Archive
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Award in the frame for Hilary
SHOOTING for the top. That's Whitefield-based photographer Hilary Segal. For Hilary, who runs a thriving studio in Bury Old Road, has been awarded her coveted Licentiateship of the Master Photographers Association. The award was presented in Cyprus while
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Green machines to clean up dirty streets
A LEAN, keen, cleaning machine, or rather four of them, have hit the dirty streets of Pendle aiming to clean up. Pendle Council has taken delivery of four new mini road sweepers as part of its on-going campaign to remove litter from the streets. The four
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Man attacked after night out
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an incident which left a 22-year-old man requiring hospital treatment for cuts and bruises to his head. The incident took place in Baldwin Street in the town centre in the early hours of Saturday, March 25. The victim
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Zak's my boy!
YOUNG Zak the alsatian was a crime fighting hero this week. The 7-month-old hound dog put the fear of God into a thief who had snatched a purse from an elderly lady in a Morecambe shop. Zak and his owner, John Dickson, were involved in a high speed pursuit
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Stacey steps up
A RADCLIFFE woman is among ten recruits at the Preston office of business advisers KPMG. Stacey Gilbert (21) joins the company's tax team. Stacey attended Holy Cross Sixth Form Colllege in Bury before taking maths at Bristol University. The new intake
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Planning for bright future
A BLUEPRINT for Pendle's future has been published. The new report shows how the council will tackle key issues such as community safety and winning millions of pounds of investment. The document also includes a summary of how the authority has done in
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That's a relief!
RAIL users at St Helens Central Station can breathe a sigh of relief -- thanks to the efforts of Merseytravel and St Helens Councillor, John Mealor. The toilets at the station in Shaw Street had been closed as a result of constant vandalism and anti-social
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Driver flung off her car in theft drama
A MOTORIST was catapulted into the road after she dived on to the bonnet of her car in a desperate bid to prevent it being stolen. Education advisor Eileen Sutcliffe threw herself face-down on to the bonnet when she spotted a thief behind the steering
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Racist remark fireman facing sanction
FIREFIGHTERS are demanding that a colleague, accused of making racist remarks, is punished. However, officers at The Rock station, in Bury, believe Mick Bell should receive a punishment to fit his "crime" but not the sack. Mr Bell was suspended after,
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Quality counts for new coach Terzis
NEW Leigh coach Paul Terzis couldn't be happier with life. Just one week into the job, he said: "The club is everything I'd been told it was. Professional on and off the field and totally committed to raising it's standards." Now he has had time to work
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An education in work placement
MORE than 6,000 young people each year are gaining vital work experience as a result of the efforts of Bolton and Bury Chamber. The Chamber recently hosted an education conference about its work experience programme and how it has successfully forged
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Sue's fortunate words
SUE Gerrard, the Star's very own writer, certainly has a winning way with words as her latest collection of poetry 'A Round Of Mixed Fortunes' is being published this week. This collection of contemporary poems will be on sale at Wardleworths Bookshop
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Paul plans route to the Super League
PAUL TERZIS couldn't have planned things better had he scripted it himself. The new coach made a dream start to his Hilton Park career as top-of-the-table Leigh ground out another crucial victory. And he declared himself totally satisfied as Leigh maintained
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Wound up by red tape
BOLTON and Bury Chamber has declared war on red tape. And the campaign is being backed by well-known Bury businessman Toni Hankins who is concerned about the amount of valuable time being wasted on dealing with paperwork. The level of regulation that
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Fine mess is set to cost
SCORES of motorists could get fines refunded because of a possible blunder by council highways bosses. Drivers who used pay-and-display ticket machines in The Wylde, Bury, over the last two years have been fined £15 for not parking their cars fully within
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PCs praised in fire rescue
TWO Bury police officers are in line for a bravery award after battling through thick smoke to reach five children trapped in a blazing house. PCs Mo Duffield and Darren Davies led the youngsters to safety as firefighters arrived to tackle the burning
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Share plan opposition
The future of a pre-school hangs in the balance because of fears that its base in the grounds of Whitefield Community Primary School could be used by drug addicts and community groups. However, town hall bosses have quashed rumours that a drug counselling
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Health chief denies waiting list massaging
HEALTH watchdogs have accused hospital managers of "massaging" waiting list figures to meet government targets. Now they are demanding that health bosses publish their own monthly waiting list figures rather than those from the Government. Bury Community
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Handover means estate's new start
THOUSANDS of former council tenants will get much-needed improvements worth £20 million as part of a pioneering project. People on the Hillock Estate, Whitefield, have a new landlord after their homes were officially transferred from Manchester Council
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New life for bridge
A BRIDGE originally built for use by the Swedish Army will be used to carry a narrow country road over the River Douglas at Sollom, near Tarleton. The 54-metre 'Bailey' style bridge, which was built by the Swedish Army but never used in their service,
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Cement City goes green
AN initiative organised by Groundwork in partnership with St Helens Council and Liverpool Housing Trust aims to encourage residents on the Cement City estate in Parr to spruce up their gardens by taking part in a new gardening competition. The competition
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Have you spotted Robert?
THE family of a young man who has been missing for two months are appealing for information about his whereabouts. Robert Mark Massey who is 20 riginally from Gladstone Street, St Helens, moved to Liverpool about five months ago, and was last seen on
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Did you witness attack?
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault on a teenage boy in the Thatto Heath district. The 16-year-old was walking home along Scholes Lane, at about 11pm on Saturday, March 25 when the incident occurred. As he approached the traffic lights at
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Seventh hell as RMI fall
LEIGH RMI lost out in a seven goal thriller at Gainsborough -- despite twice being in front. The 4-3 defeat cuts Leigh's lead at the top of the Premiership to six points after Gateshead's 3-2 win at Colwyn Bay. RMI had raced into a two-goal lead inside
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Extra cash for schools
ST HELENS Council is planning to invest a further £5 million over the next two years, to ensure staff and pupils across the borough have buildings fit to work and learn in. The investment is in addition to the current agreed investment of more than £5
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Expert launches law school
THE University of Central Lancashire has invited a law expert from Oxford to launch the Lancashire Law School. Professor Andrew Ashworth, Vinerian Professor of England Law at All Souls College, Oxford, will be guest speaker at a public lecture called
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26.2 to go for marathon duo
PREPARING for the Flora London Marathon are Nick and Barry Hurst, pictured doing a spot of training down Bradshawgate, Leigh. They will be foot-slogging down the Mall on April 16, earning money for NCH Action for Children, here watched by NCH shop officials
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Traders' ghost town fears
BUSINESSES in a once-thriving district fear it could become a ghost town unless they get more help from the council. Alan Hunter, whose family firm have traded in Peckers Hill Road, Sutton, for nearly a hundred years told the Star: "I think the problems
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'Nazi' obscenities daubed on church
NAZI graffiti has been daubed on Preston's biggest landmark -- the highest church tower in the country. Vandals sprayed a swastika and 'kill the holy' along with other obscenities on the wall of St Walburge's Church in Ashton. One local who spotted the
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Saints find buyer for Knowsley Road
SAINTS are set to sell their Knowsley Road ground, the club's spiritual home since 1890! Rumours that something was afoot have been rife for weeks, and gathered momentum when a Wainhomes' advertising hoarding appeared on the Edington stand at the weekend
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Teenager bailed after death crash
A LEYLAND teenager has been bailed by Merseyside Police following an horrific car smash in which a Preston girl died. The 17-year-old, who has not been named, was arrested following a car crash in Liverpool city centre on Friday night last week. He has
