Archive
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What right to comment?
MRS Mary Grundy's comments about the cost of asylum seekers coming to Blackburn and Darwen (Letters, April 13) may or may not be valid, but that is not the reason I am writing. Blackburn with Darwen has many critics, but I find it strange that someone
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Warm welcome and cold beer!
THE East Lancashire Parachute Regimental Association would like to meet any former airborne soldiers. We would like to see you at one of our meetings, which happen every first Wednesday of the month, every month, at 8pm at the Bold Street Working Men's
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Mediation at your service
IN your article 'Get to grips with unruly behaviour' (LET, April 6), Councillor Harry Brooks suggested the setting up of a task force to deal with nuisance and anti-social behaviour. May I tell readers and any members of the council who are not aware,
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Slaughter for junk foods
BURGER bar outlets may be part of our everyday lives, but have you ever stopped to consider their negative effects -- not just to our health, but also for animals and the environment? Every year, millions of cattle are brutally slaughtered to satisfy
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Voting experiment is progress
ARTHUR Holmes (Soapbox, April 8) is quite entitled to doubt whether the Saturday voting experiment in Blackburn and Darwen will achieve its objective of increasing voter turnout. He is not entitled to suggest that it is, in some way, an act of gerrymandering
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Donald's £2m Bible epic
A LEIGH-born artist is being paid £2 million to rewrite the Bible! Queen's Scribe Donald Jackson, who hails from council house beginnings in Butts Bridge, is to create the first handwritten illuminated work of the modern era -- the first since the invention
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'Keep jobs local' plan welcomed
COUNCILS in East Lancashire have welcomed government plans to ensure that local people are employed in multi-million-pound redevelopment contracts. The idea to write local employment clauses into contracts came from a parliamentary inquiry which said
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Pupils' clean sweep
WOE betide any litter bugs who go near St John's CE Primary School in Radcliffe. The whole Johnston Street school recently took part in the National Spring Clean campaign. The children, along with some parents and members of staff, collected rubbish from
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Asylum seekers cash call threat
BURY is on the verge of demanding Government cash to help cope with increasing numbers of asylum-seekers. The borough has accommodated 104 asylum-seekers so far, including both single people and families. Town hall bosses have revealed that Bury has now
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Kwik saved!
SEVERAL Kwik Save stores throughout the Bury area, which were previously under threat of possible closure, are to remain open. Supermarket bosses have pulled down the "for sale" signs hanging over 350 Kwik Save stores across the country. And they have
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Health bosses told to cut costs
PLANS to open a new borough-wide dental access centre are proving to be a real tooth ache for health bosses who were told to "trim down" their bid by government officials. Bury and Rochdale Health Authority was told by Department of Health that it had
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Bury champ Ady still KO'd by boxing ban
THE ban on boxing stays despite Bury's conquering hero Ady Lewis winning his second British and Commonwealth title. It means that the 24-year-old "Mighty Atom" is still unable to defend his championship belt on council-owned premises in his home town.
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Pouton ends goal shortage
Grimsby Town v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's preview WHEN you look at the strikers Blackburn Rovers have at their disposal -- and their scoring records from the past -- it is quite understandable when Ashley Ward describes the shortage of goals at
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Nowhere to go . . .
WELL done Councillor John Mealor on achieving the re-opening of the toilets at Shaw Street station. It is long overdue. There is, however, one other location where access to a toilet is equally, if not more so sometimes, desperately required and that
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Fire alarm sounds
RECENTLY a double glazing firm visited my home and fitted two free fire alarms. To my astonishment, one of these alarms fell from the ceiling and smashed my hall electric standard light. The consequences from this could have resulted in a more serious
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No respect for the elderly
IN ONE edition of the Citizen it stated how many thousands of pounds its costing to tidy our streets. In my area people dump their rubbish out for a new collection on the afternoon of a rubbish collection, therefore its there for a whole week. If people
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Hunt row drags on
TERRI Donlan's letter (Dear Star, March 30) seems high on anecdote and exaggeration and short on facts. What I actually wrote was that hare numbers had declined in the last century. I did not say that decline was continuing as hare numbers have remained
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Surfers told: avoid sharks
LANCASHIRE consumers who surf the 'Net are being warned to look out for sharks -- by Trading Standards. Officers have revealed that of 64 homeworking offers -- many of which advertise on the Internet -- every one was bogus. The homeworking schemes mislead
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Nuclear boss' safety pledge
BNFL's top brass have sworn to deliver significant improvements in safety and management at their beleaguered Sellafield site. Speaking at the launch of the company's response to two damning reports by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), chief executive
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Have you seen flyaway Homer?
THE mother of a severely disabled schoolboy is appealing to Citizen readers to help her track down her son's adored pet cockatiel. Beverley Hindle, of Bloomfield Court, Preston, says her son Ciaron, 15, is devastated that the bird has not returned since
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PRINCESS guest of honour at launch
HUNDREDS of youngsters greeted Princess Anne last week, when she officially opened Preston's new multi-million pound sports arena -- but she didn't stop to say even hello. As a biting wind blew around the massive 65-acre complex at Cottam, Preston, anxious
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Eco-war is declared on bypass
PENWORTHAM bypass is environmentally very damaging and should have been scrapped a long time ago, according to eco-campaigners. Friends of the Earth have joined forces with the Council for the Protection of Rural England and Transport 2000 to persuade
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Gloves are off for elections
PRESTON'S political landscape could have a new splash of colour after next month's local elections. First there was the Labour Independent, then just Independent -- now Preston could be graced by a Conservative Independent. Disillusioned Tory Stanley
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Michelle's our girl in a million
ONE in a million... that's Michelle Lewis our charity champ who has smashed through her £1million target... with a little help from some special friends. For nine years Michelle, from Rainhill, has dedicated her whole life to raising money for charities
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Primrose's party
BANNERS and balloons decorated Burnley's Dove Court nursing home as Primrose Wilson celebrated her 100th birthday. Cakes and sherry were on offer at the celebration party for family and friends at the Shuttleworth Street home, where Miss Wilson received
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Flagstones thief and his helper are caged
A THIEF who helped himself to council flagstones should not have been lifting heavy items, so enlisted a friend to help, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Mark Smith, 40, who was on incapacity benefit, took the stones because he was in dire
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Fresh appeal in hunt for rapist
POLICE hope an attack of conscience may force someone to come forward with fresh clues to a brutal rape in Burnley . A £500 reward is still on offer to catch the beast who dragged a teenager into an alleyway in the early hours of Saturday, April 24 last
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MP pours scorn on refugee proposals
LOCAL politicians and civic leaders have described secret Government proposals to house 140 asylum seekers at the Grosvenor Hotel in Morecambe as "totally inappropriate." Last week The Citizen exclusively revealed that the Home Office has instructed a
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Revamp for one of city's main success stories
ONE OF Lancaster's most successful attractions is currently undergoing a transformation. Lancaster Leisure Park, home of GB Antiques Centre, is enjoying a face-lift in preparation for Easter as part of a £100,000 cash injection from a team of new arrivals
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Ferry success sparks calls for bypass urgency
THE launch of the new SuperSeaCat service between Heysham and Belfast will put even more pressure on the district's busy roads, claims Lancaster MP, Hilton Dawson. The new ferry service will carry 90 more vehicles and 200 more people than the previous
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The bigger picture!
FROM fish & chips to the uniquely designed Mini to high street legend Marks and Spencers - Britain has good reason to thank refugees. All these quintessentially English institutions were made possible by people who sought refuge in this country. But
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Disappointing run continues
Reading 20, Preston Grasshoppers 3 HOPPERS' first visit to Reading saw their disappointing late season run continue. Desperate for a win to keep alive their feint hopes of avoiding relegation, the Berkshire side's determination paid dividends. With Hoppers
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Double top for Vine
Vine 30 Haydock A 21 VINE completed a league double over their local rivals and champions-elect Haydock to clinch promotion from Division Five. The home side led 22-11 at the break with tries by Steve Kilgannon, Paul Marsh and Mark Pickering (2), plus
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Brook overpowered by Raiders
Blackbrook 18 Oulton Raiders 46 PROMOTION chasers Oulton predictably proved too strong for Blackbrook but the injury-hit home side staged a spirited second-half fightback to give the final scoreline a respectable look. The Raiders opened in impressive
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Little angels from the 50s
THIS charming picture (below) recaptures a 'rites of passage' celebration fast fading from modern-day life. It's a 1952 snapshot of pupils from Gerards Bridge School at St Helens -- a little seat of learning long since demolished to be replaced by the
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Still singing love's old sweet song
SURELY it must be among the greatest love stories ever told. For Frank and Ada Penketh, who met in the schoolyard at the age of five, are still holding hands 86 years later! Both aged 91, the two former Sunday school teachers live in Dentons Green, St
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Commanding officer set to lead volunteers
THE new colonel of the Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers Regiment should find the post less demanding than some of his previous roles. For Lt Col David Sanderson, who has taken on the role at Kimberley Barracks in Preston, was second-in-command of the
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Run for fun to raise cash
THERE'S just two weeks to go before more than 200 kind-hearted Preston folk pull on their training shoes and help raise cash for cancer treatment. Entries are flooding in for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation fun run, to be held at Moor Park in Preston on
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HOW would you spend £20m?
IF you were given £20 million -- how would you spend it? That's the question posed by Councillor Renee Black, following the announcement of a cash windfall to boost some of Preston's beleaguered estates. Preston has been earmarked for the cash, which
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Kick start for deaf football
THE University of Central Lancashire is tackling the decline in deaf football -- and could host a tournament in September at Preston Sports Arena. Staff at the university have produced an in-depth report -- thought to be the first of it's kind -- highlighting
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Cash handout for fab four groups
LOCAL voluntary and community groups are once again invited to dip into the council's grant aid coffers. Last year the social services department paid out £217,893 from the Grant Aid programme fund. This year bids will be considered on four broad themes
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Pedal-pushing police beat £30,000 barrier
THIRTY 'off beat' charity fund raisers are celebrating crashing the £30,000 barrier. Only two months after seven members of the Wigan Bobbies Charity -- which includes Leigh area officers -- scaled Africa's Mount Kilamanjaro, 31 pedal pushed through Cumbria
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Kinder bumps for hi-tech buses
ROAD humps have been altered on three East Lancashire roads -- so new disabled-friendly buses can travel down them! The roads make up part of the new 'Quality Bus Route' being drawn up for Hyndburn, using the route of the existing Hyndburn circular. Part
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Decision delay on child home plan
A DECISION on whether a controversial children's home in Atherton can go ahead, has been deferred indefinitely. Residents have been in uproar about plans to convert Oaklea, a residential house at the junction of Hamilton Street and Leigh Road, into a
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4 top councillors banned for keeping quiet on perks
FOUR Wigan councillors have been investigated after allegations over perks relating to Robin Park super stadium. External auditors investigated and said undeclared hospitality had been received by Cllrs Ron Capstick, Cllr Wilf Brogan, Cllr Brian Baldwin
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Glory days back for old mill(PIC:mayoratmill
A SECOND derelict Atherton mill is to be restored to its former glory - bringing more jobs and public open spaces to the town. Work has already started on Victoria Mill, Bolton Old Road, to the delight of local residents. The eyesore mill is the second
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Planning appliactions
LATEST local planning applications submitted to Wigan Council. 11 Newark Road, Hindley - conservatory at rear; 2 Hillcrest Avenue, Leigh - two storey side extension; 2 Arbory Close, Leigh - build garage and utility room at side; Rear of 9-27 Blantyre
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Sir Alex, Platini and me!
ME and Sir Alex Ferguson (how's that for name dropping), along with Michel Platini, the French football icon, Gordon Taylor of the PFA, the President and officials of UEFA and half a dozen of my MEP colleagues had a meeting to discuss future European
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Litter louts should be fined
I AM writing in response to the article entitled 'litter costs us a tidy sum' in the Lancaster Citizen. Although not everybody would agree I think dropping litter is pure vandalism and damages the environment largely. Also money that could be spent on
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Out of focus!
FOR some years now I have become more and more bemused and bewildered by the behaviour and antics of the Liberal Democrat councillors both at city and county council levels. Their somewhat spasmodic attendance at some county council committee meetings
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Lib's red card
I'M struggling with the environmental policy of the Liberals and Greens. I read a quote of Liberal Cllr Quinton, in support of continuing the Lune Valley illuminated cycleway. It said: "A lot of people in the country are happy to take cars into town and
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Chemist Rota
CHEMISTS on duty on Sunday, April 23, are: Moss Side Pharmacy, Dunkirk Lane, Leyland, 10am-2pm; Boots, Fishergate, Preston, 10.30am-4.30pm; Moss Chemists, Asda, Fulwood, 10.30am-4.30pm; Moss Chemists, Sainsburys, Deepdale, 10.30am-4.30pm; Scholes Chemist
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Charity should have a heart
AS A nation of animal lovers, most people would be horrified to learn that millions of animals are killed in experiments funded by British health charities. One such charity, the British Heart Foundation, has bankrolled a litany of experiments using cats
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Denwood's talking rubbish
WITH regards to Councillor Sheila Denwood's letter. She expresses her concern about the amount of rubbish/fly tipping in her ward. On occasions she removes it herself. I have lived at the above address for 19 years and over this period fly tipping in
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Pigs flying over Morecambe Bay
SO, Morecambe is to get a new Marina, a new Freeport-style shopping centre (perhaps!), Bubbles is to be redeveloped, into a boating entertainment centre. The old band area into a large chandlers, The Midland Hotel into a casino, the old railway sidings
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End of the road for Layton
CHAMPIONS Layton Institute crashed out of the Lancashire ten reds snooker tournament. They were beaten 4-2 by Bolton Road Conservative Club who took full advantage of some hefty handicap starts. Layton had won the Claremont Trophy in fine style last year
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What a nonsense
YOUR correspondent who unfortunately hides behind a psudonym 'Disgusted Tax and Ratepayer' (last week's Mailbox) was, in the second paragraph of his or her letter, entirely correct. He or she had interpreted the statement I made incorrectly and was entirely
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Head start for Steve
STEVE Head, the Carnforth Forester, has been chosen as a finalist in rallying's newest initiative. The 'Fit to be Champion' initiative will teach 20 young rally drivers the importance of fitness and diet, and is organised by The Motor Sports Association
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City clinch a real nail-biter
Lancaster City 4 Droylsden 3 FANS were not disappointed with Saturday's thrilling seven-goal match, and as the clock ticked into injury time, John Fowler provided the piece de resistance with a dramatic winning penalty. Lancaster met Droylsden in September
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All change at the town hall
CITY bosses heralded the arrival of a new era after voting in a new man for the authority's top job of chief executive. Councillors opted for 44-year-old Mark Cullinan, currently working for Wakefield Borough Council, to lead the authority into the 21st
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Firm's generosity to mark the millennium
KIND-hearted bosses from a Shuttleworth plant hire company are marking a millennium milestone. For they have made a major donation to an NSPCC appeal run by plant manufacturer JCB. Garic Plant Hire, of Whalley Road, makes fuel and water bowsers for use
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Double act fear Clarets backlash
Burnley v Millwall - Pete Oliver's preview IT didn't work at Anfield but for Millwall, joint management has been a marriage made in heaven. Club favourites and long-serving players Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary teamed up last May after Stevens had piloted
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Skipper Davis targets maximum points haul
CAPTAIN Steve Davis led the rallying call as Burnley look to tame the Lions at Turf Moor tomorrow and keep their promotion dream alive. Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to Gillingham cost the Clarets the chance to go second in the table. But a win over third-placed
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Cash advice
LANCASTER Citizens Advice Bureau received £5465 for equipment and easier access for disabled people from the Lloyds TSB Foundation. The bureau were one of more than 146 charities throughout the North West receiving grants from the Foundation. The grants
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Heysham heritage
HEYSHAM villagers were celebrating this week following the opening of their new heritage centre. After years of campaigning, the heritage centre was finally opened to the public at a special ceremony involving the mayor Cllr Sybil Rostron. Housed in a
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Floral festival
CHRIST Church in Carnforth is delighted to be holding a Music & Flower Festival from Friday May 19-21. The weekend starts with the Christ Church Community Concert at 7pm on Friday. There will be an organ recital by Prof. Ian Tracey on Saturday at
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Transport police inquiry
TRANSPORT Police are investigating after a Carnforth man apparently threw himself under a moving train at Lancaster Castle Station on Tuesday night. The 48-year-old jumped under the slow moving train as it was shunted between platforms and the driver
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May pay day!
INTERNATIONAL Labour Day, still more often known as "May Day", will be celebrated in Lancaster on Saturday April 29. The theme for this year is "End Low Pay Now!" The day starts at 10.30am with an assembly in Thurnham Street car park. The march commences
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Close shave for charity
A LOCAL man, Keith Bewley will be having his head shaved, live on radio, to help raise money for the landmine clearance charity, Mines Advisory Group, MAG. Keith was made aware of the charity by the efforts of the late Princess of Wales who campaigned
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Free arthritis checks for pets
LOCAL veterinary practice D.J. Longley Veterinary Surgeons of Carnforth, are offering free arthritis checks for dogs at their surgery. David Longley, senior partner at the practice, explained "Pet arthritis often goes unnoticed and untreated because dogs
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Alan quickly on target
GOLFER Alan Jones has made a great start to the new season. His 37 Stableford points earned him the Wheatsheaf GS Blue Arrow Cup. Second in the competition, played at Runcorn, was Phil Banks (32 points) and third was Simon Ashcroft (31). Brian Heaton
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Barker follows animal instincts
THE NEW owners of the animal rendering plant at Nightingale Hall Farm have agreed in principle to the establishment of a local liaison committee for the plant. In a letter to Councillor Ian Barker, they state that they would support the idea if Lancaster
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Schoolboys held to a draw
ST HELENS Schools under 15s earned a 2-2 draw with Mid-Cheshire. Both St Helens goals came from Langley. Meanwhile, the under 14s lost 3-2 to Kirkby-Knowsley in the Vernons League. Three senior schools finals have also taken place. In the Year Seven final
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Police go undercover for nicked underwear
AN UNDERCOVER police operation has tracked down part of a £154,000 haul of stolen underwear. The saucy swag of bras and support knickers were stolen during a burglary at a Courtaulds warehouse, Lancaster, three weeks ago. Now police have managed to track
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Lesson for the Old Boys
Prescot RU 33 Prescot Old Boys 0 PRESCOT proved too strong for the Old Boys in this end-of-season encounter. The winners' tries came from stand-off Dave Lawton, prop Kevin O'Keefe, second-rows Mark Airey and Ste Doyle and number eight Chris Leigh who
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Simon says
THE Lancaster Grand Theatre is pleased to present a Footlights production of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" by Neil Simon. Mr Simon has had successes from such productions as "California Suite" and "Barefoot in the Park" to name a few. Brighton Beach Memoirs
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Prescot in friendly opener
PRESCOT and Odyssey Cricket Club's season got under way at the weekend when a combined first and second team took on Haydock CC in a friendly at Haydock. P&O claimed victory scoring 189 off their 40 overs with Haydock mustering 140 in reply. P&
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Threat to home care?
ELDERLY and vulnerable people living in Lancaster and Morecambe face a shortage of essential home care, The Citizen can reveal. A senior manager at Lancashire Social Services has gone on the record to express concerns about his ability to provide a full
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Easter's sporting spin-off
BUSINESSES in Blackpool will flourish this Easter as thousands of visitors and young sport stars attend an international competition at Stanley Park. A range of sporting events are expected to attract a large influx of overnight visitors, which will benefit
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Water bug investigation
CONTAMINATED drinking water was responsible for an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in the North West last year. A total of 308 cases of infection were identified in four health authority areas in the region. An investigation was launched from University
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You Smartie kids!
THE Little Champions this week are a real bunch of Smarties! The girls of the 30th Blackpool Rainbows and Brownies (pictured) hit it upon the sweet idea of filling Smarties tubes with five pence pieces to raise funds for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal.
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Freehold plan to improve district
THE Freehold Community Association has been accepted onto the Community Forum for the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) in Lancaster. The charity owns and runs the Gregson Community & Arts Centre, and the move means that Gregson members now have the
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Heritage on the books
LANCASTER'S Georgian heritage has been captured in a new book by a well known local author. The city's distinctive range of stone-built houses and public buildings, which date between 1715 and 1830, are examined in a new, illustrated book -The Buildings
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City sets trend for Paris store
LANCASTER'S world wide web experts have been asked to help a major Paris store get online. Lancaster University computer experts are helping major companies develop their online shopping services. The famous Parisian department store, Galeries-Lafayette
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Crisis facing mankind
A WORLDLEADING ecologist will tell business leaders from across the North West that managing the environment is one of the greatest challenges facing managers. He claims that people are not fully aware of the crisis facing humankind. Sir Ghillean Prance
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Fishy stories
A LEIGH man is angling for fishing tales for a new book. Fred Cooper, of Beverley Avenue, Leigh, wants to hear from anyone with interesting stories of experiences in the neighbourhood. Fred is hoping to cover the history of the sport in Leigh over the
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Black defeat
ASTLEY & Tyldesley MWC crashed out of the British Cycle Speedway Team Championship at the weekend. They travelled to the Black Country to take on Sandwell and were beaten 93-87 in the first round, despite winning 11 of the 18 races. Sandwell's greater
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New president of law society
MR Rob Hargreaves has been named as the new president of Bury and District Law Society. He took over the chains-of-office at the society's annual general meeting held at Bury Magistrates Court. Mr Hargreaves (54) was born in Bury, educated at Bury Junior
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Protection plea for wildlife sites
BURY is demanding tougher legal protection for under-threat wildlife sites in the wake of the Barracks Lodge controversy. Town hall bosses want to see "listed building" status for sites of biological importance (SBIs) both locally and across Britain.
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It's pay and dismay
THOUSANDS of motorists who have paid to park in Bury town centre will get their money back if they can prove they used bays on The Wylde. Pay-and-display parking has been suspended on The Wylde, Bury, after highways bosses admitted they should not have
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Sleeping rough highlights young homeless
A GROUP of teenagers in Bury had a night under the stars to help local homeless youngsters. Around 20 young people took their sleeping bags outdoors on Wednesday evening (April 19) and created their own "cardboard city" to experience what it was like
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Clarets skipper targets maximum points haul
CAPTAIN Steve Davis led the rallying call as Burnley look to tame the Lions at Turf Moor tomorrow and keep their promotion dream alive. Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to Gillingham cost the Clarets the chance to go second in the table. But a win over third-placed
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Let's talk goals, not tickets!
STRIKER Bjarki Gunnlaugsson scored his first league goal for Preston North End last weekend -- but he could soon have an even bigger reason to smile! For the promotion-bound club are on the verge of offering Bjarki a permanent deal at Deepdale, after
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Salute to Hospice
THE Willowbrook Hospice received a pat on the back at this year's Civic Trust Awards, one of the UK's leading awards schemes for architecture and environmental design. The hospice, which is funded by charitable donations and local collections and was
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Pair lead Post protest
TWO Liberal Democrat councillors from St Helens travelled down to London to protest against Government proposals to transfer benefit and pension payments directly into bank accounts instead of post offices. Post offices union representatives organised
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The early bird gets the vote
VOTERS across the borough are being urged to use their votes in the May 4 elections. A spokesperson for St Helens Council said; "Wherever you live, turn out and vote. A low turn-out gives the message that you don't care. Various voting arrangements are
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Fraud squad saves townsfolk £430,000
A NEW-look 'fraud squad' is helping St Helens Council win the battle against benefit cheats. The council's benefit fraud team has been increased from a small core of two officers with five temporary staff, to nine full-time, permanent employees. During
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'Superschool' to benefit special needs youngsters
A NEW school to support children with special needs is to be built in St Helens. At a special meeting of St Helens Council's Education Committee, councillors agreed to create a flagship resource supported by two other centres of excellence. The new centre
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Joe's a sole survivor
FAITHFUL to the last -- that's veteran Rainford cobbler Joe Fairclough, who refuses to give the hammer and nails the boot, despite reaching the age of three-score-and-ten. Loss of speech and hearing through meningitis at four proved no handicap to jovial
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Tony is new homes boss
A NATIVE Wiganer has been appointed the borough's new deputy director of housing. Former Wigan Grammar School and Wigan College of Technology student, Tony Gerrard, is currently Oldham Council's assistant director of housing with responsibility for care
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From 15 minutes to 32 amazing years
THE legend began in 1968 with a London school's end-of-term concert. It lasted just fifteen minutes -- and 32 years later the show is better than ever, one of the best-loved musicals on the world stage. That's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
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Concert treat
JUST a line on behalf of my parents, Mr and Mrs Raymond Eastham, who won your competition for two tickets to the Syd Lawrence concert last evening. They thoroughly enjoyed it and was a most welcome surprise. Again, thank you. Josie Eastham Higher Walton
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Knights social success
I RECENTLY wrote to you to ask if the Citizen would advertise a social night organised by the Knights of St Columba Council 383. On behalf of the Knights I'd like to thank you for advertising the event. If possible I would like to thank all your readers
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Send them back where they came from
WHY doesn't the Home Secretary Jack Straw MP instruct the police to send asylum seekers back where they have come from -- on the same vehicle -- or is this too direct? Those who come here -- whether legitimately or not -- are escaping from poverty and
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Hail Pete, the singing cabbie
TAXI driver Pete Reidy (pictured) so impressed a passenger when he played a tape of one of his songs in his cab that she persuaded him to sing it on the radio. And so successful was his debut on air that Pete, who records songs at his home in Stuart Road
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Weekender will be fantastic
THINGS are hotting up in sizzling style for the Wave Weekender as tickets go on sale at Blackpool Grand Theatre box office. At just £4 per person per day, lucky ticket buyers can enjoy a fantastic bank holiday bonanza on May 27 and 28 with The Wave 96.5
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Instant fine for dog owners
DOG owners could soon fall foul of the law after the council has introduced fines for pooches who poop on the promenade. Owners could be hounded with fines of up to £1000 if they fail to clean up after their pets thanks to new powers introduced by the
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£9m boost for care of elderly
PLANS to build three new specialist health care units for the elderly on the Fylde have been given the green light. The purpose-built centres, each costing £3million, will be built at the Wesham and Rossall hospital sites and at a site off Kingcraig Road
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Pension rise embarrasses ex-mayor
A BLACKPOOL ex-mayor has criticised the Government for raising state pensions by 75 pence, labelling the increase "an embarrassment." Coun Henry Mitchell said: "Blackpool and the Fylde is predominantly made up of pensioners -- I am one myself -- but the
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ELECTION 99: Party manifestoes.
AS election day, May 4, looms ever nearer The Citizen election special brings you a condensed version of the manifestos for each of the parties and independent candidates standing in Blackpool Borough Council. There are 103 candidates fighting for 44
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Sally makes the running
A PRESTON DJ has raised thousands of pounds for charity by running the London Marathon -- just days after a doctor told her she wouldn't even be able to walk the distance. Rock FM's Sally Stone was being treated in the local accident and emergency on
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Besieged by rats
A PENSIONER claims that he is forced to keep his windows and doors shut at all times to stop rats invading his home. Norman Wignall, 77, of Hardman Street, Blackburn, says litter-strewn waste ground behind his home has become a breeding ground for rats
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Mum, 24, charged with tot's murder
THE mother of a three-year-old girl who suffered a drugs overdose at her home has been charged with her murder. Natalia Mujahid, of Notre Dame Gardens, Larkhill, Blackburn, died just before midnight on Tuesday in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
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Dad's in the Army!
BLACKBURN dad Jonathan Coker had more to prove than most during his basic Army training. Jonathan, from Shadsworth, was more than a decade older than most of his fellow new recruits. He signed up at the age of 30 and found himself training with 16 and
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'Keep jobs local' plan welcomed
COUNCILS in East Lancashire have welcomed government plans to ensure that local people are employed in multi-million-pound redevelopment contracts. The idea to write local employment clauses into contracts came from a parliamentary inquiry which said
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Burgess boss
CLITHEROE look set to unveil Dave Burgess as their new manager this weekend. Club officials have sounded out the Blues' reserve team boss about succeeding Steve Parry. And subject to approval from the club's football committee, he will be officially appointed
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SOCCER PREVIEW: Preston v Scunthorpe
THREE points against relegation-threatened Scunthorpe at Deepdale tomorrow will all but seal promotion for North End. But boss David Moyes is playing it cool: "We have not mentioned promotion this week really. We've just continued as usual. We try not
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SOCCER PREVIEW: Huddersfield v Bolton
SAM Allardyce has asked his injured playing staff to play through the pain barrier to see out Bolton's faltering play-off bid. The Reebok boss has urged the likes of Robbie Elliott (groin) and Paul Ritchie (stomach) to delay possible surgery in a bid
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LOCAL CRICKET: Wanderers push for Ribblesdale title
RIBBLESDALE Wanderers are aiming to lift their first Jennings Ribblesdale League title in nearly 40 years this summer after making a couple of shrewd additions over the winter. Last season's Rambottom Cup winners and league runners-up will start the season
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Sidac claim cup spot
SIDAC have booked a big cup date. They meet Widnes outfit St Michaels in the Warrington League's James Wood Jubilee Trophy Final at Rylands on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1 (11am). It follows Saturday's 3-1 victory over Golborne Sports. Meanwhile, Premier
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The one that got away
Fleetwood Freeport 3 Prescot Cables 1 PRESCOT were left wondering how they lost this game after a string of chances went begging. Early efforts for Prescot came from Rudd and Lynch which Fleetwood keeper Clowes saved. Fleetwood then had four chances.
