Archive

  • Daring Aaron set for new Aussie challenge

    ADVENTURER Aaron Arnold is relishing the prospect of a new and exciting exploit. Already he has cycled solo across Australia from Darwen to Adelaide. That was an intrepid 3,400 miles, covering 52 exhausting days of heatwave, flies and astonishing landscape

  • On this day...

    MIke Badham looks back at events in history on September 18: 1709: Samuel Johnson was born in Lichfield, Staffs. After leaving Oxford, he became the centre of London's literary life, and published a dictionary in 1755. Although hard up, he always gave

  • Men suffering most in jobs crisis

    YOUNG men are worst hit by unemployment in Blackburn and Darwen, a report has revealed A survey commissioned by the council revealed that unemployment is highest in the 20 to 24 age group. And it is higher among men than women in every age group, from

  • 50 years ago

    From the Bury Times, Sept 18, 1948 FOOD: The food control committee refused an application from a Cleveleys man to sell fried fish on the market, because he would have had to use horse fat in the present fat shortage. They also denied an application from

  • Leigh's new man with the Midas Touch

    LEIGH have pinned their faith in a man who has been a winner all his coaching career. Ian Millward doesn't know the meaning of failure - only varying degrees of success. And, after a glittering career with Illawarra Steelers, he has decided to throw in

  • Early pension payouts 'too generous'

    TOWN hall bosses have been criticised by inspectors for handing out bumper pension packages. The District Auditor worries that Bury cannot afford to carry on being the most generous council in the region to staff taking early retirement. But councillors

  • Well-off parents 'milk' council's playscheme

    COSTS for a council-run summer holiday playscheme are set to more than double after it was revealed that its main users were working parents. Parents in BMWs and four-wheel drive vehicles were dropping children off at the £10 a week scheme in Rossendale

  • Expert blood test on death wish hubby

    TESTS will be carried out in a London hospital after a pathologist could not determine the cause of death of a Colne man. The body of 50-year-old David Francis Patrick Edwards was found at his home at Varley Street by his wife Florence and her sister

  • Pedal power for poppies

    TRUE Brit Allan Farrimond got on his bike for charity! The maintenance electrician, from Upton Road, Atherton, cycled from London to Paris to raise cash for the British Legion Poppy Appeal. Allan, normally a non-cyclist, took four days to ride the 300

  • 'Death curse' TV probe at Mormons' new temple

    THE huge Mormon temple in Chorley comes under fire on TV tonight amid claims of death curses and misrepresentation of Christianity. The controversial sect, which claims to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ, is featured in the BBC Close Up North Documentary

  • Going for green

    BURY has scored a £90,000 hat-trick in attracting new green schemes to the borough. The town is to have its first nature reserve after three local charities won cash from the Greening Greater Manchester Scheme. The other two projects will mean more development

  • Weller battles to beat crippling stomach condition

    PAUL Weller is being forced to play the waiting game as he battles to overcome a crippling stomach problem. The Burnley midfielder is currently sidelined again by the illness that first hit him at the back end of last season and laid him low over the

  • Rose thief ruins Joan's Peace

    A LIGHT-fingered, green fingered thief stole a piece of Joan Mullin's heart. Eleven years ago, Joan's late husband Tom bought her two rose trees and planted them in the garden of their Leigh Road home. But on Tuesday Joan was saddened to discover one

  • Leyland folk enjoy a booze cruise

    TIPPLE-happy Leyland folk have set sail on a booze cruise with a difference - they haven't even left their local Bored locals at George IV had been moaning they had missed out on summer after dismal weather wrecked the holiday season. So it came as quite

  • Ex-bodyguard beats off three masked raiders

    A FORMER bodyguard of Jimmy Savile today told how he fought off three masked raiders who burst into his home. Barry Collins, 57, grappled with the three men after they forced their way into the house on the outskirts of Blackburn shortly before 9pm last

  • Going Dutch to beat Bury's crime

    BURY is taking advantage of some international know-how as it moves ahead with its plans for the borough's very own "street ambassadors". The town is to help pioneer a new Community Safety Wardens scheme with a hand-picked team of eight patrolling the

  • Mega store planned for Blackburn

    A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to build a huge superstore in the heart of Blackburn could create up to 400 new jobs. Leeds-based Tranville Developments Ltd has announced moves to build the store next to the busy Eanam roundabout. The Yorkshire firm is confident

  • FA block Walker's attempts to reverse dismissal

    BLACKBURN Rovers' hopes of appealing against Sebastien Perez's red card have been dashed by red tape - in the shape of the current disciplinary system. Rovers boss Roy Hodgson revealed today that Ewood owner Jack Walker was eager to back an appeal to

  • Sit back in history

    FURNITURE from the past is set to turn back the clocks at Heaton Hall. Candelabras, chairs and tables fit for an Earl will now grace the rooms of the historic 18th century Heaton Hall. Restoration work to the Grade One listed building has received a welcome

  • Roy's ferreting out a culprit

    ACTION man Roy Harrison is hoping to track down the 'human polecat' who stole his two working ferrets. Roy, veteran of numerous charity parachute drops and a keen fly fisherman, has put up a £30 reward (twice the sum it would cost to replace them) for

  • Market trader's vendetta claim

    STALLHOLDERS who have continued to trade on Thursdays while construction work takes place at Bury Market have received a final warning from the council. A new fish and meat market is currently under construction and traders are banned from opening on

  • Old folks choke up shops

    I WORK all week and only get Saturday to shop. But what do I encounter on this day? Lots and lots of elderly shoppers choking up the tills and all they have in their baskets is a couple of items, which could be purchased at their local shops. I know people

  • Events in East Lancs tomorrow (Friday, September 25th)

    Cajun Night with Eddie Le Jeune and the Morse Playboys, Accrington Town Hall, 8pm. "3rd Three Eyed Deer Rally," Rawtenstall. Camping, games and live bands. Women's Centre offers health information, library, drop-in, listening/counselling and personal

  • It is swings and roundabouts

    THIS year's Lancaster Carnival was a right, big let down. The organisers got a good turn out but it's a hell of a trek on foot to Williamson Park, especially with young children. When we got there a lot of people were just stood around with nothing to

  • After your story we saw the light!

    I WOULD like to thank the Citizen for taking up my complaint about broken street lights in this area. In your story I noted the comments made by the council official but, in fact, the lights he talked about were further down the estate and nothing to

  • Please give us a sign

    WHY was the St Helens link road built at a cost of millions? Wasn't it to put St Helens on the map by attracting new people to the town? And wasn't the link road seen as a more direct route into the town to help free up the busy East Lancs Road? If so

  • Flowers for the Millennium

    BETTY Alty knows a thing or two about flowers. And the former Atherton florist is now turning her knowlege and expertise towards the Millennium. Betty and a team of helpers from Atherton Parish Church are starting to plan a celebration flower festival

  • Compliments on your reading list

    I WAS very pleased to see in last week's letter from Cllr Elaine Bush that she is an avid reader of the Morecambe Bay Independent newsletter. Thanks also for her publicity, I'm sure many more people will now take the time to read our regular bulletin.

  • Minister kick starts new look East Ward

    "WE'RE up and running - but it's up to you to make it a success." That was Government minister Hilary Armstrong's message to East ward residents as she officially launched the area's ambitious regeneration project. Ms Armstrong, minister for local government

  • It's time to top up!

    I AGREE with Damian Robinson about the BBC TV Licence fee, it is extortionate. Why is this so-called 'People's Government' allowing consumers get ripped-off almost everywhere we go? I am a working class Labour voter and like most other people I like a

  • New lives for 550 cats

    ATHERTON and Wigan branch of the Cats Protection League volunteers have found homes for over 550 cats. They also helped many more by giving owners help and advice. In National Cat Week, which ends on Sunday, they are highlighting the problem of missing

  • Carnival atmosphere in the park...

