Archive

  • Be nice all year, not just for that one time!

    AS it is Ramadan I will be mostly keeping it clean this week. A testing time of year this for some of us. We get up before sunrise, have some scran and don't eat or drink again until six-ish. Well, it's not that simple really, but going into the complexities

  • Walshaw take charge at top

    WALSHAW Conservative B continue to make headway in the Bury Amateur Billiards League. This week they overcame the challenge from Dobbies A and now hold a commanding lead in the table as their closest rivals, Seedfield, were without a match. In their match

  • Thwaites Mens D & D League

    THE highlight of the first week was the clash at darts between last season's champions White Boar A and one of the teams tipped to challenge them this season, Masons Arms A. The Masons got off to the best possible start as wins by Jimmy Cunliffe and Alan

  • Soccer zone Bury Tuesday

    DIVISION A P W D L F A Pt AJK Carpets 11 10 0 1 62 21 30 Zinc Allbacks 11 8 1 2 53 34 25 Parkfield FC 10 7 1 2 74 31 22 Kiav 11 5 2 4 31 26 17 Azzuri 10 4 1 5 37 48 13 Blueline City 10 3 0 7 34 53 9 Blue Bell 11 2 1 8 37 55 7 FC Jets 10 0 0 10 4 64 0

  • Malius brace earns the point for Elton

    ELTON Vale, after two weeks in cup competition, got back onto the league trail at third placed Wythenshawe Town. Despite the previous night's Sportsman's Dinner the players set about the days task with a degree of controlled play, rather than the speed

  • Is Dan the Tigers' man?

    'WE could have won the game,' was Sedgley coach Tim Fourie's assessment of last Saturday's Powergen Cup Third Round 44-20 defeat to Manchester at Grove Park. 'I thought the first 20-25 minutes our forwards were awesome, but then the youngsters got bullied

  • Unruffled Rams finish with a flourish over colls

    ANOTHER tough encounter was on the cards with Alan Lord's Collieries side making the short journey to the Riverside, and this was no exception as the visitors made every attempt to disrupt the Rams flowing football. However, a spirited performance and

  • Rovers slip up

    ROVERS Ladies suffered their first league defeat in over 30 games after letting a two-goal lead slip against Oldham Curzon. Sarah McRea lobbed Rovers into the lead on nine minutes and it was soon two as Hannah Bailey drove in a shot on an angle from the

  • Happy ending to dog story

    ON Friday, October 15, you printed a letter regarding a sick and abandoned Alsatian dog which a man saw on the road between Slaidburn and Bentham. This story has a happy ending. A man from Waddington saw the dog when he drove along the road in the morning

  • Anniversary ban going too far

    NEXT October we will witness the 200th anniversary of Horatio Nelson's greatest triumph; the Battle of Trafalgar. As a fellow Norfolkman, I am looking forward to celebrating it. When I was a boy we used to get a day off school. Alas, political correctness

  • Rules made for our safety

    FOR many years I have been angered by the selfish and illegal behaviour of drivers who hog the middle lane of motorways. I attributed their poor skills to ignorance of the law. In your letters page, October 18, however, we actually have a person prepared

  • Grumbler should re-take driving test

    I WRITE in response to the letter from Ronald Hodgson (LET, October 18) regards motorway lane hogging. He states that all three lanes should be occupied at all times anyway. May I point out that overtaking on the inside is illegal, so if everyone did

  • Cotterill put a real spring in my step

    The Andy Lochhead column I HAD the pleasure of spending some quality time with Steve Cotterill this week. We discussed the squad, the start to the season and his own ambitions for this club ... mine and your club. I have to say that after our informal

  • New veue for male voice choir

    AN ANNUAL concert by the Radcliffe Male Voice Choir will be staged at a new venue. The event will take place on Saturday, October 30, at Bolton Road Methodist Church, Radcliffe, instead of the usual Radcliffe Civic Suite. This year's theme is autumn harmony

  • Wife remanded on murder charge

    THE wife of a Radcliffe shopworker has been remanded in custody accused of her husband's murder. Lana Yadgari appeared before Manchester City Magistrates on Tuesday to face a charge of murdering Abdul Sameh Yadgari. Mr Yadgari (35), who worked at the

  • MPs to meet health chief

    BURY'S two MPs are today due to quiz health chiefs responsible for drawing up plans to close the special care baby unit at Fairfield Hospital. Bury North MP David Chaytor and Bury South MP Ivan Lewis are to meet with Mr Neil Goodwin, chief executive of

  • New 'kennel' for health watchdog

    BURY'S new health watchdog has moved into new premises and is ready to deal with concerns of residents living in the borough. The Patient and Public Involvement in Health forum for Bury Primary Care Trust is one of a group of organisations which have

  • 'Keep left' on ay message

    MIDDLE lane road hogs could soon be a thing of the past.Two new safety messages urging motorway drivers to 'keep left unless overtaking' and 'don't hog the middle lane' are currently being trialled on selected motorways across the county, including the

  • Firework bonanza to mark 20 years

    SPARKS are set to fly on October 30 when Bury holds its biggest ever firework display. To celebrate 20 years in the firework business, Radcliffe businessman Peter Stephenson is donating £20,000 worth of professional pyrotechnics to stage a charity firework

