Bolton will commemorate Remembrance Sunday this year with specially-designed ‘Lest We Forget’ poppy markings painted on roads across the borough.
Remembrance Sunday parades all across the UK have had to be cancelled this year amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, however, 12 poppy signs with the wording ‘Lest We Forget’ are being painted near war memorials, or on roads where parades would have taken place across the Greater Manchester borough of Bolton.
Local highways contractor, Kays Traffic Management, offered to install the markings free of charge as a way of helping residents remember those who have died in conflicts around the globe.
Bolton is the first location in the country where poppy signs are being painted on the road.
The first four signs have been installed on Bradshawgate, near the Nelson Square war memorial in the town centre, on Darwen Road, near the Dunscar War Memorial, Knowsley Street – the nearest location to the Victoria Square Memorial – and on Nelson Street outside the army barracks.
Poppy signs are also set to be painted near a number of other war memorials – Albert Road in Farnworth, Chorley New Road, Church Road/Market Street in Westhoughton, Manchester Road in Kearsley, Market Street in Little Lever, and Scholes Bank in Horwich.
Markings will also be installed on Belmont Road, Astley Bridge (near the Royal British Legion), and Manchester Road in Blackrod (near the cemetery).
Speaking on the alternative commemorations this year, Cllr David Greenhalgh – Leader of Bolton Council – said: “Remembrance Sunday is, for me, the most important day in the civic calendar, and I know how disappointed many residents will be that parades are unable to go ahead this year, and that services at war memorials will not be able to take place as they usually would.
“We were delighted when Kays offered their time and support for free and offered to paint these signs. This is just one of a number of ways in which we can demonstrate our commitment to never forget our fallen and will be seen by thousands of Bolton’s residents over the following weeks.
“I urge you all to still support the Royal British Legion who have been unable to do the same level of fundraising as normal.”
Cllr Andy Morgan – Armed Forces champion for Bolton Council and ex-serviceman – added: “Remembrance Sunday commemorates everyone who served in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts [and] this year is the first year for decades we are not able to carry out our normal acts of Remembrance, so it’s really important that the public think of respectful and innovative ways of remembering veterans, both past and present.”
Shaun Hargreaves – Commercial Director at Kays Traffic Management – said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our support as a way of commemorating our war heroes.
“We hope that the road poppies will provide a reminder that although we cannot stand together in remembrance in person this year, we will never forget the sacrifice made by the brave men and women for our freedom.”
Here at Kays, we wanted to do our bit and pay our respects to the Poppy Appeal, so we’ve placed these poppies all around Bolton. Next week, we’ll be placing even more down for other councils – look out for them near war memorials and cenotaphs.@boltoncouncil#PoppyAppealpic.twitter.com/97N14l9hqQ
These road poppies will be popping up all over Bolton’s roads with thanks to Kay’s Traffic Management (who are doing this for free) and @boltoncouncil (as the first council in the country to do this). I’m a proud Boltonian today. We must never forget our fallen ? pic.twitter.com/zxhfqcs3dv
Members of the Greater Manchester public and wider community who wish to pay their respects are invited to watch an online Remembrance Service taking place at Bolton Parish Church on Sunday 8th November.
It can be viewed via the Bolton Council website here, and will also be broadcast live on Bolton FM.
Wreaths can also be laid at any of the borough’s war memorials any time from Remembrance Sunday to Armistice Day, and the council is also encouraging people to mark Remembrance Sunday by taking part in a two-minute silence from their doorsteps at 11am on Sunday 8th November 2020.
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Catterall vs Eubank at AO Arena: will confidence or cocksureness pay off?
The official press conference between Jack Catterall and Harlem Eubank got a touch heated in Manchester today, and not necessarily for the reasons you’d think.
Although there was certainly a bit of covert bite between the local lad and Eubank (nephew of Chris Eubank Sr.) most of bickering came as a result of an exchange between the latter and promoter and boxing manager, Sam Jones.
Who knows how much of the needle between entourages is genuine and what is simply for show, but there was plenty of jokes made about minced words, stuttering, wearing shades in doors and dodging on multiple levels. Catterall himself remained quiet and calm throughout.
Harlem’s backers firmly believe there is a lot more “skill” in his corner than can be said of his Chorley-born counterpart ahead of this weekend.
Nevertheless, the Manchester regular may have stayed largely modest throughout – as has always been his way – but he still had plenty of confidence and his own team reiterated that there he’ll prove “very difficult to beat.”
He even went on argue that he is “levels above him”, rubbishing any talk of a potential knockout risk.
On the other hand, they did admit that he “can’t afford an 8 or 10-rounder” at this point in his career and a need him to put in a performance.
Meanwhile, Harlem could not have been cocksure of himself and was happy to play into the Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn’s hands in terms of the stereotypical ‘arrogant’ back-yourself kind of boxer vs the quiet, understated, underdog.
Insisting that he wants to “become a world champion” and even squeezing in a dig at fellow Brit, Conor Benn – who will be facing his cousin Eubank Jr. in a rematch this September – labelling the 28-year-old an “alleged drug cheat”.
There was even more excitement over in the ‘Small Talk’ studio set up inside the AO Arena, as recently retired MMA fighter, ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann, had an announcement of her own.
The Catterall vs Eubank press conference had another big bonus up its sleeve.
Over in the ‘Small Talk’ studio over to the side, confirmation from Eddie Hearn that Molly McCann, was announced as the latest Matchroom signing.
It was said that she expects to undertake her first seven or eight fights within the space of year, telling media that “this was always the plan” and despite “lots of offers” from different promotions, “There’s no other place [she’d] rather be.”
Hearn went on to state that he can see her competing for a title “within months”, adding: “I truly believe she’ll be a world champion.”
Jet2 has teamed up with Greggs to announce a new competition where you can win a holiday for the price of a sausage roll.
If you didn’t know by now, ‘Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday’, and as the British budget airline launches its latest collaboration where you can win a holiday for the same price as a sausage roll, we’d say that’s pretty accurate.
Fancy laying down in the scorching heat and baking yourself just like a trusty Greggs sausage roll? Well it’s a good thing these two iconic companies have teamed up then, because now you can do just that.
Jet2 and Greggs are giving away a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Marbella for the same price as everyone’s flaky-pastry favourite priced at £1.30.
In a video shared to social media, internet personalities Charley Marlowe and Luke Hamnett announced this brand-new offer in an extremely on-brand way.
The video sees the pair taking on very different roles, quite literally, as Hamnett dresses as a sausage roll while Marlowe tries her hand as a cabin crew member.
This exclusive campaign sees you in with the chance of winning a three-night all-inclusive holiday to the luxury Spanish destination, staying at Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach from 2 October – 5 October 2025.
Jet2 and Greggs is offering a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll / Credit: Laura Barry (via Unsplash) | Greggs
On top of this, you’ll also get a handful of Jet2 and Greggs co-branded goodies sent to your door before take-off, and there may even be a present or two in your hotel room as well.
I think it’s safe to say there certainly will be carbs in Marbs.
Emily Sergeant -
29th October 2020 
