Sequence Dancing, Accrington Town Hall, 7.30pm. Royal British Legion, Catholic Club, Wellington Fold, Darwen, 7.30pm. Playschemes, Audley Sports and Community Centre, Chester Street, Blackburn, 2.30pm-4.30pm. 'The Hobbit,' Bold Venture Park, Darwen, 7pm
THE FEARS of people living in and around Langho after four serious accidents at a railway bridge in less than three months are not difficult to sympathise with. They rightly point out that a disaster could happen on a road where schoolchildren walk and
RECORDS of sightings have been sent in by Terry Myerscough, Bob Hargreaves, Julie Ford, Stan Crompton, Denise Ward, Michael Aldridge, Janice Oxberry, Jennifer Smith, Bernard Lee, Elaine Duffy, Deborah Kane, Mike Williams and Fred Ellison. The other day
BURY supporters get their first glimpse of Maltese international trialist Luke Dimech in tonight's friendly at Radcliffe Boro. The 24-year-old defender is in the middle of a three-week spell with the Shakers and is hoping to earn a contract. Dimech, who
IAM trying to obtain a copy or an original of a street map of Blackburn just prior to the First World War. I already have one for this period but the print is so small that one can hardly make out the street names. I would be grateful if readers can help
IN 1839, Richard Cobham a Manchester businessman, and one of the leaders of the free trade movement, which wanted repeal of the Corn laws, imposing a high tax on imported wheat and indeed abolition of all trade tariffs, in a speech, asked what free trade
REGARDING your 'Looking Back' article on Blackburn's Rialto Cinema (LET, July 2), I have never been able to understand why it was demolished all those years ago. We were told at the time that they were going to build offices on the site but all we have
PRECAUTIONS against foot-and-mouth have been reintroduced following a suspected outbreak of the disease at a farm in the Crankwood area of Abram, Wigan. And some restrictions have been introduced in Leigh in response to the situation. Walkers in the Abram
YOU won't be able to find a seat at Lord's for the first four days of the second Ashes Test -- provided it lasts that long. Test cricket is enjoying a boom in status and popularity and, with the Aussies always the biggest draw, all five Ashes games this
SHEEP and pigs culled in the foot and mouth epidemic could arrive in Burnley for burial next week, it was revealed today. MP Peter Pike and Burnley Council chiefs were today urgently seeking clarification from the Department for the Environment, Food
A HOUSE raider was spotted by police trying to hide his haul in the victims' front garden. Burnley Crown Court heard how dad Gary Bradley, 24, crept into a house and helped himself to a handbag, after the occupants had left the door unlocked so their
RESIDENTS living near to Rosehill Infants' School, Burnley, are being urged to contact the arson hot-line if they see children playing with fire in the area. Fire crews were called to the school when a piece of plastic was seen on fire next to the school
BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has called for the government to move swiftly to build a replacement for Wembley Stadium. He has told Culture, Media and Sports Secretary Tessa Jowell that he has been pressing for a new national stadium for soccer and rugby league
EAST Lancashire MPs Gordon Prentice and Peter Pike were among the Labour rebels who voted against the sackings of their colleagues in the biggest revolt of Tony Blair's rule. Mr Prentice, MP for Pendle, voted against the new line-ups for both the Foreign
THE official launch of Pendle Sure Start will take place next week. The idea is to introduce and promote the range of services being offered to families under the age of four in the Bradley and Whitefield ward areas of Nelson. Residents of those areas
POLICE and fire investigations are continuing in to a suspicious blaze at a three-storey former hotel in Nelson at the weekend. More than 40 fire fighters tackled the fire at the former Grove Hotel, in Manchester Road, which is believed to have started
COUNTY council chiefs devised a £40,000 rescue package to safeguard bus services which were threatened with the axe by operators Ribble. The public transport special sub-committee decided to retain some of the affected services under subsidy.
