Archive

  • How can the Tory choice be so wrong?

    JAMES Stevens' letter is little less than a fantasised list of Tory propaganda. To use scare-mongering tactics to gain votes for himself suggests a lack of positive substance of his own and, in my opinion, can only be described as 'schoolyard-canvassing

  • Paedophile escapes jail sentence

    A FORMER house warden at a care home was this week convicted of physically and sexually abusing a young boy. A jury at Liverpool Crown Court took less than three hours on Tuesday to find Thomas Lees, aged 68, of West Drive, Clayton-le-Woods, guilty of

  • News is 'raspberry on the cone'

    THE woman in charge of a famous Chorley ice cream company is delighted to have scooped a top national honour in the industry. Proud Elizabeth Frederici, co-owner of Frederick's Ice Cream of Chorley, has been made president of the Ice Cream Alliance. She

  • Gemma's out of this world

    UP-and-coming Chorley actress Gemma Hodkinson is reaching further than the sky for her next stage role -- she's taking the lead in a production of Return To The Forbidden Planet! Gemma, 19, of Preston Road, Chorley, is set to star as Miranda in the hit

  • House fire charge man free

    A FORMER bank manager, from Horwich, accused of setting fire to his house while his family were asleep has walked free from court. A jury took just 15 minutes to find Glenn Hunt not guilty of arson with intent to endanger life and arson being reckless

  • Jet-lag Gardner ready for Barnsley?

    WANDERER Ricardo Gardner scored direct from a corner but Jamaica were held to a 1-1 draw by Honduras in their World Cup CONCACAF qualifying game in Kingston. Gardner's 56th minute strike caught out Honduras keeper Noel Valladores as it curled between

  • Sing your hearts out for the lads!

    By Andy Neild, of our sister paper the Lancashire Evening Telegraph EWOOD officials are urging fans to 'pump up the volume' against Portsmouth on Sunday in a bid to roar Rovers back into the Premiership. Graeme Souness's promotion-chasers face arguably

  • Motorway work

    MOTORISTS are advised that emergency bridge repair work will take place on the M62 westbound at Junction 18, Simister, this weekend. The hard shoulder and inside lane of the westbound carriageway on the bridge will be closed from 8am until 4pm tomorrow

  • Pensioner conned

    TWO men posing as council workers made off with cash after robbing a Radcliffe pensioner. The offenders struck at 3.30pm when they called at the 72-year-old woman's Melrose Road home and tricked their way inside. While one of the thieves distracted the

  • Club blaze memories

    DO you have any memories of the tragic fire in the Top Storey nightclub in Bolton town centre? Forty years ago next Tuesday, 19 people died in the blaze in Crown Street and we will be highlighting the anniversary on the day. If YOU have memories of the

  • Coppice start season with a win

    WHITE Coppice started the new season with a comfortable 67 run victory over Darwen with 10 overs to spare. Coppice reached 201 for 3 in their allotted 45 overs, with Dave Jones hitting an outstanding 107 not out. He was well supported by Gavin Cooper

  • Councillors' teamwork plea to help soccer club

    FURIOUS community leaders are building a team to kick-out soccer hooligans. A series of attacks on isolated sports grounds has brought a call-to-arms from Leigh councillors who have been incensed by mindless vandalism. Hindsford councillor Graham Lingings

  • Pensioner conned

    TWO men posing as council workers made off with cash after robbing a Radcliffe pensioner. The offenders struck at 3.30pm yesterday when they called at the 72-year-old woman's Melrose Road home and tricked their way inside. While one of the thieves distracted

  • Patient's death riddle

    AN investigation is underway after a patient was found hanged at a hospital's psychiatric unit. The body of the 64 year-old woman was discovered at Leigh Infirmary. Jean Simm, of Lowton, was found in her room at around 8.30pm. Neighbours said Mrs Simm

  • Judge orders new trial in karate kick case

    A NEW trial in a case where a man was alleged to have beaten three friends has been ordered by a judge. Mark Hope was alleged to have delivered a martial arts style kick to the face of a man. But the jury was discharged for legal reasons and Hope will

