James Mcneill

Bolton College has reported year-on-year improvements in English and mathematics achievement among 16–18 learners during the 2025/26 academic year. English achievement rose by 3.8 percentage points, exceeding the national benchmark, while maths increased by 3.5 points to meet it. Adult learners also performed above national benchmarks in both subjects. Principal and chief executive Liam Sloan attributed the results to learners’ commitment and staff support, while the college plans to share best practices and pursue further improvements in 2026/27.

Bolton Catholic Musical and Choral Society will stage Monty Python’s Spamalot at Walmsley Parish Community Hall in Egerton from September 29 to October 3. The musical comedy, written by Eric Idle with music by Idle and John Du Prez, is based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Performances will include evening shows and a Saturday matinee, with tiered seating, refreshments and tickets available online.

Eighteen-year-old Bolton student Leighton Flynn has received a full-tuition scholarship from University Academy 92, co-founded by former footballer Gary Neville. Flynn overcame the loss of his father, caring responsibilities for his autistic brother and poor predicted GCSE results to secure a place on UA92’s accelerated Sports Coaching degree. Wigan student Yasmin Baker also received a scholarship and will study Sports Journalism. UA92 says the awards are intended to remove financial barriers for students who have demonstrated exceptional resilience and potential.

Public notices provide legally required information about proposals and decisions affecting local communities, including planning applications, road closures and licensing matters. Residents can search the free Public Notice Portal by postcode, category or local authority and sign up for alerts, while notices also remain available through local newspapers such as The Bolton News. The system is presented as a means of improving transparency and enabling residents to comment before decisions are finalised.

Residents are invited to attend a Partners and Communities Together meeting at Springfield Gardens Community Centre on Thursday, August 20, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will include Greater Manchester Police representatives, including a chief inspector, area sergeant and community safety officers, giving residents an opportunity to raise local concerns.

TransPennine Express reported that approximately 75,000 passengers were found without valid tickets during more than 20 million checks between April 2025 and April 2026, resulting in around 6,000 penalty fares. The rail operator said about 2.5% of journeys in both 2024 and 2025 were made without valid tickets. Staff encountered various excuses, including one passenger blaming a twin brother and another eating their ticket, while the company urged passengers to purchase tickets before boarding.

A modern three-bedroom semi-detached house on Mendip Close in Bolton is on the market for £280,000. The leasehold property includes a lounge with a media wall and electric fireplace, a contemporary dining kitchen, three bedrooms, a modern bathroom, gas central heating, double glazing, a double driveway, garage and landscaped rear garden. Estate agent Miller Metcalfe says the home is suited to families, professionals and commuters because of its access to schools and transport links.

Greater Manchester Police’s Economic and Cyber Crime Unit is holding free fraud and cybercrime awareness sessions in Bolton to help residents identify scams and stay safe online. Events are scheduled at Lloyds on August 21 and HSBC on August 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Staff and volunteers will offer advice on checking links and QR codes, researching online sellers, and using secure payment webpages.

The Bolton News reports four recent death notices for Edith Swanick, Malcolm Fullerton, Michael W Unsworth and Marjorie Osborne. The notices provide brief details about their deaths, ages, family relationships and surviving relatives, and direct readers to the full notices and condolence pages.

A ten-bedroom period home on Belmont Road in Bolton has been listed for £1.5 million by Miller Metcalfe. The 6,000-square-foot property occupies nearly an acre and has been modernised over five years while retaining original character. It includes three reception rooms, a home bar, snooker room, open-plan kitchen, ten double bedrooms, multiple bathrooms and a secret bookcase door leading to the second floor. The property is marketed as suitable for large or multigenerational families, with private grounds, nearby amenities and access to Bolton School and major towns and cities including Manchester, Liverpool and Preston.

AO has launched AO Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator offering nationwide 5G coverage through physical SIMs and eSIMs. Its Ultimate 500GB plan costs £12 per month for AO members and £18 for non-members, with unlimited UK calls and texts, 15GB of EU roaming, and a 30-day rolling contract. Customers can add up to nine extra SIMs, while AO says the service is designed around high data allowances, fixed pricing and simple contracts.

