Archive
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Events in East Lancashire on Wednesday, April 26th
Rock 'n' Roll Charity Night, Uncle Jacks pub, Branch Road, Lower Darwen, 8.30pm. Proceeds to Blackamoor Special School. Queen's Lancashire Regimental Association, Somme Barracks, Moss Street, Blackburn, 7pm. Image, Identity and The Media: Achieving Maximum
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Blair should beware of grey backlash
THERE is nothing wrong with the basic logic of the government's drive to curb early retirement. The state is coming to the point when it can no longer afford to pick up the tab for the 2.8 million people between 50 and 65 who are no longer working. After
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Cat shot in street
CAN I warn other animal owners in the Henthorn area of Clitheroe to be careful? Our cat was shot recently by someone with an air rifle and had to have an operation. We have got the police involved and hope they catch whoever did such a cruel thing. K
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Pay attendant with profits
I WAS very pleased to read about Morrisons successful year of trading (LET, April 8). As regular customers, we always find the staff very understanding and helpful and I am sure that the bonuses they are receiving will be well appreciated. However, I
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No place for principles
LEADER of the Conservatives William Hague has stated that he wishes to see detention centres created for asylum seekers. There are thousands of detention centres in this country, notably in every police station. On a larger scale, there is always Strangeways
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Seal slaughter unnecessary
THE seal-slaughtering season is almost upon us, when seals and their pups will be either shot or bludgeoned to death for their fur. Last year, more than 240,000 seals were reported clubbed and shot -- most of them babies -- only days or weeks old. The
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Question of karaoke
THIS may look like just another gripe about karaoke, but read on . . . Here is a questionnaire for council members or candidates in the local Blackburn with Darwen elections. 1. Do karaoke singers and singers who use backing tapes use more power than
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Police hunt young burglars
DETECTIVES want information about a gang of four teenagers who broke into two houses in Burnley on Sunday afternoon. They forced a window at a house in Brooklands Road but left empty-handed after setting off the alarm when trying to get out through the
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Hypnotist passes en-trance exam
HYPNOTHERAPIST Lee Carlin was delighted to be awarded an advanced certificate in hypnoanalysis. The certificate is in recognition of the in-depth study of material covered by experts from around the world on specific subjects. He was awarded the certificate
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Chef cooks in desert hot pot
ARMY chef Sergeant Derek Allison, (pictured) of Burnley, has been stirring a cooking pot in the scorching heat of Africa's Kalahari Desert. Derek, 32, a former pupil at Barden High School, Burnley, is a Royal Logistics Corps chef serving with A Company
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Probe into third major fire
AN investigation is under way into Burnley's third major fire in eight days. Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes as flames ripped through Burnley Plumbing Supplies, housed in the former Hanover Methodist Church in Old Hall Street (pictured
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Mountain men's bike challenge
FORK-LIFT truck driver Bob Taylor is planning a gruelling bike ride across some of the highest peaks in the country to raise money for charity. Bob, 44, of Earby, will be tackling the challenge with his friend Reg Haigh from Ilkley. The two friends plan
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Church boost
THESE enthusiastic fund-raising members of St James' Church, Church, joined forces in an Easter Saturday open day. They raised £242 towards redecorating their church.
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Fire door blocks potential blaze
FIREFIGHTERS say a fire smouldering for hours in the back room of an Accrington video store could have caused a major blaze. Sub officer Gary Monk said the fire was probably caused by an ash tray with a smouldering cigarette end being emptied into rubbish
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Twin town guests enjoy packed visit
A GROUP of 35 French visitors spent two days in the Ribble Valley as part of an exchange programme organised by Clitheroe Twinning Association. Guests from Clitheroe's twin town Rivesaltes, were met by the Mayor and Mayoress of the Ribble Valley Coun
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Cox set to banish heartache
CLARETS defender Ian Cox is within touching distance of making up for last season's play-off heartache with Bournemouth. Cox helped the Clarets to another thrilling win at Brentford yesterday. Cox's Bournemouth side were pipped to sixth place on the last
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Clarets form watch (v Brentford)
CRICHTON: Another outstanding display from the keeper to preserve Burnley's second-half lead 9 THOMAS: A model of consistency, the big defender barely put a foot wrong...8 BRANCH: Lloyd Owusu got away once to score but Branch did an excellent job on the
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Puttnam in major debate
A MAJOR debate on innovation and entrepreneurship is being staged in East Lancashire next month. The event, being staged at Northern Technologies in Nelson on May 9, is being held as part of the DTI's Celebration 2000 week which aims to promote British
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Textile workers given diploma chance
TEXTILE manufacturers in East Lancashire are being offered the chance to win scholarship places on a course. The Manufacturing Institute in Manchester is offering the places, worth £6,000, on its Professional Diploma in Manufacturing course. The diploma
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Aircraft seat that becomes a bed
A FAST growing firm is hoping to make long haul travel less of a chore. Bright Spark Precision Engineering has joined forces with a firm which supplies the motor racing industry to develop a new type of aircraft seat which folds electronically into a
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Littlejohn gives Shakers a double boost
Bury 3 Blackpool 2 WITH almost as much water and sand in evidence than on Blackpool's Golden Mile the Gigg Lane pitch at 3pm must have had a very familiar look to anyone who'd made the trip from the Fylde coast. But it didn't turn out to be a home from
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Body in car
THE body of a man was found in a car in Stones Bank Road, near Egerton, Bolton, at 8.40am today. Police said a pipe had been fitted from the exhaust through the sunroof. A note was found at the scene. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances
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Trap to catch car crooks
TRACKER devices put in car stereos and "trap" vehicles are being used to help police stay on the trail of auto crooks. The system sends out a signal which can be followed in the force helicopter or in cars by police using a hand-held device. And police
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Net widens
VISITORS from Australia, Canada and the USA are among the 1,000 'hits' recorded so far by the web site of Brindle St Joseph's Roman Catholic parish, Hoghton. "We have also had visitors from closer to home, including Penrith, Huddersfield and Derbyshire
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Indian groups raise drought cash
FIVE Blackburn-based Indian organisations have joined forces to raise money to help more than 50 million people affected by a severe drought in the western states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Indian Muslim Consultation Forum, India League, Blackburn
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Little Craig is bravest kid of all
A LITTLE boy with cerebral palsy who defied all the odds with his fierce determination to walk and talk, has been chosen as the most courageous child in East Lancashire. Eight-year-old Craig Walsh, of Henry Whalley Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn, was diagnosed
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: You can never write us off, says Stanley boss Coleman
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman today praised his side's fighting spirit. The Reds staged a dramatic late fight back in their promotion showdown with Radcliffe. Stanley were trailing 2-0 with just 18 minutes left before they hit back to score three
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Darwen 'awful'
Alsager 2 Darwen 0 DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes branded this performance as 'awful' as his Anchormen resigned themselves to a fourth-place finish in the FNWTL Second Division. After a season which promised so much, the visitors completed their league programme
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Chorley win away
Eastwood Town 0 Chorley 1 CHORLEY completed their away fixtures by recording a ninth victory on their travels this term but at the cost of a serious injury to leading scorer Ian Barker, who sustained torn ligaments in an innocuous looking early challenge
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Rams edge it over neighbours
Ramsbottom United 3 Rossendale United 2 RAMSBOTTOM staged a late show to steal all three points from their near neighbours and severely dented Rossendale's hopes of clinching runners-up spot in the FNWTL First Division. Wayne Briddon headed the winner
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What's wrong with performance related pay?
SABRE-rattling yet again, the biggest teaching union, the NUT, threatens industrial action over performance-related pay. Delegates at their annual conference are claiming that the increased stress of assessment would be passed on by teachers to their
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Steam up in Blackburn
TRAVELLERS arriving yesterday at Blackburn railway station could be forgiven for thinking they had stepped into a time warp. But the train passing through wasn't picking up passengers, it was just en-route to Carlisle. The famous Blue Peter locomotive
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Fearful of trouble
ARE Jack Straw and the government so thick and blind? Can they not see that by allowing all these so-called asylum seekers into our country, they are only asking for more unrest, more violence and more trouble, for the police and everybody else? They
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Putting price before life?
REGARDING your article 'Call for tough action on death spot road' (LET, April 14). I cannot believe the statement by Hyndburn Council technical officer David Law that pelican crossings were expensive and there had to be a certain number of accidents before
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Racism must be crushed
REGARDING the worrying news that three more black athletes have received racist hate mail (LET, April 1). Jack Straw should make a public statement asserting that anyone caught sending racist hate mail will certainly go to prison for a long time. No expense
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Why not leave well alone?
REGARDING the council's proposed closure of Church Street in Blackburn. Can I ask the highways planning committee whether the person or persons responsible will stick their chests out and say: "I did that," or more or less hide in shame in a corner? Apart
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Probe into third major fire
AN investigation is under way into Burnley's third major fire in eight days. Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes as flames ripped through Burnley Plumbing Supplies, housed in the former Hanover Methodist Church in Old Hall Street (pictured
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Schools ban card craze
HEADTEACHERS across East Lancashire have banned Pokemon from their schools in a bid to protect their pupils. And police have warned youngsters to keep their cards out of sight to avoid being robbed. Japanese pocket monsters -- the £1billion Pokemon industry
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Souness praise for 'worthy champions'
MANY Rovers supporters were sporting enough to stay behind and salute new First Division champions Charlton Athletic at the end of yesterday's Ewood clash. And Rovers boss Graeme Souness was quick to follow them in praising Alan Curbishley's side. "If
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Rovers form watch (v Charlton)
KELLY: A couple of excellent saves crowned a commanding performance by the keeper...8 DAILLY: Seems at home in the right-hand central defender position whether Rovers play with three or four at the back...7 SHORT: Had the confidence to bring the ball
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Souness: Let's all do the Charlton
GRAEME Souness watched Charlton's champagne celebrations at Ewood last night and told Blackburn Rovers fans -- with a bit of luck that could be us next year. There were no guarantees of success from the Ewood boss. But he believes he knows what is needed
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Life and soul of the party
Blackburn Rovers 1 Charlton Athletic 1 NINE months ago, all bets were on Ewood Park staging a championship party just about now. But it was supposed to be Blackburn Rovers hosting it -- not newly-crowned First Division title winners Charlton Athletic.
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Takeaway blaze: Man in court
A MAN has been charged with starting a fire at a takeaway in Padiham which caused an estimated £30,000 damage. The fire at the Taj Gourmet in Burnley Road, Padiham, was spotted by a patrolling police officer at 4.30am yesterday. He alerted the fire and
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Energy enough to melt hearts
A NIGHT of acoustic Blues at a town centre hotel rounded off four days of fun for Burnley fans. The 12th Burnley National Blues Festival closed yesterday with the main stage moving from the Mechanics to the Old Sparrow Hawk Hotel, in Church Street. British
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Fight to beat voter apathy
PENDLE people are spearheading a campaign to boost the number of voters who turn out at the local elections on May 4. Posters showing local people wearing Use Your Vote T-shirts will be on display in shops, town halls and council offices across the borough
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Blues get their man
CLITHEROE have appointed reserve team boss Dave Burgess as their new manager. As revealed on Friday, the Blues' football committee had identified Burgess as their number one target to succeed Steve Parry. And the move was rubber-stamped following a meeting
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Fired up by the age of steam
THE workings of an historic steam engine were demonstrated at the weekend. Bancroft Steam Museum, in Barnoldswick, held its first steaming day of the season. Visitors to the museum, in Colne Road, watched as the engine, which has two cylinders named James
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TEN YEARS AGO: Stadium shelved
COLNE Dynamoes shelved plans for a multi-million-pound soccer stadium in Pendle amid fears that their promotion to football's "fifth division" -- the GM Vauxhall Conference -- may have been blocked. Hopes of a ground-sharing deal with Burnley FC, while
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Homes plan deferred
A DECISION on whether to build up to 80 new homes on the canalside Cherry Tree Machine Company site in Blackburn was deferred by planners. Blackburn planning and highways committee wanted further talks with the developers, Kent-based Cormorant plc, before
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Indecency case
A 31-YEAR-OLD man has appeared before magistrates charged with indecently assaulting a 65-year-old woman. The alleged attack happened in the pensioner's Accrington home on Good Friday. Trevor Eric Williams, of Lonsdale Street, Accrington, was remanded
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Knights' night out for George
GALLANT knights and their ladies celebrated St George's Day in style at a Great Harwood wine bar. Staff at Baggy's bar, Glebe Street, dressed up as medieval warriors and decorated the bar with lances and flags. Landlord Geoff Houghton said it was the
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Pipe dream turns to plumb role!
TRAINEE plumber Gillian Dickinson (pictured) is urging other teenagers to tap into her career success. Gillian began a modern apprenticeship after leaving Our Lady & St John High School in Blackburn with 11 GCSE's. She is now working towards an NVQ
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Band tunes up for new era
A NEW band was officially launched at a concert to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. East Lancashire Concert Band, formerly Hyndburn Band, performed a variety of music, including arrangements of songs by Abba, Queen and
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Legal help goes online
A WEBSITE launched to make it easier for people to find good quality legal help and advice in Hyndburn, has been welcomed by the borough's MP Greg Pope. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine and Cherie Booth QC launched the website -- www.justask.org.uk --
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Praise for firm's natural ways
A GOVERNMENT report praises a Clitheroe cement firm for its community work and environmental efforts. Castle Cement was commended by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions as an example of best practice in the construction industry
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Summer trips for history society
LONGRIDGE Local History Society's are set to start their summer programme of events. The first is an evening out to the County Museum's 2000 Exhibition in Stanley Street, Preston, on May 11 at 7.30pm. Stephen Sartin will guide visitors around the museum
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Queen honours East Lancs farmer
THE Queen has appointed an East Lancashire man as the High Sheriff of Lancashire. Rodney Newman Swarbrick, of Green Nook, Longridge, is the latest in a long line of High Sheriffs stretching back more than a thousand years. The 61-year-old promised to
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Bacon makes a meal of mart visit
SCORES of people travelled to Clitheroe Auction Mart to watch the Big Breakfast broadcasting live. Roving reporter Richard Bacon set up a stall to sell old props from the wacky Channel 4 show. He braved the cold at 6am to set up with regulars at the car
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Victory boosts promotion hopes
IAN Cox was set to undergo an X-ray on a hand injury today after helping Burnley keep their promotion dream alive with a magnificent maximum points haul over the holiday weekend. The classy defender damaged his right hand when hit by a fierce shot in
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Noades has no idea!
Brentford 2 Burnley 3 - Pete Oliver's match verdict PERHAPS Brentford supremo Ron Noades will change his opinion of Paul Crichton after the Clarets keeper made a clutch of outstanding saves to inspire his side to another crucial victory. Crichton was
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Victory boosts Clarets promotion hopes
IAN Cox was set to undergo an X-ray on a hand injury today after helping Burnley keep their promotion dream alive. The Clarets ended Easter with a magnificent maximum points haul over the holiday weekend. The classy defender damaged his right hand when
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Let's all do the Charlton, says Rovers boss
GRAEME Souness watched Charlton's champagne celebrations at Ewood last night and told Blackburn Rovers fans -- with a bit of luck that could be us next year. There were no guarantees of success from the Ewood boss. But he believes he knows what is needed
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Director's new role
A NEW regional director has been appointed in charge of Whitbread's East Lancashire interests. Peter Bech, 55, takes over from Blackburn-based Chris Sullivan who left the company to pursue new business interests. Father-of-four Peter has worked for the
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Future's in focus
A ENGINEERING boss believes his new qualification will help put his firm on the fast track to success. Mike Haworth, manufacturing director at Darwen-based Brookhouse Composites, has just completed his NVQ level five programme. "It helped me look at the
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Growth booster despite pound
MANUFACTURING is on the up, according to a survey of company directors. The sector which dominates East Lancashire's economy is showing signs of growth despite the continued effects of the strong pound. Nearly all the indicators in the Institute of Directors
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Poultry keepers flock to egg show
EASTER was egg-stra special for poultry keepers who held their own egg competition at the Duke of York pub, Waterside, Darwen. More than 100 duck, hen and geese keepers from all over East Lancashire took part in the annual Easter Sunday "Famous Egg Show
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Clog cobbers chuck in for charity
HUNDREDS visited the Roebuck Inn, Whitewell Bottom, Rossendale, to watch or take part in the world championship of the little known-sport of clog cobbing. Every Easter, competitors gather to see who can cob, or throw, a clog the furthest down a path at
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Airtours' new venture prepares for takeoff
TRAVEL giant Airtours is set to launch a major internet venture. The firm, which employs more than 1,000 at its Helmshore and Accrington holiday booking centres, is expected to unveil the new business next month. It is understood it will be based around
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Like father like son...
A GOLBORNE father and son have received long service awards from a construction materials company. John Johnson, 56, of Gawsworth Road, and son Andrew, 32, of Kings Road, were among five employees presented with certificates by construction materials
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Watch group raises cash
A COMMUNITY'S neighbourhood watch scheme is to benefit from extra funds thanks to fun day organised last weekend. The event, held at Longshaw Working Men's Club, Bryan Street, Blackburn, is one of several being arranged to swell the coffers of the area's
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Kids hop to it to find eggs
RESIDENTS of a new neighbourhood group enjoyed their first community event -- a children's egg hunt. More than 40 youngsters took part in the race to find hardboiled eggs hidden all over the estate off Cicely Lane, Blackburn, by members of ARC, the Association
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Bloody clash at historic tower
ROUNDHEAD soldiers camped and fought in the grounds of historic Hoghton Tower in a re-creation of 17th century life (see picture). Major General Ralph Assheton's Company, part of the Roundhead Association, showed visitors how the officers, soldiers and
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Canal's all lit up
FIREWORKS lit up the sky to launch a major festival centred on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal (see picture). Spectacular displays were held at venues across East Lancashire for the launch of Canal 2000, a year-long celebration of the 25-mile stretch of
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Youngsters play safe on estate
WHEN Blackburn man Stephen Jepson saw children hanging around on street corners he wasn't prepared to turn a blind eye. As a father-of-three, he was all too aware of the dangers of boredom turning to petty crime. After moving to Glenfield Close in Little
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Epidemic on way, warns health boss
ONE in eight East Lancashire parents is refusing to allow their children to have the controversial MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) jab. The vaccination has been linked to autism and bowel disorders. But public health officials have warned that an epidemic
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Schools ban card craze
HEADTEACHERS across East Lancashire have banned Pokemon from their schools in a bid to protect their pupils , And police have warned youngsters to keep their cards out of sight to avoid being robbed. Japanese pocket monsters -- the £1billion Pokemon industry
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Colne end on a loss
Colne 1 Woodley Sports 2 COLNE put up a spirited performance in their final match of the season against the team who could finish as the First North Western Trains League Division Two champions. Having secured a last-gasp win at Colne, Woodley Sports
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SUPERBIKES: Foggy waits for Ulm apology
CARL Fogarty is still waiting for an apology from Austrian rider Robert Ulm following Sunday's horror smash in Australia. Ducati have analysed videotape of the 140mph fall which has indicated that the Gerin rider was pre-occupied trying to solve a problem
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SUPERBIKES: Neil's Thrux thrust
BRITISH Superbike front-runner Neil Hodgson clinched his first victory of the season at Thruxton. The 26-year-old Burnley rider won the second of two heats in an incident-packed meeting at the Hampshire track. Torrential rain forced the organisers to
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RACING: Harry's stable whispers
IT IS anybody's guess how long we will have to wait for some good to fast ground, with the weekend forecast on the wet side again and the classics only a couple of weeks away. Take my advice and do not waste your money on ante-post betting for the 1,000
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COUNTY CRICKET: Tail pair put Lancashire back on track
LANCASHIRE are back on track for their first Lord's final for two years -- thanks to a pair of unlikely batting heroes in Ian Austin and Mike Smethurst. They looked to be sliding out of the Benson and Hedges Cup at Old Trafford yesterday as Leicestershire's
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Stanley steal it
Radcliffe Borough 2 Accrington Stanley 3 ACCRINGTON staged a dramatic fight back to take all three points off promotion rivals Radcliffe Borough in front of a bumper 890 crowd at Stainton Park. Trailing 2-0 the Reds scored three times in the last 18 minutes
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Filan in fine form
LIFE'S a 'beach' at our school, at least that's the scene in one corner of our library, decorated to create a relaxed atmosphere for visitors to our recent Book Week. And it was a particularly appropriate setting for Australian John Filan, Blackburn Rovers
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Just what the doctor ordered
WORK Experience. The phrase strikes fear into the heart of students. By definition it means one whole week in a small office above the butcher's, photocopying, filing and worst of all -- making the coffee. This year, however, I knew that my work experience
