Plans show 14 tables would be installed at the historic Grecian mills complex

Part of a listed textile mill in Bolton is set to be converted in a snooker hall.

Plans published within the past week seek to transform Catherine House on Lever Street. The building forms part of the Grade II listed Grecian mills complex, south of Bolton town centre.

Floor plans published as part of the planning application show 14 full size snooker tables would be installed in the building over two floors.

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A planning statement in support of the plans on behalf of applicant Yasar Wasim has been published on the council’s planning portal.

It said: “The proposal seeks change of use and works to facilitate a snooker club as the primary and predominant use across both the ground and first floors.

“A small café and kitchen facility is included at ground-floor level solely as an ancillary refreshment offer for patrons of the snooker club.”

Catherine House is a two-storey red brick building with a slate roof, fronting Lever Street. It is currently vacant.

The only external alteration within the plans is the installation of an extractor fan on the rear ground floor to serve the proposed kitchen.

The planning statement said that the council had advised that, in principle, a snooker hall and café may be capable of justification given the mixed-use nature of Grecian Mills, but identified key requirements to be addressed through supporting information.

The statement, adds: “In economic terms, the proposal will re-activate a redundant building, support business investment and create employment.

“In social terms, will provide an indoor recreation facility which, by its nature, supports social interaction and contributes to a ‘strong, vibrant and healthy’ community function.”

The Grecian mill complex of which Catherine House is a part is Grade II Listed and was formerly a cotton spinning and doubling works. The main spinning mill dates back to 1845 with other buildings dated 1850s-60s.

Catherine House is noted for its heavy Italianate detailing.

A heritage report, supporting the application, said: “As part of a large mill complex, the building provides evidence of the rise of industry in Bolton through the mid to late 19th century, and along with the remainder of the complex serves as a reminder to the historic industry, which was responsible for much of the growth of the area.

“In essence the key drivers of the building’s significance will be conserved, change being of a very low level and directed to areas of lower significance.”

Planners in Bolton will consider the application in th coming weeks.

Limited operations will resume at Dubai Airport later on today (Monday, March 2).

Emirates flight EK36 from Newcastle to Dubai is scheduled to take off as planned at 1.10pm on Tuesday (March 3) as the airline resumes some operations.

One of the carrier’s Boeing 777’s has been grounded at Newcastle over the weekend after operations were paused due to airspace closures.

It means flight EK35 from Dubai to Newcastle, due to depart at 7.25am, remains cancelled.

Airspace closures in the Middle East have resulted in a number of commercial flights being grounded since missile attacks began on Saturday (February 28).

A statement on Emirates website reads: “Emirates will begin operating a limited number of flights commencing on the evening of March 2.

“We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates.

“Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified. All other flights remain suspended until further notice.

“Emirates continues to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly. Updates will be published on our website and official social media channels.

“We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.

“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”

Dubai Airport also confirmed it is expected to resume limited operations later today.

The airport added: “Passengers must not travel to the airport unless they have received a confirmed departure time directly from their airline, as schedules remain subject to change.

“Passengers are advised contact their airline directly for the latest updates.”

The cancellation of flights have left thousands of people stranded, including many from the North East.

One Bishop Auckland family jetted to Dubai for a birthday, but are now unable to leave.

A 33-year-old mum, was one of dozens at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah hiding under shelter over the weekend, with many having moved to the underground basement following an explosion at the nearby Fairmont hotel.

“We were sat around the pool, my friend in Abu Dhabi called and asked if I heard the loud bang. About 15 to 20 minutes later I heard one,” she told The Northern Echo on Saturday.

“Then later, I was laying on the bed, my partner and little boy were laying around the pool. I heard three, loud bangs.”

A Darlington man also described the terrifying moment three missiles were “shot down” from the sky above them as they were lounging by the pool.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said he heard a number of loud bangs on Saturday afternoon, in the hours after the US and Israel launched a major military attack on targets across Iran.

