From the Evening News, October 14, 1904: AT Burton-on-Trent today Mr Harold Spencer, a reporter, was fined £4 2s, including costs, for knocking down Mr Horace Neale, a churchwarden at St Paul's Church, last Saturday.

It was stated that at the funeral of a well-known townsman, and when the procession had left the building, defendant asked one of the congregation for a name. Mr Neale remonstrated with him and, after some words, he was alleged to have struck defendant. The latter retaliated, knocking complainant down three times and, it was said, discolouring one of his eyes and loosening a tooth. A cross summons against the churchwarden was dismissed.

From the Evening News, October 14, 1954: THE BBC plans within the next 10 years to operate an alternative television service which will reach 97 per cent of the population of the United Kingdom, it is stated in the Corporation's annual report, published today. It is not expected, however, that regular transmissions in colour will be possible within the next two years. More than 1,000,000 new TV sets were licensed in the year under review, representing the largest increase yet recorded in a single year.

BOLTON Sailing Club has its big event of the season next Sunday when yachts compete for the Commodore's Cup. Mr C. Howarth, secretary, said today: "The club has been reasonably successful in inter-club matches during the season and very successful in national events." There are now 134 full members and something like 200 if associate members and cadets are included.

From the Evening News, October 13, 1979: PARENTS should persuade their children to resist the temptation of taking Saturday jobs, a headmaster urged last night. Mr Tom Norris told parents at the annual prize distribution at Hayward Green High School that they should try instead to encourage their children to take part in team games. "I know they want to earn money, but don't they usually spend it on pastimes which are less healthy and less satisfying than the team games they miss?" he asked.

ORTHOPAEDIC patients may have to wait more than a year for hospital treatment in Bolton. Reports to the area health authority yesterday highlighted the acute difficulties of Bolton's orthopaedic services, the department which deals with fractures and all other aching bone illnesses. One report from Mr Tom Ryder, the area administrator, said that for all practical purposes the hospital treatment of "non-urgent" orthopaedic conditions had ceased.

From the Evening News, October 14, 1994: A Bolton MP is seeking an urgent private meeting with Health Secretary Virginia Bottomley to discuss the scandal of the town's "sex for sale" girls in care. Bolton North East MP Peter Thurnham wants Mrs Bottomley to order a top level inquiry into the case. And Tory councillor John Walsh accused the social services department of "failing a whole generation."

A NEW report to Bolton Education Committee says cash-strapped schools are increasing the number of pupils to each teacher in a bid to balance the books. Mrs Leila Price, who advises councillors on conditions in Bolton schools, said: "Class sizes in some primary schools are now in the high 30s, which is absolutely deplorable. It is a direct result of government policies."