Archive

  • EVENTS in East Lancashire on Friday, December 10

    BLACKBURN Christmas Fair, Lower Darwen Primary School, Milking Lane, 3.30pm-5.30pm. "Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly" -- yuletide words and music, Hoghton Tower. Christmas Cards and Gifts, Samlesbury Hall, 11am-4.30pm. Until December 19. Cyber Drop-In

  • Winter bowling

    THE eighth winner of the Atherton Park Winter Bowling competition was John McCaul who beat Cliff Berry in the final 21-15. The consolation final was won by Bill Griffiths who beat John Cooke 21-16.

  • Exciting plans for the town

    THE worth of any 'grand plan' is measured in the detail and quality of its final execution. But the regeneration plans unveiled today for Blackburn town centre are both bold and exciting. Although there are many strands to them, the most eye-catching

  • Miners' best of season

    LEIGH Miners Rangers U13s produced their best performance of the saeson to hammer previously unbteane Wigan St Cuthberts 24-6. With every player contributing, the Miners ran in fibe tries and kicked two goals. The tries came from Tobin, Johnson, Ashton

  • Lancashire squash round-up

    LANCASTRIAN RK first squash team were away to Bury. Graham Collier and Howard Thornley both won at a canter but Mike Carter was unusually out of sorts. He lost the first two easily before firing back to take the next two to level. But he could not keep

  • We already have a 30mph limit!

    I READ with interest your report (LET, November 29) that the council plan to introduce a 30mph speed limit on Meins Road, Blackburn. I wonder if they are aware that a 30mph limit already exists. Perhaps the council officials would have found better use

  • Single dads also let down by the CSA

    WE often read and hear in the national media about the plight of single mums being let down by the Government's agency the CSA. Can I point out, please, it is not only single mothers affected by this Government Agency's mistakes but also single dads.

  • Police 'copter worth the money

    I WOULD like to ask J A Brown (LET, November 29) if, being a council tax payer, he thinks he/she is paying too much for the services that the police (and other services) charge? We all want the best pensions, the best services and the lowest taxes, but

  • Test star wings in

    INTERNATIONAL speedster John Wilshere is winging in to join Leigh Centurions. The Papua New Guinea Test star was released by Warrington last month on medical grounds but Leigh are now happy hes made a full recovery and he becomes the clubs 11th new signing

  • Pike in appeal for more Mechanics funding

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has made a renewed appeal for extra cash for the borough council to support the town's Mechanics theatre and arts centre. He tackled Arts Minister Estelle Morris on the issue during Culture Questions in the Commons. The veteran Labour

  • Youths under 16 sold alcohol

    TWO Burnley off-licences have been hit with £80 fines after serving alcohol to juveniles in a police sting. Burnley police carried out the test purchase operation when six off-licences in the east of the borough were targeted to test whether they would

  • Fighting back for jobs

    THE opening of the Michelin factory in Burnley in 1960 was the great white hope for the future of manufacturing in the town. Against a background of the collapse of traditional industries like textiles and heavy engineering, the arrival of the French

  • Ternent keeps former boss

    NEW Gillingham boss Stan Ternent has revealed former manager Andy Hessenthaler will have a vital role in the club's attempts to avoid relegation from the Championship. Hessenthaler stepped down as player-boss last month with the club 23rd in the table

  • Farmers' fayre on Sunday

    FARMERS are returning to Ramsbottom's Market Place and Civic Hall this weekend to offer a range of homemade goods. A Christmas street market will also be held in Bridge Street between 10am and 4pm on Sunday.

