Bolton News review of the year 2023: May, June, July, August

Covering May to August, we saw a new political party take the reins, businesses opening and closing across the borough and much-loved events make a return.

May

May saw local elections take place with the council changing hands from the Conservatives leading to Labour becoming the party in charge.

Cllr Nick Peel was announced as the leader of Bolton Council.

At a meeting at the town hall, a motion was proposed for "Cllr Peel to be appointed leader of the council until the annual meeting of the council in May 2024 or until such time as the council removes him from office".

Cllr Nick Peel (Image: NQ)The motion was opened to debate, but not one person spoke for or against it.

May also saw the inquest into the death of Emily Jones concluded.

Emily Jones was stabbed by paranoid schizophrenic Eltiona Skana in Queens Park on March 22, 2020.

In the months before the attack, Skana switched from a professional-administered medication, delivered via an injection, to a self-administered medication.

And in the weeks before the attack, Skana became non-concordant with these drugs.

After a two-week inquest, senior coroner Timothy Brennand said the outcome could have been different if Skana did not become non-concordant with the drugs.

But the senior coroner suggested it was not predictable or preventable with anything other than 'hindsight'.

June

This month saw the sad closure of one of Bolton’s most loved fish and chip shops - including being loved by comedian Paddy McGuinness.

Rigby’s Chippy closed its doors after 41 years of business.

Veteran frier Margaret Rigby made the tough decision to initially sell the shop following a mini stroke affecting her balance.

P!NK (Image: Henry Lisowski)June also saw global star P!NK visit the town taking to the stage to kickstart her Summer Carnival tour.

The American pop superstar wowed fans at the Toughsheet Stadium.

Finally, this month also saw Bolton Council seize £4M worth of illegal tobacco.

A raid by Trading Standards discovered more than £4 million of illicit tobacco at a lock-up in Bolton – one of the biggest discoveries of illicit tobacco anywhere in the country.

A team from Bolton Council and GMP Bolton discovered 28 boxes, more than six tonnes of raw tobacco which was destined for illegal manufacture. 

July

Two of Bolton’s much-loved annual events returned to the town in July, Ironman and Bolton Pride.

Six thousand people of all ages and abilities took part in three events - including Ironkids - over three days.

Athletes journeyed through Leigh, Atherton, and Horwich onto Bolton, through Bury, Ramsbottom, Smithills, Belmont and back into the town centre.

Ironman (Image: NQ)The Ironman weekend brought in more than £3.9m of economic benefit to Bolton and the surrounding area.

Bolton Pride was bigger and better than ever before.

The event saw an influx of people flocking to the town and they are looking forward to seeing it return in 2024.

This month also saw three TV stars ‘passionate about Bolton’ receiving honorary degrees from the University of Bolton.

Chef James Martin, well known in the town for his association with Bolton Food Festival, Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly and Granada Reports journalist Elaine Willcox were all amongst those honoured alongside graduating students.

Finally, this month, The Bolton News launched the £100k fundraiser to help save Bolton Hospice.

August

August saw the sad closure of multiple businesses as well as the opening of some new ones too.

Wilkos closed in the town centre and Middlebrook after the company went into administration.

Residents shared their sadness at the news and in the same month, Poundland announced the closure of their store on the Middlebrook Retail Park which also sparked a discussion.

Whilst we saw these closures, we also saw the opening of JYSK and a new Greggs Drive Thru.

August saw the return of the Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

Records were broken as more than 500,000 visitors attended this year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival, as the event celebrated its 18th birthday with the biggest party yet.

Leading the praise for this year’s celebration was popular TV chef, James Martin who described it as “the best festival in the world”.

SS Simon and Jude's CE Primary in Great Lever (Image: GMFRS)During August, dramatic pictures taken by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue's drone unit revealed the aftermath of a devastating fire at a school as firefighters are praised for their efforts in tackling the blaze.

SS Simon and Jude's CE Primary in Great Lever was impacted by the fire, with high quality temporary classrooms now installed to teach pupils whose school was hit by a devastating fire, ahead of a three-year rebuilding project.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.