TWO drama societies are staging a dastardly double act as they perform a weekend of murder, mystery and fun. Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and The Halifax Thespians are joining forces to present an alluring challenge to aspiring super
IWAS surprised to read (Letters, September 4) that 157 signatures had been collected to protest about the noise levels of the Up4it stage at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne. With ex-Bliss muppets LA performing on the bill, that number
THERE is no excuse for any child being intimidated on the way to school in Belfast or anywhere else. Children under 11 cannot defend themselves and for adults to cause fear and trauma to them is despicable. Their parents, too, must not be threatened.
ISUPPORT Mr A Spencer (Letters, September 4) concerning the abuse of public transport users. For a company to operate buses only until 6pm for six days a week and to advertise 'weekly returns' is another stage in the demise of the shortage of 'backsides-on-seats
SINCE 'private hire' taxi drivers are to be given lessons in self-defence by Blackburn with Darwen Council, can we also look forward to members of the Fire Service being given lessons on such things as ambush evasion, heading-the-house brick and running
DRINKERS from an Atherton pub were evacuated last night after a warehouse next door went up in flames. The main storage building at Daley Removals on Bolton Old Road was destroyed by fire at about 9.20pm. It took nearly 50 firefighters more than an hour
REGARDING your front-page story under the headline 'Carers in drunken mum rap' (LET, September 1), some readers were no doubt left with the impression that Blackburn with Darwen Social Services had failed to act and carry out its responsibilities. That
AMERICAN Airlines Flight 11: A Boeing 767 en route from Boston to Los Angeles crashed into the World Trade Center. The plane was carrying 81 passengers, nine flight attendants and two pilots. -American Airlines Flight 77: A Boeing 757 en route from Dulles
Precautions taken in various U.S. states in the wake of the terrorist attacks. -VIRGINIA: Navy installations throughout Hampton Roads, home of the world's largest Navy base, placed under an increased security condition called Threatcon Charlie. Threatcon
Leigh RMI 1 Stevenage 2 TROUBLED Leigh continued their rough ride at the start of the season with yet another setback. Desperate for at least a point to boost their disappointing tally, Leigh thought they had earned a draw on Saturday until a goal five
ROVERS defender Jeff Kenna today admitted he is devastated at the decision to give him a free transfer. Ewood chief Graeme Souness has called time on the Republic of Ireland international's Rovers career, six years after he first signed in a £1.5 million
GRANDPARENTS Bill and Brenda Garnett celebrated their golden wedding with a family party at the Higher Trapp Hotel in Simonstone. The couple, of Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, met when they both worked in Jimmy Nelson's mill in Nelson and were married about
DETECTIVES in Burnley are hoping to learn more this week about an explosive device which shook houses in the Gannow area. The home-made device was inspected by Army bomb squad officers then taken away to a special unit in Kent, where it is being examined
WORK will start on Burnley's near £3million "new" bus station on Monday, October 8. The main contractor will be John Turner and Sons (Preston) Ltd. Stands at the Croft Street bus station will change from Sunday, October 7 with some buses leaving from
DURING the TUC conference in Brighton this week local trade unionists, socialists and environmentalists from Burnley and Pendle are lending their support to campaigns against privatisation of schools and hospitals. A rally will be held next Tuesday in
A SECTION of the M65 was closed for a short time this morning after a cattle trailer being towed by a Range Rover overturned as it headed towards Colne. The incident happened at around 8.15am between junctions 13 and 14. Both carriageways were closed
A 23 YEAR old man slammed a taxi door on his girlfriend's sister's partner's foot after making gestures to the couple as they travelled on a bus. Burnley magistrates heard how Simon Sharif Spencer, who had shouted abuse at victim Peter James Heaton and
MANSLAUGHTER charges against six children following the death of pensioner Sheila Bridge have been dropped due to insufficient evidence. Two of the youngsters walked free from court after related charges of threatening behaviour, conspiracy to commit
THEY raised the Royal standard to new heights last night as the Royal Exchange began a year of dramatic celebrations marking its 25th anniversary. The 'National Theatre of the North' conjured up its favourite son, newly-knighted Sir Tom Courtenay, for
