SMALL companies in the North-west are lagging behind other regions in the UK when it comes to boosting business growth through government grants, it is claimed. Cattles Invoice Finance questioned around 300 organisations from start-ups to those that had
A SMALL Bolton business is hoping to grow with the help of a £45,000 government "Smart" award. Electrical engineer Gary Bowles and his wife Sarah established GSB Ltd two years ago at their home in Back Blackburn Road, Egerton. It deals in automatic rising
A GROUND-BREAKING collaboration has produced a striking corporate Christmas card for a Bolton law firm. Keoghs at Lostock is an enthusiastic participant in the Adopt a School initiative launched in March this year by the Bolton & Bury Education Business
BURY Amateur Boxing Club's Amir Khan once again proved his undoubted class in clinching the 2002 National Boys Club title at Middleton Civic Hall last weekend. It was the talented 15-year-old's first appearance in the competition which took in competitors
From the Evening News,1992 - RESIDENTS have been urged to use "people power" to try and stop a 1,000 home development going ahead in the town. Bellway Homes have drawn up the major development proposals for land at Bowlands Hey, a large tract of open
WHEN Bolton's Christmas Tree lights in Victoria Square were switched on in 1970, pupils from Canon Slade Grammar School and Smithills Grammar School provided the music and led the singing.
1560: The first General Assembly of the Church of Scotland was held. 1845: The state of Texas was incorporated into the United States. 1915: Australian, New Zealand and British troops were evacuated from the ill-fated Gallipoli expedition. 1928: Harry
From the Evening News,1992 - RESIDENTS have been urged to use "people power" to try and stop a 1,000 home development going ahead in the town. Bellway Homes have drawn up the major development proposals for land at Bowlands Hey, a large tract of open
A WOMAN left with severe brain damage from the age of two months after a hospital's alleged negligence has been awarded £1.75 million in damages. The family of Maria Younger can now finally afford to provide the level of treatment she needs 24-hours a
THE relegation battle continues tomorrow with Wanderers desperate for three points against bottom club West Ham writes Fred Done Bolton know time is running out and West Ham will be keen to put on their usual entertaining football to impress a certain
WHAT a fantastic 18 months it's been for New Order. Not only did they return to the charts after a lengthy break with a critically and commercially successful album, but they've also been immortalised on film, sampled by Kylie and played some of the most
Goodgrief Boxing Day party - ASCENSION, Oldham Street, Manchester - Housed in the old Planet K, this post-Xmas special features Judge Jules. Thursday, 9pm, £15. ATLANTIS, The Valley, Eagley Brook Way, Bolton - Pop, chart and commercial tunes with a Madonna
A BRAIN teasing quiz for people who become bored with Christmas TV has been set up by the Bury library service. Copies of the quiz -- inspired by festive songs -- can be picked up from any local library. It is also available through the council's website
FORGET "If you really loved me you'd wash up/lose the perm/burn your life-sized cardboard cut out of Glen Mederos" at Christmas. The only way to prove your complete and utter devotion is to choose the perfect gift for your loved one. There are several
TRIALIST Vladimir Beschastnykh played and scored in a behind closed doors friendly against Bradford City, which Wanderers drew 1-1. The Spartak Moscow forward was joined in the Bolton side by a central defender from Dynamo Kiev, also on trial.
WEST Ham Factfile Ground: Upton Park Nickname: The Hammers or Irons Manager: Glenn Roeder Position in table: 20th Top Scorer: Paolo Di Canio (six) Last time out: Premiership - Man Utd 3 West Ham 0. How they lined up: James, Dailly, Minto (Breen), Pearce
WEST Ham boss Glenn Roeder admits that Saturday's crunch clash with fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers does not "come any bigger". The Hammers go into the game knowing that a win would see them leapfrog Sam Allardyce's men and avoid being bottom of the
DOCTORS will soon be able to prescribe heroin to addicts in a move which is sparking controversy in Bolton. But what do the experts in Bolton really think? Health reporter Gayle Evans reports.... IT'S an issue which is causing a flurry of debate in the
entitledto.com - BENEFITS can be a minefield. My personal advice would be to go to see the CAB, but this site is supposed to help you calculate your entitlement, if any. It helps with everything from Children's Tax to the Guaranteed Minimum Income. Naturally
FATHER Christmas is hitting the streets aboard Tyldesley Rotary Club's sleigh. December 20- 22: Somerfields, Shuttle Street.