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Talking about rubbish
A LANCASHIRE environmental organisation has expressed concerns about the tiny amounts of recycling carried out in Britain. Friends of the Earth have invited anyone in the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley areas to discuss the present position and
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Famous Egyptian panel to be restored to glory
AN important panel from the Harris Museum's famous Egyptian Balcony will be restored, thanks to sponsorship from a local organisation. The Preston Law Society will pay for the conservation of the three-foot square panel, which was designed to fit into
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Blackmoor knock spots off Athletic
BOTH U15s Knockout Cup semis produced thrills galore for the Leigh & District Youth League. Blackmoor edged into the final in a 5-4 penalty shootout after drawing 0-0 with Pennington Athletic. MoM M Prince. Dynamo Three Crowns beat AC Horwich 6-1
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Defendant 'over-reacted'
MARK Leslie Tucker over-reacted when police took hold of him following an incident at a Blackburn town centre takeaway. Blackburn magistrates heard that he had undergone several operations on a damaged wrist and he feared the police actions would aggravate
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This week in 1975 25 years ago
RAIDS: Bolton Road landlords called for police protection from a gang who had been terrorising the Arthur inn, Eagle & Child and Derby Arms. Meanwhile, in an unconnected incident, seven youths were fined for an attack on Manchester Road Community
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Bravehearts take a hammering
IT was a home nations match of the sort which has never been played before ... in Leyland! England's U16s hockey team took on Scotland's U16s at Leyland St Mary's Catholic College in Leyland last week. And Bravehearts beware: the score is enough to bring
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Coco show goes on thanks to Co-op
A SUPERMARKET manager has saved the day after the Britannia Coconutters Millennium Festival was put in jeopardy by Bacup's creaking bridges. The Coconutters (pictured) have planned a dance extravaganza for Easter Sunday to celebrate the year 2000 in style
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Indoor riders
FUND-RAISERS went on a sponsored bike ride without even leaving the comfort of a gym -- and raised £3,000. Around 30 staff and members of Natural Progression gym, Greenfield Road, Colne, took part in the four-hour static bike ride on exercise cycles during
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We'll pot the snooker again, says Guild Hall
STAFF at Preston's Guild Hall have vowed to fight for the right to host snooker tournaments after the sport's bosses decided to ditch the venue from their circuit. Snooker grand prix will no longer come to the Guild Hall, following appalling attendances
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Sit-in protest as bank shuts branch
CAMPAIGNERS against bank closures are plannign a sit-in at a threatened branch of Barclays. The protest comes after bosses at Barclays had brought forward plans to offer banking through the Post Office. But campaigners have prepared to take part in a
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Training boss to net £85,000 salary
THE chief of a new body to replace East Lancashire's Training and Enterprise Council will receive a salary of up to £85,000 a year. Applications are being sought for an executive director of the Lancashire Learning and Skills Council which will take over
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Six goal finale for PNE girls
PRESTON NORTH END U16S 6, BURY 1 DESPITE the one-sided scoreline the early stages of this game proved to a very evenly fought contest. Both defences were well on top and it wasn't until the 25th minute that Preston took the lead, converting their first
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Little aims for stylish sign-off
GLEN Little will be keen to sign off in style against Notts County tomorrow before starting his three-match ban. But the mercurial Burnley wingman will have to outshine County's Andy Hughes, who has also been catching the eye on the right-hand side of
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Bored youths want action
ASIAN youths "blamed" for a catalogue of vandalism, verbal abuse and incidents of disorder at a Bury church have hit back at the authorities and demanded better facilities for their area. Teenagers living in the Heywood Street and Spring Street area of
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Thumbs up for the YM
HAVING just come back from America, how nice it was for me to discover the YMCA gyms. The staff were very pleasant and helpful -- I can't wait to go again! I just want to use your paper to express my thanks. JOHN Ball, Thirlmere Avenue, Moss Bank. Converted
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Bridge find their form
BAMBER BRIDGE boss Tony Greenwood was more than pleased by his side's performances in the past week. The club took four points from a possible six, beating Spennymoor United 2-0 and drawing 2-2 with Stalybridge Celtic. He said: "I am very pleased with
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Brazil's big hope
Division Two: Burnley v Notts County - match preview NOTTS County boss Gary Brazil insists that his side can still make the play-offs. And he is looking to keep the dream alive by completing a double over Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow. The Magpies, who
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From death's door to record books
PARAGLIDING record breaker Peter Wright is on cloud nine after flying further than anybody else -- just two years after breaking his back in a freak accident in the air. Peter has smashed the record for the furthest distance flown by covering 40 miles
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Egil: It's our final chance
Division One: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers - match preview SHARPSHOOTER Egil Ostenstad aims to fire the bullets which will gun down Wolves as Rovers prepare to enter the last chance saloon at Molineux tomorrow. With Rovers' play-off chances
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Sporting date for Princess Royal
HRH The Princess Royal will officially open Preston's new £12million sports arena on April 13. The Preston Sports Arena, in Cottam, was developed by the university in partnership with Preston Borough Council and was backed by a £7.9million lottery grant
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The future's red
THE future's bright, the future's red; or at least it is for England's bright young thing Andy Flintoff. As well as signing a new 12 month deal with his beloved cricket county, Lancashire, Flintoff is one of 12 England players to be given central contracts
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From the BEN files
25 YEARS AGO FIVE thousand entry forms at £1 each will be on sale for a competition this week - first prize, a fish and chip shop. Promoter of the contest for her business in Nel Pan Lane, Leigh, is the owner, 37-years-old ex-nurse Mrs Gillian Hayton.
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Rovers notes
IN a shock move, Blackburn Rovers' star player -- Damien Duff -- has been transfered to the Premiership this week. But Rovers fans can relax -- Duff has 'signed' for ZOOFootball FC, a new internet team comprising the best players in the Nationwide League
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So near, yet so far for Lynx
Batley Bulldogs 34, Lancashire Lynx 16 ONE of Lynx's best performances of the season could and should have brought them two points at mid-table Batley. In abysmal conditions at the Mount, the battling visitors had the home side on the back foot for most
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Tyred out
YOUNGSTERS are looking forward exploring extra facilities in the outdoor area at their nursery school. Volunteers from Blackburn Groundwork Trust have been installing tyres, stepping stones, bench seats and trees as part of a long running improvement
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Chris has taste of success
SUPER chef Chris Hobin may not be the best in Britain, yet, but he's not far off. The man who, as Bury Council's head chef, has the task of preparing gourmet cooking for up to 500 guests at each sitting in the borough's civic venues, has narrowly missed
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Impossible dream a possibility
THE stuff of science fiction could become science fact if a speculative research project based in Lancashire is successful. The idea of anti-gravity -- manipulating gravitational fields to man's advantage -- is often ridiculed by the scientific community
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Reading pupils pair off
JUNIOR bookworms will get a helping hand from their older pals in a new paired reading scheme. Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School has teamed up with Hawthorns Junior School in Blackburn, to teach the youngsters about helping each other and give the younger
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Locals pull on wellies for green scheme
VOLUNTEERS pulled on their wellies and got knee-deep in mud yesterday (Wednesday) to remove litter from polluted Eaves Brook in Preston. Abandoned supermarket trolleys, rusting bikes, discarded Christmas trees and even tin baths were among the rubbish
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Blindness fear of attack victim
A PARTIALLY blind man, who tried to stop vandals attacking a Bury church, may never see again. The 52-year-old, who does not want to be named, faces an anxious wait to discover whether he will regain the use of his right eye after he was struck by a stone
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What a concept!
