Archive

  • Jimmy beats Jimmy

    THE thirteenth winner at Atherton Park Winter Bowling competition is Jimmy Glover who beat Jimmy Prescott in the final 21-19. The consolation final was won by Mal Thompson who beat Cliff Berry 21-15.

  • Snooker and dominoes

    Snooker: Sky Bar 42; Bowling A 37; Rileys 35; Lowton 34; Legion A 34; Labour A 31; HGSH A 31; HGSH B 29; Liberals 28; Legion B 27; Labour B 26. Dominoes: Labour B 22; HGSH B 20; Bowling A 17; Legion A 17; Labour A 16; Legion B 16; Rileys 16; HGSH A 15

  • Flying in face of public opinion

    MUCH of my time last year was spent and devoted to campaigning for Bolton Council to reject fluoridation of the north west water supplies, which in fairness, they did. Many councils across the north west started to respond to public demand by rejecting

  • God is the restraining force

    READERS have raised the issue on the evidence of God and hence the teaching of faith. For thousands of years mankind has sought a spiritual dimension to his life, a solace in a higher divine order from this earthy world. This tendency in man has been

  • Burglar's raid final straw for firm

    A BURGLARY by a Leigh man was the final straw for a local company which has now gone out of business. Clifford Lally broke into the offices of Lanyard UK in The Cavern House in Ellesmere Street, Leigh, and stole £7,500 worth of equipment including laptop

  • The medium who hopes you'll be saying 'well done'

    THE man dubbed 'Britain's most accurate medium' is heading for Blackpool again next month. Stephen Holbrook takes to the stage at the resort's Imperial Hotel at an event backed by The Citizen - an event which, like most of Stephen's hit shows, seems destined

  • Big cash windfall for RMI

    ANDY Burnham's "Save Leigh RMI" campaign has been given a massive cash boost. The Leigh MP has won £400,000 worth of funding from the Football Foundation to help the Nationwide Conference strugglers to move from Hilton Park to the new stadium to be built

  • 'Play me' pleads Aussie trip Craig

    CRAIG Stapleton will make his first appearance for Leigh Centurions on Sunday - less than 24 hours after jetting in from his native Australia. Stapleton has volunteered to play against Whitehaven at Hilton Park and will make his debut alongside fellow

  • Rovers hit by a Hammer blow

    ROVERS' FA Youth Cup dreams disappeared during a second half nightmare at Upton Park last night. After taking a 1-0 lead into the half-time break, Blackburn totally lost their discipline, both in terms of defending set pieces and controlling their temper

  • Hughes relieved after win

    BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes admitted he was a relieved man after his side scraped past plucky Cardiff City in the FA Cup last night. Rovers set up a fourth round meeting with Colchester United thanks to a 3-2 victory over the Bluebirds in a gripping

  • Student grant boon for shops

    STUDENTS at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) will have more money to spend in Preston's shops and bars next year after the introduction of top-up fees. More than 90 per cent of the university's 16,000 full-time graduates will be eligible for

  • Head defends exam record

    THE headteacher of the school with the worst record for achieving GCSEs in Lancashire has defended his school, saying the figures do not tell the whole story. Only 15 percent of the 103 pupils sitting GCSEs last summer at City of Preston High School gained

  • Log on for a faithful pal

    AN ANIMAL loving mum has set up a new website to help older animals be rehomed quicker. Yvonne Rigby, 58, a volunteer dog walker at the RSPCA Preston Animal Centre, Longridge Road, Ribbleton, had the idea for the internet site to show the animals housed

  • Minister numbers drop

    DWINDLING numbers of new priests could mean Catholic church services are cut and parishes forced to share clergymen, according to a religious leader. The Right Rev Patrick O'Donoghue, bishop of the Lancaster Diocese, which covers Preston and South Ribble

  • Sun could shine on 'green' building project

    PLANS to build an eco-friendly business and environment centre at a Leyland school are in the pipeline. Wellfield High School, Yewlands Drive, want to renovate a disused school building into a £200,000 business enterprise and environmental centre and

  • Drop in for a chat

    OLDER people will soon be able to "drop-in" at Radcliffe United Reformed Church. The sessions will be run in the church hall, from 1.30pm to 5.15pm, from February 1, to give older people a chance to meet up, enjoy a cup of tea, a chat, andwith table games

  • Bram captures the mood in song and pictures

    FOLK artist Bram Taylor has combined his love of music and photography for his magnificent seventh solo album. The international Leigh performer has featured his striking snap of a sunset over Pennington Flash on the sleeve of his new CD "The Night is

  • Mossgate under microscope

    THE future of a planned multi-million pound new development in Heysham hinges on a public inquiry. The Mossgate development - which includes a medical and dental surgery, a community centre, 400 homes and a police station - will go under the microscope

  • Wish you were here...

    A NEW Year and a new brochure - Lancaster City Council wants to see visitors flocking to the district in 2005. It has just published a new holiday guide aiming to give holidaymakers and day-trippers a comprehensive look of what to do and where to stay

  • Jonathan is hotel king

    A LANCASTER man has been appointed as the new general manager of the Holiday Inn, Preston. Jonathan King is no stranger to hotel management in Britain's newest city - he was general manager of the hotel when it was formerly a Poste House property. He

  • Power workers lift award

    HEYSHAM Power Stations' fund-raising efforts have been recognised by RADAR - the company's chosen charity for 2004. The sites at Heysham raised £15,000 for the charity - the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation - through a series of events

  • Angry MP slams far right BNP

    LOCAL MP Geraldine Smith has hit out at the British National Party for targeting parts of her constituency with a leaflet campaign. Houses around the Ryelands and Skerton area of Lancaster have received BNP leaflets - but Ms Smith says: "People can see

  • Nobody cares

    A RIVERSIDE resident is threatening to take Lancaster City Council to the European Court of Human Rights. Richard Norris, of St George's Quay, Lancaster, says he is 'shocked' that his home will receive no special protection from floods - despite the fact