HEALTH Authority chiefs promised improved bus services, sports facilities and the potential for more than 1,000 jobs at Calderstones Hospital. The North West Regional Health Authority submitted a scheme to re-develop and re-use some of the existing hospital
A YOUNG mum who helped herself to £15 from her boss was conditionally discharged for 18 months. Burnley Magistrates heard Mobeen Saddique, 19, took the cash from a purse at Bowden Packaging, Hapton, while the managing director was hiding in a space under
A TORY council has been attacked for refusing permission for an ethnic minority community centre to expand. Hyndburn Labour MP Greg Pope said Hyndburn's decision to refuse an extension of the Hamdard Centre in Garbett Street, Accrington, was "an outrage
A MOTHER who claims she found blue tape in a jar of baby food has slammed a £5 offer of goodwill. Wendy Cross, of Victoria Street, Clayton-le-Moors, claimed she found a three centimetre piece of tape in an 80p Heinz Creamed Broccoli tin as she was feeding
AN MP flew his ballot paper for the Tory leadership election around the world so he could vote. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is in Australia as part of an international conference in the country looking at how to revive interest in politics and elections
A ZOO is facing legal action after an East Lancashire man was bitten by a monkfish. Fish farmer Jeffrey Stevenson, 32, claimed he was bitten to the bone and left scarred after trying to remove his hand from the mouth of a two-foot-long monkfish at Anglesey
CLARETS wideman Graham Branch is hoping his comeback could be as soon as a fortnight - but he is not going to push the issue. The left sided player's worst nightmare arrived when his pre-season was cut short by an Achilles tendon problem. He had thought
MANAGERS at Moist, Blackburn, have taken on board comments and suggestions from customers and revamped the cafe bar on Northgate. Previously people had complained that it was too dark and that they could not even tell what it was from outside. Now both
CLARETS wideman Graham Branch is hoping his comeback could be as soon as a fortnight - but he is not going to push the issue. The left sided player's worst nightmare arrived when his pre-season was cut short by an Achilles tendon problem. He had thought
A CHARITY is to take advantage of holiday makers' leftover foreign coins by turning them into cash for research. The Darwen Branch of the Cancer Research Campaign has organised for Sun Living, Blackburn Road and Lunn Polly, Market Street, to collect the
THE remains of tragic little Chloe Rowley have finally been laid to rest -- nearly seven months after she died. Two-and-a-half-year old Chloe, whose family live in the Bold Venture area of Darwen, was born with a severe kidney condition and she lost her
STAFF at Asda, Rawtenstall, will launch their annual campaign for breast cancer care on Monday. This is the fifth year that Asda has supported the charity and the store will join others nationwide for two weeks of fundraising with a pink twist to it.
TO improve people's access and influence over their local council, the Ramsbottom and Tottington Area Board are extending the number of public meetings it holds. The latest opportunity to meet with the board will take place on Tuesday next, September18
LANCASHIRE looks certain to be the winner in the world's biggest-ever aerospace contract, with the prospect of 3,000 new high-tech jobs coming to the county. BAE Systems can expect a large slice of the multi-billion-dollar contract to build the Joint
FINES, driving licence penalty points and even court appearances are set to be doled out to drivers in Blackburn and Darwen who are found to have cars with poor tyres. A safety campaign has been launched by Blackburn with Darwen Council with the aim of
EAST Lancashire Health Authority will get a new consultant as part of a government promise to boost the NHS. Health minister John Hutton yesterday announced that 124 new nurse, midwife and health visitor consultant posts were being established within
A HOSPITAL'S nursery department has been honoured by health bosses for its work in promoting health among staff, parents and children. The Children's Day Nursery, based at Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn, was presented with the Gold Award Certificate
A YOUTH worker who ordered a mother and her youngsters off a coach at the side of a notorious road has been told she did nothing wrong. Sarah Hunter was ordered off the coach at the Grane Road after her son, Stephen, 13, who suffers from Attention Deficit
ONE of the most prominent members of Blackburn's Asian community has given his backing to a new radio station set to go on air next week. The Burn, a radio station for Blackburn and Darwen, will begin broadcasting on 106FM from next Monday. Organisers
THE future of a huge bonfire and firework show will be decided at crunch talks this week. Now organisers are sending out a last-minute plea to businesses to dig deep in their pockets and save the extravaganza. Blackburn Rotaract are considering cancelling
