Archive
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Fixtures could spell disaster
AS the release of next season's soccer fixtures stokes up kick-off fever among fans, the anticipation and excitement is ominously clouded here in East Lancashire by the menacing prospect of hooligan violence at the very outset. For a potentially dangerous
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Readers aim for record books
NEARLY 3,500 children flocked to Blackpool's 12 libraries on Friday (June 16) as part of a national challenge to set a world record for the largest number of youngsters to visit libraries in a day. The challenge also marked the beginning of the 'reading
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Bright outlook for new classroom
A BRAND new classroom aimed at bringing infant class sizes down with Government guidelines had its official opening ceremony this month (June). Heyhouses CE Primary School, on St Annes Road East, St Annes, opened its new classroom in an effort to reduce
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Pupils are pick of the crop
A TEAM of science pupils from Palatine High School in Blackpool have been burning the midnight oil -- literally -- to make it through to the final of a national agricultural competition. And to top it off, their findings could now be used as a case study
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LIONS SIGN OFF AT HOME
GOALKICKING half back Ian Watson returns from suspension as Swinton Lions take on York in their last home match of the season at Gigg Lane on Sunday (kick-off 3pm), writes STEVE BOTT. Craig Randall, Sean Casey and Matt Bateman are the main worries for
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ANDY'S A REAL FLIER!
RAF technician Andrew Hughes is a real flyer . . . on the running track, writes STEVE BOTT. The former St Gabriel's High School pupil only started running five years ago at the age of 27, but he has been RAF champion at 100m and 200m for the last six
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TODAY'S THE DAY!
BATHS: Demolition work on Bury's old baths in St Mary's Place was continuing this week. The baths were built at a cost of £3,498 in 1863 and opened amidst a brilliant display of civic pomp the following year. The doors were finally closed during the 1973
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Appeal over cricket club
REGARDING the problem which the Hussainia Cricket Club is experiencing with the St Andrew's Ground, Burnley (LET, June 12 and 13) I would suggest that the residents of Basnett Street study the photograph of the Colne v Rishton match in your June 19 issue
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Horror over grave yobs
REGARDING the destruction caused by car thieves racing around Pleasington Cemetery in Blackburn (LET, June 17 and 21), the damaged teddy bear headstone you pictured was that on my granddaughter Lauren's grave. I was and still am horrified. My son and
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Rise is an insult
IN a recent newspaper interview Social Security Secretary Alistair Darling was asked if he thought he was doing enough for our pensioners, and whether the 75p a week pension increase was an insult. Mr Darling said that the government was doing enough
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Contempt for retired people
NO doubt followers of New Labour will approve of the latest piece of stealth taxation. Were not retired people insulted by the recent miserly rise in the state pension, based on inflation at the rate of just over one per cent, which gave them an extra
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Charter could reduce rights
JUST imagine how cheesed off people from Lancashire would feel if they got ripped off in Leicestershire or Lincolnshire - and then found they could not do a thing about it. We all expect a fair deal, wherever we are in Britain. And if we don't get it,
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PERVERT COMING HOME FURY
MOTHERS in Atherton are fearing for the safety of their children after a convicted paedophile returned to the street where he molested his victims. A man who was sentenced to three years prison has returned to the Hag Fold estate, the scene of his s.
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Woods you believe it
IF you went down to the woods last week you would have been in for a big surprise. Oh yes you would! For a host of stars took a trip to Stanley Park on Thursday (June 15) to promote this year's Blackpool Grand Theatre pantomime Robin Hood and the Babes
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Jewel in the crown
ALL that glitters may not be gold unless you're at Danny La Rue's Palladium Nights at the Pavilion Theatre which celebrates the golden age of variety with more sequins and diamante than there are stars in Danny's long showbiz memory. Joan, Diana, Dusty
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In the blood for these sisters
KEEPING it in the family is par for the course for Blackpool's favourite girl group The Nolans. So when Anne's daughter Amy and her cousin Julie were thinking of stepping into the spotlight it seemed logical for them to join two of the legendary line-up
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What's in a name?
IT seems that placename puzzlers are a favourite among followers of this cobwebby column and here are two more to get the old grey matter stirring. Moss Bank Debating and Walking Stick Society is keen to know how the Pocket Nook district came by that
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Job loss fears at boiler works
WORKERS at one of East Lancashire's biggest employers face a one-in-three risk that their site is to close. Heating giant Baxi is planning to shut one of its Lancashire sites and will spend the next eight weeks deciding whether it will be the Potterton
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Fans' fear opening day trouble
FANS of Burnley and Blackburn Rovers joined forces today to accuse fixture planners of creating a potential flashpoint on the opening day of the season. While Rovers fans will be looking forward to a home clash against Crystal Palace on August 12, hundreds
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Leigh's pain killers!
THEY call it the House of Pain. But the Centurions have high hopes that Sunday will be a Pain-less experience! Leigh will be playing for high stakes at Doncaster's fortress Belle Vue. Victory could seal a top four finish in the NFP; defeat could see the
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Unfair decision
HOW did St Helens Council feel when, after rejecting planning permission for the cattery at Chester Lane, their decision was overturned by the Government Planning Inspectorate? This was a decision made by people who do not live in the area and do not
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Storing up problems?
ON THE 14th of this month, I attended the first of the council area forums and I was pleased to hear about the way that people will able to voice their views on matters that affect their day-to-day lives. One topic which was mentioned was the selling
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Cybercafe site row
PLANS for a cybercafe in Lostock Hall look could be scaled up, following a recommendation by council officers to refuse the original scheme on Thursday (June 22). Barbara Ward of Flag Lane, Penwortham, had planned to put a Portacabin in the Tardy Gate
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What a waste
AN elderly widow from Preston has blasted housing benefit bosses for wasting taxpayers' time and money by sending her a bill for just 10p. Evelyn Howarth, 73, from Westbrook Crescent, Ingol, has been sent numerous letters and demands from Preston's housing
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Not just kids talk
SOUTH Ribble council chiefs took a deep breath when they got a request for yet more traffic-calming measures in Lostock Hall -- especially when they realised it had been organised by a group of children. The gang of school chums, who play on a green in
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Travel in style
A DARING duo from Preston will be completing an extraordinary challenge on Thursday (June 22). Pals Peter Poulter and Andy Bleasdale have spent the past 24 hours travelling 1,000 around the country in an open-top Morgan sports car in a bid to raise cash
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Trip to USA is dad's lifeline
HUNDREDS of Leyland schoolchildren have pledged to help a brain tumour sufferer get vital treatment abroad after British doctors said his condition was inoperable. Peter Gibson, 41, of Elmwood Avenue, Leyland, was told that he had just a few months to
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Rover and out for RLI transport!
THE Royal Lancaster Infirmary has taken delivery of a new medical vehicle. Sister Sally Young and consultant Stuart Durham received the Peugeot 306 estate as a replacement for a much loved Land Rover bought with public donations a decade ago.
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Scout hits charity heights
SCOUT leader John Kelly celebrated his 40th birthday by climbing in 40 hours the highest peaks in England, Scotland, Wales and Eire. John, of Trawden, led a party which scaled Scafell Pike in the Lake District, 3,210ft; Snowdon, North Wales, 3,560ft;
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Parade back on agenda
MORECAMBE Carnival bosses have met with city council leaders in a bid to resurrect the ailing annual festival. As The Citizen exclusively revealed a fortnight ago, the near 100 year old event was struggling to continue with its fund-raising events because
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Job loss fears at boiler works
WORKERS at one of East Lancashire's biggest employers face a one-in-three risk that their site is to close. Heating giant Baxi is planning to shut one of its Lancashire sites and will spend the next eight weeks deciding whether it will be the Potterton
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Cabbies protest outside town hall
LANCASTER City Council has voted against plans for taxi deregulation after more than 30 drivers picketed outside a meeting at Morecambe Town Hall. The council's environmental and public services policy committee finally chose to reject the plans at its
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Tributes flow for bishop
LANCASTER said goodbye to its popular bishop th is week. The Right Reverend John Brewer was laid to rest at the cathedral of St Peter on Monday. Britain's most senior catholic, the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, was
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BMX proposal for Bubbles
MORECAMBE councillor Nick Westwell has a dream for the future of the troubled Bubbles Leisure Centre. And he wants to measure public support for his proposed world class BMX, skateboard and skating centre. The popular Bubbles swimming pools have been
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Less than one per cent!
