Archive

  • Flats money wasted

    WELL said, Eric Leaver (LET, August 22). His article on multi-storey flats was spot on. It was not the flats but bad tenants that were the problem, as we have been telling those "deaf" people for years, but they did nothing. They should hang their heads

  • Ban drinking in streets

    REGARDING "Walk through Boulevard a nightmare" (Letters, August 22), I work and live near to Blackburn town centre and, consequently, can sympathise a great deal with the view of your Clitheroe reader. I, too, am sick of these Boulevard yobs, hanging

  • Town in need of a massive clean-up

    AFTER recently returning to Australia following a holiday in Burnley, I have to say what I thought of the place after not living there for nearly 12 years. Burnley was once destined to become the jewel in Lancashire's crown, being the biggest cotton town

  • Sleeping man is saved by fire crews

    A 26-YEAR-OLD Radcliffe man was led to safety by fire crews from his smoke-filled house in the early hours of yesterday (Mon Aug 27). Officers had to force their way into the property in Albion Street, where they found the occupier asleep on a settee.

  • Cabbies take self defence lessons

    TWO hundred taxi drivers working in Blackburn have been taught self-defence in a bid to make them safer while at work. About one-third of Blackburn with Darwen's 600 cab drivers attended a specially-arranged seminar held in Blackburn last night -- the

  • John is on track to raise charity cash

    A HOSPITAL worker is on track to raise thousands of pounds to help the young and the old. Mr John Francis, estates officer for Fairfield Hospital, will stage a Track Day at the Three Sisters race circuit in Wigan on September 6 in a bid to raise a minimum

  • Egyptian life brought to book

    THE MYSTERIES of ancient Egypt remain just that for many people. But one local man has devoted his life to studying the culture, lifestyle and philosophy of the ancient Greek and Egyptian civilizations. And the culmination of Alan Fildes' work has just

  • Boss attacks ref's costly decision

    NEW boss Alan Murray launched a stinging attack on referee Colin Harwood last night after Rovers reserves slipped to their second successive defeat in controversial circumstances at the hands of Newcastle United. Livewire striker Lomana Lua-Lua scored

  • EWOOD BEAT: Duff's wonder goal not Argy-bargy

    IS it me or did the National Press completely leave go of their senses at Ewood on Saturday? Inspirational Irishman Damien Duff sank sorry Spurs with one of the best goals you're likely to see all season as Rovers roared to their first victory of the

  • Youth boss impressed by local efforts

    PENDLE Sure Start's new community offices in Charles Street were the first stop-off during an educational visit to Nelson by Alan Whittaker, the county's Cabinet Member for Education and Young People. Sure Start works with parents and toddlers to promote

  • Mast objectors set for another battle

    RESIDENTS who battled against plans for a second transmitter mast near their homes and won are prepared to do battle again following a new application by NTL. Members of SPAM (Strong Protest Against Masts) are concerned about the proposals for two antennae

  • FIVE years ago

    AFTER five out of six horses rompted home as winners lucky punter Stephen Wade, of Fielding Street, Rishton, scooped more than £6,000 with a multiple "Black Jack" bet.

  • Alan Moore could return

    BURNLEY winger Alan Moore could be fit for Sunday's trip to Valley Parade with the Clarets determined to continue their strong away form this season. The team travel to Bradford City still in an up-beat frame of mind despite their first reverse of the

  • We've nothing to fear, says Briscoe

    YORKSHIREMAN Lee Briscoe says the Clarets have no need to fear their trip to Bradford City. While the Bantams retain a 100 per cent record in Division One this season since their relegation from the Premiership last term, the Pontefract-born player feels

  • TURF TALK: Lions violence is the exception

    FOOTBALL can bring out the best and the worst in people and Clarets fans who travelled to the New Den last weekend, particularly if they used the trains, will know exactly what I mean. Millwall's former home at Cold Blow Lane was a ground that away supporters

  • CRICKET: Hegg will seize chance

    WARREN HEGG has been rewarded for his best ever season with a second chance for England - and he's determined to make the most of it. More than two years after being cruelly dropped despite sharing in a memorable Test victory at Melbourne, Hegg was recalled

  • Concerns over health merger

    A SENIOR doctor is among those who have expressed concerns about the planned shake-up of the local health service. The doctor, who does not want to be named, fears it could mean cash being directed to hospitals outside the borough. Health ministers want

