IT'S OFFICIAL: I am more scared now than I was this time last year. Fear, it seems, is stalking me at every turn and if it goes on like this I might as well not go out at all in 2005. Surveys tell me everything I need to know, and everything just doesn't
WE'VE all had to dig deep and stretch the plastic on Christmas spending - now comes New Year and those resolutions we aim to keep. Most of us will confine our good intentions to the usual personal and family goals: better health, career progression, boosting
LATESTdetails S Stars 5 4 452 2 549 Brholme 2 1 353 3 482 B Cow 5 3 429 3 526 Turf 2 2 407 2 574 N Inn 6 2 400 3 554 Garsdale 1 3 425 2 546 Sundial 1 2 421 3 591 G & Dragon 6 3 447 2 557 Help Me Thro 5 4 438 3 577 Hamers 2 1 372 2 576 Salisbury 7
ALL the results DIVISION ONE Radcliffe CC 1, Ramsbottom Town A 9; Little Lever 9, Carlton Club A 1; Ramsbottom Town B 6, Hilton Bury 4; Burning Desire A 9, Seedfield Meths A 1. P W D L F A Pt Ramsbottom Town A 14 12 2 0 115 25 115 Little Lever 14 8 4
WE go into New Year with Ramsbottom A leading the Bury Table Tennis League First Division with a massive 21 point lead after a 9-1 victory over Radcliffe CC. Little Lever only lost the doubles against Carlton Club A and are in second place. Another 9-
COULD I please thank everyone who donated toys to our Year 2004 Christmas Toy Appeal which was a great success. Thank you also to Blackburn Partnership and Women's Aid for distributing the toys. Many thanks once again and best wishes to all our customers
I AM researching my family tree and would like to publish an appeal for information from anyone in the area. The family ancestors were all Blackburn - born and bred. Michael Knowles was baptised at St Mary's, Blackburn in 1805. He married Mary Pomfret
FRANK Rothwell JP, has been awarded an OBE for services to the community of Leigh in the Queen's New Year's Honours list. Mr Rothwell was former magistrate and chairman of the licensing committee, and boss of steel fabrication and enginering firm A Hodgson
NORTH west MEP Chris Davies is urging the people of Bury to learn another language. The Liberal Democrat said he was concerned that many schools are no longer pushing students to take a foreign language after 14. Only 27 per cent of British residents
STUDENTS from across the globe were the special guests of honour for the Rotary Club of Tottington and Bury West's International Evening held at Walshaw Sports Club. Organised by the international committee, the postgraduate students from as far away
Canoeists rescued a colleague who fell into a weir. The group were canoeing on the Irwell beside Railway Street in Ramsbottom at noon when the man was thrown from his craft. The group led him to the bank until paramedics arrived. He was taken to Fairfield
FEATHERED friends will gather for the 162nd Ye Olden Annual Gamecock Show on New Year's Day. Organised by the Holcombe Old English Game Fowl Club, the event will take place at the Old Dunn Horse Hotel in Bolton Street, Ramsbottom. Breeders from all over
A PATIENT who went missing from Fairfield Hospital in Bury was found drowned on Boxing Day. The body of Adrian Roberts was discovered in the River Roch at the rear of the hospital. It is believed he had been in the water for two hours before being found
THE Greater Manchester Low Pay Unit will be offering free advice on pay and employment issues next Friday at its stall in the Mill Gate centre, Bury, between 10am and 3pm. Factsheets and leaflets will be also available covering a variety of topics including
A NEW children's centre is set to dominate the first Whitefield and Unsworth Area Board meeting of the new year. The centre will be based at Ribble Drive Primary School and the meeting, which will take place at Castlebrook High School, Unsworth, next
RESIDENTS from Chesham Fold and Pimhole have been invited to sharpen up their pool skills for a special tournament in Bury next Wednesday. The competition, organised by the Asian Development Association of Bury (ADAB), Chesham Fold Tenants Residents'
A CAREER in modelling could be in the pipeline for Delsey Williams after being snapped up for a place in a brewery charity calendar. Delsey, from Bury, was one of hundreds of JW Lees customers to be entered into the competition and made it through to
A FORMER Bury Grammar School pupil is delving into the dark secrets behind some of the most notorious murders in the region with his new book, Lancashire Murders. Retired bank manager Alan Hayhurst's passion for crime began when he was just 12-years-old
