A SPOOKY new story is on its way to the Preston Playhouse theatre. The Exorcism, the latest production from the Broughton Players, will have your hair standing on end. The dark play tells the tale of a group of friends, spending Christmas in a recently
ALTHOUGH there are many signs of real progress being made in Burnley to mend the problems seen as underlying causes of last year's riots in the town, it is worrying that a delay has hit one key area. For despite the advances shown in the first six-monthly
WE were appalled to read (LET, September 27) of the closure of homes for the elderly still going ahead in spite of the amount of public concern. If the level of civilisation of a country is determined by the way it treats its old and helpless, then it
I THINK national recognition should be given to the charity Blackburn Churches Action furniture store in Chapel Street because of the tireless work the staff and army of volunteers do each and every week, year after year. The charity collects good, clean
ONCE again, it is time for us to make our annual appeal in respect of the Poppy Appeal to the very generous people of Blackburn. The Mayor of Blackburn will open the Poppy Appeal on Friday, November 1, at 11am in the shopping precinct. This year, Remembrance
AN ELDERLY woman from Elton was knocked to the floor by a robber who ran off with her handbag. The 71-year-old was walking along the pavement on Kingsley Street at 8.15pm on Friday (Oct 11). A man approached from behind and pushed her over before taking
BURNLEY COUNCIL has been told to get its act together after it was revealed an urgent Task Force recommendation had not been put in place nearly a year after it was suggested. Council leader Stuart Caddy today admitted plans for a communication unit had
BEST friends Sarah Whitfield and Danielle Rawsthorn have all the right moves! So say the top choreographers behind the smash-hit musical Boogie Nights who have chosen the two dancers to appear in a top production in Portugal. The 20-year-olds met at Tottington
British Telecom has teamed up with the fire brigade to stamp out the number of hoax 999 calls made from their payphones. Greater Manchester came out as the second biggest blackspot for BT phone pranksters, registering 5,885 calls last year. Only Greater
INFLUENTIAL defender Craig Short is hoping to return to the first team tomorrow after recovering from a calf muscle injury. And his return to fitness could hardly be more timely as Alan Shearer rolls into town on the hunt for his 300th career goal. Short
RE-BORN striker Egil Ostenstad could be charged with the task of leading the line again tomorrow as Rovers return to Premiership action after a two-week absence against Newcastle United. With Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke currently battling to be fit from
AS the final stage of South Ribble Borough Council's Search for a Star competition is drawing near, contestants are gearing up for the big day. On Friday, November 15, among the ten wannabes strutting their stuff will be Kaye Paxton, 18, and 12-year-old
LANCASHIRE lads from a local TA unit have been braving gunfire in Afghanistan and Hungary this week. Around 40 troops from the Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers (LCV), including four from Preston, are in Afghanistan helping defend Kabul airport. And
A MAN who almost died from malaria while living in Africa, has returned to Britain to help raise funds for the biggest killer disease over here. John Barlow, 60, suffered hallucinations and delirium from the deadly illness. He said: "I had an awful lot
RESIDENTS of Preston estates, too scared to help police crack down on drug problems, could have 'professional witnesses' take their place in court. Police are planning to hire the witnesses to take the pressure off locals unwilling to be seen as a 'grass
AN aerospace worker at BAE SYSTEMS fears he could be out of a job before Christmas if the company presses ahead with plans to sell off a part of the company. Roland Entwistle, 44, says a cloud is hanging over his future at the firm's Samlesbury plant
A GROUNDBREAKING plan is being hatched by the police to take members of the public out on drugs raids. The move would give people the chance to see first-hand -- from the safety of secure vehicles -- the drama of the drug squad at work on a raid. DI Tony
THE arts in Burnley are set for major improvements following a wide-ranging review into the cultural services provided by the council. Encouraging more people to use the facilities, improving booking arrangements and attracting more touring shows and
THE Derek Gawthorpe Memorial Bowling Shield was donated to Lowerhouse Bowling Club on Lowerhouse Lane in memory of Derek by his wife Margaret. Derek enjoyed playing for the club's teams and was captain of the Tuesday team until shortly before he died.
BURNLEY Council is set to go interactive after launching a scheme to provide services over the internet. By 2005 people should be able to pay bills, receive benefits, book theatre tickets and arrange funerals all over the computer or via digital TV. The
POLICE in Burnley are urging the public to play their part in helping to drive down car crime. The move follows a recent increase in the number of thefts from vehicles, many of which had either been left unlocked or with valuable items on view. Handbags
SHAKERS boss Andy Preece is plotting the downfall of his former Gigg Lane striking partner this weekend. Bury travel to Nene Park tomorrow for their first ever clash with Rushden and Diamonds and will need to stiffen their defensive resolve against the
EMPLOYMENT opportunities in Pendle have been given a £3million boost by the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA). The agency today announced it would provide the funding for a four-year business support scheme aimed at encouraging private sector investment
THE future of Radcliffe town centre will be the subject of ground-breaking talks next week. Bury South MP Ivan Lewis and Councillor Barry Briggs, chairman of Radcliffe Area Board, will meet London Estates, the major private landowner in the town centre
BAMBER Bridge need to prove next week to the Unibond League that they have adequate finances to complete their fixtures, or they could be suspended from the league. The Friends of Bamber Bridge are trying to arrange finance to help the club. Those wishing
HOPPERS tasted success for the first time since November wih a workman-like performance at Scunthorpe. Man-of-the-match Sengili Tuihalamaka led the way wih a 24 point haul from a try two conversions and five penalties but this was a team effort with every
MYERSCOUGH College under 10's Football Team are jubilant after being crowned 5-a-side tournament champions of Mid Lancashire Colts League. The day-long tournament included 20 teams and took place at Penwortham Girls School. After losing their first game
RUMOURS that The National Football Museum could move away from Preston or even be forced to close down have been flatly denied. The museum's marketing manager Mark Bushell said there was "absolutely no truth" in reports the museum was considering a move
ONE of the country's most popular touring opera companies, the Chisinau National Opera, is coming to Blackburn on Tuesday night. Opera lovers are promised a spectacular evening as the classic tale of doomed love, Aida, brings a cast of 200 to King George's
TWO attempted thefts took place on Tuesday, October 16, when men posing as bogus officials gained entry into houses in Preston. One man, described as a white male with a suntanned complexion knocked on a door in Penguin Street, Deepdale, at 1.45pm on
THE county council has been successful in its bid for nearly £200,000 from the European Social Fund to help train care service staff in the private and voluntary sector. The money, alongside funds from Social Services and Training Organisation for the
FORMER Coronation Street star Sarah Lancashire - Raquel - took a break from pulling pints at the Rovers Return to visit Blackburn. Sarah helped the Europa superstore to celebrate its second anniversary.
