Greater Manchester has paid tribute after one of its council leaders was revealed this week to have passed away.
David Greenhalgh – a councillor in Bromley Cross for many years – was chosen in 2019 to run the first Bolton Conservative Council for four decades.
Greenhalgh, 53, led the administration through the pandemic, and mere weeks ago he was fielding questions from the press and public regarding local measures in Bolton.
But reports state that he had been unwell and was admitted to hospital for treatment, before sadly passing away.
Tributes have been flooding in from across the region since the news came to light.
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Sean Fielding, former Oldham Council leader, called Greenhalgh a “committed member of the GM team and a great lead on the culture brief”, whilst Bury South MP Christian Wakeford described the Bolton councillor as “one of the kindest and wittiest and most dedicated” people.
Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese said that Greenhalgh “worked passionately for the people of Bolton”.
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Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham explained that he was still “reeling” from the news, and that “David was a well-liked, highly respected & effective member of the Greater Manchester family.”
Friday’s meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been postponed as a mark of respect for David, his family and friends.
The flag at Bolton Town Hall was also lowered to half mast.
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Bolton Council also issued a statement, which reads: “David was greatly respected and had many friends both in the town hall and the wider Bolton community.
“As an individual he will be greatly missed by many, and it will take some time to come to terms with our sudden loss.
“Our thoughts at this time are with those closest to him.
“We will be in touch with more information in the coming days.”
Bolton
Appeal launched after dead dog found floating in popular beauty spot
Daisy Jackson
The RSPCA has launched an appeal after a dog was found dead in a Greater Manchester beauty spot.
The young Staffordshire Bull Terrier was discovered by a passerby in the water at Jumbles Reservoir in Bolton late last month.
The poor animal, who was a dark brindle/black colour with white markings, had signs of blunt force trauma to the head, and a prolapsed eye.
She had been in the reservoir for no more than two days but it’s not known whether she was alive or dead before she was found on 29 November.
The RSPCA is now asking the public to come forward with any information relating to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the dog’s death.
The passerby who found the dog at Jumbles Country Park took her to a vet, who contacted the RSCPA with concerns about her condition.
Due to the level of decomposition, it wasn’t possible to complete a more detailed examination but her death does appear to be suspicious.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Lee Ferrans, who is looking into the incident, said: “Unfortunately this poor dog wasn’t microchipped so we haven’t been able to gather any further information that way.
“She’d suffered what looks like blunt force trauma to the head area, as one eye was prolapsed, but there was no sign of scuffing on her nails which could have pointed to a possible road traffic accident.
“We’d like to thank the kind member of the public for taking the action they did as this would have been an incredibly upsetting sight to come across. For the owners to seemingly dump their pet’s body in this way is appalling.
“We’d appeal to anyone who was in the area at that time and saw suspicious activity or has information that could help our investigation, to get in touch.”
The public can ring the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01400488.
WARNING – DISTRESSING – Image of the dog found at Jumbles
Featured image: Geograph, David Dixon
Bolton
This is why Danny Jones isn’t getting a cash prize for winning I’m A Celeb
Emily Sergeant
It’s official, Danny Jones is the King of the I’m A Celeb jungle for 2024… but he won’t be taking a cash prize home with him.
In case you haven’t been watching, the finale of ITV‘s smash-hit reality show, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Here! aired last night, and it was Bolton‘s very own McFly band member, Danny Jones, who won the hearts of the nation and took home the coveted crown, but despite his flashy new title, a cash prize doesn’t come along with it.
Danny entered the final of I’m A Celeb last night alongside fellow campmates Coleen Rooney, who came in second, and Reverend Richard Coles who took third place.
The singer-songwriter seemed to have emerged as a fan favourite early on in the series, and was publicly praised by viewers on social media throughout, especially for tackling his trials and responsibilities, and after opening up about his ongoing battle with anxiety.
But after an emotional reunion with his wife Georgia and little boy Cooper during last Friday’s episode (6 December), he cemented himself as a frontrunner to win.
After being announced as the King of the Jungle last night, Danny said: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I gave my all in there, it’s a lovely feeling to be liked. Thank you so much, I appreciate this so much.”
Despite everything he put in to clinch the crown, and despite what many viewers seem to think, unlike other similar reality shows such as Love Island and Big Brother, the only winnings Danny will be walking away were agreed prior to him appearing on the show.
I’m A Celeb contestants each agree a fee with their agent for competing on the show before they enter into the jungle, and then, as long as they stay in for a total 72 hours, the money is theirs, even if they withdraw after that time frame.
According to ITV, the 72-hour mark is set to ensure the celebs don’t just bail as soon as they get in there and run off with the money.
While the fees each contestant agreed on this year haven’t been formally confirmed, it’s widely been reported in a number of sources that Danny Jones is being paid a sum of around £100,000 to £150,000 for his time Down Under.