Archive

  • East Lancs events for July 15

    Walsingham regional festival day, Blackburn Cathedral, noon. Accrington and Blackburn CHA Club: Anglezarke (B walk) Meet Witton Park gates, Blackburn, 1pm or Brinscall Baths, 1.30pm. Tree identification, Beacon Fell, Bowland Visitor Centre, 2pm. 50/50

  • Tables are a sign of poverty

    SHOCK is bound to be the initial reaction to the disclosure in the NHS performance tables today that patients admitted to hospital in East Lancashire are more likely than most to die within a month of treatment. But serious and alarming as this situation

  • Pupils make memorable mosaic

    CHILDREN at a Cleveleys school have created a mosaic as a lasting celebration of the new millennium. Manor Beach School decided they wanted a memento that involved every pupil at the school in the year 2000. Local designer Helen Callaghan was brought

  • Hospital death shocker

    EAST Lancashire is one of the least healthy regions in the country, according to Government figures released today. Local people are more likely to die early of every major illness, and experts the Lancashire Evening Telegraph talked to believe poverty

  • Hunting habit unspeakable

    REGARDING Mr A J H Pilkington's remarks (Letters, July 7), I suppose anyone who indulges in the barbaric practice of fox hunting can think of any excuse to continue this practice -- even to say animals have no rights. They do have the right not to be

  • Volunteers at your service

    NEXT Monday sees the start of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service's National Thank You Week and I would like to take the opportunity to say 'Thank You' to all WRVS volunteers. There are more than 2,000 WRVS volunteers working in local projects across

  • Monkey talk inappropriate

    REGARDING John Blunt's comments (LET, July 5) and those of Miss C Atherton (Letters, July 11) on the issue of the licence for Mrs Mary Stanton to continue to house her capuchin monkey in her home. As this is the subject of an appeal, it is not appropriate

  • Educate for safety

    YOUR editorial (LET, June 30) on the introduction of 20mph limits to all residential streets only touches the top of the iceberg, in that all the blame for the injuries to children is placed, as usual, at the right foot of the motorist. During the 1950s

  • Mother admits killing baby

    A MOTHER today admitted killing her four-month-old baby daughter whose body was found in the canal at Burnley. Rabina Hashim, 29, of Clare Street, Burnley, denied murder, but pleaded guilty to the child's manslaughter on the grounds of diminshed responsibility

  • Pioneers of the Co-op

    Lesley Richards takes a look at the end of a 143 year link with LeighPIC:heritage1 2 3 THE shock 'for sale' sign at Leigh's Pioneer store brings the town's 143 year link with the Co-op movement to a sad end. It originated as the Leigh Friendly Co-operative

  • Jail for crack cocaine pair caught in police 'sting'

    TWO drugs dealers who were arrested when they tried to sell £30,000 of crack cocaine to an undercover detective in Blackburn Boulevard have been jailed for a total of 13 years. Jack Costello, 28, of no fixed address, was sentenced to nine years at Preston

  • SILENCE OF THE RAMS!

    DEWSBURY RAMS 12 CENTURIONS 29. DEWSBURY fans headed for the exits in droves while the Centurions' travelling army set about an impromptu conga. The party was underway long before Russell Smith brought an astonishingly one-sided Preliminary Semi-Final

  • Blake on target

    NATHAN Blake was quick off the mark when he scored Rovers' winner in their friendly against St Mirren yesterday. Blake, looking for a move from Ewood Park, settled the behind-closed-doors friendly at Brockhall with the only goal of the game.

  • Friedel not on wanted list

    BRAD Friedel is not on Rovers' wanted list -- whether he gets a work permit or not. The Liverpool goalkeeper is stranded in the United States after the Department for Education and Employment refused to renew his work permit. Friedel was due back at Anfield

  • New boy to kick-off tour

    NEW boy John Curtis is set to make his 'debut' tonight as Blackburn Rovers' pre-season programme begins in earnest against German part-timers Bahlinger SC. The £1.5 million signing from Manchester United is the only one of Graeme Souness's three new summer

  • Pelican problem

    THE highways department strikes again. They have installed a pelican crossing on the junction of Elephant Lane and Sutton Heath Road. It is not the crossing that is at fault, it is the position. It is too close to the corner and anyone turning left into

  • Fire tragedy claims girl, nine

    A CLOSE-KNIT community was today still trying to come to terms with the tragic death of a nine-year-old girl following a house fire in Deepdale. Nazneen Manman died and her three brothers were seriously injured when flames swept through their terraced

  • Witness appeal

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a man in his twenties was assaulted and beaten by three attackers. It happened at about 1.30am on Sunday, July 2, as the victim was making his home along Yorkshire Street, in Burnley. PC Darren

  • Mother admits killing baby

    A MOTHER today admitted killing her four-month-old baby daughter whose body was found in the canal at Burnley. Rabina Hashim, 29, of Clare Street, Burnley, denied murder, but pleaded guilty to the child's manslaughter on the grounds of diminshed responsibility

  • No crime or reason!

    WHICH part of the district suffers the most from crime or nuisance - Ridge or the village of Wray? That was the question being knocked about at council this week during a row over how cash for anti-crime measures should be spent. The Ridge residents say

  • TV auditions are a real knockout!

    GIANT penguins, Eddie Waring, Stuart Hall's infectious laughter. Friday night TV was never quite the same after the demise of It's a Knockout. Morecambe TV viewers could have been forgiven for missing the legendary game shows 90s incarnation. It's shown

  • Derby in damp ending

    RAIN brought a premature end to the local derby match at Fox Lane. Brian Tennant, the Leyland captain won the toss and put Preston in to bat. There was a delay of 25 minutes for rain which meant that Preston lost three overs from their allocation of sixty

  • Chemists on duty

    THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, July 9, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): R. W. Barton Ltd., 65-67 Eccleston Street, Prescot; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds

  • Mum slashed love rival with bottle

    A MOTHER-of-two who thrust a broken bottle into a love rival's face, severing an artery was today starting a three year jail term. Burnley Crown Court heard how Joanna Baines' victim had to have 100 stitches, surgery, and was now on sleeping tablets and

  • Action plan for tenants

    TENANT representatives and councillors at Preston Borough Council have developed a new action plan aimed at improving services in the borough. The Preston Tenant Compact has been hailed as a major step forward to sealing positive relations between tenants

  • Mum shows true grit

    CONGRATULATIONS are in order this week as students from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston celebrate the end of their studies. Nearly 4,000 students will step onto the stage inside the town's Guild Hall to receive their hard earned graduation

  • Ten years ago: Workers evacuated

    WORKERS at a Burnley firm were evacuated following a chemical alert. Fire crews told everyone to leave the premises after a tank containing 2,500 litres of the chemical kolene overheated. Firecrews rushed to AIT, the former Wood Top factory of Lucas Aerospace

  • Five years ago: Helicopter anger

    THE Government's decision to snub the European helicopter was slammed. The £2.5 billion order was awarded to the American-designed Apache. The announcement followed months of campaigning by the three bidders including the European built Tiger in which

  • Benefit claims shock

    HYNDBURN Council was the third worst in England and Wales for processing new housing benefits claims for 1998/99, figures from the Audit Commission figures show. Councils are legally required to process housing benefit claims within 14 days, but the Audit

  • Action call as rail boss admits fault

    MP Greg Pope today called for urgent action to improve train services from London to the North West after Railtrack boss Gerald Corbett took the blame for a "truly dreadful" performance. He admitted that the track owning company was responsible for the

  • Hospital shake-up

    By Paola Alvino MAJOR surgery of hospital services in Leigh and Wigan has been announced in response to local problems and national trends. A draft document heralding dramatic change in the way services will be organised and delivered in the borough was

  • Reward offered to find attacker

    A FRAIL pensioner who was kicked by a thug as he stole her purse today spoke about her ordeal. The 81-year-old, from Accrington, said she was still terrified after the attack, which happened in Accrington town centre on Saturday afternoon. She spoke out

  • Date is set for traders' move

    THE £7million Accrington market square development is likely to be completed by Easter 2002, it has been revealed. And market traders will probably be able to relocate from their temporary positions in Broadway to their new position by Autumn next year

  • At last! Eyesore estate to get £2.5m new look

    BULLDOZERS will this week start knocking down part of an eyesore estate as its £2.5 million transformation finally kicks into action. Families living next to the boarded-up houses in the Abbey Lane area of Leigh are celebrating after hearing their neighbourhood

  • TIME CALLED ON LETHAL PUB CRAWLS

    By Mark Donaghy COUNCILLORS have called time on revellers leaving pubs and clubs carrying their drinks. New licensing conditions are to be introduced following concern by hospital chiefs that at least 10 people a week are injured by broken glass, either

  • JOYCE PRAISES TREATMENT REVOLUTION

    SKIN cancer sufferer Joyce Ball is well on her way to recovery - thanks to a magical new lamp which has lightened the treatment load. The Atherton mum tracked down the revolutionary machine while she was on holiday - in America. And she became a guinea

  • BUSINESS BOSS WELCOMES NEW CCtv BID FOR CENTRE

    By Mark Donaghy LEIGH town centre could soon be protected with a further set of crime-busting CCtv cameras. Wigan Council is considering making a bid to the Home Office for more hi-tech equipment to bolster the existing system. The police and the local

  • Proud pupils go on parade

    PUPILS and staff of Clitheroe Royal Grammar School paraded through the town centre to a Commemoration Day service at St Mary Magdalene's Parish Church. They celebrated the foundation of their school with a service conducted by the Rev Philip Dearden from

  • What's cooking?

    TWO top chefs held a head-to-head cook-off and created a mouthwatering five-course celebratory dinner. Raymond Blanc and Paul Heathcote cooked up a storm at Heathcotes restaurant in Longridge. The menu included classic French and quintessentially British

  • Terrific response

    MANY thanks for publishing our request to trace an old army colleague. Although the colleague we wanted to trace 'passed away' some time ago we welcomed another to the fold, so your efforts were not altogether fruitless. The response to our request was

  • SCOPE TO HELP CHARITY

    I'M Alan Davies and I'm writing to Journal readers with a special appeal. Scope (formerly the Spastics Society) is looking for 100 volunteers to take part in a fantastic 400km cycle ride in Kenya, during February 2001. The Kenya Bike Away is a challenging

  • EURO A SUCCESS - IN EUROPE

    Terry Wynn's Letter from Strasburg EVERY time I read a newspaper or watch the news on TV the strength of the pound against the Euro seems to be the main item. There's every reason to be bothered when we see jobs being lost to Europe. In a meeting I had

  • Head for victory at Grantham

    WITH four maximum British Rally Championship points already, Carnforth's Steve Head and Penrith's Andrew Dugdale are almost certain to take championship victory for production cars up to 1600cc at the Grantham based MSA rally this weekend. The pair have

  • Wright royal day out

    IAN Wright described yesterday as the 'most nerve racking moment' of his life when he received his MBE from the Queen. The 36-year-old made the trip to Buckingham Palace with his wife Debra and mum Nesta, who cried as her son picked up the honour. The

  • School kids in clean up

    LITTER louts who rubbish the streets of Leyland are to be targeted in a unique 'direct action' scheme to clean up the town. After receiving dozens of complaints from residents concerned about the amount of litter in the town, county councillor Michelle

  • Council slaps ban on cabs

    LEYLAND councillors have slapped a ban on issuing taxi licences following an urgent review of services across the borough. At a recent meeting, the council voted not to award hackney carriage licences until it knows the outcome of a survey which will

  • Drunken yobs make life misery

    RESIDENTS living close to two popular Leyland pubs say their lives are being made a misery by drunken yobs. They complain that the Roebuck and the Fox and Lion, next to Leyland Cross in Fox Lane, are the focus of fighting, drunkenness and vandalism after

  • Soldier training for support role at Drumcree

    A BLACKPOOL soldier has been deployed to Northern Ireland to support the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) over the Drumcree period. Private Chris Walsh of the 1st Battalion, Queen's Lancashire Regiment, pictured here, is currently training in the skills

  • Children warned after fox deaths

    ELECTRICITY distributor Norweb has issed a warning to children to stay well away from electricity installations after two foxes died at sub stations. One incident happened at the Thornton sub station near Skipool, a few miles from Blackpool, the other

  • Thieves get clean away

    ALMOST £50,000 worth of vacuum cleaners were stolen from a secure compound at Heysham Port this week. The 540 orange vox rapide vacuum cleaners were in a 40ft long trailer, later found dumped and empty near Junction 22 of the M6 at Newton-le-Willows.

