A WIDOW is hoping readers of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph can help in her quest to return a watercolour painted by one of her late husband's friends. Morag Clark, of Formby, Liverpool, wants the picture of Guisborough Priory in North Yorkshire to
A CAST of staff and students from a Pendle high school took to the stage to entertain parents during an annual panto production. Pupils of all ages from Fisher More RC High, Colne, were joined by staff in the opening night's performance of Aladdin yesterday
PEOPLE across East Lancashire have been urged to nominate their Community Nurse of the Year. Residents in Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley and GPs and staff employed by the CommuniCare NHS Trust, have been urged to vote for the most outstanding
A HUGE stone baboon by sculptor Jimmy Starr will soon amaze animal-lovers when it goes on safari. Jimmy, who runs an off-licence in Britannia, Bacup, has caused a stir in the village with his massive stone animal sculptures which take pride of place in
A WOMAN who was attacked by a bull terrier has had to have her foot amputated. And police say the terrible injuries suffered by Lois Jackson, 69, were so bad they looked as if they could have been caused by a lion or tiger. The frenzied Staffordshire-cross
IT was a marriage made in heaven as a successful bridal wear firm linked with Lancashire economic development chiefs and received a further boost to the business. The Design Room, based in Rawtenstall and run by directors Roberta Parsons and Sarah Stalker
A HUGE pageant and firework display was held to mark the end of the Millennium at Blackburn Cathedral. The event was organised by Blackburn College and similar concerts are planned for tonight and tomorrow night. The pageant was based on key events from
DELIGHTED residents were celebrating today after winning their battle to stop pub bosses from converting a former town hall into a pub and restaurant. Planning inspector Anthony Davison backed Pendle Council's decision to refuse planning permission for
A PIONEERING police scheme aimed at forcing parents to control their children has slashed youth crime and disorder in Blackburn and Darwen by 80 per cent in just six months, it was revealed today. Police have sent warning letters to the mothers and fathers
COURSES covering parenting and the menopause will start at the Blackburn and district Women's Centre next month. The five-week course on the menopause gives information on hormone replacement and alternative therapies and how to stay healthy beginning
BLACKBURN Rovers are facing a serious fixture pile up if they beat Newcastle United in the FA Cup on Monday night. Chief executive John Williams today admitted the Ewood club may already have to face Charlton as well as Manchester City in the last week
A GOVERNMENT plan to allow all out of hours calls to doctors to be dealt with by the NHS Direct advice line has been welcomed by GPs. If the proposal goes ahead, the NHS Direct telephone helpline will screen all calls for emergency and out of hours services
SUPERSTORE boss Stuart Smart aims to bring a taste of Blackburn to American shoppers. For the 39-year-old general manager at the town's Asda superstore is jetting off to Ada, Oklahoma, to find out about life at a store owned by parent firm Wal-Mart. And
Hyndburn Dance Festival, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre. From 9am. Halle Orchestra "Scheherazade," King George's Hall, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Anne Walmsley Memorial Concert with Trouble at Mill, Celtic Fringe, Rocco and his brothers, Gregson Lane Folk Club,
A YEAR-LONG row over controversial plans to build a high technology farm near a Ribble Valley hamlet is set to reach boiling point next week. Residents of Withgill Fold have said they will protest against Bashall Eaves farmer Barry Barnes' plans to integrate
A CHURCH which plans to launch a playgroup and kids' club is sending questionnaires to 1,500 homes in the town to find out how many parents are interested. Christ Church, Accrington, which last surveyed residents four years ago, plans to start a pre-school
A DECISION on where to re-site Blackburn wholesale market was be taken in secret because Blackburn Council claimed the time-scale involved in re-siting the market meant there was no time to put plans before a committee. The proposals drew protests from
COUNCIL house tenants could be at risk from faulty gas appliances if they do not let inspectors into their homes for annual checks, the borough council has warned. Health and safety laws mean the council must service gas appliances every year, but inspectors
