Archive

  • Warning over buying on-line

    CONSUMERS should know their rights when using internet auction sites. Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "Internet auction sites have seen an increase in popularity over the past 12 months and we want consumers to enjoy all areas of e-shopping. However

  • Firms welcome curb on hours

    MORE than three in five human resources professionals are backing measures to restrict working hours. A new survey by business information company Croner has found that 61 per cent of respondents thought that employers should not be able to ask employees

  • Justifying the name

    BOLTON could only deserve its past name if it could show strong association between the town and the moorland countryside. As in years gone by when wool, milk, oats, etc were produced and consumed locally. The only justification for changing it is if

  • Controversial change

    REGARDING the controversial matter of a possible name change. I would like to say that my mother used Bolton-le-Moors often, and said it was its full title. I thought it was appropriate as I live quite close the moors on the north side of the town, and

  • Object to windfarm plan

    IWAS intrigued by the suggestion of Cllr Guy Harkin, that Bolton should attempt to throw off the stigma of its industrial cloth caps, cobbles and clogs image by a rebirth as Bolton-le-Moors. This, he implied, would serve to remind the nation of the town's

  • Let's deal with real problems

    AFEW years ago there was a competition to answer, I think, 150 historical questions regarding Bolton's history including, the first man in the Gold Rush was a Boltonian, the Captain who tried to assist the Titanic was a Boltonian, etc. I was one of the

  • On thisday - January 9

    1684 Puppet shows performed and shopping stalls were set up on the Thames in London during a deep freeze. 1799 Prime Minister William Pitt (the Younger) introduced income tax at two shillings in the pound to raise funds for the Napoleonic Wars. 1898 Gracie

  • Windows death threat

    A ROGUE double-glazing salesman threatened to kill a Chorley couple after they refused to buy windows. The male caller even threatened to slice off student Jackie Gray's breasts after she turned down his offer. Jackie, 21, was alone at home in Kingsley

  • Commuters will wait in comfort

    RAIL travellers are celebrating as work finally began on Chorley train station this week as part of a £450,000 investment in the site. The project is being carried out by trains operator First North Western, in partnership with the county and borough

  • New parking plan for centre

    NEW plans for a controversial town centre car park have been submitted to Chorley Borough Council. Planning chiefs turned down an application for the 71-space site on Gillibrand Street, Chorley, in October. But now Secure Car Parks Ltd has asked for a

  • MP blasts banking red tape

    CHORLEY'S MP has hit out at 'bonkers' bank rules after he was stopped from putting loose change in his account. Lindsay Hoyle immediately closed his Bradford and Bingley savings account after staff told him he could cash no more than five bags of change

  • Home move killed elderly man

    THE family of a Chorley man, who died two weeks after being moved out of his council-run care home, have blamed the move for his death. Their claim comes after a county council pledge in the high court not to move elderly people out if doctors said their

  • Tears for loved best friend

    THE best friend of Chorley nurse Christine Rowe, killed in a minibus crash in South Africa, has told The Citizen she is yet to come to terms with her devastating loss. Debra Hunt, a staff nurse at Chorley Hospital's Brindle ward, said Christine had left

  • Transsexual's mum blasts bullies

    THE loving mother of a tragic transsexual -- killed on a busy main road -- has blasted heartless bullies who made her daughter's life a misery. Devastated mum Carole Greenall had to sit through the inquest this week and hear how her daughter Paula died

  • Sam's the man as stars lead tribute

    THE smile on Sam Allardyce's face said it all. No, the successful Wanderers manager had not just won the league or even the Carling Cup - but he still had reason to celebrate. More than 800 people turned out to pay tribute to him at a Variety Club charity

  • Todd hope as injuries hit Blackburn

    FORMER Wanderer Andy Todd is winning the battle to face his former club as Blackburn manager Graeme Souness tries to overcome an injury crisis. Todd missed Blackburn's 2-2 draw at Wolves on Wednesday night with a calf strain. But the 29-year-old son of

  • Davies is due a change of luck in front of goal

    KEVIN Davies can think of no better time and no better place to get his scoring show back on the road. He has no particularly happy memories of the year he spent at Ewood Park but leading Wanderers to victory over Blackburn tomorrow would be oh, so, satisfying

  • Whites take heart from defeat

    CONFIDENCE was high at the Reebok today as Wanderers put the disappointment of one derby defeat behind them and prepared for another battle for local pride and precious Premiership points. There was no wailing or gnashing of teeth in the wake of Wednesday

  • Company expands in new direction

    A WESTHOUGHTON company completed a transformation when Ruth Kelly MP opened its latest extension. Ms Kelly, MP for Bolton West, opened the development to finalise a four-year, £2.5 million expansion at Frank Mercer & Sons Ltd, in Manchester Road.

  • Panto record at Albert Halls

    RECORD numbers of people have celebrated the festivities by watching Bolton's pantomime this year. It has made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - still showing at the Albert Halls - the highest EVER grossing panto in the town. An expected 30,000 theatre

  • Tranform your man

    TELEVISION producers are looking for women who want to transform their man. A Channel 4 series is in the pipeline and TV bosses are scouring Britain in the search for couples. Producers will take a woman at the end of her tether, send in two image-lifestyle

  • Lorry driver bought fake insurance

    A LEIGH man who tried to fool the police with a fake insurance certificate came close to wrecking his new career as a lorry driver. Peter Waterworth, aged 24, of Eastbridge, Water Street, admitted fraudulent use of an insurance certificate and driving

  • 'Sadness' at closure of post office

    A COUNCILLOR has spoken of his sadness at losing the small village post office he has come to rely on. Cllr Walter Hall, who represents the Bradshaw ward, says the closure of Harwood Post Office will be a huge blow to the community. After picking up his

  • Royal honour for good advice

    A DEDICATED volunteer has scooped a national award for his hard work at the Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau. John Cross, a volunteer for three years, was handed the National Volunteer of the Year Award by the Princess Royal at the organisation's annual

  • Firemen rescue five from house fire

    THREE men, two women and a dog were rescued by firemen after a blaze broke out in the kitchen of a semi-detached house in Breightmet early today. Fire and ambulance crews were called to Glaister Lane at 5.35am after a chip pan left unattended on a cooker

  • Teacher wrangle defended

    A DECISION to suspend a teacher on full pay for nine years - at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds to the taxpayer - has been defended by Bury Council. English teacher Anthony McNally was suspended from Woodhey High School in Bury in March, 1995

  • Fundraiser will carry on in memory of wife

    A MEMORIAL road race is being held for the wife of one of Bolton's most prolific fundraisers. Joan Rhodes, the wife of Jim Rhodes, lost a five-month battle with cancer in December, ending a long fundraising partnership which saw the pair collect thousands

  • Great ideas for your big day

    BUDDING brides wanting ideas for their big day need look no further than this Sunday's one-stop bridal fair. The free event is sponsored by the Bolton Evening News and takes place between 10.45am and 4pm at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Blackrod. More than

  • New alert follows spree of carjacks

    CARJACKERS have struck three times in the past few days, threatening motorists with a sword and a knife. On Tuesday afternoon, a woman was approached by two masked men in Abden Street, Bury, at about 12.30pm. The men brandished a knife and forced the

  • Lonely dads' hotline a big success

    A HOTLINE set up for lonely fathers received calls from teenagers wanting to see their estranged dads over the Christmas period. Bolton based Saturday Fathers Together (SFT) set up the special 24 hour helpline to help lonely dads over the festive season

  • Santa dream comes true for cancer sufferer

    ANOTHER dream came true for young cancer sufferer Duane Jones at Christmas when he was whisked off to Lapland. The 11-year-old, from Johnson Fold, Bolton, was treated to the trip with his mum Janice after two years of treatment at the Royal Manchester

  • Djorkaeff battle cry

    YOURI Djorkaeff says the time has come for Wanderers to deliver the results to match their winning mentality. The talismanic Frenchman believes Wanderers are capable of casting off their reputation as perennial Premiership strugglers. But the man who