  • Mind your own business

    COUNCIL bosses and business leaders have hit back after a North West business magazine named Blackburn in a top ten list of the "grimmest" towns. En, a weekly magazine with more than 12,000 readers in the region, put Blackburn on the list claiming it

  • Second collision at site of fatal smash

    AN accident blackspot where a teenager was killed earlier this year was the site of another collision on Sunday. A motorbike and Ford Fiesta crashed in Bolton Road, near the junction of Homer Street, where 15-year-old Natalie Danielle Pickwick Jones was

  • Depression led to talking life

    PENSIONER Barbara Rose Greenwood hanged herself after failing to cope with the death of her husband, an inquest heard. Mrs Greenwood had twice attempted to commit suicide in the mid 1980s as she struggled to cope with depression and mental health problems

  • Good friend to many dies day after 100th birthday

    A FORMER cabinet maker from Radcliffe has died, the day after his 100th birthday. Widower Mr Matt Greenhalgh, of York Street, lived most of his life in Radcliffe, and was a good friend to many people in the area. He died on Monday at Fairfield Hospital

  • Flitty boost for Rovers

    BLACKBURN defender Lorenzo Amoruso has been ruled out of tomorrow's trip to Chelsea. The Italian will have an operation today to cure a heel problem. It means manager Mark Hughes is likely to go with Craig Short and Dominic Matteo in the centre of defence

  • Clean-up warning to dog owners

    PRESTON City Council has launched a new programme to get dog owners to clean up after their pets. The scheme, with the motto 'bag it, tie it, bin it' was introduced last week in the city's neighbourhoods of Ribbleton and Brookfield. Posters have gone

  • Appeal off to great start

    THE PEOPLE of Penwortham have shown their support for the Citizen's third annual Tins and Toys Christmas Appeal in support of Preston and South Ribble's women's refuges. Officers at Penwortham Town Council, Kingsfold Drive, Penwortham, rallied round this

  • QLR name talks

    THE ARMY'S top brass were expected to meet last night to thrash out names for a new merged regiment that could include the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR). Brigadier Geoffrey Sheldon, colonel of the QLR, Colonel Malcolm Grant Howarth, of the Kings Regiment

  • Verdict wait in rescue tragedy

    A JURY has retired to consider whether an East Lancashire firefighter drowned trying to rescue a teenager due to a "catalogue of failures." Sub-officer Paul Metcalf died as he tried to save Reyaz Ali from the lake at Simons Lodge, Holcombe Brook, near

  • New dimension in £20m centre

    THIS three-dimensional picture is one of the first views of Burnley's major new health and leisure development. Work on demolishing St Peter's multi-storey car park is due to begin next month before building starts on the centre, a joint venture between

  • Hoppers hit a ton in record win

    RECORDS tumbled as Hoppers posted their biggest ever score in a competitive game after passing the century mark against the hapless Aldwinians in the second round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup. The Manchester side play their rugby in the North Lancs

  • Hill view will soon be hidden

    I RECENTLY took my children, aged three and six, for a walk through Redisher Woods to paddle in the river in their wellies and throw sticks for our dog. The trees there look superb at this time of year, with the sun shining through the leaves and their

  • No substitute for TV coverage

    WHILE I appreciate Councillor Derek Boden's description of the Labour Conference (Letters, October 19), I think he has completely missed my point. Like justice, democracy must not only be practised but be seen to be practised. My complaint was that I

  • Does this sound like 'progress'?

    PICTURE this. A couple walk into a shop, choose a product and take it to a till resembling an oversized typewriter. The shopkeeper tells them how much it is, opens the till, puts the money in, gives back some change and smiles politely, before shouting

  • I have needed everything at Fairfield

    I AM writing this letter in total disbelief at the barbaric proposal to close the special care baby unit, children's wards and maternity services at Fairfield General Hospital. Fairfield is a number one hospital when it comes to services offered and the

  • Fairfield: it isn't just about the SCBU

    DESPITE the many Bury Times articles regarding the proposed closures and rationalisation of services at Fairfield, it still seems that the impact of this is not being understood by the general public. Children's services are directly linked to A&E

  • Ships ahoy!

    BARNOLDSWICK is hoping its first ever maritime festival will go with a bang on November 7. The town's community arts group is creating giant lantern ships as part of Barnoldswick's Fire Show Fantasia and is looking for volunteers to help out. Schools

  • 'Obsession' rap by head

    PENDLE headteacher Alan Chambers has said the government's 'obsession' with exams, testing and targets is putting education at risk. Mr Chambers made his comments at Park High School's presentation evening in Colne's Municpal Hall last night. He said:

  • Nature reserves plan drawn up

    PLANS have been drawn up to create more nature reserves in Pendle. The council, in partnership with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, has funded the appointment of a temporary local nature reserve co-ordinator, Andrew Laycock, who will oversee the management

  • 50 years ago:

    A FORMER Rossendale office worker found fame as a ventriloquist. Kathleen Speechley, of Newchurch, ditched typing and filing and took to the stage as a variety artist. After achieving success appearing on TV and touring the UK with her act, she returned

  • 10 years ago:

    LONGRIDGE residents were reeling from shock after the announcement one of the town's biggest employers was to close. A total of 105 jobs would be lost when Crest Dairy closed in November. The company placed the blame for the closure on the government's

  • Wardens to go in funding shortfall

    NEIGHBOURHOOD wardens patrolling Hyndburn's streets look set to be axed by 2006. The borough has 12 wardens who work in the four most deprived wards - Woodnook, Barnfield, Central and Springhill. Next year their number will be halved, and the following

  • 'We're guilty of gobbledegook!'

    WANTED: Neighbourhood Pride Motivator - or in plain English, a recycling worker. Hyndburn Council was today accused of joining the long-line of organisations guilty of using technical 'gobbledegook' after advertising the environmental post without mentioning

  • Disability law is welcomed

    EXTENDING the Disability Discrimination Act is an opportunity, not a worry. That's the message from Bob Warner, chief executive of Remploy which has a large base at Eton Hill Road, Radcliffe. Remploy is the UK's leading provider of employment opportunities

  • Emotional farewell

    HUNDREDS of teachers, pupils and friends said an emotional goodbye to respected headteacher Peter Keegan yesterday. The 51-year-old's funeral at St Alban's Catholic Church, Larkhill, Blackburn, was followed by burial at St Mary's RC Church, Osbaldeston

  • Faith gives hope amid school grief

    PUPILS, friends and guests at St Augustine's RC High School in Billington were asked to reflect on their faith last night as tributes were paid to members of the school community. At the annual prize night, headteacher Anthony McNamara shared happy memories

  • It's nip and tuck for Pool

    BLACKPOOL travel to Brentford on Saturday for their third game in eight days against a club from the top six. The Seasiders have already shown they can live with the leading clubs in a mediocre division, taking a point off Colchester when they should

  • Clarets fans to bring the noise

    BURNLEY fans have rallied round in a bid to improve the atmosphere inside Turf Moor tonight. Over 250 tickets have been sold for a newly-introduced 'singing section' in the top tier of the James Hargreaves Stand, organised with the help of club officials

  • 100 for Blake - or is it?

    STEVE Cotterill admits he is not concerned by the confusion surrounding Robbie Blake's century of league goals. Burnley captain Blake struck what many believed to be his 100th career strike during Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Coventry City. A special shirt

  • Give me one Moore match

    BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill has told striker Ian Moore: Give me one more game. Moore has been playing through the pain barrier with a knee problem that requires surgery sooner, rather than later. And Cotterill is hoping the ever-present hitman can be

  • Frank is free to play

    FRANK Sinclair this week made his own bizarre contribution to Burnley's 500 Miles Club. The Clarets defender had intended to settle down in front of the television with his family tonight and watch the Clarets do battle with Derby County. A suspension

  • We're up for't cup

    PHIL Wilson is licking his lips in anticipation after his Lancaster City side landed a plum draw in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup. The Dolly Blues were paired with Conference outfit and ex-League club Scarborough - and Wilson is primed for

  • Strikers reunited

    NELSON manager Dave Hall is on the verge of re-uniting 14-goal strike partnership Craig Bradshaw and Paul Barrett. Top scorer Bradshaw is back in training after a thigh injury and Barrett has returned after a brief, inactive spell at Chorley. But Hall

  • Top six is all Coates wants for Christmas

    COLNE boss Nigel Coates has an early wish on his Christmas list - a place in the top six. That's how well he thinks his side has adjusted to North West Counties Division One football following 10 goals in their last three games. Although one of them ended

  • Drubbing inspired us, says Mullen

    IT'S not often that positives can be taken from a 7-1 drubbing, but Darwen manager Stephen Mullen believes it was a blessing in disguise. Despite taking the lead against Ashton in their North West Counties Second Division game a fortnight ago, they suffered

  • Medals are donated to museum

    TWO of the historic six Victoria Crosses won by the Fusiliers "before breakfast" at Gallipoli are now on display at Bury's regimental museum. The descendents of Lancashire Fusilier William Keneally have agreed to donate the top bravery award to Wellington

  • 'Little angel' Jennifer

    A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl has been hailed a 'little angel' after saving her mum's life. Brave Jennifer Lloyd prevented her mum, Amanda, from falling into a life-threatening diabetic coma after she collapsed at home in Glebelands Road. The youngster, who is

  • In phone queue after 999 call

    A HOMEWATCH co-ordinator told how he was placed in a telephone queue after dialling 999. Mr Tony Sprason, Homewatch co-ordinator for the South Royds Street and Laurel Street area of Tottington, said he phoned Greater Manchester Police control on a Saturday

  • Decision on Minden may be next week

    THE FATE of a town centre medical practice could be decided within the week. As reported in last Friday's Bury Times, the Minden Medical Centre could be forced to close, as part of the Rock Triangle development. Bury Council and developers Thornfield

  • Immigration fight family are deported back to Pakistan

    A FAMILY living in Bury for the past four years have lost their fight to stay in the UK. The Aftab family were deported to Pakistan on Sunday. This was despite last-minute attempts by campaigners to halt the deportation, which including putting pressure

  • In the mood!

