Archive

  • Stars who don't always shine

    MANY people will agree with today's remarks by the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Nicholas Reade. He talks of the "lust for power and publicity" of couples like Posh and Becks and says they are "built up to be knocked down by the media." It's certainly true

  • A proud history

    DAILY Mirror editor Piers Morgan has resigned after the name of the Queens Lancashire Regiment was tainted by accusations of violence against Iraqi prisoners and fake torture photographs. JENNY SCOTT looks back at the proud and glorious history of a regiment

  • Pair accused of taking girl from care

    A 22-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have appeared in court charged with taking a child without authority. Asif Uddin Alvi, 22, of Stansfeld Street, Blackburn, and the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons are, charged with taking a 14-year-old

  • Vote on local issues

    I AM not a political person, however sometimes an issue stays with you and that's why I feel that I need to voice my opinion. At this time of local elections, can I take this opportunity to remind prospective voters to remember that these elections are

  • 'No' lobby has got it all wrong

    I AM the leader of the currently unelected North West Regional Assembly and I take a keen interest in the debate on the proposed directly elected North West Regional Assembly on which the people of the region will be asked to decide in the referendum

  • Crash driver fights for his life

    A DRIVER is fighting for his life in hospital after colliding with garden walls in Lowton on Friday night. The 60-year-old man was at the wheel of a Daewoo Nubria when it pulled out of a car park in Newton Road. The car then did a u-turn, crossing the

  • Higham's tears for souvenirs

    MICKEY Higham shed a tear or two at 2.30pm on Saturday. The Leigh-based hooker should have been part of the St Helens team preparing for the rugby league Powergen Challenge Cup final against Wigan. Instead of proudly walking out alongside the likes of

  • Phone snatched in attack

    A TEENAGER was attacked and robbed in a public toilet in Burnley. The 18-year-old student was in the toilets in Yorkshire Street at 6.50pm on Thursday when he was approached by a man who demanded that he hand over his mobile phone. He told him he did

  • Young boss up for top awards

    A YOUNG entrepreneur got a taste for the limelight when she was nominated to attend the national Phoenix Fund Awards in London last week. Maria Bradshaw , 22, of Burnley started The Suit Company almost a year ago after identifying a gap in the local market

  • Running in the woods made easy

    ORIENTEERING courses for people of all abilities have been created in Burnley. Two routes have been marked out by the South East Lancashire Orienteering Team for United Utilities at Clowbridge, one for able-bodied people and the other for the less able

  • Suicide woman took a cocktail of drugs

    A BANKRUPT Burnley woman was pulled from a canal after taking a lethal cocktail of drink and drugs an inquest heard. Brenda Hayes, of Brownhead Court, was found in the Leeds and Liverpool canal yards from her home on November 30 last year. The 58-year-old

  • BNP woman may be booted off council

    FAR-right Burnley councillor Carol Hughes is in danger of being thrown off the council because of her poor attendance record. Coun Hughes, who represents Gannow ward for the British National Party, has not attended any council meetings for six months

  • Emmerdale star sneaks his Clarets scarf into show scenes

    BURNLEY Football Club may have had its ups and downs this season, but one thing fans were not reckoning on was a starring role in one of Britain's top-rated soaps. Sharp-eyed viewers of ITV's Emmerdale may have noted a scarf in the club's claret and blue

  • Soup-er chef cooks his place in the final

    A YOUNG chef at Nelson and Colne College has made it through to the finals of a nationwide competition. Jordan Glass has been chosen as the college finalist in the New Covent Garden Food Co contest. His tomato, pepperoni and parmesan soup recipe won the

  • Challinor chase is on

    GRAHAM Barrow is facing stiff opposition in the race to sign Stockport County defender Dave Challinor. Bristol Rovers and newly-promoted Chester City are leading a host of clubs also casting envious glances in the direction of the influential central

  • School joy at Ofsted praise

    A NELSON primary school has been praised for turning round its standards. Holy Saviour School was told by education watchdog inspectors that despite children entering with levels below the national average, the school was responsible for turning attainment

