Archive

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Davies admits defeat in England chase

KEVIN Davies has finally given up on his dream of playing for England. The Wanderers hit-man, who narrowly missed out on last summer's mini-tour to the USA, is convinced his big chance has passed him by. "I'd love to be given a chance," he said.

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Short, sharp, shock needed

THE visible damage caused by the arson attack to Smithills School was bad enough but it could have been so much worse. Fire officers are speaking to pupils at the school, where a New Year's Eve blaze wrecked three classrooms and caused smoke damage

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Famous on the web

WE all know just how varied and talented the folk of Bolton are. The world, to a certain degree, may be ignorant of this, but is about to be put in the picture. Thanks to a new website www.boltonians.co.uk people throughout the world will now discover

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Mock wedding delight for parents, children

THE groom needed encouragement to kiss his bride - and the congregation wanted to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep. It was the vicar's first marriage service and the happy couple were massively underage. But the wedding still brought tears to the eyes of

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Beds crisis as winter bugs bite

BOSSES at the Royal Bolton Hospital have been forced to open extra beds to cope with the number of patients being admitted with winter illnesses. The situation reached such a critical level on Wednesday night that chiefs asked ambulance bosses to route

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Thirds make it a draw

BOLTON thirds made the short trip to Brooklands looking to carry on their impressive start to the season and came away with a 1-1 draw. With the addition of Davies and Guey to bolster their attacking options Bolton began brightly with some incisive passing

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Players wanted

DEANE Badminton Club are looking for female players to play for their B and C teams. Anyone interested can contact Kanti Mistry on 07702 7147777.

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Juniors in Saturday training

Bolton Junior Badminton squad currently trains at Horwich Leisure Centre, on Sundays, from 1pm-3pm. Girls and boys, aged between 7 and 19 and all standards are welcome. For more information, or to book your place, please ring Barbara Lomas on 07812 688669

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The day Gandhi came to town

NOT many people know that independence campaigner Mahatma Gandhi left his homeland on only one occasion after becoming Indian leader, and when he did, it was to visit Lancashire. Bill Allen traces the great man's steps of 75 years ago FOR a junior reporter

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Life for loner who killed neighbour, 10

A TEENAGER who murdered his 10-year-old neighbour has been jailed for life. Kieron Smith, aged 18, of Pilling Street, Leigh, will serve a minimum of 15 years before he is eligible for parole. Passing sentence on Smith - who was found guilty of murdering

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Any Swimming News?

Send us your swimming news and results! Click HERE to submit your story.

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Young Ryan sparks Olympic star's coaching dreams

BOLTON'S Olympic swimmer, Anthony Howard, is considering moving into full time coaching when he retires from competition next year. And if the 26-year-old has the same success he has enjoyed with his first student, he could have a bright future outside

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Teams strike out for indoor glory

ANTHONY Axford Bolton League indoor cricket league results. Round one: Egerton 92 for 4 (Anthony Clegg 30*, Ashley Marsden 21) Farnworth SC 94 for 4. The game went down to the final delivery when Ian Rushton clinched it for Circle. Tonge 105 for 1 (Nigel

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King of the Rake loses out

REIGNING 'King of the Rake', Southport CC's Dr Jim Henderson, got a taste of his own medicine when he lost out by three-tenths of a second to Lancaster's Ben Greenwood in this year's Rake Hill Climb event. The popular annual Lancashire Road Club race

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Hard work pays off as Hunt joins medal race

BOLTON teenage cyclist Amy Hunt has received a surprise call-up for next year's Commonwealth Games. The 19-year-old has been selected to ride for England in the road race in Melbourne in March. Her selection signals the rapid progress Amy has made since

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Hunt for hit-run death crash driver

POLICE are hunting the driver of a car which was being driven "extremely fast" when it hit and killed a 45-year-old woman in Wigan Road, Deane, at about 3am on Saturday morning. The victim has been named as Laura Entwistle, a mother of two, who is believed

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Your Back, Your Health

ACCORDING to the book Your Back, Your Health more than 10 million Britons suffer with back pain. Then there are many others who have health problems caused by their backs. In the book, back specialist Dr Paul Sherwood, explains how understanding your

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Bergdorf Blondes

IF you think a Brazilian is a foreigner, that PJs are simply pyjamas and an ATM is a hole in the wall then you haven't met the Bergdorf Blondes. Plum Sykes's debut novel - which earned her a reported £400,000 advance - takes you into the world of the

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The Piano Teacher

PILOT Mountain, North Carolina, is a town of only 2,500 inhabitants with a 1950s mindset doing its best to cope with the social upheavals of the 1970s. Miss Wilma, a widowed music teacher and organist, suddenly finds her quiet and long-empty house full

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Star duo pledge to lift Centurions

RUGBY League legends Andy Gregory and Julian O'Neill have pledged their full backing to make Leigh Centurions an established Super League club. Gregory, one of the game's all-time great scrum-halves, and former Australian international half-back O'Neill

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Night Crossing

THE first two novels in Robert Ryan's Second World War Morning, Noon and Night trilogy have captured the true events of the period, transforming real stories and characters into mesmerising fiction. Night Crossing is the third book in the series and reveals

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Twisted Roots

THE latest from the Virginia Andrews' production line (90 million novels sold worldwide in 22 languages) is certain to add to the legions of fans. From the outside, Hannah Eaton, Willow de Beers' teenage daughter, lives a charmed life in wealthy Palm

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The inside track on spies

THE sinister, murky world of espionage is laid bare in this revised and updated edition of Philip Knightley's powerful book about spies and spying in the 20th century. The author is cynical about the intelligence business, not least about its efficacy

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Britain's Best Country Walks

THEY are wild and tamed, high and low, coastal and inland, and they are all fabulous walking destinations. From week-long treks to afternoon strolls, from the rugged Scottish Highlands to the chocolate-box pretty Cotswolds, from the dramatic Yorkshire

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The Devil's Banker

THE fight against international terrorism has moved on to the balance sheet. As the world fights terrorists by attempting to deny them the cash they need to operate, a number of writers have turned to this theme. Christopher Reich has based a number of

