Latest news with #HenryLisowski
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The summer events being staged in the beautiful grounds of a historic Bolton hall
A traditional garden party will be held in the beautiful grounds of one of Bolton's historic halls this weekend. Smithills Garden Party opens at noon on Sunday, July 6, with an invite extended to all to attend. The family friendly event is one of the most popular on the town's social calender with plenty of activities to suit all tastes. Picture by Henry Lisowski Highlights this year include food and artisan stalls, fairground friends, craft table and trail, garden games, tours, face painting, storytelling and much more. Entry is free but there may be charges for some activities. The garden party runs until 4pm. READ MORE: Inside Smithills Garden Party — their biggest summer bash yet Feast of summertime fun on offer at Smithills Hall Smithills Hall is known as Bolton's most haunted - here's why Hundreds are expected to attend the event throughout the day. The event is one of many being staged at Smithills Hall this summer. The historic hall will be the stunning backdrop to its first 'Shakespeare in the Gardens' event on Saturday, July 12. The classic love tragedy Romeo and Juliet will perform at 5.30pm and Macbeth at 7.30pm. The plays will be performed outdoors in the gardens, by multi award winning A Place for Us Theatre Company. Picture by Henry Lisowski People are invited to bring their own blanket and/or chair, enjoy a special picnic box - and a glass of something sparkly - from Bake and Roast, or bring their own picnic of your own. The shows will only be cancelled in the event of extreme weather, so those attending are urged to dress appropriately with waterproofs and/or jumpers at the ready. The plays are suitable for those aged seven and over. Tickets for the plays are available from Book a picnic box from Bake and Roast at = Cllr Nadeem Ayub, executive member for culture in Bolton, said: "I will be going to the garden party and it is great to see it continuing. "I would encourage anyone who hasn't gone to visit, it is a great event for the people of Bolton." He praised the work of all those involved in organising the garden party and bringing event such as 'Shakespeare in the Gardens' to Bolton. Cllr Ayub said: "This will be a great event, so many people know the plays and to see it performed in Bolton is great for the people to come and enjoy. "Everyone works so hard to bring events like this to Bolton."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Made In Manchester Festival returning to Bolton next month
The Made In Manchester Festival is returning for its sixth year. Following a sell-out event in 2024, the festival will be back at Bolton Arena on Saturday, June 14. Celebrating the Manchester music scene, the festival will feature tributes to iconic bands and musicians such as Oasis, James, The Courteeners, and Happy Mondays. A variety of acts have wowed the crowds at previous festivals. (Image: Henry Lisowski) Original music will also be performed by musicians from the area, including Our Fold, Will Edgar, and two of Bolton's young bands, The Radio Addicts and Arceu5. The festival will be hosted by Dave Sweetmore, with DJ Tristan Walsh also scheduled to perform. Special guest tributes to Sam Fender and Gerry Cinnamon are included in the line-up. The Bolton festival celebrates the Manchester music scene. (Image: Supplied) The family-friendly festival has partnered with The Christie charity, which will be raising funds and awareness on the day. Festival-goers can also expect a wide range of food vendors, bars, children's entertainment, and fairground rides. The Bolton News is once again the official media partner for the festival. A singer performs at a previous Made in Manchester festival (Image: Henry Lisowski)READ MORE: Coronation Street star addresses future on the show after 15 years on ITV soap Check your change as seller near Bolton receives £129 for rare 50p coin Helen Skelton embarrasses 'mortified' eldest child whilst on school run Tickets, which are limited, are still available for purchase at For more information, visit the official website at The organisers have encouraged those interested in attending to secure their tickets quickly before they sell out.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mystery naked cyclist identity revealed as retired professor
