Archive

  • Magpies dumped out after replay

    THE Magpies crashed out of the FA Umbro Trophy despite David Eatock giving them a 13th minute lead. Manager Ken Wright made one change from Saturday's game bringing Damian Corcoran back after suspension in place of Ian Leather. The Magpies could have

  • BEN OPINION: Class act

    EVERYONE has a right to enjoy the arts, and the physical confines of theatres should not stop them. Bolton and District Hospital Saturday Fund's practical cash sponsorship to the Octagon should now help hard-of-hearing and visually-impaired theatre fans

  • Petrol won't last forever

    WELL, the 60 days are nearly up. I hope and pray there is no more fuel trouble and, judging by the letters in these columns, maybe the people are going with the flow, so to speak. Maybe a case of pure selfishness, maybe petrol is not too dear after all

  • They're our future!

    THE BRITISH Government has refused to appoint a Children's Commissioner, an independent watch-dog to look after the rights and welfare of all children in the UK. They propose instead to establish A Children's Rights Director, whose powers will only cover

  • Lots of gloom in store

    MAY I congratulate your leader writer on the comments about the conflict between supermarkets and local businesses. When I was a youngster I studied economics and concluded that capitalism was the third biggest evil facing mankind. I have not changed

  • Bay of plenty for Botany

    CHORLEY Borough Council's economic development and tourism chief has praised a new £50 million development at Botany Bay which will create up to 600 jobs. Nicola Turner said the ambitious plan to build a multi-million pound leisure and office park was

  • Factory roof explosion drama

    FIREFIGHTERS searched through the blazing wreckage of a Great Lever factory after an explosion ripped off part of the roof. More than 35 firefighters, including officers wearing special chemical incident suits, were called to Civil Engineering and Building

  • All in the past - Fish

    MARK Fish refused to get involved in a war of words with Sam Allardyce after the Wanderers boss has said his recent performances made it clear he wanted to leave the Reebok. Fish, who joined Charlton for £700,000 this week, said: "It's sad it's caused

  • Dave hopes new boys will count

    DAVE Bassett is confident new loan signings Neil Maddison and Stuart Ripley can help Barnsley back into the top half of the table. Things haven't gone well so far with Middlesbrough's Maddison making his debut in the defeat by Wimbledon on Sunday and

  • Barnsley Factfile

    Manager: David Bassett Ground: Oakwell Nickname: The Tykes Position: 14th. Players In: Mitch Ward (Everton) £200,000, Alex Neil (Airdrie) for £25,000, Lee Jones (Tranmere) free, Carl Regan (Everton) free, Neil Maddison (Middlesbrough) loan, Stuart Ripley

  • It's pay-back time for Ricardo

    AT five past four on the afternoon of Saturday, February 26 this year Ricardo Gardner's future in football was under serious threat. As the tricky Jamaican winger was being stretchered out of Barnsley's Oakwell ground, it was feared he had sustained serious

  • Grant boosts airport rail station

    A £350,000 grant has boosted Manchester Airport's new Ground Transport Interchange. The money, from the European Union's Trans-European Network schemes and studies programme, will be used towards developing a second platform for the airport rail station

  • US election confusion caused market uncertainty

    THERE has been continued uncertainty on the markets this week, ahead of the US presidential election, Gordon Brown's Pre-Budget Report and the MPC deliberating on UK interest rates, writes Rob Arkwright of Hargreave Hale & Co. With the initial verdict

  • Time for coffee

    THE TOWN Mayor of Adlington's Coffee Evening, hosted by Cllr Jeanette Lowe, will be held in the Lower Hall, Adlington Community Centre, Railway Road, Adlington, on Friday, November 24, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. There will be craft stalls, tombola, a raffle

  • Walking along

    BLACKROD Trodders, an independent walking group, will be walking a distance of approx four miles along the easy paths and tracks of the Leeds/Liverpool Canal on Saturday, November 18. Starting time is 12 noon from Gallagher's pub car park, Little Scotland

