Archive
-
Date
EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Tuesday, November 6
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn Breast Care Support Group, Beardwood Hospital, Preston New Road, Blackburn, 7pm-9pm.Chat Night. Breast Care Nurse in attendance Read and Simonstone Friendly
-
Date
This week in 1976 25 years ago
COUGH UP CASH: Doctors in Bury were claiming that a shortage of GPs in the area was intensified by a higher rate of disease. They also said that if patients had to make an initial payment for treatment, it would cut out the minor complaints and given
-
Date
NHS should not pay for this
REGARDING your article on male circumcision for religious reasons being made available by the NHS (LET, October 25), what will be next -- the legalising of "female" circumcision, which is still illegally carried out in this country? The NHS is already
-
Date
Traffic chaos alert
THERE was major traffic chaos in the Lowton area after three roads were closed following a chemical spill. A wagon carrying Acrysol was travelling along Atherleigh Way at the junction of the A580 East Lancashire Road in Lowton when one of the barrels
-
Date
Former student says: "I'm helping Taliban"
A FORMER Bury College student claims he is helping to smuggle British volunteers into Afghanistan to fight for the Taliban regime. From his new home in Lahore, Pakistan, Hassan Butt said that he is prepared to fight in any "jihad" against British and
-
Date
Who-oo's come for breakfast?
TWOowls proved they were not so wise by falling down a chimney flue and giving lorry driver Jamie Bates an unexpected wake-up call. Jamie (31), of Inman Street, Bury, was up early on Tuesday (Oct 30) to sort out some paperwork when he heard a noise from
-
Date
World Cup dream under threat
LUCAS Neill's World Cup dreams could be under threat after the Rovers defender learned he could miss Australia's vital World Cup play-off clashes later this month. Neill, a £600,000 signing from Millwall, was due to fly out to Sydney this week for the
-
Date
Souness chases Kuqi
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is ready to beef up his attacking options with a cut-price swoop for Stockport hitman Shefki Kuqi. Rovers HAVE already contacted County about the highly-rated Finnish international -- a player they have been tracking for
-
Date
Dunn set for play-off game
EWOOD star David Dunn has been forced to put his World Cup dreams on hold after being picked for England Under 21s at the weekend. Dunn had been touted as a possible candidate for Sven Goran Eriksson's full international squad after a string of impressive
-
Date
Race fear over attack in street
POLICE in Burnley are appealing for witnesses to an assault they are describing as "racially aggravated". The attack took place on Saturday afternoon outside McDonald's in St James Street, Burnley. A 20-year-old man was taken to Burnley General Hospital
-
Date
Vanished views come back to life
NOW buried deep beneath Blackburn's shopping precinct, this bit of old Blackburn -- town-centre Victoria Street, viewed from Market Street across the town's market square that served as a free car park when the traders' stalls were removed -- comes back
-
Date
Artists fail to show
LOCAL arts and crafts people were being given the chance to sell their wares at Colne market on Saturday - but no-one turned up. The free arts and crafts market was due to run on the first and fourth Saturday of the month, subject to demand. There was
-
Date
Five years ago
BURNLEY dad Granville Bentley was preparing for a parachute jump in aid of baby charity BLISS to say thanks for his son's life. Little Ryan could fit into his dad's hand when he was born prematurely five years earlier and underwent dozens of operations
-
Date
Six year sentence for back street attack
A MAN who was battered and left for dead in a vicious back street assault spoke today of his attacker's six-year jail sentence and said: "I just want to put it all behind me now." Thomas Gibson was speaking as his assailant, Paul O'Connor, of Water Street
-
Date
Volunteers are made Freemen
TWO pillars of the community have been nominated for a borough's new title of Honorary Freeman. Dorothy McGregor, of St Leger Court, Accrington, and Eunice Whittaker, of Fernlea Drive, Clayton-le-Moors, will receive their awards at the civic carol service
-
Date
Historic shake-up for local authority
COUNCIL bosses have pledged to become more accountable to the people of Hyndburn after agreeing the biggest ever shake-up in the way the borough is run. Councillors have voted in the changes to the council's constitution after two years of planning since
-
Date
Probe opens into hospital patient's death
AN investigation has been launched into the death of a 39-year-old patient who died while detained at Calderstones Hospital in Whalley. An inquest has been opened into the death of Marcus James Wing on October 24. He was subject to a restriction order
-
Date
Bride and vroom's wheel appeal
SUPERBIKE hero Neil Hodgson revved up to the church on time to wed his very own girl on a motorcycle and said: "This is scarier than racing at Brands Hatch." Former British champion Neil married sweetheart Kathryn Hoare, of Gisburn Road, Blacko, at Whitewell
-
Date
Dynamic duo do it again!
