Archive

Date

Beware of home loan promises

THE transfer of ownership of Blackburn and Darwen's council houses from the local authority to Twin Valley Homes has gone far more smoothly than such changes in some other parts of the country. But it was perhaps inevitable that some people would seek

Date

Red tape problem must be solved

LIFE is often hard enough for the disabled without the added and still-too-common handicap of those in wheelchairs having obstacles in their path. But wheelchair-bound Pendle pensioner Roy Coulton, who regularly campaigns for better access for the disabled

Date

Denise 'stable'

EAST LANCS: Denise Hendry was today said to be poorly but stable in the Royal Preston Hospital following her fight for life against septicaemia. The 35-year-old mother-of-four was admitted to the Royal Preston Hospital, on April 12, following an earlier

Date

Award scheme beats the odds

NINETY-FIVE young people completed the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme in Blackburn with Darwen last year despite problems arising from foot and mouth disease. The epidemic initially hit the numbers taking part with many activities being in the countryside

Date

Staff feel the benefit

UNITED Utilities staff in East Lancashire can enjoy more time off and new home computers after an employee benefits scheme was introduced this week. Workers at the company's water, wastewater and electricity centres may choose from extra holidays, medical

Date

Thanks for MPs' support

HAVING attended the protest march against the closure of the care homes for the elderly in Burnley and surrounding districts, we would like to thank Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans for being present and addressing the audience. His presence and input, along

Date

Streets turned into bazaar

WOULD someone tell me why, after so much money has been spent on modernising and enhancing Blackburn's shopping precinct, it is quickly becoming more of a bazaar? Why, when there are so many empty shops in the precinct and Blackburn already has five and

Date

Abolish monarchy for jubilee

REGARDING your Friday Jury article about the monarchy (LET, April 5), it is not really a fair argument to have two supporters of so-called "royals" arguing for and against the popularity or not of the royals. According to the media, we are all in mourning

Date

Park access fury

A COMMUNITY leader is furious because access to a village park area has been closed off. Peter Franzen, chairman of Golborne Community Forum, claims the move to shut the gate on "The Bonk" has denied mums with prams and the disabled access to the site

Date

Rare virus kills son

A DEVASTATED family today buried their only son after he lost a three-month battle with a rare virus. Mark Brown died aged 29 in Hope Hospital in Salford from a viral illness called transverse myelitis syndrome, septicaemia and a urine infection. His

Date

How to spend my 25p pension extra

AS A change from reporting on Mr Blobby and bickering by local politicians, perhaps you will consider an entirely different subject which I hope will be of general interest. I wonder if your readers could help me to make an important decision? I have

Date

Houllier wants game moved

LIVERPOOL are planning to make a last-ditch plea to the Premier League today to try and get their game with Rovers on May 5 put back to May 8. Anfield chief Gerard Houllier wants the game played on the same night as Manchester United meet Arsenal. But

Date

Cole's plea to boss Souness

EWOOD goal-king Andy Cole today urged Graeme Souness to make the signings necessary to transform Blackburn into a top-10 force next season. Ipswich's 1-0 win over Middlesbrough last night means Rovers are still not mathematically assured of their place

Date

Tots have a hoot with birds of prey

TODDLERS at a Preston nursery were treated to a special visit when five birds of prey swooped in to say hello. The 28 tots at Busy Bears Nursery, in Manor Hall Lane, Deepdale, were shown a hawk, barn owl, tawny owl, boo book owl and Bengal eagle owl from

Date

Fanfare for a new city

THE Greater New York Youth Band will be blowing their horns on May 23 during a visit to Preston with a fanfare for the new city as part of their European tour. The brass band will play at St George's Church, off Lune Street, Preston, following a civic

Date

Cares homes plan not 'cut and dried'

PROPOSALS put forward by Lancashire County Council's social services department could see 35 of the 48 council-run residential care homes closed to save money. The cash left over would then be used to bring the remaining 13 homes up to the new Government

Date

Anne's on the run!

A PRESTON fitness instructor is on the run for the sixth time as she trains and recruits women for this year's Race For Life at Preston Sports Arena on Sunday May 26. Anne Blydgen, 31, works as a Rosemary Conley fitness instructor and holds classes around

Date

A right royal knees-up

THE folk of Jubilee Court in Leyland are taking a trip down memory lane as they get ready for a joint knees-up -- their silver anniversary and the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Three of the residents have been looking back at their 25 years in the flats and

Date

Call for wardens plan to get extra money

EAST Lancashire MP Peter Pike is backing more community wardens to support the police. He is pressing Home Office Minister John Denham to provide extra cash for Lancashire Police to employ more of the civilian support staff in his Burnley constituency

Date

Padiham and Hapton bulletin

THE spiritual awareness and alternative therapies weekend at the Nazareth Unitarian Chapel saw crowds of people eager to see what was on offer. There were many stalls and therapys, gentle music and stallholders were happy, open and eager to help. The

Date

Man suffered collapsed lung as teenagers struck

THREE teenagers pushed their way into a house looking for cash and attacked a man with a hammer. Burnley Crown Court heard Carl Uttley, known as the Birdman, suffered a collapsed lung, smashed rib and other injuries after the trio struck at his home in

Date

Report reveals police feel 'alone'

LANCASHIRE police officers have been left feeling 'abandoned, alienated and alone' because their welfare is given low priority by the force. The comments were made by the chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation, Steve Edwards, following an inspection

Date

Spurned mother caused damage

A SPURNED mother of five caused almost £1,000-worth of damage banging on three doors. Burnley Magistrates heard how Andrea Clayton, 33, believed her boyfriend, from whom she had just split up, was living at one of the houses and was in a temper when she

