Archive

  • Table tennis girl is number one

    PRESTON'S Katy Parker has been helping the England Cadet (U14s) girls' table tennis team produce some good results at the European Youth Championships, in Fryder-Mistel, Czech Republic. She is probably unaware that she has moved up to number one in both

  • 25 years ago

    From the Bury Times, July 23, 1974 FLOWERS: Ten thousand flowers went into a floral display in Whitehead Gardens, Bury, in the shape of the six-in-one emblem of the new Metropolitan Borough. Similar displays were set up in Radcliffe, Whitefield and Holcombe

  • Sparkle still there for diamond pair

    TELEPHONE worker Jim Smith dialled up the love of his life when he met Joan. And 60 years later the happy couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Jim and Joan met through friends and married at the since demolished St George's Presbyterian

  • Guessing game in Association title battle

    WATCH out for a thrilling finish to the Bolton Association! All right, it's still just past mid-July . . . plenty of batting still to come. But the twists and turns on the way to settling the championship issue are coming thick and fast. And, in the big

  • Credit union volunteers 'Investor' award

    THE Haslingden and Helmshore Credit Union has become the first to qualify for the Government's prestigious 'Investors in People' Award. The award is highly sought after with companies and public organisations working for years to achieve it, but the voluntary

  • County water the most polluted in North West

    LANCASHIRE has the worst record in the North West for the number of water pollution incidents, a new report revealed today. The Environment Agency's report showed the number of pollution incidents in the North West has increased slightly on last year,

  • Wembley not Lords for cricket star

    CRACKING cricketer Kevin Dixon looks set to woo the crowds in Newcastle - but at St James' Park, not Chester-le-Street. For Kevin, from Penwortham, has decided to swap willow for leather and set about making his mark in the world of football after being

  • Parents' despair over school places

    A GROUP of parents who have so far failed in their fight for their four-year-old children to attend the local primary school today appealed to governors: "Please let them in". Mum Melanie Ormerod spoke as two more children were allocated places at St

  • Diver survives breathing scare

    A TEENAGE diver was only minutes from death when he blacked out 135 feet below the North Sea. However, the courage and professionalism of Daniel Sullivan's fellow divers averted a tragic end to a day's diving five miles off the coast of Whitby in North

  • Ternent unmoved by victory over Everton

    BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent is refusing to get carried away by last night's friendly victory over Premiership giants Everton. Ternent watched his side beat Walter Smith's expensively assembled squad 1-0 in front of a crowd of 7,547 thanks to a first half

  • The great ping-pong poser

    WHO was the best ping-ponger in town - Ken Tirebuck or the late Bill 'Bumper' Leyland? The question's been rattling around the pint pots since I carried a flashback picture featuring the old table tennis heroes of St Helens, posing with their trophies

  • End of a 35 year era

    THE school bell rang for the last time on Tuesday for a teacher who has chalked up 35 years in the classroom. Mrs Zandra Lewis, of Whitefield, said farewell to pupils and staff at St Margaret's CE Primary School in Prestwich where she has taught for 26

  • On the right track . .

    VETERAN reader Norman Thomas has put us on the right lines over a so-called 'glass loco' manufactured in Yorkshire by Pilkington Brothers. It all stems from a query by a 79-year-old Moss Banker who asked if anyone could provide information about this

  • Bridge name

    IN 1941 I gave the military authorities an idea which they used in North Africa and called it the Torch campaign, using the First Army (composed of American and British servicemen) in combination with General Montgomery and the Eighth Army to conquer

  • Poetry power echoes abroad

    THE unexpected power of poetry has proved itself in an international way. A tribute in verse to the old St Helens Higher Grade School, of fond memory to countless followers of this column, attracted response from a former pupil now living in Canada. The

  • Challenge to the Chief Constable

    THE letter from 'Concerned Citizen' in the July 15 edition of the Citizen, surely deserves a response from the police. If what your correspondent says is only half true, then the police were behaving like some third world dictatorship's police. I am not

  • Tory MP wants cookery on National Curriculum

    TORY MP Nigel Evans is cooking up a new subject for schoolchildren - learning to make the most of the kitchen. He has urged education secretary David Blunkett to put food technology in the National Curriculum. Now too few children learn how to cook at

  • Wilf the one-off!

    COPPERS - you either love or loath 'em, depending upon whether they've just caught you in a speed trap or come racing to the rescue when you've been cornered by a thug. And on occasions the long arm of the law throws up totally unique characters. They

  • Tenants vote for rent rise!

    TENANTS have voted for a rent rise in return for £17 million pounds worth of much-needed repairs to their homes. Thousands of houses on the Hillock Estate in Whitefield could be revamped as part of a deal being thrashed out by tenants and the housing

  • Please be vigilant!

    CAN I make an appeal to old people - via your columns - for vigilance when using public transport in the St Helens area? My recently widowed mother-in-law, who is 85 years old, was unfortunate enough to encounter a sub-human scumbag while travelling on

  • MP bids to keep pupils in the swim

    RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans today urged Education Secretary David Blunkett to veto controversial plans to slash school swimming lessons. Under proposals currently being considered by Lancashire County Council, from the beginning of the next school year

  • Saints situation serious

    HIS latest debacle at Saints is by far the most serious and will haunt the club for years, perhaps even bring it to its knees. The supporters have totally had enough. In just seven months, Ellery Hanley has become a cult figure, a hero. Already acknowledged

  • Lifespan of sea wall

    IN reply to the letter ' Is our sea wall safe?' by Lydia Smith, it is true that a mixture of cement and stones from the beach was used for much building in Morecambe, of walls and even buildings, for example the interior walls of buildings on Irving Terrace

  • Help at hand for hurricane victims

    LOSTOCK Hall student Lian Harter is to jet out to a hurricane-ravaged island. The 20-year-old, who attends university in Liverpool, will fly out to El Salvador on August 1 for five weeks to help rebuild the homes of the 45,000 people, victims of Hurricane

  • PO move will diminish service

    THE post office is in existence to provide a service. Moving Ramsbottom Post Office to the new Co-op building would diminish that service at a time when staff should be seeking ways of improving it. Also, the spokesperson quoted in the Bury Times story

  • Can nothing be done?

    WHAT is happening to the Barracks lodge, off Newington Drive (Bury Times, July 16)? They call it maintenance - we call it "de-maintenance"! WHY can nothing be done by the police, the council, or MPs? Despite numerous telephone calls none of them shows

  • Pupil poets in print

    SIXTEEN little poets from Lowton St Luke's CE Primary School are to have their work published. Their verses will be printed in Celebration 2000 Wigan in September. The seventh year of the Poetry Now Young Writers' competition attracted 43,000 high standard

  • Barracks lodge: time to act

    BURY'S planning magicians are very quickly making the town's green areas vanish. In five years two wildlife lodges have been destroyed, the second one at the Barracks (Bury Times, July 16) having its water gradually drained. Whole wildlife families are

  • Danny's pin-up is - a pie!

    PEACEKEEPING soldier Corporal Wayne "Danny" Daintith is pie-ning for a pin-up. Kosovo-based Danny, 30, of the Pioneer Corps (pictured) is desperate for a darling with a heart of beef. The Leigh lad who loves Greenhalgh's meat pies is so homesick for a

  • Busway: day for decision?

    COMMUNITY groups are stepping up their fight against guided busway plans. Boothstown Residents' Association back Worsley and Roe Green groups claims that Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive has little support for Leigh Guided Busway proposals

  • What poverty?

