Archive
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Comic Bernard promises to be barrel of laughs
HE might be banned from Burnley but controversial comic Bernard Manning will be performing in Blackburn next week. Manning appears at Northbar in Town Hall Street on Thursday, June 5. The heavyweight comedian has been banned from bringing his controversial
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Pistols at ready in the battle of Hoghton Tower
MUSKETS were drawn for the battle of Hoghton Tower during a re-enactment of the American Civil War. More than 3,000 people watched an authentic taste of war at an event organised to bring history to life. A wild west show, New Orleans-style jazz band
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Police target 1,533 more cases
LANCASHIRE police must solve an extra 1,533 cases this year to meet a government target. The objective of a five per cent increase is part of a nationwide scheme to 'narrow the justice gap'. Almost 175,000 extra cases must be solved across the country
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They are the very models of the modern stage supporter
THREE members of Blackburn's Gilbert and Sullivan society were honoured last week to mark their 40 years service. Margaret Barnes and Richard Peacock were presented with their 40 year bar at the society's annual AGM at the Capita Building. Sandra Chadwick
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Law centre is now official
A CENTRE which gives free independent legal advice received a civic visit on Friday. Bury Law Centre in Knowlsey Street opened its doors in September but was "officially opened" by new mayor Councillor Wilf Davison. The Bury Law Centre specialises in
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Rubber band idea stretches it
I THINK Mrs H Hamer's suggestion (Letters, May 17) that our postmen adopt the Dutch post office's method of rubber band control and accounting is stretching things a bit far. I agree they should be flexible, but as a band, the postal workers union can
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Me and My Girl a first-rate show
WHAT a tonic it was to attend the production of Me and My Girl at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre by the Blackburn Amateurs. Amateurs? This was no amateur production. It was first-rate and I enjoyed it just as much as when I saw the Manchester show with Gary
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Grot-spots blitz long overdue
WHILE I admire and support the drive for a massive clean-up in Blackburn and Darwen (LET, May 21) it is not before time and long overdue. Council leader Bill Taylor proffers much in his statements on this clean-up, but it is high time that he and his
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God does not need our praise
I MUST reply to Mr L Lawes -- "Why does God need our praise?" (Letters, May 13). The answer, of course, is that God does not need our praise, nor anything else that human beings could give Him. His very nature as God means that He is capable of being
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Bloomin' great!
BURY'S new First Citizen got his mayoral year off to a bloomin' great start. For among the first appointments for the borough's new mayor, Councillor Wilf Davison, was a look around Barnfield Park greenhouses in Hilton Lane, Prestwich, to see for himself
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Carnival will be even better
RADCLIFFE Carnival is set for Saturday, June 7. The carnival has been held every year since the mid-1960s and this year organisers say it will be better than ever. The fun starts at 2pm on Saturday, June 7, when dozens of floats will parade through the
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World backs Bury
THE anti-smoking group ASH is celebrating a major step forward in the fight against tobacco. The group, which is based in Bury, has welcomed an announcement that all 192 member countries of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have unanimously adopted
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Heartbreak of ex-Clarets star
A FORMER Clarets favourite has spoken about the tragic death of his youngest son and said: "No words can describe the horrendous pain we're going through." Jonathon Waldron, 26, died after choking on food at his home in Italy. His death came a year after
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Cliviger Bulletin
LANCASHIRE Education Authority Pupil Access Officer for East Lancashire Paul Bainbridge addressed this month's meeting of Cliviger Parish Council. He spoke on the issue of secondary school places, which has caused great concern to parents in the area
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Heartbreak of ex-Clarets star
A FORMER Clarets favourite has spoken about the tragic death of his youngest son and said: "No words can describe the horrendous pain we're going through." Jonathon Waldron, 26, died after choking on food at his home in Italy. His death came a year after
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Ex-soccer ace Chris kicks off court fight
FORMER footballer Chris Casper, who is suing a fellow professional over a tackle which he claimed ended his career, will go to court next month. Burnley-born Chris, who starred in the same Manchester United youth team as David Beckham and Paul Scholes
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Stop scrambling or lose your bike
POLICE are warning motorcycle scramblers in Burnley that they risk having their bikes seized or facing a fine of up to £1,000. The move follows complaints by residents in the Kibble Bank and Clockhouse Estate area about motorcyclists driving irresponsibly
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Shakers all set for big kick off
SHAKERS will kick-off the new campaign with a packed pre-season programme. Bury's Premiership neighbours, Bolton Wanderers, will arrive at Gigg Lane on July 14 to start Shakers' five-match warm-up. Four days later, Preece's charges travel to Stainton
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Goal ace Newby could stay at Gigg Lane
BURY'S star striker Jon Newby may not be on his way out of Gigg Lane after all. The club's top scorer for the past two campaigns is currently out of contract and would have to accept a pay cut to remain a part of the Shakers set-up next season. He sparked
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Six arrests after gun incident
SIX men were due to appear in court in Burnley today charged in connection with a disturbance in Nelson on Saturday. The incident, involving around 25 Asian men, resulted in a 22-year-old man receiving two gunshot wounds. Police said the disturbance in
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New plan to consult the people
RESIDENTS in Pendle are going to be more actively involved in decision-making on issues affecting their lives in the borough. That is the aim of a proposed Community Involvement and Consultation Strategy being developed by the council. Jane Wright, of
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'People just do not understand'
COMMUNITY groups in East Lancashire cater for all kinds of people and situations. But those who are not affected themselves often have problems understanding why help is needed. For groups dealing with physical disabilities this is a particular problem
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Five years ago
AN old industrial site at Church became a battlefield for the filming of a drama about war. Accrington and Rossendale College students James Emmett and Martin Peacock produced the 15-minute film called King and Country.
