From the Evening News, April 19, 1904: AMONG the musical societies of the town, the Bolton Parish Church Choral Society has done much to cultivate a love for high-class music in the town.

Always a popular feature is the annual concert, and a large and fashionable audience assembled on Monday evening in the Parish Church School. The chorus won the highest praise, both for wealth and purity of tone and volume, the powerful basses balancing the whole very finely. They attempted, with a considerable degree of success, Dr Elgar's tuneful ballad The Banner of St George. Dr Edward Elgar, perhaps rightly considered the foremost English composer of the day, has acquired the art, which belonged to Sullivan before him, of making serious music attractive to the public.

THE Church Army is selling an anti-drink crave tonic which, while not being a cure, is said to assist men and women in resisting the drink habit.

From the Evening News, April 19, 1954: THE Education Welfare Officers' National Association conference at Southport today approved a resolution expressing the view that "the enforcement of a uniform school dress is not to the best advantage of the child." Mr J Ashworth of Bolton said the cult of the school uniform was becoming farcical. At some grammar schools girls of 18 were being compelled to wear uniforms designed for 11-year-olds.

DURING the weekend there has been plenty of evidence of the recent "habitation" of the slopes of Rivington Pike. Empty bottles, sandwich wrappings and waste paper have been left by Easter picnic parties.

From the Evening News, April 19, 1979: DISGRUNTLED rail passengers complained more than ever about train services last year. Complaints topped the 44,300 mark during a nine-month spell, according to latest figures.

FOR the second year running someone has tried to sabotage the Holcombe Hunt point-to-point races.

A man claiming to be one of the organisers rang the Evening News yesterday asking for the advertised date to be changed from this Saturday to April 28. But a tele-ad girl checked with the race secretary, Mrs Victoria Coldrey, and learned that the event will definitely go ahead this Saturday.

From the Evening News, April 19, 1994: THE National Trust has taken over 916 acres of moorland that had been earmarked as a military training ground. The acquisition of Holcombe Moor, above Hawkshaw and Ramsbottom, makes it the Trust's largest in Lancashire. The move will keep the land open to the public.

BOLTON Methodist Mission is showing its true Christian spirit - by raising funds for the local Anglican church. The entire proceeds from a special performance by Rhos Male Voice Choir will go towards the Bolton Parish Church restoration appeal.