From the Evening News, October 18, 1904: A MEETING for the waifs and strays was held at Doffcockers on the invitation of Mr and Mrs B Palin Dobson.

Mr Dobson, who occupied the chair, noted that emigration formed a large part of the labours of the society and he thought much might be done in training boys for our mercantile marine and for the navy. Foreign competition had affected the mercantile service and he thought it was a bad thing for England that so many of our merchant seamen were foreigners. The Rev F Wilkins, organising secretary, said it was a great work to save respectable people from sinking into pauperism and a work that appealed not only to the Christian, but also to the patriot and citizen.

ACCORDING to the Rev RM Julian, a Burnley Nonconformist minister, intemperance is the blackest of the black blots upon the life of the town of Burnley.

From the Evening News, October 18, 1954: THE Leigh branch of the Flying Saucer Study Group - an international organisation which investigates reports of "sightings" - enrolled 12 members at its first meeting.

The treasurer, Mr Roy Lever of Mosley Common Road, Boothstown, told a reporter that it was not "a tall stories club."

He added: We shall study carefully any reports we may receive before drawing any conclusions."

MR TD Holdcroft, prosecuting today in a series of Birmingham court cases, said the fireworks season seemed to be spreading over a longer period each year and the fireworks were getting bigger and better.

Some of the offences were alleged eight weeks before Bonfire Night and the explosions in the streets were causing annoyance and alarm - particularly to elderly people and those of a nervous disposition.

Youths and boys were fined for letting off fireworks in the street and shopkeepers for selling fireworks to children under 13.

From the Evening News, October 18, 1979: A BOLTON motorcycle manufacturer is spearheading Britain's assault on the Japanese domination of the industry.

The new prototype machine built by Cotton Motor Cycles in Saville Street Mill was a successful performer in a major international meeting last weekend at Oulton Park, Cheshire. Since then the company has been inundated with calls from all over Europe.

A BOLTON cyclist has just completed a 1,500-mile sponsored cycle ride round the country to raise money for charity.

Mr Ian Marshall of Elgol Drive, Ladybridge, the secretary of the Lancashire Road Club, works for the Atomic Energy Authority at Risley.

He expects to raise more than £3,000 for various charities including the Pat Seed Cancer Appeal.

From the Evening News, October 18, 1994: LECTURERS at Bolton College are to stage a three-day strike this week as part of a nationwide protest over the imposition of new contracts.

The lecturers, all members of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, claim the contracts will increase workloads and lead to redundancies.

A MAJOR national conference on alcohol abuse was taking place today at the Albert Halls, Bolton.

More than 300 delegates from all over the UK heard national speakers call for families to be given more support.