Archive

  • Drive & Stroll...Living the high life in historic village

    THESE days Belthorn, at just under 1,000 feet above sea level and one of Lancashire's highest villages, is a quiet community set in attractive countryside. This, however, has not always been the case. Set on the edge of the West Pennine Moors, there remain

  • 'Human shield' is back home

    A CAMPAIGNER who flew out to become a 'human shield' in Iraq is back in Britain -- vowing to continue his fight for peace. Dieter Seager, 28, whose nephew is with the British army in Kuwait, said he would stay in London to demonstrate against the impending

  • Flat-rate fares get go-ahead

    COUNCIL leaders gave the go-ahead for flat-rate bus fares to be introduced in Blackburn with Darwen. School children can now expect to pay 50p for a bus journey, regardless of the length of trip, following the decision by Blackburn with Darwen Council

  • Join campaign to save chemists

    I WOULD urge all readers to back your campaign on the retention of our local chemists. My pharmacist in Johnston Street, Blackburn, could not be more helpful in both advice and service. People should also realise that their chemist is their direct contact

  • Wrong priorities on spending

    REGARDING your article (LET, March 8) on asylum seekers getting cookery lessons, what does Councillor Paul Browne, leader of the Lib-Dems, mean, when he says: "We need to make sure asylum seekers aren't seen to be getting things other people don't?" Surely

  • Vicar was far from retired

    REGARDING your report (LET, March 3) on the Vicar of Whalley entering the May elections in the Ribble Valley, your reporter seemed to think that this is an earth-shattering event. Jack Straw was incorrect in his remarks about me -- I was certainly not

  • Street repairs bound to come

    I AGREE with Mrs A Foy (Letters, March 6) that Church Street, in Blackburn, should never have been closed to traffic. Another point no one seems to have thought of yet is, where will all the traffic go when the road past the train and bus station needs

  • Stop Saddam by supporting war

    OPPOSING war with Saddam Hussein is just the way to ensure there will be war. Saddam will latch on to all the 'no war' pressure and keep on ignoring the UN. All-out support for war might just make him back away from non-co-operation. Every year -- it's

  • Observations of Straw are all wrong

    YOUR report (LET, March 3) of the Vicar of Whalley offering himself for election to Ribble Valley Council throws up some interesting points, chiefly arising from MP Jack Straw's observations on clerics who have served on various bodies. Mr Straw is misinformed

  • Dunny backs hero Garner's testimonial

    BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder David Dunn is looking forward to locking horns with his boyhood hero Simon Garner. Dunn will come up against Garner, 20 years his senior and the club's all-time record scorer, when two Blackburn Rovers sides will play each

  • Friedel leads tributes to 'model pro' Stig

    ROVERS keeper Brad Friedel today said Stig Bjornebye would be sorely missed around Ewood following his decision to quit football. Bjornebye announced he was retiring from the game on medical grounds earlier this week after finally conceding defeat in

  • Stone thugs target taxis

    BURNLEY taxi drivers have issued a strike threat after claiming they are coming under repeated attack from stone-throwing gangs. The move comes after driver Sameer Ul Rahman was assaulted after stopping to remonstrate with youths who had thrown eggs at

  • Order on neighbour who made life hell

    A 52-YEAR-OLD woman who has made her neighbours' lives a misery has been told: Sort yourself out or you will go to prison. The warning came as Maralynne Birchenough became one of the oldest people in the country to be served with an Anti Social Behaviour

  • Leg it or get legless

    BURY FC and the club's supporters' trust, Forever Bury, have announced two major fundraising events scheduled for the coming weeks. On Good Friday (April 18) there will be a sponsored walk to the Shakers' away game at Rochdale (kick-off 3pm). The club

  • Elderly forced to leave care home

    ELDERLY and frail residents were forced out of a care home in Clayton-le-Moors with just 36 hours notice. The eight residents of St David's Home for the Elderly, in Grange Street, were told on Thursday evening they would have to be out by today. Lancashire

  • Chemists on Duty

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The

  • Chemists on Duty

    MONDAY, MARCH 17 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst

  • Chemists on Duty

    FRIDAY, MARCH 21 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst

  • Man cleared of racially abusing teenager

    A MAN accused of racially abusing a 14-year-old boy in a street dispute has been cleared by a jury. Jason McGarry had denied he had been at the scene and had not thrown a brick through the boy's window. Friends and neighbours testified that McGarry had

  • Radio daze

    THE beauty of the Internet is that you can listen to radio stations from around the world, keeping up to date with news, current affairs and music. There are thousands out on the net but they are not like your traditional radio, for one there's no DJ

  • Watching you

    THE Government has laid out its ideas for a proposed voluntary code to govern how communication firms handle calls, e-mails and web access. Information about subscribers, including names, addresses, dates of birth, should all be retained for a year, it

  • Turf beat...

    Weekly round-up of all things Claret SKY TV pundit Rodney Marsh has joined Talksport's Mike Parry in the Clarets "Hall of Shame" after his disparaging remarks about the club last weekend. He told viewers that Burnley had no right to be in the Premiership

  • Duff and Tugay strikes seal win

    Rovers do the double over Arsenal, read the action minute by minute... 16:53: Full time Rovers 2 Arsenal 0 An excellent show by Rovers if they played like this all season who knows where they would be. 16:51: Paul Gallagher gets his first real shot of

  • Secret of park's success

    THE creation of 600 jobs at the Shuttleworth Mead business park in Padiham will be the latest coup for three East Lancs businessmen who have transformed the site of a former power station into a thriving haven for commerce. When the power station closed

  • Cigarettes smuggler jailed for four years

    A BUSINESSMAN has been jailed for four years for smuggling cigarettes in a consignment of reproduction antique furniture. Manchester Crown Court heard that customs officers seized more than four million cigarettes as they were being brought into the country

  • Factory fire investigation

    FIRE crews were still at a major factory fire early on Saturday. Seven crews attended a fire when six bitumen tanks set alight on Edge Green Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, near Wigan, at 8pm. The fire spread, setting fire to a further six tanks and a derelict

  • Roads news on the agenda

    THE next Ramsbottom and Tottington Area Board meeting is to be held on Tuesday. The meeting starts at 7pm at Tottington Primary school, Moorside Road, Tottington. On the agenda will be the usual 45 minute open forum where members of the public can ask

  • Council contacts moves

    RAMSBOTTOM residents have a number of ways of contacting their local council thanks to a string of new services. Bill payment and general advice has now been made easier after an automated telephone payment system was established. Residents can contact

  • Car thug attacked pensioner with stun gun

    A WOULD-be carjacker used a stun gun three times on a pensioner as he tried to wrestle the car keys from him, a court heard on Friday. Kevin Draper put the stun gun to 66-year-old Brian Coffey's temple three times and pressed the trigger. Each time the

  • Five-month delay on lamp repair

    THERE is light on the horizon at last for worried residents who slammed electricity and council officials for leaving them in the dark for five months. People living in Rockcliffe Street, Blackburn, have been told the problem is due to be resolved --

  • DNA clue caught out violent thief

    A TRAVELLER who preyed on pensioners across the North West is behind bars after being caught out by DNA left on a cigarette butt. Jimmy Evans was identified as the suspect for a series of vicious robberies in Blackburn after leaving the stub at the home

  • Ex-Rovers player stole rent money

    A FORMER Blackburn Rovers and Accrington Stanley player who stole almost £17,000 when he got in a financial mess has left court a free man. David Hargreaves, 48, was spared jail after a judge described his case as 'special' and added he did not think

  • 'Biggest grilling of Jack Straw's life'

    MUSLIM leaders gave Jack Straw one of the "biggest grillings" of his political career when he faced local concerns over the Iraq crisis. The closed meeting with the Lancashire Council of Mosques in Bangor Street Community Centre, Blackburn, was described

  • Campaign to save swim pool

    SHOCKED swimmers have launched a campaign against council cost-cutting which has "banned" them from their local pool during the week. Blackburn with Darwen Council plans to cut public access to Shadsworth swimming pool on Mondays to Fridays from April

  • Scum deserves no mercy

    IT was a marvel of modern forensic science that put heinous criminal Jimmy Evans behind bars, trapped by the DNA on a cigarette he left behind at the home of one of a series of old folk he viciously robbed. But, thank goodness, the skill and determination

  • My First...with Gail Goodson

    A mother-of-three from Darwen who is creating a name for herself as an interior designer. HOME: I was born and grew up in Leicester, so my first home was in the East Midlands. I moved up to Lancashire with my husband 32 years ago and have stayed here

  • Culture king? That's a laugh

    THERE'S something quiet surreal about being told by Dave Spikey that he's been voted Chorley's Face of Culture. It sounds as though it's something straight out of Phoenix Nights, the award-winning comedy series Dave co-wrote and starred in with Peter

  • 'Biggest grilling of Jack Straw's life'

    MUSLIM leaders gave Jack Straw one of the "biggest grillings" of his political career when he faced local concerns over the Iraq crisis. The closed meeting with the Lancashire Council of Mosques in Bangor Street Community Centre, Blackburn, was described

  • Revolt in the ranks

    TEN councillors in Jack Straw's Blackburn constituency have threatened to quit the Labour Party if war on Iraq begins without United Nations backing. The protesters, two of whom serve on Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board, made the announcement

  • Sleepy club-goer bound over

    A NIGHT out in Blackburn proved to be a turn-off for driving instructor Steven Douglas Curley. Blackburn magistrates heard that he was thrown out of a nightclub for falling asleep and ended up being arrested because of his behaviour outside. Curley, 29

  • DNA test catches customs computer thief

    A MAN who stole two computers from the Customs and Excise offices in Blackburn was later trapped by DNA tests on blood found at the scene. Shane John Hindle, 34, of Ennerdale Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of the computers, worth

  • Lovely country road is now an eyesore

    WHAT an eyesore has been made out of the lovely country road that leads from Mill Hill to Tockholes. It has been laden with sleeping policemen and islands to let one lane of traffic through. It makes me wonder how the snow plough will make it through

  • Post office armed raid

    POLICE are appealing for information following an attempted armed robbery at a post office in Leigh. At 10.45am on Friday, a silver Mondeo on false plates was driven up on to the kerb in front of Mosley Common Post Office. Two men climbed out and ran

  • Stone thugs target taxis

    BURNLEY taxi drivers have issued a strike threat after claiming they are coming under repeated attack from stone-throwing gangs. The move comes after driver Sameer Ul Rahman was assaulted after stopping to remonstrate with youths who had thrown eggs at

  • Campaign to save swim pool

    SHOCKED swimmers have launched a campaign against council cost-cutting which has "banned" them from their local pool during the week. Blackburn with Darwen Council plans to cut public access to Shadsworth swimming pool on Mondays to Fridays from April

  • RMI stars to go shopping for supporters

    LEIGH RMI's latest attempt to raise the club's profile in the town saw first team players out and about on Saturday afternoon. Players and officials were in the town centre to meet their fans and sign autographs. There was also be a free raffle for autographed

  • Ewood beat...

    Weekly round-up from the Rovers end Flitcroft's big handicap ... golf! ROVERS' recent trip to Marbella featured everything you'd expect from a mid-season break. During the day the players took the opportunity to relax, either with a game of golf or a

  • Cole storms off after row with boss Souness

    ANDY COLE and Graeme Souness were involved in a training ground bust-up yesterday. And it ended in the Blackburn Rovers striker storming off, jumping in his car and returning to his Cheshire home. Cole looked likely to be axed from the starting line-up

  • Wind farm plan is thrown out

    VILLAGERS were celebrating today after plans for a new wind farm on land near Clowbridge Reservoir in Burnley were thrown out. Residents won their David and Goliath battle with power company United Utilities despite the fact that the proposals were set

  • Kidnappers' trail of terror

    A POSTMASTER and his wife were tied up and subjected to a terrifying ordeal on the night Coronation Street Killer Richard Hillman gripped TV viewers by gagging and abducting his own family. But the reality of cracking crime is far removed from television

  • Woman snatched cash from girl in street

    A NELSON woman who grabbed £10 off a girl in the town centre has been made the subject of an intensive drug treatment programme. Wendy Horrocks, who has been in custody since her arrest last October, was told by a judge at Preston Crown Court that she

  • ay driver jailed

    A BANNED driver who could have caused an "almighty pile up," on a busy motorway in the pouring ran, has been jailed for four months. Burnley Crown Court heard how Kesser Hussain, 21, undertook several cars at more than 70mph on the hard shoulder - and

  • Safety officers to increase the beat

    THREE new community safety officers are patrolling some of Nelson's most deprived areas, to try and improve the neighbourhood and reduce crime. Sandra Hargreaves, Angela Hammonds and Benjamin Peverley will join Elizabeth Kayley and supervisor Tony Kitchen

  • On a protest... but not Iraq

    I WENT on a demo last Friday, the first time I had done so. It was never intended to be a VERY public protest; more peaceful than vengeful or malignant. But the reaction it triggered was astonishing. I still can't believe it. Unlike others held across

  • Police give the public an insight into their crime work

    POLICE in Colne, Barnoldswick and Earby are offering local communities the chance to find out more about the work of local officers and what is being done to reduce crime. An open meeting will be held at 7pm on Thursday, March 27, at West Craven High

