Archive

  • Sweeping orchestra for the Gladiator

    FRIENDS, Romans, countrymen -- hail the thunderous soundtrack to Ridley Scott's eagerly awaited epic, Gladiator, comes out this month. The soundtrack is scored by Academy Award winning composer of The Lion King Hans Zimmer and musician/composer Lisa Gerrard

  • The ex-Fylde

    Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy THIS is the time when I start planning my walks and take into consideration the impact of lots of visitors with the associated parking problems. This is why I chose to walk along the Blackpool beach from the airport

  • Assassins' anniversary showdown

    THE year 2000 marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of Bury RUFC in 1875 and the 50th anniversary of the founding of Anti Assassins RUFC in 1950. Ever since the AAs were founded there have been very strong links between the two clubs and these links

  • Thorne draws blood from sorry Shakers

    Stoke City 3 Bury 0 By STEVE BOTT at the Britannia Stadium THE gap in class between the haves and the have nots in Division Two was never more starkly highlighted than in this demoralising defeat. Bury were never going to have more than a walk-on part

  • WIGGY HANDS OUT BUBBLY IN FINAL SALUTE

    Witton Albion 3 Radcliffe Borough 0 DYED in the hair Boro fan, Wiggy, reached over the barrier and handed two bottles of champers to skipper Mark Dempsey as the final whistle blew at Wincham Park. The whole Boro team followed him over to shake hands with

  • Today's the day

    1865: Ohio in America was the location for the world's first train robbery. The bandits derailed the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad engine and looted the express car and stole cash from the male passengers. 1945: The Germans had their last U-boat success

  • This week in 1975 25 years ago

    VICTORY: Following their landslide victory in the local elections, the Conservatives announced plans to lead every council committee and sub-committee of Bury Council. The then Tory group leader, Councillor Albert Little, explained: "The question of offering

  • Invite to battalion reunion

    THE 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment's Reunion will be held at the Shepherds Inn, Carlisle, on Friday, May 12. Tickets are £13, for dinner, followed by dancing and are available from J Mallinson on 01228 520877. JOHN LITTLE, The Knoll, Oxton, Wirral

  • Oh! what a circus

    HOW entertaining the American Circus was when it came to Burnley. The artists, whom my nephew and I enjoyed, were there of their own free will and quite happy to perform. The action-packed show was a thrill for the children and the clowns went down a

  • Benefits in poll tax

    COUNCIL tax is clearly unfair, as many people use local services without making any contribution to them. Poll tax is much more equitable and my opinion is that if, when it was introduced, local authorities had been limited to raising the bill for each

  • Bankruptcy help at hand

    THE latest government statistics show that bankruptcies in the United Kingdom have been climbing higher year on year since 1994 and about 25,000 people are expected to go bankrupt during the first year of this millennium. I am the founder of the Bankruptcy

  • Victims twice over

    THE verdict of murder in the case of the Norfolk farmer, Tony Martin, raises serious questions about the status of the law on self defence. The common law basis of self defence is the same in the United States and in England. However, in America, not

  • New lease of life for old convent

    HISTORY watchdogs fear convent homes will ruin the setting of an imposing Victorian building. But planners have this week given the go-ahead for 10 apartments at the three storey Holly Bank, originally built as a pair of semis in 1873 in Leigh's Orchard

  • Bon-blooming-jour!

    SAY hello to a classic Ealing comedy set in the sweltering English summer of 1949. Or rather, say "bonjour" as a distinguished British identity is thrown into question when Passport To Pimlico comes to the Grand Theatre. When an unexploded bomb is accidentally

  • Breath of fresh air from Ben

    OTHER people's air can get right up your nose. And if you're the sort of person who's happy to shell out for "poncey water", bug-ridden yoghurt and teeth-cracking muesli, then designer air is just the next step. Or so master raconteur Ben Elton believes

  • Hottest ticket in town

    DAZZLING and dramatic are just two words to describe the latest offering from Stageworks Worldwide Productions. As the smoke cleared at the start of the Hot Ice 2000 premiere on April 29, sharp-suited skaters with slick sunglasses and mobile phones moved

  • WHERE YOUR VOTE WENT.

    RAMSBOTTOM Sheila Magnall (Con)...1,847 Mark Riddell (Lab)...1,286 David Foss (Lib Dem)...352 Majority...561 Turnout...31.57 TORY GAIN FROM LABOUR TOTTINGTON Yvonne Wright (Con)...1,779 Victor McClung (Lab)...840 Janet Turner (Lib Dem)...326 Majority.

  • Fire service answer 999 calls only

    FIREFIGHTERS across East Lancashire are taking industrial action in protest at the dismissal of a recruit who was injured in training. Most fire stations were only answering emergency calls from 6pm yesterday and a crisis meeting was held between the

  • Labour singing the Blues

    LABOUR supporters across East Lancashire were today feeling the aftershocks of a political "earthquake" which rocked the foundations of its traditional strongholds. The party's loss of seven seats on Blackburn with Darwen Council came as it was revealed

  • Tearful goodbye as factory shuts

    THE beer flowed and so did the tears as staff from Bentwood Brothers staged an "end of an era" party. Around half of the 108 staff gathered at Heap Bridge Workingmen's Club as they clocked off for the last time following the company's decision to shut

  • It's an obstacle course!

    HAVE the council Highways department taken out shares in Tarmac as it seems that every road in the town has been invaded by badly designed speed restrictors? Rather than actually slowing traffic down as I am sure is the well meant intention, they seem

  • I felt ashamed

    MY family and I recently spent Easter weekend in London, travelling to Euston Station from Liverpool Lime Street and then commuting many miles on the London underground. With it being our first visit to the capital, and regarding the negative publicity

  • Champagne celebrations go on and on

    TO say Preston will be celebrating this Sunday is an understatement - the party began nearly two weeks ago! But whereas the champagne-swilling at Cambridge and the impromptu rain-sodden dance on Lowthorpe Road on Easter Monday were good fun - the real

  • Sean's sure of a trophy

    HE'S helped Preston North End clinch the Division Two Championship -- but Sean Gregan went one better last season, finishing 14th in the Premiership and winning the FA Cup! The North End skipper has been selected by Barnsley's Dave Bassett in a 22-player

  • Jesus film celebration

    LOCAL churches are going head to head with an American psychopath and the escapades of two hormonal teenagers, in an attempt to increase awareness of the life of Jesus. More than 20 churches banded together to persuade the UCI cinema to show a 92-minute

  • Showcase for buildings

    TWO of Preston's most famous landmarks are to feature in a national project -- one of the world's largest picture libraries. The Grade I listed Harris Museum and Art Gallery and a Grade II listed water fountain in Haslam Park are to be pictured and included

  • A good hair day

    HAIRDRESSING student Emma Watson is heading for the big time -- it's cut and dried! The 21-year-old, who is studying for an NVQ at Preston College, recently walked away from a national competition with one of the top prizes. Emma missed out on first place

  • Don't waste your vote

    ELECTION fever is upon us again today (Thursday) with all the main parties and candidates vying for political control of Preston. Yet, the turn-out for local elections across the country has always been traditionally low with usually a third, or less,

  • Tories bloom in ballot

    PRESTON proved yet again how contentious local elections can be with the Tories coming up smelling of 'blue' roses. One of the shock defeats was Labour councillor Valerie Wise, daughter of veteran Preston MP Audrey, who lost the Tulketh ward seat by 28

  • Families in chemical blaze alert

    PEOPLE living nearby were told to stay indoors and close their windows at the weekend following a huge chemical fire which ripped through a warehouse on the Lea Green business park. The fire, which couldbe seen from as far away as the Lake District, started

  • Crossed lines on mobile phone

    A MORECAMBE man was left stunned after he bought a brand new mobile phone as a gift for his girlfriend only to discover that it had already been deactivated as fraudulent. And Gavin Boyd's frustration turned to anger when the high street retailer from

  • Bin bags binned!

