Archive

  • Getting a grip on our dental care

    A LARGE percentage of today's parents had regular dental check-ups as children in an NHS system which the country was proud of. That treatment and care often meant that in later life they suffered fewer problems with tooth decay than others who had not

  • The hijab: Our right to choose

    MUSLIM headscarves could soon be a thing of the past in France, following President Jacques Chirac's ban on hijab in the nation's schools. The scarves, along with Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses, contravene the nation's secularist traditions

  • Police on look-out for more specials

    AN advertising campaign of £2.5million is under way to recruit more special constables into the police service. The campaign will continue with the challenging theme asking Could You Volunteer? Over the next few months Lancashire Constabulary will be

  • Scapegoat to prove a point

    AFTER reading the letter (LET, February 12) headlined 'We pay our road tax too,' I would like to say I am the lollipop lady the writer is referring to at Blackamoor. Between 8am and 9am the traffic there is really busy and hectic. I cannot see how she

  • Buck stops with education authority

    A SHORT time ago, as a chairman of governors of a Darwen school, I attended an evening at Blackburn Town Hall which was hosted by Sir Bill Taylor. Part of it was devoted to a strategic overview of the future of education within the context of the authority

  • Fury as child abuser walks free

    A MOTHER who used a children's "singalong" tape recorder to trap a man who abused her son spoke of her outrage after he walked free from court. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she could still hear the harrowing recording of her

  • Your 'Keesee' is all wrong!

    "Listen if I don't go now I'm going to unload all over my Shalwar and then what are you going to do?" I screamed at my cousin. He looked at me and then ran for cover. They need to warn you about these things. At Manchester Airport they should have a leaflet

  • Lady luck deserts Rovers

    YOU'D have thought Graeme Souness would have had enough of Welshmen for one week. Despite an international debut for his rising star Paul Gallagher, the Blackburn Rovers boss watched in agony as his beloved Scotland plummeted to new depths with a 4-0

  • Players tackle road danger in new drive

    BURNLEY Football Club's star players have teamed up with Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group for a thought-provoking new campaign targeting 16- to 19-year-olds. A special production of Never Saw The Day will be performed at Burnley College on

  • Shakers get dose of Oxford blues

    Oxford United 1 Bury 1: ON-loan striker Jon Daly believes he was the victim of some rough justice as Bury passed their latest University examination with flying colours. The Shakers played for nearly half an hour with 10 men after Daly's two yellow cards

  • 10 years ago

    BRITISH Aerospace reported a third consecutive year of big losses. The UK's biggest manufacturing exporter and employer of 10,000 people, made a pre tax loss of £237 million for 1993, but said it had now cleared the way for future growth. Meanwhile, Knowlesly

  • Keeping your laundry clean!

    As a result of the coming into force of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 various obligations have been placed on solicitors. Of particular relevance is the fact that solicitors are now required to disclose to the

  • Girl, 19, in court on murder charge

    A 19-YEAR-OLD woman has been charged with the murder of her ex-boyfriend. Kelly Hyslop, whose family live in Parker Street, Huncoat, will appear before Hyndburn magistrates today charged with killing Mohammed Nadeem. Mr Nadeem, 28, was discovered dead

  • PC's splashdown ends complaints

    PENSIONERS left dodging puddles and potholes in an unadopted road have had their lives changed, thanks to a policewoman and two tons of gravel. The narrow route on Accrington's Laneside estate is around 50 yards long and runs between Ribblesdale Avenue

  • Display of emotion for fallen Pals

    A PERMANENT exhibition to commemorate the sacrifice of the Accrington Pals is to be established in Hyndburn. The news was warmly welcomed by VIPs at the memorial service to remember the regiment - 90 years after they left St John the Evangelist Church

  • Retiring Brian spent life at firm

    ONE of Bury's most respected and long-serving industrialists has retired. Brian G. Ward has left Senior Hargreaves, the largest private sector employer in the town, after 48 years of service - 10 of them as managing director. His entire career has been

  • Chemists on Duty

    THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohens Chemist, 63 Whalley Range; To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive

  • Some lines are there never to be crosse

    Some familiar faces and an all too familiar storyline grace this latest venture from Vicky Films Ltd. We've seen most of it before and it may come as no surprise that leading the line is Sunny Deol. He plays Arjun an over protective underworld don who

