Archive
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East Lancashire events Wednesday, December 6
Christmas Crafts, The Feilden Room, Blackburn Library, 11am-1pm. National Children's Home Carol Service, Blackburn Cathedral, 7pm. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre. Dylan Moran, Guild Hall, Preston, 7.30pm. Haslingden Writers
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I was Vera Duckworth's fancy man!
WHEN Coronation Street first hit the TV screens, David Ross was a young wannabe treading the boards with Blackburn Drama Club. His talent was spotted by a member of the Moorey family, well known herbalists in the town for over 50 years, and from that
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Shape of shows to come
A CHRISTMAS special with plenty of old favourites from the West End musicals will be staged this week for one night only at the Royal Court Theatre, Bacup. Bacup Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society members will be giving a taste of their next productions
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Lancashire hot stuff
GALA supper performances of popular Lancashire play Hindle Wakes will be held at Hoghton Tower this weekend. Although the 90-year-old play is now a period piece, it was once considered so shocking that students were banned from going to see it when a
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Only Spain is lower
COUNCILLOR David Pearson (Letters, November 27) said that "Britain pays the highest taxes in Europe." This is simply not true. The overall level of tax in Britain is lower than in every other European Union country, except for Spain. COUNCILLOR DAVE HOLLINGS
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Honour has to be earned
I AM sure many people are sick of reading about Carl Fogarty whingeing about why he should be made a freeman of Blackburn. As for him never having heard of Barbara Castle, I suggest he visits the local library and reads up on her life. Having done so,
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Spirit is sky-high
WHAT a wonderful surprise to discover your article (LET, November 23) about 16-year-old Adam Jackson learning to fly -- a young boy with a high ambition, working hard to achieve it. It was a complete antidote to the front page horrors and the tales of
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Greater need in other areas
NO one was questioning Leslie Burrows's pride in Mill Hill (Letters, November 29). I was attempting to bring his attention to the fact that Blackburn with Darwen Council have nominated his ward as among the most deprived in the country, which is contrary
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Custody battle monkey missing
A MONKEY at the centre of a court custody battle has been taken into hiding 24 hours before he was due to be taken from his owner. Mary Stanton, 73, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, last week lost her £3,000 legal battle against Blackburn with Darwen Council's
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Magpies dismiss Shearer claims
NEWCASTLE United today dismissed reports that skipper Alan Shearer is to undergo an exploratory operation on his knee injury. It was claimed that Shearer was booked in to have keyhole surgery after a recurrence of the bout of tendonitis which hampered
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3,000 sales in Blackburn Lancashire
BLACKBURN Rovers remain hopeful of selling their full allocation of tickets for the forthcoming derby clash with Burnley in 12 days time. Rovers have been granted 4,200 tickets for the first league meeting between the two clubs in 17 years. According
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Celebration ended in street fight
A MAN suffered a smashed cheek after he was allegedly subjected to a "vicious" attack by a gold-chain wearing "skinhead" in an early hours town centre incident. Stephen Muldoon told Burnley Crown Court how John Gabriel, 26, had asked him if he wanted
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Mourner injured in club fracas
A MOURNER at a funeral wake was one of three people injured when violence broke out at a Burnley club, a jury heard. Burnley Crown Court heard how Stephen Riley was attacked when he went downstairs to use the telephone and somebody hit him on the head
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It's Time to talk as PC trade dips
COMPUTER giant Time, which is in urgent refinancing talks with its bankers, has warned it cannot see an improvement in the hard-hit home PC market in the foreseeable future. Time Computers has undertaken a major review of its business which will boost
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Blow in bid to stop building
A CAMPAIGN by residents to stop the extension of Lomeshaye Industrial Estate into green belt land was delivered a blow when councillors decided to extend the public consultation period. Members of the public, who packed in to the council chamber and public
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Search pooches travel in style
DOGS from search charity Canis will speed to their next rescue operation in style after a donation of transport by Colne-based Acorn Pet Supplies. The animal feed suppliers, in Whitehall Industrial Estate, donated Clipper transportation crates which will
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Freight ideas floated
WAYS of boosting freight on the country's inland waterways, including the Leeds and Liverpool Canal are being considered by the Government. The new Freight Study Group will examine and identify cost-effective and practical means of encouraging increased
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Victim dragged into alley
A YOUNG woman was indecently assaulted in an alleyway minutes after making a call from a public phone box. The 21-year-old was walking away from the call-box along Commercial Street, Oswaldtwistle, when the attacker pounced and dragged her into an alleyway
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Woman left screaming in agony
A WOMAN was left screaming in agony after scalding hot water was poured over her arms in a senseless attack. And today Vera Allen slammed the young cowards who struck in a small park in Fielding Lane, Great Harwood. Vera was walking her dog when she was
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Ms Claus ready to plunge
MISS Santa Claus will take the plunge for charity on Saturday with a skydive. Plucky Jayne Parrington, 33, will jump from a plane three miles above Lancaster, strapped to a parachute instructor, in aid of the Kenneth MacMillan Memorial Fund. Jayne, who
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Two steps forward and one step back!
