AN evening of nostalgia is guaranteed at a reunion dinner at Bury Grammar School (Girls) next month. The event has been organised by Mrs Betty Kenyon (nee Ashworth), a prep school teacher at Bury Grammar for more than 18 years. The dinner is for pupils
LIFE does not get any easier for Astley & Tyldesley. The team, which started the weekend bottom of the Bolton Association, was savaged by Adlington pro Matthew Taylor who took 8-22 as the home side was whittled out for a meagre 72 runs. But Adlington
TIMES are tough for Atherton teams Colls and LR. Colls were hammered 6-1 by Abbey Hey, disappointed manager Alan Lord offering no excuses. "We were awful," he admitted. "We got pasted in the first 20 minutes and when the score stands at 4-0 at half-time
JUNIOR footballers can kick-start their soccer career by becoming young supporters of Rossendale United - for just £1. The club has introduced the new membership scheme to encourage more youngsters in the Valley to go along to the Dark Lane ground, in
From the Bury TImes 25 years ago today MURDER: Police launched a massive search for the killer of garage owner Tom Hewitt, 30, who was found battered to death at his Bright Street premises off Bell Lane. Nothing was stolen, and police speculated that
ACRID smoke from chemicals billowed into the air as firefighters tackled a blaze at a car upholstery factory. The fire started at Croftgate Car and Leather Care at Newhallhey Business Park, Rawtenstall, yesterday afternoon. Smoke could be seen across
A MARRIAGE guidance charity and the council are to work together to find the group a new HQ. Relate's proposal to transform a house in Belle View Terrace, Bury, into its new headquarters has been rejected by planning chiefs. In recommending refusal of
A FIRE Brigades Union chief wants to see officers provided with the best equipment and protection to avoid a repeat of the weekend drowning tragedy. Mr Bob Pounder's comments come after claims a 1997 safety report, commissioned by the Greater Manchester
Peter White runs the rule over Tranmere Rovers BOTH sides will field relatively-new strikers at Ewood tomorrow and that could well turn the spotlight on the rival keepers, John Filan and John Achterberg. With Egil Ostenstad eager to follow his Norwich
SEXY football did little for Ruud Guillit at Newcastle - and Bamber Bridge seem to have learnt from the Dutchman's errors as they set about building the foundations for their title bid. Judging by the last two performances, fancy one man displays and
THERESE Sullivan's dream of running her own business came to an abrupt end today, following an attack of vandalism on her Preston take-away. Therese, who has run the Red Rose Eat Inn takeaway in London Road for a year, has decided to close the business
A HEARTBROKEN mother today told how her daughter's death will give life to others following a freak motorway accident. Horse-loving Kirsty-Lee Chantelle King, 12, died yesterday after falling out of the side door of the horsebox in which she was travelling
ON Tuesday, August 24, I travelled on a 10A Arriva bus, time 11.30am, from Whiston Hospital to Govett Road, Nutgrove. During the journey, I dropped a royal blue shoulder bag. I awaited the return of the bus at the Elf garage, Nutgrove and asked the driver
TEENAGERS starting university life must be vaccinated against the killer disease meningitis, medical experts are urging. A new kind of vaccine - the conjugate vaccine - will be available from the end of October but Julia Warren, of the Meningitis Research
LEYLAND cruised past local rivals Daf with a comfortable eight wicket victory which drastically reduces the chances of them ending bottom of the league. Daf elected to bat, losing Alan Murray for just six runsa. However, a second wicket partnership of
WHY not name the new bridge the Priory Bridge? The priory goes back to Anglo-Saxon times, a foundation charter dated 1094 can be seen in the British Library in London. Its founder was Roger de Portou. The priory is also mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
TOWN Hall bosses have demanded that the men who ordered in the bulldozers to raze Elms Precinct clear up the mess. Council solicitors have served notice on environmental grounds, giving the Isle of Man-based company 28 days to remove the rubble from the
THANK you to all the members of the public who donated to the St John Ambulance on Saturday, August 21 in St Helens town centre. The amount collected was £582.29. The money will go towards the first aid equipment used by St Helens Town Combined Division
Bacup Horticultural Society Annual Show, St John's scout room, Burnley Road, 2-4pm. Heritage Open Days: guided tours of Accrington Town Hall, 10am-5pm; free tours of Higherford Mill, Barrowford, starting from the Bannister room at Pendle Heritage Centre
HEALTH watchdogs are starting the campaign to fight for a new road to improve access to the borough's millennium hospital. Bury Community Health Council (CHC) says it is concerned about the limited access routes to the site on Rochdale Old Road. Mr Paul
WITH reference to Citizen Smith's thoughts in the Citizen (Sept 2). I propose that he "merges" with the rest of the area's football fans here on planet earth to realise what a ridiculous suggestion he came up with (not heard it suggested in your column
AS you are no doubt aware Heritage Weekend is on September 11 and 12. A lot will be made of our historical buildings but what about Lancaster's other heritage? I mean its elderly! Every major city in Lancashire has a community centre for its pensioners
I TOTALLY agree with the writer of the letter headed 'Why do we have to put up with them?' (Dear Star, August 19). These travellers/gipsies move about from place to place in the St Helens area, leaving behind their rubbish and leaving the area in a disgusting
FARMERS from East Lancashire will take part in a huge street market in the centre of Manchester tomorrow . The city's Northern Quarter is to be turned over to farmers selling their produce direct to the public. The number of farmers' markets has increased
SORRY about the deafening silence you received to your request for information on the Salt Ayre saga. Truth to tell, I am reminded, I can tell you nothing due to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, which prohibits me from telling you,
MR Massey, the borough's chief environmental health officer, is quoted as saying that where there is a risk to the public, then priority is given to remove the offending items. I regularly collect rubbish which has been dumped on the field adjacent to
IT comes as no surprise that Geoffrey Thompson is putting up for sale his major theme park rides. Lancaster City Council has done s** all over the years to support his numerous entertainment ventures. If Frontierland pull out, it will be big disaster
KERB crawlers in Preston face home visits from police forcing them to explain their actions as part of the operation targeting prostitution. Operation Diversion literally hit the streets on Friday, with high-visibility patrols in red-light districts.
