Archive
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Harriet's key to survival
HARRIET solves her financial problems by entertaining two men, Gordon and Alec, on different days of the week. That's the idea behind Darwen Library Players' comic farce Key For Two by John Chapman and Dave Freeman. As theatre-goers will see, the scheme
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Players' deadly drama
WHEN is an Englishman's home not his castle? According to the law a person may use such force as is reasonable in the prevention of crime. But how to assess reasonable? This is the opening situation in Peter Whalley's Dead of Night, presented by the Rossendale
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Thrash the Trash campaign not working
READING this month's council propaganda news sheet, The Shuttle, I see that yet another independent set of auditors has pronounced Blackburn 'Excellent and improving.' Anyone who is familiar with the services provided to the town by its council must surely
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'Goths' don't bite, they're just teens
AFTER reading your headlines (LET January 20), I feel that I must write to offer my support to the 'gangs' of moshers and goths who congregate on Church Street. To say that shoppers feel intimidated by them is a slur on their characters. Who can honestly
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Man quizzed over crash deaths
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after two people died and a third was seriously injured in a car smash. Simon Ashman, 20, of Chester Crescent, Haslingden, and Chantelle Petterson, 16, a Haslingden High School
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Swing low sweet carrycot!
RUGBY World Cup star Will Greenwood today thanked the people of East Lancashire for their support after he became the father of a new-born son. Will and wife Caro are celebrating the arrival of seven and a half pound Archie Frederick Louis Greenwood who
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One in two 999 calls not emergencies
ALMOST 50 per cent of all 999 calls to the local ambulance service are for people who do not need accident and emergency treatment. Now that information could lead to a system being introduced which would enable people to be treated by specialist teams
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Cup clash in danger
Tonight's FA Youth Cup between Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion has been postponed. An inspection was held at Morecambe's Christie Park this morning and the pitch was deemed unplayable following heavy rain in the region during the last few days
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Stead aims to emulate hero Hughes
EWOOD new-boy Jonathan Stead will aim to follow in the footsteps of his childhood hero after finally completing a dream move to Blackburn Rovers. The 20-year-old striker, who joined Blackburn from Huddersfield last night in a deal which could eventually
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Banned driver jailed after favour
A MAN doing a friend a favour by taking her to see her son in prison ended up behind bars himself. Blackburn magistrates heard that Kevin Banks was subject to four separate bans when he was caught driving while disqualified for the tenth time. And the
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'Eyesore' centres to be flattened
COUNCILLORS are set to rubber-stamp plans to demolish two dilapidated community centres at tonight's executive meeting. The plans have been welcomed by residents who say the facilities are eyesores that are repeatedly targeted by vandals. Burnley Council
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Kids target of 'be seen' campaign
POLICE in the Pennine division have launched a 'Be Safe, Be Seen' safety campaign for school children in the area. Officers are hoping the new road safety campaign will be a 'glowing' success with the help of illuminous winter gear. The campaign is being
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Drugs battle goes into pubs and clubs
A BURNLEY project is appealing for volunteers to give town centre clubbers information on recreational drugs. The Dance Drug Safety Project was set up in Burnley in April 2002 to warn revellers about "dance" drugs, such as ecstasy, amphetamines and alcohol
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Mum forged cheques to buy son's toy
A HARD-UP mother-of-four who went on a £580 spending spree with a stolen chequebook and bank card is awaiting sentence. Burnley magistrates heard how Carol Sorbie, 37, who was pregnant at the time, wanted a toy for her son's birthday. Sorbie, of Cloverhill
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Mum 'mortified' in drink-drive shame
A SINGLE mum was found to be more than twice the drink-drive limit after she got out of a car in the early hours. Burnley magistrates heard how Amanda Floyd, 36, told police "I know I have been stupid" after she was arrested. Floyd, of Avondale Road,
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Time is running out in race for grants
COMMUNITY groups in the West Craven area are being given a last chance to apply for grant funding of up to £800. The West Craven Community Grant Scheme must spend all its money by March 31 and is appealing to people to stake their claims as soon as possible
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Book service appeal follows mass sign-up
A HOME library service in Pendle is appealing for more housebound customers after it became inundated with eager volunteers. The service, which provides books, tapes and videos to elderly people or those who find it difficult to leave their home, has
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Solid Clarets are keeping it clean
IT IS one of football's most blindingly obvious maxims that if you don't concede goals, you don't lose matches. And if you don't lose matches, you have half a chance of being successful. So it is with Burnley at the moment. Saturday's 0-0 draw at the
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Bram is heading for other side of the pond
FOLK star Bram Taylor will see his seventh solo album hit the music stores next month before heading off for his sixth US tour and a debut trip to Canada. The Leigh singer has recently put the finishing touches to his latest CD 'The Night is Young', a
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We lack passion and commitment
TEN years ago, I travelled down to Stamford Bridge to watch Rovers play Chelsea and all the expensive stars were in Rovers shirts. We were known as 'moneybags' Rovers in those days with Jack Walker bankrolling endless quality signings. Chelsea were swept
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PAYTON: Morale boost at Wigan
SO FAR so good. The draw at Wigan is perhaps the strongest sign yet that the lads have turned the corner. I know from experience the difference a few games undefeated can make to morale in the camp. You get an air of invincibility about you and that,
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Tommy leaves Hospital for a new challenge
TOMMY Delaney has just taken over the reigns at the Park Inn, Manchester Road, Accrington. He joins the Park Inn from the Hospital Inn, Bamber Bridge. Tommy, 64, and wife Pauline are well known in Blackburn as he used to be the assistant steward at Mill
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Romance is in the air at Ram
ANYONE planning to pop the question this Valentine's Night is being offered the opportunity to make the occasion extra special at a Cliviger inn. Eileen Keeton, landlady of the Ram, Burnley Road, has set up a proposal table at the inn, and has put together
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Magpies swoop for Seadogs' striker
CHORLEY have been boosted by the signing of Scarborough striker Tom Raw on loan for the rest of the season. The UniBond Division One side have been in the market for a striker since the turn of the year and the Whitby-born player could make his debut
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New cricket pro wanted
BOLTON Association cricket side Golborne are looking for a professional for the coming season. The candidate should have strong all round ability to fit into a young, maturing side. Contact Graham Marston, first team captain, 0777 492 6853 or chairman
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Steve beats desert in a scrapheap Lada
IT was more Scrapheap Challenge than Top Gear when Steve Berry got behind the wheel of his latest motor! But while others may scoff at the television presenter's latest set of wheels, Steve has put his Lada four-wheel drive to worthy use by taking part
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We've nothing to fear
TONY Grant believes Burnley need fear no-one as they battle to stay in Division One. The Clarets midfielder, currently enjoying his best spell at the club, reckons the players were more nervous this time LAST year. And following an upturn in form that
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Ready Steady go
BLACKBURN Rovers' latest signing Jonathan Stead today vowed: 'I'm ready to prove myself in the Premiership.' The former Huddersfield Town hit-man finally secured a dream move to the top-flight yesterday after signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with
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Former head to quit after report
A FORMER Darwen head teacher is negotiating early retirement in the wake of a damning inspection report. John Strivens, who left Darwen Vale High School as head in 1999, is set to resign from his post at Lancaster's Skerton High next month after being
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We'll clean graffiti 'only if it's racist or offensive'
GRAFFITI which is making an area of Darwen look untidy will only be removed if the words are racist or offensive, a councillor has been told. Coun Karimeh Foster received several complaints from residents who had spotted the graffiti, which consists of
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Chartists issue own brief on boundary changes
ROSSENDALE Chartists are issuing their own guidance on the Local Government Review in a bid to give residents information about the Boundary Commission changes. The Rossendale pressure-group claim the council have not given citizens enough advice to participate
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'Scared' man in smash attack on taxi
A PASSENGER smashed a window and jumped out of a moving taxi because he was frightened of what the driver might be planning to do, a court heard. Blackburn magistrates were told that Damian O'Callaghan and his friends became concerned after the driver
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Council refuse land for £10m complex
A PLANNED £10million cinema complex plan will not go ahead because a council has refused to sell the land to developers, it was revealed today. Planning officers at Blackburn with Darwen Council have granted permission for the cinema to be built on council-owned
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Mosque bid to stop youths 'hanging out'
YOUNG Muslims celebrating the festival of Eid in a mosque were urged to stop congregating in Blackburn shopping centre by community leaders. The appeal followed prayers at the Randal Street Mosque, off Whalley Range, and was today praised by police, who
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Ice hockey rival in puck ruck trial
AN ice hockey player struck an opponent in the face with a stick and punched him in the head during a match at Blackburn Arena, a court has heard. In the first criminal case of its kind , Robert Nathan Brownbill is accused of launching the "unprovoked
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Asian paper removed after complaints
A NEWSPAPER for the Asian community has been removed from public display in Bury Town Hall, because it could offend the Pakistani community. Asian News was removed by council chiefs following complaints by a number of Asians over the front page headline
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Don't ignore our housing pleas
EAST Lancashire's desperate need for government cash to revitalise rundown housing is well chronicled. The £170million joint bid put in to the Pathfinder fund last year is money that is an absolutely essential part of our continued regeneration efforts
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Club celebrates in style
BLACKBURN Drama Club celebrated its 60th anniversary in style. The event, which included a buffet, a display of memorabilia and speeches and messages from past members, took place at the Astley Bank Hotel in Darwen. Some members, like 92-year-old Winnie
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Stage Whispers. . .
THREE fairy godmothers, a wicked witch and a cuddly panda are just some of the interesting elements in Temple Street Pantomime group's February pantomime - The Sleeping Beauty. The production, which runs from Thursday to Saturday at the Pendle Hippodrome
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Rumours man terrified mum with a pistol
A MAN enraged at unfounded rumours that he was a paedophile terrified a mum and her children with a gun. Alan Millington, aged 60, of Oakfield Avenue, Atherton, pleaded guilty on Monday at Bolton Crown Court to possessing a firearm with intent to cause
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Hopes rise for council merger
LEADERS of Bury Council have received a boost in their hopes of merging with parts of Rossendale. Officials from the Boundary Committee are coming to Bury next Tuesday (Feb 10) where they will hear the evidence for taking on Haslingden, Edenfield and
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Ready Steady go
BLACKBURN Rovers' latest signing Jonathan Stead today vowed: 'I'm ready to prove myself in the Premiership.' The former Huddersfield Town hit-man finally secured a dream move to the top-flight yesterday after signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with
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Meeting called on classes for adults
CLIVIGER - Parish Councillors will meet with Leanne Sheradon from Lancashire County Council Adult Education Department tomorrow night, as the LCC have stated that they want adult education classes to be available within the parish. AT their January meeting
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New £1.25m school set for autumn
WORK on a new £1.25million school building for primary school pupils in Burnley is due to be completed in the summer. Pupils and staff at Springfield Community Primary School are looking forward to moving into their new school at the start of the autumn
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Gay bar refuge for hate crime victims
VICTIMS of hate crime can report offences in a town centre gay bar in a bid to encourage them to come forward. People who feel uncomfortable reporting incidents to the police can also go to staff at a Burnley family support centre. A number of organisations
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Arson probe after cat is saved
A CAT was rescued from a burning house by firefighters last night. Police are investigating the blaze at Princess Street, Nelson, which they believe was started deliberately. The owner was out with her two dogs when the fire broke out in the kitchen of
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10 years ago
AN expert on circus law was calling for tougher legislation to protect performing animals. Specialist solicitor Malcolm Clay from Blackburn claimed current laws were inadequate, allowing poorly organised and uninsured circuses to spring up. Cherry trees
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25 years ago
THERE was to be a quick return to normal in the shops and factories of East Lancashire following the end of the lorry drivers' strike. The drivers were to go back to work on Monday for £65 for a 40-hour week, an increase of 21.8 per cent. Passengers escaped
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50 years ago
THE 'battle of slacks' at Maltby ended in a draw when Mrs E Dyson, whose 13-year-old daughter, Muriel, was sent home from Maltby Hall Secondary School by the headmistress for turning up in slacks, sought the advice of a family doctor. As a result she
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Traders draw a wish-list for work on market
ACCRINGTON market hall could be refurbished after traders drew up a wishlist of improvements. Traders who met at the first sitting of a working group to discuss the proposals said they would like the floor of the building, in Blackburn Road, to be replaced
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Mum's tears for hit-and-run victim
MORE than two hundred mourners paid their final farewell to hit-and-run victim Shaun Metcalfe in an emotionally-charged funeral service. Shaun, 34, of Ruskin Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, died after being struck by a red car on Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle,
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Second man charged after kebab shop body search
A MAN has been charged with assisting his brother who is accused of murdering his mother-in-law. Mohammed Sharif Kahn, 37, of Crumpsall, Manchester has been charged with assisting in the disposal of Zeinab Begum's body and was due to appear before Blackburn
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Mercy team tested in fake drama
BOWLAND Pennine Mountain Rescue Team put themselves to the test with their annual training exercise. Held among the outstanding natural beauty of the Trough of Bowland, over 60 personnel endured endless driving rain and low cloud to take part and see
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Delays 'a threat' to aero jobs
THOUSANDS of hi-tech East Lancashire jobs are hanging in the balance due to Government delays, a union chief warned today. BAE Systems at Samlesbury and Warton employs thousands of workers from across East Lancashire. But Amicus general secretary Derek
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Grammar school hit by TB scare
CLASSMATES of a Clitheroe student who contracted tuberculosis (TB) will this week undergo chest x-rays to ensure the disease has not been passed on. Only students in the same classes as the unnamed pupil will have full screenings, but all 600 pupils at
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Stab death victim's dad tells of shock
THE father of a Whalley man allegedly murdered by his girlfriend on the Isle of Man has spoken of his shock over his son's tragic death. Father-of-two Peter Ormiston had set up home in Ramsey, in the north east of the island, with his girlfriend of 15
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We've nothing to fear
TONY Grant believes Burnley need fear no-one as they battle to stay in Division One. The Clarets midfielder, currently enjoying his best spell at the club, reckons the players were more nervous this time LAST year. And following an upturn in form that
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Spate of thefts sparks police alert
RESIDENTS and motorists in the Darwen area are being urged to make sure their property is locked up securely after an increase in thefts. Sgt Anne Scott, from Darwen police station, today urged people to secure their vehicles and outbuildings to prevent
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Man quizzed over crash deaths
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after two people died and a third was seriously injured in a car smash. Simon Ashman, 20, of Chester Crescent, Haslingden, and Chantelle Petterson, 16, a Haslingden High School
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It's lights action in £500,000 bus boost
BUS passengers will benefit from more reliable journeys and modern bus shelters when £500,000 is invested on a busy route between Bacup and Accrington. State-of-the-art buses travelling along the route have been fitted with transponders which will trigger
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Swing low sweet carrycot!Swing low sweet carrycot!
RUGBY World Cup star Will Greenwood today thanked the people of East Lancashire for their support after he became the father of a new-born son. Will and wife Caro are celebrating the arrival of seven and a half pound Archie Frederick Louis Greenwood who
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Area offers a fresh break for holiday firms
HOLIDAY operators and coach firms have been given a taste of East Lancashire to highlight the area as a 'short break' destination. Lesser-known or unusual attractions in the district are being advertised under the scheme to raise the profile of Lancashire
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£3.3m windfall - but not a penny for E Lancs
THE man in charge of East Lancashire's bid for hundreds of millions of pounds of Government cash to revitalise the area's rundown housing today denied it had been snubbed as money was given to Merseyside and Tyneside. East Lancs missed out on a large
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Smith praying for a quick recovery
ACCRINGTON Stanley centre back Jonathan Smith is praying that an untimely injury causes no more damage than a handful of missed games. The 26-year-old slipped on ice and has broken a bone in his hand, meaning he faces a possible three weeks on the sidelines
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First head girl is back for reunion
IT was a poignant trip down Memory Lane when the first-ever head girl of Elton High School made an emotional return visit after nearly five decades. Mrs Anne Carroll was invited back to the Bury school, which is currently planning its 50th anniversary