Archive
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RMI pay the price
LEIGH RMI, with nothing to play for but pride, wound up their season at Hilton Park with a 1-0 loss to Chorley. The score came after 11 minutes, just about the only time they troubled the home defence. But a heavily-depleted RMI should still have won,
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Napoleon leader earns top praise
A DETECTIVE who helped solve a series of "high class" house burglaries has been commended by Bury's top police chief. Detective Sergeant Brian Langrish led a crack team of police officers from Bury and Bolton who eventually arrested two men responsible
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Hear here . . .
FANTASTIC! Another Bank Holiday weekend is almost upon us. If you're not off on your jollies for a couple of days, then whatever you're doing, stick Radio City on because on Bank Holiday Monday we're going to be playing The Biggest Hits Of The 90s all
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Care worker cleared of attack on woman, 80
A CARE worker from Barnoldswick cried with relief after being cleared of attacking an 80-year-old pensioner. The 12-day re-trial ended when the jury failed to reach a decision after five-and-a-half hours of deliberation. Jacqueline Wright, 43, had always
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Rovers in top six in player pay league
BLACKBURN Rovers are in the top six in the Premier League - but only for the size of their wage bill! The latest report into the finances of clubs in the top flight in England reveals Rovers had the sixth highest payroll in the league in the 1997/1998
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High School head bows out for a career change
THE headteacher of Radcliffe High School is leaving at the end of the summer term after seven years at the helm. Mrs Glenda Parker (50) is leaving the Abden Street school because teachers are now unable to access their pensions until the age of 60. She
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Ward is desperate to avoid drop
ASHLEY Ward is desperate to avoid what could be a unique, as well as unwanted, double as he bids to add to his growing goals tally at Charlton tomorrow. For the Rovers striker could finish as leading scorer for two clubs, Rovers and Barnsley, this season
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Match of the Davis
Division Two: Burnley v Fulham - Pete Oliver's big match preview BURNLEY'S perfectly-timed unbeaten eight-match run has revived their season and also marked them down as one of the form sides of the Second Division. But for sustained excellence at this
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Ban for cruel pet shop pair
TWO men have been banned from owning a pet shop for two years following an RSPCA investigation in which inspectors rescued more than 700 animals. Hyndburn magistrates banned Kelvin Kirby and Neil Hacking from running the Creature Comforts shop in Rishton
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Bus to the future
IT'S all aboard the futuristic "bendy buses" for Bury commuters. The sophisticated vehicles are now operating on the Manchester-Bury route. Operated by First Manchester, the vehicles represent part of a £7 million investment programme made by FirstGroup
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Clarets bid to end uncertainty
IN-FORM Burnley will leave only the mathematicians worrying about their fate if they can continue their remarkable record against Fulham at Turf Moor tomorrow. The Londoners haven't won at Burnley since 1951, losing 19 of their last 21 visits. And while
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Blackburn man's killer executed
THE killer of former Blackburn man David Ward has been executed by lethal injection in Texas - still refusing to show any remorse for the murder. And Aaron Christopher Foust's death was witnessed by his victim's brother, who travelled from Britain to
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Preston look for first win of the season...
THERE'S a double-header of Northern League cricket action this weekwnd as local league teams take advantage of Bank Holiday Monday to play an extra game. And two of our three teams will be looking to notch up their first wins of the season after a disappointing
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The debate seems to have gone south
WITH a week to go before the local elections I write with some concern over the apparent lack of political debate on the proposed 'Lancaster South' housing development. This major development is likely to have serious detrimental effects on the environment
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Allotment group bids for lottery funding
AN allotments association in Bury is bidding for £500,000 of National Lottery cash to see its base grow and grow. Ambitious officers of Walnut Avenue Allotments Association want to throw off their traditional "cloth cap" image and establish a unique teacher-resource
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Events in East Lancs/North West on Saturday, May 1st
May Day Celebration, Weavers Triangle, Burnley, 2pm-4pm. Plant Sale, St Edwards RC Primary School, Blackburn Road, Darwen, 10am-1pm. May Fair, Antley Methodist Church, Blackburn Road, Accrington, 11am-2pm. Lancashire Community Music Residency Weekend,
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Alarming tale or a wind-up?
I HOPE I'm not being wound up in being told that nuclear sirens were placed on council estates in the St Helens area newly-built after the 1939-45 war. My source is a reliable one in Harry Bradbury of Clinkham Wood - a regular contributor to this ancient
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'Help to find my daughter's killer'
THE MOTHER of a prostitute found brutally murdered last year has made a fresh plea for news which may lead to the capture of her killer. Mrs Theresa Hulme, 59, from Bury, never got the chance to say goodbye to her daughter, Julie Jones, 32, whose naked
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The art of looking busy...
LOOKING busy was the secret of success when working at the famous old Oxleys department store - now long gone and replaced by a series of small business units at the junction of Barrow Street with Claughton Street, St Helens. For although this family
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New tactics have backfired
JUDGING by the election leaflet I've just had through my door, Cllr Henig must be getting pretty desperate for votes. But for me at least, Labour's new tactics have backfired in a big way. Labour now claim to be standing on their past record of protecting
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English roses...
STAFF at Preston's Tourist Information Centre, in the Guild Hall Arcade, got into the party mood of St George's Day by getting kitted out in waitress outfits. Colleagues Brenda Atkinson and Carol Webster (pictured) offered a free cuppa and cakes to visitors
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These antics are dangerous
I LIVE in Tobermory Close and have not come across dog faeces on the pavements. I have encountered broken glass dumped around the stile to the Sankey Valley Park on at least three occasions and slug pellets mixed with meat products several times. My dog
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Cash boost for helpers and community groups
VOLUNTEERS in Ribble Valley are to get a boost from a new project. The first step of the scheme will be to carry out an audit of the voluntary and community organisations working in the Ribble Valley. Then training, resources and hands-on support will
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It's a question of resources
I WOULD like to clarify the Green Party's position after Labour put out a leaflet in Castle Ward that voters could find very misleading. The leaflet claims that "if Labour lose their majority in the May elections, other groups will tear up all Labour's
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The future's bright...
DEEPDALE'S welcome to the Wellfield Winners was positively encouraging this week. Pupils from Wellfield High School were taking part in a special programme of personal development, organised by Preston-based firm Advance Training and Development, to urge
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I know how she felt
I WRITE with regard to the letter headed 'Unwelcome attention' (Dear Star, April 1). Several weeks ago a similar unpleasant experience happened to myself, also in the St Mary's shopping precinct. While looking at sales items in a clothes shop with my
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Other side of the dog fouling saga
AS a resident of Tobermory Close in Haydock I wish to put forward the other side of the 'dog fouling' saga. Recently, someone has decided to take the law into their own hands to control who can and cannot use the access to the field/hill in the close.
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Locals pin their anger to the mast
NEIGHBOURS living in a picturesque beauty spot with open countryside views today declared war on a telecommunications company which is building a massive mobile phone mast. And Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has pledged to do everything he can to prevent
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Have we no right to question officers and councillors?