    HOW lovely it was to see Williamson Park used for the Lancaster Carnival. Families with picnics, children playing and having rides and running free, no hooliganism and everyone enjoying the sun and carnival parade. Yes - the new venue was a success although

  • Apology call from air cadet's family

    THE parents of one of the Bury air cadets killed in a helicopter crash, are demanding an apology from "embarrassed" RAF and Ministry of Defence chiefs. Amanda Whitehead (17) and Mark Oakden (16) drowned along with 15-year-old Christopher Bailey from Horwich

  • £200,000 bid to improve rural public transport

    BUS and train travel in rural parts of East Lancashire - particularly the Ribble Valley - may be made easier if a bid for government cash is successful. A proposed a bus interchange outside Clitheroe railway station is part of a massive improvement plan

  • About time we had a dose of reality

    DOES Council Leader Stanley Henig's egotism know no bounds? Last week's letter about how he successfully transformed Morecambe into a premier holiday resort was astounding. Apart from having the front to claim credit for the magnificent views across the

  • Drop-out homes misery

    LITTER bugs and squatters are making life hell for people in the Butts Bridge area of Leigh. Empty homes in Warrington Road have been targeted by dumpers and drop-outs bringing misery to West Avenue residents whose homes back onto the abandoned terrace

  • Home closure is important issue

    ONCE again a residential home is threatened with closure and where are all the supporters and protesters? Conspicuous by their absence! For months now the local papers have been busy with the Blobby fiasco and traffic problems in the city. But where are

  • CCT: we will make it work

    IN answer to J. Homewood's letter (Sept 4) regarding Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT), I would like to say that we in the Federation once shared his concerns. But let me assure him that they have all been addressed to the satisfaction of our members

  • Portico weather the storm

    Rylands 7 Portico 16 PORTICO hung for an impressive victory in difficult conditions. Try scorers were Dave Flynn, Neil Kearns and Paul Ashurst. Jimmy Leyland added two goals. The tries came from good quick plays of the ball which always had Rylands on

  • Dietician gives advice on the best breakfast around

    YOU'VE heard the phrase 'breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper'. Well now's your chance to learn how to make yourself a right royal brekkie with help from community dietician Stuart Hayton, based at the Royal Preston Hospital

  • Perfect match to save brother's life

    RUGBY mad duo Daniel Kennedy and his younger brother, Adam, know all about team work. The Bickershaw boys who attend Golborne High and play rugby for Ashton Bears ARLFC argue just like any other brothers. But deep down they couldn't be any closer. Daniel

  • Woman braves injury to save toddler

    A WOMAN who was badly injured after shielding a toddler from a car has been nominated for a bravery award. Courageous family friend Thu Thi Tran, of Manchester Road, Astley, jumped in front of the car and pulled three years-old boy Hai Anh Nayam clear

  • Croatians say thank you to firemen

    VALIANT Lancashire fire-fighters who travel to foreign hot-spots in the name of humanitarianism have had their efforts officially recognised with medals of honour. Preston's Assistant Divisional Officer Mick Doherty and Sub-Officer Colin Byers (both pictured

  • New centre to help you care

    BUILDING work has started on the £250,000 carers' centre in Leigh which will give good samaritans the chance to off-load their problems to a private counsellor. The new development in Charles Street, Leigh - an annex to Pensioners Link - has been funded

  • Parents reply to last week's front page story

    I WAS shocked and upset to read about the poison pen letter that was sent to St Mary Magdalen School. Myself, my husband and my children have nothing but praise, respect and admiration for all the teachers and staff at St Mary Magdalen School. Four of

  • Haydock shut out champs

    Haydock 7 Waterhead 4 HAYDOCK were made to battle all the way for victory against last year's champions. And super tackling was the key to victory. But Waterhead made the perfect start when a kick through led to them scoring in the corner. Haydock found

  • Footpaths to go on ex-pit housing site

    DREAM homes will mean nightmares for walkers. So says rights of way guardian Derek Taylor - a former Tyldesley UDC councillor and now secretary of the Peak and Northern Footpaths Society - who fears the loss of more trails around his home town. He has

  • Bus driver says 'blame school kids' for rubbish

    PRESTON Bus appears to have an annoyed passenger (Letters, September 10) who complains of dirty seats and rubbish. I wonder if the writer is a parent of one of the children who use buses in Preston and surrounding areas. The same children who, after only

  • Why are two bins too many?

    I AM a conscientious recycler of rubbish, or rather my husband is. We save newspapers, magazines, aluminium cans and foil. Vegetable peelings go into our composter or are fed to the worms in our wormery, and we use water butts. In other words we try to

  • The territorial army return from their Minnesota trip

    PRESTON based Territorial Army soldiers had more than a very nice day when they joined a cultural exchange in the USA. In fact, members of the Fourth Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment, spent two weeks at Camp Ripley, in Minnesota, while their

  • Warning to jail drug pushers

    POLICE and prison bosses have combined to tackle the menace of drugs reaching inside Hindley prison (writes Malcolm Ryding) Supt Malcolm Howells and prison governor Chris Sheffield say their united aim is: "To prevent the next victim." And they warn that

  • Parent in anger after letter report

    I AM writing with regard to your front page article (September 10), Rocked by Poison Pen Letter. I find it disgusting that such a one-sided, damning article could be printed in your paper in such a melodramatic manner, when you must be aware that it can

  • My relative died of Aids

    CHRISTINE Holt (Your Letters, Sept 4) denies she is a gay propagandist, whilst admitting - rather belatedly - that she belongs to a gay support group and has taken part in the recent gay saturnalia in Manchester. I have no wish to be rude, but her grasp

  • Residents targeted by houseworking conmen

    VULNERABLE residents are being targeted by get-rich-quick conmen offering home-based work in return for huge fees. The situation has become so bad that Preston Borough Council and Lancashire's Trading Standards have been forced to issue simultaneous warnings

  • 'The sons of tarts and thugs'

    THE House of Lords did occasionally oppose Mrs Thatcher, but it opposed the Wilson-Callaghan governments on three occasions in half as many years (S. I. Maders, Your Letters, Sept 4). On balance, the Lords, in the words of Lloyd George, are still "Mr

  • Blind bowlers to battle it out in Preston

    THE cream of Britain's bowling talent arrive in Preston this weekend, ready to battle it out for a prestigious prize. But there is a subtle difference between these battling bowlers and other crown green enthusiasts - the participants are all blind. Bowling

  • Citizen article on moss prompts action

    PENSIONERS have thanked the Citizen for revealing how they were too scared to leave their homes for fear of being hit by falling gutters. Following our article (Citizen September 3), Preston Council has sent workmen to the Sunningdale senior citizens'

  • Nice town - pity about the parking

    TRAFFIC Wardens in Bury do not take prisoners. Five minutes over your time and you are booked. I work in Bury. Often I park in the old railway station, but I need to be in and out of Bury, sometimes three times a day, so I park on the High Street. Sometimes

  • Survey says Preston people are good savers

    EBENEEZER Scrooge would have been proud of Preston folk. In a recent survey, they're close to the top of the savers' league when it comes to stashing hard-earned wages. Shopping 'til they drop is scarce, while Prestonians are careful not to go overboard

  • MP goes on call to help deaf people

    SOUTH Ribble MP David Borrow has made himself more accessible to deaf constituents after installed a new textphone. The new system enables deaf people to communicate with other people over the telephone. Mr Borrow said: "This technology will enhance the

  • TEN YEARS AGO: Drama in high winds

    WINDS gusting up to 55mph lashed East Lancashire. A lorry driver had a lucky escape in Ribchester when a 20ft beech tree missed his cab by inches. But locals with chainsaws were quickly on the scene to help clear the blockage, and the lorry, which was

  • Councillor slams Lib Dems for attacking personalities

    A PROMINENT councillor has slammed Preston's Liberal Democrats for spending to much time on attacking personalities rather than politics. Ken Hudson's outburst follows a string of incidents involving Preston Council's Lib Dems representatives, who have

