IT is almost 135 years ago that Queen's Park on Chorley New Road was officially opened, one of a large number of improvements made to the town in the middle of that century. It was, though, at that time known simply as Bolton Park, and the name was changed
Holy Trinity Church, Bolton, was the venue for the Church Lads' Brigade band practises held in the school hall. They were preparing in this photograph for their annual week's camp, held at Douglas in the Isle of Man, in the spring of 1955. Corporal Harold
HAVING already overcome the Leeds, Bradford & Darlington teams to become Zone One champions in the first round, Farnworth League's Cadet (Under-14) Boys team had an early start to travel down to north London for the second round of the Johnny Leach
A RETIRED teacher has been busy brightening up the lives of Bolton Wanderers players with a huge mural. John Deady -- who still helps out on a voluntary basis at St Joseph's High School in Horwich -- has been working on the 40ft long painting at the Wanderers
A RETIRED teacher has been busy brightening up the lives of Bolton Wanderers players with a huge mural. John Deady -- who still helps out on a voluntary basis at St Joseph's High School in Horwich -- has been working on the 40ft long painting at the Wanderers
CHURCHGOERS were left rolling in the aisles when their place of worship played host to a very special guest speaker - TV funnyman Bobby Ball. Oldham lad Bobby -- one half of smash hit duo Cannon and Ball -- spent a full day at Bolton Pentecostal Church
A BOLTON farmer has accused a "callous minority" of cashing in on the foot and mouth crisis. She has joined with National Farmers Union (NFU) representatives who claim that some people are profiteering by unnecessarily raising the price of meat. NFU member
BOLTON should follow Edinburgh's lead and turn a blind-eye to well-run brothels, according to an MP. Dr Brian Iddon believes a step towards legalising brothels is the best way to prevent youngsters from offering sex for sale on Bolton's streets. The Bolton
BLACKROD Town shared the spoils with Leyland Motors in a 1-1 home Premier Division draw. The first half was full of breathtaking end to end action with Town taking the lead on the half hour mark when Darryl Martinus volleyed home a beauty following good
The BEN Cup Round Two on Saturday saw second in the Premier Division Walkers given a real scare by Division One outfit Diamond before scraping through 3-2. Regular scorer Stuart Battle put Walkers in front on 24 minutes but this was cancelled out for
Index win THURSDAY SEMI-FINALS Griffin All Stars 0 Monteraze 1 -- this game lived up to its billing, with both teams playing the football we have come to expect from them. Ian Winnard's goal in the fifth minute, a terrific finish after a flowing build
DIVISION One outfit Farnworth Royals have been given an ultimatum by Combination officials after turning up at Stoneclough Reserves on Saturday with just eight men and refusing to play. Premier Division Little Lever have been thrown out of the Premier
A JUNIOR football team have appealed to Bolton businesses for help in sponsoring their squad. Oxford Grove Under 12s team, who play in the Bolton Boy's Federation League on Sundays, need help to buy a new kit, fund pitch expenses and buy training equipment
MEMBERS of St Paul's (Astley Bridge) AOS host a seventieth anniversary dinner at Smithills Coaching House on Saturday, April 21. All members, past and present, are invited. Anyone interested should contact Steve or Sandra on 847866.
