From the Evening News, March 17, 1903: THERE was a large crowd on the Market Ground, Farnworth, on Sunday morning, when Mr Kier Hardie, MP, gave an address.

The Labour leader spoke on the conditions of the working classes, remarking that of every two members who lived to be 65 years of age, one died a pauper, and the other was only saved from the indignity by the kindness of members of his family.

The common reply was that it was the fault of the workers themselves, that if men did not drink they could be comfortable, contented, and well-to-do, but whoever made those statements libelled the working classes. The cause of poverty was not drunkenness, but low wages. (Hear, hear).

From the Evening News, March 17, 1993

THE Princess of Wales brought sunshine to the town in more ways than one when she made her first-ever visit to Bolton today. She charmed more than 5,000 cheering people who had waited hours to catch a glimpse of her as she arrived to visit the year-old Bolton Hospice. Her visit set the seal of approval on the work of the Hospice, which was built after one of the biggest fund-raising drives in Bolton's history.

CAR crime in Bolton has soared just three months after the new Criminal Justice Act came into force. Latest figures show that in January, thefts of vehicles in the town shot up by 40.8 per cent, compared with January last year.

From the Evening News, March 16, 1978

A LOCAL carpets firm is to close at the end of the year, putting about 140 people out of work. Manufacturing at Bolton Carpets, of Cawdor Street, Farnworth - part of the Bowater Group - is to be transferred to Kidderminster, but the workforce will not be offered alternative jobs. Closure has been blamed on the deteriorating condition of the firm's premises, and a lack of room for expansion.

TEACHER power returned to a Farnworth school today after a mini-rebellion by pupils. About 50 pupils at St James's Secondary School went on "strike" and missed lessons yesterday afternoon, in protest against the teachers' dispute which means they cannot have school meals. Lessons were back to normal today, and it is understood that the pupils' return was met with a severe ticking off.

From the Evening News, March 16, 1953

SIR,- I am one of the growing band of Wanderers' supporters who are hoping that Saturday's match will see the end of their Cup aspirations. Perhaps if this happens we shall again be able to witness good football on Burnden Park, played by a full first team giving their all instead of the half-hearted displays by scratch teams seen this year.

If this is what being in the Cup means to our Saturday afternoon sport, may our team next year be knocked out in the first round. Yours, Cup Weary.

WHAT beautiful weather for queueing. More than 15,000 people must have thought so yesterday morning, as they waited patiently outside the entrance gates to Bolton Wanderers' Football Club for tickets for the FA Cup semi-final against Everton. Two young girls, Mary McKendrey and Sheila Taylor, both of Crescent Road, were first in the queue at Burnden Park, before midnight.