CHRISTMAS comes but once a year for some people and it can't come fast enough, but for others, it shouldn't come at all. Tree to be put up, presents to buy, turkey to be cooked, with all the trimmings of course. But what happens to all the people who
FORMER Prestwich schoolboy Paul Tierney has made his first team debut for Manchester United. The 21-year-old played in the centre of the Reds defence in their Carling Cup game with West Bromwich Albion, which they lost 2-0., Paul, a former head boy at
I WOULD say 99 per cent of drivers will agree with Eddie Duxbury's letter regarding speed cameras. There is no way the authorities can say that the latest money-making yellow boxes to spring up are in accident blackspots. It's the same as the speed humps
I BELIEVE that wind power is essential if we are to combat the negative environmental effects of global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO) is the most important of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. In the UK we currently emit 560 tonnes of CO
A GUARANTEED £11.4 million down payment has been promised to boost college facilities and kick-start the £75 million Leigh Sports Village project. Minister for Education and Skills Ivan Lewis was at Wigan and Leigh College's Marshall Street campus last
WHETHER you believe in mediums or not, Derek Acorah's show is compelling theatre. His army of fans ensured two sell-out gigs at Blackpool's Grand Theatre. I was at the Thursday one, which was a lot of fun (if that's the right word for a show starring
FOUR people have been arrested in Bury in the first week of the police Christmas drink-driving campaign. A total of 44 motorists were breathalysed at the scene of road accidents or after being stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink
BURY guide dog owners are being offered a ticket to ride as First signs up to the Guide Dog Travel Charter. The Charter is a good practice guide launched by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association as part of its 'Access for All' campaign. This is aimed
A MOTORCYCLIST from Radcliffe died instantly when he collided with a cement mixer. Mr Christopher Brophy (35) suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Trafford Park on Friday morning. The accident happened at 6.20am
POPPY Appeal organisers in Ramsbottom have blasted thieves as "heartless" after they stole two collection boxes. The boxes were stolen during Remembrance Week from two shops in Bridge Street. Mr Eric Holdsworth from the Royal British Legion, which co-ordinates
CRICKET-loving vicar Rev Hugh Bearn had memories of a maiden bowling him over as he earned the dubious honour of a "Golden Duck Award". Mr Bearn, of St Anne's Church, Tottington, collected a first ball dismissal in the Manchester Diocesan Cricket Club's
COMMUNITY groups can grab a hi-tech chance to bring in vital funding from outside the borough. Bury Council has launched a unique web site service called E'GRAB, which stands for Electronic Grant Resources Available for Bury. It is designed to be a single
SMITTEN Will Young fan Anna Waters was sitting alongside her idol as he clinched the number one spot. The 15-year-old, of Scholes Lane, Prestwich, was present as it was announced live on air that Will was top of the pops with the song Leave Right Now.
COUNCIL leaders are searching for money to make sure that fewer girls become very young mums. A special grant which funds Bury's teenage pregnancy strategy will no longer be available after 2006. With no guarantee of whether the shortfall will be made
SOCIAL services bosses are taking action as budget projections show them slipping into the red. After six months, the department is on course to overspend by £1.5 million, up £200,000 from September's figure. A project board and four working groups have
LOCAL clergymen have joined the Bishop of Manchester in condemning a poster showing baby Jesus wearing a Father Christmas-style hat. The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch has led a chorus of disapproval against the billboard image produced by the Churches Advertising
BURY North MP David Chaytor has given his mark of approval for the voting age to be lowered to 16. He has welcomed the Prime Minister's strongest signal yet that he is sympathetic to a change in the laws, which currently prevents anyone under the age
I write concerning an important issue which needs to be addressed in our community. Picture the scene. It's time to eat and you are sitting in someones brand spanking new front room. The food has been served and you sit patiently waiting for someone to
GERMAN defender Sebastian Pelzer has quit Blackburn Rovers. I can reveal that the 23-year-old full-back has returned to his native homeland where he has joined German lower division outfit Trier. Pelzer, a £50,000 capture from Kaiserslautern 18 months
A PRESTON actress made her screen debut this week in a new reality television show with a twist. Melanie Ash is one of six people thrown together in a 'Big Brother' style apartment for the new Channel 4 television series Bedsitcom. But unbeknown to three
MUSIC 'legend' Harold Dearden and his skiffle group has finally been recognised after 50 years of gigging. The Ramblin' Riversiders, from Preston, who scooped the title of best band at the Missouri Valley Festival in America, are hoping to appear on the
MANAGERS of the city centre post office are calling on council chiefs to repair faulty street lighting after complaints from pensioners struggling to find their way in the dark. Fasel Mansoor, manager of Keybase who run the Theatre Street post office,
ORGANISERS of a new exhibition are calling on residents to root through their family albums to find pictures taken by a local photographer. It comes as staff at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery put together a display of pictures by Preston photographer
HARD-UP fashion students have been packing bags at a Preston supermarket to raise funds for Graduate Fashion Week, in London, next year. The University of Central Lancashire students are hoping their fundraising stunt will catch the eye of kind-hearted
DETECTIVES investigating a terrifying arson attack on a mum and her teenage daughter are appealing for help to trace a car used in the incident. Julie Ingram was on her way back to her home in Ebor Street, in Burnley, when she saw a man outside her door