  • Police issue speed warning to bikers

    POLICE have launched a crack down on bikers who risk their lives on Lancaster's scenic roads. Officers are to take tough action against speeding and hand out leaflets on bike safety throughout the month of July. And police will also use a new undercover

  • Rugby League 'super' poll

    RUGBY League fans across the north of England have come out in support of automatic promotion and relegation between Super League and the Northern Ford Premiership. Local radio station GMR ran a poll during Sunday night's broadcast with a staggering 94

  • Third spot for A&T riders

    ASTLEY & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway travelled to Hull for a Northern Fours League match. A greasy and slippery surface made conditions interesting, as riders struggled to master the track. Tameside held off a spirited challenge from the home team to

  • Junior Cricket

    Atherton win battle of the heavyweights IN the battle of the heavyweights at Higham Park, Atherton, thanks to plundering 15 runs from the penultimate over of the match (14 of these being credited to David Marsh) defeated Darcy Lever by six wickets. Batting

  • Haydock puts on its Sunday best

    SUNDAY racing is here to stay, Haydock Park's managing director has revealed. As the racecourse looked forward to its annual Sunday meeting this weekend, Richard Thomas said it was vital for horse racing to continue to attract the new family audiences

  • RMI play new faces

    By Graham Lovett LEIGH RMI manager Steve Waywell reckons one more signing will be enough to give his side a fighting chance to establish themselves in the Nationwide Conference. He already has brought half-a-dozen new faces to Hilton Park and hopes that

  • THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

    SIMON Baldwin must sweat it out until next Tuesday before he finds out if his dismissal at Dewsbury will cost him a place in the Centurions' play-off semi-final. Sent off inside two minutes for 'a high, late challenge' on Rams' scrum-half Barry Eaton,

  • Hill rise to a new challenge

    By John Bullen DAISY Hill FC face the coming challenge in the North West Counties League Division Two with a new-look committee. Tony Veitch has moved up to the role of President after five years in the chair at New Sirs. This week's club press release

  • Families slam ski slope plan

    FAMILIES have launched an avalanche of protest at plans to build an indoor ski slope, hotel and leisure complex on land at the junction of Piele Road and the East Lancs Road, Haydock. Wigan-based Greenbank Partnerships want to build a dry ski slope and

  • Station to be smartened up

    RAILTRACK North West has given the go-ahead to a £340,000 re-fit at Garswood station. The work, which is due to start in the autumn and will be finished by the end of the year, is part of a five-year, £1billion programme designed to smarten up all 2,500

  • Wally chomps into Big Mac plans

    ANGRY residents have formed an action committee to oppose plans to build a McDonald's Drive-Thru at Windle Island. Neighbours claim that proposals by the fast-food giant for an 85-seater restaurant on the Refil service station site would be dangerous

  • Rainford's big day

    SATURDAY, July 22, is a date for your diary as Rainford's Millennium Procession and Carnival Field Day is sure to be a day to remember. The carnival will start with a procession through the village starting at noon from Lord's Fold (off Ormskirk Road)

  • Jail for crack cocaine pair

    TWO drugs dealers who were arrested when they tried to sell £30,000 of crack cocaine to an undercover detective in Blackburn Boulevard have been jailed for a total of 13 years. Jack Costello, 28, of no fixed address, was sentenced to nine years at Preston

  • Brian praises plan for future of post offices

    A ST HELENS sub-postmaster who is a leading figure in his regional federation has given a qualified welcome to government plans for the future of post offices. Brian McMahon, Regional Secretary of the National Federation of Sub-postmasters, has welcomed

  • A warm civic welcome

    SPANISH students on an annual visit to Rossendale were given a warm, civic welcome by the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor David Hancock and his wife Denise. The 23 students and their group leader, from La Coruna in North West Spain, are coming to the end

  • Phil kicks in to 'red card' louts

    SOCCER star Phil Neville is backing a police campaign to boot bad behaviour out of the Rossendale Valley. The Manchester United and England footballer, who lives in Rossendale, has kick-started the offensive against young offenders at a special launch

  • Why can't they adopt sterling?

    IN the edition of June 29 an article was printed "Being South Ribble MP" which was David Borrow's criticism of the Tory "Save the Pound" campaign, stating how the Tories had signed the "Massacre Treaty" -- Massa means the Master. Failures of previous

  • It's just pants

    HOLLYWOOD has recently been accused of rewriting history and it seems Lancaster's other newspaper is trying its hand at Tinseltown's game. Having unsuccessfully tried to steal the Citizen's thunder over the last few months by waking up to the fact that

  • Fun at the camp sight!

    THE trouble for John Inman is that Mr Humphries simply won't go away. He managed at least not to shout "I'm free-e-e-e" in that inimitable manner but you can't divorce the man from the character. Not that anyone at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool actually

  • Police launch sex abuse inquiry

    A FULL-SCALE investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of children in Lancashire over 30 years was launched earlier this week. Lancashire Constabulary confirmed on Monday (July10) that they were conducting a major inquiry into abuse at a total of

  • Make a date for a VIP trip

    READERS aged between five and 12 and celebrating a birthday in September or October can enter a competition to win a VIP day at Blackpool Tower next month. The event, on August 8, will mark the launch of the tower's new birthday party packages which involve

  • Diseases 'out of control'

    GPs and community health workers also scored badly in league tables issued by the Government today. The East Lancashire area came 95th in a league table of 99 authorities for failing to manage long-standing problems such as asthma, epilepsy and diabetes

  • Tributes and tribulations

    THE acting headteacher of a Blackburn secondary school paid tribute to pupils, parents and staff during his first ever prize night speech. Alan Child, who took over the helm of Beardwood School when headteacher Roger Eckton fell sick earlier this year

  • Local soccer: Darwen ace Durkin chased by Leigh

    DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes is facing up to the prospect of losing influential defender Neil Durkin to Nationwide Conference new-boys Leigh RMI. And three more of his squad have also severed their ties with the Anchormen since the end of last season. Lee

