Archive
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RMI Conference clash postponed
LEIGH RMI's Conference clash with fellow strugglers Stalybridge Athletic was postponed on Boxing Day because of a frozen pitch at Hilton Park. No new date has yet been arranged but the two sides will meet on New Year's Day in the reverse fixture. David
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Steve's crusade to keep jazz alive and jammin'
I HAVE been playing drums for more than 50 years, as a professional and semi-professional, in all types of musical ensembles from big bands to organ/drum duos. During that time I have had the great privilege of being an integral part of rhythm sections
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Just Jamie: 12 days? One's enough
SO that was Christmas. Although some may regard the festive season as still ongoing, at least until the Twelfth Night, I for one am breathing a huge sigh of relief. For me it is over and I survived. I survived the weeks of hype leading up to the big day
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By Jove! Doddy's dishing out the laughs
KEN DODD is discumknockerated to be coming to Blackburn's, King George's Hall with his famous 'Happiness Show', though he reckons it should be re-named a belated Happy New Year Show! "You've got to come just to recover from all those Christmas and New
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Banim's back to boost Boro
JODY BANIM returns from suspension for Radcliffe Borough's trip to Stocksbridge on Saturday eager to make up for lost time, writes STEVE BOTT. The 19-goal hitman was bitterly disappointed at having to miss out against his old club, Rossendale United,
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A Team shine for Brooksbottoms
AFTER a 12-month interval the Brian Statham Cup returned to Brooksbottoms after a convincing nine wicket victory over their annual Boxing Day opponents Bolton Road. The weather of the 39th encounter was bright, sunny, two degrees below zero and not fit
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Cold comfort for Sedgley
Waterloo 13pts Sedgley Park 27 IT was bitingly cold at Blundellsands, and the game provided little entertainment for a small crowd. Waterloo are bottom of the table and played accordingly. Sedgley will be upset that they were unable to turn scrummage
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In the wings. . .
WITH the panto season well and truly upon us the Burnley Pantomime Society is rehearsing hard for its presentation of Aladdin. Performances will be from Friday, January 11, until Saturday, January 19. Evening shows start at 7.15pm, Saturday matinees at
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Trouble at home
WHEN our fearless leaders have stopped all the murders, rape and muggings in Afghanistan, will they please do the same for us here? F WOLSTENHOLME, St Mark's Road, Blackburn.
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Take a Boulevard tour, councillor
I INVITE Councillor Ashley Whalley (LET, December 21) to tour the Boulevard in Blackburn and all roads leading round and about from it, and ask motorists, taxi drivers and bus drivers what they think of the new system -- That's if he dares! H HAMER, Lowther
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Would you credit it -- no refund
CHRISTMAS a season of goodwill? Not in some Blackburn shops, it would seem. I don't like to try clothes on that I am buying, therefore always buy clothes from shops that refund, no quibbles asked. This Christmas, I bought clothes from a new shop in Blackburn
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By-election win was no great shakes
ON my recent return from the delights of Marbella, a colleague drew my attention to a confusion in your report (LET, November 30) of the Rosehill Ward by-election caused by my resignation from Burnley Council. The report credits me with a majority of
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Sporting heroes reunited
HUNDREDS of mourners paid their last respects today to heroic sportsman Mike Pyke -- an inspiration champion. The 35 year-old international weightlifting champion has lost his battle with cancer and is now reunited in death with his best mate and fellow
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Double dose of good cheer
A DOUBLE Christmas treat was enjoyed by residents of Radcliffe's Rose Court Nursing and Residential Home. They were entertained by St John's CE Primary School pupils, who treated them to a carol concert. And two days later, Wesley Methodist Primary School's
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Let me die with dignity
A TERMINALLY-ill man has pleaded with a council to build a downstairs bathroom extension so he can die with dignity in the home where he has lived for 34 years. And a national disabled charity slammed the amount set aside by Ribble Valley Borough Council
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Single parents go from strength to strength
A GROUP set up six months ago to help one-parent families did not just have Christmas as a reason for celebration. The Gingerbread group, based in Radcliffe, has flourished with more than 20 families now involved. Formed in July, it has gone from strength
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New arrivals make it a special Christmas
IT was truly a Christmas Day to remember for the two Bury families who welcomed their newest members amid seasonal celebrations. The first festive baby to arrive at Fairfield Hospital's new maternity ward on Tuesday was Holly May Birtwistle, born at 9.44am
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Funeral of pub landlord
THE funeral of a well-known Radcliffe landlord will take place on New Year's Eve. Adrian Wild (43), died suddenly at the Bridge Inn pub which he had run with his wife Lesley for the past seven years. A funeral service will be held at St John's Church
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Group insists people must have their say
A NATIONAL pressure group that is based in Radcliffe has criticised a proposed shake-up of planning policies by the Government. The Campaign for Planning Sanity (CfPS) described the Government's Green Paper on planning as "potentially one of the most
