A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Summer Fair, St Mary's Church Hall, Sabden. Mini Market and Collectors Fayre, St Catherine's Church, West Bradford, 10am-3pm. Line Dance, Mellor Village Hall, 8pm. Spring
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has taken an even wider look at life. He wants the government to make greater use of solar panelling for the heating of homes and offices in the UK. He wants to see proper use of £20million of government cash aimed at giving
A DEEPLY black comedy about marital breakdown and dead comedians and with a few custard pies thrown in (literally) may not appear to be the most obvious choice for an actor. But for Robin Hooper, the opportunity to appear in Terry Johnson's Dead Funny
BURY Boxing Club topped off a great night's entertainment by winning eight of the 13 bouts staged in a recent tournament at Radcliffe Civic Hall. The Bury lads were representing a Greater Manchester Select team against an Ireland select and got off to
UNSWORTH's Sri Lankan professional Pasan Wanansinghe will be going all out to force his way into his country's Test team after being given the chance to shine this week. Wanansinghe, who has just begun his third season with Unsworth, has been called up
A CHEERFUL team of eight veteran athletes left Bury for Sutton Park, Birmingham on Saturday. Sutton Park is to road running what Wembley was to soccer or Wimbledon to tennis. It has housed national relay championships for decades and the likes of Dave
BURY Sports Advisory Council's Jubilee Sports Week looks like being a bumper eight days of action. The Council have been busy with various sporting organisations in the town and have come up with a wide and varied calendar. The big aim is to give people
UNSWORTH set up a mouthwatering Wood Cup quarter-final clash with neighbours Radcliffe at Pole Lane on Sunday June 2 after a marathon four-day game against Milnrow in the first round. Rain forced the prolonged saga, which stretched between Sunday and
RAF RESCUE: Tottington man Gerald Downs of Royds Street was recovering after a dramatic rescue at sea by RAF helicopters. Mr Downs was one of three divers from Bolton Sub-Aqua Club who drifted out to sea for five hours in an inflatable dinghy. They were
IN the aftermath of the latest rail disaster, it's interesting to note, one of the first visitors to survivors in hospital was Prince Charles. Where, might I ask, were any of Her Majesty's government ministers? J HAWKINS-SHELFORD, Waters Edge, Blackburn
THERE are three asylum seekers' centres to be built in the country, each holding 750 people. Each will have its own health centre, education centre and gym. If these centres are successful another 12 to 15 will be built. Absolutely marvellous! Well done
ONCE again, I agree with John Shorrock (Letters, May 15) -- Church Street in Blackburn is a mess! The art on the plinths is pathetic! The public should have been asked for suggestions. My husband and I would like to see a water feature, like a fountain
A WORKER suffered serious burns and another man suffered blast injuries in an explosion at a factory. The men were working on a machine at Barlo Radiators when it exploded. The accident happened yesterday lunchtime at the radiator manufacturing plant
I AM glad that Mr A Lewis (Letters, May 15) enjoyed his trip to Blackburn town centre, but I would like to correct his mistaken impression that Church Street is a pedestrianised area. Access is still permitted to vehicles wishing to park or make deliveries
IF YOU'RE going to roll up to Blackpool Tower Circus this summer then get ready for a real stunner of a show. Joining the traditional troupe this year are a heart-stopping high wire, unbelievable motorbike balancing and even some eye-watering axe throwing
NORTHERN humour comes home again this November as Lancashire's favourite funnyman Peter Kay stops off in Blackpool. The multi award-winning star of the hit Channel Four series' Phoenix Nights and That Peter Kay Thing will be at the Opera House on November
RAMSBOTTOM Civic Hall was the venue for the regional meeting of Soroptimist International of South Lancashire. Guest speaker Dr Li Shao of the University of Nottingham and a member of Amnesty International fascinated the 85 guests with his talk on the
WHITEFIELD firefighters are hoping to raise bucket loads of cash when they stage a charity car wash at the weekend. And pictured getting in a bit of car washing practice are Whitefield fire crew members (from left) Leading Fireman Andrew Turner, firefighters
STREET parties for this year's Golden Jubilee in Bury look set to be few and far between. Highways chiefs have received only eight formal applications for road closures over the Jubilee bank holiday at the beginning of June, with the official deadline
LANCASHIRE County Council has followed Bury Council's lead and thrown out plans to turn a disused quarry in Shuttleworth in to a tip. Members of the county council ruled that the landfill site planned for Fletcher Bank Quarry would lead to deterioration
RADCLIFFE'S proposed £6 million marketmuseum is another step closer to becoming a reality. Following talks with Tony Trehy, Bury's principal arts officer, the Arts Council of England are said to be "very excited" about the ground-breaking project. "I
A SERIES of "mini conferences" has been staged in the borough to try to tackle drug abuse. More than 100 experts and community leaders gave their views to Bury's Drug Action Team (DAT) and the borough's Community Safety Partnership. Last week's final
LOCAL fire crews and the public of Bury have helped raise more than £250,000 for victims of the September 11 terrorist attack. Greater Manchester Fire Brigade (GMFB) this week announced it had raised the £250,000 for the New York Dependants Fund and expect
