Archive
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Farley finds form for debut title
RIDERS from all over the country contested the eighth annual Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Festival. The Gin Pit meeting saw local rider David Farley record an amazing maximum 20 points to win the Novices - his first success in his brief spell
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Top award for coach Ashton
TOP COACH - that's Parkside Golborne's Jeffrey Ashton, named Coach of the Year in the NorthWest Counties ARL. But the team just missed out on the silverware. They lost to Orrell St James in the Lancashire Cup Final and were pipped to the Division One
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Girvin's warning on the incredible shrinking game
RON GIRVIN has thrown out a grim warning for Rugby League in the 21st Century. The highly-respected NorthWest Counties ARL secretary is scathing in his condemnation of apathy in the amateur game. "I have warned time and again if the open age league shrinks
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Maths club pupils leading the field
CHILDREN who are streets ahead in mathematics received their rewards at a presentation night at Ewood Park Conference Centre. They attend the Kumon Maths Club, Blackburn, studying a programme which originated in Japan. There are Kumon Clubs all over Britain
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East meets best of West
ENVIRONMENTAL improvements which have reshaped areas of Radcliffe have taken on a foreign dimension. Certain projects in the town could soon be replicated thousands of miles away - in Poland. And last Friday, Bury's Business Environment Association welcomed
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Death riddle of body in blazing car
POLICE cordoned off a remote moorland spot today after a badly burned body was discovered in a blazing car. Emergency services were called to Well Lane, Brinscall, at 10.30pm yesterday where a Vauxhall Astra was on fire. A police spokesman said the body
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120 tennis entires
PRESTON and District's Tennis Tournament has been hailed a massive success - before it has even begun. Tournament secretary Pat Dickinson said: "We have received more than 120 entries for the competition, which dates back to the 1930s. "It is a well established
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Cruel way of selling animals
I WOULD like to express my utter disgust at the decision of "Do It All" to sell live animals at their store. Apart from the obvious cruelty of confining animals in small, unnatural cages for a long period of time, the dangers to the animals resulting
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Casualty move gets extra cash
PLANS to relocate the borough's accident and emergency department from Bury General to Fairfield Hospital are to receive a further £250,000 cash boost. Earlier in the year, the Government invested £500,000 in the £1.7 million scheme. And this week, Health
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Proud of our school
I READ in last week's Citizen the article concerning the pressure group of parents whose children have not been given a place at the school of their choice and who are objecting to being offered a place at Skerton High School. May I through your letters
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Chelsea playing the waiting game
"I'M feeling okay!" That's the message to Radcliffe from eight-year-old Chelsea Noone (right), who is recovering from a bone marrow transplant. The town has supported Chelsea and her family ever since the Bury Times revealed that the brave youngster's
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Harry's century-old heirloom
FEW of the more austere old nonconformist chapels are to be found today. Surviving buildings usually end up being converted into shops and assorted other businesses. But they boomed, especially among mining communities, in bygone times. And a century-old
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Lodge is saved for now
DEVELOPERS are "determined to turn Bury into a concrete jungle". That is the claim of residents in the town who this week won the first round of their fight to protect one of the borough's last urban wildlife havens. Builders Stately Developments have
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Up close and personal
GCSE students at Priory High School put their art work on display this week. The students set up their own exhibition boards to give pupils and visitors to the school the chance to see their hard work before GCSE examiners cast their beady eyes over them
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Thanks a million folks!
I AM writing to thank the St Helens Star for the kind donation of £150 for the Mulitple Sclerosis Society branch of St Helens. Your support for our work really is appreciated. Founded in 1953, the MS Society is the largest UK charity for people affected
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A gulp of castor oil
IT was almost too much to stomach for a child of seven . . . especially when the castor oil bottle came round in the evening. Yet, more than half-a-century later, Margaret Helsby has strangely affectionate memories of her six-week stay in the Children's
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Carnival fun tomorrow
THE highlight of Radcliffe's social calendar takes place tomorrow. Yes, it is the 34th Radcliffe Carnival and organisers are hoping for sunshine. Last year torrential rain conspired with community apathy to make the carnival the worst in memory. Carnival
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Wicked wicker raiders appeal
GARDEN thieves have uprooted a gate and wicker work arch from a Leigh house. The raiders struck over the Bank Hholiday weekend in Eastwood Grove, Leigh, and left owner Colin Hankey fuming. He said: "They were there on Friday, but when I returned home
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Pupils call for action
SCHOOL pupils from Bury and Radcliffe travelled to London last week to present an environmental action plan to Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street. Greenhill County Primary School pupils Christopher Rollinson and Peter Hickford (pictured in London
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Topsy-turvey stuff at Bank Holiday Fair
SQUEALS of delight and screams of terror filled Preston's Flag Market on Monday. Hundreds of thrill-seekers flocked to the Whit Fair for a Bank Holiday treat, sampling the new white-knuckle rides on offer. Of course there was the usual array of traditional
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No friend of mine
READ Hilton Dawson's statement in the Citizen 6 May 1999 and his letter in the Citizen 13 May 1999. How can he possibly say that the Morecambe Bay Independents' leaflet saying 'A vote for Labour is a vote for Henig', is subtly racist? Has the man completely
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Building site on fire
MORE than 30 firefighters tackled a blaze at a building site in William Henry Street, Preston. A row of terraced houses were well alight when fire crews arrived after receiving a call at 6.35pm on Tuesday (June 1). Six pumps, an incident support unit
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Bells ring out on big day
LEIGH Parish Church bells will ring out as part of the town's centenary celebrations and a Community Day. The church is opening its doors to the public on June 12, from 10am to 4pm, when visitors will have the chance to learn a little of the church's
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Park home for young boozers
I HAVE lived in this area for more than 20 years and, until recently, I walked in the park on Ainsworth Road every day. But not any more! The park has become a meeting place for under-age drinkers. There can be as many as 50-60 youths between the ages
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Picasso has much to answer for
HAVING visited Bury Art Gallery on numerous occasions to observe the paintings exhibited, I'm disappointed with most pictures on show. Looking at them, I think both Picasso (with his rubbishy side faces, squares, triangles, and circular shapes) and Lowry's
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Fun at the carnival
BRIGHT costumes and plenty of wide smiles lit up a dull Bank Holiday Monday as the annual Caribbean Carnival hit town. A handful of floats, decked out in a assortment of calypso colours weaved their way around Deepdale as thousands of people came to Preston
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Man United fans were brilliant
WITH all the superlatives which quite rightly have been used to describe the fantastic achievements of the Manchester United team and manager, can I add my praise of the fans. I think they and the city of Manchester can be very proud that, with going
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Voting dilemma faces smokers
WHETHER or not to support pro-European integration parties in the forthcoming Euro-election will no doubt be an issue for all voters. For smokers, however, the matter is even more complicated. On the one hand, greater European integration will result
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Safe seats are voter turn-off
YOUR report on the local election results was quite right to highlight apparent voter apathy as one of the key factors of the poll. Low turnout is becoming an alarming problem in local government elections, particularly in by-elections. Surveys have shown
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Council 'farce' - Hague
TORY leader William Hague has blasted Preston's political situation, describing it as a 'farce.' The Conservative Party boss was speaking during a visit to Ashton-on-Ribble High School, in Aldwych Drive, Preston, as part of a morale-boosting tour ahead
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Battle of the land on TV
CHANNEL 4's new history of the countryside 'Green and Pleasant Land' would like to hear your stories of country living from the 1950s to the 1970s. Families started moving out to live in rural areas, some in remote spots, after the war but they did not
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Wild West arsonists torch park
MINDLESS vandals are destroying a haven which provides pleasure to thousands. Staff at Lilford Park in Leigh dread to think what awaits them when they turn-in for work after arsonists struck over the Bank Holiday weekend. A Council Transit van was torched
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Bizarre legend is revived
BLACKBURN Rover's Premiership status will finally be laid to rest later this year - thanks to a bizarre Bamber Bridge ceremony. According to local legend, whenever either Blackburn Rovers or Preston North End are relegated a mock funeral, complete with
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Win tickets to the flower show at Tatton Park
TICKETS to a glorious festival of flowers and gardens could be yours thanks to the Royal Horticultural Society and the Citizen. We have five pairs of tickets to the RHS flower show at Tatton Park, from July 22 to 25, to give away. Set in the historic
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Festival fever hits Leyland
THIS year's Leyland Festival looks set to be as exciting as ever, with a spectacular parade followed by a fun-packed day of entertainment in Worden Park. Councillor Margaret Smith, Mayor of South Ribble, says: "No matter what the weather has to offer,
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Flower Power
A PRESTON primary school is relying on flower power to attract more wildlife into the school. Pupils at English Martyr's Primary School in Sizer Street spent an afternoon planting flower gardens around the school, with a little help from the British Trust
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History versus religion
RESIDENTS living near an historic house which is due to be demolished, are calling for it to be saved. The building (pictured), at 97 Lower Bank Road, in Fulwood, is due to be bulldozed to be replaced with a new property, complete with prayer room. The
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Celebrating a Lottery bonanza!
