THERE is a disturbing air of resignation over the risk to children inside a former old people's home, vandalised so often that it is strewn with broken glass, wrecked furniture and even drugs and personal files. It is one of apparent surrender -- suggesting
LIFE is still on hold for the family of kidnapped Blackburn student Paul Wells -- five years after he was snatched by a murderous gang of terrorists while trekking in Kashmir. More than two years ago, Paul's family accepted that he was never coming home
THE Bury and District Amateur Football League will hold it's Annual General Meeting at Radcliffe Borough Social Club on Monday, July 10 at 8pm. Omens for the forthcoming season are good with four new teams expected to sign up giving the possibility of
AN ambitious scheme which blends academic achievement with soccer skillls is being launched by Radcliffe Borough. The intention is to take boys at the age of 16, give them a choice of college courses which run for twelve months or two years and develop
AN early Sunday morning start did little to slow down the pace of Bury AC's David Archer in the Manchester YMCA 10 kilometre road race. Despite, or is it because of, a hectic racing schedule in June, Dave proved that his recent form over the fells can
CAR mechanic Neil Anthony Taylor taunted a police officer that he was too fat to catch him. Blackburn magistrates heard that despite his confidence, Taylor was arrested in the shop of a late night petrol station. Taylor, 20, of Selbourne Street, Blackburn
DARTS fan Terry Ashton scored six treble 20s and almost 68,000 points in less than four hours to raise more than £550 for charity. Terry, from Knuzden, took his place at the oche at the Intack Inn, Accrington Road, Blackburn, for the Christies Against
BRAVE people are needed to take part in a firewalk over a bed of hot coals in aid of the East Lancashire Deaf Society. The Society is organising a firewalk for the second year running at Blackburn Lions Gala, Witton Park, on August 5. Chairman Doug Alker
I RECKON it should be up to the shoppers if Church Street in Blackburn should be closed off. We are the ones who struggle through the town centre looking for a place to park and there is hardly anywhere for the disabled. Also, we are the ones who keep
LOOKING for a 40th birthday card for my nephew, I was appalled at some of the so-called humorous cards on display. Instead of ones with teddies and flowers, I wanted a masculine card, but nothing was on offer. Then I thought about a witty card, but the
I HAVE previously pointed out the stupidity of initiatives introduced by County Councillor Richard Toon and his cronies, which narrow already-busy roads in Hyndburn and site bus stops in stupid places. We have now seen one accident (LET, June 29), luckily
LIKE many others, I was taken aback by the desecration of the tree-like effigy of Jesus on Mrs Margo Grimshaw's property (LET, June 28). But having said that, I am not too surprised. This country is in a state of moral disintegration. Indeed, if the culprits
IN Accrington last week, we all listened to the excuses of our new owners Leoni (formerly Lucas Rists) as to why they have to close the site. In our opinion the only reason to ship our jobs to Romania is profit. We hold the contract to supply Land Rover
EVERY year in Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn, births are routinely registered at the registrar's office. However, there is no breakdown of how many of these children are born to unmarried parents and these parents are not alerted to the marginal status
RETIRED politicians who served the community for almost half a century are in line for top honours. Ex-Mayor and Higher Fold resident Jimmy Jones and his former council and Labour colleague John Hession, from Westleigh, will be rewarded on August 9 when
COWBOY workmanship has been carried out on former council houses being renovated by Burnley and Padiham Housing, councillors have been told. Independent group leader Harry Brooks has said there is deep dissatisfaction with some of the improvement work
CHILDREN are putting themselves in danger after vandals trashed a former old people's home and left drugs, personal files and property strewn around the building. St Emmanuel's Residential Home for the Elderly Confused, Blackburn, which controversially
CYCLIST Mrs Christine Brown escaped serious injury when she was knocked from her bicycle after a collision with a Ford Mondeo. The accident happened on Saturday afternoon (July 1) in Walshaw Road. Mrs Brown (40) from Alston Close, Bury, was taken to Bury
IT'S the day that every professional footballer dreads -- the first day of pre-season training. While the days of piling on extra pounds during the summer break are long gone -- players are given a fitness regime to follow during the close season -- it's
