Archive

  • Noisy taxis

    IN response to Mrs P Ellison's letter about noisy taxis, alarms and loud music from cars - we have a similar problem in Eagley. While the closure of Hough Lane/Eagley Way has improved safety immensely in the area, taxis and 'drop-offs' are causing a lot

  • Modern art need not be pretentious

    IN response to your article on the worth of modern art, in particular reference to the Bolton Institutes Art Degrees. My friend has just completed his foundation art course there and as part of that took part in the exhibition. His work was based on modern

  • Bolton's mixed fortunes

    THE Bolton Association pulled off a superb victory over the Northern League yesterday in the semi-finals of the MEN Lancashire Knockout writes Peter Mensforth But the hopes of an all-Bolton final ended when the League were surprisingly beaten by 24 runs

  • Greenmount win blows title chase wide open

    TONGE produced the right type of form just when they needed to put the Bolton League championship chase back in the balance. They came within an ace of toppling Walkden in a tense affair at Castle Hill while leaders Horwich were comprehensively beaten

  • School strike chaos angers parents

    ANGRY parents have condemned the "last minute" closure of Bolton schools as a result of strike action by local government workers. Some headteachers have taken the decision to shut their schools on Wednesday as the nationwide strike will leave them without

  • Swimmers on song

    BOLTON Metro Swim squad were on top form recently when 45 members competed in the City of Chester Designated Meet at Wigan's 50mol. Their combined effort gained the squad the accolade of top club and things are looking good for the forthcoming National

  • Results

    Seven Stars (LL): A Tunnah (Brown Cow) or D Williams (Brown Cow); Winner v S Crompton (Levers Alone); S Gough (Black Horse) v CC Brooks (Levers Alone). Churchills (T1): S Riley (Stalkers) or P Cain (Levers Alone); Winner v D Brabin (Levers Alone); P Green

  • Wanderers' all-stars face Boro

    FORMER Wanderers favourite David Felgate will be out to stop Jay Jay Okocha tomorrow night as Sam Allardyce takes a full squad to Radcliffe Borough. Bolton are expected to field all three of their close season signings, Okocha, Delroy Facey and Bulent

  • LIghtning strike late

    A MASTERFUL 78 by veteran David Byas laid the foundations for struggling Lancashire Lightning to gain only their second Norwich Union League Division Two success of the season with a nail-biting one-wicket win against Derbyshire Scorpions at Blackpool

  • BEN OPINION: Too little notice

    SCHOOL arrangements can prove complicated for working parents these days, and sudden changes cause real difficulties. So, many parents will not be happy today after receiving notice only on Friday that schools would close on Wednesday. The closures result

  • School wins money for childcare

    SCORES of extra childcare places are to be created in Tyldesley after a cash windfall. St John's CE Primary School, Tyldesley, is one of 10 childcare providers across the borough which will share a grant of £250,000 from the New Opportunities Fund. The

  • Man in court on blast charge

    A MAN accused of causing an explosion in Bolton town centre will appear again at Bolton Crown Court in six weeks. Stephen Paul Davies, aged 46, of Breightmet Drive, Breightmet, appeared in court yesterday but the case was adjourned until August 23. Mr

  • New toy library is launched

    BURY Council's libraries service is among the first in the country to launch a new toy library. Recent research into the benefits of play have revealed its positive effects on children's educational development. It found that children who are given educational

  • Youth's terror attack on boy

    A YOUTH robbed a 14-year-old boy just weeks after he had been released from custody for a similar offence. Aaron Booth, aged 17, grabbed 14-year-old in a supermarket car park, forcing him him against a wall with his arm across his throat. As he demanded

  • Fire station visit for new recruits

    A GROUP of young Bolton people have set out on a new scheme aimed at boosting personal skills and confidence. The Prince's Trust Volunteer Scheme, run in conjunction with Greater Manchester Fire Service and Bolton Wanderers, has taken on its first 17

  • Pupils give hope to Belarus children

    A TEENAGER from Belarus has been on a diplomatic mission to Westhoughton -- and has returned home with a message of hope for her friends. Galina Hess, aged 18, visited Westhoughton High School to tell pupils about how her country was left devastated by

  • Out of Africa -- Bolton's rare fish

    A RARE fish listed as "critically endangered" in the Commonwealth country of its origin is thriving in a new home . . . in Bolton. The town's aquarium is thought to be the only one in the country now displaying a collection of this particular endangered

