Archive

  • So much for being a good sport

    I ATTENDED my granddaughter's sports day in Horwich. Thank you to the woman who insisted on standing over the line spoiling mine and everyone else's view. I am disabled and couldn't keep standing up, hence the chair! I did move once, but you had to keep

  • Why all this bridge work?

    IN response to Cllr Peter Johnston and the local bridge chaos in general, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect bridge repairs to take less than 10 years. And for the BEN to say no one is to blame (editorial July 10) is ridiculous. First, Peter Johnston

  • Too evocative

    I WOULD like to comment on the article by Amnesty International. I found the use of the word "torture" wholly inappropriate with the article. I think the word "torment" to be more appropriate. To the public perception, the word "torture" is more evocative

  • How are motorists supposed to read a sign that's so worn?

    I THOUGHT you may be interested in a nice little earner that the "Parking services" have now got. In April, I parked my car opposite the library in the town centre in the pay and display zone, with a one-hour limit. I was only visiting Age Concern. On

  • I won't be brainwashed, Dr Iddon

    IF Dr Brian Iddon MP wants to talk about his party's national policies affecting Farnworth (Your Views July12) why does he not mention things like petrol at £4 a gallon? Tony Blair smiles on his billboard photo pledging no tax rises and now admits that

  • The doting father, and the health expert

    TINY Sam Muschamp was the picture of health when his doting father allowed a promotional photograph to be taken as he was given a vaccine for mumps, measles and rubella (MMR). His distraught father, David, is now convinced that the vaccination was a terrible

  • Tennis final nets licence dodgers

    TV LICENCE inspectors swooped on almost 2000 licence dodgers in the North-west during the men's Wimbledon Final. Licensing officers were out in force in Bolton catching all those who had tuned into the tennis without ensuring that they had a valid TV

  • Plunge boys: We're so lucky

    TWO cousins had a miraculous escape after plunging 20 feet through a school roof. David Mclaughlin, aged eight, and 12-year-old Brendan Moore were attempting to jump over a glass fibre skylight on the roof at Radcliffe High School when they misjudged

  • Wandereres play numbers game

    ONLY 47 days after Bolton's heady triumph in the play-off final at Cardiff, business was resumed with the first pre-season friendly at non-league neighbours Radcliffe Borough. As expected Sam Allardyce and his coaching staff took the opportunity to give

  • Bus destroyed

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a blaze that destroyed a mini-bus in Little Hulton. Crews from Farnworth were called to the roundabout at Watergate Lane just before 10.30am on Saturday after reports of the fire in a Stagecoach 16 seater bus.

  • Arson charges

    A MAN appeared before magistrates at the weekend in connection with a series of arson attacks. Ryan James Webber, aged 20, faced two charges of arson with intent to endanger life in Cliff Avenue, Summerseat, and Lumn Street, Bury. He is also charged with

  • Car boot sale

    TRADERS and bargain hunters are invited to a car boot sale organised by the Salvation Army. The event is being held at the organisation's base on King Street, Farnworth, from 9am-1pm, on Saturday July 21. There will be a fee of £5 per car and buyers get

  • Volunteer appeal

    A GREAT Lever Residents and Tenants Association is appealing for helpers in running a children's club. The Tuesday Club, which is run by Sunnyside Residents and Tenants at the Sunnyside Community Centre, provides entertainment for children aged 5 to10

  • Fish'n'chip vote

    FISH and chip fans in Bolton will have a chance to vote for their favourite chippy from Monday. Anyone passionate about fish and chips will have two weeks to vote in the national competition. Entry forms will be available from fish and chip shops. Regional

  • Horsepower day

    THE National Riding Festival has confirmed it will still be holding an event in Astley on August 18. The festival's horsepower day at Mossbrook Stud Arena had been under threat because of the foot and mouth restrictions, but will definitely go ahead will

  • Smash appeal

    POLICE are appealing for a motorist to come forward after he was in collision with two cars. The Ford Fiesta -- registration number G146 DNS -- was in collision with a Ford Orion and a Suzuki Alto on Montserrat Road, Bolton at 9.45pm on Saturday. The