TRANSPORT bosses are hoping to stop yobs loitering round a new bus station - by blasting them with classical music. Passengers using Burnley's new station will now be able to catch Debussy as well as the bus -- along with other composers like Handel,
BURY could be down to the bare bones for Saturday's eagerly-awaited derby clash against Rochdale at Gigg Lane (3pm). A flu bug has decimated the squad this week with no fewer than six players suffering. Add to those half dozen the injured duo of Harpal
PADDLERS in Pendle have received a £7,000 boost to help fulfil a dream to compete in an unusual watersport. Pendle Paddlers have been handed the lottery cash to buy specialist canoe polo equipment, and the group hopes to launch a squad in the New Year
CATTLE belonging to a Colne farmer won prizes at a Christmas Fatstock Show in Skipton. An animal owned by Matt Townsend, of Barnside Farm, Laneshawbridge, won the best bullock reserve champion and the champion animal in the prime cattle arena at the Craven
THE Minister of Food was planning to de-ration butter, margarine, cheese and cooking fats. The governor of the Fiji Islands had East Lancs connections. Sir Ronald Garvey, who was about to receive the Queen on a Royal visit, had a a father who was formerly
SOLDIER poet Simon Charnley, from Darwen, marched down the aisle. The bard of Bosnia whose poems touched hundreds of hearts across East Lancashire tied the knot with fiancee Louise Yates just after returning from war-torn Yugoslavia. A clown vicar arrived
A TURKEY called Bernard is to be the guest star at special fancy dress Christmas parade...for animals! Bernard will be joined by petting pals including a donkey, llama, rabbit, goats, sheep, horses, ponies and even a parrot at the event at Lords House
AN Accrington school's plan to build a new £2.5million sports hall has been given the go-ahead by planning officials. Work is expected to start on March 22 to create a sports hall measuring 25 metres by 33 metres on land immediately north of St Christopher's
TEACHERS from high schools across East Lancashire are being trained to educate teenagers about drugs issues ahead of a £6million research project which starts in January. They are taking part in 10 two-day courses as part of the Blueprint Research Programme
A NEWLY-FORMED East Lancashire firm is at the heart of a training revolution in the financial centres of the world. The Future Content Company, based at Daisyfield Business Centre, Blackburn, specialises in the development of electronic and online training
SELLING sand to the Middle East must be any salesman's dream. But for one small Padiham company, it represents a major breakthrough in its bid to become a world leader in its field. As its name suggests, Equestrian Surfaces specialises in the development
ONE hundred years ago Orville and Wilbur Wright completed the first controlled powered flight on the windswept sands of North Carolina. The Wright brothers' achievement launched the world into the age of aviation. The North West can boast the first commercial
Taz, the lead singer of pop band Stereo Nation is making the transition from being a multi-million selling pop star to acting in his first film. The suave singer will be starring in a film directed by Piyush Dinkar Pandya, the man who delivered the hilariously
A DOCTOR behaved like an "intemperate bully" the day he attacked two of his staff, a judge said. Dr Rajendra Sinha (56), from Prestwich, was convicted of two offences of common assault after a two-day hearing before Manchester magistrates. Victims Carole
ENVIRONMENT chiefs at Ribble Valley Council today launched their own festive "green" campaign. They are urging residents to bank and not bin their festive food jars and bottles to boost glass recycling. In East Lancashire alone, we are expected to consume
A controversial pyramid money-making scheme which has attracted many members of the community could soon be outlawed. In a bill to be published within days by the Government, Pyramid "gifting" operations such as the 'Hearts' scheme could become illegal
THE Tangerines executed a textbook smash and grab raid at Stockport to proceed to the LDV Vans Trophy Northern area semi-finals. The home side had created a host of chances but deep in injury time, Matthew Blinkhorn nodded the only goal just ten minutes
A VISIONARY Bury businesswoman who pioneered "organic" skincare products when the term was just a word in the dictionary has been rewarded for her foresight. From humble beginnings in her kitchen nearly 20 years ago, Rona Rose's Faith In Nature company
IAN MOORE has revealed that battle-hardened Burnley are finally winning their war of nerves. Clarets striker Moore admits a lack of numbers had Ternent's squad wondering if they could cut the mustard among the First Division big boys. But after confidence-boosting
THE acquisition of Jay McEveley is a welcome tonic to Stan and the troops at a crucial part of the season. It's one more body into the mix when suspensions and injuries on the boggy pitches can start to take their toll. However, it's a bit of a puzzling
DEAR MASSI, I write regarding the letter 'I'm losing all faith in ever pairing off' in Asian Image (issue 69). I have become bored with the whole dating lark. I say this because I have been through it and although I have been asked to get married I have
I have been married for four years and my husband has been very good to me. We have one child. But in the past two months my world has been turned upside down. I have learned that my husband was married before and has fathered a child too. He also goes
A TAPESTRY put together by primary pupils ended a fabulous school tour at Leigh St John's CE Infants on Thursday. Created by artist Anne Smith with youngsters from all 26 schools in Leigh Education Action Zone it has been seen by 7,000 children. But there
KIND-hearted teenage triplets took the plunge to help raise cash to buy their paralysed cousin a new wheelchair. Thirteen-year-olds Catherine, Annamarie and Suzanne Davin went in at the deep end in their fund-raising quest. The Bury trio swam 100 lengths
THERE is no need to ferret around for details of public transport services during the festive break. For Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has just published its annual Christmas and New Year timetable. And GMPTE mascot Mad Ferret