I AM a member of the so-called "loony conceptual art brigade", and I am writing to support the upside-down trees. My only criticism is that not enough council tax was spent on them. I am also a conceptual artist and I have put a proposal to the council
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'More jobs' vow
A PRESTON firm, which is building a new £1.1 million factory, is to double its workforce. Gafoor Poultry Products is building the factory in Deepdale, thanks to teamwork with the North West Development Agency and Business Link North and Western Lancashire
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Education is city asset
PAUL Buckley - letters March 23 - may be a young Conservative but he shows the same gift for malicious falsehood as his elders. Discerning readers will be tired of hearing it but every time these people tell tall tales it's necessary to go over the same
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A day off and you are out
A HIGH school has come up with a novel way to tackling truancy and slack punctuality, they've got their pupils gambling. Unfortunately the top prize is worth just £5, but it's got pupils at Ashton-on-Ribble High School captivated and the truancy rate
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Forward planning
A GREAT proportion of motor vehicles are parked off the roads, in garages, drives or on private land so it would appear common sense to get these vehicles back to 'base' as soon as practicable and thus, off our overcrowded roads. So, what possibly can
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Planning applications
LATEST local planning applications submitted to Wigan Council include: 29 Aylesbury Crescent, Hindley - conservatory at rear; 9 Alderley Avenue, Lowton - single storey side extension comprising kitchen, utility, WC and morning rooms; 129 Platt Fold Road
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Famous Five pump up the volume
BOWLAND County High School pupils are presenting their annual show to sell out audiences. This year's musical, entitled Pump Up the Volume, sees Enid Blyton's Famous Five travelling through the shelves of a magical library, hot on the trail of a gang
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Bats alert plea
BATTY volunteers are needed to help with dusk-time surveys and rehabilitation of harmless, winged wonders. The South Lancashire Bat Group is part of a nationwide network dedicated to increasing awareness and promoting the conservation and welfare of a
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Praise for Whitefield's pride park
I WOULD like to thank everyone concerned for all the work done in Stanley Park, Whitefield. The trees have been cut down, the railings and gates painted, there are new litter bins and bollards, and two big front gates. The only thing missing is the seat
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Overwhelming opposition to scheme
RE Lighting of the Millennium Cycleway, previously called the Riverside Walk, from Halton to Caton, and within the Forest of Bowland. There is overwhelming opposition amongst the residents of Halton and Caton to this scheme, opposition which is manifested
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Pupils get soul Starr help
STARR-struck Golborne High School pupils dazzled the Motown hit singer Edwin Starr with an up beat performance of their contest entry "War On Crime". The famous soul singer, who recorded part of his song "War" for pupils to use on the soundtrack of their
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One conviction: how many crimes?
THREE strikes and you are out is a principle now being employed by the Government and the Judiciary. Come before the courts three times and you automatically serve a prison sentence. Get out the violins. Let's be honest, criminals devastate the lives
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Plan granted, site unseen
I FEEL badly served by Blackburn with Darwen Council. At the rear of my home, application was made by the owner of adjoining premises for an extension; this was duly approved by the planning sub-committee. I had submitted an objection, claiming this would
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Babysitting - it's just what the doctors ordered
LEIGH has lost two of its long serving GPs. Husband and wife team, Doctors Mohan and Padma Tolaney, pictured, hung up their stethoscopes on Wednesday after twenty six and a half years in Leigh caring for 4,000 patients. Their Bond Street practice will
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What about those without families?
AS a single person, without children, what have I got out of the Budget? We keep hearing of the working families tax credit and similar allowances, but the operative word is "families". People who have children choose to have them, whereas I was born
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Tear it down and start again
I SEE the council is looking to make Preston more people friendly. Excuse me? Where are the plans to dismantle the town and start all over again? With a ring road that goes through the centre of town, bus station and train station at opposite ends of
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VIllage plans future
HOWE Bridge Tenants and Residents Association's AGM will 'plan the future of the area for the good of everyone'. All residents of the Howe Bridge area are welcome to attend this open meeting (starting 8pm next Thursday April 13) in the scout hut on Leigh
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The only way is up
PRESTON'S political circus could become even more entertaining after the next election -- if controversial councillor Joe Fitzgerald gets his way. Coun Fitzgerald, who quit the Liberal Democrats last year to form Preston's Peoples Party, hopes to build
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Auditors probe group
SHAKERLEY Community Association -- which this weekend celebrates its 10th anniversary -- are being investigated by Wigan Council's internal auditors (writes Malcolm RYDING). But complaints and allegations about the association have yet to be substantiated
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Stand for people or not at all
OVER the last few months we have witnessed the debacle of the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament and more recently the mess-up in the nominations for Mayor of London. Locally, our elected councillors are always blaming the members of other political
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Referral unexpected
REGARDING the planning inquiry into plans for a £6 million leisure park and woodland project at Crow Wood House Farm, Burnley (LET, March 27). I appreciate your printing the map of the full scheme. In August 1998, Burnley Council advised me that my application
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New cash to help drugs offenders
HOME Office funding is being pumped into drugs services in a bid to give more effective help to offenders. Extra cash is being targeted at Community Healthcare Bolton NHS Trust Substance Misuse Service which has joined forces with the Health Authority
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We are not menaced by shelter thugs
WE are writing in order to correct the impression which may have been given by the story 'Women menaced by shelter thugs', (Citizen, March 30). The comments attributed to members of the Penwortham Women's Institute are, to say in the least, inaccurate
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Brothel man loses appeal
A PRESTON man who ran two brothels and lured young women into prostitution by introducing them to heroin, has failed in an Appeal Court bid to overturn his convictions. Jaswinder Singh, 47, of Brackenbury Road, was also refused leave to appeal against
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Put pen to paper
THE art of letter writing is often thought to be dead, but I must disagree. In spite of all the excellent communication systems in use today, the good old letter is still very much alive and kicking. When I joined the International Penfriends Club, I
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South Ribble's new chief
SOUTH Ribble Borough Council's new chief executive is Jean Hunter. And she is now looking forward to working with an organisation which has "a record of achievement which is second to none". Jean, who will join the authority in June from East Hampshire
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High school rules were made clear
I FEEL it necessary both to express my sympathy with "Worried Parent" (Your Letters, Mar 24) and to comment on some apparent misconceptions. The writer seems to indicate that the council is engaged in "social engineering"; were this the case the criticism
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Police document is 'most important yet'
ONE of the most important documents ever to be produced by the Lancashire Police Authority has been unveiled. The Policing and Best Value Performance Plan outlines the authority's aims of how it wants to achieve best value by continually improving performance
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No lock-out by rail group members
I WRITE in response to Mr Michael Fielding's letter in the Bury Times (March 28) entitled "Retain this right of way". The East Lancashire Railway locks the Baron Street crossing gates for the majority of the working week in favour of road users. During
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Welcome to the cone zone
ANOTHER section of Preston's motorway is to become a cone zone after a £34.3 million package of road improvements were unveiled for Lancashire. The M6's Blacow Bridge, which links the motorway to the M61, is to undergo road improvements to the tune of
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Scholarship for trainee cooks
A PRESTON college has launched a scholarship scheme in a bid to make the town a centre of culinary excellence. Preston College hopes to entice the next generation of Paul Heathcotes to the college by creating scholarships for students on their catering
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GCSEs v Euro 2000
A PRESTON teenager's dream of playing in Euro 2000 could be scuppered -- because the tournament clashes with his GCSEs. Andy Lonergan, 16, from Ribbleton, made such an impression during recent games for the under17 England side that he is almost certainly
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If case is lost who pays?