THE Steel City will be sick of the sight of Gareth Taylor and Paul Cook. On the opening day of the season the pair struck the goals that condemned Wednesday to defeat at Hillsborough and yesterday they ensured that United were also beaten. Strangely neither
-
Date
LR made to suffer
Atherton LR 2. Maine Road 4 A POOR first half performance was largely responsible for Rovers going out of the cup at the first hurdle as Jock Russell and Chris Simms gave Maine Road a two goal lead by the interval. The second half was better but defensive
-
Date
Police go into battle against drink crimes
BURY police have launched their biggest operation ever to combat alcohol-fuelled crime. Between now and Christmas, extra patrols will monitor weekend revellers while flushing out underage drinkers from town centre pubs and clubs as part of Operation Tray
-
Date
Land sale is agreed in secret
TOWN Hall bosses have agreed to sell off land at Sycamore Road in Tottington to house developers. But they promise local residents that they WILL get their say over the proposed sale, because the site is public land. Members of the council's executive
-
Date
Former mayor celebrates 80th birthday
THE first woman to be elected Mayor of Bury celebrated her 80th birthday on Sunday. And present and former politicians wished her a very happy birthday when they threw a surprise party. Retired Conservative councillor Mrs Evelyn Waite devoted much of
-
Date
Souness chases Kuqi
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is ready to beef up his attacking options with a cut-price swoop for Stockport hitman Shefki Kuqi. Rovers HAVE already contacted County about the highly-rated Finnish international -- a player they have been tracking for
-
Date
Little's star turn
GLEN LITTLE'S latest impressive display left Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock baffled at Turf Moor yesterday. "I don't know what Premier League managers are doing not buying Glen Little," he moaned. "The sooner he is sold the better!" But his comments
-
Date
Healy helps PNE hit County for six!
LEFT foot, right foot, head - not Preston's answer to the hoaky koaky but the awesome performance of David Healy. First he hit a hat-trick in the space of 30 minutes, then his team-mates went on to double the score line - only for David Moyes to say the
-
Date
Pressure piles on Preece
ANDY Preece has admitted the pressures of knowing that he might have to sell his best players. The Bury manager was reacting to the midweek statements by chairman Terry Robinson who said that because of the financial position at the club, it was likely
-
Date
Watch out for the 'professional' thief
RESIDENTS in the Belgrave area of Darwen are being targeted by a 'professional' burglar, police have warned. House-to-house calls by the police have already been made in the area and Crimestoppers leaflets given out in a bid to prevent the break-ins.
-
Date
Charity banner swiped
THIEVES have stolen a charity banner from the Asda store in Bocholt Way, Rawtenstall. The mean thieves cut strings from the heavy PVC eight by two feet banner advertising the Children in Need appeal and stole it. "We want our banner back" said Asda events
-
Date
Gardeners urged to do their bit to stop floods
LOCAL gardeners are being urged to do their bit to prevent autumn flooding problems by being careful in the disposal of leaves and other debris. Joanne Regan of Rossendale Rivers Initiative at Groundwork Rossendale, said autumn was increasingly a time
-
Date
'Rat-run' villages in plea to cut traffic
RESIDENTS of the Mankinholes and Lumbutts areas of Todmorden want their districts to become access-only traffic zones. Abigail Hogg, of Mankinholes, said traffic was increasing steadily and, with new houses being built at Stansfield View, Fielden Hospital
-
Date
Don't compare us with Colchester!
ROSSENDALE council leader John Holt has claimed that criticisms of the council's debt collection service do not take into account the local situation. Action was already being taken to improve debt recovering and make it easier for local people to pay
-
Date
Hammer attack 'paranoid'
A FATHER attacked the windows of a car containing his wife and children with a claw hammer. Blackburn magistrates heard Shaun Pinder smashed two windows then dragged his children into his house. Pinder, 32, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty
-
Date
Teachers' leader in tribute to education chief
AN East Lancashire teachers' leader has heaped praise on a departing education chief, leaving for a £50,000 pay rise -- but said he was concerned he was joining the private sector. Blackburn with Darwen's director of education and training Mark Pattison
-
Date
The Burn's now all set to burst back
BLACKBURN and Darwen's very own radio station is set to burst back into life after being granted a licence to broadcast for a further 28 days. And the people behind FM 106 The Burn promised it will be bigger and better than before. The Radio Authority
-
Date
East Lancs borough shows way
A DRIVE to raise standards has resulted in a social services department being named among the 20 most-improved in the country. And Health Minister Jacqui Smith today said she would be talking to chiefs at Blackburn with Darwen Council to see if their
-
Date
It'll be worth it, drivers told
COUNCILLORS today urged the public to try and put up with the roadworks engulfing Blackburn. And they urged people fed up with the rows of cones and long queues to look to Bolton, Manchester and Salford to see the benefits the new road scheme would bring
-
Date
Dale thankful for Mark's late strike
MARK Patterson's wonder goal proved the saviour for Rossendale but they have to do it all at Bedworth om Tuesday night in the FA Trophy first round replay. The former Rovers and Bolton midfielder scored the goal of the game when he broke forward and unleashed
-
Date
Rams out
RAMSBOTTOM were desperately unlucky to lose out in a thrilling cup tie that provided first class entertainment for the large crowd. In the opening minute Prescot cleared off the line from Steve Orrell and goalkeeper Paul Dahl blocked a Russell Brierley
-
Date
Three quick goals mean Blues exit
THREE goals in eight second half minutes ended Clitheroe's interest in the Worthington Challenge Trophy at the second round stage. But it was a brave and spirited performance from the Blues who, for an hour at least, looked the better side against their
-
Date
"Secret" decision an abuse of our rights
AS a resident of Sycamore Road, Tottington, I am increasingly worried and concerned about the proposed new development of 30 houses by Walshaw Estates on land off Sycamore Road. I am horrified to learn that, to allow access to the development, it may
-
Date
Patients would "pay" for road
EVER since it became apparent that a Labour government was going to ensure Bury had a hospital worthy of the 21st century, Conservatives like Dorothy Gunther (Your Letters, Oct 26) have sought to denigrate the scheme. Why? Is it spite or envy because
-
Date
The only way is to keep complaining
HOLCOMBE Brook has been a nice, quiet, sought-after location for a good number of years but is fast becoming an intimidating, noisy, untidy and undesirable area because of a group of youths who are hell-bent on causing havoc. Cars on Pot Green have had
-
Date
A Parents' Guide to... Beacon Schools
ST MARY and St Joseph's RC Primary School in Bennington Street, Blackburn, is among the latest in East Lancashire to be designated a Beacon School. One thousand schools in Great Britain have now been identified by the Government as the best performing
-
Date
Teachers' leader in tribute to education chief
AN East Lancashire teachers' leader has heaped praise on a departing education chief, leaving for a £50,000 pay rise -- but said he was concerned he was joining the private sector. Blackburn with Darwen's director of education and training Mark Pattison
-
Date
Our School...
TAKE a look at St Wilfrid's CE High School, Blackburn School motto: St Wilfrid's CE High School sees education as an integral part of the mission of the Church to proclaim God as creator, Christ as redeemer and the Holy Spirit as inspirer of all that
-
Date
Threats case man released
A MAN who was arrested in connection with death threats made to Bury Football Club has been released without charge. The 34-year-old from Bury was arrested on Friday and interviewed by detectives. He was released on Sunday and inquiries are continuing
-
Date
Pool downed by top of the league
TWO seasons ago Blackpool went to Brentford's Griffin Park stadium and lost 2-0. Despite the result being the same this time around, the two performances were light years apart. Pool Manager Steve McMahon summed up the game as an excellent performance
-
Date
Getting better by going it alone
LOCAL authorities are in the firing line for a lot of criticism and Blackburn with Darwen Council is no exception. The state of the town centre, traffic problems and troubled housing estates are not subjects that have led to widespread acclaim being heaped
-
Date
United go out
Prescot Cables 2,Ramsbottom United 1 A PRESCOT goal two minutes from time dumped the Rams out in a blood and thunder cracker of a cup tie. David Yorke-Robinson gave United the lead on 35 minutes with a tremendous strike. Somehow they failed to add to
-
Date
Boro miss chances
Radcliffe Boro 0, Accrington Stanley 0 BORO face a mountainous task in Wednesday's replay having spurned opportunities to kill off this FA Umbro Trophy Round One tie at the first time of asking. It was a game which should have finished comfortably in
-
Date
First start for Borley?