    SO Gordon Brown is going to waste millions more on all the families 'living in poverty', is he? Most of these folk already receive Family Credit, Child Benefit, and can find money for cars, drinking, smoking, drugs, computers, etc. In the 1950s, my parents

  • Bleakley defiant over resign call

    HINDSFORD councillor Robert Bleakley has pledged to fight on following criticism over the 'council house' election row. Last week, Labour agent Charles Hopkinson called on the Lib Dem councillor to resign and fight a fair election campaign after he was

  • Thanks to Leyland

    AS the organiser of the Leyland Society Rally, held on Sunday, July 11, at Leyland Trucks, on behalf of the Society and its members, I would like to thank to the residents of Leyland and surrounding areas. About 100 Leyland lorries, buses and coaches

  • Mum's plea after son's 'lump death'

    DISTRESSED mother Beryl Horrocks has urged young men not to ignore 'embarrassing lumps' following the death of her 35 years-old son. Part-time doorman David Bramhall died from septicemia days after going into Hope Hospital. "He'd got an abcess in his

  • The other side of the fence

    I AM writing in response to an article in last week's edition of the Preston Citizen (July 15) concerning complaints made about Bamber Bridge Football Club by Mr Joe Eccles, who lives adjoining the club. Mr Eccles forgot to mention he had written to South

  • Dog wardens start here

    I WONDER if your anguished Holcombe Brook correspondent "Hugh Dunnit" (June 25) is still trouble by "The Beast", a seemingly nocturnal creature who has a fetish for leaving its smelly and unwelcome "calling cards" among his prized petunias? Since his

  • Come to a fire service 'taster'

    LANCASHIRE Fire and Rescue Service has launched its latest initiative to increase the numbers of women and people from ethnic minorities in its ranks. The service is running a series of induction courses to give potential recruits a career 'taster'. The

  • Tower dangers ignored by planners

    AS local residents, we were interested to read the article (Bury Times, July 16) following approval of the application by Orange for a communications tower at Bury Football Club. Residents of nearby Birch Lea Close expressed strong opposition to the proposal

  • LOCAL CRICKET: I am NOT in prison, says Jordaan

    FORMER Lancashire League professional Corrie Jordaan today moved to quash rumours that he was in jail in South Africa. Rumours had swept the league that Jordaan, a former professional at Lowerhouse and Rishton, was facing charges of computer fraud. But

  • In tune with tradition?

    RHYMES, they are a'changing - and the traditional chimes of the ice cream van could soon be replaced in favour of modern pop tunes. If plans proposed by the Mr Big's of the ice cream world win the support of vendors, the distinctive strains of Popeye

  • Carers carry the card

    IMAGINE being entirely dependent on your carer, who has popped to the shops. They haven't returned because they have been involved in an accident. But nobody knows they are a carer, and nobody knows about you. You are stranded and alone. Hopefully, that

  • RUGBY LEAGUE: Hampson's selection poser

    LANCASHIRE Lynx coach Steve Hampson has a few selection problems tonight when top-five hopefuls Featherstone Rovers visit Victory Park. Neil Alexander is out for at least two weeks with a recurrence of an ankle problem, while John Donno is unlikely to

  • COUNTY CRICKET: It's fast Freddie

    WARREN Hegg was nursing sore hands in Southampton today after a blistering spell of bowling by Andy Flintoff. "That's the quickest I've kept to for Lancashire, apart from Wasim Akram," said Hegg after 'Freddie' Flintoff produced his best ever bowling

  • Readers' recollections

    NATIONAL Service - the days when boys left the comforts of home behind to take up posts in the British Army. They endured two years of vigorous training before returning as men, ready to take on all that life was to throw at them. Hundreds of lads were

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Lowerhouse aim for silver lining

    CENTRAL Lancashire League side Crompton have waited nearly 20 years since they last lifted a trophy. But their hosts in tomorrow's semi-final of the Inter League Knockout Cup don't even have distant memories to comfort them. As the century draws to a

  • On a hot streak

    WARM conditions brought out some top personal performances from young athletes at a Lytham school. More than 250 competitors took part in the annual house athletics sports at King Edward VII School, Lytham. Sprinters Tom Brooks (12) and Richard Whalley

  • History in the making

    MULTI-million pound plans to transform Hoghton Tower into the Shakespeare capital of the North moved a step closer this week. Around 150 international scholars met this week to discuss growing claims that the young Bard stayed with the Hoghton family

  • ATHLETICS: Lobo makes a Curtis-y call

    JASON Lobo aims to leave training partner Curtis Robb in his slipstream as he bids to defend his AAA 800 metres crown at Birmingham's Alexandra Stadium this weekend. The former Blackburn Harrier believes Robb poses the biggest threat in his bid to defend

  • Nigel's correct on cookery

    IT IS a paradox of our times that people are fascinated by food, as the glut of cookery programmes on TV shows, and, yet, fewer people cook, as shown by the boom in convenience meals. But, in the process, kitchen skills that youngsters acquired by watching

  • Daylight attack in town centre

    A MAN was hit on the side of the face and knocked to the ground in a deserted alley before being robbed of £50. The incident happened at around 4pm on Tuesday, July 6, in Derby Street, Preston. Police are looking for a man of mixed race in connection

  • ATHLETICS: Lobo makes a Curtis-y call

    JASON Lobo aims to leave training partner Curtis Robb in his slipstream as he bids to defend his AAA 800 metres crown at Birmingham's Alexandra Stadium this weekend. The former Blackburn Harrier believes Robb poses the biggest threat in his bid to defend

  • Waiting for an accident

    WITH reference to Jean Robinson's comments (Letters, July 14) on the state of the Barton Street car park, Blackburn, I went to the town hall several weeks ago to complain. They should collect enough money from this car park alone to maintain it, but they

  • Hanley stays as Saints coach

    SAINTS' coach Ellery Hanley is back to mastermind the team's assault on the Super League title - just 10 days after being suspended for media criticism of the club's directors and management. The suspension was without time limit and on full pay, and

  • No more terrorists

    APPARENTLY the BBC are under orders not to refer to the IRA as terrorists any more, but rather as "paramilitaries". Next thing you know they will stop referring to murderers and child molesters as criminals, and instead use the word "miscreants"! T. R

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Griffin find a Head ofsteam

    THE closest first round match in the Mayor of Hyndburn's six-a-side Challenge tournament saw Griffin's Head from Huncoat beating St Phillip's from Blackburn after the scores had finished level. The Huncoat side went through as they had lost fewer wickets

  • Issues receive top priority

    REGARDING your article 'Call for extra policing" (LET, July 15), the redoubtable Sam Spence's call for this is indeed merited. As chairman of the Bank Top Community Association in Blackburn, I have met the police to discuss these matters on several occasions

  • Algarve chance for Lytham Green pair

    A GOLF trip of a lifetime awaits Blackpool amateur Peter Whittle and PGA professional Andrew Lancaster if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy. Whittle took his first big step towards a luxury

  • Overrun by Beeb repeats

    IN your TV listings (LET, June 13) the early programmes for the following day included 11 repeats on BBC1 between 9am and 5pm and 13 repeats on BBC2 between 7am and 5pm. On top of this, there is very little live sport on the Beeb, though we do get snookered

  • Cricket results round-up

    MOORE & SMALLEY PALACE SHIELD Division A: *BAe Preston 159-7, J McKeever 48, J Mounsey 31, S Martin 3-30 - Fulwood & Broughton 160-7, S Bunning 38, D Lee 38, M Shuttleworth 3-41; *Fylde 49, S Masters 3-13 - Vernon Carus 50-1; *Gregson Lane 100

  • Good road degraded

    I WISH to protest about what has been done to Burnley Road, Accrington, where we now have vast open spaces of empty cycle lanes, empty pedestrian island refuges, empty pedestrian kerb build-outs and empty white hatchings. Meanwhile, the main user, namely

  • 1,199 sick of Labour

    HAVING read the story about Robert Bleakley (Journal, July 15), I feel angry and amazed to have ever voted Labour at a council election. This man made a mistake, apologised and still they want his blood. I am one of the 1,199 voters who elected Robert

  • On yer bike

    LANCASTER motorbiker Rob Munroe is particularly looking forward to the amateur Isle of Man motor bike race this year - because someone is giving him a bike! Frank Shepherd motor bikes in Lancaster are backing the Rob with the bike in the amateur race

  • School place row goes to Europe

    THE Houston family are ready to take off to Europe in the latest step of their campaign to get their son Liam a place at Lytham St Annes Technology College. Liam's dad, Mick (pictured), is preparing to go to the European Court of Human Rights in a case

  • On right track

    HOW right E. Collier was (Journal Mailbox, July 15). I went to the Kenyon Action Group meeting and my comments are as follows: Chris Maile told the people at the meeting to object at the Warrington meeting next week because if the station is not allowed

  • Teenager's holiday rape: MP to help family

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike is taking up the case of a 17-year-old girl who was allegedly raped while on holiday in Turkey. The teenager, from Burnley, was holidaying with a friend and had got into what she thought was a registered taxi to go back to her hotel

  • Fight goes on...

