Archive

  • Festival time for youngsters

    BOLTON Youth Jazz Orchestra and Smithills School Senior Concert Band are taking part in the Music for Youth Regional Festivals at Rochdale this weekend. They will be among 1,200 young instrumentalists, singers and dancers, aged six to 21, taking part

  • Bedroom Farce gets local airing

    ALAN Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce, a hit production when it was at the National Theatre in 1977, is getting a local airing, courtesy of Bolton Little Theatre. Definitely not a sex romp, says BLT, Bedroom Farce is as funny and relevant now as it was nearly

  • Sun shines on solar projects

    BOLTON businesses working with solar energy could be in for a windfall. Housing, educational and commercial solar projects are among those set to benefit from £5 million new Government funding for medium to large-scale solar electric power installations

  • Youngsters make floral start to community week

    DURING "Community Week" in 1982 at the Holy Trinity Church, Prestolee, the children of the Parish made a colourful start as they toured around the area giving a small bouquet of flowers to households. They were pictured at their first call, Mrs Helen

  • Protect US from man called Pittock

    MALCOLM Pittock's repeated theories tend to become a bit of a bore after a while. Nonetheless, his latest diatribe (or should it be diatripe?)in the Bolton Evening News (March 20th) prompted me to put pen to paper. Mr Pittock states (for the umpteenth

  • Museum tokens tell a piece of Bolton history

    I AM always amazed what transpires from my stories in Looking Back. A couple of weeks or so ago, I wrote about the Star Museum on Churchgate, which was on the site of where the Theatre Royal later stood. I have now received an e-mail from Mr George Keech

  • When the curtain fell on Garrick's glory days

    IN 1978 the doors closed on a famous Leigh institution -- The Garrick. Over the years thousands of star-struck members trod a weekly path to the Leigh Road club which took owner and impresario, the late Roy Jackson, from rags to riches. The larger than

  • Bren-gun training at Derby Barracks

    Cadets of the 5th Cadet Battalion (The Loyal Regt) demonstrating Bren-gun training to parents who attended an "at home" at the Derby Barracks, Fletcher Street, Bolton, in 1953

  • Weapons hope

    After the First World War, some tanks were put into Queen's Park, Bolton, presumably for show and to persuade people that such weapons should never be used again (if that was the case, it didn't work!). In November, 1931, though, the rusted war relics

  • A lunch hour to savour. . .

    A COLLEAGUE wanted to know if I fancied popping out for a spot of lunch, how could I refuse? There's nothing like a pleasant meal and a chat in the middle of the day to set you up perfectly for an afternoon of work. We opted for the ever-popular town

  • Nice setting for a special night

    ANYONE who visited the big, rambling Victory pub on Chorley Old Road in Bolton will feel vaguely disorientated by wandering into Mr G's Restaurant now. A major and sympathetic renovation has turned the former into the latter, and the transformation from

  • The best risotto in the world...

    I HAVE enjoyed many an evening in the River Bar at the Lowry Hotel but had yet to sample the food in the River Room Marco Pierre White (MPW) restaurant. My birthday seemed to be the perfect excuse and I mentioned it in passing to my husband who, in turn

  • Fine food and all that jazz

    SMITHS is one of those restaurants where everything you seen coming out of the kitchen you will wish you had ordered. The presentation of the food at this eatery is simply exquisite, and that includes the starters and desserts. My mother and I visited

  • Down to earth by delicious

    WE were like a troupe of wandering minstrels ... only we didn't feel much like singing! It was a Saturday night - Valentine's night to be precise - and six of us descended on Manchester for dinner. Because we'd planned to visit the Hard Rock Cafe, I was

  • Marathon man Ray ready for last race

    RAY Collett will lace up his long-distance running shoes for the last time next month when he lines up for his final London Marathon at the age of 67. The pensioner, who had a life-saving triple bypass operation 10 years ago after suffering 10 heart attacks

  • Wanderers' countdown: Nine games to go

    REMAINING fuxtures begin with the Sky TV game at home to Newcastle on Sunday (2pm). April Sat 3rd Middlesbrough, away Sat 10th Aston Villa, home Mon 12th Wolverhampton Wanderers, away Sat 17th Tottenham Hotspur, home Sat 24th Southampton, away May Sat

  • Okocha delays contract talks

    JAY-Jay Okocha has ended the current speculation over a new contract by putting off talks on his new deal until the end of the season. He said: "I want to concentrate all my efforts on improving my form and helping Bolton Wanderers, therefore I have decided

  • Yorke and Co too strong

    Wanderers Reserves 0 Blackburn Reserves 3: WANDERERS found an experienced Blackburn side too hot to handle when they went down to a second successive defeat at the County Ground, Leyland, on Monday night. The Rovers second-string, including Peter Enckelman