Chris Lloyd won Bolton Golf Club’s championship for the second time, defeating Sam Callaghan in a closely contested final decided on the 18th hole. The finals week also crowned Tim Cooper, David Johnson, Helen Braddock, Rachel Sojka, Andrew Dickson and John Scholes in the senior, ladies, higher-handicap and Silver Plate competitions. A total of 110 members competed, with strong attendance, close matches and a festive atmosphere throughout the event.

OnSide, a Bolton-based youth charity, is continuing its partnership with the Barratt Redrow Foundation, which has donated £300,000 since 2020 to support youth zones, wellbeing and nutrition programs across the UK. The partnership helps provide trained youth workers, affordable activities and healthy meals for more than 60,000 young people in 19 locations. One example is Chloe from Chorley, whose participation in music activities helped her overcome mental-health and confidence difficulties and eventually become a youth worker at OnSide’s Vault youth zone in Preston.

Bethell Group has donated a specially adapted 14-seat Peugeot minibus to Stockport-based charity Supportability, which supports children and adults with complex learning and physical disabilities. The vehicle includes an electric wheelchair lift and will provide safer, more accessible transport for community activities. Supportability welcomed the donation, while Bethell said it funded and sourced the minibus after recognizing that the charity would otherwise need several years to raise the required funds.

Bradshaw Bowling Club in Bolton has installed a defibrillator in an external cabinet with 24-hour public access. Funding came from Forever Manchester and the Provincial Walsh Trust, while 33 members completed CPR and defibrillator training delivered by the charity Restart the Heart. Chairman Mike Hill said the equipment is intended for anyone in the community, not only club members. The installation forms part of broader improvements funded by Sport England and Bolton’s Growing the Good fund, and the club hopes it will encourage other community organisations to provide publicly accessible defibrillators and emergency-response training.

Four men from Wigan, Leeds and Liverpool have been arrested in connection with alleged large-scale waste dumping at Bolton House Road in Wigan, with one also linked to dumping near the Cave’s Inn Pits SSSI in Leicestershire. The sites have generated complaints about foul odours, and a fire at the Wigan site previously forced nearby schools to close. The Environment Agency is leading the investigation with regional organized-crime and police units. Andy Burnham called the activity organized crime and said tougher action was beginning. The government has pledged to fund the Wigan cleanup, while Wigan Council has installed concrete blocks to deter further dumping.

Belgian student Arne De Cauwer graduated from University Academy 92 in Greater Manchester with a BA honours degree after completing the programme in two years. He secured full-time work before graduating, including roles at Deliveroo, and serves as social media manager at Bolton Futsal Club. During his studies he acted as a student ambassador, participated in university events and completed a sports marketing internship. The ceremony was attended by UA92 co-founders Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, while the institution was also recognised as Greater Manchester's most supportive higher education provider for a third consecutive year.

Creams Mill, a brownfield redevelopment in Little Lever, is set to provide 154 energy-efficient homes through a partnership between Watson Homes and Onward Homes. The scheme includes shared ownership, affordable rent and rent-to-buy options, with the first site expected to be completed by August. Bolton North East MP Kirith Entwistle praised the project’s affordability, energy efficiency and regeneration of disused land. Plans also include restoring part of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, creating green spaces, and potentially adding a canoe school and woodland walk.

Dentist-2u, a Bolton-based dental care provider, delivers treatment to elderly, housebound and medically vulnerable people in care homes and other settings. It serves more than 200 care homes and has supported over 2,000 residents who cannot travel to traditional dental practices. The company is raising awareness of domiciliary dental services and says many vulnerable people experience avoidable dental pain because they cannot access conventional care.

Evelyn Whitney of Horwich has been appointed District Chairman of Inner Wheel District 128, which covers Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Wigan, Merseyside and the Isle of Man. A member of Inner Wheel for more than 41 years, she plans to promote membership growth, strengthen links between clubs and raise awareness of the organization’s charitable work. She will represent the district at events and attend the International Inner Wheel Convention in Manila in May 2027, while sharing updates on the group’s work with the United Nations.