ARTISTS in the Leigh area are aiming to break a world record tomorrow to mark the beginning of "Big Draw" week. Wigan Council's two art houses, Drumcroon in Wigan and the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh, will be holding workshops in the bid to draw as many
A WOMAN was taken to hospital with whiplash after a four-car accident in Church. Police said the accident happened on Wednesday when Peter Batty, 50, of Company Way, Rishton, pulled into the offside lane of Dunkenhalgh Way, Church, in his Volkswagen Golf
FIREFIGHTERS were today facing a race against time to put out a fire which was threatening to engulf a municipal tip. Several hundred tonnes of 'organic material' caught fire at the Whinney Hill tip in Altham yesterday afternoon sending smoke across the
A MAN has told how he nearly lost an eye after an airgun pellet hit him in the face. Thomas Holden was struck under his right eye by the pellet, which had to be removed during surgery. He will be left with an eight-millimetre scar. The 25-year-old was
EMMERDALE stars are backing a new service to help young people with sexual health problems. Wigan and Leigh's Brook Advisory Service's new integrated information service, supported by Turton High School pupil and actress Sammy Winward and Kelvin Fletcher
MASKED robbers dragged a woman across the ground after she had collected the takings from the fruit machines at a Whitefield pub. The 59-year-old victim was ambushed in broad daylight in the car park of the Red King on Bury New Road by two men wearing
TEENAGERS and youngsters in Whitefield could soon be offered a job patrolling the streets where they live. The success of the recently launched street wardens scheme for the Hillock and Victoria Lanes estates has prompted plans for a junior version. The
HE'S head of his own academy for hair extensions training! That's Whitefield salon owner Maurice Abrahams who is harnessing his experience and expertise gained during his 24 years in the hairdressing business. Maurice (39), is proving he has a head for
A SAILOR who escaped a jail term after causing the death of a friend in an horrific car crash will remain free despite top judges ruling the sentence was "unduly lenient." Anthony John Caine, 23, who grew up in Blackburn before moving to Newton, near
STANLEY got off to a great start by putting unbeaten league leaders Leigh Miners under early pressure, taking the lead with a try by Simon Runciman who beat three men with some neat footwork. Straight from the kick-off Stanley stormed down the field again
BLACKPOOL Scorpions started the game without a number of their first team regulars due to injury. Things started bad and quickly went worse as Leigh East scored two quick tries with one converted to lead 10-0 after 10 minutes. Scorpions applied a set
A LOOK at the local junior soccer scene. BLACKPOOL RANGERS U10s 3 FOXHALL 0 RANGERS pressed from the start creating several good chances and keeping the Foxhall keeper busy. The first goal came from a Nick Shaw goal-bound strike which was deflected past
A LOCAL business leader has welcomed the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee's decision to hold interest rates. Mr Andrew Ratcliff, chief executive of Bury and Bolton Chamber, said: "Holding interest rates will help stabilise the economic environment
MORECAMBE face football league opposition on Tuesday with an LDV Vans Trophy tie at Shrewsbury. The tie is a reward for Morecambe's league form last season, and Jim Harvey's men will be hoping for a better result than the defeat at Lincoln, which marks
THE North West faces a "significant skills" challenge, according to Bury South MP Ivan Lewis. And Mr Lewis, in his capacity as the Government's Minister for Adult Learning and Skills, has stressed that action must be taken to drive up skills levels across
REGIONAL Development Agencies (RDAs), like the one in the North West, should be placing a higher priority on boosting local available childcare, according to the TUC (Trades Union Congress). RDAs are currently rewriting their regional economic strategies
CARNFORTH Otters gave their best ever performance in the North-Lancs Individual and Relay Championship at Salt Ayre Pool in September. Facing competition from larger clubs, including Fleetwood, Preston and Newton Hall as well as Lancaster City, the Otters
HE'S head of his own academy for hair extensions training! That's Whitefield salon owner Maurice Abrahams who is harnessing his experience and expertise gained during his 24 years in the hairdressing business. Maurice (39), is proving he has a head for
GARETH Taylor has occasionally been the subject of criticism from Clarets fans, despite the fact that he was top scorer in his first full season at the club. But his value to the side was perfectly illustrated last week when he was ruled out of the clash
INTEREST is continuing to grow in the special dinner being held to mark the 40th anniversary of Burnley's FA Cup Final clash with Spurs. The event, to be held on November 14, will be the first time players from the two greatest sides of that era have
IT was up, up and away with 1,000 balloons when the Excellence in Blackpool Project celebrated Excellence in Cities Week. The project promotes high education standards for Blackpool children and each balloon represents a child who was helped by a learning
A local stately home is set to star in a new Hollywood blockbuster starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Carnforth's Leighton Hall will hit the big screens later this month as the mystery romance 'Possession' goes on general release. The Lancashire home of the Gillow
HEYSHAM villagers had another chance to give their views on the village's long-running car boot sale row this week - and they were caught on camera doing so! So annoyed were the organisers of the sales about accusations that their last petition included
THE number of rats in the district has more than doubled - causing concern for the local council. A TV programme highlighted the problem and focused on Morecambe, where the new sea defences create a perfect habitat for the scavenging rodents. Street wardens
ADVISORS have been called in to help give Lancaster's pigeon population the bird - without resorting to a cull. A representative from the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PICAS), a charity specialising in 'non-lethal' pigeon control, will meet with councillors
NUCLEAR emergency planners say they will not be following the example of Sizewell and issuing anti-radiation pills to people living close to Heysham's nuclear power plants. Anti-radiation pills are being handed out door-to-door within 2.5 km of Sizewell
CHARITY walker, Steve Dayman, was back in Lancaster for the third time this week, as part of an epic walk around the UK. Steve is raising money for meningitis research at the laboratory set up in memory of his late son, Spencer, set off from Dalton Square
MORECAMBE'S Midland Hotel could be taken over by a firm which specialises in turning derelict buildings into luxury apartments, or accountants who want to re-open it. Meanwhile, a mystery leisure company is understood to be looking at the Winter Gardens
THIEVES risked jumping in to an electricity sub-station to steal a £35,000 satellite surveying device. The Leica JPS satellite dish, in a red plastic box, was taken from the Green Lane substation Halton, between noon and 2pm on Tuesday.
