A LOOK back at some of the articles covered in The Radcliffe Times on April 3, 1968, includes the official opening of the long-awaiting swimming baths and a new carnival queen for the town.

ANTHONY Greenwood, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, opened Radcliffe's new £210,000 baths on Saturday — and praised the town for helping to pioneer "Operation Springclean".

He also praised the council for providing gardens.

Before the opening ceremony, Mr Greenwood visited the town centre shopping precinct and the ultra-modern St Thomas's housing estate. After walking through the estate with Bury and Radcliffe MP David Ensor, councillors and officials, he commented: "I think it is delightful. The design is first class and the houses have been beautifully built."

RADCLIFFE'S Carnival Queen, 18-year-old Susan Farrell, won a new title on Saturday when she came first in the annual North of England contest.

Competing to become the new North of England Carnival Queen were 18 crowned queens from towns as far apart as Nelson and Morecambe.

Among them was the 1966 Radcliffe Queen, Shirley Sherrington.

A telephonist at Whitehead and Poole Ltd, Miss Farrell lives in Lynton Lee, Radcliffe. She wore a long pink floral evening gown for the event.

The panel of five judges included Manchester disc jockey Dave Eager, and contestants were judged on grace and charm, personality, deportment and diction.

As winner of the competition, Miss Farrell received the John McCarthy silver trophy, £5 in cash and a free holiday at a Butlin's camp.

The event was held at the Cooperative Hall, Downing Street, Manchester.

MILITANT residents of Hall Street, Radcliffe, have drawn up a petition protesting about the low pressure of water supplies to their homes.

For several years, they say, the pressure has been extremely low and people have to ration their supplies. Sometimes homes are completely without water and at best only a thin stream of water comes from taps in seven houses in the street.

Residents have banded together in attempt to bring notice to their problem.

The petition has been sent to the medical officer of health with a letter appealing for action.