Bolton Council missed a deadline for the £16m Levelling Up Fund bidding process because of an email that was too large.
It’s been reported by the BBC that Bolton Council missed the application deadline because its ‘submission had been too large to be received by the government’s server’.
The council had intended to apply for funding for Bolton’s Crompton Place scheme, which will create an ‘improved retail and dining experience’ near the Town Hall.
The deadline was June 18, but council bosses blamed ‘technical issues’ for missing it.
Labour has accused Bolton Council of ‘dropping the ball’.
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In a meeting on Monday, Bolton’s director of place Gerry Brough said: “Two bids were being simultaneously submitted.
Credit: BCEGI Construction
“Both bids involved collating many separate documents and third party letters of support and unfortunately we did not receive all necessary signed documents until that morning.
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“At the point of submission, it became apparent that file size limitations on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government server meant that both bids had to be broken down into four separate parts, so they could be attached to four separate emails.
“The medical college bid was submitted first and in full before the noon deadline [but] the Crompton Place bid could not be submitted in full before the deadline.”
He said that no indication was given that the bid was unacceptable and that the missed deadline wasn’t highlighted as an issue until October.
Labour councillor Nick Peel said: “Had I not pursued this, the public of Bolton would have been kept completely in the dark.
“These are not the actions of an open and transparent council.
“The fact is that the council did drop the ball [and] it is quite frankly a very costly mess.”
Featured Image – BCEGI Construction
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.
Featured Image – ITV
Bolton
The best light trails around Greater Manchester to explore this winter
Daisy Jackson
Well done Manchester, we’ve finally done it – with the amount of light trails illuminating our skyline this winter, you might be able to see us from space.
Who doesn’t love a light trail? The incredible views that brighten up the dreary winter nights, the synchronised wows as we gaze at the statues and figures along the way, or the hot chocolate waiting for you at the end that greets you like a warm hug.
That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best light trails around Greater Manchester for you to explore this winter.
The 10 best Christmas light trails in and around Manchester 2024
1. Yuletide – Tatton Park
A festive event with a difference is taking over Tatton Park this winter, bringing folklore stories to life with illuminated puppets, live music and storytelling.
The latest seasonal event from Wild Rumpus, ‘Yuletide’ will captivate families as they explore the stunning illuminated landscape.
Organisers say the captivating event promises to be a ‘truly magical experience’.
We’ve found a light trail with a difference for you to explore this winter – a magical world of glowing lanterns has taken over Gulliver’s World, and it’s a brand-new installation for 2024.
‘Land of Lights’ is a one-mile trail that showcases a huge array of lanterns and displays, with loads of nature-inspired enchanting realms to explore from Fantasy Forest, Ice Kingdom and Winged Wonders.
Plus you can treat yourself to a hot chocolate or toast some marshmallows on your way round, and then fill yourself up with Yorkshire pudding wraps and crumble at the end.
The Trafford Centre‘s hidden woodland has been transformed into a festive wonderland, with stunning light displays, Santa’s sleigh and, of course, mulled wine at the ready for the adults.
There are even free marshmallow toasting and letter-writing stations for the kids to get their Christmas lists ready.
Then there’s food from Freight Island’s traders, including premium smashed burgers from a Michelin chef, southern fried buttermilk chicken, cheese toasties and more. Plus, kids eat free for ticket holders when buying an adult meal.
Dates: On now until 2 January
Tickets: £8 for children, £10 for adults, £32 for families
The magnificent grounds of RHS Bridgewater will be aglow this winter, when its popular Glow event returns to the gardens in Salford.
The brand-new route will feature magical installations like light-up hedgehogs, fairy lights, and interactive displays that will weave around the gardens.
There’ll also be gift-shopping opportunities, music, and delicious food and drink.
Dates: 27 November – 30 December
Tickets: From £12.95 for adults, £6.95 for children
A new festive light maze is heading to Cheshire for the first time this December. (Credit: Supplied)
There’s a brand-new festive light maze heading to Cheshire this Christmas, and it sounds absolutely a-maze-ing (so, so sorry).
‘A World of Illumination’ will feature giant candy canes, tunnels of light, and an overhead laser show all hidden inside a festive maze. There’s much more than meets the eye with this light trail and
And the eagle-eyed amongst you can look out for hidden handles and buttons which lead to secret rooms and festive treasures.
Arguably the toast of Cheshire’s light trail offerings. (Credit: Supplied)
This National Trust site is one of the founding godfathers when it comes to light trails and has been consistent ever since they first lit up the iconic house and its gardens.
Whether your favourite part is the lit-up moat, the array of bright figures and statues, or toasting a marshmallow, Dunham Massey has got you covered.
Being an important hub for wildlife, each ticket sold helps with the conservation and care of this UK historical landmark.
Running for four nights only in December, the festival aptly named after what your Mum shouts five times a day is back in Bolton town centre.
This festival prides itself on bringing experiences to all and this year visitors get to admire ‘Gaia’.
This six-metre-wide illuminated Earth replica will be on display throughout the festival’s duration, and is a direct detail comparison of the imagery NASA utilises. Wow!
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Dates: 5-8 December
Tickets: Free
Bookings: No tickets required
10. Lightwaves Salford – MediaCityUK
This Salford special has stood as one of the most beloved light trails in Manchester for some time now.
Spread across two kilometres and branded as ‘MediaCity‘s winter season highlight’, this experience features 14 different art installations that are set to be awe-inspiring.
One of the most engaging pieces, ‘I Caught a…’, will change throughout the night with a varying display of animals pictured in a cage.
Originally commissioned in 2021, ‘Through No 4’ will receive a glow-up with some innovative lights helping to really enhance this pretty little project located along Salford Quays.
Dates: 5-8 December
Tickets: FREE!
Bookings: No tickets required
And one to bookmark for next year…
Ignite Fire Festival is back in Rochdale this month. (Credit: Supplied)
Goblets of fire, a daisy chain of flaming flowers, a firebird with blazing eyes and even fire eaters – it could only be the return of ‘Ignite Fire Festival’.
Rochdale will be looking extra glowy next week when the free event by Walk the Plank arts group fills the gardens opposite @rochdaletownhall with dazzling pyrotechnic displays.
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There’ll be three nights of fiery displays, culminating in the annual Christmas lights switch-on.
Daisy Jackson -
15th December 2021 
