THE silence of Premiership footballers to referee Graham Poll's claim that they practise diving in training is a little disconcerting. If he is right, it is the biggest indictment possible of our national game. Poll says the blight of diving is one of
CHAIRMAN Phil Gartside says Bolton Wanderers are now regarded as a model club by the rest of the Premiership -- and rightly so. Being given little money to spend on players might make Sam Allardyce's job a heck of a lot harder. But there is no denying
WIGAN threequarter Martin Aspinwall is facing a race against time to be fit for the Powergen Challenge Cup final in Cardiff on May 15. The 22-year-old, who has been an ever-present so far this season, pulled a hamstring in the Warriors' 30-18 semi-final
LEIGH RMI Phil Starbuck insists that he is still looking forward to next season despite a dreadful campaign. Starbuck is keen to build on the club's potential and believes RMI will bounce back Starbuck said: "There is a lot going on. People are working
PLEASE may I reply to the letter sent in by Mrs Lenihan - "Get something going for the young people in Farnworth". I am writing from The Sycamore Project, the registered charity which operates Zac's Youth Bar on Market Street in Farnworth. We are presently
A WOMAN was raped by a man who said he was going to help her hail a taxi following a night out. The attacker and his 37-year-old victim then shared a cab before she got out at her home, leaving him in the car. Earlier the woman had been with her husband
A GROUP of volunteers have done a bit of spring cleaning in the name of Bin It For Bolton. Around 10 residents from the Salvation Army Citadel in St George's Road spent several hours cleaning up the surrounding area. They filled more than 20 bin bags
A MOTHER has called for a controversial TV show to be banned after her son was seriously injured leaping over a fire. Joe Armstrong, aged 10, suffered serious burns to his chest and thighs when he was engulfed in flames in the prank which was being filmed
CHRISTELLE Collins walked into Bolton town hall on Wednesday a South African and left a loyal British subject. She was one of a group of 13 different nationalities who took part in Bolton's first American-style citizenship ceremony. Each stood before
THESE planning applications have been received by Bolton Council. BOLTON/TURTON 67489/04 - Mr D Bond, 546 Chorley Old Road. Conversion of vacant floor above launderette to form living accommodation with storage and door at the rear. 67490/04 - Asda Stores
POLICE have implemented four search warrants in Greater Manchester as part of ongoing anti-terror inquiries. Magistrates on Tuesday night allowed detectives more time to question nine men and one woman held since dawn raids on Monday. The Home Office
MORE than 20 illegal immigrants arrested in a major crackdown on the activities of gangmasters are to be deported. They were among a group of 25 people from Eastern Europe detained in dawn raids on Tuesday. One of the remaining two is due before magistrates
BOLTON Sinfonietta will be flying high for their next concert -- which carries a bird theme. The evening, at Bolton School Arts' Centre this Saturday, begins with Vaughan Williams' musical interpretation of The Lark Ascending, played by violinist and
Results: Team Cup KO: winners Boardwalkers, runners up Jackie's Girls, semi finalists KG's Girls and Kath's Girls. 171 & Over: P Boardman (3); F Melody, D Tong (1). 131 & Over: P Boardman (6); F Melody, S Green (4); K Owen (3); S Colgan, M Gorman
FREEDOM Ladies, pictured, won the Bolton Rounders League Champion of Champions Tournament with a seven run defeat of Willow Ladies in the final at Westhoughton CC. Willows batted first with a 25 start and struggled to hit 75 runs. They lost four batters
MATURE bailiffs are required at Bradshaw Hall Fisheries. Call 01204 307197 for more details.
BOLTON Anglers Association will hold the Godfrey Arthur Memorial Match on Bolton Canal on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3. The draw will take place at 10am, with fishing from 11am until 4pm. Bloodworm and Joker bait are barred.
