Archive

  • Laughter in the Bible

    FORGET Sunday school, if you really want to catch the spirit of the Bible, in all its epic scope, go to see the Reduced Shakespeare Company's Complete Word of God as it tours the country. The group, famous for reducing The Bard's complete works down to

  • China links put district ahead

    THERE still remains in some quarters a fallacious, way out-of-date view that Rossendale is an inward-looking and conservative part of East Lancashire where new ideas and advance are slow to take root. But those clinging to this misguided and unjust notion

  • Foxley's victims must be repaid

    THE lives of 300 East Lancashire families were wrecked by the the criminal activities of crooked civil servant Gordon Foxley. He took bribes from foreign companies which then got lucrative arms contracts at the expense of Blackburn's Royal Ordnance Factory

  • Tight turn for the 'super bus'

    SOON, Blackburn transport is going to put five new 90-seater, 14-tonne buses into service, on routes between Accrington, Blackburn and Darwen. Coming from Darwen the buses should be quite all right -- until they get to the Mincing Lane/Mill Lane junction

  • Three mile rule applies to all

    WITH respect to Mrs l Rackley (Letters, June 21) it is not true that "if you are a Darwen parent who chooses to send your child to the nearest Catholic secondary school, you have to pay bus fares." The majority of children/parents will still receive free

  • Results not all down to Tories

    AT the recent district elections, Tory candidates claimed credit for having secured funding for certain Great Harwood projects -- regeneration of Queen Street, Windsor Road play area and levelling of the Memorial playing fields. Could I state the facts

  • Who's taking who for a ride?

    OOOH what a carry on! Comedy Bonanza stars popped into Blackpool Grand Theatre to give local hoteliers a sneak preview of the summer season line-up for 2002. Playing it for laughs were Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball, The Barron Knights and the Roly Polys

  • Sex e-mails probe

    A WOMAN teacher has been suspended after an allegation that she sent e-mails of a sexual nature to a pupil. The woman, who has not been named, has not been arrested but she has been suspended from Gawthorpe High School, Padiham, pending the outcome of

  • Rovers confident Duff will sign deal

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today said he is confident that Damien Duff will end speculation regarding his future by signing a new contract when he returns for pre-season training. As we reported earlier in the summer, Rovers offered the Republic of

  • Summer beach hazard

    A YOUNG boy is still having medical treatment because he is at risk of contracting hepatitis B - 12 months after he was stabbed by a used needle on a Lancashire beach. And today, parents Shaun and Janette Hartley of Lowood Grove, Lea, warned holidaymakers

  • All go for Royal Lancs show

    THE Royal Lancashire Show is back in full swing at Chorley's Astley Park, from July 26-28. After being hit last year by the foot and mouth epidemic, which forced an animal ban, the show invites visitors to come face-to-face with their countryside neighbours

  • A ticket to Thailand

    A SELF-confessed tomboy from Preston has won herself a ticket to Thailand to attend the 20th World Scout Jamboree after impressing judges with her survival techniques. Kylie Withall, 16, of Wentworth Drive, Broughton, has been a girl scout since she was

  • Jamie's 25,000 volt TV warning

    A TEENAGE boy, who was left fighting for his life after getting an electric shock a hundred times more powerful than the average household electricity supply while crossing a railway bridge, will appear in a TV documentary as a warning to others. Jamie

  • Famous fellows

    ONE of the world's busiest bookworm's is heading back to his Preston roots to collect a prestigious accolade from the city's university. Ross Shimmon OBE, secretary general of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, based

  • Charity cash goes out to three

    MONEY raised by former Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley Coun Jack and Mary Alston has been handed out from their charity appeal. The couple raised £11,820 over their year in office. They are pictured presenting a cheque for £5,500 to Miss Muriel Jobling,

  • Woman smashed window in fit of rage

    A SINGLE mum smashed her former partner's window in a fit of temper after he refused to let her in, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how Carrie-ann Chippendale, 21, had been drinking vodka all day and told police she " kicked off." Chippendale

  • Silence is golden for charity

    HIGH school pupils managed to keep their mouths shut for ten minutes and then shouted about raising a £859 for charity. Pupils of Tottington High School's Year 7 were asked to support Macmillian Cancer Relief by taking part in a sponsored silence. School