Date

Polcie launch drugs clampdown

POLICE in Nelson are promising firm action against those involved in drug related crime as part of a tough new crackdown codenamed "Operation Fisherman". Twenty drug warrants resulting in dozens of arrests and the recovery of a substantial amount of property

Date

Disabled couple's ticket to nowhere

A PENSIONER who has regularly campaigned for disabled access today slammed a local bus service after being told that he and his wife would not be allowed on board with electric wheelchairs. Roy and Janet Coulton, both 67, of Clough Road, Nelson, are dependent

Date

Barracudas make waves

LEYLAND Barracudas had a tremendous outing against Blackburn Centurions, Fleetwood, and Rosegrove at the Daisyfield Pool, Blackburn. This has been the second match of the Micro League season and the second win. The first three quarters maintained steady

Date

Gearing up for a Formula One event

CALLING all budding Ralph Schumachers and Juan Pablo Montoyas! An original BMW-Williams Formula One racing car will be the star exhibit at the Preston-based BMW dealership' Bowker's 'Formula One Weekend' this coming weekend. The car - along with a 'sit

Date

The showstoppers

MEMBERS of the Susan Chippendale School of Dance, Colne, have been working hard this week to perfect their routines ahead of their charity show next weekend. More than 80 pupils, between the ages of two and 64, will present Showstoppers on Saturday, May

Date

Musical talent generates funds

MUSIC students from Nelson and Colne College have helped raise £480 for Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle by organising a concert of local talent. Several Pendle bands, including Woody, Transelement, Genere (formally Gecho), Jenny Outhwaite Trio and

Date

Public reassured over pest control

PENDLE residents who use the council's pest control services are being reassured that materials used are fully approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations. In addition they are only used by professionally-trained officers in accordance with safety

Date

Schoolgirl who mugged woman, 83, is jailed

SCHOOLGIRL who mugged an 83-year-old pensioner is behind bars for two years after a leading judge hit out at people who targeted the elderly. Burnley Crown Court heard how the 15-year-old's victim suffered "nasty" facial injuries after the attack in February

Date

A night out with oompah!

PUT Some Oompah into your Friday night! If you're looking for a great night out, look no further than the South Ribble Banqueting Suite in Leyland. The South Ribble Banqueting Suite is a local venue that offers great food, great atmosphere, great service

Date

What's on around Preston

BROUGHTON High School, Woodplumpton Lane, Broughton, is holding an antiques discovery day on Saturday, April 27, from 10am to 4pm. All are welcome to receive valuations on furniture, pictures, ceramics, silver, jewellery and collectables from Christopher

Date

Warning on thefts at night

POLICE in Hyndburn today warned residents to keep their doors locked at night after reports of burglaries at houses where doors were left unlocked. A cordless digital telephone, valued at £60, was taken from a house in Dill Hall Lane, Church, but the

Date

Plane-spotters' trial begins

BRITISH plane-spotters arrested at a Greek airfield could have endangered the security of the country, their espionage trial heard today. The 12 Britons, including Baxenden man Steven Jenkins' brother Andy, are accused of gathering secret information

Date

St George's Day funds for Andrew

REGULARS at a Great Harwood pub raised their glasses on St George's Day to the health of a local teenager who was injured in a car crash. John and Rita Houghton of Baggy's Wine Bar, in Glebe Street, hold celebrations every year, and the £600 collected

Date

Mill gets a royal 'baptism'

A HISTORY society has given its backing to naming a building in honour of the Queen Mum, despite some concerns. Hyndburn History Society says it supports a decision by councillors to rename Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington, after the Queen

Date

Court still open

LEIGH County Court is still open -- that is the message managers want to get across to Leigh people. Despite an extensive publicity campaign launched by court staff to inform people the county court is still open on Walmesley Road, a number of customers

Date

Len's quiet word of advice -- say nothing!

A RETIRING councillor of 35 years has offered words of advice to his successor, keep your mouth shut for at least a month while you listen and learn. Coun Len Dickinson, 68, who has been on Hyndburn Borough Council for 26 years and spent nine years prior

Date

New leads in rape hunt

THE hunt for the rapist who attacked a teenager in her home took a new turn today after a caller to TV's Crimewatch said -- I know who he is. The person said they were 'adamant' they knew the identity of the attacker who forced his way into the 18 year-old's

Date

Cast your vote next week

VOTERS can make their voices heard next week when a third of Wigan MBC councillors stand for re-election. Elections take place next Thursday, May 2 with polling booths open from 8am to 9pm. One seat in each ward is up for re-election. The full list of

Date

Dad 'tried to kill' daughter

A FATHER threatened to kill his daughter and tried to run her over in his car after she refused to marry the man he wanted, a court has heard. Manzoor Hussain,50, almost mowed down Kenuse Begum Hussain in his car, repeatedly threatened to kill her and

Date

The day that Sven finally met Sven

WILL the real Sven Goran Eriksson stand up? England soccer supremo Sven the Swede came face-to-face with his supersub, Journal photographer Colin Lyne and declared it a draw. Sven, currently the hottest gossip property in the media world, didn't exactly

Date

Street party starts Jubilee events

A PROGRAMME of events to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee will take place at Alston Hall College, Longridge from Sunday June 2 to Friday June 7, starting with a Gold 'n Brass Alston Hall Street Party featuring Intrada Brass. Tickets are £16.50 including

Date

'Protest by text' call over railways

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have urged Lancashire's frustrated rail users to text their displeasure direct to Chancellor Gordon Brown. Pressure group Friends of the Earth will accept the mobile phone message, turn it into a e-mail and send it the Treasury