THAT'S how little has been paid out from a council fund to help some of the poorest in our community. A £200,000 exceptional hardship fund set up to help the poorest and most vulnerable people in the district has paid out just £1,577 in the last year,
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Greens bemoan loss of fields
PLANS to build 110 houses on former hospital land at Ashton Road in Lancaster have been given the go-ahead despite local opposition. This week the ambitious Bellway Homes proposal to build luxury houses on a greenfield site south of the city was granted
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Agency in river probe
A POLLUTION incident which killed at least 100 fish in a Pendle river is being investigated by the Environment Agency. A member of the public raised the alarm after spotting dead trout floating in Earby Beck, which runs through Sough Park, near Earby.
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Bright start by Lynx
A SUPERB opening 20 minutes from Lancashire Lynx may have given the fans hope -- but the floodgates soon opened and the home side received its now traditional weekly thrashing -- this time 50-14 at the hands of Leigh Centurions. Lynx amazingly held a
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Easy victory for Chorley
ON Saturday (June 17) Preston returned to losing ways as they were soundly beaten in the league by Morecambe at West Cliff by an embarrassing nine wickets. Preston, put into bat, returned to slipshod methods and wickets fell with ararming regularity.
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Good start, but poor finish
LEYLAND soon had Darwen struggling on 49-3 but the middle order was able to steady the ship and Graham Parkinson shared two 50 partnerships with Neil Cordingley who top scored with 41, and Mark Bennett who fell on 39 before the innings closed on 214-8
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BARLA honour for Roy
ROY Britch, secretary of the St Helens Hays Chemicals ARL, has been made a life member of BARLA.
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Fans group in open day rap
FURIOUS members of Saints' Independent Supporters Association have accused officials of a 'U-turn' over their request to man a stall at the club's Open Day this Sunday. Said ISSA spokesman Russ Fairclough: "Marketing director Alan Rowley agreed to this
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Hounds hunt for talent
PARR Hare & Hounds amateur rugby league are looking to strengthen their squad for the forthcoming season in Division Three of the North West Counties League. Training sessions are currently being held on Thursdays only for the time being at Parr Stocks
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Royals' double
BLACKBROOK Royals have surged to a double cup success against neighbours Pilkington Recs. Their triumphs came at under 11s and under 10s level Royals under 11s 38 Pilks Recs 22 A stunning four-try performance from Kurt Haggerty carried Royals to victory
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Saints' rocky error show
Saints 20 Leeds Rhinos 42 A DISASTROUS fade-out in the final quarter saw sorry Saints lose ground in the leadership race as rampant Rhinos continued their revival in baking heat at Knowsley Road on Sunday. Up to then short-handed Saints were very much
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Chemists on duty
THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, June 18, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Lloyds Pharmacy, 473 Warrington Road, Rainhill; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds
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Village's hot-shots
WHAT a team! This Billinge St Aidan's soccer outfit of 1948, pictured with their impressive haul of silverware, won 18 of their 19 games that season and drew the other in lifting the Sunday School League's championship trophy. They also picked up the
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Taking a walk back in time
AS he gazes out upon the Welsh landscape, Terry Rimmer's thoughts often stray to his village boyhood spent in and around Billinge. And he's now forwarded a cluster of memory-jerking snapshots to his old chums at the Brown Cow, including the nostalgia-soaked
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Unsavoury past of Drake's game
NOTHING captures the atmosphere of high summer more vividly than the tranquil sight of bowls scudding silently across a manicured pub or club green, spectators watching in rapt attention and songbirds bobbing about in the surrounding shrubbery. But, believe
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Marble-lous success story
A NEW community centre has notched up its first success story. The stunning purpose-built centre, in South Meadow Lane, Preston, has been backed by a Millennium Commission Grant. It has been constructed using imported Indian marble, sculpted by visiting
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Vision for brighter future
A VISION for a brighter future is the theme behind a colourful mural unveiled this week by Preston Mayor, councillor Joe Hood. The decorative work-of-art has been beautifully painted by a disabled people from the Disability Information Service, in Church
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Back in the good old days
STAFF and pupils at English Martyrs Catholic Primary celebrated 2000 years of history with a special Jubilee Day. The children donned costumes depicting life throughout the ages, from Victorian to the Romans to the Tudors. Even Florence Nightingale dropped
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Summer drink drive campaign launched
AS Preston folk dream of the hot sunny days ahead, police are warning motorists about the dangers of drinking and driving during summer. They say It is often all too tempting to sit out in the sun all day with a few pints and get back into the car. But
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Farmer turns to industry
A PRESTON pig farmer has been given the go-ahead to convert his farm into industrial units. Keith Bradley, of Carver Hey Farm in Little Hoole, wants to close his farm following a drop in the price of pork and an increase in the cost of raising pigs. The
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Health scare bakery open
A PRESTON bakery at the centre of a recent salmonella scare has now re-opened after clearance from public health chiefs. Two adults from Chorley and a youngster from South Ribble were struck down by the salmonella enteritidis bacteria three weeks ago
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A hit with twin towns
FESTIVAL fever is set to come to Preston next month to mark a shift in attitudes among the town's youth. Tickets have already gone on sale for the open-air event on Saturday, July 8, on the town's Flag Market. The event has been organised to celebrate
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Our heritage at risk
AN historic church in Preston has been listed on the English Heritage's Register of Buildings at Risk 2000. The Church of St Augustine, in St Austin's Place, Avenham, has been identified in the most at risk category on the register. The Grade II listed
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We are united
RESIDENTS of a Preston sheltered housing area have formed a tenants association to attract more funding to the area. The residents of Sunningdale, in Broughton, have united to form the first association of its type in the area following the government's
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Ten years ago: Huge fire wrecks pub
A MASSIVE fire ripped through a country pub causing more than £100,000 damage. Firemen from three stations tackled the blaze at the popular Ribblesdale Arms at Gisburn. It started in the kitchens and spread, possibly through a dumb waiter, to other parts
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Unwanted play area gets green light
By Paola Alvino STRONG objections to a play area being built in the middle of a new housing estate have been ignored. Even though residents canvassed shortly after moving into the homes at Mort Lane, Tyldesley, voted almost unanimously against having
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Champion farmer's herd is cream of the crop
By Brian Gomm FARMER Jim Patrick is an outstanding example of a dwindling breed. His Tyldesley farm is one of the few remaining tracts of countryside remaining on the southeast side of town. But he has international status as one of the top breeders of
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Another pub bars 'spy in cellar'
PUB tenants are going to war to stop a brewery installing "spy in the cellar" systems in their pubs. Deby Dawson (pictured), landlady of the Bay Horse in Manchester Road, Baxenden, is the latest Daniel Thwaites tenant to refuse the brewery access to her
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Chris faces critics on Euro-currency
A HEATED debate about the single currency is set to take place in Atherton after MEP Chris Davies agreed to face questions from a group of Euro-sceptics. Members of the town's Sailors and Soldiers Club decided to take action when they read a letter from
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Holy Land stabbing victim vows to return
By Mark Donaghy HOLY Land stabbing victim George Worrall is back home. But Mr Worrall - stabbed twice by muggers in Jerusalem - has told The Journal he wants to go back to the Holy Land to finish off his pilgrimage. Mr Worrall is recovering at his home
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A look back at 'holiday week'
WE'RE all going on a summer holiday ... maybe. But the chances of Leigh,Tyldesley or Atherton nowadays becoming ghost towns for a week or a fortnight are slim as the local holiday week pattern has dropped-off. Through most of the last century the most
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Challenge to the strong men!
