Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Wednesday, February 5
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn Rambling Association, Oddfellows Hall, Regent Street, Blackburn, 8pm. "Violet's Story" -- slide show, Whitworth Museum, North Street, 7.30pm. Derwent Garden
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Let's stop sliding into icy chaos
IT happens every year and yet, unlike countries such as Norway and Sweden, every winter we always seem to get "caught out". Yesterday's teatime snowfall and the temperature reduction that usually comes with darkness combined to produce sheet ice and traffic
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Give me freedom to say how I feel
WELL that is good news, just the very thing I have been waiting for. We are now free to have sex in a public toilet, that is providing you close the door, I wonder is that the same closet door everyone has been coming out of lately? The Government is
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Heat problem finally solved
I WISH to express sincere thanks to all those involved in ending the difficulties I encountered in seeking help from the various authorities, when left without heat during the recent bitterly cold spell of weather (LET, January 11). Hopefully, I can now
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Aged lady in need of help
REGARDING your article (LET, January 24) on protecting people's homes in Hyndburn, my mother, who lives on the Within Grove Estate, has been robbed many times. She has requested a move many times, has asked for work to be done on her house -- on her broken
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Neighbourhood nurseries with 205 places
PARENTS in Hindley and Worsley are set to benefit from new nurseries. Five nurseries are to be opened in Wigan borough, creating an extra 205 childcare places for families in Hindley, Hindley Green, Worsley, Ince, Worsley Mesnes and Hindsford. The Wigan
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Listen with June
A NEW reading scheme is sure to make youngsters sit up and take note. The first in a series of "storytimes" sessions is at Prestwich library next Thursday (Feb 6) from 10.45am-11.30am. Library assistant June McLaughlin will read the stories, while parents
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MyTravel job cuts
EAST Lancashire based tour operator MyTravel is planning to cut up to 700 of its 15,000 UK staff to reduce costs. The firm says it is entering into a consultation period with employees which "unless savings can be achieved by alternative means, may result
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Euro MP backs new terror laws
EURO MP Gary Titley has given his backing to new legislation aimed at tackling terrorism. He said: "They mean that anyone suspected of being connected with terrorism can be arrested and in light of what happened in Bury, and the stabbing of Stephen Oake
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Skateboarders dicing with death
TEENAGERS are dicing with death by skateboarding on the roofs of shops in Burnley, it was revealed today. And traders in St James Street, whose premises are being used by the boarders, said they are being left alone to deal with the problem. After years
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Mark's pledge
MARK Patterson will field his strongest possible side for the Marsden Building Society Lancashire Challenge Trophy at Rossendale tonight. The Leigh RMI manager's plans to give his squad a run-out in a friendly at Stalybridge on Saturday were hit by the
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Local watchdog warns of rising water bills
A WATER watchdog is to consider details of price increases for customers of up to 6.5 per cent when it meets in Manchester later this month. The upsurge in water bills will come under the spotlight when WaterVoice North West meets on Thursday, February
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Joy as Duff named in World XI
BLACKBURN winger Damien Duff was the toast of Ireland today after being named in the UEFA.com team of the year. Duff achieved the accolade on the back of some scintillating performances for the Republic of Ireland at the World Cup finals last summer.
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Souey facing a new FA rap
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness could find himself in more hot water with the Football Association following his verbal blast at Aston Villa defender Ronny Johnsen. Souness has already requested a personal FA hearing after being charged following an altercation
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Council members work for peace
YOUNG people from various cultural backgrounds spent the day together on Saturday to discuss issues which affect their lives on a daily basis. The Burnley District Youth Council is there to represent the views of all young people in the borough and this
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Prison won't be built here, MP told
A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to build an East Lancashire prison has failed. The Prison Service has told Burnley's MP Peter Pike it will not consider land at Old Hall Farm, Daneshouse, Burnley, for a detention centre after Mr Pike wrote to them
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Skateboarders dicing with death
TEENAGERS are dicing with death by skateboarding on the roofs of shops in Burnley, it was revealed today. And traders in St James Street, whose premises are being used by the boarders, said they are being left alone to deal with the problem. After years
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Shakers' revenge bid puts them third
CAMBRIDGE 1, SHAKERS 2: BURY gained revenge for their worst display of the season with a 2-1 triumph at Cambridge. The U's visited Gigg Lane in August with the worst away record in the country having not won on their travels for 16 months, but won 1-0
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Crash claim driver over limit
A DRINK-driver was rumbled by police after they spotted the bumper hanging off his van and damage to the mirror and off side. Burnley magistrates heard John Curtin, 32, told officers a car had just hit him and driven off when they went to talk to him
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Row led to drink drive
A MACHINIST caught over the limit in the early hours got behind the wheel to escape a row, a court was told.. Burnley Magistrates heard James Carl Robinson, 21, only went a short distance. Robinson, of Clarence Street, Colne, admitted driving with excess
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Wandering Morgan is back home
A FAMILY who were on the brink of despair when their beloved pet went missing are celebrating his safe return. The Muir family of Colne took Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Morgan, in when he was found in a terrible state in July after being tied to a post
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Andy's on his travels, but store keeps it in the family
WORKERS at an East Lancashire electrical shop are preparing to bid a fond farewell to a member of staff who is off to travel the world. Andy Dean, 23, is leaving Romers HiFi, Great Harwood, and his home town of Accrington to travel with a friend. He first
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'Jungle law' class blast from vicar
AN EAST Lancashire vicar has accused schools of short changing children about the facts of life and their origins. And the Rev Kevin Logan says that teaching pure evolution to school children is partly responsible for anti-social behaviour and a "crippled
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Club kick-started back into action
YOUNGSTERS in Oswaldtwistle look set to get their youth club back 18 months after it closed. The Kick Start youth club was based at West End Methodist Church, Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, but closed after the church announced it needed to raise £50,000
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Kitchen knife raid at bookmakers
MEN armed with a kitchen knife raided a bookmakers in Prestwich. The three men ran into the Tote bookmakers at the Longfield Centre, on Bury New Road, and pushed over staff before grabbing cash and making a getaway in a waiting Escort car which had been
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Minister's blast at BNP leaflet
A METHODIST minister has launched a scathing attack on the BNP which he has accused of "malicious scaremongering" after a leaflet campaign in the town. The Rev Richard Atkinson has accused the right-wing party of exploiting situations to bring home their
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Round-up of all the county's events
LANCASHIRE County Council has produced an action-packed leaflet detailing the county's full programme of events for 2003. Among the top attractions this year will be the Royal Lancashire Show in the Ribble Valley in July. Burnley's Balloon Festival and
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Clarets face probe
THE Football Association has written to Burnley Football Club asking for their observations about incidents during Saturday's 5-2 defeat by Reading. And having started an investigation the cash-strapped Clarets could find themselves hit by a fine or even
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Clarets in talks to keep Diallo
DRISSA Diallo was set for talks with Burnley today as the club seeks to secure his longer term future at the club. Chairman Barry Kilby confirmed this morning: "We will be meeting the player and his agent and we have a number of options that we want to
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Councillors surgeries
TUESDAY, February 4: Dorset Road community centre, Hag Fold, Atherton(10-11) S Loudon, R Holmes; Atherton Town Hall (9.30-11) B Splaine; Golborne Library (5.30-6.15) P Franzen; Tyldesley Town Hall (6.30-7.30) R Bleakley, N Hogg, B Wilson. WEDNESDAY, February
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Exhibition that made headlines
A SEMINAL moment in world history is being brought vividly back to life at Leigh's Turnpike Gallery as part of an exhibition that looks at who and where we are. Manchester artists Emma Rushton and Derek Tyman have recreated a 1987 headline news story
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Harriers pair are Northern stars
HARRIERS Tom Boardman and Anne Powell were the individual Leigh squad stars at the Northern Cross Country championships. Both finished in unlucky 13th spot in their high class fields at the Heaton Park, Manchester, competition on Saturday. The U17 girls
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No reason to attack Iraq, says MP
WE have no political, moral or military reason to attack Iraq. That's the stark message from MP David Chaytor, who fears Britain is rushing to join an American armed "adventure". The Labour backbencher is urging his constituents to inundate his office
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Nursery building for future
IT'S a brand new beginning for Bury's only state nursery school after hitting the jackpot. Hoyle Nursery School in Chesham Fold Road has scooped Lottery cash of £208,145. With matching funding from the Government, the money will pay for a new building
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Souey facing a new FA rap
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness could find himself in more hot water with the Football Association following his verbal blast at Aston Villa defender Ronny Johnsen. Souness has already requested a personal FA hearing after being charged following an altercation
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Clarets in talks to keep Diallo
DRISSA Diallo was set for talks with Burnley today as the club seeks to secure his longer term future at the club. Chairman Barry Kilby confirmed this morning: "We will be meeting the player and his agent and we have a number of options that we want to
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MyTravel job cuts
EAST Lancashire based tour operator MyTravel is planning to cut up to 700 of its 15,000 UK staff to reduce costs. The firm says it is entering into a consultation period with employees which "unless savings can be achieved by alternative means, may result
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Safety and fun at new cyber centre
A CYBER cafe hailed as a safe haven for Darwen's teenagers opened its doors to the public yesterday. Darren Keen, who has run Interpro Computers on Blackburn Road for 12 months, pioneered the idea for coffees and computer games to become a part of the
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Council backing name change bid
A COUNCIL has thrown its weight behind a campaign to get the name of East Lancashire's first motorway service station changed. Every councillor on Blackburn with Darwen Council backed a Liberal Democrat motion for the authority write to the Highways Agency
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Valley leisure tax 'rise or cuts' shock
LEISURE facilities under Rossendale Council control are facing a two and a half per cent hike in charges, in a bid to meet new performance criteria. The news comes after the authority announced a possible 15 per cent increase in council tax. The council
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Former ROF worker dies
A LONG-term employee of Blackburn's Royal Ordnance Factory has died at his home in Canada after suffering a long illness. Bernard Stevens, second son of William G Stevens, was employed at the ROF in Blackburn for 42 years as a tool-maker. He died on January
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Schools closed by the weather
SCHOOLS across East Lancashire were closed today as teachers and pupils struggled to get to the classroom. Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Blackburn was the among the first to announced it was shut. Primary schools including St James' Primary in Oozebooth
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Fight night knockout
FOUR hundred wrestling fans were left disappointed when they all turned up for a show -- but the fight ring didn't! And police today revealed that officers took weapons from fans turning up at Blackburn's King George's Hall -- ranging from an ironing
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Jobs in balance from firm's plans
THE fate of 65 Blackburn jobs are hanging in the balance as bosses contemplate the future of a manufacturing business. Haldex, based at Glenfield Park Industrial Estate in Philips Road, Blackburn, manufactures brake systems for trucks and trailers. The
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New delay hits £2.5m scheme
THE fifth and final sculpture set to dominate Blackburn's £2.5million Church Street has been delayed -- again. A granite part of the last and largest statue, Lumen, has cracked, which means it won't be in place until April at the earliest -- a year after
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Snow joke for motorists
SNOW and ice brought East Lancashire's road to a standstill as drivers battled arctic conditions to get home. Journeys which should have taken 20 minutes took drivers up to three hours as main routes in Blackburn, such as the Preston Old Road, Preston
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Nursery building for future
IT'S a brand new beginning for Bury's only state nursery school after hitting the jackpot. Hoyle Nursery School in Chesham Fold Road has scooped Lottery cash of £208,145. With matching funding from the Government, the money will pay for a new building
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Fears over PO closure
A VILLAGE post office is set to close in two months after bosses blamed a fall in business. The shock announcement that Shuttleworth Post Office is due to shut in April was revealed yesterday (Mon Feb 3) as part of a national programme of urban closures
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Bury CTC
THE best way to describe a planned ride to Chipping would be to say it was character building. The low cloud and driving, misty rain were constant companions all day. In order to vary the outward route we travelled through Shuttleworth, Hud Hey and Roundhills
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Bury CTC
THE best way to describe last Sunday's planned ride to Chipping would be to say it was character building. The low cloud and driving, misty rain were constant companions all day. In order to vary the outward route we travelled through Shuttleworth, Hud
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Rebuilding is a benefit for all
REGARDING Mr Terry Sanderson, of the National Secular Society, objecting to public money being used to rebuild Christ Church in Nelson (Letters, January 28), what the people of Pendle want to do with their council tax monies is really not the affair of
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Paper collection a waste of time
I ALWAYS like to 'do my bit' for our environment, so when I received a leaflet from Blackburn with Darwen Council outlining their Paper Recycling Collection Scheme, I started saving my waste paper for recycling. The leaflet asks you to put the sack of
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B&B rooms match up to those abroad
IN response to J Charnock's experience of German bed and breakfast accommodation and his remark that most properties in and around Blackburn could not compete with ones he has used abroad, while I agree there are some B&Bs which may not be as good
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Mum's school bid fails
A MOTHER'S bid to save St Paul's Primary School in Ramsbottom from closure failed at London's High Court yesterday (Mon Feb 3). Tracy Bradley had argued that the entire process by which it was decided that the school in Crow Lane should close next August
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All aboard for a trip down Memory Lane
CROWDS billowed on to East Lancashire Railway platforms where two newly refurbished steam machines were wheeled out for all to see. The 1936 locomotive Leander was renovated following a £100,000 donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund and was on track
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Councillor's "Cinderella" claim for services
BURY'S mental health services are the "Cinderella" of the country, say councillors. Like the CHC, they too will write to health secretary Alan Milburn demanding sufficient money to re-open the ward. Tory councillor Dorothy Gunther told the latest council
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Former Bury Times journalist dies, aged 68
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Bury Times journalist who became a well-known figure in the world of sports and entertainment marketing. Mr Barrie Gill, who died aged 68, had been suffering from cancer for the past year. A former pupil of the old
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Man City ticket details
ROVERS' ticket office have this morning announced details for their forthcoming home game against Manchester City on Saturday 1st March. Tickets for this fixture will be on sale from Monday 10th February. This is a category A game, category A league match
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We'll pile on the pain for Rovers
SUNDERLAND boss Howard Wilkinson is confident his side can inflict Blackburn's third defeat in a row tomorrow. Both clubs go into the FA Cup fourth round replay on the back of dismal performances. Successive league defeats by Southampton and Charlton
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Cliviger Bulletin
THE Brains of Cliviger quiz is to be held again this year, teams of three compete and there are no individual questions. The first round will be held at the Village Hall on Friday, February 28, with the later rounds and final on the following Friday.
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Ex-Clarets youth player dies in Spain
A FORMER Burnley FC youth player and popular character in the town has died in Spain just a few days after moving abroad to start a new life. Frank Holmes, 55, formerly of Valley Gardens in Burnley, suffered a heart attack last week after moving to Spain
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Don't blame us over postponement, say club
BURY FC have hit back at claims that the club didn't try hard enough to get Saturday's match against Oxford United played. The Third Division promotion clash was postponed on Saturday lunchtime due to ice on the Gigg Lane pitch but the decision sparked
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MP gives warning on Iraq
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has warned Tony Blair not to rush into war against Iraq. He told the Prime Minister that weapons inspectors from the United Nations should be given more time. The Labour backbencher intervened after Mr Blair gave a statement
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'I'll rip your head off,' youth told police
A DRUNKEN teenager who was arrested by police in the early hours had not had a very good day, Burnley Magistrates heard. The court was told how jobless Daniel Lee Machin, 19, had found out mail for a vital appointment had been witheld and had later been
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Police new drive on public contact
COMMUNITIES in Pendle are being offered the opportunity to find out more about the work of the police and in particular what is being done to tackle key issues of concern like drug dealing and anti-social behaviour. Pennine police are introducing quarterly
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Fans humiliated - on and off the pitch
AS Stan correctly observed following our 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Reading: "We seem to throw in a bad performance every now and again." The problem is that 'every now and again' is starting to occur with alarming frequency. This was the third time
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Five years ago
BEST friends Ayesha Keighley and Jane King were followed by a television crew on a week's trip to Ibiza. Ayesha, of Russell Place, Great Harwood, and Jane, of Henthorne Road, Clitheroe, both 18, were filmed for ITV's programme Airline.
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Ten years ago
PRINCE Charles received some helpful advice from an elderly resident after he visited the Roman Road Estate, in Blackburn. When the Prince shook Edna Yates' hand and asked if she was well, the 75-year-old replied: "Yes, but you are looking a bit thin!
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Like a pub side? That's an insult to pub sides
'LIKE watching a pub team against a Premiership side' commented a friend following the Villa debacle. I hesitated before using this analogy as I anticipated my editor might be inundated with complaints from pub team managers insulted by the comparison
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Cod supper that led to gold
WHEN 17-year-old Harold Stamp spotted a girl from work walking home eating her fish and chips he decided she was the girl for him. He asked her out and yesterday Harold, now 69, and Kathleen, 72, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. In between
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Man hunted for £100,000 frauds
POLICE are hunting a professional fraudster who has targeted banks and netted £100,000 in the last six years. Money has already been stolen from two high street banks in Accrington and police believe others in Blackburn, Burnley and across East Lancashire
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Companies get right massage
HEALTH therapist Mirjam Vermaas is doing her bit to reduce office stress in Bolton and Bury. Her business -- Pressure Relief -- is a visiting massage service which she says has proved very popular since she started in March last year. Mirjam, aged 36,
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Death threats knife teenager in court
AN 18-year-old Clitheroe woman who threatened a police officer with a kitchen knife began to slash her own wrists with the weapon. Blackburn magistrates heard Amanda Jayne Simpson was behaving in a "deranged " way during the late night incident in November
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Ternent seeks an answer
WHEN Stan Ternent led Bury to the second division title in 1997 they only conceded an incredible seven goals at home all season. How the Burnley boss must yearn for such defensive solidity today as his Clarets side continues to leak goals at an alarming
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Rocket rock
THE Royal Hotel, Station Road, Great Harwood, is putting on an evening of live music on Saturday April 19. Rock band Rocketdog will play at the pub on the night, for details call 01254 883541.
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All that jazz
THE Pendle Jazzmen will be appearing at the Poplar Working Men's Club, in Wellington Street, Accrington, on Saturday. For details of the Dixie-jazz music night call the club on 01254 231280.
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New challenge for veteran Tom
A 71-YEAR-old landlord who has run the same pub for 21 years has left for another - just around the corner. Evergreen Tom Arrowsmith, has left the Weaver's Arms, on Blind Lane, and taken over the House that Jack Built, on Burnley Road. Tom said he plans
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Sam's putting bush tucker on the menu
VISITORS to a Rishton pub will be able to sit down to some hearty tucker rustled-up by a chef who has cooked for a former Prime Minister of Australia. Sam Holding, of the Shepherd's Rest, on Wilpshire Road, cooked for Premiere Paul Keeting while he lived
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Health watchdogs launch funding probe
HEALTH watchdogs are to carry out an urgent investigation into the funding of Fairfield General Hospital following the closure of a psychiatric ward. Some patients had to be sent home as cash-strapped hospital bosses were forced to close Ward 31 to balance
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One in ten no hit for Old Boys
Bury GSOB 2 Bolton County 4 - A POOR performance from Bury ended with a first defeat in ten outings. The result leaves them nine points adrift of local rivals Radcliffe at the top of the table although the Old Boys do have two games in hand. Net evan
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Clean sweep in park
FRIENDS of Bold Venture Park had a helping hand from more than 20 volunteers in a tidy-up session to clear rhododendron bushes. Julie Manton, secretary of the 50-strong Friends group, said: "Everyone did a fantastic job and it was great to see so many
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Towers of strength for children's fund
TWO fund-raisers are to cycle from Darwen Tower to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Malcolm Brown and Dave Worden are seeking sponsors for the a 550-mile trip which will raise money for children with cancer. Dave, of The Meadows, Darwen, will celebrate his
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Meeting has a vision for future in the Valley
A VISION for 2020 was discussed at a conference aimed at producing ideas for a community plan. Rossendale's Community Conference, held at Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall, on Saturday, was organised by the Rossendale Partnership to bring together
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Radcliffe & district Pool League
LATEST details Results: Premier Division: Rainsough Brew 3 LLWMC 4; Roach Ht A 3 S of Life A 4; Summerseat A 3 Hamers Arms 4; Royal Oak A 3 Church Sp St 4. First Division: Top Bull 3 Bridge Tav A 4; R + Crown Rams 3 Masons Arms A 4; Derby Arms 5 H + Hounds
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A golden day for retired GP
RETIRED Blackburn GP Dr Alan Rebello and his wife Maisie celebrated their golden wedding with a mass at Sacred Heart church followed by a meal for family and close friends in Whalley. The couple married in Bombay in 1953 and moved to the UK - where Dr
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Father tells of torment
A FATHER today spoke of his family's torment after his son was stabbed and found dead in the back yard of a house. Marvin Lee Whitehead, 28, of Blackburn, lost his life just days before his 29th birthday and his body was found in Willow Bank, Todmorden
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Cryer may make comeback
A TRIP to Accrington Stanley awaits the winners of tonight's Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy match between Clitheroe and Kendal, at Kendal (weather permitting). And Clitheroe manager Lee Sculpher is hoping his side can beat UniBond first division Kendal
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The man to save Leigh
FORMER Burnley man Gerry Harrison says ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder Mark Patterson is the man to get Leigh out of the danger zone in the Nationwide Conference. Darwen-based Patterson, who also played for Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United, took over
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Who is John Jones?
EVERYONE knows how fond I am of the merry whistle blowers and I am sure all local referees will know John Jones. But the rest of you will be asking: Who is John Jones? Well, he is the appointments secretary and administrator for all referees outside of
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Save school bid trivial, says judge
A MOTHER'S bid to save a Bury school from closure has been dismissed by a High Court judge in London as "trivial". Tracy Bradley, who wanted a judicial review, had argued that the process by which it was decided that St Paul's CofE Primary School should
