MANY people have expressed worries as various health and social services institutions have been closed in recent years in return for promised care within the community. There is much logic in the idea that people can be helped to lead more normal, and
A PHYSICS whizzkid from Blackpool is celebrating after a quantum leap to the top. Arnold School pupil Amy Preece, 18, right, has won a medal in the British Physics Olympiad, marking her out as one of the top physics students in the UK. And Amy, of Green
BOOKWORMS at a Blackpool junior school have been getting to grips with a futuristic thumbprint scanner in their new library. Pupils at Stanley Junior School have been learning how to use the new scanner, which recognises each child from their thumbprint
THE DREAMING spires of Oxbridge are calling for two high-achieving Lytham sixth formers. Hayley Fisher and Janine Newton, both 17, of Lytham St Annes Technology College are looking forward to taking up places at Cambridge and Oxford when they finish their
THERE seems to be some sort of pattern to what I write in this column. It's as though everything I wish for somehow comes true within a few weeks. But although this may sound like a fairy tale, it is far from it. This is not Brothers Grimm. It's just
RADCLIFFE Boro were at Guiseley knowing that any positive result will apply that little more pressure to promotion rivals. Currently in second place and with a four point cushion over Eastwood Town from having played one game less Boro would appear to
BURY FC youngster John Gaynor looks set to win thousands of pounds in compensation after suffering a horrific injury two years ago. The highly-rated right back, aged 19, was left in agony after a challenge by Blackpool's John Connors broke his leg in
Harrogate...10pts Sedgley Park...13pts: IT was a stormy, blustery day at Harrogate for Sedgley's first ever visit. Harrogate were fifth in the league and Sedgley third - a close game was expected. The crowd were not disappointed as the game was an exciting
Goldline Trophy Semi-Final: Prestwich Heys 1 Atherton Collieries 3 DESPITE dominating this semi-final, Heys' hopes of a date at the Reebok Stadium foundered on some lack-lustre first half finishing, and momentary lax defending in the second half as Atherton
IN reply to Mr A Worden's comments regarding the 'tree' phone mast at Baxenden (Letters, February 5), would he like it 100 yards from his back garden, with a station built around it, and a generator running all the time, keeping him awake at night? Yes
REGARDING Blackburn council employee Mr S Walmsley (Letters, January 25) saying that the people complaining about the lack of gritting do not know what they are talking about, I believe that he is taking the letters of complaints personally. Nobody in
REGENERATION has become the "buzz" word for Burnley Council, with regard to distribution of funds in specific areas of the town. What we need to know is: when do we establish that these areas are no longer regeneration areas and that sufficient funds
LOVERS of classical music enjoyed a truly divine performance of Handel's Messiah at Blackpool's Grand Theatre. A confident London Festival Orchestra (LFO) and Lytham St Annes Choral Society together produced a noteworthy evening, conducted with obvious
MAKE variety the spice of life with a one night only spectacular at Blackpool Grand Theatre. The All Star Variety Show on February 24 promises a star-studded show packed with song, comedy, magic and music to chase the winter blues away. Versatile vocalist
A SMASH-hit Stateside and sure to do excellent business this side of the Atlantic, Pixar's Monsters, Inc. comes screaming to the multiplexes on a tidal wave of commercial endorsements and a plethora of merchandise and game tie-ins. This is the Hollywood
WOMEN are being urged to get health wise during International Women's Week. Bury Asian Women's Project are holding a health awareness day on March 1. In addition to exhibitions promoting women's well-being there will health experts on hand to offer advice
STAFF and customers at Bury's YU Bar in Market Street took part in a charity pancake tossing event. Pictured trying her hand at tossing a pancake is Mrs Margaret Holcroft, district manager of the charity organisation and time-keeper and YU Bar co-owner
AN 86-year-old woman has become the latest victim of drive-by handbag snatchers. The pensioner was walking along Wellington Street in Radcliffe at 4.20pm on Thursday (Feb 7) when she was approached from behind by a man. He snatched her shopping bag and
BURY youngsters on half-term holiday can swap "bored" for "board" courtesy of a local store. They can roll up their sleeves and take part in DIY workshops being offered by the B&Q Warehouse at Heap Bridge, Bury. Children aged 6-10 will get the chance
AN inquest has been opened into the death of a Prestwich man found hanging from a stair bannister at his home. Unemployed hairdresser Alan Cyril Lavenberg (50) was found hanging at his home in Lilac Grove on February 8. The hearing was told two letters