PENSIONERS were set to go back to school in the Ribble Valley. If a new life-long learning group launched in the area proved successful and if there was the demand it could have lead to more being set up in the region. The group was organised by Lancashire
WHY does one see so many job vacancies (usually in the public sector) where the advertisers state they are "striving to be an equal opportunities employer." Surely, it is up to them to make a decision that they are such employers. Why are they only striving
CAN any reader provide information about someone who served with my late husband during the Second World War? Gunner Thomas Lord was stationed in 1941 at Marske by the Sea in North Yorkshire with 75th Field Regiment RA. He was a talented artist and I
LAST week my grandson, Paul, and I were watching the video 'Jason and the Argonauts.' When King Neptune came out of the water, I said to Paul that it was my favourite bit. "Well, Nana," said Paul, "you can always re-wind and watch your favourite bit as
FEELING the pinch after an indulgent festive spending spree? If so, why not make a fresh start in the millennium by switching to an energy-saving scheme that not only can save you money, but raises funds for the disability charity Scope at the same time
I CAN understand the concern shown by many people over the siting of a large telecommunications mast near to a school, but I fear that the question of possible dangers of radiation are getting out of hand, due to very little technical information being
ACCRINGTON-based Ian McCulloch reached the last 16 of a world ranking event for the first time following a 5-2 victory over Mark Fenton in the second round of the Royal Welsh Open at the Cardiff International Arena. McCulloch, who now faces Marco Fu for
THE man who aims to clean up Burnley swept into town today and promised high standards. Gary Bowles, public services general manager for Biffa, the company which has just won a £1.7million-a-year council contract to empty bins and sweep the streets, said
MIKE Tyson will take no more than two rounds to dispose of British hopeful Julius Francis in Manchester on Saturday night, according to Burnley's former Northern Area champion Warren Stowe. Stowe believes a convincing win will see the former undisputed
CAN any of your readers please help me? On Saturday, January 8, a programme was shown on BBC 2 at 8.05pm called Timewatch - How we kept the Germans. This featured Germans who had been prisoners of war in England during the war and showed, among other
AN "act of mercy" to move a friend's car has cost a former HGV driver his licence. Burnley magistrates heard how Jessen Clark, 31, was three times the drink-drive limit when stopped by police in the early hours. Clark, of Briercliffe Road, Burnley, who
AS a fairly frequent visitor to Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, I also noticed the absence of Munnings' painting of Solario from its long-standing position. However, my reaction was somewhat different from that of Mr Harold Heys (Letters, January 21
THE owner of a dog, said to have attacked three children, has been put on probation for 12 months. Burnley magistrates heard how Gismo, a cross Staffordshire bull terrier, bit a boy aged five as it wandered without a lead. A police officer who went to
BAD feeling existed between attack victim Ryan O'Riley and those charged with his murder it was alleged at an inquest. Ryan, 21, died in the Royal Preston Hospital on Sunday, January 9, after being found with head injuries in Browsholme Road, Burnley,
BELLY dancing and Lebanese cuisine are on their way to an East Lancashire village thanks to a pub licensee who has moved home after two years in Beirut. Debby Dawson, new licensee at the Bay Horse in Baxenden, hopes to bring a taste of the Middle East
Reporter Mike Ribbeck continues his diary on giving up smoking I RECEIVED a letter this week which gave me a great deal of inspiration and proved it is never too late to pack in fags. Mr Billington wrote from Accrington to say to keep on with the non-smoking
A TEXTILE firm has become the first in the country to win an environmental accolade. Gaskell Textiles, of Accrington, has been awarded the ISO14001 European environmental standard for industry. The award follows the firm's success in cutting levels of
PUB group Jennings, which owns dozens of East Lancashire hostelries, has reported rising sales. The Lake District-based firm said the purchase of the Cafe Inns chain last year had helped increase turnover by 60 per cent in the first quarter of the current
VILLAGE party organisers were left with a hangover after thieves stole the trestle tables they had hired. More than 500 Read residents enjoyed the knees-up and a chilli supper in a big marque on the school playing fields. But thieves took the wooden tables