  • £13,000 traffic scheme gets the go-ahead

    TRAFFIC calming schemes in several Preston and Leyland accident blackspots have been approved by the county's highways and transportation committee. Traffic turning left and right into Lightfoot Lane, from Tom Benson Way, Preston, will be stopped to improve

  • Quarantine not needed

    OFFICIALLY, the government is still consulting, but it seems set to relax the world's toughest animal quarantine rules that Britain has maintained for a century to keep the country free of rabies. It is right to do so - not only because the present laws

  • Angry scenes follow decision to close homes

    ANGRY scenes followed this week's controversial decision to close six Lancashire care homes, including two in Preston. More than 200 campaigners, who had hoped to save the homes for the elderly, marched through Preston town centre ahead of Tuesday's meeting

  • Perfectly in tune

    THE halls were alive with the sound of music when Millfield High School in Thornton recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in recent exams. Twenty pupils, along with one from Royles Brook Primary, entered by the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music

  • Letter of hope

    I AM trying to trace two ladies from the war years after coming across a letter from that period. They are Joan and Heather, the grandchildren of a man named Robert who lived in Blackburn. Unfortunately, I do not know their surnames. My reason wanting

  • GYMNASTICS: Craig enjoys a golden flying visit

    CRAIG Heap jetted back into England and headed straight for his old coach to show off his Commonwealth medal. The Burnley gymnast captained the England team which struck gold in the team event in Kuala Lumpur at the Games. And he popped in to see former

  • MP radio talk-in with pupils

    PETER Mandelson could be among a panel of guests at a Lytham school for a live radio broadcast. King Edward VII School has been invited to host Radio 4's Any Questions on October 2 with Jonathan Dimbleby. Mr Mandelson, Minister of State for Industry,

  • Gate pay the penalty!

    IN a game totally controlled by the visitors, home side Ashton Town went into the draw for the first round of the Divisional Cup after a penalty given in extra time gave them a 2-1 victory over Squires Gate. Also during this period Gate had keeper Gareth

  • Bill still same

    MY first reaction when seeing the Conservatives' proposal to sell off the council's housing stock was 'great' and I mentally started working out how much the reduction would be in my council tax. Unfortunately, reality set in when it dawned on me that

  • Bold make Salem's lot difficult

    Bold Miners 62 Salem Hornets nil BOLD went on a points spree to go clear at the top of the league. Teenager Lee Bednarzic opened the scoring after only four minutes when he sidestepped through the Hornets defence for a great touchdown, Ian Marsh added

  • Striking the right note for delegates

    YOUNGSTERS have been striking the right note for their working futures by playing a part in the TUC conference. Organisers of the conference, held at the Winter Gardens this week, asked the charity Music for Youth to get local schools involved. As a result

  • Damp squib

    THE final Saturday (Sept 12) of the Vaux Northern League cricket fixtures was something of a damp squib. The week's heavy rain prevented any play in Blackpool's match at Kendal and also in four of the other five games. Leyland Daf did manage to get in

  • Late goal robs Brook

    York Acorn 18 Blackbrook 18 AN injury time drop goal by 'Daz' Callaghan robbed Brook of victory. And it was Callaghan, who started the scoreboard ticking over with a fourth minute penalty goal. But Blackbrook rounded off some enterprising football in

  • Breaking in new pupils smoothly

    By CATHY BINKS, head of Year 7 at St Mary's High School, Blackpool. THIS September St Mary's opened its doors to 222 Year 7 pupils. Although they seemed rather apprehensive on their first day, they have soon settled in and anxious faces have been replaced

  • Mechanics tuned up for title defence

    BLACKPOOL MECHANICS began their defence of their North West Counties U18s Floodlit League title with a 6-4 victory over a Bamber Bridge side containing several Blackpool-based players. Mechs went behind after five minutes to an own goal when midfielder

  • Celebration too soon

    AS the new Millennium hype gathers momentum, I am amazed as to why the celebration has been hijacked by certain people and brought forward 12 months prior to the official transitional time which, as any junior academic will tell you, is December 31, 2000

  • Youth theatre silver celebration will be foiled!

    A THEATRE is going to be covered in tin foil to mark the 25th anniversary of Burnley Youth Theatre and former members are invited to the party. In a dramatic finale to a week of activities, the group has decided to celebrate its silver anniversary in

  • Agony and ecstacy

    WE saw the agony and ecstasy of sport this week as two local champions had the honour of representing their country in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Boxer Lee Meiger, 20, formerly of Tyldesley (but representing Jersey) made a quick exit in the

  • Cool control

    FIRST division strugglers Tranmere Rovers were outplayed by the Tangerines at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night (Sept 15) in this Worthington Cup second round match. Yet again, it was a case of Blackpool coming from behind to take the upper hand - one

  • 'Gas leak' pool faces charges

    WYRE Council is to prosecute a holiday park following an alleged swimming pool gas leak that put 25 people in hospital. Some 50 swimmers and spectators - many of them children - fled the swimming complex at the Cala Gran Holiday Park in Fleetwood on April

  • Seventh hell for sad Colls

    ATHERTON COLLS found no respite from their misery as they crashed 3-2 at home to Salford City. After seven straight losses the Alder House outfit sit rock bottom of Division One. ATHERTON LR's topsy-turvy season continued with a 1-0 home defeat against

  • Pay up on time or it could cost YOU!

    FAMILIES throughout the area who receive annual ground rent bills are warned to make sure they pay up on time - or they could face extra costs. In recent months families, who have lived in the same homes for years without hassle, have been hit with extra

  • Police say keep it locked

    LANCASTER and Morecambe police have issued an appeal to the public to help them in the war against crime. Police concerns are growing after a sharp increase in the number of break ins from cars of day-trippers in the countryside in the area, traders'

  • Man with 'bottle'

    CONGRATULATIONS to Mr A.Taylor, of Sycamore Road, Atherton, on his masterly assessment of Wigan Metro. He has said what thousands of us are saying privately, but Mr Taylor is the first to have sufficient "bottle" to come out with it in public. As for

  • Gunman pointed rifle at babysitter's head

    A GUNMAN, angry over lack of contact with his ex-girlfriend's son, turned up in the early hours and pointed a rifle at the babysitter's head. Burnley Crown Court heard how Lee Marsden was "petrified" as Derek Smith, 56, threatened to kill Yvonne Jakouleus

  • Rocket man Rob takes world crown

    ROCKET Rob Speak is a legend in his own lifetime. The Tyldesley stock car supremo roared to his seventh Formula 2 world title at Swindon. And that made five successive world final wins for the sport's most successful driver. Rob was never headed, even

  • Barker welcomes stock answer

    PLANS to transfer the district's council houses to a local housing company have been shelved. Extra Government cash for housing means that the council should be able to improve and maintain the district's council houses without having to transfer the

  • Baseball bat battering sends two to custody

    TWO men who kidnapped and repeatedly beat up a youth to 'settle a score' have been sent to custody for two years. Imtiaz Shah, 19, and Mohammed Khan, 23, attacked Imtiaz Hussain with a baseball bat after they believed Shah's girlfriend had been insulted

  • Hard work gets game on

    LEYLAND Daf officials worked very hard to get some play when all other matches in the league were abandoned without a ball being bowled. Leyland Daf captain David Makinson won the toss and elected to bat when the match got underway about 3.35pm. The Catterall

  • Park protest over defeat

    West Park 17 Aldwinians 19 FACING possibly their strongest rivals for promotion, Park made the worst possible start to their league programme with this somewhat controversial defeat. As in the game at Audenshaw Park last season former Wakefield fly-half

  • Safer roads are priority

    LANCASHIRE highways chiefs have unveiled a number of improvement schemes to make Fylde Coast roads safer. Around £46,000 has been set aside to target accident blackspots in Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Lytham and St Annes with work due to start within the next

  • Five years for robber

    A SKERTON man who robbed a woman in a dark alleyway near Lancaster Castle has been jailed for more than five years. Darren Biddulph, 28, of Skerton House, Mainway, was told by the judge that he had put his victim through "every citizen's fear" when he

  • Footing the bill for boots

    I WAS in tears when I read that Blackpool FC players were disgruntled and angry at being expected to pay for their own boots this season. These pampered young men should now show their gratitude to Fila UK, the sponsors who came to their aid, by starting

  • Prove you're a good neighbour

    NIGHTMARE neighbours could be a thing of the past with a new tenancy scheme on Blackpool's council agenda this month. Housing chiefs are presently considering whether to implement an introductory scheme that would enable them to evict persistent problem

  • Cricket: Phil's premier show

    PHIL Roughley's 53 not out in 16 overs against Huyton on Saturday may well have been the innings which puts St Helens in the Premier Division next season. But the efforts of all the team, spectators, and particularly groundsman Ken Jordan to make the

  • No signs of much sense!

