Archive
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Praise for our schools is well deserved
THE tributes heaped today on education chiefs in Blackburn with Darwen by government inspectors for turning round struggling schools are not so much glowing, but positively dazzling -- and fully deserved. For the schools watchdog body Ofsted says: "This
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How Venezuela and the West Indies balance their ecology
Nature Watch special, with Ron Freethy TRAVELLING to Venezuela and the West Indies to investigate the problems they face in protecting their natural water supplies and the delicate balance of the region's its ecology, it is easy to understand just how
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Lesson in how to run a school
WHEN Wensley Fold Primary School was branded a failure by Ofsted, staff and governors were devastated. Now, with improving standards and results, it is being held up as an example of how a school can turn itself around. As education chiefs celebrate a
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Bishop to talk about rural issues
THE Bishop of Blackburn will give a talk on countryside issues at a meeting in February. The Rt Rev Alan Chesters will give a speech to the Lancashire branch of the Council for Protection of Rural England. Rita Whitlock, of the group, said: "The bishop
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Duo are on their bikes to cut crime
TWO youngsters proved they were top of the cops after winning a Lancashire Police contest. Simone Strang, 11, and Josie Cayton, nine, both of Leyland, each won a bike in a design competition to create a new character. Their winning efforts - chosen out
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'Homes for pets' appeal
LOVING foster homes are needed for the pets of women and children in East Lancashire who are trying to escape domestic violence. Charity Paws for Kids arranges temporary accommodation for pets while their owners go into refuges, so they can be reunited
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Bigotry stand applauded
I APPLAUD Jennifer Preston on her comments (Letters, January 12) because she has the guts to stand up against bigotry. She laments the way in which society is going. Alas, my own view is that there are quite a number of people who want a platform to espouse
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Wake up and ban wagons
REGARDING your report '£3m for slips and trips' (LET, January 13), about the annual amount claims for accident compensation are costing Lancashire councils, this is peanut money nowadays. I think the councils should claim it back from the Government,
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A damning indictment
REGARDING the survey showing that Burnley Healthcare Trust has some of the highest death rates in the country (LET, January 15), what a damning indictment. Can anyone explain to me why my parents and grandmother, all of whom are pensioners, face a post
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Thanks for saving Tech
THE Darwen Against Demolition campaign deserves a great big thank you. All their hard work has finally paid off and the old Tech, now has a secure future. Lancashire County Council wanted to demolish the building. They didn't bother to consult any of
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Merger will be winner for the patients
PATIENTS are set to benefit from the merger of two NHS Trusts. The Government announced today that Wigan and Leigh Health Services and Wrightington Hospital will merge from April 1. Both trusts, which will serve people in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley
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Sent off Street banned for two games
LEIGH Centurions' key prop Tim Street has been banned for two games and fined £125 after being sent off against hometown club Oldham 10 days ago. Despite a personal appearance before RL disciplinary chiefs in Leeds last night, Street was found guilty
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Boys from Brazil in Youth Cup spotlight
THE Blackburn Rovers starlets who went to Brazil with England's Under 16s may miss out on the FA Youth Cup game against Colchester tonight. Jerome Watt and Ciaran Donnelly returned from the Joao Havelange tournament last week injury-free but tired after
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Salute to a Good Samaritan
I CANNOT thank enough the nameless young man who came to my rescue on Friday, December 29, when I had fallen on the ice in the Comet car park. He picked me and my bags up and took me home and was very concerned and caring. Owing to the shock of the fall
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Tribute to dedicated hospital staff
I WOULD like through your paper to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the staff and fellow patients of Pilkington Ward in St Helens Hospital. Six weeks ago I was a patient on the ward having a total knee replacement on my left knee.
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Show pride in our champions
SATURDAY, October 14, 2000 will live in the memory of all Saints fans for a very long time, beating the 'Pie-eaters' in a Grand Final. What made it extra special for the 20,000 or so Saints fans who were actually at Old Trafford was the atmosphere, the
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Elected mayor for St Helens?