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Traders set out their stalls to win
STALLHOLDERS in Radcliffe Market were busy selling themselves this Christmas! For their decorative skills have been put to the test in the first-ever best market stall competition. The event, run by Bury Markets Management in conjunction with Radcliffe
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Goldline Trophy Semi-Final draw
THE Goldline Trophy roadshow made an early appearance at the Reebok Stadium on Boxing Day. The tournament organisers made the semi-final draw during half-time of Wanderers' match with Leeds United. The stadium will be hosting the final in Spring, but
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Fall in for fitness
REVELLERS are being invited to get fit in the New Year, Army style! The Territorial Army has launched the "Time to Get FitTA" campaign and a TA physical trainer from Brandlesholme in Bury is joining in by offering his own tips. The 12-week fitness campaign
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We must do better says skipper Flitcroft
EWOOD enforcer Garry Flitcroft today delivered a stirring battlecry ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash with struggling Derby by vowing 'We need to win it for the gaffer.' The straight-talking midfielder felt he and his team-mates let manager Graeme Souness
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Craig says no short measures
VETERAN defender Craig Short today called on his Blackburn team-mates to make some urgent home improvements ahead of tomorrow's vital six-pointer against struggling Derby at Ewood. Former Rams defender Short knows Rovers need to start winning quickly
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Drink drivers face roadside checks
POLICE in Preston have warned drink drivers they will be targeting them over the festive season. Figures released recently reveal that drink drive arrests in the first 10 days of December reached two thirds of the number of arrests made in the whole of
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Reward for return of bikes
THREE children were left distraught in the run up to Christmas after heartless thieves stole their treasured motorbikes. Now their father Graham Darbyshire is offering a substantial reward for information leading to the return of the three bikes which
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Burglars beware: 'We'll catch you'
POLICE in Preston have issued a chilling warning to burglars over the festive period -- 'We'll catch you'. And officers targeting offenders say householders should be on their guard for thieves studying houses to identify residents who leave keys near
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Michael's joy at judge role
A PRESTON legal eagle is preparing to keep the scales of justice even after landing a job as a district judge. Solicitor Michael Turner, who heads the litigation department at Naphen Houghton Craven, Preston, will step down from private legal practice
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Dads and their lads pitch in for football
BURNLEY'S back gardens and parks have been alive with the sound of football as the town's dads tackled their lads in a major soccer event. The six-week project organised by Lancashire County Council culminated in 180 fathers and sons representing nine
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Family feeling brings pub top award
A FAMILY-friendly pub has won a national award after being picked as a top choice for Christmas dinner. The Queen Victoria Brewsters Restaurant in Queen Victoria Road, Burnley, celebrated Christmas early after winning the award from national magazine
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MP tackles Treasury over poor housing
AN MP has spoken with a representative of the treasury over his concerns for Burnley's housing market. Burnley has around 4,000 empty homes, a situation described by its MP Peter Pike as a "millstone" around the town's neck. Housing was also a central
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Five years ago
A TRAGIC family were left homeless after a candle lit in memory of their late daughter set fire to the house. Mary Taylor and her three children, of Whalley New Road, Blackburn, had to stay with relatives.
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Drug smugglers 'dicing with death'
DRUG smugglers who swallow the substances they are carrying are dicing with death, a court was told. Prosecutor Heidi Wilson, acting for Customs and Excise, spoke to Manchester magistrates court during the first appearance of three men who allegedly smuggled
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Netting a new job on-line
A PRESTWICH businessman has set up on the information super highway to allow people to forge a path to enhanced career prospects. And those looking for a change of job can hitch a lift thanks to Ryan Stephenson who has established a virtual on-line careers
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Blues will be seeking a net profit
MANCHESTER City fans are not used to seeing their team firing blanks but that was the case against West Brom on Boxing Day. The free-scoring Blues have netted 55 goals in the league this season with the front players Shaun Goater, Darren Huckerby and
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City could suffer at Taylor's hands
GARETH Taylor is unlikely to figure in any dream team Manchester City fans would draw up but he will be hoping to go back and haunt them tomorrow. The Wales international was allowed to leave Maine Road on a free transfer in the summer and he is proving
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Sunderland humiliation was bad, but Panto no laughing matter
WELL, for one reason or another, it's been quite an embarrassing week all round! First, came our humiliating defeat against Sunderland on Boxing Day. Then, if that wasn't bad enough, I was left looking like a Christmas turkey when I went to the pantomime
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Competition winners!