ANTHONY Williams is Farnworth Performing Arts Company's new director. Anthony has been working with the company on its latest production, The Merry Widow, which began its run last night. The production at the Albert Halls runs until Saturday, March 31
A CHILLING tale of duplicity and murder, reminiscent of Hitchcock at his icy best, is how members of Phoenix Theatre Company describe their next production. The dark tale of The Talented Mr Ripley opens tomorrow at Chorley Old Road United Reformed Church
Bolton Samaritans, They're always there, When you're feeling down, Or in despair. If you've no one to talk to, Try the listening ears, They'll help in their own way, While you're in tears. They don't give advice, But do plenty more: They'll support and
THE idea of young people drinking to excess on our streets is a frightening spectre. But today, police are getting rid of a huge haul of alcohol seized from teenage drinkers in one area IN JUST TWO DAYS. Children aged between 12 and 16 were discovered
NAME any war or natural crisis around the world and there will always be someone profiteering from it. Given the current foot and mouth disease crisis, it was only a matter of time before allegations of sharp practice here surfaced. NFU members say that
I READ a very interesting article in the Bolton Evening News by David Crookes, regarding NHS Direct, which said deaf people are now able to communicate with this service using their minicoms. This is very good news, but I wonder if local taxi companies
I MUST say that James Stevens' response to my challenge on fox hunting was pretty pathetic and showed an utter contempt for the commonsense of voters in the constituency he wishes to represent. Does he think that by simply avoiding association with the
IN response to Cllr Nick Peel's letter, I do not feel that Brian Derbyshire is 'lost in De Lacy Drive' as he puts it; but indeed Brian made some very valid points. Properties on De Lacy Drive are void simply because nobody wants to live there. Not even
FOLLOWING your article 'Mucky devils' in the BEN on March 20, I am writing to say how angry it makes me feel how dog owners keep getting blamed for Bolton's dirty streets. Okay, some people do not pick up their dog's muck, but how many people pick up
THERE has been much in the post-bag in recent weeks about the planned closure of Sainsburys. Some of the comments in the post-bag have caused me some concern about an underlying attitude towards people in need. It will be a great pity if the planned closure
BMSS swimmers Kate Docton, Hollie Harthern, Ben Johnson, Karl Holland, Chris Holmes and Sean Rushton took part in the Glasgow Grand Prix. Kate,Ben, Chris and Karl competed in the Grand Prix, which attracted world class swimmers including Pieter Van Hoogenband
THE Lancashire County Championships and Age Group Competition concluded its programme last weekend at Wigan's 50 metre pool. The Championships attracted a huge entry of 839 individual swimmers who over two weekends competed in a total of 3,583 swims.
FORTY gallons of alcohol have been seized from under-age drinkers on the streets of Bolton over just three weekends, the BEN can reveal today. And 160 police warning letters have been sent out to parents. Hauls of alcohol seized in a police crackdown
PAUL Fletcher, former chief executive of the Reebok Stadium, has been appointed Project Consultant to mastermind Luton Town's ambitious plans for a new £35 million all-seater stadium. The former Wanderers' centre-forward made his name during six years
HORWICH Leisure Centre will host a blood donor session on Monday, April 2, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
JEAN and Reg Smith, of Queensgate, Bolton, who married at Bank Lane Baptist Church, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the weekend. The pair have three children and six grandchildren and celebrated their big day with a party at the Victory
DRAMA Workshop Youth Theatre presents an amateur production of Terry Pratchett's "Wyrd Sisters" adapted by Stephen Briggs on April 2 and 3 at 7.30pm at the Theatre Church, Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton. Adults £2.50, children and OAPs £2. These
FORGET all those traditional Northern net curtains twitching as neighbours passed .... Today's "nets" are really gossamer-like voiles in delicate colours and fabrics for all over the house. These lovely offerings (pictured) are new from Roseby's stores
A BOARDED-UP property described as an eyesore will be converted into an estate office for the council. The former block of four flats at 1-7 Malton Avenue, off Hulton Lane, Bolton, will be brought back into use for three years. Councillors will then consider
I'VE burbled on before about the evils of the mobile 'phone but it really can be the limit. After a conscious decision to give up my mobile 'phone on the basis that I'd rather not be accessible when walking around Tesco choosing tea, I've had mixed feelings
A HORWICH social club has been given the green light for a taxi rank on its own grounds. Bolton's Planning Committee agreed the RMI Club in Ramsbottom Road, which has more than 1000 members, could have the taxi rank for a two year test period. As reported
BOLTON schools are being given the chance to help pupils with their language skills by claiming a free talking book. Publishers Intense Educational Ltd, has launched a range of talking dictionaries in a bid to make learning the lingo a lot more fun. The
A 10-YEAR-OLD boy's bicycle was stolen as he was buying a card for Mother's Day. Christopher McCaughtrie was reduced to tears when he left a newsagent's in Minerva Road, Farnworth, to discover his bike had gone. And his mother, Deborah, who lives in Lobelia
A LEADING UK employment lawyer from Bolton is the co-author of a new equal opportunities handbook. Mr Michael Malone, aged 57, of Egerton, said at the official launch at the Tate Gallery in Liverpool: "I have seen a significant change in attitudes during
ONE of Bolton's oldest residents has died, aged 103, in Lever Edge House nursing home. Minnie Anderson, who was was born in Clarendon Street, Bolton, lived through the reigns of six monarchs and 21 prime ministers as well as the Boer War, two world wars
TWO men, posing as water board officials, escaped with £80 after tricking their way into an 85-year-old woman's home in Venwood Road, Prestwich, last night.