WHEELCHAIR warriors Mike Pyke and Dave Smith have thrown down a challenge to rugby's Super League strong men. Fresh from their latest medal-winning exploits in the national championships, the sporting duo would love to pit their strength against their
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Villagers vote 'no confidence' in police
By Lesley Richards RESIDENTS of crime-ridden Golborne have lost confidence in the policing of their "yob rule" village. They are disturbed by the ever growing scale of crime and disorder, the increasing vandalism - and villains getting away scot free.
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Opposing the cuts
THE June meeting of Morecambe Labour Party agreed to strongly oppose any cuts to the home help/home care service provided by Lancashire County Council. Cllr Elaine Bush proposed that the party secretary write to Cty Cllr Doreen Pollitt, Social Services
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Painfully slow progress
THE comment from the county council sums up why it is taking so long to get the Marsh Community Centre off the ground. If people refuse to do anything until every other step they can think of has been taken then progress will be painfully slow. Councillor
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Anarchy for the UK
GREGG Beaman (Citizen Letters: June 15), makes the point that those who actively oppose capitalism are "extremists" who are "out of touch with 21st century reality" he goes on to say how he will defend what he describes as "freedom and democracy". I can't
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Shady business
FANS of the popular if a little controversial rap artiste Eminem should make a virtual beeline for his new internet adventure, Slim Shady World.Com The site, which launches any day now, is based on hookt.com, a New York-based hip-hop site dedicated to
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The true cost of caring
I AM writing to you to express my disappointment, in your one sided report in a recent edition. Your article suggested that the reduction in the council's home help care will force him, and many like him, to retire from work to become carers. Just because
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Local leaders need bypass surgery
I READ with concern but with a with a sense of weary fatalism, that our worthy local leaders are veering towards the northern bypass option. There has been much said in the past concerning the environmental damage which a western bypass would cause: these
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BIG is best!
DOES size matter? It's a question that has plagued the mind of men (and women, but in a different way) for time in memoriam. But these days, it does seem that bigger is better. Take those trendy bank ads with Tony Hopkins and that bloke out of Lock Stock
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Kings on fire
KING Edward and Queen Mary's Under 14 cricketers turned up the heat to record two fine victories against William Hulme's and Arnold. In sweltering conditions Lytham rattled up 154 from 30 overs against William Hulme's with Richard Openshaw leading the
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Scott's teeing up for victory
A THORNTON golfer could be swinging his way to glory today (June 22) as he takes part in the Cheshire and North Wales and Lancashire Strokeplay Championship. Scott Astin, 27, teed off at Shrigley Hall, Cheshire, hoping to 'putt' the other 90 odd hopefuls
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Pool stroll to easy victory
BLACKPOOL had visitors Kendal rocking from the very first ball of the Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League game at Stanley Park on Saturday (June 17). Marcus Sharp had opener Casey Mee leg before wicket to set the tone of the innings in which all the Blackpool
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McGuinness hopes high
MORECAMBE'S John McGuinness will be hoping to recapture the form which took him to his second Isle of Man TT victory last week as he defends his lead in the 250cc British Championship. Defending champions McGuinness is hoping to build on his slender one
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Headmaster chalks up top award
IT'S TOP marks for a Lytham headmaster as he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award this week. Ronald Naylor, headmaster of the boys' senior school at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Clifton Drive, was awarded the accolade in the regional
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'Freeze' on town hall jobs
BLACKPOOL Borough Council is playing down claims that it is suffering a cash crisis after imposing a recruitment freeze. Already hampered by a reported £9 million debt, the council has now said it will no longer take on new staff in "non-essential" jobs
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Ternent doubts Rovers odds
BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent does not doubt Blackburn Rovers' credentials to mount a promotion challenge this season. But he has queried their installment as outright favourites to win the First Division. Rovers are 11/4 with William Hill to win the title
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Bevvies from heaven
CHURCH-going footie fans will get free beer if England win games at Euro 2000! Members and guests of St Mary's Priory Club, Broadfield Drive, Chorley, will be able to buy a pint -- and receive a voucher -- before kick-off on a match day. If England win
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'Under-18s underpaid'
A SURVEY by the Low Pay Commission shows that the average hourly rate in Lancashire for people of all ages was lower than the national. The study showed that the county's 16-year-old workers earned an average £2.06 an hour, compared to £2.36 nationally
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Tales from the river bank
A LEGAL clerk from Leyland has launched a new and updated version of his guide to fishing in Lancashire. Keen angler Martin Salisbury's book Where to Fish: Lancashire Coarse Fisheries proved so popular that he had it reprinted with even more information
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Starlets ready for panto launch
ENTERTAINERS are hoping to rub the audience up the right way with their pantomime, Aladdin, at the Grand Metropole Hotel this summer. And the True Blues, the impressive in-hotel entertainment team, have just been joined by a team of 8-13 year olds from
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Have you any old Blackpool pictures?
PICTURE postcard Blackpool is a town steeped in history -- and a top auction firm are coming to town to put a value on it. Warwick and Warwick are visiting the Imperial Hotel, North Promenade on June 28 between 10-3pm and will carry out valuations on
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Ready to hit the right note
THE warm summer air of Fleetwood will be filled with the sound of jazz and blues next month, when the legendary Chris Barber Jazz and Blues Band hits town. On July 9, Chris and his band, pictured, will take to the stage to delight the audience the way
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Vicar sets up world wide wed
A FYLDE vicar has got to grips with cyber technology and launched his own online marriage helpline for couples who want to tie the knot. Canon Godfrey Hurst, vicar of St Cuthbert's Church, Church Road, Lytham, is pioneering the project, which aims to
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Successful sessions starting again
BUDDING young stars of stage can use their school holidays to brush up on their music and drama skills thanks to the St Annes School of Music, Drama and Dance. After the huge success of two week long summer schools last year, the dance and drama centre
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Headmaster chalks up top award
IT'S TOP marks for a Lytham headmaster as he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award this week. Ronald Naylor, headmaster of the boys' senior school at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Clifton Drive, was awarded the accolade in the regional
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New club opens
ST HELENS Federation of Disability Sport is launching a new club at Queens Park Recreation Centre. It will specialise in adapted games and sports and hopes to attract children with special needs. Said council's sports development officer Jake Collin:
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Ready to take Fleetwood Into Space
BLACKPOOL in the summer season is used to seeing a lot of stars. But when seasoned astronomer Patrick Moore comes to Fleetwood we can expect to see billions. July 2 sees the host of TV's longest running programme The Sky At Night coming the the Marine
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Hesketh targets Butler
LANCASTER City's summer preparations are continuing apace, with ins and outs expected before the club returns to pre-season training in a fortnight. Experienced former Blackpool, Crewe and Southport star Brian Butler is Tony Hesketh's number one target
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Wile by name, wily by nature!