  • Plan to stamp out fraud in post votes

    PENDLE'S returning officer has pledged to take a robust stance on security in the forthcoming all-postal elections. Voters will cast their votes by post for the Pendle Council and European elections by June 10. A telephone hotline has been set up for

  • Greaves backing lowering of voting age

    EAST Lancs Peer Tony Greaves has backed lowering the voting age to 16. He told the House of Lords: "People at 16 are old enough, mature enough and sensible enough to have the franchise." The Pendle Peer said that in the 1960s he campaigned for votes at

  • Residents assured over housing renewal

    RESIDENTS in the North Valley area of Colne have been assured they will be consulted over plans for housing renewal. North Valley is to the north of the town centre and includes pockets of delapidated and vacant terraced housing. Councillors plan to spend

  • Centenary party at Rolls Royce plant

    ROLLS-ROYCE is to hold a day of celebrations in Barnoldswick to celebrate 100 years in business. The town has been chosen as the base for a centenary celebration as it has "important historical significance" for the company as the site of its first jet

  • I'm out to win, warns Green candidate

    A CONTROVERSIAL election candidate in Hyndburn has shown his green bottle by warning the two main parties he is coming to fight. Ian Dixon is standing for the second year running as Green Party candidate in the Barnfield ward next month. Last year he

  • Chemists on Duty

    SUNDAY, MAY 16 BLACKBURN: 10am-1pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrug Pharmacy, 5 Stonybutts; 10.30am-4.30pm: Boots Chemist, 2 Cobden Court; noon-1pm: HN Espley, 140 Whalley Old Road, Little Harwood. DARWEN: noon-1pm: Geloo

  • Chemists on Duty

    MONDAY, MAY 17 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

  • Chemists on Duty

    TUESDAY, MAY 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: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver

  • Crash driver fights for his life

    TWO women passengers from Whitefield were involved in a crash which left a driver fighting for his life in hospital after colliding with garden walls in Lowton on Friday night. The 60-year-old man was at the wheel of a Daewoo Nubria when it pulled out

  • A village divided

    A COMMUNITY has been divided by plans to transform a Georgian Sunday school and chapel into a village hall. Slaidburn Property Trust was told councillors wouldn't let them demolish the buildings as part of the project. Supporters of the scheme - who wrote

  • Animal charity says a big thanks to Irene

    LONG-time supporter of the Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) Irene Jameson has been honoured with a trophy. The Admiral Memorial Trophy is presented annually to volunteers and supporters of HAPPA who have gone out of their way to help.

  • Clarets won't go for rookie

    BARRY Kilby insists he will not gamble Burnley's future on a rookie manager. The Clarets chairman has dropped the first hints yet that he is looking for an experienced man to take over from Stan Ternent at Turf Moor. Kilby sees the redevelopment of a

  • Ten out of ten as Anderson hits double figures

    JAMES Anderson's first 10-wicket match haul helped Lancashire power to the top of the County Championship First Division. Lancashire earned a crushing 219-run over Worcestershire at Old Trafford, with Burnley bowler Anderson claiming four wickets yesterday

  • 137 fight first all-post election

    THEY say that a week is a long time in politics: and there are still another four to go before election day on June 10! No fewer than 137 candidates are seeking your vote in the local elections, representing the "big three" parties plus hopefuls from

  • Matt's still part of my plans, says Souness

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has insisted Matt Jansen still has a future at the club. The ambitious Rovers chief has already promised to make changes this summer and several members of the current squad will be told to find themselves new clubs at a

  • Blood smeared on cell walls

    A 22-year-old man smeared the walls of a police cell with his own blood, Blackburn magistrates were told. Nicholas Walsh, 22, of Highfield Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and two charges of failing to surrender to bail. He was given a

  • Sleeping pills stolen in car raid

    POLICE in Darwen are urging people to be extra vigilant after a quantity of prescribed drugs were stolen from a car. The small haul, which included painkillers and sleeping tablets, was stolen from a white Citroen AX in Hodder Grove between 7pm on Tuesday

