HUTTON Historical Society are hosting a talk on The Samlesbury Witches by David Brazendale, on Tuesday, March 5. Annual subscription to the group, which meets at Hutton Village Hall, near Preston, is £7, or the meetings are £2 for visitors.
JAZZ band Mersysippi will be playing as part of the Feast of Jazz season at the Grasshoppers Rugby Club, Lightfoot Lane, Preston on Sunday, February 17. Tickets to the gig, starting at 8pm, are £3.50 on the door. For more information call 712861.
PRESTON Ramblers Association are walking around the scenic sights of Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve on Sunday. The circular trail will take in 11 miles of the local scenery. Walkers can meet at Market Street West in Preston at 9am. For more information
A NEW play by a local drama group is set to tell the real story behind the man who cracked the famous Enigma code in the Second World War. Breaking The Code, by the Preston Drama Club, charts the rise and fall of famous mathematician Allan Turing. Turing
MAIN semi-finals - Jim Noon (Westleigh) 21-20 Dennis Thorpe (Leigh B.C.) and Derek Seddon (Wigan) 21-16 Cliff Berry (Leigh B.C.) Final - Seddon 21-15 Noon. Consolation semi-finals - Alan Price (Hindley Green) 21-15 Colin Morris (Newton) and Richard Foster
I have been watching Leigh RL for the past 50 years and I would like to sing the praises of one of the club's best-ever value for money signings - Adam Bristow. He is as close to the perfect professional it is possible to get. His fitness and workrate
THE good people of Rawtenstall who complain about chanticleer's crowing (LET, February 4), should realise that they are destined to do this early in the morning to make the sun rise. There are far worse things to come, with the global warming, we shall
WITH Blackburn with Darwen Council's stance on gritting during the cold snap being: "We have been out gritting" (Really?), well let's look at value for money. Do we, as a community, think that the council used a budget of £330,000 efficiently on not getting
REGARDING Lancashire County Council's proposal to close 35 of its homes for the elderly, in his summary of them, social services chief County Councillor CW Cheetham says he supports the drive for higher standards in residential care homes introduced by
THE heartbroken parents of a battling leukaemia victim have been told there is no hope for him in this country. Atherton couple Gary and Elaine Berry are desperately striving to raise enough cash for miracle treatment for their son Daniel. Six months
A LOOK at the local football scene. PETER SHAW TROPHY QUARTER FINAL S Graham Eng Reds...1 Brierfield...1 Dibb 3 Bannister...5 (aet and pens) Stork Hotel...3 Red Lion...6 DIVISION ONE Rock Hotel...2 George & Dragon...1 Shakespeare...2 Forest...2 Union
ANOTHER three weeks of inactivity has further swelled the profits at the Woodlands Hotel as the big man in the sky has chosen to send more water than we could possible ever need although there will probably still be a hose-pipe ban in July. Saturday's
THEY may not have progressed past the first round but the teams representing Blackburn Rovers and Burnley did their schools proud. St Edwards Primary School from Darwen and St John's from Burnley won their area finals to progress to the regional finals
MEDICS battled to reattach a man's arm after he lost three limbs in an industrial accident. Paul Kelly, 47, of Farrington in Leyland, was airlifted to Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital following the accident at Tilemasters in Low Mill, Whittle-le-Woods
OUTRAGED MPs have demanded that county hall bosses re-think their plans to shut care homes for pensioners after calling them to an urgent meeting in Westminster. Council leader Hazel Harding and her deputy Doreen Pollitt were given a grilling by several
DOUBTLESS the people of Lancaster and Morecambe were shocked and horrified by the wicked crime in New York last September. Some may even have been personally involved and everyone will share their grief. Events following the war in Afghanistan and the
I WELCOME the opportunity to comment upon Steve Ellis' letter regarding striking workers. It is interesting that businesses can withdraw their money and resources, causing a permanent loss of service to customers and that is okay. That is capitalism,
ONE man on his way out of Ewood Park is defender Simon Grayson, who is set to join first division Bradford City on loan up to six weeks with a view to a permanent deal. "We don't want the loan to go beyond the transfer deadline so it will be up to six
THE proposals to close most of Lancashire County Council's care homes for older people are completely unacceptable. Labour County Councillors say there are no easy options but that is because the Labour Government is bringing in new standards, which will
ALAN KELLY has been definitely ruled out of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough - meaning an elevation for one of Blackburn Rovers' young keepers to the substitutes' bench at the very least. Republic of Ireland international Kelly was injured in
A GROUP of homeless birds are getting the chance to celebrate Valentine's Day in comfort this year. Sand Martins living on the Millennium Ribble Link canal, at Savick Brook, Ashton, are having new 'love nests' built in time for their migration home from
A BRAVE newsagent grappled with an armed robber, ripped off his balaclava and chased him from his store. Jayesh Palmar, of News Plus newsagents on New Hall Lane, was at work at around 6.30am on Wednesday (February 15) when the man burst in, armed with
A TEAM of helpful Prince's Trust volunteers have given children at a local women's centre somewhere to play. The Sahara group moved to new premises on Fishwick Parade, off New Hall Lane, late last year. Since then they have needed a creche for their members
THE chairman of the Preston branch of the NSPCC has paid tribute to the charity's president Princess Margaret. Chairman Tony McGuiness said he was devastated after hearing the news of the Queen's sister's death following a long period of ill health. "
A STUDENT is using his university know-how to help keep local firefighters safe. Graham Olorenshaw teamed up with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to help construct a special building to test sprinkler systems as part of his Fire Safety Management degree
