GETTING on track to raise funds for a new building has become a top priority for members of the Fylde Society of Model Engineers. The group, which runs a model train on playing fields at Marsh Mill Village in Thornton each Sunday, has collected around
Lancaster City 3 Blyth Spartans 1 CITY dominated this match throughout and deserved to win by a much bigger margin and they would have done had it not been for Blyth's keeper. But manager Alan Tinsley certainly won't be complaining as this is the first
A LANCASTER man will fly out to Eastern Europe next month to solve traffic problems in Romania. Prof John Whitelegg, an internationally recognised transport expert, will tell local authorities and transport groups how best to avoid the sort of traffic
THERE was a small hand-written note carefully concealed behind a sign on the Press table, writes NEIL BRAMWELL. It read: TEASDALE OUT! A couple of impish CISA members chuckled with satisfaction when the message was discovered. By the end of the meeting
PAUL Weller's inspirational form at right-back has guaranteed him a place in Chris Waddle's future plans with a new contract offer on the table. Weller's current deal expires in the summer and Waddle has moved to extend the 23-year-old's Burnley career
BOSSES dropped a bombshell on staff at a Lancaster factory this week when they laid off workers an hour after they turned up for work. The night shift at the plastic mouldings firm Souplex were left stunned when managers told them their jobs had been
JEFF Kenna has given Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson another potential headache after being stretchered off with ankle ligament damage during last night's friendly international in Dublin. But Rovers are optimistic that Damien Duff, Marlon Broomes and
OWNER of Morecambe's Midland Hotel, Les Whittingham is facing prison unless he pays his legal costs and puts the Eric Gill relief sculpture in the original position. Lancaster City Council is considering taking Mr Whittingham to the High Court for contempt
THE timely completion of Accrington Stanley's new £50,000 cantilever stand could signal a step up into a new Vauxhall Conference set-up. For the Conference is currently considering plans to set up a second division in time for the Millennium. Crown Ground
Bramwell Speaks Out YOU'VE just got to hand it to the guy. If Daniel had smeared himself in barbecue sauce before facing the lions, he could not have been more appetising game than Peter Shackleton facing any set of Burnley supporters hungry for answers
HOME Secretary Jack Straw has accepted a personal invitation from Jack Walker to become an honorary vice-president of Blackburn Rovers. The long-serving Blackburn MP is regularly seen at games, home and away, and has always taken a keen interest in the
TORY Parish Councillor Tony Brown has continued the war of words regarding nursery provision in Rainford. Last week Council Leader, Mike Doyle, said that cash had been provided for Rainford for a nursery and road improvement scheme at Springfield. But
STAYING put! That was the reaction of Shaun McRae in response to rumour and innuendo that he should resign. WHITTLE: Calls for your head gathered momentum despite Saints' victory at Huddersfield, which many supporters thought was a diabolical display.
GARY Morrison celebrated his first game as new St Helens Recs skipper with a thrilling three-wicket win at fancied Sefton in the Liverpool Competition Penketh's Trophy. He can thank a match-winning knock of 70 not out from new boy David Tole and a fine
RESIDENTS plagued by late-night louts using a Blackpool car park as a race-track have won their fight for a barrier. For three years, neighbours near the Apollo 2000 electrical store's car park in Talbot Road have endured young drivers screeching brakes
Huddersfield Giants 24 Saints 26 Report by Denis Whittle HOPES of a place in Super League's Grand Final at Old Trafford were high for Saints pre-season, but the advice after this sorry display must be - forget it! They will be lucky to qualify for a top-five
TWO car parks will close temporarily in preparation for a major new store in Leigh town centre. National household goods retailers Wilkinsons - who sell a range of products from food to hardware - are set to move onto Silk Street car park site. As part
A WOMAN twice fought off teeny thugs who tried to steal her handbag as she made her away home from shopping. The woman was walking along a pathway off Kirkland Street - opposite the ASDA garage - when she spotted a gang of boys, thought to be aged 11
SPURRED by the success of last season's trail-blazer with Castleford at Anfield, Saints head once again for the home of LIverpool FC on Sunday, when they hope to extract two precious points from Warrington Wolves, kick-off 3pm. Saints' chief executive
NEEDY Tyldesley organisations will bag funds from a community charity scheme operated by a new store opening in town next week. Somerfield, whose doors open on April 28, are launching a public awareness appeal about the fund and calling to prospective
THE Environment Agency has unveiled its new flood protection scheme on Liggard Brook, designed to protect houses and farmland in Lytham. Chief executive of the agency, Ed Gallagher, attended the opening and watched Fylde MP Michael Jack switch on the
Clitheroe 4 St Helens Town 1 Burscough 0 St Helens Town 1 TWO totally contrasting displays and results in four days illustrated Town's highs and lows. And although the slump at Clitheroe on Saturday was most baffling, they got switched on again at Burscough
Wigan Rose Bridge 18 Thatto Heath 27 THATTO Heath twice came from behind to seal a place in the North West Counties League Premiership Cup Final. Rose Bridge started the better of the teams and two Sean Cassidy penalties edged the Wiganers in front. Then
TEENAGER Paul Tyney was thrown 200ft when he collided with a car as he attempted to cross the M66. Eighteen-year-old Paul, who was running a late-night errand for a friend on September 28 last year, took a short cut across the motorway to reach the Shell
A HUMAN chain of baby love will stretch through Leigh on Saturday, April 25. Members of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children will take part in a silent vigil to draw attention to the five million unborn babies that have been killed since
NINE Koi Carp were stolen from a pond in the garden of a house in Liverpool Road, Haydock, at about 12.45am on Sunday, April 19. A security light in the owner's garden was activated, but when she looked out at the garden she couldn't see anything. It