  • Rugby union - Cup dream over for Hoppers

    HOPPERS ended their 13 game winning run and the chance of a trip to Twickenham when Burton dumped them out of the Powergen Intermediate Cup in this fifth round tie. Hoppers conceded an early penalty in midfield which gave Burton three points and ten minutes

  • A landmark year that saw great changes

    JACK NADIN casts his eye back to the Burnley of 1974. THE year started with 12,000 people being laid off work due to industrial unrest in January 1974, while at the Nelson 'Imp' you might have seen the Mersey Beats or the Swinging Blue Jeans. The new

  • Elephant trumpets new scheme

    PENDLE'S new recycling scheme is being trumpeted by the arrival of an elephant in Colne town centre. The elephant, made entirely from newspaper, is basking under the shade of a tin can tree created by community artist Joy Evans, to urge people not to

  • Manchester Road BC

    MANCHESTER Road Bowling Club require both ladies and gentlemen veteran bowlers for the forthcoming season. Please ring Mr Dougie Hall on 01706 225287.

  • Leader's approval of statue designs

    THE new designs for a huge statue in Accrington have been welcomed by the leader of Hyndburn Council after he branded the original proposals "daft". Councillor Peter Britcliffe led the call for Hyndburn to pull out of the first round of the Panopticon

  • RRG of Bury Bowls Open

    THIS competition will be held at Allen's Green BC, Radcliffe. The competition is limited to 128 entries, entry fee is £8. Dates are Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24; April 30 and May 1 with the final 16 to play off on Sunday May 8. All start times

  • Protests at home plan for children

    THE owners of a company applying for permission to transform a Rishton terrace house into a care home for children have reassured the local residents there is nothing to worry about. Radcliffe-based Unlimited Care Ltd have applied for permission to change

  • 'Don't miss out' MP urges local pensioners

    LEIGH MP Andy Burnham has backed a new awareness campaign that stops pensioners missing out on an average £426 towards their council tax bills. He said: "Up to four out of ten pensioners fail to apply for Council Tax Benefit and three quarters of a billion

  • Vicar gives final sermon

    LONG-serving Leigh vicar the Rev Canon Peter Leakey preached his last sermon at Christ Church, Pennington. Parishioners turned out in force to say goodbye to the popular vicar who has been in the pulpit for almost 20 years. The choir sang a blessing to

  • Bury, Tottington & District Workshops Bowls League

    THE AGM was held on Thursday January 13. Two teams have resigned from the league (Albany and Webbs). Also, one new team will be joining us (The Scouter), who will play home matches at Openshaw (Rochdale Rd), on Tuesday nights. The league will comprise

  • Police probe stolen files

    AN investigation has been launched by police after patient records disappeared from the surgery of disgraced osteopath Stephen Milward. Around 700 confidential patient records have vanished from the Atherton therapy centre. The man who has taken over

  • Rugby legend wings back

    ONE of Britain's greatest ever rugby league players is set to return to the scene of some of his greatest performances...to honour a top team of Wigan council employees. Martin Offiah will present the council's 'team of the year' prizes at a glittering

  • Moon landing

    MANKIND has got its first glimpse of the surface of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. The spaceship which travelled there was launched in 1997. Not much later, Lancaster City Council stated deliberations on how to have a cycle lane on Morecambe Promenade.

  • You cannot be serious

    I READ with amused interest the letter from Ms D Garlick regarding the wilful fouling of the highway by constabulary horses (Citizen last week). Are we to understand from the ramblings of this individual that she honestly expects the police force to employ

  • It's no big deal

    SOME say the jug is half full, others say it is half empty. It takes all sorts. But in contrast to your reader Ms D Garlick, who was 'sickened and disgusted' by manure from the police horses in town on New Year's Eve, (Citizen, last week) I was also in

  • How free can birds be?

    IT IS with some confusion that I write in reply to Emily Chadwick's letter (Citizen, last week) saying the labelling of shot game as free range is a lie concocted by the shooting community. If birds are released into the wild, fed in the wild and shot

  • Nothing to be proud of

    LIKE most people in this country I have made a donation towards the Asian disaster relief fund. However, I don't find this a cause for pride. It is our duty to help fellow humans, and this duty is one that should not end here but carry on with further

  • We just want to play - Atoms

    HEYSHAM Atoms' coach Dave Crow says he is desperate for a game before his frustrated players 'kill' each other. Crow's men were left kicking their heels again on Saturday when Widnes Tigers called their game off less than three hours before the scheduled

  • Clubs vote on new match rules

    THE 2005 Northern Cricket League will kick off on April 16 - with clubs hoping for a long, hot summer. But while the on-field action doesn't start until the heady days of spring, the action off the field begins tonight (Thursday) at the league's annual

  • Glory beckons Vale women

    VALE of Lune women stand on the verge of glory - just one win away from being crowned as Women's Premiership 2 champions. Lune travel to Richmond on Sunday with a chance to win the title - and will almost certainly be confirmed as the title winners when

  • Forget Morecambe

    STRICKEN skipper Gary Bauress is ordering his Lancaster City teammates to forget about Morecambe and get on with their jobs. The skipper, on the slow road back from a hamstring injury, is fully aware of the excitement over the possible FA Trophy tie with

  • Congestion problems on Deansgate

    From the Radcliffe Times, January 21, 1955: l There had been a "great improvement" in the congestion problems that had been dogging Deansgate in Radcliffe which had been caused by vehicles parked on either side of the road. l The placing of guard rails

  • Cahill can't believe his good luck

    GARY Cahill admits he is still pinching himself after Burnley's victory over Liverpool handed him his best night in football. Cahill, 19, has had an amazing start to his professional career after making the leap from reserve team football with Aston Villa

  • Forget Morecambe

    STRICKEN skipper Gary Bauress is ordering his Lancaster City teammates to forget about Morecambe and get on with their jobs. The skipper, on the slow road back from a hamstring injury, is fully aware of the excitement over the possible FA Trophy tie with

  • Congratulations to school that did do better...

    ANDY Burnham has this week sent a letter of congratulations to Golborne High School for its success in being named as one of the hundred most improved schools in England. This recognition is based on the steady and sustained improvement in GCSE results

  • Barrow worried over Swailes gap

    GRAHAM Barrow is set for a busy week searching for defensive cover in the wake of Danny Swailes' recent transfer. Swailes moved to Macclesfield Town late on Thursday leaving the Bury manager short of central defensive options. If Saturday's match at Scunthorpe

  • Con alert

    BEWARE of bogus tradesmen knocking on doors after the recent storms, warn police. Already cold callers have been targeting residents offering to replace lost slates or guttering for cash and never doing the job. In one case, a Morecambe, a woman was charged

  • Tracey can manage...

    MORECAMBE'S Festival Market is about to get a new manager - and she can't wait to get her teeth stuck into the new job. Tracey Bruce, pictured, is making the move from supervisor at Lancaster Market after 20 years with the city council. She joined the

  • Dogs come out for disaster relief

    WHO let the dogs out? Four-legged friends will be on parade in force in aid of the Tsunami Relief fund early next month. A dog show is being arranged for Saturday, February 12, at the Salt Ayre Sports Centre - with the aim of making as much as possible

  • Junior squad trial

    THE Wigan and district (incorporating Leigh, Tyldesley, Atherton and Golborne) junior badminton squad, will be holding trials for new players, at the beginning of February. The squad will be for girls and boys, aged between 7 and 19 and all standards

  • Runners make a good start

    ASTLEY & Tyldesley Road Runners started 2005 like they ended 2004 - in the prizes in the Littleborough 5 Mile Race. Lorraine Lucas collected the clubs first prize of the year finishing first V45 and fourth overall in the ladies race with debutant

  • Miners take over at the top

    LEIGH Miners Rangers took over top spot in the National Conference League with a resounding victory over Oulton. The Leigh side leapfrogged Wath Brow Hornets into pole position on points difference but with two games in hand, the Cumbrians will be well

  • Golborne topple league leaders

    GOLBORNE Parkside are right back in the thick of the promotion action after beating leaders Haydock 12-10 to move into third place but with four games in hand. With former St Helens and Swinton winger Jason Roach making his debut, Golborne were forced

  • Seedfield slammed by runaway St Mary's

    AT the top of the Bury Amateur Billiards League table, St Mary's A whitewashed Seedfield to open up a ten point lead over rivals Walshaw B who didn't have a fixture. Walshaw A also lost out to St Mary's B, and Dobbies A again lost to their B team. M.

  • Openshaw Park

    THE sixth winter bowling competition at Openshaw Park has a new champion. The Bolton trundler Barry Robinson defeated Clive Chapman of Heywood in the final by a convincing 21-8 scoreline. In the semi-final he saw off the challenge of Radcliffes Colin

  • Radcliffe Short Mat Bowls League

    RESULTS PREMIER DIVISION White Horse 7, Crumpsall 1; Allens Green B 6, Allens Green A 2; Jubilee 2, Hollinhurst 6; Allens Green C 5, Whitehead Park 3; Hot Shots 1, Ainsworth 7; Seedfield 3, Walmersley A 5; Totty Mix 1, Crumpsall 7; Duck Club 2, White

  • Marsden Trophy draw

    BORO have been drawn at home in the quarter final of the Lancashire F.A. Marsden Building Society sponsored Challenge Trophy to the winners of Bamber Bridge or Atherton Colleries. Full draw, week commencing January 24: Radcliffe Borough v Atherton Colls

  • Radcliffe Darts League

    STAFF of Life didn't have any answers to a raging Top Bull team as the visitors swept to a 6-0 lead, with the loss of only one leg. Staff's consolation was the last two games of dominoes, which saw them claim the points. Papermakers are back with a vengeance

  • Radcliffe Pool League

    RESULTS and tables PREMIER DIVISION Victoria Ht A 5, Roach Ht A 2; Swan Ht Rad 6, Rainsough Brew 1; S of Life A 4, Masons Arms A 3; Shirt Club 2, Hamers Arms 5; Welcome A 4, Rileys Snk Club 3. FIRST DIVISION Queen Anne 5, G & Dragon 2; O W Horse 3

  • Baggies bid for Chaplow

    WEST Bromwich Albion were today set to firm up their interest in Burnley's Richard Chaplow as Ipswich Town home in on Mo Camara. Burnley are adamant they are still to receive any official bid for Chaplow from the Premiership strugglers, who claim to have

  • Hughes was the reason says Savage

    ROBBIE Savage has admitted it was the chance to play for Mark Hughes that ultimately persuaded him to join Blackburn Rovers rather than Champions League chasing Everton. After weeks of speculation, the 30-year-old midfielder finally completed his £3 million

  • Ready for the big push

    NORTH End skipper Chris Lucketti has tipped resurgent Preston to go all the way to the play-offs and has shown his confidence by signing an extension to his contract. The 33-year-old centre-half has agreed a one-year extension to his deal keeping him

  • Croquet club aims to spark interest

    MEMBERS of a croquet club will put the spotlight on their facilities at a fundraising open day in the spring. Bury Croquet Club, which plays at Coronation Park in Radcliffe, will be showing visitors around their facilities, and encouraging people to take

  • Clean sweep wrapped up

    THE final phase of a campaign to clean up the town came to an end on Monday with a chance for residents to air their views about the project. Officers from Bury Council's environmental services department have been sprucing up the Milltown Street area

  • Two estates planned

    A £10MILLION project to provide new rented accommodation across Blackburn and Darwen has been unveiled. Twin Valley Homes announced the scheme after securing planning permission for a 73-house estate at Queen's Park, Blackburn, to replace bedsits it demolished

  • Council house buyers' offered TV chance

    PEOPLE who bought their council homes in the 1980s are being asked to get in touch with a Channel 4 documentary team to tell their stories. The documentary is set to mark the 25th anniversary of the ground-breaking 'right-to-buy' housing policy which

  • Pharmacy's disaster cash

    THE staff at Lowton Pharmacy turned their post-Christmas fancy dress party into a fun-d raiser for the Asian Tsunami appeal. Two pink, fat fairies, clown and ringmaster collected a total of £259 for the fund and enjoyed the event so much they decided