    MUSIC is the answer to staying young, according to the Nostalgia Swing Band whose members are mostly senior citizens! The Ramsbottom-based band first tuned up in 1991 when five musicians got together in a Shuttleworth schoolroom with the idea of playing

  • Leisuretime League Fixtures

    Rules and result cards will be distributed this weekend. The league commences this week. Staff A 3, Hardy Hall 6; Swan & R A 8, Hare & Hounds 1; Wilton 2, Swan & R B 7; B Queen 4, Staff B 5; Shirt 9, Old Cross 0.

  • Ramsbottom mens darts

    RESULTS: Legion 2, Buchanan 7; Royal Oak 5, Masons 4; Grey Mare 5, Rose and Crown 4; 180s - R Judd (Rose); J Ayers (Royal Oak). No result card from Brandlesholme v Good Samaritan, Brandlesholme fined £5.00 as per rules, please note that if you give someone

  • 3,000 on the march

    IT was the biggest test so far - how many people care deeply enough about Fairfield's children's services to join a town centre protest march? The answer was nearly 3,000. The turnout exceeded all expectations as parents, children and councillors took

  • Chess club's two defeats

    Two close matches went the wrong way for Bury teams last week.Stockport 3rd 4 v Bury 3rd 3 V Rushworth 1, P Mole 0 ; S John 1, S Khalil 0 ; P King 0, J Peach 1 ; P Taylor 0.5, S Press 0.5 ; R Mistry 1, B Forrest 0 ; I Anderson 0, P Logan 1 ;defaults 0.5

  • North West Countries first division table

    P W D L F A Pts Fleetwood Town 13 11 1 1 38 9 34 Bacup Borough 16 9 5 2 23 8 32 St Helens Town 15 8 5 2 24 14 29 Newcastle Town 13 8 4 1 30 16 28 Skelmersdale United 11 7 3 1 27 12 24 Ramsbottom United 13 6 5 2 20 14 23 Alsager Town 13 6 4 3 21 15 22

  • 'Nuge' is number one for September

    Forever Bury are delighted to announce that David Nugent is the winner of the September "Player of the Month." This is David's third consecutive award, making it a superb hat trick and worthy recognition of his progress this season. Second was Glyn Garner

  • Angling

    PLENTY of rain and much colder weather conditions has been the order of the recent weeks, but the Island lodge still remains in top form. In the latest Saturday series match held on the Island Lodge, we had an improved turn-out. Chris Hogan took top weight

  • Another honour for Amir

    AMIR Khan continued to pick up the prizes as he spent a marvellous day in London on Monday. Bury Boxing Club's Ol;ympic silver medallist became the first amateur to pick up the Young Boxer of the Year award from the British Writers' Association at the

  • Bury and District darts league

    2004 WINNERS - DIVISION ONE BENTLEY CUP Winners: Eagle & Child A; runners-up: Black Lane. KENYON CUP KNOCK-OUT Winners: Tottington Park B; runners-up: Eagle & Child B. MERIT WINNER G. Keating (Eagle & Child A) 16 from 18 played. DIVISION TWO

  • Give me one Moore match

    BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill has told striker Ian Moore: Give me one more game. Moore has been playing through the pain barrier with a knee problem that requires surgery sooner, rather than later. And Cotterill is hoping the ever-present hitman can be

  • Flitty boost for Rovers

    BLACKBURN defender Lorenzo Amoruso has been ruled out of tomorrow's trip to Chelsea. The Italian will have an operation today to cure a heel problem. It means manager Mark Hughes is likely to go with Craig Short and Dominic Matteo in the centre of defence

  • Witness plea as van hits girl

    WITNESSES to an incident in which a Darwen schoolgirl was hit by a Ford Transit van are being urged to contact the police. Officers are appealing for help in tracing the driver of the white van in the accident on Monday. The driver failed to stop. The

  • Home staff fury over car clamp

    TWO managers from a residential home in Darwen claim they were forced to pay £70 to have their car unclamped despite no warning signs. Margaret Kay and Susan Duxbury, from St James House, were visiting Springfield Flats, off Bolton Road, to see a potential

  • Fatal head injury riddle

    A ROSSENDALE man who died mysteriously after complaining of a headache was later discovered to have a fractured skull, an inquest heard. Ryan Greaves, 25, of John Street, Whitworth, died in Manchester's Hope Hospital on April 13 after complaining of feeling

  • Grey matter

    A NATIONAL survey has revealed that Fylde pensioners are beating the grandkids in being in touch with the latest technology. According to the survey - conducted by cable company, Telewest Broadband - more than 70 per cent over 65s in the Blackpool area

  • Mumps rise

    PEOPLE living in Wyre are being urged to ensure they are vaccinated after a dramatic increase in the number of mumps cases. There have been 75 cases of the infectious illness in the last three months - compared to just seven in the first six months of

  • Detectives in hunt for vicious trio

    DETECTIVES have appealed for witnesses after a gang of thugs punched and kicked a man to the ground in a vicious assault on a Blackpool street. The 21-year-old victim, from Fleetwood, was left with a fractured cheek, a broken jaw, nose and teeth following

  • Grane Road crash

    A MAN and a woman were trapped in their car when it crashed as it was pursued by police on the Grane Road today. Police said the red Mitsubishi GTO was being followed by officers from Greater Manchester after it had collided with two patrol cars in Manchester

