Archive

AMID the announcement today of who will be the eight super-councillors in the controversial 'secret' cabinet running East Lancashire's largest local authority, a welcome and significant U-turn is softly, but suddenly, spirited in. For, instead of 'secret

KING Arthur can get a taste of the beautiful game when Camelot Theme Park near Chorley plays host to a football tournament. Eight teams from schools across the North West will take part in the five-a-side Coca-Cola annual tournament. Collegiate High School

LEIGH Golf Club's Andrew Baguley is swinging to new glory. The 36-year-old PGA pro will feature in the North West regional final of the Lombard Trophy at Manchester's Marriott Club next Friday. He will be partner by Peter Connelly, 59, in the pro-am tournament

Drive and Stroll with Ron Freethy EYAM in the Peak District of Derbyshire can be reached from East Lancashire within a couple of hours but not in the height of the season. Readers of this column will know of my interest in the balance between history

York 14 Swinton 30 PHIL COUSSONS took the major honours with a two-try show as Swinton got back on track against lowly York. Coussons struck in the 49th and 65th minutes from passes by two other Man of the Match contenders, Paul Smith and Ian Watson,

Notts County...2 Bury...2 BURY'S turbulent Millennium campaign came to a sunny conclusion in more ways than one at Meadow Lane on Saturday. Those shirt-sleeved Shakers fans who sang throughout the full ninety minutes of what turned out to be an entertaining

1939: The remains of the largest known turtle that ever lived in the Triassic period was found in excavations in Germany. Within the skull and neck bones of the seagoing crytodire were traces of five metal pellets leading to theories that the dinosaur

FOLLOWING our appeal last year for used postage stamps, foreign coins, supermarket reward cars and other items of value to us, we had an absolutely amazing response from readers, for which The British Kidney Patient Association sends its heartfelt thanks

WITH reference to your article, 'Motorway family left stranded' (LET, May 3) my husband has been a member of the RAC for 26 years and during that time he has needed their assistance several times. Waiting time has been very limited. The patrolmen have

I WISH to thank electors who voted Liberal Democrat in the local elections. Their courage in opting for change resulted in three new Lib-Dem councillors in Blackburn and Darwen. I know each one personally and I have no doubt that they will prove effective

RECENT events in the capital and in general throughout fill me with dismay. They lead me to question the character of our society and the causes of the demise of pride in ourselves, what we are and how our development as individuals has suffered at the

TEAR up your ration books, we can do what we like, we're foreigners! When the good citizens of Pimlico discover they are part of Burgundy they declare themselves independent from British law and discover a sense of freedom from the drab post-war London

ONE comedy company that everyone's talking about is Lip Service. And it's no surprise if Sunday night's performance (May 7) of Women On The Verger at Blackpool Grand Theatre is anything to go by, writes Sarah Sharp. Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding are the little

THE revs at a bikers wedding in Bury were not just confined to the clergy! And Michelle Slater and Barry Tudge's wedding was a roaring success. Hotel worker Michelle (18) arrived on a trike for her wedding at St Thomas's Church, Rochdale Old Road, on

A BURY woman whose life has spanned three centuries will reach a new milestone on Sunday (May 14). Mrs Mary Mayne will be a sprightly 108 and will be celebrating her remarkable birthday occasion at Moorfield Residential Home on Tottington Road, where

POLICE in Bury are investigating two vicious robberies carried out over the weekend. A 73-year-old woman was knocked to the ground in one incident and a man aged 30 was kicked and punched about the head and body by a gang of four men who made off with

LEIGH'S newly-appointed commercial manager, Kevin Ashcroft, has thrown down the gauntlet. He has challenged the town to show its true colours. "Give us your support and we'll give you a team fit for Super League" is Ashcroft's first-day message. He has

MR CUNLIFFE, the secretary of the St Helens North Labour party, is quite correct to stress the difference between the Communications Workers Union and the National Federation of Subpostmasters, of which I am a member. However, I am afraid he appears to

CONSERVATIVES support initiatives to help refugees to recover from the trauma which have led them to leave their homes. We want them to rediscover their lost sense of security and to come to terms with their new lives in Britain, whether they are permanent

I SHOULD like to express my utter repulsion at the behaviour of the Prime Minister and Her Majesty's Government with regard to Ann Winterton's Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill. I find it extremely difficult to believe that, although there

DOES anyone have the same problem as my friends and I when booking taxis? Our problem is when we book a return run, and ask the office for a price (which you are advised to do) as I understand, this is the final price you are then supposed to pay the

I AM fortunate to have an excellent, hard-working team of paid staff, volunteers and the occasional student. However, I am responsible for the work of the office. We are all extremely busy and I became aware that a misunderstanding had led to some exclusively

LAND earmarked for housing at Goosnargh Whittingham and Broughton is being taken out of plans for development. At last week's meeting of Preston's planning committee, it was agreed that no further housing allocations should be made on greenfield land

A PRESTON charity has changed its name to stop people confusing it with others -- and to pay tribute to its biggest benefactor. Preston and North Lancashire Blind Welfare Society is to become Galloway's Society for the Blind in July. Peter Taylor, director

IN a move to boost the national DNA database, Lancashire Police will now take samples from people arrested for car crime, and young offenders aged 12-20. This year the DNA database is expected to double, as the forensic battle against crime continues.

AN off-duty policeman who works in Chorley is making a steady recovery after being brutally attacked by a gang of thugs. The constable, who doesn't wish to be named for security reasons, was walking home after a night out in the town when he was confronted

CHALLENGES don't come much harder than scaling mountains -- especially when the gauntlet is thrown down to ascend the highest peak in the world! But that's precisely what Preston teacher Paul Flanagan will do to pledge his support for a Nursery Nurses

LANCASHIRE firefighters have called a stop to their work to rule policy in protest at the sacking of a recruit who was injured during training. Firefighters, officer and control staff decided to take the action after a recruit twisted his knee just three

A SEVEN-year-old girl needed hospital treatment after being indecently assaulted in an entry at the rear of Thornham Avenue, Marshalls Cross. The assault occurred at about 5.40pm on Thursday, May 4 when a man approached the child as she played in the

LANCASTER fire-fighters are taking only emergency calls after a new recruit was sacked following a training injury. Fire union chiefs say the action by Lancashire fire management is outside national conditions of service. The young fireman was sacked

SICKENING smells from the notorious Nightingale Hall Farm have prompted MP Hilton Dawson, to call for rigorous action against the animal rendering plant. And he claims that, if the company can't contain the offensive odour, new Government powers should

A MORECAMBE teenager has told of her fight against a debilitating disease and her hopes for the future. Helen Broad, 14, marked national ME awareness week by describing her five and a half year battle against the illness. Once dubbed 'yuppie flu,' ME

A LOCAL hospital trust faces a £2 million bill after medical errors left a local girl brain damaged. A compensation settlement, between the family of Harriet McAvoy, 6, from Galgate, and the Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS trust, was approved by High Court