A WEEK of green events in Bury comes to a climax tomorrow (Sat May 25) with the North West's biggest environmental day. Nearly 100 groups ranging from Friends of the Earth to Friends of Chesham Woods will be setting out their stall for Bury Environment
A COLLEGE lecturer was led away in handcuffs after hurling abuse at a traffic warden and police during a row over a parking ticket. Noel O'Brien, who works at Blackburn College and is a former Rossendale Labour councillor, was branded a bully by a district
JUDGES in a talent contest went bananas for a Carmen Miranda impressionist! For Trevor Cresswell's impersonation of the singer, famous for her "fruity" outfits, helped him scoop third place in a competition to find the North West's top oldest active amateur
EDUCATION minister Ivan Lewis has declared an all-out offensive against drugs in schools. And at a drugs summit at the Department for Education and Skills, the Bury South MP spelled out the clear message that there is no place for drugs in schools. Among
IN his public encyclical to the folk of Lancaster (9 May), Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue first condemns the supposedly brutal treatment of Palestinians by Israel and then adds that "the Israeli people also suffer appalling tragedy from suicide bombings. Neither
BILL Smith's letter seems ill-informed about the fires at the former Willow Community school on the Marsh. Firstly, let me make it absolutely clear that I totally condemn these fires. There was considerable distress caused to local residents on the Marsh
IN his letter on the Lancaster May Day March Richard Newman-Thompson describes the Green Party as a "party of the right masquerading as the left". A simple look at the facts of that march (which Newman-Thompson wasn't present at) will dispose of his daft
SURROUNDED by a group of people in black shirts at the May Day rally the historic events which came to my mind were from the 1930s. Wasn't it Mussolini who made the transition from anarchism to fascism? No doubt he was propelled by egotism, antipathy
ROVERS keeper Alan Kelly, who was at the centre of the training ground bust-up with Irish skipper Roy Keane, has blasted the Manchester United star and given his full support to manager Mick McCarthy. Keane's departure has rocked the Republic's preparations
DOZENS of people put on their raincoats and headed to Preston docks at the weekend for a beach party! People piled to the docklands area to make a splash on Saturday May 18 at the launch of their fourth annual beach party -- with crowds enjoying the fashion
SHOPKEEPERS across Lancashire are being warned to be on the look out for a gang of conmen after a spate of thefts. A number of shops in Preston, Chorley and Blackburn, all run by Asians, have been targeted by a gang of conmen and women recently. Police
LANCASHIRE Constabulary is targeting street crime by fast-tracking drug users who are persistent offenders as part of their Safer Streets in Lancashire initiative already under way and set to continue for the next year. It comes as a police report reveals
AN ARTISTIC woman is snap happy after her work was picked to be displayed on a huge billboard in Preston city centre. Olive Hopkins' work was chosen after a group of 13 people from the Brookfield estate, on the outskirts of Preston, worked with local
A TOWN which has waited 28 years for a Mayor will see him walk in an annual parade without his chain because of a problem with insurance. Mayor of Padiham Coun Granville Lord cannot wear his full regalia in the traditional Trinity Sunday march from St
PLANS to upgrade fitness equipment at leisure centres in Burnley and Padiham have been put on hold. Burnley Borough Council's executive was asked to approve a £60,000 upgrade at the Thompson Centre, Burnley; Gannow Pool and Fitness Centre and Padiham
MORE than 100 people turned attended a meeting to discuss controversial plans for a large housing estate in a suburb of Burnley. Chorley-based Banks' Group has applied for outline permission to develop an estate off Manchester Road, Lowerhouse. A large
AN elderly woman was conned by two men posing as window fitters. The men called at the 87-year-old's home in Atkinson Street, Briercliffe, Burnley, at 10am on Wednesday and told her they had come to do some work on her front window. She allowed them in
YOUNGSTERS are being invited to pin their hopes and dreams on to a rainbow to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. The rainbow has been unveiled at the town's Marks and Spencer store as part of a national £1million fundraising drive for children's charity I
THE annual random doubles Dean Cup bowling competition was held on Sunday, May 19, at Lowerhouse Bowling Club. Winners of the cup were Chez, Viola and Maureen Kay who were presented with a £20 prize. Runners-up were Fred Roberts and Barbara Smith, who
BUSINESSES and organisations displaying flags for the Queen's Jubilee in Pendle have been warned to mark them with their postcode after incidents in Barrowford in which flags have been stolen. More than 80 Union Jack flags have been provided by the parish
A LOOK at the local baseball scene. Preston (Broncos) 16 Runcorn Jets 2 DESPITE damp, wet conditions, the game got off on time. There were fielding mistakes by both teams, but Preston soon went into the lead. Anthony Warwick scoring four runs, pitching
I WAS surprised to find that car parking charges in Bury have increased. I was even more surprised to read (Bury Times, May 3) that those who park for a short time will see no increase under the council's annual review of charges. I beg to differ. The
PUPILS at Coates Lane Primary School in Barnoldswick took on a special quest this week with the help of Lancashire Wildlife Trust. The youngsters have been searching for the Forest of Pendle through a series of puzzles, games and trails based in the school
AN exodus of more than 30,000 fans left Blackburn for Wembley as Rovers faced Leicester City for a place in the Premiership. Blackburn Boulevard became a mass of blue and white.
