From the Evening News, August 11, 1904: ALBERT Close (14), moulder's apprentice, Everton Street; Edmund Bottomley (13), piecer, Durham Street; Albert Riley (11), schoolboy, Egerton Street, were summoned at the Borough Court for stealing apples.

Mr J. H. Hall prosecuted and said that on August 10 the under gardener of Mr W. Wild, Andrew Lane, saw the lads in the orchard, one being in an apple tree, and he therefore secured two of them. Close and Riley pleaded guilty, but Bottomley admitted being there, but denied that he took any of the apples. Prisoners were bound over for three months.

DURING the past few days excitement has been high in the village of Upholland, near Wigan, consequent upon reports that the house near the church is haunted. Peculiar knocking, tearing of paper from the walls and throwing articles about are stated to form the diversion of the ghost, which, however, has so far remained invisible.

From the Evening News, August 11, 1954: AN open show of budgerigars - the second since the war - has been organised by the Bolton Cage Bird Society for this Friday and Saturday. It is expected that there will be some beautiful birds and keen competition, with nearly 800 entries coming from 196 exhibitors from all over the north of England and the Midlands, as well as Huddersfield, Bradford and Anglesey.

BATHING belles from the North-west will appear at the Capitol Cinema on Friday night. The loveliest of them, to be chosen by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Ald and Mrs Flanagan and Mr W. Ridding, Bolton Wanderers' manager, will go to the finals to be held at Prestatyn Holiday Camp on September 9. The winner of the contest spends a fortnight in Florida's playground, Cypress Gardens.

From the Evening News, August 11, 1979: SHY Channel swimmer Ellen Hasselder accepted the congratulations of the Mayor of Bolton yesterday and announced quietly: "I don't really like having my picture taken." Bashful Ellen, aged 17, of Briksdale Way, Lostock, completed the crossing in 15 hours and 40 minutes.

THE Lancashire Federation side to compete in the Cambridge Cricket Festival will be captained by Tony Settle of Little Lever. He will be joined by his club-mate Stephen O'Shaughnessy and Bolton's David Ainsworth.

From the Evening News, August 11, 1994: RUBBISH will continue to pile up on the streets during Bolton holidays for at least two more summers. Council chiefs have declared that it will cost too much to change a contract they have to empty the bins.

BOLTON Girls FC scooped the top prize in the Manchester United International Football Festival under-14s' contest, beating Huddersfield Town in the final. The team comprised Katrina Rhead (Thornleigh), Rachel Johnson (Rivington), Elizabeth Baird (Woodhey, Ramsbottom), Janet Rodgers (Bolton School), Kirsty Harding (Little Lever), Emma Jo Wright (Sharples), Jenny Warburton (Turton High), Sarah Morris (St George's, Walkden) and Vanessa Atherton and Nicola Goodinson (Harper Green). Guest players were Stacey Copeland and Emma Clinton.