Archive

  • Plans for Reedley Marina recommended for refusal

    AMBITIOUS expansion plans for Reedley Marina could be on the rocks after they were recommended for refusal by Pendle Council. Bosses at the Barden Lane attraction, which is situated on the Leeds-Liverpool canal, have applied for permission

  • Only four babies born at Rossendale birthing centre

    JUST four babies have been born at Rossendale Birth Centre since it opened in December because women are choosing to give bith in hospital. The unit, based at Rossendale Primary Health Care Centre, in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, opened last year to provide

  • Neighbour of alleged Nelson rape victim 'heard screams'

    A NEIGHBOUR of a pensioner allegedly raped in her own home by a 17-year-old boy said he heard screaming and shouting coming for the address. The man told the court he saw two figures arguing through the kitchen window of the property and heard loud

  • Boys as young as 13 wreck 15 cars in Blackburn

    POLICE are hunting two teenage criminals who smashed up 15 cars in a 90-minute £4,000 wrecking spree. The boys – aged between 13 and 15 - targeted the staff car park at Royal Blackburn Hospital before moving on to Shadsworth Leisure Centre

  • Joy as Madison Allan feels like dancing again

    A SIX-year-old cancer battler is dancing again for the first time in two years. The family of Madison Allan of Lower Darwen, said she was ‘beginning to enjoy life again’ as life-saving trial chemotherapy appeared to be working on a large

  • What's on: Eliza Carthy

    PROBABLY one of the most legendary musicians of our time, Eliza Carthy will play Bolton on May 20. Musician, singer, producer, multi-prize-winner, and scion of a UK folk royal family, Eliza is one of the UK’s pre-eminent modern musicians. Her latest

  • Young mum attacked pushing pram in Nelson

    A YOUNG mother was attacked while pushing her five-month-old daughter in her pram in Nelson. Police said the 24-year-old woman was punched twice in the face and fell to the floor where she was kicked in the head. She suffered a bloodied nose and cut

  • Tributes to 'Mr Accrington'

    A cricket club president who has died aged 74 has been described as Mr Accrington. Peter Barratt, who had also worked as a magistrate, spent more than 30 involved with Accrington Cricket Club. He was also an active member of St Anne’

  • Review: The Prison Restaurant, BBC1

    DO we need a prison in every town? Discuss. Some would argue the case that all big towns could fill a prison, while others may say they wouldn’t want a great big ugly building on their doorstep. Have you seen the quality of the food though? Can

  • Review: Water For Elephants (12A)

    Water For Elephants (12A, 120 mins) Drama/Romance. Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, Hal Holbrook, Paul Schneider. Director: Francis Lawrence. Twilight pin-up Robert Pattinson puts a little colour in his cheeks in Francis Lawrence

  • What's on: An Audience with Imran Yusuf

    IN an era of doom and gloom, Imran Yusuf’s lighthearted brand of satire could prove the perfect pick-me-up. The comedian admits he is “one of those irritatingly optimistic people”. Born in Kenya, raised in Hackney and schooled in America, he is

  • Parker a doubt for Blackburn Rovers clash

    West Ham captain Scott Parker is a major doubt for Saturday’s crunch Premier League clash against Blackburn Rovers after breaking down in training. He has been suffering from an Achilles injury.

  • Bateman rides to win on borrowed bike

    Pendle Forest fastman Jason Bateman was back to winning ways – just weeks after having his bikes stolen. Jason clocked an unbeaten 21 minute 09 second ride on a borrowed bike in the 10-mile event at Keswick, which was part of the Nelson Wheelers weekend

  • Salgado confident on Blackburn Rovers future

    Michel Salgado is excited about being part of Blackburn Rovers’ future but knows Premier League safety has to be secured before he can start to dream. Rovers’ Spaniard has become a firm fans’ favourite at Ewood Park since signing from Real Madrid

  • What's on: Duran Duran

    POP legends Duran Duran have announced their first tour in seven years with dates in Liverpool on May 23 and Manchester on June 3. After an absence of seven years, the legendary Duran Duran are undertaking a series of concerts in support of their

  • Handover of keys for Blackburn St Mary's College building

    KEYS to St Mary’s College’s new building have been handed over. Contractors Globe Management Services Ltd marked the end of the construction for the Enterprise Centre at the Shear Brow, Blackburn, college with a ceremony on Monday. The building

  • We were treated like enemies

    I fully understand Oscaritto, Nelson (‘To be or not to be English’, Opinion, April 20). My father was Italian, came to this country at 14, fought in the First World War and when the Second World War started the authorities treated us like enemies.

