Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Wednesday, Date: May 21
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn Cathedral Drama Group present "The Women Who Would Be Clever," Blackburn Cathedral, 7.30pm. Life Drawing Class, Mid Pennine Art Gallery, Yorke Street, Burnley
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Help, I'm stuck in a bin!
A MAN used his mobile phone to call firefighters to the rescue after getting trapped inside a clothing recycling bin. The man, thought to be in his early 20s, had been trying to remove clothing from the bin in the car park at Tesco, Hill Street, Blackburn
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Builder's success, then drinks ban
A SUCCESSFUL business meeting turned sour for self-employed builder Stephen Griffiths when he was breathalysed on his way home. Blackburn magistrates heard that Griffiths had since been told that he had got the work but realised that he would be losing
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Rovers pitch in to help reading scheme
BLACKBURN Rovers are helping a revolutionary reading scheme. Along with other Premiership clubs, Rovers' education department has implemented the League's Reading Stars scheme to encourage adults and children to learn to read. The club will provide prizes
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Still strong 40 years on
BLACKBURN'S Gilbert and Sullivan Society is celebrating 40 years of success tonight at their 40th AGM. Back in 1964 their first-ever production, of the popular operetta The Gondoliers, was staged and the society has been performing to much acclaim ever
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Stage Whispers
ALAN Ayckbourn fans are in for a double treat. The Rossendale Players are presenting the acclaimed playwright's Confusions at Rossendale's New Millennium Theatre from June 7-14 (except Monday, June 9) at 7.30pm. Call 01706 228720. Meanwhile Farnworth
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Clever adaptation of Moliere's gem
THE Woman Who Would be Clever, an adaptation by Keith Banks of Les Femmes Savantes by Moliere, will be presented by the Blackburn Cathedral Drama Group this week. The original play was written in 1672 as a satire against the pedantic women of the age
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Yet another stupid idea
I'M shocked at the tactics of our great council once again by their flooding of the streets with parking meters. I'm sure there won't just be me who refuses to feed these things so who will lose out? The local shops of course. Just the latest in a long
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Soothing sounds of music to sooth cancer patients
CANCER patients will be able to relax to the sound of music thanks to generous Asda customers. Shoppers raised £120 in two recent raffles at the Bury store - for prizes of a mountain bike and a bunny donated by Asda. The money has been used to buy five
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Council out of touch with public
I WOULD like to know why the council has decided to cancel the visit to Burnley Mechanics of Bernard Manning (LET, May 6). I wasn't aware that we had a board of censorship here. And why was he engaged in the first place? The director of community and
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Race laws gag free speech
A LETTER to the Anti Nazi League and their supporters. You call supporters and members of the BNP "racist scum." Let's look at what you have created. It is your ilk that has created the curtailment of the freedom of speech via the race acts. No consultation
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One stop autograph shop!
CELEBRITY fans can indulge their passion for autograph-hunting on a grand scale at a new shop in Bury. Celebrity Gallery, which opened on The Rock this week, features all sorts of rare memorabilia. Shop partners Janice Percy and Alison Sharples -- who
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Red Sun rises in Ramsbottom
KARATE champion Jason Greensmith is about to open his own martial arts academy, thanks to the support of local businesses. Jason, a former British champion and member of the Red Sun Karate centre in Bury, has opened his own centre, Ramsbottom Red Sun
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Lupus group meets
THE next meeting of a support group for lupus sufferers will be held tomorrow (Weds) from 1.30pm to 3pm at MP David Chaytor's offices at 14a Market Street, Bury. The speaker will be lupus specialist nurse Jo Shelmerdine. Lupus (SLE) is an auto-immune
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Tottington are the tops!
