THERE was confusion about whether Bolton Council has a "preferred applicant" for the controversial Loco Works development site at a meeting of Horwich Town Council. One resident accused Bolton Council of having a "hidden agenda" after separate
A CAR has crashed into a phone box and another vehicle in Halliwell. Police were called to the accident in Blackburn Road, near the junction with Blackbank Street, at 7.50pm tonight. Police say no one was seriously injured and the road is open
Canon Slade School pupil Niamh Robinson finished seventh in the semi-final of the 50m breaststroke in representing the Isle of Man with a time of 33.38. The time was just one tenth of a second down on her personal best set in the heats earlier
CYCLIST Jason Kenny secured Bolton’s first medal of the Commonwealth Games by scooping silver in the team sprint final in Glasgow. Kenny, Philip Hindes and Kian Emadi were defeated by New Zealand’s Sam Webster, Ed Dawkins and Ethan Mitchell.
A REVELLER suffered a brain haemorrhage after being attacked in a town centre bar. Nathan Picton, aged 22, was rushed to hospital hours after the attack in En-Vogue bar in Bradshawgate, Bolton, after his vision went blurred and he was repeatedly
A DECISION not to make a senior police officer face gross misconduct charges for allegedly punching a demonstrator during a "frightening" outbreak of disorder in the streets in Bolton has been upheld by the High Court. A judge described how "a
BEN Blakeley has been found guilty of murdering 17-year-old Jayden Parkinson. There were emotional scenes in Oxford Crown Court this afternoon after the jury of six men and six women returned its verdict, by a majority of 11-1. During a three-week
WATFORD have announced the signing of Keith Andrews on a season-long loan. The former Republic of Ireland international has 12 months remaining on his Wanderers contract, so has effectively played his last game for the club. He will not be
CANON Slade pupil Niamh Robinson booked her place in the semi-finals of the 50m breaststroke tonight. The 14-year-old was fifth fastest in her heat finishing in 33.28 and was just three seconds behind winner England's Sophie Taylor. She followed
A MAN has been taken to hospital with burns after his car caught fire in the car park of a town centre supermarket. The 65-year-old's blue Rover 75 car caught fire in Sainsbury's car park. He managed to escape before it went up in flames -
A LAW firm Asons beat off stiff competition to win a Greater Manchester Skills for Business award in the financial and professional services category. The Bark Street firm picked up the honour at an awards ceremony at The Hilton Hotel in Manchester
WHEN around 70 per cent of the public, and even a majority of Tory voters, support full renationalisation of our railways, Ed Miliband, at the Labour Party national policy forum last weekend, came up with a fudged policy. He told the people gathered
THE slaughter of men, women and children in Gaza by the Israeli military is nothing short of disgusting and shameful. Whatever your politics are, at the end of the day the Palestinian people have little in the way of arms to defend themselves,
WHAT a fabulous day it was again for the Bolton Ironman/Woman contest. One can only watch in admiration as these superbly fit athletes compete in such a gruelling competitition. Congratulations to all those who entered — you are simply wonderful
AFTER the shooting down of MH-17 by Putin-backed mercenaries, the world needs to wake up. If Putin is allowed to continue with his terrorism in Eastern Ukraine, no-one knows where he will end, the English Channel? I urge everyone to boycott
IS it really 2014? We seem to be treating our teenagers very badly in some areas of Bolton. In Little Lever last Wednesday night I saw teenagers standing on street corners and outside closed shops. I’ve seen them sitting on wet pavements and
I WOULD like to thank the people who helped my wife who had a blackout outside the pound shop in Victoria Square. The staff from Poundland came out asking if they could help in any way; also the nurse who stayed with us and the young lady who phoned
CHART-TOPPING boy band Rixton have announced details of a UK headline tour. The group, featuring former Canon Slade School pupil Lewi Morgan, will play Manchester’s Academy 2 on October 26. The news comes after their debut single, Me &
MY husband and I live in sheltered accommodation, which includes having the careline service with Bolton at Home. Bolton at Home is always promoting people’s independence, but they are being hypocritical as they do not — because they are not giving
WEARING his trademark duffle coat and red hat, Paddington Bear looked every bit the movie star as he arrived in Bolton town centre surrounded by fans young and old. The politest bear from Peru made the trip up North to visit Warburtons — which
SIX years after being on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Lynn Meadowcroft is a great believer in finding balance between mind, body and spirit. The 55-year-old is throwing open the doors of her holistic and well being centre next weekend to give
SHAUNA and Fabrice Muamba paid a visit to a supermarket to launch a range of cooking sauces. Mrs Muamba’s Caribbean sauces were born following the life-changing event which made the pair think about how they could make a difference. In 2012
