Archive

  • Champions shocked on opening day

    REIGNING champions, Holcombe Brook, got off to a slow start when they were hammered by Leigh CC on the opening day of the BSF Tennis Men's League season. Brook have not suffered such a heavy defeat in years, raising immediate doubts over their capability

  • Shaw demands Leigh improvement

    LEIGH Centurions boss Darren Shaw wants a big improvement as he plans to overcome National League One leaders Castleford on Sunday. But they will have to do it without five regulars who were all injured in last week's league victory over Sheffield.

  • Tempest hit by goal blitz

    UNDERDOGS Tempest United could not spring an upset in the Hospital Cup final as holders Ramsbottom United ran out 5-1 winners to lift the trophy for a second successive season. The village side, based in Chew Moor, Lostock, had no answer to the semi-professional

  • Lancs coach hails matchwinner Horton

    LANCASHIRE cricket manager Mike Watkinson heaped praise on matchwinner Paul Horton after he helped Lancashire to a first victory of the season against Surrey in the County Championship. The 24 year-old's unbeaten 49 rescued the Red Rose club from 8-3

  • Enigma eyes Royston puzzle on pro debut

    BOLTON boxer Jonny Nelson is set to make his professional debut in a clash with Rotherham's Paul Royston. The 33-year-old middleweight, who fights out of Alex Penarski's gym in Horwich, takes his first step in the paid ranks at Altrincham Leisure Centre

  • No time to say goodbye

    AS a vastly experienced and highly successful manager, Sam Allardyce knows there is no room for sentiment in professional sport. You do your job, pick up your wages and, when the time comes, you move on to the next challenge. Or, in some cases, take

  • Pupils are bowled over by new class

    YOUNGSTERS in Bolton are taking to the greens to enjoy a "class" in the fresh air in the latest initiative to help them learn. Forget whiteboards and desks - an alternative way to learn literacy, numeracy and IT skills is with the help of that North-west

  • Here’s one he made earlier...

    JASON Lythgoe-Hay's artistic talent finally bagged him a Blue Peter badge - but he had to wait 20 years to get it. "I never managed to get one when I was a child but I have one now," said the 32-year-old graphic designer. Jason begged show bosses for

  • Marine happy to be home after stint in Afghanistan

    AFTER six months fighting in Afghanistan, Royal Marine Wayne Brookes is happy to be home. The 22-year-old, from Atherton, has spoken of the challenges he faced on a daily basis. He undertook a variety of tasks and was involved in some of the fiercest

  • Cemetery plans for farmland

    A CEMETERY could be expanded because of a shortage of burial plots. Farmland adjacent to Heaton Cemetery has been earmarked for an extension, under plans put forward by Bolton Council. Additional burial space, with access, car parking and landscaping

  • Hospital leads way in tackling the yobs

    POLICE in Bolton are leading the way when it comes to dealing with yobs in hospital. The first national pilot scheme to hand out £80 on-the-spot fines to violent patients in accident and emergency at the Royal Bolton Hospital was launched last November

  • New-age cameras for town centre

    A TOWN centre is to get a cutting-edge CCTV system to help crack down on troublemakers. The £15,000 system, featuring seven hi-tech cameras, will be installed in Westhoughton. The dome cameras will monitor activity in Market Street, Pavillion Square

  • To The Bones get Wrecked

    TO The Bones' track No Liar Is A Friend Of Mine will appear on MTV on Sunday. The song will be used in the Dirty Sanchez spin-off show Wrecked, which airs at 10.30pm. The band will also play the Soundhouse next Saturday with Kill Kenada, Islands Lost

  • Mother’s fury at sex pest sentence

    AN angry mother has hit out after a judge chose not to jail a man who exposed himself to her teenage daughter. The mother of the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said her daughter had been suffering nightmares since she was approached by

  • Changing face of Horwich

    PICTURES dating back to the 18th century through to today show the changing face of Horwich in a new exhibition. The History of Arcon charts the life and times of one of the town's most important and best known industrial landmarks. It features photographs

  • Currying favour with the rich and famous

    NOT one of my friends was included in the annual publication of the 1,000 wealthiest people in Britain and Ireland, which didn't surprise me one jot as my associates, and extended family for that matter, are from far more humble backgrounds and income

  • Working in harmony to provide a future

    THERE is so much emphasis put on education and qualifications these days that it is, perhaps, not surprising to find that many youngsters are disillusioned with school. For some, particularly disadvantaged children, the school setting can be a scary

  • Hospital fines are hitting the spot

    A SCHEME in which troublemakers at the Royal Bolton Hospital receive on the spot £80 fixed penalty notices for loutish behaviour is winning plaudits. Bolton Police say other forces have taken an interest in the pilot scheme, which has been hailed a huge

  • Football legend’s fitting send off

    STARS of football quite rightly turned out to pay tribute to Farnworth-born World Cup winner Alan Ball yesterday. The England legend, who was part of the World Cup-winning side of 1966, was given a truly splendid send-off at Winchester Cathedral. Former

