Archive

  • Don't call us the angels of doom . . .

    CONTROVERSY surrounded the Coronation Street storyline featuring the death of Alma Halliwell from cervical cancer. The character was not offered the support of a Macmillan nurse through the crisis, which would normally be the case. PAULINE HAWKINS investigates

  • Family of seven burned out

    A FAMILY of seven were burned out of their home during another night of racial violence across East Lancashire. Police condemned the attack on the Asian family in Bold Street, Accrington, as an 'appalling incident' and appealed for help to catch the arsonists

  • Still fighting the odds

    Legends: Derek Fazackerley WHATEVER path life leads down, with it 's highs and lows, often you find yourself fighting the same battles - just the situations change. For former Blackburn Rovers long-serving centre back Derek Fazackerley he is finding that

  • Trio training their way back to work

    THREE Pendle men are working their way back to employment through a scheme based in Nelson. Tackling Unemployment, in Carr Road, has paid for unemployed Drew Reading, 22, of Colne, Michael Dobson, 58, of Foulridge, and Ian Appleton, 28, of Barnoldswick

  • Son takes part in race in memory of his dad

    A RACE held in memory of Pendle window cleaner Roger Hargreaves, who died earlier this month in a motorbike accident, attracted more than 150 people of all ages. Organised by members of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, the five-mile race was started from the

  • First Freeman of Borough honoured

    FORMER councillor and Mayor of Pendle, Frank Hartley, was overwhelmed by the praise he received from members of all parties of the council during a special presentation ceremony at Nelson Town Hall. Mr Hartley, 71, of Smith Street, Nelson, sat quietly

  • Who's playing where in East Lancashire

    SATURDAY (June 30) Cellar Bar, Blackburn: BLACKBURN COLLEGE, BANDS NIGHT, 8pm admission free. The New Inn, Parson Lane, Clitheroe: CAROL HARRISON BAND, IAN ALVESTON and The HEAVILY BROTHERS, 8.30pm admission free. Privilege Nightclub, Darwen: COMMERCIAL

  • Pure Animal magic

    SUPER FURRY ANIMALS, Manchester Academy AS the The Super Furry Animals left the stage, any final thoughts of this band just being five quirky guys from the Valleys were well and truly smashed. During the weekend they had previewed their fantastic new

  • Pump to blame for sewage in stream

    UNITED Utilities and Hyndburn Council have been fined after sewage was pumped into a brook. Accrington Magistrates heard how raw sewage had twice been discharged into Clough Brook, Huncoat, from a nearby sewage pumping station. The water company and local

  • Heroin addict dad attacked wife and baby

    A HEROIN addict hit his year-old baby on the head and threatened to kill the child, a court was told. Father-of-two John Gordon, 38, also struck his wife after he awoke in a foul mood and wanted drugs. Burnley Crown Court heard how the infant had to be

  • Chemists on Duty

    Sunday, July 1 BLACKBURN: 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrugs Pharmacy, 3-7 Stonybutts; 11am-2pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 12noon-1pm: Shadsworth Pharmacy, 221 Shadsworth Road. DARWEN: 12noon-4pm: Boots Chemist, 8 Market Street; 12noon-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy

  • Chemists on Duty

    Thursday, July 5 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive; Healthbook Ltd, Audley Shopping Centre

  • Chemists on Duty

    Tuesday, July 3 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver

  • Disease issues will be looked at soon

    THE Rural Affairs Department's divisional veterinary manager for Lancashire is to look into a number of foot and mouth issues following meetings with the NFU, countryside rangers and the police. Rob Paul has been consulting with the groups at least once

  • Police hit back at sex case criticism

    POLICE bosses have hit back at criticism of their investigation into sexual assault charges against former undertaker Richard Chew. The response comes after Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans demanded an inquiry into why it took police and crown prosecution

  • Willie repaid Clarets faith

    Legends: Willie Irvine IF portions of humble pie were served in direct relation to the size of the gaffe, the newspaper reporter who wrote off Willie Irvine's professional career before it had started should have been tucking in for years. Irvine, a schoolboy

  • Solution promise over danger road

    COUNCIL bosses have pledged to find a solution to a rat-run nightmare being endured by residents in a Darwen street. Some 27 residents living in a block of terraced houses in Blackburn Road, have signed a petition calling for action to be be taken on

  • Youngsters stage sell-out show

    YOUNGSTERS aged from two-and-a-half to 18 are on stage tonight to a sell-out audience at Haslingden Public Hall. The performance by Rossendale Dance and Drama Studio was staged on three nights at the public hall. The youngest dancer was two-and-a-half

  • Plans for 68 flats likely to be rejected

    PLANNING councillors will be urged to throw out an application to demolish industrial units at Bentgate Works, Haslingden, and to replace them with 68 flats. The outline planning application will be discussed by Rossendale's engineering and planning committee

  • Meeting confirms the first county cabinet

    THE first cabinet to lead Lancashire County Council has been confirmed at a meeting of the full County Council at County Hall, Preston. The appointments to the Cabinet herald a new era at Lancashire County Council, where team work and focus on citizens

  • Bus service off after 'stoning'

    A COUNCIL estate has had its bus service withdrawn again, after a bus was stoned by youths and the driver was struck on the head. The 464 bus, driven by a Blackburn man, was travelling from Bacup to Rochdale and was on Pennine Road at 5.37pm on Tuesday

  • Show goes on says landlady

    THE landlady at the centre of a storm over a steamy afternoon sex show in a town centre pub says she still plans to apply for an entertainments licence. Andrea Bennett, who runs the Boulevard Pub near Blackburn Railway Station, pulled the plug on the

  • 'Scared' man caged for card fraud

    A MAN too scared to face the consequences of his crime has been jailed for nine months. William Smith failed to turn up at court on a sentencing date. He eventually surrendered to police -- and received a prison sentence on appearing at Preston Crown

  • Hundred years of sensing spirits of the dead

    THE members of a Spiritualist church are celebrating its centenary. The foundation stone for Blackburn Spiritualist Church, St. Peter Street, Blackburn, was laid on June 29 1901. The group has had solid membership since its inception. Numbers have varied

  • Moira strikes chord for research

    A CONCERT to raise money for Alzheimer's research is being held at the Hornby Theatre, Blackburn Central Library, on Thursday. The Songs For Moira concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets, £3, £2 concessions, are available on the door. The event has been

  • Wandering Walter drives 'em quackers!

    A CHEEKY duck knew he was on to a winner when he gatecrashed a pond and made it his home. Walter the duck flew into the village of Belthorn a year ago. He soon became a popular addition to the village's communal pond along with four other ducks which

  • RUGBY LEAGUE: Lynx look for consolation

    CHORLEY Lynx will be looking to end their season on a winning note when they entertain Keighley Cougars at Victory Park this Sunday, kick off 3pm. Lynx currently lie next to bottom in the league, but victory would see them move above Gateshead Thunder

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Lancashire League preview

    WHILE Lowerhouse are ready to ring the changes in their paid ranks for the rest of the season, skipper Matt Hope is calling on the rest of his side to do their bit and continue their surge up the Transco Lancashire League table. Hope's men have won their

  • EVENTS in East Lancashire on Sunday, July 1

    Sponsored Bike Ride from Blackpool, followed by Charity event, Sydney Street WMC, Accrington, 1pm. Sunday Shopping, Blackburn Town Centre, 11am-5pm. Free parking. Sequence Dancing, St Joseph's RC Church, Bolton Road, Darwen, 7.30pm-10pm. Family Fun Orchestra

  • My First. . .

    this week, with THE REV CHRIS STERRY, Vicar of Whalley Parish Church, Guinness Book of Records contender this weekend for the longest-ever sermon MEMORY: Being wheeled in my pram past a cornfield, red with poppies, in my home village near Wakefield. RECORD

  • The Saturday Message

    with Canon Herrick Daniel, Vicar of St Barnabas' Church, Blackburn DURING the General Election campaign, politicians went over the top in making relentless promises, which at the back of their minds they knew full well were impossible to fulfil because