SACKED workers at Driver Woodeaves in Lancaster are celebrating this week after a tribunal found they had been unfairly dismissed. Nine former employees at the Driver Woodeaves plant on Caton Road took the company to court after they were summarily dismissed

A MAN was thrown to his death by a doorman at a Lancaster nightclub, a jury has been told. Christopher Saggerson, 32, landed on his head when ejected from Springs nightclub, Spring Garden Street and died around 11 days later from his injuries. It has

MORE than 35,000 people dived into 515 pools throughout the UK in March to swim a total of more than 300,000 miles for the 14th BT Swimathon. And participants are being urged to get all their sponsor money in as quickly as possible by television star

BRITAIN'S biggest-ever free tennis campaign got into full swing at the weekend, with Preston's contribution to Play Tennis 2000 attracting the crowds. The local venue was Preston College Sports Centre, in St Vincent's Road, Fulwood, which hosted a junior

Bamber Bridge 2, Whitby Town 2 BAMBER BRIDGE's season came to a close with an entertaining draw against Whitby Town. The visitors were quick off the mark as captain David Logan swung a classy corner straight past Paul Horridge and into the net. Horridge

Pilkington Recs 32 Ulverston 18 RECS came out tops in a bruising play-off contest that confirmed their promotion into the Premier Division for next season. The players and their travelling supporters enjoyed a glorious day trip to sun-drenched Morecambe

Castleford Tigers 22 Saints 32 SIMPLY awesome in the first 40 minutes, then hamstrung by the on-going injury bug later. That, in a nutshell, was the story of battle-scarred Saints who emerged triumphant from the colourful Jungle on Sunday and who stretched

Haydock 20 Thatto Heath 16 HAYDOCK were crowned Champions of the North West Counties after a titanic battle against local rivals Thatto Heath. It was the first time the Haydock club had lifted the trophy in their 21-years history and party celebrations

A GAY Labour councillor from Leyland has revealed his delight at flying of the rainbow flag from the area's mast. Coun Howard Gore called for the symbolic internationally-recognised flag to be flown as part of celebrations for the gay community. He said

A LEYLAND man has appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, facing three theft charges and one of obtaining property by deception. Nicholas Hiley, 33, of Ashfields, Dunkirk Lane, pleaded guilty to one theft offence and was remanded on bail last Wednesday, to

JUDGING from all the feedback prompted by the regular flashback photos appearing on this page, there's nothing our readers enjoy more than spotting a grandad or grannie or two posing in their their bright-eyed youth. This latest memory-jerking example

I NEVER imagined there could be as inspirational a poem as Rudyard Kipling's 'If' -- you know, the one about keeping your head when all around are losing theirs. But a piece forwarded to me by reader Gordon Manning of Rainford, must run that Kipling classic

A NEW company set up in a joint venture between Inter Partner Assistance and South Staffordshire Group is bringing more jobs to Preston. Home Hotline Limited will be the UK's biggest and most comprehensive emergency building services operation, handled

BOC Preston Gas and Gear Centre are helping to bridge the sexual divide by encouraging women to take up careers in welding. Managers say that more women than ever are training to go in to industrial trades and crafts that were once dominated by males.

THE historic resurrection of PNE's coffin in Bamber Bridge has hit strife following the team's decision not to commit to a date. The famous coffin parade started in 1948 after a local greengrocer from Bamber Bridge packed a coffin full of vegetables and

STAGECOACH drivers striked yesterday causing misery to thousands of commuters and bus users. Company bosses and drivers are in dispute over the amount of pay earned by drivers in different Stagecoach areas around the country. Roy Husband, chair of the

A TIDAL wave of blue and white flooded the area as tens of thousands took to the streets to celebrate Rovers' championship in style. The biggest party in Blackburn's history lasted well into the early hours, after the final whistle at Anfield. In an emotion-charged

WIGAN and Leigh NHS Health Trust is offering a pioneering new treatment to cure snorers. The Trust is one of the first in the country to offer such treatment, and hopes to make sleepless night a thing of the past for the relatives of noisy snorers in

TWO ex-miners are among the first in the country to receive compensation for respiratory diseases brought on while working in local pits. Orrell pitmen Ernest Cross, 79, and Ernest Melling, 75, received almost £4,000 each for their pain and suffering

A GOLBORNE grandma has hit the bingo jackpot! Housewife Mrs Valerie Clarke's numbers came up at Shipleys Bingo Club in Leigh when she scooped over £52,000. She is sharing the winnings with her friend, Mrs Maureen Watkinson. They play together at the club

A BITTER fight at Hindsford has seen Lib Dem Graham Lingings hold his seat on Wigan Council. His victory came after a recount gave him a 56 vote majority over Labour's Mark Aldred - beaten for the second time in four months. Cllr Lingings and Mr Aldred

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build an access road for Royal Lytham St Annes golf course has nearby residents up in arms. The proposed path is in preparation for next year's British Open -- the premier event on the golfing calendar. But both the club and organisers

THE city council is inviting citizens to call in at Palatine Hall and make their views known concerning plans for Lancaster and were assured that any views will be carefully considered, but are they? I took the trouble to go along to the first local government

THIS is copy of a letter I have sent to the chief engineer at the city council, Alf Wrigley I am writing to you concerning the new cycle and pedestrian bridge and the access onto Lune St. I spoke to several people in the highways department and Geraldine

WE don't need the marina in the centre of Morecambe, the letter by Mr Patrick clearly showed the difficulties which would be faced by such a plan but build the marina in the area of Heysham and this would provide opportunities for all. Do we want Morecambe

I WRITE in response to comments made in the local press by Cllr Geoff Knight concerning theplan to accommodate asylum seekers at the Grosvenor Hotel on Sandylands Prom. I wish to make it quite clear that the Government does not have and has never had

IT was no surprise to see that concern over the city council's absurd scheme at Halton this week reached the national press. No resident in Halton or Lancaster will be surprised at the breathtaking arrogance with which city councillors have flaunted the

MORECAMBE motorcycle star John McGuinness stormed to victory in the 250cc International North West 200 in Northern Ireland on Saturday. The Demon Vimto rider beat Scotland's Callum Ramsay in front of a record North Antrim crowd. He said: "I had to put

Blackpool 2, Chesterfield 2 BLACKPOOL manager Steve McMahon blasted his side for playing 'pub team' football for nine minutes, as they again lost a two-goal advantage. It was another 90th minute strike -- the fourth in four games -- which saw Blackpool's

THIS week sees a break in the Northern League cricket programme for the first round of the Lancaster and Lakeland Nuffield Hospital Cup. Lancaster play Fleetwood at Lune Road, and must pay special attention to the visitors' professional Abbas Ali, who

