Archive
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East Lancs events December 8
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, 7pm. "Never Mind The Weather," presented by the nursery children, Moor End CP School, Oswaldtwistle, 10.30am and 2.15pm. Jack Straw MP surgery, Mill Hill Community Centre, New Chapel Street
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Venables is not so venerable
LET that be a lesson to anyone who fails to take Middlesbrough Football Club seriously. On the brink of a disastrous drop into the Premiership, chairman Steve Gibson chose the only dignified route available. While the knee-jerkers were advocating the
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'Street' tales unbelievable
I SEE with dismay that Coronation Street is being screened seven days a week. With this and the possible return of Crossroads, do the producers not think that we suffer enough , without being bombarded with this never ending drivel every time we turn
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Book reprint on the way
ON behalf of all involved in the production of the book '1963 Blackburn -- a proud town,' may I thank your readers for their generous support in purchasing copies of this nostalgic trip around the town in Easter 1963, containing 120 previously unseen
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Gridlock warning
SO the road that has served Blackburn's folk so well and serviced the town centre for hundreds of years is to be closed. The current council's commonsense approach to the town's traffic problems would appear to be sorely blighted by the rose-tinted haze
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Paedophile blacked out
TV bosses today axed a heat of popular quiz show Fifteen To One after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed it had been won by a convicted sex offender. Channel 4 programme makers also announced that they would edit the man out of the show's grand
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Johnson set for return
DAMIEN Johnson could be back in the frame for Saturday's home clash with Queens Park Rangers at Ewood. Johnson has missed the last couple of games because of a back injury. But manager Graeme Souness believes his Northern Ireland whizz-kid has a chance
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Chase on for McAteer
A NUMBER of Premiership clubs are closing in on Blackburn Rovers' out-of-favour midfielder Jason McAteer. The Republic of Ireland international, who has slipped fown the pecking order at Ewood in recent weeks, has already been the subject of interest
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Absence of praise
AS a Saints fan I have read with incredulity the absence of praise for Saints players in Ellery Hanley's articles about the Rugby League World Cup in a national newspaper. Hanley was full of praise for Andy Farrell and Kris Radlinski (both Wigan) saying
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Good Samaritan
I'M writing to express my thanks to the lady who knocked on my door earlier this week, at about 8pm, to tell me I'd left my keys in the outside lock of my front door. I didn't have a clue I'd been so careless and I dread to think how easily someone could
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Compensation long overdue for Japanese PoWs
AS a result of the announcement by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair stating that the remaining surviving ex-prisoners of war of the Japanese, are to receive long-overdue compensation in the region of £10,000. I feel I can be of help to some claimants. There
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Swim girl going to great lengths
SWIMMER Rachael Pile is close to completing the equivalent of a length of Britain marathon swim for charity. For the talented teenager pledged to swim the equivalent of the distance between John O'Groats and Land's End over a 12-month period and is now
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Police in disciplinary hearings
DISCIPLINARY hearings against four Burnley police officers, said to have helped run a taxi business, have opened at Lancashire Police at Hutton. A police spokesman said the matter was an internal disciplinary procedure and no comment would be made until
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Primary pupils continue to raise standards
STANDARDS continued to rise at East Lancashire primary schools, according to league tables published today. Lancashire County Council schools were ahead of the national average for the numbers of 11-year-olds passing level four English, maths and science
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Phone war on soccer spoilsports
SOCCER bosses are teaming up with police to tackle football-related disorder in East Lancashire by encouraging fans to report hooliganism, abuse and violence. Burnley fans are being urged to use Lancashire Crimestoppers freephone number 0800 555 111 with
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Paedophile blacked out
TV bosses today axed a heat of popular quiz show Fifteen To One after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed it had been won by a convicted sex offender. Channel 4 programme makers also announced that they would edit the man out of the show's grand
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New festivals
COUNCILLORS have met to discuss next year's festival season. Following last year's mix up over Summerbreeze and the spectacular flops at the end of the season, members decided to come up with new ideas as well as stick by old favourites. The Festival
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Chase across three counties
A TEENAGER who stole the cab of an articulated lorry left a trail of destruction across Lancashire as he fled from police on Tuesday night. Police vehicles were rammed by the 16-year-old and his 24-year-old passenger as they sped through three different
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Jones' case collapses
FORMER Morecambe FC coach David Jones was cleared this week of all child abuse allegations against him after the prosecution at his trial at Liverpool Crown Court said no evidence was being offered. After the verdict on Tuesday, Mr Jones said he was "
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Arson suspected in off-licence fire
POLICE are investigating a suspected arson attack on an off licence in Carr Road, Nelson, early today. Firefighters were called to Gillian's Off Licence at 2.45am to find the premises and living accommodation well alight. Leading Firefighter Mark Doggett