HE'S called Wile E Coyote and the canine certainly lived up to his name this week during a visit to be fitted with an identification microchip at a Blackpool pet shop. Staff at North West Discount Pet Foods on Burton Road didn't know that the two-year-old
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Mick's magic spell
A MAJESTIC 134 by Mick Manley helped Eccleston to thrash a helpless Winwick side on Saturday. Mick's splendid knock was the highlight of the Bobbies Lane side's 300-5. But there was also an impressive effort from Karl Smith who amassed 79. When Winwick
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Reward for return of bike
HEARTLESS thieves left an eleven-year-old boy devastated after they stole his bicycle from outside a supermarket on Sunday (June 18). And now his mother is offering a cash reward to anyone who can return his prized possession to him. Daniel Johnstone
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Green and pleasant land?
I DON'T know about you but sometimes I reckon everyone in this country has totally lost the plot. In fact, looking back over the last week I have to admit I'm wondering if some people even saw the script in the first place. Honestly, it's flippin' ridiculous
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Hall spins magic and Leigh take turn for better!
A TIGHT bowling performance from Chris Hall and sensible batting from Mike Day laid the foundations for Genlec Leigh CC's fourth league victory of the year and move them up into second place in the Liverpool DCA Premier League table. Winning the toss,
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Field of dreams for new RU complex
By Brian Gomm A START begins next week on Tyldesley RUFC's long-awaited new home. At the end of next season they will bid farewell to their famous old Well Street ground and move quarter of a mile to the other side of Astley Street. Work is starting on
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Accident on ride
POLICE closed down a fairground ride after a train carriage came off its rails injuring three youngsters. The accident happened on Saturday during the launch of Ramsbottom Sports Festival at Nuttall Park. Fortunately, the youngsters sustained only minor
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A sunny kick-off!
RAMSBOTTOM'S 27th annual sports festival kicked off in spectacular style over the weekend. Hundreds turned out in the soaring heat to the opening ceremony to enjoy a number of sporting and fun activities. The event, in Nuttall Park, marked the start of
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Mills torched by arsonists
A DENSE cloud of black smoke shrouded Bury on Tuesday night after arsonists torched two derelict mills. Fire bugs struck shortly after 6pm when they set fire to a quantity of HGV tyres stored in the former Parker Walker factory at Crostons Road. The burning
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Held to ransom
WHITEFIELD mother Diane Nivern thought a mystery caller had made her son's day when he revealed he had found his missing Pokemon computer game -- until he demanded a £20 ransom. Josh, 7, was left distraught after the £80 game, bought as a present for
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Barrack backers thrown a lifeline.
CAMPAIGNERS have been thrown a lifeline in their fight to save a wildlife haven from developers. Residents and local environment supporters were celebrating this week after the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit designated Barracks Lodge as a Grade A site
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Safety boost on danger road
NEW traffic safety measures to be implemented on the East Lancashire Road at its junction with Carr Mill Road have been given a guarded welcome by the father of a teenager who was killed while crossing the road. St Helens Council has been campaigning
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Tragic mum's memory lives on
THE special care baby unit at Billinge Hospital has received a cheque for £1,250, in memory of a tragic mum who died two months after giving birth at the hospital in Wigan Road. Pauline Farrell and her husband John, both aged 32, were eagerly looking
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Errors that cost patient's eye
A MAN lost sight in an eye after an operation to remove cataracts. It happened after surgeons failed to warn him of danger signals following surgery. Now bosses at St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals (NHS) Trust have apologised and promised to tighten up
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George sings from the heart
MEMBERS of the Haydock Male Voice Choir will be in fine voice at a charity concert in aid of heart disease this weekend -- but one menber really will be singing from the bottom of his heart. For George Boulton, from Willow Avenue, Newton, has enjoyed
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Youngsters fly the flag for St Helens in Dome show
ST HELENS came to the Dome on Monday and boy did our youngsters do their home town proud when they presented 'Our Town Story'. The musical, which starred 65 children from schools throughout the borough, tells of local girl Jane and her pet sheep Bernard
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Sex attack on woman
A WOMAN suffered a serious sex attack when she was grabbed from behind and dragged onto a car park. The 27-year-old was walking home from Hindley town centre in the early hours of last Saturday morning when the indecent assault took place. Despite suffering
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ChildLine congratulations
DALE Winton and I would like to thank all your readers who generously took part in the BT Friends and Family Chosen Charities campaign. It invited Friends and Family subscribers to forego their discounts, which were then matched by BT and divided equally
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Pigeons top £2,500 for hospital children
LEIGH pigeon enthusiasts have helped raise £2,500 for Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Jimmy Dickens and his wife Susan of Leigh, along with David Armstrong and his wife Emma from Golborne organised a charity auction of 41 pigeons which was backed by Amtrak
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Amateurs celebrate success
I WOULD like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Citizen newspaper for publicising the Brookfield Lions local football team. We collected our LEP Sunday League division four championship trophy and medals, but we also had an
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Arsonists blamed for food firm blaze
A FIERCE blaze which damaged a factory in Leigh has been blamed on arsonists. Youths playing with matches are thought to be responsible for the fire at Victoria Foods which could be seen from miles around. The blaze at the Bright Street factory was reported
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Money talks for OAPs
I AM writing in reply to a letter from JRB, printed in the Citizen on June 15. While I accept that normally it takes one self-indulgent individual to recognise another. In this instance JRB, who did not want his address printed, has got it wrong. Bill
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Who decides?
OUR investigation into exceptional hardship payments this week makes interesting reading. Of course, the council would have you believe that everything is hunky dory, deserving cases get what they need and their efficiency helps channel tens of thousands
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Admit you're wrong!
Citizen Smith was reported to the Press Complaints Commission recently by one Chris Ogden of Palatine Avenue in Lancaster who described herself simply to the PCC as a Labour supporter. Among Ms Ogden's criticisms, which she did not give staff at the paper
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Friends battle to be top babe
AS Blackpool roasted in the summer sun nowhere was hotter than the Palace nightclub last Friday (June 16) as beautiful women from around the country battled it out to become Miss Spring Babe 2000. But beauty starts at home -- and it was Miss Blackpool
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Champs look back in time
A COLOURFUL journey through history formed the magnificent effort of this week's Little Champions. Pupils from Heyhouses Primary Junior School in St Annes represented 1,000 years of British history in music, dance and drama at a special concert called
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Thugs attack man with bat
VICIOUS thugs attacked a man with a baseball bat in the early hours of Friday morning before kicking and beating him. The 21-year-old man was approached by two men while walking down Cumberland Avenue on the corner of Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, at 1.45am
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Disabled supporters snubbed
DISABLED Preston North End fans have ganged up on the club for slashing the number of cut-price tickets available to them, inflating prices and 'discriminating' against them. Supporters vented their fury after PNE cut the number of disabled season tickets
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Good sports
CHILDREN and parents at a Blackburn special school took part in an annual sports day. The event, at Dame Evelyn Fox School in Roman Road, was a great success and included a pram race, tyre rolling, which fascinated seven-year-old Elliot McIntyre (pictured
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Driver escapes in cable blast
THE driver of a dumper truck was recovering in hospital today after he narrowly escaped electrocution while making a delivery to stables in Heapey, near Chorley. The 49-year-old driver, from Adlington, who has not been named, was airlifted to Royal Preston
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Mystery of missing soap fan David
POLICE have revealed a soap fan who failed to return to his Blackburn home four years ago has disappeared without a trace. David Adams went missing when he travelled to Liverpool, the home of his favourite TV programme Brookside, on June 2, 1996. David
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Local Cricket: Kershaw quits strugglers Edenfield
EDENFIELD have been hit by the departure of skipper and leading batsman John Kershaw as they try to haul themselves of the foot of the Jennings Ribblesdale league. Kershaw has decided to call it a day and after hitting a half-century in last weekend's
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Fairhurst on fairway to heaven
BIG-HITTING P. Fairhurst swept to success in the St Helens Open, staged at Sherdley Park Golf Club. The four-handicapper recorded a gross 71 to win the event on his home course. RESULTS Gross: 1 P. Fairhurst (Sherdley Park) 71-4, 2 J. McDonnell (Walton
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Countdown to youth games
HUNDREDS of youngsters are counting down the days to the start of the Littlewoods Merseyside Youth and Mini Games. An estimated 40,000 children have been involved in the build-up to this year's event, which have been hailed as 'the best' in the country
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Why doesn't RSPCA act?