MORE parents have appeared before the courts in Bury because their children have played truant from school. Magistrates convicted William and Carol Hilton, of Eldon Street, Bury, after hearing how their child, a pupil at Broad Oak High, attended school
RESIDENTS of Radcliffe, can find out next week what the future may hold for the town. On Tuesday April 3, beginning at 6pm in Radcliffe Civic Suite on Thomas Street, there will be an opportunity to take a look at the proposed updated Unitary Development
POPSTARS singer Suzanne Shaw has revealed a burning ambition to become a Hollywood film star. The 19-year-old, who is wowing teenage fans with her band Hear'Say, said it was her dream to become an actress. And, displaying single-minded determination,
HARD-working teachers at four Bolton schools have been given an official Government thankyou to the tune of more than £30,000 each. The schools have been praised by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) for driving up exam standards between
THE De Vere Whites Hotel at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton has become a member of the Meetings Industry Association -- the recognised professional body for the conference industry. Marketing manager Sue France said: "Becoming a member of the MIA will increase
Salaries went up by 5.1 per cent -- from £28,900 to £30,700. It was higher than the national average rise of 4.7 per cent. The survey showed that older surveyors earned the most -- £41,400 when aged 56 or above -- and those in the 18-22 aged bracket averaged
NICKY Summerbee, who played a key role in Wanderers' vital victory at Nottingham Forest 10 days ago, gets a chance to sharpen up his match fitness with a runout in the reserves tonight. The winger has been striving for full match fitness since he joined
Westhoughton & District completed a double in the Halliwell Winter Rounders League by winning the Championship playoff against Crompton XI on Sunday. Having won the Russell Seddon Tournament last week, they were in determined mood against Crompton
Bolton Mets 18 Crosfields 4 AFTER last week's dismal display coach Rick Brookes pre-match pep-talk certainly did the trick as Bolton Mets ARLFC entertained Crosfields of Warrington at New House Farm. In a scintillating opening quarter Mets produced some
TWO Lions' teams are semi finalists in the North West Counties Cup at their respective age groups, the matches to be played on April 8. Maurice Lindsay, the Wigan Warriors Chairman, has assured the Lions of the Warriors' support. Royton Tigers U 12s 40
A NEW choir from Bolton Music Service has been created for mature and young voices aged 16 to 30 years. Soprano, alto, tenor and bass is encompassed within the choir, named The BMS Singers. Rehearsals are at Bolton Music Centre, The Deane School, Bolton
DRAMA Workshop Youth Theatre presents two productions next week. The first play, on Monday and Tuesday, is being undertaken by the older members of the Youth Theatre, aged between 15 and 18. This is the stage version of Terry Pratchett's 'Wyrd Sisters
I chose Hilary Anne's, Deansgate, Bolton, and nothing was too much trouble to help me, as I'm disabled and was looking for something special for my Golden Wedding anniversary on May 26. Keep up with the competitions, I love to do them Cecilia M Matthews
REGARDING Abdurrahman Patel's letter about Muslim schools. First I would like to point out that I have no objections to Muslims in Bolton having their own schools. But I would like an answer to the following question: if I went to Pakistan, which is 97
IN answer to your report on bins for dog mess. I am sure it is the hedge by the side of our house. Sure enough, the dog mess is in bags, but not taken home. All the little surprise parcels are left for us to clear up -- 16 parcels found at the last hedge
OVER 18 years as head of Bolton Racial Equality Council, Raymond Halliwell made a huge difference to racial harmony in this borough. It was never an easy job for this quiet, principled man but his positive actions and determination brought respect from
