Archive
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Fit for a challenge
STAFF and members of a fitness club sweated it out together in physical and mental challenges at the weekend to raise money for charity. Teams from the Regency Fitness Suite, in Blackburn, battled it out against each other at the Windsor Suite, in King
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Attacks are unjustified
REGARDING the articles and letters over recent months concerning the closure of Church Street in Blackburn, the town centre is a complete shambles. And as for the recent attack on hairdresser Jeff Stone, I must write to support him. I have always found
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Chamber action a fine example of democracy
REGARDING the discovery of original cobble stones at Higher Church Street and Darwen Street, Blackburn (LET, August 16), it seems a shame that they could not be saved to show a little of the original past and used today. The argument about lack of time
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Foot and mouth crisis mishandled
IN the light of yet more foot and mouth cases being discovered, one is forced to ask: Has the Government totally mishandled the issue from start to finish? So far, 5,152,978 animals have been killed at a cost of £2.2billion. On May 3 the Prime Minister
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Hospital benefits from John's legacy
FRIENDS came up with a fitting tribute to the bravery of a Limefield man who died earlier this year, just three months after he was first diagnosed with a brain tumour. Paint mixer John Jackson died in March at Bury General Hospital, having been diagnosed
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County haul
LANCASHIRE County Council staff are being blamed for thousands of pounds-worth of damage and thefts at their historic headquarters, County Hall. Now a memo has been issued to all employees of Lancashire County Council, pleading with them to help preserve
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Feast for motorsport fans
A GROUP of midwives from Fairfield Hospital are gearing up to act as motorsport grid girls. They will be delivering the fun and helping with the fundraising at the Three Sisters circuit in Wigan this Thursday (Sept 6) where a charity track day is being
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Hi-tech help for jobseekers
NEW hi-tech help is just the job for Prestwich people looking for work. For a bank of computer terminals has arrived at the town's Job Centre in Rectory Lane to replace the traditional rows of display boards with cards advertising job vacancies. Now,
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Suzanne gets fit to run for cancer funds
FIGHTING fit Suzanne Carr is running the Great Northern Run -- from Newcastle to South Shields -- to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief. This is the second time that Suzanne, 39, of Low Bank, Burnley, has tackled the half marathon. She is hoping
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Protest over twin brother choice as panel chairman
A STANDARDS panel has been criticised after the twin brother of a Burnley Labour county councillor was appointed its independent chairman. At tonight's full council meeting, Independent leader Coun Harry Brooks and his 10 group members will call for a
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Virgin on the ridiculous
A RAIL traveller has received an apology from train bosses after complaining that its ticketing service was "Virgin on the ridiculous." Mrs Pat Wright, of Woodhead Road, Burnley, regularly travels to London on business and wanted to take advantage of
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Cricket balls damage prompts full probe
A FULL review of the use of Ringstone Crescent recreation ground, Nelson, could be carried out, following complaints by residents about flying cricket balls damaging their property. Members of the Nelson Committee will recommend to the Overview and Scrutiny
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Five years ago
A PRIVATE security firm launched guard patrols to protect houses and property from crooks operating on Blackburn estates. Loynds Security Services charged £1.50 per home to monitor the Whitebirk area on Friday nights.
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Oyez, my wife's a winner!
