Archive

  • EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, November 10

    A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Holy Trinity Fair's Christmas Fair, Hoghton Village Hall, 2pm. Santa calling. Dance Night, Accrington Town Hall, 8pm. Concert of Remembrance, Blackburn Cathedral, 7.30pm

  • Gruesome goings-on

    LYTHAM St Annes Technology College proved it was a real wizard school after the half-term break. All sorts of spooky events went on for the school's Hallowe'en book week in the library resource centre. Pupils wrote five minute scary stories to win a ticket

  • A puzzle for new pupils

    NEW pupils at an independent Fylde school had no problem puzzling out how to mark their arrival. First year pupils at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, have planted two monkey puzzle trees to celebrate their first term at the school. School

  • Science on the agenda

    ART will meet science during a special education event this month. Key stage three students from Bispham High School Arts College, Blackpool, will visit Penwortham Environment Education Centre, near Preston, on November 12 to meet scientists and find

  • Scholarships for talented pupils

    ARNOLD School has joined forces with The Ogden Trust to provide a new school scholarship. The educational trust is backing the Lytham Road school's initiative to help talented children from low income families attend Arnold. Principal Bill Gillen said

  • This week in 1976 25 years ago

    HEBREW HQ: Bury's first synagogue was officially consecrated by the Chief Rabbi, Dr Immanuel Jakobovits, in a ceremony attended by leading civic and Jewish dignitaries. The synagogue of the Bury Hebrew Congregation, in Sunny Bank Road, was the result

  • Fundraiser a cracker

    TERRY and Alice Whalley, of The Brownhill Arms, Blackburn and I would like to thank everyone who donated and helped to raise £430 for breast cancer research with a firework display, potato pie supper and raffle. PENNY LEWIS, Whalley New Road, Blackburn

  • Freedom won

    - or was it? ON Remembrance Sunday, we honour the heroes of two world wars who died for our freedom. Just eight days later, five honest traders are to appeal to the High Court in London over their 'offence' of selling produce in pounds and ounces, not

  • Pupils plan Africa trip

    PUPILS are working flat out to collect money for a trip to South West Africa. The lucky seven Fred Longworth High students need to raise £2,500 each in order to take part in a four-week project in Namibia next July. The group of 14 to 16-year-olds from

  • Fireworks 'bomb' ban demand

    COMMUNITY leaders have called for a fireworks ban following a spate of blasts, including an incident where a young man was seriously injured. The 16-year-old boy had part of his hand blown off on Friday night when a firework exploded as he was trying

  • Singing from the heart...

    PREMIER Theatre Company will be singing from the heart at Fleetwood Marine Hall this Sunday (Nov 11) with proceeds from the night destined for the doomed RSPCA centre at Marton. Following appeals from Longview Animal Home, Division Lane, the caring company

  • Going Wilde with a play by Oscar

    BRITAIN'S favourite literary lunatics Lip Service are back at Blackpool Grand Theatre next week. And this time the hilarious duo are sending up Oscar Wilde's Importance Of Being Earnest complete with a giant handbag set and promising a slap in the face

  • Allez allez!

    A TEAM of Bury firemen got on their bikes to race across France and all for charity. Green Watch from Bury fire station stepped on the pedals for a 300-mile trip from St Malo to Bury's twin town Angouleme in June. More than £2,000 was raised to be split

  • Merger meeting

    PARENTS of pupils at Higher Lane Junior School have been invited to a meeting on Wednesday evening (Nov 14) to discuss the proposed merger with the neighbouring Infant school. As reported in the Bury Times, the governing body of the struggling junior

  • Canal 'flasher' hunted

    A 15-year-old girl fled in terror after a man jumped out of bushes and exposed himself on a canal towpath behind Coney Green High School on Tuesday (Nov 6) at 9pm. The offender was white, around 20-years-old, of medium build, with short brown hair brushed

  • Farmers happy as controls lifted

    EAST Lancashire farmers were celebrating today as livestock movement restrictions imposed during the foot-and-mouth epidemic were lifted. The ban had affected almost 8,500 farms in the north of England. Only four areas are now under controls, including

  • Remembering the home front

    DURING the First World War (1914-18), when many men went off to fight, those left behind also had a vital role to play. Before the war, a woman's place had been firmly in the home, but now women took the place of men. In the cities, they endured dangerous

  • Police hunt young muggers

    THREE young thugs are being hunted by police after they beat and robbed a 22-year-old man. Their victim was punched and kicked to the floor after he made his way home at 11pm on Thursday (Nov 1). The man got off a tram at the Heaton Park Metrolink station

  • Hospital cigs sales probe

    TWO hospital porters have been arrested after an investigation into the selling of contraband cigarettes to patients at a Blackburn hospital. The man and woman were arrested after customs officials moved in on Queen's Park Hospital where they work. Customs

  • A night of Cyn is just the business!

    BURY businesswomen have enjoyed an evening of innocent Cyn! For former notorious "madam" Cynthia Payne was the guest speaker at a special business dinner held at the Village Hotel at Heap Bridge. She addressed around 120 delegates of Mosaic, the women

  • Woman forced to drive for robber

    A HOUSEWIFE was forced to drive a thief to Bolton after he sneaked into her home in Tottington. The husband and children of the 47-year-old woman had just left the house in Cann Street at 10am on Sunday when the man walked into the kitchen area. He threatened

  • John's ordeal at hands of knife attacker

    A MASKED raider threatened to murder a Radcliffe chip shop owner before fleeing with the day's takings and his car. John Dixon (50) of Frydays on The Piazza experienced the terrifying ordeal at 8pm on Thursday (Nov 1). "I didn't see the knife at first

  • RMI on course for Conference take-off

    LEIGH RMI hope to find themselves in the top half of the Conference for the first time this season if they can beat Dover tomorrow. Things are finally looking up at the Hilton Park club after a disastrous start to the season and the Railwaymen will be

