Archive
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Watchdogs must not be starved
IN the face of strong opposition to health service reforms that will do away with the Community Health Council patients' watchdogs and spread their functions around a clutch of different bodies, the government has insisted that patients' rights will not
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A taste of Barley
Drive & Stroll, with Ron Freethy THE information centre and car park in Barley is the starting point for a network of footpaths. I began my walk on a mid February morning with the warm, almost spring-like sunshine quickly melting the morning frost
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Rovers star helps boot up scheme
ROVERS star David Dunn has kick started a campaign to bring more computers into schools. The Blackburn mid-fielder returned to his old school St Augustine's in Billington to present pupils with 40 new software titles as part of TIME Computers Free Software
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School in the swing
ONE of the biggest names in jazz is coming to a school theatre in Blackburn next month. Kenny Ball, who has been a household name since his first chart hit Samantha in the 60s, will be appearing with his band at the Westholme Theatre, at Westholme School
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Today's the day
1633: The world's more remarkable diarist Samuel Pepys was born. 1874: Lawn Tennis, alternatively called sphairistike or sticky, was patented by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield of Pimlico. 1922: Henri "Bluebeard" Landru was executed in France for killing
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This week in 1976 25 years ago
DOWN OUR STREET: One of Coronation Street's best loved stars, Pat Phoenix, was in Bury signing copies of her new book. Fans gathered at the NSS newsagents to meet the actress who was promoting All My Burning Bridges, an autobiography which took a close
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Optimism over bus jobs future
BUS drivers at Stagecoach Ribble are seeking early talks with the company's prospective new owners in a bid to secure their futures. Harrogate-based Blazefield Holdings is close to finalising a deal to buy Stagecoach Ribble's depots in Blackburn, Burnley
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More parking is the answer
AS I regularly drive along Whitebirk Road in Blackburn, it comes as no surprise to me that a fatal accident happened there. How anyone manages to cross safely beggars belief. It must be very difficult for young, able-bodied people and for the elderly
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Victims too easily forgotten
"JUSTICE has been done" said your front-page headline on the report of Christopher Lee Waddington being convicted of the murder of his partner (LET, February 17). But how can this be so? A young woman has been slaughtered, leaving her two children motherless
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Children put on virus alert
CHILDREN at a school in Tyldesley have been put on alert following an outbreak of Hepatitis A. The usually non-fatal disease, which is transferred by contact with carriers, was found in two nine year-olds, a boy and a girl, at Shakerley CE Primary School
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Drivers injured
TWO drivers were treated for minor injuries after a collision in Parr Lane, Unsworth, on Monday (Feb 19). The accident, which happened near the junction with Randale Drive, involved a Ford Mondeo and a Suzuki Vitara. Mondeo driver Brian Troughton (46)
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Lib Dem choice for the next General Election
RADCLIFFE man Bryn Hackley hopes to put the Liberal Democrats on the map in the next General Election. He has been chosen by party members to contest the Bury North seat, where he hopes to oust sitting Labour MP David Chaytor. Mr Hackley (30), who lives
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Trip of a lifetime for pupils
A PARTY of pupils from Coney Green High School in Radcliffe have enjoyed a school trip with a difference. The 23 youngsters from Years 9 to 11 spent five days in one of the greatest cities in the world, New York. It is the first time the Spring Lane school
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Musical youth have put pop on their timetable
A GROUP of Bury musical students have been getting in tune with the pop industry by forming their own band. Velvertone were created as part of a pilot project by Bury College to teach students completing their Btec National Diploma in Popular Music about
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Search for missing man ends in Radcliffe lodge
A BODY pulled from a Radcliffe reservoir on Friday (Feb 16) is that of missing Bury man Zbigniew Lazurek. The 50-year-old disappeared from his Peers Street home on January 18. A note was left behind indicating he would drown himself and a quantity of
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Sign up to paper saving scheme
RESIDENTS have been urged to continue to support Bury's fledgling door-to-door waste paper recycling scheme. Bosses are reminding people that it only takes a few seconds a day to help save the local environment. The scheme initially proved popular when
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Another star who's ready to shine!
THE next time you walk up Stand Lane listen out for the sweet sound of song because it could be a star in the making. Television viewers saw Suzanne Shaw learn she had made it as a pop star in her grandmother's Radcliffe home. And there's another talented
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Widow's helping hand for nurses
DISTRICT nurses at the Red Bank Health Centre were given a helping hand thanks to a donation from the widow of a former patient. Mrs Beryl Holgate, of Turks Road, Radcliffe, lost her husband Brian last year, following a prolonged illness. To thank nurses
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Country teamwork to go farther afield
EXPERTISE built up in Radcliffe to foster countryside teamwork among youngsters will be exported across the region. Successful team building exercises for children, put together by the Bury Countryside Rangers, have attracted attention among the borough's
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Cup injury heartbreak for Andy
THE Wolves of Warrington hold no fears for the underdogs of Leigh. The Centurions have set their sights on skinning the Wolves and won't be intimidated by the international array of talent they'll come up against at Wilderspool on Sunday. "We respect
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Ewood exile O'Brien in shop window
ROVERS RES 2 MAN UTD RES 0 ROVERS midfielder Burton O'Brien put himself in the shop window last night with a goal for the reserves against Manchester United. The former St Mirren player, who is on the transfer list, scored a second half goal to secure
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FINAL WORD
Bolton Wanderers BIG MONEY MAN: Dean Holdsworth: Holdsworth arrived from Wimbledon for £3.5m in 1997. Missed a couple of matches recently after slipping on ice outside his house. But returned as a sub against Grimsby on Tuesday and should start alongside
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A step forward
THE drive to combat social exclusion and improve social and economic prospects took another step forward when Burnley and Lancashire county councils linked to host a "Building Better Communities" conference at Turf Moor. Deputy county council leader Frank
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A step forward
THE drive to combat social exclusion and improve social and economic prospects took another step forward when Burnley and Lancashire county councils linked to host a "Building Better Communities" conference at Turf Moor. Deputy county council leader Frank
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Family stunned by death plunge
THE family of a man who fell from the second floor of Nelson bus station today said they are shocked by his death. Mehfooz Hussain, 33, of Lune Street, Colne, suffered multiple injuries in the fall and died an hour later in Burnley General Hospital. Today
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Table Toppers
NELSON: The table toppers will be looking to extend their five point lead at the top of the NWCL Division Two when the welcome mid-table Castleton Gabriels to Victoria Park. John Bailey's men have now won ten league games on the trot.
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LORRY drivers were warned to "take it easy" by police in Accrington because of high winds and fog.
It was predicted that Accrington and the A56 bypass would be the worst hit sections in the area.
