets
HORWICH St John Ambulance Cadets who had passed examinations in hygienic food handling received certificates to prove it in November, 1970. The boys were seen with Dr K K Panja, the Divisional Surgeon, who instructed the boys, and Divisional Supt E Cooke
-
Date
Celebration time as youth club wins prize
HAPPY MEMBERS: In 1977 St Andrew's Youth Club, Bolton, were celebrating the presentation of a disco unit won in a competition; it was handed over by representatives of the soft drink firm and newspaper which sponsored the national competition. To view
-
Date
Horwich school memorablia wanted
IF you went to Horwich Parish School, you will be interested to know that the school is trying to raise money for a "school grounds project" by writing a book on its history. "We would love to hear from anyone who has memories of their time at school,
-
Date
Festive fairies add their magic touch to Christmas
IN 1978, Santa Claus had a little help from two friends at Hulton High School Christmas Fair. The two fairies added that magic touch at the school in Longshore Drive, Little Hulton. Amanda Leach, aged nine, left, and Jean Crompton, nine, of Peel St Paul's
-
Date
Pupils will now be approaching their 60s
They might have been young when this picture was taken at George Tomlinson School, Kearsley, in the 1950s, but this year (2002) they are celebrating their 60th birthdays! The photograph has been sent to me by Mrs K Charlton (ne Davis) of Harper Green
-
Date
Flying high at school field day display
AIRCRAFT MEMORIES: Tony Langford, of Roseneath Road, Bolton, chairman of Leigh Flying Club, showed his model of an American second world war Tomahawk to a group of children watching a display at a field day held at Gaskell primary school, Bolton in 1979
-
Date
School days
This photograph of the Edgworth Methodist School in either 1952 or 1953 has been sent to me by Mrs Marlene Bickerdike (nee Roberts), of Barnacre, Whalley Road, Langho, Blackburn, who can be seen fourth from the left on the second row. She tells me that
-
Date
Happy days at St Simon and Judes
SCHOOL DAYS: Happy pupils (and teacher Mr Redmond) at St Simon and Judes School, Newport Road, Bolton, in March 1970. The picture has been sent to me by reader Mrs Jackie Greenhough (nee Kay), who is on the middle row, fourth girl from the left. "I believe
-
Date
Dancers celebrate youth club birthday
BIRTHDAY JOY: Dancers at St. James's in Waterloo Street were pictured celebrating the third birthday of their youth club, part of the Anglican Young People's Association. It was founded by the vicar, the Rev. M. Sutcliffe, back in 1950. And they invited
-
Date
Stepping out
THESE pupils of the Sheila Batten School of Dancing gave a display, with proceeds going to the Bolton Society for Mentally Handicapped children, at the Technical College Hall, Bolton, in October, 1968. To view the photo, click HERE in our Looking Back
-
Date
Family day out
EARLIER this month I printed a picture of Whitecroft Road School in 1964/65 sent to me by Barbara Bithell (nee Onley) who now lives in Australia. She has now sent me another photograph, from 1954, when she and 11 of her cousins went to the Evening News
-
Date
Skip and Auntie gave 88 years to Scouting
SCOUTS and Cubs of the 6th Horwich Parish Church raised a cheer for their group Scoutmaster and Cubmaster in October, 1969. Between them Mr George Wilkinson, aged 69, and his wife Emily, aged 66 - better known locally as "Skip" and "Auntie" - had given
-
Date
Picture reminds of school holiday memories
IN August, 1949, all the pupils at Wolfenden School, Bolton, were taken by train to a holiday camp in Staithes, Yorkshire, for a week's holiday, says Mrs Edith Evans (nee Spencer), of Fieldhead Avenue, Bury, who has sent in this picture. Each form had
-
Date
Tootal girls show three legs are better than two
AT Tootals School Sports Day (Continuation School) in 1948, Pauline Birchall and Betty Fretwell won the three-legged race. Pauline, now Pauline Ridyard, has just moved to live near her daughter Virginia and Virginia's husb and, the Rev John Corbyn, newly-appointed
-
Date
Open day fun at barracks
IN August, 1970, there was a Bolton Artillery's open day at the Fletcher Street Barracks, Bolton, and as a change from toy pistols, the field gun held a great attraction for these young visitors.
