THE image above will be instantly recognisable to anyone who was around prior to the 1970s in the Accrington Road/Gannow Lane districts of Burnley. It was taken in 1978, on the lower section of Cog Lane that has now been obliterated by the motorway
IT’S back to school this week in our weekly glimpse at the way we were. Today, we step back more than 60 years and take a look at pupils from St Joseph’s Primary School, Blackburn, in 1952. Here they are in the flagged school playground in
THE arrival of the 1960s heralded a battle of the hairstyles. Top hairdressers in Germany, Austria and France were all vying for haute coiffure supremacy, with brand new fashion styles, which were being copied by stylists throughout East Lancashire
ONE of the last remaining pieces of Edwardian elegance in Darwen town centre is heading for the chop. The original wooden counter at Darwen Library is to be partly taken out within a few weeks to make way for self-service machines and bins for
A BURNLEY fire chief took quick evasive action to save his life during a fire back in 1960. Assistant divisional officer, Herbert White, rammed his head through a house window – luckily, he was wearing his helmet at the time – to protect himself
MAKING the headlines today was the grisly tale of a Blackburn murder after a man was found battered to death in a pawnbroker’s shop in Eanam. Police discovered the body of Fred Gallagher in the early hours of the morning after he failed to return
THE 1930’s saw the rise of the Hollywood star and she began to influence the outfits of everyday women. Marlene Dietrich in her androgynous tuxedos, and Katharine Hepburn in her flowing trousers and make-up-free face were a breath of fresh air.
THE sons of two Royal Marine Commandos want to trace the family of their father’s wartime colleague and friend, who was killed in action in the Second World War. Sergeant Albert John Henry Hewitt, known as Harry, Corporal Eric Taylor and Corporal
A CHILD has reported being raped and sexually abused by different groups of men in Blackburn with Darwen. The borough’s engage team, which aims to tackle child sexual exploitation, has launched an investigation into the claims, which were made
RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has argued for a “fair deal” for dairy farmers, in the face of a new price war between supermarkets. Mr Evans said dairy farmers are facing a bigger challenge, with milk quotas being removed by the EU. MORE TOP
A MAN taken to hospital following a drug overdose became abusive towards staff trying to help him. Blackburn magistrates heard that when security staff were called they were subjected to racially-aggravated abuse and threats towards them and their
THE Mellor Village Quiz will be held this year on Friday, February 13, in the school hall starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6.50 each and will include a meat and potato pie supper. The quizmaster will be Rev Roland Nicholson and there will be a
SAMLESBURY PALS Group will hold a ladies’ afternoon tea on Thursday, February 5, in the Grill Room at the New Samlesbury Hotel. It will start at 3pm and costs £11.50 per head. Anyone wishing to go can contact Grace Redmayne on 01772 877307.
PARENTS at a Ribble Valley school have been reminded to make sure their children arrive in time for the start of the day. Longridge CE Primary School in Berry Lane wrote in the weekly newsletter to parents asking them to make sure their children
FORMER Burnley footballer Clarke Carlisle has come out of his coma, a court was told yesterday. The 35-year-old was seriously injured after being struck by a lorry on the A64 near York on December 22. MORE TOP STORIES: That was just two
BLACKBURN and Burnley both fared badly in two statistical reports published this week on the North/South divide. The studies claim the two towns are failing to share in the economic recovery. The Centre for Cities says for every 12 jobs created
EAST Lancashire’s hospitals had to cancel 29 non-urgent operations in the first full week of January. The Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals have been under severe pressure this winter, due to high numbers of patients and the difficulties
A CHARITY event is due to be staged in Longridge at the end of the month. The event, in aid of Help for Heroes, will be held at the Royal British Legion Club in Towneley Road, Longridge, on Saturday, January 31. The fundraiser will include
A TEENAGER swung punches at a doorman after being thrown out of a Clitheroe pub, Blackburn magistrates heard. Daniel Thomas Munn, 19, continued to struggle with police officers outside the White Lion, in Market Place, as they took him to the ground
THE first restaurant set up by an East Lancashire celebrity chef could be converted into flats. A bid to convert the The Longridge Restaurant in Higher Road, Longridge, has been submitted for approval to Ribble Valley Borough Council. The business
FEARS are growing over the future of a Ribble Valley pub after it suddenly closed. The Brown Cow pub in Chatburn, which dates back to the 18th century, shut its doors recently, leaving villagers concerned about the future of the historic site.
A STUDENT from Nelson and Colne College sixth form is celebrating after being accepted into the Sutton Trust’s Pathway to Law programme at the University of Manchester. Hannah Fielding, who is from Great Harwood, is currently studying for A Levels
ELECTRICITY bosses have confirmed more than 50 agency and contractor posts, and a number of permanent positions, are under threat across the North West after future operational costs were slashed by their official watchdog. But management at Electricity
I ALMOST killed the window cleaner last week. I work part of the week from home and on those days I sometimes don’t get out of my dressing gown until 15 minutes before my partner arrives home. Well, where’s the harm. It’s not as if I’m shopping
DAIRY farmers across East Lancashire are bracing themselves for a period of changeable weather which increases the risk of pneumonia in herds. Temperatures swinging from one extreme to the other, which the region has experience in recent weeks,
A 78-YEAR-OLD man has appeared at crown court charged with rape. The case of Arthur Procter, of Ferrier Close, Blackburn, was adjourned until March 30 for a plea and case management hearing at Preston Crown Court. MORE TOP STORIES: On this
TWENTY doctors’ surgeries in Blackburn with Darwen have signed up to a controversial project which aims to upload patient records to a central NHS database. The borough has been chosen as one of four “pathfinder” areas for the Care.data project
RE,£2 MILLION Blackburn Islamic girls boarding school gets go-ahead This is disgusting. I don’t think there are any all Christian or all Catholic high schools left in Blackburn anymore. Personally I’m an Atheist but this bending over backwards to accommodate
RE,£2 MILLION Blackburn Islamic girls boarding school gets go-ahead I am a female Muslim, but I am British and proud of it above everything else. These schools do nothing to help integration within British culture. They isolate and breed contempt
RE, £2 MILLION Blackburn Islamic girls boarding school gets go-ahead With recent comments from senior politicians indicating Imams must do more to inculcate British values in the Muslim population, this move must be seen as very positive. The school
RE, VICTORY: Notorious M65 junction to be re-lit following serious safety concerns I am not convinced that lighting the highway will prevent accidents, but I am content if it reduces them. The question then arises of how long that the lights will
RE, ANGER as Blackburn pupils’ daily bus fares could rise to £4.50 As a taxpayer I am more than happy to pay for state schools for every child. I am not happy to pay to subsidise children passing perfectly good state schools to go to a school chosen
RE, ANGER as Blackburn pupils’ daily bus fares could rise to £4.50 I don’t actually pass perfectly good state schools – I pass two privately-run academies. I don’t have an imaginary friend, I have faith, and as such I want my child’s curriculum
RE, THUNDERSNOW hits East Lancashire I spent eight years at St Mary’s College and no buses, not even single deckers, ever went anywhere near the stretch of Shear Brow below St James’s Road, even in ideal conditions. What has changed, apart from maybe
I AM writing about the silt issue of Sunnyhurst Wood’s pond. I’ve read about this and its costs over the last few years. My memory of over 40 years ago is of my children and friends watching two men who regularly cleared the pond with two spades
THE NHS 111 non-emergency helpline is failing in its aims according to doctors. Workers are failing to signpost patients not needing urgent care to more appropriate services such as local walk-in centres and GP surgeries, to the annoyance of hospital
AWARD-winning actress Julie Hesmondhalgh said her new television role in Cucumber will cause a stir. The 44-year-old, from Accrington, will play Cleo, sister of a gay man in the Channel 4 show which premiers on Thursday. MORE TOP STORIES:
PASSERS-BY who reported smelling a pungent ‘herbal’ aroma coming from a Chorley house led police to uncover a cannabis farm worth £89,000. On March 29, Community Beat manager, PC Debs Collier investigated a strong smell of cannabis coming from
A NEW “town council” has been suggested for Ramsbottom – 41 years after the area last looked after some of its own affairs. Conservative borough councillors Ian Bevan and Rob Hodgkinson are behind the suggested authority, which could help to oversee
BURNLEY MP Gordon Birtwistle has revealed he would like prayers to be said before council meetings. Mr Birtwistle, who is still a councillor on Burnley Borough Council, was speaking in a House of Commons debate on the Local Government Religious
A BURNLEY street was turned into a party venue for the evening to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Residents from across the borough gathered in Devonshire Road, which had been lit up for the occasion. MORE TOP STORIES: Cllr Arif
A NATIONAL retailer will open the doors of its new store in Burnley next week. The Range will officially open the shop at the Ashfield Retail Centre on Friday, January 30, at 9am. Around 100 jobs are to be created at the store which will be
Jenny Cook A.M.I.C.F.M. Assoc. CIPD, Fleet Manager at KeyFleet, has achieved her second tier of qualification through the Institute of Car Fleet Management – the professional qualification for fleet managers in the UK. KeyFleet, the Lancashire based
THE crème de la crème of global culinary talent is set to descend on East Lancashire for a fiesta of food. Preparations are being made for the 15th annual Obsession festival at Northcote, in Langho, which will see 25 chefs, with 27 Michelin stars
CROW Wood Managing Director Andrew Brown, has this week announced that the annual charity ball held in Bertram’s Restaurant raised £11,869 Mr. Brown hailed the amount raised as fantastic and said that the money raised would benefit Pendleside Hospice
LOCAL actors who worked alongside soap legend Anne Kirkbride have expressed their grief at her death. The Coronation Street star, who played Deidre Barlow for 42 years, passed away on Monday after a short illness. MORE TOP STORIES: William
MEMBERS of Great Harwood Women’s Institute were treated to a “very different” talk at a recent meeting. Preston woman Joanne Halliwell gave an adaption of life as ‘Betsy the Scullery Maid’ at Bank Mill House, in Church Street. Spokeswoman Sue
THE family of a Blackburn man who lost his battle with cancer earlier this month have said their goodbyes. Danny Clark, of Hozier Street, died at home on Saturday, January 10, aged 43. A funeral service was held at Accrington Crematorium at
A CHILDREN’S film club is to launch at Accrington Town Hall, it was announced. Opening in March, the club will be mainly aimed at families with pre-school-aged children. A spokesman said: “It will allow little ones to experience the magic and
DARTS and dominoes tournaments will be held at Darwen Subscription Bowling Club on Friday. The competitions, which cost £3 and £2 respectively to enter, will begin at the Anyon Street venue from 8.15pm. The darts champion will take home £80
BAND Catalina Winemixer is set to take to the stage at a Darwen pub on Saturday. The group, which performs covers of a host of indie, rock and Britpop classics, will play at the Park Pub, in Cemetery Lane, from 9pm. The venue’s weekend entertainment
DARWEN Town Council deputy chairman Pete Hollings has promised residents its new website will soon have links to the body’s full minutes, contacts and agendas and would be accessible via smartphones and tablets. He said that the redesign was ‘still
THE Sunnyhurst pub in Darwen has two events this week for customers. Tonight sees the regular Wednesday Quiz Night starting at 9pm with a jackpot up to £200 plus spot prizes and a free supper. On Saturday night its hosts a Burns Burger evening
A QUIZ night will be held in Darwen on Valentine’s Day. The Saturday, February 14, event is at 7.30pm at the Central United Reformed Church in Duckworth Street. The subjects will range from the history of Darwen, to love, musicals, religion
BOROUGH education boss Dave Harling Executive has accused Darwen MP Jake Berry of “scaremongering” over a consultation that could see subsidies for pupils’ bus fares to faith schools outside the town scrapped. He hit back at the Tory backbencher
TICKETS are still available for the launch of a new comedy night in Darwen later this month. Comedy @Darwen Library Theatre’s first show will be on Saturday, January 31, with Northern Irish comedian Martin Mor, who has a string of Edinburgh Fringe
BLACKBURN Railway Station is now greeting travellers to the town with a modern entrance hall after months of renovation work. Passengers travelling to and from the station can now benefit from new automatic doors and entrance glazing, anti-slip
A DARWEN primary school teacher has raised money for charity by knitting toy penguins. Michelle Farnworth, who teaches the ash class at St Peter’s CofE Primary School, in Turncroft Road, created ‘Monty’ penguins which which were sold to other members
TAUHEEDUL Trust’s proposals to build a new £5million Muslim primary school in Blackburn are set for approval tomorrow despite dozens of objections to the scheme. They include the nearby independent Westholme School and landowner Lord Alvingham.
HUNCOAT’S war memorial would be open to “vandalism and misuse” if it is moved as proposed, it has been claimed. Plans to move the cenotaph from the top of a hill near Higher Gate to the corner of Lower Gate Road and Station Road were given the
HOPE Factory Racing Team’s Adela Carter admits she has been surprised at her success this season having claimed second place in the Cyclo-cross National Trophy Series. The 32-year-old finished second behind British international Amira Mellor despite
BLACKBURN Rovers Academy’s perfect start to the New Year continued on Saturday as they made it back-to-back victories for the first time this season. Fresh from winning 3-1 at home to Wolves, Brian Carey’s side beat Everton 1-0 at Finch Farm thanks
LAURA Massaro admits she is under extra pressure to reach the final of the Tournament of Champions (ToC) in New York. The 31-year-old, who has slipped to number three in the world rankings, hasn’t reached a WSA final since the British Open in May
STEPHEN Ward hopes to be back in training in two weeks as he targets a return to the Burnley first team. The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been out since fracturing his foot in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle on December 2.
LANCASHIRE have two of the best spinners in county cricket in their squad, according to Ashley Giles. The Red Rose’s new cricket director and head coach, himself a former international spinner, is looking forward to working with left-armers Simon
ON THE lips of every Clarets fan on Saturday night after giving away another two-goal lead, the second time in four days, was ‘what is going on?’ When the second goal went in after 16 minutes, superbly taken by Danny Ings, I said to a fan next to me
SCOTT Arfield has been given a boost in his bid to earn international recognition, with Scotland assistant boss Mark McGhee revealing he is watching the Burnley midfielder. Arfield has spoken openly this season of his dream of representing his
A 31-YEAR-OLD man who repeatedly breached a non-molestation order in favour of his mother has been jailed for 17 weeks. Blackburn magistrates heard on the first occasion Paul Anthony Creasey smashed a window to get into his mum’s house while she
CONTROVERSIAL proposals for 85 new homes on the outskirts of Blackburn look set to be approved despite residents’ concerns about road safety. The Persimmon Homes scheme for land off Parsonage Road, Roe Lee, attracted objections from neighbours
THERE is no point keeping an unhappy player so if we get an acceptable offer for Rudy Gestede then he can go. I understood the situation the club were in before Saturday’s game at Wigan. If Rudy had played and picked up an injury then it could
CONCERNED coroner Michael Singleton will call Highways Agency bosses before him when he holds a second inquest into M65 crash deaths to ask why they ignored his warnings over lighting. He has welcomed a £325,000 scheme announced this week to re-light
BURNLEY'S home game against Manchester City on Saturday, March 14 has been put back to a 5.30pm kick-off for live television. MORE TOP STORIES: The game will be screened live by Sky Sports as the Clarets aim to repeat their shock result against
BLACKBURN Rovers will not be pressured into selling want-away top-scorer Rudy Gestede. The agent of the 12-goal striker yesterday implored Rovers to ‘find a solution’ after they rebuffed an initial offer from Crystal Palace believed to be £3.5m
Do we need all the hype around gender and ethnic diversity? What are the facts? Is change happening anyway? Does Diversity increase productivity and profit? Also enjoy a factory tour of the Graham and Brown facility, one of the most modern wallpaper
Proposals for fracking for shale gas at two sites in Lancashire should be refused, planning officers have recommended. Lancashire County Council has published reports with recommendations on planning applications from shale company Cuadrilla to
A WOMAN told police how a dog which was attacking her began to chew on her flesh and drink her blood. Kathleen Degg claims the mastiff-type dog repeatedly tore at her legs and when she managed to get away knocked her down and attacked again biting
A HANDFUL of schools had to close today after snow showers hit East Lancashire. Parents of pupils at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, in Waterfoot, were sent messages telling them not to send their children in. MORE TOP STORIES: A
EAST Lancashire commuters are facing delays this morning after a train was cancelled. Bosses at Northern Rail said the train leaving Manchester Victoria at 7.26am, and which was due to arrive in Blackburn at 8.24am had been cancelled because of
ASHLEY Barnes has warned his Burnley team-mates they can’t be reliant on results going for them every weekend. The former Brighton striker wants the Clarets to look after their own end of the bargain as they seek a second season in the Premier
PLANS to build two semi-detached homes on an empty plot of land in Sunnyhurst have caused a storm of protest. Eleven letters of objection and a petition opposing the scheme on Harwood Street have been received by Blackburn with Darwen council.
BURNLEY motorists have criticised the new sets of traffic lights at a busy roundabout after suffering further delays. Exasperated drivers have been left dealing with long delays at peak times since the four new sets of signals at Barracks roundabout
A CORONER has expressed concern after no doctor was found to attend to a grandmother-of-16 who was deteriorating after being involved in a road crash involving her mobility scooter. Dorothy Kenny, 71, was a patient in an orthopaedic ward at the
