Archive

  • Minister causes a stir in the cookery class

    THERE was a stir at Bury C of E High School when a government minister dropped in to savour the atmosphere of afternoon cookery classes. Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers visited the school's new food technology unit and spoke to teachers. Mr

  • Parties gear up to capture Bury South seat

    ALL three main political parties were involved in electioneering activities this week in their bid to woo Bury South voters. And Tory election hopeful Nicola Le Page has wasted no time in getting down to brass tacks in her campaign. She is making national

  • Good luck at Cardiff, boys!

    THIS season has been one of the most exciting and remarkable in Preston North End's long and distinguished history. No-one, not even in their wildest of wild dreams could have imagined that when North End won the Nationwide Second Division title last

  • Chris joins the council drive

    E-BUSINESS specialist Formfill has appointed Chris Armstrong as an account manager to work on the Blackburn company's push to pick up local authority business. Chris has spent the past year at infrastructure provider Horizon and he has also worked for

  • List's format for success

    A DIRECTORY listing more than 2,900 companies in Blackburn and Darwen has been produced in CD-ROM format for the first time. The industrial and commercial business directory has been produced by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to boost trade in

  • Mapping out a new world

    A BLACKBURN company has developed world-beating technology to capture more than 150 years of Lancashire history on CD-ROM. Cad-Capture, based at the Greenbank Technology Park, was given the challenge of creating an electronic version of historic maps

  • SHAKERS' PAIR RELEASED

    GOAL of the season winner Adrian Littlejohn is the shock casualty of Bury's cost-cutting exercise after being shown the Gigg Lane door. Lutel James is also on his way out, as well as Ryan Souter, Lee Buggie and Warren Peyton. Chairman Terry Robinson revealed

  • Dave's fury over way we are portrayed

    DAVE Watts has fiercely blasted national press and TV for their negative portrait of St Helens. The controversy over the selection of former Tory Shaun Woodward as Labour candidate for St Helens South has brought the town firmly into the national spotlight

  • Wise Owl wasn't prepared for once

    THE Brownie Guide motto is "be prepared" but Brown Owl Anne Halliwell was anything but prepared for the surprise that greeted her at her final brownie meeting. A hundred guests were crammed into the New Methodist Church, Darwen, to mark her retirement

  • Homes transfer 'will not bring rent hike'

    COUNCIL chiefs are urging tenants to give the thumbs-up to the proposed transfer of the borough's housing stock to a new, non-profit housing association, Helena Housing... and they pledge it will NOT lead to huge increases in rents. The transfer, which

  • Swim alert

    SUN-SEEKERS have been warned not to swim in reservoirs around Leigh this Bank Holiday. Bosses at water company United Utilities say sunbathers risk their lives by plunging into icy water as summer temperatures rise. Health and safety advisor Peter Bradley

  • Crime busters need help

    AN action group to fight crime in the middle Valley section of Rossendale is to hold a public meeting to attract more members. The group covers from Cowpe, through Waterfoot up to Water and from Newchurch to Edgeside where 100 car tyres were slashed by

  • Sex attacker in court

    A MAN has admitted a sex attack on a 51-year-old woman in her home in the middle of the night. Andrew Geoffrey Makin, from Hindley, had denied burglary and indecent assault and was due to stand trial on Tuesday at Bolton Crown Court. But after discussions

  • Street sealed off in gun alert

    SHOPS and businesses were evacuated in Haslingden town centre after reports of a man armed with a gun going into a house. Armed police were called out 11am yesterday after a passer-by said they saw the man go into a house on Manchester Road. A section

  • Postcard 'from out of the sky' for sale

    A POSTCARD that survived a drop from a hot air balloon and was discovered in a Haslingden street could raise a small fortune when it is auctioned. The extremely rare 1902 Lifeboat Saturday postcard is one of only a handful from that year still known to

  • Club plan gets the nod

    A DERELICT single-storey warehouse at the junction of Spinning Way and King Street in Leigh is to be transformed into a bar and nightclub under plans agreed by councillors this week. On Tuesday councillors onm Wigan development control committee ignored

  • Free travel for the young

    A PASSPORT to opportunity is to be launched next month giving hundreds of youngsters a chance to travel free of charge and to take part in organised activities around the region. Young people aged 11-18 will be able chose from a variety of planned events

  • Another take on the Biggs affair

    RELATING to Anthony Bennett's letter over the Ronald Arthur Biggs affair, which sadly is brimming with inadmissible, inaccurate, hearsay evidence: 1) Det Chief Superintendent Jack Slipper (nicknamed Slip-Up of the Yard) flew out to Rio De Janeiro only

  • Citizen reader's pub launch

    A NEW pub called The Trawl Boat Inn opened its doors and beer garden this week to net a whopping catch of punters -- who could hopefully drink like fish! The St Annes pub drew crowds of thirsty visitors on its debut opening day (May 23) amid sweltering

  • Leave your car at home plea(PICS:map125)

    BLACKPOOL soccer fans are being urged to leave their cars at home and travel to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for the crucial Division Three play-off final on Saturday (May 26) by other transport. Big matches at the new city centre venue have created massive

  • Leave your car at home plea

    BLACKPOOL soccer fans are being urged to leave their cars at home and travel to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for the crucial Division Three play-off final on Saturday (May 26) by other transport. Big matches at the new city centre venue have created massive

  • Dispute disrupts election

    MORE than 900 postal workers in Preston stopped work this week plunging election postal votes into jeopardy. With just two weeks to go until the General Election, voters who have chosen to cast their vote by post, could face the prospect of having their

  • Four men accused of plotting contract killing

    FOUR men have been charged with a murder conspiracy which is allegedly linked to a bid to hire a contract killer. Mahboob Hussain, 46, of Snow Street, Blackburn, faces the charge for events alleged to have followed his daughter's marriage to a 22-year-old

  • Postal staff start work on backlog

    POSTAL workers in East Lancashire were today starting to clear a backlog of mail after wildcat strikes were called off. An estimated one million letters and packages destined for homes and businesses in the area are trapped at Preston where 900 workers

  • Motorised scooter is legally allowed onto roads

    A MOTORISED scooter owner has been given the go-ahead to legally drive his mean machine on the road. Blackburn-based Ross Walker was rejoicing today now his application to drive his dream machine on the roads was finally accepted after months of wrangling

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Chairman steps down

    NELSON Chairman Albert Barnes has announced his retirement from the Board of Directors stating his wish to relax and spend more time with his family. After 24 years of long service -- and the last three years as Chairman -- he felt that he has done as

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Baker considering son's advice

    PAUL Baker may not hang up his boots just yet -- on the advice of his son. The Darwen striker won the Golden Boot award for the NWCL Second Division with 36 goals this season, holding off Holker's Carl Waters and Lee Chambers from Padiham. But, at 36

  • MOTORCYCLING: Hodgson on track for a repeat

    MOST of the World Superbike stars swapped a drive around the track for a drive down the fairway yesterday. But, while the likes of Colin Edwards and Troy Corser tackled the Breadsall Priory golf course where the England football team were staying before

  • Question of care

    WHY is it that Scotland and Wales can now afford to provide free care for all their elderly while England, which has for centuries subsidised these former members of the Union, cannot afford free care? Answers on a postcard please! N G Charnley, Chesterfield

  • Monolithic monsters!

    ON several occasions recently I have had the misfortune to have to drive behind some of the monolithic monsters owned by Blackpool Transport. The diesel emissions from these vehicles is truly horrendous. A private motorist would be prosecuted. So, how

  • On right track for season's start

    FOR the the boys and youths of St Helens Sutton AC the track season proper started with the first match of the McDonalds' Track League held at Pendle. The small numbers that the club has in these groups made it impossible to cover all the events and the

  • Tracing grandad

    WE are trying to trace Alec Robertson, my grandfather. Alec was born in Manchester in 1917. He lived in Hulme until the early 1970s when he moved to Preston. His last known address was Grafton Street, Preston, off Fishergate Hill. We believe Alec worked

  • Your vote counts so use it

    MAY I ask your readers to vote in this election for what they BELIEVE? The local election ballot paper is for the PERSON of your choice and the General Election gives you a chance to show politicians what YOU want. Those who really do not want to go further

  • Reply to Rimmer

    WHAT makes Edwin Rimmer (Citizen, May 3) think Europe will listen to a "piddling little country like we are" once they have our gold reserves, let alone lead Europe? Does he not realise that the parliament only votes for or against proposals brought to

  • Desecration of a lovely building

    HOW CAN Fylde Borough Council allow desecration of one of the most important buildings in St Annes -- Queen Mary's School. It is a personal insult to our Royal Family, who allowed the building to have the name of one of the world's well known, well loved

  • Combination glory hopes dashed

    A YOUNG and skillful St Helens Combination squad had their hopes of glory in the North West Inter Leagues Alliance Competition dashed at the semi-final stage by a gritty and determined Rochdale Alliance League outfit. Although way behind the local lads

  • Give me the EU any day!

    CONGRATULATIONS on publishing the various letters about the EU and foot and mouth. At long last there is a debate going on about the EU and its impact on the UK. This doesn't seem to be happening in many newspapers. Mrs Jennifer Roberts (Facts on Europe

  • Recs slump to defeat

    ST HELENS Recs 1st XI travelled to Maghull on Saturday, but it was not their day as they slipped to a six-wicket defeat. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Recs started well and reached 55 before the first wicket fell when Martindale was

  • What's On with Sue Gerrard

    FANS of traditional and contemporary rock are in for a treat at The Citadel, tomorrow (Friday, May 25) when the Oysterband are on stage from 8pm. And the Waterloo Street venue will play host to Justin Adams and the wayward Sheikhs on Saturday, June 2,

  • It's fever pitch!

    FOOTBALL fever has gripped the Fylde as fans' heroes Blackpool FC head for Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and their biggest game for years. By last night (Wednesday May 23) more than 10,000 Tangerine dreamers had snapped up tickets for Saturday's (May 26

  • Why should you believe him?

    IT'S a bit rich of Edward Heath to include remarks about the European Union in his farewell speech as he prepares to stand down from Parliament. Why should we believe a word he says about the EU. My understanding is that he has already admitted misleading

  • Farmers back in the market

    THE Farmers' Market will again be selling the usual range of high-quality, locally-Produced products at St Marys Market, St Helens between 9am and 3pm on Friday, May 25.

  • Dirty owners disgust me

    IF "Dog Lover" of Unsworth (Your Letters, May 18) always removes her dog's faeces and was wrongly accused by the dog wardens then she has my sympathy. But the harsh fact is that there are many irresponsible owners who happily allow their dogs to defecate

  • A taste of their own medicine

    I NOTE the dismay being expressed through readers' letters regarding the problems at Bass Lane, Summerseat. This type of problem is national not just local. The number of new housing developments which are designed as "islands of peace" is enormous. The

  • More men are needed

    A MUSICAL group which stages concerts for charity is on the lookout for men. At present, The Phoenix Society choir, which has raised £250 for the Parkinson Disease Society this year, has 14 women singers but only two men! Rehearsals are held every Tuesday

  • Armchair fans can't criticise

    I MUST reply to the letter from "Stockport Shaker" (May 4) regarding his tirade against Mr Lee Devenport. His portrayal of Mr Devenport as some sort of Anti-Christ, out to destroy Bury FC, and his casting of Terry Robinson as a figure complete with halo

  • A darn good read!

    PUPILS at Sutton Oak C.E. Primary School in Marshalls Cross have been reading up on how to raise money. Children at the school took part in a three-week 'Readathon' and raised a staggering £900 which will be spent on the school itself. All age groups

  • Sports cars are just for show-offs

    DEEP joy. I sailed past a broken down Porsche Carreras with a private number plate in my little Ka. I shouldn't gloat, but I have long since passed my sports car days. They're are a total waste of money, bought only by show-offs with more cash than sense

  • Motor was not licensed

    A NEWTON-le-Willows man has been prosecuted by St Helens Council for operating and using a motor vehicle for private hire and reward when the vehicle was not licensed. At St Helens Magistrates Court he was fined £150 for each of the two offences and ordered

  • Two 'super dads' who have fascinated me

    TWO men in the spotlight have fascinated me this week -- Screaming Jay Hawkins, the 50's R and B star, a father of 57 dotted all over the world, and Mormon Tom Green, who has been found guilty of bigamy for having five wives and 28 children. I was amazed

  • Conman alert from police

    POLICE are urging residents in the Haydock area to be on their guard for a conman who says work needs doing on property. The latest incident occurred in Kenyons Lane, at about 10.45am on Friday, May 11, when an elderly man who was in his front garden

  • Sun, sea and text brings smile to Les's face

    MOONRAKER regular Les Howcroft decided to take his grandson, Ryan, for a quick getaway week on the Greek isle of Zante. Pals waved them off last Thursday -- but by Saturday morning Les was on the phone with an SOS to his favourite King Street watering

  • Well done to Rotary squad!

    MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Newton-le-Willows have been doing their bit to help a charity which specialises in supplying medical aid to hospitals and equipment for schools overseas. The Jacob's Well charity was formed by two GPS and is made up entirely

  • I'm local... I know the people

    THE Liberal Democrats' North West Battlebus stopped off in St Helens on Friday as part of its tour of more than 50 different constituencies in the region. And the party's candidate for St Helens South, Councillor Brian Spencer, was there to greet chairman

  • Over the moon!

    A ST HELENS-based company which every year produces enough glass fibre cord to stretch to the moon and back twice, has received royal recognition for its continuing achievements in international trade. NGF Europe Ltd. of Lea Green, was honoured with a

  • Higham's a Saint - at long last!

    THE ruling that ex-Leigh hooker Mick Higham has finally been confirmed as a St Helens player by the Rugby League has been welcomed at Hilton Park. Centurions' chairman Mike Nolan is delighted that the nine-month saga involving Leigh, Halifax and Saints

  • Lee's pledge to cut crime

    THE selection of former Tory MP Shaun Woodward as Labour candidate for St Helens in the forthcoming General Eelection has been hailed as "a victory for the nation" -- by one of the men who hopes to topple him at the polls! In an exclusive interview with

  • Winter move is a joke - chairman

    CENTURIONS' chairman Mike Nolan is putting his weight behind the growing campaign to overturn the Association of Premiership Club's shock vote to make a complete return to winter rugby. The Leigh boss describes the decision as 'an absolute joke' and will

  • Injured Kieron celebrates a magnificent seven!

    KIERON Purtill had the historians scrambling for the record books when he scored an astonishing SEVEN tries in the Alliance team's 48-0 win at Whitehaven on Saturday. The half-back and club captain made a surprise comeback despite a major shoulder problem

  • RMI want £100,000 for Jones

    LEIGH RMI admit they are prepared to sell England international Steve Jones but not at a knock-down price. But it will cost any interested clubs well in excess of £100,000 to sign him. The flying winger, who caused panic to so many Conference defences

  • They're puppet wizards!

    PUPPET-loving pupils at St Mary's Catholic High School, Blackpool, took part in a Puppet Up creation workshop and showed off their masterpieces at the grand finale of the puppet festival last weekend. Year Seven and Eight children had great fun making

  • Music makers

    ALMOST 100 singers and instrumentalists battled it out in the recent music festival at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham. Head of music, Andrew Barratt, conducted the preliminary round and 26 musicians were selected for the junior and senior

  • What a beaut!

    BEAUTY skills were tested at Ansdell recently, as the Further Education Skills Council (FESC) champion of champions beauty event came to the Blackpool and the Fylde College campus on Church Road. The college's hair and beauty unit hosted the prestigious

  • JUST JAMIE: My nasty taste of the class system

    I'M not one who believes in a class system as such but there is definitely a them and us divide. The Long Suffering Marjorie and I are by no means stately but by the same token we are not the Dingles. Put us in any situation and I like to think we could

  • KELLY GETS THE RAMS' JOB

    MIKE KELLY has been given the manager's job at Ramsbottom United on a full-time basis. Former Rams' keeper Kelly took over after the death of Ken Bridge earlier this season and helped the Rams to finish in third place in the North West Counties League

  • LIONS OUT TO CUSHION THE BLOW

    SWINTON have a big doubt over the fitness of second row forward Phil Cushion ahead of their big clash at local rivals Rochdale Hornets. If he fails a fitness test, coach Mike Gregory will probably give new signing Ian Hurst from Leigh his head. Open side

  • HONOURS EVEN IN DERBY BATTLES

    IT was honours even after Ramsbottom took on Rawtenstall two days running. Rammy lost the first encounter in the league, but returned to form on the Sunday to march into the second round of the prestigious Worsley Cup competition. And Ramsbottom pro Brad

  • WESTBURY HEAD FOR HOLLAND

    WESTBURY Football Club, based at Wellington Barracks, off Bolton Road in Bury, are about to undertake a temporary and large scale exodus from the Bury area by participating in a football tournament in Valkenburg, in Holland. The club currently runs football

  • SEDGLEY'S PROMOTION SHOWDOWN

    SEDGLEY Park Rugby Union Club tackle Cornish outfit Launceston at Park Lane tomorrow in what is undoubtedly the most important game in the club's 68-year history. The reward for winning is promotion to National League Division Two alongside the likes

  • Today's the day

    1871: Parliament passed the Bank Holiday Act, creating the now familiar national annual holidays. 1927: The Ford Motor Company announced that it would stop manufacturing the popular Model T. 1959: America launched a space ship that took two monkeys into

  • Yanks to thank for winning war

    CONCERNING the statement by Mr J Kenyon (Letters, May 15) that Belgium, France, Holland and other European countries should display the Union Flag on their motor vehicle registration plates so as "to remind them of who got them out of the mire in the

  • Hospital food? I could eat it!

    I DON'T know what all the fuss is about in the national media regarding NHS hospital food and changing it. All I have to say is, patients here never had it so good. Everyone I know, who has been a patient recently, is fully satisfied with the meals in

  • Postal voting advice a waste

    IT is ludicrous that the Home Office is wasting thousands of pounds of tax-payers' money advertising that the public now have the right to vote by post in government elections. If people choose to vote by this method, the forthcoming General Election

  • Circus has lost none of its magic

    BLACKPOOL Tower Circus sawdust may be long gone -- replaced by a posh red carpet -- but the stardust lingers on. The audience cheered the opening night (May 16) of the circus's 108th season to the ornate rafters after they had enjoyed a truly magical

  • Back to 40's for a Coward comedy

    LOVE triangles, after show parties, shared silk dressing gowns, breakfast at noon -- it can only be Noel Coward's 1940s Present Laughter. And award-winning company Middle Ground -- who so successfully brought Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband and The Importance

  • David pits his wits against the best

    PHOTOGRAPHER David Pitts did a double-take when he snapped up two awards in competitions run by the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers. Mr Pitts (44), who established Solid Gold Photography on Warth Fold Road, Radcliffe, in 1988, took first

  • Wall foils raiders

    RA"AIDERS were foiled in a bid to smash their way into a Prestwich post office. They reversed a Mitsubishi Shogun at high speed into a wall at the rear of the Postbox premises in Bury New Road, Sedgley Park. However, the wall remained intact and the three

  • Spectacular pallet fire wreaks havoc

    TEN thousand pallets and a lorry went up in smoke in a spectacular blaze in Padiham. Fifty firefighters tackled the blaze at Pendle Pallets, Park Road. Company director Richard Mort said: "There were between 10,000 and 11,000 pallets and a wagon which

  • Bag snatch from car

    A THIEF stole a woman's bag as she sat inside her car. The man opened the passenger door of the 39-year-old woman's car while she was stationary in Danesway, Prestwich. He grabbed her shopping bag before sprinting to a grey-coloured BMW car nearby, driven

  • Hit and run appeal renewed

    POLICE have renewed their appeal to trace a motorbike rider involved in a hit and run accident. He fled the scene after the blue and white Suzuki 400cc GSXR machine collided with a 50cc moped, injuring the rider. After the accident, the man whom police

  • Damage in freak storm

    A SCHOOL and a pub suffered damage during a freak electrical storm which hit Bury. A bolt of lightning cut and melted a telephone wire outside Bury Grammar School last Thursday (May 17). The lightning put telephones at the school out of action. A Bury

  • Changes to bus services

    FIRST Manchester has announced alterations to several of its bus operations in the Bury area. But the bus operators say that when the changes are introduced, beginning this Sunday, (May 27), they will deliver added stability to the service network. Service

  • Empty house damaged in arson attack

    A 30-YEAR-OLD man was led to safety by fire crews after being found at the scene of a fierce blaze which ripped through an unoccupied house. The man was later taken into police custody and charged with arson. Fire crews spent four and a half hours at

  • Gene's feeling jumpy!

    SKY-DIVING managing director Gene Whewell is getting set to take the plunge for Bury Hospice at the grand old age of 70. Gene, who owns and runs Whewell Chemical Manufacturers, off Dumers Lane, Radcliffe, is preparing for a tandem dive from a plane 10,000

  • Status of the Union Flag

    IN reply to 'Puzzled' (Star, May 3) regarding the Union Flag being allowed to be draped over coffins at military funerals of ex-service personnel at RC Churches. I can inform him that at the Bishops Conference in London on November 20, 1998, the original

  • Aussie no-go

    FEYENOORD midfielder Brett Emerton, a past Rovers' target, today said he wants to stay in Holland for another season -- quashing talk of a move to the Premiership this summer. The 22-year-old Australian international has been linked with a host of English

  • Stations are still being ignored

    SO St Helens Central Station is to receive a £16,000 revamp. Why, when Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown Stations have been neglected for many years, despite that it might be claimed otherwise. Yes, some work has been done at Earlestown, a few trees planted

  • McAteer's Rovers future in doubt

    JASON McAteer's future at Ewood today looked in increasing doubt after his agent admitted the former Liverpool star would be interested in talking to other clubs this summer. The Republic of Ireland international has been the subject of intense speculation

  • Beat garden thieves

    POLICE in Leyland are mounting a major crackdown on shed and garage burglaries which are on the increase in the town. Operation Conserve will focus primarily on the Broadfield estate area, off Leyland Lane, and is aimed at detecting and preventing shed

  • D-day for PNE parking deal

    PRESTON North End have been given another play-off boost this week with news that the Deepdale Stadium Redevelopment plans are set for final approval. Months of negotiations between Preston Borough Council and the club over measures to reduce match day

  • New recruit gallops in

    LANCASHIRE Constabulary's newest recruit is saddling up to fight crime and gallop streets ahead of law-breakers -- a job she should find easy on four legs! Silverdale is the latest member of the force's Mounted Branch, and after just four months training

  • Residents fury over derelict danger car

    A CAR dumped in the middle of a residential street has sparked anger among neighbours living nearby. Neighbours say the red Citroen car was abandoned in The Crescent, Bamber Bridge, about three months ago. Since then the vehicle has been ransacked by

  • Residents bid to halt phone masts

    RESIDENTS in Ashton are battling to put a stop to a mobile phone mast being put up just a stone's throw from a built-up area. BT Cellnet is seeking planning permission from Preston Borough Council to erect the mast at the junction of Blackpool Road and

  • Four cleared of rape charges

    A JURY took just 20 minutes to clear a Caton pub landlord and three other men of rape on Thursday. Trevor Latus, 42, walked free from Preston Crown Court after being acquitted of raping a woman at a Clitheroe pub where he was the manager. Latus, who was

  • Vandals target resort retailer

    A MORECAMBE trader has called on the authorities to support local businesses after her front window was smashed for the third time since Christmas last week. Karen Swindlehurst opened Silver Shell opposite the promenade to be at the forefront of Morecambe's

  • Woman's ordeal at hands of robbers

    A DISABLED woman suffered a terrifying ordeal at the hands of two men at her flat in Morecambe on Monday. The 37-year-old woman was watching television in the bedroom after her district nurse left when the two man walked in through an unlocked door of

  • Life sentence for 'execution'

    MURDERER Imtiaz Hussain was today beginning a life sentence for the execution style killing of Iain McKay. And Hussain, 22, of Walpole Street, Burnley, was told it would be "a substantial period of time" before he would be considered for release. Hussain

  • Engineer flags up paving improvements

    INCREASING numbers of public complaints about the state of Lancaster's pavements has prompted the city council to make a statement. The City's chief engineer, Jim Robson, says steady reductions in highway funding meant there was not enough money to ensure

  • Liquid diet for late revellers

    LANCASTER'S Liquid Nightclub has been given a reprieve by councillors and will be allowed to continue trading until 2am. At a special meeting on Monday, members heard that Liquid had brought in a number of measures since being rapped by the police for

  • Millward issues Giants warning

    SAINTS' coach Ian Millward has warned there will be no room for complacency when his fourth-placed side visit basement club Huddersfield Giants on Monday (8.05pm). Although he does not expect the McAlpine Stadium to prove a banana skin for Saints, Ian

  • Saints get kicks on route 66

    Saints 66 Salford City Reds 16 CLIFFHANGER one week, runaway romp the next! Saints' fans can't complain life is dull after this 11-try slaughter of a Reds' squad boosted by a shock win over Wigan. Although the World Club Champions inched home in the last

  • Chemists on weekend dispensing duty

    THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, May 27, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Earlston Pharmacy, 35 Eccleston Street, Prescot; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds

  • Peg-leg with heart of gold

    JOHNNY Wall, the peg-legged cyclist, comes pedalling back over memory's horizon. An unmistakable and hard-working old-time character from the Smithy Brew area of St Helens, he was noted for his corner-shop business enterprises and dedication to his Catholic

  • Was this the cradle of bottle making?

    WERE the first glass bottles in the area produced at Thatto Heath more than two and a half centuries ago? From an interesting snippet supplied by reader Mike Kerr, this seems a distinct possibility. Mike, of Daresbury Road, Eccleston, kindly forwards

  • In glittering strict-tempo times

    PICTURE the scene. The mirrored globe, suspended from the ceiling of the dance hall, is gently revolving in the gleam of a spotlight, sending out small beams like a shower of stars. The sprung floor is a-swish with soft-soled ballroom shoes and the band

  • Church folk clean estate

    VOLUNTEERS teamed up with residents from the Broadfield estate in Leyland to give the area a Spring clean! With the helping hand of keen gardener and local resident Roy Clark, residents and volunteers from St John's CofE Church, in Leyland Lane, Leyland

  • Longton Village Fete pulls in crowds

    THE sun was out and the crowd was brimming with excitement on Saturday as the South Ribble Lions helped to make Longton Village Fete a 'roaring' success. After being cancelled last year due to a lack of interest, the fun-filled event at Longton Recreation

  • 10 years ago

    RESIDENTS in Great Harwood had their plea to remove road humps, which they said had turned their street into an obstacle course, rejected by Transport Minister Malcolm Rifkind. He told them it was a Lancashire County Council issue and he could not intervene

  • Hypnotist 'could not be held to blame'

    THE stage hypnotist who allegedly caused a mother of seven to 'age regress' and relive the trauma of childhood sex abuse, could not have 'reasonably forseen' the consequences, London's High Court was told today. On the fourth day of the trial, Mr Justice

  • THE JOURNAL SAYS: What a year it has been

    THE past year has been a significant one for the Leigh area. Every Friday for the past 52 months has been a red letter day since the reintroduction -- after a break of over 12 years -- of a paid for edition of your favourite weekly Journal. For over 127

  • Legal bill costs man his home

    ONE punch cost a Leigh man his home and £600 in compensation. Paul Grundy, 24, of Pennine Grove, Leigh, must also work unpaid in the community, Recorder John Bromley-Davenport ruled at Bolton Crown Court. The court was told Grundy lost his new home because

  • Lucky Charlie given a new lease of life

    MILLIONS of animal lovers joined TV star Rolf Harris to share in a family's sorrow and joy after pet terrier Charlie underwent amputation. Tyldesley gran Rose Wallbank and her Staffordshire Bull Terrier appeared on the popular TV show Animal Hospital

  • Police launch mill blaze probe

    A FIRE which ripped through a mill building is being investigated by police. Fire chiefs have yet to confirm whether or not they are treating the blaze, which destroyed three units within the Welch Hill Mill complex in Leigh, as arson. But a police spokesman

  • Continuing the fight against dyslexia

    EDUCATION campaigner Shirley Longley was the force behind turning Wigan into a dyslexia-friendly borough. And her solo campaign to bring specialist teaching to every school in the borough, which was launched less than two years ago, continues next month

  • Martha still in the swim . . . at 98!

    A BROKEN knee won't keep Atherton's oldest swimmer out of the plunge or prevent her fighting to save her favourite pool. At the incredible age of 98 Martha Hatton today hopes to take her first dip of the year at Atherton Baths. Sprightly Martha, who is

  • Happy Birthday to the Journal!

    IF you want to know what is happening in YOUR locality the answer is simple -- read The Journal. Your favourite weekly newspaper is one year old today and local dignitaries and VIPs have explained why the 20p Friday edition is a must on your shopping

  • Pensioner returns home

    A PENSIONER who went missing from home was today recovering after turning up safe and well. Audrey Lloyd, 80, of Riverside Court, Sawley, was last seen at 12.45 yesterday and a major police search was launched. Efforts, which included use of the force

  • I care when I canvass...

    I READ with interest your recent correspondent who thinks election candidates 'do not care'. I try not to fall in to that category and if he asked my wife she would tell him that I am an obsessive campaigner, not an apathetic one. I certainly will be

  • Bank holiday date promises derby delight

    IT'S derby day again on Monday as Lancaster host neighbours Morecambe at Lune Road. Saturday's action sees Lancaster visit Preston, while Morecambe host Leyland. In this weekend's action, Morecambe recorded a draw against the side who had previously held

  • Best ever result for Boardman

    FORTON youngster Tom Boardman was the talk of the crowd at Oulton Park, Cheshire, on Sunday after his performances in rounds five and six of the www.theAA.com British Touring Car Championship. The hard-charging 17-year-old especially thrilled the spectators

  • Lettuce see the cost go down...

    nTHE cost of a lettuce has doubled, in some cases to over a £1, because of the awful spring weather. I don't care how much they rise to because I can get by well without thank you. I just hope the pet rabbits of the world don't suffer.

  • Bubbles may yet rise to surface

    BUBBLES - Morecambe's seemingly doomed promenade attraction - may not be finished yet. A venture capital firm has offered to take over the empty swimming complex and pump money in to create an 'exciting leisure venue' for 2002. Unlike previous offers,

  • Holding Cort

    ONE of Bury's most successful entrepreneurs is to host the latest meeting of the town's Business Club. Mr Richard Cort, who runs Rover and Fiat dealerships, will open the doors of his base in Manchester Road for the meeting to be staged next Thursday

  • SOCCER: Ormerod is out to realise a Tangerine dream

    THE Crown Ground home of Accrington Stanley is one of the top non-League grounds in the country thanks in no small part to Brett Ormerod. The striker's sale to Blackpool in March, 1997, netted Stanley £50,000 which they invested in a new stand. However

  • Support for school plan

    LYTHAM residents are supporting plans to sell off a local landmark. King Edward VII and Queen Mary school governors want to sell the Queen Mary building to pay for development at the King Edward site, where all 600 pupils will be housed from September

  • It's sevens up at UG

    THE 20th annual UGB seven-a-side tournament will be held at Bobbies Lane on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, kick-pff 12.30pm.

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Matt's clubbing days are over

    THIEFS have hampered Matthew Nicholson's preparations for tomorrow's Transco Lancashire League clash at Rawtenstall. The Todmorden professional usually likes a game of golf with fellow Australian paid men Marcus North and Matthew Mott during the week

  • Rainhill Junior League round-up

    Spring Trophy semi-finals: Under 13s: Pilkington 2 Lane Ends Athletic 1, Rainford Juniors 2 Rainhill United 4. Under 11s: Young Gate 2 Blackleyhurst Juniors 1, Knowsley South 2 Pilkington 1. Finals: Under 15s: Denton Athletic 2 Whiston Juniors 8. Under

  • Earlestown triumph in low-scorer

    EARLESTOWN won a low scoring game at home to St Johns in the WLCL at the weekend. Batting first, the home team were never allowed to settle and runs were scarce. D. Ashton (21) and G. Foster (17) were the top batsmen as P.Foster (6-25) ripped through

  • National call-up for gym girls

    AFTER going through a rigorous selection process, 13-year-old Laura Heyes from the St Helens Rhythmic Gymnastics Club has been selected to represent Great Britain at the European Championship in Geneva next month. Laura's coach Liz Pryor is delighted

  • Striders quartet hit the road

    FOUR members from the St Helens Striders competed in road races at the weekend around the North West. Best performance came from Paul Demore who secured third spot overall in the Great North West Half-Marathon held at Leyland, recording a superb time

  • Winning draw for Eccleston

    ON Saturday Eccleston were away to Singlehurst and batting first on a difficult wicket Eccleston were soon in trouble, losing wickets cheaply. It was only when Holden (47) and Jaundrill (33 n.o.) came together that some respectability was restored, Eccleston

  • St Helens fall short of target

    ST HELENS 1st XI were defeated by 19 runs when they visited Caldy on Saturday. The home side won the toss and elected to bat on a very green wicket and were all out for 133 in 56 overs. Steve Kenny, bowling unchanged for 28 overs, took 7-56 and was ably

  • Shrimps say sayonara Kenny, hello Nick

    MORECAMBE this week said goodbye to one of their most popular players of recent years. But they could also be set to smash their transfer record with a bid for one of the conference's most prolific goalscorers. Japanese ace Kenny Takano will return home

  • First setback for Haydock

    HAYDOCK first team suffered their first defeat of the season in the Southport and District League on Saturday at the hands of Burscough. Haydock lost the toss and were put into bat but never looked in control. Only a sixth wicket stand of 47 between Craig

  • 24,000-mile trip for Tangerine fan

    A FORMER Blackpool Citizen journalist is making a 24,000-mile round trip -- to fulfil his Tangerine dream. Marc Padgett was due to leave Sydney this morning (Thursday May 24) local time on a flight bound for Tokyo. He leaves Japan on Friday morning local

  • University shines in prestigious newspaper table

    LANCASTER University has scored its best ever rating in a national league table of best universities. The local university came 8th out of 120 higher education centres according to a poll by The Guardian newspaper. Bailrigg did particularly well in drama

  • Great Greg...

    ATHERTON CC took time off from Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association duty to play their Lancashire Knockout first round tie at Rainford. And what it game it proved to be for Atherton's Aussie pro Greg Dimery who smashed one individual record as he helped

  • Heat is turned up on fuel poverty

    DAVID Chaytor has taken the lead in trying to end the scandal of people being unable to heat their homes. He chaired a top-level conference in London about the Government's new strategy for ending fuel poverty. The conference was organised by the Parliamentary

  • Keith's not had a day off in 50 years!

    SECURITY guard Keith Severs is a picture of health as he has never had a day off sick in 50 years of work! But time, rather than illness, has caught up with Keith who celebrates his 65th birthday today (Fri May 25) and has to retire. It seems that Mr

  • EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Saturday, May 26

    St Theresa's Church Charity Shop, Lord Street West, Blackburn, 10am-4pm. Sequence and Ballroom Dancing with MCs Duncan and Margaret, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-11pm. Janet Anderson MP Surgery, Darwen Library Theatre, 10am-11am

  • Top twosome at Lytham

    HEAD girl and head boy at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, for the next year will be Jo Stephenson, 17, ( pictured right) and Chris Roberts, 16 (left). Their deputies will be Greg Coulter and Andrew Marshall together with Merita Crookenden

  • DON'S SO IFFY ABOUT KEV

    SUCK it and see -- that's the verdict on Manchester City's new boss Kevin Keegan from the Prestwich and Whitefield branch of the Blues' supporters club. Chairman Don Price wasn't exactly thrilled about the appointment of the former England coach, but

  • RADCLIFFE CELEBRATE A WIN DOUBLE

    RADCLIFFE celebrated a great win double at the weekend with a 78-run victory at Heywood in the league followed by cup success over Werneth. On Saturday, looking to get back on track following last weekend's double setback, Radcliffe took first knock and

  • East-ern delight

    Leigh East 30 Eccles 14 IT'S been a long time coming but at last there is major silverware on Leigh East's sideboard after the Grasmere Street side clinched the National Conference League First Division championship with Saturday's victory. It's been

  • This week in 1976 25 years ago

    SWAN SONG: A swan held up traffic in Bolton Street, Bury, when it strutted along the centre of the road. RSPCA inspector Brian Oxley was called by the police but the bird was joined by a mate and both flew off before he arrived. THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY: Two

  • Ban spray paint sales to young

    WHEN we look around Blackburn, there is so much spray-can graffiti, often offensive, even in places where there is closed-circuit TV surveillance. Most of these hideous scribbles are by youngsters encouraged by American sub-culture which is often prompted

  • Car-crushing solution seems rather drastic

    REGARDING the complaint about misuse of the disabled parking facilities at the Asda store, in Grimshaw Park, Blackburn, I am a disabled badge holder and regularly use this car park and at times there can be as many as one third of the disabled spaces

  • Take a magical journey

    BILBO Baggins will once again make Blackpool Grand Theatre one of the stops on his marvellous magical journey in The Hobbit due to overwhelming popular demand. The best-selling children's fantasy novel from J R Tolkein has been transformed from page to

  • Ol for flamenco!

    THE image burns in the memory. The proudly set head, the body held still, slow heel taps building to a hammering crescendo, the flurry of costume and castanet. Fabulous flamenco is coming to Blackpool Grand Theatre in June with its inimitable and charismatic

  • King of illusion reigns supreme

    IF A magic formula works then why mess with it? And marvellous Mystique's opening night last Friday (May 18) proved the perfectly sharpened point. A solid formula of eerie illusions, comedy capers and delicious dancers has kept things ticking over nicely

  • Showbiz Diamond still sparkling

    IN the glittering world of showbiz, talent impresario Jack Diamond shines bigger and brighter than the rest. And the latest spotlight in the career of the man who started out selling vacuum cleaners with Les Dawson in the 60s is signing to the Royal British

  • Grand day out!

    CONEY Green High School's summer gala was a "grand" occasion in more ways than one. Almost £3,000 was raised from Sunday's (May 20) event and all the money will go into the Parents' School Fund. An army aerial rope slide, fun fair, morris dancing, stalls

  • Copter's early scramble

    GREATER Manchester Police's helicopter was scrambled on Monday (May 21) after three men stole a car in Bury. It made a number of sweeps over Bury town centre around 1am after a Ford Escort, stolen earlier from the town's Lichfield Drive, was abandoned

  • Police seek road accident witnesses

    A PEDESTRIAN is in a serious condition following a road accident in Shuttleworth at 11.45pm on Friday (May 18). Thomas Wolfenden (23), of Bye Road, Shuttleworth, suffered multiple injuries when he was in collision with a car as he was crossing Whalley

  • Don't miss tax credit

    THOUSANDS of local families could be missing out on £520 a year, says Labour's David Chaytor. Nearly half of all eligible families have not yet applied for the new Children's Tax Credit, which replaced the old Married Couple's Allowance last month. "Even

  • Postal staff start work on backlog

    POSTAL workers in East Lancashire were today starting to clear a backlog of mail after wildcat strikes were called off. An estimated one million letters and packages destined for homes and businesses in the area are trapped at Preston where 900 workers

  • Appeal for driver

    POLICE are anxious to talk to a driver whose car was overtaken by a Vauxhall Astra seconds before it crashed. The white-coloured Astra left the road and ploughed into a fence and shrubbery at the junction of New Road and Stand Lane, Radcliffe. Officers

  • Books sorted for readers in a rush

    BOOKWORMS looking for a good read no longer need to search high and low. An "Unsorted" collection of contemporary fiction has been put together at Bury library for those in a rush for something different. The collection aims to appeal to a wide audience

  • Cricket girls get ready for GM tourney

    MAIDENS bowled over by the chance to represent Bury in a county-wide competition next month have been learning the basics of batting and bowling. Girls from across the borough took part in a special taster event at Castle Leisure Centre, with organisers

  • Join the party!

    LEG one of Leigh Centurions' treble chance should be completed on Sunday - and the whole town is invited to join the party. Victory over basement-dwellers Chorley Lynx at Hilton Park will secure the Northern Ford Premiership Minor Premiership - with an

  • You have to think positive

    IF any reader is like me, always the sceptic, "I'll never win the lottery" or "I'll enter this competition but I won't be the lucky winner". Well that was the old me, not any more. If you don't play, you can't win or for the price of a stamp its worth

  • Speedy action is needed

    I WOULD like to bring two issues to your attention. Firstly, the matter of a dog named Rex. Rex is a handsome, healthy-looking dog, but he roams the streets and Victoria Park alone seven days a week at all hours. Not only is he at risk of accident and

  • That's not very Saintly

    I AM writing regarding the reception for the treble cup-winning Saints hosted by St Helens Council at the town hall on Sunday, May 13. I will begin by saying that the event was well deserved and it was pleasing to see so many people at the town hall to

  • So what happens to community?

    I AM submitting this letter to the Star, our local newspaper, to see if we can get support in our campaign not to close Parr Community High School in August, 2002. The system the council are thinking of using is to transfer the children to Sutton High

  • Challenging climb highlights 'white knuckle' reads

    READING a good book is more exciting than scaling a cliff! That is the message from a North West-based library project -- and to prove the point four Lancashire Library staff based at Preston's Savick library scaled the climbing wall at West View Leisure

  • Roy's king of charity comp

    GAME-for-a-laugh BAE Systems worker is ready to pull on his blue suede shoes to raise lots of cash for charity. Roy Fielding, 41, of Moss Avenue, Ashton, Preston, is planning to revive the memories of Elvis the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll' in a Stars in Their

  • Playground of destruction

    STAFF at a Penwortham primary school are fuming after vandals caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage. The incidents happened at Middleforth Primary School, in Hill Road South, Penwortham, on Wednesday and Thursday May 9 and 10, when vandals damaged

  • Making waves in style

    A HAIDRESSER from Preston is a snip away from the big league and has organised a charity fund-raiser to celebrate. New Longton hairdresser Douglas McMahon is aiming to be a cut above the rest in this year's regional heat of the North West Hairdresser

  • Muscleman takes on the world

    PRESTON muscleman Jon Bridge has proved he is worth his weight in gold after scooping four bodybuilding titles, eleven years after a near-fatal car crash put his future in doubt. Jon, 35, of Kenmure Place, Preston, won the Mr UK body-building championships

  • You little belter!

    A GOLDENHEARTED young lad is saddling up to tackle a sponsored bike ride... even though he can still barely walk after spending half a year in a wheelchair! Little Robert Hughes, from Bramcote Avenue, Blackbrook, is punishing the pedals in a sponsored

  • Poster traumatic stress disorder!

    WHILE the national parties discuss health, education and tax, Lancaster's Labour and Tory candidates have found their own big issue to squabble about -- posters. A row erupted after campaigners backing Labour's Hilton Dawson removed posters backing Tory

  • Picnic sites reopen for holiday

    WITH the Bank Holiday looming and the summer stretching ahead local walkers will be delighted to know that the Millennium Park cycleway and footpath has now almost completely re-opened. The only section still closed - due to foot and mouth restrictions

  • Woman feared for her life

    A WOMAN feared for her life as she was being raped in Lancaster City Centre one night, a court has heard. It is claimed that Mamadou Bah offered to give her cannabis before attacking his victim near a supermarket. She made a complaint to police that night

  • Standards in turmoil after one meeting

    THE cost of dealing with the Carol Broad expenses affair is growing by the day -- but councillors believe they have finally found a way forward. Disciplining the controversy hit councillor is to be the duty of the Independent group after a meeting. She

  • Spectacular pallet fire wreaks havoc

    TEN thousand pallets and a lorry went up in smoke in a spectacular blaze in Padiham. Fifty firefighters tackled the blaze at Pendle Pallets, Park Road. Company director Richard Mort said: "There were between 10,000 and 11,000 pallets and a wagon which

  • Row over rubbish takes to the streets

    A ROADBLOCK row has led to foul-smelling rubbish bags being left in a back street at the mercy of marauding dogs and cats. The animals have ripped open the abandoned bags, leaving food leftovers and even a string of raw sausages stinking in the heat.

  • Royals' title hopes sunk

    Crosfields under 15s 17 Blackbrook Royals 10 Royals' hopes of a third successive championship were ended by a powerful Crosfields outfit. After being outmuscled in the first half, a late score by James Milligan left them trailing 10-6 at half time and

  • Heath leave Dockers high and dry

    Thatto Heath Crusaders 35 Hull Dockers 12 THIS match was never going to decide promotion following Heath's success at Milford, which confirmed them as champions of National Conference Two. But there was still plenty to play for as the Dockers were the

  • Heath aim to tame Lions

    THATTO Heath Crusaders will be aiming to complete a prestigious double when they face Featherstone Lions in the final of the League Express National Cup at the Spotland Stadium, Rochdale on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, kick-off 3pm. The day promises to

  • Town is flying into cyber space

    YOUNGSTERS in Bacup are being given the chance to get off the streets and be transported into cyber space! A cyber centre is being set up in Bacup town centre to provide a computer and Internet facility for the community as a whole and also to give youngsters

  • To defence of cobbler Watkins

    AN upset grandaughter has leapt to the defence of an old-time Thatto Heath cobbler, described as "grumpy old Mr Watkins" in a look-back article provided by veteran readers Harry Worthington and Norman Owen. Mrs M. McLoughlin (nee Owen) of Nutgrove Road

  • Person behind the party

    THERE are four seats in the Preston and South Ribble area: Preston; South Ribble; the Ribble Valley which includes Longridge, Fulwood and Higher Walton; and the Fylde which includes Broughton, Cottam, Ingol, Tanterton, Lea, Catforth and Woodplumpton.

  • Trust kicks off soccer career

    A YOUNG footballer from Preston is to get a shooting chance to score a career in the top flight -- thanks to a grant from the Prince's Trust. James Marsh, 16, from Tarleton High School, in Hesketh Lane, Preston, has played football all his life and currently

  • Our James is bowled over

    AN up-and-coming young cricketer has got a surprise Test call-up -- as a net bowler for the next England match against Pakistan. James Anyon, 18, who attends Preston College, has been selected after his blistering start to the season, and will be called

  • Five years ago

    FLOODLIGHTS stolen from Blackburn Cathedral were thought to have been taken by drugs gangs to provide heat for the illegal cultivation of cannabis. Three floodlights which were bolted to the ground and were worth more than £1,000 were stolen from the

  • Man knew television was stolen

    A MAN claimed he bought a £2,500 television for just £800 but didn't know it was stolen. Later Daniel Moreno admitted he knew that the TV set he bought after seeing an ad in a magazine must have been stolen because of the price. When police searched his

  • Residents win phone masts battle

    RESIDENTS are celebrating after blocking a mobile phone giant's bid to put up telecommunications equipment on a historic building. Councillors refused Orange's plan to install six phone masts, radio transmitters and microwave dishes at the Grade Two listed

  • Medics unable to discover why man 53, died

    A 53-YEAR-old man collapsed and died as he and his wife were walking to an all-night garage to buy cigarettes. An inquest heard that, despite exhaustive tests, no specific reason had been found for the death of Alan Holt, 53, of Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington

  • OAP's anger over intercom shambles

    A PENSIONER has been left without her vital intercom service for more than four months. Mary Nelson, 73, who lives at County Palatine, owned accommodation Thurlow, Sandringham Court in Lowton, needs an intercom to know when she has visitors. Without it

  • Can we trust MP on fees?

    I HAVE just read Hilton Dawson's claims that you can't trust the Tories or Liberals on higher education. Mr Dawson states that he "fundamentally opposes top up fees" and wants Blair to state as much in the Labour manifesto. However, Mr Dawson himself

  • Park set for major revamp

    A RIBBLE VALLEY villagers are celebrating after raising more than £70,000 to revamp their park. The playground off Church Street, Ribchester and playing fields are Ribchester described by locals as one of the most popular in the North West, attracting

  • Rest of world trades without restrictions

    YOU introduced the anonymous student (Citizen: May 17) to the real implications of the draconian legal measures against the use of the traditional pound weight. The displayed naivete is even greater over his/her unsubstantiated claims for our trade with

  • These bypass plans need major surgery

    WHAT a pity so many people have fallen for the myth of the Western bypass. All its alleged benefits are fantasies and misconceptions of motorists. Hilton Dawson, Geraldine Smith and the policymakers show no understanding of the causes and logistics of

  • Think of the people

    ONLY recently in the local press people have been subjected to Andrew Oxley praising the Conservative party while slagging off New Labour. At the same time Lord Peter Smith slags off the Tories and commends the Labour party. Meanwhile Andy Burnham goes

  • Celebrations aside, this was a bore draw

    Morecambe 206 all out Blackpool 105-5 THE Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League game between Blackpool and Morecambe at Stanley Park last Saturday was probably one of the most boring draws ever seen on the ground. Morecambe won the toss, batted and made 206

  • We didn't know about this important ceremony

    MAY I through The Journal say that Mr Peter Kane (sadly deceased), the former world flyweight boxing champion, who put Golborne on the map so to speak, did not get the turnout of Golborne people for the unveiling of his plaque, due to the fact that most

  • Anti-smoking action

    THIS week MEPs approved tough new anti-smoking laws that will take effect across Europe. Measures include massive health warnings on cigarette packets and also a choice to use shocking pictures such as rotting teeth and scarred lungs. The health warnings

  • Trumeter wins award for being "below par"

    A RADCLIFFE firm has won a top award for being below average. Trumeter on Milltown Street, which produces measuring equipment, received a British Safety Council Award at the National Safety Awards ceremony in London recently. Only companies with below

  • Pennine joins up

    BURY-based Pennine Telecom has joined two prominent North West business organisations. The Salford Street telecommunications company has become a member of the Engineering Employers Federation Lancashire and Salford University's CAMPUS. Membership of

  • Surveyors in the money

    A SURVEY of surveyors in the North West has discovered they are ahead in the earnings game. For salaries of chartered accountants in Greater Manchester and throughout the region rose by more than the national average last year. That's according to the

  • Unique deal

    A BUSINESS systems company which counts Bury FC among its customers is celebrating an important corporate "goal". Unique Business Systems, which has locations in Bury, Manchester and Essex, has been appointed by Toshiba TEC UK Imaging Systems as its authorised

  • Shop "local" plea

    A RECENT Bolton Bury Business magazine article about the local "money go round" struck a chord with Bury garage boss Ken Hammond. He was in full agreement with Bolton and Bury Chamber president Andrew Dickson's long-held view that members should do business

  • Big awards night for businesses

    THE premier awards event in the calendar of Bury and Bolton businesses will be staged this October. For entries are now being sought for the highly popular and influential 2001 Bolton and Business Awards for Excellence and Achievement. And a high-flying

  • Branch aims for Clarets return

    INJURED Clarets wingman Graham Branch expects to be "flying" when Burnley begin their preparations for another crack at promotion from Division One. Branch missed the final month of the season after tearing the medial ligament in a knee during Burnley's

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Will can make future bright

    OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel collected the wooden spoon in the Jennings Ribblesdale League last season and have won only once so far this time around. It could therefore be another testing summer at New Lane where the departures of Andrew Hornsby and former

  • Book tribute to Saints

    A BOOK celebrating 70 years of Saints has been penned by St Helens supporter Andrew Quirke. 'Knowsley Road - Memories of St Helens RLFC' features interviews with past and present players and the foreword has been written by Mal Meninga. The book will

  • Final flourish by solid Recs

    West Bank u/13s 14 Pilkington Recs 26 A SOLID team performance saw Pilks end a successful season with a win over a determined Widnes team. Pilks' tries came from Andrew Egerton and from joint man-of-the-match winners Danny Colquitt (2) and David Lowe

  • Mick's a Saints - official!

    SAINTS have welcomed the RFL's Advisory Panel decision ruling that Mick Higham is their player. Howard Morris, Saints' chairman, said: "We are delighted with the outcome because we always maintained we acted properly, taking advice from the Rugby Football

  • Sutton settle for a draw

    SUTTON'S 1st XI played host to Liverpool Nalgo at New Street and settled for a draw. Shaun Anders had the Nalgo top order in trouble and at one stage they were 22-4, but the visitors recovered to close on 143-9 declared off 56 overs. Sutton chased the

  • Basketball ace nets top honour

    SUTTON Community High School's Alan Metcalfe has been named as National Basketball Player of the Year by England Cadet Men's under 16. Alan, who is now having trials for England under-18s and also plays for Trafford Boys, measures up at a towering 6ft

  • St Helens McDonalds JOL

    THE roll of honour for the 2000/2001 season is as follows: U/16s: League champions: Rainhill United; runners-up, Whiston Juniors. U/14s: League champions: Whiston Juniors; runners-up, Knowsley South. U/12s: League champions: Whiston Juniors; runners-up

  • Rare defeat for Rainford

    RAINFORD CC played host to table-toppers Norley Hall and suffered a rare defeat against their Wigan opponents. Skipper Robinson gave the home side hope early on, but the batting never really got going until Dave Tulley finally got to grips with the bowling

  • Disappointing weekend for P&O

    A VERY disapointing weekend for Prescot & Odyssey CC started on Friday evening. After restricting Sutton CC to just 83-8 in the Echo Cup and seemingly cruising to victory at 40 without loss, the batting crumbled and P&O finished agonisingly one

  • Zoo gets a very special delivery

    A NEW arrival at Blackpool Zoo is the first Arabian mountain gazelle to be born there in two years. For the moment the baby and its mother will be kept away from the other gazelles until it has settled in. Spokesman for the zoo, Tony Williams, said: "

  • Charity chief takes the plunge

    LOOK who's having a splashing time in his latest quest to raise cash for the cancer relief charity! It is of course Ramesh Gandhi, the director of fund-raising for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. Mr Gandhi, a retired cardiology consultant, has taken up

  • A good weekend's work for Leigh

    LEIGH CC completed a fine weekend's work with back-to-back victories in the league and Lancashire Cup. On Saturday they claimed their first league victory of the season with a convincing win over Lytham. After being put into bat, Lytham were soon in trouble

  • Safety wardens have "street cred"

    BURY'S "friendly" faces on the street have been recruiting some pint-sized pals. Pupils from Bury Catholic Preparatory School joined the borough's community safety wardens on patrol around Bury town centre. The tour of duty was made by Year 5 youngsters

  • Carnival time!

