Archive

  • Nostalgic NAAFI night out

    SPAM, sad cake and tea were laid on for a nostalgic evening of wartime entertainment at Blackburn College. Singers treated the audience to songs from the two world wars at a "NAAFI Night" evening coinciding with the anniversary of the night before war

  • Sick boast by foxhunters

    FOXHUNTERS boast that they rarely kill pregnant vixen -- after all, that wouldn't be sporting. Obviously, breaking up her cubs so hounds can be blooded during their cub-hunting season is far more honourable to them. G METCALFE, Moorhey Crescent, Bamber

  • Thanks for donations

    MAY I thank the people of Accrington and District, who contributed to the Airborne Forces charity appeal, which raised £678. We would also like to thank the Arndale Centre, for allowing us to collect on their premises. KEVIN McNAMEE (Chairman, East Lancashire

  • Oh, for a park warden

    I TOOK my young grandson to the playground in Corporation Park, Blackburn, and found that all the swings were back. So thank you to the parks department. One thing spoilt things though -- as we were leaving, the playground was taken over by teenage youths

  • A change of tune

    NOT long ago, John Blunt wrote a piece under the title 'The Lesson That Teachers Have Not Learned,' about performance-related pay, which teachers were rejecting. His theme was: performance-related pay is applied in every other job, so why not teaching

  • 999 crews lured into abuse trap

    YOUNGSTERS are deliberately starting fires to lure fire crews into areas before hurling abuse at them, a fire chief revealed today. Station Commander Mick Holmes says his crews are becoming the subject of torrents of abuse from rowdy youths who lie in

  • Academy crumble

    ROVERS' Academy Under 17s lost 4-1 at Arsenal on Saturday, with Anthony Martin grabbing the consolation goal. The Under 19s game against the Gunners at Brockhall was postponed at the last minute.

  • Rovers chase United star Berg

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness could be ready to swoop for Manchester United centre back Henning Berg in a bid to bolster his defensive resources. Rovers chief executive John Williams today revealed Souness is considering a move for the Norwegian international

  • Talking sense

    HOW dare William Hill expound such sense! Doesn't he realise that without race relations, women's rights, gay rights, non-gay rights etc, etc thousands - nay hundreds of thousands - would be thrown out of work and have to find productive labour. Think

  • So avoidable

    WHEN reading the press coverage concerning the outbreak of swine fever among British pigs over the last few days I learned with horror that this terrible epidemic could have been prevented. The Government was given a report in 1998 published by pig experts

  • Hope for green-field battlers

    PLANS for a controversial village housing development are to be scrutinised by the deputy prime minister, it has been revealed. The 950-house development on the former Whittingham Hospital site, near Preston, was given the green light by planning officials

  • Arthur's protection plea

    AN ANGRY shopkeeper living on one of Preston's housing estates has slammed police for not protecting residents. Arthur Sumner, 59, owner of Sumner's Newsagency on Birkdale Drive, on the town's Savick Estate, claims that police are not bothered about trouble

  • Family stands up to thugs

    A FAMILY living on a troubled Preston estate have vowed to stand up and fight gangs of drug dealers and thugs following months of intimidation and racist taunts. Elaine Sharples -- who has lived in Frenchwood all her life, together with her mother, grandmother

  • Force's thicker blue line

    LANCASHIRE Police's thin blue line should soon become a little thicker. On Wednesday, August 30, Home Secretary Jack Straw gave the force the go ahead to recruit 226 officers over the next three years. As part of the Home Office's first national recruitment

  • It's a sacrilege

    REPAIRS to a Preston church, gutted by fire on Tuesday morning (August 29), will cost thousands of pounds, it has been revealed. Fire investigators drafted in to probe the suspected arson attack on St Andrew's RC Church, in Hoyles Lane, Cottam, have put

  • Crack down on copycat cheats

    TRADING standards officers in Preston are putting their weight behind a Crimestoppers campaign in the North West to crack down on counterfeiters. Last year, product counterfeiting cost the regional economy around £750m per year and more than 1,000 jobs

  • Key to new life on estate

    A NEW housing scheme, that was slammed by council officials, has proved more than popular with some Preston residents. Preston Housing Committee last week blocked plans to sell off the town's crumbling council houses to an independent housing association

  • Crisis mounting

    HOSPITAL bosses are drawing up detailed plans to avert a winter bed crisis as patient and workload pressure begins to mount. Preston Acute Hospitals NHS and Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trusts have both been stretched since last autumn to accommodate

  • Stand on it

    SOAPBOX Theatre Company will premiere their new play Times Three at Lancaster's Gregson Centre on September 12 and 13. Devised and performed by Lancaster writers Ron Baker, Sarah Fiske and Roy Smith the play is directed by Ian Blower. Ian will be most

  • Jail for Carnforth heroin addict

    A MAN spotted acting suspiciously in Lancaster city centre was found to have 17 heroin wraps on him. Police also discovered a large amount of syringes in John Armstrong's car after earlier being seen to leave some male toilets with two others. The 29

  • Police couple to sue in pay fight

    HUSBAND and wife police officers Andrew and Deborah Carter are suing Lancashire Chief Constable Pauline Clare in a test case over pay and housing allowances. The Burnley couple's cases are among four in Lancashire due to be heard in the next few weeks