TWO major National Lottery grants have been secured by the Community Council of Lancashire. The grants, from the Lottery's charities board (NLCB), will enable the CCL to develop its 'Information, Advice and Technical Support Service' and a community-based
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TEN YEARS AGO: School vandalised
TEACHERS were cleaning up after vandals struck at a Blackburn school. Children were told to stay at home as staff at Cedars Infant School faced a trail of destruction - smashed eggs and sugar thrown around the kitchen, children's art work ripped off the
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How to vote in Europe...
VOTERS go to the polls for the second time in a month next week, this time to vote for representatives for the European Parliament. But voters face a baffling time when they do reach the polling booth - they will have 110 candidates to choose from, incorporating
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Darts and dominoes results
ANSDELL Institute registered their first win of the season in the Lytham St Annes Darts and Dominoes Summer League by defeating Our Lady 15-9. Lytham Leisure Centre took maximum 12 points from winning all the darts matches in their 18-6 victory over Sports
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LOCAL CRICKET: Northern League preview
TABLE-TOPPING Darwen have the luxury of an unchanged side for their trip to Lancaster tomorrow. The Birch Hall men maintained their unbeaten record in a nerve-jangler against bottom-placed Leyland DAF last Monday but face an unknown quantity in Pakistani
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St Annes in Samson cup semis
ST ANNES moved to the semi-finals of the Vaux Samson Cup with a comfortable 87 runs win over Lancaster in the second round. Batting first, St Annes made 227-6 courtesy of their professional Dave Callaghan who top scored with 86 and opener Andy Kellett
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Mark's the man for Stanley
NEW Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman has pulled off a major transfer coup by snapping up highly-rated Morecambe winger Mark Shirley. And more top players could be on their way to the Crown Ground as the Reds aim to bounce back to the UniBond Premier
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Bursting into action!
EXPLOSIVE action was the order of the day for Thornton Juniors football club on Saturday (May 29). Sporting their new kit courtesy of FA Cup sponsors Axa insurance group, the U9s lined up to smile for the Citizen camera when flash, bang, what a picture
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Drivers' fury over jungle by-pass
DRIVERS on Rainford By-pass are having to contend with a 'jungle' of four foot high grass covering the central reservation and verges, obscuring vision at junctions and roundabouts along the busy highway. Angry motorists and residents claim its only a
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Pedestrians in bikes peril
REGARDING Mr G Pilkington's remarks in 'Light up cyclists!' (Letters, May 26), where I live, it's not the cyclists who need helmets, it's the pedestrians - to protect them from the cyclists. When they overtake me (on the pavement, of course), they rush
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People do not trust politicians
PEOPLE in politics complain about others not voting. But have the candidates ever asked why? No! A lot of us are fed up of their false promises. They say they will do this and that if we vote for them and then what happens - nothing! It was just the same
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LOCAL CRICKET: Lancashire League preview
LOWERHOUSE professional Martin Van Jaarsveld is hoping for a win double tomorrow as he looks for cup glory on two fronts. Van Jaarsveld will have a key role to play in Lowerhouse's attempts to reach the semi-finals of the Worsley Cup at the expense of
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Hat-trick of success
ST ANNES enjoyed their third victory in three days when they beat Preston by eight wickets at South Meadow Lane. Batting first, Preston were restricted to 122-9, with Asif Bukhari top scoring with 33. He was assisted by Trevor Donaldson with 30 and Paul
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Leaflet an injustice
THE Home Office leaflet sent to all households explaining the voting system for the Euro elections on June 10 risks seriously misleading voters and seriously damaging the interests of new and small parties. It shows how each voter can cast one vote for
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Memorable victory
GREGG Nicholls led the Fylde U15s to a memorable victory in the Preston Grasshoppers Sevens Tournament. During the event they were particularly pleased to take the scalp of Sedgeley Park who narrowly beat them in last year's Lancashire Cup final. This
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'Reasoned' argument
AS the author of the alleged 'smears' of Hyndburn Council, may I reply to the remarks of its Director of Regeneration Nigel Rix (Letters, May 21), regarding Safeway's planning application for a supermarket in Great Harwood, earlier reports that I would
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Bank holiday blues
IT was very much a case of Bank Holiday blues at Stanley Park on Monday (May 31) as Blackpool were swept aside by Morecambe in their Vaux Northern League Division One game. Blackpool's 77 all out was their lowest total since making 72 against St Annes
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Safety first scoops cubs first prize
A SAFETY poster designed by cubs from Padiham was picked as the best in the North West. Burnley Council's environmental health and cleansing services unit organised the event in conjunction with the North Western Home Safety Council and asked brownie
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Mayers for the Axe
OFFICIALS at Lancaster City have been in negotiations with ex-Morecambe centre back Kenny Mayers. Management at the club won't sign anyone ahead of their annual general meeting on Saturday, June 19 but confirmed that they have had talks with him. Meanwhile
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Bobbies put a spoke in crime
BIKING bobbies are back on the beat in Blackpool in an attempt to combat crime. Police in the town are taking to two wheels during the summer months as the crime rate hots up. The new team, made up of eleven specially selected and trained officers, was
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Phil tees up charity cash
SHERDLEY Park golf club captain Phil Benyon launched a one-man drive for charity. He embarked in a sponsored 72-hole golf marathon to raise money for the Whiston Hospital Baby Care Unit and for Leukaemia for Children. He returned scores of 81, 74, 75,
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Police step up hunt for smelly sex beast
DETECTIVES hunting a suspected serial sex attacker in the Padiham Road area of Burnley have renewed their appeal for witnesses, a week after the latest assault. The sex fiend who raped a teenager and then attacked a 38-year-old woman who fought him off
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Best wishes for Bert
EVERYONE involved with Lancaster City was wishing stalwart of club Mr Robert Lancaster well this week. Mr Lancaster suffered a serious heart attack but was thankfully reported to be feeling much better yesterday. Said club secretary Mike Sparks: "Latest
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Titanic task for Lisa
A PLACE at the same theatre school attended by Kate Winslett is waiting for a Blackpool student - but she faces a Titanic struggle to get there. Lisa West, of Toronto Avenue, Bispham, has already been accepted following an audition at London's Red Ruth
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YOUR vote will count, say Terry
ELECTION-weary voters are urged to turn out for the European elections next Thursday. It is important everyone elegible to vote puts a cross on the ballot paper this time. EVERY single one will count as proportional representation is introduced for the
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Taking the Jubilee line
ANYONE concerned about the state of the world can play a small part by joining in with Jubilee 2000's initiatives over the next couple of weeks. To co-incide with the European elections on June 10, Jubilee 2000 plan to gather the biggest ever petition
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Craig's on top of the world!
