ANGELA Kelly takes a personal look at the week in cyberspace in Bolton:
Saturday featured the build-up to Amir Khan's final against reigning Olympic champion Mario Kindelan, and the 17 year-old Bolton teenager's vow to "go for gold." The level of support and interest, both in the town and around the country, has been amazing -- but the level-headed teenager refuses to be fazed by it all. He is a true champion.
Anti-social Council house tenants who make neighbours' lives a misery face a new crackdown on many of their rights. It is the latest of moves by Bolton at Home, who administer Council homes, to take a tough line on selfish individuals. Their stand is to be admired: landlords generally can have a tough time from difficult tenants, but the Council has an extra duty of care to protect other residents from the bad behaviour of the few.
Monday revealed how Amir had failed in his bid for gold -- by just eight points -- in a marvellous match against Mario Kindelan which produced a mature display from the youngster. Praise has come from all quarters for his behaviour throughout. Now, he has his eyes on the Beijing Olympics in 2008, when he will still only be 21. In the meantime, everyone in Bolton is trying to get their voices back from bawling support at the TV screen.
Defiant traders at Bolton Market Hall, whose livelihood is threatened by redevelopment plans, have been garnering support from the local public. Already, 3,000 have signed a petition to save traders' businesses and they have pledged to keep up the fight to retain this unique flavour of the town's commercial and social history that is 150 years old next year.
Tuesday reported how, as thousands enjoyed the popular annual August Bank Holiday Victorian Street Market in Le Mans Crescent, the Mayor limousine and two police vehicles were being booked by zealous parking wardens. Just how they square that spot of "jobsworth" with such a joyful occasion, I don't know.
Two areas of local moorland, Smithills Moor and Winter Hill, are to be fully opened up to ramblers under new access laws. Local walking fans have long campaigned for the "right to roam" across our beautiful West Pennine Moors and it's good news that they have been able to gain public access under new legislation which comes into force on September 19.
Wednesday showed how Horwich resident Jack Rydeheard's experiences with vandals -- who had targeted his Sierra car three times in just six months -- was forcing him to leave the town. As he rightly points out, Horwich is a lovely place by day, but when the sun goes down the vandals come out and "it becomes like Dodge City." Plainly, something needs urgently sorting.
Teacher Ray Irving has discovered a new career -- thanks to his striking resemblance to Henry VIII. Ray is now in demand visiting schools and stately homes and looks very like the real thing with his well-nourished frame and full beard. Until the royal, however, he has been happily married, to just one wife, Margaret, for the past 34 years.
Thursday reported how Bolton nightclubs face hefty fines over leaving late-night litter. Club owners and managers have been warned by Bolton Council that they will be held responsible for the hundreds of "flyers" handed out to entice customers but which often find their way onto the pavement, along with myriad other rubbish from clubgoers.
It's all part of the move to make clubs and pubs more responsible for the behaviour of their customers -- especially when that behaviour can be so costly to the average, non-clubgoing Council taxpayer.
Friday highlightedthe wedding of local couple Sam Lilley and Darren Foster on GMTV, which footed the bill. The wedding in Cyprus was a lovely affair -- marred only slightly by the fact that poor Sam had broken her ankle earlier in the week and it was in plaster. She got over this slight inconvenience by decorating her walking frame with flowers and ribbons, and still looked beautiful. There wasn't a dry eye in the house, or anywhere else in avid viewers' homes. Aaaah!
Campaigners were celebrating their victory in getting the plan to move Dunscar War Memorial thrown out. Developers wanted to build houses and flats but the plan prompted an outcry from local residents who felt it was an insult to world war fallen and a bad move for the community.
They kept up the protest, and Bolton Council's planning committee have ditched it. So, hurray for good sense!
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