CAN anyone tell me why we are not getting our dustbins emptied on Georges Lane, and maybe in other areas in the borough? We are getting milk deliveries, post and mail services. Daily, there are hundreds of vehicles using the lane, comprising lorries from
I HOPE you give me the opportunity to respond to the disgraceful rantings of the Firs Road resident -- and yes I would like to exercise my right for my name to be withheld. Yes the decision is a body-blow to everyone who fought this application -- but
BARROWS Farm Riding School in Billinge is to close on April 1st, 2001. The reason: astronomical business rates have made the riding school a non-viable business! At last we had something in Billinge for the kids to do. Barrows provides endless hours of
I SEE the Tories are once again trying to score points regarding the handling of the foot and mouth saga. On Sunday, March 18, I bought a national newspaper. In it was a very good piece entitled 'The farmers ruined our countryside, now we have a chance
A FORMER fire boss masked his face as he conducted a series of sex attacks on lone women a court heard today. A jury at Manchester Crown Court heard allegations that George David Heyes, 44, of Banburgh Close, Radcliffe, had committed a series of attacks
LUIS Boa Morte is appealing against an FA misconduct charge brought after allegedly spitting at Robbie Elliott during the Fulham-Wanderers clash at Craven Cottage on May 4. The Portuguese striker, on loan from Arsenal, was sent off after reacting to a
A RETIRED teacher has been busy brightening up the lives of Bolton Wanderers players with a huge mural. John Deady -- who still helps out on a voluntary basis at St Joseph's High School in Horwich -- has been working on the 40ft long painting at the Wanderers
AS the Junior season reached its climax, Bolton needed a win away at Barrow to finish fourth to gain the final play-off spot. Bolton began poorly and found htting the target difficult from long range. The home side were quickly into their stride and converted
LOCAL crimefighters can gather for a meeting with police chiefs this week. The Astley Bridge Police and Community Consultative Group will meet at Moorgate Primary School, Entwistle Street, Tonge Moor this Thursday at 7.30pm. For further details contact
POLICE are on the hunt for a thief who walked out of B & M Bargains in the Market Precinct, Farnworth at 4.20pm on February 22 - with a microwave oven. The offender is believed to have carried it through the check-out without paying for it. He may
BUSINESS bosses are being warned to beware of bogus charity callers who have set up a money-making scam. The fake salesmen have targeted a number of supporters of the crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers in an attempt to obtain money by deception. Calls
BOLTON'S top detective has left the town to take on a new job tackling major North-west crime. After three years stationed in Bolton, Det Supt Mick Gorrill has moved on to head up Greater Manchester Police's major criminal investigations unit. It means
MEMBERS of Bolton Little Theatre have stepped in quickly to stage the world amateur premiere of Jimmie Chinn's A Different Way Home. The comedy has only just been released for amateur performance, having first been performed on the professional stage
at The Albert Halls. Runs until Saturday THIS production of the Merry Widow was a sumptuous feast of colour, costume and of course beautiful music. But there was one particular aspect of this show which ensured the audience remained merry . . . the widow
SAVS -- the Sexual Abuse Victim Support group -- is holding its annual meeting on Monday, April 9, at 7.30pm. The meeting will be in the Bolton Housing Advice Centre in Silverwell Lane in the town centre when a guest speaker from ChildLine will be present
BOLTON'S council tax rise is slightly higher than the North-west average. The typical increase faced by taxpayers in the region is 5.24 per cent compared with 5.8 pc here. The highest rise is Blackpool, 11.5 pc while the Liberal Democrat Liverpool council
FIND out more about Transcendental Meditation at a free introductory talk on Thursday evening. Diana Leighton will be the speaker at the Friends' Meeting House in Bolton town centre at 7.30pm. Ring her on 01695-727719 to find out more.
