Haslingden Arts and Crafts Exhibition, Manchester Road Methodsit Church, Haslingden, 11am-8pm. Open Garden, The Priory, Settle Road, Gisburn, 1-4pm. Plant stall, refreshments. Proceeds to St Mary's Church funds. Summer Fair, St Francis School, Cherry
SCHOOLS have always had to fight a running battle against "fashionable" clothing and haircuts. In the late sixties cuban heeled boots and tight trousers clothes caused apoplexy amongst teachers as pupils tried to dress as mods or rockers. A few years
THE last week has shown the fickleness of political fortunes. Blackburn MP Jack Straw has been on the up -- unexpectedly promoted to Foreign Secretary. But his East Lancashire friends Janet Anderson and Greg Pope fared less well -- both stunned to be
I HAVE said it before but this time I mean it. From now on I am on a diet. The last time I wrote about being on a health-kick was nothing more than a public appeasement to the Long Suffering Marjorie who had cajoled me into it. A banana here and a piece
IT may not be the biggest club in the Bury District Golf Association, but Lowes Park certainly has it's share of winners. The friendly, 9-hole club that consists of 350 members, now boasts both the BDGA men's champion and the newly installed BDGA junior
BERNARD Manning's charity work has taken him all over the country during his career, from Scotland in the north to Cornwall in the south. To honour his charity work, Radcliffe Borough Football Club have decided to establish "The Bernard Manning Charity
SWINTON LIONS will be battling against the odds when they make the long trip to Workington on Sunday. The Lions have lost their last six games, including a 24-38 reverse at Batley last Sunday, and have lost their last five away games, but the promisse
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH have linked up with Salford College to put together a youth scheme of their very own. The idea is to take youngsters aged between 16 and 17 who have been with Football League clubs in the area such as Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Manchester
RADCLIFFE Swimming Club mini marvels Louis Szymanski and Scott Evans made a bit of a splash in the MPAGB (Modern Piantathlon Association of Great Britain) National Triathlon Championships at Wolverhampton recently. The 10-year-olds were both representing
ARTFUL DODGERS: An all-out campaign is to be mounted by Bury Council to deliver a sharp lesson to Bury's rent dodgers who owe almost £100,000 in arrears. The Director of Housing was strongly urged to take "all necessary steps" to reduce the deficit including
ON Sunday, June 10 I was on my way to fish on Stocks Reservoir at Slaidburn. Driving through Waddington and Newton I thought about the foot and mouth outbreak and the measures being taken to combat the said outbreak. I would have expected at the very
THE Lancashire Evening Telegraph carried two front page stories during the run up to the recent elections regarding the extension of the right for people to vote by post. This has been well received by the overwhelming majority of folk who can now choose
DOG owners are being invited to take their pets to a special open day being staged by the Bury and District German Shepherd Club. The event, which is open to dogs of all breeds, is being held on the fields at Castlecroft, Bury, on Sunday, July 1, beginning
BOSSES of the new Village Hotel & Leisure Club being built in Bury are still searching for new staff, including two key managers. The club, due to open in the autumn at Heap Bridge, has been busy recruiting up to 100 employees. The posts of head housekeeper
PARENTS should make a diary date for Bury's annual summer play scheme which starts next month. A range of activities is being organised for children aged between five and 12 years old, beginning on July 23. The scheme aims to give youngsters a safe and
THE Bury Times will be taking on the British Army and the police force during this Saturday's (June 16) Ramsbottom Festival of Sport! The three organisations will be among a host of professional organisations taking part in the five-a-side soccer Cascade
FREE advice for parents and carers of babies and toddlers will be available at Bury's Tesco store next Wednesday and Thursday (June 20-21). A safety and information stand will be set up at the Woodfield Retail Park-based supermarket between 10am-3pm to
PUB regulars showed a measure of their appreciation for runners who went the full distance for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. More than 150 sponsored volunteers took part in the five-mile run, those armed with buckets calling en-route at pubs to
A SUBPOSTMASTER accused of taking part in a fiddle in which cash to the tune of more than £30,000 was "pocketed," told a jury he had nothing to do with it. Self-employed international businessman Paul Anthony Jackson, 33, who then owned Colne post office
A HAVEN for wildlife has been established slap bang in the middle of Radcliffe High School! And now the quiet quadrangle is home for a family of ducks, not to mention the relatively rare Greater Spotted Woodpecker. It is all down to the efforts of caretakers
A YOUNGSTER has been banned from going on end-of-term school trips - because of his David Beckham haircut. Joshua Holmes, 11, has been told he cannot go on days out, take part in outdoor PE lessons or go to swimming lessons because of his mohawk haircut
A BEVY of trophies and awards were handed out at the annual presentation evening of the Radcliffe Combined Division of St John Ambulance. The event, held at the branch headquarters in Sion Street, Radcliffe, honoured members for their service, examination
ITEMS donated by a host of star personalities ensured a hugely successsful auction which was inspired by the plight of a local youngster. Almost £10,000 was made from an evening charity event for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and five-year-old Becky
JANETTE Carrodus saw her dream of a perfect wedding come true when she walked down the aisle with fiance Lee Turner. For brave Janette (24), of Spencer Avenue, Whitefield, the day was a fitting reward for having battled against a debilitating brain tumour
THERE was a warm welcome for visitors to the home of a Radcliffe couple, when they declared their house open to the public. Sylvia and Brian Higginbottom, of School Street, are both wheelchair users and have cared for each other for the last 13 years.