A PIONEERING college initiative to help develop new skills is staging an open day. The 4Front programme was set up by the four further education colleges in East Lancashire to offer specialist training to employees and organisations. An open day is being
EMPLOYERS in East Lancashire should set themselves voluntary targets to employ more workers from ethnic minorities. The call, from Mike Madigan, of the Ethnic Minorities Development Association in Blackburn, follows a TUC report that claimed many highly
A SHOPKEEPER who sold out-of-date sandwiches was fined £200 and ordered to pay £175 costs by magistrates. The case against Amir Zaman, proprietor of the Red Rose Store, Lyndhurst Road, Burnley, was found proved in his absence at Reedley Magistrates Court
A DRINK driver's insurance ran out five days before he was breath tested, Burnley magistrates heard. Andrew Perry, 27had 55 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35. Perry, of Lebanon Street, Burnley, was fined £280
THREE men from the Preston and Burnley areas were being quizzed today in connection with a stabbing at a Bolton nightclub. The 33-year-old security man suffered stab wounds to his arm and legs at the Atlantis nightclub, Waters Meeting Road, Bolton, shortly
TWO pupils who got the broadcasting bug after taking part in their school's radio day last year have been invited to see an episode of Blue Peter being recorded. Claire Plane and Andrew Stubbs, both 16, will spend the day with presenter Katy Hill as she
HARRY Swarbrick knew he had met his love match the moment he got chatting to his wife of 60 years at a football game. The 86-year-old former plumber married his sweetheart Edith, 84, at Blackamoor Church during the infamous snowstorm which blighted dozens
TORIES in Blackburn and Darwen have called for warden patrols to be brought in to increase security on council estates. Coun John Williams has asked housing chiefs to ask a company which has been responsible for fitting alarms to empty council houses,
A FATHER-of-two was killed after being trapped in machinery in a works tragedy in Burnley. Ian Holgate was caught between heavy rollers at the Smurfit paper and board works in Caldervale Road yesterday. The 29-year-old machine operator was freed by firefighters
THE number of bobbies on the beat in East Lancashire will not be reduced in 2000, despite £1m cuts to police budgets. Lancashire Chief Constable Pauline Clare, has guaranteed there will be no cuts in frontline policing services for the 2000/2001 financial
RELIGIOUS leaders left their usual surroundings to see community life for themselves during a tour of Blackburn and Darwen. The visit was the last in a series which has seen three bishops and their assistants get a better understanding of all 14 deaneries
AN 82-year-old woman's arm was bruised when her coat caught in the door of a car as it set off. Joan Rushton, of Langroyd Road, Colne, had got out of a Vauxhall Cavalier car in Market Street. Driver, 62-year-old Gordon Lowe, of Burnley Road, was unaware
ST Joseph's RC Primary School, Stacksteads, is to hold a sponsored football event in February. It is organised by the Schools Football Initiative, a national scheme for children which recognises the need to develop skills in a good learning environment
LABOUR bosses in Pendle could be in line for congratulations from Prime Minister Tony Blair after being short-listed for a major party award. The local Labour group has reached the final of the party's annual best practice competition for its campaigning
THE man in charge of Blackburn Cathedral has been promoted by church leaders. The Provost, the Very Rev David Frayne, has been told he is to become the new Dean of the cathedral. A spokesman for the Blackburn Diocese of the Church of England said: "This
PUBLIC consultation will play a vital role in whether plans for a £30million by-pass to ease years of traffic misery in Colne get the go-ahead, say council chiefs. The controversial Colne-Thornton-in-Craven new road aims to provide relief from the end-of-motorway
A BARRISTER has lost his appeal against a conviction of indecently assaulting a young woman in the chambers library. Fauz Mohammed Khan, 34, of Adelaide Terrace, Blackburn, lost the bid to clear his name at a hearing at Mold Crown Court. He had appealed
ROSSENDALE Mayor's attendant and chauffeur Bob Trickett will retire in April after 30 years of dedicated service - without a single day's holiday. Bob, 62, of Tunstead Road, Stacksteads, worked seven days a week by choice and loved the job so much it
