Archive
-
Date
Welcome cash to rebuild rural life
THE foot and mouth disease epidemic that devastated dozens of Lancashire farms two years ago may be a fading nightmare for the public but a bitter legacy lingers yet in rural areas. There, the effects remain of the crisis that killed thousands of sheep
-
Date
Bury Sunday league
LATEST results PREMIER DIVISION - LEAGUE CUP Pleasant View 0, Garsdale 1. DIVISION THREE - LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINALS Hollins Bush 3, The Towler 1; Brown Cow Fairfield 2, Rostrons 1. DIVISION FOUR - LEAGUE CUP Bridge Inn 3, Swan Hotel 5. PREMIER DIVISION
-
Date
Derek Fletcher Bowls Handicap
DEREK Fletcher Bowling Handicap at Dobbies S & S Club. Start at 12.30pm with the final on Sunday, May 25 at 1pm. Prize money is £1,580 with £400 to the winner. SATURDAY, MAY 10 M. Yarwood (Bolton) v B. Hardman (Radcliffe); R. Tilley (Newton Heath
-
Date
Soccer ZoneResults and tables
MONDAY CUP COMPETITION SEMI-FINALS IN Group A, Celta Monica went through after beating Welcome Inn and Clarkies Shakers, despite losing to Blackley Juniors. In Group B, Three Lions went through after winning all three games against Raiders, Magnifico
-
Date
Woeful United in seventh hell
Clitheroe...7 Ramsbottom Utd...1: THIS may have been second-placed Clitheroe against 14th placed Ramsbottom but if you watched the first 35 minutes you could have been forgiven for not knowing which team was which. The Rams started off well enough. They
-
Date
Weekend teams
Who is playing - and where CRICKET SATURDAY BURY I XI v Monton & Weaste at home, meet club 12.30pm, start 1.30pm. From: D. Leach (c), M. Mulgale, Q. Riaz, J. Towey, R. Saeed, J. Wiggans, P. Allen, A. Raza, J. McNaughton, S. Belston, M. Corral; scorer
-
Date
Ex-Paras invited to drop in
THE East Lancashire branch of the Parachute Regimental association is open to past and present members of the Parachute Regiment, as well as others who have served with an airborne unit. We meet on a monthly basis in Accrington and attend several events
-
Date
Don't brush off Fluffy
FLUFFY arrived at Manchester Dogs' Home via the Manchester Dog Warden after he was found wandering in the Gorton area of Greater Manchester. He is a black and tan cross German Shepherd. Fluffy has received some basic training as he will sit on command
-
Date
BNP man was invited to quiz
I WAS surprised that you gave the British National Party a platform over a social event such as my sixth annual borough quiz (LET, April 14). The BNP councillor, who was invited by the council, but omitted from my list of reminders, no longer lives at
-
Date
Gulf War hero's virus riddle
A GULF war hero is this week recovering in Cyprus after being struck down by a mystery virus. The proud parents of 19-years-old paratrooper Lee Foster were devastated on Easter Sunday when a Major from the British Military knocked on the door of their
-
Date
Theatrical first for top school
KING Edward VII and Queen Mary School is set to stage a theatrical first in Lytham with a series of three outdoor plays in June. The School will bring two professional outdoor companies to the town for performances of classics and, in differing style,
-
Date
Will TV hopeful Nick get a second chance?