  • Bird watchers in a flap

    BIRD watchers in Radcliffe are flocking to Dumers Lane to witness an invasion of birds normally found in the northern forests of Russia. Up to 100 waxwings, small multi-coloured birds with crests on top of their heads, are feeding in Dumers Lane on two

  • New book 'centres' on a rich history

    THE life and times of Bowland and Pendle Hill through the centuries has been brought together in a new book, by writer Bill Mitchell. A retired journalist, now living in Settle, he has written a definitive account of the area's rich and varied past. Over

  • Place names tell of a more rural past

    Bygone Burnley, with JACK NADIN MANY of the place names around Burnley give us clues as to what the town was like in the distant past. Some of these names are pretty obvious, such as Burnley Wood. It really was a wood, way back in time, and the local

  • Festive concert

    A CHRISTMAS concert featuring members, friends and pupils of Chowbent Chapel and School will be held in the Bolton Old Road chapel on Friday from 7.30-9.30pm. Admission is £3 adults, £1.50 children with refreshments available at the interval.

  • Setting their stall out

    CRAFTY women will show their wares at a special Saturday market. Hag Fold-based Crafts4Us are setting their stall out in Atherton town centre for weekend shoppers this Saturday with a variety of Christmas gifts - all made in Atherton. Crafts4Us formed

  • Flats scheme for retirement home

    PLANS to turn a former retirement home in Oswaldtwistle into low-cost apartments will be submitted to Hyndburn Council in January. Lancashire County Council sold Peel Court as an investment property because it no longer suited the requirements of a retirement

  • Police target troublespot

    POLICE have assured residents in Oswaldtwistle that they are targeting an archway in Union Road that has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. At a meeting of the Oswaldtwistle Area Council at Rhyddings Business and Technology College last night

  • Church where there's always a welcome

    A CHURCH is leading the way in throwing open doors long locked to the public. Thanks to the congregation, Lowton St Mary's is now once again welcoming daily visitors seeking solace. Pairs of volunteers have been on duty at the Newton Road church between

  • Setting their stall out

    CRAFTY women will show their wares at a special Saturday market. Hag Fold-based Crafts4Us are setting their stall out in Atherton town centre for weekend shoppers this Saturday with a variety of Christmas gifts - all made in Atherton. Crafts4Us formed

  • Murder trial jury ready to consider verdict

    THE jury in the trial of an Accrington kebab shop owner accused of murdering his mother-in-law and cutting up her body was today expected to be sent out to consider its verdict. After a two week trial, the jury at Preston Crown Court retired to consider

  • Latest planning applications

    A CAR auction site is planned for an industrial estate at Atherton. Mr M Porter of Darwen has applied to Wigan Council for permission to erect a car auction building at Coal Pit Lane and to layout 239 car parking spaces. Other applications include: land

  • Dance group claim club is out of step

    DANCE group leaders say they shouldn't be penalised because of damage in the bar where they held their presentation. Lisa Morris - who helps run Tyldesley based L&L Superstars which caters for five to 16 year-olds - was upset when management at Paddy's

  • Award for our miracle baby

    A MIRACLE baby who has battled against the odds throughout her life has won a local heroes' award. Little Chloe Gregory weighed in at just 1lb 6oz when she was born four months prematurely at Easter 1993, but her grit and determination to lead a normal

  • Snappy Bulldogs steal victory

    HEYSHAM Atoms paid the price for a lethargic month as they returned to action with a 28-32 defeat against Wigan Bulldogs. With the visitors already beaten in the away fixture and struggling for form near the wrong end of the table, Atoms were favourites

  • Vale in deep trouble

    VALE of Lune's troubled season took another turn for the worse as they turned in a poor performance on a crucial day. Lune faced fellow Powergen North One strugglers Altrincham Kersal at Powder House Lane in a must-win game and seemed set to get the points

  • BURNLEY RES 3

    WREXHAM RES 0Burnley: Crossley, Pilkington (Henry 90) Trotman, McCann, Scott, Yates (Avery 63), Pugh (Platt 83), O'Neill, Booth, Sanokho, Taylor. Subs not used: Hale, Jones.

