Archive
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Join the fight against drugs
IN straightforward policing terms, the seizure in East Lancashire of a massive haul of heroin that is thought to be the biggest-ever in the area is a splendid result. But while police say that the capture of this large amount -- with an estimated street
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By gum! Birds talk in dialects
A FEW years ago I did some research on the sounds made by birds. This involved making recordings and playing these back through a machine called an oscilloscope. This displayed a sound pattern which could be photographed. From looking at the patterns
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Blair going back on promise
TONY Blair gained thousands of votes on the strength of his convictions to ban fox hunting. I trusted Mr Blair when he said his party would bring an end to this obscene bloodsport. Now, there's talk of ditching plans to outlaw fox hunting. Instead, he's
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Wear your poppy with pride
AS Remembrance Day approaches, I wish to voice my personal support for this year's Poppy Appeal and to urge your readers to contribute as generously as always to this most worthy cause. This year is the 80th anniversary of the Royal British Legion, during
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Democracy is not 'petty bureaucracy'
AS chairman of planning at Hyndburn Council, I strongly object to MP Greg Pope's mention of "petty bureaucracy gone mad" when he referred to a planning decision for a formal garden in the green belt in Clayton-le-Moors (LET, October 30). Whilst not everyone
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Armed gang in club raid terror
A FOUR-man gang armed with baseball bats attacked two workers as they prepared to lock up Atherton Liberal Club early today. The two workers were approached by a group of four masked men armed with baseball bats as they locked up the rear of the club
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Home produced is the answer
RECENTLY the Foreign Secretary devoted a whole national newspaper article to defending the globalisation of trade. However, in the case of food production, globalisation has arguably gone badly off the rails and is now an uneconomic, anti-social force
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Police divers in search for 'body'
POLICE were searching a disused reservoir and surrounding moorland in Darwen for a body today. Officers launched the investigation after noticing suspicious activity close to a storm drain near the reservoir yesterday and went to the scene with special
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Corbett wings way to Antwerp
ROVERS winger Jimmy Corbett is planning to resurrect his career on the continent with Royal Antwerp. The former Gillingham starlet has a week to prove himself after joining the Belgian club on trial. And Ewood chief executive John Williams hopes it might
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Flitty's fitness battle
EWOOD enforcer Garry Flitcroft is facing a battle to be fit for Rovers' showdown with Liverpool next week after suffering a new injury blow. The inspirational skipper limped out of Saturday's victory at Southampton with a groin strain. And scans have
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Academy stars shine in rout
A YOUTHFUL Rovers reserve side romped to a magnificent 4-0 win over Leeds United at Morecambe's Christie Park last night. With most of the senior squad currently away on a four-day break at La Manga, manager Alan Murray called up a host of players from
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Dunn needs a run
ENGLAND boss Sven Goran Eriksson has hardly put a foot wrong since he took up his post at FA headquarters. But I've got to say I think his decision to leave David Dunn out of his squad to face Sweden on Saturday could turn out to be a big mistake. David
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Damning verdict on SATS
EAST Lancashire parents and teachers were given a damning verdict on standard assessment tests by a leading educationalist. Dr Yvette Solomon of Lancashire University told an audience at the Nazareth Unitarian Chapel that SATS were counter productive,
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Cameras to spy on nasty neighbours
VIDEO cameras will be used to gain evidence against "rogue" tenants and anti-social behaviour on Burnley's estates. They will be used by members of the Burnley and Padiham Community Housing enforcement team to gain evidence of harassment and nuisance.
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'Spiked drinks' claim at inquest
THE death of a 29-year-old Nelson man remains a mystery after his mother told an inquest: "I think his drink had been spiked". James Pickford, of Bentley Street, was found dead at a friend's house in South View, Nelson, June 15 this year. Pathologist
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Ex-school house may be turned into flats
PLANS to convert a former church schoolhouse into flats will be discussed at a meeting tomorrow. Developers are hoping to transform Colne Parish Church School in Exchange Street into seven residential flats. The building lies within a conservation area
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Edge of your seat stuff
SPARKLING performances from an all-star cast delighted a capacity crowd on a blustery Bonfire Night in Blackpool. Successful thriller writers Harry (Robert Powell) and Paul (David Griffin from Keeping up Appearances) have devised complex murder plots
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Five years ago
CLITHEROE'S former railway station buildings won the prestigious Ian Allen award after being nominated by North West Regional Railways. It was described as a shining example of how to use a redundant building for the good of the community.
