ANGLICAN churches in the Leigh and Astley area are inviting locals to 'Step Inside' and see what makes them tick.

St Thomas's, Bedford; All Saints, Kenwood Avenue, Higher Folds and Astley St Stephen's are all joining the initiative to celebrate 150 Years of the Manchester Diocese on Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21.

St Thomas's will have displays in the church and All Saints' event is in the church hall - both between 10 and 4pm.

The Bishop of Bolton, Rt Rev David Bosner will be dropping in to St Thomas's on the Saturday.

Normal services will be held at the two churches on the Sunday. But a thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday (Sept 21) at St Thomas's, starting 6pm, when a school pendant will be blessed.

Arthur dies days before royal ceremony

A GOLBORNE man has died shortly before he was due to collect his MBE from the Queen.

Arthur Topping, 81, had been recognised in the Birthday Honours List for his outstanding contributions to the village community.

He was to collect the award at Buckingham Palace but died of a heart attack on Friday, August 22.

An active uniformed member of the scout movement, he had been awarded the Silver Wolf, scouting's highest accolade and was a Reader at St Thomas's. .

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