Archive
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Letter:These changes will put us streets ahead!
Mrs Wendy Allen's letter asked why the city council is upgrading the streets around Dalton Square at the same time that North West Water is working in Rosemary Lane. The works at Sulyard Street, Friar Street and Bridge Street were originally to have taken
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Adios to the summer sun
BLACKPOOL summer flights to Majorca will be axed next year after failing to take off with customers. But winter bookings to mainland Spain and Tenerife are buoyant and airport chiefs hope another tour company may step in with summer flights abroad. Tour
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Defeat leaves Shakers on a tightrope
BURY 0, IPSWICH TOWN 1 IF there was any justice in the world then Bury's trip to London next weekend would be an end-of-season holiday outing. Instead, Sunday afternoon's clash at Loftus Road becomes the biggest game of the season - a make or break 90
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Woman escapes fire attack
A MARTON woman escaped being trapped in her flat by minutes when arsonists set fire to her neighbour's empty home. Police are investigating three cases of arson in the past three months at the privately-owned flat in Boston Way which has been vacant for
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Daws nicks Player of the Season title
NICK Daws collected the Bury FC Player of the Season award this week, describing it as the 'ultimate honour.' The ever-present midfielder, who has played in the last 124 consecutive league matches, admitted he was totally surprised when his name was read
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Bore draw ends Shrimps' season
Morecambe 1 Farnborough 1 THIS result put paid to Morecambe's attempt to gain a top three place. At least Shrimps an excuse for their lacklustre performance in this match. They had played out a 1-1 draw with Leek Town the night before and had Tuesday's
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Downbeat draw
TEDIOUS is the only way to describe Blackpool's half-hearted match as the Tangerines finished the season off with a tiresome 1-1 draw on Saturday (May 2) away to Chesterfield. The first half was, in actual fact, dreadful. Chesterfield defended by pumping
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Someone must have seen her...
A 44-YEAR-OLD Morecambe woman was raped after being bundled into a car in broad daylight, dragged into a house and blindfolded with a pillow case. The woman had just left a phone box at the junction of Albert and Claremont Road when a man grabbed her
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Drug centre's extension bid
AN expanding addiction treatment centre hopes neighbours can be cured - of prejudice. Privately-run Pierpoint House, St Annes, has applied to open its third centre in June, offering a secure, drug-free base for recovered patients to stay while they restart
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Roll call
BRIAN Pringle is expanding his role! Brian was appointed two years ago as national sales manager for Gaskell Textiles tufted carpet tile products. Now he has been made responsible for the Clayton-le-Moors company's Forum ranges of carpets and tiles. throughout
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Trouble in store
PLANS for a possible Sainsbury superstore in Poulton have provoked complaints from traders - but few from residents Wigan-based developers Trinity Investments' plan for a small to medium edge-of-town supermarket - believed to be for Sainbury's - is expected
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Letter:Waste not...want not
Sue Paylor (Letters, April 30) is quite right to emphasise the importance of the second stage of the Nightingale Hall Farm inquiry. The public response at the first stage was magnificent. Residents from Freehold the Ridge and many other parts of the city
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Emma's dream day at the zoo
A POORLY Lowton youngster's dream came true with a trip to Chester Zoo. Emma Davies, 8, of Milldale Road, suffers from the rare C.H.A.R.G.E. Syndrome. She was born deaf and in 1992 had open heart surgery. Animal loving Emma, who helps feed the family's
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A fun way to raise money
MIRTH, mayhem and a good old-fashioned kickabout have all helped swell the fund for the MRI Scanner Appeal. Friendly rivalry was in abundance as fundraisers from all walks of life took part in three separate events, all with the emphasis on fun. Kicking
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Bed firm profits soar to £16.6m
SHAREHOLDERS in bed giant Silentnight can sleep soundly tonight after the firm announced a leap in profits. The Barnoldswick-based firm, which employs more than 4,000 people manufacturing beds and cabinet furniture, saw pre-tax profits increase by 16
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George is an extra-ordinary fellow
A LOCAL teacher is set to join an army of Millennium fellows created to celebrate the year 2000. George Pike will receive an academic type award and medal at a special "graduation" ceremony hoped to be held at Greenwich Dome. Millennium commissioner,
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Comedy rules ok!
BLACKPOOL should be rocking with laughter this weekend as its first Comedy Festival reaches a climax. Events range from street theatre to big name stars, with clown and comedy workshops for those who fancy raising their own laughs. Organised by the Town
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Companies are flying the flag
MANUFACTURING firms are hoping to win a clutch of orders after flying the flag for East Lancashire. A total of 15 companies were represented on the East Lancashire Manufacturing stand at a major subcontracting exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham. The
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Light of Steve's life
STEVE Morris plans to light up the lives of poetry fans with his first book of fun verse. An employee of Wigan Council's engineering staff his comical musings have been published as "Knicker Night and Other Tales." Although street lighting technician
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56% back Xanadu go-ahead
TUESDAY'S go-ahead for the £150 million Xanadu project has the backing of the majority of Journal readers. In an exclusive National Opinion Poll survey commissioned by The Journal, 56% of those questioned agreed with the mega-leisure complex planned for
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May festival full of fun!
