Rossendale Organ and Keyboard Club, Rossendale United Social Club, Staghills Road, Newchurch, 8pm. William Turner Lecture -- The Accrington Pals, Accrington Town Hall, 7.30pm. Blackburn and Darwen Ramblers, Brownhill Roundabout, 7pm (six miles). "Only
MORE than one third of the people living in Lancashire - a total of 378,766 - are in debt, according to experts.They are behind with payments to creditors by two or more months nad often try to solve their problem by borrowing from somebody else, which
THE draw for the early rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase haven't been kind to Ramsbottom United. On Saturday September 2 Ken Bridge and his lads travel to Unibond Division One outfit Gretna and the first qualifier of the Vase also lands the Rams with a
WITH so much doom and gloom about in today's society, I would like to comment about the Red Rose Friendly Society in Preston New Road, Blackburn, on the colourful display of plants in the boxes surrounding their property. These plants are changed every
I WOULD like to thank the people of Blackburn with Darwen and surrounding districts for their support during the recent Somme Festival held in Blackburn centre. The ceremonies and band concerts, plus the Forces Show in King George's Hall, were all something
I NEVER thought I'd agree 100 per cent on any issue with John Blunt, but he echoed my own sentiments regarding Mary Stanton and her pet monkey (LET, July 5). Is it a case of a new broom being seen to sweep clean -- and sweeping compassion, humanity and
YOUR article on the "spy in the cellar" dispute (LET, July 3) only goes to show that multiple operators of licensed premises are "singing from the same hymn sheet!" Margo Grimshaw is in an entirely different situation to a tied tenant with Thwaites' Brewery
ATHERTON dancer James Knowles kept his feet of flames a secret from school pals. He competed in Irish dancing contests for years, before he felt the amazing success of River Dance made his hobby acceptable to pals. But the 18-years-old, of Bolton Road
A JUDGE has fined Castle Cement £45,000 for pollution offences after local residents complained of smells when emissions from the firm's chimney stacks fell to the ground. But the judge hearing the case said said although there was no doubt Castle Cement
LEIGH Centurions' coach Paul Terzis has revealed Leigh's secret weapon in their astonishing play-off win over Dewsbury - the travelling fans. "They were awesome, absolutely awsome," he said as he reflected on Leigh's 29-12 win at the Rams Stadium. "I've
NEW signing Craig Hignett linked up with his new team-mates in Germany today and then admitted it was the Graeme Souness factor which persuaded him to join Blackburn Rovers. The 30-year-old midfielder put pen to paper on a four year contract as Rovers
FIFTY years of marriage has left golden wedding couple Fred and Joan Husband as in love as ever. The couple, both 71, of Hardy Court, Nelson, started their anniversary celebrations early with their four sons and ten grandchildren at a surprise party at
POLICE were today re-examining the case of a man who died six days after he was the victim of an alleged attack. David Jackson, 37, of Edward Street, Nelson, was involved in an incident with another man in Leeds Road, Nelson, at 12.45am, last Monday.
TEMPERS flared as a crumbling historic mansion continued to rot. Oak Hill Mansion, in a public park in Accrington, was so dangerous that council workmen could not enter. But councillors again postponed a decision on the fate of the mansion, after scores
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of damage was caused in East Lancashire as thunder and lightning storms ravaged the region. Firefighters were called when lightning struck an empty building in Blackburn. A chimney had to be made safe after a lightning bolt struck
SAMANTHA Lomax, 11, was the inspiration behind a charity football match, which raised £1,161 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Samantha, of Thomas Street, Oswaldtwistle was born with the genetic disease which affects her breathing. A pupil at Lowerhouse
A VICAR has warned parents about the dangers of letting children read the Harry Potter stories. The most recent book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, was only released on Saturday, but many children of school age have already completed the 600-page
PROTESTORS claim that the outcome of the Castle Cement pollution case has justified the high number of complaints made by Ribble Valley residents. But the company said it was pleased the judge recognised it had done a great deal to try to comply with
A JUDGE has fined Castle Cement £45,000 for pollution offences after local residents complained of smells when emissions from the firm's chimney stacks fell to the ground. But the judge hearing the case said said although there was no doubt Castle Cement
A BURY teenager was stabbed repeatedly around his head and neck during an attack. Two youths have been arrested for Monday's (July 10) assault which happened at 12.20am in Swallow Drive. The victim sustained life threatening injuries, including deep gashes
