Archive
-
Date
Don't get taken in by half the picture
DON'T let the picture fool you. I am NOT smiling. It's got nothing to do with feelings that I might be losing my hair or that Eric the referee - despite being in his 50s - can sprint 50 yards quicker than I can, or for that matter than I ever could. The
-
Date
Coat in the act!
WHEN he was at school, Mick Dow was banned from wearing a parka. He explained: "The school thought we'd get knocked down crossing the road because we wouldn't be able to see any cars coming if we were wearing those coats, so the head banned them." It's
-
Date
Poverty could become academic asset
PROFESSOR Steven Schwartz, who is conducting a government inquiry into university admissions, sparked a national debate when he suggested social disadvantage and the type of school a pupil attends mean they go to university ahead of middle-class students
-
Date
Bury Sunday sixes
IN the Winners Cup, Veterans qualified from group A following three straight wins. Inter Cross went through from group B after three straight wins. From group C, Bury Bulldogs went through after three wins and best runner-up qualifier went to NUF FC after
-
Date
Roadworks delay to hospital patients
PATIENTS are advised to allow more time to travel to appointments at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, because of roadworks. Health chiefs are warning of possible delays as construction of the £100m single site development, which started last month, gathers
-
Date
Killer road claims two more victims
TWO people died today in car accident on a notorious stretch of road between Belmont and Abbey Village. Fire crews from Blackburn and Chorley and the incident support unit attended the scene on the A675 at 8.57am after the occupants were reported trapped
-
Date
Ben loves to be brushed
BEN is a tan coloured cross breed who arrived at Manchester Dogs' Home via the Tameside Dog Warden on 3rd September 2003 after he was found wandering in the Dukinfield area. Ben is a very active dog who loves to play with his toys and the kennel assistants
-
Date
Bill is full of life
BILL is a tan coloured cross breed who arrived at Manchester Dogs' Home on September 5 via Manchester Police after he was found wandering in Levenshulme and handed in as a stray. Bill has a very friendly character who gets along with other dogs. He also
-
Date
Make time for Troy
TROY is a black and white Collie/Bull Terrier cross who was admitted to Manchester Dogs' Home on September 3 via the Oldham Dog Warden after he was found wandering in the Holts area of Oldham. He is a really friendly dog who has received some basic training
-
Date
Another 1400 show support for Village plan
MORE than 1,400 shoppers showed their support for the Leigh Sports Village project, after they signed letters backing the ambitious £75million scheme. Volunteers, including MP Andy Burnham and Leigh Sports Partnership chairman Trevor Barton, were on hand
-
Date
Fair is just the job
AN event at Bury Town Hall proved just the job for those seeking seasonal part-time or full-time employment. More than 200 potential vacancies were on offer at the fourth annual Job Fair, which attracted around 900 visitors. More than 20 employers used
-
Date
Wise up with CD-Rom
A NEW hi-tech teaching tool to help young people steer clear of mobile phone theft has been launched this week. Aimed at 11 to 14-year-olds, the CD-Rom, called "Out of Your Hands?", provides an interactive resource for children to learn about the problem
-
Date
Marathon mobility for fundraisers
FIVE hardy fundraisers completed a 10k marathon on Sunday (September 21) to raise vital cash for Bury Shopmobility. They set out from Heaton Park and arrived at their destination two and a half hours later at Bury Town Hall to be greeted by the Mayor
-
Date
More minorities get town hall jobs
MORE people from ethnic minorities are succeeding in getting jobs with Bury Council. Figures show that the number being appointed jumped from 2.9 per cent of vacancies to 6.7 per cent in the last year. However, they still comprise only two per cent of
-
Date
Macmillan runner goes the extra mile
POUNDING the pavements of Walmersley Road three times a week paid off for Paul Gorrill when he completed the Great North Run. The 31-year-old factory worker was among the 803 runners raising money for Macmillan Cancer Relief in the 13-mile half-marathon
-
Date
The many remember "The Few"
IN 1940, following the evacuation from Dunkirk, all that stood between the advancing German army and an invasion of Britain's shores was the Royal Air Force. The ensuing 'Battle of Britain' was one of the defining moments of the nation's history. Heroic
-
Date
Follow that rickshaw!.