  • New Year promise pays off for Janet

    A NEW Year's resolution to enter competitions paid instant dividends for BEN holiday winner Janet Small. Janet, who lives in Willand Drive, Breightmet, is now looking forward to two weeks in Alcudia, Majorca, plus £400 spending money after claiming first

  • New way to call for help

    BOLTON Samaritans are introducing e-mail to communicate with those in need of a friend. Volunteers from the charity, on Bark Street East, will be trained to use e-mails in a bid to reach more lonely or suicidal people. Director of Bolton Samaritans Annie

  • Going, going...

    A bid of £250 from Wanderers' fan Sam Booth, of Bury was the highest offer on the table on the final day of the Dean Holdsworth charity auction. The Reebok favourite launched the impromptu auction to raise extra funds for Derian House, the Chorley-based

  • Souness prepares for worst case scenario

    By Andy Neild, of our sister newspaper, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph ROVERS boss Graham Souness is preparing his players for the worst case scenario ahead of Sunday's final home game of the season. Rovers could secure second spot with a win over Pompey

  • Council pay rise cutbacks warning

    CUTS to council services are being predicted after a higher than expected pay rise for town hall workers left the authority facing a "bombshell" £450,000 shortfall. Opposition councillors fear a 3.5 per cent rise offered by negotiators on behalf of all

  • Fury over Hendry FIFA ban

    FELLOW Scot John McGinlay accused FIFA of going over the top in punishing Wanderers' defender Colin Hendry with a six match ban which could end his international future. And Reebok boss Sam Allardyce echoed McGinlay's sentiments but he blamed the Scottish

  • Prize for losing thousands

    A CHORLEY woman received a special award this week -- for helping people become real losers! Weight Watchers' leader Yvonne Meadley, aged 62, of White Coppice, has been with the organisation for more than a quarter of a century. And to mark the stint

  • CHOR-hug bug

    A LOCAL charity has got the bug. Home-Start Chorley and South Ribble's new mascot Hug Bug was unveiled at a Leyland school on Monday (April 23). High schools and colleges were invited to enter a competition to design a Home-Start Hug Bug A special presentation

  • Send form and save money

    CHORLEY residents have until just Sunday to fill in and return their census forms -- and keep the council in the money. Council chiefs have warned that it could cost the authority and other important local services vital government funding if forms are

  • Lancs provide league bonus

    HALF of the contracted professionals will be missing when the Warburton's Bolton League makes a belated start to the cricket campaign on Saturday. It was thought that seven clubs could be without their professionals, due to playing commitments and work

  • COMEDY NIGHTS

    ALBERT HALLS, Bolton. Ring 334400. QUAYS THEATRE, The Lowry, Salford Quays. Ring 0161 876 2000. THE MET, Market Street, Bury. Ring 0161 761 2216. BLUE CAT CAFE, Shaw Rd, Heaton Moor, Stockport, 0161 432 2117. FROG AND BUCKET, Oldham St, Manchester. 0161

  • EVENTS

    SPARKING CLOG PUB, Radcliffe Moor Road, Bolton. Classic Car and Bike Show. Also, barbecue and tombola. Sunday April 29. Starts 10am to 3pm. CORNERHOUSE, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester. Ring 0161 200 1500. BOLTON DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY, Lecture

  • WHAT'S ON FOR THE FAMILY

    SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford. The Mare's Tale. Visit the magic of childhood in a wonderful exhibition of verse. Artists have explored nursery rhymes using a variety of materials including sculputres, prints, paintings

  • Rivington to provide difficult course

    THERE'LL be gold in them thar hills when Commonwealth Games cycling action comes to Bolton next year. For the laurels in the road races for both men and women are destined to go to the riders who can cope with tough climbs. Final details of the courses