BLACKBURN'S Elizabethan Singers will take part in a grand opera gala concert to celebrate the new millennium this summer. The group with conductor Geoff Hill will be joined by the Langcliffe Singers with their conductor Valerie Baulard and the Settle
A SCHOOLBOY told an inquest of his horror as he watched his 13-year-old pal step out in front of a car as they made their way to class. Kai Pong Wong, who had only been in this country for a month, crashed into the car's windscreen before being sent flying
MAJOR road improvements will be made to a notorious accident blackspot, following the latest fatality. A Highways Agency official told an inquest that plans for the A59 Longsight Road include speed cameras, a 40mph limit and improvements to the junction
FA Youth Cup: Blackburn Rovers 1 West Ham United 4 TWO years ago Blackburn Rovers crushed West Ham 4-1 on their way to the final of the Times FA Youth Cup. Last night the scoreline remained the same but the result was entirely different as the latest
BURNLEY launch a crucial run of five promotion clashes in their next seven games at Stoke City on Saturday, with manager Stan Ternent admitting: "it's better than a relegation battle." The Clarets face Stoke, Bristol Rovers, Wigan, Gillingham and Preston
PUPILS at Audley Infants School, Blackburn, have been immersing themselves in books this week to mark the school's annual book week. Artist and book illustrator Korky Paul, of Oxford, visited the the school and read 'Winnie the Witch,' which he illustrated
THREE teenagers have been jailed for a vicious attack on a Blackburn youth who was thrown into a canal and left for dead. A court heard Thomas Todd, 19, from Scotland Bank Terrace, Blackburn, was said to have been left looking like a rag doll after he
ALMOST £50,000 of extra funding has been added to Ribble Valley Borough Council's budget for the year 2000/2001. The policy and finance committee approved £25,000 to improve the Highfield Road play area, a £20,000 modernisation project for the Pope Croft
A LONG distance driver has told a jury entries in his diary did not relate to payments for smuggling millions of cigarettes into the UK. Sean Bunkell, 35, claimed references to £500 were linked to a duty free racket he operated to help close friends.
A FORMER headmaster at the centre of a sex abuse case described claims he sexually assaulted pupils as "nonsense and complete fabrication." Robert Francis O'Brien, 57, from Fellside Farm, Kemple End, Stonyhurst, is accused of six indecent assaults. The
Valerie Cowan's Web World ACCORDING to the latest survey, there are three little letters which are exciting internet users more than s-e-x: MP3. It is allegedly the most common word typed into internet search engines - but what is it? Basically it's technology
PROUD pet owners donated cash to help an animal rescue centre. Dog lovers gave £1 to the RSPCA centre at Altham to enter the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Premier Pooch competition. The figure was topped up by cash from advertisers who supported the competition
RESIDENTS have a chance to star in a major video production. Sound and Vision 2000 will be screened at Accrington 2000 Festival. It is one of the Hyndburn Timeline events funded by the Millennium Commission lottery grant. People who live or work in Hyndburn
THE head boy of an East Lancashire secondary school has been offered one of just eight places on a Cambridge University course. Simon Cronshaw, 17, from Knuzden, is hoping to take the place at Emmanuel College to study history in September. A pupil at
A MAN accused of killing his cousin at a pub has been granted bail after a Crown Court judge rejected a bid by the Crown Prosecution Service to keep him in custody. James Singleton, 29, a drain layer, of Kingfisher Court, Oswaldtwistle, is accused of
THE problem of juvenile nuisance is a curse on many communities, but a new scheme to curb it, now being tried and extended in East Lancashire, seems to go effectively to the core of the problem - alerting the parents to their children's behaviour. For
TAKING out a mortgage is the largest and longest financial commitment most people make during their lives. Indeed, the sums involved when added up among Britain's 11 million home-buyers amount to a staggering £490 billion. It is extraordinary that up
THE Brass band at Towneley High School, Burnley, are busy preparing for their two most important events of their year. On Saturday, February 5, they will compete in the National Youth Brass Band competition at Salford University and a week later will
BLACKBURN Hawks defender Eddie Cooper faces a frustrating period on the sidelines after missing his side's double disappointment at the weekend. Cooper was forced out of Hawks' two defeats by Kingston due to a back injury. And Hawk's number 93 was sorely