A CAMPAIGNER fighting to protect the former Darwen Moorland Lower School from rotting away slammed county council chiefs for turning their backs on the building. The council said the building, which dated from 1893, was being offered for sale by tender
his fight for life Cancer claims former Leigh RL Wembley star By Mike Hulme GEOFF Clarkson, one of Leigh RL Club's Wembley and championship heroes, has died at the age of 57. The popular back-row forward lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday - just
THE search was continuing today for the Calderstones Hospital missing patient - one week after he absconded while on a home visit to Manchester. Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Police are liaising to find Andrew Sutcliffe, who slipped out of
ENFIELD professional Martin Van Jaarsveld looks back at a prolific weekend and a big hundred at Rawtenstall followed by a possible run record at Dill Hall Lane and forward to the prospect of being allowed to bowl when he returns to South Africa this winter
HOW pleasing it was to learn that brown trout have been found in the River Darwen, once little more than an industrial sewer. These fish depend on fresh, clear water for their survival. Indeed, so advanced is the restoration of the East Lancashire rivers
WILL someone please explain to me what the benefits are of dishing out free computers and IT equipment and services to people -- other than the political proponents of this malarkey hoping to benefit from the votes of the recipients? Hard on the heels
HAVING observed a police investigation being launched to determine whether an afternoon sex show taking place in a pub a stone's throw from Blackburn Cathedral -- involving female strippers writhing with half-naked customers covered in baby oil -- was
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent admits the high prices of the domestic transfer market have prompted him to look into Europe for potential new recruits. Having successfully signed Nik Michopoulos last season, Ternent has followed that up this summer by bringing
BURY boss Andy Preece has warned stayaway fans that they are killing the club writes Steve Canavan In his strongest interview yet, Preece made his point simply and clearly. If supporters don't turn up, he said, then the town will not have a professional
ACTORS and actresses will be suffering from last minute nerves today as they take to the stage for their first ever outdoor performance. Members of Darwen Library Theatre are due to perform their rendition of J R R Tolkein's classic 'The Hobbit' after
A FAMILY have been reunited with a 50-year-old photo album of their relatives which mysteriously turned up among rubbish in a Darwen alleyway. Gertrude Thornton, 84, of Hawkshaw Avenue, Darwen, saw an article in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph appealing
A GRIEVING mother is hoping church authorities will look kindly on a request to have her baby daughter's ashes exhumed from a Darwen Cemetery. Georgina Shorrock, 23, is battling to change the final resting place of her two-and-a-half-year old daughter
A PATCH of derelict land is to be opened up as a safe haven for children after undergoing a £30,000 Ground Force-style makeover. Workmen are currently putting the finishing touches to the former disused water lodge, off Watery Lane, Darwen, which was
MUMS and their children have been learning how much fun books can be at a special course at Tup Bridge Family Centre in Rawtenstall. The five-week course entitled Make a Book Use a Book has been run by young people's librarian Suzanne Moriarty and Nikki
TEN years old Richard Handley cycled 64 miles and raised £303 on his first charity bike ride. Richard, a Lowton West County Primary School pupil, rode the Manchester-to-Blackpool route with his dad, Tony. Their seven-hour ride began at Manchester's Albert
wanted for support group A WOMEN'S support group for problem drinkers needs volunteers to man a new information line. The Leigh-based Willow Project is extending its drop-in service to other parts of the borough, and help will be needed for the new link
dies after heart attack A Past President of Rotary International A MEMBER of Leigh RL club's first post-war board and a prominent local businessman has died at the age of 93. Fred Bamford, a former cotton weaver who had an insurance business in Leigh
A BURGLAR used a stone to smash his way into a house and remove property to fund his drug habit, a court heard. Andrew Foster had been released from a four year sentence for burglary and was on licence at the time of the raid. The 24-year-old, of Pall
AS police dragged Neil Holden away from a town centre fight, Simon Blackledge stepped in and continued the battle, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that both men and their opponent had to be arrested before order could be restored. Holden
THE case of a prominent former Labour councillor, charged with conspiracy to defraud and perjury, has been transferred back to the North West. A judge in Shrewsbury took 10 minutes to decide the case involving Frank McKenna, the former deputy leader of
