Archive

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EVENTS in East Lancashire and surrounding areas on Wednesday, July 21

Clitheroe Ramblers meet Barker's Brow Car Park, Ribchester Road, Clitheroe, 7pm. (Four miles). Table Tennis Match Night, Burnley Boys Club, 7pm. Slimming World, Padiham Methodist Church, 7pm. Slimming World, St Cuthbert's Parish Hall, Sharp Street, Burnley

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Humour at the traffic lights

I OVERHEARD this whilst waiting to cross the road. I was at a light-controlled crossing, others arrived, and a young lady in her twenties moved to the front of the group. Seeing there was no traffic actually coming but with the lights still against crossing

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Scheme wasting taxpayers' cash

A STUDY conducted by academics at University College, London has blown apart the notion that Private Finance Initiative schemes for public services offer value for money to the taxpayer. Four hundred and one PFI schemes are running, covering schools,

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Why I am down in the mouth

ON Thursday, July 14 at 5.15pm I rang the NHS Direct Helpline. After being on hold for four minutes I was informed that my nearest NHS dentist who was taking new patients on was in....Oldham. As one of the richest, most developed nations in the world

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Loophole may land innocent people in jail

JUDGE Bennett, speaking of cases involving the sexual abuse of children (LET, July 12), refers to the trauma suffered by children who go to give evidence in court and then are not believed. Recently, however, most allegations of child sex abuse come not

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New schools race warning

PLANS to transform secondary education in the Burnley area will reinforce the social and racial divisions that exist in the borough's high schools, leading councillors have warned. The Burnley Task Force said problems in the education system were one

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Parents accused of 'fiddle'

PARENTS have been accused of forging ministers' signatures to ensure a place for their child at church schools. Now senior clergy have warned vicars to be on their guard against unscrupulous parents lying to get their children into high-achieving church

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11 charged after porn raid

POLICE have charged 11 people following raids across Greater Manchester as part of a force-wide investigation into Internet child porn. All were arrested in the swoops which involved 50 homes. A total of 48 people, including a Bury resident, were detained

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Pair's pilgrimage for street kids of Brazil

TWO friends have raised more than £3,000 for street children in Brazil after successfully completing a gruelling 150-mile walk. Fred Uttley and John Cowell, who flew to Spain earlier this year to walk part of the Camino to Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage

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Pint-sized putter's in the swing

TIGER Woods became the world's number one golfer at the age of just 21, but one pint-sized putter from Burnley is already making him look like a bit of a slow coach. For Adam Mujahid can already hit a golf ball 20 metres - and he's only 19 months old.

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New schools race warning

PLANS to transform secondary education in the Burnley area will reinforce the social and racial divisions that exist in the borough's high schools, leading councillors have warned. The Burnley Task Force said problems in the education system were one

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Have your say on town's problems

RESIDENTS in Nelson are being encouraged to attend a series of drop-in sessions so they can influence the future development of the town. The sessions are being held to allow local people to have their say about how to improve their neighbourhoods and

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Residents flee guest house fire

A GUEST house owner is today counting the cost following a blaze in which three people were rescued by firefighters. The fire service and police are now investigating the fire at Red Rose Lodge in Nelson, which is believed to have started in the kitchen

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New lease of life set for landmark design plans

DESIGNS for a landmark piece of artwork for Hyndburn could be revealed early next year. The Panopticon Project will see six modern landmarks installed in each district of East Lancashire, in prominent locations like hilltops. As part of the project a

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Trio of schools tops in drugs programme

PUPILS from three high schools in have received national recognition for completing their first year of a pioneering drugs programme. Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School in Accrington, Walton High School in Nelson and Alder Grange High School in Rossendale

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Luxury Brockhall houses will have their own offices

LUXURY homes sharing a swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi are planned in East Lancashire's first estate designed for people who want to work from home. Developers are proposing to create a community of houses with specially-built offices attached which

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Hyde: Why I signed for Clarets

JAMAICAN midfielder Micah Hyde has handed Burnley manager Steve Cotterill the perfect birthday present by vowing to shun international friendlies. Former Watford midfielder Hyde, 29, became Cotterill's fourth summer signing when, as revealed in later

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Observe the changes at revamp pub

A BLACKBURN pub is preparing to open its restaurant doors for the very first time after a three month transformation. The Observatory, in Old Bank Lane, has received a face-lift including the introduction of a new beer garden and extended lounge. "We

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Players wanted

WESTHOUGHTON Park Rangers U11s, who play in the Bolton and Bury League, are looking for players of a good standard for the new season. For further details contact Paul Gannon on 01942-815347.

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Teenager in smash in chase

A HIGH speed police chase ended when a car careered out of control and smashed into a wall. A 17-year-old from the Sunnybank area suffered a broken arm and a severe leg fracture in the crash during the early hours of Friday. Police are now appealing for

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Anger over mystery attack on two trees

TWO ancient trees in the garden of a house had holes cut into their trunks and poison inserted. Mr Roger Allen discovered the damaged horse chestnuts in the driveway of his Victorian home in Bury Road, Tottington. A mystery toxic substance had been poured

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Tory bid to save equality group

LOCAL Tories are making another effort to save Bury Racial Equality Council from extinction. They are unhappy that Bury Council leaders refused to bail out the REC after it lost its annual £30,000 funding from the Commission for Racial Equality. Eight

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Load tipped into road after banned driver lied to get job

A WAGON driver who spilled his load on Rochdale Road, Bury, could face a prison sentence after appearing before magistrates on a charge of driving while disqualified and other motoring offences. Terence Dale (43) was said to have a "horrendous" record

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Kidnap in farm death torture

A WOMAN was kidnapped and driven to a barn where she discovered the body of her dead husband, a court was told. Two men drove Julie Waters from her home in Nantwich, Cheshire, to Burnt House Farm, Tabley, where she found the body of her battered husband

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Hyde: Why I signed for Clarets

JAMAICAN midfielder Micah Hyde has handed Burnley manager Steve Cotterill the perfect birthday present by vowing to shun international friendlies. Former Watford midfielder Hyde, 29, became Cotterill's fourth summer signing when, as revealed in later

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Souness joy at harmony in camp

ANDY NEILD reports from Germany. . . BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today insisted the spirit in the Rovers camp is now better than it has been at any stage in the last 12 months. Souness has admitted for the first time that morale was not what it should

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Valley comes to life with festival spirit

ROSSENDALE came to life with the launch of a week-long festival. The mayor, Coun June Forshaw, led the opening ceremony of the Rossendale Alive Festival at Marl Pits Sports Centre, which included a procession involving dance groups, a samba band and children

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Memorial to tragic David, 25

A MEMORIAL bench has been unveiled in Newchurch on the first anniversary of the death of David Taylor. who died after an assault in Rawtenstall. The seat has been donated by local craftsmen James and Morgan Cropper, of Water, and a memorial stone has

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Survivor Michael thanks lifesavers

A BACUP man who nearly died from a massive heart attack exactly a year ago has thanked paramedics who saved his life. Michael Melvin, 56, of Industrial Street, collapsed following his niece's wedding reception at a Todmorden hotel on July 20 last year

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Semtex hoax man locked up

A MAN who claimed that a bomb had been planted outside a Blackburn leisure centre has been jailed for three years and branded as a danger to the public. Francis McGarr rang the emergency services to say that a vehicle packed with Semtex had been left

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Floss fights back the plaque attack

EAST Lancashire dentists are concerned that the region's teeth are not being looked after properly. Although most people now brush twice a day, dental hygienists are concerned the number of people using floss is so low that gum disease could rise. Wendy

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Parents accused of 'fiddle'

PARENTS have been accused of forging ministers' signatures to ensure a place for their child at church schools. Now senior clergy have warned vicars to be on their guard against unscrupulous parents lying to get their children into high-achieving church

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Baby unit campaign gears up

A PUBLIC meeting will be held on September 13 over controversial plans to shut the special care baby unit at Fairfield Hospital. The date was decided at an emergency meeting on Thursday organised by the trustees of the Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society,

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Don't let parents abuse the system

EAST Lancashire has a high proportion of church schools - both Church of England and Roman Catholic - compared with many other parts of the country. And this has been a major plank in the case of those who argue in favour of the introduction of state-aided

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Pearl Fishers is the choice

BRIERFIELD Methodist Church is the rehearsal venue for Pendle Opera's next production - Bizet's The Pearl Fishers - which will be held on Thursday, August 26. There are only four principal parts: Leila, the priestess of the god Brahma (soprano), Nadir

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Racism cuts both ways

HAVING exposed white racists in the police force and now exposed the BNP as the narrow-minded bigots most people knew they were, will the BBC now send an undercover reporter into a mosque or an Islamic school to expose racism within the Asian community

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Stab wounds

POLICE cordoned off an area of Bury Old Road near the Prestwich and Cheetham Hill border after a man was discovered with serious stab wounds. The 29-year-old was found in the street at about 1.55am yesterday. (Monday). He is recovering in hospital after

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Souness joy at harmony in camp

ANDY NEILD reports from Germany. . . BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today insisted the spirit in the Rovers camp is now better than it has been at any stage in the last 12 months. Souness has admitted for the first time that morale was not what it should

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American theme for hospice appeal quiz

QUIZ buffs are being encouraged to enter a competition to help raise money for Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle. The quiz involves finding the names of 50 US state capitals hidden in a story. It has been devised by Michael Smith, of Manchester Road

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Brothers deny robbing victim at knifepoint

TWO brothers allegedly terrorised a handicapped man and made him hand over his savings, a jury heard. Burnley Crown Court heard how Robert and Brent West used vulnerable Andrew Halstead as a ready supply of cash. Mr Halstead, who is registered disabled

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Changes affecting the next 10 years

THE issues which will help mould the future of Pendle for the next 10 years are set to be discussed tonight. Proposed boundary changes and a new sports pitch at Park High School in Colne are set up will be among the key issues when the Local Plan is discussed

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Down the years

50 years ago WINNERS of the Northern Daily Telegraph Kemsley Scholarship began their 10-day trip to Austria. The 12 East Lancashire students were the fifth winners to travel abroad, with previous trips to Sweden, Holland, Germany and Rome. The students

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'Farmers made sure the show will go on'

ORGANISERS of next week's Royal Lancashire Show have praised the farming community for sticking by them - and helping ensure one of the country's agricultural flagship events continues to go ahead. After switching from Chorley's Astley Park to a new venue

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Speeding fines pay for PR bill

THE Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety spends £260,000 a year on public relations -- an "absolute waste" according to one MP. That means more than 4,300 motoring fines must be handed over to pay for the marketing budget, which covers media and advertising

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Gang beat man and steal mobile

POLICE are waiting to interview a man who was attacked by a gang of up to 15 thugs, some of whom were armed. The 32-year-old man, who had his mobile phone stolen, sustained minor injuries following the assault which happened in Wash Lane, Bury, at 10pm

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Appeal to catch subway robber

POLICE are appealing for the public's help in identifying a man they believe robbed a young woman on her way home from a night out. The 22-year-old victim had spent the evening in Manchester before returning to Bury on the Metrolink. From the Interchange

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Derby is a winner in education stakes

PREPARING pupils for life as well as their exams was the major subject of a prizegiving night at Derby High School. At the prize evening for lower school pupils, headteacher Mrs Alyson Byrne spoke of the importance of a rounded education. She also reflected

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HPUPPETS will perform at Leigh Salvation Army's coffee morning on Saturday (July 24) at 10.30am in t

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HTWENTY three children plus staff from Jack and Jills Private Day Nursery at Dam House, Astley took

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rSOMETHING for all the family is promised at Sunday's summer fair which starts at St Gabriel's, High

A fair will also take place from 1pm on Sunday, July 4 at St Joseph's RC School, Chapel Street, Leigh.

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Champion pup

PEDIGREE pup Kayna is top of the doggy league after scooping an historic title. The Belgian shepherd dog was voted Reserve Best in Show at the Three Counties Championship, Great Malvern, becoming the youngest bitch ever to do so. The 14-month-old all-black

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Tory backs family law review call

DARWEN'S prospective parliamentary Tory candidate, Nigel Adams, today endorsed calls to review family law and give divorced parents greater rights of access to their children. Mr Adams said: "When relationships break up, too many children become unfairly

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AN EMPTY cinema in Hindley is to be transformed into a new home for a girls' gymnastics club.

Wigan and Ashton Gym Club are moving into the former Palace Theatre on Market Street, Hindley, from their home in Orrell, Wigan. The group is now appealing for girls aged over five to join as new members. Sessions for beginners will be held at 7pm from

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Decision looms on post office future

A DECISION on the future of London Terrace post office, Darwen, could be finalised within the next three weeks. A month-long consultation to gather public opinion on its possible closure has ended and now bosses will look at the various concerns to decide

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Pensioner mends his own road

A DISPUTE over who is responsible for repairing an ancient highway in Edgworth has led to a 65-year-old resident doing the job himself. Residents of Birches Road have tried to get the council to repair the road for years but the final straw came for Irene

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Dirty tricks claims after by-election

LABOUR has been accused of a dirty tricks campaign in Darwen's Earcroft by-election after the party admitted targeting a rival candidate. Last Thursday's by-election had added significance because Labour only has a tentative hold on power at Blackburn

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Eight quizzed after traffic lights attack on motorist

A MAN was attacked by a nine-strong gang who ripped out his car's windscreen to reach him as he waited at traffic lights. The 27 year-old man was heading back from the Blackburn Mela when two cars pulled up alongside him in Barbara Castle Way, at the

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Appliance of science

AN innovative scheme to create a state-of-the-art science park next to Blackburn's new super hospital is back on track after council bosses averted a funding crisis. They have diverted more than £300,000 of their own reserves into the preliminary work

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Touch of glass cured artist's eating illness

DISCOVERING the delights of stained glass put an end to the "hell" of anorexia for Blackburn artist Martha Henry, who endured the eating disorder for more than 10 years. She is celebrating her recovery with the installation of her biggest-ever work -

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Residents' fury at Mela antics

ANGRY residents today complained to organisers of Blackburn's Mela event claiming bad behaviour by some festival-goers had upset their weekend. This year's Mela was the biggest yet. But while thousands of people descended on Witton Park for a weekend

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What's all the fuss about? 'Blackburn's a safe town to go out to at night'

BLACKBURN'S self-styled 'queen of clubs' Margo Grimshaw yesterday announced she was shutting most of her night life venues because she was fed up with the over-the-top town centre drinking culture. Here, in the first of a series into the issues surrounding

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Stanley lose out on keeper

AUSTRALIAN goalkeeper Jason Petkovic will not be signing for Accrington Stanley after failing to secure a work permit. Foreign Office rules state that international footballers will only be granted permits if they are going to play for Football League