  • Thanks to neighbour and crew for rescue

    FOUR people who were rescued from a house fire in Burnley today publicly thanked their rescuers saying: "It is wasn't for them we may not be alive today." Good friends Alan Taylor, 23, and Tyra Flint, 18, rented the house in Parkinson Street, Burnley,

  • Pupils have the last word

    PUPILS left adults lost for words when they took part in a Primary School Youth Speaks Festival. Four schools took part in the public speaking event organised by the Rotary Club of Ramsbottom. Adults and teachers packed the library of Woodhey High School

  • Save our school demo

    PLACARD-waving pupils marched on Bury Town Hall to protest against plans to close their school. About 20 youngsters from Affetside Primary School staged a demonstration outside the entrance to the civic building on Friday afternoon (June 28) before handing

  • Basaeball- Broncos stroll to win

    IN the penultimate game of the season, Preston Broncos strolled to an easy victory over Runcorn Jets. Scoring the maximum five runs in each of the six innings, an excellent all round team performance saw the final score of Runcorn 2, Preston 30. Orrell

  • Cricket- Preston rooted to foot of table

    DESPITE coming out on top in the local derby against Leyland Motors, Preston remain rooted at the foot of the Northern Premier League table -- just below the two Leyland clubs. Preston beat the Motormen by 40 runs at West Cliff after running up a total

  • Preston students scouted for US scholarships

    NINE Preston College sports students have been offered scholarships in America after they were spotted by universities when playing football at the 23rd President Day Tournament in Phoenix earlier this year. The Preston College team went undefeated throughout

  • Bed makers cast their BB vote

    WORKERS who provided state-of-the-art beds for the plush rich side of the famous Big Brother house today made their own nominations as the nation prepared to kick one of four housemates out. Staff at Silentnight Beds, Barnoldswick, revealed this week

  • Soul master Hamish is back

    HAMISH Stuart is in the Guinness Book of Records for playing the biggest ever staged concert in the world with Paul McCartney -- and now he's playing at Leyland's Worden Arts Centre again on Friday, July 12. Hamish made his name as the falsetto voice

  • Fighter order delight

    AIRCRAFT workers at Samlesbury and Warton have been celebrating after BAE Systems announced the sale of up to 24 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets to Austria. The multi-million-pound order is the first from a country outside the consortium developing the

  • Daniel is a sellout

    ALMOST 2000 tickets for housewives' favourite Daniel O'Donnell sold out within two days of going on sale at the weekend. To secure seats for the show at the Guild Hall on Friday, October 25, some older fans even camped outside for three nights last week

  • New boss for crime unit

    LANCASHIRE Constabulary's Major Crime Unit has a new officer 'at the helm'. Bob Helm, 45, formerly chief inspector at Preston, has taken up his new post as detective superintendent in charge of the unit, based at headquarters in Hutton. As head of the

  • 'Stinger' shredded runaway driver's tyres

    TWO men have appeared in court following a police chase on Tuesday night which started in Longridge and ended in Rishton. Blackburn magistrates heard that he police helicopter was used to track a vehicle which drove away from a police spot check in Longridge

  • Treasured classic sports car snatched

    A CLASSIC car enthusiast has spoken of how "gutted" he was after his prized Triumph Stag was stolen. Ken Burrows, of Alexandra Close, Clayton-le-Moors, bought the vintage soft-top 10 months ago and was devastated to return from a day out to find thieves

  • Crime boy's mum's warning

    A MOTHER whose teenage son was dubbed a crimewave by police has urged parents to clamp down on their children at the first sign of trouble. The 32-year-old said she blamed herself for her son going off the rails. The boy, 13, and from the Accrington area

  • Taxis install video equipment to deter yobs

    SPY cameras have been installed in Bury taxis in a bid to stop drivers being attacked and robbed. Ten public and private hire cars now boast secret surveillance equipment in case of emergencies. The move, which is being piloted for 12 months, follows

  • Stars and wipes!