A BURY councillor feared he was going to lose his house after the roof caught fire during an operation to remove a wasps' nest. Councillor Jack Walton praised fire crews for stopping the flames spreading further after his roof was partly destroyed and
A SECOND phase of improvement and refurbishment works at Bury Interchange is to get underway at a cost of £350,000. Transport bosses have given the go-ahead for the project. The first phase, costing £565,000, has already been successfully completed. The
TRADERS in Sunnybank fear they will be driven out of business after branding a road closure "illegal". Around 13 businesses in Sunny Bank Road have complained that they should have been given a minimum of seven days notice for the closure of the road,
WHEN Bury Times Group reporter Neil Brandwood interviewed Victoria Wood six years ago, it inspired him to write a biography of the local star. And this week he achieved his ambition when Virgin Books published his 256 page book. "After all this time,
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today ruled out Andy Cole but welcomed back Dwight Yorke for the vital Premiership clash with Newcastle United at Ewood Park. Summer signing Yorke is fit to face the Magpies after his hamstring injury has responded to intensive
PAUL Weller is determined to put a triple dose of injury misery behind him as the Clarets begin a hectic schedule of big games. The 27-year-old returned to action against Walsall last week, despite not being fully fit, and he admitted: "I've had enough
THINGS may not be going Preston's way on the field at the moment, but manager Craig Brown is a thankful man. For while there may be teams higher up the league than Preston -- 18 to be precise -- fewer are in a better financial shape. The collapse of ITV
TOP soul and pop saxophonist Snake Davis will be appeaing at Worden Arts Centre, Leyland next Saturday. Davis -- who has worked with M People, Eurythmics and Lisa Stansfield -- is one of the most in-demand sax men in the business. His band at next week's
WITH the reputation of the East Lancashire music scene high following the successes of The 'Burn and tompaulin, yet another talented band from the area has been snapped up by a London record company. Clayton-le-Moors indie boys Maupa may not be the best-known
SO anyway, I was in this pub when this bloke started... No, it's not the beginning of some Butlin's comedian's routine but actually the reason for this article. See, I was listening to these two students going on about their previous night's exploits
MYTRAVEL was once East Lancashire's biggest-ever corporate success story. But rocked by a £50 million profits warning, shares in the travel company, better known as Airtours, nosedived to an all-time low yesterday. Business Editor Andrew Calvert looks
DARWEN Arts Learning Forum has been launched to promote learning through the performing arts. It is a collaboration of both the Education and Lifelong Learning Department and the Cultural, Leisure and Sport Services at Blackburn with Darwen Council. Lead
THE first in the Valley Views series in Rossendale's 2002/2003 winter guided walks programme is on Sunday, October 27. 'Beating Some Bounds' is a high level figure-of-eight ramble of five or 11 miles, north west and north east from Sharneyford, taking
PUNK festival organisers have confirmed that they'll be back in Morecambe for three days next June. The news, revealed two weeks ago in the Citizen, has already prompted advance bookings from around the world. The city council has offered the organisers
A CARING dad has launched a website to help wipe out poverty and save the rainforests after his young daughter asked: "Why do people go hungry when we have lots of food in our country?" Gareth Ford-Williams, 33, of Nuttall Lane, Ramsbottom, is the driving
COMPLIMENTS on your website --it's very good and professional. I'm a collector of newspapers of the world and would be happy to have a copy of The Preston Citizen. Enrico Porro, Milan, Italy. You can read The Preston Citizen on the internet by logging
SIX thousand locals have signed the national fireworks petition handed to PM Tony Blair on Wednesday. Collected for Wigan borough MPs Andy Burnham, Ian McCartney and Neil Turner it calls for key reforms to existing laws. Public displays would have to
THE symbol of remembrance for those who have died in wars is the simple red poppy which, over the next few weeks, will be blooming again. Donations for the poppy are the main source of the funds for the Royal British Legion to continue to give assistance
ON behalf of St Catherine's Hospice I would like to thank you for all the support you gave us to promote our Jazz Festival at Guy's Thatched Hamlet. The Jazz Festival followed their annual Oyster Festival running from September 12-15. The marquee was
TOP soul and pop saxophonist Snake Davis will be appeaing at Worden Arts Centre, Leyland next Saturday. Davis -- who has worked with M People, Eurythmics and Lisa Stansfield -- is one of the most in-demand sax men in the business. His band at next week's
I WARNED him so you can't accuse me of being harsh. As he dangled the remote control over our small balcony I repeatedly told him of the consequences. "If you drop that," I bellowed. "I'm locking you out." Seconds later it was in freefall. Like a hapless
THE drive to improve Blackpool's major problem with teenage pregnancy was launched this week. A new Teenage Pregnancy Campaign kicked off at Bloomfield Road where youngsters from St Mary's RC High School performed their own play and agencies involved
IF asked to create a controversial character for a film, it's unlikely that even the bravest scriptwriter would dare to introduce someone like Howard Marks. After all, a story about a bright lad from a small Welsh mining village who went on to Oxford
STREET crime in Lancashire has fallen by 11 per cent since April. The latest figures from the Home Office come after the first six months of a national street crime initiative involving Lancashire Constabulary and nine other police forces. "Residents
A KNIFE-WIELDING man stole a Blackpool taxi before abandoning it in St Helens and car-jacking another vehicle. The man stole the private hire cab, a white Ford Mondeo estate, at knife-point from outside the Mecca building, Central Drive at about 7am before
A POULTON chippy has battered the opposition to be crowned the best fish and chip shop in the north west. Seniors on Normoss Road has collected the award from the Sea Fish Industry Authority's annual competition to name the best shops in the country.
