BLACKBURN Good As New Pot Fair, St Mark's Church, Buncer Lane, 6.30pm. Blackburn Fellowship for the Hard of Hearing, Ardley Centre, Bent Street, 7.30pm. Blackburn Artists' Society Spring Exhibition, Lewis Textile Museum, Museum Street, 11am-4pm. Until
THOUSANDS of car workers in Longbridge get their redundancy letters today as political and business leaders in the West Midlands begin the massive task of looking for ways of filling an employment vacuum. It will be far from easy to replace the jobs which
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has won a prestigious health and safety honour from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The brigade won the "commendation in the public service and local government sector" award for its commitment
MEMBERS of Bury Parish Church Mothers' Union met on Tuesday evening, April 5. The speaker was Julie Reeman and her subject "Traidcraft". Her story began when she recalled having her premature baby in England. She thought how different and difficult it
HEFTY fines and prison sentences could be winging their way to wildlife homewreckers. As spring takes hold, Greater Manchester Police is reminding residents that disturbing or destroying the homes of bats and birds is strictly illegal. Householders, developers
IN answer to name and address supplied (LET, April 2) it wasn't in Watership Down or Bambi that I saw the report of the Scottish gamekeeper who killed 80-plus birds of prey including endangered ones in order to "protect" the environment required by people
ILLEGAL tipping, noise violations, unruly kids, unsightly lawns, dog fouling, break-ins, vandalism. Are these words describing a council estate somewhere in England? Unfortunately, no. These are adjectives that can arguably be used to describe the once
CHARITY began at home for the Tottington Townswomen's Guild. The group handed over £1,550 to St Anne's Church in Tottington, which is in the process of raising money to develop the parish hall into a facility for community use. Publicity officer for the
The Bury & District Recorded Music Circle opened their summer series with a Music Miscellany presented by Librarian Mr Harry Howarth. Opening with the Overture Corsair by Berlioz, followed by the Adagio from Bruch's Violin Concerto, next we heard
A TEENAGE boy was treated in hospital for facial injuries after being viciously attacked by a gang of up to 20 youths. Philip Vyas (16) had six stitches inserted into a wound under his eye after the attack which happened in Lowercroft Road, Bury, between
MR John Shaw gave a presentation on "A Journey across Canada to the Rockies". After his first trip in a Boeing 747 he arrived in Ottowa, Canada's capital city. The first slides showed the Parliament and administration buildings on the hill over the city
A FORMER Radcliffe man is masterminding a special project to mark the 60th anniversary of VE Day and the end of the Second World War. Oral history professional, Ken Howarth, who lived in Radcliffe for many years, moved to North Wales when he retired five
A COUNCILLOR has been ordered to clean up his act by his council leader after committing breaches of health and safety regulations at his food shop. Coun Kate Hollern told Hussain Akhtar he should be setting a positive example- and that the case proved
THE WIFE of a motor-cyclist who died on Britain's most dangerous stretch of road today paid tribute to the father-of-two and said: "He had a heart of gold." Mark Smith died after his Suzuki 249cc bike was involved in a collision with a Nissan pick-up
ON March 30, our guest speaker was Scott Berry, his subject was "More Radcliffe Then and Now". Although he had lived in Farnworth all his life, a retired schoolteacher and historian, Scott's knowledge of Radcliffe was indeed something very special. With
A STUBBINS company is to shed more than one-third of its workforce amid plans to establish a new production unit in northern Thailand. Specialist textile design and print company Edward Turnbull & Co Ltd has announced that approximately 25 of its
LEIGH CENTURIONS 22, HULL FC 22: Furious Leigh Centurions say a huge gaffe from referee Steve Ganson cost them a crucial second Super League victory. Dejected coach Darren Abram claimed referee Ganson even came into the Leigh dressing room at the end
BURY Lions will display their pride when the club stages a St George's Day celebration. The event, with a distinct musical theme, will be held at Ramsbottom Civic Hall on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 7.30pm. Taking part in the celebration will be
CLOTHES for cash - it's a fair trade. That will be the message at St James' Church in Walshaw Road, Bury, on Saturday April 23 when it stages a fashion show as part of the Make Poverty History campaign. All the companies supplying clothes and accessories
A PROPERTY tycoon has turned to witchcraft to help his beloved Burnley FC win promotion to the Premiership. John Sullivan, who is a club director, paid a record £4,600 for a pottery plaque of a witch at an auction in Chester. Now he hopes to persuade
INTREPID explorers from Ramsbottom Scout Group are preparing for a challenge of a lifetime as they travel to Finland this summer for a 10-day expedition. The group of 10 Scouts will be hoping to attain their Explorer Belts by learning more about another
WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1, SHAKERS 2: Wycombe Wanderers were banking on all three points from this game to keep their promotion play-off hopes alive but were denied even one as Graham Barrow's men bounced back from a slow start to secure a fine victory. Hero
ELECTION candidates in Pendle have started a war of words over accusations of dirty tricks in a campaign leaflet. And Labour MP Gordon Prentice has accused his Liberal Democrat opponent of 'staging a phoney photograph' for the leaflets, which he now wants
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
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes today insisted 'we'll be back' as he began the task of trying to raise his players' spirits following Saturday's disappointing FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Arsenal. Rovers' dreams of reaching the final for the first
