Archive
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Great Greg is the star
HOCKEY goalkeeper Greg Ruxton, a pupil at Rivington and Blackrod school, is doing great things for Blackpool based West Coast Wasps roller hockey club. The team won the BiSHA UK peewee championships last year and at the weekend added the IISHF Peewee
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New look works wonders again
NEVER change a winning side was a clich that worked for Bolton at the weekend, as the same eleven, who brushed aside Plas Coch last week, did the same to Northop Hall, keeping defensive lynch pin Guy Mathieson on the bench. The decision seemed to have
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BSF Ladies Hockey League
HANSON 2 ELTON 1st 1 IT only took two minutes for Hanson to take the lead when Norma Jones scored from a penalty corner. Hanson continued to press, and it looked as though it was only a matter of time before they would go further ahead but Elton slowly
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Fleeing after his first battle
A BRITISH Muslim who went to Afghanistan, to fight for the Taliban, has fled to Pakistan after his first taste of battle. The 26-year-old says it wasn't the danger that bothered him. He says: "It was the recklessness of the Taliban and their disregard
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They're fighting for Afghan foes
FIRST, let me say that this is not a racist letter. I've always believed that people should be able to live side by side, regardless of race or colour. But I feel so angry that young Muslim youths, born in this country, had a good education and freedom
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No one seems to care anymore
YOBS and very young people of all ages, who commit all these crimes, should not be able to get away with it. I am 71, and live on Victory Estate, Bolton. It's awful, no one is safe, with bogus callers etc. Elderly people have been followed home, mugged
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Puzzled by this Victorian picture
I WONDER if any of your readers can supply me with any information about the lady in the enclosed photograph, It was probably taken in the 1880s. Is the dress a typical mourning dress for a widow of substance in that period? In the original the dress
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My character has been judged on a can of beer
I AM writing in relation to the photograph supporting the article entitled "School boozers: A lesson to be learned?" which was published in the BEN on Monday, October 22, 2001. Just to clarify, this picture is of me and I am aware that this is the second
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The day we beat United 2-1!
RE-LIVE that dramatic victory over Manchester United in words and pictures or order our special commemorative poster on our special files. Click HERE for reports. Click HERE for five pages with more than 50 pictures of a great day out. Click HERE to order
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Keeper is top priority
SAM Allardyce has conceded that he has two weeks to put an end to Wanderers' goalkeeping nightmares once and for all. The Reebok boss, who has been negotiating for more than a week to strike a deal that would bring former Barcelona number one Richard
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Series of family traumas delays Ruth's next book
FOR the first time in years, there will be no new Ruth Hamilton novel in December. Ruth -- alias Bolton-born Linda Girling -- relates to the BEN that it has been a bad year so far. A series of family traumas, including the death of her younger sister
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Festive treats for pets
PETS can be as important as people in many families. So, it is vital not to neglect them at Christmas. Fortunately, there are now several ways to keep pets extra-happy at this special time. For example, you can ensure that your dog enjoys his or her own
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Why Carol's the tops
BOSSES do not often get accolades from staff -- but today, one local residential home owner receives a floral "thank you." Pat Cosgrove from Bolton wrote nominating her former boss Carol Almond, of the Redbank Home at Doffcocker for the BEN Bouquet of
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Catherine's magical journey
LANCASHIRE author Catherine Proffty has published a book full of magic -- which has more than just a hint of Harry Potter about it. Just like Harry is a trainee wizard, the protagonist in Emeldra and the Hairy Bogart* is a trainee "witchlette". Catherine
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Marshy on loan at Blackpool
WANDERERS striker Ian Marshall has joined Second Division club Blackpool on a month's loan. The 35-year-old former Ipswich, Leicester and Oldham hitman has only featured in five games for the Wanderers this season. The Seasiders currently languish in
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Banks: I'm not going anyhere!
STEVE Banks' frustration after being dropped down the Reebok pecking order has not prompted the goalkeeper to ask for a transfer. The Wanderers' number two was unhappy when he was told on Friday that he had lost his place as understudy to Jussi Jaaskelainen
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Glittering milestones honoured
A LOCAL brass band pairing was in sparkling form when the North West Counties Brass Bands Association commemorated their silver and gold anniversaries. Helen Minshall, a teacher with Bolton Music Service, and musical director of Astley Youth Band and
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Communities unite to stage Roman comedy
AT a time of religious unrest throughout the world, representatives from Bolton's different communities came together to perform in one voice on Saturday night. Members of Bolton Multi-Cultural Arts staged a play which although written 2,000 years ago
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Cilla has the fellas under remote control
FOOTBALL or Blind Date -- which would YOU choose? ITV have just gone for the latter, which is giving Cilla Black a lorra, lorra laughs. She has taken back her mantle as the Queen of Saturday Night TV with Blind Date now due to be broadcast at 7pm next
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Cancer battler Carole helps fellow sufferers
CAROLE Ingham was in the prime of her life when she was told she had a rare thyroid cancer. The Bolton social worker was just 35 when she was told the devastating news that a swelling in her throat was cancer. At the time, Carole, now aged 44, of Edgworth
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Entertaining in aid of children
AN evening of family entertainment will be held at Horwich RMI Social Club in Ramsbottom Road, Horwich on Sunday featuring top act the Millennium Stars Cabaret. The "Raise a Smile" night, from 7pm to 11pm, has been organised by the Friendship Lodge. All
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Triplets get together for big celebration
HEY baby, baby, baby, look at us now. Triplets Angela, Jennifer and Judith, who were featured in the BEN in 1961 when they were five weeks old, have celebrated their 40th birthday Their mother Patricia Kearns, who was 26 at the time, was hailed as a shining
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A sure way to start reading
A NEW reading service for children in Bury is designed to encourage more youngsters and their parents to pick up a book. The Sure Start initiative is targeting families, with children aged between 18 months and three years, who live in and around the
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Pensioners take to streets over free TV licences
PENSIONERS took to the streets of Bolton today demanding free television licences. Around 50 protesters gathered for today's demonstration outside the town hall. Pensioners from across the country joined local OAPs in the campaign. It is backed by The
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Chamber guide to threat of anthrax attacks
HEALTH and safety experts at Bolton and Bury Chamber have produced guidelines for companies worried about the threat of anthrax. Information is provided on how to identify suspicious packages and letters and what to do in the event of receiving or opening
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New pub in town
THE new pub taking shape in the former Whiteheads department store on Deansgate, Bolton is due to open on November 29. A £2.6 million investment scheme will transform the store into the Goose on Deansgate, creating 25 new jobs. Goose Pubs say they offer
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Top position for Alex
A BOLTON man has been appointed as a director of Morbaine Ltd of Widnes. Alex Brodie, aged 51, who is married with two sons and lives in Smithills, has been with the firm of property developers and investors for the past three years as a development executive
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Fed-up ref sends off his own assistant
FOOTBALL referee Ron Marsden caused a sensation at the weekend -- when he sent off his own linesman. Jim Monk had angered ref Ron Marsden so much that he sent him off 10 minutes before the end of the match between the second teams of Blackrod FC and Preston's
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Opening points for Tonge
Winter Rounders FOR the first time this season, rain affected Winter Rounders matches at both Harper Green and Barlow Park and made conditions unpleasant for all concerned, but being Winter Rounders, the players just got on with the task in hand. In the
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Pupils at Farnworth Grammar School in about 1935
This photograph of pupils at Farnworth Grammar School school in about 1935 has been sent to me by Mr Alan Hudson, of Bradford Park Drive, The Haulgh, Bolton. It belonged to his late wife Vera Whitehead. Those on the picture were named in very small writing
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Tories on the attack
From the Evening News, November 5, 1976 25 YEARS AGO THE Prime Minister issued a dramatic "we carry on" statement today after the sensational Tory hammer blows which deprived Labour of two safe seats at Westminster. Tories easily overturned previous Labour
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Hard drinking in the Lion
A COUPLE of weeks ago I printed a dialect story of how the name Bolton Trotters came about. Mr Ernest Ford, of Esther Fold, Westhoughton, has told me that in a book entitled Lancashire Nicknames and Sayings, by Bob Dobson (available at the library) the
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Pupils plan reunion
PAST pupils of Canon Slade school are being invited to a reunion planned for early next year. The reunion is for people who attended the school in Bradshaw Brow 20-25 years ago. It will be held at Rivington Barn on Saturday January 19 next year from 7.30pm
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Crowd safety measures needed at Gigg Lane
From the Evening News, November 2, 1976 25 YEARS AGO BURY'S football ground should be shut down unless crowd safety measures are carried out, say the police. The police describe the ground as a potential battlefield of missiles. A spokesman listed the
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Bolton trams - 50 years on
KEITH Markland taught in several Bolton secondary schools before being seconded in 1955 to the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. In 1958, he joined a major British oil company in Iraq as a training specialist, eventually returning to the UK in 1965. He
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Fed-up ref sends off his own assistant
FOOTBALL referee Ron Marsden caused a sensation at the weekend -- when he sent off his own linesman. Jim Monk had angered ref Ron Marsden so much that he sent him off 10 minutes before the end of the match between the second teams of Blackrod FC and Preston's
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Funeral of cancer battler
THE funeral was due to take place today of a former Bolton Council worker who campaigned for a cancer drug to be given to sufferers for free. Sue Price, aged 34, who was first denied the drug because it was not available on the NHS in the area where she
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'Green' schools get top marks
SCHOOLS across Bury have been proving their "green" credentials after taking part in a borough-wide environmental awareness competition. The aim of the event was to highlight everything from recycling to litter and general environmental issues. On Wednesday
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Capital performance
THE top brass of Bolton's musical talent will finish a championship year on a high note tomorrow night with a headline performance at one of the world's most prestigious concert venues. World-beaters from Smithills School's Senior Brass Band will take
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Potter casts his spell on school pupils
THERE is magic in the air at a Bolton school thanks to the particular charms of a certain young apprentice wizard you may have heard of. In fact you could say that at Withins School they've gone Harry Potter potty. And while pupils of all ages spend most
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Awards honour for pride of the town
ROTARY Club awards have been presented to two popular and hard-working Boltonians for their outstanding service to the town. Chris Wormald and Leslie Huyton both received the first ever Gerald Taylor Vocational Service Award on behalf of the Bolton organisations
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Pupils' lesson in 'kerbcraft'
CHILDREN in primary schools close to Bolton town centre are almost twice as likely to be injured in road traffic accidents than other areas of the town. And a new road safety officer is to be appointed to try and make youngsters and their parents more
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Bolton, Bury Mini Soccer League
All the results here Under 7s: North Eastern -- St Mary's Dynamos 9 Brandlesholme Warriors 0; Bolton County Tigers 2 St Mary's Meteors 0; Bromley Cross Boys 1 Ladybridge Ath 2. North Western -- Bolton County Cobras 1 Boothstown Jnrs 1; Eagley Rangers
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Last gasp goal hero keeps County unbeaten
LEFT back Kevin Morris was the hero for Bolton County as he strode forward for a last minute equaliser in the 3-3 draw at Hesketh Casuals, which stretches his team's proud unbeaten run to nine games. Earlier Jamie McDonald had scored from a penalty after
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Bolton, Bury Mini Soccer League
All the tables here North Eastern Division P W D L Pt Ladybridge Rangers... 5 4 1 0 13 Eagley Rangers... 6 5 1 0 16 Hindley Jnrs... 5 4 0 1 12 Boothstown Jnrs... 5 2 2 1 8 Oxford Grove... 4 2 0 2 6 Bolton County Cobras... 5 1 1 3 4 Brandlesholme Warriors
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Get in the swing
PAUL Rigby and his Northern Jazz Orchestra take to the stage at the Swing Suite in the RMI Club, Chorley New Road, Horwich, on Sunday, November 11. The concert is one of five featuring big bands in a series of Sunday lunchtime events at the club. Concerts
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Pearl of a city
Linda Hurst flew to Budapest courtesy of Malev Hungarian Airlines which fly direct from Manchester Airport five times a week and stayed in the Hyatt Regency Hotel. HUNGARY'S capital Budapest, known as the Pearl of the Danube, lies on and is divided by
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Panto needs actors
CHARACTER actors with particular traits are being sought for a Little Lever pantomime . . . MDM Entertainments is staging Jack and the Beanstalk, and is in need of a fairy and a giant. The show is being staged at Christ Church, Mytham Road, Little Lever
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Tempers fray in cup clash
Tempers ran high in the Carl Brown Memorial Trophy Round One clash between Moonraker and FC Legion. Dennis Hilton of the home team and Gary James of the visitors traded punches leaving referee Gary Halliwell no other option but to produce the red card
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Daisy set to reveal new signings
DAISY Hill travel to Darwen with manager Terry Gaskell set to unveil a string of new signings. A mass walk-out of players after the sacking of former boss Alan Aspinall had left Gaskell with just a skeleton squad. His first game in charge however did
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SEAN Barrett may not be a household name, but he has made theatre history.
The actor, who plays gravedigger Mike Dowd in the Bolton Octagon's A Skull in Connemara, appeared on stage with Noel Coward in the West End. It was in 1967, and marked Coward's last performance on stage. Princess Margaret attended one of the performances
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Theatre company pays tribute to Dorothy
MEMBERS of Farnworth Performing Arts Company have paid tribute to a well known figure in Bolton's theatre world who died suddenly on holiday in Marbella. Dorothy Thomason was president and life member of of the group, joining the theatre company, previously
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Muscial choice for society's Albert Hall debut
MEMBERS of Horwich RMI and District Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society are following up last year's award winning production with My Fair Lady. And a new stage is set to play host to the group. Last year's show, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To
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Entertaining but points slip away
Bolton 2nd XI 2 Didsbury Northern 2 THE second team went into this game against second placed Didsbury Northern having gone without a win for four matches, their longest such streak since the 1998-1999 season. Bolton started the match seemingly intent
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Why it's time to stop being so easy on these yobs
I AM in complete agreement with your editorial comment about the soft sentences given to vandals etc. One of the main troubles today, is that we don't have the familiar sight of policemen patrolling the streets. Is it because they are apparently doing
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Saved by help from the States
I AM writing in response to M. Naughton's letter regarding the pugnacious American nation. This flag-waving nation is presently displaying its national flag in a manner that he will not see in England. Most cars, shops homes etc display the flag as a
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Lucky thirteen make a splash
LAST weekend,13 swimmers represented Bolton Metro Swimming Squad at the Northern Counties Short Coarse Meet held at Macclesfield Leisure Centre. This was the first designated meet of the season with all the events being Open Age and resulted in cut-off
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Arson attack nursery faces huge repair bill
THE repair bill for a Daubhill nursery which was attacked by arsonists will be several thousand pounds. Staff at Little Darlings, which is in the basement of Sunninghill Primary School, Goldsmith Street, are devastated following the attack which destroyed
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60 Bonfire Night call-outs for firefighters
FIREFIGHTERS in Bolton were called out 60 times during a busy Bonfire Night. Crews reported no serious incidents, but said they were constantly attending minor problems across the town. And police say they had more than 20 calls from the public complaining
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Heart op OAP's agony after thief strikes
A PENSIONER who underwent open heart surgery just two weeks ago tackled a thief who walked into his home and refused to leave. Arthur Taylor, aged 78, and his 74-year-old wife Ennis confronted the intruder after he came into their house through an unlocked
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Cash boost for New York firefighters
BOLTON Wanderers, the BEN and Horwich firefighters have joined forces to help raise cash for families of the hundreds of American firemen killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. The BEN, with the backing of Reebok Stadium players, launched a phone-line
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Long haul gift idea
ANYONE with relatives or friends abroad can send them a brilliant gift this Christmas -- courtesy of the BEN. You can send different sorts of hampers at £34.75 each, including a personal message and all delivery costs, to Australia, New Zealand, Canada
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Orchestra marks Armistice Day with concert
BOLTON Symphony Orchestra performs a Concert for Armistice Day on Sunday, November 11, 7.30pm, at the Albert Halls, Bolton. The orchestra will perform Elgar's cello concerto and works by Brahms and Britten. Conductor Stephen Threlfall, director of music
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Octagon's grave new comedy
THINK Quentin Tarantino, and transfer the action to a tiny churchyard in the backwaters of Ireland and you will get a taste of what the Bolton Octagon is describing as a "pitch black" comedy. A Skull in Connemara is written by the award winning Martin
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M60 driver trap drama
A LORRY driver had to be cut from his cab after an accident on the M60 near Walkden today. Firefighters managed to free the man following the accident at junction 14 of the motorway at 10.20am and he was taken to hospital.
