IN these days of increased violence and theft, a reduction of 91 per cent in any category of crime is a major achievement. That is the impressive cut in theft from motor vehicles in Accrington and other town centres since the introduction of Hyndburn
I SPENT a lot of time on country lanes this week as I followed the route taken by many gypsies on their way to Appleby Horse Fair which takes place this weekend. There seem to be more travellers this year possibly due to the fact that the foot and mouth
ON my recent working visit to Australia to investigate the ecology of the island continent I noticed how similar some of their birds are to those in Britain. In Australia their dusky moorhen is very, very similar to our own moorhen. A better name for
WALTON High School Year Eight cricket team advanced into the third round of the Lancashire Knockout following their 166 run home win against Fisher More. A wonderful batting performance by 13-year-old Thomas Lord who scored an undefeated 140 in 16 overs
CLITHEROE B pool team fell to their second successive Lancashire Interleague defeat at the hands of neighbours Longridge. The odds were stacked against Clitheroe from the outset as they were forced to field an under strength side. Despite this they could
NELSON'S Paak United booked their place in the National Asian Football Championships with a thumping 6-2 win over Rochdale's Asia FC. Asia came into the game needing a win but were over-run by a Paak side determined to make it to Scotland tournament for
HOW wonderful to see Darwen Tower lit up over the Jubilee weekend. It stood proud, looking over the town, and could be seen for miles. What a pity it is not permanent. T DAVIES, Wyre Crescent, Darwen.
THERE was an incident at the back of my house when a stray ball from the kiddies' park hit a neighbour's window. The police came and sent all the children away -- mostly teenagers. I hope when St Andrew's Primary School moves to Fernhurst Farm, the football
INCLUDED in Eric Leaver's column (LET, May 29), was an article on the pay increases which local councils had approved for themselves. Perhaps he should have taken the point just a touch further. At the beginning of 1997, 'our illustrious, industrious,
OFFICIALS are prepared to try and extend the booze ban on Leigh town centre streets if new hard-line measures prove unsuccessful. Recently 'no drinking' zones were set up around the civic square and Church Street memorial gardens in an effort to clamp
GRAHAM Cannon's tirade against the European Union (Letters, May 29) is designed to create fear and suspicion, but his case simply does not withstand analysis. He maintains that as long sgo as 1970 a step-by-step strategy was put into place for reducing
VILLAGERS are "shocked and stunned" by the savage murder of an elderly man in his own home. Harry Upton died on Saturday in Warrington General Hospital after being stabbed in the head by intruders who broke into his bungalow on a warden-controlled sheltered
BLACKPOOL Tower and Circus is offering a very special deal for Fylde Coast residents. Between June 10 and 23 (excluding June 15) take along a utility bill as proof of address together with a passport size photograph and up to four people can visit Blackpool's
HOW many comics does it take to change a drab Sunday night in Blackpool Opera House? The answer is seven. And if those seven are some of the original Comedians of 1971 brought back together by its legendary producer Johnnie Hamp, then all the better.