RESIDENTS in Holcombe Brook can watch a young oak tree flourish thanks to the Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor Area Board. The board presented the tree, which has been planted on the grassed area in Oak Avenue through the area board's own budget
THIS Christmas had the golden touch for Eddie and Ann Preston when they celebrated 50 years of marriage on Wednesday. Eddie (74) and Ann (68), of Richard Birch Street, Bury, met in a Blackpool snack bar and were married at Bury Register Office in 1954
THE deputy manager of a Tottington nursery has decided to swap climates for the sunny sands of Crete and make the most of her retirement. Jackie Ledbury, of Harwood Road, has worked at Tottington Private Nursery School, in Kirklees Street, since it opened
BEATRICE Maxwell is bringing in the New Year in style by celebrating her 100th birthday. Beatrice, a resident at Bridge House in Topping Fold Road, Bury, was joined by friends and family on Wednesday to raise a glass of champagne and toast her 100 years
BURNLEY'S council leader today called on the people of the town to make the future a prosperous one. More than £300million is being pumped into Burnley in the next 10 years and Coun Stuart Caddy said support from the people of the town was essential to
ATHERTON Collieries have a full strength squad to choose from for their clash with St. Helens on Monday. Colls haven't been playing well in recent weeks and are hoping to end their barren run with a win with a squad that is fresh and raring to go. Kick-off
AGECROFT Play Park is set to get a facelift thanks to a £40,000 government grant. The money, awarded to Agecroft Community Together (ACT), is part of the government's latest multi-million pound Living Spaces project aiming to create cleaner, safer and
PAUL Dickov today explained his reasons for rejecting a move to Birmingham City as he looks ahead to a prosperous New Year with Blackburn Rovers. The former Leicester City striker, who will spearhead the Blackburn attack when they face Aston Villa in
ADULT learners will be on the move in Prestwich and Bury with new locations for their classes. Bury's Arts and Crafts Centre courses, apart from jewellery, pottery and photography, will move into the refurbished ex-Halifax Building Society call centre
ROBBERS stole a quantity of cash after confronting a man in his business premises in Prestwich. The duo struck at the Sedgley Park Trading Estate in George Street, when they demanded money from the 34-year-old victim and produced a screwdriver. The robbers
MOTORISTS have discovered there is no such thing as free speech. In one single week at the beginning of the month, a total of 478 drivers across Greater Manchester were issued with £30 fixed penalty notices after being caught using their mobile phones
AGECROFT Play Park is set to get a facelift thanks to a £40,000 government grant. The money, awarded to Agecroft Community Together (ACT), is part of the government's latest multi-million pound Living Spaces project aiming to create cleaner, safer and
PRESTWICH Business Forum will get off to a rip-roaring start in the New Year with a meeting on Tuesday. Delegates at the event, to be held at the Village Hotel, will hear from speaker Ian Palmer. He will give anecdotes about how various businesses have
BURY Ramblers: Sunday, January 2: Catherine Edge (9 miles moderate). Meet Bury Interchange car park 9am. Leader Brenda Wheatley (0161-761 3403). BURY HF: Sunday walk, January 2: Impromptu. Meet Belle Vue Terrace car park 10am. Bring lunch and flask. Tuesday
BURY'S Seedfield Methodist Church proved an appropriate setting when nursery children staged their nativity play. Around 70 youngsters attached to the Kids Academy Childcare were involved in the event and the church was chosen to allow as many parents
ENGLAND football star Rio Ferdinand has tipped a Brierfield teenager to be the nation's next singing sensation after she made it through to the finals of a music contest. Hayley Bradshaw, 12, of Halifax Road, beat more than 500 hopefuls to the finals
THE arrest of BNP leader Nick Griffin leaves me wondering: what has happened to democratic free speech? Abu Hamza spouted racial hatred on the streets of London for years but nothing is done. Robert Kilroy-Silk was right. The BBC allowed itself to be
I WRITE regarding the upgrading of Heywood Street, Bury. We were told the work was being done so that the road would look better as people passed on their way into town. So why did the rooves of the houses need to be done, and round the backs renovated
I WOULD say to P. Charles (Letters, December 10) that if this is a truly democratic society, why are Christian beliefs and customs being suppressed? As an armed services veteran of 25 years, I have never met a soldier who joined and fought to "beat fascism