  • Dr. Jazz & The Cheshire Cats Big Band evening

    Warrington Big Band Dr.Jazz & The Cheshire Cats are making their first Bolton appearance at Bolton School Arts Centre on the 31st January at 7.30 p.m. This promises to be an enjoyable evening for all with an interest in big bands. The music ranges

  • Schoolboys aim for last eight

    BOLTON under-14s bid to make it into the quarter finals of football's North West Woodward Trophy when they travel to St Helens on Saturday. Manager Ivor Altdorf is hoping that Bolton can build on an impressive first half of the season. Bolton are well

  • Sam opens Coronary Care Unit

    BOLTON'S Coronary Care Unit, solely funded by the people of the town and new Wanderers owner Eddie Davies, was officially opened yesterday. A small group gathered to watch Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce unveil the plaque to the unit, which opened

  • Ex-Wanderer Andy fired up for new job

    1140THERE are not many people who can claim they have fulfilled two childhood career ambitions by the age of 30. But former Wanderers player Andy Mason has already enjoyed every young boy's dream - a 10-year career in the ranks of professional and semi-professional

  • Woman and three children die in house fire

    Three young children believed to be under the age of 6 and an adult have died in a house fire in Beswick, Manchester. A boy escaped safe and well after being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation. The end terraced house has been left gutted by the

  • Alexandra is To Die For at the Palladium

    STARDOM is beckoning for a Bolton girl who has earned the chance to perform at the London Palladium. Alexandra Barton, aged 21, of Horwich, landed a leading part in a new West End musical, To Die For, while still a dance student in her final year at the

  • Put us back in Lancashire

    IAM an East Midlands exile, proud to be a Boltonian. Leave the name alone and, PUT US BACK IN LANCASHIRE! Vince Collins Long Buckby Northants

  • Support for name change

    IWRITE on behalf of my husband and myself regarding the proposed name change for Bolton. We both wholeheartedly support the proposal which we consider to be long overdue. Anne and Graham Kay Bolton

  • Forward thinking

    FOR once I agree with Cllr Harkin for his proposal to change the town's name to Bolton-le-Moors for the reasons put forward. Let us all look forward and raise the standards of the town. Why should we continually look back? They were not the "good old

  • Back Bolton

    I'M an 18-year-old Boltonian through and through. I have lived in Bolton all my life, support the Super Whites and I'm proud to be from Bolton. So it was sheer outrage to see that Cllr Harkin is after a change of name. I think that the name he has chosen

  • Resist attempt to rename

    BEING an adopted son of Bolton, originally from Leeds via Manchester, I remember in the 60s that those in the corridors of power decided to re-name the 'Ridings' West, East and North Yorkshire! An outcry ensued, the name changes were effected, and millions

  • No need to glorify just one town

    WHEN Cllr Guy Harkin says he'd like to change the town's name from Bolton to Bolton-le-Moors, he really means to change the borough's name. The only reason that Bolton gave its name to the borough is because Bolton is the largest town within the borough

  • End of business for Rmasbottoms largest mill - January 9

    From the Evening News, January 9, 1904: CIRCULARS have been issued by the directors of the Ramsbottom Spinning and Manufacturing Co Ltd, Union Works, Stubbins, stating that they find the company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business

  • Locker raids at club for stars

    GYMS have been put on alert after a fitness centre used by sporting celebrities was hit by a gang of locker raiders. The Next Generation Club, off Blackburn Road, Wheelton, had eight lockers broken into on three separate occasions in December and victims

  • Honours delight

    THE parents of Chorley-born rugby hero Paul Grayson have spoken of their delight after their son topped the local list of New Year's honours. The 32-year-old world cup winning Euxton lad was given an MBE, along with every member of the squad who scooped

  • Electrical waste cleared for free in new proposal

    THE Government is proposing to set up a national "clearing house" to provide free collection of waste electrical equipment. The proposal is contained in a consultation document - EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (known as WEEE) -

  • Industry has to rely on quality to compete

    HIGH-value products and services are the way ahead for British industry. In his New Year message to the Institute of Director's 55,000 members, director general George Cox set out the challenges and opportunities ahead. "It has long been recognised as

  • MP tackles minister on top-up fees

    BOLTON MP Brian Iddon forced a dramatic Commons showdown with Education Minister Charles Clarke yesterday and told him: "I will not back your plans for top-up fees." Dr Iddon said he believes the move will lead to a two-tier education system and mean

  • Spy on gym for a year

    THE Esporta gym, at Eagley Brook, wants a mystery member to get feedback on its service in return for a membership refund. Send a postcard with your name and address to Esporta Bolton/Corixa Communications, 69 Oakfield Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BB.