LAST week Mr Taylor wrote to you in connection with the forthcoming elections to make clear that, in deciding how to cast his vote, he is not interested in things said in the past. He is entitled to his view of course but I fear that to express such a
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Vital statistics to keep your eyes on
I WAS appalled to read Cllr Barker's letter in the Citizen, April 8, whose mission in life it seems is to see that this corner of England's green and pleasant land is concreted over. He refers to professional and independent survey of housing need. We
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OAP roof plea
PENSIONERS at Astley have launched an appeal to 'raise the roof'! The roof at the Pensioners' Centre in Manchester Road is raining-in and they need to raise £5,000 for repairs. The centre is used by the popular Astley Luncheon Club, who are also looking
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£1,000 last dance tribute to Phil
CANCER victim Phil Potter's last dance raised over £1,000. Family and friends of the Atherton sportsman who died last June organised the event at Formby Hall to raise cash for Christie's. Phil, 52, had hoped to be able to be involved in the organisation
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Police probe gun attack
EARLY morning peace was shattered by the sound gun blasts in a quiet Leigh street. Shotgun pellets riddled the front door of a Dakins Road house and a car in the driveway. Sunday's 2.30 am attack wakened neighbours who heard the sound of a car speeding
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We were not asked for money
AS chairman of the Ramsbottom Chamber of Trade I write in response to the article (Bury Times April 9) which referred to a potential grant made available to Ramsbottom by English Heritage, on condition that local businesses matched the funding. We were
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Tracing tractor's history
I AM trying to trace the family tree of an old Fordson Dexta Tractor. I wonder if any of your readers either owned or drove it, or knew anyone who did. It was registered on August 11, 1959, in Preston, with the number 685 GTE and I would like to trace
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Planners will have the lodge facts
MEMBERS of Environment and Wildlife have been busy collecting wildlife information on the Barracks lodge in Elton with the aim of ensuring that when development plans come before the planning control sub-committee they will have no doubt as to the correct
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Tax benefit is not a 'one-off'
IN response to Mr Boaden (Your Letters, April 16,) and to correct a popular misconception, I can assure readers that there is no connection between rent arrears and council tax. The housing revenue account is "ring fenced". That is to say it neither supports
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The hidden killer of Kosova bombs
AS usual, the first casualty in war is truth and this war in Yugoslavia is no exception. Not only is truth a casualty but it is followed by lies and misinformation, or no information, according to what the Government and media feel we should know. This
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Let's have councillors who care
FOR as long as I can remember - 40 years - Bury was always an unpretentious, small, industrial northern town. But nowadays all the major manufacturers have gone, leaving Bury Council as the biggest employer. Local councillors, in the main, used to look
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Pearl of a gift for new club
NATIONAL insurance company Pearl has given a Leyland after-school club a £10,000 gift. The cash, donated by Pearl, will enable St Anne's After School Club to employ playworkers to care for local children. The club, based at St Anne's school, is one of
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Land ahoy with scouts' pulling power
LOCAL scouts proved they are prepared to move heaven, earth - and a 60ft narrow boat - to keep their Preston headquarters. The 6th Fulwood Scouts were joined by other local beavers, cubs, scouts and venture scouts to pull the huge 'Imedit' canal boat
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Thumbs-up to pub plan by Lottery
PLANS for the country's first teenage pub have taken a step closer to completion after the group behind the scheme became one of the latest to receive a Lottery grant. Teenage Pubs Ltd, based in Preston, received £4,800 from the National Lottery Charities
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Uphill struggle
BLACKPOOL'S Neil Wearden faced an uphill struggle in the Pirelli International Rally after driveshaft problems with the works Vauxhall on stage 8, the first of Sunday (April 25). He battled on to finish 20th overall, 10th in the main Group A category.
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Law reform welcome is premature
THE jury is still firmly out on the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine's, reforms to the civil court system (Bury Times Apri 16) Rushed through, with the new rules published less than three months before they come into force, it remains to be seen whether the
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Intelligent Transport System on the streets
PRESTON'S drivers could find themselves paying to use town centre roads as County Hall bosses try to ease the town's chronic traffic congestion. The far-reaching suggestion is one of a number being considered as part of an Intelligent Transport System
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Minister approves agency
VISITS to Preston North End's Deepdale ground and County Hall were part of government minister Richard Caborn's busy schedule when he came to the town to launch a new development agency. Mr Caborn, Regions and Regeneration Minister, attended the launch
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Mick signs new contract
MICK Hennigan, assistant manager, has now joined boss Nigel Worthington and has signed his new two-year contract with Blackpool FC. Chairman Karl Oyston says: "I am pleased that Mick has agreed to stay with us. "The partnership with Nigel has shown the
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Tracking down a great day out
CROWDS of visitors steamed into Leyland Model Railway Club at the weekend as the group celebrated their 11th annual show. The exhibition was held in St Andrew's Church Hall, in Worden Lane, Leyland, and featured dozens of models and layouts, both old
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Bins strike fury
PRESTON'S binmen are to be balloted after they held an unofficial strike in protest at the reinstatement of a supervisor who kept his job despite a drink-driving conviction. More than 70 workers from the borough council's cleansing department downed tools
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'Flying doctor' is landing soon
LANCASHIRE Ambulance Service is gearing up to receive a new arrival - an air ambulance helicopter which will zoom into the county next month. The Flying Doctors-style ambulance will be stationed at Blackpool Airport and controlled by staff at Ambulance
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Quid-a-kid scheme
BLACKPOOL FC is pleased to announce it will be operating the Quid-a-Kid promotion for the Colchester fixture on Saturday, May 8, kick-off 3.00pm. All children under the age of 16 can gain entry to the paddock areas of the ground for just £1. For the same
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Bus drivers blame danger roads
PRESTON'S major bus company has drawn up a hit-list of black-spots which it says need to be eradicated if the town's accident record is to improve. Preston Bus Ltd, which carries around 90 per cent of public transport users, listed the five areas after
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A testing time at town hall
RESIDENTS living in South Ribble are now being given the opportunity to have their say on a proposed shake-up of local government. The local council plans to do away with the current council committee structure in favour of an all-powerful cabinet and
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Tribute as Great Harwood reach brink of safety
GREAT HARWOOD boss Denis Underwood has paid his players a glowing tribute on the eve of their do-or-die relegation scrap at Congleton. The Reds were written off as certainties for the drop when Underwood took over from Ian McGarry back in January. But
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Supertone - or no opposition?
ONCE, when asked what had brought him most difficulty during his premiership, the patrician Harold Macmillan - whose touch earned him the soubriquet "Supermac" - replied: "Events, dear boy." Yet, more than 35 years on, we see his successor at No.10, on
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CRICKET: Samuel Cooke Burnley Amateur Cricket League
CRICKET: Samuel Cooke Burnley Amateur Cricket League fixtures for tomorrow (Saturday) - A Division (Higher Towneley): Hussainia CC v Stoneyholme CC; Burnley College v Byerden House; Briercliffe v RVCC. B Division (Higher Towneley): Lomeshaye v Phoenix
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Speedy Gonza-Lee!
SPEEDY Lee Phillips of Poulton has ridden into the England team for a home international. Cycle speedway fanatic Lee, aged 29, of Carr Close, has been selected to ride for the five-strong England team against Scotland, Wales and Ireland on May 15 in Edinburgh
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What next for radical reform - the NHS?
THE IDEA of a one-stop benefits system may not be original, but the notion of doing this and handing its running over to companies - possibly American ones - in the biggest privatisation yet certainly is radical. And even though the government's brief
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Dale deal saves club from ruin
ROSSENDALE United have been saved from financial ruin by demolition expert Andrew Connolly. Shareholders of the cash-strapped club voted unanimously to accept Connolly's offer to takeover at Dark Lane and the formalities of the deal are now in the hands
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A really great-gran with heart of a lion
A COURAGEOUS great-grandmother aged 86, who stands just under five feet tall, has spoken to the St Helens Star about the night when two heartless crooks ripped treasured rings off her fingers. Last week the man and woman who subjected Alice Lavin to that
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BOWLS: James the first
EAST Lancs youngster James Porter won the Blackburn Youth Trophy sponsored by Althams Travel when he defeated Peter Worden from Railway Hotel in a thrilling final. After a long day of qualifying heats and an original line-up of 32 up-and-coming young
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LOCAL CRICKET: Cherry in a hurry
CHERRY Tree skipper David Hayes was waiting anxiously for a telephone call this afternoon - to confirm that professional Naeem Ashraf had returned safely from a mercy mission back home to Pakistan. Otherwise, the Jennings Ribblesdale League club were
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Winning combo
THREE schools from the Fylde pitted their wits against other North West counterparts in the grand final of the Whitbread Education Challenge. Teams from Blackpool's Highfield High, who were overall senior winners, and Lytham St Annes High and Hodgson
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Winning start
BLACKPOOL got their Vaux Northern League Division One season off to a winning start when defeating Leyland DAF by five wickets at Stanley Park on Saturday (April 24). Batting first, DAF made only 143-6 from their 50 overs with Worcestershire recruit Duncan
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Small-sided soccer cup round-up
THE cup competition went really well in the Rossall Sixes small sided soccer league. In Group A two wins and a draw were enough to see Holbro FC through to the semi-finals and Coop Late Shop went through from Group B despite having Division A runners-up
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St Nicholas praised
BLACKPOOL'S St Nicholas CE primary school has received top marks from education experts following an OFSTED report. Inspectors, who had previously visited the school in March 1994, praised the teaching standards, particularly for the under fives, as well
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Special thanks to pupils
IT was a special thanks to pupils at Hodgson High School in Poulton when Nigel Hinton, author of the Buddy collection of children's books, visited. His timely visit came on the eve of World Book Day (April 23) which was a part of the National Year of
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Panda-monium at Warton!