TOTTINGTON High School pupils have scored triple sporting successes. The year eight hockey team (pictured right) has notched up its own treble winning the Bury Year Eight League, the Year Eight Rally (jointly with Bury Grammar School) and the Knockout
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Thanks Dad, says Victoria
A DAD'S interest in his daughter's school has resulted in a £250 boost. Robert Grindrod is working as treasurer for the Sports Hall Appeal at daughter Victoria's school, Bury Church of England High School. And his bosses at Royal Bank of Scotland have
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Sick miners urged to claim
MINERS who believe their health has suffered due to their work are being urged to claim before it's too late. The Government has announced that the British Coal Respiratory Disease Scheme will close on March 31 next year. Energy Minister Brian Wilson
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Celebrating equality and diversity
STUDENTS at Bury College took part in a competition to raise awareness of equality and diversity throughout the centre. Spot the Celebrity Face challenged them to name more than 100 celebrities and create their own equality statement, using no more than
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Pudding throwing threat?
THE World Black Pudding Throwing Championship is under threat after the closure of a Ramsbottom pub. The competition, which dates back to the 1850s, has been held at the Corner Pin in Stubbins for many years. Competitors gather from across the world and
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Rail plans don't make sense!
A CAMPAIGN to gain investment for a major upgrading of Greater Manchester's rail system has been dealt a blow by the boss of the Strategic Rail Authority. Euro MP Chris Davies has been told by SRA chief executive Richard Bowker that the proposals of Greater
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Rovers unveil prices
BLACKBURN Rovers have announced a small increase in season ticket prices ahead of next season. A standard ticket on the Blackburn End will increase by £1 per game next term to £385 for adults. However, given the fact there will be an increase in the amount
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Illness forces mayor elect to step down
SOUTH Ribble's mayor elect, Councillor Jeff Knowles, will not be standing as mayor for the forthcoming year due to ill health. Coun Knowles, who is currently the borough's deputy mayor, has not been well for some time. His wife, Lyn, who was due to become
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Act of chivalry brings ban for driver
CHIVALRY led to a ban after a man driving a female guest home was found two and a half times over the limit. Anthony Durkin, 61, of Laithe Street, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol and not having insurance. He was fined £100, banned for two
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Cliviger Bulletin
THE annual meeting of the Village Hall committee was held recently, and elections were held for officers for the coming year. Mrs K Whittle continues as chairman and in her report she thanked the committee members for their continuing support. The annual
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At least it's not an animal incinerator!
PROTESTERS against a controversial animal incinerator have welcomed news that a recycling centre could be built on the land instead. Residents launched a furious campaign against plans to build an animal incinerator at the former Hapton Valley Colliery
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Young yobs force centre shutdown
A BURNLEY Wood drop-in centre used by pensioners has shut down after coming under repeated attack from vandals. Over the past few months wreckers have repeatedly targeted the building on recreation ground off Parkinson Street. The walls of the Over Fifties
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Tricksters prey on elderly people
POLICE in Pennine Division are urging vulnerable residents to be more vigilant after an increase in distraction burglaries. Elderly people, in particular, are being warned to keep their doors locked to strangers after a 91-year-old man had £20 stolen
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Dancers get in festival mood
YOUNG dancers from across Lancashire will converge on Colne next weekend for the annual Luther Greenwood Dance Festival. The popular two-day festival will be held in the Municipal Hall on Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1, starting at 9am both days
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So much to be proud of
EAST Lancashire has many claims to fame. People from across the region have been behind everything from the fountain at the Taj Mahal to the wrought iron gates at Downing Street. Here Donna McKenzie looks at ten things we should all be proud of and that
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Sexual tension reveals more than flesh
THE reputation of David Hare's The Blue Room for sex, sex and a bit more sex ensures it makes headlines wherever it goes. This production at the Lowry starring Tracy Shaw and Jason Connery features plenty of nudity, strong language and raunchy sex scenes
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Five years ago
PEOPLE looking to spend a penny were being left red-faced by a loony council blunder. Confusing new signs at the toilets in Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen, pointed in the wrong direction meaning many women had been using the gents'.
