Archive
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Leigh hit double top
LEIGH RU are beholding to the point-scoring combo of Mark Hudspith and Jim Bridge. Three Hudspith penalties and a Bridge TD helped old enemy Wigan the old heave-ho on Saturday. Good performances too from David Bullough and Ross Fletcher. And last week
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Today's the Day!
A look back at events in history on October 15 with Mike Badham. 70BC: The eccentric Roman poet Virgil was born. After studying the sciences he became a rich courtier and wrote The Aeneid. When Rome's rulers decided to confiscate the land of the rich,
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Frank's historic curl
THE name of Frank Christie will be on the Fraser Cup for the first time following his two-win triumph for Preston Bowling Club at Lockerbie. While the other Preston skips struggled to read the ice, Frank came to the fore, as all stand-in skips would aspire
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Jones boys put on super show
WHEN it comes to keeping up with the Joneses Leigh RMI are the team to beat. Defender Paul Jones looks to be the find of the year - but he is being run close by tricky winger and namesake Steve. The two have been consistent performers all season and their
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25 Years ago
From the Bury Times October 15, 1974. BAND: Adrian Walmsley, 14, covered himself with glory at the 1st Hillock Scout Group's party with his one-man band. It consisted of a drum, two tin plates, a harmonica, a toy budgie in a cage and a sparking whirligig
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Celebration time for Warren
LEIGH MR dug deep for a deserved 24-12 win against Woolston at rain-drenched Twist Lane. The incessant rain could not put a dampener on celebrations as new coach Warren Ayres put one over his old team. And the weather helped the Miners cause with 10 minutes
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Great Scope for Wynne
GRANDMOTHER Wynne Holmes is keeping up a strenuous fitness regime to prepare for a 400km bike ride to the Grand Canyon. Wynne, a former postie in Bacup, is an agency nurse with BUPA working at Rochdale Infirmary, Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale, and Oldham
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Soccer ban on fan who kicked police horse
POLICE monitoring trouble after the Blackburn v Liverpool game saw Damien John Bradley run up and kick a police horse. Blackburn magistrates heard that Bradley was tracked by the police helicopter and eventually arrested after a short chase. Bradley,
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People power topples
BT Cellnet has been stumped yet again by people power in Brandlesholme. For the mobile phone company has been thwarted for a second time, just three months after its first application to site a telecommunications tower at Woodbank Cricket Club was rejected
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Tanks to the rescue
AN army of tanks owned by Stacksteads businessman Brian Boys, could be starring in the next drama by Steven Spielberg. The bizarre link follows a lunch between the top director and Prime Minister Tony Blair, when Mr Spielberg was discussing his Oscar
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Have-a-go worker sees off skinhead mugger
A GARAGE worker foiled a robbery bid after a skinhead mugger snatched a bag of cash he was taking to the bank. The robber threatened his victim with a heavy spanner, but fled empty handed following a chase through the streets of Blackburn. The thief pounced
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Preston put seven past Manchester United!
PNE fans may dream of beating Manchester United, but for the women's side dreamland is already reality following a 7-0 thrashing of the so-called Mighty Reds. (MAN UTD U16s ... 0 PNE ... 7) Preston went ahead after 10 minutes when Gemma Turner played
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Turf Moor men earn respect from Lions' den
Division Two: Millwall v Burnley - Pete Oliver's preview MILLWALL know all about Steve Davis and Mitchell Thomas. The Lions tried to sign Thomas from Luton Town in the summer before he linked up with the Clarets. And as if Davis's reputation across the
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Backlash warning after Clarets' first defeat
JOINT Millwall manager Alan McLeary believes Burnley will stay the pace as promotion challengers. And he will warn his players to be wary of a claret and blue backlash as the Lions bid to step up their own challenge when the two sides clash at the New
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MPs urge Straw to act over prison
EAST LANCASHIRE MPs today demanded action from Home Secretary Jack Straw the report on Preston Prison. Burnley's Peter Pike, Hyndburn's Greg Pope and Ribble Valley's Nigel Evans want to see recommendations made by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons
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Woodhey's long wait is over
WOODHEY High School is to finally get the key to the door of a new assembly hall - after a 21 year wait. The Bolton Road West school is to receive a £400,000 windfall over the next two years to build a school hall. Lack of cash over the last two decades
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Mullin boost as injury responds to treatment
JOHN Mullin has been passed fit to travel with the Burnley squad to Millwall and could make only his second start of the season at the New Den tomorrow. Mullin was the subject of a mid-week injury scare when he came off during the Clarets Pontins League
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Conditions at 'suicide prison' slammed
A DAMNING report today blasted conditions at a jail where four East Lancashire men have killed themselves in the past two years - and called for a new training programme to teach staff how to deal with suicidal prisoners. The official Government inspection
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Thanks a million Pat
MAY I, through your column, thank the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Pat Jackson, for her kind invitation to the Good Companions Writers Group to visit her at the Mayor's Parlour. We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon and appreciated the tour with the mayor
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Warriors in fighting form
Warriors u/16s 22 Halton Hornets 20 AN outstanding defensive effort by Leyland helped them withstand early sustained pressure. Warriors then moved out to take a deserved lead before making some late basic errors which almost cost them the match. Highlight
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Massage centre coming home
A PIONEERING sports injuries clinic is looking to rub planning chiefs up the right way with its £200,000 proposed investment in Bury. The Northern Institute of Massage, the oldest established college of massage in the country and run by the Caldwell family
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Just who is responsible for it?
I WOULD like to know what bright spark designed all the white-line patterning in our roads around the St Helens town area. They seem to achieve nothing more than to restrict road surfaces in various places. And can someone please explain the purpose of
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Events in East Lancashire on Saturday, October 16th
East Lancs Youth Orchestra, St Peter's Church, Burnley, 10am-noon. Coffee Morning, Bank Mill House, Church Street, Great Harwood, 10am-noon. Autumn Walk, Pepper Hill Barn, Wycoller, 2pm. The Dylan Project, Burnley Mechanics, Manchester Road, 8pm. Friends
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Row over new chief
ANGRY clashes marred the relaunch of Bury's Mental Health Forum yesterday , October 14, when a row broke out over who should be its new chairman. Officials refused to accept 500 written proxy votes calling for previous chairman Paul Reynolds not to be
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Puzzle of the pagan parent
I WRITE in response to the letter by 'Angry Pagan Parent' on the teaching of Christianity. This begs the question why did this pagan became a parent in the first place if he/she feels so strongly about this issue. Indeed, some atheists/pagans refuse to
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Priest for trial on 65 sex charges
AN 87-year-old priest has appeared in court charged with 66 offences of indecency against young children. The charges against John James Pearson arise out of the police inquiry surrounding St Mary's Hall preparatory school at Stonyhurst. Pearson, of Winckley
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Hometown memories inspire playwright Ian
THOUGH playwright Ian Taylor has moved on to live in Avon, the thoughts of his St Helens hometown are never far away from his mind. In fact, the homespun memories of an upbringing in the Toll Bar area of the town, and of his gritty teenage years working
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Thanks for your help
MAY I through your letters column record our grateful thanks to Mike Stainton (Developer at the former Craig Children's Home in Bare) for generously donating to International Aid Trust many items which are being cleared in the development process - a
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Keep down speeds, pleads veteran biker
VETERAN motor cyclist Derek Knowles, has launched a safety campaign aimed at speeding bikers in the Ribble Valley. The A59 and the A682, which converge near Gisburn, have become popular routes for motorcyclists heading to Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale
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Tears over gentle giant's broken body
THE man accused of beating Anthony Leecy to death broke down and wept in the witness box after looking at photographs of the "gentle giant's" horrific injuries. Danny Derbyshire, 24, of Burnley Road, Accrington, has denied murdering mill worker Mr Leecy
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Key meeting for North West
A MEETING took place last Friday (October 8) which may one day have huge consequences for this area. Senior members of all political parties joined others representing business, unions, religious and voluntary groups to sign a short statement called the
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MP has done plenty for us
ON reading Mr Steeples letter in the Citizen (October 7) I could not help feeling that a certain redress of the political bias is required. My own perception of Hilton Dawson MP is of an individual who has worked tirelessly for the good of Lancaster and
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Murgatroyd case adjourned
THE 25-year-old man accused with the murder of Preston student Janet Murgatroyd has had his case adjourned. Andrew Philip Greenwood, of The Maltings, Penwortham, appeared before South Ribble Magistrates' Court, in Leyland, last Friday (October 8). He
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Thank you, Citizen
JUST a short note to say a big thank-you for printing my letter in search of my father and sister. I am pleased to say that I have had two very good responses - the first positive letters in more than four years - which I will follow up as soon as possible
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Better than professionals
MAY I express the sincere thanks of my wife and myself following our visit to the show "Hot Mikado" presented by the members of All Saints (Elton) Amateur Operatic Society on Saturday, Oct 9. The production was first-class and a tribute to the hard work
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Crime is falling
RECORDED crime in Lancashire has fallen for the sixth year running, according to the latest Home Office figures. Lancashire's deputy chief constable Paul Stephenson described the figures as a reflection of the hard work undertaken by police during the
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Capturing art in a different light
STAFF at the Citizen are brimming with endless talent as demonstrated by creative typesetter David Atherton. The University of Central Lancashire fine art graduate is tipped to be one of the greatest painters of the next century after coming up with some
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A question of religion. . .