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Pipped at the post

BOLTON Basketball Club had an exciting finale to their game against MBC Giants, a team well coached, disciplined and full of youngsters. The game began well with both teams ending the first quarter tied at 20. The second quarter saw Bolton fall behind

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Latest club results at October 14

Hart Common: Vice Captain's Cup: 1. I Makinson 68 c/p; 2. S Curran 68; 3. D Battersby 69. Sunday Stableford: 1. Kate Sands 40; 2. D Rigby 37. (Kate Sands had a hole in one on the 11th). Deane: Three man event: M Taylor, B Pearson and I Barlow 77 pts,

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Easy trail across the Pennine Way

THE Pennine Way isn't all about bog-trotting across desolate northern moors. After leaving the gritstone moors of the Peak District behind, it heads for the Yorkshire Dales and becomes a surprisingly green and pleasant trail through the lush meadows of

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Get a bigger view of Bolton

THE view from the top of Rivington Pike often reveals a panorama from Anglesey, Snowdonia and the Clwydian Hills of North Wales, around to Blackpool Tower, Bowland and the Lake District. You should be able to pick out the Reebok, Horwich, and the Rivington

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Heads to meet MP over reforms

BOLTON North-east MP David Crausby is to meet with a group of headteachers from his constituency to discuss the future of education. In particular, he wants to hear their views on the Education White Paper, Better Schools for All. Under the Government

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Pupils quizzed over school blaze

DETECTIVES investigating an arson attack which destroyed part of Smithills School are going into the classroom to speak to pupils. The blaze early on New Year's Eve wrecked three classrooms and caused smoke damage to a further six. It left the school

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Mock wedding delight for parents, children

THE groom needed encouragement to kiss his bride - and the congregation wanted to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep. It was the vicar's first marriage service and the happy couple were massively underage. But the wedding still brought tears to the eyes of parents

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Horse destroyed after crash

A HORSE badly injured in a crash involving two cars has been destroyed. The horse was in collision with the cars near the Wilton Arms in Belmont Road, Belmont, at about 6.30pm on Friday night. It is believed the horse had escaped from a nearby field.

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All about to local works

A HISTORICAL talk about the Horwich Loco Works is being held at the town library. The "Memories of Horwich Loco Works" event is being put on by Jack Smith from Horwich Heritage. The talk starts at the library, on Jones Street, at 7.45pm, on Thursday,

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Police to target speeding drivers

SPEEDING motorists will be targeted as a result of concerns from members of the public. Officers will be carrying out roadside checks in Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, from Monday. The area has been identified by residents who are concerned about the number

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Garage robber said 'sorry'

A ROBBER apologised to a service station assistant before he demanded cash from the till. Craig Roberts was part of a gang of three which raided the garage in Atherton Road, Wigan, and who were jailed for a total of eight and a half years at Liverpool

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Two admit shop robbery

TWO men have pleaded guilty to robbing a newsagents in Bolton. Stephen Taylor, aged 37, of Bentley Court, Farnworth, and Kevin Hilton, aged 28, from Bolton, but of no fixed address, threatened a shop assistant with a handgun during the raid. The pair

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Pupils quizzed over school blaze

DETECTIVES investigating an arson attack which destroyed part of Smithills School are going into the classroom to speak to pupils. The blaze early on New Year's Eve wrecked three classrooms and caused smoke damage to a further six. It left the school

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MP applauds decision on cannabis law

BOLTON MP Brian Iddon has welcomed the Governments decision not to reclassify cannabis. The MP for Bolton South-east said the decision for cannabis to remain a Class C substance would allow police to focus on tackling harder drugs. The Government came

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Smiths Restaurant, Manchester

SMITHS is one of those restaurants where everything you seen coming out of the kitchen you will wish you had ordered. The presentation of the food at this eatery is simply exquisite, and that includes the starters and desserts. My mother and I visited

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Pizza, pasta and real Italian cheer

ON a wet and windy night more akin to the depths of winter than the end of summer, the last thing you feel like eating is a salad. So wholesome and warm Italian food seemed the ideal way to provide some much-needed cheer. Fortunately, Ciao Napoli, which

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Pizza Express

A VISIT to Pizza Express pretty much lives up to its name: a wide range of pizzas served swiftly and efficiently. But that's doing the Bolton branch of this national chain a disservice, as there is a lot more on the menu than pizzas and service throughout

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Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant

For some unknown reason it had taken me 12 months to try Giuseppe's. Since it opened with its smart exterior a year ago I had made a mental note to visit the eaterie. Was it worth the wait? Well, the first impression was good. Giuseppe's, which has been

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Nando's, The Printworks

WE were like a troupe of wandering minstrels ... only we didn't feel much like singing! It was a Saturday night - Valentine's night to be precise - and six of us descended on Manchester for dinner. Because we'd planned to visit the Hard Rock Cafe, I was

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Cecco's Ristorante Italiano

WHEN the White Horse pub closed and a huge banner proclaiming "New Italian Restaurant opening soon" appeared, I started licking my lips. On my daily trip to work, I watched as the builders' skip appeared and then the "Book now" banner was draped outside

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Davies admits defeat in England chase

KEVIN Davies has finally given up on his dream of playing for England. The Wanderers hit-man, who narrowly missed out on last summer's mini-tour to the USA, is convinced his big chance has passed him by. "I'd love to be given a chance," he said. "But

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Out of Africa - Wanderers' TV stars

WANDERERS' stars are the TV spotlight after the 2006 African Nations Cup started on Friday teatime- and you will be able to watch live action, but only on cable or satellite. The digital channel BBCThree and satellite Eurosport, also available on cable

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Musical genius that shows no sign of ageing

A BALDING, pony-tailed grandad dressed in black velvet breeches, long stockings and red suede shoes "playing" an electronic drumming waistcoat. No, not a novelty act. This was genius Mick Fleetwood in action during the encore of a blistering night of

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Story is a romantic treasure

BOLTON's rich theatrical tapestry has unforgiving drama and unrestrained escapism. Of the latter, there can be few better examples than Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon. The story of a romance that blossoms between a lost New Yorker and a girl from a Scottish