A WOMAN in debt stole toothpaste and music cassettes from a shop, but felt guilty the moment she had done it. Burnley magistrates heard how Karen Elizabeth Cahill, 33, hid the items, paid for some others and left the store. Cahill, of Norway House, Spring
A HYSTERICAL mother of four attacked a police officer and had to be forcibly put in a cell after she was arrested on a night out, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how apparently drunk Tracy Grimshaw, 35, kicked out and was struggling violently
COWBOY workmanship has been carried out on former council houses being renovated by Burnley and Padiham Housing, councillors have been told. Independent group leader Harry Brooks has said there is deep dissatisfaction with some of the improvement work
PENDLE Heritage Centre's walled garden opened to the public as part of the British Red Cross Open Garden 2000 scheme. The garden has been restored and replanted with plants available in the 18th century when the garden was first created. David Bollenberg
A Pendle pub turned into a tropical paradise when customers at The Union, Market Street, Colne, put on grass skirts and flower garlands. Landlady Margaret Owens, known as Welsh Maggie to her regulars, who took over in April, said: "It was an absolutely
MORE than 30 regulars from an Accrington working men's club will get on their bikes to help a friend. On Sunday, 32 people from the Sydney Street Working Mens' Club will cycle from the club to Blackpool to raise money to send one of the pub's regulars
AUDITIONS will be held this week for the new season of plays and musicals in East Lancashire. Accrington Theatre Group is casting its November show "The King and I". They are planning a dazzling stage set to complement the colourful Siamese costumes and
CRICKETER Mark Croasdale will get on his bike to raise money for his club and Macmillan Nurses. Accrington CC third team player Mark, 37, will ride to all 14 Lancashire League grounds on a two-day marathon starting on Saturday and finishing the following
A FAMILY fighting for the return of their missing three piece suite have now been given a wooden frame to sit on! Julian and Lisa Eatough paid £2,500 in cash for their dream three-piece leather suite from Uno a year ago and paid extra for a warranty.
PATRIOTIC Maggie Sydnor was today bringing a touch of Independence Day magic to East Lancashire -- thanks to a game of watermelon seed spitting! The teacher from Baltimore, Maryland, was determined not to miss out on the celebrations as she spent her
TORY MP Nigel Evans has ridiculed claims by the government that they are not governing the country with spin. Former supporters of the government have criticised Tony Blair for lacking substance and overdosing on public relations, prompting the Prime
RADCLIFFE-based flooring manufacturers and contractors Polyflor certainly are not down in the mouth. For one of the major dental supply companies in the UK has refurbished its head office using Polyflor Kudos stone effect vinyl tiles. Minerva Dental Ltd
THE thriving Bury Business Club is to hold its next meeting on July 27. And an invitation has gone out for more prospective members to join. At its last get-together, the club met at Downham Train Epstein (DTE) at Hollins, Bury. But attendance was lower
BUSINESS is blooming for budding Bury firm Squirrel Manufacturing who, just last month, launched its wrapping products for the wholesale florist market. The new Greenbrook Street-based company, which specialise in flexographic printing, is one of only
A FIVE year old boy required hospital treatment after a road traffic accident in Prestwich on Sunday morning (July 2). Farriha Murtaza was a passenger in his mother Mrs Zebunnisa Murtaza's Ford Sierra when the vehicle was in collision with a hackney cab
TWO thugs attacked a 37-year-old Bury man in a subway and stole £130 from his wallet. Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery which happened at the underpass linking Jubilee Way and Irwell Street. The man was walking through the subway when
MORE than 900 signatures failed to persuade council officials into adopting a Tottington road. Local residents signed a petition for the council to adopt and maintain Hollymount Lane, which leads to Hollymount RC Primary School. However, highways bosses
A BID to stop thousands of abused and frightened children slipping through the ChildLine net has been launched in Bury and Bolton. Many calls of desperation to Childline go unanswered because the lines are too busy. Business and civic leaders from the
