Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, June 30
Summer Fair, Belthorn Primary School, Belthorn, 11am-1pm. Pony rides, bouncy castle, beat the goalie, teddy tombola, refreshments etc. 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat,' St Bartholomew's Church, Ewood, Blackburn, 3.30pm and 7.30pm. Summer
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JUST JAMIE: Phew! That was a very close shave
I CLEARLY remember talking about it. Then I remember leaving the pub and striking up the conversation again at home with the Long Suffering Marjorie who had opted to stay in that fateful Friday night. The next clear memory was the hypnotic drone of the
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Wrigley takes top golf title
FIRST-TIMER Simon Wrigley was still pinching himself this morning after walking away with the Bury and District Golf Association's Men's Championship title on Wednesday evening. The 41-year-old Harwood golfer beat Mark Thornton of Lowes Park on his home
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Sedgley add more power to the Park
SEDGLEY PARK have signed up two new players as they prepare for life in National League Division Two next season. The Whitefield-based Rugby Union club won promotion last season after a tense play-off with Cornish side Launceston. And now they are shaping
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Radcliffe up for the cups
RADCLIFFE Cricket Club sounded their title intentions with a maximum ten-point haul to put them in great shape for Sunday's Wood Cup semi-final against Walsden. An excellent weekend for the Racecourse outfit saw them defeat high-riding Rochdale and Royton
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Today's the day
1613: The original Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire. A spark from a cannonball fired in one of the first performances of Shakespeare's last play, Henry VIII was the cause of the blaze. 1905: The Autombile Association was founded. 1927: A total eclipse
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This week in 1976 25 years ago
OH DEAR: Showing at the Classic Cinema are Enter the 7 Virgins, Girls Come First, Before and After Sex, and Erotic Bed, all X rated. FATAL FIGURES: Bury was ranked third out of the ten Greater Manchester districts in the road death table. New figures
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Trouble's come as no surprise
REGARDING the riots in Burnley and Oldham, we have all seen this trouble coming for a long time -- so has the Government. They are to blame, especially former Home Secretary Jack Straw. We are not a multi cultural society -- because we don't want to be
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Reasons for not voting
PAUL Anthony's pathetic attempt to justify not voting (Letters, June 25), just about took the biscuit. Besides the fact that his views of schools and hospitals bear no relation to what is happening and that, as the fifth richest country in the world,
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Probe into boy rape claim
POLICE are investigating allegations that a teenage boy has been raped. The police helicopter and dogs handlers were called out after a tip-off that a mystery 13-year-old had been attacked and left stranded in fields close to St Paul's Junior School in
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Hospice praise grammar school girls
BURY Hospice has said a formal "thank you" to a group of girls at Bury Grammar School for their fund-raising efforts. So far this year pupils of Year U4N have raised £271.69 for the cause. This week, Mr Mervyn Reeves, fund-raising manager for Bury Hospice
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Homes suffer power loss after explosion
AROUND 80 homes in Sunnybank, Bury, were left without power after an explosion at an electricity junction box. Norweb engineers repaired the box in Lindale Avenue after the blast around 7.45pm on Sunday (June 24). Power was restored around 10.50pm. A
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Carl roars in to launch superfast Internet service
WORLD superbiker Carl Fogarty rode into town to launch a global first for the Bury area -- a superfast Internet service. The four-times world champion launched the new broadband Internet service by cable giant ntl. From Monday, Bolton and Bury people
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Church renovation costs more than planned
RENOVATION work to Radcliffe's landmark church costing hundreds of thousands of pounds has had to be postponed because of spiralling costs. Major structural problems in the tower of St Thomas and St John Church were worse than originally thought. This
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Town hit by petrol bombers
RACISTS brought fear to the streets of Accrington today with a series of petrol bomb attacks. The incidents prompted community leaders to appeal for calm in a bid to prevent a repeat of the Burnley race riots. Hyndburn MP Greg Pope was today meeting police
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Gingerbread self-help group to be set up
A NEW self-help group for lone parents is to be set up in Radcliffe. The national charity, Gingerbread, operates groups which offer fun activities for children and adults, but up until now, single parents in Radcliffe have had no opportunity to join in
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Libraries link up for new reading project
THE chips were down for young readers at the launch of Bury's new Reading Lifelines project. A "taster" session with a difference was held on Thursday (June 28) at the Topping Fold Outreach Library in Bury. Staff served up chips while children's entertainer
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Greg signs on again
ATHERTON CC professional Greg Dimery has signed a two year extension to his contract which will keep him at the Bolton Association club for a further two seasons. The Aussie all-rounder has made an immediate impact in his first season with Atherton and
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Mahon signs up
MIDFIELDER Alan Mahon today became Rovers' third summer signing when he completed a permanent move to Ewood Park. The former Tranmere Rovers midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell from Sporting Lisbon last season as he helped Rovers clinch promotion
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Police clear riot fears
POLICE have met with Asian community leaders in Preston to calm fears that the town could be the next target for race riots. During recent weeks racial tension has hit the North West, with violence spilling onto the streets in Oldham and Burnley. However
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Students from around world seek hosts
STUDENTS from around the world are seeking families from Preston and South Ribble to offer them a home for a full school year, starting in the next couple of months. Foreigners - aged 16 to 18 - are keen to find host families to take part in an exchange
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Pupil's perfect record
A PRESTON pupil is celebrating after chalking-up six years without taking a single day off school. Alan Foster, 16, who attends Sherburn School, in Blackpool Road, Preston, has never skipped a day at school since his final year in primary education. Council
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Football star nets Brum deal
WATCH out Beckham -- Preston's Chris Ward is hot on your heels. For former Preston College student Chris has scored the goal of a lifetime after being signed by Birmingham City Football Club. Chris, 20, from Conder Road in Ashton, Preston, was head-hunted
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Award for brave David
A PRESTON police officer, who chased armed robbers at high speed after being shot, is to receive a bravery award from the Prime Minister. Police constable David Bentley has been voted the pluckiest officer in England in an event organised by the police
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Up and down time for PNE
Each week during the close season Citizen football reporter Tom Parker takes a potted look at the Football League and Preston Nort End's role within it. This week Tom looks at football in the years between the two World Wars. AS our servicemen and women
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MP in call for stroke service advance
BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has called for the government to improve the services available to stroke sufferers. He has quizzed Health Minister John Hutton on the issue urging him to make the treatment of strokes a major priority for the National Health Service
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Licensee fined for using false labels
A FORMER licensee has been ordered to pay fines of £200 and costs of £587 after pleading guilty to displaying and selling substituted alcohol labelled as Gordon's Special Dry Gin and Smirnoff Vodka. Malcolm James Meikleham, 62, formerly of the Kettledrum
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Village is not a race track
YOUNG drivers are risking their safety by using Heysham village and Morecambe's car parks as race tracks, police have warned. A clamp-down has been launched to stamp out the dangerous practice, and young drivers are being warned that car parks are subject
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Warning for pensioners about bogus officials
PENSIONERS are being targeted by a con man who poses as a water board worker. The man has struck using similar techniques across Lancashire, with several incidents in the Preston and Cleveleys areas. However, the same person is believed to have been targeting
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Job cuts hit firm
SIXTY jobs will be lost at the Potterton Myson factory in Padiham after its parent company announced more than 300 redundancies at its Lancashire operations. Baxi Heating has now finalised its restructuring plans which will see manufacturing in the county
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Stalking back to happiness
YOU probably won't recognise his name, but the chances are, if you've been drinking in Lancaster's pubs or university bars during the past decade or so, that you would recognise Lancaster's latest and, potentially, greatest contribution to the world of
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Talks to reassure Ryelands residents
RYELANDS residents and city council officers held talks this week in a bid to resolve fears about the redevelopment of the estate. And the council has assured residents that nobody will be forced out of their home against their wishes. Councillors voted
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Chamber board upbeat despite training losses
A BUSINESS set up by the Lancaster District Chamber of Commerce has been abandoned after proving unprofitable. More than 90 members of the local chamber recently gathered to hear president, Geoff Harker, explain the reasons behind the decision to abandon
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It's more than just pin money!