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Hot Mikado

Walmsley Church AODS Parish Church Hall, Walmsley, until Saturday TEMPERATURES may be falling outside, but Nora Howcroft's flashy, dynamic, deliriously upbeat production turns up the heat until it bursts the barometer. It is rowdy, colourful and quite

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Comic delight with the Walkers

Tripe! Bolton Little Theatre. Until Saturday FOLLOWING on from last year's hit "Wakes", Bolton Little Theatre brings us up to date with Bolton's Walker family in 1955. Writer Roger Spencer has opted for the tried and tested formula that has proved such

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Battling Tyldesley lose out again

Tyldesley travelled to Northwich to face Winnington Park in their third outing in the Powergen North Two Division but left empty-handed as the home side did just enough to register a 15-3 victory. Park went ahead with a penalty but the early exchanges

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Railway tale never runs out of steam

The Railway Children, Farnworth Little Theatre, EDITH Nesbit's charming 1906 tale is a vital, direct link to a world in which belief in a positive moral necessity is repaid handsomely, and Alan Knott's delightful production warms this cold January with

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Full-bloodied and lavish - but take your hanky

THERE are two Manons in the opera world, the more famous, perhaps, composed in Italian by Puccini, which Opera North plans to stage next season. But here we have the earlier French version, also taken from the mid-18th century novel by the Abbe Prevost

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The Vagina Monologues, Palace Theatre, Manchester

THIS is the first review I have ever written where I can't actually tell you much about the show - The Vagina Monologues was just too rude. I'd heard friends rave about it, calling it the bible for all 21st century women, but I didn't know what to expect

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Lever Arms

EACH Sunday there is a pool knockout at the Levers Arms, Darcy Lever, played to World Rules. Names in by 8.30pm, two free tables, free food, £2 entry. Latest winner was Tom Foster, who beat Danny Evans in the final.

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Cinderella, Opera House, Manchester

ALL the staple panto ingredients are present and correct in this hugely enjoyable production . . . (please forgive me) oh yes they are! Corny jokes, audience participation, double entendres for the mums and dads and, best of all, lots of laughs. That

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Jools Holland leaves no-one feeling blue

THE Whites made way for the blues at Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium on Sunday night. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues orchestra provided a storming finish to the first Big Light On weekend. About 2,500 fans swayed, sang and clapped as if this

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David Bowie, hip again after all those years

THERE'S only one really weird thing about pop's most celebrated oddball these days . . . his voice. It's not natural to be able to sing like that, especially at the age of 57. Time hasn't stood still for David Bowie, it's gone in reverse. He looks and

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Pop stars rock at the Reebok

BOLTON came alive with the original sounds of the 80s as some of the era's biggest names in pop played the Reebok Stadium. Rain bounced off the stage for the second night of the Big Light on Festival as Go West warmed up the 2,000 fans on Saturday night

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Deborah Harry still has it

BEFORE Christina, Britney, even before Madonna, there was only one platinum Queen of Pop. Debbie Harry, who became a household name in her 30s, at an age when most modern pop idols have "retired" after two albums and three hit singles, was the lust object

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Sharples joy at trophy triumphants

SHARPLES Badminton Club were celebrating a cup double this week. Its A team won the Jane Fletcher Memorial Cup final, and its D team took home the Robert Cup after lively finales to the season at the Bolton Arena. Sharples faced tough opposition in Swinton

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Return To Jarrow

THIS is a powerful and compelling saga inspired by the remarkable life of Catherine Cookson. Tyneside, 1923: Catherine McMullan is 17, restless and rebellious. She's desperate to escape the grimy, impoverished town of Jarrow and when she finds out that

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Who Do You Think You Are Kidding!

COLIN Bean is not a name that readily springs to mind in connection with Dad's Army. Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn and Ian Lavender are among the more starry names associated with the television series. But Wigan-born Bean was in 80 episodes

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The Thinking Man's Guide to Golf

Colin Montgomerie, Europe's number one for the best part of a decade, finally puts his common-sense approach to playing the game down in words. Monty has always said that he could save an amateur golfer five or six shots a round if he were able to caddie

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A Pioneer's Progress - An Engineer Of Many Parts

WE left Bill Neill's first part of his three-part autobiography with his resignation from de Havillands at Lostock over a matter of principle. In this, the second book, we begin with a fishing trip to Norway followed by his joining Platt Brothers at Oldham

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Improving Suzanne hits the top spot

SUZANNE Budgett reached a new milestone when she won her first cross country race outright. The Horwich RMI Harrier revelled in the mud to cross the line first in the Red Rose Cross Country League's final fixture at Marl Pits, Rossendale. Her performance

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Benson steals crown Jules

TONY Benson has snatched Jules O'Neill from under the noses of National League One rivals Rochdale Hornets. The Leigh coach has persuaded the former Australian international that his prospects are better at Hilton Park rather than Spotland and the 33-

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Speedy Lee wings in

EXPERIENCED Super League winger Lee Greenwood is the latest newcomer to join Tony Benson's Leigh Centurions revolution. With well over 50 Super League games under his belt, Benson's sees Greenwood as just the sort of consistent finisher his squad needs

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Boss sharpens up the Shakers

CHRIS Casper has once again plundered Premiership-chasing Sheffield United's youth system to boost his squad's ranks. The Bury boss admits to being a big fan of the Blades' academy set up, and had already secured the services of Jake Speight and Colin

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Fans prove FC United are no flash in the pan

THEY were unheard of this time last year. But, six months after they were formed, FC United of Manchester attracted 4,328 fans to Gigg Lane for a league match against Winsford writes Marc Higginson You can expect a big crowd for a top of the league match

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Bolton Hospice Domino League

WITH the second half of the league underway, fees of £15 are now due. Please contact the secretary to arrange payment. Section A P H P Rumworth CC Z 9 77 18 Hen & Chicks 10 76 17 Rocket A 10 76 17 BICA A 19 78 15 Rumworth CC X 10 77 15 Jolly Waggonger

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Beds crisis as winter bugs bite

BOSSES at the Royal Bolton Hospital have been forced to open extra beds to cope with the number of patients being admitted with winter illnesses. The situation reached such a critical level on Wednesday night that chiefs asked ambulance bosses to route