I AM compelled to respond to the letter by Valli Patel, Labour county councillor and chairman of Preston's Muslim Burial and Welfare Society. Labour County Councillor Patel ought to get his facts right. His own Labour colleagues on the leisure services
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A show fit for Broadway!
ON Saturday night I had the privilege of attending a performance of "Hot Mikado" presented by All Saints (Elton) Amateur Operatic Society . As readers may know, it is my idea to present the best of our town to the Americans in the year 2000 through the
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A question of religion
I WAS not aware that the Muslim community had an entire society devoted to its deceased members (Citizen, October 9). However Vali Patel makes a very valid point as to the differing religions, despite vast sums of money spent by Preston Borough Council
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Arms news is suppressed
WITH other disasters overtaking the carnage created by NATO in Yugoslavia, and as the depleted uranium dust settles over the Balkans, the western war aims are becoming clearer by the day. Pious and hypocritical words about "humanitarian aims" are becoming
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Building for peace
PRESTON soldier Private John Billington has just returned home after playing a vital role in the programme of building and reconstruction of Kosovo. John, 24, is a member of 518 Squadron, 23 Pioneer Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps who have been in Kosovo
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Nightmare as 17,000 lines go
AN UNDERGROUND blaze brought communications nightmares to 17,000 Leigh homes. And it could be next week before normal BT phone lines services resume. Six days after the fire - in an under-pavement tunnel in Chapel Street - BT customers in a large part
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It's not just an ugly fence
I LOOK forward to receiving the Citizen each week, but I do wish you would check the facts before printing news items. The impression given in the article about the minor dispute between St Aidan's Church, and the electricity board, is that the sole criteria
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Barney gets new lease of life
THE feline assassin has turned over a new leaf - and settled for a life of domesticity in Walton-le-Dale. Barney the cat, who shot to fame after appearing in the Citizen last month when a local charity appealed for a new home for the cat criminal, is
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Failing school improves
A PRESTON primary school, branded as 'failing' by Ofsted inspectors two years ago, has been given a new lease of life. Following a second inspection of St Mathew's, in New Hall Lane, in July, the government's standards in education body agreed it no longer
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Athletic greats endorse gym
PRESTON'S modern day sporting greats are backing a scheme designed to get locals thinking about their own bodies rather than a pint of Boddies! Home grown sports stars are teaming up with Preston Borough Council to launch a new LifeStyle Fitness Studio
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100 per cent agree with me!
DID you know that 77 per cent of people hope to be reincarnated as a dolphin? Or that a staggering 83 per cent of Northern men would choose a night of beer, curry and chips over a date with Pamela Anderson? Who says so? Well, surveys of course, those
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Police appeal for help in car crash
POLICE trying to piece together the last movements of a car involved in a fatal accident and are appealing for help. The E-reg Ford Escort was driving around Bamber Bridge and Leyland an hour-and-a-half before it was involved in a car crash in Coppull
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Speaker for the community dies
SOUTH Ribble Borough Council's project development worker Vaughan Seddon has died suddenly aged 53. He leaves a wife, Jean, and two grown-up children, Janina and Stuart. Vaughan, who lived in Adlington, Chorley, was a valued member of the council's economic
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In the hot seat
BRITISH Aerospace played host to recently-appointed Minister of State for Procurement, Baroness Symons. The VIP came to see the Eurofighter, 232 of which Britain has agreed to buy, she even sat in a DA4 prototype, after touring BAe's Warton site. The
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Racing off the menu
LAST year, it was a camel racing night which topped the bill of events arranged to help raise money for the Mayor of South Ribble's charity. This year it is an evening learning how to cook with celebrity chef Paul Heathcote. And mayor, Coun Margaret Smith
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GP denies murder
THE daughter of one of the 15 women allegedly murdered by family GP Harold Shipman told yesterday (Wednesday, October 13) how she became suspicious about her mother's death. Angela Woodruff, 54, told the jury at Preston Crown Court, that she suspected
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Nice and spicy does it
BRITAIN will be going jalfrezi crazy and balti barmy when the 1999 Kingfisher National Curry Day sizzles into action on Tuesday, November 9. Hundreds of Indian restaurants, pubs, schools, office canteens and other establishments will be taking part in
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Nostalgic notes
ANCHORSHOLME Primary School, Thornton, will be holding a nostalgic evening of Sixties and Seventies music with one of the world's leading songwriters. Barry Mason, who wrote such songs as Delilah and There Goes My First Love, will be singing and telling
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BADMINTON: Blackburn and District Association
THERE'S a familiar look to the top of the first division with favourites YMCA, who defeated Brockhall, once again in top spot. Dropping only three games the champions have shown that they are the team to beat to take the title. At the bottom of the table
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Opening up for a co-ed future
A TOP Fylde independent school is expecting record numbers to attend its first Open Morning since it became co-educational. King Edward VII and Queen Mary School will open its doors to prospective pupils and their parents from 10am-1pm on Saturday (October
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Story stirred the memory
THANKS once again for stirring up the old grey matter with your great story about Sunnyhurst Woods (Letters, October 1). Yes, it is a good place to spend many a happy hour. I wonder how many remember the town council organising competitions and dancing
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Learning at their fingertips
BLACKPOOL Council have announced details of a technological revolution that is set to transform the town's education service. By the end of the year every teacher and pupil at Blackpool schools are expected to have their own e-mail address. In addition
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Sharks' speedo style
WYRE Sharks, the local area swimming squad made up of competitive swimmers from Newton Hall, Fleetwood and Blackpool Swimming Clubs, started the National Speedo League competitions with a good result. The A squad competed at Warrington in the Premier
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Praising the point
AFTER a much improved performance on Saturday (Oct 9), the tide of change may be flooding into Bloomfield Road. The Seasiders brought back a point from their visit to Chesterfield - but it could have so easily been three. Boss Nigel Worthington praised
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Man dies in flats blaze
POLICE and firefighters are investigating a fire which left a young man in Heysham dead this week. The 20-year-old victim was found inside one of the flats at 164 Heysham Road on Saturday morning. He still can't be named as police have not formally identified
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New league planned
A NEW football league for the over 35s is being launched at Ruskin Drive. Details about the Nightowls League can be obtained from Paul Pinder on 01744-816158 or 01925 643568. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may
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D-day over moors coal digging plan
COUNTY councillors are being asked to visit the site of a proposed trench mining site on the moors above Burnley and Bacup before deciding a planning application. The controversial plan to extract clay and coal from Thieveley Quarry site, Heald Moor,
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Muscling her way to the top
A BLACKPOOL body-builder has muscled her way into the final of a national competition and says she is hoping to improve on last year's feat. Standing in front of 800 spectators and television cameras, Sarah Linton will perform in the English Federation
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Last laugh for mobile crowd
MOBILE phone users in Leigh had the last laugh over knockers like me this week. At least they (and Cable customers) were able to keep in touch with the world as BT land users found their links with family and friends cut off. Who'd think it was almost
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BAe's fund-raising golfers
WORKERS based at BAe's Airbus project in Samlesbury downed tools and teed off to raise money for leukaemia sufferers. Forty golf enthusiasts raised £300 for the Leukaemia Research Fund (LRF) in a competition held at Garstang Golf Club. The total raised