NICHOLAS Fuller's 15 minutes of TV fame didn't end in success but it was still a thrilling experience for the George Formby sound-alike. Nicholas, of Cedar Grove, Prestwich, appeared on Stars in Their Eyes -- Kids on Saturday night. He didn't win -- that
-
Date
Tea party planners plea
A CHARITY is looking for people to host occasional tea parties for small groups of elderly folk. Contact the Elderly helps alleviate the isolation often felt by older people who live alone by taking them to tea at a host's home one Sunday a month. But
-
Date
Daredevil pair's hotel rope trick for charity cash
DAREDEVIL staff at a Bury company have been roped in to a charity fundraiser. Sarah Mills and Paula Twist, who work together at O2, will be abseiling 160 feet down the Renaissance Hotel in Manchester on Sunday to raise money for Cancer Research UK. "People
-
Date
Foot and mouth aid package
A £50 MILLION aid plan to help rural Lancashire get over the effects of foot and mouth was unveiled today. Spearheaded by Lancashire County Council and initially bankrolled by £16million of government money, the Lancashire Rural Recovery Plan aims to
-
Date
used in pres 25/4 and bury
Budget aid for elderly welcomed BURY Age Concern has welcomed last week's Budget when the Chancellor changed the rules for pensioners in hospital. It has also hailed the increase in the winter fuel payment for the over 80s and changes to the New Deal
-
Date
Jo's job to help families
A PARENT liaison worker has been appointed for the North West by the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association. Jo Trask will produce and implement training programmes of information and support to parents of children with this rare condition. She is also aiming
-
Date
It's run it again Sam, for charity
G-MEX employee Sam Wass is preparing to make an exhibition of himself, all in the name of charity. The 26 year old exhibition sales executive from Prestwich is banking on running up a healthy sum for the Multiple Sclerosis Society when he takes to the
-
Date
Unit plans on hold
PLANNING councillors have put controversial hospital plans on hold so they can have a look at the site themselves. A 320-name petition protesting about the plans to build a new 32-bed unit at the Florence Nightingale Hospital in Elton has been delivered
-
Date
Ex-sailor's Royal Yacht reunion
FORMER seaman Tom McCallion has received a right royal invitation. Tom (66) and his wife Maureen (64), of Beechfield Drive, Bury will be rubbing shoulders with senior members of the royal family, including the Queen and Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward
-
Date
Flitcroft knows all about Mr Motivator
BLACKBURN skipper Garry Flitcroft today said Peter Reid is the man to bring the good times back to Elland Road as Rovers prepare for a showdown with Leeds United tomorrow. Flitcroft knows all about Reid's qualities as a manager following a spell under
-
Date
Steer clear of the Turf
DRIVERS are being warned to stay away from Burnley Football Club's Turf Moor ground tomorrow. Traffic police are asking motorists who are not going to see the Clarets game against Sheffield Wednesday to help them keep roads clear. The game kicks off at
-
Date
Fan Pike to probe crisis in football
BURNLEY FC's cash crisis following the collapse of ITV Digital is to be raised in Parliament. MP Peter Pike is to take part in a major Westminster inquiry into football and its finances -- and his beloved Clarets are to give evidence. As secretary of
-
Date
Minister sees work done for abuse women
A GOVERNMENT Minister was shown first-hand the work done by a Burnley group supporting women and children suffering domestic abuse. The Deputy Minister for Women, Barbara Roche MP, was given a tour of Burnley Women's Aid yesterday. According to a government
-
Date
Player of the Season Award night
THE Player of the Season Awards take place on Tuesday, May 6, in the Bury Social Club, 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the commercial offices and the social club priced £2.50.
-
Date
Reasons of safety close games area
A POPULAR multi-purpose games area in Nelson has been closed due to health and safety reasons and to allow a full assessment of improvement work to be carried out. The site at Netherfield Road needs a new surface, fencing and floodlighting due to heavy
-
Date
'Sue me' over votes row says Lib Dem
A LIBERAL Democrat leader today challenged Labour to sue him as the row over Pendle elections fraud allegations flared up again. Members of Pendle Labour party have demanded an apology after members of the Liberal Democrats accused them of a postal voting
-
Date
Bike challenge
THE Pennine Bridleway Mountain Bike Challenge, which starts and finishes at Fearns Community High School, Booth Road, takes place on Sunday, May 25. The 47-mile route is strenuous and demanding, taking around seven hours. Riders must be over 18 years
-
Date
It's run it again Sam, for charity
G-MEX employee Sam Wass is preparing to make an exhibition of himself, all in the name of charity. The 26 year old exhibition sales executive from Prestwich is banking on running up a healthy sum for the Multiple Sclerosis Society when he takes to the
-
Date
Hollywood Iraq
I WONDER how long it will be before an American studio produces a film featuring the war in Iraq, showing how their soldiers won it and omitting the part played by the British. Also, I wonder if they will have scenes showing all the "friendly-fire" deaths
-
Date
Ten yeasr ago
AMATEUR conjurer Peter Cunliffe appeared on TV's Surprise Surprise after a trick from his wily wife. Peter, of HIgher Croft Road, Darwen, found himself waving a magic wand in front of millions after boasting to Kathy he could be a magician.