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Bolton Cons League

LATEST tables on Dec 3 Section One P Pts Over Hulton B 11 58.5 Deane C 10 55.0 Rumworth B 10 54.0 Smithills A 11 53.0 Little Hulton A 11 50.5 Halliwell A 11 48.0 Over Hulton C 10 42.0 Rumworth D 11 41.5 Bradshaw A 10 38.0 Tonge Moor B* 10 37.5 Little

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Snooker ace shares life story

FORMER snooker champion John Spencer swapped his cue for a pen when he signed copies of his autobiography at Radcliffe Snooker Club. Mr Spencer, aged 70, of Tipton Close, Radcliffe, won the world title three times during his career, but was forced to

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The glory . . . and the bad breaks

THE autobiography of snooker legend John Spencer was launched on Monday (October 10). Bill Allen went along to tell the story of the Radcliffe man who has led a life of dramatic contrasts . . . THE first time I met future world snooker champion John Spencer

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Bolton determined to retain trophy

MANY of the favourites crashed out of the BGA's end-of-season Jack Taylor Trophy, but holders Bolton maintained a firm grip on their title. They defeated strong side Deane 3-2, while Horwich overcame Harwood away by 3-2. Dunscar received a shock with

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Heads to meet MP over reforms

BOLTON North-east MP David Crausby is to meet with a group of headteachers from his constituency to discuss the future of education. In particular, he wants to hear their views on the Education White Paper, Better Schools for All. Under the Government

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Police facing cash crisis

POLICE officers could be axed in a budget crisis in Greater Manchester which has been called "the most difficult challenge in recent times." A draft budget report for Greater Manchester Police Authority revealed that cuts to operational posts have not

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Residents get the hump woith speeders

MOTORISTS have been accused of making a mockery of a traffic calming scheme introduced in Farnworth and Kearsley. Drivers are mounting the pavement to avoid slowing down for speed bumps along Park Street, Church Road, Presto Street and Rawson Street,

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Life for loner who killed neighbour, 10

A TEENAGER who murdered his 10-year-old neighbour has been jailed for life. Kieron Smith, aged 18, of Pilling Street, Leigh, will serve a minimum of 15 years before he is eligible for parole. Passing sentence on Smith - who was found guilty of murdering

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Fears over care home crisis

A SECRET plan which may lead to the closure of Bolton Council's last care home has been uncovered by the Bolton Evening News. Manor Court in Harwood could be axed in a bid to make savings in adult services. But council bosses who discussed the confidential

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The day Gandhi came to town

NOT many people know that independence campaigner Mahatma Gandhi left his homeland on only one occasion after becoming Indian leader, and when he did, it was to visit Lancashire. Bill Allen traces the great man's steps of 75 years ago FOR a junior reporter

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Any horseracing news?

Send us your horseracing news! Click HERE to submit your report.

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It's the web of interest

WHAT'S the connection between a convict who founded a town in Australia; an animal trainer eaten by a lion and a television presenter? Puzzled? Well, the answer is Henry Hopwood, Thomas McCarte and Vernon Kay. They are just three of more than 450 names

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Cricket star Freddie is a Freeman

LANCASHIRE and England cricket hero Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff was installed as a Freeman of the city of Preston on Friday night. The hero of England's Ashes victory in 2005 was honoured for services and accomplishments in the sport. Councillor Harold

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Naps away for £500 prize

THE Bolton Evening News annual Naps competition gets under way on Saturday with 200 teams setting out on the chase for the £500 first prize. The horseracing competition, sponsored by Anthony Axford, requires teams to place an imaginary £1 bet on a horse

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Our Ben comes up trumps

LOYAL readers of the Bolton Evening News who prefer names to form were in the dosh after the first race at Cheltenham on Wednesday. A gallant run by 33-1 outsider Our Ben earned third place - and a handy pay-out for each-way punters. The winner No Refuge

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Farmer Jack dies on gallops

TOTESPORT Gold Cup hope Farmer Jack suffered a suspected heart attack and died on Philip Hobbs' gallops on Wednesday morning. The gelding had been supplemented for chasing's blue riband after an impressive win from Strong Flow and Celestial Gold in the

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Pizza Express - The Lowry

EXPRESS service is sometimes what you need when eating out - speaking as someone who cannot stand the apparent habit of waiters ignoring you when you want to pay the bill. So Pizza Express has a promising name, especially when you are having an evening

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Cosy pub with inviting menu

WE decided to eat out at the Royal Arms on our wedding anniversary - 18 years for anyone who's interested. We had stumbled upon this charming little pub/restaurant during a family drive at Christmas and had enjoyed a drink. We thought it so lovely we

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Tasty taste of Thailand

THE Royal Orchid lies on a South-east Asian fringe of Manchester's Chinatown around Portland Street. Although looking a little run down from the outside, stepping inside the restaurant is like a trip back to the colonial era. The tables are laid out in

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Hats off to the Golden Crown

IT would be fair to say that the citizens of Farnworth have not been exactly spoiled when it comes to restaurants over the last few years. Indeed, such has been the volume of takeaways opening at every turn that the eating of food while on the move was

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Tiggis

A COLLEAGUE wanted to know if I fancied popping out for a spot of lunch, how could I refuse? There's nothing like a pleasant meal and a chat in the middle of the day to set you up perfectly for an afternoon of work. We opted for the ever-popular town

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It's heaven in paradise

SETTING down my champagne glass, I step off the private boat into the warm turquoise waters. As I reach the golden sand, a bronzed Johnny Depp lookalike escorts me to a table in the shade of a palm tree where my lunch of freshly caught lobster is ready

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On board for the Garden of Eden

BY the time we had completed our return coach trip to Newquay in Cornwall we had covered 1,000 miles or so. It was all very comfortable and pleasant -- a journey without the hassle of driving writes Alan Calvert This, of course, is one of the reasons

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Businessman's leg shattered in burglary

A COMPANY director from Rawtensall is recovering in hospital after his leg was shattered in a burglary at his home. Richard Swift, executive director of Bolton-based Industrial Technology Investments, at Gilnow Mill, suffered severe bruising and a shattered

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Astley Bridge League

SHAUN Liptrot is the new Winter Season Individuals champion after some great throwing. Ian Roe was the runner-up and Mick Bushby and Paul Hesten were the semi-finalists. The next competition is the popular mixed pairs on December 12, at Halliwell Conservative

