Archive

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Enjoy a Wilde night of top entertainment

An Ideal Husband,Egerton United Reformed Church AN Ideal Husband is not one of Oscar Wilde's easiest dramas to stage because of its wordy speeches and complex plot, but the nine-strong cast of Egerton Players should be commended for giving such fine performances

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How kind

MAY I, through your column, thank the people who so kindly helped when I was taken ill in the Exhibition Hall at Birmingham on Sunday. There is so much kindness about in spite of the times in which we are living. Thank you all. A Visitor Name and address

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Please stop messing about

MR Dickinson does raise some valid points over the job done by our local council. I regularly travel through the town centre on my way to work and I can honestly say that if the population of our town was to see the mess that is left, especially at weekends

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Celebrating the faiths

I AM grateful to the Rev Michael Williams (Thought for the Week, Dec 3) for highlighting one of the classical teachings in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions that we should not cling to our desires, no matter how good they are. Life has to be lived here

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Pederson fitness boost

HENRIK Pedersen gave Wanderers a fitness boost today when he returned to training in double-quick time. The Denmark striker, sidelined for six weeks with a thigh problem, had been expected to be out until Christmas but is back in full training to give

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Debut for rookie Scots lad

Wanderers Res 2 Newcastle Res 1 REEBOK rookie Derek Niven made his Wanderers debut in esteemed company last night and took it all in his stride. The confident young midfielder, signed from Raith Rovers a week ago, helped the Bolton second string to a

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Philippa gets BEN Bouquet of the Week

PATIENTS often owe a special debt of gratitude to medics who restore their health. And one local patient -- Tracy Massey from Kearsley -- has found a good way to say a floral "thank you" to Beaumont Hospital physiotherapist Philippa Hopkins. Explains

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VAT rules will cost

A RULING by the European Court of Justice on a VAT technicality could cost UK companies billions of pounds, it is claimed. At the moment, UK firms are allowed to reclaim VAT on any expenses claimed by their employees, provided there is evidence of business

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Winner Rob points way

SPORTS personality and businessman Rob Andrew hosted a Bury event organised by Business Link North Manchester. "Making Teamwork Work" was the theme of the session at the Village Hotel in Bury. Rob Andrew is England's most-capped fly half, making 70 appearances

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Call yourself a good leader?

A NEW survey shows that more than a third of all executives and nearly half of junior managers say the quality of leadership in their organisation is poor. The Institute of Management, which has just launched "Leadership: The Challenge For All," says

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Search for a buyer

A TOP businessman who spent his schooldays in Bolton is heading the Government's quest to find a successor to Railtrack. Ian McAllister, who is chairman and managing director of Ford Britain, is in charge of the high-powered team which is preparing a

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Bingo date

A CHRISTMAS prize bingo game is being held by St Joseph's Church, Adlington, tomorrow starting at 7pm.

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Pies at hall

MINCE pies and coffee are on offer at St Joseph's Old School Hall, Adlington, on Sunday from 11am to 1pm. Admission includes refreshments and attractions include stalls and a raffle.

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Fire scare on bus

AN electrical fault is being blamed for a fire on a double decker bus. Firefighters were called to Tottington bus terminus in Market Street at 6pm last night. The driver and passengers escaped unharmed.

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Charity run

AGE Concern is looking for keen runners to take part in the 2002 Flora London marathon and raise money for the charity. Places have to be booked before Christmas. For more information ring 020 8765 7598, or e-mail flmarathon@ace.org.uk

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Coffee and carols

HORWICH Carnival coffee and carols morning will held on Saturday at Horwich Resource Centre. The choir from Horwich Parish School will sing at 10am. There will be refreshments, games and stalls and a visit from Father Christmas. The event ends at noon

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Factory blaze

FIREFIGHTERS were called to deal with a fire at a factory in Westhoughton early today. The fire started at Bernstein, kitchen and bedroom furniture manufacturers at the Wingates Industrial Estate, in Great Bank Road. The fire is believed to have started