  • MP backs plans to improve Commons

    PLANS to modernise the way the House of Commons operates have been supported by Bury North MP David Chaytor. The Modernisation committee was set up by the commons to improve workings in the House. Two main proposals have been recommended. One is that

  • Shouting for charity

    THERE was plenty to sing about when two Astley Bridge groups joined forces to raise money for a worthy cause. The Astley Bridge Royal British Legion (RBL) teamed up with members of the Knights of the Golden Horn to hold a charity evening to raise money

  • Stardom hope for singer Johnny

    A BOLTON singer is promising to set the world alight with his powerful voice which has been compared to the dulcet tones of Otis Redding. Johnny Pryers hopes to be snapped-up by a record company following a gig at the Gilnow Arms pub, Deane Road. The

  • Health chief warning over flu vaccine

    HEALTH chiefs have warned people that delays in flu vaccine supplies could continue until Christmas. Hundreds in Bolton had their flu jabs cancelled last month after hold ups in production of the vaccine at some manufacturing laboratories. More than half

  • Grandad brings cartoon cheer to hospice

    GENEROUS grandad Johnny Wilson has loved drawing since he was a young lad. But at the age of 16 when he could have gone to art college, he turned down a place and went down the pits instead. But Mr Wilson, now 54, carried on with his art work and has

  • Our Jane is Streets ahead

    FORMER Coronation Street star Jane Danson -- alias Leanne Battersby -- has been named Best Actress in this year's Inside Soap magazine awards. The 21-year-old from Radcliffe said: "I've been nominated for a few awards but this is the first time I've ever

  • I'm the real George

    THE nation may have been gripped by US election fever but for one Horwich man it all sounds a bit too familiar. Antiques dealer George Bush has become used to hearing his name on every TV and radio news bulletin over the past few weeks. Now he is bracing

  • Beware the Barnsley backlash, warns Sam

    SAM Allardyce has warned Wanderers to guard against a Barnsley backlash in tomorrow's Reebok Roses battle. Dave Bassett's Tyke's are reeling after losing to late goals twice in the space of four days - a malaise the Bolton players have suffered from themselves

  • Ex-mayor and wife on Remembrance trip

    A FORMER Chorley mayor and his wife have been handed the honour of officially representing Coppull branch of the Royal British Legion at Remembrance Day gatherings in London this weekend. Ralph and Joyce Snape are both current independent councillors

  • Brian knows how to keep good beer

    WHEELTON landlord Brian Platt is celebrating after being presented with a Grand Mastercellarman award by brewer John Smith's. Brian, who has been landlord of the Red Lion for eight years, scooped his third consecutive Mastercellar award in the annual

  • Leading Bosnian firefighters come to Chorley

    SIX leading Bosnian fire officers came to Preston this week to see first hand the service on which their own is being modelled. Their arrival follows last month's visit to Bosnia by members of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, who went over to help

  • SOCCER: Boro wait for cup clash

    A FOURTH attempt will be made tomorrow to stage Radcliffe Boro's FA Cup Fourth qualifying round replay against Burscough. The game has twice been postponed this week with Third Division outfit York Ciuty waiting to meet the winner. The originally scheduled

  • A Westhoughton soldier's story

    Dave Harrison of Beechcroft Grove, Bolton, spent many hours researching this moving story. The information was compiled with the help of Bolton Archive and Local Studies Service, Mere Hall Register Office, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment Museum at Fulwood

  • EVENTS

    BOLTON TOWN HALL SQUARE. Christmas Lights Switch On. Thursday November 16. Starts 5pm to 7pm. ACCRINGTON TOWN CENTRE. Christmas Lights Switch On and Firework Display with Christmas Carols performed by local schoolchildren. Thursday November 16. Starts