  • TV may help solve a murder 27 years ago

    THE SON of a man brutally murdered 27 years ago in Bury is hopeful that a TV programme could lead to the capture of the killer. Paul Hewitt was only seven-years-old when his father Tom Hewitt was killed while working at his garage workshop in Bright Street

  • Get rid of a sticky problem

    GOING off what can be seen so far of the new surface of expensive stone flags and exotic granite blocks being laid in town-centre Church Street in Blackburn, even the most ardent critics of its pedestrianisation will have to admit that it not only looks

  • Alan Moore could return

    BURNLEY winger Alan Moore could be fit for Sunday's trip to Valley Parade with the Clarets determined to continue their strong away form this season. The team travel to Bradford City still in an up-beat frame of mind despite their first reverse of the

  • Man on arson charge

    A MAN was due to face Blackburn magistrates charged with arson and attempting to endanger life. David Hughes, 31, of Ellenshaw Close, allegedly set fire to his flat on Thursday night. The fire service was called but there was little damage to the property

  • Witness appeal after assaults

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an incident outside Marleys Wine Bar, in Belgrave Road, Darwen. Two men aged 28 and 23 were seriously assaulted on Saturday night between 11.30 and midnight by two other men. One victim suffered serious head injuries

  • Cabbies take self defence lessons

    TWO hundred taxi drivers working in Blackburn have been taught self-defence in a bid to make them safer while at work. About one-third of Blackburn with Darwen's 600 cab drivers attended a specially-arranged seminar held in Blackburn last night -- the

  • Tower vandals hit reopening hopes

    VANDALS have been warned they are dicing with death after breaking through fencing to walk on Darwen Tower during repairs. Children and adults have been seen on the tower's balconies, even though they were declared unsafe by Blackburn with Darwen Council

  • Chapel's open air service

    WEIR Baptist Chapel's annual open air service will be held on Sunday, September 9 at 4pm, on the site of the former Ebenezer Doal's Chapel in Burnley Road. The Weir Hotel is now the temporary venue for Weir Baptist Church while the congregation waits

  • Grower's ambition bears fruit

    GARDENER Derek Roscow was feeling "glad all over" at the Ramsbottom Horticultural Society summer show. For 40 years Derek has been growing vegetables. Over a similar period his brother Neville has been cultivating flowers and become a national gladioli

  • Finance bid to appoint arts officer

    ROSSENDALE Council's plans to appoint an arts development officer are expected to be given financial backing from Lancashire County Council. The role of the officer will be to develop, promote, implement and monitor arts initiatives in the Valley. The

  • New eye service 'to cut waiting times'

    A NEW eye service for East Lancashire patients is to be launched next week. The service is jointly provided by Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust and Burnley Health Care Trust and will be launched next Tuesday in the Primary Care Centre at Blackburn's

  • How could medics miss a broken leg?

    AN ANGRY grandmother has demanded an inquiry after hospital staff failed to realise her one-year-old grandson had a broken leg. Jan West claimed a doctor at Blackburn Royal Infirmary gave little Connor Richardson a clean bill of health and tried to send

  • Teachers needed for key subjects

    SCHOOLS across Lancashire are suffering from a shortage of teachers in key subjects, council bosses revealed today. And at schools in Blackburn with Darwen, non-specialist staff are being drafted in to teach some subjects until the gaps are plugged. But

  • Town to make new bid for City Status

    THE borough of Blackburn celebrated its 150th birthday yesterday -- and officials announced a bid to give local people the best possible present! Leader Coun Bill Taylor broke off from the celebrations to confirm the council is to launch its second bid

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Derby win for Padiham

    PADIHAM came out on top in the NWCL Division Two local derby against Darwen at the Arbories. Substitute Lee Chambers, with only his second touch of the ball, crashed in a dramatic late winner to give the home side a six-point haul from their Bank Holiday

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Early goal costs Clitheroe - again

    A HAT-TRICK from Mossley striker Bradley Wosahlo condemned Clitheroe to their third defeat of the season and left the Blues still searching for their first victory of the campaign. The Blues had six first teamers out with injury or other commitments -

  • Cross would be more fitting

    HAVING seen the 'object" on the east wall of Blackburn Cathedral, I feel it would have been fitting and dignified to have had a large gold cross instead. M PINDER, Langham Road, Blackburn.