I READ with sadness the letter by your reader, K Dodgson concerning animals at the touring circus (Citizen, June 8) and I share her disgust. I wonder why the RSPCA, whose policy condemns circuses with performing animals does not do something about these
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Sutton in pole position
RUBEROID Sutton claimed top spot in the Merseyside Competition with victory at Cheshire Lines on Saturday. They made a good start as Mike Rimmer and the evergreen Geoff Bowles put on 96 runs for the first wicket in only 22 overs. Complacency then set
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St Helens break their duck . . .
THE local derby against St Helens Recs gave St Helens their first win of the season with the bowlers of both sides on top and runs at a premium. Recs fell well short of the 142 required for victory with two hours of the match to go. The second team also
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Rainford scorch to the top
RAINFORD stormed to the top of the Southport and District League on Saturday after a three-wicket success over visitors Norley Hall. Hall took first use of a dream batting wicket and looked well set for a big score as they scorched to 101-1 from 24 overs
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Children show the way forward
THANK you for our pre-event publicity for our Jubilee 2000 display at the garden party at the Mount Methodist Church, Fleetwood, on Saturday June 10. The Fleetwood Guides, Brownies and junior church members held up their 19 pairs of shoes representing
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Rainhill stroll to success
RAINHILL CC strolled to a comfortable success at Tranmere Victoria on Saturday. Peter Mercer led the onslaught with an agressive 63, scoring nine fours and two sixes to forge a partnership of 75 with Captain Mike Rotheram (23). Professional Paul Robinson
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Rainhill claim cup
RAINHILL Cricket Club won the inaugural Millennium Cup by beating Liverpool Manweb in brilliant style. They won the toss and decided to bat first. When four quick wickets went down for 40 it was left to Peter Mercer to anchor the innings. And he compiled
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We could paper wall with Ombudsman's replies
I WOULD like to answer a few points mooted by Mr. MacGregor's excellent letter in your paper of June 15. Firstly, we the members of the Leys Farm Action Group, have for three years spent three weeks at the Audit at the Town Hall "looking through the books
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Stars of the future
THIS weekend there is a chance to take a peep into the future when the semi-final and final of the Star's ever-popular Young Stars of Tomorrow competition are staged at Cowley High School Arts Theatre in Gamble Avenue. The semi-final will be held tomorrow
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Disabled supporters snubbed
DISABLED Preston North End fans have ganged up on the club for slashing the number of cut-price tickets available to them, inflating prices and 'discriminating' against them. Supporters vented their fury after PNE cut the number of disabled season tickets
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McMahon in court on assault charge
BLACKPOOL manager Steve McMahon appeared in court this week (June 21) on charges of assaulting an off-duty police officer and threatening to set fire to his house. McMahon, 38, the former Liverpool player and England international, was arrested after
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Will they face legal action?
WELL done the two ladies who saw-off a 15 stone mugger. However as they, by their own admission, caused him physical injury by repeatedly hitting him with their walking-sticks (Lethal weapons?), will they now be charged with using too much force in defending
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Sutton set to celebrate
THE Sutton Millennium Green Festival will be held this Saturday, June 24 from 11am to 3pm at the Old Gerards Lane playground site. Attractions will include craft demonstrations, face painting and badge making and the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Pat
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Police probe garage blaze
POLICE are investigating a fire which started following a burglary at Vista Car World repair garage on the corner of Vista Road and Crow Lane, Earlestown. The break-in was reported at 12.05am on Saturday, June 10 and police who responded discovered the
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Look what's cooking
THE Friends of Rainford High School are holding 'A Glimpse of Oriental Cuisine' with Charlie Chan of Mr Chan's Restaurant, North Road, St Helens. The event, in which guests will witness the preparation of an authentic Chinese meal before sampling the
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Back on the telly...
HOME improvement specialist St Helens Glass is returning to the small screen with its first TV advertising campaign for more than 20 years. The daytime campaign is part of a £3 million marketing drive by the company, already the biggest advertiser on
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It's a matter of taste...
PRIMARY school pupils have been giving the newly-refurbished Morrisons store in Boundary Road the taste test this week. For youngsters from St Teresa's School in Devon Street, Newtown were invited along to officially test the children's menu and service
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Bloomin' Eck...
RAINHILL Civic Society are once again staging their annual 'Rainhill in Bloom' gardening competition. The competition is judging front gardens this year and anyone who lives in Rainhill is eligible to enter as long as their garden is visible from the
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Did you see attack on teenager?
POLICE are appealing for information on an apparently unprovoked attack on a young man. The 19-year-old was walking his dog along New Street, near to Sutton Cricket Club, between midnight and 12.30am on Tuesday, June 6 when three men attacked him from
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Did you spot robbers?
TWO men walked into an insurance agents in North Road at about 9.30am on Saturday, June 3 and threatened staff with a knife before stealing some cash and calmly walking off in the direction of Windle. The men, both believed to be in their 30s, were about
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Thugs in attack
A MAN was attacked and robbed on his way home from a night out on Saturday, June 3. The victim was passing the main post office in Bridge Street at about midnight, having just left the nearby Nelson Hotel, when he was hit on the back of the head and fell
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Queen honours teacher Georgina
TEACHER Georgina Webber just couldn't believe her eyes when she learned that she was to receive an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list. Georgina, who lives in Fistral Drive, Eccleston with husband Gordon, works as an English co-ordinator at Sacred
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Mystery man in hospital
MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for help from the public to identify a man found in a confused condition in Mill Lane, Sutton. The man wandered into a shop at about 4.20pm on Sunday, June 18 and collapsed . He was taken by ambulance to Whiston Hospital
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Dusting off old records
DOCUMENTS depicting working life in the early part of the century have been entrusted into the care of Billinge Historic Society. They are copious records of Billinge Collieries Limited, incorporating Birchley and Brownheath Collieries 1911-1934. The
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Happy to be home!
