Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, February 15, 2003
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Crush, Suzy O's, Darwen. Bags of Brass, Thwaites Theatre, Bolton Road, Ewood, Blackburn. Valentine Dance, Chipping Village Hall, 8pm. 50/50 Ballroom Dancing with Denise
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Sifting the sick and the skivers
MOST employers in the private sector monitor absences among staff to ensure that levels are kept to a minimum. People with legitimate illnesses are not harassed but managers are expected to notice patterns, like people with no obvious sickness regularly
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Forever Bury Bulletin
WITH all the social and other activities which have been taking place since Christmas, one project has tended to get overlooked -- the logo competition. To explain, it was thought a good idea for Forever Bury to have its own distinctive ssymbol instead
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Greatest threat is from the US
CAN it be that Tony Blair is not living in the real world and not realising that the greatest threat to this and many other countries is that of US dominance? As with the Fascists in the 1930s, the ever-growing strength of the American war machine has
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Just ask, and you will be answered
MRS J Madden (Letters, February 4) and others seem to be under the impression that the all-weather pitch at the rear of the Leisure Centre, in Darwen, will be destroyed when the new £11 million state-of-the-art health centre is built. While the current
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Town changed at stroke of pencil
I AM so outraged by the carving up and, re-naming of areas of the town where I was born and have lived for the last 56 years. The final straw was when I read (LET, February 3) that industrial units may be built on land off Harrison Street, at Wensley
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'Building a dream' same old record
REGARDING your report, headlined 'Building A Dream' (LET, February 5) about the Government project to deal with the thousands of unfit houses in East Lancashire, how many times has this old record been played and reissued under different names? We have
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Chance gone to move into this century
MY comments about Blackburn being a grotty town (LET, February 12) were based on the conduct of the executive portfolio holders (the Gang of Eight). The refurbishment of Church Street and Darwen Street was a chance to move into this century. Instead,
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Attack on bus passenger
A BUS passenger was attacked by two thugs during a journey towards Fairfield General Hospital. The man suffered cuts and bruising to his face as a result of the assault which was carried out on Friday evening (Feb 7). One thug is described as a white
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Wife hung knickers outside home
A HEARTBROKEN wife hit back at the husband who left her on the eve of Valentine's Day by hanging 91pairs of women's knickers outside their home. Valerie Thome, 61, said she took the action -- which amazed motorists and pedestrians on the busy main road
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Shaping the health service
MEMBERS of the public are invited to help shape the future of the local health service. Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) is holding two consultation evenings to plan the delivery of health services over the next three years. The Local Delivery Plan has to
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Visit to centre after fears over ex-offenders
A FACT-finding visit to the Florence Nightingale Hospital could be arranged following concerns about ex-offenders living there. The idea follows anxieties from residents about the private rehabilitation centre, off Bolton Road, Elton, which has been in
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Short is a giant leader of men
GRAEME Souness believes Craig Short can play a pivotal role in helping to transform Martin Taylor into the complete defender after signing a new deal with Rovers earlier this week. Short has taken up the option of extending his contract by a further 12
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Terror battle of the festival
MORE than 200 Asians celebrating a major Muslim festival went on the rampage at a retail and leisure centre. The gangs of Asian youths, including many from Haslingden, caused major damage and several people were injured during the disorder at the Capitol
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No barrel of laughs for struggling pubs
THREE out of six pubs in one of Preston's most rundown areas have had to close in the last 18 months. New Hall Lane, one of the key gateways into the city, is becoming notorious for its bricked-up buildings. Now the British Beer and Pub Association fears
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County accused of 'pay more, get less' increase
LANCASHIRE County Council has been accused of hitting the public with a 'pay more, get less' council tax rise. And the ruling Labour group was accused of cutting services but protecting bureaucracy at County Hall. Under the budget, passed after a three-hour
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BNP trio get CCTV cameras
BURNLEY'S three BNP councillors have installed CCTV at their homes. Carole Hughes, Terry Grogan and David Edwards, elected to Burnley Borough Council in May, have spent thousands of pounds installing the high-tech surveillance systems at their homes.
