Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Thursday, April 11:
Fellowship Supper, Main Hall, Nazareth Unitarian Chapel, Knight Hill, Padiham, 6.30pm. Blackburn Flower Club, Trinity United Reformed Church Hall, Brownhill, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Practice Night. Free Counselling Service, Rosehill Baptist Church, Burnley
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Who cares about the passengers?
WEEKS of damaging one day strikes on the rail services that are East Lancashire's public transport lifeline seem no nearer solution. Conductors employed by Arriva Trains Northern and drivers of First North Western seem to be no nearer sorting out the
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Switch focus to square
WITH the refurbishment of Church Street in Blackburn coming to an end, the focus now switches to the renovation of Fleming Square. All I hear is of the splendour of the square. But Fleming Square always was and still is only a means of getting from Darwen
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Keep your hands off our home
THE idea of closing homes for the elderly should have been strangled at birth. I would class all who vote for it the same as the mindless yobs who roam our streets mugging old people, stealing their wallet or handbag and leaving them traumatised for life
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'Drive-off' after bump was costly
ICAN sympathise with the writer who had her car bumped and the perpetrator had just driven off (Letters, March 21). We parked our car near to the police station in Burnley and were still in it when an impatient driver drove between our car and one coming
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When will the council learn?
IT is ridiculous of Blackburn with Darwen Council, after all these years that daffodils have been planted in verges to even contemplate mowing any of them down, whatever the reason. If, as was stated, some are causing problems for drivers on grassed areas
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Understanding consequences of fluoridation
REGARDING your article 'New Fluoride Plea' (LET, March 23) and the prospect of enforced fluoridation becoming increasingly likely, it is important that as many people as possible understand the dangers fluoride presents to human health. There are two
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Caught in act
SHOPLIFTER Paul Whittles was seen by police attempting to sell goods stolen from a store. Whittles of Tennyson Avenue, Bury, pleaded guilty to theft and admitted he had taken the goods to raise money to fund his drug habit. Bury magistrates ordered Whittles
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Fury at fat cat
THE BOSS of a company besieged by train cancellations and strikes was labelled a 'fat-cat' today after he received a £201,000 bonus. The rail union RMT said there was one rule for management and another for conductors after Arriva PLC chief executive
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Chef dies after fall down stairs
A BURY chef died after he fell down stairs and suffered a fractured neck just 24 hours before his birthday. Jason Mark Craig (31) was found by flatmates at the foot of the stairwell at his home in Palace Street at 8.30am on Saturday (April 6). Bury CID
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Changing times at Jobcentres
BOLTON and Bury will be reaping the benefits of a new service to help jobless people and provide benefit advice. Jobcentres nationwide are to be revamped to equip them to deliver the Jobcentre Plus service, which places work at the forefront of customer
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Blues strikers on fire
CHELSEA strike-pair Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink are currently on fire as the Blues close in on a Champions League place. Claudio Ranieri's deadly-duo have already bagged an astonishing 52 goals between them this season in all competitions
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Hotshot Jimmy full of confidence
CHELSEA striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink admitted his relief at having ended his mini scoring drought as he targeted a further step towards a Champions League finish at Blackburn tonight. Chelsea moved temporarily into fourth place with their 3-0 weekend
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Jansen looking to break record
EWOOD hot-shot Matt Jansen can pass a goalscoring milestone if he bags a brace against Chelsea tonight. But, amazingly, Rovers' current leading scorer still insists he's not a natural predator as he prepares for an old-fashioned shoot-out against one
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Cash boost for 'deprived' area
BURNLEY is to benefit from a £1.2million state-of-the-art computer, technology, drama and music centre as a part of a Government initiative to improve facilities in deprived areas. The centre at Towneley High School in Towneley Holmes, Burnley, will open
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Council says this building must go
ENFORCEMENT action may be taken by Pendle Borough Council to remove an unauthorised building in a field on the south side of Wood End Lane in Reedley. In December 2000, permission for an agricultural building to house cattle and machinery, next to the
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Ten years ago
LABOUR declared the Tories an endangered species in East Lancashire after the general election. Despite victory for the Tories nationally, Labour won in Pendle, Hyndburn and Rossendale and Darwen.
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Five years ago
MEMBERS of the Leamington Ladies Tuesday Fellowship and Guild in Blackburn took part in the Teddies for Tragedies campaign. They knitted 30 teddies to send all around the world, particularly Bosnia and Romania.
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Easy Access bus service stepped up
THE frequency of Easy Access buses is to be increased in summer. The number two service between Blackburn and Wilpshire will run every ten minutes instead of every fifteen minutes from June. Michael Morton, managing director of Blackburn Transport, said
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River death man's inquest opens
AN inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of an angler from Clayton-le-Moors who was found dead in the River Ribble. Fifty-year-old Peter William Ormerod, of Fernlea Drive, Clayton-le-Moors, was found by his son Thomas, 23, on April 2, face
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Hunt for sex beast seeks help from TV
POLICE investigating the rape of a teenager at her Great Harwood home are to stage a reconstruction of the attack on the BBC Crimewatch programme. Detectives heading the inquiry will travel to London later this month to appear on the TV programme, presented
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I am staying: Gazza
PAUL Gascoigne was back in training with Burnley this morning quashing rumours that he had left the club. Despite speculation in the national press that Gazza had quit Turf Moor after being left on the bench against Gillingham on Saturday, he returned
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Act of perils of internet gambling
THE internet is adding a more sinister twist to the evils of gambling. The story of a council officer who, aged just 44, hanged himself after piling up debts of £53,000 with internet casino games is truly shocking. Mario Opalka sat for hours alone in
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They will never be as royal again
SHE was feted as a caring, sweet old lady, the nation's archetypal favourite gran. But the Queen Mother was much more. Yesterday's farewell not only marked the death of the nation's indisputably most favourite Royal, but the end of an era. The Royals
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A fight for our lives
BLACKBURN Rovers boss Graeme Souness has warned his players 'the pressure is still on' ahead of tonight's showdown with Champions League chasing Chelsea at Ewood. Ipswich's poor run of results recently has greatly encouraged Souness in his bid to guide
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Ballroom meeting was a step to happiness
A COUPLE who met across a crowded ballroom dance floor as teenagers are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. And now Doreen Mills, 71, and husband John, 75, of Thirlmere Drive, Darwen, spend their spare time in tandem at the more serene sport
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Three rescued from moors blaze
THREE people were rescued by firefighters after becoming surrounded by a mile long wall of flames in a moorland blaze near Lords Hall, Darwen, last night. Fire crews were also called out to a blaze on grass land at Pickup Bank and then to a third fire
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Yard owner's 'naivety' led to fly tipping
A SCRAPYARD owner who dumped waste on a Darwen demolition site thought he had permission to do so. Blackburn magistrates heard that Ian Bury was not authorised to tip the oil contaminated waste on a site in Hindle Street which was opposite a school. Bury
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Tearaway dogs sent to school
TEARAWAY dogs in Rossendale could benefit from specialist training classes. Rossendale dog warden David East is to begin new classes for training puppies and dogs of all breeds for the Kennel Club Good Citizens Awards Scheme. Anyone wanting to register
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Martin's marathon for mum
A MAN who lost his mother to cancer will pay tribute to her by running the Flora London Marathon. Martin Wilcock, 33, an illustrator, of Brown Hill Drive, Blackburn, will on Sunday tackle the gruelling 26.2 miles to raise money for Cancer Research UK,
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Footballer jailed for attack on ref
FOOTBALL chiefs united today and issued a warning about on-pitch violence after an amateur player was jailed for six months for headbutting a referee. Chairman of the Blackburn Referees' Association, Stephen Blackburn, said he was aware of several incidents
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Bacup boss unhappy
BACUP were in cruise control for most of this NWCL Division Two game but let Daisy Hill back into it in the final minutes. Brent Peters' side had enough chances to seal it in the first half, Stuart Farnell having two good opportunities. But they took
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Clitheroe rue missed opportunities
IT was a tale of what might have been for Clitheroe, as they fell to only their third defeat in 13 NWCL First Division matches. "It was just one of those days," said player-manager Lee Sculpher. "We could have played all night and still not scored, we
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Baker off as Darwen win
