25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, January 16, 1976

STRICT licensing controls on the new "safer" synthetic tobaccos are part of a major safer smoking drive launched today. And voluntary agreements with the tobacco industry to limit advertising and make smoking less dangerous have also been announced.

JASON, the television cat, who appeared on the "Blue Peter" children's programme for the last 11 years, died today.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, January 17, 1951

THERE is a relic of the old Anderton home, Lostock Hall, still existing in Ox Hey-lane. It forms a gatehouse not uncommon to the period, large enough for horsemen to ride through its central archway, which has been built up to provide domestic accommodation for later farming occupants. This old gatehouse, which is all that remains of the Hall, looks impressive in a district of farms and probably belongs to a later period than the old black and white hall, for which it was probably intended to provide a defensive screen. The hall stood some distance behind and to the west of the gatehouse. The hall itself has been described as built of wooden beams and plaster. Over the entrance door were the initials of the builder, CDA, and the date 1563. It is not clear when this interesting old house disappeared, but it can be traced as standing as late as 1818.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, January 17, 1876

FOR once Bolton is not long to remain behind the large towns of the kingdom. Boltonians are no longer to go to Manchester where four rinks exist; Bolton is to have its own skating rink. A company of gentlemen whose names are synonyms for enterprise have taken the matter up, and we are certain their efforts will deserve as we fully believe they will command success.

Our list of recreations are to be added to, and if we take other towns as any criterion this especial pastime will in Bolton, as elsewhere, become a kind of pleasurable mania which will affect both sexes alike, for a most popular recreation, especially among the higher classes, is the use of roller skates at skating rinks of artificial "ice".

The rink is an admirable medium for the mingling of sexes, and consequent flirtations; and flirtations are to be encouraged. The more young men and women falling in love the better. The state of being in love, for which, unhappily in our language there does not seem to be a convenient word, is a most wholesome one. We give our vote for the multiplication of rinks on this ground alone, and on this ground predict their permanency.