IT is a worldwide theatre phenomenon borne out of a moving children’s story about a horse called Joey. Now War Horse has returned to the North West as the country — and the world — prepares to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of World War
FROM class clown to skint, wannabe actor and then international movie star, Sylvester Stallone carved out a career to become one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces. The 68-year-old, born in the tough New York district of Hell’s Kitchen, is
A CYCLIST is said to be in a stable condition at Salford Royal Hospital after he was hit by a car near the Macron Stadium. The 59-year-old man suffered serious head injuries at about 5.50am on July 16 when he was involved in the accident with a
THE BEAT-HERDER FESTIVAL SAWLEY, RIBBLE VALLEY FROM storming dance tunes in a huge, homemade fortress on Friday night to chilled reggae in the Sunday afternoon sunshine, the ninth Beat-Herder Festival went off with a bang. The North West
A SEX shop has applied to renew its licence. Nice ‘n’ Naughty in Newport Street, Bolton town centre, has applied to Bolton Council to renew its licence to operate a sex establishment. People have until August 15 to object to the renewal.
THE punctuality of bus services across Greater Manchester has improved on last year, transport bosses say. A report to the Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) committee says scheduled services from First, Stagecoach and Arriva are more likely
A MAN will be sentenced for using threatening, abusive or insulting words at a medical centre. James Heaton, aged 57, of Lightwood Close, admitted the crime, which took place on May 23. He will be sentenced at Bolton Magistrates Court on August
THE next meeting of the Bolton Council’s planning committee takes place on Thursday, July 31. The meeting, which takes place in the main council chamber in the Town Hall, is open for the public to attend. A live blog from the meeting will also
YOUNG musicians from a Bolton school are enjoying the last few days of a concert tour in America. Members of Smithills School Senior Brass Band raised £60,000 to fund the 10 day trip to North Carolina. After an opening concert in Shelby, the
A MUSIC festival, Rock It, will be held in Bolton on Saturday with youngsters performing on stage in Queens Park from noon to 7pm.
CHILDREN and adult services will be discussed at a meeting. The Health, Care and Wellbeing Forum will be held from noon to 2pm on Tuesday, August 12, at the Bolton Hub in Bold Street. Tim Bryant, from Bolton Council’s children and adult services
A HOUSE and a car have been targeted by criminals. A burglary was reported in New Hall Lane, Heaton, where laptop and cash were stolen after a back door was left unlocked. Car keys were taken and the car was searched, but nothing was taken.
A FARNWORTH man has admitted producing 20 cannabis plants. Carl Neal pleaded guilty at Bolton Magistrates’ Court to having grown the plants on April 22. Neal, aged 48, of West Avenue, will be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on August 22.
MOTORISTS faced rush-hour delays after a crash in Little Hulton. At 7.10am yesterday, a red Ford Transit van was in collision with a silver Peugeot 307 at the junction of Cleggs Lane and Manchester Road. Police closed the junction for 15 minutes
A SON attacked his mother and grandfather, a court was told. Gary Crawshaw, aged 37, of no fixed address, admitted assaulting his grandfather Raymond Crawshaw and assaulting his mother Julie Crawshaw on June 20. Bolton magistrates sentenced him
PINK boots. You’ve got to be good to wear them. My son’s got a pair, but they didn’t do him much good at five-a-side on Monday night when I left him for dead with an explosive shimmy, turn of pace and left-foot bullet into the far corner. I
PASSPORT photos are a nightmare for most people — and for triple Olympic champion Jason Kenny, they are just as embarrassing. The Farnworth cycling hero shared a snap of himself, above, with followers on Twitter. He wrote: “I wish I’d given
FORMER pupils of Rivington and Blackrod High School who were killed in action during World War One were remembered by the school. A special workshop was held in which pupils traced the history of those who were killed in the war, identified using
A “BEST Care Bus” will stop off in Bolton to gather residents view’s on the proposed shake-up of the health services. The Healthier Together bus will park up in the Morrisons car park, in Blackhorse Street, on Monday. Review experts will be
THE Institute of Physics (IOP), of which head of Bolton School boys’ division Philip Britton is Vice-President for Education, has announced that The Duke of York has agreed to become Patron of the International Year of Light in the UK. The International
AN underwear thief was remanded in custody for day as a punishment. Andrew Middleton, aged 38, of no fixed address, admitted stealing underwear worth £226 from Debenhams on July 19. He was kept in the cells at Bolton Magistrates’ Court until
A TRIAL date has been set for a man who has been accused of beating a woman. Ivan Girja, aged 19, of Minerva Road, Farnworth, is due to appear at Bolton Magistrates Court on September 4. He will stand trial for beating, which is alleged to
VISITORS can enjoy life in Victorian times at Smithills Hall on Friday, August 1. It is one of the family-friendly activities planned for Fridays during the summer holidays and is being held from noon to 2pm.
