A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn and District Probus Club, St Silas Parish Rooms, Preston New Road, Blackburn, 10.30am. 'A Potted History of Tea,' with Mr E Wilde. Accrington and Nelson Scottish
AN evening of dazzling musical highlights by top West End performers will be presented when Beyond Broadway hits the stage at the Municipal Hall, Colne. The show on Friday, October 12 at 7.30pm includes excerpts from many of today's popular Broadway musicals
RADCLIFFE Boro manager Kevin Glendon is set to ring the changes tonight in the Unibond League Cup group stage home clash with Marine. After two hard league games last week, a 6-1 home win over Trafford on Tuesday and 3-0 away at Leek Town on Friday night
THE oldest of the old boys of one of Blackburn's best-known secondary schools today issued a last-minute call for classmates of long ago to join them in their reunion marking the 60th anniversary of its opening. More than 30 ex-pupils who were in the
POLICE were today trying to trace the parents of a woman who suffered serious head injuries in a road smash. A spokesperson said they were believed to be on holiday in America. The woman, who has not been named, was driving a Fiat Cinquecento out of a
DANCING queens Alexandra Ainsworth and Rebecca Marsh have achieved a double medal success after only joining their dance school six weeks ago. Alexandra, nine, of Mill Hill, and Rebecca, 11, of Blackburn, received silver medals for their disco dancing
LANCASHIRE Council for Voluntary Youth Service, who support the main youth organisations in East Lancashire, are looking for six young people. They will take part in a major government initiative designed to help young people aged 13 to19. Connexions
BLACKBURN Arts Club will present the thriller Dead Man's Hand from October 9 to 13. The play, by Seymour Matthews, is being produced by Ann Collins and will be staged at the Club Theatre, Gibraltar Street. Guests are lured to a remote Italian villa where
IT PROMISES to be a close shave but drama society chairman David Winslow reckons he'll be on song in time for his big opening night tonight -- after a last-minute call-up. David, chairman of Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, has stepped
IT seems that Peter Fisher (Letters, September 18) has such a dislike of America, that he was prevented from offering any sympathy or condolences to the loved ones and friends of those 6,000 people butchered in New York. However, as an old soldier, I
IT is good news that the council is to repair Darwen Tower (LET, September 12). Where else can you find a monument that can be seen from all points of the compass and for miles around? It is well worth preserving. So I hope that kept well away from it
COUNTY Councillor Alan Whittaker (LET, September 15) seems quite sanguine about being banned if the village speed camera he campaigned for snaps him once more. If he has any spare cash after paying his fines, he should get along to a reputable optician
FOLLOWING the tragic incidents in America, we must refrain from labelling the suspects as 'Islamic' extremists. In Northern Ireland, we frequently see acts carried out by so-called Protestants and Catholics but we do not use the label 'Christian' extremists
POLICE are hunting a thug who hit a 21-year-old woman in the face with a hammer aboard a Metrolink tram. The Asian victim of the unprovoked attack was approached by the man on the Bury-bound tram as it passed through Prestwich. The woman, who lives in
A PRESTWICH man suffered a suspected fractured skull when he was repeatedly struck with a baseball bat after an argument with a car driver. The vicious attack took place seconds after the 52-year-old victim had accused the driver of going through a puddle
A RETIRED caretaker recovering from leukaemia today spoke of his ordeal at the hands of a gang of teenagers who struck him in the face with a hammer. Peter Warren, 48, who used to work at the Oakenhead Resource Centre, Rawtenstall, until leukaemia forced
TWO solicitors have been banned from practising and have had their offices closed after legal bosses launched a major investigation into their business. Hindle Son and Cooper, in Church Street, Darwen, was closed last week by the regulatory arm of the
HAVING reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in two of the last three seasons, Academy director Bobby Downes believes the club has become a treasured scalp for opponents. "There is no doubt we have been finding that this season, teams wanting to give
TWO home games, four points, thanks largely to heroics from big Brad and Duncan Disorderly's kind backpass. A very acceptable return given our current defensive injury woes. Your sheepish correspondent has had to eat lots of humble pie this weekend following
BURNLEY Council has been asked to prepare a submission to the riots Task Force on the impact of the disturbances. The council set up the Task Force to look into causes of the racial disturbances in June and the way forward. But it will not comment on
A COUNTY councillor has called for a speed camera to be introduced in a village in a bid to curb excessive speeding. Coun Marcus Johnstone, whose Burnley West ward covers Dunnockshaw, wants to see the speed trap introduced on the A682 in the village,
