Swimmer crosses Morecambe Bay

BOLTON man Mr Don Stewart has joined the elite band of swimmers to complete the hazardous Morecambe Bay swim - despite an attempt to rescue him!

Don, a 36-years-old bachelor of St Paul's Place, Halliwell, was half way across when the local coastguard made his rescue bid. Back at Horwich Leisure Centre, where Don works as an assistant, he said: "The coast guard must have thought I was in trouble and came out to rescue me. It was my fault, because I forgot to notify him about the swim. He was very good about it and kept an eye on my progress after that." Don swam the 12 miles from a point east of Grange to West End Beach, Morecambe, in 3 hours 36 minutes.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, June 18, 1951

THERE is no doubt about it. Mr Ted Ray is one of the finest comedians in the country today, and the two main programmes in which he takes a prominent part,"Ray's a Laugh" and "Calling all Forces", are among the most popular in radio variety.

But why, we are led to wonder, does Mr Ray keep making passing references to Bolton in his programmes? Not that there is any objection to the references, but for the past few weeks there have been regular mentions of the town.

Is it because Bolton came so prominently into the national news with the piano-playing marathon, or, perhaps nearer the mark, is it because Mr Ray is closely connected with Chelsea Football Club which beat the Wanderers in the last match of the season and thus saved themselves from relegation.

As we don't know whether Mr Ray has been in Bolton we can't really say. Perhaps one of these days he may visit us and we can find out.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, June 17, 1876

AT the County Sessions today, before the Rev J.S. Birley, and Christopher Briggs and Alfred Topp, Esqrs., Mr James Watkins, solicitor, appeared to make application with regard to the annual sermons of Deane Church Sunday Schools, to be preached on Sunday next.

Mr Watkins said that for several years past on the occasion of the annual sermons at Deane there had been an amount of drunkenness and disorderly conduct that it is desirable should be put a stop to.

At one time Deane parish was such an extensive one that people came to the sermons in conveyances from a distance, and in the manner in which they came it was perfectly right, but of late years many persons came to Deane in conveyances not to attend the sermons, but because they thought they could get as much drink as they liked.

That was extremely wrong, and the application he had to make was that if any applications were made for an extension of hours by the publicans and beersellers, such applications should not be granted.

It was desirable, to preserve order, that a police officer should be stationed at every public house and beerhouse.

In answer to the Rev Birley, Mr Superintendent Holland said he was not aware that such a state of things existed as had been described by Mr Watkins. The Rev Birley said he had heard that the churchwardens got drunk themselves.

Mr Briggs said said he had also heard that on the occasion of their visiting the houses every Sunday as was formerly the practice in Bolton they got drink on such visits.

The Rev. Birley said the state of affairs mentioned was a reflection on the police, and Mr Holland must see to it that the law was strictly observed by the publicans and beersellers of Deane on Sunday next, and every Sunday. Coastguard tried to rescue swimmer Don