ANGELA Kelly takes a personal look at the week in cyberspace in Bolton:
Saturday showed an unlikely possible change of use for the now-closed Atlantis nightclub: into a church. Bolton Pentecostal Church is now so successful that it needs much bigger premises for its regular worship and for the various services it provides in the community. It's also looking at two local supermarket sites but, when congregations seem to be dwindling everywhere else, it's great to see a church doing so well. And its music-based, joyful services seem to appeal to many young people - another plus for any church these days.
Monday revealed how, one year on, the killer of frail 88 year-old Phyllis Mayoh is still at large. She died after a brutal attack at her home in Rosamund Street, Daubhill when she disturbed a sneak thief. Some low-life out there has this on his conscience and, almost worse, other people know more than they are prepared to say to help the police.
On a brighter note, the young parents who visit schools to help cut teenage pregnancies were featured. At least two of the parents in the excellent group Bolton Realistic Advice Teenage Support (BRATS) became pregnant while still at school, and so can get across the reality of the situation far better than stern adult words and lectures ever would.
Tuesday gave the shocking news that the Bolton accent may soon disappear! Language experts claim that movement of people around the country is threatening local accents, especially those like Bolton's and in parts of Yorkshire, the North-east and the Midlands. We could all, instead, use a general Northern accent, which would be a great shame. Areas are distinguished by their local culture, of which accent and language are an important part. Keep it wi' nowt taken owt, say I.
The success of chart-topping band McFly has brought a business boost for a Bolton hairdresser. Cathy Jones is the mum of band member Danny Jones. She still cuts his hair, but the band's hit song Five Colours In Her Hair has prompted a flood of girls wanting to have just that done to their locks. Hope McFly don't record "Big Pantie Woman" - the mind boggles!
Wednesday had baseball caps banned by landlords of pubs and bars in Bolton town centre because, when the peak is pulled down, criminals cannot be identified on CCTV. So, some landlords are either banning the caps or getting revellers to "pose" on camera without their hats before allowing them in. It's a pity that it has come to this because baseball caps are the uniform of the young these days. Unfortunately, yobs have hijacked them for their own ends, and cameras must be left to help keep the law unhindered.
Thursday had the news that the Reebok will stage six open-air concerts this summer, bringing joy to local music fans - and a sudden upsurge in the sale of earplugs to Lostock and Horwich residents. Chart favourites Sugababes are among the headliners along with blues veteran Jools Holland, West End star Michael Ball and '80s pop stars T'pau. The plans are the culimination of 10 months of planning by stadium managers who want to turn it into one of the region's premier entertainment venues. Tickets don't sound too pricy, either, so there's plenty going in the Reebok's favour here - best of luck to all concerned.
And, just to show that charity events don't have to be po-faced, there's a wonderful story about saucy Vix, a buxom blonde who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. She's found a unique way to raise cash - along with male temperatures - by showing off her assets. Her website has not only had nearly 4.4 million hits (that's HITS) since it started, but the information links to it provide a great way of getting people to understand this debilitating illness.
Friday had the worrying news for fans of curries and other ethnic favourites that nine out of 10 such local restaurants voluntarily checked by environmental health inspectors were potential health risks. Now, owners of the worst could be asked to attend hygiene workshops, and places that don't clean up their act face closure. A lack of formal training is being blamed, but obviously action is needed straight away.
Bad news for fans of our local countryside: Liverpool wants to pinch the popular landmark Liverpool Castle, overlooking Lower Rivington Reservoir. As the original castle is long gone, Liverpudlians think ours would help their celebrations for the city's European Capital of Culture year in 2008. Hands off, you Scousers! You'll be pinching the Pike next!
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