IT'S been an eventful 2018 and here we look back at the biggest stories of the year.

In the first part of our review we look back at some of the stories making the headlines from January to August. See tomorrow for the biggest stories from the second half of the year.

JANUARY

“My super Ted is the happiest child ever” – At just two years old this brave toddler has survived a brain tumour and now battles cancer. He has also lost sight in his right eye. Leanne Waring, mother of Ted, said: “Teds amazing attitude and strength keeps us positive for the future. He has always got a smile on his face. As soon as he hears music he can’t help but dance along. He is the happiest child ever despite what he is going through.”

CHIRPY: Mum Leanne Waring described her son Ted as the happiest child aliveCHIRPY: Mum Leanne Waring described her son Ted as the happiest child alive

“A night I won’t forget” – Dr Jarratt, a doctor from the Royal Bolton Hospital who cared for those wounded in the Manchester Arena attack recalls the horrific night. He said: “It was quite hard because they suffered significant psychological effects. There were people who had lost relatives and people who did not know what had happened to their relatives at that stage.” His own daughter had planned on attending the concert that night but there was a mix up with tickets.

“Meet Bolton’s first new arrivals of 2018!” – Mums have welcomed their bundles of joy into the world at the Royal Bolton Hospital Princess Ann maternity unit. Halle May Conway was the first baby to be born in 2018 at the hospital just 11 minutes after midnight. Other new arrivals included Chester Reign, who was born at 4.10am, and Stephanie Ezenwilo, who was born at 7.11am.

FEBRUARY

“Our biggest challenge” – Steve Parkin says keeping the Wanderers in the Championship would rank as one of the biggest achievements of his footballing career. He said: “To achieve it here, with all we’ve been through, would be something very special.” At nearly two at the Macron Stadium, filled with boardroom uncertainty and financial problems, Parkin feels the club would be able to build next season if they can get over the finishing line.

PC Mohammed Nadeem who jumped into freezing cold water to save a man.PC Mohammed Nadeem who jumped into freezing cold water to save a man.

“Hero police officer in river rescue” – Police officer, Mohammed Nadeem, jumped eight feet into fast moving, freezing waters to save a man from drowning. He responded to a radio call reporting concerns for the welfare of a man at the River Irwell. The brave officer was able to grab hold of the man and drag him out of the water before being treated by paramedics and taken to hospital. Admittedly he is not a great swimmer and was taken to Fairfield hospital where he was treated for hypothermia.

“Llama wedding venue names best in the region” – A wedding venue famous for its bow-tie wearing Llamas has been named the best in the North West. Wellbeing Farm in Edgworth received the Bridebook Wedding Award 2018, which is presented to the top venue in the region. The four-year-old business has also been named among the best by London Evening Standard. A statement from Bridebook said “With its unique bow tie wearing llamas, authentic barn wedding venue, its own cookery school, family butchers, and stunning views, the farm offers a very unique wedding experience.”

MARCH

Elizabeth Newman with her Inspirational Woman of the Year awardElizabeth Newman with her Inspirational Woman of the Year award

“The doctors told her she would never walk again – but now Octagon director Elizabeth Newman will take part in 10K run to support theatre”. At 16 she was told by doctors she would never walk again. But now the theatres artistic director is training for the Greater Manchester 10K run. Elizabeth hopes to raise £5,000 for the theatres £10m regeneration project. She said: “I had to go back to being a baby. I learnt to walk again from rolling on my belly, pushing up, crawling. It was horrible.” Elizabeth was named Bolton’s Woman of the Year at the third annual Inspirational Women of Bolton Awards last year.

“We all burst into tears and I was quite frozen” – Bolton filmmaker, Julie Foy, won an Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards. Her short-film The Silent Child, about a profoundly deaf child, took home the Best Live Action award. Before production began Julie and her team, Rebecca Harris and Danny Ormerod, had to appeal to raise £10,000. Nine months later production could finally go ahead in early 2017. Julie is proud to raise awareness about the deaf community and bring hope to other filmmakers saying ‘if we can do it so can you’.