ST HELENS could soon get its first ever democratically elected mayor after a planned 'ask the people' campaign. And Council Leader Marie Rimmer wants to put townsfolk firmly 'in the driving seat' to help in making these important choices. Coun Rimmer
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Choir hits all the right notes
NELSON Arion Choir have presented £2,500 to Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle. Members of the choir visited Pendleside Hospice to hand over the cheque. The money was raised at the Voices for Hospice concert on October 14 and was part of the largest
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Aero jobs exodus denied
AEROSPACE bosses have denied redundancies in Lancashire have been caused by an exodus of jobs overseas. John Weston, the chief executive of BAe Systems which has military aircraft factories at Samlesbury and Warton, and John Rose, chief executive of Rolls
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Aircraft plea wings in
A RESEARCHER with 'high-flying' ambitions is seeking information about any aviation incidents in and around the St Helens borough -- particularly during the 1939-45 world war. Mark S. Gaskell of Lancashire Aircraft Investigation team, explains: "I am
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Five years ago
WE revealed many of the area's dentists were leaving the NHS and setting up privately. Those that were staying in the NHS were struggling to cope with demand for treatment and a report found many people were unable to register with a dentist.
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Ten years ago
TEACHERS and pupils were in a state of shock after a staff room was petrol-bombed in the third school fire in seven days. Pupils were sent home after the fire at St Michael with St John Primary, near Whalley Range, in which three petrol bombs were thrown
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Get your bid in for signed shirt
FOOTBALL fans who are not afraid to show their true colours have the chance to own a Manchester United shirt signed by former captain and footballing hero, Eric Cantona. The shirt has been donated to Hyndburn Mayoress Sandra Hayes, who hopes to auction
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Library ticket system to be computerised
OLD-style paper library tickets are set to become a thing of the past in Clayton-le-Moors, Church and Rishton with the launch of a new computerised issue system. The system is already in place in Accrington and now other libraries are following suit.
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Police vow to keep up truancy crackdown
POLICE have vowed to continue their crackdown on truants after a two day purge last year slashed crime by 30 per cent. And Inspector Dale Allen has warned parents who condone their child's absence from school that their tolerance will be not be accepted
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Cheque mates
EAST Lancashire Hospice appeal chairman Geoffrey Braithwaite, pictured right, picked up a cheque for £1,200 at the Old Post House Hotel, Clitheroe, from Clitheroe Lions president Colin Underwood and Mary Barnes, who hosted a Viennese musical evening for
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Cig shop owner MP's 'no' to ban
NIGEL Evans has called on the Government to abandon plans to prohibit tobacco and cigarette advertising, despite the fact his father died from smoking aged only 59. The lone East Lancashire Tory MP revealed the tragic history during a debate in the House
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Laws: We deserved it
COCKAHOOP Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws felt his giantkillers were good value for their FA Cup shock at Glanford Park last night. Having been pegged back in injury time at Turf Moor in the first meeting, The Iron came from behind this time before knocking
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STAN RAPS FANS AGAIN
LIVID Burnley boss Stan Ternent again hit out at the Clarets fans as his side crashed out of the FA Cup on penalties at Third Division Scunthorpe United last night. Burnley lost 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out, after the third-round replay was level at 1-1
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Spot of bother
Scunthorpe 1 Burnley 1 Scunthorpe 1 Dawson 82mins Burnley 1 Payton 73 mins (after extra-time) Scunthorpe won 5-4 on penalties SCUNTHORPE manager Brian Laws admitted he feared the worst when his side's FA Cup hopes hinged on a penalty shoot-out against
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A lapse of memory, perhaps?
RETURNING, if you will pardon me, to the peculiar business of Hyndburn councillors being allowed by local government minister John Prescott to keep £17,400 in wrongly-paid expenses for attending meetings they had no right to claim for, we hear that hard-pressed
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Let's shed some light on 'green' power
SO giant County Hall and other Lancashire County Council offices in Preston are to be powered by "green" electricity, generated either by wind power or derived from so-called "bio-mass" of forestry or agricultural waste. With the latter in mind, I cannot
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Louise takes up new tax post
TAX expert Louise Edwards (pictured) has joined East Lancashire accountancy firm PM&M as a tax manager. Her appointment brings further tax expertise to the practice after tax guru Laurence Parry was made a partner 18 months ago. Louise, of Withnell
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It's sew good to get awards
A CLOTHING firm with order books bursting at the seams has got training all sewn up. Traditional Lancashire garment making skills are alive and thriving at Chorley-based Norseman (Rainwear) Ltd and workers have got the certificates to prove it. Machinists
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Delta belter after award!