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Community farm could come to town
PROPOSALS to turn a part of Burnley's industrial past into a 'city farm' are set to be discussed next week. A former coal yard, off Oswald Street, has been earmarked by the council as a site for the community farm. Sheep, pigs and hens could be kept at
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Pay what you can
WITH Educating Rita by Willy Russell and Oleanna by David Mamet opening at the Dukes in February, there are two 'Pay What You Can' nights coming up for people who couldn't normally afford to go to the theatre. The 'Pay What You Can' night for Educating
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County accused of 'pay more, get less' increase
LANCASHIRE County Council has been accused of hitting the public with a 'pay more, get less' council tax rise. And the ruling Labour group was accused of cutting services but protecting bureaucracy at County Hall. Under the budget, passed after a three-hour
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Moves 'may kill old folk'
UP to 1,000 elderly residents could suffer health problems -- or even death -- if they are forced out of county council care homes, a judge has been told. The claim was made as lawyers argued over expert evidence due to be presented at a judicial review
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You'll have to be patient
PATIENTS who suffer problems with their NHS treatment in Lancaster could be left with nowhere to go when the community health council closes later this year. The CHC, established in 1974, will cease operating on September 1. But its replacement - a new
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I told the truth - council leader
A FLOOD of litigation is set to be launched as a result of the district auditor's report into the 'Blobby-gate' scandal, the Citizen can reveal. City Council leader Cllr Tricia Heath has contacted a leading Manchester law firm in a bid to challenge the
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League slip is not a worry for Preece
SHAKERS boss Andy Preece remains unfazed despite seeing his charges slip out of the automatic promotion slots this week. A draw at Torquay was enough to keep them in the top three last weekend only for wins by Bournemouth and Torquay to dump them down
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Intent on making a comeback
DARWEN power-pop outfit Rhythmic Intent will make their return tomorrow night, at the most unlikely of events. At Blackburn's Never Neverland's Gnarl Fest 8, the six-piece will throw their lot in with nu-metal rock bands and DJs alike. Undaunted by the
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Five years ago
VALENTINE'S couple Michaela Wilding and Ian Moore tied the knot three years after they met on a blind date. The Rishton couple were set up for their first date by Ian's sister June, who worked with Michaela at Airling Court Nursing Home in 1995.
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Show us their faces
YOUR description of the yobs who attacked Andrew Hill (Citizen, February 6 ) was only mildly less useful than the usual descriptions provided of local criminals. We are told only that they are 'described as youths, aged 15 to 18'. What we need are photos
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Phone thief caught on hospital CCTV
MANAGEMENT at a Ribble Valley psychiatric hospital installed covert closed circuit TV after a spate of thefts. Blackburn magistrates heard that shortly afterwards, cleaner Andrea Smith was caught on film stealing a mobile phone which had been left on
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Jammed lorry has village in uproar
VILLAGERS have called for action after a 12-wheel HGV became lodged on a steep embankment while trying to negotiate a hairpin bend. The incident caused the A666 Whalley to Blackburn Road to be closed for two and half hours. The driver, on his way to Great
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Labour seems to have forgotten its principles
THE Labour Party, represented by Hilton Dawson, Geraldine Smith and local councillors, appears intent on entering into war with Iraq to secure its oil reserves under a veil of challenging terrorism. It has never been more clear to most people how the
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Shrimps need more Cup magic
MORECAMBE will be trying to recapture some of their FA Cup magic on Saturday in a repeat of their second round game from earlier this term. Fellow promotion chasers Chester City will be heading for Christie Park in a bid to gain revenge for the 2-1 defeat
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The kids are alright
BURNLEY fielded an inexperienced youth team at Carlisle United at the weekend but still managed to win 2-1. "We had seven under-16s in the side and they did very well," said coach Terry Pashley. "I knew the trainees would be needed in the reserves this
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We won't be complacent
FULHAM star Barry Hayles will be a frustrated spectator as his side takes on Burnley on Sunday afternoon - but desperate for his side to win. The man, who has made a habit of scoring against the Clarets, is currently sidelined with a neck injury that
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NASA worker tells of his grief
AN ENGINEER from Leyland who helped build the doomed space shuttle Columbia has spoken exclusively to The Citizen about his heartache following the deaths of the seven astronauts. John Burrell, who works for NASA, watched with horror as the shuttle exploded
