Archive
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Shuiab Khan column: Will pension be worth the wait?
Up until this week I had not thought much about my pension. It was something I would worry about when the time came -- if it ever did. In the meantime I was happy to fritter away my money on booze (alcohol free), cricket DVDs (Tuffers Duffers) and the
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Powell powers to victory
BLACKBURN Harriers' newly crowned Senior Athlete of the Year Pauline Powell won the second round of the Mid Lancs League at Sefton Park in Liverpool on Saturday. The fixture incorporated the nationally contested UK Cross Challenge, and the fields were
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Fell guys get their Everest
THREE members of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers missed the chance to collect their English Fell Championship medals last week because of a prior appointment running in the Everest Marathon. Garry Wilkinson and Mark Brown were members of the winning over 40
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Savings should make sense
THERE is a lot of sense in the old saying "look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves." And in any organisation as enormous and complex as the National Health Service it is important that costs are carefully monitored and controlled
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Two-tier pension plans are unfair
WHAT a fiasco the pension debate is turning out to be. First we have Tony Blair asking for a full report on the future of pensions and before the report is ever published he tears it up. Why didn't he just stop at home for a couple of weeks instead of
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Pensions: Tories started the slide
WITH reference to "Tories accuse Chancellor over pensions" (LET, November 25). It is novel to see the main opposition party acting like an opposition. But unfortunately some Tory spokesmen have very short memories or little political experience. Up to
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Follow the path
Walkers are being asked to avoid parts of the Chinese Gardens at Rivington as a long-term project to tackle a serious plant and tree disease gets under way. United Utilities woodland experts have started the scheme to remove all the rhododendrons which
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Pupils head for the top
Two talented youngsters from a Chorley high school are well versed in different skills as one has secured a recording contract while the other gained a literary prize. Holy Cross RC High School pupil and country singer Stacey Murphy, 16, has secured a
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Craig serves up the dish of the day
Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver beware, a 15-year-old chef has cooked up a winning recipe to scoop a top cooking award. Craig Wells, 15, a year 11 pupil from Southlands High School, certainly gave the opposition food for thought when he steamed to success
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Bank raid terror
A terrified woman has told how a masked gunman ran in front of her car seconds after a raid on the Coppull branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland on Tuesday evening. Police said the robbers got away with "a substantial amount" of money in the raid which
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Report talks volumes
Talk's cheap -- unless you're Chorley Borough Council! Council chiefs have forked out on a costly report which ultimately found what they should be doing anyway - communicating with each other. The initiative was described as an 'expensive exercise' by
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Andy Lochhead column: Spicer is Clarets' diamond in the rough
THERE'S one diamond shining brightest of all at Burnley at the moment - John Spicer. I think he's the find of the season and has definitely proved the best signing of all the players that came in the summer. The others will eventually come through but
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Strike threat over firefighter cutback
FIREFIGHTERS will be balloted on whether to strike if reductions are made to the number of officers sent out on engines. The move was revealed as the government announced that Blackburn and Burnley could get new fire stations. The fire authority is proposing
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Miller moves
FORMER Rovers winger Ian Miller has been appointed as assistant manager at Bury - just a couple of days after leaving Blackpool. Miller, who formerly left his job at Bloomfield Road as first team coach with manager Colin Hendry - on Tuesday takes over
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Simon Garner column: Thommo's an inspiration
WHAT a great comeback that was at Charlton Athletic on Wednesday night. The fighting spirit shown to battle back from the brink when you are supposedly down and out was a joy to see. But I'm not talking about Blackburn Rovers -- although that was a fine
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Panto promises to get off to a flying start
The costumes are ready, the rehearsals are drawing to an end and the set has now arrived which means this year's Citizen-sponsored Christmas panto', Peter Pan, is ready for take off. Swashbuckling times are ahead at Preston's Charter Theatre, Lancaster
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Winter chill helps with grit
County Hall chiefs have made a U-turn on plans to scrap a number of grit bins on the streets of Preston. Complaints from residents and predictions of an extra harsh winter has forced Lancashire County Council to re-think its plans to do away with hundreds
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Attack woman leapt out of car
A MAN who attacked his former partner in his car said he wouldn't do it again -- but told her she had deserved it. Burnley Magistrates heard how Jason Bradbury, 36, of Chiltern Avenue, Burnley, carried on driving with one hand while hitting barmaid Sarah
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Drink-driver loses his job
A DELIVERY driver lost his job after getting behind the wheel while more than twice the drink-drive limit. Burnley magistrates heard Gary Martin, 25, would now be joining the benefits queue after he smashed into the back of a taxi. Martin, of Lyndhurst
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Canal searched for missing gran Susan
POLICE divers searched a stretch of canal in the hunt for missing Burnley gran Susan Gray. Her family's anguish is now stretching to a third week after frogmen failed to find any trace of the troubled mum of four, who disappeared from her Allerton Drive
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Petition a boost for battle to save unit
A TOP East Lancashire health boss was slapped with a 35,000-signature petition demanding proposals to shut critical care services at Burnley General be scrapped. Jo Cubbon, chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, was told the petition
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Putting on a top show for Johnny
A BURNLEY club is set to host a one-off charity comedy night to help the son of a former Burnley FC player battling to recover after a horror car smash. Jonathan Brennan, 21, suffered serious head and spinal injuries when the Citroen C2 he was travelling
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Curfew on man in threat to police officer
A MAN turned aggresssive after police turned up to speak to him during his Eid celebrations. Burnley Magistrates heard how Raja Rauf, 26, lunged at an officer and told him: "I know where you live." Rauf, of Chapelhouse Road, Nelson, admitted using threatening
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Magpies sunk by disputed penalty
A lively, well-organised Brigg team inflicted yet another disappointing home defeat on a Magpies' side some way below its best. Brigg took control with an 8th minute goal, David Betts cashing in on a ricochet off defender Darryl Allen to drive a rising
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Victory for parents in safety drive
CAMPAIGNERS were today celebrating victory in their fight for parking restrictions outside an East Lancashire school. Parents and staff at West End Primary School, Oswaldtwistle, had been joined by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope in calling for something to be
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New arts centre is started
WORK has begun to turn Clitheroe's old cinema into a new performance centre. The Grand, in York Street, is to be transformed into a community arts centre for young people. Funded by the Lancaster Foundation -- a Ribble Valley-based trust founded by former
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Caged fighter set for stardom
CAGE Warrior Mike "The Count" Bisping seems destined for TV stardom after defending his light-heavyweight belt. Mike, 26, of Nelson Road, Clitheroe, won Saturday's fight in just two minutes in front of 3,500 people at the Coventry Sky Dome. Now TV producers
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End for Hendry
Colin Hendry's reign as Blackpool manager is officially over. In one of the least surprising developments from Bloomfield Road for some time, the club released a statement on their official website on Tuesday, to say that the former Scotland international
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Cotterill welcomes break
Clarets manager Steve Cotterill has welcomed Burnley having a midweek break between Saturday games for only the second time this season. He said: "It takes a little bit of mental pressure off everybody because when you end up with games on Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday
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Cotterill linked to Pompey
STEVE Cotterill today emerged as a potential assistant to Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth. A national radio station sparked the rumour with speculation that the duo could link up on the south coast, where Redknapp remains favourite to land the managerial
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Trophy haul set to grow
MOTORSPORT allrounder Steve Johnson has been forced to clear some space in his bulging trophy cabinet. For the Accrington driver is on course for at least five new pieces of silverware - and the season hasn't finished yet! Steve is a familiar figure on
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Peugeot power
RALLY Scholarship winner Daniel Boardman gets his first taste of Peugeot power when he contests this weekend's Grizedale Stages. The 26-year-old Ribchester driver is a late entry for the Lake District-based forest rally on Saturday. And Boardman will
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Raise a glass to the masters
Champagne corks were popping this week as two students celebrated graduating with distinction in their masters degrees from the University of Central Lancashire. Vicki Marshall, of Burrington Close, Fulwood, graduated with a distinction in her MSc in
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Magpies forced to tighten belts
CHORLEY boss Shaun Teale has taken a pay cut and axed four of his players as part of cost-cutting measures at Victory Park. The Magpies chief has seen his budget cut following the team's poor start to the season but, far from throwing his toys out of
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There's no stopping Thommo now
PLUCKY scouser David Thompson last night admitted he's now beginning to look forward rather than back after finally emerging from his injury nightmare. The former Liverpool midfielder, who is pushing for a starting role against his boyhood heroes Everton
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School makes the UK top 100
A RAWTENSTALL headteacher has praised his staff and pupils for catapulting the school into the UK's top 100. Handing out the praise is Alan Mooney, headteacher at St James-the-less Roman Catholic Primary School in Unity Way, Rawtenstall. He was speaking
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Bingo mum's jackpot
Christmas has come early for a Blackpool shop assistant who scooped a national jackpot of more than £100,000 in a game of bingo. The 37-year-old from South Shore, who wants to remain anonymous, won a total of £102,088 after a friend persuaded her to tag
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Ill-wind blows for pub of year
Blackpool's 'Pub of the Year' was forced to temporarily close its doors after storm-force winds twice wrenched festive illuminations and loosened sections of bricks in the walls of the building. The damage to the pub -- which is owned by Squires Gate
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Hanged boy bully probe
Detectives are investigating allegations of bullying over the tragic death of a St Annes schoolboy found hanged in his bedroom. Blackpool's Detective Inspector Andy Webster said his team were investigating allegations of bullying following the death of
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Strike threat over firefighter cutback
FIREFIGHTERS will be balloted on whether to strike if reductions are made to the number of officers sent out on engines. The move was revealed as the government announced that Blackburn and Burnley could get new fire stations. The fire authority is proposing
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Dimming down
HEALTH chiefs have been accused of "penny pinching" after it was revealed light bulbs are being removed from hospital rooms and corridors to save cash. Light levels are being tested and, if found to be higher than needed, light bulbs have been taken out
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Teens robbed at gunpoint
Two teenagers were held at gunpoint in a wooded area of Leyland by two older youths who demanded money from them. The boys, aged 13 and 15, were confronted as they took a shortcut through the woodland, off Lancastergate, Leyland, at about 8.30pm on Saturday
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Sat Nav snatches
Police are warning drivers with "must have" satellite navigation systems to be extra vigilant after a spate of car break-ins during the last seven days. A total of 19 cars have been broken into and their navigation systems, priced at up to £2,500, ripped
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Woods wins
Blackpool athlete Shelly Woods has collected another top honour. Shelly, 19, of Wembley Avenue, Layton, beat off tough competition from across the region to be named Disabled Sports Person of the Year at the BBC North West Sports Awards held in Manchester
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Fat cat bosses are hypocrites
THE hypocritical nature of Britain's bosses is revealed in a survey of the annual reports of leading companies recently conducted by the TUC. Whilst attacking the pension rights of their own employees and urging the government to take similar steps in
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Sky lights puzzle
Lights in the night sky above Chorley this week were revealed as "probably a military exercise" by the Ministry of Defence. Curious folk who witnessed the slowly moving lights early on Monday evening rang the Citizen to report the incident and inquire
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Lights shine
The Christmas lights switch-on proved a knockout event with nearly 3,000 people braving sub-zero temperatures to attend. The 600ft long Charlie the Caterpillar filled Market Street and much of Chapel Street as it was paraded around town by more than 20
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Fairytale ending to story idea
It will be a fairytale trip of a lifetime when 30 children from a Chorley primary school travel to Denmark to walk in the footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen. Year five children from St Mary's Catholic Primary School won the three night stay in Copenhagen
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Housing under review
New housing developments in Chorley have been given mixed reviews in a report by a government adviser on architecture. The North West has some of the poorest quality new housing in England according to an audit published by CABE, the Commission for Architecture
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Dimming down
HEALTH chiefs have been accused of "penny pinching" after it was revealed light bulbs are being removed from hospital rooms and corridors to save cash. Light levels are being tested and, if found to be higher than needed, light bulbs have been taken out
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Parkes back in game
TONY Parkes is back in football after accepting an invitation to help out Blackpool caretaker boss Simon Grayson. The Blackburn Rovers legend, who has been out of full time employment since he was controversially sacked by Mark Hughes 12 months ago, was
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There's no stopping Thommo now
PLUCKY scouser David Thompson last night admitted he's now beginning to look forward rather than back after finally emerging from his injury nightmare. The former Liverpool midfielder, who is pushing for a starting role against his boyhood heroes Everton
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Firefighters protest over cuts
A group of firefighters from Preston will challenge members of Lancashire Fire Authority on controversial plans to cut the size of crews. Members of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) will descend on a meeting of the full fire authority being held at the
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Top award for Freddie
Cricketing ace Andrew Flintoff scooped a top sports prize at a glittering ceremony held in Manchester on Monday night. The Preston born star, who became a national hero for his exploits in helping England beat Australia to win back the Ashes in the summer
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Armed robbers in raid on garage
Armed robbers attacked a security guard who was filling up a cash machine at a petrol station. Police said at least three knife-wielding raiders were involved in the raid on the Securicor van driver at around 5.45pm on Tuesday at Middleforth Garage, Leyland
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Raise a glass to the masters
Champagne corks were popping this week as two students celebrated graduating with distinction in their masters degrees from the University of Central Lancashire. Vicki Marshall, of Burrington Close, Fulwood, graduated with a distinction in her MSc in
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Grant boost for talking news
Blind and partially sighted people across Lancashire are being kept in touch with local news - thanks to the Citizen. The Penwortham-based Galloway's Society for the Blind has won a £6,650 grant from the Gannett Foundation a charitable trust administered
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Wendy shows off her slinky look
Winning the Miss Slinky 2005 title at a Preston slimming club has helped put back the smile on Wendy Robinson's face after she ballooned to 12-and-a-half stone following years of chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Wendy, 37, won the dieting accolade six
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Hair loss help for cancer patients
Cancer patients at the Royal Preston Hospital are to benefit from a hi-tech machine that will minimise hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. The £10,000 machine was given to the hospital by Paul Jones, whose wife, Christine, died from cancer in 1999
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Shops to rent
Former council tenants in Preston will no longer be able to pay their rent at the town hall and instead face paying it at cigarette shops. It comes after Preston City Council endorsed notices were placed in the town hall informing tenants that from November
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Detecting trouble
DOOR staff in Burnley are to be given metal detectors to search revellers for knives in a crackdown on night time violence. Two serious incidents with blades and warnings from doormen of an increase in people carrying weapons has led to fears that knife
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Top award for Freddie
Cricketing ace Andrew Flintoff scooped a top sports prize at a glittering ceremony held in Manchester on Monday night. The Preston born star, who became a national hero for his exploits in helping England beat Australia to win back the Ashes in the summer
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Area's future is all about history
A HISTORIC part of Pendle is set to be protected for future generations as councillors prepare to make Trawden Forest a conservation area. More than 1,000 households have been consulted about the plans which have widespread support from conservation and
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Teale staying put
Chorley manager Shaun Teale has quelled speculation that he might be tempted to take up the vacant manager's job at Conference North club Barrow. He said "It's nice to be linked with a club two steps above where I am now, but I have a job at Chorley and
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Teale seeks more from strike force
Chorley player-manager Shaun Teale will be hoping his strikers can hit form as the Magpies face two important matches in the next six days. Ossett Albion visit Victory Park for a league encounter on Saturday before Chorley travel to Bamber Bridge for
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Child snatch mum rammed police car
A MOTHER snatched a three-year-old boy from a social services conference and drove off, ramming a police car. Blackburn magistrates heard when police found Tracy Kirby she refused to return the child and drove off, subjecting him to an ordeal which amounted
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Jilted man 23, hanged himself
A MAN who discovered his girlfriend had been seeing one of his friends while he was in prison hanged himself with a dressing gown cord in a shed at his home. An inquest heard that Benjamin Eric Pickup, 23 had been out of prison a week when his mother
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Colin's the key to school's success
A TEACHER has been hailed "the best thing to happen" to a school named among the best in the country. St Joseph's RC Primary School, Hurst Green near Clitheroe, has been ranked joint first in the government's Key Stage 2 league tables released today.
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Elliott bidding to sink Saints
WADE Elliott has revealed how much satisfaction he's getting from putting one over on his hometown team. The winger heads back to Southampton this weekend as part of a Burnley squad that are outstripping the Saints by four points in the Championship table
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Saint Wade aims to become sinner
THE streets of Southampton spawned a certain type of footballer in the late 80s and early 90s. Skilful, full of flair and willing to try the crowd-pleasing spectacular rather than wasting energy bursting into the box. It's hardly surprising considering
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Bird set to take flight in Stages
NEWLY-CROWNED ANCRO gravel champion Paul Bird heads a capacity entry for Saturday's Coppermines Grizedale Stages. Traditionally, there's always a good turnout for the last forest event of the season, and this year is no different. No less than six WRC
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Pub ban for thug
A 20-year-old man who was thrown out of pubs in Leyland town centre for violent behaviour has been given a two year anti-social behaviour order. Ryan Heyes, of Thurston Road, Leyland, is banned from going to the Original Ship, George IV, Leyland Conservative
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Cotterill linked to Pompey
STEVE Cotterill today emerged as a potential assistant to Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth. A national radio station sparked the rumour with speculation that the duo could link up on the south coast, where Redknapp remains favourite to land the managerial
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Single review: Mystery Jets - Alas Agnes (679)
Christmas has come early for Twickenham quintet Mystery Jets, who have found themselves included on the bill for the 2006 NME Awards tour, the UK's most popular new bands showcase. There exist few speedier chauffeur rides to commercial success (first
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Grant scheme sinks cash into diving club
A DIVING club has been awarded a £5,000 lottery grant in a bid to encourage more local people to join in a sport. The Darwen branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) received the funding from the Awards for All scheme. The money will be spent on providing
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Tragic Joyce hits peak of emotion
THE widow of a Darwen man scaled Britain's three highest peaks on the 20th anniversary of his death to raise thousands of pounds for charity in his memory. Joyce Walkden, 55, used to go walking with husband Peter and continued the hobby after his death
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A n-ice treat for kids this winter
AN INDOOR ice skating rink returns to Haslingden later this month. The rink, at Haslingden Sports Centre, will be joined by children's fun fair rides in the hall. The fun starts on December 26 with a day of free skating for children, in association with
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Museum friends line up a great day out
THE Friends of Helmshore Textile Museums will host the 20th grand Christmas craft fair on Sunday. Money raised at the event will fund work to repair and restore the waterwheel at Higher Mill and complement work due to start in January to make access improvements
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Biker killed in daytime crash
A Blackpool motorcyclist has been killed after smashing into a tree following a collision with a van. Police said the 44-year-old man, David Walker of Aysgarth Court, South Shore, died when his 49cc Aprilla motorcycle collided with the white Ford Transit
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Pair's doorstep raid bid ordeal
Detectives are hunting two masked armed raiders who tried to hold a man and his teenage granddaughter at gunpoint on their doorstep. It is believed the offenders - who had a handgun - pounced as their victims returned home through the security gates of
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'Loving dad' dies in m-way horror
A Fylde man has died after driving 14 miles in the wrong direction on the M6 seriously injuring a man and his two young children. St Annes-born Gary Brotherton, 45, of Newholme Gardens, Walkden, Manchester, died after crashing his Renault Megane into
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Street name to desire?
I read with interest the article in the Citizen, November 23, concerning the street signs in Euxton for Milestone Meadow (or Mile Stone Meadow) and for Belfrey (or Belfry) Close In Astley Village we have a similar issue. Depending on which direction you
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Consult us over park trees
I do not agree with the council's plans to remove trees close to Astley Hall and the adjoining lake as part of its plans to regenerate Astley Park. The trees have been in the park for over 50 years and have become a feature of the landscape that is modern
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Bail granted for 'pet rescue'
MAGISTRATES agreed to vary bail for a 48-year-old Blackburn man so he can stage his own 'pet rescue' operation. Blackburn magistrates were told that William Parker, of Temple Drive, is currently on bail awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to assaulting
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Doctor denies sex charge
A DOCTOR accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old patient in her hospital bed has been suspended by the General Medical Council for 18 months. Naveen Shivan, 34, of Infirmary Close, Blackburn, is awaiting a hearing at Preston Crown Court on December
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Ready for first pints
A NEW £1.3million pub will open its doors in Blackburn for the first time next week. The newly built Willows pub at Guide, which opens on Monday, overlooks picturesque Fishmoor reservoir. The pub, which is operated by Pathfinder Pubs, will create 40 new
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Congestion charge bid given the red light
A BID for cash to help bust town centre traffic jams has been scrapped after the Government demanded promises that congestion charging would come to Blackburn. Blackburn with Darwen Council was invited to bid for a share of £18million to help draw up
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Smith facing knee operation
Forgotten striker Andy Smith faces the agony of an operation on knees as he strives to shine at North End. The Northern Ireland front man recently returned from a shorter than expected loan spell at Scottish club Motherwell after picking up the knee injury
