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.
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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.”
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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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Latest wave of ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton lineup in memory of the legendary Manc boxer announced
Danny Jones
Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton, and now a superb second wave of names has been added to AO Arena’s lineup.
Coming this summer, the legendary Manchester arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.
Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still only know bits and pieces about what’s in store, but a whole host of familiar Manc faces, famous British names, and figures from the world of sport have now been announced.
Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.
“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”
With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.
As you can see, now confirmed for the evening are the likes of Man United legend, Paul Scholes, darts icon Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, as well as fellow former boxers like Frank Bruno, Tony Bellew and more.
Local band, The K’s, were already confirmed as part of the in-person performances, but now the likes of Manc grime artists Bugzy Malone, fellow UK rapper Tinie Tempah, and The Lottery Winners are joining in, too, alongside loads more live music and entertainment set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”
So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.
Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.
The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.
You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.
This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.
Rare picture of David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport unearthed
Danny Jones
A rare picture taken from the night of the late, great David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport has been unearthed by a local whilst digging through his loft.
Imagine having that kind of history just squirrelled away in an attic…
As revealed by Stockport Music Story, after being supplied with the image by David Maynard, the snap was shared more than half a century on from the much-mythologised moment in Greater Manchester music history.
In fact, it was put on display and posted on social media quite literally 56 years to the day since Bowie played his only Stopfordian set on 27 April, 1970.
Maynard himself is featured in the newly discovered photograph (second from the left) and was one of the select and lucky few who were in the room for that very special show.
Organised by a group of teens on behalf of the Stockport Schools’ Students’ Union, the performance took place at the long-gone Poco a Poco music venue and club over in Heaton Chapel.
The storied space hosted many big names over the years – Gerry Marsden, Freddie Starr, Hank Marvin and more – but sadly closed in May of 1987 following a fire.
It went on to become the popular Hinds Head pub, which still serves punters to this day, but once had the honour of hosting a true artistic great and British icon.
For anyone wondering, this is indeed the same night on which David Robert Jones (yes, that’s Bowie‘s full birth name) missed his train home and had to sleep on the railway platform.
Here’s a BBC segment covering the tale back on its 55th anniversary in April 2025.
It may be a small and somewhat curious claim to fame, but native love the legend of it all nonetheless.
As for the other individuals pictured alongside him, Stockport Music Story (SMS) said: “The names of the people we know are David Maynard (2nd left), Roz Wood (3rd left), David Bowie, Bill Frost (2nd right), Stewart Rigby (right).”
They go on to add: “It would be amazing to find out who the other people in the photograph are and what they remember from that night.” We sincerely hope they do.
You can now see the plaque up close and personal at Stockport Station for yourselves and as for SMS’s growing archive of the region’s creative culture, you can find out tonnes more about other pieces of SK heritage right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
29th October 2020 