SOUTHAMPTON footballer Brett Ormerod returned to his home town of Great Harwood to kick off the grand opening of the new look Help The Aged shop. The store had been closed for 10 days while it was given an overhaul, including new carpets, a change of
HYNDBURN welcomed its new mayor last night when Coun Sandra Hayes was sworn in at the traditional annual ceremony. Coun Hayes became the ninth woman to take on the role since 1878 -- four of those have been in the last 10 years -- taking over from outgoing
IT promises to be a Bank Holiday weekend full of nostalgia at Blackburn's North Bar with three consecutive nights of top quality music lined up. Next Friday, leading tribute band the Su-Sex Pistols will recreate the spirit of '77 bring their high energy
A DEEPLY black comedy about marital breakdown and dead comedians and with a few custard pies thrown in (literally) may not appear to be the most obvious choice for an actor. But for Robin Hooper, the opportunity to appear in Terry Johnson's Dead Funny
AFTER weeks of searching, auditions and being tested out on air, the Radio Wave breakfast show has finally found a new star presenter. Karen Pettitt, the delighted winner, was picked from ten finalists in a "Search for a Star" competition and presented
HIGH SPEED thrills and spills are promised this weekend as Blackpool hosts the second round of the British Jet Ski Championships. More than 120 of the country's top riders will battle it out this Saturday and Sunday for championship points just off the
BUSINESSMAN Bruce Carter used some Far Eastern inspiration to get his head around a building problem. Design repro printer Bruce, of Raydon Typesetters, Fairhaven, was desperate to break some awkward stone to use for work being carried out on his Victorian
HE'S only little but Jack Wilding is walking tall after winning six medals in the Dwarfs Athletics Championships this month -- proving that good things do come in small packages! The brave six-year-old, of Maurice Grove, Blackpool, who has overcome many
A BLIND old soldier, who relies on the help of voluntary workers to live a normal life, says he's afraid he won't be able to cope if plans to close a local support centre go ahead. Cliff Benson, 90, of Howick Park Close, Penwortham, claims he would be
EAST Lancashire's MPs today backed the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Magic Eye Appeal. Yesterday Prime Minister Tony Blair threw his weight behind the appeal with a personal message of support for the drive to raise the cash for the machine which detects
THE girlfriend of a teenager seriously injured in a car crash three months ago will be wielding hair clippers on Monday, to raise funds for his continued care. Adele Bolton, a first year modern apprentice in hairdressing at Blackburn College, and her
THE Lancashire Evening Telegraph campaign to buy a £200,000 magic eye scanner will put the area on the North West health map, it was revealed today. The state-of-the-art life-saving equipment will not only improve treatment for East Lancashire patients
THIS is the teenaged purse thief who targeted a pensioner in a town centre charity shop. Shirley Maughan, 18, from East Park Road, Blackburn, appeared before Blackburn magistrates where she pleaded guilty to theft. The court heard how Maughan took the
AROUND 250 people attended the second meeting of the far-right British National Party to be held in Blackburn. Two police vans were parked outside the Manxman pub, in the Higher Croft area although the meeting passed without incident. Police also filmed
A ROMANTIC sailor who almost died after getting stranded on a sinking yacht is swapping sunbaked Lanzarote for a Ribble Valley wedding. Paul Kay, 35, whose parents Ian and Pamela still live in Meins Road, Pleasington, first left Blackburn 10 years ago
MY chocolate point Siamese cat names Carlos went missing from our home in Cleveleys on Thursday night, May 16. Sadly a couple of weeks ago his sister Tova was killed by a car, so he may have gone to look for her as they were very close. I am wheelchair
SO the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) has made an award to Blackpool Zoo. Well, considering UFAW was founded to improve the conditions under which experimental animals -- those used by the vivisection business -- were kept, this doesn't
WITH reference to the report in The Citizen re "Tax Collectors in Blue", I feel very strongly that this police action is ill-considered and unfair, particularly to older and more experienced drivers. I am part of an over 50s Friendship Club in North Preston
WITH reference to the story headed "Tax Collectors in Blue" I must agree wholeheartedly with Mr Earle's comments about the disgusting way Blackpool police are persecuting local drivers. It is indeed very dangerous to have "zero tolerance" and in most
PNE boss Craig Brown has made assurances that Kelham O'Hanlon would stay on as his number two. The Scot is looking out for a new coach to replace Jimmy Lumsden. But he has pledged to keep O'Hanlon in the assistant manager role, thanking him for his help
A TOWN has been given its first CCTV cameras to cut street crime. The cameras will be officially unveiled in a matter of weeks near the community centre and shop in Dunkirk Lane, Leyland. The area had been highlighted in a police crime prevention survey
THERE will be no official celebrations, flag-flying or patriotic parties in the Fylde area on the Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend -- Fylde Borough Council can't afford it. The borough's tourism and leisure committee discussed the Golden Jubilee at
I OFTEN hear passing vehicles playing extremely loud, thumping beat music. You can hear them a hundred yards away! How they can keep their mind on their driving at high speed is beyond me. They are a menace to public safety. Why doesn't the Government
THE fundraising team of the Bury and district Multiple Sclerosis Society thanks the people of Bury and all those who helped make our relay and collection on The Rock on April 18-19 such a success. We raised £287. We also wanted to raise public awareness
I'VE just got home from work to find all my garden ornaments have been stolen. They weren't expensive and I wish I were baffled as to why someone would want to steal them. But I am not, because this is something I've come to expect living in Radcliffe
MANY thanks for publishing our request for volunteer drivers. Two people who answered our appeal are now taking turns behind the wheel and we thank them for keeping our bus on the road. Members also want to thank Alan Weldin, Jimmy Beswick and Tony McCormack
AT the executive committee meeting held to "discuss" the proposed closure of Affetside School, Councillor Steve Perkins, councillor for lifelong learning, pontificated at some length about the delights of the mobile classroom system used to accommodate
WE can always rely on this Government to make a bad situation worse. It is a talent for which New Labour is famed. But when caught tinkering with the lives and futures of children to appease trendy, vocal minorities, Tony Blair and his ministers dice
TWO years ago I wrote to the Bury Times expressing my dismay that St Paul's school in Ramsbottom had gone into Special Measures. I was concerned that, in trying to satisfy the inspectors, the school may lose sight of the features that made me choose it
LEYLAND Barracudas Micro A team made it four wins out of four when they beat Fleetwood, Newton Hall, and Rosegrove at Padiham Pool. Even after a run of three victories Barracudas were ready for work when they took to the blocks. An excellent first quarter
FOUR council old folks' homes could close under the most radical plans to shake up social services yet seen in Bury. Elderly residents face months of uncertainty due to proposals to dramatically cut long-term accommodation in local authority homes across
BLACKPOOL have escaped any punishment from the Football League after fielding a weakened side in a league match last season. Blackpool boss Steve McMahon fielded a team comprised largely of youth team players against Brentford at Bloomfield Road on 19
THE senior officer suspended by Hyndburn Council could face another week of waiting to hear the outcome of an investigation. Alan Rainford, the council's finance director, was suspended on full pay last Friday pending the result of an inquiry which he
SILENCE reigned as the stars of a very special Jubilee production took to the stage. After seven weeks of rehearsal more than 90 pupils from St Anne's and St Joseph's RC Primary School, Accrington, including 20 in the choir, had the first of two dress
COMPANY bosses have sprung to the rescue after Scouts watched their camp being washed away. The Bowley Scout camp, in Great Harwood, has been hit by flooding after water started cascading on to the site during heavy downpours. Part-time warden Darryl
SIX students from Fylde Tae Kwondo, Ansdell, competed in an Opening Sparring Competition in Sheffield, and came home with two second places. Fourteen-year-old Chris Wood has only been training for six months and yet managed to beat off more experienced
BLACKPOOL cruised comfortably into the second round of the Thwaites LCB Knockout Cup competition at Stanley Park on Sunday (May 19) when they defeated Rainhill, of the Merseyside Competition, by nine wickets. In a rain-interrupted game, Rainhill batted
FIRST through the doors of the newly opened Total Fitness centre in Lancaster was Olympic decathlete Jamie Quarry. Jamie, who lives locally, has joined the fitness centre to take advantage of the superb facilities as part of his preparation for the Commonwealth
MAKING networks work for you will be theme of the latest meeting for Bury companies wishing to harness e-business to its fullest. Representatives from firms will be attending the free meeting of BURYBUSINESS.NETwork to be staged next Tuesday (May 28)
THE league has released dates for next years cup fixtures and the date for the publishing of the league fixtures. 13th June 2002 Nationwide Football League's 2002/03 fixtures. 10th August 2002 Nationwide Football League Season begins Week Commencing 9th
GREATER Manchester's Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is to help pilot a scheme to train low-skilled workers. The organisation selected by the Government to carry out the initiative, will receive a share of £40 million allocated to the scheme over two
UNEMPLOYED people and those who want to change career direction can now harness a panacea to solve their training ills. For Panacea is the name of a new training organisation in Bury which is helping to equip adults with a range of new and key skills.
DARWEN face Preston at Birch Hall tomorrow in the Bay Northern Premier League. Darwen will be looking to bounce back from defeat in the Lancashire Cup last Sunday in which the farcical rain rules played a major part. A victory for Darwen could take them
NEIL FAIRBROTHER was still missing as Lancashire set out on a second Lord's trail at Old Trafford today. Still buzzing from Wednesday's win at Leicester which booked a Benson and Hedges Cup semi final at home to Warwickshire two weeks today, they were
CLITHEROE captain Neil Bolton has launched a 'charm offensive' ahead of his side's clash with league-leaders Barnoldswick tomorrow. Bolton, whose side have won three and lost two of their opening five games, reckons Barlick look good bets for the Jennings
TOUGH-TALKING Aussie Shaun Young believes Bacup's recent shock defeat at the hands of Nelson could spur them on to their third successive Transco Lancashire League title. Nelson, who finished second-from-bottom last summer, sent shockwaves through the
A PROGRAMME of exciting comedy events, set to bring some of the best stand-up acts off the city circuits to perform at the South Ribble Banqueting Suite in Leyland, continues this month. The next Comedy Bites event will take place on May 31 and will feature
A LEYLAND lad who sang his heart out on television's Pop Idol has shed stacks of weight after being shot down by pop guru Pete Waterman for being too fat! Now Lee Parkinson, 18, of Boundary Street, is ready for a come-back after losing nearly four stone
LEYLAND has been given its first ever CCTV cameras to cut street crime. The cameras will be officially unveiled in a matter of weeks near the community centre and shops in Dunkirk Lane. The area had been highlighted in a police crime prevention survey
FIREMEN at South Shore Fire Station have given the Macmillan Windmill Appeal a helpful "lift" in the form of £500. Leading fire fighter Lee Munday and his colleagues swept appeal manager Karen Dyke off her feet (pictured) when they presented the cheque
THE Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope consecrated the completion of a Blackpool church last weekend -- 75 years after it first opened. Members and friends of St Stephen on the Cliffs have raised £260,000 in two years for a new entrance and enlarged worship
MORECAMBE MP Geraldine Smith has defied Labour whips in a debate over the future of sub post offices. Ms Smith ignored a three-line whip to support a Liberal Democrat motion demanding that the Government set out clear policies and a timetable to deal
DOWNPOURS didn't dampen spirits at the Puppet Up! 2002 parade. The town saw hundreds of shoppers lined the streets of Blackpool town centre to cheer on the flamboyant cast of puppets and puppeteers in the rain. Town Crier Barry McQueen headed the parade
THE people of Carnforth will this weekend get their say on the regeneration of their area. Carnforth is undergoing the first stages in a six-month 'health check' which will look in detail at the problem faced by the village and surroundings area. It forms
A POULTON band is brassed off after thieves stole instruments from its headquarters. The musical burglars broke in to Poulton-le-Fylde Band's Station Road headquarters on May 9 and took instruments including several cornets and a horn valued at around
A NEW Blackpool bus service will be launched on July 1 to provide an essential link from Mereside and Grange Park to major employment sites and schools along the eastern edge of the town. Operating from Monday to Saturday, the Lifestyle Line will run
WHILST Lancaster Castle has had a presence on the Internet for some time as part of Lancashire County Council's site, now it can now boast its own domain name of 'lancastercastle.com', making it much easier to find. The website - and indeed the Castle
HEYSHAM Power Station's safety records have been praised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Both sites have been given the prestigious President's Awards from RoSPA for their records over the past 12 months. Heysham 1's and 2's exemplary
THE SALE of the former Willow Lane School could fund the creation of a new play area for the Marsh Estate, it was claimed this week. The school's playgrounds are being lost as the site is sold off for housing, leaving the estate short of vital play facilities
FEARS ARE growing for the safety of a teenager who is missing from his Lancaster home. Matthew James Taylor, 15, has not been seen since last Friday. He has gone missing before in the past year and has always turned up in the Glasgow area, but police
A teenager was indecently assaulted as she travelled from Lancaster to Morecambe on the bus. The 17-year-old girl was sat on the upper floor of the Stagecoach bus at 8.40pm on Sunday night when a man approached her and sat next to her. They began to talk
A NEWBORN baby boy was passed to safety just seconds before his grandmother was savagely attacked by a dog. Ms Yvonne Williams was cradling the four-week-old tot in her arms as she left her house in Agecroft Road West on Tuesday (May 21) lunchtime. The
CLAIMS by residents that a former Mayor of Prestwich has been snubbed by a local businessman have been refuted. A group of protesters in Heywood Road wrote to the Bury Times complaining about the "appalling" treatment of former County Councillor Mr Arnold