    THE days of free plastic bin bags are numbered under new plans to shake up the way the district's waste is collected. The council is looking at leasing wheelie bins for every household in the district which would have separate compartments for different

  • Blair's pledge on car component jobs

    LABOUR MP Peter Pike has won a promise from Tony Blair that aid being offered to the West Midlands because of the Rover crisis will also come to East Lancashire where the motor component industry has been hit hard. The Prime Minister gave the pledge at

  • Hilton to put literary skills to the test in MP competition

    HILTON Dawson MP will be putting his literary skills to the test when he reveals memories of his first day at school to children at the Christchurch Playgroup, on May 8. The visit will see Hilton Dawson MP read a story about his first day at school that

  • Test driver had begun to repaint van

    A MAN who took a van for a test drive, didn't take it back and was later spotted by the owner painting it a different colour, Burnley magistrates heard. The van was, in the meantime, involved in an accident after the owner, who had been searching for

  • Still fighting on the beaches!

    THE district's beaches have again failed to make the grade, according to a critical new report. The Marine Conservation Society has passed only two beaches in the North West this year and none are in the Morecambe Bay area. Although there has been a decrease

  • Starting with a bang

    MORECAMBE, Lancaster and the Lune Valley all enjoyed an unprecedented start to the new tourist season. A combination of fine weather and a late Easter merging into the May Day weekend has helped create the good start. The whole of April proved to be consistently

  • Tenants to get glimpse of estate future

    RYELANDS residents will be taken to Manchester next week to see for themselves how the estate could look if they give ambitious development plans the go ahead. The fact-finding visit to the Bellway Urban Renewal Scheme by councillors and community representatives

  • Saints step into Tigers' den

    SAINTS are facing an injury crisis as they brace themselves to tackle the Tigers of Castleford in the Wheldon Road Jungle on Sunday (kick-off 6.35pm). For a Saints' side hoping to stretch their winning run to eight games could lack Sean Long, Paul Wellens

  • The only way is up . . .

    PRESTON and Leyland's cricket teams are propping up the bottom of the Bay 96.9 Northern Cricket League table following a disastrous start to the season. Leyland, Leyland DAF and Preston are occupying three of the bottom four places in Division One following

  • Tries aren't everything . . .

    Saints 50 Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants 30 FREE-SCORING Saints kept in touch at the top with their seventh win in as many games after this 10-try romp on glorious Bank Holiday Monday. But it was a case of 'after the Lord Mayor's show' following the Wigan

  • Roberto's monkey marvel

    HOW many old-timers remember Roberto, the Italian toffee man, and Giuseppe, his bow-tied pet monkey? The intriguing question comes from pensioner Peter Uttley, via the pen of his son, Richard, who tells me they are both avid followers of this page of

  • Hospice into the millennium

    ST CATHERINE'S Hospice continues to develop its services for the new millennium. Its new extension has aided therapists and considerably more patients are benefiting from its Day Care Facilities. The 'nurse-led' organisation which seeks out its own funding

  • £500 boost for Crimestoppers

    LANCASHIRE Crimestoppers are £500 richer, thanks to a donation from the Constabulary's Police Federation Constable's branch board. The money will be used to promote the Crimestoppers scheme throughout the county, and also go towards reward payments. The

  • Fire courses will boost recruits

    AWARENESS courses have been planned as part of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's on-going commitment to recruiting women and people from ethnic minorities. One-week courses will be held in July, August, October and November, for the target groups to

  • Benny Hill-type chase over fanzine

    THE people behind a new North End fanzine have blasted the club -- for treating them like criminals. The cheeky chaps behind Life in a Northern Town have revealed that stewards at North End's celebrations at the Millwall match chased them away from the

  • Director urges people to keep up the good work

    THE Director of Christian Aid came to Preston this week for the first time in two years, to thank local folk for their support. Dr Daleep Makarji visited two local venues before leading a press conference at the Lancashire County Museum, in Stanley Street

  • Priest to leave estate

    HIGHER Folds' Catholic community is to lose its Parish Priest. Auxiliary Bishop Malone visited St Gabriel's on Sunday to make the announcement. The decision to use Fr Tom Gaghey in another part of the Arch-diocese comes at a time when ordinations into

  • Sunny side up with mill saving

    AN Atherton green group has welcomed news that the semi-derelict Victoria Mill is to be revamped. Chairman of the voluntary Atherton Environmental Projects, Derek Bullock, is delighted that the Bolton Road factory site has a brighter future. Now the group

  • Swapping chilly for Chile

    A STUDENT is planning to swap somewhere that's chilly by nature for somewhere that's Chile by name -- and do her bit for charity to boot! Vanessa Nuttall (pictured), from Great Harwood, hopes to escape from Blighty to Chile for a holiday with a difference

  • Cannon and Ball lead revival for church of 2000

    TOP comedy duo Cannon and Ball will have them rolling in the aisles. Go-ahead Atherton Revival Church has hired a big hall to pack in the fans of braces-twanging funnyman Bobby Ball. Bobby (pictured) will be at King's Park at Atherleigh from 7.30pm on

  • Missing dog anguish

    A DISTRAUGHT family have appealed for a relative to get in contact with them as they hunt for a missing pet. The Daley family last saw Tara, a German Shepherd, on April 19. The next morning, she had vanished. Relative James Biggs, who had been staying

  • Prison drivers get medic shocker

    A SHOCK scheme to steer young offenders away from joy riding was launched at Hindley Prison this week. Greater Manchester Ambulance Service's "The Way Out" will use hard hitting tactics to convey the message that stealing cars can have fatal consequences

  • New bid to beat violence

    LICENSEES in Blackpool have vowed to eliminate town centre violence and unruly behaviour once and for all, the Citizen can disclose. In the last fortnight a number of meeetings have been held attended by licensees, and representatives of the police and

  • Council has still not replied

    I NOTICED in this week's Citizen that you inquired about people who'd asked for information from the council but to no avail. I wrote to environmental services department about the travellers parked in the middle of Salt Ayre sports fields, asking what

  • Bloomin' initiative

    SOME time ago you had a front page feature about the Horticultural Therapy Project based at the Moor Hospital, Lancaster. At that time it was felt that the project would cease to exist. Fortunately, through persistent asking of questions via the press

  • People should have more consideration

    AS MY wife and myself are both blind we receive your publication on tape as part of the Talking Newspaper service. There has recently been much discussion concerning the problem of dog dirt fouling the Promenade, this is also a big problem in the many

  • We're keen to be green but cannot join the scheme!

    RECYCLING is obviously becoming more and more necessary if we are to avoid other less environmentally friendly and expensive means of dealing with waste. Lancaster, south of the river is mainly covered by the Green Box scheme with the exception of the

  • Don't make dogs the scapegoats

    LAST week I wrote to the council regarding horse-riders leaving horse droppings on Morecambe beach -- I have not received a reply. I would also like to know what action the council intends to take over the amount of bottles and broken glass mainly from

  • Pools could still close on a whim

    A SPECIAL meeting of the leisure and museums sub-committee requisitioned by four of its members to receive an update on the city council's take-over of the management of the swimming pools at Carnforth, Heysham and Hornby heard last Thursday that council

  • We won a cup!

    Blackpool fans can at least celebrate winning some silverware this season -- over the old enemy. Blackpool's youth side swept away North End in the final of the Lancashire Youth FA Cup final at Deepdale on Tuesday night. Darren Connell scored the winner

  • Kings start season in winning ways

    THE senior cricketers at King Edward VII & Queen Mary School made an excellent start as they face up to a demanding schedule of fixtures this season. A victory by 130 runs over visitors from Liverpool College gave captain John Hill and his side a

  • Fleetwood team sing Ali-lujah

    A MAGNIFICENT century followed by two timely wickets by Fleetwood's Indian professional Abbas Ali earned the home side an exciting victory over Lancaster at Broadwater on Monday (May 1). Ali scored 105 out of the 177 total and then struck with the ball

  • Demon McGuinness

    DEMON Vimto Honda rider John McGuinness was in a class of his own when he swept to three unchallenged victories at the tight and twisty circuit at Olivers Mount, Scarborough. In doing so, the 26-year-old Morecambe rider lifted the prestigious Ken Redfern

  • Charlie's degree of distinction!