  • New policies promised to tackle travellers

    A LOCAL politician has spoken out against the actions of a minority of travellers who give the travelling community a bad name. David Nuttall, the Conservatives' Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Morecambe and Lunesdale said: "Whilst we recognise

  • Know Hill battle hots up

    ANGRY villagers are fighting to stop six new houses being built just metres away from their homes. Construction work on a new estate off Shore Road in Silverdale began two weeks ago but neighbouring residents claim that Carlisle-based Two Castles Housing

  • End to hellish neighbours in sight

    NEIGHBOURS from hell disputes could be a thing of the past on Lancaster's housing estates if a new police initiative is successful. Police in Lancaster are planning to visit housing estates across the district in an effort to resolve some of the disputes

  • Green plans could have silver lining

    THERE'S a storm in a china tea cup brewing over plans to sell off some of the council's civic regalia. A motion suggested by the Greens to see if the council's family silver could be sold off has provoked outrage from the Labour and Conservative groups

  • Council receive new motel plans

    NEW plans to convert the head offices of the Nelson-based Devonshire Pub Company into a motel have been submitted to Pendle Council. Devonshire want to transform the offices at the former Springer's sports club building into a 38-bedroom travel lodge

  • £928 for Sisters Afoot

    A GROUP of Preston women put their best feet forward when they received a lottery grant from the town's mayor. The Preston Sisters Afoot running club, which was set up two years ago, was awarded a £928 grant in July this year after applying to the Millennium

  • Bubbly's on ice for Olympic hopeful

    PRESTON'S Olympic hopeful was offered a real helping hand before her travels this week. Preston Harriers runner, Helen Pattinson, met with Rover dealers -- Britain's official Olympic sponsors -- at Brown's of Longridge on Tuesday when she collected a

  • Sportsman's dinner

    A PRESTON charity is inviting people to come along and have the time of their lives at a one-off fund-raising event. St Catherine's Hospice on Lostock Lane, Lostock Hall, will be holding a charity weekend full of exciting events starting on Thursday September

  • School for pass masters

    YOUNGSTERS got to grips with some essential footballing skills when they attended a soccer school. Former league player Andy Fairman was on hand at the school to teach the youngsters the arts of dribbling passing trapping and shooting. Children from Preston

  • Pulsating end to Leyland derby

    LEYLAND enjoyed a superb Bank Holiday by winning the local derby by two wickets, albeit that there were only two balls remaining in the match. There was a prolonged delay before the match got under way due to rain and a wet ground. Leyland captain, Brian

  • Mudassir's memoirs of earliest immigrants

    Looking back with Eric Leaver AS retirement affords 67-year-old Mudassir Khan the time to begin writing his memoirs, he sets about recording an era that, 44 years ago, found him arriving in East Lancashire for the first time -- at a unique watershed in

  • Crowds flock to fair

    HUNDREDS of visitors flocked to Much Hoole Country Fair, near Preston, for a Bank Holiday agricultural extravaganza. A superb collection of exhibits were on display and a host of trophy prizes were awarded to the best in class. The packed programme of

  • Ex-soccer player dies

    FORMER Chorley footballer Reg Cunliffe has died in hospital after a brief illness. He was in his 80th year and lived at Freckleton. A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Freckleton, on Sunday, September 3. A centre half, Reg played for

  • Ten years ago: Part time pensioner

    WORKAHOLIC pensioner Harry Woledge celebrated his 90th birthday and revealed that he had not been tempted to put his feet up when he turned 65. He used to drive himself to work at Jepson's Home Furnishings, Blackburn, where he cleaned and polished bearings

  • Factory faces court

    A FACTORY where a 13-year-old boy was involved in a serious accident was today set to face a prosecution under health and safety law. The Health and Safety Executive has summoned Accrington Chair Fillings Limited, based at Pioneer House, Horne Street,

  • 999 crews lured into abuse trap

    YOUNGSTERS are deliberately starting fires to lure fire crews into areas before hurling abuse at them, a fire chief revealed today. Station Commander Mick Holmes says his crews are becoming the subject of torrents of abuse from rowdy youths who lie in

  • Police ask for sleaze files

    POLICE chiefs this week asked The Citizen to supply them with the dossier on sleaze and drunken, loutish behaviour in Blackpool which we have compiled. Chief Inspector Mark Bartlett contacted us regarding all our reports and readers' letters over the

  • Party addresses OAP problems

    I AM glad to see that a major political party has finally addressed the real concerns of Britain's pensioners. For too long our needs have been ignored. William Hague's proposals to increase the level of the basic state pension are therefore welcome.

  • Drinking fiasco

    FURTHER to the implementation of the 'No Drinking' law and signs being erected to inform people, I have to say that it has, so far, been a fiasco. My elderly parents in law came to stay with us last week and decided to take a stroll down the promenade

  • Speeding is a serious issue for police and community

    REGARDING Cllr Beaman's letter (Citizen: August 25) can I point out to him that the good residents of Hornby, Caton, Halton Warton, Cockerham, Galgate Garstang and many others would all like an extra bobby or at least a slice of one and if my maths is

  • Lively response but all but a few missed the point

    A LETTER about the European Union I wrote a few weeks ago generated a lively response, yet very few replied to the point I made about the nature of the debate. Let me try again. I believe that criticism of political institutions is not only healthy but

  • Campaigners' Cemfuel alert over children

    CAMPAIGNERS are targeting schools and guide leaders in the latest move in their protest over Cemfuel emissions from Castle Cement. Letters are being sent to Ribble Valley headteachers and to the Guide Association, which runs events at Waddow Hall, urging

  • Are these proposals solutions to our cash problems?