ANOTHER fun-filled Festival Week rolls into action in Atherton from Saturday. Nine days of jollity will include an antiques roadshow, line dancing and a cemetery walk! The event opens on the Saturday with a charity market at the Jubilee Hall, Crabtree
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Tom Parker talks to manager David Moyes
DAVID Moyes was delighted to get the point which at last guaranteed safety for North End. On the match Moyes said: "We were under pressure and they hit the woodwork, but we had as many chances as them and we could have won." He said he was pleased with
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Xanadu heads for reality
WIGAN Planning Committee unanimously backed the £150m leisure complex and referred the Greenbank Partnerships Ltd and Moorfield Estates Plc application to Secretary of State for the Environment Mr John Prescott. Mr Prescott will have to deliberate on
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Citizen reunites old friends
THE Citizen is happy to announce that last week's Brief Encounter has a sequel. Just hours after last week's paper hit the streets, our front page story was causing quite a commotion. The story began when Kent newspaper man Bill Moss asked us to track
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Hospital equipment being used over and over again
EQUIPMENT from the Royal Preston Hospital is still being used in a disaster-torn former Soviet state, years after it should have been abandoned. Desperate doctors in the Ukraine, which was destroyed by the Chernobyl explosion in 1986, are being forced
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Cash hope for m-way homes
BELEAGUERED residents living near to Lancashire's newest motorway have been given the go-ahead to claim compensation after property prices went into freefall. The Highways Agency, responsible for the M65 which opened in December, is inviting people living
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Ex-prisoners of war to snub Queen
FORMER Japanese prisoners of war from Preston are heading for London to protest against a top military honour for Japan's Emperor. Scores of the town's war veterans will descend on the capital next month, to witness the Queen presenting Emperor Akihito
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Inmates let out to play badminton
INMATES at a Leyland prison are looking forward to 24 hours of freedom, with a catch. The six prisoners are to dedicate their day off to a marathon badminton session with prison officers and civilian staff at HMP Wymott. The sponsored event, set to last
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Fair deal for residents
COUNCILLORS have announced the launch of a 'fair deal' for all residents. Services and new opportunities are to be made equally available to all Hyndburn residents, thanks to Hyndburn Council's new Equal Opportunities Strategy. The strategy outlines the
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Sports Club bids again for new site
PLANS to find a new home for Bolton Road Sports Club have been put back before the council - only weeks after it rejected the move. The sports club and developers Wainhomes have submitted revised plans for the land near Dow Lane in Bury, with access from
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Captain Sean is your player of the season
STAR player Sean Gregan was delighted when he got a call from the Citizen telling him he was our player of the season. Sean has excelled in both central defence and midfield this season, while taking charge of a disrupted team. "It's always nice to receive
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University described as tacky chip shop
BOSSES at the University of Central Lancashire and furious tourism chiefs have hit out at a new book which likens Preston's campus to 'a Benidorm fish and chip shop'. The Push Guide to Universities, published by McGraw Hill, is available to all further
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Residents hold the key
RESIDENT power could result in better housing on a council estate. That's the claim of volunteers on the Chesham Fold Estate bidding to take control from Bury Council. Chesham Fold Tenant Management Organisation believes a "yes" vote from residents to
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Busway issues are answered
I WAS interested to read the comments of Mr T.A.Bell regarding Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's proposals for a high quality busway between Leigh and Manchester (Waiting for the train! Journal Mailbox March 26). His letter raised a number
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Football fanatic launches own team to raise money
FOOTBALL fanatic Michael Farrow has hit on an idea which could save more lives than goals. The Penwortham teenager and his soccer-mad mates are helping him raise money for a charity close to Michael's heart. Aged just 14, Michael, of Margaret Road, has
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Police target 'show off' students
TRAFFIC police have vowed to stop student drivers using a Leyland road as a fast-track to college. Langdale Road has become a regular rat run for teenage speeders - often driving their parents' powerful saloon cars - who tear down the road at speeds well
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Crime warning for residents
POLICE have issued a warning to home and vehicle owners to be more security conscious after thieves went on the rampage in Darwen. A total of 33 houses and business premises and 15 vehicles were broken into in the space of a week with a big increase over
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Citizen is pushed through a door in California
THIS is the much-travelled Preston Citizen newspaper, pushed through a door 6,000 miles away in California. The January 8 edition of our newspaper has found its way to Monterey - to former Preston resident Doreen Tovey. Most of Doreen's family now live
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New strip laid bare!
IT was marked to be one of the biggest announcements of the Premier League season at Ewood Park. No, not a major signing but the launch of Rovers new strip. That was until the humble football fanzine stepped in and grabbed the exclusive for itself, thanks
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Ian Rigby looks back at North End's 1937/38 season
BLACK Saturday - that was the unwanted headline of the local newspaper after Preston North End's final home game of the 1937/38 season. The 1-3 defeat inflicted upon the Lilywhites by fellow championship contenders Arsenal not only meant that the dream
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MP appointed to crime committee
THE man who highlighted crime fears on the Polefield estate in Parliament is now charged with doing something about it. Bury South MP Ivan Lewis has been appointed to the standing committee of the Crime and Disorder Bill. The committee will scrutinise
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MP to question bosses over Leyland Trucks sale
SOUTH Ribble MP David Borrow is set to quiz bosses at Leyland Trucks after it was announced that the firm has been sold to lorry giant PACCAR. Mr Borrow will meet managers at Leyland's largest employer tomorrow (Friday). He expressed concern about the
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Set sail into the Millennium
BURY will mark the Millennium by retracing the remarkable journey of a local pioneer who founded a Quaker colony in America more than 300 years ago. The ambitious project is expected to cost around £500,000 and will involve dozens of young people from
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Arthur plans Japanese visit demo
A FORMER Japanese prisoner of war who grew up in East Lancashire is planning a big protest outside Buckingham Palace against a visit by the Emperor of Japan. Old soldier Arthur Titherington, who lived in Darwen until he joined up in the Second World War
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Call for proxy vote review after town hall elections
VOTERS throughout Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale were at the polls today in the district council elections. In Burnley all eyes are on the Lowerhouse ward, where Labour are actively canvassing for a candidate who is no longer a member of their party.
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Mum's anger over bullied daughter
THE mother of a teenager who endured two years of bullying at the hands of seven fellow pupils has slammed the school where the problem began. Mrs Ann Todd (38), of Lily Hill Street, Whitefield, claims her 15-year-old daughter Helen Morley was forced
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Bury's Streets Ahead!
