IWAS astounded when I read about the council cutting down the daffodils in Blackburn and Darwen. Are they a bunch of nitwits in the gardening department? Any gardener knows that if you leave them to die down naturally, you will get a better show next
REGARDING your 'Friday Jury' article (LET, March 22) about Blackburn with Darwen Council workmen mowing down the daffodils, I live near the large area of grassland opposite Our Lady and St John's High School, in Blackburn. Last year, just as the mayflowers
DESPITE the average council tax bill rising by 8.1 per cent this year, Liberal Democrat councillor Kevin Connor (Letters, March 19) criticised the rise of 4.8 per cent in Blackburn with Darwen. Maybe he would inform readers of the average rise in the
HUNDREDS of commuters faced chaos today as train drivers staged the first of three one-day strikes. Anger erupted as commuters arrived at local stations at rush hour today only to find themeselves stranded as First North Western cancelled their trains
A LOOK at the key stats and figures from the vivtory over Southampton . FRIEDEL: Wasn't particularly tested on the night as Rovers kept a rare clean sheet at the back...7 NEILL: Caught napping defensively on a couple of occasions but showed amazing powers
A DISTRAUGHT woman whose dog was stolen from her car is urging the thieves to return her cherished pet. The Dowson family's day out turned into a disaster after they stopped at The Cross Keys Pub, in East Marton -- between Skipton and Gisburn -- on Sunday
RAILWAY police have renewed an appeal for witnesses who may have seen young vandals placing concrete and a large boulder on an East Lancashire train line. And officers warned that security will be stepped up to combat problems caused by children who play
WROUGHT iron gates which took a starring role in the latest Oscar winning film are made in Burnley -- and orders are flooding in from across the Atlantic. The Hollywood blockbuster A Beautiful Mind scooped four Oscars but gates made by B Rourke and Co
SIX people were due to appear in court today accused of murder after a security guard died following an incident in his home. The charges came as the devastated relatives of father-of-five Raja Abdul Qayyum, 62, fought back tears as they paid tribute
PERMISSION for two private hire bases in Nelson look likely to be refused by councillors. The first application is for the use of 169 Leeds Road, currently a vacant double unit, as a base for three vehicles. Planners recommended that the Nelson Committee
TEENAGERS in Great Harwood are urging council bosses to get their skates on with a new development to help take youths off the streets. But councillors say the issue is being looked into and hopefully a solution will be found soon. Sixteen months ago
A LOOK at the key stats and figures from the game against Portsmouth. BURNLEY NIK MICHOPOULOS: Made an error for the equaliser and had a couple of other nervy moments on his second game back...6 DEAN WEST: Made three key challenges to keep Pompey at bay
LOAN star David Johnson's fourth goal in five games was not enough to give the Clarets a priceless victory at Portsmouth yesterday afternoon. And Burnley boss Stan Ternent pointed the finger of blame at keeper Nik Michopoulos for the goal that cost his
Bury 2 Brentford 0 by Chris Hall SHAKERS manager Andy Preece belted out a message of defiance to Bury's doubters after watching his side pull off one of their most unlikely victories of the season. After defeat in the relegation six-pointer at Northampton
DARWEN writer and poet Pam McKee has been recruited by Blackburn Central Library to take part in the Chatterbooks government scheme aimed at promoting a love of literature among children and adults. Working as part of the Just Poets duo with her writing
BEING vertically challenged has not meant a shortage of opportunities for Joanne Maden, who has landed a unique role in this year's Commonwealth Games. The 31-year-old accountancy consultant, who lives in Corlass Street, Barrowford, has been selected
CHILDREN in care homes across Blackburn and Darwen are benefitting from the fundraising efforts of an Accrington-based company. Sagar Insurances is raising money for the National Literacy Association, a charity working with Blackburn with Darwen Council
TROUBLED Rovers captain Garry Flitcroft walked onto the Ewood Park pitch to a standing ovation from 28,000 fans last night. And after the game against Southampton, which Blackburn won 2-0, married women gave words of support to the sex scandal skipper
YOUNG offenders could be forced to face up to their victims as part of a ground-breaking new community sentence piloted in East Lancashire. The new Youth Offender Panels going live across the country today mean local people and victims of crime will now
PAUL Fildes opened his account for Bacup but it was Nicky Taylor who was the hero with a last-gasp winner in the NWCL Division Two clash. Fildes, signed from Colne last week, made an impact immediately scoring with only three minutes on the clock. But
