As the 'new guy' on The Bolton Blog, I'd just like to take this opportunity to say hello to all the fellow bloggers and the visitors to the site. I'm a little bit 'creatively constipated' at the moment after a tiring day at the office, so I have very
I have to say from the outset that I do not have an issue with Ruth Kelly sending her children to a private School, many of us also choose to. The difference between her and the rest of us is we were not the former Education Minister. As the Education
I hate it when a TV show looks dire, and I decide not to watch it... only to find later it wasn't quite and actually warm to it. This happened with Ugly Betty. The first few trails - the teaser ones of about a minute - put me right off, weeks before
Police are appealing for relatives in Rochdale to contact them following the death of a 76-year-old man. Leeds Coroners' office are appealing for relatives of Michael Burbridge, who died at home in Fairfax Road, Beeston, on January 2 to get in touch
SECRET cameras installed at two recycling centres caught Christmas fly-tippers red-handed. CCTV was installed at recycling centres in Atherton and Lowton over the festive period to crack down on fly-tipping. Environmental chiefs are now trawling through
WANDERERS chairman Phil Gartside wants the Football Association to take a closer look at comments made by Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez before the two clubs met on New Year's Day. Gartside was angered by reports prior to the game in which the Anfield boss
SAM Allardyce wants to evoke the spirit of 1994 when his side travels to meet Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Wanderers were drawn against the Gunners for the third consecutive year - but it was a magical night nearly 13 years ago which has
AN MP has demanded a review of a legal case after a bus driver who filmed himself raping a schoolboy had his sentence cut. Paul O'Brien, aged 41, of Tonge Moor, was jailed indefinitely after admitting a catalogue of sexual offences against the boy, aged
DETECTIVES hunting the killers of a father who was found battered to death in his home are working with Czech Republic police. Two suspects are thought to have fled to their native Czech Republic from a flat in Derby Street in which they were living.
As a non-driver you get used to hanging around waiting for a bus or a train, but at least one almost always eventually arrives. Standing on Westhoughton station this morning waiting for the 8.08am to Wigan, to catch a train on to Warrington, was extremely
A PARK in Little Hulton is at the forefront of a New Year crackdown on mini moto motorbikes. Peel Park is one of a number of named hotspots in Salford to be tackled by police in a renewed clampdown on off-road bikes. Together with Salford City Council
FOOTBALLING heroes from the past are preparing for a night of memories and memorabilia at the Reebok Stadium. The event, An Audience with Soccer Legends 2007, at the stadium's Premiere Suite on March 29, features some of the game's greats. Staged in
Our friendly Reader Travel staff are busy organising a wide variety of top class concerts for you to choose from. The sensational Scissor Sisters (sold out in the UK) in Paris is just one of our great offers. Check it out HERE.
A woman was robbed as she walked her dog in Wigan. The 59-year-old woman was walking along Marsh Green on Saturday at about 8.30pm when a group of eight youths approached her. The group followed the woman for a short time before one of the boys
WORKERS are putting their health at risk by not finding enough time to keep fit and cancelling doctors' appointments because of the UK's long hours culture, according to a new report. A survey of 2,500 workers by insurance firm More Than showed that
A BOLTON-based finance expert has been instrumental in a BAFTA Award-winning video game developer's buyout of its smaller North-west rival. Cowgill Holloway, based in Chorley New Road, Bolton, advised Knutsford-based Traveller's Tales on its acquisition
A packaging specialist from Worsley has landed a major contract with one of the UK's leading safety products. Kettering-based CO Detector Company will use Virtuweld, a product made by Mister Blister, to package its Spot CO carbon monoxide detector.
THERE are just six weeks to go before the charity event of the year kicks off in glittering style. The Bolton News' Red and White Ball will be held at the Platinum Suite of the Reebok Stadium on Friday, February 16. Tickets are selling fast, with companies
AN amateur theatre company has decided to give disadvantaged children a night to remember. The cast and committee of this year's Farnworth Performing Arts Company pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, have decided to give free tickets to needy and vulnerable
HUNDREDS of people in Bury are tackling their stress with the help of an interactive website. "Oh What A Relief" was set up in June last year to help local people recognise common mental health problems and to cope with the thoughts and feelings associated
UNION chiefs in Bolton have condemned a leaked Government report that says there will be national shortage of doctors and nurses in four years' time. The report also claimed cash-strapped hospitals will have to shed doctors as there will be an extra
A TERRIFIED woman fled from her home barefoot and in pyjamas after her husband told her he was going to slit her throat. Bolton Magistrate Court heard how Wayne Warburton was taking medication after being diagnosed with a heart condition and combined
PHOENIX Theatre Company return to the stage with another classic Bolton comedy, Bill Naughton's All In Good Time. The production runs from Wednesday to Saturday, January 17 to 20, at Chorley Old Road Methodist Church. With sensitivity and warmth, Naughton's
PATRICIA Highsmith's psychological thriller Strangers On A Train is the next production from Farnworth Little Theatre. Highsmith's book was developed, with help from detective fiction writer Raymond Chandler, into Alfred Hitchcock's 1951 classic film
cast members of Trinity Players' Cinderella are ready for the panto to begin. Director Terry Bowden said: "There is something magical about panto and I have loved doing every one. "This year's is no different. We have really gone to town on the gadgets
A NURSING home which became a target for arsonists has been demolished. The former Brynheys residential care home, in Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton, was gutted when yobs set it alight for the fifth time in as many weeks. Firefighters spent eight hours
TYLDESLEY Little Theatre has always felt that the cold, dark, windy and rainy nights of January and February lend themselves perfectly to atmospheric drama. And so it is ready to present J B Priestley's period classic Dangerous Corner. The intense
WE understand the wish of every parent to ensure their child receives the best education possible. We also believe it was right that Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly was named as the Government member who has sent one of her children to a private school. As
I READ the story about the magpie at Heaton Cemetery in The Bolton News and felt I had to write and tell you about my experience. On November 22, I went to Overdale Crematorium to put some flowers on my father's memorial stone for his birthday. It was
THE reports (December 28) that the Royal Bolton Hospital has fallen £200,000 into debt, and that the accident and emergency department in November had once again missed its target of seeing 98 per cent of patients within four hours is depressing news.
