THE Bishop of Manchester will be handing out hot cross buns in Bolton town centre from noon tomorrow.
The charitable gesture, supported by members of Christians Together in Bolton Town Centre, will follow a Good Friday service at 2pm at Bolton Parish Church.
This Easter the Bishop is also joining services at the Parish Church to mark Holy Saturday from 7.30pm and Easter Sunday at 8am and 10am, as well as sharing the bill with a member of pop group Steps at Bolton FM’s Live Easter Show.
Saturday’s event at Bolton Market promises three hours of festive fun from 11am.
Apart from interviews with the Rt Rev Dr David Walker and Clare from the 90s popsters, there will be an exclusive performance by Bolton band, The Jade Assembly, and the group Yes Lad will be promoting their new single. Dave Morgan from Live from Worktown will be talking about the group’s Bill Naughton Bolton project and treating the crowds to some live poetry. 
There will also be plenty of entertainment and events at the market itself, including egg painting, Easter basket making, an Easter egg hunt and a bird of prey display (10am to 5pm). 
Rob Hodson from Bolton FM said: “Our Christmas show was a huge success and there is no doubt that the line-up for Easter Saturday is a great one.”
He added: “Bolton FM provide live entertainment in Bolton Market on the last Saturday of every month. It’s important that we support the market and not only because we are based here but because it’s a vital part of our town.”
The event is just one of the ways Bolton is celebrating Easter this year.
Bolton’s Library and Museum Services have organised an “eggs-tensive” range of fun activities in venues across the borough.
Bolton Central Library and Museum
Saturday, March 31 to Saturday, April 14
Easter-themed activities for 4 -11-year-olds (1.30pm to 3pm, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday).
Wednesday 4 April, 2pm to 3pm
A bunny-themed event in the Junior Library featuring rabbit stories, games and a bunny mask craft session.
Smithills Hall
Monday, April 2 April, 12.30pm to 2.30pm
A Woodland Trust Easter trail to find a chocolate treat and an Easter Bunny craft making competition.
Horwich Library
Saturday, March 31, 2pm to 4pm
An Easter craft session where youngsters aged four to 11 can create and decorate an Easter crown to take home.
High Street Library, Bolton
Saturday, March 31, 2.15pm to 4pm
A free screening of Disney family classic film, Beauty and the Beast.
Tuesday, April 3 April, 12.30pm to 5pm
Come and enter a range of competitions from writing a story or poem to word searches, puzzles and a picture hunt. There will be small prizes available.
Thursday, April 5, 2pm to 3pm
Bingo with a bookish twist and lots of chances to win small prizes.
Sunday, April 8, 10am to 4pm
Make a bunny mask and pick up a free copy of the book, Every Bunny Dance.
Harwood Library
Drop-in craft sessions between 2pm and 4pm, Tuesday, April 3, Friday, April 6, Saturday, April 7.
Blackrod Library
Thursday, April 5, 2.30pm
Southport Hedgehog Rescue Society will give a talk about how to spot hedgehogs that need rescuing and what help to give them. 
Bromley Cross Library
Saturday, April 7, 10am to 12pm
An opportunity for youngsters to learn about their own family with a family tree session.
For more information about any of the events, call 01204 332853 or email askboltonlibraries@bolton.gov.uk

Thursday, April 5, 2.30pm

Southport Hedgehog Rescue Society will give a talk about how to spot hedgehogs that need rescuing and what help to give them.

Bromley Cross Library

Saturday, April 7, 10am to 12pm

An opportunity for youngsters to learn about their own family with a family tree session.

For more information about any of the events call 01204 332853 or email askboltonlibraries@bolton.gov.uk