BEST value, increasing accountability, pro-active strategies, listening roadshows - the politicians and bureaucrats churn out endless platitudes in an effort to convince us all that they are serving the public interest. Let me tell you how it really is
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Dentist death inquest moved to Crown Court
AN inquest was opened and adjourned into the death of a five-year-old schoolgirl at a Leyland dentist's surgery. Karla Rose Selley, of Golden Hill Lane, died on August 9 last year after having a tooth taken out. Preston Coroner's Court heard that following
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Expansion plan for waterways
AMBITIOUS plans to create a 56-mile stretch of canal from Preston through Lancaster to the Lakes could become a reality by tunnelling under the M6 motorway! That's the findings of a feasibility study by British Waterways, who claim a rejuvenated canal
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TEN YEARS AGO: Animals escape fire
STABLES were destroyed in a fire on a smallholding in Holden Road, Brierfield. The owner of the land, Jack Oxborough, of Coronation Road, Brierfield, usually kept horses and pigs in his timber sheds but his animals were elsewhere. The blaze was started
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NON-LEAGUE: Stanley in a pitch battle
GO-AHEAD UniBond Club Accrington Stanley are preparing themselves for two crucial battles which could shape the club's future both on and off the pitch. Tomorrow, Stanley face a vital clash in their battle for promotion when league-leaders Burscough visit
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Readers' Recollections: Trip to trace family tree
A CITIZEN reader from across the Atlantic is calling on people in Preston to help her find long-lost members of her family. Sherilyn Stedman, from Coquitlam, in British Colombia, Canada, is planning to make a trip to the town in about three months time
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Queens of 25 years
ROSE queens from the past 25 years were guests of honour at a school celebration. Children from all classes at St Paul's, Hoddlesden, reflected back over the last quarter century at the celebration of the anniversary of the school's major extension. Parents
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A marathon fund-raiser
A SCHOOL caretaker who once smoked 80 cigarettes a day is preparing for a record-breaking marathon challenge to help raise cash for charity. Fighting fit John McDonald, 58, of Queensway, Leyland, is aiming to complete twelve marathons before the end of
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Thugs attack disabled man
GANG of Balaclava-clad thugs have struck again, robbing a disabled man in his wheelchair. Police say the "sickening" robbery is the latest in a series of crimes carried out by the gang. The mob, which officers say consists of mainly 17 and 18-year-olds
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Pensioner in living hell
A TERRIFIED pensioner is begging her landlord to evict her neighbours, claiming they are making her life a nightmare. Frail Maria Ashworth, of Welsby Road, Leyland, says relatives visiting one of her neighbours are noisy and abusive, making her day-to-day
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Bank pull-out could save our post offices
UNDER fire from everyone, from customers to government ministers, over the closure of 171 of its rural branches, Barclays Bank deserves much of the criticism. But it may yet earn a pat on the back for its placatory ploy if it triggers the rescue of the
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Chasing their treble dream
FYLDE'S Under 15s rugby squad are hoping for a historic treble when they take to the field next. For the team are attempting to lift the Lancashire Cup for an astounding third successive season on Sunday (April 9). Waterloo will be the opponents for Fylde
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Charlie leads derby hat-trick
KING Edward and Queen Mary's Under-12s rugby team are on the way to the valleys. The team will complete their first season of competitive rugby with a tour of South Wales. Scrum-half Charlie Osborne led his side to a hat-trick of wins in derby matches
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Dig this...and the pupils did!
A YOUNG enterprise company has been sowing the seeds for a very special project this week. "Clodhoppers", from St Mary's Catholic High School in Blackpool, decided to create a special millennium garden to enhance the school environment and make pupils
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Swimming: Close encounter in the pool
THE first serious team competition of the year saw Newton Hall, the current champions, start their defence of their title. T he Lancashire Swim League gala at Fleetwood pool saw the champions take on the home team and last year's runners up Chorley. What
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Town set for Knowsley Road
SOCCER club St Helens Town are set to quit their Hoghton Road ground after a stay of more than 50 years! They plan to move to Saints' Knowsley Road stadium next season in readiness for the merger with their Rugby League neighbours at the proposed Linkway
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Young stars go 'on trial'
SPORTING youngsters from across the borough will be competing in trials next month to secure places in the Merseyside Youth Games being held on July 8 and 9. Boys hockey trials for year groups nine - 10 will be held on Friday, May 12 and May 19 between
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Kilby: We can still go up
"WE CAN still do it," is chairman Barry Kilby's defiant message as Burnley go chasing three more promotion points in tomorrow's Turf Moor showdown with play-off hopefuls Notts County. The Clarets are five points adrift of an automatic promotion place
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Vote for us... we're corrupt!
LANCASTER'S political landscape looks all set to change with the launch of an unusual new political party. The Corrupt Party has been set up in cyberspace with a special website and calls for financial backing from rich businesses and gangsters. Under
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Haydock stage takeover
HAYDOCK have taken over top spot in the Warrington and District League's Premier Division thanks to a 4-0 victory over basement club Blackbrook. But they are hotly pursued by Sidac, who won 4-1 at St Michaels thanks to goals from Steve Pilling, Mark Byrom
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Police stolen goods raid found no Aladdin's Cave
POLICE searching for an Aladdin's cave of stolen goods recovered just a pair of black jeans, Burnley magistrates heard. The court heard several officers and a lot of police man hours went into the operation to search a garage and it's boss's home. And
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Deserved break for Carnforth
Carnforth 37 Garstang 5 IN the first ever fixture between the two teams, Carnforth took a deserved break from league rugby with a convincing victory, although the score does not reflect the amount of possession Garstang had. Carnforths backs had an encouraging
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Marlins stay the distance
THE annual 1,500 metres event at Barrow Long Distance SC was a major attraction for members of Howe Bridge Marlins. And, up against swimmers from throughout the UK, first Marlin home in the ladies event was Lyndsey Entwistle. She took second place with
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Task force aid for jobs
THE government task force set up to try and save jobs at the threatened Rover will also help out closer to home. The group are aiming to help workers at the Rover factory at Longbridge in Birmingham, but will also tackle the problems caused by 450 redundancies
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Store plan sparks renewed interest in Midland
THE planned redevelopment of Morecambe's Frontierland by Morrison's has sparked renewed interest in the ailing Midland Hotel. The administrators currently running the hotel say they have had a recent surge of interest and several serious bids. All the
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West Park book final spot
Aldwinians 24 West Park 37 WEST Park reached the final of the Lancashire Trophy for the second year running on Sunday. They started confidently and centre Paul Bailey kicked an early penalty gained from pressure on the home line. And the the Aldwinians
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Dickens of an effort, kids
BUSY bookworms at St Nicholas CE primary school, Blackpool, are this week's Little Champions. Pupils at the school got their heads down on World Book Day on March 10 for a sponsored read and raised a superb £700 for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. Head
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Cup tie in the balance
Newcastle Town 0 Prescot Cables 0 MANY people argue cup football should be played on a straight knock-out basis, rather than over two legs. Support for that argument was in abundance at Lyme Valley Parkway in this first leg of the semi-final of the FNWT
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Macca wants decider
BLACKPOOL'S bid to beat the dreaded drop has been dealt two severe blows. And Steve McMahon has revealed he would swap the club's current situation for a one match decider at the end of the season. First is the news that Phil Clarkson is out for Pool's
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N-plant 'is safe'
BNFL bosses have been in the Fylde this week to reassure the public over safety fears about the nearby Springfield site. And the Lancashire pressure group Spotlight on Springfield (SOS) was also present to ask BNFL if a public-private partnership for
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Not a bird and not a plane!