  • 'Money-making' chain letter warning

    LANCASHIRE County Council is urging people to ignore a chain letter that promises to make the recipient at least £40,000. The letter promises the reader that if the instructions are followed "you will receive £40,000 in cash within the next 60 days --

  • 'Human shield' is back home

    A CAMPAIGNER who flew out to become a 'human shield' in Iraq is back in Britain -- vowing to continue his fight for peace. Dieter Seager, 28, whose nephew is with the British army in Kuwait, said he would stay in London to demonstrate against the impending

  • Chemists on Duty

    SUNDAY, MARCH 16 BLACKBURN: 10am-1pm: Astons Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrug Pharmacy, 5 Stonybutts; noon-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 62 New Chapel Street, Mill Hill. DARWEN: noon-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 103 Blackburn Road. ACCRINGTON:

  • Chemists on Duty

    THURSDAY, MARCH 20 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohens Chemist, 63 Whalley Range; To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive;

  • Chemists on Duty

    TUESDAY, MARCH 18 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver

  • Man jailed for burgling former friend's home

    A BURGLAR who broke into the home of a former friend when he knew she would be away and stole £900 worth of property has been jailed for five months. Gary Crawford broke in through a rear window but cut himself, leaving blood at the scene. Forensic tests

  • MP Evans fights for post offices

    RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has put his name to a motion calling for pensioners to continue collecting pensions from the post office. The Conservative MP is concerned loss of trade from pensioners will cause post offices to close. He said: "The threat

  • Davis pledge to Clarets

    BURNLEY skipper Steve Davis today revealed his delight at being back in the first team - and promised the best is yet to come from him Davis has been involved in the last few games, and started against Sheffield United, on Wednesday. But he says he is

  • Clarets have got plenty in reserve

    IT is not just the Burnley first team that has been forced to cope with a backlog of fixtures, the reserves have been stacking up the games as well. But the struggles that fit again players Steve Davis, Glen Little and Paul Weller had against Sheffield

  • WALSALL 3 BURNLEY 2

    2Despite fightback Clarets go down away from home The Clarets suffered their third defeat in six days to all but end their dreams of a late run into the play-offs. Trailing to goals from Jorge Leitao and Matt Carbon at the break, Stan Ternent brought

  • Vehicle hire firm gains accreditation

    A BLACKBURN company has been accepted as an accredited member of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) MNH Vehicle Contracts Limited, which runs commercial and personal contract hire and fleet management, has joined 800 other rental

  • Man dies in flats blaze

    A MAN has died after a house fire at a flat in Leigh. Two fire crews attended the blaze at the first-floor flat in Chisworth Close, Westleigh, at 5.30pm on Friday. Two hose reels and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were used. A full investigation

  • Cubs in need of a helping hand

    A VILLAGE cubs group may have to disband after 14 years unless they can find more helpers. St Paul's is the only group for beavers, cubs and scouts in Hoddlesden. But leader Ann White today voiced her fears for its future unless more adults step in as

  • Petition plea to save local pharmacies

    A COUPLE who have been serving the community for seven years have launched a petition backing the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's campaign to save community chemists. And Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has stepped in to accept the 1,000 signatures

  • Blind society issues conmen warning

    A PAIR of conmen called at homes in Blackburn, asking people to hand over their bank details to make charity donations for blind children. Blackburn and District Blind Society was inundated with calls from residents who had answered the door to the duo

  • They've all gone crazy for Comic Relief

    EAST Lancashire was painted red yesterday as hundreds of events helped Comic Relief. This year's theme of the big hairdo was expressed in weird and wonderful ways as twists, cones, pigtails and red hair became the norm in schools and businesses. A lunchtime

  • The 'man-na from heaven' escapes

    A MAN who avoided a jail sentence in January because of the comments of a law lord escaped another term behind bars when he escaped from Blackburn magistrates. Michael Gareth Rollinson fled the court building after magistrates, who had earlier announced

  • Judge attacks bogus marriages

    A SCAM using fake marriages and divorces to get illegal immigrants residential status in the UK has been exposed by a judge. High Court Family Division judge, Mr Justice Nicholas Wilson, lifted the lid on what is believed to be a growing and organised

  • Labour facing 'we quit' threat

    FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw stressed there was no crisis in the Labour Party grassroots after meeting five councillors angry over the impending war. The Labour councillors from Blackburn with Darwen Council handed over a letter of protest which predicted

  • Domestic abuse victim can stay in Britain

    A WOMAN who suffered domestic abuse has been told she does not have to return to Pakistan -- thanks to Bury Council. The victim, who has not been named, was told by the Home Office she would be deported, but the social services department worked with