SOCCER star Earl Barratt was in Radcliffe on Sunday (Feb 10) to check out the local footballing talent. The former Aston Villa, Everton and Oldham Athletic defender was at Asda to act as a scout. He put youngsters aged under 13 through their paces in
A MAN from Blackburn is being questioned about the murder of a seven-year-old boy whose body was found in a bin bag. Ryan Mason died from multiple injuries and his body was discovered at Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course, Bolton, on Wednesday. Detectives
ROCKS were brought to life for pupils at Wesley Methodist School in Radcliffe, when they were given a firm grounding in geology. Visits to Manchester University Museum were arranged for nine to 11-year-olds at the Forth Road school as part of their half
DRIVERS were plunged into difficulties in Walshaw Road, Bury, when a problem spot was again submerged. Claims that flooding has been caused by releases of water from a lake belonging to the Bolholt Country Park Hotel were strongly denied. Motorists heading
THE latest addition to the Bury College campus has now opened its doors to students and staff. The brand new £2.8 million building has been named the Prospects Centre and extends the teaching and learning facilities available at the college. The building
LEIGH Centurions have increased their already considerable pack power by signing front rower Simon Knox from Oldham. Cumbrian Knox was a member of the Widnes side that won last season's NFP Grand Final but joined Oldham after refusing to go full-time
REDVALES councillor John Smith will be the next Mayor of Bury. It means that the Smith family will notch a civic double seen only once before in the metropolitan borough's history. His wife, Stella, is also a Labour councillor (for Unsworth) and will
CRAIG HIGNETT has a good record of scoring against his former clubs and it is a habit he has no intention of kicking ahead of tomorrow's return to the Riverside. The Rovers star played almost 200 games for Middlesbrough and he confessed: "I have got a
Middlesbrough will put their Barclaycard Premiership difficulties behind them tomorrow when they look for a repeat dose of cup heroics. Steve McClaren's side go into the FA Cup fifth-round clash against fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers with the memory
JOE Cole or David Dunn? It was a debate which raged fiercely after Blackburn Rovers' game with West Ham at the weekend. And Sven Goran Eriksson might currently be asking himself the same question as he ponders his squad for next week's friendly with Holland
A MINER who started work in Burnley pits at the age of 14 died from lung problems. A combination of problems including miners' dust disease caused the death of Clifford Gotthardt an inquest in Burnley was told. Mr Gotthardt, 81, lived in Rosehill Road
TALK about the kettle calling the pot black! How on earth can Beau (Your Letters, Feb 1) ask what "Salford Shaker" and "25 Years Loyal" are going to "gripe about" now that Terry Robinson has quit Bury FC? Beau gets plenty of letters in the Bury Times
COLNE will have a tough test tomorrow when they welcome second placed Formby to Holt House in the NWCL Division Two. John Lister's side are currently on a roll with an eight-game unbeaten run in the league which keeps them in the top seven. George Craddock
CHORLEY boss Ken Wright is hoping for an improved performance from his side at home to Ashton United tomorrow. He was disappointed with the display against Belper Town last week, a game the Magpies drew 1-1. David Eatock scored the equaliser but Chorley
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy has made it to the final of a modelling competition - thanks to a text message brain-wave. Joseph Kuby of Patten Street, Colne, entered Clearasil's Face of the Future competition by text message in January hoping to become the next big
PEOPLE in East Lancashire were among the unhealthiest in the country according to latest analysis. Health chiefs insisted they were making progress against the 'major challenges' faced in Lancashire. A major factor affecting health was that a quarter
A CHARITY concert has been chosen as the setting for a tribute to one of Accrington's most dedicated RAF heroes. The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) will be making a presentation to Gilbert Walmsley, of Bold Street, Accrington at the annual concert
THE family of a Leigh athlete who died after contact with asbestos have attended a public meeting in the hope of re-opening their compensation case. Dennis Topping, of Pennington Road, Leigh, died of malignant mesothelioma last November -- 30 years after
WHEN Karl Swain takes his first tentative steps as one of the carriers of the Commonwealth baton it will be an occasion his family thought they would never see. The 22-year-old has battled back from a life-threatening accident which has left him with
Blackpool 2 Peterborough United 2 Scorers: O'Kane (45), Hills (64) Scorers: Bullard (pen 33), Edwards (78) Attendance: 4,604 A FREAK goal prevented Pool from collecting all three points in a windy encounter at Bloomfield Road, last Saturday. John Hills