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Terror raiders leave with nothing
TWO masked men forced their way into a house after knocking on the door but then left without stealing anything. The pair, who were wearing balaclavas, kicked the door open after it was answered by the occupant. They made a short search of the downstairs
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Meeting call over schools shake-up
ANXIOUS parents are demanding a meeting with council leaders in a bid to halt a far-reaching shake-up of Special Educational Needs (SEN), which threatens to close their school. North Cliffe, in Blackburn Old Road, Great Harwood, is one of three schools
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Minister will have final say on historic footpaths
THE Government is to have the final say over the proposed closure of a series of footpaths near a historic Ribble Valley hall. Oxendale Hall, at Osbaldeston, is owned by Jersey property and investment company Belmore Holdings, which wants to divert four
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Council doubles toilet cleaning budget
A COUNCIL is to spend £127,000 on keeping public loos spick and span. Ribble Valley Council's 24 public loos are being used by an increasing number of tourists during the summer and bank holidays. The council's community committee heard that vandalism
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Hi-ho, silver's yours for nothing
COUNCILLORS in Clitheroe have set up a committee to look at dishing out thousands of pounds worth of town hall silver. Clitheroe Town Council is offering 14 trophies and salvers worth from £300 to £3,000 each to schools and organisations - for free. The
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Defender Diallo to hold talks
DRISSA Diallo will hold make-or-break talks over his Burnley future this week. The French defender was one of the few success stories of Burnley's often-breached back line last season. Clarets boss Stan Ternent is desperate to fend off interest from Ipswich
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Jimmy must keep feet on the ground
DAVID Lloyd believes James Anderson's future will be even brighter if he remains level headed. The former Lancashire and England cricketer has been impressed by how the 20-year-old Burnley bowler has kept his feet on the ground throughout his meteoric
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Defender Diallo to hold talks
DRISSA Diallo will hold make-or-break talks over his Burnley future this week. The French defender was one of the few success stories of Burnley's often-breached back line last season. Clarets boss Stan Ternent is desperate to fend off interest from Ipswich
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Car key raid alert
DRIVERS are being warned to keep their car keys out of sight after a spate of 'unusual' break-ins in the Darwen area. Police said today break-ins to steal car keys were on the increase. Four valuable vehicles have been stolen in the past month as a result
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Attack teenager spared jail sentence
A TEENAGER who took part in attacks which left three men needing hospital treatment, has escaped a jail term for the assaults. Burnley Crown Court heard how Leon Felton, 19, then hooked on crack cocaine, had earlier been given community sentences for
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Hero Nigel plucks family from blaze
A YOUNG mum has praised a neighbour who became a hero for the second time in a month when he rescued her family from a blazing house. Anthea Parsons, 31, said rescuer Nigel Clegg was a "hero" who deserved to be heaped with praise for his brave actions
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Disabled services go online
DISABLED people living in Blackburn with Darwen can now apply for parking badges or bus passes online. The Blue Badge Scheme allows parking concessions for disabled people and is a national scheme administered by local councils. Those who may qualify
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Sex attack boy, 15 'a danger' to young girls
A BLACKBURN boy who sexually attacked and molested a teenage girl in an alleyway has been put behind bars. A judge told the fifteen-year-old he was a danger to young girls after hearing how he had groped his victim. The fourteen-year-old girl was so affected
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Schools: Leader unveils new ideas
STRUGGLING schools which are making little progress could be led forward by innovative new ways of working, Blackburn with Darwen Council Leader Bill Taylor has told the Government. Coun Taylor spoke at the Innovation Forum -- which aims to find new ways
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Danger homes wiring shock
EMERGENCY work is being carried out at dozens of former council homes after builders discovered potentially lethal lighting circuits. It is the second shock repair bill Twin Valley Homes has had to foot this year, coming just months after asbestos was
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Quake rescuers return home
RESCUE crews returning from earthquake-ravaged Algeria today appealed for help after their life-saving search dogs were put in quarantine for six months. The move came as the volunteers said it would be "beyond a miracle" to find anyone alive in the wake
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Pupils boost school funds
PUPILS at a local school are celebrating, after an idea they had resulted in a significant boost to their latest fundraising project. Tottington High School students have been working hard to raise the £50,000 they need to apply for specialist school
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Post offices won't be easy to save
AS the shake-up in the benefits system cuts over-the-counter payments, post offices are suffering a big loss of business. Across Lancashire, 3,000 could shut. Now, the County Council is calling for people to have a greater chance to object when their
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Child care lift from new deal
AN agreement that will raise the quality of child care in Blackburn and Darwen has been signed. The key agreement, between the Learning and Skills Council Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership will see
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Stage Whispers. . .
