IN today's fast moving world young people don't have easy lives. Divorce rates are soaring and the disruption caused by broken marriages leaves its mark on a high percentage of children. If parents are together and working the chances are they are away
IT has not taken Jack Straw very long in his new job to learn all the 'spin' required to give a benign appearance to the presence of British armed forces in other nations' sovereign states (LET, August 30), which he arrogantly calls 'Britain's backyard
JUST before the last General Election, Tony Blair was shouting education, education, education. That is what we must have for our children. But we are now told we don't have enough teachers, nor do we have enough doctors, nurses and policemen -- all these
COULD I clarify the misleading impression about the care of Church of England parishes in the Blackburn area given by your front page article 'Vicars Under the Axe' (LET, September 4)? The article mistakenly states: "The long-serving Vicar of one of Blackburn's
IALWAYS thought that age was supposed to bring wisdom, but in the case of Leslie Jones it simply appears to allow a barrage of illogical rantings to actually make it to paper. The way men and women dress today is their own affair. Dress and attitudes
ROVERS' Academy teams continued their excellent start to the season with two crushing wins over Barnsley at the weekend. The Under 19s won 2-0 thanks to goals from the prolific Jonathan Walters and Ryan Hevicon. And the Under 17s won 3-0 courtesy of another
EWOOD chief executive John Williams today quashed talk of a move for West Brom's Neil Clement. Speculation in the national Press over the weekend claimed Rovers have already made an enquiry for the highly-rated 22-year-old as manager Graeme Souness steps
SUNDERLAND chief Peter Reid paid giant striker Niall Quinn a glowing tribute after the Republic of Ireland international's late heroics sealed the points for the Wearsiders. The veteran hit-man broke the deadlock in typical style with a trademark back-post
ROVERS skipper Garry Flitcroft must be considering crossing Niall Quinn off his Christmas card list after the gangly striker ruined his first ever visit to Sunderland's Stadium of Light. Flitcroft and Quinn were big buddies during their days together
NEW boy Matt Anderton set Darwen on their way to their first NWCL Division Two win of the season. The centre half, signed from Clitheroe, equalised ten minutes after the restart to get Steve Wilkes's side back in the game. And they went in front for the
SPEED King Carl Fogarty was on a real high when his first daughter was born - five miles high flying back from Malysia. The motorbike ace came in second place to Danielle, 7lb 5.5oz, as he raced back from riding in the World Superbike Championship events
TWO men escaped from the first floor of their blazing house today after neighbours raced to the rescue. The two men -- thought to be brothers -- suffered cuts, bruises and smoke inhalation as a result of the fire at Spring Street, Rishton at around 1.30am
ROTHERHAM United manager Ronnie Moore and his son, the scorer of Burnley's opening goal, Ian clashed for the first time and this is how they felt afterwards. Ronnie on Ian: "It was frustrating for me because obviously I was hoping he wouldn't score. "
CHERRY Tree clinched the Jennings Ribblesdale League title on a nailbiting last day of the season. Cup champions Great Harwood had been poised to steal the show if Cherry Tree slipped up and Harwood posted their intentions early in the day. Gordon Simpson
AMBITIOUS Second Division outfit Oldham Athletic have made a cheeky enquiry about Jason McAteer in the run-up to their Worthington Cup clash with Rovers on Wednesday night. Latics boss Andy Ritchie has contacted Ewood officials about the possibility of
CLARETS Boss Stan Ternent has backed goalkeeper Nik Michopoulos's bid to regain the Greek international shirt. Ternent hailed the 31-year-old's exploits as he made two important saves to help keep Burnley top of the first division table with a 3-0 win
AN amateur archeologist from Darwen astounded his audience with revelations a the Incan Empire. Alexander Newbegging, of Alfred Street, gave a one hour talk at Top Conservative Club, Northcote Street, Darwen, on how Incas constructed their jigsaw-like
A HARVEST of a different kind is planned at Haslingden's St James' Parish Church and it won't involve food of any kind. This year, to celebrate harvest, the church is appealing for local groups and individuals to make a scarecrow which will then be exhibited
A YOUNGSTER was in hospital today with head injuries after being involved in a collision with a car on a Chorley street. Police said the three-year-old, who has not been named, appeared to have run out from behind a parked car and into the path of a Vauxhall
BLACKBURN with Darwen Volunteer Bureau is looking for volunteers to help with a range of projects. Volunteers are required to assist with school swimming lessons. Training to ASA Assistant Teacher level will be provided to ensure volunteers are competent
BLACKBURN with Darwen Borough Council's environmental health team is making a big noise about winning a top national award. They have beaten off the challenge of 178 other authorities to lift the Noise Abatement Society prize. The award has been made
NELSON earned a replay in the FA Vase first qualifying round with a fighting display in the North East. Mark Smith gave the Blues the lead after only three minutes and Kiko Rodriguez almost doubled their advantage two minutes later but Norton were let
RAMSBOTTOM crashed out of the FA Vase in the first preliminary round in the North East. The Rams made a good start and took a deserved lead on 11 minutes, Steve Brennan latching on to Russell Brierley's header to race clear and lob the advancing Lenny