-
Date
A tough task for cadets
LOOKING over a map of Derbyshire in April, 1967, were four Army cadets preparing for a tough Three Peaks walk the following month when they were to cover 30 miles in a fitness test. The boys were all members of the 6th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire
-
Date
25 YEARS AGO: December 22, 1976
SAM Allardyce is under treatment for a badly gashed shin as Wanderers count the cost of last night's dramatic 2-1 home victory over Luton. Boss Ian Greaves is sweating on the big central defender's fitness as he prepares for a demanding Christmas programme
-
Date
From the archives: September 22, 1997
MIKE Whitlow pledged to help Wanderers emulate the gravity-defying feat that put Leicester on the Premiership map. The 29-year-old left-back has moved to the Reebok from Filbert Street for £700,000, and knows all about survival having helped the Foxes
-
Date
25 YEARS AGO: February 26, 1977
WANDERERS missed a golden opportunity to go joint top in Division Two when they let slip a 2-0 half time lead at home to leaders Chelsea in a tremendous promotion tussle in front of a 31,600 Burnden Park crowd. There was trouble before the game with rival
-
Date
From our files, November 24, 1997
THERE were ringing endorsements all round for Andy Todd as his faultless performance in defence helped Wanderers to a 0-0 draw with Leicester. As the son of boss Colin it is an awkward sitaution, but Alan Thompson believes that Andy has made his mark
-
Date
January 7, 1978
BOLTON and Spurs were locked 2-2 at the end of a tremendous FA Cup third round tie at Burnden Park. Spurs went ahead in the 38th minute when Glenn Hoddle clipped a cross from the right which was met by a John Duncan header at the far post. Wanderers equalised
-
Date
Wanderers in Christmas fight-back
From the Bolton Evening News of December 15, 1997 AN incredible feast of pre-Christmas action was served up as Wanderers fought back to draw 3-3 with Derby. The deadlock was not broken until the 49th minute when man of the match Per Frandsen won a penalty
-
Date
Flooded pitch halts Wanderers
February 4, 1978: IT was a second successive weekend ruled out by the weather for Wanderers when the local "derby" at Oldham Athletic was called off by a flooded pitch at Boundary Park. The Manchester derby between City and United was also cancelled,
-
Date
From the Bolton Evening News, August 25, 1997
WANDERERS' reputation as a Premiership force is growing after taking four points from their opening two games in the top flight. After coming from 2-0 down to claim a draw against Coventry at Highfield Road, the Sky Blues' boss Gordon Strachan was full
-
Date
Whatmore notches goal number 15
January 18, 1993: WANDERERS striker Neil Whatmore grabbed his 15th goal of the season to give his side a win against Hull City at Burnden Park. He hit target from point blank range in the 48th minute of a game played in difficult conditions with the pitch
-
Date
Todd joins Rioch in 'dream team'
From the Evening News, June 17, 1992 COLIN Todd has finally teamed up with Bruce Rioch again to give Bolton Wanderers the "dream ticket" to what fans hope will be a bright new future. Todd, who quit as coach at Bradford City last week, becomes Rioch's
-
Date
Pit disaster facts
"HOW many miners died in the Pretoria Pit disaster - 344 or 343?" was the headline on one of my stories a few weeks ago. It followed details from a Mrs Florence Rogers, of Bicester, Oxfordshire (and forwarded to me by Ernest Ford, of Esther Fold, Westhoughton
-
Date
More about champion baker
NO doubt you remember my appeal for details of the Bolton Bread Show, which arose after a correspondent said that she had a couple of medals won in that show in 1912. Local historian Clifford Stockton came up with the details, on February 24, and mentioned
-
Date
Sunning Hill in 1934
THIS picture of Std 1V at Sunning Hill School in 1934, has been sent to me by reader Mr Alex Rainford, who can be seen on the extreme left, second row from the back. He can recall most of the names, and says among those on the photograph are Vera Wilkinson
-
Date
The pupils who never missed a day at school
THESE days we hear more about truancy from schools rather than those who regularly attend. However, in years gone by, pupils at school used to have their picture taken if they hadn't missed a day at school, and this photograph of one of those occasions
-
Date
Form 1A at Westhoughton Secondary in 1953
THIS picture of Form 1A at the Boys' County Secondary School, Westhoughton, in 1953, has been sent to me by Mr A.C. Maddock, of Woodlands Drive, Atherton, who was in fact a member of the staff from 1951 until 1970, when he moved to Atherton. He says the
-
Date
Class memories of schools in Blackrod
THESE two pictures have been sent to me by Mrs Kath Kay (nee Calland), of Ashness Close, Horwich. The first is of Mr Lomax's class taken in 1960 at Blackrod Secondary Modern School. Those shown are, back row from left, Brian Parkinson, Robert Hodgkins
-
Date
Class of 34 at Chalfont Street School
SOME weeks ago I printed pictures from Wolfenden School, which is closing this summer, and will re-open in a new building in September. I had not spotted at the time that in fact Wolfenden is amalgamating with Chalfont Community School (also closing)
-
Date
Video memories of testimonial game
SOME time ago John Stott contacted me with a tale about his grandad having lifted the European Cup at Peter Thompson's testimonial game (Bolton v Liverpool) in 1978. He wondered if anyone had a photograph. He now writes: "I didn't hear anything for ages
-
Date
Recognise any faces?
THIS picture of the Whitecroft Road School football team in about 1964/65 has come all the way from Australia, from former Boltonian Barbara Bithell (Onley). She says that she is contact with some of the guys on it, but would like to contact the rest.
-
Date
Athletics ran in the family
A COUPLE of weeks ago (on August 3 to be exact) I printed a story about the Bolton Charity Tennis Championships in 1950. I have now received a letter from Mr John Whittle, of Wharfedale, Westhoughton, who tells me that he was surprised to read about the
-
Date
Choir rehearsal at Wolfenden
Built for 900 girls just before the First World War, the Wolfenden School at Halliwell had an enthusiastic choir, which is pictured here during a rehearsal in 1947. But when in the 1970s numbers dwindled to 150, it closed its doors and the remaining pupils
-
Date
Arm injury halted trial for Wanderers
MRS Kathleen Deakin, of Westbank Road, Lostock, tells me that her father, Douglas Jones, of The Walkway, Ladybridge, Bolton, died in August at the age of 82 from bowel cancer - the last big setback of his life. "The first was when he was 20 years old
-
Date
Old Fred was a local legend
MY pictures of Fred Wright and the Farnworth Old Band brought back happy memories to Mr Roy Farnworth. "Old Fred, as everybody knew him, taught me to play in the 1950s in the bandroom above the Horse Shoe Hotel on Market Street, Farnworth," he writes.