  • Post code may stop girl's tennis dream

    A GOLBORNE tennis coach is annoyed one of his star junior players has missed out on a sports scholarship -- because her parents live over the border. Andy Brown, a coach at Golborne Lawn Tennis Club, is fuming because eight-year-old Catherine Hughes will

  • Kuqi left out in the cold

    SHEFKI Kuqi'S move to Rovers came a step closer last night when new Stockport manager Carlton Palmer revealed that he had left the Finnish international striker out of the squad for tomorrow's trip to Watford. Palmer decided on the move to protect the

  • Dunn looking forward

    EWOOD ace David Dunn is hoping to boost his England credentials by leading the Under 21s to a famous victory in tonight's crunch play-off clash against Holland in Utrecht. David Platt's young lions face the Dutch over two legs in order to determine who

  • Sites for skaters strategy

    CONSULTANTS are to be appointed to prepare a skate strategy for Burnley. The cost is estimated at £3-5000 with the cost of providing skateboard facilities said to be anything from £40-80,000. The funds are available through government single regeneration

  • No jail over gun in home

    AN ex-convict, found to have a handgun and ammunition at his home, has been spared a trip back to jail. Burnley Crown Court heard how Mohammed Khan, 26, was banned from having firearms for five years after his release from custody -- but told police the

  • Wardens upset as visitors fail to appear

    BURNLEY'S Community Wardens were left disappointed after a Home Office Minister due to visit the town to discuss the scheme failed to show. Angela Eagle had promised to meet the wardens who are trying to build up community spirit and cut down on anti-social

  • Council is set for Whitehall cash review

    THE Government has promised to review the supply of Whitehall cash to Burnley Council in the longer term, but has offered no short term financial fixes to the authority. A delegation from the borough met local Government Minister Alan Whitehead yesterday

  • Superiority is America-led

    A. P. TOBIAS (Postbag, Oct 19) talks about the Arabs threatening invasion but it is the Israelis who are doing the invading with tanks and rockets. He talks about the Arabs, with superior numbers, being beaten by the Israelis. The Arabs were beaten by

  • IRA still have plenty of arms

    SO the IRA takes the "historic" step to decommission some of its weapons. Only they know just how many weapons, and how much explosives they have. Even if they sacrifice 75 per cent of their stocks in this "historic" action, just how much will be left

  • The facts about our museum

    IT seems Civic Observer's intellectual process allows only for gratuitous insults rather than consideration of facts (Yours Truly, Nov 1). First, the proposal for Radcliffe is not a museum in the traditional sense but for a combined museum and restaurant

  • John says thank you

    A GRIEVING husband has spent the time since his wife's death raising £1,000 to donate to Christies. Jean Boardman, of Gordon Street, Leigh lost her battle with cancer on August 18. Now, her husband of 42 years, John, wants to show his appreciation to

  • Oldest to the newest

    PUPILS of Chowbent Primary School have moved from the oldest building in their borough to the newest. Until a year ago, the 185 pupils at the Atherton school were occupying buildings which date back to 1735. Now, they have the most modern facilities in

  • Bakers find recipe for success

    AFTER tantalising the taste buds of judges in a national competition, a Leigh bakery has been named Champion Bakery of Britain 2001. Waterfields Bakery beat off competition from nine other finalists in London last week, in the National Association of

  • Workers can escape cigs trap

    ANTI-SMOKING workers are to launch quit schemes in workplaces after applying for a £17,000 grant. The Smoking Cessation Clinic, based at Accrington Victoria Hospital, will take on new staff to help educate employees as well as offering support and help

  • GOOD fishermen use the correct bait and keep out of sight.

    Satan fishes in the sea of humanity. He hides his hellish hooks in a variety of attractive baits, and conceals himself so well that those who get hooked don't even believe he exists. The Bible tells us the Lord Jesus Christ came "to destroy the works

  • Ex-worker cleared of spitting in soft drinks

    A JURY cleared a former worker at a soft drinks firm of contaminating a production line by spitting. As a precaution, the company dumped more than £4,000 of drinks after a security guard said a laid-off worker had told him he spat in the drink. At Bolton

  • Honour our war heroes

    OLD soldiers will parade throughout the borough on Sunday to remember the millions of heroes who died in conflict. And it will be a day of double duty for the Mayor, Cllr John Hilton, who will be at both the Wigan and Golborne services. In Leigh, the

  • Praise for care service 'an outrage'

    TRAGIC mum Brenda Rowley is outraged that Health Minister Alan Milburn has named Salford as one of the top social services authorities in the country. The Astley mother, who lost her disabled son when he drowned in a spa bath at his Eccles care home in

  • Support for sports plan

    GOVERNMENT minister Stephen Byers visited Leigh on Friday, when he ran the rule over ideas for a super sports complex. The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions had been invited to take a look at Leigh by MP Andy Burnham.

  • Homes plan for hospital

    BUILDINGS on the former Ribchester Hospital site could soon be replaced by 15 one and two storey detached houses. Morris Homes, of Newton-le-Willows has applied for planning permission to take over the site. The application also includes the retention

  • Scorpions youth maul tigers

    North West Counties Under 14s Blackpool Scorpions 34 Royton Tigers 4 THIS was the second meeting of these two teams within two weeks with Royton winning the first encounter by 10-6. But the Scorpions juniors got revenge big style in very windy but dry

  • Craig tops a ton of tries for Scorpions

    SCORPIONS' hard-earned victory was a personal triumph for Craig Campbell who scored a hat-trick of tries -- the second one his 100th for the team. Waterhead took the lead with a penalty after the Scorpions were caught offside. A crunching tackle by hard-hitting

  • Stop biting the hand that feeds you

    Sir, REGARDING the response to my letter that your faith would be so acceptable in some Islamic states that death would be one penalty for being a Christian, my point is that the Government needs to act now, given that we already harbour known terrorists

  • Counting the cost of crime

    BURY companies are being surveyed in a bid to count the true cost of crime. Bolton and Bury Chamber is taking a lead role in a national campaign to focus on an issue which is becoming a growing concern for businesses. The Chamber is surveying its 1,200