WHAT a sick world we live in. Little did I think that I would be writing to you in this vein. For years I have been quite willing to put down the bad behaviour of youngsters to their over-exuberance. But those days have gone, having been bombarded in
PEOPLE who regularly park in Crompton Street, Bury, near the old main post office building, may not yet have noticed, but if they look closely they will see that a white broken line has appeared where they normally park their cars. But they should not
YOUR "Brassed-off Resident" (Letters, November 23) writes to bemoan the new Home Zone at Victoria estate in Whitefield. However, at a time when many of your correspondents are expressing concern about speeding on local roads, readers should note that
ERIC PRYDZ: Call On Me SEX sells and this single is a good example. Hogging the top spot for five weeks, this unlikely hit with the raunchy exercise video started as an mp3 in the hands of only a few select DJs, before rocker Steve Winwood gave clearance
THREE East Lancashire residents are rubbing shoulders with the stars in this year's New Year's Honours List for their tireless work improving life in the community. Accrington teacher Anjum Anwar, who has toured schools throughout Lancashire as part of
H. FOSTER suggests that the traffic summit I have called for in the New Year has come too late (Letters, December 24). Apparently, I should have been able to forecast the gridlock years ago. As I am not a member of either the council's planning or highways
STEVE Cotterill was today hoping to secure the services of Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill for the rest of the season. Cahill, 18, has been in stunning form during his two-month loan spell at Turf Moor, which is set to end following next Monday's league
MOTORISTS have discovered there is no such thing as free speech. In one single week at the beginning of the month, a total of 478 drivers across Greater Manchester were issued with £30 fixed penalty notices after being caught using their mobile phones
PRESTWICH-based Appleby Bowers has designs on success after masterminding a new corporate identity for an up-and-coming business which is already working with some major brands and high street names. Redwol has been operating for more than 18 months and
DECIDING to sing anything, let alone something as demanding as J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio, in the season of goodwill and upper respiratory tract infections, is something of a gamble. The odds seemed stacked against Bury Choral Societys performance
FIVE local firefighters have helped to bring the former Yugoslavia's own fire service into the 21st century. Kevin Barrow and Stephen Jordan, both from Prestwich, Bury-based fireman Mark Cox, Gary Eden, a firefighter at Broughton and Rochdale man John
BURY Ramblers: Sunday, January 2: Catherine Edge (9 miles moderate). Meet Bury Interchange car park 9am. Leader Brenda Wheatley (0161-761 3403). BURY HF: Sunday walk, January 2: Impromptu. Meet Belle Vue Terrace car park 10am. Bring lunch and flask. Tuesday
A WHITE Christmas looks good but It is not condusive to safe road cycling so Boxing Day's club run cancelled itself as no-one turned out. However, as the sun warmed things up a short afternoon ride was enjoyed by a few members. North of Bury it was noted
LATEST details FIXTURES FOR JANUARY 5 A SECTION Elton Lib B v Open Date; Elton Fold v Heywood Reform; Salisbury A v Huntley A; Tottington D v Elton Lib C; Walshaw A v Bury Snooker D; Fishpool v Walmersley D. B SECTION Elton Lib D v Tottington C; Huntley
AFTER seeing the reports of the tragedy unfolding in South East Asia on Boxing Day, to describe events at Gigg Lane on the same day as "a disaster" seems very inappropriate. Nevertheless, the way in which things went wrong on that day could have serious
SUNDAY APRIL 24 Heywood v Crompton, Middleton v Royton, Monton & Weaste v Werneth, Norden v Unsworth, Oldham v Ashton, Radcliffe v Rochdale, Walsden v Milnrow, Littleborough no game. SATURDAY APRIL 30 Ashton v Heywood, Littleborough v Crompton, Milnrow
TWO Balearic legends are set to take Burnley by storm tonight as clubbers in the town are handed a great choice of events for New Year's Eve. Club XS in Hammerton Street, Burnley, has secured the services of Ibiza legends Agnelli & Nelson tonight
CAROLINE INNES talks to emerging Padiham-based band, Pretend Girlfriend about their successes in 2004 and ambitions for the New Year. . . ONE of Pretend Girlfriend's latest tracks is entitled Live in hope -- and that is exactly what the four-piece group
