Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Sunday and Monday.
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. SUNDAY Blackburn Fiesta, Blackburn Town Centre. Todmorden Lions Fun Day, High School, Todmorden, 11am-4pm. Blackburn Ramblers, Blakey Moor Baths, Blackburn, 9am. "The
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Farmers deserve proper answers
WHAT a telling insight was given into the handling of the foot and mouth disease crisis when Lancashire farmers whose animals were culled met to hear advice from government officials on restocking or starting other businesses. For rather receiving clear
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Cricket: Cup hopes dashed
BURY'S hopes of lifting the H.C. Smith Trophy on Sunday fell by the wayside after falling an agonising 11 runs short in the run chase. The game was played at Wythenshawe and when opponents Monton were restricted to a gettable 165 for 8 hopes were high
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Rounders: Fishpool's record broken
WITH many of our teams playing out their final game of the season, Monday night still managed to produce some good, closely fought games and one or two surprise results. In past seasons Bolton Road A v Fishpool A would be a 50/50 game and has quite often
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Today's the day
74AD: Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in hot volcanic ash. 1924: Scientists claimed that Mars had a similar atmosphere to Earth. 1959: The Manchester Guardian was renamed The Guardian. 1964: The Catholic Mass was
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This week in 1976 25 years ago
PUB TAKINGS: Thieves got away with £500 in a raid on a Bury pub. The intruders broke into the living quarters of the New Inn in Walmersley Road by forcing a rear window. As well as one night's takings, the burglars also took the pub's social fund and
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Police warn of toy gun danger
PARENTS are being warned to consider the safety of their children's toys after a spate of incidents involving toy guns. The latest incident to be reported to Leigh police concerned a 12-year-old girl being shot in the back while riding her scooter. Mellissa
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Keeping a check on miners' 'tallies'
IRECENTLY had a request for information on miners' checks, or tallies, issued at the various local collieries. Though it is 30 years since I worked at the pit and East Lancashire's last colliery, Hapton Valley, closed down nearly 20 years ago in 1982,
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Toddler, 2, goes missing from nursery
PANIC-stricken mum Karen Mather frantically searched the streets after her two-year-old son disappeared from a private nursery. Toddler Lewis Mather was missing for more than half an hour before being reunited with his mother. When Karen went to collect
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Rowing hero has a Blackpool date
A HOST of celebrities will gather at Blackpool Pleasure Beach next week to celebrate youth club network UK Youth's 90th birthday. Rowing champion Sir Steven Redgrave will join Marc E T of Bahamen "Who Let The Dogs Out?" fame, Lionel Blair, Vanessa Feltz
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Death of former MP
FORMER Bury MP has died, aged 87, following a prolonged illness. Mr John Bidgood, Conservative MP for Bury and Radcliffe from 1955 to 1964, passed away last Friday (Aug 17) at Harrogate General Hospital. During his political career Mr Bidgood, originally
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Chopper in missing woman search
THE police helicopter was launched on Sunday (Aug 19) to help find a missing Bury pensioner. The 73-year-old woman, who suffers from diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, wandered off from her home in Unsworth at 4pm. Her husband alerted local police, who
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Stay safe on road
MOTORCYCLISTS are invited to drive a new route and stay safe on the road. Bury and District Motorcycle Training (BDMT) centre is holding its 12th annual Robert Peel Road Safety Trial on Sunday September 9. It takes place from 9.45am to 4pm at the Higher
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Swastika on synagogue
CHILDREN are being blamed for scrawling anti-semitic graffiti on the door of a Prestwich synagogue. A swastika, the words "Hitler rules" and "Jewish b . . . . . . s", together with juvenile drawings and catch-phrases, had been written on the door in white
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Injured Graham wakes to say 'Mum'
A YOUNGSTER has uttered his first words, after being unconsciusness for more than 24 hours in hospital, following a road accident. Graham Wood, nine, of Howard Close, Accrington, spoke to his mother Janette, 29, yesterday afternoon from his hospital bed
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Award winners wanted
QUEEN'S Guides from Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich are being sought to take part in a celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee next year. The Guide Association established the Queen's Guide Award in 1947 as the ultimate award for members. And it
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End of the road for Hinchcliffe lorries
A RAMSBOTTOM company has been driven out of business after 60 years. Family-run J & H Hinchcliffe, a haulage and storage firm, is winding down its transport operations blaming increased competition in the market at home and abroad. Bosses said that
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PO with no cash!
YOU'VE heard of a pub with no beer. Now it's a post office with no money! That was the bizarre situation at Holyrood Post Office in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, this week. And it meant a number of senior citizens who called to collect their pensions being
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A different test for Spurs' King
LEDLEY KING will move from one footballing extreme to another tomorrow. Having come through the Duncan Ferguson school of hard knocks with flying colours at Everton on Monday he now faces a very different test of his defensive nous against Blackburn's
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Diamond couple's wartime romance
IT's all down to the Second World War that sparkling couple Vincent and Eileen Hamer have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Vincent wrote to mill worker Eileen to propose while he was posted abroad, he then wrote to her father and while on
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Shock of fall led to death, inquest is told
A CANCER-stricken pensioner who fell out of bed in a nursing home suffered a broken arm which "contributed," to her death, an inquest heard. The hearing, at Burnley magistrates court, was told how Edith Watson, 85, was found dead at Swallow House, Dove
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New crackdown on cab violence
PEOPLE involved in crimes against taxi drivers now face a ban from Burnley town centre and from all private hire and black cabs. In a bid to keep cabbies safe police are extending the award-winning Burnley Against Night Time Disorder (BAND) initiative
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Get tough call after botched operations
THE cosmetic surgery industry was facing calls for tougher regulations today after a GP who performed botched liposuction operations was struck off the medical register. Dr Thomas Norton, 46, carried out the painful procedure despite having no formal
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Democracy Week event proposals
MEMBERS of the Executive in Pendle have been asked to decide on six activities or events which would take place during Pendle Democracy Week, between October 15 and 19. The theme for the event, which is in is fourth year, is 'election matters'. Pendle
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Working group set to oversee budgets
A WORKING group, which will include five members of the Executive and five of the Overview and Scrutiny, will be set up to resolve Pendle Council's problems in balancing future years' General Fund budgets. The decision to establish such a group, which
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Dog victim of illegal fight
AN RSPCA officer who rescued a badly mauled dog says it was the victim of illegal dog fighting. The 30lb Staffordshire cross bitch, which was discovered in the back of a locked van with vicious dog bite wounds on its legs chest and neck, was taken to
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Whitehall defends asylum seeker's 'refusal'
THE Home Office today defended the way it handles asylum cases following the suspected suicide of an Eritrean man who had been refused permission to stay in Britain. Nassar Ahmed had been living in Nelson after fleeing from Ethiopia, where there is civil
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Husband held in Tenerife
A 43-YEAR-OLD man from Colne is in prison in the Canary Islands after allegedly biting off his wife's finger. A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed that Graham Humphrey, who was living in the south of Tenerife with his wife, had been charged with
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Husband held in Tenerife
A 43-YEAR-OLD man from Colne is in prison in the Canary Islands after allegedly biting off his wife's finger. A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed that Graham Humphrey, who was living in the south of Tenerife with his wife, had been charged with