  • Remembering the Fallen of Gallipoli

    OLD soldiers and young cadets gathered in Bury to pay their respects to the bravery of eleven Lancashire Fusilier officers and 350 of their men who died on the beaches of Gallipoli in Turkey on April 25, 1915. The annual Gallipoli Service and Parade is

  • Hope springs from a play about Alice

    AN acclaimed one-woman play about a patient in a mental health ward will be staged at the Theatre Church, Astley Bridge, on Friday and Saturday, April 2 and 3. Alice Springs, by Robert King, is the story of Alice -- played by Christine Way -- the patient

  • Man is charged with kerb-crawling

    A BURY man was due to appear in court on Tuesdayd charged with kerb-crawling. The 39-year-old was arrested in South Manchester last week under Operation Minute. Eight others were also held in the operation to combat prostitution and kerb-crawling. The

  • Arson attack wrecks bingo hut

    FIREBUGS have been blamed for a blaze which wrecked a wooden security lodge on a bingo club car park. The hut was empty when the fireraisers set it alight on the outside of Mecca Bingo, Breightmet Fold Lane, shortly after 4am today. Firefighters used

  • Thugs grab girl's mobile phone

    TWO thugs searched a 16-year-old girl's pockets then stole her mobile phone. The men approached her in an alleyway off George Street, Prestwich, early on Saturday and threatened her. One asked for her mobile phone and she said she did not have one. But

  • Best foot forward for brave Alice, 6

    FAMILY and friends of a young girl struck down by meningitis are taking part in a 24-mile walk to raise up to £10,000 for charity. More than 60 people are expected to take part in a walk of Yorkshire's Three Peaks on April 3 in aid of six-year-old Alice

  • Accused of two indecent assaults

    A 33-year-old man accused of indecently assaulting two women on the same day has appeared at Liverpool Crown Court. Ahmed Reza Paykani, of Snowden Street, Bolton, pleaded not guilty to indecently assaulting the women on September 15. He was remanded on

  • Board gives exam tips for students

    AN EXAM board has issued a series of tips for revision in preparation for the summer exams. Edexcel bosses are aiming to help minimise exam stresses with a number of pointers about the best ways to study. The suggestions include: Create a revision timetable

  • From Boardman Street to Big Apple

    MIKE Harrison was born in Bolton, but has lived in New York (the American one, not the one in Bolton!) for the past 40 years. He tells me that he attended Tonge Fold School in the 1950s, and started work at the Co-op on Oxford Street in 1955, and this

  • Home, sweet, home!

    ARNOLD Harrison, of Manchester Road West, Little Hulton, gives us more memories of his childhood in Bolton - this time about his mother visiting a medium, how his family moved to Hunger Hill - and how glad he was to get back to "God's Country" at Deane

  • A Wolf called Parsnip

    ARNOLD HARRISON, of Manchester Road West, Little Hulton, tells another story of his childhood in Bolton THE 1st Deane Bolton Cubs, which I was a member of (Wolf Patrol), was situated on the top floor of the large stone building on the corner of Horsefield

  • When Reebok was Fosters

    SOME of Britain's leading soccer teams shopped in Bolton for their training shoes during the 1930s. Fosters, of Deane Road, turned out numerous pairs of spiked shoes for such teams as Bolton Wanderers, Lincoln City, Newcastle, Stoke and Liverpool. This

  • Brenda worked for life at jacket firm

    ON Saturday I told of how during the Second World War and after, life jackets "to save Servicemen's lives at sea" were made at a firm in Sackville Street, Bolton. Mrs Brenda Heaton, of Wigan Road, Deane, now tells me that she worked at the firm, Bedding

  • Local learning boss goes regional

    ANTHONY Goldstone, chairman of the Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester, has been chosen as the first chairman of the new Learning and Skills Council North West Regional Board. Chairmen and executive directors of the five North West LSCs selected

  • Football teaches psychology

    THE FA has launched a soccer psychology course to help coaches, parents and teachers understand the needs of young football players. Module Psychology for Soccer Level 1 is available to anyone with Internet access and is for coaches, parents and teachers

  • Gala day for sports club

    LITTLE LEVER Sports Club is to hold its seventh annual gala day at the club's ground in Mytham Road on Sunday, May 16. Last year's event was the most successful yet and the club is hoping this year's gala will set a new record for funds raised for local

  • Easter fun for children in town's parks

    MANY Easter activities have been organised in Bolton's Parks over the Bank Holiday weekend. A short walk around the Animal World at Moss Bank Park, starts on Saturday, April 10, at 11am and is due to last about an hour. Children will have the opportunity

  • For those in peril on the sea

    "LIFE-jackets made in Bolton since the dark days of the war have travelled all over the world in troopships and come back to a small workroom in Saville-st., behind the bus depot, to be renovated and sent out again," reported the paper in January, 1949

  • Lord Leverhulme kept zebras in his zoo

    EVERY year, the active Horwich Heritage society puts on an exhibition about the past of the town. This year, the aim is to celebrate leisure and past-times of all those organisations, clubs and societies who have contributed so much to the rich social

  • Mechanics of the No.6 RAF Radio School

    DURING the Second World War, servicemen and servicewomen from many areas came to Bolton to attend the No. 6 RAF Radio School at Bolton Technical College, for the final course of training as Wireless Mechanics. I have now heard from Mrs Vera Pemberton,

  • At Dobbies, you could even get your hair cut!