HEADLESS men, blood-sucking leeches, Indian sand painting and non-stop music - all will fill the streets of Bury town centre on Bank Holiday Monday. Everyone is invited to enjoy a day of free entertainment at this year's Streets Ahead festival. The whole
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Shop investigation
A SEX shop which sprang up overnight on a busy town centre street was being investigated by police and council officials. Traders arriving for work in Park Road, Lower Audley, Blackburn, were stunned to see the brightly-coloured Pirate Shop, with its
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Local Elections: Parties have their say
BURY goes to the polls next week with a third of the 48 seats on Bury Council up for grabs. Some 49 candidates are standing across the borough, with the three main parties up in virtually every ward. Here are statements from the three main party leaders
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Crews fight mill blaze
FIRE crews battled to control a blaze as it tore through a mill in the early hours. Flames leapt 30 feet into the roof of a mill in Duckworth Street, Church and glass from the windows showered onto the road below. Billowing smoke could be seen miles away
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Refuse clearance service slammed as rubbish
ROBERT Robinson thinks Burnley Council's refuse clearance is a load of old rubbish - and he is considering legal action to try and prove it. Mr Robinson said he complained about a backyard on Ford Street, Duke Bar, two weeks ago and, despite repeated
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Education the priority
REGARDING your story (LET, May 2) about a 15-year-old girl being banned from school for wearing a nose stud, to me, it is unbelievable that a mother thinks a stud in her daughter's nose is more important than her education. We all have to abide by rules
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CRICKET: Lancashire's cup dilemma
LANCASHIRE faced a run rate dilemma in their latest Benson & Hedges Cup qualifying game at Trent Bridge today, writes ANDY WILSON. They went into their fourth match against Notts back down in third place in their group, after victories for Leicestershire
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BRAMWELL SPEAKS OUT: How the Al-mighty has fallen
ALAN Shearer is used to worrying defences, writes NEIL BRAMWELL. But no Premiership or international rearguard will have had as many sleepless nights as the defence lined up for his FA hearing. The player himself - once dubbed the Al-mighty by our good
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Turf Moor fans may lose their tickets a third time
SEASON ticket holders at Turf Moor are up in arms that they are set to lose their seats for the third time in as many years! And two unlucky fans determined to keep their seats have already protested to the club and are urging all the 230 affected ticket
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Fear over chemical leak
AN INQUIRY was demanded today after residents were woken by a late night chemical leak from a nearby factory. Residents complained of sore throats and stinging eyes after the discharge of caustic soda and ammonium nitrate from Nipa Laboratories in Oswaldtwistle
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The son is blameless
MR C A Bakewell (Letters, May 1) asks whether I am suggesting that the Japanese set up companies in their country with altruism as the top of its motive list. No, I am not. No company - Japanese, American or British - does that. My point about Emperor
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Charities to avoid
FOLLOWING the recent loss of Linda McCartney, many people are considering making a donation to a cancer research charity. I am sure that those who wish to give in Linda's memory would prefer to support those organisations which show the compassion that
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Saint long forgotten
ST George's Day has come and gone once again with a modicum of acknowledgement. Why don't the English display patriotic fervour? This was an interesting query you posed (LET, April 22) which produced no satisfactory explanation. Perhaps this oblivious
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Once more apathy will rule the day
THE POLITICAL pundits will have their work cut out looking for portents in the results of today's council elections. For, despite the commendable early moves by the government to blow away the apathy that invariably surrounds municipal polls, the traditional
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Change for sake of it
HAVING read Keith Baker's remarks (Letters, May 1), I cannot agree more that the traffic flow in Darwen is becoming completely ridiculous. It appears to be change just for the sake of change, with not a single thought for the consequences. But Duckworth
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Top class news for schools
ST HELENS schools are to receive a huge cash bonus. And the news has been welcomed by the deputy education committee chairman Thomas Chisnall. The extra money has come through the Government's New Deal for Schools plan to improve educational buildings
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Jason's staying with Leigh
JASON DONOHUE is staying with Leigh - at least for another month. Chairman Mick Higgins has tied up a deal with the scrum-half's club, Hull, to extend the loan period. Donohue has made a big impact with his hometown club since his move from the Boulevard
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League blasts pitch closure decision
LEIGH Eagles need a final game win to force a play-off for Division One runners-up spot in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League. They missed out on Saturday when they went down 3-2 at home against nearest rivals Leigh Phoenix A in the day's
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Third spot for weary RMI
LEG-WEARY RMI can look back on a gruelling 61-game season with immense pride and satisfaction. A year after snatching promotion to the UniBond Premier Division, the Hilton Park outfit ended their long season with a 1-0 win against Alfreton, collecting
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New market sets out its stalls
THE prestigious, new St Mary's Market will be opening for business on Thursday, May 14, as part of the £5.5million joint development by MEPC and St Helens Council to ensure the continuing improvement of facilities in the town centre. The new market will
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ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD
Happy memories of The Shambles IT was a draughty, finger-freezing life, dishing out the spuds, beef, lino and pots and pans during harsh winter months. But the folk who once worked amid that huddle of busy stalls, crammed into the old St Helens covered
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Councillor's anger over 'racists' in community
A PRESTWICH Jewish councillor has hit out at "racists" in his own community. Sedgley representative Councillor Paul Nesbit said he was appalled to receive phone calls and be hassled in the street by Jews making racist remarks against Asians. The callers
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HAPPA-ness reins
RACEHORSE Fraser was just skin and bone, covered in muck and infested with lice and ticks when he arrived at the Horses and Ponies Protection Association farm. The victim of a cruel owner, the once proud animal's spirit was broken and he was too exhausted
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Village crackdown on car thefts
A JOINT initiative between St Helens Police and residents of Rainford has seen 30 arrests made for car thefts in the area over the last three months. The operation was launched with the help of the St Helens Crime Prevention Department who developed a
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Hollywood comes to Pilsworth
HUNDREDS of movie-goers will rub shoulders with celebrities and VIPs at a special night of Hollywood-style glamour in Bury next week. And this week stars of the nation's favourite soap, Coronation Street gave their support to the charity which will benefit
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Desert race soldier earns gold medal
A GRUELLING 25-mile race through the desert has earned a soldier from Padiham a gold medal for Britain. Gunner Anthony Boyle, 21, a member of the 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, took part in the race through the deserts of New Mexico in the USA. The event
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Residents 'save' listed buildings
THE past triumphed over the future when Ainsworth villagers won the battle to preserve their heritage. The alarm was raised last Thursday when shocked residents saw trailers and tractors trundling past two prized 16th century buildings on Knowsley Road
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Teenager rescued from clay pit
FIRE officers were called out to rescue a teenager when he got trapped in a clay pit in Thatto Heath. Fourteen year old Daniel Van Der Vliet, from Union Street, St Helens, was playing in the clay pits near Nutgrove Hall Drive at 9.30pm on Saturday, May
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Rugby treat in store
A FEAST of junior Rugby League is in store at Blackbrook this Sunday. For the club is playing host to the North West Counties Junior KO Cup Finals. The proceedings start at 10.30am with a local derby between Blackbrook Royals and Pilkington Recs under
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New boss for Age Concern
PHILIP Longworth is the new chief executive of Age Concern St Helens. The 37-year-old, who lives in St Helens, aims to raise Age Concern's profile within the community and is particularly keen to work with other agencies to provide the services required
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Avis's bloom town hopes
THERE'S still time to help Leigh blossom this summer. The Leigh and district branch of Soroptimist International, organisers of Leigh in Bloom 1998, are taking orders for planted baskets and troughs available to businesses for £10 each . They will be
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Students have the write stuff!
