A WHEELIE bin was set alight at a block of flats in Atherton in a suspected arson attack. The bin was torched just two metres from a building in Bag Lane on May 8. Fire crews attended at about 1pm. The bin was destroyed but nobody was hurt
POLICE are hunting a man with links to Halliwell who is wanted on recall to prison. Michael O’Hara, aged 32, is being sought by police after breaching the terms of his licence. O'Hara should not be approached by members of the public, but anyone
A CAFE owner turned down a visit from the chancellor of the exchequer — because she was too busy with her regular customers. Amanda Biggs, owner of the Thyme Deli and Cafe in Horwich, was asked if she would host George Osborne on his whistlestop
DO we really need to have the four red public phone boxes kept outside Bolton’s Market Place? Dramatic development plans for the Market Place, including a cinema and restaurants, mean the familiar phone boxes on Bridge Street need to be shifted.
SCHOOLS these days try to be firmly rooted in the local community, and none more so than the state-of-the-art St Catharine’s Academy on the Harwood-Breightmet border. The former Withins School may have had a chequered past but it has a stunning present
IT’S great news that Bolton’s place in the historic county of Lancashire could be revived on road signs at least. Planning reforms now make this possible and, although there are definite pluses to being in Greater Manchester, many of us remain Lancastrians
WHEN Susanna Reid worked on BBC’s Breakfast programme she was a highly professional presenter. She was lively and lovely as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, but I think she’s taken far too much notice of the media hype generated then. Now,
WE all know that cancer can strike anyone of any age and is no respecter of wealth, fame or even of you being a nice person who doesn’t deserve it. Once, if someone was diagnosed with cancer it felt like a death sentence. Now, this has changed dramatically
A PAEDOPHILE faces a lengthy jail sentence after he admitted urinating on a seven-year-old girl and forcing her to watch hardcore porn. Two young victims of David Thompson, aged 60, were forced to give evidence during a trial before he admitted
FORMER MP Dr Brian Iddon has paid tribute to “inspirational” planetary scientist Professor Colin Pillinger who had died aged 70. Professor Pillinger, who led the ill-fated Beagle 2 mission to land a British probe on Mars, visited the borough to
A MAN has been charged with attempting to murder a woman in Great Lever. Arkadiusz Piotr Gawryszewski, aged 29, of Westhbourne Avenue, Great Lever, is alleged to have attempted to murder Agnieszka Nawrath in a domestic incident on Monday. The
AN Astley Bridge vandal who admitted smashing windows on a Ford Galaxy has been given a conditional discharge. Nathan Hutcheson, aged 22, of Dunoon Drive, smashed front and rear windows of the car on April 19, causing £300 worth of damage.
HORWICH police community support officers are warning people about a spate of number plate thefts. The use of a black Vauxhall Zafira has been linked to a number of the thefts in the area. It was also seen being driven off without payment being
A THIEF has been given a conditional discharge for stealing five tubes of mascara. Jiri Latta, of South Street, Great Lever, admitted the theft from Morrisons in Black Horse Street, Bolton, on May 3. He was sentenced to a conditional discharge
A BOLLYWOOD film will be screened at a Bolton cinema from June 6. Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, which stars Bollywood icon Akshay Kumar, will be shown at Cineworld, The Valley. It is described as an intelligent, high-octane, edge of
YOUNGSTERS can have their picture taken with Darth Vader at The Sci Fi event at The Market Place shopping centre. A range of collectable items will be on display, including Marvel and DC comics, Star Wars and Doctor Who toys, T-shirts, posters
CHILDREN’S charity MedEquip4Kids is calling on everyone to join Team MedEquip by signing up for the 2014 Go Ape challenge. On May 13, Go Ape Rivington has given exclusive use to MedEquip4Kids. MedEquip4Kids is giving people the chance to visit
A BRANDY thief from Tonge Moor was told to pay £178 in court costs after he admitted stealing a bottle of the spirit from Lidl. Christian Tyldesley, aged 25, of Moorfield Grove, took the brandy, worth £8.49 on May 1. Bolton magistrates fined
A VICTORIAN pub looks set to close for good after commercial estate agents agreed its sale. Arkwrights Ale House — owned by Chorley-based Trust Inns — is now under offer according to agent Chesterton Humberts. The large pub in Valletts Lane
CHILDREN and parents can get up close and personal with some fluffy and not so fluffy creatures at Westhoughton Children’s Centre when it hosts Ranger Robs Animal Experience. Children will be joined by everything from reptiles to cuddly guinea
BOLTON Euro MP Paul Nuttall has rubbished claims that Britain benefits from being in the EU, following the release of a new report. The document, produced by the social policy think tank Civitas, says that trade with fellow EU nations makes up
TRAFFIC in Bolton town centre will be affected by gas work next week. There will be no access to Johnson Street from Great Moor Street on May 12 until Friday, May 16.
