Archive

KEVIN KINNEY is a Samurai master! The senior coach with Tyldesley Judo Club, a fourth dan black belt, grabbed double gold at the Samurai Masters. He won both the 81kg class and the open weight category, fighting and beating heavier opponents with an overall

ATHERTON swim star Heather Frederiksen is the 1999 junior Northern Counties Open Water champion. The 13-year-old switched from the pool with Atherton Swimming Club for her first open water event over 2k at Salford Quays. Heather, who also trains with

ATHERTON COLLS manager Alan Lord is determined to build for the future at Alder House. "When I came back to the club at the start of last season things were in disarray," he said. "The club was not the force it should have been. That applied at all levels

A look back at events in history on July 2 with Mike Badham 1556: French astrologer Nostradamus died today, as he had predicted. 1644: Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army won the battle of Marston Moor. The opposing Cavaliers lost with 4,000 dead. 1834:

PRESTON table tennis player Katy Parker had a successful spell representing England at the six nation cadet championships in Amsterdam last weekend. In the team event, 16-year-old Katy played with Natalie Bawden from Essex, Georgina Walker from Notts

PRIMARY schools from across the county will descend on Preston Cricket Club on Wednesday, July 14, to take part in the Lancashire Kwik Cricket Tournament. The tournament, aimed at primary schools across the county, was launched by Sir Robert Atkins 10

BOMB disposal officers were called into Rossendale after a World War One hand grenade was handed in to Bacup Police Station. The grenade was taken in at 4.30pm yesterday by a relative of an elderly person, who said it had been in a house in the Bacup

THE sun has been shining on and off for the last week or so which is the perfect signal to book your summer holiday. If you've made no plans yet why don't you join me and Pel Tellet with Radio City in Ibiza. We go in September and you can go for one week

PAINTERS from the past are needed to help Bury Art Society celebrate its golden jubilee. A special exhibition featuring work by past and present members is being put together for display in August at the town's art gallery and museum. Society organisers

PRESTON'S 11-year-old leg spinner Yasin Patel is celebrating his Red Rose call up to coincide with Lancashire acquiring one of the world's great spin bowlers, Muttiah Muralitharan. The Highfield Priory High School pupil first came to notice of the Fulwood

TWO horse mad teenagers are preparing to spend the summer with their four-legged friends after making it into various prestigious competitions. Victoria Arnold, a former Penwortham Girls high School pupils, will be performing with her horse, Barney, at

MAJORETTE troupes looking forward to taking part in a colourful parade have been given their marching orders after a row between the organisers of rival troupes. Groups of baton-twirling youngsters have been axed from the Blackburn Lions Gala after Zoe

BURY'S Kosavar refugees got their first taste of British school this week. Nine of the youngsters were introduced to life at Broad Oak High School in preparation for next Monday when they will attend full-time. Miss Helen Pierce-Jones said: "They have

PRESTON head in to the second half of the season needing a good dollop of luck - especially as they prepare to face the current league champions this weekend. Preston are once again at home, this time to Netherfield, a fixture, which can be described

AFTER suffering the disappointment of relegation last season, Clarets new boy Dean West has backed himself to bounce straight back up by re-joining Stan Ternent at Turf Moor. West won a Second Division championship medal under Ternent's guidance at Bury

A CONVICTED burglar alleged that when he was a 12-year-old boy he had been raped by a brewery worker who had plied him with beer. Four years, later he decided to seek revenge on the man, who he blamed for everything that had gone wrong in his life. Blackburn

COINAGE seems to have special fascination for a housewife reader who has popped up with interesting response to my recent yedscratter concerning the old farthing of fond memory. I'd asked if anyone could say when this tiny coin, worth a quarter of an

Revelations on the council deal concerning Lancaster Market are incredulous. It seems it won't pay its way, even if all the market stalls have tenants. Who advises the council on all these ridiculous deals which invariably end up costing the taxpayer?

BURY'S new street guardians are to become film stars after being captured on camera themselves. The town's Community Safety Wardens have been such a success that they are to show the country the way ahead. A video of the wardens in action, and comments

THE little eccentricities displayed by our elbow-bending fraternity hold much fascination for me when on local taproom patrol. Over the years, I've encountered a walking-stick society for the fully fit, several snugroom debating gangs and even a baldy

AS happy students prepare to graduate next week, Lancaster University bosses are turning their attention to those who are not so lucky. The national symposium on "Failing students" takes place on July 15-16 and examines reasons why a growing number of

A HARD-hitting play putting the spotlight on bullying has been premiered at local schools. Youngsters at Prestwich High were among the first in the borough to see Alone , commissioned by Bury police. The play graphically illustrates the problems of bullying

THE all-conquering Leigh Centurions will be the star attraction at Leigh Lions' Club fun day tug-of-war. The Leigh Charter Centenary celebration event, to be opened by the Mayor and Mayoress, Cllrs Bill and Evelyne Smith, takes place at Leigh Miners Rangers

ON the television news there was an article on how a gentleman who lived on the outskirts of Heathrow managed to have Concorde quieten its engine noise when coming in to land. If that can't be achieved why can't the residents of Bare and Morecambe have

A ROMAN museum has received a £156,000 windfall from the National Lottery for a building project. The Ribchester Roman Museum has received the heritage grant to extend into an adjoining building, improve displays and public facilities. The building will

CHEMISTS on duty on Sunday, July 4, are: Gamull Lane Pharmacy, 8 Gamull Lane, Ribbleton, 12-1pm; Ashton Pharmacy, 33 Ashton Street, Preston, 12-1pm; Moss Side Pharmacy, Dunkirk Lane, Leyland, 10am-2pm. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some

I'LL accept Citizen Smith's 'compliment' that I'm 'illustrious' because just as he was publishing it an Agricultural Minister was telling the Commons that it was worth coming in just to hear me speak about Lancaster. Our charming friend is therefore in

I LIVE near the wildlife lodge off Newington Drive and I think it was beautiful. But now it is a disgrace. I went on a walk and I looked at the lodge and I could hear water draining out. The water level had gone down a lot since I last saw it. The trees

TALENTED performers from The Players Drama School, which caters for youngsters aged 13 to 17, are staging a production of My Fair Lady at Preston Playhouse, in Market Street West, Preston, until Saturday. Young thespians Helen Modern (pictured) and Victoria

COUNCILLORS are also able to claim allowances and expenses if they are members of the police, fire and transport authorities. The Police Authority are not obliged by statute to reveal payments. But chairman Stephen Murphy is entitled to claim up to an

THE letter from Mr S. Butterworth (Your Letters, June 11) concerning the injured dog raises a number of issues. It is extremely regrettable that Mr Butterworth was unable to get help for the dog, but he should not have been told to contact the RSPCA in