THE annual dinner dance of Bury and District Chamber of Trade was attended by 85 guests. Guest speaker at the event, held at the Bury Arts and Craft Centre on Saturday (Feb 9), was Nigel Rix, executive director of Hyndburn First. This is a joint private
CUSTOMS and Excise have introduced revised VAT registration forms which came into effect at the beginning of the year. The aim is to improve the clarity of the forms for all taxpayers, but also to assist the department's strategy to combat VAT Missing
HEALTH cheque! That's a kind-hearted Radcliffe company which has donated £5,000 to the Make a Wish Foundation. The cash comes courtesy of the Health and Diet Company based at the town's Europa Trading Estate. And this is the third successive year that
"EDUCATION, education, education" was the theme of the Bury Business Club's lively inaugural meeting of 2002, hosted by Bury College. Presentations from the college and Bolton and Bury Chamber's Education Business Partnership (EBP) stressed the value
FOREST manager Paul Hart has been forced to get rid of several key players in recent weeks and Stan Ternent knows what he is going through. "I have been there and done that at other clubs I have been at, working with two hands tied behind my back," said
POLICE are hunting a shoplifter who pulled a knife on a Blackpool shop assistant in broad daylight. The man walked into the Nightingale's store in Leopold Grove at around 3.15pm on January 31, but as he was leaving the store goods he had stolen set off
A MARTON school which turned its failing fortunes around has been praised in an Ofsted report. Mereside Primary School, Langdale Road, was placed under special measures in January 2000 after an Ofsted inspection declared the school was failing to give
SINCE the news that local musician John Anthony was responsible for composing a piece of music from the Disney film Monsters Inc, his schedule has been simply . . . MONSTROUS. As reported in last week's Bury Times, John (60) hit the headlines when it
BURY'S ground-breaking Techno Team has proved its technique is working by notching up impressive results. Since its launch on December 1 the borough's group of quick-fix workers has completed more than 400 jobs in the area. Co-ordinated by Community Safety
AFTER a disappointing display against Rotherham in midweek Stan Ternent is backing his players to step up their push for promotion as he pledged: "Sooner or later Burnley will be promoted. "We are back in the top half dozen and we now have two home games
IT may be the fifth round of the FA Cup but Rovers boss Graeme Souness is ready to ring the changes for the tie at Middlesbrough tomorrow afternoon. And he believes the travelling Rovers fans will understand that he has to look at the overall picture
A 15-YEAR-OLD Darwen youth nick-named the "Pied Piper" because of his influence on other youngsters has appeared in court for an alleged breach of an anti-social behaviour order the day after it was imposed. Lee Taylor, of Hodgson Street, Darwen, was
SUPPORTERS of Darwen's Ashton Park are hoping to celebrate its 20th anniversary by returning it to its former glory. Plans to polish the town's 'hidden jewel' and restore it have been unveiled by Blackburn with Darwen Council. The park, which lies in
TWO car parks could provide a blueprint for safety in East Lancashire after scooping prestigious national design awards. The car parks in Dale Street and Hindle Street, Haslingden, were awarded the Secured by Design status after CCTV cameras, lighting
WHEN a cap once worn by Madonna went on sale at an East Lancashire shop, fans clamoured to get their hands on it. The hat, modelled by the Material Girl on the cover of Italian Vogue in 1992, was sold for £395 within 24 hours of arriving at Pride Records
SCHOOLS in Fleetwood are still beating the bullies thanks to a generous award from the Community Fund. Fleetwood Community Association has been awarded £66,860 to spend on keeping its Safer Schools Project up and running. The project has been operating
A BUSINESS leader and MPs today expressed concern after unemployment across East Lancashire rose by almost 15 per cent in the past month. Despite the rise, the figures are better than those for the same month last year when almost 8,000 were looking for
PADIHAM striker Lee Chambers could be another three weeks away from full fitness. The 27-year-old, who returned to the club from UniBond First Division side Kendal just weeks ago, has yet to make his comeback from an ankle injury. Manager Graham Howarth
RAMSBOTTOM manager Mike Kelly has been forced to put seven days on midfielder Gary Lewis. The Colwyn Bay player had told the Welsh UniBond side that he wanted to leave and they had agreed to release him. But at the 11th hour the club forced the Rams to
NELSON have the provider - they just need the scorer as they look to have a good end of season run in. Micky Bartholomew, signed from Stand, is having no problem setting the goals up but it is someone to tuck them away that manager John Bailey needs.