    PREPARATIONS for the highpoint of Radcliffe's social calendar are well underway and this year organisers of the town's carnival are determined to pull out all the stops. Rather than simply one day of celebrations, the 2001 carnival will be spread across

  • Pupils on a high!

    HIKING boots and woolly hats gave way to black ties and evening dresses as the Children of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust celebrated their third annual gala dinner. The youngsters, attached to Bury C of E High School, staged their event at Horncliffe Mansions

  • Father wants moral justice for son

    A FATHER demanding answers about police involvement in the stripping of parts from his dead son's motorbike now hopes a criminal investigation will shed light on the truth. Thomas Killoran (47), of Bolton Road, Radcliffe, lost his son 25-year-old son

  • Millwood given gold star by Ofsted

    GOING from strength to strength. That's Millwood Primary Special School. Ofsted inspectors visiting the Bury school, which currently caters for around 80 youngsters, the majority of whom have either moderate or severe learning difficulties, found that

  • Battle hots up in Bury North

    YOU know what you can do with your European single currency. We want to keep the £! That's the overwhelming message from Bury shoppers, according to Tory election hopeful John Walsh. He visited Bury Market on his latest Keep The £ mission and says that

  • Branch aims for Clarets return

    INJURED Clarets wingman Graham Branch expects to be "flying" when Burnley begin their preparations for another crack at promotion from Division One. Branch missed the final month of the season after tearing the medial ligament in a knee during Burnley's

  • Macca set for Ewood exit

    JASON McAteer's future at Ewood today looked in increasing doubt after his agent admitted the former Liverpool star would be interested in talking to other clubs this summer. The Republic of Ireland international has been the subject of intense speculation

  • New mayor boasts quite a Labour pedigree

    BORN in Huyton, lived in West Derby, but a 'naturalised Sintelliner' after living in the town for the past 30 years! That is newly-elected mayor, Councillor Keith Roberts, who was installed as the town's first citizen as successor to Councillor Pat Robinson

  • Angry lecturers strike over pay

    LECTURERS at St Helens College staged a one-day strike last Tuesday, May 22 over a pay dispute and to express anger as their salary continues to fall behind teachers' pay. Members of National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education at

  • Looking shipshape thanks to Chamber

    THINGS are looking shipshape for a local sea squad -- thanks to St Helens Chamber's New Deal Construction Team. The chamber's construction team are currently undertaking renovation work on the Sea Cadets building in Mill Street, St Helens. The building

  • Gentleman Jim clocks on!

    THE 'Elder Statesman' of St Helens has won a special salute from fellow councillors. 'Gentleman' Jim Caunce, MBE JP, who will complete 50 years in politics at the end of this month, was presented with an Edinburgh crystal grandfather clock marking his

  • They're off ...

    REDEVELOPMENT at Haydock Park race course begins next week. A new weighing room is being constructed and one of Britain's most picturesque paddocks is being enhanced with improved spectators' views of the parade ring and winners' enclosure. Work begins

  • Anger as flower show is pruned

    A DISPUTE over prize money and car parking charges means that there will not be a Flower Show at this year's St Helens Show, which is running from Friday July 27 to Sunday July 29 in Sherdley Park. The announcement by St Helens Council has disappointed

  • Buses to swing into action forfestival

    TRANSPORT bosses have put themselves in the driving seat for this year's Darwen Music Live festival. In partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackburn Transport will be putting on extra buses to and from the event. It is the first time

  • Leigh is not for Lee

    LEIGH-born national newspaper columnist Lynda Lee Potter reckons Leigh has lost its identity and certain features of the place are "ugly". Be sure to get a copy of next week's Friday Journal (just 20p from newsagents), which will present local reaction

  • Charity night date

    ASTLEY Inner Wheel will hold a charity 40s night next month. It will be held at the Formby Hall in Alder Street, Atherton, on Saturday, June 2 in aid of the British Heart Foundation. The Ken Ward Big Band will take to the stage with guests asked to wear

  • Trekkers get hot in Chile

    DISABILITY charity Mencap is inviting Leigh residents on an 11-day sponsored trek across Chile. Flights, food and accommodation will be provided for the all- terrain trek, to be held in March 2002, once applicants have paid a £250 registration fee and

  • Help for Dam House

    AN attic sale in aid of Morts Astley Heritage Trust raised £108.60 to further the revitalisation of Astley's reborn Dam House. Trust supporter Ethel Dickinson was joined by June Smith, Velma O'Hagan, Thomas Collier, Christine Nelson, Edith Fitzmartin

  • Drop-in success

    THE SUCCESS of a drop-in scheme during adult learner's week has given carers the chance to gain information about the learning and employment opportunities available to them. The scheme, advocating for work and care, is a Lottery-funded project set up

  • New look for hospital

    LEIGH Infirmary's £700,000 makeover started this week. Work started to re-vamp wards two and three on Monday. Both wards are expected to be closed for four months. New equipment, machinery and facilities are also expected to be bought. Director of Nursing

  • Don't go in the water

    THE HEAT might be on but sunbathers are being urged to stay on dry land and not be tempted to cool down in the boroughs water ways. A dip might seem inviting, particularly on a hot day, but the icy water can be lethal and swimmers are being warned by

  • Ofsted praise for St John's

    NEW headteacher Jill Brennan is proud of her wonderful little school. The teaching at St John's CE Primary, Mosley Common, is always good -- according to Ofsted inspectors. The school, smaller than average with 115 pupils, has received an excellent report

  • A thank you from the mayor

    MAY I through the courtesy of your pages say to everyone a very big thank you for a most enjoyable mayoral year. My mayoress, daughter Kath and I have had a truly wonderful year and we will carry always happy memories which we will never forget and for

  • Carnival fun in the sun

    GOLBORNE carnival passed off peacefully, thanks to an increased police presence. Extra officers were drafted in after a violent brawl erupted at last year's carnival - a family favourite for more than half a century. Police chiefs said this year's highly

  • New lease of life for popular skate park

    BOARDERS, bladers and skaters will get prime, centralised facilities for their sports which have stood the test of time. Over the past 10 years, the wooden half-pipe at Walmesley Park, midway between Hindley and Ince Bar, has been an attraction for hordes

  • Ada's on song - at the age of 103!

    AT 103 Ada Hilton is today the toast of Journal-land . . . and she shares her birthday with another local VIP -- your own Very Important Paper -- the Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton Journal. Avid reader Ada enjoys singing our praises and she's always on

  • Cast told to stop murder!

    THEATRE fans will have to wait to find out whodunnit now the plug has been pulled on an Agatha Christie murder mystery. Legal wrangling has wrecked St Joseph's Players dream of ending the season on a high. Months of rehearsing and hours of set building

  • The future is not Orange

    LEIGH residents are celebrating after successfully blocking a mobile phone giant's bid to put up telecommunications equipment on a listed building. Councillors refused Orange's plan to install six phone masts, radio transmitters and microwave dishes at

  • Car chase sparks call for action

    A TEA-TIME car chase had worried parents calling for speed-reducing measures to be introduced in a quiet cul-de-sac. Residents are renewing calls for restrictive speed humps to be introduced and concrete bollards reinstalled at the bottom of Squires Lane

  • lesley

    Help group gets louder voice with more volunteers A LEIGH-BASED help group has doubled its number of volunteers to help with an escalating caseload. Nine new advocates are set to go out into the community to assist the increasing number of vulnerable

  • Lecturers strike over low pay

    LEIGH lecturers joined a national one-day strike over demands for a £3,000 pay rise on Tuesday. Staff and students at Wigan and Leigh College's Railway Road Campus stayed away as pickets manned the main doors, but exams were allowed to go ahead unaffected