I WOULD like to tell the people of Bury what a marvellous maternity service they have. I gave birth to my first child on July 15 at Fairfield General. It was a difficult birth, but the doctors and midwives helped me to feel safe. The staff were warm and
A BROUGHTON mother-of-four who played bingo to cheer herself up after an illness has scooped a jackpot of more than £57,000. The 51-year-old woman, who does not want to be identified, has three daughters and a son. She has been a member of the Buckingham
REV Terry Challis, priest-in-charge at St Mary's, Leigh, now has responsibility for a second church. He is now over St John's Church in Kirkhall Lane, just off the town centre. His appointment comes at a time when two other local Anglican parish churches
MRS J. Hilton (Bury Times, Sept 3) asked what we are doing about the pile of rubbish left after the demolition of the shops at Elms Precinct, Whitefield, by owners North West Properties of the Isle of Man. The council served a notice on North West Properties
A TYLDESLEY headmaster, who has spent his whole career at one school, has retired. Mr Allan Hilton has taken early retirement from the new St George's Central School on health grounds. The former Leigh Grammar School pupil went to St George's as a class
I RECEIVED a letter a while ago and, not being wide awake, I opened it. Inside was a ten pound note, and a note which said "To Belinda (Yusuf), from Dad." But there was no address and no other way of contacting the sender. If anyone recognises themselves
WHEN Gale Evans heard her colleague had been offered a free trip to the Big Apple to do the marathon, she joked: "Even I'd run for a trip to New York." At the time the nurse, whose daily exercise was a stroll to the pub, didn't know a marathon was 26
MAKE it a better world. Firstly, I would open a Park and Ride at the Capitol Centre; Secondly, I would ban mini-roundabouts and speed cameras; Next open up that dreadful maze of one-way streets in Deepdale; And introduce special joggers lanes then you
PEOPLE'S champion Armin Pennington's final resting place will be in the German woodlands where he played as a child. But his last wish was that his wife, Diane, and family first take his ashes to a beer festival wake. Hanovarian Armin, who's father was
WHEN proud dad Tim Farnhill celebrated the birth of his daughter, he told the whole world about it - by announcing it on the Internet! And almost three months after the birth of Madeleine Ruby, he is still receiving e-mails from across the world congratulating
I RECENTLY read an article in the Bury Times in which attention was drawn to the wilful destruction of trees by children in a local park. This is also happening on Red Bank playing fields in Radcliffe and there seems to be widespread apathy regarding
A RIBBLETON pensioner is calling on the parents of young vandals to fork out for repairs to smashed windows and damaged property. Eric Woodall, of Garsdale Road, on the Brookfield Estate, is calling for legislation to make parents pay for their children's
A DREAM holiday to Turkey turned into a terrifying nightmare for a Preston teacher who was caught up in one of the world's most horrific natural disasters. Ribbleton Hall High School teacher Rick Longton is lucky to be alive after surviving the earthquake
THE Super League individual merit awards title chase surprisingly remains in the balance and will be decided this Sunday, 10.15am start, when Louis Stevenson from Stacksteads meets Bamber Bridge number one Phil Parkinson. Louis has been a revelation for
THE countdown is on... With just three weeks to go before the Divine Light Appeal's deadline, there's still £15,000 to raise. And all you have to do is buy a £1 ticket to enter the Divine Light Appeal's Grand Raffle, which will be running in St George's
A FOOTBALL team were the victims of foul play after a thief conned his way into their dressing room and stole more than £700 worth of belongings. The crook told the park attendant that he was a "late substitute" for amateur side Parkfield FC and was allowed
TINY tearaway arsonists were terrorising a housing estate. A group of children as young as eight and nine were targeting the Roman Road estate, but the mini vandals were too young to prosecute. The children were setting fires in outhouses, but a senior
WHETHER or not Michael Portillo's decision to seek a return to Westminster is, as some plot-seeking pundits predict, the start of a process to oust Tory leader William Hague, there are some other intriguing interludes to be observed first - now that the
I AM sure all motorists using Craven's Brow on the A666 between Blackburn and Darwen will agree that the road surface is a disgrace - it is like riding a roller coaster. I'll bet whoever is responsible for resurfacing this road does not even use it. The
PUPILS at a Bamber Bridge school for severe learning difficulties are making unsatisfactory educational progress, according to an Ofsted report. The education watchdog criticised the curriculum Progress School, in Gough Lane, as 'under-developed and poor
FLEETWOOD Badminton Club, the most successful club in the history of the Blackpool & District Badminton Association, is looking for players for the new season, especially ladies. Club nights are Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 8.30pm. Subscription
STINGING Unionist response to Chris Patten's reforms aimed at making the Royal Ulster Constabulary more reflective of the community it serves is predictable. But the reaction of Unionist leader and Northern Ireland's First Minister, David Trimble, is
HEARING the recent Which? report on banks brought to mind an experience of mine earlier this year. Paying a deposit into my current account, I was informed interest was now being paid on the same. Later in the year, as the interest was due, I watched
WITH success in last season's local league matches fresh in memory, members of Albany Badminton Club are in even greater spirits as they serve into their 10th anniversary year with various celebratory events are planned. The friendly Albany plays as heavily
ANXIOUS residents are calling for greater safety measures following the latest accident at a notorious blackspot. The driver of a skip wagon was lucky to escape with minor injuries when his vehicle collided with the low railway bridge at Islands Brow,
NELSON player-manager John Bailey isn't yet dreaming of Wembley, but he is hoping to make a few people sit up and take notice as the Victoria Park club set out on the FA Vase trail tomorrow. And that in itself is something distinctly different with Skelmersdale
THE refusal of Ribble Valley Council's environmental health department to identify the premises being investigated after a case of E. Coli food poisoning (LET, August 24), has obviously created suspicion of several Ribble Valley eating establishments
BLACKPOOL Scorpions had 12 players missing from last season's promotion-winning rugby squad and suffered a 38-8 defeat against last season's Division 5 champions, Leigh Royal Oak. However, they took the lead with a Craig Campbell penalty, but in sweltering
MAY I offer sincere thanks to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for giving me and my husband the opportunity to see the Last Night of the Proms at Broughton Park in Skipton on August 28, after I won tickets in your competition. We had a fantastic evening
CARLETON'S Laura Drury has a spring in her step after becoming the fastest sack racing schoolgirl in the country. The 11-year-old, who attends Breck County Primary school, beat 20,000 other children from 300 schools nationwide to claim her place in Sunday's
TWO boys from Hodgson High School's Year 11 jumped at the chance of going back to school a day early last week to give teachers a hi-tech presentation. Junior whizzkids Chris Bracegirdle and Chris Ainsworth impressed headteacher Phil Wood so much during
HAVING read the remarks of Blackburn with Darwen Council's chief executive Phil Watson (Letters, August 31), I have one or two questions for him and councillors, from an ordinary citizen who pays council tax. Will he confirm that he will not expect an
A MOUTHWATERING £1,000 is the first prize in a floodlit Rugby League competition staged at Blackbrook. The Whitbread Millennium Trophy will also offer £500 for the beaten finalists and £250 for the semi-finalists. The competition will feature 16 top amateur
IN the Vaux Northern League Division One game at Broadwater on Saturday (Sept 4), Blackpool were completely outclassed by a Fleetwood team whose form this season has been somewhat topsy-turvy. On the day, they proved to be in good form and bowled Blackpool