    THE Conservatives recognise the emerging need for cuts and deferments of both revenue and capital budget items. The Independent administration inherited an excess of short term borrowing when they took over from Labour, and this would have caused difficulties

  • New for autumn

    ST. ANNES YMCA will introduce many new activities and ideas into its programme starting in September. Personal Fitness Assesments are available to all, and a great motivator and a good indicator to how hard work in the Fitness Studio is paying off. The

  • School honours sporting trio

    GOOD sportsmanship has been honoured with a special award at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham. Sam Ormsby, Margaret Chaggar and Rachel Webb (pictured) have all just completed their first year of senior school, and Sam has represented the

  • Lynette is a Regal runner-up

    BLACKPOOL based Lynette Horsburgh (pictured) was runner-up in the Ladies Regal Masters tournemant last Sunday (August 27). Defending champion Kelly Fisher, the ladies World Number One and the Ladies Embassy World Snooker Champion claimed the prestigious

  • St Annes smasher

    ST. ANNES easily beat bottom club, Preston by 102 runs at Vernon Road. Manoj Parekh captaining Preston won the toss and inserted St. Annes. It appeared a prudent decision when Adrian Darlington was caught behind by Glen Johnstone off opening pace-bowler

  • Waddle over here!

    NEWCASTLE, Tottenham, Marseille, Worksop? Chris Waddle has played at some of the world's finest stadiums in a glittering career which made him a world star. This Saturday, he's at Giant Axe for a Unibond Premier League game against Lancaster City. Waddle

  • Clarkson cracker

    YET another late goal left Blackpool grateful for a point on Saturday (August 26) after a less than convincing display. This time it was an 83rd minute equalizer and they had to thank the never-say-die spirit of Brett Ormerod for the goal. Ormerod, who

  • Head for the future!

    CARNFORTH'S Steve Head as been named in the country's leading motoring journal -- Motoring News -- as one of the top ten drivers identified with raw talent, outright speed, consistency, results and personality and has the potential to go all the way and

  • Sobering experience

    VISITING Northwich's Drill Field to watch Morecambe on Saturday was a sobering experience. The world's oldest football ground looks set to become another bland housing estate as cash problems force the Vics to move to Witton Albion's bland, out of town

  • Lancaster on a high despite low score

    LANCASTER recorded their fourth victory of the season when they beat Morecambe in the local derby by three wickets in one of the lowest scoring fixtures of the season. This weekend sees the victors face St Annes at Lune Road while Morecambe tackle Preston

  • Mayor samples sand yachting

    SAND yachting taster sessions were on offer for this year's Sports Sample 2000 event. Fylde Mayor Councillor Paul Hayhurst and Mayoress Martine Hayhurst took part in one of the sessions. Coun Hayhurst said: "The event provides the perfect opportunity

  • Students in bike marathon

    STUDENTS from King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham are currently in the throes of a four-day cycling marathon to raise money for charity. Fifteen students are riding from Land's End to John O' Groats to raise money for Rock FM's Help A Local

  • Youth team slide

    BURNLEY'S youth team lost 3-2 at home to Stockport on Saturday. The Clarets' goals coming from Paul Barratt and Tony Bowden.

  • Lost the plot

    THE government has surely lost the plot on education. They have recently began talking about introducing single-sex education. However, they are talking about this at the same time as putting single-sex grammar schools under threat of closure. Having

  • Age concern!

    A NEW service aiming to provide companionship and outings for elderly folk in Blackpool has come to a standstill. The launch of the new Contact the Elderly group has been halted because organisers say they cannot find a driver willing to spare as little

  • Credit card fraudster

    POLICE are appealing for information about a man who entered a Lancaster travel agents and cashed foreign currency using a stolen credit card. The man entered Going Places in St Nicholas Arcade at 10.15am on July 4 and obtained £670 in Francs and Pesetas

  • Bob never tires of good causes!

    A KIND-HEARTED local businessman has fitted £10,000 worth of new windows at a local children's holiday camp in honour of his late father. Bob Tyers, owner of Plas-Tech on the White Cross, was only too happy to help out at Leeds Children's Holiday Camp

  • Raunchy adverts are hot property

    A RAUNCHY advert in phone boxes around Blackpool has become the latest target for thieves. Men have been spotted ripping out the poster, pictured here, of an attractive larger-than-life-size woman wearing a tight white T-shirt The Starburst advert, part

  • In like Flint

    LOVERS of good music will be delighted to hear of the welcome return visit to the Grand of the award-winning Flint Welsh Male Voice Choir. Their unique sound has won them awards at numerous festivals as well as international recognition throughout Europe

  • Taking the plunge

    ARE you brave enough to go over the edge? A charity which raises cash to send blind and handicapped children to a special holiday camp in Southport is looking for volunteers to abseil down the tower block at St Martin's College. It may be a 110ft drop

  • Kids makes the grade

    EDUCATION bosses have congratulated pupils in the district who have received their GCSE exam results. The County Council's Education Chairman, Councillor Hazel Harding, said: "I would like to congratulate all our young men and women who have worked hard

