Archive

  • Let sense win in care homes row

    THE plan by Lancashire County Council to close 35 of its 48 old people's homes has reached the attention of the Prime Minister today. While diplomatically pointing out that it is for the council - rather than central government- to make its own decisions

  • Straw's crash course

    FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw almost lost two of his most valued aides in a car accident in Switzerland. The Blackburn MP was in Geneva to make a major speech on human rights when there was a small pile-up in his convoy of cars. A collision between a limousine

  • High Priestess of Motown

    THERE are moments in life that you won't easily forget. Having Martha Reeves sing the chorus of Jimmy Mack down the phone to you must come into that category. Martha is currently in the UK with Dancing in the Streets, a spectacular celebration of the

  • Keegan keeps Radcliffe on course

    DAMIEN KEEGAN steered Radcliffe to an opening day victory over Milnrow at the Racecourse, aided by new boy Travis Birt and the ever-dependable Bruce Cruse. Opener Keegan top scored with 53 as Radcliffe replied to Milnrow's total of 140 for five in a match

  • Newby cleans up at awards night

    RELEGATION was an unspoken word when Bury FC Supporters Association held their annual presentation evening at the Social Club on Monday evening. As ever the night was a big success, especially for one Shakers player who almost swept the board - Jon Newby

  • Rams duck out in opener

    RAMSBOTTOM lost a thriling opening league game off the penultimate ball of the match as the 2002 Lancashire League season got under way at Rishton. Batting first on a beautiful track, the Rams slumped to 45 for four due to indifferent strokes, as opposed

  • Is everybody happy?

    North West Counties Football League Division Two STAND ATHLETIC...1 ALSAGER TOWN...1 TO the neutral observer, everything seemed to be fairly shared out in this match. Latics' skipper, Steve Stott, gleefully accepted the North West Counties Second Division

  • Today's the day

    1921: The first motorcycle police went on duty in London. 1923: The Duke of York and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, were married in Westminster. 1964: The Rolling Stones released their first album. 1967: A Picasso painting

  • Old time music

    BURNLEY Gilbert and Sullivan Society is presenting an Old Time Music Hall at Burnley Mechanics on Saturday, May 11, at 7.30pm. The evening will be compered by Gerald Holden and members of the audience are invited to dress up and join in the fun. Tickets

  • Luxury farce

    LOVE'S a Luxury is the intriguing title of the next offering by Burnley Garrick Club. The farce, written by Guy Paxton and Edward Hoile and directed by John Cummings, will be staged at the town's Mechanics theatre from Wednesday to Saturday, May 22-25

  • Stephen will find his girl

    THE bells are ringing, for me and my girl.... Rossendale Amateur Operatic Society members are putting a spring in the step of lovers this week with their production of the much-loved musical. Me and My Girl opened on Tuesday at Haslingden Public Hall,

  • No sex please - we're having a read through

    FANCY taking part in a riotous stage comedy -- with no sex involved, of course? A read-through of the West End romp No Sex Please, We're British will take place on Sunday in the foyer of the Todmorden Hippodrome at 8pm. The comic farce concerns a newly-married

  • 'Jobsworths' spoil millie's fun

    I AM completely at a loss to understand the people who complained about Millie's garden (LET, March 29). Don't these people watch the news or read the papers? This is an increasingly dangerous world for children. Millie is already at a disadvantage. She

  • Care package no substitute for a home

    IN response to C Gillespie (Letters, March 21) if she has first hand experience of caring for an elderly relative, she must be aware of the physical and emotional demands placed on the carer. People are now living into their eighties and nineties and

  • Phone stolen

    A TEENAGE boy had jewellery and a mobile phone stolen after he was threatened by a thug at the Metrolink station in Whitefield. The thief escaped by jumping on a Manchester-bound Metrolink tram. Police say the mugger threatened to hit the 16-year-old

  • Colouring winners rewarded

    YOUNGSTERS have got time on their hands after adding an extra splash of colour to the Bury Times. Winners of the Mill Gate Shopping Centre's Easter colouring competition received their prizes after colouring in pictures we printed over the holiday period

  • Mercedes set alight

    DAMAGE estimated at £1,000 was caused to a Mercedes car after an arson attack in Whitefield on Thursday evening (April 18). The offender is believed to have scaled a tall security fence to gain access to the car which was parked in Ringley Chase. An attempt

  • Tragedy and corseted passion

    TONS of tragedy, pots of torment and a little bit of English Lit were on the syllabus for Blackpool Grand Youth Theatre. A tale written in 1857 may have seemed an unlikely choice for this modern youth group, but Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre really gave

  • Bag snatched

    A THIEF escaped in a waiting car seconds after he robbed a pensioner of her handbag. He had approached the 69-year-old woman from behind as she walked along Beechwood Court, Prestwich. After grabbing her bag, containing property to the value of £160,

  • Held at knifepoint

    A RAMSBOTTOM woman was held at knifepoint on her doorstep. The 30-year-old answered a knock at the door of her Hillside Road home in the town at 2.40pm on Thursday (April 18). She was confronted by a man who pulled out a craft knife and threatened to

  • Thieves grab bag from house

    PENSIONER Renee McDonnell was left without her false teeth and glasses after opportunist thieves took advantage of an open door. The items, along with a purse, were left in a bag stolen from the 64-year-old woman's home in Manchester Road, Blackford Bridge

  • Barbara knows her turn as a total star

    A TOTAL star. That's Barbara Forshaw of Sunnywood Halt Garage in Tottington, who is currently starring in a radio commercial. Barbara can be heard on national and local radio featuring her and her staff's own real-life customer stories. A multi-million

  • Duo con pensioner

    POLICE are hunting two bogus workmen who conned a Holcombe Brook pensioner after she withdrew hundreds of pounds from the bank. The men called at the 75-year-old woman's home in Bolton Road West and told her she needed repairs to the the roof. She later

  • House hunting!

