Archive
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Events in East Lancashire on Saturday, January 13
Jack Straw MP Advice Surgery, Bangor Street Community Centre, Blackburn, 9am-10am. Dance Night, Accrington Town Hall, 8pm. Spring Vale Rambling Class, meet Whalley car park 11am, for Winter Ramble led by Michael Counter. Coffee Concert, Blackburn Cathedral
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Titanic walk to begin the year
Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy: Historic Colne, inspired by a blockbuster WATCHING the film Titanic on Christmas Day helped me to plan this walk. I began in Colne and the climbed steeply up to the old Iron Age Fort at Castercliffe before descending
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Soccer: Glendon set to "Get Carter"?
FORMER Bury striker Mark 'Spike' Carter is set to sign on for Radcliffe Borough. The 40-year-old will be available for an indefinite period as from a week on Saturday. He is looking to get back into management after his spell at Runcorn, but is coming
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Cricket: "Homeless" Unsworth on a sticky wicket
UNSWORTH Cricket Club are facing a race against time to get their new ground ready in time for the start of the Central Lancashire League cricket season. The Pole Lane outfit are due to take on Ashton at home on April 21, and with work still going on
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Bury FC: Boss's Baichung booster!
BURY boss Andy Preece has given Indian international Baichung Bhutia a vote of confidence and put to rest rumours of a rift between himself and the Asian star. The Shakers chief has kept Bhutia on the sidelines since the FA Cup exit at the hands of Northwich
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Soccer: Squires lord it over Rams
LANCASHIRE FA MARSDEN TROPHY SQUIRE'S GATE 2 - RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1 (aet: 90 mins 1-1) WHILE this may seem a shock result to many people, Ramsbottom lost out to a young Squire's Gate side who they failed to match for effort, determination and will to win
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Angling: Club notes
THE holiday period was marred by heavy frosts, snowfall followed by heavy rains and the return of overnight frosts. On Sunday the Bury Society fished the first match of the six-match Winter League series on the Island Lodge at Tottington. The match produced
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Bury FC: Daws double keeps Shakers on track
Bury 2 - Kidderminster Harriers 0 SUPER-confident Manchester United have provisionally booked a swanky South Wales hotel in readiness for the FA Cup final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. That might be out of the cash-strapped Shakers reach, but maybe
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This week in 1976 25 years ago
FOWL PLAY: A man's hobby of rearing and breeding ducks and geese was ruined when poultry rustlers made off with ten ducks, two geese and a rare Canadian goose, together worth £66, from a pen on an allotment off Hillgate Road, Bury. BRA BARMY: "Why should
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Space station spectacular
I FIND it very interesting that you have not reported on the space station circling the earth. I had a spectacular view on Christmas Eve, it was like a bright star about two inches long. I saw it again on New Year's Eve, to the right of the new moon.
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Testing could cost lives
A NEW chemical testing directive by the European Commission could cost the lives of 10 million animals and allow dangerous chemicals to be released into the environment. Consumers associations, animal welfare groups and the general public would agree
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New mum In death tragedy
TRAGIC Lowton mum Kathryn Hawkins died just two weeks after the birth of her baby Holly. Kathryn, 29, had been readmitted to Warrington General Hospital after being allowed out of hospital to the Stonecross Lane cottage she shared with her husband, construction
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Welcome guest at store
FESTIVE solidarity was on display when MP David Chaytor visited the Co-op store in Holcombe Brook. The Bury North MP had supported a campaign by shopworkers' union Usdaw to keep Christmas Day special by not opening on December 25. In return, he was invited
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Get tips for your garden
ALPINE gardeners are invited to a meeting of the East Lancashire Alpine Garden Society. Entertaining talks illustrated with informative slides are promised, covering all aspects of alpine plant cultivation. The group organises practical workshops and
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Floral support
IT all came up roses for Brookvale Settlement in Simister which has received a £400 boost to help care for people with special needs. The money was raised by Radcliffe Floral Art Club, which held a charity sale in Bolton. Mrs Jean Birch, chairman of the
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Tim finds some bizarre 1930s laws
THE next time you bemoan living in a "Big Brother" state, just be thankful that you don't live in the Radcliffe of the 1930s. While doing a spot of recent research into the town's history, North Ward councillor, Tim Chamberlain, came across a copy of
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Judy's eight legged shocker.
A SHOP assistant managed not to go bananas when she was confronted with a large tarantula type spider in a box of fruit. Mrs Judy Marshall (36) discovered the large "thick and furry" spider, in a box of bananas at Poole's store in Vernon Road, Greenmount
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Refuse payment system "is rubbish"
WASTE chiefs have rubbished the system Bury uses to pay for refuse disposal, and are calling for it to be trashed. Members of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority are weighing in with recommendations to the Government on how councils pay to
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Hospice appoints fundraising champ
MERVYN Reeves has been appointed to the newly-created post of Bury Hospice fundraising manager. And he brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked in a similar capacity with St Ann's Hospice in Manchester. Previous to that, Mervyn worked as
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All a-board for game of Monopoly!
BURY'S Bolton Street station is up for sale for just £200! The railway station is one of the prize assets up for grabs in a recently launched Lancashire edition of Monopoly. Bosses at the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) decided to stamp their identity on
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Cash help to boost results
MORE than three quarters of a million pounds could be spent on improving Bury's schools. And £164,000 of the £751,000 would be pumped specifically into the borough's worst performing schools to help them gain better examination results. But it will not
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School memories planned on film
MEMORIES of Stand Grammar School could be captured on film for years to come as a lasting reminder of many happy years spent there. The magnificent old building, which has stood on the Church Lane site since 1913 but has more than 300 years of teaching
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Paul throws up smokescreen
PAUL Terzis has thrown up a selection smokescreen ahead of Sunday's NFP heavyweight clash at Oldham. In a deliberate attempt to get the psychological upper hand over opposite number Mike Ford, the Leigh Centurions head coach will not declare his team
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FINAL WORD
BIG MONEY MAN: Des Walker: With money tight at Hillsborough, former England international Walker is the Owls current most expensive signing after costing a cool £2.7 million from Sampdoria back in 1993. Now 35, the former Nottingham Forest defender can
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Stringer back in the frame
ROOKIE keeper Chris Stringer wants to be thrust into the firing line as relegation-haunted Sheffield Wednesday bid to stop in-form Rovers in their tracks at Ewood tomorrow. Stringer made a memorable debut for Wednesday as a substitute for the red-carded
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Grayson out on loan as Rovers bid to land Marc
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was hoping to tie up a deal for West Ham's Marc Keller today in time for Rovers' clash with Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow. And, on a busy day of transfer activity at Ewood, out-of-favour defender Simon Grayson has also agreed
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It's no place for a school
I WOULD like to comment on the letter by Paul Ikin, the general manager of Scott Clinic (Dear Star, December 28) in response to Mr Peter Peers' letter (November 30). Mr Ikin says that the Scott Clinic is a Medium Secure Unit. Yet in an enquiry into the
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Outlook bleak for schools says teacher
THE TEACHING profession has been plunged into a state of crisis with intolerable levels of stress according to a schoolmaster from St Helens. Bill Bradbury, a teacher at the Hurst School and secretary of the St Helens and Newton branch of the NASUWT,
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Smoke-free plea by MPs
EAST Lancashire MPs are calling for action to protect workers from their colleagues' tobacco smoke. Peter Pike, Gordon Prentice and Lindsay Hoyle say the government must produce new measures to end the health menace of passive smoking. And they have been
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Higham signing row rumbles on
SAINTS have responded swiftly to the latest bombshell in the apparently never-ending saga regarding tug-of-war hooker Mick Higham. Their move follows allegations by Halifax that Saints induced the player to break his contract with them after leaving Leigh
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Clock caught napping by two-try burst
Rylands A 28 Clock Face Miners 14 AFTER an evenly-fought first half, Clock were caught napping at the start of the second period when the home side scored two converted tries to open up a 16-2 lead. Despite this setback, Clock continued to compete but
