REVIEW OF THE YEAR: Bolton's biggest stories of 2018 - July to December

Here are some of the headlines making the news from July to December.

JULY

“Mother's pride over star son Kieran” – The mother of England star Keiran Trippier has spoken about how proud she is of her son's World Cup exploits. The Bury-born wing-back excelled as Gareth Southgate’s side reached the last four in Russia at this years World Cup. His wide-spread new name is ‘The Bury Beckham’. Eleanor Lomax, Kieran’s mother, said: “From being little he wanted to play for England, so it was a dream come true for him to even make the squad. We are so proud.”

work on Winter Hill near Bolton. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 3, 2018. Fire chiefs declared a major incident on Saturday after two large-scale blazes either side of Winter Hill near Bolton merged because of "> Firefighters continue to work on Winter Hill near Bolton. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 3, 2018. Fire chiefs declared a major incident on Saturday after two large-scale blazes either side of Winter Hill near Bolton merged because of

“Major incident on the moorlands” – A major incident was declared over the weekend as two moorland fires converged to create a massive blaze, devastating more than five square miles of land north of Bolton. Around 150 firefighters and 30 appliances converged at Rivington with a united utilities helicopter making repeated journeys to reservoirs to collect hundreds of gallons of water. Members of the public supported the firefighters by donating food and water as various collection points were set up to help them.

“Nearly 30,000 crimes went unsolved in town” – Nearly 30,000 crimes went unsolved in Bolton last year, the highest number of any borough in the city-region expect for Manchester itself. The new figures come from a recent investigation by the Sunday Times. Nine Greater Manchester boroughs fall below the national average. Today the number of officers in England and Wales are at the lowest level since the late 1980’s. GMP receives the second highest number of 999 calls, relative to the population.

AUGUST

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: WINIFRED BURGOYNE

“Still going at 107” – She’s lived through the reign of four monarchs, seen 24 prime ministers and experienced major historical moments. For Winifred Burgoyne the most important part of her life has been family. She recalls scary times living through the First World War and great changes even voting in favour of creating the NHS. As a young woman she worked as a weaver in a mill at the age of 14 for 12 shillings a week. The secret to her youth? Regularly moisturising.

“Holidaymakers run for lives” – The holiday of a lifetime turned into a disaster for teacher Johanna McManus when an island paradise was struck by an earthquake. She had planned to spend six weeks scuba diving and exploring the region when she was caught up in three major earthquakes. She recalls hundreds of people running and screaming. After returning home to Manchester she said: “When I walked through arrivals I didn’t say anything. I just hugged him (her father) and cried.”

“Stowaway rescued after 300-mile journey” – A stowaway asylum seeker was found strapped beneath a coach by his rucksack straps. Firefighters were called to the scene after bangs and shouts were heard coming from underneath the coach. The 21-year-old man faced being crushed to death. He was rescued after the coach had parked up and dropped off passengers in Bolton.

SEPTEMBER

“Bolton FM rules the waves, says Queen”- The Queen thanked volunteers at Bolton FM for their ‘much-needed’ services to the community. Bolton FM, run by a team of over 100 volunteers, was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at a special ceremony. It is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups and is the equivalent to the MBE. The award recognises exceptional work by volunteer groups in their communities.

“Eddie Davies's last act to save Wanderers”- One of Eddie Davies’s final acts was to bail Wanderers out of trouble as they hurtled towards administration. The former Wanderers owner supplied the bridging loan to club owner Ken Anderson just days before he died on September 11. Davies’s loan helped Wanderers avoid administration over an overdue debt of around £4.8 million to the finance company BluMarble.

“Pride and Joy” - A rainbow of colour dazzled the town centre for Bolton Pride. Over 500 people took part in this year’s circus themed event. This was Bolton’s fourth pride festival. People came dressed as ring-masters and clowns and even the Police and Fire Service got involved with rainbow-adorned vehicles. Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, opened the day. She said: “It is important that we celebrate people’s differences in a town like Bolton where we believe in equality and inclusion.”

