25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 25, 1975

THE cut price petrol war is driving local garages to the wall. The money-off posters which just about every motorist looks for have already spelled the end for several small filling stations in and around Bolton. The survivors say that the 'madness' can't go on. The Bolton Autopoint service station on Manchester Road, is selling a gallon of four star at 67p - six pence below the recommended price.

WINING and dining on the rates in Bolton Town Hall should be scrapped immediately, a councillor said today. Counc. Ken Brown, Labour Councillor for Westhoughton, claimed thousands were spent each year on meals for councillors and officials, when the cash was needed for other things in the town, such as keeping down charges for youngsters using sports halls.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 25, 1950

SIR Waldron Smithers, Conservative MP for Orpington, Kent, told the Congress of the Incorporated Association of Organists in Leeds today: 'Part of the Communist technique is to infiltrate everywhere, and I am certain the Communists are infiltrating into the BBC.

'Early in the morning they pour out a torrent of filth and slush, which is part of the Communist technique for demoralizing our people.

'The BBC think music is popular. THE BBC organs and cinema organs are not organs at all, they're just noise boxes, and then there is all this jazz and crooning. It is all demoralizing.

'It is your duty to educate the people to learn and love the great composers, and to lift up the minds of our people with regard to good music and not pander to their lower and baser tastes.'

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 25, 1875

CAPTAIN Webb's second attempt to cross the Channel has been successful. He started at Admiralty Pier at four and a half minutes to one yesterday afternoon, after having well anointed his body with porpoise oil, when the wind and tide were in his favour. The start was witnessed by a large crowd of people, who gave Captain Webb a hearty cheer as he left. He landed in Calais after 21 hours and 45 minutes in the water. He appeared somewhat exhausted and stumbled as he left the water. He was immediately rubbed down and placed in a conveyance, and taken to the Hotel de Paris. Some local physicians came to him, but he said he was warm enough, and should be all right after a sleep. They recommended him to take some port wine, and he did so, and then went to bed, where he enjoyed a sound sleep. Flags were hoisted at English shops at Calais, and similar demonstrations were made in Dover on the news of the Captain's success.