Archive
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Villages need soul to survive
IT has been famously said that markets cannot be bucked, but the bid by council chiefs to intervene in the one for sought-after homes in East Lancashire's high-priced Ribble Valley is one that deserves to succeed. For they plan to ring-fence the future
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A move in the right direction
MAY I thank all the people who voted for our party on June 7. It takes time to establish a party capable of winning seats and we are moving in the right direction. Many people trusted their eurosceptic vote to a party which, within 24 hours of the result
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Blatant bias is not acceptable
ITAKE exception to the remarks in your Opinion column (LET, June 25) insinuating that the British National Party may have been in some way connected to the violence which erupted over the previous weekend in Burnley. In all the years I have been associated
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Segregation is not the way forward
WHERE does Burnley go from here? Fearing for personal safety and increasing the risk of segregation between Asian and white people in the town is certainly not the way to go. Innocent people are being caught in the crossfire of minorities from both communities
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Clinton makes it one for the album
A FAMILY break started in style for one Bury family with a holiday snap to knock the stars and stripes off all the rest. Portugal-bound David and Doreen Willis, of Springside View, Bury, were sitting in the departure lounge at Manchester Airport with
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Sexually assualted by driver
DETECTIVES are hunting a taxi driver who sexually assaulted an 18-year-old female passenger. The terrified girl was left in a distressed state after her nightmare car ride during the early hours of Saturday morning (June 30). Her ordeal started when she
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Scrambler bikes roar through estate
POLICE are on the trail of young motorbike scramblers riding through a housing estate. Worried parents have complained to police about the safety of their children after youths have been roaring along footpaths and ginnels on the Whittingham Drive estate
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Hospital move "critical"
A HUGE operation to close Bury General and relocate services to Fairfield Hospital has reached a critical stage. Visitors to the Rochdale Old Road complex are being asked to take heed of signs leading to various departments. The centralisation of services
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Number's up for plate!
BURY'S mayoral limo has got a new registration number after losing its historic plate. For 40 years the vehicles used by the Mayor for his official duties have carried EN 1, the first Bury motor registration number to be issued. Recently, family descendants
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Historic buildings in jeopardy
FIVE historic buildings, four of which are located in Heaton Park face a threat to their future. For they are deemed to be "at risk" in a new report published by English Heritage. They are the Grand Lodge, Heaton Hall, Smithy Lodge and the Temple. Lower
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Signing up
ROVERS midfielder Craig Hignett will be at the Rover the Moon club shop to meet fans and sign autographs when Blackburn launch their new-look away kit on Friday.
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Grayson may be County bound
OUT-of-favour defender Simon Grayson is thought to have attracted the attention of Second Division Reading, although Stockport County still look favourites to secure the services of the player who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Edgeley Park last season
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New group aims to cater
A NEW community group to promote cultural, sports and arts facilities in the Daneshouse and Stoneyholme areas of Burnley was being launched today. Various dignitaries, civic and community leaders, the police, Burnley Council officials and the director
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Mercy mission led to driving ban
A DRINK driver caught at around midnight was on the way to see a friend who had taken an overdose, a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told how Anthony Riddle, 21, had not intended to drive but felt he would be fine to get behind the wheel. Riddle
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Children held on death charge
SIX children aged between ten and 15 were remanded in custody after appearing in court on charges of manslaughter. The four boys, aged ten, 11, 14 and 15, and two girls, aged 12 and 13, were charged with the manslaughter of 62-year-old Nelson pensioner
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Newlove operation today
ST Helens centre Paul Newlove will undergo an Achilles tendon operation today which will rule him out for the rest of the season. The inspirational Newlove suffered the injury in the champions' surprise 34-28 defeat at Hull on Saturday. Saints now trail
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Golf Club's 1907 trophy for auction
AN antique trophy, originally played for at Accrington Golf Club in 1907, will go under the auctioneer's hammer. The silver trophy, expected to fetch up to £1,500 at Sotheby's in London, was last heard of when it was offered to the club prior to auction
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Burglar sent to prison for 12th offence
A HOUSE-breaking "lookout," with 11 previous convictions for burglary at people's homes, is behind bars for two years. Burnley Crown Court heard police found drug addict Christopher Ankers, 25, armed with a screwdriver. He claimed he was trying to be