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Crash man's leg crushed
A MAN has undergone emergency surgery after crushing a leg when his van crashed into a lorry parked in a lay-by. Joseph Walsh, 32, of Stockport, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary following the accident on the A56 near Huncoat yesterday. The carriageway
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Battle to save park's conker trees
AN MP is backing a campaign to stop healthy trees being felled in a town where he used to collect conkers as a child. Hyndburn MP Greg Pole is alarmed at plans to chop down dozens of horse chestnut trees around the playing fields in Great Harwood Memorial
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Golden years of caring
HYNDBURN'S oldest charity, a support group for disabled people in the Accrington area, is celebrating a half-century of success with an appeal for more members and volunteers. The Inskip League of Friendship for Disabled Persons, the town's oldest organisation
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Fined bus companies appeal against decision
TWO bus companies fined thousands of pounds for running unreliable services have appealed against the decision. M&M Coaches and Pilkington's were fined 20 per cent of their fuel rebate -- money refunded by the Government to help pay for services.
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Fresh incentive from charity cash
A BURNLEY charity which helps unemployed people with learning difficulties back into work has been given a £1,000 boost. Fresh Fields Enterprises, based at Rosegrove Nurseries, Cemetery Lane, was presented with a cheque from the Abbey National charitable
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I want to stay
GARETH Taylor has ended speculation over his Burnley future by insisting he wants to sign a new deal. The Clarets striker, who has just one year remaining on his current contract, recently capped a memorable season by walking away with 11 trophies, including
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Culinary trips come to end in Lebanon
THE last thing you expect to find in a seventeenth-century Ribble Valley pub on a Wednesday night in May is a comic piano player, Lebanese cuisine and a belly dancer. But that is exactly what you'll find at the Aspinall Arms, Mitton, tomorrow. The night
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Gresko in cash row
VRATISLAV Gresko's move to Ewood is in danger of collapsing due to a row over pay. The Slovakian international is currently in dispute with Parma over what he claims are outstanding debts owed to him. And the 25-year-old has warned the Italian club that
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I want to stay
GARETH Taylor has ended speculation over his Burnley future by insisting he wants to sign a new deal. The Clarets striker, who has just one year remaining on his current contract, recently capped a memorable season by walking away with 11 trophies, including
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Heat on for trekkers
A DARWEN man is joining 60 charity walkers in a 100km trek across the Vietnamese jungles. Callum Rigby, 29, of Prospect Avenue, aims to raise £2,600 for the charity SCOPE, which helps children with cerebral palsy. Helen Smith, event fund-raiser, said:
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Screening service
AN annual cardiac screening service takes place on June 21 to detect heart abnormalities which endanger lives of young people. Cardiac Risk in the Young will offer ECGs to people aged 14 to 35 at Darwen Access Point, Duckworth Street. The day-long event
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Police on scent of drug haul
TWO police officers sniffed out a suspected cannabis factory - after noticing an unusual smell while chasing a burglar. It resulted in the recovery of 300 plants and hydroponic equipment from a house which appeared to be derelict in Blackburn Road, Darwen
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Lifeline honoured as Peter tops 100
A DARWEN blood donor living in New Zealand has been honoured for giving up hundreds of pints of his rare blood to help in life-threatening situations. Peter Barry, 69, moved to New Zealand in 1964 after 30 years in Darwen. Last week he made his 100th
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Owen in the hot seat with bid to restore pride
ROSSENDALE Council's new chief executive has started work with a pledge to restore the Valley's self-confidence while providing services that people could be proud of. Owen Williams, 34, is one of the youngest chief executives in the country and believes
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Consultation under way to shape town
COMMUNITY and voluntary groups are set to have more of a say in how Rossendale is run, according to a council report. The Rossendale Compact agreement is being drawn up between Lancashire County Council, Rossendale Borough Council and voluntary and community
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'Jealous' detective jailed for stabbing his wife
A 'JEALOUS' policeman who stabbed and nearly killed his wife after she had an affair with an old school flame traced on the Internet has been jailed for four years. The father-of-four, formerly of Blackburn, had repeatedly begged her to give their marriage
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Town's industrial heritage is saved