BURNLEY will face opposition from Gillingham and Sheffield United if they pursue their interest in Wigan defender Scott Green. The Clarets have enquired about the out-of-contract Green, according to the player's agent. But if a deal is to progress beyond
A NEW team has been launched to spearhead a sales drive at an underlay firm. Duralay has set up the sales team to handle its contract sales for commercial installations such as offices and airline terminals. Rod Rees, who currently heads up the adhesives
BUSINESS failures are still rising in the region despite significant falls nationally. The latest survey carried out by business information company Dun & Bradstreet found that the number of businesss which collapsed in the first half of the year
IT'S back to business at Gigg Lane this week and that suits manager Andy Preece down to the ground. The Shakers' boss is thrilled to get his charges back on the training ground again and has been delighted with the condition of the players when they returned
BIRTHDAY girl Gertrude Adelaide Large was due to enjoy a party filled with stars and stripes today as she celebrated turning 100 on American Independence day. The widow knows all about independence after managing to stay in her own home until the ripe
FED-UP residents want action to remove an unofficial back-street tip. William and Elaine Carling are among householders complaining about building waste and household rubbish left behind Hannah Street, Darwen. Mr Carling, of nearby Franklin Street, said
A CONSTRUCTION firm worker went into a rage and smashed the wing mirrors on his father's BMW car after he refused to let him borrow it, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Paulo Mario Rossi, 31, ended up being arrested after being abusive
HUNDREDS of people turned up to see Haslingden's new resource centre following its launch by the Mayor of Rossendale, Councillor David Hancock and a Rossendale College student dressed as a Mary Hindle look-a-like. The Mary Hindle Resource Centre, in Bury
Peake Practice, with Ray Peake of Callum's Bistro, Accrington. THIS week I am sharing the limelight with Christine Grayson, owner of the best cheese stall in Accrington. She has been supplying me with the most delicious cheeses far the past 10 years.
FANS of Robbie Williams snapped up tickets for his October dates at the Manchester Evening News Arena when they went on sale at 9am yesterday at King George's Hall in Blackburn. Box office staff sold 58 tickets to fans through Ticketmaster, but were unable
JOB losses in East Lancashire over the past month are helping to contribute to a meltdown in the manufacturing sector, according to a union boss. A survey carried out by the GMB union found that more than 10,000 manufacturing jobs were lost nationwide
CLOCKWATCHING will never be the same again for residents in Fensicowles after the completion of an unusual project to mark the Millennium. A human sundial has been created in Park Farm, which, until five years ago, was just a mass of brambles and weeds
PUPILS at a Blackburn High School are moving out of their school hall and into a local church to hold their morning assemblies. From September, the pupils and staff of St Wilfrid's CE High School, will take part in worship at their parish church of St
A CAR salesman raised more than £500 for charity by hiking to the top of Britain's three biggest mountains. Jonathan Carter, 26, of Melbourne Street, Clayton-le-Moors, braved bitter weather conditions including snow during the Three Peaks Challenge, which
WORRIED neighbours are rallying round an animal lover who faces losing her pet monkey and are planning to launch a petition. Mary Stanton, 73, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, was told by council officials that her pet monkey, which she has allowed to roam
ONCE again, the so-called noble art of self defence (boxing) has been shamed by the fiasco in Glasgow in the bout between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and lamb-to-the-slaughter Lou Savarese. People were robbed, witnessing a 38-second nonsensical
ALTHOUGH Blackburn Rovers started training again this month, they still haven't signed a player who can get goals or make them. Also, no-one as yet has come for the players who are for sale, proving that they are not as good as was thought. There needs
Every week Bury Machine Knitting Group, meet every Wednesday at Mosses Centre, Bury, 2pm. Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Grp, meets Mosses Centre, Cecil Steet, Bury, 2.15pm. Details: John Vidler 766 9988. Adult beginners tap: 7pm Rammy Liberal Club
Bolton Wanderers are set to sign Charlton full back Anthony Barness. The 27-year-old has rejected a one-year contract offer to play in the Premiership with Charlton and is available on a free transfer.