THE Irish FA have confirmed that Roy Keane has been sent home from the World Cup finals. The move comes after Keane criticised the Republic of Ireland's preparations for the finals in South Korea and Japan. The Republic and Manchester United skipper pulled
ST ANNES Superleague darts team ended the season with a disappointing defeat, but took consolation from the individual performances of all the players. The main improvement was in the overall team average, which was the highest of the season. But unfortunately
NORTH End have heaped praise on the fans after more than 1,000 season tickets were sold in just one day. The club say fans queued up through the night to be the first to get the tickets for the new season. North End is one of just two clubs in the First
IT promises to be a Bank Holiday weekend full of nostalgia at Blackburn's North Bar with three consecutive nights of top quality music lined up. Next Friday, leading tribute band the Su-Sex Pistols will recreate the spirit of '77 bring their high energy
ONE of East Lancashire's newest bands is attracting interest from the States despite having only played just one live show. Last Friday night, new Indie outfit Mother John, opened their live account at Colne's Derby Arms, and are already in contact with
A FULL house is expected when Forever Bury, the Bury Football Club Supporters' Trust, is officially launched at the Castle Leisure Centre on Sunday evening. The trust, which will give the supporters a seat on the board for the first time in the Shakers
FANS of African music can catch the Rhythms of African Dance (ROAD) during the town's biggest musical event of the year. The drum and dance band has been booked to appear at the Darwen Library Theatre on June 2 and will provide a multi-cultural feel as
SCHOOLS can still get involved in a fitness and fund-raising event. The skipathon for the British Heart Foundation is being organised at Darwen Leisure Centre. Several primary and secondary schools from the town will take part in the event in July. Most
DARWEN Police say they seized a 'substantial quantity' of drugs after another raid as part of the division-wide crackdown. Officers struck in Sarah Street, Darwen, on Wednesday morning, and arrested two men who were yesterday charged with possession and
THE father of a Darwen teenager who died from a heart attack after playing football paid tribute to the people of Darwen who staged a match in memory of his son. David Graham, 42, of Waterside, Darwen, said the match, held at the Darwen Anchor Ground
THE jury in the trial of a former escort girl accused of murdering her wealthy lover with an axe today resumed its second day of deliberations. Janet Charlton, 36, has admitted inflicting 20 blows to the head and shoulders of businessman Danny O'Brien
A SPECIAL public meeting on the future of care homes and day centres in Hyndburn has been called in a bid to prevent proposed closures. And Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has vowed to press for Lancashire County Council to withdraw its 'hit list' of homes that
IT was third time unlucky for housebuilders Morris Homes, after planning applications to convert the former Blackburn Home, on St Annes sea front, into apartments were again turned down. The extensive proposals, put forward by local property developer
FAIRHAVEN Lawn Tennis Club is offering free games this Saturday (May 25) from 10am at its Fairhaven Lake home as part of the Lawn Tennis Association's Play Tennis 2002. The morning session will be for juniors and parents and the afternoon for adults.
LOCAL cue men Lee Clough and Russ McGrady are both playing in the £41,000 Embassy World Eight-Ball Pool Championships which start tonight (May 23) at Blackpool's Hilton Hotel. The potting pair made it through a tough qualifying competition in Great Yarmouth
QUITE a few Wesham Road Runners completed their second race in two days in a 4.9-mile event at Kirkham on May 13. About a dozen of them also ran the Blackpool 10k on the Sunday. Alex Rowe claimed his second handicap victory by knocking eight seconds off
BOOKINGS ARE now being taken for Morecambe Football Club's next half-term soccer school that takes place at Christie Park between Tuesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 6. The three day school is open to boys and girls aged 5 to 14 and includes coaching skills
ONE of the Conference's top defenders has snubbed two football league clubs and looks set to become Morecambe's second summer signing. Telford's Jim Bentley was courted by Port Vale and Lincoln City after opting to leave the cash-strapped Midlands club
SO, YOU'RE taking the lads away for a few weeks - say, seven or eight weeks - and you need to keep them entertained in between kickabouts against Sweden, Argentina and Nigeria. They're going to be away for a few weeks, probably without the Mrs or the
WHITEFIELD-based Polyflor Ltd is flooring the oppositon to allow Commonwealth Games boxers and wrestlers to do the same! For the Games competitors will train on Polytred Sport specialist heavy duty sheet vinyl flooring manufactured by Polyflor. Some 700
SEARCHING for the business of your dreams is easier thanks to one forward-thinking Bury company. For Kings Business Transfer, who specialise in the sale of commercial premises, have come up with a novel way of keeping clients in touch with the market.