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Agency backing in campaign for Euro grants
REGIONAL agencies are are throwing their weight behind Burnley's campaign for European grants following the announced loss of "Objective 2'' status. Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale are to lose the grant assistance status which has allowed them
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Grand Final snippets
KEVIN Iro on THAT try. "The credit should go to the rest of the lads. The pack took the ball forward, and the half-backs carried it on and I was there to take the scoring pass." SEAN Long on THAT goal. "If it had been underneath the posts I'd have probably
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Tykes too strong for Vale
Huddersfield 52 Vale of Lune 9 THE Vale suffered their heaviest defeat for more than two years against Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield on Saturday. It may have been a beating but they never gave up. Huddersfield's backs were in fine form and scored all
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Yick take control
Haydock 44, Bridge 6 HAYDOCK comfortably won this Lancashire Cup First Round tie. But it took 20 minutes before the first points were scored when winger Tither went in for a try. Haydock added further touchdowns from Bloor, Mellors and Reynolds plus three
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Jail for dopey prison visitor
A TEENAGER caught in possession of cannabis while visiting a Lancaster youth custody centre has been put behind bars for three months. Michael Brennan had the drugs hidden in a sock and had called at Lancaster Farms under a false name. The 19 year old
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Park left high and dry
STRENUOUS attempts during the week to find a replacement fixture when West Park's scheduled league game at Ashton-on-Mersey was postponed proved abortive. And Park's senior squad had to be content with a training session, scant preparation for their second
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Blues pay the penalty
Bishop Auckland 1 Lancaster City 1 NO-ONE could come close to understanding why Bishop Auckland were awarded a penalty late on in the match. But one thing is for sure; it cost Lancaster two points - two points which would have seen them go to the top
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Super Saints crowned champions
TRUE GRIT! How else could one describe a truly great Saints' defensive display. It was the bedrock on which ultimate victory was built in a Grand Final which, given its intensity, sent a shiver down the spine? Old Trafford's 'Theatre of Dreams,' and with
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Safe haven for young homeless
HOME and dry - that's the young people who have found a safe haven in Lytham after being homeless. Harbour House, officially opened in Dock Road last week, is the only refuge for the young homeless in South Fylde, providing flatlets and 24-hour support
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Rent probe at university
AN investigation is under way at Lancaster University to examine a £70,000 shortfall in rents collected from the Graduate College. A report is due to go before the university council where the rent discrepancy will be discussed. A spokesman at the university
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PDSA needs used stamps
Could I appeal to Citizen readers to send me their used postage stamps to help raise money for the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals). The PDSA treats sick animals whose owners cannot afford veterinary fees and the stamps are sold abroad to raise
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Battling spirit
A BATTLING performance at Chesterfield on Saturday (Oct 9) gave Blackpool their first away point of the season, with a 0-0 scoreline. It may not have been enough to prevent Pool dropping to joint bottom of the division but Tangerine fans can gain heart
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Heath slip
Thatto Heath Crusaders 14, Simms Cross 20 AN injury-hit Thatto Heath side were forced to concede a rare home defeat on Saturday. Despite a bright start Thatto were behind after 16 minutes when Simmies second-rower Neil Highfield crashed over from close
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Euro cash bonanza for district
THE district moved closer to a multi-million pound Euro windfall this week which could spark an investment bonanza. The Government has announced that Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham and wards in Caton can apply for Objective 2 status which, if confirmed
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Gate slammed . . .
ST ANNES opened up Young Gate to record a 2-1 success in the St Helens McDonalds JOL under 16s section. And Penlake hit form to win 5-1 at Whiston Juniors. In the under 14s section Rainhill won 5-0 at Oakand in the under 12s game of the day Whiston won
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Brook caught cold
Blackbrook 10 East Leeds 24 A LACKLUSTRE first half cost Brook dear on Saturday. The visitors ran in 19 points without reply during the opening 38 minutes. Blackbrook lacked the killer instinct to pierce the East Leeds defence. They were prone to wasting
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Door opens on Euro cash
MILLIONS of pounds of European funding could soon be flooding the Fylde Coast. Twelve of Blackpool's 22 wards have been included in the government's proposals for European Objective 2 status, along with 13 of Wyre Borough Council's wards. And if the European
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MP's green stance welcomed
LANCASTER'S MP Hilton Dawson has thrown his weight behind plans to keep the district a green and pleasant land. A consultation document called Choices for the North West is seeking local views on whether development on greenfield sites should be stopped
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North End's grand day out
(200 grand actually, enough for them to buy Alex Mathie) PRESTON can look forward to banking £200,000 thanks to their away-day at Arsenal - providing them with enough to buy on-loan striker Alex Mathie. Mathie has already won the support of the Deepdale
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Tories reveal how to 'sell' Blackpool
BLACKPOOL Tories want to hand tourism promotion to the holiday industry with a new tourist board solely for the resort. Conservative group leader Coun Peter Callow said: "We believe Blackpool isn't being promoted properly and that a local tourist board
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Black carpet treatment
BOYS from the blackstuff moved on to Blackpool Airport this week to resurface the main runway in readiness for winter flights to Tenerife and Alicante. An engineering team is working throughout the night for three weeks replacing the landing strip's worn
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Last chance for Oyston
JAILED tycoon Owen Oyston has launched a last ditch attempt to be freed from prison. The flamboyant millionaire's legal team has launched a High Court challenge to a parole board decision not to release him. The businessman, 65, of Claughton Hall near
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Hoteliers 'calm' bulldozer fears
A BLACKPOOL hoteliers' association is acting to calm fears after a draft report proposed some older holiday properties may be targeted for clearance. One section, on new opportunity zones, inflamed fears that some older guest houses may face the bulldozer
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They're offering a Helping Hand
A BLACKPOOL charity wants to set up a workers' co-operative to help former down-and-outs back into the community. Christian-based Helping Hand is hoping for planning permission on Monday (October 18) to convert the former Ismail Tea warehouse in Cocker
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Bad Marks!
A CITY council decision to book a convicted international drug smuggler at authority's Platform theatre raised a few eyebrows this week. Howard Marks will play the council's Platform venue in Morecambe on Wednesday night to talk about his experiences
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Our Eric was always a comic
JUST about everyone in Britain - from the most famous to the most humble - has a happy memory of Eric Morecambe. A book featuring those reminiscences of the stars, appropriately called Memories of Eric, was released this week. But, of course, those of
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Motorsport: Steve clinches title
PRESTWICH motorcycle racer Steve McDonald clinched his sports Champion of Champion title last weekend. After picking up the 1999 New Era 350 production championship two weeks ago, a successful weekend at Brands Hatch secured a second prestigious award
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Lowton eat up burger bonus
BURGER masters McDonald's are planning a new £1million restaurant at Lowton. The fast food giants, who already have an outlet in Leigh town centre, have put in an application for a 75-seater eatery at Stonecross Park industrial complex. And that could
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Send in the crowds
IT'S the biggest day of the season so far for our two major teams in the FA Cup on Saturday. And both managers reckon that with large home crowds behind their sides they could be leading their men on to the first round of the cup proper come 4.45pm Saturday
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Just too easy...
