Archive
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Parking pain is worse in Bolton
THIS letter is regarding parking fees. On Friday my husband and I went to Leigh, parked the car and paid 70p for three hours. There was no hassle with traffic wardens. On Saturday we went into Bolton and paid £1.80 for two hours. We did not have any trouble
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Nice report, but she's a Canadian
I READ with interest the excellent report by Neil Bonnar of the performance at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, from Diana Krall and her quartet. Neil obviously enjoyed the concert as much as I did, but if Diana reads it she will be mortified that he
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Why feel sorry for those in prisons?
THERE is a lot of talk at present about long term prison sentences not being a deterrent. They will not be effective if you have central heating, televisions, body-building facilities, a full library, and many other luxuries. They should also not be allowed
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Help us to save this old car park
REGARDING the Council Car Park Higher Market Street/Hollands Old Folks Home -- might I point out that the people of Farnworth and Kearsley have been parking on this park around 35 years now. Shop owners on Market Street park there and so do their customers
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Mania for moving areas
A COUNCIL advertisement in the BEN on February 4, asks for Neighbourhood Wardens for Deane, Great Lever and Hulton Lane. On phoning, I asked the manager if she knew where Hulton Lane was? "Just off Wigan Road," she answered, presumably now knowing it
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Is there no end to our NHS nightmare?
STATISTICS continue to make grim reading for all of us who value the National Health Service. An increase in patients at the Royal Bolton Hospital means that it is currently short of 86 nurses. This is a disgraceful state of affairs and suggests that
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Baker David's £4m jackpot joy
A BAKER awoke at 4am for an early morning shift at work -- and discovered he had won the £4.1million lottery jackpot. David Russell, aged 27, from Westhoughton, checked Wednesday's result on his television and could not believe his eyes when his lucky
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Stalwart turns on the style
STAR performer of last week? McClelland. Susan. Allsorts stalwart. If, to the discerning eye, there is the odd, barely perceptible sign that Mrs M's halcyon tennis days are perhaps shortening, she showed -- and against the might of Holcombe Brook! --
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Web of intrigue over Italian player
WANDERERS' fanatic Christopher Bishop got more than he bargained for when he invited anyone intersted in the affairs of the Reebok to contact his fans' website. Overnight he became the go-between for a former Italian U-21 international who wants to fly
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Reebok boosts cup
ORGANISERS of the Bolton Hospital Cup this week paid tribute to Bolton Wanderers in giving the competition a tremendous boost. Confirmation has been received that for the second year running the final will be held at the Reebok Stadium. The agreed date
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Aiming for high notes
A CHOIR service will be held at Tottington Road Methodist Church, Harwood, next Friday at 7.30pm when Affetside Choir will be raising money for a church appeal to provide disabled access to the building. Tickets cost £3 which includes refreshments.
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Love is in the air
ROMANCE is in the air -- could this be because Valentine's Day is almost upon us? As cupid starts to fire his annual arrows the incurable romantics among us are scouring the shops for that extra special present for our loved one. Forget the other 364
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Expect delays
MOTORISTS in the Burnden area are expected to face rush-hour delays next week as engineers carry out a routine inspection of the railway bridge in Weston Street. Temporary traffic lights will operate for seven hours from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Monday. Drivers
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Dominic's tops
LOWTON-born and based radio presenter Dominic Walker is among Britain's most popular afternoon broadcasters. He has been recognised in the 2002 Radio Directory as the 17th most popular afternoon presenter in a chart involving stations from across the
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Store hit be raiders