A LANCASTER horse woman had a perfect start to her first attempt at Britain's most famous horse trial competition. Kath Pinington, 29, completed the cross country phase of the Badminton Horse Trials without dropping a point. Although they lost points

I WAS astonished to read that the Metro Planning Committee had turned down planning permission for a nursery at Slag Lane, Lowton on the grounds that the sound of children playing for a few hours a day would be too irritating to residents. This same committee

Lancaster City 2 Emley 1 SUPERSUB Barrie Stimpson made his first appearance in over three years and proved that he hasn't lost his touch when he helped to set up the winning goal, crowning City's record breaking season in style. And it was Dean Martin's

THE council has promised tenants living in a Skerton tower block that they will look again at the health risks posed by mobile phone masts. The top of Bridge House on Mainway is used by no fewer than five different mobile phone companies to beam signals

BURY accountancy firm Metcalfe & Co has appointed David Stott as a new partner. He joins senior partner Jack Metcalfe and Howard Marsh at the head of an expanding company which has always had its roots in the town. Mr Stott (36), who lives in Ramsbottom

BURY'S economy is likely to outperform much of the North West region in the coming year or two. That was the message from the Royal Bank of Scotland's chief economist Mr Jeremy Peat. His analysis of the local economy was delivered during an address at

SOUTH Ribble MP David Borrow joined Chorley and South Ribble Justice and Peace Group last week to help highlight the world debt campaign. The group and Mr Borrow gathered behind 19 pairs of shoes at Crescent House in Sandy Lane, symbolising the deaths

BOWLAND Pennine Mountain Rescue Team and the Lancashire Police helicopter were called in to help find a missing autistic boy in Worden Park last week. Matthew Foster, a 15-year-old pupil at Beech Tree Special School, was on a family outing to the park

STAGECOACH drivers striked yesterday causing misery to thousands of commuters and bus users. Company bosses and drivers are in dispute over the amount of pay earned by drivers in different Stagecoach areas around the country. Roy Husband, chair of the

THE world's biggest recorded tomato plant has taken hold inside a greenhouse near Leyland -- and genetic engineering has nothing to do with it. The monster 80ft plant at Nutriculture, Mawdesley, is a record-breaking creation that has knocked spots off

A CORONER'S investigation has begun after a Scotforth woman was found hanged close to her home. Christine Hunter, 39, of Blea Tarn Road, Scotforth, was discovered dead on Saturday. Lancaster police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding

LANCASTER and District Osteoporosis Support Group is to be re-launched after almost a year. The first meeting takes place at the Elms Hotel, Bare on Monday, May 15. Nurses Jill Letcher and Annette Payton are the speakers. Admission is £1.50 and the meeting

COUNCILLOR Edna Jones took over from Cllr Sybil Rostron as the city mayor at the annual meeting of the council at the town hall on Wednesday. Cllr Jones is a Labour member for Carnforth Cllr Sheila Denwood, who represents Scotforth West for the Labour

A LANCASTER pub chain is expanding again after buying a pub in Cumbria. Mitchell's of Lancaster has taken over the Anglers Arms in Haverthwaite, Cumbria, only months after buying the Duke of Rothesay, Heysham. Retail operations manager Eric Grindrod said

HEY big spenders! Shirley Bassey fans still have a chance to catch the Tiger Bay diva in Blackpool this month with the surprising announcement there are still some seats available. Ms Bassey will be belting out all the favourites at the Opera House on

A MORECAMBE decorator could be heading for an Olympic gold medal with a difference! Daniel Glover, 20, is through to the final of the Young Decorator of the Year contest. If he beats off seven competitors from across the country in the final on May 21

West Park under 17s 22 Manchester 15 PARK scrum-half Chris Briers almost won this Lancashire Cup semi-final on his own with a try and four penalties, Chris Souter adding a try to put Park in next Sunday's final at Wigan's Douglas Valley ground. Several

PARK users in Blackpool are being urged to keep their eyes and ears peeled to help combat a spate of vandalism. Mindless hooligans have left a trail of destruction in a series of attacks at children's playgrounds and parks across the town. Stanley Park

CALIFORNIA could be coming to Carnforth as the town establishes itself on the tourist trail. A group of 13 Americans visited Carnforth for a week in April as guests of the Friends of Carnforth Station group. And, after a successful stay, American railroad

DESPITE one of the biggest campaigns by Blackpool Borough Council to get people to the poll booths last Thursday (May 4), Blackpool saw its lowest turnout ever for a council election. Less than a third of people eligible to vote actually took the opportunity

A SECTION of the Norcross benefits office at Bispham was sealed off on Wednesday after sub-contractors drilled through a ceiling containing asbestos. Web Electronics were carrying out work on cables for a computer system above a ceiling in block seven

A CRIME busting partnership project in Blackpool has been hailed a massive success in its first year. The Blackpool Community Safety Partnership was launched last year with police, the council and other agencies working closely together to combat crime

A CHARITY tractor pull is to be held to raise money for roof repairs at Morecambe's Blind Welfare Society. The tractor pull is to be held on Sunday, June 4, at the Halton Training Camp and is supported by Reebok. Organisers are hoping for a good turnout

A MORECAMBE schoolgirl was attacked by a mob of children as she walked past a caravan park in broad daylight. The girl, 12, was walking on a public footpath close to green Lane, between 3.45 and 4pm on Friday when she was approached by the five other

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners across Lancashire are united in their condemnation of the county council after it agreed to request £55 million from the Government to fund a discredited road scheme. The Heysham-M6 link, which would run along the Lune Estuary

MORECAMBE oil workers will be in the TV spotlight this weekend. Discovery channel documentary 'Living on the edge' will focus on the Morecambe Bay gas fields as it examines the lives of people living on Britain's coastlines. A film crew spent two days

WHOEVER said I was fussy where men are concerned could be right. I've 18 blokes lined up in front of me here and, do you know, I can't pick out one single, solitary candidate I like. Now before you start wondering if I've been dragging them in off the

LEIGH'S Holden Cup Final will be staged at Hilton Park tomorrow (6.30pm). Holders Leigh MR, who reached the final after a default (Leigh East pulled out), will face in-form Leigh Harriers in what is expected to be a crunch affair. Harriers had a battle

LEIGH CC are going great guns in the 2000 season. Played seven, won six, one rained off -- a smiling start for the Beech Walk side. And there were lots of runs at Northern on Saturday with Leigh declaring their innings at 246-4. They lost Steve Bailey

HOW fitting it was Leigh RMI were welcomed onto the pitch at Worksop to the thundering sound of the Queen hit We Are The Champions -- and then proved it! They duly lived up to their tag, crushing the home side 3-0. Rather than sit back in the sunshine

TEAM Knockout results from the Men's Monday Night League . . . Group A: Astley & Tyldesley A 190 Botanical Gardens 177, Westleigh Village 186 Leigh Miners 198; Group B: Atherton S&S A 176 Rugby Union B 191, Tamar 174 Leigh Bowling Club A 190;