GREEN baize wizard Craig Harrison is following the path to the top taken by two world champions. The Scala Snooker resident professional beat his old mate, Wayne Brown, 5-2 to lift the Merseyside individual crown at Old Swan, Liverpool. It's believed
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Second coming
MORECAMBE biker John McGuinness extended his lead in the British championships last week ahead of the TT races on Saturday. John came second for the fourth time extending his lead to 23 points at Donnington Park on Monday. Meanwhile his rival Jamie Robinson
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Three Amigos win county honours
TWO players from Leigh Rangers and one from Leigh East played for Lancashire U12s in an inter-counties knockout at Blackbrook Stadium, St Helens. The Red Rose (pictured) reached the final, but lost to Yorkshire. And Luke Murfin and Liam Murphy - both
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Mixed blessings at tournament
THE St Helens Schools Mixed Rounders Tournament proved once again that rounders is not just a girls' game. In a mini-league of four, namely St Augustines, Rainford, Newton and Cowley High, Rainford came away victors, with Cowley as runners-up. The St
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Price freeze at Christie Park
MORECAMBE Football Club announced this week that prices for next season would not be increased. The club also announced two initiatives to encourage younger supporters through the turnstiles. Firstly ground season tickets for children (five to 16 year
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Little ones' big day
SUNDAY is a big day for the rising stars of the Haydock under eights side. For they are playing in the curtain raiser to Saints' clash with Salford Reds. Their opponents for the game, to be played on the training pitch outside the ground, are Ulverston
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Visitors frustrate Haydock
HAYDOCK CC endured a frustrating draw at home to St Phillips/Southport College. Haydock were put into bat and Billy Hurst (25) and Tony Derbyshire (20) provided a good start. Dave Cross came in and led by example setting the ground alight with a brilliant
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Alliance win by landslide
Saints Alliance 62 Halifax Blue Sox 16 TEAM-of-the-month Saints passed the half-century mark for the third time this season with this 12-try slaughter in the sun at Knowsley Road on Thursday night. They are now just one point behind league leaders Hull
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Police winning crime battle
BLACKPOOL police are winning the battle against holiday crime with Operation Arrival. The operation, launched at Easter to cut crime in Blackpool and Lytham St Annes at peak tourism periods, swung into action for a third time last weekend with the Spring
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Lanky goes to Hollywood
THE story of a homeless drug addict who lived a life of destitution on the streets of Lancaster is to be made into a major feature film the Citizen can exclusively reveal. Hollywood producer Gary Kurtz, of Star Wars and American Graffiti fame, was so
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Time runs out for Rainhill
RAINHILL ran out of time in their effort to beat played Whitefield on Monday. They suffered an early blow when Matt Clifford fell to an excellent catch at first slip for one run. Rainhill recovered before Dominic Sparkes was run out for 29. Some excellent
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Searching for relatives of Vera Nielson
MY name is Kathy Osornio and my mother who recently died was from Blackpool. I lost addresses of British relatives about 15-20 years ago and I am looking for any members of my mother's family. I have been looking for the past five years and now really
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Summer outlook is brilliant for kids
SUMMER is hot, hot, hot for the holidays with the arrival of Kidz MegaFest in Blackpool for the second year running. Organised by Blackpool Borough Council's tourism and services department, the fun festival is bigger and better than ever before and is
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Dalrymple the destroyer
OPENING batsman Dalrymple blasted Rainford into a commanding position against current unbeaten leaders Mawdesley. After losing ths toss, Rainford were asked to bat on a home track. However, Mawdesley had bargained without the destructive Dalrymple who
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Vote of support for hereditary peers
COMMON sense support for retaining hereditary peers came from Frank Field MP speaking on the JY programme (Radio 2, May 21). He expressed the opinion that in the Lords lay the last hope of blocking the highly unpopular Disablement Reform Bill which the
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Carers fight back
THE dedication of nearly all of those who work for our old people in Lancaster and Morecambe is way beyond doubt. That's why one female carer felt the need to contact this newspaper after two recent articles revealing the stresses on carers at social
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Sutton stunned
RUBEROID Sutton Cricket Club suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Wavertree on Saturday. After Suttons skipper Andy Brogan lost the toss, Sutton were invited to bat first. Sutton struggled early on a pitch doing more than a bit. SS
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Tanks a lot Tony
BLACKPOOL soldier Aron Lee has proved himself a worthy tour guide for none other than the Prime Minister and his wife. The 21-year-old found himself showing Tony and Cherie Blair around his army camp during their recent morale-boosting visit to front
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Young radicals!
THE children in Skerton have had enough and have taken to the streets in protest. Youngsters of all ages in and around Whalley Road, Richmond Avenue and Howgill Avenue say they are tired of playing in the streets and want their own play area. This week
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Euro referendum promise
TO the readers of the Citizen and other residents of the Fylde - this is a warning to you over the Euro referendum and vote. In the Mirror newspaper the other day Tony Blair stated that Britain will join the single currency and he declared war on his
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13 is unlucky for some
FYLDE folk go to the polls next week to elect representatives for the European Parliament. But voters face a baffling time on June 10 - there are 110 candidates incorporating 13 political groups. For the first time Britain is using the proportional representation
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Rugby League: Play-off dream is fading for the Lions
LIONS boss Tony Barrow believes his club's hopes of winning a top five play-off spot are fading fast - despite a recent upturn in fortunes. Swinton's chief executive admits what started out as a realistic aim now looks like an uphill task, particularly
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Called to the bar
ST HELENS College has submitted a planning application for a new restaurant, bar, kitchen and associated toilet accommodation at town-centre site in Water Street. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been
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PNE announce pre-season friendlies
NORTH End have lined up some big-name pre-season opponents. Their friendlies fixture list kicks off with a clash against Premiership new boys Sunderland at Deepdale on Thursday, July 29 (ko 7.45pm). Preston then travel to Bolton Wanderers against First
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Rugby League: It doesn't Work out for the Lions
Workington 37, Swinton 20 FORMER Swinton star Colin Armstrong played a large part in the downfall of Mike Gregory's team at Derwent Park on Sunday. Workington have won five out of their last six games and their performance was built on the foundations
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Man U-fans in victory parade - of Bolton!