CAMEROON squeezed past Saudi Arabia with a 1-0 win that sets up an intriguing last set of games next week in the Republic of Ireland's group. Samuel Eto'o sprinted clear of the Saudi defence after 60 minutes and slid the ball past the advancing Saudi
A POINT each for Senegal and Denmark in their second games means both teams wil still need a positive result in their final matches. In a tight, bad tempered match Denmark led following a Tomasson penalty, but the Senegalise deserved to get back into
ENGLAND look set to rely on three Manchester United midfielders for the crunch clash with Argentina in Sapporo tomorrow. But Sven Goran Eriksson is taking a big gamble on both form and fitness as he prepares to play Nicky Butt alongside David Beckham
WITH 24 hours to go before England face Argentina the pulse rate has started to nudge above normal, the palms are already a little sweaty, the mind is wandering to that far flung field where England expects every man to do his duty. Lord only knows what
A POST Office that was used for laundering money by a gang of drug pushers is to be moved into a nearby shop. Harle Syke Post Office was closed down in 1998 because of major drug dealing and a money laundering operation that was used to pay for the business
A FATHER-TO-BE who had one too many on his brother's stag night, ended up before Burnley magistrates. Jobless Lee Taylor, 32, of Chapelhouse Road, admitted being drunk and disorderly and was fined £50, with £55 costs. John Nuttall, defending, said Taylor
THE furious mother of a 17-year-old youth threatened with a hammer and attacked as tempers flared in the wake of England's World Cup opener, today called for urgent police action in the town. The woman, who would not be named for fear of reprisals, spoke
MILLIONS of pounds were wiped off the value of Barnoldswick-based Silentnight Holdings after chairman Keith Ackroyd issued a profits warning at the company's annual meeting. He told shareholders today that the performance of the Southern-based Ducal and
A CHALLENGE by a Colne father to raise enough money to buy a sports limb for his daughter has reached the £14,000 mark and 14-year-old Sarah Heyworth is expecting delivery of her new leg in three months. Steven Heyworth of Heyworth newsagents in Colne
IT MAY not be the gardens of Buckingham Palace but thousands of revellers were drawn to Oak Hill Park for Accrington's own Golden Jubilee party in the park. Three days of fun, music and mayhem began on Sunday with the tenth annual Sound Festival, brought
A COUNCIL must raise £23,000 if it is to keep a CCTV system which has reduced theft from motor vehicles by 91 per cent. The Hyndburn CCTV system was launched in December, 1995, and has had considerable success in reducing crime and disorder in Accrington
A HYNDBURN church is facing closure unless it can raise £50,000. West End Methodist Church, Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, was built more than 60 years ago but has fallen into disrepair, with damp throughout the building and other structural problems.
THE LAST time Jim Pickles set foot in Fulwood Barracks on June 8, 1933, he was a recruit, aged 18. When he steps through the gates again for an open day on Sunday it will be 69 years to the day. The sprightly pensioner, of Emma Street, Accrington, has
A JUBILEE barn dance will take place at Clitheroe Parish Hall on Saturday, June 22 and include supper, dancing to the Old School Band and a best Western hat or bonnet competition. Proceeds will go to the Parish Hall development fund and tickets priced
MUSIC from mediaeval times through to modern day will be included in a concert programme to boost a church's organ appeal. St Andrew's University Madrigal Group will perform My Spirit Sang All Day on Sunday at St Peter's Church in Salesbury. And organist
IF you're one of those people who has a memory like a fish, you could probably make use of some software to help you remember things. In Mac OS X, there's the built-in Stickies application that is very useful. For instance, I keep various Sticky notes
KLEZ is the name of an e-mail virus that can cause great problems for internet users. It's worse than others because it is very good at disguising itself as something quite innocent. It arrives in your inbox using a spoofed "From:" address, so it will
BLACKPOOL Fylde Girls and Ladies FC is celebrating after winning the Glaxo Ulverston 2002 Tournament at Under-14s level. The club entered two teams at Under-14s and an Under-12s in the seven-a-side competition, and the Blackpool Fylde 'B' team was unlucky
WARREN HEGG believes that home advantage can help him fulfil his dream of leading out Lancashire in a Lord's final. The long-serving wicket keeper faces his first semi as Lancashire captain tomorrow against Warwickshire at Old Trafford. "I have followed
PINT-SIZED soccer players from Norbreck are celebrating after following in the footie-steps of a Premiership club. The miniature heroes making up Norbreck Primary School's A and B football teams have won both their local league and a knock-out cup, the
SUNDERLAND defender Emerson Thome is the latest player to be linked with a move to Ewood Park. Rovers chief executive John Williams was not willing to comment on speculation but he confirmed: "Graeme is looking at a number of defenders and there are several
FORTY men have signed up to make sure they are not the victims of an undetected killer. They will have a free heart screening thanks to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity set up by two families in memory of their sons. The parents of Neil Wickers