PUNK may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is expected to be music to the ears of local hoteliers, taxi firms and other businesses. Love it or loathe it, there's no doubt that tartan trousers, safety pins through the noses and purple mohicans still
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MP unveils mural at nursery
A MURAL featuring four large fish will tomorrow be unveiled at Woodfield Nursery, Brierfield, by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice. The event is one of a number of community art activities for children and parents to celebrate the nursery's 50th anniversary.
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Winner Ian bowled over by success
A ONE-DAY bowling tournament for 16 of the country's top crown green bowlers was held at Brownedge Club in Bamber Bridge, on Sunday, June 17. The winner of the tournament, sponsored by Best Electrical Factors Ltd, was Ian Broadhurst from Macclesfield,
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Royal opening for football museum
THE new National Football Museum got Royal treatment last Thursday, June 21, when it was officially opened by the Duke of Kent. Some of the sport's great personalities attended the ceremony at Preston's Deepdale ground, including legendary England and
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Police probe air rifle attack
POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a woman was shot in the forehead with an air rifle as she walked along Burnley Road, in Colne, on Tuesday. The woman, who has not been named, was walking near the junction of Gibfield Road with her partner at around
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Cavalier kids dress up for visit
CHILDREN from a local school got into character for a visit to a stately home on Monday. The youngsters from St Patrick's RC School in Higher Walton Road, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, dressed up in costume as Cavaliers and Roundheads for the historic trip
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Jubilee joy for group
PARTY fever hit St John's Church playgroup as they celebrated their silver jubilee. The group, based at the Leyland Lane church, began the party on Saturday with a special service to mark the 25th anniversary. Guests included an original founder member
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Wood you believe it!
IT is not often that blokes sitting in trees win prizes with the council, but nobody was protesting in Worden Park on Saturday when £2,000 worth of prizes were handed out to the fastest tree climbers in Leyland. The annual contest, which took place next
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New role for health chief
A TOP Preston health chief is leaving to take up a regional post this autumn. Jeff Moore has been appointed regional director of performance by the NHS Executive North West. Mr Moore is chief executive of Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust and Preston
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500-year-old cursed book on show
A BOOK which has been locked away for almost 70 years due to its value and rarity is on display at Accrington Library. The 500-year-old book bound with leather, which was once studded with jewels, contains handwritten Gregorian style songs. This treasure
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Big pay rises for firm's bosses
DIRECTORS at Northern Foods plc, parent company of pie manufacturer Hollands of Baxenden, saw their pay packages rise last year, according to the firm's annual report. The rises came after sales and profits rose at the group which supplies chilled and
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Worker was crushed in tragedy
A MAN who died when his head was crushed under the back of a tipper lorry he was working on was the victim of a fluke accident, an inquest heard. And, despite an investigation into the death of Graham Thomas, 31, the cause of the incident would probably
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Sheila does it the slim way
SUPER slimmer Sheila Harbridge is half the woman she was two years ago. She decided enough was enough when, just months after the event, she outgrew a size 24 suit bought for her 50th birthday. She signed up for an Atherton Slimming World class, reduced
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Traffic plagues market traders
DISAPPOINTED market traders have loads on their minds following the move two weeks ago to their permanent new site. The lack of loading and unloading facilities means the stallholders are forced to hump stock from Gas Street to the Union Street site.
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Town hit by petrol bombers
RACISTS brought fear to the streets of Accrington today with a series of petrol bomb attacks. The incidents prompted community leaders to appeal for calm in a bid to prevent a repeat of the Burnley race riots. Hyndburn MP Greg Pope was today meeting police
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World record bid boosts tower fund
FIREFIGHTERS took just four and a half minutes to set Leigh Parish Church alight - and create a new world record. Their high-speed attack on the Guinness Book of Records on Sunday boosted the newly launched tower rebuilding fund by £2,000. A team of ten
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Former Engineer helped conjure Second World War victory
A SKILLED builder and soldier who helped fool the Nazis has died aged 83. Kenneth Manley, who became a partner with his brothers until his retirement from the Atherton family firm of J Manley and Sons, fought throughout the Second World War desert campaign
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Four overcome disability and hope to carry on learning
STUDENTS, who today complete a unique computer course designed for the blind, have appealed to Wigan and Leigh College bosses for a chance to continue studying together. Four visually impaired adults on the pilot basic computer and City and Guilds Course
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Sweet touch for charity
ATHERTON WI has organised a fruity delight to help cancer sufferers. A strawberry fayre takes place on Friday, July 6, from 2pm-4pm in Atherton's Jubilee Hall. Admission is £1.50, children 75p, including refreshments, with proceeds to the day ward at
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Let us help you keep in touch
READERS from around the world have once again been contacting the Journal with requests to get in touch with friends and family. The Get in Touch section of our website has been inundated with requests from Canada and New Zealand to closer-to home places
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700 jobs at a stroke!
THE UK Open Golf Championship is coming to Lytham in July -- and it's bringing 700 jobs for Fylde folk with it. The tournament -- which is playing host to major golf stars including Tiger Woods -- will be held at the Royal Lytham Golf Club from July 15
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Friends in church cash drive
A NEW group, the Friends of St Leonard's, has been formed in Langho to help raise as much cash for repairs and maintenance to the church as possible. Enquiries about joining the group should be sent to St Leonard's Church, Whalley Road, Langho, Blackburn
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Vicar begins sermon marathon
A VICAR today began a 36 hour non-stop unscripted sermon to try and talk his way into Guinness Book of Records. The Rev Chris Sterry, vicar of Whalley Parish Church, began his improvised chapter and verse of the Old Testament from Genesis 1:1 at 6am.
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Taxi fare row ends with a fine of £1,000
A DISPUTE with a taxi driver over £2 cost Nigel Christopher Grant £1,000 when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates. The court heard that Grant had kicked the taxi as it drove off causing £950-worth of damage to the vehicle and how moments earlier
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Action call after sex case delay
AN MP has demanded an inquiry into why it took two years to clear a former undertaker of sexually assaulting mentally-handicapped men. The move came as police bosses remained unavailable to comment on the case, two days after first being asked to explain
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A bad day out for Blackpool
LAST weekend's weather was ideal for a trip to the Lake District -- unless you were playing in Blackpool CC's first XI! Batting first at Kendal, in their Bay 96.8 Northern Premier League game, Blackpool lost opener Richard Lamb with only five runs on
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Players and teams wanted
ONE of the Fylde's biggest junior football clubs is appealing for players for its under-13s side for the forthcoming season. Anyone interested in playing for Clifton Rangers Junior Football Club can contact managers Paul Ellis (01253 697202) or Howard
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Cotton clobbers Lancaster
ST ANNES moved into second place in Division One after crushing next-to-bottom Lancaster, thanks to a belligerent innings of 83 by Adam Cotton. It more than made up for him dropping Lancaster pro Gareth Breese before he had scored. Breese went on to make
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Boost for women's soccer
THE FA's Girls Football 2001 initiative in the North West has had a helping hand from Blackpool's Montgomery High School. The school organised a Girls Euro 2001 football mini-tournament to coincide with, and mirror, the England Women's participation in
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So bring on the dancing girls!
THERE is no doubt that the advent of one-day cricket brought about a revival in the sport but now, 28 years after the introduction of the Gillette Cup, things have changed so much that opinions are varied on the way forward for the short-over game. Two
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Tom feels better after blow-out!