TEN A-level students have won through to the national final of a competition organised by the European Youth Parliament. And if they beat the opposition in York in September, they will represent the UK at the Parliament either in Vienna in October or
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Invalid chair stolen from church
CALLOUS thieves stole a pensioner's invalid chair after she left it outside a church while she attended the service. The 78 year old entered St John the Baptist Church in St John Street, Newton at 3.30pm on Sunday, May 3 and parked her electric-powered
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Betty gets Arthur's honour
THE widow of Mr Arthur Topping MBE will receive his award posthumously on Sunday. Mrs Betty Topping, of Borrowdale Road, Golborne, will be presented with her late husband's medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester during a service at St Thomas
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Rainhill on the right lines
RAINHILL CC, with two games over the Bank Holiday weekend, gained their first victory of the season at Cheshire Lines and drew at home to Aigburth. On the Saturday the home side elected to bat and it was in form Dave Birkett who gave Rainhill the upper
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Fair boy attacked by gang
A 14-year-old boy was attacked by a gang of men on his way home from the Bank Holiday fair at Sherdley Park. The schoolboy had been with friends and they were heading home across Sutton Park at about 10.30pm on Friday, May 1, when they were approached
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Dome 'no' for Prescott
'NO dome' campaigners handed a 1,000 signature petition against the Xanadu project to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Kay King and Graham Connor expressed their feelings to the Secretary of State for the Environment during his May Day visit to Haigh
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Group with a mission in life
LIFELINK'S Mission for Blackpool has proved itself the perfect launch-pad for local churches to reach out to people with learning disabilities. Causeway Prospects is a nationwide group intent on making the church more accessible to such people. One group
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Vivien jets-in for re-union
A FORMER Leigh Girls' Grammar School student, now living in the United States, organised her holiday back home to coincide with the old girls' annual reunion...for the second time. Vivien Davies (nee Jones), who lives in Darien, Connecticut, was last
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Rainford set their sights on shield
RAINFORD Cricket Club' continued their relentless march towards Sandhurst Shield glory with a demolition of last year's league champions and cup runners-up Mawdesley. The cup favourites were blown away by an innings of sheer power from makeshift opener
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Chemists quit emergency shift
SUNDAY shopping has put an end to the weekly out-of-normal-hours rota operated by chemists in Leigh, Lowton and Golborne. Wigan and Bolton Health Authority says lack of demand is behind the decision to drop the service which ended on May 3. But chemists
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Wembley hero Cunningham happy at Saints
FURIOUS Great Britain and Saints hooker Keiron Cunningham has emphatically denied he is about to join Wigan - or any other club! Speculation was fuelled at Wembley on Saturday, when rumour was rife that the Warriors were set to move in with a John Clarke-plus-cash-deal
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Chapel gets a brand new look
THE chapel in St Helens Crematorium has been completely refurbished to provide an improved service to the public. As well as totally new decoration, work includes new carpets and pews, new music system with a 'loop' for hard of hearing mourners, improved
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Penny wise!
WANT to spend a penny? Then see just what happens when your penny is spent with a tour of Fleetwood's new sewage treatment plant. North West Water (NWW) is opening the £150m wastewater treatment works to the public on May 10, from 11am to 3pm. The only
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Grove stays on the web
BRIAN Grove, the owner of a Ryelands based model and strippergram agency, has defied Lancaster University officials who tried to ban his internet site. The university officials wanted the web site off the internet because they were worried about potential
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Woman's picnic tragedy
A MORECAMBE woman fell to her death when she crouched to view some flowers by a river during a family picnic. Judith Anne Jennings, 44, an aromatherapist from Webster Drive was taking a day trip with her husband, Richard, and her parents-in-law to Larkrigg
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CLARETS: Final jigsaw piece
THE Burnley board were today waiting for the final piece of the takeover jigsaw to fall into place. Pressure is mounting on Peter Shackleton from Clarets chairman Frank Teasdale to deliver his £12 million package so that an extraordinary general meeting
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MPs warns of scam
LANCASTER'S MP Hilton Dawson has warned householders in the district not to be taken in by offers of fabulous prizes which land on their doormat. The MP issued the warning after a constituent alerted him about a foreign prize draw scam which is targeting
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Independent's day!