IT was back to the future for the Mayor of Bury when he launched "In Town Without My Car" day. Councillor Wilf Davison led by example when he arrived in Market Square by pedi-cab, or modern rickshaw, and youngsters followed him with a ride in the environmentally-friendly
-
Date
Tribute to a lost school pal
PUPILS at Castlebrook High in Unsworth have created a permanent reminder of a valued friend. Teenagers at the school have completed a mural in the memory of their schoolmate Charlotte Morris, who passed away in February at the age of 15. Charlotte had
-
Date
Killer road claims two more victims
TWO people died today in a car accident on a notorious stretch of road between Belmont and Abbey Village. Fire crews from Blackburn and Chorley and the incident support unit attended the scene on the A675 at 8.57am after the occupants were reported trapped
-
Date
Guide dog Grace was well worth Hilda's effort
AFTER more than two years pulling out all the stops to raise money for a guide dog, it was high time that fund-raiser Hilda Hattersley had her day. Hilda, of Sergeants Lane, Whitefield, raised £2,800 by collecting stamps and donations, taking part in
-
Date
Kerbside lessons in road safety
PARENTS are needed to play their part in reducing the number of road accidents involving children. Bury Council has secured Government backing for a new Kerbcraft project to "train" youngsters in the art of roadside safety. The scheme will run at nine
-
Date
RMI hopes hit by double bans
LEIGH RMI make two enforced changes to their squad for the trip to Stevenage tomorrow with Martyn Lancaster and Wayne Maden suspended. The Railwaymen will be boosted, however, by the return of keeper Gary Kelly (back) and defender Paul Shepherd (knee)
-
Date
Centurions' final chance
PAUL Rowley and Ricky Bibey will both be in the Leigh Centurions' team to visit the Last Chance Saloon on Sunday. The Hilton Park coaching team have confirmed that hooker Rowley and prop Bibey will play against Hull KR as the Centurions scrap it out for
-
Date
Flitcroft return boost
ROVERS skipper Garry Flitcroft is planning to give Graeme Souness a timely boost by declaring himself fit for Sunday's crunch clash with Fulham at Ewood. Flitcroft missed the midweek trip to Turkey after injurying his back ahead of last week's victory
-
Date
Snarl-ups as work goes on to improve traffic flow
AN eight-week programme to improve a busy Burnley road has started. Lancashire County Council Engineering Services are working on the junction of Todmorden Road, Yorkshire Street, Belvedere Road and Harry Potts Way. County Council bosses said the work
-
Date
Two in hospital after house blaze
TWO people were taken to hospital last night suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation after a house fire in Padiham. Station officer Steve Cope said the incident could have been more serious because they had been called out to a fictitious road
-
Date
Check out advice to cut crime
SHOPPERS were given the chance to pick up crime prevention advice, along with their groceries, as part of a unique police initiative. Senior officers were on hand to dish out advice and answer queries at the first-ever police roadshow at Burnley's Asda
-
Date
Blueprint unveiled for a safe and healthy future
DRUG-related crime could be a thing of the past, if a long-term vision to help improve the lives of people in Burnley is realised. The council's Community Plan, outlining the next 20 years, was officially launched yesterday at Towneley Hall. The ultimate
-
Date
My battle to save boy's life
A BURNLEY man has told how he made desperate attempts to stop a toddler bleeding to death after being in an accident with a car yesterday afternoon. The accident happened in Burdett Street, Burnley, just south of the junction with Peace Street, at around
-
Date
Eight years for sex fiend
A PERVERT who sexually molested a little girl was today beginning an eight-year jail sentence - as a judge stressed the term should be a warning to others. Trevor Ashworth, 40, had subjected the child to humiliating and degrading abuse - but did not see
-
Date
Minister's focus is on deprived areas
A GOVERNMENT minister has visited some of Burnley's most deprived areas to see first hand the daily problems faced by residents. Phil Hope, parliamentary under secretary with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), went on a whistle-stop tour
-
Date
Oil can thieves were certainly not too slick
TWO "inept" thieves each helped themselves to cans of oil from a garage shop that had CCTV covering the entire premises. Burnley Magistrates heard how Andrew Leonard, 35, was later stopped by police while Michael Wood, 30, sold his can for a £10 wrap
-
Date
Five years ago
THE 65th Burnley Festival of Stage Dance took place with a record number of entries. Budding ballerinas such as Lucy Calvert, 10, from the Angela Westwell School of Dance, danced to win cash prizes.
-
Date
Ten years ago
BLACKBURN Rovers owner Jack Walker was set to spend thousands of pounds beaming TV pictures to people living next to Ewood Park. Rebuilding work had left residents in the Bolton Road area with fuzzy pictures.
-
Date
Beat goes on - free and a week later
ORGANISERS of a nightclub where the music stopped on the stroke of midnight have offered a free night to apologise. Club Eclectic's bosses were left red-faced last Saturday when the sound system blew and they had to turn people away. But the group of
-
Date
Record crowds making tracks
AN EAST Lancashire tourist attraction has smashed previous records for visitor numbers. Oswaldtwistle Mills, in Collier Street, has already reached the 2002 total of one million visitors, and bosses expect the final figure for this year to reach 1.5million
-
Date
Double header
STRUGGLING Notts County head to Bloomfield Road on Saturday in the first game of a home double-header which could provide a launching pad for Blackpool's season. On Tuesday night, former Seasiders hero, Paul Groves, brings his Grimsby side to town. They
-
Date
Correction
A FRONT page story on Thursday, September 18 reported that a Burnley car dealer was due to appear in court at Preston charged with money laundering offences after being arrested in Spain. The man's address was given as The Grange, Marsden Road, Burnley
-
Date
Pupils say farewell to teacher
A PRIMARY school has lost a "marvellous teacher and good friend" with the retirement of one of its teachers. Angela Talbot retired after 15 years at Wellfield School, in Wellfield Drive, Burnley, where she taught children of all ages. She plans to use
-
Date
Bell rings out for new store
BOXER Steve Bell proved a real knock-out when he opened a new store in Bury at the weekend. He stepped out of the ring to officially open national retailer BrightHouse's latest store on The Rock. A magician, stilt walker and face painter were added attractions
-
Date
We're out to ruin Wimbledon's party
THERE may be a party going on in Milton Keynes this weekend, but Luke Chadwick insists that the Clarets won't let their focus slip. As the Dons play their first game at the National Hockey Stadium the national media are taking notice, not least because
-
Date
Police appeal
POLICE have released photographs of tracksuit bottoms similar to those worn by a man who left a woman for dead after beating her over the head with a butcher's steel. The attack took place on Newton Drive as the 19-year-old victim walked home alone from
-
Date
Staggering bill for Tories' security
A £2.5 million security operation has been launched in advance of the Conservative Party Conference, which starts next weekend. Operation Palisade will see concrete and water-filled barricades set up around the two main conference venues, the Imperial
-
Date
Safe bet for the Winter Gardens?