THE promise of a cash sum could prompt punk revellers to desert Blackpool for Morecambe, The Citizen can reveal. For the first time, punks flocked to Blackpool and the Winter Gardens for their annual gathering in July. This decision followed unresolved
THE document which will help bring Blackpool's Masterplan to life was launched this week. The new local plan to take the town through to 2016 will determine how different areas are developed. The Masterplan announced by the council last month was a broad
A WOMAN assistant in a Blackpool off-licence was threatened at gunpoint by a thief who burst into the shop. He forced the woman to the rear office area and demanded money. The thief also bound the wrists of another assistant and taped her mouth. The man
A WOMAN who was forced to sleep in a ward with men following major surgery at Royal Preston Hospital is calling for the hospital to scrap mixed sex wards. Moira Smith, of Lostock Hall, was horrified at having to spend five days in Ward 19 following surgery
MORE than 250 people are expected to attend a special service at Ewood Park tonight. The Blackburn chapter of Aglow is celebrating its 21st birthday with music, songs and worship. The international and interdenominational Christian group of women will
A 17-YEAR-OLD violinist from Blackburn has been chosen to play with the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. Claire Rim is the first musician from East Lancashire to be selected from hundreds of gifted youngsters for a weekend course. She
TEENAGERS face closer scrutiny of their homework as a council battles to meet tough new Government targets, which could lead to a £3million windfall. The council signed a Public Service Agreement with the Government in April last year and was set 13 targets
A LEADING chef today pulled the plug on ambitious plans to turn a crumbling town centre building into a top-class restaurant. Nigel Haworth co-owner of Northcote Manor, Langho, accused council bosses of ignoring him over plans to revamp the eyesore Waterloo
LOCAL rivals Great Harwood and Darwen meet in the NWCL Division Two Trophy at Darwen tonight. Darwen boss Steve Wilkes was confident going into the match that was brought forward to tonight to attract a bigger crowd. "We are playing an East Lancs side
STAND Athletic Football Club have resigned from the North West Counties League. Secretary Dave Jackson said failure to attract a sponsor and people to work on the administrative side at the club had prompted their decision. The team has disbanded and,
DAVID GRAY has dropped down two divisions in his quest to rediscover the scoring touch - and it has worked! The 6ft 3in marksman signed for Nelson this summer after a rollercoaster 18 months which saw him dropped from Rossendale United, go on trial to
CRAIG Brown is adamant his players will have to start creating their own luck -- but it won't be easy, with Ricardo Fuller out of action for three games. North End's appeal for the Jamaican's red card ban to be quashed has been rejected by the FA due
WITH PNE having no game last weekend six PSG members travelled down to the NEC at Birmingham on Sunday to attend the very first Football Supporters Parliament. Following an introduction from Malcolm Clarke, co-chairman of the FSF, the debate began. The
THE Tidy Britain Group, which campaigns for people to be more environmentally friendly, believes the new ban will result in more fly-tipping. A spokesman said: "We are planning a campaign on fly-tipping because there is no doubt that it is getting worse
I WRITE with regard to recent stories about the congestion on Rochdale Old Road, Bury. For me, the road to hell is a journey to Fairfield Hospital at 8.45am. It is absolute chaos and if it is bad now what will it be like when an ambulance gets stuck in
IT is October 2 as I write this and already here we go again! When will someone take action over the misuse of fireworks? I am not against kids having fun. When I was a child we looked forward to Bonfire Night. It was an exciting, communal occasion, bringing
HOW long should a seriously distressed 12-week-old baby wait to see a doctor at a hospital's accident and emergency department? One minute? Ten minutes? Twenty minutes? Think again. After two hours, ten minutes waiting at Fairfield Hospital, we left to
CHAPELFIELD Primary School pupils need never run away to join the circus because the circus came to them! For two days last week Splats, the circus skills workshop, visited the Clough Street school to teach the children a whole variety of Big Top tricks
I WARNED him so you can't accuse me of being harsh. As he dangled the remote control over our small balcony I repeatedly told him of the consequences. "If you drop that," I bellowed. "I'm locking you out." Seconds later it was in freefall. Like a hapless
SHOWS at the Winter Gardens, the Tower and more. Winter Gardens and Piers (01253 292029) Legends -- two different tribute shows featuring sound-alike Roy Orbison, Kylie Minogue, Rod Stewart and more. Venue: Central Pier every Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat and
A TEENAGER died after being thrown 20 feet from a car as it catapulted into the air and landed on its roof. The 18-year-old from Bury was a back seat passenger in a Peugeot 106 GTi, which was being driven down Bradshaw Road by a friend. He was taken to
A BIZARRE own goal from Blackpool's Chris Clarke gave the home side all three points in front of the cameras at Loftus road. Scott Taylor had deservedly levelled the scores for Blackpool moments before the Clarke disaster after Richard Langley's first
It may be that the previous hitches and delays that have afflicted Blackburn's major regeneration project, the multi-million-pound redevelopment of town-centre Church Street, may not always have been foreseeable. But it seems that the council need not
ONE of the country's most popular touring opera companies, the Chisinau National Opera, is coming to Blackburn on Tuesday night. Opera lovers are promised a spectacular evening as the classic tale of doomed love, Aida, brings a cast of 200 to King George's
WHEN Burnley MP Peter Pike was evacuated to the town during World War Two he stayed in a two-up two down terraced house without a bath or hot water and with an outside toilet. And he imagined that the Shuttleworth family enjoyed a life of luxury in Gawthorpe
THE name Digby Fairweather is exceedingly well known among jazz aficionados. Besides being a trumpet/cornet player of outstanding ability, Digby has spent many years teaching and broadcasting and is a hugely knowledgeable and personable man. This week
IF asked to create a controversial character for a film, it's unlikely that even the bravest scriptwriter would dare to introduce someone like Howard Marks. After all, a story about a bright lad from a small Welsh mining village who went on to Oxford
