Archive
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School's in for the summer
MORE than 30 pupils from St Bede's RC High School are involved in a summer school to improve their literacy. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Asda, Morrisons and McDonalds are sponsoring the project which is also taking place at eight other schools in
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Tighter security at new-look tip
HINDLEY'S Amberswood tip will reopen next Monday - with added security. The council's civic amenity operators, Landfill Management Ltd, closed the site at the end of May for vital repairs to the concrete floor of the tipping compound. Chairman of the
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Your chance to team-up with Tigers
HINDLEY Tigers have places left on their teams for the new season. The club caters for children aged seven to 15 and parents are invited to register them now. Secretary, Ken Gore, said: "Many young people would love to play for a football team but hate
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When castle ruins were uncovered
TWENTY-FIVE years ago, local archeology buffs uncovered a wall of Bury's 14th Century castle. After 1066 the manor of Bury was held by the De Bury family until the 14th century. Then it passed, by marriage, to the Pilkingtons, who fortified the building
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Illegal music on the menu
RESTAURATEURS are being targeted to pay licence fees for playing copyrighted background music. Only 25 per cent of East Lancashire restaurants pay the annual £70 fee for playing music in public, although one restaurateur was jailed for six months last
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Blooms for Bag Lane
AN Atherton church will blossom with a flower weekend later this month. The event is at Bag Lane Methodist Church and runs from July 25 to 31. Anyone wishing to donate blooms in memory of loved ones is asked to drop them off at the church after 7pm on
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Alison's little pony is a silver winner
A HIGH stepping but once neglected pony repaid heaps of love and affection by taking rider Alison Hardy to a Great Britain silver. Less than five years after being rescued, abused, maneless and neglected from a North Lancs chicken shack, Little Demonstrator
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World Cup shirts miss their mark
ROGER Hunt's England winners' shirt worn in the 1966 World Cup final failed to hit its target during an auction of soccer memorabilia at Sotheby's. The long-sleeved red shirt, expected to net between £30,000 and £50,000, was withdrawn from sale after
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Paras dropping-in at Hilton Park
THE history books will be rewritten on Saturday when the 1st Parachute Regiment drop-in to take on the Leigh Academy side. Since the Leigh side played at Aldershot earlier this year the links between the two clubs have grown stronger. The Paras recently
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Military might in town centre? No tanks!
AN Army regiment hoping to recruit soldiers in East Lancashire has been barred from bringing a tank into Blackburn - because of fears it might damage paving stones. The King's Royal Hussars had hoped to attract the attention of potential recruits by parking
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A picture of genius
THE last paintings of former Bury artist Lawrence Higgins are finally on show in his home town. A new exhibition marks the tenth anniversary of his death: Lawrence took his own life at the age of 24. The family's tragedy was also a great loss to the art
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Fitter's reward to find tools
AN Atherton plant hire fitter is offering a substantial reward to track down thieves who stole a works van and thousands of pounds worth of tools from a compound in the town in the early hours of last Friday. The white M-reg Ford Transit, bearing the
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New home for lucky puss
LUCKY cat Panda is settling into his new home after a caring pet lover from Huncoat offered to give him a last chance of happiness. Melanie Appleby, of Rawtenstall, managed to get the RSPCA to fund a vital operation on Panda's thyroid. She had spotted
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Starbeat with DJ Darren Proctor
AN exciting time of the year for me - first of all we're coming to the peak of the Summer Roadshow season with the biggest show we do right here in St Helens next weekend. I hope very much to see you there. And also, it's holiday time. I'm going to be
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Save our centre plea
AN impassioned plea has been made to save the borough's historic Arts and Crafts Centre. Along with the Mosses Centre, it has been threatened with closure in a massive shake-up of the Community Education Service (CES), which had its grant cut by £630,000
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Gordon falls at the last fence but gets back in the saddle
A MAN who gave up his job to cycle across Australia nearly didn't finish his gruelling solo challenge. Gordon Whittaker ended up in hospital after a fall from his bike only two days from the finishing line on the Perth to Sydney route. He said: "I was
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Law and private security link is 'policing on cheap'
MOVES to link up private security firms with police in East Lancashire have been labelled policing on the cheap by a national organisation. The county's police chiefs are backing Home Secretary Jack Straw's plans, which are likely to see security guards
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Library pioneers project for deaf
THOUSANDS of deaf people will benefit from a pioneering library project. The borough is one of just four in the country to win cash - the full £45,000 cost of the scheme - through the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust. Only a handful of public libraries
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NETBALL team scoop their first league title
GIRLS from Leyland St James Primary School shot their way to the South Ribble Schools' title after being unbeaten in all their games. The youngsters, aged 10 and 11, won the league for the first time. Headteacher Wendy Cook said: "We are very proud of
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Trialist Ronnie hoping to shake off hamstring strain
RONNIE Jepson could make his first appearance in a Burnley shirt at Halifax Town on Saturday. The experienced striker is currently training with the Clarets after settling the remainder of his contract with Oldham Athletic. He joined the Burnley squad
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Give us loos, decent waiting rooms and a mega clean-up!
THOUSANDS of pounds are spent every year on tourist information centres and glossy brochures advertising the attractions of towns and cities. Yet the first impressions many travellers will get of a town is when they get off the bus or train. In the case
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Perez to make Rovers debut
ROY Hodgson expects Sebastien Perez to be ready to make his Blackburn Rovers debut next week. Perez should figure in one of next week's two pre-season games, at Wolves and Ipswich - with the trip to Portman Road on Friday looking the best bet at the moment
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The body
IT IS the circus of all circuses, but with pizazz. It is the rock ballet of all ballets and then some. It is the show of all shows that leaves you wanting more. Eclipse, at Blackpool Pleasure Beach's fabulous new venue The Globe, is not just an evening
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Poor Preston beaten by 59 runs
BLACKPOOL 145-7 PRESTON 86 TAKING a respite from League action, Preston lost for the third time this season to Blackpool. Preston captain and professional Manoh Parekh won the toss and put the visitors in to bat. It appeared a prudent decision when Blackpool
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New flowers back for the brides
A KIND Atherton landlady, who wishes to remain anonymous, is to replace the bower of flowers stolen from St Richard's RC Church, Atherton, earlier this month. A delighted church flowerlady, Mrs Elizabeth Schofield, said: "We are hoping to have the replacement
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Old-timer's Saintly sin-bin
AN old-timer, who confesses to being the wrong side of eighty, had his memories revived by recent mention of pre-war rugby warhorse Teddy McLoughlin. St Helens-born Teddy made his name with Rochdale Hornets, but also guested with St Helens Recs. And now
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Events in East Lancashire tomorrow (Friday, July 24)
Summer Activity Nature Trail at Witton Park, (age 11 plus), meet Ivy Street Community Centre, Blackburn, 11am. Summer Playschemes, 1.30-4pm, Audley Community Centre; Little Harwood Community Centre; St Andrew's School (Livesey), all Blackburn. Summer
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Wide of the mark and childish
MICK Wilson's words (Citizen letters, July 16) are both wide of the mark and childish. Traffic calming is essential to make the ward a more attractive place to visit and will not deter anybody from using local businesses. Before you criticise the conduct
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Ex-mayor invests in youngsters' future
A MAN who says he may not be alive in the year 2000 has made a heart-warming gesture to ensure that young people in the Bury area will celebrate the Millennium in style. Mr Ronald Morris, 87, has given a donation of £5 to help Melvin Magnall achieve his
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Theatre should have been pulled down
SO it looks like the Theatre Royal is about to make its final curtain call. The sooner this happens the better. It should have been pulled down years ago and replaced by a cinema complex. People no longer want to watch Victorian-style panto, or amateur
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Public Inquiry on sports club plans
THE Bolton Road Sports Club saga rumbled relentlessly onwards on Tuesday when a public inquiry was held over the issue. Representatives from Wainhomes, Bolton Road Methodist Church, the sports club and the council gathered at Radcliffe Civic Hall. Bolton
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Our district is so filthy
EARLESTOWN, which was once one of the cleanest towns in the area, is now the filthiest. The council will clean it up 'in due course'. Around the town centre alone, drains and grids are blocked up and they smell. The pavements and roads are full of potholes
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Perseverance the key to success
PERSEVERANCE has been a running theme throughout the life of Jack Waring, a son of St Helens who now enjoys a millionaire-style existence in California. The first matrimonial home of Jack and his wife Eva, in 1948, was a modest dwelling called Perseverance