    ALEC DAWSON, of The Pewfist, Westhoughton, here recalls fond memories of his time as an apprentice at one of our local major companies, Dobson and Barlow, makers of textile machinery. The firm was founded in 1790 in Blackhorse Street, Bolton, by Isaac

  • Danny on the spot for Shakers

    DANNY Swailes has put himself forward for the job of Bury's full-time penalty taker. The Bolton-born defender became the Shakers' fourth spot-kick taker of the season when he scored against Mansfield last Tuesday. Swailes took on the job after Gareth

  • Blind Eye

    BLIND Eye by John McLaren is a tense thriller set in modern times, which takes a penetrating look at one of the greatest dilemmas likely to face the modern fighting man and his superiors: when is simply following orders no longer morally defensible? When

  • 1066 The Hidden History of the Bayeux Tapestry

    THIS fascinating new reading on the famous tapestry radically alters our understanding of the events of 1066 and reveals the astonishing story of the survival of early medieval Europe's greatest treasure. The Bayeux Tapestry was embroidered (it's not

  • Road closure causes traffic chaos

    THE closure of part of Bradshawgate caused traffic chaos for shoppers in Bolton town centre at the weekend. Traffic was backed up in almost every street around the main shopping area on Saturday as drivers became increasingly frustrated. Cars queued in

  • Backstroke ban for swimmers

    A BACKSTROKE ban has been slapped on swimmers at a council-run pool at busy times - because it is too dangerous. Daisyfield Swimming Pool in Blackburn is believed to be one of the first in the country to implement such a ban. The ban has angered some

  • Waiting list probe 'will not lose us any money'

    HEALTH chiefs say an investigation into waiting list irregularities at the Royal Bolton Hospital will not lose them any money. Acting chief executive Joanna Wallace told a board meeting on Monday night that hospitals were not punished for losing stars

  • Lulu ready to wow the fans at the Reebok

    LITTLE Lulu promised a big performance in Bolton when she met North-west fans at the Trafford Centre. The enduringly popular singer enchanted the small but enthusiastic crowd which had gathered at the centre's HMV store on Monday to get signed copies

  • Lorry driver denies drug cash charge

    THREE holdalls containing wads of banknotes were found by customs officers when they searched a lorry driven by a Bolton man, a court was told. Steven Harbury, aged 45, of Marld Crescent, told customs officers who asked him if the cash was his: "No, I

  • Bus firm rapped for poor service

    TRANSPORT chiefs have criticised the poor level of services offered by bus operator First and plan to write to the Traffic Commissioner calling for swift action. Members of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority say the current situation

  • Lulu ready to wow the fans at the Reebok

    LITTLE Lulu promised a big performance in Bolton when she met North-west fans at the Trafford Centre. The enduringly popular singer enchanted the small but enthusiastic crowd which had gathered at the centre's HMV store on Monday to get signed copies

  • Brown cheer for Greenfield

    Bolton Sunday League: TWO goals from Wes Brown and one from John Richards helped Greenfield to victory at Clifton Rangers in Division One. Greenfield won 3-2, with Ste French and Trev Walsh scoring for Clifton. NCC Beaumont beat Bottom Bull 4-0 in the

  • Band concert date

    ST Bede's C of E Church, Normanby Street, Morris Green, is staging a band concert on Friday at 7.30 pm. The BMP Europe Goodshaw Band will be playing a selection of varied light music. Tickets, which include light refreshments, are £5 adults and £3 children

  • Semi-final heartbreak for Blackrod

    Freckleton 4 Blackrod 1: BLACKROD'S Richardson Cup run ended with semi-final defeat to Freckleton in a match played at Fulwood Amateurs. David Sutch turned in an inspirational performance as stand-in captain after defender Lee Powell failed a fitness

  • Lamb chops down Atherton

    Manchester League: ATHERTON Town's recent run of dismal form in the Manchester League continued with another defeat on Saturday. Two goals from Paul Lamb secured a 2-0 win for visitors Wythenshawe Amateurs, who had been going through a similarly poor

  • Miners ready for a major celebration

    Pioneer Sunday League: ASTLEY Miners are the new Premier Division champions after a 5-1 win at Royal Hotel. Fashou and Parkinson scored two each before Powell added another to ensure top spot. There was less joy for the leaders of Division One, however

  • Manchester league

    LATEST details Premier Division P W D L F A Pts GD Royton Town... 23 16 3 4 58 36 51 22 Prestwich Heys... 24 15 5 4 47 28 50 19 Leigh Athletic... 26 14 6 6 68 43 48 25 Monton Amateurs... 26 13 5 8 45 39 44 6 Irlam MS... 27 13 1 13 70 55 40 15 Stockport

  • Lancs Amateur League

    LATEST details Premier Division P W D L F A P Gregorians... 24 17 5 2 62 18 56 Rossendale Amateurs... 23 16 5 2 50 25 53 Chaddertonians... 25 16 3 6 67 42 51 Radcliffe Amateurs... 22 13 2 7 57 35 41 Bury GSOB... 24 10 3 11 45 50 33 Little Lever SC...

