From the Evening News, August 11, 1976

25 YEARS AGO

THREE families who lived in rat-infested houses were unjustly treated by Bolton Council, says the local government ombudsman. The families called in the local affairs watchdog after being moved from rat-infested homes in Norden Court, off Lever Street, Bolton, in December.

The Council, which paid removals and storage costs, is criticised in the report for rejecting entirely the tenant's claim for compensation for extra expenses caused by the infestation.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 11, 1951

SIR,- I am astonished that anyone should be "harassed to death" with having their children at home for six weeks during the school holidays, as said by one reader. Surely, to have one's child at home, to educate it in the more homely things of life, should be a pleasure. How does the reader imagine it possible for teachers (probably not parents themselves) to control other people's children, not six, but 30 or 40 at a time. Yours, A Young Mother.

SIR,- I am writing about the pig-bin nuisance and wonder why the idea of removing them was scrapped. They are a danger to health. The one near our house hasn't been emptied since last week, and thoughtless people are putting the most objectionable food in it.

If they can't be removed I say they out to be kept just for vegetable peelings, not filled with paper and all bad food. Yours, Safety First.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 11, 1876

WEEKLY list of all patents applied for in Bolton district (supplied to us by Mr W.P. Thompson, C.E. Patent Agent, 6 Lord-street, Liverpool): 3,109 John Leigh Taylor, of the firm of Thomas Taylor and Sons, Grecian Mills, Bolton, cotton spinners, and Robert Ramsden, of Bolton, manager, "certain improvements in mules for spinning and doubling". Trade marks: Pare Brothers, Bolton, a pear in a circle.

HOLDEN'S Insect Poison. It is a certain destroyer of bugs, fleas, cockroaches, beetles, crickets and all kinds of insects. Cats and dogs will not touch it. Sold in packets at 3d and 6d each. Prepared only by W.H. Holden, Chemist, 21 Cheapside, Bolton.