Archive
-
Date
Hyde in plain sight
Hyde Utd 0 Lancaster 0 THERE'S been little to cheer about for Blues fans in recent games but holding 4th placed Hyde to a draw on Monday night is worthy of applause. Lancaster raised their game and passed the ball well but, like Hyde, they were often
-
Date
Posh Spice not enough!
Bury 1 - Peterborough United 0 ANYONE interested in making a quick buck in the final two weeks of the soccer season could do worse than invest in a few thousand bottles of nerve tonic and set up a stall on Bury Market. For the Shakers supporters' restless
-
Date
"Terrorpin" scoffs a load of carp
TERRY the terrapin is heading for a new home . . . after an enterprising fishery bailiff put a bounty on the greedy freshwater tortoise which was scoffing valuable carp in a Fylde lake. Anglers visiting Greenhalgh Lodge fishery, near Kirkham, couldn't
-
Date
Grant aid for scaffold company
AN industrial improvement grant of £27,688 from Blackburn Council, has helped KSS Scaffolding restore office and warehouse premises in Gorse Street, Blackburn. The firm has now moved from its former Fort Street premises in the town and a depot in Aintree
-
Date
Pool a point off play-offs
BLACKPOOL 1 BRENTFORD 0 THERE was an air of anticipation as Blackpool faced high-flying Brentford at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, April 22, and the fans wondered whether the Seasiders could make it a late, late show in a last-gasp push for the play-offs
-
Date
Carer robbed disabled woman
A WOMAN in a wheelchair suffered trauma and distress when her friendly care worker stole from her bank account on four occasions. Pauline Ann Hunt, aged 43, of Devonshire Road, Atherton, admitted stealing £200 over the Christmas and New Year. Leigh magistrates
-
Date
Stars of the small screen
PROGRAMME makers are targeting Darwen schoolchildren to be stars of the small screen. Since a successful appearance on the new children's television show 50:50 - screened for the first time this week - a group of pupils from Moorland High School are being
-
Date
Haunting murder for Linda
LONG-AGO word has it that the stage at Leigh St Joseph's is haunted. This week IT IS! The ghost story "A Murder Has Been Arranged" sets the skin a'crawling as Sir Charles Jasper hosts a party to celebrate his 50th birthday and forthcoming inheritance,
-
Date
Shop woman's gun raid terror
SHOP assistant Christine Hewitt today told of the terrifying moment when a masked raider held a sawn-off shotgun to her head. Four masked robbers wearing black balaclavas threatened to shoot her if she did not hand over takings from Dixons' Mini Market
-
Date
Canon set to retire
A VICAR who has served the same parish for 32 years is retiring in the middle of May. Canon Bryan Robinson has seen generations pass through St Andrews Church, Burnley. He has married couples then gone on to baptise their children and even grandchildren
-
Date
Chrisitine's care crisis call
A DISABLED Atherton woman has called on Labour's Lawrence Cunliffe to support her demand for home carers employed by private agencies to be registered and checked. Christine Shovelton, 37, who has to have six regular carers on a rota of three visits a
-
Date
ROVERS: Billy facing a battle
BILLY McKinlay, forced to pull out of the Scotland squad this week, is hoping to shake off a knee injury to be fit for Blackburn Rovers' crucial game at Southampton on Saturday. But it could be touch and go for Rovers striker Chris Sutton, who has a hamstring
-
Date
The Poms are back!
JOAN ORDISH was just 18 years-old when she set-off for a new life in Australia. But this week, the '£10 Pom' is 'back home' sharing the memories of yester-year with family and friends in Leigh. It was 1949 when the Ordish family from Wigan Road, Leigh
-
Date
BAe's Samlesbury site eco-award winners
THE green team at Samlesbury have become the first British Aerospace site in the country to win a top 'eco-award'. The site has gained the environmental quality standard ISO 14001 for its continued support for environmental protection and prevention of
-
Date
Non-league roundup
AFTER the disappointment of ATS Cup failure, Accrington return to league action on Saturday (April 26) with a home clash against Frickley Athletic looking for a top ten finish in the Unibond Premier League. Stanley's last game of the season is on Wednesday
-
Date
Last-minute hitch for wedding couple
BIG hearted hotel bosses came to the rescue of distraught bride Jane Simpson and fiance Simon Eccles when their wedding guests were left in the lurch! The 40 visitors from all over the country, including members of the groom's family from Langho, near
-
Date
Time to aim high
COMMITMENT and availability lies between success and failure at Cherry Tree this season according to skipper David Hayes. The Preston Old Road outfit suffered a disappointing season last year due to an inconsistent line-up and Hayes is hoping for better
-
Date
Row over hospital bill
THE son of a poorly Preston pensioner faces a bill of £45,000 for using a hospital like 'a hotel'. Tom McCaffery, aged 88, suffers from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and has stayed at Sharoe Green Hospital, Preston for more than a year, despite
-
Date
More veg, please! Wacky "greens" on their way
Food News, with Christine Rutter EATING your greens will make your hair go curly, help you see in the dark and leave a delicious taste in your mouth. Try telling the first two to your children and they'll be less than impressed. But these days they might
-
Date
Tapping Harlem review
BILLED as "The Swingingest Musical In Town", Tapping Harlem hit Preston's Charter Theatre before opening in London's West End. The set featured main character and narrator Old Avon, an elderly tapdancer reminiscing about the legendary Apollo Theatre in
-
Date
Rest assured, Rovers are OK
TONY PARKES can go into the last international break of the season 'rest' assured that Rovers are on the brink of Premiership safety. The caretaker boss said that the pressure of avoiding the drop was taking an extra lager to send him off at night - but
-
Date
Disabled Mary died alone
DISABLED pensioner Mary Noble died alone in a kitchen fire in her Bury flat. Her badly burned body was found by two shocked home care workers. The 65-year-old multiple sclerosis sufferer was still in her wheelchair. The grim discovery at the ground floor
-
Date
Heratbroken mum remembers dead son
THE heartbroken mother of John Dookie has spoken out to pay tribute to him for the first time since his tragic death. Less than a week after her son's emotional funeral Marlene Dookie described her love for the 22-year-old who died after an alleged late
-
Date
Rubbish workers dumped!
