From the Evening News, October 15, 1976

125 YEARS AGO

WHAT'S WRONG with local black puddings? Bolton and Bury are regarded as the heart of black pudding land, but local butchers were not even in the first six at the British Champion Pud Contest. In fact, Bury didn't even enter the contest at the Pack Horse Hotel, Bolton, yesterday. A Southern meat manufacturing company came first and second, and a Scottish firm took the rest of the first six prizes.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 16, 1951

BOLTON was given a good show on both radio and television last night. In an enjoyable "Top of the Form" broadcast, boys from Bolton School beat girls from Leeds High School by 33 to 27 points in a test of general and specialist knowledge. On Nov. 28, the boys will be heard again in competition with the Rugby High School for Girls.

Another broadcast in which Bolton was featured was "We're Not Stopping", which came from Bury. Several jokes were made at the expense of Bolton's pride.

Those with television sets saw a Bolton man in a programme later in the evening. He was Freddie Fox, a second-hand dealer, who appeared in the popular programme "What's My Line?". The idea of this programme is to guess the job of the visitor, and the team soon tumbled to Mr Fox's occupation. Mr Fox, however, proved himself able at the art of "mime", and he showed a ready turn of humour.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 16, 1876

ANN Hartley, a disreputable woman, residing in Blackhorse-street, was charged at the Borough Court, on Thursday, with stealing three pounds of tobacco, value 10s, the property of William Lynd, beerseller and shopkeeper, Darcy Lever. The prosecutor came into town on Monday afternoon, and after buying tobacco visited three public houses, and on proceeding home called at the Prince William, Bradshawgate, when he missed the tobacco. He could not tell where he had left it.

Cross examined by the prisoner: He did not go to the Two Cats beerhouse with her, neither did he meet her in Blackburn-street. - By Mr Hall: He went home in a cab from the Prince William, and his wife told him there was a woman on the seat with the cabman, but he did not know that she was there (laughter). - The prisoner offered to sell the tobacco to Ezakiel Brannon, shopkeeper, King-street, but Police Constable Wilson going into the shop at the time stopped the sale, and apprehended prisoner. - Committed to the sessions.