  • Medal joy for Suez vet after 48 years

    A SERVICE medal may soon be awarded to a Suez veteran from Bolton -- 48 years after the crisis ended. Charles Golder is among "the forgotten" veterans of the 1951-54 Suez Canal campaign who looks likely to be rewarded for the role he played. MPs have

  • War on hate attacks takes to the streets

    AN officer dedicated to fighting race hate attacks on minority groups will soon be patrolling the streets of Little Hulton and Walkden. A Hate Crime Co-ordinator, employed by Salford Council, who will go out onto the streets to find out about problems

  • Chuck that phone

    ANYONE fed up with their mobile phone is invited to take part in the Mobile Phone hurling championship. The event is taking place on Wednesday between 11 am and noon at the Trafford Athletic Club, Longford Park, Manchester. A top of the range mobile phone

  • Eyesore's £100,000 facelift

    A TERRACED house has been transformed into a home for the whole community where residents will help build a brighter future. What was once a crumbling eyesore on a street in Farnworth has been renovated at a cost of £100,000 to create an Urban Care Centre

  • West bid hit by wage demands

    WANDERERS hopes of signing Taribo West seem to be floundering due to the Nigerian World Cup stars huge wage demands writes Richard Mulligan Although Sam Allardyce has splashed the cash to attract high paid aces Youri Djorkaeff and Jay Jay Okocha to the

  • Youth club dream is a reality

    THE welcome could have been warmer when Jeremy Glover visited Bolton for the first time in the early 1970s. Huddersfield, his home-town team, was beaten by Wanderers at Burnden Park and some of the thuggish Bolton fans of the time chased him along Manchester

  • Leigh wrestlers make Games squad

    TWO wrestlers from Leigh have been included in a seven-strong Team England wrestling squad that is hoping for Commonwealth Games medal success. The squad includes medallists at Victoria 1994, the last Games to feature the sport including John Melling,

  • Games tickets selling for double price

    TICKETS for the Commonwealth Games are changing hands for more than double their face value, it has emerged. Dozens of people are offering tickets for some of the most popular sporting events on an internet auction website. Bids are being taken for seats

  • Champion show from Hinnigan

    NICK Hinnigan, the BSF Tennis League's title holder in the Men's Singles, entertained the large body of spectators with a hard-hitting performance in a second round Men's Doubles match. He was partnered by his South College team mate, Dave Gartside, against

  • Time to get real by KAREN STEPHEN

    REALITY TV. Good or bad? According to the ratings, the public love some like Big Brother but don't care too much for others like Survivor. But what are these programmes actually telling the nation's youth? Is the message that it's okay to behave exactly

  • Isherwood helps destroys bogey team

    Leigh Centurions 52, Whitehaven 24 by Mike Hulme BOGEY team Whitehaven again threatened to put the skids under Leigh's NFP title challenge until the Centurions got their act together after half time. Having beaten Leigh twice already this season, Whitehaven

  • Canal cruiser blaze drama

    A FIBRE-glass pleasure cruiser sank after being set alight by arsonists on the Bridgewater Canal at 12.30am today. Firefighters were forced to seek assistance from the water incident unit at Eccles in order to reach the burning boat, which was stranded

  • Shakers boss is no quitter

    BURY boss Andy Preece says he will not be hanging up his boots for another couple of years writes Chris Hall The 35-year-old striker is preparing to embark on his fifth season at Gigg Lane and the 16th of his professional career, while also juggling the

  • Wanderers' all-stars face Boro

    FORMER Wanderers favourite David Felgate will be out to stop Jay Jay Okocha tomorrow night as Sam Allardyce takes a full squad to Radcliffe Borough. Bolton are expected to field all three of their close season signings, Okocha, Delroy Facey and Bulent

  • Firm's pledge after pupil's ordeal

    A SCHOOLGIRL'S ordeal when she suffered burns from poison plants has led to free access to a professional health and safety database for all Bolton schools. Canon Slade School pupil Rachael Mangnall, aged 12, injured her arms and legs after coming into

  • December 19, 2001: Town flies the flag for Games

    A HUGE banner has been put up to tell everyone that the Commonwealth Games is coming to town. The 15 metres by 6 metres purple and yellow sign was unveiled by two men who hope to taste glory in next summer's sports extravaganza. Top badminton players