TWO MEN are convinced they saw a UFO from a garden in Lancaster last Friday night. Gunnar Hellstrom and Chris Kay, from Lancaster, spoke with wonder of the event that happened when they were fitting some lighting into the beer garden at the Ring o' Bells
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Boy hurt in bridge fall
A 13-YEAR-OLD boy was taken to Whiston Hospital suffering from head and back injuries after falling 10ft from a railway bridge. He hoisted to safety by firefighters and ambulancemen. The incident happened at the bridge at the junction of Jackson Street
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Don't be killjoys about our zoos
MAY I, through your columns, speak in favour of zoos. I would ask the people who are supposed to be animal lovers if they really understand the use of zoos and safari parks of the world, because, without these places, a lot of the animals they claim to
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Recs finally claim derby scalp
Pilkington Recs 32 Blackbrook 12 RECS claimed their first success against their local rivals for a number of years in this Hays Chemicals St Helens Cup encounter. Brook had no answer to the home side's opening dominance which saw them race into a 22-nil
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Luck of the draw
MRS H. White from Haydock is the latest £2,000 jackpot prize winner in the Willowbrook Hospice weekly lottery draw. Other big winners were Mr S. Flaherty from Newtown who won £200; Mrs M. Littler, Rainhill (£125); Mrs S. Nicholas, Thatto Heath (£75);
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Head start and finish for Dukes
THE success of the highly acclaimed "Talking Heads" at the Dukes Theatre has been phenomenal. All week the Dukes staff have had to display the 'Sold Out' sign but there are a handful of tickets left for the last three performances. "Talking Heads" ends
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Blanket coverage
DOREEN Wolstenholme wasn't woolly about fundraising for the Sixth St Wulstans Beaver Group. In fact, she managed to raise £219 for the Rushton Street-based group when she did a sponsored knit. Mrs Wolstenholme, 61, of Blake Gardens, Great Harwood, began
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Just in it for profit
REGARDING the article in the Citizen about asylum seekers, the Blackpool Combined Association would like to inform you that we have already sent a delegation to lobby Barbara Roche at the Home Office in London. This meeting was arranged by the MP for
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Nogan back at Deepdale
FULL throttle Preston North End hope to inch even closer to lifting the Division Two championship trophy this weekend - but one man will be out to stop them. Former enemy-in-the-camp Kurt Nogan returns with his new team, Cardiff City, determined to score
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All right now!
PARAGLIDING record breaker Peter Wright is on cloud nine after flying further than anybody else -- just two years after breaking his back in a freak airborne accident. Peter has smashed the record for the furthest distance flown from popular paragliding
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Road to better motoring
ST HELENS Council is to spend more than £2.3 million on road improvement works with a boost in spending on major maintenance works and local safety schemes. The council has secured funding amounting to £1.3 million (15 per cent up on last year) for bridge
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Hoey to open sport centre
SPORTS minister Kate Hoey will visit Lancaster next week to officially open Lancaster and Morecambe College's new £2 million sport and coaching centre. The lottery-funded sports project includes four badminton courts, four large classrooms, a dance studio
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Derby drama in store
TWO neighbouring football teams have set up a cup final derby. Rainhill United will meet Whiston in the Rainhill Junior League's under 15s showpiece. RESULTS Wednesday, March 29 Under 15s: Bleak Hill Rovers 0 Blackbrook 8, Cronton 0 St Annes Rovers 4,
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Referendum is trump card
IS Jack Straw's Human Rights Act, which becomes part of British law next October, yet another stage in this government's programme to introduce Euro Federalism into Britain by stealth? Basically, this new legislation will force the police or judiciary
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Heading for the big time
THE SEARCH for Blackpool's Model for the Millennium is finally over, and two local teenagers could soon be heading for the big time. After four months and numerous heats 17-year-old Nick Coyle and Kate Lindsay,18, both pictured, have been chosen as the
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Chips with everything!
THE computer is about to leave its dull grey box and embed itself in everyday toys, signposts, furniture and even clothes - claim researchers at Lancaster University. The computer boffins at Bailrigg have just won a big slice of a massive £10 million,
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Let's get together
MARSH AgeLink holds a get-together each Wednesday morning 10.30am - noon at St Thomas More Centre, off Willow Lane. People of all ages are welcome to come to join this friendly group where activities include indoor bowling, board games and chatting over
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Clock strike for cup
CLOCK Face lifted the St Helens Combination's Rainford Potteries Cup after a deserved 4-0 victory over a gallant Pilkingtons A team at Ruskin Drive on Saturday. Paul Eccleston put Clockahead when he bravely headed into the net despite a crunching challenge
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£90,000 crime busting plan
MORE than £90,000 is to be spent on two Blackpool crime hotspots, it was revealed this week, after burglaries reached more than twice the national average. The grant-- the result of a successful police bid to the Home Office -- will be spent on the Park
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New charity to help lone parents
A NATIONAL registered charity has been set up to help lone parents and single access parents. Local people in this situation are encouraged to contact H.E.L.P. Numerous sponsored and discount holidays using major reputable holiday companies are now available
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Phyllis has a right Royal day
A FORMER Blackpool nurse has been awarded an MBE for her services to the community. Phyllis Hardman, from Lancaster Road, Knott End, received the award at an investiture at Buckingham Palace where she met the Prince of Wales. She chairs the governors
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Royal salute for Janet
TEACHER Janet Benyon is all set for a royal appointment after receiving a letter from Buckingham Palace inviting her to an evening reception as recognition of achievement in school as PE co-ordinator and Community Links Officer. Janet, who teaches Year
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Deepdale Diary: The week in review
FRIDAY (March 31): Iain Anderson, Colin Murdock and Sean Gregan were all back in contention for the big derby showdown at Bloomfield Road after over coming a dead leg, a dead leg and an ankle injury respectively. SATURDAY (April 1): High noon showdown
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Village calls for more police
THE fed up residents of Lowton have called for a stronger police presence in the area. They were out in force at the last meeting of the Police Community Consultative Group at St Luke's Primary School to complain about youth nuisance around the perimeter
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Bulldog spirit from Drummond
Rushden & Diamonds 0 Morecambe 2 SHRIMPS pulled off a stunning conference win away to high-flying, high-spending Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday night. In a game which saw Morecambe dominate much of the 90 minutes, it was a surprise to find the
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Twins have judges in a spin
TWINS Annette and Karen Lilley had the judges seeing double in the British Junior Gymnastics Championships at Nottingham. The 13-year-olds from Prescot were in dazzling form as they helped Warrington GC to second place in the team event. It was a fitting
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Post staff stage protest
A GROUP of post office workers from St Helens will be among a 2,000 strong deputation from across the country who will be lobbying the Houses of Parliament next Wednesday, April 12 to coincide with the Prime Minister's Question Time. The squad is protesting
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Cream of the crop!
Wigan Athletic 0, PNE 1 WHEN this scoreline was flashed around the globe it served notice that Preston North End would be playing in Division One next season, writes Tom Parker. Arguably, it was North End's best performance of the season as they battled
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Driver had no chance
A BADLY-sited traffic island played a significant part in the death of Aileen Wood, an inquest was told. Mrs Wood was delivering presents for her grandchild's first birthday as she crossed Blackburn Road in Rishton on a dark night in January. And a police
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Basketball: Elton girls on a new high
ELTON became the first Bury high school to capture a national championship when their under-16s girls basketball team defeated Moulton School of Northampton 72-69 in St Albans. After a delayed start caused by faulty equipment Elton got off to a poor start
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Cycle aces in top gear
A FAMILY of budding cycle stars have made a flying start to the new season. Brothers Rob Pugh, aged 14, Ian Pugh,11, from Sherdley Park, and their 12-year-old cousin Chris Noonan, from Rainford are team-mates at Liverpool Century Cycling Club. And on
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Cars stolen as drivers paid for petrol
POLICE in St Helens are appealing for motorists who have to leave their vehicles for short periods to make sure they are secure, following a spate of thefts in the last two weeks. Thieves have stolen three cars which drivers had left unlocked with the
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Addict who hit woman's home jailed
A FORMER businessman and voluntary worker who raided a woman's home in the grip of a heroin addiction, has been jailed for two years. Burnley Crown Court heard how Jason Wildman, 30, now wanted to kick the habit which had had a devastating effect on his
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Minister opens skin centre
HEALTH minister Lord Philip Hunt officially opened Leigh Infirmary's 21st century dermatology centre on Wednesday. He was taken on tour of the state-of-the-art facilities by consultant dermatologists, Drs Jennifer Yell and Elizabeth Stewart. The first
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An assembly with a difference
TAKE three members of a popular Blackpool rock outfit, add a room full of schoolchildren, "acoustic" them all together and what have you got? The answer is, a twist on the traditional assembly. Hodgson High pupils were entertained by three members of
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Carl cleans up
ENTREPRENEUR Carl Campy cleaned up at an in-house award ceremony. Carl, of Nelson, won three awards at the Stainbusters annual prize night, including best franchisee in the country for the carpet and upholstery cleaning firm. He was presented with his
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Anyone lost a bull terrier?