    IT may be a small step in the space race, but it's a giant leap for pupils at a Ribble Valley primary school. A tea towel designed and produced by youngsters at Salesbury CE Primary School will be the first in space thanks to American exchange teacher

  • Walkers stepping up paths switch protest

    WALKERS are stepping up their campaign to prevent a series of footpaths near an historic Ribble Valley hall from being diverted. Oxendale Hall at Osbaldeston is owned by Jersey property and investment company Belmore Holdings. The company wants to divert

  • Cash grant for pitch upgrade

    THORNTON Cleveleys Sports Club members can look forward to a quality playing surface next season after The Football Stadia Improvement Fund, a supporter of the Football Foundation, announced a grant of £10,000 to the club. The award will enable it to

  • Free seminar

    sTHE Power of the Net and the benefits it can bring to business will be highlighted at a free seminar to be staged in Prestwich later this month. Holding the event at the Village Hotel on Wednesday, July 17 between 6.30pm and 9.30pm will be BURYBUSINESS.NETwork

  • £55m for growth

    IT'S go for growth for leading discount retailer Ethel Austin which has 20 stores in Greater Manchester. The company, which has a branch in Bury, has completed an institutional buy-out (IBO) with Lloyds TSB Development Capital. This deal raises total

  • What a boss!

    WHAT a difference a day makes! That's the verdict from grateful employees of a Pilsworth-based company after their kind-hearted boss decided to cut the length of their working week. And the move by Century Seal managing director Rob Foy co-incided with

  • Clarets back snub to digital bid

    CLARETS chief executive Andrew Watson has backed the decision not to give ITV the digital licences that became available after the collapse of ITV Digital. Incredibly, even though Carlton and Granada set up the failed ITV Digital channel - from which

  • Clarets back snub to digital bid

    CLARETS chief executive Andrew Watson has backed the decision not to give ITV the digital licences that became available after the collapse of ITV Digital. Incredibly, even though Carlton and Granada set up the failed ITV Digital channel - from which

  • New deals for Shakers' trio

    MATT Barrass, Lee Connell and Nicky Hill have signed contract extensions to stay with Bury FC next season. The youngsters have all signed one-year extensions and manager Andy Preece was delighted with the signing. "It's important that we keep the younger

  • Who's telling the truth?

    A PLAY to get audiences arguing like the characters is coming to Darwen Library Theatre. Oleanna, previously seen on Broadway and in the West End, follows a confused student who challenges her university tutor to explain his ideas. An argument erupts

  • Jared, 9 plans Magic Eye swim

    THERE is still a chance to sponsor nine-year-old Jared Potter as he prepares to make a huge splash with a sponsored swim in aid of the Magic Eye appeal. And the young fundraiser is training hard as sponsorship forms fill up. It will be the third year

  • Pet show for charity

    THE CYSTIC Fibrosis Research Trust will benefit from a children's pet show at Old Clough Stables, off Burnley Road, Weir on Sunday at 10.30am. There will be various classes including the dog with the waggiest tail, the cat with the longest whiskers and

  • Dinner to fund ice skating event for children

    INTERNATIONAL ice skaters Alexei Kisilitsyn and Natalia Pestora are planning to hold a second children's day to bring ice skating to Rossendale. Last year Rossendale Lions supported the skaters, who live in Rawtenstall and perform in Blackpool, and this

  • China link sealed by school

    A LANGUAGE college in Rawtenstall has teamed up with a school in Datong in China to form a friendship link. And the connection should be cemented next spring when the two schools exchange teachers. When All Saints RC High School achieved the status of

  • Practise what you preach

    AFTER successfully campaigning for several litter bins some years ago in the Longridge Road, Gamull Lane area, I found that they were being well used but not emptied on a regular basis. A lady from Preston Borough Council's cleansing department said someone

  • Adulation of the flag can be dangerous

    THE councillor vilified for allegedly referring to the Union flag "a piece of rag on a stick" (Citizen, June 13) has my support. My husband served as a young volunteer in the Second World War, until his late demobilisation from Africa, long after the

  • You're never far from a Manning crowd

    "HELLO." The voice is unmistakable. "Just give us 10 minutes will you lad I've just walked in. Right, so you'll ring us back then? Ta ta lad." And with that he was gone. That was my first introduction to one of the legends of showbusiness, a man who has

  • Improved service 'welcome'

    THORNTON Action Group is celebrating getting the wheels in motion for a replacement bus service. An improved evening bus service between Cleve and Houlton began recently to compensate for the withdrawal of the F9 service in April. It follows representations