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Louder than words
MAY I respond to ex Cllr Wilson's letter of July 16 in your paper. As he was part of the council during the turbulent years between 1991 and 1995 I am surprised that he finds the sound of raised voices during a heated debate uncomfortable. Let me explain
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Vandals wreck sick woman's home
VANDALS have wrecked an empty Bury house which was home to a pensioner and her family for more than 60 years. Now, the angry daughter of the former owner of the property in Woodhill Road is appealing to local people to help bring the culprits to justice
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Anger over siting of town's millennium sign
COUNCILLORS have blasted a millennium town centre sign welcoming visitors to Clitheroe. Ribble Valley Council's community committee heard that the town council wants to erect the sign at the junction of Moor Lane and Lowergate in the town centre. The
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Look at it face on
THE letter Councillor Hanson (Citizen, July 2) appears to have replied to, is a letter, which I have not written! Her reply, concerning the understanding of economics, does not explain why she expects tenants, with a limited tenure, to invest large sums
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Racers take tumble but come up smiling
SCOUTCAR racers took a Grand Prix tumble but still came up smiling. Lowton St Mary's Scouts and Cubs (pictured) entered the Scoutcar races at the Transport Research Laboratory test track at Ascot. Teamsters Stuart Taylor, Shaun Roberts, Joe Porter and
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Defining moment
I BELIEVE that the Comprehensive Spending Review initiatives, announced last week by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, offer a defining moment and historic challenge to improve life in Lancaster and Wyre. Over the next three years, the Comprehensive
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Bury Times first with the news
WE are writing to thank the Bury Times for once again being the main forum through which we obtain information about the future of our workplace. We received assurances from our senior management that this situation would not occur again, so we would
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Some good, some bad
NORMALLY people use the letters' pages to have a go and I'm just as guilty as the next man however I would like to give a few pats on the back first! Firstly, well done to Steve Middlesbrough and all staff involved in the Summerbreeze festival including
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Crash! Bang!! Wallop!!!
REPAIR work has started on the Boulevard Arcade canopy, damaged by a delivery lorry. Shoppers looked on in horror as the lorry reversed into the Victorian-style canopy in Leigh town centre, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. The £35,000 awning
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Only suitable for scrap metal
I HAVE previously had an open mind about the arrival of the "Tilted Vase" in Ramsbottom but having now seen it, I would like to make the following comments. I think most people would agree that Market Place needed a fresh appearance. However, I would
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Ray follows sheep to cliff top rescue
ATHERTON trekker Ray Brooker was winched to safety by a rescue helicopter when he got stuck on a south coast cliff. Ray, 56, of Greenfield Road was left trapped hundreds of feet above the sea when he took a coastal path diversion. Experienced hiker Ray
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Th' urn
Somats appeared i't centre o' Rammy, Wheer th'owd shelter once stood. Th'owd shelter it 'ad to go, T'wer full o' needles and cans tha knows! But what an they put in its place? A great metal urn that's fell on its face, And if th'asks most people, what
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Plenty of room on top for Paul
TYLDESLEY busman and professional RL referee Paul Lee has ridden the route to the top with local bus company First Manchester. The 40-years-old father of two has been appointed manager of the Manchester depot on Queens Road, Cheetham Hill. A Grade One
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Local hero led island rescue op
THIS is the brave Leigh soldier who helped to save a drowning tourist off the Croatian coast. As reported in last week's Journal, warrant officer Michael Stott helped drag a Czech woman to safety with three army colleagues. Michael, aged 37, organised
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Thanks Citizen for your excellent Lynx coverage
I WOULD like to express my thanks, and that of other Lynx supporters, for the excellent coverage given in your newspaper, of the Lancashire Lynx Rugby League team. The reports and pictures can only help to further the quest for new supporters from this
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Sack those responsible
I FREQUENTLY drive through Ramsbottom and last year was amazed at the length of time and money being spent re-doing the square. And my eyes nearly fell out of their sockets the other day when I saw that huge overgrown "horn" with its distorted entrails
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Preston woman is killed after being hit by lorry
A PRESTON woman was killed when she was hit by a heavy goods vehicle at one of the busiest roundabouts in town. Alison McKean, 24, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Preston Hospital after she was hit by a lorry cab near the Adelphi pub shortly
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Busway: vote now!
BUSWAY consultations ended this week. But before proposals reach the next stage, The Journal is giving readers the chance to vote on the £20m busway idea. Controversial plans to build the guided bus route - carrying an estimated million passengers a year
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Help Steve find a cure for meningitis
AS the 21st century looms, many childhood infectious diseases have become preventable through vaccines introduced into the national immunisation programme for babies and young children. Sadly, however, there is no vaccine for meningococcal disease - meningitis
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Bobby thinks it's all Rover!
ROCK on Tommy! comic Bobby Ball was in Morecambe this week to pick up a new car from Streamline Rover on the White Lund. "He's a marvellous fella and made a real effort to introduce himself to all said manager Gordon Collinson. "Bobby tried the Sterling
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Council gives a helping hand to village shops
VILLAGE shops living in the shadow of supermarkets and out-of-town retail centres have been given a helping hand by council chiefs. South Ribble Council has slashed non-domestic rates by 50 per cent for several small shops in the borough's countryside
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Bride's pound for pound diet
MADE-to-measure bride Ann Park will hope that it's a case of out with the old and in with the new as she sheds pounds to raise cash for her parish church. For when Ann, from Leyland, walks down the aisle in two months time, it won't be so much as here
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New CCTV system installed at college
PRESTON College this week installed a £60,000 close circuit television scheme to help students feel safer on campus. The St Vincents Road college, in Fulwood, will reassure the 30,000 scholars who visit each year. A college spokesman said: "After recent
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Roadshow round-up
NOTHING fascinates the public of Lancaster and Morecambe more (it seems) than the work of the city council. Well, at least a surprising number of them number of them who showed up to the council's roadshow as it opened at 2pm on Tuesday. Now, that might
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Multi-million pounds revamp still on schedule
RUMOURS that Leyland's Southern Towngate development is behind schedule have been scotched by local councillors. They say claims that the project has been delayed are false and that building will start on the site, which is currently waste ground, before
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Skate park to become popular summer venue
GET your skates on and join the crowd at Preston's fully-supervised indoor park. The In Your Face Skate Park attracts more than 600 members each week and now, with the summer holidays in full swing, it's ready to welcome more skaters. Louise and Steve
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Students reassured
AFTER topping the tables for its teaching skills and student good looks, Lancaster University has once again taken pole position in a nationwide survey. More than 6,000 students from universities around the country were asked about safety and, although
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Fulwood man who's just happy to sell tea
WORLD class footballer, Prime Minister, pop star - just some of the jobs youngsters fantasise about. But former Fulwood High School pupil Adam Fielding always knew what he wanted to do - travel the country selling herbal tea and organic flapjacks! Entrepreneur
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Football comes home to Preston as the national league announces move
FOOTBALL'S coming home - thanks to the football league's decision to put Preston back on the soccer map. The national headquarters will transfer their operations just 15 miles, from Lytham St Annes to Preston in a move to 'a more suitable town for the
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Leukaemia victim to be remembered by classmates
A LEYLAND teenager who died a year ago this week is to be remembered by her grieving schoolmates. The memory of Lianne Neilson, who was just 14 when she lost a two-year battle against leukaemia, will live on in a plaque at the school she attended, St
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Villagers get tough on dirty dog owners
POOPER-snoopers are patrolling village streets - to force dog owners to clean up their act. Villagers in Coupe Green, near Preston, have vowed to wage war on filthy dogs spotted fouling local walkways. Angry residents have told local independent councillor
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Americans to hit Leyland for the Millennium
LEYLANDERS are being told to brace themselves for an American invasion at the turn of the Millennium. Organisers of the British Millennium Marathon, due to be held in the town on January 2, 2000, are planning to jet out to the States. They want to persuade
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Lobbyist receives support from an old rival
THE lobbyist at the centre of the 'Lobbygate' row has received support from an unlikely source - a political rival from his student days. Derek Draper, who is alleged to have told a national newspaper that he could arrange meetings with any cabinet minister
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Can you help solve this week's crimes?
