Archive

  • EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Friday, February 22

    A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Open Day, Ribblesdale Nursery School, Queen's Road, Clitheroe, 10am-noon and 1.45pm-3.45pm. Refreshments available. Janet Anderson Advice Surgery, Neighbourhood Office

  • Ramble round Longton

    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

  • It's all oh so British

    COMEDY fans will be rolling in the aisles when a new play comes to Preston. Based on the best-selling book by travel writer Bill Bryson, Notes from a Small Island brings Britain to life in a unique way. American-born author Bill Bryson lived in Britain

  • New show every month at Playhouse

    PROFESSIONAL theatre may have the capacity for bigger audiences, but in Preston, amateur groups have just as much to offer. Take a look at a programme for the Preston Playhouse theatre on Market Street West, and a host of local talent is revealed. Each

  • Crossing crisis must be solved

    FEW things worry parents of primary school children more than the risk of them having an accident on the way to school. The simple but real danger of their son or daughter being knocked down while dashing across the road to the playground is every mum

  • Flats hit by blaze

    THREE people had to be evacuated early today after a storage room between their flats was set alight. Fire crews were called to York Street, Leigh, at 3.45am to deal with a fire in the room between two ground floor flats. The room was destroyed and the

  • Good riddance to workhouse -- a vile place

    AT long last, Blackburn's workhouse has bitten the dust (LET, January 12). I would suggest that every stone, every slate, every vestige of that terrible place should be passed through a crushing machine and then buried in a refuse tip. The workhouses

  • Tax rises by 4.9pc

    COUNCIL Tax is going up by almost five per cent across Wigan borough. The main reason behind the higher than inflation increase is "unavoidable pressures" on social services say Wigan Council chiefs. Council Leader Lord Peter Smith said: "By far the greatest

  • Pupils risk lives to cross road

    PRIMARY school pupils are risking their lives every time they go to school as they cross one of the busiest roads in Blackburn. Youngsters from Intack Primary School are having to negotiate the busy Whitebirk Road without a school patrol after the retirement

  • Link with Traore

    BELGIAN press reports suggest Rovers are planning to table a bid for Anderlecht defender Lamine Traore. The 19 year-old Burkina Faso international has rarely featured for Anderlecht's first team, but his performances in last month's African Nation's Cup

  • Concern over cuts

    MR FELLOWS (letters, February 14) is rightly concerned about a very serious subject. I will be meeting constituents whose children are being hit by cuts in therapeutic services on Monday and seeing the chief executive of the Primary Care Trust on Thursday

  • Frontierland

    LAST week' front-page headlines explained proposals for the Frontierland site. Food halls and factory outlets we hear, bringing millions of pounds into town. It is said that all these happy shoppers will spill over and create a ' halo-effect' enriching

  • Missing the point

    ARROGANT and unrepentant as ever, David Corker fails to take the opportunity to apologise as he departs on early retirement from the Council. Instead he tells us that Lancaster Council is a laughing stock and implies that his departure is a factor? Well

  • Danger stockings cost shop

    A PRESTON discount store has been fined for selling dangerous Christmas stockings. What Everyone Wants Ltd has been fined £2,700 after Trading Standards officers found the unsafe goods at its Preston branch in Market Street. Preston magistrates were told

  • Tom's splash statue on show

    THE wait was over for football fans as a new statue of sporting hero Sir Tom Finney was unveiled. The life-size glass fibre replica was given to Preston's National Football museum by a private collector, and a host of sporting legends celebrated. Three

  • Council tax to rise by 7.7%

    COUNTY councillors have approved a 7.7 per cent rise in council tax after insisting it was not possible to save money and maintain services. But the ruling Labour group was criticised for the way it put the budget together as both opposition parties put

  • Farewell to George, a Turf Moor legend

    BURNLEY manager Stan Ternent was among the mourners who gathered to pay their final respects to Oswaldtwistle-born Clarets legend George Bray. Family, friends and a number of former players packed into St Matthew's Church, Burnley, for the funeral of

  • Hoppers face drop

    HOPPERS look doomed to relegation after missed scoring opportunities saw them fall to another defeat on Saturday. Park led from the fifth minute making good use of lineouts. Hoppers fought back to put Park under pressure and Rob Parkinson eventually downed

  • Hockey - 'Boy wonder' turns game

    MAKE no mistake, Preston are making it hard for themselves. What on paper seems a relatively straightforward task is becoming more complicated by the week. On Saturday, in the desolate setting of Lancaster St Martins sports complex, a rugged and uncomprising

  • Laura's tv date

    LANCASHIRE Schools Cross Country Champion Laura Finucane switched to the track on Sunday to compete in an invitation under 17's 800m race at the televised Norwich Union Grand Prix Meeting. Competing indoors at Birmingham the Pendle athlete finished fourth

  • Cameras to combat the criminals

    CRIMINALS in Colne could soon be caught red handed following the announcement that £376,000 of government cash will be spent on a CCTV system in the town. The funding has been approved through the government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The CCTV scheme

  • Traffic chaos alert

    TRAFFIC in and out of Preston is likely to be plunged into chaos next week as urgent bridge repairs take place. The bridge at Gregson's Farm on the A59 at Samlesbury was hit by an excavator being carried on the back of a truck. Parts of the bridge must

  • Ten years ago

    YOUNG Joanne Stephens braved the cold to fulfil a life-long dream of becoming a postie and delivering mail to residents in Feniscowles. The 11-year-old from Buncer Lane, Blackburn, set off at 7am to shadow the postman Jimmy Cotton.

  • Five years ago

    TRANSPORT bosses decided to move bus stops out of the recently refurbished Railway Road because they caused traffic congestion. The move came following public pressure, complaints from local business and a formal complaint from bus companies.