IF you have lost a Staffordshire Bull terrier, a Newton businesswoman could have good news for you. Joanne Hopwood, who runs Sound System Computers in Market Street, Earlestown, found the dog near to her shop on Saturday afternoon, April 1. She told the
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Henig moves to cut crime
DR Ruth Henig has been appointed to an influential Government body. Dr Henig, who chairs the Lancashire Police Authority and the Lancaster and Morecambe Community Safety Partnership, is now a member of the newly established Crime Reduction Task Force.
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Bury FC: Shakers' Fenlands fiasco
Cambridge United 3 - Bury 0 WANT to buy the Shakers fan in your life a video nasty? A copy of the first 45 minutes of this game would make Nightmare on Elm Street look like Bambi! The shenanigans resulted in struggling Cambridge being gifted three valuable
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Unlucky 13 for shot birthday boy
PAPER delivery boy Frank Bleakley had an unlucky thirteenth birthday on Saturday. The Westleigh High School boy (pictured) was shot in the thigh while walking with two friends near his home in Larch Road, Leigh. He was taken to Royal Bolton Royal Infirmary
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650 jobs from New Deal
NEW Deal has breathed new life into Blackpool's job market according to a local MP. Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South was speaking after a roadshow publicising the scheme, which offers businesses cash incentives to take on people who have been unemployed
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Boxing clever
A PACKAGING firm has fought off competition from across the country to win a major contract. Boxes GH of Great Harwood have produced a range of new cartons for candle manufacture Price's. Together with Boxes sister firm, Boxes Imaging they designed 28
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Big lift for Earlestown
A LIFT is to be installed at Earlestown Town Hall giving disabled people direct access to the first-floor function rooms. The £90,000 project is being jointly funded by St Helens Council and Newton 21 SRB. A ground-floor ramp is being installed and the
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Wood for the trees
THOSE upside trees everyone's been talking about where installed along the Lancaster to Caton cyclepath this week. Regular readers of our popular letters pages will know that the £7,000 public art work has provoked controversy across the district. Artist
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Scapa sells textiles firm
TECHNICAL tapes manufacturer Scapa has completed its transformation with the sale of a textiles firm. The Blackburn based company has sold Bury-based P&S Textiles to Arville Textiles of Wetherby. The disposal completed the change of focus into a technical
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Dog clue in search for flasher
A FLASHER indecently exposed himself to a young girl on Friday, between 8.05am and 8.10 am, when she was walking down Scholar Green Lane in Morecambe. The 14-year-old suddenly became aware of a white male standing in the bushes with his trousers undone
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Skye is the limit for Alex
A LYTHAM student is soon to go on a right royal visit following five years work on the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Alexandra Ashworth, 19, a former King Edward VII and Queen Mary school pupil, will travel to Buckingham Palace in May to collect a gold award
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Tai Chi tips for elderly
ELDERLY residents in Parr are being invited to take part in the oriental art of Tai Chi which guards against stress and encourages relaxation. Classes are being organised by Neil Davies, who works in health promotion at St Helens Council and Pat Dunn,
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Aborigine tracker to search for Hayley
A LEADING Aboriginal tracker has joined the search for a Lancaster girl who is missing in Australia feared dead. Hayley Stephenson,17, was enjoying her new life in Oz when she disappeared last summer while hitch-hiking across the country. Her mother Margaret
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Attack victim has car stolen
A MAN needed hospital treament for cuts and bruises after being set upon by an attacker who then made off with his car! The incident happened at about 6.30am on Sunday, April 2, at 6.30am when the 33-year-old victim went out to check his car outside his
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Lorna hangs up her apron.
WELFARE assistant Mrs Lorna Davies said farewell to pupils and staff at Sunny Bank CP School where she has been working for more than 30 years. Mrs Davies of Bury, began working as a dinner lady at the school in 1970 and has worked through 6,000 lunchtimes
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Volex: MP steps in to save 325 jobs
LEIGH MP Lawrence Cunliffe is demanding Government intervention to stop 325 Volex Powercords jobs being lost. Work from the state of the art plant in Leigh is now being switched to Volex factories in SE Asia for cheaper production. Volex Powercords, based
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The Brits are coming!
BRITANNIA produced a final flourish to reach the Sharman Cup Final in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League. They won a penalty shootout 3-1 to overcome Division Two champs Leigh Sportsmen after it finished 2-2. Steve Isherwood hit a double
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Classic win for Regal pairing
TWO well-groomed members of Blackburn-based brewery Daniel Thwaites have galloped away with a top prize at a national event. Shire horses Regal and Classic were named best in the brewery class at the National Shire Horse Show in Peterborough, addign yet
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£10,000 bet - and it's free!
STAKING £10,000 on a horse in tomorrow's Grand National might seem like the actions of a wealthy professional punter -- but it won't cost Paul Oracz a penny! The Hoghton antique dealer won a national newspaper competition to stake the bet on a horse in
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Atherton prepare for new season
THE stumps will noon be in place for the 2000 cricket season. And Atherton CC will have their first training session next Wednesday (April 12). Members should report to the club at 6.30pm when there will be a short meeting, particularly regarding the
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Today's the Day
1688: Sir William D'Avenant died in London. Thought by many to be the illegitimate son of William Shakespeare, he wrote the words for the first English opera, The Siege of Rhodes. Sadly, after a romantic encounter with a negress, his nose dropped off.
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Rail death not suspicious
TRANSPORT police have named the man who died when he was hit by an express train as it sped through Leyland on Sunday night. Malcolm James Fleming, believed to be in his early 40s, was on the railway track close to the junction of Bent Lane and Turpin
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Lion hearts miss out in thriller
LEIGH EAST missed out by the width of the post as hopes of matching Featherstone Lions slipped heartbreakingly away. A solitary goal and almost a full division of the National Conference separated the sides at 26-24. Three minutes from time John Gunning
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Wait and see for UNO customers
ADMINISTRATORS handling collapsed furniture group UNO are now sifting through hundreds of claims from East Lancashire customers. But they cannot say whether customers will get their money back or receive furniture ordered. The Blackburn store was the
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Cyber centre for blind
ACTION for Blind People, in Preston, has joined forces with a similar Blackburn-based group to create a new computer centre. The 'cyber centre', which will be officially opened in Blackburn next Friday, will give blind and partially-sighted people access
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Hat's the way in Tyldesley romp
TYLDESLEY RU ran in nine tries as visitors Congleton crashed 53-0. Dave Sivill led the way with a hat-trick of tries and more came from Mark Swanton, Stewart Manning, Darren Edge, Craig Broadhurst, Lee Cunliffe and Gary Corbett. The visitors could not
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Police save fire family
TWO passing police officers rescued a family of four from their smoke filled home early today. PCs Dave Dutton and Claudio Faradella were on patrol in the Intack area just after midnight when they went to the fire in Surrey Road, Intack, Blackburn, and
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Countdown to local elections begins
VOTERS can expect four weeks of solid campaigning as candidates for May's local elections seek your support. Nominations closed this week for the May 4 poll , and no fewer than 54 hopefuls will be contesting the 16 electoral wards in the borough of Bury
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It's plan sailing for Melvin
IT'S all aboard for Bury's ambitious Millennium project! Mr Melvin Magnall has secured the remaining £10,000 needed to retrace the remarkable sea journey of local pioneer Henry Wood, who fled the country to become one of America's founding fathers. The
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Sir is an inspiration
AN inspirational physics teacher has won an award for helping his students gain top GCSE results. John Allen, who is also deputy headteacher at All Hallows RC High in Penwortham, was thrilled to win the Institute of Physics Teachers Award 2000 -- but
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What a difference a year makes
PARENTS, teachers and pupils celebrated as a junior school judged to be failing a year ago was taken off special measures. Head teacher David Whalley, who joined Audley Junior School, Blackburn, three months ago, said: "It's fantastic news, we are all
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Wolves v Rovers preview
BLACKBURN Rovers fans need no introduction when it comes to striker George Ndah. It was the spindly front man who engineered Swindon Town's shock victory over Rovers at the County Ground earlier in the season -- a result which set Brian Kidd on the slippery
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Sitting comfortably?
