25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 27, 1975

FINDING snakes in the kitchen and settling arguments among armed tribesmen was all part of a day's work to a Bolton man who has just returned after two years in India. Mr Graham Bell, aged 25, of Chorley New Road, went to start, manage and develop a new farm at Ropar, in the Punjab, on a scheme organised by Voluntary Service Overseas.

THE Beatles' song 'Something' may be the greatest love song written in the last half-century. says Frank Sinatra.

AINTREE racecourse, home of the Grand National for 136 years, is to be auctioned.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 28, 1950

BOLTON and District Hospital Saturday Committee's new convalescent home, Westwood, Whitegate-drive, Blackpool, bought from Frank Randle, the comedian, for £8,500, was opened on Saturday by Miss J.W. Crook, president of the committee. There are beds for 30 people.

SIR,- As the parent of a boy recently injured by a stone from a catapult whilst travelling by train from Manchester, we appreciate your timely warning to boys indulging in this dangerous game.- Yours etc., William Hickey, 49, Queen-st., Bromley Cross.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 27, 1875

RIPE fruit is tempting to the beholder. George Dingsdale, of St Helens, discovered that to his cost. He stole pears to the value of three pence, and was sent to prison for a month. The pears were the property of one of the local magistrates.

SIR,- Will you kindly allow me to call the attention of our Lighting Committee to the want of lamps in Spa-road, and the lower end of Mayor-street. Now that dark nights are coming on, I think it would be a foolish thing to leave a neighbourhood like this without lights, where all sorts of characters of both sexes frequent, and all kinds of language, and sometimes indecent acts, are committed in broad day. What may we expect if left without lights when nights are so long, to say nothing of the unpleasant feelings of the residents in this neighbourhood, and especially the female part, who never feel safe to be out in the dark, which it must be known they are often compelled to be. Very likely when some set of violence has been committed this thing will be attended to.- Yours J.H.