Livesey WI meet Parish Community Hall, York Terrace, Feniscowles, 7.30pm. 'Reflections with Rene' by Mrs R Booth. Blackburn Flower Club meet Trinity United Reformed Church, Brownhill Road, Blackburn. Practice Night. Salvation Army Over 60s Club meet at
FOR a journalist, covering Bury Football Club is a bit like the old adage about waiting for a bus. Nothing happens for ages, then suddenly all hell breaks loose and a whole fleet arrives. At least that's how it feels this week. After a quiet summer where
POLICE today launched a series of high profile road checks as part of their clampdown on summer drink driving. The move is in partnership with Lancashire County Council and other local authority road safety groups and is a bid to stamp out drink driving
IN Great Harwood, we have a new library, outside is a bus stop where I see plenty of elderly people waiting. Could the powers that be provide a form for these people to sit on while they await their transport? PAM TAYLOR (Miss), Blackburn Old Road, Great
THE recent Library Theatre/Talia Theatre/QFX production of 'The Hobbit' in Bold Venture Park, Darwen was wonderful. The surprisingly young cast (excluding Gandalf) delivered a remarkable performance and the true promenade nature of the play, making excellent
MRS L Nicholson (Letters, August 1) criticises the Council spending money on 'daft' traffic calming in Darwen. Over the last few weeks, we have had traffic calming measures introduced in the Harwood Street/Hindle Street area of Darwen. This has been welcomed
WITH the school holidays now stretching ahead, may I appeal to parents in Lancashire to warn their children of the dangers of playing in quarries. It's vital that everyone understands that if young people play in quarries they could be risking their lives
REGARDING the warning by the North West Society of Chartered Accountants that small traders face a tax purge (LET, August 17), being self employed in a small way, I have some experience of the tax system and would point out that the Inland Revenue has
PRINCE'S Trust volunteers dug deep to bring gardens at Ribchester Drive Children's Home into full bloom. Feeling that the gardens looked "dark and dismal", three young volunteers who live at the home suggested they do something. They were part of a 12
STAFF and security guards at civic amenity sites in Greater Manchester are becoming increasing targets for abuse from the public. More than 50 attacks have occurred on employees of GM Waste Ltd in the last 18 months, a meeting of the county's waste disposal
POLICE cordoned off a Whitefield street after a vicious attack on a local man. The 23-year-old victim suffered a serious cut to his head which left the pavement near to the Red King pub covered in blood. He was taken to Bury General Hospital for treatment
BURY'S firefighters dealt with 859 incidents between April and June. There were 212 fires at properties in the borough and 291 grass or rubbish fires. Crews also responded to 69 malicious calls and there were 212 false alarms. Bury fire crews also dealt
A MOTHER today spoke of her horror after a man indecently assaulted her four-year-old daughter -- as police revealed he may have struck before. The youngster -- who cannot be identified for legal reasons -- was approached while out playing near to her
Frustration as rain falls heavy BOTH Atherton Collieries and Prestwich Heys were frustrated by the weather last night, as a waterlogged pitch forced their Goldline Trophy tie to be postponed. The game was cancelled after heavy weekend rain left the pitch
A £1.6million scheme to restore Burnley's premier park to its 17th century glory is expected to get backing from council bosses tonight. They are set to authorise a bid for £1million to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a major improvement programme for the
RESIDENTS opposing plans to build an electro plating industrial unit near their homes have given a petition to one of the ward councillors. Coun Tony Lambert is supporting the residents of Healey Wood, Burnley, in their campaign against plans by RS Plating
A BRAND new show taking Blackpool by storm has all the pizazz, glamour and fun of the fifties and sixties, providing a glorious evening of cabaret at its very best. Like a burst of seaside sunshine, a terrific troupe of singers and dancers lit up the
A HOLIDAYMAKER risked his life to rescue four people from the sea. Mike Gibbons, 35, of New Wellington Street, Blackburn, saw a couple in trouble in the sea near Bridlington as their dinghy capsized. Mike then spotted two teenage girls on airbeds struggling
THE future of a deputy head teacher who was cleared of sex attacks on pupils is still unclear after it was revealed he was still suspended from his job. John Cartmell, 51, of Manchester Road, Hapton, Burnley, was found not guilty by a unanimous verdict
AN Accrington man was taken to hospital in Kendal after completing a gruelling swim of Windemere. Mark Blewitt, 33, Limefield Street, was swimming in the Windemere Two-Way race in which competitors swim the length of England's largest lake twice. Mark
A DRIVER has told how he was terrified by thugs in a high-speed night-time terror chase. Craig Prescott says his car was pursued by two men in a black BMW who threatened him with baseball bats, tried to run him off the road as they careered through Oswaldtwistle
AFTER 12 months absence, a Hyndburn traveller has realised there really is no place like GNOME. This time last year Nodding Norman, a plastic garden gnome took umbridge at not being invited to his owner's surprise 60 birthday party and disappeared. Or
A TEAM of cyclists pedalled to a fund-raising success in their bid to save lives in the Ribble Valley. Stuart Raw and Mark Wilson, from Slaidburn, and Stephen Bennett, from Dunsop Bridge, raised £1,300 after pedalling a 100-mile round trip from the village
STANLEY boss John Coleman is hoping to seal a deal for former Rovers trainee Steve Flitcroft. The 19-year-old defender, the younger brother of Ewood skipper Garry and Rochdale's Dave, impressed Coleman despite an understrength Reds side leaking six goals
LANCASHIRE today started the search for a new coach after Bob Simpson announced he would quit the club at the end of the season. Simpson ended speculation about his future by taking matters into his own hands before last night's committee meeting and
INFLUENTIAL duo Craig Short and Garry Flitcroft have both been ruled out of tonight's friendly with Italian side Ternana after becoming the latest players to join the Ewood casualty list. Short and Flitcroft were both missing from manager Graeme Souness's
POLICE have thanked the public for helping in the hunt for an elderly man. The 80-year-old went missing from his Edgworth home last week but was located within a day after the police received numerous tip-offs. They were concerned because he had emphysema
A HUNDRED years of Whitaker Park in Rawtenstall are celebrated in a new exhibition at Rossendale Museum. The display, in the upstairs gallery, features many photographs of the park through the years and shows how it has developed. There are also items
CCTV cameras should be in place in Stacksteads by the new year. Although Rossendale Council failed to secure Government funding for the five cameras, money was secured from Bacup and Stacksteads SRB and the same anonymous donor who paid for the camera
SYDNEY the short-sighted sparrowhawk was in for a rude awakening when he tried to make an early-morning flying visit to John Cruise's home in Burnley Road, Blackburn. The hapless harrier failed to spot the double-glazed window at the back of John's home
PLANS by the Church of England to stop the centuries-old tradition of reading out forthcoming marriages to congregations have been backed by the Blackburn Diocese. The move is designed to reverse the trend in the decline of church marriages. Blackburn
A PERSISTENT peacock who has been strutting his stuff in a garden is ruffling a family's feathers. Maureen Demain, of Wyfordby Avenue, Blackburn, said the peacock had arrived more than a week ago and showed no signs of leaving his plush new pad. "I've
TEACHERS in East Lancashire will be asked to view CCTV footage taken by railway staff in a bid to catch youngsters who cause havoc on the lines in the summer holiday. Railtrack North West is issuing video cameras to its staff who will ride alongside drivers
A WOMAN who set up her own CCTV system helped catch a juvenile nuisance. A youths was convicted of public order offences after police viewed footage taken on Gillian Wolstencroft's camera. Blackburn magistrates were told she installed a CCTV camera at
A DISTRAUGHT mum and her fiance at the centre of a child snatch case will go to court in a bid to improve their chances of getting her daughters back from the Middle East. Josephine Bromley and fiance Paul Tomlinson, of Lower Darwen, want girls Noor Al-Momani
SATURDAY'S visitors to Bobbies Lane were local rivals Earlestown. A good start by Eccleston put them in the driving seat, helping them to secure a winning draw. Steady progress was made by the first three batsmen Smith (23), Elliot (31), and top score
YOUTHS hurled abused and threatened staff as social services closed a children's home. Around a dozen teenagers targeted Bury's Chesham Road children's home on Friday night (Aug 3). Staff remained inside the building until the council's own security unit
THE drive by Railtrack to arm trains and staff with TV and video cameras to catch vandals in East Lancashire is a step that is surely necessary -- when not just property is being damaged, but life is being put at risk by young hooligans. For today we
Frustration as heavy rain falls BOTH Prestwich Heys and Atherton Collieries and were frustrated by the weather last night, as a waterlogged pitch forced their Goldline Trophy tie to be postponed. The game was cancelled after heavy weekend rain left the
COLNE Dramatic Society celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. From humble beginnings the society gained momentum, finance, members and popular support and now it is a self-supporting organisation whose 72-seater theatre has become established as one
IT is that time of year again when ragwort is growing and flowering in the countryside and towns. It is a weed which is lethal to horses and it must be rooted out before it has the chance to go to seed because each plant produces millions. Last year,
SVEN Goran Eriksson look-a-like Colin Lyne is preparing for an on-screen sporting double this week. The Leigh Journal photographer, who has already appeared on Channel Four's Big Breakfast, will start filming a promotional film for Sky Sports on Thursday
THE cabin of a lorry was destroyed in an arson attack in Bury yesterday (Mon Aug 6) morning. The truck was parked in Hurst Street at Pimhole when it was targeted by firebugs at 2am. An hour later a fence in Spruce Crescent in Limefield Brow, Bury, was
AGE was no barrier for pensioners competing in a national talent final for "Silver Star 2001". Great-grandmother-of-five Iris Slack (67), of Bury Road, Tottington, sang Judy Garland and Peggy Lee hits, competing against 13 other finalists in the contest
A BIG-hearted handyman or woman is needed to give Bury Society for the Blind a helping hand. The Bolton Street shop, which provides advice and assistance, has a number of odd jobs that need doing and is hoping that someone will volunteer their services
TRANSPORT bosses have issued an apology after an information line was out of action for four hours. Greater Manchester's public transport information line was hit by a power failure on Thursday afternoon (Aug 2). This resulted in the call centre, which
COUNCIL bosses in Burnley are to seek talks with town centre owners Great Portland Estates over the company's decision to quit town. The London-based developer -- which owns most of the shops in the new central area, including Market Square -- announced
ROVERS midfield duo Alan Mahon and Damien Johnson will step up their comebacks from injury in a reserve team friendly away at Everton today (kick off 2pm). And Jason McAteer, Egil Ostenstad and Jeff Kenna are also in the squad again after appearing in
INFLUENTIAL duo Craig Short and Garry Flitcroft have both been ruled out of tonight's friendly with Italian side Ternana after becoming the latest players to join the Ewood casualty list. Short and Flitcroft were both missing from manager Graeme Souness's
A HAPTON man discovered he had a kidney disease when he went to be tested for suitability to donate a kidney to his father, who was suffering from renal failure. And defence solicitor Andrew Church-Taylor urged magistrates to give Garry Stephen Morgan
COUNCIL bosses in Burnley are to seek talks with town centre owners Great Portland Estates over the company's decision to quit town. The London-based developer -- which owns most of the shops in the new central area, including Market Square -- announced
A DISQUALIFIED rider caught on a motor cycle thought he was only banned from driving cars. Burnley Magistrates were told how student Michael Lockett, 26, had been disqualified for a year in November after being convicted of failing to provide a specimen
A 35-year-old man attacked his partner three times but they were still "an item," Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told how David Thorpe told police he had wanted to kill her and was going to kick her like a football -- and although she had been
A TEENAGE girl, one of six children charged with the manslaughter of Nelson pensioner Sheila Bridge, appeared at Reedley Youth Court yesterday charged with assault. The 13-year-old, currently remanded to local authority care, pleaded not guilty to causing
SAINTS star Keiron Cunningham has pledged his future to the club. The 24-year-old Great Britain hooker dashed the hopes of the Welsh Rugby Union, who had hoped to unveil Cunningham alongside Iestyn Harris at the Millennium Stadium. Swansea are thought
BARNOLDSWICK folk are being given the opportunity to have their say about recent improvements made to the town centre during a week-long exhibition at the tourist information centre and library. A display showing the range of improvements made during
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a mugging in Colne in which an elderly lady from Nelson was pushed over and banged her head on a wall. The 85-year-old, who does not want to be identified, suffered a slight injury to the back of her head when a teenager
CARL Fogarty's crown as Lancashire's greatest motorsportsman is under threat from a mechanic who is only a few revs away from becoming the world's number one in...Robin Reliant racing! Sam Begley, 21, came second in the Robin Reliant racing world final
THREE lucky learner drivers who all passed their test with Longdens, the Oswaldtwistle driving school, each won a set of wheels. Sam Barber, 25, of Spring Street, Accrington, scooped a new £7,000 Rover in a company draw, just hours after passing her test
AN unusual visitor has made its home in a Great Harwood garden -- leading for an appeal by the homeowner. For the past two weeks or more an exotic bird -- which resident Catherine Hounslow seems to think is a parrot -- has popped up in the garden of Catherine's
THE leader of Hyndburn Council has pledged to consider rolling out a pilot community warden scheme in Woodnook across the borough. The councillors, residents and police representatives who make up the Woodnook Forum for Action, are anxiously waiting for
EAST Lancashire farmers who lost their animals in the foot and mouth crisis have been invited to a seminar to consider their future. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is holding the conference at Myersclough College, in Bilsborrow,
EMPLOYERS of the teenager killed in a road accident when he lost control of his vehicle today paid tribute to the former Clitheroe schoolboy. Thomas Carr, 19, of Dockmire Farm, in Chapel Street, Slaidburn, died on Sunday after being thrown out of his
THE Royal Hotel, Station Road, Great Harwood, is holding music jam sessions. The event will take place every Monday and spectators and players alike are invited to join in with the entertainment. It has been arranged by landlady Janice Booth, who took
AILSA Baxter, licensee of the Coach and Horses at Bolton by Bowland, and her partner Pete Midgley are doing their bit to promote cricket in a village which has been hard hit by foot and mouth disease. Members of the village cricket team, who use the pub
THE Commercial Pub in Colne is now back in business after 12 months of closing for refurbishment. John Addison, 73, of Robert Street, Colne, has lived next door to the pub through all the upheaval at the Commercial and with all of his on-going support
CLARETS manager Stan Ternent ran the rule over another trialist last night as d-day for all the players hoping to impress the Burnley boss looms today. South African Gareth Orratt, a tall defender, played the full 90 minutes in the 6-1 rout of understrength
"YOU'LL soon get used to it," my boss told me, as I marvelled at his ability to live without a watch, and accepted his challenge to do it myself for a week. I know of only three other people - all men - who don't wear one: a colleague at work, my best
ANDY Preece might consider it a warm up for Saturday's league opener at Tranmere but for Shakers fans, tomorrow's clash against mighty Manchester United could be the match of the year writes Steve Canavan A full house of 11,000 will pack into Gigg Lane
TWO Blackburn Rovers stars will warm up for Sunday's pre-season friendly against Barcelona by visiting St James's School summer fair. The school does not yet know which two players the club will send, but are assured they will head for Darwen on Saturday
A DARWEN school has been vandalised - the third since the term holidays began. St James's Primary School had eight windows smashed with house bricks. It follows damage to windows at Avondale County Primary and Darwen Vale High School. After those incidents
A MAN from Tyldesley in Greater Manchester was airlifted to the Royal Bolton Hospital yesterday after his car overturned outside Darwen. Ambulance and fire crews from Darwen were called to the crash scene on Belmont Road, near Springfield Reservoir, yesterday
RESIDENTS have renewed their call for a play area for youngsters who they say are forced to gather on a busy road. Requests for a park near Springfield Street, next to Crown Paints' factory in Darwen, have been made for three years although demand has
WOULD-BE commercial pilot Matthew Atherton celebrated his 21st birthday in style, flying upside down in a 1941 Boeing Stearman! Matthew, from Rising Bridge Road, Rising Bridge, enjoyed the trip of a lifetime thanks to his parents, Michael and Roseann,
TWENTY jobs in Blackburn have been saved, thanks to the takeover of the ScottishPower store in Whitebirk Drive. Powerhouse Retail Ltd have bought the premises as part of a deal to snap up 99 shops across the country. Powerhouse Chief Executive Derrick
A MOTHER today spoke of her horror after a man indecently assaulted her four-year-old daughter -- as police revealed he may have struck before. The youngster -- who cannot be identified for legal reasons -- was approached while out playing near to her
CLITHEROE defender Barry Hart, who helped the Blues to runners-up spot in the North West Counties League Division One last season, has turned down the chance to join Chorley. Manager Ken Wright said work commitments had ruled out a move. "We have left
CLARETS fans will get the chance to check out some of the club's young talent when a Burnley XI travel to Ramsbottom tonight. Stan Ternent is likely to send a team of first and second year professionals to the Riverside for the annual friendly match (
KEVIN GALLACHER could get a run-out for Preston tonight against Premiership title hopefuls Leeds United. The former Rover has been on trial at Deepdale and North End boss David Moyes is keen to add an experienced head to his squad as he tries to go one
GARETH Thomas is aiming to attract people back to shooting clubs after becoming a trophy winner in his 60s. The former British Aerospace worker has spent a happy retirement returning to the sport he got involved in when he was eight -- and hates the image