A SINGER from East Lancashire is set to become a big hit down under when one of her songs crashes into the Australian top ten. Paule Van Wijngarden and her band Soda Club are currently flavour of the month among the Australian radio stations with their
WANTAWAY Stanley striker Gary Williams today insisted 'I've got to leave Accrington for the sake of my career' after stunning Crown Ground officials by handing in a shock transfer request. Big things were expected of the 21-year-old this term after Reds
PRESTON striker Steve Basham will come face to face with the man who could have ended his career tonight - but will only have his mind on sealing a North End win. The Deepdale side travel to Prenton Park to face Second Division Tranmere Rovers in the
PRESTON North End hope to put their league woes behind them tonight as they aim to make it through another round of the Worthington Cup. But their task couldn't be much harder - away to cup specialists Tranmere Rovers. Despite admitting at Saturday's
A REWARD of £20,000 has been put up to help catch the arsonists who caused a fire at a Bolton hotel in which an elderly Blackpool couple died. William Robertson, 75, and his wife Margaret, 81, died while trying to escape a fire which was started deliberately
STUDENTS at Blackburn School of Music have enjoyed a perfect pass rate in their summer exams. The students, based in Preston New Road, swept to 100 per cent success in the Associated Board Music Exams. The school will be holding an open day for prospective
POOL boss Steve McMahon also praised his battling side for an "excellent" performance - although he admitted Leicester had looked a pale shadow of their former selves. "I thought we were fabulous," he said. "The passing was good to see, although the result
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Women's Aglow Christian Fellowship, Accrington Town Hall, 7.30pm. Speaker: Catherine Parkinson. Flower Dipping Craft Workshop, Padiham Methodist Church, 10.30am-12.30pm
ST JOHN Southworth Theatre Group will be staging Anything Goes, in the Parish Centre, Nelson, from September 18 to 22, starting at 7.30pm. The Cole Porter classic includes some of his best-known music. Julie Cummings plays nightclub singer-turned-evangelist
IT WILL be child's play with serious intent when the Darwen Library Players stage You Should See Us Now. The Peter Tinniswood piece features Pamela the bully, Ernest the bumbler and the aloof Sheila, who all attend a party where the adult guests turn
YET again, the differences between Blackburn and Darwen become apparent. While Blackburn waits with baited breath for the delivery of marble from Italy and China for use in the Church Street redevelopment, areas in Darwen -- such as Winterton Road --
REGARDING Sam Spence's and Ron Crane's remarks (Letters, September 6), it never ceases to amaze me how some Blackburn citizens appear to take great delight in knocking their town. Might I make the following suggestions to keep them and their like happy
THE UK was also on alert and some European airlines canceled flights to the United States and recalled planes already in the air. The UK was also put on full alert. The Canary Wharf centre, the tallest building in Britain, and Stock Exchange in London
ONE of the planes that crashed into the Trade Center was American Airlines Flight 11, hijacked after takeoff from Boston en route to Los Angeles, the airline said. American Airlines issued a statement saying it had "lost" two aircraft - Flight 11, with
ADDRESSING the TUC conference in Brighton a visibly shaken Tony Blair offered deepest sympathy and condolences to the people of America. He said: "It is a most terrible and shocking event. We can only imagine the terror and the carnage there. many, many
THOUSANDS of Palestinians celebrated Tuesday's terror attacks in the United States, chanting "God is Great" and distributing candy to passers-by, even as their leader, Yasser Arafat, said he was horrified. The U.S. government has become increasingly unpopular
BOTH of the World Trade Towers have collapsed following the attack by two aeroplanes on it. Earlier a second attack was launched by terrorists aimed at the Pentagon, part has collapsed, and the White House has been evacuated. Minutes earlier a Palestinian
The astonishing terrorist strikes in the United States quickly reached a global audience, with many around the world watching live coverage of an aircraft hitting the World Trade Centre. Audiences were transfixed by the awful images from New York, where
JOHN Curtis is now facing two weeks on the sidelines after tearing a calf muscle. The former England Under 21 international -- who was an ever present in the league last season -- missed Saturday's match at Sunderland after suffering the injury in the
BEN Burgess's loan move to Second Division leaders Brentford has now been extended by another three months.
