AN EAST Lancashire operatic society is to start rehearsing Richard Rodgers' Carousel -- in the centenary year of his birth. The Greenbrook Methodist Church society in Burnley will stage the colourful show from April 3 to 8. Rehearsals start next Monday
MR J Fielding (Letters, October 25) asks how can paying a TV newsreader £500,000 a year be justified. The answer is simple -- by doing so, the employer can justify his/her £600,000 and if you can 'load the bases' with two newsreaders you can claim "market
MAYOR of Wigan Cllr John E Hilton took part in two Remembrance Day services. As Wigan borough's civic leader, the Golborne councillor took part in the morning parade in Wigan town centre then laid a wreath at the afternoon service in his own village.
HOSPITAL chiefs are to put up their barricades to stop the defunct Bury General from being a haven for vandals. The move follows a spate of reports from concerned residents who live next door to the Walmersley Road hospital. In recent weeks, youngsters
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a motorist was followed home and forced to hand over his wallet and car keys. The incident happened at 8.50pm on Friday (Nov 9) when a 57-year-old man was driving to his home in Gresham Close, Whitefield
METROLINK services between Bury and Manchester were thrown into chaos after a tram failed and partly gridlocked the system. The Altrincham-bound vehicle broke down at Prestwich station around 4pm on Friday (Nov 9). Passengers were forced to leave the
THREE East Lancashire day nurseries are set to close as council bosses begin a major overhaul of care for youngsters. County councillors were due to meet today to approve the closure of six pre-school nurseries across Lancashire, including North Valley
BOUNCERS are set to patrol special late night buses being laid on over Christmas to make sure revellers get home safely. And the councillor behind the £3,000 trial scheme, run by Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn Transport, today urged revellers
A VERDICT of misadventure was recorded on a woman who died at Bury General Hospital the day after having surgery for a gastric ulcer. Spinster Eileen Robinson, (79), of Dawes Bank, Holcombe Old Road, Ramsbottom, had been admitted to hospital as a result
NEIL Turley's phenomenal rise up the rugby league ladder went up another notch or two as the Leigh Centurions full-back made a sensational international debut. Turley, 21, capped an astonishing 12 months by scoring FIVE tries in England Under 21s 112-
LEIGH RMI have a number of injury worries ahead of tonight's clash with Chorley in the Lancashire Cup first round. Andy Farrell joins long-term injuries Dave Ridings and Jamie Udall on the sidelines while both Lee Fitzpatrick and Tony Black picked up
ACADEMY chief Bobby Downes believes Rovers young guns are in danger of becoming victims of their own success in the wake of their FA Youth Cup exploits over the last few years. Twice in the last three years, Downes and his Academy staff have led sides
A WOMAN who flouted a court order kept her freedom, after magistrates said she was trying to change and had not offended for a year. The Burnley bench had been told how Susan Georgina Kenny, 24, was now leading a law abiding life. Kenny, of Cog Lane,
PENNINE Division's 18 new Community Beat Officers have hit the streets and residents are being asked to help make them a success. The Division's Superintendent, Chris Weigh, believes the 18 officers will play a vital role in the policing of local communities
NEW building regulations which will cut the cost of fuel bills in many homes in Pendle have been welcomed as an additional boost to the council's Affordable Warmth Strategy. But people who do not comply with the rules have been warned they could face
A PLAY area in Colne which has been described as a refuge for youths avoiding the police anti-drinking campaign Operation Flock could be closed down. During a discussion about Colne's Capital Programme at the Colne and District Committee, Councillor Alan
MEN in East Lancashire were revealed to be among the unhealthiest in the country. A shock survey showed that they were smoking and drinking themselves to death. Blackburn and Burnley were among the worst areas in England and Wales where men would suffer
SEVERAL Rovers players must be currently holding a personal 'Goal of the Season' competition. Tugay's sublime strike at Southampton was equalled by David Dunn's superb equalizer for the under 21's on Friday night. The way he ghosted past five Dutch players
MORE than 20 youngsters were evacuated from their school bus when smoke started entering the cabin. The pupils, from Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, were on their way home when the incident happened at 3.45pm yesterday in Cabin End Row, Knuzden.