BURY Unitarian Church is behind major renovation work at an old Bury cemetery. Local residents were horrified after the Hole Bottom Cemetery off Chaffinch Drive had been flattened by bulldozers. A large number of graves were left uncovered and tombstones

A BURY woman's devotion to one of the world's most well known singers has reached "titanic" proportions. Celine Dion fan Paula Swarbrick first heard the Canadian star's amazing voice six years ago and since then she has vowed that her "heart will go on

A RAMSBOTTOM primary school is believed to be first in the borough to have been given "special measures" status following a damning report by Government inspectors. St Paul's CE primary school is said to be "failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard

AN innovative photographic exhibition, which chroncicles the changing face of Bury, opens in the town tomorrow (Sat May 13). And for the hundreds of visitors expected to attend the event at Bury Art Gallery, it could literally be right up their street

BLACKPOOL chairman Karl Oyston has welcomed funding for the club's new stadium -- and has brushed aside the whole Steve McMahon rumour mill stating: "It was never an issue." Mr Oyston spoke following speculation that the Pool boss was looking at the vacant

THE need for companies to innovate to survive in the 21st century was the message from an innovation event. Northern Technologies in Nelson hosted the event as part of a Celebration of Innovation week organised by the DTI. The Nelson centre screened an

LEADER of the Liberal Democrats on St Helens Council, Councillor Brian Spencer, has hailed the group's success in the local elections last week. A jubilant Councillor Spencer said that the Labour Party was continuing to lose seats and its share of the

COUNCIL Leader, Marie Rimmer was delighted with the increased voter turn-out at the local elections this year. The Labour Leader said: "We're especially pleased to report an increase in turn-out of just over two per cent over last year and we will be

ORGANISERS of a youth project for children aged between seven and 12 say they are being forced to roam the streets because of the lack of a permanent meeting place. The St David's Youth Project was formed 12 months ago by St Helens Council with funding

THE next Mayor will be Cllr Mrs Joan Hurst. The Ince ward member from Spring Street, who takes over from Cllr Evelyne Smith next Wednesday, is the granddaughter of Wigan's second Labour MP, John Parkinson, who sat in the Commons from 1918-42. Cllr Hurst

VERSATILE Angela Grime was one of the big hits in the Leigh St Joseph's Players April programme of song and dance. But now for something completely different. She has kicked off her dancing shoes to takle the challenging role of Kitty in next week's tribute

COMMUTERS across the Fylde coast found themselves at a standstill on Wednesday (May 10) as almost 650 drivers for Stagecoach Ribble buses staged a one-day strike over pay. A spokesman for the Stagecoach head office in Preston told The Citizen: "Apart

NO CONFERRING! Poulton student Ian Hodgson took on which TV challenge on Tuesday night? The 21 year old student of geography, pictured here, was part of the four strong team from Oriel College in Oxford to brave the barrage of questions from TV's toughest

TWO Lancashire stars-to-be are set to appear with the American Caruso himself when he returns to Blackpool by popular demand. The aspiring actresses, Cara-Lee Gledhill (pictured) and Anna McKenzie, will share the key role of Raphaella in Lanza - The Last

BLACKPOOL is hoping to hit the right note with its very own festival of music this month. As part of BBC Music Live from May 25 - 29, the resort will be dancing to the tune of musical workshops in schools, DJ workshops, tuneful theatre, a grand parade

THE Government education watchdog OFSTED has tipped it's hat to a local specialist teaching team who educate Blackpool's troubled pupils. Inspectors visited the town's Behaviour Support Service which educates 11-16 year olds who have either been expelled

ST ANNES Conservative Club may be about to break with more than one hundred years of tradition when it votes to allow women to become full members. But insiders say it may be the women who will object! On May 25 the club on Clifton Drive North will hold

IT'S Viva La Radio for The Wave 96.5 as yet another singing sensation clamours to be a part of the Wave Weekender supported by your super Citizen. And this week your favourite newspaper can announce pop princess Lolly will be back in Blackpool again for

INTERNATIONAL athlete Ann Griffiths began this year's track season at Windsor last weekend. Competing for her club Sale Harriers in the UK Womens League match Ann dominated the 1500 metres event to win in fine style a full 100 metres ahead of the next

RAINFORD suffered an early season setback at the hands of Saturdays visitors Highfield. Rainford batted first and had Hilton and Campbell to thank for steering them to the 175 and maximum batting points after they had looked in trouble at 110-6. Earlier

RUBEROID Sutton defeated Birkenhead St Marys at New Street on Saturday. Batting first, Sutton lost their first wicket for 41. That brought Sean Anders to the wicket and he proceeded to pepper the boundary on his way to 71. He was ably supported by Brian

THE LABOUR Party is blessed with some prolific orators. But they fail to see, or admit to, the shortcomings of their own party who have inflicted some atrocious decisions on the voters of the town. It took an 11-year-old schoolboy to coerce them into

THOSE who criticise Coun Peter Callow (R. Macintyre, The Citizen 13/04/00) for voicing his concern about the welfare of zoo animals don't seem to realise most local people are agreeing with Coun Callow. As I'm mixing with the public regularly I know they

CRICKET fans - pencil Thursday, May 18 in your diary. Sutton Cricket Club is hosting one of only three matches and sportsmans evenings being held across the country as part of the benefit season for Lancashire all-rounder Ian Austin. The day of entertainment

RE the Tony Martin case, I feel so bitter. He used a shotgun and rightly so. The boy was a trespasser and a burglar. I myself found two men in my home. I had only been out for ten minutes to the corner shop. I thought I saw a head disappear in my kitchen

DAVID Moyes toasted his team's title win -- then sent Burnley a good luck message. The Clarets are set to join PNE in Division One next season after winning the race to second spot ahead of Gillingham and Wigan. Burnley manager Stan Ternent lifted the

PRESTON North End finished off their hectic weekend of celebrations with the annual player of the year awards. There was no surprise as Sean Gregan lifted the supporter's player of the year, while Jon Macken took young player of the year and player's

NORTH End's season ticket prices have risen by 10 to 16 per cent for the new season in Division One. But prices for children, old age pensioners and full-time students have been frozen to encourage children and families to attend games. Season tickets

THERE is a treat in store for jazz fans when The National Youth Jazz Orchestra take to the stage at the Theatre Royal on Saturday, May 13 as part of a national tour to mark the orchestra's 35th anniversary. Curtain up is at 7.30pm. And the following evening

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build an access road for Royal Lytham St Annes golf course has nearby residents up in arms. The proposed path is in preparation for next year's British Open -- the premier event on the golfing calendar. But both the club and organisers

AS someone who frequently passes Radcliffe Junior School on Coronation Road, I would like to know just who is funding the roofing work there. Who is in charge of the job because I have never seen a bigger waste of education money in all my life? I can