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Title setback for Bold
Bold Miners 14 Adlington Rangers 24 BOLD'S title hopes suffered a setback as rivals Adlington completed a league double over the Fleet Lane side. The visitors started well, racing into a six-point lead with a converted try, but Bold quickly replied with
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Finch out of luck
Kirkholt 24 Haresfinch 20 BOOSTED by the welcome return of loose-forward Anthony Seabrook, Finch produced a good performance and were unlucky not to get at least a share of the points. Kirkholt had the advantage of the elements in the first period and
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Ring-rusty Recs pay for lapses
Ulverston 25 Pilkington Recs 10 RECS returned to action with their first game in almost two months and despite plenty of effort they were clearly ring rusty in this defeat. It looked promising early on as they took the lead after just four minutes when
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Darwen aim to make it eight
DARWEN: Steve Wilkes' side travel to Tetley Walker in NWCFL Division Two hoping to extend their run of seven games without defeat. Lee Slater, signed from Clitheroe this week, goes straight into the squad and Scott Derbyshire should come back in after
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Brierley back
RAMSBOTTOM: Top scorer Russell Brierley is back for the NWCL Division One home clash against Nantwich. Brierley missed the midweek cup defeat against Squires Gate but will be looking to add to his goal tally against a side currently in 17th place in the
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Bacup need energy boost
BACUP: Brent Peters' side travel to Castleton Gabriels just days after an energy-sapping Lancashire Cup game, which went into extra time, against Skelmersdale. Darren Esdale and Stuart Farnell are both struggling with Achilles injuries and David Esdale
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Chambers back
PADIHAM: Hot shot Lee Chambers has recovered from flu and will be back leading the line for Padiham's NWCL Division Two clash at Daisy Hill. The 21-goal hitman missed out in Padiham's extra-time Marsden Trophy defeat against Rossendale last week -- although
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Six doubtful
CHORLEY: Ken Wright has a selection problem ahead of the big clash against second-placed Bradford Park Avenue with six players likely to be missing. Flu victims Greg Challinder, Steve Hook and Keith Edmondson are doubtful while Damion Corcoran, Paul Fleming
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MP keeps an eye on Cemfuel
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice will find out the latest developments at the Castle Cement plant in Clitheroe at a meeting next Friday, 19th. Although the works are outside his constituency, Mr Prentice has always been concerned about the controversy over the
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Elderly 'terrified' of youth gangs
RESIDENTS angered by unruly teenagers, drug dealers and bad tenants packed into a public meeting to protest. The meeting at Byron Road Social Centre, Colne was attended by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice, police chiefs, councillors and council officers as well
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The romance of our lost coinage
COINS ain't what they used to be! For one thing, the decimalised stuff doesn't lend itself to nicknames or catchy nursery jingles. My dear old friend Miss Edith Carter, now 90 but as bright as a button, writes to make the point. She recalls the days of
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Passengers left in cold
WAITING passengers are unable to shelter from storms because a tramp has set up home in an Atherton bus stop. Bedraggled Brian Jeffries has only lived in the town for a few weeks but already he is one of its best known residents. The 48-year-old Hindley
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Jealous husband smashed victim's jaw
A JEALOUS husband "went over the top," when he returned home in the early hours and found his wife and another man sitting together on the settee. Burnley Crown Court heard how Jason Singleton, 31, thought something had gone on or was about to and attacked
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Call for street to be made safer
A COUNTY councillor says lives are at risk after traffic calming measures on a busy street were kicked out. County Coun Wendy Dwyer believes it is only a matter of time before somebody is injured in Avenue Parade, Accrington. Coun Dwyer, who is also a
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Happy new year for refugee couple
THE New Year has been extra special for a young refugee couple -- with the birth of their first child. Gozal -- which means 'Beautiful Person' -- Aliusov was born at the Royal Bolton Hospital weighing a healthy 7lb 3oz. Mum Rita, 20, stayed in hospital
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Gulf war veterans uranium inquiry demand
A LEIGH Gulf War veteran has called for an urgent inquiry into the use of depleted uranium rounds as health concerns continue to mount across Europe. Shaun Marsh, a 34-year-old former Gulf soldier, helped to bury used and unused uranium-tipped shells
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Asylum seekers talk about their life in Atherton one year on
IT HAS now been just over one year since the first asylum seekers sought refuge on the Hag Fold Estate in Atherton. Many arrived here on their own -- not knowing a soul -- from war torn countries like Kosovo and Albania. Most were unable to speak a word
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Watchdog defends Leigh walk-in centre
THE LOCAL health watchdog has praised a medical facility at Leigh Infirmary following a stinging report by consumer group WHICH. Members of the Wigan and Leigh Community Health Council have published their own report after a visit to the flagship NHS
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Here's to the future after pub wins prize
A POPULAR pub is looking as pretty as a picture after winning a £5,000 face-lift. The 17th century Shireburn Arms at Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley is now adorned with colourful hanging baskets and new signs, after scooping the prize in a competition
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Village hall dream taking shape
A NEW £400,000 village hall to serve the parish of Chatburn is a step nearer to reality with the newly formed committee now gearing itself up for some serious fundraising. Last year residents' views were sought on the building of a new community centre
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The eyes have it!
BURY businessman Stuart Jones set his sights on cheering up his customers by launching a brand of winter sunglasses and calling them "funglasses". The eyewear designer tried out his new creations on his wife Sonja before putting his idea into production
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IIP proves child's play for nursery
SMALL is successful at Holcombe Brook Nursery where the staff of three has achieved the coveted Investors in People award. Now in its fourth year, the nursery operates as an independent unit within Holcombe Brook Primary School which had previouusly achieved
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Delegates learn a lot at breakfast
DELEGATES mixed breakfast with business during a successful seminar staged by two Bury-based companies. More than 30 business people attended the event to get advice from one of the world's most successful management consultancies. The event was a joint
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Places still remain
SOCCER: Accrington Clarets have a few places left on their coach to Gillingham tomorrow. To book ring Phil Miller on 01254 387230.
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Weller's hoping Clarets can do a Watford
CLARETS all-rounder Paul Weller is hoping Burnley can "do a Watford" to start climbing the First Division table again. That was the in-phrase around Turf Moor over the summer as Graham Taylor's men showed what could be achieved by a provincial club climbing
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Dadi on trial as Stan looks to strengthen
BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent may turn to France to bolster his striking options at Turf Moor, while checking out midfield reinforcements closer to home in the shape of Manchester City's Tony Grant. The Clarets chief has taken Toulouse striker Eugene Dadi
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Andy hobbles into battle
ANDY Hessenthaler has spent the week in hospital after suffering an horrific leg injury at Bournemouth last Saturday. But the player-boss still plans to add his leadership qualities to Gillingham's efforts to beat Burnley tomorrow -- albeit from the sanctuary
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Prescot pipped at the post
Prescot RU 7 Prenton 2nd 8 PRESCOT started the New Year with this narrow defeat at the hands of a useful Prenton side. Prenton deservedly led 5-0 at the interval after a well-worked move resulted in a try in the corner. Prescot came out stronger in the
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Holland the hat-trick hero
Vulcan 38 Liverpool St Helens Vets 17 GOOD defence by both sides saw the first quarter remain scoreless until Holland broke the deadlock with two penalties for Vulcan. This prompted a 10-minute scoring spree by the home side with Holland grabbing a rapid-fire
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Tough times for Leigh
LEIGH RU's difficult season continued as they went down 35-7 at highly-placed Warrington. The home side were too big and too strong for the Leigh forwards and took a commanding early lead with three unconverted tries and a penalty. Leigh, who have been
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RMI sign Giggs' best mate
LEIGH RMI have signed Ryan Giggs' best mate and he'll make his debut in next Tuesday's Nationwide Trophy replay against Northwich. Midfielder Danny Garner moves to Hilton Park from NW Counties side Salford City after manager Steve Waywell finally managed
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Miners double up...