LOTTERY cash success will give poor youngsters a chance to discover the joys of creating art. Bury art gallery and museum has been awarded £23,190 for an innovative family-friendly exhibition which starts next weekend. "The Mare's Tale" will include work
THOUSANDS of Bury commuters faced chaos during two stoppages by First Manchester bus drivers which crippled services. But the East Lancs Railway rode to the rescue to help 22 Bury primary school children whose picnic outing to Holcombe Hill seemed doomed
FINANCIAL director Howard Burkhardt is counting down the days until his retirement. After 23 years at Blackburn's Cavalier Carpets Howard is saying goodbye to all that on Friday and setting up on his own. Howard, of Whinney Lane, Langho, is becoming a
ALMOST 1,000 new businesses a week are set up in the North West -- but their survival rate is the worst in the country. According to the latest figures, the failure rate in the first quarter of this year increased by more than five per cent on the same
PEOPLE of all ages had fun at the Salesbury CE Primary School's summer spectacular, where they enjoyed a whole host of attractions and entertainment, including the bouncy castle, quad bikes, balloon race, face painting, as well as a tombola, a cake stall
A SEARCH was under way today for an injured woman who walked into a hospital with a nail lodged in her body but left before being treated. Police were called in to Blackburn Royal Infirmary at 4am after the woman, whose description has not been released
HUNDREDS of budding chefs could find a new training programme has all the right ingredients to get their career off to a flying start. Leading leisure chain Whitbread has launched it's Chef Modern Apprenticeship scheme in the North West with a huge recruitment
I READ with much interest your article (LET, July 5) on the retirement of Simon Garner. Given the respect and high esteem he is still afforded in this part of the world for being our highest-ever goal scorer, I wonder if he might be given a job by Blackburn
ALTHOUGH England had an excellent win against the West Indies in the Lords Test, the fact remains the England batsmen are still not scoring enough runs. This is because they are not playing enough first-class innings, compared with the past. For example
I NOTICE from Sky TV's list of live matches next season that already the fixture lists have had to be changed because they want to screen the best games. The usual "big boys" -- Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal etc -- feature predominantly
READ professional Peter Sleep booked his side's place in the final of the Jennings Ramsbottom Cup last night. The former Australian Test star took four wickets for 11 runs as Earby were shot out for 169. Former Nelson player Ian Clarkson has come out
GED Furey, Simon Townend and Jeff Mathews led the way in regional qualifying as they kept alive their hopes of teeing it up in the Open Championship at St Andrews next week. And Blackburn amateur Tony Jackson also produced a high quality round to finish
YOUNGSTERS at St James's CE Primary School, Blackburn, hit the front page when NIE co-ordinator Rita Shaw paid a visit to their classroom. Seven-year-old Sarah Ali wrote a letter inviting Rita to see their class newsdesk and to help them in writing news
THOUGH all sides might claim victory following Castle Cement being made to pay nearly £120,000 in fines and costs after admitting pollution offences at its Ribble Valley works, it would be rash for any to do so -- as no clear answer to the problem emerges
SWINTON LIONS chief executive Tony Barrow has blasted reports suggesting that the club may have played their last game at Gigg Lane. The Lions are limbering up to host the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final at Gigg Lane on July 29, but they have been
WHEN was the last time Gigg Lane held a 10,000 crowd? It was close when 9,115 crammed into the ground on a rainy Boxing Day last year to witness the performance of last season. Bury FC thrashed Burnley 4-2 that day -- but the Rugby League powers-that-be
I HAVE no doubt that your regular correspondent, Walt Meadows, like me, enjoys a bit of backlash from some of his letters. The letters page is an excellent forum for ordinary Joe Soaps to give their views. We will never change the world, but trying gives
I WOULD like to thank everybody who took part in our fundraising charity abseil at Blackburn Rovers Football Ground on July 2. The weather was awful, but it didn't deter 120 jumpers who, between them, raised £10,500, which all goes to support the Sunshine
CLIFF and Marilyn Hutchinson, the landlord and landlady at my local, the Gibraltar Hotel, are among the tenants threatened with eviction because of the "spy in the cellar" dispute with Thwaites brewery (LET, June 30). They have been given notice to quit
POLICE were today re-examining the case of a man who died six days after he was the victim of an alleged attack. David Jackson, 37, of Edward Street, Nelson, was involved in an incident with another man in Leeds Road, Nelson, at 12.45am, last Monday.
