From the Evening News, January 27, 1977

TWO Bolton brothers, Alan and Donald Clarke, have scored a historic mayoral double. Four years ago Ald. Alan Clarke was Mayor of Bolton, and now his twin, Counc. Donald Clarke, is to hold the office.

During his year in office, which starts in May, he will have not one, but three Mayoresses - his three sisters, Mrs Barbara Doxey, Mrs Pat Harthern and Mrs Adrienne Bolton.

A SNACK meal experiment has been given the thumbs down by children attending schools in the Bolton area. Instead of their usual school dinner, children at four selected schools were yesterday served with a sausage roll and a piece of cake, to save money. It resulted in hungry children filling up with pies and pasties from nearby shops, it was claimed today.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, January 28, 1952

SIR,- Mr Butler decrees drastic economy in order that Britain may be armed to the teeth. And he intends to see that we pay dearly for these teeth.

But perhaps he is on a good thing, for with the ever-increasing lack of good, solid food, our teeth may just drop out.

The shilling charge for prescriptions may prove a blessing in disguise by curtailing the activities of various hypochondriacs, who waste the doctor's precious time by monotonously moaning about imaginary illnesses. The Health Service reminds me of a seaside amusement arcade. A sign boldly reads "Admission free", but once inside . . !

How about fewer cuts and more "chops", then we could really be "fed up to the teeth".

Yours, E. Holt, 33 Greenfold-ave., Farnworth.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, January 27, 1877

DO you see that modest, inoffensive young man peeping through the window? Presently, watching a quiet opportunity, he sidles into the shop. I know that young man. For the last three or four seasons has he come thither for his valentine.

He looks around, refrains from touching any, lest you should suspect his design; quietly and simply asks for a penny railway guide, and then makes as though he were leaving the shop forthwith; but softly, softly - I have pity on that young man, and do not detain him with embarrassing questions, but placing a few valentines, which I flatter myself are just suited to his requirements, within his reach, I see him pause, glance, admire, then hearing him say he "doesn't mind taking one of them"; and he allows it to be sealed, and addresses it himself before ever he asks if it will cost him five pence or five shillings.

Save me from the cool, calculating young fellow, of pretension, who comes to look, and looks again and again; for he "likes this one well enough, if the words were but different", and things the "words of that more suitable, but the design is execrable".