OBJECTORS to a proposed waste transfer station in Darwen have officially lodged their protest to the plans. Sudell ward councillor Paul Browne handed over a petition and letters to the council's planning committee on behalf of residents. More than 280
VILLAGERS in Rossendale are helping turn the site of a former cotton mill and reservoir into a nature reserve. Projects Environment, a small local trust made up of villagers from Turn, near Edenfield, is developing the site at Lodge Mill. It is hoped
WHO's playing - and when NEW YEAR'S EVE Swing Commanders / The Waterside, Summerseat Towler New Year's Eve Party - Sounds and Sights / Hark To Towler, Tottington Fuse New Year's Eve Party with Vext, Mr Psik / Manchester Roadhouse The Friday Jukebox NYE
THE man who ran Blackburn's YMCA today described its current base as a noose around the charity's neck. Former chief executive Gordon Williams spoke after it was revealed the "vast" Clarence Street building had been sold to a housing developer for flats
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman says the club may consider appealing against Jonathan Smith's proposed four-match ban. The Reds boss was waiting to look at video evidence of the incident which led to a Smith's dismissal in the 88th minute at Gravesend
DECIDING to sing anything, let alone something as demanding as J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio, in the season of goodwill and upper respiratory tract infections, is something of a gamble. The odds seemed stacked against Bury Choral Society's performance
A CHARITY challenge football match between Prestwich Heys and Bury Amateurs is to be staged on Sunday (January 2) - weather permitting. A white Christmas put paid to the game being held on the Sandgate Road ground last Tuesday. But it will now kick off
I WRITE in reply to the letter headed "Let's hear less BNP ranting" (December 17) contributed by David Chaytor MP. First, let me say - lest I be accused of being one of the "ranters" - that in my younger days I was a member of the Young Communist League
ON behalf of SAFER (Safer and Further Empowerment for Ramsbottom), we would like to thank chief superintendent Garry Shewan, inspector Steve Clark, local councillors and residents who attended a meeting on Dec 14. The meeting was arranged to address concerns
BURNLEY Playstation and Games Night, Brunshaw Action Group's Community Drop-in Centre, Burnley, 6pm-8.30pm. Dance Group (seven-15 year-olds), Brunshaw Youth Centre, Burnley, 1.30pm-3pm. Free Internet Sessions, ICT Learning Centre, Turf Moor, Burnley,
HEATON Park Primary School opted for the traditional Nativity with a modern twist for their seasonal productions. Junior pupils performed No Room For A Baby while the infants had their audience laughing with Are We Nearly There Yet. Both productions at
MARINE 1, RADCLIFFE BORO 3: Boro kicked-off the festive season with an excellent performance at Rossett Park. With an injury hit squad Kevin Glendon was only able to name two subs, with Dean Crowther and Phil Denney finding themselves on the bench. Boro
LATEST details RADCLIFFE LEAGUE RESULTS PREMIER DIVISION Rileys Snkr Club 6, Masons Arms A 1; R & Crown Rams 3, Hamers Arms 4; Swan Hotel Rad 6,Victoria Hotel A 1. FIRST DIVISION LLWMC 4, O W Horse 3; Last Orders A 6, Summerseat Lib 1; G & Dragon
THREE of Sedgley Park's up-and-coming junior stars will be playing international rugby in the New Year. Jonny Appleton (Holy Cross College), Jordan Page (Kirkham GS) nd Jack Forster (Bolton GS) were among 25 players from the North to be selected in the
CLOUD Cuckoo Land? Picture the scene in thousands of houses up and down the country. It's a Saturday evening in December and two weeks to Christmas Day. Three generations sit down for an evening's television. "What shall we watch' asks Mum. "Strictly
SEDGLEY PARK 22, ORRELL 3 RFU National League One: Local bragging rights, and more importantly five points, were Sedgley's reward for a determined performance against Lancashire rivals Orrell at a cold and snowy Park Lane on Monday. First half tries from
IF you dream of a more attractive, vibrant, interesting Blackburn, which is also a credit to its people, architectural heritage, history, the countryside and region in which it is set and a joy for visitors, then you'll welcome the grand new vision for
POST-Christmas diets can be livened up with a trip to Ramsbottom's first farmers' market of the new year. The market comes to town on January 9 and will bring with it healthy alternatives including Uncle Peter's Fudge Company's range of "additive-free