YOU'RE never too old to become a World Champion -- as Billy Hindle can prove. At 61, the grandfather of nine came out of retirement to take part in the World Masters Judo Championships in Canada -- and celebrated a gold medal success. Billy, a senior
JULY brings with it some terrific entertainment with something to suit the whole family. THERE is a great night in store when the 'King of Comedy' himself, Ken Dodd returns to the Theatre Royal with his very own show on Friday, June 30 at 7.30pm. THIS
THE Lancashire Football Association are staging a mini soccer festival at Bowlee Playing Fields in Middleton on Sunday. It's for affiliated mini-soccer teams with ages ranging from under eights through to under 10s as on August 31 2000. Any teams interested
WORLD number eight Kevin Painter and number two woman Trina Gulliver were in town on Friday evening when they brought their Beauties and the Beast Darts Roadshow to Summerseat Liberal Club. A number of the town's best darters took on the talented duo
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED have drawn up their list of pre-season friendly fixtures -- and a mouth-watering package it is too. The Rams kick-off with a trip to Prestwich Heys on Thursday July 27 with a 7pm kick-off, then first up at the Riverside on Tuesday August
IF you are looking for somewhere to entertain the children on Saturday July 29 without burning a huge hole in your pocket, then look no further than the Midsummer Meltdown. Swinton Rugby League Club are staging the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final
Keighley Cougars...66 Swinton Lions...12 THE Lions ended their season on the saddest of notes, with a real hiding at the hands of the rampant Cougars. There was nothing but pride at stake for the Swinton players -- and after this performance many of them
A 42-YEAR-OLD woman appeared before magistrates today charged with arson with intent to endanger life in connection with a blaze at her disabled mother's home. Grace Warburton, 76, who is in a wheelchair, was helped out of her burning ground floor sheltered
REGARDING John Eddleston's attitude to section 28 and the referendum in Scotland (Letters, June 27), I would point out that 87 per cent of a million people is 870,000 people. As there are more than four million people in Scotland, the '87 per cent' who
REGARDING the possibility that bus services in Ainsworth Street, Blackburn, may be withdrawn, this will mean that people will have to walk from the Boulevard to the market or precinct, to do their shopping. Later, they will have to return to the Boulevard
I DO not wish to enter into prolonged dialogue with John Farrer, but I do need to correct some points he made (Letters, June 27). It is not clear whether he is in favour of improved public transport for Hyndburn or the positive partnership between the
LEIGH Centurions have missed out on a rare TV appearance - because of a wedding! RL bosses had earmarked the Dewsbury v Leigh play-off preliminary semi-final at Ram Stadium as the main match for a new regional TV highlights show on Saturday. But a pre-booked
BLACKBURN Rovers Supporters Association is holding an evening with Graeme Souness tomorrow night. The event takes place in the Premier Suite at Ewood Park, start 7.30 for 8pm. Tickets cost £2 for members and £3.50 for non-members.
GRAEME Souness insists there are no outcasts at Rovers -- despite telling a handful of players they are free to go. The Blackburn boss started moves to re-shape his squad over the summer by telling Nathan Blake, Per Frandsen, Keith Gillespie, Billy McKinlay
A TEENAGER arrested with the help of a police dog after he swam across a canal had been with friends who were planning to burgle a firm, Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told how Neil Fraser, 18, knew what was going on but said he was not part
AN ex-convict who hid three pairs of briefs under his jacket and tried to leave a shop had been in hospital with mental health problems. Burnley magistrates heard how John Holmes, 25, had previously been "sectioned," but although no longer in hospital
THE sister of a man who died in police custody told an inquest officers had changed their story about what happened on the night of his death. Janet Alder, 38, from the Manchester Road area of Burnley, was giving evidence at the hearing in Hull into her
BRITISH Rail chiefs claimed that services in East Lancashire would get better by the end of the year. BR's annual report blamed late delivery of new trains for causing increasing delays as older diesel locomotives broke down. The new breed of Sprinter
GRATEFUL store bosses were trying to track down a mystery motorist whose sharp eyes prevented a major blaze. The driver was in the right place at the right time to spot flames coming from the B&Q store at Whitebirk in Blackburn. And a phone call to
A Clayton-Le-Moors councillor is backing Local Government Agency plans to help crack down on benefit fraud. The LGA is calling for the simplification of the current system and asking the government to provide IT hardware to local authorities and the Benefit
YOUNG dancers are performing a new musical about children's rights to raise cash for abused youngsters worldwide. Thirty pupils aged eight to 17 from the Dorothy Bruce School of Dance are performing "Thursday's Child", based on the United Nations' Charter
LOCAL community groups are to receive a much-needed cash boost from the National Lottery. Small and new community and voluntary organisations in Ribble Valley are set to benefit from a £144,000 over the next three years from the lottery's Charity Board
GEODIS United Carriers, which has a depot in Bury, has announced it has successfully re-tendered for the Ministry of Defence UK freight and parcels contract. A spokesman for the Ministry said: "The award was made following a competitive tender exercise
BURY North MP David Chaytor hosted a visit to the House of Commons by partners and patrons of the town's Business Environment Association (BEA). The visitors were given a guided tour by Mr Chaytor during the event, which was arranged to coincide with
EXPORTERS in the North West are experiencing a fall in confidence for the first time since November 1998. That's according to the latest DHL quarterly export indicator which has monitored the outlook of leading UK manufacturing exporters for the past
CLARETS central defender Ian Cox may keep his international ambitions on hold for a little longer. Cox was wanted by Trindidad and Tobago for a couple of World Cup qualifiers this month. But having been sidelined by the broken wrist he sustained three
PLAYFUL Sam Horrocks had to be cut free by firemen after locking a handcuff on his leg. Sam (6) was driven to Whitefield Fire Station by his father Sunday lunchtime (July 2) and officers used a special air pressure cutter to remove the cuffs. Sam of Stand
TOTTINGTON builder Melvin Magnall fulfilled a dream when he rekindled a historic link between Bury and Woodbury in America on Saturday (July 1). The 63-year-old modern-day pioneer was given a hero's welcome when he canoed-up Woodbury Creek, just as Tottington-born
A BURY nurse died and two passengers were severely injured in a road crash. Grandmother of three, Mrs Gloria Patricia Bryant, known as Pat to her friends, was killed when her Renault Clio car was in a head-on collision with a Fiat Punto in Middleton early
THE first woman president of the 147-year-old Stand Cricket and Tennis Club is bowled over after being nominated for the Lancashire Woman of the Year title. But Glenda Hegg, the mother of England cricketer Warren, insists that there are others who deserve
SUNNYBANK residents may force a U-turn from town hall bosses over plans to build a youth shelter for the area's bored teenagers. Around 100 residents left local councillors in no doubt about their opposition to the proposal, which have already received
BUS services in Bury will be crippled this Friday (July 7) if drivers go ahead with the first in a series of two stoppages. A total of 1,750 drivers attached to bus operators First Manchester are scheduled to go on strike this Friday and next Monday (
PAOLO Passerini (pictured) has joined the law firm Forbes. Paolo, who lives in Blackburn with his wife Melanie and their four children, will be based at the firm's Preston office and will deal with clients from the firm's East Lancashire offices.