HAVING agreed a new one-year deal with experienced defender Gordon Armstrong, Clarets boss Stan Ternent is hoping to finalise a deal with Dean West as soon as possible. Ternent explained: "I have spoken with Gordon and that has been sorted out and now
A PROGRAMME of exciting comedy events, set to bring some of the best stand-up acts off the city circuits to perform at the South Ribble Banqueting Suite in Leyland, continues this month. The next Comedy Bites event will take place on 31st May 2002 and
A NEW £500,000 investment has created additional attractions at Ocean Edge Leisure Park, the holiday home development at Heysham, near Morecambe. Visitors can now take advantage of a new bowling green, Mediterranean-style caf bar and Jolly Rodger's play
FED up parents and children in Skerton are still waiting for a new play area that was promised last summer. The Council said it would totally refurbish the play area on Derby Road over a year ago and the work was expected to be completed by July. But
MORECAMBE Parish Church Priest, Rev Gary Ingram, is set to trade church aisles for store aisles this week and address a different kind of congregation when he plays store greeter for the day at ASDA Lancaster. As a regular visitor to the store, it has
A MAN who carried out a seaside stabbing at Morecambe has been placed in a hospital secure unit for an indefinite period. Albert Oszmianski attacked another man with a heavy-duty kitchen knife after earlier telling him: "You're dead. I'm going to kill
THREE OF Lancaster's first team players from last season could be lining up against them next season. Stalybridge Celtic are claiming the signatures of Colin Potts, Lee Clitheroe and Paul Sparrow on Bosman free transfers. Stalybridge released their entire
THIEVES smashed through metal shutters at a Morecambe jeweller and helped themselves to £5,000 worth of jewellery. The raiders struck at H Samuel in Morecambe's Arndale Centre between 11.45pm and 11.50pm pn Sunday, May 12, using a large object to break
THE future of two of North Lancashire's biggest proposed housing developments remains in the balance after the Government demanded more information on both. A public inquiry is to re-open into the Whinney Carr site in Scotforth after changes to guidelines
THE Forest of Bowland's rare and exciting birdlife will be celebrated in a new RSPB project. And the local community is being invited to get involved so the unique landscape can be protected for future generations. Lucy Barron, RSPB Community Education
A RETIRED couple were trapped in the bedroom of their home after a car rammed into their house, demolishing their front porch and hallway. Jack and Ann Brayshaw were asleep upstairs at their home in Moss Lane, Whitefield, on Thursday night (May 16) when
FIGURES for the last 12 months have revealed that overall crime in the borough has risen by 3.4 per cent. Between April 2001 and the end of March this year, a total of 22,149 crimes were recorded in the Bury Division, compared to 21,420 the previous year
BRAVE Elizabeth Morris has undergone a lifesaving bone marrow transplant after a mystery donor from Germany was found. The five-year-old girl, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 17 months, is now recovering back at home
FAMILY and friends are mourning the death of a retired Radcliffe minister who died suddenly at the age of 72. Rev Geoffrey Jones, who was the minister at the Bridge Methodist Church for 13 years until his retirement in 1995, suffered a stroke two weeks
RAMSBOTTOM United have won the prestigious Bolton Boys Federation Under-18 title. The local lads went through the campaign without defeat notching up nineteen wins and three draws, scoring more than 100 goals and conceding only 25.
BURY Snooker Club's Gary Sandiford picked up the prestigious Neville Spivey Scratch Snooker Trophy following his 3-1 triumph over nineteen-year-old Andy Rhodes of Tottington Conservative Club. The best of five frames final, played at Walmersley Conservative
SHAKERS midfielder Paul Reid will be making a quick return to Gigg Lane next season - in a Swansea shirt! The former Oldham, Huddersfield, Bradford and Leicester player is set to link up with the Swans after being released by Andy Preece at the end of
PRESTWICH Thai Boxing Club have a star in the making in 20-year-old Radcliffe girl Becky Berry. Becky, ranked No 3 in England in the 49 kilo class, is due to fight Bad Company girl Nicola Fearnley from Leeds for the Northern Area title later this year
HAVING agreed a new one-year deal with experienced defender Gordon Armstrong, Clarets boss Stan Ternent is hoping to finalise a deal with Dean West as soon as possible. Ternent explained: "I have spoken with Gordon and that has been sorted out and now
ACCRINGTON band Slutch will be busy over the Golden Jubilee weekend, playing three gigs in two days. They begin on Sunday, June 2 playing in Accrington's Sounds Festival in Oakhill Park on stage at 6.30pm. Having finished there, it's on to the Adelphi
ACCRINGTON band Polestar are set to spread their wings after being confirmed for a number of festivals across the North West. Looking to take their Indie music to a new audience, the band have been invited to shows in St Anne's over the Jubilee Bank holdiday
NEW Order will make a return to their native Manchester when they headline at Move, a four-day festival to be held at Lancashire Cricket Club's Old Trafford ground in July. The summer extravaganza, dubbed 'an urban music event' and backed by Virgin trains
DEAN Friedman fans can thank their lucky stars as the legendary singer-songwriter comes to Blackpool on May 31. Dean is embarking on a 42-date solo tour to promote his brand new album The Treehouse Journals which his own fans paid for! They snapped up
THEY may have only got to number one five days ago but already chart-toppers Liberty X are planning their next assault on the the Top 40. Local lad Kevin Simm, who admitted this week that he hasn't stopped partying since the group's third single Just
THE victim of a frenzied stab attack today spoke of his ordeal for the first time after his attacker was found guilty, and said: "It's time to start thinking of the future." Father-of-two Mark Winstanley was stabbed four times in September by a man who
BOSSES at Heysham Power Station are considering the future of one of its employees after he pleaded guilty to downloading child pornography from the internet. John Burdett, aged 40, was ordered to do 240 hours community service by magistrates after admitting
DRAMA student Leanne Hoyle is one step nearer her dream of appearing in the West End after she won a scholarship to a prestigious acting school in London. Leanne, 21, of Farholme Lane, Stacksteads, is soon to graduate from her performing arts course at
ARRESTS have been made following a crime clampdown by Rossendale police after an increase in juvenile nuisance in Haslingden and Helmshore. Police have increased patrols in the areas by altering shift paterns and relocating staff and specials and also
