25 YEARS AGO

THE 21st century home will be all-electric, according to ... an electricity board chief. Mr Tom Potts, Norweb's assistant chief commercial officer, says that supplies of oil and natural gas would last only 25 years. 'Electricity will inevitably become the only domestic fuel available,' he said.

A CUT in the rail network by almost two-thirds to under 4,000 miles is 'certain' --perhaps as early as 1981 -- unless the Government changes its attitude to investment in British Rail, the three railway unions warned today. They say the plans show a rail network consisting of only inter-city services and London suburban services.

50 YEARS AGO

A LOCAL football match was cancelled in south-west France today because the captain of one of the teams swallowed the toss-up coin as he waited, open-mouthed, for it to fall. It was retrieved in hospital.

TODAY'S announcement that the price of blankets is to be increased in the New Year by 13s 4d in the £ came as a shock to housewives. Many have been on buying expeditions to replenish stocks before the price rises. Shops report that already there has been a big switch over to blankets as Christmas presents.

125 YEARS AGO

A SERIOUS collision occurred about eight o'clock on Wednesday morning between Hindley and Westhoughton. A pilot engine from Wigan, having proceeded nearly to Westhoughton, crossed the line to return to Wigan, but was brought to a stand at the advance starting signal. It appears that the pointman forgot this engine, for it remained there 10 minutes, and on the approach of the seven o'clock train from Manchester, the signal was lowered. The driver of the engine at once started, but the passenger train in a few seconds dashed into it at a rate of 30 miles an hour. The driver of the pilot engine was thrown off the engine and severely injured, and several passengers were hurt. The engines were both much damaged.