THE Independents now have as many seats on Lancaster council as the Conservative party after winning a by-election last Thursday. Independent candidate, Cllr John Fretwell, easily won the Parks ward in Bare garnering 571 more votes than the second placed
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Driver's Forton kidnap ordeal
A LORRY driver was kidnapped by robbers at knifepoint at Forton Service Station this week. The driver was forced into what might have been a dark coloured transit van and driven around for hours before he was dumped near Clitheroe. Other robbers in the
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Carnforth finish with a flourish
Kirkby Lonsdale 7 Carnforth 29 CARNFORTH ended their season with a convincing victory over a strong Kirkby XV to gain revenge for the defeat at the hands of the same team after a last minute drop goal. Right from the off Carnforth showed their intentions
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First hotel awards launched by council
BLACKPOOL Council has launched its first tourism award scheme to reward excellence in hotels, catering and entertainment. Still smarting from a national furore over so-called "shabby" hotels when Labour pulled its 2000 conference out of the resort, tourism
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Bay city rollers!
A £14 million apartment and leisure complex overlooking Morecambe Bay could be developed on the current Bubbles site if a local business consortium gets its way. The consortium believe the resort's promenade is now one of the premier tourist sites in
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Pugh hangs up his boots
BURY captain David Pugh made the heartbreaking decision to hang up his boots this week after a lengthy battle with a knee injury. The 33-year-old midfielder has been forced into retirement by the injury he suffered on the opening day of the season - his
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Letter:Bridge over the river... why?
IN recent weeks praise has been pouring in for the proposed Millennium Bridge, apparently from readers who live in those parts of the city least affected by the visual impact of it. Understandably, any major construction project generates excitement and
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Stumped! - Greens ask what's happening to our trees?
THERE'S little sign of spring in the centre of Lancaster claims a local environment charity who are upset that the council has embarked on a programme of chopping down trees. Lancaster Green Spaces conducted a survey of the city's 'greenery' and were
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Letter:Setting the record straight
IN recent weeks I have deliberately said very little about the ongoing Mr Blobby argument for two reasons. Firstly the council's chief executive has prepared a comprehensive report based on all documents in the council's possession and I have personally
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Baby's horror plunge
A 23-MONTH-OLD toddler from Bare is close to death this week after falling 20ft out of a window. Samantha Rayner plunged from the first floor on to a concrete pavement on St Margaret's Road on Monday. She suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to
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Accent's on comedy in touch of Mink
ACCENTS play a major role in the new comedy from St Joseph's Players. "Midsummer Mink" is set in the heart of London in the late 50s. But that's just the half of it. Apart from upper-class London, there is lower-class Cockney . . . plus an American drawl
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Bosses behind in pay scales
BOSSES in the North West are the lowest paid in the country, according to a survey out today. The Institute of Management survey found that the average company director in the region earned £65,037, less than in any other region. And the average manager
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Doctor's road battle goes on
AN ASTLEY doctor is battling on with his one man campaign for life-saving traffic lights at a busy village junction. Dr Bhola Nath Varma, who has practised in the area for a quarter of a century, has launched a petition, containing hundreds of names,
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North End reveal new kit
PRESTON North End has launched a new unique home kit and we've got exclusive Internet pictures of boss David Moyes modelling it. The all-white shirt sees North End go back to tradition by favouring the new design to the previous white and blue. For the
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Saving cash to keep front line bobbies
THE old blue lamp is on the way out as part of sweeping changes to take policing into the 21st century. Outdated police stations would go as part of Greater Manchester Police Authority's county-wide review aimed at increasing efficiency and ensuring uniformed
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Ribbleton man set to storm the charts
HIT? Yes, his new single's set to storm into the pop charts. Miss? Yes, she's proud of him. Maybe? There's no doubt former Ribbleton Hall High pupil Stephen Bayliss is about to become famous. The rising star, who still lives in the Preston area, is about
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'Heartbeat' Hindley
POLICE Sergeant Nick Rowan would have loved Hindley Police Station. Built in 1902, the sandstone frontage has a picture-postcard look which wouldn't look out of place on TV's 'Heartbeat'. It isn't difficult to imagine Ps Rowan having a friendly chat with
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Millennium marathon to attract international athletes
ORGANISERS of Leyland's Millennium Marathon have been inundated by enquiries after the Citizen revealed that the race could be screened on television. More than 12,000 runners have already asked for details about the British Millennium Marathon, due to
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Ingol to undergo major changes
RESIDENTS are helping make Ingol a better place to live, according to local MP Michael Jack. A new forum has been set up, to tackle crime, provision of local facilities and traffic problems. Representatives from Preston Borough Council, Tidy Britain and
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That's the spirit!
THERE was lots of cheer at brewery, pub and restaurant giant Whitbread this week with the announcement of a 12 per cent rise in profits to more then £354 million. The group's turnover topped £3.1 billion in the 12 months to March. The company employs
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Steph Johnston looks at the town's forthcoming dance events
Dance fever is in the air in Preston this week as it plays host to two foot-stomping events. The first, tonight (Thursday) at the hot and spicy Club Caliente, stars Mancunian salsa band Salsa Pa'Gozar. The club, above El Tasca restaurant in Bow Lane,
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Local children celebrate World Book Day
PINOCCHIO and Snow White were among the 'stars' who turned up at Sherwood Primary School as children celebrated World Book Day. The students had a great time dressing up as their best-loved book characters and bringing in their favourite stories. Even
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Cash boost for woodlands
FORESTRY experts have warned that Darwen could lose much of its woodland areas if conservation advice is ignored. Tree cover in the borough is already low and does not always fulfil its potential as a wildlife habitat, recreation destination or a timber
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Health chiefs investigate nasty virus
ENVIRONMENTAL Health chiefs in South Ribble have launched an investigation into the spread of a 'particularly nasty' virus that is sweeping through the population. The council has taken the unprecedented step of asking anyone who has suffered from the
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Single parents told: claim now
LONE parents in Darwen are being urged to claim the higher rate of child benefit before the Government abolishes it on June 1. Lancashire County Council's welfare rights service said lone parents can claim an extra £5.65 a week more in child benefit than
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Hostage: posters plea to India
HUNDREDS of posters in Urdu carrying the Bishop of Blackburn's appeal for information about Blackburn hostage Paul Wells have been sent to India. Posters are being sent to every village and town in the Kashmir region where Paul and four other Westerners
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We shall remember them
THEY came in the rain to pay their respects to the fallen of Gallipoli. Soldiers and civilians commemorated the Lancashire Fusiliers who died in the ill-fated landings on a Turkish beach in 1915. A service, led by former chaplain to the Fusiliers the
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Kristian Jack looks at the Internet
THE world of electronics is growing by the second. People are reading magazines and watching TV to keep updated. But what about the Internet, how can help? I've found the perfect site that will have you glued to the screen. It offers the best in reviews
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Chemists on duty
CHEMISTS on duty on Sunday, May 10, are: Geloo Brothers, 14 Union Street, Darwen, noon to 1pm; Boots the Chemists, Broadway, Accrington, noon to 1pm; Rishton Pharmacy, 42 High Street, Rishton, noon to 1pm; Associated Chemists Ltd, 98 Audley Range, Blackburn
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Kristian Jack talks to a Jim of all trades
JIM Parker joined PNE as a junior at the age of 21. Fifty years later, he's still there, and has gone back to the juniors. The former professional who helps out with the youth team at Deepdale, has had umpteen jobs, from player to chief scout and physio
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Water nightmare!