WHEN Matt Swailes signed for Darwen, not many thought he'd be there for long. The Anchor Ground club can't afford to pay their players and Swailes, a former UniBond League player with Chorley, only went there to get his fitness back after an injury he
PAUL Burns is going to take this summer to contemplate whether he is going to hang his boots up - but there's no doubt the Stanley players will miss one of the club's jokers if he decides to go. The Liverpudlian, who is 34 'but I only look 28', is one
THERE has been some confusion recently over the closure of the local RSPCA Longview Animal Home. I hope the following will let the public know the current situation. Solely due to lack of funding the Longview Animal Home is to close at the end of May
THE answer from Chris Cheetham is short and sweet. 'No.' He is the county councillor in charge of social services, an many at County Hall believe he was handed a poison chalice when he took on the role last year. In the fortnight since the planned closures
SOME town centre pubs and clubs are still encouraging binge drinking with all inclusive deals and cheap drinks in a bid to tempt more custom, despite harsh warnings from police. Blackpool's Chief Supt Richard Taylor told licensing magistrates last week
I AM writing in response to the recent outcry against the National Health Service. It fills me with both anger and disgust that people decry what has been, and I believe will continue to be, one of the cornerstones of our national institutions. I am filled
WE are pupils at St John's CE Primary School in Bury. We love it at St John's and no one can ever take that feeling away from us. We have been pupils at this school since nursery. We wouldent be here if it wasen't for Mrs Moore (the new headteacher).
I THOUGHT this was a nice story that readers might like to read. I recently went into Bury to shop and to post a very important letter, which was unstamped. As I recall, it was really windy and litter was flying around everywhere. I went about my business
I LIVE in London, having grown up in Bury. However, I do return home regularly and read the Bury Times with interest. Recently I have been amazed to read all the vitriol regarding the traffic on the road to Fairfield Hospital. These people should try
BELEAGUERED Bury Football Club is two weeks away from extinction. That's the ominous warning from joint chairmen and chief executives John Smith and Fred Mason who have spelled out the grim truth about the 117-year-old club. Financial troubles are piling
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Applause Productions present "The Ugly Duckling," Library Theatre, Darwen, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Coffee and Chat, Higherford Methodist Church, Nelson, 10am-noon. Japanese
HARDLY a day goes by without an incident of domestic violence being investigated by police in East Lancashire or dealt with in the courts. But incidents which reach public attention are only part of the problem. Many more attacks go unreported because
BEASTLY infants at King Edward and Queen Mary School had a really wild time as they celebrated book week with a special "Noah's Breakfast". The pupils dressed as their favourite animal characters from books to mark the end of the special week. Dinosaurs
SWINTON Lions, still smarting from their heavy cup defeat at the hands of new Super League side Widnes, may find themselves on the wrong side of another beating on Sunday. That is unless coach Tony Humphries has rectified some of the mistakes that Swinton
AGE has never been a barrier for runner Tom West. Tom, of Farcroft Avenue, Radcliffe, who is 62 on Saturday, has just taken a well-earned second place in the Over-60 category in the South East Lancs Cross-Country League. His trophy was awarded on the
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH assistant manager Mike Farrelly expects his side will have to battle right to the end of the season, despite their current seven-point cushion at the top of the UniBond Division One table. Boro play at Guiseley on Saturday looking to
I WOULD like to thank the Asda customers who responded so magnificently to our Christmas Tree Presents Project which we carried out at the Accrington store in the run-up to Christmas. The generosity was almost overwhelming and, as a result, we were able