THERE'LL be panda-monium with the police at Warton on Sunday, May 16. A Lancashire Police team will take on Warton Stock Car Club in a stock Panda car race (10 against 10). All money raised will go to Primrose House in Middleton. The event will be held
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Pirates plunder points
AFTER the dream performance at Deepdale, Blackpool's season of inconsistency continued as the Pirates of Bristol Rovers plundered Bloomfield Road on Saturday (April 24) to win 2-1. Three points would have ensured Second Division football next season for
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Agony aunt's new role
SUPPORT and advice which has helped thousands of Blackpool teenagers cope with their problems is being extended to Fylde and Wyre. The Connect centre in Church Street has welcomed countless teenagers through its doors since it first opened three years
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Whiston celebrate at the double
WHISTON Juniors have made it a league and cup double. The under 16s outfit defeated St Annes 3-0 to lift the St Helens McDonald's JOL Dawson Cup. RESULTS Thursday, April 22 Dawson Cup Final: Whiston Juniors 3 St Annes Rovers 0. Sunday Under 16s Division
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Debbie mixes music and fashion
A YOUNG Blackpool woman has organised a night of fashion and dance in support of the Trinity Hospice. Billed as the club and fashion event of the year, 20-year-old student Debbie Frearson, promises Rhythm and Rags will live up to expectations. Debbie
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Rock of ages
A LANCASTER choir has recorded a special CD based on hand-written music manuscripts recently rediscovered after nearly 200 years. The eight manuscript books have been handed down from generation to generation of the Winder family in the Forest of Bowland
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LSH caught on the hop
Liverpool St Helens 26 Preston Grasshoppers 15 JEWSON League Two Champions, Preston, came to Moss Lane full of confidence, expecting to beat relegated League One side, LSH, in the Lancashire Cup. At the end of the game, they no doubt realised that life
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Turkish delight for TV girl Olivia
OLIVIA Brown will never forget her holiday in Turkey - it has launched her on the path to fame and fortune. The 13-year-old from Blackpool has her eyes fixed firmly on the box after she was chosen to star in new children's television programme Energize
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Kieran takes stock! (pic:stock)
THIS car crazy teenager spent two years saving his newspaper round money to buy a stock car - only to write it off on his first lap in competition. Kieran Shaw, 14, had spent virtually every minute he wasn't at school working on cars - dad Philip is disabled
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Protest over full bins
ANGRY residents in Heather Bank, Burnley, decided enough was enough when refuse collectors again failed to empty their bins. Carole Galbraith, the Labour candidate for the area, arranged a meeting between local householders, Phil Walsh, chairman of the
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Gala goes swimmingly
LANCASTER swimmers performed well against strong opposition from Preston and Chorley rivals on Friday. Lancaster Swimming Club hosted the North Lancs League Gala at Salt Ayre. New coach Peter Johnson was looking for better results from his team and he
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There's a place for you
ARTHRITIS sufferers are being given a timely reminder that there is a hotel catering for their needs right on their doorstep. The New Mayfair on Blackpool's New South Promenade is using Arthritis Awareness Week, which ends on Saturday (May 1), to show
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St Helens CC survive nailbiter
ST HELENS won the second of their Penketh Trophy matches in another nail biting finish. Once again the spinners made the initial break through to restrict Maghull to 121 off 45 overs with the first six batsmen falling to Roughley (3-19) Friar (2-24) and
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Saints catch Hull in speed trap
Hull Sharks 10 Saints 30 Report by DENIS WHITTLE DISTANCE was the name of the game for Saints when - making light of the 120-mile trip to the Boulevard - four of their five tries were long-range efforts as the unbeaten league leaders threatened to run
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Wise way to deter hawks
ON the odd occasion, I have found a cluster of feathers on my lawn and assumed a cat had killed a bird. But one morning I saw a hawk ripping a blackbird to shreds. Recent reports show breeders of racing pigeons are up in arms because the activity of the
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ARL round-up
Pilkington Recs 34 Roose Pioneers 26 RECS saved probably their best performance of the season until the last league game. They were first on the score sheet through a penalty from hooker Craig Burrows. But the visitors took the lead through a converted
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Tackling hidden poverty problems
SOCIAL care workers from seaside resorts across the UK gathered yesterday (April 28) to exchange ideas on how to tackle poverty hidden behind Britain's promenades. Key decision makers from local authorities, the NHS, private and voluntary sector workers
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Park share trophy
West Park 10 Wigan 10 (after extra time) WEST Park's much-vaunted scoring machine which was averaging more than 30 points a match up to the beginning of April has virtually ground to a standstill in recent weeks. Too much reliance on forward play and
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European injustice
ON April 13 the vast majority of British MEPs voted in the European Parliament to welcome in a measure called "Corpus Juris", which will set up a unified European system of criminal justice. This will do away with our ancient rights of habeas corpus and
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Focus on junior ARL
Haydock Warriors under 12s 24 Portico 16 This was Haydock's sixth win in a row as tries came from Martin Jones, Craig Houghton, Daniel Gregory, Craig Usher and Rekon man of the match Sam Melia. Top tackler was Lee Ashcroft, unsung hero Stephen Jones and
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Newt-tech tangle
CONSERVATIONISTS have plunged in to newt-ralise a rare problem on a high-tech business site in Blackpool. Operation Newt Rescue swung into action after a colony of specially protected great crested newts was discovered at a new £10m technology park in
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Protestors torpedo Minister's city visit
FOREIGN Office Minister Tony Lloyd faced a barrage of questions about the Kosovan crisis during his visit to Lancaster last week. After being heckled by anti-war protesters on the steps of the town hall, Mr Lloyd was bombarded with public questions about
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Youngsters' sights on Spring cups
YOUNG footballers spring into cup action this weekend. For the Byrne Hire Rainhill Junior League is staging its Spring Cup Competitions. RESULTS Wednesday, April 21 Under 15s Premier: Dunnes Rovers 4 St Annes Rovers 5, Links 2 Knowsley South 3, Pilkington
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Town lose their sparkle
St Helens Town 2 Atherton Collieries 2 TONIGHT (Thursday 7.30pm) these two sides meet in the return fixture at Alder House and Town will have to show more zest than on Saturday if they are to repeat their earlier league challenge cup success at the same
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Wyre welcomes Fleetwood superstore project
PLANS for a multi-million pound town centre superstore and shops, bringing 400 new jobs to Fleetwood, have been welcomed by Wyre Council chiefs. Sheffield-based developer Dransfield Properties was holding an open day today (April 29) to publicise its
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Campaigners ask city and county chiefs to pool resources to save facilities
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save children's swimming pools from closure are pleading with city and county council chiefs to throw them a lifeline. But in a letter to campaigners city council leader Stanley Henig appeared to rule out any extra public funds
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Combination squad bow out
ALTHOUGH they beat Bolton Combination, 1-0 at Atherton L R last Thursday evening, the Open Age squad failed to qualify for a semi-final place in the play-offs for the North West Inter League Alliance Championship. With either St Helens or Blackburn to
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We're still on song
BLACKPOOL'S century-old conference trade is still healthy - and that's official. Despite the headline-grabbing losses of the Labour Party and TUC next year, the resort still has a string of major conference bookings bringing thousands of extra visitors
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United reach final
Garswood United 3 Chorlton 1 A WEAKENED Garswood side produced a great effort to reach the final of the Mid Cheshire League's President's Cup. Chorlton took the lead after 22 minutes, but Barry Edwardson equalised on the stroke of half-time. After the
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PNE get shirty!