DELTA Fluid Products have been awarded the Investor in People accolade by St Helens Chamber. Part of the Delta plc group, who currently employ 170 people, the company is one of the country's leading specialists in the field of controls, valves and fittings
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Primary system in good books
BOOKWORM pupils at a highly-rated seat of learning have turned over a new 'leaf' -- and are loving every minute of it! For staff, governors and friends of Richard Evans Community Primary School, Haydock, have liaised with St Helens Council to install
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Cruel thief scuttles scooter joy
SEVEN-year-old Marc Witton was overjoyed when he got a stylish mini-scooter for Christmas. Less than a month later though, the youngster was devastated when it was stolen from outside a cafe in Rainford. The theft happened during the morning of Saturday
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Ghana here I come!
CARING Steve Lever is a man who loves a challenge -- and he has certainly got one on his hands at the moment. For Steve is preparing to travel to Ghana next month where he will spend 10 weeks trekking through the wilds as part of an environmental and
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Blueprint for care of patients
A BLUEPRINT for the upgrading of healthcare in local hospitals has been submitted for approval. The proposals would cost £190 million to improve services in this area, including more beds, better food and more modern facilities. St Helens and Knowsley
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Hammer attacker jailed
A MAN carried out a claw hammer attack after going to a drug addict's home "mob handed." It was initially thought that Lee Mason's victim had suffered a fractured skull in the violence. That proved not to be the case, but victim Shane Gaskin had a deep
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Car-crossed lover's journey to jail
STEVEN Thomas Taylor used other people's cars to make sure the course of true love ran smooth, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that he would take cars to get him from his mother's home in Darwen to visit his girlfriend who lived in Blackburn
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Shoplifter went on thieving train trip to town
A MAN went on a shoplifting train trip to Clitheroe because he was too well-known by shop security staff in Blackburn, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that James Anthony Ford and an accomplice planned to hide their booty in the grounds of
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School in three-way Euro link
TEACHERS from Estonia and Finland will visit a Blackburn primary school next month to set up a three-way partnership teaching youngsters more about Europe. Griffin Park Primary School has won a £1,000 European Union grant to fund the project, which will
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Film chief Gary reaches for the stars
A FORMER Blackburn businessman's latest film looks set to be a hit -- even before it has reached the cinema screens. Winchester Entertainment, headed by former Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School pupil Gary Smith (pictured), has sold the rights to Heartbreakers
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Residents in fight against flats plan
RESIDENTS of the Accrington Road area of Burnley will be attending a planning meeting next Thursday to speak against a plan for flats for women coming off drugs and alcohol. The Caring Accrington Road Residents (CARR) held a meeting at the Vanguard Centre
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Cash chance for our poorest kiddies
THE poorest children in East Lancashire could benefit from a £5million slice of Government cash -- if council bids for funding are successful. Both Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council have been invited to bid for cash to help children
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BAMBER BRIDGE 2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1
A POOR first half display in which they conceded two goals left Stanley losing their final group match in the UniBond League Challenge Cup. Manager John Coleman gave debuts to reserve team players Paul Stansfield and Steve MacDonald with Stansfield in
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OLIVER'S TWIST
True Brits out of the abyss THERE'S nothing like a glorious failure to get the British sports fan going. And hats off this week to Justin Rose and Greg Rusedski for their near misses over the weekend. Both have shown the ability and mental strength to
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Hockey club's six hits
THE St Helens Hockey Club's Mens Section entertained Didsbury at the weekend and came away with the points in a well-contested game. The first half was goalless until the dying seconds when St Helens got a penalty corner and Paul Horton slotted it away
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St Helens McDonald's JOL round-up
ALL scheduled games in the St Helens McDonald's JOL at the weekend were postponed due to the weather. FIXTURES Sunday, January 28 Under 16s: Crosfield v Cronton, Rainford Rangers v Bleak Hill Rovers, Knowsley South v St Annes Rovers, Rainhill United v
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St Helens Sutton pipped for race honours
ST HELENS Sutton AC's senior men returned to Clarke's Gardens, Allerton for the last race in the local cross-country season, the Liverpool & District Championships and were again narrowly run out of the major finishing positions. The course was the
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Michelle's dream career in her own hands!
