Archive

  • NHS pays out £2.5m to East Lancs private hospitals

    PRIVATE hospitals have received more than £2.5million for treating East Lancashire NHS patients since 2012, compared to just £83,000 in the previous two years. The Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Hospitals have shelled out for hundreds of patients

  • Blackburn with Darwen under 7s will get a free school meal

    BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has said it is ready to implement the Government’s new policy of free school meals to all primary school children up to age seven. Figures had shown a shortfall of £150,000 in the cash being paid to the authority by

  • PUB OF THE WEEK: Griffin Inn, Haslingden

    THE smell of malted barley was in the air as both me and beery compatriot Bob Fletcher approached this week’s selection for the pub review. The Griffin Inn could quite easily be described as a beer utopia. The reason being everything that typifies

  • Village invites you to Walk back in time

    A HERITAGE board, setting out the history of Walk Mill, Cliviger, has been unveiled by the village’s archives group. It is the second area within the community to go under the historical microscope – Mereclough and its chapel was the first – and

  • Ad’s how we did it!

    TRIUMPH Bonnevilles and Royal Enfields were some of the new models in the motorcycle showroom in 1959. Who can remember popping along to King’s in Penny Street, Blackburn, that year to see its ‘wonderful stock of new or used machines’? With

  • GPO workers despatched post-haste to the Front

    THE Post Office is staging special travelling displays in its branches to commemorate the First World War. The exhibitions, which were launched at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, home of the iconic Chelsea pensioners, will travel the length and breadth

  • HOLD THE FRONT PAGE: 10 men injured in scaffold fall

    TODAY’S headlines told how 10 workmen were flung 50 feet to the ground after scaffolding collapsed in a Blackburn church. Painters and scaffold erectors were trapped in pews under a tangled mass of steel and planks at Gabriel’s Church. Six

  • Vintage Style: Decade of boho disco and glam

    THE 1970s were a huge mix of fashion, that fell into three main categories – Boho, Disco and Glam Rock. Glamour was represented by Bianca Jagger, who was married to Mick Jagger wearing a white Yves Saint Laurent Le Smoking jacket and skirt, and

  • Early 1900s saw huge improvements in old cotton town

    IS the new year of 1950 was welcomed in, Harry Green from Blackburn, looked at the changes during the first half of the century. Writing in the Northern Daily Telegraph, in January, 1950, he said: “Had anyone told you at Yuletide 1900 that 50 years

  • Microbrewer celebrates 10th year with Darwen themed ales

    DARWEN’S microbrewery has celebrated a special year by unveiling a number of locally inspired brews. It will be a decade in September since Barry Tyson launched Hopstar in the garage of his Pole Lane home. Then, he had planning permission from

  • Caring Blackburn couple set up kinship group

    A COUPLE who took in their grandson have set up a support group to help other Lancashire ‘kinship’ carers. Craig and Emma Hammond stepped in to look after little Nathan when it became clear his parents could not do so. They were granted a residency

  • Blackburn burglary turns Eid joy to heartbreak

    THOUSANDS of pounds worth of Asian heritage gold jewellery with huge sentimental value was stolen when burglars ransacked a home as the owners were celebrating Eid. Ali and Sumeya Sodha, of St Anne’s Close, Blackburn, were out with family and friends

  • Diane Cooke: Death’s not a topic to be avoided

    I asked my 80-year-old mum recently if she was afraid of dying. I know that would probably shock some people because death is a taboo subject, but we have a very open and honest relationship. She didn’t fear it, but was nervous of hospitalisation

  • Burnley solicitor up for national award

    A FAMILY law solicitor has been shortlisted for a national award. Rachel Horman, a director at Watson Ramsbottom Solicitors, which has offices in Blackburn, Darwen, Great Harwood and Accrington, is in the running for the title of family partner

  • Clitheroe taxi was unfit for passengers

    A TAXI driver was forced to take his vehicle off the road immediately because it was unfit to carry passengers. It came as enforcement officers in the Ribble Valley teamed up with police and other agencies in a nightime swoop on unroadworthy taxis

  • Anger over Colne centre pharmacy delays

    ANGRY councillors are calling for answers after plans to open a pharmacy in Colne’s new health centre have been delayed. Colne’s Liberal Democrat councillors said they have received a raft of complaints from patients after learning the pharmacy

  • ‘Toxic’ drug mix killed young Rossendale dad

    A ROSSENDALE dad with a history of drug abuse died after he consumed a ‘toxic combiniation’ of five substances, an inquest has heard. Yaro Jan Anderton never woke up after going to bed with his girlfriend Laura Thompson on April 8 this year, a

  • Burnley primary school back on track

    TEACHERS and pupils at a Burnley primary school have been given a great start to their holidays after being told they are back on track. Inspectors ruled in February 2013 that Cherry Fold Primary, in Cog Lane, ‘required improvement’ after it was

  • Lindisfarne’s Darwen date

    IT took the monks of Lindisfarne seven years to carry the body of St Cuthbert from North Northumberland to Durham. It will take Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne 10 weeks to cover the same ground but with a lot more stop-overs.