WORKLOADS for builders in the North West have increased by 11 per cent reports the Federation of Master Builders in its latest quarterly State of the Trade survey. However, the overall buoyancy is being undermined by increasing levels of red tape and
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Cooke typified spirit of Ternent's teams
Cumminga and goings with Stephen Cummings IN A week in which Burnley took another stride towards securing First Division status, it was perhaps a little ironic that a player who embodies all the virtues that have helped propel the Clarets to their current
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Clarets cropped by the Owls
FA Youth Cup: Burnley 0, Sheffield Wednesday 6 BURNLEY came a cropper in the FA Youth Cup -- with Sheffield Wednesday striker Dene Cropper doing most of the damage at Turf Moor last night. The tall forward along with strike partner John Shaw posed all
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Smith eyes return
INJURY jinxed Clarets winger Paul Smith revealed he could have broken his leg in the freak accident that sidelined him for the best part of a month. But having finally got over his latest set-back, Smith is now aiming for a first-team comeback at Turf
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Church revamp sees new ramp
DISABLED youngster Elizabeth Parry was guest of honour for the opening of a new access ramp at Bury United Reformed Church. Elizabeth (5), of Fernview Drive, Holcombe Brook, cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony on Saturday (Dec 2). The event
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Speed cut should help the cyclists
MOTORISTS could be asked to curb their speed on Bury's inner relief road, with a proposal to introduce cycle lanes on Peel Way. The speed limit could be cut from 40 to 30 mph on Peel Way and adjoining town centre roads, should the plan go ahead. A decision
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Government cash boost for schools
BURY schools are to get more than half a million pounds pumped into them for refurbishments and improvements. The £632,224 of government cash is already in the post and the money will go directly to the schools. Mr Paul Cooke, acting head of buildings
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Meetings clock up £4m trade
AN INITIATIVE to bring East Lancashire bosses together has generated more than £4 million worth of business in the area this year. Business brains have met, swapped ideas and generated leads during a series of networking meetings organised every other
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Bury FC: Shakers slump in West Country
BRISTOL CITY 4 BURY 1 HOWEVER inaccurate the referee's watch was on Saturday it shouldn't mask the truth. Bury were beaten by a better side and the scoreline was a fair reflection. Shakers boss Andy Preece was fuming afterwards because the referee played
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Hunt for scooter death trucker
POLICE have launched a nationwide hunt for a trucker who mowed down an East Lancashire scooter rider - and left him lying on a motorway to die. Tragic Ron Cobbledick of Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, was hit by four other lorries and a van while the trucker
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Mental health unit set for Spring
A £5MILLION mental health unit at an East Lancashire hospital is approaching completion. Contractors Allenbuild North West are on target to meet the deadline date for work on the new unit at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn. Work started in November 1999
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Stepping out at last
MEMBERS of the North East Lancashire Ramblers Association are preparing to cover new ground now the new Countryside Act has became law. The act received Royal Assent on November 30 and gives the public the right to roam on mountain moorland, heath, down
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Playgroup scores learning goals
CHILDREN at Brownhill Playgroup in Blackburn were found to be making good progress towards early learning goals by Ofsted inspectors. Personal and social emotional development was found to be well fostered, with children tackling activities with confidence
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2020: Rahima speaks out for youth
A SCHOOLGIRL stood up in front of more than 100 delegates to call for a borough-wide policy to deal with bullying. Among the many aspects of the Community Plan is a commitment to set up a youth parliament for the borough of Blackburn with Darwen. And