    LOCAL sportsman Charlie Hill has won a place at Oxford University to study for his Masters Degree in theology and at the same time to qualify as a C of E Priest. Chris, as well as playing prop forward for both the Vale of Lune and Lancaster University

  • Dolly Blues crush Blyth spirit

    Blyth Spartans 0 Lancaster City 2 A UNSAVOURY incident minutes from time marred this fantastic victory as City kept on the pressure to stay in the top six. Player/manager Willie Moat appeared to have bitten Dean Martin's finger and, as a result, Moat

  • Cabinet secrets?

    LOCAL newspapers and members of the public often take for granted their ability to attend local council meetings and see council papers in advance of such meetings. But these rights are now under threat from the Labour Government. Few people will be aware

  • Hesketh toasts fantastic achievement

    Lancaster City 0 Bishop Auckland 1 LANCASTER are now guaranteed to finish in a record breaking sixth place but cannot steal fifth place from Emley after this second consecutive home defeat. Manager Tony Hesketh said: "Another day, we will play worse than

  • No red-letter day for Dawson

    LANCASTER MP Hilton Dawson has broken strict parliamentary rules forbidding the use of House of Commons stationery for party political purposes, The Citizen can reveal. Distinctive House of Commons envelopes are paid for from the public purse to help

  • Stress set to rocket

    AN engineering organisation representing Bury companies has warned stress claims in the workplace are set to rocket. EEF (Engineering Employers' Federation) North West say stress is set to be one of the most serious issues facing employers in the region

  • New look for trade estate

    A POPULAR trading estate is to undergo a £250,000 "facelift". The cash has come courtesy of the North West Development Agency and the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) as part of the business investment programme run by Bury Business Environment Association

  • Carolyn helps young business boffins

    BURY woman Carolyn Brooks has been appointed the town's business development worker by the Prince's Trust. Her new role will involve advising young people looking for support from the Trust, a national charity which provides financial and business support

  • So that's what you do Dad...

    HOW many of us were asked the question "What do your parents do?" when we were younger? Children whose parents work at BAE Systems, Warton, can now clearly give an answer having spent a day seeing exactly what their mothers and fathers do. More than 90

  • Cutting through red tape

    A NEW lobby group for the Fylde coast has been set up to help disabled and blind people get more involved with sports and leisure pursuits. The Disability Leisure Forum was formed following the success of the disability leisure sports club which meets

  • SCUNTHORPE v BURNLEY: By hook or by Cook

    PROMOTION-chasing Burnley have timed their sprint for the line to near perfection. And midfield thoroughbred Paul Cook is hoping the Clarets' late run up the rails will get their noses past the finishing post first at Scunthorpe tomorrow. Despite occupying

  • Vandals wreck bin scheme

    VANDALS have wrecked recycling bins in Bamber Bridge so many times that council bosses have decided to scrap the scheme. Local youths have trashed the units, situated behind the World of Pine store in Station Road, so badly that they are proving to expensive

  • Now you see them...now you don't

    POLICE in the South Ribble area have launched a "low profile" road policing campaign. "Operation Chameleon" will use of covert unmarked police cars and bikes to crack down on irresponsible drivers. Sergeant Steve Moon, of the Road Policing Unit -- with

  • New cop on the block

    THE new head of policing for Southern Division took up his post this week. Based at Leyland Police Station, Chief Superintendent Paul Harry will be responsible for the policing of Chorley, West Lancashire and South Ribble. He takes over from Andy Lincoln

  • Bid to boost RNLI funds

    THE 55+ Club Morecambe, Morecambe, would like to welcome everyone to a coffee morning in aid of the local RNLI Lifeboat, on Tuesday May 9 at the Platform. Coffee and biscuits are 50p and stalls include cakes, bring and buy and bric-a-brac. Organisers

  • Chairman Jim's Wembley date

    ST HELENS Town chairman Jim Barrett is the standard bearer for St Helens at Wembley on Saturday when, before the Carlsberg FA Vase final between Deal and Chippenham, there is a parade of all past winners as it's the last final before the stadium is demolsihed

  • Shrimps hit highest position ever

    Morecambe 2 Scarborough 0 MORECAMBE are hoping for a bumper crowd for their final match of the season at Christie Park on Saturday, to celebrate their best ever league position. It is a fantastic result for the Shrimps as this season which ironically

  • Flying start for Windle

    WINDLE have made a great start to the rounders season. For they won the annual Nat West Rounders tournament, which traditionally starts the rounders season at Ruskin Drive. The teams were split into two sections with top two going through to semi-finals

  • Bus commotion

    LANCASHIRE County Council is reminding passengers travelling to and from Lancaster by bus that Lancaster Bus Station is now closed for redevelopment. All bus services, including school services, will use the stops in the City Centre on Common Garden Street

  • Do you know who said it with flowers?

    CAN you help solve the mystery of the flower power campaigner? Baffled passers-by on Newlands Road in Lancaster have been scratching their heads trying to figure out why someone would go to the trouble of spelling out the word CAMPAIGNER in different

  • Mayor puts icing on the cake

    KITCHEN staff from a range of schools in Blackpool have cooked up a recipe for success in their chosen careers after studying for a national hospitality qualification. Staff from Collegiate High, Devonshire, Layton, Revoe, Stanley, Warbreck and Waterloo

  • Eric is just your cup of tea

    NEW official bone china beakers showing the Eric Morecambe Statue in full colour along with the signature of the sculptor Graham Ibbeson have gone on sale. They are made at a top Staffordshire Pottery and are expected to prove popular. They are available

  • Andrew gets in the driving seat

    A DISABLED learner driver is swapping his wheelchair for something a little nippier after getting a perfect score in his driving theory test. Bispham-based Andrew Brammer, 34, can now move on to learning to drive a specially adapted car and join the ranks

  • Roadworks

    BOTH the north and southbound entry sliproads on to the M6 at Junction 33 (Hampson Green) will be closed at the beginning of this weekend for resurfacing. The work is scheduled to start on Friday May 5 at 10pm and finish the following morning at 7am Saturday

  • So that's what you do Dad...

    HOW many of us were asked the question "What do your parents do?" when we were younger? Children whose parents work at BAE Systems, Warton, can now clearly give an answer having spent a day seeing exactly what their mothers and fathers do. More than 90

  • Hole i'th wall blues!

    BANK holiday day-trippers were left out of pocket when a town centre cash machine started under paying users. The hole-in-the-wall at Yorkshire Bank, in Abingdon Street, Blackpool, was dispensing sometimes as little as half the amount requested by card

  • District's wildlife

    WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is going hunting -- for local volunteers. The world's largest independent environmental organisation is inviting people in the Lancaster, Morecambe, Arnside, Fleetwood and the general area around Morecambe Bay to join

  • Socialists attack local politicians

    ALTERNATIVES to a capitalist economy will be discussed at a public meeting at the Albert Inn, Lancaster, next Tuesday, May 9. Entitled "May Day and Anti-capitalism - What Next?" it has been organised by the Socialist Party. A spokesman said: "We wanted

  • Cash awards for youth projects

    LOCAL youngsters are invited to apply for cash awards of up to £10,000 to fund exciting projects that make connections between our lives in the UK and those who live in countries on the Greenwich Meridian line. The On the Line Millennium Awards scheme

  • Girls set to kick into soccer action

    FOOTBALL-mad girls have been given the chance to score with a new team. The Higher Folds Action Group has started to put together an over 14s girls' squad, Higher Folds United, which will play in the North West Ladies' League. The side has been formed

  • Jenny swoops for four records

    BRAVE Jenny Coughlin has set aside personal problems to take British swimming by storm. The 16-year-old from Tyldesley SC, suffering from visual impairment, featured in the British Blind Sports Nationals in Wolverhampton. And in her first comp since her

  • Youth Games head our way

    THE prestigious Greater Manchester Youth Games are coming to Wigan for the first time. On the third weekend in June 5,000 athletes from throughout the 10 districts of the county will descend on Robin Park to compete in 16 sports. The 11th event is expected