A MAN who started his career selling Christmas lights proved a real bright spark -and ended up a managing director. John Blackall is to retire from that post at Herbert Parkinson, Monton Road, Darwen, after 31 years. He said: "If you'd told me when I
A CONTROVERSIAL children's home for abused or neglected youngsters is to be based in a former residential home, despite residents' attempts to get the plan thrown out. Halliwell Homes applied to Rossendale Council to change the use of the former Deansford
BLACKPOOL'S radio station is sending out the right signal with a big cash donation for a local charity. Radio Wave handed over a cheque for £96,500 to the Macmillan Windmill Appeal last week and urged residents not to give up on the charity after fundraisers
WE are inviting the people of Lancashire to enter our competition to present a gift to The Queen when she visits the county on her Jubilee Tour. Her Majesty will stop off in Preston on August 5 and what better way to receive her than to give her a souvenir
BLACKPOOL Social Services has gone from being one of the bottom 14 in the country to being back on a par with most other authorities in the UK -- in just one year. The resort has been awarded one star in the latest national Social Social Services Performance
ANGRY residents in Anchorsholme were meeting council workers this week after clashing over plans for a permanent one-way system on Princes Way. A public meeting took place at All Saints Church hall last night (June 5) to discuss a proposal to make a temporary
A PILOT drug testing scheme which aims to break the link between drugs and crime was launched in Blackpool last week as part of the Safer Streets in Lancashire campaign. The compulsory drug testing scheme -- which is currently running in Hackney, Nottingham
A CANADIAN visitor to Blackpool has thanked The Citizen for helping him trace his high-flying family tree -- which revealed him to be a direct descendant of the pioneering Sir John Bickerstaffe who built Blackpool Tower. Steven Bickerstaffe who lives
RESIDENTS in 35 OAP homes set for the axe look set to have to wait an extra six weeks before finding out if they will close. A meeting of today's cabinet at Lancashire County Council was set to approve a request that the final decision on the fate of
A PUB landlady today hit out at a council report which linked her venue to violent disorder in nearby streets. Now Geraldine Whalley, of the Moorings Pub, Bolton Road, Blackburn, has withdrawn a public entertainment licence application until Blackburn
NURSES who help cancer patients through their daily struggle against the disease today spoke about their devotion to easing emotional and physical pain. They are a lifeline between the patients, their families and the consultants who are caring for them
CHORLEY Harriers and Trawden Athletic Club proved that there is a life outside football by staging successful promotions on Sunday morning. The largest field of the day was at Worden Park in Leyland for the Chorley 10M, one of the premier road races in
AN increase of new business into the town is certainly to be welcomed. Messrs Cavill & Fisher have told us that they will do everything they can to bring new business to Blackpool. Is it purely by chance then that our councillors vote to bring "gaming
I READ with interest your front page on May 16, "tax collectors in blue", together with the letter from M Weighman on Page 15. For very many years I travelled on business in the UK covering some 75,000 miles each year. Now my motoring is very significantly
I AM at present on holiday and enjoy listening to the JY Show on the radio. The subject today was with reference to the woman jailed for failing to ensure, after numerous warnings, that her teenage children attend school. I applaud the council and the
A CLEVELEYS man has demanded the brakes be put on a hidden speed camera he believes is "creating a hazard rather than serving its purpose as a deterrent". Mike Pollard from Exeter Drive complained to the Fixed Penalty Office in Blackburn after he discovered
A LOOK at what's on at Blackpool's Grand Theatre and Opera House. Blackpool Grand Theatre (01253 290190) Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Singers -- tribute to the big bands from one of Britain's favourite orchestras. June 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets from £7.50 to
AN assistant manager was hit on the legs with a hammer while staff were held at knifepoint during an armed raid on a Radcliffe pub. Staff at the Ainsworth Arms in Bolton and Bury Road were enjoying a drink after Tuesday's (June 4) Jubilee celebrations
AS predicted in Grass Roots on May 14th, the Orchard WMC, captained by Bernard Clough, have completed an historic snooker clean-sweep. The Orchard's Andy Lancaster recorded a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Mill Hill's George Holding in the individual
STUART ROBINSON rolled back the years to take the 17th annual Darwen Triathlon title. Robinson, who lives in Cumbria, said he only expected to win the veterans' Over 40s section - but ended up romping home in 1hr 29mins 23secs, more than a minute agead
Mike Holden has something of a secret sporting past that he is ready to share with the rest of the world. For the man who many know for his boundless enthusiasm for rugby committed the biggest sin of all -- he used to play football! In fact, Mike is something