HEADTEACHER David Clayton has declared his last full year in charge of Burnley Habergham High School a "golden one". Mr Clayton spoke at the lower school awards evening, held last week, when he also presented the school's annual report. It will be the
REPRISALS for the terrorist attacks in America should not result in thousands of other innocent people suffering, Burnley MP Peter Pike told members of the Pakistan Welfare Association in Nelson. They had to condemn extremists of whatever cause and make
A TRADER who was kicked off his market stall for advertising "ex-British National Party jackboots worn in Burnley" has apologised and appealed for a second chance. Iain Dobson was thrown off Morecambe's Festival Market after council officals spotted adverts
A DRUNKEN man who beat up his girlfriend told police if she didn't like being assaulted, she would have left him. Burnley Crown Court heard Christian Camilleri, 27, had "slapped her around," pulled her hair and called her ugly during the 10 minute attack
POLICE in Pendle have issued a warning after a Royal Mail jacket complete with an identity card was stolen. DC Andy Eddleston said police were concerned that the property could be used in bogus official incidents. He said: "We would ask anyone who has
MORE than 40 children to gather at the annual Harvest Festival at Ernest Street Baptist Church in Accrington. They brought gifts of food and other produce which will be given out to needy people in the area. Deacon Richard Fyfield said the festival had
CLITHEROE Parish Church held a mission weekend as part of a county-wide celebration of faith. The work of various activities and events throughout the parish, including St Mary's Brownies, were on display in the parish hall, in Church Street. It was be
HOUSING chiefs are being urged to uphold a more "pro-active" approach to renovating private sector homes in the Ribble Valley. A report to be discussed at Thursday's Ribble Valley Borough Council housing committee shows an under-spending on the renovation
A BUSY town centre street is to lose up to four parking spaces to make it easier for emergency service vehicles to get through. Church Street, which houses both Clitheroe Town Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council chambers, as well as the town's library
CLARETS' youth team recorded their third win in four games at the weekend when they beat Bury 3-1 at Gawthorpe. But manager Terry Pashley admitted: "To be honest, we played better at Carlisle the week before when we lost. "Obviously it was different opposition
SKIPPER Steve Davis is confident that the Clarets can get back to winning ways when Crewe Alexandra visit Turf Moor tonight. And he is hoping he will not end the match playing as an emergency centre forward as he did at Carrow Road on Saturday. "The gaffer
I REALISE this makes me sound like a child baulking at the prospect of a trip to the dentist. But do we have to go to places like Norwich? For a start, there's the travelling it involves. Norwich isn't in the back of beyond. It's about a 1,000 miles further
TONIGHT'S match against Crewe Alexandra may come too soon for the Clarets walking wounded but manager Stan Ternent is determined to give his injured players every chance to be involved. And he warned that with a crowded fixture list because of the early
CHRIS Pearce knows what it is like to need help from the PFA after giving up the game. Three times the former Rovers and Clarets goalkeeper has been forced to seek help from the players' union and on each occasion he has been helped. Now he is backing
DRINKERS at The Plough, Fielding Lane, Oswaldtwistle, are in for a psychedelic 70's night on Friday September 28. The evening will feature music from throughout the decade including Slade, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and Roxy Music with punters dressed
DRINKERS at a Clayton-le-Moors public house will experience a touch of drama next month when Huddersfield based theatre company Mikron arrive to put on a show. This will be the second year that performers from the entourage visit the Albion Ale House,
LANDLORD Robbie Walsh and partner Sue Carolan have landed themselves a new pub without leaving their old one! For the new-look Sportsmans Arms, Shear Brow, Blackburn, has had such an extensive facelift, even the owners don't recognise it. "The place looks
BURY rock band Elbow have denied that they said their hometown "stunk of failure" and was full of "racist scum". They say the three-page article in the national music paper NME was unbalanced and deliberately focused on the negative things about the town
ONCE upon a time there was a young teacher called August Darnell. He was very settled in his work and had everything a young man could want. But still he yearned for something more... And his dream came true as he switched careers and found fame as Kid
A MEMORIAL garden and statue in honour of Jack Walker was unveiled by his brother Fred at Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club today. The garden has been created in front of the Blackburn End of the ground together with a specially-commissioned
AGE Concern is trying to eradicate "lethal" electric blankets so the elderly can sleep safely in their beds. Blankets can be tested for free on October 15 at Darwen Community Centre, Knott Street, Darwen, and then the day after at Blackburn Town Hall.