Date

Dyslexia group points forward

A GROUP set up to help dyslexia sufferers in the Ribble Valley has proved so successful it has had to move to new premises. The activities of the Ribble Valley Dyslexia Association (RVDA) during the last year have been fairly low key due to the work involved

Date

These sites have the most stunning views

DID you know that this year is the International Year of the Mountain (IYM) and if you take a look around the web you'll cross some marvellous sites? Just visit www.mountains 2002.org to find out what celebrations are planned in countries across the world

Date

Jumping for more than joy

SUCCESS in a trampolining competition has left a group of local youngsters jumping for joy. Six members of Lancaster and Morecambe College trampolining club finished high up in their individual classifications at a competition in Birkenhead last Saturday

Date

Hovercraft racing makes waves

THREE days of thrilling high-speed action is promised when a venue in Carnforth stages a national hovercraft racing championship next month. Up to 60 hovercraft capable of travelling up to 80 mph across land and water, are expected to compete in the contest

Date

Cricket season starts

THE Northern Premier cricket league gets under way at the weekend with both Lancaster and Morecambe playing their first games at home. Morecambe host Preston at Woodhill Lane while Lancaster, who will hope to improve on last season's disappointments,

Date

Anxious wait for Edmondson

HEYSHAM rugby league ace Mark Edmondson faces an anxious wait to see if he will play in the biggest game of his career on Saturday. Edmondson's St Helens side play deadly rivals Wigan in Saturday's challenge cup final at Murrayfield. Although not included

Date

Marathon man still plodding!

SEASIDERS' stalwarts may recall the name of goalkeeper Lloyd Scott who made two appearances for the club in 1982. However, Lloyd, 40, from Rainham, Essex, is making more of a name for himself in his bid to complete the world's slowest marathon. After

Date

Victim search

POLICE in Leyland are appealing for an elderly man to come forward following an incident on Saturday April 20 when his wallet was stolen in Hough Lane at 2.30pm while he was getting onto a Fishwick's bus heading toward Preston. Officers say the offender

Date

Jail praised by inspectors

A LEYLAND jail was the subject of a chief inspector's report released this week, following an unannounced visit to the secure unit in October last year. The report on Wymott Prison, off Ulnes Walton Lane, Leyland, described as encouraging, commended prison

Date

French connection

CULTURAL links are set to blossom between two North Lancashire villages and a French township after the communities officially became twin towns. Last week Nether Kellet and Over Kellet played host to around fifty visitors from Bussieres, which is about

Date

Rail improvements planned

LINKS between Morecambe and Lancaster railway stations will be substantially improved in the near future, claims the resort's MP. Geraldine Smith's statement came following a meeting she had with David Kaye, Director of First North Western Trains. Geraldine

Date

Canal scheme a step closer

AN AMBITIOUS £30 million scheme to restore the northern reaches of Lancaster Canal has edged a step closer to becoming reality. Following an intensive period of dredging, contractors have cleared a mile of the canal that has not been navigable for the

Date

Real ale back

REAL ale fans thought it had taken a nose dive but the Lancaster Bomber has bounced back. The famous brew made by the now defunct Mitchells Brewery is ready for take off again thanks to a rescue mission by Blackburn-based brewery Daniel Thwaites. The

Date

Students use art to warn motorists

ANYONE driving through the Marsh area should be on the look out for a multi-coloured tortoise! A new 20 mph zone for the area came into force this week with signs designed by local schoolchildren. And the artistic endeavours of two pupils, Charley Brennand

Date

Forward thinking!

WITH two games of the season remaining, Morecambe FC are already making plans for next year' campaign. Two former football league players are being strongly linked with a switch to Christie Park. Leigh RMI boss Steve Waywell has claimed that the Shrimps

Date

Net tightens on Web perverts

COMPUTER equipment has been seized in Morecambe as part of the biggest ever national crackdown on internet perverts. The identity of the equipment's owner has not been revealed and no arrests have yet been made. Police are examining the computers and

Date

Weekend of costly car vandalism

A WEEKEND of car vandalism left owners counting the cost in the centre of Lancaster. On Friday, a car parked on Golgotha Road, Lancaster, was walked over, causing dents in the roof and leaving footprints. The damage is estimated at £ 200. On Saturday

Date

Leigh East U10's 32 - Burtonwood Bulldogs 32

East held to draw LEIGH East Under 10's tackling let them down and they ended up drawing a match with Burtonwood they should have won. Tries: J Lythgoe, T Kay, D Gunning (3), S Grainey. Goals: D Gunning, J Reynard, R Lewis, D Draper.

Date

Late flurry sees Miners into top three

LEIGH Miners Rangers confirmed their place in the National Conference Premier Division top three with a narrow 26-18 victory over Oulton. They left it late to secure the victory that leapfrogs them over local rivals Leigh East and into a plum play-off

Date

Angel makes a flying start

LEIGH CC won their second consecutive match in the Liverpool & District Premier Division Cup Competition, beating Northern by six wickets on Saturday. Batting first, Northern had to face a hostile opening spell from Leigh's new Western Australian

Date

Billy Pearce date

FUNNYMAN Billy Pearce is back at Bolton's Albert Halls for one night. The gig tomorrow night, Friday, is strictly adults only. Doors open at 8pm and tickets cost £12.

