Archive
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Oak shove it to the Sharks
ROYAL OAK (Leigh) made hard work of their NorthWest Counties Division Four match against Shevington Sharks. But, with good stuff from MoM C Buxton, they won 36-28, P Wilcock scoring a last-minute try (one of four TDs); others came from A Peachey, M German
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Gr-eight stuff as Fold march on
THEY'RE going great guns at the top of both divisions in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League. Higher Fold LC rule in Division One, six points clear of Leigh's Phoenix and Avenue with eight wins and a draw in their nine matches. In Division
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Eagle-high Tyldesley hang on
TYLDESLEY RU resisted a late challenge to beat Eagle 30-21and secure their berth in the second round place of the NPI National Cup. With seven minutes remaining they had established a comfortable 23-point lead; the late burst merely made the scoreline
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Council score nil in pitch dispute
MANCHESTER United took just one week to re-turf its pitch. Bury Council on the other hand need more than a year as officials from Elton Fold Football Club are currently realising a month into the new soccer season. The club have been told they cannot
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Volunteers will bring comfort to crime victims
BURY has been playing host this week to volunteers who will bring comfort and re-assurance to victims of crime. The town's police headquarters in Irwell Street has been the venue for a three-day course involving training for volunteer visitors. They are
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Going down a bomb!
I WOULD like to use your letters column to say a big "well done" to local MP Hilton Dawson and the Labour Government for their ethical arms policy. Thank goodness we only sell arms to certified mass murderers and not just any power-crazed psychopath.
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Blind bowling
PRESTON'S Blind Bowling Club have won the English National Triples Championship for the Visually Impaired for the first time after an excellent victory at Weston Super Mare last weekend. The team was Henry Edwards, Tony Kimpton and Rob Bryant. Preston
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At the mercy of teenage thugs
TENANTS living on a 'ghost town' estate are pleading to be moved after they were abandoned at the mercy of local thugs. Just 12 tenants are still living in a three-storey block of flats in St Austin Road, Avenham. The other two blocks have already been
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Frandsen - the talented all-rounder
BRIAN Kidd has signed a genuine all-rounder in Per Frandsen and, if the statistics are to be believed, the Danish international is one of the First Division's outstanding talents. Although Frandsen's attacking exploits have taken the eye for Bolton Wanderers
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Living under siege
GANGS of up to 40 youths are terrorising a Radcliffe housing estate. They post firecrackers and urinate through letterboxes, and smash windows at the homes of terrified pensioners. Tenants and residents in and around St Andrew's Street say they are being
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'Have no fear' says Davis
"HAVE no fear" is the message from Clarets linchpin Steve Davis as table-toppers Burnley prepare for one of their toughest tests so far at Bristol City tomorrow. Eleventh-placed City are unbeaten at home this season and are starting to click into gear
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No go for buses on troubled estate
BUS drivers are being forced to steer clear of parts of a troubled housing estate. Blackburn Transport vehicles are the latest targets of youths on Fishmoor estate - just weeks after firefighters warned the thugs could kill someone after their tenders
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Ewood jinx hits again
STEVE Harkness has been hit by the Ewood injury jinx - ruled out of contention for tomorrow's home game with Walsall after being hurt on his full debut for Blackburn Rovers in midweek. And Rovers boss Brian Kidd is also set to be without winger Keith
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Pupils will sign on dotted line
HUNDREDS of parents, schoolchildren and schools will soon be signing on the dotted line. Bury Council has launched new Home School Agreements which will be signed by mums and dads and counter-signed by the schools that their children attend. The third
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Tuppeny fish chip feasts
WHAT''S the cheapest you've ever paid for a helping of fish and chips? Friendly arguments over this have popped up among customers of this column since my piece (September 2) about Blaylock's bygone chippie and the old-time chipshop scene in general.
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Drive to stop driving
I THINK I have found the council's latest idea to stop people driving into Lancaster... Caton Road sorry I mean track. For many people this stretch of road is the first part of Lancaster they encounter, what a great impression it must set. From leaving
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Any news of the old Prov?
HI! I am writing from Canada. I am doing research for a story I am writing and I need some information/memories of Providence Hospital, St Helens. I was a patient there as a child in the 1950s and would like any information on the Sisters who ran the
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New platform on health matters is launched
A POWERFUL new local user forum to spearhead the fight for greater public consultation on all health matters has been launched. And the man who has waged a six-year campaign on the crucial issue has accused the NHS in Bury of being "steeped in secrecy
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A champion of the coalface
WHEN our local heroes are all but forgotten, the name of Paddy Gill will live on in the memory of reader Chris Barrow who has noted what he describes as the council's 'passion' for honouring the good, the great and the ordinary from the borough's mining
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Are we the real criminals?
I AM a law abiding, tax paying, responsible individual. I have worked extensively in my local community, I recycle and I try to treat everyone I meet with respect and understand their viewpoints even when they radically conflict with my own. Basically
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Police quash pop concert parking fines
FURIOUS residents booked for parking outside their OWN homes during a massive pop festival at neighbouring Heaton Park have won a battle to have the tickets quashed. And Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, who backed the residents, called it a victory for "people
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Castle ward
I WRITE with regard to Fred Webster's letter on the membership of the Luneside Single Regeneration Budget steering committee. As he points out there are three councillors on the committee - none from the Castle Ward - where the major part of the development
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Police hunt bag snatchers
POLICE are investigating a spate of seven handbag thefts and attempted robberies. And some of the incidents, which occurred during a five-day period, are being linked. Three of the crimes were carried out by a duo while the remainder involved a single
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Spend the cash on safety
WITH the Millennium pressing ever closer you would feel that St Helens would be a safe community for its population and visitors as anywhere else in the North West. However, this is not entirely true as major roads feeding the town are still extremely
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Ethnic group help for elders
A NEW organisation set up to help Asian elders in the Leigh and Wigan area will have its third meeting on Sunday. The group, formed to encourage ethnic minorities to get together, first met in August at the Leigh Pensioners' Link Centre. It has been started
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November D-day for Hippodrome
WORK has started on transforming Leigh's remaining derelict cinema into a top notch nightspot. The former Classic Cinema, which started life last century as The Hippodrome, will see the Hip old name return. Last week the new owners, the Sunderland-based
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Churches help lepers
LEIGH churches working together have raised £1,928 to help the Leprosy Mission. The 22 churches' various money spinning efforts over the year culminated in the annual coffee evening in the Sacred Heart Parish Centre last week. Mrs Marjorie Price, of Bedford
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Helen promises belly good fun
LEIGH women of all ages are being given the chance to unveil their exotic dance dreams. They can uncover hidden talents at new belly dance classes starting in Lowton next week. Local teacher, Helen Roberts, is beginning Egyptian dance classes on Thursday
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Sculpture 'offends my soul'
AS a man whose idea of art is studying the delights of Constable, Turner, Botticelli and Michaelangelo, along with John Nash, Christopher Wren etc. the monstrosity at the corner of Smyrna Street offends my renaissance soul. If the perpetrator of this
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Duty Rota
CHEMISTS on duty on Sunday, September 26, are: Boots the Chemist, 10-13 Fishergate, Preston, 11am-5pm; Moss Chemists, Asda, Fulwood, 10.30am-4.30pm; Moss Chemists, Sainsburys, Deepdale, 10.30am-4.30pm; Scholes Chemist, 112 Deepdale Road, Preston, 10am
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Indian signing a first for Bury
WELL done Bury FC! At last an Indian player has been signed by the club. It had to come - thousands of Asian footballers and cricketers are playing in various leagues around the country, yet not one soccer player in the Football League. It seems a completely
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Richard snubs royals for gym
VIRGIN tycoon Richard Branson cancelled a date with royalty - so that he could come to Preston to meet members of his new gym. The multi-millionaire visited his new Virgin Active 'life centre' in Walton-le-Dale yesterday, Thursday, Sept 23. The entrepreneur
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Odd's strife for partners in grime
THERE are some 'Odd' goings-on down at St Joseph's Players this week. And it's all down to Katherine Roberts and 'partner-in-grime' Pauline Nevell. They are "The Odd Couple" in Neil Simon's riotous and sometimes raunchy New York comedy, cleverly directed
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Kids inches from 400 metre shaft fall
SIX young children have narrowly escaped plummeting down a quarter-mile deep pit shaft. Horrified Marie Hope's six grandchildren had been playing in the garden of her Leigh council house where a three metre hole suddenly appeared. "It's frightening to
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Attitudes have to change
IT was reassuring to read that Sergeant Greenwood of Bury Traffic Unit has issued the promise "we will catch those who speed". However, I fear it is an initiative which offers no more than the limited success that resulted from the introduction of the
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Trading Standards monitor GM laws
CATERERS in Lancashire must now comply with new menu requirements by indicating the use of genetically modified foods in their meals. The regulations came into force on Sunday, and apply to restaurants, canteens, cafes, pubs, take-away, selling ready-to-eat
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Detention and back-pedalling all round?
