THE motives behind Blackburn's market and shopping centre announcement of a smoking ban are laudable. It is now generally acknowledged that the health of non-smokers - particularly children - can be adversely affected by the unwanted fumes and smoke of
TYLDESLEY UNITED 0, BURY AMATEURS 2: Amateurs took advantage of league leaders Chaddertonians not playing by beating Tydlesley away. They looked focused from the start and knew that hard work was the order of the day against a strong wind and determined
PLANS to convert a house on Manchester Road, Bury, into flats have been refused. Members of Bury Council's planning control committee cited insufficient parking for refusal.
PRESTWICH HEYS 1, DUKINFIELD TOWN 0: Heys' quest for the AIr Miles Manchester League Premier Division championship continued with two home games in four days, the first against Dukinfield, who had twice beaten them this season. Dukinfield are workmanlike
SEDGLEY PARK U14 21, PRESTON GHOPPERS U14 12: This Sedgley Park team had never beaten Preston before. However, buoyed by their recent success in the Lancashire Vase final, they were again outstanding. Park had to cope with some early pressure from one
ONCE again we are entangled in electioneering waffle . We have lies, half-truths and evasions. the television currently is obsessed with politics. There is precious little entertainment and fun. We are also in the grip of bureaucratic bully boys in Brussels
I'VE never cast a vote in over 50 years because politicians imply can't be trusted to practice what they preach.They all make promises they can't possibly keep then glibly blame another party. They don't give a "Castlemaine XXXX" for colour, race or creed
I WOULD like to thank all the magnificent volunteers who gave their time and proved that older people still have the passion to make a difference in their communities. March was Older People Month of the Year of the Volunteer and across the country nearly
RAMSBOTTOM runner Neil Coe will be hoping to avoid getting any 'bliss-ters' when he runs in Sunday's London Marathon. Neil, a member of Bury Athletic Club, will be raising vital funds for BLISS, the premature baby charity. The run is a tribute to his
MEMBERS of the Ramsbottom branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution got together to enjoy a coffee morning and raise some much-needed funds for the charity. The coffee morning was held at Canon Lewis Hall where visitors were invited to browse
THE future of Fairfield Hospital and its special care baby unit was on the mind of Veritas candidate Ian Upton this week. Mr Upton was at the hospital to hear the latest talks concerning the unit's future, and was not overly impressed. "It's action that
HEALTHY eating was top of the form for Labour's David Chaytor when he visited Elton Primary School. His special guest to try out the fare was Derek Twigg, who was the minister for schools until the Commons rose this week. Mr Chaytor said: "I welcome the
BURY could have its first "Envirocrime Prosecution Day" as part of a blitz on flytippers. Two enforcement officers have been appointed to lead a three-phase spring clean of "grot spots" in the Mosses area, taking dumpers to court. The project is being
BURY North Tory candidate David Nuttall brought one of the party's top men to Bury for a tour of Holy Cross College. Tim Collins, shadow secretary of state for education, accompanied Mr Nuttall to meet students working in the information technology suite
MOTORIST Marie Holmes had that sinking feeling when the road began to collapse beneath her parked car. Marie, of Cann Street, Tottington, watched in disbelief as the driver quarter of her Renault Scenic tilted into a fast-emerging hole. A three-feet wide
MARK Hughes set off for Cardiff today insisting 'We can do it!' as Blackburn Rovers attempt to reach their first FA Cup final in nearly half a century. Rovers will go into tomorrow's semi-final showdown with Arsenal as 13/2 outsiders to triumph at the
THIS is the landmark building that could be built at a major entrance to Preston city centre. Developers have submitted multi-million pound plans to build a striking 24-storey glass tower in Stanley Street where London Road and New Hall Lane merge. The
THE CARIBBEAN Carnival is set to become a not-for-profit company by the end of the year, in a bid to secure the future of the event. The move follows the shock decision to cancel this year's carnival -- due to take place on the Spring Bank Holiday, the
A MOTHER who cheated death when her car plunged down a 30ft drop today told of the moment she thought she was going to die. Firoza Mulla, 29, of Shed Street, Colne, said: "All I could think about was surviving for my kids." She said she was going out