SPARTANS completed a great double at the St Helens Rounders League's Finals Day at Ruskin Drive. Spartans Captain Jean Thompson put Haydock in to bat in the Stanley Jones Cup. Haydock's total match score of nine was achieved by 14 half-rounders and full
A DONATION of £180,000 to Burnley Health Care NHS Trust will enable an image intensifier and ultrasound equipment to be purchased. At the annual general meeting, finance director David Meakin announced that last year the trust received about £250,000
CRUMBS! Shift-workers at a Blackpool biscuit factory can now learn new computer or language skills at any time of the day or night. Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden performed the official opening ceremony at the New Horizon Centre - Horizon Biscuits'
THE simmering dispute between a disaffected Labour Party member and his political leaders looks set to explode as party bosses seek to have the man expelled from the organisation. Michael Jackson of Hest Bank caused a storm among some party activists
Blackpool Stanley 38 Parr Hare & Hounds 2 A YOUNG Hounds side put up a battling performance but were no match for a strong Blackpool outfit who had the benefit of a previous match under their belts. The visitors were the best side in the opening quarter
A GALAXY of stars lit up the stage and thousands of coloured bulbs shone into the night on Friday night (September 3) as pop star Gary Barlow pulled the big switch to bring Blackpool illuminations to life for the last time this century. A crowd estimated
A BURNLEY councillor has accused the "fat cats'' of Lancashire County Council of wilfully endangering young lives by their decision to slash the budget on school swimming lessons. Coun Harry Brooks said: "We have the fat cats of Lancashire County Council
SACKED travel company staff have been offered new hope after a double-glazing company heard of their plight. More than 30 sales staff at Hever Worldwide Properties recently lost their jobs after a decision by the Kent-based company to close their Blackpool
NO-ONE will be charged for stealing the £1.5 million Eric Gill Relief statue from the Midland Hotel despite an extensive police enquiry. The police team - praised for "brilliant work" locating the sculpture in a van in Pontefract - submitted a file on
ST HELENS bowler Gary Sheppard shot out the top seven Huyton batsmen for 25 runs finishing with a career best 7-43. With the other pace bowlers Bobby Kenny (1-33) and Ian Mackus (1-11) taking the crumbs that Gary left the spinners for once were left in
THE council bid for £200,000 of lottery money to restore Happy Mount Park failed it emerged this week. Members on the Heritage Lottery Fund argued Happy Mount Park did not constitute a place of historical importance so they could not grant the cash. If
Morecambe 5 Telford Utd 2 RECORD signing Justin Jackson proved that he's worth his weight in gold with a superb hat-trick against Telford on Saturday. Jacko's salvo fired the Shrimps to second place in the Conference but manager Jim Harvey was keen to
Pilkington Recs 54 West Bank 20 RECS produced some free-flowing rugby to record their first victory of the season in tropical conditions at City Road. Two seasoned campaigners Jonny Smith and Shaun Allen got the show on the road making piercing breaks
POLICE chiefs fear violence and crime could mar millennium celebrations in Blackpool. All Lancashire's police divisions have been given extra cash to ensure the night passes safely, and to cope with the after effects of the Millennium Bug. The Lancashire
A PIRATE radio station based in Lancaster and Morecambe has been forced to stop broadcasting. Phantom FM went off air this week as the radio authorities closed in. The pioneers behind the station, which attracts 4,000 regular local listeners, were said
TWO into one will go - that was the lesson in Lytham St Annes this week with the merger of two of the Fylde's top independent schools. History was made as the former King Edward VII Boys' School and neighbouring Queen Mary School for Girls joined forces
I WONDER if Citizen readers could assist me in finding some people I want to get in touch with in the Blackpool area. I am searching for my father and brother who I know emigrated to Australia in 1956 or 1957. My father was called Stanley Wood and by
A NEW scheme to stamp out rogue landlords and grotty bedsits in Morecambe has been launched. The resort's landlords have been invited to a special meeting with the City Council so the rules of a new registration scheme can be explained. By registering
KURT Nogan could yet prove to be the man to unlock North End's potential for the season. Despite sustaining a knock against Chesterfield at the weekend, last season's top goal-scorer, rumoured to be out of favour at Deepdale, looks set to line up against
WHISTON Juniors have made a great start to the new football season. Their under 14s and under 12s sides both hit double figures in the St Helens McDonald's JOL. RESULTS Thursday, September 2 Under 16s: Basildon 1 Whiston Juniors 6, Cuerdley Cross 2 Blackbrook
FOR anyone interested in what our courts are like and wanting to learn more about what we do in them than would be possible by observing them in session, the Blackpool and Fylde Magistrates' Court on Chapel Street in Blackpool is holding an open day between
DRESSED up to the nines - that will be young Gabriella Hargraves when she dons her party frock on Thursday, for she is nine on 9/9/1999. The coincidence makes Gabriella much more than a nine-day wonder, for as proud mum Tracy said: "Something like this
Kosovo Bound by Dave McCadden at The Gregson, reviewed by Chris Webber "I WAS really choked at times watching this, really choked" said Mal Hussain's business partner Linda Livingstone. She had just witnessed a play - which could be very funny - about
YOU can now contact the Star Sports Desk by e-mail. The address is rwinstan@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
SEASIDE postcards bearing the Labour Party's "Greetings from Bournemouth" have been slammed as insensitive by Blackpool hoteliers. The picture postcards depicting the seafront will drop through 320,000 letterboxes nationwide next month - including 1,000
DAREDEVIL Ken Deaville reached for the clouds after winning first prize in Cleveleys Jubilee Day's raffle. But the prize, a 25-minute flight with Britain's number one stunt pilot Brian Lecomber, was somewhat daunting for the retired window cleaner - he'd
ST HELENS Town Amateur Boxing Club star Stephen Birch is heading to Croatia today (Thursday) for the European Junior (under 19s) Championships. Selection for the championships is a big honour for the talented 17-year-old and club officials are hopeful
TEN thousand pop fans are gearing up to party in Heaton Park and the advice is: don't turn up without a ticket! Police have warned that fans will be disappointed if they try to gate-crash Sunday's all-ticket Radio One party. Tight security and an 8ft
THE public is still in the dark over public transport plans for the Christmas and Millennium celebrations. Now Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, chaired by Atherton Councillor Joe Clarke, is to push operators for their services, so revellers
Lancaster City 3 Colwyn Bay 0 MANAGER Tony Hesketh is hoping to unveil a superb signing for the club before Saturday's home match against Droylsden. Yesterday Paul Sparrow, 24, - a utility defender at Preston North End - had agreed to drive up and sign
THERE will be a Seventies Spectacular in the cabaret room at the Saints ground in Knowsley Road after the match tonight (Friday, September 10) at 9pm. The event has been organised, in conjunction with St Helens College and Body FX, to raise money for
A DEMOLITION worker is recovering in hospital after he was trapped up to his waist by falling masonry. Alan Perry (35) was also pinned by a girder which fell across him when a wall collapsed during demolition work in Radcliffe. Colleagues and ambulance
A LANCASHIRE hotpot with added spice is on the menu for the Shakers when they make the short trip to Oldham for Saturday's derby clash. That's the verdict of Neil Warnock who takes his Bury side to Boundary Park for the first time since he left the Latics
SEVERAL local businesses have been nominated for a national award by their customers. Jim Stone's Coaches, the Abbey National Bank, The Musketeer, Asda, Boots the Chemist and Leigh's Spinning Gate Shopping Centre, have been nominated for Ease Awards.