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Five years ago
AN 82-year-old woman faced being taken to court over a wheelie bin war involving her 93-year-old neighbour. Partially blind house-bound Catherine Lang was at loggerheads with Elsie Metcalfe over where they put their rubbish. Blackburn Council warned the
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Ten years ago
A WOMAN who spent 50 years of her life believing she was an only child met her sister in Blackburn after a 40 year search. June Langstreth, 55, of Shearwater Drive, Blackburn and Christine DuBerry, 50, of West Midlands grew up as strangers a few streets
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Budding gardeners claim top honours
TWO Leigh schoolgirls have blossomed into top garden designers. Rachel Moore and Emily Beachcroft had their interpretations of the work of famous artists turned into gardens at the big Southport Flower Show last week. Rachel, 11, of Lane Head Avenue,
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Driver must pay £30 for 3-minute stop
A DISABLED driver was shocked to receive a £30 charge for stopping to drop his family off in a Blackpool car park. Dave Kindley, of Urmston Street, Leigh, is registered disabled and an orange badge holder. But he was left stunned when he drove his wife
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Fire warning after injury to children
FIREFIGHTERS are warning parents to be vigilant after a 13-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital with severe burns to his chest and legs. The youngster was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital and two of his friends were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary
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Dad dies from drug overdose
A 31-YEAR-OLD man was found dead in his home from a drugs overdose, an inquest heard. Mark Anthony Ellison's body was found to have more than three times the dose of morphine needed to kill most people, when he was discovered on April 6 last year, at
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Disabled man who 'glassed' pub-goer is jailed
A DISABLED man who "glassed" another man in a pub, knocking him unconscious, has been given a 12-month-jail term -- to run after a three-and-a-half-year term he is currently serving. Burnley Crown Court heard how Anthony Connolly, 34, had threatened to
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'Evil' bid to scare buyers
STRANGE things have been happening in Leigh cemetery. For sale signs for the Cemetery House, alongside Manchester Road, have disappeared, and writing has appeared on walls, describing the house -- which is on the boundaries of the burial ground -- as
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Advice service appeals for volunteers
VALUABLE guidance on a variety of everyday matters is available to anyone through the Citizen's Advice Bureau service. The centre is holding an open day on Wednesday, September 5, from 5pm-7pm, to encourage awareness of facilities, and to attract new
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Environmentalists vow to tackle busway
COULD the Xanadu decision result in a rethink on the Leigh Guided Busway plan? That is a pertinent point which has set environment campaigner Chris Maile and other members of the anti-busway faction on the warpath again. Mr Maile told the Journal without
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Some of the things they say!
FIND your favourite quotations from movies like Star Wars "Use the force", The Terminator "I'll be back" or Phoebe's "Smelly Cat, what are they feeding you?" from Friends. The concept of the website is daft in some respects but it can also help you when
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Farmers' fury at restocking crisis
FARMERS who have had livestock culled during the foot and mouth crisis attacked the re-stocking "shambles" which is threatening their livelihoods. And they observed a minute's silence for David Beckerton, a farmer caught up in the crisis who died suddenly
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Site dogged by symbolism
A GROUP of former musicians from Edinburgh set up a website for music, art and film lovers while at university. The site has a comprehensive compilation of music and videos that you can download for free as well as taking a different look at art. I found
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Young players wanted
STAINING Junior Football Club's under-12s team is looking for players for the 2001/2 season. The team trains on Tuesdays, 6pm-7.30pm, at Staining Village Hall. Anyone interested in joining can contact Barrie on 694105. BJFF's Under-13s are looking for
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POOL: Red Rose triumph
THERE was triple joy for Lancashire's pool teams when they faced nearest rivals GMC Pool League at Riley's Snooker Club, in Blackpool. The Lancashire 'A' team set the mood with an emphatic 28-16 victory. Not to be oudone the 'B' team won 24-20, and then
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Experts are wrong
Dear Sir, It had to happen sooner or later, those in charge of Leigh's highways having succumbed to the scourge of "red mastic madness"--in the form of 100 metres of bus lane, which ends abruptly at start of Lord Street. As no signs are currently in evidence
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What will they think of next?
SIXTY seconds of silence from Princess Diana's funeral is to be released as a single. The recording was made in Hyde Park on September 6, 1997, when mourners stood in prayer for a minute. The silence is punctuated by a baby's cry, the odd cough and distant
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Ex-Pool 'keeper dies
THE world of football paid tribute this week to former Blackpool goalkeeper Les Sealey who died from a heart attack aged 43. He was signed from Manchester United at the start of the 1994-95 season by the then Blackpool manager, Sam Alardyce, and played
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Plain speaking at next club meeting
THE phrase "unaccustomed as I am" could be a thing of the past for Bury Business Club members. For at the latest monthly meeting, to be held in the Market Street offices of the Bury Times, the main guest will be public speaking consultant Pat McKenna.
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Accountants added to top 20
STANDING up to be counted is Hollins-based chartered accountants DTE (Downham Train Epstein). The company, which supplies professional services to the owner managed business market and to the legal and accountancy professions, has moved into the top 20
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Hat-trick hero
A FANTASTIC second half hat-trick from Brett Ormerod blew away opponents Wigan and blasted Blackpool into the second round of the Worthington Cup. And Ormerod was not alone in receiving extra credit from this game. All 11 players in tangerine shirts can
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Award tonic for healthy company
THE outlook is certainly healthy for a food company with an outlet in Bury. For Jean's Health Foods have won the coveted Investors in People award. The company was established 14 years ago by Jean Sharples when the health food industry was still in its
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A question of grades
A-LEVEL results brought mixed fortunes across the Fylde Coast and although many were celebrating, some students were disappointed with their grades. Despite a 95 per cent pass rate for English, more than 150 English and history students at Blackpool Sixth
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Ready for a hot reception
BURNLEY winger Glen Little is prepared for a hostile reception as the Clarets go to the New Den. The 25-year-old knows only too well the kind of highly charged atmosphere that the East End fans will create as the Clarets look to maintain their 100 per
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CRICKET: Fairbrother causes big shock
NEIL FAIRBROTHER was Lancashire's hero for the second day running in Colchester - but this time for his bowling! The 37-year-old had only previously taken six first class wickets in 20 seasons in the game - a rate of around one every three years. So it
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Cheers! They've got a new 'home'
MEMBERS of Poulton's new Conservative Club now have a home to call their own. The club in Breck Road -- a former rest home -- was officially opened during a day of celebrations (pictured left). Visitors included Shire horses from the Blackburn-based Daniel
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Tide warning after family is trapped
A FATHER and three children had to wade to shore through waist-deep water after being cut off by the tide at Blackpool. The family, from Carlisle, became trapped on a sand bank just north of North Pier after the tide came in from behind them last Thursday
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Don't be left in the cold
OLDER people in Blackpool, Fleetwood and Fylde are being urged not to be left in the cold by missing out on their £200 Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) this year. Most of those eligible will get the payment automatically but some need to make a claim. Last year
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Hopping mad!
