From the Evening News, February 3, 1972

HOLCOMBE Hunt races, one of the major events in Bolton's sporting calendar, will not be held this year. In fact, they may never be held in Bolton again. Four out of the last five attempts to hold the famous steeplechase at Harwood's Nab Gate course have been washed out completely by rain, and Hunt members feel they cannot risk another cancellation. So this year the point-to-point will not be run, while the Hunt looks into the possibility of improving the drainage on the course.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 3, 1947

THE ROYAL TOUR

Sir,- In our age of austerity, acute shortages and tightened belts, and amidst our fight for the 'four freedoms' and their application to the peoples of the earth, we read of the Royal tour of South Africa. We are told of the tremendous cost of converting a gigantic man o'war into a floating palace to suit their every need. We hear from the BBC of elaborate, extravagant arrangements for departure and entertainment en route. Millions of precious, skilled, man hours wasted and yet our Ministers reprimand us for strikes and absenteeism. Whatever the political significance of the tour is, nothing could warrant such exorbitant expense, and I am perturbed that our MPs have condoned it.

In the light of our present economic struggle for existence, a fine gesture on the part of the royal party would have been to travel by normal liner berths. - Yours, etc, Hammock and Blanket, Troopship, 1942.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, February 2, 1872

INVENTIONS - PRO BONO PUBLICO

After great study and repeated experiments, the undersigned, as operative spinner, has perfected a plan by which he can put a motion to a shaft in a mill that will ring a bell at breakfast time, dinner time, and stopping time at night, and on Saturdays to be left ready for ringing on a Monday morning. He can also by the same means work the changes of the moon and the year of our Lord for a hundred years to come. He can further affix a bell to a railway carriage that will ring at a certain distance from any specified station. A bell can also be affixed to a railway engine that will ring in alarm if there should be any obstruction in front within a sufficient distance to bring a train to a stand, thus avoiding collision in dark and foggy weather. Also by a motion he can work the railway points. Apply or address.

John Holt, 5, Bank View, Farnworth.

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