    CURIOUS householders will have the opportunity to go through the keyhole into the history of their own homes. If you live in the borough and want to know how old your house is or who lived in your neighbourhood in 1900 get along to Bury Archives, Library

  • Daniel's got them on the run!

    AT the tender age of ten, Daniel Beckett is already emerging as a formidable cross-country contender. His athletic prowess has earned the Bury lad a clutch of 12 trophies and 19 medals and there's room on the shelf for many more accolades to come. Daniel

  • Blair attacks extremists

    TONY Blair launched a strong attack on the British National Party in Burnley and defended his decision not to visit the town during today's trip to East Lancashire. Mr Blair said the election of BNP councillors on Thursday would bring nothing but increased

  • Council backs Trust takeover of Shakers

    BURY Council, which has announced a planned £50,000 sponsorship deal for the Shakers, is putting its shirt on a club takeover by the Supporters Trust. For it has emerged that the offer by the local authority is tied to a condition that the Trust's bid

  • Residents join forces to beat youth problem

    DETERMINED residents have resolved to stave off youth problems in the Woodhill area of Bury by banding together. The newly-formed Woodhill Tenants' and Residents' Community Group announced its aims at a special meeting of Bury West Area Board. Householders

  • Durkin back for RMI

    NEIL Durkin will return to the RMI fold tomorrow after becoming the second Leigh player ever to be selected for the England semi-professional squad writes Martyn Hindley The central defender followed in the footsteps of striker Steve Jones at Yeovil's

  • Whites hero backs Ian for big time

    YOUNG Atherton ace Ian Pendlebury has been tipped by a Wanderers legend to play a major part in Wigan Athletic's promotion push next season. The 18-year-old left-sided defender or midfielder picked up the 'Young Player of the Year' title at the club's

  • Keeping an eye on Town

    ROVERS could be mathematically safe from relegation by tomorrow evening if Ipswich fail to beat United at Portman Road. George Burley's men must win both of their remaining two games to stand any chance of survival and then hope that Rovers pick up no

  • Reds date could still change

    BLACKBURN Rovers' game with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday week could still be moved back to May 8 following the latest round of talks between the two clubs. Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier desperately wants the game to take place on the same night as

  • Officers behaved 'perfectly properly'

    FIVE police officers seemed "concerned" for the welfare of Christopher Alder when paramedics were called to the police station to try to revive him, a court heard. Teeside Crown Court was told ambulance officers were called to the station after Mr Alder

  • Rosegrove Bulletin

    ROSEGROVE Infants are currently involved in a "Links with Industry" initiative. Year One pupils have visited Helmshore Textile Museum in Rossendale this week, while children in Year Two are shortly visiting Burnley Fire Station and reception will be looking

  • Parents told to be vigilant

    PARENTS with children at neighbouring primary and nursery schools were today warned to be extra vigilant after a young girl was approached by a man with a dog. Police in the area stepped up patrols in Ightenhill following the incident at Ightenhill Nursery

  • Youth coaxed down from roof

    FIRE fighters in Nelson spent 90 minutes coaxing a 15-year-old youth down from a roof after he kicked a chimney stone and injured his foot. Police, fire crews and an ambulance were called to the scene in Fulham Road, at around 10.50pm when the youngster

  • Simpson blow

    NEIL Simpson's hopes of contesting this weekend's Pirelli International Rally have been dashed at the last minute. The 30-year-old Colne driver has been forced to withdraw from the event, opening round of the Pirelli British Rally Championship, after

  • Anger over 'snub' by county

    WEST Craven residents and councillors last night gathered to compile a list of reasons why Cravenside residential home in Barnoldswick should not be closed, and why Lancashire County Council's closure proposals should be scrapped altogether. The county

  • Five years ago

    FIREFIGHTERS rescued a 23-year-old man from a first floor flat in Deardengate, Haslingden. The blaze was thought to have been started by an electrical fault or a cigarette.

  • Alarm goes out for Plucky

    CHILDREN at a special needs centre have been left distraught after their cherished pet cockatoo vanished. Plucky the cockatoo has lived at Lord's House Farm Special Needs Education Centre in Rishton for the last year and become a firm favourite with staff

  • Father cleared of threats to daughter

    A FATHER has been cleared of terrorising his daughter after she married against his will. Manzoor Hussain, 50, was found not guilty, on the direction of Judge David Pirie at Burnley Crown Court, of putting daughter Kenuse Begum Hussain in fear of violence

  • Pals' church in cash plea

    A CHURCH dedicated to the Accrington Pals still needs more than £60,000 if it is to remain open, it was revealed today. As anger grew across East Lancashire to proposals to remove and relocate some First World War Graves belonging to members of the East

  • Designs on new business

    FAST growing Prestwich design, marketing and communication specialist Appleby Bowers has strengthened its vending industry expertise with a new account win. The Bury Old Road company successfully won a three-way pitch to design and produce a new corporate

  • 'Back our bid for the title'

    CLITHEROE is encouraging residents to rally behind the bid for Britain's Best Kept Village Competition. The town touncil set their sights on the Lancashire-wide village beauty awards at April's meeting. Entries will be submitted for certificates of merit

  • Pool: Champion Chris on tour

    THE 2002 Embassy World Pool Roadshows, featuring Embassy World Eight Ball champion Chris Melling, continue a 30-night tour in the Blackpool area in the next few weeks. This tour, which celebrates 10 years of Embassy's sponsorship of the Embassy World

  • Darts: St Annes run short against bottom club

    THE latest game in the Lancashire GMC Superleague Division Three saw St Annes travel to Rochdale to play Milnrow. The trip to bottom club should have produced a victory for St Annes, but for the first time in their history they could only field nine players