  • Praise for 'golden girls'

    WESTHOLME prize night was given a "gold" theme last night as the principal took inspiration from this year's Olympics. At the annual prize-giving at King George's Hall, Blackburn, Lillian Croston said watching the Athens Games had made her proud of the

  • Open House with Bill Jacobs

    JACK Straw has revealed that he is more electable than his boss, Tony Blair. Both men have applied for the 200-year-old, predominantly male dining society, named Nobody's Friends. The maximum membership is 100 senior public figures including bishops,

  • Tobacco row is heating up

    A BLACKBURN newsagent has criticised legal action that could allow cross-border shoppers to flood the North West with cut price tobacco. Suleman Khonat, who is also a spokesman for Retailers Against Smuggling - a campaign by the Tobacco Alliance - said

  • £1m expenses go to our MPs

    EAST Lancashire's seven MPs claimed close to £1million between them in expenses last year. And Burnley MP Peter Pike was the fourth highest claimer in the list of the country's 659 MPs after taking home £153,989 on top of his £57,845 annual salary. The

  • NEWS FOCUS

    Bare knuckle fight of firm that had it all CLITHEROE-BASED Ultraframe was once the shining star of East Lancashire's industrial scene. Founder John Lancaster effectively created the UK conservatory industry and the company grew rapidly to become a genuine

  • Mind your own business

    COUNCIL bosses and business leaders have hit back after a North West business magazine named Blackburn in a top ten list of the "grimmest" towns. En, a weekly magazine with more than 12,000 readers in the region, put Blackburn on the list claiming it

  • Cresswell is spot on

    A PENALTY from Richard Cresswell, awarded after a handball by Gino Padula, earned North End the points against in-form QPR. It was his second 'goal' of the night as he had aleardy put the ball in the net once but, unfortunately, a fraction of a second

  • We don't need such cheap jibes

    IT would be wrong for anyone to suggest that Blackburn hasn't got problems of regeneration and development like many other towns and cities. We need a large hotel/conference venue in the town centre for a start and still have some urban patches of land

  • Bury Ladies Netball League table

    P W D L(1) L(0) F A Pt Blackburn Ind 6 6 0 0 0 223 122 18 Spotland Ladies 6 6 0 0 0 221 145 18 G.P.O. 5 5 0 0 0 169 94 15 X.Y.W. 5 2 1 2 0 157 132 13 Delph 5 4 0 1 0 139 116 13 Suburb Ladies 5 4 1 0 0 152 110 12 YWCA Bury 2nd 6 3 0 3 0 162 186 12 Holy

  • Bury Sunday league Results

    MILLENNIUM CUP: Hark to Dandler 0, Bridge Inn 6; Jolly Waggonners 8, Loofes 6; Rostrons 2, Horse & Jockey 5; Swan & Cemetery 1, Huntley Mount 11; The Cave 1, Horseshoe 2. PREMIER DIVISION - Bury Supporters 4, Pleasant View 2; Elton Vale Sports

  • Gritty Boston deny battling Bury again

    BURY 1 BOSTON UNITED 1: Fives times Bury have played Boston now since the Pilgrims arrived in the Football League and they've still to register a win over their Lincolnshire rivals. The Shakers know what to expect but still can't fathom out a plan to

  • Holidays perk of EU membership

    RECENTLY, my wife and I spent a weekend visiting friends in Spain. We flew with a cheap airline from Manchester and the plane was full. How very different from 10 years ago, when the big airlines had a monopoly and only the rich could afford the sky-high

  • Ex-Journal editor Fred dies, 85

    RETIRED editor and general manager of the Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton Journal Fred Pinder has died aged 85. Mr Pinder was found in the bathroom of his home in Hendon Street, Leigh last Friday by police who broke in after a concerned curate raised the

  • Traffic lights improvements

    IMPROVEMENTS are to be made to four sets of traffic lights in Ramsbottom to ease the flow of the traffic. Greater Manchester Urban Traffic Control is to make changes to the traffic lights at the junction of Dundee Lane, Nuttall Lane and Bolton Street

  • Football and dance

    BRAZILIAN soccer sessions are just one of the fun activities on offer for youngsters this half-term. Bury Council will be running events for eight to 14-year-olds, starting on Monday, October 25. Children can also pick up some groovy moves at street dance

  • Single jobs for children

    PARENTS who are concerned about the controversial MMR injection can have their child immunised with single jabs at a Manchester clinic. The Childrens Immunisation Centre, in St John Street, offers the alternatives for measles, mumps and rubella, and Fiona

  • Siberia takes sporting advice

    A DELEGATION of education officials from Siberia were given a warm welcome when they visited Bury this week. Five delegates from Omsk were in town to learn more about specialist sports colleges. The visit follows a trip earlier this year by Mr Neil O'Connor

  • Nominate the Radcliffe girl and boy of the year

    NOMINATIONS are now open for the title of Radcliffe boy and girl of the year 2004. This annual award aims to acknowledge youngsters who play an important role in the community. Nominees may show particular kindness, caring, courage, thoughtfulness for

  • £153,989 expenses for Pike

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike's expenses are the fourth highest in Westminster, it has been revealed. Mr Pike today defended his right to claim £153,989 on top of his annual £57,845 salary - saying he was entitled to it and it was spent legitimately as part of

