Archive

  • Churches Bowling League

    All Saints 148, Bedford 149; St Paul's 118, Leigh 153; HG St John's 147, Atherton 129; St Paul's A 152, HG Meths 136; LSM 150, St Peter's 131.

  • Leigh Ladies Bowls League

    Golborne 159, Brunswick 119; Gardeners 147, Cricket Club 122; Eastleigh 151, Rugby Union 112; Lowton 168, St Paul's 97; Westleigh 98, Botanical 168.

  • Queen Mum is irreplaceable

    NO-One can ever take the Queen Mother's place. Wherever she went, her smile and charm reached out to everyone. I shall cherish more than ever the letters I have received from her over the past 25 years. The world will be a sadder place. She was indeed

  • Parking gesture praised

    HOW grand to see Anthony Nolan, manager of the new Co-op supermarket telling the people and motorists who visit Great Harwood to use its car park (LET, March 25). I think the store is a lovely, clean shopping area without the hassle of the larger stores

  • Empty house is a palace

    ISEE there is a house empty down south, which I, among others, have helped to pay for. It has got three bedrooms, five guest rooms and 19 servants' rooms. Yes, that's right -- 19. It belonged to a 70-odd-year-old divorce who spent most of her winters

  • Lottery syndicate scoop £1.3million

    A FORMER assistant manager at Leigh RMI has turned round his new club's fortunes -- while having some luck of his own on the National Lottery. Two weeks ago David Miller was appointed manager of Stalybridge Celtic, a club fighting against relegation from

  • Whistle Blower with Neil Yates

    Following the inception of full time referees this season, the revolution within refereeing circles continues unabated. Next season contributory league officials, ie Unibond and North West Counties, will see their Saturdays and midweek nights turned upside

  • It's six of the best for East Lancashire cricket

    East Lancashire junior cricket is celebrating success at the first ever county six-a-side finals - Darwen Cricket Club under 15s were crowned champions and East Lancs under 13s and Darwen under 11s finished as runners-up in their respective age groups

  • Edwards swoops to sink in-form Enfield

    A late header from Nathan Edwards helped Padiham pull off a cup upset against Division One title contenders Enfield. Edwards' near post flick header 11 minutes from time gave Division Two leaders a hard fought victory after coming from behind to pull

  • Steve Tinniswood's Park Patrol

    SPORT Extra is gone but not forgotten. Welcome to the new generation of local sports coverage -- Grassroots. It's a new, fresh style with a lot more local news for you to enjoy. We've also introduced a few new features. Roots Archive is a brief look back

  • Rosehill create a little bit of history

    Rosehill Primary School creating a little bit of history in the annual Primary Schools Cross Country championship with the best score ever. For the girls team incredibly finished with seven runners in the top 10 to clock an overall score of just 66. It

  • Police begin blitz on mobiles crime

    BURNLEY and Pendle police are leading the fight against mobile phone crime with a pioneering new scheme. Police say the number of mobiles either being lost or stolen in the division is "astronomical" and they are taking steps to cut down on the problem

  • Stop this pain

    THE BISHOP of Blackburn today urged county council bosses to end the old folk's care homes nightmare and said: "A solution has to be found quickly." The Rt Rev Alan Chesters spoke out after visiting Acorn Lodge care home, off Nuttall Street, Accrington

  • Leigh's Angel delight

    LEIGH Cricket Club have signed giant Aussie Test bowler Jo Angel for the new season writes Mike Hulme The 6ft 7in pace ace from Western Australia recently joined the ranks of the great Aussie WA pacemen Dennis Lillee, Terry Alderman and Graham McKenzie

  • Does anyone in Labour have decency?

    SO HERE we go again with spin, misinformation and obfuscation in the matter of the Blobby scandal. The favourite phrase of the leader of the local Labour group is 'the jury is still out.' Although his public pronouncements have been limited to 'no comment

  • Is it Stars in their Eyes for Council?

    IN REPLY to OAP Taxpayer the editor said " Take the party politics out of local government and you stand a chance ---" and in reply to S. Rigby; regarding who was at fault for the Blobby fiasco "This was done by officers who were (at the very best) out

  • Socialist success

    HOW refreshing to see the revealingly hysterical return of Mr W Hill of Skerton to the letters pages of the Citizen. Here, however, is my contribution towards sending him and his feeble-minded admirers (if any) back to their padded cells again, where

  • Dunn the man for England

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today urged England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to take David Dunn to this summer's World Cup if David Beckham fails to overcome his heartbreaking injury. England skipper Beckham's World Cup dream is now hanging by a thread

  • Souness delight

    ROVERS edged a step nearer Premiership safety last night after gaining an impressive point from a battling 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Ewood. Souness was delighted with the way his players applied themselves against a Blues side chasing a Champions League

  • Form guide

    A LOOK at the key moments and performances from the game against Chelsea. FRIEDEL: Well protected by the men in front of him but did what he had to when Hasselbaink and Co did get a clear sight of goal...7 NEILL: Made a couple of foraging runs down the

  • No Short measures

    VETERAN defender Craig Short has experienced his fair share of ups and downs during a turbulent season punctuated by personal trauma. But when the chips are down, few players rise to a challenge quite like the former Everton stopper who produced a colossal

  • ay crash

    MOTORWAY drivers were delayed for more than hour yesterday when a car swerved off the M65 and down an embankment. Police said Ghulam Sarwar, 22, of Ada Street, Keighley, lost control of a Toyota Carina between junction 11 and 12 of the motorway between

  • Police begin blitz on mobiles crime

    BURNLEY and Pendle police are leading the fight against mobile phone crime with a pioneering new scheme. Police say the number of mobiles either being lost or stolen in the division is "astronomical" and they are taking steps to cut down on the problem

  • Death came 'like bolt out of blue'

    THE stepfather of a farm worker found hanging in a barn at his home told an inquest his death had come as "a bolt from the blue." Simon Dalglish discovered stepson Scott Andrew Pighills, 23, in a building used as a sheep shed at Admergill Hall Farm, Blacko

  • Caravan site here to stay

    A CONTROVERSIAL caravan park in Colne, the subject of several planning wrangles during the past 17 years, could be allowed permission to keep 15 vehicles on site. Prospect Farm, off Lenches Road, gained retrospective planning permission for up to 11 caravans

  • Ten years ago

    A RARE canal barge arrived in Blackburn 40 years after its first visit. British Waterways lent the boat, the Kennet, to complement the Eanam Wharf visitor centre display. It was one of a few short Leeds-Liverpool canal boats left.

  • Police give promise on skatepark

    GREAT Harwood police have vowed to help find a suitable site for a skatepark for the town's youngsters but stressed it would take time to do it properly. Teenagers in the town have been lobbying the area council and local police for around 18 months to

  • Partnership will aid pensioners

    THREE ethnic minority groups have joined forces in a pioneering project to help the elderly and their carers in Hyndburn. The partnership is the first of its kind in Accrington and will mean all three ethnic groups which serve hundreds of local people

  • Ex-Mayor stands down

    A FORMER Mayor is retiring from civic life in May -- although she will continue to be involved in the voluntary sector. Cllr Evelyne Smith who has represented the people of Hindsford for the past four years has decided not to stand for re-election on

  • Wheelchair test a hard lesson

    A WORKING group is being set up to tackle problem hot-spots for the disabled after leading councillors experienced the difficulties for themselves. Travel sickness tablets, a big woolly blanket and nerves of steel were all called for when the three councillors

  • Another sporting hero dies, aged 41

    THE community has bid a fond farewell to the third of a trio of sporting mates who conquered adversity to become national heroes. Disabled athlete, committed charity fund-raiser and MBE award winner, Ray Gainer, died aged 41, a year after suffering kidney

  • Stop this pain

    THE BISHOP of Blackburn today urged county council bosses to end the old folk's care homes nightmare and said: "A solution has to be found quickly." The Rt Rev Alan Chesters spoke out after visiting Acorn Lodge care home, off Nuttall Street, Accrington

  • Gibfield Park redevelopment plan go-ahead

    By Ruth Jolley A MASSIVE regeneration project will create hundreds of jobs and homes, transforming Atherton wasteland. Planning chiefs this week approved the 250 acres Gibfield Park scheme for industry, 470 homes, a district centre and woodland on old

  • Battle is on for Town Hall seats

    A THIRD of the Wigan Council seats will be contested at next month's elections. Council leader Lord Peter Smith, Deputy leader Cllr Tom Sherratt and former mayor Cllr Stan Simmons will be among the 24 councillors up for re-election across the borough

  • Independent's

    'say no to metro' TWO Independent candidates aim to take Atherton and Tyldesley out of Wigan Metro if they are elected. Stephen Hall, who is standing in Hindsford, and Stephen Shallcross, who is hoping to represent Atherton, are urging voters to "say

  • Park has been ruined by yobs

    OVER the last few months, I, a local resident and park user, have noticed the rapid deterioration of Tyldesley Park on Astley Street. Youths now run amok in the park, drinking and drug taking, smashing bottles, breaking the newly installed lighting, rubbish

  • Get the best from e-mail

    ONE of the best things about the internet is e-mail but it can be a bit daunting to use if you are new to the web. But the web can provide some useful hints and tips, especially the site http://everythingemail.net/email_help_tips.html It's a beginners

  • Wray of sunshine

    CANCELLED last year due to foot and mouth the 2002 Wray Scarecrow 10K Road Race is very much up and running. The popular event, which forms part of the famous Wray Scarecrow Festival Week, will take place on Saturday 27 April. Held on quiet country roads

  • Off the Ball by Steve Dunthorpe

    JIM Harvey's insistence that playing the first leg at home would work against Morecambe looks a little bit prophetic all of a sudden - but it isn't yet time to give up on the Shrimps. Morecambe's first half performance was desperate - so bad, in fact,

  • Play the game

    FOLLOWING the successful completion of the first Preston North End Development Centre, Lancaster City are looking for participants for the next course. The course runs for nine weeks and covers all aspects of the game and at the end all participants receive

  • Showpiece clash at Burton

    IT WAS MEANT to be the showpiece game of Lancaster City's season, but Tuesday night's game at Burton Albion proved to be more of a damp squib as the league leaders moved to within three points of the title. The clash with the Brewers was being billed

  • Shrimps boost at Forest Green

    AN ALMOST full strength Morecambe side pulled off their first victory in five matches on Monday night to give themselves a boost before Saturday's trophy second leg. Relegation threatened Forest Green Rovers were easily outplayed by a Shrimps outfit who

  • Youngsters to learn a few lessons

    RESERVE team boss Ronnie Jepson was looking for his youngsters to learn a few lessons from their 6-1 defeat at the McAlpine Stadium last night. The Clarets had the better of the opening exchanges but were stung by two goals just before half-time. "We

  • Young wants to land the hat-trick

    BACUP chairman Colin Shaw is looking forward to the arrival of professional Shaun Young tonight - and is taking him straight out on the town! The Lanehead chief welcomes Aussie all-rounder Young back for his second consecutive Transco Lancashire League

  • Police unhappy about speed cameras

    POLICE have described the impact of several new speed cameras as 'disappointing' - because they are catching too many motorists! Officers say the fully liveried Ford Galaxy is intended to deter motorists rather than raise cash and believe that drivers

  • All still to play for

    MORECAMBE go into their FA Trophy second leg at Stevenage on Saturday as underdogs after their last minute Christie Park defeat on Saturday. The Shrimps went down to John Hamsher's late penalty after a 'game of two halves' at Christie Park, but there

  • New Midland owners make catering donation

    CATERING students at a local school are at the 'cutting edge' thanks to a generous donation from the new owners of Morecambe's Midland Hotel. Pupils at Morecambe High School have taken delivery of the Midland's entire cutlery collection. Since January

  • Have your say on village development

    RESIDENTS in Halton will be given the chance to say how they would like to see the village develop at a special exhibition this weekend. The exhibition has been set up with a view to producing a Village Design Statement, which will ensure future developments

  • MP's surgery date

    ON-STREET surgery advice from Leigh MP Andy Burnham and local councillor Sue Loudon will be available on Saturday from 11.30am to 1pm in the Derby Street area of Atherton.

  • Band concert

    THE Ellenbrook and Boothstown Brass Band are giving a concert on April 18 starting at 7.30pm in Boothstown Methodist Church with proceeds going to church funds. E and BBB is also looking for new members. Anyone interested should call 0161 794 1426.

  • Charity concert

    THE 70-strong Warrington Male Voice Choir will raise the roof at a charity concert in Lowton tomorrow (Friday). The event will start at 8pm at St Catherine of Siena and proceeds will be help fund a car park extension and furniture for the community conference

  • Police appeal for witnesses

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a fire was started deliberately at the Bowling Green Pavilion, Palatine Avenue, Lancaster. Lighted paper and cigarettes were put through a flue, which was destroyed by fire, causing an estimated £3,000 of damage

  • Lancaster first to register gay couples

    LANCASTER City Council could become one of the first in the country to set up a 'civil partnership register' for gay and unmarried couples. The idea, which is being pioneered in London, is intended to ensure that couples who are not married will eventually

  • Artisitic future

    A TOURING theatre company visited Lancaster Royal Grammar School last week to bring careers choices to life using music, dance and drama. The CragRats visited the local school as part of a Skills Council initiative and featured look-a-likes of Pop Idol

  • Changes to hospital buses

    HOSPITAL bus services are being altered involving Leigh and Wigan infirmaries. The present service is being changed to operate only between Leigh bus station and Wigan bus station via Tamar, Hindley and Ince. All journeys will be numbered 652. However

  • Drug money on a roll

    LOCAL skateboarders are hoping money seized from convicted drug dealers will be heading to Lancaster to fund a skate park. A bid has been put in by the council to win money from the Government's 'Recovered Asset Fund,' which is made up of goods and money

  • Students raise the roof

    STUDENTS from a Lancaster stage school raised the rafters at Lancaster Cathedral this week by singing hymns for a special TV production. The 11 year olds from Stagecoach Theatre School were recorded live in the Cathedral performing popular hymns such

  • Workers on strike

    WORKERS at an exhaust manufacturing firm downed tools on Friday for a two day strike. Up to 250 employees at Nicholsons near Glasson Dock walked out and formed a picket line to protest at pay and conditions. Workers claim that they are being paid less

  • Leigh snatch key win in relegation battle

    Leigh RU 28 St Edward's OB 18: IN this relegation battle, Leigh conceded an early penalty to trail 3-0 and missed an early chance to equalise shortly afterwards. They made amends however when winger Wright scored in the corner for a 7-3 lead. Playing

  • Opening defeat for A&T

    ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare-CTA Direct opened their cycle speedway season with a trip to Leicester on Sunday. Despite a well taken 18 points by new signing Mark Wylie, riding on a secondary registration from parent club Tameside, the Greens

  • Dunn the man for England

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today urged England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to take David Dunn to this summer's World Cup if David Beckham fails to overcome his heartbreaking injury. England skipper Beckham's World Cup dream is now hanging by a thread

  • Michael's £4,000 thank you

    HEART transplant patient Michael Kenlock said another big thank you to the hospital that saved his life when he handed over a cheque for £4,000. Michael received his life-saving operation ten years ago at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, and has been

  • Robin pulls the strings in satirical comedy

    A THEATRE company is bringing its popular adaptation of 'Robin Hood' to Darwen Library tomorrow. The Ophaboom Theatre has been around most of the country over the past 11 years with various shows. Robin Hood is a new production which the group is taking

  • Repairs a waste of money

    Campaigners fighting to keep open care homes for the elderly have slammed a county council decision to spend £1.25 million repairing the homes while deciding which ones to close. The council says the cash is to provide essential repairs required by the

  • Seniors on the ball at Royal auction

    A FOOTBALL signed by Manchester United's first team will form the centre piece in an auction at a Waterfoot pub later this month. The football was won by the Blackburn branch of Senior Gateway - the leisure element of Mencap - when branch's team won a

  • Eileen's cake break date

    EILEEN Postlewaite is hoping to bake a difference for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. She is to host an MS "cake break" on Friday, April 19, from 9am to noon in Kingsleigh Methodist Church in Leigh. And she is inviting people to pop in and help

  • Passenger freed after car crash

    FIREFIGHTERS used cutting gear to free a car passenger after an early morning crash in Golborne. At about 5.30am on Tuesday a Vauxhall Nova carrying three brothers was in collision with a pick-up parked on Church Street. The passenger side of the car

  • Changes to hospital buses

    HOSPITAL bus services are being altered involving Leigh and Wigan infirmaries. The present service is being changed to operate only between Leigh bus station and Wigan bus station via Tamar, Hindley and Ince. All journeys will be numbered 652. However

  • Litter wardens go on patrol

    TWENTY "mystery" wardens have been appointed to get tough on litter louts. New laws introduced this week mean anyone over the age of 10 caught dropping rubbish by the plainclothed watchmen can be fined £50. The action is part of Wigan Council's high profile

  • Ex-Tyldesley Council chief dies, aged 91

    FORMER chairman of Tyldesley Council, George Hilbert, has died at the age of 91. Mr Hilbert died peacefully at Bedford Care Home on Tuesday, April 2. He was the husband of the late Edith and leaves a daughter, Brenda Hughes, seven grandchildren and 17

  • Choc's away

    A RICH chocolate dish for those who don't need to watch their weight is on the menu this week. Nigel Smith, who prepares a recipe each week for Lancashire Evening Telegraph readers, has created Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Ice Cream -- a simple but

  • One for the road

    HOP on board a number 43 bus from Colne to Manchester city centre tomorrow for a tot of Benedictine and the chance to win tickets for the first Northern Food, Drink and Wine Show this weekend. Passengers who get on the bus to Manchester, which leaves

  • Kitchen secrets revealed

    CELEBRITY chef Nigel Smith is "going live" with a series of cookery classes for keen students to learn from his culinary skill. Nigel, TV chef and head chef at the Feilden's Arms, Mellor Brook, Blackburn, held his latest class on Tuesday at the Preston

  • JJB scores with a profits record

    JJB SPORTS, the multi-million-pound business created by former Blackburn Rovers star David Whelan, has announced record profits of £110million. The UK's largest sports retailer said turnover at its 435 stores has risen by more than 10 per cent to £739million

  • For sale: FA Cup medal won in 1890

    UNIQUE Blackburn Rovers memorabilia is going up at auction today and an original winner's medal from the 1800s is expected to fetch £5,000. The prize piece is defender John Barton's solid gold medal from the 1890 FA Cup Final against Sheffield Wednesday

  • Booking agent lands lead job with rock legends

    MUSICIAN Peter Barton landed the biggest gig of his career - singing full time with the rock 'n' roll legends The Animals. The 40-year-old has been offered the job of lead vocalist with the 60s band, famous for the chart smashes House of the Rising Sun

  • £2.7m boost for schools

    SCHOOLS in East Lancashire are set for a major makeover after the Government's latest round of cash handouts for crumbling classrooms. Children with special needs will be the focus of nearly half of the new building projects which will start across the

  • Blackburn's very own Irish Rover

    A ROVERS-MAD Irishman has spent £30,000 in five years travelling to Blackburn -- and all because blue and white are his favourite colours. So strong is the pull of Ewood Park that Michael Hanaway, 41, a pub worker from Swords, County Dublin, scrimps and

  • Postmasters slam closure plans

    SUB-postmasters in East Lancashire have condemned moves which could see the closure of 3,000 post offices in towns and cities across the country. The restructuring plan was announced yesterday, although the details of which offices will be affected could

  • Dale get back on the winning track

    ROSSENDALE returned to winning ways with a hard working battling performance at relegation threatened Kendal Town. On a bone-hard, rutted playing surface, and in the gloom of the Parkside Road floodlights, Dale produced the better football throughout,

  • Stand look to secure the title - almost

    STAND will virtually clinch the NWCL second division title if they beat Bacup at West View tonight. The Ewood Bridge based side have topped the table for virtually the whole season and look set to put the championship almost beyond second-placed Alsager's

  • Trundle 24 mile challenge

    TULKETH High School is organising the 6th Tulketh Trundle 24 mile Challenge on Saturday. It starts from the school and circumnavigates Beacon Fell, Brock Bottoms and the canal back to Tulketh. The event is open to walkers who start at 9:30am and runners

  • Reds dreams still live on despite dismissals

    ACCRINGTON'S hopes of cup success in the Unibond Challenge Cup are still alive and well, but they had to run themselves into the ground to ensure that was the case. To have one goalkeeper sent off is dramatic enough, but to have his replacement removed

  • Classes for bully boy parents

    THE parents of school toughies will have to attend classes on how to make their young thugs behave. Those who snub the order could face £1000 fines. The war on classroom nuisance was announced by the education secretary Estelle Morris at the teachers'

  • Hope for the future

    THE Journal's distribution controller Bill Andrew was impressed with an entry for one of his competitions for the delivery boys and girls. The lass's answer to the question "How do you think your job helps you organize your life better?" gives us hope

  • Best of British...

    NOBODY does it better. If we can't do much else these days Britain can still put on the greatest show of pomp and majesty in the world. I would have loved to have been in London to witness the pageantry following the death on Easter Saturday of the Queen

  • Leigh Youth League

    Under 12s: League Cup semi-finals - Culcheth Athletic 4, Golborne Sports 4 (Gary Burnett 2, Anthony Aspinall, Mike Lee) - Culcheth won 5-4 on penalties; Hindley Juniors 2, Highfield Grange 1. Under 12s League: Standish Parma 5, Horwich St Mary's Eagles

  • Housing cash is needed right now

    THE full extent of East Lancashire's housing problems is well known to national as well as local politicians. Some examples of our old, decaying housing were shown to Housing Minister Lord Falconer last October. There are plenty of them. They are the

  • Classic squash

    CLASSIC 1 avoid relegation by earning a much needed 17 points in the last match of the season. Playing away to Horwich 2, Classic 1 won 4-1. Classic 2 lost their last match of the season 5-0 against Monton 4, but remain in mid position in the league.

  • Cycling is reducing spare tyre

    SUSAN Blackwell has adopted cycling as a hobby, in a bid to lose weight. The mother-of-one of Green Park Close, Blackburn, was inspired by the Lose a Spare Tyre campaign, organised by Lancashire County Council. And now she cycles five miles twice a week

  • Special day for hospice helpers

    SUPPORTERS of the East Lancashire Hospice will be presenting all of their proceeds for the terminally ill at a special coffee morning. Groups and individuals are holding their own events at venues throughout Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble

  • A singer of sweet songs

    WITH the death of the Queen Mother, we have lost the Vera Lynne of the Royal family whose messages went worldwide. She sang out sweetness to the world. KEITH HARTLEY, St Michaels Court, Daisyfield, Blackburn.

  • 'Thugs' spoil a nice night out

    BLACKBURN town centre is still a place to be avoided at the weekend due to the minority of thugs intent on spoiling decent people's nights out. I have seen groups of youths outside King George's Hall drinking out of cans and bottles at 5am on a Sunday

  • On the lookout for 'old stagers'

    THERE is still time to enter for Counsel and Care's oldest active amateur actor, actress or stage performer competition. Counsel and Care for the Elderly is anxious to hear from older people who are enthusiastic performers. At its annual meeting in May

  • Police have joined easy cash brigade

    ON March 5, I was travelling to work on a bright, sunny day. The traffic was minimal; visibility was excellent. I was travelling uphill, on a dual carriageway, when -- you guessed it: I was detected driving in excess of the 30mph speed limit by a police

  • Boy, 13, in tractor horror

    A TEENAGE boy had to be rescued when he became trapped under a tractor in a farmer's field. Police are investigating reports that the 13-year-old was driving the vehicle, which was pulling a roller, when the accident happened. The tractor was being driven

  • Vintage Clarets shine to clinch the double

    COLNE Clarets completed the league and cup double after a five star show against battling Salterforth. Clarets grabbed two quick goals and Salterforth never recovered despite putting up a courageous fight. David Blacklock hit the first after a a fine

  • Tales from the Touchline with Ian Fraser

    Well after a fantastic March in which our joint managers of Paul and Chris took all the accolades -- now the wheels have finally come off -- big style. This weekend we played in the quarter finals of the cup with our expectations running high after a

  • School for scandal

    AT THE recent State of the District meeting Cllr England berated us and chivvied us in the best schoolma'am tradition. We had to pull up our socks, change our ways, make difficult decisions or we would just end up being a dormitory town in the shadows

  • Youth opportunity

    AFTER five years of Labour in office promising to be 'tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime', the law and order establishment has singly failed to deliver. Amongst the most worrying aspects is the problem of youthful law-breakers. Estelle Morris

  • First to be last

    WHAT a surprise! Ray Hill once again bites the hand that feeds his egotistical arrogance. It was not I, Ray, who called you "gruesome" but the compositor of the heading above my letter. I called your actions in continuing to pursue John Whitelegg sad,

  • Police deny killing man in custody

    FIVE police officers have appeared in court to deny the manslaughter of a former paratrooper who died in custody. Christopher Alder, 37, whose sister Janet lives in the Manchester Road area of Burnley, died at Queen's Gardens police station in Hull on

  • Cash for canoes plan from council

    PLANS to create a £1.2million canoe centre in Padiham moved a step closer after councillors agreed to contribute £10,000 to the cost of the scheme. Padiham Weir, on the River Calder behind the new Shuttleworth Industrial Park, could be transformed into

  • Padiham Bulletin

    BRAVE Kim Lowes of the Padiham Medical Centre is off to the capital to take part in the 26.2mile Flora London Marathon. She is doing this superhuman effort to raise money for the little known CRY charity which funds research into Cardiac Risk in the Young

  • Clarets supporters told 'behave'

    POLICE in Grimsby today warned travelling Burnley fans to be on their best behaviour ahead of the Clarets' weekend match against the Humberside team. Humberside Police said they will welcome the thousands of fans expected to make the trip to watch the

  • A job you can put heart and sole into

    AN AWARD-winning cobbler about to hang up his hammer hopes the business can provide a beacon of hope for someone -- as it once did for him. Ken Redman, 64, plans to retire from his shoe repair business in Briercliffe Road, Burnley, and wants the business

  • Custody remand for six on murder charge

    SIX members of the same family accused of murdering a 62 years old Brierfield man have today made a brief appearance at Preston Crown Court. The five men and one woman had the case against them adjourned for plea and directions on July 3. They had been

  • Parks Friends want public input

    MEMBERS of the general public have been invited to attend a series of meetings and urged to put forward their views on possible future developments in Pendle parks. At each meeting the chairman of the relevant Friends of the Parks groups will give a report

  • First show for artists

    ARTISTS in Barnoldswick are enjoying seeing their work on display to the public at their first exhibition. The 16 members of the Painting At Leisure group meet every week at Barnoldswick Community Centre. They have produced a variety of works in watercolours

  • Five years ago

    EWOOD Park was on red alert as police prepared for Manchester United and possible IRA bomb threats. Extra officers manned the 31,000 sell-out crowd after the previous weekend's Grand National bomb scare.

  • Spirits raiders drop in through the roof

    POLICE have appealed for information after thieves made off with spirits and cigarettes from a Great Harwood store. Burglars who broke into the Co-op Late Shop in Glebe Street took a large quantity of goods and police said it appeared to be a professional

  • Funeral of tragic teacher

    THE funeral of an angler who was found dead in the River Ribble will be held tomorrow. Peter Ormerod, 50, of Fernlea Drive, Clayton-le-Moors, was found by his son Thomas, 23, on April 2, face down in the water at the rear of the Aspinall Arms, in Mitton

  • Hyndburn's line-up for May 2

    CANDIDATES for this year's groundbreaking council elections in Hyndburn have been announced. Voting takes place on May 2. For the first time since the council was formed in1974 every seat is up for grabs after boundaries were redrawn in a bid to make

  • Here's how we'll cut cost of crime

    A MAJOR project to slash the £25million-a-year cost of crime and disorder in Hyndburn was under way today. The Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership -- a co-operative which includes Lancashire Police, Lancashire County Council and Hyndburn Borough Council

  • Matthew gets TV ad role - in South Africa

    CHEEKY-FACED Matthew Williams decided he wanted TV fame at the age of three and, at eight, that dream has come true. The Hindley Green schoolboy beat off opposition from hundreds of young actors nationwide to win his first role starring in a Dairylea

  • Peel defend Forest Park re-development

    SALFORD FOREST Park won't be a mini-Disney Land nor a concrete jungle. Neil Southwell, architect and project manager of the proposed Worsley racecourse venture has hit out at "unfair criticism" of the development which could create nearly 1,000 jobs Residents

  • A real touch of glass!

    INNOVATIVE artist Samantha Brown has shown real creativity in her latest work. In fact the 25-year-old could safely say her latest piece of art has been a shattering experience. Samantha, a Bolton Institute graduate, was commissioned by The Lowry to produce

  • Hospital patient was half normal weight

    A CALDERSTONES patient who was in and out of mental health care from the age of four died after severe weight loss and dehydration, an inquest heard. Mark Campbell, 37, was just half the normal weight for a man of his age and height at the time of his

  • Village in line for the fame game

    VILLAGERS in Downham are cautiously welcoming their arrival on the television drama stage after waking from the "bad dream" caused by last year's foot and mouth epidemic. The village is to be thrust into the small screen spotlight after it was confirmed

  • Nostalgia treat

    FOR the ultimate in time wasting get across to the bubble wrap website and while away the hours (http://www.urban75.com/Mag/bubble.html). Simply roll your mouse over the bubble wrap to see and hear a satisfying 'pop' as the bubble bursts. Trouble is,

  • Netting a fair bargain

    IF you have access to the internet you can buy, and sell, practically anything from the comfort of your computer desk. In most cases online shopping is no more risky than buying by mail order or over the phone. Purchases made over the internet are covered

  • Shrimps pay the penalty

    A LAST minute penalty dealt a bitter blow to Morecambe's FA Trophy chances, leaving them behind as they travel to Stevenage for next week's second leg. Morecambe had performed creditably in the second half to claw their way back into the game, but, in

  • Closing in on play-offs

    BURNLEY striker Ian Moore will be looking to kill two birds with one stone at Grimsby on Saturday. The 13-goal star is looking to score the goals to fire the Clarets into the play-offs and also to give his father Ronnie's team - Rotherham United - a boost

  • Lancs are in good shape

    LANCASHIRE'S last game of the South Africa tour was wrecked by rain -- but they return home tomorrow with a barrowload of pluses from their seven match campaign. "It has gone well," said manager Mike Watkinson. "They have got the bit between their teeth

  • Seymore signs up for the summer

    ACCRINGTON Cricket Club have signed up Andre Seymore as their professional for the Transco Lancashire League season which starts a week on Sunday. The Thorneyholme club were rocked by the late withdrawal of Ashwell Prince through a shoulder injury and

  • Marty's in town

    rBOLTON'S Albert Halls welcomes rock stars, Marty Wilde and the Wildcats tomorrow (Friday). Marty, British Rock 'n' Roll pioneer, will sing his own hits as well as tributes to legends like Cliff Richard and Billy Fury. The show starts at 7.30pm and includes

  • Vin tops bill at Folk Club

    RENOWNED folk singer Vin Garbutt will top the bill at Leigh Folk Club on April 26. One of the most sought-after performers on the circuit, Vin will bring his powerful and witty songs, accompanied by his guitar and whistle, to the Conservative Club in

  • Fame is a must-see show

    THE vibrant energy of the cast of Fame is unrelenting and leaves you breathless just watching them. The stage version of David De Silva's 1994 smash-hit film is an explosive rollercoaster of fun, passion and sheer determination. Fame follows a class of

  • Minister speaks out on missing teen

    A MINISTER in the Australian Government has gone on TV to discuss the disappearance of a Lancaster teenager who is missing feared dead. Minister for the police, Michelle Roberts, has gone public to address concerns that the police force's investigation

  • Get on course for right job

    LANCASTER University has launched a new course to help graduates get on the career ladder. Called 'Get That Job!' the two-day workshops, priced at just £5, offers discussions and practical sessions on all aspects of the graduate job market. The workshops

  • No blind eye to dope use

    LANCASTER police will not turn a blind eye to cannabis use, despite the national debate over the drug. The area's top police officer, Ch Supt Stuart Kirby, says that first time offenders can continue to expect at least a caution if they are found with

  • Donation to heart unit

    EQUIPMENT totalling £9,000 was presented to the Coronary Care Unit at Royal Lancaster Infirmary by Heart Concern, the local heart support group, this week. Heart Concern are a group based in the Lancaster and Morecambe area who offer support to people

  • Eileen's cake break date

    EILEEN Postlewaite is hoping to bake a difference for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. She is to host an MS "cake break" on Friday, April 19, from 9am to noon in Kingsleigh Methodist Church in Leigh. And she is inviting people to pop in and help

  • Vandals target school

    CHILDREN and teachers returned to schools across the district this week, to discover thousands of pounds worth of damage caused during the Easter holidays in separate incidents. Incidents include one at Morecambe High School, which had a window smashed

  • One year in jail for vigilante

    A MORECAMBE man took the law into his own hands, with the aim of teaching a lesson to someone he suspected of theft. The victim, Darren Robson, was attacked on the street, but could not remember much, apart from being hit and waking up in hospital. He

  • Police appeal for witnesses

    A TEENAGE girl was indecently assaulted and her friend punched in the face by a man they had met in a nightclub. The two 16-year-old girls invited the man back to their home in Lancaster after meeting him in the Crystal T's nightclub, Morecambe. Shortly

  • Optimism over multiplex

    THE City Council is optimistic that the multiplex cinema in the centre of Lancaster will go ahead even if Warner decide to pull out. Construction work has finished on the Warner Village site on Church Street, which has planning permission for six screens

  • East's derby joy

    FLOWING rugby and rock solid defence paved the way for Leigh East U11s' 24-0 win over Leigh Miners Rangers. Half-backs K.Williams and D.Yarwood were in devastating form, opening the Rangers defence at will. Tries: B.Hardman, D.Hodgson (3). Goals: J.Unsworth

  • East's big win

    Leigh East U 10's 40 - Shevington u 10's 14 THE match between Leigh East Under 10s and Shevington match meant little as Shevington turned up with only six players. But Leigh players volunteered play for them so that the match could go on. Tries: S Grainey

  • Leigh Homing Society

    WOOLASTON 1, April 6. Nine members sent 122 birds, liberated noon NE wind. Mr & Mrs Dickens (1616.73); Smith & Keleher & Farnworth (1581.30); Smith & Keleher & Farnworth (1576.50); Mr & Mrs Hilton & son (1572.73); Mr K Oakes

  • Tigers too strong

    A STRONG first half performance laid the foundation for Leigh East Tigers 15-4 win over St Cuthbert's. Tries from Adam Maguire, Sean McDonald and Ben Taylor along with a Mark Williams conversion put them 14-0 up at half time. St Cuthbert's pulled a try

  • Derby delight for Miners

    Leigh East 12, Leigh Miners Rangers 26: LEIGH Miners Rangers all but clinched a National Conference Premier Division top five play-off place with a fully deserved derby victory over East. The Miners wrestled third spot from their Grasmere Street rivals

  • Leigh Miners Rangers Juniors

    Leigh MR U7s: RESPONDING to the coaching of Mark Ward, Rangers youngest recruits were great with Ward, Parry, Nicholson, Grimes, Boardman, Flannery, Myers and Wolden scoring tries. Grimes was starman and Danny top tackler with great support from Nicholson

  • Emmerdale stars come to town

    EMMERDALE stars, Anna Brecon (Lady Tara) and Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle) star in Miss Julie -- coming to Bolton's Octagon next week. Set on Midsummer's eve, the adaptation of August Strindberg's classic drama follows the aristocratic Miss Julie in her

  • Closing in on play-offs

    BURNLEY striker Ian Moore will be looking to kill two birds with one stone at Grimsby on Saturday. The 13-goal star is looking to score the goals to fire the Clarets into the play-offs and also to give his father Ronnie's team - Rotherham United - a boost

  • Labour of love for poet Pam

    DARWEN writer and poet Pam McKee has been recruited by Blackburn Central Library to take part in the Chatterbooks government scheme aimed at promoting a love of literature among children and adults. Working as part of the Just Poets duo with her writing

  • Library stages display of Pakistani culture

    A SPECIAL collection of books, videos and CD's about Pakistani history and culture has gone on display. A donation by the Darwen Pakistani Culture and Literature Society, has swelled the already large collection Blackburn Central Library has on the Indian

  • Teenage raiders in two-day crime spree

    A GANG of youths is believed to be behind a series of raids in three streets. The three youths, aged about 14, made off with £1,000 worth of goods and terrified one resident in their two-day spree in Inverness Road, Greenway Street and Lightbown Street

  • Volunteers wanted for paint party

    AN environmental group is giving Stacksteads drop-in centre a spring clean this month. Members of the Riverside Park Group are are to clean and re-paint the centre they set up earlier this year as a community information point with the help of SRB and

  • Man dragged along road in car-jacking

    A 55-YEAR-OLD man was dragged along a busy road for hundreds of yards after trying to stop a thief trying to steal a car. The man, who has not been named by police, had stopped to ask for directions when the thief jumped into the driver's seat and sped

  • MP's surgery date

    ON-STREET surgery advice from Leigh MP Andy Burnham and local councillor Sue Loudon will be available on Saturday from 11.30am to 1pm in the Derby Street area of Atherton.

  • All seats up for grabs in council poll

    BOUNDARY changes mean May 2 is the first time in decades that every seat has been up for grabs at Rossendale Council. The last all-out election was in 1976. This year, all seats have Conservative and Labour candidates, one former Tory Roy Beavan is now

  • Church's 200 year history

    TYLDESLEY Probus Club heard about the 200 year history of Worsley Methodist Church from Paul Hassall a steward at the church who explained how services were once held in a mill until the church was built in 1801.

  • Band concert

    THE Ellenbrook and Boothstown Brass Band are giving a concert on April 18 starting at 7.30pm in Boothstown Methodist Church with proceeds going to church funds. E and BBB is also looking for new members. Anyone interested should call 0161 794 1426.

  • Gordon's moved

    THE Chairman of Leigh Business Partnership Gordon Jackson is still sharpening up his business skills. Following the closure of Jackson's Bazaar last week after almost a century of trading in the town, Gordon has moved the mower side of the business only

  • Charity night lines up £443

    LINE dancers of The Hooked On Country Association are grateful to Atherton businesses who supported their charity night at the Formby Hall which raised £443 for First -- a support group for those who have the rare skin condition ichthyosis. Country and

  • Armed police at farm

    ARMED police were called to Astley Moss after a fight between two men at a farmhouse off Rindle Road. Police said no arrests had been made nor had any complaints been lodged with them. An armed response unit raced to the scene after police were alerted

  • Sunday rail travel meeting

    TRAVEL campaigners meet again on Monday and invite others who want a Sunday rail service to and from Manchester through Atherton, Hag Fold and Hindley to join them. At a March meeting the vote was taken to bid for funding for an hourly service on the

  • Blaze couple's narrow escape

    AN Atherton couple had a narrow escape after a downstairs room in an adjoining empty house went up in flames. The couple were forced out of their Norfolk Road semi-detached home having discovered the blaze at 10pm on Sunday. Firefighters believe intruders

  • Lowton homes plan refused

    PLANNING chiefs have thrown out plans to build new houses close to a landmark church. A scheme for six new homes on Church Lane, close to St Luke's Church and cemetery, was refused at a Wigan Council development control committee meeting because of overdevelopment

  • Mucking in for a brighter future

    COMMUNITY minded volunteers spent are cleaning-up Chanters Valley and surrounding area in Atherton. Chanters' Support Group and Atherton Environmental Project had secured a £2,000 grant from the Mersey Basin Trust to carry out the work. Around 10 volunteers

  • From swamp to . . . kids' playground!

    EVERYTHING is swinging at a playground which used to be a swamp. Astley councillors John Lea, Charles Rigby and Fred Walker earmarked £17,000 of Wigan's Brighter Borough budget to ensure local yougsters have the play facilities they deserve in the Marsland

  • Fiona is flying high with Asda

    TWO Asda employees are preparing to fly to the United States to represent the supermarket at an International Company meeting. Carole Davis, 39, from Blackburn and Fiona Burns, 37, from Burnley, beat off stiff competition from 350 colleagues to join 17,000

  • Get a 'byte' of the action

    A SCHEME which has given 1,000 families computers and free access to the internet is being extended to other deprived areas of Blackburn. Organisers of the £2.5million 'wired up communities' project obtained around 2,500 computers when the scheme was

  • Mystery illness baffled doctors

    A RETIRED engineer, who died within two days of being admitted to hospital, may have lived if he had been admitted to hospital a week earlier, a coroner's court heard. An inquest into the death of 75-year-old Jack Finn, of Portland Street, Blackburn,

  • Slums cash on way

    THE government today gave its clearest indication yet that huge sums of money are on the way to tackle East Lancashire's derelict and decaying Victorian houses. Regions Secretary Stephen Byers announced that the area's towns are to be included in one

  • Stanley pair miss second leg

    ACCRINGTON Stanley duo Jamie Speare and Barrie Hart will both miss the Lancashire FA Marsden Cup final on April 24. Stanley take on Barrow at Morecambe but will be without goalkeeper Speare and defender Hart after both were sent off in the first leg of

  • Neil is rewarded for memorable season

    IT has been a memorable cross country season for Pendle's Neil Tattersall. His early season form earned him an invitation to run for the North of England Team in Belgium, and he has continued to excel over the winter months to win the Senior Men's title

  • Round Up: Manx challenge

    CLAYTON le Moors Harriers Paul Thompson, Pete Browning and Martin Brady were the winning team in the 31 mile Manx Mountain Marathon, a tough race which climbs 8000' over most of the major peaks in the Isle of Man. Thompson was seventh in 5:34:39, Browing

  • From the Leigh Journal's Sez Lez column:

    THE parents of school toughies will have to attend classes on how to make their young thugs behave. Those who snub the order could face £1000 fines. The war on classroom nuisance was announced by the education secretary Estelle Morris at the teachers'

  • Leigh make Internet history

    THE Leigh Centurions have made Rugby League history, as they have become the first club to have their match commentary broadcast live to the world on Rugby League's only dedicated radio station. Radio Rugby League is a ground-breaking Internet only radio

  • Injured Turley misses cup trip

    NEIL Turley misses his third successive game as Leigh Centurions head off to Whitehaven on Sunday looking for the victory that will virtually put them through to the knockout stages of the Buddies National League Cup. The ankle injury to Leigh's top try

  • Medics make a very special delivery for Kelly

    AMBULANCE staff made a special delivery when they were called to a house in Radcliffe on Wednesday (April 10). Rapid Response Vehicle paramedic Steve Shimmin was the first to reach the address in Milner Street after pregnant Kelly Stephenson went in to

  • Early strike sinks Golborne

    IT wasn't a good afternoon for Golborne Sports as they made the journey to in form Whitchurch without five first team regulars due to injury and suspension. An early strike from the home side against the run of play after a mix up in the Golborne defence

  • Colls strike gold at last

    Charnock Richard 0 Atherton Colls 1 Goldline Trophy Final A TYPICALLY opportunist goal from Nicky Fisher gave Denis Haslam's Atherton Colls side a taste of glory at the Reebok Stadium on Monday as Nat Lofthouse handed them the Goldline Trophy. The game

  • RMI play out a bore draw

    Dover Athletic 0 Leigh RMI 0 by Martyn Hindley THE scoreline tells the biggest story in this distinctly end of season encounter at the Crabble where defences were largely on top and an untroubled Leigh side embarked on the long journey home having extended