MAGIC moments for a group of soccer-mad local youngsters who went on a victory lap aboard the world's most famous bus. Within 48 hours of Manchester United's treble-winning heroes' homecoming victory tour in front of 750,000 ecstatic supporters, Leigh
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Doctors fight to salvage boy's eye
DOCTORS were fighting to save the sight of a nine-year-old Heysham boy shot in the eye with a gat gun this week. The boy lives on Nelson Grange Heysham was shot at point blank range in Dallam Avenue. It is not established exactly how the accident happened
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New bank boss
CHRISTINA Craig has been appointed as the new manager at the HSBC bank in Accrington. The 38-year-old mother of three was previously business banking manager at the firm's Burnley branch. Christina holds an honours degree in financial services and is
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The ABC of PNE
D is for Deepdale - home of Preston North End since 1875 when they moved from Moor Park, and the sheep were allowed to graze on the bankings which doubled up as stands. So popular was this new attraction that women had to be charged admission for games
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From the Saxons, to trouble at t'mill
Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy - this week, the heart of Blackburn FOLLOWING last week's tour of Colne several readers have written to me saying that all East Lancashire towns have got an "ancient heart." As the old song days "You've Got To Have Heart
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Dismissal warning to bosses
EMPLOYERS in East Lancashire have been urged to make sure they are aware of a new rule. From June 1 the period of continuous employment required to bring a claim for unfair dismissal has been reduced from two years to one. "This change is of enormous
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Paying to watch
MORE than 1,800 TV licence evaders in the Lancaster area have been collared following a high profile campaign. "Target Zero" has seen a total of 1,886 evaders caught in Lancaster over the past year and has prompted an increase of 2,099 new licences in
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Lynx suffer ANOTHER defeat
ALTHOUGH Lynx had given everyone heart last week that a possible recovery was on the way against Batley Bulldogs, I think they were kidding us as well as themselves, writes Steve Tranter. This performance was back to the lackadaisical, slipshod defence
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The honeymoon's over
Wright On! Shelley Wright takes a wry look at life TO the person or persons who chose to break into my brother's new car I have just one thing to say. Thanks very much. I hope you choke on my George Michael CD. My life is now officially on the line because
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Return to sender
VICTIMS of a burglary in Morecambe were surprised when the housebreakers returned part of the booty via post this week. The burglars posted back a driving license from Cheshire to the victims on Woodlands Drive. "I've never heard of anything like this
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Station plan approved
RADCLIFFE town centre is to get a new heart. Planning chiefs in Bury have formally approved a scheme to revamp Dale Street with a new bus station and retail store. As part of the project, the existing bus station will be demolished to make way for a retail
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Town champs
LEIGH, Atherton and Tyldesley have two new town centre champions. Retailers and shoppers in the borough's largest towns will have allies in the new co-ordinators. Helen Toher, 24, will be responsible for Leigh, Golborne and Platt Bridge, while Annette
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Euro six fly the flag
SIX teenagers are flying the flag for Blackpool when they travel to a youth conference in Europe. Bryan Hall, Wezley Irwin, Nicola Holt, Keith Munnery, Nousheen Ahmed and Corinna Keelan will spend a week in the resort's twin town of Bottrop from June
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Big night for Citizens Advice
THE annual general meeting of the St Helens branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau will be held in room 215 of St Helens College on Thursday, June 17 from 12.30pm. Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Pat Jackson, will preside and the main speakers are community
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Make the most of it
MAKING the most of your natural colouring and body shape is the subject of a special evening organised by the Lancaster branch of the Business and Professional Women's Club. The event at Lancaster House Hotel is open to all local working women and the
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Last orders for brewers
MITCHELL'S Brewery in Lancaster is to close after 118 years brewing beer in the city. The shock announcement comes as the independent, family business faced falling orders for its range of cask beers. The brewery closure will mean the loss of local jobs
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Caring pupils shell out
BIG-hearted pupils from Haydock High School boosted a a worthy cause to the tune of £52.50 when they organised an Easter Egg raffle in aid of local youngster Conor Marsden who suffers from the skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa. Students of Form 7.1
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Anti-racism concert
CAMPAIGNERS are trying to organise a rock concert and fun day called Lancaster Against Racism. The inspiration for this event is the national 'Rock Against Racism' events of the early eighties. The aim is to raise the profile of local efforts to combat
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Shop raided for third time
A BUSINESSWOMAN is determined to continue trading despite a heartbreaking £15,000 raid on her shop early on Wednesday. The robbery at designer children's wear shop Hippee Chick in Parr Lane, Unsworth, was the latest to plague owner Miss Deborah Corris
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Tom milks it
THE morning after Manchester United powered their way to the treble Tom Procter completed the finishing touches to his milk float shrine to the club outside his Bolton-le-Sands home. Said Tom, 49, of Coastal Road: "I just did it because my family are
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New homes plan on school grounds
OUTLINE approval has been granted to build new homes at Castlebrook High School. Part of the grounds to the north of the Unsworth school has been earmarked for development of an unknown number of properties. The land offers little value in terms of providing
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Twelve aim for big peak prize
THE Tyldesley Twelve will be putting in a peak performance this month. The team from the Bulls Head, Manchester Road, Astley, are going all out to conquer The Three Peaks challenge to help six-years-old leukaemia sufferer Ryan James Philbin, and hundreds
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Bowlers club together to help Emma
PRESTWICH Ladies Bowling League are hoping to jack-up funds to send a local girl to Florida. Fifty-one players will tomorrow, June 5,compete in a charity bowling competition and fund-raising day in aid of the Emma Berman Florida Fund. Emma (11) of Polefield
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Happy Lotto family hit for six million
WITH millions in the bank the future should have shone bright for Leigh's 'lucky' lotto winners. Four years ago Ken White, his late wife Sheila and their sons David, Stephen and Richard (pictured with their families) were on top of the world sharing £6,600,000
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Burglar warned: behave yourself
A BURGLAR has been given a month to 'behave himself' - and possibly save himself from his first custodial sentence. Darren Quinn, 20, who broke into two homes in Nelson, was told by Judge Reginald Lockett that the chances for the bench were 'stark.' He
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Group will not forget Blobbygate
THE Council's largest group has written to the district auditor asking what the latest position is regarding their investigation into the Crinkley Bottom disaster. "We are determined that the truth will be put into the public arena as soon as possible
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Lace up your walking boots
ST HELENS Council's Ranger Service have organised a nine-mile walk this Sunday at 10am. Starting at Sankey Valley Visitors Centre, Blackbrook, walkers will go through Sankey Valley to Crank Caverns and Kings Moss where lunch will be taken before climbing
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Ram-raiders attack store
DETECTIVES are hunting a gang who ram-raided a supermarket. The thieves drove a stolen car through an entrance at the Kwik Save store in Bury before stealing a large quantity of cigarettes. The Vauxhall Astra car was left at the scene and it is believed
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Keep the pound!
