Archive
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Magpies need the points
AFTER being foiled by the weather in their efforts to secure their first Unibond League double of the season at Lincoln on Saturday, Chorley take on Stocksbridge Park Steels at Victory Park this Saturday. Stocksbridge, who are based in South Yorkshire
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Tories held this Bolton seat for years
WITH reference to 'Your Views' of November 10, may I point out factual errors made by two of your most prolific contributors. I must point out to George K Brown that his beloved BEN lost its local roots many years ago and is now published by an American-owned
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When my world was turned upside down...
JANUARY 5, 1999, is a day I will never forget. It was the day that I was diagnosed with T-cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, cancer of the lymph glands. I was 14 years old. Until then I had always been fit and well and taken good health for granted. My world
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Road works ahead and it's about time!
THANK you BEN for your interesting article today (Nov 13) concerning the disruption that has been caused on Bolton's roads recently due to major repairs and refurbishment, especially to St Peter's Way. It seems to me that the large amount of disruption
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Fraudsters plead guilty
FIVE men were due to be sentenced this week for their part in a multi-million pound case of fraudulent trading which was rife throughout Lancashire. At least several Preston firms fell prey to the scam. The sentencing was due to take place at Leeds Crown
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Lucky to be alive
A WOMAN motorist is lucky to be alive after her vehicle was hit by a flying rock as she drove to work. Shocked Gill Ellis, aged 34, from Brinscall, was driving along Blackburn Road towards Botany Bay at 9.15am on Tuesday when a lorry full of rubble went
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Super rats: it's a myth
SUPER rats? Gnaw way! The head of Chorley Borough Council's environmental services has dismissed reports that rats are becoming immune to conventional poisons. And he rubbished claims that a growing number are set to overwhelm the area this winter. A
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View from the house
With MP Lindsey Hoyle The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, delivered his pre-Budget report to the House of Commons last Wednesday announcing a package of measures for pensioners, schools, families and fuel duty. The chancellor had tried to satisfy
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Man charged over taxi driver death
A 21-year-old Bury man appeared in court today (Thurs) accused of murdering taxi driver Tariq Javed. Mark Anthony Baker, of Hazel Avenue, is also charged with robbing Mr Javed on November 9. He appeared before Bury magistrates this morning, flanked by
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My word!
ALTHOUGH kids love computers there's still plenty of room in the family fun for board games. And Vocabulon is one that increases their word power as well as their knowledge. It's the best-selling word game from France, now lauched here in association
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Festive fish
WHEN we think of warming dishes during these chilly days we tend to think of meat. But, do give fish a chance to cheer up appetites -- it's really versatile stuff. Take this recipe for Cullen Skink, for example, from Saxby's the pastry firm. It's just
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Eagles beat the weather
ONLY one game survived the weather in the Chorley Nissan Sunday Football League -- Adlington Nomads played hosts to Eagle FC on The Jubilee Playing Fields, Adlington and lost 2-1. Both teams tried to play football on a pitch which steadily deteriorated
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Panthers juniors in top form
CHORLEY Panthers Junior RLFC chalked up some excellent performances on Sunday with only the under 9s team disappointing. Panthers u7 16 Ince St. Williams 32 The Chorley youngsters put up a brave performance against a strong visiting side from Wigan. Early
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David's firm talk
ONE of the members, David Haywood, talked about his software training business Micro-Tutor at the last meeting of the Bury Business Club. PC Andy Wright of Bury Police spoke on Crime and the Security of Business Premises, referring to the Business Security
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Tiny van man thinks big
BUSINESSMAN John Hughes is finding that his tiny van is attracting attention as he goes around Bolton. He believes he is the only man in town to use one of the Italian-made Piaggio vehicles. It has a 50 cc engine, does 90 miles to the gallon and needs
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Design group course
THE Design and Mechanical Technology subject group at Bolton Institute is launching a new undergraduate course which makes use of the latest computer tools. The BEng (Hons) in Computer Aided Engineering (CAD) is intended for students wanting to follow
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Lawyers get investors award
A BOLTON law firm is celebrating achieving the prestigious Investors in People award for excellent employee development. The 18-strong team at Colin Rayner & Co is now reaping the rewards at newly-refurbished and expanded offices in Astley Bridge.
