PEOPLE will be feeling lighter in the pocket next month - when a new 10p coin goes into circulation. It is slightly larger than the old 5p piece and will replace the present 10p and "florin" currently in circulation, completing the change over to decimal
By Dr Brian Iddon, Member of Parliament for Bolton South East ON top of the loss at the turn of the year of Cllr Peter Birch, the sudden death of Cllr Dennis Barlow, who represented Daubhill Ward, came as a double whammy for the Bolton South East Constituency
LEONARD Litton Wilkinson, the former Lancashire and England leg-spinner, has died at his home in Barrow-in-Furness at the aged of 85. Len, as he was known, was born in Northwich but raised in Bolton, where he attended Markland Hill School and went on
LONG distance swimmer Mark Blewitt has conquered the English Channel. Lowton marathon man Mark, 35, who suffers from diabetes, completed the Channel crossing in 16 hours 20 minutes. Already he has swam 28.5 miles around New York's Manhattan Island and
ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners Welfare-CTA Direct Cycle Speedway nudged one step nearer to winning the Northern Junior League title after their match at Stockport on Sunday. Although finishing second to nearest challengers Bury on the day, A & T remain
MANCHESTER United and Arsenal will both be without their combative captains when they face Wanderers in crucial Premiership games over the next fortnight. United must go into next Wednesday's Old Trafford derby without their under-fire skipper Roy Keane
WANDERERS fans were warned today not to expect to see Ivan Campo in action for at least a fortnight. Reebok assistant boss Phil Brown said Campo is unlikely to figure in the forthcoming Premiership clashes with the Big Three, Manchester United, Liverpool
WANDERERS-mad dad Jason Parkinson is furious that bosses at the Reebok Stadium have decided to charge under-fives to watch matches. Mr Parkinson takes his four-year-old twins Nathan and Blake -- named after the club's former striker Nathan Blake -- to
THE spirit and energy of carnival time in Brazil has been captured by a Bolton photography student who travelled the world in search of the perfect picture. He experienced the contrasting surroundings of party time in the heat of South American and life
IT is time the US Open lost its status as a Grand Slam tournament due to the fans' apathy. When matches are staged in front of practically empty stadiums it is hard to justify Flushing Meadows as one of the top four events in the world. The Americans
I HAVE never criticised a referee in this column's four-year history but Barry Knight makes life difficult even for the tolerant likes of me. Bolton, of course, will never forgive the Kent official after he sent two off, booked another eight and awarded
RIO Ferdinand today defended himself and his England World Cup colleagues against criticism from his controversial Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane. Former Republic of Ireland captain Keane pinpointed England's apparent gratitude at swapping shirts
HUNDREDS of terminally-ill patients, relatives and hospice volunteers have written to Tony Blair, demanding more NHS funding. The protest letters, all from the North-west, were due to be handed into Downing Street today. St Ann's Hospice in Little Hulton
A LONG-STANDING debate on fluoridation has been re-kindled in Bolton after a new Government report called for more research into its large-scale use. A long-awaited study was published by the Medical Research Council which called for more research into
1826: John Wisden, original compiler of Wisden's Cricketers' Almanac, price one shilling (5p), was born in Brighton. He had a sports goods shop in Leicester Square, London, and in 1850 added to cricket records by taking all 10 wickets in a match at Lord's
DETECTIVES investigating the grim discovery of human bones in a pond said today the victim was murdered and urged East Lancashire Asian communities to come forward with information. The man leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Mick Turner of
LATEST figures from the Commission for Health Improvement show incidents of syphilis and gonorrhoea in Manchester have risen to a level that is at least double the national average.