TEN-MAN Darwen battled back from a goal down to clinch a morale-boosing win in the NWCL Division Two. But the man sent off was top scorer Paul Baker on 15 minutes for foul and abusive language after he appealed against an off-side decision - and he could
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Coldridge double earns win for Nelson
NELSON got back on the winning trail with a resounding victory in the NWCL Division Two. The Blues attack was in fine form and but for an outstanding performance by Chadderton keeper Lee Grogan, the home side would have been dead and buried long before
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Rams end with a oint
RAMSBOTTOM went into their final home game of the season without a number of regular players as they faced a rejuvenated Flixton who, under manager Dalton Steele, have lost just once in ten outings. With only two minutes played Danny Goodall was desperately
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Knife charge man for trial
THE case of a Radcliffe man accused of slashing one of three other asylum seekers with a knife in Heywood has been remanded to the Crown Court by Rochdale magistrates. Mocktar Zoveidavi, aged 28, of Ulundi Street, Radcliffe, was bailed to appear at Minshull
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OAPs warned over "cowboy" builders
ELDERLY householders have been warned to beware bogus builders who rip off customers for shoddy work. Trading standards staff say they are determined to rein in "cowboy" tradesmen as the number of complaints continue to rise. Councillor Pam Walker, public
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Young Mammals
I TOOK advantage of the Easter Holiday to visit my favourite badger sett. On the evening of Good Friday I watched a boar badger emerge and when he had a good sniff around first a female and then a cub came out. On my way home I visited a fox's earth and
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Sighting of the year
A SUDDEN knock on my door revealed a very excited friend. Bernard Lee has been a regular observer of East Lancashire's wildlife. He was strolling past my house near Clitheroe when he saw a very rare bird. Together we watched a white stork flying overhead
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Horrified at sculpture
I don't come to Blackburn so often, but I was horrified to see the so-called sculpture on the Cathedral. I think it detracts from the architecture of the lovely building and sticks out like a sore thumb. I'm sure that the vast amount wasted on this monstrosity
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Champion of family values
MANY thanks for your tribute to the Queen Mother with photographs of her from early life to being a senior citizen (LET, April 1). Older people remember her for her courageous support to her husband George VI, unexpectedly called to the throne and her
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Stan knew baggage with Gazza
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent knew the territory when he made the signing and has been totally unruffled by Gazzagate. Just who said what to whom after last Saturday's 2-0 home success over Gillingham will probably come out in the wash in the end, but the
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Train drivers to stage more strikes
RAIL users across the North West face further disruption following the announcement of three one day strikes by train drivers. Members of Aslef at First North Western will walk out on April 22, 29 and May 6, threatening travel chaos. Train drivers are
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Gillespie is out to help his old pals
FORMER Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie plans to do his old club a favour by putting a huge dent in Chelsea's Champions League dreams at Ewood tonight. Gillespie goes into the game knowing a win for Rovers would virtually secure their place in the Premiership
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A fight for our lives
BLACKBURN Rovers boss Graeme Souness has warned his players 'the pressure is still on' ahead of tonight's showdown with Champions League chasing Chelsea at Ewood. Ipswich's poor run of results recently has greatly encouraged Souness in his bid to guide
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Wingers may be thing of the past
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness looks set to unleash both Damien Duff and Keith Gillespie on Chelsea tonight as he goes in search of the victory required to all but guarantee Rovers' Premiership survival. But the days of seeing two out-and-out wingers operating
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Gallipoli tribute service
THE Burnley and Pendle Branch of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment will hold a parade and church service on Sunday, April 28 to commemorate soldiers who died at Gallipoli in the First World War. The public event will start at 10am in the Peace Garden near
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Four who clashed with police jailed
FOUR men involved in violent scenes during disorders at Burnley last summer have been jailed for a total of six years. Preston Crown Court heard how they were outside the town's Turf pub in June when clashes occurred with police. Video footage was shown