OVER the past few months I have read with interest the correspondence from A. Withington in which he appeared to be drawing attention to the shoddy approach by Bury Council towards its fiscal responsibility. His letters invariably meet with self-serving
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Profits soar at BAe
BRITISH Aerospace has increased its profits to £358 million - £9 million up on last year. And the company is looking forward to a rosy future thanks to the imminent merger with GEC Marconi, which will create the world's second-largest defence defence
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Deepdale Duck's video debut is absolutely Perfect!
DEEPDALE Duck could be on the verge of becoming a superstar, when he makes his debut in a pop video! The six-foot duck, who normally performs in front of the Deepdale faithful at Preston North End, had the crowd in stitches on Tuesday night when he joined
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Why wasn't Mr Bradley re-appointed?
I WAS dismayed to learn that Mr John Bradley is not to be re-appointed chairman of the Bury Health Care NHS Trust (Bury Times Sept 17). Through his long years in the Health Service, first as a junior doctor and latterly as a consultant in Bury, Mr Bradley
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Number one in inedible stakes
PRESTON is top of the shops, according to a new report into Lancashire's town centres. The town takes almost a third of all non-food shopping in the county, beating Blackpool, Blackburn and Burnley, amongst others. But the highest level of business confidence
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Have your say in reserve's future
SOUTH Ribble residents have been invited to comment on a management plan for a local, nationally-recognised nature reserve. A five-year management plan has been developed by South Ribble Borough Council and the management committee at Longton Brickcroft
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Residents' horror at dog fights
ORGANISED dog fights are being held on two Preston housing estates, according to horrified residents. The barbaric 'sport,' which involves two starved dogs fighting over the corpse of a cat, is said to take place regularly at addresses in Moor Nook and
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Eco-warriors hold their ground
ECO warriors from the South Ribble are at the centre of the latest protest aimed at stopping the development of Manchester Airport. Three environmentalists, from the Bamber Bridge area, are currently living inside Arthur's Wood, one of three forests still
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Campaigners lose their battle
CAMPAIGNERS have lost their fight against a mammoth housing estate which will be built on their doorsteps. South Ribble Borough Council has all but given planning permission for 290 houses to be built on the site of Manor House Farm, in Croston Road,
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Delight at ruby gifts
MY husband and I were delighted at our recent ruby wedding celebration that guests, family and friends raised the generous total of £300 to be donated to the 'Only Foals and Horses' animal sanctuary's land purchase fund. Thank you everyone. SHEILA BRENNAN
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Collection raised £316
THE street collection held from August 9 to 14 in Pendle for the Christian Lewis Trust, which cares for children with cancer, raised £316.54 and we would like to thank everyone concerned for their generosity. GARETH HUGHES, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Northern
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Top marks for hospital
I WOULD like to thank and congratulate Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, for the care it has given my father over the last seven months. He was admitted in February after a near-fatal stroke. He is now looking forward to being discharged into sheltered
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Stumped for stamps
PASSING the BT shop in King William Street, Blackburn and noticing it was empty of shoppers, I went in for some telephone stamps. The office where you pay your bills was boarded up so I approached the main counter to buy my stamps. "Sorry, Sir," this
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Team news round-up
ANOTHER defeat at Netherfield in midweek makes ACCRINGTON STANLEY'S home game against fellow strugglers Whitley Bay tomorrow even more important. Both teams are in the bottom half of the Unibond First Division, with Bay having only just climbed off the
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Use it, or lose it!
MAY I thank Mr Ray Pilkington, of Pilkington's Coaches, for all his help in creating a cross-town bus service in Accrington. This came as a result of complaints at Laneside Residents' Association's July meeting regarding a poor service in the afternoon
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'Sticks' Russell beats a path to glory
RHYTHMIC Russell Ashworth will be banging the drum for Blackpool after becoming a member of the percussion section of the Lancashire Youth Ensemble. Russell, a Year 11 student at St George's High School, Blackpool, beat off the competition in the auditions
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Lorries taxed off the roads
NOBODY driving on UK motorways over the last six months can have failed to see the enormous increase in the number of foreign trucks. Sadly, many of these vehicles are here due to our government's policy of ultra-high duty on diesel and ultra-high vehicle
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Small-sided soccer round-up
IN Division A of the Rossall Sixes League, Holbro FC continue to lead the way after their massive 8-1 win over Wyvale Warriors, while Kings Arms FC are second placed after their 2-1 victory against Untouchables. Supreme Plastics beat Real Bispham 1-0
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Thumbs up for injury master
WHEN the nation's star athletes compete for Olympic glory in Sydney next year they may have a Lytham man to thank. Luke Smith might not be a household name but he will play a vital role behind the scenes at the games, nursing pulled muscles and aching
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School bus belt plea
A LANCASTER mother spoke for every parent in the area when she told of her worry that school buses don't have seatbelts. Claire Hannah of Ullswater Road was surprised when her children Danya, 10, and Dylan, 7, were jerked across the school bus as it juddered
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Car crash driver had heart attack
A PENSIONER who smashed into two vehicles in his car, died of a heart attack, an inquest heard. The Burnley hearing was told how James Papworth, 70, died three days after the accident on Eastern Avenue, Burnley, but a pathologist couldn't say if he suffered
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Great Britain snub for Sully
FLABBERGASTED! That was the reaction at Saints when prolific Welsh international winger Anthony Sullivan was omitted from the Great Britain train-on squad for next month's Tri-Nations tournament in Australia. But 'Sully' said: "I did not expect to be
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Wonderful Wendy heads for Spain
STAFF at Devonshire Road Hospital, Blackpool, bid a sad farewell to one of their most respected colleagues on September 24. Specialist dermatology nurse Wendy Dowling, 53, took early retirement and jetted off to sunny Spain. When Wendy was appointed by
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Man urged to arson by dead stepfather
A MORECAMBE man allegedly set fire to his flat because his dead stepfather had told him to do it, a jury has heard. It was alleged that after setting fire to two chairs, David Pennock, 38, of Yorkshire Street, and Sam Stone, 35, of Railway Street, Bradford
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Unlucky Blues
LANCASTER City women's side were unlucky to be knocked out of the FA Cup last last week. The team were drawing 2-2 with Newcastle-Upon-Tyne side Killingworth when they conceded two goals in the dying minutes. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000
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Skate mates in moving tribute
SKATEBOARDERS rolled up to pay a seafront tribute to their mate who fell victim to meningitis nine months ago. Fifteen Blackpool teenagers, who were devastated when 17-year-old Michael Anderson died suddenly last December, clubbed together for a memorial
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Teacher tells of earthquake terror
A TEACHER from Todmorden who survived the horrific Taiwan earthquake today spoke of his terrifying ordeal which he described as: "The most frightening moment of my entire life". Andrew Town, 22, whose mother Jennifer is secretary at Todmorden High School
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Dismay as jobs axed at Souplex
MANAGEMENT at a Morecambe plastics factory announced that 55 workers are to be made redundant this week. Earlier this month The Citizen revealed that Moll Industries (formerly Souplex) would have to make redundancies if they didn't win new orders. Unfortunately
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Cyclists hit winning streak
ST HELENS racing cyclists have hit a winning streak. Chris Burrows, riding for New Brighton CC, sprinted to a gutsy victory ahead of a 60-strong field in the Lincoln Under 22 road race. Chris covered the 80 miles in 3-05-12 after he had been allowed to
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History beckons for Blues
COLWYN Bay 1 Lancaster City 1- City could go top on Saturday if they beat Blyth Spartans at home. If they achieve that it will be the club's best position in their entire history. But manager Tony Hesketh isn't getting too carried just yet. Last week
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Disgusted by animal cruelty
I READ in the Citizen (September 16) about the cruelty to animals in China. I was disgusted and cried. But it is no use feeling sorry unless people do something about it, so I ask animal lovers to put pen to paper and protest strongly against such cruelty
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DJ farewells an institution
TOP Blackpool DJ Pete Schofield is packing up his record collection and moving to new pastures next month. After more than eight years spinning tunes behind the decks at Brannigans, Blackpool's best known disc jockey will be joining the management team
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It can happen to the best of us!
