Horwich Advertiser Issue 638

Page 2 August 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 Still in recovery ● Cont frompage one moorland area of Win- ter Hill during the recent spell of hot and dry weather. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Bolton Council issued warnings, reminding vis- itors to the moors that they face a hefty fine if they use barbecues or set off fireworks which could spark a fire. A Public Space Pro- tection Order (PSPO) was introduced follow- ing the 2018 wildfire covering parts of Bolton, Chorley and Darwen to help prevent devastation to wildlife. The PSPO bans any activities on moorland that pose a serious fire risk, including lighting barbecues, building or lighting campfires or camping stoves, set- ting off fireworks and releasing night-sky paper lanterns. Anyone found breach- ing the order on the moorlands around Horwich faces a fine of £1,000. Alan Wright, head of campaigns and communications at the trust, said the moorland area affected by the 2018 blaze had not fully Alert: Police have increased patrols in moorland areas (Photo credit: GMP) recovered from the dam- age it caused. In an interview with the BBC, he said: “Any time there’s a fire it will kill lots and lots of fledg- lings, it will kill lots of mammals, it will kill lots of insects, and then it will create areas which are just no-go areas for years to come because there are no food plants.” Alan added that despite the long-term damage, a lot of work had been carried out help re-grow plants and make the environment one in which wildlife could thrive again. Commenting on this summer’s wildfires, he said the Wildlife Trust was calling for more conversations with landowners, farmers, MORE details about development of Royal Bolton Hospital’s main entrance have been revealed by health chiefs. And a further plan- ning application has been submitted as part of the wider programme to create a modern new main entrance. Initial plans, approved in May, set out proposals for a ‘welcoming, acces- sible and easy-to-navi- gate entrance’ designed to improve the experi- ence of patients, visitors and staff. The second phase of the project includes proposals for a new patient drop- off area and dedicated wheelchair store, helping to enhance accessibility and provide additional support for patients and visitors who require ROCK HALL REVIVAL BOOST Cash support for the community Hospital’s new entrance plans develop Welcoming: An artist impression of plans to develop Royal Bolton Hospital’s Main Entrance (Photo credit: Bolton NHSFT) HORWICH Council has handed over a series of grants to help a range of local organi- sations with theirwork in the community. Horwich Community Choir has been given £500 to cover the costs of its summer concert. Echo andWave CIC – a baby loss support group which is currently one of the mayor’s chosen chari- ties for the year – received just over £500. That money will be used by the charity to help with training, uniforms and supporting material for a start-up library. St Catherine’s Church has also been given £500 to help towards the after- noon teas and entertain- ment it organised for older people in the sum- mer months. Bridge Church will use its £350 grant towards toys and refreshments for its toddler group and refreshments for those that attend sup- port organisations. The town’s Air Cadets has also received £500 and there have been a number of larger grants awarded. Anderton Centre is being supported with money to subsidise the cost of Horwich children attending its outdoor learning visits during October half-term And the Horwich Her- itage centre has also been given cash backing so it can continue its work pro- tecting local history. A £4.4million National Lottery grant has been secured to transform a historic building in Moses Gate Country Park into a commu- nity heritage hub. The Rock Hall Revival project will restore and repurpose the Grade II-listed building, creat- ing a welcoming space for local people and visitors. The project marks a major step forward in realising a long-term vision for Rock Hall, positioning it as a key destination within Bolton Future: A CGI of the proposed restoration (Photo credit: Bolton Council) assistance when arriving at the hospital. In a statement the hos- pital trust said: “Although the patient and visitor drop-off point will be relocated, it will remain conveniently situated close to the hospital’s main entrance. “Maintaining easy access has been a key con- sideration throughout the design process, with the proposed arrangements designed to provide a safe, convenient and accessi- ble arrival point for all patients and visitors. “The dedicated wheel- chair store will help ensure mobility support remains readily availa- ble on arrival, making it easier for those who need assistance to access hos- pital services.” Subject to approval, clear signage, wayfind- ing and communications will also be put in place to help patients and visitors find their way easily and continue to access hospital facilities with confidence. The statement added: “This latest application forms part of a wider programme of improve- ments aimed at creat- ing a more welcoming, modern and accessible hospital environment for everyone who uses Royal Bolton Hospital. “The redevelopment will be fully funded and delivered by an experienced external specialist organisation, with no impact on the trust’s budget or finan- cial position.” Work is expected to begin in the autumn, with completion anticipated by summer 2027. Fur- ther updates and infor- mation will be shared on the trust’s website as plans progress. the surrounding natu- ral environment. Bolton Counci l’s Library and Museum Service will be the lead and accountable body for the project, working closely with Lancashire Wildlife Trust to deliver what has been described as “an ambitious pro- gramme of restoration, engagement, and environ- mental improvements”. Plans include her- itage interpretation, community activities, learning opportunities, and improved access to the sur round- ing landscape. A Bolton council spokesperson said: “This is fantastic news for Bol- ton and a real vote of con- fidence in our vision for Rock Hall. Thanks to The National Lottery Herit- age Fund and National Lottery players, we can now bring this historic building back to life as a place where people can come together, learn about our shared herit- age, and enjoy the natu- ral environment. “This investment will not only protect an important local landmark but also create new oppor- tunities for community engagement, education, and tourism.” Tom Burditt, chief executive of Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “We can’t wait to open the doors to Rock Hall and welcome everyone in, new faces as well as some familiar ones, who’ll come and the wider region. A partnership involved Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Bolton Coun- cil has secured the grant from the lottery’s herit- age fund. It will support the transformation of Rock Hall into a vibrant com- munity heritage hub and visitor destination, celebrating the build- ing’s rich history while connecting people with along to pop in for a chat, look at the space, engage with the heritage, enjoy food and a brew with us and hopefully join us for all the wonderful events we’ll be putting on, both in the building itself and in the beau- tiful wider park. It’s all very exciting!” Rock Hall’s history can be traced back 1807 when it was built as the home of the Crompton family, owners of a local paper-making business. conservation groups and the fire service “about how this seriously needs to be sorted, because we can’t put up with this happening every sin- gle year”. In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: “Neighbourhood officers have increased patrols around the Smithills Estate moorland area of Winter Hill dur- ing the recent spell of dry weather. “We want everyone to come and enjoy this beautiful area responsi- bly, but with the warm and dry conditions, there is an increased risk of moorland fires. Even a small spark can have devastating consequences for wild- life, the landscape and nearby communities.” Meanwhile, a guided walk organised by the Woodland Trust marked the anniversary of the Winter Hill blaze and explored the lasting impact of one of the largest moorland fires in England. The event focused on the ongoing restoration work on the moorland and what can be done to reduce the risk of future fires.