  • A sporting chance

    SCHOOLS in Bolton are set to benefit from more sporting opportunities thanks to a successful scheme. United Co-op's Sports for Schools Scheme is set to enter its fifth phase and has teamed up with the Greater Manchester Sports Partnership to make the

  • Blessed appeal

    LARGER than life actor Brian Blessed is looking for Bolton people to go to the roof of the world to help a worthy cause. Appealing on behalf of medical research charity Action Research, the thespian is flagging up a fundraising trek through Nepal next

  • Put on your dancing shoes

    THE chance to dance comes to The Lowry this summer with a holiday school that will resound with the rhythm of Africa. Bami Jo -- meaning Come Dance With Me -- is a series of workshops at the Manchester entertainment complex in African dance that will

  • Young robbers attack car park attendant

    A CAR park attendant needed 28 stitches to a head wound after he was robbed by two masked youths thought to be as young as 14. The attackers, wearing balaclavas, struck Albert Wood, aged 64, repeatedly about the head before kicking him in the chest in

  • 'Graffiti' gets blessing of teachers

    A GROUP of supermarket workers daubed the walls of a Bolton school with paint -- with the full support of teachers. Five workers from Asda, in Astley Bridge decided to give Oldhams School, on Selkirk Road, Sharples, a face lift. They grabbed a set of

  • Churches lead countdown to sporting Games

    BOLTON became the first town in the country to kick-start the countdown to Manchester's Commonwealth Games. Children from schools across the borough gathered on the town hall steps in Victoria Square yesterday to launch a host of golden balloons into

  • Sam swoops for Japanese striker

    WANDERERS pushed back their soccer boundaries today when they signed Japanese striker Akinori Nishizawa. The player comes on a 12 month loan from Cerezo Osaka with an option to buy. Nishizawa is the first Japanese footballer to play in the English domestic

  • A&T v EDGWORTH

    Astley & Tyldesley C Bullock c Boulding b Locke ...1 D Clare c Barlow b Garner ...29 J Cutt b Garner ...55 R Bennett lbw Locke ...3 P Bennett lbw Locke ...9 N Doyle c&b Garner ...4 M Cutt c Kernick b Barlow ...1 B Waterworth b Barlow ...1 P Higgins

  • LITTLE LEVER v HORWICH

    Little Lever A Lawson c Taylor b White...5 L Baldwin lbw Long...21 P Rayment c Ainscough b White...10 A Hilton c Long b White...8 A Worral c Ainscough b White...14 M Martin b Taylor...93 N Tonge c S Woods b White...4 J Harrison c N Woods b White...0 P

  • Sunday

    ATHERTON V GOLBORNE Atherton C Partington c Tyrer b Stockton...8 D Charleson c Waterworth b Roberts...12 G Dimery st Cullen b Critchley...41 P West lbw Critchley...51 P Walsh lbw Critchley...5 P Brown c Marsden b Critchley...0 R Clews lbw Critchley...20

  • Akbar's magnificent seven

    KEARSLEY rediscovered their winning form with a little help from pro Fasel Akber. He skittled Egerton for 77 taking seven wickets for 38 off only 15 overs. Earlier he had lifted the innings with a late charge of 24 not out after Steve Davies top scored

  • Leigh edge home in bruiser

    Leigh Centurions 26 Featherstone Rovers 10 LEIGH have been left licking their wounds after booking a Major Semi-Final showdown with Widnes. The Centurions edged a bruising Minor Semi-Final yesterday but have Tim Street facing suspension and Neil Turley

  • THEATRES

    OCTAGON THEATRE, Bolton. Ring 520661. FARNWORTH LITTLE THEATRE, Cross Street, Farnworth. Ring 527092. ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC, Manchester. Ring 0161 907 5278. LOWTON CIVIC HALL. Ring 01925 764793. LANCASTRIAN HALLS, Chorley Road, Swinton. Ring

  • ANIMALS

    MARTIN MERE WILDFOWL AND WETLANDS TRUST, Martin Mere, Burscough, Ormskirk, Lancashire. Ring 01704 895181. ANIMAL WORLD, Moss Bank Park, Moss Bank Way, Bolton. Enter the fascinating world of nature touring the enclosures suited to each individual animal's

  • MUSIC AND DANCE VENUESRing 01254 582582.

