SELF-confessed ‘massive geek’ Michael Cropper was in the hot seat at Rossendale Business League Network. The meeting, at Rossendale Rugby Club at Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, heard how the digital media mogul likes to make technology work for him. He
A COMMUNITY group will be celebrating the Festival of Colours in Blackburn. The fun-filled party Holi Festival Party will have art activities, a quiz and lots of delicious food say organisers Holi is a festival celebrated in India marking the coming
TRISHNA Bharadia, a Multiple Sclerosis awareness campaigner is teaming up with dancer Aljaz Skorjanez to battle five other couples to win a Comic Relief fundraising special of Strictly Come Dancing. The People’s Strictly, on BBC One, follows six
A NEW film which delves into the subject matter of honour killings will get its long-awaited UK premiere this weekend. The film sheds light on the practice of murder in the name of protecting family honour. Police estimate up to twelve people are
A TEACHER who has given over 30 years of service to Blackburn’s diverse communities has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award. The awards organised by One Voice were held at Maida Restaurant and honoured community champions from across Blackburn
I have recently been doing so much at once, with the opening of our new salon. I feel I haven’t given any time to myself. Juggling home and work life has taken its toll and I am ready to treat myself to a pamper night. I love these nights because
A BUDDING Ribble Valley chef is is set to represent the county next month after recovering from a ‘pudding nightmare’ in the district final. Bowland High School student Megan Goring took on Lancashire’s best at the district final at Morecambe and
A WOMAN killed herself a few minutes after telling her mum she loved her and watching her daughter’s birthday video, an inquest heard. Mother-of-two Emma Hawley was found dead, at her Blackburn home, in the early hours of November 29. MORE
A LEADING doctor has warned Lancashire after it emerged that Greater Manchester is to be given full control of health spending. Chancellor George Osborne said £6bn from the health and social care budget would be devolved to the region’s councils
BLACKBURN Rovers defender Shane Duffy has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury sustained in training yesterday. MORE TOP STORIES: The Republic of Ireland international centre-back, who joined Rovers from Everton
COAL the Alaskan Malamute lives a pampered life dining daily on fresh salmon and berries with natural yogurt. He’s exercised three times a day, goes swimming once a week and is fed daily supplements to keep his coat glossy and his bones strong.
HOSTING a dinner party this weekend or just looking to treat yourself to a luxury dish? Here's five recipes we are sure will impress - and you can buy all the ingredients at Aldi... Rosa di Parma Ingredients: 2 Specially
A WOMAN who took a barbering course as she did not want to make a mess of cutting her husband’s hair has opened her own salon. Katy Beazley, 45, has recently opened Groom Barbers in High Street, Chorley, and plans to take on additional member of
A FORMER bar will be transformed into Lancashire’s first ‘digital fabrication’ facility after £275,000 of grant funding was confirmed. Arts Council England has given the cash to Blackburn with Darwen Council as part of a £2.5 million funding programme
ONE of Blackburn with Darwen’s few hotels is set to receive a £170,000 make-over, it has been revealed. The 48-bedroom Travelodge, at the Darwen junction of the M65, will be given a fresh new look as part of a £100 million modernisation programme
STANLEY boss John Coleman is sweating on the fitness of Terry Gornell ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Luton Town. The 25-year-old has played a key part in Stanley’s recent revival, but is struggling to shake of a foot injury he picked up in Tuesday
A BAND left devastated after most of their equipment was stolen from the back of a car managed to find some of the kit and take to the stage once more. Monsters as Humans, a Burnley-based alternative rock band, lost £2,500 worth of guitars and
MEMBERS of a deaf society based in Blackburn have voiced their fear over vital funding. The East Lancashire Deaf Society (ELDS), which meets regularly at King’s Court in King Street, receives money from the council to fund interpreters for deaf
WHILST a lot is made of migration I have to admit one thing. I have begun to think that a migrant worker is better at doing certain jobs than anyone who is born here. I know this might not bode well with some folk but let us be completely honest