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Team work pays off
Portico u/15s 18 Wigan St Cuthberts 10 PORTICO'S outstanding team work paid off as they finally saw off a determined St Cuthberts. Try-scorers were Martin Allender (3) and Kevin Tench, with Paul Leyland adding a conversion. Man-of-the-match was Stephen
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Close call for 12-man Heath
Thatto Heath Crusaders 24 Keighley Albion 22 HEATH were taken to the wire by fellow Conference Division Two side Keighley Albion in this thrilling first round Challenge Cup tie after having to play the whole of the second half with 12 men. After a tight
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Discipline the key for young Recs
Oldham St Annes u/15s 10 Pilks Recs 16 THIS was a good win for a well-disciplined Pilks side with tries coming from Dean Halliwell (2), Gary Philbin and Chris Canning. The Star Inn man-of-the-match went to Ian Langley with Gary Philbin, Tony Hill, Andy
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Haydock tame the Bulls
Bank Quay Bulls 12 Haydock 40 HAYDOCK progressed to the final of the Lancashire Cup for the second year in succession but were given a tough time by Warrington side Bank Quay who played well above their Division Four status. The Yickers started strongly
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Bulldogs bow out of Challenge Cup
Widnes St Maries 38 Blackbrook Bulldogs 18 BROOK'S hopes of progressing in this year's Challenge Cup were dashed by a powerful second-half show by the NWCL Premier Division side led by Tongan centre Hamon Tuaavo. There was little to choose between the
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Kiln roost of Cockney Bob
FURTHER memories of scrap-metal gatherer Bob Dudley, mentioned at length on this ancient page recently, have come in from Fingerpost reader Mrs M. Swift. Known throughout the borough as Cockney Bob, because of the London accent he'd cultivated over the
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A stagger down 'Booze Street'
WHICH was the booziest street in St Helens? Keen nostalgia buff Ken Large reckons he has the answer, after flicking through some ancient records which detailed Bridge Street as having no fewer than 14 pubs during the late 19th-century. Ken, a key member
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The A-film gatecrashers!
THE skill in gatecrashing an adult film show, for any kid living during the golden era of the local picture palace, lay not just in bluffing a way past the stiff-necked cinema attendant but in avoiding a mid-show tap on the shoulder. This entailed creeping
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Plan to put men back into stations
UNMANNED railway stations in East Lancashire should soon be patrolled by stationmasters, according to an MEP. Liberal Democrat North West MEP Chris Davies, said his proposal had received a warm response from the area's two main train station operators
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Soccer physio booted out
THE football team physio who used credit cards stolen from players' wallets has been sacked. Kelvin Clark was physio at Accrington Stanley, but Burnley Crown Court heard last week he attempted to buy hundreds of pounds' worth of goods with cards taken
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Coming soon - a brand new cinema
THE ambitious creation of a leisure complex in the heart of Accrington is set to begin within weeks after councillors finally gave it the green light. Hyndburn Council's development services committee yesterday approved the £2million scheme, which paves
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Kindness brings tears of happiness
A DISABLED war veteran and his wife wept tears of joy as they spoke of the kindness which has restored their faith in human nature after a callous raid on their home. As he spoke, Harry Birch looked around the upstairs of his home for the first time in
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Driven out by hatred
COUNCILLORS today asked the public to leave a lesbian couple alone after claims their lives have been made a living hell by homophonic neighbours. The couple, who have asked not be named for fear that the situation might get worse, today revealed they
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Words of wisdom
FOR some great Hallisms, check out the Church Hall on the BBC website, absolutely packed with great words from the man himself. It's a year out of date, but still packed with some of Stuart Hall's finest prose ever committed to html. www.bbc.co.uk/churchhall
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Cheggers lacks that old magic
HOW to raise a laugh in the office: go to the Channel 5 website, hit the links to chat and game shows, and hit the picture of Keith Chegwin. No, it's not an mpeg of that nude quiz show, it plays the It's a Knockout theme music. Fantastic. I've seen the
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Green watchdog blocks Cemfuel restart
PLANS to restart burning Cemfuel this week have been halted after Environment inspectors said more work needed to be done. Castle Cement installed continuous monitoring equipment costing £160,000 to allow it to return to burning the recycled chemical
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Have cuppa la Ferrarri
LATEST wonderful and strange rumour from my global internet village was that coffee company Lavazza have built an internet ready coffee machine which automatically lets the firm know when it needs servicing by emailing the firm when it's ready for the
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Specially for chocaholics
THIS week's tip for Christmas shopping on the Net takes a tour to tasty treats. Groovy Chocolate is a new site (it only went live at the end of last month) which specialises in personalised chocolate bars -- I kid you not The firm uses edible inks to
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YMCA flying high
BJFF U9s A 2 YMCA A 8 BJFF U9s B 8 YMCA B 1 YMCA lost 10-9 on aggregate but the home team's decision to play their weaker side in the A match seemed pointless with both contests being totally one-sided. Joe Van-Breemen hit five in the A game with Mike
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Rallying round-up
MORECAMBE'S Phil Burton/Mick Fallows took the honours of being first two-wheel drive car on last Saturday's Grizedale Stages. Finishing in 5th place out of the 90 car entry, the local crew where only 90 seconds behind the winner and still ahead of the
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Why was loan not paid back?