FOUR people were killed in a six-vehicle pile-up on the M6 motorway. The accident -- which caused traffic chaos -- happened between Keele services and Junction 16, near the Staffordshire and Cheshire border, at 11.40am yesterday. Central Motorway Police
A SPILT drink in a pub led to romance and karate chops for a couple who have just got married. Yvonne and Mark Basnett met five years ago in a Radcliffe pub when someone spilled a drink over her accidentally and Mark gallantly stepped in to help. The
TWO office workers had to run into the street when fire broke out at a mortgage firm. They discovered the blaze in an empty room at the Pathfinders Mortgage and Finance company and fled outside into Derby Street. A neighbouring grocery shop in the terraced
NORTH West MEP Gary Titley has taken over as leader of Labour's Euro MPs -- and immediately lent his backing to the single currency. Radcliffe-based Mr Titley beat the current deputy leader, Linda McAvan, who represents Yorkshire. She was favourite to
MONSTER visits have created a huge headache for staff at a Horwich supermarket. Life-sized stuffed Monsters Inc characters, Sulley and Mike, have been sent by a promotional company to help the Asda Middlebrook store launch the video of the film, to be
WANDERERS-mad dad Jason Parkinson is furious that bosses at the Reebok Stadium have decided to charge under-fives to watch matches. Mr Parkinson takes his four-year-old twins Nathan and Blake -- named after the club's former striker Nathan Blake -- to
B.A.S. ANGLING are organising a Junior Fishing Match on Dixon Green Reservoir on Saturday, September 14. New starters can enjoy match fishing and success should yield a prize with Britain's Aquatic Superstore, Highfield Angling Supplies, Sensas, Van Den
TWO visual artists are aiming to "create a crowd" later this month. Derek Tyman and Emma Rushton are filming a scene to be shown in an exhibition being staged next February in Leigh and they want as many people as possible to join them. The Manchester-based
DARTS SECTION ONE P Pt Clock Face Z... 12 22 Dukes Gate... 12 20 Farnworth Vets... 12 20 Wellington Hotel... 12 12 Kearsley SC A... 12 10 Flying Shuttle... 12 8 Oddfellows Arms... 12 8 Royal Hotel... 12 8 Clock Face A... 12 6 Farnworth SC... 12 6 180s
B.A.S. ANGLING are organising a Junior Fishing Match on Dixon Green Reservoir on Saturday, September 14. New starters can enjoy match fishing and success should yield a prize with Britain's Aquatic Superstore, Highfield Angling Supplies, Sensas, Van Den
RESIDENTS in Horwich opposing the building of a Bolton Wanderers Football Academy will have a tough fight on their hands. This "greedy" council has no interest in the opinions of the inhabitants of Bolton, and yet it has the gall to submit a questionnaire
GEORGE Bush is more of a danger to world peace then Saddam Hussain. He has torn up more international treaties and defied more UN conventions than the rest of the world has in the last 20 years. He has ignored the biological weapons convention while he
SEEN on Manchester Road (A6) between Watergate roundabout and the Red Lion at Four Lane Ends -- cyclist age between 25-30 years merrily cycling without use of hands, showing his prowess of balance and versatility at the same time in deep conversation
SAM Allardyce conducted a casualty head count today to explain why he was so desperate to reinforce his defensive ranks before the transfer deadline. The Wanderers' boss revealed that three of his regular back four - Simon Charlton, Bruno N'Gotty and
AS children return to school this week, concerns grow among many parents and young people about the threat of bullying in the playground and the classroom. Local education authorities have set up systems designed to combat the bullies and help the victims
PLANS to build bus lanes and a park and ride car park in Worsley as part of the Leigh to Manchester guided busway scheme were due to be decided today. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has applied to Salford Council for permission
WANDERERS confirmed today they are considering playing reserve games at Warrington. But reports that a deal has already been struck have been described as premature. Warrington Wolves RL club claim they will be staging the matches when their new Winwick
PRAISE when it is due. A parcel was posted to me on August 28, 2002, via U.S.P.S in Philadelphia, USA, and it arrived 9am, August 31, by Consignia. That is excellent -- nearly as good as our second class mail. Well done everybody concerned! Harry Chapman
MAY I thank J Long of Bromley Cross (August 31) for a most supportive letter, in respect of the article by Mrs Elizabeth Lewis, which appeared in your issue of August 23. Also thanks to Mrs B Tyldsley (August 2). Mrs Lewis, as Bolton Life's chief carer
SO, Mr Simon Hart (August 28) tells us that two out of three vets are in favour of hunting. This really surprises me. Is he saying that the majority of vets are in favour of seeing animals torn to shreds for pleasure? Surely that can't be right? I've
ONCE again the village of Prestolee, Stoneclough, is saddened by yet another child being killed from the village; three children in total -- two on the main road, one in the village itself -- within a few years. And yet every time I have been to police
ABUSE is no substitute for argument and is usually resorted to by those without any. John Morris's and Peter Inch's tactics are therefore transparent. But to denigrate the views of three distinguished American academics without having (apparently) read
A COMPANY aiming to opencast mine for coal in Westhoughton has dramatically increased the size of its project at the 11th hour. R and A Young has admitted to the BEN that it wants to take in more land, only weeks before the Schofield scheme, which straddles
TONGE Cricket Club will now play their Bolton League Lyddon Trophy tie against Walkden on Monday and not tomorrow as orginally scheduled.