  • Coastal gems await discovery

    Drive & Stroll, with Ron Freethy WHEN we head for the coast in search of sun, fun, history and natural history most of us think about breezy Blackpool or the mild climate of Morecambe. But what about the area between Liverpool and Southport? Despite

  • Pupils with pets

    A PETS day at QEGS Junior School in Blackburn gave pupils the chance to introduce their animals to teachers and friends. Pupils gave a talk about their pets and swopped tips on how to look after them. They were also given valuable advice by Abigail Woods

  • Celebration as church reopens

    THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Blackburn, held an open day to celebrate its reopening after refurbishments. The 10-year-old church had been closed for three months while it was recarpeted, redecorated and had the woodwork redone. Parishioners

  • Lorry runs into low bridge

    TRAFFIC ground to halt in Blackburn after a lorry smashed into a railway bridge and overturned. The vehicle, which was too tall for the bridge, was attempting to pass under Darwen Street Railway Bridge at about 5pm yesterday when the crash happened. Police

  • Experts will lead walks

    LANCASHIRE County Archaeological Service has arranged a series of visits -- called Walk Past 2001 -- to a number of archaeological sites, historic buildings and ancient landscapes within East Lancs. This year the walks are mainly based around urban areas

  • Sporty dads and lads

    COMPETITIVE fathers and sons are wanted for the 'Howzat' summer cricket programme. The scheme, run by Lancashire County Council in partnership with the England and Wales Test and County Cricket Board and Lancashire County Cricket Club, aims to change

  • Residents draw up wish-list for the future

    RESIDENTS in the Queen's Park area of Blackburn have given the council a wish-list of improvements in their community. They have been visiting Audley Community Centre, Chester Street, all week to post their suggestions for potential projects as part of

  • Sunseekers hit by strike chaos

    SCORES of East Lancashire sunseekers were left stranded as coach drivers in Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza went on strike. The stoppage triggered queues of more than three hours for taxis from Palma airport in Majorca to hotels yesterday. Other tourists who

  • Priority has to be Premiership survival

    SAFETY first is the message from Ewood as Blackburn Rovers gear up for their Premiership return. The last time Rovers clinched promotion to the top-flight they soared to a fourth place finish under Kenny Dalglish in 1993, en route to winning the championship

  • Interview switch for BNP leader

    THE BBC was planning an interview with the British National Party leader today but abandoned plans to hold it in Burnley, against the background of race riots. BNP leader Nick Griffin was taking part in the interview for the Radio 4 Today programme but

  • Youths quizzed over death

    POLICE were today due to quiz four youths in connection with the "suspicious" death of a pensioner who collapsed minutes after dialling 999 to report a confrontation with youngsters. Sheila Bridge, 62, of Lansbury Place, Nelson, collapsed soon after calling

  • Loyalty rewarded at market

    SHOPPERS in Nelson will be rewarded for spending their money locally through a new loyalty scheme. The scheme will be launched on Monday at the Admiral Shopping Centre. Shoppers will be given a loyalty card on which they have to get 18 stamps from any

  • Hundreds react to mosque attack rumour

    HUNDREDS of Asian men gathered at the Nelson mosque following rumours that it was under threat of attack. Police also attended in large numbers late yesterday but no trouble was reported. Ex-Pendle Coun Mohammed Iqbal who liaised with the police said:

  • Reviews of the latest sounds

    Singles JAN JOHNSTON: Silent Words, (Perfecto) -- Salford-born Jan Johnston follows up her Top 40 hit Flesh with this more reflective track. Making a clear departure from the widescreen trance of Flesh, here she's more a reflective mode. Seducing us with

  • Toying with plans for new playground

    RESIDENTS living near the village's Rushton Street playground could be asked to decide whether it should be improved or closed down. Members of the council's West Craven Committee are faced with five options of how to deal with the site at Rushton Avenue

  • Tourism chiefs start service to the Dales

    TOURISM chiefs in Yorkshire are launching a new bus service in a bid to woo East Lancashire people back to their foot and mouth hit tourist spots. The service linking the area with the Yorkshire Dales will be launched tomorrow. The Burnley and Pendle

