From the Evening News, February 26, 1992

THOUSANDS of Bolton families in 1992 are "living like animals" in slum housing conditions, say housing chiefs, but they have been given cash this year only enough to improve 100 homes. Horrific pictures showing the squalor of the town's decaying private sector homes are to be sent to the Environmental Secretary Michael Heseltine in a desperate plea for more cash.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

February 25, 1977

THOUSANDS of pounds worth of damage was caused when fire swept through Walkden's Market Hall last night.

ELECTRIC battery-powered cars that can travel 250 miles without recharge may be on the market within the next decade, says the US Energy Research and Development Administration. The cars do not need petrol, do not cause air pollution, and are quiet.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

February 26, 1952

THE Ministry of Supply has at last agreed to Bolton Corporation's demand that the Ministry should enter into a binding legal undertaking to observe conditions laid down by the Corporation for the use of land adjoining the De Havilland factory at Lostock as a testing ground for jet engines. The conditions are designed to ensure that the noise from the engines will not be intolerable to residents in the district.

A NEW mental hospital containing 1,000 beds may be built at Turton. The Manchester Regional Hospital Board has put forward proposals that 161.84 acres on the east side of Bradshaw-rd. and the north side of Slack-lane should be allocated for hospital purposes.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

February 26, 1902

AN alarming incident occurred about nine o'clock this morning, owing to a chimney being on fire near the Public Hall, Lee-lane, Horwich. The upper portion of the gable end of the building is heavily ornamented with woodwork, and it is supposed that owing to a spark alighting on this it became ignited. The strong wind soon fanned it into a blaze, which spread along the woodwork with alarming rapidity. The outbreak was soon discovered, and the hose pipe kept in the hall was at once got out.

Fortunately, a hydrant is close by, and to this the hose was coupled. The scene now presented was one of animation. The Clerk to the Council (Mr P. Taberner), the Sanitary Inspector (Mr J.H. Brocklehurst) and Collector (Mr T. Close) were moving about in a manner quite unusual to their office. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Works Fire Brigade were telephoned for, but the hand jet, however, proved sufficient, and in a short time the outbreak was quenched. Owing to the promptitude of the officials a serious fire was doubtless averted.

10 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

February 26, 1992

THOUSANDS of Bolton families in 1992 are "living like animals" in slum housing conditions, say housing chiefs, but they have been given cash this year only enough to improve 100 homes. Horrific pictures showing the squalor of the town's decaying private sector homes are to be sent to the Environmental Secretary Michael Heseltine in a desperate plea for more cash.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

February 25, 1977

THOUSANDS of pounds worth of damage was caused when fire swept through Walkden's Market Hall last night.

ELECTRIC battery-powered cars that can travel 250 miles without recharge may be on the market within the next decade, says the US Energy Research and Development Administration. The cars do not need petrol, do not cause air pollution, and are quiet.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

February 26, 1952

THE Ministry of Supply has at last agreed to Bolton Corporation's demand that the Ministry should enter into a binding legal undertaking to observe conditions laid down by the Corporation for the use of land adjoining the De Havilland factory at Lostock as a testing ground for jet engines. The conditions are designed to ensure that the noise from the engines will not be intolerable to residents in the district.

A NEW mental hospital containing 1,000 beds may be built at Turton. The Manchester Regional Hospital Board has put forward proposals that 161.84 acres on the east side of Bradshaw-rd. and the north side of Slack-lane should be allocated for hospital purposes.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

February 26, 1902

AN alarming incident occurred about nine o'clock this morning, owing to a chimney being on fire near the Public Hall, Lee-lane, Horwich. The upper portion of the gable end of the building is heavily ornamented with woodwork, and it is supposed that owing to a spark alighting on this it became ignited. The strong wind soon fanned it into a blaze, which spread along the woodwork with alarming rapidity. The outbreak was soon discovered, and the hose pipe kept in the hall was at once got out.

Fortunately, a hydrant is close by, and to this the hose was coupled. The scene now presented was one of animation. The Clerk to the Council (Mr P. Taberner), the Sanitary Inspector (Mr J.H. Brocklehurst) and Collector (Mr T. Close) were moving about in a manner quite unusual to their office. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Works Fire Brigade were telephoned for, but the hand jet, however