LOCAL businesses joined the fight to keep the pound. Leading North West businessmen and women have launched the campaign to keep the pound and highlight the threat that the Euro posed to jobs and growth in the region. The launch of the new Business for
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To hell and back
A DRUG addict who spent a life of destitution on the streets of Blackpool and London is about to see his story turned into a Hollywood blockbuster. Twenty years ago Stephen Smith rummaged around resort dustbins for food. Today, with a lot of help from
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Special guest at seminar
BURY businesswomen have been given a rare insight into the world of a top female newspaper features writer. Forthright Daily Mail columnist Lynda Lee-Potter was one of the speakers at a special "Women in Business" seminar held in the town. She entertained
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Saints bid to halt Reds' revolution
SUPER League pace-setters Saints will be bidding to complete their first double of the season when re-born Salford Reds visit Knowsley Road on Sunday, kick-off 3pm. Saints won 30-12 at The Willows on the opening day of the season but - after struggling
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Bag snatcher strikes at station
A 53-year-old woman was pulled to the ground when a thief snatched her carrier bag at a Metrolink station. Now, police are anxious to talk to anyone who witnessed the incident at Besses o' th' Barn. Police say the woman was on her own on a platform when
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Super Huns give Leigh a hard time
HARD though it may be to take, Leigh got just what they deserved on Sunday. Just seven days after their whirlwind win against Hull KR, the game went sour as they crashed to their most comprehensive defeat of the season. Fourth-placed Hunslet simply gave
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In safe hands
CERTAINLY in safe hands - that's two local companies which have each won a major award. Scapa PMC, based at Stubbins Vale Mill in Ramsbottom, and Radcliffe's Trumeter have lifted coveted British Safety Council awards. And it's the ninth successive award
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Hilda's hundredth
IF you want to live to be 100 take Mrs Hilda Massey's advice and avoid all alcohol - except sherry. That was her tip on Wednesday when she celebrated her 100th birthday at Half Acre Nursing Home in Radcliffe. Born and bred in Radcliffe, Mrs Massey (right
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Get your Millennium cash
SMALL voluntary groups are being encouraged to cash in on Millennium money. Bury Council is keen to ensure organisations involved in arts, sports, heritage, Millennium, or charity activities do not lose out on grants of between £500 and £15,000 to help
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Mosses rely on charity
BURY'S Mosses Centre is seeking to become a registered charity in order to survive. The centre, which is used by community groups, was shortlisted for closure as a means of reducing the £178,000 shortfall in Bury Council's community education services
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Crowbar raid ordeal for staff
STAFF at an off-licence were forced to open the shop till after being threatened by a man wielding a crowbar. Two young men walked into the Nevins store in Cambridge Road, St Helens, just before 10pm on Wednesday, May 26. One of them stood in the shop
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Soccer: Daws poised to sign up
SHAKERS ever-present Nick Daws is poised to sign a new contract and end speculation that he is ready to join Burnley. The 29-year-old star has been given assurances of the club's ambition to make an immediate return to Division One next year and is all
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Tattoo clue as pregnant woman robbed
POLICE believe a prominent and distinctive tattoo could help them to track down a man who robbed a pregnant woman of £165 in cash at knifepoint. The attack took place between 11.30 and 11.45am on Wednesday, May 26, as the woman was walking along the St
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New success for swinging Alan
DISABLED golfer Alan Campbell is back on the winning trail. He followed his victory in the National Championships with success in the Bob Reynolds Memorial Handicap at Southport. On a windy course, the Leigh man took the event by one stroke with a four-under-par
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Warhurst to the four
GLAZEBURY CC lost their 100% record with a draw against Vulcan. The visitors hit 188-9, four of their batsmen getting into the 20s - but Paul Warhurst picked up FOUR catches in the field. And there were three wickets each for Jon Gibbons and Gareth Banks
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Chris aims to peak in the Lakes
CHRIS ACKERS' boots are definitely made for walking! And he is now putting the finishing touches to preparations for a mammoth 24-hour June walk - covering SIXTY miles over 20 Lakeland peaks and 17,000 feet of ascent. The sponsored walk, starting on June
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I'm fine, says fingers operation worker
A PAPER mill worker who became the first patient in Britain to have all his fingers sewn back on after they were sliced off in a horror accident said today: "I'm fine!" Harry Fishwick, 56, spoke from his bed at Withington Hospital, Manchester, after undergoing
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Chris 'n Critch on top target
GOLBORNE swept to the top of the Vimto Bolton Association as Astley & Tyldesley took their eye off the ball. They were all out for 112, never able to cope with the likes of Ian Critchley (3-25) and Chris Benbow (3-23). A weakened Golborne then had
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Having a trolly good time
What a trolley-load of goodies. The Journal's search for the Child of Year came to a climax at Tesco's Atherton store. Pictured are the six winners - Bethany Boardman, Zachery Jones, Nathan Whyte, Shelley Felton, Lee Gregory and Charlotte Fletcher - with
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McKinlay happy at Ewood
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Billy McKinlay revealed today that he has "never been happier" at Ewood Park. The Scottish international, currently in rehabilitation after an injury-plagued season, also explained for the first time why he had felt it necessary
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Let us entertain you
GOLBORNE High School pupils have won a £3,000 grant - to entertain pensioners. The school has been successful in its Barclays Bank "New Futures Award" bid to launch a project which will bring senior citizens in for lunch and entertainment once a week
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Health Trust is a shining example
PRESTON Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been awarded Beacon status by the Department of Health for initiatives to reduce waiting lists and times. Health Minister John Denham described the Preston Trust's work as 'a shining example of good practice'. He
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900 years of kindness
A BIG thank-you was the welcome to 71 volunteers who give up their time for St Catherine's Hospice. The charity workers had each completed 10 years service - 900 years between them - dedicating their time to helping at the charity's shops, support groups
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New-look link for town centre
LEIGH town centre is to be further improved to attract both shoppers and businesses. Wigan Council has unveiled a package of developments aimed at continuing the quality of work carried out in Bradshawgate, and improving business and investment confidence
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Armed bandits raid Spar
ARMED bandits terrified staff at a Preston supermarket before fleeing with a quantity of cigarettes. Two raiders threatened a cashier with a handgun and a claw hammer at the Spar shop in Kent Street and demanded cash. But when they realised the cashier
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Phil finds poetic power in petunias
AN ex-dental company director has sunk his teeth into writing poetry. Leigh man Phil Isherwood's first book "Life Behind the Petunias" has just been published by Towpath Press. It offers the fresh and funny, punchy and provocative. A committed Christian
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Disability bill off target
AS a disabled person, and also the manager of Bury and District Disabled Advisory Council (BADDAC), I have great fears about the proposals to cut disability benefits contained in the Government's Welfare Reform Bill. These would leave thousands of disabled
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Pram push is old news
I FELT I must put pen to paper to comment on your article 'Council leader's a kerb crawler.' At first I thought it was an advertisement from a proud grandparent about a recent birth of their grandchild, but then I read on and find it is about Councillor
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I just got angrier
WHAT an interesting read the Bury Times was on Friday, May 21. I read with interest the articles dealing with problems in local schools. As I continued I found myself becoming angrier and angrier. I am a parent of two young children who are still in the
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Toxic aftermath?
CHILDREN in Bamber Bridge are being ordered indoors after a massive factory inferno resulted in white asbestos being deposited across the town. The blaze, which started at 1pm on Sunday at packaging firm Avalon Packaging on Walton Summit, raged for most
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School passes the test
THE chairman of Lancashire's education and cultural services committee has congratulated the staff, governors and pupils of Eldon County Primary School on a glowing Ofsted report. The school, in Preston, had been subject to 'special measures' imposed
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Win tickets to the Royal Air Tattoo
THE Royal International Air Tattoo, held in partnership with British Aerospace, will send you into orbit with high-flying airshow entertainment. And you and a friend can win tickets to the Gloucestershire event courtesy of the event organisers and the
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Missing remains returned
AN undertaker who 'disappeared' without returning the ashes of a man's father, has contacted the Citizen, telling of his sorrow at the distress he has caused. In an emotional interview, Steven Poole revealed the reason behind his 'disappearance' and apologised
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Readers' Recollections...fire at the Town Hall, 1947
THE magnificent structure of the old Town Hall building in Preston, is the focus of this week's recollections after receiving these amazing photos taken by Citizen reader, Jim Cowell. Jim, of Clifford Avenue, took these wonderful snaps of the Town Hall
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Scant reward for hard work
ON an unresponsive artificial track, a winning draw in this Fylde League division two game seemed scant reward for St Annes IV's hard work against Blackpool IV. The innings was given a firm foundation with two fine half-centuries from Vijay Chandrasekar
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RUGBY UNION: Mansfield in college tourney triumph
OVER 50 girls from four local high schools took part in the second Girls Tag Tournament held at Nelson and Colne College, Colne. The eventual winners were Mansfield High School who won all three of their matches. The Brierfield school were able to draw
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Milosevic regime must be toppled