POLICE watchdogs have claimed the behaviour of some male officers is damaging the reputation of the profession after two former Lancashire officers won their sex bias case. The Police Complaints Authority (PCA), an independent body which supervises police
THANK you so much for the two tickets that I won in 'The Phantom Returns' competition. My friend, Joyce and I went to see the show at the Palace Theatre, Manchester and thought it was a fantastic night. Peter Karrie has an exceptional voice -- and the
IN your report on the stabbing of two men on the estate at Livesey, Blackburn (LET, July 9), it was stated that this was a rough area. Yes, we do have problems, but I do not think it is fair to say that ours is a problem estate. The problem is the area
CAMPAIGNERS have called for improved safety at an accident-plagued railway bridge and said: "Does somebody have to die before anything is done?" The plea came after an 18 tonne skip lorry toppled over after hitting the bridge in Whalley Road, Langho,
A CAR and van were involved in a collision in Liverpool Road, Burnley. VW Golf driver Annmarie Howland, 35, of East Street, Reedsholme, Rossendale, and Darren Wright, 77, of Gwynedd, Wales, who was driving a Mercedes 310 delivery van, were allowed home
A YOUTH who twice got behind the wheel whilst banned has five months to show a judge he can stay out of trouble. Burnley Crown Court heard how Mark Butterworth, 22, had seen "the dawn," and realised he would be spending the rest of his life behind bars
DETECTIVES investigating a fire at a house in Hope Street, Brierfield, early yesterday have charged a local man with arson and being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. The 54-year-old man was appearing before Pennine magistrates in Burnley
A DRUG-ADDICTED car thief pursued by police smashed into a house and caused a gas pipe to rupture. Burnley Crown Court heard how banned Glen Anthony Kennedy, 30, who had earlier taken an overdose -- had been driving on the pavement, couldn't get out of
A NEW era of local bus services has been hailed by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice. The MP cut the ribbon to launch the first of 15 new double deck buses which will run the Colne-Manchester X43 line for new operator Blazefield -- and heaped praise on the efforts
A MAN who lost four fingers when his hand was run over by a train after he fell asleep on a railway line is to be interviewed by British Transport Police. David Robert Whitely, 39, of New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, lost four fingers on one hand when he was
FOUR teenagers have appeared in court charged in connection with the fire bomb attacks in Accrington last month. Rajab Ali, 19, of Empress Street, Accrington; Arffan Hussain, 18, of Tremellen Street, Accrington and a 16-year-old Accrington schoolboy,
life better for elderly MAKERFIELD MP and Minister of State for Pensions Ian McCartney says he is committed to making life better for the elderly. Previously Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Mr McCartney MP has been appointed Minister of State
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent admits the high prices of the domestic transfer market have prompted him to look into Europe for potential new recruits. Having successfully signed Nik Michopoulos last season, Ternent has followed that up this summer by bringing
A MAN facing a charge of robbery was released by Blackburn magistrates after admitting a breach of bail conditions imposed by Preston Crown Court. Darren Robinson, 24, had been living at a family hostel accommodation in Police Street, Darwen, as a condition
DARING teachers proved they were bolder than most in a sponsored challenge set by their pupils. Staff from Moorland High School, in Holden Fold, Darwen, scaled the highs and lows of Bold Venture as part of the task given them by schoolchildren and scouts
SCHOOLGIRL Carla Rawling picked up an honorary award for service to her school after helping a friend who was diagnosed with cancer. Carla, who is a pupil at Darwen Moorland High School, was presented with the Joan Scholes award by Blackburn Soroptomist
A STREET fair which over the years has helped charitable organisations raise thousand of pounds has been scrapped. For the past five years the cost of putting on the street fair in Haslingden has been met by Action for Haslingden Partnership, which secured
COUNCILLORS have backed residents and thrown out a housing plan for an already heavily-developed village. Eight residents from Weir sat with Rossendale engineering and planning committee to hear the outline plan for 42 homes at Irwell Springs discussed
JAMES Green used his £80 lottery winnings to wine and dine his estranged girlfriend, as well as buying presents for her and her daughter, a court heard. But less than a week later Yvonne O'Flynn had Green arrested for breaching a restraining order and
NEW high-tech signs have been installed on Lancashire motorways to make it easier to drivie to the Open Golf Championship. The signs, on the M6, M65 and M61, advise drivers to stick to the motorways to Royal Lytham rather than switch to minor roads. The