  • Badge 'queue' angers cabbies

    FURIOUS Blackpool cabbies are being driven round the bend by delays in getting their licences. Blackpool Borough councillor Henry Mitchell told The Citizen that drivers are having to wait weeks for a taxi "badge" because of Government delays with criminal

  • Library plan slammed by county council

    THE leader of Lancashire County Council has accused the people behind Preston's massive Tithebarn regeneration project of going back on a promise to make the city's library a centrepiece of the new scheme. Coun Hazel Harding hit out during a meeting of

  • Report points to closure dangers

    A BACKBENCH report into the proposed closure of care homes in Lancashire has been rejected after a council boss said its recommendations would cost too much. County councillor Chris Cheetham said it would be "wonderful" to develop policy without regard

  • Give workers cash says union leader

    UNION leaders today welcomed plans to seize the house of crooked civil servant Gordon Foxley -- and said some of the money should be used to help workers affected by his crimes. The corrupt civil servant was jailed in May, 1994, for taking bribes from

  • Thank you Citizen

    OUR most sincere thanks to The Citizen for publicising the Crossacres Spring Coffee morning in Neighbourhood News. We had a very successful day and raised in the region of £600. We very much appreciate your help in reaching this great result. Arthur Tanton

  • What an unholy mess

    LIKE everything else this council has to do with it is an unholy mess. I refer to the allocation of council property. This is a small estate of sheltered flats for mature people. Over the last two years the council in their infinite wisdom have placed

  • Check on flood danger

    CERTAIN peoplehave been saying that Briarwood Drive in Bispham is liable to flooding. In view of the fact that insurance companies can refuse cover or at least greatly inflate premiums, it is important to verify the truth. I therefore put this question

  • This cancer they call political correctness

    SIR John Stevens needs 7,000 recruits for his under strength Metropolitan Police. Recruits from the Commonwealth and from other countries will be invited to apply for the bobbies' jobs because, he says, ethnic quotas must be filled and local ethnics are

  • Boss impressed by attitude

    CRAIG Brown joined the North End squad for the start of pre-season training yesterday (Wednesday) and said he was happy to be back on the training ground. He said: "It has been a long wait and it will be good to meet with all the players together. The

  • What's on...

    SUNDAY Shows at the Grand and Opera House. Blackpool Grand Theatre (01253 290190) Reelin and a rockin -- non stop sixties hits from Gerry Marsden of Gerry & The Pacemakers, Mike D'Abo from Manfred Mann, Dave Berry from The Cruisers, Brian Poole from

  • Greg and Jack in a spat

    GREG Pope and Jack Straw have had an unneighbourly spat in the Commons over Gibraltar. Hyndburn MP Mr Pope asked the Foriegn Secretary a question about government policy on the Rock. In reply at the House of Commons Foriegn Affairs Committee, Blackburn

  • You're never far from a Manning crowd

    "HELLO." The voice is unmistakable. "Just give us 10 minutes will you lad I've just walked in. Right, so you'll ring us back then? Ta ta lad." And with that he was gone. That was my first introduction to one of the legends of showbusiness, a man who has

  • Noise nuisance at ticket office

    BLACKBURN Railway Station has been greatly improved, but what on earth possessed the powers that be, to remove the efficient ticket and information booth from the quieter zone of street level to the noisy platforms? Asking for information and tickets

  • Plea to fight for our school sports day

    THIS is a government well-versed it would appear in the burial of 'bad news' among more newsworthy events. What better time, therefore, than the denouement of a World Cup to furtively publish a plan to abolish the good old school sports day? Yes, it seems

  • Classic comedy from Coward

    HERE'S a play not to be sneezed at! Fylde Coast Players present Noel Coward's Hay Fever at Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, until Saturday (July 6). Hay Fever is a comedy of bad manners which starts with the arrival of four guests, invited independently by the

  • 'Fantastic nasties' on the way

    WHIZPOP along to Blackpool Opera House this July and catch one of Roald Dahl's most endearing characters live on stage. His popular children's book The BFG -- that's Big Friendly Giant -- is celebrating 20 years of print this year. And children's playwright

  • Solicitor jailed over stolen cheques

    A SOLICITOR who masterminded the distribution of stolen travellers cheques after a £1.2million theft from Heathrow Airport was snared by undercover police. Blackburn man Yasin Mohamed's career lay in ruins today after he was jailed for 18 months for his