    I READ the short report entitled Sunny Signs Ahead, with utter amazement (Citizen, August 13). It stated that we are to have three metal structures erected at strategic points to form a gateway to Cleveleys. Would it not make more sense to spend money

  • Saints in bore draw

    Saints 32 Castleford Tigers 32 RECORD books will confirm high scoring has been par for the course whenever these old rivals rivals clash. And a glance at the scoreline at windswept Knowsley Road would have supported that view. However entertainment was

  • The sky's the limit!

    BLACKPOOL'S skies have an international feel thanks to North Pier's firework competition. The World Firework Championships were given an explosive start by the German team last weekend and will be followed by the Chinese on Sunday (September 20). The

  • Football: Rainford rampant

    RAINFORD Rangers have found their scoring touch early in the season. The under 13s sides hammered Crosfields 8-0 in the Byrne Hire Rainhill Junior League. RESULTS Saturday Under 10s: Agrevo 1 Rainhill United 1, Captains Lane 1 Blackleyhurst 8, Eccleston

  • Solarium shame

    I AM writing to enlist help once again to save South Shore's solarium. Age Concern has done its best and worked so hard to make it pay. In the past, each time it was closed down windows were broken and the cafe vandalised. Surely people should have somewhere

  • No fair on the Green

    A REQUEST to use Lytham Green for the annual club day fair has been refused by Fylde Borough Council. Stanley Jones Cubbins currently holds a three year licence to hold his fair on a section of the Park View Playing Fields in Lytham, but found the conditions

  • Doctors monitor situation

    SIX people in the Morecambe and Lancaster area have been infected with salmonella poisoning caused by milk which had not been properly pasteurised. Doctors are regularly visiting a sick old lady at a nursing home in Lancaster. All stocks of milk and dairy

  • Football: Famous five for Town

    Cheadle Town 0 St Helens Town 5 ANY fears that Town's enforced lay-off may have been detrimental were quickly dispelled at the Park Road Stadium on Saturday. For Cheadle were given a mauling by a first-class St Helens sid. Enjoying himself at the moment

  • North End stay second after goal feast

    PNE 4 READING 0 THIS was a match which had absolutely everything from start to finish - and it keeps North End in second place in the division. Reading started brightly and twice in the early exchanges midfielder Phil Parkinson went close with good headers

  • Action stations!

    BLACKPOOL Tower and Winter Gardens' new owners aim to help revitalise the town centre along with their latest acquisitions. That was the report of Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden after his first meeting with Leisure Parcs director Eric Kilby. The company

  • A cross to care

    SIR, - IT amazes me the way politicians at all levels can so easily contradict themselves and carry on as though there is nothing wrong. Take, for example, the decision to close nursing homes throughout the county by Lancashire County Council - including

  • Bogus doctor sparks alert

    POLICE have issued a warning about a bogus doctor doing the rounds in Morecambe following a number of complaints from women. The man has been visiting women in the Morecambe area over the past few days contacting them initially from "lonely heart" adverts

  • Extra time choker

    Radcliffe Boro... 3, Witton Albion... 4 (after extra time) AFTER the heroics of Saturday when they fought back from 2-0 down, Boro three times found themselves a goal adrift against Witton Albion before finding an equaliser, but couldn't cap their display

  • Carroll's last-gasp clincher

    Radcliffe BoroM-I3, Harrogate TownM-I2 RADCLIFFE Borough completed a magnificent comeback against Harrogate Town on Saturday to pick up their second league win of the season. Amazingly, Boro found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at half

  • One comeback too many

    THERE was both good and bad to come out of Radcliffe Borough's last two games. The good news is that they now seem to be scoring with a fluency that will stand them in good stead during the coming months. The bad news, however, is that they are starting

  • FA block attempt to reverse Rovers dismissal

    BLACKBURN Rovers' hopes of appealing against Sebastien Perez's red card have been dashed by red tape - in the shape of the current disciplinary system. Rovers boss Roy Hodgson revealed today that Ewood owner Jack Walker was eager to back an appeal to

  • Teenage rampage

    TEENAGE hero Wayne Curtis saved the day, and a gained a point, for Morecambe from this match. Curtis, 18, who scored against his home town club Barrow in last week's derby, was the man of the moment once again after he came on to replace Mark Ceraolo

  • Crystal cut!

    Bury 3 Crystal Palace 0 IT was a case of sweet and sour as surprise packages Bury produced another stunning display to maintain their unbelievable start to the season. It was a sweet victory for the Shakers giving them a comfortable cushion to take to

  • Clarets star battles to beat crippling stomach condition

    PAUL Weller is being forced to play the waiting game as he battles to overcome a crippling stomach problem. The Burnley midfielder is currently sidelined again by the illness that first hit him at the back end of last season and laid him low over the

  • Police act on dog lead

    A Daschund dog was impounded and put in quarantine after its owner, a HGV driver from Austria, brought it into the country illegally. The dog was discovered when the driver made a delivery to Locke Street, Merton Bank. Converted for the new archive on

  • Child links continue

    THE connection between the people of Lancaster and Morecambe and the victims of the Chernobyl disaster is to continue this month. The local branch of the Chernobyl Children's Project are proud to present vocal and dancing group 'Gomy' at Ripley St Thomas

  • North End girls win at Oldham

    OLDHAM 1 PRESTON NORTH END WFC A 2 SARAH 'Giggsy' Berry got PNE Ladies A team out of a tight spot to give the team a victory in their first game of the season. The player named as Preston's player of the season for 97-98 scored not once, but twice, in

  • Jim's first novel suits Catholic tastes

    BUSINESS studies lecturer Jim Ainsworth, from Accrington, has just had his first novel published. Mr Ainsworth, who lectures at Manchester College of Arts and Technology, has written previously on industrial history. Now turned storyteller, his latest

  • Kiely saves the day for Shakers and referee

    Bury manager NEIL WARNOCK has his say on thisd week in football. THE start of a hectic few days saw Bury on television at Norwich where there was tremendous commitment all round. Our great team spirit could have been shattered by the controversial 93rd

  • College winners in Malaysia

    WIGAN and Leigh College has won another prestigious contract abroad - this time with the British Malaysian Institute, which is to be opened soon by the Queen during the Commonwealth Games. The Institute is a partnership between the British and Malaysian

  • Health-conscious students fight back in East Lancs

    Food News, with Christine Rutter A FRIGHTENING number of students are suffering from malnutrition and other disorders including scurvy and anaemia. And the shock research has been backed up by statistics which show that students binge on junk food with

  • Front-line job

    FORMER Lance Corporal Julie Parr has been welcomed as a new recruit. The former Territorial Army employee has joined the ranks at Gaskell Textiles in Oswaldtwistle as a purchasing officer. In her new role Julie will be involved in buying raw materials

  • 500 netted in Bream raid

    LANCASHIRE Constabulary's three day Operation Bream has drawn to a close with the number of arrests now expected to top 500. Detective Superintendent Colin Maloney, head of Lancashire Major Crime Unit, said the operation had been a great success. "We

  • Sports writer Kristian Jack looks at PNE's start

    APART from a second half nightmare against Stoke City the start of this season has been a promising one for Preston North End. Manager David Moyes has been able to keep a settled side and bring through some of his own players who have shone through the

  • Let's get flesh! How male strip acts are taking off

    BRITISH blockbusting film The Full Monty has a lot to answer for. Just six years ago Obsession - dubbed as the British answer to The Chippendales - were banned from performing their raunchy stage act at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre. The meaty musclemen

  • Rosemary moves down to London

    A LANCASTER priest has been chosen to become the curate of a landmark London parish. Rev Rosemary Priestley of St Paul's Church, Scotforth, is to take up her position at St Martins-in-the-Field in Trafalgar Square in November. Her new duties will include

  • Riders fight back for country ways

    HARD hit horse riders are joining forces to improve facilities in the local countryside. They have formed the Leigh, Astley, Atherton and Tyldesley Bridleways Association in a bid to develop and stop the decline of existing riding paths. A meeting of

  • Bard by the bay

    THE prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company is to visit Morecambe to stage two major productions. The resort's new Festival Market will be the venue for Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida and Brian Friel's A Month in the Country. The RCA's state-of-the-art

  • We've been sold out!