WORK on Darwen's new health centre is expected to be completed ahead of schedule next month. And patients could start using some of the services as early as June. Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust has also confirmed that local people can look round
RED-FACED council bosses have been forced to rip down posters promoting an anti-social behaviour hotline ... after confusing Darwen with its Australian sound-a-like. Dozens of posters were stuck up inside phone boxes across Blackburn with Darwen promoting
COUNCIL chiefs in Rossendale today dismissed rumours that plans to build a new civic hall would be scrapped. Owen Williams, the council's chief executive, reassured residents that the authority was committed to re-building the fire ravaged Whitworth Civic
UP to 1,000 new office jobs could be created alongside the M65 if a development firm persuades planners to back his plans. It is the second time Edgworth-based Charles Topham Ltd has applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for permission to redevelop
It's all Rover And thousands of tired and disappointed Rovers fans, up since dawn to get to Cardiff for the FA Cup semi final showdown with Arsenal, had to endure the long journey home dreaming of what might have been. A 3-0 defeat, coupled with stinging
A COUNCILLOR has been ordered to clean up his act by his council leader after committing breaches of health and safety regulations at his food shop. Coun Kate Hollern told Hussain Akhtar he should be setting a positive example- and that the case proved
POLICE found a cannabis factory when they raided a former plumber's merchants in Clayton-le-Moors, a court was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how officers discovered about 400 plants in three 'zones,' and how the electricity had been by-passed. Ex-convict
WOKING 2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 JOHN Coleman aimed a verbal attack at referee Martin Yerby after watching his team lose to a dramatic injury-time goal at Kingfield. The Accrington boss let his feelings boil over to reporters immediately after the final
Sedgley Park have experienced 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 Orrell, has agreed a full-time professional
THE footballing exploits of Lion of Vienna Nat Lofthouse have been immortalised in a unique piece of memorabilia created by a Bury firm. For the Bolton Wanderers legend can now add to the 33 England caps he amassed during his illustrious career after
EXTINCT phones could end up saving endangered species at Chester Zoo. Bury Council has teamed up with the zoo and Office Green Technologies to encourage the recycling of old mobiles and computer printer cartridges. So pick up a Freepost envelope from
THE latest meeting of Cockey Moor W I was on Monday April 11. After the business matters were over, our speaker for the evening was Mrs D Hindle who gave us a very enlightening talk on the life of Beatrix Potter, who was author, artist and country woman
A drink-driver whose journey started at Haslingden and ended up in Bury via the motorway told a police patrol that she had also been smoking cannabis, a court heard. Deborah Kershaw, of Cobden End Lane, Haslingden, admitted she drove on the M66 with excess
KEEPING the Shakers' flag flying while on duty in Iraq is local squaddie Corporal Scott Howley. Taking a break from the dangers of his daily duties, the soldier has found the time to follow his beloved Bury FC on the internet and is a regular contributor
DOG owners are being urged to check their dog is fully vaccinated following a case of canine Parvovirus. Pennine Vets, in Bury Road, Tottington, treated the case of Parvo last week, which originally broke out as an epidemic in the 1970s, killing thousands
BURY Lions will display their pride when the club stages a St George's Day celebration. The event, with a distinct musical theme, will be held at Ramsbottom Civic Hall on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 7.30pm. Taking part in the celebration will be
LOVERS of Burrs Country Park are needed to step forward and help take care of the open space they cherish. Park users are invited to the launch of the Friends of Burrs group on Wednesday at Burrs Activity Centre. Members would have the option of helping
BURY Rotary Club kept people at arm's length in the nicest possible way when it staged its third annual free blood pressure check event. The organisation's Stroke Awareness Day was held at Boots in The Mall, Bury, on Saturday and around 135 shoppers underwent
CLOTHES for cash - it's a fair trade. That will be the message at St James' Church in Walshaw Road, Bury, on Saturday April 23 when it stages a fashion show as part of the Make Poverty History campaign. All the companies supplying clothes and accessories
YOUNG army cadets in Ramsbottom have been recognised for their hard work. A special presentation evening was held to honour cadets in the Ramsbottom detachment who had received promotion in the ranks or completed commendable duties. The ceremony was held
AT last we've got it, The Thoughts of Chairman Tony, the Little Red Book. Within its pages are 273 promises of which 272 have been made before and broken. Cut gun crime: the first thing Tony did when he first came to office was ban hand guns. Now there
MAX Mondryk (10) took on the role of his pop idol Freddie Mercury and won his way to the final of a regional talent contest. Max's achievement was important to his family as he suffers from Attention Defict Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and began singing
IT was with great sadness that we received the news in February of the death of Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International. He was a man who brought light into the darkness of prisons, exposed the horror of torture chambers and death camps around
INTREPID explorers from Ramsbottom Scout Group are preparing for a challenge of a lifetime as they travel to Finland this summer for a 10-day expedition. The group of 10 Scouts will be hoping to attain their Explorer Belts by learning more about another