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Sister act raises £300 for charity at a canter

HORSE power raised £300 thanks to BEN Girl of the Year Joanne Walker and her sister Gayle Binns. Last month, the two made a gruelling 20-mile off-road journey by horse and bike to raise money for the Bolton Busting Breast Cancer appeal. The sporty sisters

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Eight-year ban for businessman

A BUSINESSMAN has been banned from becoming a company director for eight years. Wasim Akhter, of Pilsworth Court, Bury, was disqualified from acting as a director following his conduct at Barneys Department Stores in Manchester. The company was a wholesaler

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Lads' club B team are top of the league

BOLTON Lads Club "B" team were pictured after winning the Bolton Sports Federation Premier Division championship in May, 1980. Nice hair styles, lads . . .

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Clubs urged to get behind plans

SPORTS supporters are being urged to unite behind super stadium plans. A new sports complex at Pennington will secure the long-term future of local clubs, says Leigh MP Andy Burnham. Urging enthusiasts from all codes to get behind the state-of-the-art

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Coach trips to Wembley

THESE two pictures of coach parties from the Nag's Head public house in Little Lever have been sent to me by Mr Roy Elsby, of Sedgemoor Vale, Harwood. The top picture is thought to be of a group "en route" to Wembley in 1944/45, with landlord Harry Elsby

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Couple laughed as victim lay dying in the road, court told

BOLTON-born costume designer Elizabeth Sherlock mumbled and tried to push herself up from the ground after she was run over by a thief's getaway car, the Old Bailey was told. A man and woman inside the car were smiling as they drove off, a witness, Edmond

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Old map showed site of Kearsley toll bar

A COUPLE of weeks ago, Mr George Brown of Farnworth wrote about the location of the Kearsley "toll bar", or "toll bridge" in relation to Longcauseway. Mr Les Byron, of Bryngs Drive, Harwood, tells me that he has an old map which shows the position of

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Dawes Street garage used to be JH Baker & Co

SOME time ago I used a photograph of William Edward's and Sons garage in Dawes Street (it was about the beginning of the firm now known as Edbros). It has brought a letter from Mr Ron Bolton, of Leigh Road, Westhoughton, who writes: "I had forgotten what

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Police chief opposes Gigg Lane closure plan

From the Evening News, November 3, 1976 25 YEARS AGO BURY'S police chief has hit back at calls for the Gigg Lane soccer ground to be closed unless action is taken to curb the crowds. Chief Supt. Frank Tomlinson said today that he was opposed to the call

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Tipping scandal as rats run free

From the Evening News, November 26, 1976 25 YEARS AGO THE biggest derelict site in Bolton has become a rubbish tip and a breeding ground for rats, say people living nearby. Several houses on a new estate bounded by Dinsdale Drive and Deane Road have been

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Supermarket plan at Horwich delayed

From the Evening News, November 13, 1976 25 YEARS AGO A DECISION on controversial plans for a new supermarket and shops at Horwich has been delayed. Bolton's Planning Committee yesterday decided to defer voting on the scheme until councillors had visited

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Turton British Legion branch facing closure

From the Evening News, November 29, 1976 25 YEARS AGO ONE of the oldest British Legion branches in the country is threatened with closure because of dwindling membership. Turton Royal British Legion, 56-years-old had a membership of 500 about 10 years

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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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Couple's 33 hour wait for council mortgage

From the Evening News, November 30, 1976 25 YEARS AGO STEPHEN Nightingale and his confectioner wife Lynn are determined to get a house of their own - even if it means taking time off work to queue for more than 33 hours outside Bolton Town Hall. Stephen

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Appointment

GEOFF Muirhead, group chief executive of Manchester Airport plc, has been appointed regional vice-chairman of CBI North-west. He will take over in November 2002.

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Stairlift servce

BEEJAY Mobility, on Halliwell Road, Bolton, has been selected by British stairlift manufacturer Acorn to help pioneer its "try before you buy" service. A demonstration stairlift folds out and operates from the boot of a VW Golf car.