DON'T be fooled by the scoreline, if this had been a boxing match, the referee would have stopped it at half time to save Bristol City from further punishment, writes Tom Parker. Full time: (PNE 1 BRISTOL CITY 0) North End, playing some lovely carpet
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Bury FC: Swap deal for Rocha?
THERE could be a new arrival in the Gigg Lane fold as York City right-back Andy McMillan is joining the club for a trial period with American striker Carlos Rocha heading in the opposite direction in a possible swap deal. "We are short in the back positions
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The soldiers who never came back
ACCRINGTON PALS is the taut and tearful saga of men at war and the women left at home to grieve. The First World War drama is this week's compelling play at St Joseph's Players. Set against a stark, dark backdrop, it tells the true story of the thousands
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Motorway tragedy
A 23-YEAR-OLD man died after an car crash near Carnforth on Tuesday. The victim from Rochdale was travelling along the southbound carriageway on the M6 near Burton-in-Kendal. The silver Vauxhall Corsa left the road on the nearside verge and overturned
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Man U? We're just as good says Diaf...
FRENCHMAN Farid Diaf says he is at Preston to win things - and believes PNE are just as entertaining to watch as Manchester United! Just 48 hours before the start of the season, Diaf - described as a 'breath of fresh air' by boss David Moyes - damaged
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Going up!
RAMSBOTTOM is all set for the biggest sporting event the town's narrow streets have ever seen. The RTTC British Hill Climb Cycling Championship will be held over the famous Rake course on Sunday, October 31 and police estimate around 4,000 people will
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A tale of two towns: Neighbouring communities have thrived and prospered
Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy - this week, Giggleswick and Settle GIGGLESWICK is a large village with Norse origins and Settle is a small town inhabited first by the Angles. The two separated by the River Ribble have long been rivals. They seem to
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Pain and pleasure for pedalling pair
WHEELS were in motion this week for two Blackpool charity riders - all 172 miles to Coventry. Gary Dowling and Paul Griffin were waved off by friends on their mammoth cycle ride from Blackpool North railway station at 6pm on Monday (October 11) in aid
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Police hunt for pervert
THE police hunt for a pervert who pushed a 16-year-old girl in a bush and sexually assaulted her in Morecambe was continuing last night. The schoolgirl was walking near to the junction of Westgate and and Westcliffe Drive in the early hours of Monday
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Out for the County!
Bury 1, Notts County 3 WHEN the spine of your team has a collective off day there is usually only one result - defeat with a capital D. That was the case for Bury as Paddy Kenny, Chris Swailes, Steve Redmond and Ian Lawson all had games they would rather
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Don't scoff, it's hard work this dieting lark
Wright On! - Shelley Wright takes a wry look at life IN the last three weeks I have been to the gym at least 20 times, ploughed up and down the local swimming pool another 10 and even taken my mum's two hounds from hell for a two mile walk- and I'm still
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Mighty Arsenal get a scare
PRESTON North End gave mighty Arsenal a scare at Highbury and the chances were there for North End to have won the match, writes Tom Parker. Final score: (Arsenal 2, PNE 1) On the hour mark, with the scores locked at 1-1 and with North End on top, a great
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Evelyne takes over Bill's mantle
EVELYNE SMITH will be Mayor of Wigan. She will continue the duties throughout the remainder of the civic year following the death of husband Bill. And the Mayoress will be her daughter, Elaine Stevenson. Evelyne, Mayoress of Wigan and Hindsford Councillor
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All you need is love
A PICTURE of four, happy, smiling sisters hit the internet this week as part of Social Services' attempts to find them a loving home. The move is just one of many initiatives being tested across the country in a bid to find more people willing to adopt
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Christley decision deferred
COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision on whether or not to hold an independent inquiry into the sacking of former tourism officer, David Christley. After more than three hours of heated debate, councillors put off a decision until next week. Mr Christley
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Bomb found on Leigh estate
HIGHER FOLDS was sealed off on Tuesday morning when contractors unearthed a World War 11 "bomb". Police cleared residents from Osborne Road and Queensway, and warned the two estate schools to keep children indoors until the shell was declared safe. Workmen
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Store to create 350 jobs
SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons is set to create a new foodstore with 350 jobs in Fleetwood town centre. The company this week announced it will be developing the new foodstore at the heart of the town's major retail renewal scheme in Lord Street. Sheffield-based
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Print firm's boost
A PRINTING plant is to benefit from a share of a £100million investment programme. The St Ives site in Blackburn, which prints sleeves for CDs, is one of several in the group to benefit from the huge investment in new technology. The announcement came
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Ace serve
LUNESDALE Tennis Club in Caton has been served an ace with a smashing £70,000 of lottery cash. The grant from Sport England Lottery Fund will go towards improvements to the clubhouse and tennis courts which are estimated to cost £117,000. Integral to
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Captain Sensible!
THE Citizen took on the might of the News of the World this week and won some extra cash for the homeless of Lancaster. Cap'n Cash - the national newspaper hero who "gives to the needy and bashes the greedy" - promised the Homeless and Housing Action
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Chamber's confidence
BUSINESS confidence in the district is looking up with 70 per cent of local businesses expecting improved turnover within the next 12 months. Other key economic indicators also look promising according to the quarterly survey of the Lancaster District
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City parking fees to rise
ON-STREET parking charges in Lancaster are set to rise by 33 per cent. The County Council has tabled proposals to increase the charges by April 2000. The half hourly charge will increase from 30p to 40p and the hourly rate will rise from 60p to 80p for
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On track for town link
LEISURE chiefs are on track to provide a missing walkway link. Planning permission has been given to create a recreational path and access steps along the former Bury to Bolton railway line off Wellington Street, Bury. The path will link one currently
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Salute for local gas gang
FOUR St Helens-based BOC Gases employees have been presented with long-service awards by group chairman, Sir David John. The four - Michael Bones, John Pankhurst, David Pierce and Paul Ranson - have each completed 21 years' service with the company. The
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Poets chance to get online
POETS in Lancaster and Morecambe are being invited to take inspiration from the Internet to stand the chance of becoming the first ever "e-poet laureate." To mark National Poetry Day, poet laureate Andrew Motion and The Poetry Society have teamed up with
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Area Board chief quits
THE chief of the Prestwich area board has quit after just a few weeks - to go back home. Kevin Durkin was appointed to the £25,000-a-year post as area co-ordinator, and has steered the committee through just one meeting, its first, held last month. The
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Nine workers in acid leak fears
NINE employees from Tufnells Parcel Express were taken to Warrington General Hospital following a leak of hydrochloric acid at the weekend. Six fire crews were called to the premises in the Yew Tree Trading Estate, Haydock, at about 5am on Saturday, October
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Christmas snow washed away by tears
CHRISTMAS was coming . . . and so was one of the worst mining disasters in history. Almost every family in tight-knit communities girding the doomed pit lost someone. Some homes were emptied completely of menfolk on that fateful day in 1910. Four days
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Angels with dirty hands
YOUNGSTERS at Blackbrook RC Primary have been getting their hands dirty for a good cause - by planting a memorial garden to the school's first-ever headteacher. Sister Mary Winefride supervised the initial building and was head of the school from its
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'Dirty tricks' activist backs court bid
FRANK MCGRATH, Deputy leader of Preston Council in the Thatcher years, is getting help from the political activist who spent 13 years trying to wreck his career in 'a truly fiendish plot'. Michael Murrin, a Preston insurance agent and former owner of
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£55 million MBO at Colourcare
COLOURCARE, the UK's largest wholesale photoprocessor with a laboratory in Bury, is being bought by its management in a £55 million deal. The move has been led by Gresham Trust, the private equity house, on behalf of the buyers. ColourCare has a 1,600
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Storm warning for champions
AUSTRALIAN League top-dogs Melbourne Storm have thrown down the gauntlet to Super League champions Saints by challenging them to a one-off match. But the showdown won't necessarily take place at Knowsley Road. Saints' chairman Howard Morris said: 'The
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Get in line to help Alder Hey
A CHARITY line dance will be held at St Anne's Catholic Club, Monastery Lane, Sutton on Friday, October 29 to raise money for Alder Hey Hospital. The event has been organised by sisters Edith Wharton and Elizabeth Gordon from Sutton, whose son Philip
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Millennium holiday plan
HEALTH bosses are set to unveil details of their Millennium holiday plan. The strategy, which will ensure patient care is not compromised by the busy Millennium and winter period, will include arrangements for normal winter response and specific proposals
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Storm in a D-Cup?