  • Warriors swoop for lottery grant

    A BASKETBALL squad has slam-dunked a lottery grant -- to form an all women's team. Westleigh Warriors, a mixed squad formed by the Westleigh Youth Group, recognised the need for an all girl side and has been awarded £2,500 to set one up. "The mixed sessions

  • Church and Union Arms set for final flourish

    TWO dramatic penalty shoot-outs decided the finalists in the Carl Brown Memorial Trophy. Both matches in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League competition went the full nerve-tingling distance. And on Saturday (2pm) victors Church Inn and Union

  • Waywell salutes chairman Healey

    LEIGH RMI deservedly take all the sporting cheers this week. Champagne corks popped at the weekend as the Unibond League champions rocketed victory -- and celebrated the best season in the club's 102-year history. And, for delighted manager Steve Waywell

  • Child's Rugrats video was adult movie

    A BURY dad has told of his shock after discovering a children's video he'd bought for his son's third birthday contained "X" rated material. Now bosses at Asda, where the "Rugrats: The Movie" video was bought, are investigating how the tape contained

  • Environment Week gets green light

    IT'S green for go as Bury prepares to stage the biggest environmental event of its kind in the North West. Dozens of events and activities have been organised for Bury Environment Week which runs from May 20 to 29. The week culminates in a huge environment

  • Tributes pour in for Wif

    TRIBUTES have poured in for Councillor Wilf Clegg who died a week after he was critically injured in a road accident. Friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of a "lovely man" who was dedicated to his family and local community. The flag was flying

  • CLARETS: Wrexham's cup hopes

    WREXHAM this week booked their place in the final of the FAW Premier Cup but crucially for Burnley won't be taking their foot of the gas when they meet Gillingham in their final league game tomorrow. With a £100,000 prize on offer for the cup winners

  • Macca may go to Oz

    BLACKPOOL manager Steve McMahon has been strongly linked with part-time Australian side South Melbourne. The Greek owners of the club are reported -- by Australian news agencies -- to have contacted Macca about the vacant manager's position at the club

  • Cockney knees up a bit of all right

    CHIRPY Cockneys Chas n' Dave delighted a packed audience with a good old fashioned knees up at the Grand Theatre on Sunday (April 30). Celebrating 25 years together, the duo, backed up of course by Mick on drums, played their full set of Rockney sing-a-long

  • Van the Man in very good spirits

    AS Van Morrison took to the stage at Blackpool Opera House last week he immediately launched into numbers from his latest album Philosophers Stone and Back on Top, all backed by Van's own unique soulful vocals. Backed by swirling Hammond organ, piano

  • Fostering drive is a big hit

    ST Helens Council has stepped up its campaign to attract more foster carers with a special exhibition. Hundreds of people stopped off at the Hardshaw Centre exhibition to find out useful information about fostering and to have the opportunity to win prizes

  • 'Bus stop is magnet for rowdy youths'

    A FAMILY is claiming that they have been plagued by rowdy youngsters since Merseytravel placed a bus shelter outside their home. Ernest Winstanley, who lives in Belvedere Road, Newton-le-Willow, with partner, Amanda Murray and their two young children

  • Graceful birds 'executed' in front of kiddies

    A GUNMAN killed two swans as a group of youngsters looked on in horror. It happened at the Moss Nook Angling Lake, Sutton, on Tuesday, April 25 and is the second similar incident to happen there in three years. Four young anglers saw the man, aged between

  • Police in death crash plea

    MERSEYSIDE Police are seeking witnesses to a traffic accident which resulted in the death of a 27-year-old man. The accident happened at 6.25pm on Sunday in Gores Lane, Crank, near Alder Lane, when a blue Vauxhall Belmont SRi travelling along Gores Lane

  • Club sails to the future

    A THRIVING club has cast off its last link with its parent company. Last month saw the end of an era for the Pilkington Sailing Club when the one remaining member still employed by the glass company, officially retired. However, with 100 plus members

  • ABRAM

    *Audrey Bennett (Lab) 769 Malcolm Parr (Con) 348 Majority 421 % poll: 12.4 No change ASHTON/GOLBORNE Nigel Ash (Lab) 1065 Robert Rees (Con) 588 Majority 477 % poll: 15.7 Labour hold ATHERTON *Joe Clarke (Lab) 1108 Colin Thomson (Lib Dem) 363 Rosina Oxley

  • Think ahead to 2027

    A TIME capsule containing the work of Haslingden schoolchildren is to be buried at the Mary Hindle Resource Centre, Bury Road, on July l. There is still time for authors and artists to have something put into the capsule -- an essay, poem or drawing about

  • Barnardos search for top Lancashire Lass

    THE search is on for Lancashire's Woman of the Year. The hunt is on for that special woman, she may be a dedicated neighbour, wonderful mum or a devoted carer. Perhaps she is a high achiever, or maybe someone who has shown great bravery or triumph over

  • Buy carefully for peat's sake . .

    THIS weekend, thousands of people will make their way to the nearest garden centre, with the aim of bringing more colour into their lives. Many will pick up a bag of peat compost without thinking twice about it. Sadly, they will be helping to destroy

  • Car owners have a right to moan

    "NAME and address supplied" (Citizen, April 27) obviously doesn't have a car, and never has had a car. The car owner already pays car tax -- which, by the way, is used to build both roads and pavements. The same applies to motorcyclists, including those

  • Oasis needs your help

    I WORK on behalf of the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis in Cumbria. The Oasis has been in operation for eight years, promoting awareness of endangered species and carrying out various research and development projects. Offering an interactive environment, the

  • Duty Chemists

    Sunday chemists (May 7): Blackpool: Boots, 28-38 Bank Hey Street, 10.30-4.30pm; Co-op Pharmacy, Cherry Tree Road, Marton, 10-4pm; Moss Chemist, Morrisons, Squires Gate Lane, 10-4pm; Peel St Pharmacy, 110 Talbot Rd, 10-4pm; Superdrug, Hounds Hill Centre

  • Cutting through red tape

    A NEW lobby group for the Fylde coast has been set up to help disabled and blind people get more involved with sports and leisure pursuits. The Disability Leisure Forum was formed following the success of the disability leisure sports club which meets

  • Award for excellence

    THE first Charter Mark award for excellence in providing health service needs for lesbians and gay men in West Lancashire will be presented later this month. The award will go to Drugline Lancashire to acknowledge its work in providing equity and addressing

  • True Grit on the road to Pristina

    THE cameramen and reporters have long gone. But the remnants of war in Kosovo are still very real. Crumbling apartment blocks, burnt-out wrecks of cars and a countryside littered with thousands of land-mines serve as a reminder of just how long a journey

  • Success down to the power of prayer

    FORGET the hard-working players and manager -- an American woman reckons Preston North End's promotion to Division One is down to her prayer sessions! Patti, from Illinois, a deeply-religious mother-of-seven started supporting the club in 1997 after she

  • Busy Asians 'missing out'

    ASIAN businessmen in East Lancashire are too busy to seek out the government support available to them. Blackburn's newest peer, Lord Patel, raised their problems in his maiden speech at Westminster. And he won a promise from Industry Minister Lord Sainsbury

  • Bitten by the Love Bug virus

    COUNCILS and companies in East Lancashire were today trying to get their computer systems back up after being hit by the love letter virus. The virus swept through computer systems worldwide yesterday and paralysed computer networks. The virus, dubbed

  • Forged papers spotted by High Commission

    A Blackburn man bought forged papers and documents in an attempt to gain illegal entry to the country for his wife. Blackburn magistrates heard that Hamzah Nain, 21, sent a letter from a non-existent employer, pay slips, building society letters and account

  • Feathers fly over 'pigeon loft' flats

    ANGRY neighbours are demanding action on empty tower blocks which they today branded the "biggest pigeon lofts in Britain". Families living in Mill Hill, Blackburn, have put up with the eyesore flats since the last residents moved out more than two years