LOCAL council services could win special approval, catapulting the authority up the list of national rankings. Bury Council received a "weak" assessment last December in the Audit Commission's first ever round of council comprehensive performance assessments
CHRISTMAS Metrolink services could be thrown into chaos if drivers vote for strike action in a row over union recognition. Around 100 staff are being balloted and if the result endorses industrial action, then 24-hour stoppages could follow. It is believed
THE public will have a say in the future of hospital services in Bury, the boss of Fairfield vowed this week. In an exclusive interview, Chris Appleby, chief executive of The Pennine Acute Hospital NHS Trust, stressed that no "significant" changes would
RADCLIFFE AC were out at the South-East Lancs Cross-Country fixture at Boggart Hole Clough last Saturday and enjoyed a fair bit of success. In the under under-11 boys race, Jordan Dolan took a fine 5th place, followed in by Matthew Potts in 17th and David
THE ninth annual Rapidplay Congress organised by Bury Chess Club was held at the Elizabethan Suite, Bury Town Hall on Sunday. More than a hundred players contested three sections with total prize money of £761. Competitors, including 24 juniors, travelled
BURY GSOB...0 OLD BOLTS...1 A DEFLECTED 64th minute goal condemned Bury to a fourth successive defeat and plunged them closer to the foot of the table. To make matters worse, third-from-bottom Lymm leapfrogged them with an impressive victory against leaders
"I'VE had a fantastic two years and I'm not too proud to admit I shed a few tears when I left." That was Jody Banim's reaction at leaving Radcliffe Boough for the dizzy heights of the Nationwide Conference and Shrewsbury Town, relegated from the Third
HE came, he saw, he conquered and now unfortunately he's gone, Boro scoring sensation Jody Banim that is, and he'll be sorely missed. However, long serving manager Kevin Glendon, who saw the potential the former Manchester United starlet possessed, as
BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent reckons the capture of Blackburn Rovers rookie Jay McEveley moves him one step closer to assembling a "fantastic side". The Clarets have completed a three-month loan swoop for the teenager, as exclusively revealed in later editions
CYCLE speedway may not be everyone's favourite sport, but Bury has a man to be proud of, award winner Tony Mann. The Bury-Pedalsport founder recently received the Wilkinson Sword Award of Merit, for his services to the sport at its national conference
ADULTS wishing to return to further education but who have children are invited to Darwen Access Point where Darwen Adult Education Centre is running a 15-week Access to Further Education course from next month. The course is aimed at adults wanting to
VISITORS will get the chance to stock up for Christmas at a Ramsbottom farmers' market this weekend. The Farmers' Market, Local Produce and Crafts Fair is at the Grant Arms and Ramsbottom Market Place from 10am to 3pm, on Sunday. For the traditional Christmas
A KIND-hearted grandmother struggling to come up with present ideas for her 80th birthday decided to give her biggest gift to Burnley General Hospital. Joan Knowles, of Hurst Crescent, Rawtenstall, decided to donate the money after her mother died from
A FORMER Fylde planning chief has been cleared of any impropriety by a local government watchdog. Cllr Bill Thompson brought forward his retirement from the chair of Fylde Council's planning committee after a complaint by opposition Independent councillors
BLACKPOOL people had a chance to express their hopes and fears for Blackpool's casino ambitions this week. A group of MPs and peers considering the proposed Gambling Bill heard from council leaders, business people and opponents of the casino project.
A FAIRHAVEN schoolboy got his hands on one of the most famous pieces of silverware in football this week -- and he'll be taking centre stage before 80,000 people at a major final next year. Tom Coyle, 11, joined footballing heroes from the last 40 years
THE FYLDE'S fund-raising groups have vowed to keep backing the North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) as it fights to find corporate sponsorship for 2004. 'We won't turn our back' is the message of support for the life-saving helicopter and crew, based at Blackpool
JUST LOOK at this Christmas cutey! You would never guess that gorgeous kitten Lola almost didn't see this year's festivities. In October, little Lola was found wandering the streets of Lytham with a broken leg, dislocated hip and skin and stomach problems
BLACKPOOL Police are hoping town centre CCTV footage will help to bring two key witnesses forward following the rape of a 19-year-old girl in the resort last weekend. The attacked occurred as the victim -- a local woman -- walked home from a night out
BLACKPOOL'S biggest nightclub has been granted permission to stay open until 3am despite protests from local residents. Syndicate Superclub bosses, Mike and Sandra Nordwind, were granted the extended licensing hours at a meeting of Blackpool Council's
HIGH street home dcor and furnishings retailer Fads, which has a base in Prestwich, has been rescued from insolvency. Administrator, David Mond, of chartered accountants and business recovery specialists, Hodgsons, has announced the successful sale of
FORMER Blackburn student Sajid Badat has appeared at the Old Bailey charged with conspiring with shoe bomber Richard Reid to cause an explosion. Badat, 24, of St James Street, Gloucester, was remanded in custody to April 12 for a plea and directions hearing
BLACKBURN Rovers have scored a winner -- without kicking a ball! Ewood officials have been highly commended for their management of waste. In partnership with Blackburn-based Neales Waste Management, the club was short-listed in the waste minimisation
THE mother of Antony Rigby - the teenager killed by his mentally ill pal - says she may take legal advice over his death. Her decision came on the day that an independent inquiry published an 87-page report into the care and treatment of his killer, Mark
MUoeF-TWO Tracy Reid is hoping that she isn't in for a gloomy Christmas after miserable-minded vandals pulled down the festive lights outside her home. Tracy's partner, Daniel McDaid, 35, spent hours putting up around 300 lights on the front of the terraced