SILENTNIGHT Beds has appointed Paul Russell as its new production director. Paul, 44 -- pictured with the trademark hippo and a giant alarm clock -- will oversee the running of the Barnoldswick factory, as well as departments such as quality control,
PART TIME workers in East Lancashire are set to benefit from new rules. But low pay campaigners are warning that many will miss out on the new benefits aimed at making part time staff equal to their full time colleagues. The Part Time Work regulations
THURSDAY nights in July are ladies' nights at Waterfoot's The Moulders but there will be no stripping! "I'm Christine not Natalie," joked landlady Christine Young. The Corrie story line of the Masked Python may have had the ladies packing the Rovers,
WORKERS at a carpet underlay firm could down tools and strike after seven workers were sent home without pay. Management at Duralay, Broadway, Haslingden, and the 120 workers who belong of the GMB union have reached a stalemate over pay. Full-time branch
ANIMAL activists staged a demonstration outside a store to protest about the selling of reptiles. The protesters -- local members of the national pressure group Animal Aid -- targeted Petworld, which is part of the Focus Do It All Store, in Throstle Street
WORRIED neighbours are rallying round an animal lover who faces losing her pet monkey and are planning to launch a petition. Mary Stanton, 73, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, was told by council officials that her pet monkey, which she has allowed to roam
GOVERNMENT plans to give police the power to shut down rowdy pubs were today branded "reactionary" in East Lancashire. Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday held a summit meeting with chief constables from the five largest force in England and Wales where
CHILDREN are putting themselves in danger after vandals trashed a former old people's home and left drugs, personal files and property strewn around the building. St Emmanuel's Residential Home for the Elderly Confused, Blackburn, which controversially
I HAVE long been a critic of Hyndburn Council because of the state of its sport and recreational facilities -- the lack of changing rooms at King George's playing fields in Accrington, the dead grass left after cutting, the long grass on the outfield
Every week Modern sequence dancing: Greenmount Old School. Details 724 8225. Bury Group IAM, Mosses Centre, Cecil Street, Bury, Advanced motorist courses. Karate (6 to adult): Elton Centre, David Street, Bury 6pm - 8pm. Details 764 6843. Northern Link
Every week Popular sequence dancing: Greenmount Old School. Details 724 8225. Sequence dancing 7-9.30pm. Prestwich OAP Club, Church Lane. Children's dance classes. Ballroom, Latin, disco. St Bernadette's Social Club, Whitefield. Ages 3-15yrs. 10am-1pm
Every week Mixed dancing 50/50. Bury Polish Club, Back East St, 8pm-11.15pm. Members £2, non-members £2.50. Details 01706 366772. Recorded Music Circle, 7-9.15pm. Arts & Crafts Centre, Broad Street, Bury. Tots & Co: Play for kids, chat for parents
THURSDAY Every Week - Mother & toddler group: St Thomas's church, Rochdale Rd, Bury 10am-noon. Details 764 1157. Mother & toddler group: Elton Centre, David Street, Bury 1pm-3.15pm. Rascals Group (5-8 year-olds) 6pm-7.30pm. Youth Club (13+) 7.30pm
Every week Sunnybank Community Centre. Over 40s night. 8-10pm. Alternate Sunday walks. Derby Players dramatic soc. 7.30pm Mosses Ctr, Bury. John 797 7464, Jayne 763 3622 or call in. Gingerbread single parents group meet 6-8pm Besses Community Centre,
Every week Age Concern organise sport and dance activities for the over 50s at the Jubilee Centre, Mosley Avenue, Bury, on Mondays to Fridays. For full details ring 0161 763 9030. Parent toddler group 1pm-3pm St James' Church Hall, Walshaw Rd, Bury. Details
Ramsbottom United have confirmed a pre-season friendly against a Burnley XI at their Riverside ground on Tuesday, August 1. Ken Bridge's side are also hosting Bury and Accrington Stanley as part of their build-up to the First North Western Trains League
THE seedy world of cricket match fixing could have it's origins in East Lancashire -- after one of the earliest cases was uncovered in the Clitheroe Times at the turn of the century. Recent match-fixing stories involving South African captain Hansie Cronje
ANDY Flintoff is winning his battle to play a full part in Lancashire's NatWest Trophy fourth round tie against Essex at Old Trafford tomorrow. The 22-year-old has been in doubt since being sent home from the England squad ahead of the Lord's Test last
Stable Whispers by Harry Barlow LES Eyres told me last night that wherever he runs Butterscotch this week he expects him to win. Last Saturday he did his best piece of work since he arrived at the yard as a yearling. I am off to Catterick on Wednesday
CAPTAIN'S LOG with Cherry Tree skipper David Hayes WE'VE reached the halfway stage in the Ribblesdale League, which is normally the ideal time to predict who will be in the shake-up at the end of the season. The title now looks like it will be contested
A NURSING home resident in Bury found trapped in an electrical reclining chair died from natural causes, a post mortem has revealed. The body of Elsie Fletcher (82), was discovered in the chair at the Chestnut Court Nursing Home in Newton Street, Bury
