Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1903-07-31 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

ABOU-BEN-ADHEM." _ .  One would naturally bare not been particularly surprised had the elaborate excursion arrangements which were made by the railway companies in connection with the Nelson and Barrowfoul holidays not been taken advantage of to such an extent this year as on previous occasions, but from the information we have been able to gather there have been quite as many holiday makers who have sought the favourite seaside haunts as in any previous year, in fact one of the chief excursion agents tells us that many more tickets were issued, than was the ease last year. The mills suspends, ed operations on Friday. and on Saturday many of the shop keepers followed their example. The exodus commenced early on Friel4 evening and hardly a train left before Saturday noon which was not well packed with excursionists. During the very early hours of Saturday morning the greets were alive with people hurrying to the station with their boxes, and the conducted trips and the long distant* excursions had a large share of the patronage. Blackpool is always the favourite resort; it is near( it is comparatively inexpensive, and the holiday which can be spent there is of the eliaract,,r which is well suited to the taste of those who for twelve long months have been confined to the stuffy weaving shed. A large number went on to Douglas and the other resorts in the Me of Man, while many were inclined to follow the dictates of fashion and go to Ireland. A. much larger number than usual booked to Larne, and Morecambe and Southport attracted many hundreds. It is safe to say that one third of the population of the town went away last week-end. The weather with which the holiday makers have been favoured has been passable. It might have been better, but though there have been some sharp showers and Monday was decirledly wet, generally there have been some very fine spells. Those who have been left at borne have had an opportunity of whiling away a few hours in indulging in the fun of the fair. On the fair ground at the bottom of Carr-road the attractions have been very numerous, and on some evenings they have been patronised by a crowd so large that one almost wonders Iwhi re they come from when it is remembered that the streets during the day time are almost deserted. There has been a cinematograph exhibition, and a number of sill° shows, ioundabouts, on which for a consideration one could take one's choice between a ride on a bicycle, a horse, a dragon, or a curious centaur-like animal with a head resembling that of a British general and a body like that of a horse. One could experience the delights of mal-de-mer at home in a huge swinging boat arrangement which was swung by machinery into a position which an Atlantic wave would have a difficulty in producing with a small cockleshell. There were shooting saloons, cocoa-nut shies, anil Aunt Sallies galore, to say nothing of dozens of stalls for the children. On Monday morning some attempt was made to get ups little sensation for those who stayed at home. It was freely rumoured that a man had been murdered in a drunken brawl, but the facts proved to have been greatly exaggerated. A man it appeared had been injured and there had been home blood spilt but there was nothing of a sufficiently serious character to warrant the police taking any action. At Barrowford. all the mills with the exception of Wiseman's) stopped on Friday until next Monday. Atkinsonls (Newbridge). Berry's, and the Sunfield Manufacturing Co.'s mills are closed for a fortnight owing to the depression in the cotton trade. These three firms represent over 3000 looms. The village presents quite a deserted appearance it being computed that more than half the population is at present holidaymaking. The bulk of the villagers have gone to Blackpool, Morecambe, alai tit, Isle of Men, and last Friday evening a good number patronised the long-distance trips to Ireland and other distant places. A conducted party to the North of Ireland was very popular, considerably over 100 going. On Saturday morning about 60 members of the Working Men's Club, David-street, left for Liverpool. On Tuesday morning a?I UM. her of people who haul intended leaving for Blackpool had an unfortunate experience. Owing to some hitch in the tramway arrangements they were unable to reach Nelson station in time for their train.