A DISTRAUGHT father today spoke of his family's life sentence of heartache after his daughter was killed by a car driven by a disqualified driver. And outraged Paul Houston said the system had failed his "precious little girl" after the asylum-seeker
ALL our councils devote a portion of their budgets to public relations exercises and most employ full time staff to carry out the work. Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Pendle and Rossendale said they wanted to keep residents informed
REVITALISED goalkeeper Jamie Speare says there is no chance of ghosts of matches past coming back to haunt him this weekend. The Stanley stopper was sent off in their first game of the season at Aldershot after handling the ball outside the area. But
GREAT Harwood boss John Hughes was left baffled by events in the Division Two Trophy quarter final this week. A 1-1 scoreline after extra time meant the Robins were left with a penalty shoot-out at Winsford United, despite Hughes requesting a replay at
ROSSENDALE United are hoping to have Rochdale midfielder Lee Duffy in the line-up to face UniBond Division One leaders Matlock Town at Dark Lane tomorrow. Manager Paul Lynch is trying to secure the temporary services of the 21-year-old, who played 35
GRAHAM Haworth is delighted with the response of his Padiham players to Vince Overson's departure. Haworth is back in sole charge at the Arbories after previous boss Overson left for Ramsbottom United last week, and his latest regime kicked off with a
MR MOTIVATOR Brent Peters is hoping his incentive techniques will inspire his defence to shut up shop when they take on high flying Curzon Ashton. For the Bacup Borough boss rewarded his team for their recent hard work with a trip to a health club ahead
JAMES Webster is hoping history repeats itself when he aims for more FA Vase glory tomorrow. The Colne player-chairman returns to Morpeth Town, where he won in the second round of the Vase with Clitheroe during the 1999-2000 season. But Webster probably
Adult education providers need to radically re-think their policies and practices to encourage more men back into learning. That's the conclusion of research carried out by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's Education and Lifelong Learning department
I write in response to a statement which was printed in Asian Image in the October issue regarding the Modi visit. Whilst the point of not meeting the Gujarat minister must be taken into account it is also necessary to have some sort of dialogue with
I would just like to comment on the article about the man in Rishton being plagued by racist graffiti. I grew up in Lancashire and have lived here all my life and have I begun to see more and more racism. I have personally not been subjected to any direct
STOURBRIDGE ... 28 SEDGLEY PARK ... 32 IT was close and the home side could have won, but it would have been a travesty had Sedgley left Stourbridge without a win, as they were much the better team. The home scrum-half Ben Harvey opened the scoring with
CONGRATULATIONS to Asda for rewarding their employees so well with long service awards (Bury Times, November 28). Now, on the other hand, if you have given more than 30 years' loyal and dedicated service to Bury Council you receive a standard letter of
I WOULD like to thank the people of Bury for their continuous generosity in supporting 44 orphaned children in Uganda. Last year we were able to allocate £50 for the individual needs of each child and this has made a huge difference to their lives. I
MR Baggott's letter (November 28) on the subject of Nangreaves raised a number of questions about the council's actions. These require an answer. Mount Pleasant (Nangreaves) has been a Conservation Area since 1974 and in addition a large number of the
AN auction has helped to pave the way for a trip of a lifetime to Peru for girls at Bury Grammar School. The "auction of promises" event raised £3,000 and was one of a planned series of fund-raisers to finance next year's visit. Some 20 pupils are to
A 24-year-old man has been remanded in custody to await sentence after a jury found him guilty of having sex with a girl half his age. After an hour's deliberation a jury at Bradford Crown Court convicted Delwar Hussain of Lawkholme Lane, Keighley on
Householders in region are being urged to drive out crews of bogus workmen who are currently taking advantage of vulnerable people. Companies are travelling from various locations including the Yorkshire area to target elderly consumers, implying or stating
Members of the British Hindu community were dismayed by what they termed a 'light' sentence awarded against the vandals who broke the Deity of Lord Rama at the Ealing Road Sanatan Mandir in Wembley. At a hearing at the Brent Magistrates Court on 17 November
You could be forgiven for thinking that Lancashire is a hot bed of international terror and espionage with the events of the past fortnight. But this is a sign of the times as an ever worried government and society tries to satisfy itself in a war of
TWO headlamps aren't good enough for you eh? You need four to blind all oncoming drivers. Not that I would want to spoil your fun but what is point of having four headlights? It's not as if other people get impressed by it and do four really do better
LOOK who's behind you Cinders. It's those two ugly sisters so you'd better watch your back! Panto season is here again and Preston Little Theatre, Market Street West is preparing to wow audiences with the classic tale, Cinderella, from Saturday December
YESTERDAY we said that we cannot go on year after year reading reports into killings involving mentally ill people which admit that they should not have happened. When the 87 pages of yesterday's report into the fatal shooting of Anthony Rigby were finally
LEIGH ATHLETIC...4 HIGHFIELD UTD...1 IT was Jimmy Greaves who coined the phrase 'football's a game of two halves.' And if Highfield can take solace from the overall ninety minutes of this game they can at least say they won the second half 1-0. Unfortunately
WHILE JACK Straw heads off for Brussels for a crucial summit on the controversial new European Constitution, he is not the only East Lancashire MP on his travels -- Burnley's Peter Pike is off to Pakistan. He is part of a UK Commonwealth Parliamentary