RE, ‘Blackburn open for business’ despite three prominent units lying empty The council should look into ways to expand small businesses. Rates in the mall are ridiculous and only small businesses who have more money than sense can afford to trade
RE, Bad manners: ‘Selfish’ motorists caught queue jumping on M65 warned by police This drives me mad every time I drive in that area. The drivers in the right hand lane drive like idiots and think it’s their right to go to the lights and then cut
RE, Battle: Petition powerless to stop Blackburn pub’s sale I’m sorry another pub has bitten the dust. However, I’d love to know what percentage of the 220 on the petition regularly supported the pub. I’d wager 25 per cent or less. DoYouKnowWhoIAm
AS a keen Rovers fan for many years, I felt I had to pen my thoughts about Gary Bowyer. There is little doubt he has steadied a very rocky ship. A look at my current programme reveals that since the New Year, he has made six changes, then five
SUPPORTERS of the controversial Medical Innovation Bill claim that we don’t yet have a cure for cancer because doctors are afraid to use innovative treatments and practices for fear of being sued. They claim that relaxing the law to allow doctors
MENTAL illness is more debilitating than most people realise. It is harder to spot that a broken arm but often the effects can go untreated and last a lifetime. Mental illness knows no boundaries and can strike at any time, as former Clarets
Best wishes to brave Thomas RE, Fighting for his life: Three-year-old boy has leg amputated after being struck down with meningitis Everyone at Meningitis Research Foundation sends their best wishes to Thomas and his family. Meningococcal septicaemia
FORMER Clarets star Clarke Carlisle is to launch a mental health charity as he continues to recover from his recent suicide attempt. The 35-year-old was seriously injured after jumping into the path of a lorry on the A64 near York in December.
A MAN has appeared in court charged with indecently assaulting two female police officers. Blackburn magistrates heard Faisal Master allegedly assaulted one officer in October and one in December. MORE TOP STORIES: Master, 28, of Kirkland
A DECISION on Rawtenstall’s proposed new bus station faces further delays after a vote on the project was pulled from a Rossendale Council meeting at just four hours’ notice. Key aspects of the scheme, including the disposal of council land and
PADIHAM Green CE School is hosting a healthy eating display on Wednesday, March 4, at 3pm. The school nurse, Jane Todd will present a healthy eating display for parents to come along to before the end of the school day. It will be in the entrance
ROSSENDALE MP Jake Berry has warmly welcomed a grants windfall to organisations in the Valley over the past few months. Since September, the Big Lottery Fund has awarded £55,580 to six projects in his constituency. That includes £9,990 to a
THE next comedy night at Nelson’s ACE Centre on Friday, March 6, will feature Russell Hicks, a funnyman challenge between 2BR presenters Tim Littlechild and Christopher Dean. Danny Hurst will headline at 8.15pm. The MC will be Boogaloo Fish. Tickets
AN EXHIBITION by Brierfield Model Railway Club is set to take place at St Luke’s Church Hall, St James Street, on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22. Admission will be £3.50 for adults and a charge of £2 for children with refreshments available
A ROSSENDALE community group said its campaign for the village of Loveclough to be formally recognised by Royal Mail were progressing. Limey Valley Residents’ Association said it was planning to mark up a map showing the proposed boundaries, and
CHILDREN at a Burnley primary school are set to be treated to a performance of the classic Lewis Carroll tale Alice in Wonderland. The youngsters at St John the Baptist RC Primary, in Thames Avenue, will see the performance next Thursday as a prize
ACTORS from Colne Dramatic Society will present 84 Charing Cross Road at the Little Theatre, River Street, from Monday to the following Saturday. Doors open nightly at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm curtain. Tickets are £7 or £7.50.
COVERS band The Gin Pit Rock Band, offering the hits of AC/DC, Neil Young, Sam Brown, U2, ZZ Top, Guns N Roses, Free, Muse, Whitesnake, Queen, Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac, will play Green Street Working Mens Club, Barn-oldswick, on Saturday.
