ANTHEMS stir all kinds of strong feelings and for that reason are not a subject to be trifled with. Australia, for example, had decades of dispute over whether God Save the Queen should be replaced and national competitions to decide the front runners
"KNOCK, Knock!" - I was challenged. "Who's there?" "Jesus" "Jesus who?" "You tellin' me a vicar's not on first-name terms with the Son of God?" Advent this month leading up to Christmas - reminds us that we all should be. Life's no flippant joke. Just
THE Meningitis Trust thanks readers in the North West for helping Focus DIY stores raise a fantastic £16,486 towards the 'Support for Life' appeal. Stores across the UK held fund days in September and raised an amazing £100,000 nationwide for the Meningitis
I WOULD like to thank everyone who supported the De Tabley Ladies Luncheon Club during 2003. Their chosen charity for the year was Make a Wish who were delighted to receive a cheque for £3,400. There were four lunches held throughout the year which gave
READING the new policy council's targets was in itself educational. I didn't realise that there still existed so many ways of saying absolutely nothing, while at the same time giving the impression that one is making a profound statement. Over the years
I RECEIVED my copy of 'The Shuttle' and was reaching for my pen, having never read such a lot of self-congratulatory twaddle in my life. Then your newspaper arrived and most of what I was going to say was said either by Colin Rigby or yourselves. It is
A CHARITY dinner dance held by a Leigh-based housing developer has raised nearly £10,000. Around 350 staff at Redrow Homes attended the fundraising event at Haydock park Racecourse and the proceeds will aid treatment at a cancer centre at Clatterbridge
A LORRY driver accused of mowing down a young dad during a road rage row told a jury he was "mortified" when he discovered he had hit someone. Brian Southgate, 52, of Daffodil Close, Haslingden, said he believed the father-of-three had already got back
PHIL Starbuck has called for a more ruthless approach from his players as they battle to climb out of the relegation zone. The Leigh RMI boss says his side are "raring to go" at Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday after an enforced two week break because
THE Open Door furniture recycling project in Colne has scooped a top ten prize in a national competition. The project, which recycles unwanted furniture and domestic appliances for people who cannot afford to furnish their homes, was awarded a highly
GOLBORNE's 30-foot high Christmas tree is a symbol of community strength. "It's almost a decade since Golborne last had a town centre Christmas Tree -- it was chopped down by vandals and, ever since, the morons have ruled the day," said local councillor
THE law his finally caught up with a father of two who escaped from an open prison four and a half years ago. Burnley Crown Court heard how Lee Knowles, 25, walked out of Kirkham Open Prison in June 1999 but was not arrested by police until December 3
AN MP's bid to introduce a new anthem for England's sporting teams has gained Parliamentary support, despite being kicked into touch by rugby and football bosses. Hyndburn MP Greg Pope wanted to mark the Rugby World Cup victory by giving God Save the
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 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
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 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
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17 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
MONDAY, DECEMBER 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: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst
STAN Ternent has been singled out for special praise ahead of Burnley Football Club's annual general meeting. Clarets chairman Barry Kilby is set to report an annual loss of over £2.5m to shareholders for the financial year ending May 2003, attributed
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. "We felt
PEOPLE living in the housing market renewal areas of Darwen are being offered free locks and bolts to protect their homes from thieves. Councillor Dave Smith is encouraging people living in the Hindle Street, Harwood Street, Vale Street and Hannah Street
Darwen Vale High School pupil Amy Walsh received a shield and £25 from Blackburn Soroptimists for her commitment to improving relationships with senior citizens. The 15-year-old spends lunchtimes visiting senior citizens and helping them with any problems
CHRISTMAS came early in Rossendale thanks to the Northwest Development Agency. Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, joined a host of children for a festive trip on the East Lancashire Railway. Santa Claus also made an appearance, distributing
A LORRY driver accused of mowing down a young dad during a road rage row told a jury he was "mortified" when he discovered he had hit someone. Brian Southgate, 52, of Daffodil Close, Haslingden, said he believed the father-of-three had already got back
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. "We felt
HOMELESS charity Shelter are urging the Government to tackle the issue in the North West. Their call follows a report to the Treasury that revealed a 69 per cent rise in the number of homeless people in the region living in temporary accommodation. The
A LARGE wooden cross, given to young people by Pope John Paul II when he began his papacy, will be travelling to the North West for the first time in January. The World Youth Day Cross will be received by The Bishop, the Right Rev Terence Brain, at a
THE Prince's Trust is working alongside Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to boost the prospects of East Lancashire teenagers. The Trust is looking for 15 young people to join a 12-week self development course. Applicants should be enthusiastic, aged
PARENTS in Lancashire have been warned not to neglect safety when buying bikes as Christmas presents this year. Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group reminds parents and children to be aware of cycle safety after it was revealed that one in four
UP to 35 jobs have been saved with the sell-off of the final part of the stricken Blackburn-based Vernon Stainless group. Administrators KPMG said Vernon's Loks Plasma division had been sold to Metals UK Group Ltd for an undisclosed sum. A spokesman said