THE battle against the risk of bugs in Fairfield Hospital has been stepped up as visitors are being asked to use the newly-installed alcohol rub dispensers. The dispensers have been fitted beside the beds - which total around 500 - for both staff and
THERE was a top turnout at the Tottington and District Horticultural Society spring show as members celebrated their 70th anniversary. More than 50 exhibitors braved the wintry weather to celebrate spring at Greenmount Old School with entries ranging
BURY boxing sensation Amir Khan is adding his weight to a new fundraising challenge to help abused children. The Olympic silver medalist is challenging people across the borough to get involved in the NSPCC's 'Stop and Go' campaign. It encourages people
A children's charity is starting a recruitment drive to find more volunteer drivers from Bury. The Manchester and District Transport for Sick Children has been helping families across the borough by providing transport for ill youngsters to attend health
A BURY businessman who has operated a Rover dealership for more than 25 years is to have a top level meeting today over the crisis surrounding the troubled car company. Mr Richard Cort will hold talks with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials
A WIFE'S worry for her husband led to his arrest for drink-driving, a court heard. John Rowlands (68), of Holthouse Road, Tottington, admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared before Bury magistrates. The hearing was told his wife had expressed
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes today insisted 'we'll be back' as he began the task of trying to raise his players' spirits following Saturday's disappointing FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Arsenal. Rovers' dreams of reaching the final for the first
MARK Hughes has leapt to the defence of his players after they were accused of using bully-boy tactics in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger criticised Rovers' physical style and claimed Patrick
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott says demolishing hundreds of homes is the only way to develop sustainable communities in East Lancashire Mr Prescott's comments, made on a weekend trip to East Lancashire, come as scores of homeowners are protesting
THE WIFE of a motor-cyclist who died on Britain's most dangerous stretch of road today paid tribute to the father-of-two and said: "He had a heart of gold." Mark Smith died after his Suzuki 249cc bike was involved in a collision with a Nissan pick-up
POLICE found a cannabis factory when they raided a former plumber's merchants in Clayton-le-Moors, a court was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how officers discovered about 400 plants in three 'zones,' and how the electricity had been by-passed. Ex-convict
MAX Mondryk (10) took on the role of his pop idol Freddie Mercury and won his way to the final of a regional talent contest. Max's achievement was important to his family as he suffers from Attention Defict Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and began singing
A COLNE couple will be able to fulfil their dream of caring for rescued horses after councillors eased fears over construction traffic. The new owners of Harwes Farm, Black Lane Ends, plan to build a stable block and riding arena, as well as extend the
ELECTION candidates in Pendle have started a war of words over accusations of dirty tricks in a campaign leaflet. And Labour MP Gordon Prentice has accused his Liberal Democrat opponent of 'staging a phoney photograph' for the leaflets, which he now wants
A LEIGH man was involved in a large-scale cocaine supply plot, a jury was told. Warren Cox was seen having three meetings with another alleged conspirator, Radcliffe man Paul Robinson, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Cox and Anne Marie O'Connor, at whose
SABDEN gran Maralyn Duff took to the skies to raise cash for a new children's play area. Maralyn, 67, won the 30-minute lesson in a raffle organised by Sabden Play Park Trust. And she tried to hide her nerves as she took off in the four-seater plane at
CLITHEROE'S Great Days Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer with its very own children's festival. The annual weekend festival of song, dance and street entertainment regularly attracts large crowds to the Ribble Valley market town. This
BURNLEY can hammer the final nail in Nottingham Forest's coffin next weekend - but only if they battle for 'more than 90 minutes'! The Clarets drew 1-1 with Championship strugglers Brighton on Saturday after allowing Albion back into the game with a sloppy
STEVE Cotterill asked his players for a performance against Brighton - and got half of his wish! The very term 'game of two halves' was invented with this meeting in mind as, for the first 45 minutes, the Turf Moor faithful were treated to a half as free-flowing
BEDLAM, a 1948 recording by the Benny Goodman Septet, opened a recital given by Mr Don MacPherson to members of Bury Jazz Society last Monday evening. Each year, Metronome music magazine held a readers poll to find the most popular jazz musicians, and
BURNLEY can hammer the final nail in Nottingham Forest's coffin next weekend - but only if they battle for 'more than 90 minutes'! The Clarets drew 1-1 with Championship strugglers Brighton on Saturday after allowing Albion back into the game with a sloppy
STEVE Foster scored his 33rd goal of the season to rescue a point for Radcliffe Borough against Matlock Town. The prolific striker popped up in the 84th minute to force a draw at Stainton Park after a scrappy game. In the North West Counties League, Atherton
PUPILS from two East Lancashire schools swapped history books for poetry as part of a project exploring what life was like during the Second World War. Youngsters from Beardwood School, Blackburn, and Darwen Vale High School were involved in a range of
LEIGH RMI are urging their fans to help bring a carnival atmosphere to Tuesday night's game against Dagenham & Redbridge. The match is the last Conference game RMI will play at Hilton Park following their relegation, but rather than marking it as