  • Summer of idols is on the cards

    Channel 4 have already done it and the BBC are on the lookout for one. We're talking about Bollywood hopefuls of course. Based on the hit series Pop Idol it's the turn of the UK's British Asian community. The BBC show 'Bollywood Idol' is looking for a

  • Summer of idols is on the cards

    Channel 4 have already done it and the BBC are on the lookout for one. We're talking about Bollywood hopefuls of course. Based on the hit series Pop Idol it's the turn of the UK's British Asian community. The BBC show 'Bollywood Idol' is looking for a

  • Jewel awards are a shining example

    The glitz and the glamour of the Asian Jewel Awards came to Manchester this month. The Awards sponsored by Lloyds TSB aim to recognise achievements by Asian people across the UK with a series of events in Manchester, Birmingham and London. The remaining

  • GRANT: Victory has changed our season

    TONY Grant believes Saturday's thrilling 4-2 win over Ipswich has changed Burnley's season. The Clarets survived a nervy finale to ease their relegation fears thanks to a four-goal salvo from Glen Little, David May, Richard Chaplow and Robbie Blake. And

  • Clitheroe a Stone's throw from title

    CLITHEROE'S first clean sheet since early December was the catalyst for another crucial three points which keeps them at the top of the North West Counties League. After just seven minutes a shot from Paul Stansfield rebounded back off the post and Stone

  • Misery for Magpies

    A THREE-goal burst in a bizarre four minutes midway through the second half consigned Chorley to a damaging defeat. The ineffective Magpies were unrecognisable from the side which had performed so ably in their last three games. The introduction of substitute

  • Colne close to victory in Vase

    COLNE and Eastwood Town produced a scintillating cup tie on Saturday that the record Reds crowd will remember for years to come. The home side looked to have clinched a semi-final spot three minutes from the end of extra time when Scott Gizon headed the

  • Rovers hit by double injury blow

    BLACKBURN Rovers have been dealt a double injury blow with hamstring injuries to skipper Garry Flitcroft and in-form striker Jonathan Stead. Both players pulled up in Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Charlton Athletic and they were due to undergo scans today

  • GRANT: Victory has changed our season

    TONY Grant believes Saturday's thrilling 4-2 win over Ipswich has changed Burnley's season. The Clarets survived a nervy finale to ease their relegation fears thanks to a four-goal salvo from Glen Little, David May, Richard Chaplow and Robbie Blake. And

  • They fit the bill

    STUART FINCH, managing director of Ryder Systems, was delighted and surprised that his company scooped the award for Innovation and Design. Ryder Systems, which began life in a rented room in Burnley, has since emerged as the European leader in providing

  • Record breaker

    RAISING his company's profile through headline-grabbing world record attempts landed John Getty's PDS Engineering the Marketing Award 2003. PDS Engineering specialises in precision engineering contracts for companies such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems,

  • Buying into future

    IT took six months for Metflex's directors to thrash out the deal to acquire the Great Harwood company. But it was time well spent as delighted co-director Lawrence Irving picked up the 2003 Deal of the Year award. The management buy-in for Metflex Precision

  • You ain't nothing without a hound dog

    IF the frequency of arguments between me and my husband is anything to go by, when the time comes that I need to find a new man I will know what to do. I won't go to singles bars or approach dating agencies. No way will I frequent internet chat rooms

  • Glendon targets Rioch signing

    Barrow 2 Radcliffe Borough 0: KEVIN Glendon is hoping to sign Gregor Rioch on loan before Radcliffe Borough's Unibond Premier Division home match against Runcorn FC Halton on Tuesday (7.45pm). The former Hull, Macclesfield and Northwich midfielder, son

  • Former drunk points way to religion

    A FORMER 'drunk' who became a born-again Christian is returning to Darwen to launch a religious course. Dave Shores gave a talk in Darwen earlier this month about his experiences since giving up a lifestyle of drink and mohican haircuts 20 years ago.