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New pub honours Eric
A NEW £1million pub in Morecambe town centre is to be named after the town's most famous son. The Wetherspoon's development on Euston Road will be known as The Eric Bartholomew, a reference to the real name of comic Eric Morecambe, born in the resort
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The singer and the songs
TWO Lancaster singer-songwriters will stage a rare gig together at the city's Golden Lion on Saturday at 8.30pm. Bronek Szerszynski and Steve Lewis were last seen together in local band Naked Mask. After some short sets from Bronek with his new solo material
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"Crooked Britain" company facing shut down
A BURY-based company featured on the Crooked Britain TV series is faced with being shut down in the public interest. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has presented a petition to the High Court to wind up GB Research Ltd. The firm, whose registered
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Football clubhouse trashed as vandals run riot
VANDALS went on the rampage and smashed up the clubhouse and dressing rooms of Prestwich Heys FC. Dismayed club bosses fear they will not be able to host games following the incident on Tuesday night (Feb 11). Tomorrow's (Sat Feb 15) reserve team game
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Pressure mounts to re-think tram stop
PRESSURE is mounting on Metrolink bosses to rethink their controversial plans to establish a new stop and park and ride site at Buckley Wells. The proposals, which this week received another barrage of criticism, have highlighted the need for an overall
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Old Boys scupper Ammies
Radcliffe Amateurs...0 Bury GSOB...1 ANOTHER top of the table clash faced Radcliffe Amateurs at the weekend when they took on second-placed Bury GSOB at Outwood Road. It was not the result that Amateurs hoped for as they went down by a single goal in
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Sukur close to Rovers return
GRAEME Souness today revealed Hakan Sukur could be ready to make his Rovers debut against Manchester City in a fortnight's time. The Turkish World Cup star has been given the green light to step up his training programme as he recovers from a broken leg
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Marlon's battle for cup spot
MARLON Beresford is enjoying his best ever season of cup football and he admitted: "Long may it continue." "Out of all the years I have been playing football, this has been the best in terms of runs in the cups. It has been a great experience and it has
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Acoustic sound is put to bed
MERCURY music prize nominated for their debut album, Turin Brakes have plugged in the guitars and put to bed their acclaimed acoustic style. Once herded into the trendy new acoustic movement -- which boasted such names as Elbow, I Am Kloot and Kings of
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K-Klass act to follow
WHITE sands, hot sun, long nights, cool drinks -- Ibiza couldn't seem further away at the moment. But that's not to say we can't be preparing for it. And Prestatyn is as good a place to do it as any... especially when half of Lancashire is expected at
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Ex-policeman hit his partner after drinking
A WOMAN who spent two days in hospital after an attack by her partner wrote to court pleading for him not to be sent to prison. Former policeman David Sherwin had an alcohol problem and both he, and Jane Fenton, were drinking heavily before the assault
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Nine Below Zero to play Blues Fesitval
ANOTHER legendary name has been added to the line-up of this year's Burnley Blues Festival. Nine Below Zero will be bringing their own brand of R&B to Padiham Town Hall on Sunday, April 20. Dr Feelgood, who were due to play in Padiham. will now be
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Privates on parade
IT'S a subject that many men have found difficult to get to grips with, but an award-winning comedian hopes his new show will help dispel a few myths. Richard Herring, one half of comedy duo Lee and Herring, brings his one-man show to Burnley Mechanics
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Boro looking up
RADCLIFFE Borough go into Saturday's local derby at Victory Park in third place in the Unibond League First Division with their eyes firmly set on an automatic promotion place. David Bean is likely to return after mssing Borough's fine midweek victory
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Radcliffe & District Pool League
DIVISIONAL Team KO first round played over one leg on Thursday, February 27, best of nine frames, six individuals and three doubles. A player may only play in one individual and one doubles game. Premier Division: Church Inn (Spring St) v Royal Oak A;
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Intent on making a comeback
DARWEN power-pop outfit Rhythmic Intent will make their return tomorrow night, at the most unlikely of events. At Blackburn's Never Neverland's Gnarl Fest 8, the six-piece will throw their lot in with nu-metal rock bands and DJs alike. Undaunted by the
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Otis the redneck is going South!