BRITAIN'S youngest ever touring car driver Tom Boardman gets a new lease of life this weekend for rounds 11 and 12 of the www.theAA.com MSA British Touring Car Championship. For when he takes to the track at Donington Park, Leicestershire, his BTC Production
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Squirel cleans up in style
VISITORS were shell shocked when they watched a tidy squirrel discard the kernels from nuts into a litter bin at the Medway Maritime Hospital. According to the RSPCA, the little tree dwellers mimic things that they see people do. Pity our own race is
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I SEE the Japanese have come up with another world beater - square water melons. But at £50 a go, t
The fruits are developed in glass boxes to take up less room in the fridge. Another advantage I can see is that it'll also stop them rolling about. Wonder if they can do the same for grapes. I'm forever finding them on the floor.
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Clarets facing competition
PORTSMOUTH are hopeful of luring Peter Crouch away from a possible move to Turf Moor. The big striker is on his way out of Queens Park Rangers and Burnley are among those who have shown their hand. The Clarets are thought to have been in negotiations
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Lloyd's Surrey recall
GRAHAM Lloyd was finally called in from the cold by Lancashire at the Oval today for their biggest Championship match of the season. 'Bumble' has not played a game so far in his benefit year, with Lancashire preferring Joe Scuderi, Ryan Driver and Tim
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LOCAL CRICKET: Cherry Tree missing players
CHERRY Tree captain David Hayes is hoping the club can attract some young blood to keep the trophies coming back to Preston Old Road. The Jennings Ribblesdale League side have tasted success over the last few seasons but Hayes fears the side of '30-somethings
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Thieves strike at Castle!
THIEVES struck at what is meant to be one of Lancaster's most secure buildings last weekend. A store room at the Shire Hall at Lancaster Castle was raided between 5pm on Friday and 10am on Monday. Police believe a person who had been part of a tour of
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All Tied Up For Charity and Lianne Myers with their knotty fundraising scheme.)
INVENTIVE Year 11 students from Blackpool's St Mary's High School devised an enterprising way to raise money for charity. Claire Merga (above left) and Lianne Myers marked their final year at the school by tying their legs and arms together with school
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All Tied Up For Charity
INVENTIVE Year 11 students from Blackpool's St Mary's High School devised an enterprising way to raise money for charity. Claire Merga (above left) and Lianne Myers marked their final year at the school by tying their legs and arms together with school
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Atherton look in title mood
ATHERTON CC got back to winning ways with a vengeance last weekend with back-to-back victories over Adlington and Daisy Hill earning them a maximum 40 points in their quest for Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association championship honours. Adlington visited
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Bakery boss's jobs fear
THE boss of a Bury bakery has warned that 30 jobs will be lost by Christmas if his firm is not allowed to expand. Miller's Bakery is hoping to buy a small area of Hoyle Park from Bury Council to extend its factory premises. But the plan has met with fierce
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The NHS needs you
THE views of Bury's residents are needed to help carry out a comprehensive check-up of the borough's health service. People who wish to talk about their experiences, focusing on the service provided by Bury and Fairfield General hospitals, are required
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Big plans for market
RADCLIFFE market hall could be bulldozed to make way for a brand new community complex with a famous-name restaurant on top. That is what members of the town's market traders association have been told and they're delighted with the scope and vision of
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Shaker Billy's cancer shock
BILLY Ayre, the coach at Bury Football Club, is fighting cancer. The 49-year-old fitness fanatic, who ran the London Marathon last year, has been diagnosed with a cancer of the lymph glands, which he first contracted six years ago. Mr Ayre said: "It has
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BREC bosses bid for Lottery cash
RACIAL equality bosses in Bury are bidding for National Lottery cash to fund the appointment of an officer to work with the victims and perpetrators of racist crime. Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) say it is imperative to provide a "bespoke service
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Hands off
PRESTON North End bosses are warning rival clubs that players are not for sale. The move comes after Wolverhampton Wanderers offered £3 million for PNE star striker Jon Macken. Two weeks ago Wolves revealed their interest in the young player by making
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Appeal brings home cash
Organisers of the recent 'house to house' collection for Christian Aid in Leigh thank everyone who generously donated £4,570.
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New man at the helm
NEW manager Arthur Molyneux, who has transferred from Horwich, has pledged to continue the charity and community work carried out at Asda's Golborne store.
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Meet your MP
LEIGH MP Andy Burnham will hold advice surgeries on July 6 between 6.45pm and 7.45pm in Golborne Library and on July 7 (10am-11.30am) at his constituency office at 10 Market Street, Leigh.
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Inquiry into garage death
AN inquest was expected to open this morning into the death of a 38-year-old man whose body was found in the garage of his home. David Heaton, 38, was found on Monday evening with a length of wire around his neck at his home in Beech Road, Golborne. His
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Doors open to the outdoors
THOUSANDS of pupils from local schools have enjoyed adventure breaks at outdoor education centres in the Lake District. Now youngsters can enjoy the delights of Wigan Council's centres at Hinning House, Seathwaite, and Low Bank Ground, on the shores of
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Pollution fear sparks nursery closure
A CHILDREN'S nursery will hopefully re-open on Monday after a contamination alert. Princess Street nursery, in Gilbert Street, Hindley, was closed yesterday and today after some building material -- possibly contaminated -- was discovered at a nearby
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Calling all women
THE Cystic Fibrosis Trust is looking for women to take part in the first Tesco Great North Women's Run and help find a cure for the disease. The event, on Sunday July 15, starts in Albert Square and follows a five-mile route through the streets of Manchester
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Woman launches bid to trace family
AN East Sussex woman is hoping Journal readers might be able to help trace her long-lost cousins. Nona Hawkins-Smith lost touch with family members 30 years ago and hopes to meet up with them in August when she visits Leigh. There were three girls; Christine
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Puzzle over mystery photos
A TEA room owner is hoping somebody can solve the mystery of a set of family photographs which arrived at her business. Marjory Harrison, of Marjory's Tea Room, in Blackburn Road, Darwen, wants to return them to their rightful owner. The package, containing
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Artists wanted for show
IT is your last opportunity to enter for the Darwen Artist Open Exhibition at Sunnyhurst Visitor Centre, Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen. Anybody living in Darwen is welcome to enter and entries need to be in by Sunday, July 1 between 2pm and 4pm. The actual
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Four-legged hazard could cost you deer
A LANDLORD is warning drivers to be extra vigilant on a road where a deer has regularly been seen running in front of cars. Alan Harle, 57, landlord of the Punch Hotel, Darwen, was travelling along Goosehouse Lane when he had to slam on his brakes to
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Country walks open to public
WALKERS in Ramsbottom can take to the hills again after Bury Council took the decision to re-open all footpaths. Following a review of the current foot and mouth situation in the region, the decision to allow countryside users back on to the footpaths
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Classic car beats off stiff competition to claim top prize
MOTOR mechanic Andy Brown scooped the prestigious Best Car in Show award with his stunning 42-year-old Vauxhall at a top classic car gathering. Andy, from Atherton, beat-off stiff competition from more than 2,000 entrants to take top award with his British-made
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Society's trip into the past
MEMBERS of Rossendale branch of the Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society will be finding out more about the historic buildings of Haslingden. The group usually meets at Rawtenstall's Longholme Methodist Church but on Wednesday the venue has
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Job-share duo help launch family scheme
TWO people have come forward to job-share to allow a project to improve the lives of parents and their children, to begin. Sure Start secured £1.7million of Government funding to launch the five-year project in Bacup and Stacksteads. The programme manager
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Top accolade for infants' school
AN infants' school has been named as one of only 425 to be awarded Beacon status as from September 2001. It came as a complete surprise for everyone connected with St John's CE Infants School, in Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, when it was included in the Department
