Bolton Hospitals Charity Cup Final Ramsbottom United 1- Atherton LR 2 THE magnificent setting of the Reebok stadium did little to inspire Ramsbottom United as they slipped to defeat in the final of the Bolton Hospitals Cup. In the opening stages Atherton
WHAT a difference a day makes! Twenty-four hours earlier the Rams had collapsed against perennial Central Lancashire League lower order side Heywood while Church had defeated one of that league's top dogs Middleton. Smarting from their experience the
BURY Football Club's fundraiser supreme Neville Neville has urged urges all Shakers fans to get behind 'Forever Bury' the newly formed supporters' trust. A meeting to launch the organisation has been arranged at the Castle Leisure Centre on Sunday, May
A SUPPORTERS Trust could become the new owners of stricken Bury FC for just £1. But the amazing deal to transfer former club owner Hugh Eaves' two million-plus shares to the Save Our Shakers Supporters Trust comes with a £1.5 million price tag. That's
STAND travelled to Haslingden in the Inter League Knockout Cup and after winning the toss put Haslingden in to bat. The home side made a positive start and reached 50 without loss in the 13th over. The breakthrough finally came for Stand when Warren removed
BLACKBURN RUFC hosted the fourth annual Daniel Thwaites Lancashire Sevens tournament which was dominated by teams making their first appearance. For a strong Sale Jets side and a young international Welsh VII -- coached by ex-Blackburn Director of Rugby
IT'S unbelievable that the Government is planning to build three centres in different parts of the country to house asylum seekers, while our old people's homes are to be closed because they can't afford to bring them up to standard. What is happening
IN response to Civic Society chairman Doug Chadwick's view that Blackburn Station would win a Civic Pride award (LET, May 9) I say: 'Never!' Yes, it was the pride of the town, but the new station, or bus stop, which is what it looks like, is, to say the
WHERE is the Government taking us? We have the proposed closing down of 35 old folk's residential homes by the Labour-controlled Lancashire County Council and the Government is now looking for building sites to accommodate asylum seekers. Is this not
A TWO-week recruitment campaign has been launched by the Barnardo's shop in Bury. The charity is seeking to increase the number of volunteers and it will be displaying information on its work at the branch on Market Street. Area manager Sue Bowers said
TRAFFIC queues on a busy Ramsbottom road could soon be whittled down. Meaures to tackle congestion at the Bury New Road junction with Manchester Road are being implemented by Bury Council highways department after concerns were voiced. Ramsbottom councillor
rGEORGE Robinson talks to Westleyther Lesley Richards about the Ring o' Bells -- a no-nonsense alehouse where beer was served out of jugs straight from the barrel until 1970. Bungalows now stand on the site. THE Ring O'Bells last landlord, George Robinson
BLACKBURN businessman Mike Murray was the celebration of the stock market when shares of his Cupid PLC firm shot up 6p and its profits to within a whisker of £1 million. The performance of the company has seen it rise to become Britain's biggest maker
COUNCILLORS will decide today if 25 trees in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle are for the chop. The Ribble Valley Council's Community Committee will be asked to approve the felling and pruning of dead, dying and dangerous trees. The removal last October
FORMER Claret Danny Sonner is one of three players to have been released by Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce. The Northern Ireland international had been injured for much of the new manager's time in charge at St Andrews and having won promotion to the
LANCASHIRE welcome back Andy Flintoff for their Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final at Grace Road tomorrow. And, after his superb bowling performance at Lord's, Freddie is in peak shape for a quarter final where the Red Rose side are aiming to wipe out
PART-TIME compere Paul Humphries has turned his hand to club management after years of live entertaining. The 48-year-old has taken over at Oak Lea Private Members club in Whalley Road, Accrington. After two weeks in the job, Clayton-born Paul said the
A SUPPORTERS Trust could become the new owners of stricken Bury FC for just £1. But the amazing deal to transfer former club owner Hugh Eaves' two million-plus shares to the Save Our Shakers Supporters Trust comes with a £1.5 million price tag. That's
RADCLIFFE'S roller dancing sisters, Lynsey and Aimi Lightowler, have glided to two more top places in a national competition. Lynsey came first and Aimi third out of 13 competitors in a national creative dance competition at Alfreton Leisure Centre in