ITALIAN goal-ace Corrado Grabbi jetted into Manchester last night to open talks with Rovers about a big-money move to Ewood. Manager Graeme Souness has now been given the green light to speak to the player after Rovers have all but agreed a fee in the
EVEN if there had been a downpour on Saturday, Penwortham Gala would still have been an extravaganza of family fun with floats, displays, music and dance events. Dozens of people followed the colourful carnival, complete with floats and fun-seekers in
PRESTON football legend Sir Tom Finney has expressed his sadness at the death of one of his oldest friends. Retired car salesman Maurice Phipps, who helped raise thousands of pounds for local charities, died while on holiday with friends in Benidorm,
NEW plans for the future of the Ryelands Estate will be discussed by councillors next week. The proposals could see 30 properties at the centre of the troubled estate bulldozed, with money earmarked for redeveloping them used instead for other development
THE politicians have had their say -- now local schoolchildren are joining the argument on the Western Bypass. Inspired by reading about the bypass debate in the Citizen, year five children at Dallas Road county primary school in Lancaster put pen to
A THIEF given a jail term by Burnley Magistrates did not wait around to be taken into custody. Michael Jonathan Ashe, 30, a one time £100 a day heroin addict, was sentenced to eight months, but had left the building by the time the bench returned to court
A LANCASTER bingo fan has had to give up her hobby because she can't get to the ladies' loo. Margaret Hillyard, who uses an electric scooter to get around the city, is unable to get upstairs to the ladies' toilet at Gala Bingo. After using the gents'
LANCASTER police are targeting students in as they investigate a savage rape in Lancaster city centre. A total of 35 students have taken part in a DNA screening programme, saving a total of nine days of police time. The programme is aimed in particular
DEPRIVED neighbourhoods in Pendle are hoping to make a comeback when the first phase of a £4 million regeneration scheme begins this summer. Pendle Council this week gave the green light to spend £881,000 in the first phase of funding on projects which
HOPEFULLY refreshed after a brief holiday, second-placed Saints face a daunting trip to Belle Vue, Wakefield, on Sunday, kick-off 3.30pm. Coach Ian Millward and his high-flying squad arived back at Knowsley Road on Thursday, and a fitness check on bumps
SCHOOL children gathered at Preston College this week for its annual Hockey Play Day organised by second year BTec Sports Studies students. More than 500 children from 20 schools made up 40 teams for the two-day event. The event was planned by a groups
NORTH END boss David Moyes has ended speculation about his future at Deepdale by signing on the dotted line for a new five-year contract with the club. And he thanked Preston's brilliant supporters for persuading him to stay. At a press conference on
THUGS causing a nuisance to their neighbours on council estates in Pendle have been warned they will not get away with it following the serving of the council's first Acceptable Behaviour Contract. The contract, which was served on a teenager on the North
A SUBPOSTMASTER accused of taking part in a fiddle in which cash to the tune of more than £30,000 was "pocketed," told a jury he had nothing to do with it. Self-employed international businessman Paul Anthony Jackson, 33, who then owned Colne post office
PLANS to build a multi-million pound Tesco store in Leyland were expected to be revealed at a full council meeting ending months of speculation, writes Jane Willis. And the supermarket giant are expected to submit even bigger plans than originally thought
FYLDE MP Michael Jack, whose constituency covers parts of Preston, may be about to throw his cap into the ring to join the fight for leadership of the Conservative Party. Following his election success, Mr Jack said: "After Thursday night many people
THE task of revamping of Preston's cultural and sport facilities is to be handed over to Steven Jones after he landed the job as the council's new director of regeneration, community and leisure. Steven, a former assistant director at Knowsley Borough
A MARATHON runner, who had nearly £1,000 in sponsorship money stolen from his home, has vowed to work to pay the money back. Graeme Sergeant, of Cavendish Drive, ran the London Marathon in aid of Help A Local Child. Since then he has collected almost
CRICKET giant Cyril Washbrook born in the village of Barrow, near Clitheroe, in 1914, was among the Queen's Birthday Honours. Cyril was awarded a CBE for his services to cricket. The Lancashire opener made 37 Test appearances, scoring 2,569 runs.
POLICE stopped a bus and arrested a suspected burglar on a busy main road. A 27-year-old from Bacup was charged with committing a burglary in the Manchester Road area of Accrington yesterday afternoon. He was arrested after members of the public saw him
AN ADVICE bus will ride into two East Lancashire towns and help the area's war pensioners. It will stop off with a staff of welfare workers ready to give guidance on pensions or personal matters. The War Pensioners Welfare Service Mobile Advice Unit will
THEY'VE had to find more marshals and alter the procession route and now organisers of the Accrington Carnival are trying to do something about the weather! Accrington Lions' annual carnival takes place tomorrow -- and organising committee member and
A FAMILY business is celebrating after making it to the finals of the 2001 DIY industry awards. Oswaldtwistle-based Gem Gardening, part of the Joseph Metcalf Group established in 1887, launched a new range of organic composts and fertilisers named Natural
JANET and Peter Rydings are soon to pull their last pints after almost 10 years in the Warners Arms, Accrington. The couple, pictured, moved into the Warner Street pub in December 1991 and have over watched many changes to the pub itself and Accrington
STAFF at Westleigh High School celebrated the opening of a new £1 million building on Tuesday. Children and teachers attended a ceremony to mark the futuristic replacement for the school's old Rosla block. The building has been designed by architect Alan
WOMEN under stress or wishing to make positive changes in their lives can be supported by a new range of services being launched by Leigh Well Women Centre. Bookings are now being made for ten weekly workshops for women to promote their self esteem. Sessions