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School receives national accolade
YEARS of hard work has brought Hindley Green Community Primary School an Investors in People award. The school began to show an interest in the scheme four years ago and has been striving to meet the national standard ever since. The assessment in March
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MP joins fight against closure
TOP-level negotiations are being lined up in an attempt to avert the loss of 250 jobs at Ingersoll-Rand's Hindley Green engineering works. Shop floor workers at the compressor plant went on a one-day strike yesterday and office workers are to hold a ballot
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Ex-teacher puts energy back into borough
FORMER Golborne teacher Nick Burdekin has joined Wigan's highly successful People and Places Programme. Nick, 27, taught at All Saints Primary School in Golborne before changing career and taking a Masters Degree in environmental resources at Salford
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New suite lets every pupil use a computer
A JUNIOR school's new state-of-the-art computer suite was officially opened this week - after a term of use. The event was organised to say thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of the project. Headteacher at Newchurch CP, Culcheth, Maureen
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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Greater than Gold
A YOUNG man went to visit his grandfather. When the time came for him to leave, the old man said, "Tom, I may not see you again before I die so I'd like to give you some money and a Bible." Tom thanked him and went back to his home. He put the Bible in
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Coach helps body builders find their recipe for success
BUSINESSMAN Paul Crook is a huge figure in the body building world. But there's one person who is even bigger -- Mr Britain and now World Champion, Paul Sutton. Mr Crook, who owns Leigh-based Powerbeck, supplies sports nutrition for body building from
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Photographer frightens children in park
A MOTHER is warning parents to be vigilant after a stranger photographed her son playing near their Astley home. Mother of two Julie Smith, 34, said a man took pictures of her ten-year-old son, Shane, as he played on a rope swing with friends. The swing
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Foolish people
DURING the 1922-24 outbreak of foot and mouth, the large stock of animals on the Duke of Westminster's estate was divided, the healthy separated from the diseased animals, who were treated with a mixture of Stokholm tar and salt. The afflicted were cured
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Tea dances off to whirling start
THE larger-than-life Roly Polys were on hand to celebrate the launch of daily afternoon tea dances at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool on Wednesday (June 27) -- and fundraisers from the Macmillan Windmill Appeal were the delighted recipients of the event's
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LAST call for competition
YOUTH groups and schools across Wyre need to hurry if they want to register for this year's Blake Shield competition. Supported by Professor David Bellamy, the competition aims to reward those who recognise the importance of being environmentally aware
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Casinos Jobs Bonanza
TURNING Blackpool into a Las Vegas-style resort could create 13,000 jobs. Research carried out by Pion Economics, and published by Leisure Parcs, claims that 3,000 new jobs will immediately be created by a resort casino-hotel and the longer term development
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Arty crafty!
A FYLDE art student has been selected to show her work at an arts industry exhibition in London. Caroline Murphy, 34, who lives in Singleton, graduates tomorrow (Friday) from her honours degree in pattern and crafts at the University of Central Lancashire
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Give us our bus back!
SOUTH Shore pensioners are slamming a bus company's decision to axe a local service. Angry residents of Molyneux Drive say they can no longer get to the shops on Highfield Road and have sent a petition to Blackpool Transport asking for the No 25 bus route
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'Come back into the fold'
CHURCH leaders are appealing to a Preston family, who turned their backs on the Catholic Church, to return to the fold where they will be welcomed with open arms. The Parkes, from Bamber Bridge, had been regular churchgoers and faithful parishioners of
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Medic was threatened with knife at emergency
A PARAMEDIC who answered an emergency medical call at Mark Wogden's home was threatened with a knife. Blackburn magistrates heard that Wogden later appeared at a bedroom window, his face and stomach covered in blood and still carrying the 8in kitchen
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Banned driver caught twice in 48 hours
KRISTOFER Marc Parkinson was caught driving while disqualified three times in two days. Blackburn magistrates heard that it was a case of going from one extreme to another for the 18-year-old with no previous convictions. And his actions, coupled with
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Real-life Herbie and his Beetle mania
A REAL-LIFE Herbie and his VW Beetle are set to be parted after more than 22 years and 48,000 miles together. Herbert Cotton bought his beloved bright orange bug from a neighbour in 1979 and although he has taken it on magical mystery tours all over the
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Eddie named among elite
BLACKBURN referee Eddie Wolstenholme has been named in the first group of 24 elite football officials to benefit from the advent of professionalism. The newly-formed Professional Game Match Officials Board has released the names of the Select Group of
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Patriotism from pen of Dr Johnson
THE two anonymous letter writers in last week's Citizen reminded me of Doctor Johnson's famous saying "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel". Nough said. Edwin M.Rimmer, Lawsons Road, Thornton Cleveleys.
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Don't take pets away
NOW that the new pet passport scheme is in operation, may I appeal to pet owners who are planning to take their pet abroad on holiday this year to please think twice before doing so. Cats and dogs, like humans, like to explore their surroundings and if
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Remember when a plane struck a ship
I AM seeking information about a ship/trawler, the mast of which was struck by an RAF aircraft when the vessel was off Wyre Point, Fleetwood. The incident occurred at 2-3pm, between January 18 and February 11 1943. Two RAF aircraft flew on a firing exercise
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A resounding victory
THE election is over and the Labour Party has been returned to office for a second term by a resounding victory. We have seen history in the making. A government returned with virtually the same large majority has not happened in modern times. The three
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'Come back into the fold'
CHURCH leaders are appealing to a Preston family, who turned their backs on the Catholic Church, to return to the fold where they will be welcomed with open arms. The Parkes, from Bamber Bridge, had been regular churchgoers and faithful parishioners of
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So do we ban weedkiller?
IN 1996, Thomas Hamilton entered Dunblane Primary School and used pistols to kill 16 children and a teacher. As a result, the Government "banned" pistols. In 1995, Timothy McVeigh blew up the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma, killing 168 people,
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Bus campaign was a loser
JOHN Walsh, who was the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Bury North, turned the loss of the 560 bus service for Tottington residents into an election campaign. Now, nearly 12 months since the campaign began, the residents are still without their
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Just tell them they can't drive!
DRIVING instructor Keith Scranage condemns the unsatisfactory practice of people teaching their relatives how to drive (Your Letters, June 12) but I wonder if driving schools are as satisfactory as Mr Scranage implies. Recently, there have been several
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Hill "closure": MP must act
I WRITE in full support of Colin Gilmour's letter (June 15) regarding the overdue re-opening of paths on Holcombe Moor. Recently I visited the south west of Anglesey where several foot and mouth outbreaks occurred. I was not expecting to walk some of
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Moor closure: it's no bed of roses for us
I WRITE in reply to the letter from Mr C. Gilmour (Your Letters, June 15) regarding access restrictions in the Holcombe area. Holcombe Hill is open to the public and has been open since Whitsun week-end. What remains closed is Holcombe Moor, which includes
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I think the wrong one left the Street
AFTER all the fuss about killing off Alma so quickly after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, I think the next Corrie character to go should be wimpy Ashley's wife Maxine, who has done nothing but whine on about babies for months. It's painful. She
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HAPPY hour goes on all afternoon at an Atherton pub. I noticed at the Wheatsheaf on Market Street's
Still, time flies when you're having fun, and empty hostelries have to do something to draw in the punters in these expensive times. On one holiday trip, a pint of bitter in a little pub cost over £2. It's no wonder there wasn't another sole in sight.
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Pencil pushers pass time over passed wind
I COULDN'T believe it when I read that an internal police investigation had been launched after a complaint was made against an officer who allegedly broke wind during a drugs raid at a London flat - and failed to apologise to the family living there.