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Disabled People Initiative records job successes
NEARLY 450 local people are working full-time, thanks to the Bolton New Deal for Disabled People. The government pilot scheme began operations from Acresfield House, Exchange Street, two years ago and goes from strength to strength. It was originally
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Travelling man Geoff jets off into the sunset...
WOULD-BE footballer Geoff Bromilow went to university and qualified as a mechanical engineer. Success in life came later, however, when he took a big chance with an entirely unrelated business venture. He spent more than 20 years developing the Aquasun
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Smaller businesses get help to cope with growing market
A PIONEERING scheme -- backed by the European Regional Development Fund -- is helping Bolton businesses tackle a growing tourism market. The Bolton Better Tourism Business Initiative recognises that many small and medium-sized enterprises in this sector
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MP's air traffic rebellion
BURY North MP David Chaytor joined a 37-strong rebellion against his own Government last night to vote against proposals to part privatise Britain's Air Traffic Control system. Worsley Labour MP Terry Lewis, who had intended to join the revolt, did not
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Copter crash campaigners meet minister
CAMPAIGNERS have met with Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon to urge him to reopen the inquiry into a helicopter crash in which a high-ranking Bolton soldier died. Major Anthony Robert Hornby was among 29 people killed when an RAF Chinook crashed into the fog-shrouded
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Be a pal and help the lonely
FRIENDS are in demand to help the lonely in the Leigh area. Wigan Council has launched a befriending scheme and is calling for people with time on their hands to offer regular companionship to those who find themselves isolated from mainstream society
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Workers' tributes to gas blast man
A MAN is still fighting for his life today after a gas explosion left him with 50 per cent burns. Albert Heys, of Allenby Grove, Westhoughton, was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital on Tuesday after the blast at Livesey Court flats, Mill Hill, Blackburn
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Former mayor suffers stroke
FORMER mayor Ralph Snape, 71, is recovering at home following a mini-stroke -- just a day after returning from London where he proudly joined the official Remembrance Day tributes. Stalwart borough councillor Ralph, who represents West ward as an independent
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Churches cash in on Christmas
A FAIR old time was had by Adlington folk at the weekend. At a busy Christmas fair at the United Reformed church, Railway Road, Adlington on Saturday afternoon, volunteers from both Adlington Methodist and Adlington URC raised a heavenly £1700 for church
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Hydrotherapy arrives at Total Fitness in Walkden
THE Total Fitness Health Club at The Ellesmere Centre in Walkden has opened its new extension, which considerably enhances the existing facilities by providing a unique hydrotherapy area. The new facilities, including a rejuvenation/therapy pool, sauna
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Older people have fear of becoming ill
AS health and social services agencies across the country gear up for winter, older people themselves have been speaking about their feelings for the months ahead. More than a third fear going into a hospital which is having difficulty coping amid the
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SOCCER: RMI defend Cup switch
RMI officials have defended their decision to switch Leigh's glamour FA Cup tie with Millwall from Hilton Park to south London. They are adamant that their major consideration in giving up home advantage was 'safety and security' and not making a financial
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WARNING: It doesn't matter how luxurious or basic your home is -- check that insurance
WITH the devastation caused to thousands of homes across the country in recent weeks, Age Concern is highlighting the fact that ONE in FIVE households in the UK do not have home contents insurance. One of the reasons for this is the fact that many home
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'Help needed to feed the five hundred'
EACH week more than 500 older people come together in community venues across the borough to share a meal and some leisure time, thanks to Age Concern's network of lunch and leisure clubs. Sylvia Jones, the charity's Development Officer, oversees this
