WE, like many people in the Bolton area today, will be alarmed at the prospect of a five-year-old girl taking part in a kick boxing contest. Little Laurelle Fitzsimmons is set to step into the ring at Liverpool in February to fight another similar young
MYSTERY today surrounded how a young man suffered head injuries before he was found collapsed on the pavement next to a busy dual carriageway. The 19-year-old, who has not been named by police, was discovered with bruising to his face and head on Crompton
SPECIAL branch officers are probing a Bolton link to the hijacking of an Indian Airline plane. The dramatic news comes a week into the plane siege - making it the sixth-longest plane hijacking of its kind - in which 160 hostages are being held. Today
BOLTON-based NHS Direct dealt with more than three times the number of calls over Christmas - and health chiefs expect the Millennium period to be even busier. Bosses at the call centres at Ladybridge Hall and Landmark House in Chorley New Road even drafted
SAM Allardyce has dropped a big hint that he could offer Franck Passi a long-term deal at the Reebok. The Wanderers' boss has enthused over the Frenchman's performances and appeared to pave the way for talks over a permanent contract when he said: "If
THE Samaritans are expecting to be extra busy this New Year as the pressure on people to enjoy themselves reaches fever pitch at the dawn of a new century. A team of 10 will be manning the phones in Bolton round the clock. Last year the Samaritans took
TICKETS for the home leg of Wanderers' Worthington Cup semi-final against Tranmere on Wednesday, January 12 go on sale at the Reebok next Tuesday. Season ticket holders have priority and have until Saturday, Jan 8 to reserve their usual seats. Lifeline
A FIVE-year-old Bolton girl is making a new bid to become the youngest ever competitor in a Kick Boxing contest. Laurelle Fitzsimmons - who only recently began primary school and weighs little more than three stone - is set to step into the ring in February
I WRITE in response to DBA's letter criticising Canon Williams' article. DBA makes a point that "The Lord Hates Divorce", this stance was made nearly 2,000 years ago when the implications of divorce were somewhat different that today. A man could divorce
A FORGOTTEN bank account that lay dormant for years has been crucial in transforming St Catherine's Church, Horwich into a place of worship for the Millennium. And some say that the money's reappearance - just at the right moment to save the church -
I HAVE read with interest over the past several weeks, letters on this page concerning the activity of homosexuals using the lay-by on the A666 between Bolton and Darwen. While I would not condone any public sexual activity, I cannot differentiate between
I SEE that Mr Derbyshire is still BANGING-ON about banning fireworks. In a previous letter of mine, objecting to your petition, he 'rubbished' my opinion, questioned my education and as much as accused me of social irresponsibility. However I now note
COUNCILLORS Harkin and Spencer, through your columns, write to praise and claim credit for the job they do for housing in Bolton. Councillor Harkin even invites me to respond, and this I am happy to do. The Government recently allocated Bolton Council
I THINK the Vicar of Bolton, the Rev. Michael Williams, utters the most harmful drivel in his articles in your newspaper. Not content with his recent attack on marriage, he now makes mistaken and unfounded comments on capitalism (BEN: Dec 27). The phenomenon
NEW Year - especially this Millennium Eve tomorrow - will mean enjoyment and fun reaching fever pitch for millions of people. Sadly, for others it will be a time of mental anguish, acute loneliness and, possibly, even a time when they contemplate suicide
25 YEARS AGO AMATEUR footballer Vincent Collins dreamed of stardom but ended up seeing stars. Vincent was so determined his team should score the winning goal he followed the ball right into the net. But he didn't stop there. He got tangled in the back
NEW YEAR' S EVE Hootons, 182-184, Lee Lane, Horwich (4pm to 5pm); Cohens, 576, Blackburn Road (5pm to 6pm); Frederick Street Health Centre, Farnworth (6pm to7pm). NEW YEAR'S DAY McCallister, 44, Market Street,Westhoughton (10am to11am); Bromley Cross
THE battle for Spen Moor is set to rage into the new century as Radcliffe residents fight to save their green and pleasant land. Peel Investments (North) Ltd, which successfully challenged Bury Council's Green Belt protection of the land, has applied
A BOLTON alcohol abuse expert has spoken of his fears of drink-fuelled Millennium Eve celebrations. And Jon Royle, manager of Bolton's Community Alcohol Service, is worried that the Year 2000 celebrations will see youngsters in the town turn to booze.
WITH regard to the letter by Peter Johnston about us, 'free morning paper pushers' as he calls us. I would like to put the record straight. I am employed by a reputable agency to distribute these papers to the general public of Greater Manchester, if
WANDERERS fear they could be fighting a losing battle in their efforts to have Mark Fish and Ricardo Gardner available for the first leg of their Worthington Cup semi-final showdown with Tranmere. Both players have been called up for international duty
ONLY people of great character take to their bikes on a cold Boxing Day morning. Well that's my excuse anyway. The run out was designed merely to off-load some of the extra pounds gained so far this festive season. Frequent hail showers had left thick
Christmas bells are gaily ringing, Dimly heard across the moor, Mingling with the sound of singing, Carols round a cottage door. Hark the message they are sounding, Cheerful, chiming Christmas bells, Peace on earth, and joy abounding, Loud their joyful
By Karen Stephen FORGET the posh frocks and designer suits, the best way to break the ice at any party is to turn up in fancy dress. Everyone loves dressing up - French maid, policeman, Star Wars character, nurse or pirate - and a fancy dress party is
BOLTON'S top three darts players are aiming to be top of the world. Steve Coote, Paul Williams and Les Fitton will line up with the sport's top throwers next month in the Embassy World Championships at the Lakeside, And cheering them on will be the regulars
AS the century draws to a close a Bolton man can claim to have played his part in one of its most enduring images. Not many people can say they played a role in making history, but Michael Cottrell from Egerton can. The former Grenadier Guard was one
'£8M boost to southern side of town', blazed the BEN headline. Good, I thought, at last a council planner has left the Town Hall and turned south. When I read the details I found that the plan only covered the area as far as Trinity Street, 200 yards
A SHOP which "lost" a father's Christmas present and then told him he would have to pay extra for another has backed down and offered to replace it free of charge - after intervention from the BEN. Neil Barker bought a dishwasher and other items from
AS the school holidays continue, I would like to draw attention to the plight of low-paid non-teaching staff in schools, colleges and universities. Many clerical workers, classroom assistants, technicians and catering staff are employed on "term time"
BOLTON'S Rob Barry was a comfortable winner as he raced to his second successive title in the Gibsons of Brock Millennium Rally. This unique event, the last to be run in Britain this Millennium and the very first to count towards the year 2000 North West
Hands down the centuries reach out to their relatives, I on the threshold of a new millennium gather in my own harvest. Seeds of lost generations speak out. I stand on the edge of this new millennium, Look upwards, to the future with hope. I remember
ORGANISERS of a Bolton town centre fun fair intend to transport revellers back in time - by reducing the cost of rides to 1900 prices. The move by Bolton New Year Fun Fair, in Cheadle Square, aims to celebrate the end of the century by matching the 10p
LEISURE, SPORT AND KEEP FIT BOLTON Excel, Lower Bridgeman Street, tel: 334456: 7.30am-10.30pm. DEANE Leisure Centre, Junction Road, Deane, tel: 656033: junior swimming lessons, 5.30pm-7.30pm; weight induction, 7pm-9pm. FARNWORTH Leisure Centre, Brackley