DOOR-to-door inquiries are being made following an arson attack on the Sacred Heart and St Edward's RC Church in Darwen. Darwen Fire Station commander Steve Cope said that he considered the attack to be 'a serious arson attempt.' The Blackburn Road was
BURNLEY'S top judge took the unprecedented step of fining a juror said to have told court staff to "stuff" public duty -- and she could face a week in jail if she doesn't pay up. Mrs Anne R Moughton had been brought back to the town's Crown Court to explain
REPRISALS for the terrorist attacks in America should not result in thousands of other innocent people suffering, Burnley MP Peter Pike told members of the Pakistan Welfare Association in Nelson. They had to condemn extremists of whatever cause and make
KEITH Latham was three times the legal drink driving limit when he crashed head on with another car as he drove to care for his sick daughter, a court was told. But he escaped a prison sentence, despite it being his third drink-related driving conviction
BUSINESSMAN John Anthony Walsh has been disqualified from acting as a company director after seven companies with which he was linked went under with debts of more than £1.8million. Mr Walsh, of Brownhill Farm, Ramsgreave, ran a range of businesses from
OUTRAGED residents have called for urgent action after park vandals left a trail of destruction for the second time in five days in the shadow of a £10,000 CCTV system. Panels of laminated safety glass -- designed to be as tough as a car windscreen --
TWICE, in a matter of days, vandals have left a trail of destruction in Blackburn's Corporation Park. Each time, the target has been the pride of the park -- its magnificent historical Grade II-listed Victorian conservatory. Windows have been smashed
A PERFORMANCE of the musical Feast of Life takes place on Saturday in aid of World Church Funds. Written by Garth Hewitt, it is a modern musical which tells the story of the plight of Third World countries carrying major burdens of debt. It will be staged
JEFFREY Archer's first stage play, Beyond Reasonable Doubt will be staged by Rossendale Players on Saturday and Sunday and then Tuesday to Saturday, October 2 to 6, at 7.30pm in the New Millennium Theatre in Waterfoot. Tickets are £5 (concessions £4)
REGARDING the Queen's golden jubilee next year, have the council any celebration plans for the event? How about street parties, like the good old days? F CROMPTON, Lightbown Street, Darwen.
THANK you, England! As an American citizen who has long loved your country, I want to thank you for standing beside us in this terrible ordeal that our nation is facing. It moved me to tears to hear one of your nation's bands play the 'Star Spangled Banner
YOUR article about all the roadworks currently taking place in Blackburn (LET, September 17) gave a list of all the works, but it would have been more useful to give details about the public transport facilities which are available. Fewer road-users would
COUNTY Councillor Alan Whittaker's triple speeding conviction, after being caught on the same camera (LET, September 15), was extremely concerning, not because he was speeding, but because his observational skills are clearly so lacking that he failed
A KITCHEN was badly damaged in a blaze caused by an unattended chip pan on Thursday night (Sept 20). The outbreak happened at a house in Chantlers Avenue, Bury, and caused the remainder of the property to become heavily smoke-logged. Two fire crews tackled
POLICE cordoned off a house in Chapelfield, Radcliffe, on Sunday (Sept 23) after the body of a woman was discovered in a bedroom. A post mortem was carried out on the 30-year-old woman, whom police say had a history of epilepsy. Officers now say there
THE High Sheriff of Lancashire will be the guest speaker at this year's Bury Woman of the Year which will be held next month. The fund-raising luncheon for Bury Hospice will be held on October 25 at the Elizabethan Suite where this year's successful winner
GRANDFATHER Bernard Dunleavy, who had a heart-swap operation more than eight years ago, has condemned the Government's delay on whether to keep the transplant unit open at Wythenshawe. Mr Dunleavy, of Northfield Road, Limefield, in Bury, said the indecision