THE three lucky winners of The Citizen Tweenies competition were Sophie Hutchinson, of Lime Grove, St Annes, Mrs Cowburn, of Ferndale Avenue, Blackpool, and Richard Green of St Leonards Road East, St Annes.
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Pupils celebrate essay and poster success
CREATIVE youngsters from around the borough have been rewarded after competition success. They were taking part in this year's essay and poster competition, run locally by the SPD Trust, to encourage interest in health education. The pupils have won certificates
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Friends battle to save crash driver
A PENSIONER died after his car crashed into the boundary wall of Heaton Park, despite the efforts of three passing motorists. Mr Michael Say (83), of Bailey Street, Prestwich, was driving along Middleton Road at around 9pm on Thursday, December 20, when
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What a tip!
A FURIOUS Whitefield resident has accused Bury Council of fly tipping in a public park. Brian Attree, who lives facing the park in Stanley Road, claims council workers have been entering the grounds and dumping rubbish. And he and other residents have
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Wake-up campaign over smoking in bed danger
A BURY-based anti-smoking pressure group has issued a "wake-up" call to those who smoke in bed. Figures have shown that since 1999, 52 people in the North West have died in fires started by smoking. Now, Bury-based North West ASH (Action on Smoking and
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Ideas go in to beat jams on the M60
AN orbital railway around Manchester, variable motorway speed limits, lorry-only lanes and toll charges are among ideas suggested for tackling congestion on the M60. More than 5,000 local people and interested organisations put forward the views during
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Former mayor dies aged 73
FORMER Mayor of Bury Victor Guthrie has died at the age of 73. Mr Guthrie, of Elm Grove, Whitefield, was a councillor in Prestwich for 29 years and was Mayor of Bury in 1980-81. His interest in politics was sparked when wife Joan (75) started to work
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Rovers open Cole talks
BLACKBURN Rovers have opened talks with Manchester United about a club record move for England hot-shot Andy Cole. As we revealed yesterday, manager Graeme Souness is ready to launch an £8 million bid for the 30-year-old star after Rovers have now officially
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Kuqi could be on way to Turf Moor
THE Clarets could be on the verge of adding Finnish international striker Shefki Kuqi to their promotion chasing squad. Stockport County manager Carlton Palmer is thought to be willing to sell the striker who was impressive in the Hatters recent 3-2 defeat
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Moyes sweating ahead of Crazy clash
PRESTON may have grabbed one of the best victories of the season over Wolves - but it came at a price. Scorers Iain Anderson and Sean Gregan, plus instrumental midfielder Mark Rankine, all picked up knocks during yesterday's tea-time clash with Wolves
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Goldline Trophy Semi-Final draw from the Reebok
THE Goldline Trophy roadshow made an early appearance at the Reebok Stadium on Boxing Day. The tournament organisers made the semi-final draw during half-time of Wanderers' match with Leeds United. The stadium will be hosting the final in Spring, but
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Payback time for Robins?
BURY will have revenge on their minds when they travel to Swindon Town tomorrow. Last time the Shakers visited the County Ground back in January they were hammered 3-0 in what manager Andy Preece still believes was one of the worst performances his team
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Stamp of success
CHRISTMAS post service to help raise cash for Darwen's youth groups has been hailed a huge success. The service, which delivers post in Darwen, Hoddlesden and Lower Darwen, delivered 6,000 cards and raised £700 for the St Joseph's Scout group and the
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Punishment for glassing disappoints police
POLICE say they are "extremely disappointed" with the sentence given to a Darwen teenager who pushed a glass into the face of another during the the town's Music Festival last summer. Lee Bellusci, 17, of Two Gates Drive, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown
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Footpath saga is set to run and run
THE long running saga over a diverted footpath is set to rumble on for another five months -- at least. Blackburn with Darwen Council has handed over plans to shut a footpath which runs through the Charles Turner paper manufacturers, Belmont, to the Secretary
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Man robbed at knifepoint in street
A BLACKPOOL man was robbed of a large amount of money by a thief who lunged at him with a large knife in a Blackpool street. The man had been collecting money from a house in Thornber Grove at around 6pm on Dec 17 and as he left the house and made his
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Farewell to Mr Blackpool
FRIENDS and colleagues from the entertainment, tourism and media industry packed Carleton Crematorium on December 18 to bid a fond farewell to showbusiness consultant and Blackpool institution Brian Crompton. Brian, who was 56, died of a massive heart
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Laura wins cover girl dream
EVERY girl dreams about being a model -- but for one Thornton student the dream came true when she won a competition to be on the cover of a glossy magazine. Seventeen-year-old Laura Brown, a media studies student at Blackpool and the Fylde College, won
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Drilling for oil at the jail!