MILOSEVIC backs down, Serbia's parliament votes for peace, Belgrade agrees to all NATO's demands - victory and vindication for the allies' air war. On paper. For this peace to be real and complete, there has yet to be the fulfilment of the war's essential
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Potholes a danger
I WOULD like to raise public awareness of the potential dangers of Whinney Lane, from Mellor to the dual carriageway at Lammack, Blackburn, with cars swerving to avoid potholes and eroded areas. I have nearly had two 'head-on' collisions on my morning
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BOWLS: Thwaites East Lancashire Premier League
GREAT Harwood's lead has been cut to six points this week following their 8-6 defeat at Haslingden. Ian McNeill won 21-15 for Haslingden with Norman Hill winning 21-2 for the leaders. Colne Cricket Club and Sunnybank are in joint second place, Colne had
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Refugees are welcome
WHAT a mean, selfish person Gladys Robinson sounds (Letters, May 26). Does she not understand the difference between our old people and those poor refugees? I agree it was a shame to close the old people's homes, but at least the residents had somewhere
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BOWLS: Mick's lead in record fashion
FRENCHWOOD number one Mick Nelson continues to lead the Terry Sayers individual merit awards after his latest 21-15 win. Undefeated after seven games is a unique record for Mick who has helped in the overall performance of the team who are in second place
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Yickers finish in style
HAYDOCK rounded off a great season when they clinched the UGB Lions' sevens title on Monday. It happened after they had coasted past Thatto Heath in the semi-final and then beat Blackbrook 24-16 in the final. In the other semi-final Blackbrook needed
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All set for a gala
GET set for the last Poulton Gala of the Millennium This Saturday (June 5). And this year organisers promise a bigger, better and more exciting festival than ever before. Around 40 floats will proceed through Poulton's streets accompanied by bands and
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Forestry worker died building bridleway
LANCASHIRE County Council could face prosecution over the death of a forestry worker who was crushed by a dumper truck on what an inquest heard was a "dangerous", "unsuitable" and "very steep" access road. The Health and Safety Executive is still investigating
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Last journey of the perfect priest
TRIBUTES poured in for a young Bispham priest whose body was being flown to a final resting place in his native Bermuda today (June 3). The Rev James Morley, of All Hallows C of E Church, Bispham, died last Friday (May 28) at the age of 40 after suffering
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Countryside life stories for Channel 4
CHANNEL 4's new history of the countryside, Green & Pleasant Land, would like to hear Citizen readers' stories of country living between the 1950s and the 1970s. Families started moving out to live in rural areas, some in remote spots, after the war
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Liberals fire Euro big gun
LIBERAL Democrat big gun Cyril Smith was in Lancaster last week to boost the fortunes of his party's candidate for the Euro elections, Chris Davies. Said Sir Cyril: "It doesn't matter if you are keen on Europe or not. The fact is we are part of it and
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Happy birthday you caring lot
BLACKPOOL'S Sitting Service is to receive a very special thank you this week from social service chiefs and council members. Coinciding with National Volunteers' Week is the tenth anniversary of the vital volunteers who help people caring for elderly
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Hospital's £450,000 tonic
BLACKPOOL'S casualty department has won a £450,000 tonic to help boost patient facilities. Staff at Victoria Hospital's busy accident and emergency department were jubilant this week after receiving one of the top allocations in the North West as part
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Marathon Mark plans splash out in 'Big Apple'
AN ATHERTON-based swimmer will be ensuring his ambitions do not sink when he takes part in a 28.5-mile swimathon in nine days time. Mark Blewitt, a 32-year-old marketing manager, has been training hard to achieve his dream of swimming in the Manhattan
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Clarets boss issues Robbertson deadline
BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent has set Mark Robertson a mid-June deadline to decide on his Clarets future. Ternent wants Robertson to stay and has offered him a new deal after his current contract expires this summer. He is hoping to see the midfielder report
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Police pat on the back for revellers
POLICE have praised revellers in Accrington for creating a friendly atmosphere for visitors enjoying a night out in the town. An operation over the Bank Holiday weekend has been hailed a success after just one person was arrested on a busy Sunday night
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Chris is top of the taps
PLUMBING student Chris Jones (18) from Sutton Leach, who works for Bartons Heating Contracts, has been awarded a national prize by plumbing and heating merchants Plumb Center for high standards of craftmanship on his NVQ course at St Helens College. Converted
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More art on show
GRADUATE art students at St Martin's College will be exhibiting their work to the public in June. The exhibition will include an innovative cross-section of work in a variety of media, from painting and printmaking to sculpture, ceramics and digital imaging
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Helping those who can't help themselves
MOVES to make life more bearable for vulnerable members of the community are progressing well. The Council's Housing Committee has been reviewing its Community Care Strategy established 18 months ago in partnership with Wigan and Bolton Health Authority
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Back to the shop floor!
BUSINESS agency boss Richard Bindless went back to the "shop floor" to experience life at the front line of his organisation during "Learning at Work Day." Richard, chief executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber, broadened his horizons and boosted his knowledge
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Pitching in for Lottery hand-out
WIGAN Council has surveyed all the grass playing fields in the borough with a view to netting a sports lottery grant. It wants to improve facilities in the area, and has compiled a 40-page dossier which shows the area is short of 73 hectares of playing
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Don't waste your vote
ST HELENS Council is urging all eligible residents to ensure they are registered to vote in the European Elections to be held on Thursday, June 10. If you are registered to vote you should receive a poll card by Tuesday, June 1. You do not need this to
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Cash tonic for hospital
THE Government has invested an extra £550,000 to improve services at Whiston Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department. The money is part of a £115 million investment in A and E departments throughout the country, announced by Health Minister, Frank
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Popular to the corps
THE ARMY Cadet Force in the Lancaster district has become so popular with local youngsters that two new detachments have been opened. The new detachments have been opened at Hornby and Galgate and numbers at the other detachments are on the up. The increase
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Apology demand in election leaflets row
AN ELECTION row continued today as Pendle MP Gordon Prentice urged Paddy Ashdown to order an Liberal Democrat Euro election leaflet to be corrected. Mr Prentice wants a correction slip inserted into the official European Parliamentary election leaflet
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Big night to aid refugees
CHARITY champ Frank Cunningham is to stage a roadshow in aid of Kosovan refugees. The show wll be held at Haydock C & B Club, Irelands Road, on Thursday, June 10, starting at 8pm. A number of top-class acts will feature on the bill, including singer
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Jennifer's Precious memories
SHE may not have won the Eurovision Song Contest but Prestwich's Jennifer Frost is still riding high. Just days after returning from Israel where the competition was held, Jennifer was jetting off to Belgium to continue an extensive round of chat shows
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HQ set for new look
THE Bury Times Group is to have a new home for the 21st century. Planning chiefs have given the green light to the creation of a new state-of-the-art headquarters on the group's adjoining car park in Market Street. The site has been earmarked for a three-storey
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You're safe now!
BURY'S biggest humanitarian aid operation since the Second World War has swung into action. Teams from social services, Bury's housing department, the Red Cross, and medical staff, have been working around the clock following the arrival of 82 Kosovar
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Facing a brighter future
THE Asian Women's Centre faced an uncertain future after funding for the project ran out in March. But this week, following the news of their second Lottery windfall, the centre's steering committee have made plans to extend the centre to give help to
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Tribute to heroes of war
PLANS are being drawn up to honour those who gave their lives in the Second World War. The Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown branch of the Royal British Legion are trying to compile a list of local victims of the conflict. When it is complete, the organisers
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Carpet firm's green pledge
A CARPET company is doing its bit to help the environment. Cavalier Carpets, based on the Thompson Street industrial estate, Blackburn, has launched a programme of measures to make their business greener. The company is looking at various things, including
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Community effort wins praise from councillors
A COMMUNITY scheme to convert derelict land into a recreation area has been heaped with praise by councillors who gave the plans the thumbs-up. Green group Groundwork East Lancashire and the Residents' Association of Immanuel joined forces to create a
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Men's club goes down fighting
A POPULAR social centre which has been the focus of a bitter legal wrangle has closed - 90 years after it first opened! The final curtain fell on St. Austin's Catholic Men's Club, Thatto Heath, at an emotional farewell party held by members on Sunday
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Forestry worker died building bridleway
LANCASHIRE County Council could face prosecution over the death of a forestry worker who was crushed by a dumper truck on what an inquest heard was a "dangerous", "unsuitable" and "very steep" access road. The Health and Safety Executive is still investigating
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Hall hammers out Cross Cup warning
ATHERTON aim to keep a vice-like grip on the Vimto Cross Cup. They romped into the semi-finals with Sunday's seven-wicket win over Walshaw. Brett Collins with 34 and Glyn Faulkner (32) held the innings together against tight bowling from Paul Walsh 2-
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Can you help?
