Archive

  • Town tops list for failed firms

    BOLTON has been named top of a "business graveyard" list -- but business leaders have immediately hit back at a "misleading" picture. A survey by the Association of Business Recovery Professionals -- R3 -- revealed that in 2001 insolvency rates were nearly

  • Checks vital

    WITH regard to your headline "pervert locked up" January 21. While reading your story, I find it very difficult to believe that a person with two previous convictions for this kind of disgusting offence can work with children, voluntary or otherwise.

  • Recalling many a happy 'tail'

    WHEN he read the 50 Years Ago section of Looking Back on January 16, Mr Albert Winstanley, of Bradshaw Brow, Bradshaw, Bolton, "basked for a spell in the warm inner glow of recaptured memories". The story was about a dog called Mij, a sheepdog which did

  • Reward for return of stolen pigeon

    A PIGEON fancier is distraught after burglars stole his pet homing pigeon. The grey and blue checked cock called Harry was taken from the garage in Maud Street, Chorley. And the upset owner, who does not wish to be named, is offering a reward for information

  • Service is fair' - report

    THE revenue and benefits service provided by South Ribble Borough Council is fair and has promising prospects for improvement, according to an Audit Commission report. Inspectors gave the service, which covers Leyland and Samlesbury, a one star rating

  • E marks the spot in pilot voting scheme

    CHORLEY is to lead the country in a new electronic voting pilot scheme. Electors in the local authority are among more than 1.5million voters nationwide to trial voting on the internet, digital television and by text messaging, at this May's local elections

  • The story so far

    ALL the results AUGUST 17 Fulham... 1-4 A Ricketts (pen)16,338 24 Charlton...1-2 H Djorkaeff23,850 SEPTEMBER 1 Aston Villa...1-0 H Ricketts (pen)23,501 11 Man Utd...1-0 A Nolan67,623 14 Liverpool...2-3 H Gardner, Campo27,328 21 Arsenal...1-2 A Farrelly37,974

  • Blackspot crash girl, 9, fights for life

    A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl was fighting for her life in hospital today after an accident on a road condemned as an accident blackspot by residents. The girl was crossing Crompton Way with a school friend near its junction with Green Way, Hall i'th' Wood, shortly

  • Sound as a hound

    THE future of Westhoughton Greyhound Stadium is uncertain after the site went up for sale. Bolton Evening News reporter Dean Kirby spent a night at the dogs to taste the atmosphere A HUGE crowd of men gathers in front of the bookmaker. They stand shoulder-to-shoulder

  • Wanderers v Everton: All the news

    ALL the reaction and reports from Wanderers' clash with Everton at the Reebok on Tuesday on this site. We provide comprehensive coverage of all Wanderers matches this season HERE while reaction to the most recent game at the Reebok on Tuesday will be

  • Spanish ace for Reebok?

    VALENCIA striker Salva Ballesta was today expected to fly in from Spain to discuss a loan move to the Reebok. The 23-year-old cost Valencia more than £8 million when he was signed in 2001 but could now move to Wanderers on a loan deal until the end of

  • Wanderers' 'new' double signing!

    SURPRISE guys Ivan Campo and Bernard Mendy could give Sam Allardyce a massive boost for the Premiership run-in - starting at home to Everton on Tuesday night. The outstanding performances of Bernard Mendy and Ivan Campo in unusual positions at Newcastle

  • Who's top of the schools?

    The latest league tables for schools in Bolton, Bury, Wigan and Salford are now online on This is Bolton. Find out how schools in your area fared by clicking on the following link: www.thisisbolton.co.uk/education/schooltables.html

  • Keep-fit pupils take away Indian dance craze

    THE Bollywood craze that swept through Britain during last summer hit Sharples primary school when pupils were given lessons in Indian dancing. Actress Rhaki Sood, who has starred in The Bill and Casualty, put the children through their paces when she

  • Girls can bend it like Beckham

    A GIRLS' football team from Euxton is showing they can also 'bend it like Beckham'. Euxton Girls, who play in the Lancashire Girls' League, are so good that they have attracted sponsorship from local businesses, who are queuing up to get their names linked

  • Phone snatch

    AN 18-YEAR-OLD woman had her mobile telephone snatched from her hand as she walked through Bury town centre. She was on Market Street when a man grabbed the phone as she was talking on it. The man then ran away at about 3pm on Friday.