  • Make subway safe and clean for pedestrians

    IN response to the suggestion that the subway linking The Haulgh area with the town centre should be filled in (Letters, Saturday, April 28). Why not improve it, so that it's fit for pedestrians to use? There is certainly room for improvement. The subway

  • A shameful denial

    IT saddened and disgusted me to read in The Bolton News on April 24 of the plight of the cancer sufferer Mr Booth who has twice been denied the chance of the drug Cetuximab. It really does not surprise me at all, because under this Government's reign

  • Sweet memories of toffee shop

    SEEING the illustration of the sweet shop on Fletcher Street (April 26) brought back very nostalgic memories, as my husband and I started married life there in 1959. My husband's mother and step-father owned the shop. They were called Frankland and we

  • The unfair cost of becoming old

    ARE we, the older generation, being held to ransom? Surely having to wear spectacles or a hearing aid is more to do with ill health than luxury. Again I have had to pay £200 for a bit of glass with wire round it - similar things are now in the "pound

  • Road charge is one stealth tax too many

    WITH reference to Peter Johnston's letter, April 25, "Congestion charging does make sense". His remarks seem rather strange. He insults motorists by claiming in his letter that motorists, roads, beer and breweries are similar entities, and that, just

  • Tax shortfall

    IN response to your reader's letter, "Roll on the ban", Jackie Webb, will the reader be as excited when the Government introduces a clean air tax? After all, we have to pay for clean water. Why not give the Government the excuse to clobber us with another

  • Penalty points for boy racers

    WITH reference to the speeding motorists on Radcliffe Road. I just hope we council tax payers do not have to foot the bill for calming measures. I lived on Radcliffe Road, Darcy Lever, for 30 years, and my mother still does. We too have observed these

  • Breightmet is brimming with wildlife

    IN his letter D Berry says that cats are scaring away the wildlife from his/her garden. "This must be affecting other estates", he/she says, seemingly alarmed. In our pleasant corner of Breightmet, we have an abundance of cats. We also have an abundance

  • Men flee empty handed after robbery attempt

    A GANG of crooks fled empty handed after ransacking a store during an attempted robbery. The would-be thieves, who are thought to be of eastern European origin, struck at Costcutter in Little Lever. Up to seven men went into the store and began asking

  • Street star Jane backs bid to save baby unit

    ACTRESS Jane Danson said motherhood has changed her life - and was the reason she threw her support behind a bid to save Fairfield Hospital's maternity unit. The Coronation Street star, who plays Leanne Battersby, gave birth at Fairfield in Bury, becoming

  • Lee gets down to business

    LIKE many a Scouser, Sammy Lee is quick with a joke - even at his own expense. He could be a laugh a minute, if he didn't have the serious business of Premiership football to occupy his mind. Is he going to watch the first half from the stands, as Sam

  • Farewell to a soccer hero

    THE youngest member of England's 1966 World Cup winning team was laid to rest yesterday to cheers and chants of "Alan Ball, Alan Ball". Memories of the diminutive player's tireless performance during the historic final were shared during the service

  • Woman told to wear longer skirt to court

    A WOMAN was told by magistrates to wear a longer skirt when she next appears in court. Lindsey Rodgers, aged 21, of Bury Road, Bolton, was told her denim mini-skirt and skimpy vest top were not appropriate attire for court when she appeared before magistrates

  • Snatched prisoner wanted over robbery

    A prisoner snatched from a security van is wanted by detectives investigating the attempted murder of a police officer and an armed robbery. Aaron Williams, above, was sprung from the vehicle by three men outside Salford Magistrates' Court and was heard

  • Club probes theft rumours

    ALLEGATIONS that money has gone missing from a Conservative club will be discussed at a special meeting. An extraordinary meeting of Little Lever Conservative Club will be held on Tuesday after being demanded by club members in a signed letter. Club

  • Shakers look for final day cheer

    WITH safety now secured - Bury are aiming to sign off a terrible season at Gigg Lane with a win, and avoid breaking -ya 50ear-old club record in the process. The Shakers have reduced admission prices to £5 (£2 concessions) for the final game of the season

  • Pensioner hurt in hit-and-run

    AN 80-year-old woman suffered serious leg injuries after being hit by a van which failed to stop . The incident happened in Market Street, Little Lever, shortly after 1.30pm yesterday. The area was full of shoppers and school pupils at the time. The

  • Hung council in Bury despite Conservative gain

    THE Conservatives are now the biggest party in Bury. But they did not gain enough seats to win outright control and the council remains "hung". The Tories ended the night with 23 seats, Labour 20, and Liberal Democrats 8. It is the first time in 21

  • We’re back in business, say Tories

    FORMER Tory leader William Hague last night claimed that the Conservatives were "back in business" after election successes in northern England. Mr Hague said victories in Chester and South Ribble were the start of a "Conservative revival". He said:

  • Youngest councillor: I’ll be voice of youth

    YOUNG people will be given a voice on Bolton Council, says cabinet minister Ruth Kelly's protege, Emma Scowcroft, who won the Crompton ward for Labour from the Liberal Democrats. Emma, aged 25, has a degree in politics and has worked as Ms Kelly's personal

  • Labour will deliver on its promises says Morris

    TACKLING anti-social behaviour and boosting recycling levels will be top of the agenda for the Labour's next year in power in Bolton. Party leader Cllr Cliff Morris made the pledge as he vowed to deliver on his pre-election promises. He said a new £75,000

  • Bolton Council election results in full

    ALL the Results in full and coverage of the elections as they happened on our Election 2007 section. ASTLEY BRIDGE * Stuart Lever (Con) 1,989 Joe Hayes (Lab) 822 Clive Atty (Lib Dem) 639 Majority 1,167 Con hold Turnout 33.53 per cent BRADSHAW

  • Defeated ex-Labour chief will fight again

    GUY Harkin, former Labour deputy council leader, claimed not to be disappointed after he failed to win the Kearsley seat. He lost his previous seat on the council three years ago when boundary changes altered his old Daubhill ward. When asked if he

  • Lib Dems’ dismay

    THE Liberal Democrats must consolidate their position in time for the local elections in 2008, leader Barbara Ronson said last night. The party was left with just 12 seats on the Council, marking its worst results for years. Cllr Ronson, who is due

  • Review of local NWCL clubs' season

    Division One FC United Position: Champions Manager: Karl Marginson High: Winning the double. Low: In a season when little went wrong for the Gigg Lane tenants, being knocked out of the FA Vase by Quorn with a possible Wembley final appearance up

  • Hodge aims to boost Lancashire

    BRAD Hodge has jetted into Old Trafford as a World Cup winner determined to jump start Lancashire's Friends Provident Trophy campaign this weekend. The 31-year-old Victorian left a celebrating Australian team behind in the Caribbean to begin his third

  • Tempest eye Reebok final giant-killing

    LITTLE Tempest United aim to continue their proud tradition of beating bigger clubs in the final of the Hospital Cup tonight. The amateurs of Division One of the West Lancashire League take on the semi-professionals and Cup holders Ramsbottom United,

  • Stand by me, says Lee

    SAMMY Lee has urged any players tempted to follow Sam Allardyce out of the Reebok exit door not to act in haste. El-Hadji Diouf has already been linked with top clubs in Germany, Italy, Spain and France, who have declared their interest and there has

  • Gary's still one of the lads

    THE jokers in the Reebok pack couldn't resist a mischievous prank in reaction to Gary Speed's sudden promotion in the wake of Sam Allardyce's shock departure. Trust players. No sooner had they heard that Sammy Lee had elevated the squad's elder statesman

  • Tories fail to grasp initiative

    They had been hoping to push Labour to one side and grasp power for the first time in more than 25 years. But the Conservatyive Party in Bolton failed to oust their closest political rivals, instead gaining just one seat. They now have 22 of the 60

  • Lib Dems take a knock at the polls

    The Liberal Democrats have been left reeling by the local elections after losing three seats. The party has seen a spectacular fall from grace since leading Bolton Council in 2005. It now has just 12 seats at the town hall - compared to 21 just two

  • Massive majority for Tories in Heaton

    The Conservative Party has retained its stranglehold of the Heaton and Lostock ward with a majority of 2,291 for sitting councillor, Bob Allen. HEATON & LOSTOCK: Bob Allen (Con) 3,199; Jonathon Evans (Lib Dem) 538; John Gillatt (Lab) 908; Majority

  • Labour retain seat in Rumworth

    Labour won the Rumworth seat with a massive majority of 1,411. The ward is a traditional party stronghold. RUMWORTH: Ebrahim Adia (Lab) 2,079; Sandra Bridger (Lib Dem) 480 John (Jack) Heyes (Con) 668 Majority 1,411

  • Lib Dems win Kearsley - by majority of 27

    The Lib Dems have won the Kearsley ward with a slim majority of 27. Former Deputy leader of the Labour Party in Bolton, Guy Harkin, failed in his bid to return to the world of local politics. KEARSLEY: Diane Bamber (Con) 463; Guy Harkin (Lab) 1,188

  • Lib Dems hold Smithills

    The Liberal Democrats have celebrated a convincing win in the ward of Smithills. SMITHILLS: Dennis Bray (Con) 1,044; Rachel Mann (Green) 218; James Shaw (Lab) 680; Carole Swarbrick (Lib Dem) 1,763; Majority 719.

  • Labour sweep to victory in Great Lever

    The Tories lost out to the Labour party in Great Lever. GREAT LEVER: Wendy Connor (Lib Dem) 306; Mohammad Idrees (Con) 1,276; Alan Johnson (Green) 219; Madeline Murray (Lab) 1,601; Majority 325.