A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. MONDAY Sale of Goods, Baptist Church, Woodlands Road, Nelson, 6pm. Blackburn Arts Club presents 'Inspector Drake and the Perfekt Crime,' Club Theatre, Gibraltar Street
AMID the many efforts to persuade travellers to switch to public transport, the disclosure by a users' watchdog of improvements over the past year in a major rail service operating through East Lancashire will be seen as an extra encouragement. And this
WHAT is the problem? It seems to be a case of, yes, we want wind farms but not in our back garden (LET, September 23). Renewable energies are needed and needed now. The proposed wind farm at Scout Moor in Rossendale will benefit everyone in the long run
REGARDING your article (LET, September 20) about householders in Hyndburn being taken to court for putting their rubbish out when it suits then, I am one of many council tax payers who are hacked off with the lame excuses these people offer for their
THIEVES broke into 10 cars at a Bury showroom and stole the sound systems worth £3,000. The vehicles at Dixons Motors in Crostons Road, Bury, were targeted on Saturday night. Damage worth £3,000 was caused after the thieves smashed the front off side
Leigh Centurions 42 Hull KR 1 by Mike Hulme: THE Centurions will resume hostilities against Salford next Sunday with the biggest prize of them all at stake. The local rivals will slug it out at Widnes in the National League One Grand Final with the winners
GRAEME Souness and Gerard Houllier will renew their rivalry when Blackburn Rovers face Liverpool in a potentially explosive Carling Cup tie later this month. Just two weeks after Souness and Houllier were embroiled in a simmering row over Lucas Neill's
MARKUS Babbel could be out for up to six weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in yesterday's 2-0 home defeat to Fulham. Blackburn Rovers' current defensive crisis deepened in the 28th minute of the Premiership clash at Ewood Park when he pulled up and limped
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of damage was caused to parked cars when scaffolding along a row of terrace houses collapsed. Residents in Clarence Street, Burnley, were awakened by a crashing sound at 3am yesterday morning when the scaffolding fell across
A TAXI driver from Nelson has been cleared of assisting an offender in a kidnap plot. Mohammed Ayub, 51, of Bradley Road East, was acquitted of any connection with the abduction of a drug smuggler's family on July 31 last year. Andre Burke, 24, of Manchester
TWO honest schoolgirls received a cash reward for handing over £1,000 of stolen wages which they found outside King Street Methodist Church, in Great Harwood. Carly Mason, 11, and Kirsty Almond, 10, were given £50 as thanks for returning the money, snatched
THIRTY firefighters tackled a blazing barn containing gas cylinders at a remote farm near Accrington and rescued eight cows. Fire crews were called to West Farm, in Sandy Lane, at 8.20am yesterday and put out the flames within hours. Firefighters were
A COUNCILLOR has called for members of two scrutiny committees to turn their spotlight on themselves to improve the system. Labour's deputy leader in Hyndburn, David Myles, says the current system of two five-strong committees is not working, and has
WORK is set to start on two children's play areas designed by youngsters. Equipment for the sites in Church was chosen by more than 25 young people who attended a consultation event last month. The projects are part of a £130,000 improvement scheme for
THE decision by Microsoft to close down its chatrooms has been greeted with criticism by many of its rivals. Although at first glance the shutting of the rooms will put a block on abuse of them by paedophiles and spammers, there are fears that the move
ONE of the advantages of the internet is that a museum's rare and archive material can be opened up to the world simply and easily. The Tate Gallery (www.tate.org.uk/archivejourneys) has linked up with BT to open up its archive. The material, which includes
IT won't be long before Paul Bailey has more trophies than he can flex his muscles at. For the 20-year-old from Whitefield has just won the Junior British title in a national bodybuilding competition. His latest achievement adds to four other trophies
CITY fan Don Price will be swapping the Blues for the desert climate of Morocco to raise money for charity. Don, who is chairman of the Prestwich and Whitefield branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club, will certainly feel the heat as he bids to
INDIVIDUALS, schools, churches and other organisations in Darwen are invited to join in this year's Operation Christmas Child (OCC) by sending gift-filled shoeboxes to needy children in Eastern Europe. Last year more than 1.3 million Christmas gift boxes
A RECRUITMENT drive is under way for people of "good character and integrity" to become magistrates. Applications for lay people wanting to sit on next year's bench are being sought before the deadline of November 30. There is no requirement for any qualifications
CHORLEY Lynx hopes of reaching next Sunday's National League Grand final were dashed as they were beaten 45-12 at Victory Park by Keighley Cougars. Mark McCully scored two tries for the Lynx and also added a penalty, but it was to no avail as the Lancashire
CLITHEROE remained top of the league on Saturday, despite a disappointing performance in front of their best crowd of the season, with just over 250 spectators witnessing the match. The entire goal scoring action was packed into the final five minutes
PLAYER manager Nigel Coates kept up his unbeaten record as Colne boss, scoring the opening goal in the process. With only three minutes on the clock, Chris Ingham won the ball on the right and crossed for Coates to hammer home at the near post. Scott
ROSSENDALE United went out of the FA Cup at UniBond Premier Division side Marine, but they gave their higher league opponents one or two scares along the way. Fielding a much changed side due to players being cup tied, the 11 on display gave it their
RAMSBOTTOM were unable to build on a great start to this North West Counties Divviosn One game on Saturday. Striker Matty Swailes scored with three minutes on the clock after being put through by Chris Clarke. Swailes side-stepped Francis Vaughan and
BACUP Borough took their unbeaten run to four games and four clean sheets, taking six points out of six in their last two home games. As early as the sixth minute Bacup had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Jason Anthony was brought down in the
CLUMSY errors cost Preston dear as a 60-minute slumber at the Bescot stadium left North End two goals down. What should have been a performance from a side buoyed by two home wins before the away day at Walsall proved to be anything but as Preston struggled
HAT-TRICK hero Lutel James snatched a last-gasp equaliser to extend Accrington Stanley's unbeaten run to seven games on Saturday -- but he took a nasty whack in the face for his troubles. James pounced to seize a point for John Coleman's team with a 90th
ACCRINGTON Stanley lengthened their unbeaten run to seven games, but were left to ponder on what might have been at the Interlink Express Stadium. The Reds were twice in front but in the end needed a Lutel James goal, which completed a hat-trick for the
NOW summer has ended and schoolkids are back at school some parents may find themselves at a loose end. But this is the best time of year to take up a new hobby or explore a new subject in an evening class. 'Teach yourself' are running a 'Go on, try something
QUEEN Elizabeth's Grammar School at Blakebourne was founded in 1509 by Thomas, second Earl of Derby, today it is one of the highest achieving schools in East Lancashire boasting top facilities for sport and teaching. The school in West Park Road, Blackburn
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn Arts Club presents 'Inspector Drake and the Perfekt Crime,' Club Theatre, Gibraltar Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Police Community Meeting, Haslingden Primary
STEVE BYRNE is not your everyday man. He has committed the last half decade of his life to writing a book on common land when the man in the street would not be able to tell you what common land is. Yet, as Steve explains, he has the interests of the
REGARDING the remarks (Letters, September 18) on the "tatty" state of Pleasington Cemetery in Blackburn due to ornaments, etc being placed alongside some graves, I can only assume that your correspondent has not had the misfortune of the dreaded mole
REGARDING the criticism of the appearance of Pleasington Cemetery in Blackburn (Letters, September 18), rules may be laid down on the inception of such an amenity, but a cemetery belongs to the people and will develop as those who use it would wish it
A MURDER-style inquiry has been launched after the death of a man who was found lying in the street with serious head injuries. Martin Bibby, 47, of Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen, was found slumped unconscious in Cardwell Place, Blackburn, after a night out
AN ASYLUM seeker has burned himself with an iron and gone on hunger strike after being told he was to be deported. Religious and political groups in Nelson have launched a letter-writing campaign in support of up-and-coming designer Fahmi Khalaf, a Kurd