-
Date
Last farewell to Phoebe
A REBEL Labour county councillor was among mourners at the funeral of a woman who became the face of a campaign against care home closures. Coun George Slynn joined family and friends of Phoebe Hickey who died last Thursday. Mrs Hickey, 86, and her husband
-
Date
Ged: A man to be so proud of
A STEP-daughter paid the ultimate tribute to her father at his funeral and said: "I would pick him every time for my mum!" Brave Jenny made the heart-felt proclamation at Gerald Slevin's funeral in front more than 100 people in a packed Cannon Street
-
Date
Regen cash plans are ok
THE EAST Bury Initiative has had its plan for the next year approved by the North West Development Agency. The scheme, funded by the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), prepares a Delivery Plan each year, and now their expertise and experience has been
-
Date
Protests force council delay over 'Sainsbury' plan
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an eight-storey shop and apartment complex on the former Sainsbury's site in Prestwich have been put on hold. At a packed planning meeting on Tuesday, councillors decided to go back to the developers to ask if they could come
-
Date
Postal worker held by armed raiders
A POSTAL worker was held up at gunpoint by two men who demanded that he handed over sacks of mail. A worker at the Royal Mail office in Chester Street, Clitheroe, was unloading his van around 4.20am yesterday when he was approached by two gunmen. Both
-
Date
Born and fled
A TV series which brought millions of pounds into East Lancashire has dealt a blow to the local economy by slashing its filming in the area. The first series of BBC 1's Northern-based 1950s drama Born and Bred was recorded entirely on location in the
-
Date
Rally ho!
THE Lancaster & Blackpool Honda Rally team attended the Twyford Wood Stages rally on Sunday April 20, it was 55 stage miles held over eight stages at Lincolnshire. It was a very difficult track with a narrow windy road that had trees and ditches either
-
Date
Theatrical first for top school
KING Edward VII and Queen Mary School is set to stage a theatrical first in Lytham with a series of three outdoor plays in June. The School will bring two professional outdoor companies to the town for performances of classics and, in differing style,
-
Date
Baby tug of love battle
A FYLDE couple are at the centre of a tug-of-love battle after the surrogate mother of their baby daughter demanded the child back. As revealed exclsuively in theCitizen, Phil and Jennifer Bickerstaff, of Warton near Lytham, have drawn up a surrogacy
-
Date
Surgeon under scrutiny
THE PLASTIC surgeon facing investigation after an operation left a Fylde footballer's wife fighting for her life has denied trying to avoid a UK ban by applying to be struck-off. Recent reports claim that Dr Gustaf Aniansson has applied for a "voluntary
-
Date
Clitheroe may lose pro for the season
CLITHEROE could lose professional Shabbir Ahmed to the Pakistani one day squad. Ahmed has unexpectedly made it to the final 21 players taking part in a seven-day training camp this week, with 15 being selected for the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The
-
Date
Transport chiefs target Bury drivers
CAR drivers in Bury are being targeted by transport chiefs and asked: "Is your journey absolutely necessary." A campaign entitled Better Travel By Public Transport seeks to address a previously unrecognised facet of motoring behaviour -- the Needless
-
Date
Council beating rents backlog
BURY is winning its fight to reduce the amount of money owed to it in rent arrears. The council has seen current and former tenancy arrears drop in the past 15 months by almost £500,000 after a renewed drive to tackle the problem. The improvement has
-
Date
Shakers fail to deliver again
Bury...0 Scunthorpe Utd...0: IT WAS another case of home discomfort for the Shakers as they failed to produce the goods once again at Gigg Lane. Bury have won just eight of their 22 home games to date and they let this one get away from them after dominating
-
Date
Girls eye final glory
BURY girls take on Manchester United in the final of the Lancashire Under 14s competition at the County Ground in Leyland on Tuesday, kick off 6.30pm.