OSWALDTWISTLE Players have again scooped the NODA North West award for their striking poster designs. It is the third year in a row the players have won the trophy. The NODA North West awards ceremony was held in Blackpool. This year it was their poster
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BNP in touch with workers
WHY do people vote for the BNP? Perhaps a clue lies with the "banning of Manning" (LET, May 6). The Labour Party of old used to be made up of the kind of people who worked in the same mines, mills and factories as the white, working-class voters. These
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Crash woman still 'serious'
AN elderly woman involved in a car crash on an Atherton road is still in a serious condition in hospital. The 78-year-old woman, who is local but has not been named by police, was described as being in a "poorly" condition early on Tuesday after the crash
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Pupils boost school funds
PUPILS at a local school are celebrating, after an idea they had resulted in a significant boost to their latest fundraising project. Tottington High School students have been working hard to raise the £50,000 they need to apply for specialist school
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Hospital wait fury over Mavis's pain
A DISABLED woman is living in constant pain because a hospital staff shortage has prevented her getting the treatment she needs. Mavis Reeve, 66, has been registered disabled since 1985 with severe osteoarthritis and spondylitis, an inflammation of the
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Resigned to losing Dunn
ASTON Villa are all set to join the race for David Dunn after Rovers today admitted they are resigned to losing their star midfielder. Dunn's refusal to sign a new extension to his contract has already sparked a frantic summer chase for his signature.
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Mum got black eye in 'vicious' scuffle
A MOTHER-of-two suffered a black eye after her former long-time friend turned up at her home spoiling for an early hours punch up, a court was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how Wendy Green climbed out of the window into her back yard when mother of
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Visa joy for cyber sweethearts
A MAN who flew across the world to marry a woman he met on the internet is celebrating after learning his bride will be allowed to come to the UK. Stewart Hindle married cyber sweetheart Tina Evans in Hawaii earlier this year after a whirlwind romance
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Timetable talks on care home closures
TALKS have begun with residents in Lancashire's doomed care homes about when they will be closed and where the pensioners will be moved to. Lancashire County Council has held meetings at the care homes it plans to close in Burnley. It is more than a year
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Banned driver wins jail sentence appeal
A BANNED driver given a jail term by magistrates was given his freedom by a judge even though he said he had an "appalling record" for motoring offences. Clint Hird, 21, had been sent to custody for his fifth offence of driving while disqualified, Burnley
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Carnival will be even better
RADCLIFFE Carnival is set for Saturday, June 7. The carnival has been held every year since the mid-1960s and this year organisers say it will be better than ever. The fun starts at 2pm on Saturday, June 7, when dozens of floats will parade through the
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Earthquake rescue trio reunited with families
WE'RE so pleased you're home -- that was the message for three local firefighters when they returned to their families after searching for survivors in earthquake-stricken Algeria. Martin Fisher, from Radcliffe, and Ray Clift, from Little Lever, were
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Ten years ago
A BAKER became the first winner of a competition to find the best shop front in Rawtenstall. Schofield's confectioners of Bank Street, was awarded a framed certificate by Rawtenstall Civic Society.