-
Date
Shop closed as London called for Fred
IN 1954, Farnworth bandsman Fred Wright shut up his hardware shop in Peel Street to board a coach for London's Royal Albert Hall. Under the heading "London Calling", he warned customers that staff (himself) would be attending the National Brass Band Championship's
-
Date
A 125 year history of Wanderers
ANYONE who looks into the history of town's famous football club -- the 125-year-old Bolton Wanderers -- will read about a rollercoaster journey that has included massive setbacks, extraordinary successes and even darkest tragedy. From its humble beginnings
-
Date
When the band came to call
I recall that when I was young and living with my parents (and my grandfather after his "better half" died) in Grove Avenue, Adlington, the local band used to come along to the house - among numerous others, of course - during the festive season playing
-
Date
Remembering the charity tennis tournament
WHEN members of the former Heaton Village Club had a reunion a few weeks ago (and a very good event it was too, I am told) among those who turned up was Ian Peters, who whilst clearing out his late mother's home came across a programme from 1950 for the
-
Date
Tony Carter the lifetime achiever
DOUGIE Tobutt continues his occasional series on some of Bolton's sporting greats. Here he looks at the achievements of Tony Carter, who became one of the leading figures in the development of squash in the North West. SOMETIMES being successful means
-
Date
Brilliant memories of the Garrick
I WAS intrigued to read an article a couple of weeks ago about the Garrick Club in Leigh. I am sure the article will have brought back many memories for lots of people. I too worked at the Garrick in the 1970s. Roy Jackson approached me to become the
-
Date
York FC champions of the Sunday League
This picture shows the York FC team in 1973 when they became Second Division Champions of the Bolton Sunday League by beating the Colliers Arms 5-1 in the final match of the season. The team was, from left, back row: F Nuttall, K Hurst, J Peachey, G Allsall
-
Date
Marathon Man at the Lads' Club
In November 1980, Tommy Gilbert, Burnley's Marathon Man - who held several world records for feats of strength -- is pictured demonstrating some of the £3,000 worth of equipment which had been installed at Bolton Lads' Club. Also in the picture are young
-
Date
Golden sailing for Bolton club
This year, Bolton Sailing Club is celebrating its Golden Jubilee. It was founded on December 14, 1952, with the inaugural meeting taking place at the Black Bull in Belmont, Dr Geoffrey G. Benson, the Secretary, tells me. These pictures (see final paragraph
-
Date
Musical youth
THERE was a clear emphasis on youth in the Bolton Borough Band when pictured in 1974
-
Date
Ernest hits right note before band championships
Eagley Band conductor Ernest Appleyard, left, gave last minute instructions before the North-west Area Brass Band Association annual championships, held in the Albert Hall, Bolton, in 1974.
-
Date
Bed block fines 'will not cause problems'
SOCIAL Services chiefs in Bolton are confident they will not be hit by Government plans to fine councils for not moving elderly patients from hospital beds quickly enough. The Government, through the Delayed Discharge Bill, is seeking to fine Social Services
-
Date
Teenagers quizzed over man's death
POLICE are still questioning four teenagers after a 53-year-old man died from a suspected heart attack. John Powell allegedly collapsed while chasing a group damaging his hedge in Staining, Blackpool, just after 7.30pm on New Year's Day. Police have arrested
-
Date
Witches could still have us spellbound
A SPELLBINDING exhibition is set to bring the magic and mystery of witchcraft to Bolton Museum later this month. The exhibition looks at whether witchcraft still exists today, its links with ancient religions and 16th and 17th century witch hunts. Children
-
Date
Bid to stop difficult pupils becoming outcasts
A RANGE of measures are being brought in to deal with some of Bolton's most difficult pupils. All head teachers have been sent a letter by Margaret Blenkinsop, director of education and culture, setting out a number of initiatives to deal with challenging
-
Date
Town worth £22bn -- and that is one heck of a lot of pasties!
BOLTON is worth more than £22 billion, according to new Government figures. The huge sum is based on a value figure of £84,760.47 for each person in Britain, according to calculations by the Office for National Statistics. The value of buildings, vehicles
-
Date
Wing walker high over Little Lever fields
Lately we have been discussing local air pioneers. Today I show you a couple of photographs of old planes over Bolton. The first picture, top, according to the caption in the paper in May, 1935, said: "Sir Alan Cobham's air liner flying over the Elgin-st
-
Date
Lamp post cut through tram
OUR picture of a 1941 tram crash in Folds Road, Bolton, was of particular interest to Mr Allan Green, of Bromley Cross Road, Bromley Cross. He writes: "I was a passenger on the upper deck of the tram which fell on its side. "I finished up very close to
-
Date
Missing pensioner: Daughter praises 'Good Samaritans'
TWO Good Samaritans who came to the aid of an 83-year-old pensioner who lost her way home after visiting a friend have been praised for their action. Margaret Longworth's disappearance on New Year's Eve sparked a major police search and left her family
-
Date
Remember town's Q-Type buses
I HAVE a challenge for you, wrote Michael Harwood, a former Boltonian who now lives in Tunbridge Wells. His mother, who lives in Bolton, sends him cuttings "about Bolton Wanderers and also your marvellous Looking Back column. I have now for many years
-
Date
46 miles of canals - all underground!
UNDERNEATH parts of Bolton, Farnworth and Worsley lies one of the most amazing constructions ever -- the underground canal system built for the third Duke of Bridgewater. He became known as the "Canal Duke", or "Canal Maker" because after the Bridgewater
-
Date
Those magnificent men in their flying machines
WHEN these days we can catch an aeroplane to any part of the world, how often do people think of the pioneers whose efforts made this form of travel possible? Few and far between, I would guess, but pioneers there had to be. Most of us would automatically
-
Date
A view that has changed little over the years
THE general view has not changed over the years -- mode of transport excepted -- since this picture of St Maxentius Church, Bradshaw, with the old tower standing apart, was taken in the 1920s
-
Date
Factory girls keeping fit
In 1978, the keep-fit craze had caught up with a group of Bolton machinists. A five-minute jog round the factory perimeter at Burton's Tailoring in Halliwell Road during their lunch break was just the thing to keep the girls in trim.
-
Date
Power station has gone, but not the pylons
The area shown in the picture has obviously improved since it was taken in 1964. Ringley Bridge is in the foreground, but the Kearsley Power Station behind has been demolished and replaced by housing. I am told that the pylons remain, though . . .