LIBRARY services in Ramsbottom will be temporarily suspended for a week at the end of January. The library itself is to undergo major renovation work, with services being moved into Ramsbottom Heritage Centre, directly opposite the building on Carr Street
STAFF at Bury Hospice are looking forward to a happy new year after receiving a generous donation from a Manchester-based national healthcare provider. Healthsure, which covers half a million people across the UK, donated £3,000 to the hospice in Dumers
The ANDY LOCHHEAD column IT is no surprise that Steve Cotterill has moved heaven and earth to try and keep Gary Cahill at Burnley for the rest of this season. The young man has been sensational in his two months at Turf Moor, where amazingly he made his
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a motorway crash in Bury on Christmas Day claimed two lives. The crash occurred shortly after 7.10am when a red Mazda Xedos collided with a lamp post on the exit slip road at junction 3 of the M66 northbound at
SIX-year-old Brett Woodcock proved himself the ace in the pack with his Christmas card design. He beat hundreds of youngsters from across Greater Manchester to scoop the top prize in an annual competition. Brett was one of around 40 pupils from St Mary's
THE new year brings the next round of area board meetings, kicking off with Bury East on January 6. The meeting, to be held at Fairfield Community Primary School in Rochdale Old Road, will begin at 7pm with a 45-minute open forum. Bury West Area Board
AN animal lover has donated £10,000 to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in the name of her late husband. A bequest of £10,000 was honoured by Mrs Joan Lawton, who lives in Bury, in memory of her husband Brian, who died this year. The money will go towards funding
A MOTHER battling against leukaemia has been given the chance of a new life -- after a worldwide search for a bone marrow donor. Wendy Boyer, 45, of Clitheroe, spent Christmas in an isolation ward at The Christie Hospital, Manchester, after the disease
AFTER celebrating a white Christmas, householders are now being encouraged to make it green - by recycling their real trees. The public can take their trees, as well as other festive waste, to their local household waste recycling centre, some local parks
PLANS to alter the layout of Ramsbottom's popular markets will be heard at the area board's first meeting of the new year. Elaine Powell, Bury Council's town centres co-ordinator, will give a presentation on the town's Sunday markets and plans to relocate
MIDWIVES at Farifield Hospital found themselves delivering a few more extra-special Christmas gifts than expected! The closure of Rochdale Infirmary and the Royal Oldham Hospital to new admissions over the holiday period meant that mums-to-be were sent
LEIGH RMI hope a new year will bring a new lease of life for the ailing club and help ease manager Geoff Lutley's worries. What better way to kick-start a disastrous season, which has brought them just one win, than with three points at fellow-strugglers
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes has been dealt a blow ahead of tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa after learning that Jay Bothroyd could be ruled out of action for a month. The on-loan Perugia striker limped off with a thigh injury in the 24th minute
ADULT learners will be on the move in Prestwich and Bury with new locations for their classes. Bury's Arts and Crafts Centre courses, apart from jewellery, pottery and photography, will move into the refurbished ex-Halifax Building Society call centre
A NEW Children's Centre is set to dominate the first Whitefield and Unsworth Area Board meeting of the New Year. The centre will be based at Ribble Drive Primary School and the meeting, which will take place at Castlebrook High School, Unsworth, next
A NEW Children's Centre is set to dominate the first Whitefield and Unsworth Area Board meeting of the New Year. The centre will be based at Ribble Drive Primary School and the meeting, which will take place at Castlebrook High School, Unsworth, next
PRESTWICH area board will kick off the New Year with a presentation on the topical Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). Following requests from members of the public, the area board has asked Vinny Jones from Greater Manchester Police to give a talk
HEATON Park Primary School opted for the traditional Nativity with a modern twist for their seasonal productions. Junior pupils performed No Room For A Baby while the infants had their audience laughing with Are We Nearly There Yet. Both productions at