REDUNDANCY notices have been served to workers at Ramsbottom's only rubbish tip. Now, campaigners protesting against the closure of the tip, fear their "people power" battle to keep the tip open may have failed - but say their fight to ensure Ramsbottom
-
Date
Where's the booming benefits?
IT would seem that our local Tory, David Morris has once again put in his annual appearance. Perhaps he has heard there is an election. I did wonder why a local candidate wasn't chosen by the Tories - but Mr Morris's recent comments have provided the
-
Date
Bad Woolf
SANDAL 28 PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS 13 HOPPERS dominated the first quarter on Saturday (April 19) with a penalty, a try and a conversion from Steve Kerry for a ten point lead. After a nervous start, the Yorkshire Cup finalists hit back with tries from Sharp
-
Date
Ooh Aah a stolen car
AN Eric Cantona lookalike and three men were spotted tampering with a car stolen from a supermarket car park on Cuerden Way, Bamber Bridge, near Preston on April 3. The car was later recovered. A motorist in a maroon boiler suit stopped to ask a schoolgirl
-
Date
Motorway row
A CONTROVERSIAL motorway, cancelled in the wake of massive public protest, could be back on the agenda according to a local politician. South Ribble Tory candidate Robert Atkins claims the Preston Southern and Western Motorway could be back on the drawing
-
Date
Kids know their onions
CHOCOLATE flavoured carrots may sound too wacky to be true but they're just part of a campaign to get kids to 'eat their greens'. Frozen food giants - Iceland - responded to a plea from Professor Gordon McVie, of the Cancer Research Campaign, for a solution
-
Date
Masons chisel away at 'secret' image
FREEMASONS are attempting to shed their secret society image after producing a leaflet giving details about themselves. Blackburn and Darwen masons are placing the leaflet in libraries and public buildings. It gives the history of lodges in East Lancashire
-
Date
Billy sets the agenda for success
EAST Lancashire go into the first Lancashire League double header of the season - as bookies favourites - with mixed emotions. For while chairman Larry Pearson admits confidence is at all time high at the Alexandra Meadows, the burden of being championship
-
Date
Life after a kidney transplant
THE moral dilemma of Blackpool woman Susan Squires, who must choose between her sister's life and her own fear of hospitals, has stolen the mind of the nation this week. Many believe she should put her phobia aside and donate the vital bone marrow to
-
Date
Red Rose Week in full bloom!
THE borough bloomed at the weekend as Bury Hospice's main fund-raising fortnight swung into action. Thousands of pounds have already been raised for the hospice which cares for the terminally ill in Bury. And organisers say they are right on track to
-
Date
AA left me stranded claims teenager
A TEENAGER claims she was left stranded at a deserted motorway service station when Britain's so-called fourth emergency service let her down. Micahla Hill (19) says the AA refused to bring her fuel when she ran out of petrol. She was forced to sleep
-
Date
Shopmobility under threat
CASH and volunteers are urgently needed to save Bury Shopmobility. Disabled shoppers will suffer if grant cutbacks force the charity to close. The Silver Street organisation was in such financial trouble it was on the brink of going under. Manager Mr
-
Date
5 YEARS AGO: Riots warning to Britons
BRITONS heading for America were being warned to steer clear of trouble spots as the death toll from race riots reached 21. Rossendale-based tour operator Airtours said its transatlantic flights would take off as planned, but it would be keeping a close
-
Date
CRICKET: Leagues plan future
THE Lancashire League have called a meeting of other leagues in the county to discuss the future of cricket. The meeting is due to take place at Haslingden CC on May 22. It follows the collapse of the Lancashire Cricket Board's proposed Super League.
-
Date
Doctors get teeth into work
TWO doctors from Burnley General Hospital have won a national award for their work. Senior registrar Steve Chadwick and consultant Phil Banks analysed the views of orthodontic colleagues around the country on the equipment and appliances available to
-
Date
Kinney aims for Olympic squad
JUDO ace Kevin Kinney is fighting towards a place on the British Olympic squad. He won all his five contests to take gold in the U71kg class at the British Judo Association Eastern Area Open Championships in Norwich. Gold added to the bronze that 4th
-
Date
Leigh's new War of the Roses
LEIGH U15s RL schoolboys face a War of the Roses on Monday. They take on Leeds at Salford in the English National Schools Cup Final for the Dennis Davies Cup. It will be Leigh's third successive final; they beat Wigan two years ago but fell to Bradford
-
Date
Right to call time
PUBS in East Lancashire are refusing to sell the controversial alcoholic milk drinks that are the latest in the novelty booze craze. Quite right, too. For it is not just that these spirit-laced milk shakes are, like the so-called alcopops that have burst
-
Date
Lee to the four
BRITISH U16s indoor champ Lee Smethills won all his four races as Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway made an impressive start to the British Junior League. Team mate Martin Phillips dropped just one point and there were wins for Damien Hack, Daniel
-
Date
Crime blitz welcome
ENCOURAGING results are revealed today from a new-style crime crackdown by the police in East Lancashire - with burglaries down by 60 per cent and overall offences cut by 16 per cent in just one month. The tactic employed by the force in Lancashire police's
-
Date
Thanks a million! Pools winner meets Clarets scorer
BURNLEY fan Ian Harrison has personally thanked the player who made his pools win dream come true. Ian, 34, was one of 14 Nat West bank workers who shared a £1,000,594 Littlewoods pools jackpot - clinched by a last-minute Burnley equaliser against Notts
-
Date
Cross-Channel advisor
A FRENCH business student is helping out in a community advice centre dealing with debt problems. Jerome Franzina, 24, is in East Lancashire as part of an exchange with the Burnley-based organisation for budding business people with disabilities, East
-
Date
Mum attacks grave ghouls
A HEARTBROKEN mum has hit out at ghoulish thieves who stole gifts from the grave of her baby daughter. Little Tonidee Cardwell died from a heart defect in January at just two days old. Since then mum Debbie has made regular visits to her grave at St Nicholas's
-
Date
Bitter sweet for RMI
IT was odds on that, after being presented with March Unibond Team of the Month Award, Leigh RMI would turn in one of their worst displays of the season. Fortunately the promotion-chasers salvaged a point at 1-1 - but that was more to do with Great Harwood
-
Date
It's music to the ears
PROMISING to be bigger and better than ever, the John Houghton Trust Music Festival will be held at Longton Lane Community School, Rainhill, on Friday, May 9, at 4pm and Saturday, May 10, at 9.30am. The all-winners concert will take place in St Ann's
-
Date
Morris in the wars