MICHELLE Murray has the key to her dream career in her own hands -- and she is aiming to make it come true, with a little help from the Prince's Trust and St Helens Chamber. For the 22-year-old from Primrose, Grove, Haydock, has set up a clinic specialising
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Rainhill Junior League round-up
RESULTS Mini Soccer, Week Two Premier Division: Whiston Juniors Rangers 1 Young Gate 1, Whiston Juniors Celtic 2 Rainhill United Celtic 0, Blackbrook Juniors 2 Pilkington 2, Whiston Juniors Rangers 3 Rainhill United Celtic 0, Whiston Juniors Celtic 2
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Big freeze hits local soccer
FROZEN pitches meant that only one of the St Helens Combination's scheduled Garswood Trophies Hospital Cup games got underway at the weekend. This was the Penlake Juniors versus Shoe fourth round tie, but sadly this only lasted 20 minutes before the referee
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Plea to find relatives
THE Bereavement Office at Whiston Hospital are trying to trace the relatives of Eva Simms, of Thatto Heath, who died in the hospital on January 1 this year. Anyone with information regarding family members is asked to contact the Bereavement Office on
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Proving a whizz at maths?
KNOWSLEY Council has opened a new centre for budding mathematicians. Based at Higher Side City Learning Cente in Cumber Lane, Whiston, the Advanced Maths Centre will aim to help the top 25 children in the borough with an aptitude for the subject to improve
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Woman overcome by smoke
A FORTY-year-old woman received treatment for smoke inhalation following a chip-pan fire at a house in Chain Lane, Blackbrook. Two fire crews from St Helens were called to the house at about 6.15pm on Tuesday, January 16. The ground-floor kitchen was
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Firecrews called to kitchen blaze
FIREFIGHTERS were called out to a blaze in the kitchen of a house in Clarence Street, Newton-le-Willows, in the early hours of Saturday, January 20. It is believed a pan of food started the fire, which caused heat and smoke damage to the kitchen and its
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Advice on how to get that job
NEWTON Family and Community Centre in Park Road South has joined forces with Business Skills (St Helens) to launch 'Get That Job', an advice course which includes lessons on how to prepare a CV, fill in application forms, and interview techniques. It
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Drugs alert after theft
POLICE in St Helens have issued a warning following the theft of drugs from an address in Haresfinch. The drugs were inside a black Puma holdall bag which was also stolen and are used in the treatment of diabetes. They included 16 18mg gliclazide (marked
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Helen wins real splashing award
OLYMPIC swimmer Helen Don-Duncan has been hailed a local hero. And Seneley Green Parish councillors are so proud of her achievements that they have presented her with a special award. Although Helen, who lives in Langholme Road, Garswood, missed out on
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Fire chiefs launch recruitment drive
A £10,000 advertising campaign is being launched in Bury and elsewhere in Greater Manchester as part of a new recruiting initiative by the County Fire Service. And Bury commuters are being targeted with posters already put up on 20 Metrolink trams. The
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Events in East Lancashire on Thursday, January 25
Railway Correspondents and Travel Society, Claremont Hotel, Preston, 7.30pm. Burnley ladies Speakers' Club, Pendleside Hospice, Burnley Road, Reedley, 7.30pm. Altham Travel's Cruise Theme Night, Blackburn College, 6pm-8pm. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and
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Killing threat is blackmail
REGARDING your Comment 'Pro-hunting emotive ploy stinks' (LET, January 16), how right you are. Hunt master Arnold Greenhalgh's threat to kill his hounds is nothing short of blackmail. The dogs could still be used for drag hunting, but this would not be
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Awards for courage
DO you know someone who has had a stroke or cares for someone whose life has been turned upside down by the devastating effects of a stroke? Nominations are now being taken for the Stroke Association's Life After Stroke awards 2001. These are held each
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Mast plan: Facts are on our side
REGARDING your report 'Wealth Before Health Church Row' (LET, January 12), could I comment and, hopefully, put into an accurate context the true situation regarding the proposed installation of telecommunications equipment at St Leonard's Church, Padiham
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Vandals attack 5 cars owned by community leaders
FIVE cars owned by leaders of a community forum have been attacked in a £5,000 spree by vandals. Now a new anti-crime action group has been formed in the Daneshouse area of Burnley, following the wave of attacks. Cars owned by Community Forum leaders
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School is top class
EDUCATION bosses were today heralded as simply the best after a glowing report praised their remarkable and unique record in turning round struggling schools. Blackburn with Darwen Council was given the outstanding vote of confidence for its high quality
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Blake hopes for FA Cup return
NATHAN Blake could be in line for a return to Rovers' first team squad this weekend -- despite seeing his comeback plans hit by the weather last night. The Welsh international striker had been pencilled in for a run-out in a reserve team clash with Everton
