Archive
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Relish a derby day challenge
MICK BARKER (Sports Letters, March 9) suggests that playing "the likes of Preston" will dissuade the "whingers" from attending Ewood Park next season. May I suggest that should PNE get promoted, then playing "the likes of Preston" will provide one of
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Smoke alarms for street where two died
MORE than 100 residents in a street where two people have died in house fires are to be offered free smoke alarms. The move by fire bosses follows the death of Ismail Mulla, 28, whose body was found in a house in Queen's Park Road, Blackburn, earlier
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Colourful ex-town crier dies in Spain
FORMER Rossendale town crier Nigel Hilton-Smith has died in Spain just three weeks after leaving the Valley to make a new life with his wife Louise. Nigel, 48, was a colourful character and as the unofficial town crier from 1989 to 1991 he promoted the
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Stan must admit to his blunders
STAN Ternent - a proud man, a good manager who wins the respect of his players? Does a good manager 'sack' four players for lack of commitment, then, four months later, do nothing when six players (most of his signings) show even less? Do players who
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Down by the Riverside
A fan's-eye view from Ewood Park, with Phil Lloyd IT'S happened to me once before, 19 years ago, and strangely enough, we were playing Coventry then too. You might recall Andy Crawford's winning goal as Third Division Rovers knocked top flight City out
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Cummings and Goings
A fan's-eye view from Turf Moor, with Stephen Cummings A 6-0 HUMILIATION at Turf Moor, calls for the manager to step down, a hastily rescheduled board meeting in the capital, a controversial decision by the chairman, two new signings, dropping into the
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Schools merger: no job losses pledge
THE chairman of governors at two schools with plans to merge later this year pledged that there will be no redundancies. Brian Perry, chairman of the board of governors at both St Silas Infant and Junior Schools in Clematis Road, Blackburn, said that
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I want more says teen ace Taylor
TEENAGER Martin Taylor finally made his breakthrough into the big-time with Blackburn Rovers and has enough self-confidence to declare: "I want more". With Darren Peacock available again after suspension to face Wimbledon at Ewood on Saturday, it could
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Cleared punch-up men complain against police
TWO men are making formal complaints against police after they were found not guilty of assaulting off-duty officers at a town centre nightclub. Wasi Khan, 48, of London Road, Blackburn, and David Wilson, 34, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, had both denied
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Relegation battle hots up
Peter White on the desperate fight for Premiership survival IT'S said that the bookmakers rarely get it wrong and Blackburn Rovers supporters could be praying that is the case at the end of the season. For, despite the presence of Brian Kidd's men in
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TEN YEARS AGO: Operation deaths shocker
A SHOCKING House of Commons report on hospitals revealed that Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale topped the death league with patients three times more likely to die after surgery than the NHS average. Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley was only just
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We must never forget
I SHOULD like to propose that the Millennium Dome be used as a genocide museum, as a mark to the many millions of people who have been unlawfully killed during the last century - Serbia, Rwanda, Chile, in the Jewish holocaust and the Ukrainian Genocide
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Government wins again
THE Budget hits the owners of large cars and gives to small car owners, but there are more large cars than small ones so, really, the government is giving nothing. Then there is the money they get from cigarettes. If people stopped smoking how would they
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Time is right for a clean sweep in Europe
THE CRISIS into which the European Union is plunged today as its entire Commission resigns after a damning report held it responsible for a mountain of cronyism, fraud and corruption is unprecedented. But it must be a turning point in the way the 15-nation
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Charlie bridges that Gap
VETERAN Charlie Beckley hammered a couple of nails into the Cemetery's hopes of winning the Darwen Hotels Snooker League title - a devastating 97-23 win over Dave Stevens which took not only the frame point but also the aggregate point for down-table
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MOTOR SPORT: Phil's flat out
