IT'S great to learn that 11,000 animals, including many that were unwanted, abandoned or ill-treated, were found loving new NW homes last year by the RSPCA. One hundred and forty two of them were dealt with by the Wigan and Leigh branch of the charity
A SHOCKED Astley resident rang me to say she had spotted an enormous bird -- the size of a 35lb turkey -- up a tree between North Lane and Princes Avenue on Thursday evening. Asking for anonimity, for fear of being labelled a bit cuckoo I presume, she
A PENSIONER waiting to cross the road from Westleigh Lane Post Office tells me he was stunned to watch half a dozen off road bikers emerge from the 'red gates' and zoom past him towards Leigh -- all doing wheelies. These yobs obviously have no brains.
I HAVE no inclination to go out these days. However I have been attracted by one film I'd love to see - the sing-a-long version of The Sound of Music. I can't imagine anything funnier than joining fans dressed up as the characters sitting in rows, and
TWO messages. The first, thanks to retired Leigh teacher and Tyldesley athletics coach and patriot John Howcroft for sending me a St George's Day card and second, get well soon to the Rev Terence Hargreaves-Stead, vicar of my old parish of St Paul's,
I WRITE after reading a letter in the Bury Times (April 22)about the difficulty one lady experienced in getting a high school place for her grandchild in Prestwich. I live in Crumpsall with my partner and my two children have attended Heaton Park CP school
DAWN Robinson-Walsh, whose recent letter was headlined "PFI failure has caused a split", has clearly misunderstood recent reports in your paper on how Bury Council has approached the issue of funding much-needed improvements to the borough's high schools
I LIVE in Ramsbottom and recently received a copy of Ramsbottom Rose -- a leaflet on behalf of a Labour candidate in yesterday's local elections -- which tells me that Labour in Bury are "delivering" for older people. Delivering what? They are closing
READING the article (April 11) regarding Fishpool Infants and St Chad's schools being re-named St Luke's, I think the idea is ridiculous. I notice that the Rev. Dr Frances Ward of St Peter's parish agrees with the change but sher hasn't been in the parish
IN order that we may expand and help even more cats, the Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde Branch of Cats Protection is looking for cat lovers with time to spare who can help in a practical way. Would you be interested in becoming a fosterer? Fosterers are
NO doubt most readers have like myself been bombarded by election pamphlets over the last few weeks. One such pamphlet by a Liberal candidate claimed that the Conservative of St Leonards Ward were in favour of building flats on the site of the old Blackburn
CHORLEY boss Mark Molyneaux has told his players 'let's do it for Jack' as the Magpies gear up for tomorrow's winner-takes-all play-off clash with Radcliffe Borough. The prize for the victors is a place in the UniBond Premier Division next season. And
LITTLE Holly Smith could become Accrington Stanley's youngest fan tomorrow. The tot, who was only born last Thursday, is expected to be cheering on her dad and Stanley defender Jonathan Smith when the Reds take on Marine in the Peter Swailes Charity Shield
TRADING Standards officers today revealed they had smashed what they believe to be the biggest house-based CD and DVD counterfeit racket in the country. Tens of thousands of DVDs and CDs were seized by officers when they raided three addresses in the
HEALTH chiefs today admitted they hadn't considered applying for controversial "foundation" status -- because they were too busy planning their own merger. The proposals by Health Secretary Alan Milburn would free the best-performing hospitals from Whitehall
ASYLUM seekers are being urged to become volunteers for the citizens advice team, in a bid to help their fellow would-be refugees. Blackburn Citizens Advice Bureau in St Johns Centre want more asylum seekers to come forward and work with the 26-strong
POLICE have defended the "naming and shaming" an 11-year-old boy banned from the streets of South Shore by an ASBO after his mother complained of unfair treatment. Flame-haired schoolboy -- Jak Spinks -- became one of the youngest people in Britain to
COULD it really be true... Blackpool Tower is being thrown on the scrap heap in favour of a younger model direct from the USA? No. But local train enthusiasts have got steam coming out of their ears after learning that the Fylde's other iron lady -- an
THIS Sunday (May 4) sees Blackpool celebrate its greatest contribution to sporting history. Blackpool FC won the FA Cup for the first and only time on Saturday, May 3, 1953, 50 years ago this weekend. The game has gone down in football history as 'The
BLACKPOOL fan, Jack Blundell, remembers exactly where he was when Blackpool won the FA Cup, 50 years ago on Sunday. But the man reckoned to be Bloomfield Road's oldest regular was a long way from Wembley -- behind the counter in his family's pharmacy!
HE STARTED his career selling Blackpool rock out of the back of a van -- but Albert Gubay built a business empire worth a remarkable £650 million. Mr Gubay, now rated as the richest man in Wales, did his first business deal after receiving £80 worth of
ONE of the most enduring and influential pop bands of the glam rock era take to the stage in Preston as part of their first nationwide tour in 30 years. The Sweet took the pop charts by storm in the '70s with their androgynous good looks and guitar crunching
ATHERTON'S five star Prince's Trust Volunteers showcased their work at the end of a challenging 12 weeks programme. The 13 strong team which revamped gardens and helped with the props for a theatre production showed off their achievements to family and
A LEIGH man received a shot of good luck when he scooped £50,000 on Littlewoods' Spot the Ball. Gerald Tighe, 42, who suffers with heart problems and was diagnosed with diabetes in March, a month before finding out he'd hit the jackpot on the famous footballing
A DISTURBED teenager threatened a man with a knife on the same day of her release from custody for a similar offence. Jeanette Hook, aged 19, of Peak Avenue, Atherton armed herself with a large kitchen knife and threatened to kill an asylum seeker. She
YOUNGSTERS had to be kept away from playgroup on Tuesday after raiders attacked Shakerley Community Centre stealing equipment and toddler group cash. Determined thieves cut through security shutters and battered their way into the rear of the Cumberland
LOWTON soldier Lance Corporal Mike Morgan could soon be enforcing law and order after successfully completing the tough course to become a military policeman. Mike, 20, is one of a select group of young soldiers who can now wear the striking red beret
THE BNP grabbed a massive foothold in East Lancashire on a night when it became the official opposition in Burnley and won thousands of votes elsewhere. But MPs and political leaders today urged people to continue the fight against the far right after
A REPRIEVED village school is going public. Mosley Common St John's primary is following up a successful Victorian Day staged earlier this month with an open day on Saturday, May 10. Old photographs, school registers and maps have been incorporated in
JUBILANT Tories tightened their grip on Ribble Valley Council at the expense of incoming borough mayor Frank Goss and former mayor Jenny Grimes. The council also has its first clergyman in Whalley vicar Chris Sterry, but the far-right BNP failed to win
THE Tories retook Hyndburn just 12 months after being ousted by Labour, with new leader Peter Britcliffe declaring: "It's my best birthday present yet!" Turnout across the borough was up from 36 per cent as 51.47 per cent of the 45,769 electorate registered
IT WILL be business as usual in Blackpool on Friday following Labour' s clear victory in the town' s first all-postal local election. More than half (50.43 per cent) of Blackpool' s electorate voted, returning Labour to power with 25 seats compared with
A DESPERATE drug addict who withdrew large amounts of money from a cash machine minutes after burgling a house has been jailed for 21 months. Robert Dean had taken a wallet which contained pin numbers to the owner's cards and gone straight to the cash
CONTRARY to the national picture, the Conservatives failed to make any gains in Preston City Council's elections. The political landscape remains largely unchanged in the traditional Labour hotspot, where a third of the council's seats were up for grabs
IT was a good night for the Conservatives in the Chorley borough elections as they won two seats -- one from the Liberal Democrats, the other from Labour -- to take their total on the council to 18. But Labour, too, were claiming victory at the polls
CALLS for Iain Duncan Smith to resign today overshadowed the Conservative leader's solid showing in a crucial poll test. Senior MP Crispin Blunt deserted the front bench last night, saying Mr Duncan Smith must go, whatever the local election result. Tory
A TOWN hall "enforcer" has been appointed by Rossendale Council to compile a monthly list of householders who refuse to pay their bills. Paul Coit, Rossendale Council's newly-appointed debt recovery officer, plans to list 40 non-payment cases per month
LABOUR lost control of Pendle Council but was the victim of a dirty tricks campaign, according to ousted leader Azhar Ali. Mr Ali, who also lost his Southfield seat to the Lib-Dems, made the claim as the Lib-Dems became the largest single party in Pendle
AN animal charity is seeking the owner of an elderly whippet picked up in Gin Pit village. The Leigh branch of Petsearch say the brindle dog, which has been nicknamed Scally, seems to be desperately looking for someone. He has been fostered out to Angela
STACKSTEADS councillor Michael McShea has been appointed president of Water Brass Band -- and admitted: "I can't even play." But the well-known councillor's passion for music is enough to keep him interested in the band. Michael Manning, owner of Mannings
FRIENDS of Sunnyhurst Wood are putting the finishing touches to the repair of an 80-year-old footbridge. To date, almost £3,800 has been put into restoring the Huntington Bridge. The cash was raised by the group's flood fund appeal through donations and
A LEIGH project has scooped a prize in the NW health challenge oscars. An audience of NHS staff and community workers voted the Hanover Treatment and Assessment Centre runner-up in the Innovation in Delivering National Service Frameworks in Primary Care
NEWCHURCH WI are banking on bottle gifts to run a stall at Culcheth Community Day on May 5. A coffee morning to promote fair trade in the developing world netted £88.33 for the institute. Speaker Mr E Edwards gave an amusing account of the memories of
A LEIGH travel agent has helped the national award winning company triumph at the travel oscars. Travelcare, part of the Co-operative Group, picked up the North West and North Wales Travel Agent of the Year title at the 2003 Agent Achievement Awards.
A CHARITY is appealing to local people to support its biggest annual fund raiser. Lowton, Golborne and Ashton MENCAP's spring fair opens at 10.30am on Saturday, May 10, in St Thomas' Church Hall, Ashton. Chairman Bob Short said: "Please drop in and see
A SCHEME to encourage more people to eat more fruit and vegetables will be launched in the early summer once a project co-ordinator and project assistant has been appointed. The £150,000 "5-A-Day" project, will be run by the Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT
A BURNLEY company has been fined £500 for 'persistently' ignoring requests to comply with planning regulations. Cloverbrook was also ordered to pay £125 after failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice at their premises in Gannow Lane, Rosegrove
EMBATTLED Lancashire holiday group MyTravel today announced it was in advanced negotiations with its bankers over the refinancing of the company multi-million-pound debts. In a trading statement, the package holiday group said its summer business was
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today admitted he has shelved his plans to sign Hakan Sukur -- but denied there is any rift between the pair. Souness first signed the Turkish international striker on a short-term deal in December with a view to making the
MORE than 50 guns were handed in to Bury police stations in the final week of April's national gun amnesty. That brings the total to 130 weapons surrendered - including a machine gun - during the campaign which ended on Wednesday. And now police are launching
A MAJOR new campaign is being launched on Monday to try to stop people illegally dumping rubbish. Billboards will be posted along Rochdale Road, Bury and at the junction of Bury New Road/Apian Way, Prestwich urging locals to 'Stop the Drop'. People are
WHEN Hollyoaks cheeky chappie Max Cunningham -- real-life actor Matt Littler -- decided to party, it had to be in his hometown. The Channel 4 soap star had the choice of dozens of top venues for his 21st birthday party, but the local lad made good, stuck
IT WAS a highly-successful weekend for EDS Leigh with comfortable victories over a poor Wigan side in the Premier League Knockout Trophy and Barrow in the first round of the National Knockout competition. After being soundly beaten by Wallasey and Bootle
ATHERTON CC had a mixed start to the new season. Featuring in two low scoring matches, they failed by 15 runs to beat Lostock in the first Bolton Association game on Saturday while the following day they reversed matters in the first round of the National
A POPULAR Cleveleys festival has been saved after a new group of residents stepped forward to organise future events. Now, they are calling on the community and local businesses to get involved and help to attract up to 1,000 people to the new-look Cleveleys
FROM multiplex to silver screen -- meet Blackpool's newest film stars! Odeon supervisor Dave Hughes and security guard Georgina Coster and Georgina's sister Sam Muir all cameo in newly released Brit film, Heartlands. While Dave cameos as a darts player
IT WASN'T just Blackpool's FA Cup win that made 1953 a special sporting year. A new book published last week reveals a host of memorable moments from Coronation year, in a wide range of sports. Author, Jonathan Rice, features a report on the memorable
ST JOSEPH'S Players perform a play with a comical twist next week. The production Brush With a Body by Maurice McLoughlin, and produced by June Lee, is one not to miss. Action centres on the three Walling siblings, psychiatrist Henry, headmistress Cynthia
CULTURE vultures are invited to work with local artists for a unique May celebration. As part of national Museums and Galleries Month, Leigh's Turnpike is organising an ARTmix in the gallery. It is celebrating "Cultures, Then and Now" with a series of
With the south stand set to be replaced shortly, artist David Wright has produced a painting which also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the famous FA Cup victory. It will be officially unveiled this Saturday May 2, the closest Saturday to the anniversary
LEIGH folk group Calico have never forgotten founder member Joe Roberts. They organise an annual "Joe's Night" to keep his memory alive and this year's top class event raised £1,340 for the British Heart Foundation and Wigan and Leigh Hospice. A capacity
CHORLEY skipper Jim Fazackerley has called on his players to stamp their authority on the Northern Premier League with a quick-fire double this weekend. Fazackerley's men travel to Fleetwood tomorrow before St Annes then visit Windsor Park on Monday.
RONNIE Jepson takes his Burnley reserve side to Tranmere this afternoon looking to secure their place in the Avon Insurance Premier Division. The Clarets' second string need a point to make absolutely certain of avoiding the drop from their final game
THE number of boarders at Stonyhurst College has shot through the roof, thanks to Harry Potter and a £1million outlay on new pupil digs. The number of girl boarders at the Hurst Green educational establishment increased by 11 per cent last year and boy
A DISGRACED former solicitor had her request for an appeal dismissed after a tribunal heard she has vanished. The home Jennifer Hallam claims she lives in does not exist and Law Society officials ended up quizzing local farmers and postmen about her whereabouts
RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has called on the Government to support development of the Hawk trainer jet manufactured by BAE Systems. The firm has submitted a bid to replace the ageing fighters, which entered RAF service in the 1970s and 1980s. Mr Evans
A BUSINESSWOMAN who hails from "Down Under" hopes to put fledgling companies firmly on their feet. Temika Tracey's Unique Training UK Ltd company has unveiled a new package of courses entitled "Beginners In Business". Unique was launched last year by
BAKERS Greggs, which has a shop in Bury, has appointed Maxine Warner as senior area manager for the North West. Maxine, originally from this area, who is moving into a stone-built cottage in the Bury area, has joined Greggs North West from Greggs of Twickenham
RESIDENTS are set to fight plans for a proposed link road to ease traffic congestion between Wigan and Atherton. On discovering that the A5225 scheme from the M6 at Pemberton to Atherleigh Way was once again on the agenda they called a meeting with Leigh
AN Atherton trader ordered to remove plants from the front of his shop has claimed that Wigan Council is being ridiculous -- and committing a crime against the community. Jim Hewitt, of J Bargain Stores, Market Street, is calling for a review of the decision
RESIDENTS are celebrating the completion of a new £52,000 floodlit venue for community events. In only 12 weeks, derelict land at the side of Ernest Street Baptist Chapel, in Church, has been transformed into a community space and car park, complete with
RESIDENTS and council officials have agreed to install cameras near a piece of land in a bid to tackle troublesome children. Around 20 residents from the Trinity Street area of Oswaldtwistle met with representatives of Hyndburn Council to discuss a piece
FAR reaching consequences of the divorce of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon where revealed by Brian Dixon when he addressed Culcheth WI. Cheshire Federation member Jill Holman explained the work of Associated Countrywomen of the World, to which the
CLASSIC car enthusiasts showed off Mustangs, Minis and Jaguars as the Haynes Motor Museum Classic and Sportscar Tour passed through the Ribble Valley at Browsholme Hall.