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Don't let the side down
WHEN I read in the paper that some supporters were boycotting the match on Friday, I couldn't believe it. We know things didn't go our way with the venue, but we can't take it out on the players. They gave us a brilliant season last year and we can't
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Leon returns to reveal he's a 'satisfied soldier'
A FORMER student went back to school to tell other pupils about his life as a soldier. Leon Dand (right), 17, from Padiham, is an old boy of St Theodore's High School, Burnley, and has just completed his 28-week training course for the Royal Signals at
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Two in court accused of street attack
TWO people have appeared in court charged with grievous bodily harm following an incident where a man was left seriously ill after being hit by a taxi. John Gorton, 35, is in intensive care at Burnley General Hospital with serious injuries suffered when
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Shipman probe will cover his early years
HEALTH Minister John Hutton has confirmed that the public inquiry into mass murderer doctor Harold Shipman will include his time as a general practitioner in Todmorden. He said it would consider the full extent of the jailed medic's "unlawful activities
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Retired miner choked to death on meat
A PENSIONER who refused to cut up his food choked to death on two pieces of unchewed meat. Retired miner Rennie Ridge, 72, died despite efforts by staff at Crawshaw Hall nursing home, Crawshawbooth, to save him, an inquest heard. Keith Ridge of Kings
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Group fight back against car crime
A NEW anti-crime action group has been formed in the Daneshouse area of Burnley, following a spate of attacks on cars. Five cars owned by Community Forum leaders were targeted in the latest wave of overnight attacks -- with damage estimated at more than
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Vandals attack 5 cars owned by community leaders
FIVE cars owned by leaders of a community forum have been attacked in a £5,000 spree by vandals. Now a new anti-crime action group has been formed in the Daneshouse area of Burnley, following the wave of attacks. Cars owned by Community Forum leaders
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Bishop really digs garden mini chapel
WHEN new bishop John Goddard wants a Right Reverend bit of space he heads for the garden shed! The 12ft by 10ft wooden hut is proving to be a real Godsend away from the hustle and bustle of modern life after being handed over as a present when he began
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'Support Broncos' call fire Saints
WORLD championship hopefuls Saints are incensed by Super League pleas to Wigan and Warrington fans to support Brisbane Broncos in Friday's showdown at Bolton's Reebok Stadium (8pm). Arguably a ploy to boost a feared low gate in a 28,000-capacity ground
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More woe for Bulldogs
Crigglestone All Blacks 32 Blackbrook Bulldogs 16 THE Bulldogs' season of woe continued as they crashed out of the League Express BARLA National Cup at the hands of Pennine League Division One outfit Crigglestone. A patched-up Brook line-up made the journey
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Saints set to land Shark
GIANT Sale Sharks and England Rugby Union winger Steve Hanley is set to join Saints on a four-month loan this summer. A deal is being brokered by Saints' coach Ian Millward, who has held talks with Sale chief executive Peter Deakin with a view to bringing
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Thieves snap up concert tickets
TICKETS for a concert by world-famous bass John Tomlinson have been snapped up - even by thieves. The crooks who broke into Colne Leisure Services offices stole 60 tickets for the show on February 10. Accrington-born John - said to have the finest bass
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Last knocker-up poser
LATEST off-the-wall yedscratter comes from a gaggle of gulpers from the Moss Bank pub. They ask does anyone know who was the last knocker-up in St Helens; and can they name the year when he hung up his window-tapping pole for the last time? If any of
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Local singer pipped Sir Cliff!
THERE'S nowt new under the sun! Cliff Richard may have had a surprise No.1 chart-topper last year, with his version of the Lord's Prayer (to the tune of Auld Lang Syne). But a veteran subscriber to this page can recall that family prayer being sung at
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Written in the stars . . .
A SPOT of childhood stargazing reached a rather creepy conclusion after the local bobby joined in the conversation. It's now well over half a century ago since Joe Jones, the Sutton memory man from Irwin Road, joined his gang of street-corner young mates
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Golf course fall led to tragedy
A 63-YEAR-OLD golfer died two weeks after breaking a leg in a freak accident while playing in a seniors competition. An inquest heard that James David Scott fell into a 2ft-deep hollow after the ground gave way under him as he teed up a shot. After being
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Bishop joins Pals' final campaign
THE Bishop of Blackburn today urged people not to forget the Accrington Pals as he threw his weight behind a campaign to save the church dedicated to their memory. The Rt Rev Alan Chesters spoke out after the vicar of St John's CE Church, Accrington,
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What a load of rubbish!