PNE'S new away shirt has been revealed in all its glory. The shirt will be christened by players at the Fulham game - PNE's last game of the season. David Lucas and Shaun Gregan are pictured modelling the new kit, which went on sale to fans and the general
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Young guns go for it!
Yeovil Town 0 Morecambe 1 THREE games with the youngsters in six days and didn't they do well! At least manager Jim Harvey should have a few clues as he looks to build next season's team. The young charges scored five goals in three away matches of which
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Eccleston stunned by Vulcan
ECCLESTON CC's young team were overwhelmed by by a more experienced Vulcan outfit at Bobbies Lane on Saturday. Batting first, Vulcan amassed 111 all out with top scorer being young Eddie Platt with 27. Other contributions came from Russhell 21 and R Kerfoot
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Action aimed at social change
COMMUNITY leaders in Blackpool have reached the next important milestone along the town's road to social and economic recovery. A draft social inclusion plan has been published, calling on all sections of the community to work together acting as drivers
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Stage is set for last home game of season
PNE are banking on a huge roar when the players come out on to the pitch on Saturday - they are employing the services of an opera singer! Trendy operatic star Russ Watson will perform on the Deepdale turf before the Notts County game, providing inspiring
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Mum Julie says bear is no joke
A LEIGH mum is warning parents of the dangers of a giggling toy bear. Julie Lowe, of North Lane, Astley, has called on Leigh Asda to withdraw the £9.99 toy from the shelves after she discovered daughter Bethany's mouth full of nylon hair. Julie said:
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Billinge survive scare to lift trophy
BILLINGE Cricket Club earned their first piece of silverware this season when they lifted the West Lancashire League's Hanson Cup on Sunday. The game against Winwick had been held over from last season. And there was a further delay when the match at
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Have say on your parks
THE residents of Bedford and Abram are being invited to have their say on plans for their local parks. People in the vicinity of Bedford Park, Leigh, and Lee Lane Park, Abram, are to be consulted on draft ideas put together by local ward councillors and
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Ripples on the Ribble
Drive and Stroll: Ron Freethy on why medieval Clitheroe was famous for the three Ls THE last Saturday in April proved to be warm and sunny and as usual the weather forecast was wrong! I parked my car close to West Bradford Bridge and followed the Ribble
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'Bomb' stops play
A BOMB scare stopped play at Sutton Cricket Club on Sunday, April 25, following a hoax phone call. Cricketers from the Billinge and Winwick teams were midway through the tea interval when a steward ordered them to leave the club in New Street. Police
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Lynx are really down in doldrums
THE trouble with losing is that it is a hard habit to break and if Lynx want to get out of this slump then they are going to have to be more inventive and fiery than they were in this 40-14 defeat against Keighley Cougars. Coach Steve Hampson was confident
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They're top of the props
ASK anyone connected with the stage about props and you will see him visibly quake and shake, barely able to control the tremors. Guns that tend to bang, or not, just when you want them to bang - or not! Doors that won't open - or do when you prefer they
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By George it's the superjet
DEFENCE Secretary George Robertson took to the skies in the next generation of RAF fighters. As part of his visit to British Aerospace's Warton site Mr Robertson became the first non-pilot passenger of the Eurofighter Typhoon with project pilot John Turner
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Women have it figured
WOULD-BE women accountants are now outnumbering their male counterparts in Lancashire. Latest figures show that the county is one of only two in the country where there are more women than men training to be chartered accountants. There are currently
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Nightmare awaits in new millennium
Soapbox: Are we being manipulated? Ian Hodgson of Blackburn considers the facts PLACE a frog in a pan of water, gradually turn the heat up and the poor creature will happily swim around until it is slowly boiled to death. This cruel "experiment" is a
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From me Taboo
IT'S drinks all round for Blackpool girl Martina Short, winner of the search for the Ultimate Taboo Girl. The competition invited women with attitude to epitomise the spirit of the alcoholic drink. Martina, a legal secretary, was selected as the national
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Touch of Eastern magic
EASTERN promise is making Fylde folks feel fabulous. Professor Zhao, of Beijing, China, has travelled thousands of miles to the Northern Institute of Oriental Medicine on St Albans Road to teach courses in massage and acupuncture. The medicine man is
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Reaching for the skies with superjet
MOVES towards building what has been described as a cruise ship in the sky have taken a step forward. The new superjet being designed by Airbus Industrie will boast features normally reserved for vessels that ply the high seas rather than the air. Airbus
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Play time makes kidney girl's life a little easier
AN ATHERTON family is praying a kidney transplant donor will soon be found for their little heroine. Little Rebecca Lynch has just had her second kidney removed, and now faces 12 hours of daily dialysis until an organ is located. But Rebecca, aged eight
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213,000 can have a say at polls
JOURNAL-LAND goes to the polls next week (May 6). Wigan Council's 25th local election since the creation of the Metro in 1974, will give 213,000 people borough-wide the chance to vote. And election chiefs are urging as many people as possible to exercise
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Bus driver attacked
A BUS driver had to be treated in hospital for concussion and facial brusing after a seemingly motiveless attack. The driver was sitting in the cab of his empty bus at a stop in Boardmans Lane, Blackbrook, at about 8.50pm on Sunday, April 18, when the
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No rail station, no Xanadu
NO Kenyon Junction station, no Xanadu. That's the bottom line spelled out at the public inquiry in to whether the planned Leigh leisure complex gets the go-ahead. Transport executive barrister Charles George QC told the inquiry: "Initially GMPTE was lukewarm
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Jobless figures make grim reading
THE latest jobless figures for Lancaster and Morecambe show the area has the second worst unemployment rate in Lancashire. Previously the district had the worst rate. The latest figures from April 21 reveal that Blackpool now a 6.1 per cent unemployment
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Speed record firm on safety charge
AN engineering firm which was involved in the successful bid to break the world land speed record has denied contravening heath and safety law. PDS CNC Engineering, of Riverside Business Centre, Cliffe Street, Nelson, is charged with failing to comply
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Club woman in sex ordeal
A YOUNG woman was sexually assaulted after leaving a nightclub in St Helens town centre in the early hours of Saturday, April 24. The 20-year-old victim left the Plaza club in Duke Street at about 2am after a night out with friends. Then, sometime between
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Your help could sharpen the Axe
LANCASTER City Football Club needs you, the people of the city, to rally to the cause. The ambitious club is exploring every avenue in an effort to find money to redevelop the ground (at an estimated cost of £200,000) so it would be good enough for the
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Female first for Pennine
THERE are changes down the line at Bury-based Pennine Telecom where new recruit Alexandra Craig is the first female phone engineer. The 19-year-old is getting to grips with being the only woman on the maintenance team at the Salford Street telecommunications
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Teachers face sack in cash crisis
TEACHERS could face the sack at a popular primary school which is facing a £51,000 budget deficit because of falling pupil numbers, a union boss revealed today. Unions say Barrowford County Primary School may have to cut three staff from the present roll
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Leigh back at Wembley
LEIGH will be back at Wembley on Saturday - 28 years after their last visit. The Rugby League has organised a pre-match parade of the 23 Wembley finalists to mark the game's last appearance at the Twin Towers before the stadium is redeveloped. Five representatives
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On the ball in business
GOING for goals in more ways than one is Bury FC centre-half Chris Swailes. He was a guest at an event to show local companies how to meet their business goals through Investors in People (IIP). Recently, 13 Bury-based companies joined Bolton and Bury
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Cup favourites to test leaders
SIXTH-PLACED Leeds Rhinos will be hoping to come to Knowsley Road as Cup holders when they face unbeaten league leaders Saints in a re-arranged game on Tuesday, kick-off 8pm, reports DENIS WHITTLE . Leeds are hot favourities to win their Wembley Final