-
Date
Player search
UNSWORTH FC Under 10s are looking for players for next season when the team will play 11-a-side and needs to strengthen accordingly. The team trains on Tuesday nights between 6pm to 7pm and plays on Saturday mornings. Anyone interested contact George
-
Date
Wilcox backs Rovers return
FORMER Blackburn favourite Jason Wilcox today said Rovers could soon be challenging for a place in the Champions League under Graeme Souness. Wilcox and his Leeds United team-mates will attempt to scupper Rovers' chances of qualifying for next season's
-
Date
Stars are on show
STAR DJs, Lisa Lashes and Fergie, are heading to Blackpool's Syndicate Superclub this Saturday, in what promises to be a massive night. Because both DJs have other gigs the same night, 'Lashed' will start extra early, with clubbers allowed in from 9pm
-
Date
Walk on part for singers
"WALK on, walk on, with hope in your heart. . . .", you can probably sing along to You'll Never Walk Alone, but did you know that the song is from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical "Carousel"? This is just one of the many wonderful songs, written
-
Date
Textile mill workers' jobs shock
WORKERS at a Burnley textile mill have been told their jobs are on the line after bosses announced plans to move to Yorkshire. Representatives among the 120 staff at Northern Textiles in Sycamore Avenue today said they were shocked by the planned closure
-
Date
Rammy star Mark takes top honour
PLAYERS completed their season last Monday with the finals of the Bury District Table Tennis League end-of-season tournament and presentation of trophies at ELPM Social Club. The standard of play was high and the results were not without their surprises
-
Date
Boro rely on strength of Sampson
RADCLIFFE Boro's promotion hopes received a double boost on Monday when a 3-1 victory took them back into second place in the Unibond Division One -- cashing in on Spennymoor United's defeat at Bishop Auckland in a morning kick-off. With Simon Canden's
-
Date
Tom's made of the write stuff
A FOOTBALLING legend from the past winged his way to a Blackpool book store this month to sign copies of his autobiography. Tom Finney played for England in the 1950s and spent his entire career with his local team, Preston, where he is now club president
-
Date
TV Martin's killing time in Blackpool
THE story of a notorious murder in Blackpool is set to be brought to the small screen in a new TV drama special. Former Eastenders star, Martin Kemp, has been signed up to play George Joseph Smith in the ITV drama, Brides In The Bath. Smith spent the
-
Date
Animal sanctuary stunned by theft
CHARITY bosses were left stunned when heartless thieves stole a much-needed quad bike and trailer from a Blackpool horse sanctuary over Easter. The red Honda quad bike and RSPCA trailer were taken either late Saturday night or early Sunday morning from
-
Date
Firearms amnesty success continues
LANCASHIRE police today announced that almost 500 firearms have been handed to police in the county since the national amnesty began. During the third week, which included the Easter bank holiday, a total of 157 firearms were handed in. These included
-
Date
Curtains for man judge sought to help
LESS than half an hour after being given a chance to put his life in order Francis Taylor was caught shoplifting again in a curtain shop. But Blackburn magistrates heard Taylor committed the offence deliberately to get arrested after having second thoughts
-
Date
I'll do his washing!
POPSTAR Kevin Simm is set to return to his Lancashire roots and headline Blackburn's biggest ever free music festival. And his mum will be so pleased to see him that she's even offered to do his dirty washing! Kevin, along with the other four members
-
Date
Champions climb the league ladder
WALKER Farrimond Super League reigning champions Great Harwood moved up into third place in the division following a crushing 5-1 win over neighbours Alexandra. Since the early season setback at St Annes, the Lowerfold men have been in sparkling form
-
Date
We won't stop until it's over - Coleman
AFTER being crowned UniBond Premiership champions on April 12 to earn a place in the Nationwide Conference, you'd expect John Coleman to have few, if any, cares in the world. But the Accrington Stanley manager was furious his side couldn't go one step
-
Date
Dawson's up the creek on views
HILTON Dawson writes (17.4.03): "I have seen diplomacy in action and know that it works... I hope that we can learn the lessons of this war." Diplomacy in the 1930s didn't prevent Japan from invading China or Mussolini from conquering Ethiopia; it didn't
-
Date
How to spend time and money
I, ALONG with most pensioners, have been rocked by the massive increases in rates. While pensioners scrape to pay the latest demands, the County Council spends as if there was no tomorrow and Fylde has increased its take by 24per cent in two years. In
-
Date
Where's the oil in Yugoslavia?
