From the Evening News, July 13, 1904: THE speed at which motor-cars shall be allowed to travel through Bury was on Tuesday the subject of a Board of Trade inquiry in that town.

Mr E. Shrapnell Smith of the Automobile Club and Motor Union said that speaking as a motorist who had driven all over England, he thought it unreasonable that he should be required to slow down to 10 miles per hour in such streets as Market Street, Manchester Road or Bolton Road.

A DOG was sent into the Ship Canal at Manchester for a piece of timber. After leaving the water, the dog collapsed owing to the water which it had swallowed. The canal gave off a strong stench and the water was almost as black as ink.

From the Evening News, July 13, 1954: EACH week traps are laid in the hall of Walshaw Church of England school near Bury to catch rats that scamper about as children eat their mid-day meal. The managers protested to Rossendale Education Committee that the school dining hall was "infested with rats" and the committee strongly recommended the provision of a new dining hall.

ALTHOUGH its recently acquired convalescent home at Southport is not being officially opened until August 1, Bolton and District Hospital Saturday Council did, in fact, admit 11 patients on Saturday and a further 13 will go there this Saturday. Because of holidays it was felt it would be better to wait until August for an official opening, but none of the Council members thought that patients should forgo a stay at the home as a consequence of this decision.

From the Evening News, July 13, 1979: MORTGAGES are going up to a record level - but not until January 1 next year. The rise is three-quarters of one per cent - from 11 to 12 per cent. The previous highest rate was 12 per cent in 1976.

WORLD champion motor-cycle stunt rider Eddie Kidd was nearly involved in a disaster at his show in Queen's Park, Bolton. His bike clipped the last car in a line of nine vehicles he was jumping - but somehow he managed to land the bike safely. An excited crowd of more than 5,000 people crowded into the park to watch 20-year-old Eddie's death-defying leap.

From the Evening News, July 13, 1994: BOLTON is set for a bumper party to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the pedestrianised town centre. The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Tom Anderton, will join forces with Cllr Cliff Morris, the civic affairs chairman, to cut a giant birthday cake to launch the three-day event on August 11, 12 and 13. Music from the 1960s will be played and the Merseybeats will appear in the Festival Hall on the Friday night.

COOLING off was the order of the day yesterday as Bolton sweltered in Mediterranean temperatures. Boltonians coming down to earth after a fortnight in the sun abroad were pleasantly surprised by the continental climate which had them reaching once again for their holiday sun tan oil and shorts. Temperatures reached a scorching 26C (79F).