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A good read
BOOKWORMS from across East Lancashire descended on Accrington Town Hall. Dozens of stalls were crammed in for the 21st annual second hand book fair. The event attracted hundreds of people and offered books to cater for all tastes. Many of the stalls were
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Meet the slimmer who still wanted to boogie at 50, not slip miserably into his cardigan and slippers
RAY Williams was fed up at the thought of reaching his 50th birthday this year overweight and miserable. He felt he wasn't ready for the cardigan and slippers image and still wanted to boogie. So wife Linda persuaded him to join her slimming class --
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Hit-run sparks purge
A HIT and run accident which left a nine-year-old boy lying seriously injured on a pedestrian crossing has resulted in the launch of a new vehicle spot-check campaign. Thomas Wilson had to have metal pins inserted in a broken left thigh after the accident
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Public being asked for their views on best system
A MAJOR public consultation exercise is being launched to help decide how best to run the local authority. More than 120,000 leaflets this week began dropping through letterboxes borough-wide asking for the local preference on three alternative methods
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Murder probe after canal death mystery
A MURDER inquiry was launched after a man's body was found in a Leigh canal, an inquest was told. A man was arrested in connection with Harry Douglas's death, but no one was charged because of a lack of evidence. Coroner Aidan Cotter recorded an open
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On Your Beat
ONE step beyond -- what has this got to do with security and crime prevention, you might ask. The answer is we are encouraging people to assess the security of their own homes and then take the level "one step beyond". The general perception is that all
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John's quarter of a THRILLION!
HORSE racing tipster and former Journal reporter John Sexton came within an ace of winning half a million pounds under the gaze of millions of TV viewers. But 'disciplined gambler' John wasn't complaining too loudly. The man who at 19 became a bus conductor
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Chemists on Duty
Sunday, February 25 BLACKBURN: 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrugs Pharmacy, 3-7 Stonybutts; 11am-2pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 11am-1pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. DARWEN: 12noon-1pm: Geloo Bros Ltd, 14 Union Street. ACCRINGTON: 12noon
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Rovers star helps boot up scheme
ROVERS star David Dunn has kick started a campaign to bring more computers into schools. The Blackburn midfielder returned to his old school St Augustine's in Billington to present pupils with 40 new software titles as part of TIME Computers Free Software
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Man was caught up in soccer trouble
A MAN caught up in trouble following the Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers match ended up arrested. Paul McWilliams, 27, had not been to the game, but was in Preston town centre when a disturbance broke out, said his solicitor. He was spotted banging
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Vehicle workshop to stay in business, say planners
A VEHICLE repair workshop in Knowle Green has been allowed to continue in business after members of Ribble Valley Council planning committee voted against officer recommendation to force it to close. But members refused a subsequent application to build
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Stop smoking to reduce chance of a stroke
'STUB it out' is the message from The Stroke Association for No Smoking Day. The charity, which has just produced a new fact sheet entitled Smoking and Stroke, is urging Journal readers to reduce their chance of having a stroke by stubbing out their cigarettes
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You have to try . . .
AN old chap buying a lottery ticket in front of me turned round and said "You might as well put your money on the fire". How true, but if you're not in it you can't win it.
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Soccer lock out
SOCCER fans may have to pay to watch next year's World Cup on TV. A German company is challenging a British law that lets viewers see the entire event for free. From a purely selfish point of view -- hurrah.
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Don't miss the boat
A HOLLINS-based firm of chartered accountants is urging local people not to miss out on a gift from the taxman. From April 6, the new "Children's Tax Credit" comes into being and the Inland Revenue estimates five million people will qualify for it. Alan
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Board predicts job joy
BURY and the North West as a whole will share in thousands of new construction jobs during the next five years. That's the prediction from the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) which has published a report forecasting the regional jobs windfall
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Start-up to be your own boss
A NEW breed of businessmen and women in Bury will be propelled towards potential prosperity. For the town is to benefit from a key business start-up programme which aims to launch 100 new firms before March 31, 2003. With small and medium enterprises
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Clarets look at Dons outcast
SOCCER: Burnley boss Stan Ternent is having a look at Aberdeen's £1m outcast Paul Bernard. The midfielder is on a week's trial at Turf Moor, following a couple of months at Burnley's First Division rivals Preston. He turned out for the Clarets second
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FIFA ordered Cox release
BURNLEY were today seething over Ian Cox's call-up to the Trinidad and Tobago squad which has forced him out of tomorrow's clash with Hudderfield -- while striker Dwight Yorke has got the all-clear to play for Manchester United on Sunday. FIFA ordered
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Consistency is Daisy Hill's worry
LAST Saturday's cup performance against Atherton LR was quickly forgotten on Tuesday as Daisy Hill put in a disappointing performance in a 5-2 loss against Chadderton. Assistant manager Brian Smith says: "We have a young, inexperienced team and we should
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Double knockout
Leigh RMI 1, Hereford United 2 AFTER the humiliation at Christie Park, Leigh found themselves out of a cup for the second time in four days as Hereford United handed the Railwaymen a comprehensive defeat in the FA Trophy. Steve Waywell had to shuffle
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Oak are felled by league strugglers
THE Leigh League's cup competitions have produced some tremendous excitement this season and last weekend continued in that vein. Leigh Sportsmen pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the Davenport Cup round two with a 4-1 win at Royal Oak. Struggling
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Brave Tyldesley go down fighting
TYLDESLEY travelled to Manchester for the first of their big cup matches and despite facing a team from seven leagues higher they put in a performance that made a mockery of the supposed gap in class. With a large travelling support, Tyldesley ran out
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Child hurt by flying pram
SHIFT worker Andrew Fields claimed lack of sleep contributed to his "loss of control" when he shook a young child and threw a pram which hit the youngster. Bury magistrates heard that Fields, aged 38, of Bronte Avenue, Bury, had been left in charge of
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Election letter row
SECRET documents show that Labour MP David Chaytor fears an election backlash from his own supporters. So says prospective Tory challenger John Walsh who has come across a letter written to activists by Mr Chaytor's election agent, Bury councillor John
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Mould misery for mum and her son
DAMP, mould-covered walls are making life a misery for a pregnant Radcliffe woman and her two-year-old son. And Miss Susan Tan has criticised Bury Council for failing to sort out the problem in her first floor flat in Kirkstall Gardens. "There's damp
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"Temp" calls for change in the law
A FACTORY worker has launched a campaign to change employment laws. Mr Mike Beatty (39) is hoping that other disgruntled temporary workers in companies throughout the area will join his action group to get fair treatment. Mr Beatty works as a packer and
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Race chiefs at centre of service row
THE Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has intervened in a row over claims Bury race chiefs have served more than their allotted time in office. A former director and an ex-chairman of Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) say that the organisation's
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Drunken kids fear on estate
DRUNKEN teenagers have turned parts of a Whitefield housing estate into a no-go zone. Terrified residents complain that a gang of under-age drinkers has stopped people using a public footpath under the Metrolink bridge between Lancaster Avenue and Mayfair
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Souey's 'psyche out' plans
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is hoping to 'psyche out' Bolton counterpart Sam Allardyce tonight as the two managers prepare for a crucial promotion showdown at the Reebok. Souness today revealed he will be keeping his line-up top secret until the last
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Two arrested after operation
TWO people have been charged with drugs offences following an undercover surveillance operation by police in St Helens Road, Leigh. The pair are accused of selling drugs from a house in St Helens Road. They will appear before Leigh magistrates on Monday
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Dog register backed
METRO chiefs have backed the compulsory registration of dogs. Bosses at Wigan Council will now urge the Government to adopt a national scheme to tag pet pooches to cut down on strays. There are 43,000 dogs in the area and 700 strays are reported each
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Youth in court after vandalism
POLICE have arrested a 17-years-old youth following a wrecking spree in Hindley. Wigan and Leigh Hospice, St Peter's School and the nursery all in Kildare Street were hit by vandals last week. The local youth, charged with causing £1,800 worth of damage
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Making a 'dough'-nation!