  • Faith in justice has been restored

    REGARDING the newsagent who hit a youth with a snooker cue (LET, August 18), the youths in question have been a cause for concern for some time now and I suppose in these days of huge underfunding in the police force we can only be thankful for the common

  • Long live our Lancashire butties

    HOW dare anyone say that chip butties are on the decline? (LET, August 21). Never in a million years -- and as long as there is a Lancashire. Chip butties have never tasted better. The only trouble now is the bread -- nothing like the bread of the old

  • Arson attack at school

    A LOWTON school was damaged in an arson attack last night. A storeroom at Lowton County High School, Newton Road, was set on fire after burning paper was pushed through an air vent at 10.30 pm. Camping equipment was damaged and a liquid petroleum gas

  • Man died from drug overdose

    A MAN died after injecting himself with heroin, an inquest in Leigh was told. Coroner Aidan Cotter recorded a verdict that Eliott Longworth, aged 25 of Gidlow Street, Hindley had died as a result of abusing heroin. Mr Cotter said: "I could record a verdict

  • Market offices hit by smoke

    BURY Market's offices were heavily smoke-logged after a Bank Holiday Monday arson attack. The blaze involved two large wheelie bins which were set ablaze outside the Murray Road premises at 6am. Flames and intense heat from one of the containers destroyed

  • Warning over Turkish helva

    SHOPS and customers are being warned to look out for Turkish helva products which may be contaminated with salmonella. Environmental health staff at Bury Council have issued the warning about the sweet confectionery, which is made from crushed sesame

  • Teenagers in explosion chiller

    THIS is the horrific picture which should act as a warning to every family in the run up to Bonfire Night. Three teenagers ended up in hospital when the contents of a metal drum exploded over them after it was thrown onto a lit bonfire by a gang of youths

  • Lodge saved

    A BURY wildlife haven, which was at the centre of a controversial homes development scheme, looks to have been saved. More than six months have now passed since an application to build on the Barracks Lodge by Bolton-based Stately Development was turned

  • Striker to give boss headache

    EWOOD hot-shot Marcus Bent today vowed to win back his first team place after pledging his future to Rovers' Premiership campaign. The former Sheffield United striker is still waiting for his first Premiership start after being overlooked in favour of

  • Driver in crash high on drugs

    A DRIVER who crashed into a car and shunted another vehicle into a garden was under the influence of cocaine. Burnley Magistrates heard how Kevin Anthony Gamble, 22, had been breaking the law for many years, but had now decided to call time on his life

  • Residents get a say at fun day

    RESIDENTS of Burnley Wood will get their their say about the future of the area and also to enjoy themselves this weekend. The Local Planning in Action and fun event on Sunday has been organised by Groundwork East Lancs and Burnley's Community Alliance

  • Kathleen's ancestor fought at Waterloo

    A RE-ENACTMENT of the Battle of Waterloo at Helmshore textile museum provided more than a history lesson for one Burnley woman. Kathleen Smith, of Lindsay Park, Worsthorne, went along to the display of 19th century combat only to discover that her great

  • Man who battered wife walked free

    A KNIFE-wielding stepfather-of-two who used what magistrates described as "extreme violence" towards his wife, walked free from court. The Burnley bench was told how Neil John Bevan, 27, threw the family's tea out of the window and dragged his wife Julie

  • Violence and bribes used to abuse boy

    A FATHER of two allegedly sexually abused a schoolboy over seven years and tried to buy the child's silence, a jury heard. Burnley Crown Court was told how Paul Ellison, 35, "adoped a number of strategies," to get away with his behaviour and was violent

  • Race riots 'cause a cut in house prices'

    HOUSE prices in Burnley have fallen by up to 25 per cent following the recent race riots, it has been claimed. Angry residents in the Daneshouse, Duke Bar and Burnley Wood have contacted their local councillors, claiming that estate agents and building

  • Teenage driver in chase through town

    A TEENAGE driver who set off with police in pursuit after officers tried to stop him, overtook on the wrong side of the road and then tried to hide. Burnley Magistrates heard how student Waqas Ali Ashraf, 18, didn't want his family to know he was driving

  • Chippy leaves small fry behind

    A CHIPPY in Colne has made it through it to the last 10 in the North of England in the search for the country's best fish and chips. Owners of the Cemetery Chippy, in Keighley Road, were told they had made it through to the next round following a visit

  • TEN years ago

    RESIDENTS of Hyndburn had their very own answer to Dr Dolittle - a man by the name of Nipper who rode around the area on his bike complete with a parrot on his shoulder and a Staffordshire Terrier called Bandit trotting obediently behind.

