A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Golden Jubilee Music Hall, Palace Theatre, Longridge, 7pm. Citizens Advice Bureau Drop-In Session, Brierfield Health Centre, 9.30am-noon. Friends in Bereavement, St John's
IT is absolutely shocking that fire bombers have destroyed a classroom in an East Lancashire nursery -- for reasons that can only amount to criminal madness. But even more appalling is the fact that the attack on the Hannah Street nursery in Accrington
THE letter, although not unexpected still took me by surprise. Posing as a bank statement its six lines informed me that "you will not be included on the list of Panel referees for 2002-3... as your performances do not warrant retention." So for me it's
A DEVASTATED mum's selfless dedication to her son has won her a 'Supermum' accolade and the chance to go forward in a national competition. Julie McIntyre was nominated for the title of Ariel Supermum by her proud sister, Gillian Shaw, who told judges
ALTHOUGH the weather decided not to play ball Vale hosted a splendid day on Sunday with an enjoyable game followed by a formal dinner and drinks. The Anti-Assassins fielded players from as far a field as the Pretoria Harlequins, Cambridge University and
TWO little girls were left heartbroken when thieves stole a bike from outside a shop. Six-year-old Bobi-Jo Harrington had borrowed her pal's bike to make the short ride from their Cambridge Street home, in Blackburn, to shops on Chester Street. Bobi-Jo's
TONY Blair's latest idea of punishing the parents of young offenders by cutting off their benefits is nothing new. Some time ago, you printed my comments suggesting such actions. If child benefits were stopped for a set period of time (say, six months
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I WRITE to praise Kath Wilkins as, to my mind, she is a very brave lady. Although already well into her sixties, a time when it is easy to feel you've done your bit and can relax, she has decided to work for Voluntary Service Overseas in Ghana, where
ADRIAN Shurmer -- 'Speeding prosecutions are hypocrisy' (Letters, April 29) -- is right on a number of points. He is correct to point out that high standards of individual driving are crucial in maintaining road safety. But not everybody can be advanced
BURNLEY'S Labour MP has launched an attack on Tony Blair for failing to stop the BNP gaining seats in the town. Peter Pike said the Prime Minister and his government effectively ignored potential problems which should have been spotted when the right
A DISTRAUGHT headteacher today slammed the arsonists who targeted her school for the second time and said: "They've destroyed our little oasis." The three reception classes in the annexe at vandal-plagued Spring Hill County Primary School, Accrington,
CAUGHT up in a Bank Holiday snarl-up? Then spare a thought for three hardy Bury Lions members who have been travelling the length and breadth of the UK. The trio are scheduled to return to home base today(Tues May 7) at the end of their marathon fund-raising
DEVELOPERS could be told to stop work on flats they began without planning permission at the former site of Bolton Road Methodist Church. Briggs Homes started constructing a block of nine flats at Dearden Street in Bury early last month but the proposals
RAMSBOTTOM'S daredevil youngsters will have the chance to show off their skating and BMX skills at a spectacular event planned for the town. Tribe Enterprise Ltd, a firm known for staging professional events especially for young people all over the country
SUPER League strugglers Warrington Wolves are being linked with a posible move for Leigh Centurions' exciting young full-back Neil Turley. Turley, 22, was the top try scorer in the NFP last season with 56 touchdowns and four more at Barrow on Sunday took
ROVERS stars Damien Duff and Alan Kelly were today named in Mick McCarthy's 23-man Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup in Japan and Korea this summer. "I'm delighted to have made the squad," said Kelly. "Mick McCarthy said I'd always be on the
ROVERS striker Matt Jansen has been booked in for a double hernia operation next week after accepting his World Cup dreams are all but over. Jansen has delayed going under the knife in order to keep his faint hopes of securing a dream trip to Japan and
A SCHOOL sports hall became a skate park for the Bank Holiday weekend when skaters and skateboarders were given the chance to show off their skills in safety at Towneley High School. Billy Strahan is pictured showing his routine in the school hall. Burnley
