Archive

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Pupils going back to the Pharoahs

ANCIENT Egypt will burst into life at Lytham St Annes High Technology College next week. A cast of more than 30 pupils will present Pharaoh, written by Danell Dearden, head of expressive and performing arts, in the school's new sixth form block and theatre

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JUST JAMIE: Life's a piece of cake

WHEN the Golden Boy turned one, the world almost stopped. A huge bash was thrown with sparkling banners announcing his coming of age and a near life-size Tweenies cake held court in a kitchen filled with balloons (particularly bad idea as Nana Flo thought

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Seeking man of Prestige

IAM trying to trace Roland Scott, now aged about 69, who worked for Prestige, in Burnley in the Inspection Department in 1973 and used to ride a motorbike. Any information greatly appreciated. LORRAINE Mitchell, 16 Whitehouse Road, Scotswood, Newcastle

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People waking up to cull cruelty

IT is small wonder there is talk in parliamentary circles of an overhaul of Britain's farming industry. It has taken sickening images of burning pyres of animals lined up for slaughter. This has convinced a majority of the public that animal agriculture

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Asylum seekers stretch services

PLAINLY Craig Edgworthy (Letters, June 29) missed the point of my remarks on not voting. There is nothing to choose from any of the political parties, none of them care what the people of the country 'want.' As for Mr Edgeworthy's comments about schools

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Britain has always been multicultural

IN response to Mrs Gladys Robinson (Letters, June 30), we are a multicultural society -- because we always have been. How could it be otherwise? To start with, four nations make up these islands -- the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh, each with different

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Biker's hospital death tragedy

A 20-year-old motorcyclist died two weeks after a he was involved in a road accident which left him with apparently non life-threatening injuries. But builder Graham Johnson died on Sunday, 12 days after sustaining the injuries. Mr Johnson, of Duke Street

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Joe show selling well

THE Joe Longthorne Show is set to open at the Grand Theatre this weekend (July 6) with record advance sales. The show, starring Joe Longthorne with special guests Billy Pearce and Keith Harris (with Orville and Cuddles) is expected to break all box office

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Taking the Star by Storm

MOVE over Boyzone, Westlife and Five -- make room for Blackpool boyband Storm Force. The new pop sensations made their debut performance at the Star pub at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on Friday, June 29, and went down a storm with the packed audience. The

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Legends you can afford

IMAGINE a show with Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey on the same bill. Too good to be true? Well they are just a handful of the rock icons portrayed in Legends, the hit rock and roll tribute show which returned on June 30 for a third summer

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Blake comes off Bruce's shopping list

CRYSTAL Palace boss Steve Bruce has reportedly switched his sights from Nathan Blake to Middlesbrough striker Brian Deane. That would mean an end to his interest in Rovers front man Blake, who is wanted by Coventry City. Former Rovers midfielder Billy

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Parr pupils' rallying call

TO all parents and the Parr community. Previously a letter was released on the future of Parr High School and recommendations were put forward. I stress to you all that this is not the final decision. A decision will be made in a couple of months time

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Parents honour a wonderful son

THE DEVASTATED family of Iain Jones have paid tribute to their 'wonderful' son and brother, and issued a plea to anyone with information relating to Iain's death to contact the police. Iain's mum, Diane and dad, Leslie, 22-year-old sister, Pippa and 18

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Woman found dead in home by niece

A WOMAN who went to visit her auntie in a nursing home found her dead, but the staff did not know, an inquest heard. The Burnley hearing was told how pensioner Edith Watson, of Lyndhurst Road, Burnley, died at Swallow House, Dove Court in Burnley on July

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Pals ready to go Greek to raise cash

A GROUP of friends from Padiham are planning a 26-mile marathon trek across the Greek sunshine island of Corfu to raise money for Pendleside Hospice. The holiday event has been organised by Greg Holden and his wife, Dianne, who live in Padiham. They will

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BUDDING Rugby League players are sought by Pilkington Recs under-8s, who are looking to boost their

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SAINTS star centre Paul Newlove had an appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday, and as the Star went

The injury at best will put him out of action for 10 weeks, effectively ending the season of one of the club's most effective strike players. In a double blow, would-be replacement Dwayne West was also ruled out until next season after needing further

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Kinky sex shock led to suicide

A DEVASTATED Colne father-of-two killed himself after his girlfriend told him she was a dominatrix. An inquest heard how depressed and unlucky-in-love Darren Steele, 35, had his world shattered when Kim Gilmour, his girlfriend of about nine months, revealed

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Flat-rib puzzler

ANY self-respecting Lancashire arm-bender will have heard the term flat-rib -- slang for mild beer. But where on earth did the nickname come from? That's the yedscratter that's been bedevilling old-timer Eric (Snodder) McDermott and his colleagues from

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Dawn snaps up dad's lost photos

DAWN Ireson was pleasantly surprised to see a wartime photograph of her ex-serviceman father smiling out from this page (June 14). It had been among a pack of snapshots found on the floor of the St Helens Post Office, Bridge Street, by employee Lynn Conachy

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When boredom never got a look in!

THE word boredom never entered into his vocabulary when George McNicholas was a lad. That's why he's now inclined to get a bit tetchy when one or other of his nine grandkids complains about having nothing to do. His stock response to that is: "How on

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THE JOURNAL SAYS: Start as you mean to continue

THIS week has been a busy one for Leigh MP Andy Burnham. But we hope the effort he has put in will be rewarded with positive advancement for the community he represents. In a late-night maiden speech in the House of Commons, Mr Burnham outlined three

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Pals' trip to the Somme battle grounds

DUE TO local demand, a trip has been organised to visit The Somme on this year's Accrington Pals Trip. The tour, between October 12-15, will take in the most important battlefields, cemeteries and museums of the First World War including the Newfoundland

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Ofsted praises school's u-turn

THREE years of hard work has paid-off for Hesketh Fletcher C of E High School in Atherton. Ofsted inspectors returned to the school in May for the first time since 1998 when the Hamilton Street school was placed in the 'serious weakness' category. They

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Former pit site to be landscaped

A PIT site which has drawn protests from neighbours is to be landscaped after almost two years of excavations. Frank Spencer, who purchased the Huncoat site more than 18 months ago, has an agreement with the Environmental Agency to level the land and

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Postman wins trip to Titanic wreck

A TITANIC dream has come true for a master on the history of the tragic ship, Steve Rigby. The Leigh postman has won the trip of a lifetime to visit the wreck of the so called unsinkable ship which went down in the Atlantic on its maiden voyage in 1912

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£50 daily to park on drive

ST ANNES residents are getting ready to cash in on the British Open Golf Championship which gets under way next week. The town is so short of parking space that homeowners are even renting out their drives to golf fans. Over 40,000 people a day will flock

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It's a knockout at Chorley

BLACKPOOL'S nemesis in the National Knockout Cup struck again on Sunday when Chorley despatched them from the competition in the Regional Final, writes Gerry Wolstenholme. Blackpool made 136 all out in their 45 overs and Chorley replied with 137-5 to

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No real benefit in this

WELCOME to the government's new plan to introduce three yearly MOTs on incapacity benefit. I know of a few good actors who steal a living getting this benefit, along with motobility cars. Genuine claimants I am sure will have nothing to worry about, nor

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What should go in time capsule?

BLACKPOOL FC is asking fans to suggest what sort of things should be put in a time capsule which the club intends to bury under the structure of the new ground. The final choice of items will be made by chairman Karl Oyston and manager Steve McMahon.

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Davis happy with old faces

BURNLEY look set to start pre-season training next week with no new faces in their ranks. But that doesn't worry skipper Steve Davis, who's backing boss Stan Ternent to again do the business in the transfer market. The Clarets' only senior summer signing

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Where to give blood

BLOOD donor sessions will take place on July 9 at St Chad's Hall, Vicarage Lane, Poulton between 2 to 5pm and 5.30 to 7.30pm.

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Bad breath 'a turn-off'

BAD breath is the number one turn-off when it comes to kissing - according to research carried out by Denplan to coincide with National Kissing Day on Friday, July 6.

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Delays warning for airport travellers

MOTORISTS heading for Manchester Airport should avoid Princess Parkway (A5103) as it will be closed from 9pm on Friday (July 6) to 5.30am Saturday (July 7), with diversions in place.

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Bathing belles sought

BONNY babies and bathing belles are sought for the Miss Wyre competition at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, on July 11. There are categories for toddlers, juniors, teenagers and seniors. Admission is £1.35 for adults and 75p for children.

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Camera stolen

A SUNBATHER on the sand dunes at St Annes had her bag stolen by two men. The 22-year-old woman became aware of two men near her as she lay soaking up the sun in a quiet area of the sand dunes on Clifton Drive South at about 1.15pm on June 29. The men

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Trams to get £230 million boost

BLACKPOOL'S famous trams are to be updated and extended across the Fylde Coast in a £230 million overhaul. Proposed plans to modernise the present tramway, running from Blackpool to Fleetwood, include: 1. Developing a rapid transit link to St Annes and

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My Bonnie inspiration!

THEATRE usherette Lorraine Burch has been likened to Bonnie Langford for many years -- and finally got to meet her heroine at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool. Lorraine is now pursuing a solo career in the arts and theatre and says that Bonnie was her inspiration

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Golfers swing into action

GOLFERS swing into action on Tuesday, August 21 when Eccleston Park Golf Club stages a charity four-ball better-ball event in aid of Willowbrook Hopspice. Sponsored by Business Network International, the tournament is open to men and women and will be

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They are wheelie serious

ANCHORSHOLME Liberal Democrats have launched a "We want a Wheelie" campaign. They want to persuade Blackpool Borough Council to provide wheelie bins for the town's residents after complaints about the state of litter in the town. Liberal Democrat Coun

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Daredevils Take To The Air

SOME of the country's top aviators will "reach for the sky" above Blackpool on Sunday, July 15. Among the acts soaring above the seafront during the free-to-watch Blackpool Skyshows will be intrepid identical twin aerobabes Lorna and Rachel Cookson, from

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Intruders 'putting their lives in peril'

A FIRE chief has warned that young intruders are putting themselves in danger looking for scraps of copper in an old electric sub-station. It is thought that youngsters are sneaking into the bricked up property on Jameson Road, Fleetwood, in the middle

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Greg keeps Atherton smiling...

IT was smiles all round at Higham Park on Saturday as firstly Steve Walsh won a rare toss and then Atherton went on to bank another 20 points towards their quest for Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association championship honours with a four-wicket win against

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Final KO ruins Leigh's weekend

LEIGH CC experienced mixed fortunes at the weekend with a convincing league win over Sefton on Saturday but were desperately disappointed to be beaten by the same opposition the following day in the Regional Final of the National KO. Saturday's win came

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Davis happy with old faces

BURNLEY look set to start pre-season training next week with no new faces in their ranks. But that doesn't worry skipper Steve Davis, who's backing boss Stan Ternent to again do the business in the transfer market. The Clarets' only senior summer signing

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New stamps

ROYAL Mail's July stamp issue, available form July 10, features the Common Frog, the Great Diving Beetle, the Stickleback and the Southern Hawker Dragonfly.

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Mr Donald Astle

UNDERTAKER'S assistant Donald Astle has died, aged 70. A bachelor and retired-bus driver, he died on Tuesday at his home in First Ave, Astley. The funeral of the former Sankey's assistant takes place on Wednesday at 10am at Overdale Crematorium.

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Specialist care

A NEW specialist nurse has been appointed to the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust gynaecology department. Annette Halliwell will specialise in cancer and gynaecology and will offer advice, help and support to patients who attend Billinge Hospital

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Bikers rev it up all weekend

CUSTOM bikes and classic rock sounds will feature at the fifth Grim Up North bikers' rally today, tomorrow and Sunday at Atherton Collieries' football ground, off Alder Street The Fenrir Motorcycle Brotherhood event includes a Saturday bike show (enter

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Farming group finds the funds for charity

MORE than £1,000 has been raised to help the fight against strokes. Margaret Patrick, chairman of The Leigh and District Farming Ladies, presented a cheque for £1,450.00 to Vera Stringer for the North West Stroke Association at Hope Hospital. The money

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Cyclist injured in crash with car

By Teri Jones A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy was left in intensive care after being knocked off his bike at the weekend. The accident happened when Matthew James Mason was riding his bike near his home in Warwick Road, Atherton, on Sunday afternoon. At about 2.15pm

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Sir gets full marks

TEACHER Gary Constantine is right at the top of the class. The Atherton man, who was educated at Fred Longworth High in Tyldesley, has been rewarded for his talented tuition by being judged the outstanding young teacher of the year in the national BT

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No escape for TV dodgers

MORE than 100 television licence 'dodgers' in St Helens have been netted following a 'stealth' campaign in the area. Doug Mullin, of TV Licensing in the North West, said: "While we are delighted that the campaign is so successful, we are also disappointed

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Travelling bear returns with tales to tell

l BARNABY bear is back in town after a year of world-wide travels. The travelling teddy returned to St John's School on Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, last week with many a tale to tell. Barnaby has been the constant companion of Allan Singleton, managing director

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Forged notes lead car buyer to prison

A MAN paid for a second-hand car with £900 in counterfeit bank notes when he did a deal in a fast-food car park. The deceit was only noticed the next day when a wife of one of the men who had sold the restored car tried to pay the cash in to a Hindley

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Write good news!

CREATIVELY-minded folk from Parr are jetting out to Brussels on Saturday, July 7 to take part in high-level talks over the recent negative national media portrayal of St Helens during the General Election campaign (which was highlighted by the St Helens

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People rally round to help gardeners

EVERYTHING is coming up roses again for gardeners who were grounded by callous thieves. But thanks to a brilliant public response, the Orchard Gardens Co-operative is back in action. The Leigh-based community gardening group, which is operated by people

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Modern life takes its toll

TODAY'S youngsters are paying for living in a noisier society. Hearing aid audiologist Mel Rawnsley is seeing an increasing number of younger people who are suffering hearing loss. Now Mr Rawnsley, who has more than 30 years hearing care experience, has

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The Parr High fight goes on

THE fight goes on... That was the battlecry from members of the Parr High Save Our School committee following last week's decision by St Helens Council's Executive Committee to close the school with effect from August, 2002. The decision follows a fierce

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Young artists show their skills

AN enchanting exhibition of art produced by talented junior school children captivated visitors to Leigh's Derby Rooms. On Tuesday, the mayor and mayoress, Coun John and Norah Hilton, officially opened the breath-taking collection of young ideas in pictures

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Watch the birdies!

lPOLICE will be targeting gardeners who flout wildlife laws. That is the nesting season warning from police who are reminding gardeners and householders to be aware all birds, their nests, eggs and chicks are protected by law. Anyone who disturbs or destroys

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Cash boost brings people together

A TREASURE trove of cash is being offered to innovative and imaginative community groups in a bid to bring society closer together. Many groups in the borough will receive £1,500 for initiatives to improve their home life and environment. Any community-based

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Pupils end term with week of summer fun

THROUGHOUT the last week of school, July 9 - 13, Astley Independent Methodist Church is staging a week of fun for all young people between the ages of seven and 18. Popular band Flipside will be performing at St Mary's High and Hesketh Fletcher High,

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Strawberry surprise!

BUSINESSES, offices and shops all over Bacup and Stacksteads tucked into a strawberry teas and helped to raise money for local good causes. Members of Bacup Rotary Club and their wives spent five hours making up the teas at the Masonic Hall, off Burnley

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COUNCILLORS at your service:

FRIDAY, July 6: St Mary's Church Hall, Newton Road, Lowton (6-6.30) K Anderson, Mrs L Liptrot, J O'Brien; Higher Fold community centre, Stirling Close (7.30-8.15) J Lea. SATURDAY, July 7: Atherton Town Hall (9.30-11.30) R Holmes, Mrs S Loudon; St Richard's

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Project centre on the move

A PROJECT to rejuvenate Bacup and Stacksteads will soon have a town centre premises in the former Norweb shop in Bacup. Bacup and Stacksteads Single Regeneration Budget Partnership secured £4.75million of Government cash and chairman Derek Allen said:

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Well done, Mike!

STRONGMAN Mike Pyke had some sound advice for the new national weightlifting champ who'd just taken one of his titles. The Leigh-born multi champ and role model for wheelchair athletes simply told his conquering pal Barney Chalk -- "Look after it for

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Bus service may continue without buses

FORGOTTEN passengers could be back on route but not necessarily on buses. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority has approved a report into the possibility of providing alternative transport services in problem areas. Meetings were held following

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Full speed ahead after course change

By Lesley Richards ROYAL Navy officer Stuart Parry sailed through his law degree. He was called to the bar - then changed course to train as a chartered accountant. Still all at sea, he opted for a further career swop, this time with the armed forces.

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Mayor's call to roll up for charity

By Katie Ellis SAUSAGE rolls made in Leigh will be ousting pies as the staple diet of Wiganers. The pastry switch is being headed by the mayor of Wigan, who is making an unusual plea to his citizens to help buy a state-of-the-art ultrasound scanner. Golborne-based

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Artist calls for town's memorabilia

ARTIST Suki Chan has a mission to draw a new audience into the area's premier gallery. Fascinated by the life and times of Leigh people, the recently appointed artist-in-residence at the Turnpike, Suki has developed a new project based on an interest

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TV Ad gives the wrong signal

A HARD-hitting new road safety advert sends the wrong message, according to a drivers' group. The Association of British Drivers believes the new Think road safety television ad will do little to improve safety. It shows a driver hitting a child as he

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Queens of the cloth

LEIGH'S 1931 Cotton Queen, Lois Heath, figured in a talk at Tyldesley Probus Club. Members were entertained by Mrs M Gilbertson's illustrated subject, The Cotton Queens of Britain. Ten were crowned between 1930 and 1939 at Blackpool Tower Circus and received

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Health service faces revamp

BY Katie Ellis MENTAL health could feature strongly in a major overhaul of health services in the area. The local health authorities are planning a single NHS trust for Leigh, Wigan, Halton, Knowsley and St Helens, including a comprehensive range of services

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A bigger say for the public

CHANGES to the way issues are dealt with at Blackpool Council will mean residents have a bigger say about the town's future. Locals will soon be able to sit down for discussions with leading decision-makers under a new "area forum" scheme due to start

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Bill marches on for heart charity

A BLACKPOOL man has proved he's got a big heart when it comes to fund-raising. Retired infantry man Bill Beetham, 73, will be walking in the Citizen-sponsored British Heart Foundation (BHF) Blackpool Walkabout on September 16 -- for the third time! He

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Anger over move to relocate ward

CONCERNED Lytham residents are angry about the possible relocation of Lytham Hospital's Sinclair Ward to a hospital outside the town. The 17-bedded ward at the hospital on Warton Street provides care and rehabilitation to elderly orthopaedic patients

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Come back home, Paul

THE family of a missing Warrington man with a mental age of 15 believe he could have headed to Blackpool and have appealed to Fylde residents for information to help them find him. Paul Davies, aged 49, from Conway Avenue in Bewsey, Warrington, has been

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Neighbourhood News

A LOOK at what's on in the area. CLEVELEYS ENJOY a fiesta with The Blackpool and Fylde Spanish and Latin American Circle at the RAFA (Wings) Club, Victoria Road, on Friday, July 13, at 8pm. Admission is £2 on the door, and the night features visiting

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Hammer attack on passer-by

A MAN was knocked unconscious by two young robbers who stole his baseball cap and money. The man was walking off the car park on Lonsdale Road in Blackpool when the two youths came out of the bushes demanding money. One then started hitting him with a

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It's more hectic than Casualty!

THE lifesaving work of the health service was celebrated in a special NHS week to commemorate the health service's 53rd birthday this week (June 27 to July 5). And to mark the occasion staff from Blackpool Victoria Hospital revealed the secrets of their

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Pucker up, it's Kissing Day

BURT Lancaster did it rolling in a tropical surf with Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity, Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh did it during a civil war in Gone With the Wind, but Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson would never have dared in the 1940s film, Brief

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Daring quartet go Rover the moon for cash

THEY might not get 'Rover the Moon,' but a daredevil East Lancashire foursome are determined to get as close as they can! Blackburn Rovers media executive Petra Aspin spent months deciding on a way to raise money. Now Petra, her husband David, her sister

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Racists attack newsagents

RACISTS targeted a newsagents twice in six hours -- and the victims today said they were afraid of what could happen next. Community leaders in Blackburn have appealed for calm following the attacks, which police are linking. And police said they were

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GOLF: Andy hopes it'll be all White

ANDY White will play in his 23rd consecutive Wilpshire Trophy tomorrow -- and hopes this will be the year he wins it for the first time. The 37-year-old Pleasington player was just 16 when he first entered the event. And now he has set his sights on breaking

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Runners to grind it out

PRE-race entries for the Laughton & Wallace Griffin Grind five-mile fun run are already breaking previous records. The annual event will take place on Saturday, July 7 with a 7pm start time, registration from 6pm. The route is circular, starting and

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St Helens Men's Bowling League

THE draw for the St Helens Men's Bowling League's Collins Cup 2nd round (ties to be completed by Saturday, July 14) is as follows: Bethel Mission (scr) v Haydock Cricket B (+40), Parr Cons C (+20) v Rainhill Rec (scr), Lane Ends A (scr) v Smithy Manor

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Earlestown stay on top

EARLESTOWN snatched victory from Singlehurst to stay top of the WLCL. Asked to bat first on an uncertain wicket, the batsmen struggled against the uneven bounce. With the score on 26-7 things looked bleak, but P. Jay (20) and Bob Williams (20) took the

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Yickers grab a winning draw

HAYDOCK 1st XI began the second half of the season in the Southport and District League with a winning draw against Croston. Batting first on another Lyme Park belter, Haydock built a formidable total. Star of the show was David Cross who despatched all

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Superb response

THANKS to your paper and its readers for a superb response to the Blackpool Kids Hospice Treasure Hunt. A sunlit evening drive through the Fylde countryside back to the hospitality of Blackpool Rugby Club raised a lot of money, all of which goes direct

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Stalemate in Mersey derby

PRESCOT & Odyssey entertained local rivals Rainhill on Saturday with the visitors winning the toss and opting to field first. Rainhill had the better of the early stages as Pearl was undone by movement to be bowled and Murphy was adjudged caught behind

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It will never be 'a family resort' again

RE the letter "Bringing town to its knees" (Citizen, June 14), this claptrap is typical of the nonsense spouted by the "rose-tinted glasses" brigade. Blackpool as envisaged by these idiots would be closed down like New Brighton in the Sixties. There is

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£50 daily to park on drive

ST ANNES residents are getting ready to cash in on the British Open Golf Championship which gets under way next week. The town is so short of parking space that homeowners are even renting out their drives to golf fans. Over 40,000 people a day will flock

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Litter issue lingers on

THE problem of rubbish has raised its ugly head again. A Tyldesley resident has three questions she wants answering. Why do people who have alterations done leave their rubbish outside their gates? Why do people leave bin bags full of trash in the back

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Don't worry, be happy

SEEMS the new slimline Vanessa Feltz is on the up again, according to pictures in a Sunday paper. Oprah Winfrey too looks like she's piling back the pounds. Both stars did amazingly well to shed stones of unwanted blubber through new fitness regimes.

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Loafers come out above hard workers

THE government is encouraging everyone to save for their old age through the new stakeholder pensions. It makes you wonder why people should bother - they aren't given the incentive. Many old people who scrimped and saved to give themselves a decent retirement

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Minority ruin it for decent folk

A FED up resident in the Kirkhall Lane area has appealed for help to tackle the problems of what he claims is "a filthy street in a disgraceful state". Two boarded-up council houses blight the small Yates Street, Leigh, square, one daubed with obscenities

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Stand honour for Alan

THE NEW stand at Deepdale's Town End is to be called the Alan Kelly Stand after former goalkeeping great. It is hoped it will be open in time for the televised clash against Manchester City on October 21. Chief executive Tony Scholes said: "There have

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RL bosses have Morley in a sweat

CHRIS Morley is sweating - and it's got nothing to do with the summer temperatures. Leigh's Welsh international back-rower, pictured right, still doesn't know if he's facing possible suspension after being put on report for an alleged head-butt on York's

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Alf on the chain gang

INTREPID biker Alfred Houghton pictured after completing the 900-mile plus trip from Land's End to John O'Groats in aid of charity. The National Cycle Touring Club member from Haydock tackled the marathon trip in aid of Derian House, a children's hospice

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Centurions want winners' medal for Tim

TIM Street still has a big part to play as Leigh start their preparations for the NFP play-offs. The long-serving prop brought the curtain down on his league career last Sunday but now has three games in which to go out with a bang. "What would be nicer

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Injured cat was dumped in canal

AN angry animal lover has hit out after learning that one of her pet cats was run over and then dumped in a canal by a callous motorist. Jacquie Day, from Markfield Crescent, Islands Brow, asked a neighbour to look after her beloved cats when she went

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Stevie wonder to play at Crewe!

STEVE Jones' on-off move from Leigh RMI was completed on Tuesday when he signed for first division Crewe Alexandra. Leigh had agreed a £150,000 fee with Crewe and Tranmere but the Merseysiders wanted to have a look at Jones in training before finalising

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Former pupils return to their old stomping ground

A RETIRED police diver is planning to go back to school - with a party of former pupils. Former Leigh Boys' Grammar School student John Fairclough is organising a trip round the Manchester Road classrooms on Friday, July 20. Mr Fairclough, who lived in

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Cash boost for pool

ONE hundred swimmers shook off pool closure fears to take the fund-raising plunge at Atherton Baths. They clocked up 2,002 lengths in 70 minutes, knocking 30 minutes off their proposed target, and totted up hundreds of pounds to help celebrate the centenary

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Angry boyfriend is restrained by five officers

POLICE used CS spray to restrain a man who leapt from his bedroom window to confront five officers. Police had been called to Philip Bond's house in Samuel Street, Hindsford, following a domestic dispute between Bond and his girlfriend, Pamela Holding

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Playschool reopens after arson attack

QUICK-thinking landlord Phillip Nutter saved a vandal-hit playschool from disaster. The Jolly Nailor licensee, alerted by a passer-by to a burning bin at St Richard's HQ, used his pub extinguisher to douse the flames and called the fire brigade. Twenty

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Call to scrap 'cash-grabbing' speed cameras

THE Association of British Drivers is calling for Britain to follow Canada's lead and scrap speed cameras. The association says the incoming government in British Columbia has honoured election pledges to scrap photo radar. The body says governments of

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The plot thickens for pioneering pupils

A WRITING and drama project has gripped pupils at Westleigh St Paul's. They are involved in the pilot programme - initiated by Leigh Education Action Zone and Low Hall headteacher Jim Holian - which uncovers a dastardly plot to slap a supermarket on the

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Meet the princess of giggle

NINE-year-old Rachel Lambert has been battling against a crippling disease all her life and on Tuesday showed just why she's received a Local Child of Achievement Award. Rachel was at WH Smith in St Annes Square to help launch the Giggle-a-Day jokebook

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County Cabinet is named

THE first Cabinet to lead Lancashire County Council has been confirmed at a meeting of the full council at County Hall, Preston. The appointments to the Cabinet herald a new era at LCC where team work and focus on citizens and communities will be at the

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All change and here's to the girls!

THE HEADMASTER of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, has told parents they would react positively to change during a speech at their Junior prize giving ceremony. Dr David Hempsall said that major changes were taking place in education at the

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Be scared, be very scared

BLACKBURN Museum opens its unique summer exhibition of fantasy, sci-fi and horror artwork this Saturday. 'Fantasy Art 2001' features paintings and drawings from these genres drawn together for the first time. All 11 artists who have featured pieces will

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Hammer threat during family prayers

A FAMILY'S prayers for a dead aunt were disturbed by members of another Asian family who came round to settle an old score. Blackburn magistrates heard that a claw hammer and a baseball bat were brandished during the disturbance that followed in Audley

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Bowlers bidding to beat vandals

COUNCILLORS are calling for a meeting with police in a bid to save a Blackburn park from grip of a group of thugs. The three councillors for the Roe Lee area of Blackburn want officers and council officials to take action to sort out Roe Lee Park -- and

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GOLF: Dan's get rich quick scheme

DANIEL Lord is dreaming of Open glory -- and taking home a monster cheque! The Pleasington-attached professional goes to regional qualifying at Alwoodley in Leeds on Monday knowing that, even though the Open is diversion from his mapped out career path

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MOTORSPORT: Hodgson aims to do what Foggy didn't

CARL Fogarty has tipped Neil Hodgson to achieve something the four-times world champion did not achieve during his own career -- to win at Laguna Seca. Hodgson has caught the eye in the previous three rounds of the World Superbike championship, without

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Sutton draw in Liverpool

ON Saturday Sutton CC 1st XI visited Liverpool Manweb hoping for an upturn of fortunes. Batting first, the Sutton openers made an excellent start with skipper Mike Rimmer returning to form with 44 and Geoff Bowles scoring 60. Then some big hitting by

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Rainford lose a run feast

IN a high-scoring encounter at Burscough, Rainford went down in the final over as they tried to force the issue after posting a target of 246. The innings was once again dominated by Andrew Robinson who cemented his status as the league's premier batsman

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Big money on offer at Haydock

THE Halliwell Landau Lancashire Oaks is one of two feature races on the Haydock Park card which is being televised by Channel 4 Racing on Saturday, July 7. Together with the Tote Old Newton Cup, there is almost £100,000 prize money on offer in the two

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Ford is Recs' driving force

ST HELENS Recs 1st XI drew at home to new boys Highfield on Saturday despite posting an impressive 200-7. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the runs came at a trickle with only Andy Ford (30) and his brother Paul scoring well as the score

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Cool heads prosper

IT may have been a scorcher of a day on Sunday - but cool heads and steady hands were the order of the day at the footer for the Star Individual Darts Championship last Sunday. Michael Holt, Ali Thompson, Colin Young and Andrew Rodger all held their nerve

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What's On with Sue Gerrard

THERE are a number of opportunities to combine a good night out with aiding a good cause in the coming weeks. 'MUSIC and Melody 2001' is coming to the Theatre Royal on Saturday, July 7. This is a band and choral concert with curtain up at 7pm and all

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Men at work

DRIVING from Leigh to Wigan doesn't get any easier. A trip that used to take 20 minutes took me more than double that this week. Why? Because of a piddling little section of roadworks near the bridge at Ince. It was stop and go all the way from Hindley

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Weightlifter's plight is an inspiration

I WAS saddened to learn that Leigh's wheelchair sporting wonder Mike Pyke is facing the biggest challenge of his life. The battling weightlifting champ has received the shock news that he has a cancerous tumour in his bladder. Ain't life unfair? Hindsford-based

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'Soothing' music winds up callers

GREENSLEEVES has just been voted the most hated piece of music of all time by telephone users. Thank goodness - I thought it was only me it drives bats. A survey of 1,000 people carried out for Stressbusting.co.uk reveals that we spend 45 hours a year

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Biting bugs bug me

IT'S good to see the meadows back in full blossom, but sad that it's as the result of the tragic foot and mouth epidemic. But is there a new super breed of biting bug out there too? Midges have never bothered me, but twice this week while out with my

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Quiet, please ...

I NEVER watch tennis all year, but Wimbledon is a different ball game - it's compulsive. The entertainment has been absolutely superb, and with the shock early loss of two favourites, Hingis and Sampras, it could be anyone's title. How the game has changed

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Is change always a good thing?