A LEIGH bakery's customers 'dough-nated' £900 when they joined in the fun to raise cash for needy children. Shoppers at the Waterfields chain took part in the nationwide National Doughnut Week organised to generate funds for Save The Children. Six pence
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Leigh tourism highlighted
LEIGH'S bid to become a tourist attraction will be boosted at a huge fair to show off the country's top attractions for day trippers and tourists. The attractions around Leigh such as the famous Pennington Flash and the canal will be highlighted at the
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A weekend of 'meaty' action!
LEIGH Centurions play for big 'steaks' this weekend when they will get their teeth into Warrington Wolves in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup with a place in the last eight for the winners. To help build them up, local butcher Troy Sumner provided the team
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Boys' super concert performance
SOLOIST Jonathan Ford and Chris Harpur put in excellent performances when the Ellenbrook and Boothstown Band gave a concert at Atherton Parish Church. A large audience heard the band, under musical director Brian Peacock, presented a varied programme
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House fire victim is 'improving'
A WOMAN who had an amazing escape from her blazing home is out of intensive care. Deborah Smith, 26, was unconscious and not breathing when firefighters rescued her from an upstairs bedroom at her home in Lincoln Road, Hindley. She had been overcome by
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Police hunt armed raid thugs
ARMED robbers are being hunted after they escaped with a haul of cash after threatening staff in a night raid at the KwikSave supermarket in Bolton Road, Atherton. Three hooded men wielding heavy, large silver coloured adjustable spanners on Monday burst
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Band welcome
LEIGH music society welcomes the longest running youth band in Great Britain to the Derby Room, Leigh on Sunday March 4. Besses Boys' Band, founded in Manchester, has been nurturing talented boys and girls aged eight to 18 throughout a successful contesting
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Licence to steer a path into IT
A JOBHUNTER has become the first person to "graduate" from the Clayton Park conference and learning centre with a European computer driving licence. Brian Gallagher, who lives in Great Harwood, is hoping his new-found computer skills will improve his
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Helping to reach full potential
AN initiative has been launched to help East Lancashire businesses to improve their marketing and reach their full potential. The Lancashire Centre for Marketing Excellence, based in Accrington, provides a comprehensive range of services to assist small
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Sri Lankan immigrants discovered
TWO Sri Lankans suspected of being illegal immigrants were discovered on Wednesday night in the back of a lorry which was delivering a consignment of electrical goods to a local warehouse. They are believed to have travelled in to the country alongside
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New stand set for green light
THE new £750,000 stand for Hilton Park, home of Leigh Centurions and Leigh RMI, is set to be approved next week. Planning councillors are meeting on Tuesday and are expected to give their backing for the stand at the Glebe Street end. Members of the development
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Teenage 'horror' film
A 'HORROR' film preview of unruly teenagers' antics will make compulsive viewing for parents. In the first phase of a surveillance exercise last weekend police targeted a gang of 50 youngsters who have been intimidating residents on the huge Tyldesley
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Talented Amelia's feline fine!
A BOOTHSTOWN pupil has painted a first class picture of cat life -- and her work is now on show in the prestigious new Lowry gallery in Salford. Eight-year-old Amelia Phythian, right, a pupil at the village's Methodist Primary School, was the only Wigan
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It'll be frothy, man!
ENTHUSIASTS for real ale can sample beer made from ... seaweed. Beer festival organisers in Wigan have dubbed their event 2001 - A Beer Oddity because of the weird and wonderful brews. Scottish Heather Kelpie made from seaweed is just one of the strange-sounding
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Councillors' surgeries
FRIDAY, February 23: Leigh Town Hall (6-6.30) K Anderson, M Hale, Mrs L Liptrot (7-8) K Cunliffe; Tyldesley Town Hall (6.30-8) B Wilson; Council offices, Abram library, Vicarage Road (6.30-8) Mrs E Smethurst. SATURDAY, February 24: Atherton Town Hall
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Budding stars get chance to shine
YOUNG stars of the future are being given the chance to shine while raising money for a good cause. Talented youngsters between five and 15 are invited to Leigh Rugby Club on Saturday March 10 as the first heats of the Tommy's Talented Youngster of the
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Council bid to prevent flooding
A BID to stop the floods in Leigh and surrounding areas from happening again has been discussed by councillors. The flood in Plank Lane, which swamped Our Lady of The Rosary RC Church, cost Wigan Metro £17,000 in emergency works during the heavy rains
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Bury's ten point plan for safety
TEN more points and the Shakers won't have to worry about relegation. So says Andy Preece who reckons the bottom of Division Two is as tight as it could be and he wants to make sure Bury - currently on 39 points - don't get sucked into a dogfight. Three
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Hospice in penalty shoot-out record bid
WIGAN and Leigh Hospice is looking for thousands of people and places to take part in the biggest penalty shoot-out on the globe. The Hindley-based hospice is hoping that the event, Going for Goal, will lead to a new place in the Guinness Book of Records
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Green trust bids for extra cash
HODDLESDEN Millennium Green Trust is appealing for donations to help raise a further £2,000. The trust needs to find £2,000 by the end of March to ensure the Countryside Commission will double the amount. The trust AGM raised £170 and chairman Colin Queen
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Drink ban blow to plans
DAVID Porter's hopes for an idyllic new life with his partner had been shattered by him failing a breathalyser test, Blackburn magistates were told. The court heard that as a result of being banned Porter would lose his job and many of his dreams and
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ASDA says 'I'm free' to help cut queues
CHECKOUT staff at Golborne Asda are following in the footsteps of the successful TV comedy Are You Being Served? But in the new initiative to combat queues, instead of shouting "I'm free" like Mr Humphries, operators will hold up signs bearing the catchphrase
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Travel firm sued for holiday error
A DARWEN man has successfully sued a travel company after claiming an insurance error spoiled his holiday. Roy Davies, of Olive Lane has been awarded more than £800 by an arbitration panel headed by Margaret Rutherford QC, after an 18-month battle to
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Here's Leigh's new action man
Former head teacher Gareth Williams has been appointed project director at Leigh Education Action Zone and is due to take charge when Roland Absalom leaves at the end of next month. Gareth, who has been deputy director since summer 1999, is delighted
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Sadness at death of Ukrainian woman denied NHS help
A LEIGH woman has spoken of her sadness after a Ukrainian woman denied potentially life saving treatment on the NHS because she held the wrong passport died. Diana Andrusjak, 46, of Eva Street, was waiting for an 11th hour glimmer of hope for family friend
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River worker's paralysis fear
A DIVER today relived the moment he hurt his back while working in the middle of the River Irwell and said: "I thought I was going to be paralysed." Today, Stuart Johnston, 30, from Oswaldtwistle, was recovering at his home with his nurse girlfriend Joanne
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Council leader warns against strike action
COUNCIL workers are being urged to think hard before voting for strike action in the dispute over altered working hours. Council leader Peter Smith said he hoped colleagues would realise such action could achieve little since well over half of all affected
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Bold nick in charity
A MOTOR bike enthusiast has signed up to RUN the London marathon after his mum's breast cancer scare. But Nick White, a member of the Atherton-run family racing bike business KAIS, kept his application for the big event secret until he won a place. Keen
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1,700 say 'no' to plans
MORE than 1,700 people have said "no" to shops, surgery and community hall plans at Lowton. And some of them would prefer a pleasant green in the heart of their village rather than a commercial centre. Marshgate Developments Ltd want to build a shop,
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Anger mounts as police step up hunt for callous burglars
POLICE are still hunting the "callous and dangerous" thugs who robbed disabled Tyldesley man Alan Proudlove as he lay defenceless in his bed. As reported exclusivley in the Journal last week, wheelchair-bound stroke victim Mr Proudlove, 56, watched in
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Sporting life for happy couple Harold and Minnie
SPORTING Atherton couple Harold and Minnie Charlson shrugged off the years on Saturday to cheer on Bolton Wanderers in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Satisfied with the Wanderers 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers Harold, 81 and Minnie, 82, left the Reebok
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Before the courts
CASES heard at Leigh Magistrates' Court include: Terence Doyle, Fenton Way, Hindley Green, driving with excess alcohol -- disqualified from driving for three years, licence endorsed, £275 fine, £55 costs. Christopher Holmes, Liza Street, Leigh, driving
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We name this Square ...