  • 10K race a real winner

    NEARLY 400 runners came from far and wide to compete in the prestigious Bolton 10K Road Race on Sunday. Athletes came from as far afield as Reading in Berkshire through Cumbria to a contingent from Ireland. After the clear warm weather on the Saturday

  • 'Veteran' Cath offers hand of friendship

    BREAST cancer sufferers in Bolton are getting support from a very special woman -- a breast cancer survivor in her late sixties. To members of the Bolton Breast Cancer Support Group, it's the friendship on offer that's just as important as the help available

  • Children's club under threat from homes plan

    YOUNG children could be left home alone while their parents are at work if an after school group in Westhoughton is forced to close, it is claimed. Staff at the Kids Club say hundreds of families will be badly hit if plans to build houses at St Bartholomew's

  • CLUBS

    HALLIWELL REFORM CLUB, Bolton. Entertaiment every Friday and Saturday. Open from 7pm each evening. Also, Bingo. Tonight. Ring 528323. WALKDEN LABOUR CLUB, Bolton Road, Walkden. Live Cabaret. Every Saturday and Sunday. Dancing. Every Monday. Ring 0161

  • Colls lose at Prescot

    ATHERTON Colls went down to a 2-1 NWCL Division One defeat at Prescot Cables. The Atherton side took the lead after only two minutes, when Martin Sloan put Nicky Fisher through to finish from 18 yards. On 65 minutes, Sloan was fouled, but unfortunately

  • Owzat for a great start!

    CHORLEY 183/6 v FLEETWOOD 106 CHORLEY'S Northern League campaign got off to a flying start with a thumping fifteen point win at Fleetwood. Solid contributions all down the order enabled Chorley to post a formidable 183/6 from their 60 overs. Bannister

  • THE BEN SAYS: Paying the wages price?

    FORWARD planning is an element you expect to be built into most businesses and policies. Yet, somehow, a £450,000 shortfall for Bolton Council has been caused by a slightly higher national pay rise for local government workers. Now, the knock-on effect

  • Wessex wonders

    I WISH to apologise to Mrs C Woods for describing Wessex as an imaginary place. According to tradition, Saxon Wessex was established by two princes, Cedric and Cynric, who landed on the south coast in AD 495. It was said that Alfred the Great was one

  • Now where has William Hague promised to protect the fox?

    WELL known Tory activist, John Barry, obviously does not like me raising the fact that the Conservative Party is in favour of bloodsports, hence his latest attempt to dupe voters into believing that the Tories are fox friendly. In fact, he amazingly tries

  • You just can't win with car addicts

    THE trouble with car addicts like Stewart Partington (Your Views: April 21) is that the public authorities can't win, any which way. If you ask motoring addicts why they don't use public transport, they usually say: "It isn't good enough. Provide me with

  • THE BEN SAYS: 'Lessons' that can be costly

    NO-ONE said that being a parent was easy, and, sometimes, one of the hardest tasks is ensuring that your child attends school regularly. Now, Bolton parents who persistently fail to send youngsters to school could end up in jail or face of £2,500. Last

  • Wheels still turning for golden couple

    GOLDEN couple Harris and Eileen Alston, who met while roller-skating at a Chorley rink, celebrated 50 years of marriage with a party on Saturday April 21. Harris, a joiner, and Eileen, who worked for Royal Ordnance, married on April 21, 1951 in Bolton

  • And she's off

    A CHORLEY mum is planning to run a circuit of one of the world's most famous racecourses to celebrate beating breast cancer. Sue Howarth, 47, of The Hawthorns, Eccleston, will jog around Epsom -- home of the world famous Derby. "I hope other women will

  • Third time lucky!

    IT was eyes down for a full house at a Chorley bingo club when for the third time this year as a pensioner scooped the National Jackpot! The sensational hat-trick of wins happened at Chorley Gala Bingo Club on Saturday when a 61-year-old Leyland woman

  • Tragedy sparks crusade

    A FORMER nurse is launching a crusade to raise awareness of a rare muscular disease after an ex-colleague who was also a sufferer died earlier this month. Patricia Carter retired from Chorley Hospital in 1990 because of Myasthenia Gravis -- a rare and

  • Host with the most?