  • Burglary alert after thieves grab car keys

    RESIDENTS in Darwen are being warned to take more care of their homes and car keys after a £20,000 car was stolen from outside a house in the town. Police are urging people to put their keys in a safe place and not to leave them in or near their front

  • Firms get a check-up to improve

    A ROSSENDALE business is helping to keep companies across Lancashire healthy by offering business advice. Kingfisher Consultants is running the Training Needs Analysis Project, which gives firm a free health check. Run for North and West Lancashire Business

  • Have your say on new housing

    RESIDENTS in Rossendale are being encouraged to put forward their ideas a new housing strategy. Consultation carried out by Rossendale Borough Council will consist of fact sheets, presentations and a questionnaire survey to obtain peoples views. Gary

  • Budding business boss jailed over road ban break

    A BANNED driver's plans to start a £100,000 business in Blackburn may have to be put on hold after he was jailed for three months. Burnley magistrates heard Tameem Mohammed Shafi, 19, was due to open a cash and carry employing four people. But he was

  • Police probe as court clears cabbie

    TWO Lancashire police officers are at the centre of an internal probe after a taxi driver was cleared of falsely imprisoning them. Detective Constable Tim McDermott, the football intelligence officer covering Blackburn Rovers, and his partner Helen Dean

  • Woman punched by partner after she 'ended it'

    A BLACKBURN woman was subjected to a prolonged ordeal after ending the relationship with her partner, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that Catherine Smith was punched in the face twice by her partner Alan White. He then tore the telephone

  • Editor's sacking welcomed by QLR

    THE Queens Lancashire Regiment and MPs today welcomed the sacking of Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan over the fake torture pictures storm. The move, accompanied by a front page apology, came after the regiment slammed "one man's ego" for causing problems

  • Drugs raids: Nine charged after dawn swoop

    NINE people have been charged with supplying Class A drugs following a series of dawn raids. Thirteen addresses in Bolton, Bury, Rochdale and north Manchester were targeted by more than 110 officers. The raids followed months of intelligence work by officers

  • Brownies celebrate 40 years

    From the Guide files of Friday, May 18, 1979: ST MARGARET'S Brownies celebrated their 40th anniversary. A buffet tea, entertainment and a special cake were arranged by the then assistant leader, Mrs Joan Grayshon. PRESTWICH girl Marilyn McKeever (21)

  • The Saturday Message

    with the Rev KEVIN LOGAN, Vicar of Christ Church, Accrington. . . SEAN Connery was 007. My six-year-old son became 006 and my younger daughter 005. This was for real. No family game. The man called Q had made it so. Q, you'll recall, is the boffin without

  • £1m means hall's well that ends well

    Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY FOLLOWING my recent visit to Alkincotes in Colne several people suggested that I took a close look at Marsden Park in Nelson. Nelson itself was created as as result of the Industrial Revolution but before that there

  • Katie gets a kick from dancing

    From shy teenager to dance diva - that's the remarkable transformation made by Katie Whittle. She spoke to JENNY SCOTT. . . IT'S a story as familiar and fantastic as the plot of a Broadway musical. A shy girl quite literally finds her feet when she learns

  • Search for old schoolfriends

    PRESTWICH "old boy" Harold Rose is looking to get in touch with old school friends and residents. Mr Rose lived in Prestwich in the 1930s and attended the old National Elementary School, later Hope Park School. He was one of the first pupils of Heys Senior

  • Artist show is streets ahead

    A BLACKBURN artist who made a dramatic debut when she sold one of her works to a Coronation Street star is planning a summer exhibition. Joan Parkinson, of Preston New Road, only picked up a brush when she retired but sold her painting to Thomas Craig

  • Free car parking would boost town

    I WISH to reply to your front page story on Saturday, May 1 (We're After You). The story concerns Councillor Andy Kay and his bunch of merry men who has warned that "things are going to be very different when his authority takes control of parking in

  • Tributes to 'Mr Tottington'

    TRIBUTES were paid at Wednesday's Bury council meeting to Councillor Bill Johnson, who is stepping down after 44 years. The man known as "Mr Tottington" received praise from all sides, including the public gallery, for his unbroken record of service.

