One of the few remaining pleasures known to civilised man is the period on a Sunday when a reasonable amount of time -- usually a couple of hours -- can be spent ingesting the contents of a quality newspaper. Last weekend I took advantage of a promotion
I WISH to protest at the sweeping and untrue statement by Councillors Helsby and Kilcoyne that "Most people living in Band A property receive Council Tax Benefit". It is simply untrue and calls for an instant apology to all hard-working people. J H Smith
HI! Did anyone go to Hayward Green High, Bolton, and would have left in 1976. If so, get in touch. I would love to hear how people's lives have progressed since the days of Noddy Holder and Slade. I have a twin sister and we were often called the Snooty
I AM writing because the BEN is asking people to vote on whether juveniles in court should be named. I used to think that in cases like this, people should be named and shamed. But I've come to realise that if you name someone then it is not just the
WELL done, drugs busters! It's about time their work was noticed. And good to know -- no, reassuring to know -- that one section of society can get the job they're entrusted with right. From the end of 1999, and on through the Millennium, the BEN was
I AM writing this letter after learning of Bolton magistrates' recent decision not to reveal the names of "yobs". In the part of the United States where I live, we have a TV show called 'Caught in Providence' which is basically a camera in the local courtroom
IMAGINE being unable to read road signs while driving, simple instructions or even the front page headline of this newspaper. Thousands of adults in Bolton today struggle to read and write properly. The basic skills of ordinary life are denied to a staggering
I TRAVELLED to Bhuj as a relief worker on February 2. During my stay I found that at least 68 villages razed to ground needed an urgent sheltering programme before the villagers are hit by the rainy season in June. These people are housed in small tents
AS a long term season ticket holder at Bolton Wanderers football club I have attended the majority of matches at the Reebok Stadium and have unfortunately found the home support for the team to be fickle, and the attendances to be poor. Huge efforts are
I HONESTLY thought there was no way back into this one after the one-sided first half and, but for a couple of goal-line clearances, I don't think there would have been. We came out in the second half and the first five minutes were much the same as the
A BID by bosses at Reebok Stadium to persuade megastars Bon Jovi to perform at the ground has failed. They had hoped to attract the American rockers to build on the success of last July's two Oasis concerts which attracted more than 70,000 concert-goers
AT one stage it was the FA Cup tie neither manager wanted. Who cared about the result? Just as long as it wasn't a draw ..! Then it became the tie from hell with the winners facing the daunting prospect of a quarter-final clash with Arsenal. Since Sam
Rovers 1 West Brom 0: Report courtesy of our sister paper the Lancashire Evening Telegraph GRAEME Souness raised a few eyebrows when he took a gamble on Celtic outcast Eyal Berkovic. But those doubting his wisdom are starting to gulp down the humble pie
Fulham 1, Wanderers 1 THERE are times, Sam Allardyce admitted after seeing his team hammered 4-1 by Blackburn, that you just have to hold up your hands and admit you've been beaten by a better side, writes Gordon Sharrock At half-time at Craven Cottage
THE fourth annual North West Manufacturing Show is at the G-Mex Centre in Manchester on November 21 and 22. ETES, the organiser, holds a similar event on October 17 and 18 at the Telewest Newcastle Arena.
THE West Pennine branch of the Institute of Management, covering Bolton and Bury, holds an Open Evening, 7.30pm, Tuesday, March 6. The event, sponsored by Pennine Telecom, is in the company's training suite, Salford Street, Bury. Further information on
THE TUC is making health and safety at work and on the roads a central theme of its activities in 2001. Officials are calling for company directors to be jailed if they allow their employees to drive dangerously and neglect their duty of care in the workplace
A FIREFIGHTER accused of making hoax phone calls was today due to attend a reconvened appeal hearing. Malcolm Pye, a part-time sub-officer at Horwich, was given three months to quit the brigade after being found guilty of "corrupt or improper practice
THE Chambers of Commerce movement is calling for radical measures to reform the regulatory environment and reduce business taxation. Budget 2001 submissions from the British Chambers of Commerce suggest that this will be critical if the government wants
FIREFIGHTERS disinfected their clothes and equipment to combat foot and mouth disease when they attended a blaze at a farm near Kearsley. An arsonist had set fire to a building full of hay at a farm off Sandhole Road at around 11pm on Saturday. Firefighters
RESEARCH shows that owners of private middle market companies are more likely to sell their businesses than pass them on to family members. A Growing Business survey from business advisers KPMG revealed that 90 per cent of owners nationally -- 89 per
A BOLTON-based company has announced a major boost to its plans to introduce a lightweight concrete building system throughout Britain and Ireland. ThermoneX, owned by Kearsley-based businessman David Aulton and Irish partner, Martin Mulligan, is pioneering
BOLTON-born property developer Carol Ainscow has been hailed as one of the "unsung heroes of the renaissance of Manchester." The leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Richard Leese, made the comment at a glittering launch party for a multi-million pound
PET rescue took on a whole new meaning when a Farnworth nursery school played host to two visitors from Bosnia. Bridgewater Nursery, in Dobhill Street, welcomed child psychologists Alma Taso and Irena Dumic as part of an Royal Society for the Prevention
A STAGGERING £737,000 is on its way to Bury, bringing a massive boost for environmental projects and regeneration schemes across the borough. The huge grant funding is to come via the North West Development Agency and means projects, designed to improve
YOUNGSTERS from Horwich will have the chance for a global chinwag thanks to a £25,000 video conferencing project. Claypool Primary School in Salisbury Road will enjoy regular face-to-face contact with pupils from a school in Gauteng Province, near Pretoria
PANIC buyers have been clearing the supermarket shelves of meat as the foot and mouth crisis deepens. Anxious shoppers in Bolton have been snapping up red meat as fears of a shortage grew, store managers said. Sales of white meat have boomed as shoppers
A STARSTRUCK seven-year-old was given a surprise speaking role in a forthcoming film when he had only expected to work as an extra. Thomas Ashton, of Chipping Road, Johnson Fold Estate, was offered extra work along with four of his pals from the Angels
THE Bolton girlfriend of paratrooper Benjamin Kamanalagi, who was beaten to death in a vicious attack, is appealing to people in the town to support her campaign to give the thugs responsible a tougher sentence. Joanne Done wants the public to sign her
PROOF positive of the benefits of adult learning comes in the shape of hard-working mum Pauline Berney. The 45-year-old of Hazelmere, Kearsley, left school with no qualifications and admits she failed her 11-plus exams. But that never stopped her from
ASBESTOS rained down on a school following a raging fire at a nearby underwear factory, it was revealed today. Small particles of sheet asbestos were found in the playground at the Muslim Girls School, in High Street, Daubhill. And a clean-up operation
RICARDO Gardner has been counted out of Wanderers' FA Cup replay at Blackburn on Wednesday night. And the Jamaican international is also expected to be ruled out of Saturday's fixture - wherever it might be. The statutory 'No football for a fortnight'
FARMERS ARMS, Chorley Street, Bolton. UK Doors, a tribute to The Doors. Starts 9pm. HALLIWELL CENTRAL REFORM CLUB, Brownlow Fold, Bolton. Suzie Bee, female vocalist, Brian Sharp, comedian and John Denny, male vocal. Saturday March 3. Also, Steve Shelley
ATLANTIS, Eagley Brook Way, Bolton. Ring Bolton 529922. Friday: Extreme, dance night, Saturday: Desire, mainstream chart and dance music. BAR COAST DUO, St Mary's Street, Manchester. DJs Phat Pete and The Nice play commercial dance music. Every Friday
ARC GALLERY STORE, Oldham Street, Manchester. Lucy McLauchlan and Steffa Plaetz featuring drawings, paintings and computer generated imagery. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 12 noon to 5pm. Ring 0161 831 7454. ASTLEY CHEETHAM ART GALLERY
25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 2, 1976 RESIDENTS of Sharples, Astley Bridge, have won the first round of their fight to stop house building on "the last open space" near their homes. A scheme to build houses on eight acres of fields at Sharples