STRIP shows and saucy table dancing are being banned in Bury. Councillors have buttoned up the laws in the wake of a growing number of such events, including some booked at one of the council's own halls, the Longfield Suite in Prestwich. The existing
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All change for Castle swimmers
MEN and women swimmers will soon discover it's all change at Bury's Castle Leisure Centre. Disabled people and mums with their toddlers will also enjoy better facilities under new plans to improve the centre. Town hall bosses have already spent £14,000
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Market pledge from Marie
MARIE Rimmer has pledged the council's support for St Mary's Market traders by saying there are no plans to increase stallholders' rents in the near future. Councillor Rimmer made her announcement at a full meeting of St Helens Council in response to
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Flowers by arrangement...
MEMBERS of the former St Helens Floral Art Society have voted unanimously to change its name to St Helens Flower Club. It is hoped that the change will make it more obvious that members don't draw or paint flowers but are a club promoting the hobby of
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Go for £3m Mill Gate scheme
A £3 million undercover operation has been given the thumbs up by planning chiefs in Bury. As part of the next phase of Bury town centre improvement works, the owners of the Mill Gate shopping complex, MEPC, is to forge ahead with its plans to redevelop
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Chamber champions new learning scheme
PEOPLE who work and live in St Helens can now access funding of up to £150 towards training aimed at improving their career prospects, following the launch of Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs). Managed by St Helens Chamber, ILAs are part of a national
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Grieving parents' fears over son's car passion
THE PARENTS of a teenage car smash victim have told about their fears for his safety and said: "We couldn't stop him doing something he loved so much." Family and friends were due to gather today for the funeral of Christopher Gavin Woodward, 19, at St
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Flood double as LR crash
ATHERTON LR's misery continued in a 5-2 defeat at top-six side Clitheroe. Having gone behind on 18 minutes, Rovers hit back through former Colls striker Jimmy Flood who slammed in a rebound after his first shot had been saved. Trailing 2-1 at the break
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Would ou believe it?
COINCIDENCE! A 1962 copy of The Bury Times lay open and undisturbed under the floorboards of an old house in Heywood. When the floor was taken up, the first person to see the paper in 37 years found himself looking at a photo he recognised. It showed
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Swanton snatches a treble
TYLDESLEY RU tonked bottom club Trafford MV 32-8 for their fourth straight win. Despite a sluggish start in the pack, there was still plenty of ball available for the backs who made impressive early in-roads. From a scrum the ball was spun wide to winger
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Boardman puts his name in the history book
FIFTEEN-year-old Tom Boardman etched his name in British motor-sporting history on Saturday when he won the first ever race in T-Cars, the racing world's under 16 category. Tom, from Forton, triumphed at Castle Combe in Wiltshire, where his Boardmans
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Little Sam shows 'em
LITTLE Samantha Welch has won an adult tennis tournament - at the age of 11! Samantha is now officially recognised as the youngest winner of the Cunningham Trophy, a silver shield which is fiercely fought for every year by tennis teams throughout Preston
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Everything's gone green
VOLUNTEERS rolled up their sleeves and mucked in to make a success of Bury Environment Week. They took part in seven days of serious and amusing events designed to defend and promote our green surroundings. Everything from guided walks to exploring bat
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'Lay fox hunting to rest'
ANTI-HUNT campaigners dressed up as foxes for a demonstration outside Home Secretary Jack Straw's office in Blackburn. Two supporters of the National Anti-Hunt Campaign began a 24-hour hunger strike outside the Richmond Terrace office yesterday to protest
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REC appoints stand-in leader
BURY Racial Equality Council has appointed a temporary director. Ms Jo Hall (pictured) will take over the helm for three months following the departure of previous director Mr Nasrullah Khan. He resigned in August because of ill-health, leaving the council
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'Dirty tricks' activist decides he'll back McGrath's court bid
FRANK MCGRATH, Deputy leader of Preston Council in the Thatcher years, is getting help from the political activist who spent 13 years trying to wreck his career in 'a truly fiendish plot'. Michael Murrin, a Preston insurance agent and former owner of
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Short of matches
CRAIG Short is praying his injury nightmare is well and truly behind him as Blackburn Rovers prepare to face Grimsby at Ewood tomorrow. The 31-year-old defender, who signed from Everton for £2.1million in the summer, has had to kick his heels in the stand
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Sorry, but it wasn't us
I AM sorry to read that the lady from Birkdale received such bad treatment when visiting our market, but I would like your readers to know that our stall, 'Knit-N-Sew' no. 26, was not involved in this unfortunate incident. D Garton and E Rowell (name
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Another hop up the table
HOPPERS outplayed fourth-placed Harrogate to take the points and in doing so lifted themselves up to fifth in the league. (GRASSHOPPERS 24 HARROGATE 11) A fourth-minute Dunscombe penalty for the visitors suggested Hoppers were in for a difficult afternoon
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Kelly on stand-by for League debut at Ewood
ALAN Kelly is on stand-by for his first Blackburn Rovers League call-up after Australian keeper John Filan injured a shoulder in the Worthington Cup tie at Leeds. But, while Rovers boss Brian Kidd will be forced to wait and see if Filan is fit to face
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End to fire strike threat
THE threat of strike action by Greater Manchester firefighters should now be over. That's the forecast of Greater Manchester County Fire Service which says a threatened walk-out should be averted following a decision by the employers side of the National
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Let's have our clock-top back
WITH funds apparently swishing around for a variety of construction and renovation purposes, might it not be a good idea to complete some unfinished local business dating back more than 80 years? It was on the eve of the 1913 visit by King George V and
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Twin-town link holds firm
I DON'T have the foggiest idea what benefit is gained from British towns being twinned with those from the Continent - except for occasional civic beanfeasts to be enjoyed by visiting delegations on a 'home and away' basis. But at least the tenuous connection
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Park's a wonderful place
MY grandchildren and I love Happy Mount Park. It is our favourite place. There is lots of running space and the flower beds are truly beautiful. The handful of hard-working, dedicated people who provide the amusements are always obliging and cheerful.
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Pit helped Britannia rule the waves
IT'S quite mind boggling to learn that a little coalpit, tucked away in a corner of the St Helens district, once provided the lion's share of fuel for the Royal Navy during steam-powered times when Britain could justly claim to 'rule the waves.' The reason
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Can you help with family tree?
