ANGELA Kelly takes a personal look at the week in cyberspace in Bolton:

Saturday had good news for everyone concerned about the new name for Bolton Institute now that it has finally won university status. Commonsense has triumphed and it is likely to be the University of Bolton. This is deemed better than other suggestions including non-runners West Pennines University and North Manchester University, and is set to meet favour, certainly with Boltonians.

More worrying news, though, about Britain's favourite steeplejack, Fred Dibnah. The 66-year-old is battling cancer and his health has interrupted filming of his latest series "Made In Britain". He is said to be "comfortable" at his home in Radcliffe Road, The Haulgh, but there is no doubt that many people around the country, and especially locally, will be thinking of him and wishing him well.

Monday showed exactly what Bolton thinks of its Olympic boxing hero Amir Khan: we love him! The modest 17 year-old from Heaton who took the silver medal in style showed the kind of composure for which he is now famous during an open-top bus parade along Chorley New Road with a civic reception in the Town Hall.

The behaviour of yobs is threatening to drive shoppers away from Farnworth Market, traders there warn. They say that the market has fallen into disrepair and neglect, heightened by regular vandalism. They have asked Bolton Council for CCTV cameras there to no avail, and the future of the market is in doubt. Let's hope something is done to stop the rot -- our local markets help keep local economies vibrant.

Tuesday revealed how Farnworth-born footballer Alan Ball fought his way to the top to become a World Cup star and successful manager. But his new autobiography shows how Ball, now 59, faced the biggest challenge of his life when cancer struck both his wife and daughter in a poignant and fascinating read.

Good news -- the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships were due to take place at the weekend, in Ramsbottom. Competitors have to chuck Lancashire black puddings to knock down a stack of Yorkshire puddings. Legend suggests that it follows from the Wars of the Roses, when they ran out of ammunition and started pelting each other with black puddings but it sounds a bit far-fetched to me. Which side got the mustard, for a start?

Wednesday reported how Bolton Parish School has had to be closed amid fears that the playground could slide 30 feet into the River Tonge because of erosion. Now, depending on survey results, the school may have to be demolished. Pupils are currently being bussed to Longsight Primary School in Harwood, currently empty, pending a decision on the Parish School's future.

Parking problems at the Royal Bolton Hospital came nearer a cure with the submission of plans for a multi-storey car-park on the Farnworth site. There is a definite need for better parking here for both patients, visitors and staff -- at any time of the day, you can be forced into a highly unsatisfactory game of "hunt the parking space" as your appointment or visting time ticks away. Talk about giving you high blood pressure!

Thursday provided a salutary warning to local youngsters when a report revealed how 12 year-old Katherine Glass from Halliwell was left with a fractured skull after a daredevil game of "bumper surfing" on a moving bus.

Katherine foolishly climbed on the back of a moving bus along with four teenage boys but couldn't hold on, falling into the road and being knocked unconscious. It's a safe bet she's now learned her lesson, but children across the borough need to know that the practice is fraught with danger.

Friday highlighted just how effective the campaign by Bolton Market Hall traders has been to protest at development plans. A petition against a plan to introduce designer stores, but which could spell the end of the traditional stalls, has attracted 20,000 signatures.

This shows exactly how important the local market hall is seen among the town's residents and visitors and should, hopefully, colour any future decisions on the fate of the Victorian hall.

Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly has been given one of the top Cabinet jobs in Prime Minister Tony Blair's latest Government re-shuffle. From Treasury Secretary, she is now Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, as No.2 to Alan Milburn, helping him plan the next General Election and the Labour Manifesto.

It is a remarkable and well-deserved achievement for this hard-working MP, especially as she is also the mother of four children.

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