ELTON VALE...4 STOCKPORT GEO...3 A SCINTILLATING first hour display saw Vale twice hold a three goal lead, almost went un-rewarded, as a second half fight back by the visitors threatened to force a draw. But the home side held out and were well worth
MANAGER Vince Overson could not heap enough praise on his Ramsbottom United players after his first week in charge produced impressive back-to-back wins. A 1-0 success away to Skelmersdale, followed by the 4-1drubbing of Curzon Ashton in the NWCL Challenge
Bury...48 West Park Warriors...10 IT is many years since Bury have faced opposition from West Park. The West Park set-up's junior team plays in the league on merit, having gained promotion this season, although on this occasion Bury show just what they
WELL what a surprise, there is a huge hole in Hyndburn council's finances. What on earth are we paying the council's accountants for? Perhaps it might be prudent to make the first savings by getting rid of them! Once again the council tax payers of Hyndburn
WILMSLOW ALBION...0 PRESTWICH HEYS...1 THERE are occasions when the scoreline in a game doesn't tell the whole story. This fixture was one such example as Heys completely outplayed a Wilmslow side that started third in the league and one point above Heys
REGARDING 'There are empty houses in abundance' (LET December 3), I would like to try and answer the questions asked. First, we have a homeless problem in Blackburn because of the lack of help and the discrimination towards homeless people that exists
CAST members of Blackpool panto Peter Pan were flying high at the weekend, trying out their new £15,000 harnesses and flying gear for the first time. Grand Theatre audiences will see up to four people 'flying' across the stage at once when the panto about
SOME of the biggest names in comedy have been lined up for the 2004 summer season on Blackpool's North Pier. Phoenix Nights star, Dave Spikey, fresh from his massively successful 'Overnight Success' tour will appear at North Pier on Saturday nights throughout
ONE motorist has been fined and a total of 18 others have been warned by police for using their mobile phones while driving during the first ten days of the ban. Police have given most drivers the benefit of a two-week education and advisory period since
ADVICE on preventing the spread of infection in hospitals was being given out at a roadshow at Fairfield Hospital this week. The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust new hand hygiene policy is in response to up to 5,000 deaths of hospital patients caused
TRAVEL adviser Margaret Billsborrow is flying high after being rewarded for 20 years of travel advice to local customers. Margaret (59), who works at the Co-op Travel store in Haymarket, Bury, has received a long-service award from the United Co-op Travel
A 57-YEAR-OLD woman is the latest victim of carjackers after being confronted by two armed men near a Whitefield snooker club. The victim was at the rear of Riley's Snooker Club in Albert Close, when she was threatened by the duo, forcing her to hand
MEMORIES of loved ones who will be missed this Christmas shone through as a tree for the departed was lit at Bury Hospice. Around 150 people attended a Light up a Life service organised by the hospice in remembrance of friends and relatives who had passed
TRANSPORT bosses are hoping to stop yobs loitering round a new bus station - by blasting them with classical music. Passengers using Burnley's new station will now be able to catch Debussy as well as the bus -- along with other composers like Handel,
A DISTRAUGHT father today spoke of his family's life sentence of heartache after his daughter was killed by a car driven by a disqualified driver. And outraged Paul Houston said the system had failed his "precious little girl" after the asylum-seeker
CELEBRATING the festive season overseas will be members of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The 1st Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Simon Marr, MBE, will tuck into Christmas dinner at Trenchard Barracks in Celle, Germany. It will be
A PUBLIC inquiry will rule on a controversial plan to site a wind farm on moors north of Bury. Rossendale Council's planning committee rejected the application on Tuesday to build 26 turbines on Scout Moor, Edenfield and Knowle Moor in Rochdale. Although
THEY'RE the pick of the bunch! That's Bury Council which has scooped two Green Apple awards. For the local authority's Business Investment Programme and Techno Team projects both featured at the Green Apple Awards 2003 ceremony in London. Trade Minister
BLACKBURN Rovers today played down reports linking Andy Cole with a move to Middlesbrough. A story in one of the national papers suggested Boro boss Steve McClaren is lining up a £2 million bid for Cole in the January transfer window. But Rovers' chief
IMAGINE this for a dilemma. Your the manager of a World XI and you have to make a straight choice between Thierry Henry and Ruud Van Nistelrooy up front. Who would you go for? The Gallic flair and the va-va-voom of the Frenchman, or the ice-cool instincts
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a security guard was robbed of £15,000 at an ATM cash point at the Total service station on Ribbleton Lane on Tuesday at 2pm. A black Mondeo, registration plate W341 YNB stolen from Merseyside, drove up to the
PRESTON is to go 'on air' as the city's first community radio station prepares to broadcast local news and music to residents early next year. Unity FM, an independent station, has secured half the funding it needs to go live into living rooms and offices
STONE flags in Burnley have been security marked following a spate of thefts in the Manchester Road Area. Police have received six reports of stone theft in the last six weeks, prompting increased security measures and the distribution of posters warning
FOREVER Bury officially open their new Gigg Lane headquarters on Saturday. The Cabin, as it is less formally known, has been under refurbishment for a number of months and is a testament to the hard work of 'Forever Bury' members Dave Giffard, Denis Lester
