From the Evening News, May 25, 1904: AMONGST the 7,000 gymnasts who represented European and other foreign countries in the 30th annual gymnastic festival held in the picturesque city of Arras (France) under the auspices of the French Union of Gymnastic Societies, was Mr Percy Rigby of Bolton.

He was one of the British group of four teachers, all well-known physical training experts. At one mass drill 4,000 gymnasts took part and Mr Rigby hopes to reproduce the great display on some suitable occasion in Bolton. The festival altogether was a great success, for not only was the weather good, but the city was beautifully decorated and one afternoon the displays were witnessed by over 12,000 spectators.

JOHN Cupsick, supposed to be dead, was put upon the dissecting table in a hospital in Hazelton, North Dakota. As the surgeons were about to begin work, Cupsick sat up and made an emphatic objection to the proceedings.

From the Evening News, May 25, 1954: ALD Peter Flanagan, who was elected Mayor of Bolton at the annual meeting of the Town Council today, said in his Mayoral address that there were men and women in all walks of life who could do something towards the goal of living decently and well, but there were too many people sitting back and relying on what others could do for them, instead of doing something to help themselves. He added: "There are far too many members of the Council not paying respect to the chair, leaving the Council Chamber for the smoke room and leaving the rest of the Council to carry on as best they can."

BOLTON Corporation Transport Department held a sale of unclaimed property left on buses during the past year. Outside it was raining but inside men and women, old and young were buying umbrellas at 5d and 6d - there was certainly a selection, nearly 200 of them. Then came the spectacles - enough to keep the National Health Service operating for years.

From the Evening News, May 25, 1979: BANK Holiday trippers have been warned to take petrol-saving measures this week-end. The warning comes from motoring organisations, who say more garages are closing at week-ends and on bank holidays as fuel supplies decline. But both the RAC and the AA insist that the measures should be a precaution and there is no cause for panic-buying.

BOLTON'S record signing, Len Cantello, had his first good look at his new surroundings this morning and then stated that he was looking forward to the challenge of making Wanderers one of the top clubs in the country. Cantello, aged 28, signed for the Burnden club yesterday after Bolton and West Bromwich Albion had agreed terms of £350,000 for the midfield player.

From the Evening News, May 25, 1994: CAMELOT Group - a consortium including Cadbury Schweppes and banknote printer De La Rue - is to run the National Lottery, it was announced today. It fought off seven rival bidders for the lucrative licence, including the all-charity proposal headed by Virgin chief Richard Branson. The lottery will create a new millionaire every week through prize money and provide millions of pounds for good causes.