  • Junior Football

    A ROUND-UP of the local soccer scene. LYTHAM ST ANNES & FYLDE YMCA 7-A-SIDE YMCA U9s 'A' 3 Fleetwood Gym U9s 'A 2 YMCA U 9s 'B' 3 Fleetwood Gym U9s 'B' 2 ALTHOUGH Gym started brightly in the 'A' game, YMCA soon began to gain superiority. They hit

  • Sterling comment

    AN anti-euro North West organisation says Britain's position as a top location for inward investment won't be affected by the UK not joining the Single Currency. Business for Sterling points to a recent survey which says the country is the most popular

  • Taxing questions

    ALCOHOLICS Anonymous-style meetings have proved highly effective for a group of Bury and Bolton accountants who come together to tackle tax problems. Tax Club meets every eight weeks at Bury-based business advisers DTE and involves members raising tax

  • Designs on new business

    FAST growing Prestwich design, marketing and communication specialist Appleby Bowers has strengthened its vending industry expertise with a new account win. The Bury Old Road company successfully won a three-way pitch to design and produce a new corporate

  • Huge cash boost for business

    BUSINESSES in Bury have been given a massive £8.3 million boost to help propel them towards prosperity. The cash comes from the European Regional Development Fund towards the ambitious "Bury The Place for Business Action Plan", a five-year programme of

  • Burnley chief fears a media battle

    CLARETS chairman Barry Kilby believes the Football League may now have to pursue media giants Carlton and Granada if they are to get any of the television money they are owed. With the break up of ITV Digital now looking inevitable he said: "I think we

  • Lennie future on the line

    LENNIE Johnrose admitted it has been a sad week having been released by Clarets boss Stan Ternent but added: "I had a great time at the club." Now, like 100s of footballers across the country, the 32-year-old faces an uncertain future as he waits for

  • First match for Darwen

    DARWEN, who finished fifth last time out, begin their campaign at Leyland but they will be without Neil Cordingley. Bowler Cordingley has joined Ribblesdale League side Whalley as their professional for the season.

  • Jim leads Chorley charge

    IT'S all change at Windsor Park as Chorley begin the new Northern Premier League season tomorrow with a home clash. Following the retirement of long-serving captain Roland Horridge, senior batsman Jim Fazackerley will lead the side and the club also have

  • Another weekend of tingling nerves

    SO near and yet so far! I think that sums up how everyone feels in regard to Premiership safety after another rollercoaster week in the top-flight. After taking four points from our two games with Middlesbrough and Newcastle, I thought we'd virtually

  • Nets top soccer job

    FOOTBALL-mad Darren Bernstein has netted a top job with the Eircom League in Southern Ireland. The 26-year-old Whitefield man has been appointed the League's first-ever marketing and development executive. Earlier Darren, of Ripon Avenue, had graduated

  • Legal bid to save school

    PUPILS at Affetside Primary School are victims of a miscarriage of justice, according to angry parents fighting to keep the village school open. The damning accusation was made following a meeting of the lifelong learning scrutiny and review panel on

  • Former Shaker dies

    FORMER Bury FC favourite Ronnie Phillips has died at the age of 55. The midfielder, who turned out for the Shakers during the Bob Smith era in the mid-seventies, ran an off-licence in his home town of Walkden. Phillips spent most of his footballing career

  • Souey's 'no' to curtis

    BLACKBURN Rovers have rejected a transfer request from out-of-favour defender John Curtis. The former Manchester United full-back recently indicated his desire to leave the club after becoming increasingly frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities

  • Lennie future on the line

    LENNIE Johnrose admitted it has been a sad week having been released by Clarets boss Stan Ternent but added: "I had a great time at the club." Now, like 100s of footballers across the country, the 32-year-old faces an uncertain future as he waits for

  • Reserved's charity gig

    DARWEN band The Reserved line up alongside Rhythmic Intent and Alister Smith from group India Mill for a charity concert tomorrow. The event, at the New Gardeners, starts at 8.30pm and is in aid of the Queen's Park Hospital Ward D1 Appeal for new equipment

  • Show just gets better

    CREAMFIELDS' line-up just seems to get better. Just added to the bill are Just Gets Better, Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, DJ Shadow, Harry Choo Choo Romero, Danny Rampling, Jo Mills, Mutiny & Futureshock. For the first time Frantic/Nukleuz will be

  • Sale boss ponders Shakers takeover

    EXCLUSIVE by Chris Hall: THE multi-millionaire owner of Sale Sharks rugby union club says he will know next week whether to make a bid to save crisis club Bury FC. Shakers were given a seven-day stay of execution by the High Court this morning but they

  • Brave duo saddle up

    TWO friends diagnosed with cancer on the same day have launched a fund-raising challenge for the hospital which treated them after both went into remission. Stephen Hobson and John Carter have completed their treatment and want to give something back

  • Super jubilee fare

    ORGANISING a Jubilee celebration event? Cooker manufacturers Parkinson Cowan and Tricity Bendix have produced a free leaflet called Fayre Treats for anyone raising cash towards the cost of staging an event. The leaflet gives helpful information about

  • Show just gets better

    CREAMFIELDS' line-up just seems to get better. Just added to the bill are Just Gets Better, Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, DJ Shadow, Harry Choo Choo Romero, Danny Rampling, Jo Mills, Mutiny & Futureshock. For the first time Frantic/Nukleuz will be

  • Mott the Hoople duo reunite in Burnley

    FOR one night only, the legendary Ian Hunter will be playing at Burnley Mechanics on Thursday, May 16. And, for the date just announced, he will be joined for the first time since they were in Mott the Hoople by Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs for what

  • Trio celebrate with royal jelly

    WHEN you think of birthday parties, sepia-tinted images of pass the parcel, jelly and ice cream and freaked out parents often comes to mind. Well scrub them and prepare for the Bank Holiday birthday party to end them all as three Blackburn DJs celebrate