    I FEEL like a man, who, on reading his obituary, said that reports of his demise were much exaggerated. Astley Residents Action Group is a little disappointed that Wigan felt they had no alternative but to approve outline planning consent for the development

  • Operation stinkbomb

    THE Freehold community staged a mass demonstration outside Nightingale Hall Farm on Monday, blocking off the road into the controversial plant. The protesters, backed by local politicians including Lancaster's MP Hilton Dawson, are angry that the animal

  • Health chief comes to Preston

    CARE for mentally ill offenders was the focus of an international conference at the University of Central Lancashire yesterday (Wednesday, July 21). Parliamentary Under Secretary for Health John Hutton was a guest speaker at the university's new Harrington

  • Games come to town

    ST HELENS is to host next year's Merseyside Youth Games. They will be staged in the town on Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9 and will feature 22 different sports. Teams involving more than 2,500 young people will participate in the two-day festival of

  • Kenyon is the railway ideal

    WITH regard to Mr E .Collier's letter (Mailbox, July 15), I find it amazing that the Green Party representative Chris Maile is against the re-opening of Kenyon junction as a railway station serving Leigh and other areas. Mr Collier includes environmental

  • Ban prom cars and not landaus

    A LOT has been said about banning landau coaches along Blackpool seafront. Landaus were here before cars, let's ban all cars from South Pier to North Pier along the seafront. Then the landaus could carry on as normal and fire engines, police cars, ambulances

  • Portico recruit newcomers

    PORTICO Juniors ARLFC are holding a recruitment day at their Scholes Lane headquarters this Saturday (11am). All are welcome. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

  • Bid to make Fylde safer

    BUSINESSES and community groups across the Fylde are being urged to team up with the police and take a positive approach to fighting local crime. The message comes from the county's police force at the launch of a drive to increase membership of the Lancashire

  • Eccleston sunk by Hale and pace

    ECCLESTON suffered defeat at the hands of entertained Hale at Bobbies Lane on Saturday. Batting first, Hale reached 137-6 in their allotted overs. Top scorer was Sharp with 57 not out. He was well supported by D L Neary 34 and P O'Callaghan 20. Five Eccleston

  • Jordan defects to Lancaster

    MORECAMBE'S loss was Lancaster's gain this week when opening bowler Neil Jordan defected to Lancaster. But Lancaster will need to improve their batting before they play Blackpool at Stanley Park as the seaside team have an excellent pace attack with professional

  • Fans launch new group

    A GROUP of Saints fans are drawing up plans to establish an independent supporters club. They aim to establish meaningful dialogue with the board and to present the media with reliable comment on fans' issues. Calling themselves the Independent Saints

  • NWW is splashing out

    NORTH West Water is making a big splash with Blackpool visitors about its sea water improvements. The company is sending out 70,000 leaflets to Blackpool hotels and tourism offices promoting its £200m investment in cleaning up the coast's bathing water

  • Armed siege in Bowerham

    POLICE cordoned off a Lancaster Street and called in armed officers and negotiaters after a man was seen brandishing a what was feared to be a firearm last week. During a four hour stand-off the man threatened to "come out shooting" as terrified neighbours

  • Bikers in fatal accident

    TWO motorcyclists died after a road crash at Quernmore on Sunday. The men were Michael Hall, 26, of Fulwood in Preston and Richard Fenner, 38, of Rossendale. The two men were in collision on Balhurst Way near Greenhurst Farm. Michael Hall died almost

  • Fundraising ideas needed

    MAY I please ask Citizen readers for assistance in compiling a list of fundraising ideas for volunteers such as church and school commitees and charity support groups. I need unusual and imaginative ways of parting the hard-pressed public from more of

  • Saints fans in revolt

    FURIOUS Saints' fans left the board in no doubt that they wanted the suspension on Ellery Hanley lifted in demonstrations before, during and after the game against Hull Sharks on Sunday. They held a rally in the Black Bull Hotel and distributed leaflets

  • Sky-high thrills

    AIR display teams will paint the sky red on Saturday (July 24) and Monday (July 26) as parachutists and the Red Arrows zoom into town. It's all part of Blackpool children's festival KidzMegafest, six weeks of good, clean fun sponsored by soap powder firm

  • Boateng hears of Mal's plight

    PERSECUTED Ryelands shopkeeper Mal Hussain told of the abuse he has suffered to a government minister this week. Mal talked to Minister for Home Affairs Paul Boateng at a conference about mediation at Sheffield University. Morecambe mediator Cllr Pat

  • Haydock on course

    HAYDOCK continued their Southport and District Cricket League title pursuit with an eight-wicket victory over Charnock Richard Batting first Charnock Richard's batsmen started brightly enough with S Marsh and G Threlfall both enjoying early success. Haydocks

  • Tidy case for people wardens

    EARLY in the mornings I walk my dog along Lytham Green and have noticed a steady increase in the amount of litter on the green opposite the Rat and Parrot pub. One morning there were upwards of 50 cans and dozens of glasses (some broken), with discarded

  • Magician Martyn casts his spell

    Saints 74 Hull Sharks 16 THERE'S never a dull moment at Knowsley Road these days, as highly-professional Saints demonstrated in ensuring that internal wrangling stayed a board room matter with this slaughter in the sun. Super League basement club Sharks

  • Gary's back on the airwaves

    IT'S back to work next week for radio DJ Gary Burgess - less than three months after starting intensive cancer treatment. The 23-year-old will return to The Wave on Monday afternoon (July 26) to present his four-hour DriveTime show and the sports slot

  • Sour note at proms concert

    I WOULD like to voice my disappointment at the behaviour I witnessed on Sunday, July 11 at the charity concert Last Night of the Proms on Lytham Green. The weather was beautiful, the atmosphere fantastic, the music superb and the fireworks dazzling. Our

  • Bus shelter starts a safety storm

    A STORM is brewing in Anchorsholme over a shelter which has been placed just eight metres from a couple's front window. The structure has become a thorn in the side of Michelle and Walter Oakes - and the pedestrians they have narrowly missed when reversing

  • Northern star!

    THE world's top Shakespeare experts are at Lancaster University and Hoghton Tower this week to discuss the region's link with the playwright voted 'Man of the Millennium'. They could be sitting in the very room in which Shakespeare first learned his craft

  • St Helens miss their chance

    ST HELENS had to settle for a draw at Lytham on Saturday. But they only have themselves to blame after dropping a series of catches. Gary Sheppard (2-48) and Stephen Kenny (1-25) bowled an excellent opening spell which removed Lytham's top three relatively

  • Clairvoyant's fundraiser for sick mum

    A BLACKPOOL clairvoyant predicts piles of top prizes will be given away to help a desperately-ill Lytham mum at a charity show on July 28. Medium Paula Paradaema was so touched by the Citizen's story of Liz Holt's race against time to raise £7,000 for

  • Ill-wind blows at Summerbreeze

    AN investigation is under way after gangs of drunken teenagers nearly ruined the family atmosphere at last weekend's successful Summerbreeze festival. Drunken youngsters at the free open-air pop concert were seen fighting, swearing and smashing bottles

  • In loving memory

    CITIZEN reporter Claire Morrison has a very special reason for remembering January 5, 1983. She was eight years old and tragically lost her father in a drowning accident on that day. Two other officers also died trying to save a man who got into difficulties

  • The third age

    A DAY of education, entertainment and enlightenment presented by Lancaster and Morecambe's University of the Third Age will be held at the Platform in Morecambe on August 3. The line up includes a coffee morning and exhibition, an afternoon lecture by

  • Cycling: Robert has perfect timing!

