From our archives
10:01am Monday 6th July 2009 in News
10 YEARS AGO
From the Evening News,
July 6, 1999
FREAK storms and torrential rain blitzed schools, homes, pubs and roads causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage, and forcing one local school to close its doors today.
More than two inches of rain fell in one hour late yesterday afternoon with such a ferocity that manhole covers were blown out of the road and flooding, in some areas up to four foot deep, brought traffic to a halt.
Homes, pubs and businesses were flooded, some road surfaces were swept away and roofs collapsed under the pressure of water.
In a two-hour period, Greater Manchester Fire Service was inundated with more than 300 calls from flood hit areas.
25 YEARS AGO
From the Evening News,
July 6, 1984
FIRE experts investigating yesterday’s Smithills blast believe it was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette or match.
The forensic fire investigation team has carried out a painstaking search of the charred remains of the Bolton garage.
Today their investigation was continuing but Divisional Officer Lawrence Hubbard said: “We have come up with no other explanation.
“We have no doubt that the fire was caused by an external source and a cigarette or match is the most likely.”
They believe the fire started behind advertising hoardings screening the garage from Chorley Old Road. The fire eventually spread to the garage — and the oxy-acetylene cylinder.
But already a row is looming with residents calling for the introduction of rigorous safeguards relating to the use of similar cylinders.
50 YEARS AGO
From the Evening News Bulletin,
July 6, 1959
The RSPCA today asked dog owners not to take their pets out in the mid-day sun. Several died from the heat yesterday. The appeal said that snub-nosed breeds — such as pekes, bulldogs and boxers — were especially likely to be affected.
100 YEARS AGO
From the Evening News,
July 6, 1909
Bolton was reached on Saturday by a band of happy trippers returning from Ilfracombe, organised by the Bolton W.M.C.A. 105 members and friends leaving the town on Friday, June 25th.
Three long corridor coaches had been reserved for the party and through Shrewsbury and Bristol where a pleasant halt was made and after a roam over Clifton down, embarked on the Westward Ho for a sail to Ilfracombe. Arrived there the large party were accommodated at two of the hotels.
