A HEADTEACHER who had allegations of indecent assault against him thrown out of court has resigned on the grounds of ill-health. Phil Buckley, head at Tonge Moor Community Primary School, Bolton, was suspended on full pay from his job in May last year
A BUSINESSMAN convicted of burglary by a single thumbprint is campaigning to clear his name. Alan McNamara of Bromley Cross was convicted of the crime after a trial at Manchester Crown Court two weeks ago and is now awaiting sentence. His claims of innocence
A CLASSIC Vehicle event at Botany Bay, Chorley, will take place tomorrow. Admission is free.
PEOPLE in Horwich are urged to support a jumble sale on Friday, at Brazley Community Centre, Cedar Avenue, from 6pm to 8pm, to raise funds for its youth group.
CHILDREN playing with matches set light to an empty flat in Breightmet last night. Firefighters were called to the blaze in Steele Street at around 6.30pm. The ground floor flat received minor damage but no one was hurt.
DRIVERS are urgently needed for Bolton Hospice. Volunteers with a full driving licence are being asked to help with transport between 9.30am and 5pm. Anyone interested should contact volunteer co-ordinator Georgina Grundy by ringing 01204 364375.
A TEENAGER had to be rescued from the roof of a nursing home after getting trapped last night. The 14-year-old had got stuck on top the Riverside Nursing Home in Wigan Road. Firefighters rescued the boy, who had been playing with friends, at around 8pm
MANCHESTER Dogs Home is holding an open day on August 12 from 1pm to 4pm, featuring stalls, face painting and refreshments. There will also be a sponsored dog walk on September 16, with plenty of prizes for dogs and owners taking part. For a sponsor form
A MAN was taken to hospital suffering the effects of smoke after a blaze at his flat earlier today. The 37-year-old man was given oxygen therapy and two elderly neighbours were also treated for the effects of smoke after a pan of chips left unattended
BLACK cab users in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley can comment on their availability. Wigan council is launching a review of the existing limit of 136 licenses for cabs. Anyone wishing to respond can write to the Licensing section, chief executive's department
IF you are recently bereaved and would like to talk to someone in the same situation as yourself, St Matthew's Church, Little Lever, holds a weekly meeting in Church House on Wednesdays, 10am to noon, with coffee and biscuits served. Whether or not you
OLDHAM Coliseum starts its first youth production with an exciting new work which brings together theatre, mask, mime, digital arts, music, life film and puppetry. Y is a collaboration between the Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company, and the Education and
THERE is a special "celebration of dance" event in Bolton tomorrow. Taking part in the fun will be participants from the Bolton Older People Dancing Project. It will be a chance to see dance and exercises, enjoy live music and afternoon tea. There will
AN armchair rugby fan bought a sports drink at a Bolton gym -- and ended up going on holiday to see the British Lions play Australia. John Marshall, of Astley Bridge, jets off Down Under on Monday for a week's visit to Sydney after winning a competition
A WOMAN accused of murdering her wealthy lover with an axe was remanded in custody by West Yorkshire magistrates. Janet Charlton, aged 35, is accused of murdering former Bolton businessman Danny O'Brien at the home they shared in The Old Woodyard, Midgley
BOLTON badminton fans are in for a real feast next weekend. As the Bolton Arena is officially opened, and the countdown to the Commonwealth Games towards next summer's badminton competition already underway, there is the chance to see some of the sports
BANDS and singers will be competing at Bury's Powersound contest. Following the success of last year's event, which attracted nearly 50 bands and singers, the sound levels are once again set to be raised. The competition, which carries prizes of musical
BLOOD found at the scene of a road accident linked teenager Andrew Hall with the theft of a car, a court heard. The Ford Escort had been stolen from the centre of Radcliffe, Bury magistrates were told. As the driver tried to go through a red light it
THREE Bolton drivers became proud owners of BMW's new Mini today. The German manufacturer allowed dealers to unveil the motor for the first time this morning. And within minutes, the first gleaming car had hit the road carrying a Y-reg plate. But there
FAMILIES will get a kick out of life at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. Wanderers stars and their mascot Lofty will be there to mingle with crowds at a free Family Fun Day from 10am to 3pm. First team players will sign autographs between 12.45pm and 1.45pm
"GENTLEMEN" in Blackrod got together to raise money for a good cause. The Gentlemen's Evening at the Hilltops Sports and Social club raised £400 for Derian House children's hospice in Chorley. Ex-rugby league player Andy Gregory entertained everyone as
THERE is to be a reunion of all past pupils who attended Colliers Row Road Junior School on Saturday, July 21, followed by lunch at Smithills Coaching House. More than 50 people have already booked, but the group would love to hear from past pupils or
CHILDREN in Blackrod are facing a summer without anywhere to play as swings and roundabouts have still not been replaced -- 18 months after their old playground was taken away. As reported in the BEN, play equipment was removed from the parks in Scot
WANDERERS are considering setting up a sports injury clinic at the Reebok that would offer sportsmen and women throughout the region the benefit of their professionalism and expertise. Sam Allardyce is building a medical support team to rival any in the
MUTTIAH Muralitharan signed off for Lancashire with six more wickets in a losing cause - then told his team-mates "You can still win the Championship". Murali produced one last memorable performance at Canterbury in his final Championship appearance before
THREE specialist nurses have been brought in to tackle the rising tide of dementia in the town. There are just eight of these nurses in the country -- and Bolton has been given funding to set up its own specialist team. Bolton has more than 44,000 people
TELETUBBIES have a lot to answer for as far as dad Michael Nolan is concerned. The children's TV favourites inspired his daughter Lucy to take up a musical instrument at which she has shown outstanding natural ability. But it now looks as though it could
BOLTON shoppers will soon be taken for a ride -- courtesy of pedal power. The town has taken delivery of two rickshaws which will shortly take to the roads to sweep weary shoppers off their feet. Dozens of people stopped and stared at the two gleaming
Bobbyus-on-the-beatus A common sight in days of old But now an endangered species The thought leaves one rather cold. How many of you remember When they roamed the streets at will? Coloured blue in ones or twos Harmless creatures, that is until ... ..