  • Schools compete in Games

    BOLTON RUFC in conjunction with Bolton School organised rugby tens competitions for the year seven and eights of the secondary schools in Bolton. The competitions were backed by the Commonwealth Community Fund to help promote the Commonwealth Games, each

  • Chance to show the world our town at its very best

    IN spite of the thousands who sang their hearts out in Bolton's Victoria Square on Sunday for a special Songs of Praise programme, it is debateable whether the Commonwealth Games will attract this kind of support writes Angela Kelly What is indisputable

  • Anger over factory noise

    Petition from residents kept awake at night RESIDENTS claim they are being kept awake by the constant drone of hi-tech machinery installed inside a paper factory. Homeowners say they have had sleepless nights over the last month and are blaming machinery

  • Police team up with ethnic kids

    YOUNGSTERS from different ethnic backgrounds in Oldham are teaming with police to improve community relations. The Oldham Youth Together Group is made up of Greater Manchester Police, the police authority, Oldham Council and local voluntary groups. Young

  • Night to remember at £5m club

    IT was a night to be proud for members of the Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club. Not only were many getting their first glimpse of the club's new state-of-the-art, £5 million headquarters, they were also celebrating the achievements of the young men and women

  • Margaret fights on for fairer deal

    WORRYING figures show that living in Bolton increases the risks of having a mental illness by 20 per cent. Bolton Council and health bosses have vowed to plough more than £3 million into improving mental health services in the town. GAYLE EVANS talks

  • What to do in Bolton on...

    Tuesday BOLTON METRO COMMUNITY CENTRES For further information or to book a room please call 01204 334300 BLACKROD COMMUNITY CENTRE, Greenbarn Way, off Vicarage Road, Blackrod, BL6 5TA The centre houses a main hall with a stage and a side lounge. Other

  • Don't rush

    HAVING read the letter from Simon Panter (May 9) about the investigations into the alleged food poisoning at a Farnworth shop. I felt I must tell him that the Inspectors of Health would not be wise to rush their work, as it is best for all concerned in

  • There is treatment

    GEORGE Harrison's family is understandably concerned about the reported discharge from hospital of the man who attacked him. But while schizophrenia is a serious illness, it can be treated successfully. Unfortunately, such is the public stigma attached

  • Breaking the stigma of mental health

    IHANKS very much for such an informative piece regarding the state of Bolton's mental health. However,we were quite saddened to see that no mention was made of the excellent work conducted by the local mental health voluntary agencies, all of whom work

  • Next Archbishop will need insight for problems

    By Michael Williams, Vicar of Bolton Parish Church IT seems more than likely that the new Archbishop of Canterbury will be Dr Rowan Williams, who is currently the Archbishop of Wales. I do not agree with all his views, but I do think that he would be

  • Euro ideas are wishful thinking

    REGARDING the euro and business, Chris Davies MEP claims in his recently-published letter that by joining the common currency we can put an end to many worries about exchange rate differences and manufacturers will be able to plan for the future. This

  • Farnworth's bad start, then it gets worse!

    FARNWORTH'S innings began disastrously at Westhoughton when they found themselves three wickets down with only five runs on the board. Yet two good partnerships improved their score to a respectable 142 but it still was not good enough to earn them a

  • Grace in touching tribute to lost sister

    A PENSIONER sheds a tear as she is finally given a chance to say goodbye to the little sister she lost 62 years ago. Grace Baker, aged 74, had searched for years to find the grave of Hetty Dye, who died in 1940, aged 10. They had both been brought up

  • Shop worker kidnapped by armed raider

    A TERRIFIED shop assistant was kidnapped by an armed robber as she locked up her off-licence in Prestwich. The 30-year-old was starting her car after closing the Bargain Booze store on Bury New Road when a man in a balaclava pulled open the front passenger

  • Firm's pledge after pupil's ordeal

    A SCHOOLGIRL'S ordeal when she suffered burns from poison plants has led to free access to a professional health and safety database for all Bolton schools. Canon Slade School pupil Rachael Mangnall, aged 12, injured her arms and legs after coming into

  • Town centre office flooded

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to help out after a flood at a town centre office early today. A leak in the ladies toilets led to the flood in Churchgate House in Princess Street. The fire crew stopped the leak within minutes at 5.30am and spent almost three

  • Derelict church blaze

    A DERELICT church was left heavily smoked-logged after a fire in the doorway. All Souls Church in Halliwell, which has a special protection order on it because of the building's ornate roof, only suffered minor damage in the fire which is believed to

