Archive

  • Meet the amazing mother in law!

    Jenny Alobaidi, newly-appointed partner in a Blackburn firm of solicitors, specialises in family law. She tells PAULINE HAWKINS how her own family has influenced her life and career. JENNY'S father was from a Lancashire mining village where girls were

  • Reward to catch arsonist

    RAILTRACK is offering a substantial reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for an arson attack on a railway bridge near Ramsey Road, Ewood, Blackburn. The fire was started on May 25 at about 1am on

  • Tyre workers will be laid off

    NEARLY 500 Burnley Michelin workers will be laid off for a week later this month -- following a downturn in demand from Europe and North American markets. In addition, there will be less work in future for scores of workers signed up to variable contracts

  • Ewood hotel plan on hold

    BLACKBURN Rovers today revealed they are putting plans to redevelop the Walkersteel Stand on hold. They are to concentrate on building a squad capable of Premiership survival. Ewood bosses revealed details of the ambitious redevelopment plans in June

  • Williams reserves right to discount

    EWOOD chief executive John Williams today admitted the club are considering the possibility of offering discounted tickets at certain matches next season. Last season the club came in for criticism from some season-ticket holders after offering fans the

  • Noise message to be blasted out

    A LOUD and clear message against neighbourhood noise will be given by environmental health bosses in Burnley next week. They are supporting Noise Action Day on Wednesday, a national event aimed at making people more conscious of noise nuisance. Council

  • Disabled folk given a lift

    A NEW lift which will help disabled people gain better access to Pendle's Citizens' Advice Bureau was unveiled this week. A donation of £10,000 was made by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales to enable the lift to be installed in the bureau's

  • Driving ban for over-limit asylum seeker

    AN asylum seeker who got behind the wheel the morning after the night before was already banned from driving. Burnley magistrates heard how father-of-three Milan Scuka, 28, wasn't insured but the Czech national believed insurance was voluntary in England

  • Rare drug found in death plunge dad

    A CORONER is to call in the police after the inquest of a death plunge father was told he had an rare illegal hallucinatory drug in his blood -- and somebody else may have injected it. Paranoid schizophrenic Mahfooz Hussain, 33, had taken or been given

  • Who's playing where in Blackburn and Darwen

    SATURDAY (June 2) Privilege Nightclub, Darwen: COMMERCIAL AND CLASSIC DANCE ANTHEMS, 10.30pm to 3am, £4. Oxygen, Blackburn: '70s DISCO SOUNDS, 9pm to 1am, free. Cubes, Blackburn: DJ ROBIN WOLFENDEN, house and garage, 9pm to 2am, free. Utopia Discotheque

  • Tom gets the cream

    CORONATION Street star Vicky Entwistle, who plays Janice Battersby, opened Mayes Business Partnership's new Accrington offices and was introduced to Tom the cat -- the company's latest recruit. While the offices were being extended, Tom sneaked in through

  • Sci-fi goodbye to Star Wars fan

    STAR WARS fan James Boyes is to have the film's theme tune played at his funeral after he lost his battle against cancer. James, 24, of New Lane, Oswaldtwistle died surrounded by his family at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn. His mother Christine said

  • Chemists on Duty

    Thursday, June 7 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive; Healthbook Ltd, Audley Shopping Centre

  • Chemists on Duty

    Friday, June 8 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst

  • Chemists on Duty

    Wednesday, June 6 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy

  • Chemists on Duty

    Monday, June 4 LETCHEM,ISTS2 2/6BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The

  • Cull roads remain closed

    ROADS surrounding farms with recently confirmed cases of foot and mouth were expected to remain closed today for the mass culling of animals. Motorists are being warned by police to avoid the A682 Barrowford to Gisburn Road, which continues up towards

  • Nigel hopes voters look to the Evans

    BILL JACOBS continues his survey of the East Lancashire election constituencies with a look at Ribble Valley NIGEL EVANS is revelling in the big change from 1997 -- people are prepared to come up to him on the street and admit publicly they are supporting

  • Target wants to move back up

    BURNLEY target Peter Crouch has issued a "Come and get me" plea to First Division clubs. The 6ft 6in gangly striker, who was relegated from the First Division with QPR last season, is their hottest property and is expected to leave this summer as the

  • Transco Lancashire League Averages

    A LOOK at the batting and bowling averages. BATTING Inns No Runs Avg Mott (Raw)... 5 2 440 146.67 P Sleep (Ris)... 5 3 218 109.00 Van Jaarsveld (Enf)... 7 3 295 73.75 Hodge (Ram)... 5 1 256 64.00 A Clague (EL)... 7 2 288 57.60 Nicholson (Tod)... 7 4 176

  • Chapple finishes off Northants in style

    GLEN CHAPPLE is on course for his best-ever season - yet the Lancashire paceman isn't completely happy with his form. Chapple grabbed another five wickets yesterday to give the Red Rose batsmen the chance to claim an unlikely win in their Championship

  • Kent will be a Superman: Wade

    NELSON professional Wade Wingfield today backed Jon Kent to breathe new life into Lowerhouse's flagging Transco Lancashire League campaign as the two teams prepare to go head-to-head for the third time this season tomorrow. The Liverpool Road club are

  • Clarets target wants to move back up

    BURNLEY target Peter Crouch has issued a "Come and get me" plea to First Division clubs. The 6ft 6in gangly striker, who was relegated from the First Division with QPR last season, is their hottest property and is expected to leave this summer as the

  • Flares in fashion

    BURNLEY band Electric Flares have been confirmed for two local festivals. The indie outfit with a retro feel will play at The Riverside Festival in Hebden Bridge on July 14 then at Burnley's Bands in The Park on July 29. Having just recorded their new

  • Green army in action

    GREEN-FINGERED youngsters brought a touch of Ground Force to a community centre garden. Children from the Earcroft area of Darwen got to work on the weed-ridden patch of land at the Earcroft Community Community Base, Blackburn Road. The group spent three

  • Witness appeal after bottle attack

    DETECTIVES today appealed for witnesses after a teenager needed surgery to his face after being attacked with a bottle. The incident happened on the last day of the Darwen Music Live festival. The 17-year-old victim was walking along Duckworth Street

  • Reward offered by weary salon owner

    A HAIR salon proprietor is offering a reward after the second burglary at his premises in a week. George Kenyon, who owns Plus 2 Hair and Plus 2 Beauty Salons, on Manchester Road, Haslingden, said: "I am just weary with it all." His salon was broken into

  • Cyclists are out of shape but in with a chance

    A TEAM of "unfit " cyclists are to make their debut bike ride from Blackpool to Blackburn to raise money for their favourite charity. Salim Mulla, of Ripon Street, Blackburn, Shahid Mahmood, of Preston and Norman Dykes of Harrogate are the mighty trio

  • Ewood hotel plan on hold

    BLACKBURN Rovers today revealed they are putting plans to redevelop the Walkersteel Stand on hold. They are to concentrate on building a squad capable of Premiership survival. Ewood bosses revealed details of the ambitious redevelopment plans in June

  • Events in East Lancashire on Sunday, June 3

    Late Service, Blackburn Cathedral, 8pm-10pm. The Tale of Little Red Riding Hood, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, 2.30pm. Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra featuring Paul Barry, The Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley, 7.30pm. Choir in the Park, Corporation

  • MY First. . .

    This week, with SIMON DANCZUK, managing director of Vision 21and Blackburn with Darwen councillor MEMORY: Aged three or four, sitting outside my home in a highchair with a toy toffee shop trying to sell sweets to neighbours. KISS: When I was four I was

  • Dirty old river set to woo tourists

    Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY SO you think its all over? Well it isn't yet! I refer, of course, to the foot and mouth crisis. For this reason I am curtailing my walks until the all-clear is officially accepted. We should, however, not forget the

  • We're all going on an adventure day out

    YOUNGSTERS from across East Lancashire are to join forces for a one-off adventure safari day. Organisers are expecting more than 150 girl guides between the ages of 10 and 14 to attend the event which will start at Blackburn Arena. The group will travel

  • Pupils move into new classrooms

    A SCHOOL is celebrating after two mobile classrooms were replaced by proper buildings. The rooms at Daisyfield Primary School, Clinton Street, Blackburn are ready for when children return after the half-term holiday. Lord Patel of Blackburn officially

  • New season ticket prices

    BLACKBURN Rovers today revealed they will reward fans for sticking by them during their Premiership exile after unveiling plans for a new 'loyalty discount' aimed at season ticket holders. As was widely anticipated, the cost of watching Rovers will go

  • Fight to free driver in crash

    A SEVERELY-injured driver was air-lifted to hospital today after firefighters and paramedics fought for an hour to free him from the wreckage of his car. The busy main A671 Whalley Road at the end of the Padiham by-pass was closed until well into the

  • Tyre workers will be laid off

    NEARLY 500 Burnley Michelin workers will be laid off for a week later this month -- following a downturn in demand from Europe and North American markets. In addition, there will be less work in future for scores of workers signed up to variable contracts

  • Magistrates give lenient ban to driver

    AN apprentice mechanic almost three times the drink drive limit has escaped with a 16-month ban -- and the chance of keeping his job. Burnley magistrates were told how "inexperienced drinker," Nicholas Philip Topping, 18, had a year's training left before

  • Big Brother hopeful falls at last hurdle

    GRANDMOTHER Anne Edgar failed to win the last place in the Big Brother house -- despite a North West-wide campaign to get her voted in. Family and supporters of the 45-year-old bubbly blonde boss of Barrowford's Harlequin dance wear firm ran a major poster

  • Traders give toys to school

    CHILDREN at a special school in Nelson will be getting some new toys next week from generous traders at Nelson's indoor market. The stallholders at the Admiral's Market Place will deliver the gifts to Town House School, in Town House Road, on Monday.

  • Procedure killed elderly cancer patient

    A CANCER-stricken pensioner who died after a medical procedure would have just "faded away" without it and was too ill for surgery, an inquest heard. Nellie Dinsdale's tumour was perforated during an endoscopy at Burnley General Hospital and she died

  • Reviews of the latest sounds

    Singles INCUBUS: Drive (Epic) -- The Red Hot Chilli Peppers sell ton s of records but will be remembered by no-one. So quite why Incubus try so hard to sound like them is a puzzle. This pulse-less, tune-free acoustic track is four wasted minutes of your

  • Police shocked at cruelty to puppy

    POLICE in Colne were so sickened by the extent of the cruelty shown to a puppy a reward is being offered for information about its owner. Sergeant Karen Edwards was handed the five-month-old pup by a member of the public who discovered him in Walton Street

  • Cab passenger attacked officer

    AN 'enraged' taxi passenger who attacked a police officer was hallucinating -- and thought the driver was melting. Burnley magistrates were told how Michael John Haggerty, 40, took up a martial arts stance, challenged an officer to 'a do' and threw a

  • Restaurant fails to curry favour

    RESIDENTS in Colne are celebrating their victory in overturning plans for an Indian restaurant in the former Langroyd Methodist Church. Councillors went against planning officers' recommendations and refused the application on the grounds of residential

  • Cast iron Power

    CAST, at King George's Hall, Blackburn IN a musical climate dominated by quiet acts, it was a joy to see Cast doing what they do best -- and doing it loud. The Scouse four-piece took to the stage with the traditional line-up of electric guitars, bass

  • Full house raises funds

    A SOLD-OUT charity night at an Accrington club raised over £1,000 for a meningitis charity. A packed King Street Music and Sports Club enjoyed top-notch entertainment from local singers Sammi Jay, Lena Burnett, Gavin Young, and pop duo Splash, and the

  • Canada visit for young Catholics

    YOUNG adults aged 18-25 from Catholic churches in East Lancashire will be notified soon about the next World Youth Day event with Pope John Paul II. The Salford Diocesan Youth Service will be working alongside other diocese throughout the country to involve

  • Chemists on Duty

    Sunday, June 3 BLACKBURN: 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrugs Pharmacy, 3-7 Stonybutts; 11am-2pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; noon-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 8 Bentham Road, Mill Hill. DARWEN: 12noon-4pm: Boots, 8 Market Street; 12noon-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy,

  • Chemists on Duty

    Tuesday, June 5 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver

  • Pray for the stricken farmers, pleads priest

    A PRIEST at the centre of a community ravaged by foot and mouth is to lead a special church service in aid of those affected by the disease. Canon Philip Dearden, parish priest of St Mary Magdalene's in Clitheroe, called on parishioners to attend the

  • Battle stations in war on disease

    LITTLE more than a week ago the car park at the Auction Mart in Gisburn was empty, a harsh reminder of how foot and mouth had gripped the industry. Today it bustles with soldiers, vets, administration staff and a host of assorted officials. With 18 portable

  • Raza has his eye on title for Read

    AKRAM Raza is hoping to break Read's barren spell of 22 years without lifting the Jennings Ribblesdale League title. It was 1979 when the Whalley Road side last clinched the championship but, currently lying second in the table, the omens so far look

  • Rovers unveil new season ticket prices

    BLACKBURN Rovers today revealed they will reward fans for sticking by them during their Premiership exile after unveiling plans for a new 'loyalty discount' aimed at season ticket holders. As was widely anticipated, the cost of watching Rovers will go

  • Dirty Harry - taking a shot at stardom

    LOOKING for an antidote to the world of plastic pop and preening, pop pretenders? Dirty Harry could be the perfect medicine. The new-look band, who talked to Pulse in the back of their plush tour bus this week, have been opening shows and stealing fans

  • Death at home probe adjourned

    AN inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of a man found dead at his home. John Frederick Rollings, 62, was a resident of a housing complex at Brandwood, Staghills Road, Rawtenstall, and was found at his flat there on Bank Holiday Monday

  • Fun for kids before nursery opens

    PARENTS and their children enjoyed heaps of fun at Bacup Leisure Hall in an event organised by Sure Start. And the initiative, backed by Government money, is aiming to open a nursery in Bacup to provide parents with a much needed facility to serve Bacup

  • Lollipop lady found hanged at her home

    THE inquest has opened into the death of a school crossing patrol woman found hanged at her home in Ramsbottom. Maureen Gwyneth Milner, 56, of Cotswold Close, Ramsbottom, was already dead when emergency services arrived at the house on the afternoon of

  • Peter in plea for return of walking forms

    HUNDREDS of Rossendale people have expressed an interesting in joining the walking Rossendale Carnival on June 24 -- but many have still to send confirmation! Last year when the first walking procession was held 700 people took part and organiser Peter

  • Cathedral super show

    BLACKBURN Cathedral's first musical production starts on Monday for a three night run. The production of Jesus Christ Superstar is the directing debut of Julia Frost, a Youth Ministry volunteer working for the education board, and has a young cast of

  • Cheating anglers could hook fines of £2,500

    ANGLERS across the North West could face with fines of up to £2,500 if they continue to flout the law, it was revealed today. Inspectors at the Environment Agency launched the clampdown after one in ten people across the country failed to provide a valid

  • Farook lends helping hand

    MILLENNIUM Volunteer Farook Esmail, from Blackburn, was one of six young people from across the North West to receive a certificate for completing 200 hours' unpaid work in the community. The 17-year-old received his award from Brookside actor Leon Lopez

  • Asthma attack woman dragged on to wasteland

    THIS is the face of a 'Samaritan' turned attacker who tried to indecently assault a woman he befriended while she was having an asthma attack. Blackburn CID said the man -- described as Asian and aged between 20-30 -- approached the woman as she was making

  • TV Corrie's story fuels cancer fears

    THE plight of Coronation Street cervical cancer victim Alma Baldwin has prompted more East Lancashire women to take smear tests, it was revealed today. The disease became terminal for the character after she missed a doctor's appointment that would have

  • Jack statue 'for start of season'

    BLACKBURN Rovers officials are confident a lasting memorial to the late Jack Walker will be completed in time to be unveiled before the start of the new Premiership season. Work has now started on a specially commissioned bronze statue of Mr Walker, which

  • 25,000 expected at sell-out stadium concert

    BLACKBURN was ready to feel the noise today -- and council bosses were on hand to make sure they didn't feel it too much! Ewood Park was hosting its first ever music concert, with some of the country's best-known music acts descending on the stadium to

  • Fumes death of convicted sex offender

    A MAN killed himself after being convicted of a sex offence against a young girl, an inquest heard. David Wakeley, 26, of Sandwich Close, Blackburn, was found guilty at Blackburn Magistrates in March of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl and was

  • GYMNASTICS: One final chance for champion Heap

    GYMNAST Craig Heap faces a make or break operation which will decide if he goes for gold in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year. The Burnley lad, who won a gold medal in Kuala Lumpar in 1998, will go under the surgeon's knife on June 12 for