    AMERICAN LINE DANCING. Accrington Town Hall. Wednesday July 18. Starts 8pm. Admission £2.50 for adults and £1 for children. SEQUENCE DANCING. Accrington Town Hall. Thursday July 19. Starts 7.30pm. Admission £1.25. CHARITY LINE DANCE. An evening of dance

  • The moment Sam's life changed forever

    LITTLE Sam Muschamp is unable to look his mum and dad in the eye or even give them a hug after developing autism. His dad, David, is convinced that his son's condition is a direct result of the Mumps, Measles and Rubella vaccination. Mr Muschamp, of Grantchester

  • Cultures united in Mela fun

    CROWDS flocked to Bolton's third Asian cultural festival - despite an early downpour. And organisers hailed this year's Mela festival as one of the best and most well attended to date, claiming cultures across Bolton were brought closer together. Bad

  • 'Graffiti' gets blessing of teachers

    A GROUP of supermarket workers daubed the walls of a Bolton school with paint -- with the full support of teachers. Five workers from Asda, in Astley Bridge decided to give Oldhams School, on Selkirk Road, Sharples, a face lift. They grabbed a set of

  • Scratchcard dispute man in legal wait

    A MAN is waiting to discover if his legal bid to force a national newspaper group to pay him £50,000 in a dispute over a scratchcard competition has been successful. Mirror Group Newspapers were taken to the Appeal Court by Lee O'Brien of Hebden Court

  • GOLBORNE v LOSTOCK

    Lostock M Syddall c Robinson b Aldred...12 I Gavin c Cooke b Aldred...5 P Knowles c Robinson b Aldred...0 P Flanagan lbw b Critchley...14 Twist c Tyrer b Benbow...58 G Beswick c Marston b Critchley...1 A Syddall not out...43 L Issa not out...17 Extras

  • WESTHOUGHTON v WALKDEN

    Westhoughton S Parker c Kay b Ingram...47 White b Ingram...25 I Pilkington c Bennison b Ingram...0 R Parker b Ingram...34 A Gaskell c Reidy b Ingram...8 M Atherton b Reidy...2 M Crookson b Reidy...5 A Newby c Bennison b Reidy...2 M Patel not out...6 P

  • HEATON v EAGLEY

    Eagley S Mahboob c Mort b Hirwani...11 J Shuttleworth b J West...26 Mitchell c Holt b Hirwani...26 P McDermott c Carson b Hirwani...12 C Lord lbw West...0 D Shuttleworth c Carson b Moss...12 M Seddon lbw Hirwani...21 D Tonge lbw Hirwani...1 T Wallwork

  • All things equal on bridge safety?

    IF the Newport Street bridge is unsafe for private cars, it is equally unsafe for taxis and even less safe for buses; a calculated risk must be being taken with public safety for commercial reasons. If, on the other hand, the bridge is indeed safe for

  • All things equal on bridge safety?

    IF the Newport Street bridge is unsafe for private cars, it is equally unsafe for taxis and even less safe for buses; a calculated risk must be being taken with public safety for commercial reasons. If, on the other hand, the bridge is indeed safe for

  • Same ideas

    I CERTAINLY agree with "Would work if I could". Some years ago when the Conservatives were in office, we had Peter Lilley dishing out similar ideas. This was when Invalidity Benefit was changed to Incapacity Benefit, and a newspaper headline at the time

  • Super help in bid for status

    AS Chairperson of the Sunnyside Residents & Tenants Association, I would like to thank all who've helped to contribute to Great Lever's successful bid for Neighbourhood Management status. Of course, the over-riding figures of health, crime and housing

  • Our motoring mysteries

    I WRITE further to your recent article concerning those roundabout advertisements. I have just had to endure the nightly "fourteen hour" journey home along Deane Road etc, which somewhat delayed my urge of putting pen to paper. I wish to take issue with

  • THE BEN SAYS: An arena built for champions

    BOLTON people have every right to be proud of the town's newest sporting facility the Bolton Arena. This £15 million centre at Middlebrook was officially launched at the weekend and immediately attracted thousands of visitors, many of them local people

  • Prison riot quartet back behind bars

    FOUR Bolton men who masterminded a prison riot which wrecked a flagship jail were back behind bars today. The quartet were among six ringleaders who led a mob of 60 inmates on a seven-hour rampage through Forest Bank jail in Salford. It came just one