BOLTON'S top young boxers picked up 11 medals against top European opposition at an international tournament in the town. More than 200 boxers from Denmark, Scotland, Ireland and England took part in the Bolton Box Cup at the Lads and Girls Club, in Spa
RE the new Gateway to Bolton? I can think of only one adjective - daft. It puts me in mind of a humped-back caterpillar with stomach ache - hence the arched back. Who dreamt this one up? Mrs Audrey Panter Bolton born and bred Cumbria
IN the north wall of the cutting that carries the Blackpool line out of Bolton, there is what appears to be an iron pillar, surmounted by a length of iron girder, embedded in the stones of the wall. Can any knowledgeable railway buff tell me anything
I WAS very shocked to hear that Bolton Council are about to build a steel, overhead girder over the railway bridge on Newport Street. It is supposed to be costing around £2.6m pounds. The council says it will improve the rundown area. I couldn't believe
ON Monday, April 1, my granddaughter was on her way to Canon Slade School. While on Junction Road, Lostock, she began to feel extremely ill and telephoned for help. A passing lady motorist, seeing her distress, pulled up and gave Emma the warmth and comfort
PETER Granger ("Insecurity has replaced Saddam's Tyranny", April 10), like many other liberal commentators, does not look the situation in Iraq in the face. The War on Iraq is an old-fashioned colonial war using the kinds of pretext which would be familiar
AS a resident of Hall i'th' Wood Estate, and one of those being charged the sum of £2.80 a week for the European-funded CCTV system fitted in late 2002, I would like to ask Bolton MBC and, more importantly, those standing for the local elections this
A REFERENDUM on the new EU constitution will give Britain a chance to drain the poison spread for too long through the lies and distortions of the eurosceptics. It will in effect be a referendum on whether Britain is to play its part in making the policies
I WRITE in support of the letter in the Bolton Evening News on April 7 by Mr J Turner. I agree many people believe teachers work very few hours for the pay they receive. I expect most of them spent Easter in their second homes in France or Spain. Meanwhile
Photographers on the Bolton Evening News used to be fascinated by men working. Our files are full of images which could not have been all that interesting when they were published - but the passage of time gives them a historical perspective. Pictures
1500: Navigator Pedro Alvarez Cabral discovered Brazil and claimed it on behalf of Portugal. 1838: The British packet steamer Sirius became the first steamship to cross the Atlantic to New York from England. The journey took 18 days and 10 hours. 1870
From the Evening News: April 22, 1904:AN exciting scene was witnessed on the White Star liner Majestic in mid-ocean. One of the steerage passengers suddenly developed insanity and, after running about with a razor in his hands, cut his throat, but, it
LANCASHIRE'S seam attack produced an impressive performance as defending champions Sussex were bowled out for 195 on the first day at Hove. Dominic Cork and Sajid Mahmood led the way with three wickets each as the Sussex innings lasted only 56 overs.
WANDERERS Reserves drew 0-0 against Middlesbrough at Billingham on Wednesday night. Boro fielded eight of their FA Youth Cup winners, but hardly tested Donovan Ricketts in the Wanderers goal. The best chance of the night fell to Ricardo Vaz Te, but the
BOLTON Wanderers have crowned a woman who has helped improve the lives of Farnworth's teenagers as their latest community champion. Charmaine Townsley, of Kennilworth Road, Hindley Green, was selected by a panel of judges from the football club, the Bolton
PEOPLE who missed out on raising money for sick pets in the London Marathon are being urged to give their time to help in other ways. PET charity PDSA is looking for volunteers. The organisation needs helpers in a variety of roles, from shop assistants
A BANDSTAND at Middlebrook could soon become a takeaway. The bandstand, situated close to the Reebok Stadium, is rarely used for music and owners Orbit Investments have applied for planning permission to convert it. The exact use has not been specified
AMSTERDAM has topped the poll as Walkden's favourite European city. The poll, which was carried out by pub retailer Spirit Group, found that 45 per cent of pubgoers voted the Dutch capital as their favourite. Madrid came second with 11 per cent and Paris