IREN Vadasz thought she was pretty careful when it came to using water. So she was amazed when she copped for an £11,000 bill from North West Water! The bill, marked with the words "please help us by paying your bill promptly", arrived at Mrs Vadasz's
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Leyland Warriors have a mixed week on the Rugby field
LONGSHAW ST RANGERS U9s 6 WARRIORS 36 A GOOD home game at Moss Side with an excellent win for the U9s which was played in good team spirit. A pleasing result for the last competition game of the season. Tries came from Jamie McMillan (4), Michael Wallbank
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Poetry bid to save sanctuary
THINGS have gone from bard to verse for an animal sanctuary - so much so that volunteer worker Roberta Murray has turned to rhyme to help bolster funds to try and save it. Only Foals and Horses, in Haslingden Old Road, Accrington, faces the prospect of
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PNE earn a well deserved point
WREXHAM 0 PNE 0 PRESTON North End knew they would be in for a difficult afternoon when they came out for the start of the match amid a deafening chorus of Men of Harlech from 5,000 Wrexham supporters, reinforced by 2,500 from Lancashire. It was the Red
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Kiely housing empire falls
BURY-based Kiely Developments, which repeatedly courted controversy and criticism, has crashed with debts of around £4million along with 45 job losses. Now, administrative receivers appointed by the collapsed company's bankers are desperately trying to
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Special agent's mission: a view to a hill
GOVERNMENT-appointed expert Dr Victoria Edwards climbed Pendle Hill to see how an airborne rescue scheme is saving it from erosion. Helicopters last year airlifted hundreds of stone slabs up the hill, which has been badly eroded by thousands of tramping
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Vandal-blitzed scout group may be forced to shut
VANDAL attacks have put the future of a town's oldest Scout group in jeopardy. The latest attack on the home of the 88-year-old 1st Mayor's Own Scout group hut left a 3ft square hole in the side of the Exchange Street, Colne, building and rainwater leaking
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Gary fishing for top festival spot
A FORMER Blackburn man's movie company is bidding to take the Cannes Film Festival by storm. Independent production company Winchester Films, whose chief executive is Gary Smith, has already had a major hit with the comedy romance Shooting Fish. Now Gary
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It's a red alert for GreenWeek
GO for green next week at Blackburn with Darwen's eighth annual GreenWeek festival. The week of more than 40 special events starts on Saturday with the aim of raising awareness of environmental issues. Activities include woodland walks, a clean-up of
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Saving on gritting ' false economy'
CUTS in Lancashire's budget for gritting roads in winter will lead to false economies, according to a senior council officer. Any roads allowed to become covered with packed ice and snow would be more expensive to clear than if they had been salted beforehand
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Samantha's better life after epilepsy implant op
AN EPILEPTIC teenager's life is about to be changed thanks to a charity set up to help pay for pioneering surgery. Samantha Drugan, 14, has suffered from severe epilepsy for the past six years - often having eight fits a day. A donation by FABLE - For
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Support is sought
THE annual Christian Aid Week's house-to-house collection takes place all next week and your generous support is sought for funds to assist Third World countries in their endeavour to help themselves. Envelopes will be collected by authorised representatives
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Time for a clear-out
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council is one of the worst-performing councils in the country, a national survey said (LET, May 4). Thank heavens somebody has noticed. The aim of the survey, you reported, is to give a clear picture of how things are run. Well,
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CRICKET: Arthurton blasts rule change
THE LANCASHIRE League's new rules have come under fire for promoting negative cricket from West Indies Test ace Keith Arthurton, writes PETE OLIVER. And there are not many players in world cricket better qualified to comment on the one-day game than the
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Experiments unreliable
IS it morally justifiable to inflict suffering on another living creature? Experiments on animals are unreliable because they tell us about animals, not people. A wide variety of useful research techniques which do not use animals already exists and has
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GOLF: Furey off to Majorca
GED Furey was set to tee off in the Turespana Masters-Belaric Open in Marjorca today hoping to make up for lost time, writes ANDY NEILD. The Pleasington professional has been left frustrated in recent weeks after missing out on the chance to compete in
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Don't scrimp on safety
IT'S summer we are looking forward to but in Pendle it is winter they are dreading already. For the council has worked out that because of cuts in the county budget, 175 stretches of side road and country lanes will not be gritted when the weather may
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ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD
Does anyone remember 'surfer' Bill ANYONE out there remember Bill Harrison? The former Pilks worker broke off from snow-shovelling at his home in Canada to cast a message on the Internet. And while 'surfing' with his computer, Harry Thompson of Hillside
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ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD
'Queen Julie's' 22-year reign STRIKE up a fanfare and a let's hear a roll on those drums . . . For the 'unknown' beauty queen from St Helens, featured in a 1976 flashback photo on this page (April 23) has stepped forward to be identified. Julie Williams
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Screening progress is saving lives
LATEST health figures on cervical screening have shown that more than 84.6 per cent of women in St Helens are now regularly screened - a figure which exceeds the Government target of 80 per cent. A National Audit Office report published recently has highlighted
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Bismarck hero Hughie dies
A SECOND world war veteran who figured in some of the Royal Navy's most hazardous actions - including the sinking of the Bismarck while serving on HMS King George V - has died suddenly. Mr Hughie Green, who passed away at his home in Loughrigg Avenue,
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Mum hurt in bottle ordeal
PICTURED: The woman displays her injured arm. Ref: 128 POLICE are searching for a 'scruffy' teenager who hurled a milk bottle at the plucky mother of an eight-week-old baby. The bottle shattered, severing one of the tendons in her right hand after she
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Runaway success for superfit Joe
MOST people spend their Sunday mornings having a lie-in, reading the papers and generally taking it easy. But not Joe Griffiths. For the father-of-two from Parr spent the other Sunday tackling the London Marathon in aid of a Blackbrook youngster with
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Starbeat with DJ Darren Proctor
WELL we're well and truly over another bank holiday weekend - they never seem to stop do they. But don't worry, there's no more now until a week on Monday - blimey! As you may know, I got the chance to play football at Anfield last week with the 1966
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Workers remember the dead
THE thousands of people who have died or been injured at work were commemorated this week. Flags flew at half-mast on Bury Council buildings as a mark of respect during Workers Memorial Day on Tuesday (April 28). Council leader Coun Derek Boden joined
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Deer dies after depot accident
A YOUNG deer died after being injured on razor wire surrounding a depot in Bury. Keen-eyed workmen helped rescue the rare roe deer from the Transco depot at Bury Bridge. But, despite urgent veterinary treatment and care, the deer died of shock and blood
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Cheque this out, man!
A SCHOOL pop band has been given a £500 boost by the Prince's Trust to help with their dreams of becoming stars of the future. Lob Common, which was formed last November by a group of Year 10 friends at Park High, Colne, are busy preparing for their biggest
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What a comedown at Adelphi!
Chris Harrison (19) and Andy Mason (20) from the Golden Lion in Rainford will be abseiling down the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool on Sunday to raise cash for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Previous news story Converted for the new archive on
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Education takes centre stage at BT Exhibition
PARENTS, children and educationalists flocked to Bury this week for the Bury Times sponsored Education 2000 exhibition. Stalls covering every aspect of education, from uniforms to the Internet, were on hand to show the customers the latest developments
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Plans for giant vending machine are put on ice
PLANS to open Britain's first giant vending machine in Blackburn have been put on ice. A Belgium firm had earmarked a site on Openshaw Drive for their first UK 'Roboshop.' The giant round-the-clock vending machines, which are installed in shop fronts,
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It's a man's life in the modern kitchen
Food News with Christine Rutter MEN are having a fabulous time juggling pots, pans and guests as the new dinner party dynamos. In fact, the etiquette of throwing a great dinner party is now essential knowledge for any man who considers himself urbane
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Mystery blaze hits building firm
A MYSTERY blaze destroyed a large quantity of fibre glass moulds and a 46ft trailer at a Bury construction company. Investigations into Wednesday (April 29) evening's blaze at Barnes Construction in Wellington Street are continuing in a bid to pinpoint
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Murder probe police arrest man in Lakes
DETECTIVES were today due to question murder inquiry suspect James Lee Butler after he was arrested last night in Cumbria. Ten officers from the murder investigation team at Accrington and from Cumbria arrested Butler in a caravan in the Windermere and
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Power chaos for rail commuters
AN electrical fault at St Helens Central sparked chaos for commuters going to and from St Helens on Tuesday night. In total 26 trains were delayed for a total of 312 minutes - eight of those trains were re-routed to St Helens Junction - and four trains
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Gary fishing for festival top spot
A FORMER Blackburn man's movie company is bidding to take the Cannes Film Festival by storm. Independent production company Winchester Films, whose chief executive is Gary Smith, has already had a major hit with the comedy romance Shooting Fish. Now Gary
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Fun runs out at Carnival
THE race is over for Radcliffe Athletic Club, which has been forced to abandon its annual carnival fun run after 15 years. Police are refusing to shut the roads and marshal the traditional three mile sponsored run which raises thousands of pounds for
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It's touch and go!