TWO masked raiders burst into a Tonge Moor store last night and stole cash. The robbers ran into Matalan, in Tonge Moor Road, as it was closing at 8pm yesterday and grabbed the money before escaping in a white Honda Civic. The car was later found abandoned
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Cash mountain
SHOPPERS donated £167.83 to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team at a supermarket collection day at Morrisons in Blackhorse Street last Saturday. Mike Thomason, fundraising officer, said: "We are all very grateful for the support of the supermarket staff and all
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Man guilty of computer theft
A JOBLESS mechanic found a holdall containing a computer stolen from Sharples High School and decided to take it home, a court heard. Simon Cons, aged 35, of Eastway, Hall i'th' Wood, pleaded guilty to theft at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday. He found
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Citizenship briefings
COMMUNITY groups and organisations in Bolton are being invited to attend one of several briefings to find out how they can benefit from the Citizenship 21 Awards scheme. The scheme, funded by the Community Fund (formerly the National Lottery Charities
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Watch on council conduct
BURY Council's new standards watchdog has already started its task of ensuring that the highest codes of conduct are maintained. The Standards Committee has the responsibility of monitoring the day-to-day operations of the council and ensuring that its
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Family's compensation fight
THE family of a fit and healthy runner who died after developing cancer due to contact with asbestos are fighting for compensation. Dennis Topping was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 1997 and died on November 13 last year, aged 65, after a four-year
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It's just William for Rebecca
BOLTON wannabe Pop Idol Rebecca Goven is backing William Young to take the title in tonight's television showdown. But she believes Gareth will be the winner thanks to "the sympathy vote". Rebecca, who made it to the final 50 candidates of ITV's programme
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Tributes to former rope company works manager
A FORMER works manager at a Bolton ropework factory has died aged 100. Tributes have been paid to Vernon Holden, who worked at John Taylor and Sons Ltd in Chequerbent making and splicing ropes for 53 years. Born in Albion Street, Wingates, Mr Holden died
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Get your skates on and write, youngsters told
A FORMER skateboarder who is now a town councillor is appealing to young people to write to him if they want a new park. Nic Peel, who represents the Tonge area, says there is a real possibility this goal can be achieved in his ward -- but he needs proof
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Mayor town unprepared for disaster
WESTHOUGHTON Mayor Brian Clare fears the town may be unprepared for a major air disaster. Jets fly low overhead on their way to Manchester Airport and Coun Clare says the town council needs to find out what emergency plans are in place -- and fast. He
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More misery on the roads
TRAFFIC schemes are set to bring misery to motorists in Astley Bridge, Kearsley and Horwich -- and major delays are expected. Transco will start a three-week scheme next week to repair a gas main in Winter Hey Lane from the junction of Lee Lane for 120
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Talks over the future of housing
HOUSING chiefs have lobbied Whitehall over radical plans to pump millions of pounds into upgrading Bolton's council homes. In the biggest single project ever launched in the town, £800 million borrowed from the private sector would be used to bring the
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Welder Joyce's roof was the pride of Europe
PENSIONER Joyce Smith looks like an ordinary passenger when she steps on board one of Bolton's buses. But drivers would probably give her a hug -- or a free ride -- if they knew who she really was. For the 76-year-old from Morris Green is the reason why
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Sam offers Djorkaeff Cup lifeline
SAM Allardyce has told Youri Djorkaeff to lower his wage demands or miss out on this summer's World Cup. The Wanderers' boss has offered the French World Cup winner a loan switch from Kaiserslautern and Djorkaeff says he is confident of striking a deal
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JENNINGS BUILDERS PREMIER
P W L F A Pts Beasts... 9 7 2 28 17 42 Rumworth A... 9 5 4 25 20 35 Roy's Rovers... 9 4 5 24 21 32 Deaf A... 9 5 4 21 24 31 Oasis A... 9 4 5 21 24 29 Patriots... 9 4 5 21 24 29 Waggoner... 8 4 4 20 20 28 Young Guns... 9 4 5 20 25 28 Bombers... 9 3 6 20
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Baldwin returns for Cup crunch
AFTER a month on the casualty list, pack ace Simon Baldwin is back for Sunday's battle of the NFP heavyweights at Spotland. Baldwin's return to action is just in the nick of time for the Centurions who have seven players unavailable for the Kellogg's
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School fire pupils back on Monday
HUNDREDS of pupils sent home early from a Leigh high school after a fire broke out in the science block are expected to be back behind their desks on Monday. Anxious staff led the pupils to safety as Westleigh High school was evacuated and a roll call
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SECTION ONE
P Pts Deane C... 18 102.0 Rumworth B... 18 94.5 Halliwell A... 19 86.0 Tonge Moor B... 18 82.0 Rumworth D... 19 80.5 Breightmet A... 18 79.5 Tonge Moor A... 18 79.0 Adlington... 18 77.5 Deane A... 18 77.0 Over Hulton B... 18 76.0 Rumworth A... 18 74.5
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FARNWORTH & DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE
WEEK 19 -- Q Club B 5, Hare & Hounds 3; Hawkers B 7, LLWMC 1; Walkden Labour 1, Dixon Green B 8; K & R Conservative 6, Cuemasters D 2; Walkden CC 2, Hawkers A 7; WRBL 3, Cuemasters A 6. The matches between Cuemasters B v Farnworth Snooker and
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Moir treble keeps Rams in charge
NO changes at the top and bottom of the Premier Division, Ramsbottom A are 21 points ahead, while Ramsbottom C would appear to be firmly planted at the bottom. Top Ten leader Mike Moir trebled for the A team in their 6-3 win at Lostock, and Louis Rosenthall
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Beatles DJ dies, 76
THE former Liverpool DJ credited with helping to launch the career of The Beatles has died after a long illness. Bob Wooler, aged 76, who introduced them on stage at The Cavern had suffered a heart condition and diabetes before his death.
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NW car crime hotspot
THE North-west is among the UK's car crime hotspots, according to a new survey. The study by car insurer elephant.co.uk found that 20.7 per cent of all claims in the region were for theft compared to the national average of 16.9 per cent.
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Will the real Cary Cooper stand up?
HIS face is familiar and his name will certainly ring a bell with many, but who is the real Cary Cooper? asks Karen Stephen Professor Cooper is the man the media calls on when an expert opinion is needed. This professor of psychology and health at the
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Campaigners' joy at housing victory
COUNCILLORS and environmental campaigners say they are delighted a Government inspector stopped a housing estate being built on their doorstep. Residents on Forest Drive, Westhoughton, have fought a nine-year battle against developments on Fish Fold Farm
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Ex- RAF police group recruitment drive
PEOPLE are being invited to join the RAF Police Association. The group enables serving and retired members and associated branches and trades to meet together at branches all over the country. Contact the Association Secretary, David Wardell, at 40 South
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Parents 'should not have a choice' over jab
A MOTHER whose son nearly died from measles two years ago believes parents should NOT have a choice over the MMR vaccine. Sandra Maher says it should be made compulsory for parents to have their children vaccinated to protect them from the killer disease
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Town set for cash injection of £70m
A MAJOR European cash boost for Bolton could exceed £30 million over the next seven years. And it is estimated that the injection will bring in another £40 million in funds from the public and private sectors. The town has qualified for European funding
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Plans before the council
A HOUSE could become a bookmaker's shop if plans are approved by Bolton Council. Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Ltd have submitted an application to convert a house in Wigan Road, Deane, into a betting shop. Other plans lodged with the council this week
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Change for a better Britain?
AFTER years in the planning, the European single currency is now a reality. The United Kingdom, together with Denmark and Sweden, are the only countries yet to enter the eurozone. Here, Radcliffe-based Gary Titley, one of 10 North-west MEPs which represent
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Robinson relishes challenge
FORMER Shakers supremo Terry Robinson this week stepped into a new job as Football Executive of First Division Sheffield United. The move came less than eight days after he resigned as chairman and chief executive of Bury Football Club. The Blades, managed
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Ladies individual dates
LADIES Individuals Monday, February 11, at Derby Ward LC. Officials: J Speddy, M Bell, I Yates. Players to be at the venue for 8.10pm for 8.15pm draw. This time will be strictly adhered to. Alteration to fixtures: Men Section Four Bolton Irish Club Tel
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Sam offers Djorkaeff Cup lifeline
SAM Allardyce has told Youri Djorkaeff to lower his wage demands or miss out on this summer's World Cup. The Wanderers' boss has offered the French World Cup winner a loan switch from Kaiserslautern and Djorkaeff says he is confident of striking a deal
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Horwich results and tables
DARTS Bowling Green 4, St Mary's A 14; Horwich Cons 8, Crown Hotel 10; Rivington Club 13, Reform Club 5; Schooner Inn 11, Squirrel Hotel A 7; Squirrel Hotel B 8, Vic & Albert 10; St Mary's B 11, Bay Horse 7. P W D L Pts St Mary's B... 14 13 0 1 183
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Frandsen for World Cup -Stig
STIG Tofting is tipping his new team-mate and former international sidekick, Per Frandsen, to play in the World Cup Finals this summer. Wanderers' new combative midfield player, who completed his £250,000 move from SV Hamburg yesterday, looks certain
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Pairs venue for ladies
THE LADIES Round the Board Pairs will be on Monday at The Lord Raglan, Halliwell Road, £1 per player. Draw will be at 8.30pm, telephone entries can ring 01204 844022. The men's Round the Board will be at the Victoria British Queen, Blackburn Road, on
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Right turn filter is needed at junction
IT is all well and good to close Seymour Road, but without making major improvements to Blackburn Road/Crompton Way junction all that will happen is to transfer the problem. A right turn filter is needed at this junction. If it is not put there Blackburn
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Let's see Charles join in campaign
HAVING read the letter in the BEN, February 5, from Mrs K M Kay, RSPCA, I wonder if, as well as writing to Tony Blair, we could get Prince Charles to champion our campaign. After all it was in the Queen's speech that the vote was to be a free one, and
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Princess with Bolton close to her heart
PRINCESS Margaret, who died peacfully aged 71 on Saturday morning, touched the lives of many people in Bolton and opened the Octagon theatre in 1967. Princess Margaret officially opened the venue before joining other theatre-goers to watch the world premiere
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All the best coaches are not from abroad - Sam
SAM Allardyce is adamant British can be best when it comes to coaching at the highest level. And the Wanderers' boss points to Glenn Roeder, who brings his West Ham side to the Reebok today, as a prime example of home grown managerial talent. Roeder has
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Young strikers may have England role
PAUL Warhurst believes fans were seeing two England strikers of the future at the Reebok writes Neil Bonnar Michael Ricketts and West Ham's Jermain Defoe could be international colleagues for years to come according to the Wanderers midfielder. There
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Stig's challenge to fans
STIG Tofting prefers to let Wanderers' fans see for themselves the type of player Sam Allardyce has added to his survival squad. "You'll have to watch and make your own decisions," says the combative Dane whose descriptions have ranged from "terrier"
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Woodhey girls dance for Daniel
TALENTED teenagers have raised more than £1,000 for a boy struggling to beat leukaemia. Pupils from Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom joined professional acts from the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester to put on a talent show at the school. The show was
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On the ball with bingo
A QUIZ and bingo night will be held at Breightmet United Football Club, Moss Park, off Bury Road, on Saturday. Admission is 50p. More details on 01204 533930.
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New homes approved
PLANNING permission for 30 new homes and the relocation of a playing field off Ainsworth Lane in Tonge Moor has been granted by Bolton councillors. It is for part of the De Lacy Drive site which is undergoing a multi-million pound development.
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Changes on the menu
BURY'S school meals service is undergoing changes including dining room makeovers and new uniforms for staff. A cashless sales system will soon be piloted at two schools. Pupils at Philips High and Broad Oak High will be the first to try out smart cards
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More delays on the roads
MOTORISTS in Little Lever face a second Sunday of heavy disruption tomorrow as Bolton Council continue a scheme to resurface a section of carriageway in Radcliffe Road. A stretch from Park Road to the first Bolton-bound bend will be closed throughout
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Teacher death
STAFF and pupils have paid tribute to a former Leigh teacher who has died aged 62. They were among the 200 strong congregation which packed St Luke's Church, Lowton, for a service for Mrs Marian Scoffam, who ended her long career at Wigan's Deanery High
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Seminar on epilepsy
A SEMINAR on epilepsy is being held in Bolton next Thursday. People with the condition are invited to attend at the Jubilee Centre, Darley Street, Halliwell, from 6.45pm until 8.30pm. Nurses from the Royal Bolton Hospital will be among the speakers. speaking
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Can you help in heart research?
