A LOOK back at some of the articles published in The Radcliffe Times 50 years ago includes a petition for a protective screen after bricks were hurled at homes, and staggering support for the town's new swimming baths.

FEARFUL of the possibility of serious accidents, residents of Irwell Street are pressing Radcliffe Council to screen off a nearby playground from which young children throw stones at the houses.

They have sent a petition to the council and have also protested about the obscene language and the abuse they receive from the children.

The petitioners hope that a screen will be erected between their houses and playground.

One resident, Helen Tomlinson, who has lived in Irwell Street for 35 years, said that children have always thrown stones from the playground and she has nearly been hit on several occasions.

"The children at the far side of the play area can't see into the back yards but they throw stones regardless", she said.

She added that on many occasions she has reprimanded children but has received "a load of cheek and bad language", in reply.

According to Mrs Tomlinson, the situation has now somewhat improved as rowdy teenagers no longer meet there at night.

The residents decided to petition the Council after two-year-old Mark Coucill had been narrowly missed by a stone thrown from the recreation area while playing at the back of his home.

TWO Radcliffe brothers carried off first and second prizes in the Angling Society junior fishing contest held at the Black Cat Lodge on Saturday.

Joseph Ellam, aged 15, won the first prize for the second consecutive year, and his 16-year-old brother Derek was runner-up.

Fishing for two hours, the boys who live in Albion Street, landed catches of more than 14 ounces and 13 ounces respectively.

RADCLIFFE'S new £210,000 swimming baths in Green Street are breaking all records, and by this week, less than four and a half months after opening, attendance figures had soared above the 100,000 mark.

Despite teething troubles with the chlorination system and ventilation problems, the new pool is proving a fantastic attraction.

By Tuesday this week, 100,401 people had paid to enter the baths, including school swimmers and spectators.

Attendances for the whole of last year were 93,025.