From the Evening News, August 13, 1976

25 YEARS AGO

HOSEPIPES will be banned in the North-west from next Wednesday. It will then become an offence to use a hose for watering private gardens or washing cars. A North-west Water Authority spokesman said that the water supply is not desperate, but reservoir levels are falling sharply and there appears to be no immediate prospect of substantial rainfall.

A RECORD drop in the price of seasonal foods gave Britain one of its best-ever months in the fight against inflation. The price of these foods, including potatoes, eggs and tomatoes, dropped by 14p in the pound last month. The result was a drop in the annual rate of inflation to only 12.9 per cent - its lowest level for 2 years.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 13, 1951

THERE is no prospect of the potato shortage ending for six or seven weeks yet. On Saturday twice the usual amount was sold. But today supplies were poor after the weekend's rain. If the weather clears soon, the harvest will begin and potatoes will become plentiful in September. At the moment, however, the fields are flooded and hardly anything can be done. Panic buying is aggravating the situation.

"I AM disgusted", was the comment of Ald A. Jones, OBE, of Farnworth, chairman of Bolton and District Food Control Committee, on a letter from the Minister of Food read to the committee today.

In keeping with "the Ministry's policy of encouraging competition", the letter asked the committee to take a "more liberal approach" of applications for licences from people wishing to sell chocolate and sugar confectionery.

"Why can't they give existing traders increased supplies of chocolate and sugar, and let them develop competition between themselves?" asked Ald Jones.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 12, 1876

THE extraordinary heat of Sunday was quite unprecedented for this and several years. The thermometer showed for hours an unusually high range. The highest point attained outside in the sun occurred at 3.26, when 123 was recorded.

PETER Ashton, a boy, son of Ellen Ashton, of Blackrod, was drowned whilst bathing in a pit in a field belonging to Mr W. Ford, Scott-lane, on Thursday night last. He had been working in an adjoining brickfield until seven o'clock that evening.

LORD Muncaster, MB, and Lord Kilmarnock had a narrow escape from being killed on Wednesday. They were driving from Muncaster Castle to Ravenglass Station, when the horse suddenly took fright and ran away. The dogcart was upset, and their lordships were thrown out. Lord Muncaster and the coachman were a good deal shaken and bruised, but beyond this they sustained no serious in jury. Lord Kilmarnock escaped unhurt.

Panic buying as potato shortage bites 25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 13, 1976

HOSEPIPES will be banned in the North-west from next Wednesday. It will then become an offence to use a hose for watering private gardens or washing cars. A North-west Water Authority spokesman said that the water supply is not desperate, but reservoir levels are falling sharply and there appears to be no immediate prospect of substantial rainfall.

A RECORD drop in the price of seasonal foods gave Britain one of its best-ever months in the fight against inflation. The price of these foods, including potatoes, eggs and tomatoes, dropped by 14p in the pound last month. The result was a drop in the annual rate of inflation to only 12.9 per cent - its lowest level for 2 years.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 13, 1951

THERE is no prospect of the potato shortage ending for six or seven weeks yet. On Saturday twice the usual amount was sold. But today supplies were poor after the weekend's rain. If the weather clears soon, the harvest will begin and potatoes will become plentiful in September. At the moment, however, the fields are flooded and hardly anything can be done. Panic buying is aggravating the situation.

"I AM disgusted", was the comment of Ald A. Jones, OBE, of Farnworth, chairman of Bolton and District Food Control Committee, on a letter from the Minister of Food read to the committee today.

In keeping with "the Ministry's policy of encouraging competition", the letter asked the committee to take a "more liberal approach" of applications for licences from people wishing to sell chocolate and sugar confectionery.

"Why can't they give existing traders increased supplies of chocolate and sugar, and let them develop competition between themselves?" asked Ald Jones.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 12, 1876

THE extraordinary heat of Sunday was quite unprecedented for this and several years. The thermometer showed for hours an unusually high range. The highest point attained outside in the sun occurred at 3.26, when 123 was recorded.

PETER Ashton, a boy, son of Ellen Ashton, of Blackrod, was drowned whilst bathing in a pit in a field belonging to Mr W. Ford, Scott-lane, on Thursday night last. He had been working in an adjoining brickfield until seven o'clock that evening.

LORD Muncaster, MB, and Lord Kilmarnock had a narrow escape from being killed on Wednesday. They were driving from Muncaster Castle to Ravenglass Station, when the horse suddenly took fright and ran away. The dogcart was upset, and their lordships were thrown out. Lord Muncaster and the coachman were a good deal shaken and bruised, but beyond this they sustained no serious in jury. Lord Kilmarnock escaped unhurt.