  • THEATRES

    OCTAGON THEATRE, Bolton. Ring Bolton 520661. OPERA HOUSE, Manchester. Runs until Saturday Nov 11, The Phantom of the Opera. Tel 0161 242 2524. LIBRARY THEATRE, Manchester. Ring 0161 236 7110. FORUM THEATRE, Wythenshawe. Ring 0161 445 3599. ROYAL EXCHANGE

  • MUSIC AND DANCE VENUES

    ALBERT HALLS, Bolton. Ring 334400. VICTORIA HALL, Knowsley Street, Bolton. Bolton Choral Union present A Remembrance Concert for the Millennium including Spitfire Prelude and Fuge by William Walton, Spirit of England by Sir Edward Elgar, The Dambusters

  • CONCERTS

    ALBERT HALLS, Victoria Square, Bolton. Tribute band, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Sunday November 12, 7.30pm. Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Thursday November 9, 7.30pm. Ring Bolton 334400. BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. Tonight Classical Gala with the Manchester

  • LIVE MUSIC VENUES AND EVENTS

    HILLTOPS SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, Hill Lane, Blackrod. Budding musicians come and play your own arrangements and compositions, Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm. For more details ring Bolton 692702. THE WATERMILLOCK, Crompton Way, Bolton. Live music every

  • DANCE CLUBS

    ATLANTIS, Eagley Brook Way, Bolton. Ring Bolton 529922. Friday: Extreme, dance night, Saturday: Desire, mainstream chart and dance music. BAR PERU, Bank St, Bolton. Ring Bolton 521321. BENNIES NIGHT CLUB, Warthfold Rd, Radcliffe. Ring 0161 764 3501. CLUB

  • GALLERIES AND EXHIBITIONS

    7.1 ARC GALLERY STORE, Oldham Street, Manchester. Mon to Sat 10am to 6pm. Sun noon to 5pm. Adm free. Ring 0161 831 7454. ASTLEY CHEETHAM ART GALLERY , Trinity Street, Stalybridge. Open Mon to Fri (not Thurs) 1pm to 7.30pm, Sat 9am to 4pm. Tel 0161 338

  • Stop whingeing about hospital prisoners

    WITH reference to a letter printed in last week's Citizen -- Prisoner got preferential treatment at hospital. This is the second letter to appear in The Citizen from members of our so called, civilized society whingeing about the fact that less fortunate

  • Theatre fans set to tune in to plays

    CHARITY bosses have donated hundreds of pounds to benefit disabled theatre fans. Bolton and District Hospital Saturday Fund handed over £1,200 sponsorship to the Octagon to help hard-of-hearing and visually impaired audience members enjoy the show. The

  • Court victory teacher einstated

    A HEADTEACHER is to return to work after allegations of indecent assault on a young girl were thrown out of court. Last month, Bolton magistrates discharged the case against primary headteacher Phil Buckley, who had been suspended from his job at Tonge

  • Stone me! Julian's coming into town

    BOLTON will be playing host to a true eccentric tonight when Julian Cope takes to the stage of the Albert Halls. The former Teardrop Explodes frontman, who has been hailed as both a madman and a genius in his time, is looking forward to his Bolton performance

  • Funeral of chip pan fire victim

    THE funeral of a young woman who died in a house fire in Adlington over the weekend was taking place in Southern Ireland today. Ciara Tenanty, aged 22, died after a fire that started in a chip pan spread through the Railway View house she shared with

  • Hall mark of success

    VETERAN broadcaster Stuart Hall, the man who turned slapstick "It's a Knock Out" into cult TV, remains one of life's real jokers. The mellow voiced baker's son, who once had a clock museum in Bolton and who now makes soccer reports sound like Shakespeare

  • One third of town's homes in need of repair

    BOLTON council will be putting its concerns about private housing to a top Government minister next week. The council along with others in the North West will meet with Chris Mullin MP, the Minister with Responsibility for Private Sector Renewal, when

