From the Evening News, July 30, 1992 - A BOLTON minister has warned couples who live together before their wedding day that their marriages are more likely to fail.

Figures reveal that 60 per cent of couple co-habit before their church wedding. And in the Deane Parish Church newsletter, the Rev. Roger Jackson claims it could be the recipe for disaster. He says: "We need to recognise that there is no such thing as a trial marriage because a trial by its very nature lacks commitment and commitment is at the very heart of every successful marriage."

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

July 30, 1977

MORE than 30 couples from the Bolton area made sure of the house of their dreams today. The formalities took only two minutes, but most of the home-planners camped out all night to sign on the dotted line.

Some of them had been waiting outside Bolton Town Hall for days to reserve freeehold building plots on the former Wade Lane Farm, Westhoughton. The council is offering nearly 70 plots for owner-designed homes at prices ranging from £3,950 to £9,000 on a first-come first-served basis.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

July 31, 1952

SIR, - I would like to say how disgusted I am with the condition of the children's paddling pool in Queen's Park. On Saturday afternoon, when I was sitting near the pool, I counted at least two dozen children who slipped on the slime and slush caked on the bottom of the pool. Luckily none was badly hurt, although two children received nasty cracks on the back of their heads.

Surely something can be done about this. See that it is clean or close it before some child breaks a limb. Yours, K. Rigby (Mr), 18 Peabody-st., Bolton.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

July 31, 1902

SHORTLY after five o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, a serious smash occurred at Messrs P. Crook and Sons, Robin Hood Mill No. 2, Lever-st., which will throw about 150 people out of employment for several weeks.

The accident, which was of an extraordinary nature, occurred in the engine house, the powerful beam engine which drives the mill in question suddenly snapping in the centre, the front portion crashing through the engine house window, carrying everything with it, including the shafting, high pressure cylinder, etc., and completely wrecking the front of the building.

The engine has been at work for considerably over 20 years, and only a few minutes before the accident was working apparently as smoothly as ever. The smash came with alarming suddenness, but fortunately no personal injuries were sustained.

The effect of the shock was felt in the mill, the machinery coming to a sudden standstill, thus causing considerable consternation amongst the employees. The damage, which is covered by insurance, will probably amount to nearly £1,000.