THE SON of arguably the most high-profile victim of the World Trade Centre attacks has collected a £32,000 cheque to support a fund set up in his father's honour. David Higgerson spoke to Chris Ganci about the fund, his father and why his trip to Lancashire
A COMEDY of double adultery should provide an evening of hilarious entertainment when Burnley Garrick Club present Don't Dress for Dinner. The Mark Camoletti play received critical acclaim at the Apollo Theatre, London, when it featured Hi-di-hi actors
POLICE today confirmed they are to monitor a protest by the British National Party in Burnley next week. The demo is in support of leader Steven Smith who was jailed for falsifying signatures on election nomination papers in January. Smith, 41, was jailed
TESTS are being carried out to determined whether a Barrowford man's death was as the result of exposure to asbestos. Roy Lund, 81, of Holmefield Court, died in Burnley General Hospital on Friday. Coroner's officer PC Bob Wilson told an inquest opening
AN inquest has opened into the death of a Nelson man described by police as a known heroin user. Douglas Robert Lowes , 63, was found dead in bed at his home in Manchester Road, Nelson, shortly after 2pm on Saturday. Coroner's officer, PC Bob Wilson,
A PLAN to convert and enlarge a garage to form a double garage, store, workshop and display area at Long Hill Farm, Foulridge, could be approved by Colne and District Committee tonight. The applicant intends to use the store, workshop and display area
DRIVERS will be rallying round to help charity on this weekend's North West Stages to be held in Preston. Organised by a consortium of leading motor clubs in the region the event starts at the Novotel, Walton Summit at 9am on Saturday. The North West
THE owner of untidy land at Back O Th' Edge Farm, Red Lane, Colne, could be given another six weeks to clear the site after bad weather delayed the work. Pendle Council received a complaint in January 2001 that a piece of land next to the long access
VICTIM Support Lancashire, which has a branch in Preston, has gained the prestigious Investor in People award after only 18 months in existence. The caring charity, which has an office in Chapel Street, Preston, gained the quality award after demonstrating
A FLIPPIN' good time was had by all this week as pancake lovers young and old enjoyed a feast of delicious delights. From pancakes with lemon and sugar to those with syrup and cream -- dozens of people cracked the eggs and mixed the flour and milk before
PRESTON Borough Council will soon be rolling out the red carpet for the Golden Jubilee Mayoral Charity Ball. The annual event, sponsored by The Citizen newspaper and Travis Perkins building firm, will take place in the Grand Hall of the Guild Hall, on
Two students stepped into the world of politics -- one in Germany and the other in Westminster. Both Matthew Coggins and Rebecca Finley ,17, students of St Mary's Sixth Form College, Blackburn, embarked on their week work experience placements to see
A POLICEMAN has been reprimanded after he admitted visiting his girlfriend while he was supposed to be on duty. The PC admitted visiting the 26-year-old's home in Accrington when he was questioned by police bosses earlier this week. The move followed
DETECTIVES in Accrington have launched an undercover "hit squad" to tackle burglary in the town. A rising number of break-ins in East Lancashire has prompted the move, which follows a similar scheme in Blackburn. The team of three officers led by a detective
LEIGH Round Table want organisations and individuals to apply for a share of their surplus funds. Each year the group organises a range of fund-raising events, such as the successful firework display at Hilton Park, with the money raised directly benefiting
THEY say that the best place to meet a future partner is either at work or in the local supermarket -- Susan Clark combined the two. And today she reassured luckless Romeos that the partner of their dreams could be waiting for them just around the corner
SIX community champions have been honoured by a royal command to run in the round Britain curtain-raiser to Manchester's Commonwealth Games. Marathon man Steve Redford, David Potter and Tracey North, of Leigh, John Shepherd, of Atherton, Rebecca Tarry
BRAVE nine-year-old Lucy Tomlinson has won a Child of Achievement award for her courage. Lucy, of St Helens Road in Leigh, was nominated for the prestigious national prize by her headteacher at Christ Church Junior School, Pennington. The determined youngster
TODAY marks the diamond wedding anniversary of Valentines Tom and Cora Mason and the start of their triple celebration. The couple, who didn't realise it was the year's biggest day for romance when they booked their ceremony in 1942, will have their 60
THERE is an interesting site at www.findacleaner.org which claims to be the UK's first dedicated site which helps match cleaners up to residents. It is a simple site that allows you to search by entering your post-code and then shows you a list of people
IT has been a busy week on the thisislancashire web site with a complete re-vamp of the movie section. Our film guide now features an extensive review of the latest films showing around the area, including Monsters Inc. and From Hell starring Johnny Depp
THE Internet is all about images and it is easy enough to put your own pictures on the web for the world to take a look at. All types of photographs can be manipulated to plug onto the web. But if looking for just the right site is as scary as sorting
MORECAMBE'S lady cricketers will soon be bowling maiden overs as easily as the men when new facilities are installed at the Woodhill Lane Ground. A £111,129 grant towards the £168,629 total cost of a new extension to the clubhouse has been presented to
A BIZZARE night at Hyde saw Lancaster City drop two points against the bottom club in the Unibond Premier League. The 7.45pm kick-off time came and went with no sign of any action and the pitch looking more like a bog as heavy rain bombarded the ground
LANCASTER City's championship drive stalled at Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night as Barrie Stimpson's side slumped to a 4-1 defeat. City were behind after just three minutes when Matt Haddrell's free header from a corner sailed past Mark Thornley. Vauxhall
CLARETS legend George Bray, a long and distinguished servant of the club, has died it was announced today. The 83-year-old, who served the club as player, coach and kit-man, passed away on Wednesday evening. Born in Oswaldtwistle on the day the First
AS the first division promotion race hots up there was good news for Clarets' boss Stan Ternent after last night's reserves clash with Oldham. A number of senior professionals featured in a strong line-up that won 2-1 at Boundary Park. Two goal Paul Cook
BEDFORD High School, Leigh, is preparing to throw open its doors to more than 100 invited guests to share in the official opening of the school's new science building and community conference resource centre, the latest in a string of state-of-the-art
KATE Rusby's become something of a folk sensation since she last appeared at the Platform and she'll be back in Morecambe in March. Winner of Radio 2's folk singer of the year, she's become a big time player but her down-to-earth attitude has kept her
MORE national acclaim has been bestowed on one of Leigh's top primary schools. St John's CE Infants, already a respected Beacon School and one of the flagships of Leigh Education Action Zone, has now been named among the best in the country. The honour
TOMORROW'S World is a thought provoking and stimulating 2002 experience for Leigh Education Action Zone's Cyberspace Kids. Youngsters in every one of the 26 Leigh EAZ schools are now intensely involved in the computer classroom -- from primary to A level
THE Bram Taylor Band will be the guests of Leigh Folk Club at the Conservative Club, Railway Road, on Friday February 22. The Band is the successful collaboration of folk singer and entertainer Bram Taylor alongside North-East folk stalwarts Dave Hutchinson
A CRACKDOWN on car crime is to hit Morecambe in the next three weeks - and police want the public to help. Officers in Morecambe are calling on members of the public to alert them if anyone is acting suspiciously around cars as extra resources are concentrated
WIGAN and Leigh Pensioners Link is starting a new exercise class. The aim is to keep people fit and supple doing chair-based exercises to help stave off stiffness and will be held on Friday afternoons 12.30-2.30 from March 15. Call Pensioners Link on
PUPILS and teachers from Lancaster and Morecambe have taken part in a 'key skills day' to help them develop employability skills. The day consisted of a series of interactive workshops, including circus skills, scavenger hunt, motivation and drama. Several
DANCE fans can step out to help celebrate a church's 125th anniversary next month. As part of jubilee year at St Michael and All Angels' Church, Howe Bridge a celebration dance with music by Frank McNamara, spot prizes and a raffle will be held on March
DAMAGE valued at £500 was caused at McGaffigan' s Ironmongers, Main Road, Bolton-le-Sands between 6pm on Sunday, February 3 and 8am on Monday, February 4. The thieves approached the premises via nearby school playing fields and threw objects, smashing
THE 129th Anniversary Organ Concert, which celebrates the opening of the famous instrument at St Peter's Church, Hindley, will be given on Sunday at 2.30pm. The recitalist will be Brian Smith, Bolton's borough organist for the past 15 years. The famous
ARE you a pensioner who would like a free holiday? The National Benevolent Fund for the Aged aims to improve the quality of life for older people and is offering a free holiday to pensioners on low incomes who have not had a holiday for four years. Qualifying
A SERIES of special events have been unveiled at which people can find out more about Wigan Council's new township programme. The whole of the borough has been divided into nine "township" areas -- Orrell, Billinge and Winstanley; Leigh; Atherton; Wigan
Halton residents fear a picturesque stretch of the River Lune at Halton could be swamped by housing if a controversial planning application gets the go-ahead. The old Halton Mills area is considered a brownfield site and two planning applications for
A GOVERNMENT minister showed all her spinning skills when she visited Morecambe last week - but it was all to celebrate the achievements of a local group. Baroness Tessa Blackstone, tried her hand in the DJ booth when she visited the newly refurbished
TYLDESLEY'S Herbert Leah is all set to represent his country again in one of the world's most unusual sporting events. Herbert will travel to Boston, USA to compete in the World Indoor Rowing Championships on February 24, where he will race against 1800
WESTLEIGH High School's new rugby league teams made their debuts this week in a new kit that celebrates their unique partnership with Leigh Centurions. Leigh's international hooker Paul Rowley - the school team's coach - handed over the strip on Tuesday
HINDLEY boxer Mark Paxford added another win to his professional record with a points victory over Nottingham's Richard Inqueti at Preston Guild Hall. Paxford is now unbeaten in five contests, with just a controversial draw on his debut spoiling a perfect
DESPITE a gale force wind, Tyldesley RU put in their best performance of the season to date with a 25-10 win over Kirkby Lonsdale at St George's Park. The weather, or more precisely the wind, was always going to have a bearing on the outcome of the match
PAUL Terzis has warned his players not to get caught up in the mounting Challenge Cup fever. The Leigh Centurions coach has underlined the dangers of being distracted from their number one goal - winning the NFP and a place in Super League. "Of course
ALAN KELLY has been definitely ruled out of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough - meaning an elevation for one of Blackburn Rovers' young keepers to the substitutes' bench at the very least. Republic of Ireland international Kelly was injured in
AS the first division promotion race hots up there was good news for Clarets' boss Stan Ternent after last night's reserves clash with Oldham. A number of senior professionals featured in a strong line-up that won 2-1 at Boundary Park. Two goal Paul Cook
FANS will be hoping Preston's cup runs on and on this weekend as the Lilywhites travel to Chelsea for their FA Cup fifth round tie. Bolstered by the news that Chelsea will be without defender John Terry on Sunday, the players head to Stamford Bridge not
INDIE band Ten Stone Dead have announced details of their forthcoming UK tour and secured a national distribution deal for their debut album. The Clayton-le-Moors five-piece have just confirmed the final dates of their 20-date jaunt, when they will visit
A CHARITY fund-raising ball is being staged in memory of a Darwen woman who died of cancer. The Valentine's Ball in memory of Agnes Cartledge is at the De Vere Hotel, Bolton, and will raise funds towards complementary treatments for cancer patients at
A TEENAGER who disappeared from home for five days last week has gone missing again. Rebecca Stuart,14, was reunited with her family on Monday night. Her father Roy, 40, believes she left the family home in Campion Drive in Helmshore, Rossendale, in the
AN 80-year-old mugging victim who suffered a broken bone in her shoulder when she was attacked in Crawshawbooth is now recovering at home. The pensioner received hospital treatment after the attack in Minor Street in which her shoulder bag was snatched
ROSSENDALE Chartists met with Janet Anderson MP to raise concerns about the current management of Rossendale Council. Alan Johnson, recently-elected chairman of the Chartists, said: "We seem to be between the devil and the deep blue see when it comes
A GOOD Samaritan who stepped in to help persuade a man not to jump off a motorway bridge is to be personally thanked by a police chief. The Rev Norman Price, from St Thomas' Church, Musbury, Helmshore, was tracked down after an appeal in the Lancashire
ANIMAL welfare officers who visited a remote Rossendale farm found a haul of rotting sheep and cattle carcasses. Burnley Magistrates heard how officers discovered one skeleton of a large beast but couldn't be sure what it was among the decaying bodies
A SCOUT-band will be able to claim they are 'by Royal appointment' after they keep an important engagement in April in front of the Queen. The band from the 2nd Rossendale pack have been selected to attend Windsor Castle to accompany the parade of scouts
FIRE crew were called to PPG Industries on Leigh Road in Hindley Green just before 9pm on Monday when a light fitting exploded melting a suspended ceiling. Glass fibre production workers were evacuated as firefighters spent an hour and a half removing
I WRITE in reply to Mr Bailey's letter -- Speed Ramps give me the Hump -- to put a balancing opinion against his view that speed humps on Fulwood Hall Lane are unnecessary. I also write from a professional viewpoint, in that I travel the country from
MOTORISTS are being warned to watch where they park as police launch their latest crackdown to fight town centre congestion in Accrington. Fixed fine penalties of £30 will be imposed on all motorists who contravene parking restrictions especially around
BLACKBURN Rovers will be the first team to use a new high-tech football when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in their first cup final for 42 years a week on Sunday. Mitre is choosing the Worthington Cup Final to launch its new ISO League ball. Four years
A WOMAN who married her cancer-stricken husband just weeks before he died paid a touching Valentine's tribute to him and said: "I will never forget you". Paula Chapman was to place a red rose and a Valentine's card at the grave of her husband, Eric, this
TRINITY Methodist Church pastoral care staff's next lunch will be on the February 26, and a warm welcome is extended to anyone who lives in the Westleigh area.
BABY Rio McIntosh kicked up more than a fuss when he was delivered 12 weeks prematurely. He weighed in at just 2lbs 7ozs and, as he and mum Jacqueline lay seriously ill in Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn, soccer-mad dad Sean vowed that one day he would
GRAEME Souness will be remembered at Blackburn Rovers as a likeable and pleasant person who took the Rovers from the First Division into the Premiership. He will also be remembered for: Taking Rovers back into the oblivion of the first division. Making
TO ATTEND a home game at Ewood Park, I make a 200-mile round trip. Having purchased tickets and attended the Worthington Cup ties against Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday imagine my dismay when I was informed attending these games did not count
PRESTON Harrier Helen Pattinson qualified for the World Cross Country Championships after taking second place behind Liz Yelling at the Inter Counties on Saturday. At the same event four local girls made their mark in the junior races by achieving top
CLAYTON Harrier Paul Targett was the third finisher in the Anderton Arms six mile fun run at Preston. Matt Moorhouse of Salford Harriers was first to cross the line in 32:55 while Paul clocked 33:38. Fifth in 34:15 and leading veteran was another Clayton
CALLUM Fitzpatrick 13th, and Phillip Hayton 15th, were Lancashire's first two counters as the County's under 13's won team bronze at the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park in Nottingham. Phillip, from Burnley, was back to his
CARL FOGARTY has played down any suggestions that his new race team project is slipping behind schedule. Reports in the trade press had hinted that the new Foggy FP1 bike would not be ready in time to race in the forthcoming World Superbike season. New
GREAT Harwood boss Denis Underwood was furious with the referee after he sent off Simon Garner and gave NWCL Division One high fliers St Helens a disputed penalty. Striker Garner was dismissed in the first half for kicking out at a St Helens player and
MARK Brown missed his chance of victory in the Colne 11 mile Multi-Terriain Race when he lost a shoe in the mud, but he was happy to shrug it off as a minor misfortune after running his best race for over a year. The arm amputee has endured an injury
THE TEAM put up a tremendous performance at Maine Road last Sunday but unfortunately that extra bit of class that a few million quid buys made the difference in the end. But Preston fans had no need to feel despondent, we look to have a bright future
A MAN has suffered horrific injuries after being trapped in factory machinery for more than an hour. Emergency services rushed to the scene on the morning of Wednesday, February 13 after Paul Kelly, 47, fell into an industrial grouting machine, commonly
ANOTHER Valentine's Day goes by without a card or acknowledgement. Still never mind, I've never met a romantic bloke in my life. If there's any out there who has done something extra special let me know.
ANIMAL lovers can help the Leigh branch of Petsearch develop a cracking first aid idea. After a member's lurcher badly cut her pad it needed stitching and it proved difficult to keep the dressing clean, dry and in position - until she spotted a soft spectacle
IT'S about time honorary Leyther Ken Dodd was awarded a knighthood. Forget his tax indiscretion and honour the master of mirth for his services to comedy. Call me old fashioned, but his second "Audience With" on ITV on Saturday night provided the best
LEYLAND travelled to Westhoughton in the NWC plate competition and the home side were well organised in both attack and defence. Poor defence despite strong efforts by Linden Dixon and Man of the Match Harry Strange saw Westhoughton go into the lead in
Rochdale Hornets...20, Leigh Centurions...24 SWEET 16 for the Centrurions! Leigh marched into the last 16 of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup on the back of a mighty effort from the 'grunt' guys. The 'grunt' men, as Paul Terzis refers to his pack
RADCLIFFE Rotary Club may have to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation to Santa Claus after he fell off his sleigh. Thomas Killoran (47) volunteered to be Father Christmas for the club's annual street collection. But he was thrown from the sleigh
ATHERTON LR suffered yet another postponement on Saturday when their match at Flixton was called off, one of only three postponements in the Division. LR have not played a match since their Marsden Trophy defeat by Ramsbottom back on January 8. The nearest
MANAGER Steve Waywell says that every game is a cup final for Leigh RMI and there can certainly be no under-stating the importance of the next week in the battle for Conference survival. His Railwaymen go into Saturday's clash with last year's relegated
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Valentine's 60s Night, Haslingden Cricket Club, 7.30pm. 'Little Red Riding Hood' pantomime, Sion Baptist Church, Burnley, 7.15pm. Jack Straw MP Advice Surgery, Little
THE WELSH wizard of wit, Noel James, will be appearing at the University of Central Lancashire's comedy club, Stand and Deliver, on Friday, 22 February. Noel will be joined by fellow funny-men Rob Rouse, Miles Jupp and Brendan Riley, at the Student's
I CAN'T believe Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Bill Taylor's response to the result of your poll on paying more for gritting the roads (LET, February 6). The reason people voted 'no' to paying an extra £6.50 is obvious -- it's because we pay enough
WHEN Lancashire County Council carry out their proposals to close many of the homes for the elderly, the shock of moving will kill some of the residents. Every day we read of billions of pounds being spent on overseas aid, millions being spent on asylum
AS many older readers know, I had a DIY and garden shop in Fleming Square, Blackburn, for over 30 years -- in the days when over 20 traders had shops in the square. For the past few months, I have seen premises in the central block being demolished and
TWO 16-year-old girls and a 15-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire caused £100,000 of damage to Westleigh High School. Hundreds of pupils were evacuated and sent home early after the mid-morning science block blaze. Anxious staff
IF I fall flat on my face on a mud pitch it's funny. Likewise if I try a trick with the ball and end up on my backside. If an errant shot strikes me in the er -- lower abdomen we all have a chortle. However, if some thug masquerading as a footballer thumps
A ROUND-UP of the local soccer results. Blackburn community seven-a-side league (sponsored by LCM Connecting Communities Project) RESULTS -- Division One: Khan Food Store 0 West End 1; Moorings 0 FJM Pawnbrokers 1; Lenehan Scaffolding 0 BI Group 2; Poshak
DARWEN Rangers Lads were hoping to reach the magical mark of 100 goals for the season but Blackburn Town obviously had other ideas. Darwen have been on fire in this friendly league having banged in 98 goals in 13 matches -- with young Blackburn Rovers
PLOUGHING through deep snow to deliver the milk by horse-drawn sledge was all in a day's work for Arthur Phillips and his dedicated dairy workforce. And the remarkable 94-year-old remembers the glory days at Hindsford and Atherton Co-op just as if they
NORTHERN Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy reckons Damien Johnson has a great future - even though he has just been shown the door by Blackburn. Johnson has been told by Rovers that they will not renew his contract in the summer. The Irish midfielder, who
ON BEHALF of the North West Regional Assembly I should like to comment on the letter from David Corker and the accompanying article published in the February 8 Lancaster Guardian. As chief executive of the North West Regional Assembly - a body which represents
In his letter in last week's Guardian, on the occasion of his early retirement from council employment, David Corker spoke in glowing terms of some former colleagues who have also chosen to take early retirement. "Highly experienced and respected," he
I write in response to the front page article in last week's Guardian and, in particular, the comment that Mr Corker is regarded by some observers as having been squeezed out in a management restructuring at the council. To set the record straight, the
SCHOOL children are safer than ever thanks to a new initiative. In a special bid to cut down on accidents among young children the Greater Deepdale Partnership teamed up with Lancashire Constabulary to launch the Community Safety Week. From February 4
PRESTON was wracked by storms over the weekend, with many parts of the town still left waterlogged days later. And properties surrounding the River Ribble, running through the heart of the town, were soaked after the water burst its banks. One pub in
THERE'S no going back for a Preston care worker who has packed up her hospital job to set up a gardening business with her fiancee. Shirley Pendlebury and husband-to-be Jeff Leary, of New Hall Lane, Preston, are preparing to cut the ribbon to their new
A MISTAKE by vehicle licensing bosses has caused a stink at car dealerships across Preston. March 1 will see anxious drivers lining up to receive their new cars after this year's first new number plates are introduced. And to get ready for the rush, garages
AN East Lancashire MP has joined forces with health watchdogs to try to secure the future of the Lancashire Air Ambulance. Burnley MP Peter Pike has teamed up with Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Community Health Council to help the service, which covers
A FIRE fighting initiative to tackle arson calls has been hailed a huge success. Burnley's Fire Reduction Team goes into areas with a team of officers to speak to people living near affected premises to see how fires can be prevented in the future. Patrols
LAST week's debacle at Northop Hall served as a timely reminder to Preston that nothing can be taken for granted in their quest for promotion. And they clearly took heed of this warning as they returned to winning ways with a convincing performance over
WHATEVER orders coach Colin Sinclair issued to his team beforehand clearly had the desired effect as Preston's pressing game worked wonders on a bemused Bolton midfield. Particularly impressive was James Blackburn who suffocated Bolton's main threat,
A POPULAR footpath could remain closed until the end of April after a bridge across the Colne Water collapsed. The timber bridge is one of three on the section of the Ferndean Way riverside walk between Ball Grove Park, in Winewall, Colne, and Laneshawbridge
ORGANISERS across Lancashire are being encouraged to help their employees 'get on their bike'. Bike Aid, part of Lancashire County Council's campaign to promote and fund greener travel, is making cash available for the second year running. Over 50 schools
ORGANISATIONS in Preston and South Ribble are being invited to help their employees 'get on their bike' with the help of a Lancashire County Council initiative to build cycle racks. Bike Aid, part of the county council's campaign to promote and fund environmentally
A GROUP of brave local youngsters have been named Children of Achievement after a VIP celebration in London. The special awards, now in their 21st year, are given to just 150 youngsters each year. This year they were handed out on Sunday, February 10.
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw revealed revolutionary new plans to give councils power to sweep child criminals off the street. The hard-hitting policy was revealed at Blackburn's 'Neighbourhood Nuisance" scheme. It was hoped to rid estates of troublesome children
A MERCEDES Benz soft-top was torched on its owner's driveway early on Tuesday morning in Lowton. At around 4am an X-reg Mercedes Kompressor parked on a driveway on Ramworth Drive was completely gutted by fire. A Leigh Fire service spokesman said someone
A BRAVE shopkeeper chased two masked men out of his store after they bungled an armed robbery. They threatened the 50-year-old shopkeeper with what he believed was a shotgun and demanded money. He refused and after a struggle chased them out of his shop
A FUND-RAISING record breaker is hoping to lose weight while piling on more pounds for charity as he begins a sponsored slim. Paul Dunn, 41, of Green Hill, Great Harwood, wants to lose at least two of his 21 stones to raise money for both the Royal British
A BRIDE-to-be's dress fitting session interrupted when a coach tyre burst -- shattering a window at a bridal wear shop. Exploding air pressure from the tyre was so strong it broke a large window at the newly-opened Volare bridal shop in Tyldesley town
ATHERTON's controversial Victoria Mill has been given a clean bill of health. The Bolton Old Road building was condemned by Cllr Robert Bleakley as a "rat infested monstrosity" in response to news that £120,000 was being spent on reglazing missing windows
THE family of a Leigh athlete who died after contact with asbestos attended a public meeting in the hope of re-opening their compensation case. Dennis Topping, of Pennington Road in Leigh, died of malignant mesothelioma in November last year -- 30 years
SUPPORTERS of Leigh's proposed 'super stadium' got the chance to put their plans to Labour sports supremo Tessa Jowell this week. Mrs Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport made a flying visit to the town to open Leigh Cricket Club's
A CLITHEROE woman who has devoted nearly 30 years to the Brownie movement has retired. Pat Houldsworth recently stepped down as Brown Owl at St Mary's Brownies after 29 years in the role. Paying tribute to Pat, the Rev Canon Philip Dearden, vicar at St
YOU can now buy a copy of the Worthington Cup special produced by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's sports team through the thisislancashire web site. If you click on the button on the front-page of the site you can drop into the LET shop and buy a copy
A HOUSE-caller turned burglar when he knocked at the door of a Longridge home in search of a 'neighbour'. Three days later Lee Haworth returned and tried to raid the address on Chapel Brow. The 24-year-old, of no fixed address, appeared at Preston Crown
INCONSISTENT Morecambe slumped to their biggest defeat of the season as rampant Yeovil put on a five star performance at Christie Park. The visitors were title chasing last year, and seem to have made a top three place their own again after an indifferent
PAUL Cook scored a brace on his Avon Insurance Premier Division debut as a strong Burnley side recorded a comfortable win at Oldham Athletic. Reserve manager Ronnie Jepson had a wealth of talent at his disposal with a back line of Mark McGregor, Mitchell
RAWTENSTALL have signed South African all-rounder Andrew Hall as their new professional for the coming season. The 26-year-old has played 18 one-day internationals for the Sprinkboks and is an opening or first-change bowler who bats at number four for
LOVE Me Slender is the next Culcheth Players' production with performances starting on February 20. The play runs at Culcheth Sports and Social Club on Charnock Road until Saturday, February 23. Performances begin at 7.45pm and tickets are available from
ON Friday, March 1 Andy Prior and his Orchestra will perform at Lowton Civic Hall in aid of Glazebury Methodist Church. Tickets are £10 each. Contact Allan Greaham 012925 763200. The format of the evening will be a dance and will run from 8-12. Refreshments
WESTLEIGH High School's new rugby league teams made their debuts this week in a new kit that celebrates their unique partnership with Leigh Centurions. Leigh's international hooker Paul Rowley - the school team's coach - handed over the strip on Tuesday
JOHN Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men is being staged at Bolton's Octagon. Set in the Californian agricultural belt in the depression of the late 30s, this fictional tale follows the hopes and desires of fast-talking George and his giant companion,
THE parents of tragic student Richard Preece say they will never fully recover from the horror of losing their son. Dennis and Margaret Preece attended a memorial service at Lancaster University on Friday before the inquest into Richard's death. The service
STUDIO 77 Art Society painting for beginners classes are held each Monday between 7-9pm in Leigh Ex-Servicemen's Club in Windermere Road. More information from Janet on 01942 601132.
A CHARITY concert in aid of St Ann's Hospice is being held on Friday, February 22 at Sacred Heart Club, Hindsford. Rockafella stars in the show which begins at 8pm. Tickets costing £2 are available from the Lodge Road club.
LEIGH MP Andy Burnham will hold advice surgeries on Friday, February 15, and Saturday. On Friday he will be available at Hindley Town Hall (6.30pm-7.15pm) and The Sanctuarys Church at Bethel, Hindley Green (7.30pm-8.15pm). On Saturday he will be at 10
A CHURCH service composed by Christians from an oppressed nation will unite fellow believers from 21 Leigh Churches at World Day of Prayer movement celebrations in Leigh. The service begins at 7.30pm on Friday, March 1 in Kirkhall Lane Independent Methodist
A MAN was robbed at knifepoint in an early morning attack in Skerton. The 53-year-old local man was walking along the riverside off Mainway at 12.35am on Monday morning when he was approached by a man, who asked him for directions. A second man then appeared
PLANS to locate a temporary classroom for excluded teenagers in the grounds of a Bare primary school has angered parents and local residents. The County Council has requested planning permission for a temporary building on land at Great Wood Primary School
COMMERCIAL manager, assistant manager, manger - Mick Hoyle has seen it all in his footballing career, but now the Lancaster based businessman is taking on his biggest challenge yet. He has bought a 97 per cent stake in North-West Counties League outfit
MAY the force be with you! Council staff dressed up in sci-fi costumes this week to launch this year's Children's Festival. Called 'Blast Off into Space' this year's festival offers a full programme of arts, crafts and sports courses for children and
ALMOST one in ten teenage girls in the West End of Morecambe fall pregnant before the age of 16, a new report has revealed. The statistics for Alexandra ward in the resort shows a teenage pregnancy rate of 88.1 per 1,000 girls, and has been identified
MORE than 65 people assembled at Leighton Hall, near Carnforth to investigate a murder last week - but it was all in a good cause. A total of £500 was raised for Cancer Care at the evening, put on by the Storth entertainers, who turned the stately home
Leigh RU 5, Aspull 21: STRONG winds and a sticky pitch made playing conditions difficult as Aspull dominated the early exchanges. Leigh defended stubbornly but a missed tackle led to a converted try for the visitors, followed by a second shortly afterwards
Ince Rose Bridge 23 Leigh Miners Rangers 16: THE NW Counties undefeated leaders Ince Rose Bridge sent Conference Premier Division giants Leigh Miners spinning out of the GMB National Cup. Bridge, who harbour ambitions of Conference membership themselves
UP and coming Manchester-based band Haven have already managed to make a huge impact on the music scene. Helped by their impressive musical connections, Johnny Marr from The Smiths and Joe Moss who managed them in the 80's, the band have recently released
THE voice is warm and friendly and betrays no signs of jetlag. Every question is answered politely and fully. This may be the umpteenth interview that Alexander O'Neal has given since he flew in from the United States but he is professionalism personified
RESIDENTS near Bold Venture Park in Darwen are reminded of a park supporters' group meeting next week. The supporters' group formed last year and aims to make the park a more pleasant place to visit and live near. The group has already arranged for bushes
DARWEN Library Players' annual open night and recruitment evening next Monday is an invitation to visit the studio and meet the cast and crew. Brenda Coughlin, of the players, said: "We are involved in much more than the usual plays and performances.
COURSES on how to look after your car start next week. Car restoration is being held on Wednesday nights between 6 and 9pm at Darwen Access Point, Duckworth Street. Course members will get the chance to work on their car's bodywork in the workshop provided
POLICE are warning people in the Darwen area to be extra vigilant following a number of shed break-ins in recent days. A shed in Dorset Avenue was broken into overnight on Tuesday but the burglars found no valuables inside. And overnight on Monday, raiders
BLIND pensioners should fork out £60 to buy a year-long bus pass if they want to avoid confusion over what concession they are entitled to. That was the response from the councillor in charge of social services at Blackburn with Darwen Council after being
A MULTI-MILLION pound retail leisure complex at Morecambe's Frontierland will be given the thumbs up, the Citizen can exclusively reveal. The ambitious project, which could create up to 150 jobs, has been the subject of a planning inquiry and has been
VANDALS poured paint-stripper over a Nissan Micra car parked off Blossom Street in Tyldesley town centre. The upset car owner, who left her vehicle on a public car park behind the George and Dragon pub last Friday night, is offering a reward for information
ASTLEY WI will toast their 49th birthday on February 20 with a celebration at the Queen Arms. At the last meeting they took a realistic journey to the Farne Islands when David Shallcross gave an illustrated talk about the islands and its wildlife. New
TOWN centres manager Laurie Barton is leaving for pastures new. Laurie has been co-ordinator for Leigh and Golborne for the past 18 months, but has decided it is time to move on. She will take over next month as town centre manager at The Millgate Shopping
ON hearing the news that Lancashire County Council are proposing to close 50 per cent of its elderly care homes I felt I must write to express my anger at yet another failing of this authority. Despite another hefty planned increase in Council Tax (don't
THREE groups have benefited from fund raising by the Tyldesley Royal Antedeluvian Order of Buffaloes. And last week in the Castle Street club Bro Philip Smallman, the Provincial Grand Primo for Millennium year, presented cheques for £125 each to the 1st
ONE of our primary considerations was the safety of our four children before we moved to Fulwood Hall Lane some ten years ago. Being a cul-de-sac the road seemed ideal. But, mainly due to the building of a new rather up-market estate of which we were
TWO armed teenagers burst into a church on Stoneygate, Preston, and robbed a group of women. The robbers went into the First Church of Christ Scientist at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, February 12. They went into a reading room and threatened five women,
TV COMEDIAN Phil Cool is to appear at a charity ball to raise funds for a local flying doctor. Phil, who lives in Chipping, will attend the £35-a-head event at Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho, on May 3, to help raise £5,000 for Med-ALERT and for Dr Grant McKeating
CAMELOT Theme Park is to get a new 33-metre-high ferris wheel despite objections from nearby residents worried about privacy. The Charnock Richard park, owned by Prime Resorts Limited, wants the wheel as a replacement for the Tower of Terror ride which
LANCASHIRE'S Chief Constable has criticised government plans for a shake-up of the force and branded them a "hotch potch" of ideas. Pauline Clare said Home Secretary David Blunkett's plans for the police service, which include extra powers for civilian
SEND the reserve squad to face Spurs in the Worthington Cup Final without Graeme Souness or any of the first team trainers on the bench. I think the whole first-team squad and Souness need to be incarcerated in Brockhall for the next three weeks until
A MAN carried out a sales con on the streets of Blackburn by using flour and a bag of sugar has been jailed for two years. In two separate incidents last August Peter McDonagh approached taxi drivers offering a digital camera for sale. But what they got
THE son of a New York fire chief killed in the World Trade Centre attack came close to tears as he accepted a bravery award on behalf of his father from Lancashire firefighters. Fire chief Peter Ganci died when the twin towers collapsed on September 11
SUNDAYS have become more and more depressing as Blackburn Rovers head for the Nationwide. Is there a death wish, or is it just me? Team selection is harder to understand as the whole balance is wrong. The team looks uncannily similar to the one relegated
CLITHEROE make the short trip to Ramsbottom tonight in the quarter-finals of the Marsden Lancashire Trophy. The game has been postponed a number of times but it is hoped it will go ahead at the Riverside tonight. The winners of the clash will travel to
CURTIS Pearce from St Bede's School in Blackburn and Laura Finucane who attends St Hilda's in Burnley were both winners in the Catholic Schools National Cross Country Championships on Sunday. Curtis, who also runs for Blackburn Harriers took the under
MARATHON man Harry Haseley has completed 128 marathons - surely more than anyone in our region - but now he is in training for a run of just 500 yards. Harry has been chosen to be a member of the relay team which will carry the Commonwealth Games baton
If the Wadsworth Trog's 20 mile course with 4000' of climb is too much, there is always the Half Trog at nine miles and 1500'. Both races start at 10am on Saturday from the Old Town Cricket Club at Hebden Bridge. The closing date has passed, so check
PEOPLE who met Princess Margaret when she opened Astley St Stephen's new school in the late 1960's will be saddened by the death of the Queen's sister. She was the closest I have come to a royal, as I walked alongside her from the church to the school
FOUR out of 10 schoolgirls can't even boil an egg and 25 per cent prefer texting to talking. A Guide Association study found an alarming skills vacuum and hug gaps in the knowledge of 8-15 year olds. Some believed cats, rabbits and sheep were close to
BURY'S next mayor looks set to be Labour councillor John Smith. Subject to ratification by the minority parties on the council, Cllr Smith has been named by his ruling Labour Group as the successor to this year's First Citizen, Cllr Paul Nesbit. Originally
DIVISION Two table-toppers Howe Bridge Mills came within a hairsbreadth of a giant-killing act in the quarter final of the Redwaters Coronation Cup. Two goals in five minutes around the half hour mark for Division One outfit Leigh Avenue proved to be
Air Miles Manchester League THE only Premier Division to survive the weather saw New Mills climb up to fifth spot with a fine 5-0 win over Pennington. The Millers welcomed back Steve Done for his first full game, it was he who unlocked the visitors' defence
Hereford United 0, Leigh RMI 1 THIS game was never going to be a classic. Far from it. Leigh's past two visits to Edgar Street had seen just two goals and little chance for many more. With both teams rooted in the wrong half of the table, odds on an entertaining