  • Rotary float record

    THE Rotary Club of Leigh "Father Christmas" Float raised an unprecedented £10,369 over the Christmas period, breaking the previous year's total by £1400. This money could not have been raised by Leigh Rotarians without the householders of Leigh digging

  • Campaigns saved lives reveals fire chief

    SAFETY campaigns have successfully helped reduce the number of emergencies firefighters have had to deal with says Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority chairman Fred Walker. Atherton-based Cllr Walker said: "It has been very good news in our area

  • Same again for Boro

    SATURDAY has more than a touch of "deja vu" about it, as seven days after facing Lincoln United at home Radcliffe Boro now face them away, and Glendon for one is not a fan of these back-to-back games. "I hate them for the simple reason that if anything

  • Holocaust memorial day

    A MEMORIAL day marking the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust will be held at Radcliffe Civic Suite, Thomas Street, on January 27. The event, which will begin at 7pm, is by ticket only, and will last one hour.

  • Drop in for a chat

    OLDER people will soon be able to "drop-in" at Radcliffe United Reformed Church. The sessions will be run in the church hall, from 1.30pm to 5.15pm, from February 1, to give older people a chance to meet up, enjoy a cup of tea, a chat, andwith table games

  • Party time for elderly residents

    ELDERLY residents from the Dumers Lane area of Radcliffe were treated to an afternoon of refreshments and entertainment. After a successful fun day for the young people on the estate during the summer, the Dumers Lane Tenants' and Residents' Association

  • What a bomber for Chris

    BLACKPOOL'S famous Vulcan bomber could end up in pieces as its new owner ponders how to remove it from its current home. New owner, pub landlord Chris Ollerenshaw from Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, is faced with a bill of up to £20,000 to move the fragile

  • Labour will return to resort pledge

    LABOUR is 'tremendously supportive' of Blackpool and will not dump the resort for good, the resort's council leader claims. Cllr Roy Fisher, himself a Labour representative, believes the party will be back - if Blackpool delivers a world class conference

  • Fury over ambulance response time

    A BLACKPOOL resident who stopped to help an injured man by the River Wyre was astounded that an ambulance took nearly half an hour to arrive. The Citizen reader, who asked not to be named, said the dazed man was sitting in mud on a slipway by Blackpool

  • Getting there... eventually!

    FANCY taking public transport from the centre of Blackpool to Fleetwood? Forget it - according to a £50 million Government website, it's impossible. Travellers heading to St Annes have a little more luck - a one and a half hour train journey, involving

  • 'Good" council wins award

    BURY Council has been nominated for an award after moving from weak to good within two years. The authority will compete against five others in the most improved council of the year category at a ceremony hosted by the Local Government Chronicle. Meanwhile

  • Make a stand for dyslexia

    A RADCLIFFE primary school is one of six across the borough to be recognised for the way it is raising awareness of dyslexia. Teachers from Radcliffe Hall CE in Bury Street, together with Guardian Angels' RC and St Peter's CE in Bury, Holcombe Brook in

  • Funeral of former councillor

    THE funeral is taking place on Thursday of a former councillor and pillar of the community. Mr Ken Colley, of Market Street, Stoneclough, died at the age of 77 after suffering a heart attack at his home on January 13. He devoted much of his life to the

  • Quiz night

    TWELVE Apostles Club, Westleigh Lane, Leigh, are holding a Family Quiz Night tomorrow (Friday) in the Lounge at 8.30 pm.

  • Calendar girls' internet shame

    A PRESTON student has spoken of her shock after discovering soft porn pictures of herself and her sister had been posted on a sleazy Danish website. Leanne Hudson, 21, is featured on the Copenhagen-based 'Ekstrabladet' site in a passionate embrace with

  • Church trash sale

    AN indoor trash and treasure sale opens at Tyldesley Methodist Church, Elliott Street, on Saturday, February 5, at 10am. Admission is 20p and there will be a selection of home made refreshments. Stalls cost £6 and can be booked on 0161 790 3493. Proceeds

  • Buffet time

    ATHERTON RNLI are holding a Grand Buffet Dance to raise money for the Lifeboat Service. The event, which includes music by John Bowdler, will take place at The Formby Hall, Atherton on Friday February 4 from 7.30pm -11.30pm. Tickets are priced £6 and

  • Free health check with the shopping

    CUSTOMERS are being offered the chance to pick up a free health check with their weekly shop. Qualified nurses will be on hand at Asda, Leigh, on January 21 and 28 between 5pm and 9pm to test blood pressure and blood sugar. Stores with pharmacies and

  • Thieves target disabled cyclists

    ADULTS with learning disabilities have been left heartbroken after thieves stole bikes bought for them by charity fundraisers. A trailer containing the three specially adapted bicycles and two tricycles was stolen from local branch of the charity CARE

  • Labour rocks Blackpool with conference blow

    THE Labour Party is set to drop Blackpool as a conference venue, it emerged this weekend. The party's National Executive will decide later this week where to stage the 2006 event and is expected to accept a recommendation to move it to Manchester. Blackpool's

  • Girls' charity stunt gets more exposure than planned

    A STUDENT has spoken of her shock after discovering semi-nude pictures of herself and her university friends had been posted on a sleazy Danish website. Nikki Chapman, 18, of Barnfield Close,Thornton, is featured naked on the Copenhagen-based 'Ekstrabladet

  • Degree course open evening

    ADULTS thinking about learning something new are invited to find out more about higher education courses available at Holy Cross College in Bury. The college are recruiting for September courses and are holding an Information Evening on Tuesday (January

  • White stuff gives me the blues

    I WAS sitting, the first in the queue, on the by-pass by the Lovers Lane junction waiting for the lights to turn green when a Y-reg maroon 4 x 4 zoomed up, swerved through the lights, and stopped plump in front of me. I couldn't believe it. I know it's

  • Civic honour for Centurions

    WIGAN Council rolled out the red carpet last week to mark Leigh Centurions promotion to Super League. The Centurions squad, who claimed a place in the elite division for the first time after a thrilling Grand Final win over Whitehaven last October, were

  • Centurions' worldwide profile boost

    THE profile of Leigh Centurions is to increase following their promotion to Super League. With added media exposure, including three early season home games to be shown live on Sky television, Leigh is to embark on extra interest from the sporting world

  • Body in boot murder man named

    A MAN found shot through the head in the boot of a burned out car has been identified. Stacey John Lloyd, 31, of Ripon Close in Whitefield was found in a car close to a bridge over the M66 on Griffe Lane in Unsworth on Sunday. Mr Lloyd's partner, Kimberley

  • Asda on course for double

    ASDA Golborne remain on course for a Leigh Soccer League league and cup double after beating Aspull 2-1 in the second round of the Carl Brown Cup. Goals from Hill and Munro put Asda into the next round. Aspull replied through Brown. Leaders AFC Tyldesley

  • Morris hits late winner

    LEIGH RMI under 10's came back from their Christmas break to gain a narrow victory over a gutsy Horwich St Mary's side, to continue their winning run. In the early stages of the game RMI passed the ball well, however against the run of play, Horwich took

  • Trophy flops as cup jinx strikes again

    LEIGH RMI 1, ALTRINCHAM 2: In any sport, consistency is synonymous with success. The antidote to that is confusion that invariably leads to failure. RMI entered three further players to their bedraggled squad in the FA Trophy and found that their only

  • Thieves are the lowest of the low

    SADLY we get more and more used to hearing about crimes that are unbelievably despicable. Elderly people who are on their own suffer the ordeal of their homes being ransacked or being robbed in the street often because they are vulnerable and are therefore

  • Miners struggle

    AFTER a five-week lay-off Leigh Miners Rangers Under 13s had to work hard to beat a spirited Westhoughton side 14-8. The Miners tries came from Kenny, McCabe and Myers who also landed one goal.

  • History goes on show

    THREE historic examples of the borough's history have been brought together and put on show by the current civic leadership. Ceremonial maces representing the former councils of Bury, Radcliffe and Prestwich can now be seen in a new display case in the

  • Tsunami charity night was super

    I WOULD like to thank and congratulate all the local musicians who not only entertained us all night but raised a fantastic £415 at the benefit concert for the Tsunami Appeal, held at the Royal Hotel, Waterfoot on Friday night. The band members of Ded

  • Bring back Old Labour

    REthe article on the front page of last night's (LET, January 13) headlined Eighth worst in country. Heads should roll for not doing enough for all concerned. Why didn't they do the same as they did to Moorland School in Darwen? I must agree with the

  • Youths made our lives hell

    IN response to the article in the paper (LET January 11) about Kathleen and Jim Hindley of Darwen being harassed by youths in the area. I feel for them as I know what it is like. Two years ago myself and my wife moved from Yorkshire into the Queen Street

  • Gymnastics display open to all

    SOME of the North-west's finest young gymnastic talent will display their skills at a special open day to be staged in Bury. The event is being held by Bury Metro Gymnastics Club and will take place at their base at the towns Goshen Sports Centre in Tennyson

  • Danger beef fear

    Police investigating a major cow passport fraud fear hundreds of animals that were too old for human consumption may have entered the food chain. The probe is looking into the alleged use of falsified cattle "passports" to make tens of thousands of pounds

  • Hughes was the reason says Savage

    ROBBIE Savage has admitted it was the chance to play for Mark Hughes that ultimately persuaded him to join Blackburn Rovers rather than Champions League chasing Everton. After weeks of speculation, the 30-year-old midfielder finally completed his £3 million

  • Rovers need a Savage touch

    ROBBIE Savage's long-awaited debut for Blackburn Rovers cannot come soon enough if this was a glimpse of what life could be like without Barry Ferguson. Mark Hughes' £3 million signing from Birmingham City was sat in the stand at Ewood Park last night

  • History goes on show

    THREE historic examples of the borough's history have been brought together and put on show by the current civic leadership. Ceremonial maces representing the former councils of Bury, Radcliffe and Prestwich can now be seen in a new display case in the

  • New group on the road

    PEOPLE bereaved or injured by a road accident can now turn to a national charity that has set up a branch in Preston. RoadPeace has reached hundreds of people across the country since it was set up in 1992. The group held its first Preston meeting last

  • Charity role in makingn TV film

    A TELEVISION programme following the daily life of a terrorist suspect's family, and made in partnership with a Preston charity, is to be screened next week. The Media Education Network, run by Bilal Patel, of Frenchwood Avenue, Preston, worked behind

  • Hunt on for terror tales

    DO you have a spooky story to tell about things that go bump in the night? If so, a Preston author and television presenter needs help of the supernatural kind. Writer Jason Karl, of Garden Walk, Ashton, is on a ghost hunt for his fourth book and plans

  • Holocaust memorial day

    A MEMORIAL day marking the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust will be held at Radcliffe Civic Suite, Thomas Street, on January 27. The event, which will begin at 7pm, is by ticket only, and will last one hour.

  • £10,000 to man who evaded poll tax

    A MAN jailed in 1996 for not paying the poll tax has been awarded £10,000 in an out-of-court settlement with the Government. The case brought by Antony Townsend was struck out of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg after confirmation to the

  • Drug addict asks JPs to jail him

    A DRUG addict thief with almost 100 convictions to his name told magistrates he would strike again if they did not jail him - and got his wish. The bench heard ex-convict Gary Stoiles, 29, did not want a community-based penalty. And his solicitor told

  • City shoppers get the bird

    SHOPPERS in Lancaster are to be urged to take up bird-watching this weekend. Staff and volunteers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will be out in force at St Nicholas' Arcade on Saturday to ask people to take part in its 26th annual

  • Teen yobs sent down

    POLICE in Burnley today vowed to continue the war on yobs after a gang of teenage tearaways were given custodial sentences. And they warned other youths not to step out of line - or they could face the same fate. The four juveniles were sent down at Preston

  • Park is still in the dark

    THE lights may eventually be turned on in Ryelands Park - perhaps even by the end of this month. In October the Citizen reported how Lancaster City Council had installed smart new lamp posts around the park's cycle track. But local people were still in

  • We must never forget

    IT IS 60 years since the horrific events of The Holocaust were first revealed to the world. And the six million Jews and children who perished are to be remembered in a week of events in Lancaster. NCBI Lancashire - an organisation dedicated to ending

  • Stop this madness

    A WOMAN believes she could have died after a brick was hurled at her car as she drove along a quiet Lancaster street. Kelly Akister was left terrified and shaken by the flying brick attack and says: "I could have been killed." Police have described Kelly's

  • Croquet club aims to spark interest

    MEMBERS of a croquet club will put the spotlight on their facilities at a fundraising open day in the spring. Bury Croquet Club, which plays at Coronation Park in Radcliffe, will be showing visitors around their facilities, and encouraging people to take

  • Quest to discover canalside landmark

    A QUEST to find Pendle's answer to the Angel of the North gets under way today. Civic leaders are launching a £600,000 project to commission three or four 'landmarks' for the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Brierfield, Whitefield and Bradley. The Large Projects

  • Tandoori dinner to raise cash for wave victims

    A RADCLIFFE restaurant is to host a fundraising four-course meal in aid of the Tsunami appeal. Bury's mayor and mayoress and the area's two MPs have been invited to attend the event at the Radcliffe Charcoal Tandoori in Blackburn Street. The meal, including

  • Missing brother 'alive and well'

    WEEKS of anxiety ended for Craig Seymour when he found his brother safe and well in Thailand within 24 hours of landing in the tsunami-torn country. And his emotional reunion with Colin, formerly of Marsden Walk, Radcliffe, was helped by the Radcliffe

  • Road works to cause traffic delays

    TRAFFIC delays are expected in Preston from next week while work takes place to resurface Corporation Street at the Marsh Lane and Heatley Street junctions, near the university. A major scheme to resurface Corporation Street and improve the pavements

  • City 'arts quarter'

    A CREATIVE quarter is being planned to rejuvenate a rundown area of Preston city centre. City chiefs want to encourage a hive of creative industries like media design and film companies to start up in Church Street with the help of graduates from the

  • 10 years ago:

    THE chairman of a Darwen company was presented with an OBE at Buckingham Palace. Paul Rink - joint chair of Wolstenholme Rink - received the honour for his environmental work as chairman of Blackburn Groundwork Trust. He said: "It really is an honour

  • 50 years ago:

    A FAMILY narrowly escaped death through gassing when fumes from a fractured gas main in Blackburn began to seep into houses. The alarm was raised by five-year-old Ryzard Nejranowki whose cries woke his mother Wanda at their Abraham Street home. She said

  • Rugby legend wings back

    ONE of Britain's greatest ever rugby league players is set to return to the scene of some of his greatest performances...to honour a top team of Wigan council employees. Martin Offiah will present the council's 'team of the year' prizes at a glittering

  • Beware of cowboy repair workers

    HOUSEHOLDERS whose property has been damaged in recent gales have been warned to be on their guard against dodgy repair workers. The council's consumer watchdogs are urging residents to be aware that they could be targeted by rogue traders knocking on

  • Pop art is as easy as A B C

    VISITORS to an exhibition by the artist who designed the cover of the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper album in 1967 have been creating their very own Pop Art masterpieces. Alphabet - a set of 26 screen prints by one of Britain's leading Pop artists Peter Blake

  • Pupils join the Boro crowd

    RADCLIFFE Boro's game against Lincoln United was sponsored by the club's own Football and Community Development Scheme, which arranged for free tickets for the game to be given to every child at St Mary's Primary School, Radcliffe. The Club's Development

  • By IAN SINGLETON

    This is about cutting costs 'Cuts could lead to deaths' FIREFIGHTERS today warned that lives were being put at risk following cut backs in the manning of a 'vital' aerial ladder. They revealed their concerns after the equipment was used in the rescue

  • Winners and losers in yellow lines parking battle

    RESIDENTS who have objected to yellow lines in front of their Tyldesley homes may have won their battle. But for those on the opposite side of the road, restrictions will be brought in if Wigan Council decides to apply the order. Recommendations have

  • "Did working with rubber kill my mum?"

    A 77-YEAR-OLD woman who died of cancer may have contracted the disease through working with rubber. Dorothy Davies, who passed away last December, worked for 15 years in the 1960s and 1970s as a rubber feeder at major cable manufacturers BICC's Leigh

  • Towns rise to the challenge

    LEIGH has launched a unique "beat us if you can" challenge to big brother rivals, Wigan. Leigh Centurions promotion into Super League has boosted the strong inter-town rivalry that exists between the two towns and has prompted the first Wigleigh Challenge

  • Lynne's life in Oz is first class...

    WHEN Lynne Hayes was 10, she didn't want to leave the Leigh area. Her parents had decided to make a new life for the family abroad, but they hadn't counted on such plucky resistence from their eldest daughter. "I desperately didn't want to leave England

  • Missed opportunity

    ABOUT three years ago I contacted Lancaster city council's car parks department to suggest it could earn a bit of cash by installing a temporary pay and display machine where the people of Lancaster used to park when going to Kingsway Baths. I got a bland

  • Don't knock the Greens for trying

    MY FIRST reaction to Steve Metcalfe's letter headed 'Ordinary people have voices of their own' (Citizen last week) was one of utter astonishment. Like Steve, I was unable to attend the Green Party's public meeting on Iraq. I am both a supporter of Lancaster

  • Shrimps look to stay unbeaten

    MORECAMBE managed to get through their first FA trophy test against Sutton Coldfield Town - but are not thinking about the Trophy yet. They travel to York on Saturday and face Scarborough in the Conference Cup at Christie Park next Tuesday night. But

  • Welcome win eases pressure on Vale

    THE New Year may be more than a fortnight old - but Vale of Lune's 2005 got off to a great if late start on Saturday. Vale had not played a game since December 18 but had been sweating near the bottom of Powergen North 1 and went into their delayed game