Date

Ternent eyes duo

PAUL Gascoigne will not play for Burnley again but manager Stan Ternent is hoping that both David Johnson and Marlon Beresford will. But having started the hard work of building his squad ahead of next season he admitted: "Everything is on hold at the

Date

Request for racism enquiry

COUNCILLORS sat in silence on Wednesday as Mal Hussain addressed the full council to ask for a public enquiry into racist attacks against him. The Ryelands shop keeper said he was still a victim of prejudice on the estate and that the authorities had

Date

Phone masts allowed

PLANNING permission has been granted for two mobile phone antennae and dishes on top of the BT Exchange, in Back Wood Street, Darwen. Permission came after opposition from residents was retracted because the applicant agreed to remove a ladder from the

Date

How Beryl turned pounds into £££s

SUPER slimmer Beryl Thomas, who shed more than four stones in six months, has now seen her bank balance swell by pounds - £55 to be exact. That's her reward from colleagues at Darwen Weight Watchers' Club who have presented her with the cheque - a pound

Date

Market traders' rent-cut chance

CUT-PRICE rents are being offered to traders who can bring something different to Darwen's three-day market. Plans for a rental initiative scheme were announced in late February but full details have only just been revealed. Traders who offer goods and

Date

Doorstep loans alert

RESIDENTS were today urged to be vigilant against salesmen who get people to sign up for home repair loans with a false promise they'll win the money back through court action. Trading Standards and housing company Twin Valley Homes have received dozens

Date

Jubilee plans

HASLINGDEN Soroptimists are planning a busy summer of events including a golden jubilee party at the town's cricket club. The party will be on June 3 in the evening and on June 18 the president Mrs Maureen Kelly-Hewitt's will be holding her at home at

Date

Workshops are free

SIX free puppet-making workshops will take place at Helmshore Textile Museums as part of the Horse and Bamboo Theatre's annual Puppetsense festival . The festival will run from May 24 to May 26, with workshops, performances, exhibitions, competitions

Date

THE International Red Cross will benefit from a coffee morning at St Joseph's Sodality Hall, Mather

Date

Rubbish bins torched

SIX rubbish bins were lined up and set on fire shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Atherton firefighters were called to put on the bin fires in an alleyway behind Hamilton Street. A fire service spokesman said the incident could have got out of hand as

Date

TV soap stars get their kit on!

STARS from TV soaps Hollyoaks and Brookside will be getting together in a charity soccer match at Leigh's Hilton Park next week. The screen stars will form a team to take on a Coca-Cola XI on Thursday, May 2, kick off 8pm. All proceeds will go to the

Date

Give us peace

THERE was yet another tribute to the late Queen Mother in last week's Citizen. She has been paid every honour -- except beautification. Can we now let her and those of us whose days are occupied with other matters rest in peace or get on with life? Outside

Date

We want access for Queen's Jubilee visit

BUSINESSES, service providers and architects should be warned of an important date in 2004, when anyone providing goods and services will, where reasonable, have to remove, alter or avoid any obstacles that prevent access for people with disabilities

Date

City for the future

A POLICE chief has warned that Preston must be prepared to take on its new city status -- and avoid falling victim to deprivation and crime. Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver talked of improving the quality of life for the city's diverse communities when

Date

Police examine computer

POLICE are expected to take a week to examine a computer seized in a raid as part of the biggest crackdown on child pornography. Police executed a warrant on an address in the Bank Top area of Blackburn yesterday where they took the computer as part of

Date

'Protest by text' call over railways

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have urged Lancashire's frustrated rail users to text their displeasure direct to Chancellor Gordon Brown. Pressure group Friends of the Earth will accept the mobile phone message, turn it into a e-mail and send it the Treasury

Date

Security plea after arsonists strike

AN ALLOTMENT holder has appealed to council bosses to mend a broken fence in a bid to combat vandals after teenagers torched his greenhouse. Bob Boardman, 64, of Longshaw Lane, Blackburn, watched as the greenhouse and contents -- worth a total of £1,000

Date

Bosses reject World Cup plea

A MAJOR campaign supported by six England managers past and present has been launched to allow East Lancashire workers time off to watch the team's World Cup showdown with Argentina. But major employers today said they would not be letting their staff

Date

Blues to try again

CLITHEROE, whose game at home to Salford on Tuesday night was abandoned when a power cut led to floodlight failure, are back in action tonight when they travel to Atherton Collieries. Lee Sculpher's NWCL Division One side will re-play the Salford match

Date

Stanley are kings of the county

ACCRINGTON Stanley kick-started their bid to bring the good times back to the Crown Ground by winning the Lancashire Marsden Trophy last night. The Reds, watched by 1330 at Morecambe's Christie Park, defeated UniBond Premier rivals Barrow 2-0. A goal

Date

Cavanagh 'devastated' at dismissal

PETER Cavanagh admitted he was 'devastated' to be sent off after just 45 minutes of Stanley's Lancashire FA Marsden trophy victory over Barrow last night. The Reds skipper saw red for a second bookable offence during the 2-0 win at Christie Park. Former

Date

On look-out for golfing stars

BURNLEY golf club are looking for the next Laura Davies, Karrie Webb or Sophie Gustafson. The Glen View club believe there is a well of untapped talent in the area and junior organiser Bernie Wilson says there has never been a better time for girls to

Date

Trophy triumph is a reward for fans

MANAGER John Coleman dedicated Accrington's first Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy to the people who 'live and breathe Stanley.' Goals from Paul Mullin and Simon Carden sealed Coleman a place in the Crown Ground history books for being the first manager since

Date

This one they MUST get right

IT'S over, and considering all the upheaval during the season PNE have done extremely well to finish in eighth place. Every credit to the players and caretaker manager Kelham O'Hanlan for doing so well. Now comes the time for the board to decide who is