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Ten years ago
LICENSEES hosting karaoke events were warned they could face prosecution for not holding a special licence. Rossendale and Hyndburn Councils both sent letters to local pubs advising them to fork out for the £220 licence proving just how popular the singalong
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Verdict looms on council pay reform
COUNCIL workers will learn by the end of the year if they are "winners or "losers" under a far reaching re-think on wages. Hyndburn borough chiefs and union bosses have interviewed 650 staff, from cleaners to senior managers, as part of an agreement hammered
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Surprise break for young achiever
A BRAVE Hyndburn schoolgirl who was presented with a Child of Achievement honour earlier this year is off on the holiday of a lifetime. Keiley Radcliffe, of Richmond Avenue, Accrington, was one of just 150 young people chosen from more than 5,000 to receive
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Prentice to meet Pakistan president
EAST Lancashire MP Gordon Prentice is to meet Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf tomorrow amid growing concerns over the effectiveness of the bombing of Afghanistan. The Muslim leader is in London for a vital meeting with Prime Minister Tony
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Calderstones staff sickness rates cut
SICKNESS rates among staff at Calderstones mental health unit have been cut dramatically -- a year after unions warned the problem was putting their members at risk. A year ago, employees at the Whalley hospital were taking an average of 16 days sick
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Ball is facing tough test
ANDY Awford is hoping that Kevin Ball will return to the Clarets line-up and face Portsmouth's Croatian star Robert Prosinecki at Turf Moor on Saturday. Pompey's chief scout used to clean Kevin Ball's boots at Fratton Park and he said: "I can imagine
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Beaten by the yobs?
EVIDENTLY, something is wrong if vicious yobs can hang around an area of Accrington from 6pm to 11pm most days, drinking alcohol, frightening decent folk and trying to set a nearby church on fire several times. All of this trouble in the Barnfield Street
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Oh what a funny war it is
BLACKBURN butcher Frank Littler's "joke" of sticking a Santa hat on a photograph of terror monster Osama bin Laden and making it a feature of the "Join Our Christmas Club" poster on his market stall may have been too fatuous to be funny. And I can imagine
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Flitty's fitness battle
EWOOD enforcer Garry Flitcroft is facing a battle to be fit for Rovers' showdown with Liverpool next week after suffering a new injury blow. The inspirational skipper limped out of Saturday's victory at Southampton with a groin strain. And scans have
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Carmen a red-blooded triumph
WAYWARD women, jealous men, stabbings and lots of drama... it sounds like any TV soap opera. But this was Blackpool Grand Theatre on Sunday night (Oct 28) and the very welcome return of the Chisinau National Opera with Bizet's Carmen. Red-blooded to say
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Shakers warn off Newby admirers
BURY have issued a "hands-off" warning to club's chasing star striker Jon Newby. Ahead of tonight's home match against Cardiff City, chairman Terry Robinson has moved quickly to make it clear that Newby will not be sold. The chairman said that the sale
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Fingers crossed for floodlight security
A DARWEN church is expecting to know by the end of the week whether it can get permission to have a floodlit cross in a bid to stop vandals and intruders. St James Church in Winterton Road has been hit by a spate of trouble with trespassers and vandals
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Police divers in search for 'body'
POLICE were searching a disused reservoir and surrounding moorland in Darwen for a body today. Officers launched the investigation after noticing suspicious activity close to a storm drain near the reservoir yesterday and went to the scene with special
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The bear necessities
IF you go down to Lindsey Holden's house you're sure for a big surprise. For every bear that ever there was -- or 500 of them at least -- take pride of place in the 26-year-old's bedroom. And having kept them hidden away for the best part of 20 years,
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Dale crash out
IT was a tale of two penalties, one given and one not, as Rossendale United made a swift exit from this season's FA Umbro Trophy. The UniBond First Division side were up against it before the game even started as nine of their first team squad were unavailable
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We're not a one man team, says Kelly
