Horwich Advertiser Issue 637

Page 2 July 2026 AD SALES 01204 478812 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. Tel. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson: ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING Jayne Meadowcroft: 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS Teresa Bond: 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US Stand with us! ● Cont from page one Hospice care is an essen- tial service, yet unlike other core health services it is not fully funded by government. Instead, pal- liative and end-of-life care relies heavily on fundrais- ing, donations and gifts in wills to ensure local fami- lies can access the support they need. Dr (h.c) Leigh Vallance, chief executive of Bolton Hospice, said: “For more than 30 years, Bolton Hospice has cared for local people and families with compassion, exper- tise and dignity. “Every day, we see just how much this care mat- ters – and every day, we are reminded that it is only possible because of our community’s support. “Like many hospices HORWICH’S latest green civic plaque has been revealed – highlighting another part of the town’s rich his- tory for locals and visitor. Town mayor Kevin McKeon carried out the official unveiling of the plaque on Church Street at the historic Club Houses. It reads: “Cottages built for the workers at Wallsuches Bleachworks 1801–1844.” A spokesperson for the town council said: “A sincere thank you goes to the home- owner for kindly allowing the plaque to be fitted, and special thanks to Roy Davies for carrying out the installation. “This latest addition helps preserve and celebrate an important part of Horwich’s industrial heritage, recognising the homes built for workers employed at the historic Wallsuches Bleachworks.” The development of Wallsuches, one of the first chemical bleachworks in the coun- try, was a significant factor in the growth of Horwich in the late 18th century. The Club Houses is the latest site in the town to receive a plaque, which sit on buildings associated with the community’s history. One can be found on the former Black Bull public house on Church Street, which has a history associated with the town’s development going back more than 250 years. It was originally a stagecoach inn in the early 19th century and also the centre of administration for the original village of Horwich. Other buildings sporting a civic plaque include Horwich RMI Cricket Club, which has been the home of the sport in the town since 1892. It received its plaque in 2021. Meanwhile, the Horwich Heritage group, working with the town’s Rotary Club have taken down two plaques placed at the Win- ter Hill transmitter station and a nearby gate post in memory of the 35 people from the Isle of Man who lost their lives in the 1958 air disaster. A spokesperson for Horwich Heritage said: “The plaques are in need of mainte- nance and repair. Please be assured the plaques will be back in position as soon as possible looking fresh and new. “Once the plaques are repaired and remounted, we are hoping to add infor- mation in the locality so that generations to come can read on site, about the awful events of that February day all those years ago. More on this in the weeks ahead. “Thanks for everyone’s understanding and RIP to the 35 who lost their lives.” POLICE announced plans to increase patrols around Old Station Park in Horwich after complaints over anti-so- cial behaviour. Officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Horwich neighbourhood policing team moved to act on com- plaints frommembers of the public. And they are encouraging anymem- bers of the public with concerns or information to get in touch with them. In a statement GMP said: “Officers from the Horwich neighbourhood policing team have been made aware of anumber of issues involvinganti-so- cial behaviour on Old Station Park. “Abuse towardsmembers of the public using theparkwill not be toleratedand action will be taken against any indi- viduals identified as being involved. “Plans are in place to increase patrols in the area. If you witness or are a victim of anti-social behaviour, please report this online or by ring- ing 101.” It is not the first time that concerns have been raised about anti-social behaviour at Old Station Park. In March 2021 police dispersed a group of around 50 youths from the park as part of a drive to tackle anti-so- cial behaviour Have your say on alcohol powers BOLTON Wanderers Women footballers have unveiled their new home for the 2026/27 season. The side will play all home fixtures at the Ginge Power Stadium ground of Daisy Hill FC, after agreeing a deal to base themselves there for the campaign. The move takes the women on from Vic- tory Park, where they have played as guests of Chorley FC. A permanent base gives head coach Tom Cunniff’s squad a fixed home in the North West Regional League Premier Division for the year ahead. Daisy Hill is managed by Nicky Hunt, the for- mer Wanderers defender who came through the academy and made more than 150 appearances for the club. Tom Cunniff said: “A permanent home like this is what the