EVELYN Glennie's is an amazing story. Profoundly deaf since the age of 12, she has gone on to become one of the world's leading percussionists in a field where few had attempted to play solo before. Not content to rest on her laurels, though, Evelyn is
HAVING read your two-page spread about the visit to Bury by our friends from Datong in China, I was wondering whether Bury Council's chief executive, Mr Mark Sanders, could enlighten the council tax payers of Bury about precisely which Bury firms are
I HAVE read that litter louts might be fined. I agree. I think that anyone who drops litter should be fined at least £50. I think this because I am not pleased with all the litter on the floor. If you fine people who drop litter, the world will be a tidier
I AM collecting used stamps, postcards and picture phone cards to help Guide Dogs for the Blind. I was wondering if any of your readers would send them to me at 66 Highbank, Roe Lee, Blackburn, Lancs BB1 9SX. DIANA ASHTON
CALLING all former pupils of Stand Grammar School. The Old Standians' Golfing Society is holding a Captain's Day next week and all old boys are welcome to go along for a friendly round of golf. The golf will be followed by an evening meal to which all
A NELSON teenager sent to custody after a "catalogue of appalling crime" asked a court for a chance and got it. Burnley Crown Court heard the illiterate 17-year-old was of previous good character until about a year ago, but then embarked on 'months of
WITCHCRAFT enthusiast James Bowman could have lain injured for several hours on moorland above Todmorden before he died, a court heard. A post mortem examination showed Mr Bowman had been stabbed several times with two wounds to the chest of around 12cms
BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has welcomed an assurance from the Home Office that it does not insist that landlords of asylum seekers provide them with colour TVs and telephones. He hoped that this both reassures constituents in Burnley and sets the record straight
THE Mayor of Burnley Councillor Gordon Birtwistle is planning a charity night at the Railway Club, Rosegrove, tonight, in aid of the Scanner Appeal. A tribute to Elvis by Andrew Brown will provide the cabaret alongside female artist Linzi. A raffle will
TWO people have appeared before magistrates in connection with a dog attack which left a seven-year-old boy in hospital. Mandy, 28, and Jacqueline Cox, 16, both of Penistone Street, Burnley, have been reported for summons for owning a dog, or dogs, and
CONTRARY to the national picture, the Conservatives failed to make any gains in Preston City Council's elections. The political landscape remains largely unchanged in the traditional Labour hotspot, where a third of the council's seats were up for grabs
POLICE in Preston are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery that took place on Wednesday. Two men held up the Lloyd's TSB bank on Blackpool Road, at Lane Ends, Ashton. The raiders struck at about 11.50am, when they threatened the staff and demanded
BLACKBURN midfielder Garry Flitcroft today said it's 'win or bust' in Rovers' battle to qualify for Europe. The tough-tackling Rovers skipper plans to lead from the front tomorrow as Graeme Souness's troops go in search of another vital victory against
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today admitted he has shelved his plans to sign Hakan Sukur -- but denied there is any rift between the pair. Souness first signed the Turkish international striker on a short-term deal in December with a view to making the
ANDY COLE'S stunning strike against Liverpool at Anfield has been voted the winner of the Peter White Memorial Trophy. The prestigious trophy, named in honour of the respected Lancashire Evening Telegraph sports journalist Peter White, is for Blackburn's
OLDER folk are being invited to step out and visit new places or try different activities. Help the Aged has teamed up with British Gas for the month-long Stepping Out programme running throughout June. Nearly 58,000 older people took advantage of the
CALLING all former pupils of Stand Grammar School. The Old Standians' Golfing Society is holding a Captain's Day next week and all old boys are welcome to go along for a friendly round of golf. The golf will be followed by an evening meal to which all
THE BNP grabbed a massive foothold in East Lancashire on a night when it became the official opposition in Burnley and won thousands of votes elsewhere. But MPs and political leaders today urged people to continue the fight against the far right after
LABOUR party chiefs admitted they had failed to get their message across in Burnley after the BNP took six new seats. The far right party now holds eight seats and MP Peter Pike and council leader Stuart Caddy both said the failure was the reason why
ALTHOUGH not opposed to the principle of recycling, I fail to see the advantage of going to the expense of doing so in the case of newspaper and garden refuse. A well-run landfill site, surely, acts in the same way as a domestic compost heap, except that
THE shameful attitude of the Government and the Ministry of Defence when it comes to tax breaks and wages for those who risked their lives in Iraq, reminded me of the poem 'Tommy,' by Rudyard Kipling. If I had my way, I would make it compulsory reading
I LIVE in an area where I have to pay for parking permits, not only for myself but also an additional one for an occasional visitor -- only to find that on match days at Ewood Park, I cannot park in the street I live in and pay a fee each year for the
A HOST of worthy winners have accepted their accolades at the annual presentation night of The Clitheroe and District Pool League. The Ribble Valley town and its outlying area is fast-developing into a hotbed of the sport and the Rose and Crown was packed
St Theodore's have successfully defended the Keighley Cup after a hard fought victory against the 'old enemy' Ivy Bank. A first half goal from Steven Riley and second half strikes from Paul Dugdale and Arron Reynolds guided St Teds to glory on Turf Moor
IT was one of the longest band names in history. Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich were like the seven dwarves of the '60s pop scene -- everyone knew them, but nobody could remember exactly what order they went in. Dave recalls: "It was the band name
LEIGH Miners Rangers U11s and 14s have just returned from a successful tour of Villefranche in south west France. They played two games in each age group, winning all four. The U11s didn't concede any points while the U14s only conceded one try. Apart
Cricket Club 147, Tyldesley 115; Westleigh 100, Botanical Gardens 159; St Paul's B 159, St Paul's A 98; Rugby Union 127, Brunswick 144; Golborne Cons 163, Gardeners 92.
Morgan's A 195, Morgan's B 238; Leigh Miners 218, Bowling Club B 227; Bowling Club A 218, Gardeners 180.
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Coffee Morning, AB & D Centre, Burnley Road, Bacup, 10am. Maypole dancing, bric a brac, stalls, raffle. Organised by fundraising committee for Rossendale Hospice.
LEIGH RMI are safe! Their gutsy, workmanlike performance earned a 1-0 win at Kettering Town and, combined with results elsewhere, was good enough to elevate the Railwaymen to 18th position when stumps were drawn on their third season in their Nationwide
LABOUR lost five seats - four to the conservatives, and one to the LibDems in the Bury Council elections. Labour wards that fell to the Tories were Elton, Moorside, Unsworth and Pilkington Park. Sedgley went to the LibDems. Check out all the results courtesy
SOME people have no ethics. My pensioner mother handed over a £1 coin to a "considerate soul" who saved her a trip to the trolley bank at More Reasons by passing on his monster on wheels. Only when she returned the thing after loading up the car did she
A REPRIEVED village school is going public. Mosley Common St John's primary is following up a successful Victorian Day staged earlier this month with an open day on Saturday, May 10. Old photographs, school registers and maps have been incorporated in
I'VE been asked if I know the whereabouts of a former Leigh singer -- as though I should! A former neighbour Margaret Hodson (now Jensen) who left Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, for Canada in the 50s is hoping to find out what happened to Jimmy Eckersley, stage
I SPOTTED an unusual, attractive willow cone hanging basket outside a house on the main road through to Hindley. Very trusting residents in this day and age. I'll check if its still there this week!