PADIHAM'S inability to break down opponents' defences and their knack of making individual defensive mistakes themselves continued to be their downfall on Saturrday when they lost 1-0 to Stone Dominoes at the Arbories in the North West Counties League
SEAN GREGAN had his hands on his knees and stared in the ground in disbelief as Preston made it five league games without a win this season after their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Wolves. The skipper stood in the centre circle as the final whistle
NEIL HODGSON was able to take consolation from Assen through the World Superbike championship success of his buddy Troy Bayliss. The Australian clinched the title with two race wins, thanks to a little help from his friend and team-mate Ruben Xaus. The
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. "Magic Wallets" -- craft workshop, Burnley Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley, 1.30pm-3.30pm. BARSA Better Driving Course, Blackburn Northern Sports Club, Pleckgate
READING through the paper, I was amazed at the letter you printed from Mr Jones. Obviously this man has had a sudden onset of senile dementia or simply doesn't keep up with change. Women today, Mr Jones, are not tied to the kitchen sink, they choose to
FOUR passengers on an East Lancashire bus which was involved in a serious crash in York are still in hospital today. All passengers, including some from Chorley, on the coach belonging to Viscount Central, of Burnley, will be interviewed by police investigating
TWO 13-year-old boys were charged today after a youngster, attacked with a golf club, was found unconscious in a pool of blood. The 15-year-old victim suffered head injuries after an incident in Cotton Street, Accrington. A passer-by discovered the boy
SOUNESS has blasted referee Mike Dean after he failed to award Rovers a penalty at Sunderland on Saturday following a challenge by Jody Craddock on Mark Hughes. "I think when referees see Mark Hughes's name on the team-sheet then automatically a picture
A LOOK at the key perfomances from the game against Sunderland. FRIEDEL: Kept Rovers in the game with a couple of outstanding saves to cap an impressive display...7 NEILL: A sound debut from the former Millwall man. Solid defensively and always willing
MORE than 60 people queued up outside the Jobcentre in Burnley when an open day was held to recruit staff for a new Government pensions call centre in Simonstone. And would-be employees got the chance to meet the "boss" when Pensions Minister Ian McCartney
EAST Lancashire's own antiques expert Eric Knowles is returning to the area to value specialist treasures which may have been long hidden in attics and cupboards. Nelson-born Eric, a Clarets fan, will be offering advice on works on art dating from the
JUST about every Clitheroe resident turned out 36 years ago this week for the famous torchlight procession -- but the crowds were much thinner at the Castle Fete which preceded it earlier that Saturday. For an unfavourable weather report and the voluntary
MATT Raywood scored twice for Great Harwood to secure the first win of the season for the NWCL Division One side. Graham Lightbowne had given Denis Underwood's side the lead, he fired home from about 15 yards out to give Harwood the half time advantage
PUBLIC toilets in Hurst Green and Wycoller, Pendle, were voted the best loos in Lancashire in the 1996 Best Kept Village competition. East Lancashire also scooped prizes for the prettiest village, smartest shop and classiest caravan site.
A CONSULTANT who was suspended from a children's hospital after an Accrington baby died has now been dismissed. Mark Leonard Baxandall will not be used by the Central Manchester NHS trust as a consultant paediatric anaesthetist again, bosses said today
A CHEF has the found the perfect way to get to work and beat the rush-hour blues -- he goes by boat! Murray Robertson, 31, stunned regulars at the Albion pub, in Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, when he turned up for his first day at the job complete with
A MAN was being questioned today after a raid on a post office. Terrified staff at Whalley Post Office said they handed over a substantial amount of cash after a gun was pointed at them on Saturday, at 7pm. Police said the man then escaped with the cash
STEVE MACMAHON was left fuming about referee Mike Ryan after seeing his side go down to a undeserved 2-1 defeat away at Oldham. Despite dominating the game, Blackpool left Boundary Park with nothing, and McMahon aimed both barrels at ref Ryan after his
CLARETS Boss Stan Ternent has backed goalkeeper Nik Michopoulos's bid to regain the Greek international shirt. Ternent hailed the 31-year-old's exploits as he made two important saves to help keep Burnley top of the first division table with a 3-0 win
IT TOOK a little under 100 seconds for Burnley to wrap up the three points and ensure they retained top spot in Division One. Goals from striker Ian Moore and midfielder Paul Weller killed off this match as a contest early in the second half but, while
CHORLEY took the maximum 15 points from their last match of the season against Leyland Motors at Windsor Park to finish third in the Northern Premier League, ensuring a place in next season's Lancashire Cup competition. Their man-of-the-match was England
DARWEN finished off their season in the Northern Premier League by picking up seven points from a winning draw away at Leyland on Saturday. Darwen were put in to bat and amassed an impressive 215-7 declared, thanks to a second consecutive league century