Leigh Miners Rangers 20 Skirlaugh 8 LEIGH Miners Rangers earned their first ever double over Skirlaugh with a hard-fought win against the Humbersiders at Twist lane. In a fine first half the Miners tore Skirlaugh to shreds at times but only led 10-0.
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Lord blows his top
ATHERTON LR manager Alan Lord spent last weekend reminiscing on the hundreds of games at non-league level he has been involved in and knew immediately exactly where to rate his current team's showing in the Saturday afternoon's 7-2 home defeat by Mossley
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Monk's late strike gets the point
Scarborough 1, Leigh RMI 1 LEIGH RMI have a resurgent Ian Monk to thank for maintaining their unbeaten record in the New Year, as it was his late volley that stunted Scarborough's recent good run. It was a game in which they were easily outplayed for
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Princess Royal meets the staff
A LUNCHTIME visit to the borough by the Princess Royal proved to be a low key and informal affair as she took time out of her busy schedule to learn more about mental health issues. HRH called in at the Salford Mental Health Services Citizens Advice Bureau
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Frosty response after shoes disappear
A SCHOOLBOY returned home barefoot from a trip to Blackburn Ice Arena after they lost his shoes. Daniel Conway (12) was on a school outing to the ice rink and was handing in his skates in exchange for his trainers when they could not be found. Mother
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Uncommon wealth of opportunity
RESIDENTS in East Bury are being offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play a part in the Commonwealth Games. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help running next year's sports extravaganza which is coming to Manchester. A special Volunteer Programme
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170 jobs plan at new store
SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has revealed its plans to create 170 new jobs and 150 homes in Prestwich. The leading retailer has now submitted a detailed application to Bury Council that will see the store extended by around 30 per cent, prompting the need
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Official: it's grim up north
BURY is at the wrong end of the great north-south divide with the erosion of its once proud textiles and engineering base to blame. That's the startling conclusion of research which categorises Bury as one of the towns showing the biggest decline, along
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Tackling teenagers fed up with education
STUDENTS and schoolchildren throughout Bury have benefited from a major Government-funded scheme to tackle disenchantment with education among teenagers from 14 to 17. Bury is one of the partnership agencies in the thriving Crescent Partnership, established
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Soccer: Radcliffe cup knockout
RADCLIFFE Boro have been thrown out of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy for fielding ineligible players in the game against Morecambe at Stainton Park on Tuesday night. The first round tie should have been played way back on November 14, but because of
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Grayson out on loan as Rovers bid to land Marc
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was hoping to tie up a deal for West Ham's Marc Keller today in time for Rovers' clash with Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow. And, on a busy day of transfer activity at Ewood, out-of-favour defender Simon Grayson has also agreed
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Tessa savers 'losing £2m'
TESSA savers could be losing out on £2million a week in interest, according to banking giants Alliance and Leicester. They asked 2000 people what they intended to do with their savings over the coming months. Two thirds of Tessa savers have no plans to
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Woman's place is...at her lathe
A 17-YEAR-OLD Nelson girl is adding a dose of 'girl power' to a traditionally male-dominated industry. Sarah Jones, a former student of Edge End High School, had wanted to be an aerospace engineer since an early age. She said: "I knew that I wanted to
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Teenager's idea idea creates 15 more jobs
A TEENAGE businessman who is one of the country's youngest entrepreneurs is hoping to break the £1 million sales barrier by forging ahead with expansion plans over the next 12 months. The moves are also set to create 15 new jobs by the summer at his tele-marketing
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Attack victim needed surgery
A 32-year-old joiner will be off work for the next three to six months after being injured in a vicious attack. The man was walking home along Chancery Lane, Parr, at about 10pm on Tuesday, January 2, when he was attacked from behind. He was knocked to
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Simply magnificent Maureen!
SENIOR administrator Maureen Bayliss has been presented with a 25-year long service award by bosses at the ST Group, formerly Sutton Timber. Maureen has been with the company since its early days when she started as one of its first members of office
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Bury FC: Shakers to get vital windfall
THE Shakers parlous financial position looks like being given a massive lift thanks to a £380,000 windfall. That's the sum that will be winging it's way to Gigg Lane sometime in the next two weeks after Premiership high-flyers Ipswich Town sold former
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Sully's winner for hospice
SAINTS and Welsh International Rugby League player Anthony Sullivan drew the winning tickets in Willowbrook Hospice's Grand Christmas Raffle in Church Square Shopping Centre. The raffle raised about £5,600 and winners were as follows: Mrs S. Brown (Ticket
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Growing for gold!
GROWING numbers of young people in St Helens are taking up the challenging Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme according to figures released by St Helens Council. The latest figures show that across the borough there has been a significant development and
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Do you fit the bill?
THE council wants to transfer the ownership and management of its 15,600 homes to a new independent, not-for-profit Local Housing Company -- to give tenants better homes and improved services in the future. The council will shortly be consulting, and
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Woman, 69 in bus horror
AN ELDERLY pedestrian received serious injuries when she was hit by a bus on Wednesday night in Leigh town centre. Evelyn Grundy, 69, of Navigation Close, Leigh suffered head injuries in the collision which occured around 6pm at the King Street junction
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Band must raise roof after rain blow
BRASS band players aim to do some serious fund-raising to help them keep blowing their own trumpets. The building owned and used by Haslingden and Helmshore Brass Band for rehearsals is in urgent need of repairs to the roof, which is now letting in water
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Man dies in bus crash
A MAN died and a bus driver and several passengers injured in a crash involving a car and a bus at Ellenbrook. John Dennis Lee, 57, of Carlton Avenue, Walkden, had to be cut free from the wreckage of his Vauxhall Astra by firemen on Friday morning but
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Abracadabra! Give me gold!
ADMIN assistant Richard Seedhouse is hoping to wave a magic wand over a new career -- thanks to the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Richard, 21, has become a whizz at card tricks and is teaching himself magic skills as part of his bid to earn a gold award
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Delight at diversion of 'death trap' path
A 'DEATH trap' footpath across one of East Lancashire's fastest roads is to be closed after years of campaigning by residents, councillors and MPs. The path running across the A56 Haslingden bypass, which links the M66 with the M65, will be diverted in
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Historic society faces closure
A SOCIETY founded more than a century ago to promote literature and reading among Leigh's poor is threatened with closure. The Leigh Literature Society, which held its first meeting in 1878, needs to find a volunteer to take over as secretary. Former
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We're all here for the beer
THOUSANDS of glasses will be raised to toast the brewer's art at a major regional festival. The 12th successive Bent and Bongs Beer Bash opens on Thursday, January 25 when "bashers" will sample over 100 choice drinks at the Formby Hall in Atherton. The
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Hospital admissions rise, but no crisis says chief
HOSPITAL chiefs have assured patients in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley that there is no winter bed crisis -- despite an upsurge in admissions. Between November 27 and December 31, there were 2,846 admissions dealt with by Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust. Cold
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Protest group's village green hope
PROTESTERS in Hindley Green want to turn fields into a village green to block a controversial housing development. Members of WASP (Wildlife and Social Preservation) have delivered a village green application to Wigan Metro in their long-running campaign
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Kind youngsters make a big splash for local charity
YOUNGSTERS have raised hundreds of pounds by paddling across Lake Windermere for a family support group based in Higher Folds. The Leigh and Wigan Police Cadets raised £500 by a sponsored paddle across the massive lake in Cumbria for Agape. Agape is a
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Resign call for Lib-Dem councillor who switched
A TYLDESLEY councillor who defected to Labour from the Liberal Democrats is being urged to resign by his angry former political ally. Wigan Council member Cllr Robert Bleakley has called on Cllr Graham Lingings to stand down and face re-election after
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Motorists face delays during cable work
DRIVERS could face delays across Journal-land due to road works. Telewest Ltd is laying communications ducts in Market Street and Ladies Lane, Hindley, which will involve excavating across the junction. The work will take place on two Sundays -- January
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List of MP 'wannabes' gets longer
YORKSHIREMAN Robert Marchant wants to be Leigh's next MP. The 33-year-old Oxford graduate heads Labour's national technology department at the party's Millbank headquarters. Comprehensive and grammar school-educated Mr Marchant manages the national technology
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A third of our outside traders have quit town
A THIRD of Leigh's outside traders have now given up trading in the town. Two more long serving stall holders packed in this week after another day without making a living. The latest, secondhand dealer Mavis Ravenscroft, who has spent eight years on
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Mystery donor is Mick's angel!