I AM currently searching for lost relatives, to enable the creation of a family tree, and a number of relatives live in the Lancaster & Morecambe area. Unfortunately it has been many years (over 30) since I had contact with them. They are the children
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Showdown for murder Mum
THE mother of a pregnant woman strangled by Bury "House of Horror" pervert Geoffrey Hardin was due to have a showdown with probation workers yesterday. Mrs Eileen Cain is livid she was never informed that her daughter's killer had been released from prison
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Let's hear it for theatre
IF you're prepared to knock, you should also be ready to praise. So I'd like to praise Crown Productions, the new lessees of the St Helens Theatre Royal. They've started the new season well. We witnessed an audience watching 'The Real Monty', enjoying
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Flowering glory
A TOTTINGTON gardener said she felt 'tree-mendous' after winning first prize in this year's Bury In Bloom competition. Eda Hulmes, aged 62, from Moss Side, Tottington, grabbed the best private garden award at a ceremony hosted by Bury Metro's Parks and
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Let's clear this up!
I WRITE in reply to a letter in your pages last week regarding a wool stall in St Helens Market. Firstly, there are two stalls in the market that sell wool and your correspondent does not stipulate which stall she is accusing. However, some points do
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Taxi rank
YOUR recent page three article on Search for taxi Boss raises a number of interesting questions some of which are covered by the enclosed letter to Lancashire Trading Standards officer. In your case you refer to the VSG scam implying that you support
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Heaton Park hosts fourth marathon
LOCAL runners featured well when Heaton Park hosted the fourth Manchester Marathon on Sunday. They were among 1,200 runners from across the country competing in the city's marathon, which was slightly down in numbers due to a clash with the North East's
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I'll vote for that!
I WOULD like to support the appeal made by Joan Hall (Star, September 23) regarding the public of St Helens using the market, which so recently underwent a refurbishment. What a pity that at the outset the transformation of the market was totally botched
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Thank you
I WOULD like to thank the man who found my purse in the telephone box in Friargate, Preston, close to the ring road Peace Garden on September 2. He took it straight to the police station and handed it in. It proves that there are some honest people out
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Appeal to past presidents
THE Chamber of Trade in Preston is one of the oldest organisations of its kind in the country. We have a proud tradition of serving local businesses for well over 100 years. I am planning a dinner to celebrate the millennium and would love to hear from
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Learn a lesson from City fans
AT Saturday's first home defeat by Notts County, I was dismayed to see the number of Bury supporters streaming off like sulking schoolboys when the third goal was scored. Every Bury player had given one hundred per cent effort in that game, in particular
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Bizarre threats to 'out' council
PRESTON Borough Council members are being targeted with bizarre threats to 'out' them as gays. They have been sent letters and faxes and some have been left pager messages. Other letters have been sent to journalists. Just a few days ago Liberal Democrat
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Which residents' group?
PRESTON'S Liberal Democrats have been left with egg on their faces after dropping a clanger in a propaganda news sheet. Just weeks after promising to campaign for a new bus stop to be placed where there already is a bus shelter, Lib Dem representatives
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Why not a nice plant?
WELL, Bury Council have done it again! The first thing they foisted on us were those silly stones at Outwood. Now they have foisted on us some drunken-looking lumps of cast iron at the bottom of Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe. When are they going to stop wasting
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Forgetful Albert has a nerve
I NOTE that correspondent Albert Little (Oct 8) managed to avoid a serious response to my letter and also showed a forgetful view of history. He does not deny that in desperation the Tories stripped the cupboard bare to leave the incoming Labour council
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Partnership for the people
PRESTON College in partnership with St Oswald's Church and Community Centre had an open morning which offered various activities to the residents of Greater Deepdale. All the activities were free of charge and included fitness testing, a plant stall,
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Top of the Jones pops
LOCAL celebrity TJ Slater is top of the pops when it comes to rubbing shoulders with the stars after jetting off to London to meet singing legend Tom Jones. Citizen readers will recall that Tom lookalike TJ featured in our Readers' Recollections column
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Speeding: more tolerance needed
I WISH to express my feelings about the police's attitude towards the motorist. "Speed kills," we are all constantly reminded. But suggest that to the pilot of Concord, the drivers of the 200 mph trains in Japan, or the holder of the world land speed
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Cult may infiltrate schools
CULT leaders are believed to be recruiting Preston sixth form students into their church, with promises of a Utopian existence. The International Church of Christ, which was condemned by cult experts earlier this year after they targeted students at the
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Top score hit on speeding
HOWZAT! Highway chiefs are celebrating a top score in their bid to reduce the number of speeding motorists on the area's intricate motorway network. A novel 'cricket scoreboard' sign, introduced on the M6 at Leyland during recent roadworks, kept a count
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Cashing in on Europe
PRESTON could be on the verge of tapping into a £400 million European cash windfall. Eight wards in Preston have been given European Union Objective Two status - which all but guarantees them a slice of the massive grants up for grabs from Brussels. The
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Friends in dark times
THE darkest days of World War II bring back nothing but horrific memories for many people - but for one Preston man, a chance encounter led to the forming of a friendship which is still strong 55 years later. Now Ribbleton resident Ron Yates joins scores
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10 YEARS AGO: Acid House move
THE question of controversial Acid House parties was to be raised in the Lords by Lord Taylor of Blackburn. He made his announcement just hours before hundreds of revellers invaded a derelict warehouse for the second time for the latest Acid House party
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ICE HOCKEY: Hawks at the double
BLACKBURN ice hockey fans will be donning their woolly jumpers once again this weekend as the Hawks face another tough double header. Saturday sees Bobby Haig's side travel north to face the Kirkcaldy Kestrels in the opening match of the Border League
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Corrie star in county's crime fight
FORMER Coronation Street star Saeed Jaffrey helped launched a new scheme designed to get the support of Asian businessmen in crime prevention. The event, organised by the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime, was held last Thursday (October 7) and attracted
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Libraries' big merge
LIBRARIES in Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley merged into one division as part of country-wide restructuring. Former Burnley district librarian John Hodgkinson was made divisional librarian. Barry William, former Ribble Valley assistant librarian
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BADMINTON: Rossendale League
IT MAY be a new season in the Rossendale Badminton League, but it's the same old story in Division One with Broadway A and Central looking as impregnable as ever. Champions Broadway, having seen off Blackford Bridge A 18-0, have dropped just one point
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Blues switch on
CLITHEROE have been forced to switch their FNWTL Division One clash with Leek CSOB to Shawbridge tomorrow. The match was originally scheduled to take place at Leek where the hosts have a ground-sharing agreement with UniBond outfit Leek Town. But when
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BOWLS: East Lancs in double delight
EAST Lancs Club have enjoyed a remarkable season of success in team competitions that will go down as one of the best in their history of achievements. The men's A team were in sparkling form in both Blackburn and Darwen League competitions to win the
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A welcome trend
IT IS too early to call it a trend, but the disclosure today that, for the first time in a decade, teenagers are smoking and drinking less is welcome nonetheless. For if more youngsters are freed from the peer pressures that go with under-age smoking
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BOWLS: Colne crowned
COLNE Cricket Club clinched this season's THWAITES EAST LANCASHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE title by nine points . . . even though they lost their final match 8-6 at East Lancs. Paul Ferguson and Kevin Thompson both recorded 21-11 home wins. Alan Handford won 21
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Prisoners still deserve their dignity
NO MATTER for what crimes or charges they are in custody, those held in prison should lose no more rights other than their liberty. Indeed, their right to respect and understanding from those in whose care they are placed ought to be upheld at all times
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Brown's back
FORMER Manchester United apprentice Karl Brown has rejoined Ramsbottom United. Manager Ken Bridge swooped to sign the skilful midfielder today after serving a seven-day notice on UniBond First Division outfit Flixton. And though he is out of tomorrow's
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County call-up
GOOD early season form from five Lytham hockey players has caught the eye of the Lancashire Schools' selectors. The quintet from King Edward and Queen Mary School in Lytham have been called up for assessment and trials for the Lancashire County teams.