FAMILIES are invited to find out the different birds which have made their home at Hall i’th’ Wood Museum. The museum is organising a bird watching session on Saturday at 1pm.
A SHOPLIFTER has been spared jail despite being previously warned he could go to prison. John O’Brien, aged 44, of Waverley Avenue, Kearsley, admitted theft to Bolton magistrates last September and was given a conditional discharge, warning him
COMPENSATION will be paid to a police officer after he was assaulted. Stephen Walker, aged 29, of Apple Blossom Grove, Cadishead, admitted using threatening or abusive words of behaviour on April 20 and admitted assaulting PC Abernethy in Bolton
A MUCH-loved children’s character has emerged from the deep dark woods to adorn eyewear at a Bolton opticians. Now available at Specsavers Bolton, the Gruffalo eyewear range includes a selection of six styles for boys and girls. Stephen Waller
CHARITIES are invited to a seminar on tax. Barlow Andrews LLP, Chartered Accountants, will give a talk on tax regulations relating to charities from 10am until noon on Wednesday, May 21, at the Bolton Hub. By the end of the session the participants
A BREAK-IN occured at a home in Chorley New Road, Horwich. A burglar smashed a window and forced a door inside the home. A TV and laptop were stolen from inside. People with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously,
BOLTON Society for Blind People (BSBP) is holding an open day at its new Sensory Centre in Ainsworth Lane, Tonge Moor. The charity will be raising awareness about current and future services, promoting volunteering opportunities and offering visually
ONE of the country’s most eminent cathedral organists will play at Bolton Parish Church. Robert Sharpe, the director of music at York Minster, will perform at a concert from 11am on Saturday. His programme will include music by JS Bach, Mendelssohn
TINY tots and parents can look forward to a day of nature-themed activities in Moss Bank Park. Nature Tots will meet from 10am until 1pm tomorrow at the environment resource centre in the Hive building. The outdoor and indoor activities are
THE Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton will pay their counterparts in Rochdale a visit. Cllr Colin Shaw and his wife Dee will have afternoon tea at Rochdale Town Hall today.
PLANS to deliver a better deal for people renting their homes privately have been backed by Bolton North East MP David Crausby, pictured. One of the biggest causes of the cost of living crisis is the price of renting or buying a home. Labour
FAITH and council leaders will join for a charity conference. Bolton charity Urban Outreach will hold their annual conference next Thursday at the Reebok Stadium.
BOLTON’S Council for Voluntary Service is holding a voluntary and community sector forum group on Wednesday, May 14, from 12.30pm until 2.30pm. The forum, which will be delivered at the Hub in Bold Street, aims to bring together people from a wide
JOHNSON Fold Primary School in Worston Avenue is holding a club for children aged between five and 11 on Monday evenings.
A FACEBOOK page dedicated to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) communities has been launched by Lancashire Police. The page aims to tackle hate crime and is managed by the force’s LGB&T team. PC Ian Ashton, equality
A WEEK-long roadworks project will begin on a Bolton road tomorrow. Bolton Council will be working to replace safety barriers in Colliers Row near Smithills and is expecting to complete the work by next Friday. During the work there will be
HALL i' th' Wood Museum in Green Way is holding a Discovery Days bird watching taster session on Saturday from 1pm until 3pm. The free family activities are available on the second Saturday of each month and suitable for all ages. Contact 01204
RESIDENTS in Walkden and Little Hulton are being asked to take 10 minutes to consider fostering older children as part of Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from May 12 to 25. Salford City Council says that half of children who come into care are
TURTON School parents’ association is hosting an indoor table top and outdoor car boot sale on Sunday from 8am until 12pm. Stalls are still available for the sale, which will be held inside the school in Bromley Cross Road. For details call Bev
A SPANISH food and wine taster event is being held in Bolton next month. Join experienced chef Mike Harrison and wine connoisseur Stuart Rothwell at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, on June 17, to explore Spain’s distinctive flavours and traditions
ST Margaret’s Church Halliwell in Lonsdale Road, Bolton, will hold a spring fair on Saturday from 10am to 1.30pm. Entry £1.
BOLTON people are being urged to compost their food and garden rubbish in a drive to cut waste. Recycle for Greater Manchester has issued the plea as part of International Compost Awareness Week, which runs from May 5 to May 11. It is estimated
THE Government is warning Bolton drivers that they must only use the official GOV.UK website when renewing their car tax or applying for a driving licence. The DVLA has been made aware of websites offering a check-and-send service for driving licence
STEAM engine enthusiasts are invited to an exhibition of Bolton’s finest machinery. Volunteers from the Northern Mill Engine Society will showcase 27 restored steam engines which once powered the cotton mills of Lancashire on Sunday, May 25, and
MOTORISTS in Stoneclough should be aware of roadworks taking place next week. Bolton Council will be carrying out work in Kearsley Road near to the Bury boundary between May 12 and May 23. Temporary traffic lights will be in place.