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Kind weather a rare bonus
IN a break from tradition, the rain stayed away from yesterday's Great Harwood Agricultural Show. Around 7,000 visitors flocked to showground off Balfour Street for the 136th show, which included show jumping, owl displays, morris dancers, vintage vehicles
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MP joins charity trek across bay
AN ex-MP is to join current MPs in a sponsored walk to raise cash for a controversial pro-life lobbying group he chairs. Conservative Ken Hargreaves, a former Hyndburn MP and chairman of Right to Life, will join five politicians, including Ann Widdecombe
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Double assault to target grot spots
A WEEK long grot spot blitz in Great Harwood could be emulated across Hyndburn if it is successful, the borough council said today. Hyndburn's new mayor Coun Win Frankland said the spring clean, which involves residents taking an active part in cleaning
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Give more time on post closure plans
LANCASHIRE County Council has entered the fight to save urban post offices and demanded that people are given more time to oppose closures. The Post Office announced last year that it was reviewing its urban network to ensure it was viable for the future
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Elementary, it's a case of better study on the laptop
PUPILS at Stonyhurst College are to receive high-speed internet access, thanks to the boom in broadband. In the rooms where Sherlock Holmes creator Conan Doyle and his contemporaries carved their names on desktops, pupils will soon be plugging in their
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Festival ale still flowing
LANDLORD Bob Duckworth said that those who missed his beer festival over the Bank Holiday Weekend need not worry - there's still some quality ale left. Bob, landlord of the Camra award-winning Coal Clough pub in Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, used the festival
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Hotel is banking on cutting prices
THE OWNERS of the Bank Hotel in Blackburn have celebrated it becoming a freehouse by slashing the prices for a pint. Bar manager Stephen McDermott, 39, said that the Hope Street pub could now buy beer cheaper because it was now untied from the brewery
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Comic Bernard promises to be barrel of laughs
HE might be banned from Burnley but controversial comic Bernard Manning will be performing in Blackburn next week. Manning appears at Northbar in Town Hall Street on Thursday, June 5. The heavyweight comedian has been banned from bringing his controversial
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Resigned to losing Dunn
ASTON Villa are all set to join the race for David Dunn after Rovers today admitted they are resigned to losing their star midfielder. Dunn's refusal to sign a new extension to his contract has already sparked a frantic summer chase for his signature.
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MP bids to resolve sign wrangle
DARWEN MP Janet Anderson will this week speak to Highways Agency bosses about the M65 services sign change. Echoing the feelings of Darwen residents, the MP voiced her frustration on the length of time it has taken to sort out the problem. She said: "
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Music festival has 'em rockin'
THE streets of Darwen were packed as Darwen rocked to a two-day Bank Holiday music extravaganza, Darwen 2003: Keeping Music Alive Music. The market area, packed with more than 1,000 party people, erupted when chart-toppers, Bad Manners took the stage.
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Children set to learn wonders of life
CHILDREN at a school in Rossendale are preparing to learn about how their bodies work and how to take care of them, as well as about the dangers of drugs. Staff at St Joseph's Primary School, Stacksteads, are organising for the Life Education van to visit
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Amended plans for site received
PLANS drawn up by developers and campaigners for the controversial former Lea Bank School site in Rawtenstall have been received by the council. Campaigners have battled to protect the site for many years but planning permission was granted to Hurstwood
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Homes plan to woo doctors
PLANS to attract more doctors to Blackburn by building a mini-village of houses by Queen's Park Hospital will go before a council planning committee this week. The proposals would see 101 homes built on the hospital land to provide accommodation for junior
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Drunken driver 'behaved like an idiot'
A DRUNKEN driver told police he had behaved like a 'bloody idiot,' having collided with two vehicles and crashed into a garden fence. Martyn Whalley was at the wheel of his employer's car when the incident took place. And his boss went to Preston Crown
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School's finally out for Barbara after 39 years
TEACHER Barbara Watson is packing her books away after 39 years in teaching -- 31 of them at the same school. And Barbara has passed the teaching legacy on to her family. Her daughter is now teaching at the first school where Barbara first worked, and
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Row is re-ignited over plan for business park
A LONG-RUNNING row over plans for a business park in Guide has re-ignited, after planning permission granted after a Government inspector's inquiry expired. The controversial proposals for a mixed-use site between Haslingden Road and the two reservoirs
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Quake rescuers return home
RESCUE crews returning from earthquake-ravaged Algeria today appealed for a change in quarantine rules after their life-saving search dogs were impounded for six months. The move came as the volunteers said it would be "beyond a miracle" to find anyone
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Smith eager for new challenge
JONATHAN Smith is enjoying a well-earned break from football. But the Accrington Stanley defender admits he is relishing the start of the new season and his first taste of Conference football. "It's nice to have a break and re-charge the batteries after
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£3,000 boosts Lodge saviours
BURY West Area Board has provided extra funding to ensure a wildlife haven is preserved for local people to enjoy. Barracks Lodge was the centre of a community campaign to protect it from potential development and since then has been bought with the aim