DESPITE Bolton's giving birth to household names such as Peter Kay and Sara Cox, whispers in the corridors of Blackpool Tower and Circus say there is no talent in the town. And why? Because their call for talent to come forward prompted interest from
ALL roadside telephones, overhead electronic signals and message signs on the M60 between junctions five and eight are being disconnected. They will remain disconnected for at least two-and-a-half years during work to widen the motorway. The CCTV system
A TEENAGE girl who sparked a police hunt has turned up safe and well. Leah Holland, aged 14, who had been missing for nine days, returned to her family home in Fairfield Road, New Bury, on Wednesday morning. She had not been in contact with her family
NEW vehicle barriers have been installed to stop off-road hooligans in the Hindsford and Atherton areas. One has been placed behind Clarence Street at Hindsford following residents' complaints about menacing riders, 4 x 4 drivers and fly-tippers on the
TOWN councillors have pledged to support an environmental regeneration project by awarding a £12,500 grant. Environmentalists have been transforming neglected Hall Lee Brook into haven for wildlife and hope to re-introduce new flora and fauna to the area
YOUNGSTERS in Westhoughton will see their winning garden designs become reality. As part of the town's inaugural Westhoughton in Bloom competition, pupils at Westhoughton High School are being invited to create a garden for the whole town to enjoy. The
RESIDENTS of a Salvation Army hostel are joining in the Bolton Evening News campaign to clean up Bolton. They have decided to tackle an area around the Salvation Army Citadel in St George's Road which is littered with rubbish and bottles. Around 10 volunteers
FRIENDS are being sought for Bolton Museum and Art Gallery. Being a friend means a variety of trips to country houses and gardens throughout the year, as well as free, all-year admission to Smithills Hall and Hall i'th' Wood museum. Invitations to exhibition
A FORMER community worker who promoted the employment of ethnic minority workers has died. Dennis Eckersley, of Mornington Road, Bolton, died in the Royal Bolton Hospital on Tuesday, April 6, after a short illness. He was 73 years old. A research scientist
TRAINEE electrician Catherine Harper showed girl power is alive and well by making it to the final of a regional industry apprentice awards. Catherine, from Bolton Community College, is in the final four of the Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester
BOLTON Sinfonietta will be flying high for their next concert -- which carries a bird theme. The evening, at Bolton School Arts' Centre this Saturday, begins with Vaughan Williams' musical interpretation of The Lark Ascending, played by violinist and
SAINT George may have killed the dragon but he appears not to have won his way into the hearts of many people in Bolton. For only a handful of devoted patriots will be celebrating St George's Day in Bolton on Friday - determined that the Patron Saint's
A MYSTERY bidder is celebrating buying his very own nuclear bunker. The buyer, who does not want to be identified, paid £12,500 for the concrete underground shelter in an auction at Manchester Airport. And he said he had bought the Cold War relic in the
IT is a stunning landmark, well-known and popular with walkers and countryside lovers. But the full-size replica ruin of Liverpool Castle which overlooks Lower Rivington Reservoir in Horwich is in danger - because the Liverpudlians want to pinch it. Merseysiders
THREE Labour MPs who have called on the Government to renew its efforts to ban foxhunting have been branded "ridiculous and out of touch" by the Countryside Alliance. Bolton North-east MP Brian Iddon, Worsley MP Terry Lewis and David Crausby MP, for Bolton
EXCLUSIVE by Gordon Sharrock: WANDERERS are preparing to pull off the most sensational signing in their 127-year history with an audacious swoop for Rivaldo -- the former European and World Footballer of the Year. The 32-year-old Brazilian World Cup winner
IN Division Three of the Bury Ladies League, there were away wins for Limefield 185-122, against Tottington A, and for All Saints A over Kings XI. These two, along with Walshaw Ladies, are setting the early season pace with two wins from two matches.