FAMILIES with heart disease problems are being asked to take part in new research. Heart disease is one of Bolton's biggest killers but a genetic study is hoping to uncover better treatment and save lives. A national bus tour has already resulted in 1,700
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Drunk ripped down posters
A MAN has been jailed after he walked into a police station, demanded to be arrested, then ripped posters off the walls. Bolton Magistrates Court was told that Neil Corness, aged 42, of no fixed abode, went into Bolton Central station on Thursday night
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Medical ethics advisors plea
VOLUNTEERS from Bolton are needed to help monitor medical research. The Bolton Research Ethics Committee are looking for people to help it keep in touch with local needs. The committee provides independent advice to medical groups and organisations and
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Woman cleared of pub toilet assault
A MOTHER-of-six from Bury was cleared by Rochdale magistrates of assaulting another woman in a pub toilet and causing unlawful damage. Catherine Calvert, aged 40, of Grassington Drive, Heap Bridge, had denied assaulting Catherine Manning and causing criminal
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Jeff set to star in new Pulp video
A PAUL McCartney lookalike is set to feature in a pop music video. Jeff Greenhalgh, aged 45, will appear in the video of pop group Pulp's latest single "Bad Cover Version", which is released at the end of the month. Mr Greenhalgh, of Sefton Street, Leigh
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Mayor's charity thanks
THE Mayor of Bury, Councillor Paul Nesbit, has sent out a big "thank you" to dozens of young people from across the borough who helped boost his charity cause. The five to 17-year-olds were involved in the successful 2002 Bury Variety Showcase concert
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Concert season starts
BOLTON Sinfonietta will perform the first concert of the 2002 season tomorrow at Bolton School Arts Centre. Joining them for Poulenc's Flute Concerto will be local virtuoso Julie Leach. Julie won the prestigious Maurice Jacobson award at the National
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On track of a train show
ALL aboard for a model train bonanza in Bolton. More than 16 track and train layouts in various scales and sizes will go on show in an exhibition next weekend at Bolton School's Arts and Conference Centre in Chorley New Road. The Scale Rail North West
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Workers' wait for information battle win
EMPLOYEES of Bolton companies will have to wait for up to three years longer than their European counterparts to gain the right to be consulted about major decisions affecting their livelihoods. Euro-MPs this week gave their approval to new legislation
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Yellow lines plan angers residents
RESIDENTS are being driven mad by proposals to put double yellow lines outside their home. People living on Halstead Street, Bolton, have expressed annoyance at plans to put parking restrictions along one side of their road. A parking scheme is set to
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Council to thaw chilly relationship with traders
THERE is a cold wind blowing through a new outdoor market -- and the council hopes to come up with a solution to warm stallholders hearts. Battling stallholders have been reassured that their chilly plight on the new Albion Street outdoor market site
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Still too few nurses
AN army of 86 nurses is still needed at the Royal Bolton Hospital to cope with an increase in patients. New figures show that it continues to lag behind its NHS counterparts nationally under the Government's NHS Plan. The hospital has increased its nursing
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Threat to town's £35m cash for transport bonus
A £35 MILLION shake up of Bolton's transport network could be in jeopardy. The Government has expressed doubts about Bolton Council's ability to spend the vast sum given by Metrolink funding -- and wants to see a 10 year plan. The council got the money
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Fund-raisers box clever for charity
A BOXING Show organised by a group of fund-raisers on behalf of Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club was a knock-out success, raising exactly £50,000 in just one night. And sport and soap stars helped make the evening a big success. The annual event was organised
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£75,000 a year for manager to cut waiting lists
A TROUBLESHOOTER will be brought in to help reduce the high number of cancelled operations at the Royal Bolton Hospital. The Government is giving the town's one star hospital £75,000 to employ a manager to cut waiting lists. It was penalised heavily last
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DIVISION ONE