Pat Aitken writes: I am trying to trace an old school friend. We were in India until 1948. We left and came to Liverpool on March 17. I went to Edinburgh and she went to Bury. We kept in touch for some time. Her last address until 1962 was 110 Redvales
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Pumas kick into gear for the girls
THE powerful Hindley Pumas are tackling a rugby poser for young girl players. They are kicking off the first squad in the Metro for U14s. And the Pumas, who can boast two international tourists and train at Hindley Prison playing fields in Bickershaw,
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Today's the Day!
A look back at events in history on June 4 with Mike Badham 1738: George III was born. Although he figures as a tyrant in American history books, he was really quite a nice old boy who loved his people and enjoyed farming. 1768: Giacomo Casanova died.
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Lottery wishes granted
GATEWAY, a self advocacy service for people with learning disabilities, is looking forward to a brighter future thanks to a much-needed cash boost. Based at the Mosses Centre on Cecil Street, Bury, Gateway is celebrating after being awarded a £148,173
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Starbeat with DJ Darren Proctor
WELL, not long now until this year's Give A Child A Chance Day on Radio City 96.7. We all really look forward to this day as we join up with our sister station Magic 1548. With one aim in mind and that is to generate as much cash as possible for children's
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Rise from gutter to be turned into film
A MOVIE company is coming to East Lancashire in September to film part of the amazing life story of a reformed drug addict. Stephen Smith was down and out in various towns around Lancashire, including Blackburn and Burnley, when he was fighting drug addiction
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Cycle race in area
THE Pru tour cycle race passes through the area tomorrow (Friday). It is due to travel through Hutton and Penwortham around mid-day, as well as Knott Lane and Church Brow in Walton-le-Dale at 12.30pm. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some
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MP welcomes drug targets
BURY North MP David Chaytor has welcomed the Government's announcement of ambitious new targets amid new evidence of spiralling drug abuse. Jack Cunningham, the minister responsible for co-ordinating the Government's drugs strategy, has presented the
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Saddle up and go
FULWOOD Riding Centre in Preston is making it easy for anyone to saddle up during the Jeep National Riding Festival, which continues until July 11. New riders and equine enthusiasts are both being encouraged attend the centre's action-packed open day
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Journey's end and safety at last for Kosovar refugees
TRAUMATISED Kosovar refugees arrived in Blackburn yesterday and immediately began to pour their hearts out to the council staff whose will care for them. One hundred and thirty eight people were taken to two former homes for the elderly in Dunoon Drive
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Not the way ahead
ABOUT the permission given Do It All to sell animals, a person's obligation to care for an animal would be more nearly ensured by their willingness to go to a pet-shop than by their just picking up a pet on the way to the superstore till. Less commitment
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Party time for Europe
A BAKER'S dozen - that's how many options residents have in next Thursday's European Parliament elections. And maybe recent election apathy will be dispelled by the number and range of policies on offer, from Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party to
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Ternent issues Robbertson deadline
BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent has set Mark Robertson a mid-June deadline to decide on his Clarets future. Ternent wants Robertson to stay and has offered him a new deal after his current contract expires this summer. He is hoping to see the midfielder report
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I'm fine, says fingers op worker
A PAPER mill worker who became the first patient in Britain to have all his fingers sewn back on after they were sliced off in a horror accident said today: "I'm fine!" Harry Fishwick, 56, spoke from his bed at Withington Hospital, Manchester, after undergoing
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Can our local teams win?
THINGS can only get better for Leyland Cricket Club after they suffered a humiliating Bank Holiday Monday defeat. They only managed to notch up 48 runs against Chorley in what, at best, can be described as an embarrassing defeat. Chorley's Keith Eccleshare
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Grasmere wins 'beacon' award
LEIGH's Grasmere Street health centre is a shining example for others to follow. The NHS Beacon award of £4,000 has been given to the centre for the excellence of its family doctor Primary Care service. Announcing the award Health Minister John Denham
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Joe's ode to bygone days
NOSTALGIA, they say, is a thing of the past. But bygone times certainly stay alive in the minds of the many readers who chip in to this column each week. Two of them, Joe Jones of Irwin Road, Sutton, and I.M. Cook of the local Writers Circle, have both
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Shak-attack on rubbish
MAYORESS Evelyne Smith loves Shakerley. And the Hindsford councillor is encouraging other Shakophiles to join her in a Spring clean-up. Evelyne (pictured) was among the locals who cleared litter and household waste in a Council-backed campaign to make
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Events in East Lancs/North West on Saturday, June 5th
Car Boot Sale, Dog Inn car park, Belthorn Road, Belthorn, 10am-4pm. Proceeds of which go to village funds. Start of the Fellsman Classic Tour, with SS class cars, 9.30am, Waddington Arms, Waddington. Finishes 5pm at the same venue. Coffee Morning, Mind
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Question of wording
IN A recent issue of the Citizen you kindly published my comments upon the lack of management skills in local councils in general and of the last administration here in Lancaster and Morecambe in particular. This was followed up in you letters page, under
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Time to take a bow
WE would like to say a big thank- you to all the staff of H4 Ward at Whiston Hospital. By all the staff, we mean the doctors and nursing staff, cleaners, kitchen staff, the tea ladies and anyone who was involved in the running of H4. We had a fabulous
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The big pensions blip
TO most folk over the age of 60, this brave new computerised world is not only baffling, but downright infuriating. And these emotions must have escalated into the realms of hate and despair for thousands of newly-fledged old age pensioners. These are
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Do the job you are paid to do Hilton
CORRECT! this thick, politically incorrect, fat, auld Scotsman does not understand the subtle and complex issues raised by Hilton Dawson. I have read and re-read his letter of May 27 and still think the same as I did the week before. If race, culture
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Escape from Hell
AS the 82 Kosovar refugees settle into their temporary home at the Geoffrey Kershaw Centre in Bury, horrific tales are slowly emerging of life at the mercy of Serb soldiers. Villages have been razed to the ground, people executed on the spot for no reason
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Bobbies get to heart of estate
HIGHER Folds has copped a £100 gift from the police. PC John Burns, the estate's community bobby recently presented a cheque to Lorraine Hutchings, co-ordinator of the Heart of the Community Shop at The Centre. The shop acts as a community focus and promotes
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Smoke gets in your eyes
I HAVE just read your comments on the letter that protested against smoking in public (May 6). I find your opinions wilfully blind to the facts. The really bad news about smoking is (1) it stinks, (2) it harms not only those who use tobacco but also the
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The entertainer
THE bowler hat and cane are unmistakable - Preston's answer to cheeky Charlie Chaplin (pictured). With his trademark moustache and distinctive walk, the famous entertainer amused shoppers at St George's Shopping Centre during the half-term break. Charlie
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Let's hear about local lads
AS a follower of Rugby League, I must say that, generally, the coverage in the Star is excellent, particularly the space devoted to Saints' first team and the town's many talented amateur clubs. However, there is one area in which both the Star, and,
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Time to think again
WE recently heard with some dismay that the Do It All store on Westgate in Morecambe are intending to market a range of animals as pets. The thought of people deciding on impulse to "pick up a pet" while in a store to buy tins of paint and rolls of wallpaper
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Let's have sensible planning please!