A PENSIONER illegally claimed £10,000 in benefits after investigators wrongly assumed her toyboy husband was her son. The deception was only uncovered when council officers uncovered 68-year-old Joyce Lowther's marriage certificate. But Lowther, of Bird
A DIVING instructor charged over the death of a novice diver over four years ago has been cleared of manslaughter by gross negligence. The prosecution against 46-year-old Simon Weaver, of Rock View, Kendal, offered no evidence. His original trial in October
A STARK road safety message urging road users to look after one another has been issued following an inquest into the death of a 12-year-old boy from Morecambe. Coroner Dr James Adeley recorded a verdict of accidental death in the case of Stuart Ridehalgh
A DRINK-DRIVER so tired he took caffeine pills to keep awake has been jailed after killing an 18-year-old girl when he lost control of his car. Danielle Dixon died after 21-year-old Richard Morris's BMW ploughed into her car on June 27 last year. As Danielle
PRESTWICH HEYS handed out a 6-0 drubbing to North West Counties side Ramsbottom United on Wednesday night in the first round of the Bolton Hospitals Cup. Carl Lomax bagged a hat-trick against his former team, with strikes from another old boy Steve Orrell
PRESTWICH Heys are away to East Manchester, who play at the GMB Social Cluib, on Mount Road in Gorton, on Saturday kick-off 2.30pm. Then on Tuesday night Springhead, managed by former Heys' player Paul Buckley, visit Sandgate, kick-off 6.3pm. A favourable
SEDGLEY PARK U13 58, LITTLEBOROUGH U13 0: Sedgley were too strong for Boro and scored 10 tries, mostly the product of well organised forward play and accurate handling, though the powerful and quick Ashley Robinson did help himself to four tries. Other
WORLD Professional Darts Council runner-up Kevin Painter will play in exhibition match in aid of St Ann's Hospice on Friday at Little Lever Cricket Club, Victory Road, and starts at 8pm. Kevin will face the following local players: M.A. Brocklehurst,
OUR grateful thanks go to Asda for supplying delicious hot cross buns for our Easter social. It was a great evening, enjoyed by all. Asda has been a great friend to the society over the years and is a supermarket that truly deserves all the good publicity
WE already have two phone masts in the Brandlesholme area and now, if T-Mobile and O2 get their way, two more will be erected. And other telephone companies may want to put up masts here because they see the people of Brandlesholme as "a soft touch".
WEEK after week I read the letters and such a strong sense of passion is evident in the words of so many people. Sadly, the same subjects come up repeatedly, yet our local councillors still remain tight-lipped and seemingly unconcerned. "Positive action
I WAS appalled, thought not entirely surprised, to read Susan Wong's letter (April 1) about a racist remark made within her hearing on Bury Market. There are a small number of bigots who don't comprehend the diversity of the culture we live in. If they
TYLDESLEY Little Theatre end their season with a 50s based play that weaves a wonderful web of humour, drama, nostalgia and memorable music. Washboard Blues is the story of a North West community in the mid-50s with women meeting in the wash house by
TWENTY-FIVE jobs are to go at a Bury textile company. Specialist textile design and print company Edward Turnbull & Co Limited has announced a restructuring programme. The 36-year-old business, which presently operates on sites in Tottington and Stubbins
A TRAGIC family of five torn apart by alcoholism and cruelty are to be reunited after over 40 years. Following a touching reunion with her two oldest brothers Ernest and David six months ago the search went on to find Christina Anderson's two youngest
I FAIL to see the logic of Mr Allan Ramsay's argument regarding traffic problems on Bury New Road, Prestwich. How anyone can go "too fast" is beyond my comprehension. Does Mr Ramsay not realise that from Manchester to Bury, this road is 80 per cent single
BUSINESSES are being warned to look out for the danger signs as more and more individuals opt for bankruptcy to get out of debt. David McCann, partner and expert in commercial litigation with leading Bury legal practice Woodcock and Sons, said: "Any company
I WOULD like to pay tribute to all associated with St Monicas High School and their feeder local primary schools for the moving and appropriate event held to mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II. The procession to the Papal Monument in Heaton Park on
AS the chairman of CARE (Care and Respect for the Elderly) I am delighted to be in a position to clarify one of the points pertaining to Independent election candidate Yvonne Hossack, raised by Margaret Broderick (Letters, April 7). She asked if Ms Hossack