A GOLBORNE boxing hero who made his name in the ring will be immortalised -- by a Square. The new £120,000 square in Golborne village will be named the Peter Kane Square in his honour. Boxer Peter, born Peter Cain, became world flyweight champion in 1938
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Appeal for public debate over water disease threat
THE threat of a hidden disease pouring from Leigh's taps has sparked a call for a public debate on the region's water supplies. The North West director of public health, Prof John Ashton, has made the appeal as water suppliers and health services brace
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Beat bobby's top honour
A POLICE officer who has become one of Leigh's best known faces on his town centre beat has been given a top honour. Constable Stephen Gaskell, who was born in Leigh and brought up a quarter of a mile from the police station, has been awarded the Wigan
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Callous vandals run amok at chapel
IRREVERENT vandals ran amok in a cemetery which locals call "Drug City" and wrecked a chapel. The drink-crazed yobs targeted the chapel in the middle of Hindley Cemetery breaking windows, smashing guttering and drain pipes and damaging the roof of the
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Travellers harming business, fears firm
BOSSES of an international textile firm fear their business could be harmed by travellers camped on land next to their headquarters. And Morada International, based on Shadsworth Industrial Estate, Blackburn, claims that Blackburn with Darwen Council
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Child tragedy probe: health chief reacts
HOSPITAL bosses have promised to answer questions about the treatment of a toddler who died of meningitis. Chief executive John Thomas said he felt Ethan Smith's family deserved to have their questions answered about the reasons the 13-month-old wasn't
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Killing stuns estate residents
RESIDENTS and community leaders from the Higher Croft area of Blackburn today spoke of their shock at the killing which took place on their doorsteps. Coun Jack Bury, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen and ward councillor for Higher Croft where the shooting
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Good start but could do better
GOOD so far but could be better is the verdict of a report into social services in Blackburn with Darwen. The review highlighted a number of key strengths in the council's social services department but called for greater consistency in standards. The
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Ethan tragedy probe: health chief reacts
HOSPITAL bosses have promised to answer questions about the treatment of a toddler who died of meningitis. Chief executive John Thomas said he felt Ethan Smith's family deserved to have their questions answered about the reasons the 13-month-old wasn't
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'Blind drunk' driver's smash
A WOMAN got in her car when she was "blind drunk" and drove off without switching her lights on and was unable to see where she was going because the windscreen was covered in frost. Blackburn magistrates heard that Alison Fish collided with a taxi coming
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Darwen players 'lack desire'
DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes has accused his players of lacking desire and hopes to ring the changes for the trip to Chadderton in NWCL Division Two. He said: "We have a small squad and we are down to the bare bones because of injuries. The players turn
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Magpies miss Court
CHORLEY: The Magpies will be without Mark Court for the trip to rejuvenated Harrogate as he begins the first of a three match suspension. Neil Mitchell and long-term injury victims Adam Critchley and Damion Corcoran are also out but Michael Wallace returns
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Underwood rallies troups
GREAT HARWOOD: Denis Underwood is urging his shell-shocked troops not to get too demoralised ahead of the daunting trip to high-flying Newcastle Town. Following Wednesday's 7-1 mauling at Rossendale, Underwood is concerned another heavy defeat could knock
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Blues hopes
CLITHEROE: Dave Burgess's FA Vase hopefuls turn their attentions to the league tomorrow as they travel to top-of-the-table Salford City in NWCL Division One. It is a game the Blues must win to keep their hopes of promotion alive, but they go without top
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Coleman rules out title charge
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has ruled out a late title charge despite three wins and one defeat from the last four games. Stanley may have turned a corner after a run of bad results but the improvement hasn't come quick enough to give the
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We've lost a great guy
STRIKER Russell Brierley says Ramsbottom have lost a 'great guy' in manager Ken Bridge. The Rams boss, 56, collapsed and died of a heart attack following United's Tuesday night defeat to Cheadle Town at the Riverside. "We are absolutely devasted. It is
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Walsall win was fantastic
ANDY Preece and Steve Redmond are doing a fantastic job at Bury FC and Mr Robinson has my full support. Coming back from Walsall was a fantastic feeling. It's good to win, and I feel sad if we get beaten by the better team on the day. But that's football
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Developers can wear down the opposition
I WRITE concerning the third planning application for shopping development in the vicinity of Prestwich Hospital, which continues to pose a threat to our community. Social well-being cannot be measured simply in terms of facilities for car owners to shop
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We need unions but they need common sense
J. HOLDEN, in his letter headed "Just another union basher" (Feb 13) attacks me then agrees with me that "trade unions were over-zealous in their claims". The 1979 inflation rate was, as I stated, 13.4 per cent. If there was a 25 per cent inflation rate
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Murray on a runner
OH no - it's almost the Grand Prix season again. That means hours of vroom vroom and screeching Murray, the world's most annoying commentator, on every other wet Sunday throughout the summer. I can't see the pleasure in it myself, but then many don't
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Old before their time
WOOLWORTHS has banned a 'sexy' new mag targeted at 9-12 year olds which encourages them to dress like tarts -- and I couldn't agree with the move more! "Mad About Boys" -- the title says it all -- contains articles about love, boyfriends, diets and fashion
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My yukky Valentine
IN a few spare minutes at the weekend I went through silly Valentines's messages people pay good money to publish. I can't believe the twaddle they write. The best, or worst, included "Buddle Snuddle with love always Snuddle Buddle", "Biddy Boos with
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Well done John, you lucky beggar!
I'D not seen John Sexton for 33 years -- until he appeared on WWTBAM on Monday and walked away a quarter of a million richer. Lucky sod. I knew the East Yorkshire racing correspondent when he was a junior reporter on the Leigh Journal and I was a junior
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Watts does the trick!
AUSSIE winger Michael Watts marked his comeback after a groin problem with a hat-trick of tries as Leigh's Alliance side defeated Hunslet Hawks 38-30 at South Leeds Stadium on Wednesday night. Leigh's other tries, as they chalked up a second successive
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LEIGH ARE A CLASS APART
Featherstone Rovers...20 Leigh Centurions...30 THE single-minded Centurions tried to put all thoughts of Challenge Cup glory on the back-burner and get down to the more important business of extending their lead at the top of the NFP to three points.