A PENDLE councillor is mounting a campaign to allow pensioners to continue using pension books to collect their money. Coun David Whipp has tabled a motion asking his fellow councillors to call on the government to halt plans to scrap pension books. He
THE internationally-renowned Colne Rhythm and Blues Festival will definitely go ahead next year, council bosses pledged last night. The event, held for the last 14 years, attracts 60,000-70,000 people, but has been criticised by residents and councillors
Staff, pupils and parents joined together at St Mary's College to mark the retirement of two teachers. Miss Alice Burns, who taught art, and Father William Strand who taught French were leaving the school. A display of records saved an Accrington shop
LANCASHIRE Mono are a photographic club dedicated to black and white snaps. They meet on the first Monday of each month at Leyland and Farington Social Club where they share knowledge of their work and arrange outings. Anyone interested is welcome to
COUNCILLORS today called on the public to flood them with ideas on how to replace a dried-up fountain which has been branded an eyesore. The fountain, situated outside Scaitliffe House, Accrington, cost £150,000 when it was built in 1999, but is only
HYNDBURN Borough Council's housing stock is set to be transferred to a social landlord company -- if tenants give the plan the thumbs-up. A team of consultants told the council's cabinet that a total transfer of thousands of council-owned homes to a social
CARPET manufacturer Gaskell PLC has announced the closure of its Rishton operations as part of a major restructuring - which will mean 80 redundancies among the 400-strong workforce. The announcement comes just months after the business was saved from
FOOTBALL fan Jack Eckersley scored a once in a lifetime win in a supporters' club lottery. As a result, the 10-years-old Lowton St Luke's schoolboy ran out as the Manchester United mascot for their match against Blackburn after meeting his team heroes
A NEW promotional scheme has been launched at Turf Moor with the twin aim of increasing attendance at Burnley's homes games and putting across a social message. The idea has come from footy-stuff.com, part of the Nelson-based Printoff Graphic Arts group
A REVOLUTIONARY new business centre is set to be completed months ahead of schedule - virtually! Using the latest technology a Blackburn student has created a computer mock-up of the £2.8m Kingfisher Centre, at Futures Park in Bacup, to give potential
HERBAL remedies, exclusive natural shampoo and even organic dog food. Greenhouse Natural Health Store at Longridge has a lot to offer Lancashire's health conscious and environmentally-aware. And now the outlet's owners Mike Arnold and Shaun Mills are
THE short-sighted belief that you needn't learn a foreign language because everyone speaks English these days is not only untrue but is costing East Lancashire firms. That is the view of Dr Cristina Sousa, the head of an organisation dedicated to helping
AS a mere sapling in the business world, a 16-year-old Steven Higginbottom rolled up his sleeves to create a new landscaping business by himself. Today, a decade later, Darwen's Greenfingers Landscape Ltd has an annual turnover of £1million and is helping
AS a promising young goalkeeper, former Burnley apprentice Trevor Shanley earned a glowing reputation for keeping 'em out. Injury brought a cruel and premature end to that particular career path, but Trevor is still doing what he does best by offering
The con is on in this heart warming comedy starring father and son, Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Dutt. Sanjay plays Munna, a happy go lucky fellow with an eye for booze, babes and brawls. All of this unsettled once a year though when his father pays a visit
This one may well have been hyped beyond belief in India but what's all the fuss about? The story is pretty lame and is only rescued by some good acting and the star studded line up. A dangerous terrorist is being transferred to Mumbai but on the way
ORGANISERS of Whalley's famous Pickwick Night were left red-faced after being forced to tell a crowd of visitors that they'd "lost" their celebrity guest. Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness had been due to kick off three-hours of festive entertainment
Two cousins are jailed for life for the murder of a 21-year-old Muslim bride-to-be. A Muslim man is given a life sentence for murdering his teenage daughter. Police called it an 'honour' killing. Should this term really be used or is a murder, a murder
FYLDE'S answer to Jonny Wilkinson has won a major national award for his skills with the boot. Stand-in skipper, Mike Scott, has won the National Clubs' Association 'kicker of the month' award for November for achieving 80 per cent accuracy with his kicks
JUST capital! That was the verdict from Bury woman Carolyn Robinson who undertook a trip to London as a reward for her 20 years of service to her catering and support services company employers Sodexho. Her trip included afternoon tea at the House of
BLACKPOOL will soon get a chance to test themselves against the likes of Teddy Sheringham and Patrick Berger. The Seasiders face Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, January 3. The tie is Blackpool's reward for a 5-2 thrashing of Oldham at
A RADCLIFFE textiles company is celebrating a double achievement which strengthens its commitment and drive towards quality and environmental issues. Unifi Dyed Yarns Ltd, located in York Street, has been awarded a top quality standard and a coveted registration
LUKE Chadwick reckons Stan Ternent has pulled another rabbit out of the hat by landing Blackburn defender Jay McEveley. On-loan Manchester Unted winger Chadwick has crossed paths with McEveley at England youth level. And he backed the 18-year-old defender
BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent reckons the capture of Blackburn Rovers rookie Jay McEveley moves him one step closer to assembling a "fantastic side". The Clarets have completed a three-month loan swoop for the teenager, as exclusively revealed in later editions
THE Turf Moor roar will be music to the ears of new loan signing Jay McEveley. The Blackburn defender has been resigned to playing to the one-man-and-his-dog crowd after slipping down the pecking order at Ewood Park. McEveley, 18, has had to digest a