  • Wedding exhibition reaches new heights

    Thousands of visitors gather to get inspiration from the latest cutting-edge styles in fashion, beauty and wedding trends, at the prestigious Asian Wedding Exhibition 2004. The exhibition received further accolade when Trevor Foley, chief executive of

  • Magnum building in jobs boost

    THE refurbishment of a massive warehouse which was once part of the Walkersteel empire is set to create new jobs. The 'Magnum' building in Walker Park off junction five of the M65 near Blackburn is being refurbished by Manchester-based property consultants

  • Diocese set to greet bishop

    THE new Bishop of Blackburn will officially take up his post at the end of March, it has been announced. The Ven Nicholas Reade, 56, will be enthroned in Blackburn Cathedral on March 27. Prior to that ceremony Mr Reade will be consecrated as a Bishop

  • Anti-fraud move gets thumbs-up

    SHOPPERS in Blackburn will soon be providing their thumbprint on credit card receipts in a bid to cut down on fraud. The scheme is being piloted in second hand shops and, if successful, will be offered to shopping centre stores. However, it is uncertain

  • Legal aid problems to reach crisis

    EAST Lancashire is facing a crisis in the legal aid system, which could leave many people stranded in an 'advice desert,' it was claimed today That is the conclusion of a national report by the Citizens Advice Bureau which states that the community legal

  • Tragedy girl's dad blasts BNP

    THE family of a 12-year-old girl accident victim has blasted the far-right British National Party for using details of her death in a political leaflet. Amy Houston, a pupil at Our Lady's and St John's High School, in Blackburn, died in hospital last

  • Coleman ready to go back to basics

    DISILLUSIONED Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman says it's time to get back to basics. The Reds chief admitted he felt "sick in his stomach" after his side's performance against rock bottom Northwich Victoria, prompting him to demand extra shooting

  • CRICKET: Edgbaston showdown

    Pakistan and India will face each other at Edgbaston later in the year as the fixtures for this years ICC champions trohpy were announced. England learned they will once again face customary big-tournament rivals Zimbabwe in the opening match of this

  • A change in attitudes

    With regards to the letter stating, 'Problems closer to home need our help" I want to say it is our duty to support the poorer countries. However I agree that within our neighbourhoods some issues have been ignored. One of those is drug dealing. Whilst

  • Values cannot be ignored

    Regarding the article "Pick'n'mix is the fresh way forward,' I would like to comment that there are definite reasons for parents to marry from abroad. I think parents and relatives in this country tend to marry from abroad because they feel youngsters

  • Honesty is the key

    Having read the article Pick'n'mix is the Fresh way forward, I can relate to it as it is a problem which my family is currently going through due to a marriage to someone from abroad. I am firmly of the view that in order to stop this injustice happening

  • Cases of slavery hit home

    On a serious note this month, slavery was meant to have been abolished in London in 1807. But no. It is estimated that there are at least 20 million individuals worldwide who are forced to work as slaves against their will. Many, are forced to work in

  • Police hail street crime op a success

    BURY police say an operation to cut the number of alcohol related incidents at the weekend was a success. During the last year there have been 113 crimes committed on Friday and Saturday nights in the town. The majority involved minor wounding while the

  • £300,000 for carers link project

    Minority Ethnic Carers in the Burnley Pendle and Rossendale are celebrating the news of a major grant to the Carers Link charity for a Carers' Support and Activities Project. Carers Link is a network centre of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. It provides

  • Complaints prompt action

    Road safety issues are to come under a spotlight as Lancshire Constabulary tackles the nuisance of irresponsible driving in the Brookhouse area of Blackburn. During 2003 police received more than 500 complaints from local shopkeepers, residents and other

  • Minarets plan for College

    The minarets of an Islamic education centre could soon be a feature of the Westhoughton skyline. Plans have been submitted to build a religious college including a mosque for students on farmland to the north of the M61 at Wingates. Drawings show the

  • Cousin hid heroine in teenager's shoes

    A teenager who was arrested at Manchester Airport has been acquitted of drug smuggling. Aftab Ali Younis was arrested as he arrived back on a PIA flight from Islamabad on April 20 last year. Customs officials discovered high grade heroin concealed in

  • Body parts hunt

    A community was in shock and a family distraught after learning that police involved in a murder inquiry believe the body of a 56-year-old mother-of-six was cut up. Police officers say they are hopeful the remains will be found. Searches have taken place