JUST as their fans had written off Bury's hopes of survival in the second division, the Shakers turned in an excellent performance to win the points against the high flying Bees and give themselves a tough, but possible lifeline. Chris Billy, starting
AN amazing afternoon's entertainment saw Chorley throw away a four-goal lead in a mad five-minute whirl before pinching a winner in stoppage time at the end of an enthralling UniBond First Division match. In fact there were two bursts of rapid-fire goalscoring
PAUL Mullin scored a brace to take Accrington Stanley's run to seven wins in eight games as they bid for a top four finish in the UniBond Premier Division. The striker struck in the 34th and 85th minute to take his tally for the season to 29 goals - by
IREAD with interest your article about Golden Jubilee celebrations and the cost of street parties (LET, March 12). Wouldn't it be a fitting tribute to the Queen if all the expenses incurred were channelled into a charitable fund for the elderly? The fund
IF the people of Blackburn had to wait for their piece of sculpture (LET, March 26) as long as we in Darwen have been waiting for ours, then they would have something to moan about. The empty pedestal at the bus station, in Darwen town centre, has been
IFOUND the remarks of Mrs A Edwards about kangaroos and their unseemly slaughter (Letters, March 12) somewhat curious. Having lived in Western Australia for several years, I was fully aware of the farming and breeding of kangaroos and emus alongside sheep
POLICE in Leigh are becoming increasing concerned for the welfare of a 16-year-old boy with learning difficulties missing from his home since Saturday morning Anthony William Carter, of Norfolk Road, Atherton, who has little money with him, was last seen
SIX people were due to appear in court today accused of murder after a security guard died following an incident in his home. The charges came as the devastated relatives of father-of-five Raja Abdul Qayyum, 62, fought back tears as they paid tribute
A FAMILY-of-four suffered severe burns after a horrific gas explosion which prompted fire crews to evacuate a street. The couple and their two young boys escaped into the garden after the blast blew open the back doors of their house in Standen Road,
Leigh RMI 1 Scarboro' 1 by David Magilton LEIGH had to face the elements as well as a Scarborough side desperate to avoid relegation. RMI were up against a strong breeze in the first-half, but after the break a storm blew up which turned the wind around
EWOOD hot-shot Matt Jansen last night vowed to continue playing through the pain-barrier in a bid to secure Rovers' Premiership safety. Graeme Souness's 13-goal leading scorer has been playing with a hernia for the best part of three months but the 24
JUBILANT Rovers boss Graeme Souness has set his players a survival target of two more wins after last night's stirring victory over Southampton lifted the gloom at Ewood. First half goals from Damien Duff and Yordi set Rovers on the way to a priceless
REJUVENATED winger Damien Duff climbed off his deathbed and single-handedly resurrected Rovers' survival hopes with two moments of divine inspiration to slay the Saints at Ewood last night. Duff had spent the entire weekend tucked up in bed complaining
POLICE are hunting a man who grabbed a teenager as she was walking home and subjected her to a serious sexual assault. The 13-year-old had been playing with friends and was walking home in Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley, at 9pm on Friday. She was grabbed by
BENEDICTINE has continued its reign as one of East Lancashire's favourite tipples. Four Burnley Benedictine outlets were awarded Bene Gold Status on March 26 with a personalised limited edition branded flask. And the traditional Bene 'n' Hot is still
FANS from throughout East Lancashire and further afield were wowed by a weekend of top quality performances at the 14th Burnley National Blues Festival. The event, which started at the Mechanics in Manchester Road on Friday, finished with a flurry at
USUALLY, the cast of a play outnumber the crew, but Oswaldtwistle Players' production of 'The Haunting of Hill House' is definitely an exception to the rule. The play, at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre from April 17 to 20, requires countless sound effects
THIS week I take a look at the history of the annual fair. Fulledge recreation ground first became used as the site of the fair in July 1950. The event had previously been held at the cattle market site near Parker Lane and Grimshaw Street. The fair was
MIKE Kelly's men drew a blank against Abbey Hey in the NWCL Division One encounter. Ramsbottom, 13th in the league, couldn't find a way past a firm Abbey Hey defence but extended their run to one loss in six games. ABBEY HEY...0 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED...0
ROAD and footpath maintenance works are due to take place across Pendle during the next two months. Surface dressing work is proposed in Manchester Road, Walmsgate, Lower Parrock Road, North Park Avenue, Barnoldswick; Shaw Street, Southfield Lane, Colne