  • Aegon West Lancashire League

    LATEST details Division Premier P W D L F A Pts Kirkham & Wesham... 26 21 5 0 74 22 68 Dalton United... 27 14 4 9 71 58 46 Coppull United... 27 11 12 4 61 37 45 Eagley... 25 13 5 7 63 36 44 Charnock Richard... 26 13 5 8 63 55 44 Fulwood Amateurs..

  • Tribute to lost war seamen

    BELLS were rung solemnly at a special ceremony in Bolton in memory of the thousands of Merchant Navy men who lost their lives during the Second World War. Former servicemen and members of the public gathered in Victoria Square for the annual Merchant

  • January 18, 1998

    AN injury time strike by Temuri Ketsbaia broke Bolton hearts as Newcastle beat Wanderers 2-1 at St James' Park. With the game level and the closing seconds ticking away Allesandro Pistone delivered a first time cross which was headed down by Alan Shearer

  • James was a soldier in the Lancashire Fusiliers

    ON August 5 I printed a couple of "mystery" pictures sent to me by Mrs Anita Forth, of Bromley Cross. One of them was of soldiers, with the words "The Lads" written on it, but no further identification. Now, Mr Jim McClusky, of Anglie Grove, Bolton, has

  • January 25, 1993

    KEITH Branagan was the hero as he kept Steve Bull and co at bay as Wanderers beat Wolves 2-0 at Molineux. Bruce Rioch's side made the pot for the fifth round of the cup, but only because the keeper who was brought in from Millwall made two outstanding

  • Last letter from the trenches

    A LETTER from the trenches tells the poignant story of a First World War soldier who was all too aware of his likely fate. Private Thomas Hubbard wrote a letter to his father two weeks before an allied attack on Montauban, Flanders. Aged 24, he was fatally

  • February 2, 1998

    A DREADFUL performance saw Wanderers thumped 5-1 at home by Coventry City. The magnificent Reebok Stadium was less than half full by the end as fans turned their back on a team looking more and more certain to again drop back into the First Division.

  • February 1, 1993

    WANDERERS were brought down to earth with a bang with a 1-0 home defeat by Brighton. Just days after momentous FA Cup victories over Liverpool and Wolves, and Bruce Rioch's team lost out to a side below them in the Division Two table. The Seagulls played

  • Pals' tribute to 10-medal war hero

    FOR young seaman Victor Rothwell, his first sight of the enemy almost proved to be his last. The brush with death at The Battle of the River Plate in December 1939 was just one of the dramatic episodes in a naval career which earned him ten medals, three

  • Young David's mascot glory

    IN a few weeks, it will be the 50th anniversary of Bolton's appearance in the 1953 Cup Final at Wembley (for obviously reasons, I am glossing over the result!). This picture, though was taken five years later, when the Wanderers beat Manchester United

  • The story of John Reid Smith

    JOHN Reid Smith arrived at Burnden in November 1922 from Glasgow Rangers, as replacement centre-forward for Frank Roberts who had joined Manchester City. Smith was born in Pollokshaws in April 1895 and began his career with Battlefield Juniors and Albion

  • January 18, 1993

    WANDERERS striker Neil Whatmore grabbed his 15th goal of the season to give his side a 1-0 win against Hull City. He hit the target from point blank range in the 48th minute of a game played in difficult conditions with the Burnden Park pitch cutting

  • Kick by kick

    ALL the action as it happened. 5 mins: Nolan poses an early threat, getting on the end of a Stelios cross but makes a hash of his volley. 6 mins: Henry creates a chance out of nothing crashing a 25-yarder against the bar. GOAL! 16 mins: The build up is

  • Pioneer Sunday League

    LATEST details Premier Division ROYAL HOTEL...1 ASTLEY MINERS...5 Division One HULTON LANE B...5 HOR ST MARY'S...4 FARNWORTH SOCIAL CIRCLE...1 SCHOONER...4 MASONS ARMS...3 GREAT LEVER...0 SHARPLES...4 NORTH BOLTON...2 QUEEN ANNE...3 RAILWAY...4 League

  • Wakes week still popular

    THE Halliwell Theatre Company is staging the popular Stanley Houghton play, Hindle Wakes, at their Harvey Street premises from March 31 to April 3. Phil Ward directs a cast of nine in the production. The action opens in Wakes week in the northern town