THE Friends of the Winter Gardens have expressed "serious concerns" about the way the historic theatre's million pound refurbishment deal was handled. During a passionate annual general meeting this week, members vowed to leave no stone unturned to get
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MIssing from action
THE Clarets have personnel problems in the run-up to Saturday's derby clash at Deepdale. Kevin Ball and Graham Branch serve one-match bans and Glen Little and Lee Briscoe are out through injury. Robinson could therefore return to the bench as back-up
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Soccer: Parky's derby delight
SCORING a goal at Wembley is supposed to be imprinted on the scorer's mind -- but not Gary Parkinson. The former Burnley defender, now at Preston -- the Clarets opponents on Saturday -- scored what should have been a memorable goal which lifted the Clarets
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Big date for soccer starlets
ON Saturday, December 9 the St Helens Schools under-15 team will be bidding to progress to the last 16 of the English Schools FA Heinz Ketchup Trophy when they entertain holders Salord at Ruskin Park, kick-off 10.45am. This follows earlier wins at Chester
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Panto cast have high hopes for show
A LYTHAM drama group has high hopes for its new production --some of the cast are going to have to fly! Peter Pan and Tinkerbell are at least two of the characters in Lytham St Annes Youth Theatre and Rainbow Studio's production of Peter Pan who will
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Sharks bite East
Leigh East 10 Shaw Cross Sharks 15 IT IS more than three seasons since Leigh East progressed beyond the first round of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup. On Saturday they had only themselves to blame for failing to bring a halt to their dismal run. No matter
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Battling Villa leave it late but get the point
ASTLEY Villa bounced back from a two-goal deficit at Leigh Sportsmen with Paul McCormack and Lesley Walker scoring in the last 15 minutes to earn a 2-2 Division One draw. First half goals from Neil Thompson and Jason Pilkington had appeared to put the
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Town 'kicked' out!
IF the LFA Amateur Challenge Shield has to be mentioned at Atherton Town for the rest of this season it may be advisable not to do it within earshot of manager Shaun Lynch. The first team boss was left seething by his team's exit from the competition
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Robinson welcome at Selhurst
WIMBLEDON boss Terry Burton will welcome Paul Robinson back into the Selhurst Park fold if the striker's loan spell at Turf Moor comes to an end this weekend. Robinson reaches the end of his second month's stay with the Clarets after Saturday's derby
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Energised!
Some 40 representatives from East Lancashire businesses were 'full of energy' after attending a seminar organised by the area's Business Environment Association. The event, at St Mary's Chambers, Rawtenstall, looked at the Government's climate change
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Hamper's group still in the red
PARK Group, best known for its Christmas hampers, has issued a chilly set of figures for the first half of its financial year. The Merseyside-based financial services and marketing group, which includes Park Online, Nelson, saw sales fall from £22.8 million
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Speaker puts laptop in shade
THE speaker and not his tools make interesting and memorable business presentations, according to a new survey. Despite the increased use of technology, when it comes to grabbing the audience's attention during briefings it is the speaker who makes all
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Firm growing in the fast track
BUSINESSMAN Graham Thornton has turned a small tennis court business into one of the country's fastest growing companies. His decision to expand his East Lancashire firm into building sports grounds proved the catalyst for a massive sales explosion, according
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Biggest attack on car booze
ROAD safety officers in St Helens have joined forces with Merseyside Police to launch the biggest ever anti-drink drive campaign in time for Christmas. The campaign was launched by actors from TV's 'Brookside' and a mum whose child was killed by a drunk
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New heart of 'Oak' school
BROAD Oak Community Primary School has successfully turned itself around after special measures were imposed by Government inspectors 15 months ago The school responded speedily and positively to an Ofsted report by achieving a faster turnaround in improving
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It's that bloke on the Kelly vision!
MATTHEW Kelly look-alike Tony Mattinson has stars in his eyes after helping to spring a surprise on the popular TV presenter. The dead ringer from Darwen was invited to Granada Studios in Manchester to meet Matthew and now he is hoping to become a stand-in
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People power tackles vandal misery
A NEW wave of 'people power' is preparing to tackle the escalating problems of the sprawling Clinkham Wood estate where residents have repeatedly protested that their lives are being made a misery by gangs of teenage vandals. It has sprung up after a
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Landlady laid out by burglar
A PUB landlady was knocked unconcious by a burglar she disturbed in the bar during the early hours of this morning. The female licensee, named locally as Michelle, was attacked after disturbing a burglar in the Regent Hotel (pictured) in Regent Street
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Historic mill is hit by fire
A GRADE One listed building which has been plagued by firebugs was hit by fire in the early hours of today. Half of Sykeside Mill at Manchester Road, Haslingden, was destroyed by the blaze, which broke out at 3.30am. Forty firefighters from Accrington
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Trucker who left Ron 'an animal'
THE trucker who left Rossendale man Ron Cobbledick to die on the motorway after knocking him from his scooter was today described as 'an animal' by the victim's wife. Audrey Cobbledick, 63, of Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, was unable to say a final farewell
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Top Marks for treats
IN preparation for the biggest party-time of the year we look at festive fare "yule" definitely want to feast on this December. Of course, in an ideal world, party hosts would be in a home-baking frenzy before the big event. But in reality it is more
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Pound swoopers!