Date

Ten rescued from flats blaze

TEN people required hospital treatment after a fire broke out in a lift shaft at a 17-storey block of flats in Layton, Blackpool, last night (Wednesday, April 24). Firefighters and eight fire engines were called to Ashworth Court, Queens Park, Layton,

Date

My biggest fear

I DON'T know why but three times in the last week I have been asked if I would speak to women's groups. Sorry I can't do it. I am not a public orator. For over 40 years I have tried my best to avoid the scary task. Only last week I was able to categorise

Date

Treasure that's caused a stir

WHEN he stumbled on a hidden treasure of a book in the archives at Leigh town hall heritage officer Alan Davies didn't realise the furore his find would stir up. The 350-years-old work by a mystery writer, which could change the history of the women's

Date

Teenager's forced marriage is annulled

A TEENAGE girl who was forced into an arranged marriage with a student in Bury has won her legal fight for an annulment. Aneeka Sohrab, who was brought up in Glasgow, was only 16 when her parents insisted she marry 19-year-old Raja Sulman Khan. She escaped

Date

Home attack ordeal of woman, 89

AN 89-YEAR-OLD woman attacked in her home staggered 100 yards to a primary school for help. School staff alerted police and called an ambulance when they saw Margaret Charlton, who had blood pouring from her wounds. The attack happened after Miss Charlton

Date

Leigh Soccer League: Over the Moon...

MOONRAKER sealed a place in the final of the Davenport Cup with a 3-1 semi-final win over Fir Tree Rangers. Scott Mulcrow opened the scoring on 50 minutes with Steve Marsh adding two on 54 and 70 and Danny Rushworth getting an 88th minute consolation

Date

Sorry end to home season

Leigh RMI 0 Yeovil Town 1 by Martyn Hindley LEIGH RMI completed their Hilton Park campaign in the same manner that it started - with disappointment both on and off the field. The Glovers took a slender 1-0 win away from a game that had a distinct end

Date

Romeo, Romeo, where art thou?

ONE of the area's most respected theatre companies is bringing to life the classic Shakespearian tale of Romeo and Juliet. C'est Tous theatre company, based in Leyland's picturesque Worden Park, is renowned across Preston and South Ribble for its spectacular

Date

'Worry Tree' launched by social services

BLACKBURN with Darwen Youth Offending and Parentwise teamed up to create a 'worry tree' on which people can hang their problems. Officials who work with youngsters in East Lancashire attended the launch of the tree scheme at King George's Hall, Blackburn

Date

Leap for school funds

THE sky is the limit for three teachers with a head for heights as they embark on a two-mile high parachute jump. The daring teachers from St James CE Primary School in Oozebooth Terrace, Blackburn are stepping out of their classrooms - and out of a plane

Date

Bulldog spirit keeps us going

THANK you for your report (LET, April 17) about the controversy over plans to close a 'lifeline' footpath in our area and for your Opinion on the issue. Mr John Fowley's photograph looked good, but it just shows what the crime situation is if, after three

Date

Motorway crane crash man 'serious'

A 40-YEAR-OLD Leigh man is seriously ill in hospital after the crane he was driving overturned on a motorway. David Boardman was travelling on the southbound carraigeway of the M6 on Tuesday night when his Volvo FL220 crane veered onto the hard shoulder

Date

Doorstep loans alert

RESIDENTS were today urged to be vigilant against salesmen who get people to sign up for home repair loans with a false promise they'll win the money back through court action. Trading Standards and housing company Twin Valley Homes have received dozens

Date

Whittle loan move has Leigh's blessing

DAVE Whittle's loan move to Challenge Cup finalists St Helens was completed with the full blessing of Leigh Centurions' coach Paul Terzis. Saints' massive injury list forced coach Ian Millward to return to his former club and ask for the Welsh international

Date

Nursery closures are a crime

I SIT here reading the Lancaster Citizen online from my home, in the USA and it truly would be sad to see the Morecambe Bay Nursery close after all these years. My sisters children benefited from the nursery school and myself, I went there over 30 years

Date

Beliefs have been shattered

AS A woman I drive my partner round the twist trying to see the good in people and believing in the system. My beliefs have recently been shattered. My daughter and some friends were coming out of Sainsbury's car park last Friday evening at approximately

Date

Roads flooded

A BURST water main which flooded roads and gardens in the Ribbleton area of Preston on Monday, April, 22, has been repaired. Up to 7,000 homes were without water after the 26ins water main burst, causing severe flooding in the Thelmere Road and New Hall

Date

Pastor praises pot-hole free streets

MOST people in Preston are fed up with traffic congestion and speed cameras, but to one visitor the roads over here are his idea of heaven. Pastor Samual Ngorok, from Uganda, is in the area as part of an exchange visit with a Preston church. And one of

Date

Smiles all round

A PENWORTHAM toddler is one of many children with learning difficulties coming on inw leaps and bounds with the help of a new educational Smile centre in Leyland Library. The new learning centre initiative has been praised by parents of children with

Date

Mary's Malawi mission

A PRESTON woman whose family and friends are living in the shadow of death in a poor region of Africa is pleading with local folk to dig deep and donate cash to help her make a difference. Mary Woodworth, of Liverpool Old Road, Walmer Bridge, Preston,

Date

Refuge praises Little Mo story

AS millions tuned in to watch the trial of battered wife Little Mo in the hit television soap EastEnders last week, campaigners for women suffering domestic violence in Preston have praised the programme. Now staff at Preston Women's Refuge are aiming

Date

Albia's fight for youth rights

A 17-year-old youth councillor is appealing for her peers to help fight for young people's rights in Burnley. Albia Begum of Daneshouse Road, Burnley, is a computer literacy and psychology student at Burnley College and has been a member of Burnley's

