Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Friday, May 16
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Alston Lane RC Primary School's May Ball, Ferrari Suite, Ferraris Country House, Thornley, 7.30pm. The Blues Brothers Tribute Show, Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley
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Pirates take to stage
ST LEONARD'S Gilbert and Sullivan Group is performing the Pirates of Penzance from May 20-24, at St Mary's Church Hall, Cop Lane, Penwortham, at 7.30pm. For information call Linda Parsons on 01772 742906.
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A golden festival
PRESTON Arts Society has announced plans for its Golden Jubilee Arts Festival from September 9 to 14. Events will be running across the city, from arts and drama to music and film. For more information visit the Tourist Information Centre, Lancaster Road
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A chance to star
YOUNG actors are in with a chance to play the next Oliver Twist in a production at the Charter Theatre, Preston. Summer School Theatre Productions' professional directors and choreographers will work with children of any experience. There will be two
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Grey day for Rib as Mill Hill chase treble
Mill Hill remain on course for a Blackburn Combination treble thanks to a wonderful hat-trick from Mark Grey. The winger scored three fabulous individual goals including a cheeky lob, a clinical finish and a thundering header. But while Grey grabbed the
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Deano double seals the Old Black magic
YOUNG guns Dean Clarke and Adam Kozlowski were the Old Blacks heroes with the goals that clinch cup glory at Accrington Stanley's Crown Ground. The pair gave the Old Blacks a dream start with a goal apeice in the opening 10 minutes -- with 'Deano' completing
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Serving up a treat!
JOHN Schofield has hit enough backhands, smashed a enough volleys and served enough aces to cast a critical view on the state of tennis in East Lancashire. One of the area's longest serving coaches and one of its most respected, John has been righting
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Fears for park's healthy trees
I THINK that the cutting down of the trees in the Memorial Park, Great Harwood (LET, May 7), is terrible. I'm worried they may be felling healthy ones instead of the ones that look diseased or whatever is said to be wrong with them. They all look perfectly
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Does Galloway forget killings?
I WAS astonished to see my local Liberal Democrat councillor Mrs Karimeh Foster, on the main 10 o'clock news on Tuesday, warmly greeting suspended Labour MP George Galloway to Blackburn. This is the same George Galloway who met Saddam Hussein and said
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Electorate decides who is in or out
REGARDING your report headlined 'Campaign starts now to oust BNP' (LET, May 7), someone should tell Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Bill Taylor that it is the voters who decide, who is ousted and who is voted in. And talking of voting, what about
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Garden Centre hit by huge losses
GARDEN centre boss Derek York is urging businesses affected by the Tamar road closures in Leigh to slam in compensation demands against United Utilities to the small claims court. Clarefarm owner Derek, who has fought and won a previous battle with North
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Play-offs didn't live up to my expectations
I'VE waited a long time to be involved in the play-offs, but it didn't go to plan in any way, shape or form. Missing the first leg at Wolves was a big disappointment. I'd picked up the flu from somewhere and it pretty much wiped me out for the entire
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Meet your councillors
THE next area forum for residents of Ashton, Ingol, Larches and Lea wards, takes place on Thursday, June 5, from 7pm at Lea Primary School, Greavestown Lane, Preston. In South Ribble residents of West Leyland can meet councillors at the next area committee
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Bridging Gulf in language
A SOLDIER from Bamber Bridge is preparing for a stint in Iraq by learning Arabic. Private Neil Williams, from Longbrook Avenue, Bamber Bridge, is set to fly out to Basra with the Queen's Lancashire Regiment next month. The 18-year-old trooper is part
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Designs on making it a special carnival
THE Caribbean Carnival will have an extra special twist this year, thanks to a group of local youngsters. Children with learning difficulties have been getting music lessons from the group Urban Strawberry Lunch who were seen across the world when they
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Tories out in the cold
LABOUR and Liberal Democrats on South Ribble Council are to carve up seats in the cabinet between them, leaving the Conservatives with no members. The cabinet, which has the power to make the decisions for the council, was set to be decided at a meeting
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I'll fight back says victim
PEOPLE living in a leafy Preston suburb have armed themselves with baseball bats after a spate of attacks by gangs of young thugs. Now Tony Hunt, 63, of Rowan Close, Penwortham, who had his living room window put through by youths, claims the latest police
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Padiham and Hapton Bulletin
RESIDENTS enjoyed the chance to ask questions on a range of subjects when former Mayor of Padiham, Councillor Granville Lord, hosted an Open Forum at Padiham Town Hall. Jim Heys, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust Chairman, explained the
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That 'pillock' John is back again
JOHN Shuttleworth, star of BBC Two's 500 Bus Stops and four series of Radio Four's The Shuttleworths, is heading back to Lancaster. His hit show 'Pillock of the Community' will be at the Dukes on Saturday, May 24, as part of a 38-date national tour. "
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Ian takes his turn in the Spotlight
LANCASTER short story maestro Iain Colley will top the bill at Spotlight this weekend. Iain has been contributing stories, poems and articles to magazines and newspapers for many years and has a string of competition successes to his name. Spotlight audiences
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Jury clears 'gentle giant'
A FORMER bus driver cleared of sexually assaulting a teenage passenger spoke today of his relief and happiness and added: "Justice has been done." Father of three Mohammed Akbar, 39, said the pressure of having court proceedings hanging over him for almost
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Farmer John joins local food pioneers
A FAMILY farm is embarking on a major new venture - and looking forward to a bright future far removed from the devastation caused by foot-and-mouth disease. Two years after the epidemic spread fear throughout the farming community, a local dairy farmer
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Bethany beats path to stardom
A MORECAMBE teenager has taken her first step towards the limelight - by winning selection for a national stage company. Fourteen-year-old Bethany Reed is set to take part in the National Youth Music Theatre's residential workshop in Aberystwyth in August
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John is new first citizen
CANCER sufferers and head injury patients have been put at the top of the list by Lancaster's new Mayor. Coun John Gilbert was officially appointed yesterday (Wednesday) in a ceremony at the Town Hall. He says he is 'thrilled' to be the city's new first
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Car wars as taxi drivers threaten strike
LATE-NIGHT revellers spilling onto the streets in the early hours could be left to make their own way home as city hackney taxi drivers threaten to go on strike. It could spell chaos for motorists trying to dodge drinkers and clubbers as they pour out
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College team wards
MYERSCOUGH College's junior football teams have been celebrating a successful season. For the Under 10s team Thomas Eckersley was recognised as Most Improved Player of the Year. Team captain Jonathan Hallam, was crowned 'Player of the Year'. The newly
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Museum wins treasures from 1953 FA Cup Final
WITH the 2003 FA Cup Final coming up the National Football Museum is to display a collection of memorabilia from possibly the greatest ever FA Cup final. In what is the 50th anniversary year of the world famous 1953 "Matthews final" the museum has found
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Revenge is sweet for Preston in knockout
PRESTON gained revenge for a shock league defeat at the hands of Leyland at Fox Lane last weekend by defeating them easily the next day to go through to the third round of the National Knockout. Pace bowler professional Manoj Parekh took four wickets
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Girls are united
CARDINAL Newman and Preston Colleges women's football teams have joined forces to give the students the opportunity of entering bigger leagues and possibly go professional at some time in the future. League table rivalry will be left aside as the joint
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Would-be PC over limit
A WOULD-BE police officer who rolled her car when almost twice the limit was given a 12-month driving ban. Burnley magistrates heard student and part-time barmaid Lisa Bailey, 24, was found by police at a nearby house after her car ended on its roof in
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Would-be PC over limit
A WOULD-BE police officer who rolled her car when almost twice the limit was given a 12-month driving ban. Burnley magistrates heard student and part-time barmaid Lisa Bailey, 24, was found by police at a nearby house after her car ended on its roof in
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When obsession leads to heartache
PARISIAN charm, olde worlde courtesies, romance and glorious frock coats and bustles mingle with emotional obsession and heartbreak in a splendid new adaptation of Camille. BAFTA award-winning actress Daniela Nardini gives a heart-rending performance
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Ten years ago
ALMOST 50 years after they first met in the frozen seas of Russia, Benjamin Yakoubovsky and Jack Sowerbutts renewed their friendship. Jack, 73, of Mellor, and Benjamin, a Russian interpreter, served on the HMS Briomart together in 1943.
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Stroll along towpath
WALKERS can join members of the Heartbeat charity for stroll along the towpath of the picturesque Lancaster Canal, from Bilsborrow to Garstang, and back again. The five-mile wander is on level ground and starts at Guy's Thatched Hamlet, Bilsborrow, on
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'Fagin' starting six-month jail term
A GREEDY shopkeeper dubbed "a modern day Fagin" by a judge was today starting a six month jail term. Burnley Crown Court heard how Akhtar Adad, 38, organised a team of three child thieves to steal from three rival local stores and then sold the goods
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Atherton Carnival will be hot stuff
IT will be hot on the streets of Atherton on Saturday - and that's a promise. A totally tropical free carnival will hit the town between 11am and 3pm and will be the first of a series throughout the borough. This year's summer festival organisers have
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Leigh's man of brass dies, 66
LEIGH man of brass, Alan Rowson, has died after a long illness at the age of 66. Former players turned out in force on Tuesday at St Thomas' Church, Bedford, to pay tribute to the former musical director of the Leigh Silver Band, which was disbanded recently
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Fred tells of his miracle escape
AN 82 years-old man has spoken of his miraculous escape after a 32 ton articulated lorry overturned and shed its load knocking him unconscious as he was planting shrubs in his front garden. Retired plant manager Fred Clough was flung backwards smashing
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by Lesley Richards
Tom's music lives on in Eileen's memory EILEEN Critchley always thought her husband, Tom, had a great voice and pressed him to cut a CD. The popular pub and club singer never got round to it, but then Eileen died suddenly from cancer -- and she now has
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Brassed off!
WHEN Leigh Silver Band lost its long fight for survival, the trustees faced a dilemma. They had to find a new home for £30,000 worth of brass instruments, stands, their music library and uniforms. Despite widespread efforts to find benefactors to take
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You cannot pick and choose
I DISAGREE with Andrew Dinsdale's (Citizen letters, May 8) that to claim that war is wrong implies the status quo is better. Unlike Bush and Blair, I do not pick and choose which dictators I oppose and which I support and finance. I am wholeheartedly
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Taxi drivers don't want special privileges
IF I may reply to S Roberts and Lorraine Barrow (Citizen Letters, last week), both show total ignorance about taxis. The taxi trade does not expect special privileges but just wants Lancaster's authorities to follow Government guidelines. One of the recommendations
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Athletes in running to raise £100k
THOUSANDS of runners thronged to Blackpool on Sunday for the Beaverbrooks 10K fun run. Just under 4000 amateur athletes, including wheelchair competitors, entered the 21st annual event. Organisers hope it will raise £100,000 towards the Macmillan Windmill
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Four out as Harvey builds
FOUR players have been released by Morecambe as manager Jim Harvey begins working towards the next Nationwide Conference campaign. Lee Colkin, Keith Hill, Alan Morgan and Perry Taylor have all been told they can go - with defender Colkin quickly being
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Action should be applauded
rSIR, I read with interest the article regarding motorcycles on Red Rose Forest land. I welcome any moves to remove this problem. I would like to say I was surprised to find the police so interested. Some months ago I informed a community officer of an
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Rugby league men face a long, hard summer
LANCASTER'S all-new rugby league club is in for a long, hard summer... That's the conclusion following the team's debut in the TotalRL.com Rugby League Conference at Carlisle Centurions - and a disastrous 56-6 reverse. This was always likely to be Lancaster's
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Davis sees the Light
SUNDERLAND are leading the chase for former Burnley captain Steve Davis. The centre half is believed to have been targeted by manager Mick McCarthy as the Black Cats chief looks to mount a swift return to the Premiership. McCarthy has admitted he is keen
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Team effort pays off at Westleigh
WESTLEIGH High School has received a glowing report from Ofsted Inspectors. They have confirmed what the people of Hindley Green and Leigh have known for a while, that the school provides an excellent education. A delighted head teacher, John Pout, said
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Boost for beaches
NORTH WEST beaches, including Blackpool's, are set to get a £3 million bathing boost from Europe. The money, from the European Union, will help fund work to give a better understanding of the factors that contribute to bathing water quality. The Improved
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Fire girl hears warning
POLICE have cautioned a young girl and want to track down two other youngsters after a Lancaster shop was damaged by fire. Repair work, costing £30, had to be done to paintwork on the Ryelands Road shop, which is owned by Mal Hussein, after papers were
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Charity final
THE final of the Atherton Charity Cup will take place on Sunday at Atherton Collieries, kick off 2.30pm. Breightmet are already through to the final where they will meet either Atherton Town or Hindley Town who were due to play their semi-final last night
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Leigh Centurions Welcome Their Oldest Fan
LEIGH Centurions honoured a special fan at Sundays fixture against Featherstone Rovers at Hilton Park. Mrs Alice Bradshaw, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday on May 9, was guest of honour to help celebrate her special occassion. Alice first got
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Press Release
Kevin aims to tackle world TYLDESLEY Judo Club Senior Coach Kevin Kinney 5th Dano vercame strong European competition to become double gold medalist in the first Belgium Judo Masters after winning the under 81Kg and then the open weight Kevin was using
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Brilliant-Leigh!
Leigh Centurions 50 Featherstone Rovers 12. P AUL Terzis could be forgiven for allowing himself a smile of satisfaction as he left his seat at Hilton Park on Sunday afternoon. And rightly so, after watching his in-form Centurions take one of the National
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Rovers in for Amoruso
BLACKBURN Rovers are closing in on a deal for Rangers centre-back Lorenzo Amoruso. As I understand it, a fee in the region of £1.25 million has been agreed between the two clubs following a dramatic U-turn by the Scottish giants. And Rovers have been
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Wing and a prayer!
INSPIRED by Harry Potter, a Darwen minister took to the sky to obtain his paragliding licence... and bring him closer to God. The Rev Tamas Sugar, of Darwen's United Reformed Church, just loves to don his harnessed parachute and leap off hills into the
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Spring Fayre date
A SPRING Fayre is to be held at Bag Lane Methodist Church, Atherton, on Saturday betweem 11am and 3pm. Admission is 30p.
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Reunion plea
CULCHETH School old boy Gordon Brown is trying to contact old schoolmates of 50 years ago and set up a reunion. Gordon, a freelance journalist now living in Whitehaven, can be contacted on 01946-67121.
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Sunday School birthday plans
BEDFORD Methodist Church Sunday School in Leigh celebrates its 219th birthday this weekend. The Rev Paul Martin of Culcheth will conduct services at 10.30am and 6pm. The Sunday School will sing at the morning service and the ladies' choir in the evening
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'I couldn't save him'
A RETIRED council worker today described how he fought desperately to save a farmer's life following an horrific collision between a train and a Land Rover. Ken Dickinson battled in vain alongside police by giving the injured victim mouth to mouth resuscitation
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College bound
MORE pupils than ever before who leave Westleigh High School are going into further education at Winstanley College. On Friday, college principal, Kevin Watson, will present the records of achievement to Year 11 pupils at a ceremony before governors,
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Running for charity
AN Atherton woman is entering the Greater Manchester Run on May 26 in memory of a friend who lost his life to cancer. Diane Anderton of Millers Lane hopes to raise money to contribute towards funding better care and treatment for cancer sufferers. She
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Leigh driver on road death charge
TWENTY-two-year-old Richard Bourke of Stavesacre, Leigh appeared before Bolton Magistrates charged with death by dangerous driving, obtaining services by deception and three further counts of dangerous driving. The charges relate to a fatal road accident
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Clinic closed
for repairs TYLDESLEY Clinic has been closed until Christmas for major facelift work. During the period patients will use Astley and Atherton clinics, Leigh Infirmary and the Tyldesley Scout Hut depending on services. Dental and speech therapy have been
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Top of the form
LEIGH Cricket Club's ladies' darts and dominoes section scored a bullseye to help make life easier for children of Chernobyl. They knocked spots off a fundraising challenge to raise a magnificent total of £650 for the Medicine and Chernobyl Culcheth group
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Strings attached...
SEVEN junior schools have been learning the art of puppetry. London-based theatre company Indigo Moon are in Atherton performing The Worm That Squirmed, a show using Indonesian rod puppets. They are following up performances with educational workshops
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Year of success
LEGAL eagle Ashi Arora has experienced a whirlwind year of success. The 34-years-old Lowton executive scored a hat-trick of achievements ending in promotion to associate at city law firm Davis Blank Furniss. As the first female Asian president of Manchester
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Driven to despair
BEING a disabled driver I am one of those people for whom a parking bay is a necessity because of the width it allows me to transfer from chair to my car and back. The supermarket disabled bays are not always free, and abused by people who are too lazy
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New market appears!
THERE'LL be no pier pressure on shoppers when a new market opens -- on North Pier! Starting on June 4, the market will run every Wednesday, with up to one hundred stalls selling everything from fresh produce to arts and crafts. Organisers also hope to
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No forced closures of GP's surgeries
NO FORCED closure or relocation of doctors' surgeries in Blackpool -- guaranteed. That's what directors of your Primary Care Trust (PCT) in Blackpool have publicly promised. Health chiefs have absolutely ruled out any move to build six massive 'primary
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Missing dad found safe in St Annes
A MISSING Glasgow man whose mobile phone was found under a Blackpool pier has been found safe and well in St Annes. Father-of-one Robert Reid, 46, was at the centre of a massive police hunt after disappearing from his home in Ruchills, Glasgow on April
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Crowds protest over South Shore scheme
MORE than 100 people attended a packed meeting on Tuesday to protest against plans for a new supported housing scheme in Clare Street, Blackpool. Community leaders say that the area is already suffering because of two other housing schemes on nearby Alexandra
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Jubilant end to fundraiser
JUBILANT Magic Eye Appeal organisers today issued a final last thank you to generous East Lancashire folk as they begin to wind-up the fundraising for the scanner appeal. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph is proud to announce that a final total of £330,000
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Brother's Saudi bomb shock
THE brother of a Blackburn man living in Riyadh has spoken of his shock at hearing of the bombings in the Saudi capital. Rasheed Riaz, a former lecturer at Blackburn College, moved to Riyadh in September 2001. He was joined last year by his wife and three
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Joy of civic year
BLACKBURN'S annual mayor-making ceremony takes place tonight. David Higgerson spoke to Tony Humphrys about his year with the mayoral chains around his neck. AS the annual mayor-making takes place tonight, Tony Humphrys prepares to see his picture join
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Bid to stop pool perverts
MOBILE phones that take pictures have been banned from leisure centres over fears they could be used by paedophiles to take snaps of youngsters. Council bosses in Blackburn with Darwen have placed a temporary ban on the phones while they review their
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Double take
HOW many drivers travelling along Wigan Road, Atherton, at 8.50am every day do a double take just past The Royal? There's a lad who stands at the nearby bus stop opposite who bears a resemblance to top St Helens comedian Johnnie Vegas. It's not just me
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Keep Smiling!
A MESSAGE on a wayside pulpit read "If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours." One Leigh Linkliner who tried it was asked by a sullen youth what was so funny and two teenage girls totally blanked her. I've tried it too, mostly at people
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My ugly washing line...
THE heavy rain after all that dry weather has caused me a heap of trouble. It found a fault in the roof and water poured in behind curtains in the spare room which conveniently cover my glory hole. Loud drips lead to the discovery of water running along
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Record breaking 400m performance
I WAS impressed by Leigh Harrier Tashon Gallagher's recent record breaking 400m performance -- without spikes. Wearing just trainers the unserious but very gifted 16-years-old Lowton sprinter took the club's 12 year old record in 53.4sec, and doubled
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A funny thing
THE next production to be staged at the Playhouse Theatre, Market Street West, Preston, is the comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, by Preston Drama Club, from May 28-31. Tickets are £4 to £5 on 01772 744771.
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John has his eye on you
COMEDY fans can catch John Shuttleworth when his Pillock of the Community tour comes to the Charter Theatre, Preston. Familiar now for his television series, 500 bus stops, punk fans will remember him as Jilted John for his hit single Gordon is a Moron
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Farmers can't face new crisis
AFTER the nightmare ravaging of East Lancashire farms in the foot and mouth disease epidemic two years ago, it should, surely, be expected that every effort is being made to prevent them suffering another cattle plague. But, as is chillingly indicated
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Juniors are Real deal!
REAL Juniors were just one of the star teams on show at Witton Park when the Blackburn and Darwen Junior League held its end of season cup finals. For Real Juniors won the under nines Knockout Cup competition with a narrow 1-0 win against Blackburn Town
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Baynes is the man of moment
CRAIG Baynes proved to be the 'right' man for Baileys FC with the only goal of the game from his trusty 'standing' leg! Left-footed Baynes was in the right place at the right time when he prodded home from close range with his least favoured right foot
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Town criticism unbelievable
I COULDN'T believe my eyes when I read Mr Lee Richardson's criticism of Darwen people (Letters, May 5). Yes, we have vandalism, but doesn't every town these days, including Blackburn? Darwen is a lovely town, has a thriving community and is very friendly
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Support for MP is shameful
PARVAIZ Awan should be ashamed to even suggest that George Galloway should stand in Blackburn (LET, May 7). After all, Galloway is a man who openly applauded Saddam Hussein's 'courage.' Courage for what? -- killing thousands of his own people? Parvaiz
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Banned, by left wing misfits
THE well known entertainer and philosopher, Mr Bernard Manning, is now persona-non-grata in Burnley (LET, May 6). Mr Manning is an elderly old age pensioner trying to supplement his meagre pittance by giving the occasional performance and in so doing
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Cut the mustard
IT'S time to cut the sartorial mustard and reload your social life with a Matrix night at Blackpool rock venue, The Tache. Matrix Reloaded Zion Night has been organised for May 23 by Odeon Blackpool and Twisted clothes at Market Street, Blackpool. The
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French tale of the unexpected
CAMILLE'S central character, Marguerite Gautier, Paris' finest lady of the night, starts off as an almost perfect woman but rapidly declines to a pale shadow of what people expect of her. But Lyric Hammersmith Theatre's production of the play -- at The
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Body found in burned car
MYSTERY surrounds the discovery of a man's body found close to a burning car in Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley. Detectives are appealing for help from the public following the grim discovery on Moss Lane. Emergency crews were called to the scene -- just off
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'I couldn't save him'
A RETIRED council worker today described how he fought desperately to save a farmer's life following an horrific collision between a train and a Land Rover. Ken Dickinson battled in vain alongside police by giving the injured victim mouth to mouth resuscitation
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Centurions on full alert for Featherstone backlash
LEIGH Centurions have been put on full alert for a Featherstone Rovers backlash. In-form Leigh ran up a half century of points against Rovers at Hilton Park in last Sunday's National League One fixture and by a quirk of fate the same two teams meet again
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Rovers in for Amoruso
BLACKBURN Rovers are closing in on a deal for Rangers centre-back Lorenzo Amoruso. As I understand it, a fee in the region of £1.25 million has been agreed between the two clubs following a dramatic U-turn by the Scottish giants. And Rovers have been
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United sign for school
A PRESTON school is onto a winner with its latest fund-raising venture. For the top draw at St Pius X School's annual summer ball was a Manchester United shirt signed by all the squad, including David Beckham. The shirt was auctioned off at the ball which
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Right up Preston's Street ...
PRESTON -- its plentiful shopping areas, stylish dockland and glorious parks -- is to star in its own television commercial. The advertisement, which aims to capture the city's best side, was being shot around Preston and will be shown during the interval
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Cowgirls to gallop off
WOMEN workers dressed as cowgirls are getting ready to take the reins for this year's Race for Life. Female employees from the Department for Work and Pensions in Lancaster Road, Preston, are getting on their marks and hoping to raise hundreds of pounds
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'Tough guy' with a soft heart
'A TOUGH man in the ring, but soft on the inside,' -- those are a son's moving words about his former boxing champion father who died this week at his Preston home. As a renowned Irish boxing champ Maurice Loughran, of Sulby Drive, Ribbleton, was well
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Farewell for bin man Eric
BURNLEY town centre almost ground to a halt yesterday when a procession of more than 20 vehicles formed a funeral cortege for a much loved bin man. Road sweepers and bin wagons were among the vehicles which attended the final farewell for Eric Saporiti
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Nurse becomes new first citizen
BURNLEY'S new mayor was handed the chains of office at a ceremony in Burnley Town Hall yesterday. Dignitaries gathered underneath the splendour of the Burnley Council chamber ceiling to hear Brunshaw councillor Lilian Clark being sworn in as mayor for
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Shirtless dad in rumpus outside nightspot
A HALF-NAKED father of four involved in an early hours street rumpus threatened to kill nightclub doormen, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how George Wray, 42, said he was going to get a gun and ended up being arrested after clenching his
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Killer's 'trance' claims disputed
CLAIMS that a Burnley woman was in a depressed and suicidal trance when she shot her husband's mistress dead in a beauty salon were dismissed by a psychiatrist giving evidence as part of an Old Bailey murder trial. Prosecution consultant psychiatrist
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It's all chains at town hall
COUNCILLOR Gordon Birtwistle today issued a heartfelt thanks to the people of Burnley who helped him raise an unprecedented amount during his year as mayor. Coun Birtwistle spoke out as he handed over the chains of office to new Mayor, Coun Lilian Clark
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Druge raid cops make arrest
AMPHETAMINES and can-nabis resin have been seized during a police raid on a Morecambe address. Acting on intelligence from local people, Sgt Nigel Bywater led a specialist team to a Hornby Terrace property to execute a drugs warrant at 10.30am last Friday
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Prosecution sums up in murder trial
A JURY was reminded yesterday of the bizarre events surrounding the murder of a witchcraft enthusiast whose body was found on moorland above Cornholme last year. Wiccan follower James Bowman, 44, was brutally bludgeoned to death on September 15 last year
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Three agendas at Dukes
THREE films with very different agendas will be screened at the Dukes next week. From Monday to Thursday, 'Auto Focus' (18) tells the story of Californian DJ Bob Crane, who becomes a star off the back of US sitcom Hogan's Heroes. He hooks up with techno
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Court jails robber gang
ARMED robbers have been jailed for a total of 38 years for violent attacks at post offices around the country, including Morecambe and Heysham. During their six-month spree until May 2002, the Liverpool gang netted more than £140,000 during 12 armed raids
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John is new first citizen
CANCER sufferers and head injury patients have been put at the top of the list by Lancaster's new Mayor. Coun John Gilbert was officially appointed yesterday (Wednesday) in a ceremony at the Town Hall. He says he is 'thrilled' to be the city's new first
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Ladies on stage for charity
NELSON Civic Ladies Choir hope to be in good voice at the end of this month when they take to the stage with 10 other ladies choirs at a charity concert in Huddersfield. They join together to star in 'Songbirds' at Huddersfield Town Hall, on Saturday,
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Council in call for vigilance over BNP
PENDLE Council is expected to vote for a motion supporting continued vigilance and community cohesion, following attempts by the BNP to win seats on the council at the local elections. Liberal Democrat Councillor Alan Davies is being proposed as the council's
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Roads closed for procession
A NUMBER of temporary road closures will be in place in Nelson on Sunday to allow a procession organised by local Muslims to celebrate the birthday of The Holy Prophet. The following roads, or parts of them, will be affected from noon until about 2pm
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Change of colours
COLOURED cricket comes to Preston at the weekend when the South Meadow lane side take on Kendal in their first round match in the Thwaites Smooth Cup. Both teams will wear their own special coloured shirts and bottoms for the competition. It will be the
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Threads of the past go on net
A PAGE of pictures from Blackburn and Darwen's past -- each photograph a thread from the rich tapestry that forms their Cotton Town heritage. There's the spectacular fire in 1908 at Darwen's famous India Mill; the much-loved, now-gone Blackburn Market
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Tastes of the world on offer at fair
WORLD Fair Trade Day will be celebrated on Saturday with a free food fair in Colne. It will take place between 11am and 3pm on the market car park. Residents and visitors will be given the opportunity to taste some unusual foods and see some cooking demonstrations
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Burglar sneaked into shop through the loft
A THIEF who sneaked into a neighbouring shop through the loft escaped jail and was told he was a lucky man. Burnley Magistrates heard how Timothy Slade, 23, helped himself to drink, cigarettes and cash. The defendant, of Cleaver Street, Colne, admitted
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Tastes of the world on offer at fair
WORLD Fair Trade Day will be celebrated on Saturday with a free food fair in Colne. It will take place between 11am and 3pm on the market car park. Residents and visitors will be given the opportunity to taste some unusual foods and see some cooking demonstrations
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Burglar sneaked into shop through the loft
A THIEF who sneaked into a neighbouring shop through the loft escaped jail and was told he was a lucky man. Burnley Magistrates heard how Timothy Slade, 23, helped himself to drink, cigarettes and cash. The defendant, of Cleaver Street, Colne, admitted
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Five years ago
THE Church of the Latter-day Saints' Temple off the M61 at Chorley opened its doors for the first time. Rumoured to have cost £150 million the temple was open to the public for a fortnight but then closed to all except church members.
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Clothes for kids
THE Parent Teacher Association of Queen's Drive County Primary School, Black Bull Lane, Fulwood, Preston, is holding an ex-chainstore children's wear sale on Wednesday, May 21, at 7pm. Tickets are £1 and available on the door.
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Business owners to meet contractors
OWNERS of small businesses hit by major sewer works in Leigh will on Friday meet contractors to discuss their plight. United Utilities have agreed to attend a face-to-face discussion with traders in Wigan Road and Leigh Road, who fear that the closure
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New Mayor
ELDER statesman Cllr Wilf Brogan on Wednesday became Mayor of Wigan and immediately started raising funds for a rapid response ambulance. Cllr Brogan, who represents Worsley Mesnes, became the borough's 31st mayor. He is a freeman with over 36 years public
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Transport of delight!
PUPILS boarded a supersonic bus for a learning trip on transport. Leigh Central Primary School children took a fun look at the topic as part of a programme of projects designed to raise awareness of the issue. Actress Clare McGlinn led two days of interactive
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Gas pipe plans will cause disruption
TRANSCO engineers are gearing up to move into Leigh and Atherton to carry out work on upgrading the gas supply system. The gas pipeline company has unveiled plans for a number of projects across the area, which will see many kilometres of iron gas mains
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Lesley's tireless work for baby charity
WHEN mum-to-be Lesley Wardle developed the life threatening condition pre-eclampsia her baby was induced three months prematurely. Luckily both mum and baby, Charlotte, survived, and for eight years since that fateful day Lesley has thrown herself into
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Need a chemist?
CHEMISTS on duty on Sunday, May 18, are: Moss Side Pharmacy, Dunkirk Lane, Leyland, 10am-2pm; Boots, Fishergate, 10.30am-4.30pm; Moss Chemists, Asda, Fulwood, 10.30am-4.30pm; The Pharmacy, Sainsburys, Deepdale, 10am-4pm, Boots Pharmacy, Deepdale Retail
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Delighted to get the call
A FORMER Clitheroe newsagent Alan Yearing was installed as the new Ribble Valley mayor. Coun Yearing and his wife, Susan, received their chains of office at a ceremony in the council chamber. They were chosen after mayor-elect Frank Goss lost his seat
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Pollution spill 'probably detergent'
ENVIRONMENT bosses have said a pollution spill that left a 50 metre stretch of the River Calder in Whalley covered in white foam was probably caused by detergent. Pollution inspectors were called to the River Calder late on Thursday after a white frothy
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We will keep on working
THE main thing independent councillors have in common is their wish to give something back to the community. They have no masters tucked away in London and are free to act independently. We had a great team of candidates with this view at local elections
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MP backs scrapping of varsity tuition fees 'tax'
EAST Lancashire Tory MP Nigel Evans has backed his party's new policy of scrapping tuition fees for university students which he said would save hundreds of local families thousands of pounds. Commenting on the new initiative unveiled by Opposition Leader
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If you think this is bad you should try Rhyl
I WAS neither hurt nor offended by the letter headed 'Morecambe really has had its day' (Citizen, May 1). I was, though, somewhat saddened. Can the writer really believe that Manchester is preferable to Morecambe? I left Manchester for Morecambe in 1978
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School Rap tour's sound message...
SOME of Britain's biggest pop acts cut their teeth performing in East Lancashire before hitting the big time. Atomic Kitten, Robbie Williams, Louise Nurding, B*Witched ... and the Barndance Boys? Hundreds of high school pupils around East Lancashire are
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Who is the real Scrooge?
AFTER reading several letters from the 'Friends of Heysham' in Citizen about car boot sales in the village, we two residents feel we must reply. Our first question is why do the 'Friends' always wish to remain anonymous when writing letters and our second
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Farms fear TB plague
A FARMER today issued a warning about a rise in tuberculosis among cattle and said it could prove more devastating than the foot and mouth epidemic. Lancashire chairman of the National Farmers' Union Thomas Binns, 39, of Heckling Farm, Downham, called
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Game over while fans are arriving!
A WOEFUL batting performance by Blackpool at Stanley Park saw Chorley win the Northern Premier League clash comfortably by eight wickets. The game was over six minutes after four o'clock with some spectators still arriving as Blackpool were humbled for
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Reason for hope for everyone at Ewood
I WRITE this in a traffic jam on the way from White Hart Lane. What a great finish to the season. Graeme Souness and his team really deserve their - and our - success - not least because Rovers cannot compete with the resources available to the big city
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Veteran athlete Avril leads record breakers
LOCAL athletes scooped 12 golds, three silver and six bronze medals - plus 10 personal best performances - in the Lancashire AAA Championships at Stanley Park, Blackpool, at the weekend. Top performer among the Lancaster and Morecambe Athletics Club team
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Seasiders go out quietly
THE first week of the close season has passed off quietly at Bloomfield Road -- with transfer speculation filling the void left by the lack of news. Barnsley striker Mike Sheron -- a Pool target in the past -- is the main name in the frame after being
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I'm going to be backing Brett all the way
THIS Saturday I'm going to become a Southampton fan for the day. That's right! Me, my grandad, and a couple of my mates are heading down to Cardiff to cheer on the Saints in the FA Cup final. And so will half of Great Harwood by the sounds of it to show
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International stars in Leigh
LEIGH Folk Club welcomes a group of international recording stars on May 23. Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies will take the stage at Leigh Conservative Club, Railway Road, Leigh, at 8.15pm. Their latest album Honesty Box, their 13th, was voted one of the
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Taverners' treat for schoolkids
THREE specially adapted minibuses were handed over to north-west special schools by a charity fund-raising organisation this week. The Lady Taverners invited 300 children with special needs to the pleasure beach to a special day at Blackpool Pleasure
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Royal Marine Eric keeps head down
BRITAIN'S most famous helmet has made it back to Britain as its soldier owner returned home to the Fylde coast from Iraq last week. An image of Fleetwood Royal Marine commando Eric Walderman, 25, sporting a bullet-ridden helmet was beamed around the world
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Festival extends deadline
LANCASTER'S first film festival is stir-ring up so much interest that organ-isers have extended the time for people to enter. The new deadline will be Friday, May 23, it has been revealed. "We have had a huge response and are getting about four entries
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Morgan's League
Leigh Miners 216, Gardeners 202; Leigh Bowling A 206, Botanical Gardens 210; Tamar 238, Morgan's B 197. Catholic League Pennington C 110, SHHG 'B' 157; Our Lady 133, St Richard's 166; Leigh Caths 140, St Joseph's 139; SH Leigh 158, Westleigh Caths 140
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GOLBORNE UNDER 15'S v. ADLINGTON UNDER 15'S
Golborne ease home GOLBORNE CC's U15s first home match of the season saw them entertain Adlington, who won the toss and elected to bat. They found scoring difficult, however, but managed to reach 34 before the fall of the first wicket in the 10th over
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Hannah wins her first county title
AT the Greater Manchester Track and Field Championships at Longford Park on Sunday, 12-year-old, Hannah Warburton ran a National Grade 1 Standard. Running in the Girls U13 1200mts, Hannah ran a super race to win her first Championship title in a time
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Batsmen fail after bright start and dropped catches prove vital
Leigh strike back after shock defeat IT was a weekend of mixed fortunes for E.D.S. Leigh with a shock defeat away to newly promoted Huyton followed by an excellent win in the National Knockout competition against strong Northern League opponents Chorley
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Davis sees the Light
SUNDERLAND are leading the chase for former Burnley captain Steve Davis. The centre half is believed to have been targeted by manager Mick McCarthy as the Black Cats chief looks to mount a swift return to the Premiership. McCarthy has admitted he is keen
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Getting the blues at the Raikes
GET ready to rock the house at Tower Blues at The Raikes, Blackpool. The Liverpool Road pub plays host to Staffordshire-born Les Wilson and The Mighty Houserockers -- whose self-professed 'manic slide and raucous guitar licks' owe much to the blues and
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Pure magic
MAGICAL mystery, fantastic vocals and intricate illusions... Mystique is back at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach this weekend and the line-up is looking hotter than ever. Master illusionist -- Richard de Vere -- says this year's show, which is set to start
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School cash boost
STAFF at a village school are celebrating a cash boost for the second successive year, as reward for good teaching and commitment. Teachers at Tockholes Primary have received a School Achievement Award worth £1,750 for their dedication to raising standards
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Stolen flag blow could hit a proud tradition
DARWEN Scout leaders today warned a 90-year-old tradition could be in jeopardy after thieves made off with a Union flag on St George's Day. The future of the town's flag ceremony, which this year involved more than 450 Scouts and Guides, is uncertain
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Suicide husband suspected wife affair
A WOMAN who lost a daughter and her husband in the space of a month was asked if she had driven him to suicide by having an affair with a computer repair man. An inquest into the death of George Davies heard that the school lollipop man was found hanging
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Summer Fayre
A SUMMER Fayre will open at Christ Church School, West Bridgewater Street, Leigh, at 12.30pm on July 5.
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Crime meeting
A MEETING is being held to discuss Golborne and Lowton youth crime. Members of the public are invited to discuss youth crime matters with a panel of professionals from Greater Manchester Police, local councils, and Community Safety. The meeting will be
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Residents urged to get smart to pay bills
HOUSEHOLDERS in Rossendale are being urged to save themselves time and trouble by signing up to the recently introduced Allpay smartcards to pay Town Hall bills. The free swipecards allow payment of rent and council tax at post offices and retail outlets
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Have your say on local crime
RESIDENTS are invited to have their say on police and crime and disorder issues at the next Leigh Public Voice on Policing meeting on May 21 at 7.30pm in Leigh Town Hall. It is part of Greater Manchester Police Authority's new style of public consultation
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Apartments plan for derelict mill
A DERELICT mill could soon receive a new lease of life in a bid to boost Rawtenstall town centre. Plans to transform Ilex Mill, Bacup Road, into 94 apartments have been submitted to Rossendale Council. Under the plans, a two-storey wing of the empty mill
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Attracting wildlife
ASTLEY WI learned of the extensive work going on to attract wildlife to the area. Mark Champion from the Wildlife Trust spoke on "The Countryside Around Wigan" highlighting the work to create reedbeds. The competition "Your Favourite Wild Animal" was
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Learning centre opens
A SATELLITE learning centre has taken off in Tyldesley. The training HQ for social services users and carers was opened at Fourways Centre by Geoffrey O'Donoghue, north west director of the Campaign for Learning. The new facility is one of several planned
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Scally reunited with owner
A LOST elderly whippet picked up by a pet charity in Git Pit village last month has been reunited with his owner -- thanks to the Journal. The brindle dog, nicknamed Scally, who was fostered by Lowton couple Arthur and Angela Gore, is actually called
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WINNERS - Charlotte Lownes and Chelsea Staunton.
DISCO queen Charlotte Lowndes has danced off with her third successive British title. The nine-years-old Lowton St Mary's schoolgirl, the daughter of proud parents Owen and Jocelyne Lowndes, of Leigh, also collected the slow dance section for the second
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Proud? Not!
ON a recent visit to Manchester I was surprised and pleased to find that the city had cleaned up its act. New, interesting, innovative buildings and sculptures are in abundance. Clean, well sign-posted streets and a fine inner city transport are also
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Jack is a winner for the Harriers
TALENTED nine-years-old Jack Castledine is a lad ahead of his years. An athlete, musician and gifted IT designer Jack has created a winning website for Leigh Harriers. The middle distance runner transposes coach Joe Galvin's e-mails and posts them on
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Factories in the frame
OVER the years, some of the city's most impressive buildings have been destroyed, both accidentally and on purpose. I have dedicated the last 30 years taking photographs of the city to preserve for posterity. Some of my favourite buildings include factories
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Keep on runnin'
A BIGHEARTED Bispham man has raised an amazing £14,000 for charity while keeping fit. Dad-of-one Carl Barnard, 39, of Linden Place, Bispham, loves running and figured he may as well get sponsored and fund-raise at the same time. He reckons he's amassed
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Toddlers tumble for a fitter life!
TODDLERS at one Blackpool playgroup have found a way of keeping fit and happy -- yoga! For the past few weeks, three and four-year-olds at St John Vianney Playschool, Glastonbury Avenue have been enjoying regular yoga lessons. British Wheel of Yoga instructor
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Pervert alert
POLICE are once again urging parents to be on their guard following a string of sex crimes against Blackpool schoolgirls. As reported in The Citizen last week (May 8), officers issued the warning after three separate incidents where a sex pervert exposed
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A girl with real star quality
A BLACKPOOL youngster will prove she's got stars in her eyes when she appears on prime-time television this Saturday night as Olivia Newton-John. South Shore starlet Cassie Spinks, 16, will emerge like greased lightning from the smoky doors of ITV's Stars
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Coroner's concerns at inquest
A CORONER has ruled that a male nurse committed suicide by injecting a lethal cocktail of drugs by intravenous drip. Robert Varma, 32, was found lying dead on a bed at his semi-detached home in Lodge Court, Staining, on December 24, after his ex-girlfriend
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It's time to get Paul released
A LEADING human rights activist has urged MPs to help fight for the release of a Fylde sailor "forgotten" during a mass royal pardon which released four Britons from Moroccan prisons. Director of pressure group Fair Trials Abroad, Stephen Jakobi, says
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Husband 'thought stabbed wife was scratched'
A DETECTIVE has denied trying to kill his cheating wife after he discovered her affair with an old flame she traced through Friends Reunited. Hugh Needham, formerly of Blackburn, who plunged a razor-sharp knife four inches into 37-year-old Laura Needham's
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Ormerod flying flag for East Lancs
BRETT ORMEROD has admitted that the traditional FA Cup final nerves are affecting his fans more than him. The 26-year-old will welcome an army of supporters from East Lancashire on Saturday to cheer him on as he leads the line for Southampton against
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Bust up over sanctions
ALAN E Hughes' anti-Americanism is all too widespread in this country, being shared by the extreme Left and those who resent the fact that the United States has taken on the role that was filled until 1939 by the British Empire. International Law's only
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Jubilee jeopardy
I AM writing to express my concerns about the proposed development of Jubilee Gardens and encourage other residents of Cleveleys and surrounding areas to voice their opposition. After some thought and discussion with neighbours I would like to raise the
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Brown issues warning to players
IT might be all quiet on the pitch, but Preston boss Craig Brown faces a busy summer behind the scenes as he plots a promotion pushing new season. He has waved his squad away on their summer break, but warned them not to go over the top as they unwind
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Porsche driver lacks style
I WAS behind a posh two years old grey metallic Porsche Carrera in a regularly encountered queue waiting for the lights at Lovers Lane, Atherton, to change. The laid back driver, who was smoking and dangling his arm out of the window, finished his fag
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Dad was deflated by lack of spare
PEOPLE who have bought a new Rover recently should check if they've got a spare wheel and jack. Buyers don't automatically get one! My dad fell for a marque three weeks ago and has just discovered the boot is empty -- apart from an emergency spray to
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What's on...
A LOOK at what's on around the area. CARLETON LEARN to be at one with yourself at Carleton Yoga Circle every Tuesday evening at Carleton Memorial Hall, Moorfield Avenue. The class starts at 7.15pm and is mixed age, mixed ability and for both men and women
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Man killed in steam train crossing accident
A RETIRED council worker has described how he fought desperately to save a motorist's life after an horrific collision between a train and a Land Rover on the East Lancashire railway line. Ken Dickinson battled in vain alongside police to save the man's