The family were due to fly back on Sunday, but now face “a waiting game”.

He said: “We were sat by the swimming pool and then the next thing we know, three missiles were shot down pretty much directly above us at 1.30pm (9.30am GMT).

“The first thing we heard was just a loud noise but didn’t see anything. There is construction going on nearby, so when we heard the first bang we thought it was just the workers.

“But then, the second, you could see the smoke in the sky. There were about 30 second intervals between them.”

The strikes led to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel.

Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE killed one person, state media said, and debris from aerial interceptions caused fires at the city’s main port and on the facade of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel.

Hundreds of thousands of British nationals are believed to be present in the Gulf, and those in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE have been urged to register their presence with the Foreign Office.

Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire councils propose £1,000 fines after 22 incidents of dangerous driving and vehicle stunts

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Cambridgeshire Live readers have shared strong views after reports of antisocial driving at park-and-ride sites across Cambridgeshire. Many want tougher action, while others say the problem will simply shift to other places if rules change in one spot.

Antisocial driving at a park and ride site in Cambridge has made “people feel unsafe”, according to a councillor. A total of 22 separate incidents were recorded at Babraham Road Park and Ride between April 2024 and mid-January this year.

Babraham Road Park and Ride, situated between Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, has seen persistent problems with inconsiderate and dangerous driving, alongside loud music, according to South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council.

Most of these incidents are reported to occur during evening hours or late at night, frequently continuing beyond midnight. Both councils say that additional gatherings are being organised, and that despite reports being submitted to police, vehicles often reappear after being dispersed.

The councils wish to introduce new measures to tackle the antisocial behaviour. They are proposing to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering the Babraham Park and Ride site.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) alongside existing CCTV would be used, enabling councils to monitor vehicles and issue fines without requiring a physical presence. The new measures would make it a criminal offence to do any of the following within the park and ride:

• Speeding or reckless driving that risks causing harassment, alarm or distress.
• Revving, racing and disruptive vehicle behaviour, including unnecessary acceleration, loud engine revving, horn misuse and amplified music causing nuisance.
• Dangerous stunts such as drifting, doughnuts, burnouts, wheel spins, J‐turns or wheelies.
• Organised meets or racing‐style activity, including entering the site for vehicle display or performance driving.
• Threatening or abusive behaviour towards other Park and Ride users.

Should the PSPO be implemented, anyone breaking the rules could face prosecution and fines of up to £1,000 or receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £500.

One reader, Freddly, comments: “The PSPO needs to allow the car or van to be taken off the driver. Let’s spare a thought also for much more ‘respectable’ antisocial driving. Recently a pedestrian was killed by a car in a local car-park. Why was anyone driving fast enough in a to do this in a car-park? Since lawless and careless driving around supermarkets has become so commonplace, these car-parks, like our streets, need speed tables that damage cars if taken at more than 10mph.”

Campete2 says: “The penalty seems a little light. Although I suspect that a criminal conviction would have more impact after the fact, the prospect of vehicle seizure might be more effective at prevention. The thing is to make sure this doesn’t just move the problem elsewhere. People can break laws faster than authorities can make them.”

Skipper says: “Given that it seems legal for Lycra enthusiasts to hold push bike meets and race through the streets of Cambridge – and even get roads closed – plus free push bike tracks, how about some levelling up? Let’s have a taxpayer-funded tarmac area where car drivers can go to enjoy themselves, instead of the unfair demonisation of the car.”

Over on our Facebook page, Adam Barton comments: “Hope this happens and happens soon. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with youngsters having fun. However, right next door to Babraham Park & Ride, you have the Arthur Rank Hospice, which houses some terminally ill patients. Please show a little bit of respect to these people and their families.”

Molly Raé Hill disagrees: “Barley [sic] antisocial when people are meeting to socialise and appreciate each others [sic] cars, never known one to last past midnight either.”