A CASE against a factory where a 13-year-old boy was involved in a serious accident had to be abandoned after it was revealed the company was dissolved in March. Arshad Hussain, who was a director at the now defunct Accrington Chair Fillings Limited,
LOYAL Leigh outdoor traders this week celebrated the opening of their long-awaited new market. The Albion Street outdoor stalls were open for business on Monday after a seven-month wait -- but despite the traders' delight at being back on track, they
A STUDENT nurse who suffered a stammer from childhood has changed his life, thanks to a new programme that helped him beat his affliction. Now, Robert Boyle, 28, of Elmridge, Leigh, is planning to promote the Maguire Programme at an open day in Liverpool's
TWO 10-year-old boys have been interviewed by police investigating a blaze which partly destroyed a children's nursery. Two classrooms -- one of them a family meeting centre -- and an outdoor toy store were destroyed in the fire, which started about tea
LABOUR maintained power with General Election wins in all four seats contested locally. And this week, Andy Burnham, Leigh's fifth Labour MP, was sworn in as the House of Commons newcomer, replacing the constituency's retiring Laurence Cunliffe, who had
A VILLAGE was plunged into deeper despair today as government officials confirmed another case of foot and mouth. Old Hall Farm, West Bradford, near Clitheroe, is the latest site to fall victim to the disease. The Bowland Gate Lane site is now the third
THE owner of the last farm in a Ribble Valley village to be hit by foot and mouth has spoken about her ordeal. The Redmayne family were kept prisoners in their own home after they refused to leave the holding for three weeks for fear of bringing the disease
I HAVE been amazed at the number of people who have made the effort to write to the newspapers regarding the Warehouse raid. I think the eye witness accounts from people who were there on the night speak for themselves and raises very important issues
SO we are blessed, for another four years or so, with a member of parliament who will soon support the effective ending of our national independence by the tried and trusted means of scrapping our currency. There has never been a currency without a state
STEVE McMahon has announced his first signing of the summer -- John O'Kane joins Blackpool from Lancashire neighbours Bolton Wanderers on a two-year contract. John is a former Manchester United trainee who arrived at the Reebok from Everton. He seemed
LANCASTER City look set for a relatively quiet pre-season build up as they concentrate on continuity for next season. The club have already brought in striker Andy Whittaker as a direct replacement for Chris Ward, and also hope to add left sided player
FOR the first time in his fledgling touring car career, young Tom Boardman heads to an event on a level footing with most of his rivals. For rounds nine and ten of the www.theAA.com MSA British Touring Car Championship this weekend are being held across
FEARS over safety standards at the Nightingale Hall Farm site have been heightened this week when it was revealed that a worker had been dismissed for breaching hygiene regulations. The man, who worked disinfecting lorries delivering sheep and cattle
MORE than half the small firms which employ disabled people say it costs their business nothing because they have adopted a flexible approach to work. That's according to a new report by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC). They say that 51 per cent
BURY'S Rostrevor Hotel, which was on the market with a £350,000 asking price, has been sold for an undisclosed sum. The sale was conducted by the Manchester office of international hotel agents, Christie & Co. Now the Rostrevor, located in Manchester
A BURY firm which specialises in caring for children is caring for its own staff too after winning Investors in People (IIP) recognition. Established 14 years ago, F & J Rivers Quality Childcare cares for more than 100 children at two nurseries in
A BURY business is celebrating 50 years of working with one of the country's leading leisure chains by undertaking a major refurbishment on its doorstep. Walshaw-based Garnett and Hilton, which employs 40 staff, won the contract to transform a Manchester
MORECAMBE chief executive Rod Taylor has expressed his disappointment over the football League's decision not to give the Conference a second promotion place. A League EGM had been expected to approve a deal which would have seen the Conference fund '
HEYSHAM port looks set to have a bright future after its new owners pledged to invest in the facility. A recent take over by the Mersey Docks and Harbours company had lead to some local fears that the port would be run down in favour of Liverpool. However
TRIUMPHANT MP Ivan Lewis has been appointed a junior education minister in Tony Blair's new Government. The Bury South MP, re-elected last week for a second term, was telephoned by the Prime Minister on Monday (June 11) offering him the promotion. Mr
BURY students struggling to cope with the timetable pressure of the new AS-levels are being placed under "house arrest". Some are having to sleep overnight at the homes of teachers because they don't have the time to sit all their exams on the scheduled
BURY'S Amy Hulmes could be usurped as the world's oldest living person at the age of 113. Although the distinction was bestowed on Amy by the Guinness Book of World Records only this week, an American woman is already staking her claim to the incredible
A STRIKER Bury have been keeping tabs on for the last eight months has made a big money move to Leyton Orient. Northwich Victoria striker Gary Fletcher - one of the men responsible for dumping the Shakers out of the FA Cup this season - completed his
BURNLEY-BASED Peter Scott Printers has invested £30,000 in a new press with the help of grant assistance from Burnley Borough Council. The company, located at the Billington Road Estate, has bought a Heidelberg GTO two-colour press which will be used
PIERCE Chartered Accountants has advised on another multi-million-pound deal, taking its corporate activity past the £10 million mark this year. The Blackburn practice advised Allen Surfacing, Allen Civil Engineering and FJ McGregor Plant Hire in their
A CHARITY bingo session begins at 7.30pm on Friday, June 29, at X11 Apostles Club in Westleigh Lane, Leigh.
EGYPTIAN dance classes are held each Thursday 6.45pm-8pm at Golborne High School, Lowton Road, Golborne. For more details, call Helen on 01942 721453.
