FORMER staff from The Bolton News gathered for a special reunion to mark the paper’s 150th anniversary.

They met up at the Hen and Chickens pub yesterday at the get-together to reminisce about the old days over a pint.

Guests included current editor Ian Savage and former editors, reporters and photographers.

Former deputy news editor Alan Calvert, who was at The Bolton News for 40 years, said: “Normally we would do this in October but thought we would try and do something to mark the 150th anniversary.

“We have had a really good time and we have recycled the same old stories.”

Despite retiring from the paper in 2005, Mr Calvert said he’s still a print newspaper man through and through, and his granddaughter even calls him “Grandad Newspaper”.

The 72-year-old said: “I believe in newspapers and I think people will always want to know what’s going on around them.”

David Magilton, former sports editor, said: “Over the years I have made a lot of friends and this is always a nice occasion.

“These events always bring back lots of memories and it keeps the spirit of the Bolton Evening News alive.

“As far as we are concerned, the times have changed and the extent of that change has been unbelievable.

“We used to have typewriters and printers in the building when I started.

“They used to print the paper in the building and when the printers were running the building used to shake.”

Ian Savage, editor of The Bolton News, on Bolton FM talking about The Bolton News' 150th anniversary 

Angela Kelly, former reporter, features writer, features editor and current columnist, also spoke about how things have changed “dramatically” but she also believes the role of a reporter has stayed the same.

She said: “Of course you have all the digital elements but the job of reporting is still about getting the facts and talking to people around the town.”

Mrs Kelly, aged 69, also spoke about how Bolton had changed over the years but said its residents’ attitude towards the paper’s reporters has largely stayed the same, despite the changes.

She said: “People have always accepted the reporters from The Bolton News.”

The 150th birthday of The Bolton News falls on Sunday, March 19 and celebrations are planned throughout the year. It will be rounded off by the Bolton’s Got Talent charity event in December, hosted by Peter Kay, in aid of Bolton Hospice.