IT'S as a bandana-wearing redneck that the gruff-voiced comedian Rich Hall has made his mark in the UK over the last three years. But the American has decided to kill off the jailbird character Otis Lee Crenshaw, so it's time to relish one last tour date
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Four face mosque charges
FOUR men were sent on bail to Preston Crown Court when they appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with an incident in the Randal Street Mosque in which seven men are alleged to have been detained against their will. Mohammed Akram
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Star's praise for soccer youngsters
BLACKBURN Rovers and England midfielder David Dunn took time out from training to present certificates to 70 secondary school children in a soccer school at Rovers Academy. The soccer skills session was run by Rovers' community team in partnership with
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Jack Straw backs Pavilions project
FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw today threw his weight behind the Pavilions project -- and hit back at the "grotty mill town" jibe. Mr Straw said: "Coun Rigby is doing his own town a disservice. He should be talking it up. "The good thing about the work
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I stand by 'grotty mill town' remark
COLIN Rigby, the councillor who branded Blackburn 'a grotty mill town,' today defended his outburst by saying: "Look at the evidence." Coun Rigby, leader of the Conservatives on Blackburn with Darwen Council, caused outrage with his comments. He claimed
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MPs given fire crews' Bain reply
THE Fire Brigades' Union is trying to win the support of Lancashire MPs in a bid to extinguish the effect of government 'propaganda'. It has produced a detailed 12-page report in which responses are given to key points in Sir George Bain's proposals to
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Colne snap up Khan
COLNE manager Dean Grice is hoping new loan signing Denny Khan will be just what his side needs to boost their season. A win over Blackpool tomorrow would allow them to create a gap between them and the 11th-placed side. And Grice believes the experienced
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Howarth on hot form
CARL Howarth's prolific goalscoring form came up trumps for Padiham last weekend. The Storks' bid for the NWCL Division Two title gained a head of steam when they romped to a 9-2 home win over second-bottom Daisy Hill, with Howarth netting five. "That's
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Blues hot-shot looks to make return
LEE Cryer may return to the Clitheroe side for the first time in four weeks when they face Curzon Ashton at home in NWCL Division One tomorrow. The 22-goal striker has been out of action with an ankle injury since the 1-0 win at Ware in the FA Vase last
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I hope the Storks do go up
BACUP manager Brent Peters says his remarks regarding the NWCL Division Two title race have been taken 'out of context'. Copies of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph have been doing the rounds of the Padiham dressing room after Peters said it was his side
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Just another game for Nelson boss
DENIS Underwood will be facing his old side for the first time since quitting Great Harwood last year. But the Nelson manager is treating it as just another game. "I still keep in touch with people at Great Harwood and they released a couple of players
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Gary is a good signing
CHRIS Scott watched from the stands as Gary Parkinson earned Burnley promotion to the First Division via the play-offs in 1994. Now he's looking forward to playing alongside the 35-year-old, who scored the winner against Stockport at Wembley, after he
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The yes argument...
HEALTH chiefs have welcomed the total ban on tobacco advertising saying it could save lives in East Lancashire each year. The ban came into effect at midnight last night with the disappearance of advertising on billboards and in newspapers and magazines
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New powers for schools on footpaths
BURY South MP and minister for young people Ivan Lewis was expected to announce today new powers for headteachers to be able to close public footpaths across school land to protect pupils. He was set to announce the measures on a visit to a school in
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College status for school
A LEIGH school has received the accolade of specialist college status in business and enterprise. Bedford High School, in Manchester Road, is just one of 217 schools across the country to receive specialist status in this particular field. Staff at Bedford
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Gala night tickets on sale
TICKETS are now on sale for the town's sporting night of the year, the Bury Metro Sports Council Gala Awards. The annual event will be held at the town hall's Elizabethan Suite on Friday, April 4 from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. The night will incorporate a sports
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No hiding place for Gigg bigots
WHEN the cut and thrust of good-humoured terrace banter turns into the kind of sickening poison that has no place in civilised society, urgent action is needed. Andy Preece and Bury Football Club have this week shown they mean to do something about it
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Bold Bury brave the lions' den