  • Plea for shops

    CANCER Research shops are appealing for donations of secondhand clothes and "bits and bobs". Two shops in particular need are 74 The Rock, Bury, and 448 Bury New Road, Prestwich. Direct any enquiries to Bury manager Warren Tonge on 0161 762 9705.

  • Search for real ale club of year

    THE Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA, have launched their 'Club of the Year' competition to find the most committed club to real ale in Britain. There are 30,000 licensed and registered clubs eligible to enter the competition. John Holland, Chair of Clubs

  • Chance to play the name game

    HALLS, Balls and Catheralls will come under scrutiny when members of Leigh Local History Society meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday in the Derby Room at Leigh Library. Those are just a sample of the traditional Lancashire surnames under discussion with guest

  • £2million hospital bridge due to re-open

    A BRIDGE used by ambulances to get to the Royal Bolton Hospital is nearing completion. This picture shows the work being carried out on Green Lane Bridge -- a task which has cost £2 million. Included in that was £150,000 to divert train services. But

  • Per chance to drive

    STUDENTS in Bolton will be offered the chance to get behind the wheel and experience the feel of driving -- without actually going anywhere. BSM's unique driving simulator, which is based on a Vauxhall Corsa, is touring Lancashire schools as part of a

  • Tallest sculpture

    BRITAIN'S tallest sculpture will cost an estimated £750,000. The 184ft floodlit artwork is set to be positioned outside the City of Manchester Stadium, which played host to the Commonwealth Games. Designer Tom Heatherwick's structure features 200 tapered

  • Blind Date Bernie hopes to be swept off her supermarket feet

    GLAMOROUS till girl Bernie Roscoe hopes to "check out" a new man -- by arranging her own Blind Date game at her supermarket. The 37-year-old mum-of-four hopes to swap the food aisles for church aisles if she is swept off her feet by a mystery customer

  • Mum's fury after poem let-down

    A MOTHER has spoken of her anger after she sent off money for a book -- featuring a poem written by her daughter -- which never arrived. Jill Peters, aged 43, of Ullswater Close, Little Lever, was delighted when she received a letter saying her daughter

  • Strike off as lecturers resume talks over pay

    A STRIKE that could have resulted in hundreds of Bolton College lecturers and support staff staging a one-day walk out has been suspended. Up to 200 further education college lecturers at Bolton Community College -- members of the National Association

  • Salva Reebok move: Sam's strong interest

    VALENCIA striker Salva Ballesta is still locked in talks with Wanderers over a move to the Reebok. Manager Sam Allardyce admits interest is high in the 23-year-old, who cost Valencia more than £8 million when he was signed in 2001, but fluctuating cash

  • United v Arsenal in fifth round!

    PREMIERSHIP giants Manchester United and Arsenal will clash at Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The draw at 1.30pm was made by United legends Bryan Robson and Gary Pallister. The full draw is: Manchester United v Arsenal Southampton/Millwall

  • Ricketts is no better

    While I was back in England for the Spurs and Sunderland games I didn't think we were good enough for the Premiership but the team has improved except Ricketts, who hasn't been scoring anyway. Paul Probert, Portland, Australia

  • White hot Walker

    WITH reference to the top ten goals article featured on Tuesday, what about Andy Walker's effort against Liverpool at Anfield in the 1993 FA Cup? I also remember David Lee's in the Coca Cola Cup versus Norwich in 1995. Also there has to be a John McGinlay

  • Good riddance to the new Sasa

    UNFORTUNATELY the Michael Ricketts situation is all too common of today's footballer. The story is similar to the situation of a certain Sasa Curcic who also got delusions of grandeur when he ran off to play for Premiership rivals Aston Villa. Good riddance

  • All to play for at halfway stage

    THE 2002 - 2003 Bury Table Tennis League season reached its half way mark in December and all the players have been taking a well earned break over the Christmas and New year period writes Marlene Faulkner Looking back over the first half of the season

  • Russian experiment pays off - Terzis

    Leigh Centurions 62 Locomotiv Moscow 0 by Mike Hulme HOPELESSLY outclassed Locomotiv Moscow lost on the pitch but won many friends off it. The Muscovite amateurs were like lambs to the slaughter as the Centurions strolled into round four of the TXU Energi