  • Spot of refreshment

    THE Darwen committee of Cancer Research UK will host an afternoon tea event at St Peter’s Church, Darwen, today from 2pm to 4pm. Entry costs £4.50 which will go towards the charity’s funds.

  • Three displays

    DARWEN library is hosting three exhibitions starting with the current display of ‘Photographs of World War One Church Memorials’. The exhibition room has a showing of ‘Photographs by Stephen Stuart-Smith’ from August 2 to 22 and from August 23

  • Small bin ‘now overflowing’

    LITTER bins that were replaced with smaller alternatives have filled up and are overflowing into the street, a councillor said. Last week Sudell councillor Roy Davies slammed the decision to replace large litter bins in Walmsley Street and Olive

  • Elvis night

    ELVIS Presley impersonator Paul Scholey will perform live at Hoddlesden Conservative Club on Saturday, August 9. Entry costs £3.

  • Banned plays

    THE Banned, featuring Gaz Bailey and performing pop classics, will be live at The Wellington Bar, formerly Darwen Catholic Club, in Wellington Fold, on Saturday, from 8.30pm.

  • Top bass man at Hopstar

    DARWEN Music Projects will welcome The Scott Whitley Quartet to Number 39 Hopstar Brewery Tap in Bridge Street on Thursday. Organiser Gary Ward said: “Scott Whitley is one of the top session bass players in the country, having played with The Animals

  • New windows for club

    NEW windows are being fitted at Rishton’s Free Gardeners Club, in Parker Street. The improvements came after a grant was given to the club, a spokesman said. He added: “The work has already been hailed by members as a massive improvement, with

  • Report made

    RUBBISH in a back yard in Malt Street, Accrington, has been piling up and attracting flies.Councillor Abdul Khan has taken photographs of the refuse and reported the matter to the relevant council department.

  • Planning bid

    ANDREW Hart has applied for planning permission to convert and extend a single-storey detached double garage into a four-bedroom ‘granny flat’. Mr Hart, of Redhouse Close, Clayton-le-Moors, said it would be used by family members.

  • 10-years lease deal will be of benefit

    HYNDBURN Voluntary and Community Centre is set to benefit from a new free ten-year lease, if councillors agree. The centre, which offers accomodation solutions to residents, will be allowed to stay at the St James Old School Building, in Cannon

  • Residents warned over summer thefts

    RESIDENTS are being warned to be on the lookout for crooks during the summer weather. Milnshaw’s Labour councillor Paul Cox spoke out after an increase in the number of burglaries and theft. He said: “It’s not often that we get prolonged spells

  • Money spent

    HYNDBURN Council spent £7,830 on terrorism-related insurance premiums in June, documents show. Two sums of money, £398.36 and £7,431.34, were paid to Zurich Insurance Plc for ‘terrorism cover’, according to expenditure data.

  • Trip lined up

    COPPERHOUSE Children’s Centre is organising a trip to the Wellybobs farm, in Darwen, on Wednesday, August 6. There will be pickup points in Huncoat, Clayton-le-Moors, and Rishton between 9am and 10am, and the price is £10.50 for children and £6.50

  • Children on ‘noble quest’

    VISITORS to Accrington Library will take part in a Mythical Mystery Quest from 11am until noon on Wednesday, August 6. The event, part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2014, will see youngsters follow in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks as they

  • Historic house to stay with group

    A HISTORIC house will continue to be loaned to a community group at a rock bottom rate. Churchfield House, in Great Harwood, will be leased by the Churchfield House Trust at a ‘peppercorn rent’, which means considerably below the market value.

  • Bouncy fun

    AN inflatable world funfair is to descend on Longridge. The attraction will be at the Recreation Ground, in Kestor Lane, on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm. All rides cost £1.