STRIKER Lutel James has spoken out about his disappointment after being released by Bury. James faces the summer that every footballer dreads - not knowing whether he will be employed next season. The likeable player has two children to support and though
THE WAR Pensioners' Welfare Service is taking a mobile unit to Farnworth market at the end of the month to offer valuable advice to war pensioners and widows. Facilities are available to discuss problems relating to pensions and personal matters, as well
A GROUP of charity workers who have clocked up almost a century of hard work between them marked their achievement with Devon cream tea. The four women, who work for Macmillan Cancer Relief, were joined by dozens of other fund-raisers at the Whitehall
TWO hundred former staff and pupils from Leigh Girls' Grammar School met up for their annual reunion dinner recently. Memories of the 70-year history of the school were recalled with the help of old cuttings and photographs. The next get together will
TWO clergymen are set to fulfil their career dreams in the church where they first answered their calling. Fr Nicholas Davis, who is the present assistant curate at St Cuthbert's Church, in Blackburn Road, Darwen, and Fr Graham Hallsall, who used to be
A COMPUTER specialist discovered evidence of child pornography when he was called in to fix a computer belonging to 22-year-old Christopher Paul Robert Hows. Blackburn magistrates heard that police, alerted by the IT expert, were later able to recover
R U a poet an just don't know it? is the question being asked to young mobile phone users. The competition to find the best text-messaged mobile phone poem has been organised by Linc Youth News and is open to anyone aged 11-2. The only rules for the contest
RESIDENTS are to get a say on the future of the 131-hectare Higher Fold site, set to form part of the Red Rose Forest. The Forestry Commission is inviting residents to take part in a series of walks and consultation sessions to discuss the future of the
THREE white men have been arrested by detectives following a "racially motivated attack" in which an Asian man was stabbed. The victim, who has not been identified and is believed to be in his 40s, was walking at the rear of Blackburn Royal Infirmary
LEIGH Centurions and Wigan Athletic players helped pupils in the town understand the importance of fitness, diet and relationships. The teams were invited to Higher Folds Primary, where they also helped students improve their rugby and football skills
NATURE lovers are invited to see the beauty of the area's newest forest in full bloom after a winter sleep. A former open-cast site on the outskirts of Hindley, Platt Bridge and Ince has been transformed with woodland, meadows, grasslands and wetlands
WHEN Liz Hardy took up a new hobby, she did it in a big way. She picked up a pen and found fun finding friends in faraway places. Now Liz, who lives in Cambridgeshire, is urging the people of the Leigh area to do the same by joining the International
POPULAR Atherton pub The Rope and Anchor will be hosting a charity evening to raise cash for the study of infant death. Landlords Shirley and Terry Miller raised more than £1,000 last year and are hoping to increase the total this year for the recipients
CONCERNED parents are urging motorists to slow down and be more vigilant on the roads. The start of the summer is often a time when car owners speed up and throw caution to the wind, according to Leigh parent, Andrew Booth. He claims this time of year
A 29-YEAR-OLD woman passenger in a car was killed in an horrific accident on Preston New Road, Blackpool, early Wednesday morning. She has since been named as Tracy Dawn Wright, of Deepdale Road, Mereside. Her estranged husband, 32-year-old Dowyn Wright
A PRESTON flopstar, who now has mega stardom at her fingertips thanks to millionaire tycoon Richard Branson, says she owes it all to her old music teachers at Penwortham Priory high school. Talented Jessica Taylor, 20, who narrowly missed out on being
ANIMAL Rights' campaigners and a leading councillor have attacked a council's decision to allow a circus which uses elephants, horses and dogs to operate in a popular park. The Bobby Roberts Circus arrived in Blackburn yesterday, setting up in Witton
A YOUNGSTER has been banned from going on end-of-term school trips - because of his David Beckham haircut. Joshua Holmes, 11, has been told he cannot go on days out, take part in outdoor PE lessons or go to swimming lessons because of his mohawk haircut
BIZARRE sculptures that look like they could have been crafted on Easter island are set to hit East Lancashire shops to help decorate gardens - if they stay in one place long enough. Ian Livesey's huge cement figures are so unusual that people have been
ACCRINGTON Stanley chairman Eric Whalley today expressed his disappointment at the decision to block proposals for a fairer system of promotion between the Nationwide Conference and the Football League. Conference clubs had presented plans for a two-up
NORTH END boss David Moyes has ended speculation about his future at Deepdale by signing on the dotted line for a new five-year contract with the club. And he thanked Preston's brilliant supporters for persuading him to stay. At a press conference on
PLANS to build a multi-million pound Tesco store in Leyland were expected to be revealed at a full council meeting ending months of speculation, writes Jane Willis. And the supermarket giant are expected to submit even bigger plans than originally thought
A DRUG warning sent to Fylde primary schools this week stating that LSD and strychnine-laced tattoos were being sold to children has been revealed as an appalling hoax. Schools received leaflets headed "Notice to all parents" claiming to be from the Metropolitan
ANYONE would think that we were still a colonial power, able to disregard and override the religions and mores of indigenous peoples. I am referring to the four Britons who were recently sentenced to 500 lashes. To us, this may seem a vicious, outmoded
I WOULD like to draw attention to what I regard as the fiasco in colleges and sixth-forms across the country, caused by the new AS levels and the spectacularly bad organisation and incompetence of the invigilators and examiners. A friend of mine sat a
AS a parent of two pupils at Peel Brow School in Ramsbottom I was extremely upset to hear about the allegations made against Mr Duce and his subsequent suspension. Although the governors have assured parents of their intention to ensure that the school
A. P. TOBIAS's letter (Your Letters, June 12) regarding the punishment, by lashing, of four Britons in Saudi Arabia voices the opinion of the majority of law-abiding citizens. The exceptions are some "do-gooders" and Jack Straw, who is trying to stop
IT is with growing anger that I note that the access restrictions to Holcombe hill have not been lifted as of Sunday, June 10, despite MAFF guidance of May 23 recommending that public access be allowed to all footpaths, bridleways and open land outside
FURTHER to Richard Greenwood's letter "Metrolink Fares Shock" (May 18), I would like to clarify for your readers a number of issues that concern the operation of Metrolink. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority recently took the decision to
Workington Town...17 Leigh Centurions...18 TWO defining moments underlined just why Leigh are a champion team, even when not playing like champions. The Centurions were just four minutes away from suffering a major upset when they put together a tryline
STEVE McMahon has announced his first signing of the summer -- John O'Kane joins Blackpool from Lancashire neighbours Bolton Wanderers on a two-year contract. John is a former Manchester United trainee who arrived at the Reebok from Everton. He seemed
MOTOR Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting the motor neurones in the brain which control muscles. Saturday marks the start of Motor Neurone Disease Association Awareness week. Mother-of-two Chris Heslop used
MORE than one third of available tickets have been snapped up for the Bury Times sponsored Shakers v Manchester United pre-season friendly writes PHIL THORP. The game, scheduled for Wednesday, August 8 (kick-off 7.45pm) is in aid of the Save Our Shakers
FOR the last two weeks, councils up and down the country have been promoting the joys of fostering as part of National Fostering Fortnight. Thanks to a storyline in Coronation Street and a unique project from social workers, staff at one East Lancashire
BAICHUNG Bhutia might be struggling to get in the Bury team but he's done something that Chris Swailes, Nick Daws and the rest of the Shakers squad haven't. He's had a stadium named after him! The Sikkim government has renamed the Namchi Stadium the Baichung
TALK about going out in style! Sue Warrington claimed her twelfth Bury and District Golf Association ladies' title on Wednesday evening then vowed it would be her last. Her 3 & 1 triumph over Bury clubmate Andrea Holt on their home course was a fitting
SEDGLEY PARK will be starting life in National League Two with a brand new stand. Work has started on a 400-seater stand at the Park Lane ground in Whitefield, so spectators coming to watch Sedgley take on the likes of Rosslyn Park, Fylde and Orrell will