    SIXTEEN-year-old Robert Upex gave Prestwich High School a farewell gift this weekend by winning the British Schools' Cycling Association National Time Trial Championships. Robert, captain of Team Manchester, has just completed his GCSE's and rode for

  • Tranmere Rovers 1 PNE 3

    PRESTON made it four wins in four days with a superb victory over First Division Tranmere Rovers - proving that the Deepdale boys do have what it takes to play in a higher league. A powerful performance against a strong Tranmere side will have put away

  • Author Jeff gets lucky - at last!

    AN Astley author has had his first book published - at the age of 74. Former teacher, Mr Jeff Holden, of Church Road, sees his work "Pott Luck" hit the bookshelves soon. And the publication has thrilled Mr Holden, who has spent a lifetime looking after

  • Manager unmoved by Clarets victory over Everton

    BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent is refusing to get carried away by last night's friendly victory over Premiership giants Everton. Ternent watched his side beat Walter Smith's expensively assembled squad 1-0 in front of a crowd of 7,547 thanks to a first half

  • Firms to get grants boost?

    SMALL businesses in Blackpool are set to be given a major boost under a Government scheme to tackle social deprivation and unemployment. The town has been earmarked for assisted area status, which would entitle companies to bid for grants to improve local

  • PNE show their class

    PRESTON made it four wins in four days with a superb victory over First Division Tranmere Rovers - proving that the Deepdale boys do have what it takes to play in a higher league. (TRANMERE ROVERS 1 PNE 3) A powerful performance against a strong Tranmere

  • Tennis: Lisa's lucky thirteenth

    LISA Cartwright has won the BSF Tennis League ladies singles title for the 13th time in 16 years. But it wasn't all plain sailing for the Hawkshaw ace as opponent, 17-year old Emma Tootell from Eagley TC, gave her one of the hardest fights that she has

  • Gillespie set for Rovers run-out

    KEITH Gillespie and Tim Flowers could both make their belated first appearances in Blackburn Rovers' pre-season build up against Second Division Blackpool at Bloomfield Road tomorrow. But Rovers boss Brian Kidd has gone out of his way to stress that he

  • New honour for the 'local heroes'

    STREETLIFE, an emergency night shelter for Blackpool's homeless, has scooped a regional award for Voluntary Endeavour for the second year running. The Church Street centre received a "local heroes" plaque, given out to those whose voluntary work or community

  • The Queen and the Enforcer!

    AS part of the celebrations marking The Queen's visit to Lancaster tomorrow Dr Jack Cunningham, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will be hosting a special welcoming ceremony at the Priory Church and Castle. Dr Cunningham will receive The Queen

  • Brig put on performance of the year

    BRIG nearly pulled off a shock in front of a huge 1,220 audience when they took the lead against a near full-strength Preston squad. (BAMBER BRIDGE 1 PNE 2) Striker Andy Whittaker left the fans gasping when a barmy goal from him gave the home side the

  • Youth tribute to worker Marion

    MARION Makeniry was a woman whose heart was always in the right place. And this week Wigan Youth Service paid tribute to the youth worker from their Atherton and Tyldesley team, who died last week after a short illness. Animal lover Marion worked as a

  • Cruising crime spies

    MOBILE CCTV vans could cruise Wyre to combat crime after a plan for fixed spy cameras was thrown out. Wyre police have asked the borough council to consider the video van as a lower-cost alternative to the rejected scheme which would have put 30 fixed

  • Fire hits office

    THREE crews - two from St Helens and one from Newton-le-Willows - were called to a fire in a mobile office unit in Neills Road, Bold, at about 7.45pm on Saturday, July 17. It took them about an hour to extinguish the blaze. The Fire Service is currently

  • Moyes' boys escape transfer talk by move up north

    DAVID Moyes' bravehearts have travelled north of the border to continue their gruelling programme of pre-season training. Following last week's mind-blowing four games in four days, PNE's trip to Scotland will prove to be a little light relief, with just

  • £50,000 three Rs boost

    A £50,000 boost has been given to Bury schools to help children who are at sixes and sevens with numeracy. And the Government cash will also aid pupils with literacy problems. Welcoming the news, Bury North MP David Chaytor said: "From this autumn Bury

  • Japanese firm announces 60 new jobs

    A JAPANESE motor company who set up home in East Lancashire just three years ago today announced plans to move to a new site and create more than 60 new jobs. Piolax, which manufacturers car components, precision springs and industrial fasteners, will

  • Simply electric!

    WRINKLEY rocker Leo Sayer made them feel like dancing at the weekend as Summerbreeze 99 attracted thousands of revellers to Morecambe. An estimated 20,000 people enjoyed the weekend event which was equally enjoyed by the artists who described the audience

  • Lancashire Lynx 13 Rochdale Hornets 34

    STEVE Hampson and Lynx had a golden opportunity to put the double over the first side this season and to put them level on points with Hornets into the bargain. Unfortunately the Lancashire side looked tired and disinterested in this dismal fixture and

  • Village green bid by anti-estate group

    CAMPAIGNERS at Hindley Green are hoping to turn the site of a planned housing estate into a Village Green. And they claim Wigan Council gave planning permission for the Swan Lane Industrial Estate, knowing there was an inadequate existing road network

  • Tide of change

    A TIDE of change could sweep over Blackpool's North Pier if former owners First Leisure get the green light to demolish the seafront spot's ravaged jetty. Monday evening's meeting (July 19) of Blackpool Council's regeneration and development committee

  • E-commerce seminars

    A SERIES of free seminars is being staged to help get East Lancashire firms connected to the e-commerce revolution. Business Link East Lancashire has joined forces with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to host the events. The three-hour meetings will

  • Keep on running

    THREE students from Lancaster and Morecambe College, Gavin Winder, Daniel Stobbart and Matthew Wilkinson have completed the arduous Operations Raleigh 26 mile Brecon Challenge. Gavin's father, Mick, and course tutor John Entwistle lent support. For Daniel

  • £6 million power to the people

    DELIGHTED residents in Atherton have vowed that a massive government cash injection will bring genuine power to the people. Nearly £6 million of Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) money has been awarded to Atherton and the Hag Fold Estate. And that in turn

  • Care home gets go ahead

    BLACKPOOL MP Gordon Marsden has pledged to monitor a care home for disruptive youths after it won approval in the face of massive opposition from residents. Mr Marsden took up the cudgels after residents drew up an 850-name petition and 200 letters of

  • Did you see attack?

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an alleged assault outside a taxi office in St Helens town centre. The incident happened between 10.35 and 10.55pm on Saturday, July 10 outside Yellow Cabs in Ormskirk Street. Anyone with any information is asked

  • Taxi heroes thanked

    BECAUSE they have earned the thanks of the people of Lancaster these two taxi drivers received a special letter of commendation this week. Dilaver Patel and Ian Dixon saved a young woman in her early 20s, Tonia Strain, during an attack from convicted

  • Three more years!

    RETIREMENT plans have been put on hold for a headteacher who is set to chalk up three more years at school. Mr Eric Wilson, headteacher at King David Junior School, was to retire in August. He celebrated his 65th birthday in May and governors at the school

  • Lost in France

    THE family of a 12-year-old girl who was allowed to wander off sleepwalking on the motorway hard shoulder during a school trip spoke of their outrage this week. Shaun and Wendy's daughter, Claire, was the second child to be left behind in the same Lancaster

  • Conduct inquiry launched as dissent mars game

    PRESTON Cricket Club are to investigate allegations of unsportsmanslike conduct during last weekend's Vaux Bitter Cup clash with Leyland. During the game, it is alleged that Preston all-rounder Paul Paynter called umpire Alf Dunn a cheat for not giving

  • The Blackrod results are a whitewash!