THE CITIZEN got a flying visit from the The Wave on December 6, as presenters and staff from the Blackpool radio station came to get some cash out of our staff. Bring A Pound to Work Day saw presenters rushing around the Fylde Coast like mad men, calling
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Homecoming for Maddy
IF your idea of Christmas music is gathering round the box for the festive edition of Top Of The Pops then perhaps it's time you broadened your horizons. And what better way than in the company of Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band. Their show, Carols
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Dreaming of a Light Christmas
ST Annes Square was left in darkness at Saturday night's Christmas illuminations switch-on as organisers had no lights to switch on! Despite the pressing of a giant button, onlookers were surprised to see just 50 or so lights on the nearby Christmas tree
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DIY giant fixes up big deal
BUSINESSMAN Bill Archer has pulled off another big deal in the DIY market. The Mellor-based boss, who heads the Focus Do-it-All chain has now bought Great Mills, the DIY division of concrete and cement firm RMC, in a deal worth about £275million. Last
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Post-op pain drove ex-addict to crime
FORMER heroin addict Robin John Bibby had suffered 14 months of constant pain since undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour. Blackburn magistrates heard that three offences committed in a short period of time, the first since the operation, were
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Teachers go on Italian
A TEACHING twosome from Blackburn sampled a taste of Italy during an exchange trip. Samantha Bassett and Gill Booth, from Kelsall Avenue Nursery School, spent a week at the Play English Bilingual School in Monza, near Milan, as part of a special information
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Athletics: record awards night
HYNDBURN AC set a new record this year as 14 of their athletes made their debuts for Lancashire. At the Annual Presentation Night, which was held last Saturday, they were all presented with their club colours by the club's special guest, the Paralympic
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Non league: Nelson squander lead
Nelson 2, Warrington Town 4 NELSON bowed out of the NWCL Second Division Trophy despite being in front twice in an absorbing cup tie. Kiko Rodriguez gave the Blues an early lead in the third minute shooting low into the net following a corner. But Warrington
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Park youngsters show courage
West Park 2nd XV 15 Orrell 2nds 49 ALTHOUGH well beaten by a strong Orrell second string containing three former Park 1st teamers in Jon Duncan, Jim Keulemans and Rob Hitchmough, the Park youngsters deserved credit for a courageous display. A Matt Kew
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Collette adds to medal tally
KARATE queen Collette Glynn just failed in her bid to retain her European Shotokan women's title in Switzerland last week. The 29-year-old single mum from Clock Face was beaten at the semi-final stage by the eventual winner, the Belgian number one, but
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LSH throw it away
Morley 31 Liverpool St Helens 24 LIVERPOOL St Helens were the architects of their own downfall, dominating the game for major periods, particularly in the first half, only to let themselves down with basic errors in touch kicking and handling. After sharing
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Cables stay on course
Glossop North End 1 Prescot Cables 2 ALL the goals came in the first half as Prescot recorded a win that keeps them four points clear at the top of the North West Counties League Division One. Cables got off to a flying start with a goal after just three
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Town call the tune
St Helens Town 2 Atherton Collieries 0 IN the course of a season there are champagne days and bread-and-butter days and the latter better describes this Town success against hard-working Atherton Colls at Knowsley Road on Saturday. Nevertheless the three
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Festive opening hours at CAB
THE Citizens Advice Bureau in Waterloo Street, St Helens, will be open as usual on Monday, December 18, and Tuesday, December 19.The Bureau will close at 2.30pm to personal callers and 4pm to telephone callers on Tuesday, December 19, and will re-open
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Massive boost for estates
ST HELENS Council is investing more than £200,000 in housing estates in a bid to cut crime. Recently approved by the council's Executive Committee, the cash will be used to fund safety improvements on estates in the Broad Oak, Parr and Hardshaw, Queens
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Education chief to face parents
PARENTS of children who attend the Hurst and Hamblett Special Schools have organised a meeting with the director of education, Susan Richardson, over the proposed siting of a new combined school on a site next to the Scott Clinic in Rainhill. Local ward
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Tories name their man
ST HELENS South Conservative Association have selected Dr Lee Rotherham as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the next General Election. Dr Rotherham (31) was born in St Helens and works as a political researcher. Jacqueline Foster, local Conservative
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Did you see East Lancs assault?
POLICE are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed an assault at the junction of the East Lancashire Road and Green Leach Lane at 9.30pm on Monday, November 27, to come forward and help them with their inquiries. The 20-year-old man who was attacked
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Brass youth glitter in festival
TALENTED members of St Helens Youth Brass Band have taken third place in the Tameside Youth Entertainment Festival which took place on Sunday, December 3. The band, who have been National Youth Band Champions for the last four years, performed a number
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Skill squad includes four locals
A NEW team appointed to champion learning for Greater Merseyside learners and businesses includes four local representatives. Headteacher at Rainhill High School, David Alkin, joins Gordon Burns, personnel director at Stoves; Kath Boullen, chief executive
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Woman arrested in town centre
THE first person to have been served with an anti-social behaviour order on Merseyside has been rearrested by the police after breaching an order placed on her not to enter a designated area within St Helens town centre. The 20-year-old woman, of no fixed
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A phew from the bridge!