REEDER by name, and reader by nature, that's Whitbread's winning employee's catchline. Josephine Reeder, from Barton, was given £200 through the company's Community Programme which rewards staff who are actively involved in the community. Josephine, a
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Second search for fresh clues
DETECTIVES hunting a gunman who blasted teenager Adam Hayes are again searching the area where the shooting took place. A painstaking search of route the 17-year-old took on the night he was attacked has been carried out by police for a second time. Adam
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Check the date as well as trees
FURTHER to the correspondence regarding the Riverside Park from Halton to Caton. It would appear that although April Fools' Day, for most people is past, our city fathers are perpetuating the date. Upside-down trees are an aberration of nature. A well-surfaced
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Security guard hurt in £12,000 raid.
A SECURITY guard was beaten and shots were fired during a violent post office raid on Tuesday (April 4). The 48-year-old Royal Mail guard was taken to Crumpsall Hospital for treatment to a shoulder injury, bruising and shock after the robbery at Park
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Plea for lost watch
MAY I appeal through the Star for anyone who may have found a ladies watch on Friday, March 24, which was lost either on a 24 bus or in the town centre. I have recently lost my husband and this was his last gift to me. If you read this letter, would you
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Clarets notes
CLARETS fans are the most fashionable fans in the region -- and that's official. The Burton Menswear League of Football Style placed Burnley 29th in the table of 102 clubs from the Premiership, Nationwide League and Scottish Premiership. In a nationwide
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Journal saves veg site
TYLDESLEY allotment holders have been swamped with offers to fill their empty plots. Last week The Journal published an appeal from the town's Allotments' Association for green fingered gardeners to fill 20 of the 120 patches - and save the site from
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When proud gran took centre stage
A RECENT flashback photo, featuring young drummer boys from Parr, at a Festival of Britain carnival in 1951, brought fond memories rushing back for Brenda McLaughlin. For it reminded her of the time when a special May Queen street-celebration was held
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Stop this madness
I WAS heartened by the response of so many readers to my views on the proposed 'Art Works' along the River Lune footpath/cycle way. However I am also despondent because it seems that despite the numbers who share my view the damage to the area is inevitably
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Council must pay over autism case
SOCIAL services have been ordered to pay compensation over their treatment of a former Prestwich man who suffers from autism. Local government ombudsman Mrs Patricia Thomas has found Bury Council guilty of "maladministration causing injustice". She will
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Tetrad 'action' threat
WORKERS at a Preston sofa firm have voted to support the GMB over the firm's decision not to reinstate a sacked employee. The results of a ballot showed that while most of Tetrad plc's union members favoured 'some type of action' they were not prepared
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New rape date drug is hoax
A HORRIFYING e-mail being circulated in the Blackpool area warning girls to beware of a new "rape date" drug said to be able to sterilize victims has been revealed as a hoax. The Citizen has conducted extensive investigations into claims that a drug called
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Thanks folks!
THROUGH your publication, I would very much like to express my gratitude to all the people who helped my son Liam raise his sponsorship money for the forthcoming tour to France with Great Britain Schools Rugby League (Star, March 23) Special thanks are
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Hounds tribute to Willie
THE funeral of life-long countryman Willie Tough brought Leigh to a standstill. Mr Tough, 52, who died after a six-month battle against cancer, was buried in Leigh Cemetery after a funeral at a packed Twelve Apostles RC Church, Westleigh. The service,
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Haunt of open-air spooks
FURTHER spooky bulletin from the countryside fringes of Blackbrook -- by all acounts one of the most haunted places in the county -- comes from reader Pauline Picton. Picking up on earlier ghostly accounts, she related a strange happening which occurred
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Art for art's sake
JUDGING by the volume of correspondence on the subject, your newspaper has certainly opened the floodgates in its attack on the "upside-down trees" art-work for the Lune cyclepath. As the Green Party spokesperson on the arts, I'm willing to admit that
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Were you in Korea?
WE are trying to contact veterans of the Korean War 1950-53, and also those servicemen and women who served in either Korea or Japan at a later date with the Peace Keeping Forces, including the Merchant Navy, NAAFI, and any other services. We would be
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Eileen's cake bid for MS help
RAISING funds to help MS sufferers will be a piece of cake this year. On Friday, April 14, a Leigh woman will host a fund raising event to help sufferers from the debilitating disease and their families. Mrs Eileen Postlewaite is inviting everyone to
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Events in East/Central Lancashire on Saturday, April 8th
Whitsuntide Festival and Sale of Goods, Goosnargh Village, Hall, 1pm. 50/50 Dancing with MC's Duncan and Margaret, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-11pm. Mrs Merton's Teapot Challenge, Oswaldtwistle Mills, 1pm-4pm. Mini Market, Our
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He's a man called Marigold!
FOLK perform an amused double-take when they spot the name of the landlord above the door of a cosy St Helens pub. For Peter Marigold, who took over the Moss Bank Hotel just three months ago, has arguably the rarest surname in Britain. But it's something
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The reasons why so many loathe this political monster
THE MEP Chris Davies may like to read again his letter published in the Citizen on March 30. On reflection he may recognise that treating many, probably the majority, of his 'constituents' with such contempt is one of the reasons why so many of us loathe
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Group help for stressed families
A NEW voluntary organisation that has made its "home" in Bury is ready to start helping families cope with stress. Home-Start Bury, based at Bury Business Centre, has a team of volunteers offering regular support, friendship and practical help to families
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It makes taxing reading
THE letter from Patched Pants (Dear Star, March 30) regarding the payment of Council Tax made very interesting reading and was high on percentages. So high in fact that most of the figures quoted were over-stated and the central argument was based on
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Missing pooch causes airport chaos
MAC, the 'international terrier', has jetted from Newton-le-Willows to his new home in Kansas City. But not without an airport episode of high drama. I've now had a happy update on the progress of the lively Jack Russell pet from Pam White who adopted
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Why are people only objecting now?
IT is time a few good things were said about the River Lune Millennium Park and in particular the cycleway from Lancaster to the Crook O'Lune and through to Bull Beck beyond Caton. It will give families from Lancaster a chance to walk and cycle in a safe
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Federation chief sets out his stall
A POLICEMAN from Penwortham has been chosen to lead Lancashire Constabulary's branch of the Police Federation. Steve Edwards, who has more than 20 years' experience in the force, has been elected chairman of the group, following a short period as vice-chairman
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Lost the plot?