"CONCERNED But Hopeful" (Your Letters, May 5) has every right to be sceptical regarding the future of the Elms Precinct, Whitefield. Anyone who could bulldoze and then leave the precinct in that dilapidated state shows little concern for the people of

COULD Bury Council please, please put a stop to the incessant house building in the Tottington area before it is too late. Money may determine their decisions but the welfare of the inhabitants of the town and the preservation of our precious land must

I READ with dismay about the council not renewing 20 saloon taxi licences. I feel strongly that the council's plan to reduce the number of saloon taxis discriminates against the owners and those taxi users, like myself, who prefer saloon taxis to black

MAY I lend my support to the views expressed (May 5) by your correspondent "Concerned But Hopeful" regarding the redevelopment of the Elms precinct. I find it strange that our MP, Ivan Lewis, appears to regard Mr Gubay as some sort of saviour, despite

AS a long-time supporter of Bury FC, it saddens me to see the dwindling crowds at Gigg Lane, although I can understand it. On certain match days children and OAPs are allowed in free which is very admirable, although it must lead to a loss of income.

WHAT a challenge Leigh-born Donald Jackson has in front of him. For the next five years he will be rewriting the Bible with his team at his Welsh scriptorium. The Royal calligrapher, who attended Manchester Road Secondary and was brought up in Butts Bridge

MR J. Walker from Windle is the latest winner of the £2,000 jackpot prize in the Willowbrook Hospice weekly lottery draw. Also celebrating were Mrs M. Trott of Huyton who won £200; Mrs E. Marlow, Newton (£125); Mrs P. Dorsey, Rainhill (£75) and Mrs D.

THREE men received hospital treatment for facial cuts and bruises following a disturbance at The Landings pub in Ormskirk Street, St Helens on Sunday, April 30. The incident, believed to have involved up to 10 customers, broke out at about 10pm and police

MOTORWAY traffic on the M6 flyover by Haydock Island was brought to a standstill last week when police closed it while carrying out a controlled explosion of a briefcase nearby. The incident happened at 2.50pm on Thursday, May 4 when the briefcase was

CALLING all pipers and drummers... St Patrick's Pipe Band have reformed, 18 months after the band were forced to disband, and they are already on the lookout for new members to join their ranks. The band, set up by local man John Simon (JS) Coleman, a

WINGER David Eyres joined his team mates for their end of season jolly to Majorca yesterday (Wed) safe in the knowledge that his Deepdale future is safe. For the Citizen can reveal that the 36-year-old has been offered a one year extension to his contract

NINETEEN new industrial units ranging in size from 2,500 sq ft to 27,000 sq ft have just been completed at Park Court as phase one of the Sherdley Business Park. Park Court is just a mile from the town centre, adjacent to the A570 linkway and only three

GEOFF COBB has written an email from Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa to pass on his congratulations to Leigh for their performances in the Northern Ford Premiership this season. "Even in this part of the world they have supporters that follow their progress

TWO previously derelict areas in St Helens have been transformed after officials of the Mersey Forest scheme decided they would be ideal for some special tree planting trials. The St Helens Council-owned sites are located at Cromdale Grove, Parr, and

LEIGH'S newly-appointed commercial manager, Kevin Ashcroft, has thrown down the gauntlet. He has challenged the town to show its true colours. "Give us your support and we'll give you a team fit for Super League" is Ashcroft's first-day message. He has

COACH Paul Terzis didn't mince his words as Leigh snatched the victory to stay top of the Northern Ford Premiership. And he promised bigger and better things after seeing his side struggle to kill off a team in the bottom four . . . 44-40 simply was not

A COURAGEOUS man saved a seven-year-old girl from drowning and then sat an exam in health and safety! Mr Jason Gould (27) was walking home from work when he spotted Lisa Bland and her friends playing at Red Bank Lodge, Radcliffe. Mr Gould, who lives at

PUPILS at St Mary's High School in Blackpool got into the spirit of things when they held a fancy dress day for charity. A whole range of events helped raise an astonishing £2,600 for local, national and diocesan charities. Events included football tournaments

ALTHOUGH not being ones to make a song and dance about things, Arnold School pupils are celebrating after more than half of those taking instrumental exams achieved distinctions. Of the 30 pupils who sat exams for the Associated Board of the Royal School

SWINTON LIONS coach Mike Gregory is hoping to have a near full-strength squad to choose from for Sunday's crunch clash against Leigh at Gigg Lane (kick-off 3pm) writes STEVE BOTT. Only centre or stand off Paul Loughlin is in doubt after coming off in

SHAKERS goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is a target for former boss Neil Warnock at Sheffield United. The talented Yorkshireman who was last night voted player-of-the-season by Bury fans was watched by Warnock's number two Kevin Blackwell in the 2-2 draw at Notts

HAND: A pupil of St Joseph's RC Primary School in Ramsbottom caused a minor crisis this week when he got his hand stuck in a hole in the playground. Anthony Penlington of St Andrew's Close had been playing with marbles, using a hole in the yard, when

AS we are now in a new millennium, vivisection should be consigned to the past, where it belongs. There are already much better ways of testing new drugs, cosmetics and household products and these methods are more relevant to humans and safer than the

THE anti-capitalist protest on May Day in London achieved little, but the mindless vandalism, violence and destruction of property set their cause back years. A peaceful protest should always be allowed, but as in all demonstrations, you get a section

NOT satisfied with defacing national monuments in Whitehall, anti-capitalist, demonstrators, I hear, are now planning a mass 'mooning' outside Buckingham palace. I would suggest that anyone caught so doing should be taken to the local nick and allowed

TONY Martin is serving a life sentence for murder. Yet, how can this be so when all he wanted was to be left in peace and to go about his daily life without let or hindrance? We speak of a bygone age when a lot of people left their doors unlocked. You

LEIGH councillor Brian Jarvis is the new supremo of the powerful 69-member Labour Group on Wigan Council. On Monday night he was elected chairman at the annual group meeting which lasted nearly six hours! Cllr Jarvis, elected for Leigh East in last Thursday's

VOTERS may be called to the polls again in two months' time to contest a by-election in Holyrood. Town hall bosses have so far taken no action, out of respect for Liberal Democrat councillor Wilf Clegg who died last week after a road accident and whose

TWO teenage brothers escaped with their lives after their £250,000 home was destroyed by fire while their parents were on holiday. The blaze ripped through the Cockey Moor Road, Ainsworth, home of Matthew and Chris Stott in the early hours of Friday (

A MOTORIST and his family were threatened by a machete wielding thug during a car jacking incident in Prestwich on Wednesday morning (May 10). The 41-year-old man from Timperley was preparing to get into his VW Golf sports car in Lowther Road, Prestwich