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Rundown pavilion revamp plans are unveiled
THE plans to transform Blackburn's rundown Waterloo Pavilions were unveiled today. And Nigel Haworth, who owns the famous Northcote Manor in Langho, was today confirmed as the operator behind the new look restaurant/bar which will occupy the revamped
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Arrest after protest outside club
ALEXANDER Peter Jackson took an indignant stance against police officers he felt had ignored his complaint of assault by a doorman at a Whalley nightclub. But when his stance took him into the middle of the road officers rapidly ended the protest by arresting
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'Sell to locals' plea
PLANS are being drawn up to force people moving out of Ribble Valley council houses to sell to local people to prevent the area becoming a collection of dormitory towns and holiday homes. The move by Ribble Valley Council comes amid concern that sky-high
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Johnrose makes an early start
CLARETS midfielder Lennie Johnrose has booked himself into pre-season training a week early as he battles to win back his first-team place. Johnrose hasn't played since the middle of Feburary because of Achilles and ankle problems. But after two bouts
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CRICKET: Crawley inspires
LANCASHIRE coach Bob Simpson today hailed John Crawley's gutsy and timely return to form -- and the team's 'most pleasing performance' in the Australian's two seasons at Old Trafford. Crawley hit an unbeaten 84, his best score of the summer which thrust
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Regulars dig deep
STAFF and customers from the White Bear Inn, Gisburn Road, Barrowford, have been digging deep into their pockets to help notch up £52 for the Children's Asthmatic Support Trust. The money was raised from a raffle.
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Pub is enjoying taste of success - with its coffee
A NELSON pub is enjoying the success of its fastest-growing drink - coffee! Pubs chain JD Wetherspoon's has seen sales of the beverage increase by 25% to 50% in 500 of its venues. John Clayton, manager of the chain's Station Freehouse, Nelson, has been
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Hospital staff in "work to rule" protest
MEDICAL secretaries who provide vital support to Bury's top hospital doctors are to take industrial action in protest at their working conditions. A leaked memo to the Bury Times revealed that the team of medical secretaries with Bury Health Care NHS
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Rapist jailed for life could be freed in seven years
A TV director who helped catch Radcliffe rapist George Heyes has told of her disgust that he could be freed in less than seven years. Yesterday we revealed that former fire officer Heyes, who was sacked from his job as acting Assistant Divisional Officer
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Lorraine and Anne have pride
RECEPTIONISTS Anne Woods and Lorraine Holden will have broader smiles than normal behind their desk at Initial Electronic Security in Blackburn. They have been chosen ahead of thousands of other Rentokil Initial employees on the company's 'Be Proud' roll
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£6.2m takeovers fund is launched
SUPPORT services specialist Enterprise plc has launched a £6.2 million fund to finance a series of takeovers. The Leyland-based company, which delivers services for the utilities and local authorities, has placed an additional 3, 284,180 shares on the
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Recruit warning
RECRUITMENT experts have warned that a new breed of "mercenary candidates" is operating in the North West, cashing in on low unemployment and an abundance of vacancies. Clerical and IT jobs are being particularly hit as staff job-hop in search of better
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Farewell to the Friends I will never have
FRIDAY nights just won't be the same without Friends. Whether teenage, twenty-something or middle-aged, the show has become an institution, a Friday evening ritual that viewers look forward to throughout the week. Not that I, personally, can relate to
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Boxer, strongman and bone man
A VETERAN artist is putting the finishing touches to an exhibition which features three colourful characters from his town's past. Bob Lakey, 70, of Carr Road, Darwen, is to display up to 17 pencil drawings of real people at Darwen Library from August
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Display marks year of creative working
DERWENT Hall Laptop Computers and Creative Writing Class will hold an exhibition of work and celebration of learning event next Tuesday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. The class started meeting at Derwent Hall, George Street, Darwen, in March 2000 and members
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Falcons threaten chimney workers
PEREGRINE falcons will not be returning to the landmark India Mill chimney in Darwen -- because they have never gone away. Avid peregrine watcher June Slater has warned that if contractors try to scale the chimney to carry out repairs, they could be attacked
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Mayor's fund cash welcome
ENVIRONMENTAL projects undertaken by Stacksteads Riverside Park Group have received a welcome £300 boost from the Mayor of Rossendale's charity fund. During the Mayoral year of Coun David Hancock and his wife Denise, more than £9,000 was raised for charity