Marshall Mars says: “This measure will hurt good and bad enthusiasts alike. Not all drivers go there for anti-social behaviour. Unfortunately, there are some groups that go there and can’t behave, acting like hooligans, ruining it for everyone else. Most go there just to be away from housing complexes and just park up for a chat.”

Are car meets really that bad? Comment below or HERE to have your say.

Thomas Mason, 28, was found not guilty of rape and was acquitted of sexual assault against the complainant following a trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court

A man accused of raping a woman in her tent at Green Man Festival has been found not guilty of rape and sexual assault. He sobbed loudly as the verdicts were returned by the jury. Thomas Mason, 28, was accused of raping the alleged victim and of sexually assaulting her by penetration at the annual music festival in Crickhowell, Powys. The complainant was later heard crying in her tent.

A trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday heard Mason and the complainant were not known to each other, but met while dancing in a tent.

She and the defendant began kissing and they agreed to go back to her tent. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.

They had consensual sexual intercourse but the complainant found it painful and asked Mason to stop, which he did.

But after a while she felt the defendant touch her between her legs and said he slapped her to the face and to her breasts.

It is alleged he then put his penis inside the complainant’s vagina and raped her. The court heard she was in pain and told him to stop, but she says he refused.

In her opening, prosecutor Clare Wilks said: “(The complainant) described her body feeling limp and was confused about what was happening. She told him to stop and she was frightened as she was worried he would become more violent. She felt like a ragdoll and dissociated.”

The court heard Mason placed the complainant on her front and put his hands around her neck before allegedly raping her again.

The woman said the defendant then spat on his finger and inserted it into her. Mason was then accused of ejaculating on the complainant.

Mason, of John Williams Close, Brockley, London, pleaded not guilty to both rape and sexual assault.

He was found not guilty of both charges on Monday, after the jury retired to consider their verdicts on the same day.

Mason sobbed in the dock as the verdicts were delivered. The case was discharged against him and Judge Richard Kember told him he was free to leave the courtroom.

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Grappling has dominated the news conferences of managers over the last week. And the frustration appears to be on the rise.

Everton boss David Moyes feels the onus has to be on the referees. He said the lack of action has been “poor”.

Take Everton versus Manchester United last week.

The Toffees had several players standing on top of goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Leny Yoro was pushed into the net by James Tarkowski. Then Harry Maguire got involved too.

“You get the feeling now that referees really don’t want to get involved in any of it,” Moyes said. “It’s really poor that they’ve not tried to deal with it.”

With set-pieces becoming ever more important in the Premier League, it means teams seem to be upping their distraction tactics.

“Attackers crowd the goalkeeper hoping to nullify his movement and effectiveness,” Cann explained.

“Defenders, meanwhile, try to block the attackers’ run and seem more interested in looking at their opponent than the ball in many cases.”

Moyes said that Arsenal have been the trailblazers for these “dark arts”.

“Blocking has become a big part of it,” Moyes added. “Let’s be fair, the best at it – but with style – would be Arsenal.”

It was prevalent in Sunday’s Premier League game between Arsenal and Chelsea. On one corner there were numerous Gunners players holding the player they were marking.

Chelsea conceded two goals from corners in their 2-1 loss at Emirates Stadium. Manager Liam Rosenior said he is now “taking control” of coaching the defending of set-pieces.

Perhaps it has got to the stage where the image of the game is being harmed by players being thrown to the ground time and again.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot thinks it is making the Premier League a poorer product.

“Most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch,” the Dutchman said on Monday. “My football heart doesn’t like it.”

Slot believes that fouls would be given in other leagues. In England, the goal stands.

And it is clearly a successful tactic in England.

The Premier League (27%) has the highest number of set-piece goals in the top five leagues this season. Serie A (24%) is second, followed by the Bundesliga (22%), La Liga (19%) and Ligue 1 (17%).

The Premier League, though, believes it has the threshold in a good place.