  • Leigh League

    Carl Brown Memorial Trophy Semi Final AFC TYLDESLEY...1 KERSAL VALE AFC...3 Renshaw League ASDA GOLBORNE...1 ATHERTON ROYAL...2 FOUNDRY...3 NEW INN RANGERS...1 P W L D F A Pt Kersal Vale... 15 12 0 3 88 18 39 Asda Golborne... 16 12 2 2 55 21 38 Foundry

  • Lever seconds seal promotion

    LITTLE Lever's second team won promotion to the Lancashire Amateur League Premiership reserves division for the first time in their history with a 4-0 demolition of Broughton Amateurs at Mytham Road. Tony Whitley opened the scoring with a well-placed

  • Some Great Thing

    IN Colin McAdam's debut novel, builder Jerry McGuinty builds homes as a way of making things right. When his girlfriend, Kathleen, has a son, he builds a whole new neighbourhood, where they move into a large house. When she has an affair, he plans a classy

  • Firms have world on their doorstep

    BUSINESSES from all over the world will be attending a trade exhibition in Bury -- without leaving their offices. The Bury Council-backed Bury Business Network project is staging the town's first Virtual Trade Exhibition to show off the products of firms

  • More mortgage misery

    LAST week's budget was a disappointment for homebuyers -- particularly first timers. Andrew Frankish, operations director at Mortgage Talk said: "The Chancellor's unwillingness to raise stamp duty thresholds will make life even more difficult for first

  • Phoenix ice hockey captain puts streetcrime on ice

    George Awada, captain of the city's very own ice hockey side Manchester Phoenix, has teamed up with Greater Manchester Police's Operation Hawk to help put robbery on ice and reward the most streetwise local teenager. By logging on to www.operationhawk.com

  • Factory shuts for good

    A FACTORY that was once Westhoughton's biggest employer has closed. Metal Box, which produced metal cans and can components for the food and drink industry, once provided the town with 1,500 jobs and was the hub of the local manufacturing industry. The

  • Fluoride in a tube

    IN response to the recent letters regarding "banning fluoride in water." I must say that these people are talking a load of rubbish. What about fluoride in toothpaste? If you people used your brains, fluoride is the main property for cleaning teeth. May

  • Chew Moor for less?

    I HAVE read, with interest, the issues surrounding the conversion of a £425,000 detached house in Pocket Nook Road, Lostock. I understand and sympathise with the residents for not having been consulted about the project. However, the issue that has arisen

  • Town opens its first public library in 1853

    IN 1853, Bolton's first public library was opened, the third town in the country to adopt the Public Libraries Act of 1850. It was housed on the first floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner of Victoria Square and Newport Street (I am sure you recognise

  • Looking back at a material world

    I FOUND these two pictures taken at the Crowthorne Children's Home at Edgworth intriguing, if only because of the styles of clothes. The group of adults, with three young girls standing in front, was taken in August 1937 at the summer fete. Those pictured

  • Cemetery mess is a grave concern

    I AM writing to add my observations to the on-going saga of "fouling" in Farnworth Cemetery. I too take exception to the presence of dog dirt, especially on the site of a grave -- though despite frequent visits to the cemetery I've still to see some for

  • Off-licence and its spirited past

    This picture was taken probably in the 1920s, and features men from the Horwich Loco Works setting off for a picnic. The building pictured is still an off-licence on Chorley New Road, Horwich, and Mrs Christine Mort, of Rannoch Road, Breightmet, tells

  • Job hunting OAPs get wrong impression

    IREAD with interest the article entitled "You are never too old to work". I feel that I must take exception to this, because of the experiences that I had while looking for work. Last year, as a fairly fit 68-year-old pensioner, I decided that I would

  • Can you name all the Hamer Brewery pubs in north Bolton ?

    OVER the years the Turton Local History Society has produced numerous excellent booklets about the area. Now they are working on a project about the Volunteer Brewery of John Hamer at Bromley Cross. "We are seeking help to identify all the names of the

  • Life at the old Museum

    BOLTON is now relatively well-catered for in the matter of entertainment (some would say over-catered), but there was a time when the townspeople who wanted a night out went to "The Old Museum." There was little else in the shape of amusement, apart from

  • Mums and aunties made soccer shirts

    THERE were no expensive outfits when these Bolton players took to the field in 1947-48. Mr Mervyn Porter from Stanrose Close, Egerton, tells me that funds were low at Cable Street Methodists in those days. "Mums and aunties had to make the shirts out

  • Derbyshire peaks high life for loco

    THE fair name of Horwich is being maintained in Derbyshire, I learned recently. Mr Mike Strange of the Steeple Grange Light Railway was one of the guests at the opening of the on-going exhibition - Horwich Loco Works Remembered (1884-1984) - in the Horwich

  • On this day - March 20

    1413: Henry IV died, aged 46, after suffering a stroke at Westminster Abbey. 1549: Death of Thomas Seymour, Lord High Admiral of England, who married Henry VIII's widow Catherine Parr. When she died, he planned to marry Princess Elizabeth - but was arrested