  • Support network set up

    A STAFF support network promoting diversity and equality has been established by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. The DivNet initiative aims to show staff that help and support is available to them both at work and in their personal lives. The group

  • Victoria's grapes gripe gives me the pip

    HOW upsetting it was to read recently in your People in the News column about poor Victoria Beckham revealing what she dislikes most about living in Spain. She is said to have complained in an interview with GMTV in Madrid about the grapes having pips

  • Go out there and use your 'no' vote

    HATS off to the residents of Mellor for fighting for what they believe in. But may I suggest one simple solution? When the vote for the regional assembly takes place, get out in force and vote no. From Rossendale originally and now in Blackburn for the

  • Backward step to rotting teeth

    VIRTUALLY all dentists throughout the country are leaving the NHS and going private. It is now difficult to find an NHS dentist. Patients will either have to take out a plan with an insurance company and pay monthly by direct debit, or pay for treatment

  • Parents to fight school closure

    PARENTS of children at a special school in Atherton facing closure in an education shake-up have vowed to fight to the bitter end to save it. Staff and angry parents at Two Porches, Gloucester Street, Atherton, which was served with a statutory notice

  • Family in fear after racial graffiti

    A FAMILY today revealed that they feared for their lives after racist thugs sprayed their house with sickening graffiti. Law student Waseem Choudhary said his family had been horrified by the incident, when the name of ultra-right wing group Combat 18

  • Leigh stroll to 11-try win

    Leigh Centurions 60 Chorley Lynx 10 by Mike Hulme: THE Centurions strengthened their position at the top of their Arriva Trains group after an 11-try mauling of Chorley. Leigh barely had to raise their game out of second gear to cement the victory that

  • Rovers hit by double injury blow

    BLACKBURN Rovers have been dealt a double injury blow with hamstring injuries to skipper Garry Flitcroft and in-form striker Jonathan Stead. Both players pulled up in Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Charlton Athletic and they were due to undergo scans today

  • Gambler loses to Addicks!

    A GAMBLING man - not a phrase that would spring to mind if you were asked to describe Brad Friedel in three words. Solid, safe and sturdy maybe, but you'd struggle to recall many occasions when he's lived up to the eccentric reputation many of his contemporaries

  • Chance to quiz council officers

    PEOPLE in Burnley have the opportunity to question leading councillors and council officers at a series of public meetings starting this week. The events will include a presentation on the work the council is doing to improve the borough, including the

  • Pair paid to steal dumper truck freed

    TWO men who were "sent" to steal a dumper truck worth thousands of pounds have both escaped a jail sentence. Burnley Crown Court was told how David Pegg, 42, and Terence Collingwood, 22, had loaded their haul on to the back of a wagon in Accrington and

  • Gentle music pays off to beat the yobs

    TRANSPORT bosses who turned to the gentle strains of classical music in a bid to deter groups of yobs loitering around Burnley's bus station say the scheme has been a success. Bus station chiefs introduced piped music by composers like Mozart and Bach

  • Family in fear after racial graffiti

    A FAMILY today revealed that they feared for their lives after racist thugs sprayed their house with sickening graffiti. Law student Waseem Choudhary said his family had been horrified by the incident, when the name of ultra-right wing group Combat 18

  • All the fun of the fair

    PENDLE is leading the way in helping celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight next month with a series of events. The area was named the UK's first Fairtrade borough last year and is helping celebrate and raise awareness on this international topic. Fairtrade Fortnight

  • Soldier dislocated ex-wife's shoulder

    A SOLDIER who dislocated his ex-wife's shoulder and put her in hospital has paid the price with his military career. Father-of-two Michael Bailey, 28, a Lance Corporal in the First Battalion Queen's Lancashire Regiment, was jailed for six months. His

  • 50 years ago

    ONLY one man in 10 who applied to join Blackburn's fire brigade was considered suitable for the job, the borough's fire chief Tom Birtwhistle announced. He appealed for more firemen as the brigade's strength of 55 was nine below the established level.