TOWN crier Joe Baron had something to shout about when his wife Joan picked up two awards at Great Harwood Civic Society's Horticultural Show. The annual event at the Central Methodist Church also features a variety of fruit, vegetables, flowers plus
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Bridge plan to ease traffic problem
A NEW footbridge and cycleway is set to be built alongside an existing road bridge. Lancashire County Council's development control committee was today set to approve plans for the parallel bridge, which will run over the former Longridge branch railway
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No 'soft touch' for travelling criminals
A COUNCIL has vowed not to let the Ribble Valley become a "soft touch" for travelling criminals after crime figures jumped. A new audit, compiled from statistics between April 1999 and March 2001, shows an increase in domestic burglary, criminal damage
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LOCAL CRICKET: Darwen disapoint
DARWEN suffered a disappointing weekend, missing out on the chance to go second in the Northern Premier League due to the weather on Saturday, and being beaten in the final of the Slater Cup on Sunday. Darwen entered the Slater Cup final in confident
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LOCAL CRICKET: Haslingden light-up night sky
HASLINGDEN celebrated victory last night in the first ever day-night floodlit cricket match in the Lancashire League. But the Bentgate side will not take their place in Friday's final - because the team are going away for the night. Rawtenstall, beaten
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Back to the drawing board
A STEAMROLLER of opposition to unpopular traffic calming plans for Sedgley Park has forced traffic bosses into a rethink. Prestwich's Kings Road was earmarked for a raft of new measures after being identified as one the worst accident blackspots in the
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Ready to do battle
THE Moores will be a family at war when Rotherham travel to Burnley on Saturday. Millers boss Ronnie Moore will be pitting his wits against son Ian, the Clarets striker, and he is on unfamiliar ground. "It is going to be strange without a doubt," said
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Filan is backing Lucas
ROVERS keeper John Filan today backed Lucas Neill to make a big impact on the Premiership if manager Graeme Souness decides to press ahead with a move for the Millwall midfielder. As we exclusively revealed yesterday, the 23-year-old is currently on trial
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Guard dog drives back fire crew
A GUARD dog hampered firefighters as they tried to tackle a blaze in a car scrapyard. The dog was roaming the compound at Darwen Auto Breakers in Robert Street when firemen arrived at 10.30pm. Sub-officer Tony Hartley said: "We were stopped from getting
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Gigg Lane holds no fears - Bhutia
INDIAN international Baichung Bhutia has claimed that Bury are not scared of playing at home. Former Liverpool boss Roy Evans, now in charge at Swindon Town, suggested that the Shakers home form is suffering because they are affected by the moaners and
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Body dragged from canal
POLICE were today trying to discover what killed a 62-year-old man who was found floating in the canal. The body of Alban Bradley, of Queen Street, Darwen, was seen near the Moorings public house on Bolton Road, Blackburn, at 12.15pm yesterday by a passenger
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Hurry to have your say on grant aid
PEOPLE have just two weeks left to have their say on how they want to spend £75,000 of grant aid. Residents living in the Hoddlesden area can tell the council how they want the regeneration cash spent. East Rural ward Councillor Fred Slater, who helped
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New police supremo named
A NEW police chief has been announced for Rossendale West. Inspector Roger Ravenscroft, 39, has charge of Rawtenstall, Haslingden and surrounding areas. He began his career in Gateshead, transferred to Lancashire and has worked in Blackburn, Accrington
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Bikers ready for the big ride-in
BIKERS are revving up for Europe's biggest town centre motorbike show, which will see more than 35,000 people flock to Rawtenstall on September 23. There are five ride-ins for bikers to choose from: a Heritage ride from Britannia to the East Lancashire
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New studio for dance classes
A FORMER working men's club in Waterfoot has been transformed into a new dance and drama studio. The business had been running above Cloughfold Conservative Club for 20 years, but had outgrown its premises. Although the Cloughfold base is being retained
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Church targeted in vandal attack
AN historic church has been forced to install metal grilles after determined vandals smashed through safety glass and damaged a stained glass window. The Rev Jeffrey Arcus, vicar of St Paul's, Ramsbottom, said the thugs had smashed a 4ft by 2ft window