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St Helens takes on Europe
THE cream of the town's young footballing talent is set to take on Europe. The St Helens McDonald's JOL is taking under 16s, 14s and 12s squads to an international competition in Belgium over Easter. Meanwhile, the under 14s Kevin Grundy Cup final saw
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Pension rise is an insult
THE general election is getting near. So to the people of this area a warning. Remember the Labour Party promises at the last election. Better health service. Result -- a worse state. Better roads -- no improvement. Better railways -- in chaos under Prescott
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Town aim to bow out in style
St Helens Town 4 Maine Road 0 FIFTEEN goals in their last four games at Hoghton Road show St Helens Town are closing a chapter in sporting history in style as they prepare to depart form their Sutton base after 54 years. The visit of champions-elect Vauxhall
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Carry on using lbs and ounces
YOU may recall our letter in January advising your readers that regulations compelling the use of metric weights and measures are ultra vires -- illegal. This letter followed our concern that, on the incorrect instructions of Trading Standards officers
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Tories caused a catalogue of disasters
IT grieves me to remember the cock-ups the previous Tory councils inflicted on the residents of Blackpool, some of the effects we are still suffering from. Remember they were approached and asked which of the railway stations should be closed down. In
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Clock set sights on title
FOLLOWING Nutgrove FC's capture of the St Helens Combination's Division One title it now looks like the Clock Face Miners Welfare second string have taken the Division Two title. They clinched title was taken by with a 3-2 home win over Bowling Green
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Party time?
PRESTON North End have agreed to play a testimonial match at the Reebok Stadium, right in the middle of what could be the party of the year if the Lilywhites gain promotion! The match for former Jock hot-shot, John McGinley, looks like scuppering any
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Macken goal drought over
JON MACKEN ended his mid-season goal drought on Saturday with a goal which helped steer PNE ever closer to promotion. And while his detractors had already started to suggest that the long season was taking its toll on the ex-Manchester United star, his
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An all ticket affair
NORTH End's final home game against Millwall is an all ticket affair -- and almost certainly a sell-out. Tickets for the April 29 match were selling well yesterday, but no areas had sold out completely. And on police advice, no tickets will be on sale
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Tantalising glimpse of championship
PROMOTION could be secured in front of North End's home fans if they beat Scunthorpe on Saturday. Following Saturday's excellent win at Bristol Rovers, many would assume a win over relegation-threatened Scunthorpe would be a mere formality. But teams
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Sally makes the running
A PRESTON DJ has raised thousands of pounds for charity by running the London Marathon -- just days after a doctor told her she wouldn't even be able to walk the distance. Rock FM's Sally Stone was being treated in the local accident and emergency on
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May as well shut altogether
I WAS in my bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland, when I was informed that from the beginning of May the Bury branch will not have any counter service on a Saturday. It would appear that to draw out money I will have to use a cash-point machine, which I do
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We now have more democracy
PETER Wright's letter (Apr 14) was wide of the mark on both issues he raised, local democracy and taxi licensing. Under Labour control, Bury Council has extended local democracy by: Opening every council and committee meeting with a half hour set aside
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Priest could try harder
I WOULD like to respond to Father Hailes' letter (April 14) about vandalism in the Spring Street area of Bury. How can this man call himself a Christian and yet make such comments and accusations? Who does he think he is to sit in judgement over people
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Police plea for witnesses
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an indecent assault on a teenage girl which took place on the upper deck of a double decker bus. The 13-year-old victim was set upon by two or three teenage boys as she travelled on the number 15 bus from St Helens
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Let's talk goals, not tickets!
STRIKER Bjarki Gunnlaugsson scored his first league goal for Preston North End last weekend -- but he could soon have an even bigger reason to smile! For the promotion-bound club are on the verge of offering Bjarki a permanent deal at Deepdale, after
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Residents put on fun day best
MEMBERS of the Queensland Tenants and Residents Association, Thatto Heath, are holding a fun day and car boot sale on Sunday, April 30, to raise funds to take more than 300 local children on a day out to the Camelot Theme Park. The event will be held
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Big charity breakthrough!
A CHARITY evening at Garswood Conservative Club raised around £500 for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity. Two club members have been taking part in a sponsored slim and a prize raffle was held on the night with a host of prizes including a microwave
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Peru, here I come . . .
MOTHER-of-four Kim Lee is aiming to tackle a daunting challenge in aid of charity -- hopefully with the help of generous Star readers. For the 41-year-old from Consett Road, Nutgrove, has been selected to take part in the Peru Hike Away 100km challenge
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The inspector calls
CARMEL College played host to a special guest when the Government's Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead, paid a visit to the Prescot Road site. Mr Woodhead and his OFSTED team will soon be responsible for inspecting all sixth-form colleges and
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Museum pulls the strings
FOND memories of the old black and white 'Watch With Mother' children's programmes are being rekindled at Prescot Museum. For Muffin the Mule, who became a household name after making his debut appearance in the children's hour in 1946, is currently on
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School earns special praise
EVELYN County Primary School in Prescot has received praise from OFSTED inspectors for its commitment to education and high standards of performance. Inspectors commented favourably on the quality of the teaching throughout the whole school. Standards
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'I'm not your man' says Centurion Stan
LEIGH Centurions have begun the search for another new chairman - their second since the turn of the year! Stan Aspinall, in the Hilton Park hot seat for only a matter of weeks, has stepped down because of increased work commitments. He is also to resign
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Donlan battles on for winner
York Wasps 22 Leigh Centurions 28 STUART Donlan was lucky to still be in one piece when he skipped over for Leigh's face-saving match-winner two minutes from time. Donlan could easily have been in hospital instead of completing a remarkable Leigh fightback
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Wake-up call over tourism
NORTH West Tourist Board chairman Anthony Goldstone has urged St Helens businesses to wake up and work together to maximise the opportunities arising from the town's recognised status as a tourist destination. Mr Goldstone said that visitors to the newly-opened
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Melvin to fulfil magnificent Millennium dream
BON voyage, Melvin! That's the cry from well-wishers from both sides of the Atlantic as Tottington builder Melvin Magnall finally fulfils his dream of "Sailing Into the New Millennium." On Easter Monday, subject to the weathe, he and a 20-strong crew
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Events in Lancashire on Easter Saturday, April 22nd
The Britannia Coco-Nut Dancers, Bacup town centre, noon onwards. A festival of dance with displays throughout the afternoon. Spring Vale Rambling Class, Darwen: Jumbles (8 miles), leaders Joan and Stewart Green. Meet Jumbles car park 2pm. "Icon -- the
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Young actors in drama festival
ARNOLD School in Blackpool is proving the world is a stage with its latest production, a version of the classic Arthur Miller tragedy A View From The Bridge. But the thespian spirit won't be noticeable in Blackpool because the play will take place in
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They're the top dogs
THREE pupils at Stanley Junior School in Blackpool have taken the lead in a recent competition to find the most responsible dog owners in the area. Eleven-year-olds Iollan Banks, Ashleigh Rankin and Tanya Heeler scooped the top award of a plaque which
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Maths scheme is a big plus
BLACKPOOL schoolchildren will soon be able to benefit from a maths teaching programme which is proving to be a huge success. Kumon maths is a new approach to teaching which complements what is taught in schools but caters for the specific needs of each
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Today's the Day!
1918: The infamous Bloody Red Baron, the scourge of World War 1 fliers, was shot down and killed. Manfred von Richthofen's bright red Fokker tri-plane was attacked in the air by Captain Roy Brown but he managed to glide to the ground under heavy fire
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This week in 1975 25 years ago
JEWELLERY: Greater Manchester Police launched an appeal to trace the owners of approximately £100,000 worth of jewellery and other valuable items which were recovered from the Manchester area. The property was believed to have been taken in smash-and-grab
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Opportunity missed
I READ with some interest the continuing plethora of comment on proposed changes to the centre of Blackburn and its traffic management system. For some time now, this company has held regular meetings with officers of Blackburn with Darwen Council regarding
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More to schools than learning
'SCHOOLS plan is worthy but expensive' (LET, April 12) seemed written by someone in a 1960s, perhaps 70s, time warp -- with a view of schools and education services when they were a child perhaps? Schools are hubs of their communities. They are focal
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Bodice-ripping yarn creates sparks
MOST people have to admit to a dangerous liaison in their life at one time or another, writes Sarah Sharp. But nothing surely with such devastating repercussions as Christopher Hampton's Les Liaisons Dangereuses which opened at Blackpool Grand Theatre
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Air today and gone tomorrow!