  • The tooth is I'm scared to death

    I DON'T remember the exact date but I remember the culprit all right. I had only bitten into the cheese and pickle on a malted roll sandwich once and it felt like it had bitten me right back. Straight in the tooth. As I chomped down on the sandwich I

  • Ten rescued from flats blaze

    TEN people required hospital treatment after a fire broke out in a lift shaft at a 17-storey block of flats in Layton, Blackpool. Firefighters and eight fire engines were called to Ashworth Court, Queens Park, Layton, on Wednesday, April 24 where they

  • A degree of persistence

    FYLDE Mayor Pat Fieldhouse has gone from mace to mortarboard with a degree from the Open University. Miss Fieldhouse picked up a BSc honours degree in social sciences with politics last month, 45 years after leaving school with five 'O' Levels. And the

  • Public backing for care home march

    WHEELCHAIR-bound residents of Worsley House, in Fleetwood, took part in a protest demonstration this weekend against council plans to close their beloved home. Relatives of residents also turned up to the march on Saturday to show their support along

  • Going ape!.

    BLACKPOOL Zoo are going ape over their Gorilla Mountain enclosure which has won a top animal welfare award from the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). Zoo spokesman Tony Williams said: "This is about as good as it gets as far as animal

  • Jubilee will be tree-mendous

    COUNCIL chiefs in Blackpool have earmarked £25,000 to add extra sparkle to the town's Golden Jubilee celebrations. The money will go towards creating a "Jubilee Wood", helping street party organisers, producing a fantastic firework display, and providing

  • A wheel wonder

    WITH a London Marathon trophy tucked up in her cabinet, teenage wheelchair wonder Rochelle Woods now has her sights set on the 2004 Athens Paralympics pentathlon prize. Rochelle, 15, of Wembley Avenue, Layton, covered three miles in nine minutes 25 seconds

  • Fury of elderly over No 8

    PENSIONERS in South Shore are heading for a bus-t up over a disappearing transport route, says one elderly Blackpool resident. Olive Williams, 87, of Molyneux Drive, South Shore, said pensioners will suffer because the No 8 bus route is being changed.

  • Blair's song of praise for Blackburn

    PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair arrived in East Lancashire today full of praise for Blackburn with Darwen Council. Mr Blair was to witness the effect £4.1million of regeneration money had had in the Bank Top area transforming old homes to new. He was seeing

  • Four men arrested over fake currency

    SPECIALIST police officers swooped on addresses across East Lancashire yesterday as part of an eight month operation into counterfeit currency. Four men were arrested early yesterday as officers from the major crime unit carried out a series of early

  • Pledge brings hope to run-down areas

    PRIME Minister Tony Blair today offered new hope to people living in East Lancashire's deprived and neglected communities. And he pledged to back up improvements to communities with a tough line on criminals who he said had blighted many areas. At a press

  • Double trouble

    NELSON go into the final game of the season hoping the Howarth combination once more proves a hit. Blues boss John Bailey has moved midfielder Andy up front alongside youngster Carl and together they have helped the Blues to four NWCL Division Two wins

  • Battle for places

    GREAT Harwood manager John Hughes has made it clear to his players that they are playing for places at the doomed NWCL Division One side. Harwood face Clitheroe at Shawbridge tomorrow - in a game that will double as a fund-raiser for Blues midfielder

  • Lloyd sorry for actions

    BACUP defender Gary Lloyd has issued an apology following an incident during a North West Counties League Division Two match. The 31-year-old was alleged to have lunged at referee Mike Shaw, a police constable from Macclesfield, after being dismissed

  • Storks relish victory

    PADIHAM had star striker Lee Chambers back in their starting line-up for the first time since breaking his ankle in Sunday League football in January. And although it might have been a gamble throwing him in at the deep end against NWCL Division Two champions

  • Memories please

    COULD I please appeal to any of your readers who saw Eddie Cochran in Blackpool in 1960 or anyone who met him, if they could please write and tell me of their memories. Letters from Eddie Cockran fans would also be welcome. All correspondence will be

  • No way to treat us

    WE went to the Grand Theatre box office to book centre stalls for a performance of the ballet, Cinderella. We were told there were no centre stalls prices, all the stalls -- except the last two rows -- would be classed as front stalls and were priced

  • Where is money being spent?

    I AM chairperson for the Worsley House Action Group in Fleetwood. This is one of the homes earmarked for closure and I read with interest comments by County Coun David Whipp regarding the funds being released for essential maintenance work on the homes

  • A cheap attack on CAPS

    IT'S disheartening but not surprising that Blackpool Zoo refuses to discuss animal welfare issues (Citizen, April 4). The zoo is not designed to be an animal welfare organisation. Neither is it designed as an educational centre or a haven of conservation

  • Casinos sound like a wonderful idea

    I HAVE been keeping up-to-date with news from my home town through your excellent publication's web page. The idea of turning Blackpool into a casino resort sounds wonderful. I was brought up in a hotel on Wellington Road and I also owned the Capri Grill

  • Absentee landlords to blame for 'slum'

    I AM writing in response to the article in the Citizen (April 11) regarding "Fuming Phil May Cut Out". I run a ladies hairdressers on Caunce Street and am a resident. What Phil has said is true. In the five years I have lived and worked here I have seen

  • Never too late

    WHAT a dreadful scene depicted in the pictures (April 5) of the crash on Bolton Road, Bury. With all the so-called improvements to our roads it is equally important that driver awareness, ability and attitude is not ignored. At The Mosses, the Bury Group

  • Where were our councillors?

    ON Monday, April 8, myself and many others joined the mayor and mayoress at a special service in Bury Parish Church to give thanks for, and to celebrate, the life of the Queen Mother. But where were our councillors? I did not see one of them and it did

  • Bin doesn't get emptied

    I AM very disappointed with the council's refuse collection service. I put my rubbish in carrier bags, tie them up and place them in the bin, but the bin-men take them out and leave them for the children to kick about and dogs to rip open. Also, I have

  • Can we have some signs?