BLACKPOOL'S historic Winter Gardens is set to become a resort casino. A special provision is to be made in the latest draft of Blackpool's local plan to allow the Winter Gardens to become a gaming palace, despite being outside the specified 'resort core
-
Date
Police patrols increased for Jewish holidays
POLICE in Prestwich and Whitefield are to step up patrols during the Jewish holiday period. In a new initiative, officers will join forces with members of the Jewish Community Security Trust (CST) and provide a visible presence to make families feel at
-
Date
Poignant last post for veterans' group
THE Bishop of Manchester made a moving speech at a service on Sunday to officially mark the disbanding of Tottington Ex-Servicemen's Association. The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch dedicated a granite memorial installed in St Anne's Church, Tottington, to serve
-
Date
Row over nursery plan for green site
RESIDENTS in Redvales are seeing red over plans to build a new nursery on their last piece of green land. A grassed area between Dorset Drive, Topham Street and Alfred Street, in the Springs area of Bury, has been earmarked for a new Sure Start nursery
-
Date
Cash boost saves wardens
PATROLS to make Whitefield's streets safer and cleaner will continue for another year thanks to a late funding boost. A further £160,000 has been found to keep a team of street wardens on duty in the Victoria and Hillock estates until March 2005. The
-
Date
No tanks! Protest over gas cylinders.
WORRIED residents are piling on the pressure against the siting of two liquid gas tanks close to their homes. Householders in Holland Court, Radcliffe, are anxious that the siting of cylinders at St Anne's House, North Street, will pose a potential hazard
-
Date
Stan's Facey wish
AFTER seeing his side end a drought with seven goals in their last two outings, Clarets boss Stan Ternent is now wishing that one man can break his duck. Striker Delroy Facey, on loan from Premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers, has yet to score for the
-
Date
251 days...and police still needed more time
A 51-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man accused of drug dealing has walked free from court after magistrates rejected a prosecution application for a further adjournment. The court was told the case had been going on for 251 days and the chairman of the Blackburn
-
Date
Holly battles back to say 'thank you'
A 17-YEAR-OLD girl who battled to overcome throat cancer is to give something back to those who helped her by raising money for other sufferers. Student Holly Banks, of Carus Avenue, Hoddlesden, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after she discovered a
-
Date
Chance for residents to have their say
A SERIES of feedback meetings will be held to gauge public opinion in the Rossendale Valley. Rossendale Borough Council has arranged a series of area forums to find out what local residents, businesses, and local organisations think about living and working
-
Date
Donald's dahlia to cultivate cash for NSPCC
MEMBERS of a Rossendale charity have shown their blossoming support for good causes. Donald Kershaw, member of the NSPCC Rawtenstall Committee, named his award-winning Dahlia "Full Stop" in support of the NSPCCs National Full Stop Campaign to stamp out
-
Date
Award dedicated to sister's memory
A BRAVE Rossendale woman who used personal tragedy to raise money for charity is donating an award of courage in her sister's memory. Hazel Mrozek, 35, of Lowerhouse Green, Lumb, was the first person ever to win a prestigious bravery award for running
-
Date
Art of Stayin' Alive in a war zone
THE Bee Gees Magic's gig in Blackburn next Friday will be a little less fraught than their most recent appearances. For the tribute band has just returned from a tour in Iraq. "We were the first Western artists to play Iraq in 35 years after Saddam had
-
Date
Could you support victims?
A FYLDE victim support group is looking for badly-needed volunteers to train as counsellors for a telephone helpline service. The Fleetwood-based Male Rape Support Association (MRSA) has already helped more than 600 men come to terms with the devastating
-
Date
Nurses in line for top award
TWO nurses from the Fylde Coast are in line for the same national award after impressing patients with their care and commitment. Justine Eadie from Poulton and Lynette Bracegirdle from Blackpool have both been short-listed for Dettol Community Nurse
-
Date
Laura aims for the skies
POULTON teenager Laura Drury certainly went the extra mile for her work placement -- all the way to Gibraltar! The high-flying 15-year-old, who's aiming for an RAF career, spent two exciting weeks on The Rock discovering what life is like for forces officers
-
Date
Crackdown on 'highway tripping'
SLIP and trip claims against the council are costing Blackpool taxpayers so much money that chancers filing bogus claims are to be prosecuted in a new crackdown. The number of 'highway tripping' claims against Blackpool Borough Council has shot up from
-
Date
Resort is loser too, says chief
A BLOCKED development at the Freeport Shopping Village could have benefited Blackpool as well as Wyre, a local council leader believes. Blackpool Council strongly objected to the £20m expansion, dismissed by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, but
-
Date
Report queries need for motel
A DRAFT report for Wyre Borough Council says Cleveleys does not need the controversial 60-bed motel and leisure development being planned for Jubilee Gardens. A motel would 'add to the quality and diversity' of the town's tourist accommodation says the
-
Date
Snakes seized but snappers defiant
POLICE, vets and trading standards officers swooped to seize three Burmese pythons, being used to take photographs of tourists. RSPCA officers also joined 'Operation Abolish' -- part of a crack-down on street trading in Blackpool. They seized two snakes
-
Date
Never a dull moment...