IT will be a case of back to the future for two of the management team when the new Morrisons supermarket in Boundary Road opens its doors on Monday, June 26. For both regional director, Mark Harrison and the new store's general manager, Jim Toohey, hail
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Geoff wants golfers to chip in
A CHARITY golf day in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign is to be held at Grange Park Golf Club on Thursday, September 14. The event has been organised by Geoff Ingham from Windermere Avenue, Carr Mill, in memory of his dad, Horace, who died from cancer
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Alert on bag thug
POLICE believe there may be a link between two bag-snatching incidents which happened within about an hour of each other in the Clinkham Wood/Moss Bank area. The first occured at about 9am on Wednesday, June 7. A 71-year old woman was making her way home
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Cool finish but Leigh made to sweat
IT wasn't only the baking temperatures that had Leigh in a sweat before they cruised home. Bottom club Lancashire Lynx were in dreamland as they swept into an early 14-0 lead. Many of them couldn't remember the last time they led in a game let alone held
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Ghouls target baby's grave
A COUPLE whose baby son died of meningitis just over a year ago, has been dealt a body blow after heartless thieves ripped an ornament from his graveside and desecrated most of the area. Paul and Julie Cunliffe, from Carr Mill, discovered the sick theft
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Keep fit fan dies behind the wheel
KEEP fit fanatic Steve Dawber, who went to the gym every day, suffered a heart attack as he drove home from work. His Ford Sierra was seen to veer onto a lay-by on the Edenfield by-pass -- before smashing into a stationary van. Mr Dawber (44) was rushed
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Now the building starts
THE wait is over for the Seasiders! Demolition work on the north and west stands of Bloomfield Road will begin on Monday (June 26) following the decision by Blackpool Borough Council to lease the land north of the ground. The news means that the new multi-million
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SWIMMERS HEAD FOR THE STATES
LOCAL swimming clubs Ramsbottom Rascals and Bury & Elton have put rivalry on the back burner to mark the Millennium writes PHIL THORP. The two organisations have combined to send a squad of youngsters to Woodbury, New Jersey, USA as part of the borough's
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1894: The 327-day king, Edward VIII, was born to Queen Mary during Ascot week. Amazingly, his invol
1683: William Penn, the Englishman who founded Pennsylvania, signed a peace treaty with the American Indians on this day. AD 79: Roman Emperor Vespasian died. The son of a tax collector, he distinguished himself as a commander when Claudius invaded Britain
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Travel help for students
FOLLOWING your articles (LET, June 16), concerning Educational Maintenance Allowance travel pilot being set up for East Lancashire (with exception of Blackburn with Darwen). I would like to let readers know that those school leavers who live in East Lancashire
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Think about going veggie
JUNE 26 to July 2 is National Vegetarian Week, when a lot of people think about changing their diet for a few days for the sake of their health. However, if we gave more than a passing thought to what we are doing to our bodies, we may well decide that
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Show tickets and meet 'Mario'
BLACKPOOL has been good to singer Mark Rattray. Last year the man who brought Mario Lanza back to life at the Grand Theatre had the happiest time of his life thanks to the Nolan sisters. And two lucky readers can meet the man himself in another exclusive
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They fly through the air...
IF YOU can't touch your toes without wincing and going purple in the face then prepare to be thoroughly sickened by the dazzling dexterity and sheer skill of the cast of Eclipse at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, pictured. Lithe ladies defy gravity to hang
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Stig due any day
ROVERS are hoping to clinch the signing of Liverpool full-back Stig Bjornebye within the next couple of days. The Norwegian international was also believed to have interested West Ham but they will no longer be in the race having signed veteran defender
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Sparrow puzzle
I AM sat here wondering what has happened to all the little sparrows, those tiny birds we used to know. I used to love feeding them in the back yard, chirping away. I do miss them. I live right near a park, there aren't any there either. Could any of
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Can anyone explain?
THROUGH your columns, could someone who is responsible for the maintenance of the churchyard at Christ Church, Eccleston, explain why it is such an absolute disgrace. The grass is so high that most of the gravestones are hidden and what was once a well-kept
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Market forces?
DURING the years of the last Tory Government, we were told repeatedly by our local councillors and Members of Parliament that St Helens was being starved of cash from Government funds and that resulted in a serious lack of investment in our local services
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PC's body in burning car
AN INVESTIGATION is under way following the grim discovery of a policeman's body in a burnt out car near Leyland last week. Examinations have revealed that PC Paul Wilkinson -- dental records are the only clue to his identity -- suffered shotgun wounds
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Club bosses banned
TWO former nightclub owners from Preston have been disqualified from acting as company directors, a court has heard. Mahendra Parekh and his wife, Amita, last known to live at Dove Street, were disqualified for periods of ten and five years respectively
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Tales from the river bank
A LEGAL clerk from Leyland has launched a new and updated version of his guide to fishing in Lancashire. Keen angler Martin Salisbury's book Where to Fish: Lancashire Coarse Fisheries proved so popular that he had it reprinted with even more information
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700 jobs go at BAe
MORE than 700 jobs are to be axed at BAE Systems in Warton and Samlesbury, it has been revealed. The 755 job losses follow an anxious week for workers who had previously been told to expect around 300 redundancies in Lancashire. All the job cuts are to
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Hats off to fine floral display
HATS off to a bunch of hard-working Preston folk who are bloomin' good at putting on a fine floral display. From Saturday until Thursday, June 29, St George's Church in Preston town centre, will be brimming with elegant foliage hats created by two of
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This must never happen again!
THE mum of Jamie Eckley, the Eccleston teenager who was killed while crossing the East Lancs Road last year, has told the Star of her determination to make sure a similar tragedy does not bring heartbreak to another family. Karen Eckley and her husband
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CBE for Dr Ruth
DR Ruth Henig, Lancaster county councillor and chairman of the Lancashire Police Authority, has received a CBE in the Queen's birthday honours' list. The award is for services to policing. Dr Henig, who lives in Wray, is Dean of Art and Humanities at
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You're on the wrong road!
LANCASHIRE County Council has been slammed over plans to offer loans to over 30,000 employees to buy cars. Opposition councillors say the scheme makes a mockery of the council's commitment to public transport and the environment. And they fear that many
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Cruelty bugs animal carers
A LATE-NIGHT rescue operation has helped save the lives of abandoned pet rabbits. The four lop-eared bunnies had been stuffed in a beer box and placed in a black bin bag before being dumped in a field in Torrisholme. Lancaster's Animal Care were called
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Champs running short of troops
SAINTS are facing a massive injury crisis as they prepare for the daunting trip to The Shay to face Halifax Blue Sox on Friday, kick-off 7.30pm For Paul Sculthorpe (fractured eye socket) and Tony Stewart (abdominal strain) have joined a walking wounded
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Preston race to final
A SUPERB 70 from Munaf Bavla helped Preston to the area final of the National Club Championship. And now they will face old rivals Chorley determined to avenge some sound thrashing in recent years. Home advantage might just give them an edge. Preston
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Brian Mooney . . . this is your life!
PRESTON'S top player of all time? Take a bow, Sir Tom. It's just no contest. But how about No 2 to Tom Finney? Step forward Brian Mooney, perhaps an unlikely candidate for such an honour but the man voted into runners-up spot by supporters in a fanzine
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Leyland fold
LEYLAND DAF folded like a seaside deckchair as they began a run-chase to overhaul Chorley. And it could all be put down to a freak long hop from Stephen Cooke which Stuart Catterall played on. Daf couldn't believe their bad luck and collapsed, losing
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MP in Rolls strike talks
SHOP stewards and top management from Barnoldswick-based Rolls-Royce were today meeting Pendle MP Gordon Prentice to discuss possible strike action over plans to cut the workforce. Mr Prentice said: "The situation is very difficult. The company has a
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Pete seeks past peek
IT'S a bit unusual for folk still in their twenties to display a keen interest in local history. But Peter Somers has become fascinated with the pleasant little backwater of Longshaw, near Billinge, to where he recently moved. And now he just can't get
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Old pals re-united
WE'VE found him . . . thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the homespun appeal of this old page! Regular customers may recall that Denis Brown of Gerards Lane, Sutton, in submitting memories of the wartime bombing raids on St Helens, had mentioned
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Anyone pinpoint Provvy shut-down?
LOCAL froth-blowers have been wrangling for some time about it. And now, in desperation, the assistance of our long-memoried readers is sought in pinpointing the date of closure of the old Providence Hospital. This homely place of healing was just about
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Baby joy lifted bomb blast gloom
THERE can be a silver lining in the darkest of clouds, as reader Eileen Rimmer points out while picking up on our 'bomb raids on St Helens' theme, which has echoed through this page for the past couple of months. It's surprising how neighbourly and chirpily-optimistic
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What the Hanover is this?
I CAN almost hear my old Lancashire grandad saying it now: "What the Hanover are you playing at?" In fact, Hanover was a word liberally sprinkled into his vocabulary whenever frustrated or perplexed. But until now, I never knew how this strange expression
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Punch-ups near the holy cross!