REGARDING the planning application for the conversion of the former Laneside home for the elderly in Mill Hill, Blackburn, into flats, this was thrown out on the last two occasions on the grounds that cars round the building would cause congestion. Mill
POLICE are hunting a bogus official who robbed an 85-year-old deaf and blind woman in her home in Aspull yesterday. A man claiming to be from the water board knocked on the door of the house and introduced himself to the disabled woman. He entered the
A PACKED house enjoyed a snazzy night of music as the VIPs of Jazz took The Grand by storm. Tuesday's one-night show featured The Big Chris Barber Band, The Dutch Swing College and The Pasadena Roof Orchestra in a three-hour extravaganza of jazz, swing
THE borough's jobless figures for last month showed a sharp upsurge. Unadjusted claimant count for January totalled 2,190 which represented an increase of 252 over the previous month. The latest statistics comprise 1,655 males and 535 females. Consequently
RIDING instructor Tracy James raised more than £800 for a local charity. Mrs James held an evening of Natural Horsemanship at Birtle Riding Centre in aid of the Riding for the Disabled. The evening consisted of riding without the need to use saddles or
YOUNG Keeley Bulger is hoping to run rings around the opposition when she vies for a championship spot. The 13-year-old Broad Oak High School pupil ran in a recent inter-schools cross-country event at Heaton Park and left her rivals lagging behind. Keeley
CHILDREN at a Bury's Woodbank Primary School certainly made a meal of it when they said farewell to a lunchtime supervisor. They presented Glenis Hampson with bouquets of flowers and a host of colourful cards to mark her retirement. Mrs Hampson, of Rushmere
BURY offenders on community punishment orders will be cleaning up their acts. And they will be sparing motorists of their least favourite task, that of washing the car. A new car wash scheme, with proceeds going to charity, will be launched in Rochdale
DRINK-driving is back on the increase in the borough. Latest figures show that throughout last year, 265 motorists were convicted by Bury Magistrates Court. This is compared with 259 people prosecuted for driving under the influence in 2000. Seven drivers
MP David Chaytor is demanding action to reduce the risks posed by man-made chemicals. He is supporting the Copenhagen Charter, which calls for all chemicals to be assessed to ensure their use is safe beyond reasonable doubt. The Bury North MP says this
AN MP today vowed to take up the case of a mentally-ill man who is living in a bed and breakfast just months after the way he was treated prompted an outcry. The move came after the mother of Neil Green said she was "terrified" about what could happen
SMART new changes are being brought in to Bury's school meals service. Staff will no longer wear white hats, aprons and skirts but colour co-ordinated smocks, shirts and trousers, topped off with baseball caps. In a second new move, pupils at Philips
TAX payers in Bury can speak face-to-face with council advisers even though they are four miles away. Bury Town Hall boasts a video link so people can talk to a human face at the authority's Whittaker Street premises in Radcliffe. A private booth, using
A REWARD is being offered after a violent armed robbery outside a post office. A security guard was attacked with a machete and a metal bar by masked raiders who escaped with around £5,000. The robbery happened at 11.35am on Wednesday (Feb 13) when a
LOCAL, regional and even national topics will be on the agenda at the next meeting of Radcliffe Area Board. Councillor Barry Briggs, area board chairman, said: "It looks like being a particularly busy evening, but despite the fact that we have a lot on
IT may be the fifth round of the FA Cup but Rovers boss Graeme Souness is ready to ring the changes for the tie at Middlesbrough tomorrow afternoon. And he believes the travelling Rovers fans will understand that he has to look at the overall picture
SCHOOL children are safer than ever thanks to a new initiative. In a special bid to cut down on accidents among young children the Greater Deepdale Partnership teamed up with Lancashire Constabulary to launch the Community Safety Week. From February 4
TWO pals hope to lose weight and pile on the pounds at the same time with a sponsored slim. Mitchell Lord and Winnie Green, weigh more than 35 stones together but home to shed at least 13 of them in the next three months to raise cash for the special