  • 25 years ago

    BOFFINS announced that a suspected 'mini-earthquake' which hit East Lancashire shaking windows and rattling doors was probably due to an atmospheric explosion or low flying aircraft. The mystery tremors which brought a flood of calls from worried householders

  • Ex-landlady cheers as bill bust-up ends

    A FORMER landlady who became embroiled in a cash wrangle after her pub dream turned sour, today spoke of her relief after settling the dispute. Vickie Godwin, 22, claimed she was owed the £2,000 she paid to pub management company Premier Inns UK Ltd as

  • Club boss 'needs to look after wife'

    A NIGHTCLUB owner charged with drugs and licensing offences offered to pay £30,000 into court so he could be released to look after his sick wife. Anthony Ian Jackson, who owns the Monroes club, Great Harwood, was allowed to address Hyndburn Magistrates

  • Chemists on Duty

    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 BURNLEY with PADIHAM: 10am-4pm: Sainsbury's Pharmacy, Active Way, Burnley; 11am-5pm: Asda Pharmacy, Princess Way, Burnley; 11.30am-12.30pm: Cohens Chemist, 68 Coal Clough Lane, Burnley. NELSON, BRIERFIELD, BARROWFORD, COLNE, EARBY

  • Chemists on Duty

    FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst

  • lChemists on Duty

    WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The

  • £275,000 pay-off for Iranian refugee

    Hollywood moviemakers have bought up the amazing story of a former Bradford University student who has lived at an international airport for the past 15 years. Iranian refugee Merhan Karimi has been based in Terminal One at Charles De Gaulle in Paris

  • Chemists on Duty

    MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst

  • Chemists on Duty

    TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver

  • Generous John gives £3.24m more to charities

    BRITAIN'S most generous businessman, Ultraframe founder John Lancaster, has donated a further £3.24million to his charitable foundation which supports charities in both his home town of Clitheroe and Africa. In April last year, he was named the UK's biggest

  • A simple smile can make all the difference

    Arrogance, self-importance, superiority, pride, and conceit are all traits that we as human beings should avoid if we are to prosper in life. The respect of others, humility, modesty, caring, sensitivity and thoughtfulness are characteristics we should

  • We were weak says boss Royle

    IRATE Ipswich boss Joe Royle lay the blame for his side's heavy defeat squarely with his leaky defence. Royle said: "Life is never dull with us and if you like goals, don't back us for 0-0. Our attitude to defending was not right and it's borne out in

  • Ternent sets his target

    STAN Ternent turned his thoughts to a busy week after Burnley rose to the challenge to inflict Ipswich's first away defeat in four months. The Clarets chief has set his side the task of winning a third of their remaining 15 league games to ensure First

  • King Richard's a happy Chap

    NOT only is Richard Chaplow keeping his feet on the ground - he's taking everything in his stride! The Clarets midfielder might have thought the most remarkable week of his relatively young life had peaked in midweek when he pulled on an England shirt

  • Potential partners expect too much

    DEAR MASSI, I think there are far too many women in our community with high expectations of potential marriage partners. I am 32-year-old single man from Preston who is looking to get married and whilst I am very open-minded I find many women in our community

  • Just leave us alone!

    DEAR MASSI, I wanted to write about how Asian guys always get the wrong impression. It is very difficult for some of us girls to go to town and other places and the last thing you need is some 'brash' guy trying it on with you all the time. They act as

  • DEAR MASSI,

    I am a married 24-year-old man. I have never written to you before but I don't know who to turn to. I have serious gambling problem and I feel I am unable to talk to my wife it. I feel she may get really upset and may not fully understand. I have run

  • DEAR MASSI,

    I have been married for seven years and have two wonderful children. I used to work before I got married and took a break for a while whilst our children grew up. I have recently achieved promotion at work and find myself spending more and more time there

  • Nelson held

    NELSON came away from Flixton shaking their heads in disbelief having outplayed the form team of the Second Division, but gained only a single point. The Blues took the lead after only five minutes when Lee Coldridge forced the ball home and new signing

  • Haworth quits!

