Latest news with #LittleLever
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Padiham shock holders Read to set up Little Lever final
Little Lever's Adam Carter hist a century against Blackrod in his side's Hamer Cup semi-final triumph. Picture by Harry McGuire Padiham will get the opportunity to win a second Hamer Cup title in three seasons after shocking reigning champions Read in a nail-biting Sunday semi-final. Padiham will face last year's finalists Little Lever in next month's final - Sunday, August 10 - at Read after the Bolton side beat Blackrod in their last-four tie. Advertisement Read went into the semi-final, at Padiham, having only lost one game across all Antony Axford North West Cricket League competitions in 2025. They are top of the Premiership table and had already qualified for T20 Finals Day. But they were beaten by two wickets as Padiham successfully chased down 153 to win with 3.1 overs spare. Little Lever, meanwhile, were more commanding winners at home to Blackrod. They posted 259-4 from their 40 overs and bowled their Premiership rivals out for 171. Advertisement Padiham, Hamer Cup champions in 2023 - the first year of the NWCL structure - triumphed over Settle that year. They are currently fifth in the Premiership. They limited Read to 152-9 from their 40 overs, with South African overseas amateur Zander Van Tonder and Oliver Parr claiming three wickets apiece. From 68-6, Read did well to post what they did. Joe Marshall came in with the score at 8-1 after five overs and batted through the majority of the innings for a patient 49 off 85 balls with five fours and a six. Advertisement Wicketkeeper Ben Dinning also contributed 21 not out off 14 balls from number 10. In reply, Padiham made a positive start and reached 46-1 inside nine overs. However, they fell to 93-5 in the 27th over to bring the game back into the balance. The last of those five wickets was opener Joe Edgar, for 36. They later fell to 120-8 in the 33rd over, with Read the favourites at that stage as Zadian Muller, Sehan Weerasinghe, Chris Holt and Joe Halstead all took two wickets apiece. Advertisement But wicketkeeper-batter Tom Turner was Padiham's hero with an unbeaten 44 off 35 balls with four sixes. He hit two fours and two sixes as 20 came off five balls from Jack Wood in the the 37th over to seal a home victory and progression to another cup final. Little Lever set Premiership rivals Blackrod a 260-target thanks mainly to a brilliant 110no off 113 balls, including five sixes, from Adam Carter. He came in at number three - 43-1 - and shared 99 for the third wicket with Pakistani professional Muhammad Junaid from 68-2. Advertisement Junaid contributed 43 off 34 balls, with 37 from opener Cameron Murray and 31 from Adil Nisar also included in a strong batting performance which Blackrod failed to match. Their Sri Lankan pro Navod Paranavithana top-scored with 48 off 26 balls and helped them get off to a good start at 44-0. But Junaid continued his good day, claiming 5-31 from eight overs of left-arm spin. He removed captain Joey Pryle for 38 - the only other Blackrod player to pass 20. Advertisement Little Lever prevailed by 88 runs and will get the opportunity to avenge last year's final defeat to Read, who will play host to this year's final as defending champions. There will be a reserve day of Sunday, August 25, should the final not be played, or finished, at the first attempt. The final will start at 1pm.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
School ends the term on a high note with first class results
A school is finishing the academic year on a high note after children achieved excellent results in their SATs. Schools across Bolton have now received the results of the Key Stage Two tests sat by Year Six pupils. And Bowness Primary School in Little Lever is thrilled with their top results. Headteacher Sophie Wright said: "We are absolutely delighted to announce that our Year Six pupils at Bowness Primary School have achieved exceptional results in this year's SATs. "As headteacher, I am beyond proud of our children, staff, and families who have worked so hard to reach this incredible milestone. READ MORE: Bowness Primary School in Little Lever visited by Ofsted "This year, our pupils achieved a phenomenal 100 per cent pass rate in reading, mathematics, and spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)—a truly outstanding accomplishment that reflects the dedication, resilience, and ambition of our school community. "Even more impressively, our overall combined score, including writing, stands at 86 per cent, significantly above the national average. "These results are more than just statistics—they represent the determination, growth, and teamwork of every single child. They show what can be achieved when high expectations are matched with excellent teaching and a supportive environment. "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our incredible teaching team, who go above and beyond every day to inspire and support our pupils. "To our families—thank you for your unwavering encouragement and partnership. And to our Year Six pupils: you have shown what it means to aim high and believe in yourselves. "We are so proud of you. "This success is a testament to what we can achieve together, and it sets a strong foundation for our pupils as they move on to secondary school. The future is bright, and we can't wait to see what they accomplish next." Ofsted describes Bowness Primary School as a warm and welcoming school. Pupils say that they value being a member of the 'Bowness family'.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Owner of Grade II listed £800k estate at war with neighbours after building BUNGALOW in back garden without permission