    COULD someone please tell law-abiding drivers like me exactly what the legal speed limit is on Peel Way, Bury? Since the introduction of speed cameras there appears to be no speed limit signs from Crostons Road right through to Walmersley Road. I can

  • Bin men pick and choose

    EACH year our council sees fit to raise the tax and each year we see a cutback in services. That great British institution, the "bin man", or refuse collection executive to be PC, sees fit to select what he wants to take and leaves the rest on the ground

  • Who drives up house prices?

    ONE of the main of laws of economics is the law of supply and demand, that is if supply is reduced or demand increases the price of the item rises. I am therefore puzzled as to why the price of houses always goes up, even more than the rate of inflation

  • Our tree was planted on The Rake

    CORRESPONDENT H. Hutchinson (March 29) asks about the trees on The Rake at Ramsbottom. My brother and I attended Holcombe School in the 1930s and we had a tree planted in our names on the lower slopes of Holcombe church yard, below the new graves. As

  • Council backs Trust takeover of Shakers

    BURY Council, which has announced a planned £50,000 sponsorship deal for the Shakers, is putting its shirt on a club takeover by the Supporters Trust. For it has emerged that the offer by the local authority is tied to a condition that the Trust's bid

  • Girl, 10, saves drowning friend

    A SCHOOLGIRL was saved from drowning by her ten-year-old friend as she lay unconscious, face down in a stream. Samantha Billington (13), of Eden Avenue, Edenfield, plunged headlong into the brook behind Stubbins Primary School, when a tree rope swing

  • Kelly's sigh!

    SIMON KELLY misses Radcliffe Borough's most important match of the season tomorrow when promotion play-off rivals Spennymoor visit Stainton Park (kick-off 3pm). Kelly serves the first of a three-match ban he picked up following his sending off in the

  • Sedgley through to final showdown

    Lancashire Cup semi-final Sedgley Park...53pts Manchester...26pts THE anticipated keen contest never occurred. Relegation-threatened Manchester turned up with their 2nd XV and, although they gave a very good account of themselves, the result of this Lancashire

  • This week in 1977 25 years ago

    DESTRUCTION DERBY: Vandals caused £600 worth of damage to a Radcliffe garden supply centre by playing a game of "dodgems" with two trucks and a van. A 15-cwt truck and a three-ton tipper truck were badly damaged and a van slightly damaged after being

  • Prime Minister sees the difference

    PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair swept into East Lancashire today and saw how £4million had transformed a community. Mr Blair saw first hand how regeneration cash had been spent in the Bank Top area of Blackburn, transforming run-down houses into modern homes

  • Homes repairs costings flawed

    BASED on 20 years' experience of furnishing, equipping and refurbishing nursing and residential care homes, I think the costs put forward for bringing the local authority homes up to the new national minimum standards are grossly overstated. RICHARD BENSON

  • Helping is its own reward

    SINCE your feature (LET, March 30) on my posting to Ghana, a lot of people have expressed interest in Voluntary Service Overseas. I would point out, though, that the amount of the allowance mentioned in the article was misleading. The monthly allowance

  • Speed limits should be clearer

    IN reply to Noel Eke (Letters, April 11) and others recently fined for exceeding the 30 mph speed limit, a few years ago, I had two speeding fines in two months and decided to drive to correct speed limit rather than risk a third. Driving at the correct

  • Council to fund survey as £14m plan moves ahead

    EXCITING plans for a £14 million super stadium in Leigh have taken a major step forward. Specialist consultants involved in the planning of the showpiece McAlpine Stadium at Huddersfield have been commissioned by Wigan Council to advise on how a rugby

  • Show is hot in cold climate

    GET your skates on celebrity spotters for the star-studded opening of Hot Ice 2002 at Blackpool Pleasure Beach this Saturday. The curtain goes up at 7.30pm in the Arena -- the world's oldest purpose-built ice theatre -- for the 66th spectacular ice show

  • Grease is a groovy night out

    GO like Greased Lightnin' to Blackpool Grand Theatre this week and enjoy a real powerhouse of a musical. A delayed start due to "technical difficulties" did nothing to dampen the spirits of a revved up audience who broke into hand-jiving as soon as the

  • Lock, stock and two soaking sponges

    BRAVE Sean Slattery certainly stuck his neck out for a good cause! The 33-year-old general assistant at Asda's Pilsworth store volunteered himself for a day in the stocks to raise money for Christie's Against Cancer. He was targeted with wet sponges as

  • Medal mystery

    A PRIZED medal celebrating Bury FC's elevation to the First Division five years ago has been discovered dumped in a wood. Now, police are anxious to return the distinctive gold-coloured "gong" to its rightful owner. The large round medal, with inscriptions

  • Motor traders join Fair Play Charter

    BURY Council's drive to encourage motor traders to join its Fair Play Charter is gathering speed. Sunnybank Halt in Tottington has become the eighth company in the borough to sign up to the scheme. Councillor Pam Walker, public protection spokesman, said

  • Thugs turn on woman's protector

    A GOOD Samaritan was brutally beaten when he tried to help a woman at Prestwich Metrolink Station. When he went to the aid of the lone female, who was being harassed by two men, the 39-year-old male had a bottle thrown at him before being pushed to the

  • Road repairs near a solution

    DEMANDS that Bury Council should foot the bill to take two unadopted roads in Elton under its wing have received the support of local councillors. Back Bolton Road and Luton Street are used as a short cut on to Bolton Road by elderly pedestrians from

  • Cutting the habit raises charity cash

    A STOP-smoking pledge proved not to be a real drag for three work colleagues raising money for charity. Pauline Forman (26), of Orchid Drive, Bury was striving to kick her 20-a-day habit. So, together with Nicky Thornley and Neil Beverley, she decided