  • Sylvia's surprise

    SURPRISED, shocked and stunned - that was voluntary worker Mrs Sylvia Taylor after finding out she was to be the seventh Bury Woman of the Year. The wait to find out who had received the 2004 Bury Woman of the Year title went on a little longer than usual

  • Changes in GP's 'on call' service

    HEALTH bosses have assured residents in the borough that changes to GPs' out-of-hours services will not affect the care they receive. From December 1, family doctors will have the option to "opt-out" of out-of-surgery service. Currently, most of the GPs

  • 'Haphazard rish approach

    GREATER Manchester Fire Service had been praised for its risk-assessment procedures leading up to death of a firefighter who drowned in a lodge, a court heard. Divisional officer Paul Argyle told a jury at Bolton Crown Court that the Home Office was recommending

  • Mexico on menu

    WORKERS at a Ramsbottom factory found things getting a little hot last Friday when they added a Latin flavour to their day. To mark United Nations' World Food Day and raise money to help fight global hunger, workers at Ramsbottom TNT Express Services

  • Full-on fun for half-term holiday break

    PARENTS can make the best of the half-term holiday by roping children into activities at Bury's libraries. Bury schools' half-term holiday coincides with Parents' Week - a national awareness campaign organised by the National Family and Parenting Institute

  • Black police officer sex case is settled

    THE highest ranking black woman officer in Greater Manchester Police has settled her racial and sexual discrimination case just days before it was due to be heard at an industrial tribunal. Chief Inspector Karin Mulligan, who lives in Ramsbottom, has

  • Matteo: We can turn it around

    DOMINIC Matteo has called on his team-mates to stand up and be counted as Blackburn Rovers head for Chelsea this weekend. Mark Hughes's side currently find themselves in the Premiership's bottom three after winning just one of their opening nine league

  • Short tips winger to fill Duff void

    BLACKBURN Rovers defender Craig Short believes Brett Emerton is about to emerge from the shadow of Damien Duff. Rovers' Australian winger was viewed as the perfect replacement for Duff when he first joined Blackburn from Feyenoord 12 months ago. Graeme

  • Mutu should get a helping hand

    The Simon Garner column CHELSEA Football Club have dominated the headlines this week but for all the wrong reasons after news of Adrian Mutu's drug-taking shame hit the national Press. But rather than tar and feather the Romanian, shouldn't we be looking

  • Great show of skills

    HUNDREDS of children with disabilities from across Lancashire descended on Preston this week for the second annual special schools football tournament. More than 250 children from 20 special schools turned out in the rain to compete at Preston Sports

  • Looking back

    BUNNOCKS can take a trip down memory lane with a new book dedicated to early 20th century Penwortham, Hutton and Longton. The book, by Catherine Lees, includes the story of how Penwortham people got the nickname bunnock. She said: "Bunnock is a parkin

  • Iraq call-up for soldiers

    A CUSTODY officer and a hygiene manager who serve in the Territorial Army are on their way to Iraq. Chris Wilson, from Ribbleton, Preston, and Andy Childs, from Lostock Hall, have been called up for duty as part of the latest TA mobilisation. The pair

  • For Neil's a jolly good fellow'

    ORGANISERS of a beer festival which was plagued with torrential rain last year are praying for dry weather in time for this year's booze bash. Neil Finn, manager of The Ashton Institute, Wellington Street, Ashton, has organised the Ashton Annual Oktoberfest

  • Crackdown on firework misuse

    A MAJOR operation has been launched in Preston and South Ribble in a bid to reduce nuisance and injuries in the run up to Bonfire Night. The operation, code named Douse in Preston and Cascade in South Ribble, is being carried out by the police in partnership

  • Estate leads the way

    A ONCE notorious housing estate in Preston has been hailed as an example of how crime can be cut and public confidence boosted. A year ago Ingol was chosen by the Home Office to take part in a pilot scheme called the National Reassurance Project. The

  • Road is an 'accident waiting to happen'

    A PADIHAM councillor is warning that a notorious stretch of road is an 'accident waiting to happen.' Marcus Johnstone is campaigning for traffic lights at the junction of Slade Lane and the Padiham by-pass because of the danger. However, he said he has

  • Clarets boss to switch on festive lights

    CLARETS manager Steve Cotterill (right) will be guest of honour at this year's Christmas lights switch-on in Burnley town centre. The Burnley FC boss will be joined by the club's mascots Bertie Bee and Bumble, a Del Boy lookalike, Santa, and the Mayor

  • Jo's a champ!

