From the Evening News, October 1, 1992 - A NEW system of fines, based on ability to pay, begins in Bolton on Thursday. It means that two people up before the magistrates for exactly the same offence can be fined widely differing amounts. The severity of the financial punishment will be based on their disposable income.

BOLTON'S popular shire horse Major has more than a minor problem - someone has swiped his tack! Thieves forced their way into the saddle room at his Heaton Cemetery stables and taken the distinctive black leather and brass tack he needs to continue his town-centre tours.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

September 30, 1977

TIME will catch up with Mohammed Ali one day, but he beat it off yet again in Madison Square Garden, New York, last night. There were times in the world title fight when challenger Ernie Shavers was almost as fearsome as he looked. But Ali took the strain and wrapped up his 19th heavyweight championship defence with a superb final round.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

October 1, 1952

SIR,- May I plea for the life of the four Corporation horses which are to be made redundant and condemned to death? Bolton has a splendid record for the care of its horses by its ordinary citizens. Should the leaders of the townspeople set a lower standard?

The Corporation has stable and grazing land available, and if the horses were put out to grass the cost would be negligible - a little winter hay, facilities for drinking and occasional visits by members of the Corporation to see that all was well. Is this too much for a town like Bolton?

Yours, E.M. Farrar

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

October 1, 1902

BRILLIANT weather prevailed this morning when the twenty-ninth annual Horwich Cattle Fair opened. This year the event is being held at the upper part of the town, near to the Parish Church, the rule being to change ends of the town each year.

The proceedings were largely attended by farmers residing in Horwich and the surrounding neighbourhood. Since the formation of the Agricultural Society in the town, matters pertaining to the interests of the local farmer have improved considerably. The object of the Cattle Fair Committee is promoting the show for the sale of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, etc., and a considerable number of prizes were offered for cattle brought for bona-fide sale.