Archive

  • Find the cash for wardens

    COMMUNITY wardens across the North West have proved their worth since they were introduced five years ago. Their presence on the streets of towns and housing estates has helped to deter yobs, cut down anti-social behaviour and reassure local residents

  • Radcliffe Pool League

    RESULTS round-up PREMIER DIVISION Victoria Ht A 5, Welcome Inn A 2; Rainsough Brew 2, R & Crown Rams 5; Hamers Arms 4, Masons Arms A 3; S of Life A 4, Shirt Club 3; Rileys Snk Club 5, Roach Ht A 2. FIRST DIVISION Queen Anne 6, Summerseat Lib 1; Brown

  • Ex-Shaker 'Shaughny' joins Boro

    RADCLIFFE Boro boss Kevin Glendon has boosted his squad this week with two more signings ahead of Saturday's clash with league leaders, Workington. "We've brought in ex-Bury player Paul O'Shaughnessy," he announced. "We first approached him last summer

  • Eagle & Child BC

    THE Eagle in Whitefield is looking for new players for the forthcoming season. The club has two teams in the Bury & District League ( Monday nights) and three teams in the Prestwich & District League ( Wednesday/Friday nights ) New bowlers will

  • Rambles for the week beginning March 19

    BURY HF: Saturday walk (6 to 8 miles). Meet Tenters Street car park (law courts) at 1pm or 1.30pm Turton Tower. Sunday walk: Meet on Belle Vue Terrace car park at 10am for Rivington. Bring lunch and flask. Tuesday walks: Meet B & Q car park, Crostons

  • Knife thug car theft drama

    A THUG carrying a knife forced a driver to hand over the keys to his car. The 38-year-old, from Radcliffe, had just parked his black Honda Civic Type R in North Street, Radcliffe, and was getting out when the thief wearing a ski mask and brandishing a

  • Teams wanted for 6-a-side

    BURY and District Six-a-side Sunday League is looking for two more teams for its Spring competition, played at Goshen Sports Centre on Sunday nights. To claim a placecall Steve or Andy on 0161-764 6768, 0161-762 9746 or 07939 213575.

  • Residents 'kept in the dark'

    RESIDENTS against plans for a waste treatment centre on the Huncoat power station site claim they are being kept in the dark about the proposals. At a meeting of Huncoat Area Council, they said Lancashire County Council had told them it would put in a

  • Daniel Thwaites Crown Green Trophy

    TOTAL prize money £1,240 TO be held at Walmersley Conservative Club, Mather Road, Bury. Open to men and women (128 max) entry fee £5 (cheques to be made payable to Walmersley Conservative Club). Eight qualifying sessions each 16 down to two. DATES: Saturday

  • Ginger's 'Cracking' egg run

    THREE thousand scooter enthusiasts from across the country gathered in Lowton to take toys and chocolate eggs to sick children on the annual Ginger's Easter Egg run. Riders travelled from as far afield as Scotland, Ireland, Dorset and Sunderland for one

  • Stone-throwing youths upset sick parents

    A LEIGH woman claims her sick parents lives are being made a misery by schoolchildren hurling stones over their back garden wall . Norma Riding has complained to police, Leigh MP Andy Burnham and the headmaster of Leigh CE Junior School in Henrietta Street

  • Decisions from Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court

    Craig Alan Mountford, aged 25, Maple Crescent, Leigh. Theft. Conditional discharge for 12 months, costs £20. Wynson Lai, aged 25, Seathwaite Close, Astley. Failure to produce licence, no insurance, no test certificate. Disqualified for six months, fined

  • Toddler death probe pledge

    PRIME Minister Tony Blair has pledged to review childminding regulations in the wake of the death of a Clitheroe toddler. He made the pledge amid demands that more information be given to parents to prevent children dying while being cared for by childminders

  • Camara backs pal Ade

    MO Camara is backing old pal Ade Akinbiyi to come back with a bang and give Burnley a much-needed goals boost. The striker, a former team-mate of Camara's when they were at Wolves, is set to be unleashed on Sheffield United on Saturday after serving his