    LOVE her or hate her, Anne Robinson has generated more column inches for herself over the past couple of weeks. Opinion is divided as to whether her latest programme The Weakest Link is a success and this is the same in Chorley. The hit show went to America

  • Hitting the net!

    AN antique scrapbook which chronicles the history of Euxton Villa Football Club has finally been beamed into the digital age with the creation of a website for the club. Richard Knight, of Yew Tree Avenue, Euxton, is the manager of the club's under 11s

  • Zero tolerance over hostel

    RESIDENTS living close to a hostel for the homeless in Chorley are demanding action claiming its users are making their lives a misery. And a group of them have formed the Pall Mall Action Committee following their concerns about nearby Cotswold House

  • 'Too disabled' prize winner banned

    A BLIND man has been told he cannot travel on a trip organised for handicapped people -- because he has too many disabilities. Gary Shaw, aged 40, was given the all clear by his own GP to join the crew of a new tall ship called Tenacious. But with just

  • Gardner strikes for Jamaica

    WANDERER Ricardo Gardner scored direct from a corner but Jamaica were held to a 1-1 draw by Honduras in their World Cup CONCACAF qualifying game in Kingston. Gardner's 56th minute strike caught out Honduras keeper Noel Valladores as it curled between

  • Howzat you whites!

    HOWZAT for an idea? Bosses at the Reebok Stadium hotel hope an appealing weekend offer aimed at cricket fans will persuade them to swap their whites for a Wanderers kit. And the weekend package at the De Vere Whites Hotel, based around the home game against

  • Defender takes nothing for granted

    HE'S glad to be back but Anthony Barness knows he can't take anything for granted under Sam Allardyce's 'horses for courses' policy. The Londoner was a surprise inclusion at Crystal Palace, taking over from Leam Richardson, who had acquitted himself well

  • Gypsy Petulengro and his remedies

    IF you have any ailments, read on. I'm going to tell you how Petulengro, the BBC Gypsy, would have cured you. How do I know? Simple. I have been sent a booklet called 'Romany Remedies and Recipes', printed in 1934. It comes from Mrs Mildred Gaskell, of

  • Annual reunion

    FORMER employees of Mather and Platt at Radcliffe are holding their 14th annual reunion at Dobbies Sports & Social Club, Bradley Fold on Wednesday May 9. For more information, contact Alf Hollis on 01204 532503.

  • Grand effort

    BOLTON'S Parkinsons Disease Society raised more than £1,000 during Parkinsons Awareness Week. £670 was raised at a coffee morning at Theatre Church, Astley Bridge, and £371.24 was gained from a canopy sale on the Town Hall Square.

  • Fancy yourself as a theatre critic?

    THE Theatrical Management Association has launched its campaign to find enthusiastic members of the public to serve as regional panellists for the Barclays Theatre Awards. Around 140 panellists are recruited each year throughout the country to assess

  • 'Miracle' man walks on for charity

    A MAN described as a "walking miracle" will be in Bolton to collect for charity. David Paterson, aged 45, from Bedford, will be collecting outside Sainsbury's Homebase, Manchester Road, on May 12 and 13 for the Arthritis Research Campaign. Mr Paterson

  • Applause for preacher

    A RIVINGTON minister called for, and got, a round of applause for her congregation at the annual conference of the Unitarian movement in Chester. Mrs Judith Crompton, of Redcar Road, Smithills, is a lay preacher at Rivington Unitarian Chapel and was nearing

  • Barn Owl Bill's plea for help

    A BIRD lover fears his feathered friends may be forced to starve because the foot-and-mouth crisis is preventing him from raising cash to feed them. Bill Higman, who keeps 15 owls at his sanctuary in Preston, usually shows off his birds at displays across