    PADIHAM'S defeat signalled the end of Graham Haworth's reign as manager after seven and a half years. With only one win from their last nine league outings, Saturday's home humiliation at the hands of bottom club Castleton Gabriels proved too much for

  • Hughes blows a fuse

    A DEPLETED Great Harwood side suffered a disappointing home defeat to mid-table Norton United. The hosts missed the presence of long-term absentee John Eastham and flu victim James Dean while Paul Mashiter was suffering from a viral infection and had

  • Rams revived

    AN improved performance from the Rams was rewarded with a well-deserved three points that brought an end to a series of disappointing results. Prior to kick off Vince Overson was able to select his line-up from an almost full strength squad, the returning

  • Hindle on a high for Dale

    ROSSENDALE produced a superb battling performance to give them a surprise win at high flying Bridlington Town. The game began in controversial circumstances when on loan striker Damien Hindle looked to have been bundled over by Bridlington's Craig Suddaby

  • Saints are being good

    ALTHOUGH St Helens are struggling at the bottom of the NWCL First Division, this was a completely new team under Mark Cox that took Bacup to the cleaners in the first 45 minutes. The rampant Merseysiders took six minutes to break the deadlock when Borough's

  • Soaring to new heights

    FOR Sandra McAllister, director of Althams Travel, holding aloft a Customer Service Award is a dream come true. Sandra, who collected the award with Helen Birtwistle, manager of the firm's Burnley branch, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to win this

  • Trevor is daddy of them all

    ALERT Security's managing director Trevor Shanley had more than one reason for celebrating winning the Workforce Development Award. Having just celebrated his 10th year in business, just a week ago, Trevor is also looking forward to the birth of his baby

  • Award for the people

    CHIEF executive Alwin Thompson knows exactly who to thank for helping Inter Link Foods plc win the prestigious accolade of Company of the Year - his workforce. He said: "I am a bit speechless. It is great to win something and great to do it in your own

  • Party time for Daisy workers

    IT'S party time at New Business of the Year Daisy Communications. The Nelson telecommunications firm claimed the prestigious award - and operations director Tony Dixon said there will be some celebrating at the firm. He said: "We are absolutely delighted

  • Jim sells us to the world

    JIM FAGAN landed the 2003 Ambassadors' Award for his tireless work in promoting East Lancashire to businesses outside the area. But humble Jim said it was the Ambassadors Scheme, of which he is a member, that should be recognised and not himself. The

  • Everyone a winner!

    THE Lancashire Evening Telegraph Business of the Year Awards 2003 lived up to their reputation as the highlight of the calendar for industry and commerce. Hundreds of MPs, councillors, dignitaries and business people from across East Lancashire descended

  • 'Let's make area blooming lovely'

    SUDELLSIDE in Darwen could soon be showing off its true colours if a green-fingered scheme is successful. Leaders of Sudellside Community Centre hope to organise a 'Sudell in Bloom' competition, where people can enter their street, home or just a hanging

  • Discussion on plans for nature reserve

    A PUBLIC meeting to discuss proposals to declare Redisher Wood a Local Nature Reserve will be held tomorrow. The meeting is at 7.30pm in the main library of Woodhey High School. Bury Council is behind the nature reserve plan. Its Local Nature Reserve

  • Spring campaign launching recycling scheme

    HOMES in Ramsbottom are to be targeted as part of Bury Council's drive to boost recycling figures right across the borough. The council is launching a spring campaign involving 28,000 homes in a new phase of its doorstep recycling scheme. The alternate

  • Lock your doors, judge warns

    EAST Lancashire's top judge has warned householders to keep their doors locked at all times -- but added that the advice was a sad reflection on society today. Judge Raymond Bennett made his comments after he sentenced burglar David Wallace to two years

  • Family Befrienders make a difference

    RAMSBOTTOM residents are being urged to sign up to a scheme aimed at improving the lives of autism sufferers. Bury Council's Befriender Scheme is hoping to recruit a group of volunteers to spend a few hours a week supporting young people with autism in

  • Get a taste of the wedding day blues

    The Masala girls are back with a comical look at what it takes to organise a wedding in this latest offering from Oldham based Peshkar Productions. The all female theatre group launch the Wedding Tour 2004 on February 16, and this year are under the guidance

  • Fashion store idea is such an inspiration

    A Fashion boutique owner is a real inspiration after reaching the finals of national award. Kiran Mehnaz and mum Sheanaz Khan set up their business in June 2003 selling ready-made clothes, fabric, made-to-measure garments and accessories. Kiran was selected

  • £12,100 raised on charity night

    Business owners from around the region helped raise over £12,000 at the Mayor of Pendle's charity event. The evening was organised in conjunction with the ABF and aimed to Celebrate Business Success. There was a welcome by ex-leader of Pendle Borough