At the start of the season, a survey of coaches, captains, referees and pundits were overwhelming in favour of the current threshold for fouls and video assistant referee (VAR) intervention.

The Premier League did place a stronger emphasis on holding, to cover only the most obvious examples.

Seven penalties have been awarded for the offence this season, four after a VAR intervention.

Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) would argue that it only gets highlighted in the media when high-profile cases crop up.

But social media is regularly flooded with images of players being held, and no VAR intervention has been forthcoming.

In supporters’ minds, VAR is penalising microscopic offsides, but missing what they see as clear fouls.

Mandy Neal won last year’s York Press Community Pride Award in the ‘Against All Odds’ category for her positivity and inspiration, which inspired award judges and Press readers.

As the Press reported, Mandy suddenly fell ill in January 2024, and was rushed to York Hospital where she was put in an induced coma in intensive care and placed on a ventilator. Doctors diagnosed pneumonia but also an infection – Strep A.

Mandy remained in hospital for a long time during which her body fought hard to keep her organs going, meaning blood supplies to her extremities were restricted. She survived but both her hands and feet had to be amputated.

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The much-loved mother and grandmother from York had always previously enjoyed good health and an active lifestyle – swimming, cycling and playing with her grandchildren.

Since her surgery, Many, who has worked as a waitress at Betty’s for 30 years, has inspired others by carrying on as best she can, including learning to independently walk again, using prosthetics legs.

Mandy Neal and guests of the TRTRehab wellness retreat. (Image: Pic supplied)

Mandy’s award was sponsored by TRTRehab, a multi-awards winning Therapy Studio which specialises in helping people get out of pain and regain control of their lives.

TRTRehab founder and owner Iwona Michalska said: “We were inspired by her honesty, humour and strength, and felt she would be the perfect motivational speaker for our retreat. She absolutely delivered, encouraging attendees to keep fighting for their health and to believe that a good life does not stop with disability.”

TRTrehab runs immersive retreats twice a year at Hawkhills, near York. These retreats are designed for individuals who are willing to go the extra mile and fully immerse themselves in recovery from persistent pain, chronic illness or disability.

The last retreat was last weekend, which included tailored exercise sessions adapted to each participant’s ability, team games and personal challenges, mindset and resilience training and social activities.

Mandy Neal and TRTRehab’s Iwona Michalska (Image: NQ)

Iwona added: “Mandy is passionate about inspiring others and is always keen to connect with new groups, schools and organisations to spread her message that life does not stop with disability.

“Mandy joined us at the retreat as our motivational speaker, and she was truly outstanding. She inspired, motivated and encouraged everyone in the room to keep fighting for their health and their lives, no matter the obstacles they face. 

“Her story and positivity had a real impact on all who attended.”

TRTrehab hopes to welcome Mandy again, this time as a participant at our next retreat in November 2026.

For more information about TRTrehab and upcoming retreats, go to: www.trtrehab.co.uk

Bus passes could not previously be used before 9.30am on weekdays, but as of March 1, pensioners with passes are entitled to free bus travel at any time, anywhere in Greater Manchester.

Passenger Wendy Pye said: “It’s very welcome.

“I’ll get the benefit of it at least two days a week because I come into Bolton for classes and shopping.

“I have to get the bus to Halliwell at 9.28am, so I had to pay for that.

Leigh McCarthy (centre) with fellow bus pass users (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“The man who usually sits next to me on the bus is a pensioner and his wife is in care – he has to spend £10 a week on buses because he doesn’t drive.

“It’s good they’ve got around to doing it – hopefully it encourages people to get out more.”

Several passengers noted that lifting of the restrictions will encourage older people to leave the house more often – vitally important for people who are at a higher risk of isolation and loneliness.

Passenger Leigh McCarthy said: “It’s a good idea.

“It’s helpful, especially if we have an appointment or if we have to go to the doctor.

“We all use the passes!”

Fellow traveller Jeanette Thorburn added: “It’s about time.

“I was penalised because I have to get a bus before 9am.