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The greatest desert on earth

AN hour and a half's drive into the Sahara, at nightfall, the first thing you notice is the silence. This is the sound of the greatest desert on earth, an expanse so large it's impossible to grasp the scale. And it's humbling, almost frightening, the

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A hole lot of fun in Majorca

AS a golfer with more enthusiasm than actual talent, more used to traipsing around a soggy Bolton course than the manicured fairways of the PGA Tour, I was thrilled to get the chance to test my meagre skills on two of Majorca's best known golf courses

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Hideaway in style on Barbados

TELLING people you are going on holiday to Barbados is a pretty failsafe way of turning them green with envy. They imagine - and you expect - long lazy days spent on a beautiful beach, rum punch in hand, being warmed by the Caribbean sun yet cooled by

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Hockey reports will appear here

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Hat-trick of wins for Ladies

BOLTON Hockey Cub ladies first team have generally struggled against Bowdon Highton but they put that right this time as they picked up their third win in three games with a 2-1 success. Bolton started well and gave a warning to the opposition that this

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Bolton stay top after impressive victory

LEAGUE leaders Bolton made it four wins out of four with an impressive 4-1 win over Oxton 2nd XI. After a solid start to the season scoring 11 goals without reply. Bolton probably needed the reality check they received when Oxton scored after 10 minutes

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Joyce meets the original first citizen

JOYCE Foulkes came face to face with her family history when she saw a portrait of the first Mayor of Bolton - painted by her ancestor more than 150 years ago. Charles Darbishire became mayor on December 1, 1838. His picture was painted and framed by

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Gun gang threaten shot staff

A SHOP assistant was dragged into a back room and threatened with a gun by armed robbers. The three-strong gang, who were all wearing balaclavas, stormed into Booze Busters in Firs Lane, Leigh. They threatened a 25-year-old woman who was working behind

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Lucky dip of short tales

12 Days eduted by Shelley Silas, (Virago Press, £10) THERE aren't very many books that you find yourself humming along to. There also aren't many books where you'll find Marx and Engels playing at being Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, sandwiched between

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Beer: The Story of the Pint

SIX thousand years and still going strong - the history of beer must constitute the world's biggest booze-up. The author traces, with obvious relish and love of the beverage, the tale of Britain's great drink through its origins in the Middle East, through

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Mini mania

You and Your New Mini, by Tim Mundy (Haynes, £17.99) SINCE its launch in 2001, the new Mini has been a spectacular success and during 2004 the 500,000th example rolled off the production line. The New Mini was possibly the most eagerly awaited new car

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Symbol of Courage

THE Victoria Cross medal can only be awarded for "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy." It has been awarded only 1,354 times since the Crimean

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Gallery of Steam

TURN the first page of Gallery of Steam and you're on familiar territory - the Brooksbottom Viaduct on the East Lancashire Railway, with a double-headed steam train storming across it. This glossy 172-page photo book from Steam Railway magazine is a credit

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Brother and Sister

MUCH of the mystique seems to have been taken out of adoption.These days, when adoption is less common than it used to be, the subject is treated more openly and files are usually available to those who want to delve into their past. But should they?

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A celebration of strange cars

Weird Cars A Century of the World's Strangest Cars by Stephen Vokins (Haynes, £14.99) STEPHEN Vokins presents a celebration of eccentric cars in all shapes and sizes. Here are some of the most ugly, crazily designed and downright awkward vehicles of all

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A Hostile Place

FOR Thomas Morgan, the September 11 attacks in New York provide the chance to stay ahead of both the law and his bank manager. With a broken marriage and an overdraft, the former soldier, sometime spy and occasional thief finds a new market for his skills

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Double Wedding

DESCRIBED in the past as the prolific queen of contemporary Irish popular fiction, there is no doubt that Patricia Scanlan's previous novels have won her an army of loyal fans, and Double Wedding will not disappoint their hunger for more of the same zippy

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Dead Ringer

BERNADETTE "Bennie" Rosato's twin sister returns to Philadelphia where Bennie is an attorney running a struggling practice. Bennie, in an earlier book, got her sister acquitted on a charge of murder but there is no love lost between them. Soon Bennie's

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A Hat Full of Sky

THAT Terry Pratchett is a very funny writer is now almost universally acknowledged. When he began setting books for younger readers on his long-established fantasy planet Discworld, there was a possibility that he might split his talents. Thankfully,

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Presenter's emotional journey to find his roots

Blue-Eyed Son The Story of an Adoption by Nicky Campbell (Macmillan, £17.99) GIVEN up for adoption at five days old, this is Nicky Campbell's extraordinary story of his search for - and reunion with - his natural parents. Nicky Campbell, the BBC Radio

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Trail Of The Dead

WHEN Paul Wood found the body of a Canadian walker with his head smashed in and a knife in both eyes it was a terrible shock. It was more so because this was the Himalayas, and Paul had found a similar body in Cameroon in Africa some years before. How

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Results and tables on August 15

Results: Men's Division One: Ellesmere A 0.5 Holcombe Brook S.C. A 8.5; Tyldesley A 2.5 Hawkshaw A 6.5; South College A 7.5 Markland Hill A 1.5; Walmer A 5.5 South College B 3.5. Mens Division Two: Next Generation (Chorley) A 4 Lostock A 5; Lostock B

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Any basketball news?

Send us your basketball news and results! Click HERE to submit your report.

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Astley Bridge

Section One P W Pts AB Con Club 12 9 104 Bowling Gn A (B/rd) 12 7 98 Bowling Gn Wand 12 8 94 Grey Mare 12 7 92 Fox & Stork 12 6 92 Crofters 12 3 87 Tonge Wickets 12 5 86 Three Pigeons 12 5 85 AB Cricket Club 12 5 84 Bowling Gn (Esk) 12 5 78 Section

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Radcliffe darts and domino league

THE crucial match at Top Bull gave satisfaction to both sides. Top Bull got the darts points so they now go clear at the top. Old Cross took the dominoes to keep space between them and Wilton in the domino league. The latter had a good night when they

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BGA Jack Taylor Trophy

RESULTS and fixtures on October 14 Old Links 3 Regent Park 2; Chorley 0 Deane 5; Horwich 3 Turton 2; Dunscar 3 Hindley Hall 2. Second Round (October 23): Bolton v Deane; Great Lever v Old Links; Westhoughton v Dunscar; Harwood v Horwich.