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Kids put us in the picture through high-tech
SNAP-happy youngsters armed with the latest digital technology will take to the streets this week putting parts of Blackburn in the frame. As part of Artweek, a project organised by Groundwork Blackburn, youngsters will go into the Bank Top area to create
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30-pint drinks binge led to police assault
HUSBAND and wife Michael and Pauline Moran ended up on the wrong side of the law after a mammoth drinking binge. Blackburn magistrates heard that Michael Moran estimated he had drunk between 20 and 30 pints of beer on a night out with his wife which ended
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Concern grows for vital fast rail route
A USERS watchdog is hoping that plans for a fast train route through East Lancashire are not derailed. The Blackburn and Bolton Line Rail Users' Group is worried that the so-called TransPennine Express 'roses rail link', which connects the Fylde Coast
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Knifeman gets leave to appeal
A MAN who hospitalised his ex-wife in a frenzied knife attack after she left him, won the first round of an Appeal Court bid yesterday to overturn his life sentence. Michael Whalley, 43, stabbed his ex-wife, Elaine, in the back as she walked to work,
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Armed thieves drag man from his car
A MAN who was dragged out of his Volvo and threatened with a monkey wrench before thieves drove off in the car today blasted police after it took them 45 minutes to show up. Steve Woolley, 41, of Pleasington, Blackburn, believes his high-powered Volvo
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GOLF: Furey hoping to play it again
PLEASINGTON professional Ged Furey is hoping to repeat his Open Championship feat of 13 years ago and qualify for this year's event at Lytham and St Annes. Back in 1988, Furey qualified for the world's most prestigious golf competition after regional
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LOCAL SOCCER: Blues can't wait for dream week
CLITHEROE manager Dave Burgess and his squad are champing at the bit as they prepare for a week of training at the Blackburn Rovers Academy. The North West Counties League Division One side are swapping places with the Rovers teenagers for seven days
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Wednesday, July 4
Blackburn Theatre Trust Charity Chop, Lord Street West, Blackburn, 10am-4pm. Illustrated talk by Pete Boardman, Rossendale Aviation Society, Haslingden Cricket Club, 8pm. Auction, bric-a-brac and small furnishings, All Saints' High School, Haslingden
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Store appeals for help
A STORE which has been burgled three times in the past two months is appealing for information in catching the culprits. Lomas Office Furniture on King Street, Blackburn, was broken into by thieves over the weekend who smashed through the back door .
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Indignation misplaced
REGARDING the riots in Burnley, my view is that the youth from both factions are just using the situation to engage in self-righteous anarchy. There is no doubt that both parties may have some legitimate grievances. However, most of these probably relate
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Writer echoes Hitler's views
GLADYS Robinson's attempt at trying to blame the recent riots in Burnley and Oldham on asylum seekers (Letters, June 29) was ridiculous. The fact remains that a few thousand people voted for the British National Party. Many may even have fought in the
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Oldham man will be new chief executive
TOWN hall bosses have appointed an Oldham man as the new chief executive of Bury Council. Mark Sanders will take over the £83,000-a-year job on October 1 from Dennis Taylor, who is taking early retirement. Mr Sanders said: "This is a fabulous honour for
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Armed thieves drag man from his car
A MAN who was dragged out of his Volvo and threatened with a monkey wrench before thieves drove off in the car today blasted police after it took them 45 minutes to show up. Steve Woolley, 41, of Pleasington, Blackburn, believes his high-powered Volvo
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'Sell to locals' plea
PLANS are being drawn up to force people moving out of Ribble Valley council houses to sell to local people to prevent the area becoming a collection of dormitory towns and holiday homes. The move by Ribble Valley Council comes amid concern that sky-high
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Farmers worried as paths reopen
AN ANGRY farmer has pleaded for common sense from walkers in the wake of the lifting of ALL restrictions on footpaths in the borough. The decision by Bury Council this week to open all on public rights of way has angered Mrs Jane Hilditch, of Harcles
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Pay-per-view games
ROVERS are to feature in two pay-per-view fixtures on Sky television in the early part of the season. Sky are to screen 40 Premiership fixtures for a paying audience and Rovers' home clash against champions Manchester United on Wednesday, August 22 (kick-off
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Blake chase gets hot
THE CHASE is hotting up for Blackburn striker Nathan Blake -- but Rovers are still waiting to see some cash on the table. Crystal Palace have been joined in the hunt for the Welsh international by another First Division club, thought to be Coventry City
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Child hurt in road accident