  • No laughing matter

    A PRIMARY school has been criticised by angry parents after they decided not to join in with Red Nose Day celebrations. Parents have claimed that their children were left in tears when Lowton West Primary School decided not to allow pupils to take part

  • Spanish exhibition

    THE "Spirit of Barcelona" has arrived Leigh in the form of a new exhibition in the Turnpike Gallery. The show, which runs until April 9, shows aspects of Spanish history that are often overlooked. It offers a unique opportunity to see the work of two

  • Radcliffe Cricket Club

    WEEKLY draw numbers Week 17: No 37, Dave Halliwell. Bonus Ball: Dave Moore. Week 18: No 118, Sharon Hallows. Bonus Ball: No 29, Steve Whiteley.

  • Radcliffe Mixed Darts league

    THE league will be holding its AGM on Sunday, March 20 at the Shirst Club, beginning at 12.15pm. All teams intending to enter this season's competition should be represented.

  • JG Snooker and Dominoes

    LATEST details Snooker: Legion A 57; Lowton 56; Bowling A 56; Rileys 55; Labour B 54; Sky Bar 52; Legion B 50; HGSH A 49; Labour A 47; Liberals 45; HGSH B 44. Highest break: R.Barlow (Labour B) 74. Dominoes: Labour B 34; Bowling A 30; Legion A 29; HGSH

  • Lancastrians' sweet revenge

    LANCASTRIAN First Squash team gained a great result against one of the three teams to beat them in the first half of the season. This was terrific revenge against Ellesmere, who really did not manage to compete against the all-round strength of Lancastrian

  • White in good nick!

    ASTLEY and Tyldesley Roadrunner Nick White produced a personal best time in the recent Trafford 10k. Nick, who has been suffering from a calf injury since Christmas, clocked a time of 38.00 minutes to finish 44th. The club suffered a blow leading up to

  • Registration night for young anglers

    LEIGH Ospreys angling club is holding a membership registration evening on Friday at Eastleigh Labour Club at 6.45pm. Renewal fees are £5 for a Leigh card and £2 for general membership. New members are welcome. Anglers over the age of 12 must also hold

  • William Hills Ladies Darts League

    FINAL tables DARTS P W L F A Pts S & Rway 17 17 0 103 50 34 Bridge Tav 17 13 4 94 59 26 Victoria 17 11 6 84 69 22 O Cross 17 7 10 81 72 14 S Of Life 17 7 10 75 78 14 H & Hounds 17 6 11 65 88 12 Shirt Club 17 6 11 64 89 12 Wellington 17 6 12 64

  • Rambles for the week beginning March 19

    BURY HF: Saturday walk (6 to 8 miles). Meet Tenters Street car park (law courts) at 1pm or 1.30pm Turton Tower. Sunday walk: Meet on Belle Vue Terrace car park at 10am for Rivington. Bring lunch and flask. Tuesday walks: Meet B & Q car park, Crostons

  • Polo aces double up

    RADCLIFFE Water Polo Club completed a very successful week, winning the U14 heats and U17 final of the Manchester & District Championships. The U17s were up against a strong Warrington side in the play-off final. They started the game cautiously with

  • Hughes salutes players

    BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes saluted his players after they edged a step closer to their safety target by earning a superb point at Anfield last night. Rovers opened up an eight-point gap on the bottom three thanks to a battling 0-0 draw against

  • Scout scoops

    Our 100 Club lottery was drawn for the first time last week and the winning numbers were as follows; 60 (£25); 14 (£15) and 24 (£10). Well done to the winners. If you have not yet subscribed to our 100 Club but would like to, then please ask your group

  • Association meeting

    MEMBERS of the Leigh Catholic Association, Bond Street, are invited to a meeting at Leigh Liberal Club, Church Street, on Wednesday, March 23, at 8.15pm

  • Coffee time for Inner Wheel

    ATHERTON Inner Wheel will host a coffee morning in aid of the Meningitis Trust at Atherton Parish Church on March 18, from 10am until 12noon. Admission is £1. For more details contact Margaret Hood on 01942 884 96

