Take a trip down memory lane, with the stories that hit the headlines in Northwich 100, 50, and 25 years ago.

100 years ago

‘ACCIDENTAL death due to suffocation by drowning’ was the verdict delivered by the coroner at an inquest for a man found dead in Pickmere.

The body of Horace E. Thronton, a discharged soldier, was found in a capsized yacht on Pickmere Lake.

The ship was discovered at the bottom of the lake just two hours after it set sail, when passersby noticed the body floating on the water's surface.

Relatives heard details of how the vessel was struck with a strong gust of wind, turning the boat on its side. The sudden jolt caused Thronton’s arm to become trapped and wounded before he sank to the bottom of the lake and drowned.

Courts were informed of the dangers that come with inexperienced sailing, saying that this stood as a lesson for people wanting to sail alone.

50 years ago

AFTER 16 years of service, a school caretaker retired from work, and was met with a surprise from pupils.

Pupils at Rudheath County Primary School presented 65-year-old Harold Swindell with an armchair ‘so that he could finally put his feet up’.

The Fletcher Grove resident was reported as saying: “My time here has been extremely happy, and I have enjoyed working with all the staff. I never expected anything like this from the children so thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Mr. Swindell is said to have planned a ‘lazy retirement’ and looks forward to spend more time with his two granddaughters, daughter and wife.

25 years ago

SUPERMARKETS received a stern warning from the council to keep their trolleys under control, following a number of complaints by members of the public.

The shopping trolleys were found frequently around the town centre in Northwich, and even dumped in the River Dane.

Officials from Vale Royal Borough Council wanted the supermarket giants to cooperate with the council in addressing the problem as soon as possible, with the biggest offenders of ASDA and Tesco warned about potential fines.