THE name Ben Elton conjures up comedy with the speed of a bullet and some of the funniest TV sitcoms around. Just think Blackadder, The Thin Blue Line and The Young Ones and you're getting the picture; not to mention stage hits such as Popcorn and best
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Movies keep bored kids happy
ONCE more the doors of academia are closed, leaving parents to deal with that most annoying of domestic problems -- bored kids, writes Richard King. Oh if only we had the weather! Thank God for cinema. At least they offer a chance for at least a couple
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Mum, 24, charged with tot's murder
THE mother of a three-year-old girl who suffered a drugs overdose at her home has been charged with her murder. Natalia Mujahid, of Notre Dame Gardens, Larkhill, Blackburn, died just before midnight on Tuesday in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
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Raid scuppers CD pirates
AN illegal CD copying ring has been smashed by trading standards officers following a raid on a Bury house. Computers, CD copying equipment and a stack of illegally copied CDs were seized from a house in the Chesham Fold area. A house and a market stall
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Mass gathering for premature parade
St George's Day came a week early for Radcliffe Scouts and Guides. Because the day coincides with Easter Sunday this year, the traditional parade was held seven days early. More than 200 youngsters belonging to Scout and Guide units in Radcliffe took
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Workers will pedal eco-friendly transport
THE men and women responsible for encouraging more cycling in the borough have been urged to get on their bikes. Bury Council staff are hoping to start a chain reaction by setting up their own "Office Bike" scheme. The local authority has bought two cycles
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Council's tram service pledge
A PLETHORA of complaints from passengers, as reported by the Bury Times led Bury Council chiefs to meet Metrolink's operating companies Serco and Altram. Council leader Derek Boden described the discussions at Bury town hall as "full and frank" and is
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'I'm not your man' says Centurion Stan
LEIGH Centurions have begun the search for another new chairman - their second since the turn of the year! Stan Aspinall, in the Hilton Park hot seat for only a matter of weeks, has stepped down because of increased work commitments. He is also to resign
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Souness brings back strike pair
GRAEME Souness is refusing to let Blackburn Rovers' season simply fizzle out over the last four matches. For he has made it quite clear to the Ewood staff that their futures are on the line. And Souness, who has restored senior strikers Nathan Blake and
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How much longer?
ONCE again Saints have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. How much longer do we have to put up with a board of directors who go from one disaster to another? Who were these three surgeons that Saints spoke to about Darrall Trindall's shoulder
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The brutal truth
WHEN I open the Star I am appalled at the number of young men being brutalised in St Helens and areas round St Helens. What do you get out of kicking someone in the head and causing them pain, both physically and mentally? Someone is going to get killed
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Labour's clever Trevor!
THE following may interest Citizen readers. At their April meeting, Morecambe Labour Party members welcomed the news that West End Labour Councillor Trevor Tattersall has been elected as this year's Chairman of Lancaster and District Labour Party Local
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Post offices DO care!
I AM replying to the letter by Tenth In The Queue (Dear Star, April 13) not as a sub-postmaster, but as a post office clerk. I do not know which post office you frequent, but where I work, my colleagues and I are always polite, courteous and willing to
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Our city is too dirty
I AM disgusted at the fact that people can get away with ruining our city by dropping litter. I am backed up by several reasons, one of them is that the area will end up looking a dump. Every day I see more plastic bags flying through the sky than birds
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Dairy is cream of the crop
A PRESTON company has scooped a prestigious Queen's Award 2000 for its lead on international trade. Singletons Dairy Ltd, which employs 81 staff based in Longridge, is a producer of top quality cheese to markets in America, Belgium, Sweden, Holland and
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Cyclists gear up for longest ride
PRESTON has been chosen to co-host the' Longest Ride' this summer when all 10,000 miles of the National Cycle Network will be covered, from dawn to dusk. Preston is one of 69 other 'hub towns' to promote the cycle ride, on Wednesday, June 21, when mayors
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FURY over mobile phone mast
RESIDENTS in Penwortham attended a special meeting on Wednesday. They wanted to voice concerns over a proposed mobile phone mast which, they claim, will blot the landscape. More than 30 letters of objection were sent to Tony Pimblett -- chairman of Higher
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Gay firefighter: 'Inquiry a sham'
A PRESTON firefighter who claims he was subjected to homophobic abuse while stationed at Lancashire Fire and Rescue's training centre in Euxton has slammed an investigation into the complaints as 'a complete sham'. Lee Forshaw, 24, of Bamber Bridge, Preston
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High school pupils get on their bikes!
STUDENTS at Ivy Bank High School, Burnley have taken their practical GCSE Road Traffic Studies examination. It involved riding mopeds within the school grounds along with taking a lengthy theory test. Examiners from the county council's motorcycle training
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Barking MAD cash!
M.A.D. dogs and Englishmen Geoff West and Tony Palmer go off to the Isle of Man. Geoff and Tony of Broadening Our Horizons charity fund-raising team are going to the island's TT circuit to raise funds for animal charity Medical Assistance Dogs. Their
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Station work to start next week
WORK on Lancaster's prestigious new bus station will finally start next week. The ambitious development on Damside Street is just one part of a £2 million package of public transport improvements earmarked for the district. Transport bosses have set aside
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Production is just for love!
LANCASTER Red Rose A.O.D.S. is embarking upon an ambitious project. It is unusual for an amateur society to premier a new work, but even more unusual to premier a work written by two of its own members. However, this is exactly what the Society aims to
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Town 'wall' down
THERE was jubilation among Burnley market traders when the 'Burnley wall' came down and the new bridge to 'the outside world' was officially opened. Ever since the crumbling car stack and the bridge that linked it to the three-day outdoor market came
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Charter mark for service
LANCASHIRE County Council's Welfare Rights Service is top class. The Service has just been re-awarded the prestigious Charter Mark, a quality indicator they first achieved in 1995. Hilton Dawson MP joined local County Councillor Niki Penney to personally
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Turning the tide against resort crime
POLICE in the Morecambe Bay area have welcomed the latest crime figures which reveal a significant drop in all types of crime. The figures illustrate dramatic falls in reported incidents of both crime and disorder. In the Morecambe Bay policing area,
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Be a better tracker than your dog!