YOUNGSTER David Borley looks set to make his first league start in Wednesday night's Gigg Lane clash against Cardiff. The 20-year-old midfielder impressed when he came on as a substitute at Port Vale on Saturday and - after his man of the match performance
-
Date
Sloppy Bury lose out in scrappy show
Port Vale 1 Bury 0 by Steve Canavan of the Bolton Evening News WHEN we stopped in Stoke to ask a young couple directions to the ground, they replied: "Sorry, no idea. We're from Canada". It set the tone for the day. As miserable defeats go, this takes
-
Date
Today's the day
1871: The Rogues Gallery was started when photographs of all Britain's prisoners were taken for the first time. 1896: The first motor insurance policies were issued covering damage caused by frightened horses. 1922: The Australian airline, Quantas, took
-
Date
Lowdown on the Highnotes
THEATRE for young people is coming to three East Lancashire community centres this week. Lowdown Highnotes is a musical play about beauty, self-image and family relationships explored through one girl's journey to self-discovery. Red Ladder Theatre Company
-
Date
A mad mix of crime and cream
YOU will never look at a grandmother in the same way again after watching the latest offering from Colne Dramatic Society. Bookings are now being taken for Caramba's Revenge, a black comedy which has been compared to the classic Arsenic and Old Lace.
-
Date
All's not as it seems!
RING, ring, ring, ring. "Hello." "Hello grandpa, it's Jennifer, are you busy?" "No love, I'm surfing the net." Long pause. "You can't be, you don't have a computer." "I know, I'm washing my curtains." "Mum, mum, he's pulling my leg again." D PRATT (Mr
-
Date
Keep prickly pals safe
ON Bonfire Night I would like to remind all readers who are intending to have a bonfire to check their firewood thoroughly for hedgehogs -- as they like to hibernate in the wood and debris. If you do happen to find one, then carefully move it well away
-
Date
Humanist beliefs under threat
THE proposed legislation against incitement of religious hatred is, I believe, a threat to my own belief as a British Humanist. Up to now, I have been able to refute any superstitious religious nonsense by explaining my Humanist belief. For example, I
-
Date
Ban lorries and make road safer
FOLLOWING yet another accident recently on the Grane Road between Haslingden and Blackburn -- this time, caused by a diesel spill -- is it not time to call for a restriction on HGVs using the road as a 'short cut'? There is a sign on the A56 directing
-
Date
Playing into terrorist hands
WITH every innocent Afghan killed by American and British bombs, the moral case for the 'war against terrorism' is diminished. The world was united in its condemnation of the attacks on the World Trade Centre, but is deeply divided over the response.