Date

Cricket ace 'Wilkie' dies aged, 83

A BURNLEY and England international cricket woman who made a name for herself despite being less than five feet tall has died aged 83. Accomplished batswoman Joan "Wilkie" Wilkinson, who was born in Foulridge, played for the national team for 10 years

Date

Coaching is for the girls

IF you've been inspired by recent hit movie Bend it like Beckham, then this is for you. For every Saturday morning for eight weeks from April 27 girls aged between eight and 16 years old can join Preston North End Women's Football Club's coaching programme

Date

Preston rejoice in cup final victory

PRESTON College went in to this game as favourites after being the holders of this competition and they didn't disappoint the strong following of 150 supporters as they ran out victorious winners with a hard fought but well earned result. Skipper Chris

Date

Take your places

FRIENDS of Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will be holding a line-dance night as part of the Queen's golden jubilee celebrations on Friday May 31 at 7.30pm. The evening will be in aid of Rosemere Cancer Foundation, a hot-pot supper and apple pie with

Date

Lee stages tour return

COMIC genius Lee Evans is stopping off in Preston as part of a nationwide tour. The funny man is returning to stand-up comedy after a four-year break -- after taking the silver screen by storm. Starring roles in the films Mousehunt, There's Something

Date

Dancing in the streets

MUSIC lovers will be dancing in the streets thanks to a new production at the Preston Guild Hall. Two new productions will be arriving at the city's biggest music venue from next week, leaving fans of Motown classics and rock 'n' roll spoilt for choice

Date

Five years ago

FURIOUS taxi drivers staged a demonstration at Blackburn Town Hall against plans to increase MOT-style tests. They claimed the change would force them out of business.

Date

Ten years ago

A HORDE of marauding Vikings set off to Carlisle dressed up to cheer on the Clarets in the fourth division football championship. Almost 70 fans from the Park View pub, near Turf Moor, made the journey.

Date

Kings of the county

ACCRINGTON STANLEY are the toast of the county after winning the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy in dramatic style with a 2-0 victory over Barrow last night. And Reds boss John Coleman beamed: "I feel very proud. It's great for the town." A crowd of 1,330

Date

Workman scarred for life

A WORKMAN has been scarred for life after suffering severe burns while painting white lines on a road. John Pacewitch, 22, received burns to his ears, neck and his right forearm and has undergone skin grafts. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed

Date

Caring Sister dies

WARM hearted nun Sister Gerardina Harnett, who had many friends in Leigh, has died. Sister Gerardina spent 14 active years in Leigh caring for the elderly in the Orchard Lane Convent residential home and formed a deep bond with residents, staff, parishioners

Date

£2m earmarked for new train station

GOLBORNE has taken a £2million step nearer to getting a railway station. That's the amount earmarked by Wigan Council for developing a new station in the town. The cash will come from a £70 million fund set up by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport

Date

German firefighters visit Leigh station

GERMAN firefighting volunteers are visiting Leigh Fire Station to compare techniques. A group of eight from the village of Anroechte, visit the Leigh station this week to observe drills and to look at equipment and facilities. Before their arrival Leigh

Date

Police promise crime crackdown

LEIGH police are set to swoop on robbers and street criminals as part of a county-wide tough crackdown on street crime. Crime hot spots in Leigh have been earmarked as targets by police chiefs, who are preparing a series of co-ordinated initiatives aimed

Date

Leigh's hidden gem

ALARM bells rang when Alan Davies stumbled on a hidden gem of a book in the archives strong room in Leigh town hall. The 350-years-old work by a mystery writer could change the history of the women's movement! The 180 page publication from the 17th century

Date

Dave's a super Trooper!

AN AVID Star Wars fan is hoping the force will be with him when he shares the stage with C3PO at a glitzy opening bash for the new Star Wars film. Atherton man David Brown will be at next month's star-studded opening night celebrations for the new Star

Date

Churches stage safari concert

PARISHIONERS from St Lawrence and St Paul's Churches, Longridge, will take part in a safari concert on Saturday, May 25. The launch point will be St Lawrence's. Starters will be served and the handbell ringers and organist will entertain. Everyone will

Date

High school 'Chameleon' in the frame

PUPILS at Clitheroe's Ribblesdale High School Technology College won't be trying to blend into the background at this year's Young Enterprise East Lancashire finals. The company, Chameleon, is made up of 25 pupils producing clocks and CD ROMs featuring

Date

Jimmy's 'grandad' is centre of quest

A BIOGRAPHY on East Lancashire's most famous comedian has hit a snag -- because there is not enough information on his 'grandad.' Life-long fan Sandra Skuse has been working on the story of Jimmy Clitheroe since last year, chronicling his transformation

Date

Getting lost in music

MUSIC and the internet is a marriage made in heaven. Few things bring out people's obsessive streak quite as much as music and, as the internet is the forum for obsessives everywhere, it is its natural home. From pop star gossip sites to chatroom debates

Date

Off the Ball by Steve Dunthorpe

SUNDAY was the kind of day for which the phrase 'edge of your seat' was invented. I'm not a supporter of West Brom, Wolves, Birmingham, Millwall, Norwich City, Burnley or Preston and, normally, I wouldn't have more than a passing interest in their affairs

Date

Marine life is thrilling stuff!