  • On thisday - March 22

    Earliest date on which Easter can fall. 1687: Jean-Baptiste Lully, composer who made French opera popular, died from a an abcess on his foot caused by striking it with the stick he used to conduct his Te Deum. 1859: In Melbourne, plasterer Ben Douglas

  • On thisday - March 21

    1556: Thomas Cranmer, first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury, was condemned as a heretic under Catholic queen Mary I and burned at the stake in Oxford. 1685: Composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany. He sired 20 children yet still

  • Man cuts own throat

    From the Evening News, March 22, 1904: OSWALD Potter (22), iron turner, Lorne Street, Moses Gate, whilst cycling on Monday night knocked down a girl. He proceeded home, but the accident seems to have weighed so heavily on his mind that he got up and cut

  • Cotton planter moves to Africa

    From the Evening News, March 23, 1904: A well-known American cotton planter, Mr John Wilson of Mississippi, left Liverpool today with negroes for West Africa, to start cotton growing in that country. They are proceeding to Sierra Leone and are hopeful

  • Guards get lesson in how to handle automatic rifle

    MEMBERS of the Bolton, Bury and Manchester branches of the Coldstream Guards Association were shown an automatic rifle during their meeting at Fletcher Street Barracks, Bolton, in June, 1967. They were to use this rifle on camp later that year.

  • Inspection time

    The Bolton Women's Junior Air Corps at drill in 1944 when their efforts were inspected by WAAF officers. The pictures show the unit's band and Squad 'A' marching at "eyes right". To view the photos, click HERE and HERE

  • How do they do it at this price?

    THE Rose and Crown has recently become well known, at least locally, for the quality and value of its special meal deals. For some years it has had a bistro-type restaurant attached to the pub. Refurbishment and the arrival of a popular local chef have

  • Vice girl tells of PC's secret sex shame

    PROSTITUTE Jane Davies has told of a policeman's secret sex shame that cost him his career. Speaking exclusively to the Bolton Evening News, 27-year-old Miss Davies revealed how she was picked up by uniformed traffic cop Gary Hart in his police car and

  • Maintaining the standard

    A VISIT to Pizza Express pretty much lives up to its name: a wide range of pizzas served swiftly and efficiently. But that's doing the Bolton branch of this national chain a disservice, as there is a lot more on the menu than pizzas and service throughout

  • Worried Sam points to 'crisis'

    SAM Allardyce admitted he is a worried man as he reflected on the worst sequence of results in his four-and-a-half year Reebok reign. Wanderers remain seven points clear of the Premiership drop zone with just nine games to play but they have taken just

  • Wanderers will be safe says Wenger

    ARSENE Wenger has no doubts in his mind that Arsenal will be facing another pair of tough Premiership encounters with Wanderers next season. The Arsenal boss, who saw his glorious Gunners stretch their unbeaten start to the season to a record-equalling

  • We need to halt slide now, says Charlton

    SIMON Charlton looked down at the shrinking safety net that stands between Wanderers and the Premiership drop zone and admitted: "We are in a bit of a crisis." Four successive defeats have turned the season on its head. A month ago, before they started

  • Missed chances worry Big Sam

    SAM Allardyce paid homage to Arsene Wenger and his awesome Arsenal side on Saturday, but was still bitterly disappointed that Wanderers did not come away from Highbury with at least a point. Hailing the Gunners, who matched the records of the mighty Leeds

  • Young historians bring past to life

    HISTORY is a subject that many students consider to be slightly on the dull side. But a new history club at Rivington and Blackrod High School is set to blow away that perception with exciting projects which involve students researching local murders,

  • Easter fun for children in town's parks

    MANY Easter activities have been organised in Bolton's Parks over the Bank Holiday weekend. A short walk around the Animal World at Moss Bank Park, starts on Saturday, April 10, at 11am and is due to last about an hour. Children will have the opportunity

  • Surgery on woman's leg shattered in gale

    A WOMAN who was hit by a shop sign, blown off in Saturday's gale force winds, is to undergo an operation n her shattered leg. Karen Booth was walking past Trade Exchange, Market Street, Farnworth, at 3pm on Saturday, when the eight metre wide shop sign

  • Youngsters wow the audience

    MORE than 450 people flocked to see top class musical performances from the cream of Bolton's young musicians on Monday night. Choirs, musical ensembles, and even a brass band were amongst the wide variety of acts that performed at a show-stopping musical

  • Drunken teenager assaulted boy, 4

    A TEENAGER was convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm to a four-year-old child. Mark Holden, aged 19, of Woodvale Avenue, Morris Green, Bolton, pleaded guilty to the offence after he grabbed hold of the boy and threw him to the ground causing

  • Jardel goes AWOL - again!

