From the Evening News, November 26, 1976

25 YEARS AGO

THE biggest derelict site in Bolton has become a rubbish tip and a breeding ground for rats, say people living nearby. Several houses on a new estate bounded by Dinsdale Drive and Deane Road have been vermin infested because of the unauthorised tipping on the 10-acre site, it is claimed.

POLICE and firemen saved two children with the kiss of life after they were snatched from their blazing home in Sloane Street, Daubhill, Bolton, today. Both Craig Holt, aged three, and his 18-months-old sister Louise had stopped breathing. Police and firemen gave them mouth to mouth resuscitation before putting them on a resuscitation machine.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

November 27, 1951

A WOMAN and 10 children escaped down the fire escape last night when a fire broke out in the dining room at Eden's Home, Radcliffe-rd., Bolton, an orphanage. All the children were in bed when 11-years-old Brian Parkinson smelt smoke and raised the alarm.

He informed Mrs Harper, the master's wife, who was ill in bed suffering from blood poisoning, and she took the eight orphans and her own two children through the escape hatch in a bedroom on the first floor, down the escape ladder into the yard. Mr Harper was temporarily away from the premises. The Fire Brigade soon extinguished the fire and damage was confined to the dining room.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

November 27, 1876

AN extraordinary verdict was delivered at Manchester Assizes yesterday. A youth named Churchill was charged with sacrilege in breaking into the Jewish Synagogue and stealing property valued at £80. At the conclusion of the case the Foreman of the jury said the verdict was "Not proven". The Commissioner said such a verdict was contrary to English law. A verdict of "Not guilty" was then pronounced, whereupon the Commissioner said: "Prisoner, you seem much surprised. I do not wonder at it."