Our native netball team, Manchester Thunder, and Bolton-based principal sponsor, AO, recently helped provide new kits to grassroots clubs in the region.
We love to see it.
Acting in collaboration not only with the local electrical retailer but with the team’s very own kit manufacturer and sportswear supplier, VX3, who design gear for all manner of disciplines, Manchester Thunder visited the Platt Lane Sports Complex in Fallowfield to visit some youth netball teams.
Surprising the girls at the popular Greater Manchester community sports venue – operated by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) – a trio of different outfits from the North West and beyond were kitted out with jerseys, shorts, netball dresses, t-shirts and more.
Ribble Valley NC, Bangor’s Thundercats, and Chester, who were named North West Netball Club of the Year back in 2023, were all presented the boxes of brand-new netball kit.
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These training and match-ready sportswear packages were worth more than £500 each, with VX3 renowned for their top-quality products, particularly prominent in both netball and rugby.
With approximately 700,000 women and girls playing netball nationwide every year, and an estimated 3.1 million people playing the sport annually, it remains the highest female participation sport in the country.
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Multiple Manchester Thunder players were also in attendance on the day to help dish out the new kits, delighting youngsters who are no doubt hoping to follow in their footsteps one day.
Better still, not only were the kits bespoke to each club, but they also included tickets to a Thunder match, as well as an exclusive training session with the senior stars themselves.
Thundercats Under 12sRibble Valley U11sChester Netball ClubManchester Thunder presented netball kits to dozens of aspiring young players. (Credit: Supplied)
When it comes to the likes of Chester, the nearby netball team saw their previous season hit by multiple obstacles, including their summer club tournament, which typically serves as a key annual fundraiser, being called off due to adverse weather conditions.
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That being said, competitions and generous donations like these prove vital for spotting organisations up and down the UK.
Maya Nelson, Head Coach of Ribble’s under-11s squad, said of the heartwarming event: “Getting the kit means a lot to the club.
“I think the dress, especially with them being different to our usual kit, is a really nice touch, and it’s something that we can wear to competitions and different events, and feel a little bit special.
“We’re always trying to recycle kit through pre-loved sales, so it’s nice for the girls to be able to be gifted something new through the competition, and not having to wear second-hand kit. We were all absolutely buzzing and we couldn’t believe it.”
At the time of the launch, Arafa Heneghan, Director of Brand at AO, said: “We’re incredibly passionate about supporting young people and grassroots team sports at AO, so we’re thrilled to run this competition for the next generation of netball stars, alongside Manchester Thunder.
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“We know how much pride players take in their kits, so ten lucky teams getting the chance to create something bespoke with VX3 is really exciting.”
As official partners of the legendary AO Arena, the city’s iconic venues will also host the return of the England Netball team for an important international test series.
Featured Images — Supplied (via Manchester Thunder/AO)
Bolton
Bolton-born celebrity makeup artist claps back at ‘nasty’ and ‘evil’ Katie Price comments
Daisy Jackson
Bolton-born celebrity makeup artist Made By Mitchell has hit back at social media users who criticised Katie Price’s appearance, describing some of the comments as ‘so evil’ and ‘downright rude and nasty’.
The makeup artist, whose real name is Mitchell Halliday, was responsible for Katie’s glam for a recent red-carpet appearance at the NTAs, with the pair opting for a bold and distinctive look.
While thousands of people took to social media to share their opinions on the reality star’s makeup and outfit, Mitchell said he was comfortable with people disliking the look – but was upset by the personal nature of some of the comments aimed at Katie.
“Thousands and thousands and thousands of people have given their opinion on the glam and outfit,” he said.
“A lot of it is positive and a lot of it is negative as well, and that is so okay – everyone is allowed to have their own opinion.”
While Mitchell said he was not bothered by people criticising his makeup, he admitted that some of the reaction left him upset.
He said: “I was genuinely a bit upset by some of the comments and what I was reading, and not because people didn’t like my makeup, that is so okay, it’s literally fine, again my client was happy and that’s all that matters to me.”
Mitchell said it was the comments directed specifically at Katie that affected him most.
“How people were speaking about Katie just really got me to be honest,” he said.
“It was so so evil. So many evil comments.”
He questioned why users felt the need to leave such harsh remarks rather than simply moving past content they did not enjoy.
“What is wrong with people? Just scroll on. Scroll on,” he said.
He also defended the decision to create a more dramatic look, arguing that it reflected the style Katie and Mitchell had set out to achieve together.
“This is a Katie Price and Mitchell glam,” he said.
“If Katie asked me to go and do her makeup for a red carpet and she asked me to do ‘please just do a really soft clean girl look’… really? I would’ve said ‘why have you brought me all the way down here?'”
Mitchell stressed that he was not trying to prevent people from having their say, acknowledging that social media users were entitled to their opinions.
“Opinions are so valid, I’m never gonna stop someone from giving their opinion in a comment section, that’s completely fine especially on my page,” he said.
“However, you don’t need to be nasty about it. And some of those comments were just downright rude and nasty.”
He added that he did not want his social media platforms to become a place where people could target Katie personally.
“Some of the comments about Katie were just so uncalled for and my page is not the place for that,” Mitchell said.
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His message to those commenting on the look was simple: “Just be a bit kinder, it’s not that hard.”
‘Own a landmark, create a legacy’ – Historic chimney goes on sale for £300k in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
How would you like to live in a big chimney?
I know that might sound like an odd question, and in some respects, it is… but we’re being 100% genuine, as over in Bolton there is currently a historic local landmark on the market with planning permission to make it into your new home, and it’ll only set you back £300,000.
‘Only’ is a bit of a stretch, but when you consider the magnitude of this property, it’s surprising that you’re able to get your hands on it for such a reasonable price.
This is Barrow Bridge Chimney.
Rising above the tranquil stone cottages and wooded valley of the stunning model village that is Barrow Bridge, this striking Victorian chimney stands as a lone sentinel of Bolton’s proud industrial past – and now, with full planning permission secured, estate agents say it offers an ‘extraordinary opportunity’ to reimagine history as a truly one-of-a-kind home.
A historic chimney has gone on sale for £300k in Bolton / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
Originally built in the early 19th century as part of the ‘ambitious’ Dean Mills complex, the chimney once crowned a thriving cotton-spinning hub founded by Thomas Bazley, who was one of the Industrial Revolution’s great innovators.
Long after the mills fell silent though, the chimney endured and remained a local landmark in Smithills visible for miles, and today this relic of the steam age is ready for its next chapter.
Approved plans for the chimney are described as being a ‘bold’ residential conversion that will honour its industrial heritage, while still creating a dramatic modern dwelling like no other in the town.
The planning permission is in place for a two-storey residence of approximately 3,939 sq ft, with a striking contemporary design blended seamlessly with practical living.
The planning permission is in place for a ‘striking’ two-storey residence / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
The approved plans include three spacious bedrooms (two with en-suites), a family bathroom, a downstairs cloakroom, and a study that can easily adapted to a four-bedroom, four-bathroom layout to suit modern family life.
What makes this an even more attractive prospect for future buyers is that the chimney is well-connected to both amenities and nature – with both independent businesses, good local schools, and convenient transport links on the doorstep, as well as parks and tree-lined walks.
“This is your chance to own more than bricks and mortar,” estate agents Miller Metcalfe said.
“It’s a chance to live inside a landmark, to shape its story for future generations, and to call a piece of Bolton’s proud industrial heritage your own. Enquire now to discover how you can transform this iconic chimney into a legacy home that will stand for generations to come.”
Fancy it then? Take a look at the property on Rightmove here.
Danny Jones -
30th July 2025 