CRAIG Hignett's move to Ewood was rushed through so swiftly yesterday the 30-year-old midfielder didn't have time to pack his bags before being whisked off to Germany. Speaking from the team hotel near Strasbourg today, Hignett said he had to leave his
WILKINSON -- Burnley's second new major store in the £13million Curzon Street development -- opened on Friday. The home and garden store, which has created 80 jobs, was opened by Barbara Wilkinson, company director and daughter of the founder of the first
MISSING Colin Patchett had tried to kill himself with an overdose the week before he left home two and a half years ago and vanished on the moors, an inquest heard. Despite extensive searches, former milkman Mr Patchett was not found until last week when
A LEADING Burnley Liberal suggests the council employs bouncers to keep order when fiery council chamber debates get too hot to handle. Coun Roger Frost said attendants removing unruly councillors from the Town Hall could be the only way to end problems
PUPILS from a Colne school have a date with a TV personality after winning a place in the finals of a major national science competition. SS Fisher More High is one of only two Lancashire schools to reach the finals of Science Challenge -- an innovative
BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent won't be able to break the bank to bolster his squad for their assault on Division One. Ternent is working hard on bringing in the players he feels will help the Clarets compete at the higher level. The sale of 11,000 season
A YOUNGSTER was hit with a rounders bat during a bungled street robbery in Prestwich by two schoolboys. The 11-year-old was walking to school along Bury Old Road when he was approached by two school pupils. The thugs attempted to grab the boy's Walkman
A MAN was seen to laugh hysterically before jumping 50ft into a raging river. The 28-year-old had to be rescued by fire fighters on Sunday (July 9) night from the River Irwell at Bury. He was later taken to Bury General Hospital for treatment for shock
TOUGH new laws are needed to stamp out the "scandal" of young people dying in squalid and unsafe houses. Bury North MP David Chaytor is demanding tougher licensing of bedsits and hostels by local councils. He says the conditions in which tenants have
BURY West residents have a unique opportunity on Thursday (July 13) to make their voices heard. It is the latest in a series of Listening Days where people can give their views on every aspect of community life, from council services to the police, health
THE father of a schoolgirl who plunged to her death at a derelict factory says money was put before the life of his daughter. Mr Jose Gomez called for changes to local planning laws after an inquest at Bury recorded a verdict of accidental death on 14
A 20-year-old man is likely to face a charge of death by dangerous driving after a Bury nurse was killed in a car crash, an inquest was told. Benjamin Anthony Medwell is recovering in hospital after suffering broken limbs, but is due to be charged with
A NEW project to tackle an acute skills shortage in the £80million knitwear sector in the North West has been launched by Competitiveness Minister Alan Johnson. He opened the Centre for Skills Development in Knitwear at UMIST in Manchester which will
FLAME-retardant furnishing fabrics designed and produced by Burnley-based Panaz are being specified as part of an interior design package within a chain of high profile hotels across the country. Created for Whitbread Inns, the collection of co-ordinated
NICKY DAWS reckons he could be at Bury for keeps - and new goalie Glynn Garner is relishing battling it out with Paddy Kenny for the No.1 jersey at Gigg Lane next season. Shakers' skipper Daws has been the subject of transfer speculation involving Burnley
More than 60 people were evacuated from the health centre in Union Street after a nurse smelled smoke at 3pm yesterday. Firefighters were called to check the building but could find no fire. They examined wiring, found no problems and people were allowed
COUNCIL house residents in Rossendale have been given their own Tenants' Charter -- guaranteeing them equal treatment and a voice in how municipal housing is run in the Valley. The Tenants' Participation Compact, part of a Government initiative, is the
A FAMOUS statue of Our Lady of Walsingham will be brought from its shrine in Norfolk to Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world visit the shrine every year. The statue is being taken on a tour of cathedrals as part
FOLLOWING the tragic death in Estonia of 26-times TT winner Joe Dunlop, the Department of Tourism and Leisure have opened an account named the Joey Dunlop Fund. Donations should be made payable to the Joey Dunlop Fund, Account number 85506834, Bank Sort
A TEENAGER scarred for life in an unprovoked assault fears his attacker will never face justice. A year after Brennan Clemance's face, throat and chest were slashed with a broken bottle in Corfu, he has been told by his Greek lawyer that red tape means
THE recent performance of the England soccer team at the European championships has shown we are not yet a world-class force. We have many good, workmanlike players, but if we had a glut of home-spun talent, surely, the continuous search for overseas
THE man chosen by the Tories to fight Jack Straw at the next election visited Blackburn for the first time since his selection -- and walked right into the middle of the row over town centre re-development. Prospective Parliamentary candidate John Cotton
THE launch of a fleet of plastic vehicles for teeny shoppers was marred when one of them was stolen. The thieves struck on Saturday in Blackburn Shopping Centre as the fleet of cars was being unveiled to the public. The culprits have been branded as "
Captain's Log with Keith Roscoe AS the season reaches halfway it would be a brave man to predict the team that is going to win the league. With only a few points separating the top five, it could be one of them, but if you ask Tod or Hassy I'm sure they
A group of students visited our head office and printing plant as part of their project on understanding the media. Pupils of St Augustine's RC High School, Billington, made the trip after producing their own news-sheet. They had a barrage of questions
TWO women were gunned down in their Prestwich home hours before their murderer was found hanged in a local wood. The mother and daughter were discovered with gunshot wounds to their heads as armed police sealed off a large area around a house in Northurst
