Archive

  • Croquet: Cock a hoop!

    BURY Croquet Club's teams had a successful weekend when they were involved in three versions of the game. On Saturday the South's Golf Croquet team were visited by Pendle. The team of Sheila Bruckshaw, David Dean, Margaret Yates and Judith Gaskell first

  • Pool: Local lads shine on world stage

    A NUMBER of local pool players from the Bury League recently competed in the EUKPF/BAPTO World Championships held at Bridlington Spa. The local lads played for the Isle Of Man team and did superbly throughout the competition which attracted 1,400 competitors

  • Cricket: Harris 'n' floored!

    THERE'S the easy way of winning a cup final and there's the Walshaw way! That can be the only conclusion after dramatic events that resulted in the Sycamore Road club lifting the Bolton Association's Cross Cup at Adlington on Sunday. Winners of the trophy

  • Final show for stage star Stan

    A MUSICAL extravaganza to celebrate the life of an East Lancashire stage star has been organised by friends who want people to "Turn up and sing up for Stan". Stan Tate died in January after more than 50 years of entertaining local audiences in musicals

  • Tigers' pe-season games

    SEDGLEY Park Pre-season matches for 1st and 2nd XVs are as follows. 1st XV (ALL AWAY): Doncaster, Saturday August 14 (4pm); Manchester, Friday August 20 (6.30pm); Waterloo, Saturday August 28 (3pm). 2nd XV (ALL HOME): Rossendale, Wednesday August 18 (

  • Town will be magnet for rats

    I WOULD like to respond to the small article by P Broadley, Feniscowles "Once a fortnight is just rubbish" (July 28). Halleluiah! P Broadley, I totally agree with you. A rubbish collection fortnightly is completely unacceptable. As residents in Blackburn

  • Stand flatter to deceive

    AFTER winning the toss and electing to bat, Norden lost two early wickets for 29 runs, as Seedle dismissed Carroll for eight and Shah claimed the wicket of Alex Tattersall for nine. Stu Fern and the formidable Asif Mujtaba then built a solid platform

  • Lions shoot Hawks down

    LIONS...33 HUNSLET HAWKS...16: LIONS boosted their chances of a play-off spot with a hard fought victory over an injury ravaged Hawks' side. "It was a very important win for us and we must now win all our home games from now on in," said Lions' coach

  • Man, 74, suffers broken hip in raid

    A 74-YEAR-OLD man in Leigh suffered a broken hip and head injuries after he was pushed to the floor by a thief who forced his way into his house. Shortly after 7.30pm on Thursday night, the pensioner was watching television at his home on Thornton Road

  • Safe pair of hands

    HUSBAND and wife team Laura and Jeffrey Sharp are on the road to becoming the country's safest drivers. The couple of Stanley Street, Ramsbottom scored maximum points in the national Moto Road Stars safe driving competition. Trainee driving instructor

  • Hamid's victory

    A DETERMINED Bury postmaster has finally won a year-long battle against a supermarket giant. In June, the Bury Times reported how Mr Hamid Dor, who runs the Brandlesholme Road Post Office, had been fighting to have the neighbouring Tesco Express sign

  • Album hopes for talent winner

    A BURY man is on the path to stardom after winning a spot in the semi-final of a Pontins talent competition. Vinny Prentice, of Ajax Drive, impressed judges of Starquest 2004, at Southport Pontins, with his rendition of Uncle Kracker's Follow Me. The

  • Brave Tony gets the chop from his wife

    BARMAN Tony O'Sullivan was shaven not stirred when he proved himself to be a cut above the rest. The Swan and Railway tender could only look on in horror as his long locks were lopped off by his wife Sue. However, a smile has since returned to Tony's

  • More bins wheeled in

    A FURTHER 4,000 households have been sent "brown" recycling bins on the first anniversary of Bury Council's garden waste collection scheme. Some 3,500 tonnes of waste have been composted and used to improve agricultural land since the scheme was launched

  • Crews battle flood damage

    BURY escaped relatively unscathed from Tuesday's thunderstorms. A small section of Croft Lane in Hollins suffered minor subsidence as a result of heavy rain while roads and motorways throughout the borough were turned into a streams, making driving hazardous

  • Elderly warned after con

    RESIDENTS in and around Brunswick Street, Bury, are being warned to remain vigil after a bogus caller conned his way into the home of an elderly couple. A man of Afro-Caribbean appearance called at the house on Tuesday. The occupiers, aged 82 and 79 allowed

  • Bury house gets invaded

    WHEN Mike and Leesa Beckwith decided to redecorate their home, it was a recipe for disaster that only a Channel 4 makeover show could help sort out. Mike and Leesa, of Walmersley Old Road, Bury, will appear on Channel 4's latest makeover show, Honey I

  • Searched! 'Because I wanted to change a faulty tyre'

    A MAN caught up in a major anti-terrorism investigation today claimed he had been targeted because of where he had bought a new car tyre. Police have spent two days searching the Blackburn home of businessman Ayub Patel, 34, as part of a national operation

  • Speed given to campaign

    THE Holcombe Village Society are taking their campaign against speeding motorists to Westminster. Members of the society will be out in the village drumming up support for their call to improve safety for local residents. Dr Falmai Binns said: "We have

  • Council set for a very damp protest

    AN irate Bury man is threatening to protest outside the town hall against the condition of his council home. John Berry, of Lichfield Drive in Bury, claims to have had problems with damp in his home for several years and made frequent complaints to the

  • Coach wants Centurions to produce a winning finale

    CENTURIONS' coach Darren Abram is challenging his side to go the remainder of the season unbeaten, starting with Sunday's clash at Keighley. Abram is again likely to be without Simon Knox (pleurisy) and Matt Sturm (back spasms) for the game against the

  • GRAEME SOUNESS

    Blackburn Rovers 2000- A COUPLE of years ago we played Southampton at home and it was a nothing game. Then Keith Gillespie went to take on the full back and the gaffer was chasing him down the touchline shouting 'take him on, take him on'. He got off

  • Rovers bid for Dutch striker

    BLACKBURN Rovers are trying to sign Dutch striker Mounir El Hamdaoui. I can reveal that Rovers have made an official bid for the 20-year-old forward, who scored 19 goals in the Dutch League last season. And Graeme Souness is now waiting for an answer

  • CND meet

    PRESTWICH & Whitefield CND hold their annual meeting, to commemorate the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, at the Peace Tree in Heaton Park garden centre this Sunday (Aug 8), at 2pm. Later there will be a picnic. Everyone is welcome.

  • Firestation car crash

    WHITEFIELD fire crews didn't have far to travel when they were called out to deal with a road traffic accident right outside their station. A car had collided with the rear of a trailer near to their station forecourt in Bury New Road at noon on Monday

  • Elvis show

    ROCK and roll is coming to the Longfield Suite for the anniversary of the "King's" death. Tribute artist Elvis Williamson will perform at the Prestwich venue on Saturday, August 14. Doors open at 7.15pm and tickets are £6 or £5 for concessions. Elvis

  • Date for area board meeting

    PRESTWICH area board will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, September 1, after the summer recess. The meeting will be held at Prestwich Methodist Church hall in Bury New Road, at 7pm. Members of the public are invited to go along and have their say

  • Rooftop drama to stop cat-astrophe

    A RELIEVED animal lover has been reunited with his cat who fell down a neighbour's chimney four days after it went missing. Roger Shuttleworth's pet Missy went missing from the family home in Higham Hall Lane, Higham, on Sunday evening. Padiham firefighters

  • Rosgrove bulletin

    Family fun garden party TOMORROW sees the Parish of West Burnley Craft Fair & Garden Party take place between 10.30am and 4.30pm at Gawthorpe Hall. Attractions are expected to include a Scottish international footballer, over 30 stalls, crafts, a

  • Gang of cyclists steal phone

    THREE teenage boys are being hunted by police after they carried out a ride-by robbery. A 20-year-old man was walking along Thatch Leach Lane in Whitefield, at 11.30pm on Sunday (Aug 1), when he was surrounded by three teenagers on bicycles. One of the

  • Health and leisure centre trailblazer

    PLANS to bulldoze a town centre car park to make way for a £6.5million state-of-the art leisure and health centre look set to be approved by Burnley Council. The proposals to redevelop the St Peter's car park site to provide a new health centre, including

  • County spends £25m less

    LANCASHIRE County Council has been blasted for spending £25million less than it promised during the last financial year. Accounts for 2003/04 show the massive underspend in the authority's capital programme, which was defended by county hall officers

  • Thomas in town

    YOUNGSTERS are invited to steam ahead to the Ramsbottom Farmers' Market on Sunday (Aug 8). They should climb aboard Thomas the Tank Engine, who is coming to town courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway. Once there, they can take advantage of free face

  • A bumper day of free family fun

    A HUGE range of sports and outdoor attractions awaits visitors to East Bury's annual summer Party in the Park on Sunday (Aug 8). From noon until 4pm, the Green Flag-winning Openshaw Park in Rochdale Road will come alive with free family entertainment.

  • There was nothing I could do, jury is told

    A MAN accused of the torture and murder of a cannabis farmer told a jury he was a "caring, loving person". James Raven, aged 45, of Parnham Close, Radcliffe, was cross-examined at Chester Crown Court where he is accused of the murder of Brian Waters,

  • New staff bolster research team at town hall

    PENDLE Borough Council has strengthened its research team with two key appointments. Stuart Sambrook has been appointed as the first co-ordinator of the Joint Citizens' Panel, which allows residents to be more involved in the decisions taken by their

  • First walking festival boasts 30 guided rambles

    THE Pendle countryside will become a magnet for ramblers next month when the borough launches its first walking festival. There will be more than 30 guided countryside walks of varying lengths covering some of Lancashire's most dramatic, and varied, landscapes

  • Residents see bid to save their homes shunned

    RESIDENTS' appeals for their homes to be saved have fallen on deaf ears after councillors approved plans to demolish 34 homes in Colne. Last night councillors on the Colne Committee approved the revised recommendations which form part of the Government's

  • 10 years ago

    HOSPITAL bosses came under fire after a ward was closed. The doors to the elderly rehabilitation ward at Park Lee Hospital, Blackburn, were padlocked and chained after an alleged lack of patients. Business manager Wendy Duncan said: "We closed the ward

  • 50 years ago

    PLANS were unveiled to make Accrington Stanley's Peel Park become the first football ground in the country where spectators could watch games in warmth even in the coldest weather. After gate losses of £300-£500 a year following frosty conditions put

  • Workers in third one-day walkout

    WORKERS at a Clayton-le- Moors engineering firm went ahead with their third one-day walkout over pay today. Thirty shop-floor staff at Allspeeds Ltd, who make hydraulic parts for the oil exploration industry, are locked in a pay dispute. They were offered

  • Warning over kiddies' motor vehicles

    PARENTS who buy small motor vehicles for their children to ride on Accrington's roads and parks are being warned they could have the vehicles seized. Police say that people who use mini-bikes, go-peds, quad-bikes and other motorised vehicles are breaking

  • 'Vicious' beating freedom plea fails

    A TEENAGER behind bars for 12 months after a "vicious attack" which left a student with serious multiple injuries has been told he must serve the full term. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, put his victim in hospital suffering facial

  • Positive financial figures

    SKIPTON Building Society, which has a branch in Bury, has announced its half-year results to June 30. Group assets are £7.8 billion and pre-tax profits total £38.1 million. Year on year figures show group assets grew by 11.25 per cent, mortgage balances

  • Before the courts

    Stephen Foster, aged 38, Lynton Road, Tyldesley. Driving without due care and attention. Fined £220, costs £75, licence endorsed. David Shovelton, aged 39, Lowther Drive, Leigh. Threatening behaviour. Conditional discharge for six months, costs £20. Hazel

  • New on the team

    BURY-based Pennine Telecom has strengthened its management team following its management buy-out (MBO). Ann Barnes has been appointed human resources (HR) manager while Nigel Beaumont takes up the post of financial controller. Ann joined Salford Street-based

  • Firm plays its part in £60m project

    A BURY company has played a key role in the £60 million development of Islington's new waste and recycling centre which is to open in the capital soon. The building includes fire resistant ductwork from Lord Street-based Senior Hargreaves for emergency

  • A book for our MEP to read

    CHRIS Davies, in his recent Letter from Europe, confirms my contention that the only response to those so-called sceptics concerned about the EU generally, and the constitution specifically, is to be told that we are talking nonsense. On this occasion

  • Bag snatch ordeal

    A 64-YEAR-OLD woman and her 33-year-old daughter tried to fend off a robber as they were walking in Whitefield. They were in Park Laneon Thursday night at around 11.30 when a man approached them and demanded the mother's handbag. The daughter confronted

  • Tell us what you earn, council asks

    RESIDENTS in an area with soaring house prices are being urged to respond to a survey about their incomes or risk missing out on affordable homes. Ribble Valley Council has begun a series of surveys asking people about their housing situation, including

  • NEIL WARNOCK

    Club From To Games W L D SHEFFIELD UTD... 2/12/99 Present 243 106 76 61 BURY... 2/6/98 2/12/99 77 19 29 29 OLDHAM... 21/2/97 7/5/98 69 22 27 20 PLYMOUTH... 22/6/95 3/2/97 88 35 29 24 HUDDERSFIELD... 15/7/93 5/6/95 108 44 30 3 NOTTS CO... 5/1/89 1/1/493

  • Warnock: Clarets will be good for Cotterill

    SHEFFIELD United manager Neil Warnock believes that Steve Cotterill has been handed the perfect opportunity to re-establish his managerial credentials at Burnley. Cotterill was sacked after a turbulent spell as assistant boss at Sunderland in February

  • Cotterill is up for test

    BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill believes tomorrow's curtain-raiser against Sheffield United will be a timely benchmark for the season. The Clarets begin life under Cotterill with a tasty Turf Moor opener against Neil Warnock's Blades in the newly-named Coca

  • Double whammy

    A FIRE engine responding to a car fire was involved in a collision with a car. The appliance was travelling anti-clockwise along the hard shoulder of the M60 near to Junction 17 at Whitefield on Wednesday (Aug 4) when it and a VW Passat crashed into each

  • Carran moves to the police station

    MAJOR refurbishment work at Prestwich Library has meant a move for area co-ordinator Carran O'Grady. Carran occupied a first floor office at the library but has taken up temporary residence at Prestwich Police Station while the facilities are being re-designed

  • League cruise to victory

    THE Lancashire League side strolled to a nine wicket win over the League Cricket Conference XI at Rawtenstall. The visitors were bowled out for 168 with Tama Canning (2-24), Steve Dearden (2-16) and Burnley's Steven Holden (2-37) a late replacement for

  • Alan's on parade for his birthday

    OLD soldier Alan Rowcroft had a party to remember when young musicians from his former regiment saluted his 80th birthday in style. The Royal Marines Cadet Band, in full military uniform, performed for the Prestwich pensioner who was almost moved to tears

  • Premium threat to profits

    A STAGGERING 80 per cent of Prestwich and Whitefield businesses and those elsewhere in Greater Manchester have seen notable increases in their Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) over the last 12 months. That's according to results from the

  • Give up on Heidi? Neigh, says Georgia

    A WHITEFIELD youngster has triumphed against the odds at the Royal Lancashire Show. Georgia Davis, of Marle Croft, won the Hand Bred Arabian Mares category at last week's agricultural spectacular. Georgia (14) managed to wow the judges with her four-year-old

  • Captain's Comments by Dave Dove

    IN an important league game on Saturday, we had a quite convincing win over Sefton collecting a valuable 24 points. Remarkably, we started out in tenth place and actually overtook Sefton who were fourth at the start of the day. This just reflects how

  • Bootle end Leigh cup final dream

    THERE was great disappointment for Leigh CC as their dreams of an appearance in the Thwaites Lancashire Knockout Trophy Final at Old Trafford were shattered after a brave, but unsuccessful attempt to win their semi-final tie against Liverpool Competition

  • Dickens

    ATHERTON Heritage Society will hear about "The World of Charles Dickens" from B Schreider at the August 10 meeting at 7.30pm in St Richard's Jubilee Hall. Admission is £1 members, £1.50 non-members.

  • Summer fair fun

    WIGAN and Leigh Pensioners' Link want books, records, CDs and non-perishable goods for a tombola stall at their summer fair in the Charles Street, Leigh, resource centre on August 21 (11-2). Admission is free and stalls include books, arts and crafts

  • Sitting problem for OAP John

    DISABLED pensioner John Byrne, aged 65, is angry and upset at the removal of seats from the foyer of his local superstore. But Asda said the seats had to be removed because of health and safety issues, and that smokers used the seats contravened a smoking

  • Juniors set for derby showdown

    THE Bolton League play the last of their round robin games in the Junior U18 Interleague Cricket Championship, when they take on the Bolton Association at Adlington on Sunday. The team is: A Worrall (Little Lever captain); R Senior, M Kay (Greenmount)

  • Potted plants scheme aims to unite generations

    YOUNGSTERS have set out to build bridges with elderly folk in Darwen and ease crime fears - by offering an olive branch. Young people taking part in a new project called Junior Problem Solving handed out potted plants which they had created for them.

  • Man is cleared of car damage

    A MAN accused of attacking his former girlfriend's car with a Samurai sword after rumours of a three-in-a-bed romp with two of his friends walked free from court. Tyldesley man Lee Weatherilt's former partner had alleged that he caused £300 worth of damage

  • Kids go back in time for fun and games

    VICTORIAN values are coming to playtime at Helmshore Textile Museum later this month. During the last week of August children will be able to play with toys and learn playground games that were popular 150 years ago. The Playdays project is aimed at primary

  • Armed robbery at PO

    AN axeman and two other raiders, one armed with a knife, robbed security guards delivering cash to a post office. At approximately 11.20am on Friday a three-man gang approached a van delivering cash to the post office in Car Bank Street, Atherton and

  • Date for area board meeting

    PRESTWICH area board will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, September 1, after the summer recess. The meeting will be held at Prestwich Methodist Church hall in Bury New Road, at 7pm. Members of the public are invited to go along and have their say

  • Call for more medical students

    THE region's public health chief today called on the Government to boost medical teaching and training. Professor Dr John Ashton, North West Regional Director of Public Health, is backing calls to the Department of Health asking for foundations to be

  • Ceiling-collapse firm says sorry to women

    THE maintenance company behind a water disaster which caused a woman's ceiling to collapse today apologised for the accident. Annette Ford, 39, and daughter Rebecca, 15, of Hurstwood Avenue, Green Lane, Blackburn, were forced to sleep downstairs and left

  • Cancer victim sues former employers

    A BLACKBURN man who is dying from an asbestos related cancer has launched a legal battle for compensation from his former employers. Michael Lang, 56, suffers from malignant mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lung tissue, invariably induced by contact

  • Police 'turn up nothing'

    A BUSINESSMAN today claimed police had failed to turn up anything after two days of searching his premises. Lower Audley Tyres, in Blackburn, was one of five addresses raided this week as part of anti-terror investigations, but was open as usual today

  • Park improvements are appreciated

    I FEEL compelled to praise those involved in providing the beautiful hanging baskets and decorative gardens in Bury, especially in Sparrow Park. The time and effort taken is greatly appreciated by the many people who stand and admire these works of art

  • Driver was out for an argument

    "LEAVE the car at home and join us on the ultimate travel experience". That is the invitation on the back of Rossendale Transport buses, but after my recent experience I certainly won't be accepting again! I and my two daughters travelled to Bury and

  • Shakers fans have seen it all before

    I WISH this was the first time I have felt the need to write to the Bury Times about the chaos that Bury Football Club can create among its supporters and visitors, and their complete disregard for them. Sadly, it is not. Every year we are asked to purchase

  • We will play Labour's 'game'

    I FOUND your report (July 30) on the standards committee hearing into the conduct of councillors Bibby and Taylor to be factual as far as it went but very limited in its explanation of the context of the complaint, made by Labour councillors Byrne and

  • Spending on pupils at a low

    A SURVEY of secondary school funding in the north west once again shows Bury among the losers in Government spending. However, education bosses say they are doing their best to make up the shortfall -- and that Bury pupils have never had it so good. In

  • I am unwavering in my praise

    I FEEL truly sorry that N. Morris (Letters, July 30) had what she described as "a pretty awful experience" on the post-natal ward at Fairfield Hospital and therefore felt unable to agree with my earlier complimentary comments about staff, both there and

  • Hero Ben saves youngster's life at Burrs

    QUICK-THINKING teenager Ben Keen saved the life of a young boy who had slipped into the fast-flowing waters of the River Irwell. Then the mystery child walked away! Putting his own life at risk, Ben had waded out into the five-foot deep rapids at Burrs

  • Viewers choose Sam's favourite bouquet

    SAM Lilley, TV wedding of the year bride, discovered on Friday which bouquet she will carry down the aisle. The 23-year-old, from Hollins, Bury, was delighted when viewers chose an arrangement by Matthew Dickinson - her favourite of the three bouquets

  • Want to play for Colls?

    NEW players are needed to join Atherton Colls Under 13s for the coming season. Interested players should contcat Joe on 01942-873754 or 07989358643 for further details.

  • Players wanted

    HINDSFORD Sharks U14 Junior Football team are seeking players for all positions, but particularly forward and midfield players, for the coming season. Those born between August 1, 1990 and August 31,1991 are eligible. Contact Derek on 01942 748007 or

  • Ref moves up to join elite

    LEIGH referee Karl Evans has won a double promotion honour. The 25-years-old member of the Leigh and District Association Football Referees' Society who picked up the whistle at the age of 17 has stepped up to the national list of football league assistant

  • Starbuck misses out on loan deal move

    LEIGH RMI have missed out on the chance to take Blackpool pair Matthew Blinkhorn and Steve McMahon Junior on loan. Phil Starbuck approached the Tangerines about a three-month deal for both players, but trainee midfielder McMahon rejected the move and

  • Cricket: Association chase is three-way affair

    ELTON took another big stride towards the Bolton Association championship last Saturday as they picked up a winning draw against rivals Atherton. Prior to last weekend's game Atherton were ten points behind, but with a game in hand. They still have the

  • Cycle speedway: Bravehearts beat Scots

    SCOTIA, on their return journey to Edinburgh, rode the second of their weekend fixtures having ridden at Stoke the previous day. The news that they had won the second team match left Bury-Pedalsport a little apprehensive. In a tight combination match

  • Cricket: Bury fall short while Brox lose at double

    IN the Manchester Association, stand-in Bury skipper James Towey won the toss at Hindley St Peter's and elected to field on what looked like a good wicket to bowl first. Bury's opening bowlers did well in tandem at the right-hand-left hand opening pair

  • Asbestos exposure led to death

    A FORMER director of Scapa in Blackburn died as a result of exposure to asbestos during his working career, an inquest was told. An inquest heard that while Bryan James Gisbourne worked his way up to the board room he spent much of his time on the shop

  • Feeney due at Park

    WHILE the Tigers still search for another second row, the impending arrival of former Super 12 fly-half Blair Feeney is creating a wave of excitement at the Park Lane home of National One bound Sedgley Park. "We are expecting a heck of a lot from him,

  • Truth will always come out

    THE damage to a company and its employees that can arise from an employee having an affair with a member of management has to be experienced to be understood. Any sensible company would sack both parties on the spot. At the FA it's two down, two to go

  • Chance to help children

    WERE any of your readers helped by ChildLine at any time during their childhood? If you are 18 or over and ChildLine made a real difference to your life when you were growing up, we would very much like to hear from you. This year is very special for

  • Thomas in town

    YOUNGSTERS are invited to steam ahead to the Ramsbottom Farmers' Market on Sunday (Aug 8). They should climb aboard Thomas the Tank Engine, who is coming to town courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway. Once there, they can take advantage of free face

  • Schools in £150m go-ahead

    EDUCATION bosses in Burnley are celebrating today after being told the town's bid for £150 million to transform schools has finally been accepted. The news comes just weeks after senior councillors in the town claimed the plans to overhaul secondary education

  • Brakes on more steam rail plan

    RAILWAY chiefs have poured cold water on a suggestion to extend steam services from Bury to Rochdale -- at least for the time being. Bosses at the East Lancashire Railway say that several obstacles would have to be overcome to establish a link between

  • Spending on pupils at a low

    A SURVEY of secondary school funding in the north west once again shows Bury among the losers in Government spending. However, education bosses say they are doing their best to make up the shortfall -- and that Bury pupils have never had it so good. In

  • New teams to check changes

    THE threat to the special care baby unit and other maternity services in Bury is to be investigated by special task forces. Under controversial proposals Fairfield Generral Hospital could lose its special care baby unit, and round-the-clock paediatric

  • Display dampener for bike fans

    THE Radcliffe and Whitefield Lions were beaten by the weather on Sunday (Aug 1) as their car boot and gala event was rained off. The Black Knights MCC Bike Display Team were due to stage a show at Red Bank playing fields, Radcliffe, but could not take

  • Masked petrol station raiders had hand-gun

    ARMED raiders escaped with approximately £300 from a Prestwich petrol station. Two masked men walked into the service station in Middleton Road, at 1.25pm on Tuesday (Aug 3) and kicked down a door to reach a terrified female cashier. They threatened the

  • Hopes of saving two P.O. branches from axe

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike said there may be a glimmer of hope that two of the seven post offices in the town threatened with closure will be saved. Mr Pike, and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Labour Party, Kitty Ussher, met with regional Royal

  • Top probe into green retreat

    RECYCLING bosses are to be quizzed as part of an inquiry into the controversial decision to scrap fortnightly collections of glass, cans and garden waste. Representatives from all the organisations involved in the decision will be questioned by members

  • LETTER: Shakers fans have seen it all before

    I WISH this was the first time I have felt the need to write to the Bury Times about the chaos that Bury Football Club can create among its supporters and visitors, and their complete disregard for them. Sadly, it is not. Every year we are asked to purchase

  • Murph has no fear

    IRISH midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy reckons Shakers' fans have plenty to look forward to on the eve of the new Coca Cola League Two season. Barry-Murphy, a summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday, knows all about life in the league's basement division

  • Mattis is no Dwayne on resources

    IF there's one club Bury have traded players with more than any in recent years, it has to be Huddersfield Town. The connection goes back to the bad hair days of the 1970s, when promising youngsters Brian Stanton and Malcolm Brown headed off to Leeds

  • Shakers boss so excited about new venture

    AFTER almost 25 years in professional football you'd think Graham Barrow would be getting a bit blas about the opening game of the season. . . Don't you believe it! At the start of his first full season in charge of the club, the Bury boss can't wait

  • Coca-Cola League Two Factfile

    SHAKERS expert PHIL THORP takes a look at how the rest of the re-named Coca-Cola League Two are shaping up and their prospects for the new campaign HBOSTON UNITED: It remains to be seen whether new player-coach Gazza can inspire the Pilgrims to great

  • Seven years jail for rape terror

    A RAPIST who subjected a young mother to a late night terror attack as she cradled her baby has been jailed for seven years. Craig Waring's victim was so frightened during the onslaught in Rishton last November that she thought she was going to die, Burnley

  • Brothers land big shark

    A PARADISE island beach looked like a scene from the scary movie "Jaws" when two brothers landed their first catch - a killer bull shark. Bathers scattered as 11-year-old Jordan O'Neill and Dale Halliwell, 16, landed the seven foot monster during a boat

  • Reducing profits

    A STAGGERING 80 per cent of boroughwide businesses and those elsewhere in Greater Manchester have seen notable increases in their Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) over the last 12 months. That's according to results from the latest survey

  • MP makes a special delivery to winners TNT

    BURY South MP Ivan Lewis turned the tables on TNT by making a very special delivery to the award-winning company. In his capacity as Minister for Adult Learning and Skills, Mr Lewis presented the company -- which has a depot in Ramsbottom -- with its

  • Our wartime spirit destroyed by Blair

    I AM a member of a generation that lived through the Second World War when there was much hardship and danger, but also a great comradeship, not only in the armed forces but also among the people in general; quite rightly, Winston Churchill called it

  • Boss Cotterill has to make his sums work

    WELL, it hardly feels like five minutes, but here we go again. So much has happened at Turf Moor since Stan Ternent took his well-deserve lap of honour after the Sunderland game in May. A new manager in place, new players making their meaningful debuts

  • PADOS notch up the awards

    ALL the world's a stage and PADOS seem to have it firmly in their hands judging by their success last season. The group, which is based at PADOS House, in St Mary's Road, Prestwich notched up an impressive 37 award nominations and managed to scoop 10

  • Tributes to a much-loved performer

    FRIENDS of a well-known actor on the amateur dramatics circuit have paid tribute to their "man of all seasons". PADOS member Graham Dey (73) passed away last month in North Manchester General Hospital after being in a coma for six months. The accomplished

  • Dickens

    ATHERTON Heritage Society will hear about "The World of Charles Dickens" from B Schreider at the August 10 meeting at 7.30pm in St Richard's Jubilee Hall. Admission is £1 members, £1.50 non-members.

  • Bowls round-up

    FAZACKERLEY Furnishing Veterans' Bowling League results for July 28: Botanical Gardens 172, Butts Park B 139; Atherton Park B 166, Rugby Union B 145; Lilford 153, Leigh Cricket Club 172; St Paul's 145, Morgan's 144; Leigh Bowling Club 155, Leigh Miners

  • Homing results

    EIGHT members of Atherton Homing Society's Yew Tree Lofts released 111 birds at Kempsey. Results were - 1 Mr and Mrs Dickens 1372.48; 2 Mr and Mrs Jones 1337.27; 3 W Craighead 1278.43; 4 K and E Shaw 1254.09; 5 Farnworth and Grant 1233.03; 6 W Craighead

  • A & T race away for speedway win

    ASTLEY & Tyldesley took on Sheffield Stars in a Northern Cycle Speedway League match at Gin Pit on Sunday. The first two races were drawn, before A & T took the lead with a 6-4 heat win in heat three. Sheffield hit back with a 7-3 to take the

  • Bury TV star hits the radio waves

    ALCOHOL and late night cooking don't mix. That is the message of a new fire safety campaign in Greater Manchester which has recruited Bury-born actor Ralf Little to help cut the number of night-time house fires -- and deaths. The star of The Royle Family

  • Firefighters' strike ballot

    FIRE fighters across the borough will be balloted for industrial action. Voting forms are being sent to local crews and their colleagues across the country after talks between the Fire Brigades Union and the national employers' broke down on Tuesday.

  • Cotterill is up for test

    BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill believes tomorrow's curtain-raiser against Sheffield United will be a timely benchmark for the season. The Clarets begin life under Cotterill with a tasty Turf Moor opener against Neil Warnock's Blades in the newly-named Coca

  • Come and join the fun

    DERIAN House Children's Hospice will benefit from a craft and gift fair in Leigh Library on Saturday, August 21, (10-3). Admission is free.

  • Help me!

    GRADUATE Samantha Garner lost a Casio digital camera containing photos from her graduation ceremony and hopes Journal readers may help her regain them. If anyone has found the camera following a celebration party at the Manchester Road Inn, it can be

  • Clifton aim to bounce back from final blow

    CLIFTON have to pick up the pieces after another chance of silverware passed them by last week. The defeat by Walshaw in the Cross Cup was the third time they have lost in the final of the Association's premier trophy in four years. "It's getting a bit

  • Carers' chance to sharpen computer skills

    HARD working carers are being offered the chance to step back into the workplace. The Charles Street, Leigh-based, Wigan and Leigh Carers' Centre is offering free computer courses starting this month to carers across the borough. The classes, arranged

  • Parade will be highlight of super gala day

    THE full line-up of entertainment at this year's Darwen Gala has been revealed. Booklets detailing the free activities are available in various places around town including Darwen Town Hall, Darwen Library and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph office in

  • Charity demo at Bents

    HOSPICE campaigner Susie Mathis, the Kirsty Appeal Co-ordinator for Francis House Children's Hospice, will be at a charity demonstration from 6pm next Thursday (Aug 12) at Bents Garden Centre, Warrington Road, Glazebury. Garden tool suppliers Wolf Garten

  • Booze shop's plea over licence

    THE owners of a Rossendale off-licence which had its alcohol licence revoked after selling booze to under-age drinkers has appealed against the decision. Rossendale Booze, in Manchester Road, Haslingden, was stripped of its licence last month. Ravi Manji

  • Carla's angle on charity cash

    CARLA Acton is angling to raise cash for her favourite charity. The seven-year-old from Leigh joined grandad Ken Buxton on the banks of Partridge Lakes Fisheries at Culcheth for a sponsored fish to help add to the thousands of pounds she has already raised

  • CND meet

    PRESTWICH & Whitefield CND hold their annual meeting, to commemorate the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, at the Peace Tree in Heaton Park garden centre this Sunday (Aug 8), at 2pm. Later there will be a picnic. Everyone is welcome.

  • Elvis show

    ROCK and roll is coming to the Longfield Suite for the anniversary of the "King's" death. Tribute artist Elvis Williamson will perform at the Prestwich venue on Saturday, August 14. Doors open at 7.15pm and tickets are £6 or £5 for concessions. Elvis

  • Plenty to do in the park

    HEATON Park is the place to be this summer with a host of activities for local school children. Organised by Manchester City Council, the "School's Out" programme is already under way at the Prestwich park and there is also a chance to learn about horse

  • Police 'Guard' to crack crime

    POLICE have mounted a major crackdown on travelling criminals following a spate of robberies in the county. Today officers throughout East Lancashire began an operation codenamed 'Guard' targeting criminals using the county's roads. Police will use automatic

  • Alco-lock test 'is open to cheating'

    AN anti-alcohol campaigner has blasted a new initiative aimed at shortening drink-driving bans. The Government is set to let drink drivers escape part of their ban if they agree to have a new device fitted to their cars at their expense. Each time a convicted

  • Our action was justified: police

    A POLICE chief is confident the "first class relationship" with Blackburn's Muslim community will continue in the wake of the high-profile anti-terrorism raids. And divisional commander Chief Supt Dave Mallaby publicly thanked all the town's communities

  • Safety classes for parking army

    LANCASHIRE'S new army of parking attendants is being trained in self-defence amid fears they will be attacked by irate drivers. And the 90-strong team, due to hit the streets on September 6, will be constantly tracked, using state-of-the-art satellite

  • For sale! Bid in for shopping centre

    BLACKBURN Shopping Centre could be sold for the second time in 14 months - prompting speculation about the future revamp of Lord Square. Reit Asset Management, the London-based investment firm which bought the centre for £100million from Standard Life

  • Searched! 'Because I wanted to change a faulty tyre'

    A MAN caught up in a major anti-terrorism investigation today claimed he had been targeted because of where he had bought a new car tyre. Police have spent two days searching the Blackburn home of businessman Ayub Patel, 34, as part of a national operation

  • Stanley are hit by £2,000 FA fine

    ACCRINGTON Stanley have received a £2,000 rap on the knuckles from the FA for their poor disciplinary record last season. And the Reds have also been handed a £5,000 suspended fine if their abysmal table of shame does not improve this term. Stanley, who

  • Brakes on more steam rail plan

    RAILWAY chiefs have poured cold water on a suggestion to extend steam services from Bury to Rochdale -- at least for the time being. Bosses at the East Lancashire Railway say that several obstacles would have to be overcome to establish a link between

  • Away game switch

    SEDGLEY Park's away fixture to Rotherham on Saturday September 11 will be played at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, rather than the Titans normal base at Millmoor, which is also home to Rotherham United FC.

  • Heys boys back on song

    PRESTWICH'S last ever visit to Longsight was an enjoyable one after they got back into the winning groove. A seven-wicket triumph kept the Heys side on top of the Lees Lancashire County League after they had lost their previous three games. Longsight

  • They should resign now

    AFTER a thorough investigation by the Standards Board for England, and recently by the Standards Committee of Bury MBC, councillors Taylor and Bibby have finally been brought to book. They have been found guilty of a serious breach of the National Code

  • Insensitive to a victim of crime

    I AM very proud of my daughter who has worked extremely hard to achieve her goals. She lives independently of me and does not claim any benefits from the state. She pays her bills on time and is not in debt, though there is never any money left over at

  • Keep dogs out of the cemetery

    SINCE March 19 I have visited Radcliffe Cemetery every day and am appalled at the number of people who use the grounds as a "dog park". I know that some people take their dogs there in cars, then let them loose, throwing toys and balls for them to retrieve

  • Stop grumbling and help us

    I FEEL compelled to respond to your correspondent Margaret Whittaker (Letters, July 30). In the first place, she seems to begrudge paying the entry fee to Bury Agricultural Show, even though she was aware that local charities were to benefit from the

  • Why not ban it in the Elizabethan?

    BURY Council introduced a new smoking policy on August 1 and the recent news story implied that council employees have previously been able to smoke at work. This is not entirely true. Most Bury Council employees have been unable to "enjoy a cigarette

  • Cricket: Kartik and Daggett are hangover cure!

    AT a sundrenched Colne ground on Sunday it looked like a clear case of the morning after the night before for the early Ramsbottom batsmen. The after effects of the bash to celebrate Mark Dentith's wedding the night before were there for all to see as

  • Keeper at City meeting

    A HIGH standard will be set at the first meeting of the season for members of the Prestwich and Whitefield branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club. The meeting will be held on Tuesday (Aug 10) at Heaton Park Social Club in Bury Old Road. Special

  • Road safety scheme wasn't needed

    IT is quite understandable for the Cherry Tree Resident (LET, July 24) to be totally confused with the question of road safety schemes as to where and why they are implemented. In the reply, the council spokesman gave a reasonably logical answer in that

  • Honours at the double

    THE new President of Peel Lions Club received a double honour this week after landing the post of chairman of the Lions Zone. Tony Hodkin is more than ready to take on the dual role, having held the position of club vice-president last year and the presidency

  • Monster fun for holidays

    CHILDREN on the Springs Estate in Bury found monsters lurking in the rubbish when they took part in a holiday playscheme. The youngsters enjoyed two weeks of "Summer of Fun" activities, including a junk workshop with artist Sheridan Hilton. They made

  • Never forgotten

    FALLEN war heroes will be remembered at a special ceremony next month. Walshaw's war memorial will be dedicated at a church service following a special project which has seen the names of local servicemen from the area who gave their lives during the

  • Craig gets his babe on arms

    DOTING Ramsbottom dad Craig Butterworth has endured the "pain" of separation from his son -- by having an image of his baby's face tattooed on to his arm! The 32-year-old gym instructor took the unusual step after claiming his former partner barred him

  • Lifesaver Ben halts tragedy

    QUICK-THINKING teenager Ben Keen saved the life of a young boy who had slipped into the fast-flowing waters of the River Irwell. Then the mystery child walked away! Putting his own life at risk, Ben had waded out into the five-foot deep rapids at Burrs

  • New 'lock' test will put brake on drink-drivers

    NEW technology could hold the key to preventing people convicted of drink-driving in Bury from re-offending. Trials are now taking place into the use of alcohol "breath testing" locks which prevent cars from behind started if the convicted drink-driver

  • I've been too lucky to have any regrets

    In the final part of our series looking at Craig Short's career, the Blackburn Rovers defender reveals why he feels so priviledged, and why it's important to him to stay grounded LIKE all teenage football fanatics in the 1980s, one star-struck young Yorkshireman

  • Brownie bonus for sick children

    GENEROUS youngsters at a Whitefield Brownie group carried out a number of sponsored tasks to help children with a serious illness. The members of the 5th Whitefield Brownies, at Stand All Saints Church, raised £240 by completing 26 different tasks, such

  • Lottery windfall groups celebrate

    ORGANISATIONS in Burnley are celebrating today after receiving more than £300,000 to help fund various projects. The cash from the Big Lottery Fund will see Burnley and District Citizens Advice Service (BDCAS), Age Concern and the Parochial Church Council

  • Video and DVD round-up: Prison tale of degradation

    THE best new rental title of the week Carandiru (15, Columbia Tristar, 146 mins) comes from one of the leading film-makers in Brazil, Hector Babenco (Pixote, Kiss of the Spiderwoman), who is back with this stunning based-on-fact prison drama that has

  • Keeper at City meeting

    A HIGH standard will be set at the first meeting of the season for members of the Prestwich and Whitefield branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club. The meeting will be held on Tuesday (Aug 10) at Heaton Park Social Club in Bury Old Road. Special

  • Big award

    MANCHESTER Jewish Museum has won national recognition for its history of the Jewish community. The museum, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has received The Sandford Award for Heritage Education from the Heritage Education Trust . The

  • Schools in £150m go-ahead

    EDUCATION bosses in Burnley are celebrating today after being told the town's bid for £150 million to transform schools has finally been accepted. The news comes just weeks after senior councillors in the town claimed the plans to overhaul secondary education

  • Charity demo at Bents

    HOSPICE campaigner Susie Mathis, the Kirsty Appeal Co-ordinator for Francis House Children's Hospice, will be at a charity demonstration from 6pm next Thursday (Aug 12) at Bents Garden Centre, Warrington Road, Glazebury. Garden tool suppliers Wolf Garten

  • Teen twins' internet job search

    TEENAGE twins who advertised for a summer job on their own internet site are still out of work. Nick and Scott Oates, 14, go to Moorhead High School, and are hoping to find some part time work for the holidays. They teamed up with their mum, Carol Masheder

  • Store owner is planning supermarket bid appeal

    THE owner of an Accrington cash and carry is planning to appeal against a decision not to allow him planning permission to operate as a supermarket. Nazir Hussain, owner of NH Food Store, in the former Globe works building, Brown Street, was refused retrospective

  • Store revamp

    RETAILER Wilkinson is shutting its store on The Rock, Bury, from tomorrow (Sat Aug 7) for one week to allow a full revamp to take place. The company says it's pumping new investment into its Bury store to provide a fresh new look for customers. Store

  • Let's outlaw this "hunting"

    BIG game hunting in Africa should by now, be as out-dated as the rigid class system of which it was so much a feature. Alas, it isn't. In South Africa it continues in the form of "canned hunts" which involve an animal, usually a lion or a leopard, being

  • Blair promised to ban hunting

    I FEAR that Alan Fairhurst (Letters, July 16) makes ridiculously exaggerated claims in his letter about fox hunting. Far more babies and toddlers are injured by untrained, uncontrolled, domestic dogs than by timid foxes, and I have yet to hear of a fox

  • Safety calsses for parking army

    LANCASHIRE'S new army of parking attendants is being trained in self-defence amid fears they will be attacked by irate drivers. And the 90-strong team, due to hit the streets on September 6, will be constantly tracked, using state-of-the-art satellite

  • MATCH ODDS

    BURNLEY 8/5, SHEFF UTD 12/5, DRAW 12/5 FIRST GOALSCORER BURNLEY: Blake 5/1, Moore 13/2, Branch 16/1, Grant (left) 25/1, McGreal 33/1, Sinclair 40/1. SHEFF UTD: Hayles 11/2, Liddell 6/1, Ndlovu 9/1, Tonge 14/1, Harley 25/1 LAST SEASON BURNLEY 3 SHEFF UTD

  • Bosses are poles apart

    IN the volatile science of football management, Turf Moor is ready to pit the eager student up against the wily old professor. Steve Cotterill and Neil Warnock are managers from opposites side of the campus. The new Clarets chief arrived at Turf Moor

  • Champions!

    BURY South MP Ivan Lewis turned the tables on TNT by making a very special delivery to the award-winning company. In his capacity as Minister for Adult Learning and Skills, Mr Lewis presented the company, which has a depot in Ramsbottom, with its Investor

  • Plenty to do in the park

    HEATON Park is the place to be this summer with a host of activities for local school children. Organised by Manchester City Council, the "School's Out" programme is already under way at the Prestwich park and there is also a chance to learn about horse

  • Darwen give Greg his chance

    league game TEENAGER Greg Lawrenson has retained his place in title-chasing Darwen's first team. With Chris Clarke still unavailable the youngster, who made his debut last weekend, will again be included as Darwen travel to take on Kendal in the Northern

  • Drink-drivers' breath could lock their car

    NEW technology could hold the key to preventing drink-drivers in Prestwich and Whitefield from re-offending. Trials are now taking place into the use of alcohol 'breath testing' locks which prevent cars from being started if the convicted drink-driver

  • Church praying for a change of fortune

    LEAGUE Leaders Church will happily swap last weekend's amazing record-breaking weekend for a victory to retain top spot. The West Enders scored 306 and yet lost to East Lancs, despite professional Ruvin Peiris's club record knock of 172 not out. For CHURCH

  • PO ain't broke so stop trying to fix it!

    I WONDER if the Post Office mandarins have ever heard the maxim: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"? Sub-post offices have been the hub of their local communities for many generations, often giving advice and assistance beyond their official commitment

  • Churches' bowls

    CHURCHES' bowling results: Leigh 144, St Paul's 120; Bedford 151, All Saints 134; Pennington 155, H G Meths 133; St Peter's 154, St Thomas' 136. League table: Leigh 24pts, Bedford 23, All Saints 22, Pennington 21, St Paul's 19, St Peter's 16, H G St John's

  • Mixed fortunes for Super Cup sides

    LEIGH Miners Rangers booked their Super Cup final berth, but Leigh East missed out in a scorcher at Twist Lane last weekend. In roasting temperatures, a healthy crowd witnessed two high-scoring semi-finals, and although Miners saw off North West Counties

  • Tories hit out at Euro campaign

    TORIES have hit out at Bury Council over plans for an awareness-raising campaign on the European constitution. Voters in the borough will be told more about proposed changes to the EU ahead of any referendum. Members decided on the move at a meeting of

  • Mum and child take to sleeping on floor

    A BURY woman and her daughter slept on the living room floor and barricaded their doors in case her husband returned to harass her, a court was told. Philip Burdon (48), of Gwenfro, Wrexham, was before Rochdale magistrates admitting a charge of harassment

  • Rovers bid for Dutch striker

    BLACKBURN Rovers are trying to sign Dutch striker Mounir El Hamdaoui. I can reveal that Rovers have made an official bid for the 20-year-old forward, who scored 19 goals in the Dutch League last season. And Graeme Souness is now waiting for an answer