A COUPLE of well-read customers of this column have signposted us towards some of the district's more obscure history. They were picking up on earlier contributions from Roy J. Hull, of Parr Mount Court, appealing for information as to how the Fingerpost
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Leaping into piecrust action
TRAFFIC was thin on the ground during the glorious heyday of street games. Just as well, really, because there was precious little room to accommodate a serious flow of vehicles on the child-crammed tarmac. A number of readers have helped to crank the
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Dress up and learn
SCHOOLCHILDREN at a Preston school enjoyed a host of tasty foreign delights during a special European week. More than 450 boys and girls from The Roebuck School, in Inkerman Street, Ashton, swopped their butties for a selection of mouthwatering delicacies
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Wild birds alert
KNOCKING the nests of housemartins and swallows off your home during the nest building season could prove to be costly, according to Lancashire police. Wildlife officer PC Maria Graham revealed that the birds, their nests, eggs and chicks are protected
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Beating Retreat in gala day
A FEAST of military bands will be blasting out an assortment of lively music at this weekend's Citizen-backed gala event, to be staged at Fulwood Barracks, in Preston. On Saturday (June 24), visitors can enjoy a display of Beating Retreat, which opens
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'Under-18s underpaid'
A SURVEY by the Low Pay Commission shows that the average hourly rate in Lancashire for people of all ages was lower than the national. The study showed that the county's 16-year-old workers earned an average £2.06 an hour, compared to £2.36 nationally
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Five years ago: Post office raided
HOLE-IN-THE-WALL raiders smashed their way into a Ribble Valley post office. But the gang had to dump the heavy safe when the alarm at the Ribchester office was triggered. Police arrived at the scene in the early hours of the morning to find the unopened
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Famous five beat charity challenge
By Brian Gomm CHARITY challengers trekked up hill and down dale to raise funds for diabetes research. The two and a half day long, 51 mile hike was yet another feather in the cap for five game-for-anything regulars at Astley's Bull's Head pub. "We were
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So glad to see you, thief tells police
BUNGLING thief Lee Oates was glad to see the long arm of the law when his plan to snatch cash from a shop till went badly wrong. Oates and another man who escaped, snatched £200 cash from a Poundstretcher till and ran outside to a stolen getaway car -
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Stop the slaughter in local wildlife
NATURE guardians aim to protect and educate. Following a spate of incidents involving senseless cruelty, concerned locals are leading a campaign to halt needless wildlife slaughter. Uncaring killers have even breached the sanctuary of Leigh Cemetery to
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McMahon in court on assault charge
BLACKPOOL manager Steve McMahon appeared in court yesterday (June 21) on charges of assaulting an off-duty police officer and threatening to set fire to his house. McMahon, 38, the former Liverpool player and England international, was arrested after
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In the hunt for jury knobbling
I DID hope that Hilton Dawson, after reading The Burns Report on hunting with dogs (which was commissioned so that "MPs would be better informed"), would therefore approach the subject with an open mind, because in the past he has displayed woeful ignorance
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MP's future imperfect
HILTON Dawson's letter about the Greens living in the past is a bit rich coming from a man who has shown so little real interest in the key technologies which will drive the economy in the future. I have just done a search through all of Mr Dawson's speeches
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Another shade of green
HILTON Dawson's letter attacking the Greens seems remarkably similar to the one he wrote a few weeks ago and he seems to have ignored most of the points in my reply to his original version. So, I'll try another tack. The most important nettle that Mr
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Techno corner
MANY thanks to Jim Buckley who has sent in a query about java script; unfortunately I have been away for the past couple of weeks (and you didn't even notice I'd gone, did you? That's service for you), and we haven't had time yet to sort out his query
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We owe it to local community
THE Inspector's report on the local plan, published last week, has cast a deep shadow over the current proposals for a link road from Heysham to the M6. We have long argued that action is urgently needed to improve access to Heysham Port, to reduce traffic
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Wonderful and Frightening web world
FAN sites are the very core of the web, with the whole gamut of society from the fresh-faced and innocent to the truly deranged putting their hobbies, interests and psychotic paranoid delusions online for all the rest of us to enjoy. One of the very best
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Shearer is man of the match
APPARENTLY Alan Shearer is quite well-known in these parts, so readers may be interested to know their former Ewood Park favourite has been voted the PSInet man of the match after England's lucky scrape past the German's last Saturday. How do I know this
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One catch well worth baiting for
A BLACKPOOL tackle shop owner recently took his personal best catch -- and it took him 20 minutes to land it! Chris Webb (pictured with his whopping catch), who owns the Bait n' Tackle shop on St Annes Road, caught the 8lb brown trout using a gold head
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Tough tie for Lancaster
BOTH our local sides have home fixtures this Sunday. Lancaster have the tougher of the two games. They play current league champions Darwen at Lune Road who are currently second in the table, 13 points behind league leaders Netherfield. At Woodhill Lane
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Campus shocked by murder
STUDENTS at Lancaster University were in shock this week after a woman was stabbed to death on the Bailrigg campus. A man has been charged with the murder of mature student Lorraine Roseanna Price, 44, of Main Road, Galgate, who was found dead in the
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Vicar sets up world wide wed
A FYLDE vicar has got to grips with cyber technology and launched his own online marriage helpline for couples who want to tie the knot. Canon Godfrey Hurst, vicar of St Cuthbert's Church, Church Road, Lytham, is pioneering the project, which aims to
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Successful sessions starting again
BUDDING young stars of stage can use their school holidays to brush up on their music and drama skills thanks to the St Annes School of Music, Drama and Dance. After the huge success of two week long summer schools last year, the dance and drama centre
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£2.5m incentive for First Division survival
SUCCESS in the First Division will be worth at least £2.5 million for the Clarets next season following the new television deal secured by Nationwide League clubs. The League has agreed a £315 million package with ITV and ONdigital for a three-year period
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Best window cleaner goes one better
WINDOW cleaner Mark O'Hanlon has a touch of 'glass' according to his faithful customers. For Mark, from Balcarres Road, Leyland, has come tops in a major competition to find the North West's best cleaner. And to prove he's a cut above the rest, Mark has
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PC's body in burning car
AN INVESTIGATION is under way following the grim discovery of a policeman's body in a burnt out car near Leyland last week. Examinations have revealed that PC Paul Wilkinson -- dental records are the only clue to his identity -- suffered shotgun wounds
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Trip to USA is dad's lifeline
HUNDREDS of Leyland schoolchildren have pledged to help a brain tumour sufferer get vital treatment abroad after British doctors said his condition was inoperable. Peter Gibson, 41, of Elmwood Avenue, Leyland, was told that he had just a few months to
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All aboard the bubbly bus
POP out of town for a corking road trip on the Bubbly Bus as a Blackpool hotel celebrates the return of a vintage idea. The Grand Metropole Hotel on the promenade has restarted its famous Champagne Tours after almost ten years. The five-day long trips
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A lifeline for the disabled opens
DISABLED people now have a new 'one stop' centre after three local services in Blackpool joined forces. The new Disability Information Service is an amalgamation of Disability Services LTD, Rideability and Shopmobility under one roof at a new town centre
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Euro acclaim for Blackpool learning project
AN INNOVATIVE project launched last year on a Blackpool housing estate has won international acclaim after a visit from two EC countries. The idea for the Blackpool Integra Project, a pioneering scheme which brings education and training to the residents
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Haydock stroll
HAYDOCK second team sauntered to a nine-wicket victory over Halsall. Star of the show was back-to-form bowler Dave Jones, who took 6-14, including a hat-trick. Halsall won the toss and elected to bat on a fine batting strip. But they were soon in trouble
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IKEA could build store in Blackpool
BLACKPOOL could be the site for a new IKEA store -- one of 20 stores to be built by the massive Swedish furniture company over the next ten years. It is believed that the company is looking at land at Peel Hill, near the B&Q Superstore and the M55
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Firing up a lost dream
HUGH, Pugh, man from Blackpool, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub. Fans of Trumpton will remember the original cry, and this week David Bonney, from Blackpool, pictured, was taken back to his childhood to realise his dream of being a firefighter. A national competition
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Did you know my father?