THE national press, radio and television are still bombarding us with scare stories regarding the food we eat. Once again organic food and British beef are being heavily promoted to combat the growth of overseas food that doesn't have to meet the rigorous
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Music master's marathon bid
MUSIC master Allan Ackers is tuning-up for the Flora London Marathon to help the fight against leukaemia. The Golborne High head of music runs the streets of London on April 16 to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund. Allan is supporting the only
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Canal boat trip to Bedlam
THOUGHTS of peace, tranquility and communion with nature drifted pleasantly into my mind when invited to join a debating society on a narrow-boat day trip along the Bridgewater Canal. Perhaps I should have known better! For this wasn't just any old discussion
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Shape up or ship out
AN angry war of words has erupted over the Radcliffe Homeless Trust hostel in the town's Church Street. Radcliffe councillor Kevin Scarlett has told the management to shape up or ship out. But they have accused Bury Council of being partly responsible
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My wheelchair woe
I WONDER if your readers are aware of the discrimination that is being carried out daily against myself and several other members of the community in the town centre. It is carried out by well-known and respected businesses. It prevents me from going
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Jean is new health chief
WIGAN and Bolton Health Authority has a new woman in the top seat. Jean Garlick, aged 51, has taken over as chairman from Lene Pickford. Mrs Garlick, the former chairman of Wigan and Leigh Community Health Council, has been appointed for three years with
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Top marks for inspected school
A SCHOOL'S high standards and rapid rate of improvement has put it at the forefront of the UK's national education inspections. St Andrew's CE Primary in Radcliffe has become one of the first schools in the country to be chosen for a "short" inspection
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You should know
AN interesting letter from L. Roper. Very much a "play the man and not the ball" sort of letter. It puts me much in mind of earlier "spin doctor" letters orchestrated by members of the Labour Group, pretending to be from disinterested members of the public
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Straight talking
I ASSUME Mr T Longstaff (Letters, March 30) had his tongue firmly in his cheek when he suggested that all the Grane Road's bends should be removed. My driving instructor used to say there were no 'hidden roads,' but roads which need extra care. A lot
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It's three times the old store
BOOTHS is preparing to open their Longton store following a refit which has tripled its size. The new-look store, on the site of the former Mansion House, is a purpose-built 12,000 sq ft supermarket, which is 300 per cent bigger than the village's original
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Walk will get your feet wet
READERS who would like to help the British Heart Foundation and take part in a really great event, should book a place on our Morecambe Bay Walk on Saturday, June 10. We are looking for walkers willing to get their feet wet on a seven mile sponsored walk
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Dead man had a history of alcohol abuse
A MAN with a history of alcohol abuse died of natural causes, an inquest heard. Alan Troughear, 61, of Abbott Meadow, Penwortham, Preston, was found dead at his home on November 10, last year. His daughter Helen Garth, of Greencroft, Penwortham, told
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Cooking pets horror
I WAS horrified to read (LET, March 29) about the EU plans to pressure-cook pets before they can be buried as I have used the services of the Rossendale Pet Crematorium at Crawshawbooth on several occasions and always found it a comfort to know that a
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Graffiti in the frame
VANDALS are making their mark on the St Walburge's and St Mark's areas of Preston by daubing graffiti onto walls, fences, bridges and buildings. Police are determined to get to the bottom of the graffiti craze -- known as 'tagging' -- by taking photos
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Volex: union leader slams decision to axe jobs
A UNION leader has hit out at Volex Powercord's decision to shed half of its workforce in Leigh. John Sutherland, the regional industry organiser for the Transport and General Workers Union, slammed the firm for opting for "cheaper labour abroad" in response
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I will take up MEP's challenge
I READ MEP Chris Davies's letter (Bury Times, Mar 24) with interest, in particular the part where he issued a challenge to his critics. Needless to say I have responded to it and am awaiting further details. I am told that they are hoping to have debates
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Take a bow Telegraph
THE new structures being introduced by the ruling Labour group on Blackburn with Darwen Council are both ill-conceived and undemocratic and the so-called consultation process has been farcical. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph is to be applauded for bringing
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20mph zone for college
A NEW 20 mile-per-hour zone could be introduced around Leyland's Runshaw College in a bid to slow speeding students. Councillors hope Langdale Road and Worden Lane will become the first 20 mph roads in the county after being recommended to Lancashire
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The end is far from nigh
IN your edition dated Thursday March 30 you included an article under the headline 'Final Curtain for sole night club". I am extremely unhappy about the tenor of your article, suggesting that the END IS NIGH and the club "is expected to suffer a quick
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Do councillors know taxi rules?
IN Bury, all new hackney and private hire drivers must pass a "knowledge" test on the geographic area and the laws that regulate their trade. As mentioned before, these laws are laid down by Acts of Parliament but are liable, all too often, to be "conditioned
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Coalman recalled
REGARDING Ada Gibson's recollection of the coalman calling on washday (Letters, March 31). Yes, I remember the coalman, but our washing line was in a small back yard, not across the street. Mother had to empty the line when Crook and Thompson delivered
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Have a cup for charity
MENCAP is boiling up the kettle and stirring up support for the nation's biggest tea party. By turning your daily cuppa into cash, you will help support the 200 babies born each week with a learning disability. With more funds, Mencap can offer a unique
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Teenager bailed after death crash
A LEYLAND teenager has been bailed by Merseyside Police following an horrific car smash in which a local girl died. The 17-year-old, who has not been named, was arrested following a car crash in Liverpool city centre on Friday night last week. He has
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A Spot of fun at the Guild
ONE of the biggest stars of children's literature and television is to star at the Guild Hall. And the Citizen has teamed up with Oxford Playhouse to offer two family tickets to see Spot's Birthday Party -- the perfect introduction for young children
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Horrified by mill site trees loss
WE were horrified by the article (Feb 24) describing how the site of the former Radcliffe Paper Mill had had so many trees cut down, and were surprised that the developers had allowed such a thing to happen. Everyone recognises the need for more housing
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Celebrating our heritage with a special day
BRITISH Cultural Heritage will soon benefit from joining with 46 other countries and adopting the theme of a European Cultural Heritage. The 'European Heritage Days 2000' weekend, to be held on September 16 and 17 in conjunction with the Council for Europe
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Back to the land
REGARDING your report headlined 'Woodland Project: Green group's reaction to challenge,' (LET, March 27). I am sure that the public are not aware of the true facts. This area of countryside adjacent to the west of Burnley has no public access. Under the
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Support for future stars
A PRESTON Running Club is hosting a race and fun run to raise funds for promising new athletes -- and the local community. And Preston Harriers are calling on local businesses to sponsor and support the race. Road runner John Holland said: "We are holding
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'Get on with probe' urge Labour Party bosses
LEIGH Labour bosses have called on their regional HQ to start the inquiry following suspension of Cllr Mark Hale (writes Malcolm RYDING). Cllr Hale, whose bid to become Labour's candidate at the next General Election was scuppered following the laptop
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Work the wardens, sack the council
P.W. (Your Letters, Mar 24) makes fair comment about the excessive increase in council tax and also when he links this to new initiatives like the introduction of community safety wardens. The warden idea does have merit in so far as it gives work to
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Unfair PR say locals
RESIDENTS in Penwortham are calling for their postcodes to be changed -- so they aren't hit for high house insurance premiums any more. Locals living in the Kingsfold area of Penwortham claim they are being unfairly penalised for living in a postal district
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We are still poorly paid
LANCASHIRE is still a low pay blackspot. And retail, hotels and catering, health and social care centres are identified as poor payers, according to a new Lancashire County Council report. The survey, carried out by Enterprise plc, collected data from
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Don't play in the park!
POLICE are urging parents to be extra cautious after junkies' used needles were found dumped in a Leyland playground. Lancashire Constabulary say resources are being stretched to the limit, dealing with complaints from residents about teenage gangs loitering