  • Hot stuff for peaks gold

    A TEAM of athletic firefighters have braved the elements to complete a three peaks challenge in a heart-thumping time. Two Chorley officers took time out from their usual duties for the race up Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon. And they were rewarded with

  • Homes anger on the march

    A COFFIN containing a petition bearing 35,000 names was 'laid to rest' outside County Hall on Saturday as protesters held another rally against moves to shut care homes. Hundreds of people from across the county travelled to Preston for the march, bringing

  • Citizenship criticised

    A NEW initiative to teach children politics in the classroom has been criticised by school heads. The Government has revealed a new Citizenship course will be taught in all secondary schools from September this year as part of the national curriculum.

  • Missing link unites canals

    IT was hats off for the first boat to set sail on the long awaited Millennium Ribble Link. The Purbeck -- a British Waterways work boat -- made the inaugural voyage on the link yesterday (Wednesday) as it neared completion. The historic link has been

  • PO move sparks protests

    MARKET traders in Preston are up in arms over plans to relocate the city's main post office fearing shoppers will take their custom elsewhere. It comes after Post Office Limited revealed plans to close its purpose built premises in Birley Street, near

  • Rosegreove Bulletin

    COFFEE fans enjoyed a recent coffee morning and hailed it a great success. Residents said the event was a good idea as a social occasion. The morning held at the home of two members of St Mark's Church also proved a success from a financial point of view

  • Sex e-mails probe

    A WOMAN teacher has been suspended after an allegation that she sent e-mails of a sexual nature to a pupil. The woman, who has not been named, has not been arrested but she has been suspended from Gawthorpe High School, Padiham, pending the outcome of

  • MP joins campaign against prison plan

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike today joined local businesses and residents in the fight against plans to turn a farm into an asylum seekers detention centre or open prison. Mr Pike has written to Burnley Borough Council to formally raise his concerns over the

  • Traffic fears as new homes get go-ahead

    PEOPLE living close to a former industrial site earmarked for a housing estate today said the development will blight the neighbourhood. Residents of Park View, Padiham, said development on the former light engineering works site would create traffic

  • Lewis is not shirty about missing out

    DISAPPOINTMENT has turned to delight for a Bury schoolboy who can certainly put his shirt on being the envy of his chums. For Lewis Morrison (13), is now in possession of an England World Cup soccer shirt, autographed by the squad. The gift was a consolation

  • Union blasts clerk choice

    UNION bosses have protested over the appointment of a convicted arsonist as clerk to a council where an alleged victim's relative is employed. Elizabeth Bolton, 48, of Palace Gardens, Burnley was convicted last year of petrol bombing a man's car. Alleged

  • Pizza pair in £500 hospice 'giveaway'

    THE owners of an award-winning takeaway handed over a £500 donation to a local charity in a specially-designed pizza. Brothers Ishrat Mehdi and Yassar Ali of Santa's Pizza gave the money to neighbours at Pendleside Hospice in Colne Road. The family business

  • Appeal to save chapel

    PARISHIONERS who worship in a unique chapel above a hay store while chickens cluck in the next room today made a heartfelt plea for funds and said: "Without money our heritage will be lost." Members of Southfield Church have been using the chapel in a

  • Ex-partner made violence and suicide threats

    A DEPRESSED dad bombarded his ex-partner with phone calls and threatened to kill her and then himself. Burnley Magistrates heard how drunken David Stephen Kemp, 28, said he would slit Amanda Southward's mother's throat, arrange for somebody to beat up

  • Amateur Rugby League- Warriors' pride

    THIS was a match the Warriors should have won but a last minute try by Royton levelled the score. The Warriors attacking flair and skills were evident from the first whistle. Matthew Smith and Sam Singleton each notched a pair of tries and the Warriors

  • Coaching chance for young disabled

    MORE disabled young people in the Preston area are about to be given the opportunity to attend athletics coaching sessions at the Preston Sports Arena in Cottam. Preston Harriers, via the City's Athletics Forum, will start coaching sessions for any young

  • Retiring head still to go far

    A LONG-STANDING headteacher was today bidding a fond farewell to a school where he has been a familiar face for almost 40 years. Peter Donnelly has been head of Saints John Fisher & Thomas More RC High School, Colne, for 16 years but taught at the

  • Ten years ago

    OLYMPIC gold medallist Ron Hill fired the starting pistol as 220 runners set off on a 10-kilometre road race from the Whitbread brewery at Salmesbury. The race pulled in entries from club runners and from UK breweries.