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Watch displays

BOLTON-BASED British Turntable is helping to sell more Tag Heuer watches. Retail Effects of Leicester has created in-store displays for the time pieces using B200 turntables produced by the Bolton firm. The B200 is part of British Turntable's Carousel

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Up for sale

THE Red Lion pub at Hawkshaw is one of a number of managed pubs put up for sale by Cockermouth-based Jennings Brothers. The company says it wants to build a high quality leased and tenanted estate. Jennings Managing Director Mike Clayton said: "Market

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Free tickets

BOLTON Business Information Service has a limited number of free tickets to the Online Information Exhibition in London from December 4-6. The 25th anniversary of the exhibition features more than 300 companies providing information solutions from knowledge

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More flights

BRITISH Airways will be operating additional regional flights over the Christmas and New Year period to meet demand from travellers visiting friends and relatives. British Airways subsidiaries -- British Airways Regional, British Regional Airlines and

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Yates Group to sell

BOLTON-based Yates Group has announced that it is to withdraw from its last remaining wholesaling operation. Yates Brothers -- a wholly-owned subsidiary -- has entered into an agreement to sell the Aussie White business to H&A Wines & Spirits

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Business forum breakfast meeting

A BUSINESS forum for East Bolton is to be launched at a breakfast meeting tomorrow morning. It is the latest stage of a £326,000 Business Support Programme for an area which takes in Breightmet, Tonge, Hall i'th' Wood and the Haulgh. The 7.30am event,

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Chris is tops

CHRIS Charlton-Baty from Bolton won a silver medal for roof slating and tiling at the SKILLBUILD National Final. The national competition for young trainees in the construction industy took place at the Ballymena Training Centre in Galgorm, Northern Ireland

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Scots to take hard road

IT is heartening that Celtic and Rangers will not be red-carpeted straight into the Premiership once their apparently inevitable move to English league football goes through. A meeting of Premiership and First Division clubs interested in setting up the

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Window plan may be a pain

LESS wealthy soccer clubs will be hit hard by their inability to sell players outside the summer and winter transfer windows. News that English clubs will only be able to conduct deals in January and during the summer break is being hailed as a handy

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Bolton trams - 50 years on

THE history of trams in Bolton has been recorded in words and pictures by a former local teacher. 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

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How YOU can help our Appeal

THERE can be no Caring Christmas campaign without the support of readers. We need YOU to: Make a donation, however big or small, towards buying toys and gifts for children -- from tiny tots with expectant smiles to teenagers who hide their disappointment

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I hate asking for charity, but now I need help

HARRY is nine and he loves his namesake Harry Potter. But his Christmas will not be magical. The little boy from Farnworth has read two of the books -- lent to him by a friend. He accepts that he cannot have books like this of his own, and that he certainly

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People homeless as houses collapse

From the Evening News, December 2, 1976 25 YEARS AGO BILL Grundy, interviewer of Thames TV's Today programme, has been absolved from blame for the obscenities in the show last night which upset thousands of viewers. A spokesman said this afternoon that

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Plan to turn quarry into public tip

From the Evening News, December 6, 1976 s\25 YEARS AGO A QUARRY in Harwood and a dry reservoir in Bury may be used as rubbish dumps. Greater Manchester Council, desperately short of tipping space, wants to turn Harwood Quarry, off Tottington Road, and

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Tenants to have say on improvements cash

COUNCIL estates in Leigh will benefit from a share of a major £58 million investment to upgrade council housing. Tenants will also be given a chance to have their say on how the money is spent. Wigan Council has been provisionally awarded the money to

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Late bus boost for towns

A LATE night bus service linking Leigh, Tyldesley, Atherton and Manchester has been given a massive boost. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's weekend bus experiment, originally provided for just two late night number 39 journeys from Manchester

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Speed cameras of many colours - but not yellow

