25 YEARS AGO

MRS Mary Stott pulled her last pint at the Commercial Hotel, Bolton, on Saturday, and said good-bye to the pub which has been her home and work for the past 14 years. Mrs Stott, manageress at the Victoria Square pub, will move out soon. The pub is to be demolished to make way for a babywear store.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 24, 1947

MR SHINWELL, announcing the Government's plans for fuel saving, in the Commons, today, said the first part of the summer plan was to impose a complete statutory prohibition on the use of space-heating of any kind in industrial and commercial promises, from May 5th. He explained that by space-heating was meant the warming of rooms. This would run until the end of October. The new Order will also impose a ban on the use of gas and electricity for space-heating purposes in residential premises until the end of September, subject to relaxations only where medical certificate is given. This means gas and electric fires must not be used during this period.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 24, 1872

ON Monday night, during the performance of this marvellous troupe of Japanese, known as the 'Great Dragon' troupe, a most startling accident, and almost superhuman escape from being dashed to pieces, occurred to the lady who performs on the high slack, and inclined ropes. She was ascending the latter, which stretches from the stage at an angle of 45 degrees, to the top of the gallery front, when, only two or three strides from the top, she became so startled by a thoughtless man striking a resuvian immediately before her eyes, that she lost her balance, and fell into the pit - a depth of about 40ft. A wild scream from the audience bespoke the terror caused by the accident, but marvellous to add, she was seen to rise almost unhurt, and walk to the stage to continue her performance thereon, and equally singular as it may appear, none of the occupants of the pit, upon whom she fell, received any greater injury than a shaking and a few bruises.

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