A NEWTON woman proved she is no landlubber after taking control of the 11,000-ton cruise liner, the Black Prince. Margaret Hamilton, who lives in Haydock Park Gardens, was enjoying a 14-day holiday cruise on the Norwegian-based Fred Olsen liner, with
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Winging in with help
PIGEON fancier Rodney Flint was certainly in good company when he donated one of his prized birds for a special auction in aid of charity. For one of his fellow donors for the event -- which raised more than £6,000 for Cancer Research -- was Her Majesty
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Cashier menaced by cool gunman
A CASHIER at the Abbey National bank was menaced by a man with a handgun this week. The robber pushed a demand for money over the counter and then produced a firearm. The man walked into the bank on Bridge Street, St Helens, at 10.55am on Tuesday, December
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Ticket sales rocket
SEASON tickets sales have gone through the roof at Hilton Park. Last season the Centurions did just £6500-worth of business but for the new campaign they've already topped a record £27,000 with the promise of more to come. Chairman Mike Nolan says: "It
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Bike blow for devoted Kate
TWO months ago 75-year-old grandmother Hilda Redwood came out of hospital and since then her devoted granddaughter Kate, has cycled up to her home every day to cook her tea. But on Tuesday, November 21, after cycling up to her nan's, Kate had her bike
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Leigh legend Brophy dies
FORMER Leigh RL legend Ted Brophy has died in his native South Africa, aged 69. Brophy is best remembered for the night he dived into the freezing canal close to Leigh Bridge to save the life of Great Britain and St Helens star Dick Huddart in 1962. Brophy
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Windfall for schools spells joy
FUNDING of £613,525 for primary and secondary schools across the borough has been welcomed by St Helens Council. The money will be paid directly to schools for refurbishing and improving their buildings and the allocation for St Helens is part of a national
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Benefits of school league tables
DESPITE truly encouraging results by East Lancashire primary schools in this year's National Curriculum tests, increasing numbers of teachers are rejecting the league tables that arise from them. But if there is validity in their contention that the tables
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Send for the supernurses!
EAST Lancashire hospitals are to recruit more "supernurses" to lead the way as role models of nursing care. The top-grade staff will raise standards by demonstrating their skills in every-day practice instead of disappearing from the wards to offices
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Support is 'brilliant'
ON behalf of my daughter, Laura, whose illness problems you featured a year ago (LET, December 21), I would sincerely like to thank Mr Mike Leighton and the rest of the team at Holy Trinity CE School, Darwen, who raised £350 for her by taking part in
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Message from the taxpayers
IF Councillors Dave Smith and Dave Hollings (Letters, December 5) think that the British people are content with the extra taxes they have had to pay after three-and-a-half years of a Labour Government, then they are very much mistaken. Coun Smith should
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Tremendous tree story
AS a boy, during my rambles with my older sister over the moors around Belmont and Tockholes, she told me that Stepback was so named because, during the Civic War, Oliver Cromwell had given the command to his troops to step back, thus giving them the
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Light thrown on situation
UNFORTUNATELY, Mrs I Thornley (Letters, December 1) must not be a regular reader of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph as she would have seen the articles and letters recently published about the Christmas decorations in Blackburn and Darwen. These pointed
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Personal point of traffic view
I SEE that a proposal for a minimum speed limit for pedestrians on Oxford Street in London is to be considered in order to avoid congestion. Why not go the whole hog and apply this emotive measure to Broadway in Accrington? We could have a traffic warden
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GBH charge man cleared
A JURY took just eight minutes to return a verdict of not guilty against an Atherton man involved in a fight outside a popular Bolton club. John Gordon Rushton fought with Jason Craven who was found behind the Atlantis nightclub unconscious. He was later
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Primary pupils continue to raise standards
STANDARDS continued to rise at East Lancashire primary schools, according to league tables published today. Lancashire County Council schools were ahead of the national average for the numbers of 11-year-olds passing level four English, maths and science
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Terzis names eight new faces for opening clash
THE long wait is almost over and it's time for the talking to stop. A week after the rest of the Northern Ford Premiership season kicked off, the Centurions begin their march towards a second successive Grand Final on Sunday. Given a first day bye, Leigh
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Miller sent from Coventry
KEEPER Alan Miller is now back in training at Ewood after his loan spell with Coventry came to a premature end. Sky Blues boss Gordon Strachan had asked to keep Miller for a second month but he now has adequate cover and has sent the player back.