  • Local cricket: Padiham defence put to tough test

    DEFENDING champions Padiham face a crucial game at top of the table rivals Ribblesdale Wanderers tomorrow as they chase a hat-trick of Jennings Ribblesdale League titles. Padiham are three points off the pace being set by Cherry Tree and skipper Andy

  • Local cricket: Matt hopes to help record bid

    LOWERHOUSE professional Martin Van Jaarsveld could once more be a record breaker this season as the Transco Lancashire League enters it's second half. The South African has so far scored 538 runs-- chasing the club record of 1260 which he set last year

  • Rain rescues Haydock

    THE rain came to Haydock's rescue at Southport Trinity on Saturday. Trinity batted first and made 210-8 in their allotted overs. Only Martin Clarke (5-44) had the batsmen worried. In reply Haydock were 44-3 (Scott Pickavance 28 not out) when rain intervened

  • Eccleston book cup spot

    ECCLESTON reached the cup final on Sunday with a fine victory over Highfield at Wigan. After losing their openers cheaply Eccleston batsmen K Smith 39 and M Manley 26 got among the Highfield bowling. A contribution of 11 not out from 'Bert' Ashton gave

  • Do we need the Euro?

    OUR North West Lib Dem MEP has been at it again. On Monday evening in a public debate in Fleetwood against the UK Independence Party, we again heard Chris Davies pleading for Britain to join the Euro. As usual, his main argument was that the strong pound

  • Rainhill in the clear

    RAINHILL CC have moved clear at the top of the Merseyside Cricket Competition. It's their strongest position since 1977. Saturday's visitors, Old Xaverians were put into bat and made steady progess with the first five batsman making double figures. But

  • Town's historic date

    ST HELENS Town AFC who will make local sporting history next Tuesday evening when they step out at Knowsley Road to face Accrington Stanley in their only 'home' pre-season friendly, (kick off 7.30pm) Admission as per the forthcoming season, £3 adults,

  • Take your pick

    THERE is a wide array of entertainment to choose from in the coming weeks with everything from traditional dance to stand-up comedy. THERE is a chance to enjoy a 'Blast From The Past' at the Theatre Royal tomorrow (Friday, July 7) when Thatto Heath Dance

  • Terrorist released

    A CONVICTED terrorist, who used his job at the University of Central Lancashire as a cover to plot a series of IRA explosions across Britain, has been released after serving just six years of his jail sentence. Feilim O'Hadhmaill, 42, moved from a prestigious

  • Guide for helpers

    A TRAINING session for 'Relief Over Christmas (ROC) volunteers will be held in St Nicholas's church hall, New Street, Sutton, on Friday, July 21, at 7.15pm. Ultan Russel will speak on drugs, HIV and Aids and the causes and care of the homeless. Volunteers

  • They're in the money

    MRS A. LAFFERTY from Whiston was this week's £2,000 jackpot prize winner in the Willowbrook Hospice Lottery Draw. Other major prize winners were Mr D. Hurst from Haydock who won £200; Mrs P. Hotson, Sutton Manor (£125); Mrs V. Hand, Eccleston (£75); and

  • June's royal honour

    A RAINHILL woman has been invited to take part in the Queen Mother's 100th birthday celebrations in London next Wednesday (July 19) to represent her work in local guiding. June Tinnion is the chairman of the Merseyside County branch of the Trefoil Guild

  • Plea for witnesses

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an apparently motiveless attack in which a 21-year-old man was knocked to the floor in a town-centre pub. The incident happened in the The Sefton Arms at about 11pm on Saturday, July 1 when a man walked up to the

  • Now read on

    THE first libraries have been launched in children's homes across the borough after St Helens Council was chosen as one of only five authorities to take part in the national 'Right to Read' project. The scheme aims to boost the opportunities of children

  • Have your say on our future

    IF you would like to have a say on the future of St Helens town centre, now is your chance. The St Helens Town Centre Partnership is organising the unique opportunity at Church Square this Friday and Saturday (July 14-15) between 11am and 4pm to give

  • They're cutting a dash

    PUPILS at St Mary's Catholic High School have been tearing a strip off the fashion industry and proving themselves a cut above the rest. The Year Ten pupils at the school on St Walburga's Road, Blackpool, have been fashioning entire outfits out of paper

  • A proud day for top pupil

    ST GEORGE'S High School in Marton held its annual prize-giving ceremony recently to reward outstanding effort and attainment by pupils. David Lund, assistant director of education for Blackpool Borough Council, joined governors, staff, parents and students

  • Delicious victory!

    TASTE buds were tested, tickled and tantalised at this year's Young Masterchef of The Year competition. And two budding Blackpool chefs have been picked as the cream of the crop. Kirsty Roe and Lucy Bury, pupils at Bispham High School, pictured here with

  • Make drivers bear the cost

    IN response to Mr G Wheatman (Letters, July 10), I would suggest to avoid non-payment of road tax discs that they be done away with altogether. The government should increase the price of petrol. This means that those who pollute the most and wear out

  • Reader is overwriting

    FOR many years, I have read your letters page with great interest. It is my favourite part of the newspaper -- all the different people writing about all sorts of topics. But I've found in the last two years we have a writer called K Sowerbutts, who seems

  • Over before it started

    GEOFF Hurst's goal in the 1966 World Cup final and commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme's well known assessment "They think it's all over, it is now," was always destined to be the outcome of England's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup -- more so after the

  • There's a lot in a name

    I AM hoping readers may be able to help me. I am the secretary of the Entwistle Family History Association and am doing some local research for one of our members. He believes that his great-grandfather Frederick Charles Entwistle, was secretary of the

  • £100,000 GIVEAWAY FOR NEW CENTRE

    By Lesley Richards A OASIS could soon be lost following improvements to a village centre - and a £100,000 land giveaway. And if planning permission goes ahead the land, opposite Lowton St Luke's Church, will be cleared to make way for a parade of shops

  • Sparkling venue

    I HAVE just spent three hours in The World of Glass. It is great. I don't think there has been enough publicity about this remarkable place. It is a credit to the planners and organisers. The only sad thing was to see so few people there. M. Forber, Leach

  • Get in touch Nick

    HELP! In your column of January 20, Nicholas Dewhurst sought contact with me -- Susan Scotson. I received a copy of your paper in April via an old friend of the family. Since then I've tried to contact Nick via his e-mail, as per the letter, but to no

  • Traveller disgrace

    MAY I ask, through the Star, is there nothing the council or police can do to stop these so-called 'travellers' on the park at the rear of Parr Baths? They dump rubbish everywhere, have never heard of car tax, insurance, income tax or council tax. Do

  • Will you help?