ATHERTON LR, now certain to finish in the UniBond Division One bottom three, picked up a second successive home draw against top opposition. That 3-3 result with Droylsden was followed on Saturday by a 2-2 draw with third-placed Lincoln United. But a
-
Date
A pleasure trip to panic
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD AN eagerly-anticipated gentle river cruise turned into a panic of epic proportions for family-group passengers during an unforgettable summer season sail across the Mersey. Among those on board, along with her two small children and
-
Date
Head injury in crash
A BURY schoolgirl is recovering in hospital after sustaining a fractured skull in a road accident. Kathleen Eckersley (15) of Ormrod Street was in collision with a car in a bus lane in Rochdale Road, Bury, at the junction with Pine Street on Monday, April
-
Date
Plot remembers war dead
A PERMANENT memorial is to be established to honour the 1,078 British servicemen who died during the Korean War. The British Korean Veterans Association has agreed to participate in the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal by sponsoring a plot within the
-
Date
Jailed after third offence
A BURY man was jailed for six months for his third offence of driving while banned and fifth of drink-driving. Magistrates told John Sydney Beet, of Kingfisher Drive: "We have taken a great deal of care in considering your case but there is no alternative
-
Date
Votes day war over ammo order
AN election day row exploded between Tories and the unions over the timing of a "scare story" predicting mass job losses in East Lancashire's defence industry. The Transport and General Workers Union today accused the Government of dithering and dodging
-
Date
High-speed crash after a lovers' tiff
DRINK-driver David Nuttall did his best to outrun police and avoid arrest. A Bury court was told how Nuttall (30) of Cherwell Close, Whitefield, ignored flashing lights and sirens as he sped away in his car. He travelled at almost twice the legal speed
-
Date
Sutton hang on
SUTTON'S early season rust was still in evidence on Saturday when they were forced to hang on for a draw against St Marys College at New Street. The College were given first use of a good wicket and progressed to 50 without loss assisted by another spate
-
Date
Police hunt hi-fi raiders
A FOUR-man gang raided the shelves of a Prestwich hi-fi store as shocked staff looked on helplessly. Now, detectives are hunting the thieves who stole thousands of pounds of electrical gear from the Richer Sounds shop in Bury New Road. One of the thugs
-
Date
Visitors hold up Prescot
A STUBBORN Old Xaverians side held Prescot and Odyssey CC to a draw at Burrows Lane on Saturday. Old Xavs never even attempted to chase a P&O score of 194 when they had over 50 overs and near three hours available. They could only muster 102 for 6
-
Date
Celebration time for Cables
EARLY finishers Prescot Cables did not have any silverware to display for their 113th season efforts yet there was plenty to celebrate at last Friday's presentation of domestic awards, writes Bert Taylor. The club's continued existence in troublesome
-
Date
ELECTION 97: Sleaze - so what's new? How votes were bought in bygone days
THE accusations of sleaze traded by today's politicians would seem very tame to the hardened campaigners of the last century. The history of Blackburn's elections reflects the town's taste for plain speaking and fierce passions - and the old traditions
-
Date
Top Unitarian to visit Leigh
AN OLD boy of Leigh Grammar School has been made head of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Christian Free Churches. Rev Clifford Reed lived in Leigh from 1959-66 when his father, the late Rev Lionel Reed, was minister of the Unitarian churches at
-
Date
School drugs boys expelled
THREE teenagers have been expelled from a Preesall school after being found in possession of drugs. The 15-year-olds, who all attend St Aidan's CE High School, were caught in the school toilets by a member of staff and the police were called. Headteacher
-
Date
Revamped library one of the best
BURNLEY Central Library's refurbishment has been commended in a national awards scheme run by the Civic Trust. Out of 600 UK entries 62 were commended, 21 won awards and 38 got a special mention. The library was given a new look two years ago with an
-
Date
Thugs terrorise old lady... for £1.50
POLICE are hunting two cowardly robbers who attacked a 73-year-old woman for the measly sum of £1.50. The incident took place as the victim was making her way home along Albion Street, St Helens, at about 10.30pm on Wednesday, after visiting a local supermarket
-
Date
Ron's remarks off key
RON Freethy's apologia under the remarks of Jim Bonner (Letters, April 24), which drew attention to a somewhat questionable comment in Mr Freethy's article of April 16, is really not much better than his original comment. In his article he reported that
-
Date
Princess Royal comes to town
PRINCESS Anne is in Burnley on Monday. The Princess Royal is coming to town in her capacity as president of the British Knitting and Clothing Export Council. She will meet some of the staff when she calls at the Rylands Street premises of the garment
-
Date
Centre ofattraction
A NEW travelling youth centre for teenagers in Burnley will be touring the streets from now on. The centre is the latest idea to come from the ROBOT group - Relief or Boredom of Teenagers - and has been paid for through a grant from the Burnley Challenge
-
Date
Switch on to what's on
Your Burnley and Pendle Citizens are now publishing one of the most comprehensive regional entertainments listings on the Internet. Every week we are publishing an on-line guide to What's On around Lancashire for the forthcoming seven days. And if that's
-
Date
Ambulance drivers to fight 'draconian' accident ruling
UNION chiefs are trying to put the brakes on tough new measures against ambulance drivers involved in accidents. The proposals, aimed at improving safety records, could lead to drivers involved in two or more accidents a year undergoing a rigorous driving
-
Date
CLARETS: Shining Brass wins fans' award
YOUNG gun Chris Brass is Burnley Supporters Club Player of the Season for the 1996-97 campaign. The Supporters Club announced today that the 21-year-old defender was their unaminous choice for the coveted prize. Brass also collected the runners-up award
-
Date
Millom 23 Carnforth 3
CARNFORTH'S last 80 minutes of the 96/97 season saw them again fail to capitalise on the healthy amount of possession they received. A pulsating first half saw the ball move from end to end, Cummings and Etherington in particular putting in some crunching
-
Date
Easy rider Ed is king of the road
ED Holdgate will never forget the day in 1946 when he first sat on a motor-bike and revved the engine. "I can still remember the excitement" he says. "The emotion and feeling are beyond mere words. It doesn't happen again the next time you start an engine
-
Date
Postie's red letter day
"I WAS frenziedly smashing the glass because I couldn't open the door, I was so wound up... determined to get him out of there." This was how Stuart Villarroel, of Westbourne Road in Lancaster, described the scene as he fought bravely to rescue his unconscious
-
Date
Widen gap at Watford!
