January 17-18

The two-and-a-half-hour raid raid involved RAF Tornados, and they attacked missile sites. It was also announced that Iraqi had launched a missile at Saudi Arabia's oil city of Dhahran today, presumed to be a Scud, but it was destroyed before it reached its target.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

January 18, 1978

BOLTON Scottish Pipe Band, which is believed to be as old as the century, anticipates a great revival of interest in 1978.

Twice a week the 19 members of the Pipe Band gather together for a meeting of the "clan" - the group of men and women aged from 11 to 50 years who make music to the accompaniment of the traditional Scottish pipes.

Only two members of the line-up in 1978 are, in fact, Scotsmen. The others are Bolton music-lovers who have mastered the ancient skills of blowing the pipes and marching in formation.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

January 17, 1953

WHERE do all the shillings go in the winter time? Into gas and electricity pre-payment meters, presumably. The absence of shillings sometimes causes a grumble from bus conductors, and from passengers who have to receive small change. Sixpences and threepenny bits are plentiful, but these do not go into meters.

Penny in the slot meters require constant replenishing, and a stock of coins soon runs out. Even worse is the situation where the meter will take no more coins, so that one has to wait for it to be emptied.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

January 17, 1903

A CASE of interest arising out of the new Drink Act - the first of its kind in Bolton - was heard at the Town Hall this morning, by the Borough Justices. An elderly man named John Jackson, of 9, Soho-st., applied for a separation order against his wife, Catherine, on the ground that during the past six months she had been habitually intemperate. She was, he told the Bench, drunk every day of her life.

To get the money, she pawned his clothes, and sold up the house. She had now emptied the house, disposing of about £20 worth of furniture to a broker for 50s, and had left him without a bed.

Defendant: "Oh, he's drunk, sir. I would not take his evidence." Continuing, Jackson said his wife was dangerous, and when she was in drink, she had struck him with pots, a pen-knife, and scissors.

Col. Winder asked him: "What do you do for a living?

"I'm a dog fancier."

Defendant: "He's a card-sharper."

After a consultation with the Magistrates, Col. Winder said the Bench, considering the importance of the case, thought more evidence ought to be produced, and adjourned the case.