POLICE are warning people to be on their guard against telephone callers ringing with news of a supposed lottery win. A number of folk have contacted police after receiving calls to notify them of a win on the Australian lottery -- which ends with a request
A LABOUR MP today launched an attack on his own party for its "failure" to stop the BNP gaining three seats in Burnley. Burnley MP Peter Pike said the Government effectively ignored potential future problems which should have been spotted when the BNP
WORKAHOLIC great-grandmother Hilda Ford is celebrating her 100th birthday with her feet up! Hilda, of Harehill Avenue, Todmorden, received an MBE from the Queen in 1993 for being one of the oldest working women in the country. She completed her last day's
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ONE of the popular myths about independent schools is that they are only for clever children. True, most are academically selective and consistently reach high academic standards, as the examination results tables show each year. But independent schools
A TEACHER will have an extra-special white wedding after being crowned Lancashire Bride of Year. Davina Connelly, 25, of Langdale Close, Blackburn, only entered the competition after persistent nagging from her mum, but beat five other hopefuls after
THE innovative Mercedes-Benz A-Class range has been enhanced with the exclusive A-plus special edition, which is available at all Mercedes-Benz retailers from May 30. Based on the popular Classic model, the A-plus scores highly with a first class list
THE largest display of Tiffany glass in Europe is now installed in surroundings befitting its status. The Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington has undergone a £300,000 refurbishment following a grant from the National Lottery Fund and an anonymous local
A 27-YEAR-OLD man had a narrow escape when he went to check a vehicle and it rolled back over the top of him only stopping when it crashed into a wall. Rafiq Shaban, of Newmarket Street, Colne, had been at the home of a relative John Clarke, of Walton
TOTS to grannies took part in an all singing and dancing stage performance that took place over the weekend. Colne based Chippendale School of Dance stages a show every two years in aid of children's charities. Showstoppers was held at Pendle Hippodrome
MUSIC with an overseas flavour secured 63-year-old Michael Jones a place in the North West Final of the Yours Silver Stars Talent Contest 2002. Mr Jones, originally from Wales, joined 14 other men and women at Colne Municipal Hall and sang two Italian
STAFF and students from Nelson and Colne College have catered for a variety of guests but perhaps none as young as some of those that faced Susan McMellon, Head of Service Industries, recently. Health visitor Terry McGinn, who trained as nurse with Susan
FIREFIGHTERS in Burnley released a 12-year-old stuck in a telephone kiosk. The boy rang for help from the phone box in Belvedere Road after pals are thought to have played a prank on him and blocked the door.
YOU can almost hear Saturday's footie results on Radio 5 now. "And here is this seasons trophy count read as always by James Alexander Gordon." "Arsenal 2 Liverpool 0." "Blackburn Rovers 1 Manchester United 0." Barring a disaster for Arsenal there will
A 54 YEAR old Oswaldtwistle man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with raping a 33 year old woman. Peter Roe, of Wordsworth Close, was sent in custody to Burnley Crown Court where he will appear on May 15. Michael Singleton, defending,
A GOOD Samaritan who was the victim of a brick attack today spoke about the incident for the first time as his wife said: "He could have been killed." Raymond Harrison's tongue split when he was struck with a brick after trying to intervene in a row between
A DISTRAUGHT headteacher today slammed the arsonists who targeted her school for the second time and said: "They've destroyed our little oasis." The three reception classes in the annexe at vandal-plagued Spring Hill County Primary School, Accrington,
AN Accrington-born army officer is set to give evidence in an inquiry into foot and mouth disease today. Brigadier Alex Birtwistle, who now lives in the Lune Valley, will be giving evidence alongside a number of experts and business leaders into the outbreak
UP TO 1,000 clubbers are set to descend on a quiet Ribble Valley village. The massive dance event has been organised by the University of Central Lancashire's Feel Club. It is now selling tickets for the "Carry on For Britain" event, which takes place