DON'T expect a Vicarage Road tea party tomorrow (April 25)! The Shakers are only ninety minutes away from Division One but there will be no premature celebrations from Stan Ternent and his men. The Bury mean machine knows that, irrespective of what others
-
Date
A bargain - but not in the basement!
BARGAIN hunters need look no further than Gigg Lane for the Spring sale of all-time. The Shakers are currently selling season tickets for 1997-98 at a discounted rate that could mean a reserved seat for just £190 (£7.30 per game adults) and £90 (£3.46
-
Date
Bobby dazzlers!
SOCCER crazy youngsters from Lancaster are challenging local bobbies to a end of season friendly next week to bolster community spirit. Teenagers from Skerton will be pitting their tackling skills against a team of coppers in a move to establish better
-
Date
Computer award
COMPUTER firm MJN Technology has won a top industry award. The Burnley firm, part of the Granville Technology Group, won the accolade from computer magazine publishers Ziff-Davies following a reader poll on mail order suppliers. Colin Silcock collected
-
Date
Derian market is huge success
SOUNDS of success resounded throughout a top tourist attraction this weekend as the first Derian House street market opened its doors. The thousands of bargain hunters, who flocked to the Magic of Coronation Street were delighted by the range of goods
-
Date
England kids' Gigg glory bid
INTERNATIONAL football comes to Gigg Lane next Tuesday (April 29) when England meet Portugal at Under18 level. The match is the first leg of an intermediary qualifier for the EUFA U18 Championships and England are in confident mood. For they are one of
-
Date
Bravery of the style girls
BRAVE arthritis sufferers are taking to the catwalk to prove the condition does not have to cramp your lifestyle. And to remind us you don't have to be over 60 to suffer, the spotlight will be on younger people. Young Arthritis Care will be putting on
-
Date
Hatters off to promotion chasing Shakers
Luton Town 0 Bury 0 LUTON, once famous only for Eric Morecambe, its airport and Lorraine Chase, has suddenly taken on a whole new significance around these parts. The Bedfordshire town will, it is almost certain, be remembered, as the place the Shakers
-
Date
John Major sides with Swampy in Citizen questionaire
WITH just six days left to decide where you will place your vote on May 1, Citizen readers have been putting the leaders of the three main parties to the test. We invited you to send in your questions to be personally answered by John Major, Tony Blair
-
Date
Death riddle of Mr Million
A "WEALTHY" conman who drove a Rolls Royce and carried a silver-topped cane was found dead in one of Blackpool's top hotels with just tuppence in his pocket. Christopher John Agar, 56, who styled himself an investment consultant, went on the run from
-
Date
Election neighbours are polls apart
PULLING no punches in the final week of the election campaign, two Fylde contenders squared up bravely for a Citizen showdown. In the red corner, Labour's John Garrett, a 6ft 4ins 14-stone former Olympic rower, faced the petite yet formidable Alison Jack
-
Date
Soccer lady shoots for glory
FRAIL old lady is not a term you would use when describing June Gregson. June, 63, from Ansdell Road, Blackpool, is as fit as a fiddle and ready to join her soccer-mad team-mates for the 80th anniversary re-union of the famous Dick Kerr's ladies football
-
Date
Mine meet in coal fight
OPENCAST mine plans for Bickershaw will be discussed on Monday at a 7pm meeting in Bickershaw Cricket Club, Bolton House Road. Meeting and anti-mining petition organiser Tommy Field, of Bolton House Road, has invited MP-hopefuls, councillors, NUM and
-
Date
Rattle 'n roll for Jack
THE White Lion pub in Market Street, Leigh, will be at the centre of a series of fund raising events in May to help those suffering from the potentially fatal disease cystic fibrosis. In the hope that as much cash as possible can be raised the event,
-
Date
"Terrorpin" scoffs a load of carp
TERRY the terrapin is heading for a new home . . . after an enterprising fishery bailiff put a bounty on the greedy freshwater tortoise which was scoffing valuable carp in a Fylde lake. Anglers visiting Greenhalgh Lodge fishery, near Kirkham, couldn't
-
Date
Peddling pedals won't do
I REALLY had to smile when reading your article, "Council's 'on yer bike' bid to beat gridlocks" (LET, April 25). In it, Coun Bill Goldsmith and Coun Sheelagh Delaney made statements like: "The priority is to get people out of their cars and onto public
-
Date
Cunliffe pledge on street crime
STERNER methods of dealing with crime have been outlined by Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Leigh, Lawrence Cunliffe. Curfews, restraining orders and exclusion zones were discussed among new community safety measures he suggested when speaking last
-
Date
Beat bobby helps stamp out crime
A BOBBY on the beat is putting his best foot forward to stamp out crime in a troubled town square. Since PC Phillip Stevenson became the new area beat officer for Clayton-le-Moors in January crime in and around the vandalism-hit Barnes Square area has
-
Date
Great sports pick up honour
A DARWEN Primary School is celebrating after picking up a top sporting honour. Holy Trinity School, Bank Top, Darwen, scooped the North West Sports Award from the National Playing Field Association after they were judged to be best for sports. To win
-
Date
Joyful news for hole-in-the-heart baby
THE parents of a hole-in-the-heart baby have received amazing news at a time when they needed it most. Heart specialists have given Dave and Mandy Ryan's two-year-old daughter Shannon the all-clear and told her not to return for a check up for another
-
Date
Campaigners dig deep to keep Guild green
FIELD FIGHTERS pledged £2,000 in a single night for the fight to have Wesley Guild in Pennington declared a village green. Campaigners were delighted when more than 200 people turned out at a public meeting at Leigh Cricket Club. They say it demonstrates
-
Date
Cry for help as town crier prepares for debut