  • Seal of approval

    MOVING on to bigger and better things! That's a former Radcliffe company Acumen Seals which has become the first occupiers to take up residence at the new Agecroft Commerce Park. The business park has been created under the auspices of Networkspace, a

  • Varied topics for business club members

    A VENUE with a difference attracted another good turnout at the latest monthly meeting of the Bury Business Club. Wheeldon Brothers Waste Ltd hosted an evening which included information on various business opportunities, as well as networking time. Now

  • MP launches Learning and Skills Council

    BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has delivered a keynote address at the launch of an organisation charged with developing skills across Greater Manchester. In his capacity as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Learning and Young People, he spoke to 250

  • Pompey aim to close the gap

    PORTSMOUTH travel to Turf Moor tomorrow as one of the clubs in the crowded scrum at the top of the first division. They have had a mixed start to life under new manager Graham Rix but know that a win against Burnley will take them to within a point of

  • Thief grabs jewellery

    A BURGLAR stole £235 worth of goods from a house in St Annes this week. The thief forced a rear window at the semi-detached house on Albany Road between 5.20 and 6.15pm on Monday (Nov 5) and searched through the rooms. Among items missing are a pair of

  • Emma leaves 'em Breathless

    A BLACKPOOL songbird aged just nine is flying high after scooping the top prize at a regional talent competition. Emma Wright stole the judges' hearts in the under-12 category of the Pines Citizen Talent Contest 2001, run recently by our sister paper

  • Bogus surveyors con pensioner out of cash

    TWO con men made off with nearly £700 after tricking a Whitefield pensioner. In what police have described as a "callous" crime, the offenders struck in Egerton Road on Thursday afternoon (Nov 1). The two men called at the 73-year-old man's home and claimed

  • Still stalwart support for saving the lodges

    STEADFAST support was shown for a campaign to preserve lodges which straddle Ainsworth, Starling and Elton, when residents turned out in force for a second public meeting. Around 200 people attended the gathering at Bolton Road Sports Club, organised

  • Cardiff mascot gets the red card

    BURY FC mascot "Robbie The Bobby" was in the thick of the action on Wednesday night (Nov 7) after a brawl with his Cardiff City rival. His opposing number "Barclay the Bluebird" was escorted from the ground by stewards after starting a fight with the

  • Mum's fight for justice

    MOTHER of a Whitefield teenager killed by a drink-driver has started a campaign for tougher sentences. Mrs Edwina Veeder has spoken of her anger after her daughter Alexandra's killer had his seven-and-a-half-year jail term cut to six years on appeal.

  • Remembering the fallen

    THIS year's annual Remembrance Day parade will be a more poignant occasion as the borough's residents pay their respects to those who lost their lives in past and present wars. Sunday's (Nov 11) church and outdoor services will take place as British and

  • Kuqi left out, good news for Rovers

    SHEFKI Kuqi'S move to Rovers came a step closer last night when new Stockport manager Carlton Palmer revealed that he had left the Finnish international striker out of the squad for tomorrow's trip to Watford. Palmer decided on the move to protect the

  • Lytham show promotion form

    LYTHAM put in a strong team performance to take all three points from a tough Leeds side. The first goal came from a quick break from defence with the ball moved quickly on to Craig Nuttall on the half way line. With Dave Robbins in support up front,

  • Festive fair

    A CHRISTMAS fair opens at Leigh St Peter's Junior School, Firs Lane, on Saturday, November 24, at 2pm. Admission is 20p.

  • Christmas fair

    ST NATHANIEL'S parish Christmas Fair begins at 11am on Saturday, November 17, and runs until 4pm at St Nathaniel's School, Platt Bridge. Admission is free.

  • Lifeboat appeal

    A BRING-and-buy sale is being held by the Tyldesley branch of the RNLI. The sale starts at 2.15pm on Tuesday at the Methodist Rooms in Elliott Street, Tyldesley. Admission is 50p.

  • Author's profile

    LIZ Williams, a member of the Elizabeth Gaskell Society, will give a profile of the Knutsford authoress to Atherton Heritage Society on Tuesday, at 7.30pm in St Richard's Jubilee Hall.

  • 750 new trees

    LOCALS have helped plant 750 trees at Leyland Park in Hindley. Repairs to the bandstand have been carried out already and other projects supported by the community include more trees and planted areas, better footpaths and improved play facilities for

  • Stores back BBC charity

    LEIGH and Golborne Asda Stores are officially supporting the BBC's Children in Need for the first time. They will join all 247 stores nationwide raising funds for the charity. Four Pudsey Smart cars are driving the length and breadth of the country collecting

  • Get festive shopping in the bag

    A SPECIAL late night Christmas shopping evening has been planned for Bacup. Many shops in the town will stay open until 9pm on December 12 when there will also be entertainment and refreshments. The event has been organised by the Bacup Consortium. Member

  • £23,000 for Hospice

    WIGAN and Leigh Hospice managed to raise £23,000 through doorstep collections. During August and September, a record number of people delivered and collected envelopes, bringing in an impressive total which bettered last year's amount by £2,000. Hospice

  • 'Healthy' Shipman patient died suddenly

    THE relatives of a "very fit and healthy" former farm labourer were shocked when he died suddenly in a Todmorden residential home, the inquiry investigating serial killer Dr Harold Shipman's death toll was told. The Manchester hearing was told that Edward

  • Village green bid overturned

    ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are outraged that a Hindley Green oasis has been denied village green status. Residents had applied for the Belvedere Farm site to be designated a village green to stave off housing development. The application was part crusade

  • Band nets Lottery cash

    THE Ellenbrook and Boothstown Band, who played at Eccles Methodist Church to help boost church funds, have been awarded a £3,500 National Lottery grant to buy more instruments for its recently formed junior band. Tutored and conducted by Toby Hobson of

  • Hag Fold hit and run death: Man in court

    AN Atherton man appeared before magistrates accused of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop and perverting the course of justice. On Monday morning Simon Christopher Baxter, 33, of Spa Road, Hag Fold, went before magistrates in Wigan. He

  • Shakespeare's works - in an hour and a half

    DIRECT from London's West End the Reduced Shakespeare Company prepare to descend on Bolton. As part of their National Tour 2001 they will perform their Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) on Friday, November 16 at the Albert Halls. The audience

  • Fire destroys bungalow

    DEVELOPERS were this week told they will have to wait three weeks to find out if they can build 21 new houses in Astley on land attached to a bungalow, which was twice set on fire by vandals on Saturday. Redwaters Construction had applied to Wigan Council

  • One lucky youngster will sing with pop star Faye

    THE search is on for a lucky North West youngster to sing with Steps star Faye Tozer. One child will be given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to sing a Christmas carol with the pop star, backed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. BBC North West Tonight has

  • Councillors' expenses to rise by 9 per cent

    WIGAN Council's lone Tory, Cllr Michael Winstanley, voted against a rise in councillors' expenses. At last week's full council meeting he was the only one of 72 councillors to speak against the nine per cent increase which will take the basic allowance

  • Christmas boost for shoppers

    LEIGH'S new £3million extension to Spinning Gate opens tomorrow, bringing a boost for Christmas shoppers. The new mall, which increases the centre by almost half again, will provide up to 12 additional stores. And developers have kept their pledge to

  • Heaven sent!

    A HEAVENLY half-a-million pound scheme to bring facilities in a Cleveleys church bang up-to-date and complete necessary repairs is fast becoming a reality. The scheme at St Andrew's Church, Rough Lea Road, entails building a new community hall with a

  • Sex advice goes on road

    SEX advice has never been more accessible for young people -- this is the message to be boldly displayed on three buses throughout Blackpool and the Fylde. The brightly-coloured posters will advertise the region's extensive family planning clinics and

  • Bonfire Night goes with a bang

    WET and wild weather didn't stop Guy Fawkes night going off with a bang this week as huge bonfires and spectacular firework displays across the Fylde Coast drew record numbers of cold yet cheery on-lookers. The dismal night-skies were set ablaze with

  • Residents rally to save RSPCA centre

    KIND-HEARTED Blackpool folk have been digging deep into their pockets this week to help keep Blackpool's much-needed RSPCA centre open. The Division Lane centre needs to raise £43,000 in the next six months or faces closure and a bleak future for its

  • Gareth makes a quick return

    COLNE are set to sign former Burnley defender Gareth West - who just a fortnight ago announced his retirement from the game. Securing the signature of the 24-year-old centre half would be a major coup the North West Counties Second Division side. Manager

  • Stand are riding high

    STAND Athletic manager Nick Davis knows nothing about his opponents tomorrow -- but he is not too concerned. His side are riding high at the top of NWCL Division Two with an 11 point cushion on their nearest challengers and tomorrow seek to continue their

  • Lee feeling all the pressure

    CLITHEROE manager Lee Sculpher says his side have 'everything to lose' in their FA Vase second round clash against Nelson tomorrow. The Blues reached the semi-final of the competition last season before being knocked out 8-4 on aggregate by eventual winners

  • Mashiter no replacement for Russ

    RAMSBOTTOM manager Mike Kelly has hit back at speculation that top scorer Russell Brierley is set to leave the club. Kelly is waiting to talk to Paul Mashiter from West Lancs League side Feniscowles and he is hoping to bring the frontman to the Riverside

  • Step closer to strike

    ENGLISH football was set to move a step closer towards strike action today when the result of a ballot of players was revealed. And Burnley's players could find themselves in the heat of the battle as their scheduled trip to Preston North End is rumoured

  • Fowl-ing it up is not on Robbo's agenda

    DAVID Robinson can name Robbie Fowler among his former team-mates - but it is his new found friends at Stanley who are impressing him so far. The 27-year-old joined the Crown Ground outfit from Runcorn in a £5,000 deal in mid-September and has become

  • Choose gifts carefully

    ONCE again Christmas is on the horizon with shops and stores all ready set up to help us choose what gifts to give our family and friends and once again may I appeal to the readers of The Citizen to choose carefully if they are giving cosmetics. Despite

  • 'Keep the pound' outburst

    MEP Chris Davies's outburst of anger directed at the proprietor of Wetherspoon's chain of pubs for actively supporting the "Keep the Pound" campaign gives us a clear insight into the European Union's attitude towards free speech and democratic principles

  • Land belongs to the people

    AN open public meeting was called by the Supporters of Ashton Gardens to vocalise the concerns of local council taxpayers and Councillors who were denied an opportunity to put the full planning case against proposed development at a recent council meeting

  • Can it get any better for us?

    IT just seems to get better and better, but can the lads really improve any further following the demolition of Stockport last Saturday? Well Moysie says they can and I hope I'm there at the time! It's the official opening of the new stand tonight (Thursday

  • AGAINST: A ban would do more harm than good

    FIREWORKS are a tradition dating back hundreds of years which enthral thousands. Even Chief Superintendent John Thompson, one of those calling for them to be banned to the public, recognises their entertainment value although he stressed that the public

  • Extra bus stop should help

    I SYMPATHISE with correspondent "Starling Resident" (Your Letters, Oct 10), who is finding the journey from Starling to Bolton problematic using the 98 service. First Manchester withdrew the 509 service as part of a package of changes to services in the

  • Many thanks Ken!