    A FORMER Labour city councillor faces being kicked out of his home by the party he supported all his life. Old socialist Patrick Deighan used to fight for social justice in the city but this week the 84-year-old resident of Fair Elms Home for the Elderly

  • Daf avoid weather to notch a good score

    LEYLAND DAF 140-3 dec LANCASTER 97-4 LEYLAND Daf officials worked very hard to get some play when all other matches in the league were abandoned without a ball being bowled. Leyland Daf captain David Makinson won the toss and elected to bat when the match

  • Briarcroft homes row: 'Hold it!'

    CONTENTIOUS plans for homeless housing have been put on hold - 48 hours after hundreds of Howe Bridge objectors braved wind and rain in a demonstration against proposals to build 24 flats on the Briarcroft site. On Saturday morning 350 people (some pictured

  • Train with judo legend Neil

    A JUDO training day with double Olympic medallist Neil Adams MBE is being staged on behalf of The Owen Lowery Vehicle Trust on Sunday, October 4, at Selwyn Jones Sports Centre, Newton-le-Willows. Juniors can train with Neal between 11am and 12.30pm (cost

  • Charity concert for blind

    THE Blind Welfare Society is to hold a charity concert at the Church of Ascension, Torrisholme, on Wednesday, October 21. The concert by the Lancaster and District Choral Society will include an evening of popular songs. Said society to respond to the

  • Time to shed a tear

    THE Empty Arms Relatives Support group (TEARS) is holding its annual memorial service on Saturday, September 26, to remember babies who died during pregnancy, labour or in the first month of their life. The group meet every Thursday between 7 and 8.30pm

  • Recycling project sets proper tone

    A NEW Prestwich company is hoping to cash in on the recycling boom with its environmentally-friendly products. A M Cartridges, which was set up with a loan from the Princes Youth Business trust, aims to cut down on the amount of non-biodegradable products

  • Jacquie talks to the volunteers

    THE annual general meeting of the St Helens District Council for Voluntary Service will take place on Wednesday, September 23 at 2pm in the Banqueting Room, St Helens Town Hall. Mayor of St Helens, Councillor David Craig will preside, escorted by his

  • Uni students feel the squeeze as they return

    FRESHERS looking for digs as they experience their first taste of university are drawing a short straw at the hands of greedy landlords. After hearing reports of students getting raw deals when they tried to find lodgings, Citizen reporter David Higgerson

  • New Act on agenda

    THE effects of the new Crime and Disorder Act will be high on the agenda at the sixth annual Greater Manchester Police Home Watch conference. And a delegation of Home Watch representatives from Bury will travel to the event being staged at the Royal Northern

  • Saints head South

    JOLTED by the loss of a point against Castleford, Saints have undergone extra training for Friday's trip to London Broncos, kick-off 7.30pm. Victory would ensure Saints fourth place in the table, and with Broncos having an outside chance of fifth spot

  • Our very own United Nations

    IT was a real 'foreign affair'at Newton-le-Willows Post Office when staff dressed up in a variety of outfits to promote the travel services and products they offer. The colourful garb - worn by Andrew Peers, Terri Westbrook, Joanne Wright, Debbie Carroll

  • Bay trek for Bury Hospice

    CHARITY trekkers put on their hiking boots for the annual sponsored walk across Morecambe Bay on Sunday, September 13. More than 120 energetic walkers took part in the eight-mile sponsored walk from Arnside to Kent's Bank in aid of Bury Hospice. Support

  • Hands - and trade - across the Ocean

    BURY business chiefs will be involved in a Trans-Atlantic video link up with their American counterparts. And exporters or importers wanting to break into lucrative USA markets can save themselves the flight by taking part in the hi-tech activity. The

  • 400 jobs to go

    NEARLY 400 jobs are to be axed at three local firms. And the grim news comes ironically in the week that the Government announced record employment levels and shortening "dole" queues around the country. The biggest blow locally will hit British Paper

  • Health post for councillor

    LOCAL councillor John Byrne has joined Bury and Rochdale Health Authority as a non-executive director. He will be involved in the day-to-day running and decision-making of the authority in commissioning, monitoring and developing health care services.

  • Investors unhappy over move

    YOU get an unhappy investor at Alliance and Leicester - at least as far as Radcliffe customers of the building society are concerned. The Blackburn Street branch is being transferred to The Rock in Bury and Radcliffe traders have organised a petition

  • Pudding champ to defend title

    CHAMPION black pudding-eater Martin Brimelow is preparing to defend his title and uphold the honour of Bury. Martin of Robert Street, Bury, was crowned black pudding king after scoffing nine succulent lots of the local delicacy in the town's first ever

  • An unidentified floating object

    ORNITHOLOGISTS on Elton Reservoir have a mystery on their hands. A couple of weeks ago a huge and so far unidentified bird took up residence on the water. Puzzled Adrian Case (59), of Greenfield Close, Elton, snapped the quacker and his picture is reproduced

  • Fresh move for clean air

    EXTRA improvements to air quality in St Helens should be on the way after the council has secured additional funding to buy the latest in air monitoring technology. The new Mobile Air Quality Monitoring Station will provide detailed minute-by-minute information

  • Leigh's new man with the Midas Touch

    LEIGH have pinned their faith in a man who has been a winner all his coaching career. Ian Millward doesn't know the meaning of failure - only varying degrees of success. And, after a glittering career with Illawarra Steelers, he has decided to throw in

  • Rain wrecks title dash

    LEIGH'S final home game of the season dissolved into a frantic race against the elements. But, inevitably in this miserable summer, the rain won. Leigh needed victory to maintain their slender hope of the title, Bolton needed to win to secure a place

  • 'Happy' school praised by Ofsted

    A RADCLIFFE school of "many strengths", both inside and outside the classroom, has received praise from Ofsted inspectors. But St Mary's RC Primary School needs to pull its socks up when it comes to teaching art and music. Reporting inspector Mrs Carole

  • Barry grabs the glory

    SUPERSUB Barry Breden hit a dramatic late goal to snatch an extra-time 2-2 draw for Sir Charles Napier. The Redwaters Coronation Cup thriller at Union Arms proved the tie of the round in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League. Other results:

  • Do you know raid gang?

