ONE of the Prime Minister's closest political friends dropped into Blackburn to see how reforms were speeding up the justice system in East Lancashire. Lord Falconer, a former flatmate of Tony Blair and Secretary of State of the Department for Constitutional
I AM trying to locate an old friend, Tony Pickering, who was stationed at Apeldoorn in Holland from 1973 to 76 when he was in the Army. The last address I have for him was in Sandon Street, Darwen. J A G KLOPMAN, J Wagenaarlaan 12, 7333E Apeldoorn, Holland
REGARDING your report (LET, July 7) on a suspected arson attack on a row of shops in Nelson town centre, having run a shop there from 1987-1993, we sold up in March this year and moved to Scotland. Frankly, after the Grand Cinema fire, the Rose cafe fire
WE are currently researching material for a book on the Lancashire film and music hall comedian, Frank Randle. It is not intended to be in-depth, but more a collection of stories, anecdotes and the like. There are countless stories of Randle's antics
REGARDING your report (LET, July 4) on the redevelopment plan for Blackburn Cathedral grounds, as a former resident of Blackburn and someone who has never lost my strong ties to it, I feel very strongly about its current state. I think that this level
BLACKBURN defender Lucas Neill today said Rovers would face an impossible task in trying to replace Damien Duff if he ever moved to Chelsea. New Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has already had two official bids rejected for the Republic of Ireland winger
AN early-hours chip shop raider caught by police climbing out of the window was today starting a 12 month jail term. Burnley Crown Court heard how the targeted property, in Padiham, had living quarters above and the owner, who was in bed, could have come
A DRUG-addicted mother of two used her baby's pram as a cover to go out stealing, Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told how pregnant Clare Myra Forbes, 22, a heroin addict since she was 15, used the pram to hide goods when she went shoplifting
TALENTED Ibrahim Ali said the secret of his award-winning curries was to treat them like a woman...with lots of tender, loving care. And Ibrahim has revealed the unique recipe which won him the prestigious title of Burnley's Curry King Champion. An official
IT'S taken six months, but residents are finally celebrating the start of work to repair their sinking street. People living in Coal Clough Lane close to its junction with Burnham Gate, Burnley, said they were delighted to see workmen after waiting for
PENDLE Council staff will be looking cool for the benefit of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. People up and down the country will be invited to have fun by wearing their shades at work, at school or at play in return for donating a £1 towards
A PROUD father today spoke of his determination for his cricketing son's memory to live on through disadvantaged children -- ten years after he died. A charity cricket match in memory of former Lancashire player Ian Folley is expected to bring together
I WONDER what Tony Blair thinks about each night between watching Coronation Street, checking his Lottery tickets and helping Cherie with the dishes? I'll take an educated guess. He's probably wondering how the hell he can have gone from being "St Anthony
A MAN aged 22 who had sex with a schoolgirl while drunk has avoided going to escaped jail -- even though a judge told him what he had done was not allowed. Martin Corbett was found guilty by a Burnley Crown Court jury of unlawful sexual intercourse, after
NEW rules have been introduced to encourage householders in Pendle to recycle more of their rubbish. Household Waste Recycling Centres at Regent Street, Colne, and West Close, Barnoldswick, are now open 8am to 7pm, 362 days a year and extra staff have
TWO women who were made redundant from their long-term jobs are in line for a top business award, after setting up their own company in Barnoldswick. Friends Sue Rushton, 51, and Clare Heppenstall, 24, were delighted to hear their business Labelistic
IN TWO months we have received 150 nominations for our Pride of East Lancashire Awards -- but we need more. This is the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's biggest ever community campaign and we want to have as much to celebrate as possible so we need your
POLICE investigating an indecent assault on a 12-year-old boy in a car park toilet say they have had a good response to an appeal for information., But they would still like to hear from a man who they believe witnessed the attack. Officers at Accrington
A BID to recreate the famous Hollywood sign above Accrington has fallen at the first hurdle - after competition judges said it would cost too much. And the scheme for a piece of art on the Coppice was hit by controversy today when Hyndburn Council leader
THURSDAY, JULY 17 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohens Chemist, 63 Whalley Range; To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive; Healthbook
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy
MONDAY, JULY 14 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst
TUESDAY, JULY 15 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver
The Saturday Interview IF there is one thing York City have long been short of it is brass. The Minstermen have often found themselves wheeling and dealing on a wafer-thin budget, while dangling dangerously close to expulsion from the Football League
MICKEY Phelan believes Burnley can transform Luke Chadwick from a rough diamond into a priceless signing. Former Clarets defender Phelan, now first team coach at Manchester United, still sees Chadwick as a potential future Old Trafford star. And he reckons
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl battling a rare growth disease faces a struggle to attend hospital after her father was made redundant. The family of Caitlin Jones revealed how she brought tears to her father's eyes by offering him her £2.36 savings after he lost
YOUNG people are to be encouraged to put forward ideas for Rossendale's future development as part of a report to be assessed by the Audit Commission. Members of Rossendale Youth Council will be invited to get involved in the Comprehensive Performance
A NEW guide to encourage more tourists to check out Blackburn has been launched. The Blackburn with Darwen Visitors Guide will be distributed to 500 tourist and county information centres across the UK. A total of 30,000 of the 64-page booklets have been
THE long-awaited £100 million sale of Blackburn's shopping centre has been completed. And the new owners have promised improvements will be on the way. London-based Reit Asset Management finally waded through a 'marathon of paperwork' to finalise one
A 'CEREAL' e-bay user has sold a cornflake promoted by his pet parrot for £20. Stephen Riley regularly takes part in e-bay's RTDC (Round Table Daft Competition) which involves frequent users auctioning something worthless. Previous lots have included
RUBBISH inspectors have been giving up tricks of their trade by giving householders lessons in how to pack their dustbins in a bid to encourage more recycling. The visits have left residents on one Blackburn housing estate gobsmacked, and they have now
BENEFIT bosses have been criticised for not sending apology letters to 400 pensioners who feared an administrative blunder would leave them penniless. And officials have been ordered to stop trying to find other authorities to compare their performance
CHORLEY Lynx will be looking to consolidate their position in the play-off places in National League Division Two when they entertain lowly Workington Town at Victory Park tomorrow (3pm). In their last outing two weeks ago, Lynx had an excellent 29-14
SUPERBIKE ace Neil Hodgson has admitted he fancies making a sensational switch to Grand Prix racing next season. The Burnley bike legend heads for California's Laguna Seca this weekend hoping to take another vital step towards his first ever World Superbike
IT is bad enough that 400 old folk in East Lancashire were left in fear of being left penniless after a blunder over their claims for benefits. But it is downright insulting that the council involved thinks it is too much trouble to apologise to them
with the Rev Kevin Logan, Vicar of Christ Church, Accrington. BUSINESS as usual at my umpteenth community meeting. Litter louts drop wrecked cars in gutter alongside squashed fag ends. Apprentice arsonists hone skills on yet another of our derelict terraces
Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY I LOVE old railway lines and enjoy following footpaths close to them. I often write in these columns of strolls along the tracks close to steam railways. The linear trail following the disused track between Colne and
The dancing talents of schoolgirl Sophie Towers have won her a scholarship at a prestigious ballet school. She spoke to JENNY SCOTT SOPHIE Towers will always remember the first time she went to see the Royal Ballet perform in London. Not only was she
A MAN punched a civilian jailer through a hatch in the cell door after being told it was not possible for him to make a phone call. Blackburn magistrates heard that the female jailer was struck on the collar bone but did not need medical attention. Colin
A TEAM of 46 helped transform a derelict area of land into a garden in just two weeks. The project was part of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Prince's Trust Volunteers programme which aimed to help youngsters develop their teamwork skills and build confidence
WHEN the BNP took the Mill Hill Ward in Blackburn the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's headline was 'Shameful.' Well, I'm a BNP supporter and, in my opinion, I've nothing to be ashamed of. The people who should be ashamed are the inept liberal do-gooders
NOT drum was heard, not a funeral note, as the cultural heart was untimely ripped from a community. I refer, of course, to the closure and demolition of 'Sutty's' nightclub, in Mill Hill, Blackburn. I suppose it is a measure of the local authorities and
REGARDING the sacking of Mick Spencer as lead singer of The Burn (LET, July 3), how disappointed I am that he has left the band. As a follower of The Burn from the outset, watching them in the clubs and pubs around Blackburn, to me Mick has always been
A PROUD father today spoke of his determination for his cricketing son's memory to live on through disadvantaged children -- ten years after he died. A charity cricket match in memory of former Lancashire player Ian Folley is expected to bring together