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Lowe blow for Darwen

    DARWEN are without batsman Chris Lowe as the reigning Northern League champions bid to build on their promising start. Lowe has returned to university and is replaced by Gareme Parkinson. Michael Douglas, back from his exertions with Darwen Football Club

  • SOCCER: Notts County v Bury preview

    BURY sign off a traumatic campaign with a visit to Notts County. Shakers supporters will be disappointed indeed if the young squad are not restored for this final salvo, and whom, in the main part were rested, missing the poor performance at Stoke, following

  • SOCCER: Preston v Bristol City preview

    NORTH END'S four year tenure in Division Two comes to an end this Saturday with a trip to Bristol City. But the Champions manager David Moyes is not letting up, promising the mid-table Robins a tough game. The North End boss has made it clear he would

  • Whiston claim cup spoils

    A SINGLE goal earned Whiston victory in the Rainhill Junior League's Under 11s Cup Final against Knowsley South. RESULTS Wednesday, April 26 Under 13s: Captains Lane 3 Pilkington 0, Knowsley South 6 Young Gate 0, Prescot Cables 0 Alder Athletic 5. Under

  • Why no forces for Zimbabwe

    WHILE Blair and Straw are welcoming blacks to Britain with open arms and large sums of our money, Mugabe is getting rid of whites in Zimbabwe by dispossession and murder. Peter Hain, the so-called foreign minister, said the British government cannot interfere

  • Cup delight for Pilks

    PILKINGTON roared back from a goal deficit to claim the St Helens McDonald's JOL Dawson Cup. Widnes side Agrevo took an eighth minute lead, but the Pilkington under 16s side drew level with 15 minutes to go and with five minutes left grabbed the winner

  • Such kindness

    I WOULD like to thank the very kind couple who found my purse in Booths car park, Highfield Road, Marton. They even took the trouble to find some identification and delivered it to my surprised husband at my home address, all within 30 minutes of losing

  • Sluggish start by Rainhill

    RAINHILL have made a stuttering start to the season. In the Millennium Cup at Vauxhall Eastham BromboroughDominic Sparkes (31) and Peter Mercer (35) made a valiant partnership of 67 for the third wicket in Rainhill's reply to the home side's 135-6 off

  • Derby mmisery for St Helens

    ST HELENS CC's miserable start to the season continued with a second defeat at the hands of Newton-le-Willows. The wet wicket gave no help to the home team bowlers and Newton were able to declare at 159-8 with Bobby Kenny (4-45), Paul Newman (3-47) and

  • Planning to help stammerers

    I AM planning to organise an open day in the near future for people who suffer with a stammer. I am an ex-stammerer who has managed to overcome the problem by re-teaching myself to speak. The open day would be held in the Blackpool area, but before booking

  • Carr Mill claim the cup

    A BRAVE fighting come back, with goals from Martin Dixon and Chris Dunlop, gave Rainford North End Reserves a commendable 2-2 home draw against Hardshaw Argyle in last weeks mid-week games and also ruined the Argyles chances of clinching the St Helens

  • Way of Cross a great success

    AS the event co-ordinator may I, on behalf of the Way of The Cross Steering Group, thank, through your paper, all those who worked so hard to make the event on Good Friday such a great success. As there were more than 60 in the cast and at least the same

  • One for the record books

    St Helens Town 1 Vauxhall Motors 0 THE sun eventually shone, the newly crowned champions were defeated and who else but Steve Pennington scored the last goal at Hoghton Road to earn a place in local history as Town bade farewell to their base after 54

  • Attack on officer branded 'vicious'

    AN off-duty policeman from Leyland who was attacked by thugs is recovering at home after suffering head and internal injuries. The constable, who doesn't want to be named for security reasons, was walking home after a night out in the town centre when

  • Saloon taxis are better for me

    WHAT on earth are the council thinking about with their decision not to grant public hire licences to 20 saloon car drivers? I am 85 and disabled but thankfully do not need a wheelchair. I have used Bury taxi rank saloons for a long time and have always

  • Remember why road was closed

    THE council must not re-open Spring Street in Bury to through traffic. The only advantage would be easy access for vehicles but the many disadvantages would include the problems of heavy lorries going up and down the street all day; cars and taxis going

  • Didn't deserve such abuse

    I AM writing to thank the nice gentleman on the multi-storey car park in Bury. He found me a space on the parent-and-child parking and I got my children safely out of the car without any damage to it or to cars on either side, due to the wide parking

  • Chairman is well worth the money

    I WRITE in reply to "Loyal Bury Fan" (Your Letters, May 2). Being a shareholder of Bury Football Club I must make the point that while "Loyal Bury Fan" is quite right that the latest club accounts do record that Mr Robinson earned £50,000, the writer

  • Much is owed to chairman Terry

    "LOYAL Bury Supporter" (Your Letters, May 2) asks people to write to the Bury Times to let them know how we feel about the fortunes of Bury FC. LBS makes an issue out of what Mr Robinson earns for his services to the club and questions whether he should

  • Cover-up story of blushing bride

    TYLDESLEY honeymooners Heather and Kevin Monks lashed out £3,700 for their two-centre dream trip to Florida and Jamaica. They spent a perfect first week in the sunshine state, then looked forward to a second week of relaxation at the luxurious Couples

  • ST HELENS

    Billinge and Seneley Green: Elizabeth Black (Con) 672, Stephen Broughton (Lib Dem) 275, Neville Bullock (Lab) 1086. Turnout: 19.8%. Blackbrook: Andy Bowden (Lab) 662, John Brown (Lib Dem) 228, James Spanner (Con) 141. Turnout: 14.44%. Broad Oak: Gail

  • Lightning strike at Pilks

    PILKINGTONS had to use a computer back-up system after its HQ on Prescot Road, St Helens, was struck by lightning on Wednesday, April 26. The computer system suffered a dip in power for two seconds. A spokesman for the company said full back-up systems

  • Raiders jumped over counter

    VICTORIA Wines in Leach Lane, Sutton, was the target of two robbers who struck between 8 and 8.10pm on Sunday, April 23. The men jumped behind the counter and forced the terrified shop assistants to open the till. They then escaped with a large quantity

  • Lady Luck smiles on lottery winners

    CLOCK Face woman, Mrs A. Kellett was in celebratory mood after winning the £2,000 jackpot in Willowbrook Hospice's lottery draw. Other big winners were Mrs M. McDonagh of Cowley Hill who won £200, Mrs F. Webster from Sutton Village who won £125, Mrs G

  • Bloomin' great idea

    A PRESCOT store has had a blooming great idea of how to raise money for their local community. McKays clothes store in the Prescot Shopping Centre, are holding a fashion show this evening (May 4) to help boost funds for Prescot Methodist Church's Flower

  • Pensioner robbed on way to church

    POLICE are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed a man steal a 76-year-old lady's handbag to contact them. The incident happened at about 10.45am on Sunday, April 30, as the pensioner was walking along Gartons Lane to St Theresa's Church, Sutton

  • United action to beat crime

    RESIDENTS, council officials and police have formed a united front to fence off crime. The Designing Out Crime in Newton campaign has already seen improved street and security lighting, security fencing and other environmental improvements on the Fairbrothers

  • Saint Andy's a tonic for Leigh

    THE spirit of co-operation between Leigh and St Helens following Ian Millward's move to Knowsley Road smoothed the way for Andy Leathem's transfer to Hilton Park. The 24-year-old prop joined Leigh on a free transfer late last week, agreeing a contract

  • Band squad could do with a little brass...

