AS part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, we are asking readers to dig out their old copies of The Bolton News.

Maybe you kept a copy of the newspaper from the day your child was born, or featured in a story we once ran and have kept a cutting of it ever since?

Via wedding congratulations and birthday wishes, we have helped share people’s happiest days, as well as giving readers the thrill of seeing their name in black and white. Have we ever featured you on our pages?

Maybe you are a Bolton business who has a framed cutting proudly adorning your office wall?

Whatever your reason; if you have got an old newspaper cutting from The Bolton News, or an old edition of the paper, then get in touch and share your stories.

THIS week we spoke to Halliwell resident, Dave Thomas, who got in touch with a fascinating horde of old Bolton Evening News editions.

The 63-year-old driving instructor has kept a stack of broadsheets in a cupboard after inheriting them from a friend who moved away from the area.

Ranging from between 1959 and1969, they paint a fascinating picture of a changing world when post-war rationing gave way to pop culture and the Cold War.

“I’ve had them for 30 years. I got them from a friend who was moving and he found them in his attic,” explained Mr Thomas, who runs the Dave Thomas driver training school.

“He was moving down south from Halliwell and couldn’t actually remember where they had come from. So I said I’d take them home and look after them.

“There were quite a few. They were kept in a big folder between two pieces of card.

“They’ve very yellowed, but in good condition.

“They’ve been sitting in the back of the wardrobe. I’ve had a look through and they’re very interesting.”

Back then, The Bolton Evening News routinely carried national news stories on the front page.

Among Mr Thomas’ editions is one from July 30, 1969, which printed new NASA pictures of Mars taken by the Mariner Six and Seven probes that showed clouds and polar caps.

Neil Armstrong had become the first man to walk on the moon only 10 days before and the edition also carried news of Nixon’s visit to meet US troops in Vietnam.

Another edition of the paper from 1959 carries news closer to home, describing long queues at polling stations ahead of the General Election, in which Harold Macmillan emerged victorious for the Conservatives.

Even when Mr Thomas acquired the copies in the late 1980s, they were already something of a curiosity — with some more than 20 years old.

Lifelong Boltonian Mr Thomas still picks up The Bolton News, while keeping up with the latest news via theboltonnews.co.uk.

He added: “I don’t buy it every day but quite regularly. I do like to look online as I find it’s very up to date with what’s going on.

“I’m also a Bolton Wanderers fans, so it’s very good for keeping with the club.”

Get in touch with your old cuttings. Write to The Bolton News at The Wellsprings, Civic Centre, Bolton, BL1 1AR. Alternatively, you can email webdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk

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