Mediaeval Baebes will perform at Bolton Parish Church on December 10 as part of their 30th anniversary tour. Founded by Katharine Blake in 1996, the internationally touring vocal group has released 12 studio albums, won an Ivor Novello Award and a Royal Television Society Award, and appeared at major venues and festivals. The concert will feature a torchlit procession, medieval instruments and songs from their latest album, The Spinning Wheel.

Bolton pubs The Lamb and The Alma have been shortlisted among 48 finalists for the Proper Pubs Awards. The Lamb is nominated for Community Pub of the Year, Gaming Pub of the Year and an Outstanding Achievement Award for operator Martine Longworth, while The Alma is a finalist for Entertainment Pub of the Year. Winners are due to be announced at a gala in Chesterfield on July 30 after judging visits by Proper Pubs’ senior leadership team. Proper Pubs, a division of Admiral Taverns, also highlights its community work, including raising £80,255 and collecting 17,500 selection boxes for Claire House Hospice.

Errors in the Home Responsibilities Protection scheme caused some women, mainly mothers who cared for children, to receive underpaid state pensions. The UK Government has set aside £1.2 billion for repayments, averaging £8,377 per claim, but HMRC’s 2023 outreach achieved only an 8% response rate and campaigners fear many eligible women have died before receiving the money. Eligible people can contact HMRC, use its online tool or seek help from pension reclaim firm AskRose, which charges a percentage of the back payment but not future pension payments.

Bolton is expected to have a mostly dry and breezy Saturday with sunny intervals and highs of 20–21°C. Sunday will begin cloudy and wet, with the heaviest rain between 6am and 10am, before easing to showers and then becoming mostly dry with similar afternoon temperatures. Westerly winds will make the weekend feel cooler and more autumnal than the recent hot spell.

Tesco will provide free children’s meals every day from June 25 to September 1 at The Café and The Coffee Shop in its Horwich Extra and Farnworth stores. Families can claim a Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix with a full-price adult purchase and a scanned Clubcard, with no limit on the number of children’s meals. Tesco is also cutting children’s meal prices, reviving its Free Fruit for Kids scheme and offering Clubcard voucher savings through partners including PizzaExpress and Cineworld. The initiatives are intended to help families manage summer holiday costs.

Two JD Wetherspoon pubs—the Spinning Mule in Bolton and the Robert Shaw in Westhoughton—will host a 10-day craft cider festival from July 31 to August 9. Ciders will cost £2.99 a pint, with traditional, perry and flavoured varieties available, alongside three third-of-a-pint tasters for the price of a pint.

A comparison of the cheapest reported petrol and diesel prices at garages in and around Bolton finds Sainsbury’s Bolton Automat offering the lowest unleaded price at 146.9p per litre. Morrisons Bolton Dawes and Sainsbury’s Bolton Automat have the lowest listed diesel price at 162.9p per litre. Prices come from PetrolPrices.com and may change as updated information becomes available.

Bolton-based ninth-generation family business Grubs has been named SME of the Year at the GM Skills Awards 2026 for its commitment to developing young talent through apprenticeships. The company was nominated by Bolton College digital work-based tutor Mark Smith, with Grubs praising the college's support and tuition of student Lucas and its efforts to prepare young people for careers in social networks and online marketing.

Daisy Hill FC is extending its partnership with Eatock Primary School, continuing a program that features pupils’ football-themed artwork in matchday programmes. The club and school plan to expand the initiative with colouring sheets, arithmetic activities, and quizzes tied to club operations. Staff and pupils welcome the effort, highlighting its value in fostering creativity and strengthening community ties.

Lists the cheapest petrol and diesel prices in Bolton, detailing rates at major fuel retailers including Sainsbury's, Texaco, Morrisons, Asda, Shell, Esso and BP, based on data from petrolprices.com.

Several roads in Bolton will face temporary closures over the coming weeks to accommodate water and gas works. Stephens Street, Back Hughes Street, Winter Hey Lane and Chapeltown Road will each undergo short-term restrictions, with some closures lasting up to three days and a one-way system planned on Chapeltown Road for three weeks. Diversion routes will be signposted, and drivers are advised to plan journeys accordingly.

