A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. SUNDAY Historic Vehicle Cavalcade, Helmshore Textile Museum, Holcombe Road, Helmshore, 10am. Fell Walking with Blackburn Ramblers Association. Coach Trip to Richmond
THE crocodile tears, the squirming sycophancy, the dreadful over-acting. Who would have thought that making it on to the telly would have been so hard. ITV bosses, obviously so buoyed by the success of Popstars, have repeated the formula where they audition
BURY tennis ace Lisa Cartwright made it a hat-trick of hat-tricks when she appeared in the Lancashire LTA County Tennis Championships last weekend at the Bolton Arena. The 29-year-old full-time coach at the Hawkshaw club took the ladies singles, mixed
A SPRAINED ankle didn't stop Prestwich lad Richard Marks from becoming a swimming star. Richard, a member of Ramsbottom Rascals swimming club, is fast becoming an international star after a wonderful performance in the 2001 JCC Maccabi Youth Games. But
HOLCOMBE Brook Sports Club will be in action on two fronts in tennis's National Club League finals next week as both their mens and ladies teams have qualified. The prestigious competition is to be held at the West Hants Club, Bournemouth on Thursday,
STAND had to work hard for this victory, courtesy of goals from the Denham brothers. Colne struggled last season and look set to struggle again after their performance in a game that was about as attractive as their Holt House pitch and ground. It is
RAIL DISASTER: The keen eye of a worker prevented a rail disaster in Bury. The man, looking from his works, spotted a 20 foot long trailer which had been deliberately left broadside across a Bury-Ramsbottom branch line. He raised the alarm just minutes
SCHOOLCHILDREN across the country, including pupils from Westholme Middle School and Queen's Park High School, Blackburn, were taking part in a record- breaking jump today. The Giant Jump is part of a national scientific experiment, which officially launches
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has provided dog toilets in its parks, but no bins in which to place plastic bags containing dog muck deposited elsewhere. The result is that the dog toilets are heaped with unsightly plastic bags, thus making the tidying
I HAVE just returned from a family holiday in northern France and while visiting William the Conqueror's castle in Caen, we came across 'Dolly's English Teashop.' My partner was desperate for a proper English cup of tea, so we went in. The menu contained
A SCHIZOPHRENIC who terrified a young woman in a takeaway has been sentenced to a two-year Community Rehabilitation Order by Bolton Crown Court. On a previous occasion, a CCTV recording of the incident was shown in court, depicting the assistant screaming
FIREFIGHTERS rescued a man from his burning flat during the early hours of Thursday (Sept 6). Six officers wearing breathing apparatus pulled Mr Malcolm Rawlinson to safety before tackling the blaze in the kitchen of the second floor apartment in Tulle
FOURTEEN new policemen will be patrolling Burnley within the next two weeks as part of moves to prevent a repeat of the racial unrest which rocked the town. And a questionnaire will be sent to every household to give everyone the opportunity to highlight
A RAMSBOTTOM primary school opened for the start of term without its headteacher. Mr Mike Duce remains suspended from Peel Brow School after allegations of exam irregularities. He took sick leave soon after he was asked to leave the school at the end
A HOLIDAY coach from Burnley has collided with a lorry and ploughed into a field, injuring 51 people, seven seriously. A full-scale emergency operation involving helicopters, ambulances and fast response cars, was launched after the horror smash happened
A RECRUITMENT drive to encourage more people to become involved in childcare was launched in Bury on Saturday (Sept 1) when the Early Years Roadshow drove in to town. There was fun for the kids who were entertained by a magician, while adults were given
THE Vicar of Radcliffe Parish Church is waving a temporary goodbye to the town and heading off to Brazil. The Rev Bryan Hackett is to spend two months in Salvador de Bahia as part of a sabbatical. But prior to that he will spend next month on retreat
OVER-ZEALOUS British Customs Officials have left a North West Euro MP seeing red. Mr David Sumberg, a former MP for Bury South, has written to Chancellor Gordon Brown and the European Commission to complain about their rigourous actions. Mr Sumberg said
ARMY cadets from Bury have been learning their military skills on an action-packed holiday on the Cornish coast. The two-week camp has involved around 400 boys and girls from local detachments of the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force. Based at Penhale
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has signed Millwall midfielder Lucas Neill. The 23-year-old Australian international spent the week at Brockhall after being slapped on the transfer-list following a bust up with Lions boss Mark McGhee. And Ewood chief Souness
WITH both managers struggling to plug gaps at the back, defences are sure to come under scrutiny tomorrow with England wannabes Kevin Phillips and Matt Jansen on the prowl. For Rovers, a lot rests on the young shoulders of England Under 21 international
BLACKBURN winger Keith Gillespie is back to his best according to his international boss Sammy McIlroy. Gillespie's scintillating wing-play inspired Northern Ireland to their biggest victory in six years against Finland on Wednesday. And McIlroy now believes
FIERY Blackburn boss Graeme Souness today said Sunderland's Stadium of Light holds no fears for his Premiership braves as they go in search of their first away win of the new season in the North East tomorrow. The famous Roker Roar may now be a thing
WARBURTON'S bakery in Burnley has raised dough towards a local girl's life-enhancing trip to Hungary. Samantha Trundle, 11, who suffers from cerebral palsy has been on a number of visits to the famous Peto Clinic in Hungary and is returning again this
COACH passengers from Chorley, Preston and Morecambe, travelling on a bus owned by a Burnley based firm, have been involved in a crash with a lorry. The coach collided with a lorry and ploughed into a field, in the crash on the A64 bypass near York's
THE public will be able to find out about Pendle's parks and playgrounds this weekend when the council's Parks, Cemeteries and Outdoor Recreation section at Marsden Hall Farm, Walton Lane, Nelson, opens for visitors. Staff will be on hand both Saturday
BLACKBURN Northern have signed professional Ata-ur-Rehman for another season. The Jennings Ribblesdale League side had said they weren't going to sign the Pakistan bastman after two seasons at the club. However skipper Neil Weaver today confirmed: "We
BLACKBURN Hawks begin their English National Hockey League (North) campaign this weekend with back-to-back matches, away to Grimsby tomorrow and at home to Sunderland on Sunday. Last weekend the Hawks prepared with home and away challenge games against
PUPILS and staff at a primary school in Colne celebrated the school's 100th anniversary yesterday. Everyone at Lord Street Primary School got involved in the celebrations yesterday by dressing in Victorian costumes. Past pupils and ex members of staff
RESIDENTS in Pendle are being asked to attend a series of public meetings to give their views about community safety. The meetings have been organised by Pendle Community Safety Partnership which must produce a Crime Reduction Strategy for the borough
RESIDENTS who campaigned to prevent a new gospel mission hall being built behind their houses in Barnoldswick heard the news they had been waiting for when councillors refused the plans. But their celebrations have been cut short by the knowledge that
PLANS have gone in to Wigan Council for permission to to convert farm buildings at Manor House Farm, Higher Green Lane, Astley, into six homes. Richardson Projects Ltd, of Rochdale, has also applied for the go-ahead to alter and restore the Manor House
HYNDBURN Stray Dogs In Need is currently looking to recruit more people. The group, which is in the process of registering as a charity, has a committee of dog lovers who are dedicated to raising funds for the treatment of injured stray dogs that are
A PROVERB says: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." Proverbs 27:6. This would be a good motto for the Royal College of Surgeons, who cut in order to cure! A truly faithful friend is someone who loves us so much that they have the courage to risk hurting
FIREFIGHTERS had a hectic Monday night being called out nine times to deal with a series of arson attacks in Tyldesley and Atherton. The Atherton crew were called to tackle two blazing cars, scorched bushes, burning rubbish and wheelie bins that had been
ONE of Leigh's top amateur rugby league players was jailed for 15 months after he hit a man on the head with a bottle in an unprovoked attack. Dale Aldred, who had been assaulted previously, hit victim Paul Hilton in a Leigh nightclub, a court heard this
THEY say a picture is worth a thousand words, but it might also earn thousands of pounds for a talented St Annes artist. Watercolourist Peter Slater has had a painting selected for inclusion in the prestigious Singer and Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour
YOUNGSTERS in Mellor are getting breakfast for brainpower as part of a new early morning scheme. The breakfast club, in Mellor village hall, already caters for 18 local school children from 7.30am to 8.30am, Monday to Friday. The children are given a
CCTV cameras have been fitted to five new state-of-the-art buses in Clitheroe in a bid to help police crack crime. Bus company Lancashire United has introduced the blue and cream single decker buses, costing £125,000 each, at the 20-vehicle depot at Pimlico
RAIN ruined the penultimate Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League Division One game between Blackpool and Lancaster at Stanley Park on Saturday. It was perhaps as well for fifth-placed Blackpool, as bottom-of-the-table Lancaster had reduced them to a meagre
BLACKPOOL Scorpions included former Bath, Bristol and Fylde prop Sam Clark, along with university student scrum half Jon Green in their line-up at Woolston as they went on a 10-try romp in Warrington. The Scorpions started slowly and went 6-0 down when
Dear Sir, After reading all about the clamping down on under-age drinking in the Journal, I thought 'what a laugh'. What happened to the police on Thursday night, August 23, when I phoned to say a gang of youths -- boys and girls -- had sprayed paint
POTENTIAL investors throughout Greater Manchester are being given key leads with a wide range of small and growing North West companies. The service is being provided by TREChINVEST, part of the North West Development Agency. It has a reputation as one
AFTER a break of 12 days it's back to business with a vengeance for Blackpool, with two important games in three days! On Saturday Steve McMahon's men travel to Oldham in a bid to get their season back on track after the home draw against Wycombe and
THE Bury Times has certainly proved it means business! For the newspaper threw open the doors of its new offices in the town's Market Street to host the latest monthly meeting of Bury Business Club. About 15 members attended the meeting and were welcomed
THE controversial regeneration of St Annes town centre has caught the eye of judges in a national environmental competition. St Annes has been shortlisted as one of seven finalists in the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) awards and a judge visited
BURNLEY'S Ian Moore has been banned from talking to his dad, Ronnie who is the boss of the Claret's weekend opponents Rotherham United, . The 25-year-old comes up against his father Ronnie Moore who brings his Rotherham United side to Turf Moor tomorrow
ROTHERHAM United have been taking big strides and manager Ronnie Moore knows his side are in for another huge test at Turf Moor tomorrow. Having followed promotion from the third division with an instant step up from the second, Moore's squad are now
A CRIME writer from Blackpool is aiming for an awards "double" in the USA this autumn. Stephen Booth, a former Arnold School pupil, is flying to Washington DC at the beginning of November to a literary convention where his debut psychological thriller
VANDALISM of Blackpool illuminations' new sound and light dinosaur tableau has prompted lights bosses to warn people of the dangers of tampering with electrical and other equipment. The huge tableau, which was fitted with speakers to make the dinosaurs
Leigh East 30 Oulton Raiders 24 LEIGH East redeemed themselves for the disappointment of losing their first ever National Conference Premier game in the opening match of the season by picking up a welcome two points in their first home game of the new
RESIDENTS are being encouraged to destroy all household bill receipts and credit card statements in a bid to beat a new breed of criminal. That's bin surfers! The term is used for would-be offenders who rummage through wheelie bins and extract the financial
A STORE is to step up security after being robbed by armed raiders for the sixth time in just 12 months. Bosses of the Spar shop in Heywood Road, Prestwich, are to install an arsenal of high-tech gadgetry in a bid to beat the criminals, following discussions
FOR the past 23 years, Mrs Jean Spencer has been the voice of her local paper. Together with colleague Doreen Williams she established Bury Pipeline during her work for social services to give the blind and partially-sighted in the borough a chance to
IT'S a long way from the Piazza to Paradise Island, or a Pontin's holiday camp to the Bahamas, but that's where Radcliffe actress Jane Danson has recently been soaking up the sun's rays. Jane (23) and her boyfriend, Brookside and Emmerdale actor Robert
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has signed Millwall midfielder Lucas Neill. The 23-year-old Australian international spent the week at Brockhall after being slapped on the transfer-list following a bust up with Lions boss Mark McGhee. And Ewood chief Souness
BURNLEY'S Ian Moore has been banned from talking to his dad, Ronnie, boss of the Claret's weekend opponents Rotherham United. The 25-year-old comes up against his father Ronnie Moore who brings his Rotherham United side to Turf Moor tomorrow and Moore
THE opening match of the Lancashire GMC Darts Organisation's season was always going to be difficult after a four months break, but St Annes managed to come away with a 6-4 victory over Clitheroe. The first game saw debutant Steve Doran start his Superleague
WIGAN Athletic arrive at Gigg tomorrow sitting bottom of Division Two and that's just where Bury boss Andy Preece hopes to keep them - for another week at least! Highly-fancied Latics and their new boss Paul Jewell have had a poor start to the campaign
STEPHEN Streeter lashed out at his partner during a row over children in their Darwen home. But his hopes of speedy reconciliation were dashed when the matter came to court. David Macro, prosecuting, said the victim, Caroline Mitchell, had told police
AN Indian restaurant owner who has been the subject of on-going vandalism attacks says the situation is 'worrying' and wants CCTV installed. Sukhis Gohel, 52, owns Sukhis restaurant, in Blackburn Road, Darwen. It has been open for 10 months and during
ALDER Grange High School, Rawtenstall, became Action Grange as pupils took two days off lessons to have fun. As well as the traditional outing to a theme park, they had their choice of 30 different activities, ranging from creating jewellery to judo,
A SNARE was pulled so tightly on a trapped cat that the back end of its body was reduced to two inches in diameter. Firefighters were shocked when they were called to rescue the trapped animal. It was found by a walker in Rossendale in the snare next
HINDLEY and Wigan Amateur Operatic Society is staging White Horse Inn at Wigan Little Theatre next March. The production will run from between March 12 to 17. Auditions will take place on Wednesday, September 19, at St Mary's Parish Centre, Standishgate
AN amateur gardener is keen to show off his 14ft blooms. Harry Wright, of Golborne, has been growing sunflowers for 40 years, but has never experienced the success of this year's crop. The garden at his Barn Lane home has been taken over by a 14ft sunflower
BLACKPOOL councillors are refusing to gamble on what people think about turning Blackpool into the casino capital. At the latest full council meeting, they voted almost unanimously against a move calling for a referendum on the building of casino hotels
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a mother, believed to be originally from the Blackpool area, drowned in rough seas by North Pier at the weekend. Lisa Berry died after plunging over railings opposite Talbot Square, Blackpool, shortly after 11.30pm
THIEVES stole everything -- including the kitchen sink -- when they burgled a garage in Midgeland Road, Blackpool. They broke into the garage on the Moore Bros building site sometime overnight between August 23 and 24 and stole kitchen equipment worth
VISITORS to Blackpool Pleasure Beach were treated to a 'rowlocking' good time last week when five-times Olympic rowing champion Steven Redgrave hit dry land to help out at UK Youth Day's 90th birthday. Records were set and broken at the fun park where
NEW road safety schemes for Fleetwood and Poulton were given the green light this week. Wyre Council's road safety committee agreed to adopt a range of safety measures at a meeting on Tuesday, including one-way systems, parking restrictions and mini roundabouts
A 73-YEAR-old man, whose criminal record stretched back to the time of the Second World War, was caught stealing a set of drapes from TJ Hughes. But defence solicitor Basharat Ditta asked magistrates not to make it 'curtains' for his client. James Daniel
THE sister of a man crushed to death in a works accident has slammed a £50,000 fine imposed by a court on the company he worked for. Martin Leonard, 24, had gone into a trench to try and dislodge a pipe at a site on Euxton Lane, Euxton, near Chorley when
POLICE patrolling in Preston New Road, Blackburn, saw John Terence Lettherd push his girlfriend during a late night row. But Blackburn magistrates heard that what the officers had not seen was the girlfriend digging her fingernails into Lettherd's face
A NATIONAL Farmers' Union chief has called on officials to come clean on where the new foot and mouth restrictions will hit. East Lancashire farmers yesterday learned that following recent cases of foot and mouth in Northumberland, Department of Environment
A MAN whose home was gutted after a fire ripped through four houses on the street has thanked all his neighbours and friends for helping him to get his life back together. Reg Smith, 74, who has lived in his New Bank Road home in Blackburn since 1934,
PADIHAM manager Graham Howarth is on the hunt for a central defender to boost his side after an indifferent start to their NWCL Division Two campaign. The Storks have won two and lost three of their five matches - and face a tough test at home to Stone
JOHN LISTER'S Colne travel to NWCL Division Two leaders Formby tomorrow hoping for a morale-boosting result. Colne's youngsters suffered a 7-0 defeat by Chadderton midweek and have slipped to four defeats in their opening six games.
ROSSENDALE United are currently occupying their highest ever league position - despite the fact that they are struggling to score goals. Dale, who scored a massive 114 league goals last season and boasted the league's top scorer Craig Sargeson, who bagged
MAY we firstly thank Andrea Muldoon and The Citizen for the very prompt attention and excellent feature on the plight of our stolen pet rabbits. Could we also thank the caring people who took the trouble to phone me, especially a lady in Dorchester Road
I DON'T think Israel realises that public opinion is now the most potent force in world politics. (I don't think the USA realises it either, but that's another letter.) Nor does Israel realise that it has already lost the battle for public opinion in
RE your article "How much more urban vandalism?" in the August 16 issue, I fully support the opinions of Mr Connell. He did, however, leave out the following buildings: The Princess Hotel, a listed Porrit building. The St Annes Hospital, left to the community
KENNETH CLARKE, the dedicated Euro-Federalist, may have unwittingly scored a home goal when he tried to put the frighteners on Iain Duncan-Smith's supporters in the Conservative leadership election by suggesting that Duncan-Smith had plans for getting
CHURCH parishes have been an integral part of communities for centuries, merging them was always going to be a contentious issue. Recommendations on mergers and changing parish boundaries are expected to be considered over the next few months and any
HAVING a priest-in-charge, rather than a vicar who is traditionally bound to that one church until retirement or death (the so-called freehold for life), is a way of ensuring the church keeps up with society, says the Rev Michael Wedgeworth, secretary
I READ that Eurostar, as well as hauliers, are being fined £2,000 for every illegal immigrant found aboard trains and lorries. It is blatantly obvious that we are being "invaded". Surely, as in 1939-40, it is a government's duty to protect this country
M. EDYVEAN (Your Letters, August 31) asks was I not brought up on the old adage: "Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves". I was brought up on many adages and given to understand that none of them was a universal guide to action
THERE are more laws about cycling than drug dealing on the streets. It is preposterous that drug dealers can supply openly to youths and the police appear not to bother doing anything about it. I know they are short-staffed but they need more patrols
AFTER listening to a recent debate on the present-day usefulness of a university education, I can't help reflecting that 50 years ago, a grammar school education even without a "good" School Certificate at the end of it opened as many doors as does a
I AM one of the people campaigning to remove the non-Bury FC merchandise from the club shop. I am doing so because it attacks the independence, identity and integrity of Bury FC. Various people have made public statements to the effect that we are "a
nA FAKE speed camera made out of the drawer of a filing cabinet is tricking drivers into slowing down in Old Weston, Cambs. I think I'll put one outside my house so that I can get out of the drive in the morning rush.
LEVI Strauss jeans have been recalled because of a health scare. The limited edition, new, glossy-finish denims could irritate the skin and release fumes during ironing. Although there have been no complaints, two employees have reported experiencing
PETS are turning into telly addicts with one in three dogs regularly looking in, a survey by Currys has revealed. Pet psychologist Julie Quinn says they often associate theme tunes with routine. It's true. My two late Jack Russells knew when the finishing
Telford United 3 Leigh RMI 1 RMI old boy Mark Quayle put his old side to the sword at the Bucks Head as his hat-trick killed off the challenge of his former club. Leigh, with an already lengthy injury list, were further depleted by the absence of Tony
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Coffee Day, Accrington and District Social Club for the Blind, Bank Street, Accrington, 10am-3pm. Dine and Dance Night, The Shireburn Arms Hotel, Hurst Green. Tour of
A LOT of myth and misunderstanding has grown up surrounding the steps that precede marriage for a number of people of Asian descent. Arranged marriages, where a couple's families play a part by bringing them together, are a widely accepted part of life
BRET COLLINS had local residents running for cover in Sycamore Road on Saturday as he unleashed a phenomenal display of power batting in the game against Edgworth. Collins hit an unbeaten 90, which included a devastating three-over spell that brought
Ramsbottom United 1 Clitheroe 4 LEE CRYER and Richard Fogerty had Ramsbottom in tears as Clitheroe raced to their first win of the season in emphatic fashion. While two-goal Cryer and Fogerty, cousin of former world motor cycling champion, Carl Fogerty
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH are bang on course for their 2001-2002 season promotion target as they bid to go nap again on Saturday, writes STEVE BOTT. Lincoln United are the visitors to Stainton Park (kick-off 3pm) for Boro's fifth league game of the season as
JODY BANIM kept his place at the top of the Radcliffe Boro scoring charts, but it Eamon Elliott who led the way as Atherton LR were finally consigned to the FA Cup dustbin. The brave North West Counties League Division One side had forced this replay
PLYMOUTH ALBION...34pts SEDGLEY PARK...13pts PROMOTED Sedgley now know the standard required to play in National League Division Two. They will be concerned that their front five came a poor second to the men from Devon. Fitness levels also need to be
1838: Grace Darling and her father rescued the crew of the Forfarshire, a steamer wrecked off the Northumberland coast. She subsequently became a national heroine. 1910: Marie Curie announced that she had isolated pure radium. 1928: The first automatic
IT was with disbelief that I read your article on the alleged recent vandalism to the fencing around Darwen Tower (LET, August 29). As a regular visitor to the tower and the moors, I can say, with complete confidence, that the fencing has been in its
FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw's article on Macedonia (LET, August 30) carries on with the same old anti-Serbian diatribe much loved by his predecessor Robin Cook and before him by Tory Foreign Ministers. He wrings his hands over a lack of decisiveness
FOURTEEN-year-old charity champion Jamie Rigby is in the line-up for a top police award. The Hindley schoolboy will represent the most caring and dedicated youngsters in the Wigan and Leigh area in the Greater Manchester Police Young Citizen of the Year
IREAD the letter 'Union condemns asylum policy' with extreme disquiet. Is Mr Playfer attempting to apportion blame for the unfortunate suicide of this asylum seeker? Are we meant to feel some sort of collective guilt, which can only be assuaged if we
A VEGETARIAN group has given a top quality Leigh bakers a roasting over its sausage roll charity donation. Viva, the Vegetarians International Voice for Animals, claims that Waterfield's gift of a penny from every roll bought to the Mayor's £40,000 appeal
THE man with the great voice and unusual name is back! Engelbert Humperdinck makes his return to Blackpool in November for a one-night gig at Blackpool Opera House. The famous singer has appeared several times in Blackpool, most notably for a bill-topping
A TEENAGER was rescued after becoming stuck on the roof of a third-floor maisonette while retrieving a football. Earlier, 15-year-old Nick Keenan had climbed 25 feet up a drainpipe before clambering on to the roof ledge at the flat in Chapelfield, Radcliffe
AN off-duty policeman came to the rescue when he chased two teenagers who stole an 11-year-old boy's bike. The incident happened when two boys were riding along Polefield Road, Simister. They were approached by the teenagers, one of whom produced a knife
WHITEFIELD'S blighted Elms Precinct was set to receive some long-awaited good news last night (Thursday Sept 6). Councillors were voting on whether to approve plans to rebuild the precinct which has lain semi-derelict for many months. The plans are to
PREPARING and embarking on a trip to Banana Island proved to be child's play for nine-year-old Briony Thomas. She is pictured eating a banana during the climax to a six-day playscheme which was staged at Brandlesholme Methodist Church in Bury. Throughout
A TEENAGER was stabbed and two others cut with glass during a fight at a house in Whitefield. Police detained three people following the fracas in Cambeck Close. Trouble flared at 11.40pm on Friday (Aug 31) when a number of teenagers arrived at the house
COACH passengers from Chorley, Preston and Morecambe, travelling on a bus owned by a Burnley based firm, have been involved in a crash with a lorry. The coach collided with a lorry and ploughed into a field, in the crash on the A64 bypass near York's
OLD people are working on their own sign for the times to help mark the centenary of Bury Library. A dozen members of the housebound library service, all aged between 75 and 95, have been taking part in an arts project designed specifically for them.
COMPLAINTS dealt with by the Local Government Ombudsman against Bury Council increased during the past year, new figures show. But no evidence of maladministration was found in any of the cases. Statistics for the year ending March 31 show that the level
RADCLIFFE Parish Church is taking part in this weekend's Heritage Open Days. The national celebration of architecture and culture is designed to allow the public free access to buildings which they may not usually be able to visit. The Parish Church of
BURY Horticultural Society staged its two-day summer show at Holy Trinity primary school in Bury at the weekend. The event went ahead despite the death of two key society members. Mr George Walsh, who held various society posts including secretary and
A PLAN to build apartments in Ramsbottom took a new twist this week when a landowner accused developers of encroaching on his land. The claim came just days before the application was due to be discussed for a second time by councillors last night (Thurs
FORMER Burnley boss Adrian Heath today admitted he's a fully paid up member of the Blackburn fan club as Rovers prepare to enter the white hot atmosphere of the Stadium of Light. Heath, now coach of North East superpower Sunderland, is a big admirer of
BURNLEY Scouts and Guides Northern Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps is celebrating its best competition wins in 55 years. The band picked up eight trophies at events in Warrington and Batley, including their first supreme championship since their first contest
A JEALOUS husband saw red when he went round to his estranged wife's home expecting to make up -- but she was with her boyfriend and snubbed him. Burnley magistrates heard how drunken Craig Vincent Cheetham, 32, then set about smashing up what he thought
FOURTEEN new policemen will be patrolling Burnley within the next two weeks as part of moves to prevent a repeat of the racial unrest which rocked the town. And a questionnaire will be sent to every household to give everyone the opportunity to highlight
SEVEN million pounds of Euro money is on its way to tackle crime issues in Burnley. The cash will be used over a five-year period to fund a variety of initiatives directly benefiting around a third of residents in the borough. A delegation from the council
RESIDENTS in Nelson who claim their cars and houses have been struck by cricket balls fear that the sport will be allowed to continue despite their concerns. Ringstone Crescent Recreation Ground has been used for both football and cricket for a number
INSPIRATIONAL half-back Tommy Martyn is set to return for the Saints' Friday night's home clash against the Leeds Rhinos. Coach Ian Millward says Martyn has a "very good chance" of recovering from the hip injury that forced him out of last week's match
A VILLAGE silver band was blowing its own trumpet after a successful tour of Holland, Germany and Belgium. The 28 members of the Slaidburn Band and their family and friends were given a warm welcome at their concerts, and were able to go sight seeing
A MAN who spent 12 hours a week working as a volunteer at a centre for physically handicapped people was nominated for a national award. Staff at the Marsden Centre, Nelson put forward Mark Gott's name for a Whitbread Volunteer Action award for his outstanding
AN 80-year old band needs new members to prevent its closure. Leigh Silver Band, once the Leigh British Legion Band, was formed around 1920, between the first and second world wars, and is now struggling to survive. Cornet player, Harold Roberts is one
THIS year's Accrington Town Centre Walk was led by Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe. He, fellow councillors and officials braved the rain for the annual tour which started at the town hall. Shoppers and local business people were also invited
THERE isn't much wrong with the youth of today when a group of them can take the trouble to help the needy in far-off lands. We should applaud the thoughtful, caring youngsters who gave their time to travel to Romania with the Lowton Churches Romania
LEIGH Police's new second-in-command has vowed he won't be tied to a desk and says he is determined to be a visible presence in town. The new sub-division Chief Inspector Ian Palmer took over from former Ch Insp Ken Dickson on Monday and he is set to
A NURSE is spearheading a campaign to prevent a mobile phone mast being put up on her street. Atherton resident Jane Woodward was horrified when she discovered a telecommunications company want to install a tower, antenna and microwave dishes on top of
LEIGH'S historic Spinning Jenny plaque has found an impressive new home a century after its debut. The newly restored tribute to Leigh's unlucky history has been permanently mounted in a magnificent display in Leigh Town Hall foyer -- thanks to the Leigh
A TOP academic who claimed she was passed over for a university professorship because she was a woman has lost her claim for sexual discrimination. International economics expert Dr Barbara Ingham, 56, of Linton Croft, Waddington Road, Waddington, who
ULTRAFRAME, the troubled Clitheroe-based conservatory roof manufacturer, has accused the City of over-reacting after almost £100 million was wiped off the value of the company following a profits warning. The company told the Stock Exchange on Friday
FLEETWOOD batted first and, in the face of some very ordinary bowling by the Blackpool attack, made 205-4 in their 40 overs. In reply Blackpool never looked as though they wanted to win and ambled aimlessly to 131 all out, many of the runs coming when
BURY exporters are now being called to enter the 2001 "Trade Partners UK International Business Awards". The competition, which aims to encourage and recognise the very best of British export, is the result of a joint initiative between the DTI's Trade
BOLTON and Bury Chamber has appointed Kathryn Czaja as commercial director to head up its new commercial services division. Kathryn, who is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, will help remember reduce their overheads and improve
THE cheers are ringing around Bloomfield Road after Blackpool FC toasted a new signing! For the Tangerines have linked up with Daniel Thwaites, the top North West brewery known for a close relationship with soccer, which will service all sections of the
THE boss of Greater Manchester's Learning and Skills Council has offered words of encouragement to Bury students whose GCSE results didn't meet expectations. Mr Anthony Goldstone, chairman, has underlined what is available to these students in terms of
A HOLCOMBE Brook woman hopes to prove herself hot stuff in the world of catering. Mrs Yasmin Gill is combining her work as a chiropodist by finding her feet in a new business, cooking and serving a host of Indian curry meals for clients. She has harnessed
IT'S success on a plate for the popular Prestwich-based Domino's Pizza store, which has undergone a facelift costing more than £50,000. Now, the Bury New Road delivery shop is serving up a new look to customers, thanks to the franchise owner who helped
EX-BURNLEY striker Alan Lee feels that the newly promoted Rotherham are learning quickly. The former Claret returns to Turf Moor tomorrow aiming to produce a strong personal display and hoping the Millers will at last get some luck. They have started
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent is looking to his players to keep their feet on the ground as they seek to stay top of Division One tomorrow. Rotherham United are the visitors to Turf Moor and, while the newly promoted Yorkshiremen have only two points to their
THERE will be a lot of ears listening to the radio tomorrow night if East Lancs get the better of Enfield. The Transco Lancashire League title will be settled over the double header weekend with defending champions Bacup currently having just a two point
RELUCTANT hero Paul Houldsworth will step down as captain of Great Harwood this weekend even though he stands on the verge of becoming the most successful skipper in the club's history, writes ANDY NEILD. Just six days after leading his team to Ramsbottom
FLOODLIT fans were treated to a hat-trick from Ramsbottom professional Brad Hodge as they beat Transco Lancashire League title hopefuls Bacup in the Floodlit Valley Trophy semi-final last night. The Worsley Cup winners clinched a place in the final tonight
A COLLECTION of motors worth millions gathered outside Blackpool's Imperial Hotel on Sunday to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sir William Lyons -- founder of Jaguar Cars. Sir William was born in the town on September 4, 1901. Among the vehicles
Walney Central 6 Leigh Miners 16 IMPRESSIVE all-round rugby saw Leigh Miners chalk up a rare victory at Walney. It was the home side's first outing of the season and they lacked cohesion and sharpness at times. The Miners had several notable absentees
TYLDESLEY RU lost their way and their final warm-up game before the league programme starts, mainly due to a poor second half performance at Aspull. Tyldesley started the stronger but the home side defended well and little in the way of a scoring opportunity
ATHERTON CC lost ground in their quest for the Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association championship at the weekend when they could only take 14 bonus points from their drawn game with Adlington while league leaders Walshaw were winning at Edgworth. Adlington
A HOUSING scheme to rescue the failed Crostons Road motor development looked set to get the thumbs-down last night (Thurs Sept 6). Planning chiefs say the site is a crucial employment- generating area, and had recommending that councillors refuse permission
TEENAGE pals, fed-up of being labelled yobs by villagers, decided to do something about it. Fourteen-year-olds Julia Christie and Stephanie Murray called a public meeting with residents in Greenmount to meet them face-to-face. The teenagers, sometimes
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to provide friendship and support to those who feel socially isolated because of their disabilities. BADDAC (Bury and District Disabled Advisory Council) has launched its recruitment campaign for befrienders. Jigsaw Link is
BURY Art Gallery celebrates its centenary with perhaps the most fitting exhibition it could have staged. The show features all manner of paper sculptures, apt given the town's paper-making history and that the Moss Street gallery was created thanks to
A SOLUTION to traffic problems on Summerseat's notorious Bass Lane may be just around the corner. Around 60 villagers turned out for a special meeting at Summerseat Methodist Primary School to thrash out the options for improvements along the narrow country
PRESTON will be without two strikers as they bid to record their first Division One win of the season when Wolves visit Deepdale. Jon Macken and former Rover Kevin Gallacher are both suffering from hamstring strains and will not be fit. Wolves boss Dave
PLANS for more roadworks in Rawtenstall town centre, less that three months after repair works caused major disruption to local traders, have been called 'crazy' by the Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce. Repair works to a culvert in Bank Street, which lasted
THE future looks rosy for the Rossendale Hospital site said health watchdog chairman Frank Clifford, welcoming plans for a proposed £16 million development. Neil Matthewman, director of planning at Burnley Health Care Trust, gave a presentation on the
BRAVE toddler Joshua Westwell is making a "brilliant" recovery in a hospital intensive care unit after spending his second birthday undergoing a six-hour operation to remove a tumour from his liver. After a third cancelled operation, the surgery was finally
THE Manchester and Cheshire branch of the Embroiderer's Guild will be holding its monthly meeting on Saturday. The meeting will take place at Owens Park, Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, from 10am-4pm. There will be a workshop on patchwork in the morning,
A LOWTON School was damaged in an arson attack last week. A storeroom at Lowton County High School, Newton Road, was set on fire after burning paper was shoved through an air vent. Camping equipment was damaged and a liquid petroleum gas cylinder -- used
THE hard work of three men is on its way to being rewarded with a prize for the best-kept churchyard. Bill Nicholson, George Thompson and John Ruffley have voluntarily kept the churchyard at St Mary's Church, in Lowton, for the past 10 years, and now
BLACKPOOL'S night sky blazed into life for another year on Friday night (August 31) as pop stars Steps became the 59th guests to flick the big illuminations switch in the town's Talbot Square. Joining the famous five were Emma Bunton, former Wet Wet Wet
IT'S out with the traditional top hat and tails and in with a lavish, powder blue outfit for Blackpool's new ringmaster. Harvey Feager has been a children's entertainer in Blackpool for the past 21 years -- a job he would not swap for all the chips on
BLACKPOOL has gone potty over a display of superloos on the Promenade this week. Residents and visitors were invited to take a peek at possible new facilities for the town from superloo firm JC Decaux on Tuesday and Wednesday. The move is part of Blackpool
CONTROVERSY still rages as Blackpool social services chief continues to work for a firm that rates care homes. Steve Pullan's dual role was approved by the council last week despite concerns about a possible conflict of interests. Proposals by Conservative
A LOOK at events from around the area. THORNTON FLOCK to the RSPB Blackpool and Fylde members group at 7.30pm on September 14 at Thornton Lecture Hall, Four Lane Ends, where RSPB conservation officer Tim Melling will give an illustrated talk on mis-identification
A BUSINESS support agency aiming to create new businesses in East Lancashire has been awarded £500,000 over three years by the Government. East Lancashire Growing New Business in Disadvantaged Communities was set up by Business Services East Lancashire
A NEW arson crimebusting team has been praised by the first person helped -- Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. The Arson Reduction Team arrived at the scene at Mr Straw's office he shares with other organisations in Richmond Terrace, Blackburn, after an arson
POLICE today hailed a major drugs crackdown as a huge success and warned dealers there is more to come. In total 31 people were arrested during a two day blitz on addresses in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Blackpool as part of Operation Hurricane. More than
A RETIRED policeman today re-lived his involvement in one of the most controversial police inquiries Britain has even seen -- and his satisfaction at catching The Beast of Blackburn. In 1948, police painstakingly examined the fingerprints of 44,000 men
A BROTHER and sister are living on a knife edge as they wait to find out if they have the genetic disorder that is thought to have killed two members of their family. Anna Jolly, 19, of Warehouse Lane, Foulridge, and her eldest brother Noel, 29, of Hollins
BACUP face Daisy Hill away hoping to compound the misery of the team who have conceded 16 goals in the last two games - both against East Lancashire opposition. Daisy Hill were beaten 9-1 by Nelson last Saturday and 7-0 by Stand on Tuesday.
NEIL Hodgson is on course to overtake former World Superbike champion Troy Corser at the penultimate round of the season at the Dutch circuit of Assen this weekend. More than 40,000 Brits are expected to make the trip across the Channel to roar on the
PRESTON will be without two strikers as they bid to record their first Division One win of the season when Wolves visit Deepdale. Jon Macken and former Rover Kevin Gallacher are both suffering from hamstring strains and will not be fit. Wolves boss Dave
RAMSBOTTOM have signed former Coventry, Leicester and Bury defender Paul Williams. Williams, who was released from Gigg Lane a couple of seasons, had signed for UniBond side Radcliffe Borough this summer but will be at the NWCL Division One side in a
ANTHONY Keenan shot a three over par 73 in the second round of the Daily Telegraph-Center Parcs Junior Golf Championships at Sea Island, Georgia yesterday to finish joint eighth of the 12 players. The Burnley player had shot what he considered a disappointing
NELSON have proved a real goal machine this season - and striker Jonathan Irvine hoping his scoring boots will take them past the first stage of the FA Vase. The Blues, who have found the back of the net 19 times in their six matches so far this season
FEW of us like to contemplate the reality of animal slaughter. However, I have just found out about a practice so horrific that I feel that readers must be informed. Viva! (Vegetarians' International Voice for Animals) has just completed an investigation
Blackbrook 20 Widnes Alb 8: BROOK emerged victorious after a bruising encounter with a tough Widnes outfit. Honours finished even in the first half after Brook opened the scoring when on 10 minutes scrum half Andy Shaw finished off a break from Paul Toole
Thatto Heath Crusaders 30 Askam 24: THATTO Heath made it two out of two in the First Division of the National Conference at Red Rocks on Saturday with a victory over Cumbrian side Askam. Heath were on fire from the start when winger Phil Glover crossed
IN response to Mrs Pat Simpson's recent letter to The Citizen (Letters, August 9), hundreds of zoos throughout the world are involved with international gorilla breeding programmes. This does not mean that they are all producing young gorillas, but that
Abbey Hey 0 St Helens Town 4: IT was a case of 'all's well that ends well' as Town visited the Gorton district of Manchester on Saturday where a late three goal salvo put the correct perspective on a game they dominated. In picking up the three points
IT'S round two of the Worthington Cup next week and PNE are away to Tranmere Rovers. We've had quite a few battles with them in the past and Prenton Park is never an easy place to go to, especially in the cups, but with plenty of support behind them Preston
THREE North End players have committed their future to the club by signing new deals which will keep them at Deepdale for the next three years. Full-back Graham Alexander, Rob Edwards and goalkeeper Tepi Moilanen have all signed three year contracts with
PRESTON will be without two strikers as they bid to record their first Division One win of the season when Wolves visit Deepdale. Jon Macken and former Rover Kevin Gallacher are both suffering from hamstring strains and will not be fit. Wolves boss Dave
THE future of 123 Blackpool students hangs in the balance as they await the results of a massive re-mark of exam papers this week. And college bosses fear there could be many more. The Blackpool Sixth Form College pupils received lower than expected grades
I READ Councillor Adam's discourse on how "immigrants have enriched the nation" (Your Letters, August 10). I am sure that many people in Oldham, Burnley and Bradford would think otherwise. And I don't know how he arrives at the conclusion that there are
THE traders at the bottom of Ainsworth Road and Water Street, Radcliffe, have every right to complain ("Traders kick up big stink", August 30). Does the council or the water companies not check on the grids? It is quite clear to me that they are blocked
IN his letter (August 24), Ray Honeyford shows only too clearly why we should refuse to accept his ideas that racial diversity can be a negative influence. He starts with the relatively modest suggestion that "diversity in itself does not, inevitably,
IN the article (August 24) headlined "Fans call for Birthdays ban", Bury FC chairman Terry Robinson and Nick Carter, finance director of Birthdays, declared that those opposed to the sale of other club's merchandise at the Bury FC shop were a "small minority
I WOULD like Bury Times readers to see extracts from a letter I have sent to Mr Richard Boland, chief executive of Birthdays. In part it reads . . . "I support a little football club. It is not Arsenal, Newcastle, QPR, or even Rochdale. My club is Bury
FOUR of Leigh Centurions' squad have been handed the chance to press their claims for places on the England Under 21s tour to South Africa later this year. John Duffy, Lee Sanderson, Simon Svabic and Neil Turley have been named in an NFP Under 21s squad
FOUR hundred young revellers were refused entry to Bury's leading nightclub during a crackdown on under-age drinking. A total of 300 potential clubbers were barred from Sol and Viva during the first purge on August 25 with a further 100 youngsters denied
LEIGH RMI's injury-plagued start to their Nationwide Conference campaign shows no sign of easing with influential midfielder Dave Ridings the latest casualty. Ridings, RMI's longest-serving player, damaged knee ligaments early in the game against Southport
AFTER a break of 12 days it's back to business with a vengeance for Blackpool, with two important games in three days! On Saturday Steve McMahon's men travel to Oldham in a bid to get their season back on track after the home draw against Wycombe and