  • Home insurance project

    TENANTS and householders are being offered home insurance through a new partnership. Bury Council and the Royal and Sun Alliance have set up the scheme which also offers discounts for senior citizens and those living in sheltered accommodation. All areas

  • Get dug in for estate gardens competition

    GARDENERS are urged to take part in a prize competition to bring colour to their neighbourhood. The competition is for residents on the Huntley Fold estate in Bury, and organised by Willows Tenants' and Residents' Association (TRA). Young and old alike

  • Rick helps class pal in accident

    WOODHEY High School pupil Rick Panter never thought he would have to draw on the first-aid skills he learned two years ago until he needed to save the life of a classmate. The teenager rushed to help Year Nine pupil Ashleigh Hesketh-Hall who was in collision

  • Blair speaks-out on care homes

    PRIME Minister Tony Blair spoke about Lancashire County Council's plans to shut 35 of its 48 old people's homes today and said new money could provide a solution. Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Mr Blair said budget increases for social

  • Souey's 'no' to curtis

    BLACKBURN Rovers have rejected a transfer request from out-of-favour defender John Curtis. The former Manchester United full-back recently indicated his desire to leave the club after becoming increasingly frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities

  • Still hoping for England

    ENGLAND hopeful Matt Jansen has reluctantly accepted his World Cup dream is over after being laid low by a stomach bug. Jansen received his first full international call-up last week but any hopes of winning his first cap in England's friendly with Paraguay

  • Young in special variety performance

    A HOST of young talent is to take to the stage for a special variety show next month. Young performers from across the borough will strut their stuff at the 2002 Bury Variety Showcase held at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich. The event is the brainchild

  • Storming up the charts

    TWO Burnley College students are storming up the Asian charts with their latest single and album. Amjad Ali, 29, and Azher Shah, 24, both from Leyland Road, Burnley, are celebrating after "My Story" reached number 10 in the Asian Bhangra chart. The song

  • Minister sees his officers at work

    HOME Office Minister Alan Whitehead visited Padiham Police Station yesterday to find out how the police are working with the community to keep crime levels down. During his visit he was told about the £40,000 refurbishment programme being carried out

  • Extra 12 months for biting officer

    A BURNLEY man serving a jail sentence punched and bit a prison officer trying to serve papers on him. In addition to his injuries, the officer had to wait six months to see if he had contracted Hepatitis B. Ash Love's violent outburst earned him a fresh

  • 'Insure it' is the advice

    HOUSING bosses have warned tenants to take out insurance after a faulty stoptap left a family's home flooded. Asthmatic Joanne Coad today claimed her family's attempts to tidy up after the incident were thwarted when the house was filled with dust by

  • Party helps hospice

    WHEN Nelson couple Jeff and Lois Needham were organising a joint Ruby Wedding and 60th birthday party they decided to do it all for charity. They asked friends and relatives to make a donation to Pendleside Hospice instead of bringing presents and raised

  • Bus drunk could not remember assault on driver

    A DRUNKEN man who attacked a bus driver promised Burnley magistrates it would never happen again. The court heard how recently bereaved and in-debt Stephen Goodger, 46, had gone on a binge before he got on the vehicle in the town's bus station. The driver

  • Cash lift for safe travel

    FUNDING for five key regeneration projects in Pendle totalling £369,867 has been approved by Pendle Partnership. The money will help to ensure that projects worth over £1.1m in Pendle go-ahead. The schemes include safer routes to school, a mobile information

  • The writing is on the wall

    BUSINESSWOMAN Paula Henry is pulling her hair out in frustration after becoming entangled in a planning row with Bury Council. When Paula opened her barber shop, Chaps, in Water Street, Radcliffe, last summer, she successfully applied for a £3,000 council

  • It rocks at Radcliffe High

    FORGET Woodstock and Glastonbury. Radcliffe High School was the place to be! There was music for the masses, or at least for the 500 pupils at the Abden Street school, on Tuesday (April 23) when the school hosted YAMAHA AL!VE. Radcliffe High is the first

  • Record breakers

    COLNE have finished their NWCL Division Two season but are having a charity match tomorrow to raise money for meningitis research at Holt House. It's against local side Brierfield Celtic - who list ex-Burnley players Vince Overson, Ashley Hoskins, Phil

  • Cash lift for safe travel

    FUNDING for five key regeneration projects in Pendle totalling £369,867 has been approved by Pendle Partnership. The money will help to ensure that projects worth over £1.1m in Pendle go-ahead. The schemes include safer routes to school, a mobile information

  • An island far from paradise

    ISLAND is a tragic tale, brought to life through mime and masks, of life in the 21st Century that centres around a 75-year-old woman and a traffic island. The Library Theatre have staged this production of the Trestle Theatre Company's own work, bringing

  • Ten years ago

    HIGH winds meant aching arms for young standard bearers taking part in the annual St George's Day parade in Blackburn. Hundreds of scouts and cubs from 10 troops took part in the parade to King George's Hall.

  • Lock it or lose it, police warn

    POLICE today warned residents to lock their doors after opportunist thieves carried out a spate of burglaries. Three houses were burgled in the early hours of Thursday morning in the Dill Hall Lane area of Accrington after owners left their doors unlocked

  • Rapist hunt: Over 70 calls

    POLICE who staged a reconstruction on national television of the rape of a teenager in her Great Harwood home say they received more than 70 calls from the public. But they are still hoping more people will ring in with information about the attacker,

  • Parking blow for disabled

    DISABLED shoppers have slammed town centre planners after eight special parking spaces were temporarily axed to make way for a fish market. The relocation of Accrington's fish market -- while the market square development is carried out -- has resulted

  • Advice on buying a business

    CORPORATE finance specialists from Bury-based accountants DTE, Manchester law firm Cobbetts and fund provider Venture finance are to give advice on buying a business at a free seminar to be held at the Novotel, Worsley on Friday. (April 26). Tel: Brenda