-
Date
Drains go down in Back Cannon Street
THIS 1937 picture of workers putting in new drains at the bottom of Back Cannon Street, Bolton, has been lent to me by Mr T Flannery, of Parkfield Road, Bolton. He tells me that the boy on the left was his brother John, aged eight, and off school with
-
Date
River that runs under market place
BOLTON'S River Croal was pictured flowing past the Market Hall and on its way under Knowsley Street back in June, 1966. The whole site, of course, has now been completely re-developed as part of the Market Place shopping complex, and the stream runs under
-
Date
Go straight ahead, you're in trouble
THIS is a scene you won't see nowadays, the end of Deansgate, with the roadsign pointing to Bury straight on. Try it now, and you end up at the bottom of Church Bank with nowhere to go! When this picture was taken in 1957, though, general traffic was
-
Date
Veterans visit children's ward
MEMBERS of Bolton branch of the Eighth Army Veterans' Association and their wives visited Bolton Royal Infirmary children's ward in December, 1982, and handed over a five feet stick of rock. Ward Sister Marion Buchanan received the rock from Mr Bill Woodward
-
Date
Varied life of Botany Bay
WHAT did the building which now houses Botany Bay at Chorley used to be? asked a reader recently. I received one or two suggestions, which I printed, but Mr Graham Farrington, of Blackrod, now tells me that during the Second World War, it was a military
-
Date
Heavy Snow in Edgworth
These pictures taken by Arthur Fairhurst, Turton Road, Tottington show Edgworth after heavy snowfall in the 1930's. This photograph of Bolton Road, Edgworth was taken to capture Mr Fairhursts liking of 'the barrow and spade' used here to help move the
-
Date
Reet good old knees-up
HAPPY holiday memories were recalled in November, 1970, when 700 local pensioners attended a reunion dance given by a local coach firm. The pensioners, members of clubs that had travelled with Smiths Travel Agency and Hargreaves Coaches, were given free
-
Date
Blitz on scrap to fuel blast furnaces
WHEN these pictures first appeared in 1952, the caption read: "Bolton started today a fortnight's campaign to collect scrap to keep the blast furnaces of the country going. "The first response shows that the public is ready to help. Put out near dustbins
-
Date
Hunt set out from Black Dog Hotel
BELMONT'S Black Dog hotel was the meeting place for the Boxing Day Hunts back in 1934. Foxes were the main targets, living in old quarry working and drains, and unpopular because of their raids on local poultry farmers. Pre-war, it was reckoned that a
-
Date
All set in 1964 for the fountains and new trees
IT'S easy to forget, when you walk through the Precinct these days, that until the 1970s traffic used to run through the square. This picture goes further back, though, to October, 1964 when, as you can see, the original fountains were being built, and
-
Date
Hats on for train passengers
I WAS looking through old pictures at home the other day, and I came across this one of a crowd on Adlington station, date unknown. As you may know, I was brought up in Adlington, so it may be that some relative is shown, perhaps my grandfather ("Owd
-
Date
Tribute to lost war seamen
BELLS were rung solemnly at a special ceremony in Bolton in memory of the thousands of Merchant Navy men who lost their lives during the Second World War. Former servicemen and members of the public gathered in Victoria Square for the annual Merchant
-
Date
James was in big front line battle of Great War
YOU may recall that on October 22, Bolton-born actor Roger Morlidge told of how hundreds of Bolton soldiers were killed at the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele. Mr Harry Price, of Hillbank Close, Bolton, tells me that his father James Albert Price (1899-1960
-
Date
James was a soldier in the Lancashire Fusiliers
ON August 5 I printed a couple of "mystery" pictures sent to me by Mrs Anita Forth, of Bromley Cross. One of them was of soldiers, with the words "The Lads" written on it, but no further identification. Now, Mr Jim McClusky, of Anglie Grove, Bolton, has
-
Date
Tales of the Sea Scout flood in
MEMORIES of the Sea Scout boat on Rumworth Lodge in the 1940s have come from Mr Bill Bancroft, of Burnleigh Court, Bolton, following an appeal by Les Gough in this column on November 27. Mr Bancroft writes: "Mr recollection is that it was the property
-
Date
Remembering Bolton battalions
WHEN in February I printed an appeal for Mr Roger Morlidge in Kent, who is writing a screenplay about his grandmother's experiences in Bolton in the First World War, he received a number of responses. You may recall that at the time I wrote that the local
-
Date
Pals' tribute to 10-medal war hero
FOR young seaman Victor Rothwell, his first sight of the enemy almost proved to be his last. The brush with death at The Battle of the River Plate in December 1939 was just one of the dramatic episodes in a naval career which earned him ten medals, three
-
Date
A 125 year history of Wanderers
ANYONE who looks into the history of town's famous football club -- the 125-year-old Bolton Wanderers -- will read about a rollercoaster journey that has included massive setbacks, extraordinary successes and even darkest tragedy. From its humble beginnings
-
Date
25 YEARS AGO: Saturday,January 8, 1977
IT was muddy hell for Wanderers as they crashed out of the FA Cup at West Ham. An Alan Waldron goal after he had come on as substitute was a mere consolation for Wanderers who were 2-0 down at the time. Wanderers went into the game without the suspended
-
Date
Looking Back: September 17, 1977
WANDERERS produced their best form of the season so far in beating Sunderland 2-0 at Roker Park. Their attack was inspired by Garry Jones and Neil Whatmore, and the latter shot them into a 15th minute lead with his fourth goal in six games of the campaign
-
Date
When the Wanderers went to war
THE story of the Bolton Wanderers footballers who went away to war is part of the town's folklore. The hardback book which tells the story rapidly sold out a few years ago. Now it is being published in paperback and BEN feature writer Frank Elson dips
-
Date
Miner turned goalkeeper
One Hundred Years of Worktown is a play staged recently in the Bill Naughton Studio at the Octagon Theatre. It is a dramatised documentary, produced by Stephen Fielding and based on a number of taped interviews with people from the Bolton area, reproduced
-
Date
Athlete with Reebok on his heart