  • Planning ahead for the winter

    JUST as the cold set in this week (Jan 20, 2005), Radcliffe was feeling the chill back in January 1955. The big difference between then and now was the greater reliance upon solid fuel at the time. This meant that supplies would face heavy demand and

  • Sparkling clogs and washday Monday

    DAILY and weekly routines as a youngster are still etched in the memory of Mr Allan Crossley. Allan, who now lives in Little Lever, wrote down some of his recollections of life as a youngster living on Knob Row, off Bolton Road, with his parents and younger

  • Make a stand for dyslexia

    A RADCLIFFE primary school is one of six across the borough to be recognised for the way it is raising awareness of dyslexia. Teachers from Radcliffe Hall CE in Bury Street, together with Guardian Angels' RC and St Peter's CE in Bury, Holcombe Brook in

  • Baggies bid for Chaplow

    WEST Bromwich Albion were today set to firm up their interest in Burnley's Richard Chaplow as Ipswich Town home in on Mo Camara. Burnley are adamant they are still to receive any official bid for Chaplow from the Premiership strugglers, who claim to have

  • Golden oldies going strong

    ST Joseph's Players were a long-established amateur dramatic society way back in the 1920s when this cast lined-up for a photo shoot in connection with a Gilbert and Sullivan production. This month the Leigh am-dram group kick-off the 2005 season with

  • Conman steals cash

    AN 86-year-old woman was duped out of more than £100 by a bogus workman who conned his way into her home. The man went to the house at The Rise, Bolton-le-Sands, claiming to be fixing a boundary wall for the woman's neighbour and needing access to the

  • Judge delays sentence of resort rapist

    SENTENCING of a Morecambe man facing a life term for raping a teenage girl at a secluded spot has again been put back. The case of Andrew Price has been adjourned until February 17 because a psychiatric report on the defendant is still not available.

  • A laugh a minute from Culcheth Players

    THE Culcheth Players are preparing a fun-filled trio of comedy plays and sketches for their next production. The show will include "Streuth" a comedy of errors by Michael Green, "Resting Place" a gentle comedy by David Crompton and "Last Tango in Little

  • Eagles win at the death

    CULCHETH Eagles were made to fight all the way in their NWC cup tie against a much improved Spotland team and it wasn't until the last minute of extra time that Culcheth sealed a 14-10 victory. Best for Culcheth were Mike Radcliffe and Joel Waugh. Top

  • Squash team push for promotion

    LANCASTRIAN'S First squash team had a comfortable victory against Village Prestwich and are now pressing hard for promotion as the second half of the season gets under way. Only at 1 and 2 did the Village offer any resistance where Graham Collier and

  • Cup stroll for East

    LEIGH East might have had no game for four weeks but they still looked diamond sharp as they made comfortable progress into the fourth round of the GMB National Cup with a 52-0 home win over Millom. East had Man of the Match Lee Wingfield in magnificent

  • Tenpin bowling round-up

    MONDAY TRIOS: Banana Splits played second placed Strike Out in which turned out to be the match of the season. Banana Splits won the first game by two pins, Strike Out won the second by one. The last game went down to the final frame with Strike Out taking

  • Defence the key for happy Hawks

    LEIGH RU Hawks, who were depleted by unavailability, made hard work of beating a strong Oldham side 10-7. Playing against the elements in the first half, the Hawks struggled to contain the Oldham pack, who drove over the line from a lineout to give the

  • Bury and District Disabled Advisory Council

    IF a serious illness or disability affects someone, it can cause "knock on effects" to the person's life and the lives of their family. Often people don't know what services are available, who they should contact or what they are entitled to. Until you

  • Con Club couponbusters

    TOTTINGTON Con B turned the formbook upside down in the Bury Political Clubs' Billiards League, defeating frontrunners Walmersley Con B 5-1. When J. Drinkwater took the first frame by 69 chalks the odds looked stacked in Walmersley's favour. However,

  • All the local soccer leagues results round-up

    RESULTS, tables, fixtures BURY & RADCLIFFE JUNIOR LEAGUE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE UNDER-12 De La Salle 3, Moorside Rangers 0; Marauders 5, Radcliffe Jnrs 0. UNDER-13 Whitehouse 0, Avro Jnrs 3. UNDER-14 Manchester Youth 6, Woodbank 1; Roach Dynamo 2, Brandlesholme

  • Pledge to boost bus services

    A NEWLY-appointed bus boss has pledged to improve the reliability of services in Radcliffe and elsewhere. The promise by First's new managing director, Ian Davies, follows criticism about the company's "poor performance" from Greater Manchester transport

  • Fiona rhymes off her life

    POETRY is the spice of life for Fiona Smith who is hoping that jotting down her life experiences in verse will lead to a career in writing. Fiona, of William Street, Radcliffe, has been writing poetry since she was 11 and has already composed more than

  • Degree course open evening

    ADULTS thinking about learning something new are invited to find out more about higher education courses available at Holy Cross College in Bury. The college are recruiting for September courses and are holding an Information Evening on Tuesday (January

  • Police dog cornered garage radio thief

    A THIEF attempting to steal a car radio was cornered by a police dog in a Radcliffe garage, a court heard. Steven John Grocock (31) admitted the attempted theft of a car radio from Radcliffe Discount Car Centre in Radcliffe Moor Road and also having in

  • Boys at the double

    KNOWSLEY BOYS U15 1, BURY BOYS U15 2: Bury took on the might of the Merseysiders who had just reached the quarter final of the National Trophy and turned in an outstanding performance to progress to Round Two of the Alder Owen Trophy The boys' achievement

  • Violent attack man putthrough window

    A MAN attacked as he walked home was propelled through the lounge window of a terraced house, traumatising the elderly occupier, a court heard. As a result of the unprovoked attack, Derren Smith, 39, needed surgery to his hand and a tendon was almost

  • New-look play area reopens

    A CHILDREN'S play area which has played a central role in village life has been given a new lease of life following a £25,000 windfall. The area outside the Barlow Institute in Edgworth has been fully refurbished and includes more equipment for younger

  • Free health check with the shopping

    CUSTOMERS are being offered the chance to pick up a free health check with their weekly shop. Qualified nurses will be on hand at Asda, Leigh, on January 21 and 28 between 5pm and 9pm to test blood pressure and blood sugar. Stores with pharmacies and

  • Tsunami brass...