LANCASHIRE County Council's executive member for social services Councillor Chris Cheetham cites the National Council Care Standards Commission established for the purpose of raising standards in the residential care market, as not being an excuse for
A RADICAL overhaul of senior management has been called for at Rossendale Council after it was branded the worst council of its kind in the country. A draft report into an inspection by the Audit Commission earlier this year ranked the council as 237
FRANCE and Uruguay produced the first goal-less draw of the World Cup, despite a host of chances going begging and one of the most enthralling matches of the competition. The French strike force again failed to score, but were not helped by the sending
THE seventh day of the World Cup was magnificent for Rovers keeper Brad Friedel who was wearing the captain's armband as the United States stunned the world with a thrilling 3-2 defeat of well fancied Portugal. Skipper Earnie Stewart had been taken off
SUNDERLAND defender Emerson Thome is the latest player to be linked with a move to Ewood Park. Rovers chief executive John Williams was not willing to comment on speculation but he confirmed: "Graeme is looking at a number of defenders and there are several
TWO people had a lucky escape from a house fire at their home in Stockbridge Road, Padiham, after they were alerted by their smoke detector. Fire crews from Padiham were called at 4am yesterday and found the house heavily smokelogged. Firefighters wearing
THE sister of a clubber who died during a night out has been dealt a devastating blow after priceless video footage of her beloved brother was stolen from her house. Burglars raided the home of Kelly Tattersall in Liverpool Road, Burnley, at the weekend
THE owners of Burnley's Old Hall Farm today vowed that plans to turn their property into an asylum seekers detention centre or open prison would never get off the ground. Terence and Yvonne Thorn have lived at the farm, off Oswald Street, in Stoneyholme
FORMER Rossendale and Darwen MP David Trippier received a knighthood. The 46-year-old became Sir David in the same dissolution honours that made Margaret Thatcher a life peer.
STAFF from a bleaching company made a makeshift bright orange cross to guide the air ambulance when a colleague collapsed at work. Staff at the Woodnook Bleaching and Dyeing Company in Mount Street, Accrington, put together the orange fabric cross when
CRIME-BUSTING wardens could be installed in East Lancashire as part of a government crackdown. Lancashire has been identified as one of 10 crime hotspots across the country, leading to an extra £22.5million of government cash to put 300 extra wardens
THE CELEBRATIONS just went on and on. Royal-loving residents came out in force across the Fylde Coast over the bumper Bank Holiday to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in style -- whatever the weather. Everyone from tiny tots to true red, white and
A ROADSHOW to mark National Childcare Month has been organised by the Wigan Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. The show will be at Asda in Atherleigh Way, Leigh on June 18 and a recruitment fair is being held at Queens Hall, Wigan, on
EARCROFT Community Base in Hawkshaw Avenue is staging a free five-week course in job-seeking skills. It will run each Monday from June 17 between 1pm and 3pm. For more information call the Blackburn and District Women's Centre, which is organising the
THOUSANDS turned out to support Ramsbottom Country Show which went ahead despite being rejected for Lottery funding -- and pouring rain. The townsfolk rallied round their celebration for the Queen's Golden Jubilee and raised £5,000 to keep the show, in
A RADICAL overhaul of senior management has been called for at Rossendale Council after it was branded the worst council of its kind in the country. A draft report into an inspection by the Audit Commission earlier this year ranked the council as 237
TOP TV chef Gary Rhodes has shown the red card to boring breakfasts -- and brought on his star player to keep football fans on the ball during early morning World Cup games. Gary's Brekkie Sarnie combines egg, bacon and banana -- and if that's not enough
CROWDS of jovial punters crammed into Blackpool pubs and clubs to watch England's World Cup debut match and celebrate the Queen's Jubilee over the Bank Holiday weekend. Spirits were high despite England only managing a draw against their first opponents
BLACKPOOL Zoo could be set for a major transformation after successful negotiations with an international leisure giant. The zoo has been in talks with the international leisure division of marketing support services MICE Group Plc with a view to turning
A CLEVELEYS pensioner suffered multiple injuries and fatal blood clots in his lungs after being hit by a tram, an inquest heard. Henry McKinnell, 80, who was a resident of Anglesey retirement home, Ellerbeck Road, Cleveleys, suffered severe head injuries
BUDDING gardeners are sought for a community scheme. Groundwork Blackburn is carrying out environmental projects, with funding from the European Regional Development Fund, and will rent out allotments at Mill Hill and Green Lane. Meetings will be held
A YOUNG mum today vowed to stand by her asylum seeker husband and move to Kosovo with him to preserve their love. Lois Fejzullah, 20, is devastated that Arsim, 23, has been given 10 days to leave England after his application for asylum was rejected.
