Bolton

Bolton town centre becomes site of ‘bomb explosion’ as film crews shoot BBC drama series

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 21st April 2021

A major street in Bolton town centre was transformed into the aftermath of an explosion for the filming of the second series of a critically-acclaimed BBC drama series yesterday.

Concerned members of the public first spotted several emergency services vehicles – including fire engines, ambulances and police cars – pulling up to Corporation Street, outside the Market Place shopping centre in the heart of the town centre, on Tuesday morning.

The street was then seen taped off to the public, with debris strewn across the pavement and in front of a row of shops.

But despite this dramatic and distressing scene, it was actually nothing to worry about.

It soon transpired after Bolton Council confirmed that the explosion aftermath was set up as part of the filming for the second series of BBC One’s critically-acclaimed drama series, Traces, which first aired back in January and went on to grip the attentions of viewers up and down the country.

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The series – which is set in Dundee but predominantly filmed in Greater Manchester – focuses on three female forensic professionals working together at the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science (SIFA) as they uncover the truth of a murder case to bring a killer to justice.

It stars Breaking Bad’s Laura Fraser, Molly Windsor (Three Girls), Jennifer Spence (Stargate Universe), and Line Of Duty’s Martin Compston.

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Members of the public eager to catch a glimpse of the show’s stars and the filming in action began gathering round the scene as the day went on, with eyewitness Callum Major revealing: “It looked like it was some sort of explosion or drugs raid scene.

“It was really exciting to watch and see how they make the programme.

“It looked so realistic”.

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Facebook – I Belong to Bolton / Callum Major

Traces joins the long list of shows filmed in Greater Manchester, with the region earning itself a reputation over the past few years as one of the go-to filming locations for an impressive roster of TV shows, films and blockbuster productions – with recent projects including the next series of the cult-favourite BBC show Peaky Blinders, hit Netflix series’ The Crown, The Stranger, White Lines and The English Game, to upcoming ITV show Viewpoint and BBC drama Ridley Road, as well as the notable stand-out Channel 4 five-part drama series It’s A Sin.

The second series of Traces is expected to air on Alibi and BBC One later this year.

Featured Image – Twitter (@boltonproud)

Bolton

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

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

Bolton manager Ian Evatt has hit back at his own club’s fans after the Trotters who travelled to Edgeley Park to witness their hefty defeat against Stockport County sang multiple negative chants.

Evatt’s men were on the receiving of a 5-0 thrashing against the Hatters in the League One fixture on Saturday, conceding four goals in the second half and with three of those coming with just 15 minutes of each other.

Wanderers‘ results have been very up and down of late, with the Greater Manchester clash now leaving them sat in 10th with five losses to their name from 14 games.

However, Evatt was defiant in one post-match interview with BBC Sport in which he tried to keep things in perspective and questioned the behaviour of the away supporters who voiced their criticism both during and after the game.

As you can hear from this brief clip alone, the 42-year-old former player-turned-coach clearly believes that the fan reaction was misjudged and unfair given what he sees as some relative success since he arrived at the club back in 2020.

Self-deprecating choruses of “you’re getting sacked in the morning”, “we’re f***ing sh**’ and even “we should have gone Christmas shopping” rang out around the crowd according to those who attended the drubbing inside Stockport’s stadium – a club which in contrast has continued to build year on year.

Bolton were knocked out of the FA Cup first round in their previous match against Walsall and were even beaten by Aston Villa’s under-21s team in the group stages of the EFL Trophy – incidentally, the last piece of silverware they won in April last year and something Evatt is keen to remind them of.

Nevertheless, his response to the away support making their feelings known hasn’t gone down particularly well either, with plenty of the opinion that it is Evatt who is in need of a reality check and that there hasn’t been enough progress in the last couple of years.

Like countless other comments, online fan page ‘Everything Bolton Wanderers’ simply wrote “Papa John’s Trophy and now 10th in L1, isn’t success to me” and while players have come out to shoulder the responsibility, the pressure continues to mount.

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Many have already made it clear that they now believe the Coventry-born coach should be sacked and that the project he began almost half a decade ago is now coming to an end.

Evatt has become an increasingly divisive figure around the club of late too – having most notably been charged with misconduct by the FA for a confrontation with a Shrewsbury player earlier this season – and it’s by no means the first time Bolton fans have aired their grievances via chants inside the ground.

There’s still a lot of football to be played yet but it seems he has some way to regain faith among much of the fan base. Find his full post-match interview HERE.

What do you think, Bolton fans – do you want to stick with him or is it time to go? You can watch the highlights for what proved to be a great day for County fans down below.

It’s not the first time they’ve put five past their local rivals.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Bolton Wanderers (via YouTube)

Bolton

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

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

An urgent appeal has been issued following a serious collision involving several vehicles in Bolton over the weekend.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at 10:30pm this past Saturday night (9 November), officers were called to reports of a serious collision between three cars on the busy thoroughfare of Chorley Old Road in Bolton.

According to police, it’s believed that one of the cars involved in the incident was travelling in an easterly direction along Chorley Old Road, with the second car exiting Avenue Street onto Chorley Old Road.

The first car then crossed onto the opposing side of the carriageway, and proceeded to collide with the third car involved.

Sadly, three people from the third car were taken to hospital for further treatment, GMP confirmed, and a six-year-old girl sustained injuries that, at this time, are believed to be “life threatening”.

Following the incident, police are now urgently appealing to the public.

The junction of Avenue Street onto Chorley Old Road, where the collision occurred / Credit: Google Maps

GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are in the process of following several lines of enquiry, but in the meantime are appealing for witnesses, and anyone who may have information regarding the incident, to come forward and assist.

“This includes anyone with relevant dashcam, CCTV, mobile, or doorbell footage from the area and captures any of the incident,” GMO said in its public appeal.

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Can you help? Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 0161 846 4741 or 101, quoting log 3388 of 9/11/24.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

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