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl battling a rare growth disease faces a struggle to attend hospital after her father was made redundant. The family of Caitlin Jones revealed how she brought tears to her father's eyes by offering him her £2.36 savings after he lost
POLICE are appealing for information after a 24-year-old woman went missing and has not been seen for ten days. Karen Coyne has been missing from her home in Spenser Street, Padiham, since Wednesday, July 2. She was last seen at around 11pm leaving Burnley
A PUBLIC Inquiry over United Utilities' plans to create a wind farm at Clowbridge is expected to start later this year. And today it was revealed that a re-submitted planning application for the scheme is set to be heard at the end of this month. The
A GROUP of four children from Barrowford dug out their unwanted toys and raised £71.08 for Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle. Katie, 11 and Emily Walker, nine, Tom Parkin, eight and Carl Jameson, 11, who live in Shap Close, held the stall at the end
A MOTHER who kept the rotting carcasses of two dead rabbits at her house has been banned from keeping animals for five years. Magistrates said they were "absolutely appalled", by the offences committed by Victoria Spiers, who admitted charges of causing
MOTORBIKE enthusiasts from across the country have raised money in memory of a friend who lost his battle against cancer. Derek Morley helped the East Lancashire branch of the Chopper Club raise money for Derian House children's hospice, Chorley. But
SUNDAY, JULY 13 BLACKBURN: 10am-1pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrug Pharmacy, 5 Stonybutts; noon-1pm: Moss Pharmacy, 53 Fishmoor Drive. DARWEN: noon-1pm: Boots Chemist, 8 Market Street. ACCRINGTON: 11am-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy
FRIDAY, JULY 18 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst
NEARLY 50 per cent of UK households can now access the internet from their homes. According to the Government's Expenditure and Food Survey, an estimated 11.7 million households can browse the web. And in the first three months of the year 54 per cent
MICKEY Phelan believes Burnley can transform Luke Chadwick from a rough diamond into a priceless signing. Former Clarets defender Phelan, now first team coach at Manchester United, still sees Chadwick as a potential future Old Trafford star. And he reckons
BLACKBURN defender Lucas Neill today said Rovers would face an impossible task in trying to replace Damien Duff if he ever moved to Chelsea. New Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has already had two official bids rejected for the Republic of Ireland winger
STAFF at Rossendale Council have been rewarded for learning new skills to help them communicate with deaf people. Four members of staff from the council took part in a course by HearFirst, a Bacup-based deaf and disability awareness training company.
A FIRE chief today told how a man could have been killed in a blaze if it wasn't for his smoke alarm. Sub Officer Nigel Boden said crews were called to a first-floor flat in Bury Road, Rawtenstall, at 11.13pm yesterday. The blaze started when the owner
RESIDENTS in Bacup and Whitworth are being urged to share their views on issues which concern them. Rossendale Council's Area Forum meetings are already proving a big success with the first two gatherings in Haslingden and Rawtenstall having attracted
RESIDENTS are being asked to join in the fight against crime in Blackburn and Darwen's parks by using them more Council bosses have urged people who may have been put off by stories of sometimes horrific crimes in the area's green spots to go out and
EDUCATION staff are going to 'university' to learn new approaches to teaching. Now Blackburn with Darwen Council is acknowledging achievements by holding the University of The First Age Celebration Event. Primary and secondary teachers, school staff and
EAST Lancashire teachers have joined forces to slam proposals by the government on teacher workloads. The National Union of Teacher representatives chose not to sign the Department for Education and Skills proposals. It is a stance against the position
A RETIRED teacher has taken a trip back in time through eight generations of her family. And Anne Park has now published a book charting the family history of some of East Lancashire's popular names. She began the book charting the Sefton family when
PSYCHIATRISTS examining one of Britain's most notorious conmen could end up being duped just like his victims, a barrister has warned. Paul Bint - branded "King Con" for his long string of outrageous confidence tricks - faces prison for posing as a top
STAR striker Lutel James has handed Accrington Stanley a massive Conference boost by signing a new two-year deal. Former Bury ace James saw his contract expire last season after his 36 goals helped fire Stanley to the UniBond Premier League title. Since
with KINGFISHER THE capture of a 14lb barbel, from the Balderstone stretch of the Ribble, will ensure that plenty of anglers descend on the North's premier river this weekend. It was taken from the Warrington Anglers stretch from where the same angler