BLACKBURN Rovers set their sights on their first home victory of the season against Tranmere tomorrow - by going 'paintballing'. And skipper Jason Wilcox feels the outing has added the gloss to a team spirit he believes was already second to none. Given
A FULL strength Rainford CC returned into the old routine on Saturday but just failed in their bid for maximum points against Croston. Electing to bat Rainford treated the expectant sun drenched onlookers to a batting exhibition. Mike Cook hit a flawless
IT was full steam ahead for the newly-retired head of Woodhey High School when he fulfilled a lifelong ambition. Mr Frank Bennett climbed on the footplate to drive an East Lancs Railway steam train on Monday. Mr Bennett, the first head of Woodhey High
SUPERMARKET giant Safeway has pulled out of plans to build a new store in the centre of Great Harwood - but rival company the Co-op has taken its place. After months of public consultation, Safeway said it had received plenty of support for the proposed
Nuneaton 11, Sedgley Park 17 THE temperature on the pitch was in the nineties, but by the end the sweat on the brows of the Sedgley faithful was from nervous tension. Park won this game three tries to one, but Nuneaton held the lead for the last 30 minutes
CARLETON schoolgirl Rebecca Wilkinson has just returned from a holiday she'll never forget. The 10-year-old was one of the eight finalists in the Airtours Search for a Star competition in Majorca. And the competition was hosted by Sylvia Young, whose
THE fun of the fair starts in Bury tonight, September 10 - and the town's residents and traders will be hoping that only fun is on the agenda. Bury's historic bi-annual charter fair has caused controversy since Bury Council announced it was moving from
Special report on crime spiral in Hyndburn NUISANCE neighbours who are terrorising residents have come under fire from Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, who is demanding that council chiefs start using new civil law powers to tackle them. There has been a "summer
HIGH flyers from the business world were given a bird's eye view of Blackpool last week in an effort to bring investment and jobs to the resort. Thirty commercial chiefs from the North West who influence where businesses locate were flown around the town
DAVID Moyes was left to ask himself if last season really was just a fluke as his side crashed against an ultra-defensive Chesterfield side. (PNE 0 Chesterfield 2). Without the suspended Sean Gregan, the Preston boss brought Rob Edwards into midfield,
Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy THE first weekend in September proved to be one of the hottest of the year but two walks around Garstang are a joy at any time of the year. There is plenty of well-signed and inexpensive parking throughout the town.
POPULAR Blackpool author Margaret Thornton is celebrating the release of the paperback edition of her latest book, The Sound of Laughter. Blackpool-born Margaret, 65, has concentrated on writing since retiring as a teacher more than 10 years ago. She
A GREEN fingered super grower turned over the opposition at Tyldesley Allotments' Association's second show. Gardener J Salisbury's giant vegetables helped him to 34 first places, 13 seconds and a collection of seven top awards at the annual open vegetable
A DERELICT cotton mill has been branded an ugly, dangerous blot on Atherton's landscape. Proud Athertonian John Woods is urging action to rid the town of the building (pictured) which he claims is its biggest eyesore. "Almost every window on Atherton
LEYLAND cruised past local rivals Daf with a comfortable eight wicket victory which drastically reduces the chances of them ending bottom of the league. Daf elected to bat, losing Alan Murray for just six runsa. However, a second wicket partnership of
NORTH West Water has handed two reservoirs back to St Helens Council to complete its bid to restore a historic park to its former glory. The Paddock and Leg o' Mutton reservoirs in Taylor Park contain only drainage water. They haven't been used by North
A 41-year-old Morecambe man has been jailed for six months for the indecent assault of a young girl. Thomas Shields of Baycliffe Crescent, Morecambe, was convicted by a jury of the offence which took place last year. Mr Tim Brennand, prosecuting, said
THE Cotton Street kid came back to town quietly and without fuss. Ahead of him beckoned a cheerful reunion of old friends, a chance to blow away the cobwebs and reflect on times gone by and a concert to help fundraising for the junior rugby players of
SKERTON High School has been officially recognised as the best in the country for getting pre-16 students through their GNVQs. The local school has established itself as a centre of excellence with a pass rate of more than 82 per cent compared to a national
CLAUDE Henderson has re-signed for a second season as East Lancs professional - giving the EW Cartons Lancashire League club a boost as they prepare for Sunday's championship finale. But the timing is purely co-incidental as East Lancs have been talking
RECOGNITION of Leigh's transformation from easybeats to one of the best teams outside Super League is likely to come in a fortnight. Coach Ian Millward and star players Tim Street and Stuart Donlan are in line for top honours at the first Northern Ford
JUST weeks after scooping a Customer Care Award at London's Royal Albert Hall, TNT Ramsbottom depot is celebrating a coveted new contract win. The UK's largest high street retail bank, Lloyds TSB, has chosen TNT to provide internal mail collection and
AN ambitious £2 million scheme to revolutionise health care for the elderly has been given the go-ahead. Heathlands Village care home has been granted planning permission for a 32-bed special care unit specifically for people with Alzheimer's disease
ONY Worswick claimed one of the first motorsport titles of the year when he was crowned BOSS champion at Donington. And Worswick, who drives an ex-Rubens Barrichello Jordan, won the series - billed as the fastest single-seater championship in Britain
HOMES in and around the Borough Road area of St Helens were without electricity for up to three hours last week following a fault with an underground cable. The power supply went off at 1.25pm on Friday, September 3 and wasn't fully restored until 4.15pm
A THREATENED bus strike, which would have left thousands of local commuters stranded, has been averted. Today's (September 10) planned industrial action by First Manchester staff was called off following talks between the company and representatives of
MORE than 1,000 fire fighters from around the country are expected in Bury on Monday to pay their respects to Ramsbottom fireman Paul Metcalf. The 40-year-old will be buried with full fire service honours after a funeral service at Bury Parish Church.