RECENT correspondents Elizabeth Tebbs and Julie Higson are like the nursery rhyme girl who was "very very good" or "horrid". If they did their homework they would not be in the coconut shy of the ridiculous. Chapter Seven of the UN Charter recognises
-
Date
I welcome her 'conversion'
I WAS so pleased to learn that Councillor Dorothy Gunther and her Conservative colleagues in Ramsbottom have woken up to the problem evident to everyone else for the past few years; namely that local sub-post offices are essential to maintaining a service
-
Date
We can't afford extra care cash
YOUR correspondent Herzl Hamburger (Your Letters, April 11) made several comments about Bury Council's approach to paying owners of private nursing and residential care homes. I thought readers may find it helpful to know the facts. Firstly, he asks why
-
Date
300th birthday school reunion
A REUNION for all former pupils and staff at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School will be held in October to mark 300 years since the school was founded. The event is at the school on Saturday, October 4, from 12.30pm. Anyone interested should ring Emma
-
Date
Spelling out their concern
PUPILS at Wesley Methodist Primary School in Radcliffe don't need to spell out just how considerate they are to less fortunate children. The Forth Road school has chosen the NSPCC as its pet charity and its latest fundraising event was a sponsored spell
-
Date
School welcomed into Bury 'family'
BURY has welcomed a new addition into its close-knit "Family' of Schools". The independent Manchester Jewish Grammar School in Prestwich will become a maintained school from November next year. The school is a single sex boys' school serving families
-
Date
EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, April 26, 2003
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Lempen Puppet Theatre Company present Puppets in the Wild, a show for 5-12 year olds, Community Link, Bury Road, Haslingden, 2pm. Jumbo Jumble Sale, Village Hall, Grimsargh
-
Date
Stand up laughs
SOME of the best new comedy talent is in Preston next month. The Stand and Deliver Comedy Club, at the University of Central Lancashire's students union venue hall, is holding its first ever comedy weekender starting on May 2. When the club opened its
-
Date
Warriors hold trials
BRANDLESHOLME Warriors football club is holding Under 7s trials for next season for boys or girls under seven years on September 1 at Woodhey High School, Ramsbottom at 6.30pm on Thursdays, May 8, 15, 22 and 29. The club is also recruiting for its other
-
Date
Spot on for dominoes KO
THE dominoes knockout take place on Monday when two pairs from each venue will qualify. GARSDALE: Official C. Brown: C. Brown & R. Barnes (B Cow Burrs); S. Hill & B. Kay (Church Inn); P. Hutchinson & T. Heapy (Church Inn); M. Seeley &
-
Date
No surprises as Fishpool cruise
THERE were neither shocks nor relatively close results in the Bury Royunders League First Division on Monday. Reigning champions, Fishpool A, stormed to an innings win from Bury West. Elton Vale B, beaten by Ramsbottom ladies in the cup last week, were
-
Date
Well bred Gez
GEZ is a black cross breed dog who arrived at Manchester Dogs' Home in January 2003. He was handed into Manchester Police Station, after he was found wandering in the Harpurhey area. Gez is a very friendly dog who loves to play with his toys and he will
-
Date
Councillors should listen to voters
I AM appalled at Burnley councillors for refusing to hoist the Union flag high above the Town Hall (LET, April 10). We have hundreds of servicemen fighting in Iraq and we need to show our honour and respect for them. What this Labour-controlled council
-
Date
Our heritage is being denied us
MY wife and I are absolutely disgusted that the Union Jack flag is banned from Burnley and Padiham town halls (LET, April 10) it is a disgrace! Let us remember that this country was once referred to as Great Britain -- a country whose residents were born
-
Date
Is there a hidden agenda?
REGARDING your report headlined "Widow's home targeted in brick attack," (LET, April 16), as a long time resident of the Ashworth Street estate in Blackburn, of which Shaw Close is a part, I take issue with some of the statements in the article, particularly
-
Date
Young urged to vote
NEARLY 5,000 young people in the borough are entitled to vote for the first time in the local elections. And the Electoral Commission is urging those in Radcliffe to make their voice heard so they get a say in how Bury is run. Spokesman Nicole Smith said
-
Date
Dinner time raises £1,000
RED Rose Month, the fundraising drive for Bury Hospice, goes from strength to strength. Since its launch on April 1 money-making events such as a fancy dress bowling evening and a sponsored run up Holcombe Hill have already taken place. Socially -- as
-
Date
Pam's PUPS gets £500 cash boost
ANIMAL campaigner Pamela Pearson is to be given a £500 boost this week. Pamela, from Elm Street, Bury is the volunteer Lancashire organiser of the PUPS - Prevent Unwanted Pets - charity. And this week she will be presented with £500 from the Co-op Charitable
-
Date
Youth dies after crash
A TWENTY-year-old Bury man has been named as the victim of a head-on crash in Bolton. Greg Williams of Watling Street, Bury -- on the Seddons Farm Estate -- died after being admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital following the crash last Thursday in Bradshaw
-
Date
Born and fled
A TV series which brought millions of pounds into East Lancashire has dealt a blow to the local economy by slashing its filming in the area. The first series of BBC 1's Northern-based 1950s drama Born and Bred was recorded entirely on location in the
-
Date
Cemetery safety checks ordered