BURY'S Seedfield Methodist Church proved an appropriate setting when nursery children staged their nativity play. Around 70 youngsters attached to the Kids Academy Childcare were involved in the event and the church was chosen to allow as many parents
ROBBERS stole a quantity of cash after confronting a man in his business premises in Prestwich. The duo struck at the Sedgley Park Trading Estate in George Street, when they demanded money from the 34-year-old victim and produced a screwdriver. The robbers
A BURNLEY school will learn in the new year if its bid for performing arts status has been successful. Towneley High School will be told of the outcome of its bid in January. And according to headteacher Sally Cryer, a change in status will give more
BURNLEY'S council leader today called on the people of the town to make the future a prosperous one. More than £300million is being pumped into Burnley in the next 10 years and Coun Stuart Caddy said support from the people of the town was essential to
SHAKERS aim to get the New Year off to a flyer when they kick-off the two-match holiday programme with a trip to Lincoln City on New Year's Day. And, after a frustrating Christmas double, three points would go down a treat. Boxing Day's postponed home
SHAKERS' beleagured board of directors have brought in the club's former commercial boss Neville Neville to solve the crippling cashflow problems at Gigg Lane. Neville, father of Manchester United and England starts Phil and Gary, will run a fine toothcomb
IN response to the comments of Mr Burke and Mr Wright (Letters, Dec 14) on smoking, it looks as though I have started a heated debate. I wrote a few weeks ago about not banning smoking in public completely, but instead having separate areas for smokers
I CAN'T think why taxi drivers in Bury should publicly protest about a traffic warden who issued a ticket to a driver who had parked with half his taxi on double yellow lines (Bury Times, December 14). No-one can just park where they want to. The traffic
I WRITE in response to WRVS volunteer KP (A disgrace not to have told us, Letters, December 17) and KP's claims that he/she knew nothing about the new, improved community meals contract until they read it in the Bury Times. Of course KP will know that
ACTOR Ken Morley has certainly been working up a sweat as the baddie in Blackpool Grand's seasonal panto Jack and the Beanstalk. But the man best known as Coronation Street's Reg Holdsworth will be working even harder for his next role -- losing weight
Jane McDonald captivated television audiences when she topped the bill on a documentary about The Galaxy cruise ship in the early months of 1998. CAROLINE INNES spoke to the singer about her career, a forthcoming tour and life at 40. . . IT is rare indeed
HALF of Hyndburn's threatened neighbourhood wardens had their festive period ruined after being told they would be out of a job by spring. There are 12 warden positions in the borough, but only 11 are filled, and now five have been told they will be made
READERS may be aware that December 3 was national Carers Rights Day with more than 400 events taking place throughout the country. Our aim was to raise awareness of the benefits and support available to those who provide unpaid care. What readers may
Russell Gard, First's commercial director for Manchester, talks about an "In-depth picture of the journey experience" - a term which is a joke to the travelling public. My "in-depth journey experience" on Christmas Eve consisted of travelling the 524
THE conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Bury South, Alex Williams, may be new to our area but surely he should take advice from "locals" before choosing issues he's going to campaign on. He asks in his letter (December 24) "When is Bury
A CHILD is stabbed to death in Britain every two weeks. Bereaved families are calling for a minimum prison sentence of five years for carrying a knife - not killing with one, just carrying one - the same sentence as for carrying a gun. Doubtless millions
The society is extremely grateful for the overwhelming public support during the campaign against the proposed closure of the children's ward, special care baby unit and maternity services. We also wish to remind the people of the borough that the proposal
A CHARITY headquarters in Prestwich is at the forefront of fundraising to help survivors of the tsunami tragedy. The UNICEF north west regional office, which is based in Arthur Street, is urging people to raise or donate vital funds to help the millions