  • Clarets reject 'take it or leave it' offer for striker Blake

    BURNLEY have rejected a third, £700,000 bid from Wigan for skipper Robbie Blake. The Clarets yesterday threw out the latest bid, made personally by Latics owner and chairman Dave Whelan in a telephone call to Turf Moor. The formal offer, which follows

  • CHEMISTS open over the Christmas period are:

    Christmas Day - Cohens, 90-92 Manchester Road, Leigh (11am-noon); Abram Pharmacy, 358 Warrington Road (4pm-5pm); Lee, 200 Elliott Street, Tyldesley (5pm-6pm). Boxing Day - Knights, 391 Manchester Road, Astley (11am-noon); Cohens, 90-92 Manchester, Leigh

  • New help group for alcoholics

    ALCOHOLICS seeking help to overcome their problem are invited to a new group which has started in Hindley. Reformed drinkers Brendan Delaney and Geert Mylle have organised weekly meetings which start on Thursdays (7pm-9pm) at All Saint's Church in Argyle

  • Culcheth dig in for first win

    CULCHETH Eagles beat high-flying Clock Face 16-8 to record their first league victory of the season. After dominating the first quarter of the game it was Clock Face who opened the scoring after a sloppy pass went to ground in front of Culcheths posts

  • Miners dig in for vital win

    LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 16, OLDGHAM ST ANNES 8: LEIGH Miners Rangers picked up a vital home success against in form St Annes with a performance based on plenty of defensive grit and the odd flash of attacking brilliance. Saints led twice in the early stages

  • Xavier bid for Rovers

    PORTUGUESE international Abel Xavier is attempting to resurrect his career at Blackburn Rovers. The former Liverpool and Everton defender has been training with the club during the last few days in a bid to convince Mark Hughes he's worth a permanent

  • Clarets 'no' to third Blake bid

    BURNLEY have rejected a third, £700,000 bid from Wigan for skipper Robbie Blake. The Clarets yesterday threw out the latest bid, made personally by Latics owner and chairman Dave Whelan in a telephone call to Turf Moor. The formal offer, which follows

  • Radcliffe man held woman at knifepoint

    POLICE officers had to talk a Radcliffe man into relinquishing a knife he had been wielding against a woman in her flat, a court heard. Alan Barlow (29), of Gingham Park, had admitted a charge of affray but the magistrates at Rochdale decided their powers

  • Praise for primary results

    PRIMARY schools in the borough are the 11th best in the country, according to national league tables. Figures released last Thursday also placed the borough second in Greater Manchester. Children in the borough are best in the country at maths, with 82

  • Driver prevents a major disaster

    A POTENTIAL disaster was averted by a quick thinking petrol tanker driver. The driver was delivering 30,000 litres of fuel to the Esso service station in New Road, Radcliffe, on Monday evening when he spotted flames spreading along the forecourt canopy

  • Double helping of borough's meals on wheels

    THE number of hot meals delivered to the homes of elderly and disabled people across Bury will double by next spring. From April, up to 2,500 hot meals on wheels will be delivered to every part of the borough seven days a week to people not living in

  • Last prizegiving evening for Radcliffe High School

    AFTER more than 70 years of educating the town's young, Radcliffe High will pass on the role to a new school. In her speech at the school's last ever prizegiving evening, headteacher Diana Morton offered her hopes for the future. A merger with Coney Green

  • Thanks to salon staff

    DAWN Kelly and her staff at the Hair 2000 salon in Market Street, Atherton are just wonderful says customer Yvonne Allen. "They have helped me through the bad times with Parkinsons Disease and will be doing my hair when I have a delicate operation next

  • Radio link to keep town safe

    CHRISTMAS revellers can enjoy themselves safe in the knowledge that potential troublemakers will be quickly dealt with through a direct link between pub and club licensees and police. Leigh Pub and Club Watch members now have direct radio contact with

  • Niughtclub threats man jailed

    A MAN who made threats against a court witness has been jailed for nine months. Christopher Dootson, aged 22, of Mere Avenue, Leigh, threatened a man in a nightclub toilets. He was jailed after Recorder Vincent Fraser, told him: "Witnesses must not be