  • Town built on rubbish?

    ON Sunday morning I looked up a friend’s town on the map: Burnham-on-Sea. What a pleasant name. Exiting my front door (at Ewood), once again I am greeted by rubbish blowing about on my doorstep from the litter bin, full to the brim, two yards away.

  • Brink of deal for Lancashire-built Typhoon

    A LANCASHIRE-made fighter jet is on the brink of being chosen by India for a £7.2billion military order, according to reports. The Asian country is understood to want to buy Eurofighter Typhoons, which are made by defence giant BAE Systems and European

  • Nelson man's fatal overdose ‘an accident’

    A NELSON man was found dead at a friend’s home just hours after a row with his partner, an inquest heard. Burnley Coroner’s Court was told that Christopher Pagani, 30, had fallen out with Mary Ann McCannon and she left him at a home they were sharing

  • Returning Irvine has the Ang of it

    STEPHEN Irvine made his racing comeback at Anglesey Race Circuit and showed that, despite a year’s absence from the race scene, he has lost none of his winning pace. It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Worsthorne driver as, despite putting in a class

  • Hoilett and Dunn set for Rovers return

    JUNIOR Hoilett and David Dunn are in contention to return from injury for Rovers' trip to West Ham on Saturday. The duo have trained all week and should be included in the weekend's squad, provided they have no reaction to the week's work tomorrow.

  • Pendle Hill pop concert plan

    A POP concert is to take place on top of Pendle Hill to raise money towards a new £500,000 base for a mountain rescue team. Members of Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team (RPMRT) also want 1,000 people to dress up as witches for the

  • Sophie breaks British record

    SOPHIE Hitchon has smashed the long-standing British record for the women’s hammer – and taken a huge step towards selection for next year’s Olympics. The World Junior champion broke the U20s record numerous times over the last couple of years, leaving

  • Burnley charged by the FA

    BURNLEY and Leeds United have both been charged by the FA after a fracas in Saturday's match at Elland Road. Players from both sides squared up to each other during Leeds' 1-0 win at the weekend after the home side took exception to a tackle

  • I’ve never doubted my team, says Blackburn Rovers boss

    BLACKBURN Rovers boss Steve Kean insists he has never doubted his players despite growing pressure during the club’s 11-match winless streak. The Rovers boss travels to West Ham on Saturday with a spring in his step after last weekend’s 1-0

  • The Rumour Mill - May 5

    WEST Ham have drawn up an eight-man shortlist to replace Avram Grant as manager - Neil Warnock, Owen Coyle, Paul Lambert, Malky Mackay, Chris Hughton, Slaven Bilic, Ian Holloway and Martin O'Neill. * Sunderland and West Brom are locked in a

  • Overdose after Accrington partner was attacked

    POLICE called to a domestic dispute had to break into a house after a man locked himself in with a baby. Blackburn magistrates heard they found Andrew George James holding the child and swallowing a large quantity of pills. And he was

  • Twin trouble for this class

    IF you look closely at this photograph, you may wonder if you are seeing double. For this old school photograph of St James CofE School, Blackburn, shows two sets of twins. It’s the class of 1959/60 and the fresh faced happy smiling youngsters include

  • Food costs increase on 35 brands

    WHOLESALERS, grocers and shoppers were complaining on January 13 1965, when the price of 35 products went up. Stanley Astley, managing director of Paygo, wholesale grocers in Stancliffe Street, Blackburn, said notification of the rises had arrived

  • Mill owner had a home by the sea

    WHEN Peter and Mandy Mitcham bought Northcroft House in St Anne’s 20 years ago, the character of the building left them in no doubt that it had been built for an English gentleman. A stained glass coat of arms with a Latin inscription aroused their

  • Jobs at risk at East Lancashire Focus DIY chains

    FOCUS, the DIY chain, founded by a former boss at Crown Paints, Darwen, was last night set to go into administration. Almost 4,000 jobs are at risk after Ernst and Young was appointed to the struggling firm. The Crewe-based company is in trouble after