Fleetwood...38pts Bury...18pts - WHEN Fleetwood visited Bury earlier in the season they soundly beat their hosts with no reply from the home side. So it was with a sense of foreboding that Bury ventured into the lions' den that was Fleetwood on Saturday
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Vale of tears
Wythenshawe Ams...2 Elton Vale...2 VALE found out the hard way how cruel football, or any sport for that matter, can be. They led the league leaders 2-0 with just seven minutes remaining, only for the home side to hit back and snatch a dramatic equaliser
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Negative thinking gets us nowhere
IT is good to see the positive thinking that will rejuvenate the Pavilions in Church Street, Blackburn (LET, February 12). The negative thinking of some people with the old 'grotty mill town' ideas will get the town nowhere. I lived in Blackburn for 32
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Grit bins would have helped
REGARDING the icy roads after the snow on February 3, those around St Peter's RC School, in Mill Hill, Blackburn, were dangerous to say the least, with cars sliding everywhere and many children and parents falling. Full marks to the headmaster and caretaker
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Investment can make a difference
I AM glad the leader of the Conservative Party in Blackburn is so optimistic about the future of the town. I really enjoyed my home town being described as a "grotty mill town" (LET, February 12). I am in total agreement with him that spending money on
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Beam me up please, council
I WOULD like to congratulate Blackburn with Darwen Council on being voted Council of the Year. Having witnessed their complete failure to cope with the wintry conditions on Monday, February 3, by failing to grit main roads when snow had been forecast,
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Faith schools are already well established
I WAS very surprised to see (LET, January 17) the poll, being taken: "Is creating single-faith schools divisive?" I have taught at Tauheedual Islam Girls' High School in Blackburn for the past years and in that time it has grown academically to a very
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Children blamed
CHILDREN are being blamed for a fire in a postbox in Bury on Sunday evening (Feb 8). Now, residents who may have used the postbox in Thrush Drive over the weekend are being urged to contact the recipients of any mail which was destroyed in the fire. A
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Appeal after raid
POLICE in Bury are appealing for information on a raid at a local supermarket. Two youths, both said to be aged 17, threatened a member of staff at the Chesters Food and Wine store in Walshaw Road at 9.30pm on Thursday (Feb 6). They then grabbed a number
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Ex-police officer facing jail term
A FORMER police officer is facing jail after slashing the tyres on a car that he thought was going to be driven by a group of drunken teenagers. Ex-Bury PC David Rhodes was found guilty of criminal damage at Oldham Magistrates Court earlier this year.
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Family directory to be updated
BURY Council's comprehensive and pioneering Directory of Family Support Services is being updated. Now the call has gone out to all those who work with, or who are involved with, families across the borough to ensure that they are included in the latest
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OAP hangs on to bag in snatch
A PENSIONER brushed off a thief who tried to snatch her handbag in Bury on Saturday (Feb 8) afternoon. The 83-year-old woman was approached by a man at 3pm in Chislehurst Close who engaged her in conversation before making a grab for her handbag. However
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Two months of hell for drivers
DRIVERS face two months of traffic hell as they navigate one of Bury town centre's busiest roads. Up to eight weeks of work started on Tuesday (Feb 11) to replace crash barriers along Peel Way. Traffic bosses say the work is necessary to meet new legal
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Clampdown on 'skivers'
A CLAMPDOWN on 'skivers' has been launched, after it was revealed that sick leave was costing a council £4million a year. A total of 65,108 working days are expected to be lost among Blackburn with Darwen Council's 5,055 full-time employees by the end
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Funeral dates set for rugby stars
THE funerals of two young rugby stars who were killed in a road traffic accident in Bury are to be held next week. A service for Billy Joe Edwards, aged 20, will be held on Monday at noon at St Mary's Church in Standish Gate, Wigan. The funeral of his
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Gearing-up for charity
A TEAM of lady drivers from Bury are getting into gear for a fund-raising challenge to test their girl power to the limit. Bury-based Volvo dealership Walker Farrimond is entering four of its employees into the Macmillan Nurses "Drive for Life" racing
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Sex attack on boy in market toilets
DETECTIVES have launched a hunt for a sex attacker who indecently assaulted a young boy in public toilets. The 13-year-old youngster was left traumatised and extremely distressed by Monday morning's (Feb 10) attack at the Market Hall toilets in Radcliffe
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Frustrated Patterson finally lands his man
MARK Patterson's search for an experienced midfielder finally bore fruit when he signed Mark Ford from Darlington on a month's loan. The Leigh RMI boss has been frustrated over the past month by his inability to bring in new players and was relieved to