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Juniors miss out on national final

CHORLEY Juniors produced a solid display, but it was not enough to qualify for the Sunday Telegraph Junior Team Golf National final. In the Lancashire qualifier, at Mere, the BGA side finished on 373, behind winners Shaw Hill and Warrington. Old Links

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Results round-up at October 27

DUNSCAR CLOSING Day 4BBB stableford: Andy Abernethy and Mark Gornall 45pts CPO; Runners-up: Ian Bond (Captain) and Andy Ashworth (45pts); Third Peter Markham and Jim Shephered 44pts CPO. Other Scores: Dave Torkington and Steve Greenhough 44pts; Darren

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Along the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canal

ON a clear day from Kearsley you can see for miles. The whole of the West Pennine Moors in fact, from Winter Hill across to the Rossendale moors. This pleasant circuit from Moses Gate Country Park is a great winter walk. Moorland views, woodland, industrial

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Ramble across the rural Irwell

THIS local ramble uncovers the patchwork of riverside pastures hidden in the folds of the steep-sided Irwell Valley between Kearsley, Little Lever and Radcliffe. The odd factory still dominates the river here but there is also the industrial legacy of

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Walk of the Rings

THE LUSH countryside around Hurst Green is quintessentially English. This part of the Ribble Valley is steeped in history, from an old bridge over the nearby River Hodder crossed by Cromwell's army to the alms houses of Hurst Green village. But the Jewel

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Late night anglers spark fishing ban

ANGLERS have been banned from fishing at a lake following residents' complaints over late night disturbances. "No Fishing" signs have been put up at a lake opposite homes in the Butterwick Fields estate, off Crown Lane, Horwich. Residents said late night

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Mayor says thanks to quake appeal kids

SCHOOLCHILDREN were invited to Bolton Town Hall this week to say thank you for raising money for the Pakistan earthquake appeal. The youngsters were special guests of the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Frank White, as the appeal topped the £25,000 mark. Cllr White

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Gun gang threaten shot staff

A SHOP assistant was dragged into a back room and threatened with a gun by armed robbers. The three-strong gang, who were all wearing balaclavas, stormed into Booze Busters in Firs Lane, Leigh. They threatened a 25-year-old woman who was working behind

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Carjack attack on driver

A MOTORIST came under attack from two carjackers armed with wooden bats. The 39-year-old from Middleton pulled into Blantyre Street, Swinton, in his green Honda Saloon at 1am on Thursday. A man ran to his car and started hitting the side window with a

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Workers take to the boards

COUNCIL workers will leave their office roles behind when they tread the boards on Wednesday in a charity show at the Albert Halls. The Workmates Variety Performance has been organised by Joe Connor, from the Children's Services department, to raise funds

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I Viva Espana!

IT is a pleasure to have discovered this lovely little tapas restaurant. Situated in Horwich town centre on one of the main streets, it is clearly holding its own among the town's many other fine eateries. This is probably because it has a wonderful Spanish

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Mr G's

ANYONE who visited the big, rambling Victory pub on Chorley Old Road in Bolton will feel vaguely disorientated by wandering into Mr G's Restaurant now. A major and sympathetic renovation has turned the former into the latter, and the transformation from

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Taverna serves up Greek treat

KALYMNOS is a name I usually associate with a small Greek island just off the holiday island of Kos. But now there is a Kalymnos right here in Bolton - a newly opened Greek Taverna in fact. It is the latest addition to Bolton's restaurant scene although

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Great food in veggie heaven

GORDON Ramsay's theory that vegetarians don't have taste buds is well and truly sliced apart with a non-meat cleaver at this well-established restaurant in leafy West Didsbury. The celebrity chef, ex-professional footballer and Hell's Kitchen presenter

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Marseille tickets blow for fans

WANDERERS have been allocated only 2,800 tickets for their UEFA Cup second leg match against French side Olympique Marseille on Thursday, February 23. In the last round against Vitoria Guimaraes, Sam Allardyce's side had the backing of over 3,000 travelling

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Any rounders news?

Send us your rounders news and results! Click HERE to submit your report.

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Final tables at September 7

Section A P W D L Pt Rupert Lds A 18 17 0 1 34 D/Lever C&SC A 18 17 0 1 34 Aspull Lds XI 18 12 0 6 24 Walkden CC A 18 10 0 8 20 Davies XI 18 8 0 10 16 D/Lever C&SC B 18 7 0 11 14 L/Lever XI* 18 7 0 11 12 Nationwide XI 18 6 0 12 12 Heaton CC A

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Veteran Steele a great Scrooge

IF you want to mix a moral tale with a great big dollop of feel-good Christmas nostalgia this festive season, then the combination of one of Britain's best loved entertainers, Tommy Steele, and a Dickens classic could be for you. Veteran showman Steele

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Bolton Festival Choir and Orchestra

CONDUCTOR John Powell led a fantastic performance of two of the most spectacular pieces of classical music as part of Bolton Festival. The Festival Choir and Orchestra thundered through Bach's tour-de-force Magnificat and Haydn's Nelson Mass in the appropriately

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What a magic show

THIS delightfully compact production hilariously stretches the old social club/music hall magic act story to breaking point and beyond in 90-odd hilarious, crude, surreal minutes, and leaves you aching for more. Disillusioned 'magicomedy' act Syd Selby

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Beauty of a show will be family favourite

THIS is the best Christmas play I have seen for many years. Using the classic fairy story, director Noreen Kershaw and a supremely talented young cast have created a midwinter night's dream for all ages to savour. Most of the seven cast members take on

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Beating the beer for the season's true intent

Brixi Singers: Handel's Messiah , Bolton Parish Church AT this time of year, to be without the Messiah would be like having no Christmas tree. And when it is done as well as it was on Saturday by the magnificent Brixi Singers, the music reaches deep into

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Production captures the mood perfectly