  • Girl steals police helmet

    A TEENAGER ran off with a policeman's helmet during a disturbance, a court heard. Ben Nicholson, aged 18, stole the £50 helmet while police dealt with a fight involving 25 youths in Ramsbottom last Saturday, January 3. Bury magistrates yesterday ordered

  • Record book for veteran keeper?

    CHORLEY will be without a match on Saturday because scheduled opponents Guiseley are involved in the FA Trophy and no other UniBond First Division clubs are free. This is a blow to manager Mark Patterson's plans after the Magpies had ground out a valuable

  • Yobs rob boy, 13 of mobile phone

    A 13-year-old boy was left with cuts and bruises after he was attacked by two thieves who stole his mobile phone. The teenager was in Sunnybank Road, Unsworth, Bury, when he was confronted by two older youths. They demanded his phone and when he refused

  • Hurry, £6,000 up for grabs!

    A FRUSTRATED councillor who has cash to give away to people in Bolton said today: "Get off your backsides and get it." Cllr Stuart Lever is urging his constituents in Astley Bridge, Bromley Cross and Hall i' th' Wood to apply for voluntary sector grants

  • Yaseer joins hospital trust

    A NEW board member has been appointed at Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust. Yaseer Ahmed, aged 26, has been welcomed on to the board after being appointed by the NHS Appointments Commission. Mr Ahmed, from Daubhill, is already a member of the Race Equality Board

  • Police plea over accident driver

    POLICE are trying to trace an elderly driver who hit a pedestrian in Westhoughton and drove off without leaving his details. The driver, who was in his 70s, did stop at the scene of the accident in Bolton Road, but thought he was free to go. Traffic officers

  • MP gets reprive for asylum seeker

    THE deportation of an asylum seeker who sought refuge in Bolton has been halted following the intervention of MP David Crausby. Political activist Charles Pouaha, who claims he was persecuted by the Cameroonian authorities, lived in the town for eight

  • Rename bid falls at first hurdle

    CONTROVERSIAL councillor Guy Harkin has been slapped down by his Labour colleagues over his proposal to change Bolton's name. The deputy council leader's ambitious plan to rebrand the borough as Bolton-le-Moors has suffered a major blow after it was overwhelmingly

  • Bus leaves mum and daughter stranded

    A FATHER-of-one claims his daughter and wife stranded late at night after a scheduled bus failed to turn up. Furious Peter Best criticised the First Manchester bus company after he claimed the last scheduled 540 service failed to turn up, leaving his

  • Wombles of Bolton recycle the clutter

    IT IS that time of year again. Across the borough, the trees are coming down, decorations are being returned to attics and the festive clutter is being cleared out for the bin men. But how many people realise the role that last year's cards, Christmas

  • Borough keen to be mean

    RADCLIFFE Borough attempt to keep their defensive mean streak going when they travel to Gainsborough Trinity in the Unibond Premier Division tomorrow. Borough have kept two clean sheets in a row after conceding 29 goals in six matches. But captain Davey

  • Quiz will go to the dogs

    A CHARITY football quiz to raise money for the Bolton branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind is being held on January 19 at The Crown Hotel, Chorley New Road, Horwich. Contact Derek Heyes on 01204 693868 or email Drop a line...derek@derek-red.karoo.co.uk.

  • Band aiming to get youngsters started

    WINGATES Band is encouraging youngsters to play an instrument and has formed a youth/training band. Hector Sims, a member of the horn section of the senior band, was the driving force behind the scheme, helped by former senior band member David Chadwick