Archive

  • A health of experience

    MUSIC in operating theatres has long been the norm to help surgeons get on with their work. But now, cancer clinics in East Lancashire are also tuning in to musical sounds - and being told by patients it increases their sense of privacy, According to

  • Take the plunge for Tommy's

    I AM trying to find some volunteers to do a sponsored parachute jump for Tommy's. The baby charity raises money for incubator units and associated equipment to help save the lives of premature and sick newborn babies. There are two types of jump. Solo

  • Let teachers keep their jobs

    I AM a pupil of Queen's Park Technology College and I think the teachers shouldn't need to re-apply for their jobs. Ye,s we do need a new building and maybe a new name for the school but the teachers are doing nothing wrong. If they do what they're saying

  • Hotel to expand

    THE Village Hotel and Leisure Club in Bury has revealed plans to build a £1.3m extension. The hotel, situated at Waterfold Business Park off Rochdale Road, will see an extra 28 bedrooms added to the rear of the building, taking the total number of rooms

  • £8m hopes for housing

    BURY'S council houses are in line for an £8 million modernisation boost over the next three years. The Government says Bury can have the money if it succeeds in creating an Arm's Length Management Organisation (ALMO) to manage its 9,000 homes. The launch

  • Drugs plot man jailed

    AN international drug trafficker was today jailed for 10 years and nine months after admitting taking part in a plot to import £1million of ecstasy tablets. Paul Hendra, 35, who has links to notorious East Lancashire narcotics gang The Firm, was sentenced

  • C'est la vie for Killen family

    THE Killen family who left behind friends and family in Bury to move to the continent to give their disabled daughter a better quality of life are settling into the French way of life. Inspired by their seven-year-old daughter Kirsty, Anthea and Dave

  • Hitchcock on board

    KEVIN Hitchcock today said he's relishing the challenge of becoming Blackburn Rovers' new goalkeeping coach. The former Chelsea stopper has signed a one year contract with Rovers after quitting a similar post at Watford and he replaces Roy Tunks in Mark

  • Bowyer's boys keep up the good work

    BLACKBURN Rovers Under 18s secured another impressive win, this time at the expense of Stoke City. Gary Bowyer's side have now won seven out of eight matches in the league after Bryan Hodge's early goal proved decisive in the Potteries. And the margin

  • Boost for Hughes as Rovers trio return

    BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes today received a triple injury boost with the news that three of his first team squad are ready to make a comeback. David Thompson, Andy Todd and Steven Reid are all set to feature in tonight's reserve game against

  • Detectives still investigating 'motiveless attack'

    DETECTIVES were today continuing to investigate a motiveless attack on a man left for dead in a Burnley street. Damien Philip Smyth, 29, was found unconscious by a passer-by in Albert Street, near the junction with Ridge Road, shortly after 3am on Saturday

  • Unfinished building delays start of school

    PUPILS in Radcliffe were turned away from school this week as building work had not been completed. Construction work at the Coney Green site of the new Radcliffe Riverside School had not been finished in time for the new school year on Monday (Sept 6

  • School trips will go on, says head

    A HEADTEACHER has insisted school trips will continue to play an important part of his school's curriculum - despite growing red tape surrounding health and safety. Some teaching unions have become so concerned about the potential for teachers to be held

  • Drugs plot man jailed

    AN international drug trafficker was today jailed for 10 years and nine months after admitting taking part in a plot to import £1million of ecstasy tablets. Paul Hendra, 35, who has links to notorious East Lancashire narcotics gang The Firm, was sentenced

  • Going to Darlington?

    BURY FC fans can make a saving by purchasing tickets ahead of next Saturday's Coca Cola League Two clash at Darlington. Adult tickets can be bought for £13 from the club's main reception in normal office hours up to 3.30pm on Friday afternoon. On the

  • Murder case nurse due to face court

    A 51-YEAR-OLD nurse from Nelson, charged with murdering three elderly patients, was due to appear in court today. Ann Grigg-Booth, of Henry Street, was first arrested in March last year by police investigating the death of a 96-year-old woman at Airedale

  • Park needs more friends for future

    WALVERDEN Park needs more people to help decide its future. The Friends Group has lots of ideas for the park and will hold an open meeting on October 18. So far it has planted bulbs with therapeutic gardening group Greenspace and got schools to help Cloverhill

  • Patrons' protest on name-switch

    NELSON residents have rallied to save their town's namesake from last orders. The Lord Nelson Hotel, Manchester Road, has been bought by Preston-based Honeycombe Leisure PLC, which wants to change its title to Last Orders. But people living in Whitefield

  • You can't manufacture atmosphere

    Cummings and Goings with Stephen Cummings LAST weekend, one Sunday newspaper ran an article about the worst football stadia in Britain - it's okay, we didn't warrant a mention. One of the main complaints centred around a lack of atmosphere inside the

  • Fans find it hard to swallow

    A Rover all view with Jason Whalley THOSE of us who watched Rovers pre-Jack Walker have witnessed what can only be described as an amazing transformation. On the field, a team settled in one of the top leagues in Europe with the ability to beat anyone

  • Worker's arm crushed in machine

    A MACHINE operator at a textile factory was injured when his arm was crushed between two rollers - on his 47th birthday. Joseph Bux, of Pasturelands Drive, Billington, was said to be in a stable condition today as he received specialist care at the Royal

  • Emergency plans drawn up for plant

    AN EMERGENCY plan is being drawn up to deal with a major incident such as an explosion at a Church chemical plant - and nearby residents can influence it. New regulations under the Control of Major Accident Hazards mean that preparations have to be made

  • Confidence in housing market going down

    NORTH west consumers' confidence in the housing market dropped by six per cent in August from 64 per cent to 58 per cent. It was the third month in a row that confidence in the housing market had fallen. This confirms the Woolwich's earlier prediction

  • New faces to play key roles

    PRESTWICH design and creative communications specialist Appleby Bowers has added three new recruits to its expanding workforce as the business continues to flourish. Chris Wallbank, Matthew Smith and Debra Crowley have all joined the company, located

  • High rates of sick leave hit local firms

    BURY companies are suffering due to a worrying rate of absenteeism. A shock report has disclosed the north west economy is in poor health as the region reports the highest level of sick leave in the country. Latest figures show there is a regional average

  • Whitefield's Park and Ride station boost

    A MAJOR new Park and Ride is on the way for the Whitefield Metrolink stop after transport bosses gave the go-ahead for enabling works to start on site as soon as possible. Friday's meeting of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's Policy Committee

  • Lafferty serves up win at Rochdale

    BURNLEY'S youth team continued their impressive start to the season with a fifth successive win at the weekend. The Clarets overcame a dogged display from Rochdale to earn a 1-0 away win thanks to Kyle Lafferty's predatory first minute strike. The Northern

  • Duffy will be happy to stay

    RICHARD Duffy is happy to help Burnley out of a hole for as long as he is wanted. The highly-rated Portsmouth defender is mid-way through the first month of a loan spell at Turf Moor. Duffy, 19, has already grabbed a slice of the action with the Clarets

  • Fogarty dad to sell trophies and gear worth £55,000

    CARL Fogarty memorabilia with an estimated price tag of £55,500, including his first ever world Superbike trophy, will go under the hammer next weekend. The 59 lots are part of a collection belonging to the Blackburn race legend's father, George Fogarty

  • Mark set to go mental

    IT won't be just Rossendale's footballing skills that go under the microscope tonight. New manager Mark Molyneaux will be assessing his players' mental toughness too. After a creditable draw at Colwyn Bay, Rossendale failed to benefit from a two-week

  • Search on for spookiest pub

    A UK cider manufacturer is continuing a nationwide search to find the UK's most haunted pub. To help drinkers in their deliberations Strongbow asked haunted pub expert Richard Jones, who has spent the last 18-months visiting over 350 haunted pubs, to

  • Skipper Stott back to boost Borough

    SKIPPER Steve Stott is back in contention for a place in the BACUP BOROUGH team at Abbey Hey tonight (7.45pm). Stott has been out of action with a broken arm sustained in the FA Cup defeat to Chorley a month ago but he is set to return to the squad as

  • Derby rivals building on wins

    NELSON have boosted their strikeforce by signing former Leek Town forward Jason Jones. The 33-year-old who has also played at North West Counties Division Two level for Middlewich has been brought in by manager Dave Hall as he seeks to make up for the

  • Recorded Music Society

    SOCIETY member Betty Holiday was the recitalist at the recent meeting of Holcombe Brook and District Recorded Music Society, and her programme had the title Land of My Fathers. Betty's maiden name was Bruce and in her introduction, she explained that

  • Boost for Hughes as Rovers trio return

    BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes today received a triple injury boost with the news that three of his first team squad are ready to make a comeback. David Thompson, Andy Todd and Steven Reid are all set to feature in tonight's reserve game against

  • Call for firms to take Christmas challenge

    WORKERS in Blackburn and Darwen are being encouraged to think of those less fortunate than themselves by 'lighting up someone's Christmas'. The annual project, organised by Blackburn-based Europrint Employee Community Involvement Project, is a way of

  • It's one step forward, three steps back for Boro

    MATLOCK TOWN...3, RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...0 by Ian Hannay: THIS was definitely an afternoon to forget in the Unibond League Premier Division. From the first kick - 15 minutes late, due to Boro getting stuck in traffic - to last, the visitors were second best

  • Rams have to settle for draw after late, late equaliser

    CURZON ASHTON...1 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED...1 by Chris Boothman: DEREK Egan's boys left Bower Fold feeling they had been robbed of all three North West Counties League Division 1 points after the hosts equalised eight minutes into stoppage time, despite an

  • Councillor recovering after surgery

    A COUNCILLOR was recovering at home today after a triple heart bypass operation. Coun Frank Connor, 57, who represents Marsh House ward in Darwen, entered hospital last week for the surgery but was readmitted a couple of days later after picking up an

  • Troubleshooter head tells how school is on the up

    A TROUBLESHOOTING headteacher today revealed the secret of his school's rapid improvement - just seven months after it was placed in special measures. Darwen Moorland High School could be out of the education watchdog Ofsted's control by autumn next year

  • Apartments plan is turned down - but developer appeals

    PROTESTERS are celebrating a 'bittersweet' victory today after planners threw out proposals to build three apartment blocks in Rawtenstall. Councillors went against officers advice after they recommended the plans for approval at Thursday night's development

  • Extra special Leigh finally hit big time

    Leigh Centurions 32 Whitehaven 16 (aet) by Mike Hulme: LEIGH'S long and winding road to a place in Super League has ended in success but not after another rollercoaster ride. Finally, after five years on the brink, Leigh are back with the big boys after

  • Bishop's praise in Bigley release bid

    THE Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Reverend Nicholas Reade, is expected to send a letter of thanks this week to the Lancashire Council of Mosques for its help in trying to secure the release of Kenneth Bigley. A message will also be sent to the parish

  • Disabled man's train petition

    A DISABLED man plans to launch a petition against a rail company which refuses to let disabled people use motorised scooters on its trains. Peter Foulkes has been locked in battle with First North Western since 2002 when he was first refused access to

  • Fairfield: we all feel the same

    I MUST write in support of my colleague from the children's unit at Fairfield who has voiced not only her views but those of many of the staff. We have been warned against speaking out with regards to the proposed changes in women's and children's services

  • School evacuated in gas leak alert

    PUPILS and staff at St Peter's CE Primary School in Whitefield Road, Bury, were evacuated on Monday morning after a gas leak alert. The school was declared "off limits" for 40 minutes as firefighters from Whitefield and Transco engineers checked the building

  • Family demand apology after son's death

    A GRIEVING family are still seeking an apology from Bury health chiefs more than three years after the death of their teenage son. Doctors at the former Bury General Hospital failed to diagnose 18 fractures, including 16 broken ribs, when 19-year-old

  • EVENTS in East Lancashire on Wednesday, October 13

    BURNLEY "Telling Tales" Paintings Exhibition, by Maria Hayes, Mid Pennine Gallery, Burnley, 10am-5pm. Until November 6. Shakespeare Schools Festival, Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley, 7pm. AN Evening of Mediumship with John arne, Burnley League, Richard

  • ay safety drive welcome

    EVERYONE hates them. Drivers who clog up the motorway by hogging the middle lane and motorists who think the outside lane is their God-given property, to use as they see fit. And, as we reveal today, people who police believe are driving badly could potentially

  • Cars a hazard on pavements

    WOULD drivers please not invade pavements and cause accidents with their cars? This modern habit of putting two wheels on a pavement when parking is dangerous, especially for children. Also, kindly do not stop or park on cycle lanes since this forces

  • Why aren't we helping Sudan?

    WITH reference to Joan Stafford's letter (LET, October 5) the Sudan is indeed a man made crisis. Since its Independence in 1956 it has suffered civil war except when peace has broken out for a few years now and then. In 1989 the National Islamic Front

  • Vote is proof of commitment

    THE World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is delighted at the vote by Parliament for a ban on fox-hunting in the UK. This is not only a victory for the democratic process, but also for animal welfare internationally. For many years, our efforts

  • Shut street and have done with it

    EVER since the council, spearheaded by the indefatigable and omnipresent Andy Kay, decided to close an unremarkable, but very useful, thoroughfare to traffic and replace it with a Parisian boulevard; anything that could have gone wrong, has. Notwithstanding

  • Hand gesture man facing contempt charge

    A PRISONER who made a rude hand gesture while appearing on video link equipment at Liverpool Crown Court has been warned he may face contempt proceedings. Lee Draper was one of four young men who appeared together via the new technology from prison and

  • 30-mile motorway pursuit

    POLICE have launched a new campaign to clamp down on motorists hogging the middle lanes of Lancashire's motorways. Reporter CAROLINE INNES went on patrol to investigate but the afternoon turned to high drama when they ended up chasing a suspected stolen

  • Centurions face tough decisions

    THE celebrations will continue for much of the week but Leigh Centurions' thoughts are already turning to next season writes Mike Hulme Promotion to Super League after being out of the top flight for 11 years will bring its own particular set of problems

  • Tribute to death smash rail man

    FAMILY and friends of tragic rail worker David Pennington gathered yesterday at a Burnley church for his funeral. David Pennington, 46, of Cog Lane, was one of two men killed on September 28 when they were hit by a rail maintenance vehicle while working

  • Huge blaze at bedding factory

    EIGHT fire crews tackled a large blaze at a factory in Padiham last night. Two crews were still at the scene in Partridge Hill, off Grove Lane, near the centre of the town, today damping down. Firefighters were called at around 9pm and battled for just

  • Inspector calls on school heads

    TEACHERS in Bury have been told that their schools could be inspected with little or no prior notice. This vision was outlined by Mr David Bell, chief inspector of schools in England, when he paid a visit to Bury Town Hall on Tuesday. He told an audience

  • England on big screen

    BURY FC Social Club will be open from 5pm Wednesday for the screening of England's World Cup Qualifying clash against Azerbaijan. The match, on Sky TV, kicks off at 5.30pm.

  • Os boss praise for Shakers

    LEYTON Orient manager Martin Ling was far from happy with his side's display against Bury on Saturday. But, refreshingly, he complimented the Shakers and reckoned they were well worth their point from the 1-1 draw. "The second half was nowhere near the

  • Teen terror the real deal

    SHAKERS' boss Graham Barrow has described striker Dave Nugent's current form as 'frightening'. The 19-year-old striker has seven goals to his name already, and although he wasn't on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient on Saturday he put in

  • Milk firm wins its road ban appeal

    MILK floats have been given the all-clear to drive past a Nelson school as youngsters arrive for class. Mohammed Aszal appealed to Pendle Council to remove restrictions on his family delivery business in Norfolk Street - which prevents it from operating

  • Residents told 101 homes are doomed

    PEOPLE living in 101 houses in Brierfield have been given the news they have been dreading. Pendle Borough Council has decided to buy properties in Berkeley Street, Claremont Street, Belgrave Street, the side of Veevers Street with odd numbers, and 17

  • Groups get funds facts

    VOLUNTARY and community groups in Colne can now receive advice on funding for projects through a newsletter. The Open Door Community Development project, based at the Open Door Centre, launched the newsletter for groups working in the Waterside and Vivary

  • Slovakian man hurt in attack

    POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a Slovakian man was attacked in Barnoldswick in broad daylight. The 36-year-old was found in St James' Square at around 6.20pm on Saturday. Because of his nationality, the police's Hate Crime Unit is leading the

  • Down the years

    10 years ago CRUEL pet owners angered RSPCA officials by dumping a starved and injured dog outside an Altham animal shelter. The three-year-old Staffordshire cross was so thin it was half the size of a normal dog and had open sores on its front legs.

  • Cheek smashed in fight over girl

    A MAN suffered a broken cheekbone in a row over a 19-year-old woman, police revealed today. The 56-year-old man was injured at the junction of Exchange Street and Stevenson Street West, in Accrington town centre, just after midnight on Monday. He was

  • Tenants elected for talks on stock transfer

    COUNCIL tenants in Hyndburn will play a key role in deciding the future of its 3,500 homes. Six people have been appointed to the shadow board of a new housing organisation set up in partnership with Contour Housing Group. It is part of the preparations

  • Eyesore homes a new top priority

    THE owners of rundown empty houses that have become a magnet for anti-social behaviour will be targeted in a new crackdown by Hyndburn Council. There are hundreds of vacant properties in the borough, many in a dilapidated state, and are said to be blighting

  • Firestarter, 10, needs loving'

    A 10-YEAR-OLD girl who started a £150,000 store blaze was spared custody by a judge who told her mother to show her more love and attention. Burnley Crown Court heard how women staff at Accrington's GlynWebb Home Improvement Store were terrified as the

  • Get nominations in for awards

    NOMINATIONS for Groundwork Bury's annual awards close at the end of the month. The event is to take place at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich on December 2. Groundwork Bury aims to recognise the success and achievements that have been carried out throughout

  • Hotel to expand

    THE Village Hotel and Leisure Club in Bury has revealed plans to build a £1.3m extension. The hotel, situated at Waterfold Business Park off Rochdale Road, will see an extra 28 bedrooms added to the rear of the building, taking the total number of rooms

  • Elementary, it's the author's schooldays

    THE spirit of Sherlock Holmes is to be evoked at his creator's old school when children are invited to Stonyhurst for a weekend of mystery and suspense. St Mary's Hall, the preparatory school for Stonyhurst College, is inviting children from all over

  • Guides need help at new adventure house

    GIRL Guide leaders are appealing for help in putting the finishing touches to a new £700,000 adventure house in the heart of the Ribble Valley. Girlguiding UK, which owns and runs Waddow Hall, near Clitheroe, has just completed the building of a new group

  • Islamic centre targeted again

    AN ISLAMIC centre in Clitheroe has been attacked by racists for the fifth time in just three years. Thugs kicked in a window at the Medina Islamic Education Centre, Holden Street, at the weekend. Muslim community leaders are now warning that it's only

  • CAMRA's campaign for tradition

    THE Campaign for Real Ale has launched its second National Cider & Perry Month. The consumer group is calling for further action from the Government to ensure traditional apple and pear orchards are not threatened under reforms of the Common Agricultural

  • Chorley boss knows score

    JOHN Hughes is urging Chorley to fire their way out of trouble. The struggling Magpies finally found the winning formula when they beat neighbours Clitheroe 2-0 at Victory Park last week, ending a run of seven consecutive league defeats. Their progress

  • Duffy will be happy to stay

    RICHARD Duffy is happy to help Burnley out of a hole for as long as he is wanted. The highly-rated Portsmouth defender is mid-way through the first month of a loan spell at Turf Moor. Duffy, 19, has already grabbed a slice of the action with the Clarets

  • Hegg calls it a day as skipper

    WARREN Hegg on Tuesday resigned as skipper of Lancashire, after one of the worst seasons in the club's history ended in relegation from the Frizzell County Championship First Division. Mark Chilton will take his place with Stuart Law vice-captain. Hegg

  • Charity pair look closer to home

    TWO Darwen women thanked those who have helped them raise £3,300 for charity. Shirley Morris and Audrey Mitchell have organised morris dancing events as part of the English Town and Country Carnival Organisation (ETACCO), and help raise cash each year

  • Trial opens for TA man in photo hoax

    THE court martial of a Haslingden TA soldier over fake torture pictures printed in the Daily Mirror was officially opened yesterday. Private Stuart Mackenzie, 25, appeared before a Judge Advocate General and panel members at a hearing at Catterick Garrison

  • Centurions back in the big time

    LEIGH Centurions are back in the big time after 10 years following a fascinating 32-16 extra-time Grand Final win over Whitehaven at Widnes on Sunday. Leigh coach Darren Abram said he was "absolutely delighted" about the return to the Super League before

  • Honours snub motivated Centurions for title win

    HAPPY Leigh are at last celebrating reaching Super League. Their extra-time 32-16 success over Whitehaven finally secured their place among rugby league's elite after suffering heartbreak in three previous finals. And Tommy Martyn revealed that the snub

  • Jury to consider murder trial verdict

    A MURDER-trial jury was today considering its verdict in the case of a teenager accused of smashing a man's skull with a television stand. Damien Fiocca, 19, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, denies murdering Andrew Rawes, 29, on October 14 last year

  • 30-mile motorway pursuit

    POLICE have launched a new campaign to clamp down on motorists hogging the middle lanes of Lancashire's motorways. Reporter CAROLINE INNES went on patrol to investigate but the afternoon turned to high drama when they ended up chasing a suspected stolen

  • Mullin hailed by Reds boss

    JOHN Coleman hailed Accrington Stanley striker Paul Mullin for casting away his side's doubts. The Reds front man struck twice against promotion rivals Hereford United to end a run of four league games without a win. And manager Coleman is confident Mullin's

  • Mullin grabs another telly triumph for Reds

    "WE always win on the telly!" The Stanley fans' closing chant was technically incorrect, following televised defeats at Aldershot and Colchester last season. But who cares? They were just happy to celebrate a return to winning ways after Paul Mullin sealed

  • Sedgley sink the Pirates to claim a vital first win

    SEDGLEY PARK 28, PENZANCE & NEWLYN 27 by Peter Collins: SEVENTEEN points behind at half-time, it looked like defeat number six for Sedgley, but a second half comeback, capped by a try and conversion in the fifth minute of injury time, helped grab

  • Fairfield: leave well alone

    IT is about time that something was sorted out concerning the special care baby unit (SCBU) at Fairfield Hospital. The powers-that-be should leave well alone and keep this important unit open. I wrote to Tony Blair and received a reply telling me that

  • Pay the fine and accept it

    CAN I say to "Disgusted, Unsworth" (Letters, September 24) that his is the typical reaction of someone who doesn't take responsibility for their actions. The pavement is a safe area for pedestrians, whether they are able bodied or wheelchair-bound. It

  • Translations are wrong

    RECENTLY, my wife was transporting an elderly disabled friend. Foolishly, when parking, the disabled parking permit was displayed wrong side up, so a penalty notice was issued. No doubt owing to the many misunderstandings regarding parking, Bury MBC have

  • GMP is 'one of the worst'

    NEW performance figures for Greater Manchester Police confirm that the force has one of the worst records in the country for solving crime. Incidentally, the figures were on top of deterioration from the year before. In return for the council tax hike

  • Masts: why such complacency?

    AS I delve into the topic of the effects upon public health of pulsing radio frequency transmissions from mobile phone transmitter masts, I am becoming more and more concerned at the complacency of political officialdom. First, it is necessary to understand

  • What happened to real political debate?

    FOR years, I have tried to watch the coverage of the Labour Party Conference to hear the views of the real Labour people, the rank-and-file workers who brought a breath of fresh air and sincerity to it. I could hear these people speak for or against motions

  • Accident victim dies

    A WOMAN pedestrian from Bury has died after she was struck by an articulated lorry on Friday morning. Helena Laczko, of Dorset Drive, Bury, suffered serious injuries in the accident on Bury New Road, Heywood, at 10.20am. She was taken to Fairfield Hospital