OPEN auditions for the children’s cast of Billy Elliot the Musical are being held in Manchester on May 17. Boys wanting to auditon for the part of Billy and his best friend Michael should be between the age of nine and 13, a maximum of five feet
PEOPLE are invited to a Bolton museum to learn more about bird watching. The “discovery day” will take place from 1pm until 3pm on Saturday in Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum. The free session is suitable for people of all ages. Booking is not
TURTON School will hold its annual car boot and indoor table top sale on Sunday. Indoor stalls cost £12, outdoor stalls cost £10 and entry is free. Participants are advised to start setting up at 7am, with the sale taking place from 8am until
A HALLIWELL man will be sentenced for beating another man and assaulting a police officer. Damon Denton, aged 29, of Woking Terrace, admitted beating Robert Denton on May 4 and assaulting PC Alex Merret in the execution of his duty on May 4.
RECYCLE for Greater Manchester is encouraging Bolton residents to home compost food and garden waste as part of International Compost Awareness Week, which runs until May 11. Items that can be composted include egg shells, vegetable peelings, fruit
BURGLARS forced open the garage door at a house in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, at the weekend and stole golf clubs, clothing, gloves and a helmet.
A LITTLE Lever man was given an 18-week suspended sentence after he damaged a Metro taxi in Bolton and failed to pay his £9 fare. Oliver Clinch, aged 19, of Redcar Road, was also convicted of two counts of threatening behaviour, stealing £60.50
THERE is just over a week left to nominate allotment holders to win trophies in Bolton. As part of its efforts to mitigate the effect of continuing cuts to council budgets for the allotments service, the Association of Bolton Allotment Societies
BOLTON magistrates have fined a man £400 after he was convicted of being drunk and disorderly in Nelson Square on January 19. Delroy Gocul, aged 40, of Elderfield Road, London, had pleaded not guilty but was convicted in his absence. He was
AN open day will be held at Kearsley Mount Cottage on Saturday, featuring a children’s workshop, entertainment and a performance from Kearsley Youth Band. There will also be a guided tour of the renovated cottage and a mosaic peace garden and a
BOSSES of a ducting firm brought in to carry out work on Bolton Town Hall have spoken of their pride at being asked to help revamp the historic building. Sister operations Pure Vent Ltd and Pure Fabs Ltd, run by directors Adam Taylor and Steven
I READ with concern about the potential plans to close the mental health wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital. I have been an inpatient on these wards on many occasions and have come to recognise their pivotal role in providing security and support
WITH reference to Brian Derbyshire’s comments on the extension of Sunday retail hours. Of course there are many companies and factories which need to keep machines running seven days a week and therefore need workers to work unsocial hours.
THOMAS Ryder ask us in his letter “Bad Apples thrown out” (May 1) to stop describing UKIP as a racist party, but there is a reason why people refer to this party as racist. Only last week, William Henwood of UKIP called on Lenny Henry to move out
THE local candidates list 2014 is published and it is interesting that the largest number in a ward is Tonge with The Haulgh. A lot has been achieved by the councillors in the ward over the years and many residents will want to see much protected
YOUNG people will be wearing red tomorrow to raise awareness of the horrific kidnap of hundreds of schoolgirls by Islamists militants in Nigeria. Staff and students at Bolton Sixth Form College will be wearing the colour every Friday to show their
FAMILIES flocked to Smithills Hall to enjoy fun activities in the historic ground. From frog trails to making birds nests, youngsters made the most of the sunny weather. Museum chiefs hailed Bank Holiday Monday as a success. A council spokesman
HUNDREDS of people packed into Bolton’s Victorian vaults for an evening of culture and live music. The Market Place Shopping Centre opened up its vaults to make way for father and daughter, Chris Carter and Lauren Carter-Bridges, to showcase Art
A 61-YEAR-OLD accused of stabbing a man in his home claims he acted in self-defence during an attempted robbery by a drugs runner. Kenneth Tracey, of Deepdale Road, Breightmet, told a court he stabbed Thomas Laisby, a “drugs runner” who would supply
PUPILS at The Ferns Primary Academy in Farnworth have been keeping people updated on the latest events at their school — by publishing their own magazine. The magazine, entitled The Ferns Academy Magazine, is produced by Key Stage Two pupils and
A WOMAN who helped to sell heroin to an undercover police officer has been given a suspended prison sentence at Bolton Crown Court. Mum-of-two Catherine O’Gorman, pleaded guilty to supplying heroin on April 10 last year. The court heard she
THE ongoing saga over Westhoughton’s CCTV coverage could be raised in parliament — after Bolton West MP Julie Hilling agreed to look into the issue. Westhoughton town council has asked Ms Hilling to help cut through the red tape that’s currently