Each month, Euro-MPs from all 15 EU member states, gather at the European Parliament in the leafy island city of Strasbourg, France, to vote on policies and legislation relating to our everyday lives. Citizen reporter -- Lori Hudson -- met local Euro-MPs
-
Date
Former television drama location targeted by wreckers
ALLOTMENTS which featured in a BBC drama have been trashed by vandals and arsonists. Two sheds were destroyed at Ewood allotments, Blackburn, this week and firefighters believe the blazes were started deliberately. The fires, on Wednesday evening, also
-
Date
Area plagued by teen yobs
TEENAGE vandals have left a community seething after they ripped open rubbish bags and smashed up furniture. The group of around five boys and girls, aged around 13 to 14, caused major disruption in the Moorgate Street area of Mill Hill on Wednesday night
-
Date
Minister confident scheme will solve run-down homes problem
BLACKBURN'S worst housing problems are well on the way to being solved, according to a Government minister. Phil Hope was given a tour of Mosley Street yesterday to see the work that has begun to regenerate the area. Mr Hope, a parliamentary under secretary
-
Date
'Good Samaritan' offered to fix car - before taking it
A MAN who offered to help fix a car in a Blackburn street got into the vehicle and drove off without permission, a court heard. In the process, Sadique Rafique pushed the owner's hand away when he tried to grab hold of the ignition key. The following
-
Date
It's a jungle out there
THE Open Spaces Society has condemned Blackburn with Darwen Council for the appalling state of the borough's footpaths. Recent figures from the Audit Commission put the council 110th out of 123 highway authorities in England which submitted figures for
-
Date
Staff are saved from Power cuts
WORKERS are celebrating at a closure-threatened Blackburn store after hearing their jobs have been saved. And there was further good news for customers of electrical chain PowerHouse who paid for goods before the national company collapsed. The firm has
-
Date
Foggy sounds note of caution
CARL Fogarty today sounded a note of caution ahead of his Foggy PETRONAS Racing team's penultimate World Superbike championship round of the season at Imola, Italy, this weekend. The four-times World Superbike champion was encouraged by the performance
-
Date
Youngster in Coates sights
NEW manager Nigel Coates will attempt to continue his re-building of Colne with a swoop for Great Harwood Town's teenage sensation Matt Darbyshire. The 17-year-old has already hit 10 goals for Harwood this season and the North West Counties Division Two
-
Date
Amoruso looks the weak link
THE look of disgust on Brad Friedel's face said it all as Genclerbirligi's third goal hit the back of his net. Last season, he kept 15 clean sheets for Rovers, and was far and away the best keeper in the Premiership. I was a judge for the North West Sports
-
Date
Political point scoring won't make us cross
REGARDING the letter 'County Can Make Us Cross', from Carleton ward councillors Ghandi and Hargreaves. I attended the meeting, and having spoken to several others, also there on the night, none of us were aware this was a public meeting on behalf of the
-
Date
Westfield: what do Tories really think?
WHAT is going on with local Tory councillors? Can anyone enlighten me? Councillor Yvonne Wright (Your Letters, September 12) strongly supports the alleged Bury market traders' opposition to the proposed new town centre development. In the same edition
-
Date
Let us now get on with our job
IN response to letters published in recent weeks, mocking and complaining about nurses, it's with a mixture of sadness and frustration, I feel I have to speak out again. Is it really necessary to publicly humiliate the nurses in our local newspaper? We
-
Date
Why can't we have a supermarket?
WHY, out of the whole of the borough, should Whitefield be denied a viable, competitive supermarket? Bury, Radcliffe, Prestwich, and even Pilsworth have them. Does the council not care that people without their own transport (mothers with young children
-
Date
They always wanted us out
I AM one of a small group of senior citizens who, over the past few years, have attended a woodwork workshop in the Arts and Crafts Centre in Broad Street, Bury. From time to time there have been indications that we were not altogether welcome and there
-
Date
"Selfish interest" is good for us
IN your coverage of the Bury West Area Board's consideration of the town centre developments, which included a presentation on the market proposals, you referred to my defence of the developers Westfield. I am not disputing what was written. Although
-
Date
Hear about Ireland
IRELAND will be the subject of a talk by Gerry Stephen at the next meeting of the RSPB's Blackpool and Fylde branch on Friday, October 3. The evening starts at 7.30pm at the Frank Townend Centre, Beach Road, Cleveleys. For more information contact Mrs
-
Date
Advice for OAPs
PENSIONERS can find out if they are able to claim a new pension credit by dropping into an information day today (Thursday, September 25) at Age Concern Blackpool information and advice centre. The centre on the corner of Caunce Street and Cookson Street
-
Date
Tractor talk
CALLING all tractor fans! Lancashire Farm Machinery Club meetings will begin again at the lecture theatre, Myerscough College, near Preston, on Thursday, October 9 at 7.30pm. Already lined up are speakers from Millers' Oils, Kubota Tractors, Yamaha All
-
Date
Come for coffee
A COFFEE evening -- part of Macmillan Cancer Relief's Biggest Coffee Morning event -- will take place at St Paul's School, Lytham Road, Warton tomorrow (Friday, September 26), 5.30pm-8.30pm. Admission to the event is free -- but a donation is requested
-
Date
Clampdown on parking cheats
THIRTEEN drivers in Bury owe more than £12,000 in unpaid parking fines. And traffic bosses are out to get them. Their cars will be clamped and they will have to pay a hefty on-the-spot penalty to get the clamp removed. Other ideas likely to be adopted
-
Date
EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, September 27, 2003
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Clitheroe Ramblers meet Chester Avenue car park, Clitheroe, 9.30am. Penyghent. Accrington and B lackburn CHA meet Bull's Head, Wilpshire, 1pm. Settle (C). Hoe Down, Queen
-
Date
Ensuring crime really doesn't pay
IT can, of course, never be true justice for convicted criminals to serve their prison sentences and then be free to carry on a life of luxury on their ill-gotten gains. Such cases mock the law and the society that the crooks prey upon. How heartening
-
Date
Art of Stayin' Alive in a war zone
THE Bee Gees Magic's gig in Blackburn next Friday will be a little less fraught than their most recent appearances. For the tribute band has just returned from a tour in Iraq. "We were the first Western artists to play Iraq in 35 years after Saddam had
-
Date
Loose woman who became a policewoman
SHE began her career as a prostitute, before joining the police and working her way up to the post of acting detective inspector. Now she's an alcoholic sex maniac who chases after men young enough to date her 14-year-old daughter. Geordie actress Libby
-
Date
Well done Parky, the jazz champion
THIS week's column is going to be devoted in the main to Michael Parkinson, newspaper columnist, broadcaster and self-confessed jazz "nut". I have never had the good fortune to meet Mr Parkinson but have been a fan of his writing for donkey's years and
-
Date
Hip hip hooray as surgeons cut waiting game
A £2MILLION queue-busting scheme to give knee and hip replacements to patients in the North West has now finished and been hailed a massive success by hospital managers. Roger Airey spoke to patients who have been given a new lease of life by the scheme
-
Date
Bury and Radcliffe Junior Football League
UNDER-15 DIVISION ONE Boothstown Jnrs R 1, Swinton Town 3; Boundary Park Jnrs 1, Avro Jnrs 11; Brandlesholme 1, De La Salle 8; Middleton Colts 2, Heybury FC 5; Moston Jnrs 5, Beechfield Utd 0; Oldham Town Yth 6, Woodbank A 1; Roach Dynamo 0, Bury Jnrs
-
Date
Rail work puts train users on buses
BUSES will replace Sunday train services between Blackburn and Preston for around two months this winter. Operator First North Western has had to provide alternative arrangements between November 9 and December 28 because Network Rail is carrying out
-
Date
Good luck to daredevils
MAY I offer my admiration to the people who took part in the bungee jump for charity at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on September 7. In the past, I have enjoyed taking part in various events for different charities, but I must admit I would draw the line at
-
Date
Full of bounce
BOUNCER is a black and tan cross breed who arrived at Manchester Dogs' Home via Manchester Police on September 13 after he was found wandering in Newton Heath and handed in as a stray. He is a really friendly dog who would benefit from being rehomed with
-
Date
No doubt about suffering
REGARDING Roy Whitehead's doubting neighbours (LET, September 20), I am appalled that these people can be allowed to question his disability and object to him having a parking space outside his house. He has been suffering for 15 years and will go on
-
Date
Service is my lifeline
REGARDING the Mind Centre in Blackburn whose future is said to be in the balance (LET, September 20), I rely on the place. It is a lifeline and is important to me. It has been a good support as I suffer from anxiety/depression -- knowing that staff are
-
Date
Petrol rise is stealth tax
IN his April budget, the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, said that he was not putting up the duty on petrol because of the volatile situation in the Middle East and because of the Iraq War, which had sent oil prices soaring. However, a Treasury spokesperson
-
Date
Mind Centre future must be secured
REGARDING the possible future of the Mind Centre in Blackburn (LET, September 20), I hope to goodness that the people of Blackburn and Darwen never fall ill with mental health problems because this government and the council do not want to help. I and
-
Date
Superstate looming nearer
REGARDING Jack Straw's Diary (LET, September 11), I see this as the start of the propaganda war aimed at swaying the public to accept the government line of full backing for Europe and all it stands for. They will not allow the electorate a referendum
-
Date
He's not a bad guy all Day...
THE NEXT Cliff Richard or a bed-hopping ladies man? All-singing, all-dancing multi-talented star of stage and screen or just your average bloke blessed with above-average looks? As far as celebrities go, Essex-born performer and "I'm a Celebrity..." star
-
Date
Toal tunes up for Proms
PARISHIONERS will be flying the flag at Christ Church, Walmersley, next week when they welcome a special guest to their annual Last Night at the Proms concert. Esteemed singer Martin Toal, who performed the national anthems at the recent England match
-
Date
Youth club set to open
A MODERN-day youth centre for Radcliffe is nearing completion. The former Radcliffe Youth Club in Coronation Road has been closed for six months while refurbishments totalling £200,000 have been taking place. Radcliffe area youth work manager, Tim Pyzniuk
-
Date
New hope for jailed guard
SUPPORTERS of jailed security guard Graham Huckerby have slammed a potentially "fatal" mistake made by the Royal Courts of Justice. A clerk's error meant Huckerby and his family were told his case would not be heard by the Court of Appeal. But it emerged
-
Date
Fit for a champion!.
IT WON'T be long before Paul Bailey has more trophies than he can flex his muscles at. For the 20-year-old from Whitefield has just won the Junior British title in a national bodybuilding competition. His latest achievement adds to four other trophies
-
Date
Eight years for sex fiend
A PERVERT who sexually molested a little girl was today beginning an eight-year jail sentence - as a judge stressed the term should be a warning to others. Trevor Ashworth, 40, had subjected the child to humiliating and degrading abuse - but did not see
-
Date
Prize is really super-sonic!