BOLTON Autism Action Group will hold its April meeting at Breightmet Labour Club and not The Doffcocker pub as normal. Guest speaker at the meeting on April 3 will be Richard Exley, who has Aspergers syndrome. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Dave
SKIN definitely needs a bit of cheering up at this stage of the winter. And two new products will certainly help make you feel better, by making you look better. Original Source have a new Moisturing Body Wash with essential oils that comes in a variety
WE make absolutely no apologies for featuring beachwear in March ... it's just the time you need some sunshine! Swimwear has undergone a real style change over the last year or two, making it much more of a fashion item with all its own accessories. This
PORK is one of those unusual meats that you either love or hate. If you love it, you'll have pork in any form. But if you've written it off as "too dry" or "tough", you could have your mind changed with this succulent recipe from TV celebrity chef Antony
TWELVE-year-old Ashley Gavin proved she was in top form when she took the honours at a music festival. Ashley, of Ainsworth Lane, Bolton, who attend Thornleigh Saleisan College, entered the prestigious West Pennine Music Festival at Oldham. Clarinetist
A MEATLOAF and Cher tribute night will still go ahead despite Foot and Mouth concerns. The tribute act is booked to play at Rivington Barn on April 12 at 8pm, but the organisers fear potential rockers will not attend because many of the footpaths surrounding
A BURGLAR caused £600 worth of damage when he forced his way into a Kearsley business. The offender, who struck at 8.05pm on Sunday, stole cash from Securitas at the industrial estate in Lyon Road before escaping in a vehicle which is believed to have
DETECTIVES are probing a fire in a stockroom at Bolton's troubled Deane School. Firefighters were called to the school in Junction Road after the smoke alarms were activated at 11.50am yesterday. The fire started in a stockroom and spread to adjoining
THE Ultimate Sixties Show is being staged at the Albert Halls, Bolton on Friday, April 6, 8pm. It will feature The Imposters who recreate the sound and style of an era that still influences music and fashion today. Everyone from The Rolling Stones, The
A JUNIOR football team have appealed to Bolton businesses for help in sponsoring their squad. Oxford Grove Under 12s team, who play in the Bolton Boy's Federation League on Sundays, need help to buy a new kit, fund pitch expenses and buy training equipment
ONE of Bolton's oldest residents has died, aged 103, in Lever Edge House nursing home. Minnie Anderson, who was was born in Clarendon Street, Bolton, lived through the reigns of six monarchs and 21 prime ministers as well as the Boer War, two world wars
VOLUNTARY and Community Groups in Bolton hope to improve their relations next month with the launch of a new scheme. The Compact for Bolton is a partnership agreement between voluntary, community and statutory organisations. The Compact aims to regulate
AGE Concern in Bolton is urging older people to make their voices heard in the run up to the General Election. The charity is asking pensioners to write to all their local prospective parliamentary candidates and ask them their views on Age Concern's
THE costumes are ready and the cast are gearing up for a Bolton high school's musical spectacular that has been a year in the making. Pupils from across the range of classes at Thornleigh Salesian College, Sharples Park, are hoping for bumper crowds at
BOLTON hairdressers have been invited to take part in international hairdressing championships in our French twin town of Le Mans. The championships, which will take place in the town's Congress Hall are being held by the Sarthe Hairdressing Federation
POLICE saved the lives of two men yesterday in dramatic rescues. Trained negotiators talked a 16-year-old local youth down from the roof of Bow Street multi-storey car park, where he had been sat threatening to jump for four hours. Horrified passers-by
ONE of Bolton's oldest residents has died, aged 103, in a nursing home. Minnie Anderson lived through the reigns of six monarchs and 21 prime ministers, as well as the Boer War, two world wars and the Great Depression. Mrs Anderson was born in Clarendon