  • Men in court on drugs charges

    A BOLTON man was due to appear before magistrates today in connection with a multi-million pound drugs haul. Yesterday the BEN revealed drugs worth an estimated £5 million had been recovered following a police raid on the Bealey Industrial Estate in Radcliffe

  • Abseil challenge

    COULD your nerves take abseiling down Manchester Town Hall to raise money for the Royal National Institute for the Blind? If you are aged between 16 and 100 and can raise a minimum £70 sponsorship plus £5 entry fee call MORI on 0161 976 5342 to take part

  • Dog scare boy hurt

    A YOUNG boy suffered facial injuries in an accident with a car last night as he ran away from a dog. Mohammed Kasan, aged six, of Crescent Road, Great Lever, was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital for treatment after the accident in Green Lane, Great

  • 'Toad' turns pupils green!

    SCHOOLS from Bury are taking part in innovative environmental art workshops. Environmental artist Gordon McLellan -- also known as Toad -- has teamed up with artist Leslie Martin and the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside to

  • LOTTERY lolly could be help provide a health boost.

    Leigh -- and Wigan -- has won almost £1million from the lottery good causes fund to be spent on developing a healthier community. The £984,852 jackpot will be used to develop health cafes, cook and taste sessions, a walk-in complementary therapy centre

  • Deano's big hug for brave fan

    BRAVE youngster David Grundy met his Bolton Wanderers hero Dean Holdsworth -- and promptly gave him a massive hug. David, from Little Lever, joined Deano at the Wanderers training ground yesterday after the striker dedicated his match-winning goal to

  • Easter Passion Play

    I HAVE printed a number of articles about Venture Street recently, and another letter on the same subject has come from Mr Harry Ball, of Turton Road, Bradshaw, who was born at No. 8 in March, 1923. "My grandparents came to Bolton from Ironbridge in Shropshire

  • 'Wonderful' get-together, 44 years later...

    IT's always nice to know that this column has resulted in renewing old friendships. I received an e-mail from Patricia Hamilton, of Turton Road, Bradshaw, who wrote to say that on April 11, 44 years to the day, she met up with her old school friend, "

  • JAZZ DATES

    WIGAN JAZZ CLUB, Mill At The Pier, Wigan. Ben Clatworthy Quartet and the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra. Sunday April 29. Starts 12.30pm to 3.30pm. BAND ON THE WALL, Swan Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester. Ring 0161 237 5554. ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF

  • CONCERTS

    ALBERT HALLS, Bolton. Bolton. Ring 334400. THE MET, Market Street, Bury. Ring 0161 761 2216. GRACIE FIELDS THEATRE, Rochdale. The Nash Ensemble. Saturday April 28. Ring 01706 356592. OSWALDTWISTLE CIVIC THEATRE. Charity Concert organised by The Freemasons

  • FESTIVALS

    INTERNATIONAL CELLO FESTIVAL by the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. Runs from Wednesday May 2 to Sunday May 6. Events include Wednesday, Opening of Exhibition from 6pm. Also, BBC Philharmonic perform a concert featuring music by Herbert,

  • THEATRES

    OCTAGON THEATRE, Bolton. All Of You Mine. For the Cade family there is a guilty secret dating back to 1984. Runs from Thursday May 3 to Saturday May 26. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £11.75, £10.50, £8, Monday to Thursday and £13.75, £12.50 and £10 Friday and

  • LIVE MUSIC VENUES AND EVENTS

    0FARMERS ARMS, Chorley Street, Bolton. Non Jovi. A tribute to Bon Jovi. Saturday April 28. Starts 9pm. LIFE CAFE, Peter Street, Manchester. Charity Rock and Pop Gig featuring Ben Richards performing tock and pop. Tickets £10 in aid of Crusaid. Sunday

  • DANCE CLUBS

    ATLANTIS, Eagley Brook Way, Bolton. Ring Bolton 529922. Friday: Extre me, 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

  • GALLERIES AND EXHIBITIONS

    ARC GALLERY STORE, Oldham Street, Manchester. Lucy McLauchlan and Steffa Plaetz featuring drawings, paintings and computer generated imagery. Heads. An exhibition of haircuts, characters and letterforms coinciding with the launch of the beaufonts salon

