THERE have been mistakes, errors of judgment and, in some cases, negligence, in some of our hospitals. All were regrettable, others preventable and, naturally, answers must be found, staff examined and the sufferers compensated. Having said that, let
AN East Lancashire master baker who has turned to teaching in a bid to pass on his talents to students has scooped a basketful of awards. Ian Sutherland, bakery lecturer at Blackburn College, returned from the District Bakers Annual Bakery Exhibition
WE are looking for people willing to give up a week of their time to help people with physical disabilities have a wonderful holiday and give carers a break! The Winged Fellowship Trust has centres in Essex, Nottingham, Southport, Southampton and Surrey
REGARDING your article about Councillor Stephen Greenwood (LET, March 28), is this the type of person who is supposed to be looking after the public's interest? His actions and words bring back memories of Militant Tendency. I am so disgusted and angered
REGARDING your report (LET, March 21), on the proposed changes to the way Blackburn with Darwen is run -- from its present sensible method of the press and public being present at committee meetings to a cabinet system with the press and public excluded
AN East Lancashire pub which claims to have a resident ghost has been named as one of the country's top family venues in The Publican Awards. The Old Cobblers Inn, Rawtenstall, was among four finalists in the Family Pub of the Year category and was the
A PENDLE flower show is establishing roots far and wide across the North as one of the premier shows of the region. The annual Barnoldswick Horticultural Society daffodil and spring flower show, held at Barnoldswick Civic Hall on Saturday attracted top
A fan's-eye view from Turf Moor, with Stephen Cummings THE Welsh Tourist Board have done a marvellous job on their most recent promotional film. The sun radiates down on those famous, lush, sumptuous valleys. Contended couples stroll hand in hand across
A PIONEERING scheme to tackle youth crime and unemployment and promote community spirit in deprived areas of Blackburn and Darwen has been launched. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has identified key deprived areas and targeted them under the Community
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent was today running the rule over two players from Premiership giants Manchester United and Liverpool. The two young defenders were due to play for Burnley's Reserves at Huddersfield Town this afternoon. United's Steven Rose (19
HUNDREDS of asylum seekers are expected in Blackburn and Darwen in the next 12 months as part of government plans to move people away from the south and into empty council homes across the UK. Blackburn with Darwen Council have told the government it
AS most people know, an appalling tragedy is unfolding in Mozambique and every right-minded person will sympathise with the unfortunate people there. But help, although it may be inadequate, is being given. A similar situation -- though the circumstances
AS the Minister responsible, John Prescott supports the world-wide ban on whaling for food, which both Japan and Norway are attempting to overturn. I also support this ban, but with the wholesale slaughter of dolphins and the netting of spawning bass
REGARDING the intended closure of the part of Church Street in Blackburn from Salford to its junction with Darwen Street, it is right that traders in the area should be up in arms. And the Chamber of Trade, along with the Darwen Street Traders Association
ACCRINGTON Stanley Youth Team are in action tonight when they take on the Lancashire Football Association Education Programme in an LFA Floodlit League clash at the Crown Ground (kick off 7.30pm). Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images
WITH regard to primary school admissions, the only school I applied for a place for my child was the nearest community school. I have been informed that, as there are not enough places, my child has been allocated a place at a voluntary-aided school.
BURY'S recent good form has seen them ease their fears of relegation ahead of their trip to Cambridge tonight. And they will be anxious to make amends for an atrocious showing at Gigg Lane earlier in the season. Manager Andy Preece, rapidly becoming a
LIKE a previous writer, I too, must join issue with you over your Comments; this time regarding the activities of Education Secretary David Blunkett (LET, March 1). It never ceases to surprise me how many people have decided views on education and teachers
TABLE-TOPPING Preston face one of the challenges of the season tonight when they visit the sold-out JJB Sports Stadium to take on automatic promotion rivals Wigan Athletic. Preston are four points clear of second club Wigan, but the Latics have a game
THE Northern Premier League has vowed not to poach any clubs as it bids to establish a feeder league system in Lancashire cricket. The Northern League was recently granted Premier status by the English Cricket Board in accordance with its blueprint for
EAST Lancashire schools were thrown into turmoil as teachers staged a national one-day strike over pay. Lessons were disrupted for thousands of children as the second biggest union, the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers
A BARBECUE firm's factory was wrecked by a £1million blaze which could be seen for miles. The biggest blaze seen in Burnley for decades destroyed two thirds of the Rectella International factory. Company management were today trying to assess the damage
EVERY day several people are reported missing in East Lancashire. In January alone, 71 people were reported missing in the Eastern Division, which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, with each case involving a considerable amount of
POLICE released an identikit picture of an intruder who burgled a pensioner's home while she was asleep. The 79-year-old woman was in her house in the Whalley Road area of Accrington when the burglar was seen leaving the house between 6.30am and 6.45am
MOUNTED police and dog patrols were called to a problem-plagued Hyndburn park in a successful bid to slash juvenile nuisance. The latest surveillance technology was used in the operation to help fight crime around Oswaldtwistle's Rhyddings Park from 6pm
FOR information on our NIE literacy and numeracy resources for schools, contact NIE co-ordinator Rita Shaw at Newspaper House, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT, telephone 01254 678678 ext 255, fax 01254 680429, or email: nie@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk
BUSINESS failures are rising faster in the North West than in any other part of the country. While failures nationally fell by three per cent in the first three months they rose by 12.4 per cent to 1,350. The failure figure was made up of 696 bankruptcies
ENGINEERING firms have been urged to make use of a 'secret weapon'. An event was staged at Northern Technologies in Nelson to highlight awareness among firms of the Teaching Company Scheme. The scheme encourages firms to work with universities to improve
AN EAST Lancashire MP is sponsoring two new Bills aimed at decriminalising cannabis -- despite Home Secretary Jack Straw's strong opposition. Welsh Labour MP Paul Flynn is introducing legislation to end the prosecution of those possessing the drug for
A ROW has broken out over who should advise Pendle Council on setting up a leisure trust to run its sports centres. Consultants Lawrence Graham were appointed despite Labour claims that its team made an error during its presentation to councillors and
A BARBECUE firm's factory was wrecked by a £1million blaze which could be seen for miles. The biggest blaze seen in Burnley for decades destroyed two thirds of the Rectella International factory. Company management were today trying to assess the damage
I TOTALLY agree with what you say about the dangerous condition of some of the buses in this area (LET, March 24). But taking the operators' licences from the cowboys has not prevented them from continuing business, using the same defective buses and
MENCAP is boiling up the kettle and stirring up support for the nation's biggest tea party and by turning your daily cuppa into cash you will help support the 200 babies born each week with a learning disability. Now is the time to get your free information
DOREEN Hopwood (committee member of the Darwen Branch of the East Lancs Hospice), Doug Hickey (dance leader), Sue Whittaker (chairman of Darwen Branch East Lancs Hospice) and Julie Marr (owner of Craiglands) enjoy the line dance at Craiglands Darwen,
WHENEVER a move towards introducing a ban on hunting with dogs is announced, we can look forward to being submerged under the avalanche of rubbish with which this barbarous pursuit would be defended. While defenders of hunting like James Ilott (Letters
A NURSE who has worked in the NHS for more than four decades has called an end to her marathon career. Dorothy Robinson, pictured front centre, was given a big send off by her colleagues at the Waterside Restaurant at Blackburn Royal Infirmary. Dorothy
THE Commanding Officer, committees, staff and cadets of Blackburn Unit Sea Cadet Corps thank all parents and the public for their support over the year, especially at the car boot sales during the winter. Grants and donations have also been received from
A PROFESSOR who worked in Cuba will give a lecture on their health system, including their research into the deadly meningitis bug. Professor of health and education Theodore MacDonald, who will speak at Blackburn Library tomorrow, will tell how, in 1982
COLD weather is raising concern for the safety of a 28-year-old man who has been missing from home for more than a week. Munir Alam was last seen cashing his giro at the post office in New Bank Road, Blackburn. Det Sergeant Rob Campbell of Blackburn CID
AFTER the displays of New Year's Eve and the wonders of The Dome and The London Eye, here's a chance to return to the origins of this Second Millennium . Certainly that could be the case if people take the opportunity to call at St Cuthbert's Church in
TWENTY foster families in Blackburn with Darwen are hitting the road in style -- after the council provided them with new people carriers. Families with more than three children in their care will benefit from the new scheme, which aims to provide foster
TONY Deeley is having a steamy "affair" with the new found love in his life ... but wife Andrea doesn't mind too much. Tony, 34, of Compston Avenue, Loveclough, has just taken delivery of the family's new "motor", a 1930 steam roller. And what's more,
DAVE Bowman will be testing his mental and physical strength when he takes part in an SAS-level trek in Wales. Dave, of Coleridge Street, Blackburn, is a member of the Sports and Hygiene UK Combat Fitness Team, which sets itself challenges similar to
PUPILS at Pleckgate High School, Blackburn, scooped a handful of awards from the UK Intermediate Maths Challenge. They sat a one-hour paper without calculators which was marked at Leeds University. Adanan Malik, 16, finished top in the school and won
A £60,000 scheme aimed at reducing the £1.4million in rent arrears owed by tenants in Blackburn and Darwen is set to be approved by councillors. Blackburn with Darwen councillors are tonight due to consider hiring a welfare benefits adviser to help council
CAN anyone tell me what exactly the three councillors are doing for the electorate in Blackburn's Wensley Fold with 'Bank Top.' I ask this, having read many areas of the town are to get improved street lighting. Coun Dave Smith states that he has campaigned
POLICE have been given more time to question a man in connection with the shooting of teenage student Adam Hayes. Blackburn magistrates granted a custody extension until 12.45am tomorrow. The local man was arrested in Preston Old Road in the early hours
PUB regular Geoff Evans swapped his usual tipple for a huge bar of chocolate during a calorific charity challenge at Blackburn's Blackamoor pub. And Geoff, an engineer, managed to guzzle nine pounds of Toblerone in as many hours to raise £190. The money
THE Mayor of Blackburn, Coun Salas Kiani, presents one of five cheques from Blackburn with Darwen Council's Community Chest fund to two-year-old George Leeming (centre) and Paula Rawsthorne, a member of the Mill Hill Parent and Toddler Group, who received
A fan's-eye view from Ewood Park, with Phil Lloyd JUST as we'd all forgotten how good a Saturday night can be, just as we'd given up hope of seeing Blue and White strikers scoring goals again at Ewood, suddenly, simply, Sounesstically, it all clicked
EASTER promises to be eggstra-special at Samlesbury Hall, with two eggciting exhibitions opening today. The first features all kinds of Easter-related items, including wooden eggs turned from exotic hardwoods, handpainted and decorated eggs, egg cups
DARREN Peacock is set for a return to action in tomorrow night's reserve clash against Barnsley at Ewood. The experienced defender has missed the last three games after picking up a calf strain. But manager Graeme Souness today revealed the former Newcastle
BLACKBURN College tutor David Swift has addressed a national conference. He travelled to Birmingham University to speak about a new classical studies course to be offered from September. Mr Swift (pictured) addressed delegates at the Classical Civilisation
POLICE say nine active criminals were arrested as a major crackdown on offenders in Blackburn got under way yesterday. And they also say the high profile Operation Tango led to a dramatic fall in crime across Blackburn. The operation is set to last several
Lancashire Quilters Group, St James the Less Social Club, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, 7.30pm. Rossendale Aviation Society, Haslingden Cricket Club, 8pm-10.30pm. Lupus Support Group, Coffee Shop, Blackburn Library, 1.30pm. Sale of Goods, Roman Road Community
YOUTH groups from all over the Ribble Valley have been publicising their activities in newsletters for a Youth and Community Service competition. Bill Taylor, district team manager for the Youth and Community Service in the Ribble Valley, organised the
WHAT in the so and so is going on in this country -- thousands of people making their way to these shores under the guise of asylum seekers? Areas around Britain are going to have them dumped on them whether they want them or not and will have to put
MORE than 100 youngsters put on their dancing shoes to raise £500 for the Haemophilia Society. Children aged three to 18 from the Angela Westwell School of Dance put on a three-night show at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School in February. Angela Briscoe,
REGARDING your report (LET, March 24) "Operation Coachman" -- its examination of 35 school buses showed a third were defective and dangerous, and were immediately banned from service. The defects apparently were the braking systems, steering mechanism
THE number of stomach bug cases linked to contamination of the Ribble Valley water supply has risen to 55. Drinking water in Clitheroe was declared safe two weeks ago - but then North West Water backtracked and urged people to boil water before use. Now