LSH are holding a Summer Touch Rugby Competition at Moss Lane on Tuesday evenings starting on May 26 at 7pm. Teams of up to 12, six of whom will play at any one time, will compete in a league for a prize of £150. Games are played on half a rugby pitch
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Linkway blocked after bus crash
PART of the St Helens Linkway was blocked off for more than two hours following a collision between a bus and a wagon. The accident happened at about 6.50am on Tuesday, May 5, near Safeway supermarket and although the damage to the wagon was minor, a
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Arresting display by Red Rose men
LOCAL players played starring roles in the Lancashire Amateur Rugby League open-age squad's impressive 42-14 defeat of Great Britain Police. Blackbrook's Jason Mitchell grabbed a try and five goals, club colleague Gareth Hill scored a try and there were
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Stars turn out to aid Hurdles
A STAR-studded charity football match in aid of Hurdles will take place at Stainton Park in Radcliffe on Sunday. Big-name players will join TV celebrities in support of the Bury group for disabled children. A number of soap stars including Will Mellor
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Youngsters bid for Games glory
YOUNGSTERS are going all out to clinch a place in the borough's team for the Merseyside Youth Games. The Games take place at Kirkby Sports Centre next month. And qualifying competitions are already taking place across town. Yesterday (Wednesday) a kwik-cricket
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£2.3m to cut NHS waiting lists
BURY and Rochdale Health Authority has received a £2.3 million cash boost to reduce waiting lists. As reported in the Bury Times earlier this month, the extra funds will knock waiting lists down by 676 in Bury and Rochdale by March next year. The local
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Hospital tonic
LYTHAM Land Registry has committed itself to raising £3,000 for the community hospital in Lytham this year. Registration executive Jon Hunt came up with the idea of naming a charity of the year and believes that fundraising should be an opportunity for
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Batting collapse sinks St Helens
ST HELENS CC were comprehensively beaten by Bootle -probably the strongest team in the Penketh Trophy. A painstaking knock of 64 in 112 minutes by J. Keggin contrasted sharply with M. Cockbain's quick fire 31 in 19 minutes as Bootle reached 197. Bobby
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ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD
Sleuths clock up another success OUR ever-dependable sleuths have clocked up another success. Remember how Sue Hurst of Bolton had asked if anyone could provide her with any details about her timepiece-making ancestor from St Helens? His name was Matthew
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Cafe fire sparks traffic chaos
A FIRE in a town-centre cafe caused traffic chaos. The fire started in the cooking range of The Hellenic Cafe in Baldwin Street at about 4.30pm last Thursday. And although it took firefighters only 90 minutes to bring the fire under control, they had
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Hitting the high notes
A BLACKPOOL school has won a Barclays New Futures Award for its pioneering music project. Students at Greenlands High School will work with five local primary schools, a special school and neighbouring high school to stage a Schools' Orchestra Primary
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Sad end to Town's great season
Haslingden 1 St Helens Town 4 Vauxhall GM 3 St Helens Town 0 THE curtain came down on Town's season at Vauxhall GM on Saturday where a 3-0 defeat was sparse reward for a performance which merited better. But, lacking punch, they were picked off by the
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Chance to make your mark...
TOWNSFOLK concerned about international human rights violations are being invited to 'make their mark' at a special campaign held at the St Helens branch of The Body Shop. The cosmetics chain have given their support to the 50th anniversary of the United
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Conman claimed he was a vicar
A MAN posing as a vicar conned his way into the home of an elderly woman recovering from an operation and stole her purse containing about £30 in cash. The cruel conman called at the 91-year-old victim's home in Roscoe Street, St Helens, at about 3pm
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What a ditch!
THE third round of the Skoda trophy saw Burton-in-Kendal's Steve Head and Andrew Dugdale alias Team Penguin, in second place in the premier one make series. Carnforth's Geoff Crabtree, who co-drives for Nuneaton's Kevin Gibbs were just one point ahead
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Everybody needs good... neighbours!
CAMPAIGNERS on the Marsh estate, Lancaster want to bring some of the sunny atmosphere of Australia to the area. Youngsters and adults are working together to raise money and force the politicians hands in order to see a community centre built on the estate
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Letter:Never the Twain shall meet!
Many of your readers will have been heartened by the BBC news headlines on the evening of Bank Holiday Monday, informing the nation that after a disappointing Easter of floods and storms, the May Day holiday weekend had seen huge crowds flocking to our
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ROVERS YOUTH: Goodi luck!
IT'S mission improbable for Blackburn Rovers at Goodison Park tonight, when they try to pull back a 3-1 deficit in the second leg of the FA Youth Cup final against Everton, writes TONY GARNER. But Rovers refuse to rule out their chances of producing an
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ROVERS: Rovers check out Atalanta ace Boselli
ATALANTA defender Nicola Boselli is one of several players currently being monitored by Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson as he prepares to set his summer spending spree in motion, writes PETER WHITE. The six-feet-plus central defender is set to be sold
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Driver hurt in smash
A LORRY driver underwent surgery at Lancaster Royal Infirmary after crashing his wagon through the central reservation of the M6. Three lorries were involved in the accident but only one driver was seriously hurt. A spokesman for Morecambe Ambulance Service
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Silver lining for Shrimps
Woking 1 Morecambe 1 (Morecambe 4-3 on penalties) THIS victory in the Spalding Cup was Morecambe's greatest moment in 24 years and how the team and their 300 magnificent travelling fans savoured it. Not many of those delighted supporters from Morecambe
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CLARETS: New deals for Clarets players
GLEN Little and Andy Cooke have been rewarded for their performances in helping to keep Burnley in the Second Division with the offers of new improved contracts, writes PETE OLIVER. Both players still have a year of their current agreements to run but
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Power drive
Lobby group bid to push link road idea SOME of the most powerful people in the district met to try and force the government to build a £90m Heysham/M6 link road last week. But Green Party campaigners said the chances of the road being built were remote
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All aboard the 'One and Only'
LINE up all those who want to sail from Fleetwood to the Isle of Man this summer - there is just one ferry trip all season. The May 27 day trip by the Lady of Mann is all that is left of the port's once thriving connection with the island after the IoM
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Cricket results
Division One: Darwen 130, G Cordingley 63 nt, C Atkins 5-33 - *Netherfield 171-9, S Dutton 68, G Jackson 4-26; *Kendal 199-6, T Hunte 106 - Chorley 159-9, N Senior 62, R Veenstra 4-39; Leyland DAF 161-6, D Catterall 66, S John 35 - *Blackpool 158, M Pickles
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Stan has full squad for Sunday
SHAKERS boss Stan Ternent has the bonus of an injury-free squad for his team's biggest match of the season. A point from Sunday's clash at Queens Park Rangers will ensure First Division survival and the Bury chief is confident his charges have what it
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Letter:Labour the point!
SO Labour is in the ascendancy is it? Nationally Tony Blair is sweeping ahead in the polls one year after the election and the honeymoon still appears to be on throughout the country. Even in places like Doncaster, Strathclyde, Hull and Jarrow where some
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Cornet kid's got 'em all licked!
BLACKPOOL'S very own musical prodigy has won yet another accolade to add to his growing collection of awards. For the second year running, Michael Davis has won the North West area Brass Band Association slow melody contest on his cornet. Not content