ST Joseph's Playgroup will re-open its doors on Monday, August 12, with a new team. After 12 years of dedicated service the old staff have moved on to new challenges. But with the support of Leigh Education Action Zone and the Early Years Development

SINCE being elected a councillor for Ramsbottom and district I have received complaints about the state of Ramsbottom Cemetery. The goings-on give much cause for concern: adolescents playing football and swinging from trees; headstones toppled over and

IT'S official - you can live longer by making a bequest in your will! Legacy specialists Smee and Ford have revealed that people who leave money to charity in their will are likely to live two years longer than those who don't. And their revelation has

LOCAL solicitors might refuse to represent clients if Leigh County Court closes. Economics and inconvenience could force Leigh lawyers to turn-down cases if they have to travel to Wigan or Bolton to do so. The fear comes in the light of the current Court

ANOTHER young Preston man has been offered a place at a top London drama school, just twelve months after leaving Cardinal Newman College in Preston. Guy Flanagan, of Hambleton Close, Longton, is the twelfth member of the college's theatre company to

LONG-distance crooks who are responsible for a crimewave in two South Ribble villages are to be targeted as part of a new police crackdown. Dozens of officers are being drafted in to Bamber Bridge and Penwortham in an attempt to catch the villains who

I AM a serving police officer, based at Preston Police Station. I am writing because I think it is time to put the record straight with regards to the prostitutes and beggars in Preston. I know why these people do what they do. It is simply a means to

TEENAGE girls in Bamber Bridge are being urged not to leave home alone at night after another young woman was indecently assaulted. The warning, from local police, follows the third attack since February, which took place on Sunday, close to Bamber Bridge

BAMBER Bridge football Club has submitted plans to install a new stand at their Irongate ground - nearly a year after the last one blew down. And while the new 499-seater stand won't quite turn Irongate into Lancashire's answer to the San Siro, it should

I AM a resident of ten years in Kershaw Street, Bury, and in this time I have witnessed it change from a reasonably quiet street into a wagon-park and no-go area for kids. The change came about when the supermarket was given planning permission to open

PENSIONERS battling to preserve their bowling green plan to hold a protest outside Preston Town Hall in a bid to protect their sports ground. Members of the Smiths Recreation Bowls Team will grab the attention of councillors as they arrive for the next

PIONEER '79 swimmers were the winners of the semi-final of the Mini League held at Horwich pool and are now through to the A final in October. The 11 and 12 year olds featured competed in the Northern Counties Kellogg's Frosties 100m Age Groups held at

PUPILS who turned up at £800-a-term Heathfield School, Blackburn, were in tears after being told it was closing a week before the end of term. Headmaster Peter Martin told the 28 staff his school had ceased to trade and their jobs would go. Converted

HASLINGDEN captain Stuart Taylor had more reason than most to curse last Sunday's downpour which has forced him out of his side's Worsley Cup semi-final with Colne. Both semis were washed out a week ago and have been re-arranged for tomorrow when Taylor

PRESTON Borough Council is losing more than £1,000 a day in unpaid rent arrears, local Liberal Democrats have claimed. Between May 1998 and May 1999, Preston Borough Council wrote off 11,113 debts totalling £373,212, working out at a loss of £1,060, according

THIRD placed Chorley begin the second half of their Northern League programme tomorrow with high hopes of completing a double over Lancaster at Windsor Park. The Lune Road side have been struggling this season and unchanged Chorley will be aiming to take

GRAND plans for a Manhattan-style luxury apartment block overlooking Preston's docklands have been slammed by locals as 'monstrous'. Builder Newfield Jones Homes has applied for planning permission to build a new 11-storey complex, which will dwarf all

A LEYLAND man involved in last week's horror train smash on the West Coast mainline has praised the quick-thinking express train driver, saying his actions saved the lives of the passengers. Stephen Sumners, a lorry driver from Leyland, was among 132

JOHN Crawley showed his courage as a captain with a bold declaration for Lancashire last night. Crawley gave his bowlers an early shot at Essex by ending Lancashire's second innings on 209-7 - a lead of only 300. They were not able to make the early breakthrough

TRAINSPOTTERS are being enlisted in the fight against crime on the area's railway network. The enthusiasts - a common sight on Preston railway station - are being targeted by the Railway Forum, a body which represents Railtrack and the country's rail

GREAT Harwood remain top of the First Division with a narrow win at Burnley Road B. Globe A failed to take advantage of a game in hand, going down at Whalley A and Rushton St A, allowing Antley, victors over Ribblesdale A, to move into second place. Salesbury

BURNLEY FC defender Chris Scott was on hand to present the awards when Readstone United JFC held their presentation evening at Padiham Town Hall. Last season was probably Readstone's most successful, with pride of place going to the under 15s who won

HAYLEY Fisher, a year 10 pupil at Lytham St Annes High, has been chosen to take part in the prestigious National Mathematics Summer School later this month. The four-day course, which takes place at Queen's College, Birmingham, is organised by the UK

BEYOND Tony Blair's deadline for a deal to be reached, the still-deadlocked Northern Ireland peace process now heads for a dangerous limbo. It is hoped to revive it after the summer but ahead lies the powder-keg of the Ulster marching season which could

DAVID Hayes believes it could be tougher than ever as Cherry Tree bid to claim their second Jennings Ribblesdale League double in three years. But the skipper of the current table-toppers isn't complaining. In fact, he's more than happy about the increased

ASSEMBLIES will never be the same again at one Blackpool school after July 7. The pupils at St John's RC Primary School are set to receive a visit from new singing sensations Soul U*nique as part of their tour of UK schools. Comprising of Kate, Ben and

THERE are a number of vacancies still available in the open bowls competition for ladies to be played commencing Monday July 12 from 10am to 2.00pm at Lowther Gardens, Lytham. Further rounds continue on Wednesday July 14 with the final taking place on

A MOTHER whose three-year-old son could have contracted a potentially fatal disease by petting farm animals is warning other parents to be on their guard. Little Sam Gee was struck down by Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) as a result of coming into contact

ST ANNES IV continued their in-form run in their Fylde League division 2 match against Bourne Poacher B thanks to a sparkling all-round show from Duncan Webb. After Dave Gamble had shot out the top order and fully earned his 4-29 in 17 unbroken overs,

I SUGGEST that A. Graham of Bolton (Your Letters, June 25) has a hearing test. I was there when the remark was passed and the lad who was begging said: "Well, I'm off. I've made 25p (not £25) up to now." My calculations on that don't come to £600 a week

A THORNTON pupil battled it out at the recent Lancashire Enterprise Schools' Mathematics Challenge 1999. But Jennifer McCormack, of Hodgson High in Poulton, saw her quest to become Lancashire's maths champion halted at the Woodlands Centre, Chorley. Jennifer