TRIBUTES have been paid to the man hailed as a huge influence in improving Bolton's race relations. Raymond Halliwell, who has died aged 66, played a crucial role over 18 years as head of Bolton Racial Equality Council (BREC) before retiring in 1995.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Bolton town centre follow the A58 Bury Road for about two miles and then turn left onto the B6292 Starling Road. At the cross-roads junction go through the traffic lights, following signs for Walshaw along the Lowercroft Road. San
GRANT Thornton has been appointed as accountant and business adviser to Luxury Lifestyles Ltd, the new company which owns the Chester Barrie men's fashion brand. The Manchester-based partner is to lead a team which will provide a range of services including
STAFF at BOC Sureflow in Worsley have raised a staggering £1,200 for local charities. BOC staff brought in 250,000 Christmas cards for re-cycling and Jennifer Jackson transformed them into gift tags. These were then sold for £600 -- a figure matched by
Bolton 1st 5 Thornton Cleveleys 5 BOLTON travelled to the Fylde coast for this non-league fixture in a relaxed frame of mind but the game didn't end like that. During the second half there was an exchange of words between the referee and the Thornton
CHRIST Church have recaptured the Bolton Badminton League championship -- in fine style. They dropped only two points during the season, ironically in the final stages of the season to nearest rivals ABC who finish runners-up. Third-placed was Markland
25 YEARS AGO From the Evening News, March 26, 1976 THE hunt for a gas bonanza in the Irish Sea is over. The British Gas Corporation's third well has been "corked" for at least a year, and its drilling rig is about to leave for the North Sea to help search
IN THE interests of reviewing the best fitness regimes that Bolton has to offer, this week I took to the roads with members of Bolton United Harriers. I was invited along by Barbara Williams. At 57, Barbara is 20 years older than me, so you might think
BOLTON Scouts are holding a special St George's Day parade this year which will be combined with a remembrance service for a leading light in the movement. In a first for the local organisation, the annual event will also pay tribute to Jim Horrocks who
TKO'S bid for pop stardom is set to be boosted by the same talent that helped singer George Michael become a superstar. Jules De-Martino, a member of the former Wham star's songwriting team, has penned four songs for the Leigh-based musical trio. The
ASTLEY Miners moved a step nearer the Pioneer Football League's Premier Division Championship with a 2-1 away victory over Gatehouse. Parkinson put Miners in front in the first half, Wayne Glynn increased the lead in the second half before Gary Wall pulled
THE game of the day in the Horwich and District Sunday League took place at Daisy Hill where Premier Division White Horse entertained local rivals Wingates in what proved to be an eight goal all action thrilling local derby. White Horse's first victory
THE semi finals of the Open Cup will see an even split between the top divisions with two Division One sides lining up with two from the Premier. New Edition fully deserve their place in the last four after a stunning elimination of Premier boys Radcliffe
BOLTON Under 15s were held to a 1-1 draw by Wakefield in their Northern Merit League match at Hacken Lane on Saturday. The local lads took the lead when Sam Garner (Canon Slade) fired a shot into the top of the net but the Yorkshire side hit back to level
ATHERTON Town completed a seven day double over rivals Pennington following a 4-0 home win with a 2-0 away victory at the weekend. With an unbeaten run now stretching back thirteen games Town have moved into second place in the Premier Division table
THE top of the table clash in Division One between Bolton County and Radcliffe Amateurs was marred by tragedy 12 minutes from time when home left winger Franny Tobin suffered a broken leg. With County leading 2-0 the game was abandoned by the referee
IN THE U10 Section A, CMB Wanderers and Westhoughton Rangers fought out a very close encounter. CMB finally ended Rangers resistance thanks to a well worked goal scored by Jonathan Clough. Hindley's superb run of seven consecutive victories came to an
LITTLE Lever High School U16s footballers are going for double success next month when they compete in the finals of the Bolton Schools and County Cup competitions. In the local event they beat Bolton School 4-0 with goals by Killeen (2), Worrall and
LIMELIGHT sealed a place in the semi finals of the Carl Brown Memorial Trophy with a John Walters 65th minute goal earning a 1-0 last eight win over Union Arms. In the Division One programme table-toppers Royal Oak marched on with a 7-0 away thumping
