25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 26, 1971

BLACKPOOL, town of holiday fun, became a town of mourning today as residents and holidaymakers packed St John's Square for the funeral of the murdered police chief Supt. Gerald Richardson. Crowds estimated at 100,000 turned out in bright sunshine to line the funeral route.

Meanwhile, armed police swooped on a house in Northampton early today in connection with the hunt for James Sewell, wanted for questioning about the murder. No arrests were made.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 26, 1946

WESTHOUGHTON Wakes this year was not to be compared with pre-war celebrations, and the absence of pasties and the shortage of beer kept the number of visitors down to a fraction of its normal size. The only thing typical was the weather, and the afternoon downpour ruined the young people's fun. There was a full round of social events in the evening, and yesterday the patronal festival services at the Parish Church were well attended.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, August 25, 1871

THE particulars of the Anglo-Canadian boat race and the death of James Renforth, the stroke-oar of the Tyne crew, are given in a telegraphed report in the Newcastle Chronicle. The course selected for the race was the St John regatta course on the Kennebeccasis river, and was six miles in length. The St John crew were dressed in pink shirts and caps, the English crew stripped to the skin. The English crew took an early lead, but before long it was obvious that something was wrong with Renforth, and the St John crew caught up and passed. Suddenly, Renforth dropped his oar, and turning to another member of the crew said: "Harry, I have had something." Renforth was quite insensible when landed at Appleby's Wharf, and he was carried from the boat on the arms of his mates, put in a conveyance and driven a mile and a half to Claremont House, their training quarters.

Two doctors were consulted and gave all to understand that Renforth was dying. Harry Kelly took Renforth's head between his hands and cried bitterly. The other members of the crew stood around the bed and saw the life of their fellow oarsman gradually ebb away. Death is attributed to congestion of the lungs occasioned by the great exertions by Renforth in the race after a fit seized him.

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