SOUNESS has ruled out the possibility of going into the transfer market for another striker, despite his disappointment at the amount of chances currently going begging. Rovers were left to rue a host of golden opportunities against Sunderland on Saturday
TWO away days, two hard luck stories. Hope this isn't going to become a recurring complaint or it could be a long old season. There's an old saying in golf which reminds me of Rovers play at the moment: "You drive for show and putt for dough." Roughly
CHAMPION racehorse Desert Orchid helped the Horses and Ponies Protection Association at Shores Hey Farm, Briercliffe, open its new veterinary centre. HAPPA has spent £30,000 on a new solarium with heat lamps to help ease horses' muscular pains and ease
THREE men were arrested in an early morning drugs operation in Burnley. A dozen officers targeted two houses in Pine Street, at about 7.30am. Uniformed section officers, specialist support officers and dog handlers were involved. Three men were arrested
BACKING for democratically-elected assemblies for English regions, including the North West, has come from Burnley MP Peter Pike. In April, Burnley Council adopted a motion saying it was the right of English regions to create their own democratically-elected
A 64-year-old man allegedly molested three little girls "using similar tactics," on all his victims, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how Peter Cuttell, who tried to kill himself after one of the children made an allegation against him, used
PLANS to redevelop Long Hill Farm in Foulridge have finally been approved by councillors. Two amended applications to demolish the farmhouse, in Hill Top, and build a larger two-storey house, as well as converting an attached two-storey barn into a house
A PROPOSED industrial development in Foulridge was thrown out by councillors when they heard the applicant would not comply with recommended working hours. Consideration of the application to demolish garage buildings at J A Transport, in Station Road
THE first black cab in Blackburn hit the streets after Blackburn Council passed new rules to force drivers to switch over to the models which seen on the streets of London. The move was designed to help the council catch illegal operators.
THE two friends dramatically saved from the first floor of their blazing home yesterday have sent a message of thanks to their rescuers. Pete Lyon, 23 and Roy Etherington, 27, of Spring Street, Rishton, face a bill of thousands of pounds after fire destroyed
A MAN who escaped a jail sentence following a prosecution mix-up has walked free from court again. Kelvin Clark was told by a judge at Burnley Crown Court that he was not going to prison because he had kept out of trouble for the period of a deferred
THE Rudolph Steiner Acorn parents and toddler group will hear a talk by Johnny Nicholls, one of the first to study the Steiner philosophy, on September 19. The group, which was started a year ago at the home of Sheila Clarkson, in Wiswell, focuses on
RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has expressed concern over the reduction of police station opening times. And he urged Ribble Valley Council to keep its vow to stop the area from becoming a 'soft touch' for travelling criminals following the results of the
LANCASHIRE looks certain to be the winner in the world's biggest-ever aerospace contract, with the prospect of 3,000 new high-tech jobs coming to the county. BAE Systems can expect a large slice of the multi-billion-dollar contract to build the Joint
POOL boss Steve McMahon also praised his battling side for an "excellent" performance - although he admitted Leicester had looked a pale shadow of their former selves. "I thought we were fabulous," he said. "The passing was good to see, although the result
SOMETIMES, you just have to seize the moment. Which is exactly what 13,000 of us did at ten to five on Saturday. "We are top of the league!" chanted the Claret and Blue faithful. And well they they might. After all, it's not a song which has been aired
WARREN Hegg is Lancashire's Player of the Year. The 32-year-old wicket keeper has had the most successful season of his career with two centuries and an England recall for the Test tour of India this winter. He said: "It's a great honour -- the only other
EAST LANCASHIRE pub goers are invited to nominate the manager or landlord of their favourite watering hole for the 2002 British Institute of Innkeeping Licensee of The Year award. As well as winning the prestigious title, sponsored by drink producer and