  • Rehabilitation order

    A MAN who was convicted of stealing a microwave oven has been given a six month's community rehabilitation order. Bury magistrates heard that Michael Sloan, was stopped carrying the ovenon Bury Market. Two security guards who knew Sloa n became suspicious

  • Arson attack at church

    THE vestry of a church was destroyed after being set alight by arsonists. The building, which is connected to St Stephen's Church in Astley, was gutted by the blaze which happened at 2.30am yesterday. The rest of the church in Manchester Road was smoke-logged

  • Boy hurt in car park collision

    A BOY aged seven was recovering in hospital today after suffering a head injury when he was involved in a collision with a car. The boy, from Bolton, was injured in the incident with a Vauxhall Astra on the car park of the Crofter's Arms public house

  • The £2.6m Flying Squad

    THE war on crime is being waged high above Bolton. Greater Manchester Police has taken delivery of a £2.6 million BN 4000 Defender fixed-wing aircraft. It will be stationed at Manchester Airport and will be used by the force alongside its helicopter.

  • Missing wallet riddle of kitchen blaze victim

    THE family of a disabled man who died in a kitchen fire are questioning why his wallet has never been found. Alexander O'Gorman, aged 53, died on December 22 after a fire at his flat in Cross Street, Bolton. But at a Bolton inquest his family questioned

  • £21,000 drug raid: Man was 'just visiting his friend'

    A JAMAICAN man caught up in a raid claimed he had just been visiting his friend and had not been involved in selling hard drugs on the streets of Bolton. Barrington Laguerre denied that his friend Kennard McKenzie had brought him to the town specifically

  • Newspaper team show they are well informed

    NEWSHOUNDS at Westhoughton High School have been presented with an award for their top class school newspaper. The Informer has been the school's official publication for two years, and is now even on the Internet. Pupils Michael Wilkinson, Chay Brooks

  • Free TV channels pair out of jail

    TWO businessmen who came up with a device which allowed thousands of people to view extra BSkyB television channels without paying have been freed after top judges cut their jail terms. Steven Parr-Moore and Julian Crumblehulme used websites to advertise

  • MP put through his paces with Marines

    BOLTON MP David Crausby went through a gruelling training programme to find out what it's like to be in the Royal Marines. The Labour politician is a member of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme and one of his tasks was tackling a special assault course

  • Locals turn back the clock

    YOUNG and old celebrated their area's history when they rolled out the barrel for a Victorian Fun Day in Egerton Park. Hundreds gathered in blazing sunshine for this year's spectacular two-day party organised by the Egerton and Eagley Heritage Society

  • Summer days on a windswept hill

    THOSE sultry, simmering summer days . . . the photograph above could have come straight from the tropics. But it was shot on a windswept hilltop in Bolton. And now the steamy savannah scene has won a top prize for the young Bolton photographer who created

  • League defeat ends dream final hopes

    THE Bolton Association pulled off a superb victory over the Northern League yesterday in the semi-finals of the MEN Lancashire Knockout writes Peter Mensforth But the hopes of an all-Bolton final ended when the League were surprisingly beaten by 24 runs

  • Anthony hints at title bid

    THE Bolton Sports Federation tennis championships got under way over the weekend with some excellent opening matches. Outstanding in the second round of the boys singles was Anthony Nolan, who is back in Bolton from his Florida base. He gave a hint of

  • In-form Jackson goes so close to fell success

    ROB Jackson continued his recent great form as he finished second in the 62nd Annual James Blackley Fell Race at Holmfirth. The three mile, 600ft ascent course saw Rob finish just 17 seconds behind the local club's fell international Mark Buckingham (

  • Sloppy Lions must lose Waite

    WORST defeat ever. If those words do not spell the end for David Waite then he must rank as the luckiest boss in sporting history. When the RFL made the shock announcement to install an Aussie in charge of the Great Britain team, the fact that it came

  • Dion's rescue act blows title chase wide open

    TONGE produced the right type of form just when they needed to put the Bolton League championship chase back in the balance. They came within an ace of toppling Walkden in a tense affair at Castle Hill while leaders Horwich were comprehensively beaten

  • 200 get bugs patting the dog

    MORE than 200 people struck down with food poisoning in Bolton last year could have contracted the bug by simply stroking their pet dogs. Victims of the strain of food poisoning, campylobacter, suffer symptoms ranging from severe stomach upsets to paralysis