WHEN you're doing a bit of bird, the last thing you expect is that someone will start drilling a big deep hole just a short distance from your cell. Escape route? Well, not exactly. But it could be a well. Because what's happening at Kirkham Prison is
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Challenge to carry Queen's Jubilee baton
HOME Secretary David Blunkett has launched a search for people to take part in the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay which will go through Blackburn and Chorley. Mr Blunkett joined Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowel
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Gales alert for East Lancs
EAST Lancashire was bracing itself for more gales today after the Met Office issued a weather warning to drivers to take extra care. The region escaped largely unscathed as high winds swept in overnight, but council workmen were called out in the early
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Injured papergirl's family say thanks
THE parents of a papergirl injured in a mystery road accident have thanked family, friends and the emergency services for their support. Roberta Almond, 13, of Revidge Road, Blackburn, has been in the intensive care unit of Royal Manchester Children's
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Rival cashes in on closed superstore
SHOPPERS heading for a town centre supermarket were greeted by rival staff handing out leaflets encouraging them to shop elsewhere. Staff from Asda handed out the promotional 'fliers' promoting their store, outside the entrance to Morrisons in the Boulevard
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Joint celebration across community
RESIDENTS are heralding the New Year with a joint Eid and Christmas celebration, to promote friendship between diverse communities in 2002. The Audley and Queen's Park Community Association host the free lunch for 500 people tomorrow and has invited everyone
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Donor dad's bid to help other families
THE family of a teenager who underwent two kidney transplant operations has launched a support group to help other people in their predicament. And today Faizan Awan's family urged more members of the Asian community to place themselves on the National
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Travellers still want to take to the skies
EAST Lancashire travellers are booking in their hundreds to fly to sunnier climes -- in spite of the September 11 terror attacks. And in the wake of the World Trade Centre atrocity, which prompted widespread job losses throughout the travel industry,
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Lisa defies killer virus
A YOUNG woman who almost died of a deadly brain disease in her teens has made an astonishing recovery and gone on to achieve her ambition to become a lawyer. Ten years ago, Lisa Marie McNulty almost died after contracting the life-threatening virus,but
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Military stories needed
AS an aging ex-Serviceman I am writing a book on amusing stories, incidents, experiences, jokes and anecdotes etc. of military life in all branches of HM Armed Forces and would be most grateful for your readers' contributions. Named credit will be given
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Animal organisations still need help
JUST to say thanks to everyone at The Citizen for the superb Bellissima articles. We have made many new friends in the paper and, of course, re-homed many waif and strays. At this time of the year it's very hard for all at the shelter. We can't re-home
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YES...
CEMETERIES are a private place of worship and the policing of them would be a sensitive -- not to mention difficult -- affair. Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses say they are just as sickened by these acts as any of the families involved and offer their
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No...
THE families of Kirsty and Jake slammed the thefts from the graves of their young children as sickening. Both Kirsty, who was just two when she died in a tragic accident while on a family holiday in Greece in October, and Jake, who died aged 18 months
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Fylde nurse donates bone marrow
A LYTHAM nurse has given an American woman the perfect gift this Christmas -- the chance of life. Jackie Nickson, who works on the Fisher Unit at Lytham Hospital, has donated some of her bone marrow to try to save the life of the woman suffering from
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Gift in memory of a very good friend
MAY I express my sincere thanks to Wally Knott and Lorraine Rowley for choosing our charity to receive a donation of more than £500 on behalf of the family and friends of Barbara, who passed away recently after a short illness. Barbara worked on the mental
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I really enjoyed carol concert
I WISH to compliment the organisers and the children for a truly wonderful evening at the Ramsbottom Music Festival's Primary Schools Christmas Concert. The atmosphere in Bury Parish Church was one of anticipation and fun and the children really did us
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Theft leaves band brassed off
THIEVES brought festive misery to the world-famous Besses O' th' Barn Senior Band. They ransacked the band's headquarters in Moss Lane, Whitefield, and stole or damaged various instruments. Band organisers believe the wreckers struck late on Christmas
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Pool crash to Latics
THE Seasiders crashed to a 2-0 Boxing Day defeat against rivals Oldham Athletic at a packed Bloomfield Road. Despite having all the early pressure, Steve McMahon's men could not find a way through the visitors' well-organised defence and were made to
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, December 29
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Paintings to celebrate 50 years at Whitaker Park Museum, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, 10am-4pm. Until January 6. Cream of Commercial and Classic Dance Anthems, Priviledge
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Find the cash to convert home
BY any measure, 55-year-old lung-disease victim Barry Pinder's life is tragic. He is terminally-ill, with perhaps only four years left. And he spends every day confined in the living room of his council-owned home in East Lancashire, unable to move more
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Top of class!