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Leigh aim to bounce back against title rivals
LEIGH Centurions are determined to lay down a marker for the rest of the season when the two top teams in National League One go head-to-head at Hilton Park. The next phase of the Arriva Trains National League Cup tomorrow throws together the two sides
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Fly tipper comes clean in court
A FLY tipper who dumped his rubbish because he could not be bothered to make another trip to his local civic amenity site, has appeared before Bury magistrates. Christopher Eric Walton, from Holme Avenue in Bury, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section
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Janse completes Coventry move
MATT Jansen has joined Coventry City on loan until the end of the season. The 25 year-old was delighted with the arrangement, saying: "I was obviously pleased to hear that several clubs had shown interest. "When I heard that Gary McAllister and Coventry
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Sukur close to Rovers return
GRAEME Souness today revealed Hakan Sukur could be ready to make his Rovers debut against Manchester City in a fortnight's time. The Turkish World Cup star has been given the green light to step up his training programme as he recovers from a broken leg
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Firefighters' horror at blast booby trap
A FIRE chief today spoke of the terrifying moment he and five colleagues found themselves seconds away from death after they broke into a flat to rescue a man. Fire crews were called to the flat in Dunoon Street, Burnley, at 9.45pm yesterday after neighbours
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Opera beggars belief
LANCASTER University Theatre Group is to introduce a whole new experience in the world of musicals! Produced and directed by the students themselves is an innovative production of Brechtian drama about 1,000 miles away from your typical Broadway musical
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Warehouse four escape jail term
FOUR men involved in the running of the Warehouse nightclub were sentenced to commmunity service after a judge decided there would be no public interest in giving them jail sentences. Club owner Mark Harding, partner Alistair Pratley and doormen Dave
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Shakers need the old one-two
MILLIONAIRE boxing promoter Barry Hearn brings his Leyton Orient side to Gigg Lane on Saturday in the first of two crucial home games in the space of four days. And there couldn't be a better time for the Shakers to find their Gigg Lane knockout punch
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School hosting parks project meeting
DOG fouling and project work by Walverden School will be discussed at the meeting of the Friends of Walverden Park at 7.30pm, on Monday, at the United Reformed Church, in Brunswick Street, Nelson. Fred Stewart, the council's parks outreach officer, said
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Drunken father hit and pushed girlfriend
A DRUNKEN father of two attacked his girlfriend after complaining she had not contacted him all day. Burnley Magistrates heard that John Cairns,40, hit Laura Jackson, called her a bitch and pushed her, causing her to fall on an electric heater. He then
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Wife hung knickers outside home
A HEARTBROKEN wife hit back at the husband who left her on the eve of Valentine's Day by hanging 91pairs of women's knickers outside their home. Valerie Thome, 61, said she took the action -- which amazed motorists and pedestrians on the busy main road
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Gala night tickets on sale
TICKETS are now on sale for the town's sporting night of the year, the Bury Metro Sports Council Gala Awards. The annual event will be held at the town hall's Elizabethan Suite on Friday, April 4 from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. The night will incorporate a sports
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Sympathy to Tory suicide
REGARDING his comment that Blackburn is a grotty mill town (LET, February 12), my deepest sympathy goes out to the local Conservative group on reading of the 'political suicide' of their leader, Councillor Colin Rigby. It is of little double that a career
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Tributes to former mayor
TRIBUTES began pouring in today for former Mayor of Pendle Councillor Jo Belbin, who died suddenly on Wednesday. And as was fitting for the devoted green campaigner, she is expected to have Pendle's first 'green' burial. Her youngest son, Richard, 36,
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Privates on parade
IT'S a subject that many men have found difficult to get to grips with, but an award-winning comedian hopes his new show will help dispel a few myths. Richard Herring, one half of comedy duo Lee and Herring, brings his one-man show to Burnley Mechanics
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Otis the redneck is going South!
IT'S as a bandana-wearing redneck that the gruff-voiced comedian Rich Hall has made his mark in the UK over the last three years. But the American has decided to kill off the jailbird character Otis Lee Crenshaw, so it's time to relish one last tour date
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Ten years ago
HAMPTON the performing pooch took a bow-wow when he appeared in the musical Annie at St Wilfred's CE High School, Blackburn. Hampton, who belonged to a teacher at the school, landed the part of Snouty, the stray dog befriended by the orphan.