    A CHAMPION of Burnley's social causes has been crowned the East Lancashire Young Business Person of the Year -- just 15 months into her new job. Jo Royle, 30, who is enterprise manager and company secretary of Burnley Enterprise Trust, was secretly nominated

  • Head looks forward and back after half century

    THE headteacher of Burnley's St Hilda's RC High School told parents, staff and students there was every reason to be optimistic about the future. Bernadette Bleasdale spoke as the school marked its annual prize night in its 50th anniversary year. Miss

  • 'Return hero medal' plea

    CLARETS boss Steve Cotterill today offered a reward for the return of former Burnley hero Andy Lochhead's prized FA Cup Final medal. The Burnley manager said he was willing to put up cash for the safe return of the medal dating from the 1969 cup final

  • £153,989 expenses for Pike

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike's expenses are the fourth highest in Westminster, it has been revealed. Mr Pike today defended his right to claim £153,989 on top of his annual £57,845 salary - saying he was entitled to it and it was spent legitimately as part of

  • Area's 'new era'

    NELSON residents have been told by councillors 'the years of conflict are over'. Residents in Whitefield are being asked to take part in a week of work to plan how they want the area to look in the future. A team from architectural charity, the Prince's

  • No figures for paths damage

    ALAN Cookson (Letters, October 15) asked what the cost is to the ratepayer of the damage caused by people parking their cars part, or wholly, on the pavement. Through the East Bury Area Board co-ordinator I asked a similar question, because I am not happy

  • Where is all the money going?

    RECENTLY I went to Fairfield Hospital for a CT scan and overheard patients - some had been there for two hours - being told that the scanner had broken down at lunchtime (it was then 3.30pm). They were told that it would be the following day before the

  • Think before you get a Christmas pet

    WORDS cannot express my anger towards the brain-dead morons who casually abandoned five starving kittens outside an Asda store (Bury Times, October 1). There is no need for this absurd action, whatever the circumstances. Christmas is coming, a festive

  • Green Belt must be maintained

    IT was a relief to read that Bury Council's planning committee had had the vision to refuse the application by Holcombe Brook Tennis Club for the construction of 13 new tennis courts (nine with floodlights). New clubhouse, car park, two children's courts

  • 25 years ago:

    A CHILD of the Year competition held in the Ribble Valley had to be cancelled after organisers received no entries. Organisers of the youth award scheme, Whalley and District Lions, threw in the towel after the disappointing response. The group said it

  • What a n-ice way to end the term

    A PRIMARY school got into the season's spirit by transforming its hall into an ice-skating rink as an end of term treat. The Parent Teacher Association at St Mary's RC School, Mayfield Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, put on the event seven years ago and decided

  • Water giant sets standard

    UNITED Utilities has set the lead for businesses across the north west by achieving the new Investor in Excellence standard. The water and electricity giant became the first company in the region to gain the award after a site visit from Excellence North

  • New account executive

    BURY-based insurance brokers Moscrop Robison & Chadwick have appointed Alan Rowe as a new account executive. Alan, an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, has 27 years of experience working within the insurance industry and spent the last

  • Try cask ale, Mr Mayor

    A RAMSBOTTOM man who is boss of a world-leading Lancashire brewery is urging north west civic leaders to swap le Cote-du-Rhone for le Premier Cask Ale at their official events. David Grant, general manager of the internationally acclaimed Moorhouses Brewery

  • Firm has rights to use Marilyn!

    A LEADER in digital printing on textiles has been awarded the rights to use iconic Andy Warhol masterpieces in the creation of a range of home furnishings. The partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation allows Bury-based Digetex to source a rich archive

  • Club illumination get the go-ahead

    EXTRA floodlighting will be installed at Sedgley Park Rugby Club, despite heated objections from residents. The club, based at Philips Park Road West, Whitefield, requested permission to install a new system to illuminate pitches for evening training

  • Carroll's rebellion

    THE rebellious schooldays of one of America's founding fathers has been brought to life in a piece of graffiti discovered at an East Lancashire college. The link between Charles Carroll, one of the signatories of the American Declaration of Independence

  • Road to Elland

    ACCRINGTON Clarets still have seats available on the early coach for Burnley's trip across the Pennines to face Leeds United next month. The coach leaves The Stanley pub, Stanley St, Accrington at 2pm on Wednesday November 3, stopping off at Hebden Bridge

  • New boss disappointed as Parr quits Robins

    FORMER captain Ryan Parr has left Great Harwood Town. Parr is set to join Clitheroe after failing to regain his place in the Harwood side following the Friday night draw with Bacup Borough two weeks ago, which he missed through work commitments. Manager

  • Cryer in limbo over transfer

    WANTAWAY Sean Cryer's proposed move from Bacup Borough to North West Counties Division One rivals Curzon Ashton has been scuppered. The West View utility man informed manager Brent Peters of his intention to quit Bacup after being rested for their 1-0

  • Wilkes takes the blame

    PADIHAM manager Steve Wilkes is taking the rap for his side's inability to win at bottom placed Norton United last week. Wilkes admitted that the Storks' performance was far from up to scratch but conceded he had tinkered too much with his line-up. "I

  • Keep the pressure off, urges Hughes

    CHORLEY manager John Hughes has a chance to give himself a stay of execution at Rocester tomorrow. The Staffordshire side have yet to mark their first UniBond Division One season with a victory so three points for Chorley will give them some breathing

  • Egan hopes justice is served for Rams

    RAMSBOTTOM step up their quest for silverware tomorrow, with Consett the visitors for the First Round proper of the FA Vase. League form goes out of the window as the two sides meet for this one-off match. But the Rams are full of confidence after a 3

  • Chiefs tips for bonfire

    RESIDENTS are being warned to "Get Wise" or "Get Hurt" for bonfire night. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is issuing advice on how to avoid injury from fireworks and bonfires. This year sees the introduction of new laws to crack down on anti-social