THE Queen's Lancashire Regiment appeared to have its future secured today following a major defence review. Some sources had been predicting that the regiment would be abolished or merged in the shake-up announced by cabinet minister Geoff Hoon this week
SHOPLIFTERS are set to cost East Lancashire businesses £5million this Christmas as police battle against organised gangs of thieves. Traders said the annual crime binge had already begun as new figures revealed there would be a five per cent increase
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
THE "founding father" of a £1 million food fraud which saw unfit and diseased meat sold to a Bury company has been sentenced to six years imprisonment in his absence. Peter Roberts -- known in the meat trade as Maggot Pete -- has been on the run in southern
SUNDAY 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, 2pm. Farmers Market, Hoghton Tower, 10am-3pm. Carol Singers, Samlesbury Hall, Preston New Road, Samlesbury, 2.15pm. Pendle Youth Orchestra and Accrington Male Voice Choir, Accrington Town Hall
I WOULD like to thank all the staff on Ward 5, Blackburn Royal Infirmary (left), for the outstanding care and attention that they showed to me during a recent stay. They couldn't do enough to help me. So, many thanks once again. DAVID KIMBERLEY, Duddon
SHOPLIFTERS are set to cost East Lancashire businesses £5million this Christmas as police battle against organised gangs of thieves. Traders said the annual crime binge had already begun as new figures revealed there would be a five per cent increase
LEIGH Centurions have seen off some stiff competition to land highly-rated second rower Dave Larder from Rochdale. Larder has agreed a 12-month deal with the 2003 National League One Grand Finalists, and will further strengthen the Centurions' pack. He
GRAEME Souness has revealed he agreed to let Jay McEveley join Burnley in a quest to see how he performs in a new position. McEveley made the short trip down the M65 earlier this week after Rovers sanctioned a three-month loan deal with the Clarets. And
A MAN was cleared of theft after an appeal court was told he was said to have been charged with the wrong offence. Burnley Crown Court heard that Glen Chadwick, 45, of Grasmere Avenue, Padiham, had been convicted by magistrates of stealing more than £1,400
A DIVORCEE who confronted the woman she believed was her love rival with a baseball bat demanded to know if she had had sex with her partner. Burnley Crown Court heard that Yvonne Boulton, 43, who had been seeking Katrina McGough out, struck her baby's
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
A DEVASTATED mother today told how life will never be the same after her son was killed by a train just weeks before Christmas. Vincent Pritchard, 24, of Milton Street, Brierfield, died instantly when he was struck by a Blackpool to Colne train. He was
THE leader of Pendle Council has launched a scathing attack on a property developer for failing to provide children's play areas on a proposed housing estate. Dalesmoor Homes Ltd want to build 19 houses on the site of the Colne anodising mill in Keighley
A PUPIL arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred by sticking a BNP sign on a bus window has been told he will face no further action from police. The 15-year-old Mansfield High School pupil was arrested after the incident on board a bus in Stanley
A YOUTH who said to have mounted a campaign of abuse and threats on a takeaway manager and staff is today awaiting sentence. Benjamin Myers, 20, accused of racial harassment, was convicted by a Burnley Crown Court jury of the lesser offence of harassment
THE East Lancashire hunks who bared all for charity can be seen in the flesh when they sell the final copies of their controversial calendar tomorrow. The saucy publication, which Lancashire County Council refused to back for fear of damaging its "name
THE East Lancashire hunks who stripped off for charity can be seen in the flesh tomorrow when they sell the final copies of their controversial calendar. The saucy publication, which Lancashire County Council refused to back for fear of damaging its "
GOLBORNE's 30-foot high Christmas tree is a symbol of community strength. "It's almost a decade since Golborne last had a town centre Christmas Tree -- it was chopped down by vandals and, ever since, the morons have ruled the day," said local councillor
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 BLACKBURN: 10am-1pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrug Pharmacy, 5 Stonybutts; noon-1pm: Karims Pharmacy, 140 Moseley Street. DARWEN: noon-1pm: Geloo Bros Ltd, 14 Union Street. ACCRINGTON: 11am-1pm: Lloyds
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16 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
RESIDENTS at a Ribble Valley nursing home had to be evacuated after a ceiling fan in a downstairs washroom caught fire. Around eight elderly men and women were forced to wait outside Hazeldene Nursing Home, in Ribchester, for around ten minutes after
MUSLIMS have blamed the British National Party (BNP) for stirring opposition to their Clitheroe mosque plans after a centre was again targeted by vandals. Medina Islamic Education Centre MIEC), in Holden Street, is a charity-based organisation that has
BLACKBURN Rovers boss Graeme Souness has hit out at police for causing him to miss Whalley's Pickwick Night - when he was supposed to be a VIP guest. Organisers of the annual event were left baffled when Mr Souness - who was due to be guest star at the
FATHER Christmas will be out and about around the Leigh area courtesy of Leigh Rotary Club His route and timetable is: Monday, Dec 15 Chapel Street; Tuesday, Dec 16 Pennington South; Wednesday, Dec 17 Pennington North; Thursday, Dec 18 Higher Folds; Friday
THE persuasive powers of a town mayor are being used to secure funding to help rebuild a Rossendale community hall that was burned to the ground. Mayor of Whitworth Coun Alan Neal met representatives from the Heritage Lottery Board in London earlier this
THE men who 'killed' frosty the inflatable snowman have been made to pay for their crime. Blackburn magistrates ordered them to pay compensation for their cold hearted felony, which they were told was fuelled by drink. And it was revealed in court that
YOUNG people in Lancashire have more going for them than anywhere else in Europe. And a group of youngsters travelled to Germany and Poland to show others just what a difference the help they receive can make. The Assembly of European Regions awarded