CEMETERIES staff are to carry out safety checks on all memorials and headstones in Bury, Radcliffe and Ramsbottom. The council has announced plans for inspections in every cemetery to try to identify unsafe structures and remedy any problems found. This
-
Date
Masters award
A LOCAL woman has received a cash scholarship to help her achieve her masters degree. Anne Dormer (41) of Holly Street, Summerseat, is a specialist heart failure nurse at Oldham Royal Infirmary. She said: "A masters degree will advance my knowledge and
-
Date
Wilcox backs Rovers return
FORMER Blackburn favourite Jason Wilcox today said Rovers could soon be challenging for a place in the Champions League under Graeme Souness. Wilcox and his Leeds United team-mates will attempt to scupper Rovers' chances of qualifying for next season's
-
Date
Textile mill workers' jobs shock
WORKERS at a Burnley textile mill have been told their jobs are on the line after bosses announced plans to move to Yorkshire. Representatives among the 120 staff at Northern Textiles in Sycamore Avenue today said they were shocked by the planned closure
-
Date
Fraud victims' payback bid
VICTIMS of disgraced financial adviser Kevan Berry have launched a bid to claw back some of the £500,000 he stole from them. Berry used his role at Briercliffe-based Bowland Financial Management to obtain the life-savings of people from across East Lancashire
-
Date
Manager finds any excuse
AFTER watching my beloved Shakers for 30 years, I thought I had heard every lame excuse given by many a Bury manager for a sub-standard performance. But surely Andy Preece's offering after the recent Carlisle game was the all-time great. Apparently, the
-
Date
Shaking the dust off Bury FC's record-breaking Cup Final win
AN ENTHRALLING 90 minutes of nostalgia was replayed to celebrate the centenary of Bury FC's record-breaking Cup Final victory. Around 400 townsfolk turned out to witness the blue and white carpet being rolled out in the club's honour to mark its 6-0 defeat
-
Date
Fun day
A HOST of fun activities for the whole family are being staged at Burrs Country Park on Sunday May 4. Face painting, pond dipping, art activities, circus skills and willow weaving are among free attractions at the Countryside Fun Day from 11am-3pm. For
-
Date
Local Gallipoli heroes honoured
ON the morning of April 25, 1915, eleven Lancashire Fusilier (LF) officers and 350 of their men were gunned down on the beaches of Gallipoli. Yet, despite heavy casualties and withering fire from Turkish defence positions, the 1st Battalion of the Lancashire
-
Date
Switch on and CCTV is live
THE streets of Radcliffe are now safer following Tuesday's official switch-on of a new, all-seeing network of CCTV cameras. Radcliffe -- as well as Prestwich -- has benefited from the latest crime fighting scheme after the Bury Community Safety Partnership
-
Date
Never better
I ATTEND two clinics at Fairfield Hospital and have never had better care. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for the doctors and staff there. ANN WEBSTER, Harwood Crescent, Tottington.
-
Date
Remarkable change
THERE has been a great deal of criticism of Bury Council's record on rent collection and arrears. I would like to congratulate all concerned following the decision of the Best Value Inspectorate to award the authority two stars in that area of their administration
-
Date
Crazy to pay rail bosses
GIVEN the appalling health and safety record of our privatised railways, I was staggered to learn that the Strategic Rail Authority is to compensate operating companies for losses as a result of the RMT union's health and safety strike. What crazy logic
-
Date
A dramatic conspiracy theory
THE official story behind the bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie in 1988 is controversially challenged in this new play at the Library Theatre. Lockerbie 103 deals with the growing concern that the man currently in jail for the attack was not the
-
Date
Five years ago
THE golden cross which tops Blackburn Cathedral spire was given a fresh coat of paint as part of the project to rebuild the lantern tower. The tower was replaced with a new one featuring 56 sparkling stained glass panels.
-
Date
Foot and mouth aid package
A £50 MILLION aid plan to help rural Lancashire get over the effects of foot and mouth was unveiled today. Spearheaded by Lancashire County Council and initially bankrolled by £16million of government money, the Lancashire Rural Recovery Plan aims to
-
Date
No spice as Seasiders lose to Posh
POOL slipped to their seventh defeat in nine games thanks to a solitary goal in the first half by David Farrell. Most players in Tangerine looked like they couldn't wait for the season to end, as this was a performance that lacked both effort and interest
-
Date
McMahon's youth policy pays off
A LAST-GASP strike from Scott Taylor rescued a point for Pool and left opponents Mansfield facing almost certain relegation. In an entertaining game, Steve McMahon's men looked much more interested than in recent weeks -- assisted by a few new faces to
-
Date
Merge could create 'City of Fylde'
A 'CITY of Fylde' council, stretching from Garstang to Lytham, could provide many local services in the future, a local council claims. Wyre Borough Council is planning to consult with the public over a possible 'merger' with Blackpool and Fylde. Another
-
Date
Man agrees to street ban
A TRAMP banned from the streets of Lytham and Ansdell has abandoned his court appeal against an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO). Simon Frodsham, 33, of no fixed abode, has now agreed to comply with the five year order after withdrawing his appeal during
-
Date
Fan Pike to probe crisis in football
BURNLEY FC's cash crisis following the collapse of ITV Digital is to be raised in Parliament. MP Peter Pike is to take part in a major Westminster inquiry into football and its finances -- and his beloved Clarets are to give evidence. As secretary of
-
Date
Looking after number one!