DOUGIE TOBBUTT talks to the MD of Wanderers' sponsors Reebok UK. DAVE Singleton had a tough decision to make in 1981; should he give up the teaching job he loved to risk working for a small local sports company? He had a young family to consider and would
-
Date
Keeper can be a huge success at the Reebok
SAM Allardyce has told giant keeper Donovan Ricketts he can make it big in the Premiership. "Donovan could be anything he wants to be," the boss said of the 6ft 6ins Jamaican international. "He has immense natural talent. That's evident. His size is a
-
Date
Whites launch world first digital programme
WANDERERS will produce the world's first digital matchday programme next week. The programme for Wednesday's Reebok clash with Manchester United will be the first to be available online. Wanderers are digitising and offering for sale a web enhanced copy
-
Date
Bolton's piano-accordian band in 1934
YOU don't see piano-accordions often these days, but when this picture was taken in 1934, Bolton's own piano-accordion band, known as the Florence Terracian Band, was a great success. It had been formed by Bill Barlow, standing, in civvies, at the back
-
Date
Getting the police horses ready for noise
TO get their horses used to band music, etc., members of the mounted section of Bolton Borough Police trained with the aid of a sound amplifier in 1949. The caption concluded: "When our picture was taken today at Bromwich-st. sports ground, the horses
-
Date
In a spin over gramophone offers
WHEN some time ago I printed an appeal from Mrs E Mooney, of Vincent Court, Great Lever, for a gramophone on which to play 78s of herself and her husband, recorded "after Works Wonders, which we broadcast", she was doubtful that she would get any offers
-
Date
Rhythm Club faced the music
BOLTON has always been known as a musical town. There are now, of course, numerous amateur operatic societies, Bolton Symphony Orchestra, Smithills School Brass Band among others, and jazz is popular, as recorded by my colleague, Fred Shawcross, in his
-
Date
Bolton's record walkers
BOLTON has been involved in a number of marathon walks and record-breaking feats. In 1828, a man named McMullen walked 104 miles in 24 hours. The course was a "measured" mile from the Britannia Inn, Deane Road, to the Gibraltar Rock Inn. McMullen traversed
-
Date
Grandad's tales of the races
MY recent article about A.V. Roe, the air pioneer who spent much of his youth in this area, including being an apprentice at the Horwich Loco Works, and how he was a keen cyclist, has brought a letter from Mr Keith Moorhouse, of Plymouth. He writes: "
-
Date
Crowd may have been waiting for 'football special'
I RECENTLY printed an undated picture of a crowded station at Adlington, where, if you recall, I mentioned that everyone was wearing head gear of some kind. Reader G.W. Glover has contacted me to say that on the rear wall of the station was an advertisement
-
Date
Town worth £22bn -- and that is one heck of a lot of pasties!
BOLTON is worth more than £22 billion, according to new Government figures. The huge sum is based on a value figure of £84,760.47 for each person in Britain, according to calculations by the Office for National Statistics. The value of buildings, vehicles
-
Date
Peaceful snow scene in Nelson Square
Nelson Square in the snow in 1955. I used this photo because I know there is a great deal of interest among readers in old cars.
-
Date
We don't see haystacks like this anymore
These unusual haystacks were spotted at Fernhill Farm, Belmont Road, Bolton, in 1954. It seems they were really called haycocks, with the hay being suspended on tripod-like wooden structures.
-
Date
Turn of the century Deansgate
A picture of Deansgate, Bolton, printed as a postcard, taken in the early part of the last century. It is one of a number of photographs sent to me by Mr H Land, of Wigan Road, Hunger Hill.
-
Date
Bird's eye view of Johnson Fold Estate
This aerial picture of Johnson Fold Estate was taken in June, 1965. Doffcocker Lodge can be seen on the bottom right, just below Chorley Old Road, and the ring road runs from the bottom left to the higher right of the photograph
-
Date
Alcove was ready for pleasant views
The caption to this photograph, which appeared in the paper in 1937, read: 'This alcove, cut out of the hillside at Thicketford Brow, Bolton, is to be furnished with seats and possibly a covered shelter. It should be a boon to old people when completed
-
Date
An 'a-moo-sing' picture
I KNOW no details of this photograph, sent to me by G.F., Blackrod, who obviously wants to remain anonymous. "It looks like Westhoughton-ish", he writes, pointing out that on the back of the photograph were two names, Bill Platt and George Ravencroft.
-
Date
Mill memories of 'Muzzies'
YOU may recall that a few weeks ago, Ted Bennett wrote about his working years at Musgraves Mill (Atlas) in Mornington Road, Bolton. Mr E Wilson, of Stanley Road, Bolton, writes to tell me that his brother worked at "Muzzies" in 1929-30, when this picture
-
Date
The Nab Gate, Harwood - before the late 1950s
REGULARS of the Nab Gate pub (and now Italian restaurant), Harwood, will no doubt have forgotten the Old Nab Gate pub - pictured here - which was pulled down in 1958-59 to make way for the new pub. It is believed there has been an inn on the site for
-
Date
Bolton link to Botany Bay?
SOME time ago I received an e-mail from reader John Roden, who told me he had visited Botany Bay, near Chorley. He is not a shopping fan, so he spent some time studying the building which, as most of you will know, stands near the M61 exit. "Much of the
-
Date
Puzzle over road picture
AMONG the pictures of Bolton (but sent from America) I used on Tuesday, was one with the caption "Deane Road". A reader has taken me to task, claiming that the picture was of Wigan Road, Deane. The reader may well be correct, but what didn't appear in
-
Date
Bales on bricks in Bradford Park
NO doubt you recall my story, and subsequent memories from readers, of how during the war Bolton became a "port", storing in various parts of the town and district essential items, moved here from Manchester and Liverpool because of the dangers of bombing
-
Date
Where was The Antelope on Peel Lane?
HERE'S a mystery picture. I don't even know if it was taken in Bolton, but certainly Wm. Tonge & Sons, Ltd (Noted Ales, Wines and Spirits), advertised on the side of the building was a Bolton brewery off Deane Road. It was taken over by Walker Cain
-
Date
What the Second World War had in store for Bolton . . .