“I tend to come into Bolton three times a week, so I should save about £6.”

According to Age UK, around one in six pensioners in the UK lives in poverty, with that figure expected to rise above two million in the coming years, meaning money saved on buses can help significantly.

Regular bus user R. Pattison said: “Oh, I’ll save quite a bit of money.

Buses leaving Bolton station (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“I don’t drive, so I have to take the bus more often.

“I went to the Trafford Centre the other week and then to Trafford Hospital to visit someone.

“My trip in a taxi would cost £60!”

Discussion of the passes was positive, even among staff.

One bus driver, who preferred not to be named, said: “People are happy about it, really.

“Last week, one guy who gets on my bus was saying ‘only three more days!’

“It gets people out and about a bit more too.

“It fills up the buses and keeps us in work!”

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The court heard the defendant denied the allegations when interviewed by police, saying he suffered from erectile dysfunction.

A Belfast man went on trial on Monday accused of multiple sex offences and physical assaults on three siblings.

The 44-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainants, has been charged with 12 counts of rape and 19 offences of common assault. He is also charged with five counts of child cruelty and nine further sex offences.

The charges, which the defendant denies, are alleged by the complainants to have taken place on dates between January 14, 2017 and May 10, 2021.

Opening the Crown case, senior prosecution counsel Richard Weir KC told the Belfast Crown Court jury of six men and six women that the defendant started a relationship with the mother of the complainants in 2016.

He said that over time the relationship developed and the defendant moved in with his partner and her two daughters and a son.

“The relationship was not without problems. In the early part of 2021, a crisis occurred and the children were put in the care of their maternal grandmother,” Mr Weir told the jury.

“In April 2023, police received a report from social services indicating one of the complainants wanted to speak about sexual abuse she was alleging this had been perpetrated on her by the accused in this case.”

Mr Weir outlined how the following month, police carried out a series of ‘achieving best evidence’ (ABE) interviews with the teenage girl. She disclosed a number of physical and sexual assaults on her by the accused over a four year period.

The complainant alleged that around the age of 11 the defendant alleged raped her after she got a new pair of shoes.

Mr Weir said she described a further incident of alleged rape when she was under 13 and wearing a thick knit jumper.

“You will hear that this was a common thing done to her by the accused. In effect, she says this happened every other day and after these alleged rapes she says he told her he loved her.”

As well as the alleged sexual assaults, she told police she also suffered physical assault too at the hands of the defendant.

She claimed she was hit with a belt at the age of 12, she was punched in the face when she was 13, grabbed and trailed her by the hair, choked her on a bed and also threatened her with a knife.

Mr Weir told the jury: “We say there was ill-treatment throughout a significant period. She says he made her hit her two other siblings as a punishment.”

A second female complainant also made a series of ABEs in which she alleged she suffered a number of common assaults.

This included the defendant stamping on her head, beating her after she woke him up “by knocking over wallpaper”, being kicked which resulted in her urinating when was aged between five and eight, and being dragged downstairs by the hair.

The young female also disclosed to police that at around the age of six she was hit with a shoe as well as being struck several times with a belt after her trousers were taken down.

She said the accused had put her in fear by stabbing a wooden table as well as being shut up in her room where her older sister was “forced to hit her”.

Their younger brother also told police about assaults on him by the defendant. He claimed that at the age of eight he was “pinned to a wall”, he was hit on one occasion with a hoover attachment, he had his head stamped on, thrown onto a bed and punched, punched in the face in the kitchen and was grounded and kept in his room for days.

He also claimed he was hit by his older sister under the direction of the accused.

The court heard the defendant denied the allegations when interviewed by police, saying he suffered from erectile dysfunction.

Addressing the jury, Mr Weir said: “We say that when your have heard all of the evidence in this case, you will be convinced to the necessary standard of beyond reasonable doubt of the guilt of the accused on each and every one of the counts on the bill of indictment.”

At hearing.

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