    I FAIL to recognise any breakthrough in the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour following the recent reports about "Operation Blackrod" which has supposedly reduced crime and anti-social behaviour on the streets of Morecambe. In the West End

  • Happy New Year for debtors

    PEOPLE who owe council tax might be allowed to enjoy the Millennium free from town hall bloodhounds. A combination of holidays and worries over beating the Year 2000 bug could give debtors a few weeks' grace. Finance bosses have told councillors that

  • Three hurt in crash

    HREE people were taken to hospital following an accident involving two off-road vehicles at about 6.20pm on Monday, July 19 in Heyes Avenue, Rainford. Firefighters helped ambulance crews to get the occupants out of their vehicles and a 40-year-old woman

  • Consumer group warns of scam work schemes

    THE local public has been warned to steer clear of homeworking schemes which promise "fantastic" opportunities. The Consumer Protection Agency says most of these schemes are a "scam." High earnings are offered for a simple job that can be carried out

  • Other Kosovars are ready for rehousing

    BURY'S Kosovar refugees will start moving into their new homes at the end of the month. Some 15 properties have been lined-up for those families who want to remain in the town, at least for the time being. Ten of the houses are on the "Dickiebird" estate

  • Racecourse plan for new park

    A MASSIVE leisure complex with horse race course and forest park is planned on Astley and Boothstown's doorstep. Developers' plans for the 1600-acre country park include a new Manchester race course and Salford Forest Park. Work has already begun at Boothstown

  • Twinkletoed triumph

    TWO youngsters from Haydock are dancing a jig this week after winning major prizes in a national dance competition at the Sadlers Wells Theatre, London. Five-year-old Gabriella Benali from West End Road, wowed the judges with a two-minute character dance

  • Rise in bug cases

    A NASTY food poisoning bug has reached an all-time high in the district with students at Lancaster University the most prone to infection, claims a new report. The local health authority has revealed that there were 522 cases of the food poisoning bug

  • Dyslexia rules KO!

    In Lesley Richards' second article, she looks at the tell-tale signs of dyslexia. DYSLEXIA rules KO - a joke that has stood the test of time. But for those who carry the burden it's not funny. Last week Leigh businesswoman Shirley Longley and mum of a

  • Curtain falls on play

    EQUIPMENT is to be removed from two children's play areas because they are no longer up to scratch. St Helens Leisure Committee has been told the play areas at Sankey Valley Park and Liverpool Road, Pewfall, no longer meet current standards and are in

  • A question of loyalty

    A LANCASTER shop supervisor celebrated 40 years of loyal service in a special ceremony in London. Jacqui Lennox, 55, has worked at Marks & Spencer since she was 15 and was rewarded with VIP treatment at the company's London headquarters. In attendance

  • Luke's back-to-school booster

    PLUCKY teenager Luke Bryan went back to school to pick up a cheque for the fantastic sum of £11,000 raised at his old seat of learning, St Edmund Arrowsmith High. Staff and students at the Ashton school started their marathon appeal two years ago following

  • Thieves target food store

    OPPORTUNIST thieves are making life unhealthy for a Bury health food store. Now, managers at Organic Way, in Britannia Mill, are calling for police to make extra patrols to the Cobden Street shop which remains isolated in the middle of a factory area.

  • Top of the floors

    SIMPLY the best - that's a range of smooth floorcoverings manufactured by Whitefield company James Halstead Ltd. For they have been voted "Product of the Year" by flooring contractors throughout the UK. Staff and bosses at the local commercial flooring

  • Mayor's fund rocked by Killfish

    THREE local bands starred in a charity rock concert at Bury's Elton High School last Thursday. Killfish, a punk-orientated metal band, were joined by Stitches and Brit-rock outfit Apathy for the event attended by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor John Costello

  • Government has missed chance

    BURY and Bolton business leaders claim the Government has missed a vital opportunity in new plans just announced. These involve proposals for post-16 education and training, and initial ideas for the formation of a national Small Business Service. The

  • A right Royal eclipse

    PRINCE Andrew is to make another visit to the Fylde, the Citizen can exclusively reveal yet again. Just three years on from his last trip here, the Duke of York will be gracing Blackpool Pleasure Beach on September 10 for a charity dinner. It was your

  • Got a wooden way with words?

    BUDDING poets are being given the chance to have their work preserved in wood for all to see - courtesy of the St Helens Ranger Service. Anyone who has written a poem with an environmental theme can take it along to the Poet Trees Sculpture at Ashtons

  • Head's horror find in playground

    A PRIMARY school headteacher has blasted love-struck couples for leaving used condoms on her school field. According to outraged parents at Our Lady and St Edwards Catholic Primary School, Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood, a youngster was rushed to hospital after

  • Council still on sicklist

    BURY is still on the national sicklist when it comes to council staff being absent due to illness. Local authority workers still take more days off than the national and regional average, despite recent measures designed to improve attendance. The latest

  • Leigh fans get on their bikes

    WHEN a group of Leigh fans asked if they could help raise funds for new players they were told - 'on yer bikes.' So they did! Twenty intrepid members of the LISA organisation - Leigh Independent Supporters' Association - climbed aboard their cycles on

  • Invested in People

    AINSWORTH Finishing Company has good reason to celebrate its re-recognition as an Investors in People (IIP) employer. The national staff development programme has led to better productivity - resulting in a sales boost of £68,000 per year. Through Investors

  • Attack victim had 50 stitches

    A MAN required 50 stitches to his ear and the side of his face after apparently being attacked as he walked home after a night out. The 23-year-old victim was walking along Jackson Street towards his home in Clock Face when the alleged incident took place

  • Search for unsung heroes?

    BURY people are invited to nominate unsung heroes of the community for prestigious awards. Nominations are still open for the second annual awards for voluntary service which will be handed out at Bury Town Hall on December 6. The awards were the brainchild

  • The whole world under his thumb

    A £5,000 loan to enable an ambitious Bury businessman to launch his own company has ultimately proved to be "just capital." Eight years on, Thomas Naughton presides over a thriving computer firm commanding a multi-million pound turnover. And now, he wants

  • Security drive at flats

    SECURITY is to be improved at 58 blocks of flats owned by St Helens Council as part of an anti-crime initiative. The Housing Committee has approved the spending of £550,000 on the installation of door entry systems. The system will be installed at 20

  • MP Ivan gets plastered

    FOOTBALL mad MP Ivan Lewis is "labour-ing" after breaking his leg in a family kickabout. But he has promised to tackle his duties despite the injury which came while he was playing football with his children in Uppermill near Saddleworth on Sunday, July

  • Road to ruin

    BUILDERS took a bulldozer to a million pounds worth of luxury homes because they claimed they were owed cash. They dug-up a newly-layed approach road - but police stepped in to halt their demolition plans. Now they are banned from the site under a high

  • Refugees on way home

    AS the Kosovars prepare to move into their new homes in the area, one family will be packing on Sunday ready to return to their beloved homeland. On Monday, Mrs Miradija Zogjani and three of her five children will fly from Leeds/Bradford airport to Macedonia

  • Market scheme for jobless

    IT'S not every day you have the chance to start up your own business. But that's the unique opportunity the unemployed have been given, thanks to bosses at Radcliffe Market. Newcomers have been given the chance to "go it alone" now that Bury Council's

  • Ken's for the high jump

    MOST men settle for the pipe and slippers or perhaps a spot of gentle gardening when they reach the age of 70 - but not Kenneth Taylor. For the sprightly pensioner from Gaskell Street, Parr, has just signed on to do a parachute jump for charity! Kenneth

  • Valuable birds killed in blaze

    DEVASTATED pigeon fancier John Platt is counting the cost of a blaze which destroyed his pigeon loft killing 50 valuable birds. It is thought that youngsters caused the fire by setting light to an abandoned motor scooter which had been dumped alongside

  • Bury FC: American Gigg-alo!