REMAINS of Blackburn's industrial heritage, discovered during building works for a new supermarket, have been uncovered and preserved for posterity by academics and photographers. Demolition experts, brought in to flatten the site of a late 19th century
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Cabs taken off road in safety blitz
ALMOST a third of private hire cabs stopped as part of a safety blitz were found to have potentially life-threatening faults, it was revealed today. And today firms were warned that if vehicles persistently fail in blitzes, licences for the entire company
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Fires still burn at site
FIRE crews were continuing to tackle small fires at an industrial unit after a massive blaze left a community shrouded in thick smoke for almost 24 hours. Pockets of fire remained at the site in Leamington Road, Blackburn, after firefighters spent the
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Shauna's giant step for charity
A WOMAN who was inspired by a fund-raising run to help tackle cancer is now preparing to take on the Great Wall of China. Shauna Murtagh, 23, of Monmouth Road, Intack, will trek 40 miles along the giant wall in October in a bid to raise £3,000. Shauna
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We have lots to be proud of
OUR Pride of East Lancashire campaign - the biggest-ever drive to win recognition for our region, its achievements and its unsung heroes - has got off to a fantastic start with backing today from Premier Tony Blair. But the Prime Minister is not the only
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Early prayers
PRESTWICH Methodist Church are hosting a Prayer Breakfast on Friday, May 30. Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South will be attending the meeting which will run from 9-10.30am.
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Book jogged happy memories
I HAVE just purchased a book of photographs taken by John Eddleston (who I believe is now in a retirement home in Southport). With the help of many people, including Peter Street who financed the book, a wonderful trip down memory lane began. We lived
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Maine Road finale
AS part of Manchester City FC's "End of an Era" celebrations, the Prestwich and Whitefield Supporters Club organised a Sportsman's Dinner. The supporters had to raise a substantial amount for charity with a creative idea -- and now they have won the chance
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Gouranga - be happy!
A NEW shop full of eastern promise has been given a civic send-off . Gouranga -- the word means "be happy"' - stocks furniture and artefacts from a range of countries including Bali, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and China. The new mayor, Councillor Wilf
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Meeting the needs of all
PATIENTS' different cultural and religious needs are to be highlighted at North Manchester General Hospital this week. The sessions are part of the trust's commitment to address the needs of all patients in the community. Individual speakers will cover
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Lifeboat supporters enjoy bumper fund raising year
THE Ramsbottom branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute has had a bumper cash raising year. The branch raised £3,572 over the last 12 months - an increase of £1,100 on the previous year. The branch says the extra money was raised because of extra
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Working men's club shuts down
RAMSBOTTOM Working Men's Club has closed after 120 years. A spokesman said the closure was due to a number of factors, including declining membership and loss of turnover. After facing the same threat in 1999, the club was kept going by members' donations
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Car crazy John's marathon dash
MARATHON runners have raised thousands of pounds to help terminally-ill children realise their final wish. Running for the Round Table Children's Wish charity Bury trio Ray Porter, Mark Simpson and John Francis pounded the streets of London to bring comfort
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Boards glad of a chance to show off
ALL Bury's local Area Boards are planning to showcase their successes and achievements and review priorities for the next 18 months. In a series of meetings and events to be held starting next week, the six Boards will be looking at the impact their own
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Honours boost for special nurses
NURSES and midwives across the district have been honoured for outstanding care in ceremonies to mark the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birthday. Honours boost for special nurses The events to honour staff at Pennine Hospitals NHS Trust were held
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Otters return to the rivers
OTTERS are returning to the North West on land from where they were driven nearly 50 years ago. The Environment Agency says areas inhabited by otters have increased five-fold in the last 25 years. Of 322 sites surveyed in the North West, 100 showed signs
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Fires still burn at site