SOUTH KOREA 1, ENGLAND 1: STAND-in skipper Michael Owen says England will improve after being held to a 1-1 draw in their friendly with South Korea in Jeju today. England gave an encouraging first-half display taking the lead when Owen pounced in the
CHILDREN at Darwen Vale High School have gone international this week as part of a themed challenge to celebrate the Commonwealth Games which come to Manchester in July. The 11 to 14-year-olds are finding out about such things as traditional foods, clothes
A SINGLE father's dream came true when he joined a football team and ran out on to Ewood Park to play in a Football Aid match. But, unfortunately, he tore a calf muscle, so his moment of glory ended up as just 15 minutes of fame when he had to be taken
A FORMER escort girl who hacked her wealthy East Lancashire lover to death with an axe was "tipped over the edge" by his extreme behaviour, a court heard. In his closing speech for the defence, Robert Smith QC, told a jury at Leeds Crown Court how Danny
A MAN was arrested near the Ramsbottom border in Rossendale as part of a major national Internet paedophile operation. Officers from 30 police forces across Britain together with the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad
A FORMER chief sub-editor of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph who spent nearly half a century in local newspapers has died at 89. Harry Child began his career in 1929, when he joined the Burnley office of the then Northern Daily Telegraph as a junior
A CHARITY that supports victims of crime is on the look out for new volunteers to help them play a key role in the Street Crime Initiative Safer Streets in Lancashire. Victim Support Lancashire are working alongside the police and other criminal justice
FOOTBALL fans in East Lancashire will be able to enjoy a beer with their breakfast in 17 pubs as World Cup fever begins to take hold. But police have warned they will patrol the pubs making sure they don't score an own goal and breach the conditions.
Monday (Weekly) Age Concern organise sport and dance activities for the over 50s at the Jubilee Centre, Mosley Avenue, Bury, on Mondays to Fridays. For full details ring 0161 763 9030. Parent toddler group 1pm-3pm St James' Church Hall, Walshaw Rd, Bury
CALDER VALE have successfully changed their name to Burnley Rugby Club - despite opposition from some of the club's old boys. More than 90 members were entitled to vote on the issue at yesterday's AGM but only three voted against. There had been opposition
SINGER Natalie Taylor is hoping to net a success after stepping in as a final minute substitute on a would-be World Cup anthem. Natalie, who is a special needs teacher at All Saints County Primary School in Whitefield, was lead vocalist on the dance track
A MAN claims to have battled with council bosses for two years to have a burnt out van removed from near his back garden. John Burney, aged 61, fears children who play on the wreckage will injure themselves if it is not taken away. But, despite frequent
A BABY boy was left brain damaged and a young girl had broken bones and a fractured skull after suffering cruelty from a young couple. But both Paul Lee Harrison, 23, and Joanne Louise Watkins, 24, of Francis Street, Blackburn, denied injuring the babies
SOUTH KOREA 1, ENGLAND 1: STAND-in skipper Michael Owen says England will improve after being held to a 1-1 draw in their friendly with South Korea in Jeju today. England gave an encouraging first-half display taking the lead when Owen pounced in the
FOR most people the prospect of entering a huge stadium filled with cheering crowds would be extremely daunting. But 21-month-old Matthew Topping has done just that by competing in the national Dwarf Games in Birmingham, making him the youngest contestant
SCUNTHORPE boss Brian Laws wants to sign veteran Welsh striker Mark Hughes, after the 38-year-old was released by Rovers last week. . Hughes, who has indicated a desire to play on next season, held talks with Laws at a management training course last
ROVERS assistant Academy director Rob Kelly has saluted his players after they made a big impression at a top Youth tournament in Holland over the weekend. The young Rovers starlets played four games in four days -- including one against the mighty Real
ENGLAND skipper David Dunn today insisted 'we can still make it' after David Platt's Under 21s crashed to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Italy in the European Championships last night. Two goals from exciting young Empoli striker Massimo Maccarone
TWO people admitted burglary and are awaiting sentence at Burnley Crown Court. John Riley, 34, of no fixed address, admitted two counts of burglary and was remanded in custody until 14 June. He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, not having