  • Crash victim's slow recovery

    AN elderly woman is continuing to make a slow recovery after a road accident last week. Sheila Batters, aged 69, was said to be stable and gradually getting better at Hope Hospital, Salford, today. She was crossing Wigan Road, in front of the Three Pigeons

  • Cars torched

    A CAR was destroyed and two badly damaged after an arsonist struck in Farnworth early today. The Peugeot 205 was wrecked after the yard of Bodycote was broken into on Heaton Avenue, at 1am, and set alight. Two vehicles parked next to it were also damaged

  • Crash appeal

    POLICE are appealing for a motorist to come forward after a collision with two cars. The Ford Fiesta -- registration number G146 DNS -- was in collision with a Ford Orion and a Suzuki Alto on Montserrat Road, Bolton at 9.45pm on Saturday. The Orion was

  • House blaze investigation

    FIRE chiefs have launched an investigation into the cause of a blaze which badly damaged a house in Halliwell. Crews were called to the terraced house in Felton Walk at 3.49am on Sunday morning after a neighbour spotted smoke pouring from the front door

  • Safety on bikes

    CHILDREN in Leigh are to be offered free cycling safety classes next month in an attempt to brush up on their skills. Wigan Council's Road Safety Unit will run a class with police in Leigh on August 29 from 11am to 2.30pm. To reserve a place and for details

  • Town is one of safest in country to have babies

    BOLTON is one of the safest places in the country to give birth, according to new figures. The Royal Bolton Hospital has one of the lowest Caesarean birth rates in the country, with 17 per cent of mums undergoing surgery -- compared with 60 per cent in

  • Blaze probe

    FIRE chiefs have launched an investigation into the cause of a blaze which badly damaged a house in Halliwell. Crews were called to the terraced house in Felton Walk at 3.49am on Sunday morning after a neighbour spotted smoke pouring from the front door

  • Ex-pupil Peter's the star turn

    TOP TV funnyman Peter Kay proved he was a class act when the went back to school to open a summer fair. The Bolton comedian was celebrity guest for the day and swung open the gates as the annual event his old school St Ethelbert's, Deane, got underway

  • Ex-pupil Peter's the star turn

    TOP TV funnyman Peter Kay proved he was a class act when the went back to school to open a summer fair. The Bolton comedian was celebrity guest for the day and swung open the gates as the annual event his old school St Ethelbert's, Deane, got underway

  • Institute cooks up top award

    A TOP Farnworth chef proved to be more than a flash in the pan when he was served up a special honour by Bolton Institute. Respected restaurateur Paul Heathcote became the latest in a string of high profile figures to be presented with the Institute's

  • Horses at peril from weed

    A HORSEOWNER fears a poisonous weed growing on the verges of Bolton's roads could kill her two animals if it is not torn up. Ann Burns is concerned that seeds from the dangerous ragwort weed are spreading to her field on Blackburn Road, in Astley Bridge

  • DARCY LEVER v LITTLE HULTON

    Darcy Lever N Fawcett lbw Ijaz...47 S Small c Andrews b Sutherland...11 Y Bashir lbw Ijaz...45 J Norris b Lee...15 P Smethurst b Ijaz...5 E Shaw run out...4 A Stocks not out...15 B Cruikshanks c Morrison Ijaz...14 M Atkinson not out...0 Extras...6 Total

  • WALSHAW v ADLINGTON

    Walshaw D Hornby c Henderson b Drinkwater...20 G Dyson c Flatters b McNally...6 R Faulkner b Taylor...46 Fielding b B Henderson...5 Forrest c Rawlings b Taylor...43 Caunce c Rawlings b McNally...9 Hamilton c Rawlings b McNally...5 Novak run out...8 Riley

  • ADLINGTON v SPRING VIEW

    Spring View N Geary c Rawlinson b Taylor ...43 C Rudd c Robinson b Taylor ...12 Sarkar c Halliwell b Taylor ...70 I Murphy lbw Rawlings ...0 I Beg b Taylor ...5 M James c&b Taylor ...13 S Williams c Hitchen b Taylor ...1 H Bamber lbw Rawlings ...3