A MAN recovering from a bone marrow transplant today spoke of his determination to meet the donor who might have saved his life. Mick Baines, from Abbey Village, near Blackburn, underwent the operation to help beat the killer cancer leukaemia he has been
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Mixed results for hospitals
THERE was good news and bad news for East Lancashire's hospitals as the latest waiting list figures were revealed. While the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care Trust recorded a fall in the number of people waiting for NHS operations, particularly
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Fury over rush-hour traffic chaos
MOTORISTS and businessmen caught up in traffic chaos today appealed for action to end the congestion which has seen vehicles sitting in a mile-long jam. New traffic lights at the junction of Copy Nook and Higher Audley Street near Blackburn town centre
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Bury's relief
SOCCER: Bury have received some cash relief following the sale of former striker David Johnson from Ipswich to Nottingham Forest in a reported £3m deal. The Shakers have a sell on clause of 25 per cent on the 24-year-old which should net the cash-strapped
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Hawks ready to swoop on Eagles
BLACKBURN Hawks hit the road to take on league leaders and reigning champions Billingham Eagles in the toughest of English League fixtures tomorrow. The Hawks are currently fourth, but have games in hand on rivals Billingham (3), Kingston (2) and Altrincham
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Hendry back for Bolton
BOLTON Wanderers with eight wins in the last 10 league outings, are looking to extend their promotion push at the expense of struggling Tranmere Rovers at the Reebok Stadium tomorrow. With Blackburn Rovers narrowing the gap on Bolton after beating neighbours
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No cat-napping for Coleman at Emley
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman felt like Korky the Cat after suffering the worst defeat in his managerial career -- getting hit for five on Tuesday night. "I've never been on the end of a result like that in my playing or managerial career. "I felt
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Hitmen aim for more goals
HITMEN Lee Cryer and Craig Sargeson will be at opposite ends of the pitch tomorrow but have the same ambition in mind -- to move up the football pyramid. For Clitheroe striker Cryer, 29, the North West Counties League is the lowest level of non-league
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Ruskin in control
Ruskin Park 22 Liverpool St Helens 2nd 0 RUSKIN ran out worthy winners of this hard-fought local derby match at Ruskin Drive on Saturday. The Moss Laners opened brightly, playing fast open rugby, only for the Ruskin side to pull out all the stops in a
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Tony leads the way again
ST HELENS Sutton AC's senior runners travelled to Frodsham on the worst running day for many years to take part in the first match in the Cheshire Cross-Country League. The tight course and varied terrain of Castle Park is always testing but the addition
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Mixed fortunes for league's sides
THERE were mixed fortunes for the St Helens McDonald's JOL representative teams with the under 16s going down 5-1 to West Derby, but the under 12s defeating Wigan 5-0. In league action, the under 14s section produced a seven-goal thriller between Prescot
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Youngsters hit the goals trail
THERE was no shortage off goals in the Rainhill Junior League with one team hitting double figures, two finding the net nine times and a further two on target eight times. RESULTS Under 15s: Blackleyhurst 0 Seneley and Garswood 9, Oak Juniors 10 Bleak
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Youngsters shine for Park
Altrincham Kersal 3 West Park 42 ALREADY without goalkickers Glen Fletcher (injured) and Martin Strett (on holiday) Park brought in former England schools winger Andrew Souter for his senior debut with Steven Briers moving to full-back. Regular scrum
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LSH triumph in cliff-hanger
Liverpool St Helens 26 Bedford Athletic 20 MOSS Lane is not a place for the faint-hearted these days. Saturday produced another competent peformance from this progressive young Liverpool St Helens who completely bossed the game for the 30 minutes either
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Combination back in full swing
IN the first St Helens Combination programme of the New Year only one fixture did not get off the ground on Saturday, the Clock Face Miners Welfare versus Prescot Leisure Reserves game in Division One. The Division One matches that were played included
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Bleakholt were the only ones to help
ON December 23, at 4.30 on a freezing cold morning, a small female cat found wandering in the Limefield area was brought to me. I took her in and hoped that I could get the RSPCA or the Cats Protection League (CPL) to take her off my hands. I tried for
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Smashing time on New Year's Eve
HOW did you celebrate the New Year? With a party, dinner or visit to family or friends perhaps? On driving through Ramsbottom on New Year's Day I saw how some had celebrated, that is if "celebrated" is the correct word. Three bus shelters, between Holcombe
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Let ELR train take the strain
BEFORE Christmas I had a most pleasant Christmas shopping trip to Bury. "Pleasant" and "Christmas shopping" are not words that normally go together in my experience, what with the crowded roads, the search for parking space, the worry about outstaying
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Rotary float raised £6,000
THE Rotary Club of Prestwich and Whitefield organises and runs the Christmas Float during the few weeks leading to Christmas. Its main purpose is to raise funds that the club then directs towards various national and international charities supported
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Exploited by media coverage
WE object to the sensationalist journalism which disgraced the front page of the first Friday edition of the Bury Times in 2001 ("Joan (67) in a spin over her washer man"). We have no connection to any party mentioned in the court report and we do not
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They must like it: they keep coming!