    YOUNG players were blown away by the amount of brass they raised for the Asian Tsunami Appeal. The Astley Youth Band played a six hour non-stop marathon at a Walkden store and collected £2,135 towards the relief fund. More than 60 members of the training

  • Charity cash boost

    If you think you think walking to the supermarket is energetic - spare a thought for the incredible members of "Boxercise" at Flex Gym, Leigh. They have completed a marathon non-stop four hour training and aerobic session which has raised £935 for Wigan

  • Civic honour for Centurions

    WIGAN Council rolled out the red carpet last week to mark Leigh Centurions promotion to Super League. The Centurions squad, who claimed a place in the elite division for the first time after a thrilling Grand Final win over Whitehaven last October, were

  • Rotary aid

    ATHERTON Rotary Club has played an important role in sending shelter and water to Asian tsunami survivors. The club has responded to a request from Rotary International to fund two shelter boxes and an aqua box for the disaster area. President Colin Mickleburgh

  • One track for cables and pipes

    THE Citizen drew attention to the problems of uncoordinated roadworks, (January 13). In truth, most of the so-called roadworks are not roadworks at all, but utility works to replace or repair underground pipes and cables. Unfortunately, promises of co-operation

  • Put end to cat hell

    I AM writing to you with regard to the article Cat Help 'Hell' For Neighbours and as someone who has experienced similar distress, but not to the same extent, to thank you for highlighting the most unsatisfactory condition Mr Norton and his family have

  • 'Deal with debt' advice

    RESIDENTS who have racked up Christmas debts are being urged not to ignore the problem and hope it will go away. Trading standards officers advise people not to panic but to get help and make plans to pay the money back at an affordable rate. They suggest

  • Pub raises £1,000 for wave victims

    THE owners of a Radcliffe pub have raised more than £1,000 for the tsunami appeal with the help of their regulars. Sandra Thomas and Fred Hussain, the landlord and landlady of the Victoria, held a fundraising night by raffling off donated items. Among

  • Burns Night

    LEIGH Lions Club are to celebrate Burns Night with a five course supper and dance at Lowton Civic Hall on Saturday, January 22, at 7.30pm. Tickets at £17 per head are available from Joan on 01942 744512.

  • History date

    LEIGH Local History Society get back into the swing after the Christmas break with a meeting on January 26 at 7.30pm in the Derby Room, Leigh Library, when Mike Atty will speak on Roman and Turnpike roads in south west Lancashire. Everyone is welcome.

  • Antiques course begins

    THE influence of designers like Robert Adam, Thomas hippendale, William Morris and Clarence Cliff will be examined in an eight-week Understanding Antiques course which starts on Wednesday, January 26 (7pm) at Lowton Community Sports College. The course

  • Pitch is feeling under the weather

    A SPECIALIST sports college has been forced to put its new all-weather sports pitch out of action... because of bad weather. Norden High School, Stourton Street, Rishton, opened its state -of-the-art pitch in 2003, at a cost of £300,000. The facility

  • It's time to focus on play-offs

    Stanley striker's Paul Mullin's weekly column THE bus on the way home from Hereford was one of the quietest I've known in my time at the club. We'd let ourselves down, and we knew it. Mike Flynn's sending off was obviously the turning point, but even

  • Gymnastics display open to all

    SOME of the North-west's finest young gymnastic talent will display their skills at a special open day to be staged in Bury. The event is being held by Bury Metro Gymnastics Club and will take place at their base at the towns Goshen Sports Centre in Tennyson

  • The expenditure on Blackpool town hall was totally necessary

    BLACKPOOL Council has acted swiftly and highly efficiently in removing the vast tonnages of health dangerous asbestos that riddled the town hall. Necessary extra public expenditure was necessarily incurred in dutifully removing such asbestos health hazard

  • All this money should have been spent on our fishing fleet

    READING the frantic rants of the minor opposition Parties (Lib-Dems, SNP, Greens, UKIP) to the Conservative Party's proposals for taking the UK out of the EUs C.F.P. it strikes me as pure political humbug, because not having got any answers of their own

  • Thoughts on the tsunami

    FOR the benefit of those whose faith has been weakened by liberal theologians failing to offer any clear reason why God would permit a natural disaster on the scale of the tsunami the following is what the Bible really reaches. Contrary to the impression

  • Liz has lunch with HRH

    PROUD head teacher Liz Connolly was honoured to be invited on a royal garden tour as a reward for her school's excellent report. Liz, joined guests from 90 national schools, to have lunch at Prince Charles' Highgrove home, following St Catherine of Siena

  • Paws for thought and give Max a new home

    I RECEIVED a heart-rending letter this week - from a dog who wants a loving new home. Black cross-breed Max is only three-years-old but has had a rough time up to now, being passed from pillar to post and treated cruelly. The letter states: "I have had

  • What's happened to the great little village of Astley

    YEARS ago I wanted to move to Astley, but that's before it became an overspill area for the city. Like many other places its desirability was eroded for me as the greenery disappeared. Now I'm sorry to learn that mindless louts are giving grief on an

  • Goals spree for U13s

    BOOTHSTOWN Under 13's first game of the New Year seemed to be going the same way as previous results as they gifted an early goal to St John's only for Boothstown to respond with five first half goals to lead 5-1at the interval. The second half became

  • Hindsford leak five

    HINDSFORD lost 5-2 away at Elton Vale on Saturday. They were two-down inside seven minutes but gradually got back into the game and following good work from Mark Morris and Tony Brown, Dave Fashou lifted a great shot over the keeper. Grant Willett equalised

  • Leigh Youth League

    BEDFORD Rangers got through to the Leigh Youth League Under 18s cup final in dramatic fashion with a winner six minutes into stoppage time. Leading 3-1 at half time with goals from Andrew Neal, man of the match Mark Smith and Dwayn Kinlock, Bedford were