I WRITE as the chairman of RAGEnational (Relatives Action Group for the Elderly) a national organisation which seeks to empower residents and relatives faced with eviction and/or privatisation of their care homes. We have supported more than 25 campaigns
ON March 22 I attended a meeting at the Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School to hear proposals to build a new school on land bordering Copper Lane-Old Hall Lane, which is close to the rear of my property. Although the representatives from MCP planning
AN armed robber who targeted a Whitefield restaurant and a Prestwich post office has been jailed for nearly 15 years. Williams Davies (40), used a knife in both raids, threatening to harm staff and members of the public. Bolton Crown Court was told that
I'VE never seen Leigh's Kamikaze Island as safe as I did on Friday lunchtime when it was brought to a standstill by a trio of ducks. Two drakes and a female were waddling round the island from the Parsonage Retail Park into Firs Lane unaware of the hold-ups
THE grass has been cut and the wickets rolled - and, weather permitting, umpires will shout 'play' at 1.30pm on Saturday for the start of the 2005 Surridge Northern Premier Cricket League. And with new professionals for both Morecambe and Lancaster, the
PARKING fines in Tyldesley have caused a bit of a hoo-hah. In response to Jean Mountford's letter regarding parking fines on the taxi rank behind the Co-op in Tyldesley Norma Southworth, who works in the town, tells me one of her colleagues received a
A REGIMENT with a proud tradition in Bury hopes to achieve one of the most significant victories in its history by clinching vital lottery funding for its new £3.1 million museum. If the Heritage Lottery Fund endorses a £2 million grant in June, then
DANNY Coyne is prepared to cancel his summer holidays to try to wrestle the goalkeeping gloves back from Burnley rival Brian Jensen. The Welsh number one is back between the posts for tomorrow's Championship clash against Brighton and Hove Albion - the
RESIDENTS campaigning against a new Jewish school in Whitefield have reinforced their opposition - despite proposed alterations by the developer. More than 100 people crammed into Stand Unitarian Chapel, in Ringley Road, for a meeting of the Old Hall
A PEDESTRIAN was seriously injured after a learner driver smashed into him as he walked home from a night out. Burnley Magistrates heard how Stephen Brogden (47) was carried on the car driven by amateur footballer Carl Lomax for 30 to 40 metres before
LANCASTER CITY 2, Runcorn FC Halton 1 TWO goals in a blistering opening four minutes saw Lancaster City on their way to their first win in seven games - but they were eventually forced to hang on against Runcorn. Ryan-Zico Black and Peter Thomson had
LEIGH golfers are swinging into action to prepare for their club's centenary celebrations next year. To mark the 100th anniversary of the Kenyon-based Leigh Golf Club - and the appointment of professional Andrew Baguley as captain of the Lancashire PGA
HIGH schools in Bury could close due to falling pupil numbers and the need to raise millions for rebuilding. Forecasters say there will be a dramatic drop in school rolls with 2,000 fewer students in secondary schools across the borough in ten years'
GARDENER Ralph White has found a unique way of getting rid of empty yoghurt pots, old satellite dishes and washing powder balls - by turning them into garden furniture. Ralph (82) has transformed his garden from a mound of rubble to a tranquil haven complete
WORLD Professional Darts Council runner-up Kevin Painter will play in exhibition match in aid of St Ann's Hospice on Friday at Little Lever Cricket Club, Victory Road, and starts at 8pm. Kevin will face the following local players: M.A. Brocklehurst,
WHEN four-year-old Sasha Booth was diagnosed with a rare tumour two years ago, friends and relatives rallied round to support her in any way they could. Now Sasha is saying "thank you" with a special party on Sunday - almost one year on from being given
GREETING cards multi-millionaire and Manchester United shareholder Ron Wood looks like being millions of pounds richer after emerging victorious from a High Court spat with the taxman. Mr Wood set up Bury-based Ron Wood Greetings Cards Ltd in 1975 and
MARK Hughes set off for Cardiff today insisting 'We can do it!' as Blackburn Rovers attempt to reach their first FA Cup final in nearly half a century. Rovers will go into tomorrow's semi-final showdown with Arsenal as 13/2 outsiders to triumph at the
A CHARITY concert in aid of Pendlebury Children's Hospital takes place at St Paul's Labour Club, Leigh, on April 17, curtain up at 8pm. Tickets are £2.