A PLUMBER charged an elderly couple £329 to tell them he could not mend her toilet, when Bury Council would have repaired it for free. Now Mr Sam Wright (84) and his wife, Edith (80), are demanding an explanation as to why it took the plumber three-and-a-half

A NEW world record for a photograph by pioneering Bury-born cameraman Roger Fenton was created in London. Seventeen of Fenton's photographs went under the hammer at Sotheby's and fetched a highly impressive and unexpected total of £414,850. The world

BURY'S pioneering Community Safety Wardens are now on the move to other parts of the borough. The beefed-up service will, from this week, be making more patrols in Bury and spreading out to Radcliffe, Prestwich and Whitefield. The service was established

THANK you so much for putting me in touch with Ian Winstanley. As a result of your efforts I'm happy to say that I now have copies of two of Ian's books; 'In Affectionate Remembrance', 'Hell under Haydock' and a transcript of the book 'Weep, Mothers,

IN reply to Peter James McNulty, I'm fuming. There is no law which states that passengers cannot smoke on the bus. The no smoking signs are only a request not a legal obligation. The police cannot interfere. Only when the smoker has been asked politely

I AM writing in reply to the letter entitled "Pedestrianised". Obviously, Mr. Willans is neither old or disabled, and would appear to be a car user. He does not seem to realise that the purpose of taxis, is to transport people who can not walk as far

I HAVE been following the recent debate on the letters page of your papers on the safety of various forms of animal waste deposited on our local beaches. Your correspondent R Medich (scientific evidence piles up for horses - May 4) claims that horse manure

HOME Secretary, Blackburn MP Jack Straw, will launch a countywide scheme to tackle the problem of drug use and crime. Mr Straw will visit Lancashire Constabulary's headquarters tomorrow (Friday) to meet the agencies involved in the new Arrest Referral

THE wife of a disabled man, left housebound by the theft of his invalid chariot, believes it may have been stolen to order. Christine Atkinson of Church Terrace, Higher Walton, believes that thieves who broke into the couple's car on the night of Monday

A LITTLE-known Preston charity established by a local doctor more than 20 years ago is reaching breaking point and could be forced to fold if it fails to attract more money. The cash strapped Tender Nursing Care charity, set up in 1979 by the late Dr

LANCASTER teachers look set to back a national strike over performance related pay. And teachers say that research and examples from other European countries show that payment by results doesn't work for children. The prospect of strike action was raised

A SPECIAL heritage train trip through the heart of Wales will leave Carnforth Station on June 10. The trip will offer a unique run over the Heart of Wales Line returning via the Severn Tunnel, rural Gloucestershire and Worcestershire including a run up

MANY of us dream of a new vocation in life but few can match the job switch made by Tine Valois. Swapping sharp suits for exotic costumes, Tine gave up the stressed-out city slicker lifestyle to become a professional belly dancer. One of the oldest art

A ZEALOUS dog warden has prompted further outrage on the controversial Millennium Riverside Park near Halton. This week an impromptu gathering of angry residents collected 100 names on a petition after a council warden on a motorbike issued an on-the-spot

SAINTS' Great Britain Test hooker Keiron Cunningham has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a serious ankle injury. He was in considerable pain as he limped off during the victory at Castleford on Sunday before returning home on crutches, but fears

Manchester 40, Preston Grasshoppers 18 HOPPERS' interest in the Lancashire Cup Competition ended at the semi-final stage on Tuesday evening. With both sides under-strength, a number of future prospects had their chance to stake a claim in the side. Hoppers

I WAS sorry to read that Bury Metro is not renewing licences for some saloon car taxis. What is the point of the council appointing disablement officers if they don't heed the needs of disabled and elderly people? I, one of many, have great difficulty

A WEALTH of junior Rugby League talent will be on display at Blackbrook this Sunday (May 14). It's the venue for two county games. Lancashire under 12s meet Cumbria in a game that kicks off at 1pm. And at 2pm the two under 14s sides take the field. Local

THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, May 14, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Earlston Pharmacy, 35 Eccleston Street, Prescot; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds

CAN anyone dig up details about a village's burial society which seems now to have vanished into obscurity? Mrs Jonquil Shaw posts the plea after examining a payment book of Rainford Philanthropic Burial Society, with its base given as the Eagle &

HERE'S a frothy yedscratter from a gang of town-centre tipplers. They want to know if anyone can complete the list of Boddington pubs which sprang up following an inter-brewery exchange arrangement some years ago. So far, they've scratched together 10

A CANADIAN with tenuous St Helens connections is appealing for any information which can help him place a few British twigs on his family tree. John W. Boakes, from Ontario, is mainly concerned with researching his wife's maternal family, whose surname

PADDY'S Blunder was a wasteland area of enchantment, excitement, danger and occasional tragedy. Up to at least the mid-1950s it was a favourite haunt of local schoolkids and of gipsies who set up camp there twice a year. Recent mention of that Blunder

CHEMISTS on duty at the weekend are: King's Chemist, 359 Lancaster Road, Torrisholme (12.30-1.30pm Sunday) Lancaster 6-7pm Sunday: PG Maddison, Higher Greaves Post Office, 20 Scotforth Road, Lancaster

COUNCILLOR Ian Hall is set to be named the new leader of Preston Borough Council -- again -- next Thursday. A minority Labour administration has been created with coun Ken Cole as deputy. Councillor Cole said: "We have been speaking to the other parties

ONE of Preston's best known publicans, Tommy Billington, has died aged 65. Tommy was the former landlord of The Fulwood and Railway, in Gammull Lane, and the Withy Trees, Fulwood, before running the Derby Arms at Inskip. Born in Inskip, Tommy retired

A PACK of victory-hungry hounds raced into Preston this week to take part in the 41st National Police Dog Trials, hosted by Lancashire Constabulary. More than 400 spectators gathered at Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Union Football Club, in Lightfoot Lane

A SURVEY which will identify people who are most in need has been launched in the Greater Deepdale area. The study, to be conducted by the Ethnicity and Health Unit at the University of Central Lancashire, aims to find out what residents think about the

HEADS will roll! At least they will for three lucky readers in our Sleepy Hollow competition. The Citizen has teamed up with Pathe and Herald Communications to offer three readers the chance to win a copy of Tim Burton's adaptation of Washington Irving's

NEIGHBOURS in Waddington were glued to their sets for the first documentary in Channel 4's six part series, The Television Village. The show was a television experiment organised by Granada which meant some homes were able to take 32 TV channels. Residents

SOCCER crazy six year old Alex Beckett spent every spare minute sharpening his skills -- until someone moved one of the goalposts. The avid Bolton Wanderers' fan was in tears after discovering his full-size soccer net had been stolen in broad daylight

A NEW counselling and hypnotherapy centre opened its doors in Atherton this week. The company involved in the new walk in service - Swycos Ltd - are a Leeds-based counselling service whose clients include West Yorkshires NHS Direct. Atherton was chosen