EAST Lancashire MP Gordon Prentice has won a special Commons debate to air concerns over the county council's plan to shut 35 of its 48 residential homes. The Pendle Labour back bencher and fellow Lancashire MPs will raise their strong opposition to the
TWENTY successive years of growth will be reported at the annual general meeting of the Nelson Community Credit Union. The meeting at the Silverman Hall, Nelson, on Friday, February 22, will be told of another year of success with a growth in assets of
RA"AIDERS used a lorry to steal more than £1,500 of tobacco from a cash-and-carry on Whitebirk Industrial Estate. The raiders ploughed through three concrete pillars and reversed through a wall to gain entry. They left a 10ft by 4ft hole in the wall.
A FORMER East Lancashire man freed from jail after 18 years for a double murder he did not commit has revealed he is to marry. Born again Christian Peter Fell, 40, said he and fiancee Elaine, 32, will wed in September at the church where they met, the
A RIDING school has paid tribute to a talented young horsewoman who died in hospital five days after suffering head injuries in a jumping accident. An inquest heard Christine Dewhurst, 24, of Chapel Rise, Billington, had been competing at Osbaldeston
Huddersfield 2 Blackpool 1 (Agg 3-4 after extra time) Scorers: Wijnhard (5), Schofield (33) Scorer: Bullock (104) BLACKPOOL reached the final of the LDV Vans Trophy thanks to an extra time strike from Martin Bullock. The Seasiders lost the tie 2-0 on
BURY companies are invited to "sample" the expertise of a neighbouring business. For Biwater Treatment Ltd (Heywood) has now thrown open its new laboratory facility to firms in Bury, Middleton and Rochdale. Biwater, which used to be known as Ames Crosta
A BURY-based telecommunications company is ensuring mobile phones improve the efficiency and safety of Lancashire council workers. And thanks to independent advice from Pennine Telecom, the business is saving local council tax payers money. The council
A FORMER social worker with a good business idea is the first woman to benefit from a ground-breaking enterprise initiative. Ruth Yasmeen, who started the Intercare Employment Agency in Bury 14 months ago, has received £4,700 from the "Women in Business
THE sale of striker Stern John, skipper Chris Bart-Williams and teenage star Jermaine Jenas has left Forest fans wondering how long they can hold on to their other prize asset, midfielder David Prutton. Prutton won his tenth England Under-21 cap alongside
KEVIN BALL is hoping the Clarets can show there is no place like home in the next few games as they aim to put two disappointing Turf Moor days behind them. Five points from three tricky away games have helped Burnley back into the top six and Ball is
AFTER a disappointing display against Rotherham in midweek Stan Ternent is backing his players to step up their push for promotion as he pledged: "Sooner or later Burnley will be promoted. "We are back in the top half dozen and we now have two home games
A PENSIONER who died after drinking bubble bath died accidentally, an inquest found. A verdict of accidental death was recorded by Fylde coroner Samuel Lee on Ada Yates, 92, of Hedges House Rest Home, Church Road, Lytham. An inquest was held after she
POLICE have identified the body of a man who was found washed up on Cleveleys beach. The man from North Wales, who has not been named, was identified by dental records after a post mortem on Monday. His fully-clothed body was found by a dog walker at
CHILDREN in care and foster parents are being given a unique opportunity to influence the way children's services in Blackpool will be run in the future. Blackpool Borough Council's Community Service Development Committee has called in an independent
BLACKPOOL supporters will be cheering on their heroes at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday, March 24, for the second time within a year. More than 2,000 Seasiders fans went crazy at Huddersfield Town's McAlpine Stadium on Tuesday night when Martin
AN inquest has opened into the death of a 19-year-old driver of a stolen car who careered into shops in Prestwich. Bradley Cuthbertson, of Hilton Street, Higher Broughton, was at the wheel of the car, which had been reported stolen, when it went out of
VANDALS ransacked a man's flat as he lay seriously ill in hospital. The youths struck at the home of Gary Cassidy (35), in Tulle Court, Prestwich, less than 48-hours after fire ravaged his home. Mr Cassidy was taken to North Manchester General Hospital
