25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, June 10, 1976

MINERS are now the richest and most numerous British holidaymakers abroad this year. Mr Wilf Jones, managing director of the holiday firm Cosmos, said today: "There is one section of the British people who have bought as many holidays - and I believe even better holidays - this year than last and that is the miners." Research has shown that there has been a revolution among Britons going abroad. It is now the skilled industrial workers of the North and Midlands who could more easily afford a holiday abroad.

Mr Jones said a miner has as much right and inclination as a banker to prefer Tenerife or Greece to Benidorm, or to spend more of his money on a superior grade of hotel.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, June 11, 1951

NO sailings on Sunday has always been the custom at the Isle of Man, but tradition was broken yesterday. So great was the number of passengers transported for TT week that it was found necessary to have Sunday sailings. "Never heard of such a thing in my life," remarked one old Manx worthy.

Those who travelled by the more modern method of transport - by air - were unlucky. A heavy sea mist restricted visibility almost to nil, and about 500 people were stranded as flights were cancelled. Still, one or two planes did get through, and a local man was lucky. He managed to "wangle" a flight on a Leeds plane which made an unscheduled stop at Blackpool.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, June 11, 1876

CERTAINLY not the least attraction of the Whitsuntide holidays is the new Skating Rink, which is now open to the public on Chorley Old-road. On Thursday afternoon and evening a large and brilliant assemblage of guests, invited by the directors, were present at the preliminary opening, and a scene of gaiety and beauty was presented not often witnessed in Bolton.

The new building, which has been erected with elaborateness and attention to detail highly creditable to all concerned, was crowded with interested visitors, the whole area enclosing the asphalted pavement being drawn upon to its utmost dimensions to find accommodation for the assembled guests.

As to then appearance of the spacious building itself, nothing but encomiums could be passed by those who had perhaps gathered there for the first time. The light, airy and elegant building, the banners suspended from the girders, the brilliant dresses of the lady visitors, and they were numerous, and the cheerfulness which pervaded all, reminded one of a fashionable flower show, the magnificent strains from the Bury Borough Band, stationed in the gallery, adding to the general charm.

At about 3pm, the Anthem was played by the band, and this was followed by the entrance of the professional skaters, Messrs Ashley, Smith and Hess, the champion skaters of the world, and Mr Aaron Banks, a "man of colour", who by the kindness of Mr Sam Hague, of Liverpool, were permitted to display their marvellous evolutions.