10 YEARS AGO: Around 30 members exhibited their work at the annual exhibition of Barrow Society of Arts at Barrow Library in Ramsden Square.

A 45ft Norway spruce from Thirlmere Forest arrived in Barrow to be the town's Christmas tree.

Opposition was growing to plans for an academy as part of a shake-up of secondary education in Barrow.

Hospital bosses were hoping to entice more NHS students to the area by building a new accommodation block in the grounds of Furness General Hospital.


25 YEARS AGO: The Right Reverend Martin Wharton, whose parents lived at Newton, was the new Bishop of Kingston-upon-Thames.

Governors at Cartmel Priory School voted in favour of seeking the opinion of parents on opting out of local authority control.

Redundancies in Barrow had led to a five-fold increase in couple facing marital problems, said the town's marriage guidance organisation.

An appeal fund was being launched to build a statue of the Ulverston-born film star Stan Laurel in his home town. The national appeal aimed to raise up to £80,000.

50 YEARS AGO: Lady Morris of Grasmere was the guest for a speech day held at the Public Hall for Barrow Grammar School for Girls.

Norman and Ethel Haresnape were in charge at Barrow's Hartington Hotel in Duke Street and had a no-juke box policy.

You could hear The Nolans in concert at Barrow Conservative Club on Abbey Road.

Barrow's bus workers rejected local talks and called on the Minister of Labour to sort out a pay and conditions claim.