  • Hatty japes

    A MAD Hatter’s Tea Party takes place on Saturday at Dutton Manor, Dutton from 2pm to 5pm. Entry costs £5 for adults or £12 for a family ticket, which includes afternoon tea. Visitors can wear a ‘mad hat’ and there will be lots of games. For information

  • Fundraiser in memory of tragic Nelson quad biker

    A TRIBUTE night has been arranged at a Burnley venue for a Nelson man who died in a quad biking accident in Australia earlier this year. Bar Code in Hammerton Street will play host to the charity fundraiser in memory of Scott Thompson, the former

  • War candle

    A CENTENARY candle is to be lit at a Remembrance Service to mark the beginning of the First World War. Members of Whalley and District Royal British Legion will be at the town’s war memorial from 9.45pm on August 4 to remember all those who sacrificed

  • Rare chance to see garden

    A RIBCHESTER garden is to open up to the public on August 9 and 10. The Lower Dutton Farm site, in Galloes Lane, will welcome visitors from 1pm to 5pm. Admission costs £3.50. There will will be a plant sale and refreshments will also be available

  • Boxing date

    BAD Blood, a night of boxing, will be held at Bacup Hub, in Burnley Road, on Saturday, November 1 from 7pm. For more information, call 01706 875550.

  • Tasty invite

    JAMS, chutneys, free-range eggs and craft items produced by Cronkshaw Fold Farm, off Alden Road, Helmshore, are available to buy on site. For more information, call 01706 218614.

  • Ladies’ night

    A LADIES’ night with hair, nails, teeth whitening, weight loss wraps and other treatments available for £10, will be held at the Hare and Hounds, in Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, tomorrow from 6pm.

  • ‘Dragon’ Piers in pledge over book

    DRAGONS’ Den’s Piers Linney, who grew up in Bacup, has pledged £100,000 to the programme’s highest ever valued fledgling business. Linney offered the cash to Lost My Name, a book about a child who lost their name. The deal was in exchange for

  • Family show for children’s hospital

    A FAMILY show aimed at raising cash for the cleft lip and palate department of Manchester Children’s Hospital in memory of a toddler from Stacksteads is to be held in September. The night at Cafe Artisan in Rawtenstall in memory of 21-month-old

  • Session for news on turbines plans

    A COMMUNITY drop-in session to keep Whitworth residents informed about the construction of 11 wind turbines near Littleborough is to be held. A spokesman for developers Coronation Power said work has now started on site, with the construction compound

  • Pick a poppy in gratitude

    VILLAGERS are urging visitors to pick up a selection of poppies to create a lasting memorial to the ‘Tommies’ who made the supreme sacrifice in World War One. The Roughlee Poppy Project has seen specimens from Flanders field planted around the

  • Zone venue

    A DANCE, media and music workshop session will be held at The Zone, in Burnley Road, Rawtenstall on Tuesday, from 1pm to 4pm. For more information, call Kaleem Anwar on 01706 242020.

  • Eco-craft is event’s theme

    AN eco-craft event for four to 11-year-olds, led by artist David Hollos, will be held at the Nuttall Park base in Ramsbottom tomorrow from 9.30am to 11am, 11.30am to 1pm, or 2pm to 3.30pm. The session is £3 per child. To book, call David on 07840 908829

  • Sean takes top prize

    PENDLE dairy farmer Sean Hickey won a top prize at the July Craven Dairy Auction. A rare show exhibitor, his trip into the dairy show arena at Skipton Auction Mart this week was rewarded when his first prize newly-calved heifer progressed to clinch

  • Changes in local clergy

    THE Reverend John Knott has this month been licensed as priest-in-charge of the Colne and Villages team of the Church of England by Bishop of Blackburn Julian Henderson. He will become Rector of Foulridge, Trawden and Laneshawbridge when the new

  • Bar row man targeted cars

    A vandal who had an altercation with door staff at a bar scratched two parked cars, a court heard. Romanian KFC worker Florin Alexandru Jechianu, 25, was said to have caused £1,200 of damage to a Renault Megane and a VW Passat in Burnley town centre

  • Belly dancing

    BURNLEY Miners’ Club in Plumbe Street has a beginners’ belly dancing class at 10am tomorrow For details call 01282 477559.

  • Home change

    MR MADDISON of Montford Hall Farm, Cuckstool Lane, Fence, has submitted a planning application to Pendle Borough Council. Mr Maddison wishes to extend his property by building a single storey extension to the back of the house.

  • Nurses meet

    PENDLE-based nurses held a successful networking forum to share best practice and plan how they can provide better co-ordinated care for patients.

  • Beach party

    NELSON’S Beacon Children’s Centre is offering a free beach party for under 12s from 1.30 to 3pm today. Youngsters attending are advised to bring a bucket and spade.