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Tears of joy for Mick
LEUKAEMIA sufferer Mick Baines cried tears of joy as doctors began injecting him with the bone marrow which could save his life. Mick of Bolton Road, Abbey Village, underwent the crucial bone marrow transplant at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, on
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It's a devil of an issue
NEIL Bramwell castigating insularity is like the devil rebuking sin (LET, November 30). While I personally agree that we should field a Great Britain team, I am one who was pleased that Ipswich won promotion last season despite being a Norwich City supporter
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2020: Countdown to better lives
THE seven areas of Blackburn with Darwen's Community Plan, The 2020 Vision, have specific targets to meet. These include: CRIME: Reduce domestic burglary in the borough by 35 per cent within five years. Reduce vehicle crime by 35 per cent within five
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Custody battle monkey missing
A MONKEY at the centre of a court custody battle has been taken into hiding 24 hours before he was due to be taken from his owner. Mary Stanton, 73, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, last week lost her £3,000 legal battle against Blackburn with Darwen Council's
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Non-league: Carden set for Stanley
ACCRINGTON Stanley have agreed a four figure fee for Radcliffe Borough midfielder Simon Carden. The Reds are close to completing a deal with the UniBond First Division club and are expected to agree personal terms with the player this week. Stanley had
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Double glory for Hawks
BLACKBURN Hawks enjoyed double weekend success, retaining the North West Cup at the expense of Altrincham, and crushing Grimsby Buffaloes in an English League North fixture. The North West Cup is an annual challenge between the Hawks and close rivals
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Willcock not a Maine contender
AFTER a four goal hit at the weekend, Ramsbottom will be looking to continue their climb up the North West Counties Division One table when they make the trip to Maine Road tonight. The Rams debutant Chris Willcock scored two in Saturday's game against
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Arran Thompson's tour diary
We've got a mountain to climb RESULTS haven't gone our way, but we are still hopeful that we can qualify for the semi finals. We have four games left in the first stage of the World Cup and we need to win as many as we can if we are going to make it.
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Girl power scoops our news prizes
GIRL power has triumphed in the competition to find budding newshounds, set in our English/Media resource for KS3 and KS4. The winners and runners-up are all from Walshaw High School fro Girls, Burnley. Joint first prize winners are Sarah Aslam and Zaqiya
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Man (20) is left for dead
A BURY man is fighting for his life following a violent attack in a Manchester street. Carl Kingston (20) was set upon in Huxley Avenue, Cheetham Hill, at 3.45pm on Saturday (Dec 2) and is now being treated in Hope Hospital's intensive care unit. Witnesses
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Far-reaching vision must be made to work
WHAT is most striking about the targets set out in the new Community Action Plan aimed at improving the quality of life for everyone in Blackburn and Darwen over the next 20 years is not just their boldness, but the belief that comes with them that they
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Stage Whispers
CHORLEY Youth Theatre is hoping to have its audience in stitches next week with its tale of a clothes-less fashion parade. The players are producing the fable The Emperor's New Clothes on Saturday, December 16, at the Chorley Little Theatre. The youngsters
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Query comes up trumps
I WOULD like to thank everyone who responded to my query (Letters, November 22) as to whether 'Forces Sweetheart' singer Anne Shelton ever appeared locally. From the replies I received, it appears she sang in Burnley and at the Ace of Spades in Whalley
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Where did the billions go?