POLICE are trying to trace a youth who exposed himself to two young girls as they made their way home from school. The friends were walking through Larches Wood, Preston, at around 4pm on Tuesday, July 7, when the offender struck. He is described as aged
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Make the most of the station's assets
THE £4million renovation of Blackburn railway station promised by Railtrack is a big boost for the town. But, surely, it could be an even bigger boost if the much-needed facelift makes the most of the station's assets. For just as the refurbishment of
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A breath of fresh air
AT last, the Rev Herrick Daniels has been recognised for all the hard work he does (LET, July 1). St Barnabas' Church in Blackburn, which had a good base to build on, has gone from strength to strength since he came. How thrilled he must have been when
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Sellafield cannot simply be shut down
THE HIGH-MINDED call by European environment ministers for Britain to stop dumping waste into the sea from its Sellafield nuclear plant is fine in itself, but far from practical when it comes to implementation. For the fact is that the only certain way
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Police search for teenager
POLICE in Fleetwood have expressed their concern for a missing local teenager who is believed to be in the Morecambe area. Sixteen-year-old Amanda Kemp left her home address on Hollywood Grove, Fleetwood on 3 July and was seen by a member of the family
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Traffic signs bigger peril
REGARDING Blackburn motor cycle dealer Phil Rostron's clash with the council over displays outside his shop in Bolton Road, when I go there I talk to him about my days - when bikes were good British makes. I am now in an electric wheelchair and I can't
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Theatre Royal's booze ban bites
AS the curtain rises on the battle to rescue the closure-threatened Theatre Royal, the alcohol ban policy of its Methodist management team Connexions has come under fire. Trevor Prescott, Chairman of the management group for the Theatre Royal and administrative
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Robber threatens staff with scissors
A ROBBER threatened staff at West End Stores on Yorkshire Street, Morecambe with a pair of scissors this week. The man had waited inside the shop until there was only the shopkeeper and a customer in and then locked the door from inside. Then he pulled
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CRICKET: Bay watch!
GRAHAM Lloyd is back in business. The 29-year-old has been struggling badly for runs this season with just 222 in 10 Championship innings and no half century in any type of cricket. But yesterday at Colwyn Bay he emerged from his nightmare with a whirlwind
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Childish Cllr Jarvis
I WAS outraged after reading the childish comments made by Leigh's Cllr Brian Jarvis in last week's Journal (July l6) regarding Mr Chris Maile. I would have expected a more sophisticated objection from a man of Cllr Jarvis's position. I am a resident
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High praise
A BLACKPOOL school is set to become the top of its league with the opening of a specialist wing. The £120,000 extension at Woodlands school was opened by Blackpool's education chairman Councillor Eddie Collett. Mr Collett is extremely supportive of the
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Police called in as Ron gets his rings back
A MORECAMBE mother-of-five who jilted a Morecambe pensioner just two hours after marrying him has been questioned by police. Karen Hastings, 30, has been interviewed about the validity of the wedding to 82-year-old Ron Stewart. Mrs Hastings, a law student
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Lucky shoes make it Alwyn's day
A PAIR of lucky shoes and some considerable skill helped Alwyn Owen battle his way to win the mens singles in the Fylde Borough Council bowling competition. The week-long competition held at bowling clubs in Lytham and St Annes saw Alwyn Owen, of Ashton
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Back to the 'Alamo' in A-boards wrangle
CREATED through its own diktat, Blackburn Council's bombastic and dictatorial attitude over shops' A-boards has made the town's own Alamo, with orders given that no quarter is to be shown to the traders. What kind of lemmings are these people - who have
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Preston firm win safety award
PRESTON Training Ltd has been given the LAWTEC Health and Safety Training Supplier of the Year Award 1998. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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Winning spin
THERE'S no doubt that this year's summer fair at Manor Beach School was a success - the Citizen has 22 letters to prove it. Pupils, most in their final year at the Cleveleys primary school, bombarded us with accounts and poems of their day. Activities
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New angle on an old Storey
ONE of the North West's oldest companies has been sold for £3.25 million to Liverpool plc, Banner Chemicals. Joseph Storey & Co Ltd, which has a £2.5 million turnover, will continue to operate from its premises in Lancaster. No job losses are expected
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Stinging in the rain
LANCASHIRE maintained their challenge for the Britannic Assurance Championship with a dramatic win over Worcestershire at Lytham last week. Chasing 281 to win from 74 overs they won with two wickets and seven balls to spare, even after rain had reduced
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'Dry run' recommended
REGARDING Mrs Margaret Baxter's call (LET, July 9) for the church wedding service to acknowledge unwed couples living together and those who have children, I have been with my partner for six years and have had three children during that time. Although
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Leprosy group employs fund-raiser
THE British Leprosy Relief Association has a new community fund-raiser in Preston. Linda Marr hopes to raise public awareness about leprosy. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion
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Swinging in the rain
IT was very much a case of swinging in the train for Bootle batsman John Hitchmough at Vernon Road on Sunday in his side's Lancashire Cup quarter final against holder St Annes. Many of his hard-hit eight fours and three sixes came with heavy rain falling
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Moving pictures
OUT of town cinema complexes? Around Lancaster you don't even have to leave the motorway to catch a flick. Forton Northbound Service Station claims to be the first ever British roadside cafe to install a movie theatre. The unique mini-movie screen will
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Hospitals need more blood
THE National Blood Service is appealing to existing and new blood donors to visit their blood donor sessions to help the increase in hospital demand. Demand is already four and a half per cent higher this year and is set to increase more because of the
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Motorsport: Andy races to new success
ST HELENS race ace Andy Middlehurst has swept to another super success. He mastered soaking track conditions to win the 1998 Dunlop National Saloon Cup's biggest race of the year, on the supporting programme at the RAC British Grand Prix at Silverstone
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Council appeals to public for money saving ideas
A CASH-STRAPPED council is to ask the public for money saving ideas. The public consultation in Burnley aims to find ways of maintaining services without increasing spending by £5 million. Burnley Council has been capped for for six years and had to make
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'Hope Carr Three' are all foreigners
I SEE that Cllr Jarvis is yet again letting off steam about the fact I do not live in the particular area that the campaign of the day is taking place (Journal 16 July). Perhaps Cllr. Jarvis will remember this when he is up for re-election to a ward where
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Pair beat woman for just £1.25
A MORECAMBE woman was left distraught after robbers dragged her into a bush and beat her up for just £1.25. The 41-year-old woman was attacked by two scruffy looking teenagers after getting off a bus near the Morrison's store before walking along the
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Good Samaritan ends up in hospital
A SOON-TO-BE-WED Lancaster man's face was left in a mess after he came to the aid of a woman being beaten up only to be attacked himself and see the female walk off with the thug. The 30-year-old man saw the woman being beaten up outside his house on
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Nurses to help victims of domestic violence
NURSES at the Royal Preston Hospital are being asked to take photographs of injuries suffered by victims of domestic violence. The pictures, which will be taken by specially trained nurses in the accident and emergency department, will play a vital part
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Bowls: Big night for fans
CROWN green fans are in for a real treat this weekend. For the Carr Mill Hotel plays hosts to the final of the Greenalls Championship tomorrow (Friday). Sponsored by Hamlet Cigars, the competition has attracted some of the best players from all over the
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Call for more cash into mental health
NO new money has gone into mental health services for the elderly in Burnley for the last seven years, a health watchdog revealed. Community Health Council chairman Frank Clifford said Burnley Health Trust had received no extra cash despite the area's
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Bit of shut eye!