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At this time of year make sure your car is in good order
BE PREPARED! That's the timely advice to older drivers from Age Concern in the run-up to winter driving. With the unusually high rainfall and some earlier than anticipated snowfall already experienced throughout the North West region, the advice to take
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You don't have to be rich to make a will
MAKING a will is one of the most important things you will ever do to protect your family. So why do we put off making our wills? We all know we should make one, but few of us do statistics suggest that only about a third of people who ought to have a
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Jim gets his due - at last
AN ex-Japanese prisoner of war from Chorley has saluted the Government for handing out £10,000 compensation payments to survivors and their widows. Jim Hodson, aged 81, was just 22 when he was captured in Singapore in 1942 while serving with the Reconnaissance
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Smithills joining the elite
MEMBERS of a school band will be rolling in brass thanks to an unprecedented invite to a premier music festival. The teenagers from Smithills School Senior Brass Band have become the first young musicians invited to take part in an annual event normally
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Salvation Army's battle for base
BATTLING members of the Salvation Army are fighting to save their Tyldesley headquarters. The Salvation Army members have called in the movement's UK leader to challenge a decision to condemn their Lime Street base. This week they enlisted the help of
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Singing for supper
SINGING students had to sing for their supper -- or at least a roof over their heads -- on a trip to America. The Canon Slade School choir stayed in a mission for the homeless in New York. In a deal struck before they arrived, the youngsters agrred to
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Actor's heroic role lands award
Jack Marsden: 'I had to do something' A TV cop is set to be honoured by the real-life boys in blue after he rescued a woman who was being attacked. Jack Marsden, who spent months filming in Bolton for the Bafta award-winning series Cops, will be presented
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Have you fallen for a conman?
DO YOU remember screaming in frustration at Deirdre in Coronation Street as she fell for conman John Lindsay? The storyline seemed unbelievable to many people who found it implausible that the usually intelligent character could be fooled by a man who
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Don't miss this charity Yule Fair
CHOOSING the perfect Christmas gift for a favourite friend, grandparent or other relative can be a real and costly headache. But don't despair -- help is at hand. Age Concern will be hosting the ever-popular Christmas Fair at the charity's Ashburner Street
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Let's have more of Gordon's taxes
I AM amazed at the claim of leading Tories, namely Mr Hague and Mr Portillo and Mr Maude, that so-called New Labour stealth taxes are costing the average British family hundreds of pounds each year. Will these families please step forward and identify
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A Week In Westminster by Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South-east
CAMPAIGNING is what Politics is all about, and I noted some criticism of my campaigning activities on these pages recently. Ever since I was elected to Parliament I have campaigned for better pensions, even a return to the indexing of pensions to average
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Better to be taxed by 'stealth'?
READING the many letters on this page concerning the high cost of fuel, it becomes apparent that there are two major camps with minor varying offshoots. On one side we have the 'exiled' Conservatives, who can see no good in anything that this Government
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Town centre hospital is what we really need
DURING recent weeks, three items in the BEN have caught my attention. Firstly, the Muslims' concern for their children's safety -- hence application is made for a new mosque. Congratulations to them for their concern. Secondly, a new station planned for
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Pause to reflect
CHORLEY wore its poppies with pride at the weekend, as the borough paused to remember its war dead. Rockets were fired from Chorley Town Hall on Saturday at 11am to mark Armistice Day. And sombre tributes to the fallen of the two world wars and other
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Where are all our war memorials?