HINDSFORD election winner Graham Lingings has turned down a move to the Labour Party. The Liberal Democrat (pictured), who won a vote re-count after a bitter council election campaign, has had top level talks with Wigan Council Labour group bosses. But

LEIGH anglers have just finished entertaining party of French fishermen on their eighth visit to the area. The lads, who started the cross channel trips when the twinning scheme with Angers started in the eighties, organised a four day programme of events

THE man who played a major part in securing a door-to-door bus service has reached his destination. Cllr John Hession (pictured), one of Labour's Leigh Central ward representatives on Wigan Council has retired at 70. Cllr Hession, of Eva Street, who will

SIX months ago youth club leader Sam Simpson promised to shed her long blonde locks to help Romanian orphans. But there was one condition - only if enough money could be raised for the Lowton Romania Appeal to send three members of Lowton Independent

I'M writing to voice my disgust at the Millennium Riverside Park and bridge where it enters Skerton. Why do these so called public servants lose touch with reality when they start working at the town hall? Why have our councillors not stood up to speak

DON'T knock Salt Ayre, it's one of the best projects the council has undertaken and, like many, I was outraged by Ms Tuthill's letter last week. 'Salt Ayre is an appalling place to swim...' 'that wonderful Bubbles facility' are just two of the comments

THE Morecambe and District Chamber of Trade is missing the point. Conservatives support initiatives to help Morecambe thrive and without Conservative support last May, the Independents would not now have control of all the committee chairs. Both the chamber

CLLR Emily Heath is correct about my proposal at the policy committee meeting on April 11. That officers reconsider the proposed lighting on the Halton to Caton section of the Millennium Park, and report back to the next meeting. That in the meantime

AS a longstanding Socialist Party member I should be accustomed to being denigrated and abused by ignorant people who know little of politics and nothing of history. But I'm afraid even I balk at the breathtakingly crass statements made by Cllr Gregg

LANCASTER'S Trevor Lamb crashed out at the semi-final stage of the North West Individual Snooker Championships. He was beaten 4-2 by Poulton Le Fylde's Dave Brands. Meanwhile, Morecambe Ex-Servicemens Club reached the semi-final of the North West Team

A PAIR of golfers from the Fylde have come to the 'fore' in Europe's biggest professional-amateur competition, the Lombard Trophy. Poulton professional John Greenwood and amateur Dickie Day, from Blackpool, could be 'putt' on a plane and sent on an all-expenses

THE final ball of the match from Darren Walton thudded into the pads of batsman Ghulam Maje and the whole of the Blackpool team let out a vehement appeal. But, in a game which had already seen seven leg before wicket appeals upheld, the umpire declared

Blackpool 206-6, Morecambe 175-9 MORECAMBE had to be content with a losing draw at Stanley Park. The home side, batting first, made 206-6 with Mark Lomas top scoring with 69. He batted for 96 minutes and 99 balls, hitting 13 fours. He was the backbone

Lancaster 166-6 Chorley 204-5 CHORLEY'S opening batsmen Neil Bannister and James Fazackerley gave the visitors a sound start before the latter was LBW to Lancaster professional Gareth Breese for 26. Bannister and Roland Horridge then got on top of the

Morecambe 1 Yeovil 1 MORECAMBE celebrated the end of their most successful season ever with a draw against one of the Conference's most famous clubs. It is a measure of how far Jim Harvey's side have come that a home draw against Yeovil Town is almost

REAL gems! That's staff at the Goldsmiths jewellers in Bury's Mill Gate shopping centre. For they have every reason to be cheerful after winning three top awards at this year's Goldsmiths Group conference. Manager Richard Dandy scooped two awards, Gucci

BURY College has become the latest agency to take up residence in the town's virtual "one stop shop" for local companies. Its Business Solutions team has opened up an office in Link House in Walmersley Road, Bury. The official opening of the new premises

A NEW version of the Investors in People standard has been launched that will help local organisations go even further in gaining advantages through their workforce. The changes make the standard more user-friendly by adopting clearer and simpler language

BOLTON and Bury Chamber and its partners are celebrating their success in winning the new Small Business Service franchise for North Manchester. The dynamic new multi-million pound business support agency is a joint venture between the four chambers of

A CASH boost of almost £20,000 is to go towards various community groups on the Fylde coast from the Millennium Festival Awards For All programme. £4,800 has been earmarked for Kirkham and Wesham Scout Group, who are investigating the possibility of constructing

ST ANNES Conservative Club may be about to break with more than one hundred years of tradition when it votes to allow women to become full members. But insiders say it may be the women who will object! On May 25 the club on Clifton Drive North will hold

PEOPLE power is behind a decision by Tesco bosses to provide a new free bus service from Leyland to its store in Euxton near Chorley. The move comes after the store at Chorley received a flood of phone calls by concerned Leyland residents backed up with

A PRESTON-based charity has changed its name to stop people confusing it with others -- and to pay tribute to its biggest benefactor. Preston and North Lancashire Blind Welfare Society is to become Galloway's Society for the Blind in July. Peter Taylor

IN a move to boost the national DNA database, Lancashire Police will now take samples from people arrested for car crime, and young offenders aged 12-20. This year the DNA database is expected to double, as the forensic battle against crime continues.

LANCASHIRE firefighters have called a stop to their work to rule policy in protest at the sacking of a recruit who was injured during training. Firefighters, officer and control staff decided to take the action after a recruit twisted his knee just three

WITH just four weeks to go Leyland Festival organisers are gearing up for the biggest and best millennium celebration this side of Lancashire, on Saturday, June 3. During the next few days people in Leyland will see the town's main streets decorated with

FIGHTING-FIT firefighters from across the county are gearing up for an overseas shout unlike any other they have tackled before. The courageous chaps will don their brightly-coloured fire wear and rev up the engines of their pumps before setting off in

A PERSON has died after a car overturned in Lancaster on Wednesday afternoon. The air ambulance was called after a Citroen AX, carrying five people, overturned on Summershead Road at around 3pm. Police have yet to name the deceased.

