25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 19, 1971

THERE are 814,189 people out of work in Great Britain and Northern Ireland compared with 793,000 last month. It is 3.4 per cent of the estimated total of employees, the highest figure since April, 1940. The figures leashed a storm of protests in the Labour Party, and even some Conservative MPs are beginning to show concern at the Government's refusal to take emergency action to cut wage awards and reduce unemployment.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 19, 1946

FROM what we presume Bolton to have been like at the time, there is possibly some foundation in fact for the statement in local history that Smithills Hall was walled around 680 AD "to keep the wolves at bay". Time, civilization, and industrialization have made great changes since then, but in the past year or so another marauder has found its way back - the fox. Some time ago a vixen and four cubs were caught on Smithills Moor and latterly there has been evidence that there are still foxes about. Tracks have been seen on the Rivington side of the moors, and keepers are maintaining a close watch.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 19, 1871

YESTERDAY evening, a large and respectable audience were entertained at the Parish Church Schools with an illustrated lecture on "The Arabs", delivered in aid of the Moslem Mission Society, by Es-Seyyid Mustafa Ben Yusuf, the society's missionary designate for Algeria. He appeared in his native costume, and was accompanied on the platform by some friends in Arabian and other Oriental dresses, illustrating Biblical facts and Eastern habits. A number of mutes were present, under the charge of their pastor, the Rev. Mr Dowling, who explained the procedures to them from beginning to end.

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