Sea pageant without precedent

Never before had a British Monarch traversed the Mediterranean, and the stately yacht, with her imposing escort of six cruisers in two divisions of three ships on each quarter, formed a noble procession worthy of such an historic event.

The weather throughout the run was perfect, and the squadron was met at eight o'clock this morning by fourteen torpedo boat destroyers, which fired a royal salute and joined the escort, spreading out like wings on either side.

The scene in the Grand Harbour was one of dazzling beauty, and multi-coloured flags fluttered from every ship of the huge fleet now assembled.

From the Evening News, April 18, 1993

THE closure of Little Bolton Town Hall may help to boost another local tourist attraction. Cash generated from the closure of the local history museum could be used to help Hall-i'th'-Wood. A scheme to carry out essential restoration work at Hall-i'th-Wood has been unable to start because of lack of funds. A potential buyer has shown interest in the Little Bolton Town Hall, which closes on May 22. The Hall was built in 1826, but became redundant when the present town hall was built.

From the Evening News, April 18, 1978

THE Prime Minister stepped in today to save the Bill to curb the trade in child pornography. He called in senior colleagues to ensure that time is found for the Bill, blocked by MP Ian Mikardo last week.

Mr Mikardo is not against the Bill. He was demonstrating against the Bill sponsored by back-bench Tory MP Cyril Townsend, because he objects to Conservative tactics used against a totally unrelated private member's Bill introduced by left-winger Mr Ted Fletcher to protect employment. A petition bearing 1,500,000 signatures in support of Government action to prevent child abuse was hand into No 10 Downing Street today by clean-up campaigner Mary Whitehouse.

From the Evening News, April 18, 1953

IT looks as though Mr Churchill is very shortly have a really critical wages problem on his hands, for the majority of Labour MPs have now tacked themselves on to the end of the wages queue and are trying to force their way to the head of it.

They want an increase in the Parliamentary salary from £1,000 to £1,500 a year, and they base their claim on the fact that they can no longer make ends meet. They also point out that since their last rise, in 1946, wages generally have been increased by 47 per cent.