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Teen attack gang locked away
MEMBERS of a gang of drink-fuelled youths involved in a fight which left a man with a smashed eye socket and cheekbone have all been locked up. The defendants were told by a judge they should not be in a crown court dock and had let not only themselves
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Drugs swoop
TWO houses in Pendle were raided yesterday as part of an ongoing operation to crack down on drugs in the borough. Officers from Pennine Division raided addresses in Claremont Street, Brierfield, and Thursby Road, Nelson, around 7.30pm and a quantity of
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How they will line up on May 2
BOUNDARY changes mean every seat on Pendle Council is up for grabs on May 2 -- the first time the whole council has been elected since 1976. In Pendle, which has a slim Labour majority, the three main parties are equally represented in nearly all the
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World War 1 shell drama
PART of a town was cordoned off after a First World War mortar shell was handed in at the police station. A man carried it to Great Harwood Police Station at 6.40pm yesterday after finding it on Bowland Fell. The station was evacuated and Blackburn Road
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Conman targets woman, 93
A 93-YEAR-OLD woman was duped by a conman who called at her home in Westwood Street, Accrington, claiming he was selling insurance. The thief called at the house at 3.10pm on Thursday, March 28, offering to sell insurance for her television aerial. After
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Horse-shape ring stolen from stall
A THIEF stole a man's gold ring from a stall in Accrington market on Sunday, March 31, at around 3.20pm after asking to try it on. The thief, along with an accomplice, tried on the ring, in the shape of a horse's head with bridle and reins, before running
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Pond prepared for salmon to spawn
SALMON will be swimming in old waters this season thanks to a conservation project to protect a safe haven for wild fish. Work was completed on the old mill pond on the Ings Beck between Downham and Rimington villages this Easter in a bid to enhance the
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Jepson looks to Clarets youth
CLARETS reserve team boss Ronnie Jepson takes a youthful side to Huddersfield Town tonight. The Clarets second string have just three games left and could make a late assault on the top of the Avon Insurance League's Premier Division. However, first team
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Deadline looms for postal votes
TIME is running out for residents wishing to vote by post or proxy in the local council elections this May. Those who cannot or do not want to personally attend their local polling station on election day, Thursday May 2, have until April 24 to make an
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Gen up on latest aids to help the blind
BLIND and partially-sighted people in Bury are to be given an insight into the latest aids and equipment. A pioneering mobile unit, run by Action for Blind People, will stop off in the borough this week to open its doors to people interested in or affected
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Church ups security to beat vandals
SECURITY measures are to be taken to protect a vandalised church where services have been disrupted by gangs of teenagers. Wesley Methodist Church in Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, has suffered broken windows, damaged drainpipes, smashed lights and a snapped
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I am staying: Gazza
PAUL Gascoigne was back in training with Burnley this morning quashing rumours that he had left the club. Despite speculation in the national press that Gazza had quit Turf Moor after being left on the bench against Gillingham on Saturday, he returned
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Shakers goal ace Gareth strikes out
SHAKERS' struggle against relegation has suffered another blow as leading scorer Gareth Seddon looks set to miss their crucial last two fixtures writes Chris Hall It was hoped that the 21-year-old striker, with seven goals to his credit this season, would
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Rubbish dumpers come under fire
RESIDENTS are being urged to take more care of Darwen after a councillor said some areas were beginning to look like war zones. Councillors claim that many people are dumping rubbish in back streets because they lack patience to wait for refuge collectors
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Search for pop idol to go on the record
A COMPETITION to find Rossendale's answer to Will Young and Gareth Gates will now begin on April 19. The first heat for the Valley's pop icon competition will be held at the Swan Hotel, Market Street, Bacup, but entrants do not have to be professional
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By-pass bid to ease rush hour traffic jams
RESIDENTS today received proposals to solve the rush hour congestion in Waterfoot. Four options to ease the congestion have been suggested by Leeds-based consultants Halcrow and have now gone out to public consultation. They include building a by-pass