A BLACKPOOL building site manager was a sight for sore eyes when he mistook his eye drops for superglue. Sean Fleming was working in Newcastle last week when the mishap occured as he coped with a hangover the morning after his 29th birthday. "I'd been
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Busway: they're just proposals
I WAS concerned to read the article and letters about the proposals for the Leigh Busway (Costing off track claim campaigner, Bookie Pat bets it's all cut and dried, 'The decision has already been made', 'worst option', Metrolink is top priority, Leigh
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Job Centre in the dark over 'MP's vacancies'
'NEW jobs? What new jobs?' That was the reply from staff at Lancaster Job Centre this week despite Lancaster MP Hilton Dawson claim that he had 'discovered 500 new vacancies. Mr Dawson was discussing the need to create more jobs on the train last week
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Bogus leaflets warning
LEAFLETS claiming that evicted council tenants would be given one of the new housing association homes at Morecambe were slammed as bogus this week. The anonymous leaflets have been circulating around Morecambe for the last few weeks and claim that evicted
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Harvey shores up defence
JIM Harvey has signed two new defenders, Mick Waller and David Hall, in an attempt to shore up a defence that sometimes leaked goals last year. The signings come despite reports that the club are still looking for a new sponsor to make up a shortfall
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Arcade boy electrocuted
CUSTOMERS in a Blackpool amusement arcade were horrified to find a boy's body behind a win-a-teddy machine. Lee Harmon, 11, of Princess Court, South Shore, was found electrocuted late on Friday night (July 17) - nearly 36 hours after his father last saw
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Storm over calming measures
MEASURES to calm traffic in the West End of Morecambe has caused a storm of protest from local residents and businesses. More than 100 people attended a heated meeting last week where planners were grilled over their controversial scheme to introduce
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Bowls: Mike is Star master
CROWN green king Mike Tunstall has hit a rich vein of form. And he really struck gold when he lifted the Star Masters crown at the Gerard Arms on Saturday night. It followed hot on the heels of success in the Thwaites Classic at Crompton and the Gardeners
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Beauty is in the eye
BEAUTIES from Lancaster have become shy about showing off their feminine wiles - because of the modern creed of political correctness. The first ever 'Miss Lancaster' competition attracted just five girls before deadline for entries this week, even though
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Late clincher
TAKING a breather from Vaux Northern League action, St Annes lost on the penultimate delivery to league leaders Chorley at Windsor Park. Put in to bat, Adrian Darlington and Eldine Baptiste put on 46 runs before the former was caught behind by Neil Senior
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ARL treat planned
RUGBY League fans are in for a treat this weekend. For the Blackbrook club is again staging the Alex Murphy Trophy. The opening rounds in the 13-a-side competition include: Saturday: Portico Panthers v Haydock (1pm) and Eccles v Blackbrook (3pm). Sunday
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Can't see the wood for the trees!
A WONDROUS living exhibition or an expensive artistic flop? The jury's out on whether the Storey Institute's new 'Tasting Garden' is an artistic asset to the city or a waste of public money. Fans of the £98,000 project to develop a living exhibition of
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Denis Whittle talks Rugby League with Saints coach Shaun McRae
Countdown to blast-off RUGBY League is ripe for expansion. That's the view of Shaun McRae as Saints prepare to meet Wigan in a first-ever clash at the Vetch Field, Swansea. WHITTLE: The war-time pearl 'is your journey really necessary?' is on the lips
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Public toilets in time warp
I READ with great interest your article by Haidee Wilson on Blackpool's millennium (July 9). On behalf of old people like myself I would like to suggest to Councillor Ivan Taylor that before we take a "quantum leap in technology", that he takes a small
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Lynx given boot as Celtic come to town
LANCASHIRE Lynx have sensationally been given the boot from Deepdale for this Sunday's promotion clash against Oldham. The Division Two game was scheduled to take place at 3pm this Sunday with the winners to take over the top spot in the league. However
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Cricket: Bright spot for St Helens
ST HELENS CC collected a hard-fought victory over New Brighton on Saturday. Winning the toss gave Neil Woods the opportunity to ask New Brighton to bat first on a damp wicket which made the bounce unpredictable. The St Helens bowlers responded to the
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Bury FC: Shakers aim to keep stars
SHAKERS chiefs are negotiating to keep the club's prized assets at Gigg Lane. Improved, extended contracts have been offered to star men Chris Lucketti (main pic) and Dean Kiely (inset) who are both rated in the £1 million bracket. Chairman Terry Robinson
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Circus claims are no laughing matter
ANIMAL lovers in the district have been warned about a travelling circus which promotes itself as "RSPCA inspected." The animal charity claims advertising by Harlequin Circus suggests they are endorsed by the RSPCA but the animal welfare group is totally
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Cricket: Misery for Recs
THE misery continued for St Helens Recs CC on Saturday when they visited title contenders Ormskirk. Losing the toss and being asked to bat on a seaming wicket all the batsmen struggled. Only Australian Paul Toole showed any real resistance with a sterling
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Bury FC: Defeated but not despondent
Marsden Lancashire Cup: Wigan 1, Bury 0. BURY'S 1-0 defeat at the hands of Second Division Wigan Athletic at Springfield Park on Tuesday evening didn't leave boss Neil Warnock too downhearted. Graeme Jones' 34th minute strike proved to be the difference
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A mother's crusade
RACHAEL Bell can feel the living spirit of Matthew, her three-year-old son who died last October after contracting the E-coli bug. It is that presence of her happy, active boy (she's sure she once felt him cuddling her) that helps her find a way through
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Police hunt for gunman
A 33-YEAR-OLD was terrified when he felt the end of a gun against his head and was screamed at by a robber as was leaving his car in Morecambe this week. The robber demanded that he give up his car, but he refused and eventually managed to knock the gun
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All will be revealed for open day
FANS will be given a chance to view the spectacular new Bill Shankly Kop when Preston North End opens its doors for an open day on Saturday, July 25. Various stalls and activities will be on offer at Deepdale and they include a match between former players
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Tizer-tanic! Disaster link with local pop
THERE'S an interesting link between the ill-fated liner Titanic, Atherton and top pop Tizer. Back in 1912 The Journal recorded a presentation to Captain Arthur Henry Rostron. Capt Rostron, according to our issue of April 26, 1912, was "a fine, clean-cut
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Up and running!