    I AM grateful to L. M. (Dear Star, June 22) for the opportunity of explaining the great difficulty under which the members of Christ Church labour to maintain Christ Church graveyard in its normal prim condition, which it will be again by the end of summer

  • Cut and dried?

    IN answer to L.M.'s letter (Dear Star, June 22) I will explain. Each Thursday morning a small band of men (about three or four) meet to work in Christ Church grounds. The first thing that has to be done is to clear discarded alcoholic drink bottles, empty

  • Alcock asked to go

    A LEADING Leyland councillor has been asked to resign over allegations of bringing the council into disrepute. Liberal Democrat councillor for Farington, Mark Alcock, has been asked to reconsider his position on the council's planning committee after

  • Abuse line is big success

    LANCASHIRE Police investigating historic allegations of institutionalised sexual abuse across the county have been overwhelmed by the success of a new hot-line. The special Operation Nevada enquiry line received more than 60 calls in its first 24 hours

  • Street sweep bites

    POLICE in St Helens have arrested more than 70 people at the start of the week long Merseyside Police Force initiative "Streetsafe". The operation is designed to transfer the fear of crime from the victim to the offender by working with the community

  • Appeal to catch jewellery thief

    POLICE are appealing for information about a thief who stole jewellery valued at £290 from a house in Western Avenue, Burnley, at 3.50pm yesterday. He is described as Afro-Caribbean, 5ft 2ins, slim, about 30 years, shaved head and facial stubble. He was

  • Car park suicide bid halted

    A DISTRESSED woman who was threatening to jump was talked down from St Peter's multi-storey car park, in Church Street, Burnley, after two hours of negotiations with the police. Church Street and Ormerod Road were closed to traffic while attempts were

  • Filling in the gaps

    RESIDENTS on a Morecambe Street are celebrating after their road was resurfaced, ending 40 years of neglect. Woodhill Avenue finally has a new Tarmac surface after being dogged with potholes, weeds and loose kerbs. One delighted resident, Tracey Leeming

  • Cheer up... things could be worse

    SOME town hall workers are too embarrassed to publicly admit that they work for the council! That's just one of the many findings of a top level report into the workings of the local authority. A special panel made up of local government experts has issued

  • We've drawn up the battle lines

    OUTRAGED residents have united to halt a bid to change a geographical boundary -- which will move their homes from Burnley's Bank Hall ward to Daneshouse. People living in the Colne Road area thought the proposal, which affect 88 homes, was no longer

  • Did you help robbed woman?

    POLICE are appealing for a Morecambe resident, who helped a woman after she was attacked and robbed, to contact them. They fear the 42-year-old, from Accrington, may also have had a drink spiked. She suffered bruising and soreness after an attack outside

  • A Comedy of Errors

    THE DAVID Christley affair rumbled on this week with the publication of an inquiry into the way the council handled the sacking of the former tourism officer. The independent inquiry by Mr Terence Sullivan described the procedure used to sack Mr Christley

  • Sex offender in custody

    A 43-year-old man is awaiting sentence by Burnley Crown Court after admitting child sex offences. Robert Enright, of Roseland Avenue, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault and 12 of taking indecent photographs. He was remanded in

  • Don't take Giants for granted!

    BEHIND only on points difference to leaders Bradford, a Saints' side boosted by the epic win at Wigan will be hoping to reduce the leeway at Huddersfield on Sunday (3pm). The clash at the McAlpine Stadium is a real top-versus- bottom affair, with basement

  • Harriers run to success

    IT WAS thumbs up for Preston Harriers at the weekend as they arrived home champions of a major running event. The Harriers narrowly beat Lancashire rivals Wigan Phoenix by two points in the Preston Women's 10km run when the team's first three finishing

  • Pompey fans sail into Knowsley Road

    A DEVOTED duo of soccer-minded Southerners who converted to Rugby League via the 'box' have moved north -- to be near their beloved Saints! For Keith and Val Snashall sold their Portsmouth home and swapped jobs before making the 250-mile, five-hour trip

  • Saints put Warriors to the sword

    Wigan Warriors 28 Saints 30 BRUISED, battered but bouyant - that was magnificent, shorthanded Saints on Sunday after a game boasting more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie thriller! A classic encounter, launched by a Wigan blitz which threatened

  • Well then, who's got it right?

    THE curiosity of a local history fan has been raised by the two distinct spellings which grace a twisting country road leading from Billinge to St Helens. At one end, just off the villages Main Street, the street sign says Carmill Road, but as it winds

  • Rhyme of the times

    THE steady decline of the district's traditional heavy-industry base, and the supermarket proliferation replacing it, have been melded together in a 'rhyme of the times' penned by Sutton's memory man, Joe Jones. Joe, from Irwin Road, who clearly recalls

  • War memories keep on bombing along

    MEMORIES of the grim dark days of the Liverpool Blitz have flown from the pen of Denis Brown in keeping our 'wartime recollections' theme bombing on. One night, during the early 1940s, he was huddled under the stairs, crammed against the meter alngside

  • The Stinky Brook Regatta

    THE halcyon days of the old Parr boat races are brought vividly back to mind by a customer of this column who admits to being hooked on nostlagia. It was a modest sort of 'regatta', staged on Sunday mornings behind the local muck-works, to the rear of

  • Stardom beckons for bookworm

    A YOUNG bookworm got more than he bargained for when he went to pick up a copy of the new Harry Potter children's novel. John Bargh, 14, popped into Preston's Waterstones and was snapped by Citizen reporter, Sonja Karlsen, as a classic look-a-like of

  • Chief calls for air ambulances

    THE chief executive of the Lancashire Ambulance Service has backed calls for the NHS to fund air ambulances. The move was put forward by the National Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales at their recent national conference in