  • Teenage driver questioned

    POLICE are continuing an investigation into an accident which left a 19-year-old youth in intensive care for nearly two weeks. Andrew McMinn, of Blake Gardens, Great Harwood, was a passenger in an Isuzu Trooper which left the road on a left-hand bend

  • Royal honour for top soldier

    THE Accrington-educated army officer who took charge of the battle against foot and mouth has collected a CBE for his role in combating the disease. Brigadier Alex Birtwistle, who now lives in the Lune Valley, attended Buckingham Palace to receive his

  • Bogus worker duped woman

    A BOGUS worker stole £500 after conning his way into the home of an elderly Oswaldtwistle woman, after telling her her home was about to flood as result of heavy rain. The man told the 80-year-old he was calling at her home in St Paul's Court in an official

  • Park site looks set to be agreed

    RESIDENTS are pleading with council bosses to reconsider plans to create a youth shelter in a nearby park -- claiming it will become a hot-spot for troublesome teenagers. A 66-signature petition and dozens of letters will be presented to Blackburn with

  • Challenging experience for leader

    A COUNCIL leader has taken up the challenge to prove he wants to improve a town centre for the disabled -- by agreeing to travel around in a wheelchair. Hyndburn's Coun Peter Britcliffe has agreed to complete a route set out by Accrington Shopmobility

  • Dyslexia crusade moves forward

    A CRUSADE to create a dyslexia-friendly borough has taken another step forward. The Wigan and District Dyslexia Association is offering a golden opportunity for all Leigh area head teachers to pick the brains of an expert on Monday. They are invited to

  • Boy, 11, fined for ignoring nuisance order

    AN 11-year-old Clitheroe boy who became one of the youngest in the country to be made subject to an anti-social behaviour order has been fined £20 for breaching the order. The boy, who can not be named for legal reasons, admitted approaching St James'

  • Worthington on the web

    Thisislancashire will be running a special Worthington Cup service before, during and after Rovers game this weekend. There will be an up-to-date match commentary, pictures of the fans and game from the Millennium Stadium and the fastest result service

  • Dropped cigarette may be death cause

    A CLITHEROE woman may have collapsed with a severe headache and dropped the cigarette thought to have caused the house fire that killed her, an inquest heard. Pauline Stannard, 45, had complained of suffering painful headaches in the weeks before her

  • Elect to use your phone vote

    IF you could vote with your mobile phone, would you be more interested in voting? The Government hopes you will. Given the poor turnout figures at the last election, politicians are trying find a way to make the rest of us more interested in voting. The

  • BT tries to control internet hyperlinks

    THE lengths big business will go to raise some extra cash has been taken on a step by BT. Last week, BT (www.bt.com) opened a court case in a US federal court in White Plains, New York, where it seeks to protect a patent that it says it holds over hyperlinks

  • Estate crime purge poser

    MAY I reply to the article in the Journal -- Crime Purge on Estate? Since the Crime and Disorder Bill came out almost two years ago and the implementation of the local Council Risk Management Committee came into being , local crime will continue because

  • Oxfam need to answer questions

    I CANNOT believe that I am the only person in the country to have noticed the following problem. Almost every city or town we visit in the UK we come across an Oxfam shop. These shops do a good job raising money for good causes. Whenever there is a problem

  • Vale pay penalty

    VALE of Lune were unlucky to crash out of the Lancashire Cup in difficult conditions against a side from the division above. Vale came back from 12-3 down to finish just two points behind West Park St Helens at Powder House Lane and could have snatched

  • Silver medal for Judo champ

    LANCASTER'S Charlie Hill won the silver medal in the Millennium International Judo Competition at London's Docklands Arena over the weekend. Charlie, currently captain of Oxford University's judo team, won all three of his heats before losing by just

  • Runners head north

    A LOCAL charity is appealing for local running enthusiasts to take part in the Great North Run. The annual half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields takes place on Sunday, September 16 and Galloway's Society for the Blind is appealing for local people

  • Chairman Barratt finds his Prince

    ACCRINGTON have signed Ashwell Prince as their new professional for the 2002 season. The Transco Lancashire League side are delighted to have landed the 24-year-old Western Province batsman, who starred for South Africa A against the Australians in a

  • Swot up on Shakespeare with C'est Tous

    TICKETS are still available for evening performances of the C'est Tous theatre company's Macbeth production. Seats are still on sale for February 21, 22, 26 and 28 and March 2. And there's a fascinating pre-performance talk which starts at 7.15pm before

  • Single brand museums

    LANCASTER'S museums are to be brought together under a single 'brand' under a new deal between city and county councils. The maritime and city museums will join the Judge's Lodgings and the Castle Museum under the partnership of the county council. It

  • Grease for all the family

    GREASE is definitely the word at Manchester's Opera House this week. Danny (Craig Urbani) and his T-Birds along with Sandy (Haley Flaherty) and the Pink Ladies take to the stage for a glittering all-singing, all-dancing performance of the longest-running

  • Digital cable works continue

    Digital Cable company Omne is to continue cabling work in Morecambe and Lancaster on March 6. The work is part of Omne's programme to build the UK's most advanced broadband cable network in Lancashire, bringing interactive digital TV, telephone services

  • Good news for bus passengers

    PUBLIC transport in the Lancaster area has been given a £2 million boost with the launch of a new fleet of buses. Stagecoach has funded 12 new low floor, wheelchair accessible buses to operate on the number 3/4 services between Lancaster University and

  • Blues blitz Trinity

    LANCASTER City's promotion chase is back on after a thumping victory over Gainsborough Trinity at the Axe. Michael Yates took his tally to five goals in just four games as City's slick, passing football tore Trinity to pieces. The result leaves Lancaster

  • Police issue Landrover theft alert

    POLICE have warned Landrover owners to take extra precautions after 10 of the vehicles were stolen in Lancaster and the surrounding area in the past three and a half months. Lancashire police's Northern division, which also covers the Garstang area, says

  • Teenagers set up own council

    THE teenagers are up to something in Middleton! They've been hanging about on street corners reporting pot holes, keeping an eye on elderly villagers and generally helping the local community. Fed up with the fact that there was nothing to do one group

  • Rangers shine

    LEIGH Miners Rangers U11s put on a good display against the newly formed Shevington team. Tries came from Shepherd, Nicholson, Jameson(2), Fazakerly, Wright, Youds and Reynard. Conversions by Shepherd, Reynard, Fazakerly, Jameson and Youds.