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Smith pledge on foot and mouth
TORY leadership contender Iain Duncan Smith travelled to Lancashire yesterday -- and pledged to push for a foot and mouth independent inquiry if he was elected. Just days after rival Kenneth Clarke visited the Guild Hall in Preston, Mr Duncan Smith, who
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Giant invader felled after poison fears
A POISONOUS giant plant which invaded waste ground in Blackburn has been chopped down. The giant hogweed, which causes blisters and burns and can leave permanent scars, was found last week by contractors from a gardening company. But after the danger
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Hunt goes on for missing teenager
POLICE today insisted the hunt would go on for a teenager who absconded from Calderstones Hospital -- despite him technically not being a patient any more. Andrew Sutcliffe, 18, went missing from the Whalley hospital on July 11 after giving a female member
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LOCAL SOCCER: Chadderton blast
CHADDERTON blitzed Colne with a seven goal thrashing in the North West Counties Division Two clash last night. Two men, Chris Barlow and Colin Bennett, did the damage which ripped Colne apart, leaving Colne player-manager John Lister wringing his hands
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A problem with bored teenagers
YOUNGSTERS are in desperate need of a recreational shelter to stop them wandering the streets, a council heard. North Turton parish councillor Sandra McGuinness highlighted the plight of bored children in Belmont. She said at Monday night's meeting that
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On top of the world
FINANCE chiefs have climbed a mountain to win a national award for encouraging payment of council tax by direct debit. They have reached "Everest" status in the annual Reach for the Top Challenge as more and more people change the way they pay their bills
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Show respect for fine old building
THE revelation that an elegant old building such as County Hall is being vandalised by its own staff is a damning indictment of the disrespect in modern society. Lancashire County Council bosses have had to issue a memo to all employees pleading with
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Osprey passing through
THE sighting of the month was an osprey, seen in flight over the River Ribble. I suppose this should not surprise us because some ospreys spend the winter in Africa and breed in Scotland. We are therefore on the migration route. This year ospreys have
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Cracking the fruit and nut case
MANY people wonder what the difference is between a fruit and a seed. Imagine that you receive a parcel. It is wrapped up to protect it. This is the fruit. Inside is the delicate present which the sender does not want to be damaged. This is the seed.
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Cross holds the true relevance
HAVING seen the £100,000 sculpture affixed to Blackburn Cathedral wall, I am unimpressed. This is not to decry the skill employed in its workmanship or its attempted symbolism. However, as a humble practising Christian, I would prefer that the only adornment
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Sculpture an extravagance
OUR North West Church of England Diocese is facing the loss of 20 vicars because of a £700,000 funding cut, not to mention a national shortfall of £12million. Never mind, Blackburn Cathedral has been given a £100,000 'belly button' sculpture that won't
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Putting women in their place!
IAM 85 years young and I have travelled extensively, but never in any town, city or country that I have visited have I seen so many untidy and scruffily dressed women as I see in Blackburn. I am sure that mirrors are obselete in many homes. Perhaps if
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Firestarter on rampage alert
FIREFIGHTERS were called out eight times on Monday night to deal with a series of arson attacks. Fire crews in Atherton had to deal with two blazing cars, scorched bushes, burning rubbish and fires in wheelie bins. At about 7.30pm firefighters were called
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Rugby player jailed after bottle attack
ONE of Leigh's top amateur rugby league players has been jailed for 15 months after he hit a man on the head with a bottle. Dale Aldred hit victim Paul Hilton in a Leigh nightclub, a court was told. The attack happened even though Aldred knew Hilton from
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Masked gang wreck police patrol car
FOUR masked men smashed up a police car which was under repair at a Bury garage. The "W" registered Volvo was deliberately targeted by the gang, who were seen to climb into a compound at the Walker Farrimond garage on Manchester Road, Sunnybank. The men
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Get switched on!
