Archive

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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Friday, January 16, 2003.

A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Museum, Gift Shop, Tea Room and Art Gallery, Pendle Heritage Centre, Park Hill, Barrowford, Nelson. Fun Night, Belmont Community Centre, Burnley, 7pm-9pm. Young people's

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This wrong must be put right now

IT seems astonishing that Robert Clark's family have had to wait more than 50 years for his name to go on Great Harwood's cenotaph. He was serving with the Royal Marines when he died after being shot following a patrol during the Malaya campaign against

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Traffic fears for new retail park

AMBITIOUS plans to transform colliery wasteland in Leigh into a retail and business park are a step nearer to becoming a reality. The scheme to redevelop 34 acres of the former Parsonage pit site behind Asda superstore off Atherleigh Way is being welcomed

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War veterans' anger

VETERANS today hit out at a cash-strapped council for refusing to inscribe their fallen comrade's name on a town's war memorial. Hyndburn Borough Council, which is trying to fill a £800,000 hole in its finances, said adding the inscription was unnecessary

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McBride move is back on

BLACKBURN Rovers are poised to sign Brian McBride next week after the long-running transfer saga took another dramatic twist last night. A move for the 31-year-old has been revived in the last 24 hours and Rovers now look set to sign the player next week

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Husband threw lager over estranged wife

A FATHER-of-three threw a pint of lager over his estranged's wife's head and then attacked her brother when he went to her aid, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard that jobless Mark Robert Anderson, 30, thought victims Deborah Anderson and Carl

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Aussie Peter looks for his ancestors

AUSSIE Peter Marsh is seeking out a real 'pommie' ancestor. Writing from Macleod in Victoria Peter tells us: "I am a descendant of Samuel Marsh of Locking Stoops/Stumps Farm in Kenyon and am trying to trace my family background in general. "But more specifically

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Transplant girl's new medal hope

A YOUNG transplant patient from East Lancashire is flying to Italy this weekend to compete in the World Winter Transplant Games. This will be the second time Lauren Leach, 14, of Ighten Road, Burnley, has taken part in the games and she is hoping to repeat

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Padiham and Hapton Bulletin

BURNLEY Council are looking into the siting of a letter box exclusively for Padiham Town Council. This problem has existed since the council was formed and the lack of a letter box is causing concern to councillors who fear that important correspondence

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Alley plan reaches final hurdle

NEWS that more than 30 back streets in Burnley could soon be gated in an £80,000 scheme aimed at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour has been welcomed by residents. Plans to block off the darkened back streets behind homes plagued by burglaries

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Racist arson probe at restaurant

DETECTIVES from Burnley's Hate Crime Unit have been drafted in to investigate a racist arson attack at a Cliviger Indian restaurant. Arsonists broke into the Old Village Spice Indian Restaurant in Burnley Road before covering the walls with racist comments

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Crooks to get TV slot

THE faces of wanted criminals could be displayed on TV screens throughout Burnley town centre as part of a high-tech scheme aimed at cutting crime and keeping people in the know. Police and council bosses said the project would give people a prime-time

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10 years ago

CONMEN were collecting money in the street falsely claiming it went to the Les Dawson Scanner Appeal. Blackburn shopping chiefs believed the men were collecting in King William Street, and warned shoppers to beware. Children and teachers said farewell

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Library pictures from the past

THE Journal's sister paper, the Bolton Evening News, will celebrate Westhoughton's past, present and future with a photographic exhibition which opens on Friday at Westhoughton Library. Poignant pictures from the past -- many from the newspaper's extensive

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Beer festival aims to smash record

BRITAIN'S best beers, good music and wholesome food should prove a potent mix to tempt and satisfy the hordes due to converge on Atherton for the Bent and Bongs Beer Bash. Drinkers will raise their glasses at the three-day festival at the Formby Hall

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Men take a fresh look at the way they look

MEN in the North West are more conscious of their looks and how they feel than ever before according to the leisure manager at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors. Karen France said male beauty treatments are on the increase and many men would have

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War veterans' anger

VETERANS today hit out at a cash-strapped council for refusing to inscribe their fallen comrade's name on a town's war memorial. Hyndburn Borough Council, which is trying to fill a £800,000 hole in its finances, said adding the inscription was unnecessary

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Military award for young soldier

A JUNIOR soldier from Atherton who tried to save the life of an elderly man who collapsed has been given a senior military commendation. Last August, 17-year-old Jamie Hilton, who was halfway through his military training at the prestigious Army Foundation

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Beer festival aims to smash record

BRITAIN'S best beers, good music and wholesome food should prove a potent mix to tempt and satisfy the hordes due to converge on Atherton for the Bent and Bongs Beer Bash. Drinkers will raise their glasses at the three-day festival at the Formby Hall

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Dead animal waste fuel plan for plant

COUNTY councillors have passed a planning application that could allow fuel made from dead animals to be burnt at a Clitheroe factory. Blood, bones, hooves, horns and feathers are all used to make the Animal Waste Derived Fuel (AWDF) which is due to be

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Cross 'Bow's' rap for Kilroy TV axe

COMEDIAN and broadcaster Jim Bowen today backed embattled TV host Robert Kilroy-Silk to return to our screens. Jim, 66, who quit the BBC in 2002 in a row over using the phrase "nig-nog" on the radio, offered his support to Mr Kilroy-Silk after the presenter

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My years of torment as abused child

A BUDDING author is set to publish a series of books about the abuse he suffered as a child in a bid to deal with the pain that still haunts him. Brian Rutherford, 48, originally from Whalley, is one of a family of 12 children. He claims he was the victim

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Some comfort to my syndrome

I AM 57. I hold down not one, but two responsible jobs. Most people, I hope, would regard me as sane and rational. But I have developed a psychological condition, almost entirely of my own making, and from which there is no known cure. It's called Blackburn

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Players are 'living on a knife-edge'

GLEN Little reckons many Burnley players are fighting for their footballing lives. The financial strait-jacket the club is wearing has left everyone in the Clarets dressing room feeling the squeeze. Several first team stars are out of contract this summer

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Surgery change

ATHERTON councillor Susan Loudon's surgery scheduled for January 16 at the Howe Bridge Scout HQ has been cancelled. Tyldesley East councillor Alan Stephenson will deputise for Brian Wilson at tomorrow's surgery at Tyldesley Town Hall.

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Open service

A CHRISTIAN Unity Service open to anyone will begin at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 22 at Sacred Heart Church, Walmesley Road, Leigh. The Rev Dr A Cunningham of Leigh Parish Church will address the congregation as part of the special prayer for Christian

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Staff throw farewell party

EMPLOYEES facing redundancy at a stores' distribution depot are organising a goodbye bash. When the Ashton-based KwikSave Distribution Centre closes down on January 30 its remaining 70 workers feel it will be a sad loss to the area. They have set up a

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Sweet success as Glisten take over rival firm

BLACKBURN chocolates and confectionery group Glisten today announced it has bought rival firm Fravigar for £6.5million. Bosses at the company, which is the UK's biggest manufacturer of sugared almonds, say the purchase will help drive up profits at the

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HLOTTO voicemaster Alan Dedicoat helped Terry Wogan's TOGGS raise £721 and 16pence for Children in

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First class Richard

FORMER Bedford High and St Mary's Sixth Form student Richard Tobin has graduated from Huddersfield University with a first class honours BSc after completing a multimedia technology course. He is the 23 year-old son of Paul and Sue Tobin of Longcroft,

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Travel in comfort

TRAVEL the Kerry Way in comfort on Monday when David Cookson gives an illustrated talk on Ireland's wonders at Leigh Literary Society meeting which begins at 7.30pm in the Derby Room at Leigh Turnpike Centre. Admission to non members is £1.50. Details

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Council apologises to pensioner for tax bill blunder

A PENSIONER who is exempt from paying council tax claims she suffered sleepless nights after being told she must pay £240 or face court. Margaret Clark, 66, of Stuart Close, Darwen, said she is on medication for her nerves and receiving a court summons

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Make your bike safe

nPOLICE will be security code marking Christmas bikes and mobile phones at Golborne Asda on Saturday, January 24, between 10am and 4pm. The event has been organised in conjunction with Wigan and Leigh Crime Prevention Panel and Homework Association.

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Traffic police move in

BOLTON'S traffic officers are moving to Leigh following a major shake-up within Greater Manchester Police. All 11 of the force's original divisional traffic departments have now been reorganised into five larger road policing units covering five areas

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Cottage burglar snared by passing police

A HOUSE breaker caught while trying to escape with his stolen haul has been committed to crown court for sentence. Burnley magistrates heard how ex-convict John Fruscella, 33, was captured because police were passing as he and an accomplice struck. Officers

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Recycling scheme to cover more homes

A SUCCESSFUL recycling scheme is about to be extended to cover more areas of Rossendale. The blue recycling bins are due to be delivered to parts of Edenfield, Rawtenstall, Irwell Vale, and Stubbins, with the first collections in February. A further delivery

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Cost of a cab goes up

TAXI FARES in Rossendale are set to rise by 10 per cent after members of the valley's taxi association put forward new proposals. Rossendale Borough Council have justified the increase in Hackney Carriage and Private Hire fares after councillors voted

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Credit where it's due

MEMBERS of the Unify Credit Union, which covers Leigh, agreed to accept a 2.5 per cent dividend at Monday's annual meeting. The community savings and loan co-operative offers savings with dividends and low cost loans to anyone who lives or works in the

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'Death medal' mystery

FOR the past 40 years Norman Harris had been intrigued by a 'death medal' which he acquired for 50 pence from an Atherton second-hand shop. Now Norman, who lives in the Sale Lane area of Tyldesley, has asked the Journal to help him trace relatives of

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Pathak wins book award

MEENA Pathak, the creative force behind the successful Leigh-based Patak's authentic Indian food brand, has been internationally acclaimed for her second work as an author in the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2003. Meena's latest title, Indian

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Staff throw farewell party

EMPLOYEES facing redundancy at a stores' distribution depot are organising a goodbye bash. When the Ashton-based KwikSave Distribution Centre closes down on January 30 its remaining 70 workers feel it will be a sad loss to the area. They have set up a

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Teenage robber snatches handbag

A TEENAGER who robbed a woman at tea-time on Tuesday in Westleigh is being sought by police. Detectives are appealing for information after the 63-year-old woman was attacked near her home. She had been shopping at Asda supermarket in Leigh and was making

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MP backs heart Bill

ANDY Burnham has backed a Bill which aims to save the lives of young heart attack sufferers. The Leigh MP sponsored the Private Members' Bill presented to Parliament which seeks to protect young people from sudden cardiac arrest. He joined sports stars

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Vandal gang strike fear on estate

VANDALS are terrorising an estate, making residents' lives a misery. Over the past few weeks a gang of nine to 16-year-olds has caused mayhem on Higher Folds, wrecking bushes and fences, ripping up paths, stopping traffic with bins, throwing bottles and

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Young people's fund has £m left

COMMUNITY groups which provide new opportunities for children and young people in hard-pressed Lancashire communities are being encouraged to make last-minute bids for their share of a £500,000 fund. The £500,000 is what is left of this year's Local Network

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Wedding day gems stolen

SECOND-hand dealers and customers across Blackburn were today urged to be on their guard after burglars stole £7,000 worth of jewellery. Among the haul was Asian wedding jewellery worth several thousands of pounds. The plea was made by Detective Sergeant

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Burglars floored by new targets

DETECTIVES today pledged further crackdowns after revealing burglaries were at their lowest level for a decade. But Detective Inspector Jim Elston also warned against complacency as new figures showed in Lancashire there were around 9,000 break-ins last

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Homeless happier in friendly East Lancs

FRIENDLY and generous East Lancashire folk are helping to buck a national trend of ignoring the elderly and needy sections of society. A new report by the Salvation Army claims the vulnerable are being forgotten, and paints a picture of an uncaring culture

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Pupils aren't making the grade

TWO thirds of schools in Blackburn with Darwen and more than half of schools across East Lancashire have performed worse at GCSE level than last year, league tables revealed today. But headteachers and union leaders today urged parents to look at value-added

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ossendale riseto the challenge

THE last couple of years have seen an influx of new clubs taking part in the Red Rose Cross Country League, but league stalwarts Rossendale Harriers have shown this season that they can still set the standard. As the rearranged fixture at Wilson Playing

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Performance tables out on Thursday

SECONDARY School performance tables for Leigh have been published on Thursday. Click 2003 Second School Performance Tables to see how schools have performed in Leigh and Bolton.

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It's all in the stars

LOTTO luck is written in the stars apparently. Not in mine it isn't. Cancer, Capricorn and Virgo were the luckiest signs in 2003 taking 48per cent of the jackpots. Taurus, that's me, was sadly lagging behind in fortune with no winners, and in my case

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Performance tables out on Thursday

SECONDARY School performance tables for Bury have been published on Thursday. Click 2003 Second School Performance Tables to see how schools have performed in Bury and Bolton.

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New bus stop is a bin

I WAS appalled by the state of the new bus stop in Market Street, Atherton, when I passed at 3pm the other Monday. It was full of discarded food boxes and rubbish. I wouldn't mind but there is a bin only two feet away. Platt Lane, the country road between

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Fred deserves his TV success

FRED Dibnah fans who watched last week's BBC 2 programme covering the eccentric steeplejack's amazing bid to build a replica of a working pit in his garden would have caught a glimpse of former Leigh Grammar School lad and former curator of the Lancashire

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Wicked duo deserve prison

I FEEL nothing but contempt for the two despicable drunken burglars who microwaved a live pet mouse with carrots and potatoes and beheaded an 19-years-old blind and much loved cat for its owner to find on his coffee table. Wicked Steven Browitt, of Hindley

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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Thursday, January 15, 2003.

A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Free Computer Training, Daisyfield Centre, Blackburn. Luncheon Club (age 55-plus), Rosehill Baptist Church, Burnley, noon. Ballroom and Latin American Dancing for beginners

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Taking the hump over road bumps

THERE is about as much chance of the 53 cameras being removed as I have of plaiting sawdust. Once these partnerships get their hands on public money (our money) they will use whatever means possible to keep it. If it means interpreting the rules their

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Attack dogs ought to be destroyed

AFTER reading of the horrific attack on an 11-year-old girl, I truly hope the two Staffordshire bull terriers are destroyed. I speak as an animal lover, but surely the life of a young girl is more important. Were it not for the courage of the two men

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Buses too big for some routes

IN reply to bus operator Mr Pilkington who was complaining that his big buses were going to have difficulty navigating one of the bends coming out of the new town centre bus stop in Accrington. I am sick of them trying to navigate around the town centre

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Arabs taught us all we know

WHEN we were living in caves and mud huts and drinking from animal skulls and using bones, sticks and rocks to kill each other, the Arabs had astronomy, mathematics, doctors, law, agriculture, architecture, metal workers and potters. They wove silks and

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The next steps on road to safety

NOW that Lancashire Safety Partnership's manipulation of the necessary criteria for speed cameras has been shown for what it is, will they take a leaf from Blair's promise to resign if he was shown to be lying? Back in the real world, the huge improvement

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Interests of residents will not improve

WITH reference to the recent concerns expressed about funding for the Darwen area of Blackburn with Darwen Unitary Authority, may I make the following comments: Surely it is understandable that deprived wards should receive more support than the more

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Players are ready for home comforts at Turf

NO-ONE is looking forward to a home game more than me. The game against Coventry in mid-December was the last time I set foot on the Turf, so that makes my unexpected return all the more pleasing ahead of West Brom's visit on Saturday. We all know what

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Racist arson probe at restaurant

DETECTIVES from Burnley's Hate Crime Unit have been drafted in to investigate a racist arson attack at a Cliviger Indian restaurant. Arsonists broke into the Old Village Spice Indian Restaurant in Burnley Road before covering the walls with racist comments

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Striker could be set for Eastern promise

BLACKBURN striker Dwight Yorke has been linked with a move to the Middle East. A report in the national Press claimed Yorke's advisers have been approached by several leading clubs in Qatar. Yorke is still a leading name in the Middle East following his

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Thieving mum given last chance

A SINGLE mother who went shoplifting breached nine court orders at once but kept her freedom. Jane Elizabeth Rosalyn Payne, 26, was given a 12 months community rehabilitation order by Burnley Magistrates, to include the Addressing Substance Related Offending

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Banned driver in 'mercy dash' claim

A BANNED driver caught behind the wheel of a yellow Ferrari was on a mercy dash after his ex-girlfriend claimed she was going to end her life, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Mohammed Syed, 24, was fooled by the woman who made "spurious

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BEST bus service launched for jobless

NEW bus services linking deprived estates in Burnley to areas of employment are being launched thanks to Government funding of almost £1million. Burnley Employment Shuttle Transit (BEST) has been granted £972,496 to launch two new bus services in Daneshouse

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Stationery helps keep club going

BURY Football Club director Jim Lomas has called on fans and local businesses to support the club by buying from the Shakers' own stationery supplier. The soccer club has set up Shakers Office Supplies and by purchasing office stationery from the new

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Emporium gets over China crisis

A BARROWFORD store facing a 'China crisis' is to officially open this year. Plans for Mihan, a Chinese furniture emporium in Gisburn Road, were put on hold last year after the SARS outbreak in Asia meant exports from the country were suspended. But now

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Cost sunk search for missing Gaul

AN official search for the Gaul in the years after her disappearance was shelved on cost grounds - even though the location of the wreck was known. A public inquiry into the events surrounding the loss of the trawler in 1974 was told officials at the

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'Miracle' recovery of accident puzzle mum

A WOMAN who spent a month fighting for life after she is believed to have been run over in Nelson town centre has been taken off life support. Mother-of-three Jane Loughlin, 40, has been sitting up and talking to members of her family who have kept a

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50 years ago

FIELD Marshall Viscount Montgomery of Alamein smiled and waved as he travelled through Rawtenstall, Burnley, Nelson and Colne. And a coal shortage in Accrington and district was becoming desperate and many households had empty sheds, said merchants. Supplies

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25 years ago

A MILLION households in North Lancashire, including Rossendale, were asked to stop using automatic washing machines and dishwashers to save water. The measures were needed as 600 workers at the North West Water Authority were on strike. A new medical

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Serial burglar puts the blame on heroin

AN Accrington man who admitted a series of burglaries has been sent in custody for sentence at Preston Crown Court. Gordon Joseph Walker, 31, of St Ledger Court, pleaded guilty at Blackburn magistrates to burglary at a house in Sandy Lane with intent

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Mum too sick for Toby death probe

THE long-awaited inquest of baby Toby Woods has been postponed, it was revealed today. The inquest had been set down for a two-week hearing in front of a jury at the request of Toby's father, Robert Woods, of Pendle Street, Accrington. But officials say

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Commons praise for health staff

NHS staff have been praised in the House of Commons by an MP who is urging people to grab the chance to help shape Leigh Infirmary's future. Speaking in a Commons debate, in which he called for a bigger slice of health service funding for local patients

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Watch out for church raiders

HYNDBURN clergy today said churches were "under threat" after a series of break-ins and vandal attacks. Police have now appealed for residents to watch out for thieves who target churches. In the latest incident, crooks raided St John's Church, in Dowry

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Crime figures fall - but others increase

LATEST crime figures issued by the Wigan & Leigh Community Safety Partnership show that targets are being met or exceeded for burglary, vehicle crime, transport safety, drugs and alcohol, town centre safety and anti-social behaviour. In the national

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Liz uses her birthday to help sick kids

GRANDMA Liz MacMahon decided she wanted something different for her 50th birthday -- a jewel of a concert to help sick children. Now she has seen her wish come true. A GEM appeal evening has been organised to raise money for research into rare life threatening

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Ex-bobby Alan leaps into action to clear traffic chaos

FORMER police officer Alan Trainor sprung into action when an accident caused traffic chaos near his home. Though it's 45 years since he left the force 77-years-old Alan's point duty expertise came in handy to clear congestion on Newton Road, Lowton,

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Tenants praise repair teams

WIGAN & Leigh Housing's efforts to improve council homes have been given the thumbs-up. Just over a year ago, the 'Arms Length' company that manages 25,000 houses, won £58 million of government cash to finance a massive modernisation programme. Last

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Boy, 15, dragged into graveyard and robbed

A 15-year-old boy was dragged into a graveyard by two older youths and robbed. The teenager was walking along Polefield Road, Prestwich, towards his home at 8.15pm on Wednesday night when he was followed by the two attackers. They engaged him in conversation

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Caravans plan faces big protest

A CONCERNED community has launched its own pressure group to combat plans for a static caravan site in a Ribble Valley hamlet. The 'Horseshoe Woods Action Group' has been formed to represent residents who oppose a planning application for a permanent

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Old Time Lowton

AN Old Time Music Hall show is being staged at Lowton Civic Hall on Friday, February 20. Presented by Maghull Amateur Dramatic Society the show starts at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm). Proceeds are in aid of Shopmobility and tickets costing £6.50 including

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Get down to Dick Whittington

ST Ambrose Barlow Players present Dick Whittington complete with Lord Mayor, orphans, pirates, a cat and the crown jewels from Tuesday - Saturday, January 20-24 in the parish hall at Astley. Performances start at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4 and £3 children

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Make your bike safe

nPOLICE will be security code marking Christmas bikes and mobile phones at Golborne Asda on Saturday, January 24, between 10am and 4pm. The event has been organised in conjunction with Wigan and Leigh Crime Prevention Panel and Homework Association.

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Shape the future

VOLUNTEERS who care about the future of their town are invited to help shape the next decade. The Borough Wide Community Network invites members of toddler and parents groups, tenants' groups, home watch schemes, writers' or arts groups will be welcome

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Theatre cast is made up!

THE cast of Tyldesley Little Theatre's latest production will be made up to perfection. When they appear in the first show of the year, the hilarious and poignant comedy drama Groping For Words, written by Adrian Mole creator Sue Townsend, they will be

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McBride move is back on

BLACKBURN Rovers are poised to sign Brian McBride next week after the long-running transfer saga took another dramatic twist last night. A move for the 31-year-old has been revived in the last 24 hours and Rovers now look set to sign the player next week

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Players are 'living on a knife-edge'

GLEN Little reckons many Burnley players are fighting for their footballing lives. The financial strait-jacket the club is wearing has left everyone in the Clarets dressing room feeling the squeeze. Several first team stars are out of contract this summer

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Surgery change

ATHERTON councillor Susan Loudon's surgery scheduled for January 16 at the Howe Bridge Scout HQ has been cancelled. Tyldesley East councillor Alan Stephenson will deputise for Brian Wilson at tomorrow's surgery at Tyldesley Town Hall.

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Open service

A CHRISTIAN Unity Service open to anyone will begin at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 22 at Sacred Heart Church, Walmesley Road, Leigh. The Rev Dr A Cunningham of Leigh Parish Church will address the congregation as part of the special prayer for Christian

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A toast to Stephen

TOASTMASTER Stephen Sanders spoke about his unusual working life to Tyldesley Probus Club members. An Associate Member of the Northern Guild of Toastmasters and mace bearer to the Mayor of Bury, he was present when the Queen lunched at Bury town hall

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No drinking in the street

DRINKERS who spill out onto the pavement outside town centre pubs in Tyldesley will be breaking the law from February. Councillor Sue Loudon, Chairman of the Risk Management Group behind the moves said the rule would be introduced in February making it

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Library pictures from the past

THE Journal's sister paper, the Bolton Evening News, will celebrate Westhoughton's past, present and future with a photographic exhibition which opens on Friday at Westhoughton Library. Poignant pictures from the past -- many from the newspaper's extensive

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Indecent motorist

A MOTORIST who behaved indecently towards a 15-year-old girl in the Leigh area appeared at Liverpool Crown Court. Alan Hughes, aged 23, was due to be sentenced for committing an act of gross indecency but the case was adjourned until January 20 so he

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Shape the future

VOLUNTEERS who care about the future of their town are invited to help shape the next decade. The Borough Wide Community Network invites members of toddler and parents groups, tenants' groups, home watch schemes, writers' or arts groups will be welcome

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Driver bought false insurance in pub

A LEIGH man who tried to fool the police with a phoney insurance certificate bought in a pub for £30 came close to wrecking his new career as a lorry driver. But Rochdale magistrates accepted Peter Waterworth's special reasons argument for not banning

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Derek's 'safe' plan for women athletes

AN international athletics champion is on his marks to set up a 'safe' running club for women. Veteran Leigh Harrier Derek Howarth is seeking girls of any age who would like to get together and run rather than experience the loneliness of the long distance

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Teenager found hanged at school

SHOCKED pupils were turned away from a primary school after the body of a teenager was discovered hanging in the grounds. Nineteen-years-old Nikki Reynolds was found by an employee who arrived for work early on Friday morning at St Gabriel's School on

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Raider threatens to kill customer

A KNIFEMAN threatened to kill a customer in a gang raid at a post office. Three men ran into the Mosley Common shop at around 2.20pm last Friday. One of the robbers grabbed hold of a 61-year-old male customer and held a knife to his head. The other two

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Aussie Peter looks for his ancestors

AUSSIE Peter Marsh is seeking out a real 'pommie' ancestor. Writing from Macleod in Victoria Peter tells us: "I am a descendant of Samuel Marsh of Locking Stoops/Stumps Farm in Kenyon and am trying to trace my family background in general. "But more specifically

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Sweet success as Glisten take over rival firm

BLACKBURN chocolates and confectionery group Glisten today announced it has bought rival firm Fravigar for £6.5million. Bosses at the company, which is the UK's biggest manufacturer of sugared almonds, say the purchase will help drive up profits at the

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Job loss fears for driver caught in tip-off

A BLACKBURN housing department worker was found to be three times the drink-drive limit after a tip-off to police. And Jean McSweenie could now lose her job as she may no longer drive to work, Blackpool Magistrates' Court was told. McSweenie, 29, of Richmond

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Police quiz passengers after cabbie attack

A TAXI driver was today recovering at home after two customers attacked him leaving him with 'nasty' injuries and a bite wound to his nose. The 48-year-old Asian man, who worked for DMC Taxis, based in Higher Barn Street, Blackburn, was taken to Blackburn

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Pilot scheme to tackle youth crime

A GROUND-breaking pilot scheme is being run to tackle a crime which say causes residents relentless misery. And if the six-month initiative to tackle juvenile nuisance in the Infirmary area of Blackburn is a success, it will be rolled out across town.

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Bright future lies ahead for Stanley

WING wizard Rory Prendergast believes Accrington Stanley's FA Cup run has helped to lay the foundations for a promising future. The 24-year-old was gutted after the Reds cup dream ended with their 2-1 FA Cup third round replay defeat at Colchester United

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Dressed for summer on the Costas

ARE today's youngsters tougher than we used to be? They obviously believe that winter coats are for wimps. As I welcomed the New Year wrapped in a tracksuit, socks and wellies, a duffle coat, scarf and sheepskin mittens I looked about to see clubbers

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Transform your man - on TV

THERE'S hope at last for women sick of coping with slobby and couch potato partners like Les Battersby or Jim Royle. Channel 4 are producing a makeover programme and inviting couples from the Leigh area to take part. They want desperate women who would

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Pupils aren't making the grade

TWO thirds of schools in Blackburn with Darwen and more than half of schools across East Lancashire have performed worse at GCSE level than last year, league tables revealed today. But headteachers and union leaders today urged parents to look at value-added

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Neighbours save Anne in fire drama

A 52-year-old woman was hauled to safety from her smoke-filled flat by two neighbours who kicked in the door to reach her. Mrs Ann Conway had only moved into the flat in Water Street, Radcliffe, hours before Sunday's drama. Now she has praised her new