A TEAM of Burnley soldiers enjoyed some virtual experience of battle thanks to simulated trench warfare and laser guns. Sniper Private Mick O'Keefe, 21, Lance Corporal Luke Hamilton, 23, and Private Ray McNally, 22, all from Burnley, joined 600 comrades
THE Big Picture event at Mount Zion finished with a special celebration in church on Sunday. During the week a Parkinson-style chat show, a family quiz night, treasure hunt and live band for the younger generation were among the entertainments on offer
BURNLEY'S former county court could be set for a new lease of life as the town's first new casino in almost 50 years. The man behind the idea is Burnley businessman and major Clarets shareholder John Turkington, who has applied to the council to turn
THREE glasses of wine have led to a shopkeeper losing her driving licence after she set off for the store to put money in the safe. Burnley Magistrates heard how Jean Milner, 57, went back at night because she feared she might be burgled and was followed
A JOINT investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and police in Pendle into the explosion which led to two flats and a house being demolished, in Burns Street, Nelson, is continuing. It is still not known what caused the blast which is understood
INTERNATIONAL floral designer Craig Bullock has travelled the world demonstrating his art -- but some of his finest work can be found on his own doorstep. Craig, 42, of Montford Cottage, Fence, and his partner Tony Morris have spent the past 18 years
A MAN had part of his ear bitten off in an attack in Accrington town centre. The victim, in his 30s and from Bury, was in Cuisine World in Church Street early on Saturday when he was attacked by two men -- one white and one Asian -- who are believed to
A LEADING fireman has appeared in court accused of impersonating a police constable. Station Officer Nick Isherwood said today he was determined to fight to clear his name. Lancashire Fire and Rescue said it had not suspended Isherwood, who serves at
CLARETS striker Dimitri Papadopoulos is hoping to return to the Greece Under-21 side this evening as they take on the Czech Republic in Switzerland. The 20-year-old missed out in the match against France on Sunday afternoon but this evening's game is
THE witches are out for a second beer festival and an ale trail as part of the Darwen Live Bank Holiday. The Almost Famous Witch Ale Trail will kick off on May 31 with 16 real ale outlets along Blackburn Road, Darwen, taking part. The beers have been
A FORMER Burnley landlady has scooped top marks in a national innkeepers' exam after 16 years pulling pints. Helen Jury, 38, formerly of the Old Red Lion, Manchester Road, Burnley, is one of two graduates from the North West to pass the new British Institute
ENGLAND skipper David Dunn today insisted 'we can still make it' after David Platt's Under 21s crashed to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Italy in the European Championships last night. Two goals from exciting young Empoli striker Massimo Maccarone
THE British National Party has begun recruiting new members in Blackburn following its Burnley election success. A second meeting of the far-right political organisation is set to be held in Blackburn on Thursday. And BNP opponents have spent part of
A BABY boy was left brain damaged and a young girl had broken bones and a fractured skull after suffering cruelty from a young couple. But both Paul Lee Harrison, 23, and Joanne Louise Watkins, 24, of Francis Street, Blackburn, denied injuring the babies
DRIVERS were today facing four months of hold-ups in Blackburn as work began on the latest phase of town centre regeneration. The work to improve Darwen Street started yesterday as contractors put the finishing touches to the £2million transformation
JAILED golf ball diver John Collinson today spoke of his delight after his prison sentence was quashed and said the case had turned his life upside down. The man whose six-month sentence for theft caused a national outcry spoke as his local MP called
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Year Seven Parents Evening, Rhyddings High School, Haworth Street, Oswaldtwistle, from 6.30pm. Blackburn Drama Club present "The Memory of Water," Darwen Library Theatre
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Earby and District Local History Society, New Road Community Centre, Earby, 7.30pm. La Traviata, Charter Theatre, Preston, 7.30pm. Blackburn and District Philatelic Society
EVERY so often our legal system is made to look ridiculous by a prosecution which is just plain absurd. The conviction and jailing of Chorley golf ball diver John Collinson following all the time, trouble and paperwork of a crown court trial is a classic