RABBIT lover Jennifer Roberts has turned detective in an attempt to discover the fate of her missing pets. The mother-of-two is convinced there is a sinister reason behind a spate of rabbit thefts in the Little Bispham area. Her Dutch rabbits Thumper,
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Good news for blaze victims
A BLACKPOOL family whose council house was gutted by fire last week will be able to return to their home, a Blackpool Borough Council spokesman. Troy and Jo Pritchard and their 12 children were forced to abandon their home at Thornber Grove, Blackpool
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CRIMESTOPPERS: Man robbed in prom attack
A 40-YEAR man became the latest victim of violent robbery in Blackpool when a trio of teenagers struck on a quiet section of the sea front. The attack happened at 12.45pm on Tuesday, August 7, when the man was walking along Middle Walk, North Promenade
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Holiday tragedy
A HEARTBROKEN husband has spoken of the seaside holiday that turned to tragedy when his wife was involved in a fatal accident on Blackpool Prom. May Holden, aged 77, died in the Royal Preston Hospital six days after she was knocked down by a Vauxhall
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Iqbal does the trick!
IQBAL Sikander turned in another match-winning performance as Leigh CC grabbed one of their most improbable victories of recent seasons. The ex-Pakistan international leg-spinner terrorised league leaders and Lancashire Cup winners Ormskirk as Leigh came
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Bonus for Atherton
WITH the weekend weather forecast promising thunder and rain, it was always going to be a case of how many bonus points Atherton CC could winkle out between the showers in their quest for Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association championship. They managed
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MS sufferer Amanda flies like a bird!
A DREAM came true for multiple sclerosis sufferer Amanda Brundy when she did the parachute jump of a lifetime. Amanda (30) of Linton Avenue, Limefield, took the plunge 15,000 feet above South Humberside to raise money for the Bury Multiple Sclerosis Society
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Not happy news for Birthdays' staff
GREETINGS cards giant Birthdays has not ruled out the possibility of redundancies following a decision to cease one of its activities. Around 20 staff are affected by the Bury-based company's move to dispense with its refurbishment process work involving
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It's official: Radcliffe CCTV project gets OK
POLICE and council bosses are celebrating after securing government cash to install CCTV cameras in Radcliffe. A total of £334,615 from the Home Office and just over £15,000 from Bury Council will now be spent on eight cameras covering the town centre
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Commuters put their health first
HEALTHY commuters have reaped the reward for finding an alternative way to travel to work. They have received prizes after winning Bury's Health Commuter Challenge, which encourages people to walk, cycle or use public transport instead of the car. Competitors
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MD seeing red over traffic light muddle
BUSINESSMAN Harry Johnston is seeing red over a set of traffic lights after a "confusing" signal cost him £450. Mr Johnston, managing director of R&G Construction in Heywood Road, Prestwich, received a summons after he allegedly jumped a red light
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Amateur boxing club is fighting fit
IF your idea of a boxing club is a grimy gymnasium where the air is heavy with gloomy menace and the smell of stale sweat, then you obviously have not been to Radcliffe Amateur Boxing Club. The light, airy premises in Bridgefield Street could not be less
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Cricket: Walshaw washed out
TITLE-CHASING Walshaw were finally beaten by the weather last weekend in their match against local rivals Elton. But that wasn't before their openers Gary Dyson and Anthony Harris had hit an opening stand of 150 and 19-year-old wicketkeeper Anthony "Bomber
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Lucketti set to start
PRESTON new boy Chris Lucketti may displace his former Bury team-mate Michael Jackson as he goes straight into the side which will make the trip to Grimsby. North End boss David Moyes bought central defender Lucketti for £750,000 and the 29-year-old looks
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Youth suffers double skull fracture
A TEENAGER who suffered a double fracture of his skull after an alleged attack with a golf club is described as 'poorly but improving.' Steven Heyward, 17, has been taken out of the high dependency unit at the Royal Preston Hospital and is now on the
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Burglar faces prison sentence
A RAIDER who struck at a church and at the same school twice, is facing jail after being found guilty of three burglaries. Derek Connolly, 36, of Mersey Avenue, Darwen, had an extensive record, with 33 convictions for dishonesty, including the "occasional
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Fire damages petrol station
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a fire at the Total petrol station, in the East Lancs Road, Leigh, at 1.30pm on Tuesday. The garage was closed at the time of the fire, which was caused by an electrical fault in a light. Minor damage was caused to a canopy
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Hills walk is cancelled
THE annual Round the Hills Walk has been cancelled this year because of the foot and mouth situation. The annual event which regularly attracts between 500-600 walkers from all over the country, and some from abroad, was due to be held on September 2.
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Decision is a 'step backwards'
OUTSPOKEN town centre trader Gordon Jackson, owner of Jackson's of Leigh, is devastated by the Xanadu decision, which he rates a "massive step backwards". He said: "I'm very bitterly disappointed. I don't think people realise the impact Xanadu would have
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A new look for your Journal
A NEW-look Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton Journal is on the way. From Thursday, September 6, the news-packed paid-for Friday Leigh Journal will merge with the free Thursday Midweek Journal to give readers an even better package of news, sport and features
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River clean up is nearly complete
A MAJOR clean up operation to ensure polluted mine water is clean of iron before it goes into the River Irwell is on schedule to finish next month. The £300,000 scheme is being carried out at the former Deerplay Colliery, Deerplay Moor, above Weir, by
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Top plants grown by the top man
A LEIGH garden centre's greenery has the seal of approval from the top man. To ensure all the plants displayed are of the highest quality, they are grown, tested and approved in John Bent's private Glazebury garden -- which is opened to the public for
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Thumbs down for Xanadu
FIVE years of waiting have ended with a top-level thumbs down for the mammoth futuristic Xanadu leisure complex zoned for Leigh. Secretary of State Stephen Byers backed the findings of a public inquiry to block the ambitious plans to turn 70 acres of
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Scheme calls for good role models
LEIGH'S over 50s are being invited to bridge the generation gap and become a mentor for schoolchildren. Wigan Careers Service is appealing to older people to help influence youngsters with positive values, by joining the Generations in Action Programme
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Armed raider threatens shop staff
A SHOP assistant was forced to empty a safe by a man with a machete, who had claimed he was being attacked. Police are appealing for witnesses to Tuesday night's robbery at the United Norwest Co-operative Late Shop store, in Manchester Road, Blackmoor
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West End performance is dream come true
PUPILS from the Kathleen Atherton Dance Academy experienced the thrill of their lives this weekend. Twenty girls from the Leigh school travelled to London on Saturday, having been asked to perform at Her Majesty's Theatre, in the West End. The girls,
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Campaigners celebrate Xanadu rejection
ENVIRONMENTALISTS are celebrating Secretary of State Stephen Byers's decision to agree with public inquiry Inspector J M Turner and turn down plans for Xanadu and the Kenyon Junction Station. The inquiry that took 12 weeks, spread over a year, saw a collection
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THE JOURNAL SAYS: No stopping the high fliers
GIRL power came to the fore at Bedford High School this week, when our news team called to photograph top achievers on the day GCSE results were announced. But we must admit to being a little bit amazed at some of the results obtained, as well as being
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Bus campaigners step up a gear
BUS route protesters are stepping-up their campaign with an attempt to halt land transfer deals. The Busway Noway group is trying to prevent the building of the proposed direct busway from Leigh to Manchester by stopping the transfer of land from Salford
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Thieves dig into jeweller's floor
A CHEEKY hole-in-the-wall gang got away with thousands of pounds worth of stock in an underground raid on a jeweller's shop. John Clive Jewellers, on the ground floor of Martlands Buildings, in Stanley Street, Tyldesley town centre, was the scene of an
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Right idea, wrong place
XANADU could have gone ahead if it had been transposed a mile away, across Pennington Flash. That's the view of social planning consultant Peter Grimshaw. Mr Grimshaw, of Atherton, who has no vested interest in either side of the Xanadu debate, firmly
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Why baker is getting fruity
DUNCAN Lees , general manager of Warburtons' Burnley bakery, has discovered a new zest to his working day after taking delivery of a mini-mountain of fresh fruit. Oranges are the latest ingredient to appear in a loaf of Warburtons bread. The company's
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A refreshing drink
IF you're driving, prefer to keep a clear head or have children coming to your party, try this delicious summer drink, prepared by Libby's, on a sunny August afternoon. Crush 4-6 ice cubes into a tall glass, add 150ml Libby's organic grapefruit juice,
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Dash of an Italian dish
WE'RE fast approaching the last bank holiday before Christmas. It's a frightening thought, so make the most of what's left of this briefest of summers by getting out into the garden with family and friends this weekend. Here's a delicious summer salad
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Down your street...