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How stupid do they think we are?
IT really is about time those ring-in competitions for simpletons were stopped. All the questions could be answered by someone with an IQ of nought. I couldn't believe one on Challenge TV during the week "Who had a hit with Candle in the Wind" Elton -
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The sun does the most damage
THE dangers of the sun in causing skin cancer have been highlighted as we 'suffer' the hottest, muggiest days of the year. I was reading an article on the aging effects of the big yellow dot which said skin ages in two ways, one governed by genes and
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Disposable pets attitude is sickening
NOTHING upsets me more than animal cruelty, and I was sickened to learn this week that it is deep rooted in our society. What's happened to our reputation as animal lovers? The RSPCA has reported that during past year, it responded to 1.6 million calls
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Hands off
61PRESTON North End bosses are warning rival clubs that players are not for sale. The move comes after Wolverhampton Wanderers offered £3 million for PNE star striker Jon Macken. Two weeks ago Wolves revealed their interest in the young player by making
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Alliance side book play-off place
LEIGH'S Alliance side booked third spot in Division One and set up a play-off tussle with Oldham by hammering Keighley 58-10. The Centurions' second string were due to travel to Oldham last night (Thursday). Winger Andy Parker was the try hero, crossing
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Irish eyes smile
rDAVE Bradbury and Liam Bretherton emerged with reputations intact from the wreckage of Ireland's record 56-16 defeat by France in the baking heat of Albi on Tuesday. r The Leigh Centurions pair, survivors from last year's World Cup campaign, both played
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Turley reaches half-century
Leigh Centurions...38 Featherstone Rovers...17 WITH an impeccable sense of timing, Leigh showed why they are the stand-out team in the NFP and why Neil Turley can't be too far away from international recognition. As Great Britain coach David Waite watched
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Arrests after town centre gang fights
FIVE teenagers were arrested after violence broke out in Bury town centre on Wednesday (June 27). Between 25 and 30 people were involved in scuffles. Bottles and other missiles were thrown between gangs at the height of the trouble. A group of young Asian
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OPEN HOUSE: Evans gets lucky
EAST Lancashire's lone Tory MP Nigel Evans thought he had come unlucky thirteenth in the ballot for Private members Bills yesterday -- until he remembered that the post election parliamentary session was 18 rather than the normal 12 months. Usually only
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Swinton set for final fling
SWINTON go into their final game of the season at Dewsbury on Sunday without prop John Paul Doherty. Doherty has a suspected cruciate ligament injury, but Lions' coach Mike Gregory could have Phil Cushion available again, with Dale Holdstock poised to
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Shakers fans base launch
AN independent Bury FC supporters organisation will be officially launched at the Met Cafe Bar, Market Street, Bury, on Saturday at 3pm. BASE - Bury's Alternative Supporters Enterprise - has been set up by a dozen die-hard Shakers fans and has already
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Kirby gets a grip with Yorkshire
THE sky's the limit for Ainsworth cricketer Steven Kirby after he made a fairytale start to his career with Yorkshire. The strapping 6ft 5ins fast bowler grabbed seven wickets in the second innings on his debut against Kent. He has now signed a two-year
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Rams fortunes set to change?
RAMSBOTTOM have a great chance to turn their disappointing Lancashire League campaign around after reaching the Worsley Cup final. They booked their place following a 15-run triumph over Colne last Sunday setting up a tasty showdown at Rossendale Valley
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Glendon steps up player search
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH boss Kevin Glendon has stepped up his search for new players as he prepares for the start of pre-season training next week. Glendon is all set to sign former Plymouth and Macclesfield striker Richard Landon in time for the big kick-off
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Delight at day in the woods
HAVING spent a most enjoyable day in Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen, on Sunday, June 24, which brought back many memories of how Sundays used to be spent, we would like to thank the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen Brass Band and all who put in a great deal
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Drinking in public needs to be tackled
Though I agree with Mr Brierley (Letters 29/06/2001) that the smell of stale tobacco on ones' clothing is repungant, stale tobacco smells on clothes does not cause criminal damage, offence or injury. I think that drinking alcohol in public should be banned
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Death penalty in US none of your business
REGARDING the Rev Ian Robertson's opposition to the death penalty (LET, June 12), his feelings of disgust for the witnesses to Timothy McVeigh's execution are only acceptable as his personal opinion, but he may have felt differently if one of his children
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Weightlifter faces the ultimate battle
LIFE has never been easy for weightlifting champ Mike Pyke, but the past year has been the most painful for the wheelchair wonder. A year ago, the 34 year old, from Hindsford, was celebrating gold, having beaten the best in Britain. Within a month, he
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Life of Riley
SHE'S a household face, jolly and talented -- and Lisa Riley is bringing her special brand of warmth to Blackpool this summer. Best known as Emmerdale's outrageous Mandy Dingle, Lancashire lass Lisa will be hosting The Best of West End and Broadway at
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Keith Harris's new cult image
THE man with the duck is back! Long-time favourite Keith Harris is returning to the Grand Theatre this year in Blackpool's biggest ever summer show -- and he's bringing Orville and Cuddles with him. Keith will be one of the stars of the Grand's big summer
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Police seek hit-and-run
THE owner of a blue saloon is being hunted by police after it forced another car off the M60 at Whitefield. A red Fiat flipped onto its roof as a result of a collision with the mystery hit-and-run vehicle. The accident happened on Saturday evening (June
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Raiders target food store
THREE masked men are being hunted by police after robbing a Prestwich store. The raiders armed with monkey wrenches entered the Spar late store in Heywood Road at 10.25pm on Wednesday (June 27). Staff and a customer were threatened by the trio who searched
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Heat plea
PRIVATE tenants are freezing in winter because their draughty homes are "leaking" heat. So says MP David Chaytor, who is campaigning for better conditions in houses in Multiple occupation (HMOs). He wants the Government to set up a national scheme for
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Store robbed day after it opens
A NEW Prestwich supermarket has been robbed the day after it opened. A masked gang burst into the Lidl store in Bury New Road, Sedgley Park, as staff prepared to close the superstore after its second day trading. Four men, one of whom was armed with a
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Learning about life down on the farm.
IT'S one thing learning about life on the farm in books, but nothing beats a trip to the farmyard itself. That's what youngsters who attend Chapelfield Nursery experienced when they paid a visit to Smithills Open Farm. And pictured making friends with
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Cricket club future still a mystery
MYSTERY still surrounds the future of Radcliffe Cricket Club, following an extraordinary general meeting. Monday's (June 25) gathering was prompted by rumours that there were "hush hush" negotiations to sell the 109-year-old club's Racecourse ground to
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999 call woman tragedy
POLICE were today investigating the "suspicious" death of a pensioner who collapsed minutes after dialling 999 to report a confrontation with youths. Sheila Bridge, 62, of Lansbury Place, Nelson, collapsed soon after calling police about a group of youngsters
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Plans to remove risk of NW house flooding
PLANS to halve the number of North West homes at risk from sewer floods have been announced by United Utilities. The £29 million scheme, starting 12 months earlier than expected, will target more than 700 homes across the North West. Currently, there
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Shots fired at concert
GUNSHOTS were fired during Sunday's (June 24) open air Radio 1 concert in Heaton Park. Two men were later arrested by police in connection with the incident which happened as crowds made their way home. But police praised the behaviour of the pop fans
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It's a family affair
A HAIRDRESSING guru whose clients include Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Ivana Trump swapped his stateside salons for a visit to Radcliffe. British-born Charles Booth, whose name is as familiar as Max Factor in the USA and Canada, was in town to meet up
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Dad's anger over pram theft
A RADCLIFFE salon owner was left with a £100 bill after thieves broke into his wife's car and stole his baby's pram. Jon Cooper, who runs Jon Cooper Hair in Ainsworth Road, found the window of his wife Vicky's Ford Fiesta smashed outside their home in
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Rotary needs you, you, you!