BURY'S mayor, Councillor Paul Nesbit has sent out a big "thank you" to dozens of youngsters from across the borough who helped boost his charity cause. The 5-17 year olds were involved in the highly successful 2002 Bury Variety Showcase concert which
BURY motorists and those elsewhere throughout Greater Manchester will benefit from a massive £100 million "jam-busting" initiative. Motorway and trunk networks in Greater Manchester, as well as others in the region, are included in a plan to beat congestion
THE mother of a Radcliffe man, who was savagely beaten and left for dead, says it is "a miracle" he survived. Jason Gould almost lost an eye and his tongue was split in two when he was hit over the head with a machete, beaten by a gang of robbers and
RAMSBOTTOM United crashed out of the Lancs FA Marsden Challenge Trophy at the quarter final stage in a 2-0 home defeat by big local rivals Clitheroe. The visitors to the Riverside Ground took an early lead on five minutes through Neil Spencer and added
DON'T tell Bury boss Andy Preece a certain young man will be at Gigg Lane on Saturday because eight-year-old Bury fan Dominic Wood must be the unluckiest Shakers fan alive. After three years of supporting the club the youngster has only seen them win
By Phil Thorp: SHAKERS wonderkid David Borley has given the club a massive lift by signing a new contract. He and another of the Gigg Lane side's promising youngsters, defender Michael Nelson, have put pen to paper on two-and-a-half year deals. The double
SIX-year-old dance starlet Kirstin Haughton finished fourth in a regional competition against girls aged up to 16-years-old. Kirstin Haughton, of Warwick Street, Leigh, came first in the Under 8s group, which put her through to the final of the Slow Dance
TWO Blackpool beauties are searching for knights in shining armour to help make their dreams come true. Sam Hearn, 26, and her friend Suzanne Walker, also 26, are hoping generous Blackpool businesses can sponsor them to enter the Miss Great Britain contest
THE number of home helps in Blackpool has dramatically dropped by more than two-thirds since Blackpool Borough Council took over social services in 1998. This news comes after Lancashire County Council put forward proposals to close 35 of the county's
BLACKPOOL Borough Council has launched a three-fold consultation campaign to find out if residents want to take a gamble on resort casinos. The council is inviting residents and Blackpool businesses to attend special meetings at the Town Hall, write in
REAL ALE fans are preparing to roll out the barrels for Fleetwood's 20th beer festival! More than 2,000 beer lovers are expected to pass through the turnstiles of this month's event -- dubbed "the best in the north west" by organisers. Festival chairman
GIGANTIC wind breaks, two new domes and more short-term parking -- these were all part of a dramatic new look unveiled for St Annes Square. Shoppers will soon be protected from sea breezes by the massive wind baffles -- to be sited across the seaside
JUST 15p could save the life of an elderly or vulnerable person in the Fylde. That's how much it costs to produce a single DataLink container that can save precious minutes for Paramedics and emergency services called to the home of an unconscious or
A ST ANNES action group is making waves in the war against drugs, crime and the general degeneration of the town centre and adjoining streets. St David's Community Action Group was formed last November to give the residents and shop-owners who live on
TWO local women have spoken out about the months of psychological torment they endured at the hands of a Thornton man who is being dubbed as Britain's worst phone sex pest. Allan Snell, a cleaner from Harrison Avenue, Thornton, was finally tracked down
THE future is still hanging in the balance for elderly residents of three care homes on the Fylde Coast that are currently facing the very real threat of closure. Since the release of the controversial consultation on the future of residential and day
IT WAS the dream job... make a model of yourself and hide a message inside it containing your secret wish. The task proved irresistible as 3,000 school pupils in Blackburn with Darwen completed a massive feat of clay. Their new model army -- looking like