FIRE crews were continuing to tackle small fires at an industrial unit after a massive blaze left a community shrouded in thick smoke for almost 24 hours. Pockets of fire remained at the site in Leamington Road, Blackburn, after firefighters spent the
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Blair backs our campaign
PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair today pledged his support for our Pride of East Lancashire Awards and applauded the spirit of the region's people. The awards, launched yesterday, are designed to acknowledge the area's fantastic voluntary heroes and organisations
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Village 'nets' a new computer
VILLAGE leaders trying to keep locals in touch with each other will now be taking to hyperspace in their mission. For the Affetside Society has been awarded an internet-ready computer plus one year's access to the internet. The high-tech hardware, given
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Cash boost
ROVERS could be in for an unexpected windfall this summer if reports linking James Beattie with a big-money move to Liverpool have any substance. Speculation in the national Press this morning claimed Beattie is on the brink of a £12 million switch to
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Gresko in cash row
VRATISLAV Gresko's move to Ewood is in danger of collapsing due to a row over pay. The Slovakian international is currently in dispute with Parma over what he claims are outstanding debts owed to him. And the 25-year-old has warned the Italian club that
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Future is bright at Ewood
BLACKBURN Rovers chief executive John Williams today said Rovers may have to become increasingly reliant on home-grown talent as football continues to feel the pinch financially. With all the uncertainty currently surrounding the economic state of the
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Pensioner found dead in smoky house
A BURNLEY pensioner was found dead at his home yesterday afternoon. The man, who has not been named, was said to have been found at his home in Towneley Street at 5.40 pm. Firefighters said they were called to the house by the man's son, who is thought
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Minister to prove a good sport
SPORTS Minister Richard Caborn will visit Burnley next month to take part in a sponsored fun day at a school. He will be visiting Padiham St Leonard's Primary School on June 9 to take in a SpeedMark event. SpeedMark organise sporting events that help
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Explosion probe
POLICE were today continuing to probe the cause of a massive explosion and fire which rocked a residential street in Burnley. Residents were evacuated and a bed-ridden pensioner rescued from her house following the blast in Marlborough Street earlier
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Skills in action
PEOPLE will be able to learn new skills while improving their environment - as well as enjoying special days out - during volunteer action days run by the Sustainability Action Partnership. They will run every Thursday in Burnley and anybody can take
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Brothers in yarns as ex-RAF man writes book
A FORMER serviceman is following in the footsteps of his younger brother by writing an autobiography about life in Burnley. James Cowell, 65, of Ightenhill Park Lane, is hoping his first book, entitled 'God Loves a Trier', will be a best seller and publishers
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Town hall rumpus over power sharing
LIBERAL Democrat councillors have written to Pendle Council's opposition leaders demanding they let them get on with running the council following a row between the parties over the allocation of seats on the executive committee. The rumpus over whether
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Accountants take over two practices
A BURNLEY firm of chartered accountants has taken over two neighbouring practices. Ashworth Moulds, of Nicholas Street, has absorbed the Colne firm of Stansfield Westmore and the Rawtenstall practice of Chris Harrison. While Mr Harrison will continue
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And hat's that for charity!
STAFF at Pendle Council will be raising money for charity this Friday - by wearing their favourite hat to work and making a donation to Macmillan Cancer Relief. Big-hearted staff will enter into the spirit of 'Wear a Hat to Work Day' at offices around
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MP's plea to speed up action on houses problem
MINISTERS have been told to speed up action to tackle East Lancashire's housing problems. Pendle MP Gordon Prentice kept up the pressure when he tackled local government minister Barbara Roache. He wants an early decision on the money needed for the newly-dedicated
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Blair backs our campaign
PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair today pledged his support for our Pride of East Lancashire Awards and applauded the spirit of the region's people. The awards, launched yesterday, are designed to acknowledge the area's fantastic voluntary heroes and organisations
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Ten years ago
EMMA Bromley used her loaf to win a national competition. The 18-year-old, from Keswick Drive, Cherry Tree, Blackburn, won the best loaf in a national bakery competition at Blackburn College.
