Archive
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All in the best possible taste...
LANCASTER'S famous Waring and Gillow showroom is set to house a new restaurant and pub. The grade-two listed building was bought last week by local businessman, Trevor Bargh, who plans a mixed development of the historic showrooms. Outline plans to be
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Fight it from the beaches
A BLACKPOOL politician has launched a campaign to breathe new life into fading seaside resorts. Richard Booth, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Blackpool South, has drawn up a Seaside Charter - a 15-point plan to regenerate the UK's beachfront
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No relief from Rennie
BURYM-I1 STOCKPORTM-I2 (after golden goal) IF these two Second Division heavyweights had been boxers their clash might have been dubbed Night of the would-be Champions by those charged with such hype. And they wouldn't have been far wrong because the
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Worldwide tributes for teacher Carolyn
HEARTFELT tributes from all over the world have been pouring in to the family of Lancaster teacher Carolyn Horne this week after she was killed in an accident. Described by family and friends as a special person with the ability to touch the lives of
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Football's coming home... and then some!
Bury 2 Bournemouth 1 THREE controversial goals, an attack on the referee and enough incident to fill two notebooks . . . this was quite a home coming. Seven weeks without a Gigg Lane Second Division match seemed an age but it was quickly forgotten amongst
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Chips really are everything
THEY helped us win a war, we eat more of them in the North than anybody else, they're a must for all visitors to Blackpool. And now there's an entire week dedicated to them ... CHIPS! All this week, people up and down the country - including folk in the
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Tribute to Alison
A SPECIAL needs student from Lancaster University who had spent most of her life bravely battling against a heart defect has died. 19-year-old Alison Cummings, of Furness College, was in her first year studying bio-chemistry and was described by her tutors
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Oyston: Fax of the matter...
TYCOON Owen Oyston is demanding full payment of legal costs from Michael Murrin, the Preston insurance agent and private detective who led a 15-year campaign against Oyston that ended last week when Murrin was found guilty of contempt of court. Mr Murrin
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Cash drop for charity
A 70 per cent fall in legacy income to a Lancashire charity supporting 3,500 blind and partially sighted people is threatening to put a dampener on the charity's anniversary celebrations. The Preston and North Lancashire Blind Welfare Society has received
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Courage of cancer victim Barbara
STILL going strong, years after she'd been given no hope of surviving secondary cancer, Barbara Moran's quiet courage should be an inspiration to us all. Barbara, 45, who lives in Little Bispham, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 which resulted
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Andrew Rink is named US 'president'
ANDREW Rink has been appointed president of Wolstenholme International's US operation. Andrew, grandson of Wolstenholme Rink's co-founder Paul L.M Rink and son of current joint chairman Tony Rink, joins the firm from Coates Coatings in Nantes, France.
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Heartache of crash girl's postcard
NEVER before did a holiday postcard hold so much heartbreak as it does for the parents of tragic Rachel Wright. The cheerful greeting from sunny Florida came through the door of Dave and Cath Leadbitter's home in Anchorsholme, Cleveleys, just 24 hours
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Ahoy shipmates
Do any of your readers recall the T.S Vindicatrix - a training ship based at Sharpness Glos., where thousands of boys trained for service in the Merchant Navy prior to 1967? The Vindicatrix Association is well-established and last year held its fifth
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Brewing up funds for blind
THE Blind Welfare Society is holding a Brewathon to raise funds in its 130th anniversary year. March 10 marks the start of Brewathon week and the charity is looking for groups, organisations and individuals willing to host a coffee morning. Last year
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Centres moving to community
VOLUNTEERS are in line to take over community centres in a Council cost-cutting spree. Hag Fold, Higher Fold and Platt Bridge community centres are the remaining ones still directly managed by Wigan Leisure Services. In a budget cutting exercise Director
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£25,000 bronze boy pulls in the public
A CONTROVERSIAL bronze statue got the seal of approval from most of the crowd who gathered to watch it being unveiled on Blackburn Boulevard. The modern sculpture, which depicts a boy tugging at his grandma's arm as he reaches for his dropped teddy bear
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Buck up Hoppers!
HOPPERS 17 NUNEATON 5 A LACKLUSTRE performance from Hoppers which keeps them in touch in the promotion battle but which will need to be improved on in the coming weeks. Mike Bailey's return after injury was a rare positive sign. An early try from Mick
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We're simply the best!
AN Astley school is among the 'Best of British'. St Mary's RC High School has received personal congratulations from Secretary of State Gillian Shephard for outstanding work. Her message was sent to headteacher Alan Bell and his staff after St Mary's
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The Wright way to thank your doctor
DOCTOR Philip Quinn has a special place in the heart of the Wright family who have been his patients for more than 40 years. As a tribute to his loyalty and care, Robert and Barbara Wright named the youngest of their two sons after the family doctor.