  • Pendle petition plea to help bed firm

    A PETITION in support of beleagured bed firm Silentnight has been delivered to Pendle Council’s chief officer. Members of Barnoldswick Labour Party handed the petition to Stephen Barnes, the council’s chief executive, yesterday. Silentnight last

  • East Lancashire job-seekers facing grim prospects

    THE volume of applications for the role at butcher Doug Ewen’s new market stall highlights the grim situation facing East Lancashire’s job-seekers. Blackburn with Darwen had 3,992 people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) in March, meaning

  • Chorley prisoner in coma after assault in cell

    A MAN from Chorley is fighting for his life after he was seriously assaulted while in prison awaiting trial, it has emerged. Karl Hurley, 25, formerly of Coniston Road, remains in a coma after the attack, which is believed to have taken place in a

  • Hyndburn's oldest resident to hand out certificates

    HYNDBURN’S oldest resident will be handing out certificates at a charity walk this weekend. Alice Horne, 104, will be at the finishing line on Sunday for the sixth annual walk, organised by the Rotary Club of Church and Oswaldtwistle. Mayor Malcolm

  • Brierfield youth 'raped East Lancashire pensioner'

    A TEENAGER raped an East Lancashire pensioner after arriving at her home armed with a stick, a court has heard. The youth, 17, said to be drunk, armed himself with two kitchen knives after stumbling into the OAP’s Nelson home last October,

  • Ex-mayor’s anger as Rossendale bus service goes bust

    A FORMER Rossendale mayor was among elderly residents left stranded at bus stops after the company running the dial-a-ride service went into administration. Bosses at Lancashire County Council are now urgently seeking a new firm to run a door-to-door

  • Why we all should get out and vote

    I LIKE canvassing at election time and love going around ringing on strangers’ doors enquiring how they may vote. I very rarely come across anyone who is unpleasant. The whole point of canvassing is merely to gauge response. I always say “Are

  • Haslingden and Hyndburn MP recalls political journey

    AN annual lecture in memory of a former Nelson and Colne MP has been hailed a success. The annual Sydney Silverman Memorial lecture was given at Primet Community Centre by Graham Jones, MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn. Before the lecture, a short

  • Battle is on for Blackburn Rovers loan striker

    Blackburn Rovers look set to face serious competition in their attempts to sign Roque Santa Cruz permanently this summer - with Manchester City ready to accept a cut-price fee for the striker. The Paraguayan international has struggled to

  • Colne girl scoops prestigious movie award

    A CUTTING-EDGE movie starring a Pendle actress has scooped a prestigious award at an American film festival. ‘Re-Evolution’, which has Charis Deighton in the lead role, won the Gold Remi at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival. In the

  • Legal battle to claw back cash for East Lancashire schools

    COUNCIL bosses in East Lancashire have launched a legal bid to claw back money taken by the government to fund academies. Blackburn with Darwen Council revealed yesterday that it is one of 23 local authorities fighting to get back its share of £148million

  • Dream season for Burnley striker

    JAY Rodriguez says his season has surpassed all expectations, but is looking forward to taking it on to another level next term. The homegrown striker is Burnley’s leading league goalscorer with 13 going into the final game of the season, and

  • Two face Blackburn Rovers chants charge

    TWO men appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with chanting racist and homophobic remarks during the Cup game between Rovers and Queens Park Rangers on January 8. Graham Gooden, 42, of New Wellington Close, and Craig Rhodes, 41, of Broadway

  • Blackburn Netto supermarket to reopen as UGO

    A SUPERMARKET is to reopen under a new name after a rebrand. Blackburn’s Netto store, in Montague Street, is now owned by the Haldane Retail Group and will shut on Saturday. But it will reopen on Monday under the UGO name, a discount store with

  • Clitheroe's ‘rookie’ boss wins top league award

    CLITHEROE’S Carl Garner has landed the Evo-Stik League’s manager of the month award ... just four weeks into his managerial career. Garner, the former chairman, took the reins at the end of last month after Peter Smith quit the Shawbridge hotseat