  • Bishop speaks out on lifestyles of Posh and Becks

    THE Bishop of Blackburn today slammed Posh and Becks' lust for publicity -- and the celebrity culture which could leave their lives in tatters. The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, who diocese covers the whole of East Lancashire, said the desire to create idols

  • Editor's sacking welcomed by QLR

    THE Queens Lancashire Regiment and MPs today welcomed the sacking of Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan over the fake torture pictures storm. The move, accompanied by a front page apology, came after the regiment slammed "one man's ego" for causing problems

  • Matt's still part of my plans, says Souness

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has insisted Matt Jansen still has a future at the club. The ambitious Rovers chief has already promised to make changes this summer and several members of the current squad will be told to find themselves new clubs at a

  • Textile show

    AN exhibition of artwork made from more than 120 textiles opened at a Burnley museum this weekend. The Weaving Cultures Together exhibition opens at Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum today. The work produced by members of Threadmill, Phoenix Textile

  • Teenage burglar jailed

    A TEENAGER who raided the office in a home for the elderly and later stole a car is behind bars for nine months. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, took the vehicle while subject to a conditional discharge imposed for the £456 raid

  • £1.6m pledge for drug drop-in plan

    FUNDING for a £1.6million drop-in centre for drug users in Burnley town centre has been secured in principle. Architects are now looking at a number of possible town centre sites for the project, which is being developed by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  • 200 homes up for major revamp work

    BURNLEY Council has identified more than 200 homes to be refurbished as part of multi-million pound plans to rejuvenate some of the borough's most deprived areas. Last month the council's executive committee agreed to focus £1.7million of the £15m it

  • Gigg Lane friendly dates

    BURY have announced three tasty Gigg Lane pre-season friendly clashes. Manchester City will be the visitors on Wednesday, July 21 (7.45pm), Wigan Athletic on Saturday, July 24 (3pm) and Leeds United on Wednesday, July 28 (7.45pm).

  • Baskets on offer

    FIRMS in Nelson town centre can buy subsidised hanging baskets from Pendle Council to show the town in its best colours over the summer months. Ian Stackhouse, Pendle Council's town centres officer, warned companies who want a filled basket, delivered

  • Health club go-ahead

    PLANS to turn a shop in Brierfield into a health club for young people have been backed by Pendle Council. At a meeting of the Brierfield and Reedley Committee this week members voted in favour of the proposals for the former butchers shop, in Colne Road

  • Mill site homes scheme decision deferred

    PLANS to demolish a 19th century Brierfield mill to make way for 30 new homes have been deferred by Pendle Council. Rowan Ramsay Investments has applied for outline planning permission to build two-storey three and four-bedroom homes on the site of Lob

  • Oil bonanza? Who's fuelling who?

    FUEL prices are on the increase, reaching, and exceeding in some places, the dreaded 80p per litre level which triggered the tanker drivers' blockade a few short years ago. Are we in for another summer of discontent and what can we expect Messrs Blair

  • Pensioner died after operation

    A RETIRED engineer died just days after having an operation to remove his gall bladder, an inquest has heard. Clifford Johnson, 81, of Spring Street, Rishton, was diagnosed with gallstones in September last year and had an operation in February this year

  • Maupa in favour of going into Europe...

