10 years ago from the Evening News March 4, 1995: FORMER barrister William Morris has been sworn in as a judge by the Lord Chancellor in the house of Lords.

His Honour Judge Morris, aged 47, who lives in Bolton with his wife Trish, is the son of former Manchester recorder Sir William Morris and was born and brought up in Bolton.

LOVEJOY creator Jonathan Gash will be the speaker when the Women of Bolton Lunch is held at Bolton Town Hall this month.

The author, alias Bolton-born Dr John Grant, will be returning to the town on March 31 for the event - a fund-raiser for the Bolton Under Fives Forum.

25 years ago from the Evening News March 4, 1980

MORE than 500 people, including drinkers, diners, residents and 40 staff, fled a blaze at Boltons town centre Swan Hotel just after 9pm last night.

Guests were roused from their rooms and half-eaten meals were abandoned in the evacuation of the 42-room hotel in Churchgate.

BRITAIN today invited guerrilla leader Robert Mugabe to form the first government of independent Zimbabwe after his landslide election victory.

British officials said Governor Lord Soames made the invitation during a 90-minute meeting at which both men agreed on the need for stability, reconciliation and peace.

50 years ago from the Evening News March 4, 1955

TURTON Council has decided to serve notice to quit on the 46 council house tenants on Toppings Estate who have refused to accept a rent increase.

Sixty-eight of the 114 tenants have now paid up.

MESSRS W. Lionel Gray (1933) Ltd, the Farnworth firm of building contractors, has just received its biggest contract.

It is for £148,500 and it has been allocated to them by Bolton Education Committee for the erection of a new secondary modern school at Smithills Dean.

Work will start in a few weeks time.

100 years ago from the Evening News March 4, 1905

IT is interesting to analyse the nationality of the 22 players in todays cup-tie between Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle.

The Wanderers have six English players, four Scotch and one Welsh.

Newcastle have four English and seven Scotch.

The Wanderers only international is "Dai" Davies, but Newcastle boast Scotch internationals in McCombie, Aitken and Orr, whilst Carr and Rutherford have been capped by England.

(Wanderers lost the match 2-0).

AT Preston yesterday Thomas D. Bradshaw, professional footballer, who has played for New Brighton, Notts Forest, Sunderland and Southern League clubs, was summoned for wife desertion.

Mrs Bradshaw, who was a widow before marrying defendant, said her husband deserted her on Feb 24.

At one time he earned £4 10s weekly and had now signed for Workington.

The Magistrates granted her a separation order and 10s per week.

Defendant said he could not pay.