25 YEARS AGO

ELATED doctors today pronounced the Skylab 111 crewmen as being in better shape than any other American astronauts returning from space. The crew were given thorough medical examinations during the night after returning to earth yesterday following their record three months in orbit.

50 YEARS AGO

A MAN with an unusual housing problem is the Rev. A.N. Thorburn, Vicar of Blackrod. From his predecessor, Canon Pugh, he has inherited the large vicarage, a three-storey, 60-years-old building containing 11 huge rooms and an attic in addition to a pantry and cloakroom. Mr Thorburn has come to the conclusion, after 12 months' residence, that the vicarage is far too large, and is trying to dispose of it. He has secured preliminary permission from the controlling authority to negotiate with possible purchasers, and he has offered the vicarage to Blackrod District Council as a building for new council offices or for any other purpose.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 10, 1874

MONDAY'S Sentinel contained a letter form its special correspondent at St Petersburg dated the 3rd inst., in which the following passage appeared: 'In one of my letters I mentioned that a huge cake had been sent out from Bolton, in Lancashire, for the Royal Marriage. The cake was received and placed on the supper table on the night of the marriage, and it seems that the Imperial family were as much deceived on the subject of this gift, which was circumstantially stated to be sent by the Mayor and Corporation of Bolton, as were the special correspondents. It has since transpired that neither the Prince of Wales, whose name was used, the Mayor and Corporation of Bolton, nor any Royal personage or body of men ever authorised the presentation of this cake. The cake has never been cut, and unless removed from the Palace today, it will be handed over to the police to be cut up for the benefit of children belonging to the schools for the poor.'

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