A LOOK at what's happening around the town. BLACKPOOL A CAR boot sale will be held this Saturday, August 25, at Blackpool & the Fylde Disabled Society's centre on St Annes Road, by the fire station. It will begin at 8am and stalls are £5 each. For
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Town bids again for city status
BLACKPOOL is to bid for city status for the second time in two years. Members of Blackpool Borough Council's executive committee agreed yesterday (Wednesday) to put Blackpool forward for another city-making contest -- despite the town's failure in 1999
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Swim in sea? No thanks
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners who spent the day quizzing beach users in Blackpool discovered fears about dirty water put most off taking a dip. Surfers Against Sewage stopped off in the resort as part of a tour of Britain's busiest tourist beaches last month
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Getting legless isn't funny
A HARD-hitting poster campaign is being launched this week to alert the town's pub and club goers to the dangers of excessive boozing. Recent research by sensible drink campaigners, The Portman Group, has revealed that as many as one million young adults
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Brief's encounter
A BLACKPOOL barrister-turned-popstar is releasing a single over the internet to raise money for needy children. Singer Pesha, alias 60-year-old Pat Bailey, has stepped down as the head of Preston-based New Bailey barristers chambers to concentrate on
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A question of grades
A-LEVEL results brought mixed fortunes across the Fylde Coast. And, although many were celebrating, some students were disappointed with their grades. Despite a 95 per cent pass rate for English, more than 150 English and history students at Blackpool
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Stag night ended up in police cells
A 33-YEAR-OLD Morecambe man ended his stag night in the cells at Blackburn police station. The town's magistrates heard Richard Mark Worthington became abusive when he was refused admission to Utopia nightclub because of his drunken condition. And when
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Family petrol bomb terror
A FATHER-of-three has told of his lucky escape from a petrol bomb attack on his home. The incendiary device was thrown through a glass panel in the front door of the house in Cherry Street, Blackburn, last night, causing slight damage. Javid Khan, 31,
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Uncle Jack tribute misses kick-off
BAD weather has delayed the completion of the memorial garden in tribute to Rovers' legend Jack Walker. No date has been fixed for when the Ewood Park project will end after workers were hampered by poor weather. It had been hoped the tribute garden would
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DJ critic in pub struck wrong chord
PUB customer John Morris struck the wrong chord when he criticised the music played by the DJ in the Grapes, in Northgate, Blackburn. The town's magistrates heard that the man spinning the discs was needled by the comments and pushed him against a waiting
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Landlords and licensees join campaign
LANDLORDS and licensees from Blackburn town centre are getting together to raise money to help save the Witton Park bonfire. Ten town centre pubs, bars and restaurants are put collection boxes in their premises after joining the Lancashire Evening Telegraph
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Prison death: Mother demands answers
A GRIEVING mother today said she was planning legal action against prison bosses and demanded to know how her son was allowed to hang himself in his cell. Home Office investigations were today continuing into the death of Mark Cooper, 27, of Hancock Street
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LOCAL SOCCER: Old versus new
RAMSBOTTOM new boys Neil Wallace and Chris Brookes make the trip to their old club Atherton LR to face Rams old boys Luke Hardman, Steve Strange and Wayne Briddon. United, who finished third last season, won their opening NWCL Division One encounter on
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LOCAL SOCCER: Cashing in on cup
CLITHEROE manager Dave Burgess will have pound signs before his eyes if his side reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup as they did last season. It is only the extra preliminary round of the prestigious competition with Clitheroe welcoming North
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LOCAL SOCCER: Not Brigg again, says Dennis
GREAT Harwood boss Denis Underwood comes face to face with his bogey team tomorrow. The name of Brigg Town must send shivers down Underwood's spine as they seem to get one over on him every time. The biggest clash was when Underwood was manager of Clitheroe
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LOCAL SOCCER: Ready to tackle problems
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman is in no doubt that the problems currently plaguing the UniBond Premier Division side will be sorted out -- and soon. The Reds manager was hoping his side could launch a charge for the Nationwide Conference on the
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Don't forget Mr Blackpool himself...
ARE we to see yet another hare-brained scheme by the ruling junta? I refer to the proposed "talking statues" on the South Promenade. I do not think the matter has been properly thought through. The mechanism, apart from being very expensive, would have
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Poor pets suffer in throwaway society
WHY do people get pets and then become tired of them? Having lost their interest in the pet, they push it out to live in the back yard or garden, gradually giving it less and less attention. Where does neglect end and cruelty begin? Could they not find
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Grandparents who act as childminders
DID you know that one in ten of the under 56s is a grandparent? Today's generation of grandparents are twice as likely to act as childminders to their grandchildren than previous generations. One in four UK grandparents are involved in looking after their
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This investigator was not independent
MICHAEL Brown, Chief Executive of Wyre Council, in asking for panel members to recommend levels of allowances for Wyre councillors, has declared that, "they must be entirely independent of... personal relationships with council members." This is the same
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Don't get in their way!
I WAS thinking about what might be the criteria for gaining a bus pass. Then the answer came to me when travelling on the 474 bus route. You have to be aged over 60 and be a world champion queue pusher: God help you if you get in their way! In recent
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Refurbishment was wasted
I AM 80 now but will remember those pre-war days spending happy hours of model yacht-sailing and, in summer, swimming and sunbathing in Clarence Lido, a very popular venue attracting people from miles around. A permanent lifeguard was always present,
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Critics too quick to condemn
ON reading your report (August 9) on Councillor Kevin Scarlett's conviction for drink-driving, I noted how quickly his political opponents have been to call for his resignation as a councillor. Coun Scarlett has faithfully served the electorate to the
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What happened to the footy?