group needs. The Ginge Power Sta- dium gives us a base with a surface and facilities the players have earned. “We want Wanderers fans to come along and back us, because this team is going places and now is the time to get on board. Bring your fam- ilies, fill the stands and we will give you a side worth following.” Nicky Hunt said: “Bolton is my club, so Police act on park problems A place with heritage and history Unveiling: The plaque on the historic Club Houses (Photo credit: Horwich Town Council) secure the future of hese vital services.” Hospice supporters have already pledged their support to the cam- paign. Maria Thompson, from Astley Bridge, said, “Bolton Hospice provided outstanding care for my late husband andmy fam- ily when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. “Fairer funding is essential to enable as many people as possible to access the wonderful services that the hospice provides.” Tracy Lomax, from Kearsley, added: “My partner died there in 2017 he had stage four lung cancer. The care my partner received was exceptional, I have been a supporter ever since. “Until you need the hospice you truly cannot comprehend the care, sup- port given there. Nothing was ever to much trouble, myself and my family will be forever eternally grateful for the dignity, care and respect he was given.” And Wendy Houghton, who is from Bradshaw, said: “Too many friends and family have benefited from the superb care and facilities provided. “We need the full facilities open at all times rather than having to close rooms because of lack of funds. “If rooms aren’t avail- able, patients will have to be cared for in hospi- tal, causing less hospital beds available for others and costing the NHS and ultimately the public, a lot more and/or patients won’t receive the due care that they are entitled to. “More hospice care is needed as our population ages and I want everyone who wants the hospice care to be able to access it. It is a vital service and needs more govern- ment funding.” People can support the campaign by signing the ‘Stand with Bolton Hospice’ fairer funding petition at https://www. boltonhospice.org.uk/ stand-with-us Toby Porter, chief exec- utive of Hospice UK, said: “Hospices are facing a genuine cliff edge as fund- ing fails to keep pace with rapidly rising costs and growing demand. The current way in which hos- pices are funded is not fit for purpose. It is patients who will pay the prices for this unfair model.” across the country, we are under unprecedented pressure. Government funding only covers a frac- tion of the cost of deliver- ing our specialist services, and without a long-term, sustainable solution for day-to-day funding, it becomes harder to plan for the future and protect the care our community relies on. “Our community has stood with us through every challenge. Now, we are asking people to stand with us again, not only for Bolton Hos- pice, but for every family who may one day need hospice care. Please add your voice today and help Daisy gain for Wanderers’ women Base: Nicky Hunt welcomes some of theWanderers’ squad (Photo credit: BWFC) hosting the Wanderers women here at the Ginge Power Stadium means a great deal. “I had the best years of my career in a white shirt. I know what a home crowd does for a team and I want that for these players. We will look after them and I’d ask Wanderers support- ers to get down here and back the side.” PEOPLE are being asked to give their views on powers to deal with drunken behaviour as Bolton Council considers whether to extend them for a further three years. Currently, police and authorised personnel can tell people to stop drinking alcohol if they believe it is fuelling anti-social behaviour, crime or disorder. If people refuse to stop, the alcohol can be confis- cated or police can issue an on-the-spot of £100, which can jump to £500 if the person is prosecuted and found guilty. The powers do not apply to anywhere with a license to serve alcohol, meaning that people can still drink as normal at licensed events and in pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants. The rules, which cover the whole of Bolton, are laid out in a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and originally date back to 2012. Under the requirements for PSPOs, they must be renewed every three years and the public asked for their views, with the alcohol powers now up for renewal. Hamid Khurram, Bol- ton Council’s executive member for stronger communities, said: “The rules are not about stop- ping the vast majority of people who drink respon- sibly, but about giving the police and authorised personnel the power to deal with bad behaviour when it is being fuelled by alcohol. “Sadly, there is always a minority of people who turn to antisocial behav- iour, crime or disorder, spoiling things for every- one else. “I encourage anyone who lives or works in Bolton to take a few minutes to complete the survey and let us know if they support extend- ing the rules for another three years.” The consultation runs until July 16 and is availa- ble on the council website. TO ADVERTISE CALL 01204 478812