TWO Blackpool primary schools have been praised for their Ofsted inspection results. Education chiefs at Blackpool Borough Council are delighted with the latest reports for Bispham Endowed CE primary and Kincraig primary schools. Inspectors described
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Boro down but not out
RADCLIFFE BORO...1, ROSSENDALE UTD...3 RADCLIFFE BORO stayed on top of the UniBond Division One table, despite this disappointing Boxing Day defeat. Harrogate, their closest rivals and the only team capbale of overhauling Boro at present, were not in
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It's Redders to the rescue!
Wigan Athletic 1 - Bury 1 BURY picked up their second point of the Christmas programme with a useful Boxing Day draw against bogey club Wigan, writes PHIL THORP. The last four matches between the Lancashire rivals have ended in 1-0 wins for the Latics
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Stuart's cracker sickens Macca!
Bury 1 Blackpool 1 CONSIDERING he didn't want this game to be played at all, Blackpool manager Steve McMahon left Gigg Lane more satisfied than his Bury counterpart Andy Preece. Far from happy at referee Alan Butler's decision to give the match the all
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Today's the day
1065: Westminster Abbey was consecrated under Edward the Confessor. 1836: Spain recognised Mexico's independence. 1849: Dry-cleaning was put into practice for the first time by M Jolly-Bellin. 1869: Chewing-gum was patented by William Finley Semple. 1879
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This week in 1976 25 years ago
TEA LEAF: There was a sobering end to the escapade of a late night smash-and-grab thief who snatched a large Scotch whisky bottle from the window of an off-licence in Ingham Street, Bury. The display bottle was filled to the brim with... tea! TRUE GRIT
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Fancy a night at the opera?
BLACKBURN'S Gilbert and Sullivan Society is planning its first Opera Gala Night. The singers will present 'The Merry Widow' -- and to make it all the merrier there will be loads of extra treats on offer to well-dressed members of the audience who are
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Complaints on every subject
MR Roy Davies (Letters, December 17) claims that in my letter of November 28, I stated "the Government has got everything right..." In fact, the exact wording was "no one is claiming that the Government has got everything right." A rather different slant
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Join the fight against cancer
AS many of you will know, my husband, Roy Castle, lost a very courageous battle with lung cancer in 1994. Since then, I have vowed to do all I can to help stamp out this terrible disease, which is why I am supporting the Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial
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Residents evacuated after crash gas leak
MORE than 50 people were evacuated from their homes for three hours when a gas pipe was fractured after a car accident. Police sealed off Millers Lane, Atherton, as gas workers attempted to seal off the supply on Wednesday. The drama began when a car
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Tom's Compo celebration
BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre is "In Celebration"! The restoration of the theatre's historic Matcham Auditorium will be commemorated with a unique programme of performances, talks and special events. "In Celebration" is a series of events that aims to revive
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Festive fun for nursery youngsters
FOUR-year-old Phoebe Keating (left), and three-year-old Anna Shaw (right), did not need any qualifications to know how to enjoy the Christmas celebrations. They were among the young party-goers at Bury College nursery to meet Father Christmas. Fun games
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TV fire drama
A HOUSE in Whitefield house was smoke logged after a television set burst into flames. Fire crews from the town and Broughton tackled the blaze at the property in Thatch Leach Lane. Fire crews extinguished the blaze and ventilated the house. Officers
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Struck by car
A PEDESTRIAN suffered a broken leg when he was struck by a car on a petrol forecourt. Mr Liam McNamara was taken to Fairfield General Hospital during the early hours of Sunday (Dec 23) following a hit and run accident at the Shell service station in Rochdale
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Car-jack warning
A CONCERNED resident has warned of a ploy by possible car hijackers to trap unsuspecting motorists. The man, who did not want to be named, said he watched as three masked men placed a bicycle in the middle of Higher Lane in Whitefield on Saturday night
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Oh no! Another brick in the wall
THANKS but no thanks! That's the plea of Mrs Eileen Murray to passers-by who think they are helping by trying to repair her wall. Mrs Murray, pictured outside her home in Exeter Avenue, Radcliffe, thinks that vandals knocked down her garden wall. She
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Business advice
AN employer forum for companies in Bury and Bolton will be staged at Radcliffe Civic Suite next month. The event, being held by the Employment Service, will feature guest speaker Ruth Slater, of AVL Human Resources and Training, who will speak on absence