SNOOKER cannot stand idly by and allow the disgraceful behaviour of two players at the Embassy World Snooker Championships to go unpunished. The jibes and fighting talk exchanged by Australia's Quinten Hann and England's Andy Hicks in their first round
YOUNGSTERS in Westhoughton will see their winning garden designs become reality. As part of the town's inaugural Westhoughton in Bloom competition, pupils at Westhoughton High School are being invited to create a garden for the whole town to enjoy. The
RESEARCH shows cancer patients living in the North-west have a slightly less chance of survival than patients living in the South. The Office of National Statistics studied patients diagnosed with different types of cancer between 1994 and 1996. The figures
LEIGH Harriers athletes have been in outstanding form. Peter Riley ran the second fastest time of the year in the Salford 10k, finishing second in a national ranking time of 29.36. Scott Hughes ran 31.46 for eighth place and Sarah Caine ran a personal
VICTIMS of crashes on Bolton's roads are to be given an information pack offering them support and advice. Greater Manchester Police has joined forces with the RAC for the initiative. From yesterday, a "Collision Care Pack", sponsored by RAC Legal Services
CRIME in an area of Bolton once branded the town's red light district slumped by a third as a result of having a mobile police station located there. In the five months the Copshop was placed in The Haulgh, crime fell by 31 per cent. There were 73 arrests
A PUBLIC meeting held by mail regulators Postwatch to discuss the Bolton area's postal services was attended by just five people. Despite the widespread support for last year's Bolton Evening News campaign to save 14 post offices from closure, that strength
RELIEF is on the way for Bury bus drivers and passengers who have got the "hump" over speed bumps. Transport bosses are giving £8,000 towards the cost of replacing speed humps in Market Street, Haymarket Street, and Silver Street, where they were installed
MORE than a quarter of a million of us now grow our own vegetables on our own little plot of land, according to government figures. And young, often professional, men and women are the fastest-growing group of allotment gardeners. Deborah Burn, development
A NOSTALGIC show featuring organist Phil Kelsall and his world famous Wurlitzer will be held at Blackpool Tower to mark his 30th season at the resort. Mr Kelsall's annual Gala Show will be on Sunday, May 9, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Blackpool
BOLTON Wanderers mascot Lofty the Lion will open a dog show at the Moses Gate Country Park in Farnworth this Sunday. The show, in aid of pet charity the PDSA, starts on Sunday, from 11am to 4pm and will see winners of Best Veteran and Puppy, Loveliest
COMEDIAN Peter Kay has been named the second-funniest comedian in Britain. The Bolton comic polled 29 per cent of the votes in a survey by men's magazine Nuts. But his rival, Ricky Gervais, narrowly beat him with 31 per cent. The pair are seen as the
A BOLTON shopping centre which has been hit by closures has received a boost - with new shops opening up. St Andrews Court, next to the Pack Horse pub and opposite Crompton Place, was struggling in comparison to other areas of the town centre. But over
MICK Booth is fast emerging as a serious contender to serial winner Bob Fearnhead in the Doe Hey matches. The pair have been head to head in the last two matches, with Booth holding the slight advantage. He won the Wednesday Open with 5lb 3oz, with Fearnhead
A WORD of advice to those who wish to protect us from naughty words in the theatre - this world is full of such words, but we can choose to listen or not to listen. I find it offensive when Blair and his puppets are ranting on with half-truths, much more
I HAVE just watched the second part of Dig with Dibnah and it is surely a classic - The Last of the Summer Wine with the addition of brain, skill, determination and imagination. It is supremely entertaining, but also factual and educational. I met Fred
FURTHER to Mrs Cahill's letter (Mon, April 19). No wonder she's confused, because we appear to have different rules in the south of the borough. My dilemma is the green wheelie bin for garden refuse. Now that the mowing season is upon us, I received the
THE CONSERVATIVE Party has demanded an early poll following Tony Blair's spectacular U-turn in favour of a referendum on the proposed EU constitution. This U-turn is a victory for the British people and there is no reason why a vote should not take place
I REFER to the letter dated April 17 from A Morgan, "Back the winning side". Obviously, Mr Morgan's weight loss has affected his grey matter. The winning team he refers to is, I suppose, the one we had for 18 years which gave us three million unemployed
GOBSMACKED is the best way to describe the way I felt after reading about the 51-year-old woman teacher who has been awarded compensation of £92,500 from her local authority. This payment was made because the teacher has been left partially disabled after
GREAT news for Bolton Town Centre! Over the last few months the recently appointed centre manager and the owners of Crompton Place, the Gates and St Andrew's Court have been looking closely at the future development of St Andrew's Court. Although it has
St George's Day, National day of England. 1349: Edward III founded the Order of the Garter. 1564: William Shakespeare, English playwright, poet and actor, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. He died on the same date in 1616. 1661: Charles II was crowned
A HEADMASTER has hired a night security guard after vandals smashed 73 windows and scrawled graffiti across walls. Oldhams Primary School chief Peter Fenton has employed the guard from his school budget after youths caused £10,000 worth of damage when
TAEKWONDO champion Amarpal Singh is earmarking the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as his major target. And the Tyldesley fighter has a double chance of achieving his aim. Amarpal has dual nationality for Britain and Canada, and could qualify for either country
LAST seen on a tropical island after clearing out her husband's bank account, Gloria Pollard has turned up in Bolton. Actress Janice McKenzie who as Gloria in popular TV soap, Emmerdale left under some very black clouds, is in town rehearsing for a very
THE Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Cliff Morris, officially opened Bolton's first Samaritans shop. The shop, on Bury Road, Breightmet, will raise funds for the charity to offer a listening ear to desperate people.
