From the Evening News, January 12, 1904: MARY Jane Murphy and Ellen Hickey, both of whom are 16 years of age, were charged at Wigan on Monday with stealing a shawl, valued 5s 6d.

The Chief Constable said the girls made a practice of entering shops and while one asked a question the other picked up some articles. These they took to a pawnshop and while one offered an article for pledge, the other pilfered another. Murphy's parents had no control over her and the other girl, Hickey, would not work. They were both sent to gaol for three months.

THE annual party for the deaf and dumb took place at the Coffee House, Bury on Saturday evening when 60 sat down to a substantial tea. All the married couples received seasonable gifts at Christmas and the smokers one ounce of tobacco.

From the Evening News, January 12, 1954: THE Bolton Borough Police Chief Constable, Mr W. J. Howard, celebrated 23 years in the job today. Speaking at a presentation of long-service and good conduct medals, he reminded officers of their responsibilities in the training of younger entrants to the force. Medals were presented to Inspectors Barlow, Billingham and Hansford; Det Insp Close; Sgts Corbridge, Stevens, Worsley, Wilkinson and Lomas; Det Sgt Gledhill and Cons Gradwell, Hart and Hardman.

MR John Crook, chairman of the Bolton branch of the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association, presented Mr A. Booth, manager of the Grand Theatre, with a scroll bearing the names of 27 Bolton cinema and theatre managers who attended the annual lunch of the branch. Mr Crook described Mr Booth's 50 years with one firm as a "colossal achievement."

From the Evening News, January 12, 1979: BREAD...petrol...oil - now it is a WATER crisis in the Bolton area. And the cause is the same - strike action by 600 water authority workers The workers, employed in North West Water's Pennine Division, which includes Bolton and Bury, began an unofficial strike today. And the authority warned: "If the strike is prolonged we face a major crisis."

BOLTON racing driver Jim Crawford is offering a £50 reward after thieves stole his flame-proof racing gear from his car parked outside the Victoria Inn, Markland Hill, Bolton.

From the Evening News, January 12, 1994: FOUR hundred bank jobs are to be axed in the North-west. The cuts are part of a national scheme which will make 4,200 NatWest staff redundant througout the country this year.The grim news was given to shocked workers at a series of 9 am meetings in high street branches.

INDUSTRIAL door maker Bolton Brady is set to move from its Turton Street premises to make way for a multi-million pound shopping complex. Managing director Mr Don Cooper said today that the 120-year-old firm, which employs 500 people, is planning to move to another site in Bolton.