  • Thick blue line

    GREATER Manchester has been allocated 68 new community support officers (CSOs), who will work with police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in communities. Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "Greater Manchester already has 8,061 police officers

  • Tax the 'gas guzzlers'

    DRIVERS of 4x4 vehicles should be made to pay more tax for the extra pollution they cause, says Euro MP Chris Davies. Sales of four-wheel 'gas guzzlers' rose 20 per cent last year in Britain, and environmentalists claim their emissions are contributing

  • Take up a free fire risk survey

    A NEW webpage is offering residents in the borough the chance to protect themselves from fire. The new page at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk gives householders the opportunity to have a free risk assessment and free smoke alarms fitted as part of the 'Target

  • Delays to be cut in family court case

    POLICE and family courts in Greater Manchester are now testing a new way to cut delays in domestic violence and child protection cases. According to the Government, every day the police have to deal with short-notice requests from lawyers to release information

  • Branching out for tree time

    RESIDENTS have been branching out during National Tree Week and helping to bring a touch more greenery to Close Park in Radcliffe. The event was put together by the borough's Environment Forum and Viridor Credits, which gives tax credits to Pilsworth

  • Close Park flags-up a green success

    THE Green Flag is flying high over Close Park after the Radcliffe park snapped up a national award. And by scoring more than 80 points, it has made it into the top eight, putting it on a par with Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest! The Green Flag scheme

  • Parking fines net council £742,000

    DRIVERS shelled out a whopping £742,000 in parking fines last year, according to new figures from Bury Council. And people who pay to park in Bury generally have contributed more than £1 million to town hall coffers. The report reveals that, in the 18

  • Record shirt deal for Centurions

    LEIGH Centurions have landed a record shirt sponsorship deal to mark their debut in Super League. Leigh-based wrought iron specialists, House of Sharratt, have signed up as main shirt sponsors for an undisclosed five-figure sum. The deal could be extended

  • Bold new plans for town centre regeneration

    UNCOVERING of the River Blakewater is at the heart of a sweeping vision to change Blackburn town centre beyond recognition for decades to come. Council bosses today unveiled their far-reaching ideas which would be funded by around £150million of regeneration

  • There is no deterrent

    I WAS disgusted that 12 jurors found Paul Madeley not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after he had actually made a chilling admission in court that he was driving 'dangerously' just before the fatal accident in Radcliffe in which Natalie

  • My appointment was delivered by taxi

    THE NHS claims it is short of funds for important things, even life-saving equipment. So you can imagine how shocked I was at 7.30pm one Friday when I received a knock at the door and was greeted by a taxi driver who handed me a letter from Fairfield

  • He admitted it was dangerous

    I FEEL I must write after attending the court case which followed the tragic death of Natalie Jones in February. I could not believe the verdict of not guilty on the charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Paul Madeley admitted he was driving dangerously

  • I can't believe court verdict

    I CAN'T put into words the total disbelief that I feel after reading that the driver of the car that hit and killed 15-year-old Natalie Pickwick Jones walked free from court. This driver was, police investigations concluded, travelling at one time at

  • Last prizegiving evening for Radcliffe High School

    AFTER more than 70 years of educating the town's young, Radcliffe High will pass on the role to a new school. In her speech at the school's last ever prizegiving evening, headteacher Diana Morton offered her hopes for the future. A merger with Coney Green

  • Pub helps special school

    KIND-HEARTED regulars of a Leigh pub have been busy raising money for Two Porches special school in Atherton. A series of events at the Red Lion, Westleigh Lane, Leigh, including head shaves and body waxing, have swelled the coffers and on Thursday a

  • The final roll of honour for outstanding pupils

    THE following pupils have been awarded certificates in recognition of their achievement and effort throughout the school year. LOWER SCHOOL YEARS 7 - 9 PSE: Hayley Beard; Design & Technology: Louise Brunins; Music: Daniel Doodson; English, ICT: Roscoe

  • When shoes were a safety issue

    I WAS pontificating on school uniforms with a colleague and was grumbling about how scruffy most of the lads look with their shirts hanging out. However, I was cut down by being reminded that at least their hair cuts today look smarter than in our day

  • Centre-half wanted

    HINDSFORD under 12's football team are looking for a centre half. For further details contact Mick Lomax on 07971-960506.