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Plans for church shelved
PLANS for a controversial development at the site of one of Burnley's best known churches have been shelved - but houses will still be built nearby. Haggate Baptist Church, Nelson Road, Briercliffe, is a landmark that can be seen on the skyline from many
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Out of this world
FESTIVE celebrations were out of this world at Cams Lane Primary School in Radcliffe. For the youngsters staged a modern Christmas story, A Cosmic Carol or Star Trek Meets Star Wars. But tradition was also maintained when the younger children staged a
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Jim's cuddly kitten picture mystery solved
A LIFELONG mystery was solved for former Radcliffe lad Jim Ball, when he read our recent feature on the town's market halls. Jim (67), who lived in Railway Street, Radcliffe, as a child, has long had a picture of himself cuddling a cat on the steps of
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MPs' invite to war debate
THE boroughs two MPs have been invited to take part in a public debate over the war in Afghanistan. Bury Stop the Wars Coalition has issued the invitation to Bury North MP David Chaytor and his Bury South counterpart Ivan Lewis. The organisation is concerned
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Short sending off appeal
ROVERS are to appeal against Craig Short's sending off earlier this week after watching the incident again on video. Short was red-carded by referee Clive Wilkes during the second half of Wednesday's 3-0 defeat at home to Sunderland following a clash
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Rovers open Cole talks
BLACKBURN Rovers have opened talks with Manchester United about a club record move for England hot-shot Andy Cole. As we revealed yesterday, manager Graeme Souness is ready to launch an £8 million bid for the 30-year-old star after Rovers have now officially
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Council offices shut for New Year
COUNCIL offices in Preston re-open for business on Thursday and Friday, December 27 and 28. They will be closed on New Year's Eve and January 1. Offices in South Ribble remain closed for the holidays and re-open on Wednesday, January 2, along with those
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Police alarm over rogue sales team
POLICE in Preston have warned householders to be on their guard against rogue alarm sales teams who claim to be working with the police. The warning follows several complaints from residents who have been approached by companies using high pressure sales
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Daniel wins family VIP trip to Orlando
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD Preston boy and his family will be jetting off to warmer climes after the youngster won a national competition. Daniel Silvester, from Longton, near Preston, won a VIP family trip to Universal Orlando in a competition organised by UCI
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Myth of great potato famine
MORE than 150 years after the great potato famine in Ireland, a university lecturer in Preston has claimed that Irish and British merchants indirectly contributed to the deaths of 1,000,000 Irish people by exporting food which could have fed millions.
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School tops Army games contest
PUPILS at St Theodore's High School in Burnley competed with ten other schools to win an army inter-schools challenge. The youngsters, who were in teams of ten, took part in the two-day challenge held at Fulwood Barracks, Preston. Teams from Ivy Bank
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Police plea in riddle of home death
A BURGLAR may have discovered the body of a pensioner found dead on Christmas Day, police revealed. Spinster Marjorie Smith was found in her home in Bank Street, Brierfield, after a worried friend failed to raise her when she went to her house. The alarm
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Reviews of the latest sounds
A LOOK at the new releases from David Gray, Faithless and Ash. DAVID GRAY: Say Hello Wave Goodbye -- David Gray releases yet another track from his acclaimed 'White Ladder' album. While it's a re-recorded version, we would really like some new material
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Government cash for poor areas
THE poorest areas of Pendle are about to receive a cash windfall of more than £4million from the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The borough has been included in the Department of Transport Local Government and Regions' (DTLR) 88 most deprived
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Vox Jam 2001 Christmas Concert, Burnley Mechanics
INTERNATIONAL jazz vocalist Ian Shaw and saxophonist Mark Lockheart took traditional Christmas carols to new heights. Backed by a 50-strong gospel choir, baritone-tenor Ian opened the second half of the concert with a joyous hand-clapping church tune.
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Ten years ago
A SHOCK report revealed that schoolchildren in Blackburn and Darwen were the dunces of Lancashire. Out of the whole county six and seven-year-olds in the Blackburn education district came bottom of the class in maths, English and science.
