Archive
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Lane dancing worse than my line dancing!
NOW I usually try my best to stick to all the rules of the road. I stand in line, never cut in and if there are no parking spaces you won't find me banging my motor in a disabled spot. So it was pretty annoying when I was stuck behind two buses the other
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No more chances for attack dogs
A SPATE of nasty attacks on youngsters a decade ago led to legislation to protect the public from dangerous dogs. The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 laid down strict guidelines for owners and gave police and dog wardens powers to seize animals that are out
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Football: Give me a break pleads Vince
RAMSBOTTOM United boss Vince Overson is praying for a break in the weather Deprived of a league game since December 2 (when Rammy won 1-0 at Skelmersdale) due to the fixtures against Clitheroe, Bacup and Atherton being postponed, Rammy have been restricted
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Football: Slack Rams crash out of Trophy
RAMSBOTTOM UTD...2 NELSON...3 Marsden Lancashire Challenge Trophy Round Two WHAT a difference three weeks can make! Following the unfortunate FA Vase exit before Christmas the Rams had a real chance to progress in the Marsden Trophy after being handed
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Rugby Union: Positive performance
BURY RUFC...8 ECCLES...6 ONLY six weeks have elapsed since Bury last played Eccles and in that time Bury have enjoyed three wins and a draw in their league campaign. The previous encounter saw Bury badly mauled when they visited the Salford home of Eccles
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Court of Queens welcome visitors.
PRETTY as a picture. That's Prestwich carnival royalty. The group hosted their annual Court of Queens event at the Longfield Suite on Sunday (Jan 4) and welcomed scores of visiting queens, princesses, rosebuds and petals from around the region. Pictured
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Girl's terror attack by bull terriers
A YOUNG girl today told of the moment of terror when she was savaged by two Staffordshire bull terriers as she walked near her home. And today the 11-year-old victim's parents praised two men who fought the animals off -- and demanded that the dogs be
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Knife raiders grab cash in bank raid
DETECTIVES are hunting two armed raiders who escaped with a large amount of cash after threatening terrified bank staff with a knife. They struck at 9am on Wednesday just as the Royal Bank of Scotland in Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, was opening. The two
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Abandoned in the rain.
POOR Eve is in need of a new home after being found sick, alone, and abandoned the day before Christmas. The 10-year-old cat was left inside a cardboard carrier box in the car park of Bleakholt Animal Sactuary, with a note asking staff to care for her
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GARNER: Spend now or we risk relegation
BIG Sam Allardyce - a tough customer as a player and as canny as they come now he's gone into management. Tomorrow's derby promises to be another battle for Rovers - just as games against the Trotters always have been. But it's a game that Rovers need
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Pride at awards
RETIRING Runshaw College principal Bernard O'Connell has been awarded the highest honour by the Queen after receiving a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list. Sir Bernard received the award for services to further education at the Langdale Road college
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Don't let curtain fall on club
AN AMATEUR club singer who has held dozens of sell-out gigs at Preston's Canterbury Hall is appealing to local businesses to dig deep and help save the flagging venue. It comes as the Garstang Road social club's committee chiefs agreed to give it a three
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Kidney death doctor faces GMC probe
AN East Lancashire doctor accused of misconduct after the wrong kidney was removed from a patient who later died is to face a General Medical Council disciplinary hearing. Registrar Dr Mahesh Chand Goel, 41, who formerly resided at Burnley General Hospital
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10 years ago
A VANDAL-HIT bowling team hit out at "drunks and druggies" after an arson attack on its Bullough Park bowling green. Then club secretary Bill Gudgeon called for more rangers to patrol all Hyndburn parks. And rabbit owners hopped to it in a bid for victory
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50 years ago
SODIUM street lighting proved to be a source of interference affecting radio reception. The Post Office asked local authorities to fit suppressors where lights were causing trouble. Fears were also growing that high level Treasury talks would spell the
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MP's debate call on 'defending homes'
EAST Lancashire Tory MP Nigel Evans has called for a Commons debate on strengthening the right of people to defend themselves when their homes are broken into following the Tony Martin case. Mr Martin was jailed for shooting and killing one burglar and
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Pompey break Pool hearts
BATTLING Blackpool suffered last minute FA Cup heartbreak as they narrowly missed out on a replay with premiership Portsmouth. A well-taken Scott Taylor goal looked set to earn a draw and a return match at Bloomfield Road until last minute heartbreak
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The way forward
BUILDING a "roadmap" to signpost the way forward to e-business prosperity will be featured at the first 2004 meeting of BuryBusiness.NETwork. The event, in conjunction with UK online for Business, will welcome Philip Coen, a certified internet business
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Ridding residential areas of prostitutes
A BLACKBURN prostitute has been banned from her 'patch', thanks to a landmark legal ruling obtained by Lancashire Constabulary. The Anti-Social Behaviour Order imposed on Roxanne Clayton is being heralded as they way forward in policing prostitutes. Crime
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Bury FC: Get involved - your club needs you now
DAVID GIFFARD of Forever Bury the Bury FC supporters' trust issues a New Year clarion call to the local community FOLLOWING the magnificent support of the local community, Bury Football Club came out of administration in time to take part in the 2002/
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Imprisonment charge man facing trial
A 35-YEAR-old man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with unlawfully imprisoning his former girlfriend in the early hours of New Year's Day. Brian David Carrie, 35, of Bennington Street, Blackburn, was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court
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Cast your mind back to 'Iolanthe'
ARE there are still members of the cast of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Iolanthe' (which ran for a week in about 1950 in the Community Theatre) still living in Blackburn. I remember the Lord Chancellor was played by Bill Gregson and musical director was Miriam
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Is there a rebate on the way?
NOW that it has been shown that Darwen has had money it should have received diverted to Blackburn for the past 30 years, are we to expect a rebate of some kind? Maybe a reduction in rates, or money put to improving our road surfaces? I somehow don't
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Difference in spending small
ALL my life I thought Darwen was the small town nestling in the valley of the River Darwen. Now I learn (LET January 2) that Darwen has undergone a massive expansion to take in the likes of Belmont, Chapeltown and Edgworth. Why this sudden, massive expansion
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Holiday bins emptying a big problem
BEFORE the recent holiday period Blackburn Council delivered a leaflet detailing the days of collection for those people who normally had their bin emptied on a Thursday. Such collections would, instead, take place on Saturday, December 27 and Saturday
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Armed thugs steal car
A WOMAN tutor was confronted by two knife-wielding thugs who stole her car. The 47-year-old lecturer was approached at 12.30pm on Tuesday by the two armed men in the grounds of Radcliffe High School in Abden Street. She works as a part-time tutor at the
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Phone firm puts in health call
BOSSES are calling on their staff to get fit and healthy. All this week, managers at the 02 Contact Centre on Dumers Lane, Bury, have been treating their employees to massages, fresh fruit, vitamin supplements and healthy food alternatives. They have
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Bruce targets Taylor
BIRMINGHAM boss Steve Bruce wants to sign Rovers defender Martin Taylor. The Blues chief has made two separate enquiries for the former England Under 21 international in the last seven days. But so far Bruce has been rebuffed in his attempts to add Taylor
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A step closer to new buses
ELECTRIC buses could be on the roads of Preston by the end of this year, if a bid for European Commission funding is successful. An electric motor combined with a small diesel engine will power the new 'quieter' buses which are expected to be more environmentally-friendly
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Statue gets its splash
A BRONZE statue in honour of Preston North End football legend Sir Tom Finney is to take pride of place outside the Deepdale ground after cash to add some finishing touches rolled in. Although humbled by the gesture Sir Tom said he is "delighted" with
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'Al do all I can to help Clarets survive!'
FORMER government spin doctor Alastair Campbell has vowed to spearhead a crucial survival campaign for Burnley Football Club. The extent of the club's perilous plight has been spelt out by chief executive Dave Edmundson, who revealed losses of around
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Woman mugged for £70 in her purse
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two men pushed a woman to the ground and stole £70 from her purse. Officers from Nelson are investigating whether the robbery could be related to other incidents in the area. The 50-year-old was walking across
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Seven-year success of drive on economy
A SEVEN-year regeneration programme that has transformed parts of Pendle is to be celebrated at a conference next week. Pendle Partnership was awarded £9.2m in 1996 from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget for a seven-year programme targeting
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Appeal court slashes doctor's speed fine
A COLNE GP fined more than £600 after escaping a driving ban has had the fine cut - but was warned by a judge not to speed again. Narendrasing Pawar could earlier have lost his licence after clocking up his fourth speeding offence, but magistrates found
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State-of-the-art store
ONE of the UK's largest travel companies has chosen Bury for its latest state-of-the-art store. The First Choice Travel Shop, located in the town's popular Mill Gate centre, opened its doors on Wednesday (Jan 7). It is one of more than 30 new travel offices
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Companies invited to latest forum
FORWARD-looking Bury companies are being urged to make a special new year resolution with a commitment to recruiting a diverse workforce. They are being invited to attend the latest Embracing Diversity Employer Forum meeting to be held at Europa House
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Tony's firm is sporting fixture
A THRIVING Prestwich travel agency has become something of a fixture for avid soccer fans eager to follow their favourites abroad. For in just five years, the Independent Travel Club run by Tony Welch has established itself as one of the country's biggest
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LOCHHEAD: The strain for Stan and his troops
TIMES are hard, but I'm glad the purse strings have been released a little to ease the plight of Stan and the boys. A gruelling coach trip to Crystal Palace tomorrow would have been unthinkable at a time when points are imperative. The predicament we
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Roche hits the rewind
IF Lee Roche ever feels down about warming the Burnley bench, he just slides a treasured video into the machine to cheer him up. The former Manchester United defender made a sensational start to life at Turf Moor last August with a screamer of a goal
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I'll help save Clarets, vows Campbell
FORMER government spin doctor Alistair Campbell has vowed to spearhead a crucial survival campaign for Burnley Football Club. The extent of the club's perilous plight has been spelt out by chief executive Dave Edmundson, who revealed losses of around
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Man dies in tragic crash
A FYLDE man has died and his mother left fighting for her life after being involved in a head-on collision with a Ferrari in Hambleton over the weekend. John Rossall, 50, and mother Mary, 76, were driving along Carr Lane, at Hambleton, when the accident
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Stars for housing support scheme
A COUNCIL-run scheme to help vulnerable people has been praised by inspectors just nine months after its launch. The Supporting People Service has been awarded two stars (out of three) by the Audit Commission, a "good" rating with "promising" prospects
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£5,000 reward for return of distinctive ring
A FORMER bodybuilder is offering a hefty reward for the return of a family heirloom stolen from his home in Prestwich. Steve Smith (31) said he will pay £5,000 for the safe return of a valuable ring, in the shape of a bull's head, and information which
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Parking concerns over new walk-in centre
A NEW NHS walk-in medical centre for Prestwich has been welcomed by councillors: but concerns were raised about a possible lack of car parking spaces. Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) is to build its second walk-in centre in the borough after a successful
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Bury FC: Question the directors
BURY FC supporters get the opportunity to question club directors next Thursday (January 15) when the Forever Bury supporters' trust hold another of their popular Open Meetings. In attendance will be Shakers' board members Ian Harrop, Jim Lomas and Iain
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Bury FC: Tom's a chip off the old block
YOUNGSTER Tom Kennedy has capped a great personal few weeks by being voted Bury FC player-of-the-month for December. The talented 18-year-old left back, who only made his full league debut last month, was the choice of the Shakers' fans in the monthly
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I'm so glad my father saw his family again
A COMMUNITY support officer has told how glad he is that his father had the chance to be reunited with his Polish family before he died. Nick Gisicz, who works in Darwen tackling anti-social behaviour and juvenile nuisance, accompanied his father Micalie
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Teacher's suspension cost council £1m
A COUNCIL has defended its decision to suspend an East Lancashire teacher on full pay for nine years - at a reported cost £1million to the taxpayer. English master Anthony McNally was suspended from his post at Woodhey High School, in Ramsbottom, in March
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Union probe after fire duo injured
A PROBE has been launched after a blaze left two Rossendale firefighters fearing for their lives. The Fire Brigade Union is investigating the fire at Whitworth Civic Hall in December in which Bacup firemen Andy Jones and Tony Greenwood were injured. The
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Charlene search goes nationwide
A NEW poster featuring missing Fylde teenager Charlene Downes is to be sent out to every police station in the country. The poster, headlined 'Missing, Can you help?', features 14-year-old Charlene smiling for the camera in a snapshot taken shortly before
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Off to a real flyer
BLACKPOOL Airport and its use by Lancashire's businesses is the focus of a new study by a regional business organisation. Leyland based Lancashire West Partnership (LWP), which supports Lancashire's economic regeneration, is researching what it calls
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New church opens doors
A NEW Blackpool church is holding an open evening this Saturday to celebrate its official launch. Fylde Coast Church Alive, housed in the former Raikes Parade Methodist church off Blackpool's Church Street, opens its doors at 6.30pm on January 10. The
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Action group to step on the gas
IT'S time for the public to have their say on plans to store gas under the River Wyre, say campaigners and Wyre Borough Council. Thornton Action Group (TAG), which opposes the planning application by American energy company Canatxx, has called a public
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Turns ugly for Frankenstein
A CONTROVERSIAL artwork on Blackpool prom has become a smash hit with vandals again, just days after being repaired and put back after an earlier attack. The 25ft metal gas tank, containing a whale skeleton and neon lights, was taken away from New South
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Mail terror campaign hits north west
A NORTH West Euro-MP targeted with a letter bomb this week has urged his colleagues to be on full alert against similar attacks. The bomb, apparently sent by Italian anarchists, was delivered to the offices of the British Labour's European party leader
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Riddle of the Hollywood charity worker
A POULTON charity shop worker who claimed to be the late Hollywood screen siren Jeanne Crain has vanished under a cloud of mystery. Former Help the Aged staff member, Jeanne Crain, recently cut ties with colleagues at the charity's Market Place site as
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Ex-BNP man cleared after street incident
A BLACKBURN councillor and three youths who were arrested after an incident involving his car will not face charges, it was revealed today. Robin Evans, who won his Mill Hill ward standing for the BNP but has since resigned from the party, was told by
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Drug addict car crook locked up
A PROLIFIC crook who stole property from parked cars has been jailed for four months - but police warned motorists not to relax. Blackburn magistrates heard that Shakil Ahmed was a persistent offender who had received two prison sentences in the last
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Army death probe may take a year
THE Ministry of Defence today revealed it could take up to a year to conclude a military police investigation into the death of an Iraqi prisoner. Two soldiers from the Queens Lancashire Regiment were arrested and questioned following the death in British
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Girl's terror attack by bull terriersGirl's terror attack by bull terriers
A YOUNG girl today told of the moment of terror when she was savaged by two Staffordshire bull terriers as she walked near her home. And today the 11-year-old victim's parents praised two men who fought the animals off -- and demanded that the dogs be
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Pilkington set for Padiham return
GRAHAM Haworth could be ready to throw top scorer Ian Pilkington in to the starting line up for Padiham's trip to Winsford. It is a timely boost for the Arbories outfit, currently in fourth place, as they look to put pressure on the top three in NWCL
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Loss can still be boost to Blues
PROUD Clitheroe manager Lee Sculpher believes the Blues' defeat against Morecambe will be the perfect boost. For, despite his team being knocked out of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy at the second hurdle, Sculpher says his players can take heart from
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Dowie aims to bite the hand of Stan
IAIN Dowie aims to bite the hand that once fed him when Burnley fly into the Eagles nest tomorrow. New Crystal Palace boss Dowie credits Clarets chief Stan Ternent with helping him settle into management following a chance meeting several years ago. But
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No room for nice guys in United squad
VINCE Overson has set a clear 'No More Mr Nice Guy' New Year resolution for his Ramsbottom United players. The manager is looking for his side to toughen up as they prepare for their first North West Counties Division One game in more than a month at
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Lee way is right direction for Dale
ROSSENDALE United manager Paul Lynch is hoping to secure the services of Lee Duffy for another month. The last game of the Rochdale midfield man's current loan spell is this Saturday when Witton Albion are the visitors to Dark Lane for a UniBond Division
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Clarets fans must all pull together
I DON'T envy Dave Edmundson for a second. I met up with Burnley's chief executive yesterday, where he outlined his plan of action to help the Clarets stave off the threat of administration. In an era in which 90 per cent of football clubs are surviving
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Have you any old books by W E Johns?
Through your columns I would like to make contact with any readers who have unwanted books by W.E.Johns. As a keen collector of W.E.Johns' titles and other authors who wrote boys adventure stories related to aerial combat and marine warfare at the time
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Thanks for that!
ON Saturday Dec 6 my wife and myself were visiting Blackpool on a day trip. On returning to Blackpool to Carleton on the number 14 bus, my wife found a purse containing £240 plus a gold chain. We gave the money to two policemen we saw in Blackpool. We
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Will something be done about drivers?
YOUR article in The Citizen about the Toucan crossing near Tesco made interesting reading, but no matter how many safety features are incorporated into a crossing, it doesn't stop motorists from going through the lights when they are on red. I live in
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Outstanding award for Fuller
PRESTON North End striker Ricardo Fuller has won an award for being the most outstanding player in the First Division last month. Fuller has been in devasting form for the club this season and his efforts have been recognised in the Umbro Isotonic player
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Start of a tough month
SUFFERING striker Richard Cresswell is determined to re-pay his gaffer's faith in him during his recent barren spell in front of goal - starting this weekend against West Ham. The former Sheffield Wednesday striker, with just two goals to his name this
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Why not fine the travel agents?
MP Ivan Lewis is pontificating again about parents taking their children out of school for a holiday. But why is he not advocating fines for the travel agents for inflating their prices during school holiday time? He should have a thought for the head
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Bit late to object now!
I SEE that Mrs Allison has got off to a flying start in 2004 with her usual mixture of misrepresentation, hyperbole and statements which are clearly unsustainable (Letters, January 2). However on her main theme I have to inform her that she is nearly
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Does diocese see a big pay day?
LAST Sunday saw the end of an era as Mass was celebrated at St Bede's Church for the last time, and on New Year's Day the social centre also closed. The good people of St Bede's have been treated extremely shabbily by the "Men in Black" of the Salford
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Consider the pollution threat
COUNCILLOR John Byrne's response (Letters, December 29) to Mr P. Morland's comments on the proposed Westfield development of the town centre gives the first clear indication that our council leader is in favour of the proposals. He compares the proposed
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Down your street
CLEVELEYS BLACKPOOL RSPB group's next meeting takes place tomorrow (Friday, January 9) at the Frank Townend Centre, Beach Road, starting at 7.30pm. Ann Borthwick will give an illustrated talk on Antarctica. For more details contact Mrs Summers on 868612
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Wrong release decision fiasco
JUDGES are often publicly criticised for imposing sentences which people don't believe fit the crimes they are dealing with. The criticisms might sometimes be justified but in recent years there have also been a number of disturbing instances where awful
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OPEN HOUSE: Greg's Stanley tribute
HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope is doing all he can to woo his Accrington voters following the success of the town's football club in the FA Cup. He has put down a special Motion at Westminster congratulating Stanley on their progress. The Early Day Motion -- which
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Football: Highfield miss out on festive cheer
Air Miles Manchester League Premier Division OVER the past three weeks it has become apparent that Highfield couldn't buy a win even if it was advertised on e-Bay. A combination of schoolboy defending in the first of three away games over the festive
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Football: Impressive visitors keep Vale in dumps
AIR MILES Manchester League Premier Division ELTON VALE ...0 LEIGH ATHLETIC...3 VALE are still firmly entrenched in the drop zone after another disappointing defeat, albeit against the best side they have faced this season. Leigh did the basics well,
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Rugby Union: Park show title grit
SEDGLEY PARK...23 STOURBRIDGE...15 THE weather may have been dark, cold and drizzly, but the rugby sparkled as Sedgley once again showed resilience to overcome strong opponents. Stourbridge began strongly, running hard and straight and rucking fiercely
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Football: Fozzy hits three as Boro stroll
RADCLIFFE BORO...3 BLACKPOOL M...0 Lancashire Marsden Trophy Round Two MATCH balls may come to be in short supply at Radcliffe if striker Steve 'Fozzy' Foster continues his scoring streak with a few more hat-tricks like the one that put Boro into the
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IT'S the result and not the performance that is everything tomorrow when Bury take on high-flying Sw
It seems light years away from the optimistic opening game of the season in August when Brian Flynn's side were flattered by a 4-2 win at the Vetch Field. In sub-tropical temperatures new chairman Albert Doweck watched player-boss Andy Preece grab a first
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Students get taste of virtual motoring
EAST Lancashire students are getting behind a virtual steering wheel to experience driving. The BSM driving school simulator, based on a Vauxhall Corsa, is touring the county later this month. The special piece of kit will give students, many under 17
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Police get new guide to teach children road safety
COMMUNITY beat managers are to get a new guide to help teach youngsters about road safety. The new brochure "Road Safety Support for Education Services" has been produced by Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group to help Lancashire police officers
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MPs in call to punish landlords for bottles leaving pub
TWO East Lancashire MPs have joined forces to demand that landlords should be punished for allowing customers to leave their pubs with glasses and bottles of booze in their hands. Burnley MP Peter Pike raised the issue with Culture Minister Richard Caborn
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Valid point on driving with foglights on
SHUIAB Khan, in his Friday column (December 12) complained about drivers using four headlights when two would do. I agree, many drivers are unaware that lights below the bumper are fog-lights not driving lamps and should only be used in fog or poor visibility
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Tall story to prove a point
CONCERNING the debate over equality of spending between Darwen and Blackburn, I should like to make the following point. For an average to be meaningful it has to include all the elements and none can be legitimately excluded. By excluding the more affluent
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It's time to tingle your spine
GILBERT & Sullivan comes to Lytham this month with a production of Iolanthe at Lowther Pavilion. Preston Gilbert & Sullivan Society's staging of the classic Gilbertian tale of fairies mixing with mortals is at Lytham's Lowther Pavilion January
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Market success follows trial
FOLLOWING a successful six-month trial a farmers market will continue in Ramsbottom. It will be held every month, with the first one of the year taking place this Sunday (January 11). Held in Market Place and inside Ramsbottom Civic Hall, the market will
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Cadets given gun lessons.
HIGH-FLYING youngsters fired a volley of questions at armed police when they gave a talk to Radcliffe Air Training Corps (ATC) members. Members of the Greater Manchester Police Armed Response Unit had only been scheduled for a 60-minute talk to the youngsters
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New faces greet 2004
THE arrival of the New Year heralded some extra-special arrivals at Fairfield Hospital maternity unit. For the Wildeman family, New Year's Day will be one long celebration after the birth of Neville Graham. He shares his birthday with grandmother Lesley
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Released rapist struck twice in days
A VICIOUS serial rapist who terrorised two women days after being released from prison has been jailed for life. Burnley Crown Court heard how Sanders Hill, 31, who struck within hours of being seen by police, is so dangerous that he may never be freed
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Centre threat as five are axed
TIME is running out for the Creative Living Centre in Prestwich after five members of staff were made redundant this week. Two full-time and three part-time workers were expected to receive official letters by today giving them three months notice. The
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Misha is three times a TV star
IT was third time lucky for young actress Misha Timmins when she landed the lead role in a new teenage drama. Misha (15) has been selected to play the part of Gina in ITV's The A-Z of Everything, which is being dubbed the teenage version of hit programme
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Volunteers needed to shape up health plan
MEMBERS of the public are being invited to help shape the future of their local health service. Following the abolition of Bury Community Health Council last month, those with an interest in health issues are needed to sit on the new Patient and Public
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Re-born striker back at Ewood
RE-BORN striker Kevin Davies is aiming to provide further evidence of his rejuvenation under Sam Allardyce as he prepares to return to the scene of his worst nightmare tomorrow. Davies will spearhead the Bolton attack when Wanderers head to Ewood for
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Overspent by £400,000
COUNTY council chiefs have removed spending power from the authority's youth and community service following a massive overspend of nearly £400,000 of public funds. At a meeting on Tuesday cabinet members agreed to make the authority's head of finance
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Young hacks in the news
BUDDING journalists at a Preston school looked to The Citizen for inspiration this week after producing their first school newspaper. Deepdale Junior School's Junior Star was hot off the press on Wednesday. The first edition was put together by staff
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Bridesmaid mourns tragic best friend
A WOMAN who was due to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of a Preston nurse, killed in a bus crash in South Africa, is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her best friend. Joanne Bingham, a staff nurse at Preston Hospital's medical assessment unit
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Cream eggs were target of addict
A THIEF made off with cream eggs to the tune of £121 from a supermarket. Burnley Magistrates' Court heard how ex-convict Alan Shapcott, 32, had been a heroin addict for 10 years but he promised a judge he was doing his best to kick his habit. Shapcott
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Rosegrove Bulletin
A MEETING with the parks department, Groundwork and Rosegrove Action Group was held to discuss the improvements to Owen Street Park. One of the concerns that came out of a local planning event held approximately two years ago was that there was nowhere
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Victim terrified by offer for sex
A SHOP supervisor was left terrified after a middle-aged man offered her £10 for sex. Burnley magistrates court heard how drunken takeaway worker Mehrzad Abdollahian, 43, who grabbed the Next worker's arm over the till, spoke to her in broken English
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Bedside vigil for hit-and-run dad
THE distraught daughter of a pensioner seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident was today keeping a vigil at his bedside. Denise Cocklin, 56, said her dad, Parker Ince, was in a critical but stable condition after suffering a severe head wound near
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Released rapist struck twice in days
A VICIOUS serial rapist who terrorised two women days after being released from prison has been jailed for life. Burnley Crown Court heard how Sanders Hill, 31, who struck within hours of being seen by police, is so dangerous that he may never be freed
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Anxious mum's golden moment
A WOMAN who accidentally posted a gold bracelet into a paper recycling bank has thanked council staff who helped her get it back. Jennifer Gornall, of East View Terrace, Barnoldswick, mistakenly put an envelope containing the jewellery into a paper bank
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25 years ago
PHYSIOTHERAPIST Jack Marshall usually tended to burly football players' injuries. But he turned his hand to helping actor John Slater after a shoulder injury while playing Mother Goose in panto at Windsor Hall, Blackburn. Meanwhile, 40 fireman fought
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'Wedged' car shock for pensioner
A PENSIONER was left shocked after a car became wedged between her house and a parked car. Patricia Ryder was in her house in Clement Street when the car crashed into it at 1.20pm yesterday. Yvette Dyriw, of Miller Fold Avenue, Accrington, escaped injury
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Two are fined in 'kicking' dispute
A WOMAN'S brother and boyfriend were arrested when police tried to resolve a New Year disturbance in which she became involved. Howard James Cartmell, 26, of Harebell Close, and John Anthony Mallett, 30, of Willow Street, Clayton-le-Moors, were each fined
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Support for smokers to 'pack it in'
A NEW series of smoking cessation sessions have begun for those hoping to quit for the New Year. Last year 82 per cent of the 186 people who attended groups organised by Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust successfully gave up. And for 2004,
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Cat tale has a happy ending
A CAT rescue worker offered to conduct a home visit to resolve the row over a woman who claimed she was refused a pet because she was deaf. But Emma Stevens, a training officer with the East Lancashire Deaf Society, today said she had found someone else
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'Quit' call to head of crisis council
A FORMER Labour councillor has called for Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe to stand down because the authority is in a financial mess. Steve Walsh, former Huncoat ward councillor, has also called on his former colleagues to hold Coun Britcliffe
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Police launch blitz on pirate parking
MOTORISTS parking illegally near the scene of a fatal accident face fines and penalty points as police in Accrington get tough on drivers. The sting on parking offences will begin on Monday and will cover streets in and around the town centre, including
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Director escapes driving ban
A WHALLEY company director escaped a driving ban after arguing it would cause him and his business exceptional hardship. Kevin Preston, defending, told Blackburn magistrates that Graham Layzell travelled all over the country in his capacity as a self-employed
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Council set for second low tax increase
RIBBLE Valley Borough Council is hoping to set one of the lowest council tax increases in the country for the second year running. Last year, the authority increased its share of the council tax by just 3.27 per cent - just over half the Government recommendation
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Combating stress
HOW to combat stress and to achieve a balance while working will be the themes spotlighted at the latest meeting of the Bury-based Greater Manchester Spirit at Work. Next Monday's (Jan 12) meeting at the St James Centre in St James Avenue, Woolfold, will
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Stan orders his players to "buck up"
STAN Ternent has ordered Burnley to "buck up" and collect eight more wins to save their season. The Clarets boss acknowledges his side are down among the dead men in the fight for First Division survival. And he is demanding an instant improvement to
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RPI not EU
THE Fylde Coast employs a significant number of civil servants and other public sector employees. The inflation factor used in their pay negotiations has been the Retail Price Index (RPI), currently 2.5 per cent. The Chancellor has announced that this
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Fresh fruit and veg is on menu
LOCALS will have no excuse to break their "eat more healthily" resolution for this year. A food co-operative is to be set up in areas of Radcliffe to ensure they get their five portions of fresh fruit and veg a day! The initiative, to be up-and-running
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Children's sound of Rebellion music
MORE than 600 Bury youngsters will help re-create the Jacobite Rebellion: in song! For they are to take part in a special musical production which will form the centrepiece of the annual Children of Bury Sing event in the spring. Entitled Charlie, the
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"Fair" Bury repeats bid to take on Rossendale
BURY has lodged a formal appeal in a second bid to take over parts of Rossendale. It cites its new rating as the "most improved council in the land" as the reason why the Boundary Committee should approve a possible merger of the two councils. This time
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Parking chief denies "over-zealous" claims
CLAIMS that traffic wardens in Prestwich are "over-zealous" have been denied by Bury's car parking chief. John Foudy, Bury Council's car parking services manager, said NCP wardens were just doing their job in regulating problem parking. He said the idea
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JP retires after 30 years on the Bury bench
AFTER helping bring justice for the past 30 years, Gordon Berlyne is bowing out into well-earned retirement. Mr Berlyne OBE (70), from Prestwich, will leave the bench at Bury Magistrates Court on Monday (January 12) to pursue his many hobbies including
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Estate faces bulldozers
A PROBLEIT housing estate is facing the bulldozers and another is to be refurbished after being sold off by Bury Council. Troubled Tulle Court and Kersal Close in Prestwich are so unpopular with tenants that the majority of apartments lie empty with no
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Shirley's killer still at large
SCIENTIFIC DNA "genetic fingerprinting" remains the biggest hope of solving the ten-year mystery of who murdered Shirley Leach. On January 7, 1994, the body of the 66-year-old grandmother was discovered in a toilet cubicle at Bury Interchange. She had
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Bruce targets Taylor
BIRMINGHAM boss Steve Bruce wants to sign Rovers defender Martin Taylor. The Blues chief has made two separate enquiries for the former England Under 21 international in the last seven days. But so far Bruce has been rebuffed in his attempts to add Taylor
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I'll help save Clarets, vows Campbell
FORMER government spin doctor Alistair Campbell has vowed to spearhead a crucial survival campaign for Burnley Football Club. The extent of the club's perilous plight has been spelt out by chief executive Dave Edmundson, who revealed losses of around
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Bury FC: No joy on stopper search
IT'S the result and not the performance that is everything tomorrow when Bury take on high-flying Swansea City at Gigg Lane (3pm). It seems light years away from the optimistic opening game of the season in August when Brian Flynn's side were flattered
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Company director banned 2 years
A DIRECTOR of a Darwen construction business which failed with total debts estimated at about £117,000 has agreed not to hold directorships for two-and-a-half years. Niall Peter Murphy, 30, was a director of Reinforced Concrete Design Limited, Whitehall
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Driver caught out by trip to jet wash
A SUSPECTED drink driver was caught out when he decided to take his car to the jet wash at three o'clock in the morning. Burnley Magistrates Court heard how lonely David Cooper, 36, had been drinking at home with only his dog for company. Cooper, who
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Forum confident of a good start
A NEW group called Confident Communities will hold its inaugural meeting in Rossendale next week to give residents their say on a variety of issues. The forum will allow the public to voice their concerns and ideas on what they would like to see happening
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Former mayor is new council leader
FORMER Mayor of Rossendale David Hancock is the new leader of the council. Coun Hancock has taken the reins after former leader Graham Pearson announced he was stepping down because of ill health. Mr Hancock, the Labour member for Whitewell, was voted
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Valley rejects fluoride plan
COUNCILLORS have rejected proposals to add fluoride to Rossendale's water supply after they were met with fierce criticism from residents and health experts. Proposals to 'mass medicate' the Valley's water supply with fluoride came under attack at a public
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Village centre of attention on plans
PLANS for a new community centre at a Rossendale church are set to be unveiled next week. Weir Baptist Church needs to raise £300,000 to develop a building on the site of the former Doals Church, in Burnley Road, which was demolished in 1996 after it
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Jaytee the dog astounds world of science
CLEVER canine Jaytee has been the subject of a series of experiments designed to prove he has telepathic detection powers. When 15-year-old Jaytee's curious owner, Pam Smart, 46, saw an advertisement in a national newspaper in 1994 asking pet owners with
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Fylde plan paves the way ahead
THE Fylde may have missed out on a white Christmas, but local residents still have a chance to celebrate a green New Year. Recycled Christmas trees are to be chipped and used on woodland path, turned into mulch for local parks or used in sand dune preservation
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Care boost for patients
TERMINALLY ill people on the Fylde Coast will soon have the choice of whether or not they wish to die at home, after the government announced a £12 million boost for palliative care services. A share of the money -- the exact amount will be announced
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Village in mourning
NEIGHBOURS, colleagues and friends have offered their personal tributes to a Fylde couple tragically killed in a New Year's Eve mini-bus crash in South Africa. Computer engineer Neil Pike, 35, and his fiance, nurse Christine Rowe, 30, of Clitheroes Lane
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State school for Muslims backed
PLANS to create Lancashire's first Muslim state school have been sent to central government for approval. Education chiefs at Blackburn with Darwen Council have written to the Department of Education and Skills confirming their support for plans to invite
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Man deliberately set fire to arcade
A MAN deliberately set fire to one of Blackpool's biggest amusement arcades after becoming depressed over splitting up with his fiancee, a court was told. Simon Hilliard then immediately phoned the fire brigade and police to tell them what he had done
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School scores a hat-trick
IT'S a hat-trick for a Blackburn primary school after impressing education inspectors three times in ten years. St Gabriel's CE Primary School, Blackburn, has been told for a second time it has no key issues to look at and that it was "very effective.
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Dummy cameras option revealed
SPEED cameras which do not comply with Government regulations may be turned into roadside "dummies" in a bid to control motorists without fining them. The move was revealed as Lancashire road safety bosses blamed motorists' anger and confusion over cameras
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New gritting rules bring cash fears
COUNCIL bosses may be forced to spend thousands of pounds in a bid to stop people launching legal claims for slipping on icy paths and roads. Previously, councils had a statutory duty to maintain public highways but were not responsible for preventing
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Toy appeal for quake children
A FATHER-OF-TWO has set the ball rolling on an aid mission for Iranian earthquake-hit city Bam after being shocked by TV pictures of the disaster. When Steve Capriati saw images in the news of the terrible earthquake which destroyed the city and killed
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Let's keep the ball rolling: Wilkes
DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes hopes his side have started the New Year as they mean to go on. The Reds, who battled for three months before picking up their first clean sheet of the season, earned a 1-0 win over Winsford United to get 2004 off to a flying
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Mash could miss out for Harwood
GREAT Harwood Town boss John Hughes is thinking of leaving top scorer Paul Mashiter out of tomorrow's NWCL Division Two home game with Maine Road. The man who has taken on Harwood's main goalscoring mantle since Matt Derbyshire left for Blackburn Rovers
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Play-off push for the Hawks
BLACKBURN Hawks are back in league action this Sunday when Sunderland Chiefs provide the opposition at the Arena. After a disappointing run of three cup and league defeats over the holiday period, the Hawks have a great opportunity to get back on track
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Enjoy a circus that doesn't involve exploiting animals
I AM delighted to learn the Chinese State Circus is coming to Blackpool and would urge all those people who think a circus can only be spectacular when animals are in it to go and see this wonderful circus and see what real skills and daring acts are
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Ignorance shouldn't be on a free rein
I WRITE in response to A Trevor's letter, not so much regarding his fears for the future of Poulton (a couple of clubs does not a Gomorrah make), but rather to counter his crude and offensive slur against the entire younger generation. The excesses which
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Angling will be lodges' salvation
THE mid-1800s was England's finest time for engineering with excellent examples to be found the reservoirs at Lowercroft and Elton Vale. Built for the Elton Cop mill, they were the lifeblood of the cotton and bleach works they served in Bury. Today, these