SAM Ellis may have been a teenage star for Sheffield Wednesday in the 1966 FA Cup Final at Wembley but he confessed there is little room for sentiment in football today. His first club, one of the biggest names in Division One, has just been relegated
-
Date
Branch debt to Ternent
CLARETS star Graham Branch has high hopes that he will be given a new contract at Turf Moor for next season - and he would love to stay in the heart of the defence. "I don't really like the versatile label but I am really enjoying myself at centre back
-
Date
Cheryl's taking tea with royalty
GOLDEN girl Cheryl Cohen has been invited for tea with the Queen. Cheryl (24), of The Drive, Prestwich will receive her Duke of Edinburgh Gold award at a Buckingham Palace garden party in July. It has been ten years since Cheryl started out on the Duke
-
Date
Missing man gets life for Nat's murder
A THIRD man has been jailed for life for the murder of a former Prestwich businessman. Nat Jacobs was stabbed 17 times in March 2001 when three men burst into his employment agency in Chester Road, Hulme. John Gray (19), from Hulme, and Christopher Lambe
-
Date
Bury soldier's life on front line
BURY soldier Fusilier Thomas Stanley has spent the last few weeks in the heat of the desert and the heat of battle as he took part in the liberation of southern Iraq with other British troops deployed to the region. Thomas, aged 22, is serving with the
-
Date
Shaking the dust off Bury FC's record-breaking Cup Final win
AN ENTHRALLING 90 minutes of nostalgia was replayed to celebrate the centenary of Bury FC's record-breaking Cup Final victory. Around 400 townsfolk turned out to witness the blue and white carpet being rolled out in the club's honour to mark its 6-0 defeat
-
Date
Candidates fight for 16 seats
ONE-THIRD of Bury Council is up for grabs in the local elections next Thursday. Labour are defending 12 seats, the Conservatives three, and Liberal Democrats one. While no result is guaranteed, there are certain to be some new faces on the council: three
-
Date
Gigg serves up more stalemate misery
SHAKERS 0, SCUNTHORPE 0: IT WAS another case of home discomfort for the Shakers as they failed to produce the goods once again at Gigg Lane writes Steve Bott Bury have won just eight of their 22 home games to date and they let this one get away from them
-
Date
Branch debt to Ternent
CLARETS star Graham Branch has high hopes that he will be given a new contract at Turf Moor for next season - and he would love to stay in the heart of the defence. "I don't really like the versatile label but I am really enjoying myself at centre back
-
Date
The joy of brass
BRASSED off? Then enjoy the sounds of Blackpool Brass Band and the Joyful Chorus at a concert this Saturday night at Fleetwood United Reformed Church, Dronsfield Road, Fleetwood, pay on the door. The concert starts at 7.30pm and follows on from the brass
-
Date
Spelling out their concern
PUPILS at Wesley Methodist Primary School in Radcliffe don't need to spell out just how considerate they are to less fortunate children. The Forth Road school has chosen the NSPCC as its pet charity and its latest fundraising event was a sponsored spell
-
Date
Home battle holds the key
PROMOTION and relegation is at stake this year and a top position in each group after three rounds will determine competition in the top section in the second phase. After losing the first round at Sheffield a couple of weeks ago, the Goshen team produced
-
Date
Schools given £1m to spend on repairs
ALMOST £1 million is being pumped into Darwen schools this year to give them a 'much-needed' facelift. Darwen Moorland High School and Darwen Vale are to be the main benefactors of the government money, receiving £200,000 and £300,000 respectively. Cladding
-
Date
Doreen dishes out her loyalty money
A DARWEN dinner lady has donated money from a long service award to The Christie Hospital, 13 years after her own personal battle with cancer. Doreen Quirke, 56, has been serving up dinners at Sudell Primary School for the past 20 years and was recently
-
Date
Intrepid Catherine goes on Inca trail
INTREPID Catherine Ager will take on the biggest challenge of her life this year when she heads to Peru to hike across the Inca trail. Catherine, 24, of Lincoln Place, Haslingden, has already cycled across Israel and scaled the Himalayas for the charity
-
Date
'Compromise' as surgery axe falls
CONTROVERSIAL plans to close a Rossendale village surgery will go ahead on June 1. But health chiefs say they have done all they can to accommodate patients at Edenfield surgery, Market Street, by coming up with a compromise deal. Transport arrangements
-
Date
Hoping for solid gold chain reaction