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Cash a-tax
TOWN hall bosses are to hike up Bury's council tax by an inflation-busting seven per cent. The rise, proposed by Bury's ruling Labour cabinet, is even higher than forecast and above the likely national average. And in a double whammy, council house tenants
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Events in East Lancashire on Saturday, February 24
Accrington and Blackburn CHA Club: Drake House with Margaret Kirk (C walk). Meet Bulls Head, Wilpshire, 12.45pm for Waddington 1.30pm. Clitheroe Ramblers guided walk to Darwen. Meet Clitheroe railway station for 9.30am train to Bromley Cross. Janet Anderson
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Former teacher dies at 86
FORMER Blackburn teacher Miss Dorothy Spencer has died at her home in Nefyn, Wales. Miss Spencer had lived in Wales since her retirement and used to teach at the former Blackburn High School for Girls for more than 20 years. Miss Spencer died on January
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AA men's bravery award
TWO Lancashire AA men who helped avert a major motorway disaster have been honoured for their bravery at an awards ceremony in London. Kevin Harrison, 49, of Euxton, left, and Tony Lissett, 48, of Horwich, received AA Service Medals for their courage
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New 'baby' for monkey Joe's 'mum'
THE woman whose monkey was taken into hiding to avoid it being sent to an animal sanctuary has said she is looking forward to getting a new pet. Grandmother Mary Stanton, 73, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, must wait another seven weeks until a baby Marmoset
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Alsatian bit man on the backside
THE owner of a dog which bit a man on the backside was ordered to pay £250 compensation by Blackburn magistrates. The court heard that Mark Parry had tied the dog to a fire escape and when Michael Scahill stepped out of the back door at Maxideals he was
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Shotgun victim sacked by pub
THE victim of a gangland-style killing was sacked after his first night as a bouncer at a town centre pub last month following an incident on the door. Darren Bell, 31, of York Street, Blackburn, began work at O'Neill's Irish Bar, in King William Street
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Cheating wife attacked
MICHAEL Gerard Lynch attacked his cheating wife after a row because she had invited her ex-boyfriend to their home. Blackburn magistrates heard that Lynch punched his wife in the face as she slept in bed and then butted her in the eye. And he told police
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Sickening spectacle
Once again, the North West hosts the notorious Waterloo Cup when, for three days, the normally quiet fields at Altcar echo to the excited, sickening cheers of hundreds of hare-coursing fans, watching powerful greyhounds chase and kill timid, defenceless
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Jack will be missed
I AM writing on behalf of the Blackburn branch of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society to express our deepest sympathy to Lancashire Evening Telegraph photographer Jack Barry's family and colleagues following his recent sudden death. Jack was well loved and
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Bloodlust not sporting
AT the end of this month, the annual three-day hare coursing event, 'The Waterloo Cup,' will take place at Altcar. Coursing involves disturbing a hare in open countryside, chasing it into a field then releasing a pair of greyhounds to test their speed
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Selection system unfair
TONY Blair signed the death warrant for comprehensives with his announcement that "bog standard" state schools are to be axed. As an ex-comprehensive school pupil I believe that you cannot show that the brightest children do best in selective schools.
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Charity benefits from bowling
TRAVEL agents scored a dream strike with a bowling evening for childrens' charity "Wish upon a Star". Staff at Co-op Travel's Kay Gardens branch in Bury made £420 for the charity, which provides memorable experiences for sick children. The money was raised
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Residents left in the dark
TWELVE homes in Bury were left without electricity for 16 hours. The properties in Broad Oak Lane were plunged into darkness around 9pm on Tuesday (Feb 20). Power was restored at 1pm the next day. Resident Mrs Sandra Robinson said: "This was the second
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Village in bloom
RESIDENTS of, and visitors to Tottington can look forward to spring as the area is confidently expected to look "bloomin' lovely" in coming weeks. Around 11,000 daffodil bulbs were planted last autumn as part of an environmental initiative by the Rotary
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There's a guy works down...
CUSTOMERS at a Radcliffe cafe were "all shook up" when they were served up their fish and chips by Elvis. The King of Rock 'n' Roll, better known for his love of cheeseburgers, caused more than a few double-takes at Frydays in The Piazza. His appearance
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Gas cylinder turned into flame-thrower
HUNDREDS of pounds worth of damage was caused at a Radcliffe window manufacturers when arsonists turned a propane gas cylinder into a flame-thrower. A five-foot long flame blasted against two toilet windows at Saran Windows in the Dale Street Industrial
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Council house hotline
A TELEPHONE hotline has been set up to help individuals and families find a council house. Bosses hope that the "empty property" service will lead to vacant homes being filled sooner and be matched to the needs of prospective tenants. Councillor John
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Maurice meets the Prince
LONG serving volunteer Maurice Birch had an unexpected meeting with Prince Charles when he attended a special reception at St James's Palace. Mr Birch, from the Abbeyfield Society, Britain's largest provider of sheltered housing for the elderly, was a
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Brutal attack on trader in £25k robbery
A TOBACCONIST was punched and kicked to the floor in a £25,000 robbery in Radcliffe. The 54-year-old was attacked when four masked men entered the Pipe Bowl wholesale tobacco shop in Church Street West at 3.30pm on Wednesday (Feb 21). The cash was grabbed
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Doctor struck off for cash fiddle
A DOCTOR has been struck off the medical register for falsifying patient records -- but will be allowed to practice for at least another month while he decides on an appeal. Dr Shiv Dey charged for work he had not carried out at his surgery in Burnley
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Wildlife survey
ECOLOGISTS are taking a long hard look at whether Bury's wildlife and environment is thriving or suffering. The survey, the first of its kind for ten years, could play a key role in saving certain sites from the bulldozers. It should identify which nationally-important
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Voters look to future
VOTERS in Radcliffe are obviously interested in the future of local democracy. More than 30 people braved the cold and wet on Tuesday evening (Feb 20) to attend a presentation in Radcliffe Civic Suite concerning the way they want to be ruled. Residents
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Making a meal of it!
IT'S everyone's dream at the end of a working day to have a slap-up meal prepared by a top chef. But Carol Kapler (54) and her partner Charles Wolstenholme (57) went one better and they did not even have to leave their Ringley Road West home to get the
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All change in massive bus shake-up
BUS services throughout Greater Manchester are in line for a huge shake-up. The move by the county's biggest bus operators, First Manchester, will come into force on Sunday (Feb 25). Extensive service changes will be implemented as a result of a wide
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Wooden it be lovely!