Stevenage 4 Leigh RMI 0 by David Magilton: REPORTS that Mark Patterson has just two games to turn Leigh's fortunes around have been firmly denied by chairman Bill Taylor. A one point return from six games has put the manager under increasing pressure
THE key stats and moments from the match against Fulham. ROVERS: BRAD FRIEDEL: Didn't have too much to do but failed to cut out cross that led to first goal 6 MARTIN TAYLOR: Steady enough but was given the unenviable task of keeping up with Boa Morte
EVEN Graeme Souness couldn't make a case for the defence after the Rovers rearguard failed yet another severe cross-examination yesterday. In fact, it would be outright perjury to deny that the Blackburn backline needs rapid repair work after they slipped
AGE Concern Lancashire is launching a new campaign to help older people make sense of their finances. During Age Concern Week, which runs until Saturday, staff and volunteers at Age Concern in Keirby Walk, Burnley, will be handing out free information
A UNION boss today claimed staff were leaving their jobs at an East Lancashire council because they refuse to work with British National Party councillors. Unison Branch Secretary Peter Thorne said at least three members of staff had quit their jobs at
SECURICOR have put forward a £5,000 cash reward following a violent robbery on a security guard outside a Burnley shop. Two guards were taking money to a machine in the Spar shop in Todmorden Road at around 9.40pm on Tuesday when one of them was ambushed
RESIDENTS who have campaigned to improve their street for 21 years said today they were appalled at plans to tear it down. Burnley Council's proposed Neighbourhood Action Plan for South West Burnley includes proposals to demolish Dean Street to extend
Bury 1 Doncaster 3 by Chris Hall: NO matter how hard Bury try to paper over the cracks, the departure of Michael Nelson from Gigg Lane continues to cripple their play-off prospects. After their poor start to the new campaign, Shakers' tenth fixture of
AN ASYLUM seeker has burned himself with an iron and gone on hunger strike after being told he was to be deported. Religious and political groups in Nelson have launched a letter-writing campaign in support of up-and-coming designer Fahmi Khalaf, a Kurd
RESIDENTS of a Colne housing estate flocked to see their day-to-day lives on display in a photographic exhibition made up of their own snaps. More than 100 people visited the Picture Perfect? exhibition at the North Valley Community Centre, Birtwistle
HOLLANDS the pie makers launched a new range of frozen meals with a £300,000 TV campaign. And the company hoped the new range would lead to massive expansion at its Baxenden factory.
THE friends and family of care home campaigner Norman Hickey have vowed to send him off in style when his funeral takes place on Wednesday. Two black horses will pull a carriage bearing his coffin around some of his favourite spots around the town. The
A STUN gun was recovered and 14 people were arrested as part of an continuing crackdown on nightclubbers. A cordon was set up near Monroe's Club, Wood Street, Great Harwood, on Saturday night as police attempted to stop and search people heading to the
A MANHUNT has been launched after a marksman shot at three boys and a passing bus in Accrington. The first incident happened in Oakhill Park at 1.30pm on Saturday when a 16-year-old boy was hit in the pelvis by a pellet believed to be fired from an air
PATROLS to make Whitefield's streets safer and cleaner will continue for another year thanks to a late funding boost. A further £160,000 has been found to keep a team of street wardens on duty in the Victoria and Hillock estates until March 2005. The
THE campaigning work of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (www.ifaw.org) can be followed on its site. Soon it will be Animal Action Week which will be all about elephants and the threat poachers pose to their existence. But the site also has up-to-date
THE key moments and player ratings from the game against Wimbledon. BURNLEY: BRIAN JENSEN Recovered from a nervy start to become the commanding figure the Clarets are used to. Didn't really have a save to make 7 DEAN WEST Barely put a foot wrong against
BURNLEY have secured the services of Bolton duo Gareth Farrelly and Delroy Facey on another month's loan. Midfielder Farrelly and striker Facey have impressed manager Stan Ternent since arriving from the Reebok Stadium at the beginning of the month. And
BEFORE, during and after the game the major talking point was Wimbledon's controversial franchise and subsequent move to join the concrete cows in Milton Keynes. But the hot topic as far as Burnley were concerned was the controversy surrounding David