  • Reunion

    EX-PUPILS who left Argyle Street Secondary School, Hindley, in 1958 have organised a second re-union. They are to meet up again at the Banner, George Street, Hindley on Friday, April 15, at 7.30pm. Further information from Evonne Aspinall on 01942 208045

  • Apartment block plan

    PLANS to build a two storey apartment block on land at 126, Mosley Common Road, Tyldesley, have been submitted to Wigan Council planners. The Express Group, of Eccles, have applied for permission to demolish the existing buildings and build seven two

  • Works blaze

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to put out a blaze at a disused engineering works in Astley last Sunday. The fire was started deliberately at the two-acre William Hare Engineering site in Ley Road, at 6pm. Fire crews say gangs of youths have been running riot

  • Masked robbers target newsagents

    MASKED robbers, one armed with a crow bar, stole cash from a Lowton newsagents early last Friday (11) morning. At about 6.20am the three raiders entered the shop on Oakalnds Road where they threatened a male member of staff before smashing open an ATM

  • RAF reunion

    A WARTIME RAF station is seeking former personnel. The RAF St Eval Coastal Command Association Cornwall 1939-1959 is trying to contact RAF, WRAF, WAAF members of all ranks for membership, reunions and newsletters. The next planned reunion is next month

  • Walking for health

    WALKERS are being invited to take part in an organised short stroll in Leigh next Wednesday. The walk will take place from the Swing Bridge car park, Plank Lane, Leigh, at 10am. The one hour walk is part of Walks for Health, a series of short walks on

  • Leigh RL wing star dies, aged 81

    TRIBUTES have been paid to ex Leigh rugby league star Jack Wood who died last week aged 81. Jack Wood signed for Leigh in 1947 and the flying winger soon left his mark, scoring a club record of six tries in one game against York. During his six year career

  • Gunmen hold up guards

    SECURITY guards were robbed at gunpoint by raiders wielding a sawn off shotgun and a pistol. The two masked men confronted the security guards as they delivered cash to a convenience store on Church Lane, Lowton at 10.50am on Monday. They threatened them

  • Girl 'serious' after accident

    A 14-year-old girl is seriously ill in hospital after she was involved in a road traffic accident in Tyldesley. Police are appealing for witnesses after schoolgirl Carmen Mather was seriously injured when she was in collision with a silver Landrover Freelander

  • Councillors look at boundary plan

    A NEW committee of councillors is to be set up to try to head off plans to "move" Atherton into a new a Parliamentary constituency. An all-party group has been set up to develop alternative proposals following opposition to the Parliamentary Boundary

  • In the charts

    A STAR with a Leigh connection has hit the charts. Twenty-two-years-old Ross Millard, singer and guitarist with The Futureheads, is the son of former Leigh St Mary's High School, Astley, student Tony Millard, also known as Tommy. The group's latest CD

  • School reunion

    FORMER Leigh Girls' Grammar School girls will meet up at their annual reunion dinner on Friday, April 22, at the Formby Hall, Atherton. Tickets are available by ringing 01942 674954.

  • Toddler death nurse 'out of her depth'

    A JURY has been asked to consider whether a nurse should be solely responsible for the death of a Blackburn toddler. Mr Patrick Cosgrove QC, defending, at Liverpool Crown Court told the jury Rose Aru was "out of her depth" on the day of Jake McGeough's

  • Voters need more information

    "OPEN Government" is one of the basic sound-bites of the New Labour Government. Recent events, however, have shown that this does not apply to them. I would draw the electorate's attention to the lack of our knowledge regarding the activities and - dare

  • They can't catch me - I'm 'illegal'

    SPEED cameras do not worry me, I can speed past them any time and never get a ticket. Why? Because I am just one of a sizeable minority of motorists who are "illegal". Recent estimates put the figure between 10 and 20 per cent of motorists. I chose to

  • School star Ellen dies at 84

    A MUCH-loved former cook from a Radcliffe primary school has died, aged 84. Mrs Ellen Mills, who was the first cook at Cams Lane Primary School when it opened in 1976, died suddenly on Tuesday, March 8, in Red Bank House, in Lowe Street. The mother of

  • Junior ticket details

    ALL junior season ticket vouchers for the Wigan game must be exchanged at Hilton Park before travelling to the JJB.