A CALL has gone out for Chorley folk to rally round and reveal where the town's war memorials are located. The appeal from Chorley Civic Society follows last week's article in the Citizen which featured the special memorial in Anderton CP School, Babylon
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Balloons go all way to Holland
CHORLEY Help The Homeless has had its coffers inflated by more than £500 after a charity balloon race held in Summer. The results of the race have just come through and staff at the charity were amazed at how far their efforts to raise funds stretched
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Fifty years of fund-raising
A charity which started life as a 'penny a week' fund, this year celebrates 50 years of fund-raising. Chorley Hospital's League of Friends has raised a whopping £250,000 since its humble beginnings. And to celebrate its birthday and achievements, the
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Fire strikes ride of terror
FIRE struck at Charnock Richard's Camelot theme park as one of the main attractions went up in smoke. The facade of the 80-foot-high Tower of Terror was destroyed in minutes as flames engulfed the polyurethane foam castle. The ride -- which was being
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Too late for GI's reunion
A FORMER American airman's search for a long lost wartime friend has ended in sadness. Jacob Elias, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, contacted the Citizen to ask if we could help trace Betty Forshaw who he met when he was stationed in Chorley during the war
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Miss-print
MAKE clothes fun and funky this winter -- invest in a bit of early Christmas "wrapping"! If you need a smart top that can double for party-time or just socialising, here's one pretty idea. It's a print georgette blouse that comes in pink and grey and
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Drink with friends
LOOKING for a present for a fan of TV's Friends? Here's just the job .... a Friends' coffee cup and saucer gift set, just like Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Ross, Joey and Chandler enjoy at that famous New York coffeehouse Central Perk. It comes with two side
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Welcome home
HOME accessories go trendy these days -- with warm, welcoming colours and patterns. Echo these in items like photo frames and candlesticks, with the help of this range of good-value items from TK Maxx stores which are currently up to 60 per cent less
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KELLY'S EYE: Slim-screen TV
TERRIBLE news -- I'm too fat for television! I realised this astounding fact recently when I was rubbing shoulders with the Coronation Street cast. All right, I'm just name-dropping, but I enjoyed writing that. The occasion was actually the launch of
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Rain stops play
NO games were played in the Chorley and District Faulkner Motors Alliance Football League on Saturday due to waterlogged pitches. Fixtures for this Saturday: Chorley Social Club v Clayton Brook; Eagle v White Horse; Euxton Saints v Market Tavern; Gregson
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David is in the money
COPPULL kart Racer David Eastham is to be sponsored by the Manufacturing and Science Union's Blackpool and Flyde branch in this year's 125cc British and Regional Championships. Dave raced his way to three wins earlier in the year and finished 13th in
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Blackwell hat-trick
Brookfields ... 3 Leyland Foxes II ... 0 BROOKS registered a fine win in this local derby which, as usual, was an aggressive encounter of two teams desperate to win thanks largely to an excellent hat-trick from Jane Blackwell. Brooks were in control of
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BT move
BT has launched a leaflet campaign aimed at customers who have switched their telephones to cable companies such as NTL and Telewest. The company claims their bills would come down if they subscribed to the BT Together package.
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Chorley's late slip
Lostock RUFC 10, Chorley 10 CHORLEY led until five minutes from the end of this dour Lancs North Division Two encounter and should have won, but having failed to turn the lion's share of possession and positional advantage into points, they then conspired
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CBI signals gloom
THE North-west's manufacturing industry has deteriorated significantly, it is claimed. The latest Regional Trends Survey from the CBI shows that overall business confidence and export optimism have dropped more rapidly here than any other UK region. Orders
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Work and pensions tax warning
PEOPLE who take early retirement and find other jobs while drawing their pensions may receive unexpected extra tax bills from the Inland Revenue. The warning comes from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. ACCA accountants say they have
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Schoolgirl hurt
A TEENAGE girl suffered bruising in a car accident as she walked to school. Sixth former Vicky Uttley was slightly injured following the collision outside Rivington and Blackrod School at 8.30am yesterday. A spokesman for Lancashire police confirmed the
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Woman slashed in robbery bid
A WOMAN cashier was bundled into an office, slashed across the face with a screwdriver and pushed to the floor during a bungled robbery last night. The 39-year-old woman was confronted by four men who forced a rear fire door at the Elf Service Station
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Appeal boost
FRIENDS of a motorcyclist killed when he crashed in remote countryside have boosted a rescue helicopter appeal by £1,225. Family and friends of accident victim Michael Spencer, from Astley Moss, near Leigh, presented a cheque to the air ambulance fund
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Anglers' air gun fear
FISHING fanatics have become the target of gun-toting and stone-throwing thugs. Anglers using the Doe Hey reservoirs, off Harper Green Road, Farnworth, say they have been targeted by youngsters with air rifles. And they claim to have also been pelted
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Sam moves in on Cameroon star
SAM Allardyce is preparing to make a move to sign Cameroon international Pierre Njanka. The Strasbourg centre-half has been at the Reebok on trial this week and the Wanderers' boss likes what he sees. "He looks quite good," the manager confirmed. "We'll
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When Jean met Dinky
ACTRESS Jean Alexander -- aka Auntie Wainwright in Last of the Summer Wine -- caused a stir in Lancashire. She was in Chorley to visit the new RSPCA charity shop, which works closely with Preston's RSPCA shop, at 66 Market Street. A crowd gathered as
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A hero's welcome
CHORLEY'S Olympians received a hero's welcome at the Town Hall this week. Cyclist Jason Queally and equestrian Jeanette Brakewell were guests of honour at a civic reception, hosted by Mayor Councillor Tom McGowan, to celebrate their achievements. Jason
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Is your life like a soap?