RESIDENTS are being urged to get switched on about whether their electric blankets might be dangerous. For electric blanket testing sessions are being held in Bury and Radcliffe later this month. The campaign comes at a time when there are hundreds of
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Brutal attack on brothers in street
TWO young brothers were brutally beaten about the head and body during an unprovoked attack early on Monday (Sept 3). One of the victims sustained a broken nose and bruising to his body after being repeatedly kicked and punched on the ground. The attack
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Caroline's really rocking
FIRST class graduate Caroline Hoyle hopes to be sitting pretty, after she rocked competition judges with her new chair design. Caroline (22), of Byron Road, Greenmount, won a place in the final of the national "Bright New Things" awards, with her impressive
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Thirteen arrested in dawn drugs swoop
A MASSIVE drugs blitz was launched today which police said would "change the face of Blackburn forever." More than 200 officers were taking part in Lancashire's biggest anti-drugs crackdown in more than five years. In a series of dawn raids -- codenamed
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Injury and defeat add to suffering Leigh's woes
Leigh RMI 1 Southport 2 by David Magilton INJURY-ravaged Leigh look like facing a long hard season. The fifth place they recorded in their first term in the Conference seems a distant memory after they sunk to next to bottom of the table. A string of
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Lessons for the road
CHILDREN from years three and six at St John's RC Junior School in Burnley learned vital road safety lessons. Road safety advisor Keith Fothergill ran the courses to teach the children the cycling awareness course. Headteacher Kieran Heakin said: "We
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Chief's rap for health reform plans
HEALTH watchdogs under threat from Government plans to reform the NHS claim the latest proposals to reform complaints procedures will only lead to confusion. When the General Election was called, community health councilsa were given a reprieve because
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Plea changed after seeing victim sob
A BURGLAR who had denied breaking into a house owned up and changed his plea after he saw the victim sobbing in a witness box. Burnley Crown Court heard how Keith Kavanagh, 34, relented after he saw the woman's distress as she gave evidence against him
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Celebrations of children are bugged
CHILDREN in Barnoldswick have been spending their summer holidays preparing for their town's postponed midsummer celebrations. Groups of youngsters have been working with local artist Joy Evans, to produce colourful flags which will decorate the town
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Ten years ago
LANDLORD George Cook of the Plane Tree Hotel, Blackburn, rallied support to buy items for Church Hill Day Nursery after thieves smashed their way into the school and stole everything from children's toys to fish fingers from the freezer.
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'Sex pest terror' of woman, 76, in her own home
A WOMAN of 76 was allegedly terrorised by a drunken man who molested her in her own home and demanded sex, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard the arthritis-stricken pensioner, who used a walking frame, was followed into her kitchen by Terence
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Stanley take new steps to old glories
THE country's most famous non-league football club has joined forces with Hyndburn Council in a bid to recapture its former sporting successes. Accrington Stanley bosses have already spent £81,000 on a new stand and floodlights over the last 12 months
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Ultra £31m fall in firm's value
SHARES in Ultraframe, the Clitheroe-based conservatory roof manufacturer, have continued to plummet with a further £31million wiped off the company's value in just one day of trading. The company surprised the City last week with a second profits warning
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TURF TALK: Perception of Clarets is all wrong
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent will be pleased to know that the tide is turning. While his team have picked up well from last season's seventh place finish and currently sit on top of the first division table after only five games, he obviously still perceives
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LOCAL CRICKET: Farhan in double bid
RAMSBOTTOM Cup hero Farhan Adil plans to cap a magnificent debut season in English cricket by leading Great Harwood to an historic league and cup double this weekend. The 23-year-old Pakistani right-hander masterminded Harwood's Ramsbottom Cup success
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Spadework is rewarded for "green fingers"
A PIONEERING £50,000 project for Bury to create the North West's first-ever horticulture training and resource centre is now firmly taking root. For a massive 50ft by 24ft building, which will be the centrepiece of the innovative scheme, is now in place
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Wildlife trail now open to all
A SPECIAL wildlife trail has been opened at Sunnyhurst Wood and Visitor Centre, Earnsdale Road, Darwen. The Herbert Parkinson wildlife trail is created in the beautiful woodland and is a mile-and-a-half long -- suitable for a family outing with children
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Mirrors brought bad luck
THE sound of wing mirrors clipping as he parked up outside his house was not sweet music for part-time DJ Tony Haworth. Blackburn magistrates heard that a special constable attending an incident round the corner came to investigate and ended up breathalysing