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What a mess
I WOULD like to thank the kind person that allows their dog to foul the footpath in Alfred Road, just before the turn into Arrowsmith Road, Haydock (a regular occurrence). Last week my husband and I were taking our 3 year old son to the sweet shop, and
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Unbelievable
I CAN'T believe the decision about the game against Brisbane Broncos, being played at the Reebok Stadium. They are saying that they can fill the Reebok ground, and with underground soil heating. Well as one Saints supporter, I will not be going to the
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Car park could close
BURNLEY'S St Peter's multi-storey car park could be closed in a major shake-up of parking plans for the town. An early draft of the council's new Parking Strategy says major refurbishment or rebuilding of the 30-year-old Church Street park "is unlikely
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Poetry party at peace garden
CHILDREN from Burnley who helped open the town's Peace Garden 15 years ago have been invited to commemorate its anniversary during a ceremony of songs and poems. Representatives of the children of the town were chosen to launch the garden on December
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Jobs threat for Moll workers
WORKERS at a Morecambe plastic firm fear they could be made redundant after Christmas. Moll Industries, which is known locally as Souplex, have told workers that they will be closing their compression activities at Westgate and they will be relocating
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Visually stunning and beautifully performed
FOR a real treat this Christmas be sure to check out the enchanting new production at the Dukes, The Firebird. Visually stunning and beautifully performed, it weaves together three Russian fairytales to create a delightful adventure which whisks us from
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Court mix-up frees child sex offender
A MIX-UP has led to a wheelchair-bound sex offender being freed by a court even though a judge wanted to send him to prison, it was revealed today. Concerned MPs have demanded action to prevent a repeat of the error which resulted in Richard Fitzpatrick
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Saints deny 'Cunningham for Rhinos' reports
ANGRY Saints have denied reports that Leeds Rhinos are poised to sign Great Britain hooker Keiron Cunningham. Speculation was fuelled when Lee Jackson left Headingley to return to Hull, with Leeds then conceding they were in the market for an established
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Clock strike winning form
Clock Face Miners Wigan Rose Bridge A 6 CLOCK Face got back to winning ways with this hard-fought success in heavy conditions. The home side dominated the first half and led 10-0 at the interval with tries by scrum-half Mike Simmons and winger Wayne Prescott
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Marina plan not sunk yet
A PLAN to build a 51-berth marina on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been put on hold so councillors can see the proposed site for themselves. The outline scheme to create the marina and improve access to the site behind West Craven High School, Barnoldswick
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Mystery of the Scouse tankards
KEEN local history buff Dave Owen is faced with a puzzle each time he sorts through his souvenirs. For these include a couple of silver tankards, picked up at bargain-basement price some years ago. The vessels (listed as being of the Victorian pear-style
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Joan's childhood royalty riddle
JOAN Baxter was just an infant when royalty visited her town-centre school. In fact, at the time she was too young to take it all in and she wonders, more than half-a-century later, if anyone can fill in some details. Spelling out her hazy recollections
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Ten years ago: weather warning
WEATHERMEN ordered East Lancashire residents to put on their thermals as they predicted a bout of freezing weather. Biting winds, heavy rain and snow were predicted by the experts, saying it could be the coldest winter for three years.
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Five years ago: profits rise
FINE Art Developments, parent company of one of Hyndburn's largest employers announced increased profits. The company, owners of Express Gifts at Church, and Hambledon Studios in Clayton-le-Moors, saw pre-tax profits rise by seven per cent to £6.2million
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Rescue dog missing
A FRANTIC dog lover today appealed for people to join in the hunt for a dog which escaped from her home just two days after being collected from the RSPCA shelter in Altham by her new owner Stella Humphries, of Derby Street, Accrington. Stella now believes
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Plan to put men back into stations
UNMANNED railway stations in East Lancashire should soon be patrolled by stationmasters, according to an MEP. Liberal Democrat North West MEP Chris Davies, said his proposal had received a warm response from the area's two main train station operators
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Getting it mapped out
ONE question I often get asked by readers of our website This is Lancashire is if there are any street maps on the site. Well, the answer is yes and no -- there are no maps within our information pages but we are linked to Fish4It, Britain's biggest online
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Thornton tough it through the rain
THORNTON CLEVELEYS SHARKS U9s 2 FC RANGERS 3 THE Sharks started well but were down 2-0 at half-time. In the second half Liam MacDonald and Ben Brindle passed well together and Jake Forshaw completing the scoring threesome. The Sharks were awarded a penalty
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Careless crossing costs points
Rochdale 1 Blackpool 0 Att. 4,186 Scorer: Jones 79 ONCE again Pool were punished for not turning pressure into goals and came home from Spotland without a point. It cannot be said they performed badly, as they dominated for much of the game but they were
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Robinson welcome at Selhurst
WIMBLEDON boss Terry Burton will welcome Paul Robinson back into the Selhurst Park fold if the striker's loan spell at Turf Moor comes to an end this weekend. Robinson reaches the end of his second month's stay with the Clarets after Saturday's derby
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Leigh leads Prescot points spree
LSH Vets XV 6 Prescot 45 PRESCOT took full advantage of an under-strength LSH side to dominate from start to finish and run out easy winners. Number Eight Chris Leigh led the Prescot points spree with two tries and five conversions, with stand-off Howard
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Prescot Hockey spring cup shock
Prescot Hockey 5 Springfields 2 A DEPLETED Prescot side turned on the style to overcome their Northern Premiership opponents and reach the last eight of the Lancashire Cup. After an early fright, Prescot dominated the first half with goals from Si Boulton
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Vulcan back with a bang
Vulcan RU 41 Southport XV 10 VULCAN returned to action after an enforced lay-off and, aided by some Eagle players, showed what type of rugby they can play. The home side led 12-10 at the break with tries by P. Healey and Evans, plus a conversion by Holland
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It's St Pat's day in derby battle
Wigan St Pat's 28 Leigh Miners Rangers 18 THE Miners went down to their first defeat in four matches against local rivals Wigan St Pat's in a fiercely-contested local derby. Down 18-2 after half an hour, the Miners were staring a heavy defeat in the face
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Veteran keeper Felgate is told he can leave
VETERAN keeper Dave Felgate's has been told his RMI days are numbered. Manager Steve Waywell has confirmed that the ex-Wanderers and Wales stopper is no longer first choice at Hilton Park and is free to find another club. Young Craig Dootson, 21 years
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Tyldesley in a different league...