NEVER mind golden sands or the golden mile, Blackpool has got a new addition to its golden collection -- a hand-crafted, pure gold thong! Costing a tasteful £1,000, the kinky item -- which is constructed out of thousands of tiny 9ct gold chain links -
-
Date
Jet ski dad took safety precautions
THE 'shocked and stunned' family of a man killed in a jet ski accident at Blackpool's North Pier say their father was taking the correct safety precautions. Ian Hales, 47 died when his Yamaha jet ski hit the pier's supports on Good Friday. His wife, Debbie
-
Date
Fury at dunes 'U-turn'
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build on St Annes sand dunes could go ahead because of a council u-turn, a furious Fylde campaign group is claiming. And Defend the Dunes spokesman, Ralph Carter, claims a public inquiry into a proposed three-storey block of 18
-
Date
Nice and breezy does it
ANYONE who has ever walked along Blackpool promenade knows what the wind feels like -- but the resort's latest public artwork will show what it looks like as well. Taking its inspiration from the illuminations, the £40,000 'The Sound Of The Wind Looks
-
Date
Animal instincts
JUST over a year ago the future of Blackpool's Longview animal sanctuary looked bleak. Funding for the Division Lane centre had dwindled and the morale of staff and volunteers was at rock bottom. But today it's a different story. Following an eleventh-hour
-
Date
A smile of thanks for life-saver
A LITTLE girl has met the teenage boy who saved her life - and given him a huge smile to say thank you. The six-year-old welcomed hero Paul Swift, 16, when he visited her at the children's ward of Queen's Park Hospital. Paul saved the life of the girl
-
Date
Warning as mosque is told 'carry on'
A MOSQUE'S leaders were today warned the religious centre would be shut down if they broke planning conditions. The move came as permission was given for Blackburn's small Shia Muslim community to continue using Jubilee Mill, Logwood Street, as a mosque
-
Date
Refit library opens
IT'S debatable whether Bill Gates, the Microsoft billionaire, even knows where Blackburn is. But a little bit of the town's new-look library has been dedicated to him after his charitable foundation gave £28,000 for a computer suite. The 12 computers
-
Date
Reduce it, but don't stop it
AS someone without a car, the bus service has been a life-saver for me over the years. Despite living in Summerseat, an area not blessed with the most prolific of bus services, an adequate number of buses has always been available. Imagine my dismay then
-
Date
Spend cash to keep school
NOW that the scheme to build a new school has seemingly fallen through, will Radcliffe High finally get some money spent on it to modernise it? It is a great building and has some dedicated teachers, but they need help to make it one of the best schools
-
Date
Manager finds any excuse
AFTER watching my beloved Shakers for 30 years, I thought I had heard every lame excuse given by many a Bury manager for a sub-standard performance. But surely Andy Preece's offering after the recent Carlisle game was the all-time great. Apparently, the
-
Date
Shameful to claim elderly will die
AS a long-time carer, I have considerable experience of working with Bury social services and local politicians. I was therefore amazed and disgusted by a leaflet from one Conservative candidate. To me, this candidate seemed to be suggesting that elderly
-
Date
People who make a difference
A VERY big thank-you to Trevor Jackson of Hollins Village. He's the brave chap who risked life and limb whilst planting daffodil bulbs in the hedgerow on Hollins Lane, Hollins Village, alongside Bury golf course. The fruits of his labour are now clear
-
Date
People do not trust councillors
AGAIN councillors Mike Connolly, executive member for health and social services, and John Byrne, leader of the council, have featured on this Letters page displaying their usual confrontational style and attacking people whose only "crime" is to defend
-
Date
Get political to save care homes
I WRITE to support the views expressed by Anne Kahn (Care fees: system is 'divisive', Your Letters, April 11). I have good reason for this as my mother, an Alzheimer's sufferer, has been resident in Heathlands Village for seven years. She is looked after
-
Date
Down your street
A LOOK at what is on around town and locally. LYTHAM CRAFTY kids can learn how to make mosaics at Artlounge, Dicconson Terrace this Saturday (April 26), 10am-noon, while adults can create a design portfolio in a 10am-4pm workshop. Life drawing and painting
-
Date
Fraud team trap NHS boss
HEALTH officials got suspicious when they found that the clothing budget for patients at a mental health unit was overspent by £18,000. A regional NHS fraud investigation team was called in and discovered that the unit administrator had been fiddling