-
Date
Santa Bin Laden complaint
A MARKET stallholder today spoke of his amazement when police ordered him to rip down a poster featuring Osama bin Laden wearing a Father Christmas hat. A member of the public complained to an officer about the poster, which was on display at Frank Littler's
-
Date
Bill for bonfire calls
BONFIRE blazes in East Lancashire cost the council taxpayer nearly £30,000 at the weekend as fire crews answered nearly 150 emergency calls -- half of them in Burnley and Nelson. Burnley crews were called to 50 unsupervised bonfires between Friday evening
-
Date
Hotel's healthy opening
IT may have cost £13 million to build and be the 13th new De Vere hotel, but bosses of Bury's Village Hotel are not superstitious! Two months after it opened to the public, the Waterfold Park health and conference facility is already exceeding their expectations
-
Date
RMI revel in five goal show
Scarborough 2 Leigh RMI 5 by Martyn Hindley Leigh RMI certainly enjoyed their day by the Seaside as they hammered bottom club Scarborough to ease away from the Conferencedrop zone. Steve Waywell's men - criticised by Brian Little for their negative tactics
-
Date
Daylight robbery
HAMPSHIRE police today revealed they are hunting a gang of smugglers who invaded Southampton's plush new St Mary's stadium over the weekend before making off with three precious Premiership points. According to eye-witness reports, the SAS-style raid
-
Date
Turf in silent tribute
FOURTEEN thousand fans joined together in an emotional tribute to assistant manager Sam Ellis's son before the Clarets live TV match against Sheffield United. Soccer supporters from across the North West saw the minute's silence immaculately observed
-
Date
By-election threat to Labour
THREE by-elections in Burnley in the next ten days could result in opposition groups outnumbering the Labour party for the first time in decades. By-elections are taking place in Trinity and Lowerhouse wards on Thursday and in Rosehill ward on the following
-
Date
Paralysed clubgoer: Police in new appeal
DETECTIVES joined clubbers and Saturday night town centre pubgoers in Todmorden in an attempt to get new evidence about an incident which has left a local man paralysed. Thirty-four year old joiner Paul Dearden has been in hospital since being found unconscious
-
Date
Council faced with £95,000 bill
THE Burnley race riots could cost the borough £95,500. The council's first draft response to the "disturbances" in June reveals £25,000 of "actual additional expenditure" and a figure of £70,000 for the time put in by staff who should have been on other
-
Date
Firm's pledge as diggers move in
A COMPANY boss today reassured residents who are worried about a piece of land near their homes being turned into an industrial development. People living in Healey Wood, Burnley, who celebrated a planning battle victory to stop industrial development
-
Date
Charity service for bereaved families
FAMILIES whose loved ones have been injured or killed in road accidents are invited to attend a special service at a Nelson church organised by the charity Road Peace. The charity's local representative, Sue Sainsbury, lost her own daughter, four-year-old
-
Date
Traders boost air ambulance fund
TRADERS at Colne Market Hall have handed over £100 to the North West Air Ambulance Service. The money was raised from a win a car competition held at the market hall during the Great British Markets Week in August. Shoppers paid £1 to roll the dice to
-
Date
Soldiers of the Queen
PEOPLE in Colne took time time out from their Saturday shopping to line the streets to watch soldiers from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment march through the town. Drums were beating, flags were flying and bayonets were fixed in traditional style when
-
Date
Ten years ago
PROUD pupils who sent home-made medals to a Gulf War hero cheered as the Queen presented him with the real thing. Children at St Francis Primary School, Cherry Tree, adopted Ian Dewsnap, of Walton-le-Dale, during the war and were thrilled as he collected
-
Date
Food for thought
CHILDREN from Great Harwood Towngate Pentecostal church tucked into hot dogs and doughnuts in an alternative to Hallowe'en to raise money for less fortunate children in Colombia. It was the second of two feasts laid on at the Town Hall Street church as
-
Date
Prisoner walked through an open gate
A PRISONER from Great Harwood who escaped from Accrington police station didn't need to hatch an elaborate plot -- he just walked out through an open gate. Burnley Crown Court heard how Raymond Birtwistle, 24, who has been stuck in a cell for hours, "
-
Date
Fire crews take aid to Paraguay
A TEAM of local firefighters are giving rescue services in cash-strapped South America a new lease of life with an urgent aid package. The life-savers, led by former Blackburn and Accrington firefighter Colin Cunliffe are sending a truckload of rescue
-
Date
What a week!