 

“Female police staff are paid less than males”. Female police staff at Greater Manchester Police are paid on average 11.85 percent less than their male colleagues – according to a new report published this week. However, women were shown to take home better bonuses outstripping their male colleges by 59.36 percent. Assistant chief officer, Lynne Potts said: “The gender pay gap for police officers reflects the fact that there are currently less women than men in senior roles. We are working hard to promote equal opportunities for all staff.”

APRIL

“Miracle escape” – A driver has a ‘miraculous’ escape after his car veered off the motorway and rolled down an embankment. The vehicle was left with extensive damage and had to be made safe by firefighters. According to Greater Manchester Polices Traffic Twitter account, the driver may want to consider buying a lottery ticket after this lucky escape. The crash caused two lanes of the motorway to be closed and the man involved in the incident was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital with only minor injuries.

“I’m back! When he came on the crowd went mad” – Peter Kay made a sensational return to the spotlight with an unexpected appearance at a screening of his award-winning sitcom Car Share. It was his first appearance since cancelling his first live tour in eight years. Fans expressed their delight bursting into a huge round of applause. Fan Shelley Aspin said: “Everybody was clapping and cheering. I wanted to cry, I was so happy to see him.” Peter thanked everyone for supporting the Lily Foundation and told the crowd to ‘enjoy the last episode of Car Share."

“Ella and Jonathan take up roles as Youth MPs” – Two of the brightest hopes for the future of Bolton have been elected as Youth MPs. They came top of the list against 10 candidates from schools across Bolton. After months of campaigning Ella Tinniswood, 13, from Westhoughton, and Jonathan Owen, 15, from Hall i’th’ Wood secured 3,095 and 3,091 votes. Their new roles will include finding out the concerns, interests and needs of other young people in Bolton. This will be discussed at local, regional and national levels.

MAY

“One year without our Olivia” – Olivia Campbell-Hardy died in the arena attack one year ago. Her mother Charlotte Hodgson said that the year has been filled with tears but also happiness. Olivia was just 15 years old and one of two people from Bury, the other was John Atkinson, 28, to be killed. Mrs Hodgson and her partner got married in honour of Olivia as this was a wish of hers. Her funeral took place on June 20 in Tottington and was attended by hundreds of people.

“We picked big day first” – A couple from Westhoughton shared their big day with the royal couple. Peter and Joanne Hulme were married in Wigan as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot in Windsor. Mrs Hulme said they changed it all to reflect the royal wedding, stocking up on flags, bunting and Harry and Meghan face masks for their guests. The tables were even renamed after royal places and castles. She was thrilled with how the day went saying “she never wanted it to end.”

JUNE

“Pitching for GB”- A young baseball star from Horwich will be representing his country in Europe after he was selected for the national team. Travis Harfield, 11, flew out to Budapest and Hungary yesterday to compete in the European championships as part of Great Britain’s under 12 team. Having previously lived in Vancouver Island, Canada, he took up the sport at seven years old and quickly sought out the closest baseball team after moving to Horwich.

“Football club loses its equipment in ninth fire” – A football club has suffered a ninth fire in the space of seven months, which has destroyed thousands of pounds worth of equipment. Arsonists set fire to the pitch at the Bromley Cross football club. The first report was at the beginning on June reporting four fires since Christmas. Paul Barton, a coach at the club, said: “The shame of it all is that the pitch is never going to be played on ever again.

“We need to have a debate on cannabis” – Calls for the legislation of cannabis have been cautiously welcomed by a Bolton MP who has been supporting legalisation for medicinal use. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South East, said: “I think there’s no argument about cannabis oil and medicinal use, that should be brought in as soon as possible.” Her views on recreational use differ as she believes that alcohol and cigarettes cause enough damage with cigarettes causing cancer and alcohol leading to crime.