ECO-FRIENDLY Boltonians planted trees yesterday as the final stage of a campaign to build a woodland in the town for the Millennium. More than 300 trees were planted as part of the Millennium Woodland project at Haslam Park, Wigan Road, Deane, between
PEOPLE who provide a vital service caring for others will be able to enjoy short breaks from their demanding jobs, thanks to new cash grants. A total of £3,800 is being awarded in the Carers Grant Fund scheme run by Bolton Council for Voluntary Services
A WAR of words has erupted between Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly and a Horwich Lib Dem councillor hoping to replace her at the next General Election. Cllr Barbara Ronson. the Lib Dem's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the MP's seat, has broadsided
GREAT LEVER COMMUNITY CENTRE, Bradford Road, Bolton. Thai Boxing Tuesday eves 7pm-8pm. Thai Boxing for children Saturdays, noon to 1pm. Ring Bolton 522568. CLUB MISTRY, 187 Derby Street, Bolton. 5 full sized snooker tables. Open daily. Ring 524695. MEN
HAZEL GROVE MUSICAL FESTIVAL, Hazel Grove Methodist Church, Wesley Street. A competitive festival for all ages. Morning classes include Youth Choir, Junior Choir and vocal ensemble classes. Tickets £1 and 50p conessions for the day or 50 for half a day
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH ARENA, Tel 0870 444 5566. TOWER BALLROOM, Blackpool. Also, live music and dancing to the sounds of the Wurlitzer Organ throughout the day Monday to Saturday. Ring 01253 292029. TOWER LOUNGE, Blackpool. Shamrock Man and Friends
FILMS for the week until Thursday March 8. UGC CINEMA, The Valley, Centertainment, Bolton. Hannibal (18); Proof of Life (15); The Gift (15); The Legend of Bagger Vance (PG); Shadow Of The Vampire (15); The Emperor's New Groove (U); Crouching Tiger, Hidden
KILHEY COURT, Chorley Road, Standish, Wigan. The Bradshaws are back in town with their own brand of humour taking a trip down memory lane. Friday March 23. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £8. Ring 01257 472100. QUAYS THEATRE, The Lowry, Salford. The Three Kings
ATHERTON LR drew 2-2 at Warrington in a Division Two clash but it was a performance that perplexed manager Alan Lord. He said: "I can't explain it. In midweek games we are looking capable of beating anyone and then it comes to Saturday and we are well
Leigh RMI 6 Nuneaton Borough 2 By Martyn Hindley NUNEATON Borough suffered the backlash of RMI's FA Trophy exit, as, in the first Hilton Park league game since New Year's Day, Leigh handed the Manor Park outfit a six-goal mauling. Opportunities came thick
I AM looking for old school buddies from Hayward School 1979-1980. I haven't been in England for 15 years and it would be nice to catch up. Alison Abbott Detroit, USA akabbott@hotmail.com
I FIND myself in total agreement with the idea of cutting the fines of the criminals of Bolton because the town is slipping down the wages league. But also, could the local council tax be reduced, not increased, to help the hard-working non-criminals
I HAVE been privileged to attend two shows of Peter Kay's at Manchester, plus one which he recorded for release on video at Blackpool Tower which is now on sale in the shops -- it's worth every penny! My advice to his recent critic, Mr Tyas Cooper, is
I MUST complain strongly about the state of Bolton Market public toilets. As a regular Tuesday customer, I have to, from time to time, use the toilets. They are disgusting. Graffiti is all over the place and more than once using the cubicles I have, to
I HAVE never written before, but watching the emergency services coping with the terrible train crash last Wednesday, with dead, trapped, frightened and injured people, then having to tell their loved ones really affected me. It made me remember that
I COULDN'T agree more with the sentiments expressed by Mr Wilkes. I too would like to know why some badge holders feel exempt from paying their share of the cost of running our car parks? If they don't pay on spaces where they should pay, how much more
HAVE you seen the rubbish at the side of the road of St Peter's Way? It's so disgusting I complained to the council and they said that around March 16 they intend to close St Peter's Way during the night to clean it. But why not keep on top of it and
WITH reference to Bolton's 17-year old-thug, defence counsel Isobel Gray states that he could be victimised. My answer to that statement is that in fact he should be victimised, at every opportunity. Society lives by rules and regulations, for the protection
THE saga of the parking offences continues. Recently, at a town centre church, a mourner who had travelled from overseas to attend a funeral parked his car outside the church, along with the funeral cars and received a parking ticket. The undertaker,
WE'VE been pleased to see that National Nesting Box Week has included boxes for bats and hedgehogs as well as those for birds. Hedgehogs are among our country's most charming wild creatures and are good friends to gardeners. If you don't already have
BOLTON Museum staff were celebrating today after scooping a share of the £6.6m National Lottery jackpot. The syndicate of 22 won £830,568, about £38,000 each, after sharing the jackpot with seven other winners. Today, the Bolton winners, who range from
Crystal Palace 0 Preston North End 2: Report courtesy of our sister paper the Lancashire Evening Telegraph PRESTON took their tally to five wins in six games and boosted their hopes of a top six finish. The game was over before half-time as North End
LEE Clark praised Wanderers' resilience and criticised his own team's failure to press home their overwhelming advantage in yesterday's top of the table clash at Craven Cottage. "To say we're disappointed would be an understatement," the Fulham midfielder
FULHAM 1 WANDERERS 1 (HT:1-0) WANDERERS TOMMY WRIGHT 7 An eventful full debut - spilled one first half but a couple of crucial saves early in the second period. GUDNI BERGSSON 7 Switched to right back to accommodate Warhurst; a busy, bustling performance
GRANTS of up to £2,000 are up for grabs in Bolton. The Co-operative Partnerships scheme is making the cash available for groups that help communities enjoy all opportunities in life. Projects must be active within a 10 mile radius of all Co-op Group food
A BOLTON company has joined forces with the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) to open an official Recycling Centre for valuable aluminium drinks cans. S C Chadwick & Sons Ltd, which is based in Oakenbottom Road, is hoping to encourage
THE Bolton Employers' Forum held its first meeting at the Moat House Hotel in Higher Bridge Street, Bolton. About 30 representatives of local firms attended to hear about the Employment Service which covers the Bolton and Bury area. District Manager Brenda
A MANAGEMENT buy-out has safeguarded 59 jobs at a Bolton company. PWS Dental Laboratory - part of A to Z Dental Holdings - has been acquired from Integrated Dental Holdings for an undisclosed sum and re-named PWS Direct Ltd. The company dates back 44
A GANG is being hunted by police after a drive-by street robbery yesterday. The men pulled up in a red Toyota car alongside a 25-year-old man as he walked along Cook Street, Bury, at 5.50pm. Two of the thugs got out of the car and grabbed the man by the
CHILDREN brightened up their lives when they gave a facelift to their local park and playground. The volunteers from the play scheme at the Deepdale Community Centre in Milnthorpe Road, Breightmet, painted the park's play equipment and planted £1,000
LEARNER drivers in the Bolton area will be able to gain an insight into the L test when the town's driving test centre opens its doors to the public on Thursday, March 15. Visitors will be able to have a go on the new touch screen theory test, and Driving
BOLTON'S eager traffic wardens have been giving tickets to unmarked police cars parked legally in their bays. CID cars parked in Queen Street, behind Bolton Central police station, have been repeatedly given tickets by wardens confusing them for cars
A BRAVE cancer victim has lost her breast and her hair - but not her spirit, humour or determination. Grandmother, Cheryl Gallimore of George Street, Farnworth, was diagnosed with breast cancer in November and has since had a mastectomy. She is currently
A BID by bosses at Reebok Stadium to persuade megastars Bon Jovi to perform at the ground has failed. They had hoped to attract the American rockers to build on the success of last July's two Oasis concerts which attracted more than 70,000 concert-goers
A VENUE with a controversial history could become a new up-market bar. The former Wiseguys and Angels premises on Manor Street could become known as The Office. The bid to reopen the venue under a new approach will be considered by licensing magistrates
BAR COAST, St Mary's Street, Manchester. Live Jazz duo. Every Wednesday. Starts 7pm. BOLTON CRICKET CLUB, Green Lane, Bolton. Jazz night every Thursday, 8.30pm. Ring Bolton 520230. BLUE CAT CAFE, Sha Mosses Community Centre, Cecil St, Bury. Ring 0161-
OCTAGON THEATRE, Bolton. Ring 520661. ST PHILIPS PAROCHIAL HALL, Bridgeman Street, Bolton. Rodgers and Hammersteins South Pacific by St Philips AODS. Runs from Monday March 5 to Saturday March 10. Starts 7.15pm. Ring 524800. OPERA HOUSE, Manchester. Saturday
KING GEORGES HALL, Blackburn. The Solid Silver 60s Show 2001. A 60s show featuring Peter Noone performing I'm into Something Good, Silhouettes, Wonderful World, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich performing Hold Tight, Bend It, Save Me, Wayne Fontana
25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 5, 1976 NO £4.80 suits from East Germany will be allowed into this country, and steps are being taken to limit the import of cheap wool suits which sell at about £12. These assurances came today from Mr Eric Deakins
25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 4, 1976 HUNDREDS of London commuters had a miraculous escape today when a bomb ripped open part of a train they had just left at Cannon Street station. IF you yawn a lot when you're not tired or bored, watch out
A CAREER burglar was jailed for three and-a-half years for a total of 47 burglaries involving property worth almost £50,000. Sean Crowshaw was tracked down through fingerprints for two burglaries, one committed with Robert Ryan, and helped police with
A PENSIONER may have lain dead and undetected for up to a week after a discarded cigarette sparked a flat fire. The woman, named as Brenda Hilton, was found in her smoke-filled home in Devoke Avenue, Walkden, at around 4pm on Saturday by a neighbour.
NEIGHBOURS are furious at plans to change their rubbish collection system -- after a dust cart crashed into a wall behind their homes. The whole row of residents in James Street, Little Lever, say they now have to carry rubbish-filled wheelie bins through
PRIME Minister Tony Blair is spearheading a campaign to encourage adults in Bolton who struggle with their literacy and numeracy skills to seek help. More than a quarter of people in Bolton, aged between 16 and 60, have problems with their reading and
ARTS groups in Bolton are set to take-off following grants from Manchester Airport. A total of £30,000 from the airport's Arts Sponsorship Fund has been awarded to two local organisations and to Bolton Council's arts '"pot." The Octagon theatre has received
HOWCROFT INN, Pool Street, Bolton. Ring 526814. LYRIC THEATRE, The Lowry, Salford. Ring 0161 876 2000. PLANET K, Oldham St, Manchester. PEMBROKE HALL, High St, Walkden 0161 790 4584.
CRAFT FAIR, Accrington Town Hall. Runs from Thursday March 1 to Saturday March 3. Starts 11am to 3pm. BOLTON DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY, Lecture Theatre, Central Library, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. All meetings held at 10.45am, subscription for year
MEN ARENA, Manchester. Tuesday April 10. Texas. Tickets £20. Starts 7.30pm. Also, Texas, Tuesday, April 10. Tickets £20. Also, Craig David, Thursday March 8. Tickets £18.50. Also, Elvis The Concert. Friday March 9. Starts 8pm. Tickets £27.50 and £22.50
at KARAOKE ANCHOR INN, Bolton. Friday and Saturday. BARNSTORMERS, Lostock Lane, Horwich. Karaoke with Dave G. Saturday. Starts 8pm. BEEHIVE, Horwich. Karaoke with free draw for all singers and a prize of a gallon of beer. Every Tuesday. Starts 9pm. SHARMAN
ARKWRIGHTS, Valletts Lane, Bolton. General knowledge quiz, Wednesdays, 9pm. Also, Sports quiz, Thursdays, 9pm. BARNSTORMERS, Lostock Lane, Horwich. Thursdays, 9pm. Free supper included. BEEHIVE, Horwich. Quiz night with a prize of a gallon of beer. Thursdays
IT was a performance Ken Bridge would have been proud of. Just 24 hours after the funeral of the highly popular and most successful manager in Ramsbottom United's history, his team was back in action in a NWCL Division One away game at Leek CSOB. It was
BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. Halle Orchestra perform Stravinsky Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Beethoven Symphony No 2, Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms and Ravel Suite No 2: Daphnis & Chloe. Sunday March 4. Starts 7.30pm. Also, New Queen's Hall Orchestra
RADCLIFFE Boro's climb up the Unibond Division One table continued with a 2-1 away win at Winsford United. Three wins on the spin has seen Boro jump out of the bottom two drop places to 16th in the table, with games in hand on every other club. Despite
SHAKERS' boss Andy Preece has promised to be honest with his players as the speculation about Bury's future increases. With no buyer for the club, players whose contracts run out in the summer may have to be released because chairman Terry Robinson can't
Bury 3 Swansea City 0 A FEW weeks ago the sight of a Bury team scoring three goals in a game was rarer than spotting a Golden Eagle nesting in the Gigg Lane stand. But, in the space of two home games, the Shakers have managed to achieve the feat twice