  • School kids in clean up

    LITTER louts who rubbish the streets of Leyland are to be targeted in a unique 'direct action' scheme to clean up the town. After receiving dozens of complaints from residents concerned about the amount of litter in the town, county councillor Michelle

  • Community's plea

    PEOPLE who care about Oswaldtwistle are asked to join its area council, which has twice met and attracted 200 and 100 respectively. Residents who spoke of their determination to make the area committee work are now asked to do just that by becoming co-opted

  • SUPER SWIMMER AIMS FOR GOLD

    SUPER swimmer Chris Pugh is hoping to strike gold this autumn in Australia when he takes part in the Paralympic Games. The 16-year-old, of Chillingham Drive, Leigh, has been picked to represent his country in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley

  • Bid to boot out problem boozers

    CONTROVERSIAL byelaws aimed at ridding a town centre of problem drinkers who congregate on streets will go out to public consultation. Hyndburn Council will ask the views of police, local businesses and borough residents on the likely impact and effectiveness

  • ASTLEY'S HIT LIST

    AN action plan hit-list has been drawn up by Astley villagers who are out to improve their environment. Flowers on lamp posts, 'Welcome to Astley' signs, speed reducing humps on the main road, litter bins, improvements to Ellesmere Street soccer pitch

  • LATEST local planning applications submitted to Wigan Council.

    Heybrook Farm, Slag Lane, Lowton - application for a certificate of lawfulness, for an existing use in breach of a planning condition; Surgery, 155 Wigan Road, Leigh - internal alterations with demolition of existing single storey lean-to extension and

  • Harry forgives Bosnia burglar

    EXCLUSIVE By Paola Alvino A PENSIONER has asked the courts to be lenient with a burglar he found sleeping in his spare bedroom. Harry Rigby, 84, told police he had forgiven 24-year-old Lee David Hulmes for breaking into his home and wanted the judge to

  • Council's acts of vandalism

    ON behalf of the 1,200 residents who signed a petition against lighting the riverside path from Denny Beck to Caton and all those who detest the urbanisation of the countryside by the creation of a fast track cycleway, a letter has been sent to the Rt

  • Saints robbed by rain

    ST ANNES 262-3 MORECAMBE (Did not bat) RAIN at Woodhill Lane probably robbed St Annes of their fourth win of the season after they posted a formidable total. St Annes captain, Russ Bradley won the toss, and decided to bat. His openers, Adrian Darlington

  • Challenging injustice in the workplace

    I WAS disappointed to read in your newspaper that even with the arrival of the new Millennium and the hope of a more tolerant, fair and just society, unemployed people may be asked to work an "assessment" prior to employment and receive no pay for a possible

  • Ten years of wasted breath

    IF you are thinking of going to Blackpool by train, don't. Myself and friend (both senior citizens) arranged to go to Blackpool for a few days last week, and because I am troubled with travel sickness on coaches or cars decided that we would try the train

  • Briscoe aiming for play-off spot

    NEW signing Lee Briscoe checked in at Burnley yesterday and insisted that he will be aiming high when the new season starts. The former Sheffield Wednesday man said: "I don't think there's any point in starting the season just hoping to stay up. I think

  • Hughes linked with Clarets

    CLARETS boss Stan Ternent was today linked with a stunning swoop for Everton striker Mark Hughes. With Ian Wright saying again that he has called it a day, Hughes was reported as Ternent's latest high profile target. However, Everton boss Walter Smith

  • Lancashire tops 999 'table'

    LANCASHIRE Ambulance Service is one of the top performers in the country, according to official Department of Health figures. The service reached 69 per cent of life-threatening calls within eight minutes and 97 per cent of all other emergencies within

  • Dancer Carla off to Paris Disney

    A BLACKPOOL dancer is flying off to Paris after being chosen to join the cast at Eurodisney. Carla Bradshaw, a former St Mary's RC High School and Collegiate sixth form pupil, was picked from over 60 hopefuls to take up a professional post at the top

  • Hoping to keep the rain away

    THEY'RE hoping the rain stays mainly on the plain at the Duke's this weekend as this year's play in the park - the Spanish adventure story, Don Quixote - opens to the public. Artistic Director, Ian Hastings, has picked a mixture of familiar and not so

  • Theatre delight for Rachael

    AN aspiring young Lancaster actress has won a place at a prestigious summer youth theatre production in Manchester. Rachael Xerri, 16, beat off competition from 600 hopefuls for a place in a Manchester Youth Theatre production at the Royal Exchange Theatre

  • King's Own in link launch

    SOLDIERS from the King's Own Royal Border Regiment will be in Lancaster next week to launch the city's new Military Heritage Group. The regiment, which has the freedom of the city of Lancaster is promoting the new group alongside the city council. The

  • Let's hope I'm wasting my time

    I AM wondering, as I sit here writing this, if my efforts this week will turn out to be completely in vain. If each word I write may turn out to be for absolutely nothing, obsolete following a rapid series of events, effectively a huge waste of time.

  • Atherton batting star stuns Cup opponents

    LAST season's Cross Cup finalists Atherton moved comfortably through to the next stage when they made light work of their game against Edgworth. Atherton were all out for 169 with Phil West leading the way with 75 as deputy pro Paul Rayment took 4-27.

  • CAPTAIN'S LOG

    Centurions skipper Andrew Fairclough continues his weekly column in which he takes an inside look at Hilton park WHAT a magnificent effort that was from the team to destroy Dewsbury last Sunday. The only word to describe it is awesome. We knew it was

  • Critchley bowls 'em over

    GOLBORNE had their bowlers and pro Ian Critchley, in particular, to thank for their five wicket Bolton Association win over Lostock. Critchley picked up four wickets for 24 while the others were shared out as Lostock were unable to make any impression

  • Barber breaks with the jazz tradition

    CHRIS Barber came, saw and conquered at the Marine Hall this week -- delighting a packed audience who didn't mind a bit his small break with tradition in this trad-jazz performance. The small break came in the form of a minor change in his excellent band's

  • Paul's far from flat after Polish spin

    ST HELENS Council employees are coughing up sponsorship money for cycle-mad colleague, Paul Fearon, who completed a 1,000-mile ride without so much as a puncture to raise about £1,600 for the Sefton Community Foundation. Paul (43) a project engineer in

  • BICC site renovated

    A SIGNIFICANT phase of the development of a new retail park in Prescot is due for completion later this year creating 400 new jobs for local people. The site of the former BICC works, which has been unoccupied for several years will now provide a significant

  • Parents threaten road action

    FOLLOWING the Star's front page story (June 29) on the fatal accident at Clock Face Road last month, which also injured a local girl, her family are now threatening drastic action unless St Helens Council agree to install a crossing and speed ramps. Local

  • Death of RL ace

    A HOMESPUN Rugby League star, who never wore a Saints jersey but captained Warrington and Great Britain, has died, after a long illness, aged 69. Full-back Eric Fraser, who played for the Wilderspool club from 1951 to 1964, passed away at his Penketh

  • St Peter's the great . . .