BRIGHT yellow speed cameras designed to slow down motorists will not be a feature on Bolton's roads, according to police. The new weapon to reduce accidents has been unveiled by transport minister John Spellar. But Greater Manchester Police is not one

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£3m cut in services warning

A £3 million cut in services and a hike in council tax of more than twice the rate of inflation is on the cards for Bolton after the Government revealed its annual cash handout. Town hall chiefs face a savings package of up to £3.5million on what they

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Appeal finds support in a whole new arena

BOLTON Arena has adopted Bolton Busting Breast Cancer Appeal as its first ever Charity of the Year -- and already big fund-raising events are planned. With Bolton Wanderers also getting involved with the BBBC appeal recently, the Bolton Arena link-up

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You're a card if you send the right one

WHAT do your Christmas cards say about you? Well, a whole lot more than you think. You may believe you choose your Christmas cards for their pretty design, cheerful message or beautiful colours -- but psychologists say you would be wrong to think that

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Hurrah for Bolton folk

WHILE I was at Age Concern recently I was talking to two nice ladies who had come to Bolton by coach all the way from Carlisle. They said the market was the best they had ever been in and the prices were cheaper than in Carlisle. They also enjoyed a meal

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Going private is not new

THERE has been a lot of discussion and certainly many differences of opinion re NHS patients going to private hospitals for urgent operations. Why all the fuss? Until fairly recently the Bolton, Wigan and Leigh health authority sent hundreds of cases

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Pensioners devalued

WHAT a sad disappointment G Brown gave to pensioners with his spin last Tuesday. It is a deception that the pensions are to go up by £100 pa, which is just in line with inflation or less. But not with wages as NL pledged when in opposition. Restore the

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Hotel refusal makes no road sense

PLEASE can Bolton councillors explain their actions in refusing planning permission for a hotel on the grounds of "concern about traffic". What hypocrites -- a 60-bed hotel is nothing compared to The Reebok/The Middlebrook/Tesco Extra. Just think how

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Leaders are hell bent on change

THE comments of Mrs A Wood on November 30 echo completely my own feelings about the way our country is being given away. I find it abhorrent the way the leaders of this country are hell bent on changing a way of life which has been the envy of the world

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Happy time at dentist's

I AM 79 years of age and I have never been a registered patient with any dental practice at any time but recently I was very glad to receive dental treatment. One of my front teeth became very loose and was causing a lot of discomfort so I knew it had

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Why rail link has to wait

ON November 28 you published a story about plans for opencast mining at Cutacre. The article expressed the fears of councillors and others about the amount of road vehicles such an operation might create and went on to say that Railtrack is not able to

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Care home concerns?

HAS your mother or father, husband or wife, or another relative or friend, become frail and had to go into a care home? Then you will know from personal experience how difficult it is to come to terms with your change of role and how you may even have

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Suffer the children if school is shut

I AM a parent whose children attend Longsight School in Harwood. About two weeks ago the parents were informed by the LEA that by September 2002 the school may be shut and all the staff made redundant because of falling numbers -- an issue which is a

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Bus drivers sapping motorists' morale

SINCE moving to the Bolton area this year I have come across a phenomenon previously unknown to me -- public transport that deliberately obstructs other road users. On numerous occasions now I have found myself in a lengthy queue of traffic behind a bus

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Our Christmas Appeal is launched

THE BEN/Lions Christmas Appeal for the needy is now in full swing. Click HERE to find out how YOU can help

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Police pledge to rid area of prostitution

A CHIEF inspector last night pledged to crack down on prostitution -- and said people in Bolton will see a visible improvement by March next year. Ch Insp Alan Greene made the promise to people in the Haulgh, where teenager Carly Bateman was murdered.

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More than 8m shoppers have visited town this year so far

BOLTON is booming and earning a reputation as the North-west's most vibrant shopping centre after attracting millions of visitors so far this year. A massive 8.25m shoppers have visited the town centre during 2001-- making it the busiest in the North-west

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Life's so sweet - Jussi

JUSSI Jaaskelainen is ignoring speculation over his future and focusing on enjoying life at the Reebok. The Bolton keeper, who reckons he is in the best form of his career and happier than at any time since he turned professional, has been the subject

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Aussie Reid for Wanderers?