I WONDER if Councillor Pearson, apparently a financial expert, could explain to the rest of us what happened to the billions of pounds raised by the Conservative government when it sold off Telecom, the gas, water and electric industries, Giro, and the
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Highs and lows of tax system
CONSERVATIVE councillor D Pearson (Letters, November 27) says that Britain pays the highest taxes in Europe. This is simply not true -- on some items, we pay higher taxes and, on some items, we pay lower taxes, but overall taxation is not higher in the
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War myths dispelled
IN the matter of war and remembrance, I missed W Soley's remarks (Letters, November 2), but did read his critics who used all the hackneyed phrases which I, too, used to be brought up with. I do not wish to criticise the critics as they also believe in
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Figures tell the true tale
MRS W Kay (Letters, November 30) is incorrect, as is Tory Councillor D Pearson (Letters, November 27) in repeating that British people are "the highest taxed in Europe." Britain actually comes mid-way in the European taxation league. Mrs Kay also forgets
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Shame of TV quiz winner
TV BOSSES could scrap the final of popular quiz show Fifteen to One after launching an investigation into claims that a convicted sex offender had taken part. And Channel 4, which was due to screen two shows featuring the former East Lancashire teacher
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Keeper set for loan
ONE of Rovers' back-up keepers could be heading out of Ewood in the next couple of days. One of Rovers' First Division rivals have contacted the club about a possible loan move for either John Filan or Alan Kelly. And, with Brad Friedel now firmly established
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Strachan's bargain buy
Down by the Riverside with Phil Lloyd I can remember a time when the January Sales started in January. Nowadays the signs go up before Christmas is even here, enticing yet more unwilling shoppers to pay under the odds for something that they didn't really
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Dragon guards garden
IT was a case of Enter the Dragon as Offshoots workers shot up to Towneley Park to present their handiwork. A living willow sculpture crafted into fencing panels in the shape of a Chinese dragon was made last week to create a fence for the Offshoots community
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Return stolen medal plea
A WIDOW is making a desperate plea for the return of her late husband's war medal. The great-grandmother, who does not want to be named, was left traumatised when she returned home after a shopping trip and disturbed burglars who had just left by the
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Shame of TV quiz winner
TV BOSSES could scrap the final of popular quiz show Fifteen to One after launching an investigation into claims that a convicted sex offender had taken part. And Channel 4, which was due to screen two shows featuring the former East Lancashire teacher
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Village all aglow
LIGHT returned to a village community as a family staged their annual Christmas illuminations show. David and April Barnes and son Mark have been lighting up their roadside home in Fence for around 10 years and the show gets bigger by the year. The switch-on
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No local winners in choral fest
OUT-of-towners dominated the adult singing classes at the second and final week of Colne's Luther Greenwood Memorial Festival. The only Pendle borough trophy winner was baritone Bill Ormerod -- and he lives in neighbouring Nelson. Bill, a supporter of
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Ten years ago: Christmas cheer
A BLACKBURN school was given a real Christmas cheer by the BBC. Pupils at St Andrew's CE Primary School travelled to the Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham where they were to perform a song after winning through to the last eight of a national Christmas
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Five years ago: murder hunt
A MURDER-STYLE investigation was launched after a 90-year-old woman found dying on her bedroom floor claimed she had been attacked. Mary Johnston died in hospital seven days after police found her in her Reservoir Street, Darwen, home suffering from cuts
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Conservatory giant sparkles
CONSERVATORY giant Ultraframe today revealed a sparkling business performance over the past 12 months with sales and profits at record levels. The Clitheroe-based company, Europe's leading specialist designer and manufacturer of conservatory roofs, saw
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Shalers deny West link
BURY have denied they are interested in signing Burnley wing-back Dean West. The 28-year-old defender -- who was part of Bury's double promotion winning side under Stan Ternent -- had been linked with a loan move back to the Shakers with captain Nick
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Two beaten by gang
TWO Asian men needed hospital treatment after they were attacked by five white youths. According to police, a 21-year-old man was chased along Rochdale Road, Bury, and beaten about the head and body before a 42-year-old Asian take-away worker attempted
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Post hit by rail hold-ups
SEND your Christmas greetings early. That's the festive message from the Post Office. Disruption to rail services has forced Royal Mail to bring in extra air and road services to cope with an estimated bundle of 60 million letters a day. More than 200
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Avoid burst pipes in winter
BURY residents have been issued with a "don't lag behind" warning when it comes to insulating pipes in their home. North West Water has urged householders to take steps to properly insulate pipes when frost takes a grip during the winter. Bursts occur
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Cash granted for more reading
