JACK NADIN casts his eye back to the Burnley of 1974.

THE year started with 12,000 people being laid off work due to industrial unrest in January 1974, while at the Nelson 'Imp' you might have seen the Mersey Beats 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 local newspaper.

Unions at Lucas 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 1974, 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 from Hapton Valley Colliery 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 cinema began to crumble to the ground. The Odeon dated from 1937, and was Burnley's largest purpose-built cinema.

The site of the Odeon remained undeveloped until 1984, when Sainsbury's built their first store on its site. In March 1974, Dan Jones was returned as Burnley's MP at Westminster, and the Odeon site was finally 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 another, this time, a fatal blaze at the historic Hurstwood Hall. Burnley Borough Council held the final meeting before the Burnley District Council took over on April 1st.

In April 1974, the Thompson Centre was opened. The Moneysave Store on Croft Street was gutted by fire, but said they would be back in business within weeks.

In May 1974, 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 1974 saw the official opening of Burnley's newest night club, the Angels on Curzon Street by TVs Pans People and the club boasted its own 'Band of Angels' as the waitresses were called. The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor, Councillor Eddie Hanson. July 1974 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 earlier.

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

In October 1974, there was a drama at the New White Horse pub when a fire broke out there. McDonald's opened their first hamburger restaurant in Britain in South London, and a 12-year-old girl bravely carried her 20-month-old brother to safety following a fire at home.

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

In November 1974, it was suggested that the Casino Club at the Mechanics Institute might be reclaimed, and the premises used as a public hall, by the former Mayor Ronald Bushby.

In the final month of 1974, there were queues outside B.S.K. and other local bakeries as a bread shortage took place.