YOU may recall that a few weeks ago I wrote an article (and subsequently received details from a number of you) about many important items being "stored" in Bolton during the Second World War. I have now heard from reader Mr T Bleakley, who was actually
-
Date
Old Deane School started with £15 legacies
AS you pass down Junction Road from Wigan Road, there was once an old barn opposite Deane Church Lychgate, which was the very first Deane School, one of the earliest in the history of elementary education, and its foundation goes back almost 400 years
-
Date
Trouble down't park
THERE was trouble down't park in 1950. A disgruntled ratepayer wrote to the paper: "I wish to draw attention to the disgraceful condition of Hatfield Rd. Park (if it is a park). "It is more like the Thames Embankment and has been a menace now for a long
-
Date
'Our Gracie' filmed near bleachworks
I HAVE no doubt that you are aware of Gracie Fields making the film "Sing as we go" in Bolton in 1934, and over the years the story and pictures have often appeared in the paper. However, I have never seen a picture such as this, showing the film actually
-
Date
Do you remember this shop?
SOME of the older readers of this column may recognise this shop, John Holt's, which used to stand at the corner of Higher Bridge Street and Back Haydock Street. The pictures have been sent to me by Mr Harold Hulton, of Carlton Road, Heaton, and he tells
-
Date
Have you heard of the Bolton Bread Show?
HAVE you ever heard of the Bolton Bread Show? Go on, use your loaf and think about it. Right, you've had enough time, and you still haven't got a crumb of knowledge about it. Neither have I. Yet I was contacted recently by Patricia Harrop, who lives in
-
Date
Prize band conductor worked at Crossleys
JACK Wilson, who lived in Bolton from 1936 to 1951, says, "while I was away in the RAF, my parents moved back to Farnworth, where I was born." This might seem a rather strange statement, but of course in those days Farnworth and Bolton were two completely
-
Date
Pictures from America. but they're of Bolton!
THESE pictures have been sent to Bolton from Michigan, USA - but some are of Bolton in the past. They have been lent to me by Mrs Mary Foley, of Chorley Old Road, who tells me that her mother had two sisters, Minnie and Alice, and one brother, Jim. The
-
Date
Farming life had lots of fireworks
OVER the years, reader Arnold Harrison has written in this column many tales about his life in Bolton as a boy. One of his stories made its way to former Boltonian Bryan Caldwell in South Africa, who says that Arnold's mention of Shearer's Farm at Deane
-
Date
Life in 'Howfen', 1928
WHEN reader Ernie Ford visits Westhoughton Library, he enjoys looking on microfilm at old editions of the Horwich and Westhoughton Journal. He recently saw a 1928 edition, and took from it a few stories, which he thought might be of interest to others
-
Date
Life in the olden days
Mrs D. Thornley (nee Williams), formerly of Great Lever, but now of Little Lever, tells me that the other day she went into the chemist's shop, and while waiting her turn she looked around at the goods on offer. "I thought how different it had been when
-
Date
Stanley's got old Bolton at his fingertips
IF Stanley Radcliffe gets involved in an argument about old Bolton, for instance which pub was on which street, the names of mills and where they stood, and many other similar subjects, he knows that he has the answer virtually at his fingertips. He simply
-
Date
Guests of honour
IN 1977, the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr. Donald Clarke, and the Mayoress, Mrs Barbara Doxsey, were guests of honour at the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners Association's annual Christmas tea party at the Town Hall, Bolton. The party was held over
-
Date
Vicar retires
THE vicar of Westhoughton Parish Church, Canon Tom Davies (second right) was pictured with his wife Joan (centre right) when he retired from Westhoughton Parish in April, 1980. With them on the picture were children and staff from Westhoughton Parochial
-
Date
Memories of old Mayoral car
IN 1959, Bill Newton emigrated to Australia at the age of 22. But before that, he was the Bolton Mayor's chauffeur. He has sent me this photograph of him with the Mayoral car, taken in the old ambulance station yard (certainly different to the new Mayor's
-
Date
Keeping the airwaves open
IN 1950, members of the Incorporated Radio Society of Great Britain held their annual field day. Throughout the country, 137 groups toiled in the heat between noon and 5pm, when the 24-hour field day started, to erect portable transmission stations. Two
-
Date
Morecambe & Wise - and Chung Ling Soo
IN 1962, an advertisement appeared in the Personal column of The Times newspaper, reading: "A Chung Ling Soo (unstained) required -- Morecambe and Wise, Birmingham, Edgbaston 5357." What was all that about? It appears that the comedy duo were collectors
-
Date
Even in 1953 late goals robbed Wanderers
LOUDSPEAKERS were installed in Victoria Square to broadcast Bolton Wanderers' Welcome Home speeches after returning from the 1953 Wembley Cup Final. As any football fan must know, the Wanderers were leading Blackpool 3-1 with only 20 minutes to go, but
-
Date
Bren-gun training at Derby Barracks
Cadets of the 5th Cadet Battalion (The Loyal Regt) demonstrating Bren-gun training to parents who attended an "at home" at the Derby Barracks, Fletcher Street, Bolton, in 1953
-
Date
Weapons hope
After the First World War, some tanks were put into Queen's Park, Bolton, presumably for show and to persuade people that such weapons should never be used again (if that was the case, it didn't work!). In November, 1931, though, the rusted war relics
-
Date
Inspection time
The Bolton Women's Junior Air Corps at drill in 1944 when their efforts were inspected by WAAF officers. The pictures show the unit's band and Squad 'A' marching at "eyes right". To view the photos, click HERE and HERE
-
Date
Off to camp with a smile
MEMBERS of the "F" Troop of the Bolton Artillery are shown before they left town in 1970 for their fortnight's annual camp. The first stop for the 90 men was Penally in Pembrokeshire where the Gunners were staying for a week practising firing at targets
-
Date
Battalion pictures uncovered
WHEN reader Les Duckworth was on the Internet recently, he came across a picture of the 5th Cadet Battalion of the Loyal Regiment (North Lancs) which appeared on my page some time ago. He tells me that last month his mother died, and when he was sorting
-
Date
Body in woods man had been shot
A MAN found in a shallow grave in Worsley was shot dead, police have revealed. The identity of father-of-two Philip Noakes, aged 30, was released by detectives early on Saturday, almost a week after his body was found in woodland in Worsley. Police also
-
Date
Camera led to a hobby for life
I grew up in Egerton Street, Bolton, behind the Iron Church on Blackburn Road," writes Mr Stanley Covell, of Moorfield Grove, Bolton. "My father had a very old box camera which took a size of 116 roll of film. I was fascinated by it, and wondered how
-
Date
A town at war with itself . . . and France BY SIMON TOPLISS
ON APRIL 24 1812 an angry, desperate crowd formed outside the Wroe and Duncough cotton mill in Westhoughton. They were working people, spinners and weavers, angry at falling wages and rising prices, angry with the war against France which was choking
-
Date
Stately families of old Bolton
Time Traveller Simon Topliss continues his fascinating series on the history of Bolton with a look at some of the great families who have lived in and around the town. IN THE years after the Civil War, Thomas Marsden made a fortune from the cotton business
-
Date
True worth of Victorian values
ON JUNE 20, 1837, King William IV died after a fatal bout of hayfever. His 18-year-old niece, Victoria, succeeded him to the throne. Among the many loyal subjects who rushed to celebrate the new reign were the 40,000 or so citizens of Bolton. The public
-
Date
In the face of adversity . . .