MORECAMBE and Lancaster pet owners are being offered the chance to have their animals microchipped at reduced cost throughout RSPCA Week 2000. Following the massive success of the first national Microchipping Day, the animal charity has decided to make
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Nightmare ends for former priest cleared of rape
A FORMER Catholic priest from Carnforth broke down and wept in the dock after a jury cleared him of sex offences against a cancer patient who had a leg amputated. Alex Walker, 45, who has married since leaving the priesthood, was unanimously found not
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On yer bikes, council urges home seekers
PEOPLE interested in sheltered housing in Pendle are being urged: Get on yer bike! Pendle Council's housing and community care services department is organising a bike ride between the four main sheltered housing complexes in the borough to promote services
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'Legalise drug' call by council hopeful
A FORMER Nelson man is fighting to become a councillor with a 'legalise cannabis' campaign. Marcus Davies, who admits using the banned drug to ease symptoms of epilepsy, is standing as a Legalise Cannabis Alliance candidate in Peterborough. Mr Davies,
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Saints hit by injury jinx
SAINTS face an injury crisis ahead of the terrace-packer against Wigan Warriors at Knowsley Road on Good Friday, kick-off 12.35pm. Western Samoan Vila Matautia is ruled out after breaking his right arm against Halifax, and Paul Sculthorpe is doubtful
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Soggy pitch ends in disaster for Brig
BAMBER Bridge have stumbled in the league again -- just a week after manager Tony Greenwood revealed that he thought his side had done enough to escape the drop. And the Irongate outfit were sunk by two own goals to boot! Brig crashed 2-0 at Frickley
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Portrait of RL legend
BOOKS on Rugby League legends are invariably a rivetting read, particularly when the subject is a cult figure and arguably St Helens' most celebrated sporting son. Take a bow Alexander James Murphy OBE. His whose autobiography 'Saint and Sinner' aptly
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Heath claim double success
Thatto Heath Crusaders 16w Orrell St James 7 THATTO Heath Crusaders had to work hard to win this game to take them into the final of the North West Counties Premier cup and to acquire two valuable league points in this 'double header'. A strong, physical
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Saints pay price of success
Saints 52 Halifax Blue Sox 20 REBORN Saints hit the half-century mark for the first time this season with this brilliant performance - but paid a heavy price in a sometimes bad-tempered clash. For, in earning a fourth successive win, they lost Paul Sculthorpe
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Chemists on duty
THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Good Friday, April 21, Sunday, April 23, and Easter Monday, April 24, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Good Friday, April 21: R. W. Barton Ltd., 67 Eccleston Street
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In search of Barbara
WHERE are you now, Barbara Wilson? That's the question posed by Star reader Sandra Dodd who wishes to inform her of a special birthday celebration coming up in July. Sandra reports that Barbara, who attended Parr Central School, had lived with her Auntie
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Harry the darts ace
I'VE been dodging more arrows than General Custer! And all because of a sporty yedscratter from Parr reader Wallace Storey, asking if anyone could confirm that darts player Harry Leadbetter had once brought the prestigious News of the World championship
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Mighty Matt leaps to mind
HERE'S an unusual poser which has sprung to the mind of senior citizen Bernard Platt. He wants to know if anyone can confirm that Matt Creevey, the St Helens leaping legend, once jumped across the double locks, at the Forsters section of the St Helens
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Mob accused of racist attacks
A GANG of youths are believed to be behind a string of racist crimes in the Broadgate area of Preston. The mob, all aged 16-20, has been blamed for a catalogue of racist threats and taunts, leaving many Asian families in fear of violence and intimidation
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Kaye KO'd from the airwaves again!
ROCK FM DJ Mark Kaye was suspended from the airwaves again last week -- when he cheekily gave away a prize he was told not to. Station bosses were furious when the controversial DJ gave away £1,000 on Friday, instead of at a later date as had been planned
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IT'S a dream come true
THE sky's the limit for a Preston dancer after being spotted by a talent scout while grooving at the Bistro French restaurant. Now talented Adam Boasman, 23, will see his name in lights when he appears on the Nottingham National Circuit later this year
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Crying foul on dog dirt
RESIDENTS in Frenchwood have vowed to get to grips with dog dirt which they claim is clogging up the area's pavements and parks. After several heartfelt pleas from Coun Ken Cole, Preston's environmental health department have acted swiftly to give Neighbourhood
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Millions pumped in to cut accidents
TRANSPORT chiefs have unveiled major plans to create several road schemes to help cut the number of accidents on the county's roads. More than £16million will be invested into a range of schemes designed to deliver improvements to people travelling in
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MP Audrey is cheerful after op
VETERAN backbench MP Audrey Wise is described as "cheerful but a little dozy" today after under-going an investigative operation on her brain. Audrey, 65, who has been Preston's Member of Parliament for 13 years, has been off work ill for the past few
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Preston stages a song and dance
PRESTON will be making a huge song and dance next month, for the BBC's most ambitious music broadcast ever. BBC Music Live is a five-day festival offering a thousand hours of live music programming, staging world class performances across every musical
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Rider on warpath
A STRANGE sight met people in Read and Whalley - a Roundhead soldier on horseback. Motorists couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the man in full civil war regalia casually riding through Read. The rider was David Shorrock and he was following an
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TEN YEARS AGO: The Valley goes nuts
SOMETHING vital was missing from the Valley of the Hazels until a young school girl decided to put the nut back into it. Few people realised that Haslingden had such a grand title but April Jenkins knew her roots and thought it was time the town had its
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Pupils join the fight to free monk
PUPILS of Mount Carmel RC High School, Accrington, are involved in a fight to get freedom for a Tibetan monk. Jampel Changchub, 40, was sentenced to 19 years in Drapchi prison in 1989 by Chinese authorities. Amnesty International consider him to be a
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Centre cleared after probe
AUDIT bosses have given Shakerley Community Centre a clean bill of financial health. Following an extensive probe, reported exclusively in The Journal, Wigan Council's internal audit department says there has been no misappropriation of funds for personal
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Mike rolls election dice
LARGER than life cafe owner Mike Norris says he aims to put some dignity back in to local politics. Now the Tyldesley businessman is standing as an Independent in Hindsford ward in the coming local elections. But Mr Norris, who runs Frank's Cafe in Tyldesley
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Rob to keep dogs after pets ban!
AFORMER pet shop owner banned from having animals for the next 10 years has been told he can keep his pet dogs! And Rob Ralphson, who ran Leigh's longest-established pet shop, says he only pleaded guilty to cruelty charges because of spiralling legal
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All set for a bumper holiday
BLACKPOOL is set for a bumper Easter weekend with tens of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the town. And with guest houses booked up, shops stocked up and pubs promising to be packed, the town's traders are set to be very happy indeed. Josie
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Naivety of the Greens
SO that's what our representative of the local Green Party thinks! That we should allow the desecration of trees and wild life in the name of dubious 'art'. Right! Well that's the last time I shall vote for the Green Party, and I voted for them at the
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No respect for the elderly
WHEN, oh when are Lancaster City Council going to do something about Queen Street? For generations the street has been the place where Senior Citizens can live in a sheltered environment. As someone who worked on behalf of many local charities, when I
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Ticket to ride
I READ with astonishment your report about the Caton cycleway decision. You state Pat Quinton told the committee meeting, "I was elected on a Lib Dem ticket - not to represent local people." Can anybody believe any councillor would make that statement
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Can you not stop this propaganda?
IS there really nothing you can do about Cllr Ian Barker and his neverending supply of propaganda swelling your columns? I'm sure your readers are depressed enough as it is following years of Labour's mishandling of the local economy without having to
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Search for street soccer stars
FORMER England international Paul Stewart was in Blackpool last weekend. The veteran football star was in search of young, talented footballers to take part in the Snickers "streetzone" football tournament. The tournament will take place throughout the
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Linda is on target for Bowmen
A SQUAD of eight from Blackpool Bowmen Archery Club took part in the first major outdoor competition of the year, with mixed fortunes. Held at Bradshaw, Bolton, the contest attracted archers from across northern England, the Midlands and even Scotland
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Hope for speedy police result
I READ with disgust the story of death threats made to two council colleagues (Journal, April 13) -- namely Cllrs Smith and Bleakley. I find it totally abhorrent that anyone could even contemplate such actions, and I am pleased the police have been called
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McGuinness hoping to forget Donington
TEAM Vimto Honda rider James Toseland will be looking to add to his tally of points when the British Superbike Championship heads south to Thruxton in Hampshire over the Easter Weekend for rounds five and six of the twenty-four race series. The nineteen-year-old
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High growth for business
BUSINESS support services throughout the North West have combined resources to provide a unique initiative in support of the region's entrepreneurs. The High Growth programme is being supported by the Business Link network, including Bolton and Bury,
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It's the very sweet smell of success!