A PROMINENT local councillor has fallen foul of tough new measures to tackle dog dirt on the city's streets. Lancaster county councillor Bob Clark is one of the first people in the district to be prosecuted for not cleaning up after their dogs. A council
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Heath have the edge
Wigan Rose Bridge 26 Thatto Heath Crusaders 33 NORTH West Counties League champions Heath came away with a rare two points from the Wigan outfit, thanks to inspirational player coach Darren Harris. Despite the sending off of Jimmy Waterworth in the second
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Regret as farmland shrinks
COUNCILLORS expressed regret this week as the green gap dividing Cleveleys from Fleetwood shrank when diggers moved onto farmland to start building 100 new homes. Despite a long campaign of opposition, including a public inquiry, Fairclough Homes eventually
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Jackson return lifts gloom
Morecambe 0 Kidderminster 1 DISAPPOINTED manager Jim Harvey was travelling to Bamber Bridge to watch a match on Wednesday night when we called him. He was looking at players in his under 18s side as they took on the Preston club ahead of this Saturday's
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MP's farm protest
MP Hilton Dawson is sending a petition signed by 250 local farmers to PM Tony Blair - and says although he's pleased about the announcement of £500 million in extra subsidies, more still needs to be done. Mr Dawson said: "This money will cover for new
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Signing off in carnival fashion
ST HELENS CC's last match of the season at Newton-le-Willows saw them adopt a carnival approach. Batsmen Darren Tyms and Roger Burrows opened the bowling and bowler Gary Sheppard opening the batting. Newton accumulated 252-4 before declaring with wicket
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Thanks for finding relatives
I AM writing to say thank-you for carrying my appeal for relatives or friends of my father and brother earlier this year. After my appeal appeared in your paper my father's brother contacted me and told me he and his sister lived in Blackpool and that
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Perfect girls prefer Lancs to Yanks
WHEN you have the whole of America from which to choose a location for the video to your new single, opting to cross the Atlantic and shoot it in Lancashire might seem a little odd. But Perfect 10, a new female five-piece who have spent the past two weeks
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We need the cash... by George!
MANAGEMENT at Animal Care will not be able to properly look after abused dogs unless they quickly find another £28,000 . After years of fund-raising, Animal Care has finally raised £150,000 to build the new kennels and isolation unit demanded by the council's
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Christley inquiry still on hold
A DECISION on whether to hold an independent investigation into the case of "unfairly dismissed" former tourism officer David Christley will be made at a special meeting next week. The contentious issue, which has split the city council's political groups
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Ken puts name in record books
KEN Hudson again established himself as the top singles match player when Grange Park gold club staged its men's knockout finals on Sunday. Playing off a one handicap, Ken made it three Presidents prize victories in four years - a feat unprecedented in
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A touch of Tenerife
WE were delighted to see that at long last some steps are being taken to develop the area on which the former Blackburn Convalescent Home, Clifton Drive North, now stands. This has been an eyesore for too long. But we were dismayed to see the artist's
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Mosque plan slammed
FYLDE Coast Muslims are praying their application for a new mosque will receive the blessing of Blackpool planners on Monday (September 27). But 400 neighbours have signed a petition against the plan to convert the former Cartmels sign factory, in a back-street
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Stab wpman walks free
A HEYSHAM woman who stabbed her husband with a vegetable knife during an argument has walked free from court. Preston Crown Court was told that Dennis Kellett sustained a 1.5 cm puncture wound which penetrated the chest cavity resulting in a collapsed
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Working families tax credit starts
FROM next month (October) many families in Blackpool will qualify for extra help through the Government's new Working Families Tax Credit. The WFTC will replace Family Credit and is designed to give a better deal for working families with children. It
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It's just a car park!
LOCAL campaigners claim the ambitious £40 million scheme to redevelop the grotty Kingsway area of Lancaster will cripple the city's traffic system. North Lancashire Friends of the Earth have called for an urgent meeting with chief planning officer, Vic
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Off their trolley for £1.3m
A LOCAL company has won a £1.3 million contract to supply trolleys for military airfields in North Africa. SAS Limited of Florida Road, Haydock, will supply the 27 pneumatic servicing trolleys to carry out aviation servicing duties. Converted for the
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Midland still open ...to offers!
