Archive
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Blackburn woman pleads guilty to child neglect
DONNA Russell, 33, of Lytham Road, Blackburn, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, made subject to a curfew between 9pm and 7am for eight weeks and ordered to pay £180 criminal court charge when she appeared before Blackburn
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BANNED: Blackburn teacher was sacked after forging letter to mortgage firm
A BLACKBURN teacher has been banned from the classroom after lying to bosses of a Prestwich school about being sacked from her previous job. Terasa Pukiello was suspended from her role as deputy headteacher at Cloughside College, a school for young
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The Future of Making Things is Here
With the Manufacturing Industry on the brink of the biggest changes since the industrial revolution, effective product design has never been more important. The demand for an increasingly customised and intelligent product experience is growing, the
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Historic Blackburn toy shop announces plans to close
A HISTORIC Blackburn toy shop has announced plans to close – with bosses citing a lack of footfall as the main reason. Mercer’s Toys moved to Darwen Street in January 2009 after the former Mercer’s store in Northgate, which had sold toys, hardware
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Is Blackburn really the best place to live? We asked a few locals...
BLACKBURN has been named the best place to live in Britain – with Burnley coming 60th out of 64 towns and cities. We took to the streets to find out your verdict on the town... Barbara Hester, 62, Guide “I have lived here all my life
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Former councillor faces prison after confessing to child porn offences
A FORMER councillor who confessed to child pornography offences is facing prison. Ex-colleagues have expressed ‘deep shock’ after it emerged that Labour’s Richard Smith, who represented Nelson’s Clover Hill ward on Pendle Council, had been investigated
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Doctor's chauffeur celebrated 50 years of motoring in 1957
IN 1957 James Payton of Blackburn, celebrated 50 years of motoring. He had first got behind the wheel of the newest car of the time, a carriage-built Stanley steamer , with folding hood and gleaming brass work, back in 1907. And he wore goggles
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Blackburn historian appeals for help in identifying photographs
BLACKBURN historian Dave Whalley has asked Bygones readers to help identify the four people in these photographs. While researching family history back in the 1980s, he visited relatives living in Mill Hill and copied these photographs. He
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THE WAY WE WERE: Griffin FC
THREE footballing brothers helped Griffin FC win a knock-out trophy back in 1977. Their team were the winners of the seven-a-side football contest which took place at Blackburn’s gala day, held at Witton Park. Here they are being presented with
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Saturday, June 15, 1957: Things are heating up in the region
THE headlines warned East Lancashire that the summer heatwave would be ‘Still H-o-t-t-e-r! today. And there was one main concern – would the ice cream run out as temperatures went into the 80s? Front pages told how the the sun shed golden rays
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WORLD NEWS: TV journalists shot dead live on air
US police are chasing the suspect in a fatal shooting of a reporter and cameraman during a live television broadcast, the governor of Virginia has said. Terry McAuliffe told radio station WTOP that the suspect is believed to be a disgruntled employee
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UK NEWS: Deadly black widow spider hitches ride on VW camper from California to UK
A DEADLY black widow spider which hitched a 5,000-mile transatlantic ride in a Volkswagen camper van is now safely secured behind alarmed glass. The female spider was discovered when the camper van's British owners took it for a tune-up after importing
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Kids head back to school with billions of pounds worth of gadgets in their bags
Children will be sent through the school gates with billions of pounds worth of gadgets in their backpacks, despite parents fearing new technology is damaging their social skills. Across Britain parents are spending on average £270 on items such
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Picture this? If you can't you may have aphantasia
IF counting sheep is an abstract concept, or you are unable to visualise the faces of loved ones, you could have aphantasia - a newly defined condition to describe people who are born without a "mind's eye". Some people report a significant impact
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Skip heaps praise on home grown Padiham pro Ben Heap
CALLUM Clarke has praised home grown professional Ben Heap ahead of this weekend’s title showdown with top dogs Euxton at the Arbories. Padiham recruited Heap from Lancashire League champions Lowerhouse instead of opting for an overseas signing
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Coronation marked in style throughout town
FLYING the flags and floodlighting the town hall and market was just one of the ways Accrington marked the coronation of George VI in 1937. The new king was crowned on May 12, the date originally set for that of his brother Edward VIII before he
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VINTAGE STYLE: Outfit tips for beginners
AS WE delve once more into the vintage wardrobe we take a look today at finding your own personal style. Some people seem to just get it – they always look effortlessly stylish, wearing outfits that wouldn’t look out of place at Paris Fashion Week
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Stars confirmed to ride Tour of Britain
DEFENDING champion Dylan Van Baarle and sprint star Andre Greipel are two of the leading names confirmed for this year’s Tour of Britain, which has a stage in East Lancashire. Garmin’s van Baarle, a surprise winner in 2014, is back again to try
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Restoration work to begin on historic landmark from Houses of Parliament in Clitheroe
RESTORATION work will begin on a historic landmark from the Houses of Parliament in Clitheroe next week. Clitheroe Civic Society have secured enough funding to start renovation works on the Grade II listed Pinnacle monument which was presented
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Police in warning over hoax emails from 'relatives'
RIBBLE Valley police are warning residents of a scam. A family in the area received a distressing email from a relative claiming they were in trouble. MORE TOP STORIES: The police were called and the relative was found safe and well, but
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School days remembered in East Lancashire
IF you think back to your own schooldays, it’s likely you remember them with fondness. You will recall childhood games in the playground – skipping, cowboys and Indians, making shot ice slides when snow fell – and having class gym lessons on mats
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HUGE wasp found in garage is not deadly Asian giant hornet - it's actually harmless...
ANIMAL experts were called in to identify a mystery insect thought to be a deadly Asian giant hornet found in an East Lancashire garage – but it turned out to be harmless. The two-inch long insect with a long sting flew into All Cars Garage, in
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Top 5 reasons Blackburn really is a great place to live!
BLACKBURN hit the headlines yesterday after a survey outlined the town was the best place in Britain to make a living. Here's five more reasons we think Blackburn really is a great place to live... 1. SPORT Blackburn is blessed with sporting
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No end in sight for water bug safety alert across Lancashire
UNITED Utilities has refused to give an end date for the boil-water alert for 300,000 customers in Lancashire, as criticism of handling of the crisis grew. A spokesman for the firm said: “We are continuing to make good progress with the first three
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Burnley hits back over ‘Blackburn best’ claim
BLACKBURN has been named the best place to live in Britain with Burnley coming 60th out of 64 towns and cities. The survey compared average wages to mortgage repayments and took account of the cost of living and health of the individual areas’
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TOUR OF BRITAIN 2015: Village saddles up for arrival of world’s elite
THE world’s best cyclists will arrive in Whalley to streets lined with specially designed flags. Businesses will proudly be boasting flags of Whalley and Britain, provided by the Chamber of Trade, as the Aviva 2015 Tour of Britain races through
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Preston Motorsport Club staging a fun navigational scatter rally
PRESTON Motorsport Club is staging a fun navigational scatter rally on Tuesday September 1. The event will start and finish from the Plough at Eaves, near Woodplumpton - postcode PR4 0BJ - and it is open to anyone provided they join Preston Motorsport
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Situation in Far East ‘is unlikely to impact’ on our East Lancashire's firms
EAST Lancashire business bosses and politicians were today keeping their fingers crossed that the Chinese stock-market crash would not hit the local economy and residents’ pockets. Several major firms in the area trade with China — notably whiteboard
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Performers set to entertain at House of Commons after impressing MP
AN ENERGETIC musical, penned by two Lancashire writers, is to set be performed on the terrace at the House of Commons. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans was so impressed with Stop The Train, when he caught a performance at The Grand in Clitheroe, that
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Job fear as Blackburn taxi drivers to be hit by new costs
ANGRY Blackburn taxi drivers representatives will meet council bosses twice in the next few weeks to oppose plans to raise the costs of a Hackney licence and bring in a new penalty points system for mechanical vehicle safety. The fear the combination
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Indie rock band Spector give taster of new album in intimate Blackburn gig
INDIE rock band Spector celebrated the launch of their new album by performing a stripped-back gig in Blackburn. The four-piece band from London were at the Head Music store, King William Street. MORE TOP STORIES: Singles All The Sad Young
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Woman dials 999 to ask for help tidying her kitchen
A WOMAN called 999 to ask paramedics to help her tidy her kitchen and another time waster rang emergency services after his his toe nail had changed colour. Other inappropriate cases revealed by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) include a woman
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Diane Cooke: Who should I fear for most — my demon daughter or the bandidos?
DAUGHTER: “Hey Mum, I’m going travelling around Bolivia for three weeks with a friend.” Me: “Isn’t that the place where bandits raid the buses?” Daughter: “Don’t worry, that’s only at night, we won’t get on those buses. Besides, I speak Spanish
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Six face charges as part of major investigation into supply of cocaine and heroin
SIX people are to appear at Preston Crown Court after being charged with drug offences following raids as part of an investigation into cocaine and heroin supply across Chorley. They were arrested at various addresses in Chorley and Liverpool and
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No offence to take holidays
I WOULD like to comment on the topic of children being taken out of school to go on a family holiday. I believe that children should be allowed to have a fortnight’s holiday with their parents outside school holidays. Why do I believe this?
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Compromise needed over issue of taxi safety
IT’S a case of passenger safety versus taxi drivers’ livelihoods. Council bosses in Blackburn have a point and anyone who travels in a taxi wants to be satisfied that it’s roadworthy and safe. There are always people who will let the side down
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Lots for Blackburn MP to takeaway from visit to McDonalds
BLACKBURN’S MP visited a McDonalds branch and discovered the work that is put into the community by its staff members. During her visit, Kate Hollern was given a tour of the Livesey Branch Road restaurant by McDonalds’ franchisee David Duncan and
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Burnley MP in bid to protect town’s fracture clinic
A CAMPAIGN has been launched by Burnley’s MP to prevent the fracture clinic at the town’s general hospital being lost to Blackburn. Hospital bosses have alternately claimed that patients are facing a wait of up to two weeks to secure an appointment
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Museum marks 30 years since Titanic was found
SEPTEMBER 1 will mark the 30 years since the final resting place of the Titanic was discovered on the ocean bed of the Atlantic. The world’s most famous ship was discovered in 13,000 feet of water in 1985 – 73 years after it sank after hitting
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Taxidermist faces charges over dealing in endangered species - including leopards and sperm whale’s teeth
A TAXIDERMIST in Burnley is facing a series of charges over dealing in endangered species, including leopards, a snowy owl and sperm whale’s teeth. Aaron William Halstead, 24, is also accused of illegally purchasing dolphin, jaguar and cheetah
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Jobs hope as three firms sign up for land on Burnley industrial estate
DEALS have been struck which should see long-empty land on a Burnley industrial estate being redeveloped and up to around 20 new jobs being created in the borough. Land known as plots 5A, 5B and 5C, just along Widow Hill Road from Northbridge Vending
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Accrington Stanley keeper Mooney welcomes training opportunity
ACCRINGTON Stanley goalkeeper Jason Mooney believes a full week on the training ground can help the Reds build a platform heading into a busy September. John Coleman’s side have played four matches already this season in a busy opening two weeks
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Missed chances prove costly as Blackburn Rovers U21s' wait for first win continues
BLACKBURN Rovers Under-21s are still seeking their first win of the season after going down 1-0 at West Brom on Monday night. But Damien Johnson’s side, who have taken one point from their opening three U21s Premier Division Two games, will be
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Blackburn Rovers U18s beaten by Jason Wilcox's Manchester City
BLACKBURN Rovers tasted their first defeat of the U18s Premier League season on Saturday after Manchester City battled back from behind to win 3-1 at Brockhall. Lewis Mansell headed Billy Barr’s side in front but City, managed by former Rovers
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Former Clitheroe loanee Watmore earns England call-up
FORMER Clitheroe loanee Duncan Watmore has earned his first call-up into the England Under-21 squad for the forthcoming matches against the United States and Norway. The Sunderland striker, who spent time on loan with the Blues from Altrincham
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Accrington walk-in GP centre to stay open after calls
ACCRINGTON’S threatened walk-in GP centre will remain open for at least another year, it was announced yesterday. The move marks another milestone in an ongoing campaign by patients and councillors to keep the popular centre at the town’s Victoria
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LATEST: New bride charged with murder after Lancashire lawyer stabbed to death
THE wife of a 51-year-old lawyer stabbed to death in Chorley has been charged with his murder. Sharon Edwards, 42, of Parkers Wood Close, Chorley has been charged with the murder of her husband David Edwards. Police were called to the couple
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Darwen decorator stole jewellery and cash worth £3k while householder was on holiday
A 45-YEAR-OLD man trusted to do some decorating while the householder was on holiday stole jewellery and cash worth more than £3,000. Blackburn magistrates heard that Alan David Holmes had been given keys to the house and allowed to live there
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Blackburn Rovers new boy Tom Lawrence determined to improve on debut display – as Jordan Rhodes steps up fitness fight
TOM Lawrence has told Blackburn Rovers fans they will see the best of him the more matches he gets under his belt – as Jordan Rhodes steps up his fight to be fit to face Bolton Wanderers. New boy Lawrence made his Rovers debut in Saturday’s 1-0
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Schoolgirl arrested with Blackburn teen admits terror offences
A MANCHESTER schoolgirl arrested with a Blackburn teen involved in a plot to attack police officers at an Anzac Day parade in Australia has pleaded guilty to two terror offences. The 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named because of her age, was
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Thwaites in talks to get popular pub serving once again after closure
THWAITES are in talks with two potential landlords and hope to have The Ranken Arms open again soon. The brewery spoke out after the Hoddlesden venue closed its doors less than a year after last changing hands. MORE TOP STORIES: Director
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Newly-modernised Post Office branch set to open in Darwen
A NEWLY-modernised Post Office branch is set to open in Darwen. Customers will be able to access a range of services including international parcels and Special Delivery as well as being able to make cash withdrawals from a Post Office Card account
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SHOREHAM AIR INFERNO: Driver tells of lucky escape from deadly fireball
A 4x4 driver has told how he was the last person to escape alive from the Shoreham air inferno, saying: "Two seconds later and it would have been me in there." The 71-year-old grandfather described how he was immediately in front of the wedding
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Paddy Power and Betfair agree possible merger to create one of world's biggest gambling businesses
One of the world's biggest gambling businesses is set to be created after Paddy Power and Betfair agreed a possible merger. The new online gaming and betting chain would have revenues of £1.1 billion (1.5 billion euro) and it would be one of the
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Female fish have become better swimmers in order to escape male sexual harassment
FEMALE fish have become better swimmers in order to escape male sexual harassment, new research claims. The female guppies have learnt to shake off the unwanted male attention by changing their physiology to swim faster and more efficiently.
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QUIZ: What ever happened to these Blackburn Rovers stars?
YOU used to watch them strut their stuff at Ewood Park - but where did they end up after Blackburn Rovers?
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Twenty firefighters battle blaze at Rishton garage workshop
A PROBE is underway after a garage workshop was thought to have been torched in Rishton in the early hours of today. Around 20 firefighters battled the blaze at industrial premises in Brook Street, after an emergency call was received just before
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Fire crews called to blaze in Blackburn
AN investigation is underway today after one shed was destroyed and two others were badly damaged at an allotments site in Blackburn. But firefighters initially believe that the blaze, reported to the emergency services just after 1am on a site
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Diane Cooke: It's a Latin love thing - mad dogs and English women
DAUGHTER: “Hey Mum, I’m going travelling around Bolivia for three weeks with a friend.”Me: “Isn’t that the place where bandits raid the buses?”Daughter: “Don’t worry, that’s only at night, we won’t get on those buses. Besides, I speak Spanish.”So went
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Self-taught Blackburn student, 15, passes A-level further maths despite painful condition
A TEENAGER who suffers from a condition which causes chronic pain and fatigue has passed A-level further maths at the age of 15. Imogen Harrington, a former pupil of St Wilfrid’s College in Blackburn, largely taught herself the subject using the
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Clarets striker wants to follow in footsteps of Ings and Co and reach Premier League with Burnley
ANDRE Gray is determined to fulfil his Premier League and England ambitions with Burnley, and prove that he is worth every penny of the club record fee. It is just over 12 months since the 24-year-old embarked on his first full season in the Football
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New Burnley striker Andre Gray takes positives from knife attack - and Turf Moor move
ANDRE Gray has a permanent reminder of life before professional football, and he does not want to go back. Growing up in the the Midlands, finding his way not only in the game but life in general, the youngster was attacked outside a Wolverhampton
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Same-sex weddings now allowed at church
A CHURCH in Rawtenstall has become the first in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale to gain approval to hold same-sex weddings. Rawtenstall Unitarian Church, Bank Street, has been given permission to hold the ceremonies and are now inviting couples
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Popular air show on standby after Shoreham crash tragedy
ORGANISERS of an air show popular with visitors from East Lancashire are waiting to hear how new restrictions announced in the wake of the Shoreham tragedy will affect them. Southport Air Show will take place on the weekend of September 19 and
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Markus Olsson vows to work hard to win back Blackburn Rovers left-back spot
REIGNING player of the year Markus Olsson has vowed to work hard to show Gary Bowyer he deserves his place back in the Blackburn Rovers team. Olsson has had to settle for a spot on the bench in Rovers’ last two games after Tommy Spurr regained
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FLY TIPPING: Darwen resident livid after rats found in rubbish behind her home
A WOMAN has complained about an incident of fly tipping at the back of her home in Darwen. Nicola Nigh, of Blackburn Road, says that rubbish had been lying in the alley for three months and despite several requests she says the council has done