    POLICE have issued descriptions of three thieves who sneaked into a pensioner's home and stole a television, video recorder and a quantity of jewellery. The three, two men and a teenage girl, were spotted escaping from the house in Hazel Grove, Eccleston

  • Bedford stay clear of Saints

    BEDFORD have clinched the Churches Bowling League, three points clear of All Saints. Individual Merit winner was A Tyrer on 30 points. Final results: Bedford 159 St Paul's A 119, All Saints 138 Leigh 129, St Thomas 121 St Paul's 155, St Peter's 168 LSM

  • Guard had gun held to head

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery at the post office in Marshalls Cross Road at about 12.30pm on Monday. A man armed with a pistol approached a security guard who was delivering to the premises and demanded that he hand over a security

  • Row erupts over marchers

    A NATIONAL march in 'Defence of the Welfare State and Repeal of all Anti-trade Union Laws' will be coming through St Helens next Wednesday, September 23. And St Helens TUC has organised a number of events for for the day starting with a rally in Church

  • Legion loses an officer and a gentleman

    A POPULAR army captain, musician and former teacher who was a familiar face in his home town has died aged 78. Captain Arnold Duckworth, pictured, served as the president of the Darwen branch of the Royal British Legion for more than a decade. Captain

  • Harrop sparks a Tyldesley romp

    TYLDESLEY RU scored a thumping 34-15 win over Ormskirk. They began in great style with Rob Harrop storming over for a try. But they should have had more points in the bag before Dave Sivill dropped a goal. Indiscipline then let Tyldesley down as Ormskirk

  • Miners find it tough at Woolston

    LEIGH MR never got it right as they crashed 20-6 at Woolston. Chronic dropsy let them down as the Warrington side plundered the points. Leigh's only comeback was a goal from Winston Sarsfield. Neil McCulloch then stepped up from the bench with good work

  • Seventh heaven for Heather

    LOCAL swimmers swept up the national rankings after splashing efforts at the National Age Group Championships. Heather Frederiksen (Atherton SC) was seventh in the 13-Year 800 freestyle, knocking FIVE seconds off her PB. Christopher Pugh (Swinton SC)

  • Second class for RMI battlers

    LEIGH RMI have moved into second spot in the Unibond Premiership. Their 2-0 win at Whitby Town was their fourth victory on the trot. And it came despite losing the League's leading marksman, Neil Matthews, after only 10 minutes with a recurrence of a

  • Council needs your pictures

    LOCAL photographers and camera clubs are to be asked to submit photographs of Rossendale which would be suitable for use in council publications. Leisure director Authur Marriott told councillors the council needed a constantly updated library of photographs

  • New clues in violent raid hunt

    DETECTIVES investigating a violent robbery at the home of an elderly Blackburn couple are chasing fresh clues in the Accrington area. Three men burst into the couple's home in the Green Lane area and held them hostage while they ransacked the terrace

  • Let there be lights

    SHOPKEEPERS will be asked to dip into their tills to help fund Christmas lights in town centres. Traders in Whitworth already pay £15-£20 per shop towards decorations in the town. Now shopkeepers throughout Rossendale will be asked to follow suit. At

  • You've Been Graemed

    JUVENTUS are overlooking an amazing opportunity in attempting to link-up with West Ham. Surely Chelsea would have been a better choice as a nursery club. For in Graeme Le Saux, the Italian giants would already possess an international player whose rightful

  • Contract success brings 40 new jobs

    AT least 40 new jobs are set to created by a distribution firm in Blackburn. EPS Product Support has set up a site in the town after winning a five-year contract from British Aerospace at Samlesbury. BAe is contracting out its international packaging

  • Peter's clean sweep

    KEEPING Atherton clean and tidy is all in a day's work for road sweeper Peter Kiernan. But the town's traders have taken note of the cheery way the Council workman goes about his daily chores. Peter is pictured with Atherton Traders' Association chairman

  • Charity busker and former policeman dies, aged 76

    A FORMER policeman and veteran violinist who became a familiar face in Blackburn town centre as he busked for charity has died aged 76. Tom Kay, (right) of the Dukes Brow area of Blackburn, suffered a heart attack during a second bypass operation at Manchester

  • Danger drivers are campaign target

    BURY is to blitz reckless road users in a battle to save lives. Road safety officers from across Greater Manchester have come together to support a new drive to cut deaths and injuries on our highways. And they have unveiled a major advertising campaign

  • Preston's match abandoned after washout

    PRESTON'S final match at their West Cliff ground against Netherfield was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Preston finished bottom of the league but can taken hope for the future because their U18s will play Kendal at West Cliff this Saturday. Leyland's

  • The flowering of Scott's lad

    Pete Oliver talks to one of Burnley's bright young hopes CHRIS Scott has come a long way in a short time. The player who failed to make the grade at the start of his Burnley apprenticeship is now filling the number two shirt previously worn by his father

  • Union bid to help vulnerable

    CONCERNED trade unionists have called a conference to voice worries about the vulnerability of the unemployed. On Saturday (Sept 19) Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley Trades Union Council will stage the conference between 1pm-4pm at Leigh Miners Institute

  • Beggar off!

    BANISH the beggars - that's the call throughout Blackpool by people fed up of town centre tramps taking them for a ride. Traders, the Town Centre Forum, and resort police are dishing out warnings that they will no longer tolerate drunks and vagrants who

  • Plea for pensioner meetings

    JUST what sort of a council have we got? They want rent for a room which the Pensioners Action Group use. In other towns they supply a room with light, heating and water free. Yes, I am a member of the group and proud of it. But what happened to the caring

  • Hoppers cruise to their second win

    LICHFIELD 15 PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS 30 HOPPERS made it two wins from two games, but the final margin of victory was disappointing after a whirlwind start had suggested that a runaway victory was on the cards. A first-minute try for Martin Emmett was the

  • Poets on the towpath

    LOWTON poets and writers Bill and Elsie Gee and Leigh duo John and Sandre Clays read their works at a towpath literary night. They took the mike at a 'writing for performance' session at the Old Pear Tree in Frog Lane, Wigan, where Leigh poet Ian Barton

  • Everyone a big winner thanks to Boulevard

    KEISHA Swanton takes centre stage at The Boulevard in Leigh. She is pictured with a giant teddy bear she won in The Journal's Boulevard August Bonanza competitions. Her prize was donated by The Card Rack. Prizes on offer were - £50 and £30 vouchers from

  • Sporting echoes bounce into focus

    HERE are a couple of interesting echoes from earlier sporting themes. Firstly, Mike McLoughlin of Gillars Green Drive, Eccleston, confirms that his grandad, Teddy McLoughlin, occasionally appeared at scrum-half for Saints, but mainly played at centre.

  • Field of dreams

    PLANS for a £25,000 roller blading park at Hoyle playing field on the Chesham Fold estate have been supported by Bury Council. The project has excited local youngsters and they are heavily involved in its development. A group of them met recently to decide

  • Spare some thought for others

    IN response to your article 'A-mazing' (August 27) may I first congratulate all the students on their A-level success. Well done also to those with D and E grades who may not have the academic achievements of those with A grades, but have nevertheless

  • Star 'silver' milestone in sight

    IT seems hardly possible that old-time memories are now actually being gleaned from the pages of the Star. For, incredible as it may seem, our Silver Anniversary is almost upon us. It feels like only yesterday that the Star revolutionised the local weekly

  • Planet Football!

    A WORLDWIDE television audience of half a billion - reputedly the largest for an English cup game - tuned in for Bury's clash with Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. (August 15). But it wasn't the Shakers that most of them wanted to see in the Gigg Lane

  • Kids' odd brush with nature

    IT was a close encounter with nature that few of the schoolchildren, out on a countryside ramble, were ever likely to forget. For as well as bees, butterflies, wildflowers, water voles and dragonflies, the classroom kids also came face to face with .