MORECAMBE'S Midland Hotel is still on the market awaiting a buyer. The £1.5 million art deco landmark remains open to offers despite claims that it has been sold subject to contract in August. The sale of the hot el has been thrown into question following
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Plan for a head start
BLACKPOOL brains are needed to help set up a pioneering head injury unit for Lancashire. The Lancashire Head Injury Association - which launches a new helpline next week - is seeking Fylde Coast fundraisers to help generate £7m for a first purpose-built
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Volunteer groups need support
I WRITE to raise awareness of your readers of events at recent open Lancaster City Council sub-committee meetings where neither the public nor press were present. All three meetings discussed the allocation of grants to local organisations, which left
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North End net youngsters
YOUNG keeper Andrew Lonergan is one of three players to be offered terms by Preston North End after rising through the centre of excellence. Lonergan, 15, who has played for England, will join John Bailey and Ricky Mercer on YTS terms beginning at the
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Ducks saved in barn fire
FIREFIGHTERS saved 50 ducks and geese, 10 rabbits and 11 cats from a barn fire on Tuesday night. The fire broke out at Manor House Farm in Garswood Road, at about 10pm on Tuesday, September 21, and took firefighters from Newton and Parr about 90 minutes
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Rugby Union: Tetley triumph for Park
Driffield 15 - Sedgley Park 22 AN impressive Park booked their place in the next round of the Tetley Bitter Cup (North) with a fine display of controlled rugby. They crossed The Pennines in good heart but knew they would face tough opposition and so it
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Punnets make pounds for Christies
THE cream of strawberry fairs took place at Ilse and Bob Splaine's Atherton home. Over the past seven years Bob and Ilse have raised £6,660 for The Christie Hospital fight against cancer in gratitude for treatment Ilse received 11 years ago. This year
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New family group is launched
A NEW family support group has opened its doors in Downall Green. Part of the network of St Helens Family Support Groups, run under the umbrella of the larger, national NCH Action for Children child care charity, the group meets every Tuesday between
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Tories opt for Nuttall
A 37-YEAR OLD solicitor from Rotherham has been chosen to represent the Conservatives at the next election. David Nuttall was selected by the Morecambe and Lunesdale Conservative Association at a meeting last week. After leaving school David studied by
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Extension go-ahead despite objections
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an extension to a primary school in Clayton-le-Moors, creating 60 new school places, have have been given the green light. Lancashire County Council's development control sub-committee approved proposals to build an assembly
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Bury FC: Bhutia's all set to make his Bury bow
BURY could resemble the centre of Calcutta on market day on Wednesday week when Halifax Reserves come to town. Not the most attractive of fixtures, I grant you - but gracing the Gigg Lane turf could be one Baichung Bhutia, who is set to become the first
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Neighbours show they can care
A LOCAL voluntary service is saying, "Everybody needs good neighbours" - and is asking caring locals to befriend vulnerable people such as the elderly, the visually impaired, disabled and chronically ill. The Caring Neighbourhood Scheme involves telephone
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'Wheelie' stunt cost rider his life
A FORK lift truck driver who died of head injuries after a motorcycle stunt went wrong helped give new lives to others. A Burnley inquest heard how most of Terence Ashton's organs were used for transplants - although it meant a pathologist could not examine
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Motor sport: Hot rod Hanley show big promise! By Steve Bott
BEN HANLEY is on the fast track to achieving his Formula One dream. But unlike most kids of his age, the 14-year-old Ramsbottom schoolboy is actually living out those fantasies. He's not in a Marlboro-McLaren or Ferrari yet, but he's well on the way,
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Stewart's big newt mission
NORTH West Water are giving a colony of protected newts the VIP treatment. They have erected 500 metres of special fencing to protect the newts during a £1.5m facelift project at Golborne's Lightshaw water treatment works. While demolishing disused process
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Residents fear site endangers health
A PATHWAY in Blackpool is being used as a rubbish dump and angry residents are claiming it's a health hazard. Refuse has been piling up in an alleyway off Warbeck Drive, North Shore after a wrangle between owners of nearby properties and Blackpool Council
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Proposal to develop Frontierland
THE face of Morecambe's Frontierland is set to change with the development of a shopping complex at the theme park, the Citizen can exclusively reveal. The plans are still in the pipeline but Frontierland has put a number of its biggest rides up for sale
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Deepdale Diary
NEW boy Alex Mathie, who scored twice on Tuesday to ensure PNE's passage to the next round of the Worthington Cup, is hoping that his three month loan will be extended to a permanent stay. The Scottish striker made his debut against Gillingham on Saturday
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Council in turmoil as Shurmer breaks pact with Tories
INDEPENDENT councillor Adrian Shurmer has thrown Hyndburn Council into turmoil by announcing he will withdraw his support for the ruling Conservative group. The move means council leader Peter Britcliffe will have to soldier on with a minority administration
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Parkside rumour denied by Railtrack
RAILTRACK have denied rumours that they are planning to create a rail terminal for stone storage at the former Parkside Colliery site in Newton-le-Willows. The site is no stranger to controversy. In January, 1996, a planning application for a £20 million
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State of the art collection
A NEW computer service is being installed to take the council's Revenue Services into the Millennium - but council tax payers and housing benefits customers could see delays. The new software is being introduced to cope with the collection of over £30m
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Have you got the write stuff?
ANYONE who fancies penning a poem or writing a soap opera script may soon have the chance, thanks to a new project in the Wyre. The New Pages project launched next week will provide free help to budding authors as well as discussion sessions for those
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Alderman honour for Jack
A FORMER Mayor and Atherton Councillor, who dedicated 36 years of his life to public service, has been honoured. Jack Sumner, who stepped down from civic life at the last local elections, has been made an alderman. He received a framed scroll embossed
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Bring on the big guns
PRESTON are dreaming of another Premiership cup encounter after their fabulous display on Tuesday ensured their spot in the third round of the Worthington Cup. Flowing football, a watertight defence and some fantastic individual efforts helped North End
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Sound of Nashville comes to Cowley
COUNTRY music fans are being given the chance to learn about the history of the popular musical genre. Long-time fan Terry Siner from Billinge is holding a 10-week course at Cowley High School, with the backing of Liverpool University's Centre for Continuing
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Holiday village is 'real' says Chris
LEIGH Green Party have again raised the prospect of a holiday village plan for Pennington Country Park. And they says it's the Xanadu developers who have given them the information! After being condemned last year by Wigan Council for highlighting a scheme
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Cenotaph Bosnia blast!
LEIGH'S war heroes are living in fear that restoration work to clean up the Cenotaph will not be finsihed for this year's Remembrance Sunday. They claim the site resembles Bosnia after an air attack! Ex-Chindit Bert Paxford said: "It is disgusting, a
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Man on sex charge
A MORECAMBE man has gone on trial at Preston Crown Court for alleged "persistent and systematic" abuse of five children. The jury heard that the abuse was both physical and sexual. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies twelve charges
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Sir Alex faces court appearance
MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will appear before Bury Magistrates charged with a motorway driving offence. Sir Alex is due to face the court on October 5 for allegedly driving on the hard shoulder of the M602 near Eccles earlier this year
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Another 100 great things to do with cabbage!
Fire Brigade's Union strike ballot papers are out. A decision will come soon. The wife of a Greater Manchster fire fighter has written to The Journal about the dispute. These are her words.... STRIKE a light - you must be mad! The Fire Brigade are hotting
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Firm's promotional drive
A RANGE of new "goodies" produced by Radcliffe-based James Halstead is leading a nationwide promotional drive. The variety of promotional items include mouse mats and coasters . Halstead's Polyflor commercial flooring divison has produced the items to
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Hopping in for the Hospice
IF you want to dance the day away and raise money for the Willowbrook Hospice, then make a date for Sunday, October 10. For the St Helens Star has joined forces with Silhouette Dance Club, Boundary Road, to present our fourth 'Disco, Cheer Leading and
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Dome tickets snapped up
LOCALS have joined the queue to snap up tickets for the Millennium Dome. Tickets for the Greenwich attraction went on sale in Prestwich and Whitefield on Wednesday (Sept 22) - 100 days before it is opened by the Queen on New Year's Eve. Mr Richard Sharples
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Cops join the chain gang
A GROUP of Merseyside bobbies pounded a different beat when they took to two wheels to raise money for a children's charity. The 11-strong team, which included officers from St Helens, collected £3,500 in sponsorship from local and national business firms
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Girls leave the lads standing in truck pull!
GIRL power won the day when the Peel Lions held a charity truck-pull challenge on Saturday (Sept 18) The lads were left more than a little red-faced when the local lasses from Ramsbottom's Grey Mare pub - the only female team - managed to pull the seven-and-a-half-tonne
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Round-the-clock crime support
BOLTON and Bury Chamber has launched a 24-hour business crime support service. It's all part of a hard-hitting campaign to cut theft from business premises by 15 per cent before next March. Bury firms who are victims of crime can now ring the Chamber's
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Man jumps from window to flee house fire
A 21-year-old Bury man jumped from a window to escape a blaze in his kitchen. Keith Lawson had awoken to find the kitchen of his upstairs flat in the town's Kestrel Drive alight. Despite the fumes and thick smoke, he was able to jump out a window to safety
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Leigh stars scoop top awards
LEIGH have reaped compensation for missing out on the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final. Coach Ian Millward (pictured) and star full-back Stuart Donlan both scooped major awards at Monday's inaugural NFP Awards Dinner at Widnes. Millward, who in just
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Breaking new ground
A SIMPLE idea, developed in Bury, has brought a world's first which could bring major environmental benefits right across the globe. It involves the design of a special breaker bay which collects waste such as engine oil and brake fluid. It allows scrap
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Thugs' 76 hospital attacks
ATTACKS on doctors and nurses at Bury's hospitals are taking place at a rate of more than one a week - say health chiefs. Shocking figures just out show that 76 members of the clinical staff were injured in assaults during the past year. Now the worrying
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Vandals attack school garden
WRECKERS have struck at an award-winning sensory garden at a Whitefield special school, smashing a waterfall and trees. The extent of the damage shocked staff and pupils at Elms Bank High which caters for children with visual and hearing impairments.