  • FOLK MUSIC

    LYRIC THEATRE, The Lowry, Salford. Paul Brady. Ring 0161 876 2000. ACCRINGTON TOWN HALL. Ring 01254 380293. BAND ON THE WALL, Manchester. THE MET ARTS CENTRE, Market St, Bury. Ring 0161 761 2216. PLANET K, Oldham St, Manchester. PEMBROKE HALL, High St

  • CINEMA

    FILMS for the week until Thursday November 16. UGC CINEMA, The Valley, Centertainment, Bolton. Pitch Black (15); Bedazzled (12); Purely Belter (15); Wonder Boys (15); Loser (12); Mission Kashmir (12); Dinosaur (U); Road Trip (15); Billy Elliot (15); Blair

  • QUIZ NIGHTS

    BLACK BULL, High St, Belmont Village: Tuesdays, 9pm. COTTON KIER, Waters Meeting, Bolton. Tuesday, 9.15pm. EAGLE AND CHILD, Whalley Rd, Shuttleworth, Ramsbottom. Sunday, 8.30pm. GYPSY'S TENT, Deansgate, Bolton. Sunday, 9pm. HEN & CHICKENS, Deansgate

  • BEN OPINION: Town legacy

    BOLTON, like many Northern industrial towns, still has a legacy of old, substandard property which Bolton Council has consistently tried to change. Next week, they will again voice concerns about the state of private housing when Minister Chris Mullin

  • Thanks to the helpers

    MAY I, through your column, thank the staff and members of the public (one a doctor), who helped my mum when she passed out in Marks and Spencer's store on Saturday, November 4. In my panic I forgot to ask for names. Thanks also to the ambulance crew

  • Ballot box - not fuel blockades

    WATCHING D Handley on television, demanding big cuts in the cost of fuel, I wondered if he was talking about cuts for his tractors or four-wheel-drive. Diesel fuel for tractors costs 25 to 27 pence per litre (gas oil) and the duty on it is five per cent

  • Case studies

    I AM at present researching case studies of 'back-street' abortions, prior to the 1967 Abortion Act. Of particular interest are cases which occurred in the 1920s and '30s, as, of course, anyone having had such an experience would by now be quite elderly

  • Why it's all to do with 'faith'

    IN REPLY to Allan Horsfall's letter (November 2). He asks for help from other readers of the BEN on how to cope with 'commands'. May I be of assistance. What I say from hereon is my opinion. Some people may or may not agree. If they don't, I am sure they

  • MPs' seats and safe armchairs

    I WAS surprised to read in Brian Derbyshire's letter, published in the BEN on October 30, that he considered my opinion that MP Ruth Kelly would probably lose her Parliamentary seat at the next election if she stood for Bolton West was "nonsense". I had

  • Fly me to the moon

    WELCOME to the age of space travel! If you want to reach for the stars, a space journey -- which will set you back a mere £100,000 -- could soon be on your Christmas present list. Amazingly, you can already buy your way onto a waiting list for the first

  • FORMER airman searches for old friend

    A FORMER American airman has asked the Citizen to help him trace a dear friend he met in a Chorley pub during the Second World War. Jacob Elias desperately wants to contact Betty Forshaw, whom, the last he heard, had married and moved to Glasgow. And

  • Top ref Bob Matthewson dies

    FORMER FIFA football referee and Bolton Wanderers centre-half Bob Matthewson has lost his battle against cancer. The 70-year-old died peacefully at home surrounded by members of his family. He ended his career as a referee in the Wembley FA Cup Final

  • World Cup winner visits Chorley school

    PUPILS at Southlands High struck it lucky last Monday when former Liverpool and England striker Roger Hunt shot into school for a visit. World Cup winner Roger presented year 11 pupils with their interim report certificates. And Roger, who was the first

  • Companies scoop excellence awards

    TWO local companies tasted success at a glittering awards evening in Manchester. Bolton and Bury Chamber and Bellhouse Hartwell & Co at Westhoughton were both winners in North West Excellence Awards 2000. There were whoops of delight from both groups

  • Good as new

    THE GUIDE Association is holding a good as new sale on Saturday, November 18, at 1pm at Guide HQ, Shepherd Cross St. off Chorley Old Rd. Bolton. Admission is free.