Tyldesley 49 Trafford 10 TYLDESLEY RU maintained their eight match unbeaten run and also put one of their nearest rivals to the sword at Well Street. Before kick-off, visitors Trafford where in second place ahead of Tyldesley on points difference. By
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Dominant second half brings Leigh maximum points
Kingstonian 0 Leigh RMI 2 LEIGH RMI emerged from their third successive journey to the capital with a well deserved victory at Kingstonian - a legacy of a dominant second half performance from the Railwaymen. The FA Cup giant-killers from Kingston have
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Chase on for McAteer
A NUMBER of Premiership clubs are closing in on Blackburn Rovers' out-of-favour midfielder Jason McAteer. The Republic of Ireland international, who has slipped fown the pecking order at Ewood in recent weeks, has already been the subject of interest
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'Candle power' boosts hospice
A CHEQUE for £5,000, raised during a charity dinner with snooker star John Virgo, was presented to East Lancashire Hospice chairman Geoff Braithwaite during a meeting of East Lancashire's business bosses. The cash was raised during the event held last
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Two new recruits are wide awake
THERE will be no sleeping on the job for new recruits Sarah Hoyle and Grant Bickerstaff, after they landed a dream job with beds giant Silentnight. Following their recent graduations, both have returned to their northern roots to start careers as management
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Gang punched teenager off scooter
A GANG of youths formed a blockade across a road to stop a scooter and then punched the teenage rider off the vehicle before escaping with it. Police are now appealing for anyone who may be able to help them with their inquiries concerning this incident
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Demand for a new hospital
MEMBERS of a health 'watchdog' squad are calling for a new hospital for acute and emergency care to be built on a brownfield site in the area. Chief officer of St Helens & Knowsley Community Health Council, Tony Richards, said: "For almost 20 years
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Drug use in drivers increases
MERSEYSIDE Police have launched a new anti-drugs and driving campaign for Christmas. The four week campaign, which will run until January 1, is backed by St Helens and Knowsley Health Promotions and Merseytravel. It aims to raise awareness of the dangers
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Portuguese probe into shoe fakes
INVESTIGATIONS are under way in Portugal after St Helens Trading Standards Officers dealt counterfeiters a major blow, uncovering 840 pairs of fake top fashion footwear, with a high street value of more than £120,000. The property was seized from a warehouse
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Alan's book beats boy hero
PRESCOT County Primary School teacher Alan Gibbons has beaten off competition from 'Harry Potter' author, J. K. Rowling to win a top prize. Alan's latest book, 'Shadow of the Minotaur,' has won a Blue Peter Book Award in the 'Book I Couldn't Put Down'
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Union says it will help turn corner
ADMINISTRATORS have been appointed to look at the financial restructuring of Ravenhead Glass with a view to helping the company recover from present financial difficulties. Administrators Begbies Traynor, who specialise in financial restruction and recovery
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'Avoid embarrassment' warning
SENIOR members of Blackburn with Darwen's cabinet have been warned that failure to explain why they do not meet targets for council services could lead to "embarrassments". The deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Gail Barton, told members
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Teeny gang terror closes clinic
THE Family Planning Service at Billinge Clinic has been suspended until further notice after a mob of youths threatened staff and patients there last week. The incident happened on the evening of Thursday, November 30. Staff said that a 10-strong gang
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Santa's surprise
WORKERS at a Blackpool recycling centre got a shock when Santa turned up with a sack, not full of toys and sweets, but rubbish (pictured). Staff at the aluminium recycling centre, on Robsons Industrial Estate, Robson Way, Blackpool Old Road, had to look
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Toa's nearly ready to see mum
A BABY spider monkey which has been nurtured back to health at Blackpool Zoo after being rejected by her natural mother is nearly ready to return to her family. Toa, the baby spider monkey, pictured here, is now nearly four months old and has been carefully
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MP slams New Deal critics
HILTON Dawson, MP for Lancaster and Wyre, has lambasted the Conservatives over their support for scrapping the New Deal, telling them: "You don't care about jobs, you don't care about young people, you're not fit to lace their boots." Government figures
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Tiger's victim still trapped
EXPERTS have yet to attempt to right the Spanish trawler which ran aground off Fleetwood early last week. A second vessel, a P&O passenger ferry, also got stuck on sandbanks early last Friday morning. Investigations into how both the incidents happened
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Here's a mail warning
FESTIVE folk are being urged to post early this Christmas as a result of rail service disruption. Royal Mail says it is putting into place alternative arrangements to ensure Christmas mail arrives on time. More than 200 million cards were posted in the
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Brine and dandy!