A NEW image has left Radcliffe Rotary Club with the Blues. Incoming president David Beesley (53) has adopted the Blues Brothers' hit, Everybody Needs Somebody, to reflect his desire to boost membership. Mr Beesley, of Tottington Road, Bury, believes that
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Lion king Malcolm planshome "foreign" journey
MALCOLM Evans is the new lion king, having taken over the badge of office as new president of Bury Lions Club. And his major event during his presidential year in office will be to undertake a "foreign" trip in this country! Malcolm (57), of Pennington
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Come to the Street party!
LEIGH Centurions aim to send Tim Street towards retirement with a day he'll never forget. The Centurions are dedicating their final Northern Ford Premiership league game of the season to their long-serving and popular front rower whose career is coming
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A high old time at police open day
A CUDDLY constable literally dropped in to join the fun at Bury's cop shop. Constable Cub, GMP's force mascot, is pictured abseiling from the roof of the Irwell Street police headquarters during Sunday's (June 24) open day. Crowds revelled in the glorious
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Awarded school is class act
PUPILS and staff at All Hallows School in Preston are celebrating after scooping the coveted Beacon status. The prestigious accolade is given to schools which have achieved high standards in education. They are expected to be a guiding light for other
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Brains count for our Keith!
A FORMER Preston man, who helped to construct the town's bus station, has been hailed as one of the brightest people in Scotland. Brain-box Keith Yates OBE, 53, who is the chief executive of Stirling Council, was given a mention in the Scottish Herald
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Party time for heart man Frank
A LEYLAND man given just four-weeks to live is celebrating the anniversary of life-saving heart transplant surgery that gave him a second chance. This time last year Frank Barton, 51, was facing death after developing the heart disease Cardiomyopathy
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MBE shock for charity star Joan
A PRESTON volunteer is to be awarded an MBE after almost half-a-century of charity work. Joan Hardcastle, of Sharoe Bay Court, in Sharoe Green Lane, has worked with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) for most of her life. For 41 years she has
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Risks of body piercing are highlighted
POTENTIAL risks from body piercing are highlighted in a Burnley council campaign. Posters are leaflets are being distributed to doctors' surgeries, sixth form colleges, night clubs, youth centres and body piercing studios. The campaign is being carried
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Wife attacked by crazed knifeman
A MIDDLE-AGED woman faced 'every householder's worst nightmare' when a crazed knifeman turned up at her home at midnight. Burnley Crown Court heard how Josephine Devereux feared for her life as she was dragged across the road at knifepoint by paranoid
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Players being groomed for summer success
HEARD the one about the Princess who married an ape? If you venture into Williamson's Park this summer to see the Dukes' adaptation of the classic Arabian Nights - all will be magically revealed. But, be warned, the tale of the groom who breaks wind at
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New cash available for green ideas
IF YOU'VE got a great idea to help improve your local environment then cash may be available to help make your idea a reality. Community groups and individuals across the district can now get a helping hand to improve the local environment, thanks to
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Lancaster life through a lens
ORDINARY life in a little English City - that's the theme of an exciting new book by a Lancaster-based photographer. Dave Clark's photographic documentary of life in Lancaster and Morecambe at the turn of the millennium is a fascinating glimpse into the
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Outrage at priest's offences
A 66-year-old catholic priest who admitted sexually abusing five boys 25 years ago has been jailed for two and a half years. Franics Bligh abused the boys, aged between 11 and 15, at St Mary's College, Grange-over-Sands. Preston Crown Court heard how
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Gas pipe work to begin
GAS pipeline works costing £300,000 will be carried out in Foulridge during the next couple of months. Temporary traffic lights will be put in place while Transco replaces a 1,500 metre length of gas main along Skipton Road as part of a multi-million
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999 call woman tragedy
POLICE were today investigating the "suspicious" death of a pensioner who collapsed minutes after dialling 999 to report a confrontation with youths. Sheila Bridge, 62, of Lansbury Place, Nelson, collapsed soon after calling police about a group of youngsters
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Plucky performance hold on for draw
Morecambe 220-5 Preston 159-8 PRESTON hung on for a draw as Morecambe's failure to clinch victory cost them in their bid to keep the pressure on at the top of the Northern Premier League. Morecambe last week moved to within a point of leaders and reigning
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Park project
PLANS to transform the existing crazy golf course in Victory Park in Barnoldswick into a wheel park could be given the go-ahead by councillors on Tuesday. A sub group was formed to develop the idea of a wheel park following a public meeting in May. The
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Shop owners sold cigs to boy, 14
TWO shop owners in Colne were each given a six month conditional discharge after an undercover Trading Standards operation revealed they had sold cigarettes to children under the age of 16. Lancashire Trading Standards carried out the investigations in
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WEST SIDE STORY, at the Palace Theatre, Manchester
WHEN West Side Story first opened in 1957 it shocked the Broadway audiences who had never before been subjected to such matter in the theatre. Yet the gritty realism of gang warfare, segregation within the community and murder stood the test of time and
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Bands beat retreat
MILITARY music swept through Preston at the weekend as some of the country's top military bands turned out for this year's Beating Retreat at Fulwood Barracks. Hundreds of members of the public rubbed shoulders with former and serving soldiers as they
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Five years ago
A FURIOUS patient walked out of a dental practice in disgust after he was refused treatment unless he forked out £25 in advance. Jeffrey Knott, 45, of Spingfield Road, Great Harwood, had suffered a weekend of agony with an abscess. He was refused any
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Ten years ago
A HUNDRED Iraqi soldiers surrendered when they faced soldier Ian Dewsnap and his mechanical digger. The Gulf War adventure happened when Ian, 21, from Walton-Le-Dale, found himself cut off without support as he prepared the way for allied tanks. He received
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Mum-of-four in asbestos fear
A SINGLE mother-of-four is worried an asbestos garage at the bottom of her garden could be damaging the health of her children. Saffron McGurke, 35, of Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington feels unable to stop her kids and others from using the derelict garage
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Budding bard reaches finals
A TEN-year-old budding poet has fought off 2,000 rivals to reach the final of a writing competition. Matthew Finch, of Bickershaw CE School, is in line for the Top Poet title in a borough competition with a 'Beginnings and Endings' theme. He was inspired
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Pat's pence to attack disease
A WOMAN who beat breast cancer has launched her own charity to help others become survivors, too. Pat Counsell, of Somerset Road, Rishton, is in the 74 percent of women who have survived the disease, but the fate of the other 26 percent played on her
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MP wants better care for women
NEW Leigh new MP Andy Burnham is backing a bid to improve treatment for women who suffer from painful gynaecological disorders. Mr Burnham has agreed to join an all-party Parliamentary group lending support for better facilities and a quicker diagnosis
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THE JOURNAL SAYS: Congratulations!
A THOUSAND cheers for the record breakers from White Watch at Leigh Fire Station, who turned their hand to lighting fires rather than preventing them -- all in the name of charity. In a ten-minute flurry of burning wicks and molten wax the team -- set
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My experiences with boys in blue
WHILST outspoken, I am not known as a particularly criminal person. Yet, I have probably encountered the police more than Mr Still. Thus I relate my experiences. Two years ago I committed the grievous crime of parking in a disabled space outside the infirmary
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Fitness duo get awards
STAFF at Thornton Sports Centre were celebrating this week after hearing that they had picked up two prestigious awards. Community Leisure Services Ltd, a national charitable company managing some 20 facilities across the country, gave recognition to
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Royal opening for football museum
THE new National Football Museum got Royal treatment last Thursday, June 21, when it was officially opened by the Duke of Kent. Some of the sport's great personalities attended the ceremony at Preston's Deepdale ground, including legendary England and
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Laboour's record speaks for itself
Dear Sir, Peter Turner (letter 15/7/01) seems to have a very short memory and an ostrich-like ability not to recognise the changes brought about by a Labour Government. He has forgotten what living in our communities was like before 1997. Under the Tories
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THE area's litter louts are getting no tidier.
