Thursday, May 16, 1974

A BURNLEY volleyball team, who were representing England in a competition in Turkey, were shattered when their trip was called off.

The team, from St Hilda’s RC Girls School, were to fly out to Izmir, to compete in the International School Volleyball tournament.

But the Turkish government could not guarantee the safety of a team from Israel — the tournament champions in 1973.

Amid fears of an attack by Arab guerrillas similar to the assault at the Munich Olympics, which left seven athletes dead.

The girls’ coach, Dorothy Catlow received a telegram at the 11th hour which stated: ‘For reasons. Volleyball championship postponed’.

An immediate phone call to International School Sports Association in Holland, revealed the reason and left the girls from st hilda’s in tears.

The eight girls of the team —Isabel Rowan, Mary Rowan, Pauline Kelly, Janice Bannister, Bernadette Green, Deborah Dennis, Karen Gregson and Karen Shaw — had just won the English Schools championship for the second year running and the trip was their second, representing their country, it was hoped the cost of the trip could be rearranged.

Our front page picture on this day, revealed a croquet craze at Nelson and Colne College, and showed student that Julie Ingerton, 17, of Scott Street, Nelson, all ready to play.

Unfortunately, one lad had already received hospital treatment after hitting his foot, rather than the ball.

PE lecturer Neville Wood, who had introduced the sport to the college, said: “It is not just a question of hammering balls through hoops, it’s a lot more involved than that.”