  • Mum's family credit horror tale

    I WONDER if anyone else is in the same boat as me. I am a lone parent with two children, one aged 18 years and one nine-years-old. My eldest has just finished his A-levels. I am working 20 hours a week and was claiming Family Credit. When my son took

  • Investing in pupils

    DEDICATED staff at Green Hall School, Atherton, have won the Investors in People Award. They received the award from Martin Lees, executive sales manager for Vimto, who are sponsoring the school which caters for 120 pupils, aged four to 16, with moderate

  • Effort appreciated by Shopmobility

    THE ladies darts team at the Derby Arms in Bolton Road, Bury, hold an annual fund-raising campaign and this year decided to donate the proceeds of £415 to Bury Shopmobility. In addition, the landlady of the Derby Arms, Margaret Evans, put a Bury Shopmobility

  • County cup clash

    THERE's a big night of amateur Rugby League at Blackbrook on Tuesday, September 29. For St Helens take on Widnes in the semi-final of the Lancashire inter-town competition. The winners will meet the winners of the Rochdale v Leigh game. Converted for

  • Snatch gang target elderly

    GANGS of purse snatchers are plaguing Leigh town centre, police have warned. And Ch Insp Brian Wroe is calling for women to be extra vigilant against the thieves, who are even targeting the elderly. A woman discovered her purse containing £150 had been

  • PNE set up new school of excellence

    COULD these be the David Beckhams and Alan Shearers of the future? Preston North End think so. The club has put their money where their mouth is and set up a new School of Excellence at Penwortham Holme recreation ground. PNE's Gary Peters meets his new

  • 2,000 help Flash to success

    STAFF at Pennington Flash Nature Reserve are celebrating a "hide and seek" success. Figures show that over 2,000 children visited the Flash and its BNFL sponsored educational hide in the hunt for nature facts during the last school year. School groups

  • Do it right - or don't bother!

    I READ with some concern (Bury Times, Sept 11) about our council's future plans for safer cycling in the Bury Bridge and Bolton Road area. Shared footpaths and subways are not the answer: they will succeed only in bringing cyclists into conflict with

  • Local lads' Aussie date

    THIRTEEN local players have been named in the West Lancashire ARL squad to meet New South Wales Police at Knowsley Road this Sunday. The game kicks off at 1pm and the local lads include: Jamie Hill, Wayne Jackman, Mike Woods, Martin Horton, Jimmy Watreworth

  • Is this saving really needed?

    I HAVE been made aware that in another cost-cutting exercise, Bury Council decided in April that the free emergency service provided by the environmental health department was to be withdrawn. The case that I have in mind is that of a pensioner, who lives

  • New cameras to stop speeders

    SPEEDING motorists could be fined through the post - thanks to new hi-tec laser cameras. The county council has given Lancashire Police three speed cameras which can take high quality photographic evidence of drivers who break the speed limit. They will

  • First for Crusaders

    St Helens Crusaders 18 Bridge 12 CRUSADERS came back from behind to win their first home game of the season. They found themselves behind when slack defence allowed Bridge to touch down. But Crusaders winger Daz Lee replied with a try converted by Saunders

  • I've got back my pride

    HAVING just recovered from a long-term mental illness related to depression and anxiety, I recently returned to work with the assistance of Bury Employment Support and Training (BEST). After receiving the necessary medical care and attending group therapy

  • Dragons' fire

    Higginshaw nil West Sutton Dragons 22 DRAGONS notched up their second Division One success against a strong Higginshaw outfit. A well worked move by Johnson and Taylor resulted with loose-forward C Simm scoring under the posts for E Stubbs to convert.

  • Holiday in Bury changed our lives

    WE recently enjoyed a holiday in your wonderful town, my husband Dave returning to his homeland after seven years. It was the first time that I and our three children had been outside Australia. We enjoyed the most wonderful experiences imaginable and

  • Asphalt firm's plans 'misleading' say residents

    RESIDENTS living near to a proposed asphalt factory have accused the owners of deceiving locals at an exhibition designed to generate support for the project. Campaigners opposing the new Tilcon road-stone plant say the firm's exhibition at Bamber Bridge

  • Fees causing chaos at university

    A LEADING student activist says new higher education fees are causing chaos as Freshers prepare for university. Keith Lewis, the University of Central Lancashire's Students' Union education officer, has joined forces with the region's other SU representatives

  • Transplant team in special cricket match

    CRICKET-crazy double lung transplant patient Tony Monks turned out against his normal club side - with a team of transplant success stories. Tony, of Ribbleton, Preston, was determined to end the cricket season on a high note when he lead his Second Innings

  • Preston soldier in American reunion with mum

    A CHANCE-of-a-lifetime trip to America turned into an emotional reunion for a former Preston woman and her son. In a lucky twist of fate, psychiatric nurse Stuart Gregory, from Goosnargh, was given the opportunity to jet off to America to meet his mum

  • Police hunting for driver after chemical spillage

    POLICE are hunting for the driver of a lorry which spilled a chemical powder across a busy road on Monday afternoon. Firefighters were forced to close off a stretch of Eastway, Fulwood, after a container of acid fell off the lorry and became lodged under

  • More of an an open book

    SOME heartening news to report this week as I drifted round to the hallowed offices at Dalton Square to take advantage of the time of year when the peasants are allowed to gaze upon confidential and classified documents to check that all is in order.

  • Domestic violence conference to be held in Preston

    A ONE-day conference on domestic violence has been organised by an Asian women's group. The event, organised by the Sahara group, will give women from ethnic minority groups the opportunity to discuss information already available and plan for the future

  • Parents back school's poison pen letter

    PARENTS of children at a Penwortham primary school say they will back a school at the centre of a poison pen letter scandal. Last week the Citizen revealed that teachers and governors at St Mary Magdalen's RC Junior School, in Buller Avenue, had received

  • Preston mayor almost falls for radio station gag

    PRESTON'S mayor nearly ended up looking a proper Charlie after a town hall blunder led locals to believe she was about to meet the Prince of Wales. Council officials had planned to let Coun Rose Kinsella attend the launch of Century 105, the North West's

  • Dirty dog owners nabbed by by-laws

    NEW by-laws are helping borough council bosses take a tough stance against people who let their dogs foul in public parks. The new regulations give litter wardens, park rangers and dog wardens the power to fine dirty dog owners £25 if they witness incidents

  • School sports scheme to be tested in Leyland

    SCHOOLCHILDREN in South Ribble are to be given the chance to get to grips with sport as part of a new scheme adopted by the local council. Primary school pupils at 12 local schools are to join the Top Programmes scheme this month on top of nine which

  • If it's a 'rip off' why are we so happy?

    ARE we being ripped off at the supermarket? Apparently we are, according to the report today by the Office of Fair Trading claiming that the big four supermarket groups use their immense buying power to force discounts out of their suppliers but don't

  • Reward posted for murder gang

    IN A dramatic new development, the family of murder victim Alfred Sandford is posting a big reward in a bid to bring the armed gang responsible for his death to justice. And Alfred's heartbroken daughter is making an emotional plea to Star readers for

  • RUGBY LEAGUE: Hampson in charge

    STEVE Hampson is to take on the coaching role at newly promoted Lancashire Lynx following the shock departure of manager Kevin Tamati. Tamati had masterminded Lynx's recent Second Division title success but was axed after he could not agree new terms

  • Colin's 'Unique' gift

    ALTHOUGH Colin Hendry has left Blackburn Rovers, he still has a lot of fans here and he is still helping people in Blackburn. Colin has sent me an autographed copy of his Rangers debut programme against Motherwell to auction for my appeal to raise money

  • Heath caught cold

    Thatto Heath 18 Farnworth 23 THE first 30 minutes of this encounter cost Heath dear. For by then the Widnes side had established a 20-nil lead, thanks, mainly, to the experienced Chris Kelly. He first sent Russ McGrath over for a fifth minute try and

  • Don't give in to mob rule, Sue urged

    IT IS good to see Cllr Sue Loudon asking people to wait for accurate information before they oppose the provision of housing for the homeless at Briarcroft. Over the last few months we have seen examples of what can only be described as uninformed and

  • Casualty 2000: Hospitals alert for Millennium horrors

    FIVE times as many New Year casualties are expected at Burnley Hospital accident and emergency department as a result of anticipated massive Millennium celebrations. A major disaster plan is being devised by the East Lancashire Health Authority as part

  • Finch tame old rivals

    Parr Hare & Hounds 10 Haresfinch 40 HOUNDS' long-awaited first game of the season ended in a not-unexpected defeat by neighbours and old rivals Haresfinch. But the final scoreline doesn't reflect a typically competitive local derby and with the return