  • Wake up call too late for Shakers

    Kidderminster 3 Bury 2 by Phil Thorp MORE performances like this and Bury's hopes of a quick return to Division Two will be a thing of the past. Three goals behind just after an hour, the Shakers only woke up for the final 20 minutes when they grabbed

  • Kidney failure mum Gina hopes for happier times

    IT should have been the happiest time of her life. But soon after Gina Cook gave birth to baby son Ryan two months prematurely, her kidneys started to fail -- putting her life in serious danger. Her time is now dominated by lengthy visits to Salford's

  • Brothers hurt in double shooting

    TWO brothers were shot in an incident outside a house in south Manchester last night. The first man, aged 31, was shot in the chest as he confronted two men who were seen loitering outside his house, in Brantingham Road, Whalley Range, about 11pm. He

  • Holocaust memorial

    NATIONAL Holocaust Memorial Day wasbeing marked across the region today. Greater Manchester Police chief Michael Todd was addressing a service held by Trafford Council at Lancashire County Cricket Club and later a ceremony was being held in Bolton Town

  • Pupils to play part in town's Holocaust memorial day

    SCHOOLCHILDREN from across Bolton will play a part in the town's commemoration of Holocaust memorial day. Pupils from Firwood School, will light candles throughout the service at the Festival Hall, Bolton, which is based on the theme 'Genocide in the

  • Show is set to make a splash

    A BOLTON production of Singin' In The Rain promises a splashing time for cast and audience members . . . The innovative stage version of the classic musical, set to be shown at The Albert Halls, is guaranteed to live up to its name. But despite it most

  • Town could get BNP candidate

    A BRITISH National Party candidate could be set to stand in Bolton during the May local elections. Leaders of the far-right party say they are considering putting forward a candidate following calls of support from voters in town. Their comments followed

  • Councillor 'ashamed' of business graveyard list

    A TORY councillor has blamed Bolton Council for the town being named top of a "business graveyard" list. Stuart Lever, who represents Astley Bridge and runs three businesses, felt "humiliated" to see insolvency rates in the town were nearly twice the

  • 'Tilting' train arrives 11 minutes early

    A LONG-delayed new high speed "tilting" train from Manchester arrived in London Euston 11 minutes early on its maiden journey. The first passenger Pendolino tilting train, operated by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Rail, left Piccadilly at 6.58am and arrived

  • Westwood's pre-war super strike was a real classic

    AMONG my father's possessions, I discovered a cutting taken from the Bolton Evening News dated September 16, 1937. It reads as follows: "It had to be a master-move to get a goal last night, and such was the effort that won the match. "Westwood was barely

  • Chelsea goal was Ricketts' best yet

    WHILE the list you have compiled on Wanderers goals can't possibly be all encompassing, as it omits anything pre-1976, it is not a bad reflection of the best goals of more recent times. I would maybe omit the Nathan Blake goal in favour of Ricardo Gardner's

  • Councillor 'ashamed' of business graveyard list

    A TORY councillor has blamed Bolton Council for the town being named top of a "business graveyard" list. Stuart Lever, who represents Astley Bridge and runs three businesses, felt "humiliated" to see insolvency rates in the town were nearly twice the

  • Shame them

    IT is truly contemptible that the 7000 British men on the list of those who have paid for sickening images of children being raped and abused on the Internet will be allowed to carry on their depraved activities for some time to come, because we do not

  • Where were floral tributes?

    ON the afternoon of Monday, January 20, I was crossing Victoria Square and, as trained from childhood by my sailor father, I turned to stand before the War Memorial and so acknowledge those who gave their lives for our freedom. As my eyes fell on the

  • It's time to put an end to this parking pain

    SINCE these controlled parking zone areas have been introduced, it has caused nothing but trouble. My mother and brother both live in Halstead Street, and they have both paid for parking. My mother and step-father for the car they own, £30, and £20 passes

  • Speed hump joy for those in the 4X4s

    I READ F Heyman's opinions about the speed humps proposed for Sapling Road with some interest. While able to appreciate the aggravation caused by those, like me, who commute to work outside his front door, I do not feel that his lot would be improved.