A bungalow that was built instead of a double garage is at the centre of a planning controversy in a quiet neighbourhood that's led to calls for it to be pulled down. The home, within an area of green belt, lies within the grounds of the Grade II-listed Ladyshore House on a private road in Little Lever, Bolton. Plans for a double garage at the site were approved by Bolton Council in June 2019. But documents reveal that work on a single storey dwelling was completed in April 2022 and that a retrospective planning application for the alternative structure was submitted only in May – more than three years later. Retrospective planning permission is also being sought for an adjacent 'hobby room' which has been erected on the site of a former stable block. Four-bedroomed Ladyshore House, the former offices of a colliery built in 1833, has undergone extensive modernisation, which includes a day spa and a jacuzzi, and is currently on the market for £795,000. But some residents are angry that the applicant, Megan Dudley, did not seek initially seek permission to build another home on the site. One said: 'It's a bit cheeky to be doing that. If you've applied to build a garage it should be a garage and not something else. The approved plans which were submitted in 2019 show how the garage was supposed to look 'So the house should be knocked down.' 'Everything should be above board, not done through the back door.' The man added that as the home, which lies within the Irwell valley, is 'in a greenbelt area I understand why the council should fight it'. Phil Amos, 59, said: 'Planning regulations are planning regulations and should be stuck to. 'This a lovely place to live but it's being spoilt by some developments which spoil the character of the area. 'And if you allow one thing to be built then others will follow. 'I had to go the council for my extension even though it was permitted development 'I had to follow the rules carefully, so why should others get away with it'. Phil also said that as the home was built instead of garage it should 'come down', even if it led to a stand-off with the council. Other residents revealed how a group of them had bought an adjacent field that was put up for sale by the owner of Ladyshore House. 'They all clubbed together to buy the land,' said one woman. 'The feared a developer would but it and just build more houses on there. 'That would have been bad for everybody.' A planning heritage statement has been produced by planning and architecture consultancy Roman Summer Associates on behalf of Ms Dudley. It states that compared with the approved double garage plans, the house is 120mm higher, 130mm longer and 210mm wider and has been slightly re-orientated. The garage doors have been replaced by a pair of French windows and three widows, with four velux windows in the roof of the home. But the statement claims that the dwelling is 'largely identical' to the garage, which was acceptable as it was 'of a size and scale which is in proportion to the main house', 'respects the build form and pattern of existing development' and 'will not adversely affect the street scene'. The design 'would preserve the character' of the listed building and 'not have a detrimental impact on the adjoining neighbours', it says, and not compromise the greenbelt. Changes to the original plans are described as 'superficial' while the hobby-room is of similar isize and positioning to the stable block it replaced. The new building will be 'self-build home for the applicant', the statement continues, 'who wishes to reside close to her ageing parents (who reside in the adjacent Ladyshore House)'. It also adds that site should be considered 'grey belt' rather than green belt as there had been previous development. Some residents said the did not object to the bungalow, despite the retrospective planning application. 'It doesn't bother me,' one said. 'You can't really see it because of where it's located.' Another said that it was 'reasonably-sized' and didn't impact on other residents. When Mail Online visited the property, there was no-one home.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Sara Cox speaks about her farmer dad who as police step up patrols around his farm
Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has spoken fondly of her dad, who is still 'farming now' as police step up patrols around his farm. Sara, who grew up on the farm in Little Lever, was speaking on 'Table Manners' podcast hosted by Jessie and Lennie Ware this week - as police said they were increasing their presence around her childhood home. The Bolton News reported earlier this week that police had issued a plea to parents to ensure they knew where their children were after young thugs had been causing damage during the evening and over weekends at Grundy Fold Farm. The farm is owned by Sara's dad Leonard Cox, 85. (Image: Sara has previously said she "absolutely loved" living on the farm. READ MORE: Police warn parents after damage caused at Sara Cox's dad's farm Sara Cox on her roots as she speaks about new book Charities' praise for Peter