    MARIO Jardel has gone missing in Italy, fuelling speculation that he could be preparing to turn his back on Europe and return to his native Brazil. The Wanderers striker, who is on loan at Serie A strugglers Ancona for the rest of the season, has had

  • Last chance to nominate

    TUTORS have just one week left to enter their students into the first Basic Skills Learner Awards to be held in Greater Manchester in May. The deadline for the 2004 Awards, dedicated to students who have overcome obstacles in literacy, numeracy and language

  • Open day fun at barracks

    IN August, 1970, there was a Bolton Artillery's open day at the Fletcher Street Barracks, Bolton, and as a change from toy pistols, the field gun held a great attraction for these young visitors.

  • Artillery off for a fortnight's camp

    MEMBERS of 'F' Troop of Bolton Artillery left Fletcher Street Barracks in May, 1971 for a fortnight's camp in the forest region around Paderborn, West Germany.

  • A tough task for cadets

    LOOKING over a map of Derbyshire in April, 1967, were four Army cadets preparing for a tough Three Peaks walk the following month when they were to cover 30 miles in a fitness test. The boys were all members of the 6th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire

  • 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

  • All set for a Jogabout!

    GETTING in shape for a "Jogabout" in Bolton town centre in May, 1978, were these workers from Chortex, Horwich. They were among an expected 1,500 sponsored joggers trying to raise £10,000 for coronary care at local hospitals. The event was being organised

  • Radio Moss Bank Park on the air

    RADIO Moss Bank Park went on the air in July, 1971 . . . but only for a few hours. Members of the Bolton and District Amateur Radio Society set up a mobile radio station there and, using a portable transmitter and a 35ft. high mast, they got in touch

  • Athletics plan leaps first hurdle

    CIVIC leaders have taken their first glimpse at the planned £1.7 million Leverhulme Park development. An indoor athletics stadium housing a 60-metre athletics track is to replace the park's crumbling pavilion under a Government scheme to drive up Bolton's

  • Zoo hits right note with Albert

    MY picture last week of zebras in the "zoo" set up by Lord Leverhulme at Rivington brought back memories to Mr Albert Booth, of Wisbeck Road, Bolton. He is now 90 years old, and he recalls going to Rivington and seeing deer, zebra and antelope (although

  • Pub regulars' annual Blackpool picnic

    No doubt some of you will remember the now-demolished Popular Inn which stood on the corner of Kent Street and Vernon Street, Bolton. This picture shows a group of men from that pub ready for their annual "picnic" to Blackpool, probably in the early 1950s

  • Recycling is nothing new

    THESE days we hear a lot about the environment and recycling (no, that doesn't mean making a bike out of old bits and pieces!). It is nothing new, though. During the Second World War every little bit that was useful to the war effort was collected and

  • The Cat ruffled a few feathers

    ON February 10 I printed an old picture of an off-licence in Chorley New Road, Horwich, date unknown, but which was also known as The Cat. It has brought a couple of letters. Mr T Pollitt, of Bateman Street, Horwich, tells me that he was manager of The

  • Toxic clean-up is almost complete

    WORK to clean up land which was sealed off and branded a health risk in a poison waste scare will be completed in a fortnight. Dangerous substances, including chromium and arsenic, seeped to the surface on the site of the former Edmund Potter Chemical

  • Power station lights go out

    HISTORY shows that Bolton's Back o' th' Bank power station was switched off 25 years ago today - on March 16, 1979. Important guests gathered and the 64-year-old station ended its useful life. But I can reveal - somewhat late, I agree - that a cold weather

  • Bolton and District Snooker League

    Three-a-side quarter-finals sponsored by Bradshaw Conservative Club Wednesday, March 24: St Marys Social Club, Horwich: Horwich RMI A v Victory Reform C. Smithills Conservative Club: Cuemasters C v Bradshaw Cons B. Semi-finals to be played on Monday,

  • Fly without fear courses set for take off

    TERRIFIED air travellers can conquer their fear of flying- thanks to Sir Richard Branson. The entreprenuer is bringing his Virgin Atlantic "Flying Without Fear" course to Manchester Airport next month. The Virgin Atlantic programme, now in its seventh

  • Funeral costs set to soar

    THE cost of a funeral is set to rocket after an inflation busting six per cent price hike for burials and cremations was agreed by councillors. And it will also cost Bolton businesses more to dump their commercial waste at council-owned sites from next

  • Best foot forward for brave Alice, 6

    FAMILY and friends of a young girl struck down by meningitis are taking part in a 24-mile walk to raise up to £10,000 for charity. More than 60 people are expected to take part in a walk of Yorkshire's Three Peaks on April 3 in aid of six-year-old Alice

  • Athletics plan leaps first hurdle

    CIVIC leaders have taken their first glimpse at the planned £1.7 million Leverhulme Park development. An indoor athletics stadium housing a 60-metre athletics track is to replace the park's crumbling pavilion under a Government scheme to drive up Bolton's