  • Winter bowls

    LEIGH'S veteran bowler Albert Prescott performed a smash and grab at Pennington Park on Sunday. It was Albert's first time in the competition and he was lucky to claim the last place of a full house. Not satisfied with that he went on to play as though

  • Poor run goes on

    Leigh RU 10, Northwich 32: LEIGH'S recent run of poor form continued when visitors Northwich gained revenge for an ealier home defeat. Leigh started well when a good passage of handling and support play was finished off with a try in the corner by Darbyshire

  • East get some Lee-way...

    Siddal 8, Leigh East 25: THIRD-PLACED Leigh East stay right on target for a coveted place in the National Conference end of season play-offs with a vital victory over top three challengers Siddal. And the fact that East never once went behind in one of

  • Rampant Rangers

    Leigh Miners Rangers 34, Thornhill Trojans 0: MINERS Rangers look to be adding defensive security to their attacking qualities. A first clean sheet since taking the coaching role will have delighted Miners boss Warren Ayres. Thornhill were also willing

  • Yordi set for Cup final

    SPANISH striker Yordi could be handed a baptism of fire in English football after being cleared to play in Sunday's Worthington Cup final against Spurs. But red tape has deprived Rovers of the services of Turkish international Hakan Unsal. Blackburn Rovers

  • Clarets back in the swing

    AFTER the frustration of Tuesday night's postponement against Bradford City, the Clarets at least enjoyed some meaningful match practice with a behind closed doors friendly game against Bolton Wanderers yesterday. Burnley boss Stan Ternent arranged the

  • Organist pulls out all the stops to save the Shakers

    PENSIONER Beau is just like thousands of other ordinary Bury Football Club supporters -- or is he? The 71-year-old church organist has been going to Gigg Lane since 1937 and always has a pot of stew and dumplings after every match. Some fans may sit down

  • Police wait to quiz mill blast man

    DETECTIVES are still waiting to question a man in connection with an explosion which ripped through Gillibrand's Mill in Grove Street, Darwen, last month. The man, who is the owner of one of the units destroyed in the blaze, is in the Royal Preston Hospital

  • Women rowed over cut-up clothes

    A DARWEN woman needed surgery on a facial fracture resulting from a row over the ownership of a pair of trousers, a court was told Marie Woods cut the pants in half and shared them between two women. One of them later attacked her and another woman got

  • Estate ban youth may face custody

    THE 15-year-old youth nicknamed the "pied piper" because of his bad influence on other youngsters could face custody for breaching an anti-social behaviour order within 24 hours of it being imposed. Blackburn magistrates heard that Lee Andrew Taylor was

  • Fire woman hurt

    A WOMAN was treated for minor burns to her hands after attempting to put out a kitchen blaze. The fire started after the grill was left unattended in Wilkinson Street, Leigh. The woman, who declined hospital treatment, was treated at the scene. Damage

  • Old mines talk

    ATHERTON Probus Club members will hear a talk on old mine workings by Jack Barnett at the next meeting on February 28 in the Jubilee Hall. At the last meeting Mrs Gilbertson gave a talk on the 13th century Mappa Mundi, the oldest surviving medieval map

  • Student rowing team in dramatic rescue

    A DRAMATIC river rescue was launched this week after a student rowing crew found themselves stranded on an island in the middle of the Lune. Pushed along by strong tides, the boat went over the weir at Skerton and, as it broke up, the eight female rowers

  • Walk along...

    WALKERS who would like to share their love of a healthy, outdoor pursuit with like-minded people are invited to join Leigh-based Anchor Ramblers. The Anchor group -- affiliated to the Ramblers' Association -- make monthly trips. Contact booking secretary

  • International celebration for women

    LEIGH'S Well Women Centre has organised a colourful International Women's Day celebration. Girls who would like to spend less time and money on shopping and have a great wardrobe are invited to join the fun evening looking at personal colour analysis

  • Woman, 49, was found dead in bed

    A 49-YEAR-OLD woman was found dead in bed at her Helmshore home by her partner, an inquest opening heard. Eva Stanford, who had gone to bed at 11pm the night before, was discovered by Mr Stephen Ramsbottom, at 7.30am on February 14, the hearing, at Burnley

  • Father who lost his son at sea salutes new dog

    A FATHER whose son died along with a brave family pet in a freak fishing accident has described how his new dog had helped him come to terms with the loss. John Brodie, formerly of Blackburn Road, Haslingden, spoke out as he had new pet Labrador Baz microchipped

  • Khalid carried Games baton

    FRED Longworth pupil and top swimmer Khalid Jhugroo has been chosen to carry the Queen's Jubilee Baton at the opening of the Commonwealth Games. Khalid, who is deputy head boy at the Tyldesley school, will be one of the Sport England runners carrying

  • Leighians dinner

    THE Old Leighians Association centenary celebration dinner will give members a chance to reminisce about their days at Leigh Grammar School. The association has been holding annual reunions every year since 1902, with the first being held at the White

  • Kirstin dances to glory

    SIX-year-old dance starlet Kirstin Haughton finished an amazing fourth in a regional competition against girls aged up to 16-years-old. Kirstin Haughton, from Leigh, came first in the under eight years old group, which put her through to the final of

  • Pupils plant for the future

    A PART of Bickershaw's new woodland will reflect the creativity and hard work of primary pupils. Children from Bickershaw Primary School planted their own patch of forest for the new Community Woodland. Forestry Commission rangers and volunteers were

  • Jury clears club doorman

    A CLUB doorman, accused of knocking a man out and then kicking him while he was down, has been cleared by a jury. Brian Brady, aged 31, of Westleigh Lane, Leigh had denied kicking Alan McCormack while he lay on the ground outside a Tyldesley club. The

  • Traffic bulletin: Delays for Pennington

    A SECTION of St Helens Road, Leigh, will be closed for two weekends next month for road and footpath resurfacing. Work will be carried out between Hand Lane and Winmarleigh Gardens which will mean closures on Saturdays March 2 and 9 and Sundays March

  • Tyldesley Band pull out all stops

    TYLDESLEY Band surprised a few championship section contestants on Sunday by taking second place at the "Brass at the Guild" contest at Preston Guild Hall. They got off to the best start they could possibly wish for in their 125th year. Mark Peacock led

  • Sarah joins Hollyoaks

    A LOCAL actress is living her dream after securing a role in TV soap Hollyoaks. Sarah Barrett, whose stage name is Baxendale, made her debut appearance on the Channel 4 teen soap on Friday and will now be a regular face on the programme. Sarah, of Coach

  • Veterans plan memorial trip

    I WILL be taking a coach party of Normandy veterans with friends and relatives to France between June 4 and 8 to mark the 58th anniversary of the D-Day landings. We will be attending commemorative ceremonies, having a guided tour of the invasion area.

  • Better ways than humps

    I WRITE in reply to Mr Gordon Humphreys's letter about road humps in Fulwood Hall Lane. I wish to disabuse Mr Humphreys of at least one misconception, namely that road humps only damage car suspensions if crossed at speed. A few years ago I drove a Mini

  • 'Better security please!'

    TOWN centre traders are calling for safety barriers to protect their stores after a clothing shop was ram-raided on Tuesday night (February 19). Thieves smashed a car through the front of Ocean Clothing, in Fishergate, before stealing thousands of pounds

  • Lecturer jailed

    A TEACHER who admitted sex offences against a teenage girl has been jailed for four and a half years. A judge ordered that Alister Dickson's name be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. After hearing details of the case Mr Justice Gage told

  • Healthy interest in hospital seminar

    MORE than 130 people wanting to improve their health turned out to Blackburn's first health promotion seminar organised by a hospital, at Ewood Park. The seminar, organised by the centre for health promoting hospitals and the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble

  • Blackburn will make capital of the future

    A COUNCIL leader today pledged to establish Blackburn as the capital of East Lancashire -- with a shopping centre to match. Coun Bill Taylor spoke out after Blackburn with Darwen Council's head of regeneration Ashley Whalley unveiled the council's vision

  • Family relay

    HYNDBURN mother and daughter Frances and Anna Griffiths have been chosen to carry the Queen's Jubilee baton on its way to the Commonwealth Games. Frances, an ex- international hurdler, and Anna, the country's top ranked under 13 pentathlete a year ago

  • Steady Eddie

    EDDIE Pugh was the winning over 60 as 19 Chorley Harriers took part in the Parbold Hill Race. A revitalised Phil Percival was the club's first finisher, while Janet Chaplin, fourth F40, was their first woman. Young Blackburn Harrier Michael Hammer finished

  • Pumas hold on

    WHALLEY Pumas Under 12s recorded their first win of 2002, a 2-1 win at Great Harwood Boys. Five minutes after the break the Pumas broke the deadlock through match hero Arran McCarthy. McCarthy scored again soon after but a fine headed goal put Harwood

  • Joy for Curtis

    CURTIS Pearce of Blackburn Harriers won the boys under 13 race at the Horwich Harriers Open Cross Country Meeting on Saturday. Grant Cunliffe finished second to lead Rossendale to the team title. Dale's Sam Dew picked up second place in the under 11 race

  • Special gift for finishers

    ALL finishers of Sunday 's Lostock 6M Road Race will win a special edition 20th anniversary T-shirt. The venue is the Barnstormers Pub adjacent to British Aerospace near the Reebok Stadium at M61 J6. Race starts at 11am. Radcliffe AC are hosting a 12

  • 'Fall guy' Ray wins top award

    NOBODY is more familiar with the old saying "there's no gain without pain" than Ray Moulding of Blackburn Road Runners. The club held it's Presentation Evening at the Dressers Arms, Wheelton recently and 70-year-old Ray won the Road Race Championship

  • Kristan slides out of Olympic top ten

    WATERFOOT'S Kristan Bromley clawed back six places after a disappointing first run in the skeleton bob - but he had left himself too much to do in his second run at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City yesterday. The former Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar

  • Fans can be proud of them

    FOR the second week running the team put up a marvellous show only to come away with nothing to show for it. IT was disappointing to lose at Chelsea, but the fans were very proud of the way PNE had set about their illustrious opponents. Chelsea certainly

  • Needle find family flee 'drugs town'

    A FAMILY are quitting Chorley to move to Leyland -- because they claim the town's drug culture is on a frightening spiral and destroying community life. James and Rachel Corrie had already made the decision to leave Chorley for Leyland before discovering

  • Woodhill youths: work to be done

    MUCH has been reported about the "youth troubles" in the Woodhill area. Although the problems have not been totally resolved, things do appear to be somewhat calmer. As a resident and member of the community action group, I have attended all three of

  • Give NHS a chance

    I AM writing in response to the recent outcry against the National Health Service. It fills me with both anger and disgust that people decry what has been, and I believe will continue to be, one of the cornerstones of our national institutions. I am filled

  • We love it at St. John's

    WE are pupils at St John's CE Primary School in Bury. We love it at St John's and no one can ever take that feeling away from us. We have been pupils at this school since nursery. We wouldent be here if it wasen't for Mrs Moore (the new headteacher).

  • Congestion? Try living in London!

    I LIVE in London, having grown up in Bury. However, I do return home regularly and read the Bury Times with interest. Recently I have been amazed to read all the vitriol regarding the traffic on the road to Fairfield Hospital. These people should try

  • Under the knife? No thanks!

    FACELIFTS From Hell on ITV was enough to put anyone off going under the knife in the name of vanity. I wouldn't trust anyone after seeing the disastrous surgery carried out. I only know one woman who years ago had work done to remove her flabby stomach

  • TV Fame name game

    ONE Discovery Mastermind question for Barry Meakin who took pop music of the 1960s for his specialised subject was "Clive Powell who was born in Leigh, Lancs, became better known as whom? Fame indeed. Celebrities must think they've really made it when

  • Chocks away at last

    I WHINGED about the difficulty in unwrapping Celebrations chocolates at Christmas. This week I was stopped by a reader who pointed out that there are slits in the packaging which make them easy to open. Thanks for the advice, I'll remember to look if

  • This growing crime must be halted

    SADLY the latest phonejacking trend hit Leigh at the weekend. A teenager suffered a knife attack by two braindead hoodlums because they wanted to relieve him of his designer Sony mobile phone and expensive grey Burberry jacket. The duo struck as their

  • Leyland Warriors round-up

    DESPITE being defeated the Warriors probably played their best rugby all season. Charley Naylor scored three tries and three conversions and was Player of the Match. Leyland scored first and rattled Rochdale who made a string of errors in key positions

  • Burglars pin down OAP in attack at home

    BURGLARS held down a terrified pensioner in her own bed before ransacking her house and stealing cash. The woman, aged in her 80s, was pinned to her bed by two men before they searched every room in her house. They broke into the house in Lostock Drive

  • Leigh's the place for top RL talent

    THE Leigh area produces more top rugby league talent than any other area of the country. That's the finding of a brand-new poll conducted by the Rugby Football League into the career origins of the British-born Super League full-time professional players

  • Medic Colin is hailed a hero

    TRAINEE paramedic Colin Barber will today be publicly honoured after he tried to save the life of a woman in a notorious murder case. He is to receive a Special Commendation from the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr Duncan Lawton OBE. The

  • Leigh Youth League

    Under 16's: Hindley Juniors 5 (Gibson, Farrimond, Hewitt, Foright, Draper), Hindsford United 1; Culcheth Athletic 0, WJ Wildcats 1. Under 15's: Winton Wanderers 2, WJ Poolstock 6; Lowton Athletic 2, Standish Juniors 7; Bedford Rangers 0, WJ Pemberton

  • League revenge for LR

    ATHERTON LR gained revenge for their Worthington Cup defeat in their first league match of the year. In a free-flowing game, Atherton were the better side and 18-year-old Josh Bowker made an impressive debut. In the 20th minute Barry Massay battled for

  • Wycombe whacked

    GIVEN the two clubs' respective league positions, a draw at Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night would have been a reasonable result for the Seasiders. But even their small band of travelling supporters could hardly have expected a 4-1 victory! And that

  • Careless RMI let two-goal lead slip

    Leigh RMI 3 Barnet 3 by Martyn Hindley: LEIGH RMI failed to extend their run to four consecutive victories after Barnet battled back from 3-1 down to snatch a point. But it could have been so much worse for the Railwaymen as the North London side - a

  • Swot up on Shakespeare with C'est Tous

    TICKETS are still available for evening performances of the C'est Tous theatre company's Macbeth production. Seats are still on sale for February 21, 22, 26 and 28 and March 2. And there's a fascinating pre-performance talk which starts at 7.15pm before

  • Take a trip down Mellow Drive

    A PRESTON band is returning to woo their fans in a new tour of the area. Mellow Drive, show-cased in The Citizen last year, are one of the North West's most talented up-and-coming new talents. Their catchy blend of rock and pop has even been noticed by

  • Query answered

    IWOULD like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to reply to my query of how the robin got its red breast (Letters, February 8). A WESTALL (Mrs), Tiverton Drive, Blackburn.

  • Site suggestions for station clock

    REGARDING the Victorian platform clocks removed from Blackburn station (LET, February 13), apparently Railtrack wants a suitable site as an alternative. Here are two to consider -- Carnforth or Hellifield. Both these stations are like Blackburn's was

  • It's goodbye Gib and sorry

    SO how do you get the Gibraltarians to vote for full sovereignty with Spain? Well, you give Spain dual sovereignty rights and then you create economic conditions that make staying British impossible. End of story. End of British sovereignty. End of British

  • Old remedies did the trick

    WHERE have all the old remedies gone? Thick black spanish was a must for colds. Hot water added to one or two pieces would truly stop a 'tickly' cough and kept one's bowels open. Also, where are camphor blocks and camphorated oil? A good rub with the

  • Outraged at your restaurant report

    IAM outraged and deeply upset by the report on my restaurant, The Lounge (LET, February 9). Everyone who comes -- with the exception of your food critic -- thinks it's the very best: romantic, beautifully-designed and, above all, unique. The food is top-notch

  • Speed limits also apply to police

    IN response to the remarks of Russell Wadd in 'Speed cameras do save lives' (Letters, February 6), I have read over the last few weeks and also heard stories about drivers receiving speeding tickets, mainly in the Goosehouse area of Darwen. A few weeks

  • Farewell to George, a Turf Moor legend

    BURNLEY manager Stan Ternent was among the mourners who gathered to pay their final respects to Oswaldtwistle-born Clarets legend George Bray. Family, friends and a number of former players packed into St Matthew's Church, Burnley, for the funeral of

  • More work needed on Unsal deal

    BLACKBURN'S move for Galatasary defender Hakan Unsal is proving difficult to seal as Turkey are not part of the European Community. "We have sorted out the deal with Galatasaray and the player but everything at the moment is subject to him being granted

  • Yordi set for Cup final

    SPANISH striker Yordi could be handed a baptism of fire in English football after being cleared to play in Sunday's Worthington Cup final against Spurs. But red tape has deprived Rovers of the services of Turkish international Hakan Unsal. Blackburn Rovers

  • Get your facts right

    IF YOUR correspondent Michael Jackson could spend more time getting his facts right and less time on personal attacks it might go some way to persuading your readers that he had some genuine concerns rather than just carrying on his vendetta against local

  • It was a big day out for Miller

    TO some the Full Members' Cup was cruelly branded a 'Mickey Mouse' competition. But for players like Ian Miller, Rovers' triumph over Charlton under the shadow of the twin towers at Wembley back in 1987 still ranks among the most treasured memories of

  • I can't agree

    YET again I must go 'against the stream.' This time I must take issue with the black and white, us and them atmosphere encouraged by certain manic sections of the N Lancs establishment. Reading the letters of some correspondents in the 'Citizen', a stranger

  • Drop of the hard stuff

    EVERY footballer has an outstanding memory of winning a cup final and Glenn Keeley is no different. But while most players might remember scoring a winning goal, making a crucial tackle or a vital save -- Killer Keeley's is dropping the cup! The memorable

  • Where are they now?

    ROVERS' triumph over Charlton in the Full Members' Cup under the twin towers at Wembley back in 1987 was their last brush with Cup glory. Here the Lancashire Evening Telegraph takes a look at the winning team and what they are doing now. GLENN KEELEY

  • Hospital figures defended

    NEWLY released figures have revealed Preston Acute Hospitals and Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust have death rates after surgery above national average levels. The Performance Indicators for 2001/2002 show the Royal Preston and Chorley hospitals, have

  • Glass pioneer dies aged 94

    THE co-founder of a Preston glass firm which has passed through three generations has died aged 94. Frank Graham, co-founder of Worthington and Graham Glass, in Great Hanover Street, Preston, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 13. Mr Graham, who was

  • Cross country train services to return

    A TRAIN company which runs trans-Pennine services across Lancashire is to restore a full timetable -- four months after it hit the buffers in a driver crisis. Arriva Trains Northern had to withdraw some trains and introduce a temporary timetable in October

  • Readers hit right notes for charity

    CITIZEN readers have made a musical donation to help a poverty stricken school in South America. Late last year, expatriate charity worker Joanne Singleton de Carranza contacted The Citizen in an appeal for musical instruments. She urgently needed a set

  • Hospital goes on TB alert

    HUNDREDS of hospital patients have been sent warning letters and 22 urged to have chest X-rays after a healthcare worker was found to have tuberculosis. A total of 545 patients who have been in contact with the worker between December 1 and the middle

  • Rainforest claim firm gets pledge

    A PRESTON paper firm have said they will keep on trading with a Far Eastern company claimed by Friends of the Earth to be destroying a rare rainforest. Rosefox Paper Ltd, based in Walton Summit, who were named in an FoE report, released last week, say

  • Police pay row: victory claimed

    POLICE chiefs have backed down over a controversial plan to change the date officers are paid after fierce opposition from bobbies. Lancashire Constabulary has announced it will defer the change, just days after a meeting with the police federation, which

  • Butcher dies after fall from ladder

    A WELL-KNOWN lay preacher and popular butcher has died following an incident at his home. Police believe Abel Glenn, 80, of Briercliffe Road, Burnley, fell from a ladder placed at the top of stairs as he was decorating the upstairs of his home. He was

  • Sports bid a success

    SPORTS fans were celebrating today following the news that a bid for £46,000 to improve facilities has been approved. An application for the money towards a scheme to improve sports pitches in Briercliffe will no be made to the Sport England fund. Members

  • Council tax rate still undecided

    PENDLE'S council tax rate for the next financial year is still undecided after a special budget meeting was scrapped when the Liberal Democrat Party refused to reveal their proposals. Now after two meetings to set the council tax for Pendle, where the

  • Barcelona is the youngsters goal

    FOOTY mad boys and girls showed off their skills at the ASDA store in Fulwood for trials for the Fox Kids Cup to be played in Barcelona in March. Teams from around Europe will be taking part in the Under 13s competition to be held from the 28-31 March

  • Master chef waiting for Queen's call

    A PRESTON chef who cooked for the Queen 20 years ago is waiting for the call from Buckingham Palace to cook a second royal treat as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Peter Stead was working as chief civilian chef at the Fulwood Barracks, Preston

  • Arson attack wrecks a dozen vans

    FIREFIGHTERS battled for two hours to bring a blaze under control after arsonists set fire to 12 caravans yards away from gas cylinders. Crews from Accrington and Oswaldtwistle were called to caravan dismantlers, Copy Clough Caravans, off Dill Hall Lane

  • Advice that saved a life

    TWO NHS Direct nurse advisors -- one of whom lives in Astley -- are being commended after their advice helped save a life. Lydia Martin from Astley and colleague Joanne Denny were on hand when the daughter of recently diagnosed diabetic, Pauline Strafford

  • Sunday train hope for Atherton

    PUBLIC transport champions are hoping for Sunday trains serving Atherton. Local train operating company First North Western has indicated that it could provide trains to run the service, but would require outside funding. So Wardley Public Transport Users

  • Search is on for Westleigh guiders

    A CATALOGUE of disasters has made life difficult for a Guide unit planning their silver jubilee celebrations. First a fire, then floods, destroyed records listing former members of the 25-years-old XII Apostles', Westleigh, troupe which is staging a celebration

  • Down Memory Lane

    THE death of Princess Margaret reminds me of my childhood and our King and Queen with their charming daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose. When war came the Royal Family were a tremendous inspiration and encouragement to the nation

  • St John man Clifford gets Royal appointment

    YEARS of dedicated service to St John Ambulance have led to a Tyldesley man being offered a prestigious position -- by Royal appointment. Clifford Hodcroft has been made Officer Brother of the Order of St John, an appointment by the Queen in recognition

  • Golborne siege man is jailed

    A MAN who barricaded himself in his terraced home and threatened to burn down the row has been jailed for two years -- and told to change his pub. Alun Evans had refused to let police into his Golborne home when they tried to arrest him on another matter

  • Labourer died after accident at junction

    A MOTOR-CYCLIST died from multiple organ failure after his machine hit a car which pulled out in front of him as he rode home from work. An inquest at Bolton heard how 20-year-old Astley labourer Graham Michael Johnson was catapulted over the bonnet of

  • WI campaigners want action on crime village

    MORE police patrols are needed in a vandal-hit village where a spy camera bid was snubbed by the Home Office who felt crime rates were too low. Campaigning Newchurch Women's Institute members want higher profile policing in Culcheth. They claim people

  • Five days of jams expected as bridge is shifted

    MOTORISTS face five days of traffic jams from tonight when a section of a major road closes. A bridge is being removed at a stretch of the A59 in Samlesbury which links Preston with Blackburn and the Ribble Valley and serves thousands of commuters each

  • It's time to play the music!

    IT'S time to play the music! It's time to light the lights! It's time to look at the Muppet website! Take a look around Kermit and the gang's home (http://www.muppets.com) and you are sure to find something that will keep you entertained. From Animal's

  • We're suffering too

    I am just replying to the cover story of the Leigh Journal regarding "crime purge on estate." It's not just Westleigh that is suffering crime. I live off Wigan Road near to Tamar end and the things that go on around here are out of control. There are

  • Feeding problem

    HAVING recently become a parent, I was wondering where in Leigh is it possible to breast feed your baby (not me obviously, my wife). Very few, if any of the cafe's have this facility and I don't think there is anywhere in the Spinning Gate centre. I realise

  • Anti-social behaviour is nothing new

    COUNCILLOR Brian Jarvis is correct to voice concerns about crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour. However, this problem hasn't just arisen, it's been going on for years. Communities have had to witness the decline of their neighbourhoods and shopping

  • Why bother paying Council Tax?

    I AM writing to express my lack of confidence in the police. There is a severe crime problem within the area of Leigh, in particular around Firs and Plank Lane. There are gangs of youths roaming the streets terrifying the residents of the Plank Lane estate

  • Time to complain

    SIR, As a member of the Federation of the Blind I have to report that the government announced last month its intention to make changes to the Disabled Living Allowance regulations, which are expected to save in the region of £35 million a year. Now since

  • Shrimps on trophy trail

    MORECAMBE are targeting FA Trophy glory after their recent league disappointments. The Shrimps have lost some of their momentum in recent weeks following the sale of defender John Hardiker to Stockport, but will still fancy their chances in the fifth

  • It's Cambridge in Cup

    BLACKPOOL'S opponents in the LDV Vans Trophy final at Cardiff on March 24 will be the Second Division's bottom club, Cambridge United. They surprisingly beat high-flying Bristol City 2-0 in Tuesday night's semi-final.

  • Off the Ball by Steve Dunthorne

    CALL me an old cynic, but I don't thick Patrick Kluivert is a very good player. He is one-paced, has the turning circle of a medium-sized oil tanker and I've rarely seen him score a goal that didn't bobble in off somebody else's thigh, elbow or backside

  • Clarets back in the swing

    AFTER the frustration of Tuesday night's postponement against Bradford City, the Clarets at least enjoyed some meaningful match practice with a behind closed doors friendly game against Bolton Wanderers yesterday. Burnley boss Stan Ternent arranged the

  • Purr-fect pets

    FABULOUS felines -- and so many with prize winning good looks. That was the verdict of spectators at this year's South Ribble Pet Cat Club annual show on Saturday at Worden High School, Westfield Drive, Leyland. Cat lovers from across the area turned

  • Fun with the slimmers

    LOVE Me Slender is the current Culcheth Players production with daily performances. The play, a comedy based around the members of a slimming club, will show at Culcheth Sports and Social Club on Charnock Road until Saturday February 23. Performances

  • Clock tower appeal chorale

    A MUSICAL evening with the Manchester Chorale is being held on Saturday, February 23 at Lowton St Catherine's Church -- in aid of St Luke's Church clock tower appeal. The concert starts at 8pm and tickets cost £5 available from Rector the Rev John Macaulay

  • Salute to Youth jazz concert

    A JAZZ "Salute to Youth" takes place this weekend (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb 21-24) at Wigan Pier. Youth jazz orchestras from Wigan, Bolton, Leeds, Salford, Scarborough and Sefton will perform and a highlight on Saturday will be a special

  • Brilliant Pygmalion

    ALL this month at Manchester's Library Theatre the walls are reverberating with the ear-splitting sound of a Cockney accent that could crack flags. A brilliant production of Pygmalion, the classic Bernard Shaw tale of a girl from the gutter who is transformed

  • Were you part of Oliver's army?

    ANYONE who worked at Olivers, the famous Lancaster bakers and confectioners on Penny Street and King Street which closed its doors 25 years ago, is invited to a reunion at the Greaves Hotel on February 23 from 7pm to 12pm. Several former employees have

  • Police and parents tackle teen problems

    PARENTS in the Torrisholme area are being asked to help police eradicate juvenile nuisance in the area. Up to 40 youths are said to be congregating in the area outside the Spar shop and George pub and police are dealing with numerous complaints, ranging

  • Rogue traders

    RAM-RAIDERS used a stolen digger to smash through the doors of a Morecambe sports superstore before stealing more than £2,000 worth of clothes. When they were disturbed, the balaclava-clad thieves drove towards a group of people in their car before heading

  • Bridge in line for award

    LANCASTER'S Millennium Bridge celebrates its first birthday this week with a nomination for a prestigious design award. The city council's millennium project, designed by the internationally renowned engineering consultants, Whitby Bird and Partners,

  • Station full steam ahead

    IT'S full steam ahead at Carnforth Railway station where a £1 million renovation scheme was officially unveiled this week. Morecambe MP Geraldine Smith opened the new-look station, which is being transformed to resemble the 1940s glory days of the classic

  • Cool reception to Council house stock

    THE city council has asked estate agents to put unwanted council houses in their windows in a bid to attract tenants. The council is alarmed at the increasingly low demand for council properties in areas such as Ryelands and the Marsh. But local estate

  • Feathers ruffled

    A ROW is rumbling in sleepy Silverdale over the vexed issue of peacocks! Five peacocks who have been roaming free in the village since the 70s made national news this week after being moved to a local wildlife park. Some villagers are up in arms over

  • People power forces schools decision rethink

    THE protests of dozens of concerned parents and residents has forced Lancashire County Council to withdraw its plans to site a classroom for disruptive teenagers in the grounds of a local primary school. The protesters says they are pleased the county

  • East signings

    LEIGH East U11s RL team signed four new players to their large squad this week and are still looking for one or two more players to join this successful side. Training is Wednesday evening 7pm-8pm at Leigh East and each Saturday 12pm-1pm. For further

  • Now let's get back to work!

    PRESTON North End's FA Cup heroes jet back into Britain with the instruction: "Get on with the league." Boss David Moyes took a leaf out of Gian Luca Vialli's book by whisking his players away on a Mediterranean trip following Sunday's FA Cup defeat at

  • Rape probe scaled down

    DETECTIVES admit they are no nearer to catching a rapist in Darwen, a month after the attack. They have scaled down their investigation but still want to trace two witnesses seen in the Hollins area of the town on Friday January 18 around the time of

  • Past remembered

    LIFE in the early 20th century is hard to comprehend for the children of today. They should be taught about what life was like without electricity, bathrooms, central heating, TV, computers and cars. Joan Bown told this to Tyldesley Probus Club during

  • WI shake it

    ATHERTON WI celebrated their 10th birthday with a hip-swinging party. An expert in traditional Hathor Arabic dancing spoke about the origins of dances then demonstrated them at the buffet supper. She displayed some of the highly-coloured, beautifully

  • Curate on gun charge

    A FORMER Tyldesley curate has been charged with fire-arm offences after a gun and bullets were found in his home by police. Rev Michael Daggett, formerly of Upper George Street, Tyldesley and currently Vicar at Holy Rood in Swinton, appeared before Salford

  • Postcode change plans under attack

    POSTCODE change proposals would put Golborne and some Lowton addresses in Newton-le-Willows and Culcheth would be branded Birchwood. But Royal Mail plans are being questioned by Leigh MP Andy Burnham and Lowton-based Wigan Council Cabinet member Cllr

  • Old Leighians 100th birthday

    THE Old Leighians Association celebrate their centenary this year with a dinner and chance to reminisce about their days at Leigh Grammar School. The association has been holding annual reunions every year since 1902, with the first being held at the

  • £100 boost for club

    THE Golden Years Club has received £100 in Co-op gift vouchers to help fund its activities. The Higher Folds-based over 50s group has been rewarded with the donation by Co-operative Group's North West Counties members' area committee, who are keen to

  • Ambulance awards

    TWO local men have received Greater Manchester Ambulance Service awards for long service. Ged Vaughan from Atherton -- an ambulance technician based at Atherleigh, and Bolton-based training manager Fred Lawrence from Leigh -- will receive certificates

  • Pupils brush up on their art skills

    AN artistic aura is drifting through the classrooms of a Leigh school. Artist Margaret Jackson has been working with seven year olds in Y2 at the XII Apostles RC School on a peace and harmony theme. Margaret has also helped 11 year old Y6 students brush

  • Video mystery

    MUM Leanne Wilkinson was stunned when she bought a bargain video tape of Sleeping Beauty at a car boot sale. It wasn't the Disney version of the fairytale which came up on screen, but a Golborne County Primary School production of the show. Now Leanne

  • Tribute to a devoted princess

    WHAT a lovely tribute to the late HRH Princess Margaret from Tony McGuinness, the chairman of the NSPCC Preston's branch. Although I'm not a mad flag-waving fan of the royals I was sad to hear that Princess Margaret had died, even though it was probably

  • Council surgeries

    COUNCILLORS serving on Wigan Council will hold the following advice surgeries: THURSDAY, February 21: Golborne Library, Queen Street (10am-11am) D Kelly, T Sherratt, B Strett; Abram Library, Vicarage Road, (10.30am-12noon) Mrs E Smethurst. FRIDAY, February

  • Thankyou for charity cash

    MAY I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all those in the Preston area who contributed to a recent house-to-house collection between September 22 and October 7 for The National Kidney Research Fund. The total sum raised was £1,721.16 and will

  • Community mourns crash pals

    THE brother of a teenager who survived a fatal car crash today spoke of a community's shock following the death of two friends from the same street. The 19-year-old driver of the car, Ali Hussain, and the front seat passenger Imran Esan Aziz, 22, both

  • Pupils risk lives to cross road

    PRIMARY school pupils are risking their lives every time they go to school as they cross one of the busiest roads in Blackburn. Youngsters from Intack Primary School are having to negotiate the busy Whitebirk Road without a school patrol after the retirement

  • Hospice time allows Lynne to 'chill out'

    WHEN Lynne Hamnett heard that her son Craig, 11, would be visiting Derian House for respite care four years ago, she couldn't help feeling relieved. Although a doting mother, Lynne has been full-time carer to Craig, now 15, since he was a baby. He has

  • Walker sisters

    BURNLEY sisters Danielle and Alexis Walker have been selected to run for Lancashire Schools in the English Schools Cross Country Championship at Chelmsford next month. Danielle missed the Lancashire Schools Championship with illness but gets the selector's

  • Pete's back

    PETE Banks made a winning return as Red Rose Road Runners hosted the inaugural Myerscough seven mile road race. Banks, who at his peak was possibly the most successful road racer in East Lancashire, is now a veteran and he took over 40 honours in 41:38

  • Clayton Harriers double act tames 'The Beast'

    CLAYTON Harriers Andy Orr and Ian Greenwood crossed the Yorkshire border last Saturday to try and tame 'The Beast.' That's the nickname of the Wadsworth Trog, a 20 mile long fell race over a demanding course, mostly tussocky grass on open moorland. After

  • No need for transfer window

    PNE'S acting chairman Derek Shaw is opposing plans by FIFA to introduce a British transfer window. Many countries operate the policy already, and although this country does have a transfer deadline, Shaw is backing the football powers in this country

  • Stranger posted my lost letter

    I THOUGHT this was a nice story that readers might like to read. I recently went into Bury to shop and to post a very important letter, which was unstamped. As I recall, it was really windy and litter was flying around everywhere. I went about my business

  • Teaching English

    CHILDREN of seven are to be taught foreign languages in school to halt our embarrassing reputation aboad. Not before time.

  • Some dogs are barmy

    SOME little dogs are daft, mine included. I've introduced her to some biscuits that look like bones containing marrowbone jelly. Unfortunately she doesn't eat them - she takes them out and buries them in the garden. Any silly dog stories?

  • Not bad work, if you can get it!

    I WISH I'd been a plumber. I was baffled when water kept seeping up through the stone flags on my kitchen floor. I thought the old washing machine had been playing up again, leaking through the front door as it does. However, despite soaking up the puddles

  • Golborne romp to final

    GOLBORNE Sports stormed into the final of the Mid-Cheshire Cup with a resounding 6-1 semi-final victory over Garswood United. It wasn't long before Patterson bundled the ball in to open the scoring and apart from a momentary lapse in concentration to

  • Leigh League: Cup stunner rocks Mills

    DIVISION Two table-toppers Howe Bridge Mills' stirring run in the Davenport Cup hit a brick wall in the form of Fir Tree Rangers at the quarter-final stage. The side currently next to bottom of the Division One table shook off disappointing league form

  • RMI kee top two

    LEIGH RMI will go into the final two months of their battle against relegation from the Nationwide Conference with a massive boost after managing to keep goalkeeper Mark Westhead and defender Gerry Harrison at the club. Both were the subject of enticing