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40ft roof plunge warning
YOUNGSTERS are being warned to keep away from industrial units after a 12 years old Leigh boy was lucky to escape with his life after plunging 40 feet through a factory roof onto a concrete floor. Anthony Doyle, of Hulme Road, Leigh, a pupil of Bedford
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Bethany's praying for mud miracle
BETHANY Shuttleworth is heading for the sun - in search of a muddy miracle cure. Since she was born, four years ago next week, the dark-haired charmer has suffered from acute eczema. She is unceasingly sheathed in layers of bandage, daubed in an incredible
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CLARETS: Raith eye Thompson
SCOTTISH Premier League strugglers Raith Rovers have checked out Steve Thompson. And as Raith show interest in the transfer-listed midfielder, Stark's Park defender Paul Browne has linked up with the Clarets on a short trial. Manager Ian Munroe confirmed
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Briarcroft: A pitman's story
EDITH LEESE, on a short visit from her home in Prestatyn, stepped off the bus and looked up, WRITES DAVID HODGKINSON. Stark against a grey skyline, stood the old Briarcroft Hall, now a saddened shell, a pitiful reminder of a gentler generation. Edith
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Top cop probes stripper party
THREE county police officers have been suspended after a stripper at a party allegedly invited bobbies to lick whipped cream from her body. A woman officer who witnessed the antics during a birthday celebration in the bar at the Hutton training school
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Sweet victory for Giant Matt
MATT Hogarth basked in the limelight as he led a resurgent Manchester Giants side to their first piece of silverware since 1988. The 17-year-old 6ft 5ins forward, who plays for the seniors at the club, led his junior counterparts to a convincing 66-48
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Leigh set sights on Wembley
LADY LUCK is smiling down on Leigh. And Keith Latham's battlers are now on a Wembley two-step - just a couple of matches away from a May 3 battle in the big time. With the prize of a final at Wembley as the curtain-raiser to the Challenge Cup Final, Leigh
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Extra bobbies back on the beat
NEIGHBOURHOOD watch campaigners and councillors have given the thumbs up to a police restructure which could see more bobbies on Preston's streets. From April, Lancashire Constabulary is reshuffling the force and bringing in an extra 55 new officers as
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Lynx savage brave Barrow boys
LANCS LYNX 19 BARROW BRAVES 4 LANCASHIRE Lynx continued their campaign in the inaugural Silk Cut Challenge Cup competition beating Barrow at Deepdale (writes CASSIE WILLESCROFT). Once again, Kevin Tamati was forced to shuffle his players with the result
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Green's a disgrace - thanks to selfish drivers
I READ with appreciation the letter from J.C. Mellor (Journal Mailbox). However, in Tyldesley we don't need developers to ruin our leisure areas, as some residents do this themselves. Specifically I refer to the maintained common land which fronts the
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Gary's 'I quit' change of heart
PRESTON North End are top of the league according to fans who had their say in a club survey. But the results have been tainted by a shock announcement from manager Gary Peters. He said he would quit the team if the fans wanted him to after players were
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LETTER: Tragedy of fenced in school kids
I THINK it is a crying shame that a school has to even think about erecting a giant spiked fence to keep out intruders. I read with astonishment is last week's Citizen that a school in Accrington is planning to erect the fence on one side of its grounds
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Love is in the air...
SENTIMENTAL sweethearts chose Valentine's Day to come from miles around and make their vows at Preston and South Ribble Registry Office on Guildhall Street. Fairytale couple Gary Webster, 27, and Sharon Haworth, 19, came from Bakewell, Derbyshire, to
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'I can't afford to work', says gardener Neil
SELF-EMPLOYED gardener Neil Tunnah says it is costing him money to work - so he has quit his business and signed on the dole! The 25-year-old, from Windermere Drive, Bury, can earn £50 a day tidying local gardens but claims it will cost him more than
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Mill town trouble at Broughton
BROUGHTON Players went back to their roots at the Playhouse Theatre last week, with a revival of Stanley Houghton's gentle Northern comedy Hindle Wakes (writes GARY THOMAS). Set around the August Bank Holiday of 1912, the play presented a wry view of
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REVIEW: Sublime ... to the cor blimey ...
FORGET the red roses. Forget the chocolates. And forget the card. For any East Lancashire lad with an ounce of romance about him there was only one way to celebrate St Valentine's day with his young lady - watching the Hall in Blackburn's King George's
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Road layouts sheer lunacy
WHAT group of lunatics engineered the present road traffic chaos in Blackburn, and what medication were they on at the time? If they had sat down in the mistaken belief that Blackburn had become too popular and that they must dissuade people from coming
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Oyston's tormentor gets jail warning
JAILED tycoon Owen Oyston is demanding full payment of legal costs from Michael Murrin, the Preston insurance agent and private detective who led a 15-year campaign against Oyston that ended last week when Murrin was found guilty of contempt of court.
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Nationwide poster campaign for Blackburn hostage
THE PARENTS of missing Blackburn hostage Paul Wells hope to capture the nation's hearts and minds next week with the launch of a thought-provoking poster campaign to mark the 600th day in captivity of their son and three friends. Bob and Dianne Wells
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Film Review by Richard Lewis
HYPED beyond reason and opening this week with more history than the state of Louisiana is "Fierce Creatures" (PG), the long-awaited "equel" to "A Fish Called Wanda". But what is an "equel" you cry as one? Well, readers, it's like a sequel, in that it
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5 YEARS AGO: Recovery hopes dashed
AN OFFICIAL report claimed Britain was locked in the longest recession since the Second World War. The economy shrank for the sixth consecutive quarter, dashing hopes that a recovery had begun. Government figures only go back as far as 1970, but the recession
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Bad taste
AS a regular reader of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, I took exception to the verse (LET, February 10). The work of the Brook Centre is unfortunately necessary in today's society but the rhyme was most distasteful and has been remarked upon by a good
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ATHLETICS: Upward thrust to life of Riley
CATHERINE Riley of Park High School is still only 14 years old but found herself competing in the under 17 bracket at the AAA indoor championships. She drew a tough heat in the 800 metres but ran a fine race to qualify for the final in second spot with
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Kids show way for A & T
THE cycle speedway youngsters of Astley & Tyldesley turned in a terrific performance in the British Indoor Team Championships at Dudley. Final score: Heckmondwike 56, Wednesfield 33, Bury 33, A & T 31. Scorers: Lee Smethills 10, Luke Mather 9,
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Where have all the policemen gone?
THERE are not enough policemen to combat crime but I spotted on TV (yet again) an extremely tasty specimen playing 'sheepdog' to a pack of press representatives outside the home of a scruffy nonentity. The reason for this gathering of gratuitous gawpery
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Do we really need a non-stop lottery?
FIRST the National Lottery was a weekly draw. Now there's one on Wednesdays as well. But what of a game every 10 minutes? That's what lottery organisers Camelot are considering - with plans to introduce a form of televised bingo called Keno that could
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RMI's long hard slog
LEIGH RMI are set to fulfil a promise they made to the Unibond League when they moved from Grundy Hill two years ago. They then gave an undertaking that their new Hilton Park home would become a stadium of which to be proud. And, with RL now out of administration
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New despair for Miners
LEIGH MR's soft core was again exposed at the weekend as they crashed 24-15 at Mayfield. Yet again the Twist Lane side contrived to commit suicide as, from a commanding 14-0 lead, they plunged to new depths of despair. Initially, there was no stopping
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Councillor expelled after flare-up
MAVERICK Burnley councillor Harry Brooks was expelled from last night's council meeting after clashing with its Labour leader, chief executive and Mayor. His expulsion came after nearly three hours of often heated debate as he challenged leader Kath Reade's
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Kevin's clanger costs RMI dear
KEVIN BOOTH'S alarming error cost Leigh RMI dear at the weekend. The sub, on for Mick Charlton, tried to dribble his way out of trouble on a muddy pitch when he was caught in possession. Droylsden took their chance to make it 3-2 with just five minutes
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College Board face protest
STAFF at Nelson and Colne College are lobbying a Board meeting tonight (Thursday) to press for a rethink on planned job cuts. They want the people who now hold the fate of the college in their hands to look at alternative options to save cash instead
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New headache for Morris
A CONTROVERSIAL decision increased the relegation pressure on Atherton LR. The game was finely poised at 1-1 when, on the hour, Gary Brickhill, returning from an offside position, turned to chase a clearance, collected and rounded Danny Hambleton to give
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Protect public from rip-offs plea
AREA MPs have called for a new law to protect honest people from cheats who run bogus bargain sales. The MPs say people who go to rogue one-off sales are tricked, deceived and even intimidated into paying good money for worthless rubbish. A one-night
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Big crackdown on animal transport
ST HELENS Council's environmental health staff joined forces with Greater Manchester Police in an overnight check of animal transport vehicles. Two council officers travelled in a police vehicle between 10pm and 7am on the St Helens section of the M6
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New lease of life for Leigh
LEIGH'S three years of financial uncertainty is over. On Friday the Hilton Park club finally came out of administration. Now Leigh are in control of their own destiny with the formation of a new six-man Board of Directors and the start of major ground
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Universal acclaim for go-ahead firm
A ST HELENS company set up less than three years ago is already up there with the best after winning a top regional award for improved business performance. Universal Arches Limited, based at the Bold Business Centre, was chosen as one of two North West
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Foyer project wins new friends
RAVENHEAD Foyer, the new initiative to help young people in the region, has received the support of the Council of Christians Together in St Helens (COCTISH). The congregation at COCTISH's annual united service, held at the United Reformed Church, Ormskirk
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Plans for £10 million Snowdome in Haydock
PLANS to build a £10-million real snow ski slope and leisure complex in St Helens - only the second of its kind in Europe - have been unveiled. If approved, the company say the 'Snowdome' would open late next year. The development, by First Leisure Corporation
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Mum's hopes for brave Luke
THE mother of teenage rugby star Luke Bryan, who was left paralysed from the neck down following a tragic accident during a match, has opened her heart to the St Helens Star about her hopes for her son's future. Star prospect Luke (17) was playing for
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Action stations
PARENTS, governors and staff are expected to cram into Bury town hall for a public meeting on Tuesday, February 18. They will draw up campaign plans against the proposed cuts, which are being decided by councillors on the same night in the adjoining room
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Shop around the clock!
LOCAL shoppers will be the only ones in the North to shop around the clock later this month. The Tesco store at Bury New Road, Prestwich, is the one of only four in the country to start all-night opening from Friday, February 28. The other stores are
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Jobs seeking unrealistic
I AM writing to express my concern about the jobseekers allowance, which is available to unemployed people. This benefit replaced income support on October 7, 1996. With jobseekers allowance comes a lot of rules which you have to obey. You are given a
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That's all folks...
A LANDMARK town centre pub is to be demolished, leaving Bury Folk Club without a home. The Napier Inn in Bolton Street is due to be demolished within the next few months. The site, owned by Thwaites Brewery, has been on the market for two years. It is
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Housing groups fight benefit caps
A BURY based campaign against plans to slash housing benefit is going national. A meeting on Wednesday, February 12, helped forge links between the Bury Guest House Association and regional and national pressure groups. The group are angry at Government
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You're never too old to learn!
BURY man Keith Ogden has proved that you're never too old to learn. For at the age of 42, the former boilerman turned academic boffin has graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in electronics from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston. Mr Ogden of
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The vagrants who beggar belief
THEY all look the same, they all have the same line and they're all asking for your money. No, I'm talking about politicians, I'm talking about the growing groups of "vagrants" wandering the streets of Blackburn. I use the word "vagrants" loosely because
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Power of the pen
ADULT learners hope that pen power can save the borough's prized Community Education Service. They took a petition containing 6,685 signatures to Bury Town Hall complaining that proposed huge budget cuts will cause irreparable damage to the service. The
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Cyclists call for action on road safety plans
CYCLISTS claim traffic management measures in Blackburn Town Centre are out of gear with Government guidelines. Members of the Cycling Campaign for East Lancashire base their protest on the National Cycling Strategy requiring every local authority to
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Labour vow 'You'll be better off with us'
BURY Council have brought out the big guns in the battle over council cuts. Shadow Environment secretary Frank Dobson has spoken out over Bury's plight after meeting council leader John Byrne and would-be Bury South MP Ivan Lewis at the Labour Local Government
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Firemen may strike over jobs threat
UNION members of Greater Manchester Fire Service have voted for a strike ballot in their fight to safeguard jobs. The decision was taken following fears that budget cuts would lead to job losses. Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority is
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No to Giggs, yes to Gigg!
STAUNCH Bury FC supporter Kate Giffard showed her true colours when she turned down a behind-the-scenes tour of Manchester United's Old Trafford ground in favour of her home-town club. The 16-year-old beat off strong opposite to win first prize in a BBC
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Hockey aces crowned champs
ST HELENS Hockey Club beat Prescot 2-1 to clinch the Lace Mawer League Division Six North title. Dave Aspinall created the first chance for St Helens after 12 minutes. He picked up the ball in his own half, beat the Prescot defence only to see his powerful
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Youth band hitting the high notes
TALENTED youngsters from the St Helens Youth Brass Band hit all the right notes when they were pronounced the winners in a national competition over the weekend. The band, which consists of youngsters from all over the St Helens area, are on a roll at
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Time runs out on Town
Penrith 2 St Helens Town 1 AS the final whistle sounded a thumping drive landed in the grateful arms of Penrith keeper Graham Byram and Town's bold bid to salvage a point had run out of time. Earlier Town had started sluggishly and allowed the Cumbrians
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Big Mac's a big hit
AS any Knowsley Road stalwart will tell you, relatively few Australian players have donned the Saints' shirt over the years, with the likes of Mal Meninga and Phil Veivers being of most recent vintage, writes Denis Whittle. Both upheld the finest oval-ball
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Rock 'n' Rhodes!
Food News, with Deborah Yewdall TV SUPERCHEF Gary Rhodes is tone deaf - which is just as well for his fans because he might once have traded his chopping board for a microphone. "I am a frustrated pop star," admits the spiky-haired, fast-talking chef.
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£8,000 comfort in wild
DIGGING the first lump of earth started work on a massive new 35 seater 'hide' at Pennington Flash. Due for completion in Spring, the 48 foot by 10 foot hide will stand on a four foot plinth, giving unrivalled viewing of wildlife in the council-owned
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Glyn plays first fiddle!
MUSIC and dancing with a local flavour will hit the right notes at the Grand next month when Fiddler on the Roof comes to town. This classic tale of Russian family life at the turn of the century will be brought to life by the Blackpool and Fylde Light
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Seeking memories of special breed
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD THE old-time pit brow girls were a special breed - cheerful, uncomplaining and fiercely loyal to each other. Theirs was a hard slog, within the shadow of the colliery headgear, picking out rocks, stones and other finger-stubbing waste
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Fire chiefs moves to clam fears
PEOPLE worried about fire cover in Padiham and Hapton have received a reassurance from Lancashire's chief fire officer. Gordon Russel said building fires would continue to be attended by two fire engines - a practice which exceeds government recommendations
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Discount parking to lure shoppers
A discount parking scheme was launched in Morecambe this week, with more than 40 local stores taking part. When shoppers park they will get tickets which entitle them to discounts on goods at certain stores. Many local retailers have signed up for the
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Lessons for life
PEOPLE living in an area of Burnley targeted by an anti-poverty hit squad have been learning about affordable ways to a healthier life. The hit squad set up shop at the Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre in Venice Street and offered free aromatherapy
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Council row over £50-a-couple free nosh-up
LABOUR councillors were slammed for accepting a wining and dining freebie at a controversial cafe. Independent councillor Harry Brooks demanded to know whether the decision to grant an entertainment licence to the Old Stables restaurant and cafe at Towneley
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New script to bring in movie moguls
A MAJOR drive to bring international movie moguls to the North West has been launched. A new North West Film Commission is being set up and will be one of the largest and best funded regional film commissions in Britain. The commission will attempt to
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Police target schools in drugs battle
FIRST-year high-school classrooms have become a battleground in Burnley's war on drugs. Today's streetwise kids are being taught about ecstasy, cannabis and amphetamines as police try to prepare them for the harsh realities of growing up in 90s Britain
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Jobs joy for Network 65
AS MANY as 80 new jobs will be created when one of the biggest textile distribution centres in Europe opens on the outskirts of Hapton. The warehouse, on the Network 65 Business Park at junction 9 of the motorway, is being built on a six acre site at
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Operation Samaritan
A MASSIVE recruitment drive - Operation 10,000 - has been launched to encourage thousands of people to volunteer their time for The Samaritans. And although it is hoped 10,000 people will respond to the call from across the nation, a substantial number
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Moorside close to Champions first
MOORSIDE are pride of the Radcliffe after a league first. They will be the first team from the radclifef Sunday League to reach the semi-finals of the Champions of Champions competition. Steve Scott and Mel Imoh were the goal heroes in their 2-1 quarter
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Busk it and see
ARE you a dab hand at juggling? Can you walk from one end of the room to the other on stilts? Whatever your hidden talent, if you've ever wanted the opportunity to show it off to the world, now's your chance. Up to 100 buskers are needed to entertain
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Tigger off to the Seaside
OUT of favour midfielder Tony Rigby has joined Third Division Scarborough on a month's loan. The transfer-listed 24-year-old is likely to make his debut at Swansea City tomorrow. Rigby has spent most of this season on the bench for the Shakers and has
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Triple jump!
THREE students are preparing to take the plunge in a bid to raise more than £1,000 for charity. Adele Silson and Heidi Douse, who attend Lytham St Annes Sixth Form College, and Kirsty Clancy, a pupil from Lytham St Annes High School, will take to the
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Pie and points!
KING of the pies! This could be the verdict on the terraces of Blackpool Football Club next week if the Seasiders win a prestigious "cup final". Ashworths, makers of the Bloomfield Road pies, are in the top five of Total Football magazine's King Pie contest
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Housing jobs loss gloom
JOBS have have had to go the Leigh-based County Palatine Housing Association. Gloomy growth predictions for investment in social housing, following big budget cuts, have been blamed on a need to streamline the operation. Kathleen Bruce, chairman of County
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Your starter - for seven months!
NURSERY rhymes, board books and bedroom posters are on offer in a free library starter pack targeting young children. Libraries in the area have set-up the scheme to involve children in books and reading from as early as seven months. Owl Club Bookstart
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Landlord 'Big Mal' dies, 39
FORMER Leigh Rugby League player and pub landlord Malcolm Yates, has died, aged 39. Big Malcolm, of Bangor Fold, Leigh, married for the second time only 10 weeks-ago in Barbados. A popular, larger-than-life figure around town, he collapsed and died on
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High-tec link with Europe
PLANS to link East Lancashire with Europe in a high tech tie-up are under way. The North West Technology Web was launched last year from six centres in the region including the Blackburn Technology Management Centre. Now plans to link the North West web
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Paul's Express train to the top
PAUL WILLIAMS is on an Express route to the heights. The former dancer with St Joseph's Players this week jetted off to Germany to feature in the hit stage musical "Starlight Express." And his parents, back home in Landside, Leigh, are delighted. "There
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Mary is still contrary at 100
CENTENARIAN Mary Hawley celebrates her 100th birthday with another stalwart of the town - Darwen Tower. And to honour the former weaver's birthday on Sunday, Blackburn Mayor, councillor Mary Leaver, will present Mary with a miniature model of the Darwen
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Historians celebrate silver anniversary
A GROUP of amateur historians have made a bit of their own history by reaching a milestone 25 years of plotting Darwen's heritage And Darwen Centenary Historical Society now have their sights firmly set on preserving the town's heritage safely under lock
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Rail enthusiasts branch out for more members
A FAMILY of model railway enthusiasts are hoping to pick up some more steam by recruiting fellow fanatics to their cause. The Simmonds family from Accrington are keeping up a long association with railways stretching back three generations. Grandad Stewart
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Going loco about Lostock
READING the Citizen (February 6) about the proposal to build on the site of the Battle of Preston where Cromwell assembled his troops, prompted me to write about another site where the name of Cromwell was also famous. Between the 'two bridges' on Watkin
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Bogus head taught in Accrington
A FORMER Accrington deputy head teacher has been jailed for three months after admitting he obtained salary by deception and other offences. Alistair Beeston, 36, who was deputy head of St Peter's Church of England Primary School in Accrington for five
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50 quizzed on £1 million raid
DETECTIVES leading the hunt for raiders who stole £1 million from a Preston security depot, are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Since the armed attack at the Securitas unit in Roman Way Industrial Estate, Ribbleton, last Tuesday, police have
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Do you fit the 'special bill'?
PRESTON police are holding an open day in an effort to recruit more people for their volunteer force, the Special Constabulary. Specials come from all walks of life and, after training, are given the usual police powers and work alongside regular officers
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Canon Jack's final family farewell
LEIGH Vicar Canon Jack Finney bids farewell to his parish on Sunday for the second time (writes BRIAN GOMM). But this time Canon Jack won't be returning since on the last day of the month he turns 70 - the Church's retirement milestone. And the man who
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University gene shop takes off ...
A UNIQUE project allowing people to see how their medical future could be determined by their genes is to be launched next week. The University of Central Lancashire and Manchester Children's Hospitals NHS Trust will open a Gene Shop at Manchester Airport's
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Warriors fall on the war-path
HINDLEY 54 WARRIORS U8s 24 WARRIORS U8s were confronted by a far more experienced side. The Leyland team stuck to their tasks and produced some good tackling with Craig Hewlett producing three tries. Tom Parry, Jamie McMillan and best tackler Richard
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LETTER:Kiwi searches for long lost father
I AM trying to trace my father, Daniel Splaine. His last known address was in Oswaldtwistle in 1962. I believe his family still live in that area. Suzanne Lindley, Auckland, New Zealand Editor's Note: Contact the Citizen Newsdesk on 01254 671241 and we
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Ashton meets his match
BRIAN ASHTON came down to earth with a huge bump on Saturday. The former Leigh Grammar School and Tyldesley RU player is now the Irish coach - popularly known in the Emerald Isle as O'Ashton after a thundering and unexpected Five Nations win against Wales
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Kind Briggers folk keep in touch
THE hospitality of Briggers raised a lot of interest when author Alan Barnard was featured in the Citizen (January 16). The Manchester-born evacuee was sent to Bamber Bridge in 1939 along with his sister Peggy. Now living in Canada, he's written a book
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Hawks are dark horses
BLACKBURN Hawks are being touted as the play-off dark horses after a string of fine performances. The Hawks 7-6 victory at Murrayfield Royals was the seventh in their last eight games - and now the Scottish outfit travel to the Arena on Saturday for the
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Centre 'no-go' for wheelchairs?
IS Leyland town centre a no-go area for wheelchairs? One disabled would-be shopper claims some shops have banned them! Chairperson of the Campaign for Accessible Transport Maureen McShane has also hit out at the town's magistrates court saying it is almost
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Three-way fight for Moorside seat
VOTERS will have a choice of three candidates at next month's Moorside by-election. Representatives from the three main parties - Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats - will contest the seat on March 6. The election has been been called following
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Dog chases boy into path of car
A FRIGHTENED Bury boy being chased by a dog was injured when he ran out into the path of a car to escape the animal. Waqas Mahmood (11), of East Street, Bury, cut his head and leg in the collision but thankfully escaped serious injury. The accident happened
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Just a quiet night out in Leigh centre!
A LITTLE tale of local, friendly folk around Leigh at the weekend (February 15-16). A normal, quiet couple walked down King Street after a good night out with friends at approximately 12.30am Sunday morning. A group of males follow, with a brave, young
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Jammy Duerden!
NEW signing Ian Duerden made his debut for Bamber Bridge and helped inspire a resurgence which saw them dominate much of the game in their 2-1 win (writes GARY THOMAS). On loan from Second Division Burnley, Duerden played a key role as Brig came up with
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It's plain sailing Accrington skipper
A LOCAL yachtsman is on top of the world after his crew won the third leg of the gruelling BT Global Challenge. Andy Hindley, of Accrington, and his crew of the Save the Children picked up the Courtaulds Trophy for completing the 1,250-mile voyage across
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Romantics miss the boat!
A ROMANTIC Valentine's cruise turned into a nightmare for five Preston couples when their coach driver got lost and missed the boat. Instead of a £130 four-day trip to Bilbao, they were treated to a 16-hour coach tour of Britain with only one stop for
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McKenna turns on magic
NORTH END 2 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1 I DIDN'T see any violin cases being smuggled into Deepdale, but the way that North End started, we looked to be in for a St Valentine's Day Massacre (writes TOM PARKER). In the opening 15 minutes, Preston camped out in
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Union leaders give the brush-off to militants
UNION leaders have warned red-hot militants - keep out of our struggle. Town hall union Unison is telling avid left-wingers they are not needed in the battle to save council jobs and services. The call comes after Unison lobbied local MP Alistair Burt
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Protestors sick as pigs ...
CAMPAIGNERS took to the streets of Preston this week to protest about pigs' organs being used as spare parts for humans. Uncaged Campaigns is urging people to sign a petition to stop so-called xenotransplantation which, it claims, is unethical and a danger
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Rovers must stop McManaman
BLACKBURN Rovers must stop Steve McManaman if they are to secure their first 'double' of the season against title-chasing Liverpool. Tony Parkes should take a leaf out of the book of Sheffield Wednesday boss David Pleat who stuck a man-to-man marker on
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KEV SEED: That's my boy!
Michael Jackson is finally a dad. Welcome to Wacko Jacko's world....Michael Jackson Junior! I can't imagine just how much sleep he lost over what to call the little mite. Following the birth, Jacko senior is reported as saying: "Words can't describe how
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'Spy' cameras to trap 999 hoaxers
HIDDEN "spy" cameras will be installed in payphone boxes to help Whitefield-based Greater Manchester Ambulance Service trap bogus 999 callers. The action will be part of a package aimed at hitting back at the hoaxers who each year cost GMAS a staggering
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Blaze cops to the rescue
HERO cops smashed the door of a blazing house and raced in to rescue two men trapped by the raging fire. The brave bobbies sprang into action after an early morning emergency call came from a neighbour living near the property in St Martin's Road, Deepdale
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Blackburn street statue is waste of cash
A CONTROVERSIAL £25,000 statue unveiled in Blackburn Boulevard this week is just a waste of cash. That's the opinion of passers-by who could hardly believe their ears when they heard the value of the tarpaulin-wrapped piece of street furniture. Before
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School prank backfires
A PRESTWICH mother is keeping her daughter off school claiming she could have died after a playground prank backfired. Mrs Sandra Freeman, of Polefield Grange, is demanding that Parrenthorn High School carries out a full investigation - which school bosses
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Sparks peril in builder store blaze
A TWO-storey building was gutted in a suspected arson attack in Padiham today. The alarm was raised shortly before 2.45am when a passer-by called at Padiham police station to report the fire at the disused builders' merchants in Station Road, behind Bertwistle's
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Blind keeping in touch with The Citizen
BEING blind doesn't have to mean being alone - but it does mean you have to put extra effort into getting out and meeting people. That's why the Preston and North Lancashire Blind Welfare Society does everything it can to put its members in touch - whether
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Gun raiders could still be here
TWO gunmen who brought terror to Radcliffe during last week's armed robbery could be hiding in the town. Now detectives investigating the raid at Bury Council's finance offices in Whittaker Street, in which a security guard and two members of the public
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Cash kick in the teeth for dental health plan
FURIOUS health chiefs were down in the mouth today after receiving a giant cash snub from the Government. East Lancashire has one of the worst dental health records in the country, yet its bid for money to improve oral health has been rejected. And the
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Housing association takes control in 'Blightfield'
OVERJOYED M62 blight home tenants were celebrating a change of landlord this week. Shire Oaks, the property management company which had been at the centre of a catalogue of complaints from local people, ceased trading last week and now the homes are
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Cathedral's brew to swell coffers
CHURCH bosses are backing a scheme which encourages pub-goers to raise money for a Blackburn Cathedral appeal by drinking beer. Some local police and counsellors who help the victims of alcohol-related crime have privately admitted they are 'gobsmacked
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Last ditch bid to stave off worst cuts
FINANCE bosses are going over the top in a last-ditch bid to save cherished public services. Days before councillors meet to consider the hit-list, they are trying to identify cuts of £14 million, £1.6 million more than needed. If successful, their cash-juggling
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Firefighters injured
TWO firemen were injured tackling a blaze which gutted a Bacup footwear factory and caused thousands of pounds-worth of damage. Fire pumps from around East Lancashire attended the blaze at the E.W. Sharp, footwear component manufacturers, at Waterside
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ICE HOCKEY: Todd is key
CANADIAN giant Todd Bidner could be the key to Blackburn Hawks' chances of making a strong impact on the national ice hockey play-offs. So says player coach Jim Pennycook as the local side gear up for the opening play-off date with Murrayfield Royals
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Injury blow rocks Ingram
TOP try poacher David Ingram is out of Leigh's march towards Wembley and the start of their league campaign. The stand-off, who touched down 23 times last season, was carried off with an ankle injury midway through Leigh's Sunday success over Swinton.
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'Lear will not shut' say bosses
MANAGEMENT at the Colne car component makers Lear Corporation gave a pledge the plant would not close as they moved to quash rumours of massive job losses. And they paid tribute to the experienced workforce who keep the wheels at Spring Garden Mill turning
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DoH should sort out bureaucratic bungle
ANYONE planning a drive to improve dental health would target resources at where the problem is worst. But what happens when health chiefs in East Lancashire - notorious as one of the country's major blackspots for rotten teeth - bid for government cash
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New moves in road struggle
AS ROAD protesters gathered pace for a £25,000 fund to fight the planned Colne-Foulridge by-pass there were more calls to make existing main roads safer for pedestrians. Objectors to the by-pass say plans for the road were slipped through quietly by the
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Law should ban these vile games
WOULD a film or video, that put viewers at the wheel of a high-speed car mowing down people and animals by the score, ever be allowed on the screen? Hardly. It would be banned. And rightly so. Why, then, should a computer game revelling in just such sadism
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Pendle purse dipper on prowl
SHOPPERS in Nelson are being warned to be on their guard against purse-dippers. The warning comes in the wake of a spate of thefts from loan women, often while in charity shops. The latest thefts involved shoppers who had been in stores and in the Arndale
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Angry residents win fight to meet on renewal setback
ANGRY residents have won a face-to-face meeting with Burnley council bosses after telling Labour leaders "You are finished in Daneshouse." Householders, furious that a large part of the area has been left out of a £5 million improvement plan for the district
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New survey shows 15% rise in shoppers
A REPORT to the council's Development Committee tonight (Thursday, February 20) highlights a growing economic upturn in St Helens town centre. During the past 12 months a survey has revealed that the number of vacant shop units has dropped and there has
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Tory slams £4m plan for civic offices
PROPOSALS for a revolutionary £4 million centre to house new civic offices has been attacked as "appalling extravagance" by the leader of the Tory Group on Hyndburn Council. The borough is bidding for European cash to develop a low-energy office building
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Foster team seeks caring families
COMMITTED carers are being sought by a local charity anxious to find suitable homes for troubled children in the St Helens area. The campaign is being spearheaded by Chester Diocesan Adoption Services, on behalf of St Helens Council, in a bid to encourage
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Brown sparks romp for Tyldesley
WINGER Tim Brown sparked a romp for Tyldesley RU. He swept in for a quickfire try, then banged over six goals to capture the MoM award from match sponsor Gerald Platt. It all added up to a thumping 50-10 victory over Keswick, the Cumbrians having no answer
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SOCCER: Bramwell Speaks Out: BRFC where good PR can RIP
YOU make your own luck in football. So, if the recent chain of events at Ewood Park is judged to be unlucky, then someone, somewhere is making an almighty hash of things. It is clear that Blackburn Rovers supporters feel the most recent problem - the
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League is top priority says Latham
KEITH LATHAM is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. Leigh's sensational 24-20 comeback victory over 12-man Swinton takes them to within two games of a place in the Silk Cut Plate Final at Wembley in May. But, while coach Latham allowed his team to
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The tallest of tales!
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD HERE'S a tall story - but one which reader Ron Honey swears is absolutely true! Ron, from Haresfinch (brother of the legendary Saints stand-off Jimmy) takes us back in time to the days of the tightly-bunched terraced communities which
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Sharman Cup chop for Church
CHURCH INN are out of the Sharman Cup. The holders crashed 3-1 in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League competition - a three-goal second-half salvo from Butchers Arms leaving them dead and buried. Butchers strike trio of Dave Renshaw, Billy
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Sappers reunion
WERE you a member of the Royal Engineers and stationed on the Christmas Island in the late 50s? If so, then you could be invited to a special reunion in Bury (full details of which we can't print because it's a surprise for a former local Army man). If
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Show goes on for Tommy
A CONSTANT battle against diabetes, onset of blindness and lung surgery has failed to to deter a well-loved actor from honouring the age-old maxim that 'the show must go on!' And 50 years devotion by 66-year-old Thomas Leigh to the amateur stage, and
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Heyday of the Brown Bomber
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD HE was known as The Brown Bomber, a weatherbeaten town character who spent the summer months stripped to the waist and tootling around the district on his trusty old push- bike. And one who mourns his recent passing is keen correspondent
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More cuts listed by desperate council
MORE controversial items have been scraped together to reach the council's original £12.4 million cuts target. New figures revealed to the Bury Times late yesterday afternoon (February 13) show that cash for primary-age children with learning disabilities
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Protest goes to Parliament
PLANS for a mass lobby of Parliament over Bury's share of Government cash are being finalised. Organisers hope to take around 1,000 people, led by the Mayor of Bury, to London on a date to be arranged within the next fortnight. Invitations have already
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Grave dangers for cemetery visitors
ACTION to carry out maintenance work in an old cemetery came too late for a pensioner who broke her ankle looking for a grave. The 74-year-old lost her footing and tripped in a pot hole as she walked along a path close to her mother's grave in Darwen's
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Victorian thriller will keep them guessing
CREAKING floorboards, a howling wind, shutters banging out an ominous warning, a cry in the night. The deadly game is afoot. "Murder at St Mary's Manor" is the latest whodunit from Dead-Enders, Leigh's experts in murder/mystery evenings. They will be
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Trickster grabs £50 from pensioner
A MAN called at the home of an 84-year-old woman asking for change then made off with £50. The incident took place between 6.30 and 7pm on Monday, February 10 when the man called at the house in Meadow Close, Newton-le-Willows, asking for change of a
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Briarcroft: First Aid for Wilf
WILF MORGAN was one of Briarcroft's Fit Young Men. He worked at Nook Pit, but his bond with the club began when, as a trainee, he joined to learn first aid. "I used to cycle across the fields from my home in Pickley Green, Westleigh," he said. In the
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Cash boost for health service
LOCAL health care is to receive a shot in the arm to the tune of almost £300,000. Extra nurses and an evening service for the mentally ill will be among the bonuses from the cash injection. Bury and Rochdale Health Authority won the money by bidding for
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In the dentists' chair
A TELEPHONE survey of dentists in Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton has shown almost a 100 percent success rate of local dentists willing to take on new NHS patients. Only two dentists refused to register patients because their lists were full. The survey
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Health cash tonic for patients
LOCAL Health Chiefs welcomed the news of extra government cash to "ease pressures". Stephen Dorrell, Secretary of State for Health, recently announced that St. Helens and Knowsley Health would get an additional allocation of funds for priority services
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Riding out to Devil's Bridge
DEVIL'S Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale is the weekend destination for two wheeler fans from Culcheth Motorcycle Club. This Sunday members are off up north to the motorcyclists' mecca which spans the River Lune. The 50-strong club, which meets every other Wednesday
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Just the ticket for Merseytravel
MERSEYTRAVEL has delivered a pleasing 'budget' with a below-inflation increase of 2.5 per cent. And Merseyside's 250,000 concessionary pass holders will continue to enjoy free travel - the only scheme outside London which offers this. Merseytravel chair
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Saints bid to extend cup run
CHALLENGE Cup holders Saints will seek to extend a six-match winning run in the competition against Hull when the Humbersiders come to Knowsley Road in a fifth-round tie on Sunday, kick-off 3pm. For it was as long ago as 1936 that the Airlie Birds won
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A radio WISH comes true
THE team behind a soon-to-be launched radio station are pledging to grant the wishes of local listeners. Wish FM takes to the airwaves on April 1 on 102.4 targeting an area including St Helens, Skelmersdale, Leigh and Wigan, with a potential audience
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What a week!
Denis Whittle talks Rugby League with Saints coach Shaun McRae AFTER arguably the most traumatic week since he arrived at Knowsley Road 12 months ago Shaun McRae reflected on the eight-match suspension on Bobbie Goulding and a £15,000 fine on the club
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Taking bite out of danger dogs
ST HELENS Council is to take part in a joint initiative with the Royal Mail to identify potentially dangerous dogs to help reduce the risk of attacks. Under the initiative, St Helens, together with 11 other local authorities, will receive reports from
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Boys in blue play brass
TALENTED Bobbies from Lancashire Constabulary's Brass in Blue perform at Burnley Mechanics next Wednesday (February 26) evening to help a charity's drug prevention work. Cash raised will help the charity Life Education Centres for Lancashire which takes
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Where was the protection?
WITH reference to your article 'Villages see red over village green,' I would like to ask the following: If developers Tilerock were so concerned about the dangers of asbestos materials, why were the demolition workers not wearing protective clothing?
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Girls on top in Labour Party
BURNLEY constituency Labour Party say they have no need for positive discrimination after women clinched four out of five posts at this week's AGM. Ladies became chairman, secretary, elections agent and youth officer. Only the treasurer's post went to
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Cash offer to fight race hate
COMMUNITY groups can now apply for Euro-cash from a fund set up as part of the European Year Against Racism. But anyone wanting to get in on the act will have to work quickly. Up to half the cost of one-off ventures will be paid for by the European Commission
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Victory ahoy for Andy
A BREATHTAKING view of Sydney Harbour meant victory for Accrington skipper Andy Hindley. Andy, 29, and his crew have been awarded the Courtaulds Trophy for winning the third leg of the BT Global Challenge yacht race from New Zealand to Australia. The
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A lorry load of trouble!
RESIDENTS in Morecambe's West End claim their lives are being put at risk from lorries thundering along a back alley next to their homes. There is mounting concern from people on Sefton Road over what they describe as "a constant flow of lorries and trade
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ROVERS: Sven stalemate
SVEN Goran Eriksson's situation remained in stalemate today - even though it is becoming increasingly obvious that he is about to turn his back on Blackburn Rovers. Despite several reports, he has not yet told the club officially that he will not be coming
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Roy honoured for church service
BURNLEY vicar the Rev Roy McCullough has been made an honorary canon of Blackburn Cathedral in recognition of his service to the church. Mr McCullough, vicar of St Matthew with Holy Trinity, will be the Kyrkham Canon. There are only 18 honorary canons
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Axe set to fall on college jobs
STAFF at Lancaster's Adult College face an uncertain future after a major slash in government funds totalling £320,000 was announced this week. The cutbacks mean redundancies for both full and part-time teachers and education bosses are already tightening
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Rovers set to seal £2.5m Pedersen deal
PER Pedersen's £2.5 million move from Odense to Blackburn Rovers could be sealed before Saturday's trip to Anfield. The Danish striker has had detailed talks with Ewood officials and was having the usual medicals today. But Rovers, who hope the deal can
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Heath targets play-off place
ADRIAN Heath was in upbeat mood this week as the Clarets prepared for Saturday's home game with Bristol Rovers. "We are still very much in the play-off hunt," he said, in response to those who have voiced doubts about Burnley's ability to compete for
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Solid Blues turn the corner
Winsford United 0 Lancaster City 1 LANCASTER put daylight between themselves and the league tail enders on Saturday after a solid performance secured their second successive victory. Once again that man Stuart Diggle netted the winning strike and yet
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Tearaways a problem says councillor
YOUNG tearaways causing mayhem on the back streets of Morecambe are putting themselves in danger, claims a concerned local resident. Gangs of youngsters, some as young as eight, have been seen running across the roofs of empty properties and breaking
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Knight duty thwarts shrimps
Morecambe 1 Welling 2 A DEBATABLE offside decision robbed Morecambe youngster Gary Williams of a spectacular last gasp equaliser at Christie Park on Saturday. Playing his home debut, the 17-year-old from Burnley let fly with a 20 yard strike which should
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Building bridges!
THE heart of Skerton is on the way to recovery thanks to a joint partnership of community and private investment. The Skerton Community Association has received a massive helping hand from a local builder to help renovate the former St John Ambulance
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Shakers escape punishment after ref attack
The Football Association are unlikely to take any action against Bury for the attack on referee Ian Cruickshanks during last Saturday's game against Bournemouth. They are awaiting the referee's report before they decide on a course of action but a spokesman
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Prison for bogus headmaster
A FORMER headmaster has been jailed for three months after admitting he obtained salary by deception and other offences. Alistair Beeston, who was deputy head of Nether Kellet Junior School, near Carnforth, claimed he had several education qualifications
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Into the Net!
BLACKPOOL Football Club isn't just getting them in the net - they're getting on the Net - Internet that is! Managing director Gill Bridge said: "Fans are always looking for more information - as are visitors to the club - so we feel this is a comprehensive