  • Cost hit fans and will hit Xanadu

    IT WOULD appear that one of the main reasons for the poor attendance at the recent Hilton Park Festival was the entrance cost of £12 per day. If the people of Leigh cannot or will not pay this sort of price for entertainment then why all the excitement

  • Print boss comes back to save 30 jobs

    A MAN who founded a print firm has stepped in to help save 30 jobs six years after handing the business over to a management buy-out team. Peter Scott came out of virtual retirement to take over as director responsible for sales at Peter Scott (Printers

  • Thanks Andy

    LANCASTER Cricket Club's professional player, Andrew Lawson, has left the club. Lawson scored nearly 700 runs for Lancaster who are now looking for a new professional. A spokesman said: "We wish Andrew well in the future. Now we are looking for a good

  • Neil quits Saints for Reds

    A LOCALLY-born former Test scrum-half who graced the Knowsley Road pitch for 13 seasons, and has tended it ever since, is quitting for pastures new. For 37-year-old head groundsman Neil Holding has been appointed to a similar post at the Kirkby Centre

  • Soldier's trek in aid of charity

    A BLACKPOOL Territorial Army soldier is aiming to score more than £5,000 as he marches to Glasgow's Ibrox Stadium - home of Rangers. Tom Houston (pictured) will be setting off from Blackpool at the start of October and will walk quick-time to Ibrox in

  • Short and sweet at Games

    TYLDESLEY boxer Lee Meiger made a quick exit from the Commonwealth Games. He was knocked out in the first round of his first bout in Kuala Lumpur. He was caught cold by Northern Ireland featherweight David Lowry, who floored him with a left hook - after

  • Didn't deserve a penny - let alone £1million!

    THE £1million didn't go on Chris Tarrant's awful quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" as I thought it was bound to. But they certainly saved the doziest competitor until the last. The thicko, married to a former world kick boxing champion, walked

  • MP opens resource centre

    LANCASTER and Morecambe College's new Learning Resource Centre has been formally opened by Hilton Dawson, MP. The new centre, part of a £500,000 college computing upgrade, will contain 50 networked computers and provide Internet access, video-conferencing

  • Report reveals shocking figures on health

    A SHOCKING report has revealed the health of residents in three run-down areas of Preston is in serious decline. The report, by the Preston Community Health Council (CHC), says that people living in Deepdale, St Matthew's and Ribbleton wards are prime

  • Hockey: Anyone for hockey?

    ST HELENS Hockey Club are gearing up for the new season. And they're inviting players to join them. They are based at Ruskin Drive and anyone who would like further information should contact club secretary Mark Alcock on 883897. Converted for the new

  • Dobie row rumbles

    THE row between Lancaster City player Mark Dobie and the club is to be investigated by the Northern Premier League. Dobie, last season's top scorer, wants to go to Scottish club Gretna. But City say he came to an agreement with them last year which they

  • LSH blast back

    Liverpool St Helens 33 Lydney 18 LIVERPOOL St Helens collected two valuable league points after staging a second-half recovery against a Lydney side who have have strengthened their side during the summer. And after a home win the previous Saturday they

  • Flying for survival

    FUNDRAISERS are working flat out to raise £21,000 needed to save their club by October 14. An appeal committee has organised five entertainment nights, starting tonight (September 17), to help rescue Blackpool's historic White Eagle Club - popularly known

  • All this to come with Xanadu?

    TRAFFIC jams of over 11 miles marred the opening of the Trafford Centre at the weekend, despite sophisticated traffic management systems being an integral part of the development. Urgent talks are now being held between the police and centre managers

  • Cricket: Call for men in white coats

    ST HELENS Cricket Club is to stage an umpiring course at its Windleshaw Road HQ. It takes place over 10 weeks, starting on Monday, September 28. The course will cater for all abilities, ranging from the complete beginner. For further details phone 616909

  • Cricket: Rainford clinch promotion

    RAINFORD Cricket Club secured promotion back to the Southport and District League top flight on Saturday, despite the rain being the only victor in their match at Burscough. The six points from a rain-affected fixture were more than ample. The Second

  • Thomson's twin strike bombs bridge

    LANCASTER battled their way back from two goals down to win this five goal thriller. Bamber Bridge were cruising and the match seemed dead with half an hour left. But ten dramatic minutes and three excellent goals later and it was Lancaster who were bossing

  • Recs fall into the trap

    Leigh Miners A 30 Pilkington Recs 24 RECS lost this contest after being drawn into a physical midfield encounter by their more experienced opponents. But Recs made a great start when drives from props Stu Wilson and Graham Cranney set up the position

  • Safety fear as rapist strikes

    POLICE are warning women in Morecambe not to walk alone at night after a rape by a silent attacker this week. The victim was grabbed by her hair at the junction of Schola Green Lane and dragged across the road to the steps leading to Bridge Road. She

  • On top form

    BLACKPOOL'S good form continued on Saturday (Sept 12) against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank with a rousing comeback against the Imps. It started to look pretty grim for the Tangerines when Whitney headed the home side in front on just 12 minutes - from

  • Assembly rooms celebration

    TRADERS stepped back in time to celebrate the future of their new look market hall at the Lancaster Assembly Rooms on Saturday. The traders wore authentic Victorian fashions to welcome customers and tourists at the re-launch of the market hall. A party

  • Denis Whittle talks with Saints coach Shaun McRae

    SAINTS' early lead led to complacency, but there were mitigating circumstances for the below-par performance against Castleford - so said Shaun McRae. WHITTLE: The first home point lost versus Cas at Knowsley Road since 1990. What went wrong? McRAE: In

  • Boost for Ashton Gardens

    ON behalf of the Supporters of Ashton Gardens committee I would like to thank all the kind people who gave their time and energy to help out at the Ashton Gardens fun day on August Bank Holiday Monday (Aug 31). They are too numerous to mention individually

  • Row brews over wall

    HEYSHAM residents are in dispute with a housing association over the ownership of a boundary wall. The residents of School Road claim that the stone wall at the rear of their houses is potentially dangerous and needs urgent repairs. But North British

  • Football: Whiston's goal-den wonders

    A YOUNG football team hit the net more than 30 times in a week. The extraordinary feats of Whiston Juniors under 14s came in the St Helens McDonalds JOL. RESULTS Tuesday, September 8 Under 14s Group A: Blackbrook 9 Trust Holt 2, Bleak Hill Rovers 1 Blackleyhurst

  • Pee Wee League needs help

    RADCLIFFE and District Roller Hockey League, in conjunction with St Mary's Park Phoenix Roller Hockey Project, are to run a Pee Wee Development League in the Prestwich area for teams who have not been in any roller hockey leagues. We are also looking

  • Battle to rescue home fails

    SUPPORTERS of a Lytham old people's home slammed Lancashire County Council's decision this week to force its closure. Scores of protestors, many of them elderly, lobbied County Hall, Preston, on Tuesday, but the Labour-led social services committee voted

  • Football: Weather delivers early shock

    IT IS not every season the bad weather interferes with fixtures so early. But on Saturday four St Helens Combination games were called off because of waterlogged pitches. In the St Helens Star Premier Division, The Anchor with goals from Ian Partington

  • Anger over land sell-off

    ANGER and disappointment has been expressed by a group of Cleveleys residents campaigning against plans to sell off farm land for housing. Land north of Northumberland Avenue, commonly known as College Farm, was designated as land for future housing in

  • Fighting back!

    RETAILERS and residents in the West End of Morecambe have met to try and find a way to deal with young tearaways. As they did one former shop worker from the area has talked of the misery suffered by himself, and fellow store assistants, as a result of

  • Lynn's a winning loser!

    A LEIGH slimmer who shed an amazing seven stones in 44 weeks is to represent her class in a top competition. Lynn Cassidy, 38, of Abbey Lane, (left) has been selected to go through to the district finals of Slimming World's Women of the Year contest.