From the Evening News, October 19, 1904: SARAH Finn of Chapel Alley was summoned at the Borough Court this morning for begging in Gibbons Street on October 9 with her two children, Ellen Robson (11) and Sarah Ann Finn (seven), and causing them to receive alms.

Mr J. Hilton, who proceeded against the defendant on behalf of the Education Committee, said he knew if the woman would only do her duty there was no need for begging. Her husband left her two years ago and had been sent to prison for a month because of his family becoming chargeable to the Guardians. She had had several places of work but would not behave herself. The elder girl desired to be committed to an Industrial School rather than go about from lodging house to lodging house and begging. Defendant said she was destitute and only earning six shillings per week. Both children were committed to an Industrial School until 16 years of age and the mother was cautioned.

From the Evening News, October 19, 1954: THE Elizabeth Ashmore Children's Nursery, Chorley New Road will be officially opened on February 24, but it is expected that children will be taken into the home from January 7. At today's meeting of the Children's Committee the chairman, Ald Mrs Ashmore, expressed disappointment that the home would not be in use before Christmas. The builders were now unable to guarantee that it would be ready before January.

CARPET-layers worked throughout the night fitting the rich red carpet over which the Queen will walk when she steps into the lofty marble-pillared entrance of Bury's new Town Hall on Friday. With a solid gold key given to her by the man who designed the building, Birmingham architect Mr R. Edmunds, the Queen will unlock the main entrance door. Inside she will unveil an inscribed stone tablet above the stairway.

From the Evening News, October 19, 1979: A 3p increase in the price of a pint of beer has got MP Roger Stott frothing at the mouth. The Labour MP for Westhoughton has written to the MInister of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, Mrs Sally Oppenheim, pointing out that the breweries' latest increase follows a similar one in February. "How can you sit back and allow this rip-off to continue?" he asks.

BRITAIN'S crucial inflation rate soared to 16.5 per cent in September - the highest for two years. Government statisticians say the grim figures are still showing the impact of the rise in VAT. And they reminded Britain's shoppers: "You've been paying less tax since July - and your tax rebate is coming through now."

From the Evening News, October 19, 1994: DELIGHTED council chiefs announced today that around 700 Bolton school dinner jobs have been saved. They are set to award a £4.5 million pound contract to cook and serve school dinners to their in-house direct labour organisation instead of private rivals. But employees face a cut in hours and pay to save their jobs.

A multi-million pound prison planned for the site of a former power station is being opposed by Salford Council. The Prison Service has announced that it is in negotiation with National Power to buy the site of the former Agecroft Power Station and turn it into a second prison for the area. But the Council says the prison would damage the area's image and hamper attempts to attract investment.