IF you go down to the woods today . . . you'll gather enough material to make your own sculptures! For youngsters at St John's C of E Primary School in Bury were in a class of their own when it came to making and displaying an assortment of wood-related
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Bolton set to re-lay pitch
BOLTON have announced they are to re-lay their pitch after tonight's promotion clash with Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers at the Reebok. Following recent criticism over the state of the playing surface, Wanderers officials have been in contact with
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Holdsworth danger for Rovers
GRAEME Souness today warned his defence to have their wits about them as Bolton boss Sam Allardyce looks set to bring back striker Dean Holdsworth for tonight's promotion battle at the Reebok. The experienced striker has missed three games, including
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He could have broke Nolan's leg
BOLTON boss Sam Allardyce today lit the blue touch paper ahead of tonight's promotion showdown at the Reebok by accusing Rovers skipper Garry Flitcroft of trying to shift the blame for his FA Cup dismissal. Flitcroft suggested Wanderers midfielder Kevin
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Souey's 'pysche out' plans
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is hoping to 'psyche out' Bolton counterpart Sam Allardyce tonight as the two managers prepare for a crucial promotion showdown at the Reebok. Souness today revealed he will be keeping his line-up top secret until the last
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Community groups to share £15,000
A VARIETY of local groups in Padiham are to benefit from grants totalling £15,000. The cash comes from the Padiham "community chest" set up by Burnley Council to "help local groups help themselves". The money will be split among a mixture of community
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Hopes high for town hall wheelchair access plan
A COUNCIL pledge that disabled people will have easier access to the town hall has delighted a wheelchair-bound councillor. Coun Sandra Twigg, who has to use a wheelchair, is the chairman of Todmorden Town Council's Amenities Committee. She has campaigned
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Man cleared of ear-biting horror
A 36-YEAR-OLD man has been cleared of biting off part of a landlord's ear in a horror pub attack. Raymond Ormerod was found not guilty of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and also the lesser allegation of unlawful wounding, after a three-day
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MP Pike to tackle bus firm over sell-off
MP PETER PIKE and Burnley council bosses are seeking an early meeting with bus operator Stagecoach over the company's plan to sell off its East Lancashire network. Mr Pike today expressed grave concern over the proposed disposal of Stagecoach Ribble depots
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£70,000 cost of doing nothing
BURNLEY councillors have decided against a trust taking over the running of most of the town's leisure facilities including the Mechanics, Thompson sports centre and Padiham pool. The decision has been taken after a near two year long £70,000 investigation
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MP seeks action as farm deaths soar
AN EAST Lancashire MP has urged ministers to take action to make farms safer, starting with banning teenagers too young to drive from handling tractors on agricultural land. Gordon Prentice is alarmed that seven people have died on farms in Lancashire
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Millions more in new bid
THE regeneration of Nelson and Brierfield could take another huge step forward if a bid for £3million by Pendle Partnership is successful. The group is already planning where to spend the £12million it won last year and is hoping to gain a further grant
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Chance to make your dreams come true
LOCAL people's vision of how Pendle should take shape in the 21st century is to be launched at Pendle Heritage Centre. Our Place - Our Pendle is the local authority's Local Agenda 21 to meet the government's pledge to protect the planet made at the Earth
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£4,000 raised
MEMBERS of Tottington and Bury West Rotary Club would like to thank everyone who contributed to their Christmas collection. Because of their generosity, a sum in excess of £4,000 was raised. Every penny of this sum raised will be given to charity. PETER
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Doctor struck off for cash fiddle
A DOCTOR has been struck off the medical register for falsifying patient records -- but will be allowed to practice for at least another month while he decides on an appeal. Dr Shiv Dey charged for work he had not carried out at his surgery in Burnley
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A MULTI million pound development of Accrington's market area was given the go ahead following a pub
Work was expected to start on a new covered market, retail units, bus stands and two service yards.
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Going up in the world
A TYLDESLEY school is going upwardly mobile -- to the tune of half a million pounds. Pupils at Garrett Hall Primary were eager to resume lessons yesterday after the half-term break at Garrett Hall Primary where impressive new classroom units have been
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Wartime evacuee launches search for pals
A MAN who was evacuated to Great Harwood during the Second World War is on the look-out for his friends from the town. Phil Jenkins, of Wilmslow, was evacuated to the relative safety of Great Harwood from Manchester in 1939 and stayed for two years. The
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Wheelie big bin savings
A COUNCIL could save £74,000 a year if it introduces wheelie bins. Hyndburn Council has been urged to catch up with its neighbours in Blackburn with Darwen and Rossendale and issue wheelie bins to residents. Although an initial outlay of £64,000 would
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Glam gran tells of her dearest wish for Laura
LEIGH grandma June Carr would swap her title as one of the nation's Glamorous Grandmothers -- just to see her "little princess" walk a few steps. The only thing June, 64, of Hurst Street, wants from life is to find a way of treating her seven-year-old
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Angela Hilton never liked school, but thanks to Leigh College she's now... a Graduate
GRADUATE Angela Hilton wasn't interested in school work. She left Leigh St Mary's RC High School, Astley, after a poor GCSE performance, gaining just two subjects, and went straight into an administration job. Now the 28-year-old Leigh mum has won her
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Oh, what a show for Leigh's blushing brides
HUNDREDS of people with that BIG day on their minds visited the successful Bride of the Year Show. They flocked to Haydock Park on Sunday to check out the stunning displays of outfits and bridal wear on offer at the Spring Bridal Spectacular, which was
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Chemists on Duty
Thursday, March 1 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive; Healthbook Ltd, Audley Shopping Centre
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Chemists on Duty
Wednesday, February 28 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Arthur
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Chemists on Duty
Friday, March 2 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Arthur Haworth, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst
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Chemists on Duty
Monday, February 26 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Arthur Haworth, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy,
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Chemists on Duty
Tuesday, February 27 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver
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Soldier's funeral go-ahead
THE family of Clitheroe Scots Guard Martin Rimmer, who died in his barracks near Buckingham Palace on February 11, can go ahead and hold his funeral with full military honours. The second inquest hearing was opened yesterday and adjourned pending test
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Divided loyalties on village plans
A METHODIST minister spoke out today in a bid to dispel fears that plans to build a brand new 80-seater chapel will interfere with fund-raising for a new community centre in the same village. The Rev Christopher Cheeseman (pictured), superintendent of
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Magistrates should treat this seriously
READING the court reports/lists for Leigh I am struck by the lack of seriousness taken by the bench in cases of driving without insurance. Anyone killed or injured by a driver without insurance has their life ruined and the only remedy in law is to sue
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Help Mencap and get on your bicycle
IF your New Year's resolutions involve widening your horizons, improving your fitness levels or helping others, then I have the perfect way for you to achieve these goals. Royal Mencap, the leading charity for people with a learning disability is organising
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These dog owners are irresponsible
IT seems to me that there are many irresponsible dog owners in Leigh. I cannot believe how our streets are littered with this disgusting mess. My son and I are constantly dodging this foul only to later discover we have trodden it into our house. I am
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Tipster John knew when not to gamble
FOR millions of people the TV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire is compulsive viewing. To sit with a good percentage of the rest of the nation in pitting your general knowledge skills alongside the contestant under the spotlight, or sitting on the
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This is why the youth club has shut down
THIS is an open letter to Hope Carr Youth Club members. May I through The Journal attempt to explain the sad demise of Hope Carr Youth Club. We are a group of 13 volunteers, who are not salaried, operating for the benefit of Siddow Common estate for 18
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Heartbreaker
I CAN'T say I agreed with the Top 10 heartbreakers on Channel 4 recently. The best of all time Neilsson's "Without You" didn't get a look in.
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Good shuttance!
A NEW shark at a Dorset aquarium has been named Anne Robinson because of its ferocious bite. The Watchdog presenter has given up her role on the consumer programme to take her killer quiz The Weakest Link to the Americans. Goodbye and good shuttance.