    A LOCAL band are appealing to big-hearted Star readers to help them take part in an international concert in Germany The Parr (Richardsons Ltd) Brass Band has 30 male and female members of all ages and over the last year they have competed in a number

  • Leigh roar back to top

    LEIGH are back in pole position. But the division's top scorers had the defensive side of their game to thank for Monday's 24-10 win at Hunslet which returns them to the top of the Northern Ford Premiership. They had to weather a furious second half onslaught

  • Girl's £575,000 for road accident

    A RAMSBOTTOM woman who was severly brain damaged in a road accident ago has been awarded £575,000 damages 22 years after the incident. Harriet Duckworth, formerly of Bury Road, Ramsbottom, was also awarded the costs of the High Court action in Manchester

  • Town belongs to the people

    LABOUR councillors have run Blackburn for many years. I think it would be more democratic to have an equal number of councillors from all parties meeting (not in secret) to work out what is best for our town. Blackburn just does not belong to a few Labour

  • Disillusioned by candidates

    DOES Phil Riley (Letters, April 21) really believe more polling stations will significantly increase the turn-out of voters? Perhaps people don't vote because they are disillusioned, disgruntled and disgusted with today's politics and politicians at local

  • True intentions are concealed

    AT first glance, a part of Councillor Dave Smith's comments (Letters, April 27) makes no sense whatsoever -- he states that Blackburn with Darwen Council's proposed cabinet "will only be able to make recommendations to a public, all-party, committee meeting

  • Meet the young Clown Prince

    ROLL UP, roll up they most certainly will. For Blackpool Tower Circus which opened its season last week is a tip-top feast of entertainment, as stunning a show as you are likely to see under any big top. It's certainly got the lot -- acrobats aplenty,

  • Arthur's king of the organ

    WHEN Arthur Smith became organist at Christ Church, Walmersley, King George V was on the throne, Bury Town Hall had yet to be built and trams trundled the streets. That was 1935 and six-and-a-half decades years later, Arthur is still playing! He plays

  • Tribute to the Gallipoli fallen.

    EIGHTY-FIVE years ago, a devastating proportion of Bury's youth was wiped out as they spilled their blood and guts for King and Country. Thousands of teenagers and those in the 20s were slaughtered on the Gallipoli beaches as Turkish guns pounded the

  • Mystery of man's 30ft death fall

    A LOCAL man has plunged to his death from the second storey of a hospital accommodation block. Mr Darren Bowen (23) was believed to be visiting friends at the nurses' quarters of Manchester Royal Infirmary when the tragedy happened. He fell around 30ft

  • 10-hour Hospice feat for Marie

    VETERAN runner Marie Caldwell is certainly living life in the fast lane as she prepares to run from Blackpool to Bury. Marie , 62, of Holcombe Brook will be putting on her running shoes for the mammoth 50-mile run in aid of Bury Hospice. Not one to do

  • Speeding blitz nicks 330 drivers

    RECKLESS motorists are putting the lives of Shuttleworth residents at risk. In just 15 days of monitoring, Bury's traffic police issued a staggering 330 fixed penalty tickets to drivers breaking the 30mph limit in Whalley Road. Police have revealed how

  • Health bosses suspend surgery manager

    HEALTH bosses have suspended the practice manager at a Prestwich surgery at the centre of a massive police inquiry after a convicted criminal allegedly treated and advised patients despite having no medical qualifications. Janice Langley was suspended

  • Workers' £3.3 million jackpot joy

    NINE Radcliffe factory workers have scooped an amazing £3,351, 326 on the National Lottery. The workmates from flooring company James Halstead Ltd have swapped lino for lotto and will each receive a £372,000 share of Saturday's jackpot. The syndicate

  • Pupil raps mobile phone mayhem

    TEENAGER David Owen agrees it is good to talk if only British Telecom bosses would let him! And now the angry 15-year-old pupil of St Monica's RC High School has attacked mobile phone operators BT Cellnet bosses for not taking their ever-growing younger

  • First class post

    WITH regards to Vincent Street Post Office (Letters, April 13). I doubt if there is a sub post office in St Helens where the staff are more friendly or helpful. Brian and his staff have worked hard to get this office bright and cheerful so I suggest to

  • Who's got it right?

    SO, three million people, who signed the Post Office petition from all over the country, have got it wrong, and an official from St Helens North Labour Party, Alan Cunliffe knows the answers and has it right. Regarding the Post Office campaign, he claims

  • Road safety problem

    I HAVE read your report in the Star (April 13) regarding the situation in Victoria Square and the fines being imposed on motorists by the police for entering the restricted area. I do have a certain sympathy with the motorists as it is certainly not well

  • Bring your parcel

    I AM sorry if Mr Kendall thinks that sub-postmasters are "bleating" (Dear Star, April 13) but I am afraid that it is he who appears to be following, sheep-like, the preachings of our misguided Prime Minister. As has been stated previously in your letters

  • Locals fight temple plan

    PLANS to build a church for Jehovah's Witnesses near a Fulwood estate have been slammed by locals. A site, adjacent to Broughton Tower Way, Fulwood, has been earmarked for the place of worship -- and it looks set to get the green light at a planning meeting

  • Ring in some changes say residents

    BT chiefs have been accused of letting vandals wreck 'phone kiosks in Frenchwood. One BT phone box at the corner of Carlton Drive is regularly trashed and glass is shattered across the pavement, and residents fear for their children's safety. But the

  • Appeal for penpals from Albanian schoolchildren

    AN Albanian school in Pristina is hoping to create close links with children from Preston in a unique pen-pal scheme. Shkola Filore, based in the heart of Kosovo's capital, is home to more than 1,600 pupils -- many of who are smiling through the tears

  • Firm boosted by Dundee cake!

    THE future of a Lancaster engineering firm looks bright following a million pound boost from two Dundee businessmen. North West Engineering on Willow Lane has been bought for £1 million by enterprising engineering experts, Stewart Urquhart and Marcus

  • Helping machines understand human condition

    THE Millennium Bug may have failed to bite but making sure computer systems don't go wrong is the subject of an £8.2 million research project involving Lancaster University. All aspects of reliability, safety and security of computer systems will be explored

  • Safety first say the Greens

    GREEN campaigners have called on local transport chiefs to concentrate on improving road safety rather than building more bypasses. Next week county councillors will decide which transport scheme to adopt for the next five years as part of the Lancashire

  • Ready for a fight!

    FED up folk in Skerton have joined together in a bid to improve their neighbourhood and boost community spirit. Following a recent survey, which revealed high levels of social exclusion in the Skerton wards, the locals are hoping a bit of people power

  • Pendle election results

    BARROWFORD T Beckett (Con) ...813M Simpson (Lib Dem) ...691 R Oliver (Lab) ...286 Majority ...122 Con gain Turnout: 37.6% BOULSWORTH J Belbin (Lib Dem)* ...757 H Ryder (Con) ...304 B Parsons (Lab) ...287 Majority ...453 No change Turnout: 32% BRADLEY

  • Hoppers leap into next round

    WIDNES 0 PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS 47 HOPPERS had little trouble in progressing to round two of the Lancashire Cup on Tuesday evening. An early push over try for Michael Bailey set the scene before good work from Michael Lough established the position for

  • Chemists on duty

    THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, May 7, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Lloyds Pharmacy, 473 Warrington Road, Rainhill; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds

  • Pendle election results

    BARROWFORD T Beckett (Con) ...813M Simpson (Lib Dem) ...691 R Oliver (Lab) ...286 Majority ...122 Con gain Turnout: 37.6% BOULSWORTH J Belbin (Lib Dem)* ...757 H Ryder (Con) ...304 B Parsons (Lab) ...287 Majority ...453 No change Turnout: 32% BRADLEY

  • Tractor stolen

    A Mitsubishi MT 160D compact tractor and orange rotovator were stolen from a garden nursery. The theft happened in Town Lane, Much Hoole, during the night of Sunday, April 23. Police believe the tractor and rotovator -- valued at more than £10,000 --

  • Barmaid assaulted

    A 19-year-old barmaid was assaulted by a drinker who was reluctant to leave the White Bull pub, in Victoria Road, Walton-le-Dale, at 11.30pm on Friday, April 21. The young woman was assaulted as she held the door open for him. She suffered facial injuries

  • Preston Borough Council Results

    FISHWICK Harold Parker (Lab) 612 David Hammond (Con) 319 ST MATHEWS Veronica Afrin (Lab) 624 Elaine Pugh (Con) 282 RIBBLETON Andrew Campbell (Lab) 483 Jane Balshaw (Con) 193 BROOKFIELD John Browne (Lab) 523 Paul Hammond (Con) 336 DEEPDALE Paul Malliband

