From the Evening News, 1992: BIG-hearted Bolton - you're brilliant. That's the Christmas message from Santa Claus himself, who has been left stunned by the generosity of recession-hit families across the borough.

All over Bolton, people have been kicking gloom into touch to dig deep and help others. And, without exception, groups like the Lions, Rotary and Round Table, who slip into overdrive at Christmas, have reported record-breaking responses to their appeals for the less fortunate.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 27, 1977

THE "dirt and smut" on television and in the media is making the job of schools almost impossible and turning Britain into a "perverted" society, a teacher's leader has warned. "I am no prude," he said, "but it is making the porn kings rich and the quality of our society poorer." It meant that youngsters were growing up with distorted guidelines of what life and society are all about.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 27, 1952

THE closing of cinemas on Christmas Day reduced the number of people in the town centre of Bolton, but by the time last buses were due to leave there were queues waiting and some people had to walk home. With more entertainment available on Boxing Day - cinemas and dance halls were open - Bradshawgate and Deansgate were thronged with people from early evening.

On Christmas Day afternoon, all roads led to Burnden Park, where over 47,000 people saw Arsenal beat Bolton Wanderers 6-4.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 27, 1902

WHAT was probably the most remarkable wedding -- or rather double wedding -- ever witnessed in Bolton took place this afternoon in the Blackburn-rd. Congregational Church. The contracting parties belonged to the Bohemian tribe who live in vans, and who, along with members of their family, have some time been stationed on the Wakes Ground, Astley Bridge.

Editors of the local papers had received this communication:

"I am dropping you a line about this big double wedding - Mr William West's two sons, a big property and estate owner of Crewe, and a gentleman who is pretty well known there.

"Mr Benjamin Tapsall, his daughter, which is a big property in estates and hotels and at Aldershot. Mr Samuel West's daughter and a big cottage property owner in Crewe. They have gathered on Astley Bridge Wakes Ground 100 vans and relations who are gathered there from all over England is to be present at the weddings. It is going to be what has not been in England before. There is 14 young women which is cladded in silk dresses. They have been in Manchester, Bolton, Birmingham , etc. They are to be married at the Congregational Church in Blackburn-rd. They are to be drawn in a open landowe by four horses but I don't know how many carriages, but if you write I will let you know. The ball is to be held at the Lamb Hotel, Astley Bridge. It is no rumer, so don't be frighting to put it in your paper."