  • Leigh RL wing star dies, aged 81

    TRIBUTES have been paid to ex Leigh rugby league star Jack Wood who died last week aged 81. Jack Wood signed for Leigh in 1947 and the flying winger soon left his mark, scoring a club record of six tries in one game against York. During his six year career

  • The Big Match Verdict by Mike Hulme

    CENTURIONS 6, BRADFORD BULLS 46: They might be competing in the same competition - but the Centurions and the Bulls are leagues apart. Leigh huffed and puffed, hinting at a shock result for the first 40 minutes, but were then blown off the park by some

  • Town in final

    TYLDESLEY Town Juniors FC have won their way through to the final of the Wigan and District Youth Knockout Cup with a 9-1 victory over Ashton Athletic U8s. The club is looking for new players at U8 and U11s levels. Contact Neil Hogg on 01942-873168.

  • Final whistle saves Boothstown

    BOOTHSTOWN U13s made hard work of their win over Lisbon and almost threw the game away in the final minute before the referee's whistle came to the rescue. Two goals from Ryan Knowles gave Boothstown a 1-0 and 2-1 lead but it should have been more but

  • RMI U10s in goal rush

    LEIGH RMI under 10's had an emphatic 9-1 home win against lowly Ladybridge Crusaders to keep them top of their division in the Bolton and Bury Junior Football League. Leigh were swiftly into their stride with a goal after three minutes from Ryan Holland

  • Rangers run riot

    LEIGH Miners Rangers U13s totally outplayed their divisional rivals to maintain their unbeaten run after scoring eight tries and seven goals without reply. Tries: Smith 2, Sarsfield 2, Myers 2, Williams 1, Ashton 1. Goals: Myers 6, Smith 1.

  • Under 11s on song

    LEIGH RU Under 11s put on a good attacking display to beat Macclesfield 35-7. The tries came from Marcus Williams (2), Sarah Thorpe (2) and James Wilkinson with Thomas Lloyd adding five goals. Top tackler was Richard Thorpe and man of the match Thomas

  • Junior soccer round-up

    ALL the results and tables BURY & RADCLIFFE JUNIOR LEAGUE IN the Albert Lyons Cup Under-12 Inter-league competition, the Bury & Radcliffe team took on Manchester Youth and ran out convincing 5-2 winners Despite terrible, wet conditions the football

  • Bury, Tottington & district Workshops Bowls League

    CENTENARY cup draw PRELIMINARY ROUND Week commencing April 4. Walmersley Con B 24, Seedfield B 16. FIRST ROUND Matches to be played week commencing May 9. Winner of preliminary match v Ainsworth Rd B 24; **Seedfield C 24, Phoenix of Cass 0; ELPM B 24,

  • Scandal of Leigh's public transport

    LEIGH has the worst public transport system in Greater Manchester, according to a new report. A survey into the public transport provision in the county's 16 biggest towns found that Leigh was the worst-served town. The shocking findings also revealed

  • Cottage body probe

    A MAJOR investigation has been launched after the body of a man with serious head injuries was discovered by police who broke into his home. The 39-year-old man, who has not been named by police, was found by officers at the terrace house he rented in

  • Schools make the grade

    FEWER than half of East Lancashire secondary schools are making the grade in Key Stage 3, according to results for 2004 released today. Only 16 of the area's 40 secondary schools are doing better than the national average of 71per cent for English, 73per

  • Gates cash blow for Centurions

    POOR attendances for their three home Engage Super League fixtures have forced Leigh Centurions to put a block on any more immediate new signings. Leigh officials were particularly dismayed at a gate of just 4239 for the Hilton Park clash with last season's

  • Hughes salutes players

    BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes saluted his players after they edged a step closer to their safety target by earning a superb point at Anfield last night. Rovers opened up an eight-point gap on the bottom three thanks to a battling 0-0 draw against

  • Local Band Duffy land Pier date

    LEIGH band Duffy perform at The Mill at The Pier's final live event before this famous Wigan venue is transformed into a new cultural quarter. The four-piece band, featuring brothers Conal and Kev Duffy, headline the three-band bill on Saturday 2 April

  • Parents' school porn fury

    HORRIFIED parents today spoke of their dismay after primary school children were allowed to download pornographic images while in the classroom. And they blasted school chiefs for not having the correct measures in place to prevent the youngsters from

  • Peer's observer call

    AN East Lancashire peer was today calling on the Government to allow the appointment of international observers at the forthcoming General Election. The call from Lord Tony Greaves of Pendle follows the recent spate of allegations of vote-rigging in parts

  • Easy pickings for burglars

    BURGLARS are having an easy time in Radcliffe, with a third of all break-ins this year being through unlocked doors or open windows. Insp Steve Clark, head of Radcliffe Township, told the town's area board on Monday that while the number of burglaries

  • Looks like an ay

    BURY MBC have gone raving mad in Ainsworth, putting down white lines throughout the village. It is very confusing and the village now looks like a three-lane motorway. Several cars have nearly crashed. RESIDENT

  • A sad life

    I WOULD like to say to the coward who vandalised my house by daubing paint on it, just what a very sad life he must have. He must be very unloved. I have a very loving family and no matter what he does he is only hurting himself. He needs psychiatric

  • Walking for health

    WALKERS are being invited to take part in an organised short stroll in Leigh next Wednesday. The walk will take place from the Swing Bridge car park, Plank Lane, Leigh, at 10am. The one hour walk is part of Walks for Health, a series of short walks on

  • Retiring police chief returns to his roots

    RETIRING police chief Ian Harrison is set to return to his local government roots. After a career spanning more than 30 years, most of them in Leigh and Wigan borough, Chief Superintendent Harrison is taking charge of Wigan Council's Community Safety

  • Crash victim was 'minutes from home'

    A YOUNG man killed when his car ploughed into a tree was just minutes from home, his family revealed today. Police said David Antony Szewczuk, 20, of Pendle Road, Great Harwood, was on his way home from a night shift working as a barman when the accident

  • Miners receive £16m payout

    UP TO £16 million has been paid out in compensation to former miners in Leigh suffering from respiratory diseases and hand arm vibration syndrome. The payouts represent the biggest personal injury scheme in British legal history - with over £2.4billion

  • Ofsted gives school a glowing report

    PUPILS at Leigh CE Infants learn, love and enjoy their school, just like their motto states. Government education inspectors have given the Walmesley Road school a glowing Ofsted report, and headteacher, Sharon Howard, who was singled out for praise for

  • 300 jobs fear

    UNCERTAINTY surrounds the jobs of more than 300 workers at a troubled East Lancashire carpets firm after bosses put it up for sale. And shareholders at the Gaskell plc floor coverings group, Clayton-le-Moors, have been warned they are likely to be left

  • Sneak thief stole swim gear

    A MUM has slammed opportunist thieves who snatched her 11-year-old daughter's belongings after she had been swimming at an Atherton sports centre. Samantha Bedson had just collected her belongings from a locker and gone for a shower when the thieves struck

  • Perils of careless school parking

    A HUSBAND and wife council team claim thoughtless parents dropping their children off at schools are putting other lives in danger. Atherton Councillors Mark and Karen Aldred are demanding immediate action to educate mums, dads and childminders on the

  • Hero cops honoured

    TWO police heroes who risked their lives tackling gunmen have been honoured for their bravery. Sergeant Paul Graham has been awarded the Chief Constable's Commendation for his outstanding courage when he confronted and disarmed a man who had threatened

  • Save our 'ghost' town

    TRADERS have claimed that Atherton will be turned into a ghost town after council chiefs were due to begin work on a controversial scheme to pedestrianise side streets in the town centre. Shopkeepers believe the pedestrianisation project will ruin many