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Empty council homes draining funds
ST HELENS councillors have called for an urgent meeting to consider the implications of the rising number of council properties becoming empty and how to deal with them. The cost of repairing the empty property is eating away at the council's repairs
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Neighbours cheer as police go in
A TWO week operation mounted by police to combat the drugs problem in the Sutton area, resulted in the arrest of 17 people, who were charged with a total of 27 offences. Operation Darkness was designed to put pressure on drugs dealers in the area and
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Leigh stars scoop top awards
LEIGH have reaped compensation for missing out on the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final. Coach Ian Millward and star full-back Stuart Donlan both scooped major awards at Monday's inaugural NFP Awards Dinner at Widnes. Millward, who in just 11 months
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Daredevil Ann takes the plunge
HIGH-flying grandmother, Ann Jenkinson was determined to do something different for her 50th birthday - and she did just that, by parachuting from 11,000 feet! Ann, from Thatto Heath, who teaches ballroom and sequence dancing at a number of venues in
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Special day for solo parents
A SPECIAL open day for people wishing to learn more about the Employment Service's New Deal for Lone Parents will take place at Newton Community Centre on Monday, September 27. Lone Parent Advisor, Richard Masters will be on hand to provide information
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Millennium cash delight for groups
FOUR St Helens community groups are among 180 in the North West chosen to receive cash from the 'Millennium Festival Awards for All' funding programme. St Helens Sea Cadets have been awarded £1,008; PX2000, an organisation formed by pre and ex-service
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DAWN sheds light on new Act
ST HELENS-based national charity The Disability Advice and Welfare Network (DAWN) is organising a series of meetings to explain the forthcoming changes in the Disability Discrimination Act. From October 1, service providers - including shops, cinemas,
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Dad's meningitis fear for daughter
A FURIOUS father today said his 18-year-old daughter could risk catching a killer brain bug after she started at university - because nobody will give her the vaccine. John Briggs, of Glenshiels Avenue, Hoddlesden, said he had tried every avenue possible
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RMI boss Waywell in a fury
ANGRY Leigh boss Steve Waywell left his defenders with no doubt about the way he felt after a goals giveaway in the 5-3 win against Blyth Spartans. They should have had this second qualifying round FA Cup clash sewn up by half-time. But slack marking
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World beater Graham's just the ticket
BUS driver Graham Draper has proved just the ticket at Leigh's Classic World of Fitness. Playing way beyond his form, he won the club's prestigious pre-season squash handicap tournament. In a thrilling final, Graham quickly established a two-set lead
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MP has rural message to Labour conference
THE Government has to roll up its sleeves and tackle the decades-long decline in rural services, an East Lancashire MP will tell Labour Party conference delegates on Monday. Speaking before leaving for the Bournemouth conference, Pendle MP Gordon Prentice
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Farm aid is too little, too late
FED UP farmer William Hickson believes the Government's £150million aid deal for hard-pressed hill farmers like himself is too little, too late, and is only putting off the inevitable. William gave himself 18 months to survive the latest crisis in the
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Conservative has not resigned
AN article (Lancashire Evening Telegraph, September 2) inaccurately stated that Blackburn with Darwen Conservative councillor Edna Arnold had resigned her positions on the council and the Racial Equality Council, in the wake of the controversy regarding
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Squad size matters
Division One: Blackburn Rovers v Walsall - Peter White's preview WALSALL must have looked on with a tinge of envy as Blackburn Rovers boss Brian Kidd was able to add another major signing to his squad this week in Danish midfielder Per Frandsen. For that
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Few witness big day for democracy
HISTORY was made in Prestwich when democracy came a step closer to the people - but only 17 members of the public witnessed it. Town hall officials and councillors equalled the number of local people at the first meeting of the town's area board held
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Wingers may hold the key
Division Two: Bristol City v Burnley - Pete Oliver's preview IT could be a tale of two wingers at Ashton Gate tomorrow with Burnley and Bristol City both boasting potential match-winners in Glen Little and Greg Goodridge. Little will be charged with supplying
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6ft tall Mick's a great little mover!
SIX feet tall Mick Spencer is riding high - after racing around the country 18 inches off the ground! He is trailing in the slipstream of another Ducati rider - World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty - because his machine is just 39cc. Mick, of Oakdale
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I'm not a lone voice
INTERESTED to see the secretary of Age Concern, Shirley Sharples, quoting £150,000 to fund a day centre for the city's old folk - that wouldn't make much of a dent in the £31m the city is reportedly getting. Come on city council let's have some action
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Teen table tennis star shines
PRESTON table tennis star Katy Parker, 14, showed off her outstanding skill while on England senior duty in the Home Countries International Championships at Hillsborough, Sheffield. After winning both her womens' singles against Brioni Lane and Noelle
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A spokesman writes
IN reply to narked cyclist in the Citizen, September 16. Cyclists don't pay a penny to the building and upkeep of roads so they should keep their mouths shut. They want this, that or the other doing for cyclists but do not want to pay a penny to finance
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Council tops Everest to scoop bank award
BURY Council has soared above its local rivals by winning first prize in the Reach for the Top competition, organised by the banking industry for all UK local authorities. The council won the award following a successful campaign which led to 5,631 householders
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Brig have to sweat for cup win
BAMBER Bridge are through to the next round of the FA Cup after a mixed week of tournament action. After drawing 2-2 against Trafford at Shawe View on Saturday, Brig came from behind to win 2-1 on Tuesday at Irongate. Goals from Ian Vickers and Pete Smith
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Fistic echoes of the Fifties
THE battling boys of the old Britannia amateur boxing club could have held their own with our present crop of professional prizefighters. That's the view of a former member of that Peasley Cross-based academy of the noble art who takes us for a stroll
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Not listening to good ideas was their downfall
I SUGGESTED the plan to rebuild Ryelands to the Labour Council five years ago but they did not listen - which turned out to be their downfall from power. But I proposed at the time, that they sell the site to a private developer, as the site is one of
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Support our market traders please
MAY I ask, on behalf of the market traders of St Helens, for the people to support their local market? The average rate the council require is £350 per week. If the customers do not come in, how can the stallholders possibly meet this demand? There has
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Events in East Lancashire on Saturday, September 25th
Blackburn and District Bird Club meet Pennington Flash, Leigh, 9am (five hours). Piano Music performed by Martin Roscoe, Blackburn Cathedral, 7.30pm. Proceeds to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Tickets available from King George's Hall. Autumn Show, St Peter's
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Car-nage at scrap yard
A BURY businessman is offering a £5,000 reward after firebugs destroyed 80 cars in a devastating arson attack at his salvage yard. At its height,15 firefighters fought the fierce blaze at the premises of RMS in Tile Street. And they were initially forced
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Golden era of pits galore
A VERSE or two of homespun poetry gives some idea of the incredible number of pits that once churned out their black diamonds across the Lancashire coalfield. It was forwarded by a Sutton reader who wishes to remain anonymous. Explaining that it was written
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Council's lack of vision on Kingsway
I AM appalled and furious about the city council's decision to give the go-ahead to build another temple to consumerism on the old Kingsway site. It demonstrates a complete lack of vision and understanding of town planning and culture. Not only will the
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Golden hearts do it again
ONCE again, St Helens has shown just how generous it can be in helping to ease suffering throughout the world by raising a massive £12,372 with this year's Christian Aid Week Appeal. Thirty three local charities took part in this annual event which is
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Watch out for con artists...