A STUDENT who achieved all his ambitions in his short life has lost his battle against cancer. Nineteen-year-old Robert Broude passed away peacefully on December 18 at Christie Hospital's young oncology unit. He has been described as an "inspiration"
A MOTHER battling against leukaemia has been given the chance of a new life -- after a worldwide search for a bone marrow donor. Wendy Boyer, 45, of Clitheroe, spent Christmas in an isolation ward at The Christie Hospital, Manchester, after the disease
CRAIG Levein looks set to turn to Martin Keown in a bid to tighten up Leicester's leaky back line. The Foxes pitch up at Turf Moor having kept just one clean sheet in six games and looking for their first win in five. Defensive stalwart Keown, now in
NEW Year means a new life for Frank Sinclair and family. After six hectic months commuting between Turf Moor, his temporary base in Manchester and the family home in London, Sinclair is about to put down new roots in the North. And after celebrating Christmas
A WOMAN who has dedicated a quarter of a century to helping local pensioners was rewarded with a surprise presentation. Mrs Kay Bogan, now aged in her 80s, is the president of Our Lady of Grace Over 60s Club in Prestwich. She has worked tirelessly organising
CHORISTERS sang for the first time in the new buildings that will form the new Manchester Mesivta High School in Prestwich. Formerly Manchester Jewish Grammar School, a new state-of-the-art school for boys is being built on the original site in Charlton
EVERY year produces something a little special, and 2004 has come up with a few surprises. Its the year that the "alternative" scene launched a full-scale assault on the mainstream charts. Scrawny types and scraggy haircuts and guitars did their best
The SIMON GARNER column I'VE got a lot of respect for the jobs Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez are doing at Chelsea and Liverpool this season. The two foreign bosses have adjusted well to life in English football, which is never easy when you've come here
UNICEF is rushing relief to the countries hardest hit by massive ocean flooding following Sunday's earthquake which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Hundreds of thousands of people fought to survive the tsunamis. Now we need to help
Phil Thorp with the Big Match Verdict NORTHAMPTON 2, SHAKERS 0: IF the Shakers want an idea for a New Year's resolution they could do worse than attempt to keep eleven men on the field in 2005. Because their unerring ability to give the opposition a numerical
THE survivors of a World War 2 stray bomb blast in Tottington in the early hours of Christmas morning 1944 gathered for a special memorial service to remember those who lost their lives. Seven people were killed when a stray V1 rocket - a doodlebug -
A BID by a Bury company to invest an estimated £6.3 million in new machinery by selling off land for housing has been dashed. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has dismissed an appeal by Tetrosyl against Bury Council's decision to disallow a redevelopment
LATEST details FIXTURES JANUARY 5 VENUE: British Legion. Official: M Coates T Brooks v L Ward; G Wing v D Flitcroft; V Steinbach v B Bull; J Buckley v V Bougen; T Cox v L Johnson. All players present by 8.30. Matches commence 8.45pm. All matches best
FIXTURES for the week Monday January 3 No matches due to it being a Bank Holiday Tuesday January 4 AT Castlebrook: 7.00: Salford Van Hire v All Saint; 7.45: I.C.I. v Wanderers; 8.30: Met-Eng v Raiders; 9.15: Computatune v YWCA Bury 4th. AT Elton: 7.00
Marine 1 Radcliffe Borough 3 Unibond League Premier Division BORO kicked-off the festive season with an excellent performance at Rossett Park. With an injury hit squad, Kevin Glendon was only able to name two substitutes - Dean Crowther and Phil Denney
RESULTS PREMIER DIVISION Rileys Snkr Club 6, Masons Arms A 1; R & Crown Rams 3, Hamers Arms 4; Swan Hotel Rad 6,Victoria Hotel A 1. FIRST DIVISION LLWMC 4, O W Horse 3; Last Orders A 6, Summerseat Lib 1; G & Dragon 3, Derby Hotel A 4; Bridge Tav
THIS has been another successful year for Radcliffe Swimming Club. In 2003 it was promoted to the first division of both the Manchester and District Leagues; finished third in the Central Lancs Junior League; and won a place in the top final of the Central
THE weather was certainly seasonal at Wythenshawe Park, with the race only being given the go ahead as late as one hour before the scheduled start. There were plenty of well wrapped-up athletes in the car park by that time, but the snow covered track