  • Brave mum's stand against 'scum' neigbour

    A BRAVE single mum who defied threats, intimidation and anti-social behaviour to evict a "neighbour from hell" has been hailed a local hero. Tracy Stewart kept a 14-month diary of her ordeal at the hands of a woman and her three sons who brought misery

  • A real struggle

    BOOTHSTOWN U13s continue to struggle in the Timperley A Division, going down 3-0 to Stretford Victoria. Trailing 1-0 at half time, Boothstown failed to capitalise on any of their chances including a penalty while Stretford finished easy 3-0 winners. Michael

  • Asda's shock defeat

    TITLE-CHASING Asda Golborne slipped to a shock 4-3 defeat at lowly Fir Tree Reserves in the Leigh District Soccer League. Second placed Asda scored through Hill, Munro and Spencer but strikes from Bond, Neill, Fielding and Caldwell gave Fir Tree only

  • Golborne target another cup run

    TITLE-CHASING Asda Golborne slipped to a shock 4-3 defeat at lowly Fir Tree Reserves in the Leigh District Soccer League. Second placed Asda scored through Hill, Munro and Spencer but strikes from Bond, Neill, Fielding and Caldwell gave Fir Tree only

  • Lowly Leigh scare leaders

    BARNET 3, LEIGH RMI 2: ILL-FORTUNE and Leigh RMI have been joined at the hip this season but have never been as flirtatious as at Underhill. The clash of top and bottom seemed destined to go against the form-book until yet another second half reversal

  • Miners' slow start

    LEIGH Miners Rangers U15s made slow starts to the beginning of each half and consequently went down 18-16 to West Bank. West Bank raced into an 8-0 lead before Lee Mahdavi scored and converted his own try to close the gap to two points. Just before the

  • Flying Eagles

    CULCHETH Eagles U13s dominated their local derby against Latchford Albion with Greg Hamilton at the heart of Culcheths attack. An excellent all round team performance saw Ben Stokes win the with Man of the match Ben Stokes, Sam Cooper top tackler, followed

  • Last gasp try sees off East

    WIGAN St JUDE'S 26, LEIGH EAST 14: LEIGH East's up and down season hit another low point under the floodlights at Parsons Walk. After fighting back from 20-4 down, East lost to a last minute try from St Judes winger Ian Thompson. Until Thompson touched

  • ID cards will not protect us

    I WAS in the audience on the night of Friday, December 3 for Radio 4's programme Any Questions at Manchester High School for Girls. It was the night that somebody took to throwing a bucket of farmyard slurry over two panel members, one being Robert Kilroy

  • Traders rally round after thieves strike

    MEAN thieves couldn't spoil the spirit of Christmas even though they hit in Leigh. The town's traders have rallied to the aid of The Friends of Shopmobility after prizes for the charity's festive draw went missing from its headquarters in Spinning Gate

  • Agony of 3,000 lost jobs

    AROUND 3,000 jobs have been lost in the manufacturing sector in Burnley over the last five years, a new report revealed today. Nearly one in four manufacturing jobs have been lost including 177 job losses with the closure of Papermarc in August, a further

  • Bold new plans for town centre regeneration

    UNCOVERING of the River Blakewater is at the heart of a sweeping vision to change Blackburn town centre beyond recognition for decades to come. Council bosses today unveiled their far-reaching ideas which would be funded by around £150million of regeneration