I SEE The Premiership got a well-deserved drubbing from footy fans. Only 4.3 million tuned in to the rip-off, which was crammed with ads and chat, and lacking in action. No wonder -- it took what seemed minutes to start, with an over-length unnecessarily
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The brighter sex
GIRLS have demonstrated their superior brain power by coming out tops in A-level exams this year. Wanna bet they have done the same in the GCSEs announced yesterday? They're not as daft as lads at that age. Avon emailing THANK goodness Avon is starting
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Bargain buy: 2 towel rails, £2,555
A WELL off property developer was devastated when he moved into his new £3m dream home. The previous owners had taken the toilet roll holders, towel rails and light fittings, among other things. Now he's suing them for more than £100,000 to bring the
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What some people do for 'fashion'
THOSE amazing high sculptured shoes worn this week by top heavy silicone-enhanced model Jordan certainly weren't made for walking. The wooden curvy-soled shoes with seven-inch heels took me back to a pair I bought last time platforms were all the craze
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Day of reckoning well worth the wait
THE day of reckoning came for hundreds of pupils across the borough on Thursday (Aug 23) when the GCSE results were announced. (Click on the GCSE RESULTS file on the left link for all the local results) Records were broken at a handful of schools and
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Keeper crisis for RMI
LEIGH RMI have run into a major goalkeeping crisis ahead of Saturday's crucial trip to Margate. With RMI picking up just a single point in their first two Nationwide Conference games, manager Steve Waywell finds himself with two keepers injured and a
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Dons hand out a lesson
Doncaster Rovers 2 Leigh RMI 0 RMI's season went from bad to worse on Tuesday night as an incident-filled game went the way of Doncaster Rovers at Belle Vue. Steve Waywell's men were rocked as early as the second minute when central defender Iain Swan
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Oak's first day slip
ROYAL Oak, one of the fancied challengers for the Leigh Amateur Football League's Division One title, were left kicking themselves after the season's opening round of games. The Oak looked to be coasting to a first day win over newcomers Kersal Vale when
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, August 25
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Annual Carnival, Village Green, Worsthorne, from noon. Flower Show, Haggate School, Briercliffe. Royal British Legion Charity Shop, Lord Street West, Blackburn, 10am-
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Cricket: Bad weekend for Stand
STAND had a frustrating weekend which started with an abandoned match against Oldham. Stand scored 136 for 4 in 44.2 overs, Flegg top scoring with 48 runs. However when Oldham's pro Brandon Nash slipped and fell the umpires decided to leave the field
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JUST JAMIE: Why gloating is best part of a holiday
THE cinema-sized screen (said to be the largest in town) loomed over the whole pub last Wednesday night. Life-size footballers played out the drama while an excitable audience watched the action unfold. I was looking at other people's faces. I was working
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Cricket: Pint-sized Harry leaves the experts in a spin
FOUR-year-old cricketer Harry Dearden might not have started primary school yet but he's already being compared to Aussie spin wizard Shane Warne. Harry and his dad Steve - who is professional for Radcliffe - went to watch a cricket match at Trent Bridge
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Soccer: Witton five times bitten
Radcliffe Boro 5 - Witton Albion 0 SAME again on Saturday. . . that was the message from delighted boss Kevin Glendon after Boro's superb midweek whitewash. Witton Albion were the unlucky side as Glendon's team went on the rampage, winning 5-0. After
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Soccer: Rams winning opener
NWCFL DIVISION ONE RAMSBOTTOM UTD...2 FLEETWOOD FREEPORT...0 THE Rams went into their first game of thew season looking to end a sequence of your opening day defeats since their promotion to Division One in 1997. The first ten minutes failed to provide
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Cycling : Club notes
BURY CLARION OUR three regular track riders completed in the recent National Clarion Track championships at Manchester Velodrome. Phil Collins misjudged the scoring in the 20 lap points race but Bob Duckworth took the double points on the last lap to
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Angling: Club notes
ON Thursday evening the National Team Open with a target weight of 13lb took place on the Island Lodge with twenty seven anlgers participating. The target weight failed to be achieved, Daz Shaw fishing peg three, took top weight 9-15-12. In second place
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Bury FC: Huddersfield preview
BURY make the short trip to Huddersfield Town tomorrow hell bent on bouncing back from two successive home defeats. A 2-1 reverse at the hands of QPR last Saturday was followed by a 3-1 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday in the Worthington Cup. But there's
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Early exit so sick
THE phone number for The Samaritans flashed onto the electronic scoreboard seconds after the final whistle at Gigg Lane on Tuesday - it's always a sickener when you go out of the cup this early but surely not that serious! What was very disheartening
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No chance for young and aged
HOW disgraceful it is that the statue of the boy on the Boulevard in the heart of Blackburn could so easily be vandalised with no witnesses or even it being filmed on CCTV. So much for security. What chance has any elderly person or young child in that
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Exam succes breaks new records
THE long wait for the GSCEs over -- and Leigh area schools have scored record successes again. Click on our GCSE RESULTS file on the left for all the local results
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Former pupils' 'diamond day'
IWAS very interested to read Susan Bleazard's mention of the reunion of the 1961 intake at Blackburn Girls' High School (Letters, August 16) as we, too, are having a reunion -- of the 1941 intake -- 60 years ago! Sadly, we have no old school to visit.
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Get yer clogs on for festival
POLISH up your Lancashire dialect and shine up your clogs! Fylde Folk Festival 2001 is coming to Fleetwood on the weekend of August 31 and September 1 and 2. Performers from Australia, Canada, the USA and Zimbabwe will be descending on Fleetwood to entertain
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Cinderella's going to have a ball
AUGUST it may be, but tickets are on sale now for this year's Grand Theatre Christmas pantomime. The theatre is hosting rags-to-riches classic Cinderella, starring Blackpool favourite Ruth Madoc as Fairy Godmother, returning after an appearance in Agatha
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Queen Street in party mood
SOMETHING for the whole family is promised at a free bank holiday festival on Monday (August 27). Queen Street, Blackpool, will resound to the sound of up-and-coming local talent, displays by community groups and street entertainers. Local charities will
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Surprise rise in jobless total
BURY'S latest unemployment figures have bucked the national trend. For while the UK jobless total has fallen to a 26-year low, the borough's claimant count for July has risen by 40, compared to the previous month, to a new figure of 1,999. This comprises
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Tea for two
TWO award-winning fund-raisers will today (Fri Aug 24) be brewing up another cash collection. Freda Birtwistle and Iris Dickens are organising a tea party in aid of the Arthritis Research Campaign. Similar events in the past have raised hundreds of pounds
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Helping you to boot the habit!