THE past few days has seen a drastic drop in temperatures and overnight frosts and heavy rains forecast with strong winds. On Sunday Parkers was the venue for a small outside club match. Small skimmer bream featured in the leading weights in the deep
EVERYONE knows that the Indonesian Island of Krakatoa blew its top in 1883, killing 40,000 people and creating a tidal wave of such strength that ripples were felt off Bognor Regis. "Krakatoa East Of Java" is, therefore, one of the first true disaster
A DAMAGES action against airlines over deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was today blocked by a High Court judge. Brenda Payne, of Bury, was among 55 litigants who say they suffered from Deep Vein Thrombosis after flights. The ruling was a blow for the group
BUDDING little artists will pick up their brushes and create mini masterpieces to be displayed in a Bolton store. Pupils from Tonge Moor CP School will have their art shown over the weekend in Matalan on Tonge Moor Road Prizes will be presented to the
THE National Blood Service is appealing to Bolton people to give the perfect Christmas present -- and donate some blood. There will be a blood donor sessions at the Christ Church, Mytham Road, Little Lever on January 2nd, at 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm and
BOLTON MUSEUM, ART GALLERY & AQUARIUM, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. Tel: 332211. www.boltonmuseums.org.uk Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Admission free. Wildlife Attractions Bolton Aquarium For unique views into the aquatic world visit Bolton
WANDERERS players took time out to spread Christmas cheer on the children's wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital. And they scored an instant hit with the patients and staff. Nurses and doctors crammed into B1, B2 and G5 wards to catch a glimpse of the stars
RESIDENTS in Bolton have been urged to get their Christmas presents and cards sent early to avoid the misery of them not arriving on time. The town's post offices will open on Christmas Eve from 9am to 12.30pm and New Years Eve from 9am to 4pm but branch
IT doesn't take a genius to work out that everyone's eyes are on the Christmas number one this weekend, nor that the Pop Rivals might well hog the limelight this season. But there are a few surprises in store; for one thing, although One True Voice were
Dick Whittington - ALBERT HALLS, Bolton - Join Paul Crone, Bernard Wrigley and Lofty the Lion in the town's annual pantomime. Runs until Sunday, January 5 2003, various performance times, £4.95 to £9.50 LIBRARY THEATRE, Manchester Tom's Midnight Garden
THE FA Cup draw is to revert to its old Monday lunchtime slot. In a move that will delight the traditionalists, the fourth round draw will be made live on TV and radio at 1pm on January 6 for the first time in 10 years. Paul Barber, the FA's director
IN 1978, Santa Claus had a little help from two friends at Hulton High School Christmas Fair. The two fairies added that magic touch at the school in Longshore Drive, Little Hulton. Amanda Leach, aged nine, left, and Jean Crompton, nine, of Peel St Paul's
THERE are times in lives of old cynics when something happens which persuades us to accept that maybe there is still hope for the human race and society hasn't gone as far into the dumper as we feared. One such event came on Wednesday when I accepted
THE Hilton Park boardroom takeover battle is nearing a conclusion with Leigh Centurions likely to have new owners by the end of the week writes Mike Hulme An eight-man consortium of local businessmen is close to tying up a deal which would see them take
ATHERTON Collieries begin their North West Counties League festive campaign tomorrow with an away game at Knowsley Road against St Helens Town. The Merseysiders narrowly beat Colls two weeks ago, so it will be a difficult game for the local side. On Boxing
HELP is at hand for people unable to find transport to visit relatives in hospital over Christmas and the New Year. A special free service is being provided for the ninth year running . Few buses run on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, leaving
ONE of Bolton's leading clergymen has condemned two teenagers who posed as Christmas carol singers to rob a pensioner. Canon Michael Williams, the Vicar of Bolton, described the thieves as despicable and wicked. As reported in yesterday's late edition
POOR access into Morecambe is the biggest single barrier to investment and regeneration in the seaside town, the resort's MP has told the Commons. Labour's Geraldine Smith said transport services to the town were "infrequent" and there was "universal
THE jury in the case of two men accused of hijacking a postmaster and a bank manager in two separate armed robberies are due to start their deliberations today. The judge was expected to finish his summing up this morning at Bolton Crown Court. Ian Colin
