A memorial garden has been created as part of an upgrade to a bowling club in Astley Bridge.

Bar Lane Bowling Club held a special day to mark the special opening, with the honour falling to Mayor of Bolton Cllr Andy Morgan, who cut the ribbon.

The club on Ivy Bank Road has recently improved its outdoor area, and a small memorial area where people can put plaques up to commemorate loved ones has been created.

The Bolton News: Opening of Bar Lane Bowling Club

To celebrate the opening, the club had a special day complete with a barbecue, raffle, sweet stall, bar and much more.

Funds raised on the day will support  Bolton Hospice.

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Chair of the club, Lee Cooper, who took over in September said: “We thought it’d be nice to have a memorial area for any members of the club who have passed.

“We want to have more inclusivity around the local community as well as getting people’s interest in coming down and using the facilities.

The Bolton News: Bar Lane Bowling Club opening

“It’s open to non-members as well as members so we’ve just opened it up a bit more.”

The area was consecrated by Minister Lee Higson, before being officially opened by Mayor Andy Morgan and Mayoress Karen Holdsworth.

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Plaques can be added to the benches dotted around the bowling green and the pergola.

Lee added: “We would like to thank the committee from the Masjid e Salaam Trust, without their help we wouldn’t have been able to make this outside space possible.

“They cleared all the area and put the new composite fencing in for us.”

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Cllr Morgan said: “What’s really good is we’re here as mayor and mayoress representing everyone in Bolton but I’m also a trustee of Bolton Hospice.

“It takes £4.5 million a year to keep it running. We get a third of that from the government but the rest of it is done through fundraising works like today.

“Without doing these we wouldn’t have a hospice. I want to thank Lee and the team for this wonderful area.

“On behalf of myself and Karen, we wish you all the best.”