PHIL Smithson left his rivals deflated when he won the opening round of the 1999 British Enduro Championship. For the Clitheroe bike ace scored a convincing victory on the two-day Breckland Enduro - despite being forced to race for over two hours with
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Workers' side of the story
THE council tax payers of Blackburn with Darwen are owed an explanation regarding the national agreement to reduce manual council workers' hours as there seems to have been an attempt to turn public opinion against Blackburn with Darwen Council's employees
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We are all humans
WHILE I fully sympathise with the Lawrence family for the tragic death of their son, Stephen, and for the farcical events surrounding the police investigations, am I naive or just confused? I think that the problem of racial discrimination lies at everyone's
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Parents await schools D-Day
PARENTS in Burnley will know this week whether they have been successful in the annual scramble for first-choice high school places for their youngsters. But with three schools oversubscribed, there will be disappointments, warns MP Peter Pike. He says
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Couple asleep when burglar brothers struck
TWO burgling brothers who raided a house as a couple slept in their bed, have started 15-month terms of detention. Stephen Taylor, 18, was looking for cash to furnish his new home, while Carl Taylor, 17, "just got caught up" in the house-breaking plan
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Extra Internet placement day arranged
TEACHERS have responded in droves to our invitation to attend one of two NIE teacher placement days on April 20 and 22, focusing on Internet awareness. More than 50 teachers applied for the total of 30 places available on the days, prompting us to set
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Kashmiri official tells of fight for independence
A SENIOR government minister from Kashmir praised the work of a recent fact-finding delegation from Pendle to the disputed region when he addressed a meeting in Nelson. Choudhry Rashid, the food and livestock Minister, was chief guest at the event at
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Service award for society's 25-year man
AN executive at one of the North West's largest independent building societies has been rewarded for 25 years' service. Martin Mulligan joined Nelson-based Marsden Building Society on March 18, 1974, as the office junior in the post room. He quickly moved
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Petrol scare families evacuated
FAMILIES had to be evacuated from their homes after sitting down to watch television unaware that a time bomb was ticking beneath them. Fumes from petrol reached an explosive level after contaminating the basement of a terrace house in Britten Street,
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Upper crusts scoop a baker's dozen
BAKERS from Blackburn College rose to the occasion at a prestigious bread and confectionery event. The team of students proved they're the upper crust when they scooped 13 trophies at the Swansea and District Master Bakers' Exhibition. Mark Bentley, a
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Man, 64, admits child sex charges
A 64-YEAR-old man is awaiting sentence after admitting a string of sex offences involving six children. James Gleave pleaded guilty to 13 allegations of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child at Burnley Crown Court. Gleave, formerly of Fern
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Late winner sinks Reds
Blackburn Rovers Reserves 1 Manchester United Reserves 0 A SUPERB free kick from Lee Fitzpatrick gave Rovers a well-deserved win over Manchester United in last night's Pontin's League clash at Ewood. There were only nine minutes remaining when Fitzpatrick
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Youngsters tip-toe to haul of trophies
YOUNG dancers tiptoed their way to stardom as Nelson Ballet Festival attracted more than 800 entries. More than 100 dancers took part in the event at Pendle Hippodrome, Colne, each completing at least seven solo performances and duets. The organisers
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Death road traffic to get speed cuts
A PLAN to reduce serious accidents on a notorious road has been backed by councillors. Hyndburn's environmental committee agreed traffic calming measures for Grane Road. The Blackburn to Haslingden route has become known as East Lancashire's "death road
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Stars must learn some manners
THE recent incident between Robbie Fowler and Graeme Le Saux, does the image of football a lot of harm. There's more to playing the game, than propelling a ball from one end of the pitch to the other. As well as the obvious - training, rehearsing different
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Cheers as Thwaites sponsor theatre project
BREWERS have won an ovation from theatre buffs after pledging money for Blackburn's Red Brick Theatre. The theatre at Ewood is to be renamed the Thwaites Theatre as Daniel Thwaites brewery has promised a financial package believed to add up to more than
