25 YEARS AGO

BRITAIN was on the brink of a fuel crisis as more than 110,000 striking miners brought 119 pits to a standstill today. And the situation looks like getting worse with half the country's 267,000 miners certain to be on strike within a couple of days. The miners are out to force payment in full of £5 a week demands. 50 YEARS AGO

WILLIAM Joyce was brought from Wandsworth Goal to the Law Courts again today, to hear the Court of Criminal Appeal dismiss his appeal against his conviction at the Old Bailey for treason. Joyce's fate was decided by a judgement which took only 25 minutes to read. As one point after another was decided against him, Joyce blinked, squared his shoulders, and gazed straight ahead. When the decisive words "The appeal is dismissed" were uttered, he smiled wistfully, nodded to a friend in court, turned quickly on his heels and walked boldly out of the dock. 125 YEARS AGO

ON Monday evening a shocking accident occurred at Adlington Station, on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, to Mrs Ainscough, about 60 years of age, of Higher Adlington, relict of Mr B. Ainscough, formerly of Rivington.

It appears that Mrs Ainscough had left this town by the 4.43pm train from the Trinity-street Station, and, on arrival at Adlington, had attempted to cross the rails from the down to the up platform, there being a gate from this platform leading into the street.

The moment Mrs Ainscough stepped onto the rails up came the express train from Preston to Bolton, scattering the body of Mrs Ainscough in all directions. Her hand was discovered about 40 yards away, her purse still inside. Mr Henry Martindale and Mr Samuel Radcliffe made a brave attempt to save the deceased at considerable peril of their own lives. Martindale even seized the deceased by her clothes, but unfortunately the fastening on her shawl gave way. The driver of the train does not appear to have noticed the occurrence for, on arrival at Bolton, a bonnet belonging to the deceased was found attached to the engine. The body was conveyed home to await an inquest.

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