Archive
-
Date
X Factor single set to be sales hit
EAST Lancashire's Diana Vickers is set to be number one this weekend as Hero, the new track by all the X Factor finalists, is expected to become the fastest-selling single of 2008. The single has been recorded for Help for Heroes, a charity that provides
-
Date
Youths hunted for throwing wood at passing cars in Brierfield
YOUTHS who hurled pieces of wood at passing vehicles near a busy junction in Brierfield are being hunted by police. Risking a serious accident, the teenagers were spotted throwing broken pallets at passing traffic on Halifax Road, on Friday night.
-
Date
Tributes to former Burnley mayoress
TRIBUTES have been paid to a community campaigner and champion disabled athlete who served as Burnley’s mayoress last year. Mary McCann, of Red Spar Road, lost a brave battle against cancer on Friday at the age of 71, it has been confirmed.
-
Date
Equestrian centre plan for Feniscowles
A LARGE-scale equestrian complex could be built in Feniscowles. Plans have been submitted to build 41 stables, as well as an outdoor access track on a 35-acre site in green belt land off Preston Old Road, Blackburn. Applicant Quin Beech, of Hoofers
-
Date
Colne goalkeeper jailed for drunken damage
A GOALIE who had undergone trials for the Clarets has been jailed after going on a drunken spree of vandalism. Steven Graham Baines, 22, fled from police after carrying out a flying kick at a car and smashing a light fitting. Burnley Magistrates’ Court
-
Date
Punk legends The Damned to headline Sophie Lancaster memorial gig
PUNK legends The Damned are set to headline a memorial concert for murdered former Haslingden High student Sophie Lancaster. Captain Sensible and company have agreed to take centre stage for Make A Noise 2, the second annual gathering commemorating what
-
Date
Police appeal after Nelson hit and run
A STOLEN car was involved in a hit and run collision which left a motorist needing hospital treatment, police have said. Thieves in a black Vauxhall Signum shunted a blue Nissan Micra, outside the Queensgate bus depot, at around 10.10pm on Saturday night
-
Date
Lancashire police get fingerprint scanners
POLICE in Lancashire are to be kitted out with handheld fingerprint scanners to allow them to carry out identity checks in the street. All forces in the country will be given the mobile devices as part of Project Midas – designed to speed up criminal
-
Date
£15,000 bus ticket machines stolen in Burnley
BUS ticket machines worth £15,000 have been stolen from a town centre depot in an overnight attack. Police said the ten metal devices, which are valued at £1,500 each, were taken from individual buses, at Transdev’s Plumbe Street depot, between 8pm on
-
Date
Free gym use at weekends in Darwen
FREE gym use has been introduced in Darwen after council bosses said they had listened to unhappy residents. Following complaints from residents, Blackburn with Darwen Council has announced it will open up gym sessions for free on weekends
-
Date
Soroptimists campaign against trafficking
The Purple Ribbon campaign began after Soroptmists (SI) from the Yorkshire Region visited Soroptimists in Europe. Our Region have now joined with them to sell 'Purple Ribbons'. The aim is to end Trafficking or what amounts to Modern Day Slavery
-
Date
Recipes: Tomato soup and onion soup with cheese croutons
HEALTHY eating is getting easier in Burnley where two Big Lottery-funded projects are taking cooking into the community. Burnley community food leader Julie Hemingway, who earlier this year reached the quarter-finals of BBC TV’s MasterChef contest, is
-
Date
£1.8m bid to regenerate Padiham park launched
A PARK could undergo a £1.8m revamp as part of a lottery bid launched by the council. Burnley Council has submitted its application for Heritage Lottery Fund cash to pay for major modifications to Memorial Park, in Padiham. It has asked for £890,000
-
Date
Hull City defender joins Preston North End on loan
Preston North End have completed the loan signing of Hull City defender Wayne Brown on an initial one-month deal. The 31-year-old centre-half has been brought in to the North End squad with Alan Irvine's defensive options stretched due to the
-
Date
Fairhaven walk
This easy circular walk offers seaside views around a lake created by an old flooded golf course. There is an adventure playground for a game of crazy golf and to enjoy refreshments in the old golf house. There are wide places to explore and wildlife
-
Date
Redknapp switch proves it's a mad world
DOES anyone else think Harry Redknapp's whirlwind switch to Spurs from Portsmouth was bizarre? I only found out in the early hours of Sunday morning. I'd brought my eight-month-old son downstairs to change his nappy and flicked on the TV to
-
Date
Interview: Margaret Sherlock
WHEN Margaret Sherlock's niece died of breast cancer in 2004 it sparked a series of events that would change the direction of her life forever. A trip of a lifetime to Australia with her six sisters propelled her through a personal journey of self-discovery
-
Date
Travel warning to Burnley fans going to Chelsea
TRAVELLING Clarets fans are being warned they must tell police when organising coaches to Chelsea, or risk court action. Police issued the advice to supporters ahead of the Carling Cup clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, November 12. They are
-
Date
Whitworth youngsters take lead on plastic bags ban
CAMPAIGNERS in a Rossendale town are doing their bit to save the world - with a little nudge from a county councillor. County council bosses were concerned that people in Whitworth had not expressed much enthusiasm for an initiative to make
-
Date
Blackburn with Darwen schools join forces as part of new initiative
HEADTEACHERS have joined forces to create a super-decision making body for a borough’s schools and colleges. Representatives from all schools, colleges and training providers across Blackburn with Darwen will meet every few months to agree
-
Date
Three Fishes nominated for Gastropub award
The Three Fishes restaurant, owned by Ribble Valley Inns, has been nominated for the Addlestones People’s Choice Gastropub Award. It will be voted for by the general public, with the winner announced on November 24 at a ceremony in London.
-
Date
East Lancashire sex attacker who 'raped' girl, 12, jailed
A YOUNG father who “raped” a 12-year-old girl at a Boxing Night party has been jailed for 27 months. Derek Roy Smith, then 22, allowed the Oswaldtwistle schoolgirl victim to perform a sex act on him in his car, Manchester Crown Court was told. Smith
-
Date
What is Stephen Warnock's best position?
STEPHEN Warnock continued his impressive role as a stand-in midfielder on Saturday, posing the question what is his best position? ""I'm enjoying it in midfield," Warnock, who partnered the equally impressive Vince Grella, said. "It's
-
Date
Striker agrees new Preston North End deal
Neil Mellor has become the second player of the day to commit to a new contract at Deepdale. He's signed an almost identical extension deal to the one penned by Sean St. Ledger earlier today. The 25-year-old agreed a deal this afternoon
-
Date
I'm backing Diana Vickers, says Geri Halliwell
X-FACTOR hopeful Diana Vickers has Spice Girl support after being named Geri Halliwell’s ‘favourite’. Geri Halliwell, formerly Ginger Spice, has joined the 17-year-old's camp. Geri said: “I love the X-Factor. Diana Vickers is my favourite. "
-
Date
Ex-Blackburn Rovers reserve wants a good innings in new career
FORMER Blackburn Rovers reserve team striker Keith Barker is relishing the opportunity to make it as a professional cricketer with Warwickshire. The 21-year-old was in the Rovers Academy but struggled to break through to the first team at Ewood Park
-
Date
East Lancs tourist attractions miss out at awards night
EAST Lancashire attractions failed to collect awards at a high-profile tourism evening, despite a raft of nominations. Organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the Northwest Tourism Awards were hosted by interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
-
Date
Nelson County Court should be saved because of credit crunch
A LAST-ditch effort by councillors to save closure-threatened Nelson County Court could be helped by the credit crunch. Campaigners fear that with the number of housing repossessions soaring across East Lancashire, and personal debt rising, the county
-
Date
1 defeat in 13 leaves Burnley boss smiling
OWEN Coyle was encouraged by his side's performance, which extends their recent run to just one defeat in 13. "I think it was a terrific game for the Championship, particularly in the second half," said the Burnley manager. "I thought the first half
-
Date
Ribble Valley farm shops hit by credit crunch
FARM shops across the Ribble Valley are the latest businesses to be hit by concerns over the state of the economy and changing consumer spending. Farmers and shop managers said they were seeing a definite shift in spending habits, and more
-
Date
Jack Straw slams prison reformers
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw has launched an attack on prison reformers who 'drive me nuts and overlook victims'. And the Justice Secretary also slammed government documents which he said were rife with “impenetrable jargon". Mr Straw said
-
Date
100 Nelson jobs axed after just five weeks
ONE hundred new Government jobs promised for Pendle have been axed – just five weeks after they were heralded by regeneration chiefs. In what has been described as a “body blow” for workers, Liberata has confirmed that the posts, administering
-
Date
Burnley police v teenagers football match builds bridges
A FOOTBALL match between police officers and teenagers has taken place in a bid to blow the whistle on anti-social behaviour. The match between neighbourhood police officers and teenagers, in the Trinity area of Burnley took place at Towneley Park as
-
Date
Blackburn firefighters step up battle against nuisance fires
FIREFIGHTERS will be stepping up their efforts in the lead up to bonfire night to try and cut the number of nuisance fires started in streets. Attention will be focused on the Griffin area of the town, which has previously seen youngsters deliberately
-
Date
Kay family visit Padiham as part of reunion
PEOPLE with the surname Kay descended on Burnley for their annual reunion. As part of the event they were shown around Gawthorpe Hall, which was chosen because Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth married Janet Shuttleworth in 1842, the heiress of Gawthorpe
-
Date
Blackburn bus maker moving to new site
A BLACKBURN bus maker has announced it will switch production to a new factory in the area, in a move welcomed by business chiefs. The decision by Optare to relocate from its Whitebirk site to the former Corus plant at Walker Business Park,
-
Date
New contract for Preston North End defender Sean St. Ledger
Preston North End defender Sean St. Ledger has signed a new four-year contract at the Club, a deal which will keep the player at Deepdale until the summer of 2012. St. Ledger's previous contract was due to run out at the end of the current season,
-
Date
MP urges Burnley schools to join free maps scheme
BURNLEY MP Kitty Ussher is urging schools in the town to get involved in a scheme that provides 11-year-olds with free maps. Ordnance Survey’s (OS) Free maps for 11-year-olds scheme provides a free OS Explorer map to every pupil in Year 7,
-
Date
Brierfield ‘splash of red’ event helps promote poppy appeal
The Nelson and District branch of the Royal British Legion staged a ‘Splash of Red’ event at Brierfield WMC ahead of this year’s Poppy Appeal launch. Joining supporters are, front from left, Brierfield mayor’s consort Keith Tomlinson, Brierfield Mayor
-
Date
Scary Sunnybank
Friday, 31st October sees Sunnybank Social Club(Helmshore)holding a Halloween party from 8 till late. Free entry to those in fancy dress. Everyone is welcome including children with admission at £1 for non-costume wearers. All money raised goes
-
Date
Burnley boss calls for braver refereeing after goal disallowed
OWEN Coyle has called for referees to have the courage of their convictions, after Martin Paterson had an early goal at Charlton Athletic controversially chalked off. Derbyshire official Rob Shoebridge over-ruled his assistant’s offside flag
-
Date
Harrogate Railway Athletic 1 Rossendale United 0
IF Rossendale had taken even half the chances they made on Saturday at Harrogate, they would have won the match quite comfortably. Phil Eastwood and Mickey Saunders had good chances but were either wide of the mark or denied by the Harrogate goalkeeper
-
Date
Bacup Borough 2 Runcorn Linnets 4
IT seems failing to start games well is becoming a habit for Bacup Borough. For the second week running, conceding early goals led them to chasing the game. But, unlike previously, there was no way back. Runcorn were allowed to capitalise on an indifferent
-
Date
Darwen 4 Norton United 3
DARWEN twice came from behind to beat Norton United in the Vodkat League First Division. James Dunn put the visitors ahead in the fifth minute but Graham Perkins equalised for Darwen seven minutes later and Cross’ 28th-minute strike put them in front
-
Date
McCarthy 'pushing for Blackburn Rovers recall for weeks'
RAY Mathias admits a new and improved Benni McCarthy has been knocking on the “first-team door” for weeks. Rovers assistant boss hailed the South African as a natural born goal scorer after his last-ditch exploits on Saturday and then predicted
-
Date
The aliens have landed
GARDENERS these days are mostly responsible people, but this has not always been the case. In the past plants have been introduced and the seeds have spread and caused real problems in our countryside, especially around our rivers. The problem has
-
Date
Chorley 1 Mossley 1
HONOURS were rightly even at the end of an absorbing match in which the high-octane performance of both teams in the first half could not quite be reproduced in the second. Even so, the Magpies had a great chance to steal the points a minute from time
-
Date
Atherton v Nelson washed out
NELSON’S Vodkat League Premier Division trip to Atherton Collieries was postponed on Saturday because of a waterlogged pitch. Nelson, who have signed Peter Corvino from Padiham, are currently 13th in the table.
-
Date
Cheadle Town 1 Padiham 2
PADIHAM’S charge up the Vodkat League First Division table continued with a 2-1 win at Cheadle Town to leapfrog the Cheshire side into third place. But the Arbories side had to do it the hard way, coming from a goal behind after Arron Riley put the home
-
Date
Glossop North End 4 Colne 3
COLNE were edged out in a seven-goal thriller against promotion-chasing Glossop North End in the Vodkat League Premier Division. Glossop went ahead through Darren Hamilton in the third minute but Michael Cruz levelled for Colne in the 42nd minute. Rick
-
Date
Alsager Town 2 Ramsbottom United 1
RAMSBOTTOM lost their unbeaten run thanks to an embarrassing blunder by the match referee. Andy Sensale put the Rams in front on four minutes in the Vodkat League Premier Division encounter but Alsager equalised a minute later through James. However
-
Date
FC Halifax Town 4 Clitheroe 0
THE Blues’ unbeaten run in UniBond First Division North came unstuck at an impressive Shay Stadium on Saturday. Clitheroe, who had won their last seven league games, came up against a well-organised team now running into form themselves.
-
Date
Clitheroe are team of round
Clitheroe have been chosen by the FA as the winners of the Team of the Round award for the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy. The Blues clinched a surprise 2-1 win at higher division Bradford Park Avenue last week, with manager Neil Reynolds
-
Date
Accrington Stanley boss left fuming by Wycombe winner
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman was left fuming after a controversial late winner denied his side a share of the points. Stanley were undone by a last-gasp winner by Wycombe’s Chris Zebroski despite the Chairboys man looking well offside in the
-
Date
Stonyhurst College chef caught drink driving
DRIVING the morning after he had been drinking proved to be a recipe for disaster for a Stonyhurst College chef. Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Hayton was involved in an accident that was not his fault and failed a breathalyser.
-
Date
Longridge church harvest day raises £300 for charity
St Wilfrid’s RC Church CAFOD Harvest Fast Day raised £309. A special mass collection also raised £136.80 for the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development. In the past three months, St Wilfrid’s parishioners have also donated £663.64 to the APF Mill
-
Date
Strictly Come Dancing blog: Week six
DANCE teacher Graham Vernon, from Samlesbury, gives his verdict on the sixth episode on Strictly Come Dancing. Lisa and Brendan Lisa was definitely on a mission this week with one of the hardest dances but I thought it was still lacking the drama
-
Date
Accrington Stanley defender Murphy out for season
A HORROR knee injury has ruled Accrington Stanley defender Peter Murphy out for the rest of the season. The 18-year-old is facing surgery after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament in a reserve match against Carlisle earlier this month. “Peter Murphy
-
Date
Ribble Valley appoints health and fitness champion
A RIBBLE Valley woman has made it her mission to get everyone in the borough fitter and healthier. Zoe Pickard, 26, has been appointed to the new role of Healthy Lifestyle Co-ordinator for the area, and will be setting up healthy-living activities
-
Date
Plans for Huncoat community centre get thumbs-up
PLANS for a new community centre to replace one which closed earlier this year have been given the initial green light. The youth club was forced to shut down and residents in Huncoat have been holding classes in local pubs after the Methodist
-
Date
Camelot says thanks with Chorley Day
Camelot Theme Park opened its gates to Chorley residents on Saturday. The popular Charnock Richard attraction hosted a Chorley Day to thank local residents for their support over the last 25 years. Despite the inclement weather, hundreds
-
Date
Thompson happy to claim his first Burnley goal
CLARETS goalscorer Steven Thompson is adamant that no-one can take his first Burnley strike away from him. Disputes continued long after the final whistle of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, after Addicks substitute Svetoslav
-
Date
Accrington Stanley 0 Wycombe Wanderers 1
WYCOMBE may have taken the three points from this game – but they will know that they didn’t deserve them. Had the referee’s assistant patrolling Stanley’s half not clocked off a couple of minutes early, the Reds would have had at least a point. On
-
Date
East Lancs swamped by heavy rainstorms
EAST Lancashire was battered by heavy rain on Saturday night causing a river to burst its banks and roads to become impassable. Police issued weather warnings throughout the night in Ribble Valley, as roads around Sawley, Whalley and Ribchester
-
Date
I’ll be the perfect witch this Hallowe’en
I’VE got the haggard face, the croaky voice, and the hunchback to go with it. I’ll be the perfect witch this Hallowe’en. Not many people believe me when I tell them I’m suffering my first-ever bad back. “You’ve never had a bad back?”, they said when
-
Date
Testament to their expertise
IT is amazing that no one was seriously injured in this weekend’s Original Mountain Marathon. The fact that everyone returned home safe is testament to the skill and resolve of the competitors, organisers and emergency services. Conditions faced in
-
Date
Blackburn Poppy Appeal underway
BLACKBURN’S Poppy Appeal was launched on Saturday with organisers hoping to top last year’s total of £45,000 raised locally. The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal got underway at The Mall in Blackburn town centre. Members are hoping to boost their
-
Date
Darwen solicitor reflects on the end of an era
CRIME doesn’t pay. Just ask John Dewhurst. “Stay clear,” is his advice to anyone who cares to listen. Hang on, don’t get the wrong idea. John is the last in a long line of criminal lawyers in Darwen and, as he prepares for retirement
-
Date
Escaped cows cause mayhem in Accrington
Firefighters and police were called after a herd of cows escaped their field and headed into Burnley Road in Accrington around 9pm on Saturday. A police spokesman said: “They were all over the road and causing a bit of mayhem, but we managed to get in
-
Date
Blackburn boy, 5, starts blaze in bedroom
A FIVE-year-old boy set fire to his bedroom while playing with matches on Saturday. Firefighters were called to the blaze at Pilmuir Road, Highercroft, Blackburn. A spokesman for Blackburn fire station said: “The little boy has totally destroyed his
-
Date
East Lancs runners describe 'hell on the fell'
EAST Lancashire fell runners have described the ‘horrendous’ conditions they faced as torrential rainfall brought chaos to a Lake District endurance race. Dozens of competitors from Clayton-le-Moors Harriers and Todmorden Harriers set off into
-
Date
TV soap stars to switch on Blackburn Christmas lights
CHRISTMAS in Blackburn and Darwen will be bigger and better than ever, promise councillors. More than £20,000 worth of new lighting will be put in place, and Blackburn town centre will have its very own “igloo” – a marquee hosting all kinds
-
Date
Prolific Clayton-le-Moors teenage criminal jailed
A TEENAGER who has committed more than 60 offences in the last three years has been jailed for two years for threatening police with a knife. Daniel Beadsworth, 19, of The Close, Clayton-le-Moors, has committed offences across East Lancashire