A HEADTEACHER who employed security guards to protect his school from thieves says that the measures are working -- but at a price. Tony Buckley, of George Tomlinson School, Kearsley, has spent thousands of pounds on security measures to keep his school
A FATHER Christmas on a charity collection float was hit on the head by a rock thrown by a gang of yobs. The teenagers hurled stones and rotten eggs at his festive float for 30 minutes while he and other charity volunteers were on a special pre-Christmas
CHRISTMAS shoppers are packing into Bolton town centre as the rush to buy presents nears its climax. The swarm of shoppers crammed into hig street shops such as Marks and Spencer and Woolworths -- and came out loaded down with bags and parcels. And the
THE funeral of a Radcliffe man who was battered to death outside a karaoke bar is to take place on Monday. Shane Eckersley was punched several times in the face in a fight outside the Saigon in Lower Broughton Road, Pendleton, Salford on November 22.
ROADWORKS on the M62 have been lifted over Christmas -- in an attempt to help seasonal journeys for as many as 130,000 motorists every day. The Highways Agency have removed lane and speed restrictions on the M62 between Junction 18 and Junction 20 until
Snow White: Opera House, Manchester. Runs until January 12 LILY Savage told the audience at the end of a barnstorming opening night that it had all been thrown together in a couple of days, which, if true, would make every member of this wildly entertaining
THE National Blood Service is appealing to Bolton people to give the perfect Christmas present -- and donate some blood. There will be a blood donor sessions at the Christ Church, Mytham Road, Little Lever on January 2nd, at 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm and
FOR the first time this season Rivington gained back to back victories in the Lancashire Amateur League with a 3-1 defeat of rivals Bolton County. They dominated the early proceedings and it was no surprise when Steve McDonald opened the scoring with
SAM Allardyce believes that Bolton must reverse their awful home record if they are to have any chance of staying in the Premiership. The Whites lost for the third time at the Reebok this season with a 3-0 reverse against Leeds to add to the five games
SKY Sports have announced their TV soccer schedules for Premiership games. Here is the full list, courtesy of www.skysports.com HERE December Sun 22 Liverpool v Everton Mon 23 Manchester City v Tottenham Thur 26 Middlesbrough v Manchester Utd Sun 29 Arsenal
IN 1978, Santa Claus had a little help from two friends at Hulton High School Christmas Fair. The two fairies added that magic touch at the school in Longshore Drive, Little Hulton. Amanda Leach, aged nine, left, and Jean Crompton, nine, of Peel St Paul's
DURHAM all-rounder Paul Collingwood hit a brilliant 100 to guide England to a competitive total in the fourth match of the triangular series against Sri Lanka today. He produced his finest display yet for England today, just 11 days before the tourists
AS an antidote to England's depressing performances in Australia, cricket lovers can do no worse than make their way to Elton Vale Road, Bury on Boxing Day morning. That's the venue for the 40th consecutive winter test match between old Lancashire rivals
IT'S an agonizing decision for most of us, but if you still haven't made your mind up and are contemplating sitting at home and watching paint dry then let us present you with a few New Year's Eve options. Juice has come up trumps this year, approaching
WHEN taxis are scarce and money is tight, sticking close to home for Christmas can be crucial, and there is certainly enough going on in Bolton to keep you occupied during the festive season. On Sunday Atlantis plays host to Love 2 Dance, a night of house
THE ART LESTER BIG BAND: The Pennine Suite, Horwich RMI Social and Recreation Club, Chorley New Road, Bolton. Every Tuesday. 8.30 to 11.00pm. Free. KEN WARD BIG BAND: Leigh Liberal Club. Every Monday. 8 to 11pm. Free. RONNIE MOORE BIG BAND: Sacred Heart
FANS favourite (!) Mark Lawrenson is predicting Wanderers will be at the foot of the table after Saturday's visit to West Ham. The TV pundit Wanderers fans love to hate believes the Hammers will notch their first home match of the season, while West Brom
SPORTS people in Bolton are celebrating the news that the town will host the Greater Manchester Youth Games in 2003. And the borough is also commited to hosting them for the following two years. It is great news for Bolton and for the other nine remaining
A HEADTEACHER who employed security guards to protect his school from thieves says that the measures are working -- but at a price. Tony Buckley, of George Tomlinson School, Kearsley, has spent thousands of pounds on security measures to keep his school
THE Salvation Army band will be out in force with some festive cheer, playing carols and Christmas music in Bolton town centre from 10am on Saturday. The annual Carol Service will take place at the citadel, St Georges Road, Bolton, this Sunday at 6pm.