HIGHER Folds' Agape Support Group is seeking volunteers to help run their services on the estate. Help is being recruited for the Sunbeams' Family drop-in, Sunbeams' pre-school, Circle of Friends Childrens Club and Golden years over 50s' Club which meet
THE next Active Living Team walk for health in the area leaves from the Strangeways pub car park, Liverpool Road, Hindley, on Wednesday, April 20, at 10am. The free one hour walk, no booking required, will be ideal for people not used to exercising or
CHRIS Grime from Leigh is preparing to go the extra mile for a good cause and pound the pavements of London for Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, in the 2005 Flora London Marathon. This will be Chris's first London Marathon and he will be
BRIDE Jill Timms got through her wedding without having cold feet -- but the same can not be said for the honeymoon! For adventurous Jill and her new husband Richard Nagle shunned two weeks in the sun-soaked Caribbean to honeymoon in the Arctic! Jill,
TYLDESLEY Little Theatre end their season with a 50s based play that weaves a wonderful web of humour, drama, nostalgia and memorable music. Washboard Blues is the story of a North West community in the mid-50s with women meeting in the wash house by
TERRITORIAL Army soldiers from Leigh, Sergeant Bernie Greenough and Corporal Andrew Taylor, will soon be leaving on a six-month tour of duty in Iraq. Bernie, 38, works as a machine operator, printer, for Corenso UK and Andrew, 41, is a maintenance engineer
RESIDENTS campaigning against a new Jewish school in Whitefield have reinforced their opposition - despite proposed alterations by the developer. More than 100 people crammed into Stand Unitarian Chapel, in Ringley Road, for a meeting of the Old Hall
A COUNSELLING service for young people in Leigh and Wigan has won a £200,000 Big Lottery Fund jackpot. The three years old service, unique to the area and known as Little London, gives under-25s the chance to refer themselves for free and confidential
THE grandson of a hero who kept his amazing war record secret is seeking a linguist to help him translate newspaper reports from Norway. The first proud Christopher Williams, of Briar Grove, Leigh, knew of it was when he found evidence of his granddad
GARDEN lovers will get the chance to transform their kitchen and garden waste into home compost when a series of free workshops start later this month. The sessions will explain how everything from potato peelings to leaves can be tipped straight into
WESTLEIGH will have a desperately needed new community centre by next summer if everything goes to plan. A lottery bid, backed by Wigan Council Leader Lord Smith of Leigh, has recently been submitted for the multi-purpose centre on land in Westleigh Lane
THE bright lights of Hollywood have given a budding dance star from Preston a chance for superstardom after he beat more than 100 talented hopefuls to a place at a prestigious American performing arts college Citizen-backed Search for a Star winner, Craig
A CHARITY concert in aid of Pendlebury Children's Hospital takes place at St Paul's Labour Club, Leigh, on April 17, curtain up at 8pm. Tickets are £2.
A WOMAN who woke to hear her neighbour being attacked by a pet Jack Russell compared it to listening "to a scene from Hound of the Baskervilles." Jeanette Smith, 48, from Blackburn Road, Darwen, was rushed to hospital with a bleeding artery when her dog
ANIMAL sanctuary staff took delivery of a new llama -- and discovered it was 'buy one, get one free!' For six months after Lill arrived in East Lancashire -- so did little Chico, much to the surprise of staff at Lords House Farm, Rishton. The South American
THE QUALITY of school meals served to pupils at small schools could suffer as a result of a council financial crisis, councillors have warned. Blackburn with Darwen Council has blamed the decision of larger schools to provide their own meals service,
A STUDENT heralded as a "shining example to other young people" by the Prince's Trust has appeared in court charged with two assaults. But Pamela Boyle, the Prince's Trust Young Achiever for the North West in 2003, claimed she had been touched "inappropriately
WITH two league games still to go, Sedgley Park have expericed the cut-throat world of semi-professional rugby by losing one of their top try scorers for next season. Left-winger Richard Welding, who joined the Park Lane outfit from Lancashire rivals
I HAD the shock of my life whilst walking up to the top lodge at Whiteheads in Lowercroft. It had been drained. I believe that the "well meaning" owner Mr Talbot has said it is for the purposes of "essential maintenance work". I returned later and saw
WE live directly opposite the proposed site for the relocated Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School. We came here for a quiet retirement, along with our neighbours. We are concerned with many factors regarding this scheme, not least the traffic problems
THE coming weeks will see many promising everything that is needed to improve education. There will be tales of disillusioned teachers who dread going into school and statistics which would lead us to believe that all teachers are in danger of death or
ON March 22 I attended a meeting at the Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School to hear proposals to build a new school on land bordering Copper Lane-Old Hall Lane, which is close to the rear of my property. Although the representatives from MCP planning
Globe European Bowl Bash Skateboard Competition, Interact Skate Park. "Johnny Mack," Byerden House, Colne Road. Burnley Garrick Club present "Fringe Benefits," Mechanics, Manchester Road. "Storm" Tribute Band, The Banqueting Centre, Fence Gate, Wheatley