ONE evening, while in the middle of tea, there was a small ring at the door, and upon opening it, I was confronted by a small gang of about six children - all of junior school age - supposedly collecting for Alder Hey Hospital. I should like to point
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Terry wins aid switch
SURPLUS European farming funds have gone to help disaster torn Kosovo and Turkey. Euro MP Terry Wynn has used his weight as chairman of the European Parliament's budgets committee to get £137 million in aid. Mr Wynn said: "We've struck a deal where surplus
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Why we all need to know
IN your latest edition, one of your correspondents complains about the recent deadly silence over the appalling city council scandals which have emerged over the last year or so. He or she mentions Blobbygate as well as a number of other horrors. Quite
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The ugly side of the good and the bad
ALARM bells rang when I read of the idea being muted by certain councillors of demolishing the Ryelands estate in order to 'start afresh.' In the sixties and seventies the same idea was adapted to cellar so called slum properties in many parts of the
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Giants for Little Johnie
GIANT puppets have taken to the stage for a fun-packed fund-raiser in aid of poorly Leigh two year-old Johnathan Parr's hospital appeal. Funds from the show will go to "Little Johnie's Appeal" to boost facilities at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
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Family fears for Jemela
FEARS for the safety of an Astley woman continue more than a month after her disappearance. Twenty years-old Jemela Khan (pictured) went missing from Prestwich Hospital where she was undergoing treatment. She was last seen on August 19 and Police are
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It's hard luck if your life's at risk
AFTER seven months of waiting for an appointment at the ear, nose and throat clinic, the medical records officer at Bury General Hospital wrote to me asking if I wished to remain on the outpatients list after she had cancelled the first appointment (for
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Bobby's winning shirt heads for Deepdale
FOOTBALL Association's Football Museum, to be opened inside the Bill Shankly Kop, is set to become the home for Bobby Moore's famous 1966 World Cup Final shirt. Another auction of football memorabilia, this time held in Wolverhampton, included the legendary
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Festival showing for videos
CREATIVE film makers from Wigan and Leigh College will see their work screened at a leading national festival next month. Students from the Leigh campus have two entries "A Life Cut Short" and "Out Now" which will be shown at Bradford's National Museum
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It's a job well done
I'D like to congratulate the Citizen team for putting together the most informative and interesting newspaper around. I regularly send in press releases for the 'news in brief' columns and I always get a brilliant response. The photographs to go with
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Does anyone know my father?
I AM writing to ask if Citizen readers can help me try to trace my father and sister - Janice and James Herbert Lomax. My name is Kym Metcalf, nee Lomax, and I was born in Fulwood, Preston, on August 29 1958, to James Herbert Lomax and Jean Lomax, who
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God's standards never change
Yesterday I drove towards the junction of Woodhill Road and Brandlesholme Road, Bury, being on Woodhill Road myself. I noticed two teenage schoolboys giving close attention to a hedge near the top of the road. Suddenly one of them reached into the hedge
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All change at school
A PRIMARY school is preparing to go green for the Millennium - by celebrating its tenth birthday with a change in colours! Pupils at Westwood Road Primary School, in Clayton-le-Woods, have ditched their drab grey uniform in favour of emerald green in
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Bus money promised
PASSENGERS face a brighter future on the public transport network after a high-profile meeting on Monday. That's according to transport minister Keith Hill, when he met with bus and train operators in Preston to discuss the transport policies. Included
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Reason to massage figures?
JUST what is going on with Charter Marks and Beacon status for various organisations and agencies? Is it not strange that Government agencies are spending time, money and resources to vie for these awards - presented by the very same Government. The powers
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Nightclub's support for our appeal
DON'T miss you chance to win top prizes in the Divine Light Appeal grand draw, as the campaign moves towards its £65,000 target. The Citizen-backed campaign, which aims to raise enough money to floodlight St John's Church in Preston by the Millennium
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Gripen, Hawk deal signed
SOUTH Africa has finally committed to a deal with British Aerospace and Saab AB which could lead to the sale of 28 Gripen and 24 Hawk trainer jets, worth £1 billion. South Africa will initially take nine dual seat Gripen and 12 Hawk trainers with options
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Shankly puts the boot in!
FOR sale: One pair of football boots, worn several times, one tongue missing, only £3,000. The price tag may seem a bit over-the-top, but these boots are rather special. They were worn by the legendary former PNE player Bill Shankly during the final days
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Call for probe in row over licence
LABOUR councillors are calling for a probe into the workings of Preston's Liberal Democrats after the group became embroiled in two potentially damaging scandals. As the Citizen revealed last week, Coun Joe Fitzgerald, the new representative for Larches
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TEN YEARS AGO: Bus spy cameras
SPY video cameras were being set up in Burnley and Pendle buses to help stamp out attacks on drivers, after a knife attack on a driver at Burnley bus station. Furious busmen demanded extra protection. Tell-tale film would keep watch of bus crews and record
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Himalayan Quest
A LEYLAND soldier who started his army career with the local cadets is now reaching for the skies. Sergeant David Cowling, 40, is off to the Himalayas next week, to take part in the Army's millennium quest to climb all 18 trekking peaks in the mountain
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Pupils' visitor plea
CHILDREN from All Saints CE School, Clayton-le-Moors, wrote to Hyndburn MP Greg Pope asking for Padiham Power Station visitors' centre to remain open. Although the power station closed, the site was kept open as an education resource but National Power
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Hospital's joy at £2 million cancer cash
CANCER patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria are set to reap the benefits of a record investment by the government. The government announced £93 million of lottery money for cancer care nationwide - and the Royal Preston Hospital is set to receive
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Lifeline for campaigners
THE dramatic spread of Preston's urban areas could still be halted after Britain's transport minister threw green campaigners a potential lifeline. Minister Keith Hill says plans for the Broughton by-pass, and the countless housing projects which are
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Residents owed apology and action
WE can all make mistakes, but the one causing problems for elderly residents on an Accrington council estate would be more pardonable if it had not been allowed to persist for at least three years. Windows in 60 homes were put in the wrong way round so
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Children out of hell...
THIS week a group of children from Belarus, in the Ukraine, return to their homes after spending a month in Preston. The youngsters have been living with volunteers from local charity Medicine And Chernobyl. Their lives have been blighted by the Chernobyl
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Nice name...shame about the reputation
IT IS no use the council changing the name of Blackburn's hell-hole Roman Road Estate in the hope of restoring its rock-bottom reputation. Calling it "Fishmoor" instead will not wish away the nightmare of yobs making life a misery for the decent people
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SOCCER: Shakers face difficult test on South Coast
NEIL Warnock's men face the long trip to Bournemouth not only without long term casualties Sam Collins and Lutel James, but with also Andy Preece, Paul Reid and Paul Barnes carrying injuries. Meanwhile, midfielder Lee Richardson, who has disappointed
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Shops plagued by teeny terrors
TRADERS on a district shopping parade claim they are being plagued by gangs of teeny terrors. And the shopkeepers in Bassenthwaite Avenue, Moss Bank, have called for an increased police presence to deter the youngsters, some aged as young as eight. Among
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Paul and pals hope to crack it!