LIFE-SAVING fire safety precautions are still not being taken seriously by residents, according to firefighters in Accrington. They have re-issued a fire safety warning, after visiting a fire in Stanley Street which put the lives of five people in danger
YOUNG people in Great Harwood have been praised for their conduct on Remembrance Sunday after a series of incidents blighted the run up to the anniversary. The town's Royal British Legion celebrated its best ever turnout. More than 250 people assembled
A MOTHER whose son was one of the Alder Hey organ scandal babies today praised the idea behind a memorial service in Liverpool -- but said she was too upset to attend herself. Wendy Bury's son, Carl Michael Broderick, died in 1982 less than two weeks
A COUNCIL is hoping to secure £800,000 of funding as part of a £1 million scheme to convert the former Co-op in Longridge into 16 flats. Ribble Valley Borough Council has applied to the Housing Corporation, the governing body for housing associations,
A COUPLE of Clarets supporters' clubs are calling on fans to raise the roof at Turf Moor and help to roar the team to promotion. Paul Smith from Boundary Clarets has been disappointed with the atmosphere for home games this season and he said: "There
BURNLEY may have dropped a couple of points against Portsmouth on Saturday but the mood in the camp remains upbeat. "We have taken a lot of positive things from that performance," said assistant manager Sam Ellis ahead of tonight's clash with Watford
FORMER Dr Feelgood frontman Wilko Johnson will perform at Blackburn's North bar on Thursday. Canvey Island's most famous son was involved in some of the most influential albums of the 1970s and his innovative guitar style made him the mentor of most punk
A NEW brewery has taken over the pumps at Samlesbury's Halfway House. JW Lees replaced Wolverhampton and Dudley Brewery but has kept manager Adele Geering and her family in place. The main difference for the customers is the menu which now features fresh
DRINKERS in Blackburn can walk like an Egyptian if they visit the refurbished Baroque this Saturday. The Northgate bar, which has had a £10,000 revamp, is now hosting theme nights every Friday and Saturday with an extended bar until 2am. And if enough
AFTER weather yet again delayed the continuation of the Goldline Trophy last week, the quarter-finals will continue tonight when Hindsford meet Atherton Town. With Charnock Richard and Prestwich Heys already through to the last four, Atherton Town will
A FAMILY torn apart in 1955 has been reunited with the help of the Bury Times. The Ramsbottom-born Russell siblings were brought together in an emotional reunion at the Rose and Crown Pub in Ramsbottom. A cake bearing the inscription "For now and forever
A PUBLICAN today slammed councillors as 'karaoke crazy' after being prosecuted under public entertainment laws -- a week after they announced a review of their policy. Clifford Critchley of the Cemetery pub, Bolton Road, Darwen, said Blackburn with Darwen
COUNCIL bosses have unveiled their Christmas plans for Darwen -- promising a magical time for all the family in a bid to attract shoppers. The town centre has had a difficult year. Plans to introduce parking charges in the town are being considered in
A CHRISTMAS exhibition by members of Albion Arts, entitled 'Angels', will be held on Saturday and Sunday and the following two week-ends, November 24 and 25 and December 1 and 2, from 11am until 4pm. The venue is unit 11, Albion Mill, Burnley Road East
ROSSENDALE and Darwen MP Janet Anderson is on the move! She's not switching constituency, simply relocating her Rossendale office from Bacup to Waterfoot. But that's no reflection on her voters in Bacup where she will still be holding regular advice surgeries
TRADERS in Waterfoot have stepped up their calls for a town sign by starting a petition. Greengrocer Steve Taylor, whose shop is in Bacup Road, said: "We already have 200 names on the petition. "Every trader in the town has signed it and so have many
CHILDREN made a special act of remembrance at a hilltop war memorial led by the Minister of Weir, the Rev Neil Hepworth. Pupils from Northern Primary in Bacup walked from the Burnley Road school to the memorial above the Deerplay pub. They played an active
THE new multi-million pound hospital for the Blackburn area will be called the Royal Blackburn Hospital when it opens its doors in 2005. But health chiefs who voted for the new name will still have to wait to get royal approval for the change. The new
POLICE have arrested two people in connection with the death of a man whose burned body was found on moorland. A spokesperson said they were still trying to identify the victim and appealed to Asian communities across East Lancashire for information.
