From the Guide files of Friday, March 7, 1980: CORONATION Street star Elsie Tanner opened a fashion show held by the Brookvale Aid Committee. The event was held at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich.

l A PUBLIC inquiry began into the proposed closure of Kwik Save in Prestwich. The supermarket, on the corner of Fairfax Road and Bury New Road, was appealing against moves by Bury Council to close the store, despite it attracting 4,250 customers a week.

l THOUSANDS of pounds worth of damage was caused to St Gabriel's Church Hall, Prestwich, after a fire destroyed the stage area and the east wall. The fire started in a recess under the stage shortly after the vicar, Rev Robin Johnson left the building. A neighbour spotted clouds of smoke billowing from the hall and raised the alarm.

l A TRADITIONAL Welsh welcome greeted the Mayor, Coun David Davies, when he opened a St David's Day bazaar at Besses United Reformed Church. Coun Davies felt immediately at home as he hailed from Llanrhaedr-Yn-Mochant.

l

A MAN retired from the local authority after 34 years and only one day off sick. Mr Robert Leslie Cope joined Whitefield Urban District Council in 1946 and worked in the cleansing business, including refuse collection and street cleaning. When he retired he was senior cleansing officer for the southern area of Bury.