25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 6, 1972

A LAST-minute intervention has saved thousands of fish in a drought-hit Bolton reservoir. Because of the drought and water demands, the Rumworth reservoir, off Beaumont Road, Bolton, now holds only half a million gallons of water, and fishing has been banned 'because it would be unfair on the fish'. The reservoir usually supplies 1,200,000 gallons of compensation water every day for use by Bolton Waterworks Department.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 6, 1947

THE old days of the 6am start in the cotton and engineering industries of Bolton were recalled today for a number of workers when they had to be early to begin work at 6.30am. But there was one noticeable difference - there was no question of working a 55 hours' week; simply a 45 hours' week of five days, with 'staggered' starting and finishing times to fit in with the regional plan to spread the peak load of electricity.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, October 5, 1872

SIR, - Some little time ago there was a meeting of the Great Lever Local Board at which a self-appointed chairman thought it his duty to request - not in the most polite way - all the reporters to withdraw. The proceedings were consequently kept secret, and the ratepayers are quietly remaining in the dark. On Thursday last this example was thought worthy of imitation by the newly-elected Board at Little Lever. Now, sir, there are a good many ratepayers beside myself that are not at all favourable to such a movement. We can understand that circumstances may occasionally arise when it would be prudent to have their meetings strictly private. But to close the doors against the public in matters of ordinary business gives one a lingering suspicion that everything is not quite open and straightforward.

They have nothing to fear from publicity - at least, I hope not. A little bit of public opinion might sometimes prove very useful.

Yours, &c., Bono Publico, Great Lever.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.