  • Alive with the sound of music

    PENNINGTON streets will be alive with the sound of music when locals take part in North West Sings, a huge musical celebration of the spirit of Christmas. On Sunday, December 19 churches and community groups all over Greater Manchester and beyond will

  • Two held after drug raids

    TWO people have been arrested in the first of a series of police drugs raids in Burnley today. Operation Freeze saw officers clad in body armour and helmets raid four addresses in the Burnley Wood area in search of eight suspects. The two people were

  • Game's 'flame' of shame

    A BURNLEY fan's racist chanting could have been the "flame which lit the touchpaper" of violence, a court heard. Magistrates were told Kenneth Morrow's monkey chants towards mixed-race Millwall player Paul Ifill were an isolated incident but could have

  • Agony of 3,000 lost jobs

    AROUND 3,000 jobs have been lost in the manufacturing sector in Burnley over the last five years, a new report revealed today. Nearly one in four manufacturing jobs have been lost including 177 job losses with the closure of Papermarc in August, a further

  • I'm a poet, and now you know it!

    A SPECIAL-needs boy from Radcliffe is well-versed when it comes to having his literary efforts recognised. For nine-year-old Nathan Richardson has surprised his parents by having a poem published in a new book. His five-line verse was among those chosen

  • Mobile police station in town

    A SPECIAL mobile police station will be located on Broadway, Accrington, from next week. The unit will be on hand for about ten days, from Monday, December 13 to Tuesday, December 21. Police officers will staff the unit, ready to take inquiries from the

  • Council shares knowledge

    REPRESENTATIVES from another local council have visited Hyndburn to observe a council meeting. Hyndburn Borough Council welcomed a delegation from Richmondshire District Council to a meeting of the cabinet. The visitors also had an informal meeting with

  • Pupils get a taste of healthy eating

    PUPILS are tucking into healthier dinners with the choice of traditional winter warmers like shepherd's pie, lobby, pasta dishes, curries, fish and plenty of vegetarian options like vegetable quiche. More fruit and vegetables have been introduced into

  • Brave Karl's courage rewarded

    A MAN who spent 15 years in hospitals and rehabilitation centres after suffering brain damage in an accident has been rewarded for his courage. Karl Swain, who lives with his parents in Great Harwood, was given a lifetime achievement certificate by the

  • Partner fined for dumping waste

    A PARTNER in a Leigh scrap metal and skip hire firm was fined £3,000 after pleading guilty to dumping waste on farmland. Stephen Cleworth, who is an active partner in the firm A & A Cleworth & Sons Limited, was also ordered to pay £1977.72 in

  • Police mount major op

    THE woman in charge of policing Morecambe's Boxing Day clash with Carlisle United has warned troublemakers to steer clear of Christie Park and to leave the Conference clash to real fans. Inspector Judith Finney, of Lancashire police's football intelligence

  • Holly hockey sticks

    HOCKEY ace Holly Stringfellow is on the way to international glory stardom being picked for Britain. The Lancaster and Morecambe College student, pictured, has sailed through trials to win a spot in the British College squad and is ready to bully off

  • Rotherham spoil party

    LANCASTER City water polo team may be National League champions - but their dream of winning every game of the season has been dashed. City were weakened by the absence of Colin Burgess through suspension and Neil Bowers due to work and that didn't help

  • Glad to see borough is changing for the better

    THE label "award winning council" is a label which needs to be used with care. Tell that to an irate resident whose bin has not been emptied on time. It's a bit like putting petrol on a fire. The ire will not be dampened but made worse. Nonetheless, it's

  • How the Bealey family helped shape Radcliffe

    THE Bealey family certainly made their mark on Radcliffe. Quite apart from the building donated as the Bealey Maternity Hospital, an array of reminders of this much-respected family endured. The family came to Radcliffe from Rostherne in Cheshire and