A NOSTALGIC show featuring organist Phil Kelsall and his world famous Wurlitzer will be held at Blackpool Tower to mark his 30th season at the resort. Mr Kelsall's annual Gala Show will be on Sunday, May 9, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Blackpool
BOLTON Primary Care Trust serves 276,000 people. Its budget for the coming year is £280 million, with around £100 million going to the Royal Bolton Hospital. Ashton, Wigan and Leigh - the biggest primary care trust in the region - serves 310,000 people
NORTHERN students are more likely to choose their university based on its social prospects than its prospectus, according to new research. Students in the North like to party and are the least likely to spend any time alone. They are also the least worried
A 15-YEAR-OLD pupil has gained A grades in three A-level modules one year early. Tom Alldred, who attends Bridgewater Independent School, Worsley, took three AS level modules in Physics and Maths, gaining straight A grades. Tom, from Worsley, sat the
STEVE Sergeant took the honours when Westhoughton's White Lion Angling Club travelled to Cheshire for the Walter Forshaws Demolition Trophy. Sergeant weighed in with 15lb 8oz to take first prize in the competition, held at Meadow View, in Lymm. The match
BOLTON Wanderers mascot Lofty the Lion will open a dog show at the Moses Gate Country Park in Farnworth this Sunday. The show, in aid of pet charity the PDSA, starts on Sunday, from 11am to 4pm and will see winners of Best Veteran and Puppy, Loveliest
COMEDIAN Peter Kay has been named the second-funniest comedian in Britain. The Bolton comic polled 29 per cent of the votes in a survey by men's magazine Nuts. But his rival, Ricky Gervais, narrowly beat him with 31 per cent. The pair are seen as the
SWIMMING was cancelled for hundreds of Farnworth youngsters when a pool was closed for two days. Many parents turned up with their children at Farnworth pool, Brackley Street, on Tuesday, to find a sign saying the large pool was closed until further notice
DONORS in the Bolton area are being sought to help boost stocks of blood. Every day, hospitals across the North-west need 1,500 pints of blood to treat accident and emergency patients, as well as treating people with conditions such as cancer and those
A BOLTON shopping centre which has been hit by closures has received a boost - with new shops opening up. St Andrews Court, next to the Pack Horse pub and opposite Crompton Place, was struggling in comparison to other areas of the town centre. But over
BOLTON Wanderers have crowned a woman who has helped improve the lives of Farnworth's teenagers as their latest community champion. Charmaine Townsley, of Kennilworth Road, Hindley Green, was selected by a panel of judges from the football club, the Bolton
YOUR guide to local events BOLTON MUSEUM, ART GALLERY & AQUARIUM, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. Tel: 332211. www.boltonmuseums.org.uk Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Admission free. Bolton Aquarium There are fantastic fish on display from all over
MOVES to introduce general election style "all-out" ballots to elect town hall bosses are set to be opposed by Bolton's political leaders. Councillors in each of the three political parties are backing a motion calling for the Electoral Commission's proposal
JAY-JAY Okocha has put Wanderers in pole position in the race for his signature -- but says he cannot rule out a move to another club. The Reebok skipper, whose contract expires in the summer, is ready to open talks on a new contract. He is happy with
AS a general rule, multi-millionaires approaching their 60th birthday don't take kindly to being branded football hooligans. Lifelong Manchester United fan Fred Done still has not forgotten the incident this time last year when he jumped out of his seat