1887: Russia sold Alaska to America for $7.2 million. 1992: The British Broadcasting Company (later Corporation) was officially formed. 1967: A Russian spacecraft made the first soft landing on Venus. 1968: American Bob Beamon set a world long jump record
A young married couple and their 13-month-old daughter were forced to flee their Fern Grove home in Bury after petrol spilled on to the living room carpet and burst into flames. After visiting relatives Mr Gerard Hisscott returned home to light a fire
IN reply to the lady who said she would not have any more breast screening (Letters, October 3), five years ago I went for routine screening and was told I had a small cancer in my breast. Two days later, I had a biopsy and then six weeks later another
WALKING down Church Street in Blackburn recently, I observed a structure that at first glance reminded me of a headless chicken. I presumed that this is one of the new 'sculptures' and is intended to represent the state of the present council. There does
I WAS distressed to learn of the dubious priorities of the National Lottery's community fund. I have learned that charities that cater for war veterans have received a paltry £1 million in seven years, while in the same period many millions have been
I AM extremely concerned to hear that the sheltered workshop in Mill Hill, Blackburn, is under the threat of imminent closure on the basis of tenuous fiscal and political arguments by Blackburn with Darwen Social Services. Having frequently visited the
POLICE are investigating a second suspicious blaze at a Pimhole scrapyard in less than a week. Two fire crews extinguished flames which took hold of 17 cars at Autosave, Pimhole Fold Hurst Road, between 11pm and midnight on Sunday (Oct 13). Firefighters
FEARS were allayed after a family mix-up sparked a police search for a five-year-old boy. The alarm was raised at 4pm on Friday afternoon (Oct 11) when the child's mother went to collect him from the gates of Holy Trinity CE Primary in Cecil Street, Bury
A MAN accused of attacking his next-door neighbour has appeared before Bury magistrates. Ronald Burton, aged 39, of Eastham Avenue, Bury, is alleged to have used a length of timber to strike his victim, David Breen, who suffered injuries including a broken
TOTTINGTON High School proved itself to be a cut above the rest when it raised £884 for Christie Hospital. Earlier this year teacher Martin Barnes had his head shaved for charity before he left to teach in the Peak District. The staggering amount of money
A PENSIONER had her handbag snatched as she walked along a street in Bury. The 76-year-old woman was robbed by a tall youth wearing a short jacket and a bobble hat who grabbed the bag in Pimhole Road shortly before 7.30pm on Tuesday. Police are appealing
CAN anyone wonder that people in the fire service are disgruntled at their rates of pay? These men and women receive around £20,000 a year, which is a long way from being sufficient reward for the danger they put themselves in whilst carrying out their
I WOULD like to appeal to any of your readers who is tetraplegic, severely paralysed following damage to the spinal cord, or has a family member of friend who is tetraplegic . Many will know the work of Regain, the only organisation in the UK which supports
A FALLEN overhead line brought misery to hundreds of Metrolink passengers on Thursday (Oct 17) and forced the suspension of all tram services between Bury and Manchester. The fault at Bowker Vale Station was discovered during the early hours following
RADCLIFFE-based national campaign group, Mast Sanity, has offered to "pay" for a meeting with housing and planning minister Lord Rooker to discuss mobile phone base stations. Last week Mast Sanity hit the headlines when it revealed that petrol companies
A LEADING chef today pulled the plug on ambitious plans to turn a crumbling town centre building into a top-class restaurant. Nigel Haworth co-owner of Northcote Manor, Langho, accused council bosses of ignoring him over plans to revamp the eyesore Waterloo
SPY cameras have been installed in the men's changing rooms at Castle Leisure Centre. A spate of thefts from lockers has prompted bosses to bring in CCTV, which should be operational within the month. They assure sportsmen that the cameras will be trained
AMATEUR dramatics veteran Mollie Binns has received an apt birthday present: the chance to choose an operatic society's show for this year. Mollie, from Hawkshaw, celebrated her 90th birthday last month and members of All Saints (Elton) Amateur Operatic
HAVING followed the saga of Kalimba and the Morecambe festivals, widely reported in the local press and argued over ad nauseam in the letters pages, I was of the opinion that the subject had been fully covered, including the cost of the affair. However
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today ruled out Andy Cole but welcomed back Dwight Yorke for the vital Premiership clash with Newcastle United at Ewood Park. Summer signing Yorke is fit to face the Magpies after his hamstring injury has responded to intensive
THANKS for the classic response to my letter which you published last week. It could only be something as sour as the Citizen which counters my argument that we should concentrate on what unites rather than what divides us by questioning why I didn't
Open letter to Mr Dawson. Firstly Hilton, you are right... "we all have a part to play"... and you,being the elected Member of Parliament for the area, have one of the biggest parts to play. If, though, you really think that saving the Musician' s Co-op
ON arriving at Preston bus station on Friday afternoon and having got off a coach we wanted to take a taxi home. But we were told that we couldn't go across the apron where the buses come in, to get to the taxi rank. He told us to go down the ramp and
A LEYLAND martial arts expert has flown to Hong Kong to appear in a film alongside international superstar Jackie Chan. Mark Strange, 29, was offered a part in the film at the weekend, and 24 hours later flew out to China. He will be working with some
THE CHAIRMAN of the Lancashire branch of the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel (APAP) union has resigned and another is considering quitting after emergency staff accepted a new deal on pay and conditions. David Redman stepped down as chairman
PRESTON man Andrew Greenwood, accused of murdering law student Janet Murgatroyd, told a court on Wednesday, October 16 that when he confessed to killing her he believed he was to blame. But he said that he had actually not been responsible for her death
POLICE are hunting a bogus caller who targeted a pensioner after claiming he had been involved in a car accident. The conman called at the 89-year-old woman's house in Romford Street, Burnley and claimed he had driven his car into her back wall. He said
