Mail Memories
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A look back at what was making the headlines ten, 25 and 50 years ago this week (January 31, 2013).
10 YEARS AGO - JANUARY 30, 2003
The Mail’s front page announced plans for a new NHS dentist in Fairfax Road, Harborough, a move which was set to half the waiting list for treatment in the town.
Inside, headteachers were expressing their delight at big improvements in Key Stage 3 and GCSE/GNVQ exam results after the publication of school league tables.
Teachers put the good grades down to extra classes.
Work on a new luxury hotel at Kilworth House was coming along nicely, with an opening date set for April.
In Lutterworth, plans for a lasting memorial to Sir Frank Whittle suffered a setback after the group behind the project discovered a £5,000 shortfall in the funds needed.
They would eventually find it, enabling the replica Gloster jet aircraft to be built on the Rugby roundabout at the entrance to Lutterworth.
25 YEARS AGO - JANUARY 28, 1988
Wintry scenes similar to those seen in recent weeks gripped Harborough. More than six inches of snow fell across the district in two hours, bringing it to a virtual standstill, and earning school children a day off.
There was anger as British Rail axed two of Harborough’s London commuter trains in a shock timetable shuffle.
Today’s commuters might be interested to know an annual season ticket to London cost just £2,000 back then.
Restoration work to repair the tower and roof of the 13th century St Andrew’s Church in Foxton was underway in a £12,000 project.
Plans for homes on the former Harborough to Northampton railway line were unveiled.
The housing development, off Springfield Street, are known today as Brittania Walk.
50 YEARS AGO - JANUARY 31, 1963
Council house rents were to rise by up to three shillings, seven pence a week, reported the Mail - then known as the Market Harborough Advertiser & Midland Mail.
But rents in Harborough remained among the lowest in the country, said Market Harborough Urban Council.
Harborough middleweight boxer Boxer George Aldridge was preparing to travel to Austria to fight Hungarian fighter Lazlo Papp for the European championship.
Aldridge would lose the fight, on February 6, by technical knockout after 15 rounds.
Proposals to close Hanbury Church of England Secondary Modern School in Church Langton the following year were being discussed.
And the council was being criticised for its efforts to clear a recent snowfall - proving that some things never change.
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Weather for Harborough
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: North west