PAUL Bailey (Your Letters, Jan 5) is over-reacting to Mr Hague's remarks complaining about the lack of visible, approachable police officers walking about in districts where they know the people and with whom they are conversant. Mr Hague was unwise to
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Politicians must lead by example
LAURIE Bullas (Your Letters, Dec 29) makes some very valid points in his comments on the state of the nation and our local communities. This is in marked contrast to Ray Honeyford (Your Letters, Dec 22) who claims that "Marxists and feminists are wrecking
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I wonder who the real racists are
I WRITE in response to the letter from Mr Paul Bailey, chairman of the Manchester branch of the Black and Asian Police Association (Your Letters, Jan 5). As an exercise in smear tactics it could scarcely be bettered. As a contribution to both police morale
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These yobs will hit the poorest in our society
LEIGH operator Jim Stones withdrew his bus service on Tyldesley's Shakerley estate after senseless yobs lobbed half a brick at a driver's windscreen. It was the latest in a series of attacks, and the straw that finally broke the camel's back. The 577
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Shedding ounces to gain pounds
THE Weight Watchers group, who meet in Ormskirk Street United Reform Church, have raised £660 during the festive period. The cash will be divided between the St Helens and District Crossroads Scheme for local carers, and Whiston Hospital's Cancer Unit
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Tai-breaker at library
TAI Chi, the oriental form of relaxation, is coming to Moss Bank library, by popular request. The weekly classes, costing £4.30 per session, will be held between 1.30 and 2.30pm on Wednesdays. They follow on from the successful health classes held at
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Police in ram-raid plea
POLICE are appealing for information on a series of ram-raids in the Parr and Sutton areas. The latest happened at about 4.20am on New Year's Day when a stolen Vauxhall Astra smashed into the windows of the Right Choice off-licence in Concourse Way, Parr
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Plea for unwanted gifts
HELPERS at a charity shop are appealing for donations of unwanted Christmas gifts. The Prescot branch of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) shop in Eccleston Street is holding its first-ever January sale and is seeking unwanted presents or
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Talk of the town
THREE girls from Newton High School talked their way to a top award after entering a public speaking competition organised by the Rotary Club of Newton-le-Willows. Kim Whittle, Lisa Molyneux and Michelle Cunneely beat four other teams -- two more from
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Stretcher cases at St John
THE St John Ambulance Association is holding a two-day certificated First Aid course at the St Helens headquarters in Standish Street. The course will take place from 9am to 5pm on Sundays, January 28 and February 4 with a final assessment at 7.30pm on
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Aids support volunteers plea
SAHIR House, the Merseyside support centre for people affected with HIV and Aids, is appealing for new volunteers to help care for the needs of people using the service. The Liverpool-based service is holding an Open Day from 10.30am on Saturday, January
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Huge response to gift appeal
CHRISTMAS was extra special for many youngsters in the borough -- thanks to the generosity of the local folk who have responded to the Mayor's Toy Appeal. The huge response to the festive appeal has ensured that around 500 young people, up to the age
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Partnership proves a winner
ST HELENS Learning Links Centre held its first presentation evening when nearly 100 people attended. They have achieved 'life-long learning' qualifications in computing and basic skills since the centre opened in March, were awarded their certificates
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Forums answer special needs
A SERIES of forums are being held in St Helens to provide support and information for parents of children with special educational needs. The aim is to bring parents and carers together to consider issues relating to special educational needs and have
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Teenage cyclist punched off bike
POLICE are looking for two 16-year-old boys who punched a 13-year-old cyclist off his bike. The victim was cycling along Liverpool Road, St Helens, at about 6pm on Sunday, January 7. One of the teenagers punched him off his bike and the second youth then
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Crime cracker proves a success
A CRIME crackdown launched by St Helens Council has proved a major success over the festive period. More than 1,000 postcards were sent out to the over 60s by the Community Crime Team containing crime prevention advice and an invitation for free security
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Higham gets Saints clearance
ST HELENS have been given permission to play tug-of-war hooker Mick Higham in the World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos on January 26. The Rugby League's board of directors have extended their interim order giving the Super League champions the
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Praise for council's service
THE District Auditor has praised St Helens Council for providing a good service in a number of areas. In his summary he says the local authority has excellent business rate and council tax collections - having the best business rate collection of all
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Leigh make it two in a row
THE Centurions' Alliance side made it two wins and draw from their opening three games with a resounding 36-18 success over Oldham at Hilton Park on Wednesday night. Although the game could have gone either way at half time as Leigh held a narrow 12-6
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Terzis expects great things from Turley
NEIL Turley's stunning start to the season might have caught one or two by surprise, but not his head coach Paul Terzis. Even before he'd made his senior debut, Terzis had marked Turley down as a potential star of the future. "You only had to see him
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Turley's famous five
Chorley Lynx 4 Leigh Centurions 56 JUST when Neil Turley thought life couldn't get much better he turns in a performance of a lifetime. Five tries, eight goals and a personal points tally of 36 isn't a bad day at the office. And when you come within a
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They knew risks so why did Alan die?
THE MOTHER of a Balkans veteran who died from leukaemia has criticised military chiefs for not investigating a cancer link to depleted uranium. Mrs Gail Norris's son, Alan Joy, served in Bosnia four years ago. Press reports this week suggested that the
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Rugby Union: Bedians bamboozle Bury
BURY, true to form, dragged one's emotions along a roller coaster, one minute ascending the highs of brilliance and inventiveness, the next slipping into a trough of ineptitude that would do no credit to a side composed of partially-sighted baboons. Bury
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Today's the day
1949: Transvestite ex-bus conductress Margaret "Bill" Allen was hanged for the murder of her 63-year-old neighbour Nancy Chadwick. She was a big well-built lady who had been a builder's labourer. When confronted by bloodstains found in her Rawtenstall
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Schools shocker
PARENTS of children attending the 14 primary and nursery schools in Burnley which Lancashire County Council plans to merge on to five sites must be shocked and horrified at the proposed changes. Where is the guarantee that the children's environment,
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Theatre work still to start
I HAVE been asked to correct your report about the Red Brick Theatre in Blackburn (LET, January 8). The current work is still to start, but has to be completed before the end of March. This has been made possible by £100,000 contribution from Blackburn
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So what is 'unnatural?'
AGAIN, I lament the way this society is going. What is my problem -- vandalism? crime rates? impoliteness? No, intolerance! After reading the comments of Mr R Kenyon (Letters, January 4) regarding the 'unnaturalness' of homosexuality, I really did not
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Flying start!
FORMER shop assistant Sarah Jayne Reynolds has made a flying start in her new career with the Royal Air Force. The 26-year-old Bury woman has scooped an award after passing out from recruit training at RAF Halton, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. At her
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Rescue team needs help
THE Millennium Year proved a busy one for local rescue volunteers. Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, which recruits from Bury and provides support to the police and ambulance service in the south of the borough, witnessed its busiest year ever with volunteers
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Homes found for dumped cats.
THREE tiny kittens are on their way to new homes after they were abandoned in a box on New Year's Day. The furry trio were found in the car park of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Shuttleworth. Sanctuary secretary Andrea Wiggins said: "They're all fine
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Duo set for African adventure
DYNAMIC duo Sharon McGuire and Carrie Atkinson are getting into gear for an African adventure. The girls, from Ramsbottom's TNT depot, will be heading for the Great Rift Valley in Kenya next month to take part in a 400km cycle trek from Mount Kenya to
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Battling Sarah loses her cancer fight
A BRAVE teenager who tirelessly raised money to fund cancer research has died from the illness. Sarah McPheet lost her battle against Hodgkins lymphoma on Sunday (Jan 8). Her death came just over a year after she was diagnosed. A special assembly was
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Call for help with school uniforms
THE education of schoolchildren throughout the borough could be being put at risk because poor parents get no help with buying school uniforms. That is the claim of the National Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux (NACAB) in a new report that calls
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Marlon back to his roots
FORMER Burnley keeper Marlon Beresford has returned to his roots to ease relegation-haunted Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeper crisis. The 31-year-old Middlesbrough shot-stopper -- who left Burnley in March 1998 in a £500,000 deal -- has struggled to command
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Where are our dog wardens?
IT was a big disappointment to me to learn that there was no dog warden service in our town over the Christmas holiday. Upon ringing the service number, one hears a recorded message stating that there is no dog warden available from 1pm on Christmas Eve
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Thanks for help
PEOPLE of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale have been thanked for their supportive work by the area branch of Diabetes UK and are invited to the organisation's annual general meeting. The event will mark the 40th year of the charity and will be chaired by
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Joe on a high note over 60-year award
GRANDFATHER Joe Spencer is tuning up to receive a long-service award at Blackburn Cathedral tomorrow. Retired electrician Joe, 72, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, is being honoured for 60 years' service in the choir at St Stephen's Church, Burnley. He and
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Claret's widow Jeannie dies at 100
JEANNIE Dougal, the widow of former Burnley Football Club manager Billy Dougal, has died just weeks before her 101st birthday. Her late husband was a Clarets player, manager and physiotherapist. Jeannie herself was a Clarets fan for more than 75 years
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Boyfriend's suicide text message
Boyfriend died of overdoseA MAN killed himself after sending his girlfriend text messages saying he would see in the after life. Simon Bullen, 33, of Fulham Street, Nelson, died last September from an overdose of alcohol and drugs which had been prescribed
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Spirited show by 12-man Hounds
Eccles A 22 Parr Hare & Hounds 18 HOUNDS travelled to Eccles with just 12 men, following the now customary cry-offs and lame excuses from so-called players, and produced their best performance of the season. The under-strength visitors were more than
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Champs too hot for Reds
Saints 46 Salford City Reds 20 EIGHT-try Saints limbered up well for the 'big one' against Brisbane Broncos in this hastily-arranged friendly at ice-cold Knowsley Road on Friday night. And, given those elements, they could be satisfied with a gate of
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Easy does it for Haydock
Haydock 33 Folly Lane 4 ALTHOUGH not at their best, Haydock were always in command of this North West Counties League Premier Division clash and ran out comfortable winners. Haydock started strongly and had points on the board within five minutes when
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Colne trio back
COLNE: John Lister welcomes back keeper Andy Moore, striker Leon O'Neil and skipper Gary Dalton for their must win NWCL Division Two clash against Atherton. Struggling Colne need to start picking up points to get out of trouble -- and Lister knows his
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Bargain marbles replace money
MARBLES are the latest bargaining chips being used by residents and community groups in Colne. The Local Exchange Trading Scheme (LETS) is based at Waterbridge Resource centre and instead of paying for services or goods in pounds and pence, members trade
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On trail of the wild mink . .