IT might sound like a roll call for the United Nations but one Burnley school is showing off its truly international pedigree with pupils from a staggering 18 countries on its roll. Children from Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Brunei and
BURNLEY COUNCIL has been told to get its act together after it was revealed an urgent Task Force recommendation had not been put in place nearly a year after it was suggested. Council leader Stuart Caddy today admitted plans for a communication unit had
PUPILS from Walton High School in Nelson are getting a taste of real work and sampling a variety of careers at Pendle Training. Year 10 and 11 students have been visiting the Netherfield Road centre to look at the Modern Apprenticeships on offer and get
POLICE targeting shops in Pendle selling alcohol to under-age drinkers have said there has been a vast improvement during the past three weeks. Test purchases carried out in various areas of Pendle on September 28 showed that eight out of the 18 shops
CHILDREN at Brierfield Pre-school can now exercise in the fresh air following the launch of a long-awaited play area next to the community centre. Plans for the play area were submitted to Pendle Council by Brierfield Pre-School and approved after staff
A GANG punched and stabbed a 24-year-old Radcliffe man following an argument in the street. The victim had been walking along Phoenix Way, near Asda, at 1.15am on Saturday (Oct 12) when he was approached from behind by a group of men. A quarrel started
A CHANCE find has resulted in a search for the relatives of a Radcliffe soldier who died in the First World War. Private Willie Briggs was killed in action on September 1, 1918, aged 24. Eighty four years later, a lady by the name of Mrs K. Roberts bought
AN INTERNATIONAL charity based in Radcliffe has moved premises from Church Street . . . to Church Street. Transglobal Humanitarian Aid, which collects and delivers clothes, toiletries and medical supplies to the needy of Eastern Europe, is now based at
LOOKING Back's recent recollections of the era when the Co-op had tens of thousands of members in East Lancashire societies brought forward this plate, a 100-year-old souvenir belonging to Blackburn reader Mr C Pritt. The plate -- complete with a transfer
BARNOLDSWICK postman Sean Terrence Crowther waited until after midnight before driving home, believing the four or five pints he had drunk earlier in the day would have worn off. But he subsequently failed a breathalyser administered by police who came
A SWAN caused a flap on the M65 at Burnley after it landed on the centre lane of the westbound carriageway between Gannow and Stoneyholme junctions. The bird was rescued by the police and taken to a nearby canal.
PRESTON Film Society will be meeting at Galloway Hall, Brackenbury Road, Fulwood, for their next screening on Tuesday, November 12, at 7.30pm, when they will be showing Amores Perros, certificate 18. Membership is £1 and admission to the film is £3.
SECOND-year students at Preston College are holding a public performance of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing starting this this week. The production runs from Wednesday, October 16, to Saturday, October 19, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available
THE Lancashire Sinfonietta is performing in Preston on Friday, October 25. Local musician Sarah Brandwood Spencer will be joining the group as they play pieces by Rossini, Elgar, Vieuxtemps, Arvo Part and Schoenberg. For tickets to the event, at St Peter's
RESIDENTS of a new home for the blind and deaf will be able to indulge the sense of touch at a special sensory water feature. Consisting of a wishing well, pebbles and a fountain, the feature provides sensory stimulation for residents. It also has seats
A MAN said to have set about a drunken cyclist and given him a kicking after he lost his temper has had his sentence adjourned after a judge said she was worried about the case. Burnley Crown Court heard how James McKee, 30, got annoyed because victim
FYLDE council is coming under more pressure to control residents in problem homes in St Annes. St David's Community Action Group are continuing to express their concern about houses of multiple occupation which attract police attention and cause social
CRITICISM that the Government is doing nothing to help local firm James Halstead has prompted Bury South MP Ivan Lewis to get the top civil servant in the region involved. As revealed in last week's Bury Times, spiralling wage bills and virtually no cash
ROBBERS who called at a house in Whitefield slashed their victim's face before making off with his mobile phone. Two men knocked at the front door of the 40-year-old's home in Rydal Grove at 4.20pm on Wednesday (Oct 16). When he answered, they pushed
THE new Ribble Valley councillor for Waddington is villager Tory Roger Harold Chaplin after a closely fought by-election. He received 220 votes in yesterday's by-election, beating Liberal Democrat William Le Breton, who received 194 votes. The turnout
LANCASHIRE will defend their ninth County Premier Men's A Division title on the weekend of October 19 and 20 against Hampshire. On Saturday, the men's and ladies' B team matches will take place at the Millennium Club, Morecambe and on the Sunday the men's
EMPLOYMENT experts from across Europe gathered in Bury for a three-day seminar with a distinct international dimension. The event, held in the town's Europa House, was staged by Bury Employment Support & Training (EST) as part of the Embracing Diversity
I LIKE to keep this column relatively light-hearted. Unfortunately recent, abhorrent events on the continent mean I can't ignore the menace of racism, which seems to be re-emerging on the continent. It's probably unfashionable to praise the actions of
MODEL railway enthusiasts made tracks to Lytham St Annes High Technology College on Saturday for the North West Garden Railway and Narrow Gauge Exhibition. The one-day event, organised by G-Wizz Garden Railway Display Team, featured garden and narrow
STAN Ternent's first taste of Leicester City's impressive new Walkers Stadium will be away from the pitch and up in the stand. And he admitted: "I don't want to be there." The Burnley boss completes his two-match touchline ban tomorrow and he added: "
TWO of the country's form sides will go head to head at the Walkers Stadium tomorrow with Leicester City defending an 11 match unbeaten run against the Clarets who are only one game behind. But even more impressive is the fact that the Foxes have a 100
PAUL Weller is determined to put a triple dose of injury misery behind him as the Clarets begin a hectic schedule of big games. The 27-year-old returned to action against Walsall last week, despite not being fully fit, and he admitted: "I've had enough