  • Shutters plan

    FARNWORTH Scaffolding Services, of Salford, have applied to Bolton Council for permission to install roller shutters to windows at Unit 6 Farnworth Industrial estate, Wellington Street, Farnworth.

  • Tenants return to 'war zone'

    EVACUEES from the gas blast at a Walkden block of flats started moving back in today. Four people have returned to the Kingsley Road flats but another four have been forced to find a new place to live after their homes were wrecked. An investigation is

  • Christmas by candlelight

    BOLTON Sinfonietta will appear in concert at St.Thomas of Canterbury Church, Lonsdale Rd. Heaton, Bolton on Sunday, December 10, at 7.30pm,The concert entitled "Christmas by Candlelight" includes Corelli, Scarlatti and Suk. Further information from the

  • Warm-up tips

    WELFARE rights charity SeniorLine, run by Help the Aged, is offering free advice to Bolton pensioners on how to keep warm. Their advice includes practical tips such as checking insulation and draught proofing as well as making sure heating systems and

  • Grant boosts airport rail station

    A £350,000 grant has boosted Manchester Airport's new Ground Transport Interchange. The money, from the European Union's Trans-European Network schemes and studies programme, will be used towards developing a second platform for the airport rail station

  • Robber in hammer attack jailed

    A COURT has been told how a hammer was used against a woman in a street robbery. As she fought back one of the men swung a hammer though he did not strike her. Yesterday, 18 year-old Anthony Paul Sykes, of Cambria Street, Bolton, appeared to be sentenced

  • SOCCER: Defender's return lifts RMI hopes

    LEIGH RMI should be boosted by the return of influential defender Jamie Udall for tomorrow's trip to Woking. Udall missed Leigh's 1-0 home defeat by Doncaster last Saturday because of a knee injury but manager Steve Waywell is confident that his key centre

  • SOCCER: Saturday's fixtures

    FA Cup 4th Qual Round Replay - Radcliffe Boro v Burscough North West Counties League - Division One - Atherton Colls v Abbey Hey, Ramsbottom Utd v Cheadle Town Worthington Chall Trophy Prelim Round - Oldham Town v Atherton LR, Daisy Hill v Padiham LFA

  • RUGBY LEAGUE: Centurions up early for Cumbrian clash

    LEIGH Centurions will be on dawn patrol on Sunday morning with a 7.30am departure for the pre-season trial game at Workington. Originally scheduled for a 3pm kick off at Derwent Park, the clubs have now been ordered by the Rugby League to start at 12.30am

  • COMEDY NIGHTS

    QUAYS THEATRE, The Lowry, Salford. Tickets £10. Ring 0161 876 2000. THE MET, Market Street, Bury. The Laff Cafe with NIck Doody, Cole Parker and Paul Parsons. Wednesday November 15. Starts 8.45pm. Ring 0161 761 2216. BLUE CAT CAFE, Shaw Rd, Heaton Moor

  • OUT OF TOWN

    BLACKPOOL OPERA HOUSE, Blackpool. Sunday November 26, Tom Jones. Ring 01253 292029. BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH ARENA, Tel 0870 444 5566. WINTER GARDENS, The Spanish Hall, Blackpool. Tel 01253 292029. TOWER BALLROOM, Blackpool. Live music and dancing to

  • Other attractions in the North-west

    KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK, Prescott, Merseyside. A chance to see some of the world's most dangerous animals including white rhino, African elephants, zebras, giraffes, meerkats, monkeys, lions and otters in spacious and natural surroundings. A rollercoaster

