A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn and District Probus Club meet St Silas Parish Rooms, Blackburn, 10am. 'Here Up North' with Mr R Jackson. Carol Concert with Blackburn and Darwen Band, Barlow
THE computer revolution of the last decade has focused the ambitions of our young people on careers in technology. Schools have been quick to equip themselves with computers and all kinds of technology while colleges have launched courses to provide highly
IWAS amused by Mrs Gladys Robinson's views on gays and lesbians adopting children (Letters, Novemebr 28), using expressions like 'disgusting,' 'right environment' and 'right way to live.' Considering every gay person I know had straight parents, it strikes
REGARDING your article on child poverty (LET, November 26), we knew what poverty really was in the 1920s and 1930s, when you wouldn't go to school because you had no clogs to put on and always wore clothes from jumble sales. But people helped one another
+FOLLOWING the comments of Heather Lomas, of Hollymount Nursing House, regarding elderly people being guided toward council-run residential homes (Letters, November 27), perhaps readers would appreciate knowing their rights when choosing residential care
IN response to Elaine Hutchinson's experience with Scottish bank notes (Letters, November 29), I have lived in Blackburn for nearly 30 years and for the first time recently encountered exactly the same problem. I had family staying with me from Scotland
REGARDING recent letters highlighting concerns over prosecuting for unlicensed public entertainment, Blackburn with Darwen Council always offers advice to licensees on the type of entertainment that can be provided without an entertainment license. Even
PARENTS, staff and governors of Higher Lane Junior and Infant Schools have some two months to respond to the decision to merge the two. Official notification of the proposed amalgamation was issued last week and replies should be made to Mr Paul Cooke
A 40-YEAR-OLD Darwen woman has appeared in court charged with manslaughter following the death of 13-year-old Melissa Strickson from an overdose of prescribed medication. Melissa and a 14-year-old girl, who was in a coma for two days, took the tablets
NORWEGIAN frontman Egil Ostenstad today vowed to make the most of his recall to Rovers' starting line-up. Ostenstad was brought back in from the cold for Saturday's game against Middlesbrough. And though the game ended in disappointment for the team as
ROVERS' two Academy teams face a tough double-header this weekend against Coventry at Brockhall. And team coaches Ian Miller and Rob Kelly face an anxious wait over the next couple of days before they can finalise their plans for the visit of the Sky
ROB Kelly's young guns face a daunting clash against Chelsea tonight in the fourth round of the AXA FA Youth Cup at Ewood. But the visit of the Blues holds no fears for Jerome Watt, the latest player to be touted as potential first team material in the
A DOUBLE celebration was held at the Remploy factory in Burnley to mark International Day of the Disabled. The Mayor, Coun Jack Alston, presented Remploy's Making a Difference at work awards and handed over a cheque for £500 to Mary Cohu. Mary works at
A HERD of goats will be the Christmas gift for a family in East Africa from parishioners of St Margaret's Church, Hapton. The goats are one of three life-changing gifts which the congregation are making this Christmas to some of the poorer people in the
BURNLEY FC striker Andy Payton has been charged with failing to provide a breath sample and a series of motoring offences after being arrested following an accident in Padiham. The accident occurred at 11.25pm on Sunday in Cemetery Road and Payton, 33
A SCHEME to help young families under stress will be officially launched in Nelson next week. Home-Start Pendle officially gets under way on Thursday, December 13, with a launch at Nelson Cricket Club. Special guest speaker will be Margaret Harrison OBE
PROPOSALS for a major extension at Higham Village Hall have met with opposition from local residents. During the consultation process of the application submitted to the Borough of Pendle's Planning Department, letters of opposition from people living
THIS talented group of eight singers, actors and musicians performed 'Una Fiaba Cantata', a 'Christmas Tale in Song'. Freely adapted from Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', the story was given an innovative treatment by this outstanding young ensemble
NORTH West health authorities led the country in slashing long term hospital waiting lists. Health districts in the region saw the number of patients waiting more than a year for treatment fall by 28.1 per cent.
Bah! Humbug! Last week saw two very poor home performances which left me feeling distinctly Scrooge-like approaching the festive period. We got away with it against City, but didn't against Boro. Hopefully Saturday was just a bad day at the office with
NEW rights to walk across countryside and wild, remote parts of the Clitheroe area will tomorrow be discussed at a public roadshow in the town. At the meeting, which runs from 12.30pm to 7.30pm at the Ribble Valley Borough Council chambers in Church Walk
THE audiences of East Lancashire now have an alternative live entertainment venue which, it is claimed, they have long been crying out for. The launch of the raucous Lock n Load Comedy Club means that a night out which is that little bit different need
THERE was a brand new venue for the annual awards evening at Woodhey High School. Head teacher Mr Martin Braidley welcomed parents to the Frank Bennett Hall, and listed some memorable moments of the last 12 months. But he also attacked the lack of funding
TRANSPORT bosses have redrawn the map of the borough. Now, local commuters can benefit from the brand new version of Greater Manchester's public transport network map. It is one of 12 just published by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive
IT MAY sound like a shaggy dog story but libraries in Whitefield and Unsworth are to lead the way in supplying poop scoops to the community. Dog walkers everywhere will be able pop in for more than just their favourite book titles after it was suggested
CLARETS manager Stan Ternent has broken his silence on the shock departure of Paul Cook last week. The absence of the midfielder from the squad that travelled to Crystal Palace last week has been the talk of the town. Ternent, yesterday crowned Nationwide
PRESTON midfielder Steve Robinson has had a transfer request accepted by the Deepdale board. The Northern Ireland star has struggled to make an impact at North End since his move from Bournemouth for £375,000 in June 2000. He has been plagued by injuries
I'D like to forget the last time I joined an aerobics class. Billed as light, gentle exercise, it left me feeling like I'd swum the Channel wearing flared jeans and a Puffa jacket. Gruelling would be an understatement and at one point I was forced to
A 40-YEAR-OLD Darwen woman has appeared in court charged with manslaughter following the death of 13-year-old Melissa Strickson from an overdose of prescribed medication. Melissa and a 14-year-old girl, who was in a coma for two days, took the tablets
THE Help the Aged shop on School Street in Darwen is one of the places people can go to donate their unwanted glasses. The charity is running an appeal called World in Sight where glasses which are useless to their original owners can help to benefit
THE HUSBAND of a woman whose body was found in a French lake has not been questioned about her disappearance since police made the grisly discovery. Robert Lund has admitted he was seen as the main suspect over the death of his wife Evelyn Lund, who went
THE man who discovered pop star Lisa Stansfield when she was in her early teens has uncovered a sensational new singing talent, 13-year-old Trevor Craig Hodgson. Showbusiness guru Mort Allan is convinced that schoolboy Trevor has what it takes to succeed
A YOUTH project in which youngsters have filmed their lives in Stacksteads will receive its first public showing later this month. The Toll Bar Bus Stop video project has been on going for the last six weeks as the Youth Works project in partnership with
A SINISTER kidnap plot has left regulars at a pub looking over their shoulders for the culprit. The owners of the Royal Hotel, in Waterfoot, are now trying to trace the cheeky prankster who stole Tony, the pub's miniature model mascot, from their restaurant
A 24 YEAR OLD woman who felt she had reached 'rock bottom' because of drugs had resolved to rid herself of her habit. Blackburn magistrates heard that Nicola Margaret Bell appeared in court "very proud of herself" because she had gone two days without
A MAN abducted and indecently assaulted two young girls after asking them to help look for his lost dog, a court heard. Mark Andrew Hayhurst, 33, took the girls, aged seven and eight, to an empty house in Blackburn where he allegedly assaulted them. Hayhurst
A CHARITY night in memory of a Blackburn mum of two who died of cancer raised more than £6,000 for breast cancer research. Michelle Hilton lost her six-and-a-half-year battle against breast cancer in September. The 37-year-old had campaigned for the right
PLANS to move a drug service centre into a residential area have been scrapped after a public outcry. Residents and businesses in the Accrington Road area of Blackburn voiced their concerns after it was revealed a health trust had applied to move the
ACCRINGTON Stanley make the trip to UniBond Premier highfliers Altrincham tonight hoping to seal a spot in the third round of the FA Umbro Trophy. The two sides drew 1-1 at the Crown Ground on Saturday and Stanley will hope that the Manchester side have
BACUP will be also looking to progress in the FA Umbro Trophy when they take on NWCL Division One side Maine Road at West View in the Worthington Challenge Trophy. A victory will take Bacup into the quarter-finals where they will have a home tie against
ACCRINGTON Stanley are set to net £25,000 if former striker Brett Ormerod wins an international cap. The Blackpool front man was due to arrive in Southampton this morning to thrash out the final details of his £1.75million switch to the Premiership strugglers
FORMER Stanley boss Tony Greenwood is hoping Brett Ormerod remembers him if the striker makes an impact on the international scene. Blackpool's Ormerod is on the verge of a £1.75m move to Premier side Southampton - a far cry from the days when the then
ARMED thieves attacked a security guard in a bank raid this morning. The robbery took place at 10.51am at the Royal Bank of Scotland on Bridge Street, Ramsbottom. The gang threatened staff with a firearm and the security guard was attacked by the offenders
A DOTING grandmother died when she was struck by a double-decker bus in Manchester city centre. Now, the family of Mrs Peggy Harrow are seeking answers as to how the tragedy occurred in Piccadilly Gardens last Thursday morning (Nov 29). Her son-in-law
BRETT Ormerod should become a Southampton player today after a £1.5million fee for the prolific striker was agreed between the two sides. The 25-year-old was immediately pulled out of Blackpool's squad travelling to Chesterfield for an LDV Vans Trophy
IWELCOME Pendle MP Gordon Prentice's comments about British citizens who fight for the Taliban (LET, November 21). I recently went to Rochdale to pay homage to a comrade killed in the Second World War. A few days later I learned of the pro-Taliban march
MINERS' leaders claim that former coal face workers are dying before receiving compensation they deserve because of government failure. Following a court case three years ago, the Government agreed to pay out cash to former miners suffering from respiratory
IVAN Lewis MP called a meeting with various organisations and local residents to tackle a worrying problem with the sewage system in Prestwich and Whitefield. He said he has received a number of complaints about localised flooding in recent weeks and
A TERRIFIED couple were forced into their own home and robbed by crooks who refused to help when one of their victims suffered an asthma attack. Two masked men, one armed with a bat, stole more than £1,000 after taking a handbag and a purse but refused
JUNIOR hospital doctor Sumit Mukherjee has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct by the General Medical Council while working in Bury. The GMC ruled Dr Mukherjee, who had worked at Bury General and Fairfield hospitals, prescribed drugs
A COUNCIL today admitted it had made a mistake by saying car parking charges in Burnley were set to rise by 50 per cent. A typing error on a council agenda said a charge of £1 for two to four hours was to rise to £1.50. But council bosses said today the
COMING from a recently rediscovered collection of photographs given to Blackburn library, a 30-year-old picture, is of a now-vanished feature of the town centre that could be located by smell as well as by sight -- the old Fish Dock adjoining Blackburn
THE centrepiece of the fascinating exhibition based on the recently-rediscovered diaries of 19th-century Blackburn printer and alderman Charles Tiplady who chronicled life in the town during the most important period of its growth, an enormous painting
WHEN do you start to believe that maybe, just maybe, it might be your season? When do you start to believe that those dreams -- the staple diet of all football supporters -- might just turn into reality? And when do you start to believe that Burnley's
A TRIAL train to take coal to Castle Cement, Clitheroe, was right on track as it hit the rails for the first time. The journey went without a hitch and regular deliveries were set to be made to see if the system could be economical and environmentally
THE first specialist school in Hyndburn to be awarded technology college status was officially opened by a government minister. Ivan Lewis MP, parliamentary under secretary of state for young people, last week visited the Hollins Technology College. Formerly
A WOMAN was rescued from a smoke-logged house in St Annes today. Firefighters using breathing apparatus rescued the woman from a fire on Tuesday, at a house on York Street, St Annes at about 8.40am. The fire damaged the living room and also caused smoke
PLANS for a new high school to end the Ribble Valley pupil places nightmare have been scrapped in favour of £1.9million of improvements to two existing sites. A year after county councillors said up to 250 new places could be created by finding a new
LAST week's documentary about the life and career of Jack Hixon was a graphic reminder of how life used to be at Turf Moor. The North East maestro was able to supply the Clarets with countless talented youngsters who were nurtured, groomed and gradually
KARAOKE fans are invited to exercise their vocal chords in aid of Clitheroe schoolgirl Tina Stevenson, who suffers from cerebral palsy. The White Lion, Clitheroe, is holding a 'charaoke' on Thursday from 8.30pm to raise funds for the nine-year-old, of
THE Jack Daniels crew at Moist Cafe bar had a busy night when party-goers were treated to free tasting of the original Tennessee Whiskey. The night culminated with one lucky drinker winning an official Jack Daniels leather jacket not available through
A COMPANY boss fears that wagons which mount the pavement outside his factory could demolish a wall and injure or kill his workers. The heavy goods vehicles have already caused damage to the roof and guttering of Stanlan Rollers, in Badger Street, Bury
PUPILS at Park View Primary School are getting the best start to education thanks to the combined efforts of parents, staff and governors. According to their latest Ofsted report, everyone is playing their part to ensure the on-going success of one of
CHRISTMAS celebrations in Ramsbottom will be no cold turkey as the town plans for a month of festive fun. The festivities start in earnest on Sunday (Dec 2) when the Dickensian themed street markets returned, by popular demand. They will be held on the
FORMER Liverpool hot-shot Dean Saunders has been charged with the task of unearthing the answer to Blackburn's striking problems. The former Welsh international has now been officially appointed as a striker coach at Ewood until the end of the season.
CHIEF Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock was at White Hart Lane for last night's Premiership clash between Spurs and Wanderers. Click HERE for his exclusive website reports
PADDY Kenny will definitely play in the Premiership. At least that's according to striker Baichung Bhutia. The Indian, currently sidelined till March with a knee injury, reckons the goalkeeper is destined to make the step up to the top league sooner rather
POLICE who hailed a burglary crackdown on a Darwen estate a success have turned their attention to another problem -- vandals. Patrols on the St James estate were stepped up following a spate of burglaries in the area, in which more than 20 properties
DETAILS of Darwen Library Theatre's programme for next year have been unveiled. Musical performances including tributes to Meatloaf and Freddie Mercury and a performance from Hat Stand Opera, to live theatre from Midland Actors Company and Talia Theatre
HIRED buses are being drafted in to take pupils to school after vandals caused more than £10,000 damage when they went on a wrecking spree in a coach yard. Police said the vandals gained entrance to the yard of Darwen Coach Services, in Cotton Hall Street
DISAPPOINTMENT with their town centre's Christmas decorations has led three neighbours to finally see the light -- and put up their own. And it is not just the three wise ladies who see the lights, most visitors to Elm Grove, Darwen, see them too. In
POSTIE and marathon runner Dale Connearn is taking his family on a holiday of a lifetime to America -- and fitting in a fundraising run at the same time. Dale, 34, of Bankfield Street, Stacksteads, is going to St Petersburg near Tampa in Florida on Boxing
MORRIS Homes, developers of Oakdale in Blackburn, has secured a prestigious What House? Energy Saving award. The judges of the award scheme, which is run in conjunction with the Sunday Times, were impressed by the company's "commitment to energy efficiency
A HOPED-for reconciliation fell flat for Tariq Shah when his former girlfriend told him it was all over without giving any explanation. Blackburn magistrates heard that his deflated ego took a further battering when she drove off without speaking and
POLICE have submitted plans to turn a disused part of Blackburn Railway Station into their new town centre base. Bosses at Lancashire Police revealed last week that they wanted to take over empty offices at the recently renovated railway station when
AN East Lancashire actor has beaten off competition to play the lead role in a new drama -- set in Blackburn. 'Offside' is an educational series set to be broadcast in January next year. The fictional show, being made by the BBC children's education department
A GANG of Portuguese workmen have been drafted in to "cobble" in a Lancashire town centre -- because contractors can't find anyone in this country with the right skills for the job. Contractors said the six workmen were called in when the initial workforce
JIM McCLUSKIE returns to Chorley's Victory Park tonight for the first time since leaving under a cloud two and half years ago. McCluskie was released by new boss Dalton Steele just days after himself being turned down for the manager's position at the
PRESTON North End have confirmed that sponsors BAXI will not renew their shirt deal which is due to expire at end of this season. The first division club, who face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane tomorrow, will be looking for a new deal and North End's
A SECOND-HALF fightback ensured North End took away a point from this game. Unfortunately, unlike previous weeks where Preston have fought back from the brinks of defeat, it was the opposition who hauled themselves back into the game. North End had done