THE new Funny Girls cabaret venue has been given the seal of approval of the Blackpool Civic Trust. The former Odeon cinema has had its town trail blue plaque replaced following a facelift by local entrepreneur Basil Newby. The 1930s art deco building
WATER works are in the pipeline for the Fylde Coast this week. United Utilities began work on Monday to improve a main water supply pipeline between Garstang and Blackpool, which supplies parts of Poulton, Warbreck, Great Eccleston and over-Wyre. The
In reply to the letter written about the Midland Hotel becoming an international art gallery. Great idea! Tate Modern, this is exactly what the area needs. It would be the focal point of all the creative work that has gone in before (the redevelopment
BLACKPOOL Police seized £5,000 worth of display fireworks during an early morning raid in Blackpool. The raid, on Wednesday, at an address in Bowland Crescent, Grange Park, was part of Operation Ash, prompted by a spate of firework incidents including
A NEW service to make the NHS more user-friendly was launched on the Fylde on Wednesday (October 16). PALS, or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service, will give support advice to patients, relatives and carers and aims to make a patient's journey through
A SCHEME which aims to protect children at local clubs and sports groups has been set up by the police. The 'Child Safe' project is aimed at all organised children's activities outside school and has been set up by Lancashire Constabulary with help from
A WELL-respected Lancaster city councillor has died after a four-months battle with cancer. Clive Lamb, 51, lived in Hornby all his life, served on the parish council for 26 years and had been on Lancaster City Council since 1998. He died last Saturday
HEARTLESS vandals have stolen one of very few remaining pictures of a baby boy from his gravestone at Torrisholme Cemetery. Benjamin Richard Knight was diagnosed with Halls-Pallister syndrome before his birth five years ago and lived for just three months
LANCASTER City were due to travel to Harrogate Town on Saturday as they bid to spark their season into life. Mid-table City slumped to a disappointing defeat against Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday, paying a heavy penalty for an unfortunate first half
Contaminated rubble being cleared to make way for a multi-million pound 'urban village' should be transported by boat, claim Quayside residents. Ambitious plans to build 350 residencies and hi-tech business units on redundant industrial land next the
A £10 million facelift for a four-mile stretch of the M62 from Simister is set to cause disruption for the next six months. Motorists have been warned to map out alternative routes, take public transport, or allow extra time for their journeys while improvement
CRAFTY folk from Cleveleys and Thornton are invited to take part in a series of mosaic workshops at Great Eccleston village centre, starting Saturday, October 19, 10am-noon. Adults and children over seven can help design two 34ft wall mosaics based on
THE first shimmers of Christmas spirit are spreading through Darwen. Preparations are in hand for the festive show at Darwen Library Theatre, with the cast of Scrooge - A Christmas Carol planning their trip to town. And the date for Darwen's Christmas
IN a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour from people living in council property, Bury Metro Council are considering implementing "introductory tenancies" for new clients. This will affect all new tenants in the councils area including Ramsbottom. The
A 65-YEAR-OLD man has been found dead in a reservoir after a rescue operation was launched when he failed to turn up for a hospital appointment. The man who lived in Helmshore was spotted floating in the Calf Hey Reservoir, Grane Road, Haslingden by a
POLICY-MAKING for Rossendale Council is set to involve people from all walks of life in a bid to increase communication between the council and voters. Poor communication between the two were identified by the Audit Commission report this summer, which
ROSSENDALE Borough Council's interim Chief Executive, James Gravenor has been appointed finance officer. Mr Gravenor took over the role after the borough treasurer, Richard Hargreaves took early retirement two weeks ago. The appointment comes just a week
ADDITIONAL staff have been drafted in to improve the backlog of housing benefit inquiries at Rossendale which has left some people in danger of eviction. Three agency staff began work last week as part of a far-reaching plan to stop the backlog growing
ON BEHALF of all jazz fans I would like to thank Mr Brian Gumbley for a very rewarding week of jazz last week in Preston. His 'Feast of Jazz' festival was a treat for all of us thanks to his and his family's efforts, without any help from our borough
HOW the beautiful game of ours has changed over the years! Our national game of association football has gone from one extreme to the other. Players were used as chattels by their clubs and this method had to change. However, the money top players receive
THE Lock 'n' Load Comedy Club's next gig will be held at Wharf pub at Eanam next Saturday, October 26. Headlining will be Tony Skip, perhaps most recognisable as the voice of the Boddingtons' cow. Tony is also a regular at The Buzz club and has appeared
FANCY owning that dream fully-furnished thatched roof cottage without spending a fortune? David Chambers, a retired British Telecom exhibition manager, is the man who can make your dream come true. The only snag is that they are 1:12 scale models of the
THREE Blackpool businessmen are battling it out to earn the title of Fylde Entrepreneur of the Year. "All three companies are examples of wonderful growth stories and all three impressed the judges with their ability," said Amanda Meachin of the award
PENSIONERS in South Fylde are proving that the information super-highway isn't just for youngsters. But the net-savvy senior citizens could find their computer classes stopped if volunteers can't be found to teach them. More than 60 mature students have
A 23-YEAR-OLD Manchester man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with two high-value burglaries allegedly committed in July. Christopher Cartwright, of Fenmore Avenue, Gorton, is charged with burglary at college premises in the Saturn Business
AN argument over whether the central heating should be on, and what they should have for supper, ended with Sauket Mogra assaulting his wife causing injury to her nose. Blackburn magistrates heard the incident came during a turbulent period in the marriage
TWO best friends and self-confessed chocoholics from Blackburn not only got their cake but ate it too! Sandra Snape and Janet Jaderko, both 38, of Preston New Road, won dream jobs as official cake tasters for the dessert maker Sara Lee. Following a nationwide