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Thanks a million
A BOLTON-based finance firm helped the management team at an Eccles company complete a £1.5 million buy-out. MDF Design Group Ltd and Carcass Design Ltd, which employ 100 people making bedroom and bathroom doors and units, have become The MDF Design Group
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Remembrance service
THE Remembrance Day service at St Bartholomew's church, Westhoughton will start at 10am on Sunday, prior to a march to the war memorial at 11am. The service will finish with Eucharist or Communion at 11.15am.
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Church's concert
AN autumn concert and dinner will be held at Rivington Parish Church in Chorley Old Road, Horwich, from 7.30pm on Friday featuring performances from Anthony Thompson and Gordon Stewart. Concert-only admission costs £7 and £27.50 for the dinner and concert
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Merger means a move
BOLTON-based EEF Lancashire is involved in merger talks -- and local officials are set to move out of town. The organisation, which started life in 1887 as the Bolton and District Engineering Employers' Association, has 285 members throughout an area
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Eye unit nurse scoops a top award
A BOLTON nurse has received recognition by the secretary of state for health, Alan Milburn, at a glittering awards ceremony in London. Jean Cummings, speciality manager of ophthalmology at the Royal Bolton Hospital, was awarded a commendation for surgical
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Cash boost for New York firefighters
BOLTON Wanderers, the BEN and Horwich firefighters have joined forces to help raise cash for families of the hundreds of American firemen killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. The BEN, with the backing of Reebok Stadium players, launched a phone-line
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Fashion show is a load of rubbish!
SCHOOLCHILDREN from Bolton modelled a load of rubbish in a fashion show with a difference. Pupils from 12 primary schools and two secondary schools took to the catwalk wearing nothing but rubbish as part of the fifth Annual Youth Environmental Challenge
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A helping hand with their homework
PREPARATION is everything and Bolton's Library Service is leading the way after producing a guide to help youngsters through the hardships of homework. The Library Service has produced a special leaflet aimed at parents and young people which explains
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Chamber calls for interest rates cut
BOLTON and Bury Chamber is calling for a cut in interest rates tomorrow when the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee meets. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that manufacturing output dropped in September by 1.6 per cent and
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Specialist solicitors
RUSSELL & Russell partners Amanda Connor and Roger Vaughan -- together with associate Lesley Smythe -- have been awarded accredited specialist status by the Solicitors Family Law Association. The SFLA scheme is designed to help people who are facing
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Hard work pays off for Tyldesley
TYLDESLEY RU were made to work hard by a solid Ashton Under Lyne side down at St George's Park. Despite running out 12-5 winners, Tyldesley never really got into gear partly because of Ashton's disruptive game plan and partly because the official who
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Pupils at Farnworth Grammar School in about 1935
This photograph of pupils at Farnworth Grammar School school in about 1935 has been sent to me by Mr Alan Hudson, of Bradford Park Drive, The Haulgh, Bolton. It belonged to his late wife Vera Whitehead. Those on the picture were named in very small writing
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Railway porters to be axed
From the Evening News, November 1, 1976 25 YEARS AGO THE hard-pressed motorist will have lost another 24 car parking spaces in the area of Bolton Town Hall by this weekend. Engineering workers were today putting the finishing touches to double yellow
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Me and my fitness
