From the Evening News, December 3, 1976

25 YEARS AGO

BOLTON's oldest established engineering works is to close early in the New Year. The 87 employees of Jackson and Brother, Ltd., which dates back to 1792, have been told that production will end in January.

Firemen saved a Bolton works from being destroyed last night by carrying out high-explosive oxygen and acetylene cylinders. They struggled through flames and smoke to get the heavy cylinders outside at the Edbro spares and stores building in Manchester Road, Bolton, before they exploded.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 4, 1951

SIR,- At a time when both our national and municipal finances are very strained and we are exhorted not to spend on non-essentials out local Health Committee propose, with the approval of the Council, to establish a Birth Control Clinic.

All right-minded people should condemn it. Apart from the sin of frustrating the laws of God and nature, if we turn to the material side this birth control evil, or to give it its real name of race suicide, heralds the doom and decay of the nations that resort to it. T. Hoban, 8 Pike-rd., Bolton.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 4, 1876

ON Wednesday evening, the employees of Mr James Baxendale, tinplate worker, at the invitation of their employer, partook of dinner at the Saddle Inn, the occasion being the marriage of Mr Baxendale's eldest son, which happy event occurred on the morning of the same day.

The invitation included the wives and sweethearts of the men, making up a company numbering about 60, who did hearty justice to the bounteous spread.

After dinner, Mr Joseph Boardman occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks alluded to the good understanding that extended between Mr Baxendale and those in his employ. He felt that they would all cordially join in wishing that prosperity might still attend the works, and that he could also assure Mr Baxendale that his welfare and that of his family, would always be very dear to them. He concluded by proposing the toast of the evening, the health of Mr John Francis Baxendale and his bride.

After a reply from Mr Baxendale, the rest of the evening was agreeably spent in singing, reciting, and dancing, and concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Baxendale for his hospitality.