  • See through the spin on this dispute

    AS a firefighter, I have received a lot of praise for my work, but recently I have received just as much criticism for being greedy and selfish. The fire service is like an insurance policy -- you hope you never need it but if anything goes wrong you

  • Vicar's letter

    AS members of the Bolton Interfaith Council, we want to express our deep concern at what seems like the impending war against Iraq. We have a number of deep fears about the present situation. We are concerned that the processes of the United Nations have

  • Spikey's a patron Saint of animals

    AS the famous showbiz saying goes, never work with children or animals. But Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey, Jerry 'The Saint' St Clair in the Channel 4 hit comedy series, has ignored the advice -- as a quick look inside his home will tell you. For comedian

  • Cut price tickets for Wanderers' RL fans

    WANDERERS' fans are being offered to cut the cost of watching football by watching rugby league. TeamCard holders buying tickets from the Reebok for the St Helens-Sydney Roosters World Club Challenge on Friday, February 14 can earn up to 200 TeamCard

  • Iversen and Doherty: The facts

    REPORTS suggest Spurs will offer £4 million plus either Steffen Iversen or Gary Doherty, although neither has the kind of recent goalscoring record that would interest Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce, desperate for a quality striker. Doherty, who will

  • Legends share the spotlight - again

    BURNDEN Park's legendary goalscoring pairing of John McGinlay and Andy Walker were back in harness, and in competition, at Newcastle on Wednesday night. The Scottish strike duo who terrorised defences in a white shirt a decade ago rekindled their partnership

  • Everton test for Ricketts jeers

    MICHAEL Ricketts knows only too well that he is in danger of suffering a backlash from Bolton fans starting with the home clash with Everton on Tuesday. Life at the Reebok could become a shade uncomfortable for the Wanderers' top scorer. Supporters, as

  • Jennings needs support

    BOXING coach Brian Hughes says Michael Jennings is not getting the television coverage he needs to help make him a champion. Chorley welterweight Jennings stopped Birmingham's Leroy Williamson at the end of the fourth round on Saturday to earn his 18th

  • Magpies turn on style

    THE Magpies' management duo of Mark Molyneaux and Wayne Goodison faced their old club for the first time since swopping Shawe View for Victory Park ten months ago and emerged triumphant from this much-publicised UniBond first division shoot-out. But there

  • Pensioner attacked by robber

    A PENSIONER was punched in the face by a robber who demanded money. The victim, aged 69, was walking along Radcliffe Road, Bury, on Saturday at about 2pm when he was approached by three men. One of the gang assaulted him, causing him to fall from the

  • Fire at takeaway

    FIREFIGHTERS tackled a fire at Ali's Takeaway, on Derby Street, Daubhill, at 5am yesterday. Smoke was spotted behind a cooker at the takeaway. The fire was quickly brought under control.

  • Film team looks for love stories

    INDEPENDENT production company Testimony Films wants to hear from readers aged over 70, who found true love outside their marriage in their younger years. Stories could be filmed for a Channel 4 history documentary due to be shown this summer. Write to

  • Social group on members search

    A SOCIAL group for widows and widowers is keen to welcome new members, especially men. Jigsaw has more than 50 members, aged 50-80, who meet monthly at Leigh Miners Club, in Twist Lane. Members organise day trips, holidays and meals out. The next meeting

  • Here's your chance for TV stardom

    THE producers of Streetmate, Gimme Gimme Gimme and The Vicar of Dibley will soon be auditioning for North West participants for a new entertainment programme that promises stardom and the chance to win £10,000. Entrants must be aged between 21-35, have

  • Lifeboat honours

    TWO volunteers from the Turton branch will be honoured later this year for more than 50 years work with the RNLI. Joan Jellicoe and Jean Musker have together clocked up 53 years of voluntary service. Joan, who joined in 1969 and has been treasurer since

  • Search on for Peter Perfect

    DAVE Spikey, Phoenix Nights star and patron of the charity Pet Rehome, is pleading for the public's help in tracing a lost cat called Peter Perfect. The all-white cat went missing from its Devonshire Road home in Heaton on Saturday, January 11. Peter

