BOLTON Cricket League side Tonge have been stripped of seven points for playing an ineligible player in two of their games. They have also been severely censured for failing to follow correct procedure in the transfer of a player, wicketkeeper Wayne Luntley.

SIXTY-five jobs are to be lost when international chemical company ICI closes its Bolton works in Smiths Road, Darcy Lever, in 12 months time.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

May 30, 1977

A PECULIAR ancient custom dating back to the reign of Charles 1 has been revived at a Bradshaw pub. It caused so much interest that the landlord has vowed to make the tradition an annual event.

Legend has it that long-haired King Charles rode through Bradshaw village during the civil war. But during his journey it is said that the King caught his beautifully-groomed hair on an oak tree branch. The incident sparked off a great deal of laughter from the onlookers. So every year on the anniversary of the day that the King rode through, a piece of oak branch was hung on the Royal Oak pub window. The custom, which started around 1641, continued up to the early part of this century. Present landlord Richard Daintith hung the branch out again yesterday - and found that no-one had heard of the custom, "not even the older regulars."

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

May 30, 1952

THE Bishop of Manchester, Dr Greer, who dedicated the new choir furnishings and pulpit, the Chapel of Resurrection and other memorial ornaments at the service of thanksgiving at Walmsley Church last night, said there were two reasons why people should not hestitate to lavish on God's house all that was best in craftsmanship and artistry.

It expressed their love of God, and also expressed something of the glory, beauty and majesty of God. He said the restoration of Walmsley Church is a bold experiment. It is an attempt to bring back the arts into the service of the Church.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

May 30, 1902

THE distressing facts of the death of Mr John Wainwright, a former townsman, but latterly residing at St Annes, have been reported to the Coroner; and an inquest is deemed unnecessary. It appears that deceased was a saloon passenger on the steamer Mona's Queen, which left Douglas, Isle of Man, at half past eight a.m. He seemed in fairly good health, and walked about the deck for some time. Shortly after half-past eleven the saloon steward heard Mr Wainwright moan.

Deceased did not speak, and Dr Derham, of Preston, who was a fellow-passenger, was called, but on his arrival in the saloon Mr Wainwright was dead. Deceased had suffered from chronic bronchitis and heart disease, and it is supposed that death was due to heart failure.

Amidst many manifestations of sympathy and regret, the mortal remains, enclosed in a handsome oak coffin, were this morning removed from St Annes to Bolton. The body was removed to St. Peter's Churchyard, Smithills, where it was laid to rest, many of the deceased's friends assembling to witness the last sad rites.