MARKUS Babbel could be out for up to six weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in yesterday's 2-0 home defeat to Fulham. Blackburn Rovers' current defensive crisis deepened in the 28th minute of the Premiership clash at Ewood Park when he pulled up and limped
BURNLEY have secured the services of Bolton duo Gareth Farrelly and Delroy Facey on another month's loan. Midfielder Farrelly and striker Facey have impressed manager Stan Ternent since arriving from the Reebok Stadium at the beginning of the month. And
A REPLICA of Darwen Tower made from lace is to be displayed at Darwen Library. Jeanette Fleming, 44, of Turncroft Road, Darwen, will display her expertise in bobbin lace and tatting in a special exhibition. Jeanette uses the ancient skill to produce various
BUDDING David Baileys in Darwen have turned the town's grot spots into high art thanks to a photographic competition. Youngsters from Moorland, St Barnabas and Sudell schools were invited to submit pictures for the 14th Annual Photographic Exhibition
LAND in Haslingden has been nominated as Britain's worst wasted space in a national campaign. The stretch of land between Blackburn Road and allotments near the bypass is one of the contenders in a contest inviting members of the public to vote for examples
A LANDLORD who agreed to host the World Black Pudding Throwing Championship was shocked to find himself runner-up in the contest. Stuart Law, 51, took over the Royal Oak pub, in Bridge Street, Rawtenstall five months ago and had his busiest day so far
THOUSANDS Of workers from across the country, including employees from Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems were staging a huge demonstration outside the Labour Party conference today to call for the Government's help in halting manufacturing job losses. The 2,500
GLAZED panels weighing nearly 900 pounds each have been slotted into Blackburn's Pavilion development. The panels were hoisted by crane onto the framework of the buildings in Church Street. They will form two storey glass structures connecting the three
THE Trans-Pennine rail route that runs through East Lancashire has shown improvements in the past year, despite problems with industrial action, according to a passengers watchdog. The Rail Passengers Committee said in its annual report the service, which
A MURDER-style inquiry has been launched after the death of a man who was found lying in the street with serious head injuries. Martin Bibby, 47, of Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen, was found slumped unconscious in Cardwell Place, Blackburn, after a night out
CHILDREN could be experiencing a blast from the past when they open their Christmas stockings this year. For industry experts are predicting a revival of top '80s toys on festive wish lists. Former favourites, including Transformers, (1985/6) He-Man (
A LAST gasp extra-time Matty Darbyshire strike gave Great Harwood Town another bite of the cherry as they look to overcome neighbours Nelson in the Division Two Trophy. The lively forward bagged a scrappy 119th minute equaliser to earn his side a replay
DARWEN twice let a lead slip from their grasp as they were pegged back to a 2-2 draw at NWCL Division Two high-fliers Maine Road. Boss Steve Wilkes gave debuts to Steve Pickup, Ben Jackson, Paul Brown, Andy Hays and Lee Kennedy and all had an eventful
PADIHAM overcame what on paper was a tough North West Counties Football League Division Two Cup tie at Ashton Town on Saturday to progress into the next round of the competition with a 2-1 away win. The home side had the better of the opening exchanges
THIS NWCL Second Division Trophy game at Victoria Park had everything -- drama, controversy, a sending off, extra time, but no decisive outcome, and the two teams now face a replay at the Showground on Monday night. Local derbys between the sides always
PUPILS with special education needs (SEN) are well served by mainstream schools, but local education authority (LEA) support varies greatly, according to new reports published by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED). To help address the variation
MINISTERS and headteachers have joined together to urge teachers not to "abandon" school trips following the conviction for manslaughter of a Lancashire teacher. Their plea came after the conviction of Paul Ellis, who was jailed for a year after 10-year-old
FORGET the traditional Sunday lunch -- it was black puddings on the menu as a Ramsbottom pub revived a world-famous event. But most of the puddings served up at The Royal Oak were not eaten -- but thrown. Contestants from as far away as Australia, Poland
