25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 2, 1971

SPECIAL offer, unrepeatable value; it's a gigantic bargain for the man who stands out from the crowd. But unless there is a man 12 ft. tall, with a 50 inch waist, and inside leg measurement of 72 inches, a pair of jeans will have to stay hanging outside a Bolton shop window. Marked with a placard, "Free to the man they fit", they have been causing quite a stir. The manager of the shop explained that it was a gimmick seen in America, a copy of a style the shop normally stocked." Stilt walkers might be interested to know they are worth about £12.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 3, 1946

WAYS in which, with bold and imaginative planning, Bolton might become the finest city in Lancashire, were suggested by Mr John Lewis, MP, at the monthly meeting of the Bolton Labour Party last evening.

The coming municipal elections, he said, were the most important in the history of the party. Power was within their grasp, and he believed they would seize it. If Labour got into power, there were many schemes by which Bolton could be made a better town, including municipal hotels, a sports arena, a first-rate concert hall, and a racecourse round Rivington Pike.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 3, 1871

ABOUT half past eleven last night, a valuable rick, containing about 15 tons of this year's hay, belonging to Mr Thomas Heaton, of 'The Townleys', Farnworth, was discovered to be on fire. Application was at once made to the Workhouse for assistance, and in a very short time Mr Pilling, the captain, and an efficient fire brigade, was on the spot with the excellent little engine "George", the property of the Union, and stationed at the Workhouse. The fire was subdued after doing damage to the amount of about £10. Previously to the fire taking place, a man describing himself as a tailor from Warrington, applied to sleep in the Union tramp ward, but rather than give up some lucifer matches he had in his possession he went off. Subsequently the same man acknowledged having set the rick on fire. Of course he was taken into custody.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.