  • Just what the doctor ordered

    MORECAMBE ended their mini-slump with a resounding win at Burton Albion on Tuesday night. The Shrimps ran out 3-1 winners - and in truth could have scored a bucketload as they missed a penalty and also wasted chances galore. The damage was largely done

  • Give us a hand Jim

    PHIL Wilson was today (Thursday) waiting for a good news phone call from the other side of the River Lune as he tries to add to his Lancaster City squad. The City boss is down to the bare bones thanks to injuries and suspensions - and is hoping Morecambe

  • Riders celebrate 40th anniversary

    LEIGH Premier Road Club brought their 40th anniversary celebrations to a close at their annual buffet and prize presentation evening, welcoming their special guest of honour, local cycling legend, Dave Lloyd. The club was formed in 1964 after the demise

  • Leigh teach lesson to Vagabonds

    AFTER making a slow start Leigh RU showed flashes of their true form as they eased to a 31-7 win over Vagabonds from the Isle of Man. A Leigh pack reorganised due to injuries failed to win early possession from scrums and line-outs and cast doubt on their

  • Christmas transport

    COMMUTERS are being encouraged to pick up a special guide detailing bus, train and tram services during the Christmas and New Year period. The timetable booklet from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, which is now available from their Travelshops

  • Candlelit vigil highlights peril

    THE parents of Radcliffe teenager Natalie Danielle Pickwick Jones joined 180 protestors during a poignant candlelit vigil at a notorious accident blackspot in the town. The peaceful and dignified protest last Friday night was designed to highlight the

  • The final roll of honour for outstanding pupils

    THE following pupils have been awarded certificates in recognition of their achievement and effort throughout the school year. LOWER SCHOOL YEARS 7 - 9 PSE: Hayley Beard; Design & Technology: Louise Brunins; Music: Daniel Doodson; English, ICT: Roscoe

  • Environmental 'Oscars' for Radcliffe pioneer firms

    CHAMPIONS of the environment representing businesses, schools and the community were rewarded for their commitment at the seventh annual Groundwork Bury Dinner and Awards. The event at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich attracted 260 guests and paid tribute

  • CHEMISTS open over the Christmas period are:

    Christmas Day - Cohens, 90-92 Manchester Road, Leigh (11am-noon); Abram Pharmacy, 358 Warrington Road (4pm-5pm); Lee, 200 Elliott Street, Tyldesley (5pm-6pm). Boxing Day - Knights, 391 Manchester Road, Astley (11am-noon); Cohens, 90-92 Manchester, Leigh

  • School's perfect formula

    IF you take a school full of knowledge-hungry primary pupils, add parents, visitors and the wider community and multiply by some top-notch numbers tuition what do you get? The perfect formula for a week full of fun learning based around Maths. Tyldesley

  • Changing face of towns

    THE changing face of Atherton and Tyldesley was revealed by a two screen slideshow interestingly and thoughtfully presented by Sue and Trevor Lucas to members of Tyldesley Probus Club. Supermarkets and new housing were seen alongside scenes of the same

  • Freemasons cheque in . . .

    WIGAN and Leigh group of freemasons presented a cheque for £2,300 from their "National Grand Charity" to Wigan and Leigh Hospice. This is part of £540,000 being donated this year to Hospices nationally, nearly £5m to Hospices over the last 20 years and

  • Good home needed for festive tree

    FASHION store boss Simon Yates is making a Christmas appeal. Simon, who runs the successful QS Discount Outlet in the former Ena Mill at Atherton, wants to provide a Christmas tree for any deserving cause in the town. "Maybe it's an old peoples home or

  • Super League fixtures

    FEBRUARY 12th SKY Huddersfield Giants............................................................... H 20th Warrington Wolves........................................................................... A 26th SKY Salford City Reds......................