In the penultimate chapter of his series Time Traveller Simon Topliss this week looks at Bolton's Second World War heroes, and the hardships the town suffered during the 1939 to 1945 war. IN 1943 Good Friday fell on April 23. There was fighting all over
-
Date
Tragic cost of the Great War
IN THE morning of September 26, 1916, the Great War came home to Bolton. It came in almost silently from the North East, in the shape of a gigantic airship. German Naval Zeppelin L21 was nearly 600 feet long and 60 feet in diameter. Commanded by Oberleutnant
-
Date
Sam hopes to end Ba deadlock
SAM Allardyce is hoping to keep Ibrahim Ba at the Reebok after the Frenchman backtracked over his threatened refusal to play for Wanderers in Saturday's FA Cup tie at Tranmere. The Frenchman told the manager to count him out of the third round tie after
-
Date
Wanderers are facing commercial struggles
IN Jay-Jay Okocha, Wanderers possess one of the most naturally talented and most recognisable footballers on the planet, but the club's marketing men are struggling to cash in on his big name. They had hoped the arrival of the Nigerian superstar would
-
Date
Can anyone help with this family research?
"THE woman in the front of this photograph was the daughter of Richard Heath, butcher, of Welshpool and first wife Jane Beadles," writes Pam Cooper. "Jane is believed to have had a Bolton family, possibly linked with the name Caton. "The lady is Margaret
-
Date
Reunion for ex-staff of Bolton Gate Company
ALL former employees of Bolton Gate Company attended a reunion on March 21. Mr Hindle Gregory, of 5 Arran Close, Ladybridge, Bolton, tells me that along with Derek Smith and Ken Hart, organised the get-together, and has sent me this picture taken in 1957
-
Date
Dr Williams' pink pills save boxer Edward
From the Evening News, March 11, 1903: BOXING has become so common a practice in this country that it is regarded abroad as one of England's national pastimes. In Bolton lives one of the best-known professional pugilists, Mr Edward Burke. He both boxes
-
Date
From Sunlight Soap to sardines
John W. Webster, of Lincoln Grove, Harwood, was reminded by the recent charter celebrations of a story relating to Viscount Leverhulme which he was told more than 40 years ago. "It was at the time that my wife and I purchased our first chemist's shop,
-
Date
Frank, Bolton's own 'handcuff king'
HOW would you like to be strapped in a set of "ducking irons", handcuffed, taken out to sea and then thrown overboard into the water? And be expected to escape. Don't bother answering. I know what you think. So do I. Anyone doing that must be mad! Well
-
Date
From Horwich Loco Works to an air pioneer
LONG ago, goes the story, a young Horwich Loco Works apprentice, famed, among other things, for his madcap escapades, rode a bicycle up the steps of Bolton Town Hall and also of the Mechanics' Institute, Horwich. The legend is not quite correct. Actually
-
Date
Bid to stop difficult pupils becoming outcasts
A RANGE of measures are being brought in to deal with some of Bolton's most difficult pupils. All head teachers have been sent a letter by Margaret Blenkinsop, director of education and culture, setting out a number of initiatives to deal with challenging
-
Date
Class of 1950 at St Simon and St Jude's
You may recall that a few weeks ago I printed a picture of St Simon and Jude's School on Rishton Lane. I have now received this one, taken in about 1950, from Mrs Alwyn Southworth (nee Laycock), who can be seen fourth from the right on the second row
-
Date
Zero tolerance of aggression
HOSPITAL chiefs in Tameside have launched a zero tolerance campaign after levels of violence against staff reached record proportions. Employees in casualty and on the wards have been told to ring for police when faced with any aggressive behaviour.