  • Mains burst leaves thousands without water

    RESIDENTS in Prestwich were affected when more than 3,000 homes in Greater Manchester were left without water after a major mains burst. Parts of Prestwich, Blackley and Crumpsall were without water since early on Wednesday but the service has now been

  • Ofsted gives school a glowing report

    PUPILS at Leigh CE Infants learn, love and enjoy their school, just like their motto states. Government education inspectors have given the Walmesley Road school a glowing Ofsted report, and headteacher, Sharon Howard, who was singled out for praise for

  • Eddie in the middle

    BURY Referees' Association welcomes former Premiership referee Eddie Wolstenholme to speak at its next meeting. Eddie has recently been appointed Referees' Officer for Lancashire FA. The meeting takes place on Monday, March 21, starting 7.45pm at St Mary's

  • Miners hang on for derby victory

    LEIGH EAST 28, LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 34: Leigh Miners Rangers remain on course for a National Conference and National Cup double but only after they'd fought off a sensational rally from their cross-town neighbours. With only 20 minutes left, relegation-threatened

  • Super Golborne in cup spree

    GOLBORNE PARKSIDE 46, THATTO HEATHCRUSADERS 8: Golborne Parkside continued their push for honours with a 46-8 NW Counties Challenge Cup victory over Thatto Heath. After being under early pressure, Golborne turned on their skills and took a 6-0 lead with

  • Bury, Tottington & district Workshops Bowls League

    CENTENARY cup draw PRELIMINARY ROUND Week commencing April 4. Walmersley Con B 24, Seedfield B 16. FIRST ROUND Matches to be played week commencing May 9. Winner of preliminary match v Ainsworth Rd B 24; **Seedfield C 24, Phoenix of Cass 0; ELPM B 24,

  • Radcliffe Darts League

    GOOD throwing at Papermakers where both D. King and B. Garvey hit 180 but even so, both were overcome by I. Jackson who goes through to finals night. At Staff of Life, F. Buchanan stepped in as a last-minute replacement for one of his colleagues and,

  • Youngsters mount league fightback

    RADCLIFFE BORO U14 4, SWINTON BOYS U14 4: Boro took on Swinton a week after losing out to them in the cup, this time, however, they got off to a much better start in the North Bury Junior League Under 14 Premier Division. Early on Ryan Dillon latched

  • Reunion

    EX-PUPILS who left Argyle Street Secondary School, Hindley, in 1958 have organised a second re-union. They are to meet up again at the Banner, George Street, Hindley on Friday, April 15, at 7.30pm. Further information from Evonne Aspinall on 01942 208045

  • Camara backs pal Ade

    MO Camara is backing old pal Ade Akinbiyi to come back with a bang and give Burnley a much-needed goals boost. The striker, a former team-mate of Camara's when they were at Wolves, is set to be unleashed on Sheffield United on Saturday after serving his

  • School reunion

    FORMER Leigh Girls' Grammar School girls will meet up at their annual reunion dinner on Friday, April 22, at the Formby Hall, Atherton. Tickets are available by ringing 01942 674954.

  • Asylum seeker fined

    SHOPLIFTER Lela Selimi sandwiched an appearance in court between offences of shoplifting. Blackburn magistrates heard the Albanian asylum-seeker started the day stealing clothing worth £115 from a town centre shop before attending court. And having been

  • Craft market

    A CRAFT and gift market in support of the Friends of Derian House children's hospice will open at Newchurch Parish Hall, Culcheth (next to CPS Shops) on Saturday (March 19) from 11am to 4pm. There will be a great variety of stalls and a cafe bar and admission

  • School book worms

    TWENTY five pupils from Golborne St Thomas' school dressed as characters from their favourite stories to celebrate World Books Day. They were invited to Golborne Asda where employees and staff from the village's children's library spent an hour reading

  • Rape charge remand

    A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with the rape and assault of a 19-year-old woman in Leigh last month. John Andrew Scott Lever, of Mayfield Street, Atherton, appeared before Wigan Magistrates Court last Thursday. Lever was remanded in custody and will

  • Estates shabby roads a danger

    THE TERRIBLE state of roads and pavements on Rossendale's Pennine Road estate is making them a danger to drivers and pedestrians, according to residents. They said problems including potholes, splitting asphalt and rain water gushing down the pavements

  • Spanish exhibition

    THE "Spirit of Barcelona" has arrived Leigh in the form of a new exhibition in the Turnpike Gallery. The show, which runs until April 9, shows aspects of Spanish history that are often overlooked. It offers a unique opportunity to see the work of two

  • That's the spirit

    ATHERTON and Tyldesley Round Table have given Wigan and Leigh Hospice a £5,000 tonic as a result of this year's successful beer bash. The money will be used to create two professional publicity videos and dvds. One is expected to be hard hitting and targeted

  • Derby game relay run

    LEIGH Round Tablers are to relay run Friday's big match derby ball to Wigan. The lads aim to mark the first Super League game between RL rivals Leigh Centurions and Wigan Warriors with a charity run to boost funds for Wigan and Leigh Hospice. The team

  • Help for self harm victims

    MORE help may soon be on the way for victims of self-inflicted injury. The Wigan, Leigh and Ashton Primary Care Trust has commissioned a survey to look at how well services meet the needs of many local people who commit self abuse. The project is being

  • Colliery monument under spotlight

    THE Bickershaw Colliery monument to the borough's mining past has come under the spotlight. The famous wheel, once a working piece of pit head equipment at the Leigh pit, and which stands in the grounds of the Wigan campus of Wigan and Leigh College has

  • Swim club fights back

    ATHERTON Swimming Club is fighting back despite losing its much loved pool at the end of the month. The doors will close for the last time at the 102-years-old Mayfield Street baths on April 1 after the re-growing club's final session. Though membership

  • Probation for man who fled police station

    A 26-year-old man from Leigh accused of burglary fled from a police station after being charged, a court heard. Sean Bourke was quickly re-captured but the burglary charge was later dropped and he instead ended up at Liverpool Crown Court for the escape

  • Help needed to save village carnival

    CARNIVAL organisers are appealing for support to help save their village fete. Golborne's 57th annual celebration on May 14 could be the last if volunteers and villagers fail to respond. Floats, walking characters and general helpers are all needed to

  • Fell race success story

    RADCLIFFE AC's 2005 road and fell running championship got off to a good start, with the club's runners competing in the 'Cloud 9' Fell Race at Congleton, and the Blackpool 10k. The 'Cloud 9' saw Mike Howard stamp his authority on the rest of Radcliffe's

  • School star Ellen dies at 84

    A MUCH-loved former cook from a Radcliffe primary school has died, aged 84. Mrs Ellen Mills, who was the first cook at Cams Lane Primary School when it opened in 1976, died suddenly on Tuesday, March 8, in Red Bank House, in Lowe Street. The mother of

  • Radcliffe Literary Society

    LAST Thursday (10), Brian White, a former police officer, gave a talk entitled Stick Around, based on his hobby of making and collecting walking sticks. However, the bulk of his talk comprised amusing anecdotes of his service in the police force. Walking

  • MP to open art show

    LEIGH MP Andy Burnham will open Atherton Arts group's first big exhibition. He will be at the free preview of the show in the Derby Room, Leigh Library, between 4.30pm and 7pm on April 2. The exhibition which runs throughout the month will feature mostly

  • Go slower - get their quicker

    IF congestion at the M60-A56 junction is caused by too many traffic lights and a badly-placed pedestrian crossing, as a recent correspondent suggested, what might be the cause of congestion on a four-lane motorway? Driving too fast, too close, too erratically

  • Exam pupils can do without this

    WHILST the ink is still wet on the plans for the new Radcliffe Riverside School, and without a brick yet being laid, it would seem that existing pupils' lives might already be destined for disruption. I've heard that come September 2005, Coney Green High