THREE Bury pupils who raised more than £5,000 for charity have won a digital camera for their school. Sanjay Desai, Stuart Douthwaite and Michael Ward, all aged 17, from Bury Grammar School were runners-up in the working-together category of Tesco's Our
BUDDING little artists will pick up their brushes and create mini masterpieces to be displayed in a Bolton store. Pupils from Tonge Moor CP School will have their art shown over the weekend in Matalan on Tonge Moor Road Prizes will be presented to the
SAM Allardyce believes that both he and West Ham boss Glenn Roeder are playing for their managerial lives in the Premiership basement clash writes Richard Mulligan On offer are vital points that could lift Wanderers out of the bottom three - but could
The Best in Stand Up - THE COMEDY STORE, Deansgate Locks, Whitworth Street, Manchester. Christmas chuckles with Ian Stone, Adam Bloom, Phil Nichol, Paul Thorne and Andy Zaltzman Tonight (Friday), 8pm, £13 and £6 conc. and Saturday, 8pm, £14 and £6. THE
LAST week was the time for members of Radcliffe Athletic Club to congratulate the winners of their annual club championship, as they held their senior Presentation Evening. Eileen Royle and Alec Steele won the two Over 50 categories in the road championship
MUSIC for a medieval Christmas is to fill the atmospheric surroundings of historic Astley Hall. A group of musicians known as Tapestry of Music will play in period costume and demonstrate traditional musical instruments. The event starts at 7.30pm on
A Partridge on DVD - Like the tree, the turkey and tragic novelty socks, TV is an essential part of Christmas Day, the Only Fools and Horses Christmas Special uniting dysfunctional families where counselling has failed before it. However, if the idea
LEIGH RMI continue to defy the odds, but whatever manager Steve Waywell achieves, it seems he must always have to dodge the bullets writes Martyn Hindley With a weekly budget a third the size of Telford - the other paupers of the Nationwide Conference
A FORMER soldier from Bolton is supporting calls for an inquiry into the deaths of four young soldiers at an army barracks. Paul Wilkinson is claiming that statements he made after the death of fellow soldier Cheryl James, aged 18, were altered. And calling
WILLIAMS Fairey Band, the recently crowned 2002 National Champion Brass Band of Great Britain, will perform a concert of Christmas music at the Gracie Fields Theatre in Rochdale on Sunday, 7.30pm. The concert, entitled The Williams Fairey Band Say A Merry
LATEST results Division One HIGHER FOLD LC...2 COLLIERS REST...1 LEIGH AVENUE...2 ROPE & ANCHOR...2 HOWE BRIDGE MILLS...2 KERSAL VALE AFC...3 Division Two LEIGH LEGION...0 AFC TYLDESLEY...4 THREE CROWNS B...1 HOWE BRIDGE MILLS RES...1 ATHERTON ROYALS
WHO: WES BUTTERS. IT will be a very merry Christmas for one unknown DJ who has been plucked from obscurity to present Radio 1's Top 40 chart. New kid on the block Wes Butters will replace 41-year-old stalwart DJ Mark Goodier, who for many is the definitive
A Partridge on DVD - Like the tree, the turkey and tragic novelty socks, TV is an essential part of Christmas Day, the Only Fools and Horses Christmas Special uniting dysfunctional families where counselling has failed before it. However, if the idea
PARENTS battling to save a village primary school have been left devastated after a High Court judge ruled against them. The High Court judge in London decided that Bury School Organisation Committee (SOC) had not acted illegally when voting to close
PIRATE copies of the latest blockbuster movies destined for homes across the North-west this Christmas have been seized as part of a clampdown on counterfeiting. Box office hits including Spiderman, Harry Potter, Scooby Doo and Shrek were taken by trading