LOCAL schools received a massive £1 million cash boost this week. Two dozen schools will share £650,000 to pay for vital improvement work, from buying new boilers to replacing leaking roofs under the Government's New Deal for Schools programme. And another
CHARITY cyclist Steve Jones has again fallen foul of a bike thief. Atherton man Steve is wheel-less after his £600 mountain bike went missing. Steve hoped to help cerebral palsy sufferers by riding his burgundy Concept K-3 bike in a 400 miles Russian
LABOUR stalwart Richard Fletcher has received glowing tributes for his lifetime's service to local people. The veteran Radcliffe councillor and three-time mayor is stepping down next month at the local elections and will not defend his Radcliffe North
XANA-DO or Xana-don't will depend on a May 5 vote. In just nine days councillors will decide whether to give the green light to the £150m giant snowdome and watersports centre planned for Leigh. Public interest in the Pennington project is so high the
Liverpool St Helens 14 Lydney 13 LSH condemned Lydney to relegation in a bruising and ill tempered forward battle. The Moss Laners held their own by virtue of two strikes against the head by Jon Hitchen and some impressive lineout work by Martin Boyd
HUNDREDS braved the unseasonal arctic weather during Easter to take part in the walks of witness marking Good Friday. Young and old, joined the faithful, to make the traditional climb up Holcombe Hill. Following a service, cross bearers made the journey
GREATER Manchester Buses North has changed its name and livery. Now called First Manchester following recent acquisition by FirstGroup plc the company is investing heavily in new high specification buses, driver training, ticketing and all aspects of
RAINHILL CC opened the new season with a draw at Prestatyn. Captain Peter Woods won the toss and inserted the home team on a damp wicket, but in glorious sunshine. Scoring was slow in the face of tight bowling from Nick Chapman and Dave Birkett. Chapman
BURY'S fight to keep Spen Moor clear of development goes to the High Court next week. It's the final legal showdown for the local authority, which insists that the 18-acre site must be kept green. The council has already resisted a government inspector's
Food News, with Christine rutter DO you care if your if your children grow up to be culinary bimbos who can't tell one takeaway from another? Television chef Gary Rhodes does. As the father of two boys, the Cockney chef is a strong supporter of classroom
THE new Millennium will bring a new church for Whitefield, 32 years after it moved into "temporary" accommodation. Fund-raising efforts have paid off for the parishioners of St Michael's RC Church and they will move from the present wooden building on
TUESDAY'S bizarre April snow showers brought smiles all round for children enjoying their Easter school holidays. While motorists on the borough's roads were forced take extra care due to poor visibility, youngsters felt the need for speed and dug out
THE WONDER OF PETS with Wally Ashcroft ALL pets will at some time die. This is a hard, brutal fact but it contributes to a learning process for small children. Many, many years ago, when I was a mere five year old, I can still vividly recall the death
HOPE you have been listening to the breakfast gamble this week on Kevs Breakfast Show. We have got some amazing prizes to give away. A trip to see The Bluetones in Madrid, see the Spice Girls in Paris or even an Oasis guitar signed by Noel and Liam. If
VISITORS from Tulle, one of Bury's two French twin towns, have been over here this week. A party of visitors from the town have been staying with families across the borough. And, among the civic guests were a party of French student nurses, making a
A TALENTED youngster is well on her way to fulfilling a lifetime dream of becoming a professional singer . . . less than 12 months after the St Helens Star helped her on the road to success. Kelly Wilson, from Royal Grove in Ravenhead, had her first taste
PICTURED: Keith proudly shows off his new set of wheels while wife Darryl toasts his bid to become the fastest motorist to drive around Britain. A CAR-crazy licensee is set to fulfil a driving ambition by travelling around Great Britain in a car which
ROYAL OAK have, fittingly, maintained a "royal" connection with the Redwaters Coronation Cup. They took first grip of the new trophy when they beat Leigh Eagles 2-1 in Monday's thrilling final. Paul Cottrell gave them an early lead, Anthony Hamilton levelled
THEY called him 'The Guv'nor', a big, broad-shouldered and chirpy-natured Cockney personality who lit up every social gathering with his anecdotes and subtle sense of humour. John Sines seemed an indestructible character as he flipped the barrels around
PAUL WINGFIELD has turned his back on Wembley-bound Sheffield Eagles. He will stay with Leigh for at least another month. The goalkicking winger ended his first month on loan from Warrington with a flawless eight from eight return against Rochdale. His
LEIGH & District Amateur RL is seeking entries from pubs, clubs and works for the 1998 Shaw Cup. Dating back to 1901, the competition is open to teams made up mainly of players who do not play the game regularly. League chairman Neil Baxter said:
AFTER yet another deluge of socialist venom from Councillor George Slynn, Labour leader of Hyndburn Council (Letters, April 14) one really must ask the question whether he is naturally offensive, or does he have to practise? What he signally failed to
CLEARLY, the government is worried by the extent of cross-Channel drinks and tobacco smuggling - as its new tougher penalties suggest. Offenders risk confiscation of their cars and publicans and off-licence owners caught selling contraband could lose
KETTLE and pot immediately spring to mind on reading the first paragraph of Councillor George Slynn's remarks (Letter, April 14). Surely, he is not suggesting that he has never knocked the opposition, or put the best gloss on some unpopular council policy
THERE may be some virtue in the claim that, as their taxpayers are paying to stage the World Cup, the French deserve most of the tickets. But it does not excuse the fiasco yesterday over the sale of the last batch. For non-French fans ringing the ticket
RECORDED crime has fallen by 10.7 per cent over the past five years in Lancashire covering the Burnley area. This clear trend of falling crime is the result of firm Conservative policies. The tough sentences for violent crime, which Conservatives proposed
FIONA GAVIN showed a quality field a swift pair of heels. In a class cross country relay, the Leigh Harrier recorded the fastest lap at 5.50 - beating top runners from Liverpool, East Cheshire and host club Sale. Her quicktime wasn't enough to earn the
Special report A FORMER member of a gang which terrorised a Blackburn estate today turned his back on a life of drugs and crime and warned others: "Don't do it - it could kill you." Scott McKay was one of the infamous Johnston Street Boys who terrorised
PAMPERED pooches who sleep on their owners' beds and dash up and down stairs run the risk of becoming deranged and lame, an East Lancashire vet has warned. David Higginson, who has been treating animals for 28 years, sounded the alarm after noticing an
BURNLEY fan Mark Davidson made sure he was wearing his Clarets' shirt when he scaled the heights of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Mark, 31, said: "Another Burnley supporter, Steve Geoghegan took a Burnley flag more than 17,000 feet high in the
AN AMBITIOUS appeal to rehouse Bury's Fusilier Museum is to be launched later today (April 17). Pre-empting a Ministry of Defence decision whether or not to continue the funding of Wellington Barracks, the museum trustees are to go-it-alone and are calling
EDUCATION bosses in Blackburn and Darwen have pledged to carry on handing out grants to further education students in the borough. The recently formed Local Education Authority has made the promise at a time when other councils are cutting back on student
THE mother of brave leukaemia victim Aimee Read is leading a high-profile campaign to give people like her daughter a life-saving chance. Mrs Wendy Read's appeal for a donor for Aimee touched the hearts of Bury Times readers last year, and more than 500
A HOSPITAL'S research programme has been boosted by a government windfall of more than £200,000. Calderstones NHS Trust, Whalley, has been awarded the cash to develop its study projects. The £210,000 will be spread over three years and is a major coup
A MOTHER has been reunited with her runaway daughter after she appealed for her to come home through the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Tracey McKenna phoned home after seeing her own photograph in the newspaper. Relieved mum Rose Cornthwaite said: "She
JACK Straw has given his full backing to a scheme launched this week to help children get streetwise and deal with life-threatening situations. And the Blackburn MP and Home Secretary will witness the programme first hand today (Friday) when he visits
DURING the Easter period back in 1938 Preston North End played Chelsea away on Good Friday and at home on Easter Monday morning. In between, the Lilywhites had to take on fellow championship contenders Wolverhampton Wanderers. So, a stern test awaited
A LONGRIDGE farmer has teamed up with former Prime Minister John Major for one of the most prestigious environmental projects in the country. The plan is to create a 25-acre Westminster Woodland in the National Forest. Rodney Swarbrick, who owns a farm
A BLACKBURN constable has gone back in time to forge a link with a family member who was a policeman in the 19th century. PC Richard Mountain's father-in-law traced the family tree back three generations to find another policeman in the family. Now PC
KNOW the name - can't quite place the face... Is it Bill Shankly, or that doyene of mad-cap fun and games, Stuart Hall? The name and design of the new stand at PNE's Deepdale was announced this week. The Bill Shankly stand will feature the soccer ace's
NOSTALGIC newspaper man Bill Moss knew exactly who to call on to help him find his first love - but he had to look hundreds of miles from his Kent home to get the best. Who better than the Preston Citizen to help track down your first true love? With
BEER fans from across the country will be out in force in June for what is fast becoming a must for ale fans - the Accrington Beer Festival. Due to be held between June 24 to 27, the festival, a joint venture between Hyndburn Council and the Campaign
SOUTH Ribble Council leader Tony Kelly has been ousted from his position by members of his own party. Councillor Kelly had led both the local Labour party and the borough council since the party took control of the borough three years ago. But at the
THE worrying problem of bullying at school will come under the spotlight at an Education 2000 exhibition in Bury. Organised by the Bury Times Group, the event will include two informative seminars as well as promotions and displays. "Bullying In Schools
PRESTON businessman Iqbal Patel has been disqualified from being a company director for five years following unfit conduct. The disqualification order, issued at Manchester Crown Court, is as a result of his involvement in Highway Jeans Ltd, based in
A KIND-HEARTED Leyland duo are limbering up for the challenge of a lifetime, but for different reasons. The London Marathon gives Acting Sergeant Phil Sigley the chance to raise money to buy life-enhancing equipment for a poorly local girl, and offers
MUGGINGS, beatings with baseball bats, and "neighbours from hell"... not an inner city but relatively affluent Prestwich and Whitefield, says MP Ivan Lewis. He catalogued residents' complaints in the House of Commons when he spoke during the Second Reading
HE'S the all-American hero - a former New York firefighter with a healthy interest in keeping the people of Preston fighting fit. After six years tackling flames in Seattle, Washington, the self-styled super-doc Joe Cerosimo has come to central Lancashire
CRUMBLING schools in Blackburn and Darwen will receive an £800,000 boost as part of a £39 million package for 600 schools in the North West. Education secretary, MP David Blunkett, made the announcement, which will make a big dent in the repairs backlog
AN official Labour candidate in the forthcoming local elections has written to Tony Blair asking him to investigate Preston's Labour group. Paul Malliband who is standing for Cadley, claims the group is in disarray, and wants the Premier to help members
POLICE appealed for help this week in catching arsonists who twice tried to burn down a high school during the Easter holiday. In the latest incident, firebugs threw petrol bombs through a broken window into a classroom at Moorhead High in Accrington.
A SYNDICATE of 16 postmen from Preston are celebrating after matching five numbers and the bonus ball in last Saturday's National Lottery. The lucky lads won just over £3,850 each after their magic No. 9 ball appeared as the bonus. Syndicate leader Jason
KITCHEN specialist Chris Wright made sure he didn't get curried away when he was asked to cook up a creative first. Chris, boss of Stuart Frazer's kitchen designers, was lost for words when he received a take-away request from an Indian business tycoon
I AM the press officer and librarian of the Jowett Car Club, the oldest one-make car club in the world. Jowett Cars were built in Bradford, West Yorkshire, from 1906 to 1953 and were Yorkshire's only mass produced car. Javelins were sold in large numbers
NURSES were livid to find hospital staff brought all the way from Bristol were on as much as three times their rate of pay! Over Easter an extra ward had to be opened at Wigan Infirmary and cover was brought in from a Bristol-based agency. Nurses contracted
Wigan 14 West Park 17 PARK collected a series of injuries as they won this friendly encounter. It started with full-back Chris Glynn who provided the ideal start to the match with the first try but then retired with a dead leg. Wigan took full advantage
FIRMS are being offered a helping hand that thinks for itself! The DTI's Information Society Initiative, which recently added the Business LInk East Lancashire offices to its network of centres around the country, has launched a new interactive CD rom
SAFEWAY chiefs believe they have got green for go with a revolutionary new plan for the Ashton Gardens development in St Annes. They hope they have taken the sting out of major opposition by retaining the bowling greens that were to be moved to the seafront
NEW Merseyside-based cycling outfit Team Travelwise made a big impact with their first major victory in the 65-mile St Helens CRC road race on Sunday. The event was won by Steve Stoneman on the testing Clieves Hills circuit with teamate Andrew Tinsley
Cllr Barker (Citizen, April 16) says that my protest "Tagues in Town Hall Protest" did not occur, but my stated aim was to be present for that meeting. Whatever his comments, I remained present for a meeting that was scheduled to exclude both the press
TEENAGER Louise Coates will be able to shop around for a new outfit while waiting to find out if her job applications are successful. Louise was one of 1,000 East Lancashire school leavers who attended the XTEND Jobs 98 at Ewood Park and Turf Moor events
ST HELENS CC opened the season with a fine win over Huyton in the Penketh Trophy thanks mainly to an 80-ball century from Gareth Davies which contained seven fours and seven sixes. His opening partner, Phil Roughley, normally a quick scorer himself, could
HAYDOCK Cricket Club are looking forward to the 1998 cricket season with confidence as they begin their second season in their new home at Lyme Park. Pre-season training and winter nets have gone very well thanks in no small part the efforts of Ex-Lancashire
UGB 8 Weaverham 38 HANDLING errors in the first 20 minutes cost UGB dear against the table-toppers. By that time Weaverham had raced into an 18-nil lead, before the Mel Griffiths man of the match, Grimshaw, sent centre Horton in at the corner for UG.
Bury 2, Bradford City 0 FORGET Meadow Lane, Moss Rose and the McCain Stadium - it's Molineux, Manor Ground and the McAlpine for the Shakers next season. Okay, so Stan Ternent and his players aren't about to admit it yet but Easter Monday's convincing
CITIZEN reporter Chris Dixon sets out on Sunday (April 26) on the biggest story of his career so far - the London Marathon- and here are his thoughts with only a couple of days to go. Marathon weekend is upon us and it's now that I realise why cars were
BROADWAY High School pupils Gareth Haggerty and James Hitchmough played starring roles as England Schoolboys romped to a 50-2 victory over their French counterparts in the South of France. Haggerty grabbed two tries and received a trophy as best attacking
THE euphoria displayed by Messrs Wilson and Henig over their 'windfall' of £850,000 from County Hall for the Millennium Bridge project, may be short-lived. I would remind everyone that lottery monies should be matched by private funding and not public
Middlesbrough 4, Bury 0 THERE were no excuses from Stan Ternent after he watched his Bury side suffer their heaviest defeat of the season on Saturday. In fact, it appeared to come as no surprise to the Shakers boss who took a realistic approach in his
BLACKPOOL Rotary Club celebrates 75 years as a bedrock of the resort's business and professional life with a special anniversary dinner tonight (April 23). The club, which was a pioneer of the flourishing Rotary movement in the Fylde and has raised huge
I do not work for the health service but feel I must write regarding the move of 'Nu Start' Services (Citizen, April 16) as I am concerned that some people have been misled. Firstly, I believe managers of Nu Start were already looking for larger premises
BURY must dent the best home record in the section tomorrow if they are to earn the points that should ensure their First Division survival. Play-off candidates Sheffield United have lost only one match at Bramall Lane all season but according to the
WALSHAW are desperately searching for a new cricket professional on the eve of the new Bolton Association campaign. The Sycamore Road club have been left reeling with the news that Sam Roberts, their Tasmanian paid man, has been refused a work permit.
MORE than two years of planning will finally be realised when Lifelink takes over Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre for ten days in May. The scheme is being promoted by more than 180 churches in the area to attract youngsters who have a boring picture of the
WHEN it comes to drugs the generation gap has never been wider. For every youngster hooked on drugs there are horrified parents left standing in no man's land wondering what went wrong. One Lancaster mother has watched her much-loved son turn from a happy
The deaths of more two bikers around Devil's Bridge, north of Lancaster, at the weekend brought the killing toll to five in the last two months. That has led to traffic police issuing an urgent warning to bikers and calls for action to be taken to reduce
THE Year of the Tiger is certainly one Matthew Bould won't forget - for this summer he is travelling to China for a unique expedition. Matthew, 26, will be part of a multi-national team of 130 young people from countries as far as afield as Argentina
THE council's deputy leader Ian Barker has described the Blobbygate saga as a "very sorry story" and says it's up to the District Auditor to investigate any alleged misconduct. During a 'clear the air' meeting at the town hall last week, the deputy leader
Every year, the Chancellor puts up the price of petrol, partly to encourage people to use public transport. And every year, it seems, the local bus company puts its fares up, presumably because of the price increases. Now, this is fairly obviously a disincentive
RESCUERS praised a hero who helped save a stranded youngster trapped in sinking sand on the banks of the Lune this week. Sainsbury's security guard Andy McVittie, 22, rushed to help Andrew Rouse of Ridge St, Lancaster who was isolated on the sand and
PETER SHACKLETON has stepped up the fierce battle for control at Burnley Football Club with a thinly veiled attack on the rival Ray Ingleby camp. He told a special meeting of supporters last night: "I do not want empire builders, saboteurs and obstructors
THIS is a copy of a letter from Quayside Residents Association to all councillors at the council. You will soon be making a decision about the Millennium Bridge in Lancaster. Before you do, please think it through. Many people in this country that The
Re: Your Craig Home story (Citizen: 16 April). Firstly you printed I was not available for comment. The reason being I was out when you phoned (solving problems for my electorate). However, the accusation from Cllr Geoff Knight that there was collusion
A SHOP assistant was duped into leaving the counter unguarded by two sneak thieves who then escaped with cash from the shop safe. The theft happened in Nevins on Church Road, Rainford at about 7pm on Thursday, April 16 when the pair walked into the shop
JUST a knockout - that's what May Day Bank Holiday is going to be for a host of fun seekers taking part in the MRI Scanner Appeal's latest fundraiser. May 4 sees the arrival of an It's A Knockout tournament in Blackpool and there is still time to get
Butting in with Nanny-Goat answer THE oddly-nicknamed Nanny-Goat Park, in the Fingerpost area of St Helens, has nothing to do with bleats, butts and bearded animals. Well, not according to reader K. Rooney who has family links with that recreation ground
A TOP Green Party transport expert has pledged to support local community opposition to the Xanadu snowdome claiming that the effects of the traffic on Leigh could be the death-knell for the town. Prof John Whitelegg from Lancaster reinforced traffic
A ST HELENS newsagent has been fined £100 and ordered to pay £228.50 in costs after pleading guilty to selling a firework to a 14-year-old boy. Mr Mubarak Bax, who owns Bux's News in Higher Parr Street, Fingerpost, pleaded guilty to an offence, committed
A BLACKPOOL landlord has hit back at government claims over the level of benefit fraud in the area. Mike Berry, who owns property in the centre of the town, said: "The Government is using landlords as political scapegoats. "We are refuting claims that
Echoes of old sand chain THE creak and groan of the sand-laden overhead bucket-chain system which once fed the St Helens glass industry went out of earshot several decades ago - but exactly when? That's the latest yedscratter which bedevils a highly-articulate
MILLIONS of pounds will come pouring into Bury in the shape of water service improvements from North West Water. The company is embarking on a massive spending programme all over Greater Manchester and Bury residents are among those set to benefit. More
LEIGH crime-buster Mike Whiting has moved to take charge of the Greater Manchester Police criminal intelligence unit. Det Ch Insp Whiting, who had been crime manger at Leigh since September 1996, has been replaced by DCI Ian Hilton Mr Hilton comes to
PLEASURE Beach directors were meeting today (April 23) to thrash out whether to bid for Blackpool's famous tower, piers and Winter Gardens. First Leisure has finally admitted its Blackpool-based resorts division is for sale, despite months of strenuous
A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been admitted to Southport General Infirmary after being discovered, by a train driver, lying by the side of the railway track between Thatto Heath and Eccleston Park Stations. A police spokesman said there was no indication the
A NUMBER of attractions on Blackpool's seafront could be restored to their former glory if Lottery funding is secured. Plans for a multi-million pound coastal park will be put on public display from tomorrow (April 24) by Blackpool Borough Council. Council
Pilkington Recs 24 Higginshaw 20 RECS recorded a welcome victory against fellow strugglers Higginshaw, to end their season on a high note. The City Road men exerted all the early pressure with second row men Mike Dennett and Anthony Marsh making good
THE search is on for the town's unsung heroes and heroines who give up their free time to help others. St Helens District Council for Voluntary Service is currently looking for nominations for its St Helens Volunteer Awards 1998. Award categories are:
SUTTON CC opened their season against St Asaph at New Street thanks to the marvellous work of goundsman Eric Lanchin who provided a playable wicket after the mid-week blizzard. The Welsh visitors, who were last years runners-up, showed their intention
POLICE are appealing for help with their inquiries into an unprovoked assault on a pensioner. The 68-year-old man was attacked in the toilets of the Railway public house in Scholes Lane, Thatto Heath, between 10.50 and 11.30pm on Saturday, April 18. A
THE perils of smoking were in the spotlight at a Bury and Rochdale Health Authority meeting last week. A new report covering a wide range of smoking-related issues was discussed. The document has reinforced a number of health concerns. Among the key findings
THIEVES broke into St Marks Church Hall, Park Street, Haydock, between Thursday, April 16, and 10am on Friday, April 17, and stole a flymo mower (valued at £100), 2 Flymo petrol strimmers (valued at £400), Vantage Mower (valued at £400), Hayter 21 self-propelled
A HOST of Jewish groups have honoured Bury South MP Ivan Lewis. The Prestwich man, elected just last year, has been appointed a trustee of the Holocaust Education Trust. Mr Lewis has also been installed as vice-chairman of the Inter Parliamentary Council
MANCHESTER United's Norwegian International Henning Berg has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 12 months after appearing before magistrates in Bury. The 28-year-old footballer had been summoned to appear before the court after he faced disqualification
A trolley trip into past THE highly-atmospheric flashback photo featuring Sefton Place in the heart of the St Helens town centre (this page, March 12) had a host of our veteran readers toddling down memory lane. I was pleasantly surprised by the avalanche
FIREMEN literally got the bird - two of them no less - when they investigated a blockage in a chimney breast. Two jackdaws, which had been trapped in the brickwork of the chimney at the house in Ringley Road, Whitefield, suddenly flew out to freedom from
MONDAY is a big day for the Father of Bury Council David Davies (pictured). The Labour stalwart, who has clocked up almost 40 years as a local councillor, celebrates his 90th birthday. Coun Davies first took on the then Conservative domain of Unsworth
CORONER Gordon Glasgow has criticised a decision by Merseyside Police to withdraw officers from the coroners service. Mr Glasgow, whose jurisdiction includes St Helens says the move could lead to delays for funerals causing distress to countless people
A MOTHER and father have been fined £65 each with £60 costs over their daughter's non-appearance at school. Bury Magistrates heard the couple's 13-year-old daughter, a pupil at Broad Oak High School, had failed to attend the school at all during the last
LEIGH RMI'S high hopes have been wrecked - by a relegated team. Ironically, the Unibond Premier Division's shock of the day came exactly 24 hours after the Conference Ground Committee had awarded Hilton Park a prestigious A Grade. That means if RMI finish
BURY teenager Stefan Podolchuk (13) is pictured with Fast Show star John Thomson at the Fanta Comedy Masterclass in Manchester after winning a place in a national competition. Elton High School pupil Stefan, who attends the Whitefield Theatre Workshop
DEVASTATED pupils and staff at St James' CE School are to receive specialist counselling to help cope with their grief following the horrific death of the school's acting Deputy Headteacher, Kathryn Linaker. Mrs Linaker, 33, who leaves a 2-year-old child
TYLDESLEY RU gave champions Rochdale a tough time before going down 20-7. The Well Street side went at it full speed, surging clear when Dave Sivill scored out wide before adding the goal. But Rochdale hit back in style, leaving Tyldesley to pick up the
HINDSFORD clinched a second successive Bolton Combination Premier Division championship title with an emphatic 5-2 win over main challengers AFC Bolton Walkers. Goals came from Matt Toone 2, Nick Molyneux, Danny Twist and Chris Jolley. They had already
A LEISURE company has been fined £5,000 at St Helens Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to an offence under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. The incident happened at The Ship Inn, Rainhill on October 12, last year when a quiz machine fell
TWO St Helens firms are celebrating after winning 1998 Queen's Awards. GEC Alsthom Ruston Diesels Limited, based in Newton-le-Willows, were awarded the Queen's Award for Export Achievement 1998. This is the second Export Award for the company, which manufactures
DEBUT ace Steve Davey shot a quickfire 63 as Leigh strolled to victory on the opening day of the new cricket season. They beat Bolton by 73 runs in the 45-over Penketh Cup, never in trouble on a slow wicket at Green Lane. Davey, one of six new signings
LEIGH MR crashed to their worst defeat in years, tumbling 54-9 to Egremont. And the Cumbrians were happy to hammer home their superiority, finally erasing the bitter memory of a 68-6 mauling by the Twist Lane side. Miners, with 12 changes from the previous
WE ARE being sold the idea that cyclists are environmentally friendly, but walking along the canal towpath from Blackburn to Chorley recently, I observed 32 dead frogs or toads, each one with wheel marks on its back. Judging by the state of the corpses
LEIGH EAST are looking good for the future. Both their U18s and U16s teams have reached the BARLA National Youth Cup finals. The U18s face West Hull at Dewsbury on Sunday while the U16s meet Milford (Leeds). Victory at 20-18 against Crosfields was an
LANCASHIRE's plan to fly Wasim Akram back to Manchester in time for Sunday's AXA League game against Middlesex has been complicated by rain in South Africa, writes ANDY WILSON. The new Red Rose skipper was due to play for Pakistan in a one-day final against
SAM Spence (Letters, April 20) has yet another bee in his bonnet - this time, about the 'Sunday-only' bus service on Good Fridays. Is Mr Spence aware that Good Friday is regarded as the most sacred day of the Christian calendar which commemorates the
OUR Sports editor Neil Bramwell has been named the North West sports journalist of the year. And that completes a remarkable double for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. For former sports reporter Brian Doogan, who has moved on to a national newspaper
AS THE only three customers left in Morrison's superstore in Blackburn at closing time the other night, we were approached by a woman member of staff offering half-price pies, pasties, etc. from a large tray. As we all declined the 'kind' offer, I said
AN EX-POLICEMAN is demanding his former bosses push for a halt to further traffic-calming measures in Hyndburn. Adrian Shurmer has written to the police calling for the measures to be put on hold in the borough and county until a public inquiry has been
HAVING moved to Hungary nearly 12 months ago, may I say what a delight it is to keep up with the local news and sport through the Lancashire Evening Telegraph? Every week, my mother sends me copies through the post and I look forward to reading them,
A DENTIST who has been chosen to spearhead a national organisation today spoke of his crusade to ensure that treatment was available to everybody. Dr Geoffrey Garnett, who has a practice in Oswaldtwistle, was today installed as the new president of the
MULTI million pound plans for a supermarket in Darwen look set to go ahead after years of wrangling and false starts. Sainsbury's has won the battle to build the store, which is likely to create around 100 jobs, on council-owned vacant land close to Redearth
A HOSPITAL ward which closed amid a storm of protests re-opened its doors. The former children's ward at Accrington Victoria Hospital, which closed in 1984, had been upgraded to a male orthopaedic ward. The decision to close the children's ward was met
POLICE are warning motorists to take their foot off the accelerator on motorways across East Lancashire after revealing that hundreds of people have been caught speeding by the latest high-tech equipment. Traffic police have been using laser cameras on
HUNDREDS turned out to watch death-defying stunts when the Bigfoot monster truck team came to Burnley. The crowds wowed to the tricks when motorcyclists jumped rows of parked cars which were then crushed by the oversized Ford truck. And shrieks of fear
EVIL was at work in Radcliffe on the holiest day of the Christian calendar. And Minister the Rev Kevin Jones believes the vandals who desecrated Close Methodist Church on Easter Sunday have incurred the wrath of God. The sacrilegious act took place between
ELECTRONIC tagging for criminals, piloted in Manchester earlier this year, is being extended to Bury and other districts in Greater Manchester. The electronic monitoring is one of several new measures being introduced to deal with fine defaulters and
PNE 3 BLACKPOOL 3 LET there be no doubt, this was a local Derby match every bit as exciting as the scoreline suggests, providing white hot excitement for the full house that watched it at Deepdale. Preston almost scored inside the first minute when a
A MASSIVE show of support is needed from the people of Bury - and from the local authority - if the town is to successfully merge hospital services onto one site. The rallying call comes from Bury and Rochdale Health Authority bosses who explained that
HE may have beaten Tim Henman to win a national tennis title but Mark Schofield is facing up to his toughest challenge yet! For beating one of Britain's best tennis players in years is nothing compared to the uphill battle he faces on Sunday - the gruelling
AUDIT Commission figures for 1996/7 show that Bury and Rochdale Health Authority provides a cost-effective service compared with other similar bodies. Although the Bury and Rochdale authority is above average in terms of the number of patients admitted
A DAY in the life of soccer mad Ian Johnstone is a far cry from what you'd expect of one dedicated to the public life of a football club. The keen North End fan is in charge of putting football into the community and raising the sport's popularity locally
A CLINIC giving women non-judgemental advice about unplanned pregnancies and abortions has opened in Preston. Run by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), the new consultation centre aims to give women an informed choice about whether to go ahead
A 24 pints-a-day drinker and father of seven children, 33-year-old Anthony Banks of Orchid Drive, Bury, is back in prison, where he has spent most of his adult life. He appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday accused of assault causing bodily harm,
MORE than 100 jobs are to be created in Darwen after council officials gave Sainsburys the go-ahead to build a supermarket in a prime town centre location. The news is a major boost for the town and Blackburn with Darwen Council is hoping that the flagship
I WANT to see the Union flag flying more often and more from public buildings and churches. Will somebody tell me (1) Who decided which way up it should be? (2) Should anybody care? (3) When was anybody ever offered help when flying it upside-down? I
THE battling mum of a Leyland cancer sufferer is helping sick youngsters through their time in hospital - by raising cash to buy them toys. Tracy Gillett, whose four-year-old son Lee is close to completing a course in chemotherapy, was so impressed by
WAITING list figures were dismissed as a poor way of judging hospital performance during a meeting in Bury. Bury and Rochdale Health Authority bosses heard that waiting lists are the recognised barometer of the health of the health service itself. And
CHEMISTS on duty on Sunday, April 26, are: Boots The Chemist Ltd, Unit 2 & 3 Market Street, Darwen, noon to 1pm; Nash Chemists, 198 Blackburn Road, Accrington, 11am to 1pm; Peels Chemists, 13 Peel Street, Accrington, 11am to 1pm; H N Espley &
TOP cop Pauline Clare this week told the Citizen how she will maintain a tough stance on illegal drugs, dealing a hefty blow to calls for the legalisation of cannabis. The Chief Constable of Lancashire Police said her attitude towards all drugs was as
DAVID Moyes, who has sung the praises of Tepi Moilanen in recent matches, this time blamed him for Blackpool's second goal and said: "He has saved us in many games recently and maybe he was entitled to a mistake, but it was a bad one and gave them a half-time
WHERE have all the Teletubbies gone? Well nowhere, to be precise. In fact, the new talking Teletubby is sticking to toy shop shelves. The stuffed dolls, talking versions of the Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po toys at the centre of Christmas present-buying
A SCHOOL is investing in young managers of the future. Pupils from the Lower Sixth Year at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, have received formal training to prepare them for the responsibilities they will be given in the next academic year
PRESTON North End has announced that season tickets are to be available at last season's prices. Bosses at Deepdale have decided to celebrate the opening of the Bill Shankly stand by offering adults a special launch price of only £200 - a saving of £73
A ROUTINE injection is being blamed for shattering the life of a sports-mad teenager. Pretty, blonde-haired, blue-eyed Stacey Berry had everything going for her. At 14 the Atherton girl was a popular pupil at Hesketh Fletcher High. She had a wide circle
A MANIAC with a sick grudge has turned a country playground into a minefield (writes BRIAN GOMM) Dangerous booby-traps have made a tract of countryside on the outskirts of Leigh virtually a no-go area, say horse-lovers. Vicious spiked timber planks have
A £2.2 million education and health boost will benefit local communities. Prospects at the end of a five year programme look brighter for Atherton and Tyldesley. Starting in September money from the fourth round of the government's Single Regeneration
A GROUP of local dads are taking on the Krypton Factor challenge to thank the hospital unit that helps care for their disabled children. Plumber Darren Warburton has organised the assault course challenge at Holcombe Brook for July 11. Now he is appealing
EXTENSIVE plans to restore the tranquility of Leigh's war memorial gardens have been unveiled. The £90,000 scheme, which has the backing of veterans from the Royal British Legion, is a bid to rid the area of the 'undesirable element' who vandalise the
THE Hag Fold Community Centre has changed its name to herald the start of a new era. Residents on the Atherton estate who have run the centre since April 1 have decided to rename it the Dorset Road Community Centre. It is now run by a management team
BUSINESSES are being warned they could face hefty rates bills. Carl Ardern, partner at Blackburn-based valuers and surveyors Singletons said many businesses would soon be receiving forms from the Valuation Office seeking information to set rateable values
SAFEWAY bosses have exclusively unveiled to the Citizen a secret plan to kill off objections to their new superstore. They have retained the two bowling greens and made giant strides to appease opposition, begging the question: "Is this all right, Jack
THURSDAYwas a diamond of a day for GEORGE and Minnie Pearson. For the couple who married at St GEORGE'S Church, Tyldesley, on St GEORGE'S Day celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss. George, 82, and Minnie, 85, met at St George's when they were both Sunday
Portico Panthers 19 Thatto Heath 14 NORTH West Counties Division Three championship contenders Portico stunned Premier Division neighbours Thatto in this Hays Chemicals St Helens Cup clash. Despite the heavy conditions both sides served up some good rugby
A NEW £1 million primary school is being built at Atherton. As part of the Government's £39 million 'New Deal for Schools' £1,540,000 has been earmarked for Chowbent Primary School. At present the school is housed in former church and domestic buildings
BLACKPOOL is poised for another tourism blow on Monday (April 27) with the release of this year's Good Beach Guide. The Citizen understands the national survey, published by the Marine Conservation Society and Readers' Digest, will slam continuing poor
HOME care workers won't be getting a July pay cut. Union leaders see the Council's decision to lift a domestic work deadline as a breakthrough in contract negotiations. Faced with a £400,000 budget overspend the authority's social services committee wanted
A Morecambe restaurateur has told of how she was duped by two Malaysian men who were last week deported for being illegal immigrants. Mrs Ip, who runs the Honey Tree Chinese Restaurant on Marine Road, said the men appeared to have the relevant documents
MYSTIQUE illusionist Richard De Vere is making a pilgrimage to Downing Street to protect the future of magic shows. The star of the Pleasure Beach's summer show is hoping Tony Blair will step in and stop ITV from screening another two programmes revealing
REVELLERS in Lancaster were able to breathe a little easier at the weekend as thugs were banished from the city centre. Pub landlords, police and the city council have set up a two way radio link so at the first sign of trouble any given landlord can
A RETIRING ophthalmologist requested an unusual leaving present from his employers, in the form of surplus ophthalmic apparatus. After more than 30 years of school medical work, all Dr Aung Myin wanted was the ophthalmic equipment that he'd been using
I hope "Turning The Garden Rosy" (page 11) turns out better than when the city council commercial services do better then when they tried to make me a lawn across the front of my bungalow - for three years I had no lawn. Neighbours called it the saga
WHEN voucher parking was introduced independent traders tried to engage council members in a dialogue to voice concern about the likely effect it would have on trade. I was told by many I was wasting my time and energy because 'they wouldn't listen".
Morecambe 0 Southport 2 (ATS Challenge Trophy) A DEPLETED Morecambe side struggled to stop their seaside rivals in the ATS Cup Final at Preston's impressive new Deepdale Stadium on Tuesday night. With their fanatical fans filling one half of the fabulous
