25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 25, 1976

RESIDENTS in Farnworth demanded "action not words" at a public meeting to discuss the state of the town. Chairman of the meeting, Minister of Trinity Church and local councillor, the Rev. Derek Bedford, said: "We deserve a better town. We want to retain our community and do not want to be submerged to Bolton. Let us keep our identity."

A PUBLIC parkway should be created along the wooded valley between Eagley Mills and Hall i'th' Wood to protect it as an open space. Bolton Civic Trust considers this peaceful stretch of countryside alongside Eagley Brook a valuable "lung" and recreation area for the swiftly mushrooming population in Astley Bridge.

50 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 26, 1951

'SYNCOPATING Sandy", also known as Mr James Strickland, 37 Harvey-st., Bolton, is annoyed. Until this week he held the world record for non-stop piano playing, achieved in Manchester in 1939, when he clocked 132 hours 11 minutes. Now Heinz Arntz, of Dusseldorf, has set up a new record of 198 hours, and "Syncopating Sandy" is determined to win the record back. It will be "200 or bust" when he sits on a well-padded armchair before a grand piano in the Castillian Club, Bridge-st. on May 12. For at least eight days and eight hours he will defy sleepiness, boredom, cramp and the gaze on onlookers.

125 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 25, 1876

THIS morning a shocking accident occurred at Astley Bridge during the progress of some building operations. Mr James Hayes, contractor, is erecting eleven cottages and a shop in Crampsal-street, Astley Bridge, and this morning about eight men were engaged on the work. Three of the men, named James Kane, of 14, Spa-lane, Owen Morris, Independent-street and Frederick Chandler, of Chester-street, were standing on a plank three storeys from the ground when one of the supporting beams snapped, and the three men were precipitated to the ground, a distance of about 26 feet. The three men were picked up, all bleeding profusely from wounds on the head and face. Kane and Morris were removed to the Infirmary, where it was found that Kane had received a bruised side, a cut head, a cut nose, and Morris a cut head. Kane is an inmate of the institution, but Morris and Chandler were taken home.

WE have to record the death of Mr Edward Cumpsty, of 35, Spring-gardens, Bolton, in the 87th year of his age, one of those venerable soldiers who shared the fortunes of the Duke of Wellington in Spain, and who assisted in finally driving the army of the great Napoleon out of that country.