A THRILLING draw at Marine provided Lancaster followers with one of their most entertaining Saturday afternoons of the season at the weekend. The Dolly Blues looked dead and buried after going 2-0 and 3-1 down, but a fine rally brought them back into

Date

Releasing players is hard: Ternent

HAVING released six players from the club earlier this week Burnley boss Stan Ternent admitted: "It is the most difficult thing a manager has to do. "The players have done really well for you but I have to make the decisions, that's what I am paid to

Date

Ternent eyes duo

PAUL Gascoigne will not play for Burnley again but manager Stan Ternent is hoping that both David Johnson and Marlon Beresford will. But having started the hard work of building his squad ahead of next season he admitted: "Everything is on hold at the

Date

End of an era for area dean

A LEYLAND vicar is heading for pastures new as he prepares his last service for St Ambrose Parish Church on Sunday, April 28, before moving to Blackburn. Canon Arthur Ranson, 52, has lived at St Ambrose vicarage, Moss Lane, with wife Janet, 49, for the

Date

Rock tribute nights

ROCK tribute nights at the Carleton continue on Friday, April 26, with U2 tribute Achtung Baby. Formed in 1994 by Stars in their Eyes finalist and Bono impersonator Andy Bono Bagnall, Achtung Baby has established a solid reputation around Europe playing

Date

Council expenses could be slashed

EXPENSES for Lancaster City Council's leader could be slashed by £2,000 under new recommendations by an independent panel. Councillors were considering a proposal to cut the cabinet leader's special expenses from £10,000 to £8,000 as part of an annual

Date

Starry, starry night

LOCAL stargazers have been enjoying the once in a life time sight of five planets lined up in the sky - all visible to the naked eye - plus the arrival of an unexpected comet! In what is an astronomical feast, there's currently a rare grouping of Mercury

Date

Choir wants new recruits

A CHAMBER choir is looking for two lower bass singers. The Brixi Singers, conducted by Richard Lea, is a 22-strong choir which performs at social and charity events and weddings and has an extensive repertoire including Handel's Messiah, Stainer's Crucifixion

Date

Sorry affair

A COUNCILLOR has apologised for not withdrawing from a standards committee hearing after publishing a leaflet criticising its subject. Cllr Jean Yates must also make a public apology to a full council meeting after she appeared before the standards committee

Date

Council staff may strike

CITY Council staff could be set to strike for the first time in more than 20 years as local government workers nationwide campaign for better pay. Council chiefs say they are not pre-judging the results of national pay bargaining, but warn that if strikes

Date

Brutal attack in park unprovoked

TWO teenage boys were beaten up in a brutal unprovoked attack in a popular Lancaster park. The pair, aged 15 and 16, were at Scotch Quarry at around 8.15pm on Friday when two slightly older individuals, one wearing a Liverpool football shirt, called them

Date

Beware of con man

A THIEF posing as a washing machine engineer managed to con his way in to the home of a 95-year-old woman and steal her purse. The elderly woman opened the door of her home at Limes Avenue, Heysham to a man who said he needed to turn the water supply

Date

Committee has little to offer

COUNCILLORS have walked out on a special committee set up to respond to the District Auditor's Blobbygate enquiry describing it as a "farce." Independent members say they want to put some distance between their group and the Unique response committee,

Date

Locals buying up new properites

A REVEALING new survey has shown that most new homes in the area are bought by local people. Concerns that new developments are bought up by out-of-town commuters have been partially allayed by a Homebuyers' Survey which reveals that six out of 10 new

Date

Back on track

LEIGH Miners Rangers Under 11's got back to winning ways with a 36-14 win over Ashton. Tries: Marsh, Howard, Fazakerley, Doyle 2, Youds, Thorpe. Goals: Nicholson, Jameson, Howard, Fazakerley.

Date

MIDDLEWICH 1 v 3 GOLBORNE SPORTS FC MID-CHESHIRE LEAGUE

Hard work for Golborne GOLBORNE FC continued their end of season good form with a victory at lowly Middlewich but were made to work hard for the points by the home side who never gave up. Two goals from the impressive Westworth and one from Torpey secured

Date

Riders beaten again

ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare-CTA Direct Cycle Speedway team was beaten again in their Midlands-North League Division Two match at Sheffield on Sunday. Once again top riders Damien Hack and Russ Holland were absent from the team. Mark Wylie again

Date

Adlington demolished as Atherton start with big win

LIFE without Steve Walsh started for Atherton CC with the visit of Adlington to Higham Park for the opening Bolton Association match of the season. The difference was hardly noticable as new skipper Rob Clews marshalled his troops superbly to engineer

Date

Careless Centurions need to smarten up their act

Leigh Centurions...44 Chorley Lynx...8 T HE Centurions are not alone in making all the right noises that the Buddies National League Cup is a meaningful and worthwhile competition. But try telling that to the supporters who've stayed away in their droves

Date

Top jazz at the Pier

JAZZ Musician of the Year and saxophonist Alan Barnes and trumpet player Steve Fishwick will perform alongside Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra from 12.30-3.30pm on Sunday at The Mill at the Pier in Wigan. Tickets cost from £5, for more information call 01942

Date

Rock till you drop with Quo

THE sensational State of Quo and Vera-Cruz will ensure you rock till you drop at the Monaco Ballroom on Friday, May 3 from 7.30pm until 12.30am. And fronting the Status Quo tribute band is Leigh's original 'Mr Rock' Ronnie Carr's son, Paul. Tickets are

Date

Band wants drummer

LEIGH band Sore Dead Self want a new drummer because of a road accident. The five-member deaf metal band formed in the summer of 2000, but their original drummer was involved in a car accident leaving them looking for a replacement. The group's ages range

Date

Cole's plea to boss Souness

EWOOD goal-king Andy Cole today urged Graeme Souness to make the signings necessary to transform Blackburn into a top-10 force next season. Ipswich's 1-0 win over Middlesbrough last night means Rovers are still not mathematically assured of their place