WHAT a hotch-potch of planning we seem to get in our town. We get pedestrianisation by instalments and new shop fronts on the crumbling buildings years after St Helens has been 'centrally' rebuilt. A third giant supermarket appears almost overnight in
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High-flyers gain award
TEAMWORK has paid off for a high-flying Leigh travel agency which operates a 'warts and all' policy. Co-op Travelcare is celebrating winning the coveted Investors in People award. To win the award, the agency, part of the largest independent travel chain
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Ladies lunch with Summer Wine star
A POPULAR TV personality was the guest of honour at a lunch to raise cash for children with cancer. Jean Fergusson, Marina from 'Last of the Summer Wine,' was the guest speaker at the event, hosted by the Ribble Valley Ladies' Luncheon Club. The club
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That's not what I meant
THANKS to Citizen Smith for acknowledging that I work hard on behalf of constituents. That work would be assisted if he would report facts rather than completely mis-representing me: I have never 'suggested that some subtle form of racist campaign resulted
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Sylvia makes a real Impact
FORMER Golborne woman Sylvia Taylor is back on home ground in the next week. Her hard-hitting play "Point of Impact" will be performed by the Trojan Theatre at Leigh College's Theatre Upstairs on Monday. It will then be staged at Golborne High on Wednesday
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Celebrating a century of change
IT'S BEEN a century of change in Lancashire as, of course, in the rest of the world. But a few things have been constant - we still enjoy a day at Blackpool and the Pleasure Beach; Pendle Hill still holds a strange fascination; soccer and Rugby League
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Bins system may change
AS the successful candidate for Unsworth in the recent elections, I must reply to "Ever Bin Had?" (Your Letters, May 28). I will attempt to mollify him/her and the many people of Unsworth who are unhappy with the present system of refuse collection, which
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Estate to have say on missing services
HIGHER Folds residents face a doorstep survey on the quality of life on the estate. Over the next few weeks they will be able to have their say on what services are missing and what can be improved. A team of local people are aiming to reach 1,000 households
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Retail park under bomb threat
STAFF at a Preston retail park were advised to be extra vigilant on Bank Holiday Monday, after it was revealed their shopping complex could been targeted by bombers. Security guards at Deepdale Retail Park alerted workers in the morning that they had
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Party in the park
PLANS for the first ever Party in The Park, in Winckley Square, are taking shape with a host of exciting activities already in the pipeline. More than £700 of the Friends of Winckley Square committee's cash has already been earmarked for a host of entertainments
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Woodbury commitment undiminished
JANET Shaw (Your Letters, May 21) seems to have forgotten that the borough's Woodbury Millennium project included a bid to the National Lottery Millennium Commission for a quarter of a million pounds to fund the chartering of the "Phoenix" from Square
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Labour highlighted cycle lane 'menace'
I WAS saddened to read Mr P. J. Billington's attack on me (Your Letters, May 7) and I must now add his description "arrogant" to the list of adjectives thrown at me by Socialists over the years. He is entitled to support cycle lanes, though I would be
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Toxic aftermath?
CHILDREN in Bamber Bridge are being ordered indoors after a massive factory inferno resulted in white asbestos being deposited across the town. The blaze, which started at 1pm on Sunday at packaging firm Avalon Packaging on Walton Summit, raged for most
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Walk of witness
THE Rev Eric Joselin planned a 45-mile walk of witness to raise cash for Ribble Valley churches. The 70-year-old prepared to walk the Pendle Way carrying a wooden cross, a feat he had accomplished 21 years previously when he covered 80-miles on a similar
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Biking community mourn after champ's accident
A TITLE-winning Penwortham biker has been killed in a horror smash during a warm-up session for the TT Races on the Isle of Man. Simon Beck, 28, was killed as he travelled round a notorious stretch of track during an evening practice on Tuesday. He is
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Readers' Recollections...fire at the Town Hall, 1947
THE magnificent structure of the old Town Hall building in Preston, is the focus of this week's recollections after receiving these amazing photos taken by Citizen reader, Jim Cowell. Jim, of Clifford Avenue, took these wonderful snaps of the Town Hall
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BOWLS: Hyndburn and District League
THREE teams went nap this week - Globe A, Rushton Street E and Gatty Park. Globe A beat their own E team 10-0 to go two points clear at the top of Division One, Rushton Street E achieved the same result against Whalley A to maintain the pressure on Salisbury
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Vote won't be wasted
MR D Bullen (Letters, May 28) was correct - there is little democracy in the European Parliament. However, it does not follow that there is no point in voting in the Euro elections on June 10. The United Kingdom Independence Party is putting up candidates
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COUNTY CRICKET: Whatmore joins England coach short-list
ENGLAND have put Dav Whatmore on their list of candidates to take over as coach from David Lloyd. Lord's officials have made an official approach to Lancashire, and have asked Whatmore to prepare his CV for an interview sometime in the next fortnight.
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El-eighted!
ST ANNES had an easy eight wickets victory over Leyland at Vernon Road on Saturday (May 29), finishing on 112-2, with Leyland's reply 109-9. St Annes captain Russell Bradley won the toss and put Leyland in to bat and the visitors found runs difficult
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BOWLS: Metters magic
LAST year's finalist John Metters cruised through his qualifying group in the Alexandra Classic sponsored by LET and Scottish and Newcastle Retail last weekend. The other 1998 finalist Mick Chapman also went through, along with Kevan Shaw from Westhoughton
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Confusion cleared
ALTHOUGH we are rivals in the elections to the European Parliament on June 10, we have united to correct an injustice and clear up great confusion. The dummy ballot paper in the Government leaflet sent to every household explaining the new proportional
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Wauters wins Prutour by a whisker
TWO seconds was all that separated first and second place in the 731-mile Prutour cycle race. After seven days of racing around the streets of Britain, Belgian Mark Wauters, 30, emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins in the final leg in Edinburgh
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Battle for Euro crowns
FOLLOWING on from last year's world premier event in the town, St Helens is to play host to the European Kick Boxing Championships on Monday, June 21. As well as the European title fights, there will be British title events and an international ladies
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Changing times at the Car Boot
A SEASONED car booter who has stood Leigh Miners' many times changed his venue to my local on Sunday. He tempted me to add an ancient washboard to my collection of kitchen equipment, and I was a bit miffed when he checked my tenner. "Can't be too careful
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You're welcome
WHEN Indian cyclist Debojyoti Ghosh set off from India on a nine year cycle ride across the world he didn't even know that Lancaster existed. But since the 29-year-old pitched up to the university on Tuesday he's more than impressed with the area. Said
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Burglar's nine years out of 27 locked away
AN "institutionalised" house breaker has been jailed for two years. Drug addict Wayne Oxley, 27, had spent nine years of his life locked up and each time he had been released, he would go back to heroin and end up back in prison, Burnley Crown Court heard
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Great exhibitions at the Folly
THERE'S two great new exhibitions at Folly Gallery this month. Sandy Gardners "Pathways of the Imaginary" uses computers to overlay, change and meld different images to create rich brew of symbols and fragments of narrative. The precise photographic quality
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Millennium medics deserve extra cash
ON behalf of doctors and nurses I think our medical people should have lots more money if they work on New Year's Eve. With all the celebrations there are bound to be accidents, not forgetting heart attacks, etc. Intensive care departments will be working
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Nasty shock for old folk
OLD people in Lancaster and Morecambe received a nasty shock last week when a county council letter hit their door mats - it stated they would have an 80 per cent increase to pay for home helps. The elderly will have to pay £9 per hour instead of £5 for
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Good year for Joel
AFTER two maximum scores, two second places and a third overall 1999 looks as though it could be a good year for Ian Joel's rally aspirations. Second on Saturday's Red Dragon Rally in South Wales allowed Joel and co-driver Graeme Wood from Carnforth to
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The great escape
AS escapes go, Blackpool's in their Vaux Northern League Division One game at Netherfield on Saturday (May 29) ranks with the greatest. Staring defeat in the face at 55-8 in reply to Netherfield's modest 148 all out, Blackpool veteran slow left arm bowler
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Buffer's still going strong!
SIGNED by Saints in February 1981 and still going strong - admittedly with another club! That's the proud product of Thatto Heath and Grange Park School Paul 'Buffer' Forber. He put pen to paper at Knowsley Road after serving his apprenticeship with Saints