  • Diversity is the way forward

    More than 400 business people from all backgrounds attended the official launch of the Asian business Federation (ABF) into North and West Lancashire. The aim of the event is to highlight the importance of understanding diversity to help boost the economy

  • Groups to help people give up smoking

    IN THE run up to National No Smoking Day on March 10 a new series of groups to help people give up are starting in Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn. Peter Pendlebury, of the Smoking Cessation Service, said: "These groups would be ideal for people who

  • Teacher attends standards event

    A BLACKBURN teacher has attended the first ever national event for consultant primary heads in a bid to improve standards. Schools Minister Stephen Twigg hosted the conference for the teachers, who work with schools in their area, to raise standards.

  • 'Danger' man now back behind bars

    A "DANGEROUS" man who sparked a six-week police search has been returned to prison -- after being found at the scene of a suspected burglary. Winswell Sutherland, 58, went missing on January 13 after breaking the terms of his parole by leaving his designated

  • Bidding to fill the dental gap

    HEALTH bosses were due to hold a key meeting today to discuss ways of solving the area's dentist crisis. Last year the area came top in a British Dental Association survey for tooth decay and local MPs have continuously called for the Government to do

  • Fury as child abuser walks free

    A MOTHER who used a children's "singalong" tape recorder to trap a man who abused her son spoke of her outrage after he walked free from court. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she could still hear the harrowing recording of her

  • A grand for your group

    TimeBank, the national Volunteering charity, is encouraging young people of different faith to put aside their preconceptions and interact with each other. The 'respect' grants scheme offers up £1,000 for projects that bring together groups of 14-25yr

  • FOOTBALL: Catalyst for change

    Campaigners are hoping that a new report, which labels football as "institutionally racist", will serve as a catalyst for change within the game. The report, compiled by the Independent Football Commission was due to be published but details of what it

  • FOOTBALL: Can you kick it?

    Starting this month we'll be giving you the chance to display your footballing skills at a series of heats throughout the region. The competition will culminate in a grand final featuring all the winners from the local heats. A series of high profile

  • Sports letters

    I have to admit H & T are a class apart and I admire them and would love to test myself against these class players, and see how much I still have to learn football wise! But I have one question. How the hell did Real Playerz get into the premiership

  • So refreshing

    I found the article and the corresponding cartoon concerning the female Muslim taxi-driver very amusing and interesting. I think she has already proved that if you give a woman a chance she can achieve anything even in a profession that is largely made

  • MEP stance on website is correct

    As a Post Graduate who has conducted extensive research into the British National Party (BNP) and sites like Redwatch, I have to agree with Chris Davies (MEP Shrugs off Threat), that "closing Redwatch down would be a mistake". Redwatch is undoubtedly

  • Union calls for common sense over school trips

    A TEACHING union is calling on a "common sense" approach so children do not miss out on educational school trips. The call comes just days after a retiring East Lancashire headteacher spoke of his regret over health and safety guidelines threatening the

  • Hajjis are warned

    People returning from the Hajj pilgrimage are being reminded to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. The Meningitis Research Foundation revealed that during the last few years there have been cases of these illnesses after the Hajj.

  • Just THINK about it

    Girl band Mis-teeq are warning local teenagers of the dangers on the road through a Lancashire County Council backed campaign. In support of the government's national THINK! campaign, the Council's Road Safety Group are reminding teenagers to be alert

  • City is reaching 'saturation point'.

    Bradford's curry capital crown is under threat because the city is saturated with poor quality restaurants, a business adviser has warned. Arshad Javed, organiser of the Asian Trades Link which advises Asian businesses, is urging restaurateurs to branch

  • National Health service rapped

    An official inquiry has found that institutional racism is a problem throughout the NHS, it was claimed. The inquiry's report, due to be presented to Parliament, will brand the treatment of members of the ethnic minorities by NHS mental health services

  • Taxi drivers hit back after abuse

    Taxi drivers in Skipton are being subjected to a torrent of racial abuse and discrimination. The liaison group of taxi drivers, police and Craven District Council, which issues licences, heard that racist passengers are refusing to be taken in a taxi