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Healthy outlook for fitness centre
THE outlook is certainly healthy for Bury-based fitness guru Louise Brooks. For the local businesswoman has just invested £250,000 by buying the whole building of her headquarters in the town's Chapel Street. The top floor comprises the Louse Brooks Health
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Bryan's monkey business
A ST HELENS Council official is joining an elite squad . . . to study monkeys in Sri Lanka. Education officer Bryan Lipscombe is one of 77 teachers and education officers to be awarded an Earthwatch Millennium Fellowship and he has gained a place on an
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Thug held knife at woman's throat
A TERRIFIED Radcliffe woman had a knife pressed against her throat during a frightening robbery at her home. A thug had apparently lain in wait for the 26-year-old victim in the garden of her home in Outwood Road around noon on Monday (April 26). He then
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Family's heartache over grave raids
A GRIEVING widow is considering having her husband's body exhumed unless security is improved at Radcliffe Cemetery. "Grave robbers" are making Mrs Kathleen Edgar's life a nightmare by repeatedly stealing ornaments from the resting place of her late husband
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Popular play centre is forced to close
A POPULAR adventure play centre for youngsters in Whitefield is to close on Tuesday - despite a 200-name petition from customers. And this week the bosses of Alphabet Zoo made an appeal to local people to help them find alternative premises in the area
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New hope for 'rubble' precinct
NEW shops are planned for Whitefield's Elms Precinct - but traders still face an uncertain future surrounded by rubble. The Isle of Man-based precinct owners have submitted a planning application for a parade of shops at the edge of the demolished Whitefield
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THIS week, Mark Abbott, of Moor Nook, wants to know why North End have suddenly become a soft touch:
IT is Wednesday morning and I still can't quite believe Saturday really happened. I suppose though the match was in many ways a metaphor for the season as a whole: Start OK. Middle excellent. End disaster. How can it be that a team which earlier in the
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Society reaches golden milestone
MEMBERS of a melodious ensemble have notched a golden milestone. St Helens Choral Society came into being in 1949, formed by 30 to 40 members of the disbanded Co-operative Choir. For the first two years of its existence it was conducted by Douglas Kermode
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Care worker cleared of attack on woman, 80
A CARE worker from Barnoldswick cried with relief after being cleared of attacking an 80-year-old pensioner. The 12-day re-trial ended when the jury failed to reach a decision after five-and-a-half hours of deliberation. Jacqueline Wright, 43, had always
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Kate picks up a handful of medals
KATE WARD made a big splash at the Welsh National Age Groups in Swansea. The 15-year-old returned to Tyldesley SC with a fistful of medals. She took gold in the 200 butterfly, winning by an astonishing SEVEN seconds. She also picked up silvers in the
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Athletic find it tough going
LEIGH ATHLETIC had to work hard as they beat Tarleton Corinthians 2-0 - their 15th league win in 16 outings. They took time to settle, and were further disrupted when Danny Wilson was forced to retire after a heavy collision. But Craig Little, with his
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Final fling as Miners turn up the heat
LEIGH MR ended the season on a major high. The 50-6 thumping of derby rivals Wigan St Pat's was their fourth straight win - laying solid foundations for a Millennium charge at the championship. They wasted no time in breaking down the opposition, Mark
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Hall's haul with bat and ball!
CHRIS HALL sparked with bat and ball as Leigh swept to double success. On Saturday they consolidated their position as group leaders in the Liverpool Competition Cup with a 17-run victory over new boys Fleetwood Hesketh. On Sunday they beat Wallasey in
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Forum to point way forward
A FORUM on the future of public transport in Lancashire in the 21st century was taking place today at Preston Guild Hall with more than 500 organisations represented, including rail and bus operators, environmental groups, professional transport planners
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Holiday price war looks set to erupt
A HOLIDAY price war looked set to blow up today after Britain's biggest holiday company hit back at Airtours over its bid to become number one tour operator. Thomson said it was determined to keep its place as the biggest operator in Britain and said
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Curbishley spirit plea
ALAN Curbishley seems to be having a few more problems than Brian Kidd in the matter of keeping spirits soaring in difficult times at The Valley. For Charlton boss Curbishley made a plea to his players to sacrifice their personal feelings for the team
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Horsfield was a Turf Moor target
STAN Ternent revealed that he checked out Geoff Horsfield's credentials before Fulham swooped for the Halifax goalscorer. But with the Clarets immediate priorities lying elsewhere, Ternent spent his transfer cash on stiffening up his defence and midfield
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Windfall £55,000 boost for sick children
CHILDREN in intensive care will benefit from a government windfall to improve services. Hospitals in Blackburn and Burnley will receive more than £55,000 - their share of a £15million handout nationally - to help ensure critically ill youngsters have
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Grab and smash in botched raid
A SECURITY company is offering a reward of up to £5,000 after a botched armed raid outside a Bury bank this week. Minutes after a Securicor guard was robbed of a cash box outside Barclays Bank on Crostons Road, the raiders' getaway car smashed into an
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Season over as young RU star cracks his wrist
PRESTON university student Steve Hanley has had his rugby union season cut short after suffering a cracked wrist. Hanley, who made his debut in England's crunch five nations clash against Wales at Wembley, suffered the injury when he collided with Welsh
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Terrorist bomb gang alert
THE racist right-wing group said to be behind the two London nail bomb attacks is believed to have a cell operating in Preston. The White Wolves, a splinter group of the infamous racist Combat 18 thug organisation, have boasted on a video that they don't
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Stu's at home in the melting pot
Premier League: Charlton Athletic v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's big match preview GRAHAM Stuart has already been through the gut-wrenching drama of a last-day relegation battle with Everton - and survived. Now he might face another with Charlton
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Flintoff biggest hitter in game says Stewart
PRESTON cricketer Andy Flintoff has been given the seal of approval by his international captain Alec Stewart. The England skipper has declared Flintoff as the "biggest hitter in the game." Stewart showered the former Ribbleton Hall High School pupil
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Kidd issues rallying call to players before crucial clash
BRIAN Kidd opened his heart on the eve of Blackburn Rovers' biggest game so far in a relegation-haunted season and gave his players their battle orders for The Valley - "Be brave!" The Ewood boss, who has some important selection decisions to make, knows
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Poll's dubious assumptions
REGARDING the "Peoples Poll" on transport issues and Transport 2000's response. My enquiry was straight forward - it would have be interesting to have published the exact figures under each of the options presented. From the reply I can only conclude
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Seven schools in the money
SCHOOLS in Bury have been given a surprise £1.2 million boost to carry out new building and improvement work. A total of seven schools are to benefit from £1.1 million this year - the remainder of the cash will be used as contingency money to cover any
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Adding to the boredom
I SUPPOSE a lot of readers are bored with yet more political letters, but I do think we need some straightforward information before we vote in the local elections. We need to know which of the parties will do most to make the district a better place
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New group for patients
A NEW mental health alliance has been established in Bury to spearhead the interests of users. And the two men behind the move hope the alliance will give mental health users a greater say in decision making. One of the men fronting the new Bury and District
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Toe dip into the past
ANYONE remember the Lakewood Lido? If so, you're likely to be packing a bus pass in your wallet. For only those bobbing along in the OAP bracket will be familiar with that name. It was the rather grandiose title conferred upon a section of the Carr Mill
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Biker Steve is town's ambassador
THE promotion of tourism has reached a new level thanks to a Bury man who is soon to be recognised as an ambassador for a sunshine village - in Australia. Mountain bike champion Steve McEwen impressed officials on a two-month visit to Noosa in Queensland
