The stories making the headlines in Northwich 100 years ago...

100 years ago

TWO men from Winsford were given recognition for saving three children from drowning at the town hall.

Samuel Stubbs and James Baily, both residents of Gladstone Street, received the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s certificate and medal for their gallant rescue of children who had fallen into the North Stafford Canal, in Middlewich on three separate occasions.

James Davine, age 10, fell into the water at a point that was estimated to be 11ft deep on May 13.

William Robinson, age eight, and his sister Alice, age 11, fell into the same canal whilst playing on the edge of the water a week later on May 25.

At the ceremony, the men were commended for “showing the same heroism portrayed by soldiers on the battlefield”.

50 years ago

A TARPORLEY man appeared in Oakmere Magistrates Court after stealing more than £60 worth of silver from his employer to fund his drinking habits.

The man stole £68, 10s worth of silverware while working for Colonel John Anthony Barkshire at Lower House, in Oulton.

The defendant, who was reported to suffer with alcoholism, had various duties at the property which included keeping the silverware shining.

The judge heard how temptation led the man to steal items and later sell them to nearby jewellers.

He was handed a 12 month suspended sentence and was required to seek medical help for his addiction.

25 years ago

MORE than 2,000 fish were killed in one night in the Trent and Mersey Canal after it became contaminated in Rudheath.

The National Rivers Authority received a call after a member of the public discovered thousands of floating fish in the waterway.

Experts had to be drafted in to contain the pollution and find out what caused it.

An investigation revealed that oxygen levels in the water had been cut to just five per cent, making the area inhabitable to most lifeforms.

Water bailiffs worked tirelessly to make the environment suitable for any remaining fish and tested nearby water in Lostock to ensure the situation had been contained.