1215: The Magna Carta was signed by King John at Runnymede. 1860: Florence Nightingale opened her first school for nurses. 1919: British aviators, Alcock and Brown, made the first non-stop Transatlantic flight. 1971: The Education Secretary, Margaret
MAY I express my thanks and appreciation to the community of Higher Croft, Blackburn, for their support in the recent local elections. I am delighted to be back to serve the local community on Blackburn with Darwen Council. I also wish to express my thanks
IN response to Mr A Grady (Letters, June 12). I agree that we, as human beings, do not morally have the power to end another human's life. If a wrong has been done it will be justified on judgement day. I understand that many people may think that I am
HAVING heard former Education Secretary David Blunkett on TV and radio and the many Tony Blair 'yes men' repeating again and again the spin solution to our education problem is to spend millions in the next few years, to recruit, train and then well pay
A COWARDLY mugger robbed two lone women as they tended graves in a cemetery. Barbara Young told the Journal she was disgusted after witnessing a 66-year-old woman being mugged just a day after her brother claimed to have seen a similar incident in Tyldesley
RESIDENTS clearing out their shelves this summer have been asked to bear the Imperial Cancer Research Fund shop in mind. The charity shop, based at 75, The Rock, Bury, is on the lookout for donations such as pottery, ornaments, jigsaws, videos, CDs, glassware
THE popular Lake District-based Bury Jubilee Outdoor Pursuits Centre has re-opened with the lifting of foot and mouth restrictions. Previously the centre in Glenridding had been closed for nearly four months because of the outbreak. Last weekend, a small
THE borough's unsung heroes who provide vital care to the ill, disabled, elderly and other members of the community have received civic recognition. A group of carers met the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Paul Nesbit, and his wife, Shirley, during a visit
THE chairman of Bury NHS Trust has resigned on grounds of ill health. Mr David Ryder said that he reluctantly made the decision to quit to spend more time with his family. "I have given the decision careful thought. I have to be realistic and I feel that
DOZENS of cyclists are putting themselves through their paces ready for a 55-mile ride to Blackpool in aid of Bury Hospice. Around 100 people from the borough are expected to set out on the journey on Sunday July 8 for the event dubbed the "Famous 55"
AFTER a boggy start, the carnival atmosphere finally returned to Bury, dispelling doubts about its future. Opened by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Paul Nesbit, the Bury Times organised Carnival Gala Day attracted thousands of visitors to the Chesham Fields
GIVING them a run for their money were160 athletes of all ages and sizes who helped swell the coffers of St Andrew's CE Primary School in Radcliffe at the weekend. They raised at least £350 from a two-mile fun run which coincided with the school's popular
PAUL Terzis has a few surprises in store for the team that's raised the most eyebrows in the NFP this season. If Rochdale Hornets are expecting a 'normal' Leigh approach to Sunday's mouth-watering Spotland clash, they'd better think again. Coach Terzis
PARISHIONERS face a race against time to save a historic church in Holcombe. Part of Emmanuel Church at Holcombe is in a "dangerous" condition and repairs to the clock tower need to be carried out before the start of winter. Without structural work the
ROVERS transfer target Corrado Grabbi today hinted he's set his heart on a move to Ewood. Grabbi exclusively spoke to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, saying: 'The thought of playing in the Premiership really excites me.' The 25-year-old striker flew
A PRESTON man has passed the winning flag for an all-expenses-paid trip to the European Grand Prix in Germany. Penwortham-born David Wootton scooped the top prize after picking up a flyer in his local Booth's supermarket -- but almost missed out scooping
DERIAN House Children's Hospice is all set to hold its annual summer Gala Weekend -- and with more attractions than ever before it is shaping up to be spectacular. Staff are hoping there will be no shortage of people willing to try their hand at a range
ANOTHER victory was handed to Labour by the people of Lancashire in the county council election last week. Out of nine electoral divisions in Preston, six emerged as Labour seats leaving two Liberal Democrats and one Conservative. From the six divisions
A PRESTON couple are to scoot to Paris later this year in a push to raise money for research into their son's life-threatening disease. Roy and June Robinson, of Bidson Street, will hop on-board micro-scooters and travel around 430 miles to raise cash
TWO budding pop star sisters from Lostock Hall are aiming to be the next Kylie and Danni after landing a dazzling slot in a talent competition organised by the Pines Hotel in Chorley. The glitsy event has been launched by Preston soul star Stephen Bayliss
THE new MPs in Preston and South Ribble are a mix of Labour and Conservatives. Labour's Mark Hendrick was elected for Preston, and fellow Labour David Borrow was re-elected for South Ribble. The Ribble Valley, which covers Fulwood, is represented by Nigel
A FORMER university lecturer from Preston, who suffers from a fatal brain disease, is aiming to raise awareness to help other sufferers. Mum-of-two Chris Heslop, 59, who used to teach business studies at the University of Central Lancashire, suffers from
COLNE'S maths master and word wizard David Roe will go in to the Countdown quarter-final seeded sixth after holding out as champion for four rounds. David, a chartered accountant at Ashworth Mould and Co, in Burnley, was finally beaten in his fifth TV
PADIHAM could win a share of a £2.5 million regeneration jackpot -- to help develop its role as a vibrant market town, serving surrounding rural communities, say council chiefs. Development agency chiefs have agreed in principle to a "health check" being
COUNCILLORS threw out plans to build a 20-metre telecommunications mast on a playing field in north Lancashire after objections from villagers. Applicants Orange PCS Ltd wanted to install the mast with three antennae and two dishes on the site off Carlisle
A LANCASTER woman has appealed for help to catch a hit and run driver who left her and her daughter stranded on the outskirts of Torrisholme. Shelley, who asked that we withhold her surname, was driving, with her daughter Sanna, two, along the road at
RE-ELECTED Lancaster MP Hilton Dawson has quit the pro Western Bypass pressure group -- leaving fellow MP Geraldine Smith 'shocked and stunned'. Mr Dawson has pledged instead to act as an 'honest broker' in discussions on ways of improving Lancaster's
SENIOR police officers defended their "robust" operation at the Warehouse Nightclub during a well attended Police Authority meeting on Tuesday night. More than 40 local people turned up to voice their concerns about the police raid which they generally
LANCASTER Town Hall saw plenty of drama for the county council elections. A former county council chairman lost his seat, another was decided by just 37 votes after two recounts, and the Green Party's progress reached another landmark with the election
A DEFRIBRILLATOR which failed to work as paramedics tried to revive a Lancaster man who collapsed and died during a cricket match is to be tested by a special government agency. The defibrillator is now at the Medical Devices Agency where it will undergo
IF you are type of golfer who enjoys playing but hasn't the time to a join club, help could be at hand. A golf society has been formed for non-handicap golfers. The Startgolf! Club aims to help inexperienced players learn continue to learn the game in
A DOGGED ninth wicket stand enabled visitors Preston to snatch a draw on Saturday in the Northern Premier League, at Chorley after it appeared they were heading for certain defeat. In a reduced-overs match, Chorley skipper Roland Horridge (69 not out)
EACH week during the close season, Citizen football reporter Tom Parker will take a potted history look at the performance of the Football League, the oldest football league in the world. We shall concentrate on how Preston North End performed and then
ART students at the University of Central Lancashire, in Preston, had their 15-minutes of fame when their work goes on display to the public. Students of the University's Faculty of Design and Technology staged an exhibition of their work for Art Week
A SUPER-FIT Preston man is celebrating after completing a prestigious Ironman athletics challenge. Daniel Banks, 30, of Woodlands Avenue, Bamber Bridge, entered a triathlon competition comprising of swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, then running
TWO Blackburn brothers caused a major security alert when they went into a bank to open an account armed with a gun. The brothers who were in their early 20's were released when detectives were satisfied there had been no intent to commit an offence.