A mystery nude cyclist who has stunned villagers by regularly going for rides in his birthday suit has been revealed as a retired college professor. Residents in Belmont often spotted the naked cyclist pedalling along the lanes and roads near their homes in the summer but were clueless as to his identity. Last week he was photographed by Henry Lisowski who posted the images on social media which prompted him to finally go public. Dr Grahame Cooper, 68, revealed he had been a proud naturist for 13 years. The former IT professor said he has 'never been more comfortable' in the saddle than when he's 'unencumbered' by clothing – weather permitting. The granddad-of-four said: 'You get many, many friendly reactions. 'You get some negative reactions, some people shouting 'pervert' or 'nonce', things like that, which are stupid – they don't know what the words mean, I don't think. 'The vast majority are people who cheer or clap, that happens a lot. 'To be honest, I would rather we got to a situation where people didn't bat an eyelid, so no reactions either positive or negative, but obviously we've got a long way to go before that happens. 'But certainly the majority of reactions are extremely positive, and that's from males, females, of all ages. It's reassuring to see that.' The naked cyclist out in Bolton (Image: Henry Lisowski / SWNS) Grahame's nude rides have also drawn the attention of local police, but he's not been arrested as he hasn't committed any crime. He now carries around a printed version of the College of Policing's public nudity advice for police officers after an incident where he was stopped by two officers. The guidance, which includes a flowchart for officers to follow, says those simply sunbathing, cycling, swimming, gardening, or carrying out home maintenance while naked in public are undertaking a lawful activity. Grahame said: 'Two officers in a van stopped me and then I explained to them that I wasn't doing anything unlawful as it's perfectly legal to be naked in public in this country unless there's intention to cause alarm and distress. 'They then spent some time doing research, one of them searching for documents on his phone and the other one calling back to base. 'Looking very surprised they said 'Oh, well it seems you aren't doing anything wrong, so you can go on your way'. 'I was expecting them to apologise for stopping me unnecessarily, but they didn't do that – but it was alright.' The naked rider first started getting into naturism after he visited Finland for jobs" target="_blank">work and realised their sauna culture was 'far more liberated' then he was. In 2011, Grahame started to spend more time naked at home, and a year later he joined the Manchester version of the annual World Naked Bike Ride. The retired University of Salford IT professor points to research which shows naturism can have positive benefits, such as increased levels of happiness, as well as improved self-esteem and body image. He said: 'It's just a feeling of freedom, losing that encumbrance of clothes and just being yourself. 'We build a persona in society and clothes are all a part of that. Shedding all of that and just being who you are in the moment is a big part of it.' In 2012, Grahame decided he would practice naturism 'whenever possible'. He said: 'It generally depends on the weather. You can walk in relatively cool weather, but cycling it's not as if you can get out of the wind, you're making your own wind. 'It has to be pretty warm before it can be comfortable.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New bands prove to be a hit at this year's Bolt Stock
A rock gig held for charity in Bolton earlier this month went down a storm. Bolt Stock took place on, at The Roundhouse on Kenton Close in Halliwell. The charity gig, which is in its third year, is a showcase for young, independently formed, original bands who give their time and effort freely. This year, it supported Bolton-based Backup North West, which helps homeless young people to be safe, stable and develop skills for independence. Bolt Stock raised a whopping £1080 for the local charity. Bolt Stock 2025 (Image: Henry Lisowski) Hosted by Bolton FM's Rachel Darne, who promotes fresh new musical talent on her show, the event featured talented, young, independent local bands from the North West, playing their own brand of indie and rock-based music. The Lakes, F3INT, The Velvetines and Radio Addicts, billed as aspirational, young, powerful bands performed on the night. Read more: Emerging indie bands to take to the stage in Bolton Read more: Former member of famous band holding festival to celebrate 50 years of music Read more: Roy Orbison Story brings Barry Steele to Bolton and Burnley Bolt Stock 2025 (Image: Henry Lisowski) The Lakes are a tight, contemporary indie band, F3INT produce their own brand of technical, contemporary alt-rock, The Velvetines play great, upbeat modern indie and Radio Addicts play pseudo-punk style musings. Claire Hand, fundraising and events coordinator at Backup North West, said: 'I attended Bolt Stock which was an incredible event that showcased four local bands. All bands were fantastic. "All proceeds from the ticket sales and raffle on the night were donated to Backup North West and a whopping £1080 was raised. "I want to thank the organisers of the event, Pete and Natalie. Thank you so much for organising, and thank you to the wonderful bands." Local freelance photographer, Henry Lisowski, headed down on the night and took plenty of stunning pictures of the action, showing off the bands and the crowd. A selection of his photos are in the gallery at the top of the page.