  • Geoffrey the footballing pony wows Bleakholt visitors

    HE’S got skill, pace and power – everything the modern footballer needs. Meet Geoffrey the footballing pony. He has been wowing visitors with his sublime football skills at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary. Geoffrey, three, likes nothing

  • Darwen site on way for ashes scattering

    THE first dedicated ashes scattering site in Darwen is taking shape. Current rules state that ashes can only be interred in the town’s two cemeter-ies, but the Friends of Darwen Cemetery have started work on a flower garden for families to use instead

  • Ex-Bond girl wants to trace Nelson Cold War spy suspect

    AN EX-BOND girl has launched a search for a former Nelson man who was jailed for 22 years amid fears he was working as a Soviet spy during the Cold War. Film star Fiona Fullerton struck up a penpal relationship with Alex Alexandrowicz after

  • One death can’t diminish evil

    PRESIDENT Obama states that the world is now a safer place with Osama bin Laden dead. He is wrong. While many will rejoice at the demise of the ‘world’s most wanted terrorist’, his death may prove to be a catalyst for many of his followers to

  • Time to abolish Victorian system

    THE appalling advice (LT, May 2) to vote NO to voting reform “if they can be bothered” will doubtless have been of great comfort to the political establishment. The way we vote today was devised in the 19th century for a badly educated electorate

  • Clamour for job is very indicative

    THE art of butchery should be recognised as a skilled trade and potentially a fine career. So it is no surprise that Doug Ewen attracted candidates for the role of counter assistant in the new Blackburn Market. What is a surprise is that a fair

  • Special duo from Volvo

    VOLVO’S S80 and V70 models now come in special versions. They are tailor made for buyers who want a car with that extra exclusive look and individual touch. Volvo S80 Executive features details that reinforce its position as Volvo's top-of-the-line

  • Lotus snaps up Caterham

    TEAM Lotus Enterprise has bought British sportscar maker Caterham Cars and to celebrate, the iconic British sportscar marque will build a limited run of special editions. Just 25 of theTeam Lotus Sevens upgrade packages, which can be applied to any

  • Aston is Britain's favourite

    THE Aston Martin DB9 has trumped its closest rivals to be voted Britain’s favourite supercar in a survey. The DB9 finished on pole position with the Audi R8 and Bugatti Veyron taking second and third place. It may be the most coveted

  • New trim for Skoda

    SKODA has this week launched an all-new trim level called SE Plus across its entire multi-award winning model range. It sits between SE and range-topping Elegance models, and offers customers savings of up to £1,310. The trim is offered

  • Drivers 'putting lives at risk'

    MORE than half of motorists are putting their lives and those of other road users in serious danger by letting their tyres drop below the regulation tread depth before changing them, a survey by mytyres.co.uk has found. When asked what would prompt

  • Back to the future with Ford

    TO celebrate the centenary of Ford of Britain in 2011 the company is exploring its photo archive to reveal rarely seen images. Ford's relationship with Britain and its society is being illustrated by specially selected pictures. There was a time

  • Porsche gains extra power

    PORSCHE will launch a new variant of the successful racing pedigree 911 GT3 RS this July, offering more power and greater performance. Limited to 600 vehicles worldwide, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 takes all the attributes that have made the GT3 a serial winner

  • ‘Custom-built cannabis house’ found in Blackburn

    A DETACHED house containing a £300,000 cannabis factory may have been purpose-built to produce drugs, according to police. Around 600 plants were found yesterday in the Blackburn property set back off the main road behind seven-foot concrete

  • Why I really feel so diminished

    Any man’s death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind, and therefore send not to know for whom the bells toll; it tolls for thee. These were the words of John Donne (1572 – 1631), poet, MP, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral. This resonant phrase

  • Dozens of firefighters tackle another Darwen moorland fire

    DOZENS of firefighters have been fighting another moorland fire in Darwen this morning. Six crews form East Lancashire were called to an area between Grane Road and Jackson Heights Road, Pickup Bank, at 2am. By 8am the fire was contained

  • Woman, 85, dies after Pendle car crash

    AN ELDERLY woman has died after a car crash yesterday afternoon. The 85-year-old, named by police as Norah Graham from Fence, died in hospital after the head-on collision. She was the front-seat passenger in a grey Vauxhall Astra which