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Keep pound, jettison Tony
TONY Blair's admission that we should drop the pound in favour of the European single currency, even though the British don't want it, proves he is just as arrogant as Thatcher. What will be next, driving on the right or changing our language to German
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Trains went through two red signals
IN the wake of the Paddington rail tragedy, the Health and Safety Executive has ordered that the new Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) be installed on Merseyside. This follows the revelation that drivers had driven through six red lights in the region
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Pots of money!
YOUNGSTERS from King Edward and Queen Mary Infant School have helped raise £430 for UNICEF. The children each took home a Jar of Grace to place on the dinner table and put a few pennies in it each time they ate. And when the jars were taken back to school
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Kings of the sixes!
ROSSALL Sixes League, Division A leaders KIngs Arms FC remain unbeaten after their 2-1 win over Macprint FC, while Holbro FC are still second-placed after beating Untouchables 4-1. Real Bispham move into third place after their goalless draw with Wyvale
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Where there's muck...
WE have an abundance of well-rotted horse manure, plus a regular and soon-to-be-increasing supply of fresh manure We are desperately seeking a bulk and/or regular outlet for this and we have heard of it being used as an alternative source of energy, but
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Team news round-up
CHORLEY are bidding to get the disappointment of their FA Trophy exit out of their system by making a winning return to UniBond League First Division action at Stocksbridge Park Steelers tomorrow. The Magpies lost 1-0 to Midlands outfit Moor Green a week
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Crushing defeat for Scorpions
SCORPIONS were missing both half backs from last week in Simon Pritchard and Paul Atkinson and had to reshuffle the team with Shaun Towell and Neil Gavaghan taking over their roles. Andy Johnston, Paul McAllister and Paul Gray were also missing. The Scorpions
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Tracking old classmates
I AM trying to track down the addresses of people who started out with me at Darwen Grammar School in the summer of 1945. A reunion is scheduled for July of next year. What I am attempting is to contact everyone who started out with me and do a newsletter
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School with a big future
BISPHAM High - Blackpool's new Arts College - is a school looking to the future. The forward-thinking establishment on Bispham Road, Blackpool, has started an exciting new term with a new name and a new status, changing from Greenlands County High School
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Rail record put straight
THOUSANDS of responsible, professional railway men and women share the shock and disbelief felt by the nation following last week's tragic loss of life at Paddington. Such feelings are compounded by the ill-informed, inaccurate and often hysterical national
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UGB take a mauling
Widnes Tigers 44, UGB 16 THE Glassmen found the Tigers too powerful. But they managed to record tries through Blake, Anders and Birkett, with Pownall landing two conversions. The Low Cost UVPC man of the match was skipper Den Hall. Converted for the new
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Hockey round-up
LYTHAM ST ANNES 1ST XI 3 CHESTER 3 TOP of the table LSA entertained Chester at the Ansdell Arena, and in a fast excellent game two first half mistakes allowed the visitors to take a 2-0 lead. Just before half-time, however, Chris Kay hammered in a rebound
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Finch made to suffer
Haresfinch 4, Wigan St Pats A 47 A MUCH-changed Finch outfit fell away after a bright opening and slumped to a heavy defeat against the Division Two league leaders. Failure to take early opportunities again proved costly and the visitors took full advantage
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Lovely grub!
FAMILY ties and good old-fashioned quality are the secret ingredients to success for Blackpool's Restaurant Of The Year. The Smithy of Little Eccleston has scooped the top prize in the Citizen competition for then second time. And the owner Mark Chapman
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Challenge 2000
CALLING all daredevils - now's your chance to join an adventure of a lifetime in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign's Ultimate Challenge 2000. Experience an amazing seven-day cycle challenge in Egypt during March 12-20, or one of two exciting treks across
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West Sutton back on track
West Sutton Dragons 36, Oldham St Annes 12 HAVING been beaten by the odd try in their last three out of four league outings, Wests finally got the victory their form deserves. The forwards laid the platform for victory, with Jay McCabe leading by example
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Knockout Knowles on cue
Stevenage Borough 1 Morecambe 2 A VOCAL army of Morecambe supporters saw their team pull back from a goal behind to snatch a great victory against first class opposition on Saturday. Stevenage came out fighting and put together some superb football for
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Hockey men hand out a caning
ST HELENS Hockey Club romped to an 8-3 victory at Ulverston. The massacre started as early as the first minute when Mark Alcock scored the first of his three goals. Also on the scoresheet were Chris Mitchell (2) and skipper Phil Travis (3). Converted
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New unit should cut waiting list
A NEW cancer unit opens at Lytham Hospital next week and it should take around 500 patients a year off the waiting list at beleaguered Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Trust is opening a sigmoidoscopy unit at Lytham
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Sort this eyesore out!
THE owners of a derelict block of flats in Heysham have been told to get their act together or face the consequences. Pennington Court in Heysham is an eyesore that has long plagued neighbouring residents but this week local councillors called for a meeting
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Soccer club plans reunion
OLD-time sharp-shooters of the former Greenall Whitley soccer team are invited to attend a memory-jerking reunion at the club in Alder Hey Road on Saturday, November 6. Tickets and further information may be obtained from Derek Burrows on St Helens 625338
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Head demands professional respect for teachers
TEACHERS should be held in the same esteem as lawyers and doctors, a headteacher told her school's prize evening. Celebrating the best ever year for results at St Hilda's RC High School, Burnley, Miss Bernadette Bleasdale said: "I feel very strongly that
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Barry signals rail problems
FYLDE'S railway network faces a critical test in the years to come, claims a railway historian. The coast's rail system could be on track for serious problems unless the Government gets to grips with privatised rail operators, warns writer Barry McLoughlin
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Saucy sentence wins super honeymoon
COURT-ING couple Julie Brown and Andrew Carter will be spending a super honeymoon in Jamaica next year - thanks to a friend's cheeky ditty. The Lancashire lovebirds, who both work at Chorley Magistrates Court, won the fabulous holiday in a local radio
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Rocket take off . . .
ROCKET soared to a super success. The under 13s side found the net eight times against Lane Ends Athletic in the Rainhill Byrne Hire League. RESULTS Under 15s: Blackbrook 6 Holt 0, Blackleyhurst 9 Bleak Hill Rovers 2, Cronton 1 Rainhill United 3, Eccleston
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Crime crackdown for top award
BLACKPOOL'S pioneering Operation Arrival summer crime crackdown has been shortlisted for a regional award. The police initiative, which cut burglaries and car crime by 40 per cent, is one of five North West schemes shortlisted for the British Crime Prevention
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Landmark for stage school
A ST Annes stage school has reached its own millennium a few months ahead of the big event. The 1,000th pupil has just enrolled at the St Annes School of Music, Drama and Dance on Victoria Road, only three years after it opened. Nine-year-old Natalie
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Trying to trace Gwen Joyner
My name is Gwen Joyner and I hope Citizen readers can help me in my search for a long lost penpal. In 1940, my sixth grade teacher in Minnesota, USA, had us write to penpals in Blackpool. The teacher in Blackpool gave our letters to her students and mine
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LSH crash on Brighton rock
New Brighton 34, Liverpool St Helens 12 LSH travelled to the Wirral with high hopes of lowering the home team's colours but were unable to disrupt a well organised New Brighton team. The early exchanges were keenly contested but New Brighton used their
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Appalling cruelty
JOSEPHINE Harwood's letter exposed the cruel act of leading a calf into a ring to be killed by seven lions to entertain visitors to the new Wild Animal World in China. I wrote to the Chinese ambassador and also joined Naturewatch which asks everyone to
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Town hit by injury jinx
Nantwich Town 2, St Helens Town 2 TOWN went into this game lying in fourth place in the First North Western Trains top flight following an excellent mid-week success over old rivals Clitheroe by 3-2 at Hoghton Road. It was, however, not without cost as
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Look before you leap!