Atherton Colls 1 Mossley 2 ATHERTON Colls' 2-1 home defeat by Mossley sent the visitors to the top of the NWCL Division One. But, despite a fifth defeat in the eight opening league games, Colls chairman Steve Payne sees no reason to panic. "We are playing
FOOT and mouth restrictions imposed on parts of north Bury during the height of the epidemic have now been lifted. Earlier, Hawkshaw, Holcombe and part of Ramsbottom were subject to a foot and mouth "infected area" status. Although walkers have been allowed
A MEMORIAL garden and statue in honour of Jack Walker was unveiled by his brother Fred at Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club today. The garden has been created in front of the Blackburn End of the ground together with a specially-commissioned
YOUNG Rovers striker Ben Burgess has again been named in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad. The youngster is currently getting rave reviews while playing for second division Brentford having moved to London on loan at the start of the season. He
RUMOURS of a Sunderland bid for Rovers midfielder Jason McAteer are just an example of "agent work" according to Ewood manager Graeme Souness. The Republic of Ireland international, who was in the starting line-up for the first time in five months against
CHRIS Pearce knows what it is like to need help from the PFA after giving up the game. Three times the former Rovers and Clarets goalkeeper has been forced to seek help from the players' union and on each occasion he has been helped. Now he is backing
FOUR happy pets found that a dog's life was not too bad -- when they were pampered by residents at a residential and nursing home in Burnley. Four members of staff took their dogs with them to BUPA's Dove Court, as part of the national Take Your Dogs
THE charity arch and Christmas crib in Burnley town centre may become a cappuccino bar and pavement cafe. Plans are also being considered to redesign the nearby fountain which is regarded as a potential accident hazard. The proposals for improvements
PLANS to improve a bus stop have been re-drawn after a councillor claimed the alterations would cause traffic chaos. Coun Marcus Johnstone wrote to Lancashire County Council (LCC)demanding highway engineers draw up alternative plans after he received
PLANS for a new town centre nightclub in Burnley may be put on hold after objections by two rival nightspots. Renovations to the building in Red Lion Street, Burnley, are already under way and workmen are in the process of transforming the site into a
A MAN in an attack in front of CCTV cameras has been jailed for a total of two years and three months- although a judge said he deserved more. Anthony Stott, 22, had kicked and stamped on his "defenceless " victim and Recorder Roger Farley, QC, who gave
A 23-year-old Nelson man was warned that he may face prison after pleading guilty to his fifth offence of driving while disqualified. Kevin Hankey, of Iona Street, pleaded guilty at Blackburn magistrates to driving while disqualified in Albion Street,
A DRINK driver ended up spending all night in the cells after he was arrested by police, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Alfred Whelan, 47, was not released until the following morning and his solicitor said he did not know why officers
A LOCAL woman suffered a whiplash injury when two vehicles were involved in an accident in Keighley Road, Colne. The collision involved a VW van driven by Ian Smith of Leylands Lane, Keighley, and a Volvo estate driven by Susan Thomson, 51, of Keighley
BARNOLDSWICK town centre was particularly colourful at the weekend -- thanks to a special arts day in the town. Hundreds of people dressed in lavish costumes took part in a variety of events throughout the day. The hard work of those involved didn't go
BUYERS from around the world were expected to attend the first auction organised by Blackburn entrepreneurs. Charles Walker, a member of the Walkersteel family, and Barry Dickinson, an Accrington jeweller, were confident their fine art auction would attract
RADIO Hospitals Blackburn pulled the plug on gay and lesbian programmes after bosses read in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that they were being broadcast. The man responsible had told bosses that the station was broadcasting country and western music
