25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, March 24, 1973

BOLTON may have a luxury discotheque operating on the premises of the Bradshawgate Studios 1 and 2 before the end of the year. The disco, to be called 'Scamps', will be converted from the stalls area of the former Lido cinema, provided Bolton Corporation give planning permission. The existing theatre stage area will be altered to accommodate one of the bars. The Lido cinema was opened in 1937. Many famous stars appeared in live shows there, including George Formby, Laurel and Hardy, Flanagan and Allen, and Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, March 24, 1948

MANY churchgoers were doubtless surprised to see the report that members of the congregation of St Simon and St Jude's began their Holy Week self-denial effort by refraining from smoking in the vestry after service. At any time the practice of smoking in a consecrated building would not be regarded as seemly, at St Simon and St Jude's or in any other church, and in fact it is 'not done'. One must admit, however, that in most churches the men do not put many yards before themselves and the church door before they light up. The prohibition on smoking, generally accepted as far as the precincts of a church are concerned, used to extend to Sunday Schools as well, and we well remember a Bolton incumbent, at whose approach the men either hid or 'docked' their cigarettes at all times. That day has gone, but in fairness to the men of St Simon and St Jude's it should be pointed out that they do not smoke on the church premises.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, March 24, 1873

OVERCROWDING IN OMNIBUSES

At the Borough Court this morning, James Sharp, Back Defence-street, in the employ of Mr Holden, omnibus proprietor, Bradshawgate, was charged will allowing the bus of which he was guard to be overcrowded. Mr Hinnell, Town Clerk, prosecuted. He said numerous complaints had reached the Watch Committee that omnibuses were frequently overcrowded, and they had found it necessary to take some steps to prevent it, and had therefore deputed an officer to take supervision of omnibuses. This action, he might add, was communicated to the omnibus proprietors, so as to prevent them being taken by surprise. The prosecution was taken under the Act which provided that omnibuses be considered as stage coaches, and as such be required to be licensed, and have placed upon them the number of passengers the carriage was constructed to carry.

Sergeant Gaskell said that on the 15th of March he saw the defendant acting as guard on a bus at Burnden. In the inside there were 24 passengers, and 28 on the outside. On the outside also the passengers had to sit on other passengers' knees.

Sharp was fined £5 and costs, which was mitigated to 23s and costs, in default we days' imprisonment with hard labour.

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