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A messy divorce seems daft to me
A HUSBAND has divorced his wife after 50 years of marriage because she was too messy. It took him long enough to find out. Men who whinge about untidiness annoy me. Have they no hands? They are just as capable as anyone else of clearing up any rubbish
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Trade and Industry chief is Chamber guest
SECRETARY of State for Trade and Industry Stephen Byers is the guest speaker at a Bolton and Bury Chamber dinner tonight (Fri Feb 23). And business people from the Bury area will be among those attending the event, to be held at Bolton Town Hall. Chamber
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Job Centres spread the net to recruit
HI-TECH Bury companies can now harness the Internet to ease their recruitment problems. In a new dimension to advertising vacancies, job centres in Bury and elsewhere are now going on-line. This and other developments were outlined by representatives
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Nursery team has made the grade
A RADCLIFFE nursery has shown its commitment to staff development and training at the double. Wells House Nursery is celebrating its re-recognition as an Investor in People (IIP) organisation. Since achieving the national award, the Ringley Road-based
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Branch ready to give Irons stick
GRAHAM Branch will give his old Tranmere Rovers team-mate Kenny Irons some stick before the game against Huddersfield tomorrow. Midfielder Irons is likely to start on the bench for his new club Town but it won't stop Branch enganging in some friendly
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Lucketti: Friendship to end at three o'clock
CHRIS Lucketti will shake hands with Stan Ternent, wish him the best -- and then strive to heap some misery on his former boss by beating the Clarets. The Huddersfield captain makes the trip to Turf Moor tomorrow expecting to see a host of friendly faces
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East go West in cup...
DIVISION One title challengers Leigh East found themselves outgunned 36-8 when they came up against National League Champions West Hull in the third round of the League Express National Cup. Tries from Lee Horsfield and Stuart Leake, plus three Wayne
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Miners show their worst side...
Oulton Raiders 32, Leigh Miners Rangers 12 ONLY a fortnight after their best performance of the season at Ideal Isberg, Leigh Miners Rangers turned in their worst display of the campaign at fellow high-flyers Oulton Raiders. Perhaps it was a collective
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Atherton swimmers make a splash
ATHERTON Swimming Club had further success during the second weekend of the Central Lancashire Age Group competition at Broughton. Jessica Lee, competing in her first individual gala, attained a fifth place in the 10 years 50 metre butterfly in a PB time
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Two heads better than one at Colls
EVENTS have moved on like an express train at Atherton Colls over the last week. After fifteen games in charge which brought just two NWCL Division One points, club and manager Chris O'Brien decided to part by mutual consent after Saturday's 5-1 defeat
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Moving with the Times
THE Times they are a changing. Yes, the Bury Times Group has found a fresh home for the new millennium. We transferred this week from our previous office in the town's Market Street to a new, purpose-built headquarters. But you won't need a map to find
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Cancer victim's friends rally round for Christie
FRIENDS and showbiz colleagues of a popular entertainer who lost his battle against cancer have vowed to carry on his dream of raising £25,000 for Christie Hospital. Resident compere at Unsworth South Social Club in Whitefield, Ricky Wayne, died from
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Kidney man stops dialysis in benefit protest
A KIDNEY patient claims that he is being penalised for taking the pressure off hospital beds by volunteering to be treated at home. And Raymond Debeney (52), of Massey Street, Bury, stopped his vital dialysis for days as a protest. He is now appealing
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Shock at sudden death of United manager
The sporting world was left stunned by the sudden death of Ramsbottom United manager Ken Bridge on Tuesday night (Feb 20). Ken, who was 57 last month, collapsed and died in the dressing room at the end of his team's game in Ramsbottom. He suffered a heart
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Water polo man, 73, dies
WATER polo player Arthur Rotherham has died, aged 73, just weeks after the death of his father, Ernie, 95, who for years was secretary of Atherton Swimming Club. Mr Rotherham, who died on Sunday, lived in Leyland but grew up in Atherton where he was a
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Making the most of partners
EAST Lancashire companies have been invited to apply for grants of up to £50,000 to encourage bosses to work more closely with their employees. Industry Minister Alan Johnson wants more businesses to bid for cash under the DTI's Partnership Fund to help
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Bus service changes
THE area's biggest bus operator, First Manchester, has announced extensive service changes, but Leigh escapes lightly. The 9am Monday to Friday no 34 Lowton to Manchester via Leigh will operate 30 minutes later at 9.30am from February 25th. The No 35
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TV licence dodgers' list of shame
LEIGH licence dodgers have been exposed in a new 'league of shame'. The report published by TV Licensing has shown Wigan to be the 27th worst area in the English league with 1,011 licence evaders being caught between July and December last year. Despite
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Put me in the picture!
READER Alan Charlton from Tyldesley, who during the 1980s made a photographic record of the town's pubs, is keen to see a picture of one which shut in the 60s and was demolished a decade later. The missing hostelry is the Victoria Inn which was popularly
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'Horror film' for parents
A HORROR film preview of unruly teenagers' antics will make compulsive viewing for their parents. In a surveillance exercise last weekend police targeted a gang of 50 youngsters who have been intimidating residents on an between Astley Street and Henfold
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Easy pickings for thieves
LOCK up or lose out is the police message to householders whose homes have been hit by sneaky burglars mainly after handbags and jewellery. Since the beginning of February a third of all burglaries within the Atherton area happened in the tea time or
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Spring into fund raising
DAFFODILS symbolise the coming of Spring and also the excellent work done by Marie Curie Cancer Care. Saturday, March 10 is annual Daffodil Day when people are asked to donate money to Marie Curie Cancer Care and also to give up a couple of hours of their
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Well-read brownies are brought to book!
BROWNIES in Golborne had a rare treat when they met one of the nation's favourite children's authors. The excited youngsters crowded round to be enthralled by writer Jenny Oldfield -- whose pen name is Lucy Daniels. She has written dozens of books for
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Passing on secrets of living off the land
LIVING off the land comes naturally to a Mosley Common family who have been farming for centuries. Now the Percivals, who farm 46 acres at Leyland's Farm in The City, are passing on their wealth of experience to junior sons and daughters of the soil.
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War vets will join anniversary march
GULF War veterans and families of those who died in the Middle East conflict will take part in Saturday's March of Tears to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Gulf War. The war resulted in the death of 526 servicemen and women either during the hostilities
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Travel firm sued for holiday error
FAMILY MAN: Roy Davies celebrates with son Adam Davies, four, after receiving compensation for a Florida holiday car insurance blunder A DARWEN man has successfully sued a travel company after claiming an insurance error spoiled his holiday. Roy Davies
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Throw your chip pans in the dustbin
THE county fire chief is appealing to Leigh families to sling their chip pans in the bin and help to cut down the number of blazes in the home. Greater Manchester's County Fire Officer George Almond is advising people to use deep fat fryers -- or bake
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Former brass band in tune for reunion
THE Bedford (Leigh) Band was a victim of its own success. It was a big blow when the best of brass and former national champions, broke up in 1992 following the loss of players to the country's top bands. Now, almost a decade later, members hope to relive
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Atherton Colls boss furious after latest break-in at club
A FOOTBALL club boss has called for tougher laws to curb yobs after his Atherton club house was targeted for the second time in two weeks. Secretary of Atherton Collieries FC Frank Anderson said he felt "under siege" and said police seem powerless to
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Is Fred made of the white stuff?
