25 YEARS AGO

A TOP secret meeting of British and American scientists was held somewhere in the English Midlands in May to seek an answer to the stark question: Has Britain been singled out for a dramatic invasion from outer space? The organisation which thinks such a visitation highly probable is Britain's Unidentified Flying Object Research Association whose chairman Roger Stanway said: 'We have the support of top scientists from America and France who believe Britain's turn is next.

'UFO sightings have been extremely frequent in France over recent months.'

50 YEARS AGO

A BOLTON team of singers, the Royal Vocalians, composed mainly of working girls, is having the sort of success which makes people talk. They began in a small way as just a number of pupils of Miss Dorothy Bennett. They formed a choir and the name Royal Vocalians was found for them by the Bolton theatre agent, Mr Bernard Wooley. Many Bolton people heard the singers when they appeared last season at the Albert Hall Winter Gardens. They will have the opportunity again next season. There are plans afoot for forming a men's choir as well.

125 YEARS AGO

IN the past - In 1784, at the Quarter Sessions held in June, Thomas Wheeler, for stealing muslin cards, the property of Mr Entwistle, Great Bolton, and Richard Bateson, for stealing 12 pieces of jeannet, the property of Mr Ashworth, of Turton, were ordered to be transported to his Majesty's colonies for seven years.

In April, 1785, Andrew Cameron was transported to Africa for seven years, for stealing goods out of Mr James Crocker's croft, Little Bolton.

At the Assizes, in April, 1786, for burglary at the house of Mr Rushton, Great Bolton, John Green was sentenced to death.

At the Assizes in March, 1792, Arthur and Enoch Low were charged with killing Richard Booth, at Turton; Arthur was sentenced to 12 month's imprisonment, and to be burnt on the hand, and Enoch to one month's imprisonment.

In April, 1794, Thomas Parr and John Guest were tried at Lancaster Assizes for stealing a cow at Atherton, and were both sentenced to death and executed.