  • Action on housing asylum seekers

    ANOTHER Morecambe Hotel is being used to house asylum seekers, The Citizen can reveal. It is thought that up to 40 asylum seekers may have been moved into Morecambe and are staying in several properties including the Cranage Hotel in Regent Road. The

  • How chips can stop your pets from becoming hot dogs

    A CHIP shop with a difference is due to appear in Lancaster and Morecambe next week. The NCDL's travelling roadshow will be offering local dog owners on-the-spot microchipping for their pets at the subsidised rate of £9.50. The roadshow is an integral

  • Michael to rescue

    A GOAL to dream about struck from 25 yards by Michael Appleton gave North End the single point from the holiday fixtures -- 1-1 against Wimbledon. North End, after almost taking the lead with a Colin Murdock header inside five minutes, were fortunate

  • Crime-busters in Euro award list

    A COMMUNITY group set up to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour among young people has been shortlisted in a Europe-wide awards scheme. The Youth Works project based in Sudellside, Darwen, will compete in the European Crime Prevention Awards to be

  • Schools are for learning

    AFTER being condemned as being small minded and ignorant for airing my views over South Ribble flying the Rainbow flag, Citizen letters, August 17 and 24, I did not hide behind a nom de plume. Expressing one's view is a privilege of living in a free country

  • Land Of Hope And Glory over

    ON my way to church yesterday morning I looked up and saw the wonderful clouds. What a lovely land this is, I thought. I am 83 years old, I love life and all the people I see during my daily life. When I was small, I went to a large hall in the city of

  • Name, shame and bring them out

    TO the unnamed author who condemns the 'conservatively' written front page of the Citizen, August 17, regarding the naming and shaming of paedophiles. I would like to say that all parents, and those who are not parents, are concerned about the existence

  • George Carman hangs up his wig

    A COURTROOM legend who was brought up in Blackpool has decided to hang up his wig and robes after a legal career lasting 47 years. George Carman QC, 70, is retiring on health grounds, requiring medical treatment for what he would only refer to as "a little

  • Fare-well George!

    A BLACKPOOL cabbie is finally clocking off as he retires at the grand old age of 79! George Carket - nicknamed "Posh George" - of Abbey Road, South Shore, is just two months away from his 80th birthday, making him the oldest cabbie in town! He has been

  • 226 more officers for Lancs police

    LANCASHIRE Police have given their backing to a national recruitment drive to get younger applicants and more people from ethnic minorities interested in a police career. The £7 million campaign, which was launched by the Home office yesterday (August

  • War on fake goods

    TRADING standards officers in Blackpool are putting their weight behind a Crimestoppers campaign in the North West to crack down on counterfeiters. Last year, product counterfeiting cost the regional economy around £750m and more than 1,000 jobs -- and

  • Present problem is now past

    QUESTION: Where does Santa Claus go on holiday to avoid the cold and snow while at the same time helping a local charity? Answer: Blackpool of course! The kindly old man came to town to deliver presents for needy children and, while he was here, decided

  • Bright and beautiful

    YEARS after the politically correct brigade thought they'd sunk the beauty contest without trace, Blackpool played host to one of the most successful competitions in recent memory. The Grand Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens was a fitting venue for

  • The big Blackpool switch-on

    THIS year's illuminations are very nearly upon us and just before the switch on ceremony tomorrow (September 1) The Citizen can give you a sneak preview of the final additions to the dazzling repertoire. As well as Westlife, Billie Piper and the Radio

  • Nostalgic NAAFI night out

    SPAM, sad cake and tea were laid on for a nostalgic evening of wartime entertainment at Blackburn College. Singers treated the audience to songs from the two world wars at a "NAAFI Night" evening coinciding with the anniversary of the night before war

  • Balloon trio cause a stir on estate

    RESIDENTS watched in amazement as a hot air balloon was forced to land in the middle of a housing estate. Youngsters cheered as pilot Clive Stevenson, from Langho, landed it on a small patch of grass at Douglas Place, in the Roe Lee area of Blackburn

  • Police sick bill to top £8m

    THE RISING cost of Lancashire police's sick leave bill is likely to top the £8million mark by the end of the financial year, it was revealed today. Every month the bill for time lost through sickness for officers and civilian staff comes to around £700,000

  • Link-up on line for top award

    A PIONEERING project in Blackburn which links patients and doctors on video is on line to win a top national medical award. The unique Telemedicine System at Blackburn Royal Infirmary has been shortlisted for the Hospital Doctor Innovation Team of the

  • Man denies setting up fake marriages

    POLICE and the Home Office were today investigating claims by a national newspaper of a fake marriage immigration racket centred on Blackburn. But Ismail Pirbhai, of Dartford Close, Blackburn, who was named in connection with the alleged racket, today

  • Non-league soccer: Graham sacked

    MICKY Graham has been sacked as the manager of Rossendale United following a four year stint in the Dark Lane hot-seat. Graham was given the chop before Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup preliminary round defeat against Sheffield at Bramall Lane. And the former Blackburn

  • Local cricket: Lancs League round-up

    EAST LANCS missed a glorious chance to pull two points clear at the top of the Transco Lancashire League when ACCRINGTON last pair denied them bowling points. Accrington had been set a taget of 136, thanks largely to 43 from Phil Bolton and 33 from professional

  • Casinos are appalling idea

    WELL whatever next? First Leisure are going to create a "Las Vegas of Europe" are they, with umpteen casinos? What an appalling idea. While I do admit something must be done to get dear old Blackpool buzzing again I'm sure I speak for many who are aghast

  • Thanks very much

    WE at Ashfield House, one of the elderly homes that is being considered for closure, would like to thank you very much for your kind gift of a Collins Concise Dictionary which you presented to us recently. Not only that, your newspaper has been very fair

  • Action needed

    WHEN reading the press coverage concerning the outbreak of swine fever among British pigs over the past few days I learned with horror that this terrible epidemic could have been prevented. The government was given a report in 1998 published by pig experts

  • No standards any more

    REGARDING your "Clean Up Blackpool" letters, last year my daughter worked in Blackpool town centre. On one occasion she was dressing the window when she heard a tap on the glass. She turned round to see these men drop their trousers and bare their rear

  • Blackpool is appalling

    I read your front page of The Citizen 03/08/00 with great interest - Blackpool is appalling! I am a 40 year old mother of three children aged eleven, nine and two. I recently went in to Blackpool, which I don't do often often as there are no decent shops

  • Preston rise to Portsmouth

    Preston 1, Portmouth 0 Basham 47 NORTH End moved into joint second place after Steve Basham's goal gave them victory over Portsmouth. For a full match report see next week's Citizen.

  • Police ask for sleaze files

    POLICE chiefs this week asked The Citizen to supply them with the dossier on sleaze and drunken, loutish behaviour in Blackpool which we have compiled. Chief Inspector Mark Bartlett contacted us regarding all our reports and readers' letters over the

  • Unbelievable!

    WITH 91 minutes on the clock Blackpool were cruising to what would have been a well deserved 2-1 victory at Torquay this Bank Holiday Monday (August 28). But just three minutes later not only had Blackpool been robbed of maximum points -- they ended up

  • Events in East Lancashire on Tuesday, September 5

    Accrington and District Bonsai Club meet Thorn Inn, Church, 7.30pm. Blackburn Breast Care Support Group meet Beardwood Hospital, Preston New Road, Blackburn, 7pm. Professional hair styling demo by Janice Parker. Blackburn Fellowship for the Hard of Hearing

  • Bright ideas are helping us to shine

    DESERVEDLY, there is high-level recognition -- and the prospect of even greater acclaim -- today for two pioneering initiatives conceived in East Lancashire. And though they are quite diverse -- one is a scheme achieving remarkable success in curbing

  • Here's to the next time

    MAY we, the Blackburn People's Choir, thank the people who organised the Bank Holiday Mardi Gras parade in Blackburn. The event was created and stage-managed by very skilful people from Action Factory, which is a wonderful resource for the people of Blackburn

  • Fun Factory appreciated

    HOW good it was to read your excellent 'Comment' (LET August 28). As one of the groups which participated in the magnificent Mardi Gras parade in Blackburn, we would like to add our congratulations to everyone who took part and our appreciation to the

  • Community spirit great

    AS a musician who participated in the musical festivities over the last few weeks in Blackburn, I would like, on behalf of myself and my band members, to thank the organisers, who put on a superb show and kept the festival running smoothly. Much praise

  • Lip reading made easier

    AT the end of the summer, people of all ages are looking forward to a new term in college, starting new courses, learning new skills and making new friends. There is a group of people who feel excluded from this because a hearing loss prevents participation

  • Man denies setting up fake marriages

    POLICE and the Home Office were today investigating claims by a national newspaper of a fake marriage immigration racket centred on Blackburn. But Ismail Pirbhai, of Dartford Close, Blackburn, who was named in connection with the alleged racket, today

  • No move for Denney

    ROVERS are not planning a swoop for Notts County keeper Saul Denney. The highly-rated teenager, who recently signed a new four-year contract at Meadow Lane, has been linked with both Rovers and Leeds United in recent weeks.

  • Rovers stars in international action

    JASON McAteer scored for the Republic of Ireland in their 2-2 draw with Holland in Amsterdam. Damien Johnson also played a full 90 minutes in Northern Ireland's 1-0 victory over Malta in Belfast. And Christian Dailly was part of the Scotland team which

  • Goverment's heavy hand on single sex education

    THE Government has surely lost the plot on education. They have recently began talking about introducing single sex education. However, they are talking about this at the same time as putting single sex grammar schools under threat of closure, such as

  • Big thank you

    HAVING just read your article 'schools out for Summer' I would like to say a big thank you to our local council for organising this summer's playscheme. My son Alex, who is eight, is attending the Bolton-le-Sands mobile playschemes unit at the community

  • New flagship store brings more jobs

    TEN new jobs have been created as a high-street entrepreneur returns to Preston with the launch of a £10,000 flagship store. Roy Gabbie, who first started the highly successful Stationary Box chain from a store in the town's St George's Centre, has now

  • 'Re-open our station' plea

    LEYLAND residents are campaigning for a nearby train station to be re-opened. Members of the Ormskirk, Preston, Southport Travellers' Association (OSPTA) met with council officials on Saturday (August 26) to consider the future of the town's Midge Hall

  • Satellite dish bid by bank

    NATWEST Bank has applied to Burnley Council for planning permission for a 60cm satellite dish on roof of its premises in Howe Walk. Other recent planning applications include: retrospective application for demolition of front garden wall, 15 Palatine

  • Heroes make their mark!

    THE achievements of a group of Silverdale life savers has been formally recognised. The Silverdale First Responder team have been trained to react quickly and effectively to life threatening situation during the vital minutes before the ambulance service

  • Breaking down the barriers

    THE high expectations of Asian parents often act as a barrier to their children getting jobs and training, a study has revealed. Pendle Partnership's Action Research Project -- an action plan to identify and tackle barriers to work for young Asians --

  • Poulton historical grant boost

    RESIDENTS in the Poulton area of Morecambe are celebrating after winning a £6,500 grant to research local history. The delighted residents are one of the first groups in the country to benefit from a Local Heritage Initiative Grant and the money will

  • Everything's ship-shape

    THE crew of the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Lancaster will visit their affiliated city this weekend and march through the streets with flags flying, bayonets fixed and drums beating. The Freedom of the City parade will take place on Saturday starting from

  • Biker jailed for passenger axe train terror

    A MORECAMBE biker has been jailed after he terrified two Japanese train passengers by pulling an axe out of his trousers. Former engineer Jeffrey Hayton said the decorated axe was a wedding present for a friend in the Slaves of Satan Hell's Angel biker

  • Ideal curtain raiser

    HOPPERS completed their pre-season programme with a narrow win -- 24-22 over Sedgley Park. And with two former internationals in their ranks, the Manchester side provided a good test for a Hoppers squad containing five new recruits. Early pressure from

  • Batting slums again

    PRESTON lost their 14th match of the season at Vernon Road by 102 runs. Manoj Parekh won the toss, and inserted St Annes. It appeared a prudent decision when Adrian Darlington was caught behind by Glen Johnstone off opening pace-bowler, Julian Edwards

  • Pupils' bright spot on the canal

    ARTIST and canal historian Tony Lewery is spending a week as artist-in-residence at Gibfield Special School, Colne. He began work today with pupils aged 11-15 on the canal boat The Lancashire Enterprise decorating interior panels with traditional designs

  • Vigilante attack on teen's home

    A STEPFATHER and son burst into a teenager's home and wrecked furnishings days before Christmas, in retalitation for an alleged campaign of assault and vandalism. Burnley Crown Court heard how local football referee Melvyn Parker, 38, and Paul Greenwood

  • Gearing up for Nile trip

    PRESTON cyclist Paul Jordan is gearing up to give it some pedal power as he embarks on a massive 500km cycle ride along the banks of the River Nile. Paul, 42, from Ashton, will be joining a group of 100 cyclists to raise cash for MENCAP, the charity for

  • Beat goes on at fun day

    A PRESTON charity is inviting people to come along and have the time of their lives at a one-off fund-raising event. St Catherine's Hospice on Lostock Lane, Lostock Hall, will be holding a charity weekend full of exciting events starting on Thursday September

  • Rat run plea is rejected

    RESIDENTS living in an area of Penwortham have failed to rid neighbouring streets of traffic calming measures which, they claim, are creating a rat run for traffic. A decision by the Higher Penwortham Area Committee on Monday, August 21, revealed that

  • Dog teaches new tricks

    A PRESTON man who rescued a Labrador from being bullied by other dogs, is now using his pet to help the sick and elderly. Frank Hogarth, of Avenham, found the animal in a rescue society where it had been abandoned, because it was too timid to be kept

  • Five years ago: Hose pipe ban

    HOUSEHOLDERS across East Lancashire were in threat of being left high and dry after North West Water applied to impose a drought order to ban all non-essential use of water. A hosepipe ban was introduced after the area was left without significant rainfall

  • Bring back pride in our country

    I FEEL I must write in to complain about the litter and rubbish thrown down on our streets these days. As I walk past St Chad's church and the school gates I have to step over beer cans, litter etc. It's disgusting. We never see a road sweeper these days

  • Sympathy for quiet drink

    I DO sympathise with Mr Rackman in having no quiet place to drink in Lancaster or Morecambe but I feel some of his comments were unfair. (Citizen: August 24) According to his letter I am a "stupid young mother who drinks." If you go out on a weekend night

  • Unhappy with way festivals are going

    IS it me or is there something odd about the way the festivals were awarded this year? The question I would like answering is a simple one. How does an out of town company who have no track record in this town and no line up until the last minute be awarded

  • Will anyone listen to tourism ideas?

    THE state of our town has now come to the attention of major tourism experts and theiropinions (very good ones) have been printed in the newspaper. Will anybody listen? I sincerely hope so! We have been through many troubled times and mistakes have been

  • Unfortunately we can't rely on the fairy godmother!

    COUNCILLOR Wilson completely fails to provide any facts to back up his assertions. He fails to mention that it is his budget that he introduced in March that has gone wrong - not the one inherited from the Labour Group. He fails to mention that far from

  • Cup defeat for Blackpool

    Netherfield 204-6 Blackpool 132 all out IN a one-sided Slater Cup semi-final on Sunday, Netherfield comfortably defeated Blackpool by 72 runs, writes Gerry Wolstenholme. Netherfield's 204-6 from their 40 overs was always too many for a Blackpool side

  • Batting failure

    ST ANNES went down to Leyland by 21 runs on Saturday (August 26) writes John Richardson. Dave Callaghan trapped Leyland professional Neil Rimmer LBW for a duck and St Annes' opening pace bowlers stayed on top with Steven Twist having Ian McDonnell caught

  • Run feast but no result

    Fleetwood 243-4 Blackpool 215-5 FLEETWOOD and Blackpool fought out a high scoring draw in their Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League game at Broadwater on Bank Holiday Monday. Put in to bat Fleetwood made a massive 243-4 in their 60 overs with skipper John

  • Wasps sting Sharks

    BLACKPOOL'S West Coast Wasps roller hockey team were on the road again during the Bank Holiday weekend (August 26/27), playing in the annual Cullercoats Summer Tournament on the North East Coast. The Wasps, playing at full strength, went through to the

  • Shrimps hit back

    MORECAMBE had a mixed bank holiday weekend, but put themselves back on track with a resounding win at home to big-spending Nuneaton at Christie Park. Steve Walters opened his account on 15 minutes to put Jim Harvey's men ahead and John Norman added another

  • Title favourites put brakes on Blues

    TITLE favourites Altrincham brought Lancaster City's 100 per cent start to the season grinding to a halt at Moss Lane on Bank Holiday Monday. City, fresh from Saturday's Kenny Mayers inspired victory over fancied Gateshead, started like a house on fire

  • It's people not politics

    THE widow of popular Labour councillor Paddy Kavanagh will stand at the crucial John O'Gaunt bye-election on September 28 - as an independent! Sheila Kavanagh says it was her late husband's wish that she represent local people and continue their good

  • Brass back from injury

    CHRIS Brass today returned to training following a knee injury. His return leaves just Lennie Johnrose and Dean West on the injured list.

  • Gray delight after Malta strike

    NORTHERN Ireland hero Phil Gray will swap the World Cup stage for Hartlepool United's Victoria Park tomorrow night with the same target in mind -- scoring goals. The Burnley striker came off the bench on Saturday to give his country the perfect start

  • Last thing we need on roads

    I OBJECT to the wording of the advertisement on the wrapper of The Citizen dated August 3. It encourages the driver to imagine that he is piloting a jet plane. Such an attitude is the last thing we need with today's road conditions. Instead, drivers should

  • Blood donor sessions

    THERE will be a blood donor session at the Territorial Army Centre's Alexandra Barracks, Caton Road, Lancaster on September 6. The sessions run from 2pm to 4pm and from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

  • City blunt Bowie's knife

    Lancaster 2 Gateshead 0 LANCASTER continued their excellent start to the season with this impressive win over one of their 'bogey sides', Gateshead. The Tynesiders always looked dangerous with crowd favourite Steve Bowey looking to single handedly destroy

  • Mayor samples sand yachting

    SAND yachting taster sessions were on offer for this year's Sports Sample 2000 event. Fylde Mayor Councillor Paul Hayhurst and Mayoress Martine Hayhurst took part in one of the sessions. Coun Hayhurst said: "The event provides the perfect opportunity

  • Romney talk

    AN illustrated talk on the life and work of Kendal-based 18th century portrait painter George Romney will be held at the Heron Theatre, Beetham, on September 13 and 15. Presented by charismatic lecturer, David Cross, his recent book on the painter A Stri

  • BAE gives Olympic yachtsman a hand

    YACHTSMAN Iain Percy could be on course to victory in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, thanks to a little bit of help from BAE Systems. Engineers from the Warton site have developed a revolutionary carbon fibre mast using structural engineering and aerodynamic

  • Dorothy is honoured for charity work

    A THORNTON pensioner has received a top award from the charity Macmillan Cancer Relief in honour of her exceptional work for them. Dorothy Haworth (pictured) accepted her award from the charity's chairman Richard Hambro at Macmillan's annual rally in

  • Students in bike marathon

    STUDENTS from King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham are currently in the throes of a four-day cycling marathon to raise money for charity. Fifteen students are riding from Land's End to John O' Groats to raise money for Rock FM's Help A Local

  • Directory action

    THANKS to an anonymous legacy, Lancaster Council for Voluntary Service have been able to produce a valuable directory for older people living in the district. A mine of local information, the directory is free to local people. It includes information

  • College right on course!

    LANCASTER and Morecambe College's new computer centre in Carnforth is now fully functional and offering a wide range of courses. The new £45,000 facility in Ash Tree Way, Market Street, is equipped with the latest information and communication technology

  • Rovers chase United star Berg

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness could be ready to swoop for Manchester United centre back Henning Berg in a bid to bolster his defensive resources. Rovers chief executive John Williams today revealed Souness is considering a move for the Norwegian international

  • Gray delight after Malta strike

    NORTHERN Ireland hero Phil Gray will swap the World Cup stage for Hartlepool United's Victoria Park tomorrow night with the same target in mind -- scoring goals. The Burnley striker came off the bench on Saturday to give his country the perfect start

  • Unbelievable!

    WITH 91 minutes on the clock Blackpool were cruising to what would have been a well deserved 2-1 victory at Torquay this Bank Holiday Monday (August 28). But just three minutes later not only had Blackpool been robbed of maximum points -- they ended up

  • Gang of three attack girl,16

    A MAJOR police inquiry was launched in Rossendale today and a car park was sealed off while police investigated a sex attack. Det Sgt Stuart Barlow, head of Rossendale CID, said a 16-year-old local girl had been out in Rawtenstall and had been walking

  • Tom hopes to 'monster' em!

    A BISPHAM youngster will travel to the Millennium Dome tomorrow on September 1 to take on the rest of the country's best Pokmon players in the Nintendo Pokmon Championship 2000. Tom Stewart, 14, will travel to London and battle against the 25 other regional

  • Why we sold off land...

    A LEADING figure at Marton Institute has admitted that it was regrettable that members were not informed about the planned sell-off of land behind the historical building. In August, The Citizen reported how some members at the 100-year-old institute

  • 'We were fobbed off by council'

    A CARE campaigner has accused the council of "fobbing them off" after a disastrous meeting left the group feeling "despondent and patronized." Maureen Horn, chairman of CARE (the Caring Alliance for Rest Home Elderly), an action group set up to prevent

  • Pest used video to lure kids

    MUMS believe their teenage children have been lured into the flat of a man they claim is a sex pest. They allege the middle-aged man enticed the boys and girls with videos to get them behind closed doors. Parents on Preston's Larches Estate are outraged

  • It's open season for the culture vultures

    MANY of Lancashire's historic buildings will become 'open houses' this month, giving local people the chance to appreciate the region's architecture and culture. A leaflet detailing Lancashire's Heritage Open Days on September 16 and 17 has been put together

  • Nostalgic NAAFI night out

    SPAM, sad cake and tea were laid on for a nostalgic evening of wartime entertainment at Blackburn College. Singers treated the audience to songs from the two world wars at a "NAAFI Night" evening coinciding with the anniversary of the night before war

  • B-test dodgers warned

    DRIVERS have been warned not to try to exploit a loophole in the law which prevents them from being prosecuted from drink-drive offences. National newspaper and television reports over the weekend claimed drivers were escaping drink-driving charges by

  • Street's big secret is safe with Ken

    SOAP fans dying to know the inside story on the Coronation Street wedding of the year will not get a word out of chauffeur Ken Unsworth. Ken has taken a vow of silence on the hot soap story after he was recruited to drive Mike Baldwin and Linda Sykes

  • Superbikes: Foggy faces final test

    CARL Fogarty's racing future is due to be decided in a make or break testing session in Spain. Manufacturers Ducati are pushing for an answer as to whether the reigning world champion intends to ride for one last season. But Fogarty's injured arm is far

  • Non-league soccer: Well-earned point for Stanley

    Whitby Town 0, Accrington Stanley 0 STANLEY collected a well earned point from their long trip to Whitby and could have come away with all three points. The Reds gave a debut to their latest signing, Mark Patterson, and the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder

  • Local cricket: Darwen settle for second spot

    DARWEN secured eight points and second place in the Northern Premier League on Saturday at Leyland. Darwen needed maximum points to retain any hope of catching Netherfield. But it looked bleak when Darwen slumped from 69-2 to 77-6 although pro Keith Semple

  • Moyes' battlers beyond belief

    PNE 1, PORTSMOUTH 0 "A WIN today?" "No I reckon a draw," was how the conversation went as a couple of Preston fans made their way into Deepdale. But, after their third win in five First Division games, these North End fans might just start believing their

  • Local cricket: Nelson thank Spencer

    DUNCAN Spencer, the last man to get his hands on the Lancashire League championship trophy, pulled the covers over his own career while Ramsbottom did their best to kiss goodbye to the millennium title. Spencer's September Seedhill swansong finished with

  • Families will go

    AS a Blackpool cabbie for about 15 years I reckon to be reasonably clued up as to what goes on now-a-days, even at the age of sixty! Sat outside the Foxhall pub casually watching the world go by. Big fat geezer comes swaggering along with his mates, wearing

  • I back sacked head

    RE the sacking of the principal of Blackpool Sixth form, Mr Fulford. The only facts I know are what I have read in the papers, but what I do know is that I found him a very approachable person, who had the students' interests at heart, and was prepared

  • Badly treated by Mr Blair

    MY name is Brenda Crampton, age 69, born 1930. On behalf of the senior citizens (we never complain) I think we have been badly done to by Mr. Blair. I thought we stood a chance when he got in at Number 10 but no such luck -- he is just as bad as the past

  • Where is the MP?

    IN the light of the proposed closure of Blackpool's residential care homes, I have been visiting a number of homes to meet with the residents and, without exception, I receive the same response every time. The pensioners who speak to me are not only distraught

  • Politicians do nothing for street corner kids

    I THINK that the possible Egyptian-style casino and conference centre in Blackpool is potentially excellent news for the tourism industry here. However, I am writing to highlight the plight of the Blackpool youth. Repeatedly, we hear from people rightly

  • Golden oldies!

    THERE is a chance to see some of our best 'home-grown' talent in action in the next few weeks with the closing stages of the St Helens Star/Theatre Royal Senior Stars of Tomorrow 2000 competition. The first semi-final takes place at the theatre in Corporation

  • Pest used video to lure kids

    MUMS believe their teenage children have been lured into the flat of a man they claim is a sex pest. They allege the middle-aged man enticed the boys and girls with videos to get them behind closed doors. Parents on Preston's Larches Estate are outraged

  • Michael to rescue

    A GOAL to dream about struck from 25 yards by Michael Appleton gave North End the single point from the holiday fixtures -- 1-1 against Wimbledon. North End, after almost taking the lead with a Colin Murdock header inside five minutes, were fortunate