SMOKERS wanting to kick the habit can get a helping hand if they go along to Boots in Radcliffe. It has launched a new initiative called Pro-Change designed to make giving-up a whole lot easier. The computer program assesses a smoker's addiction and tailors
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Family forced to flee petrol bomb
A RADCLIFFE family, including three young children, fled their home after a petrol bomb was thrown at their front door. The attacked happened at Netley Gardens at 10.30pm on Saturday (Aug 18). A milk bottle filled with petrol was flung at the door but
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Mike will take the plunge
THE sky's the limit for Bury health and fitness club boss Mike Neary. For Mike, who is general manager of the town's LA Fitness in Chapel Street, is to take part in a tandem parachute jump for charity. He will be raising money for the Muscular Distrophy
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Computer boost for teacher
A FORMER Philips High pupil is on-line for a brighter future after she netted a new job and computer over the Internet. Louise Kennish, originally of Far Hey Close, Radcliffe, found her ideal job as a drama teacher in Surrey through the web recruitment
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Jewish youths are attacked
TWO Jewish teenagers suffered minor head injuries when they were attacked in Prestwich on Saturday night (Aug 18). A 15-year-old youth sustained a head wound when he was hit with a metal bin strap. He was taken to Booth Hall Children's Hospital for treatment
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Prison death: Mother demands answers
A GRIEVING mother today said she was planning legal action against prison bosses and demanded to know how her son was allowed to hang himself in his cell. Home Office investigations were today continuing into the death of Mark Cooper, 27, of Hancock Street
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Armed robbers grab £12,000 in PO raid
ARMED robbers escaped with £12,000 from a Bury post office. Two masked men are now being hunted by police after the raid on Friday (Aug 17). The robbery happened at 4.20pm when the raiders burst into the Limefield Post Office in Walmersley Road. One of
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Coroner warns of drugs danger
A CORONER has warned of the dangers of experimenting with drugs. His comments concluded a formal inquiry into the death of Bury man Martin Gold from a heroin overdose. Although the 30-year-old injected what was described as a "recreational" dose of the
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Unity was the theme of event
THE importance of multi-culturalism and the need for all Bury's communities to live in harmony were the twin themes highlighted at a special event this week. Bury's Jinnah Day Care Centre hosted a celebration to mark the 47th anniversary of Pakistan's
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Land fill warning
A NATIONAL planning pressure group based in Radcliffe is warning communities of newly revealed dangers of living near landfill sites. The Campaign for Planning Sanity (CfPS) is publicising a report commissioned by the department of health, entitled Birth
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Community benefits from record grants
COMMUNITY groups in Bury and across Greater Manchester have benefited from cash grants totalling £321,285 between January and June this year. The figure has been announced by the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester. These are record results for
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Terzis plays patience
PAUL Terzis admits his patience is wearing thin while Leigh Centurions and the other NFP clubs await their fate. Until the Rugby League's 'Strategic Commission' report on the future make-up of the game is announced, Leigh are in limbo. And Leigh's head
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Depressed church worker committed suicide
A RAMSBOTTOM church worker committed suicide after a bout of depression. Mrs Maureen Milner was found hanging at her Cotswold Close home on May 24 by her husband of Roy. An inquest in Bury heard this week how the mother of four, who had been married for
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HEAD2HEAD: Midfield inspiration
ROVERS winger Keith Gillespie is currently in the best form of his Rovers career after starting the new Premiership campaign with a bang. So Ewood chief Graeme Souness will again be looking to him and Damien Duff to provide the ammunition for strikers
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Inquest on woman's death in home blaze adjourned
AN inquest has been opened into the death of a part-time cleaner who died after a blaze at her sister's home, last Tuesday. Maureen Collier, 37, mother of a young daughter, had been living temporarily at the house on Claremont Terrace, Nelson, which her
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Woman rescued after 'explosion'
A WOMAN was rescued through a bedroom window at her Nelson home after being woken by the sound of an explosion in the electricity meter cupboard. Francesca Di Giorigio was fast asleep in her house in Lane Ends, Nelson when she was awakened at 6.30am by
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Man in suicide plunge
A PARANOID schizophrenic, who plunged to his death from a car park, and who was later found to have a rare illegal hallucinatory opiate in his body, killed himself an inquest heard. Police had earlier been called in after a pathologist discovered Mahfooz
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Injured Graham wakes to say 'Mum'
A YOUNGSTER has regained consciousness after being knocked down minutes after he was grounded by his mother for stealing sweets. Graham Wood, nine, of Howard Close, Accrington, spoke to his mother Janette, 29, yesterday afternoon from his hospital bed
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Xanadu scheme had no major support - Byers
IT seems a lifetime since the Xanadu project was revealed, so long have the deliberations taken to rule out Leigh's ice-crystal palace. But it is really only five years since the futuristic fun zone was revealed to a stunned Press at a high-level meeting
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Phone repair time sparks safety fear for resident
DISABLED Brian Seddon is thankful for his life-saving mobile phone. When his BT land line went dead last week, he used his mobile to alert the company. But he claims engineers took five days to fix the phone, and his call for compensation has been refused
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At least now we know
DISAPPOINTED at the Xanadu decision Leigh MP Andy Burnham presents his view of the situation to Journal readers and shares with them his hopes for the future. WELL, at least the waiting and uncertainty is over. But that is about the only good thing that
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What a sheiker!
STUNNED tourism chiefs are being inundated by requests from Arabs with a taste for fish and chips, rollercoasters and kiss me quick hats. New figures taken over an 18-week period show that around 5,000 of them a week have been tapping into a new website
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Join the campaign
SEND your support to save the Witton Bonfire in Blackburn on the thisislancashire website. Comments will be compiled on a message board and will also by printed in the letters page of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. You can also find out how to make
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Crops mystery is turning full circle
REPORTS that one of the largest, most complex crop circles to appear in England had been discovered this week at a farm in Wiltshire, prompted me to investigate further. I found a website called circlemakers and it makes fascinating reading if you are
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SWIMMING: Final countdown for Newton Hall
BOTH teams from Newton Hall Swimming Club's Micro squads will compete in their respective finals at Lancaster in September. The North West Micro League consists of young swimmers aged 9-12 and is the first step to competitive swimming. In Division 'A'
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It's the townspeople who lose out
Dear Sir, The idea to stop the Xanadu project will be the nail in Leigh's coffin. Are the people who object to scheme, blind to the damage this will have on jobs, economy and the future for Leigh? No train station either, yet Atherton has two! The whole
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People do not want 'playground for the rich'
AT long last, we have the result of the Xanadu inquiry -- and, despite the shenanigans of Labour councillors -- the inspector has found strongly in favour of residents who opposed the monstrosity. Residents did not want this 'playground for the rich'
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Points picked from Cherries
MANY have tipped Blackpool for a quick return to Division Three this season especially following their opening day defeat by Reading. But after this performance on the south coast, few can picture the Seasiders struggling as the Cherries of Bournemouth
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Inflation busting growth in wages
SOME construction workers in the North West are certainly adept at wage building. For a new region-wide survey has found evidence of pay growth above the rate of inflation for jobs such as project managers, site engineers and quantity surveyors. The salary
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Competition law reforms
BUSINESS leaders in Bury and Bolton have sounded a broad welcome to the publication of the Government's Competition and Insolvency White Papers. Andrew Ratcliff, chief executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber, said: "Any measures to help businesses trade
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Gordon's guides win seal of approval
COMPANIES striving to succeed in the cut-throat worlds of customer care and marketing are "keeping up with the Joneses." Bury's very own Mr Jones that is! For author Gordon Jones's successful "Shoestring" business guides are allowing small firms to gain
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Police motorway checks on caravans
OFFICERS from Lancashire Constabulary's Motorway Unit will be targeting unroadworthy caravans in a drive to improve safety on the county's motorways. Sergeant Brian Roberts said: "To reduce accidents and delays we need to ensure that vehicles using the
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Foundation win
BURNLEY FC handed out their biggest cash prize at the home match with Wimbledon last Saturday. Clarets fan Matthew Norris, of Newchurch, Pendle, landed £10,000 in the Clarets Foundation annual prize draw. Six Foundation members were drawn out to have
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We can hit back says Ellis
BURNLEY'S assistant manager Sam Ellis is backing the Clarets to overcome their midweek setback quickly. Beaten 3-2 by Football League newcomers Rushden and Diamonds in the Worthington Cup's first round at Turf Moor, Ellis was sure that the side could
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Lions will be ready to roar
PROMOTED sides have a habit of making a big impact and no club should know that better than Burnley after their charge to the verge of the play-offs last season. And the evidence is strong with Ipswich shaking up the Premiership last term and the Clarets
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Crash death inquest opened
AN inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of Hambleton businessman Frank Kelly. The 64-year-old died after his Mercedes left the road at Great Plumpton, ran down a railway embankment and was hit by a passing train on the line between Weeton
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Police motorway checks on caravans
OFFICERS from Lancashire Constabulary's Motorway Unit will be targeting unroadworthy caravans from Friday, August 24, in a drive to improve safety on the county's motorways. Sergeant Brian Roberts said: "To reduce accidents and delays we need to ensure
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Balloon event 'blown away'
HOPES of a first for Blackpool were blown away by the good old British weather on Tuesday. The first ever "night glow" gathering of hot air balloons on a British beach was due to start at 9pm, but windy conditions stopped the event from going ahead. Blackpool
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Public to staff police station?