  • Indecent esposure

    A man exposed himself and performed an indecent act in front of a 17-year-old girl. The teenager was standing in the telephone box at the junction of Waterloo Road and Poulton Street, in Ashton-on-Ribble, at around 10.20pm on Thursday, April 27. The man

  • Patio furniture gone

    WOODEN garden furniture made from cut logs was stolen from a restaurant patio area. Thieves struck outside Campions Restaurant, in Cuerdale Lane, Samlesbury, at around 11.30pm on Friday, April 21. The thief used a scruffy blue Mercedes 300 series box

  • Girl treated after attack in toilet

    A TEENAGER needed hospital treatment after being beaten up by three 16-year-old girls in the toilets of a McDonalds restaurant. The 17-year-old girl was knocked to the floor and kicked in the head and body. She received severe bruising and was treated

  • Sidwell's song is echoing on

    CONTRALTO Sidwell Reed, whose fine singing voice was a cultural plus around her adoptive Newton-le-Willows, certainly struck the right chord when she immersed herself into charity fund-raising. Arriving from her native Cornwall with husband Denzil during

  • High rise heaven

    AVENHAM'S gloomy high-rise tower blocks are about to be given a bright new image as part of the estate's multi-million pound improvement scheme. Work is due to start on the transformation of Carlisle House, the first of three tower blocks to be improved

  • MP Audrey recovering well

    PRESTON MP Audrey Wise has left hospital and is recovering well from a delicate brain operation two weeks ago. Doctors discovered that the Labour MP had a brain tumour, which they removed. Audrey is due to undergo a six-week course of radiotherapy treatment

  • Runaway success

    COTTAM Sports Arena played host to a 10K race at the weekend -- and it was a runaway success. More than 130 runners gathered for the event, which was won by ex-Blackpool star, Wreckin Road Runners' Paul Muller, in a time of 32 mins 32secs. Neil Cottam

  • Oh boy, what an experience

    STUDENTS from Broughton High school, Preston experienced the 'Science Lesson of a Lifetime', by Johnny Ball productions, when they made the trip down to the Millennium Dome. The trip was organised as part of 'Engineering our Future', a nationwide education

  • Torque of the town

    LEYLAND man Robert Bannister has written to the Citizen in response to a Mr Brown's letter, which asked about the former use of the indoor market site, in Northcote Street, Leyland. Mr Bannister, of Clifton Avenue, says he feels sure that the answer to

  • Health officers target butchers

    PRESTON's butcher shops are being targeted by environmental health officers in a bid to highlight new regulations and an annual licensing scheme. The council's food safety unit staff are making people aware of the regulations, which deal with unwrapped

  • Uni pots cash

    SNOOKER star John Parrott made an appearance to congratulate the University of Central Lancashire for the success in potting a £2,000 award. He is pictured with John Greer, head of students services, and Chris Sconce, business development manager, who

  • DJ Glen Hunt in your Citizen

    THANKS to all the generous listeners to 97.4 Rock FM and our sister station, Magic 999AM. Why? Because as you may have remembered, last Wednesday, we broadcast simultaneously for the day to raise funds for our charity, Help a Local Child with our Big

  • Cyclists set sights on exciting race

    PRESTON Cycling Club has organised a major mountain biking event to be held in Lancaster. The Royal and Sun Alliance Grand Prix will take place at Forrest Hills, Ellel, on May 28, and is the club's first major event. Plans are well under way and there

  • 'Shop the culprits' urges Chris

    HILTON Park boss Chris Healey has promised to get rid of Leigh Centurions' "lunatic fringe" of travelling fans. The chief executive, worried by minor crowd disturbances whenever the Centurions play big away games, has called on genuine fans to 'shop'

  • Journal vets - top for dogs and people

    THE JOURNAL'S team of local vets are top dogs! And Vetcare -- based in Leigh, Hindley and Bolton -- are only the third veterinary practice in the country to gain the prestigious Investors in People award. Celebrating the award, practice manager Julie

  • Dyslexia - a life changing lecture

    IN the move to make Wigan a dyslexia friendly borough -- a campaign started by Leigh businesswoman Shirley Longley -- an exhibition and lecture has been organised for next Tuesday. Entitled "Dyslexia the Gift", the guest speaker will be Judy Capener,

  • New cash to study busway scheme

    PUBLIC transport chiefs have earmarked £250,000 to further their busway plans. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority has initially allocated the cash in pursuit of permission for its Leigh-Tyldesley-Manchester guided busway scheme. Members

  • Balloon drama: "I'd do it all again" says Beryl

    A TYLDESLEY woman has vowed not to be put off hot air ballooning after she was involved in an emergency landing. Beryl Aspin and friend Betty Carey together with seven other passengers made the unscheduled landing on Monday evening in Blackburn. Residents

  • Mother takes another step to Malcolm justice

    AN ASTLEY mother who has been campaigning for justice for her dead son is celebrating a legal breakthrough. Brenda Rowley, whose severely disabled son Malcolm died in a bath at a council bungalow, welcomed a decision by Salford Magistrates who refused

  • Plant food!

    PERSONALLY, I like the idea of planting trees upside down. It sums up our society rather well. Why expect art to be sensible when everything else is run by idiots? But I've got a better idea. Why don't we take all our politicians and plant them upside

  • Wheels of misfortune

    I HAVE just finished reading your letters on the Caton cycle path and use of rural roads around the Lune valley area. It seems to me that yet again some of the biggest problems to face cyclists have been grossly overlooked. I have been a cyclist most

  • Scientific evidence piles up for horses

    AM writing in reply to the letter sent in by Diane Ananda-Bodhi on the matter of horses "messing" on the beach. Firstly, horse manure is not in anyway harmful to humans or animals, I know this to be fact from having spent my entire life around them, a

  • High times

    PUPILS bidding farewell to year 11 at Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe, enjoyed an American-style prom leaving party at Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho (see picture). More than 100 teenagers, who are currently preparing to take their GCSE exams, dressed in

  • MP wrong on 'rumour'

    I HAVE to express my utter disbelief at some of the comments made by our MP Geraldine Smith in the local newspapers this week, regarding the proposal to accommodate 140 asylum seekers at the Grosvenor Hotel in Morecambe. The headlines read Asylum Plan

  • Barry back to Bury?

    SEASIDERS defender Barry Shuttleworth, who started his football career with Bury, could be on the way back to his old club. Shuttleworth has struggled to hold down the left-back place, mainly due to the presence of John Hills at the club. Shuttleworth

  • Lytham stumped for a reply

    THE difference in class between the Premier Division of the Liverpool Competition and The Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League was cruelly exposed at Church Road on Sunday (April 29) in the first round of the National Knock-Out Cup. Darwen were Lytham's visitors

  • Lamb to the slaughter

    CHORLEY were a shadow of the side that regularly finished in the top three in the last decade when they came to Stanley Park for their Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League match on Saturday (April 29). They surrendered meekly as they managed a meagre 123-

  • Proud day for Red Rose

    RED Rose Martial Arts new training centre was officially opened by Lancaster's Mayor Sybil Rostron at the weekend. The club, which has been based in the area for 34 years, now boasts two training halls, a viewing area and changing rooms. The Mayor and

  • Black day for Pool

    THE agony is over as Blackpool crashed out of Division Two -- but manager Steve McMahon had harsh words over the refereeing of the 1-1 draw against Oldham. Following the dismissal of Richard Wellens for a reckless challenge on 74 minutes, Macca fumed:

  • Head start for rally ace Steve

    STEVE Head, the Carnforth rally ace, has been chosen by the Motor Sports Association and the Lilleshall Sports Injury and Human Performance Centre as a finalist in rallying's newest initiative. The 'Fit to be Champion' initiative will teach 20 young rally

  • Help for taxpayers

    TAXPAYERS in Bury can look forward to less stressful dealings with the Inland Revenue. It's thanks to a new scheme agreed with chartered accountants and the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Called "Working Together," the scheme will provide a more co-operative