DEMON Daniel Wyatt showed there were no cobwebs on his skis as he clocked up the fastest time in the first of the Summer Race Series. The Pendle Ski Club 'A' junior set a scorching time of 14.61 seconds to finish first in the under 16s category. Wyatt
Tony Yates may have grabbed the goal in this all-Darwen final but it was Glenn Smith who gave Marley's the run around. Shame he couldn't take penalties though! For it was livewire Smith who set up Yates for the only goal of the game but then blazed a
There doesn't seem to be much that Jim Brown can't turn his hand to when it comes to brightening up East Lancashire Sailing Club. For Jim has become something of a DIY demon around the picturesque club on the outskirts of Rishton -- although he admits
REGARDING all the tabloid exposure the British National Party received before, during and mainly after the local elections, both nationally and regionally, as an impartial yet slightly bewildered reader, I think all the negativity about how the BNP will
REGARDING the letters attempting to justify demonising motorists, who, it would appear, by breaking the speed limit are now, according to recent writers, responsible for all the pedestrians who are injured or killed in a road traffic accident. In attempting
THE family of tragic wrestling star Davey Boy Smith is struggling to come to terms with its third tragedy. The shock sudden death of the 39-year-old WWF Golborne hero on Saturday brings more heartache for the grieving family. They lost mother Joyce and
A MOTORCYCLIST suffered a fractured wrist after he was thrown from his machine on Thursday evening (May 16). The rider suffered the injury when his bike was in collision with a car in Wellington Road, Bury, at 6.20pm. The accident victim was taken to
CRIME will be on the agenda when Bury East area board meets tonight (Tuesday May 21) The meeting begins at 7pm at Holy Trinity Primary School in Cecil Street, Bury. Area co-ordinator Jason Crausby will report on Local Community Safety Partnerships. These
BURY-based dealership Richard Cort Motor Group is moving into the fast lane in time for Manchester's Commonwealth Games. The well-known local business is supporting Rover in the company's involvement as official car sponsor for the Games, to be staged
CHEF Jason Disley is hoping to cook up a storm with his new book of poetry. The 33-year-old, who works at TGI Friday's in Prestwich as a breakfast chef, would happily hang up his pots and pans in favour of poetry and prose. Jason, of Chapel Road, Rainsough
Special report by Brian Gomm: OVER 200 years ago ironmaster Abraham Darby the Third made a giant step forward in the world of construction when he spanned the River Severn with his Iron Bridge. This remarkable feat of 18th century engineering was highlighted
TWO schoolgirls have sparked a police appeal after reports they had run away to Scotland with a couple of teenagers. Karly Louise Hill and Nicola Houston, both 13, have been missing from their homes in the centre of Colne for a week. Officers investigating
BRIT Award nominees Elbow have thrown their support behind the Gig for Gigg concert this Thursday (May 23) to help troubled Bury FC. Between tours of the US and with a busy summer schedule ahead, the Bury five-piece are taking time out to recover, and
AN alcoholic almost fell out of her car when police stopped her after she left a pub at teatime. Burnley magistrates heard how Elaine Denise Gouhar, 42. was abusive and aggressive and told police: "I know I am going to lose my licence. So what ?" Gouhar
A DRUGLINE volunteer was among five people arrested during a drugs raid, it was revealed today. Police today confirmed that one of two women arrested at a house in Belfield Road, Accrington, was a volunteer with the Preston-based Drugline charity, which
PENDLE Council's executive committee will be asked to approve the borough's draft scheme on racial equality on Thursday so that it can be put out for public consultation. The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 requires the council to have a racial equality
A FACTORY worker caught drink driving in the early hours had had a traumatic day before he got behind the wheel. Burnley Magistrates heard how Lee Booth, 21, had been to the funeral of his friend's mother, gone round to the friend's for a drink and had
TWO schoolgirls have sparked a police appeal after reports they had run away to Scotland with a couple of teenagers. Karly Louise Hill and Nicola Houston, both 13, have been missing from their homes in the centre of Colne for a week. Officers investigating
PLANS for a multi-million pound leisure complex including a four-screen cinema and 20-lane bowling alley were announced by Hyndburn Council. The complex was expected to create 100 jobs in Accrington.