A TRIBUTE band to the Drifters is playing at the Roundhouse in Halliwell on August 2. The Magic Drifters, billed as the number one homage to the soul act, will be performing all their hits, such as Under the Boardwalk and Up on the Roof. To book
POLICE in west Bolton need more support, the area’s MP has said. Julie Hilling spoke out in a Commons debate on police cuts. She said: “The major complaints I get are about the slowness of or a lack of response from the police, and police officers
A MAN from Westhoughton will appear at court charged with a catalogue of offences. Richard Brennan, of Mabel Street, will appear before Wigan Magistrates after denying beating a woman and a man on July 10. He is also charged with beating the
A BANNED driver caught driving dangerously will be sentenced. Bobby Stewart, also known as Alan Holden, aged 25, of Kirkhope Walk, Halliwell, admitted driving dangerously on July 12. He was driving a Honda Accord when insurance was not in force
BLACKROD residents will be able to pay tribute to those who died in World War One at a special commemoration service. The service, organised by Blackrod Community Group, will be held at the village war memorial on Sunday, August 3, at 2pm.
YOUNG Einsteins enjoyed a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, to see the work at CERN, the European Organisation for the Nuclear Research. The Year 10 and 11 Rivington and Blackrod High School pupils also visited the Red Cross Museum and the United Nations
PROSTATE cancer patients, carers and family members are invited to the Bolton Districts Prostate Cancer Support Group meeting at St Luke’s Church, Chorley Old Road, on Wednesday, August 13, will meet from 2pm to 4pm. For more information, call
HORWICH residents are invited to a meeting of the town council this evening, with the controversial Loco Works development back on the agenda. Plans to build 1,700 homes on the site will once again be discussed by Horwich councillors before a decision
A BEE-themed garden party hopes to create a buzz in Bolton on Sunday. The party, organised by Bolton Friends of the Earth and The Kitchen in Great Moor Street, will feature bee-themed food and activities and information about creating a bee friendly
A WESTHOUGHTON man will be sentenced for beating a woman. Brett Connor, aged 21, of The Pewfist, admitted beating Summer Dominic on July 3. He will be sentenced at Bolton Magistrates Court on August 13.
A MAN will stand trial accused of two assaults on a man. Timothy Lord, of Bradford Street, The Haulgh, denies assaulting Robert Heyes on August 23 and January 10. He will stand trial at Bolton Magistrates’ Court on November 11.