SOME weeks ago, Peter Doherty wondered in his column on this page, why nominations for independent candidates for the local election had not been received from any member of the multitude of groups that have been so critical of Labour's recent record
I HAVE read the latest letter from former councillor Julie Higson (April 11) and, ordinarily, I would let such things pass without comment. However, her recollections of her activities as a councillor are wildly exaggerated. She claims that she was hard
MANY thanks for bringing an environmental issue to the front page of the Bury Times (April 18), concerning the destruction of the Site of Biological Importance (SBI) at Pilsworth. This site was so designated mainly for several species of orchid and was
THE letter from "Angry Grandmother" (Your Letters, April 22) regarding her Prestwich-based grandson being refused a place at Prestwich High School showed what utter policy confusion there is in Bury. One of the reasons our school, Affetside Primary, was
I HAVE felt for some time that the NHS hierarchy has been doing their best to "bury" medical secretaries in a deep hole, and the current Agenda for Change is the manhole cover with which they will suffocate us once and for all. So before voting in the
I CONTINUE to be disappointed -- indeed alarmed -- by the increasing numbers of people who do not bother to vote. The right to vote is extremely valuable and should not be ignored at election time. There are many reasons for this apathy. 1: A lack of
ON Easter Sunday around 9.30pm my 24-year-old son was brutally and viciously attacked on the corner of Lyddersdale Avenue and Lakewood. He was walking home from a friends when he was hit on the head from behind As he dropped to the floor he was repeatedly
PADIHAM and Clitheroe are neck-and-neck in the race for the North West Counties League Reserve Division title. Clitheroe need to beat Curzon Ashton at Shawbridge tonight (kick off 7.45pm) to go a point clear of Padiham. A win or draw would also make Lee
A SENIOR Tory today told one of his councillors to quit amid fears he would vote against him in a leadership fight. Blackburn with Darwen Council's Conservative leader Colin Rigby and the party whip Coun Alan Cottam go head to head on Saturday in a vote
A FAMILY will spend this weekend hiking a marathon distance to Stonehenge in memory of a neighbour who died of cancer on Valentine's Day. Penny Morris, her husband Bob and 11-year-old son Jack, all of Heron Close, Four Lane Ends, Blackburn, decided to
A 16-YEAR-OLD has organised a charity lunch in aid of Cancer Research UK after watching her mother battle ovarian cancer. Nichola Barnes will be rustling up a ploughman's lunch at Blackburn Ragged School on May 10. She decided to organise the event with
HOSPITALS in East Lancashire have fared well in a snap inspection looking at conditions for patients. Inspectors from PEAT, Patient Environment Assessment Team, dropped in at Burnley General and Blackburn Royal Infirmary to assess several factors crucial
FOR some time now it has been the tradition that members of staff from Westleigh High School take on Westleigh Warriors Basketball Team at some point during the school year. This year was no exception and, as there are now two members of Leigh Centurions
ANIMAL welfare experts have welcomed a move to introduce a live 'theatre arena' by the controversial new owners of Blackpool Zoo. As reported in The Citizen (March 13), Grant Leisure Group Ltd have taken over the organisation and development of the resort's
BLACKPOOL'S most famous hotel has been dubbed a 'retirement home' which 'smells of cabbage' by a London travel critic. The Observer newspaper sank its teeth into the town's tourist trade in a snooty two-page article prompted by the new air link-up with
MYSTERY still surrounds the circumstances in which a Blackpool man ended up with a life-threatening head injury, detectives have admitted. Jonathan George Key, 42, of Withnell Road, Blackpool, was found unconscious on Middle Walk off Blackpool Promenade
IT was one of the longest band names in history. Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich were like the seven dwarves of the '60s pop scene -- everyone knew them, but nobody could remember exactly what order they went in. Dave recalls: "It was the band name
IRECEIVED another little gem through the post this week, one which brought information of terrific interest to jazz aficionados. It came in the shape of a new magazine; well, not exactly a new publication but one which has gone distinctly upmarket as
EVELYN Glennie's is an amazing story. Profoundly deaf since the age of 12, she has gone on to become one of the world's leading percussionists in a field where few had attempted to play solo before. Not content to rest on her laurels, though, Evelyn is
WHEN Astley girl Doris Parry told her family that she planned to marry her RAF sweetheart Jack Sexton after a few months of whirlwind courtship, she was warned that it would not last. But on Jack and Doris have continued to prove the doubters wrong by
TWO of three brothers who fought police have each been jailed for six months. David and Lee Webb were jailed for their part in the violent assault on two police officers but a third brother, John Webb, received a community penalty. The brothers from Hindley
EURO MP Terry Wynn is urging Leigh people to support the bold Sports Village bid for Pennington. He is calling on residents to write to Wigan Council expressing their support for the £75m project which will give the town a new Sixth Form college, a 10,000
LABOUR party chiefs admitted they had failed to get their message across in Burnley after the BNP took six new seats. The far right party now holds eight seats and MP Peter Pike and council leader Stuart Caddy both said the failure was the reason why
WHEN it comes to friendship Dot Ainsworth is double tops. The Leigh darter has organised a competition in memory of county player Joan Sanders who recently died at the age of 63. The individual ladies' charity competition for The Joan Sanders Memorial
LEIGH MP Andy Burnham has accused United Utilities of breaking its pledges. He says the water company promised that they would pull out all stops to complete roadworks at Tamar junction between Leigh and Hindley Green which are creating chaos for motorists
LABOUR lost their grip in South Ribble last night as three of their seats were snatched away -- leaving the Tories the largest party on the council. It is not clear whether the result will mean Labour councillor Howard Gore will be ousted from his position
HELP is at hand for older carers in the community. Wigan and Leigh Scope is producing a database for social services so families can be consulted about future services and projects being developed in the borough. It is estimated that one in seven people
IT is almost a year since Rossendale Borough Council was named the worst local authority in the country after a disastrous Audit Commission report. The beleaguered authority drafted interim chief executive James Gravenor in to sort things out. Nine months
COUNCIL leader Peter Smith gave his end of the year state of the borough address at the final council meeting of the year. Lord Smith said the most notable achievement was being assessed as an excellent council -- the best in the North West. He also referred
THE Mayor of Rossendale is urging people in the valley to take part in his end-of-term charity triathlon next week. Musbury Fabrics, Holcombe Road, Helmshore, have sponsored the event by providing t-shirts for all participants. The triathlon will be held
GULF war hero Lee Foster is expected back home. The 19-years-old paratrooper struck down by a mystery virus just before Easter was this week back at his Dover base after recuperating in Cyprus. He was yesterday being assessed by medics and should now
A 42-year-old motorcyclist was taken to hospital with back injuries after a collision. The accident happened at 5.55pm on Tuesday in Manchester Road, outside the Red Hall Hotel, Shuttleworth. A Vauxhall Vectra, driven by a 25-year-old Liverpool man was
NINE out of ten families will be better off under the new tax credit system. Leigh MP Andy Burnham has commended the new system of tax creditsand wants to emphasise the importance of claiming Tax Credits which people are entitled to. Child tax guarantees
A VINTAGE bus will be making its way to Darwen after a 23-year spell in Malta as part of a bid to help rekindle town pride. And the journey back to East Lancashire is set to mirror the adventures of Sir Cliff Richard in the 1963 hit film Summer Holiday
THE Brewsters Bear has more of a reason to be happy and entertain the kids as the Parsonage Way, Leigh, restaurant Brewsters have received a prestigious award for the most 'Parent Friendly Restaurant in the UK'. Brewsters beat off other competitors for
A SURGE of generosity meant a leading charity shop had to close its doors to donations - because they were blocking a fire escape. Age Concern on Market Street, Darwen, became so full that the team of two paid staff and 15 volunteers put a bar on donations
DARWEN firefighters are holding a special talk for children at the Sure Start nursery on Tuesday. Three and four-year-olds at the Lord Street centre will have the opportunity to sit in a fire engine and learn what firefighters do. Sub-officer Steve Ryan
FAR reaching consequences of the divorce of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon where revealed by Brian Dixon when he addressed Culcheth WI. Cheshire Federation member Jill Holman explained the work of Associated Countrywomen of the World, to which the
ONE of Leigh's best known publicans has died at the age of 86. Mrs Gladys Meadows, of Stringer Street, ran the Live and Let Live, the Queens Arms Hotel and the Boars Head with her late husband Harry. After retirement she helped with relief duties at The
LEIGH Zodiacs trainer Elaine Sutton was overwhelmed with the response to her plea for a new venue for practising. "I'd like to thank everyone who offered to help," said Elaine who has accepted Norma Appleyard's offer to use the Apple Dance Centre in Twist
A LEIGH store has launched a Buy British campaign to support local farmers. Asda is to promote British meat and dairy products with the aim of increasing sales for farm suppliers and educating shoppers about where their food comes from. Leigh general
LEIGH Townswomen's Guild have two contrasting meetings during May. On the 6th fire safety officer Mick Entwistle will speak on his work while on the 13th Susan Morris' will give a macrame demonstration. Both meetings are in the Derby Room at Leigh Library
PET lovers are asked to step forward and help abandoned animals. The Leigh and district branch of Petsearch (UK) is organising a sponsored dog walk in Pennington Country Park, Leigh, on the evening of Wednesday, June 25. For sponsorship forms or further
THE troubled Silentnight beds to furniture group has announced losses of £11.2 million for 2002 compared with a £12 million profit the previous year. The Salterforth-based company blamed the losses on its furniture division and confirmed it would close
STEVE Davis has described being released from Burnley as the lowest point of his career. The Clarets defender was one of 13 players told by manager Stan Ternent that they would not be offered new contracts. Graham Branch and Drissa Diallo are the only
OLD soldiers and young cadets gathered in Bury to pay their respects to the bravery of eleven Lancashire Fusilier officers and 350 of their men who died on the beaches of Gallipoli in Turkey on April 25, 1915. The annual Gallipoli Service and Parade is
In August 1831, one of Britain's worst shipwrecks took the lives of 100 passengers within sight of the Welsh coast. Almost a quarter of the victims were trippers from Bury -- including well-known local figures such as Lord Derby's land-agent. In its day
TWO men involved with counterfeit CDs have been convicted by Bury magistrates. The court heard that Paul Frankland, of Herbert Street, Radcliffe, was caught after Bury trading standards officers carried out checks at a car boot sale. Although the CDs
A NEW A-Z of how to organise a community event safely and properly has been launched in Bury. The Events Guidance document is packed with information covering everything from a basic checklist to event risk assessment, safety, useful telephone numbers
COLLECTOR Ann Arnold opened her boxes of memories for Culcheth WI. The contents revealed treasures from the past including voluminous bloomers, terrifying corsets, dainty handkerchiefs, nylons from the 40s and toilet paper varying from newspaper squares
A BLACKPOOL man who provided cheap cigarettes for street sellers on the resort's Golden Mile has been forced to hand over more than £100,000 he made from smuggling. Alexander Gordon Paton, 53, of Woodfield Road, Blackpool, also faces 12 months in jail
A SMOULDERING cigarette could have sparked an 'intense' fire which killed a Blackpool man at the weekend. The man, who has not been named, suffered burns and smoke inhalation after flames swept through his Watson Road flat early on Sunday morning. Crews
AN OPEN day and craft fair takes place on Monday (May 5) at the Wyre Estuary Country Park ecology centre, River Road, Stanah, from 11am-4pm. Attractions include craft stalls, children's games, displays and demonstrations, plus a guided walk with a countryside
THE Wigan Pier Theatre Company is presenting a new musical by Ian Hayles "20th Century.co.uk". The show, directed by Stewart Aitken in The Museum of Memories, is part of the Wigan Pier Experience and will run until the end of October. Performances of
LABOUR lost their grip in South Ribble last night as three of their seats were snatched away -- leaving the Tories the largest party on the council. It is not clear whether the result will mean Labour councillor Howard Gore will be ousted from his position
ACCRINGTON'S South African professional Andre Seymour sees their clash with Lowerhouse as a chance for the side to extend a winning run. Lowerhouse are yet to win in the Lancashire League, while Accrington go into the game on the back of an impressive
CLITHEROE face a tough trip to early table toppers Settle on Saturday in the Jennings Ribblesdale Cricket League. The Chatburn Road side lie fourth and just three points adrift of the leaders. They could have closed the gap on Settle last weekend after