PRESTWICH HEYS 3, ROYTON TOWN 1: LAST season's champions Royton visited Sandgate on Tuesday night and Heys ran out easy winners to maintain the pressure on leaders Irlam MS. Heys were impressive from the start and were 3-0 up inside half-an-hour, through
THE Irish-trained Hedgehunter was not the only successful visitor to Liverpool last Saturday. While the horse was romping to victory at Aintree, Prestwich Cricket Clubs 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams were notching a hat-trick of wins at nearby Northern CC. In
THIS Sunday sees two of Sedgley Park's age-group sides in search of silverware. The under 17s (junior colts) travel to Doncaster for the National Plate semi-final. Having disposed of their Northern rivals Park now face Midlands club Ampthill. Kick-off
LATEST details DIVISION ONE Besses A 8, St Andrews 10; GMT A 2, Markland Hill A 16; Holy Cross A 6, Central 12; Besses A 7, Rackets 11; Markland Hill A 18, Prestwich Hospital A 0. P W L D Pt Mland Hill A 18 17 1 0 279 Central 17 14 2 1 226 Holy Cross
I HAVE to argue with Mr Howard, of Wilpshire (LET, April 13) about Tesco in Blackburn. Whilst the store at Hill Street may be showing some signs of ageing he must have been served by different staff to me. I shop at this store every week and have always
THIS week saw the first twist in the title race as the Bird in Hand held the mighty Goats Gate to a 4-4 draw. After 8-0 and 6-2 hammerings by title rivals Cross Keys and Riley's, the Gate were expected to follow suit and inflict a mammoth beating on the
table. Head coach, Paul Kidd, said: "It was a good victory but we have to kick on from here. "We now have a massive game on Sunday at Dewsbury, who, like us are unbeaten, and it could prove to be our toughest test of the season." Against Town the Lions
OUR taxpayer's cash is spent in France. It should be our farmers who get help not the French. Are we in such good nick in the UK that we can help France, or is it a case of our government doing anything the French ask of them? I know a couple who have
I HAVE just read the article in the Evening Telegraph with regards to MP David Davis flying into Barnoldswick to see the vandalism at Clough Park. The most worrying part of the story was the piece where the police said it was a "minor incident." Barnoldswick
A BLOCK of flats was damaged by flooding after a pensioner went on holiday and left the bath tap running. Water from a flat at Old Manor Park, Atherton, seeped down to flats below early on Friday. Firefighters were called to the scene after the flooding
A BURY man has died after a road accident near Warrington. Mr John Hewitt (46), of Lomond Drive, died after the accident on Saturday when the Toyota Hilux he was driving towards Irlam collided with a blue Seat car in Rixton, Warrington. A male passenger
THIRTEEN bright pupils at Bury CE High School landed themselves "jobs" at the end of a gruelling day of mock interviews. Tuesday's Industry Day at the Haslam Brow school was organised to give 135 pupils a taste of what it is like to sit in the employment
BATH shop wedding couple Barbara and Kevin MacNamara asked for donations to be given to charity, instead of marriage gifts. Barbara and Kevin, of Bolton Street, Bury, celebrated the life of a friend by asking wellwishers to make a donation to Bury Hospice
BRIGHTENING up the airwaves on a Sunday morning are pals Alex Kirkley and Nigel Clucas. The duo are the new voices of Galaxy FM's Sunday morning show. Alex, from Ramsbottom, is a former student of Holy Cross College, and good friend Nigel Clucas from
FEARS that residents were to lose part of their beloved green have been allayed by Bury Council. A developer wishing to build two semi-detached houses on land off Scholes Walk in Prestwich had his application rejected due to lack of parking provision.
THE closure of Bury's main post office has infuriated Bury North Lib-Dem candidate Wilf Davison. The office, currently situated in Forbuoys newsagents in the Mill Gate shopping centre, will cease trading if a new sub postmaster cannot be found. "This
A SECURITY guard was left "extremely shaken" but unharmed after two thieves charged at him with a sword to steal the cash takings from the Co-op store in Greenmount. A £5,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information which leads to a conviction
A MOTHER who cheated death when her car plunged down a 30ft drop today told of the moment she thought she was going to die. Firoza Mulla, 29, of Shed Street, Colne, said: "All I could think about was surviving for my kids." She said she was going out
CUSTOMERS and traders in Blackburn's market and shopping centre are flouting a smoking ban - only a month after it was introduced. The ban was launched on March 9 - National No Smoking Day - as the first step towards a total cigarette ban in all enclosed
ROBBIE Savage will head to Cardiff tomorrow hoping Blackburn Rovers' FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal will not be his last game at The Millennium Stadium. The fiery midfielder, who is pushing for a recall after injury, is desperate to lead Rovers into their
IT only seems ike yesterday that the nation was gripped by Euro 96 euphoria and singing about 30 years of hurt. But Garry Flitcroft, who was only a matter of months into his Blackburn Rovers career back then, was blissfully unaware that there would be
NEIGHBOURS of a pensioner found dead in a pond have spoken of their shock at the nature of her death. Stella Doreen Fishwick, 79, of Moss Lane, Leyland, was discovered face down in the Old Mill Lodge, between the Gillibrand Link Road and Stansted Road
FEARS that residents were to lose part of their beloved green have been allayed by Bury Council. A developer wishing to build two semi-detached houses on land off Scholes Walk in Prestwich had his application rejected due to lack of parking provision.