  • STANDISH v ATHERTON

    Standish P Hassan c R Clewes b Dimrey...1 G Edwards b Dimrey...6 Tripathi c R Clewes b S Walsh...41 J Waddington c R Clewes b Dimrey...10 S Maiden c and b Dimrey...44 I Bowden c R Clewes b S Walsh...43 V Patel c R Clewes b Dimrey...12 P Sheffield b Dimrey

  • Stars turn Walkden's fortunes

    WALKDEN started the season as the team most likely to. They looked strong in every department, boasting matchwinners with either bat or ball, and the time seemed right for their re-emergence as title contenders. There were flashes of the outstanding talent

  • Stars turn Walkden's fortunes

    WALKDEN started the season as the team most likely to. They looked strong in every department, boasting matchwinners with either bat or ball, and the time seemed right for their re-emergence as title contenders. There were flashes of the outstanding talent

  • JAZZ DATES

    BAND ON THE WALL, Swan St, Manchester. Ring 0161 833 0682, or 0161 832 6625. LIFE CAFE, Peter Street, Manchester. Ring 0870 0104555. ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC, Manchester. Ring 0161 907 5279. BAR COAST, St Mary's Street, Manchester. Live Jazz duo

  • The doting father, and the health expert

    TINY Sam Muschamp was the picture of health when his doting father allowed a promotional photograph to be taken as he was given a vaccine for mumps, measles and rubella (MMR). His distraught father, David, is now convinced that the vaccination was a terrible

  • Vaccines are a 'miracle'

    BOLTON'S recognised world expert on immunisation describes the MMR vaccination as a "miracle" -- despite his son dying from a condition which developed days after having a pre-school injection. Hiding his sadness, Dr Robert Aston, travels the world speaking

  • Pub chain set to snap up old Co-op

    A GROWING pub chain which serves cheap pints and has a no-music policy could soon be moving into a former Westhoughton supermarket. JD Wetherspoon is currently in talks to buy the old Co-op Pioneer store on Market Street, which closed last year. The company

  • Future of nursing home in balance

    THE receiver in charge of a Bolton nursing home has sparked fears it may be forced to close after applying for permission to create housing on the site. Newlands Nursing Home, in Chorley New Road, which caters for around 40 elderly residents, was put

  • Countryside strolls for free

    A FREE series of walks are being organised courtesy of the Bolton Countryside Service. At 10.30am or 2pm every Tuesday throughout July, and August 7, 14, 21 and 28, anyone who enjoys a good country stroll can fill their lungs full of fresh air by joining

  • Arena is open for future champions

    THE multi-million pound Bolton Arena officially opened at the weekend amid hopes that it will serve up the country's next Wimbledon champion. Thousands of people flocked to the £15 million centre at Middlebrook for the official launch on Saturday. And

  • KARAOKE

    ANCHOR INN, Bolton. Friday and Saturday. BARNSTORMERS, Lostock Lane, Horwich. Dave's Cabaret Karaoke and late bar. Every Saturday. Starts 8pm. BEEHIVE, Horwich. Karaoke with free draw for all singers and a prize of a gallon of beer. Every Tuesday. Starts

  • Boys from Brazil sink England

    BRAZIL won the Nationwide U17 international tournament courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 victory over England at the Reebok Stadium. Following on from their comprehensive 3-0 win over Italy at the JJB Stadium on Friday, the Brazilians were too flamboyant

  • LITTLE HULTON v A&T

    Astley & Tyldesley C Bullock lbw Sutherland...27 C Clare c Edwards b Sutherland...2 J Cutt b Ijaz...22 R Bennett c Rushton b Ijaz...10 J Church c Ijaz b Sutherland...10 P Bennett run out...16 S Nicklin run out...3 D Hughes c & b Ijaz...9 N Doyle

  • FARNWORTH SC v BRADSHAW

    Bradshaw A Hart run out ...15 A Kerr c Walsh b Eckersley ...2 D Morris c Ogden b Bradley ...22 Higgs b Powell ...1 N Johnson b Bradley ...54 M Gwilt c Walsh b Eckersley ...11 N Hart c Ashworth b Bradley ...5 Brooks c Walsh b Eckersley 9 P Dickinson lbw