WAVES of excitement washed over the Fylde coast this week with the news that a number of Blackpool's beaches are finally up to scratch. The announcement that Blackpool beaches met with European Union regulations for bathing water raised hopes that the
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Rock-Kay mountain high
COMEDIAN Peter Kay went rock climbing and helped to break a world record -- though he never got higher than three feet off the ground! Bolton lad Peter, pictured here sat astride the largest stick of rock on Earth -- naturally Blackpool made -- then took
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Monkey Joe still on run
JOE the fugitive pet monkey was being kept illegally 300 miles from Blackburn today but his owners still refused to say exactly where he was. The capuchin monkey at the centre of a court custody battle was smuggled away from his home after Blackburn with
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School spy cameras call
A HEADTEACHER at a school plagued by vandals today said CCTV could be the only protection if the latest attempt to stop the culprits fails. Elaine Smith, headteacher of St Barnabas' and St Paul's School, in Oakenhurst Road, Bank Top, Blackburn, made the
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Athletics: Cash offer
RACE organiser Andy O' Sullivan has offered £200 for a course record in the Joe Salt 5K Road Race at Littleborough on New Year's Day. The time to beat is 14:20 which was set by Keith Anderson five years ago. Andy describes it as 'a good record which nobody
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Atheltics: Anna on course
HYNDBURN athlete Anna Griffiths is on the right track to become the next Denise Lewis after she topped the national rankings in the under 13 pentathlon. Anna, who is now 13, set her winning points total of 2379 at the Blackley Open Meeting at Boggart
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Primary squad off the mark
THE St Helens Primary Schools football team scored their first league victory in their fourth Vernons Merseyside League fixture, keeping a first clean sheet into the bargain, with a commanding a 4-0 win over Skelmersdale. Oliver Mitchell (St Peter's,
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Ruskin clip Eagle's wings
Ruskin Park 12 Eagle 3 DESPITE their current problems, Eagle sportingly agreed to switch this outstanding league fixture to the near-perfect pitch at Ruskin Drive. But despite having the advantage of size and strength in the pack, they were soundly beaten
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New award for Haydock Park
HAYDOCK Park has landed another award after being named, along with York, as the most friendly and hospitable in the country in a poll organised by the Racehorse Owners' Association. Members were asked to rate the racecourses that looked after them best
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Rainhill Junior League round-up
RESULTS Saturday Under 10s Mini-Soccer Week Four Division One: Eccleston United 4 Captains Lane 0, Pilkington 1 Rainhill United Rangers 0, Rainhill United Celtic 5 Haydock Juniors 0. Premier: Blackbrook Juniors 0 Whiston Juniors Rangers 3, Whiston Juniors
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Under-18s win seven-goal thriller
St Helens Combination DESPITE the improved weather, there were still only 12 games completed over the weekend. The Liverpool CFA Under 18 Inter League championship tie was staged at Robin Park, Wigan on Friday evening with the Combination lads visiting
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Care home battle over
ALL hope has been lost in the battle to save the care homes, according to Stephen Bate from CARE (The Caring Alliance for the Rest home Elderly). Most of the residents at Warren Manor have agreed to leave their council-owned accommodation and move into
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Know an unsung hero?
BILLINGE Youth and Community Project (BYCEP) are calling on people to nominate someone they think deserves to receive a Community Volunteer Award for their work within Billinge. Anyone who regularly gives up their time to help out in the local community
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Pupils greet a special guest
PUPILS at a local school welcomed a very special visitor when African chief, Ruth Edu travelled to St Anne's Primary as part of a cultural exchange programme. The link between the Sutton school and Chief Edu's own school, Olufunmilayo in Akure, Nigeria
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New plea on teenager attack
POLICE in St Helens have re-issued an urgent appeal for information regarding an unprovoked assault on a teenager which took place last month. The 15 year old was walking along Boundary Road near the Nag's Head pub, sometime between 7 and 8pm on Sunday
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Dan plays charity card
WARGRAVE House School in Newton is £500 better off -- thanks to the caring actions of a youngster whose cousin is a pupil there. Seven-year-old Dan Ashcroft, from Formby, won a Christmas card competition, which was open to children of employers of the
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Purse snatch pair escape
POLICE are appealing to anyone who may be able to help with their inquiries regarding a robbery from a 69-year-old woman. The pensioner, was walking home along Connaught Drive, Newton-le-Willows, after calling at a local chip shop, at about 10.15pm on
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RFL probing Higham transfer from Centurions
A FULL investigation is underway at the Rugby League headquarters into the circumstances surrounding Mick Higham's transfer from the Centurions. But it will be the middle of next week before a decision is reached on whether Higham is a Halifax or St Helens
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Wildlife haven threat
AN ecologist has accused planning bosses of "shamelessly" destroying a thriving wildlife haven. Amphibian and pond life specialist Dave Bentley said Bury Council's planning committee would be remembered in history for ignoring its own experts to allow