  • February 7, 2002 - Town ready to stage musical extravaganza

    TOP international stars look set to visit Bolton next summer for a major musical event in one of the town's parks. An open air concert starring well-known artists is being pencilled in for next June or July as a tie-in to the Commonwealth Games. It is

  • Zulu Warriors head this way

    CHILDREN orphaned by the Aids epidemic in Africa are coming to Bolton as part of the town's efforts to embrace the Commonwealth community during the big Games. A festival of music and dance will be brought to the town by a native dance troupe. The Young

  • Town welcomes New Zealand link-up

    NEW ZEALAND flags fluttered in Victoria Square and hundreds of red, white and blue balloons danced in the air. Dozens of children held a party on the town hall steps yesterday to mark the creation of a new bond of friendship between Bolton and its old

  • Salford cements links with South Africa

    DELEGATES from the Republic of South Africa High Commission visited Salford to help with Salford's preparations for the Games. Council bosses at Salford thought the South African link was an unmissable opportunity to showcase the city and are also encouraging

  • Immersed in a sub's plight

    Sub talFAR off the coast, in the perilous waters of the Norwegian Sea, every submariner's nightmare comes true. The USS Tulsa lies stranded at the bottom of the ocean: her crew alive, her pressure hull still miraculously intact... but with the clock ticking

  • Cockle fishing under threat

    A EURO MP has said the region's cockle fishing industry is in danger of collapse because of over-stringent rules from the Foods Standards Agency. Sir Robert Atkins, MEP for North-west England, said a Southport-based cockle processor was under threat.

  • Council's green champions praised

    COUNCIL staff from across Greater Manchester have been hailed as "green champions" by Environment Minister Michael Meacher. Mr Meacher was taking part in the first 2002 Recycling Awards at the Lowry Hotel, which aim to encourage a "recycling culture".

  • Tourist attacked by gang of 10

    A GERMAN tourist has needed hospital treatment after he was attacked in Greater Manchester. The 18-year-old, who was visiting Manchester for a two-week holiday, was approached by up to 10 youths in Archer Park in Middleton. They punched and kicked the

  • Gourmet Freud on the menu

    SIR CLEMENT Freud has been tempted to make a culinary comeback at a luxurious lakeside hotel in Windermere. The former restaurateur, journalist and politician has agreed to prepare a feast for Miller Howe Hotel guests. Sir Clement is due to stay at the

  • Homes cheaper for teachers

    HOUSING has become more affordable for teachers in the North-west since 1992, despite national fears of a widening house price gap, it has been claimed. The average property in the region now costs about 2.68 times a teacher's salary, down from 3.06 times

  • The weather now arriving is . . . 1,000 years old!

    WIMBLEDON eventually took on a wet look, the Queen's Golden Jubilee bank holiday was a bit on the damp side and gardeners' allotments have been well and truly waterlogged. But if everything goes to plan, there will hardly be a drop of drizzle during the

  • Girl critical after

    Girl dies after theme park fall Theme park fall girl dies A 15-year-old girl from Nelson, Lancashire, has died in hospital after falling from a theme park Ferris wheel in Cheshire. The girl, who had Down's Syndrome, fell 30ft from the wheel at Gulliver's

  • Chief defends crime figures

    BOLTON'S highest ranking police officer is confident that the town's rising tide of crime has peaked -- and that the crime rate will soon start to fall. Speaking after Home Office figures revealed increases in the number of robberies, violent attacks

  • Games tickets selling for double price

    TICKETS for the Commonwealth Games are changing hands for more than double their face value, it has emerged. Dozens of people are offering tickets for some of the most popular sporting events on an internet auction website. Bids are being taken for seats

  • Policeman backs airgun laws

    A POLICEMAN has thrown his support behind a campaign to change airgun laws after being sickened by the number of animals left for dead by snipers. Bolton police wildlife liaison officer, Sgt Jim Nisbet, has joined the Bolton Evening News in supporting

  • Single post test

    A CONTROVERSIAL pilot scheme abolishing the second post began in east Manchester and St Helens in Merseyside today. The areas are two of 14 selected postcode areas to receive only one delivery per day as part of a shake up to cut more than £1billion of

  • Top two pacesetters keep their distance

    THE top two sides in the Bolton Association continued their push for the league title with wins on Saturday. Leaders Walshaw recorded yet another victory - their seventh in 14 games - but Atherton continued to push the holders who are aiming for their