    GOVERNMENT inspectors have announced standards in reading, mathematics and science at St Peter's CE Primary School, Newton-le-Willows "are among the top five per cent of schools in the country." The team from OFSTED also highlighted the "excellent leadership

  • Christmas cheer

    IT WAS a dream come true for artist Denise Greaves when one of her paintings was chosen as the festive scene for Christmas cards which get sent round the globe. And now she is doubly delighted to learn she has won the honour for the second year running

  • Drivers en route to contest final

    BUS drivers in Rossendale believe they are among the best in the country. Four drivers from Rossendale Transport have made it to the national finals of the Bus Driver of the Year competition in Blackpool on September 10. John Allan, 44, of Accrington,

  • Noise fears for barn conversion

    THE barking and howling of Great Danes from a breeding kennels would cause a nuisance to neighbours if a small barn is converted into a three bedroom house, say Rossendale environmental health officers. The engineering and planning committee will be advised

  • Hygiene awards

    CERTIFICATES in food hygiene were presented to 15 Rossendale people who have completed a special course. Eleven staff from local businesses and four individuals attended three two-hour classes and sat an exam. All passed, including one man who had previously

  • Tiny pony has big future

    A SHETLAND pony has given birth to a filly foal after breaking out of her field and enjoying a rendezvous with a 15 hands high stallion! The baby Shetland Domino has legs as long as her 37inch high mother Filska and has to stoop to feed!. Filska lives

  • All change on buses

    BIG changes are afoot in bus services throughout the borough. The entire Wigan-based service will be affected by the changes to timetables and routings from July 30. New timetables will be delivered to more than 120,000 homes in Leigh and Wigan and leaflets

  • Harmony in care dispute

    STRIKE action by 58 care workers was averted after emergency talks between Social Services and the trade union Unison. Four days' industrial action had been called in response to plans to harmonise working practices of the care workers with other employees

  • CARE BOSS SAYS BRIGHT IDEA IS SETBACK FOR THE ELDERLY

    By Paola Alvino A "BRIGHT" idea to change the way care services are provided for older people has been condemned by Social Services North West. A proposal by the NHS Confederation to take over the responsibility from local councils has been described

  • TWO HUNDRED RACISM FIGHT

    MORE than 200 people have joined in the fight against racism in Leigh. Public service employees from organisations such as Wigan Council, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust and Age Concern are attending training courses aimed at increasing awareness of the issues

  • End of the line for student charities

    THREE small charities dedicated to presenting awards or prizes to students at Leigh Municipal and Technical colleges look set to be wound down. The William Collier Prize Fund was set up in 1946 to make annual awards to two students attending specific

  • Sex shop wins a reprieve

    A SEX shop in Atherton will be allowed to stay open after it received a last minute reprieve from the council. The Hot Spot will remain in business until the beginning of August when town hall licensing officers will review the situation again. The controversial

  • Super-cash for top ten

    WIGAN'S ten Cabinet "super councillors" will be paid at least £17,774 each a year. Extra cash will be given to Cllr Peter Smith who, as leader of the Cabinet, is handed special responsibility payments. Cllr Smith - who is also a working Peer in Westminster

  • Horse makes silver screen debut

    By Lesley Richards A GOLBORNE horse has become a film star - at the age of 24. Silver Million, owner by Sue Denney, has a part in the film comedy Relative Values starring Julie Andrews and Stephen Fry. And its all because the semi-retired Irish draught

  • Sunflower blossomed

    I WOULD like to thank everyone who contributed so generously to the Hospice Sunflower Collection in Preston Town Centre on the 16th and 17th of June, and also the volunteers who were so generous in giving us their time. We raised a total of £832.66 for

  • VILLAGE IN GIPSY FURY

    By Mark Donaghy FAMILIES in Howe Bridge are furious after a convoy of around 50 gipsy caravans invaded land next to their homes. Residents on Leigh Road were shocked when they saw the group of travellers arrive on the site of the old bus depot on Tuesday

  • Thanks for your co-operation

    ON behalf of 42 (North West) Brigade Headquarters I would like to thank the people who live around Fulwood Barracks for their forbearance and tolerance of any nuisance generated by our Gala Weekend on June 24-25 featuring Beating Retreat and Open Day.

  • Kids in culture shock

    TEN tragic children from Chernobyl have had an entertainment culture shock on their Leigh holiday. The party from Belarus, hit by the world's biggest nuclear disaster in 1986, is here on a respite break organised by the Medicine in Chernobyl Culcheth

  • Compensation for vaccine damage misses point

    SO finally, after a 20 year wait, the government offers to pay more money to victims of vaccine damage. But only if they can prove they are 60 per cent damaged. Why this arbitrary figure? What if a person is 50 per cent damaged? They are presumably supposed

  • First class town hall performance

    BIG respect to the Ryelands residents who sat patiently through a testing three-hour council meeting this week. Many were unfamiliar with the civic surroundings and the baffling procedures of local government but they stuck with it to the end. They were

  • Piling on the pounds!

    A BLACKPOOL woman has turned her dream into a fundraising marathon by swapping pounds of fat for pounds sterling. Judith Hollas, of Gloucester Avenue, decided she would lose weight for charity after a lifetime of failed diets. And it seems to have worked

  • We'll put Blackpool first

    THREE leading Blackpool politicians from the three main parties have said they are going to put their politics behind them and put Blackpool first. The new independent party, Blackpool First Alliance vowed at its launch at a South Shore hotel on Friday

  • Cycling tour de force!