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Hague boosts local Tory fight
THE leader of the Opposition made a flying visit to the Ribble Valley yesterday to boost the Conservatives' local election campaign. William Hague visited Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe, before meeting local Conservative activists at the Conservative
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Roundabout works praised
WE are writing in support of the recent improvements to the Pointer Roundabout in Lancaster. The new design of the Bowerham Road junction makes it much safer for pedestrians to cross this road, and the new lane markings on the roundabout itself enable
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Congregation shocked after vandal attack
THE banner outside Trinity Baptist Church says "The Community For The Community". But community spirit was the last thing on the minds of sick vandals who went on the rampage in the early hours of Monday morning (April 26). The damage sustained by the
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Protest against abortion
DOZENS of pro-life campaigners gathered in London Road, Preston, as part of a nationwide demonstration. The event, organised by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), took place in 87 towns and cities in the UK on Saturday afternoon
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14-year-old's sex attack terror on railway lines
A 14-YEAR-old schoolgirl was subjected to a terrifying attack as she walked through Deepdale on Sunday at around 9.20pm. A stranger began talking to her as she walked down Skeffington Road, towards Ribbleton Avenue, before he pounced on her and dragged
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Zebra needed in Silver Street
SINCE a change to the road markings on Silver Street, Bury, at its junction with Moss Street, traffic on Silver Street has speeded-up greatly. As a result I have asked the borough engineer to place a zebra crossing on Silver Street, opposite Craig House
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Casual buying
SOME of the top names in the fashion industry descended on the University of Central Lancashire. Representatives from BHS, First Choice Trading, Freemans, and Red or Dead were just a handful of the labels at the launch of the Preston Casual Jeanswear
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Treated worse than criminals
I WAS not shocked to read about "Pensioner's" flat being broken into (Your Letters, April 9). Pensioners are treated worse than criminals in this country. Maybe the solution for "Pensioner" would be to commit some crimes, get caught, and be put in a secure
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Protesters at prison
A HANDFUL of peace activists picketed Preston Prison on Saturday, in support of a Swedish inmate who is on remand. The demonstrators held the vigil for Stellan Vinthagen, who is charged with conspiring to cause criminal damage to a Trident submarine in
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Competition thanks
MY husband and I would like to thank the Citizen, and Railtours, for our prize of a most enjoyable journey to Edinburgh on April 24, travelling on the Southport-Settle Scotsman. The staff on the train were very helpful, especially the young voluntary
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Winning by a whisker
A PRESTON cat show proved to be a purr-fect fund-raiser for a local animal rescue group. The area's branch of the Cats Protection League raised around £1,000 for the group with their seventh annual cat show on Saturday. The event, held at Penwortham Leisure
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WI Irene has map money to give away
ATHERTON WI have stitched up a £100 grant for the Millenium Parish Map Project. Now they want to thank Cllr Sue Loudon for her successful bid for funding from the Brighter Borough funds. However, club secretary Mrs Irene Clare feels the deal may be too
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They're all signing up for Asif
A GO-getting young deaf student at the University of Central Lancashire has been commended by the Prime Minister for his "encouraging work for deaf people". Asif Iqbal wrote to the Prime Minister telling him of the work he has done to encourage people
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Andre's a top talker
LOWTON student Andre Walker knows what he's talking about. The top deliberator has gained fourth place in European University debating rankings published this week. Andre, 20, a student at London University, started arguing three years ago when he appeared
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Don't fall prey to cowboys
IN reply to your reader's experience at the hands of a cowboy tradesperson (Citizen, April 15), we would like to explain how readers can avoid this unscrupulous element. The Fair Trades Advisory Bureau has a national helpline (on 07000-111-444). Consumers
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Plea for more ethnic officers
LANCASHIRE police are making sweeping changes in the way they recruit ethnic minority police officers. The force wants to boost their number from 39 to more than 200 over the next decade. Using a series of positive discrimination policies, including specifically
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Extra eyes 'n ears on the road
CROOKS beware, Wigan Metro is boosting its fight against local crime. Four new security vans will daily tour the hot spots of Leigh and Wigan. The council's new patrols are being formulated with the help and co-operation of local police. They will vary
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Looking for clues
I AM trying to trace any relatives or anyone who knew my grandfather's family, who lived in Preston. I know very little about my grandfather, as he died when my mother was a young girl. His name was Peter John Bolton Topping and he was born on January
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Sewage ditch danger
A MASSIVE clean-up has taken place at a Preston park after sewage leaked into a local brook. Parents using the Broughton Tower park, off Eastway, were sickened to see their children playing in the brook after a pipe intended to be a land drainage outlet
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Fred gets SOS from on high
A CHURCH under fire from pigeons has had its prayers answered, by famous steeplejack Fred Dibnah. Members of St Saviour's Church, Bamber Bridge, had become concerned about the number of pigeons in the bell tower of their church, making a terrible mess
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Dead end to Living store
THE Co-op is pulling out of living and concentrating on eating and dying! Co-operative Retail Services has confirmed to The Journal that its Leigh Living department store in Leigh has been sold to property developers Miller Developments as part of a deal
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Communities not churches
I WAS interested but not surprised to read of Roy Barraclough's attempts to launch an appeal to fund the redevelopment of a church. Putting community facilities in a church - any church - is a road to disaster. If a church has fallen into disrepair then
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Join the Knockout collection
A MASSIVE charity event is to be staged in Preston in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for the Kosovo appeal. Teams of 12 people are now being hunted to take part in Preston's answer to It's A Knockout, part of a the huge family fun day which will be
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Critic is being mischievous
"CHURCH Ward Voter" (Your Letters, April 23) is entitled to support the council's imposition of cycle lanes. But as another "Church Ward Voter", and a local councillor, I feel duty bound to represent the vast majority of people who oppose cycle lanes,
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Warts wrong with Preston?
CIVIC leaders have rushed to the defence of proud Preston after the town received another slating in a new travel book. This time, historic Preston was lumped together with Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley, all of which were described as "depressing"
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The one day they have to listen to you
POLLING day next Thursday and the chance for the ordinary citizen to influence how the district will face the challenges of the next millennium. Local politics is hardly inspiring but it is very important. Don't be duped by false promises of wannabe councillors
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Meet the new High Sheriff
IT was on the most patriotic day of the year that a 1,000-year-old Lancashire title was passed on to its latest holder. Lady Anne Mary Shuttleworth, pictured, from Carnforth - wife of the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth - was overjoyed
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TEN YEARS AGO: Staff help save lives
STAFF at a go-ahead marketing firm in Blackburn have raised £217 to help save the lives of new born babies. Workers at PFL Marketing, Glenfield Park, raised the money when staff agreed to donate an hour's pay to Queen's Park Hospital. Most of the money
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Sew sad as Stan says farewell to the market
FOR pins and needles, Stan's been the man for more than a quarter of a century. But after working on Leyland's Towngate market for 26 years, the jolly haberdashery stallholder Stan Blears, pictured, is zipping off to Blackpool to set up a new business
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Syringe find alert
A TODDLER sparked a major alert when she picked up a bloodied needle from a path on a Burnley estate. Furious residents demanded action to remove the danger after a further 22 syringes were found in a hide-and-seek area in Waddington Avenue. Staff from
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Progress, but at what cost?