ROSSENDALE'S town crier Pete Gill is on the lookout for a skilled embroiderer who can do justice to the borough's coat of arms. The finishing touches are being put to his town crier's uniform which will make its debut during the Mayor's Charity Fun Day
-
Date
Police vow to tackle gangs of yobs
POLICE are set to double up the number of beat bobbies in a troubled Hyndburn town to get to grips with louts who have terrorised resident. Vandalism, verbal abuse and threats of violence from gangs of up to 30 youths are an unpalatable daily fact of
-
Date
Lottery dad fails to bail drugs charge son
A LOTTERY millionaire failed on Tuesday to save his son from being kept in jail on a £1m drug smuggling plot. Retired haulage contractor Ken White offered a substantial part of his £6.6m windfall for his son, Richard, to be released on bail at Manchester
-
Date
Firebugs wreck fair man's charity dream
PRICELESS fairground equipment used to help raise thousands of pounds for charity has been destroyed by firebugs. And devastated owner Jonathon Hall has blasted the thieves who have wrecked his life's pride and joy. Mr Hall, aged 71, from Luciol Close
-
Date
Sweet victory for champions
CHAMPIONS Longridge got off to a good start on the opening Saturday (April 19) of the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield at home to Springfields, they took first knock and scored 159-7. Stuart Proctor top scored with 32, in reply Springfields were bowled
-
Date
Seedy questions from radio DJ
ROCK FM's zany DJ Kev Seed made Tony Blair see red - when he quizzed him whether he ironed his own underpants. The madcap radio presenter and Citizen columnist put the Labour leader on the spot with a series of wacky questions. Kev said: "I didn't want
-
Date
Businessman to help young footballers
A PRESTON businessman has pledged to put up the cash to stop talented young footballers being lured away to bigger clubs. John Oxley has a vision for the youngsters he coaches - he wants Bamber Bridge Under-12s to have their own pitch, changing rooms
-
Date
Chance for young rugby stars
SOUTH Ribble and Preston High School Rugby League Tournament is being staged on Saturday (April 26) at Moss-side, Leyland. Leyland Warriors are hosting the tournament for the first time. Six schools are taking: Leyland St Mary's GM, Worden High School
-
Date
Jobs pledge after ward closes
STAFF at Sharoe Green Hospital in Preston have been assured their jobs are safe - despite an announcement last week that one of its three post-natal wards is to close. Trust managers confirmed there will be no redundancies incurred in the cost-cutting
-
Date
So you really, really wanna be a Spice Girl?
WHAT Adele Atherton wants, what she really, really wants is a partner. Rock FM's very own Geri Spice needs a zany helper for when the Red Rose Thundertruck goes on the road this summer with a series of roadshows across the county. But Adele, 22, may just
-
Date
Police become life-savers
POLICE officers throughout the county could soon be issued with vital life-saving equipment if a trial scheme proves successful. Lancashire Constabulary have teamed with Lancashire Ambulance Service to issued officers with automatic heart defibrillators
-
Date
Treble revels for Athletic
LEIGH ATHLETIC are three-time winners. They clinched their third Premier Division crown in five seasons with a 3-1 win at Bolton Wyresdale. With one game remaining they are a massive EIGHT points clear of their nearest rivals in the Lancashire Amateur
-
Date
Lib Dems say 'no' to fly-posting
AS a Liberal Democrat I would like to inform Mr Oxley (last Week's Journal Mailbox) that we do not support the practice of fly-posting. I agree with Mr Oxley that fly-posting is unsightly, but there is no need for our party to remove such posters when
-
Date
Youths wow judges with religious magazine
Well now's your chance to find out. The youth group of the Church of the Redeemer, Shadsworth, have won the the Lancashire heat of a national magazine competition with their entry called "Rave". The magazine was voted the best of 26 entries and will now
-
Date
Kids fed up of wacky veg!
YEEUUCH! That was the verdict of young Preston testers who gave the big thumbs-down to chocolate flavoured carrots and pizza flavoured sweetcorn. Wacky Veg is the latest from Iceland frozen food bosses who say flavoured veggies such as cheese and onion
-
Date
Hough applauds Guild fight
I WAS interested to read Andrew Oxley's letter (last week's Mailbox), charging the Wesley Guild campaigners with 'fly posting', and asking if I was in favour of it. The Wesley Guild group did not consult me on this, and neither should they have, as it
-
Date
Youngster gets handy in theatre of dreams
OLD TRAFFORD lived up to its nickname the Theatre of Dreams when a young Leyland goalkeeper played for his country in front of a 35,000 crowd. Michael Bingham, 15, was struck down by tonsilitis the day before the big game, but regardless of his illness
-
Date
Galactic giggles are out of this world
SPACE aged humour and intergalactic giggles are set to land in Blackburn later this month in a play the promises to be a real tongue twister. For Blackburn Drama Club are currently putting the finishing touches to one of the longest titled comedies around
-
Date
Dream home is ruined by building site
A COUPLE say their dream home has been destroyed by a building firm who have positioned a giant compound at the bottom of their garden. Jeff and Judith Gettings spent two years living in a caravan as they built their home and beautiful garden - only for
-
Date
Accident staff finance new medical books
ACCIDENT and emergency staff are rolling their sleeves up and pulling out all the stops to raise cash for expensive medical books. So far the team, from Blackburn Royal Infirmary, have raised around £500 to stock up their department's library with up-to-date
-
Date
"Terrorpin" scoffs a load of carp
TERRY the terrapin is heading for a new home . . . after an enterprising fishery bailiff put a bounty on the greedy freshwater tortoise which was scoffing valuable carp in a Fylde lake. Anglers visiting Greenhalgh Lodge fishery, near Kirkham, couldn't
-
Date
Call line - just what the doctor ordered!