A 20-year-old Accrington man found in possession of an ecstasy tablet claimed he had been given the drug by a man he did not know. Neil Kirkham, of Wensley Drive, pleaded guilty to possession of ecstasy and was fined £75 with £75 costs. Wendy Shackleton
FOUR people were treated in hospital for minor injuries after two cars were involved in a road collision. The incident happened at the crossroads outside the Britannia pub, in Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle, about 8pm yesterday. Derek Sentance, 65
A MOTORIST forged an insurance certificate because it would have cost £2,000 to put his car on the road, a court heard. Anthony Foster, 25, had used a computer scanner to produce the certificate and a judge said to the inexperienced eye, it looked like
A FARMER who feared his cattle might have contracted foot and mouth disease breathed a sigh of relief after his herd was given the all-clear. Boothstown farmer John Harrison, who runs Moss House Farm, nervously awaited news from the Ministry of Agriculture
TWO police officers who tackled a dangerous knifeman have been rewarded for their bravery by the Chief Constable. PCs Andy Osbaldeston and Tony Ford, of the division's support unit based at Great Harwood, were commended after tackling a man brandishing
EATING sausage rolls will help fight disease. They will play a crucial part in the mayor's charity appeal for a new, high-tech ultrasound system to aid hospital diagnosis and boost health hopes borough-wide. Golborne-based Councillor John E. Hilton hopes
TOWN centre vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage since April in attacks upon shop premises. Rowdy gangs of teenagers are believed to be at the root of the problem, which traders say has brought evening chaos to Atherton. Pauline Holgate
SO the red rosette triumphed yet again in Leigh's big night of democratic participation last Thursday. Congratulations to Andy Burnham on becoming the fifth Labour MP for Leigh. If he delivers on a quarter of the promises he has made during the 12 months
THE Ribble Valley International Piano Week's evening programme continues at the Centenaries Theatre, St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst on Thursday, June 21 at 7.45pm. Argentinian pianist Nelson Goerner -- famed for the 'delicacy, power and romanticism of his
APPRENTICE bricklayer Paul Robert Clegg had a night to forget when he went partying in Whalley. Blackburn magistrates heard that he argued with another man at the party and in frustration kicked out at a parked car. He then drove off but had only gone
I WOULD like to thank everyone who voted Green in last week's County Council elections, and also the many people who gave their time to help with the campaign. As Lancashire's first Green County Councillor, I hope to remain very closely in touch with
COUNCILLORS want to increase car parking charges to pay for a town's new CCTV system. Ribble Valley Borough Council has submitted a bid for £572,151 in funding from a pot of cash being made available under the Crime Reduction Programme. A further £72,000
THE Lancashire Police Authority has a statutory duty to ensure that the communities of Lancashire receive an effective and efficient police service and it is because of this that we, two independent members of the authority, attended the police operation
MORECAMBE shot up to second place in the Northern Premier League with an impressive victory over top of the table Netherfield. The news for Lancaster was worse however, as they slumped to second from bottom of the table after defeat at Leyland and Farringdon
BURY businessmen and women are invited to listen to Nick Scheele, chairman of Ford Europe and Brian Fleet, director of Airbus UK deliver an "Inspirational Lessons in Leadership" address at Manchester's Manufacturing Institute on Tuesday, June 26. For
BLACKPOOL boss Steve McMahon has managed to attract Spanish Primera Liga side Athletic Bilbao to Bloomfield Road for a prestigious friendly. The match will be played on Tuesday, August 7 as the final and only home pre-season game before the start of next
A BURY-based water treatment company has tasted success in its quest to capture a key environmental accreditation. And Bury Business Environment Association (BEA) helped Wells Water Treatment Services, located at St James Avenue, Woolfold, to achieve
CLARETS captain Steve Davis believes Burnley will thrive on the pressure of being play-off contenders when the new season kicks off. As newly promoted dark horses, Stan Ternent's men enjoyed an outstanding first year back in Division One when they defied
THE Isherwood Cup semi-finals for Bolton Association second teams will be contested between Darcy Lever and A&T, and Golborne and Blackrod. These will take place on July 1. A&T earn their place with a last ball win at Walshaw. Guy Garnett (62)
WHEN local mill owner and later Liberal MP Caleb Wright decided to apply for planning permission to build a swimming pool in Tyldesley back in 1876, he had no idea what he was starting. Within weeks of the baths opening on July 22 of that year, Tyldesley
LEIGH CC cruised into the Regional Final of the National Knockout Competition as they demolished Bolton League side Walkden by 77 runs on Sunday. Batting first, Leigh got off to a steady start before Andy Batterley was dismissed for 21 with 30 on the
ATHERTON CC got back on the title trail last Saturday with a six-wicket victory over Spring View. The match developed into what was essentially a contest between the respective professionals, the home side's Greg Dimery and View's Arindam Sarkar. Dimery
A BURY organisation has a lot to shout about after celebrating its inaugural year. Bury People First (BPF) was set up just over 12 months ago and is going from strength to strength in its bid to help people with learning difficulties stand up for their