  • Five years ago

    CREATIVE writing by pupils at All Saint's CE Primary School, Clayton-le-Moors, won three awards in a national competition. Julie Cogill, chief education officer for BBC schools, travelled from London to present the prizes.

  • Two in hospital after house fire

    TWO people were taken to Burnley General suffering from smoke inhalation after a fire in their kitchen at the house in Station Road, Huncoat at 2.40am today. The fire was started by a fault in the washing machine. Firefighters treated the two people for

  • Fireman Mick's TV choice

    FIREMAN Mick Patton had 15 minutes of fame last night when he appeared on a new TV dating show, Elimidate. And the 21-year-old from Great Harwood picked slim Hannah for his date after she dazzled him with her shell fish skills and tanned body. Mick of

  • Police blitz will urge drivers to belt up

    POLICE in Accrington and Blackburn are set to launch a high profile crackdown next week on motorists who don't wear seatbelts. Officers will patrol the main routes in both towns during the week-long blitz, in a bid to combat serious injuries in road traffic

  • Army girl's tough test

    A SOLDIER from Rishton is set to embark on a gruelling feat in order to raise funds for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Corporal Joanne Cottrall, 26, will this weekend join an all-female team of four for Trailwalker 2002, a challenge started by the

  • Initiative aimed at teaching children to swim

    A NEW moves to encourage parents to take their children to swimming lessons have been launched in Hyndburn. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, drowning is the third largest cause of accidental death in children in the UK and

  • Boys Brigade band sent cash lifeline

    A BOYS' Brigade band in Hyndburn has been thrown a lifeline after being turned down for a lottery grant. The Accrington Boys Brigade applied for £5,000 from the Golden Jubilee awards to buy new instruments but the bid was rejected because it did not fit

  • Freedom fight

    CAMPAIGNING journalist Don Hale has taken up the fight of a group protesting the innocence of jailed Prestwich security driver Graham Huckerby. Prestwich born-and-bred, Mr Hale (49) famously fought to overturn the wrongful conviction of Stephen Downing

  • Missionary back with her family

    MISSIONARY worker Gwyneth Jones recently returned home to Longridge to be with her family and friends. Gwyneth's work began 30 years ago and she is based in Medan, Indonesia. Her teaching career began as a student at Liverpool University and she progressed

  • Council plans for safer Ribble Valley

    RIBBLE Valley Council has published a plan outlining its aims for the next 12 months. Government regulations mean local authorities have to publish annual plans to improve their performance. The Ribble Valley Performance Plan 2002-03 was given the thumbs-up

  • Leaders' hopes washed away

    THE juggernaut -- or in the words of skipper Phil Thornton "The Travelling Circus" -- that is Morecambe Cricket Club came to a shuddering halt in the Northern Premier League game at Broadwater on Saturday (June 29) thanks to some resolute batting by Fleetwood

  • Challenging plans

    MARKETING experts at North West companies have described their sales plans as realistic and challenging, according to new research. That was the verdict from the Chartered Institute of Marketing's (CIM) spring 2002 marketing trends survey, which examines

  • Greater levels of service

    THE Bury Times Group has joined the broadband revolution to allow our Internet audience even greater levels of interaction, service and entertainment. For our www.thisislancashire.co.uk domain is one of the leading regional web sites to benefit directly

  • If your name's not on the list ...

    CO-OPERATIVE Bank has celebrated the tenth anniversary of its ethical stance by launching a revised policy which clearly tells customers who it will and will not do business with. Having invited the views of its more than two million customers, the bank

  • Firms are on the ball!