TEN "wanted" men have turned themselves in to police in response to anti-crime initiative Operation New Leaf. Police say they are pleased by the results of the operation, which offers offenders a fresh start for the new millennium. The scheme began last
THE English won't forget Home Secretary Jack Straw's anti-English remarks at the next General Election. English nationalism has been under attack by the main political parties and the media for a long time. Sir James Goldsmith, bless him, spent a lot
NOW that we have abolished the hereditary membership of the House of Lords, maybe it is time to seize the opportunity to create a truly-democratic second chamber. In ancient Greece, if I remember rightly, when a council was selected, all the citizens'
A PUB landlord, known for taking home customers not fit to get behind the wheel, has ended up being banned for drink driving. Burnley magistrates heard how Michael Bennett, 51, licensee of The General Williams, Manchester Road, Burnley, was 'embarrassed
A FATHER-of-two was killed after being trapped in machinery in a works tragedy in Burnley. Ian Holgate was caught between heavy rollers at the Smurfit paper and board works in Caldervale Road yesterday. The 29-year-old machine operator was freed by firefighters
A TEENAGER who beat up a schoolgirl on Christmas Day has escaped a jail term. Eric Graham Buck, 18, an apprentice mechanic, was given the maximum 240 hours community service - and was told by Burnley magistrates they would have been more than justified
A SPEEDY inquiry by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott into plans to create a 100-acre leisure park on green belt land in Burnley is being called for by MP Peter Pike. The MP says he has been lobbied from all viewpoints on the £6 million scheme to develop
FASCINATING events in Hyndburn's past form part of the latest edition of the Hyndburn Residents' Guide. The special millennium publication contains a history of the borough including the formation in 1878 of Accrington Stanley Football Club, 10 years
HERITAGE bosses are celebrating a windfall of more than £220,000 in lottery cash to boost the gallery which displays the jewel in Accrington's crown - the world-famous Tiffany glass collection. The Haworth Art Gallery, in Manchester Road, is to receive
A MEDIA studies teacher died after collapsing in front of pupils during rehearsals for a school musical. Nick Furlonger, 39, collapsed in the music room of Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle on Tuesday. Headteacher Barry Burke praised Mr Furlonger's
THREE leading chefs from East Lancashire will cook for an audience in Oswaldtwistle to raise money for charity. Neil Hogg, Chris Sloan and Alan Holmes, will field questions about food and drink as they cook at Oswaldtwistle Mills. The event, on Tuesday
SOCCER fan Michael Galeski was devastated when the sportswear he got from his hero Ryan Giggs ended up shredded after a bike accident. But the Manchester United star's sponsors Reebok have brought a smile back to his face by giving him a new tracksuit
HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope is to stay at Westminster tomorrow to support a back bench Bill preventing doctors from causing the death of a patient by withholding medical treatment, food or water. He has responded to more than 100 letters from constituents urging
BURNLEY launch a crucial run of five promotion clashes in their next seven games at Stoke City on Saturday, with manager Stan Ternent admitting: "it's better than a relegation battle." The Clarets face Stoke, Bristol Rovers, Wigan, Gillingham and Preston
A BOY aged four who was playing with his father's lighter has been blamed for starting a fire which has wrecked the family home. Firefighters were called to the house in Fountain Street, Accrington, at 7pm yesterday to find the downstairs living room
BLACKBURN Rovers are facing a serious fixture pile up if they beat Newcastle United in the FA Cup on Monday night. Chief executive John Williams today admitted the Ewood club may already have to face Charlton as well as Manchester City in the last week
THREE employees are the toast of their workmates at an office seating firm. Blackburn-based Dauphin presented excellence awards to Yvonne Williamson, who works in administration, Vinnie Mullarkey of production and David Brookes, sales accounts manager
A CHEMICAL works has been praised for reducing pollution in a stretch of river. But an Environment Agency plan reveals that Blythe's Chemical Manufacturers, Church, continues to pollute a small part of White Ash Brook, Tinker Brook and Hyndburn Brook.