SPORT in the area received a £200,000 boost this week. The brand new club house opened last Wednesday much to the pride of the Lancaster & Morecambe Athletics Club's 330 members. And as soon as the doors to new facility next to the Salt Ayre sports
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Virgin talks hold promise
LANCASTER could still be linked to Virgin's Euro Star service after an all-party delegation of North West MPs took their concerns to Virgin's management team. Hilton Dawson spearheaded the meeting and was optimistic that a compromise solution could be
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The Deepdale Duck finsishes a busy tour
IN the past two months the Deepdale Duck has visited more people than the mayor, signed more autographs than the PNE players and performed for more kids than the Spice Girls. But the Duck is heading home to roost after completing a tiring two-month roadshow
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ASDA count cost of ram-raid
RA"AID gunmen made a savage supermarket swoop and netted £70,000. The ram-raiders grabbed the money as security guards filled cash dispensers after closing time on Friday night at Asda's Golborne store. Three attackers snatched the cash after threatening
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School gets ring of steel security
RESIDENTS have given the thumbs up to a ring of steel which is being thrown around an Accrington high school. An eight-foot high steel fence could be in place at Moorhead High School's campus on Queens Road West by the start of the new term. Plans for
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Cricket: Stand deliver in local derby
STAND bustled their way to an emphatic 91-run victory when they entertained Heywood on Saturday. They opened the batting in this CENTRAL LANCASHIRE LEAGUE match at Hamilton Road and were content to score at something like three per over in conditions
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Bert welcomes back his 'old friend'
WHEN a roadside milestone disappeared Lowton farmer Bert Worsley felt like he'd lost an old friend. Pub redevelopment last year at the King's Arms at Lane Head meant the milestone bearing the legend "St Helens 8 miles, Bolton 11 miles" had to move. But
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Open all hours?
POLICE are set to call time on pubs which double up as night clubs following an Appeal Court ruling. Landlords in Lancaster and Morecambe are currently weighing up the consequences of the 'Shipley Judgement,' which makes it illegal for ordinary pubs to
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In this week's Kris's Corner is the vice-chairman of the PNE supporters club
PUTTING across the fans view is one of the main roles for Karen Wolstenholme who eats, sleeps and breaths Preston North End. Being the vice-chairman of the official PNE Supporters Club, Karen loves working in her part-time role at Deepdale. "I really
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Magnolia Oscar for Catherine
CULCHETH Players picked up an "Oscar" and four nominations in the Cheshire Guild Awards recently. Catherine Brentford collected the Best Supporting Actress Award playing Ouiser in "Steel Magnolias", and the show was nominated for four further prizes -
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Speed trap nets 1,700
A GET tough policy on drivers speeding through roadworks on the M6 motorway has 'trapped' more than 1,700 motorists in just four days. In the first case of its kind in the country, speed cameras were installed at motorway roadworks on the M6 at Forton
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Tom Parker looks back at the 1974 World Cup
UNLIKE so many previous World Cup tournaments, the event in West Germany was played in rain, rain and even more rain. This gave a slight edge to the Europeans - something that they would later exploit. There were also worries about team security following
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Eating to survive - sad tales of homeless teenagers
Food News, with Christine Rutter TEENAGER Mark Parry lives on a diet of chips. Debbie Clemance is a 16-year-old expectant mother, who survives on tins of beans costing 10p and the occasional salad she finds reduced in price at the supermarket. She worries
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Such a little sweetie
AREN'T you a little sweetie - pictured sharing a bag of liquorice allsorts with Bertie Bassett is 22-month-old James Simpkins from Bispham. Bertie joined Ribena Berries, Cadbury's Caramel bunny and Postman Pat in Red Bank Road to celebrate the start of
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Diamond dinner
THE Diamond Jubilee of one of Blackburn's biggest employers is set to kick off in style. Philips Components is celebrating 60 years of manufacturing in the town. And the first of a series of events will be a celebration dinner at Ewood Park before the
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School chief's thanks
BURY'S chief education officer has issued an end-of-term message of gratitude. Mr Harold Williams, writing in the council's Education Bulletin, thanked everyone in schools, community and youth centres across the borough who have helped learners. He also
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Shops are on a high
SHOPPERS prefer town centre bargain-hunting. Leigh Town Centre manager John Ayres says predictions about the death of high street shopping is premature. And the town is playing a leading role in a £1m campaign to reinforce its retail and leisure attractions
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Scandal of low-paid workers facing sack
WORKERS in Lancashire are unfairly facing the sack from unscrupulous bosses, a report claims. A survey by the Low Pay Unit in the region found that employees are often being dismissed without good reason "There are already provisions in place which allow
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Traffic's calm before the storm
RETAILERS in Morecambe's West End claim new traffic calming measures will badly affect local businesses. Council plans for speed humps, chicanes and one-way traffic in the area have been branded "stupid" by local residents and retailers. And they are
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Youth centre of information
TEENAGERS can't complain they are in the dark - thanks to a new information centre. The advice shop is based at Elton youth and community centre and is the first of its type in the borough. It was formally opened last Friday by David Chaytor, MP for Bury
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Out of the frame!
THE organisers of the world pool championships have pulled out of Morecambe after a row over funding. And now the money-spinning tournament, which brings thousands to the resort, is set to move elsewhere because what they claim is lack of support from
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Leyland crushed by superb Netherfield
NETHERFIELD 150-5 LEYLAND 106 all out LEYLAND suffered a 44 runs defeat at Fox Lane against Netherfield. The Cumbrians batted first with Clarke and Tommy Prime adding 51 runs for the first wicket before Prime was caught by Rocca off Steven Pallett for
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Greens under attack
THE chairman of Lancaster's Storey Art Institute attacked the Green Party for criticising their new £98,000 'tasting garden' exhibition. The garden boasts 22 rare fruit trees but more than half of them died after the New York artist completed the exhibition
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Castle works given go-ahead
WORK to unearth Bury's castle monument ruins could begin as soon as October. The English Heritage has given its approval for archaeological works to take place on the site at the rear of Castle Buildings in the town centre. The plan will now go before
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Bringing a little sunshine
A TEAM of Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides have set off on a trans-European adventure which will take them to help the orphanage children of trouble-torn Croatia. The 28 Scouts and three Rangers, aged 15 to 19, which make up Operation Sunrise - Croatia
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Jail for student pusher
A LANCASTER University student who was a "prime mover" on the local drug scene has been jailed for two years. Ben Richardson, 21, was caught with almost £16,000 of class B drugs in his room when police raided Grizedale College at Lancaster University
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Flood threat to 30 jobs
FLOODS from a culvert under an Atherton factory are threatening 30 jobs and the future of the firm. Management and staff arrived at Industrial Door Components Ltd on the Prestwich Industrial Estate in Bag Lane on Tuesday to find the premises awash with
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Old Ned's back on the books!
ONE of Lancaster's most unsavoury characters from the past has been widely featured in a new book. Edward Barlow, commonly known as 'Old Ned,' was the hangman of at Lancaster Castle for 31 years, putting 131 offenders to an untimely death. Born in 1736
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Couple die in bike horror
A COUPLE were fatally injured when their motorcycle veered out of control and struck a lamp-post. Barry Moyers and Lesley Painter, both aged 31, of Cherry Tree Drive, Parr, were travelling along Gaskell Street, Parr, in the direction of Peasley Cross,
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A natural winner
WINNING a top award came naturally for a Bury food shop. The Organic Way, run by husband and wife team Peter and Tracey Tomlinson, has been officially recognised at regional level. And the couple have their customers to thank - it was their support that
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Strong push by marketing team
FIRST National Vehicle Contracts has developed a four-strong marketing team to push forward its service improvement and product and business development plans. Headed by marketing director Mark Junner, previously with IBM, the experienced team at FNVC's
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Old lady woke to find intruder
AN 84-year-old woman woke in the early hours of the morning to find a masked man searching her bedroom. The incident took place at about 3.45am on Wednesday, July 8, at the woman's home in Chapel Lane, Eccleston. After being disturbed, the intruder made
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Boosting exports
EVEN in the face of a strong pound, some companies in Bury and Bolton are actively seeking to develop new export business. During the last 18 months, Business Link Bolton and Bury, through Bolton Business Ventures, has sponsored a programme called Pro-active
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Pupils branch out
A LOCAL school is thinking globally and acting locally through projects as far afield as Kenya and as close to home as Haslam Brow, Bury. Pupils at Bury Church of England High School are busy raising money for conservation work in Tsavo East National
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Leigh boss quits after two months
LEIGH Centurions are in the market for a new coach. Norman Turley, in charge for just two months, is to voluntarily stand down as the Hilton Park outfit chase a full time coach or player/coach. They hope to have the new man in charge before the end of
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Prestwich firm beat big city boys
FAST-growing Prestwich marketing and design specialists Appleby Bowers have won a prestigious new advertising contract with Haydock-based Nichols Foods. And the award of the valuable 12-month contract, which comes following successful work on packaging
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Smart thinking from three firms
THREE smart-thinking St Helens companies and one from Newton have had their innovative development schemes rewarded with Department of Trade and Industry SMART awards. Esspee Fabrications Ltd., of Merton Bank Road, were awarded £56,392; Future Safety
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From blackboard to motherboard!
