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March 2026 Page 25 AD SALES 01204 478812 QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Stonework (7) 5 Hirsute (5) 9 Rephrase (5) 10 Once ruled by Idi Amin (6) 11 Largest Japanese island (6) 12 Second-smallest banknote (6) 13 Extinct flightless bird (3) 14 Heaps (5) 16 Fill with high spirits (5) 18 Highest mountain in Crete (3) 20 Institution for mentally ill (6) 22 Dried strip of egg dough (6) 24 Convex cylindrical wooden container (6) 25 Wary (5) 26 E.g. Tarka (5) 27 Struggle hand-to-hand (7) DOWN 2 Texan mission (5) 3 Supervise (7) 4 Highly radioactive metallic element (6) 6 Once more (5) 7 Beef or lamb (3,4) 8 Allotted quantity (5) 15 Moment (7) 17 Elsa, perhaps (7) 18 Suggest (5) 19 Fisherman (6) 21 Big (5) 23 Faithful (5) Answers on page 29. OLDER and disabled peo- ple in Greater Manchester can now get free round- the-clock travel on Bee Network buses. From March 1, conces- sionary passholders have no longer had to wait until 9.30am to get on board a bus for free after the time restric- tion was permanently lifted. It follows two successful tri- als, in August and November, during which around 400,000 older and disabled people were able to use their free bus pass at any time of the day. Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This is another signifi- cant change we’re bringing in under the Bee Network that will make a real dif- ference to people across Greater Manchester. “It will be a huge lift for dis- abled people struggling with the cost of travelling to work and it will give older people the freedom to travel when- ever they want. “Taking control of our public transport network means we can make Greater Manchester an even better place to live and work, and this change does exactly that. “We will continue doing everything we can to reduce cost-of-living pressures on our residents, including by freez- ing bus and tram fares across the Bee Network.” During the August pilot, more than 100,000 journeys were made by older and disa- bled people before 9.30amwith up to 6,000 people a day tak- ing advantage of the change. In November, the numbers were even higher with nearly 120,000 passholders travel- ling before 9.30am during the pilot, most of whom got on board at least half an hour earlier. According to data collected during the trials, lifting time restrictions spread demand more evenly throughout the morning, reducing the risk of overcrowding on the first post-curfew services. Passholders interviewed at ARMED Forces veterans are set to get free access to leisure centres across the borough, including Hor- wich and Westhoughton. There are also proposals to expand an existing offer for people aged over-65 using the centres. Bolton Council leader Nick Peel set out the proposals at a meeting of the full council earlier this month. Later this year, a report will be presented to its exec- utive cabinet member for cul- ture, outlining options for how the scheme can be delivered. The proposed offer of free leisure centre access is part of Bolton Council’s longstanding commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community. In July last year the author- ity was recognised for this exceptional support with the awarding of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award. Since its launch in 2014, the Gold Award has become the highest badge of honour for employers that cham- pion veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and military families in the workplace. Councillor Peel said: “Bol- ton Council was very proud last year to receive the Gold Award for the Armed Forces Covenant. “It is only right that we continue to do all we can to improve the wellbeing of all those who have served their country. This council is, again, backing our heroes.” Over-65s in Bolton can already use leisure centre facilities free of charge after 9.30am. In line with recent changes to free bus passes introduced by Transport for Greater Manchester, the council is now considering options for how a leisure offer can be delivered following the removal of travel time limits. Both proposals are sub- ject to approval by the local authority’s executive cabinet member for culture. More details, including the date that the free offer comes into effect, will be announced in the months ahead. Free leisure plan for forces’ vets Bus boost is welcomed Right road: The free round-the-clock travel move has been welcomed (Photo credit: TfGM) bus stops, interchanges and while travelling throughout the trial periods said that they welcomed the freedom to travel at a time that suits them, reducing stress and loneliness and increasing opportunities for work and volunteering. Nakib Narat, co-chair of the Greater Manchester Older People’s Equality Panel, said: “This change unlocks a huge resource for our region. Grandparents can travel early to provide childcare, helping working parents. This boosts the local economy. “Crucially, we can now attend hospital and GP appointments whenever needed. This gives us flex- ibility and eases pressure on the NHS. It also tackles loneliness and improves our mental health.” All bus and tram fares – including the £2 cap on a sin- gle ‘hopper’ bus fare for adults and £1 for children – is to be frozen for the whole of 2026. People across Greater Man- chester have been encour- aged to have their say on major plans that will shape the future of local transport through to 2050. The Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2050 and the Delivery Plan (2027– 2037) sets out long-term pro- posals for improving buses, trams, trains, roads, walking, wheeling and cycling as part of the growing Bee Network. Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “We have ambitious propos- als to further improve transport in every part of Greater Manchester. “Better transport will enable sustainable economic growth, provide access to homes, jobs and education and create greater opportu- nity for all. We want to hear what people and businesses across Greater Manchester think about these plans.” NEWS IN BRIEF THE mayor of Blackrod’s Charity Ball will take place on Saturday March 28 at Luciano’s at the Chapel. A specially commissioned Blackrod Mayor’s Mango and Raspberry Gin, created in partnership with The Bolton Gin Company, will be available on the night. Tickets are £45 per person. To attend contact the Town Clerk via email at clerk@ blackrodtowncouncil. gov.uk or by telephone on 07877 421141.