PENDLESIDE Hospice is offering a course on the effects of bereavement on children and young people. The half-day session on March 9 is open to any primary or secondary school staff. A donation of £30 per delegate is suggested for the event,
A FOUNDRY owned by Simonstone firm Fort Vale Engineering was evacuated after a fire broke out in the early hours of yesterday morning. Fire crews from both Nelson and Burnley were called to the foundry, in Southfield Street in Nelson at around
MICHAEL Keane is looking forward to an ‘exciting’ final 12 games of the Premier League campaign as he bids to help keep Burnley in the top flight. The 22-year-old has started the last 14 games since taking his chance when Michael Duff picked up
NATIONAL Grid Gas engineers will be working in Willows Lane, Accrington, from Monday, March 2 until Tuesday, March 10. The county council said the workers would be digging up a section of the road to install 26 metres of new gas piping outside
VISITORS to the Prospects Environment Centre, in Broadway, Accrington, will be able to create wind spinners, wind chimes, mini greenhouses and unusual containers from recycled garden crafts. A free session with Julie Livesey will be held between
SUNNYHURST Wood Visitor Centre has provided exhibition space for an amateur photographer whose work will be on display until Sunday, March 29. The exhibition Spectrum features “a miscellany from a year’s photography” by Keith Butterworth. Entry
MORE than 100 workers have kept their jobs after Darwen metal fabrication business WEC brought an ailing firm out of administration. The Junction Street-based company has taken over South Yorkshire metal manufacturing specialist MTL Group, saving
ACTOR Brian Blessed has been appointed the Honorary Patron of Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre. The 78-year-old star agreed to become the theatre’s ambassador after performing to a sold-out audience on Wednesday night. MORE TOP STORIES: The big-voiced
COUNCIL workers will cut back foliage across Hyndburn in a bid to save money, it was revealed. Parks boss Ken Moss said shrubs and bushes will be all but chopped down in areas outside of parks and beauty spots because the council can no longer
DARWEN Christian Spiritualist Church in Hawkshaw Avenue will welcome guest medium Susan Kay to its service tonight from 7.30pm. Entry costs £2, which includes healing and refreshments after the service. There will also be an open circle after
THE manager of a shop, which previously sold legal highs, said he had taken a “moral decision” to stop selling them. Sanjay Asal, from Smokers World, in Higher Church Street, Blackburn, said a visit from Trading Standards had confirmed to him why
A VETERAN of the Russian convoys from Padiham has joined an elite band and been honoured for his service by president Vladimir Putin. Jim Bates, of St Leonard’s Street, was the proud recipient of the Ushakov Medal after Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle
I DON’T think any Blackburn Rovers supporter could have imagined seeing their side so far away from the play-offs at this stage of the season. But I don’t think you could have imagined eight of the teams above them to have won so many games.
ACCRINGTON Stanley are trying to play a brand of football that will get fans through the turnstiles, according to Reds chief John Coleman. Stanley’s 1-0 win over Burton Albion on Tuesday was watched by a crowd of 919, which was the second time
I THOUGHT the way Jose Mourinho reacted after the incident with Ashley Barnes on Saturday was embarrassing. I felt sorry for Ashley. There is no doubt it looked bad but he was clearly the man in possession of the ball and was playing a pass at
I've never watched an episode of Friends, Neighbours or The Simpsons. I cannot stand those Saturday night "talent" shows, the dancing one, or skating, is there a diving one & one about skiing? I've never watched a Big Brother or that Jungle
A PITBULL-TYPE dog was seized by police as part of a new crackdown on illegal breeds. Officers acting on tip-offs executed a warrant at a house in Walton Lane, Nelson, at around 7.30am. MORE TOP STORIES: Police acted after neighbours reported
LUKE Blackledge will take on Liam Cameron for the Commonwealth title against Liam Cameron at King George’s Hall in Blackburn on April 4. Professional boxing will return to Blackburn for a third time in the space of seven months in five weeks’ time
THIS dress has caused an internet storm - simply because some see blue and black whilst others see white and gold. What can you see? #TheDress started trending worldwide on Twitter as discussion went global. MORE TOP STORIES: The picture
With less than two weeks until deadline day, businesses across Blackburn and Darwen are being urged to enter the inaugural Hive Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards before 9 March 2015. The awards, presented in association with Blackburn College and
CLITHEROE boss Simon Garner admitted he had to thank his team-mates after the Blues booked their place in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy final in midweek. Player-manager Garner was sent off midway through the first half of Clitheroe’s semi-final
A 38-YEAR-OLD woman has been ordered to pay £210 for throwing a cigarette end on the floor in Nelson town centre. Beata Kieljan of Henry Street, Nelson, failed to attend Burnley Magistrates’ Court, but the case was proved in her absence and the