I RECENTLY received a letter from an ex-pat German emigree, Alan Goodwin, about the rundown state of Westleigh, our birthplace. I had to agree that progress has not done a lot for the area. Most of the lovely little shops have gone, and the towel has

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Woman fined over rubbish

A BROAD Oak woman was fined £100 with £40 costs for keeping refuse in her backyard after being found guilty at St Helens Magistrates Court for failing to comply with the requirements of an Abatement Notice. The defendant, who did not attend court, was

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Patricia takes case to Europe

A WOMAN from Billinge is appealing to local people to support her as she takes a legal challenge to Europe. Patricia Briody from Larch Close in Billinge has won a court case following an incident when she was given a hysterectomy at Whiston Hospital without

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MP Andy backs Centurions for Super League

AS LEIGH Centurions head towards a record-breaking championship rugby season they have their own Government champion pressing their claim for Super League status. This week in the House of Commons Leigh MP and rugby league follower Andy Burnham tabled

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In the Ground Force?

THE Trees Community Centre in Wargrave, Newton-le-Willows, in conjunction with St Helens College, will be holding an accredited gardening course for any budding green fingers who can commit to one-day-a-week for 30 weeks. The course will begin in September

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Fun in the sun as Leigh go on points rampage

Leigh Centurions ...84 York Wasps...1 NO your eyes didn't deceive you, it was Tim Street kicking goals like a good 'un. And if that wasn't odd enough, York celebrated their injury-time field goal with all the fervour of a match-winner! It was that sort

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Quick march into Division Two

SEASIDERS' assistant manager Mark Seagraves has defended the decision of the club's coaching staff to start pre-season training just six weeks after the team's victory in the Third Division play-off final at Cardiff. A number of players were hoping for

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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, July 7

Jack Straw MP Advice Service, Bangor Street Community Centre, Blackburn, 9am-10am. Sequence and Ballroom Dancing with MC's Duncan and Margaret, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-11pm. Abba Theme Night, fancy dress optional, The Wharf

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Midsummer madness

PUPILS at a Poulton school will soon be going midsummer mad! Members of the youth theatre at Hodgson High School Technology College are presenting an outdoor, promenade version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream on July 16 and 17 at the Moorland

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Bispham High are tops at languages

PUPILS at a Blackpool school have talked their way to the top in a local competition. A ten-strong team of year ten students from Bispham High School on Bispham Road beat eight other Fylde schools in a languages competition on Friday. All the teams gave

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OPEN HOUSE: Old pals have no ill feelings

JACK Straw has got a secret adviser in his new role as Foreign Secretary -- his predecessor in the job Robin Cook. The two have been meeting frequently to make sure the Blackburn MP settles in swiftly to the job. Mr Cook was understood to have been put

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Carnival went like clockwork

AS chairman of the famous Accrington Carnival 2001 committee, I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Hyndburn who turned out in force to make it a successful day. £10,500 was raised for good causes in our area. The organisation is not easy

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Racists attack newsagents

RACISTS targeted a newsagents twice in six hours -- and the victims today said they were afraid of what could happen next. Community leaders in Blackburn have appealed for calm following the attacks, which police are linking. And police said they were

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Centurions three games away from glory

THE Centurions are fit, ready and raring to go, determined to make it impossible for Super League to ignore their claims for promotion to the elite division. "We've got three games now to hammer home the message we've been sending out all season," declares

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Rovers won't up the bid for Grainger

BLACKBURN will not be upping the stakes for Martin Grainger after being told to make a "serious bid" if they are interested in the Birmingham City full-back. Grainger was a player who had interested Rovers boss Graeme Souness in his search for left-sided

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What about Councillor apathy?

I'VE heard a lot about voter apathy, but what about councillor apathy? If anyone has any doubts about its existence I invite them to come to Haydock and see for themselves. I believe that their finest hour has just arrived in the re-siting of the bus

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Inviting comments from Marie

HAVING read the claims by Marie Rimmer (Star, June 21) about what St Helens Council have achieved in the face of criticism from the national media, I would ask her to explain why, the council tax payers of the area where I have lived for 31 years, along

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Response to nursery education

I AM writing in response to the letter about nursery education in Eccleston (June 21). As the letter mentioned free education at private nurseries is available for three-year-olds. We would like to let people know that there are good private nurseries

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Workers need job security

SO Shaun Woodward is setting up a trust to help the Ravenhead workers sacked in March? Does he also plan to help those who lost their jobs as a result of policies inflicted on St Helens by the Tory Government that he supported from 1988 to 1999? The workforce

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Royal date for rider

A FORMER Queen's guard from Leyland has been honoured by the British Horse Society after nearly half-of-a-century of voluntary work. Ex-Household Cavalry (Life Guards) serviceman John Holt, 66, of West Paddock, Leyland, is the first person ever to receive

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Teenager threatened his family

A YOUTH affected by the heat and drink threatened his family after his father refused to give him £20, a court heard. Burnley Magistrates were told how Samuel Robert Longworth, 18, said he would kill everybody and that he would make his pregnant sister

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'Danger' patient jailed for assault

A CALDERSTONES patient who warned staff that he was a danger to females has been jailed for indecently assaulting a nurse. Paul Andrew Taylor was on the hospital's medium secure unit where he had been moved following conviction for a similar offence in

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'Owner's fatal fall caused by terrier

A PENSIONER died after she fell when her 'uncontrollable' dog got its lead tangled with another animal's outside her front door. A Burnley inquest was told how widow Mrs Mary May Sedman, who at first had seemed fine and did not want to be taken to hospital

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£9.7m for homes not enough says MP

EAST Lancashire Labour MP Gordon Prentice has bitterly attacked his own government over it's failure to tackle the area's housing crisis. The Pendle MP asked what money was being made available to councils in East Lancashire to tackle decaying private

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Saints aim to stop rot

SAINTS will be aiming to avoid three defeats on the bounce when Warrington Wolves visit Knowsley Road on Saturday night (6.05pm) for what promises to be a derby cracker. And nowhere will the contest be as keenly fought than the duel at half back, where

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Newlove injury blow adds to Saints woes

Hull 34 Saints 28 SAINTS' hopes of finishing in the top three and avoiding the sudden-death part of the play-offs were dealt two hammer blows at the Boulevard on Saturday. The season-threatening Achilles tear sustained by centre Paul Newlove who, prior

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Chemists on weekend dispensing duty

THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, July 8, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Earlston Pharmacy, 35 Eccleston Street, Prescot; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); LLoyds