FOOTBALL fan John Bentley uses the famous Pompey chimes as his signature tune and he's collected more than 580 autographs from Portsmouth players. John, Blackburn Town Hall's commissioner, has been a keen Portsmouth fan since the late 1950s and has signatures
HISTORIC stained glass windows and memorial plaques inside Blackburn Royal Infirmary will be rescued from the bulldozers and built into the new multi million pound extension to Queen's Park Hospital. Project managers working on the £86 million extension
SIMON ARMITAGE'S poem 'Ten Pence Story' seems a strange point of reference for one of the most powerful men in professional football at present. But when Gordon Taylor awoke at around 4am last week -- no doubt his head still abuzz with thoughts of the
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Rossendale Organ and Keyboard Club meet Rossendale United Social Club, Staghills Road, Newchurch, 8pm. John Bowdler Technics GA3. Concert by St Andrew's Parish Church
Belper Town 0 Radcliffe Boro 1 BORO rode their luck at bottom three side Belper to extend their lead at the top of the Unibond Division One to five points. The home side played some neat football but found Boro keeper Danny Hurst in great form. Boro's
WANTED: Stagestruck youngsters to take to a bow in a major new musical production. Blackburn Amateurs will be presenting Annie next May -- but they are already trying to recruit the orphanage children who will be crucial to its success. Publicity officer
THE Dorothy Bruce School of Dance has announced a cast of 50 -- aged from three to 17 -- for its production of Hansel and Gretel, which will start at the Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on Thursday, November 22. Eleanor Ross will be Hansel and Eleanor Tucker
I FULLY agree with Chief Superintendent John Thompson who calls for the abolition of the retailing of fireworks (LET, November 6). When I was a boy, Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night was held on November 5 and that night only. Nowadays, this pyrotechnical
NO-ONE would think of celebrating Christmas Day on any day other than December 25. Why, then, must Bonfire Night be celebrated on numerous evenings prior to November 5? This year, bonfires were held on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings, with
THE Government justifies the seizing of equities from Railtrack's shareholders by implying that they are authors of their own misfortune, having bought undervalued shares and enjoyed lavish dividends. It is another example of petulant, political vindictiveness
BE prepared for the East Lancashire Railway's scouting Santa Special train which comes to town next month. Scouts from groups across Bury will be throwing a party for all to enjoy aboard the specially hired "Bolton Scout" steam train on Saturday, December
DISABLED people and single parents have been given a £1.5 million boost to help them get long-term jobs. Bury and Stockport councils have won European funding to pioneer a new approach to helping disavantaged people secure proper employment. Other residents
LIVERPOOL caretaker boss Phil Thompson today confirmed star duo Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard WILL be fit to be included in the squad for the trip to Ewood on Saturday. Thompson stressed their absence from England's friendly with Sweden on Saturday
GRIMSBY boss Lennie Lawrence is expected to contact Rovers in the next 24 hours about extending Marlon Broomes' loan deal at Blundell Park. Broomes has spent the last two months on loan with the Mariners and became a huge hit with the fans when he scored
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness will decide whether or not to up his bid for Stockport striker Shefki Kuqi at a board meeting today. Souness has targeted the Finnish international as a player who could beef up his attacking options. But County chief Brendan
DAVID Dunn's England credentials will come under the spotlight again tonight as he attempts to lead the Under 21s to next summer's European Championships. Dunn earned rave reviews for a stunning goal in the first leg of their play-off with Holland on
A SPEAR attack on a train passing under a bridge in Burnley was premeditated and could have killed, police have warned. Increased patrols are now taking place in the area and house to house inquiries are being held in an attempt the trace the culprits
BURNLEY Youth Theatre have applied to Lancashire County Council for a grant to help complete their dream move to new premises. Earlier in the year, a grant of £365,000 from the Arts Council of England was awarded towards the cost, but the group are still
McBRIDE has ended talks with interested parties concerning a possible sale of the company and says the future of the Burnley factory is safe. Around 300 people work at the Windermere Avenue site, where household products and detergents are made. The company
A NEW chapter in the history of worship in the Haggate area of Burnley will be opened with the forthcoming demolition of the former baptist chapel. The huge Victorian building off Nelson Road could seat 800 but was found to have serious structural problems
NERVES will be setting in today as the owners of the Cemetery Chippy in Colne prepare to make their final bid to win the much sought after title of Fish and Chip Shop of the Year 2001. Val and Les Scott were due to go head to head today with seven other
inconsequential are they? "ROVERS fans sleep soundly at night, reassured by the knowledge that in footballing terms the Clarets remain as inconsequential as they have been for 17 out of the last 18 seasons." So wrote my fellow columnist seven days ago
BENJAMIN Britten's powerful indictment of the futility of war and the hopes for reconciliation combines words from the Latin Mass of the Dead with the poetry of Wilfred Owen. The soloists were Amanda Roocroft, soprano, Paul Nilon, tenor and Peter Coleman-Wright
