A ROYAL visit, retiring councillors and a new carnival queen are some of the articles published in The Radcliffe Times 50 years ago.

On Friday, May 24, 1968, the following articles appeared in the town's newspaper.

IT was the day when Mr Springclean met the Queen... a day when thousands of people lined the streets to greet the Queen on her first visit to Radcliffe and a proud day indeed for Councillor Arthur Scholes, the man who has done most to popularise Operation Springclean in the town.

His wife Doris and daughter Marilyn, aged 18, were among those watching as Cllr Scholes was formally presented to the Queen on Friday. And he was just telling her how he had organised residents into work groups to clean up untidy areas of the town when parks superintendent Jim Tomlinson interrupted: “This is Mr Springclean himself.”

Stopped in his tracks, a surprised Cllr Scholes muttered “Oh, aye” added hurriedly, “Oh, aye, Your Majesty”.

Her visit to the town was part of a two-day tour of the North West to see the results of Operation Springclean.

THE Radcliffe Labour party are no longer the largest single group on the Radcliffe Town Council.

The shock resignations of two of their members this week reduced their effective voting strength to 16 against 20 others in the chamber.

The two men who have completely upset the delicate balance of powers are Councillor J L Franks, for long the “Stormy Petrel” in the party, ad Councillor George H Pollitt. Both are representatives of Bridge Ward, and it is only two weeks since Cllr Franks was returned to the council for a further three-year term.

Both men say they have resigned in protest against an edict from the Labour group leaders demanding complete loyalty both in speech and vote to group decisions. They say this is a negation of democracy.

WESLEY Methodist Church was packed to capacity on Sunday evening for the first-ever service at the church run entirely by older residents, members of the "Autumn Club".

Because of the success of the service, it is hoped that it will become an annual event.

SUSAN Denise Kay, aged 16 of Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, has been chosen as the next Radcliffe Carnival Queen.

A panel of judges chose Susan from eight Radcliffe girls at the Carnival Elect Contest held at the Civic Hall on Saturday.