A DAIRYMAN who has been delivering milk since he was knee-high to a cow is hoping he has the bottle to make him national Milkman of the Year. Fred Collinson, 59, began accompanying his dad on a horse and cart as a young child and has been running his
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Bold Nick in charity run
A MOTOR bike enthusiast has signed up to RUN the London marathon after his mum's breast cancer scare. But Nick White, a member of the Atherton-run family racing bike business KAIS, kept his application for the big event secret until he won a place. Keen
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Casting the net for future stars
BUDDING film stars are joining a new group in Tyldesley as they stride out on the road to fame. Access to the Arts, a professional dance and drama group, has attracted scores of local youngsters after opening at Fred Longworth High School. The group offers
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£5,000 award for asbestos damage man
A TYLDESLEY man has been awarded more than £5,000 damages -- 30 years after asbestos damaged his lungs. William Skinner, 52, of Rixton Drive, developed scarring on his lungs after handling asbestos in the manufacture of fish fryers as a young apprentice
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Applications before the planning department
LATEST local planning applications submitted to Wigan Council include: Tyldesley Subscription Bowling Club, Well Street, Tyldesley -- develop 0.3ha of land, formerly bowling green, for residential purposes (outline); Land at hazel Road, Atherton -- develop
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Bowled over by charges
ANGRY bowlers say they have been forced off their green at a Leigh pub after more than 60 years because of rocketing prices. Members of the Sportsman's Bowling Club based at the pub of the same name on Firs Lane are furious that prices have shot up from
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Mum of Fragile X boy finds support from organisation
A LEIGH mum, whose little boy suffers from one of the rarest genetic disorders in the world, has found a lifeline in a "Unique" self help group. After reading the recent Journal story of Lowton mum Shirley Eckersley, whose son Jared suffers from the little
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Crime project praise
AN award-winning pilot project in Blackburn and Darwen which led to a 30 to 70 per cent reduction in youth offending is being heralded as the way forward. The environmental charity Groundwork is calling on the Government, local authorities and the police
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Travellers harming business, fears firm
BOSSES of an international textile firm fear their business could be harmed by travellers camped on land next to their headquarters. And Morada International, based on Shadsworth Industrial Estate, Blackburn, claims that Blackburn with Darwen Council
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Retired cop recognised intruder
A DRUG addict who burgled the home of a retired Chorley policeman, only to be recognised, has been given a community based sentence. The intruder was grabbed by ex-bobby Graham Wallace who asked: "It's Boney isn't it?" When he appeared on deferred sentence
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Fury over patients' rights cash
FUNDING for new patients' rights bodies has been labelled "derisory" by out-going health watchdogs. Nigel Robinson, of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Community Health Council, said cash allocated to the new Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service
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Revenge mission
BACUP: Bacup travel to Atherton LR in NWCL Division Two tomorrow with Peters looking for revenge. "I went there when I was manager of Rossendale and they pipped us to promotion to the Unibond League by a point." Darren Esdale (Achilles tendon) and David
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Dale are ready
CONFIDENCE is sky high at free-scoring Rossendale United at the moment. And with just one defeat in the last 18 games and 12 goals in the last two outings, Jim McCluskie's side fear no-one in NWCL Division One. Top scorer Craig Sargeson and side kick
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McBride call-up hits Moyes plans
PRESTON manager David Moyes will be without his three pronged attack for the second game running for tomorrow's visit of Sheffield Wednesday to Deepdale. Top scorer Jon Macken missed Tuesday's defeat against Birmingham with a virus but should be back
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McCluskey:'Swiss Army Knife'
ANTHONY McCluskey has played in so many positions for Padiham that he says he's like a 'a swiss army knife!' The 25-year-old, usually a defender, has been used by Storks boss Graham Howarth in midfield and even managed to fire home 35 goals last season
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Keep site for industry
WITH Eton Cop dyeing company closing down, could the building not be kept as units for work instead of houses being built on it? I thought there was a law that said they couldn't build on brown field or green field sites. Also, I think that the lodges
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Prevention is better
HAVING read the letter from "25 Years Loyal" (Feb 2), may I commend this person for accurately reflecting the present situation with regard to Bury Football Club. Why should the onus be placed on loyal Bury fans to dig the club out of its latest financial
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Thanks from a "complainer"
I MUST write in praise of the NHS services I received over the Christmas period. I was taken by ambulance to Bury General at 6.30am on December 23 with a suspected stroke or blood clot in my arm. After being seen by the doctor and having an x-ray I was
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Wrigley gum collection
RECENTLY I visited Bury Art Gallery to view the Wrigley collection. I am not knowledgeable about art, but I did enjoy looking at the paintings etc. Equally pleasing was the layout and atmosphere of the galleries themselves. Afterwards, I stepped outside
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They will get it when I am ready
WE have just received a letter from the Revenues and Benefits office in Whittaker Street, Radcliffe, informing us that council tax instalments should in future be paid on the fifth day of the month. Then comes the crunch. As we turn over the page there
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Election stakes will be high
BURY recently provided the best evidence possible of just why the stakes are so high for us all at the next General Election. We received visits from two prominent politicians who symbolise what is on offer from the major political parties. Lord Norman
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No one has ever been "booted out"
WHEN I read the letter from Graeme Smith, published in the Bury Times (Feb 9), my first reaction was that people have been successfully sued for less! Litigation is not my style, but I would welcome this opportunity to put the record straight. First,
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The price of change
IT'S 30 years this week since we went decimal overnight. There were allegations at the time that it was an excuse to put up prices -- and it was. Now it's looking like we're in for another change. Stores are preparing to take the Euro, referendum promise
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Not disabled enough
A MUM born with only one arm was refused a parking badge because she is not disabled enough. The 33-year-old Failsworth woman had had an orange badge for six years, but failed to get a new blue badge because both arms must be affected to qualify. What
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Our claim to fame game
I wonder how many of our local clubs have be a sounding ground for stars of the future. After the revelation that Popstars' winner Kym Marsh first belted out songs at Golborne Labour Club at the age of 10 I read this week that Russell "The Voice" Watson's
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Peter's look at club life brought back memories
BOLTON comedian Peter Kay's second series "Phoenix Nights" came to the end of its successful run on Sunday. And believe it or not Golborne played a part in the series. Before the show was written Horwich entertainer Gerry King claimed Peter visited him
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Chips away, chaps
THE county fire chief has appealed to local families to throw their chip pan away and use deep fat fryers -- or bake oven chips instead. He's asking a lot. During National Chip Week the Greater Manchester boss has revealed that chip pans are still a major
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A cruel con using a high note
I HEARD a lawyer answering listeners' questions on radio. One asked if a business could refuse to take high denomination notes. I've often thought that when I've spotted signs in shops stating £20 notes will not be taken. I can understand why though.
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Cup history
THE last time Leigh won a Challenge Cup tie at Warrington they went on to win the famous trophy! But that was back in 1921 when, after a 10-10 draw at Mather Lane, Leigh won the replay 8-3 before going on to win the final 13-0 against Halifax at Broughton
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Terzis praises community spirit
THE Centurions' success this season is down to efforts off the pitch as well as on it. Head coach Paul Terzis points to the growing community spirit in the town as one of the reasons why the Centurions' season has been the best in the club's history.
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Cup was on Leigh's minds
NO-ONE was more pleased that Leigh left Featherstone's Lionheart Stadium with two more Northern Ford Premiership points safely in the bank than coach Paul Terzis. The Centurions' head coach admitted that this Sunday's Challenge Cup fifth round clash with
