25 YEARS AGO

THE price of bread is to go up by 1p next week for both large and small loaves, making a large loaf 14p and a small loaf 9p.

HOUSEHOLDERS have been tackling the threat of a big coal shortage because of the strike by stocking up in advance. Since before Christmas people have been ordering full bunkers of coal and other solid fuel.

50 YEARS AGO

THE class of young children was dealing with genders. Teacher gave a list of masculines and feminines, just to explain: 'Boy and girl, master and mistress, father and mother.'

Then it went round the class, teacher giving the masculine, child giving the tally, until Jean was reached.

'Abbot', said the teacher.

'Costello', said Jean.

125 YEARS AGO

ON Tuesday night about seven o'clock, there occurred a fearful, accident in Stand-lane, Radcliffe. It appears that a party of three tradesmen, named Robert Merriett, of the Bay Horse Inn, Chapelfield; Mark Hardman, British Queen Inn, Stand-lane; and Robt. Bridge, butcher, Stand-lane; proceeded from Whitefield in a trap, in which was a spirited bay horse, belonging to the first-named individual. On arriving at Goat's Gate Inn, about a quarter of a mile from their starting point, they alighted from the trap with the purpose of going into the public house to get refreshments. They went in, but had scarcely got seated, before Bridge heard the horse take fight. He at once communicated this to his companions, who pressed on him to go after the animal. He did so, but was unable to catch it.

The spirited animal kept up its pace until it arrived at the bottom of the New Road. At this point, to get into Stand-lane, it is requisite to make a sharp turn. The horse, having scarcely control over its speed, dashed into a shop window, taking the whole frame and glass with it into the shop, breaking a quantity of new furniture. The horse was severely cut and is not expected to recover. An aged woman was in the shop at the time, and had a miraculous escape.

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