IN Division A of the Rossall Sixes league The Untouchables stay in the lead although they lost to third-placed Supreme Plastics 0-2 this week. Holbro FC closely follow after they shared the points in a 2-2 draw with Statestrong. Carter Engineering beat

I WALKED my dog in Witton Park, something I do almost every day. I consider myself privileged to have such a beautiful place to walk in. I respect this and always take a bag to clean up after my dog. On the senior schools sports day the congratulations

TONY Blair has instructed the madness on the M4 to stop. Yes, the bus lane that has caused chaos will be removed. However, Wigan Council and GMPTA, despite great opposition during the "consultation" period, seem hell bent on putting in bus lanes in various

NEWTON Hall Amateur Swimming Club has, for the fifth time in succession, won the Lancashire Swimming League Championships by winning their latest gala last weekend (June 26/27). At the first ever gala to be held at Moor Park, a spirited fight by Chorley

I DO appreciate that in today's society we have a serious problem, more so than in the past decades, with the rising percentage of people with learning difficulties. I welcome with open arms any form of special education to help these people, if possible

ST HELENS Town stage their annual shareholders meeting in the club lounge at 10.30am on Sunday, July 18. All correspondence should reach secretary Bill Noctor, by Sunday, July 11. Meanwhile the club is looking for a manager for its under 13s squad. Anyone

IT'S the tallest, fastest, steepest rollercoaster in the world and this summer it celebrates a bumper birthday. The Pepsi Max Big One is five years old and Blackpool Pleasure Beach is holding a party to remember for the megacoaster on Monday. On the guest

I TOTALLY agree with the letter from D Tighe regarding proposed parking permits in the Railway Road area of Leigh. We live in the Findlay Street area and the only problems we have in parking are outside of the proposed operational times of the preposterous

PROTESTORS plan to meet bosses at a major DIY chain in a bid to stop the company stocking live animals at its Morecambe store. Val Harwood of local charity Animal Care claims she already has more than one thousand signatures on her petition to stop the

PLANS to regenerate St Annes ailing town centre have moved further forward as members of the public and private sectors pledged their support to the St Annes Development Partnership at a recent meeting. Representatives from all sections of the community

AREN'T you just glad you didn't win the Lottery on Saturday? Imagine the scene with winners all over the country whooping it up, after striking the jackpot, believing their millionaire dreams had come true. What a deflation it must have been to discover

DYNAMIC Dave Wilson has powered his way to a national title. Dave, from North Road, St Helens, produced an all-action effort to lift the British crown at super middleweight in full-contact kick-boxing. In front of a enthusiastic town hall audience, he

BLACKPOOL Council are still considering whether to table a bid for city status after a meeting on Wednesday (June 30). The policy and resources committee was considering whether to submit a formal application following the receipt of a letter from the

RUBEROID Sutton Cricket Club notched up a fine victory in their derby clash with Prescot/Odyssey on Saturday. Batting first, Sutton made 203-8 declared with Mike Rimmer making a timely return to form with 90. Joe Harvey and SS Das also hit quick runs.

A GAS fitter who unlawfully continued to work on gas appliances after allowing his CORGI registration to lapse was given a 12 month conditional discharge by magistrates. Robert Hargreaves, 46, of Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, admitted contravening health

CLOCK Face amateur Rugby League club is seeking players for its under-18 squad. Training is held on Wednesdays from 6pm and further information may be obtained from Bill Bates on St Helens 45448. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images

INTREPID Duncan Wood is getting into the saddle and strapping on his backpack in preparation for a 250-mile bike ride across Israel. The ride, which will take Duncan (41) from Galilee to Jerusalem, will be completed in five days of travel along the River

FEARS are mounting over the safety of visitors to Lancaster's famous Ashton memorial in Williamson Park after two deaths in a week at the historic landmark. Police believe that pensioner Elsie Wolstenholme lost her life after slipping on the steps outside

MORECAMBE'S Dome and Bubbles complex faces an uncertain future but looks likely to stay open for at least another year. The current contract to operate the sea-front leisure facility runs out on September 30 and options that have been investigated so

HAVING just read This is Lancashire 2000, I simply had to write and say how much I enjoyed it and am looking forward to part two in the autumn. The two magazines will make a very interesting and informative record of the century for future generations

SAINTS' Past Players Association are set to do battle with their Warrington counterparts - at crown green bowls! For the annual eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation will take place at Greenall's club, Alder Hey Road, on Saturday, July 31, from 1pm. Refreshments

IF you feel lucky why not take a chance on the brand new local lottery being launched this week by the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind. The lottery offers the local community the chance to support their local Blind Society and offers the

CONGRATULATIONS to the Citizen for so boldly featuring on its front page the schooling problems facing 13-year-old St Annes boy Liam Houston and his parents (Citizen, June 17). There can be no sound justification for him being denied a school place locally

Bradford Bulls 46 Saints 22 FORTRESS Odsal continued to be a graveyard for bruised and battered Saints, as they slumped to a third successive defeat for the first time in Super League against a rampant Bulls' now anchored in top spot. Conversely the reverse

TAXI-drivers told of their fears for the industry in Lancaster and Morecambe this week. They were motivated to contact the Citizen after last week's story about a local taxi firm who went bust leaving holiday makers stranded at Manchester Airport. The

HAVING now gained the dubious distinction of acquiring a senior citizens bus pass, I have taken to using public transport again. What was once a necessity is now a novelty, but I have noticed how things have changed. I seem to remember at one time an

PRESTON North End face a struggle to keep their hands on their top players as the new season approaches. Club bosses have entered into talks to keep Lee Cartwright and Michael Jackson at the club amid speculation that the players - who each have just

A LYTHAM pet food boss has been jailed for three years after fiddling his books. Simon Haythornthwaite, owner of Pet Express and Boundary Nutrition, covered up vast losses and illegally gained £1.74 million, with no-one able to account for where the money

ST HELENS CC are developing the happy knack of winning. They notched up their first victory of the week at Orrell in th Echo Cup. Their batsmen blasted a total of 150 in 20overs, thanks mainly to Bappa Mukherjee (37 in 23 balls) and Neil Woods (64 in

SIR, - AFTER reading the letter entitled A Sick Joke (Citizen, June 10), I wholeheartedly agree with helping the needy - but not at the expense of other poor people. Being a refugee myself from the Second World War, I am now a 70-year-old widow living

TWO heroic Fleetwood officers have been presented with a prestigious award for their outstanding bravery. The William Garnett Cup, presented annually to the officer or officers performing the most gallant deed in Lancashire, was awarded to Inspector Steve

PLANS to close Whitefield Ambulance Station this year have been abandoned - but it still faces the axe. The station, located at Greater Manchester Ambulance Service's (GMAS) HQ on Bury New Road, was to close before the millennium. It was thought that

ST HELENS Recs suffered a six-wicket defeat at Fleetwood Hesketh on Saturday. Winning the toss, Recs elected to for first use of the wicket. But batting was always a struggle. However, Martindale persevered and was eventually out for 27. When he went

MORECAMBE motorcycling superstar John McGuinness will be carrying the hopes of the county when he contests the 500cc British Grand Prix at Donnington Park this weekend. Following on from a sensational first half to the season which has seen him win at

RAMSBOTTOM were involved in what's sure to be the Lancashire League match of the season as a host of scoring records were smashed at Todmorden's Centre Vale ground. They exploited a superb batting pitch to successfully overhaul the Yorkshiremen's 301

MEMORY loss through Alzeihmer's Disease affects many of the nation's 700,000 dementia sufferers. By the start of the Millennium there will be over a million people aged over 85 living in Britain - a fifth of them suffering from Alzheimer's or some other

SIMON Dawson has been appointed sales and marketing manager at Blackburn-based Partwell. He joins the firm, which supplies specialist cutting equipment, from NBC Bearings. Simon, from Stockport, will head up a team of six sales staff and oversee all the

Working women in Lancaster are being invited to improve their creative thinking. The local branch of the Business and Professional Women's Club (BPW) hosts a free evening of training at the Lancaster House Hotel at 8PM on Monday July 12th. Participants

AN angry pensioner wants retribution against the thugs who killed his geese. Mr Harold Grundy (71), of Bridgefield Walk, Radcliffe, said: "Whoever is responsible should be killed themselves. They should be stoned to death, have their hands chopped off

THE leader of a drugs ring operating from Blackpool has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty on two counts of conspiracy to supply heroin. Wayne Garnett, 41, of Condor Grove, Blackpool, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday

COUNCILLORS are proposing a new weapon against people who dump rubbish illegally. The Independent group wants the council to introduce a new 0800 freephone line for complaints about illegally dumped rubbish. Morecambe Bay Independent Councillor Mark Turner

LEYLAND Daf lifted themselves off the bottom of the Vaux Northern League with a neat victory over Leyland in what could be the last ever local derby at Fox Lane. Putting aside talk of a possible merger between the two rivals, both teams set about for

LAST year St Helens Council received more than 700 complaints about noisy neighbours, with barking dogs the most common cause of the problem. All complaints are dealt with by the council's Environmental Health Section using a defined procedure, but because

LANCASTER'S chamber of trade experienced a sad departure and the death of a long standing colleague last week. Chief Executive Barry Scoffin was awarded an engraved crystal bowl by Chamber President Heather Pape-Hughes, who paid tribute to Robin Morris

CYCLING youngsters employed pedal power - and lots of it - over the weekend to help ride out illiteracy. Their efforts paid off, when they raised £1,000 to provide youngsters in Papua New Guinea with reading material. Children from 15 schools from across

ARMED raiders brandishing a sawn off shotgun and an axe attempted to lock a Tyldesley nightclub owner and her staff in a cellar during a £5,000 robbery. Licensee Mary Abbott, 56, her son Paul, 28, and a cleaner - on his first day in the job - were ordered

A BATTLE is brewing in Morecambe - over a public toilet. The toilet block opposite the Grosvenor Hotel have been declared "Unfit for human habitation" but Labour councillors claim that the lack of alternative facilities are proving a little inconvenient

DECISION makers provide premier league quality at third division price. Councillors who supervise a massive near £260 million annual budget receive fourth rate full-back pay of less than £m. And the individual cash allowances go only part way to covering

THE annual Parr Carnival will be held at Bold Miners Institute in Fleet Lane on Saturday, July 3. In the build-up to the event youngsters at three local primary schools - St Vincent's, Broad Oak and Our Lady's - have been holding carnival costume workshops

POLICE have issued a warning to local parents and children after two schoolgirls were approached by men in the last week. Last Wednesday saw a teenager walking to school in the Greaves area followed by a man. As she realised she was being followed, she

BURY'S Streets Ahead Festival has been hailed an unqualified success. The May Bank Holiday event attracted a crowd of around 13,000 to the town centre, eager to enjoy the entertainment and blazing sunshine. In a new report, Mr Harold Williams, Bury's

FIREFIGHTERS at Parr Stocks station are swapping their hosereels for wet sponges and buckets of soapy water on Saturday, July 3. They will be washing cars from 9am to raise money for the National Fire Service Benevolent Fund and a local disabled child

NORTH Manchester law firm, Latimer Lee is expanding its Bury office to cope with the increasing demand for their legal services by private and business clients. The firm, which has been established for more than 40 years, has refurbished its premises

THE family of a 55-year-old grandfather, who was beaten up outside a chip shop in April, have offered a £200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offender. The incident happened just after midnight on Saturday, April 17 as

A PRESTON pensioner says she is too scared to visit her family in their American home because Customs officers have told her she she looks like a notorious drug smuggler! Since Savick senior citizen Theresa Ashcroft's (pictured) family emigrated to Oregon

DOG wardens in St Helens are launching dusk and dawn patrols in their latest bid to stamp down on dog fouling and catch strays. As well as patrolling known problem areas, the council's dog warden team will also target schools and public playing fields

TWO Bury charities have scooped nearly £10,000 between them in the latest round of National Lottery grants. The Bury Metropolitan Deaf Society has been awarded £5,000 and The Sandcastle Trust (Bury Metro) £4,300. The Sandcastle Trust is a newly-formed

BURY companies are being urged to warm to the prospect of exporting - to America's "Sunshine State". And Radcliffe businessman Peter Weidenbaum underlined the benefits during an innovative video link-up to Florida. The Trans-Atlantic video conference

A PLUCKY two-year-old raised the alarm when her dad suffered a suspected stroke. Jennifer Tilley hammered on a neighbour's door because her father, David, was temporarily paralysed down one side and couldn't reach the phone. Thanks to her swift actions

FARM animals were clubbed to death in an horrific attack by vandals. The owner of the smallholding, Mrs Pamela Hopwood, discovered the horror when she went to feed the livestock on Sunday morning. "I knew something was wrong when I was walking up the

GARY Jackson, who hit a half century for the seconds last weekend, returns to the Darwen side for tomorrow's Vaux Northern League game away to mid-table Kendal. Jackson takes over from 15-year-old John Cordingley who is given a well-earned break from

GREAT Harwood Ladies recorded another valuable home victory against Fleetwood in the North Lancs and Fylde Inter-Town League. Using their home venue Rushton Street to good advantage, they recorded some outstanding individual scores on the way to taking

GREEN Transport Month sloshed into St Helens with a soaking Cycle Challenge and Green Fayre at Sherdley Park. But, despite the downpour, dozens of kids still turned up to enjoy a fun day out including an exciting menu of travel and environment-related

QUICK-thinking neighbours saved an elderly couple after arsonists struck at their Whitefield home. Mr Thomas Smith (73) and his 71-year-old wife, Marion, of Tintern Avenue, had a lucky escape after a husband-and-wife team from next door tackled the blaze

A BUSINESSMAN is offering a substantial reward after he was beaten and stabbed by two thugs as he closed his snooker club for the night. Mr Michael Crowley, who owns Whitefield Snooker Club, had a main artery severed in his left arm which was also fractured

ST HELENS Council has hit back over Government league table claims that it is under-spending on education. A council spokesperson described the figures as "grossly inaccurate" and said council leader, Marie Rimmer would be making an immediate protest

FIVE primary schools in the borough have been chosen to pilot a new scheme aimed at discouraging parents from driving their children to school. The 'Safer Routes to School' initiative aims to encourage parents to send their children to school on foot

A PROJECT aimed at stamping out male violence against women and children will be launched locally at St Helens Town Hall on Tuesday, July 13. The Merseyside Zero Tolerance Initiative is affiliated to the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust in Edinburgh, a

TWO Darwen men have been sent to youth custody after chasing a man from a public house and beating him up in a garden where he was hiding. Carl Hibbert and Kevin Clough, both 20, attacked Shaun Taylor in April, 1998, while he was enjoying an evening out

CONSERVATIVE councillors in Blackburn and Darwen were accused of being "obsessed with bottoms and the human body" in a debate over public art in the borough. Labour Coun Sue Reid made the accusation as Tory councillors lined up to criticise policies which

A SAUDI prince has turned to an East Lancashire firm to decorate his multi-million desert palace. Fabrics firm Panaz was asked to come up with 23 exclusive designs to be used to help furnish the inside of the palace being built on the outskirts of the

EAST Lancashire drinkers who dabble in bootleg booze were put on red alert today amid fears that potentially dangerous bottles of vodka could be on sale. And health experts warned that anyone who risks drinking the bottles labelled Royal Crown or Parmer

GLAZEBURY CC have opened a massive 30-point gap at the top of the NorthWest Counties League Second Division. They underlined their superiority with an emphatic win against Eccleston. Peter Calvert led the way to a 225-7 total with a top-score 60 before

From the Bury Times July 2 1974 HEALTH: A desperate shortage of money forced the chairman of Bury's Area Health Authority, Mr Murray Fink, to make a personal appeal to the Department of Health, He claimed the health service was being run on a shoestring

PETER WALDER grabbed the ball and the glory on Saturday. His sensational diving catch off the last ball of the match left title hopefuls Atherton groaning - while Standish were glowing. The Vimto Bolton Association clash came down to a one-ball thriller

A WORRIED mum fears for the safety of youngsters after thugs shot a third family pet in six months. Mrs Lisette Hinde, of Sunny Field Road, has called in the police after two of her cats were shot at point-blank range within the space of a week in the

STRICT new safety rules governing the hanging of Christmas lights from street lamps does not mean the plug has been pulled on traditional festive light displays, according to the county council. A new code of practice aimed at cutting the risk of passers-by

DESIGNER David Schofield has won a top industry award for his work in scaring the Swedes! The haunted hotel attraction David created for Sweden's top theme park has been judged an "outstanding achievement" by the American-based Themed Entertainment Association

EAST Lancashire drinkers who dabble in bootleg booze were put on red alert today amid fears that potentially dangerous bottles of vodka could be on sale. And health experts warned that anyone who risks drinking the bottles labelled Royal Crown or Parmer

A WAR Veteran who lost relatives in the Holocaust is planning a sponsored walk between two former Nazi concentration camps, just days before his 80th birthday. Mr Ben Langer, of Hope Road, Prestwich, aims to walk between Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland

A PRESTON pensioner says she is too scared to visit her family in their American home because Customs officers have told her she she looks like a notorious drug smuggler! Since Savick senior citizen Theresa Ashcroft's family emigrated to Oregon in the

EWOOD season-ticket sales are heading towards the 10,000 mark, despite relegation and the fact that Blackburn Rovers have yet to make a major summer signing. And chief executive John Williams says he is confident they will soon reach five figures, with

A CAMPAIGN aimed at promoting public transport and reducing the harmful effects of car traffic has been launched in Bury. The move comes after a report stressed that an increase in the use of public transport would improve the physical and mental health

CHORLEY condemned Preston to another defeat as the visitors helped themselves to a comfortable eight-wicket victory. Inexcusable runouts and incoherent fielding from Preston, coupled with an excellent 60 not out from Chorley's James Fazackerley, ensured

I MUST congratulate Morecambe. People must come from miles around to view the magnificent road humps and extortionate car parks. Just one question though? Why can't we park in the Winter Gardens? It could be the finest car park in the world. Eleanor Smith

THREE hundred jobs are up for grabs at the controversial prison under construction near Prestwich. A hot-line has been set up to deal with the expected clamour for vacancies which are open to men and women and include prison custody officers, auxiliaries

LEIGH Constituency Conservative Association is leading the fight against a planned residents' charged parking scheme in the Railway Road area. And everyone who opposes the plan is invited to an open meeting at the club on July 14 at 8pm. The secretary

SAM Emery, the old-time clogger, coined a witty trade slogan that still flits through the minds of our greybearded generation. Boldly emblazoned on the display window of his busy corner shop was the title: 'Hospital for all Poor Soles.' And one who remembers

A MAN was blasted in the thigh during a series of late-night terrifying "drive-by" shootings. Now, two 17-year-old youths are to be interviewed by detectives after several shots were fired from a car as it drove through Radcliffe town centre late on Wednesday

LONG-serving village school headmistress Mrs Phyllis Maud Unwin has died aged 84. Howe Bridge born Mrs Unwin (nee Bamford), of Bolton Road, Atherton, was the last infants' head at the village school. She held the post from 1948 until 1975, 27 years of

LAST week Citizen Smith in response to my last letter to the Citizen asked two questions. First, what was my view on the financial management of the Blobby affair? Well, this has been argued and debated over two or three years now in your columns, in

WORK has begun on a tapestry which will be a permanent reminder of Bury at the turn of the new millennium. And the woman spearheading the ambitious project has been overwhelmed by offers of help from those wanting to sew the 28-panel tapestry. The finished

LEIGH'S 316 Squadron of the Air Training Corps are appealing for daredevil instructors to join them. Anyone with two evenings a week to spare, and interested in adventurous pursuits, could help the 50 young cadet members of the corps. Males or females

A CEMENT firm has been given the go-ahead to use construction waste in its kilns. Government environment bosses claim the Castle Cement plan will reduce the amount of waste dumped in landfill. The firm is also to be allowed to use its controversial waste

ALARM Bells have been ringing for some time now, but I can only conclude that someone put a muffler on it as no-one appears to have heard it! With headlines like 'Doubt over market' and 'Plans to knock down the Dome' showing what a complete lack of vision

A SIX year dream has come true for a new organisation - thanks to a Lottery jackpot. Add A Voice saw their new office and resource centre at 53, Church Street, Leigh, open on Friday. The association is the local advocacy development group for Wigan Borough

CRITICISM has been aimed at the huge number of people who did not bother to vote in recent elections, and it is implied that this apathy is an insult to those who struggled for democracy in the past. Perhaps those who criticise do not realise that democracy

HELP is at hand for overweight people hit by hi-tech living. Wigan and Leigh College is starting Steps to Health classes for 'fatties' who are not used to exercising. Both women's and men's sessions have been arranged on Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively

WHAT about this for a six-act drama . . . Act 1: Enter the Government, campaigning on a stridently pro-Europe manifesto. Act 2: Enter the country, demonstrating its enthusiasm. Only one in four vote and only one in four of those who do vote accept the

WORKERS at one of Preston's largest factories face an uncertain future after rumours that the redundancy axe could soon be about to fall. Employees at Goss Graphic Systems Ltd, of Greenbank St, Preston say they have been told 200 jobs will lost at the

THE outlook is brilliant with Brighter Borough upgrades approved in many areas. Funding applications authorized by the Council's Policy and Resources Committee include cash towards tree planting and fencing in Plank Lane, Leigh and refurbishing the Church

IT'S official - she's not just a pretty face. Supermodel turned television presenter Caprice, pictured, visited Rock FM today (Thursday) to publicise her forthcoming single, Oh Yeah, and album to follow. The 26-year old's single is released in August

A MEMORIAL plaque in memory of the bravery of an America fighter pilot who narrowly missed crashing into a school has been unveiled by Fulwood and Cadley juniors. Officials from British Aerospace, in Warton, near Preston, joined dignitaries from the Royal

BUDDING actors from Leigh's Dimples Agency can take a bow. Thirty one students who attended drama classes have passed London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art exams with flying colours. They all gained passes between 75 and 100 per cent. The pupils who

I WOULD like to thank you, the Citizen and the Calor Gas Centre for the wonderful gas barbecue I won recently in your competition. Now I am just waiting for the good weather! Derek B Tuck Mellor Road Leyland Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000

UNDER the somewhat melodramatic headline "Fight goes on for racial equality", you report that a total of 14 complaints were received by the Bury Race Equality Council for the whole of 1998 and, of these, just six went to tribunal. Now every single day

RE your article Vandals Force Toilet To Close (Citizen June 24). I visited the cemetery some six months ago - it was in a disgusting condition. I suggest the council gets off its backside, and does the job it was put there to do. If they must, join the

I MUST reply to your article on the proposed youth drop-in centre that is to be opened on The Rock. The article raised two points: the assumption was that the traders on The Rock are against this centre and are also fighting for survival against the Millgate

HIGH school pupils and staff were in mourning this week after the death of a senior teacher. Tyldesley Fred Longworth head of humanities Mrs Linda Dunning lost a five year battle with cancer on Monday when she died in St Ann's Hospice. Husband Mark, who

I FELT compelled to write and make my views known after reading last week that Bury Council are to rehouse our refugee visitors in council homes that are in "low demand". I have a great deal of sympathy for these people after the tragic and terrifying

WHAT came first - the basket or the sign? That's the conundrum facing Preston Borough Council at the moment as the town's hanging baskets came out for the summer sun. But help is at hand - a new code of practice has been created to govern the hanging

YET again the council, through their officers, have shown a complete disregard for matters environmental within the borough. I refer to the front-page headline "DESTRUCTION" (Bury Times, June 25) and it is an all-too-familiar story within our area. I

WET and windy weather didn't stop 200 cyclists getting on their bikes for a tour of the Ribble Valley in aid of St Catherine's Hospice. Although it rained non-stop all day, many of the brave riders opted for the 55-mile circuit of Bleasdale, while others

JUST weeks after undergoing a serious operation to remove a huge cyst schoolgirl Claire Kaylow, pictured, braved the crowds to be crowned a Rose Queen. Claire, 12, of Linden Drive, Lostock Hall, was rushed into hospital just three weeks ago after developing

WHEN Gordon McKay received the outstanding Sports Team Trophy for Knuzden Youth's Under 12s team from England's assistant coach Derek Fazackerley at the Blackpool Football Festival, he kept up a terrific record on behalf of manager Dusty Miller's previous

A CLOUD of red smoke streamed out from the parade square in Fulwood Barracks. Suddenly all eyes turned upwards where four parachutists were gliding swiftly to earth. The Beating of the Retreat was about to begin, and as the members of the Prince of Wales

HORSE-mad Anne-Marie Murphy is riding on a high at the moment - she has had one of her four legged friends named in her honour. Anne-Marie, who is both physically and mentally handicapped, has visited Lancashire Police's Mounted Branch headquarters in

A GRANDAD is calling for crash barriers to be installed on a motorway near him, after a car smashed into his garden. Retired farmer Eddie Gaskell was shocked to find emergency fencing around his garden, in Rosemary Lane, Bartle, when he woke one morning

MORE than 65 police officers, including dog handlers, swooped in the early hours to stop 800 people holding an Acid House party in a disused mill in Ciceley Lane, Blackburn. Police blocked off the entrance to the mill as hundreds of cars tried to park

CYCLING is set to become the form of transport in the new Millennium for residents of South Ribble. The borough council has drawn up a local transport plan - which will be used in Lancashire County Council's overall strategy - and Civic Centre chiefs

A NEW Tae Kwondo club is opening next Tuesday (July 6) at the No 4 Squash Club on Newton Drive in Blackpool. The classes are run by a second dan black belt every Tuesday and Thursday. Anyone interested can get further details by phoning 728418 or 596957

THIS week's Readers' Recollections take us back to the late 'fifties when the cotton industry in Lancashire was just winding up. Many people will still remember working in the factories where the hot, damp conditions made it a misery for everyone and

WITH wins for both Sports Club Bar and Ansdell Institute in the Lytham St Annes Darts and Dominoes Summer League, at the half-way point in the season five of the seven clubs are all on six points each. British Legion are still out in front on 12 points

REIGNING champion Kevan Shaw from Westhoughton and Ian Broadhurst from Macclesfield have qualified for the semi-fina ls of the Alexandra Classic. These two are the first qualifiers for the last four of the event, which is sponsored by the Lancashire Evening

FUNKY Monkey, mascot of the Co-op's Sports for Schools scheme, joined seven-year-olds Deborah Rhodes and Ashton Molyneaux (pictured) from Baines Endowed County Primary last week to congratulate the busy Blackpool pupils. The Penrose Avenue school has

I ENJOY many of H Hamer's letters, but feel the latest one has hit rock bottom (Letters, June 24). With all the horrendous things going on in the world, sculptures should be the least of our worries. Let's use our energy to stop the plight of children

IT WAS Rossendale's night last Friday in the 1999 Vaux Classic, when Frank Lord and Ian McNeil qualified. In his first game, Frank overcame a tough encounter against Helmshore's Dave Cowley, winning 21-19 after being 19-12 down. The second game was a

POP fledgling Kerri-Ann gave Blackpool schoolchildren an insight into the music business when she stopped off during a promotional tour. Her first two singles have gone to the top of the Irish charts and to get a foothold in this country she visited Holy

ACTION stations - the search is on for the North-West sports men and women who will shine in the next Millennium. Budding David Beckhams and Sally Gunnells from the region are being sought in a contest to find "Tomorrow's People". British Gas is inviting

ONE might have thought that newly-elected representatives, like Hyndburn Borough councillor Adrian Shurmer, would have had the sense and humility to look into the actual ways in which local services are planned and delivered before jumping in, in ignorance

A BLACKPOOL school has received a welcome vote of confidence after a recent OFSTED inspection. Only two years on from the last inspection, St George's High was praised for its improvements despite headteacher Elizabeth Warner only having held her position

FOR some time, I have been under the impression that the Halifax Building Society has surreptitiously introduced an 'inconvenience to customer' policy. Ever since the ground-floor counter service was withdrawn from the main office in Grosvenor Way, Blackburn

LEIGH area holidaymakers heading for the Club Praia de Rocha in Portugal take heart. The place, which was hammered recently on Tv's Holidays From Hell and by local visitors, can't be all bad. An Astley reader has just returned from a self-catering break

VAUX NORTHERN LEAGUE Division One: Blackpool 149-5, M Pickles 74 (n.o.) - *Fleetwood 147-8, M Clinning 55, R Singh 4-90; Darwen 156-8, G Cordingley 65, J Davies 4-48 - *St Annes 171-8, D Callaghan 40 (n.o.), R Petrie 4-63; *Kendal 211-3, J Hunte 113,

WELL, didn't we have a typical start to Leigh holiday week. After two weeks of fairly decent weather the heavens opened. I thought of the poor people who had headed for a break in this country as stair rods rattled down all day Sunday. But I should think

BILLINGE slipped to defeat at the hands of Salisbury in the West Lancashire Cricket League on Saturday. Billinge had first use of the Liverpool wicket and looked in good form. Andy Lyon hit a fine 39, while Shaun Middlehurst amassed 35. But the rest of

IT doesn't surprise me that our new Lib. Dem. councillor is carrying on the policy he adopted as a candidate and jumping on to whichever bandwagon happens to be going past. Nor should it surprise me that he is siding with the residents living around King

LANCASTER businesses face more disruption after North West water discovered new problems with the local sewage network. Water bosses say they must work for four more days on Rosemary Lane near its junction with North Road. The new work kicks off on Sunday

WELL, I despair. What an uncaring duo we have in Mr Sumner of Platt Street and Cllr Bleakley. As a do-gooder (the opposite of which is a 'do-badder), I ask if the chosen site aside the canal is the wrong place to house mentally handicapped people? Where

NEWLYWEDS Sandy Smith and Mark Blackwell celebrated a dream end to a nightmare year as they married in Lancaster last week. Mark, 31, proposed to Sandy as she recovered from horrific injuries she sustained in the Omagh bombing last year. The fairytale

RAINHILL came agonisingly close to victory against Parkfield on Saturday. Newcomer David Rowe occupied the crease for one hour and 29 minutes for 36 to build a 53-run partnership with Kevin Jones who was stumped for 31. Further wickets were given away

THE world pool championships will arrive in Morecambe on July 10. The competition will start with the youth and juniors competition and finish on July 23 when representatives will meet the Queen. Said organiser Alan Marshall: "It's the biggest tournament

Saints Alliance 36 Bradford 22 TWO tries from free-scoring Warren Barrow helped to keep Saints in touch with leaders Hull in this entertaining clash at Knowsley Road. Elder brother of first-team starlet Scott Barrow, utility back Warren is now the league's

ONE hundred thousand thanks have gone from The Friends of The Grand to one of its busiest members. John Buck joined the group 25 years ago and he and his fellow members have been concerned with saving Blackpool Grand Theatre for live entertainment and

WINDLE City returned in devastating style after a two- week break in the St Helens Rounders League. They took three games from three, resulting in them remaining top of Division one, still in the Show Cup and semi-finalists in the Emily Collins Cup. Their

ST ANNES have reduced Darwen's lead at the top of the table in the Vaux Northern League division one to three points after their winning draw at Birch Hall. Put in to bat, St Annes openers Adrian Darlington and Andy Kellett put on 25 for the first wicket

A HOST of celebrities will join the Queen as she unveils a new statue in tribute to Eric Morecambe on Morecambe Promenade later this month. The Royal party and Her Majesty's guests arrive in the resort on Friday, July 23, for what is being billed as one

HAYDOCK completed a fine double over Rufford, with wins for the first and second teams in the Southport and District League. The firsts easily accounted for Rufford as their bowlers were simply too quick for the home batsmen. Adrian Barr proved his worth

FYLDE'S answer to Fame will come alive on Friday (July 2) when the curtain falls on the region's performing arts centre. Blackpool and the Fylde College is closing its Clifton Drive campus in St Annes, and moving staff and students to a purpose-built

RAINFORD produced a major suprise in the Southport and District League on Saturday. Without a win this season, they defeated champions Eccleston by five-wickets. Eccleston won the toss and decided to bat but were immediately pegged back by a double strike

RYELANDS race-hate victim Mal Hussain has vowed to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. Last week the Law Lords upheld a Court of Appeal ruling which had cleared the city council of allegations of negligence and nuisance in failing to

THE controversial Lancaster South housing development will be scrapped if newly elected councillors get their way. The plan to allow 1,200 new houses to be built on greenfield sites south of Lancaster was a key issue in the recent local elections. And

JAILED millionaire Owen Oyston will never be allowed to move to an open prison - because he will not admit he is guilty of rape. It's a classic "Catch 22" situation which rules that prisoners who claim they are innocent must serve longer sentences than

JAILED millionaire Owen Oyston will never be allowed to move to an open prison - because he will not admit he is guilty of rape. It's a classic "Catch 22" situation which rules that prisoners who claim they are innocent must serve longer sentences than

LIONS chief executive Tony Barrow has called on his players to score a hat-trick of victories in the next nine days. Swinton face a tough programme with a trip to Bramley on Sunday before a rearranged home clash with Batley Bulldogs on Wednesday night

A SECURITY guard's clothing saved him from serious injury when he was stabbed by a burglar. The incident happened outside flats in Oak Lane, Whitefield, on Tuesday when the guard was patrolling the area around 9.45pm. He spotted the man trying to break