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Alexia is Guided into the New Year
AN East Lancashire sixth former has been selected to be a guiding light on the other side of the world. Alexia Rowbottom, from Accrington, will represent the Guide movement when she visits New Zealand. She leaves on New Year's Eve. Alex, a student at
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Fed up bistro owner bans holiday firm
A RESTAURANT owner says he has banned Airtours employees from dining in his bistro after he claims he was let down by a series of bookings. Ray Peake, of Callums Bistro, Accrington was left furious after an alleged series of problems with employees from
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Cameras to guard gallery treasurers
SECURITY cameras are set to protect one of East Lancashire's best-known art galleries and the collection of world famous Tiffany glass it houses. Windows will also be covered with polycarbonate sheeting at the Haworth Art Gallery in Manchester Road, Accrington
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Your Christmas/New Year chemist rota
CHEMISTS on duty in Preston and Leyland. On Thursday, December 27-29 are as normal. On Sunday, December 30, duty chemists are: Boots, Fishergate, 10.30am-4.30pm; Superdrug, Friargate, 11am-5pm; Boots, Deepdale Retail Park, 11am-5pm; Moss Chemists, Asda
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Let me die with dignity
A TERMINALLY-ill man has pleaded with a council to build a downstairs bathroom extension so he can die with dignity in the home where he has lived for 34 years. And a national disabled charity slammed the amount set aside by Ribble Valley Borough Council
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Simply the best regional web site
IT'S a web site winner! That's an on-line job and career development service run by the North West Workplace. The web site, which is supported by the North West Development Agency, has won the Best Regional Jobsite in the 2001 National On-Line Recruitment
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Brighter future for TV and audio shop
A TOWN centre electrical outlet is racing into the future following a £110,000 refurbishment. Plumbs, of Crompton Street, Bury, was last kitted out with a new interior in 1975, with a revamp long overdue. Sports car driver Perry McCarthy, a regular at
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Kuqi could be on way to Turf Moor
THE Clarets could be on the verge of adding Finnish international striker Shefki Kuqi to their promotion chasing squad. Stockport County manager Carlton Palmer is thought to be willing to sell the striker who was impressive in the Hatters recent 3-2 defeat
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Police campaign reveals worst crash hotspots
YOU may think that 196 road accidents in three years, resulting in one death and 286 people being injured, is quite a low statistic. But when you consider that these accident figures relate to just NINE road junctions in the borough, then you realise
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Let us stay
ONE Prestwich family has more reason than most to wish for a happy new year. For the Bhavsars, of Egerton Street, are hoping to win the fight to keep their disabled daughter's full-time carers in the country. They are just a few weeks away from an important
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Service helps feuding families
IT may be the season of goodwill, but the period between Christmas and New Year is the likeliest time for arguments to flare up between partners and even turn into violent confrontations. Staying cooped up with relatives, drinking too much and festive
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Locked safe closes post office
POST office bosses have apologised after Darwen's main branch failed to open yesterday. A spokesman for Consignia said that staff at the office in The Circus had not been able to open the safe because of a problem with the timer. "We want to apologise
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Friends of Sunnyhurst celebrate a good year
THE Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods are celebrating a successful first year. Plans to breathe new life into the woods have been hailed a great success since the group set up last January. Chairman Dennis Gillibrand, 67, says he is delighted with items on
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Computer boost
A COMPUTER firm from Rossendale has helped four local groups by providing them with second-hand computer systems for free. NCS Support Services, in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, asked for local groups to contact them if they wanted a computer, and so far four
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Yobs to be banned from pubs
POLICE and licensees are to meet in the New Year to consider setting up a PubWatch scheme. Letters from the police in Rossendale West covering the Rawtenstall and Haslingden area will be going out to landlords within the next week inviting them to a meeting
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Michelle throwing a 'Blind Date' party
CUSTOMERS and friends of stylist Michelle-Zoe Woodward have been invited to a special party in Rawtenstall to celebrate her TV appearance on Blind Date. The larger-than-life hairdresser works for Plus 2 in Haslingden and will be screened as 'the picker
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Woman,85, dies after car accident
POLICE today appealed for witnesses after an elderly woman died following a collision with a car. Mary Ellen Smith, 85, of Bacup Road, Waterfoot, was crossing the busy Bacup Road near to the junction with Stansfield Road when she was involved in a collision
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Doorman has jaw broken in attack
A DOORMAN has had to have a plate inserted into his broken jaw after being attacked at work. Jimmy Cropper, who works on the door of Madison's Wine Bar, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, is a former professional boxer He was working on the door last Friday at
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Chemists open over the New Year holiday
THE following chemists will be open during the New Year break. SUNDAY DECEMBER 30 Blackpool, Poulton & Thornton Cleveleys: Lloyds Pharmacy, 110 Talbot Rd, Blackpool -- 10am to 5pm. Superdrug, 27-29 Hounds Hill centre, Blackpool -- 10am to 4pm. Boots
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Syringe horror
A MAN was stabbed in the neck with a syringe by a robber who claimed he was HIV positive. The 56-year-old man was outside Herbert James hairdressers on Lord Street, Blackpool, at around 11.40pm on Dec 14 when a man came up, demanded money and threatened
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Needy get some festive joy