HOUSEHOLDERS could be charged for not recycling under Local Government Association plans announced yesterday. New figures show the UK produces more landfill than any other country in the European Union. Announcing a War on Waste campaign, Paul Bettison
I RECENTLY paid one of my regular visits to the Central Library, where I was invited to a demonstration on how to "DIY" my books using a computer. I declined! I would like to think that some of the library's income will be used to keep some human assistants
AT the beginning of a new year, and as the new chairman of Bolton Hospice, I should like to take the opportunity of thanking the many volunteers and friends of Bolton Hospice for their support throughout 2006. We are fortunate to have more than 500
Manchester Phoenix have announced that the outstanding home fixture re-arrangement has now been agreed. Having already agreed re-arranged dates with Hull, Belfast and Coventry, the one remaining home bmibaby Elite League fixture against the Edinburgh
IN reply to the letters regarding speed limits on the A6 from Mrs J Theaker, D Guest and C Bates (The Bolton News, January 4). Nobody wants accidents. We all have a duty of care when out on the roads. The A6 is one of several main arteries in and out
DOMINIC Conway, a manager with Bolton Community Homes, commenting on the council homes' waiting list crisis in The Bolton News (January 4) says: "Social housing was traditionally seen as being for people without jobs." I was born to parents who lived
A BBC news item broadcast on three occasions before Christmas gave a misleading impression to prostitutes that if they come to Bolton, they will be welcome and police will leave them alone. I would be grateful if you would allow me to state the current
Police in Leigh are appealing for witnesses after an armed robbery at a cash and carry in Astley. Four men entered Country Basket on Chaddock Lane and threatened staff, demanding cash, at teatime last night. One of the offenders was holding a knife
A TEENAGER who lost control of a car as it was being pursued by police, killing a passenger, has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Tyrone O'Connor, aged 18, was driving a Ford Sierra Sapphire in Dicconson Lane, Westhoughton, when
AFTER dancing her way to the top, a star of stage and screen is looking to teach others to follow in her footsteps. Casey Lee Jolleys - known to millions for her role as Fred Elliott's Thai bride, Orchid in Coronation Street - has applied to open a dance
A WOMAN set fire to her police cell because she was "bored", magistrates have heard. Mother-of-two Sara Atcha was arrested on New Years' Eve for failing to attend court and was put into a police cell. While there she covered the door's observation panel
THESE four Bolton men are on the run - and police are appealing for help in tracking them down. Police released the pictures yesterday and Sgt Kevin Lister said: "If you know these men, turn them in." The men include two violent thugs, a drug dealer
Ruth Kelly's political career has been high-flying - but far from smooth. After winning the Tory marginal of Bolton West at the 1997 general election, she rose quickly through the Labour ranks. In December, 2004, she was appointed Education Secretary
DYSLEXIA used to be called the hidden handicap - but not any more. In the bad old days dyslexia wasn't recognised in most schools and pupils who had difficulties with words and numbers or who were disorganised were often labelled failures. Consequently
PUPILS who lag behind national standards are to be given one-to-one tuition to help them catch up, Education Secretary Alan Johnson announced yesterday. A £6 million, two-year pilot will see under-achievers given up to 20 hours of personal tutoring in
RUTH Kelly's decision to enrol her son at a £15,000-a-year private school has been criticised by local party colleagues and political opponents. The Bolton West MP and mother-of-four has withdrawn her son who has substantial learning difficulties, believed
COMMUNITIES Secretary Ruth Kelly has strongly defended her decision to send her son to a £15,000-a-year private school for pupils with learning difficulties. Ms Kelly said she had taken her son out of the state sector after receiving "professional advice
DR Who fans will not need a Tardis to get to a Convention in March - they will only have to trek a few miles to Darwen. The event will be held at Darwen Cricket Club and will be attended by several well known Dr Who stars, including Sophie Aldred, who
POP diva Beyonce claims it keeps her famous waist trim. And film starlet Charlize Theron swears by it to get in shape for Hollywood blockbusters. Now adults across Bolton are getting in a twirl as one of the most popular crazes from the 1950s - the
TWO men have been remanded in custody after appearing at court charged with robbery at a train station. Paul Benson, aged 25, of no fixed abode, and Shane Scally, aged 25, of Station Road, Atherton, are accused of robbery at the booking office at Atherton
A MAN who drove through three red lights while over the drink drive limit has been banned from driving for two years. Bolton magistrates heard how police spotted Christopher Berry driving a VW Golf car at the junction of Trinity Street and Newport Street
IT was business as usual at Bolton Crown Court yesterday - despite a collapsed wall after a bus ploughed into the court steps. A single-decker Arriva bus crashed through a bollard on the pavement, hit a disabled ramp and came to a halt on the steps on