  • Disabled man hit car with his stick

    A PARTIALLY disabled man leaned on a car that was obstructing his path outside a Blackburn town centre pub. Blackburn magistrates heard that when the car owner came out and asked Stephen Ribchester to get off his car, he started to punch the bonnet. And

  • Thanks for fighting for the QLR

    TOP brass at the Queen's Lancashire Regiment have thanked the people of East Lancashire for their "overwhelming support" in fighting to save its county identity. The thanks came as the Lancashire Evening Telegraph presented the QLR with more than 2,000

  • MP fails in £50m army deal plea

    AN MP has failed in a last ditch plea to the Ministry of Defence to change its mind over taking a key contract for Army camouflage uniforms from a Blackburn factory. Around 35 jobs at Cookson and Clegg on the Shadsworth Industrial Estate are under threat

  • Was this site a monument?

    ON the corner of Bury Street and Cross Lane, Radcliffe, between Bealey Row and the junction with Eton Hill Road, is a patch of land. On this land are pieces of stone, some lying down and others standing up. Was there some sort of monument there at one

  • Are any of our children safe?

    AS residents of Bolton Road, and as parents, we were utterly disgusted by the death of Natalie Jones. For a young girl to lose her life in that manner is unthinkable and unacceptable. Also, for a jury not to find driver Paul Madeley guilty of causing

  • This road is 'a race track'

    I WOULD like to express my very deepest sympathy to the parents of Natalie Pickwick Jones. I cannot say how sorry I feel for them or imagine the hurt they must be going through. Justice was not done. I am a resident of Bolton Road in Radcliffe, near to

  • Justice system has let them down

    IT'S not often that I feel moved enough to put pen to paper on issues I read about in the newspaper. But after reading about young Natalie Jones and then the 'not guilty' verdict delivered on driver Paul Madeley, I am left in a state of utter disbelief

  • We have regional government

    I AM afraid that I have to puncture Mrs Allison's bubble of euphoria (Letters, Nov 25). Whilst it is true that the people of the north east overwhelmingly rejected a directly-elected regional assembly in the referendum, they will nevertheless continue

  • Natalie won't be the last victim

    PAUL Madeley, the driver who was cleared of killing 15-year-old Natalie Pickwick Jones after he drove his car at close to twice the 30mph speed limit - in the dark - said in his defence: "Until I saw Natalie I did not know there were any pedestrians about

  • Praise for primary results

    PRIMARY schools in the borough are the 11th best in the country, according to national league tables. Figures released last Thursday also placed the borough second in Greater Manchester. Children in the borough are best in the country at maths, with 82

  • SOME women live for housework.

    MY neighbour and an aunt would be lost if they werent either washing, ironing or dusting. My houseproud Lowton aunt recently had to call out a vac mender to fix her top of the range machine - and he fitted two new wheels. How many others can say they've

  • What do you do at Christmas

    HOW do you think most people in the area spend their Christmas day? If you imagine the whole family sitting round the tree, having fun, laughing and opening presents think again. A revealing new survey has found that most households descend into chaos

  • Natalie: road safety is always our concern

    LAST week the Radcliffe Times devoted its front page and part of its Letters page to those campaigning for improved road safety on Bolton Road following the tragic death of Natalie Danielle Pickwick Jones in a road traffic collision there earlier this

  • Super subs turn it on

    LEIGH Athletic gained another valuable three points with a last gasp winner against Wythenshawe Amateurs. Leigh were rocked by an injury to Rick Wilson in the warm-up and soon found themselves a goal down against an average, but determined, Wythenshawe

  • Super Leigh topple leaders

    LEIGH RMI U10s gained an outstanding win against league leaders Eagley Wanderers. In a hard fought game were victory for both sides was important. In the first half Leigh took the game to Eagley with some exhilarating football in midfield from both Ryan

  • Fash does the trick

    HINDSFORD FC beat Wythenshawe 4-1 in their home game on Saturday. They started well and were unfortunate when Dave Fashou had a goal disallowed but they took the lead almost immediately when the same player fired home from close range from Neil Critchley's