THE number of doctors' emergency house calls has been slashed by two-thirds - and patients say the new policy is just the medicine. BARDOC - Bury and Rochdale Doctors on Call - was set up last year aiming to make the best use of GPs' time. It offers telephone
-
Date
Ballet review
WORLD class dancers tiptoed on to the stage of Preston's Charter Theatre on Sunday for a delightful performance of Coppelia. The fairytale classic was enacted by the European Ballet under the exquisite choreography and direction of the troupe's founder
-
Date
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, It's Supergran!
ACTION woman Annie Murray is still making a splash at the ripe old age of 84. For the sprightly supergran likes nothing more than enjoying the thrills and spills of life and over the last decade has taken part in just about every activity going - including
-
Date
Valiant Stanley lose a cup but win friends
IF the gamble didn't pay off for plucky Accrington then it certainly did for Southport as they raced to a 3-0 victory in the ATS Cup final at Deepdale. For while manager Tony Greenwood risked on the fitness of keeper Steve Berryman - it was Dave Gamble
-
Date
Honours list disgusting
ONCE again, we have seen the abomination they call an honours list published. I find the entire ritual not only disgusting, but also an insult to the public in general, and the elevation of Doug Hoyle to the House of Lords (LET, April 23) only strengthens
-
Date
Bridge out of danger
BOSTON UNITED 1 BAMBER BRIDGE 1 AFTER Bamber Bridge's recent shaky form this well earned draw at promotion hopefuls Boston on Saturday (April 19) gave a welcome lift to David May's side as the season edges to its conclusion. And coming on the back of
-
Date
Camera could zoom in on rowdy youths
LEADING citizens are taking on local yobs with the aid of a spy camera. Ramsbottom Rotary Club is considering buying a mobile video camera in the fight to catch youths in the act. The move follows a successful trial scheme by police last year. It is in
-
Date
First vegetarian curry night
KORMA along for a quiz and curry night in Preston - but there's strictly no animals allowed! The gastronomical get-together is organised by Vega, Preston's vegetarian and vegan group, meaning all the grub up for grabs is meat-free. Just turn-ip and answer
-
Date
New scheme for stressed out cops
STRESSED-out bobbies are welcoming the chance to take advantage of six locally-based counsellors. The new scheme, which is to replace the former one-man counselling service based at police headquarters in Hutton, will provide advice to the county's force
-
Date
Kev Seed's words of wisdom
Here's an interesting fact: A hamster can keep up to half its body size in its cheek pouches. So that's why the Chancellor of the Exchequer looks like he does! A working model of the first ever Toyota car has been made, measuring just 4.785 millimetres
-
Date
'Breathalyse all crash drivers' - campaigner
A RADCLIFFE man who saw his best friend killed in a drink-drive accident has launched a campaign for automatic breath-testing. Mr Thomas Killoran, of Bolton Road, wants all drivers involved in car accidents to be breathalysed and seeks the introduction
-
Date
PNE 1 Stockport 0
NORTH END, to the relief of their excellent supporters, will be playing second division football next season. They secured their status with this battling win against a country side which dominated for long periods but failed to put away any of the chances
-
Date
School drugs shock
ONE boy has been expelled and three suspended at Parrenthorn High School, Prestwich, after being caught smoking drugs. The four were caught smoking a substance - believed to be cannabis - in garages on a nearby housing estate last Thursday (April 17)
-
Date
Rain-free April won't leave stocks high and dry
AN unusually dry April has failed to dampen North West Water's belief that they will be able to avoid any restrictions for customers this summer. Despite only 40 per cent of anticipated rain falling in April, reservoir stocks throughout the region now
-
Date
Crime crackdown 'just the beginning'
CRIMINALS blitzed by a new get-tough police operation have been warned: We've only just begun. The message was delivered by the head of Lancashire's new Eastern Police Division, after it was revealed crime had been cut dramatically since its launch on
-
Date
Rape charge man carried out suicide threat
A MAN charged with rape fulfilled his grim prophecy to kill himself. After he had told his girlfriend he was going to gas himself in a car, the body of Dennis Proudfoot was discovered in his fume-filled and fire-damaged vehicle. An inquest was told on
-
Date
10 YEARS AGO: Baker bombshell for schools
EDUCATION Secretary Kenneth Baker dropped an education bombshell during a visit to East Lancashire. He announced at a meeting in Nelson and Colne College that he was considering introducing measures enabling parents to send children to the school of their
-
Date
CRICKET: Wasim boost for struggling Lancs
WASIM AKRAM is set to return for Lancashire tomorrow - as captain. The Pakistani Test star expects to sail through a final fitness test on his shoulder before the Benson and Hedges Cup tie against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. And with Mike Watkinson still
-
Date
TABLE TENNIS: Chinese din at top table
Brian Doogan reports from the World Championships in Manchester THEY'RE calling it the biggest event ever to be held in Britain, a grand claim for a ping pong tournament. The 44th World Table Tennis Championships are in their second week and Manchester's
-
Date
No guarantees
IN your Opinion column, "Public must be told why Levi was left to die" (LET, April 23) one point stood out and that was the child's mother was an inadequate parent. We cannot guarantee in any family that there will always be an adequate mother or father
-
Date
Khalid swoops for super sixth
TYLDESLEY swimmers hit the medal trail at the sixth Central Lancashire Age Group meeting. And 12-year-old Khalid Jhugroo made it a clean sweep, taking a sixth Gold from this series of galas with a PB in the 200 individual medley. Jenny Sparks knocked
-
Date
The shape of things to come?
