From the Evening News, May 12, 1992 - BUNGLING raiders caused chaos when they cut off more than 1,300 Bolton homes and businesses after slashing through telephone cables.

The thieves are believed to have been trying to cut through alarm cables to break into business premises in the Breightmet Fold area. Many phone lines have been down for more than 24 hours, and British Telecom is still trying to restore the service after thousands of people were affected.

A SELF-employed Bolton plumber's vehicle has been raided by thieves - for the 26th time in three years. Kevin Charnock, of Halliwell Road, says that if it were not for the fact that he is determined the thieves will not win, he would have given up his business long ago.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 13, 1977

BOLTON'S decision to cut free school transport for Hunger Hill children was "miserly", a local MP said today. Mr Roger Stott, Labour member for Westhoughton, accused the Tory-controlled authority of adopting a "Scrooge-like attitude." Education cuts went much further than could possibly be justified, he said. Free transport for Hunger Hill children who attend Westhoughton Primary School is due to end this autumn.

PEOPLE flying from Britain to Europe are paying up to £30 over the top on a £100 fare, it was alleged today. Urgent action is needed to make sure passengers get a fair deal, says the Airlines Users' Committee, the air travellers' watchdog. It suggests that normal fares should be reduced to about 70 per cent of their present level.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 12, 1952

AN interesting relic of an old-time Bolton even now remains in Bradshawgate in the shape of a length of high stone wall and a rather noble archway, a little distance from the junction with Bridgeman Place. A reader has written: Can you tell me what is the significance of a barrel, initials and the date, 1826, carved on the keystone of the old stone arch near the well-proportioned premises in Bradshawgate, part of which at one time housed the headquarters of Holden's, the tram proprietors?

With the date 1826 are the initials "MCD" and the explanation is that about 130 years ago, a brewery of considerable local importance abutted upon the yard that runs behind Messrs Parker's premises. The owner was described as M.C. Dawes, ale and porter brewer, Bolton Brewery, Bradshawgate. Mr Dawes seems to have died shortly after 1826, but there doesn't seem to be a record of when the brewery closed.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, May 12, 1902

RECENTLY a sensation was occasioned in Daubhill by the interruption of a marriage between a youthful couple, and this morning the sequel was heard at the Borough Court, where Louisa Yates, of 19, Adelaide-st., was summoned for assaulting Ann Smith, 18, Shaw-st. Complainant's story was that on Thursday last, when nearing Sunning Hill School, she was accosted by six women, and defendant, who was one of the number, struck her.

Yates informed the magistrates that she was about to be married, but that Smith informed her young man's mother that she (defendant) was no good, and would run the lad into debt. The result was that the bridegroom's mother went to the church and prevented the marriage.

Defendant did not strike complainant, but asked her for an explanation of her conduct, and simply pushed her. She called her fiancee, Arthur Jenkinson, to support her statement. He told the Bench he intended to marry the girl, and that he was eighteen years of age. It transpired that the girl was one year his senior. - The case was dismissed.