  • £10,000 grant to help carers

    TWO Asian groups, launched to help carers of the elderly and disabled, have been awarded a £10,000 grant to set up a joint office in Accrington. The Aawaz Asian Women Carer's Group and the Ikhlaq Asian Male Carers group will be moving into the their new

  • Biker dies in crash

    A BIKER who was killed when he collided with a car is to have his ashes scattered over the the Isle of Man race track he loved. Rose Marsden, 47, of Ribble Lane, Chatburn, last saw her 52-year-old husband Alan at 4.45pm on Saturday as he was setting off

  • Park plans "will usher in the developers"

    PLANS for new parking spaces at the popular Whitefield Park sparked anger from objectors who fear they are a stepping stone to future development on the site. The proposals have re-ignited a row over the land, which is protected by covenants dating back

  • Town and talent inspired music man Norman

    TALENTED musicians and the industrial surroundings of Bury in the twenties proved an inspirational mix for one young lad, who went on to found one of Britain's most distinguished opera companies. In his new book Making Music, Norman Platt, who set up

  • Forget carrot juice - I'll take the chips!

    LEAPING to the defence of the chip buttie after a survey showed its popularity was waning in East Lancashire and folk interviewed by this newspaper said they preferred sandwiches with less-fattening fillings, Steve Woods would have to declare an interest

  • Taught to be wimps

    NICE as it sounds, is not there something wimpish about the scheme being launched -- on a slipway greased with £250,000 of lottery cash -- for youngsters in East Lancashire secondary schools to act as 'buddies' to final-year primary pupils in order to

  • Striker to give boss headache

    EWOOD hot-shot Marcus Bent today vowed to win back his first team place after pledging his future to Rovers' Premiership campaign. The former Sheffield United striker is still waiting for his first Premiership start after being overlooked in favour of

  • Bury boss hands out challenge

    BURY boss Andy Preece, so enraged at his side's inept Bank Holiday performance against Swindon, has vowed that anyone who plays well for the reserves today could find themselves in the first team. The Shakers second string took on York City (kick off

  • Soap baddies to join fell race

    STARS from one of the nation's favourite soaps are to descend on Darwen for a charity fell race. Emmerdale actors Chris Chittel, who plays rogue antique dealer Eric Pollard, Emma Atkins, alias cheating Charity Dingle, and Jeff Hordley, the villainous

  • Cable fire causes power cut

    HOMES in Astley were left without electricity for hours after a fire affected their power supply. Atherton and Leigh firefighters were called to Manchester Road Astley at 1am on Tuesday. A fire service spokesman said that a cable had caught fire underground

  • Iron gates scheme hailed a success

    RESIDENTS on a Rossendale estate are feeling more secure thanks to a "cast iron" partnership with police and council. An "alley gating" scheme restricting access to flats on the Edgeside estate, Waterfoot, is being hailed a success. The scheme was introduced

  • Hospital recruits by web

    BLACKBURN'S Beardswood Hospital is one of the first in the country to sign up to a new cyberspace initiative designed to revolutionise healthcare recruitment. The hospital, part of the BMI Group, has signed a deal with HospitalHub UK Ltd which recruits

  • Police plea in 'callous' attack probe

    DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses after a 'callous' daylight attack on a pensioner. The 85-year-old victim was thrown to the ground and suffered a broken arm during the bag snatch, which happened at about 4pm on Monday. The woman, who has not been

  • Cabbies take self defence lessons

    TWO hundred taxi drivers working in Blackburn have been taught self-defence in a bid to make them safer while at work. About one-third of Blackburn with Darwen's 600 cab drivers attended a specially-arranged seminar held in Blackburn last night -- the

  • Teenagers in explosion chiller

    THIS is the horrific picture which should act as a warning to every family in the run up to Bonfire Night. Three teenagers ended up in hospital when the contents of a metal drum exploded over them after it was thrown onto a lit bonfire by a gang of youths

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Bacup win

    BACUP won a bruising encounter at Cheadle Town as they prepare for their FA Cup Preliminary Round game at Guisborough Town on Saturday. Brent Peters' side went ahead through Jason Lanns after 18 minutes and they made it two four minutes later through

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Irvine's late show

    NELSON secured all three points but were made to fight all the way by a spirited Castleton Gabriels. John Bailey's side took the lead after 29 minutes when Scott Gizon's downward header bounced over the advancing keeper. The Blues though were then punished

  • Police in missing student appeal

    POLICE have made a new appeal to try and find a missing student. Mark Hughes, aged 19, has still not made contact with his family, almost two weeks since he was last seen getting on a tram at Heaton Park Metrolink station. Police said it is unusual for