A BIRTLE businessman whose firms crashed with debts of nearly £350,000 has been banned from acting as a company director for five years. The disqualification has been imposed upon both Graham Lyons of Birtle and his wife, Karen of Bronte Close, Norden
WHEN Barbara Holt moved into a nursing home and went through her belongings, she unearthed a small piece of history which was the first driving licence in Bury. Now, 97 years after it was issued, the prestigious document has found a home with Bury Museum
A PRISONER who was jailed for a series of bungled robberies, included two post office raids in Radcliffe, is still on the run after staging a dramatic escape at a funeral last week. Thomas Francis McDonagh (22) fled after a pal threatened two prison warders
A RADCLIFFE GP has warned of an impending crisis in the NHS if politicians continue to dismiss the concerns of family doctors. Dr Kumar Kotegaonkar, the chairman of the local GP's committee, issued the alert following a recent national ballot in which
THE last remnants of East Lancashire Paper Mill, which closed in March with 180 job losses, are to disappear. Receivers have sold the 139-year-old site to a rival paper firm which is set to remove all the equipment from the building in Church Street East
RESIDENTS who say they are worried for the safety of their children are battling to prevent plans to build a hostel for the homeless nearby. The controversial application to erect the hostel in Baron Street is set to be approved at Thursday's meeting
CLARETS captain Steve Davis believes Burnley will thrive on the pressure of being play-off contenders when the new season kicks off. As newly promoted dark horses, Stan Ternent's men enjoyed an outstanding first year back in Division One when they defied
ROVERS transfer target Corrado Grabbi today hinted he's set his heart on a move to Ewood. Grabbi exclusively spoke to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, saying: 'The thought of playing in the Premiership really excites me.' The 25-year-old striker flew
NORTH END boss David Moyes has ended speculation about his future at Deepdale by signing on the dotted line for a new five-year contract with the club. And he thanked Preston's brilliant supporters for persuading him to stay. At a press conference on
EAST Lancashire businesses have been offered an invaluable insight in how to keep hold of their customers at a series of seminars at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel. Dozens of company bosses attended the customer care event which was hosted by Mayes Businerss Partnership
ACCRINGTON-based car dealer Walker Farrimond is building a "virtual showroom" to provide motorists with a new level of service. The leading Volvo and Mitsubishi dealer has appointed Motor Industry Web Services to develop its new website which will cover
HIGH-FLYING companies in East Lancashire are being mobilised to win a royal seal of approval for their business. Organisers of the Queen's Award for Enterprise -- the corporate equivalent of the honours list -- are now inviting applications from companies
MEMBERS of Wigan and Leigh branch of the Breathe Easy Group celebrated the society's 10th anniversary. The branch held a tea party at Leigh Miners Welfare Club where Wigan rugby club's Brett Dallas and Wes Davis released red balloons.
A NEW information board aimed at young people has been created at Leigh Library. Aimed at 11 to 21 year olds, organisers are asking for any relevant leaflets, posters and articles that promote events to young people in the area. Please send any information
HOLIDAYMAKERS bound for sunny Spain or keen to expand beyond the "agua con gas" level, can get to grips with a basic Spanish for beginners language course starting in Culcheth. The six-week taster course begins on Tuesday, June 19 (11am to 12.30pm) at
TESCO superstore in Atherton is holding a charity concert to raise cash to fight Alzheimer's Disease. The concert, at Fornby Hall on Friday, June 29, will feature a jazz orchestra, Halbrige Primary School Choir, two quartets, called Brassed Off and Highly
TENNIS chiefs in Darwen will be making a racket at their first ever exhibition in a bid to attract more members to the club. Bosses at Darwen Tennis Club - the only club now left in the town - are due to launch a historic display at Darwen Library in
A MINI tornado hit Darwen, uprooting a tree and sending wheelie-bins flying. Firefighters in the town witnessed the freak weather conditions last night, which made a tree behind their station topple over. Officers said strong wind was followed by hail
A REVOLUTIONARY new telephone service is to be launched next month in the borough which will enable deaf people to speak to the hearing. BT Textdirect is hoping to benefit more than 350,000 people affected by deafness or speech impediment after its launch
LEIGH exhibition design and building contractors EGL stole the show last month with a 150-square-meter stand at the recent OPTRA fair at the NEC in Birmingham. The company used a mix of striking visuals, entertainment and activities that mirrored the
PEOPLE power is coming to Leigh with the borough's first citizens panel being formed in a bid to improve local services. Council and health chiefs will recruit 1,200 citizens of Wigan and Leigh to represent the boroughs residents on a wide range of issues
PLANS are being made to form a woodland of 10,000 trees to help prevent the flood devastation which hit Todmorden this time last year. The work is being planned by Treeresponsibility, who this week announced plans to reforest the steep eroding valley
LORRAINE Skeech is the new president of the Leigh and District Soroptimist International. Mrs Skeech has been a member of the organisation for seven years and hopes to support dyslexia and diabetic societies and Derian House during her year in office.