TALENTED young brass player Angela Barnes beat four male competitors to win through to the final of BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, broadcast live on Sunday. Angela, 19, from Haslingden, plays the French horn and listeners to Radio Three and
TAKING things easy doesn't appear to be an option Colin Blunstone would ever contemplate. With over 30 years of hits, touring and many hugely successful albums to his credit, the voice behind hits such as She's Not There and more recently What Becomes
THEY may have only got to number one five days ago but already chart-toppers Liberty X are planning their next assault on the the Top 40. Local lad Kevin Simm, who admitted this week that he hasn't stopped partying since the group's third single Just
THEY may have only got to number one five days ago but already chart-toppers Liberty X are planning their next assault on the the Top 40. Local lad Kevin Simm, who admitted this week that he hasn't stopped partying since the group's third single Just
GET a bird's eye view of a family of feathered friends this month as part of Wake Up To Birds Week (May 25-31). Earlier this year volunteers carefully positioned a small video camera inside a nestbox and pictures were beamed back to the Ribble Discovery
TWO of Blackpool Zoo's residents have sadly passed away leaving a sense of loss among dedicated staff and keepers. Hayley, a 16-year-old female orang utan, and Lomie, a female gorilla, both died within 24 hours of each other at the zoo last week. Hayley
BRING on the bunting, fly those flags and wear your Union Jack with pride! It's time to celebrate 50 fabulous years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign as the Golden Jubilee weekend from June 1-4 approaches. And a patriotic pack of hotels in Gynn Avenue, Blackpool
ELDERLY women residents in the Fylde are becoming frequent easy targets for callous thieves. There have been three instances during the last week where elderly women have been robbed near to where they live or in the property itself. "Thieves are well
MANY events are being organised in celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee throughout the Fylde and Wyre areas. Here are just some of them: BLACKPOOL GOLDEN Jubilee service at St John's Church, Church Street -- June 2 at 11.30am. Massed male voice jubilee
ELDERLY people could be left out in the cold if care homes close warns Wyre Borough Council. The council is concerned that the borough's ever-increasing population of old and vulnerable people may end up without care if County Council proposals to close
SCHOOLS across Lancashire could soon have their water heated by solar power under plans unveiled by the county council. Education chiefs are trying to find an affordable way of ditching traditional forms of heating water in schools in favour of solar
BOSSES are invited to join a local Employer Forum on Diversity at a free conference next week. It will be launched by Bury Employment Support & Training (EST) in the Village Hotel, Heap Bridge on Tuesday (May 28). The aim is to have employers share
A REPEAT burglar with a 'terrible' record who raided two homes and stole from a third has been jailed for over five years. A court heard that Kevin Booth had spent 10 out of the last 12 years in custody and felt that he could not cope with life outside
THE Lancashire Evening Telegraph has launched its appeal which will save lives and radically improve the treatment of cancer across the whole area. The East Lancashire Magic Eye Cancer Scanner Appeal aims to raise £200,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment
A COLLEGE lecturer was led away in handcuffs after hurling abuse at a traffic warden and police during a row over a parking ticket. Noel O'Brien, who works at Blackburn College and is a former Rossendale Labour councillor, was branded a bully by a district
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with DM ("A shining example", Yours Truly, May 16) about the youngsters of today. Why are they on the streets at night when we have a brilliant swimming club, football, cricket and rounders teams, Radcliffe Athletic Club, the Army
POLITICS is a funny old game. The "Stay At Home" party won again in Bury this time by a large majority, yet they have no representatives on Bury Council. The Lib Dem voters (the ditherers) should have a big re-think if they ever want their views represented
CONGRATULATIONS to Paul Robinson, appointed as Bury's new "countryside champion". Let's hope he is as successful in promoting Bury's rural areas as his proactive counterparts in Bolton have been. News of his appointment was a little surprising, however
IT'S one of life's unwritten rules and it's there for a reason. But I couldn't even keep it - and I had to pay. You should never go out in a working week. Weekends are fine, days off etc, but when it comes to the working week, nights should be spent watching
A LOOK at what's on at Blackpool's Grand Theatre and Opera House. Blackpool Grand Theatre (01253 290190) Walk Right Back -- A tribute to the Everly Brothers, Eddie Cochran, Duane Eddy and Buddy Holly. May 26 at 7.30pm. Tickets £12.50. Music Of The Night
A ROUND-UP of what is on around town at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool Tower, Grand Theatre and Grand Theatre Studio. Winter Gardens (01253 292029) The Good Olde Days -- traditional entertainment with Duggie Clark, Mike Terry and Tony Del Ray. Venue: Pavilion
THE International smash hit Spirit of the Dance is coming to Preston on June 3. One of the most successful shows ever to come out of Ireland, it has been seen by more than 20 million people around the world, and now's your chance to see it. Powerful,
AS Lancashire County Council's so called "consultation period" over the proposed closure of care homes and day centres for the elderly moves towards its final month, a public meeting has been called in Hyndburn next week. Concerned residents who have
TAKING things easy doesn't appear to be an option Colin Blunstone would ever contemplate. With over 30 years of hits, touring and many hugely successful albums to his credit, the voice behind hits such as She's Not There and more recently What Becomes
HOLDERS Ramsbottom turned in their best all-round performance of the season to defeat Lancashire League league leaders Enfield in the Worsley Cup on Sunday. Skipper Mark Price had no hesitation in asking the opposition to bat after winning the toss and
Bury 20 Windermere 3 ONLY two options faced Bury in this play-off match, promotion to North Lancs/Cumbria or lose and spend another season in what is, effectively, the Greater Manchester division. Bury scored after only two minutes when, following a 15
1844: The first morse code message was telegraphed. The message was "What God hath wrought". 1862: Westminster Bridge opened. 1920: French president Deschanel fell out of the Orient Express while wearing pyjamas. 1930: The planet Pluto was officially
WHY do station announcers now feel obliged to fib? The 12.49 out of Blackburn to Clitheroe the other day never appeared due to a 'bridge bash' at Darwen. Yet passengers waiting at Blackburn were kept thinking it would arrive eventually -- until 13.43.