Oh What a Lovely War, Marco Players, Chorley Old Road Methodist Church until Saturday THIS amazing show, when first produced in 1963, did a great deal to affect attitudes to the First World War. Through its combination of popular song and horrifying battle

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The most fun show in town

VOSBURGH and King's piece is an affectionate and silly transplantation of Moliere's The Imaginary Cuckold to 1940s Hollywood, complete with characters based on Mae West, WC Fields, Abbott and Costello and Jimmy Durante. Andrew Close's simple and polished

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LATEST tables at december 10

Division One PWDLPtFA DB310100050328181 San Marino1080242298178 Robert Shaw1171341337233 Sharples1161437332190 Chequers1061335243223 Walkden A1060434224193 Manchester PP1140724183276 Pirtek Ladies1131723244311 Salford Ladies1030717167271 Bolton Seniors1120916187287

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Bolton suffer fresh setback

High hopes for an exciting battle with local rivals Eccles ended in disappointment as Bolton lost 32-7. Bolton looked to have the edge, pushing the bigger pack around the park in both the loose and set-piece plays and after two minutes a clearance kick

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Bolton Winter Netball

LATEST details on December 10 RESULTS: Division One: San Marino 22 DB3 23; Sharples 53 CBs 9; Walkden A 33 Salford Ladies 25; Robert Shaw 41 Pirtek Ladies 23; Manchester PP 23 Bolton Metro Seniors 20. Division Two: Smithills A 30 Charlton Homes 24; High

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Bolton Choral Union, Modern Masterpieces

AN AMBITIOUS musical programme paid dividends for those lucky to be at the Victoria Hall. Under the banner of Modern Masterpieces, Bolton Choral Union were joined by the Saint Nicholas Singers from Chorley, the Manchester Camerata Concert Orchestra and

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Radcliffe League

RESULTS round-up on December 3 Premier Division: Hamers Arms 5 Masons Arms A 2; Welcome Inn A 2 Swan Ht A 5; Top Bull 1 R & Crown Rams 6; LLWMC 4 Queen Anne Hey 3; S of Life B 2 Roach Ht A 5. First Division: Swan Ht Tott 5 Old Crow 2; Roach Ht B 3

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Town's finest pump up the volume

THE volume was turned up at the Bolton Festival as local bands showcased their music. Seven home grown acts appeared together on an epic bill at the event organised by the Bolton Music Collective and Bolton-based Inaudible magazine. A crowd of 300 fans

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Any badminton news?

Send us your badminton news and results! Click HERE to submit your report.

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Badminton: Latest results

SECTION A: Forrest A 13 Bury A 15; Markland Hill A 17 Hawkshaw A 1; Markland Hill B 6 ABC 12; Christ Church 18 Markland Hill C 0; Hawkshaw A 12 Metros A 6. Section B: Markland Hill D 3 Park A 15; Metros B 0 Swinton 18; Bury B 10 Forrest B 8. Section C

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My Holidays

AS reality TV, with its relentless focus on the ordinary, has gone from strength to strength, it was only a matter of time before an equivalent emerged in the world of publishing. Billed by Picador as "the East End minimalist", Smith has been feted as

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Bolton lose to Crewe

BOLTON Basketball Club went down 106-95 to Crewe. After trailing by seven, Bolton got back into contention only to be beaten in the final quarter following an injury to Nicky McCarthy. Not even White with his 38 point haul could stem the flow and Bolton

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A wonderful comic caper

BARRY Lee is a smart-alec. I didn't expect to like him but, by the end of the first page, I did. Barry is a chancer, the sort of loveable rogue epitomised by Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, while his wife, Lola, is his soul-mate, the love of his life

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Rock Hudson

THIS revealing biography of film star Rock Hudson, who died very publicly of Aids in 1985 when he was 59, focuses heavily on his promiscuous gay private life. It says a lot for the efficiency of the old Hollywood studios' publicity machines that this

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Poison in Athens

SUMMER 2004 and Ancient Greece is officially the hottest place to be: Wolfgang Petersen's Troy, Oliver Stone's Alexander and Baz Luhrman's Alexander the Great are set to hit the big screens. August sees the Olympic games return to where they began in

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D-Day To Berlin

THIS year sees the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, and, as expected, a wide range of new titles are going to land on the bookshelves to commemorate the wartime event that changed the course of history. "D-Day was an overwhelming

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D-Day Books

IT was the most massive, complex and spectacular amphibious assault ever attempted, the long-awaited turning point in the bloodiest and most savage war in history. But when 7,000 ships, 11,000 aircraft, and 150,000 troops converged on the beaches of Normandy

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Hammond League

LATEST details RESULTS: Little John Z 3(11) Lodge Bank 0(4); Anglers Club 1(8) Little John A 2(7); Sweet Green 2(10) The Greyhound 1(5); Cattlemarket A 2(8) The Oasis 1(7); York Hotel 1(6) Moonlight Club 2(9); Park Hotel 2(6) The Albert 1(9); Rumworth

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Two admit shop robbery

TWO men have pleaded guilty to robbing a newsagents in Bolton. Stephen Taylor, aged 37, of Bentley Court, Farnworth, and Kevin Hilton, aged 28, from Bolton, but of no fixed address, threatened a shop assistant with a handgun during the raid. The pair

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Garage robber said 'sorry'

A ROBBER apologised to a service station assistant before he demanded cash from the till. Craig Roberts was part of a gang of three which raided the garage in Atherton Road, Wigan, and who were jailed for a total of eight and a half years at Liverpool

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Challenge Cup Round One draw

THE draw for the first round of this year's Powergen Challenge Cup was made on Friday. The games will take place on February 4-5 and the pick of the ties sees Conference side Gloucestershire Warriors taking on Blackbrook. The 2006 final will take place

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Star duo pledge to lift Centurions

RUGBY League legends Andy Gregory and Julian O'Neill have pledged their full backing to make Leigh Centurions an established Super League club. Gregory, one of the game's all-time great scrum-halves, and former Australian international half-back O'Neill

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Boss sharpens up the Shakers

CHRIS Casper has once again plundered Premiership-chasing Sheffield United's youth system to boost his squad's ranks. The Bury boss admits to being a big fan of the Blades' academy set up, and had already secured the services of Jake Speight and Colin

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Fans prove FC United are no flash in the pan

THEY were unheard of this time last year. But, six months after they were formed, FC United of Manchester attracted 4,328 fans to Gigg Lane for a league match against Winsford writes Marc Higginson You can expect a big crowd for a top of the league match

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Snooker legend's 13,000ft freefall

SNOOKER legend John Spencer has potted a stash of charity cash - by jumping 13,000 feet from a plane. The former world champion from Radcliffe took part in a charity parachute jump in Nottingham on to raise money for the Myasthenia Gravis Association

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Any cycling news?