COUNTY councillors have approved a 7.7 per cent rise in council tax after insisting it was not possible to save money and maintain services. But the ruling Labour group was criticised for the way it put the budget together as both opposition parties put
BACUP boss Brent Peters is hoping to bring in a forward before tomorrow's game at home to Ashton Town. But Peters is keeping the identity of the Salford City player close to his chest. "He is not getting a game for Salford and they have agreed to release
GREAT Harwood boss Denis Underwood is confident his side can get a result against fellow strugglers Congleton in the NWCL Division One clash at the Showground tomorrow. His side lost 2-0 to the Cheshire side a couple of weeks ago and suffered at the hands
ROSSENDALE UNITED manager Jim McCluskie is hoping to see his side in action tomorrow - so he can have a look at some of his new players. Postponements have meant that two new signings - John Stanhope and John Keegan - haven't had a chance of a run in
COLIN McCASH will be putting on the weight again as he contemplates his next fight. The Accrington boxer lost half a stone after suffering from an abscess and having to have an operation in November. In his first fight back against Danny Moire from the
RAMSBOTTOM UTD...0 CLITHEROE...2 CLITHEROE, fresh from their FA Vase success against Arlesey last Saturday, went through to the semi-finals of the Lancashire Marsden Trophy, where they will meet Barrow on Tuesday. Neil Spencer and Martin Aspinwall were
I AM trying to trace John Knowles, now aged about 67, who served with the Royal Army Pay Corps during 1953/55 at the Regimental Pay Office, Nee Soon, Singapore. During his army service, John's home in the UK was based in Fleetwood and he was the son of
MAY I ask that you and your readers spare a thought for the inhumane practice of transporting live animals for slaughter abroad and ask that they voice their abhorrence. Farmers are now asking that this cruel practice be recommenced. Untold suffering
IT is all very well for police officers to ask youths involved in a disturbance to fill in a form (Citizen, January 31) but what happens when they flatly refuse to do so or deliberately fill it in falsely? To ask implies a request and, since a request
THE proposed expansion of the Safeway store will be of benefit only to the shareholders of Safeway and will be a disaster for the town of St Annes. A much larger Safeway would stock a much larger range of products and eventually 24-hour opening. This
THANKS to the ongoing strikes affecting Arriva trains, passengers to and from Blackpool North know when they will not have a service. Meanwhile travellers on First North Western's trains to and from Blackpool South continue to be involved in a game of
CONDEMNATION came thick and fast to the proposals to close so many homes. Some argued none should close, others argued fewer should close. The county council says closing homes and selling them off is the only way to pay for repair work that is needed
MUCH has been reported about the "youth troubles" in the Woodhill area. Although the problems have not been totally resolved, things do appear to be somewhat calmer. As a resident and member of the community action group, I have attended all three of
ON a recent visit to Fairfield Hospital, although it was not at peak time, it was noticeable to me that there was heavy traffic on Rochdale Old Road. In addition, there appears not to be enough parking spaces at the hospital, as cars were being parked
ON behalf of myself, my son Peter and daughter, Deborah, I would like to express our thanks to everyone who sent so many letters and cards to us as a family, and also donations to Bury Hospice, following the sudden death of my husband, Colin Caffrey,
I NOTICE that several local schools are under threat of closure or amalgamation. One is the local village school at Affetside. This news has impelled me to write this open letter to the members of the relevant committees, bringing to their attention the
TONY Cunningham (Feb 1) wrote nothing short of complete twaddle! How can he claim that critics of ex-Bury FC chairman and chief executive Mr Robinson are ignorant and that the vast majority of Shakers followers thought highly of the man at the top? I
I WAS delighted to read of Bury Council's enlightened initiatives to encourage parents to accompany their children to school on foot (Bury Times, Feb 8). I have always said that, as a parent, I would like to walk my child to school. However, if Bury Council