THE great mink debate gathers pace. Over the past several weeks the likelihood of these vicious little beasts inhabiting the undergrowth of Carr Mill Dam has been chewed over by a surprising number of customers of this column. Some have claimed that these
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Friend steps up fight for Ukrainian leukaemia victim
A LEIGH woman's fight is continuing as she tries to help a Ukrainian leukaemia victim who has been refused NHS treatment because she holds the wrong passport. Diana Andrusjak, 46, of Eva Street, is waiting for an 11th hour glimmer of hope as family friend
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Castle vandals face new blitz
VANDALS could be driven out of the grounds of Clitheroe Castle once and for all under plans to protect the area. Ribble Valley Council is looking to improve the castle grounds to encourage more people to use them instead of having young gangs hanging
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The Gills' Statistics
BIG MONEY MAN: Carl Asaba: Striker Asaba (27) cost the Gills £600,000 from Reading in August,1998. He scored 20 League goals in his first season before an injury-plagued campaign last time. Although his value may have soared he will be a free agent in
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Hockey lads denied victory
ST HELENS Hockey Club travelled to Liverpool Sefton Club for the first game of the New Year looking refreshed and raring to go. But they were denied victory when a dubious decision gave Liverpool a penalty flick to earn a 4-4 draw. St Helens' goals came
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Rangers make it tough for Folds
REIGNING Division One champions and looking well set to retain their title, Higher Folds did not have things all their own way in a Redwaters Cup round one meeting with Division Two side Fir Tree Rangers. The visitors, currently second in the table, made
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Heroin addicts in double death tragedy
A YOUNG mum, who was at the centre of a major police investigation following the mystery death of her 38-week-old baby, died after taking a heroin overdose. Miss Rachel Scull was discovered by her boyfriend Andrew Marrs on the living room floor of their
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Young at heart!
HE'S got the young at heart! That's Whitefield teenager John McSwiggan, who has emerged as a young people's champion in the borough. John (18) juggles his ever-expanding voluntary work with his job as administration assistant at the Information Shop on
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£660m order boost for Rolls
AERO engine giant Rolls-Royce has won a £660 million order from United States carrier American Airlines, it was announced today. The deal involves maintenance of Rolls' engines on American's current fleet of 102 Boeing 757 aircraft. The agreement will
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That's what friends are for!
A ST HELENS charity has come to the rescue of a local toddler who was in need of a new pram after breaking his leg. When volunteers for the Helen Marie Friends charity heard of the plight of little Nathan Briers, they immediately came up with a £300 donation
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Warning on sales scam
TRADING standards officers have warned St Helens people to be on guard against high pressure doorstep damp-proof sellers. Another spate of complaints concerning salesmen have been brought to the attention of St Helens Council's Trading Standards section
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Alarm units for elderly
MERSEYSIDE Police are offering more than 100 pensioners immediate response units as part of the force's £1.8m anti-robbery initiative, Be Streetsafe. In partnership with Help the Aged, the scheme to install the units aims to give security and peace of
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Local men are honoured in New Year list
AN OBE has been awarded to an animal lover who was born and raised in Hindley. Fred Comber, 65, who now lives in Horsham was recognised in the Queen's New Year Awards. He spent 33 years serving the RSPCA where he worked his way up to the rank of Chief
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Residents turn crimebusters
TRAILBLAZING residents have vowed to tackle crime and disorder on their doorsteps. People living in Waterfoot and Stagills, Rossendale, have joined forces with the police, council, churches, and youth and community service, to set up an action group to
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Super foster parents to be honoured
A GOLBORNE couple are to be honoured for providing foster care for decades. Ann and Ray Crosby have been looking after children on behalf of Wigan social services department for 25 years. On January 25, the Crosbys and other local foster parents will
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My, what fantastic costumes you have!
INSTEAD of the usual nativity play, the juniors at a Leigh School enthralled parents and teachers with a performance all about a little girl and a big, bad wolf. The junior children starred in Little Red Riding Hood at Newton West Park Primary School.
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Find a voice with outreach service
A NEW outreach service is opening in Tyldesley which aims to make sure the rights of local people are protected. Add A Voice is offering the service at the Signpost Advisory Service, TCEC Building, Upper George Street. The first session began yesterday
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Owner in flap after falcon flies into the wide blue yonder!
A FALCON engaged in pest control on an Astley landfill site disappeared yesterday after mistaking a microlight for prey! The three year-old Saker Peregrine named Cleo headed-off in pursuit of the microlight while chasing gulls and crows off the landfill
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Muddy marvel Gary is the new Prince of Wales!
GARY Parr is the newly crowned Prince of Wales. The all-action, off-road racer from Westleigh has landed the title of Welsh Four Stroke Champion after topping the results in a gruelling eight meeting series throughout the Principality. Ex-motocross rier
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Royal seal of approval for late Atherton councillor
ATHERTON'S late elder statesman, Cllr Joe Clarke, has received a posthumous honour from the transport authority he served for a decade. The former mayor, who died last month aged 80, never sought public recognition, but would have been delighted that
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Do you know a super nurse?
THE search is on for the angels of the nursing profession in the 2001 Community Nurse of the Year Awards. The competition is open to any nurse employed by Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Communicare NHS Trust. Nominations can be made by colleagues
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School days revisited at night spot
STAFF at a Blackburn pub have been reliving their youth and buying school uniforms for a fundraising night. All nine members of staff at F J Nichols, in Northgate, and The Works nightclub -- including the men -- will be dressed as schoolgirls from 8.30pm
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Appeal gets New Year booster
MEMBERS of the Free Mason's Victory Lodge in Blackburn have given the East Lancashire Hospice Appeal special New Year boost with a cheque for £750. A large amount of the cash was raised during the Victory Lodge Ladies Evening held at Mytton Fold Farm
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'Road rage' man to pay victim
A MAN convicted over a "road rage" type incident has been given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay his victim compensation. James Bowen had been found guilty on charges of robbery and affray. A trial had heard that he kicked and grabbed at another
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Ice fall man faces 3 months in plaster
THE son of a pensioner who suffered a broken arm when he fell on an icy subway today said his father could be in plaster for up to three months. Tom Ashton fell in the subway at Salford, in Blackburn town centre during the cold snap at the end of December
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Firm has improved services
A LEADING councillor has said he is 'reassured' following a high level meeting with the company bidding to take over a range of council services. Conservative group leader Councillor Colin Rigby, met with a director of Capita after the company had been
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Baxter keeps title in focus
RONNIE Baxter promises to have eyes only for the darts board tonight as he comes up against one of the sport's most colourful characters in the Embassy World Championship quarter-finals in Frimley Green. Baxter takes on Wayne Mardle, a man with a loud
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Schoolboys grab dramatic triumph
THE St Helens Primary Schools A team came from behind to snatch a dramatic victory over Skelmersadale in the quarter-final of the Barnett-Shieldhouse Cup. Oliver Mitchell (St Peter's) gave St Helens a one-goal lead at half-time. But injuries forced a
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Town on top in crucical derby
Prescot Cables 0 St Helens Town 2 TOWN got the better of this imporant local derby in a game that was far from a classic. Both sides have realistic designs on the championship this season and on this performance St Helens look to have all the battling
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Let's take a new look
A New Year but will we make it new? In reply to the letter from Laurie Bullas (Dec 29) can I ask is each of us ready to start the new year in a new way? Can we leave behind the old prejudices and seek to get on with each other by changing our own thoughts
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Any more wrong words, folks?