OCTOBER

“Film Festival Fever breaks out in town”- The Bolton Film Festival opened at The Light Cinema and some of the most influential figures in film-making were in attendance. The event, in its second year, has been rated one of the top film festivals in the world. Actress Maxine Peak was at the event, as was Oscar-winning producer Julie Foy. Both chatted with youngsters, just setting out in their careers. Multi award winning writer and director Sam Johnson, who worked on Skyfall and Star Wars, was also in attendance. He conducted a Q&A with pupils from Bolton School about his experiences of working in the industry.

“Paddy and Freddie at the wheel for Top Gear”- Bolton Presenter Paddy McGuinness was announced as the new co-host of the BBC’s Top Gear. The Farnworth born comedian will take over from Matt LeBlanc alongside former cricketer, and fellow Lancashire lad Freddie Flintoff. The former Mount St Joseph High School pupil said: “To be hosting a show I’ve watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting.”

“Town’s roads are amongst most polluted”- St Peter’s Way is among one of the most polluted roads in Greater Manchester. Three stretches on the A666 were blacklisted as having higher levels of pollution than previously thought. Deane Road and St George’s Road were also listed as having high levels of NO2 pollution. The government requested that Greater Manchester’s councils put forward proposals to tackle pollution in the region.

NOVEMBER

“Stepping back in time” - Parents were moved to tears by schoolchildren’s work for First World War commemorations. Children at Kearsley West Primary School took part in special activities for the centenary of the end of the war. Pupils wrote diaries of local victims and front-line soldiers. Both the children and the staff dressed up in First World War outfits to take part in a street party to celebrate the end of the war.

“In memory of the fallen”- Hundreds of people gathered in Victoria Square to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. For the first time at a Remembrance Day service, members of the public were invited to take part in a guided “walk past” of the war memorial. The service was led by the Vicar of Bolton, Rev Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle. The event was attended by all branches of the armed forces, local schools, councillors and local MPs.

“Chris Green joins bid to oust PM”- Bolton West MP, Chris Green, joined a number of Brexiteer Tory MPs who submitted letters of no-confidence in the Prime Minister. The MP was unhappy with the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal and announced that he had submitted his letter to the chairman of the 1922 committee on twitter. He said that his constituents wanted a clean break from the EU and that wasn’t being delivered. The no confidence contest was not triggered until December, but the Bolton MP was one of the 48 Conservative MPs who tried to oust the Prime Minister.

“Art and music spectacle lights up town hall”- Bolton at Home celebrated the 21st anniversary of its Percent for Art initiative with a dazzling light display at Bolton Town Hall. Previous projects were screened onto the façade of the Town Hall to the backdrop of music. The event was designed to showcase the work the initiative had carried out with people and communities across the borough during the last 21 years.

DECEMBER

“Touching tribute to their lost loved ones”- Bolton Hospice’s ‘Light up a Life’ service took place at Bolton Parish Church, with hundreds in attendance. The service is organised to allow family and friends to say goodbye to people they lost throughout the year. Carols were accompanied by Bolton Music Service Brass Ensemble. The service was overseen by the Vicar of Bolton, Rev Can Dr Chris Bracegirdle. The CEO of Bolton Hospice- Leigh Vallance- was also in attendance.

“Restaurant closed after taking deposits”- La Scalla restaurant in Chorley Road in Westhoughton suddenly closed leaving both customers and staff out of pocket. Many people lost deposits after the restaurant closed down. Staff also were not paid after suddenly losing their jobs just before Christmas. Mark Shaw, who had booked a table for Christmas day, said: “What got me was I went in on Sunday to pay the £185 and then two days later it shut, which is just not right really.” Owner Giovanni Baffa Scinelli apologised for the sudden closure and said that he has lost thousands of pounds.

“Banned!”- Bolton Wanderers Chairman, Ken Anderson, banned The Bolton News’ chief football writer Marc Iles from the stadium, after he tweeted a gif of the Muppet’s Christmas Carol. The gif was tweeted after the on-going pay saga at the club was resolved, with players finally being paid by the club. The reporter has been banned from the club’s games, press conferences and from talking to staff at the club.