Friday Folk

ARTISTIC Linda Falconer isn't one to sit feeling sorry for herself.

Despite being struck down by the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis, she turned her hands to producing an array of fascinating items for charity.

Linda, 43, of Durham Close, Audley, Blackburn, worked at nursing homes across the town until learning of her condition eight years ago.

She said: "Everything might go bodily, but if you can keep your brain all right, that's everything.

"There are days when I do not feel up to making anything.

"But when I am feeling fit, I really enjoy it. It definitely helps to keep you going."

Linda, a mother of three, is looked after by her husband David, 53, a full-time carer.

Her daughters Carol, 26, Kim, 24, and son Kevin, 17, all love her work.

Pieces she has made include knitted dolls given as presents by her granddaughters and plaster cast sculptures.

She added: "I don't do it to sell them for profit and no two of my pieces are the same.

"People will ask for something similar to a piece that I have already made. "But at least you can say they are all originals.

"When Kevin was at Blackamoor School I used to regularly send in things that I had made to help boost the school funds.

"My granddaughters give them to my daughters as presents and they really enjoy them.

"It's one of the nice things about being a grandmother."

Peter searches for his friends from the orphanage

A MAN who lived at a local orphanage after the Second World War is trying to contact others who were there at the same time.

Peter Woodmansey lived at the Blackburn Orphanage, Salesbury, Wilpshire, between March 1946 and December 1947.

He remembers the names of a few of the children who were with him, and would like to hear from any of them.

Anyone with information which might help Peter in his search is asked to contact the orphanage - which is now under the name of Blackburn Child Care Society.

Telephone 01254 248061 or write to the society at Whalley Road, Wilpshire, BB1 9LL.

Give order please for Fred's cheese!

FORMER club steward Fred Scott has gone from cheers to cheese after leaving the pub and club trade to take over a stall at Burnley Market Hall.

Fred, 55, who was steward at the Burnley Concert Artists Club in St James Row, is well known in the Burnley area.

Before taking over at the club, he worked in the cocktail bar at the Keirby Hotel, now the Friendly Comfort Inn.

At one time he worked behind the bar at the Cattle Market pub in Parker Lane. Fred said: "Although serving behind the counter at the Cheese Board is a lot different to working behind the bar I enjoy it because I still get to meet and chat to members of the public."

Mother shares her grief for lost son

PENSIONER Kathleen Swanton knows more than most how Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed felt following the death of his son.

When she heard the news of the fatal car crash which killed Dodi and Diana, Princess of Wales, she immediately put pen to paper.

She said: "I lost my only son James six years ago in tragic circumstances when he suffered a brain haemorrhage at work

"I understood exactly how Mr Al Fayed and his family were feeling and wanted to let them know."

Mrs Swanson, of Surrey Avenue, Darwen, who has also lost her husband, was thrilled to receive a thank you card signed by the multi millionaire.

She added: "I never expected to receive anything back. I've had the card framed and it now takes pride of place in my living room."

Ron's going to pot...

ARE you privy to the historical background of Lancashire's outhouses, toilets and septic tanks?

You are? Then the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's nature writer Ron Freethy would like to hear from you.

Ron, who is researching a book entitled Lancashire's Privies, said: "These days we all take sophisticated plumbing for granted, but what did our ancestors do?" He wants to know about all aspects of toilet history, including chamber pots, long drops and services at schools, sports grounds and factories.

Write, if possible with pictures, to Ron Freethy's Privies, Newsdesk, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT.

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