Horwich Advertiser Issue 633

Page 2 March 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 Lydia is a lifesaver it can help others in need in the future. A very big thank you to the council and Chill @ the Cowshed.” The mayor of Hor- wich, Victoria Rigby, who unveiled the new defibrillator, said: “I’m so pleased this has now been installed. “Hearing Lydia’s story when she came to coun- cil really highlighted the importance of having defibrillators that are publicly accessible 24/7. “I hope it is something that never has to be used, but it’s good to know that A MEMORIAL ser- vice was held at Win- ter Hill transmitting station on the 68th anniversary of the air disaster that claimed 35 lives. The act of remem- brance is held every year by representatives from the Rotary Club of Horwich and Hor- wich Heritage This years’ service was once again led by Rev David Griffiths. Victo- ria Rigby, the mayor of Horwich, laid a wreath on behalf of the people of the town in memory of those who lost their lives. The tragedy hap- pened on February 27, 1958 when a Manx Air- lines charter flight from Ronaldsway to Man- chester crashed into Winter Hill during a heavy snowstorm. It claimed the lives of 35 people and seven passengers, including the crew, were injured. The cause was later determined to be navi- gational error. The Winter Hill trag- edy remains the worst high ground aviation accident in UK history. The 35 victims of the crash were from the island. The flight was bound for Manchester Airport when it crashed on the slopes of the hill. Its passengers con- sisted of a party of local motor traders who had been invited on a day trip to visit the Exide automotive battery fac- tory and the Manchester car show. Commemorations were also held near Tynwald Hill on the Isle of Man to remember the victims of the disaster. There was also a remembrance ser- vice in St John’s church on the island. FOR the third year run- ning Westhoughton Town Council held free defibril- lator training for members of the public. Two sessions were organised, attended by 40 people in total. The training was led by Trevor Williams from the North West Ambulance Service. Town mayor Gillian Wroe introduced Trevor, explaining that the aim of the training was to give the attendees “the knowl- edge and confidence” to perform CPR and use a defibrillator. Police probe large- scale disturbance POLICE were granted extra stop and search powers after a “significant fight” involving 30 or more people at the Bolton Interchange. Extra police patrols were deployed along with a Section 60 order, which allows officers to stop and search anyone within a defined area without needing “reasonable suspicion”. It came into effect at 4pm on Tuesday, March 3, and ran until 4pm the following day. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) believe several people were assaulted during the incident. Following the disorder, the force confirmed that an 18-year-old man had been charged with an offence. Air disaster victims remembered List: The location of de!brillators in Horwich and when they are available Vital training sessions Lifesaving: The training session included how to perform CPR (Photo credit: Westhoughton Town Council) Council to ‘freeze’ tax share CHORLEY Council has announced it is freezing its share of council tax this year “to reduce the financial burden on residents in challeng- ing times”. Announcing the move, it says it has used smart investment and efficien- cies in how it operates to deliver a balanced budget. In a statement the council said: “The budget is ambitious, with con- tinued investment to ensure that the borough can thrive and become an even better place to live, work and visit.” Some key areas identi- fied in the budget include £638,000 to help house families who are expe- riencing homelessness with the delivery of tem- porary accommodation. There will be £188,000 for aids and adaptations to help residents to retain independence and ensure hom s are safe and accessible. And £4.5million is ear- marked to enhance local leisure facilities and sup- port health and wellbeing through a refurbishment and decarbonisation programme, including improvements to All Sea- sons Leisure Centre. It will spend £479,000, including £100,000 grant funding, to complete reno- vations to the West Wing of Astley Hall. And £6.6m will be used over multiple years to deliver a residential development at the Wood- lands site alongside space for educational and com- mercial use to meet the needs of the community. Deputy learder Peter Wilson said: “After lis- tening to our residents following the recent con- sultation, we have chosen to freeze our portion the Council Tax bill. While we only receive just nine per cent of the overall bill we don’t want to add to the financial burden for our residents. “We have been working hard to reduce our costs and maintain services to protect what matters most to our residents and I am pleased that despite financial uncertainty; we have been able to propose a balanced budget. “We have continued to generate income to enable the council to be less reliant on govern- ment funding, including through the Market Walk Shopping Centre, Straw- berry Meadows Indus- trial Units, Strawberry Fields Digital Office Park, Logistics House, and the Primrose Gar- dens and Tatton Gardens extra care schemes. “We’ve also changed the way that we work, such as sharing services with South Ribble Bor- ough Council, and find- ing new ways to deliver services more efficiently, such as through digi- tal and automated pro- cesses and reviewing staffing structures and service models. “I am proud that our council tax rate remains one of the lowest in Lan- cashire, and we’ve been able to freeze our garden waste collection charges.” it’s there should the worst ever happen.” Blackrod councillor Doctor Kathryn Grant, a member of the Horwich and Blackrod First Inde- pendents, added: “Lydia has done brilliantly, championing her medical episode and turning it into something positive. “And Chill @ the Cow- shed has helped the com- munity by allowing it to be installed outside their premises which means it is available 24/7. “They will also bear the ongoing costs of sup- plying the device with power. As I work in the medical profession, I am obviously acutely aware of the impact having a defibrillator nearby can have, and it can literally save a life. It’s so important. “I am also a director of Horwich and Black- rod Community Events, having helped to run free community events with road closures in the vicinity of the site of this defib. “We have more planned for this year. It is comforting to know it is there for our med- ical teams to use if we need them.” Location Address When is it accessible Chill@the Cowshed 46 Winter Hey Lane, Horwich BL6 7NX 24/7 Horwich RMI Cricket Club Horwich RMI, Chorley New Rd, Horwich BL6 5NH 24/7 Horwich Fire Station Chorley New Road, Horwich BL6 5NL 24/7 18 Mill View Lane 18 Mill View Lane, Horwich BL6 6TL 24/7 Beeley’s Bar 2 Chorley New Road, Horwich BL6 7QH 24/7 New Chapel United Reformed Church 147 Claypool Road, Horwich BL6 6QN 24/7 Lever Park School Stocks Park Drive, Horwich BL6 6DE Mon - Fri: 08:30-15:30 Regency Estate Agents 29 Lee Lane, Horwich BL6 7AY Mon - Fri: 09:00-17:00 Sat: 09:00-13:00 Fluent Money Ltd Unit 102 Rivington House, Horwich BL6 5UE Mon - Fri: 08:30-20:00 Admin Copier Greenstone Avenue, Horwich BL6 5SJ Mon - Fri: 08:30-16:30 Horwich De!brillator List - 2026 ● Cont frompage one A POIGNANT memo- rial service was held at Ridgmont Ceme- tery in Horwich to remember almost 200 people buried in a once unmarked pau- per’s grave. Between 1928 and 1977 ‘Common Graves’ were used to bury those who did not have the finances to afford a more traditional burial. Ten years ago, the team at Horwich Herit- age decided there should be a more prominent and respectful burial site. With a donation of two headstones from Livesey Funeral Service, they created the site in the cemetery. The service marked the tenth anni- versary of the memorials being installed. Around 40 per cent of those buried in the Com- mon Grave were babies or young children. The service was led by Reverend Nicola Butter- worth, from St Cathe- rine’s Church, with clergy from other denominations taking part. Horwich A service for the ‘forgotten’ Poignant: The service at Ridgmont Cemetery (Photo credit Horwich Heritage) town mayor Victoria Rigby also attended. Wreaths and flowers were laid at the head- stone in memory of the 193 adults and children buried there. A Horwich Herit- age spokesperson said: “There was a great attendance at Ridgmont Cemetery to remember those buried in the once unmarked graves.”