A RECRUITMENT drive for community volunteers has been launched to extend the opening hours of a rural police station without draining resources. The station is between the villages of Preesall and Knott End, and people are needed to staff the enquiry
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Oscars for hoofers
BRAY-CE yourselves -- donkey "Oscars" are coming to Blackpool! The town's best kept donkeys are to be honoured with special awards designed to recognise how well the animals are cared for. According to Town hall chiefs, the award scheme will include the
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Revamp for Marks
A HUGE investment of £1.3 million promises to put the sparkle back into Blackpool's Marks and Spencer store on Church Street. Work has already started to transform the premises into a shoppers' paradise with "an altogether brighter and fresher feel".
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Miners strike!
Leigh Miners Rangers 25 Leigh East 23 MINERS Rangers lifted the Champion of Champions Grainey Trophy for the first time since 1977 - but only just! Arch-rivals Leigh East must have thought the prestigious pre-season trophy was on it's way back to Grasmere
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Timetable changes are nearly finished
BUS passengers in rural areas have been promised that axeing services has all but ended. Transport bosses say two of the county's largest bus companies have virtually completed their raft of major timetable changes to the network. Operators announced
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Open wide for new dental centre
A NEW walk-in dental centre opened this week without any teething troubles. The new Dental Access Centre is based at 18 Parsons Lane in the same building as the Bury NHS Walk-in-Centre. The Walk-in-Centre Dental Access Centre is only the second of its
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"Payback" justice
YOUNG offenders in Bury and elsewhere in Greater Manchester are having to atone for their actions under a pioneering restorative justice scheme. And in some cases, this has meant the youngsters apologising in person to their victims and carrying out repairs
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Claim new report helps quarry fight
PROTESTERS against plans to site a tip in Shuttleworth claim a new report into the possible health risks posed by landfill sites will strengthen their campaign. Members of Ramsbottom Against Landfill (RALF) say the Government-backed report has helped
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Ready for a hot reception
BURNLEY winger Glen Little is prepared for a hostile reception as the Clarets go to the New Den. The 25-year-old knows only too well the kind of highly charged atmosphere that the East End fans will create as the Clarets look to maintain their 100 per
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Souey orders same again
EWOOD chief Graeme Souness today called for the 'same again' as Rovers go in search of their first win of the new campaign against Spurs. Wednesday night's morale-boosting performance against Manchester United sent a message out to the rest of the Premiership
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Sit Thi Deawn for t'Weavers
FUN and folk meets brass when The Houghton Weavers appear at Fleetwood's Marine Hall this Sunday (August 26), along with Fodens Courtois Brass Band. The Weavers formed 25 years ago and are perhaps best known for their own television show, Sit Thi Deawn
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Paper money share out for top bosses
A FORMER director of paper group and major Darwen employer David S Smith received £177,000 compensation for loss of office, according to the group's recently published annual report. Stuart Russell took early retirement from the board on September 6 last
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Cycle Speedway: Speedway bonanza at Goshen
THREE members of Bury Border Flooring Cycle Speedway club are in tremendous form on the eve of the big one. Bank Holiday Monday sees Bury host the British Individual Cycle Speedway Championships for the first time in its history. The Bury Times sponsored
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Sale to help OAPs
LEIGH'S Help The Aged Bradshawgate shop is having a half-price sale of summer clothes until September 4.
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Market's had its day says trader
A FRUIT and veg man with four decades experience is changing his career after claiming 'markets are dying.' Now Alan Wilkinson, 53, aims to work as an ambulance driver taking the elderly to hospital appointments, after closing his stall on Darwen's Annexe
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LEIGHNEWS-shed-c
Arson probe FIREFIGHTERS believe a blaze that destroyed a shed on Bickershaw wasteland at 10pm on Monday was arson. The shed, in Bolton House Road, is thought to have been a children's den.
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Guided walk man Rudi is dead
A VOLUNTEER who ran guided walks from Groundwork Rossendale for several years Rudi Plummer has died aged 74. Mr Plummer was a former teacher in schools in Kirby and Prestwich and a keen cyclist and lived at Burnley Road East, Whitewell Bottom. He died
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Can you give Sandy a home?
A LOVING new home is wanted for a special little puppy. The dog, named Sandy, which was found with a plaster cast on its back leg, was picked up in Middleton at the end of June, and taken to Manchester Dogs' home. Staff removed the old cast and found
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Dead woman used drink and drugs
A 40 YEAR old woman found dead at her home had been using drugs and drinking, an inquest heard. The hearing, at Burnley Magistrates' Court, was told that Beverley Anne Whitney, of Back Burnley Road, Bacup, who had never been married, had not worked for
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Soccer hitmen are top of pops
THREE celebrity namesakes have scored a hit in the local football world - by sharing their names with musical superstars. Robbie Williams, Barry White and David Gray are worlds apart from their popstar counterparts, although they are well-known locally
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Project leaders will scrutinise Xanadu ruling
DEVELOPERS from Greenbank Partnerships Ltd, who have nurtured the Xanadu scheme from its infancy five years ago, admitted "surprise" at the decision. Company director Chris Baybutt told the Journal: "Having ensured that as an integral part of The Xanadu
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Hunt is on for the best childcare
THE search is on for the area's top childminder. Wigan Council's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership is planning to reward the best in the borough at an awards ceremony in November. It wants to hear from anyone who knows people who deserve
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College must rethink its building plan
A NEW building was on the cards for Wigan and Leigh College, if the Xanadu project had been given the go-ahead. But this week, marketing chief at the college, Brian Dean, although disappointed at the news, said other development considerations could now
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Police probe lorry fires
TWO heavy goods vehicles were gutted after an arson attack at a Leigh works yard in the early hours of Monday morning. Leigh firefighters were called out at about 2am to put out two wagons that had been torched at Joe O'Connell's Plant Hire in Westleigh
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Seaside comes to town
YOUNGSTERS were given a taste of the seaside when donkeys and Punch and Judy shows came to town. Activities usually to be found in seaside resorts have been taking place in Leigh town centre this week. Little fairground rides, puppet shows, magic shows
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Garage fire sparks arson probe
FIREFIGHTERS battled for an hour to put out a blaze which damaged a classic sports car and destroyed a garage. An adjoining greenhouse also went up in flames in the early hours of Wednesday, in Warrington Road, Abram. Hindley and Wigan firefighters arrived
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Steps dream comes true for Rosie
A LUCKY Blackpool girl has outbid hundreds of hopefuls in a music competition to snap up a luxury night in London, £200 spending money and -- most importantly -- two much sought-after tickets to see Steps in concert. Rosie Turner, a 12-year-old Arnold
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Students urged to build bright prospects
A TEENAGE girl from Blackpool, who has chosen to follow her father into the world of painting and decorating, is supporting a campaign to encourage school leavers to choose a career in the construction industry. School students received 'A' level results
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They're going up the wall!