A POLICE helicopter helped officers on the ground arrest two teenagers following a burglary and the theft of two cars at a house in Prestwich. The youths, both aged 16, were detained after Greater Manchester Police's air support unit noticed two people
A STAFFORDSHIRE Bull Terrier which has had pups in the last few weeks is receiving much-needed care after being mistreated and dumped. Susie, as she has been named, was found in an emaciated state in a garden in Turton Road, Tottington, next to the Pets
A PUB darts team captain has been cleared of attacking an opponent after a tiff over "cheating" during a league match. Father-of-two Gary Smithson, 38, of Southview, Haslingden, was cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm after a trial at Burnley Crown
THE MAN who refused to acknowledge supporters' clubs has been chosen by Burnley fans as the name of their very own ale. Burnley Beer Festival opens today with Clarets fans able to raise cash for their beloved football club by supping a pint of the club
THERE was standing room only at Silverdale's Gaskell Hall when residents turned out to make their feelings known about proposals for a children's home in the centre of the village. Around 150 villagers were able to put questions to Charles Mills, the
A YOUNG child at a Lancaster day nursery has been given the all clear after a meningitis scare. The nine-month old who attends the Brookdale Day Nursery on Hala Road was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary with suspected meningococcal disease earlier
FOR returning officers across East Lancashire, one of the primary goals of next month's national and county council elections is to restore faith in a process blighted by scandal in recent years. Chief Reporter DAVID HIGGERSON reports. WILLIAM Gladstone's
A NEW Lancaster brewery is ready to take on the big boys - and their beer could be pumped out over bars throughout the country within a month. And that means thirsty punters will be able to get a taste of the Red Rose county capital wherever they are
A CARNFORTH woman and her two cousins appeared at Carlisle Crown Court for a street attack brought on by binge drinking. Gemma Friar, 23, and her cousins, sisters Sarah and Rebecca Harrison, were told by a judge that they all needed help to overcome the
A MORECAMBE man convicted of trying to wound a licensee after smashing a glass has been jailed for two years and four months. Adam Barnes, 28, of Croft Street, was convicted of attempting to wound landlord Wayne Stubbs of the Cavern Bar in Springfield
EARLY action could have prevented shop keepers from being stung so heavily by a wave of fraudsters, claims an ex-police sergeant. Rod Savage, owner of Humbugs in the city, says more action should have been taken to stop the widespread handing over of
A MORECAMBE-based company, which almost went under 18 months ago, has announced more jobs are to be slashed. CWV, which took over Imperial Home Dcor in September 2003, announced up to 50 job losses on Friday. A drop in consumers using wallpaper and opting
IT looks like being a highly competitive end of the season for the Shakers as they go into the final four matches of the campaign. Saturday's opponents Wycombe Wanderers are still eyeing a play-off place and, just like Kidderminster last week, but for
SEDGLEY PARK U15 45, OLDHAM U15 0: This was an ideal gentle run out a week before the Lancashire Cup final. Although big physically, Oldham were weak technically and very slow. Sedgley's largely second-string XV scored at will, leading 31-0 at half-time
WHEN I telephone major companies, particularly those with automated answering services, you invariably finish up in a queue or on hold. Then, after about 20 minutes, you find yourself cut off. I am sure these firms have contracts with telecom companies
I NOTICE with dismay the natural hawthorn hedges, on the left side of the road, from Holcombe Brook towards Brandlesholme, are slowly being "demolished". The problem seems to be caused by speeding, out-of-control drivers. Let us see these culprits being
IF "Disappointed Taxpayer" (Letters, April 1), who was so amazingly! baffled by the binmen, had taken 30 seconds to find out the re-cycling collection procedure, he/she would have learned that the grey bin is used as a method of collecting the black boxes
AS one who had the pleasure and honour to work with Paul Reynolds I must express my sadness at the news of his passing. As chairman of Bury Pensioners Association for nearly 20 years, I called on Paul on many occasions for his advice and for his support
I FAIL to see the logic of Mr Allan Ramsay's argument regarding traffic problems on Bury New Road, Prestwich. How anyone can go "too fast" is beyond my comprehension. Does Mr Ramsay not realise that from Manchester to Bury, this road is 80 per cent single
I REFER to your article on the retirement of "Mr Bury", the town hall's Bob Hargreaves (March 25). Good old Bob! I worked with him for many years when he was our personnel officer at Bury Fire Station. He was most considerate and helpful to everyone,
I HAVE received a leaflet introducing Alex Williams, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Bury South, and am appalled by his attack on the use of speed cameras. Police officers who check speed on the road have to use instruments. What is the difference
THRIVING finance company Compass has changed direction! The loan and mortgage provider business has now established its headquarters in brand new state-of-the-art premises at the Castlebrook Business Park's Warwick House after relocating from its former
AS a disabled person using a wheelchair outdoors, I wonder if anyone can tell me what I can "reasonably" expect from my local services, the sort of normal things enjoyed by my fellow citizens getting to Prestwich Village from Scholes Lane, Prestwich.