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Ewood youngster who might have made history
Where are they now? This week, former Blackburn Rovers starlet David Bradford SEVERAL years before Trevor Francis actually achieved the feat, the then Blackburn Rovers boss Ken Furphy forecast that David Bradford would become England's "first £1 million
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Clarion call for super Coleman
AS A lifelong supporter of the Rovers, I shudder at the prospect of any more injuries or suspensions. Let's put our thinking caps on - Colin Hendry was sold to Manchester City and then the Rovers bought him back, and everyone knows what a terrific job
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Burnley take Dane Jensen on trial
DANISH striker Jon Tveen Jensen will line up for the Clarets reserves at Port Vale tonight as Burnley boss Stan Ternent checks him out as a potential transfer target. The 24-year-old forward from Danish Super League club Viborg will lead the Burnley attack
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Big Ron's small screen diversion
I WOULD have thought Ron Atkinson had enough on his plate with the problems he has in keeping Nottingham Forest in the Premiership, but it doesn't seem to interfere with his TV work - turning up at Manchester United's European games (home and away), and
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No hiding from touchline taunts
I ONCE met Graeme Le Saux on my way to Ewood. I found him to be extremely personable, intelligent and articulate. These qualities may not exactly be prevalent among professional footballers and may be interpreted as evidence of homosexuality by those
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Events in East Lancs/North West tomorrow (Wednesday, March 17th)
Blackburn and District Probus Club meet St Silas Church Hall, Blackburn, 10.30am. Speaker, Don Oldroyd of Talking Newspapers. Tea Dance, Town Hall, Accrington, 1.30-4.30pm. Blackburn District and Ribble Valley Cancer Research Campaign AGM, Central Library
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Concert features leading pianist
INTERNATIONAL pianist Benjamin Frith takes to the stage in Clitheroe with the Settle Orchestra next Saturday. The concert, at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School's Chatburn Road site, features the top pianist in Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 1. The programme
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£2.2m health centre plans unveiled
PROPOSALS to close Ribchester Hospital and Longridge Health Centre and transfer services to a new £2.2million site have finally been unveiled. The East Lancashire Health Authority will tomorrow be asked to support the plans which have been under discussion
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Travellers' stand-off
TRAVELLERS made a last-minute retreat from a site at Duckworth Street, Blackburn, after an angry confrontation with bulldozers. Sixty travellers, who came to Blackburn from a Lower Darwen site, threatened to fight digger drivers who were called in to
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CRICKET: England's triple World Cup boost from Old Trafford
IAN Austin, Mike Atherton and Neil Fairbrother have been given the World Cup all clear by England's fitness gurus. The Old Trafford trio had been ordered to prove their fitness - and all three came through with flying colours. Austin has emerged with
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Clitheroe goal feast
Clitheroe 5 Holker OB 1 RAMPANT Clitheroe served up another goal-feast thanks to hat-trick hero Dennis Hill and new signing Neil Ollerton. The Blues have scored 17 times in their last three games as Hill became the third man in five days to bag a hat-trick
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Time to end this cruelty
THE campaign for the protection of hunted animals comprising the RSPCA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the League Against Cruel Sports, has come together to launch the 'Deadline 2000' campaign to end hunting by the new millennium. Hunting
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Just who is to blame?
ALONG with the latest rise in council tax in Burnley, I think it should be pointed out that rents and taxes are not the only thing on the up over the past couple of years. According to press reports I have noted Burnley is alleged to have the highest
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SOCCER: Warburton's Youth Football League
RESULTS (Saturday) - Under 10: Readstone Utd 0, Colne Clarets 3. Under 11: Brierfield Celtic 0, Barrowford Celtic 11; Junior Clarets 3, Fulledge Colts 1; Michelin 4, Ighten Leigh 4. Under 15: Padiham White Horse 1, Michelin Colts 3. Sunday - Under 10:
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NON-LEAGUESOCCER: Super Darwen shock Southport
Southport 0 Darwen 4 DARWEN pulled off one of the biggest shocks in their history last night and booked a place in the final of the Lancashire ATS Trophy thanks to veteran two-goal hero Paul Baker. Player-boss Steve Wilkes was ecstatic after his magnificent
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Don't trust the sales patter!
THE government's proposals, tightening up the laws concerning door-to-door salesmen are, surely, welcome. Many are only carrying out their job in a correct manner, but there are the rogue and bogus ones, pressurising people and who take advantage of the
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SOCCER: Blackburn Sunday League
FIRST Division leaders King's Inn kept their hopes of retaining the title alive by extending their lead at the top of the table to nine points following a five-goal win against Station. Neil Cook and Kevin Reed each scored two with Mark King completing
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Down by the Riverside with Phil Lloyd
IT'S happened to me once before, 19 years ago, and strangely enough, we were playing Coventry then too. You might recall Andy Crawford's winning goal as Third Division Rovers knocked top flight City out of the FA Cup. More likely you'll remember it for
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Too far to trek
I WOULD like to draw attention to the disgraceful situation of the pupils who attend St Wilfrid's High School in Blackburn. Due to the two separate locations - at Shakespeare Street and St Peter's Street - pupils have to walk along King Street, sometimes
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Murder trial reporting ban
THE Press has been temporarily banned by a judge from reporting on a Burnley murder trial. The trial began at Preston Crown Court yesterday and is expected to last several days. The news blackout was ordered by Judge David Clarke, Recorder of Liverpool
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Philips to axe 30 screen workers
MORE than 30 jobs are to go following a shake-up at a television screen factory. Workers were called to meetings at the Philips plant at Simonstone and told that around 35 employees would lose their jobs. The company said it hoped that some of the job
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Call to make life hard for junkies
WORRIED residents in one of Burnley's most crime ridden areas were assured by police that they would see an improvement in their neighbourhood. Local people voiced their fears at the latest Burnley Police and Community Forum, held at Burnley Wood Primary
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Town halls' future goals at Turf Moor
COUNCIL representatives from the area will meet at Burnley's Turf Moor football ground on Friday to discuss the future role of local government in East Lancashire. Major changes in the way councils and councillors work are predicted for the next decade
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'I buy and sell cars to make a few bob'
A DELIVERY driver accused of handling stolen vehicles told a jury he bought and sold cars as a sideline. Adam Little, 34, said he bought between 100 and 200 cars a year and 'liked to make a few bob.' Little added that he would usually look for the presence
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Clarets take Dane Jensen on trial
DANISH striker Jon Tveen Jensen will line up for the Clarets reserves at Port Vale tonight as Burnley boss Stan Ternent checks him out as a potential transfer target. The 24-year-old forward from Danish Super League club Viborg will lead the Burnley attack
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I want more says Rovers teen ace Taylor
TEENAGER Martin Taylor finally made his breakthrough into the big-time with Blackburn Rovers and has enough self-confidence to declare: "I want more". With Darren Peacock available again after suspension to face Wimbledon at Ewood on Saturday, it could
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Tip top tales: Pupils pick book of the year
IT was a close-run thing, producing heated discussion and strong opinions, when avid readers in a Darwen high school were given the task of voting for their choice of "Children's Book of the Year." As part of their celebration of the National Year of
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Pair on murder charge
TWO men have appeared in court charged with the murder of 21-year-old Brierfield man Shahbaz Arshad. Wasim Raza, 22, of Chapelhouse Road, Nelson, and Imran Bashir, also 22, of Talbot Street, Burnley, appeared at Burnley Magistrates Court yesterday. They
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More reasons for store to celebrate
A NEW superstore being built in Pendle could be at the centre of a double century celebration. The Nelson supermarket is in line to become Morrisons' 100th store in the company's centenary year. But the race to be the store to reach the centenary "checkout
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Petrol scare families evacuated
FAMILIES had to be evacuated from their homes after sitting down to watch television unaware that a time bomb was ticking beneath them. Fumes from petrol reached an explosive level after contaminating the basement of a terrace house in Britten Street,