AN OLD village tradition in Read has been resurrected after more than 10 years absence - and it was a woman who stole the show in the traditionally male challenge. As an excuse for a village get together on Sunday, Ian Gee, landlord of the Stork Hotel
JD WETHERSPOON pubs throughout East Lancashire have joined forces with the non-party political campaign NO - which believes in keeping the pound - to call last orders on the single currency. A new campaign launched by Tim Martin, chairman of the pub chain
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is weighing up a move for Italian defender Mauro Milanese. Rovers boss Souness sent his spies to Italy at the weekend to watch the former Inter Milan left-back in action for Perugia against Lazio. And, after his scouts returned
PRESTON North End hope to put their league woes behind them tonight as they aim to make it through another round of the Worthington Cup. But their task couldn't be much harder - away to cup specialists Tranmere Rovers. Despite admitting at Saturday's
RELAX, they say, and you'll get calm children. Women who suffer anxiety during pregnancy are, apparently, twice as likely to have a hyperactive child. Worried mums-to-be are believed to produce more of the stress hormone cortisol, which can affects the
ASPIRING writers can develop their talents and learn about computers at the same time, on a course taking place at Derwent Hall tomorrow. There is free friendly tuition all afternoon and a choice of two sessions. Each session will consist of one hour
THE MORRIS dancing competition that nearly wasn't took place, thanks to a funeral firm's generosity. The £300 rent for Darwen Leisure Centre was too much for Darwen Morris Dancers, until the Co-operative Funeral Society chipped in after an appeal. They
A DARWEN man is calling for the nursery voucher scheme to be more clear. Eddie Dickinson, whose daughter, Rosie, three, attends Kittens Pre-School Nursery, in Darwen, said although four-year-olds automatically got the vouchers, three-year-olds did not
MORE than 100 vintage cars travelled from Rossendale to Burnley on the annual East Lancashire Vehicle Cavalcade, which was combined with the Civic Trust's Heritage Open Days. The vehicles met at Helmshore Textile Museum before departing for the Weavers
A DRAMATIC river rescue was staged near Asda in Rawtenstall to help PC Dale Pollard launch his new book of Rossendale's wildlife. Dale, who is the wildlife officer for the Valley has taken more than just a passing interest in his job. With help from amateur
THE War of the Roses, Stubbins-style, saw crowds flock to hurl Lancashire black puddings at Yorkshire puds in a tradition dating back 140 years! The Corner Pin pub, which itself dates from the 1850s, was the venue once again for the World Black Pudding
AN infestation of fruit flies and soggy bedding are just two of the trials and tribulations facing Rossendale sailor Thomas Elmer on board the Liverpool Clipper. Thomas, 18, is the youngest person taking part in The Times Round the World Yacht Race and
AN Astley Village member of the Bowland Mountain Rescue Team was responsible for finding a 20-year-old man who went missing on a family outing in the Cockerham area. Paul Durham was one of the most experienced members of a 25-strong team called out to
SEVERAL writers have been lined up to give presentations on their work at Blackburn Central Library. The series of events, called All Sorts of Authors, kicks off this Thursday when Keslang Pagpa will discuss his book, Transform your life. Other dates
A CRIME audit conducted by an East Lancashire council and police has revealed that efforts to cut crashes and car crime are working. Blackburn with Darwen Council teamed up with Lancashire Police to undertake the study, which it is obliged to do every
ANNA Newell has been selected for the England netball squad - and is now just hoping to win her first cap. The 21-year-old Rishton girl came through the trials in Nottingham at the weekend and will hope to make her full national bow in a Tri-Nation series
RAMSBOTTOM United have put seven days on Stand hot-shot Chris Denham. Denham has scored five goals in six games in NWCL Division Two this season and Rams manager Mike Kelly hopes he is the answer to their goalscoring problems. Kelly can speak to Denham
SIXTH formers in East Lancashire are to share in a £15million-plus bonanza as a new era dawns for classroom teenagers. The Learning and Skills Council -- launched this year by Prime Minister Tony Blair to be responsible for all post-16 education in England
AN eight-year-old Ramsbottom boy has become a world champion -- at throwing black puddings! Sean Taylor, of East View, Stubbins, shared the honour with Australian visitor Jim Rowley at the annual event held at the Corner Pin pub, in Bolton Road North.