IT IS THE timing, rather than the speculative substance, of the warning today of mass job losses in East Lancashire's defence industry that ought to raise eyebrows. For what is one to make of the deliberate withholding until today - polling day - of a
-
Date
Dawn meeting to set out school's aims
MORE than 50 guests from local schools, colleges, businesses and other groups have been invited to a breakfast meeting to officially launch the first specialist school in Pendle. Mansfield High School, Brierfield, will be designated a technology college
-
Date
Kings is best by far
DANIEL KINGS put in a 'royal' command performance for Atherton SC at the Lancashire Age Group Gala . He swam a PB in the 200m butterfly - going an incredible nine seconds under the National Qualifying Time. Another PB and NQT followed in the 200 freestyle
-
Date
Tears to joy as cancer boy's dog is found
LITTLE cancer victim Alan Ashley Wells was in tears when his beloved dog - his reward for bravely facing surgery - had gone missing. But today after his family launched an intensive ten hour search, his tearaway Yorkshire terrier Kimberley is back with
-
Date
Double act set Golborne galloping
GOLBORNE have posted early notice that they will not be giving up their Vimto Bolton Association title easily. The champions scored a nine-wicket success at Elton, mainly thanks to two of the players who made telling contributions to Golborne's success
-
Date
Alert on power line hazards
ELECTRICITY bosses have issued a warning to people to steer clear of power lines and sub-stations. Manweb are alerting people to the dangers of flying kites, model aircraft or balloons near overhead power lines following two recent incidents in which
-
Date
Eg race leaves 'em on low Mark
A PENALTY from Mark Hudspith was scant reward for Leigh RU as they crashed 35-3 at Egremont. Injuries and unavailability wrecked their hopes before they kicked a ball in anger and the final whistle came as both relief to Leigh and the Cumbrian spectators
-
Date
Sex attacker dressed as a woman
POLICE in St Helens are asking people to be on their guard following an incident in which a teenage girl was indecently assaulted by a man dressed as a woman. The 15 year old was walking home along Derbyshire Hill Road in Parr near the Horseshoe pub at
-
Date
Richard to the rescue
POLICE have praised a Prescot dad whose quick thinking saved a young boy from drowning. Richard Moore, from Hilary Close, was enjoying a leisurely stroll along Liverpool's Brunswick Dock with his wife Caron and two-year-old daughter Alice at about 6.30pm
-
Date
Latham's defence in a dither
THE FINGER of blame was pointed firmly at the defence as Leigh spluttered their way into the thick of the promotion battle. Seven tries scored yet five conceded against the league's bottom club tells its own sorry story. "We got it only half-right," admitted
-
Date
Let's protect our past!
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD IS nothing sacred? I hear there's a move afoot to erect a large advertisement hoarding in such a position as to overshadow the Friends' Meeting House, an ancient and picturesque place of Quaker worship at the top of Church Street,
-
Date
Company collapses 'seasonal'
THE number of North West company collapses has risen for the third quarter running. Figures compiled by accountants KPMG show that receivers were called into 45 companies in the region between January and March compared with 36 in the final quarter of
-
Date
Salute for Labour stalwart John
RETIRING St Helens North MP John Evans will be returning to Westminster following the General Election after all - as a Life Peer in the House of Lords! The 66-year old who served as an MP for 23 years before announcing his decision to step down last
-
Date
Arthur stakes claim to £4 million
ARTHUR Prescott is hoping to make the move from retired miner to millionaire after staking his claim for a staggering £4 million National Lottery win. The pigeon-fancier from Parr is keeping his fingers crossed after posting off his lucky ticket for confirmation
-
Date
Hospice appeal hits the target
HUNDREDS of volunteer fundraisers all over the area had that champagne feeling this week after the St Helens and Knowsley Hospice Appeal Fund finally hit its target of £1.8 million. Over the last six years, people in St Helens and Knowsley have pulled
-
Date
Clowning around in St Petersburg!
A LITTLE magic means Europe's youngest clown will be taking to the international stage this summer. Gareth Ellis - better known as Bippo the Clown - has spent the last twelve months raising money for his trip to the Pushkin Town Festival in Russia. On
-
Date
Woman's bedroom burglar terror
A FRIGHTENED 75-year-old Whitefield woman awoke to discover a burglar in her bedroom. But after a struggle with the brave pensioner, the man fled the house in Whalley Road empty-handed. Now, detectives are anxious for any information which could trap
-
Date
Ten-year ban on director
A DIRECTOR of a shutdown Bury company has been disqualified from holding any such appointment for ten years. Robert Carey was also a director of similar businesses in Old Trafford and Barking in Essex. The disqualification was issued at Manchester District
-
Date
Eddie Quigley, Shaker who twice broke transfer records
FORMER Bury FC player Eddie Quigley, who was twice transferred for record fees, has died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, aged 75. He was born in Radcliffe but later moved to Fleetwood. He leaves a widow Elsie, a son and daughter and four grandchildren
-
Date
Uri ups his reward offer
URI Geller has increased his reward for information leading to the return of student hostage Paul Wells and three other Westerners.The celebrity spoon-bender has increased his initial offer from £35,000 to £50,000. Supporters of the Hostages In Kashmir
-
Date
Two cars torched in latest arson attack
TWO cars have been torched by a firebug in the latest in a series of vehicle arson attacks to plague the Redvales area of Bury. In just over a month, eight vehicles have been extensively damaged in a spate of mystery blazes. And police have revealed that
-
Date
Election blues - or reds?
IS ANYONE else fed up with the election campaign? Oh, you all are! Well what a surprise. And I suppose that, like me, you have had a bit of a conscience about your lack of interest. Yes, I know that our forefathers fought a desperate fight for emancipation
-
Date
Hangman's pub swings onto market
ONE of Whitefield's most famous pubs is to be sold. The Junction Inn became well-known because for a time the publican was the country's official hangman. And although for sale, the pub will not close. The business, at Besses junction, Bury New Road,
-
Date
Landowners' charity aims to open up country
A CHARITY supported by farmers and landowners in the Ribble Valley and across the country is aiming to hand out £1m in grants by the year 2000. The Country Landowner's Association Charitable Trust is supported entirely by donations from its members and
-
Date
Aussies at Gallipoli Day parade
AUSTRALIA'S government will be represented when Bury remembers its fallen heroes during the 82nd annual Gallipoli Day parade. The bravery of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who went on to win the famous "six VCs before breakfast" during the storming of W Beach
-
Date
Heath's Wembley dream comes true.
