RE letters from JH Coombs and DB Waters attacking Mr David Crausby for telling the truth in his Westminster report. The Conservatives did target Asian votes in Asian areas. I live in Central Ward and the leaflet I received through my door from the Conservative
PENSIONERS are not asking for handouts or charity but for the level of pension for which we worked and paid. Until we get that, the extra benefits such as heating allowances and free TV licences, among others, are essential. When we get the equivalent
I WOULD like you to print this letter in support of Bolton College. I am sure that your readers are somewhat tired of the endless 'who did what to whom' stories. I have taught at the college for some 28 years and feel well qualified to make the following
OXFAM campaigners took to the streets of Chorley in the fight for universal education for all. Oxfam's Education Now campaign aims to raise awarness of the 125 million children worldwide who do not receive an education. And in an effort to make the people
GARETH Farrelly is back in favour with the Republic of Ireland after a two-year absence. The Wanderers' midfielder was in the 22-strong squad which flew out today for a three-match trip to the United States. The Irish, who have been decimated by injuries
THE first moves have been made in what is expected to be a summer of hectic transfer activity at the Reebok. But Wanderers' chiefs appear to be in no hurry to start the ball rolling. I understand they are currently considering a bid for one of their most
THE Kearsley-based Bethell Group has been awarded the British Safety Council award for the fourth year running. Bethell had to demonstrate its total commitment to safety, a lower than average accident rate and the establishment of safety protocols throughout
THE PitmanTraining Centre in Knowsley Street, Bolton, held an open day to promote its new recruitment arm. Horwich-based BTG (Bolton Training Group) has operated the local Pitman franchise since 1997. Thirty local organisations were invited to send representatives
A FOREMAN was found hanging at the place where he worked, a coroner heard. John McCormick, aged 64, was found at Wills Fabrics, Birtle Bleach Works, Bury, by a colleague early on the morning of May 24. He was identified by site manager Nigel Fletcher,
AN inquest into a former rugby star killed in a freak accident is due to open today at Leigh Town Hall. John Westhead, aged 34, died after he slashed an artery in his arm after falling through a glass panel in a door at his home in Thorneycroft, Leigh
THE funeral of a soldier found suffocated with a plastic bag over his head will be held next week. Fusilier Adrian Ashworth, aged 27, was found slumped in his cell at a military corrective centre in Colchester, Essex. Private Ashworth, who was known as
A MUM rescued her sleeping five-year-old son from his bedroom last night after a candle set a bed on fire. Karen Jones raced upstairs to grab Lee after her eldest son, Peter, aged 14, left a candle on the window sill of his bedroom. The candle was blown
A TALENTED teenage dancer fears she may be unable to fulfil her dreams because of the cost of tuition. Leanne Templeman, aged 16, has won a place at the acclaimed Phil Winston's Theatre Dance Workshop in Blackpool -- but it costs more than £100 a week
A FARNWORTH street was sealed off for almost three hours last night after a man dropped a jar of poisonous mercury. Craig Grimshaw had found the mercury in his house on Frederick Court, off Topp Street. But as he carried it outside to throw it away he
MOTORISTS have been left puzzled as planned work at a major road junction has still not started -- three months after it was supposed to begin. Bolton Council's road signs at the Dunscar War Memorial promised it would take just eight weeks to install
SOCCER chairman Harry Williams has suddenly become popular -- after 34 years of emptying pubs! Because such is Harry's commitment to his beloved Ramsbottom United he carries the club's lottery cards wherever he goes to sell to anyone he meets. It means
IT was like a day at the races for pupils at a Chorley school when they were visited by a former Grand National winner. Bob Champion, who rode Aldaniti to victory in the 1981 race, spent a day at Southlands High, giving presentations to students about
THE Bolton Cricket Association have named 15-years-old Clifton wicketkeeper Gareth Cross in their representative side. He will line up in the side that defends the inter-league knockout in the first round match against the Saddleworth League at Flowery
PETER Martin is on course to break through the 500 wickets barrier this season. The 31-year-old paceman started the summer with 439 and yesterday's five-wicket haul against Derbyshire at Old Trafford took his tally to 459. Martin would join an exclusive
FORGET the FA Cup Final. The play-offs are now the climax to the soccer season. The Cup Final is still up there among the highlights of the season but a lot of its magic has gone. It doesn't help the FA Cup's credibility when the country's best team pulls
25 YEARS AGO SHUTTERS have gone up at a £40,000 Bolton Labour club opened four years ago by Mr Roy Jenkins, the Home Secretary. The West Ward Labour Club on Brownlow Way, Halliwell, has been forced to close 'for financial reasons'. The secretary, Mrs
BOLTON Mets RL team called in the professionals when St Helens' coach Ian Millward and stand-off Tommy Martyn took charge at their training session. The two brought their expertise to Withins Sports Centre last week by coaching the Mets' squad and showing