DARWEN face two difficult fixtures in the Northern Premier League in the space for three days according to their chairman Peter Lamster. The team entertain Lancaster tomorrow before travelling to Kendal-based Netherfield on Monday. "I don't think there
STEVE Davis has described being released from Burnley as the lowest point of his career. The Clarets defender was one of 13 players told by manager Stan Ternent that they would not be offered new contracts. Graham Branch and Drissa Diallo are the only
STAN Ternent has revealed his hands were tied by the financial plight of the club, leaving him with no choice but to release 13 players from the club. The Burnley boss promised a summer shake-up after last week's 7-2 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday
BURNLEY could be watched by the lowest league crowd in their post-war history at Wimbledon on Sunday. At least two Clarets supporters' clubs voted to boycott the game in protest at Wimbledon's takeover and forthcoming move to Milton Keynes. The Clarets
TWO homes in Prestwich were raided by police on Wednesday as part of a synchronised dawn swoop by 250 police. And yesterday, Delroy Oswald Edwards (41) was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs after being arrested at a house in Sherbourne Court
MAKING their rivals green with envy is Bury-based Greenpower Technologies, Ltd. The company, which is making Bury more environmentally friendly, has won the Bolton and Bury Chamber Greening the Supply Chain Award. Greenpower, which supplies energy saving
A NEW project to protect and conserve plants and wildlife for future generations has been launched at Glazebury. The Greater Manchester Biodiversity Project was unveiled at a special event at Windy Bank, where 47-hectares of former farmland is being transformed
THE pioneering spirit of Atherton businesswoman Vicky Mannion has been regally recognised. Vicky's enterprise and expertise was rewarded when ground breaking travel firm Travel Counsellors received the Queen's Award for Enterprise as part of Her Majesty's
A TAXI driver was dragged from his car and punched during a late night road rage attack, a court was told. Carlo Carta beat taxi driver Richard Knight and then snatched the keys from the ignition and drove off. Carta, whose brother owned a rival taxi
ATHERTON Team Five starred last Thursday in a final presentation showcasing their achievements as Groundwork's Prince's Trust Volunteers during their 12-weeks Personal Development Programme challenge. The 16-25 year-olds were given the opportunity at
PARISHIONERS have won the first round of a fight to remove a yellow peril from outside their church. Since double lines appeared outside St Paul's, Westleigh, as part of a school safety scheme, the congregation has been forced to park in nearby streets
TWO families whose behaviour condemned neighbours to months of misery have been evicted from their homes. The families of 37-year-old Linda Grimshaw, of Grosvenor Road, and Deborah Pasquill, 44, of Hulme Road, both Leigh, share a history of involvement
THE best of Lancashire food and drink was on offer at Northcote Manor, Langho, when producers showcased their products. Chef Nigel Haworth sampled specialities including R.S. Ireland of Rossendale's black puddings.
OVER 40 DJs will be attending Lowton Civic Centre on Friday for the annual Northern Soul fundraiser. The DJs will play a mix of modern soul, Northern Soul, R&B and reggae. There will be a £5 charge for adults, but children under 16 can attend free
LEIGH Zodiacs trainer Elaine Sutton was overwhelmed with the response to her plea for a new venue for practising. "I'd like to thank everyone who offered to help," said Elaine who has accepted Norma Appleyard's offer to use the Apple Dance Centre in Twist
LEIGH Townswomen's Guild have two contrasting meetings during May. On the 6th fire safety officer Mick Entwistle will speak on his work while on the 13th Susan Morris' will give a macrame demonstration. Both meetings are in the Derby Room at Leigh Library
RESIDENTS in Kelbrook could see their village undergo a transformation, with a new parking area and extension to the village hall. Two applications, on behalf of Kelbrook and Sough Village Hall, will be considered by the West Craven Committee on Tuesday
ONE hundred years after the 6-0 FA Cup Final win over Derby County, Bury FC fans marked the centenary of one of the most significant events in the history of the mighty Shakers by walking to Rochdale, raising funds and having a laugh along the way. Forever
I RECENTLY took my daughter to Elton Reservoir to feed the ducks. Someone had obviously had a picnic and had left cans and plastic bags strewn around. If people can't keep places tidy they should leave them for people who appreciate them. DISAPPOINTED
VISITORS to Radcliffe cemetery were shocked on Tuesday to discover dozens of headstones flattened. One woman even rang the police to compain about "vandalism" to more than 70 graves. In fact, the headstones had been laid flat after an urgent council review
RAMSBOTTOM is making the final preparations for its May Day celebrations. The town will hold a host of events for four days from Friday to Monday. A French farmers market, markets and craft fairs have been planned. Crowds will be entertained by Maypole
COMMUNITY and voluntary groups in Pendle are being invited to attend a funding workshop on Tuesday, at Brierfield Town Hall, from 11am to 1.30pm. Groups attending the workshop will get an insight into the various types of funding that are available to
CHILDREN who go shopping with their parents in the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre, Nelson, this month will be invited to join in a programme of activities. Activities tomorrow will include free face painting between 10am and 4pm. There will be a workshop
SHAKERS boss Andy Preece reckons his charges already have a psychological edge on their play-off rivals. If, as expected, Scunthorpe, Bournemouth and Lincoln all hold on to their top seven spots during the final weekend of the regular season, then Bury
IT may be party time at Gigg Lane on Saturday but Andy Preece will accept nothing other than another passionate performance. Visitors Wrexham will have their foot firmly off the pedal after already clinching promotion while Shakers avoided the dreaded
A MAN who called at a late-night garage for some cigarettes ended up being attacked with an iron bar, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Andrew John Alexander Davis, 43, got arrested but had been injured and was agitated and upset. Davis,
A DRUNKEN man sat down in the road as police escorted Sheffield Wednesday supporters to their train on Saturday, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Philip Armstrong, 32, came out of his Burnley home and was abusive and swearing. The defendant
A 21-YEAR-OLD man has appeared before Burnley magistrates after a pensioner was allegedly hit by a flying ashtray, thrown from the beer garden of a town centre pub. Anthony Clark, of Brunshaw Road, Burnley, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm and
A POLICE officer who led the search for a ten-year-old missing schoolboy in Burnley has praised the community for their help. Sean James Wheeler, of Manchester Road, Burnley, sparked the search when he failed to return from Coal Clough Primary School.
DEFLATED West Brom manager Gary Megson is wishing away the rest of the season -- so the club can launch their bid to return to the Premier League. The Baggies' loose grip on top-flight survival was ended after only one season just over a week ago and
BLACKBURN Rovers are urging fans to 'get down early' for tomorrow's final home game of the season against West Bromwich Albion. Ewood officials have got a variety of events orgainsed before kick-off and they don't want fans to miss out. Presentations
CONFIDENCE is sky high as National League Division One leaders Leigh Centurions expect to make it a hat-trick of league wins when they visit Batley Bulldogs on Sunday. Back-to-back Easter wins over Hull KR and Whitehaven have put the Centurions top of
IF the far-right British National Party's ground-breaking three-seat victory in Burnley last year was a shock, then its grasp last night of six seats to become the second-largest party on the council can only be described as startling. But it is stark
ROSSENDALE'S first ever Liberal Democrat councillor could find himself playing kingmaker after the 2003 elections left Rossendale a hung council. Along with independent Alan Neal, Lib Dem Philip Young could hand either the Tories or Labour control after
SEX, jealousy, intrigue and violence... who would have thought Blackpool's Grand Theatre could be home to all this? But the resort's grandest theatre will be hosting the sinfully gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller, Bad Blood. Starring a host of top
NATURAL Born Mincer started out with such promise as colourful camp commando -- Julian Clary -- emerged from the wings on a giant motorised stiletto. Decked out in an impossibly tight corset, thigh-length lace up platform boots and a floral headdress
LEIGH East Councillor Brian Jarvis was so confident his wife, Barbara, would join him on Wigan Council that he bought her a car to cover the sprawling Leigh Council ward. And former care worker Barbara repaid his trust by walking away with the seat for
IN your article (LET, April 24) about house prices near the M65 Services development at Darwen, planning chairman Councillor Frank Connor says that local residents have been kept informed along every step of the way of this development. Residents were
I, FOR ONE, object to Blackburn householders being called lazy by the man in charge of cleaning the streets (LET, April 24). The rubbish that accumulates in our back street (Lois Place/Midsummer Street) is blown by the wind from the bottom of the Edmondson
REGARDING the disposal of industrial waste, why must a business which already pays a minimum of double the cost of domestic rates then have to pay extra to have commercial waste removed? Surely, a business should at least have one bin of rubbish removed
Tell Clive Dinsdale that the future is Futsal and you would be preaching to the converted. For while the FA has at last officially recognised the indoor football game of Futsal, Clive has been singing its praises for the best part of a decade. And you
Kiko Rodriguez has scored a lot of goals in his time but few can equal the stunning strike that gave Miners a record number of Hospital Cup victories. The big striker's sweet-as-you-like volley finally killed off Padiham hopes -- and guided Miners to
THE winners of this year's Orphanage Cup and the Blackburn Combination champions will play each other to raise funds for a player who broke his neck in a sickening accident last week. United Utilities goalkeeper Philip Sunderland cracked bones in his
ANDREW Ramshead was a double winner in the second round of the Pendle Forest Orienteering Spring Series. For the Northern County Primary School pupil won both the White Course and Yellow Course events at Thompson Park in Burnley to make an early push
ONE of the most enduring and influential pop bands of the glam rock era take to the stage in Preston as part of their first nationwide tour in 30 years. The Sweet took the pop charts by storm in the '70s with their androgynous good looks and guitar crunching
IRECEIVED another little gem through the post this week, one which brought information of terrific interest to jazz aficionados. It came in the shape of a new magazine; well, not exactly a new publication but one which has gone distinctly upmarket as
LEIGH seconds won the toss and chose to bat on a wicket, which had been used the previous week and allowed more than 400 runs to be scored on it. Neil Williams and Michael Bond opened the innings for Leigh and put on 19 before Bond was bowled attempting
ASTLEY & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway entertained Hull at Gin Pit on Sunday in a British Team Championship, Preliminary Round match. A & T gave debuts to all round cyclists Chris Furber and James Griffin following impressive performances in Tuesday
Tuesday: Group "A" - Atherton Liberals "B" 206, Leigh Bowling "A" 172; Gardeners "B" 196, Leigh Rugby Union 180; Leigh Bowling "B" 238, Atherton Conservatives 210; Leigh Liberals 248, Tyldesley Conservatives 212. Group "B" - Astley & Tyldesley "A"
IF the far-right British National Party's ground-breaking three-seat victory in Burnley last year was a shock, then its grasp last night of six seats to become the second-largest party on the council can only be described as startling. But it is stark
LEIGH Ospreys Junior Angling Club enjoyed two Easter fixtures at Partridge Fisheries thanks to owner David Ikin. The first match, on the Pine Canal, was won by new member Joe Grainey who netted 29-0-0. In second place was Michael McGrath with 27-12-0