    AMERICAN striker Carlos Rocha is the latest trialist to come under the scrutiny of Bury boss Neil Warnock. The powerfully-built Portuguese-born player plied his trade in the Major League for New England Revolution and A League for Boston Bulldogs. He

  • Kids on summer safari

    LIBRARIES in St Helens are offering children the chance to go on a safari this summer, literally! The reading safari scheme is launched on Monday, July 26 and continues through until August 26. It is part of a nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging

  • Death of Wembley hero Roy

    A FORMER Saints star who made his Challenge Cup debut at Wembley when Saints lifted the trophy for the first time in 1956 has died age 68. Mr. Roy 'Robbie' Robinson, who had been ill since February and underwent a leg amputation, passed away at his home

  • Countdown is on for this year's feast of fun

    THERE'S a whole host of surprises at this year's sunny St Helens Show staged from Friday, July 30 to Sunday, August 1 at Sherdley Park. And your ST HELENS STAR will be there in force as usual with our showstopping competitions including Mother and Baby

  • It's zero hour!

    MAYOR of St Helens, Councillor Pat Jackson was reduced to tears at the launch of the Zero Tolerance Campaign of Violence Against Women and Children in this area. Her tears were prompted by a heart-tugging tale related by fellow councillor, Pat Ireland

  • Bob aims to stack up degrees

    A FORK lift truck driver who swapped his job shifting baked beans for writing essays has graduated with a first class honours degree in Politics and History. Bob Hayes, 41, of Cross Barn Walk, Darwen, started work as a fork lift truck driver at Asda's

  • Success for water polo stars

    TYLDESLEY'S water polo aces have been in international waters. England's 18-year-old junior captain Michael Cowburn made his senior debut in Stockholm against sides from Sweden, Poland, Denmark, South Africa and the host city. And 16-year-old Dominic

  • £25m boost is a springboard to a finer future

    AS exclusively revealed in the Star last week, St Helens has won a £25 million cash shot in the arm which will attract more than £100-million of further investment to create and preserve thousands of jobs and improve the borough. The 'Count Me In Bid'

  • Andy's aiming for Europe

    NEW winners will emerge at Hesketh Golf Club on Monday with the NorthWest final of the Lombard Trophy. Europe's biggest pro-am always produces some fine sport. But last year's winners, Wearside, who went on to take the grand final in Portugal, will be

  • Golborne look good at the top

    GOLBORNE are the smash hits of the Leigh & District Tennis League. With less than a handful of matches remaining they have a healthy lead at the top of Division One. But watch out for Tyldesley - well down the list but with two matches in hand. At

  • Partington gives Atherton the edge

    SUNDAY victories for Atherton and Golborne keep them in touch at the top of the Bolton Association. But there was more misery for Astley & Tyldesley - beaten again. Atherton scored an impressive victory over struggling Clifton by 87 runs. They made

  • Today's the day

    A look back at events in history on July 23 with Mike Badham 776BC: The first Olympic Games were held in Greece. 1745: Young Pretender Charles Stuart landed in the Hebrides. 1821: Great actor Edmund Kean returned from America with the toe-bone of dead

  • Bitter sweet for A&T aces

    RIDERS from Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway have enjoyed mixed fortunes. They recorded their first Manchester League Division Two victory of the season at Gin Pit. Damien Hack and Martin Phillips sped to maximum scores with good back-up from the

  • Moss Side win World Cup!

    SOUTH RIBBLE'S mini 'World Cup' Kwik Cricket tournament was fought out by enthusiastic youngsters in the summer sunshine. Five local primary schools attended the inaugural event at Vernon's Cricket Club, Factory Lane, Penwortham. It had been put together

  • Guard against bogus callers

    BRITISH Gas is urging people across Blackburn to be on their guard, following a number of bogus caller incidents. The warning comes as the company prepares to visit homes in the town over the next two months, amid fears that the bogus callers would strike

  • Step too far for twins

    THE mother of twin toddlers with cerebral palsy has accused Bury Council of being "uncaring". Mrs Amanda Racktoo (30) has been waiting nine weeks for officials to fix a step in her back garden which she says is dangerous. She said: "There's a three-inch

  • Schools locked in combat

    BUDDING cricketers from across Preston have been celebrating the end of term with the annual round of competitions. Archbishop Temple High School took on Broughton High School in the Year Eight final. Broughton were all out for 103, a total Archbishop

  • CAB office to close

    BURY'S Citizens Advice Bureau is to close its office on The Rock next month after 20 years' town centre presence. Thousands of clients will now have to phone new advice lines or book appointments at outreach sessions in local community centres. These

  • We don't like to be beside the seaside

    TWO half centuries for Morecambe proved to be Daf's undoing as the seasiders managed a 21-run win at Sandy Lane. (LEYLAND DAF 160, MORECAMBE 181-6) Professional Ashwell Prince hit 56, while skipper Phil Thornton made 59 to take Morecambe through to the

  • Operation Cane targets school vandals

    POLICE in Leyland are to get tough with bored vandals who cause thousands of pounds-worth of damage to local schools. Almost every school in the town has suffered at the hands of vandals during the long summer holiday. But, for the first time, local schools

  • Banned driver's maximum jail term

    A BANNED driver with more than 30 previous convictions for driving while disqualified was jailed for six months - the maximum sentence - by Blackburn magistrates. The court heard that Robert Wayne Bausor, 29, of North Road, had a fascination with cars

  • Watered down

    DEVASTATED residents of Newington Drive have been refilling a threatened lodge using hosepipes in a bid to save wildlife. The residents faced scenes of destruction as their fight to save the home of nesting birds seemed lost - the wildlife lodge was drained

  • Love at first sight as Everton are shot down

    Pre-season friendly: Burnley 1 Everton 0 - Andy Neild reports BURNLEY fans have had to wait patiently before getting their first glimpse of new striker Alan Lee. But when they were officially introduced last night it quicky became a case of love at first

  • Baby arrives at high speed

    IMPATIENT baby Ioan Jack Thomas caused chaos when he decided to make a hasty arrival into the world in the back of his parents' car. The shocked couple, Helen and John, were forced to make a high-speed dash across town but the bouncing 9Ib 8oz baby boy

  • Gillespie set for Blackpool run-out

    KEITH Gillespie and Tim Flowers could both make their belated first appearances in Blackburn Rovers' pre-season build up against Second Division Blackpool at Bloomfield Road tomorrow. But Rovers boss Brian Kidd has gone out of his way to stress that he

  • Marilyn beats sound barrier

    A TEACHER has proven that disability is no barrier to success with a trip to St James's Palace. Mrs Marilyn Hoggard (40) of Leach Street, Prestwich, has not let profound deafness hold her back. In fact, she was one of only 25 City and Guild candidates

  • The two Neils take charge

    TWO men called Neil helped Leyland on their way to a neat three-wicket win over Preston in the first round of the Vaux Bitter Cup. (PRESTON 173-8, LEYLAND 174-7) Neil Rimmer and Neil Kenyon made half-centuries as Leyland secured their passage through

  • Fears for kids in hospital move

    SICK youngsters who need surgery will have to travel to South Manchester with plans for children's facilities at North Manchester General Hospital under threat. The hospital is unlikely to get its promised improvements after the Royal College of Surgeons

  • All credit to David!

    A TOWN centre retailer has been rewarded with £500 after foiling a credit card fraudster. David Cowgill, who runs Cowgill's Toy Shop and Stationers in Market Place, Clitheroe, has been named Fraudbuster of the Month. The award is part of the national

  • Rise in crime causes concern

    POLICE say they are targeting known criminals in the fight against rising crime. Concerned residents met with police in Radcliffe this week to relay fears over what they see as a sharp rise in violent crime in the area. They went to a Bury South Police

  • Police worries

    I WRITE in reply to the letter by the 'concerned citizen' published in your 15 July edition. I know exactly what he/she means and have to agree. I find it alarming that in a supposedly democratic and free country, this sort of thing is all too common

  • Surveillance was just girls on film!