Remember Coronation Street's Deirdre Rashid-Barlow when she fell for the charms and highly credible lies of conman John Lindsay? Well, if a similar thing has happened to you, Clayton-le-Woods-based college lecturer Christine Kirkham is eager to hear your
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RUGBY LEAGUE: Leigh lose tribunal battle
LEIGH Centurions have lost their battle to hang on to rising stars Stuart Donlan and Mick Higham. A specially convened arbitration panel meet in Leeds yesterday before ruling that the pair could sign for Super League club Halifax Blue Sox. Full-back Donlan
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SHAKERS: Bhutia back in business
BURY'S Indian international Baichung Bhutia loved every minute of last Saturday's Wycombe match - even though it was pouring with freezing rain and his side got beat! Bhutia was just delighted to be playing again. Even though he is an idol in India and
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'Bright' idea that helps older people save time and money
OLDER people in Bolton who switch to the 'total care' gas and electricity package offered by Age Concern Energy Services will receive two free energy lamps to help them save even more on bills this winter. Gareth Evans, Age Concern Bolton's Chief Officer
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Over 50s lead way into the workplace
JOBLESS over 50's in Bolton and Bury are striding back to work thanks to measures unveiled by Prime Minister, Tony Blair, in April of this year. New Deal 50 plus has proved a big success since its introduction, presenting many of the area's maturer jobseekers
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You can have a great holiday in the sun at this time of year
IT'S less than three weeks since we all took part in the annual ritual of turning the clocks back and mourned the passing of what's laughingly called British Summer Time! If you, like so many others are already fed up with dark mornings and even darker
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Easy learning centre for older students . . .
ONLY eight weeks after opening its doors, the town's older learners are flocking to Age Concern Bolton's new Learning and Resources Centre at Cross Street, Farnworth. The purpose-built Centre, the first of its kind on this scale within the Age Concern
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Pay up for Santa or no presents
SANTA Claus has been kidnapped by a gang of business students aiming to raise cash for a children's hospital ward! Staff and students at Bolton College have been warned they must contribute to the ransom or face waking up on Christmas Day with no presents
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Buses boost set for launch
BOLTON South-east MP Brian Iddon will be seen waiting at a bus stop tomorrow as he officially opens a scheme which has brought a better service to hundreds of passengers. The Labour politician will launch the town's section of the Bolton-Atherton-Leigh
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Bolton's tragic road deaths figures
DEATHS on Bolton's roads may double by the end of the year. Already 10 people have lost their lives and scores of others badly injured in a shocking increase in road crashes. And with the worst of the weather still to come traffic police are predicting
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It's a sad toy story
THUNDERBIRDS have GONE -- with 39 shopping days to Christmas still to go. The popular Thunderbirds Tracy Island toy has flown out of local toy shops -- and with stocks nationally in short supply, the toy is not expected to reappear on the shelves before
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Schools slip up in exam league tables
THE percentage of Bolton pupils gaining the highest GCSE grades has slipped slightly despite a small national rise. School performance league tables published today show that the proportion of candidates achieving marks A* to C this summer was 41.3pc,
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Popular service set to expand
AGE Concern's popular aromatherapy service for older people is set to expand at the end of the month. Three more fully qualified aromatherapists will join the existing team to deal with the ever-increasing demand for this highly prized service. Teresa