RAMSBOTTOM manager Mike Kelly has fervently denied that his side are a one-man team after a fruitless night in front of goal without top scorer Russell Brierley. The Rams' hot shot, who has scored 18 of the side's 26 league goals this season, is currently
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Six of the best from Darwen
DARWEN new boy Matt Swailes scored two goals in an entertaining nine goal NWCL Division Two clash against Daisy Hill. Boss Steve Wilkes has snapped up former Chorley striker Swailes from NWCL Division One side Salford City and, after 36 phone calls to
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The Band will play on at Hyde
ACCRINGTON Stanley have made an enquiry about Hyde's utility man Peter Band - but don't agree with the asking price. Boss John Coleman said the Reds have been keeping tracks on the 28-year-old, thought to be valued at more than £5,000 by fellow UniBond
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Ace Hodgson heads home for signing
NERVES are not something you would normally associate with World Superbike rider Neil Hodgson. The 27-year-old can take a corner at more than 100 miles per hour and coped with some of the toughest courses in the world to finish fifth on his return to
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Childcare projects celebrate windfall
THREE childcare schemes were celebrating today after being awarded more than £150,000 between them. Across the north west more than £2.3million of National Lottery money has been awarded in grants by the New Opportunity Fund to create nearly 3,500 childcare
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Victoria's spitting image up for sale
A SPITTING Image puppet of Bury-born comedienne Victoria Wood is expected to fetch up to £400 in a memorabilia auction. The spoof puppet of the former Bury Grammar School pupil will go under the hammer in a specialist lot at London auction house Sotheby's
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Marshall joins the Brett show
BRETT Ormerod hit back with two late goals to earn Blackpool a draw against Stoke City, and loan signing from Bolton Ian Marshall made his debut in an exciting night at Bloomfield Road. Stoke rode their luck and then shocked the Seasiders in the second
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Thursday, November 8
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Petticoat Lane Sale, St Silas's Parish Centre, next to Church, Preston New Road, Blackburn, 6.30pm. Altham Parish Council meeting, Altham School, 7pm. Special Guest Simon
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Beer logo brought me cheer
ERIC Leaver's 'Looking Back' article about the old Dutton's brewery in Blackburn (LET, October 29) brought back memories for me. In the early 1950s, I was a jacquard weaver at Fernhurst Mill at Ewood and one of my looms was set up to weave curtains with
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Urgent plea for concert venue
IN aid of the annual Children in Need appeal on November 16, Great Harwood Male Voice Choir intends to perform a concert. But we don't yet have a venue as many of the high-profile locations are either unavailable or already booked by other groups on the
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Exhibition is fascinating
I HAVE just paid what I am ashamed to say was a rare visit to Blackburn Museum, but what a treat was in store for me. I refer to the Tiplady's Blackburn exhibition. The painting of the laying of the foundation stone of the Blackburn Cotton Exchange is
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Fast track to miners' injury claims
LEIGH MP Andy Burnham has welcomed a breakthrough in speeding up compensation claims for former miners suffering respiratory complaints or vibration white finger. Mr Burnham raised the issue in the House of Commons with Trade and Industry minister Brian
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Legends at the Moor
OVER the next few days Turf Moor will welcome two legends of the modern football era -- and hopefully see them leave empty handed. But the mere presence of Robert Prosinecki and Gianluca Vialli in the away dressing room will underline how far Burnley
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Patients died hours apart
SERIAL killer Harold Shipman may have murdered three elderly patients within hours of each other, the inquiry investigating his death toll has heard. Shipman, who is serving life for the murders of 15 former patients, was the on-call doctor at Todmorden's
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Suspected arson attack on house
TWO attic bedrooms were destroyed in a suspected arson attack on a house. The fire also got into the roof of the four-storey building in Colne Road. The property next door, which contains a number of flats, had to be evacuated as firefighters tackled
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Collette's a big top high flier
HIGH-FLIER Collette Morrow has hit the big-top big-time after landing a once-in-a-lifetime job with the world famous circus troupe, Cirque du Soleil. Collette, 21, from Barrowford, was spotted by the circus troupe, while she was performing at the Millennium
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Flats plan