NEEDY people across the Fylde tucked in to a festive feast this Christmas thanks to the Fylde FoodBank. The Fylde FoodBank, which is a ministry within the Christian Service Church, St Andrews Road North, St Annes, co-ordinates the collection and distribution
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Stay safe on festive journeys
TAKE care on the roads this festive season warns the Highways Agency. Take food and drink on longer journeys. Keep a spade and some warm clothing in your vehicles. Ensure vehicles are properly serviced, that the cooling sysem contains the correct amount
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Have your say on hospitals
RESIDENTS across the Fylde Coast are invited to have their say on the future of the area's hospital services. Health Minister Lord Philip Hunt has approved a seven-week period of public consultation on proposals to form a new hospital trust for the Fylde
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Mystery of a £1m thriller
WHAT is WK2? That's the big question as Blackpool Pleasure Beach releases the codename of a new £1m white knuckle ride for next year but keeps other details firmly under wraps. The thrill-seeker teaser was leaked at a special December launch of the Pleasure
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Casino support is 'misleading'
LEISURE Parcs is misleading the Government over support for casinos says a local Lib Dem. Blackpool Liberal Democrat chairman Steven Bate said: "Leisure Parcs has sent the Government a document containing a lot of misleading material. Page after page
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Model dog is face of force
LANCASHIRE Constabulary's youngest recruit has already won the heart of the chief constable. For Meg, a seven-month-old German Shepherd, is the face of the constabulary's Christmas card -- a role that has to be officially approved by Chief Constable Pauline
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Joint celebration across community
RESIDENTS are heralding the New Year with a joint Eid and Christmas celebration, to promote friendship between diverse communities in 2002. The Audley and Queen's Park Community Association host the free lunch for 500 people tomorrow and has invited everyone
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Help! We're missing Max a million
A FAMILY have been spreading posters around town in a desperate search to bring their much-loved pet pooch home after he ran away on Christmas Day. The 11-year-old family dog Max, a striking Red Chow, was scared away from the doorstep of his home in Beardwood
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Consistency the key
NELSON manager John Bailey is hoping for a big Christmas crowd at the Victoria ground tomorrow to cheer his side up the NWCL Second Division table. They hope to end 2001 as they mean to start 2002 - on a winning streak. "We need to get three or four wins
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Carden keeps knocking in goals
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is setting his side no targets in the race for promotion. It is no secret that everyone at the club is desperately ambitious and wants to see the side win the UniBond Premier Division and gain promotion to the Conference
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Plenty of hot air in the Town Hall
THE suggestion of a recent correspondent in the local press to connect the illuminations to one of the proposed wind farms off the coast and save a lot of money is a good idea, if these ever came to fruition. My suggestion would be to connect them up
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Can you solve a puzzle?
CAN your readers please solve a puzzle for me? Does anyone know how the area called Anchorsholme (near Cleveleys) got its name and when? During my research I have been told that there was a Forest/Wood there called "Anchor Home Wood" and also it was named
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Where will it all end?
WE had Jack Straw telling us that a crime, any crime, is a racially motivated crime if anyone says it is. We now have David Blunket telling us that a crime is a terrorist crime if anyone says it is. Where will it all end? Of course, this dictatorial and
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This Labour dog bites its tail
STEVEN Bates, the Lib-Dem spokesman, cannot be allowed to have his cake and eat it! (Letters, Nov 29). He claims that by his party throwing in their lot with Labour, the people of the town are suddenly presented with a "constructive democracy." And has
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Moyes delighted with result.
DAVID Moyes described North End's win over Wolverhampton Wanderers as a 'massive result.' And he said the decision to give Sean Gregan the third goal was the right one, even though some thought it was David Healy's second of the match. "Molineux is one
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Nice and kn-easy for PNE!
CHRISTMAS cracker, five-goal festive thriller ... the puns are plentiful. But when all said and done, details of this game are strictly on a k-need to know basis. And everyone needs to know about skipper Sean Gregan's ... knee! For it was Gregan's knee
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Litter makes estate look even worse!
WE write concerning the pupils of Woodhey High School littering Hazlehurst estate. It is particularly bad near the side exit adjacent to York Drive where the head teacher, Mr Braidley, has kindly asked his caretaker to tidy-up. It is time the council
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Ways to ease traffic congestion
IN response to Mr Jefferson's letter (Dec 14) about the cycle lanes on Brandlesholme Road, Bury, could I suggest he organises a rally of all the cyclists likely to use the proposed lanes because in 37 years of travelling along this road I have yet to
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"Ridiculous" 30mph limit on ring road
I READ Inspector Sargeson's article ("Peel Round", Bury Times, Dec 14) with great interest but I can not believe that he described speed cameras as being "on the approach to traffic light junctions" when they are 350 yards away. I would say that driving
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All he did was to tell the truth
I WAS disappointed by the reaction of Bury Times readers to Superintendent Steve Westcott's reported comments about policing in Ramsbottom (Dec 14). He has finally done what should have been done a long time ago. He has told the truth. He has told the
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Another New Year for olde show
BIRD fanciers from across the country will flock together on New Year's Day for the 159th Ye Olde Annual Gamecock Show. Held at the Old Dun Horse Hotel on Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, feathers are sure to be ruffled as entrants hotly compete for one of
