25 YEARS AGO

THE six-mile section of the M62 motorway from Worsley to Whitefield was officially and quietly opened today. Police at each entrance to the new section reported that few motorists used it in the first hour.

THE price for house purchase has risen by almost £1,000 in the last four years, it is reported today. In 1966 it was £3,663, now it is £4,613. The "most popular" price range is still £3,500 to £3,999, but many more houses are being bought in the higher ranges. 50 YEARS AGO

MISS Gracie Fields said today that she intended to retire at the end of her present tour. "You can tell Rochdale that at 47 I am too old to swing my legs around. Some day my story will be known. I went to the States to do a job of work for my country. It is not for me to say why I went and what I have done. A British official department knows it." 125 YEARS AGO

BOLTON NEW PARISH CHURCH

The progress of this magnificent edifice towards completion is so far satisfactory, that the heating apparatus is being rapidly advanced, and will probably be ready in the course of a fortnight or three weeks; and this will allow further work, such as laying the floors and putting in the open benches, to be at once proceeded with.

The decorations of the groined roof of the chancel are complete, and the judicious commingling of gold and colour which constitutes the design, has a remarkable chaste and harmonious effect,

The north transept window, which will be filled in with the glass of the fine east window of the old edifice, made out with stained glass to suit the design, is to be forthwith commenced, indeed the scaffolding is being erected. The beautiful "Ormrod Memorial" east window was yesterday morning inspected by the founder of the church, has been visited by many gentlemen, and is an object of unanimous admiration.

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