A PENSIONER was today starting a two-year jail term for sexually abusing two little girls about 10 years ago. Burnley Crown Court heard Fred Whittaker, 72 and now wheelchair-bound, fondled his victims and performed sex acts on them, following a similar
TAXI drivers have condemned the decision to close police station doors at 8pm and said they fear for their safety. Opening times for police stations across Eastern Division, including Accrington, were affected after it was decided that it was no longer
THE Rev Dr Jim Garrard will be officially welcomed as priest-in-charge of Balderstone and as warden of readers for the Blackburn Diocese at a service on Friday. The licensing, at St Leonard's Church, Commons Lane, begins at 7.30pm and will be carried
JUSTIN Armitage refused to leave when police attended a large-scale disturbance in Chester Avenue, Clitheroe, on a Friday night. Blackburn magistrates heard that he placed himself between an officer and another youth and told the officer to leave him
HOUSING chiefs are being asked to approve a further grant of £44,000 to carry out kitchen replacements at homes through the Ribble Valley. The borough council's housing committee will meet on Thursday to discuss whether to release the extra expenditure
CHARITIES in the Ribble Valley have benefited from a valuable environmental qualification after Castle Cement opened up one of its training courses to the voluntary sector. The company, whose Ribblesdale works at Clitheroe employs over 450, offered places
CLITHEROE'S Concert Society kicks off its 50th season next month with a performance from young baritone Damien Thantrey. Damien, who has made quite an impression in opera circles recently, will perform songs in English, French and German for the society
IF THERE were to be an award for the most secure manager of the year, Crewe boss Dario Gradi would be home and hosed. In his 19th season in charge at Gresty Road, Gradi IS Crewe Alexandra. He is not just the manager, he is a director of the club and,
PENDLE Jazzmen will play at the Whitchaff Inn, Bury Road, Rawtenstall, on Friday between 9pm and 11.15pm. Admission is free and the performance of Dixieland and mainstream jazz will feature special guest Ged Hone. Further information on the band is available
AFTER spending their whole lives in Blackburn Donna and Cliff Garrett are to pull their last pints in the Lion and leave the town for a new life in Chorley. The couple, who held a leaving party on Saturday, will depart tomorrow for the Queens, Preston
A MOTHER was subjected to a terrifying sexual assault after being abducted in Whitefield and forced to drive to Birmingham. The 45-year-old woman was travelling towards Bury when her black Hyundai Lantra was caught up in standing traffic on Bury New Road
TWO into one really does go! Ask the staff, pupils and parents at Bury's increasingly successful Woodbank Primary School. Although it was a difficult period, Ofsted inspectors have been impressed at the way in which the school has managed to absorb 100
FYLDE fans of the silver screen are looking forward to a year of cinematic treats now that Lytham St Annes Film Society's 54th season has begun. It started last Monday (September 17) with a screening of the award-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
TALK about going out in style! Blackpool Grand Theatre has been left a fabulous legacy of entertainment by general manager Stephanie Sirr. Stephanie sets off for the new pastures of Nottingham Playhouse next month and last week unveiled a stunning array
SKIPPER Steve Davis is confident that the Clarets can get back to winning ways when Crewe Alexandra visit Turf Moor tonight. And he is hoping he will not end the match playing as an emergency centre forward as he did at Carrow Road on Saturday. "The gaffer
AS a child I used to love getting mail. Letters or postcards from friends and relatives around the country were exciting in a village where the late arrival of the wet fish van stirred up gossip and where a stranger's car was immediately reported to the
BURY head for Oldham tonight determined to turn the Second Division table upside down. Saturday's defeat at the hands of Stoke City has dumped Andy Preece's men three points adrift at the bottom, a far cry from the fortunes of the Boundary Park side.