LANCASTER beat Morecambe with ease in the Lancashire Superleague darts clash local derby. The game, at Squires Snooker Club, saw Morecambe potted by the Lancastrians, who earned the bragging rights. Mick Connerton claiming the man of the match award for
SIDELINED skipper Gary Bauress is backing Lancaster City to beat the Conference North drop - and reckons a bit of bad luck has cost the Dolly Blues. Bauress, serving a suspension, is aware that City have not reached the heights this season. But he says
JIM Harvey praised his Morecambe players after they dug deep to gain revenge over Gravesend & Northfleet and keep up their play-off push. The Shrimps recorded a 2-1 win over Fleet - and that wiped away the nightmare of last season's 6-0 drubbing at
Vale of Lune 23, Birkenhead Park 26 VALE of Lune's two-year stay in the Powergen North One came to an end on Saturday - but defeat was harsh on a bitterly cold day at Powder House Lane. The 26-23 loss against an industrious Birkenhead Park side was hard
ATHERLEIGH has changed a lot over recent years. The demolition of the abattoir and the huge LUT bus depot has seen new housing estates spring up on the sites. The former Leigh CE High School turned Kings Park Christian centre was being razed to the ground
Gravesend & Northfleet 1, MORECAMBE 2 MIGHTY Morecambe pushed themselves right into the mix for the Conference play-offs after an excellent win at Gravesend and Northfleet. The 2-1 success was important in all manner of ways for Jim Harvey's men as
SEARCH down the back of the sofa, check the bottom of a bag, empty that gallon whisky bottle - and help find part of the county's missing £380 million! Coinstar, the supermarket-based coin counting service, says that of the 22 billion coins in circulation
ROGUE traders ripped off a 92-year-old woman, charging her £400 for a bit of plastic, four screws and just 15 minutes work. The two bogus window fitters persuaded the woman, of Lancaster's Belmont Close, that she needed a new fascia board on her window
IT was a hive of activity at the Prestwich Co-op Camera Club last Tuesday. The evening was devoted to some "Table Shop Workshop" practice and the 20 or so members had brought cameras, tripods, and all sorts of odds and ends. There were a number of small
LITTLE Max Mondryk is working his own kind of magic on stage. The talented 10-year-old took on the role of his pop idol Freddie Mercury and won through to the final of a regional talent contest. What makes Max's achievement all the more important to his
WE live directly opposite the proposed site for the relocated Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School. We came here for a quiet retirement, along with our neighbours. We are concerned with many factors regarding this scheme, not least the traffic problems
RESIDENTS and planners have lined up together for a public inquiry battle against housing developers. Housebuilders Duffy Homes want to construct 38 new homes on land between Openshaw Fold Road, Bury, and the Metrolink line. Permission for a development
RESIDENTS campaigning against a new Jewish school in Whitefield have reinforced their opposition - despite proposed alterations by the developer. More than 100 people crammed into Stand Unitarian Chapel, in Ringley Road, for a meeting of the Old Hall
DANNY Coyne is prepared to cancel his summer holidays to try to wrestle the goalkeeping gloves back from Burnley rival Brian Jensen. The Welsh number one is back between the posts for tomorrow's Championship clash against Brighton and Hove Albion - the
WINGER Eddie Lewis has confirmed what every fan who bemoaned ex-manager Craig Brown's tactics have said all along - a regular formation makes all the difference! Lewis, who has been in impressive form this season, has told fans in America that one simple
LOCAL historian Jack Pendlebury spoke about "Old Tyldesley" and the town's many changes to Astley WI. The group will host a joint meeting between Atherton, Lowton and Over Hulton WIs at the Jubilee Hall, Atherton, on April 20, at 7.30pm. The May meeting
ROYAL British Legion secretary Jack Robinson has been awarded the organisation's Gold Badge for his sterling service. The Tyldesley branch secretary, who served in the Royal Navy for seven years followed by 10 years on Reserve, joined the RBL in 1970
DETECTIVES are still appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Leigh earlier this month. A 19-year-old man from Wigan was found in a collapsed state on Wigan Road, at 4.20am on Saturday April 2. He was taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary where he
THE trial of a schoolboy accused of raping a 22-years-old Leigh woman has been postponed until June. The 14-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to raping the woman betwen June 3-6 last
A THEATRE group is seeking singers for its July musical production. The Apple Players are looking for men, but mainly women, to join a selection of medleys from top musicals including Blood Brothers, Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, Annie, Joseph and more