A SCULPTURE with a difference has gone on display at Clitheroe's Platform Gallery. On show is a display of old junk - sculptor Matthew Roby's description - depicting various kinds of animals. The work is made up of several bits and pieces and includes
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Scouts show their thanks
SCOUTS from Clitheroe and the surrounding district showed their appreciation of Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Council for Voluntary Service with the presentation of a certificate. The special ceremony was held at Clitheroe's Castle Mews and was made through
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Dinner scores cash for soccer starlets
MORE than £800 was raised at Whalley Chamber of Trade's annual dinner at Mytton Fold Country House Hotel, Langho. The chamber of trade is a relatively new group, being formed some seven years ago, but it has the full backing of the businesses in Whalley
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Hopes of reviving old school
A REMOTE village primary school which was closed may brought back to life as a community centre. Gisburn Forest Tosside Parochial School had just nine pupils when Lancashire County Council pulled the plug, saying high running costs made it inviable. But
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Statistics
Statistics for Burnley vs Scunthorpe BURNLEY (3-5-2) Michopoulos; (from right) Thomas, Davis, Cox; Weller, Ball, Cook (Little 53), Johnrose (Armstrong 119), Branch; Moore, Payton (Mullin 108). Subs not used: Brass, Crichton. SCUNTHORPE (3-5-2) Evans;
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Kielty secures cup joy at last for RMI
Leigh RMI 1 Northwich Vics 0 IN a Nationwide Variety Club Trophy first round tie that seemed doomed to never end, RMI finally earned a second round tie at Morecambe. Weather conditions and more important ties had contrived to set the fixture back by an
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School buses mayhem: Time for a referendum
AS a waste of time and effort, is not the planned 'think tank' between Lancashire bus company chiefs, head teachers and education officials to combat the immense and worsening mayhem on school buses in the premier league of futility -- when at the root
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Blake return hopes
NATHAN Blake could be in line for a return to Rovers' first team squad this weekend -- despite seeing his comeback plans hit by the weather last night. The Welsh international striker had been pencilled in for a run-out in a reserve team clash with Everton
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Stan blasts fans again
LIVID Burnley boss Stan Ternent again hit out at the Clarets fans as his side crashed out of the FA Cup on penalties at Third Division Scunthorpe United last night. Burnley lost 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out, after the third-round replay was level at 1-1
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Colour quality
GREAT Harwood-based Metflex has invested £70,000 in an on-site manufacturing clean-room -- making it one of the few rubber component companies to be able to tackle coloured compounds. It will enable the firm to practically eliminate blemishes on components
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Help for young mums and homeless people
A BLACKBURN business is doing its bit to help young mothers and the homeless after the Christmas period by providing essential supplies. Staff at ADM Recruitment have given the charity Nightsafe baby foods, clothing, toys and food hampers. Collections
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Bosses get chance to develop their skills
MANAGERS, supervisors and administrators are being offered the chance to learn new skills and develop existing abilities. Lifetime Training's revised winter calendar of short courses has just been announced detailing programmes to April. Courses range
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Company taps in to new markets
A LONG-established plumbers merchants is looking to tap into a new market when it opens a flagship branch in Blackburn. James Hargreaves (Plumbers Merchants) Ltd will throw open the doors on a brand new £750,000 unit in Whalley New Road at Larkhill in
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Pressure mounts on shaky Shakers
PROBLEMS piled up for Bury last night after a dismal 1-0 defeat at home to Brentford. Lloyd Owusu's 56th minute strike condemned the Shakers to defeat and left them hovering dangerously just above the relegation zone. For the first time Andy Preece admitted
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Views on Hardshaw wanted
NEIGHBOURS are to be consulted over major plans to extend and improve Hardshaw Park. The park is in an area outlined for housing development, which is an essential component in the plan and would help to fund the works. Plans include a new junior football
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Boy rescued from ice ordeal
EMERGENCY crews were called out to rescue a teenage boy over the weekend after he became marooned on the island in the middle of the iced-over Eccleston Mere boating lake. The 14-year-old and a group of friends had walked across the frozen mere to the
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More jobs to go at Ravenhead
FURTHER job losses have been announced at Ravenhead Glass in St Helens, following the 69 redundancies made just before Christmas. The company, who produce glassware for licensed trade, retail and export markets, appointed administrators, Begbies Traynor
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Jail for man who attacked partner in a rage
MICHAEL Phearce McCann was brandishing a hammer when he confronted his girlfriend as she returned to their home with another man, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that Sinead Martin thought McCann had been arrested earlier in the evening
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Pit prosperity to be ploughed back
MILLIONS of tons of coal was mined in St Helens over four centuries before the last pit was shut down. Now some of that prosperity is being ploughed back into the local community. The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has made a grant of £192,000 to Rainhill
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Sporting Six's swipe at school sport
SIX local sporting celebrities have added their signatures to a broadside aimed at St Helens council, regarding their school sports policy. The letter, forwarded to the town's director of education, criticises "the lack of competition and interest" at
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Hopes for drop-in centre
MEMBERS of Stacksteads Riverside Park Group are hoping to open a drop-in centre as a stepping stone to their dream of providing a community centre in the village. Group member Sergeant John Edmundson of Lancashire Constabulary has organised a visit to
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Inquest told of family worries
A MAN found hanged at his home in Rossendale had been "a bit down" over family worries an inquest was told. Twice divorced Frederick Mitchell, a 41-year-old BT engineer, died on January 17 at Cherry Tree Way, Helmshore. When the inquest was opened at
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Inquest told falls at home led to death
FALLS at home led to the death of former Rossendale Council officer Jack Ross Catlow an inquest was told. Mr Catlow died in Burnley General Hospital on Saturday, January 13, after he was found collapsed at his home in Goodshaw Lane, Crawshawbooth, the
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Straw the guest speaker on rights laws
HUMAN rights laws affecting every person in Britain will come under the spotlight at a national conference in Blackburn. The event will be staged at Ewood Park and have Home Secretary Jack Straw as guest speaker. Leeds-based solicitors Walker Morris,
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Boyfriend jailed for knife attack
A MAN who left his lover scarred for life in a knife attack has been given a life sentence. James Lynch attacked his girlfriend at the end of a night out. He faced the mandatory life term because he had previous convictions for serious violence. A judge
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Security staff in the money
STAFF at a security firm can be forgiven for thinking about something other than work after their Lottery syndicate scooped £90,000. Each of the 14 members of the syndicate at Initial Electronic Security Systems , Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, received
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Council goes on defence as MP criticises survey
A COUNCIL today defended the way it is carrying out a public consultation after an MP accused it of trying to influence the result of a poll. Blackburn with Darwen Council went on the defence after Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans criticised it for releasing
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School is top class
EDUCATION bosses were today heralded as simply the best after a glowing report praised their remarkable and unique record in turning round struggling schools. Blackburn with Darwen Council was given the outstanding vote of confidence for its high quality
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Bury buried
SOCCER: Bury slipped closer to the Division Two relegation zone after falling to a 1-0 loss to Brentford at Gigg Lane last night. Andy Preece's men have just one victory in 15 games -- picking up just seven points from a possible 45 -- and are just three
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Storks slip to loss
PADIHAM slipped to their fourth successive defeat after conceding three goals in an 11 minute spell in this NWCL Division Two fixture. Atherton went ahead through Mike Rhead on the half hour, Barry Massay made it two just three minutes later and Mark
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Three champions saddle up
THREE current British motorcycling champions saddled up for Bradford & District Motor Club's Howden Wood trial, including a suprise entry from Burnley's Neil Hodgson. The reigning British Superbike champion was joined by his friend and fellow Manx
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Hodgson blow
SUPERBIKE ace Neil Hodgson is facing world championship heartache unless his team can find new funds. The GSE team has been rocked by the loss of sponsorship support from internet company INS. And that means the privately funded Ducati team will have
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Bye aims for hat-trick of wins
THIS weekend's Witch Way launches the 2001 SD34 Motor Sports Group road rally championship. Ecurie Royal Oak's Dave Jones returns to defend his driver's title in a Peugeot 309GTi, with previous winner Neil Bye, from Pendle DMC, bidding to equal Ken Skidmore's
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Witch Way battle for five crowns
THE curtain goes up on a new season of motorsport in East Lancashire when Pendle and district motor club host the Witch Way road rally this weekend. Under the guidance of Neil and Stephen Bye, the Witch Way has firmly established itself in the calendar
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Lookers rally
ROAD RALLY: The Blackburn-based Audi dealers Lookers will sponsor the Hall Trophy road rally on March 10-11. Organised by Clitheroe DMC, the event comprises 175 miles on OS maps 98,102 and 103, starting at the Lookers Eanam showroom and finishing at the
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Tricky hurdle looms for Park
ALL games in league North Two West were postponed last Saturday leaving West Park with a two-match deficit to make up together with the second round Lancs Trophy tie at Trafford MV now scheduled for the weekend of February 3/4. This coming Saturday Park
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Selection posers for LSH coaches
THE frozen ground claimed last Saturday's LSH fixture with Stourbridge robbing young South African Brendan Botha of a farewell in front of his home fans. It is very much a case of forward thinking for Eric Hughes and his coaching team as they come to
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Have boots will travel
ST HELENS Town are set to hit the road again, provided they can overcome Consett in this Saturday's re-arranged Carlsberg FA Vase fourth round tie in County Durham. For the prize for the victors will be a fifth round trip down south to face one of Rymans
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Police want new custody suite
MERSEYSIDE Police have submitted a planning application to St Helens Council for a centralised custody suite with associated visitors and staff car parks on a former warehouse site on the south side of Barber Street, Pocket Nook.