A CHURCH is endeavouring to answer peoples' spiritual 'hot potatoes' over the coming weeks. Kay Street Baptist Church in Rawtenstall, is running a free course starting on June 20, entitled Any Questions? for those wanting to investigate the Christian
TEENAGERS will have a chance to find out about life in the Army during the biggest outdoor careers exhibition in the North. The three-day show, from June 19-21, at Catterick, North Yorkshire, is expected to attract 10,000 school pupils. Visitors can get
WORKERS in Greater Manchester are still not getting their rights to paid holidays, a report from the GM Low Pay Unit has discovered. High levels of inquiries about holiday entitlement has shown many employers are either unaware of the right to paid holidays
GRAVEYARDS, headstones and inscriptions are a godsend to local historians. And Leigh-based history officer Tony Ashcroft is preparing to share his interest by hosting two walks -- around the area's cemeteries. Mr Ashcroft will be hosting a walk round
LEIGH'S new MP was in the capital this week to start a new career. No matter what our political leanings are, we should all be behind him. Andy Burnham comes across as a personable young man who has local interests at heart. He is not an outsider brought
PUPILS at Leigh Church Of England Junior School think it's good to talk - as long as it's not in school time. Despite most schools banning the use of mobile phones, forward-thinking headteacher Brian Fawcett allows his pupils to bring in their phones
MORE than half a million pounds is to be spent on a major refurbishment of the Bull's Head pub in Astley Straits. Plans are to re-open the pub in September, with a welcoming new look, and to employ about 25 staff. Bull's Head owner Ember Inns says the
HUNDREDS of carers assembled in Lowton last Wednesday for their annual celebration of commitment. The event was opened by actor Will Travis, star of the Sunday TV drama, Where the Heart is. He was delighted to watch people with learning difficulties perform
POLICE have launched a new community drop-in centre to improve services for Astley residents. The first all-purpose "surgery" of its kind in the area opened at the former hospital site recently. The new centre in Dam House will be staffed by local officer
CEMETERIES are, to most people, sacred places. Surely, nobody with any sense of decency would knowingly treat a burial ground or mourners gathered there with disrespect? Not so, it seems. There is one despicable little coward who has targeted a cemetery
AN exciting superstore project will brighten school playtimes. The scheme to bring playground paintings and games to children at Golborne County Primary School is part of Asda supermarket's 'Get Involved for Kids' project. Customers and staff from the
DINNER ladies stepped out on Sunday to help break a little boy's lonely world of silence. Seven welfare assistants from Hindley Green Community Primary School went on a woodland walk to boost the chances of five-year-old David Horner taking a therapeutic
THE biggest parade in Journal-land is set to hit the streets through Boothstown on Sunday. Boothstown's 15th annual festival aims to be a fabulous family day out, with a full programme of entertainment throughout the afternoon. The event kicks off at
WE hear of businesses opening with overdrafts and overheads, taking risks to help the local economy and community, only to become the target of vandalism and theft -- a lifetime of money wiped out, as cost of repairs sore, and with it the insurance premiums
HOLIDAYMAKERS will be able to join locals for songs of praise at the Cenotaph on Princess Parade, Blackpool, this Sunday (June 17) from from 3-4.30pm. The event, featuring a band of young, local musicians, has been organised by Blackpool Salvation Army
ARMED police surrounded an address on Dickson Road in Blackpool yesterday where an armed man was thought to be hiding. Drivers faced traffic chaos as police units moved in and sealed off the busy road between Banks Street and Pleasant Street at around
YOUNG brainboxes were sponsored for a maths challenge to raise money for Derian House, Chorley. And latest calculations suggest that the 70 pupils of Pauline Vaughan's after-school maths club have raised over £150 - although more money is still coming
POLICE are hunting two fraudsters who bought concert tickets using fake currency in the video store in Victoria Street, Blackburn, on Wednesday evening. The couple handed over the fake cash, along with some genuine currency. They were seen getting in
JACK Straw today said he preferred living in his family home in London rather than accepting any of the official residences offered to him as a Cabinet Minister - even if it meant sharing on occasions with his predecessor, Robin Cook! The new Foreign
A 29-YEAR-OLD woman with a history of theft offences was told by a district judge that she had reached the end of the line as far as sentencing options were concerned. And he told Samantha Herd that the fact she had gone so long without receiving a custodial
COUNCIL bosses are to decide whether to allow a special memorial garden to built in honour of Jack Walker. A planning application has been submitted for a statue and a garden paved area within the Ewood Park complex in memory of the late Rovers owner.
I AM a home owner in Broadgate, Preston. On returning home yesterday (June 11) from work I was greeted with a very colourful sight -- recycling bins sat opposite my house! Now, although I like the idea of recycling, I am not at all happy about them being
IF aging rock star Elkie Brooks thinks the streets 'up North' are violent then she needs to cast her mind back to the Brixton riots in the '80s. If it's rough on the streets up here it's because we've been taught how to use our fists from the lot down
DURING the last 25 years, as one of the main contributors, the UK has paid £30 billion to the European Union. With this large investment, what fool would suggest that we leave the EU or not take a full part in its financial institutions? In that event
WE wish to convey our support for M. Duce, headteacher of Peel Brow School, Ramsbottom, who was suspended over alleged exam irregularities (Bury Times, June 8). The school provides not only excellent educational achievements but also enhances the children's
"HOW To Fail Your Driving Test" (BBC1, June 1) was a programme which I hope many of your motoring readers saw. It was an intriguing, yet frustrating, hour with a subtle title. As a driving instructor, I squirmed at what I saw and heard. Relatives always
A NEW crematorium for Bury could soon receive the go-ahead. The intention is to use pre-owned council land to the rear of Radcliffe Cemetery. This cemetery was laid down nearly 100 years ago and its access, Cemetery Road, was designed as a single track
WELSH international prop Dave Whittle has been cleared to play in Leigh Centurions' NFP Top Four showdown at Rochdale on Sunday. Whittle was found guilty of use of the elbow in the Trans-Pennine Final at Keighley two weeks ago but while disciplinary chiefs
LAST week it was Neil Turley flying the flag for Leigh and the NFP in a representative fixture - now Dave Bradbury and Liam Bretherton are following suit. Prop Bradbury and half-back Bretherton have been named in the 17-man Ireland squad that plays France
A RAMSBOTTOM teenager has been killed in a road accident. Nicholas Hitchen suffered fatal chest injuries when his Vauxhall Nova car span out of control in Crostons Road, Bury, last night. Firefighters had to cut Nicholas and a male passenger, who is also