  • Hi-tech help is on hand

    A FORMER personal assistant to the managing director of a Bury paints factory is now helping businesses brush up on their hi-tech skills. Sue Warburton has been appointed information technology adviser by Bolton and Bury Chamber's Business Link. Bury-based

  • Launch of new learning network

    AN innovative new partnership to encourage learning in management and business is to be launched later this month. The Bolton and Bury Business Learning Network will officially be unveiled on Monday, March 15 with a special event at the Reebok Stadium

  • Award for excellence

    THE first Charter Mark award for excellence in providing health service needs for lesbians and gay men in West Lancashire will be presented later this month. The award will go to Drugline Lancashire to acknowledge its work in providing equity and addressing

  • Committee will discuss hooliganism issues

    ROAD safety, football facilities and juvenile hooliganism are high on the agenda of the next Bamber Bridge and Walton-le-Dale area committee meeting. The South Ribble are committee gives local people the chance to have their say on neighbourhood issues

  • Express cash is just the business

    LOCAL parcel delivery company Business Express has donated £11,000 to the wildlife charity, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The cash will support its nationwide YOC Wild and Alive project, for youngsters aged between seven and 12

  • Blackpool local election results:

    Turnout Avg 28.9% (Highest 38.7% in Squires Gate Ward -- Lowest 19% Park Ward). Labour Seats - 24 (-8) Conservative Seats - 16 (+9) Liberal Democrats - 4 (0) Independent - 0 (-1) BRUNSWICK WARD Turnout 20.9% Bancroft, George Reinald (Lab) - 619 Bradburn

  • Date for walk

    LANCASTER'S Georgian costumed guides Mr Pilling Dick and Dr Socrates Gripenerve, have organised an Old Calendar St George's Day Walk in honour of the country's patron saint. It will start at 7pm on Thursday May 4 at Lancaster Castle's John O'Gaunt Gateway

  • Chechnya meeting

    LANCASTER'S Gregson Centre will be host to a public meeting about 'Human Rights for Chechnya' on Thursday May 11 at 7.30pm. The evening is being organised by 'The Marxist' magazine. The magazine has asked Corin Redgrave, General Secretary of the Marxist

  • Prescot halted by weather

    PRESCOT & Odysseys first and second team games were both wiped out by the weather at the weekend. The third team travelled to Caldy and managed a draw. This Saturday the first team are at Home to Prestatyn and second team visit the Welsh club. The

  • Innkeepers relax with Funny Girls

    NORTHERN innkeepers are swapping a night behind the bar pulling pints for a night out in Blackpool. The British Institute of Innkeeping in the North West is holding a members' seminar and night out in the country's top tourist town on May 9. The BII has

  • Rainford held up

    RAINFORD CC's season finally got under way on Saturday in a rain-delayed game at Croston. Skipper Ste Harrison elected to bat and saw his side rattle up an impressive 175-2 with Robinson (77), Calland (43) and Cook (35) all turning in useful performances

  • Get those family treasures valued

    BLOW the dust off those old drawers and polish up your plates as you could be in for a surprise when TV antique expert Eric Knowles comes to Blackpool. The one-time star of BBC's Antiques Roadshow and Going For A Song is in town soon filming a new series

  • Gimme shelters!

    BUS shelters are to be provided at the temporary stops in Spring Garden Street. Buses from this stand serve the Vale, St Chad's, Moor Hospital, Marsh and Ridge. Following talks with the engineers some old shelters will now be re-erected. An extra temporary

  • District losing out in Lottery awards survey

    LANCASTER and district are net losers in the National Lottery stakes, a new survey has revealed. People in the district have spent £40.4 million on lottery tickets over the last five years but the area has received just £16.8 million in local awards.

  • Dog day for police

    TICKETS for the prestigious 41st national police dog trials being held in Lancashire in May 2000 are now available. The trials take place on May 9,10,11 and involve the top police dogs and their handlers from around the UK competing in a series of tests

  • Jet-setters drive me plane crazy!

    LAST month I spent almost three whole days travelling tens of thousands of feet above planet Earth in what amounted to little more than a mind-boggling, man-made flying oxygen tank. Don't ask me why, but I started thinking about space. Now before the

  • Shane's ring of confidence

    BOXER Shane Orange is tipped for glory in this weekend's ABA championships. The Atherton lad and Tyldesley Centurions BC fighter will have an army of supporters behind him when he tilts at the schoolboys' 55kg title. Club and school pals will be cheering

  • Sodhi's last-ball thriller

    AN ACROBATIC leap from John Sodhi gave Leigh CC a dramatic victory at Northern in the LDCA Final. Three wickets each for Mike Holden and Ben Cottrell restricted the home side to 188. Then good hits from Dave Dove, Andy Batterley and Chris Hall kept Leigh

  • Sweet revenge for A&T riders

    THERE was sweet revenge for Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway on Sunday. They opened their Midlands/North Division Two campaign with a dramatic one-point defeat (75-74) of Sandwell -- the Midlands team that edged them out of the title last season.

  • Felgate's a man for all seasons

    DAVE FELGATE has beaten 'em all this season -- including Old Father Time. Leigh RMI's golden goalkeeper is a spritely 40. And going strong. Just like RMI! The new Unibond Premier League champions brought the home curtain down on the club's most successful

  • Streets Ahead in entertainment.

    SWING those hips! These dancers of Bury's samba band Zambura are pictured leading the way in the town's Streets Ahead Festival. Sunshine flooded Bury town centre as thousands of revellers enjoyed a free day's colourful entertainment on Monday (May 1).

  • Solving couples' problems no longer a squeeze

    COUPLES experiencing relationship problems will have a new home from home. Bury Relate, the former Marriage Guidance Council, is set to move to new premises after securing a grant of £80,000 from the National Lottery. The counselling service, which caters

  • Mountain man steps down

    STEWART Hulse, Bury's true man of the mountains, has stepped down as leader of Britain's busiest mountain rescue team. Stewart, who is just days away from his 65th birthday, founded the Ambleside Fell Rescue Team in Cumbria. And when it merged with the

  • Nationwide man-hunt for pub relief manager

    A NATIONWIDE man-hunt has been launched to find a relief pub manager who disappeared from Radcliffe on Saturday (April 29). Several thousands of pounds worth of takings have also vanished from the Sparking Clog pub. Local police were alerted on Saturday

  • 180 jobs to go in bag firm closure

    SHOCKED union leaders will meet Bury's two MPs today (Fri May 5) in the wake of the "devastating" closure announcement surrounding the town's Bibby and Baron factory. The stunned workforce has been told the 132-year-old Dumers Lane paper bag manufacturers

  • Teen talks of terror attack

    A TEENAGER who was kicked so badly by thugs that he had footprints on his face has spoken for the first time about the attack. David Miller spent three weeks in hospital after he was the victim of what he says was a vicious unprovoked assault in Red Bank

  • High fives for Tory victors

    BURY'S Tories were jubilant as they romped to election success in last night's poll. They snatched another five seats from the ruling Labour group on a night when even fewer voters than last year bothered to turn out. Even the much-vaunted new electronic

  • Souness wants to finish on a high note

    GRAEME Souness plans to restore the feel good factor to Ewood Park as Blackburn Rovers prepare for Sunday's crunch clash with Manchester City. After a season of bitter disappointment, Rovers have only pride to play for in a fixture which many had marked

  • Super-quick start to celebrations

    PNE 3 MILLWALL 2 WITH the Championship already won, Preston North End supporters packed Deepdale in a massive celebration of a great season. They sang, they chanted, they waved their scarves and their banners, they drooled at it all as North End produced

  • Golden Brown

    MIGHTY Manc Ian Brown arrived on stage to greet a sea of up-for-it fans eager to sample his raw sound. He launched straight into My Star and the crowd were stomping and swaying in appreciation. A string of tunes from both solo albums, Unfinished Monkey

  • Fighter project is shaping up

    THE Joint Strike Fighter project has moved a step forward with a transatlantic delivery. For the past two years engineers at BAE Systems at Samlesbury have been working on a component which demonstrates how the rear of the fighter will marry up to the