  • Road running: Wesham are 'tops'

    WESHAM Road Runners were the top team with 37 points in last Sunday's Lancaster Three Bridges 10K race, thanks to Dave Waywell, Martin Bates and John Bertenshaw who finished sixth, tenth and 21st respectively. Bates was also the second male vet 45, Bertenshaw

  • Employees who think their firm is the very best

    MANAGER Steve Ainsworth and his team at the Bury branch of the nationwide multi-service repair outlet Timpson are toasting their boss. For the company, headed by retail magnate John Timpson, was one of the best to work for, according to a Sunday newspaper

  • Schools join the people club

    THEY'RE the toast of the town! Champagne corks popped as two local schools celebrated the achievement of being awarded Investors in People (IIP) status. Representatives from Holcombe Brook CP school and Potters School in Bury attended a champagne reception

  • Colin has three Lynes on his shirt!

    ENGLAND'S bid for World Cup glory is set to be kicked off by Bolton's Sven Goran Eriksson lookalike Colin Lyne. The 55-year-old photographer takes on the role of England's football manager for the official World Cup music video. He appears alongside popstars-cum-TV

  • Hogg adds the scalp of Pollock

    KYLE HOGG continued his superb start in Lancashire's first team by adding Shaun Pollock to his list of victims. The South African all-rounder was trapped lbw for a duck by Lancashire's teenage sensation, his third victim in as many overs to trigger a

  • Harwood don't want to be Northern scalp

    AFTER toppling defending champions Cherry Tree last week, Blackburn Northern will be out to claim another scalp this weekend - but Great Harwood are determined it won't happen. Harwood make the trip to Pleckgate Road tomorrow as they look to go one better

  • Charlie's bowling 'em over at Colne

    COLNE professional Charl Langeveldt wants to follow up his super first-day display against Accrington with more wicket-taking in the Transco Lancashire League double header this weekend. Colne travel to title hopefuls East Lancs tomorrow and are at home

  • Soccer kids are over the moon

    ON-THE-BALL youngsters in Bispham are looking forward to jetting off for some football in the sun. For Bispham Junior Football Federation's under-12s team are to play in a tournament in Gran Canaria at the end of May. David Smith, assistant manager, said

  • 'Chubby' Brown: I've got throat cancer

    ADULT comic Roy "Chubby" Brown has admitted that he has throat cancer. The Blackpool Central Pier stalwart has been suffering from a mystery illness since March that forced him to cancel many of his sell-out shows. Roy said: "Until today I was not sure

  • Retired lawyer attacked

    AN 89-YEAR-OLD woman attacked in her home managed to stagger to a nearby primary school for help. Margaret Charlton, who had blood pouring from her wounds, limped to Christ Church Ainsworth CE Primary School 100 yards from her home in Ainsworth. Staff

  • House wrecked in van smash

    A WHITEFIELD family had a lucky escape after a car smashed into their front room while they were watching television. A white Mercedes van lost control on Bury New Road just before 11pm on Friday evening (April 19), colliding with a garden wall before

  • Hockey: College triumph

    LYTHAM St Annes High Technology College's Under-16 hockey team has won the Lancashire President's Cup Plate Competition, beating King Edward VII and Queen Mary School 3-0 in the final at Preston Sports Arena. The team also won the Blackpool and District

  • A dash of the sun

    A FLAVOUR of Ibiza crash lands in Blackburn over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Retro, the touring best-of night, takes over Utopia on Sunday, May 5. Two rooms of dance classics will be on offer into the small hours. Room One, which will be the main retro

  • Main player at Radio One will shake your booty

    MASTER of R 'n' B Trevor Nelson will be in Preston tonight, making it a night to remember for fans of the bump and grind style. The Radio One star will take centre stage at Bootylicious at the Univeristy of Central Lancashire. He will be alongside regular

  • Mott the Hoople duo reunite in Burnley

    FOR one night only, the legendary Ian Hunter will be playing at Burnley Mechanics on Thursday, May 16. And, for the date just announced, he will be joined for the first time since they were in Mott the Hoople by Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs for what

  • Trio celebrate with royal jelly

    WHEN you think of birthday parties, sepia-tinted images of pass the parcel, jelly and ice cream and freaked out parents often comes to mind. Well scrub them and prepare for the Bank Holiday birthday party to end them all as three Blackburn DJs celebrate

  • How bowls green can save club

    A BOWLING green may become the saviour of a century-old social club that has hit on hard times. The committee at Hollins Grove Liberal Club, Falcon Avenue, Darwen, is considering selling the green to a property developer to raise funds, after membership

  • Brick-injured girl on road to recovery

    A TEN-year-old girl, struck in the face by a brick in November, has been given the all-clear from her consultant optician for the next six months. Nadia Butler lives with her grandmother Norah in Birch Street, Bacup, and attends St Mary's RC School. Nadia

  • Budding artists can learn from expert

    A SERIES of watercolour classes are to be held at Rossendale Museum organised by artist and tutor Angela Templeton. Angela has held absolute beginners painting classes throughout the north of England and even on board the QE2! The classes are designed

  • Why wasn't axe killer 'bloodied'?