ANIMAL lover Felicity Coulthard has ridden into the finals of a national awards scheme. Sixteen-year-old Felicity from Darwen has been chosen as a finalist in the Bodyform Career Awards 2001. The scheme is to help people from a range of different backgrounds
A MAN who suffered from major burns as a child is taking part in a sponsored fire walk next month. Kelvin Golden, 24, who works at M & G Plastics at Progress Mill in Marsh House Lane, Darwen, will take part in the Blaze Fire Walk being held at the
ENTRIES totalled 323 in Edenfield Horticultural Society Autumn Show with one man entering 50 classes! Secretary Betty Garvey said: "It was a great show which was opened by the High Sheriff of Lancashire Gloria Oates and we were very pleased that she attended
PEOPLE in Rossendale are invited to get involved with the work of Age Concern at a variety of events to be held in the area. As part of Age Concern Week, the Rossendale volunteers are holding a coffee morning at the newly opened shop at 34 Bank Street
SHELTERED housing scheme warden Sue Troughton helped raise hundreds of pounds for Rossendale Hospice by having her third tattoo -- but this one was definitely the last. The mum of two from Goodshaw Avenue, Loveclough, got sponsorship from all the older
FOR the first time the public is being invited in to have a look at Globe Arts new studio at Toll Bar Business Centre, Stacksteads. Early in 2001 the Globe Studio Artists left their former home in Waterfoot as the building had been sold to become a costumier's
A RETIRED caretaker recovering from leukaemia today spoke of his ordeal at the hands of a gang of teenagers who struck him in the face with a hammer. Peter Warren, 48, who used to work at the Oakenhead Resource Centre, Rawtenstall, until leukaemia forced
THWAITES beer reaches the parts other fertilisers can't reach -- as a publican discovered when he started feeding his vegetables a tipple a day. Nothing gets wasted because even the dregs from a pint of Thwaites are recycled and fed to the landlord's
PARISHIONERS said farewell to their vicar of 12 years at a special service at St Silas's church, Preston New Road, Blackburn. The Rev Brian Stevenson, 67, and his wife, Marion, are retiring to a new home in Great Harwood and will take with them gifts
A MEMORIAL garden and statue in honour of Jack Walker was due to be unveiled by his brother Fred at Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club today. The garden has been created in front of the Blackburn End of the ground together with a specially-commissioned
CHERNOBYL children were given a VIP tour of Lancashire police headquarters today as part of a month long rehabilitation in England. The 13 children are staying with host families in Lancashire for the visit which has been organised by the Medicine and
FRIENDSHIP blossomed for two women after one had burgled the other's room at the YWCA in East Park Road, Blackburn. The town's magistrates heard that Emma Louise McAteer had been full of remorse for the offence and had gone to apologise personally to
A RAIL passenger group's chairman has called for a threatened East Lancashire train route to be retained. Brian Grey, Railfuture North West's chairman, said the TransPennine Express route should be improved, not dumped. Mr Grey made his comments as Railfuture
MORE than £1.8million is to be invested in libraries as Blackburn with Darwen Council chiefs aim to keep theirs among the best in the country. And the borough will be among the first in the country to install a new self-issue system for books and tapes
AN EPILEPTIC who had his wallet stolen while he was suffering a fit in the street today slammed the sentence given to the thief. Barry Alan Slater pleaded guilty to Blackburn magistrates of taking a wallet, credit card, and cash from James Taylor as he
RAMSBOTTOM will be looking to warm up to their big FA Cup clash at the weekend with a victory over Warrington Town at the Riverside tonight. The Rams have already picked up £8,500 for winning two games in the prestigious competition and travel to UniBond
DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes will be looking for a positive reaction from his troops as they take on Colne at the Anchor Ground tonight. Following their 5-0 home FA Vase reversal at the hands of neighbours Bacup on Saturday, Wilkes has promised changes will
BLACKBURN'S Carl Fogarty has suffered a setback in his recovery from his broken leg after the operation to reset it was not successful. Fogarty is still in hospital in Wales after crashing during testing with the factory CCM team at Anglesey, preparing
FORMER Burnley favourite Brian Flynn said it was a 'sad day' after he parted company with Wrexham after a 12-year association with the Welsh club. Flynn, who still lives in Burnley, was the third longest serving manager behind Manchester United's Alex
TWO separate attacks on young girls as they made their way to school in Blackpool this week have prompted an appeal for witnesses by Blackpool police. In the first incident, a 10-year-old girl was walking past Bargain Booze on Central Drive between 8.30
CHEEKY Bury FC mascot Robbie the Bobby has been given the all-clear to entertain the fans at tonight's clash against Oldham -- despite causing a rumpus at the weekend by baring his backside to rival fans. Management at Gigg Lane held an inquiry after