  • Nothing they do surprises me

    AT a recent Radcliffe Area Board meeting, I asked Inspector Steve Clark if it was still against the law to cycle on footpaths, which is now common practice. His response was to confirm that it is still illegal; but he asked if I wanted the police to continue

  • Cameras 'do not reduce deaths'

    QUITE simply, in response to recent correspondents, speed cameras are not working and speeding is not an "epidemic" among drivers. Speed cameras have not reduced the number of death on our roads, as it was claimed they would. In 1997, there were in the

  • Leave the house, clean your life

    MARCH is the month for spring cleaning. It's the kind of thing you love or hate, and like me the Rev Jan Harney falls into the latter category. She was once bought a sign "An immaculate house is the sign of a wasted life" while I had one in my office

  • Kind-hearted postie helps Florrie

    FLORRIE Nenortas had a surprise birthday present from the Post Office for her 85th birthday. Among the cards was a notice stating that there was an item to collect from the sorting office because the postage was underpaid and she owed £1.21. That always

  • School gets healthy boost

    PUPILS and teachers at Westleigh High School - a college of Technology - are celebrating having received recognition for their work in raising achievement and improving health within their school community. The school has gained accreditation for emotional

  • Fury at new school plan

    RESIDENTS living near to the site of the former East Lancs Paper Mill site, have raised objections with the developers. At a meeting at Radcliffe Hall CE Methodist School, Bury Street, residents of the surrounding streets met with Gareth Edmunds from

  • Let's all hug a granny

    MANY older people complain that loneliness is their biggest problem. It is a common feeling especially among the bereaved, those without a family and those whose children have moved away. A lot have neither the energy or money to venture far from home

  • No waiting - in the middle of pavements

    RESIDENTS in Organ Street were shocked when a new no waiting sign appeared slap bang in the middle of the pavement. But they weren't half as stunned as partially blind pensioner Frank Cull who walked into it while going for his paper. The post appeared

  • Leeds Rhinos home clash switch

    TO help boost attendances Leigh have switched a scheduled Friday night home game to a Sunday to see if that gives the gate a lift. Instead of meeting Leeds Rhinos on Friday, May 13, they will meet at Hilton Park on Sunday, May 15, kick off 3pm. In another

  • Ferris blow for Centurions

    LEIGH Centurions have suffered a major blow with experienced Australian playmaker Jason Ferris ruled out for at least a month with a fractured cheekbone. Ferris, 29, who was signed from Manly in the close season, was hurt in Friday's 46-6 home defeat

  • Oli back for Warriors clash

    SOME good news for the Centurions is that second rower Oli Wilkes should be fit and ready to take on Wigan Warriors at the JJB o Friday, kick off 8pm. Wilkes was KO'd while making a tackle against Bradford last week and there were initial fears that he'd

  • Is new high school site a 'toxic time bomb'?

    ACCORDING to more than one reliable source, members of the school authorities and many, many parents from all over Radcliffe are alarmed at the council proposal to locate the new Radcliffe Riverside "superschool" right alongside the Tower Farm and Ee's

  • Vicious street attack head stomp

    A 24-year-old man was severely battered in an "horrendous" attack as he walked home from a night out. A pair of thugs punched, kicked and stamped on the victim's head as he walked to a friend's house after a night out in Bury. Two men approached the victim's

  • Keeper wanted for Under 12s

    LEIGH RMI U12 need a new goalkeeper for the team that plays each Saturday morning. Training takes place at Bedford High School at 6.30pm each Thursday. Anyone interested ring Mr Hampson on 01942-270335.

  • Hindsford hit back to grab four

    HINDSFORD FC won 4-1 away at Stand on Saturday. Hindsford fell behind to a goal in the first minute but gradually got back into the game and following good work from Adam Allcock, Chris Jolley equalised from close range and then Neil Critchley gave them

  • Clean sheet still a boost for Colls

    ATHERTON Colls registered their first goalless draw in 18 months against sixth from top of the league Trafford. Trafford had the majority of the early possession and new goal-keeper Ian Martin did well saving a fierce shot from David Holt. Soon afterwards