CARL Fogarty has already cashed in on his successful World Superbikes season regardless of Sunday's races at Hockenheim. The reigning world champion needs a maximum 30 points to secure his fourth world crown in the penultimate round of the series in Germany
A MAN was punched in the face as he prepared to drive away from a garage in the early hours of the morning. It happened at about 5.45am on Saturday, September 4 ,on the forecourt of the Caldo garage in Eltonhead Road, Marshalls Cross. The 21-year-old
ST HELENS Council has become part of the worldwide web this week by launching its own site. The web site is initially being launched as a vehicle for the council's Inward Investment Office and is aiming to act as a comprehensive guide to the council and
BAICHUNG BHUTIA'S hopes of playing for Bury increased last night as the Shakers prepared for today's appeal date in Manchester. Bury North MP David Chaytor has given his full backing to Bury's bid to land Bhutia and has written to the Department for Education
A DAM that's been neglected for years is to be given a whole new look. St Helens Council planners have approved a major Groundwork Trust scheme for Thatto Heath Dam. It also envisages incorporating part of the garden areas of council-owned properties
SOME of the town's treasures will be thrown open to the public next week to encourage greater awareness of our heritage. As part of the national Heritage Open Days 99, local events include tours around St Helens Town Hall, the Mansion House in Victoria
THE mother of a murder victim has vowed to pursue the killer through the civil courts if he is ever released from prison. Former Billinge licensee Ian Simms is serving life for the murder of Marie McCourt's daughter, Helen, who disappeared on her way
THE number of children now on the Child Protection Register in St Helens is at its highest for years. The annual report of the St Helens Child Protection Committee has disclosed that the system dealt with 671 separate referrals regarding children and
LEIGH MR plunged to a second straight defeat in a second half horror show. They crashed 38-14 at home to Dudley Hill, the Bradford side's high kicking in the Saturday sun leading to the Miners downfall. Initially, Miners made all the running, moving clear
DESIGN details for a new retail park on the site of the former Ravenhead Colliery have been approved by St Helens Council Planning Committee. B&Q will be the big name occupying one of the nine units with a total of nearly 267,000 square feet of floor
THE worst thing Leigh RMI did at Emley was to disturb the peace by opening the scoring in the 61st minute. For an hour players and spectators had snoozed in the sweltering, September sunshine, RMI seemingly happy to take a point and stop the rot after
STUART AINSWORTH is set to ride 979 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats for the second time in three years. The 27-year-old, who rides for Leigh Premier RC, is taking on the bike marathon to raise money for the Christie's Against Cancer campaign. He
LEIGH EAST weathered a desperate late fightback to beat Heworth 32-26. It had looked so easy early on with tries for Gary Grainey 2 and Anthony Gredecki and three John Gunning goals giving them an 18-point lead. The York side battled back, but East again
A look back at events in history on September 10 with Mike Badham 1766: Convicted robber Pat Redmond was hanged before a crowd in Cork. Straight afterwards an actor removed the body and revived it for a bet. That evening, a drunken Redmond appeared in
TYLDESLEY RU withered in Saturdays heat, losing a tight game at Well Street. A touchdown 20 minutes from the end of an energy-sapping game earned Heath Halifax an 11-7 victory. The home pack began brightly, but, against the run of play, Heath took the
COUNCIL bosses have sent a message to court chiefs: Talk to us. We can help you save money. Rossendale councillors had hoped that the magistrates court would move with the town hall and police station into the newly-refurbished Ilex Mill. But court executives
A CAMPAIGN to see Blackburn with Darwen promoted to city status is not doomed to failure because of Jack Straw's job as Home Secretary, claims a council chief. Bookmaker William Hill has made the borough a 33-1 outsider in the race to become Britain's
OOH la la! Frustrated Francophiles will soon be able to indulge in their favourite Gallic pastime as the second Preston Open Boules Competition takes place in the area. And while the Broughton and District Club, in Whittingham, may not quite be the same
Pete Oliver runs the rule over Preston North End KELHAM O'Hanlon familiarised himself with the sight of claret and blue shirts bearing down on him in mid-week, just in case the veteran keeper is called into action at Deepdale tomorrow. The former Middlesbrough
PRIMARY school leavers in Blackburn and Darwen were among the brightest in Britain this year, according to official figures. A big increase has been recorded in the number of 11-year-olds from the borough who are reaching the level expected of them in
RADCLIFFE will test a new concept in green living. The Irwell Valley Housing Association has chosen the town to pilot a sustainable housing initiative bringing to the fore green issues including recycling and solar heating. The three-storey block of nine
IN reply to the 'Mother of a beautiful baby boy' (Dear Star, August 19) the last time a boy won the Mother and Baby competition was just three years ago in 1996 when the title was taken by Deborah Fiddes and son, Andrew. And in1995 the winner was also
Division Two: Preston North End v Burnley FOR Burnley fans, it will be nice to go to Deepdale tomorrow with the boot firmly on the other foot. While the Clarets fought a desperate relegation dogfight last season, Preston were riding high around the promotion
Division One: Blackburn Rovers v Tranmere Rovers - Peter White's match preview TONY Grant is hoping that a loan spell across the Mersey with Tranmere can revive his career and, at the same time, help turn round the fortunes of the Prenton Park club. Everton
BURY'S Community Safety Wardens have put themselves well and truly in the picture. A new ten-minute promotional video about the pioneering scheme has now been produced. Designed not only to promote the initiative but also to be useful for training purposes
CHORLEY gave Preston an insurmountable task at Windsor Park to leave the South Meadow Laners languishing at the bottom of the Vaux Northern League. (CHORLEY 184-7 dec PRESTON 150) Chorley had little problem in notching up the runs, collecting 33 before
BURNLEY'S longest serving player, Paul Smith, is hoping to mark his first ever league appearance at Deepdale tomorrow with the win to take Burnley back to the top of the table. Despite making his debut for the Clarets in the 1993/94 season, which puts
BLACKBURN Rovers set their sights on their first home victory of the season against Tranmere tomorrow - by going 'paintballing'. And skipper Jason Wilcox feels the outing has added the gloss to a team spirit he believes was already second to none. Given
POLICE are studying video footage after a 19-year-old girl died under the wheels of a bus in Bury Interchange. Emma Waters fell under the rear wheels of a moving single-decker bus on Wednesday night. She suffered internal injuries and died in hospital
HOPES for removing a controversial eyesore from the seafront were given a boost on Wednesday (September 8) when council planners agreed to a rethink over development plans. Although a plan for new flats on the site of the former Blackburn Convalescent
I AM trying to trace a man I met in Blackpool on Saturday, August 21, who lives in St Helens. His name is Gary and he was on a stag night with his friends, one of whom was called Steve and was dancing with a friend of mine, Diana from Harwich. Gary is
BOWLS enthusiast Tommy Clisham of Billinge is puzzled as to what became of the magnificent Providence Hospital Cup, once keenly contested by trundlers from throught the St Helens area. Says Tommy: "The hospital was, of course, demolished years ago, but