John Dixon from Smithills is a 51-year-old all-round teacher and self-proclaimed hippy. A singer with a band in the sixties, he now teaches aerobics, pilates and reiki. He also does healing, has a line dance teaching certificate, is a personal trainer
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Busy morning as riders depart
SUNDAY morning on the town hall square was quite busy as the three rides of the Clarion Club met for their appropriate journeys. Conversation among various small groups was lively to say the least as if trying to say as much as possible before going their
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Adrian the tops again
ADRIAN Harris of Radcliffe Athletic Club has once again proved himself to be an above average runner. The Manchester Parks Grand Prix is a prestigious series of races, organised by Salford Harriers. This year's races have attracted many good runners and
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Stab charge woman is sent for trial
A 59-YEAR-OLD woman charged with stabbing her partner eight times has been sent for trial at crown court. Kathleen Mary MacCuish, of Campbell Court, Farnworth, is alleged to have attacked Philip Jones with a knife on Saturday night. The 29-year-old man
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Schizophrenic drug addict turned violent
A MAN who turned violent after years of drug abuse has been jailed for six years. A court was told that Derek Crompton was suffering from schizophrenia brought on by excessive use of amphetamines. Crompton, aged 31, of Fernstead, Blackshaw Lane, Deane
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Still top of the league
BOLTON Wanderers Ladies Under 12s A team marched on at the top of the table, but only after suffering a scare against title rivals Poulton St John's. Wanderers took the lead through a Faye Knowles goal but Poulton came back with plenty of pace and determination
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Local rivalry erupts in derby showdown
4 THE Lancashire FA Amateur Challenge Shield Round Three clash between Turton and Blackrod Town turned out to be the fiercely contested affair that everyone had predicted. Four players were sent off, two from each side as Town, from the West Lancs Premier
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Atherton are the talk of the town
ATHERTON Town moved three points clear with a game in hand at the top of the Air Miles Manchester League Premier Division with a stunning 1-0 victory at Wythenshawe Amateurs. With the Reserves beating Prestwich Heys 2-0 at home it leaves Town with the
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The demise of Walkers Insititute
AS we continue our fact-finding health assessment check around the Bolton soccer scene we take a look at the demise last summer of one of the region's major names, AFC Walkers, a club formerly known as Walkers Institute. As the Bolton Combination "died
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Dynamite display from St Mary's
ST MARY'S Dynamos closed the gap at the top with a convincing victory in the under 7s North Western League. Bolton County Tigers earned their first points of the season with victory over Horwich Meteors. Ladybridge Rangers' draw against Brandlesholme
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Into The Woods
IF YOU go Into The Woods next week you are certain to be in Walmsley Church parish hall. The musical, penned by Stephen Sondheim, runs from Monday, November 12. Tickets, £6, for the Walmsley Church AODS production are from 303835.
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EVERY actress dreams of a weighty role, but Tessa Worsley is taking it to heart . . .
The actress who stars in Bolton Octagon's next production, A Skull in Connemara, has put on 10 pounds for her role as Maryjohnny Rafferty. She said: "The part requires me to put on the weight. I have managed to pile on 10 pounds . . . but would have ideally
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New names at the top
THE weekend saw the top division Bolton Sunday League leaders widening their cushion of comfort but the other two tables have new names at the top. Anglers moved six points clear at the top of Division One with Connolly (2), Ryan (2), Baines (2), Wilcox
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Ladybridge need players
LADYBRIDGE FC under 12s and 13s are having their first season in the Bolton Boys Federation and are now looking to strengthen both squads as they prepare to consolidate this season and compete with other local teams next year. If you are a talented footballer