    I'D like to thank Ken Bradley for reminding me that my memory is not as good as his - and he's 85. Ken, who owned Bradley's hardware store on Bradshawgate, retired to Lytham in 1980 and read my piece about my teacher Harry Davies' black Morris traveller

  • Oh, I so missed the gravy

    A BRIT who lived abroad for years returned to find friends she had made sending SOS calls to her for much missed goodies from the home country. So much so that she set up a business in her garage arranging food parcels to ship out to them. If only she

  • Bowled over by colour

    RAZZMATAZZ has caught up with the genteel sport of bowls. In order to make the game more exciting for TV, players have ditched their whites and are wearing one-day cricket colours - and sending green and red bowls. The new-look was introduced in Blackpool

  • Teacher okay to return

    THE headteacher of a Ramsbottom primary school who was suspended in June following allegations of exam irregularities has been reinstated. Mike Duce is expected to return to Peel Brow Primary School within the next two weeks. The decision to reinstate

  • School to keep its old tradition

    PUPILS at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham will continue a tradition which has been unbroken since 1919 when they meet for their Remembrance Service on November 9. The service dates back 82 years and wreaths will be laid on the school's

  • Sisters selected for county hockey squads

    A TELEPHONE call from the Lancashire hockey selectors has brought double delight to young players at a Lytham school. Sisters Hannah and Rebecca Minto have both been selected as members of the Lancashire squad for inter county fixtures this season. Rebecca

  • Emma samples work and meets Cissie, 100

    YEAR 11 pupils at St Mary's Catholic High School all left school for two weeks -- to sample the world of work. Pupils experienced a variety of work placements including joining the Army for a few days, working in schools and playgroups, solicitors' offices

  • Moving on...but I still can't make clean break

    IT'S Friday night but, uncharacteristically, I'm not looking forward to the weekend. Usually it's my favourite part of the week. After the hard slog of work there's nothing I look forward to more than kicking back and relaxing. The getting drunk and staying

  • David's dream debut

    Bury 3 Cardiff City 0 by Steve Canavan AT last, Bury are starting to show as much fight as their mascot. Robby The Bobby was ejected from Wednesday's match for brawling with his opposite number - Barclay The Bluebird. And Bury showed just as much aggression

  • Today's the day

    1859: Flogging was abolished in the British Army. 1908: Britain's first woman mayor, Elizabeth Garett Anderson, was elected at Aldeburgh. 1911: Neon advertising signs were patented by George Claude. 1961: JFK was elected American President. 1961: Brian

  • Memories of 'yellow peril'

    LOOKING at the picture in your Memories of East Lancashire supplement of a worker painting yellow no-parking lines in Burnley in 1965 (LET, October 19), my memory of those days is of everyone saying" Beware of the yellow peril." We thought it meant the

  • Youngsters need guidance

    I AM neither shocked nor surprised by the label 'SH*G' promoting a new brew lager (LET, October 26). A famous-brand shampoo has advertising portraying models and suggestive captions, one of which is: "SH*G me" published in teen and women's magazines.

  • Wage cut blow for RMI players

    CASH-hit Leigh RMI have told their players they must face a pay cut. Chairman Chris Healey met the first team squad last night to announce the decision but insisted there is no intention of the club not fulfilling their fixtures in the Conference. "I

  • BSE legacy of Conservatives

    I WAS furious to read Tory Councillor David Pearson (Letters, October 29) complaining about the government's handling of the foot and mouth crisis and blaming them for BSE, not because I am a particular supporter of the Government but because for a Conservative

  • Crime down? Not so I've noticed

    REGARDING the level of crime in Sudell Ward, Darwen, Councillor Dave Smith (Letters, October 29) seems to think we are fortunate we are to live in this area because crime has gone down due to police and council input. I took the opportunity of clipping

  • Big band sound blows into town

    SWING to the sound of the big bands by the seaside this month with the Big Band Event at Pontin's Holiday Centre, Blackpool. The national extravaganza runs from November 16-19 and taking part will be the world famous Todd Miller & the Joe Loss Orchestra

  • Hollywood legend role for Faith

    "I'M ready for my close up now Mr De Golden Mile." To paraphrase the line made famous by Gloria Swanson in the classic fifties film, Sunset Boulevard is on its way to Blackpool. A major national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical based on the film

  • Creepy but not big on scares

    Jeepers Creepers (15) reviewed by Richard King THE claims that Jeepers Creepers is the best/scariest horror movie for the past ten years are completely false. Jeepers Creepers is a competent enough shocker but I can think of several movies that blow it

  • Euro MP's call to stick to BST

    LIVES and money could be saved by having British Summer Time all year round. So says Euro MP Gary Titley, who has renewed his call for an end to the annual practice of turning back the clocks. "The Transport Research Laboratory has produced convincing

  • Attacked outside pub

    A 33-year-old man was attacked outside a Bury pub. The victim suffered facial injuries and was detained in hospital for observations following Saturday night's (Nov 3) assault. The man had been drinking in the Cotton Tree in Bell Lane and was involved

  • Band makes French connection

    MEMBERS of Tottington Public Band will fly out to France today (Friday Nov 9) as special guests of a music school festival. The 29-strong group was invited to the end-of-week celebrations in Nimes, in the south of France, after organisers contacted them

  • Driver (14) dies in police pursuit

    A 14-year-old boy died at the wheel of a Reliant Rialto during a police pursuit which started in Bury. Craig Whelan from Salford suffered fatal injuries when the three-wheeled car collided with a road sign at junction 15 of the M60. The smash happened

  • Game offers pupils level playing field

    A GAME which allows blind youngsters to play competitively with their fully-sighted counterparts has scored a hit in Bury. Goalball is proving a winner at Tottington High School, after it was originally tried and tested at Radcliffe High School. Two of

  • Christmas at home before life-saving op

    LEUKAEMIA sufferer Elizabeth Morris will spend Christmas at home before undergoing a life-saving bone marrow transplant. The operation on the courageous five-year-old is now likely to be carried out early in the new year, allowing her to be with her family

  • Hospital hit by ops crisis

    HEALTH watchdogs today warned of the crisis facing Burnley Hospital this winter after operations were cancelled because of a shortage of beds. Burnley Community Health Council said the situation was 'unmanageable' and health bosses blamed an increase

  • Chance for you to join crime panels

    VOLUNTEERS from the communities in Rossendale, Burnley, and Pendle are wanted to join local Youth Offender Panels. Lancashire Youth Offending Team is in the process of setting up the panels which are the new way of allowing local people have an influence

  • They don't care

    I TAKE my grandchildren to play on Manchester Road playing fields in Bury and am sick and tired of them standing in "dog muck". Too many dog owners simply don't care what mess their pets leave. DISGUSTED GRANDAD

  • Reckless? You are kidding!