KELLY Tidy is fired up and hungry for success after going agonisingly close to a maiden victory on the European women’s professional tour. The 22-year-old golfer, from Harwood, finished second at the Association Suisse de Golf Ladies Open in Switzerland
SEVEN-year-old Michael Wetham will be rubbing shoulders with the stars when he appears on a hit television show this week. The youngster, who attends Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary in Great Lever, has been invited on to the Paul O’Grady Show after
FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey’s hard-hitting autobiography has been shortlisted for a top award. Added Time, the story of the Bolton-based official’s battle with cancer and his acrimonious departure from football, beat former Manchester
A FATHER whose car was set on fire in an arson attack in Daubhill has appealed for information about the incident. Abdul Patel, aged 47, and his family were asleep in the early hours of April 16 when someone climbed a wall surrounding their bungalow
RESIDENTS at a retirement home will sleep easy in their beds now the gate to their property has been fixed. The electronic main gate into Lever Gardens, a single-storey development consisting of flats and bungalows in Dearden Street, Little Lever
BLEAKHOLT Animal Sanctuary is warning people to be careful buying ‘micro-pigs’. The Edenfield centre has taken in a micro-pig called Jamie. It already has three others, Madge, Harold and Liquorice, who live permanently at Bleakholt. Stablehand
YOUNGSTERS met real life heroes who are ready to help them. Firefighters from Bolton Central’s White Watch dropped by Ladybridge Pre-School to give the youngsters a hand with their project “people who help us”. Tyra Khan, proprietor of the
TODDLERS who love to groove are getting the chance to strut their stuff in sessions run by former international dancer Nicola Devenney. Encouraged by the enthusiasm of her own three-year-old daughter, Alexandra, Ms Devenney launched Shake Your
SCIENCE-mad brothers Craig and Jason Rose have proved that a bit of sibling rivalry can be a very good thing after becoming the nation's two highest-scoring students in an online quiz. The 15-year-old twins from Leigh are gearing up to sit their
THE final step to independence beckons for a cerebral palsy campaigner who has been given the go-ahead to become one of the oldest people in the UK to undergo a life-changing operation. Laura Ramsden, aged 34, has battled for the right to irreversible
CINEWORLD in Bolton is set to stream a live BBC Radio 2 event for first time to commemorate 70th anniversary of D-Day. The star-studded event will feature singer Katherine Jenkins, who will sing a virtual duet of We’ll Meet Again with Dame Vera
DOUGIE Freedman hopes the examples set by Andy Kellett and Oscar Threlkeld at the end of the season can give impetus to the next wave of Wanderers’ youngsters. Development of young talent and their progression into the first team has been a political
A MOTORCYLIST is critically ill in hospital after a crash with a car in Westhoughton. A Toyota Corolla and a Yamaha motorbike crashed in Wigan Road near the junction with Coverdale Road, Westhoughton, at 11.20pm last night. The 39-year-old
CHUNG-YONG Lee has been named in the South Korea squad for this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil. The 25-year-old was among nine Europe-based players in Hong Myung-bo’s squad and will be playing in his second major tournament. In South Africa
BOLTON Sailing Club in Belmont is set to open its doors for anyone to try this exciting sport. Reporter Elaine O’Flynn went along to learn the ropes. AFTER spending the day fielding calls from prospective councillors, poring over planning documents
NEIL Danns has urged Wanderers to keep hold of their “core” this summer if they want a faster start next season. Dougie Freedman has lamented the 10-game winless streak – the club’s worst start for more than 100 years – as the chief reason for
IS Dougie Freedman a good manager? Was Sir Alex Ferguson a good manager? Or Jose Mourinho and Ryan Giggs? I don’t know, and I suspect you don’t either. It’s all smoke and mirrors to me when it comes to who’s a good manager. I seem to spend
WANDERERS look set to make Liam Trotter their second confirmed signing of the summer. Following on from the capture of Neil Danns on a 12-month deal, it is understood the club will confirm a two-year agreement with the midfielder, who has been
BUSINESSES in Bolton town centre are being urged to create a continental cafe-style culture — by paying less to have tables and chairs outside. More street cafes could pop up in the town centre after council bosses agreed to reduce the tariffs
CHANCELLOR George Osborne insisted that his government’s long term economic plan is working for Bolton during a flying visit to Horwich. But Mr Osborne warned that any deviation from the Tories' plan could result in people in Bolton paying “a very
A TAXI driver found hanging from Barrow Bridge took his own life, a coroner has ruled. The body of father-of-two Asif Policewala, aged 38, was found at the beauty spot, off Barrow Bridge Road, by a passer-by just after 7am on Wednesday, March 12