  • Keep-fit pupils take away Indian dance craze

    THE Bollywood craze that swept through Britain during last summer hit Sharples primary school when pupils were given lessons in Indian dancing. Actress Rhaki Sood, who has starred in The Bill and Casualty, put the children through their paces when she

  • Fake cycles warning

    A MOTORCYCLE insurance specialist has warned that Bolton's streets could become flooded with "fake" motorbikes. Bennetts has estimated that there are between 2,500-3,000 "clone" motorbikes in Britain -- bikes that have had their true identities concealed

  • Policeman's legacy to estate will live on

    A PROJECT pioneered by a policeman killed in a road accident has missed out on the top spot in a national community safety awards scheme. But the much-needed hard work of The Paulhan Street Estate Project will continue. The project -- covering 15 roads

  • Residents up in arms over luxury flats plan

    ANGRY residents are campaigning against plans to build 24 luxury apartments in Astley Bridge. Scores of people have written letters to Bolton Council raising their objections to the scheme which would, if approved, see the construction of 18 two-bed and

  • Jobs success for ex-offenders

    A PROJECT set up in Bolton just nine months ago to try to stop persistent offenders from going back to a life of crime after release from prison has proved to be a success -- helping to get ex-offenders back into work. The Bolton Persistent Offenders

  • A look at the future

    Time Traveller Simon Topliss concludes his weekly series delving into the history of Bolton with a round-up of the town through the ages -- and a glimpse of what the future has in store. THIS series of articles has been about the history of Bolton and

  • Race to buy greyhound stadium

    A BUSINESSMAN and a property developer could go head-to-head in a race to buy Westhoughton Greyhound Stadium. The two men are both believed to be bidding to take over the site, which is on sale for about £300,000. The developer, who has first option on

  • Gentleman Youri deserves the plaudits

    I AM writing in regard to Youri Djorkaeff. What a footballer and gentleman he is. If Bolton still have him on their books up to when he retires, I think that it would be in their interest to retain him. What an example to the young and up and coming players

  • Window offers no opportunity

    THE fans were really looking forward to the transfer window. Sam says we need two quality players, then we are told we can only get one but now it might be none at all. We knew at the begining of the season that we would need at least one new striker

  • Michael should give boss a chance

    HOW sad it is to read that after one successful season in the Premiership for Michael Ricketts, a period of speculation linking him with a so-called glamourous club has created illusions of grandeur within the mind of our striker resulting in a transfer

  • Super John is spot-on

    I AM disgusted with the attitude of Michael Ricketts this season. His apparent lack of interest in helping Bolton Wanderers stay in the Premiership has left a bad taste in the mouth for some time. Now he has come out and made it clear that he does not

  • RMI boosted by clean sheets

    Leigh RMI 1 Woking 0 by Martyn Hindley BACK to back wins and a renewed liking to keeping clean sheets means Hilton Park is back to being 'home sweet home' for Leigh RMI. It wasn't always pretty as the Railwaymen tussled with Woking in this Conference

  • Chas is drummed out of his pub

    A TERRIFIED pub boss has left Bolton after receiving a series of chilling death threats. Chas Hooper left the Pilkington Arms in Daubhill after a man called him on the telephone and said: "Get out now or I'm going to kill you." The 60-year-old does not

  • Race to buy greyhound stadium

    A BUSINESSMAN and a property developer could go head-to-head in a race to buy Westhoughton Greyhound Stadium. The two men are both believed to be bidding to take over the site, which is on sale for about £300,000. The developer, who has first option on

  • Sound as a hound

    THE future of Westhoughton Greyhound Stadium is uncertain after the site went up for sale. Bolton Evening News reporter Dean Kirby spent a night at the dogs to taste the atmosphere A HUGE crowd of men gathers in front of the bookmaker. They stand shoulder-to-shoulder

  • Curbing child porn will cost money

    POLICE in the UK are sifting through the names of a suspected 7,000 paedophiles who allegedly logged on to a child porn Internet site. Dean Kirby looks at the rise of the evil hobby on the world wide web and what is being done to catch those responsible

  • What's on offer in the region this year

    Here we take a look at what's on in the pick of the North West theatres. One of the highlights at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, is the classic Harold Brighouse play, Hobson's Choice. This will be its first showing at the Royal Exchange. Trevor