READ all about it! An out-of-school club in Bury has secured a £350 grant to transform its reading room. The club, based at Christ Church in Walshaw, has been awarded the cash by the Nescafe Kids' Club Challenge. This is a two year partnership between
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Witness call after accident
WITNESSES are being sought to a road traffic accident which left a pedestrian with serious injuries. Mr Brian Hellawell of Foxglove Drive, Bury, is said to be in a "comfortable and stable" condition in Bury General Hospital where he was rushed on Friday
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Norweb tune in to business opportunity
BURY businesses and those elsewhere in Lancashire could benefit after Norweb Telecom successfully bid for a £1 million broadband fixed wireless access licence. Lancashire is one of four locations selected by Norweb for the project, allowing the company
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I thought I was going to die
A POLICEMAN from Bury has spoken of the moment he thought he was going to die just a few months before his retirement at the hands of a drug-crazed knife man. Sgt Dave Barlow, who retires from the force today (Tues Dec 5), had to protect himself when
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3,000 sales in Blackburn Lancashire
BLACKBURN Rovers remain hopeful of selling their full allocation of tickets for the forthcoming derby clash with Burnley in 12 days time. Rovers have been granted 4,200 tickets for the first league meeting between the two clubs in 17 years. According
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Smith eyes return
INJURY jinxed Clarets winger Paul Smith revealed he could have broken his leg in the freak accident that sidelined him for the best part of a month. But having finally got over his latest set-back, Smith is now aiming for a first-team comeback at Turf
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Plunge in profits
HIRE services and building contracting firm Allen saw its pre-tax profits plunge to £540,000 in the six months to the beginning of October, compared to just over £10 million in the same period last year. Exceptional items and losses from discounted operations
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Farmers facing increase in prices for feed
FARMERS face a further increase in manufactured feed prices this winter, according to an East Lancashire-based animal feed company. Howard Blackburn, general manager at Dugdale Nutrition, of Clitheroe, blamed the forecast increase on the withdrawal in
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Firms measure their success
BUSINESS managers turned the spotlight on how successful, or otherwise, they are during the latest in a series of Investors in People Network breakfast meetings. Bosses from across East Lancashire were asked how effectively they are measuring their own
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Tests at blaze factory
DETECTIVES investigating a fire which ripped through a paper and packaging plant in Darwen two weeks ago are awaiting the results of a forensic examination to determine the cause of the blaze. The fire at Stamford Convertors, also known as Stamford Packaging
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Season ticket turmoil
I THINK Mr M Whittaker (Sports Letters, November 28) slightly misses the point when he disagreed with my remarks about priority for Burnley tickets going to away fans who see every game. He is absolutely right when he says season ticket holders are loyal
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Custody battle monkey missing
A MONKEY at the centre of a court custody battle has been taken into hiding 24 hours before he was due to be taken from his owner. Mary Stanton, 73, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, last week lost her £3,000 legal battle against Blackburn with Darwen Council's
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Straw's UK team idea is preposterous
JACK Straw advocates a United Kingdom football team in order that the home countries will collectively achieve more international success. It is like saying: "Let's amalgamate Blackburn Rovers and Burnley FC in the hope that we can beat Manchester United
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2020 Vision for a brighter future
BLACKBURN and Darwen could find themselves lagging even further more prosperous parts of the country if the borough fails to live up to the ambitious targets set down in the new Community Plan, claims a council boss. The 2020 Vision, Blackburn and Darwen's
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Rovers need to put up a solid defence
I FIND it hard to believe the complacency shown by Blackburn Rovers' management and fans in respect of the obvious and serious problems inherent within the teams' defence. There is no realistic prospect of promotion as the weaknesses and frailties of
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Giggs an exception
IT seems to me that Neil Bramwell and other advocates of a UK football team must know they haven't a leg to stand on. If this went ahead, we would be able to harness the talents of Ryan Giggs and . . . well that's it really, isn't it? I don't think there
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Willcock not a Maine contender
AFTER a four goal hit at the weekend, Ramsbottom will be looking to continue their climb up the North West Counties Division One table when they make the trip to Maine Road tonight. The Rams debutant Chris Willcock scored two in Saturday's game against
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Lynx slip to swinton defeat
Chorley Lynx 12, Swinton Lions 30 IN their opening fixture in the Northern Ford Premiership, Lynx went down to defeat against local rivals Swinton Lions. Throughout the game Lynx had plenty of quality possession but lacked the power to break the Swinton
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Wealth of tales to be told
STYLE matters, as youngsters in a Blackburn school discovered during a news writing sessions with Newspapers in Education co-ordinator Rita Shaw. The idea that everyone has a story to tell certainly proved true. News of achievements, accidents and adventures