    A BRITISH Muslim who went to Afghanistan to fight for the Taliban has fled to Pakistan after his first taste of battle. Twenty-six-year-old Abu Mindar says it wasn't the danger that bothered him it was "the recklessness of the Taliban and their disregard

  • Merge plan views heard

    PARENTS and children were given their say last night on whether two Victorian church primary schools in Bamber Bridge should merge. The governors of Bamber Bridge Methodist, Wesley Street, and St Saviour's CofE, Church Road, -- which are half-a-mile apart

  • Euro booze helps smugglers

    THE Manchester region is among the top five destinations in the country for bootlegged beer smuggled across the English Channel, says north west Euro-MP Chris Davies. He estimates that up to 45,000 pints of beer are sold illegally in the Manchester area

  • Attack destroys Parkinson sufferer's pride and joy

    A FIREWORK dropped through an air vent is thought to have caused a fire which destroyed a caravan and damaged a 4 x 4 vehicle. And the arsonists' Sunday night attack in Tyldesley has abruptly ended Parkinson's Disease sufferer Gordon Burrows' 12-year

  • Farmers happy as controls lifted

    EAST Lancashire farmers were celebrating today as livestock movement restrictions imposed during the foot-and-mouth epidemic were lifted. The ban had affected almost 8,500 farms in the north of England. Only four areas are now under controls, including

  • Crowning glory for Raiders

    BLACKPOOL Raiders, which is one of the largest and most successful roller hockey clubs in the country, has secured a major sponsor. Crown Trade Paints have sponsored new kit for the whole club which consists of more than 60 players. The Raiders are fast

  • Tense times on the oche

    IN the Superleague St Annes Ex-Servicemens Club played host to a tense and hard fought derby match between St Annes & Kirkham. With a good crowd and electric atmosphere, this match was always going to be a close contest. Kirkham were unbeaten before

  • It's not just dogs that cause a mess

    Sir, I SYMPATHISE with the lady who has to negotiate her pram and two children through dog muck in Nel Pan Lane. I agree with her that it is disgusting and unfair. I think I am a responsible dog owner and clean up after my dog, as do many other people

  • We must help MP champion our town

    Sir, IT is good news that Andy Burnham has called for leisure facilities for Leigh and surrounding areas. He seems to be genuinely interested in the community. We desperately need facilities for young people, whatever walk of life they come from. A bowling

  • Good shows against leading teams

    THE SEASIDERS showed true character on Tuesday night coming back from a two goal deficit with only twenty five minutes remaining to snatch a memorable draw in a rousing finish. But once again, all three points could have been in the bag against a strong

  • Get with IT

    BURY firms and those elsewhere in the North West are losing out to more IT (information technology) competent competitors in London and the south, according to a new survey. Less than half of all small businesses in the North West have access to the Internet

  • Don't fear the euro

    THE boss of a thriving Bury component company is harnessing the euro as a major trading tool which has already helped shape a buoyant overseas market for his firm. And Toni Hankin's distinct pragmatic approach to the controversial Single European Currency

  • School to keep its old tradition

    PUPILS at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham will continue a tradition which has been unbroken since 1919 when they meet for their Remembrance Service on November 9. The service dates back 82 years and wreaths will be laid on the school's

  • Clarets have got a job to do on Bob

    STAN Ternent would rather his players did not have to face him, but the Burnley boss has no doubt who is the star attraction at Turf Moor tomorrow afternoon. "Robert Prosinecki is worth the admission money alone," he enthused about the man he saw in action

  • Clarets stars 'not for sale'

    STAN TERNENT was last night hailed as one of the two greatest managers in the history of Burnley Football Club at the club's 104th Annual General Meeting. And the board reiterated its determination not to sell star winger Glen Little or any of Ternent's

  • Venue switch on tour

    ENGLAND'S opening game on their controversial tour of India is being switched to a new venue because of security fears. The match against the Mumbai Cricket Association was due to have been played at Bombay's Gymkhana ground. But the venue has been moved

  • There is no comparison

    JUST wait until I get my hands on Flitty! Regular readers of this column will be aware of the banter that exists between the pair of us but he overstepped the mark with his latest stunt last week. A TV crew from ITV's 'On The Ball' came down to Brockhall

  • Transport man hurt at depot

    A BLACKPOOL transport employee was hit by a bus at Talbot Road bus station. The man was struck on Tuesday evening (Nov 6) by the bus just before 8pm and was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment. His injuries were not believed to be serious

  • Hunt on for community heroes

    HAVE you made a Big Difference? The Big Issue in the North wants to reward heroes working in the community. It is looking for nominees for The Big Difference Awards 2002 which are open to people who go the extra mile to make their community a better place

  • Aimee is fire drama heroine

    A 10-YEAR-OLD girl was treated for burns to her leg after her electric blanket overheated a mattress and set it on fire. Aimee Brothwood, aged 10, was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with minor burns to her leg following the fire in the early hours

  • Citizen Comment: Let them get on with saving lives

    THE appalling case of surgeon Steven Walker has occupied the headlines of newspapers and television all week. It has not been pleasant reading or viewing. It has no doubt been even more traumatic for relatives of those who died because of the blunders

  • Social services facing probe

    A TOWN HALL inquiry is to be held into the poor performance of Blackpool social services concerning children -- but not purely because of the recent damning Department of Health report, the leading Labour group say. Department of Health (DOH) information

  • Phil muscles his way to the top

    THE new Mr Wigan swept the board in his first body-building competition, then went on to beat Mr World the following week. Phil Carlon, of Grimshaw Street, Golborne, took home seven trophies after taking part in the Wigan Physique Show, held at Mr Earl's

  • Museum peace

    PLANS for the much heralded £6 million Radcliffe Market and Museum have been unveiled for the first time. Internationally acclaimed architect John Pawson revealed his detailed designs, displays and models for the proposed development in the new LinkIT

  • School set example on saving waste

    CONEY Green High School is taking a firm stand against waste. The school council, under the guidance of teacher Sally March and with the assistance of the charity Global Action Plan Aid and Bury Council, embarked on a scheme to cut down on waste within