THE man with a song in his heart has stepped down after quarter of a century with the nationally renowned Haydock Male Voice Choir. But Frank Glover's involvement as a chorister reaches further back than that, beginning with his days with Grange Park
IT is now two or three weeks since Mitchell's beer disappeared from their pubs, so we have had time to see what replacement beers they are offering. What a dismal, boring, unimaginative range it is. Their original press release (June 2) promised a choice
I HAVE been trying to locate pictures and information about my old senior school, Blessed Edmund Campion, later to be known as Campion High School, which was in Stafford Road, Ravenhead. So far, this has proved to be a difficult task - made more difficult
FEMALE hearts went all of a flutter when the handsome policeman set off on his St Helens beat. For 'Bobby' Hughes, as the local population knew him, was considered to bear more than a passing resemblance to debonair film star Cary Grant. The Hollywood
COUNCIL chiefs have vowed not to release land to developers as the fight to save a wildlife haven goes to a public inquiry. As a government inspector abandoned a hearing into the future of Barracks Lodge, at the rear of Newington Drive, in favour of a
WHEN I read the result of the 'Spot the Teddy' competition, it brought back memories of over 60 years ago when the local press, in conjunction with some town centre stores, ran a similar event. It involved 'finding' an article in the window displays of
THERE were two very good reasons why little Michael Manning was leader of the street-corner gang. At seven-and-a-half, he was six months older than the rest of the urchins. But, far more importantly, his decorator dad had a good supply of planks in his
LOCAL firefighters can still swim out to rescue people, despite the tragic drowning of one of their colleagues. Fire chiefs insist officers-in-charge at emergency incidents will continue to make the final decision whether crew members should dive into
CORONATION Street actress Jane Danson has a lot to thank Hannibal the Cannibal for. That was the song that set the Radcliffe youngster on the road to stardom. Speaking exclusively to the Bury Times in between filming scenes for the nation's favourite
PARENTS have reacted with fury to comments by an education chief that pupils at small schools may have problems mixing with other children. Hazel Harding made the claim after defending the controversial decision to close Tosside Primary School, Gisburn
I WAS extremely annoyed to read what Mrs Hughes had to say about Coney Green High School (Bury Times, Sept 3). I do not understand how she can condemn the school and say that it could not supply the education her son needs. Coney Green is just as good
LAST Tuesday, August 31, I received a very important looking letter sent first class with the portcullis logo and House of Commons emblazoned on it. I thought what an honour it was to receive such an important communication only to discover that all the
SOME twelve months ago, the Bury Times kindly published a successful appeal for musicians and drummers for our Fusiliers Association military band and corps of drums. The band, which sports a scarlet military uniform with sealskin caps, is now 25-strong
LANCASHIRE County Council has committed itself to supplying the best education for children with special needs. The council was facing an overspend of £180,000 per month, due to an increase in the number of pupils identified with special needs. The problem
ANIMAL lovers are to have the chance to peak into the practice of The Journal's vet. A new Vetcare surgery at Ladies Lane, Hindley, has organised an open day on September 19 between 11am and 4pm. Visitors will have the chance to see the operating theatres
THE Harris Library may have to close for more than a month while a new information technology learning centre is installed. The lending library, children's and music departments would all be affected and have to remain locked between November 27, and
THE place: a room in Bury, cosy and warm, spacious, spotless, with soft piped music, framed pictures on the wall and even the "minders" had their own room. In fact, it was so nice I was reluctant to leave. Where was I? Why, the toilets down the side of
JOAN DOOREY relishes the challenge of dialect and language. Last year, playing a scatty linguistics tutor in the St Joseph's Players comedy "Midsummer Mink", Joan displayed great ingenuity as she constantly switched from Scottish to American, from German
I READ with great interest the article in the Bury Times (Sept 3) about the questionnaire and replies regarding refuse collection. I wonder if any of these questionnaires, which were supposedly sent to random addresses, arrived in Fishpool because I don't
PENSIONERS are pleading with council bosses to move a bus shelter they claim has became a hang-out for bored teenagers. The elderly people, living in bungalows close to the bus stop in Larches Lane and Larches Avenue, Preston, say they are being terrorised
I AM writing this letter in the hope that other readers will take note. When people with walking difficulties or any other disabilities used to say to me that other pedestrians and motorists didn't care whether they were there or not, I dismissed it as
NOW that details of the councillors' allowances scheme are available, the means of payment in subsequent years becomes clearer. The increases for the 48 elected members were drawn up by an independent review body chaired by Sir David Trippier and agreed
BRITISH Aerospace is to showcase the latest British artwork and technology in the company's section of the Millennium Dome. The industry giant, together with GEC, will showcase new technology and art in the Mind Zone, designed to make visitors think about
A BRAVE teacher has spoken of the terrifying moment she feared her pupils would be killed as an elderly motorist ploughed into their classroom. Cath Taylor, a career and industry link teacher at Green Hall School, Atherton, told how she saw the car hurtling
SO the Government is calling for an end to the killing, is it? Well that's rich! Considering that Britain has helped to arm Indonesia, with our very own British Aerospace selling them Hawks and then claiming they are for training purposes. We knew all
TWO of Preston's most famous university graduates have thrown their weight behind Preston's bid to become a city - less than a year after they blasted locals for being racist. Tjinder Singh and Ben Ayres, who had a number one hit last year with Brimful
HAYLEY and Dave's fruit, veg and flowers on Radcliffe market thanks customers and fellow stallholders for their support over the past year. Due to what we see as a lack of support from the market committee and management, in advertising and promotion,
PRESTON North End may not be in silverware-winning form - but the club have picked up an unusual accolade. But it isn't the team's performance which has gained them this honour - it is a group of writers who are responsible for the club's latest success
THE Labour Government that had, as its pre-election priority, "Education, Education, Education," is seeking to destroy our system of grammar school education. It seems to me to be beyond belief that a government that espouses higher education standards
POLICE chiefs fear violence and crime could mar millennium celebrations in Blackpool. All Lancashire's police divisions have been given extra cash to ensure the night passes safely, and to cope with the after effects of the Millennium Bug. The Lancashire
A PRESTON councillor is preparing to kick up a stink - in a bid to get horse muck re moved from his ward! Councillor Terry Cartwright claims that his Deepdale constituency is being bypassed by the council's cleansing vehicles, who are being deployed in
DARWEN go into their final game of the season against Netherfield at Birch Hall tomorrow, still in with a chance of their first Vaux Northern League title for 12 years. And, whatever the outcome of their two-horse race with St Annes, Darwen are assured