FANS of England cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott were today missing his analysis of the final Test in the series between England and India after he was diagnosed with cancer. The former opening batsman announced he had pulled out of a commentating job
A WORKER from Aspull has died from crush injuries after being trapped in a vacuum press machine at a Westhoughton factory for more than 20 minutes. Colleagues used a fork lift truck in a bid to free Phillip Ashcroft from the machine at Barkston Plastic
A YOUNG father died after being crushed in a vacuum press machine at a Westhoughton factory - as his best friend battled for more than 20 minutes to free him. Philip Ashcroft, who had just celebrated his 22nd birthday, was eventually released after colleagues
MANCHESTER United's Bolton-based defender Gary Neville, who has targeted the Wanderers game next Wednesday for his comeback from a foot injury, had a runout for the Reserves against Everton last night. But the England international looked far from match
SAM Allardyce conducted a casualty head count today to explain why he was so desperate to reinforce his defensive ranks before the transfer deadline. The Wanderers' boss revealed that three of his regular back four - Simon Charlton, Bruno N'Gotty and
THE Presentation Evening for the League and the Summer 2002 season will take place on Monday, September 23, at The Derby Ward LC, Deane Road. SECTION ONE P W L F A Pts Rocket... 13 9 4 60 31 76 Bridgewater... 13 8 5 51 40 67 Bridge Inn... 13 8 5 51 40
DAVID Platt's England U21 side was given a run for its money yesterday - by Bolton Wanderers' U19s. Platt, who caused a stir by omitting Wanderers' ace Kevin Nolan from his squad for tomorrow night's friendly international against Yugoslavia at the Reebok
WANDERERS fans were warned today not to expect to see Ivan Campo in action for at least a fortnight. Reebok assistant boss Phil Brown said Campo is unlikely to figure in the forthcoming Premiership clashes with the Big Three, Manchester United, Liverpool
CHRIS KIRKLAND (Liverpool): The giant reserve goalkeeper signed from Coventry last summer for £6 million, having made just 24 first team appearances, is an outstanding prospect. Has played just one Premiership game for the Reds so far. JLLOYD SAMUEL (
DAVID Byas admitted his relief after hitting his first century for Lancashire yesterday. The former Yorkshire veteran made 101 on the first day of the Championship match against Warwickshire and said: "I have gone close in the last couple of games so
A JURY hearing a case where a man was allegedly beaten unconscious has been discharged. Frank Cheetham was allegedly punched and kicked unconscious following an altercation with two brothers. Damon Fairhurst, aged 22, of Hilton Avenue, Horwich, and his
MOTORISTS have been warned to expect delays between Bolton and Leigh this weekend due to road works. Drivers travelling on the Leigh-Atherton-Bolton route will find restrictions in force from Friday night at the Four Lane Ends junction with the A6 at
AN historic Blackpool theatre invites visitors backstage as the North West's hidden attractions are revealed. Blackpool Grand Theatre is among dozens of fascinating, curious and usually hidden attractions which will be opening their doors for free access
TWO visual artists are aiming to "create a crowd" later this month. Derek Tyman and Emma Rushton are filming a scene to be shown in an exhibition being staged next February in Leigh and they want as many people as possible to join them. The Manchester-based
LOCAL history writer Peter Riley has captured 100 years of history. In an ingenious new book Then and Now Peter has taken a photographic look at the changing faces of 11 towns incuding Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne, Astley, Glazebury, Lowton and
WANDERERS-mad dad Jason Parkinson is furious that bosses at the Reebok Stadium have decided to charge under-fives to watch matches. Mr Parkinson takes his four-year-old twins Nathan and Blake -- named after the club's former striker Nathan Blake -- to
SVEN Goran Eriksson should have known that Alex Ferguson would pull David Beckham and Paul Scholes out of Saturday's squad for England's friendly with Portugal. Just like that over-the-top tackle by Roy Keane on Alfie Inge Haaland had been coming for
IS Bolton a football mad town or not? That is the question posed in an article by my colleague Gordon Sharrock this week following disappointing attendances for the opening two Premiership home games and the slow ticket sales for Friday night's England
SCHOOLGIRL Saime Higson is a star performer in every sense of the word. The 15-year-old, who has been blind since birth, gained a GCSE B grade in performing arts -- a year early. She achieved the feat by by attending a night course at Wigan and Leigh
AS children return to school this week, concerns grow among many parents and young people about the threat of bullying in the playground and the classroom. Local education authorities have set up systems designed to combat the bullies and help the victims
MAJOR traffic problems were caused today after a fire broke out at a garage near a motorway. The fire, at a garage on Wellington Road, Eccles, was quickly brought under control this morning, but an oxy-acetylene cylinder inside the premises was expected
LEIGH and Hindley Methodist Circuit Performing Arts Group present Step in Time from next Wednesday. The show combines music, dance and drama and runs at Wigan Road Methodist Church, Leigh, from Wednesday, September 11 until Saturday, September14. Tickets
ST Joseph's Players at Leigh are hard at work rehearsing for their next production, Frank Hardy's brilliant drama based on Thomas Hardy's On the Western Circuit. Anna, a servant girl who has been somewhat befriended by her mistress, meets Charles at the
AT a time when many airlines are cutting back on flights, British Airways has added a new direct journey to Venice from Manchester Airport writes Richard Mulligan The daily service, on an Embraer 145 jet, leaves Manchester at 8.40am, arriving in Venice
LEIGH CC travelled to second placed Bootle desperate for a win to retain their outside chance of winning the Liverpool Competition ECB Premier League championship. They had to field first after losing the toss but had an early success when Ronnie Davis