A SQUAD of cup heroes are to be treated with a Wembley appearance -12 months after a historic victory, writes Rod Winstanley. Thatto Heath became one of only four amateur teams to defeat professional opposition in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup when they
-
Date
Rescue bid for top firm
A DEAL could be struck within days to bale out Nationwide Telephone Company which has collapsed with the loss of 60 jobs. Hopes are high a buyer could be in place to rescue the cash stricken award-winning firm early next week. However, the move may be
-
Date
Graham's sparkle lifts the gloom
Exeter 45 Liverpool St Helens 14 TWO brilliant individualtries by scrum-half Graham Eldoy both converted by Paul Brett were the only tangible LSH response to a thoroughly professional display by promotion chasing Exeter on Saturday. Exeter dominated in
-
Date
Rough justice for Town
St Helens Town 0 Clitheroe 2 WITH just three minutes left, the width of the crossbar denied Town an equaliser and a just result. But insult was added to injury when from the clearance, Clitheroe broke into the vacated space at the back to add a second
-
Date
Seen Fred's missing medal?
POSTMAN Fred McKenna is appealing to Star readers to help trace a distinctive silver medal which was lost during his town-centre rounds. The medal, which belonged to Fred's grandmother, Ellen Neilson, is about the size of a 50 pence piece and is imprinted
-
Date
Armed police go on patrol
POLICE in St Helens have launched a public reassurance campaign by posting armed officers around the town centre in the run-up to the May elections. The high-profile operation was devised by Merseyside Police as part of a countywide initiative to reassure
-
Date
Saints cash in on Wolves' howlers
Saints 60 Warrington Wolves 16 STRUGGLING in their previous two outings, superb Saints quickly regained their touch with this ravenous 11-try devouring of the woeful Wolves at Knowsley Road on Sunday. And no Warrington player felt the draught more than
-
Date
Bright ideas for road art
ENVIRONMENTALISTS at Groundwork St Helens are planning an 'art attack' on the town with plans for a number of sculptures to be displayed on the roundabouts along the M62 link road. The aim behind the scheme is to create a positive impression of St Helens
-
Date
Anfield date for champs
CHAMPIONS Saints break new ground when they play Castleford Tigers at Liverpool FC's Anfield home on Sunday, kick-off 3pm. It will be Saints' first appearance at the Carling Premier League side's superbly-appointed stadium, and the Knowsley Road club
-
Date
My ancient Fol-Dol poser
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD CAN anyone remember Fol-Dol Row - an ancient terrace of low-level cottages at Parr? The query is posed by Susan Helsby of Hamblett Crescent, Haresfinch, who with partner Ged Marsden, is about to breathe new life into the recently-shuttered
-
Date
Sex attack hunt
POLICE are still searching for the two men who indecently assaulted a woman in the park area between Metcalfe Street and Lever Street, Padiham, on Sunday, April 12. After leaving a taxi at 10.30p.m. the woman was pulled to the ground by a man who put
-
Date
Family Thias
THE Bells of Burnley are a family not to be messed with! Mum Margaret, dad Philip, their four daughters and one son are all experts in the far-eastern art of Thai boxing. Aimie, 12, is proving to be a skilled fighter - she's won three out of three competition
-
Date
Coke on the water!
THE last Lancaster barge is set to become the newest night out. Every Thursday The Lady Fiona will make its way up the canal with up to 55 clubbers on board grooving to the latest dance music. The 'Meltdown' night has been organised by local promoters
-
Date
Skaters' plan falls through a lack of funding
LEISURE chiefs are getting their skates on to try and find areas for the latest teenager sports craze. Officers at Pendle Council have been inundated with requests from youngsters and parents for areas to practise in-line trick skating and street hockey
-
Date
Probe into lake death
AN investigation is under way after a 55-year-old student drowned in a diving accident at Capernwray quarry lake on Sunday afternoon. Julie Bedford died after she and a fellow student diver got into difficulties when they were separated from their diving
-
Date
Pubs call time on milk bar kids
LANDLORDS are to snub a controversial new alcoholic milk amid fears it will entice under-age drinkers. Pubs across East Lancashire will refuse to sell the strong drink following claims it is being targeted at young people. And two major breweries said
-
Date
Queeen's export award
A COMPANY in Fence has won the Queen's Award for Export Achievement. The furnishings firm Panaz was on Monday named in an elite group of companies which have enjoyed outstanding success in selling their products abroad. Just 11 North-West firms won the
-
Date
Tyke's revenge on Raynor
Lancaster boss Gordon Raynor saw his side bow under relentless pressure of his old club, Guiseley, on Saturday. City had plenty of chances to get something from the game but they wasted their attacks and the Yorkshire side always threatened to score.
-
Date
Aid for ex-servicemen
THE Royal British Legion's Burnley social club has closed - but the organisation continues to do its vital work for the town's ex-servicemen and women and their dependants. The branch, based at 60 Lindsay Street, is still open and active and provides
-
Date
Sleeping with the enemy!
Morecambe 0 Stalybridge Celtic 0 It was a record breaking night at Christie Park on Tuesday but for all the wrong reasons. Morecambe's lowest crowd of the season saw the Shrimps notch up their first goalless draw of the season in a dull and dire and encounter
-
Date
Great school - if they turn up
TEACHERS at Towneley High School in Burnley are doing a great job - but some of their older pupils are missing out because they do not bother to turn up. OFSTED inspectors say many pupils did better in GCSE examinations than might have been thought probable
-
Date
School drugs boys expelled
THREE teenagers have been expelled from a Preesall school after being found in possession of drugs. The 15-year-olds, who all attend St Aidan's CE High School, were caught in the school toilets by a member of staff and the police were called. Headteacher
-
Date
Killer blow
Morecambe 2 Kidderminster 3 WHATEVER you can do we can do better was the hard lesson Morecambe were forced to face at Christie Park on Saturday. Twice Morecambe took the lead, twice Kidderminster bounced back and then with six minutes left the title challengers