P W L F B Pts Globe A... 16 12 4 76 24 100 Egerton CC... 16 13 3 68 26 94 Summerseat Lib**... 16 12 3 70 24 92 Royal Oak B... 16 10 6 70 20 90 White Horse A*... 16 9 7 55 18 73 Pack Horse B... 16 8 7 52 14 72 Spread Eagle... 16 9 6 54 18 72 Brook... 16
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Delegates meeting
THERE will be a delegates meeting at the Churchills, Manchester Road, on Tuesday, at 8pm. All teams must have a delegate at the meeting, failure to do so will result in that team losing four points. Also all league fees must be paid in full. Next week's
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Double triumph for Bolton's two teams
BOLTON A and B won their first round matches 6-1 against Eccles B and A respectively. Inter-league programme: Group Three -- Bolton A, February 27, Hazel Grove B at Hyde Snooker Club; March 27, Manchester C at Breaks SC (Failsworth). Group One -- Bolton
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Mum and daughter's record breaking show
MOTHER and daughter Janet and Emily Rashleigh created history when they competed in the UK Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships. The Horwich Harriers duo will represent Greater Manchester at Wollaton Park in Nottingham, with Janet in the senior
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Tom's national Schools test
TOM Lancashire secured his place in the English Schools with another commanding championship victory last weekend. The 16 year-old Bolton Harrier will be joined at the event by four of his club-mates. After winning the county club title with ease, Lancashire
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Chip shops gun raid
A THIEF armed with a hand gun threatened staff and customers at two chip shops in Rochdale. He entered a take-away on Whitworth Street, before escaping with cash and entering another one on Halifax Road. The man is described by police as Asian, 5ft 8ins
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DIY store gives helping hand
CHARITIES and community organisations have the chance to receive a big helping hand thanks to the B&Q 'You Can Do It' Awards. The accolades aim to regenerate local areas, giving new life to buildings and landscapes used by local community organisations
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Top award for brave Madi
KINDHEARTED Madalina Richardson had only one thought on her mind when she heard that she had been chosen for a top honour. "But what a shame for the other children who didn't win," she said. Her mum, Kath Richardson, said Madi's reaction on hearing the
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A taste of the great outdoors
THE North West Great Days Out Fair, Britain's biggest one-day travel show, will again be held at the Reebok Stadium, with more than 150 exhibitors offering ideas for group days out, short breaks and holidays within the North-west and beyond. The Bolton
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Moran move brings river view to gallery
IT was a case of out with the old and in with the new at Bolton Museum and Art Gallery. While museum staff welcomed its latest addition -- a Thomas Moran watercolour worth £90,000 -- it waved a temporary goodbye yesterday to its most famous piece. The
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Barbara on track to boost campaign funds
A BREAST cancer survivor is taking part in Bolton Busting Breast Cancer's Relay for Life at Bolton Arena to boost research into the disease. Barbara Collett, a 60-year-old sewing machinist, was struck by the disease in 1997. She has since recovered and
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Death threat trauma of bullied schoolboy
A MOTHER is refusing to send her son to school after a series of death threats -- made by a primary school boy -- were left on their answerphone. Yogini Mistry, aged 35, was horrified when she heard the first message which warned her: "I'll kill you."
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Off the mark in super style
BOLTON Under 15s won their first match of the season when they beat Wigan 4-0 in the Greater Manchester Schools League, last week. The local youngsters have had a torrid time this season losing their first eight games in a row. Their fortunes changed
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Wanderers v West Ham: Live reports here
BEN Chief Soccer Writer reports exclusively for this website from the Reebok. You can read about the pre-match team news, half time and full time reports and goal flashes by clicking HERE
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Steve and Dave in pairs triumph
STEVE Finch and Dave Heyes won the Men's Pairs (Watney Mann Trophy) in the Bolton Darts League in aid of the Bolton Senior Gateway Club for mentally handicapped adults. In the final at the Moonlight Club, St George's Road, they beat Chris Gordon and Hitesh
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Kiely set for United challenge
FORMER Bury keeper Dean Kiely says he is looking forward to the challenge of facing up to Manchester United on Sunday, and refuses to be dismissive of Charlton's chances. "We've shown that we can lift our game when we play a big club with results against