A five-bedroom luxury detached home in Ellesmere Park, Eccles, has been listed for £1.35 million. Spanning more than 2,900 square feet across three floors, the property includes multiple reception rooms, a cinema room, landscaped gardens, and a master suite occupying the entire top floor. Estate agent Miller Metcalfe highlights the home’s high-end features, gated access, and proximity to amenities, major transport links, and surrounding towns.

Recent death notices in Bolton highlight the passing of several residents, sharing brief details of their lives, family relationships and funeral arrangements, and directing readers to full notices for further information.

A teenager from Bolton credits her development as a football coach to the long-term support and opportunities provided by Bolton Lads and Girls Club. Backed by funding from AO, the club helped her grow in confidence, gain coaching experience, and shape her career ambitions in youth work. She now coaches through the club, studies sports coaching, and plays for Bury FC Women, with club leadership highlighting the broader life skills sport provides.

A new STACK entertainment hub is being developed inside Wigan’s Grand Arcade Shopping Centre, featuring food outlets, bars, live entertainment areas, and social spaces. One food unit is allocated to ZZA Pizzeria, while applications are open for five additional street food vendors. STACK aims to support local businesses and create a vibrant atmosphere. Grand Arcade’s centre manager says the development will enhance the shopping centre and attract more visitors. Applications for vendors close July 21.

England’s strong World Cup performance has driven a 23 percent rise in June TV sales at Bolton-based AO.com, with fans choosing to watch matches at home due to inconvenient kickoff times. The retailer reports increased demand for TVs, sound bars and other entertainment products, supported by survey findings that many fans prefer home viewing and plan schedules around fixtures. Demand is expected to grow further ahead of England’s upcoming matches against Norway and Argentina.

Jamie Lee Leech marks the first anniversary of her Westhoughton salon, Nail Kreations, crediting the business with restoring her confidence after personal challenges and years working for others. Since opening, she has launched a training academy, developed a cuticle oil line, and gained national recognition through multiple beauty industry awards. She continues to support local charitable causes and aims to use her platform to inspire others facing difficult circumstances.

Thornton & Lowe and Executive Compass have merged under the newly formed Procurement Growth Group, creating the UK’s largest specialist bid writing organisation with 76 staff. The move follows recent acquisitions and aims to expand procurement, tendering and business growth services, supported by software tools such as Tender Library, Tender Pipeline and bid together. Leadership roles for the combined group have been announced, and the initiative is positioned as enhancing capacity, expertise and technological capability amid an increasingly competitive procurement landscape.

Clive Myrie returned to Bolton to present degrees at a University of Greater Manchester ceremony, praising England footballer Jude Bellingham while addressing graduates from the School of Health, Science and Society. The Earl of St Andrews also presided over ceremonies, with additional graduations for engineering and motorsport students scheduled throughout the week.

A team from Ingeus’ Bolton centre, joined by former colleagues, friends and family, completed the Pretty Muddy 5K at Heaton Park to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Calling themselves Ingeus & Friends, they exceeded their original £500 goal by raising over £2,500. Participants praised the camaraderie and enjoyment of the mud-filled obstacle course, which took place in warm summer conditions and drew thousands of supporters and runners.

Residents in Greater Manchester are urged to check their voter registration ahead of the mayoral election on July 30, with deadlines approaching for registration, postal voting, and proxy voting. Voters must present approved photo identification at polling stations and may apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if needed. The elected mayor will oversee key regional responsibilities including housing, transport, policing, and economic strategy. Additional voting information is available through the GM Elects website.

Bolton-based Handrail Creations designed, manufactured and installed bespoke staircases and handrails for five luxury townhouses in Knightsbridge’s Lancelot Collection, working with developer KBL Group Limited. The project featured precision‑machined European oak handrails and metal spindles, showcasing the company’s craftsmanship and use of advanced CNC technology. Managing director Kenny Macfarlane highlighted the team’s expertise and the significance of contributing to a high-end London development.

Vertu Motors appointed James Boyd as market area manager to oversee its Land Rover dealerships in Bolton and Nelson. Boyd, who has advanced through the company since 2008, will expand his responsibilities across both sites after previously leading a major relocation of the Bolton dealership. The Nelson location will receive a new general manager, and leadership changes are intended to strengthen collaboration and support continued growth across the region.