-
Date
Brandwood's class act
An old photograph in the paper of Brandwood Street, Bolton, CP School was of great interest to Prof Graham Dawber, because he was on it! So he sent this picture of the same school, of pupils who passed the 11-Plus Scholarship in 1945. "I have put in brackets
-
Date
Signatures of the past
PUPILS have had the chance to travel back in time more than half a century, thanks to an exciting discovery at their school. Youngsters at St Osmund's RC Primary School have found a tiny piece of history in their classroom. The Breightmet primary school
-
Date
Road crash victim still seriously ill
A WOMAN aged 53 from Daisy Hill, Westhoughton, is in a poorly but stable condition after she was struck by a Citroen van on New Year's Eve. Kathleen Gill, was crossing Leigh Road shortly after 4pm when the accident happened. The victim, of Leigh Road,
-
Date
School appeals for help to celebrate past
IN summer, Wolfenden School will close its doors for the last time. It is actually celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, although since it was opened in 1913 many changes have taken place. For instance, all those years ago, it was made up of two
-
Date
Chocks away for model show
ADLINGTON is set to host one of the largest collections of model war planes ever assembled. Bolton IPMS Model Club is holding its fourth annual model show on Sunday, January 11, and is inviting local modellers to bring their F4 Phantoms to Adlington Community
-
Date
Shoe sales are wrong footed
A STORE'S plans to sell clothing and footwear at Middlebrook have been refused by Horwich Town Council. The councillors made their decision about the Allders store, which currently sells furniture, lighting, electrical items and household goods, based
-
Date
School gets a present from Ofsted
A SCHOOL has received an early Christmas present -- an outstanding report from education watchdog Inspectors. Office for Standards in Education Inspectors have found that Egerton Community Primary School in Cox Green Road is excellently led and managed
-
Date
Adair's group warned off by Ulster paramilitaries
OUSTED loyalist terror chief Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair has been warned against trying to split his former paramilitary unit. Ulster Defence Association leaders in west Belfast accused the deposed commander and his supporters, some of whom are living in Bolton
-
Date
Witches could still have us spellbound
A SPELLBINDING exhibition is set to bring the magic and mystery of witchcraft to Bolton Museum later this month. The exhibition looks at whether witchcraft still exists today, its links with ancient religions and 16th and 17th century witch hunts. Children
-
Date
Passer-by helps to save blaze church
THE quick reaction of a passer-by prevented a 90-year-old Bolton church from being destroyed in an arson attack. The man raised the alarm when he spotted a group of youths breaking into the Hebron Christian Church in Mayor Road, Deane. The youths set
-
Date
Help needed to restore park gates to former glory
YOU may be aware of Bridgeman Park, a small area at the top of Bromwich Street, Bolton, facing Bradford Street and adjacent to the A666. There is, though, a group called "Friends of Bridgeman Park", and member Madeleine Scott tells me that the park is
-
Date
Park clubhouse revamp bowls over veterans
MEMBERS of the Great Lever Park Veterans' Club were bowled over with their new clubhouse. A refurbished bowling green, new security fence and renovated clubhouse have given them a boost for the new bowling season. The refurbishment has been funded by
-
Date
Ornate treasures of Bradshawgate
YOU will no doubt recognise the King's Hall and Lido Cinema which stood opposite Great Moor Street in this photograph of Bradshawgate. I am using the picture because of a letter I received from a Bromley Cross reader who tells me that he was a joiner
-
Date
You don't see piano-accordions often these days, but when this picture was taken in 1934, Bolton's o
In March, 1977, this picture showed Bolton Swimming Club members busy training for the forthcoming season when they would be competing in the Bolton and District and North Lancashire Leagues. The club catered for people of all ages, from four-year-old
-
Date
Garrick was sweet music for guitarist John
GUITARIST John Sharples stands on the flattened site of the former Garrick Club and can conjur up the sights, sounds and smells of the past. The lead guitarist with The Vulcans -- one of Leigh's own favourite groups of the 60s -- can hear the organist
-
Date
More about the obelisk on Smithills Moor
BACK to the obelisk on Smithills Moor - and an answer! You may recall that a couple of weeks ago Mr F Woodward, of Sheep Cote Green Farm, Smithills, asked if anyone could identfy an obelisk on the side of Winter Hill. A couple of readers later thought
-
Date
Tranmere 1, Wanderers 1: Sub Nolan goal boost for Wanderers
KEVIN Nolan came off the subs' bench to grab a glorious late equaliser to take this third round FA Cup tie to a replay. Second Division Tranmere appeared to be heading for a well-deserved victory after Simon Haworth put them in front in the 52nd minute
-
Date
Alice, 100, looked after Mary Poppins
ALICE Chadwick has just celebrated her 100th birthday in March, 2003 -- and her children thinks she's "supercalifrajalisticexpialidocious". As a young woman she brought up her three children while holding down two jobs. And she also played nanny to a
-
Date
Heavy gang sweating it out for a good cause
IT'S always good fun to see the "heavy gang" heaving and sweating during a tug-of-war. These three pictures show what I mean. Railmen and firemen in Horwich (top) had a challenge tug-of-war between members of the town's British Railways Staff Association
-
Date
Ex-sailor Michael wants warship to come home...
AN ex-sailor is backing a campaign to repatriate one of Britain's few surviving WW2 warships. Michael Worthington, from Cross Gill in the Blackmoor area of Astley, hopes Liverpool City Council's bid to bring back HMS Whimbrel, right, from Egypt will be
-
Date
William headed for Russia - on £6 a week
WHEN textile machinery was built in Bolton, many engineers had to go abroad to make sure that the machinery was erected correctly, and that it worked. Most local people at the end of the 19th century never left the town or village in which they were born
-
Date
The riddle of Chung Ling Soo
WHO was Chung Ling Soo? My mind was racing after I read a letter from hairdresser Maurice Kobelt, of Bollings Yard, Bolton, who had read about "the great Chung Ling Soo" - supposedly from Bolton - in an American book on magicians. He went on: "In the
-
Date
New headquarters for scouts
The busy scene at Astley Bridge in August, 1961, where the 7th Bolton Scouts were building new headquarters.
-
Date
The Hart nativity
Children from Hart Common C.E. School, Westhoughton, are shown here in December, 1967, in a scene from their nativity play "The story of Christmas".
-
Date
Scouts ready for Loch Lomond adventure
Members of the 50th Bolton Scouts, Temple Road, were ready to set off for Loch Lomond when this picture was taken in August, 1965.
-
Date
Splashing time
A GROUP of high-spirited children from Bolton junior schools who took part in the 23rd annual junior boys' swimming gala at the Halliwell Baths in June, 1975
-
Date
Students monitor main road traffic
Pupils from Breightmet County Secondary School taking part in a traffic census at the busy junction of Bolton Road and Bradshaw Road, in 1968
-
Date
Getting to the art of the matter
ART tutor Mr Russell Young (left) talks to pupils in the painting and drawing evening classes at the Bolton College of Adult Education in August, 1981
-
Date
Pupils see spots before their eyes
Pupils from Bolton's Castle Hill School took part in the 1937 Coronation celebrations which were held at Burnden Park. They performed an "Abakweta" dance clad only in grass skirts and hats with spotted tights and pullovers.
