n THE so-called “dying tradition” of the Good Friday ascent of Holcombe Hill, which at one time drew tens of thousands of people gained new life with a large dose of sunshine tonic on Friday.

Several thousand men, women and children, drawn out of their homes by what was said to be one of the sunniest Good Fridays the area has known for many years, climbed to the 1,150 feet high summit of the hill.

Parents with small children, pensioners who had previously made the climb as children, groups of youngsters, and teenage couples flocked to Holcombe, dotting the hill with thousands of people who were on top of the world — or at least Ramsbottom.

One elderly lady, making what she said was her last walk up the hill, remembered children rolling painted hard boiled eggs down the hill – a custom which seems to have been lost in time.

Another tradition as long standing as the climb itself, the service at the foot of the hill — revived for the first time last year – also saw new light as it made its return.

And fresh support for the pre-walk service mean could see then ceremony become an annual event once again.

n AN EIGHTEEN-year-old R.A.F. recruit was given a royal honour last week as he paraded for Princess Margaret.

David Andrew Tonks, of The Close, Brandlesholme, Bury, was among recruits who to part in the ceremony before the Princess at the R.A.F. No. 1 School of Technical Training, Halton, Buckinghamshire.

David, who was educated at Bury Church School, joined the R.A.F. as an apprentice aircraft fitter, and has now completed his course with the rank of Junior Technician.

During the parade Princess Margaret presented new colours to the school.

n THE SECOND phase of Bury’s new £600,000 Divisional Police Headquarters has been given planning go-ahead.

To a six-storey office block, garages and repair shops already under construction in Irwell Street, phase two of the planned development will add a five-storey maintenance block including hostel headquarters for 37 unmarried policemen and canteen and kitchen units

The new building, scheduled for completion in May, 1970 will replace the present 39-year-old police premises in Tenterden Street.