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes has been dealt a blow ahead of tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa after learning that Jay Bothroyd could be ruled out of action for a month. The on-loan Perugia striker limped off with a thigh injury in the 24th minute
STEVE Cotterill was today hoping to secure the services of Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill for the rest of the season. Cahill, 18, has been in stunning form during his two-month loan spell at Turf Moor, which is set to end following next Monday's league
PRESSURE is something Ramsbottom United have taken in their stride this season, with the result that they are now fourth in the North West Counties First Division table. To get that high they have had to beat the best teams in the division, which they
DARWEN people are being urged to hold on to their unwanted Christmas gifts and old furniture to make 2005 a little brighter for those in need. Coun Roy Davies has asked people to think of others as they make their New Year resolutions, by donating furniture
ADULT learners will be on the move in Prestwich and Bury with new locations for their classes. Bury's Arts and Crafts Centre courses, apart from jewellery, pottery and photography, will move into the refurbished ex-Halifax Building Society call centre
CHORISTERS sang for the first time in the new buildings that will form the new Manchester Mesivta High School in Prestwich. Formerly Manchester Jewish Grammar School, a new state-of-the-art school for boys is being built on the original site in Charlton
A CHARITY challenge football match between Prestwich Heys and Bury Amateurs is to be staged on Sunday (January 2) - weather permitting. A white Christmas put paid to the game being held on the Sandgate Road ground last Tuesday. But it will now kick off
RADCLIFFE Boro take on high-flying Hyde United on Saturday at Stainton Park, kick-off 3pm. The Tigers are currently third in the Unibond Premier table, with 44 points from 22 games. Their attack is spearheaded by the league's leading goalscorer, former
THE man influential in saving East Lancashire's only express train service from the axe has been awarded a CBE. Richard Bowker, former chairman and chief executive of the Strategic Rail Authority, received the gong for services to the rail industry. Earlier
REVELLERS are being warned that loutish behaviour tonight will result in on-the-spot fines of up to £60. Pubs and clubs in East Lancashire are preparing for one of the busiest nights. And police are determined to ensure the area stays trouble free. Many
CLARETS and Rovers fans are being urged to kick the habit as part of a new year bid to stub out smoking. For matchday programmes at both East Lancashire football clubs are due to carry graphic adverts, showing children grieving at their parents' graves
SCORES of people across East Lancashire have answered an international SOS call in the wake of the tsunami disaster which killed at least 123,000. And people from the area are frantically posting messages on internet message boards to try and discover
THE Boxing Day tsunami which claimed over 123,000 lives has prompted holiday companies to cancel flights to the region's devastated tourism spots. But could this latest disaster, hot on the heels of global terrorist attacks, signal a change in the way
FOLLOWING in the footsteps of one of the most famous organists, Peter Stevens is set to wow the music world - at just 17-years-old. Peter, of Beechfield Drive, Bury, will be performing at Bury Parish Church next Friday not long after American organist
AFTER disposing of Orrell on Monday at Park Lane, Sedgley Park player-coach Tim Fourie is now concentrating fully on the New Year and next Monday's game away to Plymouth Albion. "We travel down Sunday morning so that we can get some rest and preparation
CONSTRUCTION of Leigh's flagship Sports Village will start in April with all the work scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007. A replacement Sixth Form College will be the first part of the multi-million pound scheme to get underway with the sports
PRIOR to the alterations taking place in Market Street, Bury, disabled drivers were allowed to park in front of the Derby Hall. There was room for half a dozen cars, which could park for three hours. Following the refurbishment, these spaces were taken
A COUPLE who sold their home in Bury to go travelling the world have been caught up in the catastrophic Asian earthquake. The families of James Richards and Samantha Wilson faced a sleepless 72-hours before they heard the couple were safe, although they