SHAKERS boss Neil Warnock was both excited and stunned at landing trio Paul Reid, Sam Collins and Ian Lawson (pictured with Warnock). After watching his latest acquisitions sign on the dotted line at Gigg Lane yesterday, he told the Bury Times: "I can't

A LEIGH installation team has begun a 17 weeks-long, six-figure contract on a Xanadu lookalike snowdome. Tony Grainey and Steve Stridgeon's CDI (Commercial and Domestic Installations) firm of architectural glazing experts are working at the soaring 160ft

AFTER suffering the disappointment of relegation last season, Clarets new boy Dean West has backed himself to bounce straight back up by re-joining Stan Ternent at Turf Moor. West won a Second Division championship medal under Ternent's guidance at Bury

A SNOOKER player is pleading for the return of his prized cue which he believes was left in Shaw Street Social Club ob Monday. The black, split-piece cue is of great sentimental value. Anyone who can help is asked to ring 601080. Converted for the new

A REMARKABLE 105 years young - that's Miss Maggie Booth. And it was only fitting she should be the centre of attraction at a special party to mark the big occasion. More than 25 residents, staff and relatives joined celebrations at the Primrose Cottage

LEE Irvine produced the golf of his life to land his second BDGA Men's Championship title. The 25-year-old Harwood member dominated Wednesday night's final against Mark Thornton, tearing the Greenmount course apart to record a stunning 5&4 victory

HINDLEY Green residents are forming battle plans to halt a massive new housing development scheme in their area, and save their quality of life. They claim building on the site behind Corner Lane - Carr Common Road and the Taylor Road estate will swallow

FORMER Olympic athlete Ann Griffiths has made a sensational return to competitive track athletics. Running in Manchester on Sunday, the St Helens athlete clocked 2.03.5 - the second fastest in Britain this year! Ann will now step up her bid for a place

ADAM Eaton joined Preston North End from Everton this week - and paid manager David Moyes a glowing tribute. The 19-year-old left-back cited Moyes' ambition as the main reason he chose to come to Deepdale. Adam said: "I was on holiday and spoke to my

TODDLER Jessica Moran was the queen of her very own castle - until some dirty rascal ran off with it. Now the heartbroken three-year-old wants her 6ft square bouncy castle back - and her parents are offering a reward for its return. The bright yellow

MUSIC-making workshops will be held at the Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington as part of a specially organised Galleries Week. The music produced will be inspired by the brightly-coloured pop art prints in the Patrick Caulfield exhibition at the gallery

Swinton Lions 48, Doncaster 2 ANY hopes Doncaster may have had of completing a league double over the Lions were quickly extinguished by the home side's first half display. Sunday's Gigg Lane victory signalled a return to form and an excellent defensive

LEIGH'S Centenary Committee have released a limited number of free sites for local voluntary groups and charities to use at the town's celebration weekend. But they must have innovative fund raising ideas to claim a space in the marquee at a family fun

FORTUNES were mixed in this see-saw game which either side could have won in the Northern Ford Premiership rugby league. Lancashire, buoyant from their last two wins, were confident throughout the game but were undone by a couple of basic errors to lose

SHOPPERS are being urged to put more pressure on farmers despite a new Euro-wide ban on battery cages. MP David Chaytor has welcomed the decision by European agriculture ministers to phase out such cages, which confine hens to an area no bigger than a

THE manageress of a firm was attacked by a robber who snatched a bag of cash as she made her way to an Accrington post office. The 32-year-old woman was targeted as she crossed Avenue Parade in the town at 12.05pm yesterday. She was grabbed by a man who

A week by week lookback at Preston North End's history - with a slightly different twist... P is for plastic pitch, now consigned to history and remembered fondly - well, remembered by PNE fans anyway! The En-Tout-Cas plastic pitch was laid in 1986, and

A "QUIET room" in Radcliffe Library will next week be dedicated to a man who did more than most to put the town on the map. The late Mr Frank Sunderland worked in the library from 1948 to 1974. The Radcliffe borough librarian and curator was also a local

ALBERT ALDRED could rightfully be dubbed the Rabbit King. His life has been all about the furry and lovable little creatures, bounding about in the back garden, big ears flapping, pink butterfly noses twitching. But, apart from 'Peggy' - his pet when

Wright On! Shelley Wright takes a wry look at life YESTERDAY when I woke up I could hardly move my legs and today the feeling has just got worse. I think I've seized up. Now for anyone who has ever taken part in a step aerobics class, or any other form

A NEW sales team has kicked off at a sports firm. Burnley-based snooker and pool company Riley Leisure has recruited five new sales executives as part a major reorganisation. The new 12-strong Riley sales operation is headed by Jim Watt and John Richards

LOCAL people are invited to air their views on important health changes which will bring a state-of-the art quality hospitals service for the Millennium. Modernisation plans, which include the transfer of gynaecology day case services to Leigh, are outlined

SMALLER businesses in the region are going to the wall at a much faster rate than larger companies, according to latest figures. And the rate of failures is markedly higher in the North West than in other parts of the country, confirming recent housing

A 23-year man had his watch and £17 in cash stolen after being attacked in the early hours of Saturday, June 19. The victim was in an alleyway off Duke Street, in St Helens town centre, at about 1am when he spotted two figures walking towards him. Moments

OLD sofas, shopping trolleys and handfuls of syringes have been hauled out of Bury's Pyramid Park during a big clean-up. Fed-up council bosses are now putting up a fence to stop drivers showing up with vanloads of garbage to throw in the water. Mr Martin

THE Government has bowed to massive public and political pressure and been forced to look again at controversial plans for a huge opencast mining scheme on the Atherton/Tyldesley boundary. The Department for the Environment has confirmed that there will

END of term celebrations at Lancaster University almost ended in disaster after a doughnut van rolled down a hill and ploughed into an accommodation block. A student asleep in his room was shaken but escaped unhurt after the van crashed through his window

ARMY recruits who soldiered through a pioneering 13-week training programme have started out on careers in the armed forces. The young people from St Helens took part to help them prepare for life in the army. And now, thanks to the course run by St Helens

A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl from Bury who contracted the potentially deadly E. coli bug after visiting a North Wales farm is now back at home. The youngster, who had been recovering at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, after visiting Foel Farm

LOCAL residents talked of their alarm following frenzied police activity in and above Torrisholme late last Saturday night. The police used a helicopter to broadcast messages to the startled residents as officers searched for a man they wanted to arrest

A WONDERFUL time was had by all who flocked to Hawkshaw's annual village gala at the weekend. Bad weather on Sunday didn't dampen the spirits of those who turned out for the two-day extravaganza, which was opened by the celebrity presenter of ITV's "Bullseye

A FAR reaching blueprint to wipe out crime in Leigh and Wigan town centre hotspots has been unveiled. The borough's new Community Safety Strategy will tackle street violence, criminal damage, vehicle theft, and clean up the streets of beggars, junkies