PATIENT care watchdogs will be on duty at Burnley General Hospital's accident and emergency unit on Monday to get a snapshot of activity at the casualty unit. The three-strong team from Burnley Community Health Council will be taking part in National
A DOG breeder who died in a house fire with 12 of her 13 dogs faced the possibility of losing some of her pets in a court case, it has been revealed. Hyndburn Council last week denied it had been taking court action against dog breeder Sheila Holding
BUDDING business tycoons got some tips on how to start their empires by local entrepreneurs. An 'Entrepreneurship Masterclass' was staged at Burnley FC as part of a national programme sponsored by HSBC, Unilever and Young Enterprise. Speakers at the event
Peake Practice, compiled by restaurateur Ray Peake, of Callums Bistro, Accrington ON January 27 1995 - exactly five years ago to this very day - a certain Mr Peter Thomson and Miss Tanya Backhouse were married. Their reception was a very grand affair
SOAPBOX: Today, Peter Dunn of Blackburn speaks about the drugs culture and its legacy of fear A CRISP autumn afternoon in a district of Manchester and I am leaping over the barriers dividing the busy urban bypass, taking my life in my hands as I sprint
A SINGLE mother went shoplifting to raise cash to care for her young son, Burnley magistrates heard. Michelle Pounder, 27, a former heroin addict, was seen by an Asda security manager putting meat worth almost £100 into carrier bags. Pounder, of Russell
A BURNLEY area family were victims of the Alder Hey scandal, in which babies' organs were removed without parents' consent, health watchdogs were told. Community Health Council members heard that their staff had directed one local family to the hospital
STAFF at a burger restaurant had wine on the menu after picking up a prize. Burger Chef won the Store of the Month award handed out by management at the Admiral shopping centre, Nelson, to reward good service and a clean and tidy store. The monthly award
THE case against a man accused of 18 charges of breaking food hygiene regulations at a Burnley takeaway was adjourned for three weeks by Reedley magistrates to allow him to take legal advice. Mohammed Iqbal, 47, of Montague Street, Brierfield, was warned
TWO elderly women had their bags snatched in separate street attacks in Pendle. A 94-year-old woman was in Railway Street, Nelson, at 10.15am on Tuesday when a thief snatched her black shopping bag containing a pension book, cash and other items. A short
POLICE have objected to an application by Burnley's Garden Bar for an extended music and dancing licence. The proposal would allow the St James' Street pub to extend normal pub hours opening to 1am for music and dancing Thursdays to Saturdays and open
A FARMER whose outbuilding was raided twice spotted his possessions in two antique shops, Burnley magistrates heard. Peter Anthony Rayson, 39, took a brass bed and clockwork trains and engines the first time he struck and his victim later saw the 3ft
IT'S official. Busy teenager Andrew Graham is a real asset to his community. The 15-year-old is the winner of the North West district Lions Club Youth Award Scheme. He has scooped a £500 bursary to continue his good work and a trophy. Andrew, who lives
A PIONEERING police scheme aimed at forcing parents to control their children has slashed youth crime and disorder in Blackburn and Darwen by 80 per cent in just six months, it was revealed today. Police have sent warning letters to the mothers and fathers