A PRESSURE group campaigning for greater equality in the health service will meet on Tuesday, September 6. The Equality Target Action Group is hosting a networking meeting at The Bolton Hub in Bold Street from 12.30pm until 2.30pm. Lunch will be
ARE your youngsters into making loom bands? The brightly-coloured bracelets have created a trend that’s swept the country, with children using clever skills and imagination to make beautiful bands as gifts or just to wear themselves. It’s a
CLEVER Aldi! The supermarket chain is now stocking school uniforms that cost £4 altogether. They’ve managed to undercut even Tesco and Asda to give cash-strapped families the cheapest possible answer to the annual problem of kitting out growing
IT’S great that Ironman UK has made its home in Bolton. It seems to be a venue that suits the organisation and the participants, and it certainly suits the town. The event brings in local business – not just in hotels and eateries but in smaller
I MUST admit to being quite an admirer of Cheryl Cole. No, not for her amazing voice, great personal presence, obvious intellect and charismatic star quality – they’re not actually high on the list of descriptions of the pretty Geordie. What
IT’S that time of year that makes parents quake: the long school holidays are just starting. It’s a time when children take a break from learning, and it’s the adults’ turn to use their brains to keep the little loves (a) not bored and (b) out
FORMER Bolton Wanderers star Colin Hendry has blasted a 'vile' Twitter user who joked about his wife's death. The former central defender was sent the message by a Celtic fan. The message, from a Twitter account in the name of Liam McDonald
A 29-YEAR-OLD man charged with attempting to murder a woman in Great Lever is to appear at Manchester Crown Court. Arkadiusz Piotr Gawryszewski, of Westbourne Avenue, Great Lever, is alleged to have attempted to murder Agnieszka Nawrath in a domestic
WHEN teenager Victoria Jackson is old enough to run away and join the circus, she won’t have far to go. For the 16-year-old has spent the past seven years helping out at Circus Mondao, which sets up camp in Hunger Hill, near her parents’ farm,
PARAMEDICS have welcomed a U-turn by ambulance bosses on plans to cut the number of emergency vehicles on the road in Bolton. A proposed shake-up could have seen Bolton lose one of the four ambulances that attend emergency calls from midnight to
OVERWORKED paramedics are having to attend emergencies without checking their ambulances are road-safe and correctly stocked, a furious paramedic has revealed. An experienced paramedic has claimed staff at the North West Ambulance Service are being
DEPUTY leader of UKIP Paul Nuttall has defended a Bolton councillor who joked that newly-appointed cabinet ministers could “take it in turns to make the tea” in Number 10. Little Lever councillor Paul Richardson, the first UKIP candidate to be
BOLTON Council has been criticised because a school building — destroyed in a mystery blaze — had been left vacant for months after it became disused. Clarendon Primary School’s Victorian former home in Clarendon Street became the second former
THE future of one of Horwich’s biggest ever planning applications will be decided at a specially organised meeting next month. A decision will be made whether to grant outline planning permission to build 1,700 homes on the site of the former Horwich
YOUNG historians embarked on a poignant journey to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One. Pupils at Turton and Edgworth CE and Methodist Primary School have been exploring the legacy of the war on their village.
A COMMUNITY rocked by a horror crash has changed for the better since the incident, claims one of the organisers of a driving safety campaign. The crash in St Helens Road on July 22 last year - involving two cars that were racing - left a young
A FORMER paratrooper does not feel safe in his own home after a thug blinded him in one eye in a vicious attack at a bus stop. Adam Whitehead punched his victim, Christopher Riley, so hard that the 54-year-old lost his eye. Earlier this month
A HEART transplant eight years ago has allowed ex-police dog handler John Roberts to see his grandchildren grow up. Now, the 59-year-old former PC from Bromley Cross is urging more people than ever to Sign up to Save Lives. Just four years
A MOVE by Bolton MP Yasmin Qureshi could see chess on all school timetables. It may lead to youngsters follow in the footsteps of Bolton School old boy Nigel Short, who became the youngest international chess master in history at the age of 14.
OLIVER Wotherspoon of the Hobbit hole fame has completed his most rewarding — and emotional — project to date after helping a family enjoy precious time together in their garden. Oliver, owner of Bolton-based Cool Canvas was approached by primetime
PRECIOUS few people in football have a bad word to say about Keith Andrews, so why did his spell at Wanderers simply fail to ignite? There haven’t been many tears shed on the terraces as the experienced midfielder prepares to start afresh at Watford
THIS summer’s change round at Wanderers has left Dougie Freedman content his squad are now finally all singing from the same hymn sheet. The Whites boss hinted at issues behind the scenes during last season’s spells of poor form, and has overseen
DOUGIE Freedman has allayed fears that Mark Davies and Adam Bogdan’s absence in Wanderers’ pre-season schedule means they are gearing up for a move away from the club. Both players have been strongly linked with moves elsewhere this summer but
A BLACK cab rank should be allowed at the Royal Bolton Hospital for patients, say taxi drivers. Charlie Oakes, chairman of the Bolton-based Hackney Carriage Association, said he has been asking for the past three years for a rank at the hospital
THE case against a scrap metal firm has been thrown out of court after a judge ruled it was “lured into breaking the law” by undercover officers. Now all arrests made in a major police crackdown on metal thefts will have to be reviewed. Police
TRAFFIC is at a standstill in Moss Bank Way because of roadworks. Drivers are reporting being stuck for 25 minutes without moving, with only one lane open. The latest live traffic and travel news is available here.