IT'S been a ground-breaking year for Groundwork Bury! That was the buoyant news delivered to more than 300 guests who gathered at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich for the thriving organisation's annual environmental dinner and awards ceremony. Representatives
I write in response to the letter in the Eid issue of Asian Image (He can't keep us both happy). Dearest sister I wanted to say all my sympathies are with you. But the most important factor in a relationship is trust and this man has decieved you. The
With regards to the letter entitled 'My boyfriend is stealing from me". My husband had the same habit. It turned out he had a gambling problem and it got to a point when he was even taking things from our home and selling them. I confronted him but he
On a recent visit to my friends house, I was shocked and upset when new husband made a pass at me. I didn't say anything at the time because I didn't want my sister to be upset - they have been married less than six months. I assumed that, when I gave
DEAR MASSI, If a husband divorces his wife by uttering the words 'Talaq' three times, I have heard that the wife must marry another man and then divorce him before she can live with her first husband again. Is this true and if so are there any reasons
I want to know why men in our community can get away with anything and we women have to put up with everything. My family is quite educated and two of us have been to university but when my brother wants something he gets it. Whereas myself and my sister
POLICE have launched an investigation into the suspicious death of a man whose body was found at a Blackpool flat. The unnamed man, believed to be in his 40s, was found inside the unlocked flat at Charles Court in the resort at around 6pm on Thursday,
A BLUEPRINT plan for the future of Cleveleys promenade and sea defences are set to go on display based on local ideas and suggestions. The display, at the Frank Townend Community Centre, Cleveleys, from December 15 to 22, will also feature the results
WORKERS face a bleak Christmas after their factory was destroyed in an early morning blaze. Fire swept through the single- storey factory of Molygran and Co in Lodge Road, off Outwood Road. At its height, the blaze was tackled by around 30 firefighters
TWO teenage passengers escaped serious injury when a bus careered out of control and crashed through the garden wall of a residential home in Elton. The bus driver, a 33-year-old man from Bury, could face prosecution for allegedly driving without due
BEING stuck in the 70s has taken its toll on rock giant Keith Hand. So much so, that he contacted Channel Four's The Salon for a hair overhaul. But while retro-rockers The Darkness take the charts by storm in lycra cat-suits, 6ft 8ins tall Keith, and
THIS time last year Ramsbottom Rascals faced a moment of truth when they needed to win to secure Premier League status in the North West Speedo League. History shows they failed in their quest and the club were subsequently relegated to Division One but
BLACKBURN Rovers today played down reports linking Andy Cole with a move to Middlesbrough. A story in one of the national papers suggested Boro boss Steve McClaren is lining up a £2 million bid for Cole in the January transfer window. But Rovers' chief
PUPILS at a Darwen school will soon have access to brand new sports pitches and netball courts on site as part of a £290,000 joint project with Darwen Leisure Centre, it was revealed today. The idea for the scheme followed approval of the LIFT project
A NEW scheme designed to root out nuisance council house tenants throughout Ramsbottom and Bury is being launched later this month. The first Introductory Tenancy Scheme will come into effect on Monday, December 22, just in time to flush out nuisance
WORSHIPPERS at a closure-threatened church have demanded a meeting with the Bishop of Salford to discuss the controversial decision to merge with another church. St Joseph's Church, Stacksteads, is set to close as part of the biggest-ever shake-up of
A TAPESTRY put together by primary pupils ended a fabulous school tour at Leigh St John's CE Infants on Thursday. Created by artist Anne Smith with youngsters from all 26 schools in Leigh Education Action Zone it has been seen by 7,000 children. But there
I refer to an article which appeared in The Citizen on November 27 entitled Police Undertake a Stress Audit. The final paragraph stated that "the cost of the audit is set to rocket above the £10,000 originally earmarked for it because of the need to undergo
WITH regard to cruelty as in Kosher meat, I am afraid Jeanne Young has got her facts wrong. I cannot speak for Halal buthchers. For a Kosher animal to be eaten it must be slaughtered by the method known as Shechita. This is a procedure designed to cause
RADCLIFFE Borough look to get back to winning ways when they entertain big spenders Hucknall Town on Saturday. Steve Foster, signed from Stalybridge Celtic, is expected to make his debut in place of Jody Banin who has joined Shrewsbury Town. There could
BORO manager Kevin Glendon has wasted no time in spending some of the £20,000 kitty from the sale of Jody Banim to Nationwide Conference side Shrewsbury Town. He splashed out £2,000 on rugged forward Steve 'Fozzy' Foster from fellow Unibond Premier outfit
A BLACKPOOL woman who lost her legs in a tragic accident moments before she was due to be married has thanked those who helped her in the aftermath of an horrific trike accident. Brave Dawn Auty is said to be recovering well at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
SHOPPERS are being asked to donate a Christmas present to Blackpool children who might otherwise have none. Asda, Cherry Tree Road, is repeating its successful Christmas Wish Tree appeal. The appeal sees tags, containing the first name and age of a local
NEIGHBOURS of a Fleetwood man who nearly lost his life in a fire were given safety advice by firefighters during a 'hot strike' outside the man's home on Friday. The Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service parked a drop-in centre on the port's Radcliffe Road
CLUB owners in Blackburn today blasted the council for under-cutting their Saturday night trade by running a cut-price free entry nightclub of their own. Club Tropicana, run by the council at King George's Hall in Northgate offers free entry and cheap