FOLLOWING the Round John Virgin wrong-words-to-songs item last week some of you very curious people have rung in wanting to know what it was my dad and the ATS fitters sang instead of Mull of Kintyre. Well I can't publish it on a family page, but it contained
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Police make witness plea
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault on an 18-year-old student in the early hours of Christmas morning at the junction of Water Street and Waterloo Street in the town centre. The victim was attacked with a broken bottle and was badly wounded
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Top of the form
WINDLEHURST Primary School has been awarded the £50 top prize in St Helens Council's Walk to School Week road safety scheme. The event, which encouraged children and parents to leave their cars at home to protect the environment, proved to be very successful
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Medal honour for officer
A POLICE officer, who has served in St Helens, has been recognised in the New Year's Honours List. Detective Superintendent Phil Jones, who leads Merseyside Police's Professional Standards Unit, is to receive the Queens Police Medal for 28 years' distinguished
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Pat on board
FORMER primary school teacher Pat Hughes is one of two new non-executive directors appointed to the board of the St Helens and Knowsley Community Health (NHS) Trust. Pat, who lives in Prescot, taught at primary schools in Huyton and Whiston before becoming
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Woman (85) conned by 12-year-old
AN 85-year-old woman was robbed of £300 after she answered her door to a youth who claimed his ball had gone into her front garden. The pensioner answered a call at her home in Kipling Grove, Sutton Manor, between 6.30pm and 8pm on Thursday, January 4
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Great run by Sue
CLASSROOM assistant Sue Talbot earned top marks when she completed her first half-marathon in aid of a worthy cause The 35-year-old, from Haydock, took part in the Great North Run to raise money for the Lupus Research Foundation in memory of school friend
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Head leaves with OBE
RETIREMENT at Christmas after a lifetime in the teaching profession by a local woman brought with it a well-deserved 'gong' -- the award of an OBE! Entry into the Queen's Birthday Honours List came for headmistress Audrey Westhead, of Dentons Green Lane
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Chance to quiz council
LET your voice be heard at the next full meeting of St Helens Council on Wednesday, January 17, at 6.15pm. As part of the Council's modernisation drive, it is again setting time aside for a public question session. Questions and deputations from members
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Traffic tangle cutting off town centre
EVEN in its initial stages, it was evident that the new inner ring road system being created in Blackburn was a mess -- since, as long as four months ago, horrendous traffic jams were occurring and some councillors were calling for the scheme to be halted
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Rugby League: Boss wants improvement
ANGRY Swinton Lions coach Mike Gregory has threatened to make wholesale changes after his side's defeat against old foes Rochdale Hornets. The Lions went down 8-4 in a dour encounter at Gigg Lane last Sunday, their second successive defeat after opening
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Rugby Union: It's more of same as Park paste Aspatria!
Sedgley Park 57pts - Aspatria 3pts SEDGLEY PARK began the second half of the season in much the same way as they had ended the first. This was another wonderful display of controlled, committed and entertaining rugby. Aspatria, struggling near the bottom
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Soccer: Shot-shy Fold still paying the price
Finnair Manchester League Premier Division Sacred Heart 2 - Elton Fold 1 NEW Year, same old story. Can't score, struggle to win. Repetive and frustrating it may seem, but on this occasion never have Fold dominated a game for such long periods and ended
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Anger over crime victims
ONCE again, the British justice system has let down the victim and his family as the murderers of James Bulger have been given preferential treatment over their victim. It is now the usual case that the victim is the one who is in the wrong and the perpetrators
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Brainwashed by language
IN reply to Councillor Dave Hollings (Letters, January 5), I get the impression that he missed the point of my previous remarks. It doesn't matter where the English language originated from; it's what is available now and the general usage that matters
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Nice plans: but how do we pay for changes?
OUR cash-strapped libraries have received a boost from the Government. But sadly, it's not a financial one! Ministers have praised the council's action plan for future improvements as "good", which places the borough in the top division. But the major
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Fury over rush-hour traffic chaos
MOTORISTS and businessmen caught up in traffic chaos today appealed for action to end the congestion which has seen vehicles sitting in a mile-long jam. New traffic lights at the junction of Copy Nook and Higher Audley Street near Blackburn town centre
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Drivers to pay to reach work?
DRIVERS may have to pay to travel to work and then pay to park at work. "People need to realise that the days when you can drive whenever and wherever you wish have gone," said Bury Council leader Derek Boden. The council is to ask local businesses what
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Out foxed!.
IT was a case of the hunted and the hunter on Saturday (Jan 6) when huntsmen gathered at Affetside for the controversial "sport" of fox hunting. Around 30 members of the Holcombe Hunt, resplendent in the traditional black and red, gathered at the Pack
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Cup tickets
SOCCER: Tickets are now on open sale for Blackburn Rovers' fourth round FA Cup clash with Derby County at Ewood on Saturday, January 27. Season ticket holders seats will be reserved until 12.30pm on Saturday, January 20. Prices range from £17 to £22 for
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Dailly thinking it over
CHRISTIAN Dailly today hinted he could opt to stay at Ewood after deciding to take the weekend to think over his future. The Scottish international defender met Leicester boss Peter Taylor for talks yesterday -- 48 hours after speaking to West Ham boss
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Come home Scotty
I WOULD like to appeal to anyone who received a black, cast-iron Scotty dog doorstop with a red necktie for Christmas, or had one appear in their home, or bought one at a car boot sale. Mine was stolen stolen just before Christmas from inside my porch
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Whatever happened to bluebell paradise?
AS a young girl I used to cycle from Bold Lane to Clock Face Road through pretty farmland. If I didn't want to go that way, I could turn left towards Gorsey Lane, via Gill Bond's. This was a particularly pretty run in the spring when it was bedecked with
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Drive ban loses dad his job
A YOUNG dad who was over twice the drink drive limit went out in his car to cool off after a row. Burnley magistrates heard how Simon Andrew Jackson, 23, had lost his job as a mechanic after earlier being given an interim driving ban, but was now working
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Are these people racist?
AM I naive to ask if the Greater Manchester Black and Asian Police Association is a racist organisation? If it is a racist organisation, does it then follow that its members are individually racist? And if "White" were substituted for "Black" and "European
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I know where all the cyclists are
IN response to recent letters, can I say that the reason there are so few cyclists on our roads is that they are all up Holcombe Moor and on other public footpaths where they are not allowed. They cause damage to the footpaths and are a danger to walkers
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On-song Crusaders book semis spot
Hindley Giants u/16s 8 Thatto Heath Crusaders 12 CRUSADERS moved into the semi-finals of the Lancashire Cup with this fine win over much-fancied rivals from Wigan. Wayne Haselden opened the scoring for Crusaders with a well-taken try in the corner and
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Panthers pounce to topple leaders
Halton Simms Cross 2 Portico Panthers 12 PORTICO produced a super defensive performance to topple Premier Division leaders Simms Cross. The game was point-less for the first 30 minutes with both sides defending well before prop Chris Ashurst finally broke
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Hawks put bite on Bulldogs
Blackbrook Bulldogs 12 Hillsborough Hawks 15 THE Bulldogs' disappointing run continued as they slumped to their first home defeat of the season. With five minutes to go the home side led 12-10 and looked set to hold on for a much-needed win. But a needlessly-conceded
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The spirit of Owd Salt
THE ghost of Owd Salt flits across this page once more... Beattie Hardman from Moss Bank, whose parents ran a chipshop at Pocket Nook, recalls buying blocks of salt from the big handcart of the pre-war peddler -- a tall, gaunt character well known throughout
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Poetic praise for our Denis
AN 80-year-old visiting Welshman who found himself lost in St Helens while taking a stroll in near-blizzard conditions has penned a tribute in rhyme to the Christmas kind-heart who rescued him from his predicament. And I'm delighted to report that the
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TEN YEARS AGO
UNIONS were planning talks with Daniel Thwaites brewery bosses over the announcement that the company planned to axe 75 jobs. Shop stewards hoped to negotiate the redeployment of some of the staff in other departments.