MY sympathy went out to Cheryl Calloway, reported in the Mail on Sunday (September 26) as falling victim to "thought control" via the Jehovah's Witnesses. Cheryl was quoted as saying she became a witness at four when her parents joined the church. She
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Carr Mill sent crashing
ST HELENS Star Premier Division outfit Carr Mill's venture into the LCFA Junior Cup, following their two successive Intermediate Cup successes, came to a drastic end as they went out 2-3 to BRNESC Reserves. They fielded a depleted side due to last minute
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Blackpool band go to Wembley
BLACKPOOL band Waterfront are beating a track to Wembley after winning through to the final of a competition to find the next Oasis. And that means they will be performing in front of a slightly bigger crowd than normal - but the band can't wait. The
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It's open house on annual gala
AN OPEN meeting is to be held to discuss the format for next year's Thornton Cleveleys gala after this year's event received a mixed response from residents. And top issues for debate will include the route of the procession and the possible reintroduction
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Under full sail
A SKIPPOOL-based sailing club is billowing into the new millennium powered by a £154,000 lottery bonanza. Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club won the grant from the Sport England Lottery Fund to develop facilities for the disabled and to attract more young
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Heading for the top...
THIS time next week, Preston could find themselves at the top of Nationwide Division Two! Currently seventh in the league with 19 points, PNE have suddenly found themselves back where they belong, just four points behind the league leaders. And if they
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Mullin fit for Clarets' trip
JOHN Mullin has been passed fit to travel with the Burnley squad to Millwall and could make only his second start of the season at the New Den tomorrow. Mullin was the subject of a mid-week injury scare when he came off during the Clarets Pontins League
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Church hits lottery jackpot
A BLACKPOOL church has had its prayers answered by winning a National Lottery grant for a new parish centre. St Christopher's Church in Hawes Side, Blackpool, has been awarded £451,000 for a project to build a centre which will be available for community
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Bogus collectors alert as charity van is stolen
CHARITY workers whose van was stolen from Accrington fear the thieves may be posing as collectors to con people into making donations. A dark blue Bedford Astramax van belonging to the Preston branch of the Cats Protection League was stolen from a car
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Kelly stands by for Ewood action
ALAN Kelly is on stand-by for his first Blackburn Rovers League call-up after Australian keeper John Filan injured a shoulder in the Worthington Cup tie at Leeds. But, while Rovers boss Brian Kidd will be forced to wait and see if Filan is fit to face
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Blast off 2000
THE 1999 World Firework Championships drew to a dramatic and disappointing close on Sunday (October 10) - but plans for Blackpool's next display have already blasted off. Top UK company Kimbolton Fireworks' non-competitive display was forced to be cut
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'Uncle Jack' Walker to buy into shop scheme
A PROPOSED shopping complex for Accrington town centre has been bought by an investment company which looks after Blackburn Rovers owner Jack Walker's fortune. Bilsdale Property Ltd, which was established to manage the Walker family's property interests
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Water chiefs in new con warning
RISING levels of doorstep cons have prompted a warning from water board chiefs. North West Water is working with police to remind customers to check officials' identification before letting them in to their homes. Stickers will be distributed to households
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Deepdale Diary
The Citizen brings you up to date with who said what, when it was said and what has been happening at North End over the past seven days. PRESTON have turned the corner, and things will continue to get better. That was the verdict of manager David Moyes
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Residents rapped for apathy
PEOPLE in Baxenden were slammed for their apathy after a meeting to discuss policing in Hyndburn attracted only one resident from the village. The Hyndburn Police and Community Forum meeting at Hollins High School, Baxenden, was attended by police officers
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Leigh school flies green flag
A GREEN Leigh school is flying the prestigious Eco flag. Colourful St Peter's Juniors is first in town to win the honour, a European environmental award, which recognises the highest standards in environmental practice and management. The Firs Lane school
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Rare treat...without computer hype
HIDING away in a shadowy corner of the Odeon multiplex lurks A Midsummer Night's Dream, which if you can tear yourself away from the blockbusters and horror feasts currently on offer, is a rare and entertaining treat, writes Stephen Jansen. Director Michael
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PR account snowballs
A PUBLIC relations firm has announced a good piste of news! Capricorn, of Rising Bridge, has just been awarded the contract to handle the ski-wear account for outdoor clothing giants Helly Hansen. The firm was recently awarded outwork for Helly Hansen's
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Police hail crime drop
LANCASHIRE police were celebrating a fall in the levels of overall recorded crime this week. Overall recorded crime in the county fell by 11,790 offences (or 10.1 per cent) during 1998/99. Violent crime comprised 10.3 per cent for England & Wales
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New Lotto takes to the air
A "FLIGHT For Life" lottery to keep the air ambulance flying high has been launched. The weekly draw will form the major source of funding for the Blackpool based air ambulance which costs £700,000 a year to maintain. For £1 a week entry those taking
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Power on for prizes
THREE East Lancashire firms will be doing battle for a top money-saving award. Conservatory Coloured Glass, of Blackburn, William Blythe of Accrington, and Flexible Reinforcements, Clitheroe, are all finalists in the Norweb Business Energy Awards. The
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Nightmare as 17,000 lines go
AN UNDERGROUND blaze brought communications nightmares to 17,000 Leigh homes. And it could be next week before normal BT phone lines services resume. Six days after the fire - in an under-pavement tunnel in Chapel Street - BT customers in a large part
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Brig rally is too late
BAMBER BRIDGE have managed to pick up just one point after a disappointing week of league action. A 1-1 draw away at Whitby Town on Saturday was followed by a 2-1 defeat at home to Colwyn Bay on Tuesday. Brig, in short, left it too late to rally against
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Super Danny's just champion
DANNY RUSHTON is the best of British! The 27-year-old Leigh martial arts instructor, in only his second fight as a professional, has been crowned the nation's heavyweight champion in one of the country's most controversial sports. He has won the Japanese
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Traders threaten rent strike
TRADERS fed up of waiting for improvements to the Longfield Precinct in Prestwich are considering a rent and rates strike. Disillusioned members of the Prestwich Business Forum have floated the idea as possible way of venting their dissatisfaction at
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Doddy trips the lights fantastic
FUNNYMAN Ken Dodd will again turn on Leigh's electric lightshow. And he will help ensure the coming Christmas and Millennium illuminations will be the best for miles around. "This year's additions to last year's successful show mean we are on the way
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Firefighters free mud man
A MAN lay for five hours in the soft mud of the banks of the River Lune in Lancaster this week. Eventually firefighters pulled Ronald Vachon, 45, clear in a desperate struggle against the rising tide. Mr Vachon fell nine metres from the bridge into the
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Burial rumpus rocks family
THE family of a Golborne father-of-two are devastated following a Catholic priest's refusal to honour his dying wish to be buried in his village church yard. Relatives of Spence Seddon, who lost his 14-year fight against multiple sclerosis last week,
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Pastures new for Colin
COLIN Hilton, Director of Education and Leisure Services with St Helens Council, is leaving his post to take up a new £90,000 per annum position as Director of Education and Lifelong Learning in Liverpool. Council Chief Executive, Carole Hudson, said:
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Louise goes back to her roots
SETTLING in as the new manager of Asda's Spring Street store in Bury is Mrs Louise Swift (pictured). The mother-of-two has been with the company for the past 11 years. In fact, her first post was to prepare the same supermarket in Spring Street for its