  • Big opening in store for brave Becky

    A SCHOOLGIRL battling cancer for the second time in two years is to become the centre of attention this weekend when she officially opens a new food store. Becky Baxter, 10, who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer of the pelvis and

  • Thugs attack boy in street

    A TEENAGER was kicked in the head by two attackers after he was jumped on as he walked home at night. Daniel Brooks, 15, of Ribbleton Drive, Accrington, was returning from Thorneyholme Road at around 9.45pm when he was set upon from behind. "A friend

  • Family of seven burned out

    A FAMILY of seven were burned out of their home during another night of racial violence across East Lancashire. Police condemned the attack on the Asian family in Bold Street, Accrington, as an 'appalling incident' and appealed for help to catch the arsonists

  • Chemists on Duty

    Friday, July 6 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst

  • Chemists on Duty

    Wednesday, July 4 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy

  • Chemists on Duty

    Monday, July 2 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst

  • Fans could give Owls trip a miss

    CLARETS fans are threatening to turn their backs on the opening fixture of the season at Sheffield Wednesday following its switch to a Sunday night kick-off. Burnley's First Division curtain-raiser has been moved to a 6.15pm start on Sunday, August 12

  • Rovers priority has to be Premiership survival

    SAFETY first is the message from Ewood as Blackburn Rovers gear up for their Premiership return. The last time Rovers clinched promotion to the top-flight they soared to a fourth place finish under Kenny Dalglish in 1993, en route to winning the championship

  • Burnley fans could give Owls trip a miss

    CLARETS fans are threatening to turn their backs on the opening fixture of the season at Sheffield Wednesday following its switch to a Sunday night kick-off. Burnley's First Division curtain-raiser has been moved to a 6.15pm start on Sunday, August 12

  • Hot Dog on the festival menu

    FUNKED-UP hip-hop band Big Dog have been added to the bill of two of the summer's major festivals. They are among a number of local bands playing at top events, ensuring East Lancashire is well-represented on the big stages. Described as The Specials

  • Insurance shock for salon owner

    A STUNNED hair and beauty therapy salon owner has been left counting the cost of a burglary after his insurance company refused to pay out. Gordon Kenyon owns Plus 2 Hair and Plus 2 Beauty in Manchester Road, Haslingden, and another hair salon in Accrington

  • Gemma shines in beauty contest

    A TRAINEE beauty consultant from Blackburn was ecstatic after being awarded a high placing in a national competition in London. Gemma Fallon, 19, of Lilac Road, came third in the Sterex Student of the Year Awards, held at the famous Selfridges Hotel.

  • Women ordained in historic move

    TWO teachers will today make history when ordained as Blackburn's first Local Ministers. Mrs Dyllis Dickinson, of St John's Church, Stalmine with St John the Baptist, Pilling and Mrs Barbara Wilson of St John's Church Leyland will be among eight people

  • Cathedral ready to shed the light

    BLACKBURN Cathedral is preparing to put up its new sculpture. The 'Healing of Nations' will be placed on the external east end gable of the Cathedral on August 26. It will emit patterns of light from hydraulically powered fibre optics. And, with a diameter

  • Sunseekers hit by strike chaos

    SCORES of East Lancashire sunseekers were left stranded as coach drivers in Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza went on strike. The stoppage triggered queues of more than three hours for taxis from Palma airport in Majorca to hotels yesterday. Other tourists who

  • Grieving mum hit by cemetery theft

    A GRIEVING mother today hit out at thieves who stole teddy bears from her four-month-old daughter's grave before vandalising it and said: "How could anyone be so sick?" Mother of two Emma Wharton, 22, appealed for the return of the treasured celtic teddy

  • ARM WRESTLING: World arm wrestling champ can't afford defence

    NEIL and Elaine Pickup would be household names if they were competing in Russia, America or Turkey where arm wrestling is a professional sport. Instead, Neil has to fund his own trip to defend his European title in Sweden next week while world champion

  • ANGLING: Canals will improve with the warmer conditions

    by Kingfisher THERE was much improved sport for most anglers last weekend, along with pleasant enough conditions. Let us hope for more of the same as we enter the holiday period. I have little doubt that we will, in fact, see and enjoy even better sport