COUNTY councillors have been branded a "joke" after revealing the cost of refurbishing old folk's homes rose by £7.5 million. Lancashire County Council is set to spend the extra cash after getting its original calculations wrong. Despite widespread opposition
ANDY Woodward is set to make his debut tomorrow as Chorley look to bounce back from last Saturday's defeat at Matlock Town. The Magpies defence should thrive on Woodward's experience and presence for the visit of Bishop Auckland, after going down 4-0
AS two doors close for Clitheroe this weekend another three have opened. Glyn Barker is finally set to make his debut a month after signing from Hyde United when the Blues entertain St Helens tomorrow at Shawbridge, while Barrie Hart's return to the squad
The headteacher of one of the three Pendle schools to be bulldozed to make way for two new state-of-the-art schools said the disruption will be worth it. Speaking at Edge End High School's annual prize-giving, Martin Burgess supported the school's inclusion
In response to a letter which appeared in Asian Image entiled, 'An opportunity to let it be known we will never forget' written by Mr I Master of the IWA. The recent damning verdict of the Indian Supreme court confirmed that the Chief Minister of Gujarat
Honour killings have no place in a civilised society. However, I am aware that many people from minority communities are too afraid/embarrassed/ashamed to seek help from the host community. I would urge them to come forward and ask for advice or assistance
Whilst I agree that the security forces in Britian must carry out raids on suspected terrorists recent events will have negative affects on how Muslims are perceived in wider society. But the point I want to make is that at the moment there in no middle
Twenty-four-year old Waheed Hussain was awarded a Special Recognition in Sport prize at the recent Lancashire Sports awards. Waheed has recently taken up a post as sport outreach worker at Hyndburn Borough Council -- a paid job he has virtually been doing
Regarding the comments made by Mr I Master (Issue No 68 October edition). I was very disturbed to learn that a few Indian Muslim individuals had a telephone meeting with the Chief Minister of Gujrat Narendra Modi. First of all most Indian organisations
Children of the world are different in some ways, We all play and we all laugh, But we do not all have the same priorities. We in Britain have running water, We have software and technology, Most of the time we take it for granted, Though in some countries
I would like to voice my concerns regarding marriage in our culture. We all like to blame each other about this issue but I think if some people changed their views maybe we would get somewhere. In our culture why do we have to go through 'Badnami' to
We are fortunate to be able to air our views in Asian Image (so thank you!) and once again I feel the need to post these comments. I spent over 15 years thinking about Islam and what it meant but unfortunately only reverted at the age of around 28.There
For some bizarre reason I think all of us choose to decorate during the holidays - I mean all the other folks do it in Spring (hence the name 'Spring cleaning') but I think we are becoming notorious for changing everything whenever we get a couple of
I HAVE just received a copy of the Bury Times dated November 7 and, as a former resident of Hawkshaw, I was very interested in the article on the village's First World War soldiers. I tried to establish what had happened to a friend's uncle who was killed
HOW can a petition of more than 25,000 signatures be totally ignored? How many signatures would it take for the council to listen? Town centre developers Westfield are a profit-making company based in London and they really don't care about the people
ONLY a few years ago millions of pounds was spent renovating Bury's indoor and outdoor markets, which are very profitable and very popular, not only with Bury people but with many from outside the area. Now more millions are probably to be spent removing
I WRITE to share in the congratulations extended to Bury's primary schools in the Bury Times December 5). Once again we have seen a solid performance by schools which is well above the national average in key areas of the curriculum, English, mathematics
CLEVELEYS - A GRAND Christmas raffle and coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief takes place this Saturday (December 13) in the Wings Club, Victoria Road West, at 10.30am. For more details contact Mrs Hart on 827449. THORNTON THE RSPB's Blackpool
ALBERT Doweck has resigned as Bury FC chairman after only five months at the helm writes Bury Times Sports Editor Phil Thorp That's the shock news to come out of Gigg Lane ahead of Saturday's crucial derby clash against local rivals Rochdale. The club
Poignant song lyrics written by a missing Cheshire teenage girl have been read by Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati. Shafilea Ahmed, 17, was last seen at her home in Warrington on September 11. The teenager had recently returned from a trip to Pakistan
A former human shield is setting up a safe refuge for thousands of children made homeless by the war in Iraq. Uzma Bashir returned to Baghdad this month after setting up her charity 'Our Home - Iraq' to assist street kids. The 33-year-old of Bradford
There were pleas for calm and understanding following raids on premises in the region. It came after highly publicised raids at an Islamic College in Blackburn and at an address in Manchester. Raids continued throughout the UK with terror suspects originally
A man who stole £150,000 of people's Hajj money was given a three-year jail term. Convicted Mohammed Adris, 31, cheated more than 200 people, many from Blackburn, Burnley and Pendle. Some had parted with their life savings - but not only did they never
One of only three Asian councillors in Preston has slammed his own party claiming it isn't doing enough to promote equality. Bhikhu Patel, Labour councillor for Riversway has spoken out agianst a selection process he says is seriously flawed. He said,
Rehana Patel was given hours to live after suffering horrific injuries in a car crash. She speaks to Asian Image on how her battle for life inspired her to complete her university education. February 27 2003 is a date that will forever be etched into
