Trail celebrates Bolton's places and people
3:45pm Friday 6th July 2007 in Your Town By Rob Devey
A TOWN centre trail has been launched to celebrate Bolton's most famous places and memorable characters.
"The Bolton Way" takes in civic buildings, the museum, and local shops and restaurants where visitors might rub shoulders with some of the town's celebrities.
It was this week launched by Bolton-born celebrity Stu Francis, who hosted children's TV hit Crackerjack at his own favourite haunt - the Grade II listed Pizza Express on Wood Street.
The trail begins in Victoria Square opposite the Victorian Town Hall where the late Fred Dibnah, steeplejack and national treasure, was first discovered by the media.
Other highlights include The Albert Halls, which have hosted famous faces including Bolton comedian Peter Kay, and the newly refurbished Churchgate.
The recent revamp of the historic 17th century street immortalised poetry, prose and sayings by famous Boltonians on new flagstones.
It is also home to Ye Olde Man and Scythe, the town's oldest pub.
The Bolton Way also contains details of other places of interest in the borough. They include St Gregory's Social Club in Farnworth, where Peter Kay's comedy hit Phoenix Nights was filmed, and Hall i'th Wood, where Samuel Crompton revolutionised the cotton industry by inventing the Spinning Mule.
The council's executive member for development, Cllr Ebrahim Adia, said: "This trail gives visitors to the town an insight into the sheer variety of both the characters and places of interest that make Bolton the interesting and diverse place that it is today."
To pick up a leaflet on The Bolton Way or for more information call 01204 334321 or visit www.visitbolton.com
