From today, there are a couple of changes to this column.

Firstly, I am introducing a daily section looking back 10 years; on the other hand, the 125 Years Ago section is changing to 100 Years Ago, simply because the microfilm copies of the papers for that period are virtually impossible to read. I will keep an eye on the situation, and if the microfilm quality improves, I will start looking back 125 years again.

10 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 3, 1992

ONE of Bolton's oldest town centre buildings may be demolished and rebuilt because it is becoming dangerous. The landlord of the Boar's Head in Churchgate has been given three months' notice because the block which includes two unoccupied premises is said to be "crumbling away." A public house has stood on that same spot for at least 200 years.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 4, 1977

THE Ku Klux Klan - still feared by thousands of non-white Americans - is trying to recruit members in the Bolton area. Letters have been received by several young men inviting them to join and help set up local groups of the "Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan." At first sight the letters, bearing Manchester postmarks, appeared to be hoaxes.

But early today, in a transatlantic phone call from the Evening News, a Klan official confirmed that they were planning to set up groups in Britain.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 4, 1952

SIR,- As leader of a local dance band, permit me to reply to "Metronome" letter in your issue of Feb. 1st. First of all, I speak as the leader of a gig band, and so I leave the leaders of resident bands to put their own case.

"Metronome" refers to the music played by local bands as being "outdated tripe", and with very few exceptions I heartily agree. I would point out, however, that so long as the basic combinations of our bands consist of violin, piano and drums, how can anything else be expected.

I have been leading my present band since 1946, with the basic combination consisting of seven players, and with few exceptions all our bookings have been in towns as far away as Horwich, Atherton, Leigh, Darwen and Blackburn. All of these towns are much smaller than Bolton yet they book bands with a personnel twice, and in many cases three times, as large as the dance promoters here.

Looking at it from this point of view, I think "Metronome" will agree that the standard of dance music in Bolton is every bit as much the fault of the promoters as the band leaders, and maybe the dancers are also a little to blame for attending dances when they know full well what kind of band is in attendance.

The mention of organized auditions sounds very nice, but I'm afraid it isn't a practical proposition.

Ken Isherwood, 596 Tonge Moor-rd., Bolton

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 4, 1902

WITH gratification we note the hopeful outcome of a wider application of electrical energy to the town's industries. To be abreast with the progressive forces is undoubtedly one of the chief factors of business success, and if our manufacturers are not to be out-distanced in the great race for commercial supremacy they need ever to be alive to every means of efficiently cheapening production. Every day supplies fresh evidence that there are tremendous possibilities in electrical developments.

The Borough Electrical Engineer, in a report, endorses our view that there is a very wide field for the supply of motive power in Bolton; that it is financially advantageous to the Municipality and trade, electric driving means a purer town atmosphere, which is no small consideration from the health point of view.

We are glad to notice that the Engineer intimates that he thinks the Department is now in a position to reduce the price for motive power.