Top of the rubbish spots on a recent tour around the main roads of the area were Elliott Street, Tyldesley, and Plank Lane, Leigh, up to the bend. They were awash with discarded trash - a disgrace.
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Fence splits opinion
WORKMEN will be erecting a one-metre high fence along the Millennium Cycleway to create a new path for horse riders. The plans to create a fenced-off bridleway have upset local residents who claim it will urbanise the countryside even further. But the
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Pool's ambition
SURVIVAL in the Second Division is the first aim for Blackpool FC's management team which will have to prove the bookies wrong to mount a second successive promotion bid. Pool assistant manager Mark Seagraves admits the first task for the Tangerines is
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Just the job!
A COMPANY award is just the job for a local woman. Ann Swire has taken second place in the "Employee of the Year" awards at jmc.it, one of the north's leading IT specialists. The company, a division of JM Computing of Manchester, provides IT solutions
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Euro money boosts training
EUROPEAN money is helping enhance education and training for Bury companies and individuals. Now, thanks to the finance, Bury College has delivered 14 key projects this year to more than 600 learners. The projects were financed through the European Social
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New business service is credit to library
COMPANY bosses in Bury need not keep their fingers crossed any longer in the hope that a client will pay them. Thanks to Bury Library, they can now utilise a massive computer database to check the creditworthy details of a staggering seven million UK
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Getting hitched to a business winner
WHEN bride-to-be Karen Smith scoured shops in vain to buy a once-worn wedding dress, little did she know she was walking down the aisle to a new business. The fact no shops in Bury or Manchester stocked nearly new wedding gowns acted as a springboard
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Cracking club day!
LYTHAM Club Day was a roaring success last Saturday with people turning up in droves to soak up the summer sun and enjoy all kinds of colourful floats in the procession. Crowds lined the streets to see the parade, whose highlights included the beautiful
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LOCAL CRICKET: Chorley in regional final
CHORLEY play the regional final of the National Knockout tomorrow against Northern Premier League rivals Blackpool which is sure to attract a bumper crowd. Already twice winners of the final at Lords in the mid-90s, Chorley are making their sixth appearance
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Pro Kent loses fight for fitness
LOWERHOUSE professional Jon Kent has lost his fitness fight and is returning to South Africa. The Kwa-Zula-Natal all-rounder has missed the Transco Lancashire League club's last nine games with a hip tendon injury and despite intensive treatment has shown
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This year has got to be Harwoods
GREAT Harwood's Paul Houldsworth is finding his first year as skipper at the Jennings Ribblesdale League title contenders tough going. Especially when everyone keeps reminding him that the last time they won the league was in 1900..... Everybody talks
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Last resort for Stan
MAVERICK soccer ace Stan Collymore could well be lining up at Christie Park next season. Collymore, twice transferred for £8million plus, held talks with Boston United this week. Before any deal is done however, the 'retired' star must settle a contract
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Blackpool pier jump false alarm
LIFEBOATS, police helicopters and coastguards were called out on an early morning search to find a woman who had jumped off a Blackpool pier this week -- only to discover it was a false alarm. Police at Blackpool received a call at about 2.05am yesterday
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Not making a packet
THE cancellation of the TT Races because of the foot and mouth epidemic has caused heavy losses for ferry company Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Compared to the same period in 2000, May's passenger figures were down by 57,104 and vehicles numbers were
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Group lobby for Saudi inmate
A LANCASTER man who has been sentenced to 500 lashes in Saudi Arabia may have to wait years to see if the sentence is carried out. Human Rights group Amnesty International also say that they have had unconfirmed reports that Mr Hawkins and some of his
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It's Elemental for charity girl
LANCASTER girl Adele Burrow is holding a last fundraiser at Elemental for her summer charity trip to Namibia. Adele still needs a final £400 for the trip, having already raised more than £3,000 and she has persuaded Bradford band Leafeater to help her
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Vandals strike for fifth time
A MORECAMBE man is facing up to the task of tidying up his mother's back yard after vandals struck for the fifth time. Kevin Robertshaw is in the process of trying to sell the house at Granville Road, Morecambe. But, on Sunday night or Monday morning,
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MP pledges support for group
LOCAL MP, Geraldine Smith this week expressed her support for people both with dementia and their carers in Morecambe and Lunesdale, in the run up to Alzheimer's Awareness Week. The theme of the week, which will run until July 7, is "Everyday Matters"
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Huge increase in patient complaints
THERE has been a 160 per cent increase in the number of complaints made by patients receiving treatment from Morecambe Bay Health Authority over the last four years. The record total of 561 complaints for this year, 2000/2001, included concerns expressed
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Davis blast!
RONNIE Davis was the match-winner with bat and ball as Leigh CC completed a fine victory at Colwyn Bay. Leigh won the toss and put Colwyn Bay in. By the 11th over they had been reduced to 22-4 through a fine opening spell of 1-18 from Davis and 3-4 by
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A high old time at police open day
A CUDDLY constable literally dropped in to join the fun at Bury's cop shop. Constable Cub, GMP's force mascot, is pictured abseiling from the roof of the Irwell Street police headquarters during Sunday's (June 24) open day. Crowds revelled in the glorious
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Disappointment over traffic accident deaths
THE head of Bury's traffic unit has expressed his disappointment over the borough's latest accident figures. Seven people, including a six-year-old boy, were killed during the period from April 2000 to March 2001. The death toll the previous year numbered
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Roots problem as sewage hits pub cellar
PUB couple Craig and Deborah Mansell are kicking up a stink after their beer cellar was flooded with raw sewage three times. The couple, who run the White Boar Hotel, Radcliffe Road, Bury, claimed the council were slow to act after they were forced to
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Night vigil to trap firebug
VILLAGERS in Summerseat are keeping a nightly vigil to catch a serial arsonist terrorising their homes. On Monday and Tuesday (June 25-26) the firebug struck again and only days after an appeal by police for help in tracing the culprit before a life is
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School blasted by Ofsted
A SCHOOL has been put on "special measures" in a bid to improve standards. A scathing Ofsted report, the second in a year, says Higher Lane Junior School in Whitefield is "failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education". Teachers themselves
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Clarets facing competition
PORTSMOUTH are hopeful of luring Peter Crouch away from a possible move to Turf Moor. The big striker is on his way out of Queens Park Rangers and Burnley are among those who have shown their hand. The Clarets are thought to have been in negotiations
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Mahon signs up
MIDFIELDER Alan Mahon today became Rovers' third summer signing when he completed a permanent move to Ewood Park. The former Tranmere Rovers midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell from Sporting Lisbon last season as he helped Rovers clinch promotion
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Freelance staff holiday victory
COMPANIES will have to give paid holidays to short-term and freelance staff following a ruling from the European Court of Justice. Broadcast union BECTU challenged legislation that says workers are not entitled to holidays unless they work continuously
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Prize pizzas
LANCASHIRE pizza-maker Schwan's Europe won an unprecedented hat-trick of awards at the British Frozen Food Federation annual dinners. The company, which employs more than 400 people at Leyland, swept the board in the best new pizza/pasta category, winning
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Warning over insurance crash
BLACKBURN-based insurance brokers Warren Hill have warned commercial policyholders with the collapsed Independent Insurance Group that they may no longer be covered. The company says it has been swamped by calls from worried policyholders after the insurer
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Lesson in success from universities
THE expertise of universities throughout the North West is now available to business and industry in East Lancashire. And for go-ahead company bosses who want to grow their business substantially, there will be a free lunchtime seminar on Tuesday. The
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Annual meeting
MEEBROW Community Centre annual meeting will be held at 7pm on July 18 at the centre off Warrington Road, Culcheth.