STRIKE action is set to bring major disruption to services provided by an East Lancashire council as female staff battle for the same pay as men. Public sector union Unison has rejected a three per cent pay rise offer from Blackburn with Darwen Council
PAUL Targett took the local honours at Saturday afternoon's Irwell Sculpture Trail Race. Under strong pressure from Rossendale pair Sean Molloy and Andy Buttery, Clayton Harrier Paul took fourth place with Sean fifth and Andy sixth. The race was part
WHEN Aussie amateur Carly Butler dared to bare her midriff in the practice rounds of an Australian event earlier this year, there was a minor outcry from the golfing establishment. And a firm word in the young player's ear that that type of attire would
WILL the government scrap existing regional assemblies where devolution is rejected? All eight existing Euro English regions already have an unelected regional assembly and all maintain offices in Brussels at taxpayers' expense. The future of these existing
WE would like to respond to the letter headed "Private care homes a disgrace" (Citizen, May 9). We invite "Name and address withheld" to visit our privately owned family run care home, because we are owners who categorically state that no such things
A ROUND-UP of the local cricekt scene. Division One Kendal 140/5, *Chorley 138/8 (12pts-0pts); *Leyland Motors 44, Darwen 46/2 (0-12); Morecambe 180/3, *Leyland 179/5 (12-1); Netherfield 78/4, *Blackpool 75 (12-0); *Preston 194/8, Lancaster 129/5 (6-3
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Red Rose Choir, Sudellside Community Centre, Sudellside Street, Darwen, 7.30pm. A Time to Dance, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, Chatburn Road, Clitheroe, 7pm. Fun, Flags
TOWNELEY Hall is one of the jewels of Burnley - but in the 19th century most of the household staff were born outside the town. For most of the century the female staff also outnumbered the male. The female servants were mostly unmarried and most worked
PENDLE Panthers Girls Rugby League Club followed up a six-week coaching programme in primary schools with a seven team seven-a-side tournament at Seedhill, Nelson. Previous programmes involved tag rugby but this year the coaching programme and tournament
BROTHER and sister arm wrestling duo Neil and Elaine Pickup scored a double double at the Arm Wars at the Trafford Centre. Neil and Elaine, who are both from Blackburn, tasted victory in both the right-hand and left-hand events. Competitors from around
THEY say two heads are better than one, but what about two cues? It would seem the more the merrier if John Baron and Gary O' Brien's winning of their third successive Hyndburn Small Table Snooker title is anything to go by. In the final, staged at the
LEGENDARY entertainer Joe Longthorne is back in town and ready to begin his hit season of marvellous musical shows this week in his very own Joe Longthorne Music Hall Tavern. The gala launch night is tonight (June 6) and will be followed by a weekly Thursday
A YOUNG mum today vowed to stand by her asylum seeker husband and move to Kosovo with him to preserve their love. Lois Fejzullah, 20, is devastated that Arsim, 23, has been given 10 days to leave England after his application for asylum was rejected.
