25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, July 9, 1976

A MASSIVE air, land and sea search for four Farnworth people was called off today when they returned safely to port after going missing in Morecambe Bay.

They had been forced to spend the night off the Lancashire coast when their boat became grounded. They were Mr Leon Ridyard, aged 42, of Hardman Street, his son Michael, 16, nephew Carl Hill, 24, of Longcauseway, and a friend Mr Thomas Lawton, 45, of Firwood Avenue.

The four had set out from Knott End for Barrow in Mr Ridyard's yacht, with the intention of returning later in the day. The men were on their way back from Barrow when the wind dropped. They tried using the outboard motor, but it broke down. The boat was left grounded off Sunderland Point when the tide went out.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, July 10, 1951

THE first Bolton cotton mill to use electric light was J. Haslam and Co., Ltd., now the Haslam Spinning Co., Ltd., Chorley Old-rd., in mid-January, 1883. The first battery of light was composed of 12 lamps, each of 20 candle-power, which created a very favourable impression in No. 3 cardroom among the workers.

The firm was also first among Bolton cotton mills to have a telephone fixed so as to be in communication with their Manchester office.

Their electric lighting current was generated on the premises from a dynamo taking its power from one of their machine shafts. It was fitted by W. Banks, of Corporation-st., whose shop was the first in Bolton to use electricity for window lighting.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, July 10, 1876

DISAPPOINTED in our intention to provide the readers of the Journal with a Map of the Seat of War on Saturday last, we employed the interval in arranging for a superior Map, so that our readers might derive some advantage from the delay.

We have secured one which shows the boundaries of the States at War with Turkey in bold lines, and the names of places where battles have been fought, and of all the principal towns, in clear and distinct type. The Map, which has not been surpassed by any issued for distinctness, clearness, and easy reference, has been lithographed by Messrs Maclure and Macdonald, lithographers to the Queen, London.

Presented this day to every purchaser.