    IN reply to a recent letter concerning obtrusive surveillance techniques employed by the police, I would like to de-mystify what naturally seems like a highly sinister activity. Just recently I witnessed some sort of musical gathering in the square outside

  • Shop till you drop in Bury!

    BUSINESS in Bury has received a massive boost from a new report which marks the town out as having one of the best shopping centres in the region. Local officials have welcomed a survey of the top 100 shopping centres in the country which ranked Bury

  • Care home's link with £1.5m business crash

    THE owners of a residential home today pledged that its future was secure after the sudden sacking of a husband and wife management team. But the Lancashire Evening Telegraph can reveal that Beech Grove Residential Home in Clitheroe has links with a businessman

  • A must for all smokers

    ANY adult smoker who seeks an antidote to their social oppressors should contact FOREST for a free copy of our new magazine "Free Choice". It counters the propaganda of the anti-smoker industry and offers an irreverent look at smoking issues. The first

  • What's in a name?

    IT was interesting to read the letter from Stephen Jones published in The Citizen the other week, and then have it endorsed by another of your readers last week. There can therefore be no doubt that he is on the right track, especially to move the market

  • Preston jock prepares for radio debut

    TUNE into Atlantic 202 and wake up to Preston newcomer Marc Brow, presenter of the all new Big Brow Breakfast Show. To kick the programme off, former Walton-le-Dale High School pupil Marc broadcast his debut from The Mermaid Cafe in Blackpool. Billed

  • Lord Peter's 'no' to Arms

    NEWLY declared Lord, Councillor Peter Smith now bears the title Baron Smith of Leigh, of Wigan in the County of Greater Manchester. Cllr Smith explained his title: "It was always going to be Leigh, that is where I was born, and of course it is Leigh's

  • Royal invite for adventurer

    TEA and biscuits at Buckingham Palace was the order of the day for a young chap from Preston after scooping Gold in The Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme. And, slimline Derek Eccles, of Parlick Road, Ribbleton, has even more cause for celebration after

  • Getting the bear facts

    A STEEL band, children's entertainment, and stalls were all part of an information bazaar held this week at Deepdale Junior School. The event, organised by the ethnicity and health unit at the University of Central Lancashire, gave people living in the

  • Desperately seeking Rosie

    I AM hoping Citizen readers can help a group of old sailors to trace a missing shipmate. We last met up in 1951, when we came home from the Korean war. A group of us got together after a gap of 40 years and one mate is always mentioned but no one has

  • Time to ditch calming

    I NOTICE that approval has been reached for the new accident and emergency unit to be based at Fairfield General Hospital, and this is only to be applauded. Can we therefore assume that the ridiculous narrowing of Rochdale Old Road, which is much busier

  • Court clerks to train here...

    THE University of Central Lancashire's legal studies division has been contracted to provide professional qualification training to court clerks, the legal advisers in magistrates' courts. The requirement is that all court clerks must be professionally

  • Bury leaflet full of imagination

    MY wife and I recently visited the south coast and the lovely walled city of Chichester. We went to the local tourist information office to buy a book on local walks and inside we picked up a leaflet extolling the virtues of Bury! What a super place it

  • Estate's £500,000

    HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds are to be pumped into Preston's troubled Callon estate. Plans include getting residents to come up with their own artistic creations to be used on the estate, such as floorscapes, railings and fancy street furniture. It

  • Can we still take EU seriously?

    THE new European Commission have had their first meeting. The previous Commission had to resign in disgrace after allegations of sleaze against some members. They were sacked weeks ago - each with a reported payment of £300,000 to go quietly - and their

  • Dying wish honoured

    A GRIEVING woman has seen her mother's last wish come true - after months wrangling with a funeral director over cash donated at her funeral. Janet Mather feared her late mother May Grimes' final wish - for all donations made at her funeral to be passed

  • Eastern delight

    THE finest craftwork to come out of Asia is currently on display at the Harris Museum in Preston. The exhibition includes scores of extracts from craftsmen in Asia, particularly from India and Pakistan, varying from intricate work with cloth to fascinating

  • Inspectors give primary school the thumbs-up

    A PRESTON primary school started the summer holidays with a celebration after receiving the thumbs-up from inspectors. At its last inspection St Matthew's CE Primary School, in New Hall Lane, was told certain standards would have to be raised, and special

  • Prison chiefs defend inspectors' report

    WYMOTT prison chiefs have sprung to the defence of their jail in after inspectors slammed them in a report released yesterday (Wednesday, July 21). Prison governor Ray Doughty believes that a report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspectorate does not give enough

  • No rest in bid for cash

    LANCASHIRE County Council's deputy leader Frank McKenna has promised to work towards securing £25 million for Preston, following the county's success in attracting more than £20million in regeneration cash. Coun McKenna said: "Obviously I am delighted

  • Is council being run efficiently?

    THE audited accounts of Bury Metro for the financial year ending March 31, 1998, were made available to the public in February 1999. The complexity of these accounts means that they are not available to the public until some nine months after the financial

  • Entry to 'Best Kept' competition to be restricted?

    A POPULAR village competition is in danger of becoming a victim of its own success as more and more communities compete for the 'Best Kept' crown. The Best Kept Village Competition this year involves 124 villages - a 30 per cent increase since 1991 and

  • Danger journey as farmer finds bomb

    FARMER John Kenyon unwittingly drove 30 miles with an unexploded bomb in the back of his lorry! The Leyland man only discovered his antique find when he started spreading sand he had collected from Southport Beach, on land at his Slater Lane farm. And

  • Roll out the red carpet...

    PRESTON rolls out the red carpet once again tomorrow (Friday, July 23) as Her Majesty The Queen visits the area as part of a two-day tour of the region. Accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, Her Majesty will visit Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, to officially

  • TEN YEARS AGO: Warm and cosy homes

    RESIDENTS on a Darwen council estate would be warm and cosy, thanks to a £361,000 Government cash hand-out. The money would be spent on giving the Redvers Road houses, which were more than 30 years old, a facelift as part of the "Warm and Cosy" scheme

  • Residents concerned over new market site

    RESIDENTS living close to the proposed new site for Leyland Market have voiced their concern that it may ruin their neighbourhood. Under plans drawn up by Market Initiatives, the firm employed by South Ribble Borough Council to run the market, traders

  • School revamped by local workers and TA unit

    IT was a case of all hands on deck last Saturday when troops were drafted in to Fishwick County Primary to give the school a revamp. Members of the Queen's Lancashire Company, and enthusiastic volunteers from local businesses joined pupils and teachers

  • FIVE YEARS AGO: MP backs inquiry

    MP Greg Pope backed a Commons motion calling for a Government inquiry into the activities of financial advice company Knight Williams and Co Ltd. Mr Pope had been contacted by several Hyndburn people, some of them pensioners, who claimed they had suffered

  • Police launch road safety crackdown

    ANOTHER massive crackdown has been launched in Leyland in a bid to make the town's roads safer. The new safety campaign is designed to reduce the number of accidents caused by speed, excessive drink, defective vehicles or failure to wear seatbelts. Roadside

  • BOWLS: Thwaites East Lancashire Premier League

    COLNE Cricket Club have increased their lead at the top to eight points this week following their 12-2 home victory over fourth placed St Andrew's with Glyn Shuttleworth winning 21-5. Graham Procter won 21-19 for St Andrew's. Great Harwood had a narrow

  • First point for Our Lady

    WINNING the last dominoes match of the evening enabled Our Lady to gain their first point of the season in the Lytham St Annes Darts and Dominoes Summer League, drawing 12-12 against third-placed Lytham Leisure Centre. Results: Lytham Catholic Club 11

  • Building in Progress

    SOUTH Ribble's economy is to get a £1.5 million boost with the announcement of several new building projects by the area's largest housing groups. One of the biggest contracts to be undertaken by Progress Housing Group is the new women's refuge, which

  • Stinging in the rain!