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DJ pair take another step to stardom
TWO East Lancashire DJs are hoping they will take another step up the ladder to superstardom when they perform in Leeds this weekend. Since February, Jamie Harvey, 21, from Clayton-le-Moors and Danny Gardner, 22, from Accrington, have been hosting a weekly
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Seeds of success as recycling firm opens
A RECYCLING company set up with £500,000 of funding will open its doors to the public tomorrow as it is officially launched. Prosperity Recycling Limited started as an idea put forward by the Clayton-le-Moors Prospects Panel three years ago but only became
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Charity scheme back on track
A SHOPMOBILITY scheme is back on track after its second financial backer in 15 months pulled the plug on funding. And committee members of Accrington Shopmobility are now looking to secure funding to introduce a new support group for disabled people in
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Casper no-go
TERNENT has scoffed at suggestions that former Clarets defender Chris Casper is looking to resurect his career at Turf Moor. Casper, 28, who suffered horrendous leg injuries in a clash with Cardiff four years ago, had claimed Burnley had offered him the
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Still time to catch a pint
PUB owner Hervey Magnall is reminding real ale lovers they have just under a week left to indulge in the May Beer Festival at the Fisherman's Retreat in Lodge Mill Lane, Ramsbottom. During the Festival, which runs until May 26, thirty beers are available
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A dream comes true for Vincent
EIGHTEEN years ago Vincent Biriny, a bar manager in a Burnley pub, said to colleagues: "One day this will all be mine." And today it is! For Vincent, 44, is now the owner of The Coaching House in Glen View Road. His dream as bar manager in the early 1980s
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Beryl's gift
GRATEFUL mum Beryl Thomas helped raise £820 for Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital by running the London Marathon. Beryl, 52, of Hesketh Close, ran in angel wings for the neonatal department which saved her two twins after they were born ten weeks premature
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Walking, talking green events
DARWEN goes 'green' this week with a host of environmentally-friendly events. A talk on pollution and its impact is the first event, at the Barlow Institute tomorrow from 10am to noon. Members of the public will learn the importance of recycling, and
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'Go public' call in sex assault probe
A LEADING children's charity today called on Lancashire County Council to make public the findings of its investigation into how a helpline worker was able to groom a teenager. The NSPCC was backed by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, who urged the authority's
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Time running out to visit environment fair
A WEEK-long event to teach people about helping the environment is continuing in Ramsbottom. The Environment Week 2003, run by Bury Metro, finishes on Sunday. The aim of the week is to encourage people to do their bit for their environment. It will also
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Man faces charge of raping girl, 12
A 50 YEAR-OLD man allegedly raped a schoolgirl and also molested her friend, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how Alfred Scott, known to the two 12 year olds as 'Freddie', invited them into his shed in Haslingden, told them he had lots of sweets
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Suicide hotspot signs tell of help
SIGNS are to be placed at suicide hotspots urging people to seek help rather than take their own lives. The move is part of a range of measures being set up to try and reduce the number of people committing suicide in Lancashire. In 2000, 117 people committed
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'Surprise' at racial tension claim
BLACKBURN'S police chief today said he was surprised after one of Britain's most senior officers claimed racial tensions in the town were 'simmering'. Chris Fox, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, believes 'tidal waves' of immigrants
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Lib Dems will give part of rise to charity
LIBERAL Democrat councillors have pledged to give part of their increased allowances to charity after voting against a 3.5per cent rise. Seven of the nine Lib Dems on Blackburn with Darwen promised to give the extra to a needy cause -- and said in an
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Fires still burn at site
FIRE crews were continuing to tackle small fires at an industrial unit after a massive blaze left a community shrouded in thick smoke for almost 24 hours. Pockets of fire remained at the site in Leamington Road, Blackburn, after firefighters spent the
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Binmen learn to be wheelie polite
BINMEN are going on customer service lessons in a bid to reduce the number of complaints made about them. The 38-strong workforce will also be taught "conflict management" techniques after council bosses revealed bin crews were having to deal with increasingly
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IT JUST GETS BETTER
TOP-CLASS Bury has done it again with a glowing Ofsted report for its education department. The Local Education Authority (LEA), which runs all state schools in the borough, has been given a top-ranking Three-Star rating after a comprehensive assessment