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Tragedy of mum's bid to be free of heroin
A RECOVERING heroin addict died after accidentally taking a methadone overdose. Mother-of-two Julie Eddleton, 33, died at her home in Church on November 7. She had more than 400mg of methadone per litre of blood in her system, an amount which is often
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Cocktail of drugs cost son his life
A 22-YEAR-OLD man, who became involved with drugs at 14, died after taking a cocktail of heroin, alcohol and diazepam. An inquest on Lee Steven McNeill, of Tremellen Street, Accrington, heard that he died on November 14 last year after injecting heroin
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Post office raid plea
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a robber carrying a silver handgun escaped empty-handed in a Post Office raid. He walked into Whittaker Lane Post Office in Prestwich at 4pm on Thursday and told a 33-year-old woman behind the counter to fill a
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Priest offers to move altar
FATHER Barry O'Sullivan, who has served at St Mary's RC Church, Chipping, for a year, is proposing to refurbish the sanctuary. Father Barry and a number of fellow priests, who have served at the church over the past year, feel that the altar is in the
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Personal transport worth fighting for
TYPICALLY, when drivers are confronted with the mounting evidence of the downsides of motor vehicle use, they appear to fall in one of two categories. First, there are the unashamed addicts who love their cars and play down or ignore the damage they participate
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Nave and inaccurate
MR WHITELEGG'S letter out-lining 10 reasons to shun war (Citizen, February 6) is both inaccurate and naive. It needs to be challenged. UN inspectors are empowered by international law - namely security council resolutions - which make it illegal for Iraq
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Stop writing and start acting
MANY of our councillors seem to me to spend far too much time talking nonsense and writing letters to the Citizen and not enough getting to know the real world of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham. If they did they would find that most people are sick
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Forest stage dents rally hopes
THE Forest of Dean proved to be far from a happy hunting ground for local rally crews at the weekend - as both went off on the same stage. The Wyedean Rally is the first round of the British Trial and Rally Drivers Association series championship for
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Rugby comes home to Axe
GIANT Axe could have an international future after being revealed as the new home of rugby league in Lancaster. City's ground will play host to the newly formed Lancaster RLFC, who will play in next summer's national conference. And club chiefs say the
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This week in 1978 - February 14
BIRTHDAY LOVE: Eight mothers gave birth to Valentine's Day babies. The new born were Stacey Walsh, Angela Ward, Lisa Hamer, Glyn Farren; Paul Bill, Joanne Hutton, Nicholas Poynton and Shelley Baglin. NOT SO JOLLY: A row was brewing over the Jolly Carters
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Marlon's battle for cup spot
MARLON Beresford is enjoying his best ever season of cup football and he admitted: "Long may it continue." "Out of all the years I have been playing football, this has been the best in terms of runs in the cups. It has been a great experience and it has
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Connelly relives a lucky escape
BURNLEY will start as the underdogs at Loftus Road on Sunday afternoon but 41 years ago the boot was on the other foot. And Clarets legend John Connelly remembers only too well how close the unfancied Cottagers came to upsetting the mighty Burnley side
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Dreaded weed in focus
THE history of the 'dreaded weed' is on display at the city's Maritime Museum. European travellers to the New World first took up the custom of smoking tobacco they had seen among Native Americans - little knowing the highly addictive nature of the drug
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Recruitment drive to help lonely pensioners
A GROUP which aims to relieve the isolation and loneliness of elderly people living on their own is desperate to recruit volunteers. Contact for the Elderly is anxious for more drivers and host families to give pensioners an afternoon out. Recruits are
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Taking Bach on board!
PASSENGERS at busy Bury Interchange have been waiting to Wagner and boarding to Bach and Beethoven under a trial scheme. For the public address system has been pumping out the strains of classical and opera music in what has been a radical departure from
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Post Office ram raiders esape with cash haul
MASKED raiders escaped with cash after ramming a truck into a Post Office. At 5.30pm on Wednesday (Feb 12), two men reversed a Ford Ranger into the back of the Post Office, in West Street, Radcliffe. During their third attempt, the brickwork gave way
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BURY'S second string went down 4-0 to a strong Manchester City side in the Manchester Senior Cup at
On target for City were Jonathan Macken (2), Darren Huckerby and Joey Barton. Central defender Andy Morrison turned out for the Shakers against his old club while, ironically, a young trialist by the name of Colin Bell was on the Bury bench!