Kay and Sara Cox Q&A fundraiser Speaking on the podcast Sara said: "He farms Hereford cattle - brown and white ones - they are beautiful very kind cows. "His cows have a great life they have a high welfare which has always been really important to him." Though she revealed his mobility "isn't great" after a bull stepped on his foot 20 years ago. She said: "My dads mobility isn't great - long story short he had a bull called Ferrari that stepped on his foot a few years ago. She said Len was loading a bull - which he had just sold onto a lorry - when it accidentally stepped onto his foot. Sara said: "He didn't want to show that the bull had stood on his foot so he tried to style it out a little bit. "Because he is a farmer, he didn't get it looked at or sorted so now he just hobbles around - his foot is now burgered. "Fast forward 20 years, he is still hobbling around but his foot is getting worse so my brother goes up who lives local and does so much to help him out." Her brother Robert calls him a "doorstep farmer" as he shouts things for him to do from the ledge. (Image: Earlier this week GMP Bolton officers urged parents to ensure their children are not hanging around the farm area - parents have told they will discourage them from doing so. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "We have had a number of reports regarding youths causing criminal damage at Grundy Fold farm in the evenings and weekends. "We would like to nip this in the bud before the summer holidays. "If you are aware that your child hangs around this location then please discourage them. "Further patrols will be made around the farm due to the remoteness and vulnerability of the location." In response to the message, residents took to social media to share their concern with one saying "they should be forced to do community service". The farm has been the target of vandals in the past – who started a fire there in 2019. At the time Sara spoke out against the "gang of young idiots" on social media at the time. She said: "Huge thanks to @FireBolton crew for helping my dad when a gang of young idiots set fire to his haylage, destroying it. "Farms aren't playgrounds for bored kids – police haven't been able to help, struggling to find a solution." She said that she just wanted her dad and his property to be kept safe.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Little Lever reach semi finals but rain halts other ties
Last year's beaten finalists Little Lever are into the semi-finals of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League's Hamer Cup after a pulsating three-wicket win over Tonge during a weather-disrupted Sunday of action as they chased just 97. Captain Josh Gent and co were the only side to make it through, with the other three ties either not starting or starting and not finishing because of rain. Advertisement That means the reserve day of Sunday, July 6 will come into play for Earby versus Blackrod, Ribblesdale Wanderers versus defending champions Read and Brinscall against Padiham. The latter was the only last-eight tie not to start. The other two matches will restart from where they were halted. For Little Lever, however, they can put their feet up on the first Sunday in July and wait for the semi-final draw to take place. They bowled Tonge out for 96 inside 34 overs, the hosts indebted to a superb 4-14 from eight overs for Pakistani professional Muhammad Junaid, who bowls left-arm spin. Andy Flear and Cameron Murray also struck twice apiece to rout a Tonge side with only two batters making it beyond 10. South African overseas amateur Justin Gilliland opened with 32 and Sri Lankan pro Hashan Dumindu made 22. Advertisement In fact, Tonge lost their last nine wickets for the addition of only 32 runs from 64-1. Australian OA Ryleigh Cameron then set the chase off nicely with an opening 39 off 25 balls, including two sixes. But he was one of six wickets to fall for 46, from 45-1, to give Tonge a slither of a chance at 91-7. However, Flear, from number eight in the order, ensured Little Lever got over the line in only the 16th over of the chase, hitting a six and the winning boundary in 13 not out off 10 balls. Championship side Earby will resume their quarter-final on 64-2 from 16 overs chasing 225 at home to reigning Premiership champions Blackrod, who totalled 224-5 from their 40 overs. Advertisement Thushendra De Zoysa top-scored for Blackrod with a measured 69, while Luke Hipgrave struck twice for Earby. That Sri Lankan pro Dunith Jayathunga is unbeaten on 21 in the early stages of the Earby chase will give them confidence that a shock is on the cards. The other game which started, between Ribblesdale Wanderers and defending champions Read, is a clash between the current league leaders in both the Championship and Premiership divisions respectively. Visitors Read have the definite advantage having posted 261-7 from 40 overs before taking two early wickets. Wanderers will resume in just under a fortnight on 47-2 after 10 overs. Advertisement Read's commanding total was achieved thanks to opener and captain Will Wrathall, who made 87 off 107 balls with three sixes and Sri Lankan pro Sehan Weerasinghe, who top-scored a brutal 94 off 61 with four sixes included. They shared a third-wicket 135 from 46-2. Wanderers will, like Earby, take heart from the fact their pro is unbeaten at the crease - Sri Lankan Heshan Dhanushka having 11 to his name.