POLICE are making a fresh appeal for witnesses after a nine-year-old girl was indecently assaulted while walking home two weeks ago. On Friday May 10 the youngster was walking home alone through an alleyway behind Hodder Street, Accrington, at around
A SENIOR officer at Hyndburn Borough Council has been suspended, it was revealed today. The senior manager, a member of the financial services department, was suspended on full pay pending an investigation. Council manager Mike Chambers said concerns
FOUR people who plotted together to petrol bomb premises in Accrington, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, as disturbances erupted in nearby Burnley last summer, are still awaiting sentence. Nabil Saddique, Arfan Hussain, Mohammed Amin, all
TWO schoolgirls have sparked a police appeal after reports they had run away to Scotland with a couple of teenagers. Karly Louise Hill and Nicola Houston, both 13, have been missing from their homes in the centre of Colne for a week. Officers investigating
BURNLEY Football Club and its supporters are hoping for an early Christmas present next month when the Nationwide League fixtures come out - a home game on Boxing Day. The Clarets have been made to travel on December 26 for FIVE successive seasons and
BREWSTERS pubs have joined forces with the British Dental Association to keep children smiling brightly. Credit-card sized dental information cards were given out in the Fun Factory at The Gamecock in Whalley Road, Great Harwood, and The Queen Victoria
AFRICAN Caribbean's rich culture will be celebrated at a special event to be staged in Bury next month. Displays, stalls and music, all with a distinct African Caribbean theme, will be featured at a special awareness day at The Met on Sunday, June 9 beginning
BURY Golf Club's highly rated youngster Sean Doherty has underlined just what a hot prospect he is by breaking the course record at Unsworth Hall. The 18-year-old Holy Cross student returned a 64 gross score in his club's monthly medal competition, bettering
NEILL HARDY could be back at Radcliffe Borough next season, writes STEVE BOTT. The 28-year-old striker left Stainton Park in a five-figure switch to Natiowide League side Stockport County last summer and forced his way into former manager Andy Kilner's
BRIT Award nominees Elbow have thrown their support behind the Gig for Gigg concert this Thursday (May 23) to help troubled Bury FC. Between tours of the US and with a busy summer schedule ahead, the Bury five-piece are taking time out to recover, and
ENGLAND stepped up their World Cup preparations with a hard-fought 1-1 friendly draw against South Korea in the Jeju Stadium in Seogwipo today. Stand-in skipper Michael Owen bagged his 16th international goal as Sven Goran Eriksson's men surged ahead
BEWARE men in brown shoes! Understandably, being a man-watcher this headline from a national newspaper caught my eye. It referred to remarks made by Lord Curzon, an eminent politician from the 1920s, who was very nearly Prime Minister. Allegedly, he felt
A DARWEN man who has parked outside his own home for 12 years arrived home to find painted white lines preventing him from parking there. Ian Hamilton, of Spring Vale, Garden Village, said he had parked outside his home in the cul-de-sac ever since he
TWO planning applications for Fletcher Bank Quarry, Shuttleworth, have been refused -- but it is not the end for the applicant. Lancashire County Council had been asked to approve plans to erect a recycling facility and to restore the northern part of
MARKET traders today issued a VIP invitation to the Queen after writing to Buckingham Palace for some Golden Jubilee posters. Stallholders on Rawtenstall market originally made contact with the palace when they couldn't find any photographs or posters
HENNA painting, healing with crystals, pottery and aromatherapy were among the new skills people living in the Bank Top area of Blackburn were able to learn at the Family Learning Festival organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council. Other events included
A TEENAGER was punched and kicked then mugged on Friday night. Police said the 17-year-old was approached by two white males -- aged between 16 and 17 -- as he walked down Preston New Road, near the junction with West Park Road, Blackburn, around 11.30
FURIOUS gardeners on a vandal-plagued allotment said they will pack up their tools unless security is stepped up. Vandals struck at the Feniscliffe allotment site in Cherry Tree, Blackburn, destroying five greenhouses and leaving debris on 20 plots. Allotment-holders
Tuesday (Weekly) Children's ballet and tap 4 15pm, New Kershaw Centre, Deal Street, Bury. First lesson free. Tel 0161 764 7316 or 07949 621398. Wed" Pre-school song and dance class 1 30pm. Fri: pop/disco dancing 4 15pm. First lesson free. Bury Shukokai
Wednesday (Weekly) Dog trg: Rad Girls and Boys Club, 7pm. Ring 01204 884294. Bury Machine Knitting Group, meet every Wednesday at Mosses Centre, Bury, 2pm. Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Grp, meets Mosses Centre, Cecil Steet, Bury, 2.15pm. Details
CHORLEY golfer Lora Fairclough finished joint eighth at the La Perla Italian Open on the Evian Ladies European Tour yesterday. Fairclough scored 67, 72, 73 and 74 to finish six under for the event. Clitheroe's Kirsty Taylor finished joint 12th with rounds
AN alligator which has lived most of its life in the garden of a Bury house is today starting a new life in Spain. Samson, a 6ft Mississippi alligator, has been transported with the assistance of the RSPCA to Terra Exotica, a crocodile and alligator park