    HIGH-FLYING St Annes IV were dealt a sharp lesson in the rain by lowly neighbours South Shore III in their Fylde League division 2 match. Looking secure thanks to a stand of 76 between the ultra-consistent Duncan Webb (71 not out) and Mike Hartley (21

  • Movement is music

    I WOULD like to thank Melanie Holden who runs a Music and Movement class at the Harvey Street Community Centre, Oswaldtwistle. Every Thursday afternoon, for an hour or so, around a dozen ladies aged over 50 keep fit. She also includes a free raffle and

  • Winning double for Carl

    CARL Myerscough from Blackpool scored a shot and discus double at the CGU Under 23 International at Hexham on Sunday (July 18), but he refused to comment on his day's performances - such was his disappointment. The 19-year-old giant, nicknamed the Blackpool

  • By-election blue skies for Tories?

    JUST AS one swallow does not make a summer, one mid-term by-election victory of the kind the Tories are celebrating today at Eddisbury does not clearly spell out a revival. This after all was a traditional Tory stronghold - one which was not toppled in

  • When people soldiered on

    REGARDING John Blunt's remarks (LET, July 14) on stress, you have to admire him for having the guts to say what I am sure 90 per cent of the people in this country think about the massive claims for work-related stress. He is quite right when he states

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Storey calls for commitment

    EDENFIELD skipper Brett Storey believes his side need to get back to basics if they are to breathe new life into their flagging season. The Gincroft Lane outfit are currently fourth from bottom in the Jennings Ribblesdale League going into tomorrow's

  • Swimming into 21st century

    NEWTON Hall Amateur Swimming Club is producing a superb range of services to cater for the potential competitive swimmer. A new telephone number (07071) 794665 or 07071 SWIM-OK is being launched in a blaze of advertising. The Alphanumeric number is reputed

  • All-action archery for all ages

    ARCHERY on the Fylde has taken a step forward recently with the start of construction of Blackpool Bowmen's clubhouse extension at its Little Bispham site. With recent increases in membership, the present clubhouse and range has become cramped. The new

  • Dog owners beyond a joke

    AS an animal lover, I am totally appalled by most dog owners. Have they never heard of "pooper scoopers?" I know it's not nice to pick up dog waste, but that is a responsibility they take when they first decide they want a dog. I'm sick of having to treat

  • Holbro hit top spot

    IN Division A of the Rossall Sixes league Holbro FC take the lead after their 2-0 win against last weeks' leaders Supreme Plastics. The Untouchables are in second on goal difference, they beat Macprint 2-0. Kings Arms beat Carter Engineering 5-0, while

  • A plea for patience

    THERE'S a change sweeping through Bloomfield Road with the arrival of Karl Oyston at the helm. No more promises of a superstadium at Whyndyke Farm, there's now an affiliated supporters club, the Tangerine faithful have even chosen the new kit. And it's

  • Restaurant reopened by Lancashire tourist experts

    THE Old Stables restaurant and tea rooms in the grounds of Towneley Park have reopened after being closed for most of this year. The tenancy was taken over by Lancashire Welcome Days Out, which also owns the coffee shop at Oswaldtwistle Mills and organises

  • Camera man's drink warning

    A LANCASTER photographer who threatened officers with his belt at the city's police station had to be restrained by the use of CS gas, a court heard. Earlier on, Clive Dainty's partner had gone to a Lancaster pub to warn them he was en route and making

  • Get rowing

    CALLING all ex-rowers - and those university student rowers looking for somewhere to train during the summer - your troubles are over. The Lancaster John of Gaunt Rowing Club want new rowers and people who have rowed before. The level that you have rowed

  • Slow delivery rate

    CAN anyone tell me how a letter posted first class on Monday, July 5 (first post) did not arrive in Lytham until Thursday, July 8. No, it wasn't from Land's End, but from Blackburn 25 miles away. Let's hope changes at the Royal Mail improve delivery times

  • Teanlowe plan is doomed

    CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new supermarket at Poulton's Teanlowe Centre look doomed. Wyre's policy committee, behind closed doors on Tuesday, voted to halt any further talks on the proposal to put the shopping complex's car park up for bids from supermarket

  • E.coli food poison alert as six fall victim

    PUBLIC health officials today revealed they were investigating a possible link between six cases of deadly E.coli poisoning across East Lancashire in the past 11 days. The latest victim is a 21-year-old woman from Padiham who is being treated for E.coli

  • Back to winning ways for polo lads

    Lancaster 13 Birkenhead 4 FOLLOWING last weekend's narrow defeats Lancaster were back to winning ways - and exacted a sweet revenge the following day. With an experienced backbone to the side in Bowers and Detko being joined by newcomer Dougie Campbell

  • Rough element growing

    I AM writing in regard to the revamping of St Annes, which will be lovely if it is done. I'm afraid, though, it won't benefit St Annes in respect of getting rid of the rough element on the streets which seems to be growing weekly. As an OAP I've become

  • New chapter in Alf's career

    PRAISE from the veteran left-winger Tony Benn is the crowning achievement for a Fylde councillor turned author in his 80th year. The firebrand MP has written a foreword to Alf Goldberg's new book, World's End for Sir Oswald, recalling the East End battles

  • Queen to unveil statue

    A HOST of celebrities will join the Queen as she unveils a new statue of Eric Morecambe on Friday. The Royal party and Her Majesty's guests arrive in North Lancashire for what is being billed as one of the highlights of the national calendar. Several

  • Town make bright start

    ST HELENS Town AFC began their pre-season programme with a 2-1 win over North West Counties second division side Ashton Town FC. The Town goals came from Franny Hill and new signing Steve Cunningham who joined Town from North West Counties rivals Atherton

  • Drunken cab boss who fondled girl, 16, jailed

    A FORMER taxi firm boss who molested a 16-year-old girl, has started a three month jail term. Father of six Mohammed Choudhrey, 40, fondled his victim, told her he wanted to have sex with her and wanted to take her to Pakistan, Burnley Crown Court heard

  • Hesketh in hunt for talent

    Lancaster City 1 Arbroath 2 CITY manager Tony Hesketh is confident of signing two or three of the trialists in this match during the next couple of weeks. But he was "disappointed" to miss out on the signing of hot property Brian Butler to Leigh RMI this

  • Shop manager groped assistants

    A LANCASTER food store manager groped his female staff and was "sexually suggestive and verbally abusive", a court heard. Daniel Hogan, 22, committed a number of indecent assaults on his young female staff, aged between 16 and 23. One of the girls stated

  • Hasty legislation might reduce organ donations

    AS a result of the pious fuss about the whites only organ donation, Frank Dobson is talking about legislation to prohibit any condition being attached to such donations. But the supply of organs is not nearly adequate as it is and such legislation would

  • Berry is pick of the crop . . .

    TEENAGE golfer Ian Berry has done it again! Seven days after becoming Grange Park champion in the 36-hole scratch medal final, the talented 17-year-old took Saturday's Captain's Prize with a final round nett 70 for a 136 total to win by one shot. The

  • Sorry cup exit for St Annes

    ST ANNES lost their Vaux Bitter Cup first round match at Vernon Road on Saturday by 37 runs to league leaders Darwen. Put in to bat by Russ Bradley, Darwen had a firm foundation with a first wicket partnership of 64 between Graeme Ainslie and Chris Lowe

  • Do you know tattooed attacker?

    A TATTOOED pervert subjected a housewife to a terrifying sexual attack outside a Morecambe primary school. Police made a second urgent appeal to the public this week to help them catch the beast after the full horrifying details of the sex attack on a