A SHOPPING trip to Manchester has led to a supersonic trip of a lifetime for Margaret Berry. Together with her husband, John, she will take to the skies on one of Concorde's farewell flights, marking the end of commercial supersonic travel. Mrs Berry
-
Date
New bid to improve literacy
THE start of the new school year brings relief for many parents but for others, it opens up old fears as awkward homework questions put them on the spot. Research shows there are seven million adults in England who cannot read and write at the level expected
-
Date
Puddings hurl Bury on to world stage
BURY will be "pud" on the international stage when the official world black pudding throwing contest takes place on Sunday (Sep 28). Competitors from across the globe will join local folk to see who can knock down the most Yorkshire puddings with Bury's
-
Date
MP backs compulsory ID cards
CITIZENS should be forced to have national identity cards, says MP David Chaytor. He is strongly in favour of Home Secretary David Blunkett's plan to introduce ID cards, which he says will help fight crime and illegal immigration. The Labour MP dismissed
-
Date
Final ticket details
GRAND Final tickets will go on sale on Sunday - if the Centurions beat Hull KR. Immediately after the game, Grand Final tickets will be available for season ticket holders, lottery and LISA members. Remaining tickets go on general sale on Monday. Sale
-
Date
Fans should be used as role models, says FA
BLACKBURN Rovers supporters should be used as a role model for England fans travelling to Turkey for next month's European qualifier, the FA chairman has said. Geoff Thompson believes the behaviour of Rovers fans during their 3-1 UEFA Cup defeat at the
-
Date
Banned driver loses his freedom
A MAN who drove while banned is behind bars for four months. Burnley Magistrates heard how car fanatic, Mark Butterworth, 25, told police people kept getting him mixed up with somebody else when officers arrived at his door. They had earlier seen him
-
Date
Station en route to bus 'Oscar'
BURNLEY'S state-of-the-art bus station has been shortlisted for its third prestigious award. The futuristic, glass-fronted structure, opened last year, is already one of six bus stations nominated for the Small Urban Interchange Project of the Year, the
-
Date
Students focus on their future careers
STUDENTS at a Brierfield school looked beyond their school days to future careers at a recent convention. The day involved pupils aged 13 to 16 at Mansfield School, Elland Road. Organisations taking part included Rolls Royce, Burnley Healthcare, Weston
-
Date
Personal problems blamed
A FORMER drug addict who went out shoplifting told magistrates she was now clean and the offences were out of character. Burnley Magistrates heard how Victoria Huntriss, 25, had personal problems at the time of the offence. Huntriss, of Oxford Street,
-
Date
Heroin wraps sold to undercover police
A MAN who sold heroin to undercover police and committed other crime to raise drugs money has been jailed for five years. Colin Greenfield, 26, of Water Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying. Magistrates had committed him to
-
Date
Welcome return
'Murphy is back' was the cry from the stands as Bloomfield Road's cult hero scored within moments of his shock return to first team action at Edgeley Park on Saturday. The Seasiders camp had been making optimistic noises about John Murphy's return from
-
Date
Hi-tech topic for meeting
THREE speakers will give the lowdown on hi-tech when they address the latest meeting of BuryBusiness.NETwork & UK Online for Business. The event will take place at the Bolholt Country Park Hotel in Bury on Tuesday (Sept 30). Guests will be addressed
-
Date
Criminal walks free but gets jail warning
A THIEF who has flouted court orders and failed to work with the probation service has won his freedom. Burnley Magistrates gave Leslie Lanceley, 24, bail for a pre-sentence report and adjourned his case until October 22. The defendant, of Colne Road,
-
Date
Looking at ways to tame the copycats
AN event to help Bury companies take measures to prevent their products being copied certainly proved to be the real thing. Business Link North Manchester staged the event at the Village Hotel, Bury, in response to a growing demand from local businesses
-
Date
No revival here say local firms
BLEAK news for Bury manufacturing firms is that they are struggling to perform against an alarming backdrop of falling sales and orders. That's the worrying verdict from Chamber Business Connections, the trading name of North Manchester Chamber of Commerce
-
Date
Two thugs left man for dead
POLICE are hunting for two thugs who left a sleeping homeless man for dead after savagely beating him about the head with a heavy instrument. The 30-year-old man, of no fixed abode, was assaulted as he slept rough at New Bonny Street Market, Blackpool
-
Date
M66 smash investigation continues
INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into Monday's M66 motorway crash involving three lorries and a car. Police said they have yet to interview a 46-year-old man from Eccles who was driving a Mercedes wagon laden with non-toxic chemicals, when it narrowly missed
-
Date
Flitcroft return boost
ROVERS skipper Garry Flitcroft is planning to give Graeme Souness a timely boost by declaring himself fit for Sunday's crunch clash with Fulham at Ewood. Flitcroft missed the midweek trip to Turkey after injurying his back ahead of last week's victory
-
Date
Firm shares its top tips for success
A NELSON-based company has been selected as one of 10 in the country to share its tips for the top with other businesses. Printoff Graphic Arts, of Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, has won a place in the Investors in People Tipped for Success competition.
-
Date
Plea over 'dumped' furniture
THE boss of a furniture recycling charity in Darwen has appealed for people to stop leaving household items outside his shop. Bob Kearney, who runs Darwen Churches Action, in Ellenshaw Street, helps to recycle unwanted furniture for deprived families
-
Date
Bright ideas get civic reward
THE short-list has been drawn up in a competition to find Darwen's most influential outdoor projects. Buildings and streets throughout the town have been scrutinised during the last 12 months in a bid to find projects which have made a difference to the
-
Date
Resort targeted by BNP
LEAFLETS by the far right British National Party (BNP) are being posted through Fylde doors in a bid to fuel a "revival" of support for the European elections. Dozens of homes are being targeted by BNP representatives as part of a leafleting campaign
-
Date
Killer road claims two more victims
TWO people died today in a car accident on a notorious stretch of road between Belmont and Abbey Village. Fire crews from Blackburn and Chorley and the incident support unit attended the scene on the A675 at 8.57am after the occupants were reported trapped
-
Date
Old women upset and confused by sneak thief
A 35-YEAR-OLD woman sneaked into a sheltered housing unit and stole petty amounts of cash from elderly residents. Blackburn magistrates heard that on the first occasion Lilly May Smith slipped into the accommodation while relatives were visiting and on
-
Date
All change for Darwen
DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes has promised to make wholesale changes in time for tomorrow's trip to Maine Road. The first team played a friendly game against Darwen's second string in midweek in a bid to let fringe first-teamers compete for places. And
-
Date
Look before you lock
AS once again, our gardening days come to an end, may I please appeal to readers to check sheds and greenhouses to see if a curious cat has not crept in unnoticed and fallen asleep, before you lock them up for the winter. Trapped inside the poor creature
-
Date
'Decrepit town of make believe'
THE news that Manchester is in the throes of rebuilding its large Arndale shopping complex and Birmingham has just rebuilt the Bullring and Liverpool is developing a large area of their dockland in time for the title of 'City of Culture' doesn't say much
-
Date
Research borne of Blackpool babies
I AM keen to hear from anyone who can help me with a history research project about Blackpool between 1930 and 1980, for my MA History degree at the University of Central Lancashire. I am looking for people who went out in Blackpool, went on holiday there
-
Date
Oldies are the best
IN regard to Jim Davidson's remark about Blackpool today, I would have said that it bears little resemblance to the town I remember in the 1970s in the sense that in my own opinion Blackpool's entertainment today has become 'Americanised', right down
-
Date
Desire to succeed strong
JOHN Coleman has set his sights firmly on a play-off spot following Accrington Stanley's six-game unbeaten run. While the Reds' boss has always been ambitious and was determined to take the Nationwide Conference by storm this season, he erred on the side
-
Date
Council will get all my pension
IS it any wonder that pensioners across the country are up in arms about the increases in council tax? Every year the tax is increased above the rate of inflation but the ability of pensioners to pay the tax from their meagre pensions diminishes every
-
Date
Walker serves up refreshing guide
AN ACCOUNTANT with a relish for real ale and the great outdoors has combined the two in a book which adds up to the best of both worlds. John Turner has produced a guide to ten circular walks in the Bury area, taking in the spectacular scenery of the
-
Date
It's only a game, not war!
BLACKBURN midfielder Tugay says he has never had a problem as a Turk playing in England. As England prepare to face Turkey in the showdown Euro 2004 qualifier on October 11 amidst huge security fears, Tugay believes England's players will receive a warm
-
Date
Rosegrove Bulletin
THE community wardens Roy, Jill and Andrea, undertook a mountain bike challenge around the Mary Towneley loop last weekend. Three young children from the Rosegrove area, Joanne Cowan, Paul Burrows and Craig McEvoy, took part in the challenge. The Mary
-
Date
New injury adds to Bury woes
INJURY-ravaged Shakers have suffered another body blow ahead of their vital clash with Doncaster. After two miserable defeats against Boston and Mansfield, Bury are desperate to return to winning ways at Gigg Lane to halt their worrying slide towards
-
Date
Over-limit driver had drunk half a pint of wine
A DRINK-driver, who police said was sick out of her car on the motorway, claimed it was her dog, Burnley Magistrates heard. The court was told Abigayle Whitham, 22, had one drink of wine -- but it was almost half a pint. The defendant, of Gisburn Road
-
Date
Deal keeps shop open
THE future of an East Lancashire Shopmobility outlet is looking brighter thanks to a settlement from its former financial backer. Accrington Shopmobility faced closure earlier this year when Lakesway Mobility pulled out of a three-year sponsorship agreement
-
Date
One home back to two can't go
A COUNCILLOR has called for planners to use common sense after they refused an application to rebuild a wall knocked down 24 years ago when two flats were converted into one. The elderly couple who live there knocked down the wall, but kept a front and
-
Date
Post office to be axed
A RIBBLE Valley post office could shut later this year as part of a national programme of urban closures. Following a comprehensive review of Salesbury Post Office in Church View, and other offices in the area, Post Office Ltd has decided that this branch
-
Date
Businesses relieved about strike rejection
LOCAL business chiefs have breathed a sigh of relief after Royal Mail workers rejected strike action in their ballot. Reacting to the news David Peacock, chief executive of Chamber Business Connections which embraces Bury companies, stated: "This move
-
Date
Stan's Facey wish
AFTER seeing his side end a drought with seven goals in their last two outings, Clarets boss Stan Ternent is now wishing that one man can break his duck. Striker Delroy Facey, on loan from Premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers, has yet to score for the
-
Date
Chrissie swims to France
CHRISSIE Flood is going to great lengths to raise cash for charity: a staggering 6,144 to be exact! For the Tottington businesswoman is swimming the equivalent of the English Channel from the comfort of the pool at Bury's Village Hotel. And she has adopted
-
Date
Tenants put on probation to stamp out yobs
NEW council house tenants will be put on probation for 12 months in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour. Housing bosses say that introductory tenancies will make it easier to turf people out if they cause trouble or do not pay their rent. Current
-
Date
Bury Veterans' Bowls league
LATEST results Buchanan 165(8), Black Lane A 131(2); Seedfield 150(4), Close Park 167(7); Whitehead 156(9), Clarence 117(1); Nuttall Park 181(7), Hopwood 166(3); Black Lane B 155(1), Dobbies 182(10); Openshaw 160(7), Tottington A 150(3); Nuttall Park
-
Date
Shedding some light on a new batch of hits
IT'S been a while since we last heard from them. But now they're back on the road with a clutch of new songs to stand alongside the '90s anthems everyone knows. And what kind of reaction have they got from their fans? "Mock horror!" joked Shed Seven vocalist
-
Date
Road safety boost
ROAD safety in Darwen is set be improved with the announcement that roadworks in three parts of the town should be completed by March next year. The first is the creation of a zebra crossing in Hoddlesden Road, between the Ranken Arms and the Hoddlesden
-
Date
Did you see car crash?
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a car smash on the A56 at the Edenfield slip road. The accident happened after a silver BMW slowed to allow a car on to the road and was involved in a collision with three other vehicles. Police are appealing for
-
Date
Shedding some light on a new batch of hits
IT'S been a while since we last heard from them. But now they're back on the road with a clutch of new songs to stand alongside the '90s anthems everyone knows. And what kind of reaction have they got from their fans? "Mock horror!" joked Shed Seven vocalist
-
Date
Well done Parky, the jazz champion
THIS week's column is going to be devoted in the main to Michael Parkinson, newspaper columnist, broadcaster and self-confessed jazz "nut". I have never had the good fortune to meet Mr Parkinson but have been a fan of his writing for donkey's years and
-
Date
Coat in the act!
WHEN he was at school, Mick Dow was banned from wearing a parka. He explained: "The school thought we'd get knocked down crossing the road because we wouldn't be able to see any cars coming if we were wearing those coats, so the head banned them." It's
-
Date
No sentence will bring Max back
THE MOTHER of a 10-year-old boy who drowned during a school field trip has spoken of her "relief" after a Fylde teacher was given year-long jail sentence for his manslaughter. Patricia Palmer, 38, of Harbour Way in Fleetwood, tried in vain to save her
-
Date
Car attack caught on camera
A 47-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man caused £1,000 worth of damage to a car belonging to the mother of his former girlfriend. Blackburn magistrates heard it was the second time Alexander Peake had attacked the vehicle belonging to Rita Campbell. The first attack
-
Date
Home blaze pair lose everything
A COUPLE lost all their possessions and a cherished pet dog in a fire which destroyed their home. Sean Sharp and his wife, Vicky, returned home from work yesterday to find their home in Worcester Road, Blackburn, a burned-out shell. Firefighters rescued
-
Date
Time for goals
CLITHEROE need to turn their chances into goals - that's the message from manager Lee Sculpher. The Blues boss believes his side had plenty of opportunities to beat Alsager on Tuesday night but, in the end, had to settle for a late Gary Jackson equaliser
-
Date
Neville launches a Marine mission
PAUL Lynch has the perfect opportunity to fully test the strength in depth of his squad when they go to Marine in the FA Cup tomorrow. But the Rossendale manager has already had some high-profile help in running the rule over his players this week, in
-
Date
Hard on Rams as players leave
RAMSBOTTOM boss Andy Grimshaw has revealed his frustration at being unable to hold on to his top players. Greg Brickell signed off with hat-trick against Shotton Comrades in the FA Vase last week, but two days later was on his way to Woodley Sports. The
-
Date
What happens to retired ponies?
I HAVE recently returned from holiday in the Isle of Man. The horses in Douglas pull trams, which when full of people can easily be pulled by a man. The horses work only two hours per day, the rest of their time is spent grazing. When their working days
-
Date
Single currency is not on agenda
THERE is now not the slightest possibility that a referendum on the European single currency will be called before the next general election. It is off the political agenda, but this is a mistake nonetheless. Britain used to be the gateway to the European
-
Date
She made my point for me
J. C. SMITH (Your Letters, September 5) accused me of misinformation in regard to police clear-up rates and, yes, I have to admit that I was wrong. The figure to August 2003 was not the 30 per cent I quoted but, according to the Home Office, 23.5 per
-
Date
Found: weapons of mass destruction
FOUND: the weapons of mass destruction! They were in London's dockyard recently, at the vast Arms Fair. Every imaginable object capable of destruction on a massive scale was on display and for sale at the Defence Systems and Equipment Exhibition, where
-
Date
Maybe interrupting is the only way
WELL, your anonymous correspondent "Otago" certainly seems to know more about us "mesdames" than the average Bury citizen (Your Letters, September 16) which perhaps explains why he is hiding behind a pseudonym. So, just who are you, Otago? Perhaps there
-
Date
Down Your Street...
LYTHAM - LYTHAM St Annes Forum has just started a new season of Wednesday meetings at Lytham's Park Street Methodist Hall. The forum is a group of retired men meeting every Wednesday between September and March at 10.15am for a programme of lectures on