LAURA Massaro will take the positives out of defeat when she kicks off her defence of the Windy City Open title in Chicago on Friday. The world number three was denied a third British National title in Manchester two weeks ago after suffering a
THREE more people have been convicted of their roles in a violent stand-off between Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday fans at a social club in the town. Graeme Scott, 40, of Mitella Street, Mark Butler, 24, of Deerpark Road, Lee Tattersall, 34, of
JOHN Coleman is refusing to give up on Accrington Stanley’s play-off dream as the Reds look to claim another major scalp tomorrow. After losing five league games in a row, Stanley have stormed back to form in the last few matches. MORE TOP
THE mother of a teenager who was stabbed to death by a woman who had taken legal highs said she believed her son would still be alive if it was not for the substances. Ashley Meadowcroft, who was also addicted to Happy Joker, was 18 when stabbed
A BACUP primary school issued a warning after a child was involved in a “near miss” yesterday morning. Thorn Primary School, in Cowtoot Lane, sent a text message to parents after a female motorist reversed into a child before driving off without
TWO years ago English managers appeared to be a dying breed as far as the Premier League was concerned, with just three top flight bosses born in this country. But from the low point of 2012/13, English bosses are back in vogue, and at the moment
MATT Taylor is back training with the first team as he steps up his recovery from an Achilles injury that has kept him out since August. The 33-year-old last featured in the 0-0 Turf Moor draw with Manchester United, but is now getting closer to
BLACKBURN Rovers Ladies are through to the final of the Lancashire FA Women’s Challenge Trophy for the 12th season in a row after winning their replayed last-four clash with Preston North End in exactly the same manner that they won the first.
Congratulations to St Mary’s student Oliver Daley, 18, from Burnley, who has been offered a place at the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. LIPA was co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney and despite only opening in 1996 it is “recognised
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Tom Cairney admits he has found his second season at the club more difficult now that he is a marked man. Cairney, who won the Rovers player of the year award in his debut campaign at Ewood Park, said: “I think this
BURNLEY go into tomorrow’s clash with Swansea City on the back of a surprise draw at Chelsea, but Jack Cork says the Swans are also on a high after beating Manchester United. Former Clarets loanee Cork returns to Turf Moor tomorrow after helping
A VAN worth more than £20,000 was snatched in a raid at a vehicle repair centre. Police said the overnight break-in at Read Motor Body Centre saw a customer’s white Volkswagen Caddy Maxi, along with tools and spray paint, taken. MORE TOP STORIES
A HEROIC RAF Sergeant from Burnley has received a top bravery honour after risking his life in an attempt to save a fisherman. Sgt Daniel Martin Allanson was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for the night-time rescue off the coast of the Falkland
A DISCARDED cigarette caused a minor fire at a home in Accrington this morning. Crews from Hyndburn and Blackburn fire stations attended the incident, in Stanley Street, at around 12.20am. MORE TOP STORIES: Hyndburn's crew manager, Andy
LABOUR’S deputy leader Harriet Harman brought her “big pink bus” to East Lancashire to talk to women about the importance of voting. The shadow deputy prime minister toured Burnley, Colne and Rawtenstall in a bid to get more women to the polling
RAIL passengers in East Lancashire finally look to have seen the back of their “Third World” carriages – and been promised 120 newly-built replacements. Months of speculation over the future of the unpopular Pacer trains appears to have ended with
GARY Bowyer admits Blackburn Rovers are where they deserve to be in the Championship table but insists the club is in better shape than when he first stepped into the manager’s shoes. Bowyer takes charge of his 100th match as Rovers boss at Bournemouth
SEAN Dyche has urged Ashley Barnes to keep playing his natural game following the fallout to the incident with Nemanja Matic at Chelsea. Barnes has been in the spotlight this week following his clash with the Serbian midfielder at Stamford Bridge
A MOBILE cannabis dealer from Nelson caught with the drug twice in a week has been spared custody after pledging that he was on the road to rehabilitation. Mohammed Zaman, 24, was pulled over by police in his Vauxhall Vectra, in the town’s Scotland
BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer admits he is scouring the loan market as FA Cup hero Josh King gets set to spend a fresh spell on the sidelines. The jet-heeled King will certainly miss tomorrow’s trip to Bournemouth with the hamstring injury
CALLS have been made to ban legal highs from public places in Blackburn. The move comes as three shops said they had voluntarily stopped selling the drugs after being warned of the dangers to users by Trading Standards. MORE TOP STORIES:
