TWELVE thousand local people were laid off work due to industrial unrest in January, 1974, while at the Nelson Imp you might have seen the Four Most, the Merseybeats or the Swinging Blue Jeans.

The new Wimpy Bar was opened in Burnley across from Hall Street, and mid January gales caused havoc with a number of cars being damaged through falling trees. B.E.P. landed a huge American contract, and areas at risk from power-cuts were published in the newspaper. The union at Lucas Works vowed to fight job losses, which the company blamed on lost contracts. Three Burnley Corporation workers found themselves trapped in a sea of mud in a Padiham culvert and had to be rescued by firemen.

Local miners remained militant, and the residents of Clough Street were fighting to save the area from industrial development.

In February, Lancashire County Council took over Noyna at Blackpool, where Burnley folk would be given preference.

Dan Jones, MP for Burnley, pleaded with the miners for talks, but failed to impress the crowd at the Clarion Club. On Trafalgar Street, Burnley's new ambulance station opened at a cost of £100,000.

There was a sad sight near the Culvert as the Odeon picture place began to crumble to the ground.

In March, Dan Jones was returned as Burnley's representative at Westminster, and the Odeon site was cleared, along with that of the Palace Theatre.

The fountain at Padiham at the junction of Victoria Road and Padiham Road was removed to its new site near the Padiham Pool in order to widen the road.

Cherilea Toy factory was opened at the former Vokes works, Coronation Mill on Abinger Street. Whittlefield Mill belonging to Dexters Paint was destroyed in a fierce blaze, and fire officers tried to discover the cause of a fatal blaze at the historic Hurstwood Hall.

Burnley Borough Council held the final meeting before the Burnley District Council took over on April 1.

In April , the multi-million pound Thompson Centre was opened. The Moneysave Store on Croft Street was gutted by fire, but said it would be back in business within weeks.

In May, a semi-skilled fitter at B.E.P. might have been earning £40 per week including shift allowance. The Britannia pub on Oxford Road was saved from demolition, and planners suggested that land at Bentley Wood Green should be used for industry.

Not one member of the public attended a meeting by the local authority regarding plans to demolish the Police Bridge between Massey Street and Church Street. While in the same area, the Keighley Green Club celebrated its centenary year.

June saw the official opening of Burnley's newest night club, the Angels, on Curzon Street by TV's Pans' People and the club boasted its own band of angels, as the waitresses were called.

July saw the much-lamented Central Baths on Bath Street behind the Town Hall demolished.

In August, Ken Dodd opened the new style Majestic bingo hall on Brougham Street. The official opening of the Thompson Recreation Centre took place in August, its benefactor, William Thompson sadly failed to see the event having died a few days previously.

In September the final stage of the Central redevelopment was taking place on the site of the former Palace Theatre, and a £3m expansion plan was announced by Mullard's at Simonstone.

In October, there was a drama at the New White Horse pub when a fire broke out there. A 12-year-old girl bravely carried her 20-month-old brother to safety.

Workers taking voluntary redundancy at Massey's Brewery raised glasses in a brave salute at a party in their honour.

In November, it was suggested that the Casino Club at the Mechanics Institute might be reclaimed, and the premises used as a public hall by former Mayor Ronald Bushby.

It was also announced that flats were to replace the former Manchester Road Methodist Church.

In December, there were queues outside B.S.K. and other local bakeries as a bread shortage took place. One of Burnley's most historic buildings would soon be making way for development, the Keighley Green Courthouse. Hits of 1974 included She, Seasons in the Sun, and Tiger Feet.