  • Three injured in gales havoc

    GALE force winds wreaked havoc in the Bolton area over the weekend, leaving three people injured in Farnworth and wrecking a derelict house in Little Lever. A 26-foot long shop sign fell onto three people walking in busy Market Street in Farnworth at

  • Bus firm rapped for poor service

    TRANSPORT chiefs have criticised the poor level of services offered by bus operator First and plan to write to the Traffic Commissioner calling for swift action. Members of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority have declared the current

  • BSF O35S VETS

    Sam Ashworth Trophy Semi Final: Dobbies B 0 Dobbies A 5. Division One: Elton Vale 7 Hare Athletic 0. Division Two: Fox & Stork 4 Newmarket Vets 0. Division Three: Founders Arms 0 Bottom Bulls Head 3; Lord Raglan 9 Quadrant 0; Dobbies C 6 D F Lostock

  • A-team win the Dobbies battle

    BSF Over-35s League: DOBBIES A powered into the final of the Sam Ashworth Trophy by crushing their own B team 5-0. In a one-sided match which highlighted the gulf between Divisions One and Two, the A team were never in danger and cruised into a 2-0 lead

  • Bolton & Bury Mini League

    ALL the details U7 Section A: Brandlesholme Warriors 3 Westhoughton Rangers 2. U7 Section B: Boothstown Jun 4 Ladybridge Bulldogs 0; Elton & Walshaw Leopards 0 Horwich RMI Whites 2; Farnworth Tigers 4 Oxford Grove 0; Ladybridge Crusader Lions 0 Eagley

  • Medal hope of Suez Canal veterans

    VETERANS of the 1950s Suez Canal campaign are still waiting for a decision on whether their efforts should be acknowledged with medals. The Government had ruled that a decision taken within five years of the end of the campaign not to award the General

  • January 28, 1978

    WANDERERS' FA Cup fourth round tie against Mansfield Town was postponed this morning due to heavy rain over night. Referee Alex Hamil inspected the Burnden Park pitch at 9.15am and was able to inform the Stags that the game would not be going ahead before

  • James was in big front line battle of Great War

    YOU may recall that on October 22, Bolton-born actor Roger Morlidge told of how hundreds of Bolton soldiers were killed at the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele. Mr Harry Price, of Hillbank Close, Bolton, tells me that his father James Albert Price (1899-1960

  • Tales of the Sea Scout flood in

    MEMORIES of the Sea Scout boat on Rumworth Lodge in the 1940s have come from Mr Bill Bancroft, of Burnleigh Court, Bolton, following an appeal by Les Gough in this column on November 27. Mr Bancroft writes: "Mr recollection is that it was the property

  • January 26, 1998

    WANDERERS had a weekend off from action due to their early elimination from the FA Cup earlier this month by Barnsley. But Dean Holdsworth was using the time to consider the club's chances of remaining in the top flight. Although hovering around the drop

  • Remembering Bolton battalions

    WHEN in February I printed an appeal for Mr Roger Morlidge in Kent, who is writing a screenplay about his grandmother's experiences in Bolton in the First World War, he received a number of responses. You may recall that at the time I wrote that the local

  • At a glance - all the scores this season

    RESULTS, attendances - and how the league position has changed 16/08/03 Manchester United, away; Lost: 0-4; League position: 20; Attendance: 67,647 23/08/03 Blackburn Rovers, home; Drew: 2-2; Position: 16; 27,423 26/08/03 Portsmouth, away; Lost: 0-4;

  • The Big Match Verdict by Gordon Sharrock

    ARSENAL 2, WANDERERS 1: NO self-respecting sports fan would pass up on the distinction of being present when great players or great teams achieve great things. For the second time in modern history, Bolton fans had the privilege of seeing a record-breaking

  • Band concert

    ST Bede's C of E Church, Normanby Street, Morris Green, is staging a band concert on Friday at 7.30 pm. The BMP Europe Goodshaw Band will be playing a selection of varied light music. Tickets, which include light refreshments, are £5 adults and £3 children

  • The Southern Railway Handbook 1923-1947

    ALTHOUGH it hadn't the romance of the Great Western or the monolithic presence of the LMS, the Southern's story is one of brilliant organisation and innovation - plus sheer heroism in wartime. David Wragg tells how the Southern flourished despite being

  • Amateurs see off County

    RADCLIFFE Amateurs strengthened their grip on fourth place in the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division with a 3-1 win at Bolton County. In Division One, Horwich RMI drew 1-1 at Mostonians, while Hindley Juniors earned a creditable point against

  • Bolton Sunday League

    LATEST details Premier Division HORWICH VIC...2 BOWLING GREEN...1 HARE & HOUNDS...3 GREENWOOD...5 TONGE MOOR CONS...1 QUEENS...0 Division One HCC BEAUMONT...4 BOTTOM BULL...0 CLIFTON RANGERS...2 GREENFIELD...3 Premier Division P W D L F A Pts Bowling