    IT may be Wimbledon but advantage is firmly in the court of Bury businesses. And it's all thanks to Bolton and Bury Chamber, which served up a treat for companies at a special lunch. Business Advantage was on the menu which allowed firms to find out more

  • School is flying high

    PUPILS at a Thornton school will be proud to fly the flag -- after a special presentation by the Royal British Legion. Olive Driver, of the Thornton Cleveleys branch of the war veterans' charity, presented Millfield School with its very own Union Jack

  • Rovers confident Duff will sign deal

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today said he is confident that Damien Duff will end speculation regarding his future by signing a new contract when he returns for pre-season training. As we reported earlier in the summer, Rovers offered the Republic of

  • Village gala day plea

    ORGANISERS of Tockholes Gala today promised one of the village's best events yet as they finalised plans before Saturday's big day. The event will take place around the village. Any companies, organisations or individuals to support the gala by donating

  • New bid to tempt theatre-goers

    COUNCIL bosses are to undertake a wide-ranging survey in a bid to attract more people to Darwen's Library Theatre. Blackburn with Darwen Council has listed improving audience figures at the theatre as a top priority over the next year. Attendance at the

  • All dressed up for the Jubilee

    A JUBILEE celebration was held at Mencap House when 80 people attended many dressed in outfits to reflect the decades of the Queen's reign. A Jacob's join meal was held and the Mayor and Mayoress of Rossendale Coun Jimmy Eaton and his wife Janet attended

  • Overdose accident killed mother

    A WOMAN who was known to have a drink problem is believed to have accidentally taken a combination of alcohol and tranquillisers which proved fatal. Irene Ashworth, 45, of Springfield Road, Rawtenstall, was found at her home on March 23. Pathologist Dr

  • Dog waste bins have been taken away!

    DUE to cutbacks -- despite our ten per cent council tax increase -- South Ribble Borough Council has removed two strategically placed dog waste bins from Farington Park, so adding to the usual litter problem. Also the hedge bordering the park and Stanifield

  • Bus plan supporters need to listen

    ABOUT 30 years ago there used to be four bus stations in Preston -- Fox Street (for Fishwick buses); Starchhouse Square (Scout, Standerwick and BBMS); Tithebarn Street (Ribble); and one off Tithebarn Street (Ribble Express). The council converted them

  • Fringe set to flourish

    FESTIVALS abound in Edinburgh but the Fringe is the most colourful and attracts the most attention. The fun starts on August 4 and with 20,342 performances you are sure to find something that will keep you entertained for an hour or two. The Fringe site

  • Greg and Jack in a spat

    GREG Pope and Jack Straw have had an unneighbourly spat in the Commons over Gibraltar. Hyndburn MP Mr Pope asked the Foriegn Secretary a question about government policy on the Rock. In reply at the House of Commons Foriegn Affairs Committee, Blackburn

  • A little local difficulty

    NO, no, no. This is not right. This is not right at all. Where are all the freaks and the weirdos, with their Black Sabbath T-shirts and blank stares? Who are all these beautiful people in their place? Standing there in their branded shirts and identical

  • Triggering an interest in horse riding

    BLACKPOOL schoolchildren were whipped into a frenzy this week as a friendly visitor hoofed into the yard. Pupils from Our Lady of the Assumption School, Common Edge Road, were paid a visit by "Trigger" the mechanical cantering horse as part of the Jeep

  • Deacons and priests ordained by Bishop

    LANCASHIRE parishes will be welcoming new clergy after a series of ordination services at the weekend. And the Fylde Coast will receive two new deacons and two new priests. Jane Bury and Jim Trood were ordained deacon by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt

  • Carry on matron!

    SHE'S back, with a familiar title but without the frilly hat! Matron is on duty again in the wards of Blackpool Victoria Hospital. But her new image is far from that of the corridor-stalking, booming-voiced, big-bosomed Hattie Jacques of Carry On fame

  • Conga to worship!

    A BLACKPOOL church is stretching out to the community by aiming to create "the longest Christian conga in the world" as part of a celebration service. St Thomas's Church is transferring its worship from The People's Church on Caunce Street to the Mather

  • Cash boost for war on drugs

    BLACKPOOL has received a massive cash injection to fund a further crackdown on drugs and street crime. The Home Office has announced an extra £195,000 is on the way under the Communities Against Drugs funding. The money will support Blackpool Community

  • House of dreams

    THE opening of Donna's new Dream House in Chapel Street, Blackpool, later this month promises magical holiday experiences for a further 500 terminally ill-children during the coming year. This second holiday home for sick children and their families is

  • Cyril sees red

    IT HASN'T been a happy holiday for one Blackpool visitor. He was booked for parking in a space set aside for disabled people, even though he was displaying an orange badge. Cyril Owen, 72, said he will appeal against the ticket he received for parking