REGARDING the Rev Kevin Logan, of Accrington, wanting to sell serveral of his church's stained glass windows for at least £50,000 to pay for a much-needed local community centre (LET, March 20), although it's sad there is no local investment, it's unavoidable
AS the 55th anniversary of the end of the Second World War approaches, may I remind readers of the work of the War Research Society, the battlefield pilgrimage tour organisation, for which I am the North West contact. Since it was formed by a group of
HAVING read the recent letters from atheists, are they really so different from we Christians? Both place faith in a dogma of some kind, and both would defend their standpoint to the last. Atheists are as adamant there is no God as Christians are that
LANCASHIRE League champions Nelson have called an emergency meeting for tomorrow after their latest attempts to find a replacement for professional Roger Harper have ended in failure. After months of searching, the Seedhill club finally thought they had
GREAT Harwood are free to play FNWTL First Division football again next season following a successful inspection from the league's ground-grading committee. The Reds were in danger of being kicked out of the FNWTL's top division had their Showground failed
THE Welsh Tourist Board have done a marvellous job on their most recent promotional film. The sun radiates down on those famous, lush, sumptious valleys. Contended couples stroll hand in hand across deserted, idyllic beaches. And the rough, natural beauty
THE wrappers were off a sweet surprise at Oswaldtwistle Mills. The ribbon on Stockleys Sweets new visitor centre was cut by the deputy mayor of Hyndburn, Coun Mrs Jean Battle. Stockleys has been producing sweets and candies in Accrington for 77 years
Neil Bramwell reports from South Africa THE world of motorbike racing thrives on images of macho bravado, hell-raising and gorgeous girls. It's a lifestyle that most would envy. But there is a different side to the globe-trotting circuit of the World
THE back-bench revolt in the Commons over the level of the state pension -- increased by just 75p this month -- is more than an embarrassment for the government. For, although its discomfiture is indeed heightened by this rebellion by some 41 Labour MPs
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent was today running the rule over two players from Premiership giants Manchester United and Liverpool. The two young defenders were due to play for Burnley's Reserves at Huddersfield Town this afternoon. United's Steven Rose (19
A MAN has died following a chip pan fire at his flat in Colne Road, Burnley, last night. Firefighters broke in and found 55-year-old William Stewart collapsed on the floor. They tried in vain to revive him. Police said a small fire which appeared to have
DARREN Peacock is set for a return to action in tomorrow night's reserve clash against Barnsley at Ewood. The experienced defender has missed the last three games after picking up a calf strain. But manager Graeme Souness today revealed the former Newcastle
FIREFIGHTERS and police are investigating the cause of a blaze in a controversial nightclub which closed this year after going into liquidation. The fire started in a store room next to the bar at 5.30pm yesterday at Brassingtons nightclub, Burnley Road
BUYERS from across the world will be heading for Blackburn for a major new product launch. Ready-made curtain manufacturer Rectella is staging two open days at its Roman Road site to promote its new collection and show off its flagship premises. Converted
A TIPSY and frightened teenager was allegedly raped twice by a stranger when she went back to his house after a night on the town, a court was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how Mark Woodworth grabbed hold of the 17-year-old girl's arms and pinned them
STAFF from a floorcoverings firm are heading for a first. Gaskell Textiles of Accrington is sending a team to the Ideal Home Exhibition at Earls Court, London for the firm's first appearance at the event. The stand will be promoting the firm's Tableshield
PARENTS and children are getting together to tackle numeracy in a Blackburn school. A 15-week course at Daisyfield Primary School is being run in partnership with the Basic Skills unit at Blackburn College and will be making use of our NIE resources to
IT'S always pleasing when youngsters take the trouble to write to our NIE column, and particularly so when they tell us how much they have enjoyed taking part in our project. St James' CE Primary School in Clitheroe recently held a very lively industry
HUNDREDS of asylum seekers are expected in Blackburn and Darwen in the next 12 months as part of government plans to move people away from the south and into empty council homes across the UK. Blackburn with Darwen Council have told the government it
IN his comments on pub karaoke (Letters, March 15), Mr F Cross states that pub singers should pay to sing like the choir to which he belongs does. Well, pubs already pay their performing rights fees which go to the composer. That is not an issue. Is Mr
THE day after our mother's cremation at Pleasington, we went to get the lovely flower arrangement we had bought and put it on the plot where our parents' ashes were. On going up to the cemetery again on the following Monday, I was disgusted to find that
THE family of a seven-year-old boy who plunged 20ft through a mill roof today revealed that he is improving in hospital. Morley Seddon, of London Terrace, Darwen, is suffering from serious head injuries. He had been playing on the roof of Kay Street Mill
