Archive

  • Pulpit pay claim is way too high

    BY any yardstick, the call by the trade union, MSF, for a 50 per cent increase in the pay of Church of England vicars is unwise. Because, even taking into account the clergy's modest £16,000 stipend, the demand is plainly way over the top. From that viewpoint

  • Three hurt in shop robbery

    A SHOPKEEPER and her two sons were attacked and £500 stolen after three men walked in and started a scuffle. The incident continued on the street on the corner of Audley Range and Lambeth Street, Blackburn, and also involved a by-stander. The woman was

  • Service to be proud of

    THOSE who organised Blackburn's Remembrance Day commemorations deserve a big thank-you. The Cathedral and Cenotaph services were poignant and struck the right note. Particularly moving was the participation of so many young people. I was very reassured

  • Beware the bin police

    REGARDING your interesting article on the "rubbish row" (LET, November 10), just what are the refuse disposal operatives after? Self-propelled, self-emptying, self-returning-to-gather wheelie-bins? The matter of the extra bags being left adjacent to bins

  • Protection too costly

    THANK you for highlighting the problem of churches being attacked by arsonists (LET, November 3). Your editorial included a statement by Mr John Taylor, of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service: "It's time for the churches to get high tech," with the

  • £35m cash injection set to be life saver

    BOSSES at the Wigan and Bolton Health Authority will use a £35.5 million cash boost to cut waiting lists and try to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and cancer. The new cash injection for the area was announced by Secretary of State for Health

  • Noticeboard

    GENERAL: Nominations are now being taken for the Blackburn and District Sports Council's annual awards. Awards are made for club of the year, team of the year, official of the year, junior sports personality, senior sports personality, special award for

  • Double delight

    Blackburn and Darwen Schools Netball League St Wilfrid's versus Darwen Moorland Year Seven and Eight DARWEN Moorland and St Wilfrid's shared the spoils as their undefeated teams kept up the winning streak. The Saints Year Eight side kept up their 100

  • Record try romp for Calder Vale

    CALDER Vale under 14s romped to their biggest win of the season as they ran in 15 tries against a brave but outclassed Blackburn side. Winger Darian Myring, outside half Tom Wright and number eight Daniel Ryan led the charge as they each scored a hat-trick

  • Short work for Lambert

    North West Hockey League Division Two Blackburn 1 Neston 0 BLACKBURN picked up a much needed and well timed victory with a narrow win against Neston. It was only Blackburn's second win of the season but it was the perfect confidence boosted ahead of next

  • £15,000 hush money claim

    THE woman at the centre of sex and race discrimination claims against Blackburn with Darwen Council revealed today she had been offered a £15,000 settlement if she did not tell anyone about the case. But she also admitted to an employment tribunal that

  • SOCCER: RMI defend Cup switch

    RMI officials have defended their decision to switch Leigh's glamour FA Cup tie with Millwall from Hilton Park to south London. They are adamant that their major consideration in giving up home advantage was 'safety and security' and not making a financial

  • Gillespie back in shop window

    KEITH Gillespie is now back in training and hoping to put himself in the shop window after being laid low by a virus in recent weeks. Rovers have yet to hear of any interest in the Northern Ireland international who was granted a free transfer by manager

  • Carsley fears Ewood future is Dunn for

    FORMER Blackburn skipper Lee Carsley today admitted he fears for his Rovers future following David Dunn's emergence as one of the hottest properties outside the Premiership. Republic of Ireland international Carsley has barely had a look-in all season

  • Many happy returns

    EWOOD Park will play host to a who's who of the club's modern era on Saturday when Blackburn Rovers celebrate 125 years in the Football League. Many of Rovers most prominent players from the 1950s onwards, representing the club's promotion-winning teams

  • Fran fronts big parade

    AS a school lollipop lady Fran Coles is used to marching into the middle of the road to stop traffic! But, on Remembrance Sunday, Fran, of Victoria Street, Lostock Hall, stepped off the pavement for a different cause as Parade Marshal for the annual procession

  • Frock of ages

    SEARCH the wardrobes and dig through the attic -- you could be hoarding some lovely dresses made at Preston cotton spinners Horrockses in bygone days. And the town's Harris Museum is after the lot for a new exhibition of Horrockses Fashions in September

  • Fraudsters plead guilty

    FIVE men were due to be sentenced this week for their part in a multi-million pound case of fraudulent trading which was rife throughout Lancashire. At least several Chorley firms fell prey to the scam. The sentencing was due to take place at Leeds Crown

  • Boys are A1 for doting sisters

    CHART-TOPPING boy band A1 hit the right note with two junior press-packers from Preston last week following a storm over tickets. Fans Lauren Boggis,10, and her sister Emma,12, from Knowsley Close, Hoghton, were commissioned by the Citizen to cover A1

  • Attack came after youth demanded cigarette

    A YOUNGSTER was sitting with a group of friends on the recreational field at the rear of the Sherwood Arms, in Sherwood Way, Fulwood, when he was approached by three youths. One asked for a cigarette and when he stated he had none they began to search

  • Murder charge man remanded in custody

    A MAN accused of murdering his wife has been remanded to await trial. In a brief appearance at Preston Crown Court, Gilbert Reghelini, 67, of Sunny Bank Road, Bolton-le-Sands, denied the murder of Shirley Reghelini on September 1 this year. A trial date

  • Penney finally drops for the Labour Party

    A LOCAL Labour Party stalwart has resigned from the party over the Government's stance on education. Cllr Brian Penney, who represents Skerton West ward, says he has been forced into the decision by national issues, mainly relating to education. He is

  • Taking it to the Ridge

    TO the residents of Lancaster's Ridge Estate, PC Tim Dodgson is more than just their local community bobby - he's also their friend. It's a friendship that has built up over the last couple of years during which Tim has launched a special newspaper, opened

  • Community in Charge

    IT'S been a long struggle but Marsh residents and Lancaster pensioners took a step closer to realising their dreams this week. European SRB money has been allocated to the Marsh to help them build a community centre and elderly folk in Lancaster are celebrating

  • The eyes have it

    A DISTRAUGHT Leon Brackenfield could only stand by and watch as his wife slipped in and out of consciousness. Haemorrhaging terribly after giving birth to their second child, Jasmin had picked up an infection and was struggling for survival. It was a

  • Smash and grab watches snatch

    TEENAGE smash and grab raiders got away with watches and jewellery valued at more than £1,000 from a town centre jewellers. The youths, all aged about 15, used a large stone to smash a window at Woodworth's, Cross Street, Nelson. They grabbed six gold

  • Points in the bag for hoppers'

    Grasshoppers Dev ... 14 Doncaster 2nds ... 0 HOPPERS Development side made it three wins in a row under new captain Craig Steel. They continue to climb the Northern Second XV's table and are putting in some sterling performances. Sound defence was the

  • MP joins air traffic rebellion

    PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice today urged the government to drop its plans to partially privatise Britain's air traffic control system after voting against them in a back bench Labour rebellion last night. He was one of 37 Labour MPs to defy the government

  • Five years ago: car park birth

    A PREGNANT mum lost a dramatic race against time when she gave birth to a bouncing baby daughter - in a hospital car park. Stunned midwives at Queen's Park Hospital could not believe their eyes when they saw 27-year-old Catherine Chamley, of Angela Street

  • Bravery award for rescue pair

    A DOG handler who rescued an elderly hospital patient from a freezing ravine was today honoured for his bravery. PC Simon Harwood risked his life to save the 70-year-old diabetic after she had spent more than 12 hours wandering on the moors between Burnley

  • Expenses: council chief says sorry

    THE chief executive of a council at the centre of an expenses overpayment row has apologised to councillors who have suffered abuse since the mix-up was revealed. Mike Chambers, chief executive of Hyndburn Council, apologised publicly yesterday as new

  • Soap fans mourn moggie in a million

    THE man who gave TV's Corrie cat its first paw-step to stardom today began the search for a new star but insisted: "There will never be another Frisky!" Frisky -- who made thousands of TV appearances as the cat in the Coronation Street title sequence

  • Madonna bonus

    FANS of Madonna will doubtless be aware that the only gig she is playing in Europe in the foreseeable future will be at the Brixton Academy in London later this month. Well, it's all right for her, she only has to get the night bus back home to Notting

  • Chance to bid for a birthday present

    FSauctions, the Freeserve Auctions channel in which we at the Telegraph are partners, celebrated its first birthday yesterday. And to celebrate its success after a year, FSauctions are giving you the chance to woo your friends with the latest internet

  • Scorpions swamped in the rain

    Rochdale Mayfield 44 Scorpions U13s 0 THE SCORPIONS travelled to Rochdale to face league leaders Mayfield but they were forced to leave for home without scoring for the first time this season. The match was played in terrible conditions with the rain

  • Wasps celebrate trophy triumph

    BLACKPOOL'S West Coast Wasps were presented with the British Inline Skater Hockey national champion's trophy this week. They won the cup after battling it out at the national finals in Harlepool with 24 regional league winners. A run of six victories

  • Super seven swim to glory

    SEVEN air training cadets from 206 Thornton Cleveleys Squadron, represented the North of England in the Annual Gala at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire. The fantastic seven are all members of Newton Hall Swimming Club in Staining who faced regional teams from

  • Good and bad for Thornton

    THORNTON CLEVELEYS A U10s 3 BJFF A 1 A WELL fought game between two good sides on a remarkably good pitch at Bispham Gala Field. BJFF took the lead after only two minutes but the Tigers kept their head and gradually began to make an impression on the

  • Wyre are worthy winners

    WYRE JUNIORS A U9s 2 WYRE VILLA 1 WYRE Juniors having not played for three weeks due to the weather were very quick out of the starting blocks and nearly found the net virtually from kick off. The game settled into a fairly open contest in the first half

  • Home alone

    LANCASTER City seem to be having something of an unscheduled mid-season break as their FA Trophy tie with Warwick is delayed again. Saturday's opponents Burscough were busy losing their FA cup fourth qualifying round tie to Radcliffe Borough so the Dolly

  • Macca needto sell to buy

    POOL can forget their recent league disaster on Saturday , (November 18) when they face Telford United at Bloomfield Road in the first round of the FA Cup. The Nationwide Football Coference team beat Hinckley Town 4-1 on Monday after finally managing

  • Cooke suspended

    THE Clarets suffered a set-back last night when striker Andy Cooke collected the club's first suspension of the season. Cooke was controversially shown his fifth yellow card of the campaign during a run-out in the reserves' 2-1 home defeat by Oldham.

  • Valhalla goes to the airport

    A NEW train which will be responsible for ferrying passengers between Blackpool and Manchester Airport has been officially named -- by a schoolboy! Adam Cotton, 10, got the chance to name the Class 175 diesel multiple unit train after winning a competition

  • RMI hit a spot of bother!

    Woking 1 Leigh RMI 1 RMI's prolific goalscorer Tony Black fired home a second half penalty to earn the Railwaymen a draw ahead of Sunday's FA Cup tie with Millwall. Their fixture at the Kingsfield stadium almost seemed a prelude to greater things as the

  • Carsley fears Ewood future is Dunn for

    FORMER Blackburn skipper Lee Carsley today admitted he fears for his Rovers future following David Dunn's emergence as one of the hottest properties outside the Premiership. Republic of Ireland international Carsley has barely had a look-in all season

  • Clarets financial pledge

    THE Clarets have pledged to continue to back manager Stan Ternent in the transfer market despite a reported annual loss of £1.6 million in securing promotion to Division One. The wage bill at Turf Moor shot up by 53 per cent to £4.2 million in the financial

  • Bhutia back in business

    BURY'S Indian international Baichung Bhutia loved every minute of last Saturday's Wycombe match - even though it was pouring with freezing rain and his side got beat! Bhutia was just delighted to be playing again. Even though he is an idol in India and

  • Kevin's deep into studying

    SUBMARINE operator Kevin Parker is using his spare time to dive into the world of education and complete a long-distance diploma -- from Egypt! Searching for unexploded bombs, missing bodies and repairing damaged cables on the bottom of the Mediterranean

  • Paper factory blaze probed

    ARSONISTS are being hunted after a blaze ripped through a paper factory in Darwen last night. About 70 firefighters from across Lancashire battled through the night to bring the fire at Stamford Converters, also known as Stamford Packaging, a paper and

  • Assault charge man cleared

    A 36-YEAR-old man said to be responsible for an unprovoked street attack has been cleared. Craig Thripp, of Bridge Street, was found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm, after a two-day trial, at Burnley Crown Court. The prosecution had alleged

  • Coroner hears of fight for lifes

    FACTORY worker Andrew Gordon spoke to his father for the last time less than eight hours before an incident in which he suffered serious head injuries, an inquest heard. Mr Gordon, 34, of Acre View, Stacksteads, visited his parents' house in Hindle Street

  • A new line in nibbles

    Food News, with Patricia Hall WE have come a long way since serving crisps and nuts with pre-dinner drinks. Now traditional nibbles have become far more exciting, as budding party-throwers serve delicious little filo parcels, oriental dumplings, quails

  • Fylde salutes

    HUNDREDS of ex-service men and women gathered around Blackpool Cenotaph on November 12 to honour those who died in the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts. More than 800 people came together to lay wreaths and participate in two minutes silence

  • MP acts over bail decisions

    BLACKPOOL South MP Gordon Marsden has asked the Lord Chancellor to intervene concerning two men accused of murder who have been granted bail while awaiting trial. Mr Marsden, pictured here, revealed to The Citizen that the families of the two dead men

  • Busmen 'in fear of their lives'

    BUSMEN are working in an atmosphere of fear as attacks on drivers and ambushes by gangs of youths increase, according to one Blackpool Transport employee. And he claims neither the company nor the police are doing anything to help them. The driver who

  • Seriously...Les worries about showbiz

    FAMILY Fortunes frontman Les Dennis says Blackpool has changed a lot since his first summer season here in 1975 -- and that the entertainment industry could suffer as a result. The 45-year-old funnyman, pictured here, was in the resort to compere the

  • Ex-legal clerk on fraud charge

    FORMER solicitor's clerk Louis Rebello has been committed for trial on charges of theft, deception and falsifying documents. Rebello, 46, was before Lancaster magistrates yesterday to hear the charges, which relate to his time working at Forbes and Partners

  • Hopes rising in the East

    BLACKBURN with Darwen's Mayor Jack Bury put pen to paper to sign an agreement which council chiefs hope will help open up the eastern European market to local firms. The signing of the co-operation agreement between Blackburn with Darwen and the Polish

  • Robber jailed for shotgun' terror

    A MAN who staged a terrifying sub post office robbery in a bid to pay off drug debts has been jailed for six years. A victim thought she was facing a sawn-off shotgun when Lee Garvin shoved a pair of shears under a counter screen to demand "Give me the

  • Special measures school fights back

    A SCHOOL which was heavily criticised by inspectors four years ago and told to take urgent action has made massive improvements, according to a new Ofsted report. St Mary and St Joseph's Primary School in Blackburn was put on special measures after its

  • Gas blast threw man across room

    A WORKER who survived a gas blast was blown across a room from the impact of the explosion, it was revealed today. Michael O'Dowd, 20, flew across the flat he was working on but escaped serious injury. His colleague, Albert Heys, suffered 50 per cent

  • Warning over £3 cost of fuel vote

    TRADING standards officers have warned people to check their faxes carefully after a company charged up to £3 for people to vote in a poll on the fuel dispute. The poll, commissioned by London-based 21st Century Faxes, invites people to fax back a sheet

  • £15,000 hush money claim

    THE woman at the centre of sex and race discrimination claims against Blackburn with Darwen Council revealed today she had been offered a £15,000 settlement if she did not tell anyone about the case. But she also admitted to an employment tribunal that

  • Athletics: Harriers glory

    BLACKBURN Harriers Under 15 girls were the top Lancashire team in the National Cross Country Relay Championships at Mansfield on Saturday. In wet and muddy conditions only one northern team were ahead of them as the girls finished 14th of 37 teams. Anna

  • Non league: Bailey's delight

    Nelson 5 Holker OB 1 NELSON brushed aside their opponents in the first round of the Marsden Lancashire Challenge Trophy at a rain-lashed Victoria Park once they got into their stride. Despite John Bailey's side holding the upper hand it was almost half

  • Put the Twin Towers in my back garden

    GIRL POWER with Dany Robson WHEN the Twin Towers came tumbling down a lot was made of Wembley's great footballing moments. But another sport which used to be a regular user of the hallowed turf, until 1985, was hockey. Former England player Val Robinson

  • Moyes charged after Forest rumpus

    MANAGER David Moyes has been charged by the FA with bringing the game into disrepute. The charge follows the team's disappointing result at Nottingham Forest when ugly scenes errupted at the end of the match, and two North End players were sent off. David

  • Appleton's rocket!

    Preston North End 2 Crewe 1 Att:12,632 Micahel Appleton produced a rocket of a shot to put North End in front after just 11 minutes. It was a fine solo effort as he picked the ball up on the half way line. He took the ball on as the Crewe defence retreated

  • PNE's two wins on the trot

    PRESTON beat Crewe 2-1 last Friday to sneak up -- for a day -- into fourth place in the First Division. But, while it was a comfortable enough performance, it was far from convincing. Preston are knocking up the points but they aren't putting in many

  • Boost for elephant campaign

    THE CITIZEN'S campaign to stop electric goads being used on elephants at Blackpool Zoo received a boost this week as a motion about their use was raised in the House of Commons. Liberal Democrat Mike Hancock, MP for Portsmouth, raised an Early Day Motion

  • Terzis whips up enthusiasm for Aussie clash

    PAUL TERZIS is urging Leigh fans to set the turnstiles ticking. He wants them to get behind the team for the big game against South Sydney at Hilton Park next Tuesday evening. "It's a great opportunity for Leigh fans to see some of our off-season signings

  • Man charged over taxi driver death

    A 21-year-old Bury man appeared in court today (Thurs) accused of murdering taxi driver Tariq Javed. Mark Anthony Baker, of Hazel Avenue, is also charged with robbing Mr Javed on November 9. He appeared before Bury magistrates this morning, flanked by

  • Macca needto sell to buy

    POOL can forget their recent league disaster on Saturday , (November 18) when they face Telford United at Bloomfield Road in the first round of the FA Cup. The Nationwide Football Coference team beat Hinckley Town 4-1 on Monday after finally managing

  • Events in East Lancashire, Friday, November 17

    Jim Heinze, gospel singer, Barden community centre, Burnley, 7.30pm. The Lancashire group of the Geologists' Association, Lammack Road Methodist Church, Blackburn, 7pm. Lecture by Dr P Kokelaar. Children's Voices -- Rossendale school choirs, Royal Court

  • Pay rise plan has priest's blessing

    A UNION has launched its first ever pay campaign for a wage rise for vicars. The MSF wants a 50 per cent rise for "dog collar" workers to bring their wages up to £24,000 a year. JEREMY RICHARDS talks to an East Lancashire clergyman to find out how he

  • I'm not going to follow Beckham's lead

    IN ALL the furore over employing a foreign coach, it seems to have been overlooked that we now have a captain from a different planet. Am I alone in finding David Beckham leading our national side as distasteful as the thought of Pat and Frank Butcher

  • Police in hunt for sex attacker

    POLICE are looking for in connection with a sex attack on a 20-year-old woman walking along a busy main road in Burnley. The victim was near the Oasis takeaway in Briercliffe Road at 10pm on Monday when she was approached four times by a man who made

  • Rovers should pay parking fee

    REGARDING the remarks of Mr D Holmes (Letters, November 14) about parking, I think it is an absolute insult having to pay to park your own car at your own door -- and, in his case, it's not even his front door, but the back one. Ten pounds for a resident's

  • Carping is useless

    CONGRATULATIONS to Peter Blackburn for writing the most cynical and out-of-touch comments of the year (Letters, November 13). Maybe if he examined the facts of the refuse service in Blackburn and Darwen he would reconsider his views. Between May-September

  • Getting fit for hockey

    Getting fit with Russ Wrigley HOCKEY is a team game consisting of brief bursts of high intense exercise (the sprint) in between periods of lower intensity recovery (walking or jogging). The game has two 35 minute halves, with a five to 10 minute break

  • Whistle Blower

    with NEIL YATES SO ROY Keane, professional footballer of several years experience, has finally twigged that the average punter is ignorant. He claims they're more interested in a champagne and prawns corporate jolly than the beautiful game. He suggests

  • Local league round-up

    COLNE United Reserves' 44-match unbeaten run in the East Lancs League Reserves Division came to a end after a shock 3-2 defeat against Hurst Green. Warren Baker, David Wilkinson and James Fazackerley. the son of Blackburn Rovers legend Derek, grabbed

  • Steve Tinniswood's Park Patrol

    A junior football club is sending out an SOS -- Save Our Season! For Newfield Warriors under 13s team are desperately looking for a manager -- and if no-one comes forward then they may have to fold. The Hyndburn and District Boys League club have had

  • Centre of attention

    Lancs Schools Under 19s Cup Quarter Final Habergham 1 St Theodore's 3 THIS turned out to be about the highs and lows of two centre halves. St Theodores' Laurie Cryer and Habergham's Nathan Flynn who both made their mark on a thrilling cup clash. Cryer

  • Local club leads the way

    A THRIVING sports club has shown what can be done for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. For the SNAP club, which stands for Special Needs Activity Programme, is one of the few clubs in Lancashire that caters for children who need special

  • Sex shops? Get netted!

    A COUNCILLOR has called on people to trawl the Internet for their turn-ons so a town can get rid of the sex shops he claims are degrading the community. Granville Lord spoke as hundreds of Burnley residents called for the un-licensed shops at 122 Colne

  • Scots lose

    CHRISTIAN Dailly played a full 90 minutes in Scotland's 2-0 defeat against Australia at Hampden Park.

  • Celebration line-up

    Here are the Ewood heroes who will return on Saturday: Harry McShane: Played first game for Rovers on Christmas Day 1937 and appeared in wartime football. Now 80 years of age. Jack Campbell: "Nudger" appeared in over 200 games for Rovers after joining

  • Hundreds salute those who didn't return

    TORRENTIAL rain failed to deter crowds who gathered at the weekend to remember the fallen of two world wars and other conflicts. Old soldiers who had witnessed bloody scenes and lost comrades in action, stood alongside civic leaders and children who were

  • Dance the night away

    COUNCILLORS have granted a 3am public entertainment licence for music and dancing at the Cross Keys Hotel in Burnley town centre despite expressing concern at the trend for longer licensing hours. It will extend the licence by two hours on Tuesday, Thursday

  • Val, you are the weakest link!

    SPECIAL needs maths teacher Val Edmondson is staying tight lipped today after getting a maths question wrong on the tough TV quiz The Weakest Link. Mrs Edmondson, who is a supply teacher at Rosehill Junior School, Burnley, won the BBC2 programme when

  • Drug dealer's killer jailed

    A WOMAN who killed a violent drug dealer from Burnley after he threatened to sell her as a sex slave has been sent to prison for three years. Heather Ackerley, 21, stabbed Kye Gorton, 25, with the kitchen knife he had been using to cut crack cocaine.

  • Sex shops? Get netted!

    A COUNCILLOR has called on people to trawl the Internet for their turn-ons so a town can get rid of the sex shops he claims are degrading the community. Granville Lord spoke as hundreds of Burnley residents called for the un-licensed shops at 122 Colne

  • Help at Hand for Homeless

    A GOOD Samaritan has come forward to ensure that there will be a place at the inn for the homeless this Christmas. Christmas shelter organiser, Tony Hennesey, said he was delighted and relieved that they had found a suitable venue at last. "The people

  • Greens fail to stop development

    CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a massive luxury housing project to the south of the city were this week given the go-ahead by council planning chiefs. The 'Whinney Carr Farm' development, which has sparked strong opposition from some residents and the Green

  • Hoppers 'pointless' rugby match

    Rugby Lions ... 20 Preston Grasshoppers ... 8 HOPPERS came away pointless from a game they led and should have won. Taking the lead early in the second half, Hoppers again failed to consolidate and paid the penalty. Rugby had the better of the opening

  • Athletics: Darwen dash

    THE Darwen Biathlon will be held on Sunday 26th November. Consisting of a half mile swim at Darwen Leisure Centre in the morning and a five mile run from the Centre to Darwen Moors in the afternoon, the race is open for individuals or teams of two. For

  • Athletics: Julia placed 27th

    JULIA Hartley of Accrington Road Runners and Brenda Fullard of Blackburn Road Runners were the pick of the local ladies in the Llandudno 10M. Julia placed 27 of 203 women, with veteran Brenda 57th. Neil Holding of West Pennine Runners and Mark Roberts

  • Athletics: Rusius third

    VICTORIA Rusius of Pendle AC was third counter for the North of England Under 20's team at the Cross Country Cup meeting in Ghent. Chosen for the Belgium trip after a fine third place in the opening round of the Mid Lancs League in Barrow, she finished

  • Ten years ago: no fun

    A NIGHTCLUB owner threatened to pull the plug on Christmas festivities if magistrates refused to grant extra drinking time. Margaret Grimshaw, co-owner of the Lodestar at Ribchester, told the court at Clitheroe there would be no point in organising the

  • Be a pal and help the lonely

    FRIENDS are in demand to help the lonely in the Leigh area. Wigan Council has launched a befriending scheme and is calling for people with time on their hands to offer regular companionship to those who find themselves isolated from mainstream society

  • Salvation Army's battle for base

    BATTLING members of the Salvation Army are fighting to save their Tyldesley headquarters. The Salvation Army members have called in the movement's UK leader to challenge a decision to condemn their Lime Street base. This week they enlisted the help of

  • Buses boost set for launch

    BOLTON South-east MP Brian Iddon will be seen waiting at a bus stop tomorrow as he officially opens a scheme which has brought a better service to hundreds of passengers. The Labour politician will launch the town's section of the Bolton-Atherton-Leigh

  • Have you fallen for a conman?

    DO YOU remember screaming in frustration at Deirdre in Coronation Street as she fell for conman John Lindsay? The storyline seemed unbelievable to many people who found it implausible that the usually intelligent character could be fooled by a man who

  • QEGS book semi spot

    Independent Schools FA Cup quarter final QEGS 1, Ardingly 1 (QEGS won 7-6 on pens) FOR the second year in succession, penalties decided the QEGS match at the last 16 stage of the Independent Schools FA Cup. And last year's heartbreaking exit against Charterhouse

  • Tales from the Touchline

    With Michael Black, Witton Albion AFTER three weeks of inactivity brought about by more wetness than you would see at a Westlife concert, last Saturday finally saw Witton Albion's promotion bandwagon spark into life again. Unfortunately, no-one told Marley's

  • Beware of mail from old Mexico

    THE latest virus to hit all you people running Windows is a Christmas message with a flavour of old Mexico. My net gurus in the States say that the seasonal virus is built into an email attachment called "Navidad.exe" - as in Feliz Navidad, which is how

  • Tragic ship's eerie entry

    THE news of this week's ceremony in Colne to name a street after Wallace Henry Hartley had me searching through the internet. Hartley was the bandmaster on the Titanic who famously carried on playing as the ship went down. Colne born and bred, he is a

  • Flyers stay in front

    IN Division A of the Rossall Monday Sixes, Fleetwood Flyers stay out in front, held to a 2-2 draw with The Royals with the Fleetwood goals coming from Zak and Burman while second placed Blackpool Area Divers also shared the points, they drew 1-1 with

  • Water sports

    RAIN put Lancaster City's FA Trophy hopes on ice last week, making it two weeks without a game. Saturday's tie at Racing Club Warwick and Tuesday's re-arranged fixture were both scrapped as the pitch was flooded.

  • Hair today but gone tomorrow

    AT the time of writing I still don't know if David Ginola was poncing around at Christie Park on Tuesday night - nor do I care. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that Morecambe is playing host to Premiership players this winter, and I hope the initiative

  • Shrimps lift the curse of old enemy

    Morecambe 4 Hayes 0 ONE of football's strangest records was brought convincingly to an end at Christie Park on Saturday as Morecambe finally lifted the curse of Hayes. Since the club from the edge of London reached the conference four seasons ago, both

  • Seafront supermarket sweep

    MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform Morecambe into a shopping Mecca include building a discount supermarket on the seafront, The Citizen can reveal. In the week that Morrison's submitted an application to develop a leisure and retail complex at Frontierland

  • From bad to much, much worse

    Barnet 7-0 Blackpool Scoreres: Cottee 18, Richards 25,42, Currie 45, 76, 83, Heald 80 When the game kicked off you would never have predicted the final score on the evidence of the opening 15 minutes. It could have been argued that Blackpool actually

  • Shandran goal not enough

    Burnley Reserves 1, Oldham Athletic Reserves 2 HIGHLY rated teenage striker Anthony Shandran celebrated his new contract at Turf Moor with another goal in the Avon Insurance League last night. But his second-half strike wasn't enough to prevent a strong

  • Clarets financial pledge

    THE Clarets have pledged to continue to back manager Stan Ternent in the transfer market despite a reported annual loss of £1.6 million in securing promotion to Division One. The wage bill at Turf Moor shot up by 53 per cent to £4.2 million in the financial

  • Charity night for tragic tot

    THE grandmother of a Blackpool baby who died tragically aged just 24 weeks has organised a special charity night in her honour. Jill Fenton's granddaughter Courtney J Russell was born in December last year with severe cerebral palsy but, despite hopes

  • Our Fayre Ladies

    HERE comes the bride! And here comes another, and another and another... In fact, the Pleasure Beach's Paradise Room was blessed with a bounty of beautiful brides last Sunday (November 12) as The Citizen held a wedding fayre. And it was triumphed as a

  • Blackpool ale is coming home!

    A PLAN that has been brewing for more than three years to produce a popular ale locally was realised this week when the Blackpool Brewery Company started production. Locals' favourite tipple Blackpool Bitter has been brewed in Barnsley, Yorkshire, for

  • MP on the meals run

    FYLDE MP Michael Jack did his bit to keep Lytham old folk well fed as part of the national Meals On Wheels Week. Mr Jack gave his support to the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) on Monday to mark the start of the special week. He said he wanted

  • Ex-Wanderer joins RMI

    LEIGH RMI have made a transatlantic addition to their squad by landing former Wanderers defender Nicky Spooner. Spooner, 29, has joined RMI from American outfit Charleston Battery and was in the squad for last Saturday's draw at Woking. He is also expected

  • Top honour for coach

    GWYN Pierce of Tyldesley Swimming and Waterpolo Club is the Wigan Borough Coach of the Year. A joint initiative between the Sports Development Unit of Wigan Council and the Wigan Borough Sports Council, the award recognises and rewards the significant

  • PNE's two wins on the trot

    PRESTON beat Crewe 2-1 last Friday to sneak up -- for a day -- into fourth place in the First Division. But, while it was a comfortable enough performance, it was far from convincing. Preston are knocking up the points but they aren't putting in many

  • Partners forge ties with new £2m deal

    THE UK'S largest independent home appliance retailer, Powerhouse Retail, has forged stronger ties with computer giant Time Group. Time and Powerhouse already have an agreement to sell Time products through Powerhouse stores. That agreement has been extended

  • Making a 'magnet' of canal corridor

    WAYS of using East Lancashire's industrial artery as the lifeblood of future regeneration were put under the spotlight at a summit involving business and community leaders. The conference at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors brought together a range

  • Insight into the working world

    THE search is on for business brains to help develop the young entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Business leaders in Blackburn and Darwen are being encouraged to volunteer as advisers on the area's Young Enterprise programme. Young Enterprise involves Year 11

  • Sailor heads for home port

    A DARWEN man is looking forward to Christmas at home after spending the last year on the high seas. John Kay, 25, joined up 12 months ago and has circumnavigated the globe. Since completing his professional training at HMS Collingwood six months ago,

  • Caddy's passport kept by court

    PROFESSIONAL golf caddy Michael George Canmore was remanded on bail until November 27 by Blackburn magistrates charged with driving with excess alcohol. Canmore, 42, gave an address in Snape Street, Darwen, where his solicitor, Michael Singleton, said

  • Recipe: Prawn Dumplings

    350g (12.5oz) fresh prawns, peeled 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped teacup coriander roots, washed and finely chopped 30g (1oz) bamboo shoots, finely chopped 30g (1oz) water chestnuts, finely chopped 1 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tbsp soya bean sauce 1 tbsp

  • Phantom with a touch of fun

    DEEP down in the bowels of the Paris Opera House roams a terrifying figure, a dark, powerful ghoul. He is the Phantom of the Opera, and there is only one man who can stop his plans to murder the woman of his obsession - actor Jay Marcus! Playing the character

  • Square delays 'not our fault'

    PLANNING chiefs at Fylde Borough Council are claiming reports of a public apology for the delays to work in St Annes Square are wrong and stated the reason for the delay is a series of "complications and misunderstandings." Chief development control officer

  • Knocking on stardom door

    BILLY Elliot eat your heart out! Blackpool has its very own superstar in the making in 16-year-old Andrew Chadwick (pictured) who intends to dance and sing his way into the hearts of the nation. Ambitious Andrew, who lives near Stanley Park, started toe-tapping

  • The naked truth is they bottled it

    Citizenn Smith speaks out SO town councillors have called for a "morality code" following the bawdy goings-on at two clubs on Blackpool Promenade. Do they honestly think that such a move will have the desired effect? Is Blackpool sleaze going to vanish

  • Poor Fiona's hit for six...

    ALMOST £4,000 worth of hand-made wedding dresses went missing at a wedding show on November 12 -- just hours before they were to be modelled. Fiona Ormerod, owner and manager of Fiella in Topping Street, Blackpool, was preparing for the show when the

  • Attack terror

    A YOUNG man was left with cuts to his face after being attacked by three men on Foxhall Road, Blackpool, last week. At around 9.55pm on November 10 the men approached the young man and demanded he hand over his jacket. One of the men produced a weapon

  • Fighting fire with fire

    WHAT are YOUR councillors doing to safeguard your health? The Citizen newspaper has backed the pressure group ARROW (Action to Reduce and Recycle our Waste) to stop plans for a number of incinerators which could be sited in parts of Lancashire -- including

  • Three hurt in shop robbery

    A SHOPKEEPER and her two sons were attacked and £500 stolen after three men walked in and started a scuffle. The incident continued on the street on the corner of Audley Range and Lambeth Street, Blackburn, and also involved a by-stander. The woman was

  • Custom-made new look

    CUSTOMS and Excise staff in Blackburn donned their overalls and picked up their paintbrushes to give a homeless hostel a fresh new look. The painting and decorating session was organised by Customs and Excise administration staff and the Blackburn Partnership

  • Prize is a visit to the seat of power

    YOUNG people in Blackburn with Darwen aged between 11 and 18 can take part in an event that could lead to an all-expenses-paid trip to London to meet MPs. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Youth Service are holding a Youth Parliament Day and elections to

  • Athletics: Brown rejects quit rumours

    PARALYMPIC silver medallist Mark Brown has scotched stories of his impending retirement from international competition. Speaking after a decisive victory in Sunday's Habergham Half Marathon, the Clayton Harrier said "How could I retire after running a

  • Athletics: Vest friends

    A COUPLE of Japanese runners will be sporting the colours of Accrington Road Runners after the International Friendship Run. Road Runners Harry Haseley and Gill Craske were among 1000 athletes who took part in the four mile jog, from the Empire State

  • Athletics: Harriers glory

    BLACKBURN Harriers Under 15 girls were the top Lancashire team in the National Cross Country Relay Championships at Mansfield on Saturday. In wet and muddy conditions only one northern team were ahead of them as the girls finished 14th of 37 teams. Anna

  • Athletics: What's On

    THE 17-mile long Tour of Pendle takes place on Saturday. Start is from Barley Village Hall at 10:30am. No entries will be accepted on the day, so for late availability please check first with organiser Kieran Carr on 01254-822618. Youngsters in the Pendle

  • Athletics: Harriers plan Marl Pits future

    MARL Pits has been the home of Rossendale Harriers since 1967 and the track located there has been in existence since 1974. At the time it was laid it was hailed as the best track in the north. It was opened to a fanfare with Ron Hill running in the inaugural

  • Athletics: The muddy marvels

    IN only three years, the Charlotte Slater Memorial Race has become a 'must do' fixture in the fell running calendar. On Sunday, 300 runners, including over 150 juniors, braved appalling weather -- driving rain and waterlogged ground -- to race at Kelbrook

  • Week of mixed fortunes for northenders

    PRESTON are in trouble with the FA after their recent battle with Nottingham Forest which resulted in Graham Alexander and Colin Murdoch getting their marching orders. There was a 19-player brawl and Preston lost the match 3-1. Both players have now been

  • Could do better!

    A-LEVEL results league tables showed the same pattern as GCSE tables, with private and selective schools scoring top marks. In East Lancashire, Blackburn's Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School and Westholme School shared top honours in the A-level results

  • Schools fail to make grade

    MANY East Lancashire secondary schools are failing to make the grade on exam results despite improving standards around the country. Although the latest league tables show several success stories, 18 out of 41 East Lancashire schools got worse GCSE results

  • World Cup jinx strikes again

    LEIGH Centurions' World Cup injury jinx has struck again with Willie Swann now joining Dave Whittle on the casualty list. Swann, the Samoan scrum-half, broke a bone in his hand against Australia in the quarter-final and has had a pinning operation. But