From the Evening News, August 3, 1992 - GRIM statistics which show the "despair" of people in one of Bolton's most run-down areas have been released by the Council.

More than one-in-four people in the Halliwell district are now out of work - and 28 per cent of these have been unemployed for more than five years. Many people interviewed saw "little point" in training, and 44 per cent had no qualifications.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

August 3, 1977

AN eight-years-old Bolton boy last night became Britain's youngest chess player ever to win a major prize in a national adult contest. David Norwood, of Kearsley is Bolton Chess Club's youngest member.

A COUNCIL last night refused to give up its fight against "stink farms" in the Edgworth area. Members of the North Turton Parish Council are concerned over an increasing number of complaints about offensive smells from two maggot farms in the area. But they have been told that they have no power to stop maggot farming because steps had been taken to keep smells down. However, the councillors hope that the smells can now be classed as a public nuisance and dealt with under a bye-law.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

August 3, 1952

DOUGLAS Maynard, the Boltonian who discovered his talent for playing the xylophone when he was in the Bolton School orchestra, appears at the Grand Theatre next week. This will be his first appearance in Bolton since the war. Also in the variety bill are Masie and Frank Mimford's Puppet Parade and the Two Kellys, both of which acts appear in Bolton for the first time, Leslie Lewis, Mark Mansfield, Bob Kerns and Mary Lou, Robbie and Platt, Seaton and O'Dell, and Burt Brooks, the conjuror, with Harvey.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

August 3, 1902

ANOTHER case of neglecting children in such a manner as to cause them unnecessary suffering was brought before His Worship the Mayor and others at the Town Hall this morning, when Isabella Osborne, formerly lodging in Spring Gardens, was placed in a dock on a charge of neglecting her two children. Mr J.H. Hall conducted the case on behalf of the NSPCC, and from the evidence given it appeared that the defendant had been under the influence of drink asking alms.

She told people she wanted money to bury one of her children - a statement that was untrue. A man with whom defendant had lived for eleven years had allowed her 18s (90p) a week. She had left the child regularly in the house for days, and the neighbours had to look after it. She was committed to gaol for 14 days with hard labour.