BOLTON Sunday School's Social League is to change its name after 80 years. The seven-sports league, thought to be the oldest organisation of its kind in the country, will now become the Bolton Sports Federation. A spokesman said: 'The Sunday schools and churches which started the league in 1890 are now well in the minority.'

CHIMNEY sweeping has been revolutionized by the invention of a vacuum system, the latest model of which is now being operated in Bolton. This comparatively new invention appears to be designed on the stamp of an industrial vacuum cleaner, and, after its use, a householder need no longer worry over the cleanliness of her furniture. A steel plate is placed over the fireplace and sealed with strong plastic tape. In the centre of this shield is a bag, on the inside of which is attached the head of a sweep's brush. A thick rubber tube, 22ft. in length, is pushed into a hole in the bottom of the shield, and is then attached to a container on a trolley. The trolley, running on wheels, holds a motor, and the container to hold the soot cleared from the chimney. A flex from the motor is attached to a light or wall plug and the machine switched on. High-powered suction draws the soot from the chimney along the tube and into the big. The familiar long rods are screwed onto the brush head in the bag, and pushed up the chimney. The whole operation takes place inside the sealed fireplace. No dirt or soot escapes. Carpets, shelves, chairs, and other household linen are untouched.

125 YEARS AGO

THE excitement caused by the announcement of the General Election has subtracted attention from an event which otherwise would have been justly regarded as a national calamity. Dr Livingstone, the Missionary, Explorer, and best friend of the African race, is dead. This sad intelligence was at first doubted, but it has been confirmed by our Consul at Zanzibar. The distinguished explorer died, after a fortnight's illness, in Lobisa. Livingstone has thus perished as did his devoted wife, in the land for whose welfare he has made such sacrifices. Fame will not soon inscribe on her roll a nobler name that that of David Livingstone.

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