WANDERERS are giving a trial to 22-year-old Australian midfielder, Paul Reid, who plays for the Woollongong Wolves.

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Super striker exceeds all expectations

MICHAEL Ricketts has exceeded all expectations this season - even his own! With less than a third of the Premier League programme played, the Reebok hit-man is already in striking distance of the goals target he set himself after hitting 24 in last season's

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Miss Saigon, The Palace Theatre, Manchester. Runs into the New Year

GREATER Manchester welcomed Miss Saigon with rapturous applause. The stunning production which has delighted audiences throughout the world has finally premiered in the North-west. And was it worth the wait? You bet it was! The musical has the same writers

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Phoenix hits the heights in hilarious fashion

Funny Money, United Reform Church Hall,Chorley Old Road, Bolton THE Phoenix Theatre Company's Funny Money, by Ray Cooney, certainly lived up to its name. In fact this was very funny money, superbly acted by a talented cast who did not miss a beat. It

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Children's website proving to be a big hit

AN internet site for children is proving to be a big hit around the world. d2 digital by design, which is based in Manchester Road, Bolton, is seeing interest grow and is expecting great things for www.themouseclub.co.uk. This week's Top Five on the South

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Gold award for Harry Peers

HARRY Peers Steelwork -- one of the UK's most experienced specialist fabricators -- has received a prestigious RoSPA Gold Award. The award, from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, was in recognition of the Bolton company's contribution

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Plenty of brass

THE Hoover Bolton Band features in a Christmas concert organised by the Horwich New Heart Club on Friday. The event starts at 8pm at St Mary's Church Hall, at the back of Chorley New Road, Horwich, and tickets are available on the door.

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Flights cancelled

PEOPLE travelling to France from Manchester airport were warned of the cancellation of all British Airway flights today due to an air traffic control strike. A total of 18 flights to Paris, Nice and Lyon were scrapped during the industrial action which

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Beggar was arrested after being abusive to police officer

A BEGGAR became so aggressive and abusive towards a police officer that he was arrested, a court heard. David Billington, aged 27, was spotted begging for loose change from passers-by at Bury Interchange. Bury Magistrates heard that he was told to move

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Spurs face pitch missile probe

SPURS could face an FA probe following a missile-throwing incident against Wanderers on Monday - the third such incident in 17 days at White Hart Lane. Club officials are studying CCTV footage to find the culprit after midfielder Gustavo Poyet was seen

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Disabled artists join Japanese painters

PAINTINGS and calligraphy by Japanese artists with disabilities will feature at Bolton Museum and Art Gallery alongside work by local disabled artists. The exhibition, Able Art -- Echoes of the Spirit, runs from December 15 to February 23, and is part

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On your bike for book

A COUPLE from the Bolton area who moved to Germany have published a book about cycling. Keen cyclist Neil Forsythe, aged 60, moved from Daubhill to Heidelberg 26 years ago. His wife Judith, aged 59, from Worsley, joined him 15 years ago when they got

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Help build bridge with a painting

A PAINTING has been commissioned to raise funds to rebuild Bradshaw Bridge. Members of Bradshaw War Memorial cricket, tennis and bowling fund-raising committee approached Bolton artist Joseph Tickle to produce a painting of the bridge. Mr Tickle can be

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Indecency case jury discharged

A JURY considering a case of alleged indecent assault on a young boy was discharged after members failed to reach a verdict. It was alleged that Keith Ceesay indecently assaulted a boy on several occasions during a three-year period. Ceesay denied anything

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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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The day the Town Hall caught fire

THE night of Saturday, November 14, 1981, was one many local people will never forget. It was 20 years ago today that a massive blaze ravaged Bolton's famous Albert Hall, part of Bolton Town Hall. Click HERE to read our special reports and your memories