A FORMER primary school teacher from Bury has been back to school - and has now launched a hi-tech career in the computer industry. After chalking up his first few years in the classroom, 33-year-old David Hartshorne decided that a little more education
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Bands strike up for charity show
LOCAL bands are queuing up to take part in a charity night to raise money for Leukaemia Research and CHICS (a charity which provides holidays for children who are ill). So far six local acts have signed up to take part in the event, which will be staged
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Woman collector is robbed
A FEMALE insurance collector was robbed after leaving a house in Belvedere Road, Newton-le-Willows. The 40-year-old victim, who was visiting houses in the area to collect cash payments, was about to get into her Ford Escort car outside the house when
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Sprting life for Bury ex-pat boys
THE son of two Bury ex-pats is back in town, sampling all the delights of a sporting summer holiday. Kevin O'Byrne and his wife Gillian emigrated to Canada 19 years ago and now live at Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Their 12-year-old
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Friends' salute to Gladys
MEMBERS of the Helen Marie Friends fund-raising group have paid tribute to the work of its patron Gladys Ambrose, the Brookside actress who died recently after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 67. Marjorie Hurst, one of the founding members of
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Tennis: Cartwright completes a double for town
ONCE again, Bury based players were the stars of the Bolton Sports Federation's Tennis Championships. Ian Stott from Walmer took the Men's Singles title for the sixth time and Lisa Cartwright from Hawkshaw retained her singles title for the seventh time
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'Hazards' of disused rail line
A DISUSED railway line running over a bridge in Sutton is a 'tragedy waiting to happen' according to Marshalls Cross Liberal Democrat councillor John Beirne. Councillor Beirne is urging Railtrack to secure the now-disused line between St Helens Central
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Woman robbery victim gives chase
A WOMAN was attacked and robbed in Clock Face as she got into her car on her way to the post office with the afternoon takings from the off-licence where she works. The victim left Huttons Off Licence in Four Acre Lane with the money at about 3.20pm on
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Why Bernadette's a glassy act
ARTIST Bernadette Hughes is aiming to be a cut above the rest. For the 27-year-old who runs The Glass and Mosaic Studio in Rainford, specialising in stained glass and mosaic sculpture, is rapidly making a name for herself both in this country and abroad
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Brewery buys moors hotel/restaurant
A PUB, restaurant and hotel complex on the moors above Darwen has been bought by Cumbrian-based brewers Jennings Brothers for more than £500,000. The Old Rosins Inn at Pickup Bank, Hoddlesden, was owned for more than 15 years by husband and wife team
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Holiday teenager tells of 'rowdies' emergency landing
A TEENAGER'S holiday flight to Turkey turned into high drama when her plane made an emergency landing in Romania to offload two rowdy passengers. Nicola Brooks, 15, of Beardwood, Blackburn, was on her way to Marmaris on the Turkish coast when the Boeing
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Steve on his bike for RMCH
BATTLING biker Steve Jones fought the elements in a 120 mile round trip to raise funds for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Keen cyclist Steve, of Gloucester Street, Atherton hopes to have raised over £100 for the hospital from his sponsored
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Can you pass this test?
COUPLES are wanted for a new TV show. 'The Love Test' is being launched on Cable's Live TV in September and contestants are now being recruited. Once on the show a panel of experts - astrologer, sex therapist and body language specialist, will give advice
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25 years ago
From the Bury Times, July 20, 1973 M-WAY: Whitehall agreed to re-route the new M66 round the Tetrosyl factory at Walmersley. But they over-ruled complaints from Ramsbottom Secondary School and Shuttleworth village. HOAX: An Ainsworth couple suffered a
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Freddie is not ready
COUNTING down for Andrew Flintoff lift-off. English cricket and its supporters can be forgiven for frothing at the prospect of Lancashire's man mountain mounting the Test match stage. But is that expectancy justified for Flintoff's eagerly awaited England
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Plastic plan to tackle lead water pipes peril
WATER chiefs have come up with a new method of combating the potential health hazard of lead in Blackburn's drinking water. The town has more than 12,000 properties with lead plumbing - more than most other towns and cities in Britain. Now, around 150
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Another chance to have your say
BUSWAY proposals will be discussed again at a public meeting in Ellenbrook. Worsley Civic Trust has called the meeting for 8pm on Monday at Ellenbrook school, Longwall Avenue, off Newearth Road. Experts from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive
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Looking for panto hopefuls
THE Turnpike Community Theatre is desperately seeking a pianist and drummer. The company is auditioning next month for its Christmas pantomime "Dame Whittington and Her Dog." Anyone interested in either acting or stagework should go along to the X11 Apostles
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Peter's rare damsel find
A RARE damselfly has been spotted in Worsley Wood. Naturalist Peter Edmondson sighted the Banded Demoiselle damselfly (Calopteryx splendens) along the former railway line between Roe Green and the wood, as part of the Mersey Basin Campaign's Kingfisher
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Just love your website
JUST thought I would send the St Helens Star a quick thank-you and congratulations on the quality of your website. It keeps us informed of all the news back home (especially the Saints) while we are working here in the Middle East. We are back in St Helens
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One wheel off my waggon
HAULAGE experts say dangerous cases of wheels coming off moving trucks could be prevented for "peanuts". A damning Government report shows there could be as many as 2,000 lorry wheel loss incidents each year. One industry expert slammed the report saying
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Reviving those sweet shop memories
THERE'S good news for Jackie Madsen Maloney, an American with local roots, who recently inquired if anyone could help with her family researches. Jackie, from Connecticut, was seeking out any information about the Buckley sisters who had been brought
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Anyone recall the dedicated doc?
IT'S 40 or 50 years since retired businessman Sam Faber heard from his globe-trotting doctor friend from Rainford. But he still often thinks about Dr R. J. G. Hogg and wonders whether he is still alive after a career dedicated to the World Health Organisation
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We want you for a new recruit
VOLUNTEERS are invited to accept a new challenge which offers satisfying rewards. Wigan and Leigh Volunteer Bureau is seeking recruits to help a variety of groups. Opportunities range from assisting as a co-ordinator, collector or public speaker with
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Rural life no route to happiness
RURAL parishes in East Lancs are only just surviving when it comes to facilities such as village shops and GP surgeries, according to two new surveys. The Rural Development Commission reports claim that indicators used by the Government and policymakers
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Chris leads walk to fitness
GUIDED countryside walks aim to help people enjoy free exercise and regain good health. A series of 'walks for life' have been organised to help people regain fitness through exercising. On Monday July 27 starting at 6.30pm Chris Ritson will lead a ramble
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Lime Greens!