  • Holiday sports

    EARBY Primary School will today host a summer holiday sports programme for five to 16-year-olds from 8.30 am to 5pm as a cost of £12. There will be similar events tomorrow and Friday.

  • Take a class

    ADULTS are being invited to consider taking a course at Nelson and Colne College. The classes, which include photography, hair and beauty and catering, could boost participants’ career prospects, lecturers said. For a prospectus, visit www.nelson.ac.uk

  • Author to talk about first book

    LANCASHIRE author Michelle Flatley will talk about her first book ‘My Beautiful England’ at Blackburn library on Wednesday, August 27 at 2pm. The book is set in Burnley and is the story of three women who overcome obstacles to make a new life for

  • Dementia aid

    THE Rossendale branch of the Alzheimer’s Society will meet at the Old School Room, St James the Less Church, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on August 21. Randip Bhogal will give a talk about Social Services in the borough.

  • Cannabis charges

    A 21-year-old man appeared before Burnley magistrates, accused of growing 64 cannabis plants at Whitworth. Mason Nield is charged with producing cannabis at Market Street, on March 28 and abstracting electricity at the same address on the same

  • Drug user to train for run

    Jason Thomas, 23, of Leamington Avenue, Burnley, admitted possessing cannabis at Nelson, last August 16. The defendant, who was caught smoking a joint by police, had used the drug for nine years, but had since cut down, had started a fitness campaign

  • GPs engaged

    NHS officers in Pendle have been engaging with GP practices to set up Patient Participation Groups where they have not already been established.

  • Keeping fit

    A CIRCUIT training class is to be held at the Padiham Unitarians Nazareth Chapel in Padiham tomorrow. The session at the Church Street venue will run from 6.30pm. For more iinformation about the circuit training sessionnformation, call 07951486794

  • Bar row man scratched cars

    A vandal who had an altercation with door staff at a bar scratched two parked cars, a court heard. KFC worker Florin Alexandru Jechianu, 25, was said to have caused damage to the tune of £1,200 to a Renault Megane and VW Passat in Burnley town

  • Thief stole £20 of meat

    A thief stole meat worth almost £20 from Lidl. Burnley magistrates heard how ex-heroin addict Liam Michael Daley, 34, had previously tried to feed his habit while on benefits. It was the third time this year he had been caught shoplifting,

  • £2.6m surplus

    EAST Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group has achieved its planned surplus of £2.6 million for the three months to June.

  • Bike aware

    LANCASHIRE Police have urged motorists to look out for motorcycles and bicycles when approaching junctions. About 30 bikers are killed each day at junctions in the UK, officers said.

  • Date for sale

    ACTION for Children are holding a car boot sale on the grounds of the children’s centre on Brunswick street, Burnley on Friday, August 1. Sellers arrive for set up at 9am and refreshments toilet facilities are available.

  • Church invite over fallen

    THE Church of St Matthew’s in Burnley has found the addresses of the fallen from the First World War listed on their war memorial who left from these homes never to return. The Parochial Church Council has invited those who now live at these addresses

  • Appeal to recruits

    HASLINGDEN and Rawtenstall fire stations are looking to recruit retained firefighters. Pop into the stations for more information or see http://www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/retained-firefighters/

  • Director passes on skills to young act

    CHILDREN will have the opportunity to work with a professional director to learn new acting skills as part of a Burnley Youth Theatre summer workshop. The classes for youngsters in school years one, two and three, will take place from Monday, August

  • Fundraising aims

    THE next Friends of Simonstone School meeting is set to take place at village’s Stork Hotel. It will be held from 7.30pm on September 23, when the school’s social and fund-raising events for the autumn term will be planned.

  • Castle plans

    RIBBLE Valley Council is in the process of designing a permanent orienteering course within the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

  • Thief was ‘led astray’ court told

    A MAN who stole diesel worth almost £100 planned to sell it, Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told Deivydas Grublys, 23, was seen at petrol stations filling containers with fuel and driving off. He also by-passed the electricity meter at

  • Extension bid

    ROSSENDALE council has received a planning application from Darren Turner who wants to add a single-storey front extension and a single-storey side extension and garage to his home in Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall.

