From the Evening News, August 30 1904: THERE is a special attraction at the Grand this week in the ladies' clog dancing contest for the championship of the world, this event being proceeded nightly until Saturday, when the belt will be awarded to the winner.

Some very prominent dancers on the music hall stage are participating in the contest, including Bertha Winder, Minnie Ray, Tina Royal, Cissie Arris, Lily Caston, Kate Harvey and Florrie Frowd, and crowded houses yesterday, both at the matinee and in the evening, keenly watched the event.

IN the White Paper issued by the Home Office it appears that in Bolton there are 55 motor cars registered and 39 motor cycles.

From the Evening News, August 30, 1954: BOLTON police were called when a swan broke into a house in Fleet Street - the home of Miss Sarah Openshaw and her sister Annie. They heard a noise which "sounded like an explosion" and found their living room full of broken glass and fluttering feathers. PC Ball, with another constable and a neighbour, overcame the struggling swan with the aid of a police overcoat before taking the bird by van to be set free in Queen's Park.

SLEEK, bright sports cars jostled with sober 25-pound guns when yesterday's weather drove Bolton-le-Moors Car Club's Concours d'Elegance from Moor Lane into Silverwell Street Drill Hall. The most popular award went to the Burrell traction engine, not to be confused with a steam engine, belonging to Mr Thos Alberts, Ribblesdale Road, Bolton. The 1913 fairground veteran had a room to itself at the back of the Drill Hall, where it stood rocking and steaming explosively, watched by an awestruck audience of small boys.

From the Evening News, August 30, 1979: THE supreme head of a Hindu sect with millions of followers died last night during a visit to Bolton. The 73-year-old Swami Muktafivandasji, who was thought to have a heart condition, collapsed at a house in Somerset Road where he had been staying since Friday. During his time in Bolton he officiated at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad community centre on Chorley Old Road.

AN old-established Bolton printing firm, George Henry and Co of Trinity Street, Bolton, is to cease trading this weekend after 70 years in business. Mr Alex Berry, managing director since 1963, said there had never been a George Henry - it was a contrived name taken from the first names of the two partners. The firm was well-known as the publisher of the Bolton ABC Bus and Railway Guide and Allison's Street Directory of Bolton.

From the Evening News, August 30, 1994: LOW income families in Bolton are substantially worse off after the abolition of wages councils 12 months ago, says a new survey. Research shows 42 per cent of Bolton jobs formerly regulated by wages councils are now paying less than the minimum rate would have been if it had not been scrapped. Wages councils used to give legal minimum pay rates to more than 2.6 million workers, mainly in the traditional "sweated industries" of textiles, retailing, hairdressing and hotels and catering.

WET weather did not dampen the spirts of stallholders and visitors at the usually sun-drenched Victorian street market in Bolton. Enthusiastic traders donned traditional Victorian-style clothing as they sold goods ranging from cuddly toys to delicious home-made cakes. A brass band cheered up the proceedings with some jolly tunes.