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A problem with bored teenagers
YOUNGSTERS are in desperate need of a recreational shelter to stop them wandering the streets, a council heard. North Turton parish councillor Sandra McGuinness highlighted the plight of bored children in Belmont. She said at Monday night's meeting that
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School gets new head
A NEW headteacher has arrived at St Joseph's Primary School in Darwen to mark the start the school year. Tony Pearson, from Barrowford, was appointed to the role following the retirement of Susan Jackson, who packed away her marking pen for good in July
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'Walking miracle' strolls into town
A MAN described as "a walking miracle" because of his phenomenal fund-raising efforts, despite suffering from a crippling condition, will be visiting Darwen on Friday to raise money for arthritis research. David Paterson, 45, from Bedford, will be collecting
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Fun Day will be antidote to area concern
A FAMILY fun day will be held at St Mary's RC School, Tong Lane, Bacup, on September 30 from 10am. It is being organised in response to adverse comments about the 'Planning for Real' programme and what is seen as a lack of action in the area. A small
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ay sliproads shut overnight
HOLIDAYMAKERS jetting out from Manchester Airport on overnight flights this week need to add extra time to their journey to the airport as motorway work starts tonight. The work, part of a 10-week programme on the M60 to strengthen three bridges on Junction
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Company ban on director
A BLACKBURN businessman has been disqualified from being a company director for five years. Michael James Ellis, of Mellor, was the director of the Reef Clothing Company, which had shops on King William Street, Blackburn and in Blackpool. In June 1999
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Court hears claim against Straw
A £50,000 negligence claim against Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Blackburn with Darwen Council was heard in court for the first time on Monday. The hearing lasted 15 minutes and was held in chambers by deputy district judge Jones at Blackburn County
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MPs' split verdict on use of cannabis
NEWS that a cannabis-based spray is relieving the pain of multiple sclerosis and nerve damaged patients has been given a mixed reception by East Lancashire MPs. Former Home Secretary Jack Straw, who launched the trial which has produced the result, and
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Pregnant assault victim 'threatened'
A LEGAL clerk became involved when his brother pressurised a pregnant assault victim to drop her complaint, a court was told. The clerk allegedly dealt with a retraction statement said to have been on a forged document. It is also claimed that a younger
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'Cynicism' hits caring charity recruitment
VOLUNTEER numbers for the Samaritans in East Lancashire have dropped to their lowest point in more than 25 years because Britain has become a more "cynical" nation, says the charity. And the pressures of combining family and working life have also created
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County haul
LANCASHIRE County Council staff are being blamed for thousands of pounds-worth of damage and thefts at their historic headquarters, County Hall. Now a memo has been issued to all employees of Lancashire County Council, pleading with them to help preserve
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LOCAL SOCCER: Old boys test
NELSON play holker old boys at home in north west counties division two tonight, hoping to build on saturday's 9-1 demolition of daisy hill.
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LOCAL SOCCER: Bacup's double disaster
A DOUBLE disaster from Bacup defender Ian McLellan handed Alsager the points in the North West Counties Second Division tie at West View. It was all Bacup in the opening minutes with Karl Stanley causing problems for the visitors but then defender McCLellan
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LOCAL SOCCER: Cup catastrophe
DARWEN crashed out of the FA Cup at the preliminary round stage after a nightmare at the Anchor Ground. Steve Wilkes's side, who have yet to win a game this season, had the chances to win the tie but spurned each one. The Northern Counties East side go
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LOCAL SOCCER: Unbeaten records are still intact
BOTH sides put on a super show as they retained their unbeaten records at Dark Lane and it could have been even better for Dale but for a late equaliser from their Yorkshire opponents, Ossett Town. Gareth Gardiner again caused mayhem on the right and
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LOCAL SOCCER: Glaring errors cost Chorley
TWO glaring errors by keeper Simon Marsh in a disastrous four-minutes early in the second half cost Chorley a match they should have won. Workington opened proceedings at a furious pace but missed two presentable chances, and the Magpies steadily took
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LOCAL SOCCER: Clitheroe banish their blues
CLITHEROE have finally kick-started their season. Dave Burgess's side ran riot at the Riverside in the North West Counties First Division derby proving they are still a force to be reckoned with. The Blues had not won a game in five league and cup attempts
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College man earns unions' honour
THE founder and former head of Blackburn College's TUC Education and Training Department, Clive Edwards, was today being awarded the TUC's top award at its conference in Brighton. Mr Edwards was being given the prestigious Men's Gold Badge for his "dedicated