  • Stuart's Marathon effort

    AMONGST the 30,000 intrepid souls running in the 2001 Flora London Marathon was a contingent of Burnden Road Runners. First home for the club in a time of 2hr 44min 28sec was Stuart Shaw. Other finishers were:- Simon Marland 2:55:17, Martyn Pollitt 3:

  • Farewell to a young fan

    A YOUNG rugby fan who led his heroes out to victory on Good Friday as a mascot has lost his battle for life. Four-year-old Johnathan Parr, who had a brain tumour, died in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital after a 2-year fight. And yesterday, friends

  • I would never harm my family: Bank manager

    A FORMER bank manager has denied using petrol in a bid to burn down the family's luxury home while his family was asleep upstairs. Glenn Hunt said his family was the most important thing in his life and that he would do nothing to harm them. He denied

  • Council chief to step down

    BURY Council's top officer is quitting his £80,000-plus a year job after 35 years of local government service. Chief executive Dennis Taylor, 53, says the time is right for a career change and is taking early retirement. He says it is time for a new boss

  • Truant parents to face prison

    BOLTON parents who persistently fail to send their children to school could end up behind bars under a new get-tough court policy. New powers given to Bolton magistrates could see mums and dads of school truants jailed for up to three months or fined

  • Couple's loan plight goes to Parliament

    THE plight of a cash-strapped couple struggling to pay off a huge £70,000 loan has been raised in Parliament. Ministers were told that David and Pauline Spencer, of Stoneleigh Drive, Stoneclough, were victims of a mortgage system which is crippling thousands

  • FOLK MUSIC

    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. THE MET, Market Street, Bury. Plainsong with Iain Matthews and Andy

  • PUB MUSIC NIGHTS

    BAROC CAFE BAR, Halliwell Road, Bolton. Talent Competition with £1,000 first prize. Every Thursday. Starts 8pm. Ring 847300. THE WRIGHTS ARMS, Belmont Road, Bolton. For details ring Bolton 811206. BULLS HEAD PUB, (Bottom Bull), Bury Road, Bolton. Live

  • SPORTS

    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. BEESLEY

  • CINEMA

    FILMS for the week until Thursday May 3. UGC CINEMA, The Valley, Centertainment, Bolton. The Mexican (15); Exit Wounds (18); The Hole (15); Jodi No ! (PG); The Contender (15); Save The Last Dance (12); Spy Kids (U); Rugrats In Paris (U); The Wedding Planner

  • MARKET DATES

    BOLTON MARKET, Ashburner Street. adjacent to Moor Lane Bus Station. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Sunday fleamarket. Ring 336825. FARNWORTH MARKET, King Street. Open Monday, Friday & Saturday. Ring 336840. HORWICH MARKET, Curteis

  • Shakers chance for youngster

    TWENTY-year-old defender Michael Nelson will get the chance to earn himself a contract at Bury when he starts tomorrow's clash against FA Cup semi-finalists Wycombe Wanderers at Gigg Lane. For any fans saying Michael Who, Nelson has been signed from non-league

  • Boro keen to take on top test

    RADCLIFFE Boro travel to second in the Unibond League Division One table Vauxhall Motors on Saturday against one of the top sides in the division. In the North West Counties League Ramsbottom United saw Division One title hopes almost drown on a waterlogged

  • Shakers fan planning to go it alone

    A SHAKERS fan is forging ahead with plans to set up an independent supporters' group amid a bitter row with the Bury FC Supporters' Association. Former committee member Lee Devenport was ousted from his post as media secretary in January, in what he claims

  • Leigh get revenge for cup loss

    Leigh RMI 1 Morecambe 0 LEIGH RMI avenged their Nationwide Variety Club Trophy defeat at Christie Park by defeating lowly Morecambe last night - but not without a significant fright. Morecambe were the dominant side in the first period and did not take