Send us your cycling news and results! Click HERE to submit your report.

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Bolton League update

RESULTS and tables Premier Division: Wharton A 2 Ramsbottom A 7; Tonge A 6 Nomads A 3; Hilton A 4 Lostock 5; Burning Desire B 3 Little Lever A 6; Division One: Ramsbottom B 6 Wingates 3; Tonge B 1 Wharton B 8 YMCA 8 Hilton C 1; Ladybridge A 5 Heaton A

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In the swing for charity

TWO golfers have scored a hole-in-one by raising £695 for a local children's charity. Bolton Golf Club members, Mike Brewder and Mark Millhouse, took part in a sponsored 72-hole round of golf in aid of the Bolton Lads and Girls Club. Mike presented the

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Shock defeat for champs

THE first round of the BGA Jack Taylor Trophy brought a shock result when League Champions Chorley were whitewashed 5-0 by their old rivals Deane. Despite home advantage with three matches played at home and two away, fortress Chorley was stormed by the

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Canon Slade clinch national bronze

SPEEDY cross country girls from Canon Slade have added a national bronze medal to their long list of achievements. The year nine and 10 team finished third in the English Schools Cross Country final at Leeds. It is the school's best ever result in the

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Dad knows best as Lora bounces back

FIFTEEN years in the business, but Lora Fairclough feels her game is in better shape than ever. The European Tour golf professional has had to weather a few lean years, but turned the corner this summer when she finished the season bang in form with two

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Joyce meets the original first citizen

JOYCE Foulkes came face to face with her family history when she saw a portrait of the first Mayor of Bolton - painted by her ancestor more than 150 years ago. Charles Darbishire became mayor on December 1, 1838. His picture was painted and framed by

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Haydock Park races on to a winner in 2005

HORSE racing fans in the North-west have been given a big boost in the 2005 fixtures. As a result of negotiations with BBC TV, several of Haydock Park Racecourse's principal National Hunt races are being given more prominent slots in the calendar. *The

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Risk Takers make it pay

RISK TAKERS are the new Bolton Evening News Naps champions. They finished £15 ahead of their nearest rivals Brown Jack after virtually sealing their win on the opening day of the season. Then, they were fast away from the stalls by picking out 33-1 winner

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French target Haydock Park's hurdles final

HAYDOCK Park Racecourse stages the final of the annual series of races over its famous 'brush' or French hurdles on its bumper family funday on Easter Saturday. The special obstacles are more like mini-fences than traditional timber hurdles and are designed

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The Red Hall, Manchester Road, Walmersley

SMALL, pleasant hotel on the hillside above Summerseat, the Red Hall is at Manchester Road, Walmersley, close to the Ramsbottom exit of the M66. Its restaurant and bar are popular with discerning diners at lunchtime and evening, and non-residents are

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The Stable Brasserie

THE Stable Brasserie has become a very popular eating place in recent years.The bistro is connected to the side of The Beeches Hotel and Restaurant. It is run separately from the formal restaurant and has a different menu. The Beeches is a pretty building

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Triple D

A MINIMUM of 24 hours notice must be given when cancelling a match. Unfortunatly there have been several occasions recently where this has not happened, and the ruling of the commitee is that any team failing to do this will forefit the match 8-0. If

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Halliwell

DEAN Edge won on Sunday, beating Vance Hardman in the final. Losing sem-finalists Alan Butler and Wayne Merrick. Monthly awards went to Darren Latham with a 170 finish, most 180s shared between Vance Hardman and Mick Bushby, with Jenny Nuttall Best Lady

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Ancient legacy of the Olympians

THE Greeks may have won Euro 2004, but now they're singing about the Olympics coming home - so I took a trip back in time to where it all began in this most historic of lands nearly 3,000 years ago. Visitors to Ancient Olympia are immersed in an age when

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Derby darts

Results and tables Three/Bed 9 Boardwalkers 6; Carols Girls 3 Jackies Girls 12. High Scores: D Lowe 90 93 84 96 81. P W L F A Pt KGs Girls 3 3 0 34 11 6 Jackie's Girls 3 3 0 33 12 6 Lady Taverners 3 2 1 24 21 4 Three/Bed 4 2 2 27 33 4 Pike View 1 0 1

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Little Lever

RESULTS round-up Men Section A: WMC A 5 Stopes A 3; Church A 2 Hardy A 6; Volunteer 4 Stallions 4; Q Anne A 7 Cricket 1; Stopes B 1 Jolly Z 7; Q Anne A 8 Church A O; WMC A 2 Jolly Z 6; Stopes A 2 Volunteer 6; Hardy A 8 Stopes B O; Cricket Club 6 Stallions

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Jordan - Kingdom of fascination

LOOK at those beautiful sandstone formations, said Daoud our guide, pointing out colourful changes in the mountains while walking through the Siq, a deep and narrow gorge leading to the main city of Petra. But these were nothing compared to The Treasury

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A great Med escape

AS we washed down the remnants of our moules mariniere with a carafe of house red in a harbourside restaurant, one thing became excruciatingly clear. To cruise the Mediterranean at any time of year can be a gamble on the weather. The French naval port

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Family friendly Rhodes

THE history of Rhodes can be traced back to 400BC, with the existence of the first pre-Hellenic tribes. More recently, in 1309, the Knights of St John took the island by force and dominated it for 213 years. Subsequently, it was ruled by Turks, Venetians

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Farmer's Market

Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, Preston - A selection of fresh and traditionally produced foods including cheese, meat, cakes and fresh vegetables available to sample and purchase. Sunday, 10am-3pm, admission free.