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Girl hit by metal from truck

A 14-YEAR-OLD girl escaped serious injury when a load of heavy metal discs flew off a passing vehicle towards her. Katie Fryer, of Parker Street, Colne, was walking to the shop to get some newspapers at around 6.45pm yesterday, close to the junction of

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Pints hinge on Gate poser

FROTHY little yedscratter from Eric Littler of Billinge. He wonders whether any of our long-memoried customers can solve a little taproom dispute by confirming (or otherwise) that the Stanley Gate Inn, between Rainford and Ormskirk, was originally called

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The pioneers of pushbike perils

THE new-fangled bicycle was regarded as "a menace" when a local newspaper launched into the subject with some cautionary views. Sandra Lee, of French Street,Toll Bar, tackling research in St Helens library's archive department for an Open University project

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Pollution sparks search

ENVIRONMENT Agency officers were today trying to find the occupiers of a lock-up from where thousands of litres of fuel leaked into a stream. Fire crews spent four hours trying to stop the leak yesterday morning after they were called to the lock-up,

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Scoring winner in crime battle

POLICE are set to tackle juvenile crime in a new way - with a game of football. Police officers are in training to take on youngsters in a game of football to raise funds for a new youth shelter. A nuisance management team was put into action in Oswaldtwistle

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School earns eco honour

GREEN-FINGERED primary school children are celebrating their achievements after 18 months of hard work. St Catherine's RC Primary School in Lowton - part of Leigh Education Action Zone - is the 12th school in the borough to receive the Green Flag award

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MPS scrum down for RL promotion battle

AS LEIGH Centurions head towards a record-breaking championship rugby league season, they have their own Government champion pressing a claim for Super League status. This week in the House of Commons, Leigh MP and rugby league follower Andy Burnham tabled

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New fans make market traders hot under the collar

TRADERS' temperatures rose this week as noise from newly installed extractor fans in Leigh Market Hall drowned out sales. They claim the £20,000 system, installed two weeks ago, is so loud it is damaging health, and custom, as shoppers stay away. The

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Three-year-old screams in agony after cafe accident

SCALDED three-year-old Cressida Marshall is back home after an horrific cafe accident left her with severe burns. The toddler was queuing for breakfast with her parents in a supermarket cafe when a pot of boiling tea spilled over her -- and the screaming

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Burglaries soar as temperatures rise

By Brian Gomm BURGLARS have been having a field day around Leigh with Atherton town centre particularly targeted last week. But police investigating a series of 27 reported house raids between June 23 and 29 say the best way of combating crime is to make

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New season has a lot in store

TYLDESLEY Little Theatre has announced a 2001/2002 season that will be eagerly awaited, following a year that has earned great praise locally, and earned a GMDF nomination for the quality of its set design. Last season's plays 'Underground' and 'Loose

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Hospital food goes cordon bleu

PATIENTS in Leigh Infirmary have the hostess with the mostest at mealtimes on the wards. A new trolley system, which gives patients a varied choice of dishes, has proved a big hit. And further improvements are in the offing with the initiation of former

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Another bore in the park!

SPECTATORS could have been forgiven for anticipating that the Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League game between second-placed St Annes and fifth-placed Blackpool would provide good entertainment and a closely fought contest. Nothing could have been further

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Flooding is not the only problem for development

IT WAS deeply disturbing to read your news that 81 houses are to be built on a small flood plain next to Pennington Park. It beggars belief that with the knowledge we have, so called learned and educated persons could allow and even encourage such building

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Brits abroad

THE weather's hotting up and the main holiday season will soon be here. The sun must go to our heads because there's some things we would only do on holiday. These include: flinging on clothes we wouldn't be seen dead in at home sending home a card of

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We are as God made us

I LOVED Corrie's Janice Battersby's longish copper bob. I'd have given anything to have shining, swinging hair like that. However, I don't envy her recent blonde crop. I've never been a fan of the peroxide look. The furthest I've ever gone is having streaks

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'Bigger than ever' carnival promise

ST ANNES charity carnival will swing into action on July 7 with a colourful procession and funfair. Since 1978, the regular event has raised a staggering £40,000 for charity and organisers are promising a bigger than ever carnival day. Attractions will

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CRICKET: Tale of woe for Lancs

LANCASHIRE were struggling to recover today from a Canterbury tale of woe. Their batting problems returned with a vengeance as they were skittled out for only 214 by Kent's England all-rounder Mark Ealham, who claimed six for 64. That left Kent with a

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LOCAL CRICKET: Keep on writing us off: Marsh

READ captain Nick Marsh is happy for the rest of the Jennings Ribblesdale League to continue writing off the title chances of his top-of-the-table side. Despite leading the field by five points, Marsh reckons Read are way down on the list of favourites

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LOCAL CRICKET: Results haven't gone our way

HAVING won the Jennings Ribblesdale League title twice in the past three years, Padiham are stuck in the bottom half of the table this time round. It's not ideal, but skipper ANDY MCNICHOLAS insists things are still upbeat at The Arbories. "Everything

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LOCAL CRICKET: East Lancs ready to make a move

TRANSCO Lancashire League leaders East Lancashire go into tomorrow's top-of-the-table clash with champions Bacup looking to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack before losing the services of professional Brad Young. Young has been

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Children to benefit

CHILDLINE will benefit from a coffee and snack bar in the foyer of St John's Church, Church Street, Blackpool this Saturday (July 7) from 10am-2pm.

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Jubilee fun

IT'S Jubilee Fun Day at Cleveleys! There will be a children's talent competition at 10am and and Miss Jubilee personality competition at 2.30pm at the Jubilee Gardens on July 10.

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Jingle bells

IT'S bells at the ready! A Morris Dancing festival will be held at the Jubilee Gardens in Cleveleys on July 8. The event will start at 10am. For more details phone 771141 or 770547.

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Council leader is 'poorly but stable'

BLACKPOOL Council leader George Bancroft is described as "very poorly but stable" after spending his third week at Blackpool Victoria hospital. The 65-year-old was previously discharged from hospital after suspected kidney infection but had to return

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Crime chiefs meet JPs

MAGISTRATES from Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre have been given guidance on protecting the public from dangerous criminals and sex offenders. The speakers at a meeting last week were the Chief Constable of Lancashire, Pauline Clare, and the National Probation

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Scheme aims to catch waste dumpers

A PILOT scheme to catch traders who dump their waste without paying has swung into action across Blackpool and The Fylde. All vans, vehicles towing twin axled trailers or carrying trade waste into Bispham, St Annes, Fleetwood and Lytham tips will be diverted

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Thornton improvement scheme finished

AN ENVIRONMENTAL scheme worth £60,000 has recently been completed in Thornton. The Burn Naze area scheme, funded by Wyre Borough Council, aims to improve pedestrian safety by cutting down on traffic movement and making the area feel more secure. Improvements

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Wag-nificent!