A free Sun Safe Schools programme promoted by the NHS Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and skin cancer charity Skcin offers Bolton primary schools resources to improve sun safety and reduce long-term skin cancer risk. The scheme provides policies, lesson plans, assemblies and parent engagement tools, supporting PHSE curriculum delivery and helping schools demonstrate their commitment to protection and education. It is already active in thousands of education settings nationwide, and schools can register online to begin earning accreditation.

Playdays Day Nursery in Bolton is set to offer enhanced menopause support through a new internal hub launched by childcare provider Partou. The initiative follows the company’s commitment to the Wellbeing of Women Menopause Workplace Pledge and provides staff across more than 100 UK settings with resources including policy guidance, a personal toolkit, and a symptom tracker. Partou’s people and culture director, Josie Mortimer, said the hub was created in response to employee feedback and aims to promote a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

Bolton Council is consulting residents on whether to renew borough-wide street drinking restrictions for another three years under a Public Space Protection Order. The rules allow police and authorised officers to require individuals to stop drinking if alcohol is contributing to antisocial behaviour, with penalties ranging from confiscation to fines. Councillor Hamid Khurram urged residents and workers in Bolton to participate in the consultation, which runs until July 16.

A stone-built four-bedroom detached home in the hamlet of Horrocks Fold in Sharples is listed for £495,000 with no onward chain. Marketed by Cardwells, the property features a large entrance hallway, multiple rooms with multi-fuel stoves, a farmhouse-style kitchen, four bedrooms including a master with en-suite, and a family bathroom. Exterior features include a cobbled driveway, double garage, raised lawn, stone-flagged patios, and a well-maintained rear garden. The setting offers tranquility near amenities, schools, and the West Pennine Moors.

Recent death notices in Bolton provide brief tributes and funeral details for several residents, offering information for family, friends and community members wishing to pay respects or view full memorial notices.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service urges families to be vigilant around open water after several recent fatalities, highlighting risks such as cold water shock and hidden hazards. The service promotes the safety steps 'Phone, Float, Throw' for bystanders in emergencies and plans community outreach throughout the summer to raise awareness and prevent further drownings.

A list of the lowest petrol and diesel prices at major fuel retailers across Bolton, based on current data from petrolprices.com.

Bolton is forecast to experience hot and sunny weather over the weekend, with Saturday temperatures reaching 27°C to 29°C under clear skies and warm conditions continuing into the evening. Sunday will be slightly cooler but still warm, with temperatures in the mid‑20s°C and mostly sunny conditions throughout the day. Rain is unlikely across the weekend.

A leadership festival in Bolton showcased Emmaus Bolton’s upcycling work as business leaders helped refurbish donated garden furniture to highlight sustainability and social responsibility. The event demonstrated the charity’s role in supporting people who have experienced homelessness, providing housing, skills and work experience. Organisers praised Emmaus Bolton for aligning with the festival’s focus on progressive leadership and circular economy practices, while participants engaged directly with the charity’s upcycling process and its community impact.

PR By Whitney marks its fourth anniversary with significant expansion, growing from a one‑person operation into an international agency with headquarters in Manchester and the UAE and new clients in the United States. Founder Whitney Williams highlights the company’s culture, focus on storytelling, and long‑term client relationships as drivers of its success.

Bolton Council’s building control service has earned ISO accreditation for meeting rigorous quality and safety standards, giving added confidence to residents, developers and investors. The certification confirms compliance with internationally recognised processes linked to the Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act 2022, introduced after the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Officials say the accreditation highlights consistent, professional decision-making and strengthens Bolton’s appeal to developers, with local leadership emphasising the service’s commitment to high standards.

A six-bedroom detached house on Pine Street in Bolton is listed for £1,135,000, offering modern, high‑standard accommodation suitable for large or multi‑generational families. Features include an open‑plan kitchen and dining area, multiple en suite bedrooms, several family bathrooms, a balcony, off‑road parking and an enclosed rear garden. The property is marketed by Purplebricks and is positioned near schools, a mosque, the town centre and transport links.