GREENS aim to grab more of the limelight. On Monday at 7.15pm Leigh Green Party holds its annual meeting in Leigh Town Hall. And the north west's newest branch will be preening itself after a hectic first 12 months. The Greens' Chris Maile said:"It is
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Floral displays are lovely
I WOULD like to thank Mr Martin Hathaway and his staff for the lovely display of flowers in parks and gardens around the town. Worthy of particular mention are Sparrow Park, the public library area, the Parish Church and the walls along Market Street,
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Media was unfair on England fans
AS a Bury FC and England supporter for more than 20 years, I have watched football throughout England and Europe. I must express my deep concern about the way the media has reported events during France '98. I was at the England v Tunisia match, standing
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Auction double for hospice
WIGAN and Leigh Hospice won a bonus auction double when college staff said a fond farewell to their old base at the end of term. The Hairdressing, Beauty and Holistic Therapies department at Wigan and Leigh College, housed temporarily in the old DHSS
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Controversial - but quite magnificent
AFTER reading the Bury Times (July 17), I felt the need to voice my opinion on the infamous Ramsbottom "Urn". I'm afraid I have to disagree with the general view. After close study I have decided that the sculpture can only be beneficial and, though I
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Pupils enjoy sports day in Bamber Bridge
SPORTS stars are getting younger every day - just look at this energetic bunch. Inspired by this summer's success stories, the children of Bamber Bridge Methodist School couldn't wait to compete in their own brand of sport. So for their annual sports
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Citizen staff to play against former PNE players
CITIZEN reporter Kristian Jack and photographer Robert Underdown, pictured, are to appear in the media team at Preston North End's open day this Saturday. However when Robert, known for his goalkeeping skills, was told to get in the nets he got a little
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Councillors backed the wrong side
BOLTON Road Sports Club has been present in Church Ward, Bury, for more than 75 years. In that time the club has served the youth and community with a dedication that has won the praise and blessing of the English Sports Council nationally, and Bury Sports
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Playground transformed thanks to the Citizen
A CITIZEN appeal helped a team of dedicated volunteers transform a gloomy site into an exciting adventure playground for local toddlers. Armed with nothing but initiative, the group of Prince's Trust volunteers asked the Citizen to publish a request for
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TEN YEARS AGO: Fan-tastic for Alan
BEATLES-barmy Alan Parker didn't need to get by with a little help for his friends. For Alan's FABS club had just become the Beatles' official fan club. A delighted Alan was snowed under by Fab Four fanatics from all over the world as his Beatles club
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Captain's log...
GREAT news for all fans of the cult television series, Star Trek. A brand new club has just been started by (Captain) Andie Jones and he is looking for recruits. The club is part of the International Organisation Starfleet Command, which means that it
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MP Smith to boost M6 road dialogue
MORECAMBE and Lunesdale MP Geraldine Smith is in Brussels this week pressing the case for the completion of the Heysham Port M6 motorway link. She will be asking representatives of the European Commission to consider incorporating the road into the Trans
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Lanky slang to be left out of foreign Wallace and Gromit
PRESTON folk want nowt teken owt of Nick Park's Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit. But distributer Oxford University Press have other ideas. They want to take the Lanky slang out of the Preston-born Park's new video, which will be sold overseas. The proud
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TENNIS: Lancs pair close in
EAST Lancashire pair Anne Driver and Gail Atherton kept Lancashire women in with a chance of the Inter-County Championship tennis title at Eastbourne with a crucial win over Warwickshire. Clitheroe's Driver won all three rubbers and Blackburn's Gail Atherton
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Mitchell's are the toast of the coast!
LANCASTER's own independent brewers, Mitchells, have bought another 17 pubs across the region from rivals Thwaites'. The Sun Dial in Bentham will be just one of the new pubs where beer drinkers will be able to sup unique Lancaster beers. The purchase
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Boycott cruel sports
IF fewer tourists attended bullfights, it could put a stop to them. Apart from the bullfights, the fiestas they have in Spain can involve torturing all kinds of animals for pleasure. But it is not just in Spain that such acts go on. In Greece and Turkey
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Arrogance of Blair
IWAS shocked to read that since the General Election, out of 325 votes in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister has only voted 14 times. Although I am a Labour voter, I have to admit that New Labour has shown contempt for the House of Commons since
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Honoured memories
THE hard work of two former teachers has been honoured at Lytham St Annes High. A sixth art studio has been dedicated to Greta Cullen, an art historian who taught at the school for many years before dying from cancer in 1987. She was a teacher who always
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It's a matter of opinion
REGARDING the assortment of views over William III (Letters, July 15 and 16), let us examine some of the facts which both modern and traditional historians provide about his reign. After the Monmouth rebellion and the chaos following Sedgemoor, William
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Maile cares most on the busway
YOU want to hear from people who have views on the busway? I have very strong views. What on earth are the public's representatives thinking of to even envisage allowing this valuable piece of countryside - this "green lung" for all the surrounding communities
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Compassionate care at The Spinney
AT a meeting in the Hag Fold Community Centre, residents' problems were discussed and details of the forthcoming "clean-up day" were given by the committee and Cllr Loudon. There then followed a discussion on the breakout from the Spinney of two of their
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'S'ay goodbye
ON August 1 new cars with the S prefix will be driven from local showrooms by their new owners, many of them company reps, hoping to turn heads - and in many cases succeeding. However, next month's annual numberplate change will be the last as we know
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Happy 50th Sooty!
LOVABLE puppet Sooty certainly looks good for his age - this weekend he celebrated his 50th birthday. With friends Sweep and Soo, he travelled to his 'birthplace' of Blackpool for a giant party at the Stakis Hotel where young fans were waiting to wish
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City link is best idea
THE proposed busway linking Leigh to Manchester via Ellenbrook is just about the best idea to have come since the railways proved to be too expensive to run. At last Leigh and Tyldesley, plus all the adjacent estates, will have a direct link to a major
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What a wash-out with the toffs!
ANOTHER weekend was washed out by this atrocious weather. Avid local car booters like me must be sick as parrots this year - there's not been a decent Sunday since May. On Sunday I joined thousands at what could have been a terrific fund raising day for
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MP challenged to explain support for gay sex at 16
AN MP has been challenged to explain his support for proposals to lower the age of homosexual consent from 18 to 16. Burnley MP Peter Pike came under fire at a meeting of the town's council. Although the House of Lords last night overturned the Commons
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Making it work!
DO YOU have a 'job from hell' with meagre wages or a terrible boss? A local trade unionist compiling examples of workers' pay and conditions in Lancaster and Morecambe says he is "appalled" by some of the area's bad employers. Chris Holloway of Lancaster
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Cricket: Sunlight bring gloom
THE two division system in the Merseyside Competition seems to be encouraging safety first rather than positive cricket as Sutton suffered again on Saturday. Port Sunlight won the toss and for the third week in a row Sutton were faced with a 200-plus
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The road to dignity
TORRISHOLME'S notorious speed bumps are making life difficult for funeral processions on their way to the crematorium. The controversial traffic calming has had its fair share of critics and now workers in the funeral business claim they make a 'dignified
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Ear, listen to this!