  • Coffin demo is traffic-stopper

    A COFFIN containing a petition bearing 35,000 names was "laid to rest" outside County Hall as protesters staged a final rally against moves to shut care homes. Hundreds of people from Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre and the rest of Lancashire travelled to Preston

  • Battery thrown at hire car

    ANTHONY Dennison threw a car battery through the window of a private hire vehicle after an exchange of words with an employee of the firm. Blackburn magistrates heard that the employee of A and B private hire gave chase and detained Dennison, who began

  • County snub for region power plan

    COUNTY Hall bosses have vowed to oppose plans to create a regional assembly in the North West. A Government White Paper published last month laid out plans to create regional assemblies which would result in county councils being scrapped. The strategic

  • Pupils cause a stir in this coffee shop

    PUPILS from an East Lancashire school are creating quite a stir - in a town-centre coffee shop. Customers in the Blackburn venue can now enjoy a short story along with their favourite brew. The tales have been penned by second-year youngsters at Queen

  • Get ready for the fireworks!

    THE stage is all set for one of the great free events of the year. Blackburn's Corporation Park will be turned into a mass of colour and echo to the sound of music tomorrow and Sunday for the third Arts in the Park festival. Over 20,000 people are expected

  • Solicitor jailed over stolen cheques

    A SOLICITOR who masterminded the distribution of stolen travellers cheques after a £1.2million theft from Heathrow Airport was snared by undercover police. Blackburn man Yasin Mohamed's career lay in ruins today after he was jailed for 18 months for his

  • Our mail man mayor is first class

    TONY Humphrys is bending over his sorting desk in the Royal Mail's Delivery Office in Canterbury Street, Blackburn. It is 6am and Tony has been here for more than an hour. He is feverishly sorting the mail into its relevant streets and numbers so he can

  • Pub chain has excellent record

    I WAS appalled to read about the "Pub on Prom plans halted", (Citizen, June 20). It has long been suspected that some licensing authorities are in thrall to certain major brewery chains. The Weatherspoon chain has achieved an extraordinary and totally

  • Baxi sells its shares in PNE

    BAXI Partnership Ltd has sold its stake in Preston North End. The shares, which amounted to just over 26 per cent of the shares in Preston North End plc, were sold to a newly formed company - 'The Friends of Preston North End Ltd'. The new company has

  • Scooter scare anger

    A DISABLED pensioner, who was knocked off his mobility scooter while travelling down a side street in Leyland town centre, is petitioning council chiefs for traffic calming measures to be installed. Joseph Kershaw, 69, was returning from shopping in Leyland

  • Why is windmill shut?

    IT'S AN enduring landmark of old Blackpool and there is even a plaque to prove it. But nobody can see Marton Windmill's special plaque -- because it's locked inside! And Fylde historian Terry Regan says its time the plaque was put where people could see

  • Final decision on schools closures

    A FINAL decision on controversial plans to close a number of the borough's primary schools will be taken this month. The proposals are set to go before the Schools Organisation Committee (SOC) on July 15. Members of the group, which include representatives

  • Stars back school's new gym appeal

    CELEBRITIES from sport and entertainment lent their support when Bury C of E High School launched a high-profile Sports Hall Appeal on Wednesday (July 3). Guests at the event were actress Nikki Sanderson, Coronation Street's Candice, mountain bike champion

  • A little local difficulty

    NO, no, no. This is not right. This is not right at all. Where are all the freaks and the weirdos, with their Black Sabbath T-shirts and blank stares? Who are all these beautiful people in their place? Standing there in their branded shirts and identical

  • What's On...

    SHOWS at the Winter Gardens, the Tower and more. Winter Gardens (01253 292029) The Good Olde Days -- traditional entertainment with Duggie Clark, Mike Terry and Tony Del Ray. Venue: Pavilion Theatre every Tues, Wed and Thurs until July 18 at 7.30pm with

  • What's On...

    PUBS, clubs and bars... THE ROYAL OAK, Lytham Road, South Shore, Blackpool. Live music: Fri -- Mr Lovepants. Sat -- The Heat. THE ROYAL HOTEL, North Promenade, Cleveleys. Live music: Thurs -- Born Jovi. Fri -- Heatwave. Sat -- Flame. Sun -- Wyte Lyze