YET another rail tragedy! Where else are these cracked rails and loose nuts? Will they be found and repaired, or will there be another accident? A derailment on one of East Lancashire's viaducts, Burnley, Whalley or Accrington, where the train wheels
DO you still believe in magic? Mystique opened its dark doors at Blackpool Pleasure Beach last Friday and proved once again that if something ain't broke, don't fix it. Just add some eye-catching new costumes and daring dance routines to the magical mix
THE race is on in Ramsbottom to get the flags flying in time for the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Since being turned down for a National Lottery grant the town has been working hard to raise the £5,000-plus needed to fund the weekend of celebrations
A WOMAN shop assistant was pushed into a back room during a robbery at a Prestwich video store. She was working in the Movie Zone store in Bury Old Road at 2.30pm on Sunday (May 19) when a man posing as a customer entered the shop. He threatened the woman
RADCLIFFE teenagers are putting their lives in the spotlight as part of a new art exhibition. Using photographs, objects and maps, members of Radcliffe Youth Club will be showing how and where they spend their days and nights. Entitled "Radcliffe Youthy's
A BURY school took bullying by the horns when they attended a special conference in London. Nadia Begdouri and Sarah Cullen from Broad Oak High School represented the North West at the recent National Anti-Bullying Conference. Youngsters from 18 schools
GOLDEN boy! That's young Luke van Bentum who has amazed instructors at Radcliffe Baths by being awarded a gold medal at the age of six. And the youngster, who began swimming when he was aged just two, is well on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming
A PENSIONER suffered face and leg injuries after she was dragged along the ground after a drive-by handbag snatch in Radcliffe on Saturday afternoon (May 18). The 77-year-old woman was walking along Victoria Street at 12.50pm when she was approached from
DETECTIVES today revealed a serial sex attacker could be on the loose in Burnley after two teenage girls were assaulted within weeks of each other. Police said e-fits of the offender looked remarkably alike and confirmed they could be looking for the
GIRLS soccer is certainly kicking off in a big way in high schools throughout the borough. And young female footballers had the ideal opportunity to display their skills during the second annual six-a-side girls soccer competition. The tournament, which
A NUMBER of distinguished speakers delivered keynote addresses at a special health awareness day aimed at the borough's black minority and ethnic community. The event, which attracted more than 150 people, was organised by Bury Racial Equality Council
DANNY Murphy was today ruled out of the World Cup. Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson Eriksson, with further midfield worries over David Beckham, Nicky Butt, and Kieron Dyer, is now set to recall Trevor Sinclair a day after he landed back in England. However
THE pharmaceutical industry has undoubtedly been a life-giving force to many people over the years, providing many medicines, which help in various conditions. I'm sure we all know people whose lives have been enhanced by medical drugs. In recent decades
WHILE World Cup fever grips the country, Rover the Moon, the Blackburn Rovers exclusive superstore at Ewood Park, is holding an end-of-season sale this weekend. Along with fantastic bargains, something for every Rovers' fan, there will be an opportunity
BLACKBURN midfielder David Dunn today missed out on a World Cup call-up after Danny Murphy became the latest victim of England's injury jinx. Dunn and fellow Under 21 international Alan Smith are now waiting in the wings if the squad suffer any further
BLACKBURN midfielder David Dunn today missed out on a World Cup call-up after Danny Murphy became the latest victim of England's injury jinx. Dunn and fellow Under 21 international Alan Smith are now waiting in the wings if the squad suffer any further
TRANSPORT leaders in Preston and South Ribble have welcomed the news that their union has met with the Government in an effort to cut crime on buses. The Minister for Transport met with the leader of the Transport and General Worker's Union to draw up
LANCASHIRE lasses have put up a united front and given Race for Life a boost with more than 1,100 entries this year -- topping last year's figure. Anne Sweeney, of Cheddar Drive, Preston, is the North West organiser who ran the 26-mile Flora London Marathon
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a North West assembly could transform local authorities and spell the end for the county council. The plans to establish a directly elected regional assembly have been drawn up in a government White Paper. After a referendum, the
A WOMAN'S claim that midwives ignored the pain that killed her baby in a Preston hospital have been heard at a tribunal. Patricia Lynn Archer, who was described as a 'high-risk patient' at a Nursing and Midwifery Council disciplinary hearing this week
A PENWORTHAM artist has fulfilled a lifetime ambition after crafting a set of figurines for a design company given the Queen's seal of approval for supplying gifts to state dignitaries and officials. Lisa Couperthwaite, of Gaskell Road in Lower Penwortham
CONVICTED drink-drivers met up this week at an anonymous location to learn about the effects of alcohol. Those taking part had been referred by magistrates to attend training courses as part of TTC 2000, a government-backed, not-for-profit, training company
COUNCILLORS have given the green light for improvements to football pitches this summer at a meeting of the Executive. Prairie Playing Fields is one of the largest facilities which could accommodate grassroots football in the area. The site is owned and
DETECTIVES today revealed a serial sex attacker could be on the loose in Burnley after two teenage girls were assaulted within weeks of each other. Police said e-fits of the offender looked remarkably alike and confirmed they could be looking for the
ALL Northern Premier League matches were abandoned at the weekend. Preston therefore shared the points with Kendal as did Leyland and Farrington with Chorley after their match at Windsor Park was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Preston's second
MORE than 100 schoolchildren held their own Commonwealth Games in Preston on Thursday, May 23. Ten Preston schools are taking part in the city's Commonwealth "Mini" Games at West View Leisure Centre as part of the "Spirit of Friendship Festival". The
TOP class tarmac rallying comes to Leyland this weekend. Organiser Tim Foster has assembled a capacity entry of 60 cars for the Proflex Stages, which takes place at the Leyland Test Track. The all-asphalt venue, which features a high-speed banked section
THE father of tragic Colne teenager Kim Newson today said whoever killed his pregnant daughter should be charged with double murder. Kim's father Barry Newson, 46, from Wellingore, said: "I think they should charge whoever did this with double murder
PLANS to build two linked blocks of ten apartments in Malham View Close, Barnoldswick, have been turned down by Pendle Council. The application by West Craven Developments was referred from the West Craven Committee to development control after members
BARNOLDSWICK people are being challenged to create the 'best bug' for the town's Barlick Bugs jubilee festival next month. Residents, businesses and organisations are being asked to use their creative skills to be in with a chance of winning trophies,
PLANS for the long-awaited Tithebarn regeneration project are set to be unveiled to the public. Preston City Council, together with a team of architects, and funding from the Grosvenor Estates, have plans to transform a 60,500 square metre area of Preston
EVEN the rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the crowd at last week's Longton fte. Turnout at the annual village summer event was good, despite rain slowing the procession. And dozens turned out to enjoy the colourful day, including a number of local
PUPILS said a fond thank-you to a popular lollipop man who retired after a decade of loyal service to Feniscowles Primary School, Blackburn. Bill Dormer, of Brothers Street in the town, packed up his lollipop at the age of 75.
NO ONE could accuse Lancashire County Council's new chairman of being out of touch with working people. Niki Penney has vast real-world experience - she has worked as a barmaid, legal clerk, adult literacy tutor, secretary, playgroup supervisor and even
COMPANY bosses have sprung to the rescue as Scouts watched their camp being washed away. The Bowley Scout camp, in Great Harwood, has been hit by flooding after water started cascading on to the site during heavy downpours. Part-time warden Darryl Baker