SATURDAY saw the Seasiders obtain another consecutive home win and at last a clean sheet at Bloomfield Road -- and then Tuesday night saw us push through to the next round of the LDV Trophy after a comfortable win (and another clean sheet) at Mansfield
-
Date
Turf in silent tribute
FOURTEEN thousand fans joined together in an emotional tribute to assistant manager Sam Ellis's son before the Clarets live TV match against Sheffield United. Soccer supporters from across the North West saw the minute's silence immaculately observed
-
Date
Little's star turn
GLEN LITTLE'S latest impressive display left Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock baffled at Turf Moor yesterday. "I don't know what Premier League managers are doing not buying Glen Little," he moaned. "The sooner he is sold the better!" But his comments
-
Date
Colls in a fade-out
Fleetwood Freeport 0, Atherton Colls 1 A JEKYLL and Hyde performance in the Worthington Challenge Trophy first round had Colls' nerves jangling. Ahead from the 12th minute when Lee Potter set Martin Sloan through to round the keeper, Colls dominated the
-
Date
£10,000 reward to catch a killer
THE son of Bury murder victim Tom Hewitt has put up a £10,000 reward to help catch his father's killer. Mr Paul Hewitt believes the cash incentive may encourage someone in Bury to come forward with a vital piece of evidence, the murderer's name, 27 years
-
Date
'Specials' involved in bonfire weekend safety
A THREE-PRONGED approach involving the police, trading standards and the fire brigade was used in Darwen in the run-up to bonfire weekend in a bid to stamp out trouble with teenagers. Sgt Andrea Bradbury, of Darwen police, said they had been in constant
-
Date
Probe into mail office vandalism
POLICE are investigating an incident of wanton damage at the Royal Mail sorting office, Kay Street, Rawtenstall. Damage estimated at £300 was caused when ten window panes were smashed at the town centre building between 6.30pm and 9pm on Friday. Anyone
-
Date
Attack victim fell through window
AN ex-soldier who left a man with serious facial injuries in a Blackburn street attack has been jailed for a year. Christopher Bielby's victim fell through a car window during an early morning fight. And when police went to detain the defendant he bit
-
Date
Your round, and no excuse
IT'S a familiar scenario -- last orders has been called at the bar and the person buying the drinks pleads poverty and escapes their round. All that is about change now that cash machines are being installed in pubs and clubs. Cash machine provider NCR
-
Date
Driver 'was left bleeding' after incident
A 58-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man was left bleeding heavily and distressed following a "road rage" type incident, a court was told. Stanley Lowe was hit in the face, his car was dented and his mobile phone stolen after being accused of applying his brakes for
-
Date
Gulf order joy for aero giant
LANCASHIRE'S aerospace industry was celebrating a massive boost today thanks to a pledge from Emirates airlines to spend £10 billion on new planes. Both BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce stand to make millions from the order, which is believed to be the largest
-
Date
Pipeline work will be eco-friendly
BOSSES at the company building a massive new gas pipeline across East Lancashire have launched a special hotline for people worried about the impact of the work. Transco -- which is building the 29km pipe from Samlesbury to Helmshore -- says it has issued
-
Date
Marching on
STAND went 11 points clear at the top of NWCL Division Two. Stand's Neil Dawes scored on six minutes but Squires Gate equalised through Scott Sugden on 15. Steve Carroll took Stand 2-1 on 40 minutes and Squires Gate again drew level through a Stuart Booth
-
Date
Points shared in derby
WITH Padiham having the edge in the first half and Nelson having the better second half a 1-1 scoreline was about right for this NWCL derby at the Arbories. Both managers could point to incidents which might have changed the game: Padiham appealed for
-
Date
Bacup march on
BACUP secured a place in the third round of the Worthington Challenge Trophy with a comfortable win over higher league opposition. The NWCL Division Two side should have won more convincingly than Jason Lanns' second half strike but manager Brent Peters
-
Date
Quality tells as Colne go out from in front
COLNE'S hopes of causing a cup upset at Holt House were dashed by Division One Abbey Hey but John Lister's men put up a brave fight in their Worthington Challenge Trophy second round clash. In fact, Lister's men took the lead after just 13 minutes with
-
Date
Stanley relief as Boro miss penalty
THE lion's share of possession, plenty of chances and a missed penalty. Some would say Radcliffe Borough have had their chance. But it's not over until the Fat Lady sings, or in this case, with the Crown Ground so close to Holland's just down the road
-
Date
"Urban terrorism" must be curbed
HAVING lived in Ramsbottom for less than six months I am appalled by the lack of law and order and the total disregard for people's property demonstrated by a very small minority. At first I was surprised at the "over the top" security evident in our
-
Date
Pupils get to sample the world of work
YOUNGSTERS dressed a dummy and stripped a gearbox as pupils from across East Lancashire got to grips with the real world of work. Schools in Blackburn and Brierfield are involved in roadshows designed to give the youngsters a taste of what to expect when