A RUN-DOWN play area in Nelson could be earmarked for development after a petition relating to the state of the land was submitted to the council. Colin Patten, Pendle Council's service manager for parks, cemeteries and outdoor recreation submitted a
A NIGHTCLUB could have a new lease of life if plans are passed to transform it into a pub. Lar-De-Dar's, latterly known as Eclipse, in Eagle Street, Accrington, closed in November after two decades in the town. But pub chain JD Wetherspoon has highlighted
ORGANISERS of a popular Lancashire point-to-point race meeting have revealed it will be held in Yorkshire and said: "It is unlikely we will ever return." Organisers of the Ribble Valley meet, traditionally held at Westby Hall Farm in Gisburn, said the
LOAN star David Johnson's fourth goal in five games was not enough to give the Clarets a priceless victory at Portsmouth yesterday afternoon. And Burnley boss Stan Ternent pointed the finger of blame at keeper Nik Michopoulos for the goal that cost his
IT was not just the Bank Holiday roads that were crammed yesterday - just look at the log-jam at the top of the first division. With no more than a postage stamp covering the Clarets in fourth place and Preston in ninth it could hardly be tighter. Six
EWOOD hot-shot Matt Jansen last night vowed to continue playing through the pain-barrier in a bid to secure Rovers' Premiership safety. Graeme Souness's 13-goal leading scorer has been playing with a hernia for the best part of three months but the 24
HOW do you whistle, mummy? my five-year-old asked the other day. She had been watching Snow White and seemed fascinated by the Seven Dwarfs and the tuneful noise they made as they worked. "Do you whistle at work?" she asked. "No," I said, thinking about
THREE people were taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital after a road accident in Atherton last night. A Vauxhall Astra and a Volvo were in collision at the junction of Formby Avenue and Gloucester Street at midnight. Fire crews made the scene safe and it
A PRIEST who was punched in the face by drunken yobs as he tried to protect his church is attempting to improve security. Father Anthony Barrett hopes a two- -metre fence around Sacred Heart and St Edward's RC Church, Blackburn Road, Darwen, may end the
A ROSSENDALE judo instructor is celebrating today after being named a national coach for the Commonwealth Games. Former miner Brian Moore, from Bacup Judo Club, will train the England women's team which is due to compete in the judo events to be held
EAST Lancashire MP Gordon Prentice has welcomed a double boost for the sub-region's aerospace industry -- from the German Parliament and Prime Minister Tony Blair. German MPs have finally backed the production of the multi-nation military transport plane
A BRAVE dance teacher fulfilled her final wish and married her sweetheart just days before she died. And her husband spoke today of his feeling of luck in the midst of personal tragedy, at marrying when they had the chance. Lynda Parkinson died from bowel
A FAMILY-of-four suffered severe burns after a horrific gas explosion which prompted fire crews to evacuate a street. The couple and their two young boys escaped into the garden after the blast blew open the back doors of their house in Standen Road,
STAND are still on course to be the NWCL Division Two champions despite the disappointment that their Ewood Bridge ground isn't up to Division One standards. Nick Davis' side are still running away with the league title and chalked up a good win over
AFTER three NWCL Division Two losses, Colne picked up a point but will be disappointed not to get all three at third-from-bottom Daisy Hill. John Lister's men were on the hunt for their first win in four games to try and guarantee a top half of the table
PADIHAM were thrashed 4-0 at home by promotion chasing Formby in NWCL Division Two. For much of the first half there was nothing to choose between the two sides until Neil Smith took advantage of some sloppy defending to bundle the visitors in front after
DARWEN slumped to their second successive defeat and have now taken just one point from the last three games in NWCL Division Two. Manager Steve Wilkes was 'disappointed' in his side, who he felt had a chance to go up after five straight wins last month
ROSSENDALE slumped to another defeat as any lingering UniBond First Division play-off hopes took a severe dent at the hands of promotion rivals Radcliffe Borough. The game was a dull affair that never really sprang to life, but the visitors had the brighter
ANDY Cowking scored a last gasp goal to settle this NWCL Division One local derby in Clitheroe's favour. Great Harwood boss Denis Underwood had hoped his side could hold on for a point but once again they fell to a sucker punch which keeps the Showground
Pool secure Division Two status in style with a 3-0 victory over doomed Wrexham at Bloomfield Road. The win puts Pool on 53 points, a figure that means Pool defiantly cannot fall into the relegation zone compared with the Welshmen who now need nothing