  • Beach life

    A PRIMARY school in Burnley wound up the end of year with a beach party. Staff and pupils said farewell to departing Year 6 pupils with a beach themed party and disco at St Stephen’s CofE, Woodgrove Road. They celebrated the end of term with

  • Woman trapped

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to a house in Arran Street, Burnley, just before midnight on Monday after a woman became locked in her bedroom. Crews used extension ladders to gain access to the house before freeing the woman, a fire service spokesman

  • Leader has ‘turned back’

    LABOUR Leader Ed Miliband’s recent proposals to improve engagement with the public show he has turned his back on the people of the North West, East Lancashire Euro-MP Paul Nuttall has claimed. The UKIP deputy leader Mr Nuttall said: “If Miliband

  • Damage trial

    MAURICE Anthony Taylor, 36, of Berkeley Street, Nelson, is facing trial before Burnley magistrates, on September 10. He denied destroying a £1,000 Samsung TV at Nelson, on July 12.

  • Bald tyres fine

    A DRIVER at the wheel of a hire car which had a bald tyre was spared penalty points. Jobless Haiyat Ali Khan, 21, was fined £70, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge by Burnley magistrates. The defendant, of Thursby Square, Burnley, admitted

  • New school goes out to contract

    TRUSTEES behind a new school are considering applications for contractors. The new Burnley High School’s temp Chapel Street Community Schools Trust are inviting expressions of interest from local contractors that are of a suitable size and possess

  • Burnley defender Mee pens new deal

    BURNLEY defender Ben Mee has signed a new three-year contract at Turf Moor. The 24-year-old joined the Clarets from Manchester City on a permanent basis in 2012 after a successful loan spell, and helped Burnley into the Premier League last season

  • Rovers boss Bowyer close to knowing starting league XI

    BLACKBURN Rovers continue their pre-season preparations with a trip to Bury tonight as Gary Bowyer looks to give some of his first team stars 90 minutes. Rovers have just tonight’s game at Gigg Lane, and the visit of Premier League side Stoke City

  • Armed Burnley heroin dealer jailed for 60 weeks

    A CONVICTED heroin dealer caught during a police sting operation has been jailed for 60 weeks after being found with a knife. Burnley Crown Court heard drug addict Sean Rayson had been “very lucky indeed” to have been given a 12-month community

  • Denwa Double £1000 target for sponsored Charity Walk

    After enduring over thirteen straight hours of scorching hot weather, blistered feet and sunburnt skin, Denwa are incredibly pleased to announce that their 2014 Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge was a monumental success that truly surpassed all expectation

  • Road delays on M65 and A59 near Blackburn after accidents

    There were delays this morning on the M65 and A59 after accidents. At 4am, a lorry heading towards Blackburn from Clitheroe over-turned leading to the A59 being closed near Langho. The driver was initially trapped inside the vehicle but was

  • Calling All Golfers

    Calling all budding Rory Mcilroy's join us at the Chambers Golf Day, feel free to swing your Mashie Niblick, take in the fantastic views from the well groomed 9 Hole course. Get some exercise, laugh out loud, set a goal to get a hole in one or maybe just

  • Earn Money,Keep Fit and Make New Friends

    A new home dog boarding business is looking for people who would like to look after dogs in their own home and earn money in the process. New Chamber member,PetStay East Lancs & Bury has been set up by Linda Healey to provide local dog owners with an

  • Man found covered in blood after attack on Blackburn street

    A MAN was found covered in blood in a Blackburn street after being attacked. The 31-year-old local man was discovered with head injuries close to Blackburn Fire Station, in Freckleton Street. A passer-by banged on the door of the station, in

  • Drink driver crashed after date from hell in Blackburn

    A WOMAN got in her car and drove away after an internet date went horribly wrong. Blackburn magistrates heard Heidi Crompton had been drinking and as she fled collided with four parked cars causing considerable damage to one of them. She was

  • Burnley teenage burglar jailed for four years after raid

    A TEENAGE home raider who struck for a third time has been locked up four years after he committed his first break-in. Jason Holmes, 19, kicked his way into the property on Hammond Avenue, Stacksteads, while he had been subject to a suspended jail

  • ‘Killer’ stun gun found in East Lancs after tip-off

    A TASER gun with enough power to kill has been seized by police. Officers in Rossendale have now launched an investigation into the origins of the 100,000 volt stun gun allegedly bought online. The illegal firearm, with double the power of

  • Burnley boss Dyche positive despite last-minute Preston defeat

    BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche believes his side will take real benefits from last night’s friendly at Preston North End – even though they slipped to a late loss. Josh Brownhill’s 89th-minute free kick gave Preston victory after Alan Browne had cancelled

  • Star trio on trial at Ewood Park

    FORMER Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar is training with Blackburn Rovers as Gary Bowyer looks to strengthen his back four before the season gets underway. The experienced Spaniard has clocked up more than 120 Premier League appearances with