Eighteen month old Samuel James Lambert escaped with a fractured finger in a car accident in Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, near the junction with Teddar Avenue. The incident involved a Skoda Favorit driven by Susan Smits, 30, of Lowerhouse Lane. Samuel was
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Charity 'lens' its support
TWO hundred pairs of glasses have been presented to an international charity for use in Eastern Europe. The spectacles were handed over to the International Aid Trust by Kate Fragle, manager of the Parker Lane, Burnley, branch of Direkt Optik International
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Fury over 'eyesore' phone mast plan
PLANS for a massive mobile phone mast in a residential area of Burnley have been branded as completely out of order by newly-elected county councillor Marcus Johnstone. He is backing residents in the Cornfield Grove area off Padiham Road who are calling
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Man, 90 rescued from fire
A 90-year-old man was rescued by firefighters after a blaze in the kitchen of his home yesterday.. Aaron Gee, who lived alone in the house in Every Street, Nelson, left a chip pan unattended and it set on fire at 4.34pm. He was taken to Burnley General
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Ten years ago
TERRIFIED Accrington honeymooners were left prisoners in their hotel during a nightmare week in war-torn Yugoslavia. What should have been the best holiday of their lives turned into horror for newlyweds Janet and David Woodworth, of Fairfield Street,
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Five years ago
TWO ambulancemen made an unexpected delivery after a baby girl decided to make a dramatic entrance into the world. Don Cowman and Mick Whitham were called to Donna Bennett's home to discover she had gone into labour. They realised the 28-year-old, of
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Bikers' charity slog
DRINKERS at an Accrington club worked up a thirst when they cycled there from Blackpool. Regulars at the Sydney Street WMC were driven to the seaside town then left to pedal the 35 miles back, in order to raise funds for the Christie Hospital, Manchester
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Barman in fight taunt
POLICE called to a disturbance in Clitheroe town centre found a large crowd gathered and saw Gary Bolton shouting at someone to come out of a house in Wellgate and "have a go." Blackburn magistrates heard that when someone came to the door of the house
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Nail varnish explodes in woman's face
A WOMAN was taken to hospital yesterday after a bottle of nail varnish exploded in her face. Paramedics said the woman, in her early 40s -- who has not been named -- put the nail varnish in a microwave to soften it. Graham Bowen, of Lancashire Air Ambulance
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New deal on stand
BURNLEY have tied up a renewed sponsorship deal for the James Hargreaves Stand at Turf Moor. The North Stand will again bear the name of the plumbers' merchant after the Lancashire firm agreed to back the club for the 2001/2002 campaign. "How could we
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Arms up for more from the Jazzmen
PENDLE Jazzmen, the resident band at the Holden Arms, Grane Road, Haslingden, are extending their play dates from once a fortnight to every Friday following growing demand for their music. The Jazzmen are inviting a new season of special guests to play
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Action station for a sizzling summer line up
THERE will be lots of jazz and rhythm over the summer with an excellent line up of musical guests playing in Rawtenstall. The Rhythm Station, Rawtenstall, is welcoming the best-known and most respected stars of British jazz next Tuesday. All the music
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Sex attack former fire chief jailed for life
A FORMER fire officer from Radcliffe, convicted of a string of sex attacks on lone women, has begun a life sentence. George Heyes was responsible for a series of terrifying sex attacks on young women during an 18 months reign of terror between 1996-1997
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Blake chase gets hot
THE CHASE is hotting up for Blackburn striker Nathan Blake -- but Rovers are still waiting to see some cash on the table. Crystal Palace have been joined in the hunt for the Welsh international by another First Division club, thought to be Coventry City
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Johnrose makes an early start
CLARETS midfielder Lennie Johnrose has booked himself into pre-season training a week early as he battles to win back his first-team place. Johnrose hasn't played since the middle of Feburary because of Achilles and ankle problems. But after two bouts
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Course focuses on careers
THE University of Central Lancashire is offering a 12-week distance learning course to help people become their own career manager. The course is delivered in association with Learndirect and is free to people who enrol before the end of July. The University
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Company is now in takeover No. 4
FAST-GROWING Blackburn baker Inter Link Foods has completed its fourth takeover since the beginning of the year. The company has acquired William Lusty Limited, which sells a range of traditional sponge and fruitcakes to multiple retailers and superstores
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Judge warns of jail threat
THREE youths are awaiting sentence by Burnley Crown Court after admitting violence offences. Luke Pickering, 19, of Earnsdale Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, last August, while his twin brother Ryan, of
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Shakers chase George Best!
FORMER Manchester United legend George Best has been targeted to join the Shakers board writes Phil Thorp The former Northern Ireland superstar has been approached by the mystery consortium in the process of taking control of Bury Football Club. Best's
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40 screened for heart defects
A TOTAL of 40 people were screened for heart defects during special sessions held to help prevent further tragic deaths. The Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) weekend event at Darwen Access Point was in memory of David Staff and Neil Wickers. Both men died
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Holiday chaos, but spirits high
A COUPLE who were in the middle of a week-long holiday in Ibiza when the Balearic coach strike broke out today praised the way the situation is being handled. Frank and Valerie Hull, both retired, thought they would be caught up in chaotic delays as they
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Cancer victim's friends and family stage concert
A MUSIC school is to stage a concert to celebrate the life of a talented pupil who died of cancer. Jemma Smith, a pupil at Music for Families Music School, Centrepiece, Feilden Street, Blackburn, died aged nine in September 1999. Her friends, family and
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Fury at wait for hospital test results
A RETIRED clergyman has blasted health bosses after waiting for more than three weeks for the results of an endoscopy. William Coppack had the endoscopy - which enables doctors to look into a patient's stomach lining through a thin flexible tube passed
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Money trouble mother turned to theft
THE same day that she had been placed on probation for shoplifting in Rochdale, a Bacup woman went out and carried out a further theft, a court heard. Jacqueline Louise Mulcahy, 32, of Co-operation Street, admitted stealing three ladies tops worth £36
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Beware, Valley dog snatchers
PET owners are warned to be on their guard after a spate of incidents in the borough, when animals are believed to have been stolen. Dog warden David East, sounded the alert after five border collie puppies were stolen from Higher Walls Farm, Walls Clough
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Pupils get the point during week of art
CHILDREN at Audley Infants School, Queen's Park Road, Blackburn got their creative juices flowing during the Free For Art Week. Pupils were treated to a play about science, art and history by the Floating Point Science Theatre and shown how to make puppets
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Drinker is fined over race jibes
STEPHEN Pearson was arrested for shouting a racist comment after police had told him and his friends to move away from the entrance to Blackburn's Utopia nightclub. Blackburn magistrates heard the group had already been warned about their behaviour earlier
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Burglars and arsonists target schools
PEOPLE living near two high schools have been urged to stay on their guard following two incidents. Albany High School, Bolton Road, and Holy Cross RC High School, Berg Road, Chorley, have been attacked -- prompting a police call for help from local residents
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Council's funding targets have been met
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council's commitment to lifelong learning has been endorsed by the latest government statistics on local authority spending on education. The figures show that the three national funding targets have been achieved. These included
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Justice - but it can never bring back our father
RELATIVES of a man killed while out celebrating his teenage daughter's pregnancy spoke today of the tragic waste of his life - as his attacker was starting a life sentence. Stephen Dewhurst, 49, was walking home from a drinking session to celebrate the
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Boy saves his uncles from drowning
A SCHOOLBOY who risked his life to rescue his two uncles from a reservoir is to be nominated for a bravery award. Andrew Hargreaves, aged 13, swam into the freezing waters of Elton Reservoir to reach Craig Fletcher and David Howarth after they got into