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Rangers to give 'boxing lessons'
ST Helens Council's Ranger Service will be holding a conservation exercise on Sunday, January 28, at 1pm. The event at Sherdley Park's Pets Corner will include tips on how to make bird boxes. For more information contact 01744 815586.
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Quiz night is simply divine
GET your thinking caps on for an ecumenical quiz at Rainhill village hall on Friday, February 2, from 7.30pm. Proceeds are for Willowbrook hospice and the Alhzeimers ward at Whiston Hospital. Tickets, price £2.50, from Harry Whitfield, of St James Church
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All about being a mum...
CALLING all new mums! Newton Family and Community Centre on Park Road South are holding a Mum's Friendship Group every Wednesday from 1 to 3pm for new mums or mums-to-be. The group allows members to share their experiences with each other in an informal
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Special salute for Christine
CHRISTINE Hartley, a radiography helper at St Helens Hospital has won a Community Safety Volunteer of the Millennium Award. Christine received this honour for working more than 20 hours per week for Victim Support. The accolade states: "Christine's dedication
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Met officers in porn swoop
A NEWTON man was arrested last week as part of a nationwide investigation by the Metropolitan Police into computer child porn. Police officers made a series of arrests all over the country as part of investigations into the making and distribution of
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Council aid play area
ST HELENS Council has awarded Eccleston Parish Council a grant of £3,372 towards the funding of a new play area. Councillor Terry Hanley, Portfolio Member for Environmental Protection, said: "The award follows a survey which identified the need for more
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Scout group are big winners
THE 1st St Helens YMCA Scout Group are celebrating after receiving £1,685 from the 'National Lottery Millennium Awards For All.' This will be used to buy a multi-media computer system, which will allow young people in the group to learn new skills using
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Lee gets his green beret
ROYAL Marine Lee Haggerty is celebrating after receiving his coveted Green Beret. The 18-year-old, from St Helens, successfully completed 30 weeks of the hardest initial training in the world to become a Royal Marine Commando. The Green Beret is the distinctive
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Roger meets canal revival squad
MEMBERS of SCARS (Sankey Canal Restoration Society) played host to the chief executive of the Waterways Trust, Roger Hanbury when he paid St Helens a visit earlier this month. Formed in 1999, the Trust was set up to raise funds, develop waterway partnerships
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Van used in bike theft
POLICE in St Helens are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of a valuable mountain bike which was stolen while a potential buyer was taking it out on a test ride. The theft happened at about 7.30pm on Monday, January 15 on Crow Lane East
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Youth are on the ball
YOUNG people from the Eccleston and Windle Parish Community Project have successfully completed three recreation sites with hard-standing basketball areas. And its thanks to funding from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts and the Sport England Lottery
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Tenants' tonic for baby unit
ELDERLY tenants living in St Helens Housing Association properties know how to bridge the generation gap. For events held in two of the Association's sheltered housing schemes have resulted in a cheque for £500 being presented to Whiston Hospital's Special
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Gang get life savings
POLICE are urging people to beware of handing money over to workmen who call without an appointment and then say they have found work that needs doing. The warning comes after an elderly woman from Kenyons Lane, Haydock, was conned out of her life savings