    A BAND of school friends have the opportunity of a lifetime tonight when they take to the stage alongside world stars of music. Eurovision takes place simultaneously in Istanbul, but Maupa, whose members are from Clayton-le-Moors, are concentrating on

  • Mother's horror as dog rips cat apart

    A GANG of teenagers are being hunted by police after pet cats were ripped apart by their dog. Today the family of one cat owner who saw her elderly animal savaged in front of her by condemned the thugs. June Tattersall, 49, watched as her cat, Ginger,

  • Chemists on Duty

    THURSDAY, MAY 20 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

  • Chemists on Duty

    FRIDAY, MAY 21 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

  • lChemists on Duty

    WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 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

  • Driver's 'stupid mistake'

    MATTHEW Hind, 22, of Ribblesdale Drive, Grimsargh, was fined £200 with £55 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months by Blackburn magistrates after pleading guilty to driving with excess alcohol. Hind, who gave a reading of 43 against a legal

  • Pledge to be 'champion of people'

    THE new leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council has vowed to be a champion of the people. Coun John Hill said he intends taking to the leafy lanes of Ribble Valley in a tour of parish councils and community groups. Coun Hill takes the reins from Wilpshire

  • Survey hoping to find toothy smiles

    A SURVEY is being carried out to see how effective government measures to improve dental health in East Lancashire youngsters has been. Since summer 2000 more than 100 pre-schools in the region have pushed the Smile for Life project which raises awareness

  • Re-inventing the wheelchair

    A BUSINESSMAN was so frustrated with the wheelchair that his daughter was forced to use he decided to design one himself. The Chunc (www.chunc.com) is the brainchild of Richard Smith whose own company specialises in aircraft technology. The wheelchairs

  • Minister drops in for question and answer session

    A GOVERNMENT minister dropped into a Padiham pub to talk to locals. Stephen Twigg, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools, visited the Grove Inn, Hargrove Avenue, as part of the Labour Party's "Big Conversation" initiative to find out what

  • No plans for a Whitefield Tesco

    FOLLOWING the publicity regarding the Elms site in Whitefield, I wrote to Sir Terry Leahy at Tesco informing him that consumers are interested in choice. And choice is not what the consumer would get if there was a Tesco supermarket on every corner. I

  • Clarets won't go for rookie

    BARRY Kilby insists he will not gamble Burnley's future on a rookie manager. The Clarets chairman has dropped the first hints yet that he is looking for an experienced man to take over from Stan Ternent at Turf Moor. Kilby sees the redevelopment of a

  • The 'car from hell' has driven us crazy

    A COUPLE today spoke of their nightmare 18 months after "the car from hell" suffered a catalogue of problems which they say blighted their lives. Gary and Audrey Catterall, of Wittlestone Head, Hoddlesden, bought the Mercedes people carrier to cater for

  • Masterplan for town's future

    A MASTERPLAN that will help shape Rawtenstall town centre for years to come is to be launched. It will draw together developments planned in the town over the next few years and follows various discussions between the council and other organisations over

  • Partner assaulted while phoning for help

    A 24-YEAR-OLD man was annoyed when his partner phoned while he was drinking with a friend and asked if his wage had gone into the bank. Blackburn magistrates heard that during the argument that occurred when he got home Robert Alisdair Henderson became

  • Teenager guilty of knife attack

    A MACEDONIAN teenager has been convicted of carrying out a knife attack on a fellow asylum seeker in Blackburn. Qasim Mika had claimed that he stabbed the man while in fear for his life during the incident in Devon Road. A jury convicted him of wounding

  • 10,000 expected to join Muslim march

    MUSLIMS from across the country will walk through Blackburn tomorrow to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed. The event has been held for 30 years and this year's will include tributes to an important Sufi Muslim spiritual leader, the late

  • Cancer mum and baby die after op

    A CANCER patient and her premature baby son have died just days after she underwent an emergency Caesarean in a bid to save him. Terminally ill Kulsum Geloo, 40, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Blackburn Royal Infirmary last week after being

  • Rebellion in ranks on speed cameras

    POLICE officers have launched an attack on speed cameras, claiming they are damaging their relationship with the public. Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation, a "union" representing rank-and-file officers, believes some cameras are being used

  • Bishop speaks out on lifestyles of Posh and Becks

    THE Bishop of Blackburn today slammed Posh and Becks' lust for publicity -- and the celebrity culture which could leave their lives in tatters. The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, who diocese covers the whole of East Lancashire, said the desire to create idols