PRESTON is being targeted by a bogus councillor, according to Town Hall representatives. The bizarre accusation comes from Riversway's three Labour councillors, who have been contacted by confused locals after receiving literature from unsuccessful Liberal
A ROW over a Whalley beauty spot was due to be put before Ribble Valley councillors. Residents of the village were upset because trees had been chopped down and a barbed wire fence had appeared across a popular footpath in Archbishop Wood. The council's
FIESTA racer John Batchelor has clinched a deal to drive in one of Britain's top one-make saloon car championships next year. Batchelor, who is currently second in the Super Road Saloon series, will compete in the Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec championship
A MASSIVE publicity campaign has been launched by Preston's university in a bid to stave off the threat of Meningitis spreading through the student population. The University of Central Lancashire wants to make sure all of its students are vaccinated
IN-FORM Accrington Stanley are starting to adapt to life in Division One of the UniBond League and will look to continue their resurgence when they entertain Eastwood Town tomorrow. Stanley have won their last two league games with an FA Cup victory sandwiched
A PILOT scheme which will allow GPs to make hospital appointments from their surgeries will be developed by the Preston Acute Hospitals and the Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust. The £345,000 Patient Focused Booked Admissions Scheme promises to revolutionise
THE battle for the BTRDA Gold Star title will go down to the wire following Martin Meadows' third place on the Woodpecker Stages. The Proton pilot had a brilliant run on the two-day event, based in the Welsh forest, but was powerless to halt the progress
PROSTITUTES plying their trade on Preston's streets claim they will be put at risk if an assault on kerb crawlers by local police continues. Preston Police last week launched a crackdown on prostitution in the Deepdale and Ribbleton areas of Preston,
THE Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship returns to the picturesque parkland circuit of Oulton Park this weekend for rounds 23 and 24 of the 1999 series. The Cheshire track hosts the penultimate meeting of the BTCC season and could be the venue
BRIAN Welch is CLITHEROE manager Steve Parry's big concern as they bid to bridge the gap between themselves and the leading teams in the FNWTFL First Division tomorrow. The experienced former Burnley and Accrington Stanley forward is suffering from Achilles
NOT surprisingly, St Annes won the Ovalworld Super League when they defeated Helmshore visitors Sunnybank 5-1. Indeed, their recent run of eight straight victories from the last nine fixtures deservedly won them the title for the first time since 1995
I READ with some amusement your article '55 and Upwards' (LET, September 1), being set up by the gentleman in Darwen for retired professionals so that they can "socialise at a similar sort of level." Third age elitism? I am at a loss to understand why
ONE of Blackpool's best young sportsmen is nearing the end of the most spectacular season of his life. For when 15-year-old Zac Taylor takes to the cricket field for the last time this season on Saturday for St Annes he will have Lancashire honours and
BACUP Borough launch their FA Carlsberg Vase campaign at Northern Counties East League outfit Denaby United buoyed by a midweek 4-0 win. However, striker Karl Stanley is among the new arrivals not signed in time for the qualifying round tie. And experienced
BLACKPOOL and The Fylde College have elected their first ever student governor. Michael Ramsden, 18, a Business Studies student, was selected by the Students' Union as their representative on the Board of Governors. Recent changes in government legislation
SEASIDERS chairman Karl Oyston is hoping the law surrounding work permits is changed to stop another transfer fiasco. Blackpool are currently in the middle of an appeal for a permit for Estonian striker Indrek Zelinski after their original application
YOUR front page story (LET, September 8) simply beggars belief. This person, acknowledged as a highly dangerous sex offender, with a penchant for young boys, was taken to the railway station in Accrington, where he was put on a train for Preston, without
VAUX NORTHERN LEAGUE Division One: *Chorley 184-7 dec, N Heaton 52, J Anyon 4-57 - Preston 150, P Paynter 55; Fleetwood 166-2, J Wright 88 (n.o.), S Nicolson 54 (n.o.) - *Blackpool 163, C Cornall 75, D Fish 5-48; *Leyland Daf 165-7, J Aspinall 39 - Leyland
UGB 25 Widnes Tigers 28 WITH temperatures in the 70s both teams played some top class football. The Glassmen scored tries through Wilkinson and Blake and two conversions from Pownall but the teams were locked together at 12 points each at half-time. After
HAYDOCK suffered an agonising defeat in their top-of-the-table clash with Tarleton. Tarleton won what proved to be a very important toss and backed themselves to do well as they immediately decided to bat and this they did in some style. P McDermott was
THE Burnley National Blues Festival could yet go ahead if the private sector came up with sponsorship. Burnley Council has decided to replace the money-losing national blues event over the Easter period with a blues weekend and other entertainment. Talks
FORMER tourism boss David Christley, who was unfairly dismissed by council bosses, has asked political group leaders to launch an investigation into his sacking the Citizen can exclusively reveal. Twice in the past senior officers have barred the former
SUTTON claimed their third victory in a row when they defeated Port Sunlight at New Street on Saturday. On a glorious day, Port Sunlight won the toss and elected to bat. But they made heavy weather of it. And running into a Ray Foster at the top of his
THIS year's Classic Illuminations Rally will return to the traditional format on Saturday and Sunday, October 30/31. The navigation will be straightforward to encourage the novice and challenging enough to keep the experts happy. For the growing numbers
Shaw Rhinos 36 Bold Miners 10 BOLD slipped to defeat against a fine Shaw outfit on Saturday. The Oldham side opened the scoring after five minutes with a fine try wide following a spell of pressurised attacking. Ian Kenyon replied for Bold when he crashed
A 40-year-old man, who is fighting for his life, may have been attacked because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, police said today. A major inquiry is under way after the midnight attack in the Coal Clough Lane area of Burnley. The victim,
VALE of Lune fans were in mourning this week as one of the brightest prospects they've ever had left the club. Prop Alan Paver, 21, from Yorkshire Street in Morecambe, had already begun to the delight the fans but was signed by National League Division
I WOULD like to say how much I enjoy Blackpool. The beaches are much cleaner and there's a magical feeling around Blackpool Pleasure Beach. We saw two shows - the ice show, which I saw with my three teenage grandchildren, was brilliant. Everything was
Portico Panthers 54 West Sutton 12 PORTICO romped to success in this local derby. Gareth Cunningham's first try came after just five minutes on the clock, when Dave Lee dummied along West Suttons defensive line to give a perfect ball. Craig Peel converted
HOLIDAYMAKERS often sing the praises of Blackpool after spending a week in the resort. Now they will be able to do so to music with the release of a new song extolling the virtues of the town. The song, called Blackpool Souvenir, has been written by civil
RAINHILL suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of title chasers Liverpool NALGO at Victoria Terrace on Saturday. Captain Mike Rotheram was in excellent form in compiling a superb 75 which included seven fours before being caught. Peter Mercer kept the
JACK Straw has banned marches and other peaceful demonstrations of protest against the euphemistically named 'asylum seekers'. Leon Brittan inflicted the Race Relations Act upon us and England is Anglo-Saxon territory. I appeal to Citizen readers, write
St Helens Town 1 Pickering Town 1 : Pickering Town 3 St Helens Town 2 (after extra time) TOWN'S AXA FA Cup hopes evaporated in North Yorkshire on Tuesday when hosts Pickering came off the ropes to win a thriller in extra time. Saturday's initial encounter
I AM writing to thank you for running the Holiday Competition earlier this year. I was lucky to win a runner-up prize of a week's half-price, half-board holiday at St Audries Bay Holiday Club, Somerset. We took advantage of the offer and had a lovely
WITH only one game remaining of the 1999 cricket season, St Annes are top of the Vaux Northern League by two points from Darwen. St Annes inflicted Darwen's first defeat of the season when they beat them by four wickets at Vernon Road with only one over
Wigan Warriors 28 Saints 20 THE curtain finally fell on Central Park after 97 years following this emotion-charged clash in Sunday's heatwave - and how Saints battled to spoil the Warriors' celebrations! There was little to choose between the arch-rivals
A BAN on drinking alcohol in the streets could get the go ahead if the city council's Independent group get their way. The Morecambe Bay Independents say they are determined to fulfil their election promise to tackle threatening and abusive behaviour
ST HELENS Recs were pipped at the post when they travelled to Colwyn Bay on Saturday. Batting first, the home side were dependent upon Morris who reached 94 not out. Without him the home side struggled against the Recs bowlers and with Martindale taking
Blackbrook 10 Ideal Isberg 33 BLACKBROOK were sunk almost without trace by an in-form Hull outfit on Saturday. The visitors minimised their errors, tackled with great resilience and capitalised upon their frequent attacking opportunities with former RFL
MILLIONAIRE Owen Oyston has yet another day in court next month - with hopes of a release from prison well before Christmas. Oyston has spent three years and four months in closed prisons following his conviction for the rape of a teenage fashion model
TWO young football teams served up a sizzling start to the season. Ravenhead and Eccleston United under 11s shared 13 goals in their Byrne Hire Rainhill League encounter. Meanwhile, Crosfields and Chalfont Rovers have resigned from the under 15s division
IF Citizen readers find themselves ailing more from the Marathon Bug than the Millennium Bug, then I urge them to apply for a place in the 2000 Flora London Marathon and join the NSPCC in putting an end to cruelty to children. On April 16 more than 30,000
A SHORT-break summer - that was the story of a better peak season for Blackpool holiday traders after last year's weather-hit disaster. Sunshine brought the impulse visitors in greater numbers but hoteliers have to take one-night stays if they want to
UNABLE to return to their homeland the young men came, battered but unbowed, to join our community. A lifetime later and they're still here - the Poles who fought against Hitler only to see their country over-run by Stalin's equally abhorrent empire at
MOTORISTS are being warned to kill their speed - before they kill someone else. Bury police traffic unit is taking part in a region-wide speed campaign and those breaking the speed limit face prosecution and possible disqualification. The month-long campaign
A FYLDE police sergeant narrowly escaped with his life this week after dodging a hail of bullets in the chaos of East Timor. Sgt. Tony Parker, 42, was one of six British officers guarding United Nations officials on the massacre-hit island who were finally
MP Ivan Lewis has told the world of high finance the frank truth about the realities of life in Parliament. He chaired a seminar and addressed senior executives from Lloyds of London, the Stock Exchange and the Bank of England. The conference was organised
THE big kick-off in the St Helens Combination produced some fine goal-scoring feats throughout the divisions. In the St Helens Star Premier Division, Pilkington Reserves earned a hard fought 2-0 home win over a young and talented Penlake outfit, Kev Guy
IT'S hard to interview someone who just giggles. But international drug smuggler turned pot smoker's 'cause celebre' Howard Marks has got a lot to laugh about. After being caught in possession with intent to supply the whole of the western world, Mr Marks
A FIRE caused severe structural damage at a house in Cross Lane, Newton-le-Willows, over the weekend. It started in the kitchen at about 1.40am on Sunday, September 5 and the force of the heat blew out the windows and caused severe heat and smoke damage
THE new Miss Blackpool is living proof that you don't have to be skinny to win a beauty contest. Beating 15 local stunners to the title, Caroline Porter, 19, from Rossall, told compere Joey Blower how she had entered the competition because she thought
A 36-YEAR-old woman was taken to Whiston Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation following a fire at her home in Stretton Avenue, Parr. The fire started at about 7.45pm on Wednesday, September 1 in the lounge and caused severe heat and
NEVER mind the Millenium, Walshaw's cricketers have been having their best knees-up for a decade since clinching the Bolton Association championship trophy. It's ten years since they last won the same pot and there's been very little to cheer in between
BURNLEY'S longest serving player, Paul Smith, is hoping to mark his first ever league appearance at Deepdale tomorrow with the win to take Burnley back to the top of the table. Despite making his debut for the Clarets in the 1993/94 season, which puts
Halifax 61 West Park 33 WEST Park's final warm-up game before the start of league rugby this Saturday at Altrincham Kersal left the selectors with more problems than solutions. For Park's midfield defence was torn to ribbons by a physically stronger Halifax
A BLACKPOOL boys' school, due to admit girls for the first time next year, needs help to choose a new name to mark its new status. Warbreck High School - which decided to open its doors to both sexes after suffering falling pupil numbers - was recently
SHOWBIZ couple Mark and Joan Raffles are celebrating a magical half century of marriage this year. The couple who have performed their magic act all over the country recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home in Normandie Avenue
ST HELENS Council is seeking possible sites for recycling facilities in the Billinge area. Suitable sites need to be in a public position, visible from the road, there needs to be a suitable hard surface for a bank to stand on, no high trees or cables
TWO Leigh Army Cadets returned from camp in the Cumbrian Fells recently with new skills. Chris Webster, a pupil at Hesketh Fletcher, and Tomas Hollings, of Culcheth High, (pictured) joined 500 boys and girls as members of the Greater Manchester Army Cadet
LOCAL locksmith, Gary Eckersall is top of the locks after being voted new chairman of the Master of Locksmiths for Great Britain Association. Gary, from Blackbrook, has run his shop, J. G. Eckersall, from Lingholme Road for the past 16 years and was chosen
A HAT-trick of wins marked the opening day of the season for the girls section of PNE. And for the under 14s, emphatic is the only word which can described their 10-0 beating of Morecambe. The under 16s recorded a comfortable 5-1 away win at Hopwood,
Luton Town 1, Bury 1 LEE RICHARDSON did his best to steal the limelight from Bury's star of the show, Pat Kenny - and so did boss Neil Warnock - but neither quite managed it. Richardson had a case. His first goal for the Shakers earned them a point to
MOUNTAIN survivor Jackie Gleave heads off to the peaks on Sunday - with a 48 pack on her back. The Lowton school secretary, who five years ago claimed she was the luckiest woman alive, will sell cans of Guinness on top of the 3000ft Great Gable in the