PAUL Baker is a striker with the midas touch after his seven goals in six games have taken Darwen towards the summit of the First North Western Trains League Second Division. And the veteran hit-man plans to extend his purple-patch tomorrow when the Anchormen
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Moving on up
SEVERAL schools across the Fylde are set set to move on up with the introduction of a new safety scheme. Move On Up is the title of a new magazine launched by Lancashire County Council to make sure pupils are able to cope with the dangers of today's roads
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Golfing courses for kids
UNDER the instruction of PGA qualified professional golfer Martin A Watson, the Lytham Community YMCA has set up two additional six-week courses to cope for demand, commencing on Saturday, October 2. These sessions will run weekly from 1.00-2.00 pm or
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Luxury food means cruelty
I BELIEVE that if many people knew how much suffering was caused by the cruel methods involved in the production of the so-called luxury food, pat de foie gras, they would no longer choose to eat it. Pat de foie gras literally means pat from fat livers
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Birds of a feather
CHILDREN in schools across the Fylde are being asked to nominate their favourite feathered friend as part of the world's biggest birdwatching event. Schools World Birdwatch runs from September 27 to October 1 and children throughout the country taking
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Scorpions back in deadly form
BLACKPOOL Scorpions recovered from a nightmare start to record their first win of the season when they beat Irlam Hornets 48-10. An unconverted try from the home side stung the Scorpions into action and two superb solo tries from Craig Campbell and a
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The life behind the bookcase
CLASSMATES from St John's School, Blackpool, buried their heads in the books recently - rows and rows of them. The pupils discovered there's much more to running a library than simply handing out books after spending two days working alongside staff as
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In pursuit of a perfect pitch
ENSURING the ground at Bloomfield Road is perfect for each home game is no mean feat for head groundsman Keith Wadeson, especially considering some of the poor weather conditions in Blackpool. And then there's combating the vandals who steal the goalposts
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Don't panic over policies
PAUL Flynn, MP for Newport West, (Letters, August 18) expressed concerns about endowment policies. Some of his comments may be valid and endowment policies are definitely not for every housebuyer, but I would like to warn those with endowment mortgages
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MP pushes for Indrek permit
BLACKPOOL South MP Gordon Marsden has leant his support to the Seasiders to get a work permit for Estonian international striker Indrek Zelinski. The hotshot's transfer to Bloomfield Road was dramatically blocked by a panel of football experts last week
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RL legends launch floodlit competition
THREE Rugby League legends have helped launch an innovative new Rugby League competition at Blackbrook. Kel Coslett, Geoff Pimblett and Eddie Cunningham - all Lance Todd Trophy winners - made the draw for the Whitbread Millennium Trophy. It's a midweek
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Schoolgirl harassed
A 41-YEAR-OLD father repeatedly drove past a frightened schoolgirl, offered her a lift and told her she was a "good looking babe." Burnley magistrates heard how Paul Anthony Humphries, a former sex offender, who has a daughter the same age as his victim
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Heavy going for Haydock
Haydock 22 Parkside Golborne 10 HAYDOCK had this game won inside the first 20 minutes, but made heavy weather of it the remainder of the match. They took the lead after four minutes with a penalty goal from Haughey and five minutes later the same player
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Miners misery after bright start
LEIGH MR just cannot lay their Saddleworth bogey. For the the third straight year they returned from the fixture try-less - a fact made even worse by the dismal 28-2 scoreline. For 30 minutes Miners looked the better side. Mark Meadows led the pack, Chris
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Gridlocked town
WE in Golborne are desperately in need of a traffic management system. The village is getting totally gridlocked. No traffic warden and no control. I was at a residents' meeting this year only to hear from our local councillors that their traffic control
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Greens rubbish county project
LANCASTER Greens have hit out at county council chiefs saying a recent consultation document sent out to thousands of Lancashire households promotes burning household rubbish. The row broke out after the document, titled "This is your waste - what do
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Cup draw
BOTH the area's major football clubs had good draws in the FA Cup qualifying rounds this week. Morecambe will face either Bishop Auckland or Bedlington Terriers at home on Saturday, October 16. Both north east clubs are leagues below Morecambe. Lancaster
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It's a stroll for Park
West Park 57 Trafford Metrovick 11 AFTER a shaky opening to this first round NPI Cup tie Park sauntered to victory. It started with an interception try from 60 metres out by Peter Osborne, Glen Fletcher converted and initiated a point a minute scoring
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Awaiting musical discovery
BLACKPOOL band Waterfront could be just one step away from stardom after winning through to the last 25 bands in a competition to find the next Oasis. The local band will compete in the regional final at Yates's Wine Lodge, The Promenade, Blackpool, on
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Brook wilt in storm
Oulton Raiders 50 Blackbrook 2 INJURY-hit Brook slumped to a crushing defeat at high-flying Oulton on Saturday. The homesters opened their account with a Richard Mee penalty goal in the second minute. Four minutes later, hooker Mark Longley touchdown
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Flat finale to Sutton's season
ON the final day of the season Sutton failed to produced the sparkle that took them to runners-up spot in the Merseyside Competition. Visitors Ainsdale knocked up 202-9 declared on one of the flattest tracks in the league. Sutton's response hardly got
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Put you heart into challenge
AS patron of the British Heart Foundation's Heart Runners team, I would like to ask Citizen readers to run for us in the Flora London Marathon 2000. As an athlete and Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European gold medallist, I understand the benefits
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Boo boys back!
BY the end of this no-score bore draw against Bournemouth on Saturday (Sept 18), Blackpool's boo-boys were back on song to let their side know how disappointing their performance was. But both sides finished the match with some good news - the Seasiders
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Grand show by super Saints
Saints 38 Leeds Rhinos 14 A FIRST Grand Final appearance beckoned for superb Saints after this pulsating qualifying round at Knowsley Road on Friday. For they may be just 80 minutes away from realising their dream of running out at Old Trafford on October
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Mal to hit screens again
MAL Hussain will almost definitely appear on yet another 'Neighbours From Hell' TV programme. Journalists from the Carlton Television Company came to visit Ryelands shopkeeper Mal on Tuesday to discuss his plight as a victim of race hatred. He also received
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Town in shoot-out drama
Skelmersdale United 3 St Helens Town 3 (aet) Town won on penalties 4-2 THIS Liverpool Senior Cup tie saw Town eliminate high-flying Skelmersdale despite losing their keeper, their captain and their top scorer - all injured. The spirit was terrific as
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Children in prom ride terror trap
SIX holidaymakers were trapped - three of them upside down - when a fairground ride jammed on Blackpool promenade on Tuesday (September 21) evening. Three members of a Bristol family, including two girls aged 10 and 12, were held upside down, 20 feet
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Holders scrape through in classic
IN a titanic struggle at Bishop Road, last season's LCFA Intermediate Cup winners, Carr Mill of the St Helens Combination scraped through this year's first round stage of the LCFA Junior Cup. They went through on a penalty shoot-out following a 4-4 after
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Cash for traffic lights
IMPROVEMENTS costing £43,000 are to be made to the traffic signals at a major road junction in Parr. St Helens Council's Highways sub-committee has agreed the scheme for the complex junction at Parr Stocks Road/Chancery Lane/Fleet Lane. Committee chairman
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Parents meet CSA bosses
ANGRY parents will get the chance to confront CSA officials in a special surgery being held by Morecambe MP Geraldine Smith. Geraldine said: "The Government has ordered a thorough overhaul of the Child Support Agency, because of very widespread and justified
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Greg wants to wear Bobby's shirt
HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope was just a young 'un when England won the World Cup in 1966 - but he chose to wear the football shirt made famous by Bobby Moore's side as part of a fun day to help the homeless. The Labour Whip donned the replica shirt as part of
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Rovers injury jinx hits again
STEVE Harkness has been hit by the Ewood injury jinx - ruled out of contention for tomorrow's home game with Walsall after being hurt on his full debut for Blackburn Rovers in midweek. And Rovers boss Brian Kidd is also set to be without winger Keith
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John's just champion!
