25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 17, 1975

PLANS to boost Blackrod's population by a third with more than 400 homes have been met with delight and fury by local people. Some local traders are 'over the moon' about the proposed scheme, which will bring in extra money. On the other hand, some younger people who moved to Blackrod specifically for the scenery, are furious. The houses, if planning permission is granted, are to be built on 34 acres of farm land to the south of Manchester Road.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 18, 1950

AFTER discussions in which officials and the two candidates who fought the last general election - Mr Alan Tillotson and Mr Arthur Holt - took part, the Executive Committee of Bolton Liberal Party last night decided to ask Mr Holt to stand as prospective Liberal candidate for Bolton West division at the next general election. It is known that the Liberal party will concentrate forces on Bolton West Division and will not run a candidate in Bolton East. Mr Holt is a director of the Holt Hosiery Company, and manager of the Deane-rd. mill.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 18, 1875

Apropos of the recent public interest provoked in the business of the Waterworks Department of the Corporation, we may mention a circumstance which has recently come to our knowledge with reference to the Wayoh Waterworks. Our readers may perhaps be aware that at the Entwistle end of the works, the line from Bolton to Blackburn on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway runs closely adjacent to the reservoir, the valley being spanned by a massive viaduct divided into nine arches. At the foot of the viaduct runs a small stream which formerly used to join the Bradshaw Brook, but which now runs into the Wayoh Reservoir. During the last few days, and consequent upon the heavy rains, the usual swollen stream has been considerable augmented and the valley through which it courses has been flooded to the height of some eight or nine feet. The buttresses of the viaduct have consequently been submerged to that depth, and this, it is freely stated in the district, has occasioned the Railway Company considerable alarm, as tending to weaken the foundations of the viaduct over which the railway passes. Though nothing has publicly emanated from the Bolton Corporation in reference to the matter, it is stated that the Company have intimated their intention to throw the whole of the responsibility of the future safety of the viaduct, from the effects of the water, upon the Corporation. The buttresses of the viaduct are apparently solid masses of stonework, with a good concrete footing, but that action of water upon stone is so well known that the utmost precautions for safety are advisable.