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'Landmark' roller returned to river
A FURIOUS councillor today hit out at "mindless fools" who pushed a six-feet long stone roller into the River Irwell. Councillor Michael McShea, who is also chairman of environmental group Stacksteads Riverside Park group, said the roller was removed
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Row over politics in book of condolence
A ROW erupted today after a local election candidate used a book of condolence for the Queen Mother to make a political statement about plans to close care homes. Noel O'Brien, a former Labour Councillor on Rossendale Council and the area's only candidate
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Community litter the brush-off
A COMMUNITY rallied together to keep its streets clean. Bank Top Community Centre supported a clean-up campaign by the Parents Action for the Community and Town to pick up litter. Linda Ryden, community development officer at Bank Top, said: "It was a
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Community gives its litter the brush-off
A COMMUNITY rallied together to keep its streets clean. Bank Top Community Centre supported a clean-up campaign by the Parents Action for the Community and Town to pick up litter. Linda Ryden, community development officer at Bank Top, said: "It was a
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Blackburn gives teen problem top priority
COUNCIL bosses have launched a bid to cut teenage pregnancies in Blackburn with Darwen by almost a quarter in the next two years. The borough council is so concerned about the borough's high rates that they have made cutting them one of its top priorities
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Service to celebrate Celia's life
FAMILY and friends are to hold a service to celebrate the life of a former Blackburn nurse who died thousands of miles away in Canada. Cecelia Hoffman (nee Smith), known as Celia, moved to Canada in the 1960s but died at her Ontario home, aged 58, after
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Students set sail for adventure
EAST Lancashire students proved they were shipshape and nearly ready to sail as they prepared for the trip of a lifetime on the high seas. The students, who are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, will represent Blackburn with Darwen
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Rail strikes spark fears for economy
RAIL users' misery is to continue after drivers and conductors at East Lancashire's two train operators promised more strikes. MPs, local business representatives and rail user groups have called for the action to be called off in the past few weeks,
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Piper proud to play for funeral
A PIPER who played at the Queen Mother's funeral today spoke of his pride at being given the honour. John Shaw, of Blackburn, was one of three soldiers from the Irish Guards among the pipers who accompanied the Queen Mother's cortege from Westminster
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Fury at fat cat
THE BOSS of a company besieged by train cancellations and strikes was labelled a 'fat-cat' today after he received a £201,000 bonus. The rail union RMT said there was one rule for management and another for conductors after Arriva PLC chief executive
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Stand battle back
COLNE almost pulled off a shock result against the NWCL Second Division's top side. After half an hour of cagey football, skipper Gary Dalton popped up to unexpectedly fire Colne into the lead. This joy was short-lived however as Athletic's top scorer
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Boss to be named soon
GREAT Harwood aren't expected to make a decision about the vacant manager's position until after this weekend. The NWCL Division One bottom club lost Denis Underwood last week after he resigned following a poor season. His assistant manager John Hughes
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We are going for the kill, says Storton
BRADFORD Park Avenue will be going for the kill tonight - that's what boss Trevor Storton promised. Stanley can expect a tough first leg of the UniBond League Cup final, as the home side push for goals. Despite fielding a weakened side, Bradford will
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Junior rugby in East Lancashire is thriving
JUNIOR rugby at Blackburn RUFC is looking pretty rosy. In fact, it is positively thriving. Only Preston Grasshoppers have a bigger junior set-up in the region and Blackburn has firmly established itself as one of the main players in grassroots rugby.
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Reds chief wants a first leg lead
IT'S part one of the Stanley cup final trilogy tonight when the Reds make the trip to Bradford Park Avenue. It's the first leg of the UniBond League Cup final - the second leg will be at the Crown Ground on April 30 - and Accrington have another final
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Driver arrested over rape
A TAXI driver from Blackpool has appeared in court charged with an alleged attack on a 16 year old girl in a car park by Fairhaven Lake last Sunday. 44 year old Andreas Luca of Knightsbridge Avenue Blackpool has been bailed to appear at Preston Crown