  • Lowest figures: but crime is on the increase

    CRIME is continuing to rise in the borough while fewer than a quarter of incidents are detected by the police. Bury continues to have the lowest amount of recorded crime in the Greater Manchester area and the second best detection rate, but local police

  • Singing star will be sadly missed

    A LEADING light in Bury's entertainment scene died suddenly last week. Johnny Mahon has wowed thousands at pubs and clubs in his home town and throughout the North West during a singing career that has spanned more than 50 years. Johnny will also be remembered

  • Bosses deny under-funding

    A COMPANY which looks after people with learning disabilities has pulled out of its contract with Bury social services. Solutions for Living says the council has not given it enough money to pay the carers it employs. It has given the council five days

  • Clarets stars 'not for sale'

    STAN TERNENT was last night hailed as one of the two greatest managers in the history of Burnley Football Club at the club's 104th Annual General Meeting. And the board reiterated its determination not to sell star winger Glen Little or any of Ternent's

  • Last gasp strike secures point

    SUPER sub Richard Cresswell saved North End's blushes with an 88th minute close range header. But the man who should have left the field red-faced was referee Mr A Hall. His bizarre performance would have been more suited to It's a Knockout, presented

  • Victory was step in the right direction - Preece

    "WE ain't done nothing yet" ... that's the warning Shakers boss Andy Preece has issued to his players after Wednesday's cracking 3-0 demolition of big-spending Cardiff City. The manager was as pleased as anyone at the win but has been quick to point out

  • Search called off

    THE search for a body at Jacks Key reservoir has been called off. Chief Inspector Steve Hartley said after a thorough search on Tuesday and Wednesday, no sign of a body could be found. Police acted after reports of suspicious activity at the area and

  • Furniture made fire dangerous

    A BONFIRE which grew too big for a back garden, sent fire crew racing to Eva Crescent in Leigh. No damage was caused, but firefighters said the addition of two settees and a mattress had made the bonfire dangerous.

  • Old euro cash could be hospice tonic

    EAST Lancashire Hospice fundraisers are hoping to cash in on the new Euro. They are asking people who have any foreign currency they don't need to donate it to their appeal. The introduction of the Euro on the Continent in the New Year will signal the

  • Unwanted dogs appeal

    MANCHESTER Dogs' Home is reaching crisis point with more than 60 dogs a day being admitted resulting in a public appeal for people to claim their dogs. The kennels are at Crofter's House, Moss Brook Road, Off Church Lane, Harpurhey, Manchester M9 5PG.

  • New shop boost for estate

    A £150,000 new-look Co-op is due to be unveiled today on the Higherfold estate. The estate's only village store has been transformed into a Co-op and will now feature extras such as automatic doors, access by ramp, modern decor and scanning tills. For

  • Addict died after overdose mixture

    DRUG user Beverley Anne Whitney died at her mother's home on her mother's birthday an inquest was told. Miss Whitney, 40, whose home address was Back Burnley Road, Bacup, was found dead on August 20 at Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, home of her mother Dorothy

  • Thieves escape with cigarette haul

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a Leigh cash and carry. Thieves struck Booker Cash and Carry in Leigh Road at 2am on Tuesday morning, stealing a large quantity of cigarettes. It is thought the men entered the building by removing

  • Squadron set to sparkle on diamond day

    Diamond disco for 316 squadron LEIGH'S 316 Squadron celebrates a double diamond day next week. The cadets are toasting the 60th anniversaries of the reformation of the squadron and the Air Training Corps with a disco on November 17 and all founder members

  • Green Belt decision on hold

    A REQUEST to change the classification of a remote Astley Moss smallholding from mixed to light industrial use has aroused concerns over development in a Green Belt wildlife corridor. Wigan development control committee members are to take a closer look

  • Raiders escape with cash haul

    MASKED men hit a social club employee over the head with a baseball bat during an early-morning armed raid in which they escaped with a substantial sum of money. Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, four masked men broke into Atherton Liberal Club in Flapper

  • Christmas thief is jailed

    A CALLOUS thief with an appalling record stole a girl's bike just two days after she received it as a Christmas present. Sean Jackson, 21, of York Street, Leigh, snatched the bike after he saw the girl leave it outside a shop while she went inside to

  • Rion has all the right moves

    JUDGES were so impressed by the smooth steps of a young Tyldesley ballroom dancer that they rewarded him with a trophy. Ten-year-old Rion Broadbent, of Esthwaite Drive, won first prize for his fancy moves in the Fylde Waltz at the Pontins Ballroom Festival

  • Do you have the voice of an angel?

    A SUCCESSFUL Robbie Williams tribute band is seeking a female backing vocalist from the Leigh area. The successful applicant, who should have some keyboard skills, will replace a member of Robbie's Angels who is five months pregnant. Senior member of

  • THE JOURNAL SAYS: Rockets go too far

    Another Guy Fawkes night has been and gone. We wish it were so simple. Many people get pleasure out of organised firework displays, but an equal number don't. November 5 in recent years has started in September and sporadic explosions continue after Guy

  • Hope for bus route No 2

    THE BATTLE to reinstate a Bispham bus route has changed up a gear as councillors promised to meet transport chiefs. Bispham ward councillors Henry Mitchell and Don Clapham said they are planning to meet Blackpool Transport bosses to discuss the axing

  • 'Cute little piece on the seafront'

    ENGLISH Heritage has a seafront Fleetwood building in its sights for prestigious listing status. Blackpool and The Fylde Nautical College's training station on Outer Promenade was once described as "a cute little piece on the seafront" by architectural

  • Blackpool Grand is in the pink!

    BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre is in the pink with local entrepreneur Basil Newby. For the Blackpool business man behind Funny Girls and Fayes and the flamboyant head of In The Pink Leisure has pledged his support and his pocket to the entertainment venue for

  • Wear a poppy with pride...