    THEY cycled the length of Britain to justly earn their place in the Citizen's Little Champions' hall of fame. A group of 25 pupils and six staff from Arnold School, in Blackpool, took on the mammoth task of pedalling from opposite ends of the country

  • Police search for Cleveleys pervert

    POLICE are appealing for help to track down a pervert who exposed himself to an eight-year-old girl in Cleveleys. The incident happened at around 6pm on Monday, July 3, in Linden Close where the girl was playing in an alley at the back of Linden Lodge

  • Dancers land trophy haul

    TWO dancing queens from Blackburn are coming on in leaps and bounds after spinning their way to success. Laura Carruthers and Danielle Hartley (pictured) together won nine trophies at the Regional Disco Freestyle and Rock 'n' Roll Dancing competition,

  • Skipping ropes in cash record

    YOUNGSTERS skipped to it to raise cash for charity -- and they were jumping for joy when they broke all school money-raising records. Year Seven pupils from Pleckgate High School took part in the Jump Rope for Heart 2000 Appeal, a sponsored skip for a

  • Aerospace workers' Commons bid to save jobs

    HUNDREDS of Lancashire aerospace workers are heading to the House of Commons in a bid to save jobs. The move comes as BAE Systems confirmed that 880 jobs are to go from its Samlesbury and Warton sites. Last month the firm said 755 were being axed together

  • Wife wished to die

    A DEVOTED husband who cared for his wife for over 50 years agreed to kill her when she could not face life any longer, a court heard. Preston Crown Court was told how Herbert Hartley, 79, tried to help his wife Catherine in her lifelong battle with depression

  • Strong-arm tactics

    A REAL trial of strength is in store at the Travellers Rest, Crab Street, this Saturday. It's the venue for the St Helens Arm-wrestling Championships. And there are a number of titles up for grabs. They include: lightweight (12stones), middleweight (14st

  • Andy sprints back to form

    RACING cyclist Andy Tinsley is storming back into form. He followed a hard fought third place at a rain-drenched Oulton Park with victory the next night in the Mike Walsh Memorial race held in Birkenhead Park. Coming from the scratch handicap group, Andy

  • Destroyer Donnelly lifts Rainford

    RAINFORD's clinical four-wicket victory over Croston on Saturday consolidated their place at the top of the Southport and District League. On a breezy, overcast day, Croston elected to bat against the accurate opening pair of Harrison and Calland. And

  • Spartans hold on

    PILKINGTON Spartans were given a run for their money when they took on Grasshoppers in the St Helens Rounders League. Jean Thompson's side is riding high at the top of Division One but were forced to dig deep to secure the points from this game. Both

  • One big authority

    THERE are suggestions that the entire FY postal area -- from FY1 to FY8 -- should be part of one administrative and environmental conurbation by 2010. There would be one unitary authority extending from Fleetwood in the north to Kirkham and Wesham in

  • A model of leadership

    I WRITE in response to the scurrilous and cowardly attacks made upon Councillor Ivan Taylor in your letters page on 29/06/00. Ivan Taylor has spent over 30 years giving true and honourable service to the people of Blackpool both as a ward councillor in

  • Big guns shoot down St Helens

    ST HELENS were defeated by Worsley at Windleshaw Road on Saturday. The visitors had first use of the wicket and their big guns, Heath Pedrola (92) and former Lancashire player Andy Hayhurst (42 not out) enabled them to declare at 212 off 47 overs. St

  • P&O break their duck

    PRESCOT and Odyssey CC finally chalked up their first victory of the season at Birkenhead St Mary's on Saturday. Skipper Carl Oughterson won the toss and elected to field. The wicket proved to be very placid and the St Mary's batting began to build a

  • Unacceptable behaviour

    REGARDING the possible closure of homes for the elderly, we are given to believe that the reason is solely financial, and the figure given is £375,000 to be spent on each of the eight council homes to bring them up to a standard that is as yet not known

  • It's the twopence ha'penny council

    THROUGH your letters page I would like to register my disgust with the ruling Labour Council. In recent years I, like many voters, have become more disillusioned with the tribalism of party politics. Until recently I was chairman of Blackpool South Constituency

  • WHAT A PRICE TO PAY FOR HAPPINESS

    WATCHING Yorkshire Television's Real Life "Buying a Home In 60 Seconds" this week was a real eye-opener. It must have been heartbreaking for some of the families to see the homes they had worked so hard for go under the hammer for a pittance. I felt really

  • Darby's shock move

    NORTH End player Julian Darby has made a shock exit from the club after turning down a coaching role with the team. News of the player's departure, whose contract ran out in June, was revealed on Tuesday by manager David Moyes, in an interview for the

  • Police alert over bogus officials

    POLICE in St Helens are warning people to be on their guard following a plague of con artists in St Helens and Newton. Incidents were reported in Sutton, Moss Bank and Cole Avenue, Newton, which all involved elderly victims being conned into allowing

  • Savage attack

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an incident outside a taxi office, which left a 28-year-old man with a fractured cheekbone. The incident happened between 1am and 1.15am on Sunday, July 2, outside Yellow Cabs in Ormskirk Street, St Helens. The victim

  • Sick flasher brought terror to little girl

    POLICE are hunting a pervert who exposed himself to a young girl as she walked home from school. The 10-year-old victim had left school at about 3.30pm on Thursday, June 29 and was cutting through an alleyway at the top of South Street near the petrol

  • Terrified teenager in alley ordeal

    A TEENAGE girl claims she was indecently assaulted as she walked home in the early hours of Sunday, July 2. The 17-year-old says her ordeal started as she walked under a bridge in Park Road, Newton-le-Willows, shortly after 2.15am. After feeling some

  • James makes the frame

    A LOCAL artist is set to have his work exhibited in the Great British Art Show at the G-Mex Centre in Manchester. Electrician James Lyon, from Lowther Drive, Rainhill, is showing six watercolour paintings and is one of more than 150 artists featured in

  • Rain washes out Blackpool's victory hopes

    CHORLEY 190 -8 BLACKPOOL did not bat THIS year's rain sodden summer claimed another victim on Saturday when Blackpool's match at Chorley was abandoned at the tea interval after a prolonged shower made the pitch unplayable. Chorley had posted 190 for the