From the Evening News, September 28, 1904: AS a motor wagon belonging to the Greenfield Mill Co, Springfield, near Darwen, was descending Lower Bridge Street about ten o'clock this morning,

the driver, owing to the greasy condition of the setts, was unable to arrest the wagon's progress and wheels skidded with serious results.

A street lamp was encountered and carried away and the front of Messrs Cryer and Lomax's shop was very badly damaged. Two plate glass windows were broken and the framework was snapped up like matchwood. The occurence caused much excitement in the town and crowds of people visited the spot. With the exception of a damaged lamp, the wagon appears to have got off lightly.

PROF Elie Metchnikoff of the Pasteur Institute is stated to be engaged in the preparation of an elixir for the prolongation of human life to an indefinite period.

From the Evening News, September 28, 1954: TWO fine pieces of silver, each of them 90 years old, have been presented to Bolton by the Chadwick Trust. Dr Samuel Taylor Chadwick, whose statue stands in Victoria Square, was one of Bolton's greatest benefactors. When he left Bolton in 1863 to live in Southport gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood subscribed for this silver "in grateful appreciation by the inhabitants of Bolton and the neighbourhood of the doctor's long continued and valuable service as a learned physician and skilful surgeon and of his gratuitous devotion of time and ability to the poor."

BRITAIN'S Don Cockell is listed behind Nino Valdes of Cuba as second top contender for the world heavyweight boxing championship title held by Rocky Marciano. Ratings published today by the monthly "Ring" magazine reflect a decline among American boxers. Half the 80 contenders listed are from outside the US.

From the Evening News, September 28, 1979: ASIAN workers are being exploited and victimised by some local employers, Bolton's community relations officer claimed today. Mr Raymond Halliwell, a former Tory councillor, said: "Asian workers have been exploited and victimised by some local employers. Certain local trade unions also give a very poor service to their Asian members."

THE death of Lancashire legend Gracie Fields prompted memories of the times she appeared at Bolton's Hippodrome and Grand theatres between 1921 and 1926. Also, Albert Duncalf of Newbrook Road, Over Hulton recalled the days of the Bolton Speedway on the site of today's greyhound track and a time in 1928 when "Our Gracie" presented a "silver wheel" trophy to a winning rider.

From the Evening News, September 28, 1994: MORE than 750 people are feared to have died in today's sinking of a huge passenger ferry in a Baltic storm, making it potentially one of the world's worst peacetime disasters at sea. The ferry Estonia was carrying a total of 867 passengers and crew - officials said around 100 had been rescued. The tragedy revived memories of the March 6, 1987 disaster when the British car ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized and sank after leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge and 193 passengers and crew died.

AN alternative Bolton Beer Festival is to be held at the Howcroft Inn on Pool Street. Landlord Clive Nightingale began organising the event a month ago after hearing the Campaign for Real Ale's Great North Western festival was unlikely to go ahead in the Silverwell Street Drill Hall. Proceeds will go to Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club.