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Nine Below Zero to play Blues Fesitval
ANOTHER legendary name has been added to the line-up of this year's Burnley Blues Festival. Nine Below Zero will be bringing their own brand of R&B to Padiham Town Hall on Sunday, April 20. Dr Feelgood, who were due to play in Padiham. will now be
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Shares slide after profits warning
SHARES in the Blackburn-based Scapa Group went into freefall after the company warned profits would be £2million below expectations. The company, which makes specialist adhesive tapes and films, saw its share price fall 20 per cent to an all-time low
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Act now say traders
ACT now before it's too late. That's the stark message to local businesses by the newly formed Radcliffe Traders' Association. It is hoped that re-forming the association will help inject new life and vitality to the town centre and help it compete against
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Jim's frankness is rewarded
JIM Bowen last night admitted he was disappointed to leave Radio Lancashire after using a "racially offensive" phrase live on air. Darwen audiences were shocked by the comedian's frankness and rewarded him with a unanimous round of applause for apologising
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Truancy fears over arcade bid
PROTESTERS campaigning against plans for an amusement arcade at an M65 service station claim it could become a haven for schoolchildren. The proposed site for the arcade, which would feature up to 25 machines in an over 18s only section, is around 700
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'Hook and eye' thieves alert
HOMEOWNERS in Rossendale are being warned about a gang of "hook and eye" thieves who are on the prowl in the area. Police are urging residents to step-up security after three houses were targeted by thieves who use a hook and cane to retrieve property
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Luxury flats pla for former mill site
ROSSENDALE developers behind some of East Lancashire's major building projects have unveiled plans to transform a derelict mill site into a block of luxury flats. The Hurstwood Group has submitted proposals for a block of 34 luxury apartments off Free
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Acoustic sound is put to bed
MERCURY music prize nominated for their debut album, Turin Brakes have plugged in the guitars and put to bed their acclaimed acoustic style. Once herded into the trendy new acoustic movement -- which boasted such names as Elbow, I Am Kloot and Kings of
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K-Klass act to follow
WHITE sands, hot sun, long nights, cool drinks -- Ibiza couldn't seem further away at the moment. But that's not to say we can't be preparing for it. And Prestatyn is as good a place to do it as any... especially when half of Lancashire is expected at
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Dead man had been due in court
ALLEGED murder victim Eamonn McDonagh and his brother were both listed to appear before Blackburn magistrates. Summonses for driving while disqualified and without insurance against Eamonn McDonagh, 19, of Brothers Street, Blackburn were marked "deceased
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It's naughty, but nice
MALE shoppers short on ideas for Valentine's Day have been given something of a godsend with the opening of the new Ann Summers store in Blackburn. Roger Airey managed to fight his blushes as he went in search of the ultimate saucy gift for his other
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Boxing back to top the bill in town
BOXING is being brought back to a Blackburn venue in a bid to help raise cash for charities. Blackburn Lions have announced their charity gala will be replaced by a number of events, including a charity boxing night at King George's Hall on Friday, March
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No repeats, please!
DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes has warned his side not to be complacent when they meet whipping boys Castleton Gabriels in NWCL Division Two tomorrow. Wilkes will be reminding his players that last season, with 12 games to play, they went to Castleton, who
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Stanley stay fresh
JOHN Coleman has hijacked Accrington Stanley reserves' clash to keep his first team fresh. Stanley had a free weekend this week due to an odd number of teams in the league and the manager wanted to keep his players fit for the final matches of what looks
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The no argument...
TOBACCO firms have led the way in product advertising in the last decade. And advertising consultants MC Saatchi argue that the ban will not affect sales. A spokesman explained: "Advertising just guides people to brands, not the product itself. "You don't
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Beth aims to live her dream
MARATHON runner Beth Allott is aiming to get back on track and live her Olympic dream. Allott, who lives in Whitefield, has always wanted to run a marathon in Athens -- and with the Olympics due to take place there next year she is making it her main
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Head labels bosses "uncaring"
A HEADTEACHER still reeling from the news that her school is to close has labelled church bosses "insensitive" and "uncaring". Margaret Chamberlain, head of St Paul's CE Primary School, spoke out after they sent in property surveyors just a week after
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Hate mob hunt
SPY cameras will be used at the Bury FC match at Gigg Lane to identify racist fans conducting a hate campaign against players and their families. Angry manager Andy Preece tackled taunting Bury fans at last Saturday's game at Torquay and young striker