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Truants blamed for break-ins

A LANDLORD is angry after intruders broke into one of his empty houses and used the sunbed and the phone. Ian Hayes, who owns a terraced house on Ashness Drive, Bolton, discovered the house had been broken into, shortly after his tenants moved out. He

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Remembering the home front

DURING the First World War (1914-18), when many men went off to fight, those left behind also had a vital role to play. Before the war, a woman's place had been firmly in the home, but now women took the place of men. In the cities, they endured dangerous

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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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Author's friend in look-a-like mystery

WHEN Robert Hope bought a copy of Bolton author Bill Naughton's book Neither Use Nor Ornament, he was struck by a photograph in the frontispiece of the author and five of his friends, taken in Bolton in 1928. "I was astonished when I saw the face of the

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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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Where was toll bar at Kearsley

Oh, dear - one of my mistakes has been noticed (and it wasn't even a deliberate one!). Mr George Brown, of Barncroft Road, Farnworth, a keen fan of this column, wrote to say that on October 18, the 125 Years Ago column puzzled him. It read: "The toll

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The great and the good

THE report that John Charles is showing early signs of Alzheimer's will sadden all those who had the privilege of seeing the Gentle Giant in his prime for Leeds, Juventus and Wales writes Gordon Sharrock "Il Buon Gigante" - as he is still reverantly referred

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Shop owners up in arms over street parking ban

From the Evening News, November 9, 1976 25 YEARS AGO A GROUP of 20 businessmen in Bradshawgate, Bolton, are angry over new parking restrictions in front of their shops. They claim that Greater Manchester Council's decision to prohibit parking on Bradshawgate

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THE BEN is celebrating its 135th anniversary next year. Is there any other company out there which w

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Air France lounge

AIR France has inaugurated its new business class lounge at Manchester Airport. Air France operates up to five direct daily services to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport from Manchester Terminal 2 and a daily weekday flight to Lyon.

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Telecom profit

BURY-BASED Pennine Telecom has announced an increase in profits. Group turnover at Pennine and its sister company, Interquartz (UK), is now close to £10 million a year with an anticipated combined annual trading profit of £400,000. The company, which

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Search under way for Britain's best boss

PARENTS At Work and Lloyds TSB are searching for Britain's Best Boss 2002. Employees are invited to nominate bosses who are making a difference to their working lives. The Best Boss competition was launched in 2000 to recognise individual employers and

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Firms' mental health duties

EMPLOYERS are generally well aware of their duties to protect the physical health of their employees, but tend to be unsure about their obligations when it comes to safeguarding their mental well-being. This is according to Steve Horrocks, the man in

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Forensic tests could trap Carly's killer

THE results of forensic tests could trap the killer of teenager Carly Bateman, detectives have revealed. The investigation team will find out soon if DNA samples taken from the scene of the crime will lead them to the murderer. Evidence from where the

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Dario first in loyalty stakes

WHAT is the difference between Steve Bruce and Dario Gradi? The answer: loyalty. Bruce has managed four clubs in three years and wanted to make it five by walking out on Crystal Palace for Birmingham City. Palace were riding high in the First Division

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Beckham has final chance to prove he's world class

THE one good thing to emerge from England's tough World Cup draw is that we are finally going to find out just how good David Beckham really is. The Manchester United midfielder's character is unquestionable. His quality, however, is a point of debate

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Unfair fees forces bowlers to disband

From the Evening News, November 8, 1976 25 YEARS AGO A BOLTON bowls league with more than 100 members has disbanded in protest over increased fees at municipal greens. Members of the Parks League, set up in 1909, voted to disband because they were no

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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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Jennie's picture back in the news

From the Evening News, November 7, 1976 25 YEARS AGO BOLTON-born opera singer Jennie Bleasdale's face was blurred and shadowy, and at times the tiny flickering image was blotted out by "snowstorms" . . . but nobody cared about these imperfections. For

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Life on the farm was a great experience

"SOME time ago in Looking Back, you highlighted a milk float delivering in the Heaton area in the late 1950s, early 60s," writes Mr Keven Haywood, of Chorley Old Road, Heaton. "I thought someone would write in with more information, but they didn't, so

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Working man needs £77 a week - Tory MP

From the Evening News, Nov 13, 1976 25 YEARS AGO TO keep up with the "stay-at-home Joneses", a working man needed gross earnings of at least £77 a week, a Tory MP said today. In a scathing attack on social security benefits, Mr David Howell (Guildford

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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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A new £17m Press - and a brief history of the BEN

TRIBUTES were paid to "great" local papers when the chairman of one of the UK's top newspaper groups opened a new £17 million printing centre at Wingates, Westhoughton writes Alan Calvert, Industrial Editor, acalvert@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk. Newsquest

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When the Wanderers went to war

THE story of the Bolton Wanderers footballers who went away to war is part of the town's folklore. The hardback book which tells the story rapidly sold out a few years ago. Now it is being published in paperback and BEN feature writer Frank Elson dips

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New pit head baths for Deane Colliery

From the Evening News, November 4, 1976 25 YEARS AGO ACTRESS Joyce Bate went a bit too far during rehearsals for a Bolton Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington, and poor King Rat needed hospital treatment. Little Joyce, who plays Dick in the family show

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Extra help from Tesco

TESCO Extra at Horwich is helping the BEN with this year's Caring Christmas Campaign. The store has decorated a beautiful Christmas tree and on its branches hang the names of various needy children. Shoppers can select a name tag from the tree and either

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It started with a dream

IT all started over 20 years ago with a small number of toys and a group of kindly Bolton people determined to give poor children a better Christmas. Now, the Bolton Evening News/Bolton Lions' Caring Christmas campaign collects thousands of toys to distribute

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Where you can take your presents

ITEMS for the BEN/Bolton Lions Caring Christmas appeal can be taken along to any of the following venues: Tesco Extra, Mansell Way, Horwich Asda, Middlebrook, Horwich Asda, Farnworth Alliance & Leicester, Deansgate, Bolton Astley Bridge Post Office

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Big freeze hits sport

From the Evening News, December 4, 1976 25 YEARS AGO A WOMAN who complained that her local doctor had called her a "big, fat, pig" was among 500 people who turned to the Bolton Community Health Council for help. In another complaint outlined in the council's

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Halloween mask robbers hunted

ARMED robbers wearing Halloween-style masks threatened staff at a Leigh takeaway with knives and a stun gun. The robbery is one of three believed to have been staged by the same gang over the last two weeks. All the robberies have been carried out at

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Under age drinkers warning

POLICE are warning of a crackdown on under age drinking in town centre nightspots after 10 per cent of clubbers were found to be under 18 during a raid in Leigh. Officers and a sniffer-dog raided Toffs in West Bridgewater Street premises. All under age

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Mobile youth centre coming to Adlington

YOUNG people in Adlington can look forward to evenings of fun on the move thanks to a mobile youth centre. The renovated bus will be parking at various points in the village to provide somewhere for youngsters to go in the winter months while they wait

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Shakers turn down Newby bid

BURY have dismissed a £200,000 bid for striker Jon Newby from Second Division rivals Blackpool. The Seasiders, who have money to burn following the £1.75m sale of Brett Ormerod to Southampton, are the second club to try and sign the former Liverpool reserve

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RMI home draw

LEIGH RMI have been drawn against Unibond Premier Division runners-up Emley in the third round of the FA Trophy. The Yorkshire club, who like Leigh share a ground with an NFP Rugby League team (Wakefield Wildcats), will travel to Hilton Park on January

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Shakers given a fitness tonic

FIVE Bury players began their comebacks from injury in a friendly at Oldham Athletic yesterday - including player of the year Chris Billy who scored after coming off the bench. The midfielder suffered no reaction to the leg injury which has sidelined