A WOMAN has appeared in court, charged with the murder of a man in Morecambe. Heather Ackerley, 21, from Thorpe Avenue, Morecambe was charged with murdering Kye Anthony Garton, 25, of Airdrie Cresent, Burnley. Garton was found stabbed to death at a house

A SCHEME to help drug addicted criminals is to be introduced in Lancaster and Morecambe. The jointly financed arrest referral scheme, funded by police, the county council and local health authorities, puts drug users in touch with services which can help

NINE Lancashire police officers are under suspension as of this month, police bosses have been told. The figures were released to members of Lancashire police authority this week. The nine include a detective constable who has been suspended since 1996

POLICE are hunting a criminal who returned a stolen mobile phone to a Morecambe shop and received a refund. The man entered the Motorola mobile phone shop on Marine Road West at around 3.15pm on Saturday, April 29 and handed over a phone previously stolen

A BLACKPOOL songstress experienced a taste of Culture when she sang with Boy George after winning a national karaoke competition with British Telecom. Carolann Leith, 20, from South Shore, was one of 100 winners who were invited to London's Abbey Road

BOSSES at Heysham Power Station say a top award received this week is a reward for their staff. The nuclear power station has won the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents' Gold medal - after five years of 'perfect' safety standards. Mark Treasure

A CASH boost of almost £20,000 is to go towards various community groups on the Fylde coast from the Millennium Festival Awards For All programme. £4,800 has been earmarked for Kirkham and Wesham Scout Group, who are investigating the possibility of constructing

ROCKET have soared to a super cup victory. The under 12s side defeated Ravenhead 3-2 in the final of the St Helens McDonald's JOL NGF Europe Cup Final. Goals came from Mark Kaye (2) and Thomas Ormston. In the under 14s Senator Cup final Andy Taylor hit

AN HISTORIC scroll bearing the names of some of the most distinguished citizens in the history of Blackpool has been refurbished and presented to the Mayor of Blackpool, Bill Burgess. The Register of Honorary Freemen of the Borough was received by Coun

MARK Garrett, who last month carded a gross 71 at Grange Park Golf Club, took one shot more in Saturday's monthly medal. But his net 67 was still enough to win on a card play-off from Barry Parr (13 handicap) who was left to count the cost of bogeys on

LANCASTER doctors' surgeries are to be offered rewards for cutting down the amount of medicine they prescribe. But health chiefs have denied that the drive is intended to save money. The Lancaster Primary Care group has approved plans, introduced by local

PARENTS are being warned of the dangers of keeping reptiles as pets after the tragic death of a Blackpool baby who contracted salmonella from a lizard. Four-month-old Vaughan Davies is believed to have caught the lethal disease from an iguana which was

MORECAMBE Bay health chiefs are inviting local people to join discussions over the future of the NHS. The regional health authority holds a presentation evening at the Netherwood Hotel, Grange-over-Sands, to discuss the Government's national plan for

HILTON Dawson MP is supporting a Commons amendment to the Transport Bill to reduce road traffic by 10 per cent over the next 10 years. The matter will be coming to a head over the next two days with Bill at its report stage, and whatever the attitude

POLICE are hunting a driver who sped off after running over a young mum and her baby son. A red Toyota car was in collision with the woman, 19, as she pushed her baby across Thurnham Street, Lancaster, from the to the magistrates court. Police say traffic

THOUSANDS of runners sweltered in the scorching Spring sunshine this weekend to complete the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10k Fun Run 2000 in aid of the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. A record 3,550 entrants, many in fancy dress, created a sea of bobbing heads

A DAREDEVIL Lancaster granny hopes her hair raising stunt will leave younger charity fundraisers jumping for joy! Marjorie Atkinson, 76, will take part in a 10,000 foot freefall parachute jump to raise cash for the Lancaster and District YMCA. Marjorie

LEIGH CC were bowled over by the success of their inaugural Junior Bows Tournament. More than 60 youngsters from Westleigh, Bedford and St Mary's High Schools took part in some exciting sport. And Westleigh student John Littlewood was the crown topper

A&T Cycle Speedway took third place in the Northern Fours League match at Bury on Sunday. The Astley & Tyldesley outfit, operating out of Gin Pit, scored 31 points, ahead of Stockport (21) but behind Bury (56) and Heckmondwike (47). Scorers: Damien

ATHERTON'S Festival of Football proved a boot-iful success. Hundreds of young players converged on Crilly Park for some superb sunshine sport. Teams from throughout the North West took park in the event, organised by SP Soccer Promotions. And at U9s,

THE JOURNAL salutes Church Inn, Sir Charles Napier and Union Arms -- knockout champions in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League. Final matches of a champagne season were played out in sunshine style. And, in a trio of exciting finals, came

THE Atherton Charity Cup is shaping up for Sunday's big final at Alder House. Atherton Town reached the semis with an emphatic 5-1 win over Leigh Amateurs (Phil Hornby 2, Mark Warburton, Andy Morris, Barry Atkins; Neil Sumner) and they were followed by

GLAZEBURY CC entered their first season in the Manchester Association on sunshine Saturday -- but the sun shone on the opposition. A below-strength side were tumbled out for just 77 at Euxton. But there is hope for the future with a gritty 24 from new

A NEW project to help drug users and slash drug-related crime has been launched in Bury. The arrest referral scheme will provide specialist workers to keep people off narcotics and reduce related offending. Greater Manchester Police in partnership with

A FIREMAN whose alleged racist comment sparked a brigade investigation WILL now be represented by union officials. Bury firefighter Mick Bell has won his appeal against an earlier Fire Brigade Union decision not to represent him during a forthcoming inquiry

DOZENS of sick posters calling for the death of Israelis appeared in the heart of Jewish communities. Police are hunting for four men of Arab appearance after more than 40 of the posters were plastered on lamposts near Whitefield Hebrew Congregation and

BURY MP David Chaytor has once more rebelled against the Government, this time over plans to privatise Britain's air traffic control system. He says that profits from the service should be returned to the public purse, not line the pockets of shareholders

SHOCKED residents have been told that the multi-millionaire owner of the Elms Precinct wants to demolish their homes. Mr Albert Gubay, the boss of precinct owners North Western Properties, has submitted outline plans to Bury Council to re-vamp the Whitefield

RESIDENTS who turned up their noses at an offensive odour pervading their homes will soon be experiencing the "sweet smell of success". Householders have complained about a strong, gassy smell coming from the landfill site at Pilsworth for more than 12

WINGER David Eyres joined his team mates for their end of season jolly to Majorca this week safe in the knowledge that his Deepdale future is safe. For the Citizen can reveal that the 36-year-old has been offered a one year extension to his contract,

DESPITE having long left the legendary Stone Roses behind to pursue a solo career in his own right, Ian Brown's ensuing cult status and reputation for cool still wielded enough kudos to draw a large and high-spirited crowd to the Empress Ballroom recently

"YEAH You, Yeah You" came Embrace's cry as Richard and Danny -- the brothers McNamara -- took to the stage at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last week with the first of many stomping numbers of the evening, writes Tim Ash. From the start, everyone knew this

A NEW agency to supply commercial drivers has opened its doors. Alistair Scott has taken over the Agency Drivers Register franchise for the East Lancashire area. He will run the business with Howard Hudson. The ADR network, which supplies commercial drivers

BEDS to home furnishing group Rosebys, which owns several stores in East Lancashire, said its recent acquisitions had helped double profits and make it the market leader in both beds and household textiles. Final pre-tax profits for the year ending February

A PAIN relief device developed by a Blackburn company is set to break into the American market. Advanced Pain Management has received registration from the Federal Drugs Agency in the US to distribute its XPain-TSE product there. The device, which has