"Equality," they shouted. "Stand up and be counted!" Suffragettes cried and died For the cause. Next came -- "Bras are for burning!" But the worm kept 'U'-turning. Brain-washed by adverts, 'soaps' And second cars. Today 'power dressed' and earning, Out-shining
IT'S excellent news that Vision Aid is a quarter of the way to reaching its survival target. In just six weeks, the charity has raised £100,000 towards the cost of new premises rather than close. Among those who have contributed are BEN readers who have
PET insurance has been around for, well, donkey's years. But have you ever looked at how long you can claim vets' bills for under your policy? Pet Plan research reveals that 91pc of UK pet owners feel their pets deserve lifelong cover -- with no limit
KINDLY Farnworth resident Mrs Audrey McCann has found a way to help friends and neighbours whose pets have died. She writes poems and prose in memoriam. "I think it does help," she said. "That is certainly what they say, and I'm happy if it does." Typical
VISITORS to Turton Tower were transported back to the 16th century when they were invited to a Tudor family soap opera. Youngsters were introduced to Lady of the Manor Mary Orrell, while their mums hob-nobbed with cantankerous sister-in-law Mistress Margaret
A NEW state-of-the-art health centre built on the site of the oldest school in Bolton is on schedule to open in October this year. Costing £3 million, Pikes Lane Primary Care Resource Centre in Deane Road will house GPs, district and community nurses,
A BOLTON pub will be empty of its regulars next month -- as they join forces with a local company to take to their bikes for charity. And the landlord of the Lostock Arms will be welcoming them back to the bar -- with a free swim! The regulars at the
A TEENAGER died of carbon monoxide poisoning after inhaling smoke from a fire which had smouldered for almost 40 hours. An inquest was told that Benjamin Ryder, aged 17, fell asleep just minutes after putting a chip pan of fat on the cooker. And coroner
I THANK the BEN and particularly Ms Hughes for bringing to light the failure of the governors of Bolton College in managing the college's financial affairs (BEN May 22). The Chairman of Governors Cllr Cliff Morris has accepted the criticisms of the FEFC
COLLEGE governors who sacked "a loyal and helpful" technical assistant from Chorley who took an extended holiday have paid more than £13,500 in compensation. Runshaw College was ordered to pay out after an employment tribunal ruled the worker had been
A CHORLEY granddad is gearing himself up for a daunting 4,500-mile trip around Britain on his M reg scooter! Daring David Coan plans to ride the entire length of the British coastline -- whatever the weather! The former computer specialist, who sets off
A BOLTON teenager waiting for a kidney transplant has to endure a 30-mile round trip to hospital three times a week for treatment. Health bosses say 19-year-old Matthew Rimmer isn't a priority for the patient transport service. Matthew is waiting for
JAZZ comes in many forms: Traditional, Modern, Mainstream, Bebop, Latin-American, Blues, Fusion, Free form. Everything has a handle. Paris-based Americans Joe Lee Wilson and Kirk Lightsey last night gave us pretty much a cross section of the lot. I can't
CHORLEY Tennis Club's under 16 team entertained Longton Juniors and had a convincing victory. Simon Brewer and Melanie Western won all four sets with scores of 6-2 in each, while Helen Entwistle and Daniel Western won three sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-0, giving
A NEW survey shows that North-West companies are still waiting for the economic boom enjoyed by their counterparts in the south. Results after 900 firms were quizzed on behalf of Business Pages' Small Business Watch indicated a clear economic divide between
WORKERS are being encouraged to line-up their bosses for a spell of voluntary work. Bolton Volunteer Bureau in Pool Street wants employees to sponsor owners and managers to do either half a day or a full day, assisting a suitable community group. "If
BUSINESSMAN Raj Ruia has joined the regional council of Business for Sterling, the campaign group against Britain joining the euro. Mr Ruia is a director of North-West textiles group Ruia Holdings, which employs more than 270 people at its factories and
SCHOOLGIRL Rooph Patel received a right royal honour after being named Northern Counties Rosebud. Rooph, aged eight, of Upper Lees Drive, Westhoughton, was crowned Westhoughton Rosebud at the town's carnival last year and has since had a packed programme
BOLTON North MP David Crausby has been given a mission by the American Ambassador in London. And the project could help him win a free trip to the States or a personal computer for one of his constituents. The US Embassy and the Department for Education
LANDLORDS will be attending another meeting for details on renting properties to asylum seekers. They have been approached by letting companies given contracts by the Home Office to find accommodation for asylum seekers across the country. Around 50 landlords
A NURSERY plagued by break-ins and vandalism has been donated a burglar alarm system by a local security firm. St Aidan's Nursery has been the target of repeated attacks by vandals and thieves. But now the Crompton Way church hall premises are being fitted
A BOLTON magician is determined to conjure up the pounds to benefit good causes . . . And, in keeping a pledge made on television in front of millions of viewers, award winning magic man, Paul Sidebotham, is offering his services free of charge. Paul,