  • Fuel protestors don't understand

    I'M writing to you out of concern over statements that continue to be made by the leaders of the so called fuel campaign. They may believe their assertions that they allowed essential supplies to reach the emergency services during the previous wildcat

  • Hospital security stepped up after theft

    PLANS to introduce security patrols and install CCTV cameras at Chorley Hospital have been made following the theft of a potentially-lethal heart resuscitator. The machine, stolen from the outside the Accident and Emergency unit on Monday, sparked off

  • Woman's step-son quizzed in death probe

    THE step-son of Whitefield woman Linda Southwood has been arrested in connection with her death. In a new development, 37-year-old Darren Southwood was quizzed by detectives on Wednesday and bailed to return to Bury police station on December 20. His

  • Greens get a hot blast

    BOSSES at Bolton's new incinerator have condemned green campaigners who claimed the plant could be responsible for three deaths a year. Greenpeace chiefs alleged that nitrogen oxide emissions from the Raikes Lane plant could cause the deaths. But a BEN

  • Amanda is stepping out of the shadows

    A BRAVE teenager who lost her leg to cancer is celebrating after having a false limb fitted. Amanda Gifford, of Barnwood Close, Halliwell, Bolton, is over-the-moon with her new leg and cannot wait until she can wear it permanently. The plucky 15-year-old

  • Taxi driver in desperate call for help

    THREE people -- including a 15-year-old boy -- were today being questioned by detectives probing the murder of a taxi driver who was battered to death and robbed. Tariq Javed is believed to have made a desperate call for help on his radio before he died

  • Companies scoop excellence awards

    TWO local companies tasted success at a glittering awards evening in Manchester. Bolton and Bury Chamber and Bellhouse Hartwell & Co at Westhoughton were both winners in North West Excellence Awards 2000. There were whoops of delight from both groups

  • POETRY

    readings BLUE CAT CAFE, Shaw Rd, Heaton Moor, Stockport. Second Thurs in the month at 8.00pm, free. Ring 0161 432 2117. STOREY GALLERY, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster. A poetry reading by Adrian Mitchell. Tonight . Starts 8pm. Tickets £5 and £5 for concessions

  • MARKET DATES

    BOLTON MARKET, Ashburner Street. adjacent to Moor Lane Bus Station. Open Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat. Sunday fleamarket. Ring 336825. FARNWORTH MARKET, King Street. Open Mon, Fri & Sat. Ring 336840. HORWICH MARKET, Curteis Street. Open Tue & Fri

  • PUB MUSIC NIGHTS

    BAROC CAFE BAR, Halliwell Road, Bolton. THE WRIGHTS ARMS, Belmont Road, Bolton. For details of all events ring Bolton 811206. BULLS HEAD PUB, (Bottom Bull), Bury Road, Bolton. Live bands Fridays and Saturdays, 9pm. Ring Bolton 523855. THE ANTELOPE, Manchester

  • KARAOKE

    ANCHOR INN, 52 -- Bolton Evening News, Friday, November 10, 2000 nion Building, Bolton. Friday and Saturday. SHARMAN ARMS, Halliwell Rd, Bolton. Monday. THE RAILWAY, Bridge St, Ramsbottom. Saturday. THE GREENWOOD, Chorley New Rd, Horwich. Saturday, Wednesday

  • NORTH-WEST ATTRACTIONS

    North west event information from the North West Tourist Board EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY, Bury. For more information ring 0161-764 7790. TATE GALLERY, Albert Dock, Liverpool. Ring 0151 702 7400 WHITWORTH ART GALLERY, The University of Manchester, Oxford

  • What's On for the family

    MARTIN MERE WILDFOWL AND WETLANDS TRUST, Burscough. Ring 01704 895181. DOCK ROAD EDWARDIAN PUMPING STATION, Weir St, off London Road, Northwich. Ring 01257 260157. Northwich Water Heritage Trail guided walks every Sun at 3pm from the Edwardian Pumping