A PAINT firm boss who scooped £113,000 announced that he had no plans to paint the town red. Basil Marriott, who worked in Darwen, was in the pink after entering a spot-the-ball contest but he said that there would be no cruises or champagne -- he would
A NEW electric wheelchair for nine-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer John Hindle is now on the cards, thanks to a final cash boost from Hallmark Cards plc. John's parents Trevor and Janet, of Victoria Street, Clayton-le-Moors, began fundraising in July
AN MP today demanded that laws should be made clearer to prevent people persecuted by yobs from being needlessly prosecuted if they retaliate. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans believes legislation needs re-drafting so people know exactly what they can do
BURNLEY'S youth team players swapped match action for a run on the training pitch at the weekend. Saturday's game against Tranmere Rovers was called off because they were involved in a Youth Cup game and so a number of the club's promising young players
SUE Howard from Blackburn's T-Bar has cleaned up at prestigious awards dinner. Facing tough competition from throughout the Thwaites Inns estate, Sue won the Kitchen Hygiene Award at the awards ceremony at Turf Moor. Thwaites retail director Paul Howarth
BOYS and staff from Bury Grammar School have laid a wreath of poppies at the graveside of a fallen former pupil. The poignant act of remembrance came during a four-day battlefield tour of Normandy Landing beaches undertaken by the pupils, a number of
HE'S a man in a traditionally woman's world, but creative studies student Mark Rhodes is weaving his way to success. Mark's forte is embroidery, and he could be one of just a handful of people in the country to win a City and Guilds Medal of Excellence
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness will decide whether or not to up his bid for Stockport striker Shefki Kuqi at a board meeting today. Souness has targeted the Finnish international as a player who could beef up his attacking options. But County chief Brendan
ARTHUR Gnohere's growing fan club at Turf Moor has another new member - his defensive partner Ian Cox. Gnohere has played alongside Cox in the last two games and is set to feature again tonight when Watford are the visitors and his senior colleague can't
FANTASTIC news -- older women are IN. Men in their 20s would rather go out on a date with 58-year-old newsreader Anna Ford than with Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm, 27. And another long-in-the-tooth lady, Francesca Annis, also 58, was voted as one of the
BURY'S Indian international skipper Baichung Bhutia is out for the season. That's the shock news from Gigg Lane after the Shakers striker discovered he will need a further operation on his troublesome knee injury. Bhutia looked to be on the comeback trail
SPIRITUAL explorer John O'Brien will hosting a short series of meditation and discussion evenings starting tonight at the Raphael Holistic Centre in Darwen. Healer and trained counsellor John has developed a spiritual philosophy that allows him to help
A DARWEN business park is under new ownership after it was off-loaded by Lancashire Enterprises. Leeds-based Evans Easyspace has taken over Darwen Business Park, near the M65, for an undisclosed fee. The site comprises 34 modern industrial units and an
ENTRIES were well-up at Ramsbottom Horticultural Society's autumn show at the town's cricket club. Last year 180 exhibits were on show and this year there were 224. Secretary Ronald Smith was delighted with the bumper of entries but said the number of
A HUSBAND and wife who dealt class A drugs from their Blackburn home have each been jailed for three years. Preston Crown court was told that George Chatwood, 39, and his 25-year-old wife Jillian were caught following an undercover police operation in
REGARDING chairman Barry Kilby's "The fans are not behind us" (LET, November 6) remarks about disappointing attendances, a lot of Burnley people have been losing their jobs. That is why it is so hard to afford £14 to go on the Turf. The match with Sheffield
AN independent school is to expand into a former nursing home which was at the centre of a row over 'dumped' old folk. Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, will use the former Brooklands residential home to admit four-year-old boys and girls at
IT APPEARS to me that the footballers' strike is not legal. Usually, anyone going on strike does so to improve their monetary status or their safety and working conditions -- never to improve the finances of their trade union. The Broadcasting Agency
REGARDING Dom Egan and his seven-point 'laughter list' (Sport Letters, November 6), he should have stopped to think before writing in. 1) Rovers have spent £100 million on great players -- international players, not has-beens. When was the last time Burnley
BLACKBURN Hawks experienced mixed fortunes in the most demanding of weekend programmes. Bobby Hiag's men were delighted after securing an English National Hockey League Cup victory over league leaders Whitley Bay 3-1 at home on Saturday, but came down
IT will be a long trip for whoever comes through the FA Vase second round replay between Clitheroe and Nelson tomorrow night. They face the trip to Cogenhoe United, based in Northamptonshire, who were last season's champions of the United Counties Football
DAVID Dunn's England credentials will come under the spotlight again tonight as he attempts to lead the Under 21s to next summer's European Championships. Dunn earned rave reviews for a stunning goal in the first leg of their play-off with Holland on
NEIL Turley's phenomenal rise up the rugby league ladder went up another notch or two as the Leigh Centurions full-back made a sensational international debut. Turley, 21, capped an astonishing 12 months by scoring FIVE tries in England Under 21s 112-
NEW plans to build a homeless hostel in Bury town centre have attracted a fresh outcry from residents. Objections are flooding in against the proposals by Manchester Methodist Housing Association (MMHA) to create a hostel and adjacent flats in Castlecroft