MORE Leyland residents have lodged objections to aspects of the Towngate plan - but have given their full backing to the regeneration of the area. A spokeswoman for the allotment holders at the rear of Fox Lane said that while they welcome plans to better
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Chorley blow in relegation fight
CHORLEY'S chances of a relegation reprieve are in serious jeopardy. Hucknall Town have launched an appeal through the local media in a bid to get their ground improvements completed. And the indications are they'll make the UniBond League's May 31 deadline
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COUNTY CRICKET: Austin fitness D-day
IAN Austin's World Cup hopes were on the line at Old Trafford today. The Lancashire all-rounder, who has pulled out of the last two Championship matches with a thigh strain, was playing for the second team in a one-day game against Northants in front
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Final revenge for Mechanics
BLACKPOOL Mechanics Youth soccer team lifted the Under 18 Lancashire Cup at the County Ground Leyland when they defeated newly-crowned Floodlit Champions Burscough 5-1 in a manner that was as compelling as it was comprehensive. Scorers were Dwire, Cairns
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Cult recruits speak of 'control'
AN ex-member of a dangerous Waco-style cult has spoken of her experiences with the group - compounding the fears of a Preston woman who believes she has lost her daughter to the group. Former cult member Sarah Martin spoke to the Citizen after we revealed
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Play tennis 99
THOUSANDS of people across the North West are set to take part in Play Tennis 99 as Britain's biggest free tennis promotion gets into full swing. The promotion, which offers free tennis under expert tuition at more than 100 tennis venues across the North
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Rallying round
A PRESTON community has vowed to support a local family as their youngest son prepares for a life-saving operation. Aron Thornley of Farringdon Park is facing major surgery for a rare condition where the bones in his skull stop separating - and cause
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LOCAL CRICKET: Okay Jaa!
MARTIN Van Jaarsveld is hoping to laugh all the way to a successful season with Lowerhouse - whatever the weather. After collecting two wins from their opening three games, and with a home game against struggling Accrington to come tomorrow, there is
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In the last eight, mate!
LYTHAM St Annes High chess club has reached the last eight of the prestigious Times British Schools Championship Plate. The young team of Lee Brooks, Lee Townsend, Ben Baker, Kevin Thomas, Nick Ward and Darren and Lee Anderson, now travel to Hymers College
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BOWLS: Ball game
BERNADETTE Hargreaves of Butlers, won the Dorothy Ball Trophy when she beat Jacqueline Croasdale (Roe Lee) 21-13 in the final after a mammoth seven hours of competition. Jacqueline had beaten Edna French (Scapa) 21-17 in the semi-final, while winner Bernadette
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Paul scores at Hodgson
PAUL STEWART, ex-Blackpool, Tottenham and England striker, scored with Year 11 Hodgson High School pupils recently when he presented them with their National Record of Achievements. But it won't be his last time in the classroom, for the 34-year-old footballer
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On cue for title
LAYTON Institute have had a thin time of it in the Lancashire small table snooker tournament after early successes - but they are right in line to set the record straight. They coasted into the semi-finals when they slammed Nelson's Alexandra and are
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Saved by dedication
I MUST refute the claims of the Liberal Democrat candidate in Sudell Ward, Darwen - the 'old tech' was not saved by Labour, but by a dedicated team of people better known as 'Darwen Against Demolition' team. The Liberal Democrat candidate has got her
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BOWLS: Stack hit the heights
STACKSTEADS are hot on the heels of early pacesetters Bamber Bridge after their 3-3 draw at Frenchwood and are just two points adrift at the top of the Ovalworld Super League. Rose 'N Bowl have strengthened their squad, but it did nothing to help them
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Weekend team news
ACCRINGTON STANLEY boss Wayne Harrison wants his side to show they mean business next season by signing off on a high at home to high-flying Whitby Town. A 2-2 draw at Runcorn last weekend might have consigned the Reds to UniBond First Division football
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US champ aids school appeal
WINNER of the 1997 US Women's Open, Alison Nicholas MBE, was the guest of honour at the recent launch of the Emmanuel Christian School Appeal Fund. The school, at Singleton Hall, hopes to raise £750,000 so that it can purchase its own permanent building
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Article was no surprise
YOUR article 'Report blasts council' (LET, April 23) did not surprise me. The proposed supermarket in Great Harwood has not yet passed the planning stage, and as the issues raised by business consultant Philip Congdon's report revealed glaring omissions
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Boxing clever!
HEAVYWEIGHT boxer Mathew Ellis, will fight for the first time in his hometown of Blackpool when he takes on Frenchman Yacine Kingbo at the Winter Gardens on Saturday, May 15. Ellis, who turned 25 earlier this month, is fast emerging as the newest face
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Disgust at report
HAVING been presented with a copy of the Liberal Democrat Focus 'Election Special' I must express my disgust at its negativity. The 'Old Tech' is a protected building and I am proud to have played an important role in the campaign in which 7,000 Darreners
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Fylde victory in cup thriller
FYLDE retained the Lancashire Cup (U14s) with a thrilling 19-7 win over Manchester in Sunday's final (April 25). This was a match of bone-crunching tackles and eye-watering commitment which showed junior rugby at its best. In the end it was decided by
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Expectations surpassed
THREE weeks ago, I and my Labour Party colleagues set out on the election trail filled with the usual trepidation as to what we may face on the doorstep. To a certain extent, we were going into the unknown in that we have not experienced an election in
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No hiding place
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with the comments in Very Disillusioned Citizen's letter of April 15. In fact, one of the best ways to stop your car being vandalised is to park it on a yellow line. It might cost you £25 but it is cheaper in the long run. No doubt
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Cyclist Dave edged out
LOCAL racing cyclist Dave Hitchen was just pipped for the honours in Sunday's St Helens CRC Senior Road Race over 64 miles on the gruelling Clieves Hill circuit. But there was consolation for Dave when his consistent high placing on each lap sprint paid
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Sponsorship needed
SALT Ayre Sports Centre are urgently seeking partnership arrangements with local sponsors for the mutual benefit of sponsors, teams and the Centre. The Sports Centre has been running an established indoor soccer league for five years which comprises 16
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We'll fight for what children deserve
IN response to A.H. Grundy (Journal Mailbox, April 22). How contradictory you protesters are (if there are any of you)! It was stated in The Journal a couple of weeks ago that protesters did not oppose the new - very much needed - school being built,
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The boy who beat all the odds to win nothing
HOW unlucky can you be? The unfortunate Scott Kenyon of Lancaster pulled off a 14 million-to-one shot on the National Lottery but isn't a penny richer. The luckless youth picked his numbers for one lottery ticket and went for a 'lucky dip' - where the
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Rally round
THE winner of the last round of the national BTRDA Rally series, Carnforth's Ian Joel, will be contesting the next round this weekend, The Plains. One of Ian's favourite events, the Chris Allen supported Escort Cosworth 4x4 goes well from the events base
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Happy with my concrete house
MAY I correct "Angry and Concerned" regarding the white concrete houses on the Shakerley Estate, he thinks should be demolished. These houses were not built during the war, they were built for the returning "heroes". The first tenants occupied these house
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Steve's big Final challenge
LOCAL referee Steve Ganson has been appointed reserve official for the Silk Cut Challenge Cup Final between Leeds Rhinos and London Broncos on Saturday, May 1. The 29-year-old, who lives within a drop-kick of Saints' ground, has been a Super League whistler
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Yes, I do think I know what people want!
IT seems my precious comments regarding the Leigh busway have irked K.A. Howcroft somewhat, for which I make no apology. I am entitled to my views, the same as everybody is. He, or more precisely GMPTE, have asked the questions, I cannot help it if they
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Sutton slip to defeat
RUBEROIDS Sutton Cricket Club had a mixed day on Saturday in their matches against St Asaph. The first team played at home, lost the toss and fielded first. Tight bowling from Stuart Rimmer in particular kept the St Asaph batsmen fighting for their runs
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Schools' agony
St Helens School under 13s nil Wigan Schools 24 ST HELENS Schools' only hopes for a piece of silverware this year were shattered at Knowsley Road in the English Schools Cup final. St Helens competed well in the first quarter of the game but Wigan's strength
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Rough justice!