A MAN recently released from prison threatened to "fire-bomb" his former partner's home in one of a series of chilling messages left on her answer machine. Blackburn magistrates heard that Michael John Dunbar also told Rose Williams that he had tested
HOSPITAL bosses are to pay out out nearly £2million to the parents of an eight-year-old boy who suffered severe brain damage at birth. Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley Healthcare NHS Trust admitted negligence at the time of his birth through
A BIG-HEARTED rock band is putting on a charity gig after being left touched by the plight of a pensioner who battled back from a coma. Pat Whalley suffered a heart attack at her home in March and spent the next 24 hours on the critical list with her
A FUNDRAISING quiz night in aid of the Shakers will be held at the club's Social Club, Gigg Lane on Thursday, November 21, commencing 8pm. The cost to enter a teams (maximum five members) is £5 and must be booked in by ringing Ian or Shirley on 0161-764
CLITHEROE defender Gary Rishton has gone on a short-term loan to Colne. Colne boss John Lister has signed up the former Rossendale centre half for the next few games. Colne travel to Ashton Town in the Division Two Trophy tomorrow on the back of a 1-1
PADIHAM manager Graham Howarth looked on the bright side when he heard the news that Stand had resigned from the league. The Storks have picked up four points from Stand this season and it is thought those points will now be deducted. But Howarth said
NO ONE knows which of the Jekyll and Hyde sides of Daisy Hill will turn up for the clash against Bacup tomorrow, but West View boss Brent Peters hopes it is the same one that got beat 8-1 by Nelson a couple of weeks ago. But it could be the one that won
THE new boys of Rossendale United will need a few games before they gel and start to make a difference to the UniBond first division side. Dale have struggled so far this season and haven't won in 10 matches. Manager Jim McCluskie signed a glut of new
ACCRINGTON STANLEY could not have asked for a tougher tie in which to bounce back from their first defeat of the season. The Reds lost their FA Cup replay against Harrogate 3-2 on Tuesday night - their first defeat in 17 games this season - and now face
LEE SCULPHER will be travelling to tomorrow's Clitheroe game on public transport - after a small mishap with his car. The Clitheroe player-manager was playing golf at Blackburn on Sunday when his car, which he says had been parked quite happily in the
I AGREE with the concerned parent who is appalled at the lack of care shown by inconsiderate and lazy parents who ignore parking laws outside schools. These people put our children at risk everyday. Mr Shultz is right and parking laws need enforcing outside
I MUST respond to the letter in the Citizen (Oct 3) "Path cyclists should think of the blind". Although I do sympathise with them and agree that some people cycle far too fast on pavements, please spare a thought for those us us with young children. Most
MAY I extend very sincere thanks to the management and staff of the Whitegate Resource Centre and to everyone who supported Blackpool Jubilee Stroke Association's autumn fayre. On behalf of our association I would like to place on record our very sincere
I AM the captain of Verona Old People's Welfare Association Bowling Team. We play our home fixtures on no. 1 bowling green at Ashdell (Wyre Borough Council bowling greens). I see that Thornton won a prize in the recent North West in Bloom competition.
PNE dominated the early part of this match and led after three minutes when Louise Cafferkey excellently met a cross and headed home. Sarah Parker then came close but her effort went wide. PNE kept up the pressure with some good work in midfield. Sarah
THE banning of vans from household recycling centres is designed to prevent companies using them. Landfill tax is imposed on commercial waste but not domestic waste. So businesses are now expected to use special tips where they will be charged for dumping
FOLLOWING recent reports about the death of the last member of the Dambusters, one daring airman is alive and well living in Leyland! Matthew St Claire Allsopp, 82, is the last known surviving member of Nine Squadron, who flew with the legendary 617,
ONLY hours after a Carleton man spoke of his fears about gangs of youths who congregate in Carleton Crematorium, a Blackpool teenager was robbed at knifepoint. The youngster, who has not been named, was taking a short-cut through the cemetery grounds
IN the evenings and at weekends there is no point speeding between the traffic lights on Bury New Road, Whitefield, from Higher Lane to Moss Lane. This is because the lights will always change before you get there. However, if you drive at around 25mph
I AM writing in support of the opinions expressed by "Justice" (Your Letters, Oct 8). "Joy riding" is a public hazard and a daily occurrence on Chesham Field, Bury. The motor cycle riders tear across the field, scattering anyone in their way. They ride
WHEN a shop closes in Bury town centre we can all guess that it will be replaced by yet another greeting cards outlet. So it was no surprise that the new Mill Gate development hosts yet another one, of the most preposterous proportions! Yes, there will
THERE are many ways in which people can make the most of, and support, the British countryside that do not involve cruelty to wild animals. And the tradition, pageantry and excitement of the hunting spectacle can all be retained if live quarry hunts convert
IN the spring, we announced that the Wildlife Hospital North West, based in Horwich, would close in December unless we could get 500 people to pledge £1 a week to cover running costs. Despite every effort, we still have fewer than 300 supporters of our
I WAS saddened to read that the campaign to close homes for the elderly in Bury is continuing. Do the people responsible for this terrible action have any personal experience of having an elderly relative in a home? I think not, otherwise they would not
AS a regular library user for 25 years, I disagree strongly with Naomi Schrecker's judgement on the provision of stock at Prestwich Library (Bury Times, Oct 4). Naturally, the library cannot stock every book, video, compact disc or magazine that someone
FLAT caps, gangster suits and flapper dresses were the order of the day at Whitefield Primary School as they celebrated their 65th anniversary. Pupils were encouraged to dress up in 1930s gear to represent the era when the Victoria Avenue school was opened
SUNDAY Shows at the Grand, Opera House and North Pier. Blackpool Grand Theatre (01253 290190) Ken Dodd -- Britain's king of comedy. October 20 and 27 at 7.30pm. Tickets £9 to £15. Norma -- Bellini opera set in England at the time of the Druids, sung by
