Bolton

£20k worth of miniature railway track stolen from Bolton park by ‘scumbags’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th June 2022

A huge section of track has been stolen from a beloved miniature railway track in Bolton.

The damage to the family attraction at Moss Bank Park is estimated to be worth £20,000, the BBC reports.

Volunteers who run the Bolton miniature railway believe it was targeted because of the valuable aluminium used in the metal tracks.

It only reopened to the public two months ago after volunteers worked through the pandemic to restore it.

The Bolton miniature railway has been badly damaged. Credit: Facebook, Moss bank park miniature railway

Tracey Stirling from the Moss Bank Park Model Engineering Society told the BBC: “It is soul destroying. They have taken the majority of the track.

ADVERTISEMENT

“There’s always been a railway at Moss Bank Park, but nobody has ever destroyed the rails.

“We can’t just patch it up – we will have to start afresh.”

ADVERTISEMENT
The Moss Bank Park Miniature Railway when it was operational

In the miniature railway’s Facebook page, someone wrote: “Last weekend I was driving the train in Mossbank Park we had about 300 happy passengers this week nothing and why because about 98% of the track has been stolen, if anyone knows anything we need your help it’s going to take months to put right.

“A BIG SORRY TO ALL THE DISAPPOINTED CHILDREN.”

Another said: “Such a shock and so upsetting. Unfortunately these are the days we are living in.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more: Legendary Manchester nightclub South is closing down

Someone else wrote: “Absolutely gutted to hear about the scum bags that have pinched the track, I know how much hard work has gone into getting this up and running.”

Greater Manchester Police said enquiries were ongoing and asked anyone with information to get in touch.

The Moss Bank Park miniature railway is now accepting donations here.

Featured image: Facebook, Moss bank park miniature railway

Bolton

Appeal launched after dead dog found floating in popular beauty spot

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Appeal launched after dead dog found floating in Jumbles Reservoir

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.

Read more

WARNING – DISTRESSING – Image of the dog found at Jumbles

DISTRESSING - Image of a dead dog found at Jumbles Reservoir in Bolton. Credit: RSPCA
DISTRESSING – Image of a dead dog found at Jumbles Reservoir in Bolton. Credit: RSPCA

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 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.

Read more:

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.

Featured Image – ITV

More Bolton

The best Christmas light trails in and around Greater Manchester

Art & Culture

The best light trails around Greater Manchester to explore this winter

Ian Evatt responds to negative chants from Bolton fans after Stockport 5-0

Bolton

Ian Evatt responds to negative fan chants after Bolton’s 5-0 thrashing against Stockport County

Bolton

Police urgently appeal after three-car crash in Bolton leaves girl, 6, with ‘life threatening’ injuries

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches