1903: THE terrific gale which swept over the town during the night, and which has left many evidences of its visitation, has been one of the worst which has been experienced in Bolton for a very considerable time.

For five days previously the wind had been very high, but yesterday it increased considerably in velocity, and attained the fury of a full south-westerly gale, with gusts of up to sixty miles an hour.

Many of the officers of the Borough Police Force tell of the scene as workpeople passed through the town centre early this morning, with hatless individuals chasing headgear all over the thoroughfares. Chimney pots and slates have suffered heavily, and hoardings and gas lamps have featured prominently in the "casualty" list. Damage throughout the town has been heavy, but is is very satisfactory to report that no personal injury has been reported.

1953: IT was suggested at the annual general meeting of Eagley Cricket Club last night that the Eagley CC ground should be available for Sunday cricket, but there was such strong opposition from members that after only a short discussion, a resolution that no Sunday cricket should be played on the ground, at least during the coming season, was approved almost unanimously.

Counc. F.W. Stilwell gave his opinion that if Sunday cricket were permitted, the Saturday "gates" would suffer, while another member declared that it would be just another counter-attraction to church and Sunday School.

1978: IT was almost enough to bring a tear to the eye of the most hardened Wild West cowhand - the last round-up in Little Hulton. No more will cattle roam the not-so-dry plains, because the area's last cattle farm has had to be sold.

Sod Hall Farm's 40 acres have been compulsory purchased by Salford Council for housing development, and farmer Herbert Jones and his family have moved on to pig farming in Cheshire. Demolition has already started on the farm buildings, and soon the last trace of a once thriving cattle farming community will be gone.

1993: LONDON, Oxford and Cambridge get more than their fair share of gongs because they have more "top" people, claims John Major. In a letter to Bolton MP Peter Thurnham, the Prime Minister defended the honours system, claiming it is a fair reflection of merit in society. Mr Thurnham had written to Mr Major demanding a review of the system which means gifted Northerners have little chance of picking up major awards.