Archive for the ‘Bolton’ Category

A statue to legendary Bolton steeplejack Fred Dibnah was unveiled in his home town yesterday. The 8 ft tall bronze sculpture, by Jane Robins, stands on Oxford Street next to a working steam engine he loved to visit.

Dibnah shot to fame in the late 1970s after featuring in a BBC documentary Fred Dibhah: Steeplejack. The eccentric character went onto present and feature in a number of TV shows, mainly about the Industrial Revolution.

Fred Dibnah died of cancer in November 2004, aged 66. Yesterday would have been his 70th birthday.

A travelling theme park with over $10 million of rides and attractions arrives at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton tonight. The Great American Theme park features the UK’s largest travelling rollercoaster, a 100 ft Ferris wheel, a reverse bungee jump, and over 30 more rides and attractions.

The Great American Theme Park runs from Friday April 18 to Sunday April 27 2008. Unlimited ride wristbands are available for £4.99 (1 – 5 pm) and £7.99 (6 – 10 pm) on Sunday 20 and 27 April.

North West picnic lovers can vote for their favourite picnic spot in a competition being organised by Bolton-based bakers Warburtons. Ten sites in the region have been nominated:

Stanley Park – Blackpool
Lyme Park – Disley, Cheshire
Heaton Park – Manchester
Formby Beach – Merseyside
Beeston Castle – Tarporley, Cheshire
Barley Picnic Site – Pendle Hill, Ribble Valley
Jumbles Reservoir – Bradshaw Valley, Bolton
Beacon Fell – Goosnargh, near Preston
Fell Foot Park – Windermere, Lake District
Crook o’ Lune – Lune Valley, Lancaster

Votes can be registered at www.welovebread.co.uk until May 16 2008. All voters are entered into a draw to win a picnic in Central Park, New York.

The winner will be announced at the start of June and will go compete against the other regional winners for the title of ‘Warburtons Best Picnic Spot 2008’.

Marketing Manchester held their annual tourism awards at Manchester Central last Thursday. The winners included:

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: Manchester Art Gallery
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: Smithills Hall in Bolton
Large Hotel of the Year: Marriott Worsley Park Hotel & Country Club,
Small Hotel / Bed & Breakfast of the Year: Moss Lodge in Rochdale
Self Catering / Serviced Accommodation Award: Staying Cool
Tourism Restaurant of the Year: Nutters Restaurant in Rochdale
Taste of Manchester Award: Isinglass Restaurant in Urmston
Tourism Bar of the Year: Cloud 23, Hilton Manchester Deansgate
Tourism Retailer of the Year: The Trafford Centre
Business Tourism Awards: Manchester United
Sustainable Tourism Award: The Palace Hotel

Bolton and District Civic Trust have unveiled a plaque to mark the birthplace of England footballer Alan Ball. The plaque, at a house on Brookhouse Avenue in Farnworth, has been funded by his former clubs.

At leaving school Ball had trials with Bolton Wanderers, but manager Bill Riding decided he was too small to be offered a professional deal. Despite this he went onto play for Blackpool, Everton, Arsenal, and England, appearing for the national side in the 1966 World Cup Final.

Alan Ball died in April last year after suffering a heart attack while attempting to put out a garden fire.

Bolton Wanderers are setting up an experimental singing section at the Reebok Stadium at for the UEFA Cup match against Athletico Madrid on February 14. Commercial Director Gareth Moores said, ‘We’ve had a large number of calls and emails from fans asking us to consider providing such an area. As a result, the club has responded by allocating the Debt Matters North Stand as a trial for this crucial European fixture. It is going to be one of the biggest games in the club’s history and having a singing section can only add to the atmosphere.’

If the move is successful the club plans to make the North Stand a dedicated singing stand from the start of the 2008/09 season.

Bolton’s Albert Halls have been named the best civic venue in the country by the Association for Public Service Excellence.

Executive member for Culture and Community Services, Councillor Ismail Ibrahim, said, ‘This award is a great achievement for the Albert Halls, especially as competition was extremely high. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of all the staff who are involved in running this quality venue. The people of Bolton are well aware of this magnificent gem in the town hall and I would urge people who live further afield to check out what we have to offer when planning an important occasion or looking for an evening of entertainment.’

Bolton born comedian Peter Kay has been chosen to appear on Michael Parkinson’s last ever chat show. Kay will join an impressive line-up that includes Sir Michael Caine, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, David Beckham, and Billy Connolly. The two-hour show will be broadcast on ITV1 on December 15.

Bolton Council has announced another addition to Bolton’s Christmas lights switch-on. Pint-sized Lil’ Chris will join Orson and Ted Robbins on Victoria Square on November 18. Chris found fame on Channel 4’s Rock School, which gave a class of school children the chance to form a successful rock band under the guidance of former Kiss front man Gene Simmons. His first single Checking it Out, released last year, went to number three in the charts.

Bolton Council Leader Councillor Cliff Morris said ‘We’ve got a great line-up this year and what Lil’ Chris lacks in size I’m sure he’ll make up for in noise! It’s going to be a magical day and the Christmas lights will add a real sparkle and festive atmosphere to the town centre. We are hoping to attract a lot of people. There’ll be something for everyone and it should be a real family event.’

The show begins at 4 pm with the switch-on scheduled for 6 pm.

Award winning American rockers Orson will join Ted Robbins and Justin Moorhouse at Bolton’s Christmas lights switch-on in Victoria Square, on November 18.

The band hail from Los Angeles, California but uprooted to the UK in early 2006 when their debut single No Tomorrow went to the top of the singles chart. As well as performing hits from their new album Culture Vultures released in October, including the lead single, Ain’t No Party, fans can look forward to listening to tracks from their debut album, Bright Idea, which topped the British charts.

Bolton Council Leader, Councillor Cliff Morris, said ‘To have an international band such as this, playing in Bolton, is exciting and Orson will really help to make Bolton’s Christmas switch-on bigger and better than ever.’