CASTLE Hill Primary School is holding a summer fair on Thursday, July 19, from 1pm to 3pm, and will include a BBQ, games, tombolas and raffles.
FARNWORTH Spiritualist Church is looking for someone to donate an overhead projector for its teaching sessions. Anyone who can help can ring 578293.
FACE Value, a tribute band to Phil Collins and Genesis, performs at the Derby Ward Labour Club on July 27. Tickets, priced at £5, are available from 531114.
THE annual Horwich Carnival Photography competition will be held on Saturday, September 15 at Horwich Leisure Centre, together with the popular Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show. Details from Barbara Ronson on 695742.
THE Rev Stephen Beach is leaving St John the Evangelist, Wingates to move to St Budeaux Parish Church in Plymouth. Mr Beach said, "It has been a privilege to live and serve here, and it is a privilege to move onto a new place." The last service that Mr
THERE'S an evening with medium James Byrne at Darcy Lever Cricket Club, Hacken Lane, Bolton, on Friday, July 27. Doors open at 7pm for 8pm start. Tickets, at £5, including supper, avre available from Pamela Wilcox - 397876, Harold Howarth - 370811 or
A LOSTOCK woman was still missing from home today. Vivienne Jones, of Ox Hey Lane, was last seen leaving her home at 7pm on Monday and has not been in contact with her family since. She is not believed to have taken a change of clothes or money with her
A PUB in Kearsley, The Moss Rose, has had 24 customers rewarded for their skills in traditional pub games with a day at Doncaster Races. The team won the prize after reaching the semi-finals of the Pubmaster Pub challenge. The top prize was a week in
SUMMERSEAT'S Irwell Sculpture Trail connection continues later this month. Next Saturday, there will be a 'Day Out in the Countryside', offering the chance for a steam train ride, to visit a church fete and be part of creating a new artwork for the village
A MAN suffered serious facial injuries after being assaulted in Horwich early today. The 43-year-old was attacked in Wright Street by one or more attackers at around 1.30am. Detectives believe he may have been involved in an argument while at the Central
BOLTON will be the first town in the country to kick-start the countdown to Manchester's 2002 Commonwealth Games. A "Songs of Praise" celebration will take place at Victoria Hall on July 15 -- ten days before the official games launch in London. The event
A MAN found hanging at the home of friends who were away on holiday left notes indicating his intentions, an inquest was told. Bury District Coroner Mr Barrie Williams was opening the hearing into the death of Mr Barrie Thomas Stott, aged 39, of Parr
A MAN facing charges of assault and interfering with the course of justice was read "the riot act" at Rochdale Magistrates Court after he again breached bail conditions. Wayne Englebert, 23, of Cross Lane, Radcliffe, had admitted breaching bail conditions
EFFORTS to ensure Bolton is a Commonwealth Games winner have been rewarded with a £150,000 bonus. That is the figure which the council has set aside for a dedicated team which will help co-ordinate projects and promotions based around the sporting spectacular
A YOUTH who bought 100 ecstasy tablets for 25 friends to take to a nightclub was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for 10 months. Lee Pearson had been seen by police officers taking out two packets from inside a car and when they challenged him he
DAUBHILL is preparing for a double dose of fun with a community street party and a Sunday fun day. The street party is to include a whole range of fun activities including pony rides, bouncy castles, games, a toddlers' play area, face painting, line dancing
THE next phase of an award-winning luxury development dubbed the "Manhattan of the Mills" has been unveiled by developers. Work to transform Eagley, one of Lancashire's largest former cotton centres, has already meant the creation of 76 luxury loft apartments
THE Adult Placement Team at Walkden is looking for your help. The team's Short Break scheme needs carers who can offer short-term care to vulnerable adults with mental health needs or a disability -- anything from a weekend to a few weeks. If you could
YOUNG cricketers from Little Lever were given some professional advice as they prepared for the biggest match of their lives -- a battle of the classes against Prince Harry's Eton school pals. It is the first time that a state school team has reached
THE Bolton League and the Northern League are widely considered to be the two strongest sides competing in the Lancashire inter-league knockout. If that is indeed the case then tomorrow's semi-finals between the two sides at Bradshaw could well decide
HORWICH RMI Harriers' 77-year wait for it's own running track was finally over last weekend with the club hosting it's inaugural track and field meeting at the state of the art athletics facility at the Bolton Arena. The new track was the venue for the
RESIDENTS have been making the most of the heatwave as the town continues to bask in glorious sunshine. In the town centre the streets have been bustling with shoppers, while in Victoria Square and local parks people have been soaking up the sun. But
PATIENTS were today celebrating the news that the Royal Bolton Hospital's £990,000 renal unit has been given the go-ahead. The decision means less travel and stress for patients waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. Former transplant patient Matthew
TWO Bolton MPs have spoken out against a decision by fellow members to vote themselves an 11pc pay rise. Colleagues overwhelmingly voted for the £4,000 increase. It will take their salaries to almost £55,000 a year by the end of this parliament, making