BACUP are celebrating their second successive Transco Lancashire League title - and have no plans to hand over their mantle next summer. A comprehensive seven-wicket win over Enfield had the champagne corks popping at Lanehead as even a dramatic last-ball
PROFESSIONAL Shaun Young set up Bacup's title triumph with another magnificent all-round performance on Saturday. The Australian grafted his way to 75 in a total of 168-9 and then claimed 5-18 as Lowerhouse were shot out for just 59. Young, who faced
EAST Lancs were the Lancashire League bridesmaids for the fifth time in six years but finished their season on a high. The fact Bacup had held off their challenge to win the title on the final day was old news by the time Nas Iqbal faced the last three
SEAN GREGAN had his hands on his knees and stared in the ground in disbelief as Preston made it five league games without a win this season after their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Wolves. The skipper stood in the centre circle as the final whistle
HOLKER House, the Adult Education Centre in Darwen, has plenty of classes to suit all tastes and enrolment for courses is taking place now. Full time courses available in Darwen include a Certificate in Administration and Secretarial Procedures and an
VOLUNTEER drivers are needed to help promote awareness of the Christie Hospital across the North West - and there is a particular shortage of drivers for the Darwen area. A compact mobile information unit is used extensively by fund-raising teams both
EIGHTIES chart topper Neil Arthur knew exactly where to buy a flash new motor -- his old mate from his hometown of Darwen. Neil made the journey from his London home to the Anchor Service Station, Blackburn Road, and picked up the seven seater black Mercedes
A 34-year-old horse got into a bit of a tangle when it got its legs trapped in a fence in Helmshore and had to be cut free by firefighters. Crews from Haslingden and Rawtenstall, along with an incident support unit from Accrington, attended Torside Hall
LEADING authors will be attending Blackburn Central Library to talk about their work during a special series of autumn attractions 'All Sorts of Authors' will give readers the chance to talk to the writers who will also be reading from their books. Among
BLACKBURN Cathedral has denied that ancient trees are to be axed so that its flock can get a better view of its new £100,000 'Healing of the Nations' sculpture. The 21ft copper disc with its fibre optics, branded a flying saucer with flashing lights by
TWO men who went "skipping" ended up stealing money from a safe. Blackburn magistrates heard that Roger Bates and Shane Williams broke into a cabin at the Petre Arms waste disposal site where they had gone to salvage items they could repair and sell.
YOUNG people leaving care in Blackburn with Darwen will be offered an increased range and level of support following a two-year review of children's residential services. The council's executive board has given its approval for the development of a supported
RAIDERS have been branded despicable after raiding a town's main charity shop. Burglars smashed a window at the premises on King Street West, Blackburn, before entering and ransacking the venue Although most of the cash had been taken out of the office
A BRAND new radio station which backers say will offer an unbeatable blend of local news, sport and classic music will be hitting the airwaves over Blackburn and Darwen next week. The Burn will begin broadcasting on 106 FM from Monday, September 17, and
BACUP collected three points but manager Brent Peters was furious at conceding two sloppy goals in the NWCL Division Two. "Although I was pleased with the win, making it three wins out of four away in the league, I am not convinced this side can take
STAND climbed into second place with their fourth straight win against high flying Alsager in the NWCL Division Two. Going into this match, Alsager were unbeaten and hadn't conceded a goal but Stand, after promotion from the Manchester Premier League
NEIL Spencer is never happier than when his feet are firmly in East Lancashire. Spencer dusted off his shooting boots after missing the soccer season's early weeks due to work commitments in Saudi Arabia and promtly got his name on the scoresheet for
TWO goal Andy Mason was the star of the Chorley roadshow as the Magpies made it three wins from three away games, all without conceding a goal in the UniBond First Division. This latest success was deserved, as Chorley dominated and always looked more
SEAN GREGAN had his hands on his knees and stared in the ground in disbelief as Preston made it five league games without a win this season after their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Wolves. The skipper stood in the centre circle as the final whistle
THE Excellence in Cities scheme in Blackburn with Darwen. BLACKBURN with Darwen has been chosen to be part of phase three of the Government's Excellence in Cities programme. It has been designed to ensure high standards for every child in targeted urban
LONG working hours and a gruelling schedule are taking their toll on teachers in East Lancashire -- as schools struggle to attract new recruits. The teachers say their health and home life is suffering as a result of working up to 60 hours a week. The
ESSENTIAL facts on Habergham High School, Burnley SCHOOL REPORT Recognised by Ofsted and the Government as a Beacon School for the excellence of its academic achievement, particularly the value-added improvement of its pupils between age 11 and 16, and
STEVE MACMAHON was left fuming about referee Mike Ryan after seeing his side go down to a undeserved 2-1 defeat away at Oldham. Despite dominating the game, Blackpool left Boundary Park with nothing, and McMahon aimed both barrels at ref Ryan after his