ESTATE residents can now enjoy the healthy outdoor life right on their own doorstep. A half mile path off Lancaster Avenue, skirting Cornwall Avenue and Hertford Drive, has been redeveloped from a field footpath into a modern, all weather surface, making
BOGUS officials tricked their way into a Hindley pensioner's home and attempted to steal her possessions. Two men posing as water board officials called at the home of an 81-year-old woman on Worcester Avenue last Thursday, at 4pm. While one man talked
THE Mayor, Cllr John Hilton, has welcomed Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's decision to extend a last bus service and is urging people to use it. The 600, which used to operate at 11pm between Wigan bus station and Golborne, now terminates
LITTLE star Jasmine Payne, is following in the ballet footsteps of her family. The four-years-old has danced away with four gold medals and two trophies in her first competition. At the North Manchester Stage Dance Festival in Rochdale, Jasmine, of Higher
DARWEN bus station and Market Street are expected to be revamped by the end of next year as part of the masterplan for rejuvenation. But residents are being urged to have their say on the proposals now before final plans are drawn up. Darwen Town Centre
POLICE are hunting for an armed robber who was covered in red dye during a raid on an Astley shop on Tuesday. The man entered the Co-op late shop on Manchester Road at 12.40pm as a security guard was making a delivery. He threatened the security guard
ROSSENDALE Council chiefs today reassured library users in Waterfoot that the service would not be axed. The move comes after plans were announced yesterday to close three neighbourhood centres under shake-up plans of council services. The council is
LEIGH'S Honorary Leyther Ken Dodd will be tickled pink when his huge portrait is unveiled in Leigh Town Hall next month. The picture, taken when he switched on the Christmas lights in 2003, will hang in the members' room on the first floor. The portrait
A TOUGH Lowton teenager has won the coveted green beret to become one of the youngest Royal Marine Commandos. Ex-Lowton High school student Kevin Speakman, 19, has successfully completed 32 weeks of the hardest initial training in the world and passed
LEIGH residents have been given the gateway to a safer future. Ten families in Peacock Fold have been presented with keys to newly-installed alley gates, closing off their short street to nuisance bikers and criminals, thanks to cash from Firs Renewal
Andrea Clarke, aged 31, Kent Street, Leigh. No TV licence. Fined £60, costs £45. Deborah Collier, aged 35, Chapel Street, Leigh. No TV licence. Fined £100, costs £45. Natalie Cunliffe, aged 21, Bond Street, Leigh. No TV licence. Fined £60, costs £45.
THE first programme of the year, which takes place on Monday to Friday next week (April 18 and 22), includes displays, promotions, interactive public events, chronic disease self management courses and presentations. On Monday - the first interactive
LEIGH golfers are swinging into action to prepare for their club's centenary celebrations next year. To mark the 100th anniversary of the Kenyon-based Leigh Golf Club - and the appointment of professional Andrew Baguley as captain of the Lancashire PGA
LOCAL historian Jack Pendlebury spoke about "Old Tyldesley" and the town's many changes to Astley WI. The group will host a joint meeting between Atherton, Lowton and Over Hulton WIs at the Jubilee Hall, Atherton, on April 20, at 7.30pm. The May meeting
CUSTOMERS and traders in Blackburn's market and shopping centre are flouting a smoking ban - only a month after it was introduced. The ban was launched on March 9 - National No Smoking Day - as the first step towards a total cigarette ban in all enclosed
FOR returning officers across East Lancashire, one of the primary goals of next month's national and county council elections is to restore faith in a process blighted by scandal in recent years. Chief Reporter DAVID HIGGERSON reports. WILLIAM Gladstone's
ACCRINGTON Stanley face play-off rivals Woking tomorrow with boss John Coleman determined to take his side's promotion push all the way. Stanley are in the final straight of the race for a top five slot with just three crunch games to go against the Cards
I DOUBT I am the only reader to wonder just where "Ashamed Northerner" lives (Letters, March 25). Are we to think that he or she lives where litter can not be seen, flowerbeds are full of colour all year round, youngsters are always silent and the idle
HIGH schools in Bury could close due to falling pupil numbers and the need to raise millions for rebuilding. Forecasters say there will be a dramatic drop in school rolls with 2,000 fewer students in secondary schools across the borough in ten years'
ONE of my favourite actors is Ricky Tomlinson, the couch potato star of TV's comedy hit The Royle Family. On reading his autobiography I discovered the former plasterer, banjo player, stand-up comic, union agitator, political activist, unwilling jailbird
SOCIAL services bosses have denied there is a crisis in care despite some families suffering large cuts in help they receive. And they have also said reports of some disabled families having their service cut by up to 80 per cent, like the case of Emily