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Car destroyed in blaze
A STOLEN F-registration Vauxhall Belmont was destroyed after being set on fire at 2.30am yesterday in a car park outside the Spar store in Borsdane Avenue, Hindley.
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Family appeal for dog's return
A FOUR-year-old boy is still pining for his dog which went missing more than month ago. Kyle Dooley became distraught when his Staffordshire bull terrier, Bowlo, disappeared while his father Chris, 31, was decorating the family home in Croal Avenue, Platt
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Clampdown on crime
WIGAN Council's Housing Department is sending out a clear and stern message to tenants who get involved in crime. The council has obtained a suspended possession order on a property in Millers Lane, Platt Bridge, which means that if the tenant, Lynne
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Daws' future set to be decided
THE protracted Nick Daws transfer saga could become a lot clearer in the next few days. The Shakers skipper - in his ninth year at Gigg Lane - becomes a free agent after Sunday and could leave the club on a Bosman should he so wish. An option for another
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Jazz parade appeal
FREE workshops are being held tomorrow for anyone who would like to take part in the borough jazz festival parade on July 14. The sessions, from 1pm-4pm at Wigan Pier, provide the opportunity to work with artists from Action Factory Community Arts to
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A lot in store for children
SUPERMARKET staff from Leigh's Asda and members of the Chernobyl Children's charity have joined forces to organise a charity bingo evening. Tonight's event, which will raise funds for children who have been orphaned or disabled by the Chernobyl nuclear
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Appeal calls for more hosts
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to host French visitors from Wigan's twin town of Angers. Members of the Twinning Commission are due to visit from the Loire Valley town between August 24 and 28. Ambassador Lucie Duverger is looking for people who might be
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Going green will help children
GREENFINGERED locals are being given the opportunity to indulge their passion while raising money for a good cause. ChildLine is holding an open garden event between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday, July 8, in order to help ChildLine North West answer more calls
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School has its own showroom
A PUBLIC-private partnership has come together to provide first-class facilities at Westleigh High School. ABK Ltd, which leases cookers and microwaves, and design Food Technology classrooms for schools, has refurbished Westleigh's Food Technology room
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Courses will help create dream homes
"CHANGING Rooms" courses have been a big hit at Wigan and Leigh College. Now new people with designs on creating a dream home have the chance to learn all the creative skills needed. The college has organised courses available at all levels, from basic
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On yer bike for charity
TRAINING is commencing for the Sahara Challenge, which is to take place next year in aid of Mencap. The multi-discipline, seven-day event involves a combination of mountain biking, running, scrambling, 4x4 off-road driving, navigation and a mystery challenge
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A touch of rustic charm comes town
RURAL crafts were all the rage when experts in the arts showed their skills down Astley Green. Charcoal burning, bird box making and basket weaving were some of the features which made Saturday one to remember at Whitehead Hall Meadow, off Lower Green
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Second cause for a big celebration
A SCHOOL which last week announced it is to become the first language college in East Lancashire now has a second reason for celebration. All Saints' RC High School, Rawtenstall, has not won a languages for export award for schools in the north west.
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Charlotte dances off with title
LITTLE Charlotte Lowndes has danced off with a British title after just 11 months of competition. The seven-year-old Apple Dance pupil lifted the British Isles U8 Championship Disco Section trophy at Prestatyn recently. Charlotte, of Waterview Park, Leigh
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Wardens try to stamp out dog mess
DAWN patrols are catching out irresponsible dog owners who don't clean up after allowing their pets to foul the pavements. Since Wigan Council's crackdown last October, 20 people have been issued with £25 fixed-penalty notices. If they fail to pay, they
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Neighbours fear for homes
A CONTROVERSIAL planning application in an over-crowded village could impact on the foundations of properties already built. Residents of Heald Close in Weir have been told that a plan to build 42 homes on the former Irwell Springs Mill Site off Heald
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Scheme will keep litter louts out
A BIG clean-up has signalled the start of a village grot spot's transformation in to a leafy woodland. Bickershaw will soon be fringed by a branch of the Red Rose Forest, which involves clearing the derelict 75-acre Barlows Farm site, currently a haven
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Crowds flock to garden party
FUN in the sun was the name of the game last weekend at Bents Garden Centre's third annual garden party. The event was a huge success, attracting hundreds of visitors to the Warrington Road nursery in Glazebury. Hanging basket demonstrations, a plant
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Councillors' surgeries
COUNCILLORS serving on Wigan MBC will hold the following public surgeries: FRIDAY, June 29: Howe Bridge Sports Centre (6-7) B Splaine. SATURDAY, June 30: Atherton Town Hall (9.30-11.30) R Holmes, Mrs S Loudon; St Richard's playgroup (9.30-11.30) B Splaine
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Court gives green light to controversial housing plan
A LENGTHY planning battle has ended with developers being given the go-ahead for building at a wildlife oasis. A High Court decision has quashed Wigan Council's objection to a planning inspector's ruling regarding building 81 homes at Taylor's Hole, off
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VETERAN Bas presents his trophy to Ben and Andrea.
Bas hits the right note with kids VIOLINIST Bas Barker decided to reward amateur theatricals of note. Keen to encourage young members of the Three Towns Operatic Society, the long-serving professional musician decided to donate a trophy to the best newcomer
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Two boys injured as car mounts pavement
By Teri Jones POLICE have renewed warnings about the dangers of joyriding after two boys were injured in a hit-and-run accident this week. The youngsters, Daniel Long, 12, and 14-year-old Christopher Unsworth, were knocked down in Smiths Lane, Hindley
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Cops renew call for cash
TEN million pounds per year is thought to be needed to keep Greater Manchester policing at its consistently high standard. Now Greater Manchester Police Authority is lobbying for extra cash after finding that, despite having one of the highest workloads
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Has Rotary started a growing trend?
THE first allotment to allow access for disabled people has opened in Blackpool -- with help from Marton Rotary Club. The plot, at Cherry Tree Allotments, Cherry Tree Road, has a specially adapted pathway, greenhouse and foundations which will enable
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Pool safety rap for hotels
BLACKPOOL hotels have been accused of being apathetic about the safety of their swimming pools. A "Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools" document issued by the Environment Agency warns hotels to improve poolside supervision, cut pool depths or
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Down Your Street
BLACKPOOL South Conservative Association is holding a Summer Lunch on July 8 at the Gables Hotel, Balmoral Road, where people should meet at 12.30pm for 1pm. Tickets cost £10.50 and everyone is welcome. For more details contact Margaret on 406317 ALL
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Assault terror for two girls
TWO nine-year-old girls were indecently assaulted and threatened by a man as they walked on a pathway near St Anthony's Place in Blackpool. The man was sitting in a gold-coloured car with a lion emblem on the front as a group of girls passed by. He then
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Outrageous!
A DIRECTOR of the company that charges a fee to grade old people's care homes in Blackpool has branded as "outrageous" the accusations that fellow company director Steve Pullan -- also the chief of Blackpool social services -- has a conflict of interests
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Cocaine dealer hid drug outside school
A COCAINE dealer who hid his £300 stash outside Blackburn's Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, is awaiting sentence. Imran Hussain, 23, was found guilty of possessing 14 wraps of the drug, with intent to supply after a two day trial, at Burnley Crown Court
