Lancashire nostalgia in 1974: Queen's visit; Charlton to play for North End; and cowboy Glenn

Here's a look at some of the stories that were making the headlines back in 1974:
HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Preston Railway StationHM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Preston Railway Station
HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Preston Railway Station

Police clamp after threat to Queen

A threat was made on the Queen’s life as she arrived in Lancashire for British Rail’s electrification celebrations.

One of the biggest security operations ever mounted in Preston - her first stop - was immediately tightened after an anonymous caller telephoned the threat to the town’s police station.

Ex-Man United star Bobby Charlton to play for Preston North EndEx-Man United star Bobby Charlton to play for Preston North End
Ex-Man United star Bobby Charlton to play for Preston North End
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Special Branch, Task Force, plainclothes and uniformed men threw a cordon around the railway station before the Queen and Prince Philip arrived by special train.

No parking was allowed anywhere near the station approach and railway police carried out a minute check for suspicious-looking suitcases.

Every policeman who could be spared was on duty, either on the station or in the surrounding area.

The Queen and Duke, whose visit marks British Rail’s completion of the London-Glasgow electrification programme, were warmly welcomed on to the platform of the refurbished station by a line-up of proud railmen.

Toddler Glenn Wilkinson who got his head stuck in his metal rocking horseToddler Glenn Wilkinson who got his head stuck in his metal rocking horse
Toddler Glenn Wilkinson who got his head stuck in his metal rocking horse
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Before unveiling a commemorative plaque the Queen told the crowds it was an important day in the history of British Rail.

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Look back at a selection of pictures from 1974 here

Football sensation Charlton to play again... for North End

Bobby Charlton will be playing again next season... for his club Preston North End, in the Third Division.

The North End manager will be donning those famed shooting boots once again to help the Deepdale club in its bid for a speedy return to the Second Division.

The sensational news leaked out after Charlton had played in Tony Green’s testimonial match at St James’ Park, Newcastle. He played in the full Newcastle side against brother Jackie

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Charlton’s Middlesborough, and turned in a scintillating display.

Charlton, now in London as one of BBC TV’s soccer panel for the Home International Championship, said: “I expect to play a full season for Preston. I now feel fit enough to play a full 90 minutes and the 12 months rest since leaving Old Trafford has done me good.

“It would be a waste of time sitting on the touchline if I could be out on the field helping the club.

“The main reason for my comeback is to help Preston get promotion from the Third Division at the first attempt, but I have missed playing.

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“At the end of last season I mistook tiredness for old age. All I really needed was six months off. Now all my enthusiasm has returned again.”

Manchester United had held on to Charlton’s registration and, in agreeing to let Preston take this over, they are in fact giving him a free transfer.

Cowboy Glenn’s ride into trouble

Rocking-horse cowboy Glenn Wilkinson galloped straight into trouble the first time he tried to mount the rocking-bronc given to him by a friend.

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But within minutes the cavalry came galloping to his rescue - two fire engines and a posse of ten firemen.

The baby bronc-buster had come unstuck when he stuck his head through the rear rail of his steed.

He couldn’t wiggle the rest of himself through and no matter how his mum, Mrs Dorothy Wilkinson tried, 13-month-old Glenn’s head remained well and truly wedged.

For 20 minutes Mrs Wilkinson, of Highfield Avenue, Lostock Hall, kept the pint-sized cowboy happy on chocolate bars while she struggled to get his head out of the metal noose. But in the end had to send for the reinforcements.

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