    IF a former escort girl had hacked her lover to death with an axe she would have been spattered in blood from head to foot, a court heard . Senior forensic scientist Samantha Warnakulasuriya, who was referred to in court as Miss Warna, told the jury at

  • Home boss rejects link with kids unit

    THE owner of a private rest home at the centre of controversial plans to open a unit for abused children today said he will have no connection with it if proposals get the go-ahead. Peter Nuttall, of Deansford Residential Home in Dean Road, Helmshore,

  • A dream date with Sara Lee

    DESSERT manufacturers Sara Lee are looking for people in the Blackburn area to try out a delicious top secret range of new cakes before they go on sale. The winners will be asked to join an official cake tasting panel held at Sara Lee's new product development

  • Lighten up for summer

    WAVE goodbye to hearty soups and stews because summer is well and truly on the way. To celebrate, celebrity chef Nigel Smith, of the Feilden's Arms, Mellor Brook, has prepared a delicious dish, Asparagus Hollandaise, using tender asparagus, complemented

  • Cool to be veggie

    THE Vegetarian and Vegan Foundation has produced a colourful booklet for parents who want to rear their children on a meat-free diet. Kids Go Veggie includes information on foods to avoid and which foods to choose, listing which vitamins and minerals

  • High Priestess of Motown

    THERE are moments in life that you won't easily forget. Having Martha Reeves sing the chorus of Jimmy Mack down the phone to you must come into that category. Martha is currently in the UK with Dancing in the Streets, a spectacular celebration of the

  • Woman hit by car missile

    A GLASS bottle was deliberately thrown from a car at a 43-year-old woman as she walked along Links Road in Blackpool with a friend. The incident occurred at 9.20pm on April 18 when the couple were approached by an old-style Ford Orion. As the car passed

  • Eating diseases on Jane's menu

    JANE Stringfellow knows from personal experience what it's like to suffer from eating disorders. For ten years she fought her own battle with anorexia and bulimia and has now set up the first support group in the area so others don't have to struggle

  • Why do people try to put us down?

    A BLACKBURN teenager told Tony Blair today she was fed up of the way he had tarred all young people with same brush. She confronted the PM as he was about to leave King George's Hall following a press conference. Westholme pupil Rahima Patel, 16, told

  • School welcomes 'go-ahead'

    A SCHOOL has thanked councillors and planning officers for helping them move a step closer to having a new sixth form centre. But regions minister Stephen Byers could still halt the plans at Westholme School because the new development is on green belt

  • Blair delivers boost to bid for £670m

    TONY Blair today delivered a welcome boost to East Lancashire's bid for £670million to regenerate housing. He spoke before visiting the Bank Top area of Blackburn where he was due to see how a council's housing regeneration scheme had benefited the community

  • Blair attacks extremists

    TONY Blair launched a strong attack on the British National Party in Burnley and defended his decision not to visit the town during today's trip to East Lancashire. Mr Blair said the election of BNP councillors on Thursday would bring nothing but increased

  • Blair speaks-out on care homes

    PRIME Minister Tony Blair spoke about Lancashire County Council's plans to shut 35 of its 48 old people's homes today and said new money could provide a solution. Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Mr Blair said budget increases for social

  • Heslop debut

    TEENAGE striker Chris Heslop became the latest starlet off the Clitheroe production line last night - and almost marked his bow with the winner! Making his full debut for the NWCL outfit, 17-year-old Heslop had two chances to snatch the points in a game

  • Wilkes mad

    DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes felt their final match last night summed up their entire NWCL Division Two season. Playing bottom club Castleton, Darwen raced into a 2-0 lead and were cruising at the break. Matt Swailes scored his tenth goal of the season with

  • Peters makes a comeback

    BACUP boss Brent Peters came out of retirement last night as he struggled to get a side together for the NWCL Division Two encounter. Several players were unavailable and there was a number of injuries forcing Peters to field himself at full-back and

  • Kelly ready for a rest

    RAMSBOTTOM manager Mike Kelly is ready to take a couple of weeks off - although his end of season party might be delayed. The Rams are involved in Bolton's Hospital Cup and were set to face Atherton Town in the quarter-final of the competition last night

  • Dale go all out for play-off spot

    ROSSENDALE manager Jim McCluskie has told his side to 'go for it' in the race for the UniBond first division play-offs. Dale are just two points away from the top five and McCluskie thinks if they win their remaining games - amassing 70 points in total

  • Eric the Red ready to plunder

    "GET your ground ready - we are going up." Those were the words spoken by Stanley's prospective summer signing - a midfielder with league experience who will be coming to the Crown Ground for next season's Conference charge. The Reds are remaining quiet

  • Brilliant treatment at the Vic

    AFTER reading the headlines in the Citizen (Black-out lady's agony, April 11) I feel I should write to say what brilliant treatment and care I received in Victoria Hospital. I was and still am under their care for cancer and have had two operations and

  • Bishop's words

    THE recent article by the Bishop of Blackburn with relation to the proposed casino affair poses some pertinent questions. One would expect a member of the clergy to adopt a neutral view on the subject. Apparently this venerable gentleman supports the

  • Animal concerns

    I REFER to the anonymous letter in the Citizen April 11 regarding Coun Callow complaining about Blackpool Zoo making the elephants do circus tricks and comparing it with dancing dogs and poodles with out-of-this-world hair styles at Crufts. Although I

  • The £20m question

    A BLACKPOOL pressure group wants to know how millions of pounds of government funding earmarked for a new conference centre in the resort will actually be spent. Members of BCAGE (Blackpool Coalition Against Gambling) say that, in August 2000, £20m of

  • Try being more tolerant

    I WAS fortunate not to have read Sue Archer's earlier controversial letter regarding parking spaces for parents of young children (I had been too busy looking after my children!). Her letter obviously provoked a strong reaction. However, in reply to her

  • Decision is being delayed

    LABOUR councillors on the executive committee voted unanimously to recommend the closure of St. Paul's school in Ramsbottom, though they admitted that public opinion in the town was against them. The matter was referred to the scrutiny panel for their

  • 152 hours to do your shopping

    I FEAR that correspondent Sue Archer (April 12) is rapidly taking on the mantle of submitting the week's most illogical rant. This person, so critical of mothers with children who impede her while she shops, is obviously finding it extremely difficult

  • The tooth is I'm scared to death

    I DON'T remember the exact date but I remember the culprit all right. I had only bitten into the cheese and pickle on a malted roll sandwich once and it felt like it had bitten me right back. Straight in the tooth. As I chomped down on the sandwich I