HE DID it! Morecambe now has its very own bona fide major league motor cycle champion in John McGuinness. After his second place on Sunday - which meant he wins on points overall overall - his main rival Jamie Robinson soaked the 25-year-old Morecambe
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Shankly puts the boot in
FOR sale: One pair of football boots, worn several times, one tongue missing, only £3,000. The price tag may seem a bit over-the-top, but these boots are rather special. They were worn by the legendary former PNE player Bill Shankly during the final days
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Silver celebration for centre church
CAKES and crafts are main features at 25th anniversary celebrations next week at Kingsleigh Methodist Church. After the amalgamation of Leigh Road and King Street Methodist Churches the new Kingsleigh Methodist Church opened in King Street, Leigh back
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'Have no fear' says Clarets' key man
"HAVE no fear" is the message from Clarets linchpin Steve Davis as table-toppers Burnley prepare for one of their toughest tests so far at Bristol City tomorrow. Eleventh-placed City are unbeaten at home this season and are starting to click into gear
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The stars jet into store
AMERICAN basketball stars of the Chester Jets will be demonstrating their skills and techniques at the Safeway Store, Chalon Way on Saturday, September 25 from 10am to noon. There will also be fun competitions with prizes for the kids - and their parents
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Revenge is sweet for Sean
A SEVEN minute demolition job by PNE ended their poor run of results and provided the fans with something to smile about 300 miles away from Deepdale in this 2-0 win. With new signing Alex Mathie and Jon Macken paired up front, Preston were always lively
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Four on council waiting list
FOUR housing associations have been shortlisted to become St Helens Council's partner in attempts to improve property on the Wargrave estate at Newton. The four - Grosvenor Housing Association, Liverpool Housing Trust, Liver Housing Association and Riverside
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Bury 2 - Wycombe Wanderers 0
Bury FC: All's well that ends well THAT well worn cliche 'a game of two halves' was never more fitting than to describe the footballing fayre served up at Gigg Lane on Saturday. Anyone with an ounce of gambling blood in their veins wouldn't have put a
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Mystery Monty reveal all for Mencap
FOUR brave Leigh men are to perform the FULL Monty - to raise money for charity. The mystery quartet, who are aiming to keep their identity secret until the night, are taking professional dance classes to sharpen up their stripping routine. The ladies
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All gas and gateways: An example of clever recycling from the Victorian age
Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy THE more I explore East Lancashire the more the area amazes me. This week I found examples of Victorian Lancashire's philosophy of "waste nowt." Next time you drive on the road from Blackburn to Preston, just before
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Big-hearted Neill swims for gold
THORNTON man Neill Palfreyman may be unable to use his legs, but he proved he has a huge heart recently as he swam two miles without a break to help young swimmers go for gold. Neill, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, completed a staggering 128 lengths
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Brewer funds training courses
SMALL businesses are set to benefit from a brewery donation. Whitbread's Samlesbury works has presented a £2,500 cheque to South Ribble Business Ventures. The money will help fund a series of new training courses for local entrepreneurs. "Our aim is to
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They'll talk about this game for a long, long time
SOME games will go down in history - and this was one of them. One of those games you feel honoured to have watched as PNE destroyed Sheffield United 3-0 (3-2ag). If anyone had sent the script to Boy's Own or Roy of the Rovers magazine it would have been
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Rotary cash brings OAP Friday delight
PUPILS at Golborne High School are to serve up Friday delights for pensioners. The award winning school is to launch a community based project to provide a luncheon club and an afternoon of activities for the elderly. But setting up the scheme hit a snag
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This dating game is no easy street
Wright On! - Shelley Wright takes a wry look at life LAST night I enjoyed a few drinks with a pal I haven't seen properly since she started seeing her new bloke about two weeks ago and it's made me remember what a nightmare all that relationship stuff
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Sky alive to the sound of music
BLACKPOOL'S night sky was ablaze with colour on Sunday (September 19) as the first part the World Firework Championships 1999 blasted off. But hold on to your sparklers - there's more to come. Every Sunday evening until October 10, teams from Taiwan,
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Green fingers and furniture
A PACKAGING firm is helping gardeners go greener. Waste polystyrene from Protection Packaging's Rishton factory is being recycled to make garden benches. The recycled and compacted polystyrene can be used instead of hardwood. It is maintenance-free and
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Karaoke karma!
A LANCASTER woman has reached the North West finals of BTs "Kiosk Karaoke" competition - and could now have the opportunity to join other winners to re-record "Karma Chameleon" with Boy George. Nearly 18000 people across the country entered the competition
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Mill set to spin back to life
EXCITING plans will breathe new life in to a 90 year-old landmark. Atherton's imposing Ena Mill, which has lain idle since the mid 90s, is at the hub of Les Yates's business centre blueprint. Successful businessman Mr Yates (pictured), who heads the QS
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Helpers sought to aid needy
FIRMS are being urged to help light up Christmas for the needy. The pioneering Employee Community Involvement project run by Blackburn Partnership is looking for help from the business world to take on a series of Christmas Challenges. Challenges range
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No bugs on us folks!
ITS all systems go for the Millennium as St Helens Council completes a four year project to make sure its computer systems are 'bug free'. Work by the Authority to avoid 'midnight mayhem' on December 31 has already earned the praise of the Audit Commission
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Painter's moment of madness
A PAINTER and decorator from Lancaster who indecently assaulted a 15 year old girl in what he described as a "moment of madness" has been jailed for six months. Carl Maguire, 39, of Bay View Court, Station Road, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting
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Over my dead body!
LANCASTER'S MP Hilton Dawson has kicked up a stink by backing a suggestion that the notorious Nightingale Hall Farm be relocated... to Heysham! The local MP says moving the animal rendering plant to an industrial site in Heysham is an idea "well worth
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Trauma times
TRAUMA, the support group for sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, wants to help more sufferers of traumatic stress - and let them know they are not alone. Trauma was set up in December 1997 and many members first heard about it through a story
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Watch your language here please
TWO French courses, organised by the Workers' Educational Association, will start on Thursday, September 30 at the Library, Broadway, Eccleston, with tutor Helen Robey. La Vie Francaise (10.30am to noon) designed for people who have studied French for
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National call up for Derek
A BLIND 10-pin bowler from Morecambe was picked to represent Great Britain this week. Derek McGee - who took up the sport just three years ago - will represent his country in a major international match at Birmingham next month. Derek, 50, was amazed
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Syringe ordeal in shop raid
POLICE have issued a computer image of a man who threatened shop staff with a rolling pin and a syringe before escaping with the contents of the till. The robber demanded cash and then lunged at a terrified female assistant in the The Sweet Shop on Wargrave
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Get it checked out!
GET it checked - that's the message to St Helens residents from The Stroke Association. The national charity is urging people to get their blood pressure checked as part of Stroke Awareness Week, which runs from September 27 to October 3. Checks in St
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Jail for callous robber who preyed on pensioner
A MAN who attempted to rob an 84 year old woman of her handbag resulting in her falling and splitting her head open has been jailed for three years. Preston Crown Court was told that the pensioner had gone into Lancaster in broad daylight on some errands
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New partner joins team
BURY-based law firm Butcher & Barlow now has all the notaries public permanently located at its Bank Street base. This comes with the appointment of new partner Anthony Higham to that office. He joins managing partner Charles Barlow and John Bodden
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Daniel is appointed "danger man"
BUSINESS Environment Association (BEA) Bury has its own "danger" man. Daniel McGuigan has qualified as a dangerous goods safety adviser and will be able to offer guidance on such issues to local companies. He successfully completed a training course organised
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Teenage cabbie worries
CONCERN has been raised about plans to allow teenagers to drive a taxis two years after passing their driving test. Councillors have been asked to vary Pendle Council's current regulations to allow people who have held a full licence for two years, in
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Brain beg dad's ward ordeal
A Blackpool man with meningitis was left stranded in an admissions ward with just two chairs for an isolation barrier at Blackpool Victoria hospital Tony Beswick, 39, became ill early last week with severe headaches, getting steadily worse towards the
