10 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 16, 1999

ANOTHER 100 workers are to be made redundant at crisis-hit Beloit Walmsley.

The news comes just two weeks after 55 workers lost their jobs when the paper machine making firm went into administration. Workers at the plant on Crompton Way have been on a knife-edge since they heard its American owners, Milwaukee-based Harnischfeger Industries hit financial difficulties.

Many of those who will lose their jobs have up to 40 years service with the company, which was founded in Bury in 1866.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 16,1984

SCHOOLGIRL Gillian Russell so impressed the judges in a nationwide competition that they have set up a special prize just for her.

Gillian, a fifth year pupil at Tottington High School, entered a national Hansard Society contest run in conjunction with the BBC in which she had to produce a 15 minute programme on politics at local level.

This week the disappointed 15-years-old had her hopes of meeting the Prime Minister for tea — the first prize in the contest — dashed when she was told she had not won. However, the judges were so impressed by the high quality of her workthey nominated her for a special prize. Now, Gillian, of Windsor Close, Greenmount, near Bury, is to receive a “one-off” £50 prize.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 16, 1959

CONFLICTING versions of how a collision between two cars took place in Lever-st., Bolton, were given in Bolton Borough Court yesterday by the two drivers.

Thomas Atkinson (55), Rishton-lane, Bolton faced alternative summonses of dangerous driving, careless driving and unreasonable driving. He was driving his car along Lever-st., intending to turn left into Rishton-lane. In his mirror he saw another vehicle following.

About eight yards from the junction with Rishton-lane he saw the other vehicle again. It overtook him on the nearside mounting the kerb and stopped on the pavement.

The other driver. Mr. James Horrocks, Settle-st., Bolton, told the court that he was driving along Lever-st. in front of Atkinson’s car. Atkinson tried to overtake him before turning left into Rishton-lane, forcing him to mount the kerb. The sides of the two cars rubbed as he did so. Dismissing the summonses, Mr. J. Morris, chairman, said: “We feel that there is a reasonable doubt in this case.”

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 16, 1909

The annual party, social, and ball in connection with the Bolton and District Association of Dairy Farmers was held at the Baths Assembly Rooms, Bridgman-st., on Wednesday evening. Councillor Thos. Jackson (president of the Association) presided over a large attendance and was supported by other councillors.

The Chairman expressed pleasure at the attendance of representatives from other organisations.

He regretted that the trade was not as satisfactory as it might have been the season of 1909 proving a disastrous one, owing to the wet weather considerably interfering with the crops.