THE council-backed Summerbreeze open air concerts should have come with an official health warning when they deafened Morecambe this weekend with ear-splitting performances which blasted noise into homes all over the resort until midnight. Residents must
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Cricket: Haydock fire warning shot
THE hard work and patience finally paid off for Haydock as both first and second teams had good wins over Litherland in the Southport and District League. Haydock first entertained Litherland and posted a resounding victory and serve notice to the leaders
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Bury FC: Bruce deal on ice
ANY deal to bring Bruce Grobbelaar to Gigg Lane will have to wait at least until the start of the season. Rumours that the charismatic Zimbabwean 'keeper will be arriving as Dean Kiely's understudy have been rife this week but Warnock ruled out any immediate
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Life sentence warning for child abuser
A PAEDOPHILE who posed as a bus driver to molest young boys in Morecambe was warned he faces life imprisonment behind bars by an Old Bailey judge this week. Graham Smith, 45, who did not even have a driver's licence, fondled boys or young men during a
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Bumper gift for NHS
A BLACKPOOL Labour leader has hailed the Government's £56 billion public spending package as a bumper 50th birthday present for the NHS. Councillor Joan Greenhalgh - who will welcome the Labour conference to the resort in September - said the cash would
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Rugby League: Holliday offered extended contract
SWINTON coach Les Holliday has been rewarded for taking the club to the verge of the Super League. Lions' chiefs have tabled a one year extension to the former international star's contract and hopes are high that he will sign up. Holliday's side are
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Perez to make Rovers debut
ROY Hodgson expects Sebastien Perez to be ready to make his Blackburn Rovers debut next week. Perez should figure in one of next week's two pre-season games, at Wolves and Ipswich - with the trip to Portman Road on Friday looking the best bet at the moment
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Putting your house in order
SPECIAL powers to crack down on Morecambe's 'slum landlords' have been introduced to the resort. The city council has backing from the Secretary of State to ensure multi-occupancy properties are up to scratch. The council will be checking that properties
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All-action skate park for town
AN all-action skate park looks set to take shape as part of the plans to develop a town piazza close to the centre of Accrington. The proposed £25,000 park at St James Square, behind the Communicare building, would boast a network of steel ramps for skate
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CHC looks at mental health
BURY health watchdogs are demanding a better service for local people with mental health problems. Following consultation meetings with group representing the service users and their carers, the Bury Community Health Council found three main priority
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That's thigh girl!
EVERYONE was certainly in the mood for dancing as they celebrated the return of Summer Holiday to Blackpool. Stars of the musical, back for another summer season run at the Opera House, were congratulated by stars of the small screen and resort dignitaries
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Back to school for heads
A GROUP of headteachers from St Helens primary schools has successfully completed a business management training programme, the first of its kind. The heads from Carr Mill Infants, Rectory CE Primary, St John Vianney RC Primary, and Willow Tree Primary
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Dental patients get pulling power!
ST HELENS and Knowsley residents with severe toothache will now be able to get emergency dental treatment seven days a week with the launch of a new user-friendly service. In the past, people who had not visited a dentist within the last 15 months experienced
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'Aid charity' plea from grateful recipient
A WOMAN who once faced living without furniture after the break up of a relationship today called on others to rally round and help the charity which came to her aid. Vera Duxbury, 43, says the Darwen Churches Together Furniture Project proved a lifeline
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Double boost for college
ST HELENS College has received a double boost after earning top marks from government inspectors and being chosen to become a Centre of Excellence for Information and Technology. Following the 59-day inspection by the Further Education Funding Council
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Builders in double death tragedy
WORKMATES died within minutes of each other as tragedy struck on a Burnley building site. Roofing contractor Billy Heaton, 51, raced off a roof to help when he saw labourer George Taylor, 45, collapse on the ground as they worked at a house in Ightenhill
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Skittled - for FIFTEEN!
GOLBORNE Under 15s bowling and fielding proved too much for Adlington who were all out for 15, top scorer A Holdsworth on 5. Three Golborne bowlers shared the wickets: Dale Tyrer - 4 wickets, five runs, 1 maiden and 4 overs; Manesh Myangor 3 wickets in
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On This Day...
Mike Badham looks back at events on history on July 24 459: Saint Simeon Stylites died. His chief claim to same was that he spent 36 years sitting on a pillar. 1790: A shower of meteorites fell on south west France. They impressed to locals so much that
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Ex-champ's son cleared of pub assault
A FORMER boxing champ has spoken out for his son, cleared of assaulting a woman at a pub karaoke evening. Nigel Rea, 25, of Russell Place, Great Harwood, was found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm, after a one-and-a-half day trial at Burnley
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Decoy plans for raids on shops
TRADING standards bosses have revealed more about their plans to use teenage decoys in swoops on shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to children under 16. The move, revealed two weeks ago, follows a string of complaints by parents and the public against premises
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China trip of a lifetime
A TEENAGER is swopping East Lancashire for the Far East for a month after raising almost £3,000. Laura Jackson will join around 30 other young people on a trip to China. Laura, of Dotcliffe Road, Kelbrook, a member of the Yorkshire Schools' Exploring
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Transport: Changes are needed says council chief
THE "disastrous" relief road project in Whitefield is proof that major changes are needed to transport policy, said Bury Council's leader Derek Boden. And he promised action in the coming years while the Government's plans were being debated at national
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A miracle milestone for Leyland parents
THIS could be just another photograph for the family album - but the heart-breaking story behind it is nothing short of a miracle. The mother and daughter portrait was taken to celebrate toddler Bethany Rowlands' first birthday - a milestone her parents
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Journalist makes headlines for woman of year
JOURNALIST Gillian Reynolds will headline the borough's first Woman of the Year awards ceremony. Ms Reynolds, a radio critic for the Daily Telegraph for 22 years, will be the guest speaker at the Elizabethan Suite, Bury, on October 1. Having been a regular
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MPs back Prescott's transport plans
THE Government's transport plans are a necessary and long overdue attempt to tackle Britain's crowded roads, say the borough's MPs. But while people agree that something must be done, they will take a lot of convincing to leave their cars at home. David
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We'll drink to that
CITIZEN readers may be interested in the following report. July's Morecambe Labour Party meeting voted to ask the council to introduce a bye-law banning drinking of alcohol in the resort's public places, especially the Promenade. West End councillor Trevor
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First flight hawk goes missing
A YOUNG hawk went missing on its maiden flight. Now falconer Steve Lea is hoping his 12 weeks-old Harris hawk has managed to survive life in the wild. A gust of wind carried the young bird off in the direction of Astley when Steve's dad Cllr John Lea
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Who does he think he is?
I WRITE in reply to Mr B. Rigby (Star, July 2) who says he would rather tap dance than claim dole. How dare he say such things! There are a few who are claiming unnecessarily, but only a minority. I am one of these people he mentions, but only because
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Former MP aims for Euro seat
FORMER Bury South MP David Sumberg is going back into the political fray, but this time in Europe. He is the third choice of the Conservative Party in their team of ten candidates for the North West of England. Under new rules for the European Parliament
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Too good to last!
I KNEW it was too good to last. After 20 years in the doldrums Saints eventually sorted themselves out and became real contenders again. An Australian coach was appointed who promised to preserve our attacking flair while stiffening our defence. We appointed
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Today's music is just empty-headed nonsense
I AM writing in response to Andy Waddington's letter "Free to Listen" (Citizen, July 16). You feel free to listen to all this fourth-rated trash if you want to. There is enough of it about. Most of today's easily-impressed younger generation wouldn't
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Crime was not the work of kids
THANK YOU for your story in last week's Citizen entitled Thugs Target Family In Hate Row (Citizen, July 16). There is one thing I would like to add. I now no longer believe that the people who slashed my tyres were of primary school age because I think
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Rain to blame for poor trade
TOWN centre traders are not singing in the rain - the wet weather has put a dampener on spending spirits. In one of the most miserable summers for years, it seems the public are staying indoors rather than risk a soaked shopping spree. Most shops are
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We won't let the matter rest
HISTORY is littered with the results of those who ignored the majority in order to impose their own peculiar ideas. In Ramsbottom we now have the shameful evidence of such a minority in action. As has been reported in the Bury Times, the unwanted "jug
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Cheeky cyclists banned from cemetery
CARELESS cyclists are being asked to put the brakes on their churchyard short-cuts. Parish officials in Leyland have banned the troublemakers from using St Andrew's Church's graveyard after mourners complained. They said that disrespectful cyclists are
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What happened to our petition?
ONCE again it appears that health chiefs have got their way regarding the planned closure of Bury General Hospital. They say that the public response to the three-month consultation was "disappointing", but that is no reason to try to bring about its
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School's rebirth as new hindu centre
A FORMER Preston school is about to become a Hindu community centre in a £3.28 million transformation. The project will turn the old St Stephen's Primary, in South Meadow Lane, into a purpose-built centre for the Gujarat Hindu Society. Plans include facilities