Date

Axe falls on Shakers 8

SHAKERS manager Andy Preece has wielded the axe and cut his squad by a total of eight players. The manager, joint chairmen Fred Mason and John Smith along with the administration team, have scaled down the squad of players before they depart for their

Date

Security clamp on games consoles

POLICE are trying to prevent computer game consoles being such a lucrative item for burglars. Sergeant Neil Wilkinson is staging a security coding session at Darwen police station after concerns over the amount of X Boxes, Playstations and Gameboys being

Date

New operation's fresh hope for John

FIVE-YEAR-OLD cancer sufferer John Mark Riding will return home to England this week to spend some precious time with his family before flying to Australia for an operation which his parents hope will save his life. The five-year-old, formerly from Darwen

Date

Forensic expert tells of studying grisly scene

AN EAST Lancashire businessman who was hacked to death with an axe by his girlfriend was struck by the weapon as he stood up and while he was kneeling and lying on the floor, a forensic expert told a court. The jury at Leeds Crown Court had heard Danny

Date

Rare virus kills son

A DEVASTATED family today buried their only son after he lost a three-month battle with a rare virus. Mark Brown died aged 29 in Hope Hospital in Salford from a viral illness called transverse myelitis syndrome, septicaemia and a urine infection. His

Date

Help wanted

ASTLEY Pensioners Club is looking for volunteers to help with their luncheon club. The club is based at the Pensioners Centre on Manchester Road, Astley on Wednesdays 10.30am to 1.30pm. Anyone wanting to help should contact Joan Elsby on 01942-883756.

Date

Money making potential

I READ with interest the letter 'So Why Were They Moved?' sent in by Mr Eskdale (Citizen, April 18). This is the 'done' thing now. Any patch of greenery or old property that has a potential for making money --dig it up, knock it down and build more houses

Date

An ode to life in Hutton

I WRITE in response to Mr John Jolley's letter (Citizen, April 18): Who is this jolly little man? Attacking folk where 'ere he can? Since Viking times of rape and pillage, Hutton has always been a village. Our Grammar School through not a crammer. Is

Date

Road crash witnesses wanted

A FAMILY involved in car accident are urgently appealing for two vital witnesses to contact them. Yasmin Zamir and her four children were travelling along Newton Road, Lowton in a 4x4 Showgun at around 4pm on Monday October 15, when they were involved

Date

Village status confirmed

MR JOLLEY'S statement in last week's Citizen cannot remain unchallenged. He writes that Hutton cannot call itself a village as it does not have a church. What he may not realise is that Hutton once had a chapel, certainly in the 12th and 13th centuries

Date

Pair for trial on attack charges

A SECOND man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with an incident in which two brothers were left unconscious after being beaten with wooden bats in their home at Ulverston Close, Blackburn. Shaun Stevenson, 27, of Broughton

Date

Pilgrims making their progress

TWO cycling pilgrims will stop in Blackburn as part of an 800-mile round trip to 17 of England's cathedrals. Tim Morgan and Martin Cavender from Kent are making the exhausting journey on racing bikes to spread the word of prayer and to publicise the work

Date

Bar boss pledge over late trouble

A BAR boss has pledged to install CCTV cameras outside his venues in a bid to reduce the number of violent incidents in the area. Scott Moon, who manages Cubes and the Chocolate Bar, in Duke Street, Blackburn, made his pledge during a meeting of Blackburn

Date

Opinions sought on organ retention issue

HEALTH watchdogs in Blackburn are appealing for local people to give their views on the controversial issue of what to do with human organs retained by hospitals. Community Health Councils across the country have been asked by the National Health Service

Date

Kind Victoria is pet heroine

CAT lover Victoria Fox rescued a kitty knocked down by her late night taxi and then helped find the owner. When the 18-year-old reveller returned from a night at Utopia nightclub, Blackburn, she was so horrified to think they had hit a cat near Four Lane

Date

It's the thrush hour traffic

WHEN searching for her new home, this mistle thrush obviously chose to ignore the estate agents' motto "location, location, location". The mother bird plumped for the top of the traffic lights in Blackburn when deciding where to build her nest, despite

Date

Ehrhardt is king of Erringden

THE second round of Todmorden Harriers Fell Championship was incorporated into the Erringden Moor Fell Race, an eight miler at Mytholmroyd which features three climbs - including one up to Stoodley Pike. Clayton's Simon Thompson managed to split the Todmorden

Date

American dream is a step closer

BEN Fish's plans of taking up a scholarship at Troy State University in Alabama have moved a step closer with him passing the entrance examination. The good news for his club, Blackburn Harriers, is that he won't be going until August or even January,

Date

Post botch resit fury

MORE than 400 students are to resit an exam next month after their papers were lost in the post. A total of 830 exam papers were lost after the blunder by Parcelforce which had been asked to take them to the examiner's house in the Midlands. It was only

Date

Ask a silly question . . .

I BOUGHT an old, green, glass sea fishing net float housed in a thick rope mesh at the weekend. Why? I really haven't a clue. I just loved the 15 inch diameter ball. While in the shop a dealer told me he had already bought four and shipped them to America

Date

Pupils go along for the ride

SCHOOLCHILDREN have been set the rollercoaster task of designing their very own funfair 'Big One'. Ten schools within Leigh Education Action Zone have been presented with a K'Nex construction kit and have been briefed on their spine-tingling mission to

Date

This idea isn't rubbish

HOLIDAYS abroad have made conservation-conscious Brenda Walton aware of the work going on to help the planet - and the little effort made here in comparison. After visits to globe supporting Canada and Australia, where visitors can see climate changes