BLACKPOOL teenagers have enjoyed wall-to-wall fun during a boredom-breaking summer scheme. Organisers of the Summer Splash project, providing free holiday activities for 13 to17-year-olds in the Talbot and Brunswick areas, said that more than 200 youngsters
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Has anyone seen our Bracken?
A DISTRAUGHT family has been making weekly pilgrimages to Blackpool in search of a dearly loved pet which went missing in the town earlier this month. Bracken, a lovable chocolate brown labrador-collie cross breed, was in a Mini Metro that was stolen
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LOCAL SOCCER: Dale enjoying the UniBond life so far
ROSSENDALE are so far finding life in the UniBond First Division to their liking. They are only two games into the season after a 12 year absence from the UniBond League but have already got six points under their belt. Two 1-0 wins -- against Matlock
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LOCAL SOCCER ROUND-UP: Peters is ready
BACUP: Brent Peters' side had a first game derby victory over Padiham and face a trip to Chadderton tomorrow in the NWCL Division Two. "It doesn't matter who you play in the first games, they are always at full strength and raring to go," said Peters.
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ATHLETICS: Neils silver show
HYNDBURN AC is one of the region's most prominent track and field clubs, but on the road Neil Tattersall has been virtually their sole ambassador for several years. On Sunday he put the club firmly on the road racing map when he won the silver medal in
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Lottery grant?
SO, Blackpool Zoo is up for bids to be managed. Why don't they ask the lottery to make a grant for the zoo? If we are not very careful the animals and birds will suffer. C Hague (Miss), School Road, Thornton Cleveleys.
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Relative hunt
I WONDER if your readers might be able to help me contact the daughter of a distant relative who had a Blackpool boarding house around 1939? He was my grandfather's step-brother. I stayed there when I was too young to remember where it was. His name was
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Hoping to solve skin complaint riddle
MOST people have heard of the skin complaint, psoriasis. But it's not as widely known that people who suffer from it also have an increased risk of developing a form of inflammatory arthritis which affects both the skin and joints. This condition -- famously
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Why was Taylor probe held up?
I WAS present at the meeting at the Town Hall where the report on the ex-leader Councillor Ivan Taylor was made public and it appeared to me that he admitted to not declaring his half ownership in a house in the members' interest book from the year of
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More modern democracy than ever
I DISAGREE with the view expressed by John Finlay (Citizen August 9) who claims that democracy is being eroded. He claims as evidence of his theory that the new executive style local government committee need not have any opposition members. That may
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Lucketti set to start
PRESTON new boy Chris Lucketti may displace his former Bury team-mate Michael Jackson as he goes straight into the side which will make the trip to Grimsby. North End boss David Moyes bought central defender Lucketti for £750,000 and the 29-year-old looks
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What a sheiker!
STUNNED tourism chiefs are being inundated by requests from Arabs with a taste for fish and chips, rollercoasters and kiss me quick hats. New figures taken over an 18-week period show that around 5,000 of them a week have been tapping into a new website
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A real credit
THE flowers outside Bury library and the surrounding area, as well as displays in other parts of the town, are really beautiful and a credit to all concerned. They are very much appreciated. I. J. MOORE (Mrs)
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No one collected it
REGARDING your recent story about flagging interest in supporting waste paper collections, it is no wonder that people are losing interest. I saved papers every fortnight but on about three occasions I have had to ring up to complain that they have not
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Fence is ugly but necessary
LEE Pinder (Your Letters, August 3) describes the fencing around the Lido as an eyesore, but I put it to him that, although not aesthetically pleasing, it is a necessary safety precaution. I applaude the council for realising the dangerous potential of
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Lure can be deceptive
AS a result of two recent incidents, may I bring to your readers' attention that, even though the weather may be pleasantly warm, the water in Elton Reservoir is very deep, and very, very cold. People who, in a moment of stupidity, decide to go for a
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French put us to shame
ON a recent holiday in France, my wife had an unfortunate accident and broke her foot. We took her to the local hospital where she was seen within five minutes by a doctor. She was immediately taken to x-ray, and then back to the doctor who confirmed
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Why Britain's athletes will always be losers
THE recent World Athletics Championships in Edmonton, Canada, once more revealed the weaknesses of our athletes. The disgraceful performances of some of the people representing this country suggests to me that the controlling body does not do such a good
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I'll back a modern force
MR W. Derbyshire (Yours Truly, August 2) says that I should back modern methods of policing, such as helicopters. What the public are worried about is the anti-social behaviour of a small, but vicious, element of thugs. Effective as helicopters are in
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Where's volume two?
lI DON'T reckon much to the German businessman's plan to print classic literature on toilet rolls. Some people take long enough in the little room as it is. I can't for the life of me image why anyone wants to go in there to get bogged down in a good
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'I'll just stop here for a quiet nap'
lWHAT a lovely story. A packed commuter train had to stop for 20 minutes in Surrey because a badger was asleep on the line. Staff alighted, woke it up and waited until it shuffled off. Top marks to the driver. Had he had a cruel streak, he could have
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Say cheese!
THREE cheers for MASC -- Motorists Against Speed Cameras -- who are literally knocking them out of action. Their latest attack on the A40 saw four cameras wrecked in a 15-mile stretch. I'm not condoning vandalism, but I have to say yippee. The destruction
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Maybe I'm just lucky
BRENDA Clarke obviously hasn't had the same good encounters with the NHS I and my family have had this year. She says after her experience, she's going straight to Wigan next time. Brenda, of Wigan Road, Leigh, was returning to her car at Doctor's Nook
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Fame and, fingers crossed, fortune
JOURNAL photographer Colin Lyne is heading for the clone zone big time -- as a Sven Goran Eriksson lookalike. He has me to thank for his latest TV appearance on Stars and Their Doubles 2001 last week. I spotted an invitation for copycats to compete in
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Father's fight may save his daughter
IT'S frightening that a case of new variant CJD has emerged so close to home. Pretty 20-year-old Rachel Forber, from Newton-le-Willows, was recently diagnosed with the human form of mad cow disease, and her devastated parents were told she had only six
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Centurions' kids one step away from glory
LEIGH Centurions' Academy team are just one game away from claiming the Division One Minor Premiership. If they beat Doncaster at Hilton Park tomorrow afternoon, the young Centurions will finish top of their division and be firm favourites to reach the
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Hat-trick hero
A FANTASTIC second half hat-trick from Brett Ormerod blew away opponents Wigan and blasted Blackpool into the second round of the Worthington Cup. And Ormerod was not alone in receiving extra credit from this game. All 11 players in tangerine shirts can
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Injury time stunner ruins Dino's debut
Leigh RMI 1, Hayes 1 RMI fans were treated to an excellent exhibition of attacking football from new signing Dino Maamria, but were denied all three points against Hayes on Saturday by Alvin Watts' late equaliser. Watts struck a tremendous free-kick from