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FIVE YEARS AGO
EAGLE-EYED Ribble Valley pensioner Roy Barlow won £48,000 in a national spot the ball competition. Mr Barlow, 65, of St Mary's Gardens, Mellor, was one of three first prize winners to share the Littlewoods top money competition prize.
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Dad and son on fraud charges
A SHOPKEEPER and his son have appeared in court charged with a £67,000 benefit fraud. Mohammed Aslam, 71, of the Spice Shop, Blackburn Road, Accrington, and son Tariq Aslam, 32, of Cornelian Street, Blackburn, are charged with conspiring to obtain £35,000
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Serve us up a new Becker please!
LEIGH SCHOOLS could produce the next Boris Becker or Steffi Graff after thousands of pounds have been pumped into a new tennis programme. Tyldesley Tennis Club in conjunction with Wigan Council have received £3,415 from the Sport England Millennium awards
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Knifeman found guilty of wounding
A KNIFEMAN is in custody and another man is awaiting his fate, as a two-week trial comes to an end at Burnley Crown Court. William Fullerton, 38, of Hornby Street, Accrington, was found guilty of wounding Michael Clitheroe, with intent to do him grievous
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Councillors slam estate decision
LEIGH councillors are considering legal action against a government decision to allow a housing estate to be built on a Pennington wildlife oasis. Councillors Brian Jarvis and Mark Hale are furious Government Inspector Norah Ball from the Department of
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Leigh councillor backs MP's road proposal, but others are furious
MP RUTH Kelly wants to resurrect the controversial M6-M61 link road and claims there is a "powerful case" to build the new road. And in the House of Commons yesterday, she joined forces with Wigan MP Neil Turner to appeal to Deputy Prime Minister John
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Fury at closure of town's court
THE closure of Leigh magistrates' court in two months' time has sparked outrage. Community leaders and prominent members of the legal profession have attacked the decision by the Lord Chancellor's Department to turn down an appeal to keep the Chapel Street
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Peter to help sell Bury businesses abroad
BURY exporters and those elsewhere in the North West have a new champion. He is Peter Hogarth, who has been appointed by Trade Partners UK as the region's first international trade director. His role will be to co-ordinate and help make the most of the
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Sin-binning proves costly for UG
Rose Bridge A 30 UGB 12 NOT surprisingly, the young UGB side took time to get going in their first game for eight weeks due to the bad weather and the Christmas break. This enabled the strong Rose Bridge outfit to build up a 14-0 lead before the visitors
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Jones on mark to put RMI into next round
Leigh RMI 1 Rossendale United 0 A SOLITARY second half goal from tricky winger Steve Jones was enough to see a RMI through to the third round of the Marsden Lancashire Challenge Trophy. The 71st minute strike from Jones was the only warming moment for
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Taxi firms are quizzed
BURY'S private hire taxi "cartel" could be smashed by Government competition watchdogs. Inspectors from the Office of Fair Trading have visited members of the newly-formed Bury Private Hire Association and warned them about price-fixing. They acted following
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Perfect postie!
POPULAR postie Ken Melia was first-class at his job and his many fans have finally been able to demonstrate just how much they think of him. Mr Melia, of Outwood, Radcliffe plodded the same beat on Bury's Walshaw Park estate for 21 years. But he delivered
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Weller's hoping Clarets can do a Watford
CLARETS all-rounder Paul Weller is hoping Burnley can "do a Watford" to start climbing the First Division table again. That was the in-phrase around Turf Moor over the summer as Graham Taylor's men showed what could be achieved by a provincial club climbing
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About our new sponsor...
NORTHERN Technologies/Pendle Training are the new sponsors of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's business and industry page. The Nelson-based training and business support company offers more than 300 courses in a variety of occupational areas from business
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Hot team at Stoves
A TRAINING team is hot stuff... and that's official. The gas training and assessment centre of cooker and fire manufacturer, Stoves Plc in Stoney Lane, Whiston, has been officially recognised by the Building Engineering Services division of the Construction
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Honour for church stalwart John
A LONG-serving parish priest whose parents had strong local connections is the first clergyman to be appointed a Freeman of the Borough. Canon John Pennington, aged 81, of Holy Cross Church, is the son of the late John and Ellen, who was a member of the
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On Your Beat
. . . with Sgt Mark Bradley Crimestoppers number: 0800 555111(All calls will be treated confidentially) THE New Year is upon us, how about making some New Year's resolutions to assist the police in helping you. 1. I will use the locks on my doors and
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U2 tribute band will perform with Pride!
A LEIGH musician is to appear on prime time national television in a bid to prove he is in the best tribute band in the country. Ivan Meredith, 27, of Duke Street, will perform with his band Achtung Baby a tribute group to mega-stars U2 on BBC 1 a week
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Philip's lifting the lid on coffin humour
FORMER funeral director Philip McKenna has raised a smile -- by lifting the lid on the funnier side of his profession. Death may not be the obvious subject for a comedy book but after more than 20 years in the family business in Lancashire, Philip isn't
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Bury's cash relief
SOCCER: Bury have received some cash relief following the sale of former striker David Johnson from Ipswich to Nottingham Forest in a reported £3m deal. The Shakers have a sell on clause of 25 per cent on the 24-year-old which should net the cash-strapped
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Daws double boosts Bury
BURY 2 KIDDERMINSTER 0 FOLLOWING their very poor performance at weekend Bury confounded and delighted their supporters with an excellent display of passing footballand won this game much more comfortably than the scoreline suggests. Under fire boss Andy
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Baxter eyes swift return
RONNIE Baxter vowed to return to the Lakeside fitter and even faster next year after his latest bid for Embassy World Championship glory ended in spectacular failure last night. Fourth seed Baxter piled up 10 maximum 180s, boasted a roof-raising 160 finish
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Moyes aiming for anniversary win
DAVID Moyes celebrated his three year anniversary in charge of Preston this week desperate to get North End out of their worst run of his managerial career. Six defeats in seven games is something Moyes and his players haven't been used to since he led
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Hot-shots re-write record books
St Helens Town10 Abbey Hey 2 FOR 53 years and 28 days St Helens Town's all-time record haul of 10 goals in a game stood unparalleled until this drizzly night at Knowsley Road as their embarkment into the New Year became a milestone in local sporting history
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Racism "myth" is the real threat
WITH reference to Mr Paul Bailey, president of the Greater Manchester Black and Asian Police Association (Your Letters, Jan 5). If any apology is due, it is to William Hague from Paul Bailey. It would be interesting to be told why British black and Asian
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Better bin bags than injuries
RUBBISH was on the lips of everyone in the town centre this week. Bin collections were delayed because of the treacherous weather conditions between Christmas and New Year, and homes throughout the area were left bulging with overflowing bins and bags
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Want to join the Lollipop Gang?
ST HELENS Council has launched an appeal for more Lollipop men and women for school crossing patrols. Four areas in which staff are particularly needed are Elephant Lane, Sutton Heath Road and Marshalls Cross Road and two new sites at the Hurst School