POOR and vulnerable people in Lancaster and Morecambe could be denied legal support because of Government plans to reduce Legal Aid, claim local solicitors. The Law Society believe the Government's Access to Justice Bill contains powers to arbitrarily
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Defeat fails to whet derby appetite
Lancaster 94 Chorley 96-3 THIS Saturday sees the first local derby of the season when Morecambe entertain Lancaster at Woodhill Lane which follows Lancaster's opening losing match of the season at Lune Road by seven wickets to Chorley. Put in to bat,
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A job well done
I THOUGHT it would be nice to praise a company instead of complaining, having just used Advance Windows to do our double glazing. I was a bit hesitant after hearing horror stories about double glazing, including one from my son, but I had no need to worry
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Violence at all-time high
VIOLENCE against social services staff has hit an all-time high, says a Blackpool social worker. This comes as Health Minister John Hutton announced on Wednesday (April 28) that action must be taken to protect social services staff following the death
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Informer gets just desserts
A POLICE informer who admitted his part in a plot to carry out a violent armed robbery has been jailed for four and a half years. Preston Crown Court heard that Denis Hagan, 30, had told police about the robbery and even shown them the premises involved
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Rainford off to a flier
THE opening match of the season saw Rainford claim a four-wicket victory over Skelmersdale in the Sandhurst Shield. The visitors elected to bat but were immediately pegged back by Rainford's opening bowlers Harrison and Corden with Curren chipping in
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Callaghan bowls 'em over
ST ANNES (94-1) had a comfortable nine wickets victory over Fleetwood (90) at Vernon Road in their first match of the season in the Vaux Northern League. New captain Russell Bradley won the toss and put the visitors in to bat on a damp and slow pitch.
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What planet are they on?(pic:henig)
TOURISM bosses have reacted angrily to the publication of a prestigious travel guide which describes Morecambe as a resort in "sad decline." The internationally respected Lonely Planet guide has been accused of ignoring the resort's multi-million pound
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Stop meddling in civil conflict
SIR, - KOSOVO has been Serbian territory for centuries and the Serbs were kind enough to allow the Albanians to settle there. When they had sufficient numerical strength the Albanians repaid this kindness by trying, by force of arms, to seize Kosovo and
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Bright sparks will get help
YOUNG, gifted and often bored in the classroom - that's the plight of many of the brightest pupils in state schools. But now Blackpool education authority is at the forefront of change - resort education chiefs have drawn up draft guidelines to help teachers
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Parents appeased in school choice fight
DON'T judge a book by its cover is a lesson that some parents and pupils have learned about a Lancaster school recently. Last month The Citizen revealed that more than 130 children in Heysham and Morecambe received notification from the LEA that they
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Social uplift
What mankind needs is social uplift to give hope and comfort to all those who are anxious and troubled by thoughts of the year 2000. In the next age - the Millennial age - God will uplift the world to a degree that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither
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Youngsters play catch with grenade!
WHEN these brave little Lancaster lads found a hand grenade on their street little did they know it was real. "My boy told me they were playing catchy with it today," said six-year-old Robert's mother Belinda Cragg who was still shocked. "They thought
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Junior soccer: Euro feast hits town
THERE'S a feast of international football on your doorstep this weekend with some of the future stars of Europe in town. The inaugural Bury Times Visitors European Cup, in conjunction with Bury Rangers, takes place tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday at Clarence
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One in 10 taxis fail police tests
ONE in every 10 of the regions taxis checked by Police wasn't fit for the road. Out of 760 taxis and private hire vehicles stopped for roadworthiness checks, 97 were immediately suspended from operating, 143 were sent for further testing and 167 found
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Bury FC: I'm no shirker - Preece
IT'S taken nearly a year, but Shakers striker Andy Preece finally won over the 'hate-mob' in the 2-1 victory over Bolton. And after producing his best performance yet in a Bury jersey, the out-of-favour marksman declared: 'I don't know why the fans dislike
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Crime clampdown
MAYDAY, Mayday for louts and thieves - Blackpool police are leading a hard-hitting campaign to cut crime over this May Bank Holiday weekend. Operation Arrival, launched at Easter to combat a customary upsurge of trouble over the summer season, is at full
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Four youngsters sign up
PNE have put faith in their youth set-up and given four of their best youngsters player contracts. Paul Morgan, Stuart King, Mark Beesley and Mark Wright have all progressed through the club's youth ranks. Both Paul Morgan, a 19-year-old defender and
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Rugby League: Lions improve but still go down
Swinton Lions 22 - Leigh Centurions 34 THE verdict after Sunday's home defeat against Leigh was that the Lions had got better but were still not quite good enough. Still in the hunt at the break, they failed to trouble the scoreboard operator in the second
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Resort's police need more power
BLACKPOOL needs extra police funding to take account of its huge seasonal influx of visitors, says resort MP Gordon Marsden. Mr Marsden is writing to Lancashire chief constable Pauline Clare to argue the case for extra police power during the season when
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Bury FC: Derby joy for Shakers
Bury 2 - Bolton Wanderers 1 IT doesn't get much better than this! Revenge for a drubbing, three vital points against relegation, a first home win for over four months all on national television and against deadly derby rivals - what a night! The pre-match
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High roller? Not with so many ups and downs!
Wright On! A wry look at life, with Shelley Wright MY friends and I seem to be strapped into the front seats of an emotional rollercoaster which never pulls in to let us get off - and we're all starting to feel a bit sick. Now I know everyone has their
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Police taxi appeal
POLICE are trying to trace three taxi passengers who may have overhead an appeal for help over the vehicle's radio intercom as they made their way home in the early hours of Saturday, April 24. The trio were picked up in Waterloo Street, St Helens, at
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North End throw it away with 90 seconds to go
IN SPECTACULAR fashion, Preston North End threw away a last golden opportunity of a route one road to Division One, leaving them facing the agony and trauma of the end of season play offs. Leading 2-0 with just five minutes to go at the New Den, the Preston
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Flying high with Richard
VIRGIN boss Richard Branson might be booking his next balloon flight through David Speakman. High flier Branson congratulated Fast Track 100 company Travel Counsellors and David Speakman Travel (pictured) on winning the Sunday Times/Virgin Atlantic Award
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Boss backs union!
A MANAGING director inviting union bosses to recruit members on his shopfloor may sound an unlikely scenario. But Mike Strahan believes the move to bring the GMB union in will help his fast-expanding firm. Now most of the shopfloor workers at his Plan-It
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Sun island Bishop at school opening
THE Bishop of Melanesia swopped the sun of the Solomon Islands for the fun of Tyldesley on Friday afternoon. The Right Revd. William Pwaisiho conducted the Service of Dedication at the formal opening of the new St George's Central Church of England Primary
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Sci-Fi special
AS part of the National Year of Reading, St Helens libraries are presenting a science fiction and fantasy festival throughout May. It will be launched at Central Library by the mayor, Councillor David Craig, on Tuesday, May 4 at 2.30pm and will feature
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Time gentleman please
PUB landlords have "called time" on yet more licensed premises opening in Lancaster claiming the number of city centre boozers has reached saturation point. With stiff competition from new superpubs forcing many back street locals to cut back staff hours
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David is staying here
PRESTON North End have been forced into issuing another hands off warning over manager David Moyes after a further round of speculation about his future. Nottingham Forest are believed to have put the Scot on their short-list to replace Ron Atkinson,
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Lip service pays off for new club
THE NEWLY-formed St Helens and District Hard of Hearing Club has won two trophies at Hearing Concern's regional contests for lip reading and clear speaking. The team of four (lip readers Mary Redmond and Norah Bowdler and clear speakers Emma Morris and