DO you remember the Cleveleys Savoy entertainment complex on Victoria Road in its heyday? If so, you could have some valuable information for a woman who is desperately trying to trace some fond memories and an unknown member of her family. Linda Coffey
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Green scheme driven forward
STAFF at Lancashire County Council are being offered cheap loans to buy cars in a controversial new move supporting the Government's drive for a cleaner environment. The pioneering car loan scheme, offered to all employees, gives a special discount of
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Vet's team have eyes on final
THE South Lancs Veterans bowling team is just two games away from the final of the British Parks National (Senior) County Team Championship. In their debut season the South Lancas side reached the semi-final with a 199-168 away victory over Central Midlands
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Championship test for student stars
TOP class student rugby league comes to Leigh's Hilton Park on Sunday when the Student RL Championship of Great Britain and Ireland kicks off. The opening game is between Wales and Ireland (1.30pm) followed at 3.30pm by England and Scotland. Wales are
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Malone takes derby honours
THE Manchester Association derby game between Culcheth and Glazebury ended in a four-wicket victory for the home side. Glazebury chose to bat first and hit an impressive 187-6. Simon Green hit an aggressive 52, skipper Gareth Banks an unbeaten 44 and
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Dynamic Dynamo
TWO Leigh and District Youth League teams have met in a pre-season friendly with Dynamo Boys U16s beating AC Horwich by 7-2. Dynamo took the lead in the third minute when Callum Peters confidently stroked home a penalty kick awarded for handball. Horwich
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It's full steam ahead for Railway
THE Railway beat the Foundry by six runs in a close and tense match. Skipper Chapman put the Railway into bat but it wasn't long before man-of-the-match Craig Fairclough hit out, getting seven sixes and three fours on his way to 73. Landlord Billy Barnes
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Young mother burned in car blaze
A YOUNG mum suffered burns to both legs when her car burst into flames on Angouleme Way yesterday afternoon The driver, whose identity had not been established at the time of going to press, was taken to Bury General Hospital at around 3.30pm for treatment
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Hard work works
HARD work leads to long life according to Primrose Cottage resident Margaret Booth -- and she should know as she celebrates her 106th birthday tomorrow. Miss Booth, who is the eldest resident at the old folks' home on Hudcar Lane by 10 years, has lived
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Man rescued after bin blaze
SEVERAL cups of dishwater saved the lives of a Bury couple whose afternoon "on the town" nearly turned into a tragedy. Quick thinking Station Officer Paul Myerscough ran into the kitchen of the house in Arley Avenue, Bury, and managed to extinguish a
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Jansen says 'sorry'
MATT JANSEN has apologised to England and Blackburn Rovers and vowed to get his head down and produce the goods for club and country. The Rovers striker was hit by a three-match international ban by the FA for breaking a curfew while on duty with the
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Now the building starts
THE wait is over for the Seasiders! Demolition work on the north and west stands of Bloomfield Road will begin on Monday (June 26) following the decision by Blackpool Borough Council to lease the land north of the ground. The news means that the new multi-million
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They won't hold us to ramsom
GREEDY players aren't welcome here -- that's the message from Preston North End who say they will not be held to ransom by players after huge wages. Several bids for players are believed to have been scuppered by the personal demands requested by agents
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Parents reassured over meningitis jab
HEALTH chiefs have moved to reassure parents concerned about the safety of the new meningitis C vaccination programme following reports that children had experienced adverse reactions. Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Pat Troop, said: "We want to reassure
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Suite you sir!
A UNIQUE furniture re-cycling project providing affordable quality furniture will be officially launched on Tuesday, July 4. Future St Helens Limited is the result of a pioneering partnership between Pathways, local businesses and Grosvenor Housing, with
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SHAKERS ON A MISSION!
BURY won't need any motivating when the whistle goes for kick-off to the 2000-2001 campaign! For their opening game they travel to Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium and will be hell-bent on revenge after a traumatic 3-0 defeat there last season. In a disastrous
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Tenants will have a say!
ST HELENS Council is to consult tenants on proposals to demolish almost 400 council properties, many of them bed-sits and flats which are empty and in poor condition. But offcials stress that this would be phased in and will not be carried out before
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Bid to block caravans
SUTTON residents are uniting in a bid to combat a planning proposal for a permanent travellers caravan site in Hoghton Road right next to their homes. A residents meeting was held last week at St Helens Town's ground in Hoghton Road which around 140 people
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Star's a hit in Hong Kong
THE St Helens Star has done it again! The influence of your favourite local newspaper has stretched across continents to encourage a St Helens woman now living in Hong Kong, to make a donation to a local charity. Special needs teacher Julie Shroff (formerly
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Parking's no joke
I WORK and shop in Preston and think that the town has a massive problem with parking facilities. The park and ride services off Hartington Road and Riversway are always full, and the extra park and ride sites promised by councillors never seem to come
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New priest waiting for the sun
THE Rev Chris Straton is thankful for Northern warmth. After the heat of South Africa Mr Straton, 53, and his wife, Elizabeth, admit they are "still waiting for summer" a month after arriving in Tyldesley. "But the warmth of the people and their friendliness
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Worth every penny
AFTER reading the letter in the Citizen's June 6 issue, titled 'Trip to theatre was a let-down', I felt I had to reply. I also watched The Mikado at the Charter Theatre and, although the theatre was half empty, the cast and orchestra made the show the
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Disabled people draw short straw
I FAIL to understand why on earth any public body, particularly the NHS, should find itself remotely dependent upon a charity for its services (Citizen, June 15). I refer to the withdrawal of MIND, the charity which helps those suffering from mental illness
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Let's get on the map
ONE of Citizen Smith's friends crossed the border into Penrith the other week. A pleasant 40-minute drive up the motorway took him to an antique shop where, suitably enthused, he decided to buy a chest of drawers. All very straightforward, I'm told, until
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'Freeze' on town hall jobs
BLACKPOOL Borough Council is playing down claims that it is suffering a cash crisis after imposing a recruitment freeze. Already hampered by a reported £9 million debt, the council has now said it will no longer take on new staff in "non-essential" jobs
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Fans 1 Violence 0
POLICE and licensees in Blackpool have praised the good behaviour of revellers on Saturday night (June 17) after thousands of people watched the England v Germany match without a single incident of violence or drunken trouble. More than 15,000 people
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MBE for radio station boss
JOHN Barnett, chairman of local radio station The Wave, said he was "surprised and honoured" to be one of a number of Fylde folk awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Mr Barnett, pictured here in the studio, received the award for services to
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Life's a beach for new team
A BRAND new Fleetwood health team are swapping building sandcastles for building bridges as they prepare to spend a week on the beach. The Positive Parenting Team, based at Fleetwood Health Centre is hiring out a beach hut in its aim to reach out and
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Council's parking U-turn
CONTROVERSIAL plans to charge up to £1 an hour for parking in Blackpool town centre have been scrapped following a meeting by Blackpool Borough Council. Plans to introduce pay and display meters were originally proposed to combat the increasing parking
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700 jobs to go at BAE
MORE than 700 jobs are to be axed at BAE Systems in Warton and Samlesbury, it has been revealed. The losses follow an anxious week for workers who had previously been told to expect around 300 redundancies in Lancashire. All the job cuts are to be in