THE Clarets youth team ended their campaign with a 2-2 draw in their final Merit League fixture against Chester City, the last goal of the season fittingly scored by skipper Earl Davis. The big defender scooped a couple of the Young Player of the Season
THERE will be three Clarets players on international duty this month with young striker Dimitrios Papadopoulos joining team mates Nik Michopoulos and Gareth Taylor in a national squad. Papadopoulos has been named by Greek Under-21 national team coach
IS Lancashire's name on the Benson and Hedges Cup? Lady Luck was certainly smiling on them as they squeezed into the quarter finals yesterday, and were then handed a trip to Leicester in the last eight. That will mean an early chance for revenge against
MORE council house tenants are coming forward for help rather than run the risk of eviction. Town hall bosses say increasing numbers are contacting housing staff for advice to clear their rent arrears. As a result, a deal has been struck in the majority
WORK is to begin in earnest on creating one of the largest primary schools in the borough. Higher Lane Infant and Junior schools, in Whitefield, have now amalgamated to become Higher Lane Primary and renovations to the two buildings are to commence in
ROVERS stars Damien Duff and Alan Kelly were today named in Mick McCarthy's 23-man Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup in Japan and Korea this summer. "I'm delighted to have made the squad," said Kelly. "Mick McCarthy said I'd always be on the
ROVERS striker Matt Jansen has been booked in for a double hernia operation next week after accepting his World Cup dreams are all but over. Jansen has delayed going under the knife in order to keep his faint hopes of securing a dream trip to Japan and
NOW I've heard it all. Personal trainers who keep you fit, house doctors who organise your home, personal eating trainers who monitor what you put in your mouth. It's as if we can't think for ourselves any more. And things are getting worse. Fridge doctors
A BAND is to march on after reaching the tenth anniversary of its re-formation. The Darwen District Scout and Guide Band's second existence began in May 1992, 25 years after it folded. Since then, with David Walsh, of Ellison Fold Terrace, Darwen, as
A BENCH and urns dedicated to the memory of a teenager who died while playing football have been installed near his home. A fundraising campaign was launched following the death of 16-year-old David Graham, who suffered a stroke while playing football
CHURCH funds at St James' Church in Haslingden have benefited by £1,800 thanks to a jubilee fair held to celebrate the Queen's 50 years on the throne. Father Roger Smith said: "We had a variety of stalls and a restaurant, where I did all the cooking,
CRONKSHAW Fold Farm, off Alden Road, Helmshore are holding a Farm Open Day on Sunday, May 12 from 11am until 4pm. Farming and food production can be seen in the plant room, farm and vegetable gardens. Sheep will be lambing close to the farm yard and children
THE worldwide web is available for visitors to Rawtenstall Library, now a new computer suite has been opened. The 17 PCs with Internet and e-mail facilities are not the only changes at the library, because a lift has been installed to allow access for
BOSSES at a textile mill where a £500,000 blaze destroyed machinery are hoping to be fully back in production by the end of next week. A total of 60 firefighters tackled the fire which is believed to have started in machinery at the 151-year-old mill
A MOTHER today warned children with quad bikes to ensure they wear crash helmets after her son came off his bike and suffered head injuries. Colm Jones, 15, was airlifted from the moors above his home in Waterfoot and taken to Royal Preston Hospital yesterday
FORMER Blackburn MP Baroness Castle is to have a private family funeral in Buckinghamshire on Thursday. Only relatives and close friends will attend the event, precise details of which are not being publicly released. However, her successor as MP for
PUBS and clubs in East Lancashire could be open to sell alcohol for 36 hours from lunchtime on New Year's Eve until closing time on New Year's Day. The government is considering allowing the unprecedented drinking hours as a permanent feature of the New
THE mother of a man who was jailed for stealing golf balls today spoke out after he was released, pending an appeal. Mrs Sheila Collinson, 58, of Canterbury Street, Chorley, said her 36-year-old son should not have been found guilty of theft and sentenced
MORE THAN 22,000 people responded to 'Faith in the Future', a 15-month review of the Salford Diocese, which covers East Lancashire. The consultation, carried out by the Roman Catholic Church to assess its mission in today's society, showed concerns about
A NEW scheme which rates OAP homes using criteria picked by elderly people has been unveiled by a council. The aim is to provide an independent report on homes, allowing older people to feel more confident about the private home they go into. Homes which
A MAJOR town-centre regeneration project which has been plagued by delays will be ready 'in a matter of days,' a council boss said today. But the scheme will still be without the artwork which will eventually dominate it when contractors hand it over
A COMPLEX costing £3.6million and aimed at helping young homeless people kick-start their lives is set to open later this month. The Blackburn Foyer, under construction in Feilden Street for more than a year, will provide safe and affordable accommodation
FORMER Vauxhall factory driver Neil Wearden is the guest speaker at Clitheroe and district motor club's weekly meeting at Waddington Social Club tonight. Wearden, who lives in Blackpool, will be talking about his plans for competing in this year's World
A BRACE from Carl Lomax wasn't enough as Ramsbottom finished their NWCL Division One season with a defeat. Lomax gave the Rams a dream start with a fourth minute goal but Andy Bott equalised one minute before the interval. Alan Fraser made it 2-1 from
BAMBER Bridge are one game off maintaining their place in the UniBond Premier Division following yesterday's win over Radcliffe Borough in the play-offs. Bridge, who finished bottom of the Premier Division, had thought they were relegated a couple of
THE calm actions of a Bury fire control officer have been praised after she talked a 14-year-old asthmatic teenager to safety from a house blaze. Mother-of-one Mrs Felicity Hill had just started her shift at Greater Manchester Fire Service Headquarters
Aheaded goal by Ashley Evans midway through the second half was enough to give Old Blacks victory against a resilient Readstone side. Evans rose to head home Mark Leathert's corner as Readstone solid defence -- and their exceptional keeper James Nelson
SO that's it then. Champions -- best record in the league. Fewest goals conceded in the Combination in a decade, possibly even longer (over to you Mr Howarth). Yet the final game of our season, an Eddleston Cup semi-final defeat by a single goal to Alexandra
FRANK Counsell used to believe what many people believe nowadays -- bowls is a game for pensioners and the semi retired. In fact, when Frank finally moved away from football and decided to take up the game of bowls it was as a retired gent with time on
ITAKE it that Mrs E Aspinall, who wants Blackburn's bus station moving from the Boulevard to Salford (Letters, May 2), is not disabled. Otherwise she would realise the difficulty that people like myself who are disabled would have walking up to Salford
I STRONGLY object to the proposed closures of the residential homes in Lancashire. I am chairman of Worsley House Action Group and we are fighting all the way and beyond. They cannot get away with what they are proposing. It is the most outrageous thing
POLICE today renewed an appeal for information after a man was found dead in a Leigh canal. The body was found at 8.30am on Sunday under a bridge on St Helens Road, known locally as Leigh Bridge. The man has yet to be identified and police have made an
POLICE are hunting two thugs who carried out a race attack during a Gala Day at Haugh Hall Country Park. Two men, aged 37 and 27, who work as consultants at Wigan Royal Infirmary were walking across the bridge over the canal which runs through the park
RESIDENTS can find out more about the area in which they live during Local History Week. Bury Museum launched a "Find Your Home" day this coming Saturday (May 11) from 11am to 4pm. Staff and experts will be on hand to allow people discover the history
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is closing in on a bargain swoop for Charlton defender Andy Todd. The former Bolton centre-back is currently on trial at Rovers with a view to a cut-price deal. And the early indications are that he's made a favourable impression
TWO events have been arranged to mark this year's Local History Week. The main event of the week will be a Local History Fair at St Peter's Church, Burnley, on Saturday, between 11am and 4pm. The church bells will ring out from 9.30am to 12 noon and from
A CYCLE safety event for youngsters has been organised by community beat bobby PC Nic Fisher at Burnley's Asda store. Next Saturday from 1pm to 4pm he will be in store offering free security marking of bikes and hints and tips on cycle safety. There will
A PIONEERING 'one-stop shop' which will link employers and students to training courses across East Lancashire has been opened for business. Lifelong Learning Link offers a single source of information on a comprehensive range of local courses to companies
THIS is the spectacular jump by world champion Dougie Lampkin that had the crowds on their feet in the first ever urban motorcycle trial, held in Manchester. Lampkin, who rides for the Burnley-based Sandiford Motorcycles team, cleared the Manchester Ship
A MEET the staff day will be held to celebrate National Nurses Day and hopefully recruit people into the profession. Burnley Health Care NHS Trust is marking the national day on Friday by inviting people to meet and discuss with staff who will be on Curzon
CLIVIGER Recreation and Community Association is a charitable body set up several years ago by a group of residents with the aim of raising funds to support local projects. They are currently organising an event at the Ram Inn on June 3 as part of the
A TEENAGER who had her leg amputated three years ago because of cancer could see her only wish come true - to be able to dance again. Sarah Heyworth, 14, originally from Kelswick Drive in Nelson, now lives with her mum in Ashfield Road, Chorley was a
SOME of the biggest names in popular music are lined up to appear at King George's Hall, Blackburn, over the coming month. The town centre venue has a growing reputation and the completion of recent renovation work means that over 2,000 people can watch
ALFA Romeo's competition Giulia Sprint GTA blazed a trail of success across the racetracks of Europe in the '60s and '70s. It took three consecutive wins in the European Touring Car Championship in 1966, 1967 and 1968 -- and it deservedly occupies a proud
NOWADAYS we are inundated with garden makeover programmes on television that can give you inspiration to create something similar in your own garden or backyard but at the same time leave out a lot of the detail of actually growing the plants and why
A HERD of gentle deer stands motionless along the span of drive that welcomes the visitor to Ribble Reclamation. Turn into the yard and two mighty lions, a bronze eagle atop his high column and a profusion of grinning gargoyles add their own greeting
A COMMERCIAL repair garage and yard is set to become a 12-house estate in Foulridge when Colne and District Committee meets on Thursday. The plans, to demolish the existing garage in Station Road, and build ten houses in a terrace and two semi-detached
WHEN a massive jolt shuddered their Rishton home, the Haworth family thought they had been hit by an earthquake. But they discovered a huge mobile crane had ploughed into the side of their house in Ashworth Street.
A TRACTOR unit was pulled five miles through Great Harwood to raise money for Andrew McMinn, injured in a car accident in February. More than 40 colleagues from Wholesale Meat Supply in the town pulled the lorry through Clayton-le-Moors to Rishton, accompanied
A CHRISTENING party for his child ended with a man fighting in the street with a friend and having to be forcibly restrained by neighbours. Blackburn magistrates heard that Paul Stuart Fox then aimed his wrath at his neighbours whom he claimed had used
COMMUNITY wardens have begun the fight against anti-social behaviour and vandalism and completed their first week of patrols. Five wardens are working out of Accrington police station and will be concentrating their patrols in the Wood Nook, Church, Barnfield
A MOTORCYCLIST from Bury died during emergency surgery after suffering serious injuries in a crash near Garstang. Gary Clancy (40) of Rivermead Way, Whitefield, was riding in Tarnacre Lane, Church Town, near Garstang, on Saturday afternoon (May 4) when
IF TRADERS want to bring "big brother" to Whitefield, they are going to have to pay for it themselves or approach public transport companies. That was the message to members of Whitefield and Unsworth Business Forum this from the head of Prestwich and
A PENSIONER was robbed of £460 in cash when thieves pretending to be from the water board conned their way into a house. A 79-year-old woman from John Wall Court, Clitheroe, let two men into her house at around 3.45pm on Friday. And police are warning
AN amateur film-maker is helping to put the Ribble Valley firmly back on the tourist map in the wake of the foot and mouth outbreak. Gordon Sharp, who lives in Bolton-by-Bowland with partner Anne Binns, has spent the last two years putting together footage
A TRIP to Pluto may seem a rather expensive way for dieters wanting to lose those unwanted pounds. But an exhibition at Clitheroe's Castle Museum shows you can lose weight, as well as take years off your age, with a spot of space travel. An 10-stone person
FORMER Burnley councillor Tony Harrison and his eight-year-old grandson will enjoy a champagne picnic with the Queen. Tony, who is now on the Burnley Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, will attend the classical Golden Jubilee concert at Buckingham
A 90-YEAR-OLD woman was pushed to the ground in her home by robbers who made off with £160. The elderly lady who lives in a flat at Belgrave Court, Burnley, opened the front door to a group of men. When she took the chain off the door the men pushed their
MICHAEL HUNT has spoken of his delight at being called up into the full Lancashire side for the match against Northumberland on Saturday. And the 23-year-old, who has put off turning professional for at least the summer in a bid to become one of the country's
A NATIONAL pub chain with outlets in East Lancashire is to launch a new menu for kids. Brewmaster, which owns the Queen Victoria in Blackburn and the Gamecock, Great Harwood, claims that children's eating habits have developed significantly. Research
A NEW licensee and chef are hoping to turn round the Hoghton Arms in Hoghton with a new menu. Licensee and manager Graham Ferguson says things are looking up and the pub is regularly full to bursting. The bar menu offers traditional food for under a fiver
NIGHTLIFE in Burnley is taking a turn for the better thanks to a new two-floor bar being opened this week. Isabar in Hammerton Street will be launched with a special VIP party on Thursday night followed by the premier public opening on Friday. Owners
EAST Lancashire landlords have welcomed pub licensing reform plans announced by Tessa Jowell. Speaking at the 10th anniversary conference of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the Culture Secretary made a keynote speech to reform laws which
A WOMAN has called for stores to do more to prevent trolleys being dumped at a wildlife spot. Sue Coughlin claims the nature reserve around Shorey Bank on the River Darwen is being jeopardised by vandals who dump rubbish and supermarket trolleys in the
MARKET traders looking to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee have written to the lady herself -- to ask for posters. One, Joan Whiteley, a partner in a biscuit stall, searched everywhere for posters of the Queen and even trawled the internet, only to
TWENTY groups and organisations are celebrating after Rossendale Council handed out cash grants ranging from £100 to £2,500. The council has also retained in excess of £5,000 to meet the needs of other applicants about whom it requires further information
A WOMAN has won her claim for unfair dismissal after being made redundant from her job as a quality controller. Denise Hinchcliffe was awarded damages and costs of £2,467 from Hi-Tech Plastics, of Blackburn, where she had worked for more than three years
IF HAGRID, the Dursleys, Malfoy and Fluffy are not already household names tripping off East Lancashire tongues, they soon will be. For pre-sale figures in WH Smith of the illustrious Harry Potter video are highest in Blackburn than anywhere else in the
CONDUCTORS have handed out leaflets apologising to rail users for disrupting the transport network with a series of strikes. Passengers were greeted with the union message on their seats before last week's action. It is thought the leaflet had been placed
JOHN Coleman silenced the Burton boo-boys with an injury-time equaliser - and Accrington Stanley then went on to clinch their third trophy of the season in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. UniBond League Cup winners Stanley travelled to League champions
WORK is to begin in earnest on creating one of the largest primary schools in the borough. Higher Lane Infant and Junior schools, in Whitefield, have now amalgamated to become Higher Lane Primary and renovations to the two buildings are to commence in