MONTY, the injured Jack Russell terrier dumped by cruel owners, has found a new home this week. The dog, which was being cared for at Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary, in St Annes, went to new owners in Cleveleys on July 1. The sanctuary had between 30 and

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Pensioners launch bus protest

ANGRY South Shore pensioners who have lost their bus route to the shops on Highfield Road met with a local councillor to discuss their problems. Many of the residents of Molyneux Drive have had trouble getting out and about since the No 25 bus service

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Teacher makes history

A PREESALL teacher has made history by being Lancashire's first ordained local minister. Mrs Dyllis Dickinson, an infants teacher at Carters Charity School, Preesall, was one of two people to be ordained as deacon for her own parish at Blackburn Cathedral

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Tyldesley back in training for new challenge

NEWLY-PROMOTED Tyldesley RU start pre-season at their new St George's Park ground on Tuesday, July 10 starting at 7pm. Club coach David Sivill will be putting all players through their paces prior to the start of the new season in August. All playing

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Rovers won't up the bid for Grainger

BLACKBURN will not be upping the stakes for Martin Grainger after being told to make a "serious bid" if they are interested in the Birmingham City full-back. Grainger was a player who had interested Rovers boss Graeme Souness in his search for left-sided

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Quick march into Division Two

SEASIDERS' assistant manager Mark Seagraves has defended the decision of the club's coaching staff to start pre-season training just six weeks after the team's victory in the Third Division play-off final at Cardiff. A number of players were hoping for

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Healthy heart club meets

lAPRIL King, from Legal Centres, is the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Leigh Healthy Heart Club Cardiac Support Group on Wednesday. The meeting starts at 7.30 at Bond Street Catholic Club, Leigh.

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Lions roar ahead to second theme day

A VILLAGE Lions club is preparing for another big Victorian Day in November, following last year's success. The Culcheth group is appealing to anyone who wishes to man a stall at the event on November 24 to book now. An exhibition of group activities

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Shady dealings benefit charity

THE sun comes out, the shades go on. The sun goes in, the shades come off. But what if there was an excuse to wear them for the whole day, regardless, and raise money for a good cause? Shades for a Day - looking cool for Guide Dogs, is the Guide Dogs

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The wedding of Paula Lang and Adam Turner

NEWLYWEDS Paula Ann Lang and Adam Farringdon Turner jetted off for a Mexican honeymoon following their wedding at St Paul's Church, Leigh. The service was conducted by the Rev Terence Hargreaves Stead. Paula is the daughter of Mrs and Mrs P Lang, of Leigh

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Sums session initiative launched

BRAIN-BOOSTING Saturday morning 'sums sessions' are being held in Newton-le-Willows as part of the Excellence in Cities initiative which aims to boost educational standards across the borough. Under the programme's Gifted and Talented strand, Year Seven

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Burglar makes clean getaway

POLICE are investigating a break-in at the home of an 84-year- old man who disturbed a burglar in the bedroom of his Atherton home. Despite being disturbed, the intruder stole a Dyson vacuum valued at £250. The thief was white, about 40, and 6ft 3in tall

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Pickle team spice up business

BARTON'S pickles, which have been tickling the tastebuds of St Helens folk for nearly 100 years, could soon soon be spreading their culinary influence across the whole of the North West. For Edmund Barton Ltd., has formed a partnership with Pedigree Masterfoods

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Debt is biggest worry..

ST HELENS Citizens Advice Bureau has reported that debt, consumer and consumer debt enquiries made up half of their enquiries last year, while fewer people are taking relationship troubles to them. In their annual report, the CAB also stated that their

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Glass firm to honour warranties

IT looks like there will be a happy ending for customers of the former St Helens Glass Company, who will be cheered by news that the owners of the company which bought out the double glazing specialists have decided to honour warranties after all. The

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Students need 11th-hour saviour

PUPILS from Fred Longworth High School are planning an expedition of a lifetime this month when they head for Namibia. Eight pupils from years nine, ten and 11 are hoping to travel to south west Africa to help people and children over there, and build

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Buildings could crumble

THREE listed buildings in the St Helens area are in danger of being lost if money cannot be found to repair them or bring them back to use -- according to English Heritage. The group's recently-published '2001 Register of Buildings at Risk' featuring

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Owner appeals for return of prize-winning Lurcher

LURCHER owner John Smethurst wants to find the rogue who stole his running dog. Mr Smethurst, of Lynton Road, Tyldesley, is worried about his prize-winning Nell, a liver-coloured bitch that has gone missing from his home. Mr Smethurst is appealing for

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Putting brakes on car crime

A MAJOR initiative aimed at putting the brake on car crime in St Helens waslaunched at the World of Glass yesterday (Wednesday, July 4) by Merseyside Police's assistant chief constable, Grahame Barker. Operation Hornet -- funded by the Home Office through

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Postmaster's ideal premises on same street

A POSTMASTER signed, sealed and delivered a new deal to create a larger post office -- by moving his old one across the road. Anthony Farley of the Hoddlesden Post Office and store spotted an empty off licence building across the road from his premises

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Parents' outrage at closure

AS St Aidan's CE Primary School in Clock Face proudly boasted of "phenomenal results" in national tests, the Local Education Authority announced that the school was threatened with possible closure. The Star can reveal that the council's executive committee

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Families book on to a fun reading course

PARENTS and their children are finding out how much fun books can be on a course at Tup Bridge Family Centre in Rawtenstall. Six mums and their children aged three and four are taking part in the Make A Book, Use A Book project run in conjunction with

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Skiving students help earthquake victims

STAFF and students cut lectures to step out on a sponsored canal walk from Leigh to Wigan. The event was part of an infunmation day to raise funds to provide a special Third World house to help the earthquake victims of India and El Salvador. The house

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Pupils face porridge for their dinner

HIGH school pupils exchanged leisurely lunches for being locked up with a quick snack and half an hour's exercise this week. The swap was part of a project to teach pupils at Hesketh Fletcher High School about prison life. The day, which involved 200