News

Police confirm body recovered from Bolton river is missing man Craig Hodkinson

Such devastating news.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 18th September 2023

A body recovered from a river in Bolton has been identified as that of missing man Craig Hodkinson, police have confirmed.

The 33-year-old was last seen on Churchgate in Bolton town centre at around 5am on Wednesday 13 September 2023, and was subsequently reported as missing – with an investigation into his whereabouts launched by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) shortly after.

A number of police appeals to help find Craig were shared following his disappearance.

However, at around around 4:40pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday 17 September 2023), officers investigating Craig’s disappearance sadly found and recovered the body of a man in the River Croal in Bolton.

Formal identification of the body has now taken place, a GMP spokesperson has revealed, and it has been confirmed to be that of Mr Hodkinson.

ADVERTISEMENT

His next of kin have now been informed, GMP has confirmed.

Speaking on the recovery of the body and the subsequent formal identification, Detective Inspector Lee Gridley, from GMP’s Bolton district, said the thoughts of everyone at Greater Manchester Police are “with Mr Hodkinson’s loved ones at this very difficult time”.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more:

He also extended thanks to members of the public who “helped with our investigation” by sharing the force’s several online appeals over the past couple of days.

Featured Image – GMP

News

‘Unsettled week’ of wind, rain, and snow could greet Mancs into the new year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A mix of weather conditions could be expected to hit the north across the new year weekend – including wind, rain, and snow.

As Greater Manchester prepares to enter 2025, it looks like we’ll be bringing our usual moody weather along with us too, as starting today and running right through until the end of this week, Mancs can expect some not-so-pleasant conditions to accompany this party season.

The Met Office has described this period as ‘an unsettled week’.

While forecasters are encouraging people to keep checking for further weather updates where possible, thankfully, this turbulent spell of weather is only predicted to stick around until Thursday (2 January) – with no warnings issued for this Friday (3 January) or the weekend so far.

In a video shared to the Met Office’s X account, the visual shows that the most severe cases of wet and windy conditions look like on New Year’s Day itself (Wednesday 1 January), where there is even some snow forecasted for certain areas.

“Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week,” warned Andy Page, who is the Chief Forecaster at the Met Office.

He continued: “With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.”

Read more:

How ever you plan to celebrate the New Year season, make sure you double check weather reports and updates on the Met Office’s official site first.

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

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

News

Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of Greater Manchester’s most picturesque railways has been given substantial funding to restore a historic viaduct along the line.

As part of the Government‘s wider Plan for Change, the Bury-based heritage railway, East Lancashire Railway (ELR), has been awarded more than £1.3 million in grants to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill Viaduct – which is on the edge of Burrs Country Park, in the heart of the stunning Irwell Valley.

Repairs to the historic viaduct, which goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill, were last carried out all the way back in 1932.

But now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted the funding for restoration through its ‘Community Ownership Fund’, alongside three local authorities from Bury, Rochdale, and the nearby Rossendale in Lancashire, all putting in a further £276,000 in match funding.

Important supporters of the railway, such as members of the public and local businesses, have also added a few thousand pounds more to the project.

While inspections to the structure and safety of the viaduct are carried out on a regular basis, ELR assures, it was flagged earlier in 2024 that long-term repairs would be required to allow for the “continued level of use” of steam and heritage diesel trains along the line.

Speaking on the funding being granted, Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway, commented: “This is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.

Read more:

“Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters, as well as local and national politicians.”

Essential maintenance works are due to start next year in the spring.

Featured Image – Supplied

More News

Police appeal launched after man found with life-changing injuries in Moss Side in Christmas Eve assault

News

Police appeal launched after man found with life-changing injuries in Christmas Eve assault

Affiliate

10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2025

Boroughs

NASA reveals exact time you can see ‘Santa’s sleigh’ fly over Greater Manchester

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches