Friday Folk

CRAFTY Romeo Tony Raynor had an ace up his sleeve when he planned an extra special marriage proposal . . . his credit card!

While other people save up their credit card points and pocket an alarm clock, a set of towels or a cuddly toy, Tony had other ideas.

He earned around 20,000 points by buying £200,000-worth of business equipment on his gold credit card - and cashed them in to take girlfriend Alison Ward on a three-day break in Austria, where he proposed. And he has now collected enough points to fund his stag night, taking several mates, his father and father-in-law gyro-coptering in Cumbria.

"It was a total and absolute surprise for Alison and it worked like a dream," said Tony. "I fixed up everything in advance, right down to arranging for the ring to be brought in on a silver platter at dinner.

"We flew over via Paris, stayed in one of Europe's most beautiful cities, in one of the top hotels and then spent our "proposal dinner" at the world-famous Sacher Hotel, where the likes of Prince Charles, Paul Getty and Paul McCartney dine when they visit Austria."

Tony, 36, runs Abbey Telecom, in Blackburn.

Alison, 32, said: "I was so moved by the whole thing I just put my head in my hands and couldn't get the answer out for a full five minutes. But I agreed, of course I did - how could I possibly say no? Tony is a romantic and surprises are not uncommon. But something of this scale - well, it just blew me away." Tony and Alison, both getting hitched for the first time, will be married at St Thomas's Church, St Annes, in March.

An American family who were in the restaurant for the proposal have been invited to the big day . . . and they've written to the happy couple to say they'll be there.

Transplant puts Mike on course for happiness

MIKE Kenlock swapped one handicap for another after being given a new heart.

With his improved health he became a fanatical golfer and flies out to Costa del Sol several times a year to indulge in his passion on courses in Torremolinos.

Mike, 53, from Darwen, who is a member at Darwen Golf Club, said: "Before my transplant I was close to death. Now I certainly live life to the full."

After suffering several heart attacks Mike's health was going downhill fast, to the point where doctors at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, told him he would only survive with a heart transplant.

Mike, who runs a haulage and warehousing business, Kenley Warehouse in Darwen with his wife Sheila, became the hospital's 177th transplant recipient.

Mike, who now says he feels "wonderful" said: "I don't talk about my transplant a great deal but it will always be a special day in my life. I have my own thoughts which I tend to keep to myself."

Today he prefers to let others take care of the administration of his business while he hits the golf courses, as well as playing guitar in the Darwen cabaret band The Jamie Mac. Mike, of Roman Road, Pot House, said: "I don't get any better as a golfer but it certainly helps to keep me fit." He recently returned from a Spanish golfing holiday and added: "We were there for three weeks, playing every day, and I reckon that I must have walked a couple of hundred miles or more."

Ann Stuart, manager of the New Heart-New Start Appeal, which aims to raise £1 million to establish a special transplant ward, said: "People such as Mike are living testimony to the success of organ transplantation. Unfortunately, there are many others on the waiting list for a transplant and our ability to give them this second chance depends upon the availability of donor organs and the generosity of donor families."

Marathon run defies asthma

ASTHMA sufferer Sandra Snape is set to prove once again that her condition is no barrier to keeping fit and active.

For 33-year-old Sandra is currently preparing for her third consecutive London Marathon.

Sandra said: "I've got asthma but it's only mild and it's well-controlled.

"Last year I did the marathon and I felt all right when I finished.

"I did it in 3 hours, 38 minutes and this year I'm hoping to do it in 3 hours, 30 minutes or under."

Married Sandra, who works for Europrint in Blackburn, has raised cash for asthma research and the Canine Defence League in the past.

But when she starts to pound the streets of London on April 26 this year she will be raising cash for the Starlight Foundation.

"It's a charity for terminally-ill children and I'm trying to raise at least £2,000," she said. Sandra, of Mellor Brook, trains with the Blackburn Roadrunners club and is confident of completing the gruelling course.

Anyone wanting to sponsor her can contact her at Europrint on 01254 683555.

Call for missing classmates

ORGANISERS of a school reunion are still searching for the former classmates they have not been able to contact.

The class of 1958 at the former Holy Rosary Convent School, Foulridge, had 40 pupils and organisers of the reunion have managed to get in touch with half of them. A handful have died and but around 15 people are still outstanding and the organisers want to contact them.

The reunion will be held at the Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn, on March 28. The village primary school now uses the convent buildings.

Any enquiries can be made to Marjorie Chatburn (nee Smith) on Colne 863835 or Helen Cooper (nee Procter) on 01664 454481.

New role at college

A COLLEGE has a new vice-principal.

Chris Osborne, 47, has joined Blackburn College as Dean of Faculty two years ago after leaving Wigan and Leigh College.

He takes over the post from Sheena Ewing, the new college principal. Mr Osborne, who is married with four children, has a BA in history and sociology from East Anglia University and a Master of Education.

He lists his hobbies as golf, volleyball and badminton. Mr Osborne said: "I believe in further education's unique contribution to education.

"All students are catered for regardless of age, sex, ability or ethnicity.

"I am delighted to be able to further my career in such a successful institution as Blackburn College."

Pudding on the style

RESIDENTS at a Colne nursing home are enjoying some of the best cuisine in Britain.

Andrew Mullaney, chef at Peel Gardens Nursing Home, Vivary Way, was voted the top cook in a healthy eating competition organised between head chefs from six nursing homes managed by Shipley-based B and N Housing.

Lancashire-born and bred Andrew scooped first place in the contest with a recipe from his roots - a diamond of griddled salmon steak on a disc of fatless black pudding and tarragon. Andrew won a mini-break valued at £300, a trophy and certificate and will also go forward to compete in the Healthy Eating Competition class in the salon Culinaire National Cookery Competition in London in February.

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