DAVE German left Leigh RMI for Stalybridge Celtic, and the growing brigade of ex-Railwaymen at Bower Fold looks likely to swell yet further with the move of Dave Ridings imminent writes Martyn Hindley Full-back German's move was certainly an anticipated
THE points were shared by Senegal and Denmark in their Group A game and means both teams still need a positive result in their final matches. In a tight, bad tempered match Denmark led following a Tomasson penalty, but the Senegalise deserved to get back
AEROSPACE workers welcomed the first flight to Lancashire of a Swedish fighter plane. The two-seater Gripen fighter plane touched down in BAe Warton as part of a nationwide tour. The plane was a joint venture between BAe and Saab.
A MAN was due to appear in court today charged with the murder of a mother. David Osbaldeston, 29, of Prospect Terrace, Great Harwood, was due to appear before Hyndburn magistrates this morning. He is charged with the murder of 51-year-old Christine Moore
A FEAST of folk music kicks off in Clitheroe on Friday. The town's annual folk festival starts at the Parish Hall, Church Street, with a concert featuring Pete Abbott, Risky Business and the Bushburys. Throughout the weekend the town will host eight concerts
ALEC SCHOLEFIELD admitted his Earby side were dejected after the weekend's double loss - but he hopes their blip is now over. Earby, challenging for the Jennings Ribblesdale League title, went into Saturday's game against table-topping Barnoldswick level
BLACKPOOL police are appealing for urgent information on a diabetic man gone missing in the area with no medicine and a mental age of nine. William John Cooper, 44, is mentally and physically handicapped as well suffering from diabetes and went missing
TWO Scout troops from Rossendale competed in the Lord Derby Adventure as East Lancashire representatives and were awarded sixth and tenth places. They had to show skills in dealing with emergencies, first aid and rescue and survival. The 45th Rossendale
CONNOISSEURS of food and drink are invited to the largest outdoor festival of its kind in the North West. Held at the Westmorland County Showground in South Cumbria, the North West Food Lovers' festival will feature chef demonstrations, extensive food
A SIMPLE meal is on the menu as Nigel Smith, executive chef at the Feilden's Arms, Mellor Brook, shows us how to liven up meat and potatoes. Nigel's latest offering is veal in breadcrumbs with dauphinoise potatoes. If you don't like the idea of veal it
POULTON lived up to its reputation as a perfect place to party last weekend as revellers soaked up the sunshine and carnival atmosphere that surrounded the annual Gala. Young and old alike lined the streets on Saturday (June 1) to watch the colourful
AN exhibition featuring many of the region's finest professional artists is coming to Samlesbury Hall. Secrets will show the work of nearly 20 members of the North West Design Collective, a group of artists, designers and craftspeople formed in 1996 by
DISUSED and rundown buildings in Blackburn town centre are set to be brought back to life after details of a £900,000 scheme were revealed. The Blackburn Town Centre Economic Regeneration Project has been set up with the aim of providing high quality
CONGRATULATIONS on exposing the state of town as depicted by Terry Regan. That area was a thriving place once. There were innumerable small industrial works round the George Street area -- at a rough guess you could have at least 20. This council, despite
I HAVE sympathy for local drivers who unknowingly exceed revised speed limits -- I understand that the law is about to be changed to allow "repeater" 30 mph signs to be installed as it is realised that the actual limit on lit urban roads is not always
A ROUND-UP of what is on around town at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool Tower, Grand Theatre and Grand Theatre Studio. Winter Gardens (01253 292029) The Good Olde Days -- traditional entertainment with Duggie Clark, Mike Terry and Tony Del Ray. Venue: Pavilion
THE ROYAL HOTEL, North Promenade, Cleveleys. Live music: Fri -- Pazazz. Sat -- The Muse. Sun -- Jessica Stevens. LAYTON INSTITUTE, Westcliffe Drive, Layton. Live entertainment Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun. THE QUEENS, Central Beach, Lytham. Thursdays -- Quiz