CORONATION Street bad boy Dean Ashton, who plays Aidan Critchley, took centre stage when he officially opened a village school's new nursery. The 24-place nursery opened in the autumn, occupying an empty classroom at St John's School, in Mosley Common
A BOLTON church will be centre stage on Christmas Day when it becomes home to a BBC television crew for the morning. It'll be lights, camera, action at St Peter's CE Church, on Church Road, Halliwell, as crews film the parish's Christmas morning family
A MOTHER whose child repeatedly did not go to school has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £250. Linda Bateson, of Coronation Road, Radcliffe, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the attendance of her child when she appeared before Bury magistrates
VICTIMS of "economy class syndrome" are due to find out if they can pursue claims for compensation from airlines. Brenda Payne, of Bury, is among 55 litigants who say they suffered from Deep Vein Thrombosis after flights. The High Court is due to rule
BOLTON MUSEUM, ART GALLERY & AQUARIUM, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. Tel: 332211. www.boltonmuseums.org.uk Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Admission free. Wildlife Attractions Bolton Aquarium For unique views into the aquatic world visit Bolton
DISTINGUISHED actor, Sir Tom Courtenay, gives a personal insight into poet Philip Larkin in a world premiere production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Pretending To Be Me is an intimate and affectionate tribute to the poet, which blends Courtenay's
AND then there were none. Last Sunday, David Lloyd A the only remaining unbeaten team in the Bolton Sports Federation Winter Tennis League, suffered defeat at the hands of Astley. It was an excellent match, full of hard-hitting, attacking tennis but not
Royksopp - ACADEMY, 1,2 &3, Oxford Road, Manchester. Norwegian duo play chilled out tracks Tonight (Friday), 8pm, £12.50 BAND ON THE WALL, Manchester Victor Brox Blues singer and guitarist plays a Christmas special Sunday, 7pm, £6 and £5 CARLING APOLLO
ALL Bolton Music Service's youth concert bands showcased their talents this week in a special Christmas concert and presentation evening at the Reebok Stadium. Talented youngsters aged from four years to teenagers took part in the concert at the football
PAUL Collins trebled for Hilton Tameside who won 6-3 at Ramsbottom B to move into second spot in the Premier Division table and just one point behind leaders Ramsbottom A. Hilton A beat Wharton A 5-4 after leading 5-1 in the early stages of the match.
A MANCHESTER man who falsely claimed to have kidnapped murdered Soham schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells has been jailed for four months. Howard Youde, of Blackley, made three calls to Cambridgeshire police saying he had taken the 10-year-olds
A BRAIN teasing quiz for people who become bored with Christmas TV has been set up by the Bury library service. Copies of the quiz -- inspired by festive songs -- can be picked up from any local library. It is also available through the council's website
FORTY people have been arrested as part of a crime crackdown by Greater Manchester Police using the latest hi-tech equipment. During Operation Atlanta, officers used Automatic Number Plate Recognition system to catch criminals on the roads. A total of
SPORTS people in Bolton are celebrating the news that the town will host the Greater Manchester Youth Games in 2003. And the borough is also commited to hosting them for the following two years. It is great news for Bolton and for the other nine remaining
TWO men, one from Bolton, who ran a fraudulent telesales business from city centre offices have been given suspended jail sentences at Manchester Crown Court. Director Gary Callaghan, aged 32, and Ian Bates, aged 40, who shared his office, were given