    THE Fylde will be displaying poppies with pride this weekend at the Remembrance Sunday services along the coast. BLACKPOOL MEET outside the town hall/North Pier at 10.30am. There will be a two-minute silence at 11am before the service at the Cenotaph

  • Police hunt for sex attacker

    A 19-YEAR-OLD Blackpool woman was seriously sexually assaulted at knifepoint in a town centre alleyway. The young woman was attacked near East Topping Street car park at around 2.45am on Friday, November 2, after a night out at a promenade nightclub.

  • Shamed surgeon may face criminal charges

    STRUCK-OFF Blackpool surgeon Steven Walker could face criminal charges following findings of serious professional misconduct by the General Medical Council (GMC). Mr Walker, a consultant general surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, was struck off for

  • Roof course

    WANTED! 16 to 21-year-olds to help fill jobs in the Bury roofing industry over the next five years. That's the message from the National Construction College (Midlands) which is due to run an industry-recognised NVQ (National Vocational Qualification)

  • Getting tough on violence

    HEALTH staff met to discuss the problem of violence against healthcare professionals. Guests at the Tackling Violence Conference at Ewood Park yesterday included Kath Reade, chairman of East Lancashire Health Authority, Julie Young, Lancashire Area Manager

  • Thomas nets chance of a lifetime

    A YOUNG footballer has been picked from thosuands of hopefuls to lead the teams on to the pitch for England's friendly this Saturday against Sweden. Blackburn Rovers' Matt Jansen may not be stepping on to the turf, but seven-year-old Thomas Burrows will

  • Judge lashes mental health system

    AN angry judge hit out at the mental health system after ringing the Home Office to get help for a sex offender -- and getting an answer machine. Judge Raymond Bennett was looking for treatment for Mohammed Latif, 21, who had been waiting seven months

  • Wrangle delays station opening

    THE multi-million pound refurbishment of Blackburn railway station has been delayed again because the two companies in charge are at loggerheads over when to open the waiting room. The row is the latest in a long line of problems which have delayed the

  • Bringing up baby in school time

    SLEEPLESS nights and endless nappy changes are not something most of us relish but at one Blackburn school teenagers are queuing up to take it on. The 14 and 15-year-olds at Witton Park High School in Buncer Lane, Blackburn are clammering to get the chance

  • Relief for dad in yob 'assault' ordeal

    A MAN hounded out of his home by teenage yobs today expressed his relief at having assault charges against him dropped but said: "My family's hell goes on." As an East Lancashire MP called for police to start using common sense before prosecuting people

  • Dale boss in bid to boost squad

    ROSSENDALE manager Jim McCluskie has described the current situation at Dark Lane as 'dire'. Ninth placed Dale have eight first teamers on the treatment table and have won only once in the last nine games after being one of the early pacesetters in the

  • Tale of two defences

    THE two best defences in NWCL Division Two meet tomorrow when Bacup make the trip to Blackpool Mechanics. Brent Peters' side have conceded just 16 goals this season while Blackpool can go one better - and have let in just 15. "It's the goals for column

  • Darwen dream team doesn't worry Padiham

    DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes has a 'dream team' up front - but it is his defence that is causing him headaches. The Anchor Ground boss signed former Chorley striker Matt Swailes from big-spending Salford City this week to team up with the league's top

  • They should both be sacked

    WITH the tragic events recently in the USA and the current bombing campaign in Afghanistan, perhaps one of the biggest scandals of New Labour has been pushed to the sidelines. This is ironic as the scandal is closely tied with these events. I have long

  • Extremism is the enemy

    N G CHARNLEY'S contribution, "I salute this brave man", to your letters of October 18 leaves one so depressed. Here we are in the middle of a reaction to the terrible events of September 11, the end point of which is unknown but already has cost thousands

  • Cresswell will be more than super sub

    PRESTON boss David Moyes is hoping Richard Cresswell can become more than a 'super sub' and seal a regular place in the North End first team. The former Leicester striker came off the bench to fire home his fourth goal in three games in the 88th minute

  • FOR: Fireworks should be left to professionals

    STATISTICS show that fireworks do cause accidents and can be a nuisance to the public. In the Eastern division alone police officers were called out to 32 incidents in the weekend running up to Bonfire Night. Across East Lancashire in the same period,

  • Don't lose faith in our hospital

    THE message was loud and clear: Our hospital is one of the best in the country and the public must not lose faith in it. It came from the bosses of Blackpool Victoria Hospital after a traumatic week in which general surgeon Steven Walker was struck off

  • "Crusade" is wrong

    FRANK Adam (Your Letters, Oct 30) didn't once mention Afghanistan or the terrible effect that the bombing of the poorest country in the world by the richest and most powerful is having on the lives of ordinary Afghan people. Since the attacks started,

  • Gambling with people's lives

    THE charity War on Want is asking Gordon Brown to introduce a Tobin Tax on currency speculation. This could help people in developing countries. Apparently up to two trillion dollars (that's 2,000 billion dollars) is exchanged between currencies on the

  • Museum: you could have had your say

    CIVIC Observer's letter (Yours Truly, Nov 1) is misleading and overlooks some very important facts. The installation of cycle lanes is a measure taken to improve the safe passage of users. Until their introduction, the only safe alternative, particularly

  • A good idea, but can it work?

    "DEVELOPING a stronger community spirit", "Creating a better future for all generations" and "Ensuring the health and well-being of our communities" are three of the seven aims outlined in Bury's long-awaited Community Strategy for the next 20 years.

  • Jumbo move

    ELEPHANTS are to be removed from London Zoo after 170 years. Pity its only to Whipsnade and not to be given the freedom of their homeland.

  • No go zones

    THANK you Channel 4 for letting enemies know that if a plane was flown into Sellafield it would be like 100 Chernobyls. A bit too close for comfort for my liking. TV shouldn't be giving suicidal paradise seekers such ideas. Thank goodness steps have been

  • Fond memories of girls' grammar greats

    I WAS watching the National Teachers' Awards on Sunday. To see the cream of staff winning the equivalent of the film industry Oscars brought back many fond memories of my grammar school teachers in the sixties. Education has changed massively since then