CHORLEY has a new British champion! Chorley Athletic Club's John Payn became the British Road Race Walking Champion in the veterans' 65 category on Sunday. John recorded a time of six hours nine minutes and 21 seconds over the 50km course which started
A CHORLEY pub has been given a new lease of life after undergoing a major refurbishment. At a cost of £80,000, the Bretherton Arms, Eaves Lane, has been totally transformed, with the introduction of a new menu and a completely new dining area. Tenants
THE blustery conditions, coupled with heavy showers, ensured that the scores returned by the early morning players would be unlikely to win prizes in the singles Stableford at Turton . The weather relented slightly as the day progressed and Tony Wood
WARM sporting tributes were paid today to local tennis stalwart Ray Howarth, who died on Monday after collapsing on court in a tournament he had organised. Mr Howarth, chairman of Longsight Methodist Tennis Club where he was a highly respected and active
IT was the tightest finish yet when Great Lever and Farnworth golfers battled it out in the BEN Millennium Trophy qualifying round. All three qualifiers for the final fired in rounds of 68 with only the back none scores deciding the outcome on a card
THE Bolton Golf Association stage the Higher Handicaps trophy at Breightmet Golf Club on Saturday, June 10. 7.30: G Gibson (Bre), D Walsh (Dun), N Fulop (Dun). 7.45: P Holden (Bre), I Lammas (Tur), P Kennedy (GL). 8.00: D Hawthorne (Tur), J Southern (
IN the Bolton Darts League in aid of The Bolton Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults, the Ladies Winter League format has been completed. There were four sections playing, two at the Moonlight Club, St George's Road and two at the RAOB
LEISURE, SPORT AND KEEP FIT BOLTON Excel, Lower Bridgeman Street, tel: 334456: 7.30am-10.30pm. DEANE Leisure Centre, Junction Road, Deane, tel: 334432: junior swimming lessons, 5.30pm-7.30pm; weight room, 4.30pm-10.30pm. FARNWORTH Leisure Centre, Brackley
LEIGH East Tigers were worthy 14-6 winners in a tough derby clash with Leigh East U10s. The Tigers' defence ably led by MOM Karl Morris, stopped the strong runs of the East's forwards top tackler Ben Davies and Jonathan Fletcher to allow their own forwards
Burtonwood Bulldogs U8s 12 Westhoughton Lions U8s 36 THE Lions U8s were in outstanding form against this much improved Warrington outfit, who matched the Lions two tries to two before the Westhoughton defence started to work overtime to keep the Bulldogs
NO wonder motorists are puzzled that work has not yet started on work at a major road junction. Road signs at the Dunscar War Memorial stated it would take eight weeks to install traffic lights and build a slip road between Darwen Road and Blackburn Road
HEADTEACHERS in Bolton who struggle to stay within the law on daily assemblies are getting a helping hand from a church-based hit squad. Young people in the squad are being trained to put on interesting, attention-grabbing assemblies which capture the
GOOD luck to the pioneering centre which has started a group for "problem kids" at Little Hulton. The group will cater for children whose hyperactive behaviour makes them difficult to control at other nurseries. Children who suffer from symptoms of Attention
HITESH Patel left the Deane School with an addiction -- to the famous farm within the school grounds. Now aged 17, he has a busy full-time job with the animals there -- and to get his "fix" he is at the site at 6am every morning. "I couldn't have wished
A LOCAL charity has been inundated with requests for pet foster placements from women and their children escaping domestic violence. Some women are so fearful for their pets' safety if they leave that they have put themselves at risk by remaining in the
A BOLTON-based national eye charity is a quarter of the way to reaching its survival target. Vision Aid had to raise £400,000 by the end of the year to buy a new HQ or face closure. It's raised a quarter of the money in just six weeks and has also identified
PET owners in Britain are creating a nation of lonely, overweight and badly-behaved animals. The claim comes from an international pet help centre which says that the number of calls from owners worried about their animals has shot up by 30pc. Now model
A BOLTON man who battered his uncle to death after a heavy drinking spree was today starting a three year jail sentence. Andrew Hindle, aged 22, of Plodder Lane, Farnworth, killed his uncle after suspecting he had homosexually attacked him, a court was
ONCE upon a time, dressing fashionably was a teenager's territory -- but not anymore. Children now seem to be barely out of nappies when they know what's hot and what's not, where to shop and which designer is most desirable. Reporter Irma Heger and photographer
A WESTHOUGHTON firm has been given 10 days to dig up its car park or face prosecution from Bolton Council. Planning bosses ordered aerospace engineers Bellhouse Hartwell to stop work on the car park extension at Lower Leigh Road after the company ignored
They can't sell enough herbal versions of Viagra BOLTON has limped in last in a survey of users of a "sex" pill. Fewer men use Duro - branded as the herbal version of Viagra - in the town than anywhere else in Britain. And it's also one of the worst places
A PIONEERING centre in Little Hulton has started one of the only mother and toddler groups of its kind in the country. The group will cater for "problem kids" whose hyperactive behaviour makes them difficult to control at other nurseries. Children suffering