BARNFIELD Construction Limited has applied to modify its development scheme at the former Hartley Hospital in Keighley Road to form two flats on the ground floor. This would provide a total of 10 flats in the building. The company has also submitted plans
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Bungalow bid set for refusal
COUNCILLORS have been recommended to refuse proposals to build a detached bungalow in the grounds of The Nook School in Colne. The house would replace the static caravan currently being used by the manager of the children's home and its associated school
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Couple face drug charges
AN Accrington couple have appeared in court charged with possession of a large quantity of drugs. Damien James Cooper, 26, and Janine Anne Wastell, 21, of Water Street, Accrington, faced numerous charges of possession with intent to supply when they appeared
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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
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Clarets look to continue winning form
CLARETS reserves return to action at Sheffield United tonight, hoping to continue their fine early season form. Unbeaten since Ronnie Jepson took over five games ago, the manager expects to be able to name a more experienced side than the one that beat
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No NHS aid for the violent
VIOLENT and abusive patients in Bury could find themselves denied NHS treatment for up to a year. As part of the Government's zero tolerance campaign, NHS staff can now withhold treatment from patients who behave in a threatening manner. Health bosses
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A glass of their own
IF it is a mark of the club's aspirations, then non-league Accrington Stanley's acquisition of its own-label wines shows that it puts itself on a par -- plonk-wise, at least -- with the big-time clubs. And why not? But how well does The Reds' red (and
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Ball is facing tough test
ANDY Awford is hoping that Kevin Ball will return to the Clarets line-up and face Portsmouth's Croatian star Robert Prosinecki at Turf Moor on Saturday. Pompey's chief scout used to clean Kevin Ball's boots at Fratton Park and he said: "I can imagine
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How I'm missing those days of rest
THERE was a time when Sunday morning didn't exist. At least to me it didn't. Saturday nights were there to be enjoyed, right through until the early hours. Rarely did I, or any of my friends, surface from under the duvet before noon. And, before our children
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Boy airlifted to hospital
A TEENAGE boy was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital yesterday morning following an accident at 8.30am in Bolton Road in the Woodlea Chase area of Darwen, going towards Bolton. Graham Bowen of the Lancashire Air Ambulance Flight Crew said he believed
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Patients died hours apart
SERIAL killer Harold Shipman may have murdered three elderly patients within hours of each other, the inquiry investigating his death toll has heard. Shipman, who is serving life for the murders of 15 former patients, was the on-call doctor at Todmorden's
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Jetting out for talks
PRIME Minister Tony Blair was speeding out on Concorde to Washington today to meet US President George Bush. The whirlwind visit aims to re-confirm Britain's strong support for America in the face of growing unease about the war in Afghanistan. Mr Blair
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Shop drama
A SHOPKEEPER has told of his frightening ordeal at the hands of a knifeman and praised a customer for stepping in. Musa Patel, owner of Five Star Newsagents, Southworth Street, Blackburn, was in his shop when a teenage raider burst in brandishing a 10in
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Childcare projects celebrate windfall
THREE childcare schemes were celebrating today after being awarded more than £150,000 between them. Across the north west more than £2.3million of National Lottery money has been awarded in grants by the New Opportunity Fund to create nearly 3,500 childcare
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Staff 'negilgent' over baby Jake's death
HEALTH bosses have admitted that negligent hospital staff caused or contributed to the death of a Blackburn boy by giving him a muscle relaxing drug. The admission came to light the day after it was revealed that two female nurses at Liverpool's Alder
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Double call-off
CLITHEROE'S NWCL Division One game against Salford City and Bacup's Second Division game against Castleton Gabriels were called off due to waterlogged pitches.
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Elston ready to put the boot in
LUKE Elston could get the chance to follow in the prolific footsteps of his hero Jonny Wilkinson on Saturday and kick for goal at Twickenham. The talented Blackburn RUFC youngster idolises the England number 10 and soon he will find out if copying Wilkinson's