AS the maker of Halls Mentholyptus, Radcliffe company Adams Warner Lambert helps thousands of people feel better every day. But now it has provided staff with a real tonic. The confectionery company is celebrating after winning the prestigious national
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Shortlist success for local firms
BURY companies will be flying the flag for the town in June during a popular annual business "Oscars" event. And a number of local firms have made the shortlist for the Bolton and Bury Millennium Business Awards. The organisers have decided on the short-list
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Focus on exports and e-commerce
EXPORTS and e-commerce will come under the spotlight in Bury next week. International traders will find out how a range of e-commerce services can help their business. They are invited to attend the next meeting of Bolton and Bury Chamber's Export Club
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Bury garage strikes gold
A BURY car dealership is in the fast lane after scooping gold. Peugeot dealers Elton Garage's parts department took a place on the Peugeot podium of excellence when the business lifted a gold award in a national assessment scheme. The Gold Parts Performance
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No pain net gain for firms
INTERNET advice, for free, continues to spread its web across more businesses in Bury. Small companies in Bury town centre are the latest to benefit from the series of local seminars which have been carried out by communications technology advisers, ISaware
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Cross country ride for community room
BUSINESS owners in Leyland are being urged to get on their bikes and raise loads of cash for a nearby school. Leyland-based Progress Housing Group, which owns numerous former council flats and home throughout the town, are calling on people to join the
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You're booked -- again!
RESIDENTS who are getting booked for parking in front of their own homes packed out a council committee meeting to launch a united campaign. Neighbours in Charnock Street, off Turpin Green Lane, Leyland, are calling for a free residents parking scheme
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Family flee fire
A FAMILY from Morecambe were forced to flee their burning house in the middle of the night on Wednesday. Three adults escaped without injury form their home at Acre Moss Lane. Fire fighters used breathing apparatus to battle through the smoke and extinguish
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City boys are here
WITH Manchester City poised for promotion to the Premiership, Lancaster has set up its own MCFC supporters club. They are currently a small group and offer coach travel to every home game and can apply for tickets to any game for fans struggling to get
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GMB to address calls of distress
THE GMB- Britain's general union is readying itself to fight for improved conditions for telephone workers throughout the UK. The union says call centres are turning into "the new sweat shops of Britain." There are many tens of thousands of people employed
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Can you help trace this man?
POLICE are keen to trace a sneak thief who entered a house in Morecambe and threatened the occupant. On April 13 at around 9pm the hooded thief entered the house on Woodhill Lane through an unlocked door and was disturbed by the 53-year-old lady owner
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Safeway is safe
EXPERTS have been called in after industrial contamination was discovered at the Safeway development site in Carnforth. Rumours about the proposed new supermarket have been rife since workmen left the site last month. There were concerns that Safeway
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It's a stroll for Wooders
Burtonwood 31 Hightown nil AFTER two weeks without a game, the Wooders were soon back into the swing of things. They were given a flying start, when wing-forward A. Fishwick crashed over and A. Corless converted. Then good handling between backs and forwards
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Shrimps roll with the punches
Morecambe 2 Doncaster Rovers 1 IT was difficult to tell whether Christie Park was a football pitch or a wrestling ring at the Conference clash on Saturday. Justin Jackson played a beautifully cool penalty shot to open the scoring after 15 minutes, Andy
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More promise from Ruskin
Moore 17 Ruskin Park 5 RUSKIN put up a great defensive performance, and with a little more luck with their goal kicking, could have run the home side a lot closer. To miss out on 11 points in kicks and only lose by 12 is indeed frustrating, but much promise
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Vulcan right back on form
Old Aldwinians 7 Vulcan 35 VULCAN rediscovered their winning touch on Saturday. Within minutes they opened up the scoring as Smith went in under the sticks, Holland adding the extras. Just as Vulcan thought this would be easy the opposition posted a try
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Mugger sought by police
A TEENAGER was viciously assaulted by two men as he walked along a road in Morecambe. The 19-year-old was in Marlborough Road at around 9pm on Tuesday when he was approached by a man who punched him and demanded money. The man searched the teenager's
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Council vote not to ban goads
BLACKPOOL Council voted not to ban the use of electric goads on other animals at Blackpool Zoo in a meeting at the town hall on Wednesday (April 19). In the latest development in the goads saga Councillor Peter Wood put forward a motion to ban the wider
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Police appeal for help to identify body of premature baby
POLICE are appealing for any information that could lead to the identification of the body of a premature baby which was found in a local churchyard. The skeletal remains of the baby were found buried in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, Bolton-le-Sands
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60 new jobs boost
BLACKPOOL'S workforce can look forward to a tonic later this month with 60 new jobs being created by a vitamin supplements firm. Natural Options will create the jobs when they move their UK operations head office and factory to new premises on Kincraig
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Pedestrians put boot in to policy chiefs
THE city council has been challenged to "walk its talk" and make big improvements to the city's pedestrian facilities. Although local people who travel by foot have been put at the top of the council's hierarchy of road users - a recent consultation suggests
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Keeping the past alive and well
SKILLS from the past are alive and well and will be on display at Lancaster's City Museum until May 20. TheCrafted Elements exhibition reveals that materials such as iron, wood, cane and fabrics handled with skill and design flair can still be exciting
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Four for County caps
FOUR Leigh East U9 players have been selected to play for Lancashire. And the four -- Matthew Rozman, Keiron Williams, David Hodgson and Danny Yarwood -- were in top form at the weekend when East U9s beat Folly Lane 30-6. Try scorers were MOM Jordan Monks
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Leigh MR race away to final game victory
LEIGH Miners Rangers ended their season on a high with a 44-6 thrashing of arch rivals Wigan St Pat's. Rangers outclassed the home side in every department and raced in to a 22-0 lead with tries from Timmy Howson, Neil McCulloch, Mick Warburton and Ben
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Wembley heartbreak
LEIGH Athletic's Wembley dream is over. They were beaten 5-0 in the Carlsberg Pub Cup semi-final (pictured above) on Sunday by Hampshire's Eastleigh Social Club. In front of a 600 crowd at Anfield, Athletic's heartbreak started as early as the third minute
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Big police probe at surgery
A MAJOR investigation has been launched into claims that an unqualified member of staff provided medical advice at a Prestwich surgery. Police have confirmed that inquiries were continuing into allegations concerning a man who worked in a managerial role
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Vandals target nursery
HEARTBROKEN toddlers were sent home after vandals showered their Whitefield nursery with glass. Thugs smashed two windows at Ribble Drive CP School, spraying toys with broken glass. Staff discovered the damage in the morning and were forced to send home
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Lottery cash helps young project
YOUNGSTERS in Bury will benefit from the expansion of a special mentoring scheme. Thanks to a £279,924 lottery windfall, Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club's pioneering scheme introduced to Bury can now become permanent. The initiative, which began in Bury
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Bury railway praised
BURY'S famous East Lancashire Railway has been held up as a glowing example of the benefits of European funding. The ELR figures alongside such major North West projects as the Lowry Centre, Metrolink, Trafford's Imperial War Museum and Bolton Wanderer's
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Cash boost for health projects
MORE than 50 health improvement projects across Bury and Rochdale are to benefit from a share of a £1 million government cash injection. The allocation is part of the borough's Health Action Zone (HAZ) status granted by the Government last year. The seven-year
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Developer outlines proposals to Elms traders
MULTI-MILLIONAIRE developer Albert Gubay told Whitefield traders this week that plans to develop the Elms Precinct could be submitted to the town hall within weeks. However, some who came face-to-face with the wealthy owner of the shopping centre were
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Rovers boss brings back strike pair
GRAEME Souness is refusing to let Blackburn Rovers' season simply fizzle out over the last four matches. For he has made it quite clear to the Ewood staff that their futures are on the line. And Souness, who has restored senior strikers Nathan Blake and
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Skipper is out for Easter
BLACKPOOL are facing an almighty struggle to beat the drop -- and will have to do so without influential skipper Ian Hughes over the Easter period. The Seasiders must win all four of their remaining games to be in with a chance of staying in Division