A MAYOR and mayoress were roped into supporting a knot-tying charity efforts by members of Blackburn Sea Cadets. The youngsters are busy raising money for the national Get Knotting Appeal. Representatives from the unit are travelling to a regatta in London
ROSSENDALE United have turned to girl power as they strive to make an impact in the UniBond League next season -- appointing Claire Fairhurst as their new commerical manager. The Dark Lane side were promoted to the UniBond First Division last season and
BEARING in mind the need to keep away from the threat of foot and mouth, I spent some time in Downham and looked up towards Pendle before driving over the "big one" towards Barley. Downham must surely be the most idyllic village in the North West -- and
IN your article (LET, July 12), it is stated that global temperatures are rising faster now than at any time in the last 1,000 years and the carbon dioxide levels are higher than at any time in the last 400,000 years. If the present levels are due to
REGARDING your report (LET, July 2) about the family of Robert Thompson, one of the Jamie Bulger killers, having to go into hiding for the ninth time in eight years after an alleged revenge attack, they and the family of Jon Venables must be suffering
ALAN Kelly's proposed £600,000 switch to Tottenham is in danger of collapsing after the latest round of talks broke down yesterday. Republic of Ireland international Kelly had packed his bags and travelled south expecting to complete the formalities of
GRAEME Souness's hopes of landing Liverpool defender Djimi Traore have suffered a set-back after the Merseyside giants rejected Rovers' £3 million offer. Ewood chief Souness had tabled the bid for the classy Frenchman earlier this week as he looks to
BLACKBURN ROVERS have announced reduced ticket prices, and money-saving offers for the mouth-watering visit of Spanish giants Barcelona to Ewood Park on Sunday August 12 (kick off 3 pm). Tickets will go on open sale from Wednesday July 25, at £15.00 for
THE independent inquiry report into the health care of Rabina Hashim, the mentally-disturbed Burnley mother who killed her baby by throwing her into the canal, will today be presented to health bosses in private. . But East Lancashire Health Authority
SHEEP and pigs culled in the foot and mouth epidemic could arrive in Burnley for burial next week, it was revealed today. MP Peter Pike and Burnley Council chiefs were today urgently seeking clarification from the Department for the Environment, Food
FORMER Pendle councillor Roger Abbiss has had bigger fish to fry since leaving the local authority last year. His energies have been focused on making an even greater success of his fish and chip shop in Nelson town centre. Last year Roger, 44, and his
SAINTS chief executive Mal Kay has reacted angrily to the news that their away game with Castleford has been brought forward to Friday, August 3. With Saints playing Salford the previous Sunday and the England v. Wales game taking place on Tuesday, July
THE owner of a car repair yard has said he is open for business after a nearby yard was destroyed in a blaze. The fire, which happened on Sunday, destroyed about 100 cars at Oaks Commercials, an auto storage yard, in Meadow Street, Great Harwood. Mark
to share their special day By Brian Gomm A DOUBLE wedding with a real civic flavour proved a crowd-stopper in Leigh. When larger-than-life local politician Brian Jarvis married Barbara Gregson, they tied the knot together with their friends Peter Bowdler
BURNLEY'S footballers have made a habit of coming with a late run in recent seasons and they did it again yesterday by beating their neighbours off the final ball to clinch a four-wicket win in their annual cricket match at Turf Moor. Set an imposing
A UNION is considering taking legal action over the way 24 workers were made redundant at a Darwen wallpaper firm last week. The workers at Zen Wallcoverings, Cross Street, Darwen, were made redundant last Thursday -- after the firm had spent a month
SEVEN men were seen near the Rockcliffe Club in Bacup where the condom machine was stolen from the men's toilets. Manager Sharon Yerkess said: "I was called by the police at 6.15am on Saturday who said they had found the condom machine outside the premises
PARENTS living on the Tunstead Estate in Stacksteads have been advised to keep their children under control. A letter has been sent from Bacup Neighbourhood Office to homes in the area following complaints from elderly people living in bungalows on Lord
A TEENAGER scarred for life after a glassing in a Blackburn nightspot today pleaded with fellow clubbers to help find the yob who attacked him before he strikes again. And 18-year-old Shane Brian and his mother Karen today criticised police officers,
CAMPAIGNERS have called for improved safety at an accident-plagued railway bridge and said: "Does somebody have to die before anything is done?" The plea came after an 18 tonne skip lorry toppled over after hitting the bridge in Whalley Road, Langho,
A 55-YEAR-OLD postmaster needed hospital treatment after he was attacked by two robbers. The man suffered a deep cut to his left ankle after being struck by one of the masked thugs during a raid on Dumers Lane Post Office in Radcliffe on Monday (July