  • Companions social group is facing closure

    A SOCIAL group for people with mental and physical disabilities is to close after 33 years. The Longfield Companions has held meetings for its members every month at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich. But when they meet on Wednesday, December 8 for the

  • Rossendale Badminton

    A SHORTAGE of time in the First Division meant a shortfall in points as Badgercote B overcame Rising Bridge 16-7, and Badgercote A defeated Blackford Bridge 12-10. Fearns B lost their unbeaten record when they went down 11-15 to Transport, who moved up

  • Bury HF walking club

    SATURDAY walk (six to eight miles) - meet Tenter St. Car Park (Law Courts) at 1.00pm for Helmshore. Sunday walk, meet on Belle Vue Terrace Car Park at 10.00am. Bring lunch and flask. Impromptu. Tuesday walks - meet B & Q car park Crostons Retail Park

  • Unibond league Premier division table

    P W D L F A Pts Workington 14 10 2 2 29 8 32 Hyde United 13 8 5 0 24 9 29 Whitby Town 15 8 4 3 25 23 28 Leek Town 13 8 3 2 29 14 27 Burscough 14 8 2 4 33 25 26 Farsley Celtic 15 7 2 6 23 16 23 Guiseley 14 6 5 3 30 24 23 Prescot Cables 14 7 2 5 26 22 23

  • Cycling - Bury CTC

    IT might seem strange for the towns cyclists to leave town on a day when the annual hill climb championship takes place up The Rake; but it was what we chose to do. All things considered it was a disjointed day when nothing seemed to flow and there was

  • Point for battling Bury

    BURY restored some of their pride and self-belief in a battling display, which gained them a point in a repeat of last season's scoreline. They could hardly have endured a worse start to the game, conceding an opening goal, after just 20 seconds, to a

  • Soccer weekend selections

    SATURDAY - BURY GSOB v Rossendale away, meet 1pm. From: Crompton, Pickup, Jackson, McGinty, Bracegirdle, Cheetham, Land, Lord, Wilde, Myers, Holt, Leith, Croft, Brown. BGSOB II v Rossendale at home, meet 1.30pm. From: Hudson, Graham, Walmsley, Hornby,

  • Bury need to loo to their young ones for sucess in the future

    WITH Bury's first team having not progressed to the second round of the Powergen Vase, it is time to have a look at the bigger picture. It was nice, however, to see that Crewe and Nantwich, victors over Bury in the first round, have progressed with a

  • Challinor keen to hit back

    IF Rushden and Diamonds think the Bury defence is suddenly an easy touch they've another think coming. A bizarre own goal by Shakers' skipper Dave Challinor wiped out the 10 minute lead he had given his teammates. But if anyone can put something like

  • Community puts the year in focus

    RESIDENTS can have more input on improving their community and learn more about work going on near their homes, at Earcroft Community Association's annual meeting. It takes place on Thursday, November 4, at 6.30pm at the Earcroft Community Base, in Hawkshaw

  • Wind power plan blocked

    A PLAN to build two huge wind turbines on Broadhead Moor, Edgworth, has been blocked. Angry residents packed Blackburn with Darwen Council chamber as the scheme went before its planning and highways committee. Councillors unanimously refused the turbines

  • Brave girl, 17 saves man in blaze horror

    A TEENAGER was today praised by firefighters after she saved the life of an 87-year-old man burned in a chip pan blaze. Michelle Humphrey, of Ivinson Road, Darwen, has been hailed a hero for rescuing the pensioner after hearing his smoke alarm. The 17

  • Clampdown on illegal body art

    ENVIRONMENTAL Health bosses have moved to stamp-out the trade of backroom skin art in Rossendale after it was revealed a 13-year-old girl had been given an illegal tattoo. An investigation was launched after the girl's father complained to the council

  • Treatment plant scheme under spotlight

    PLANS to build a waste treatment plant in Thornton are to go under the spotlight at a public meeting. Lancashire County Council wants to build the plant at the former Burn Hall site off Fleetwood Road, but there are concerns over its impact on the area's

  • Dream almost there for park group

    JUST under a year ago it looked like an impossible dream. Campaigners in Lytham wanted to create a better play area at their local recreation ground - but faced a host of obstacles to their ambitious goal. But, after linking up with local authorities

  • It's just baffling!

    CAMPAIGNERS against a leisure development at Cleveleys could fight on despite the government throwing out their calls for a public inquiry, writes Nikki Masters. Jubilee Action Group, Waters Reach Residents Association and individual protestors are understood

  • Tilly in a cat flap!

    A CAT OWNER is desperately searching for her pet after a mix-up at a cattery meant he went home with the wrong owner. Sue Nicholson is putting out nearly 5,000 leaflets around South Shore to try and trace her beloved seven-year-old tabby, Tilly. "I put

  • Vincent's sidelined

    WYRE'S council leader has quit his post after being banned from the council for six months. Council leader, Cllr Alan Vincent was told he could have faced disqualification from the council but for a 'lack of clarity' over his right to take part in meetings

  • Law cheats fathers says group as they halt rollercoaster

    PROTESTORS scaled Blackpool's famous Big One on Saturday, costing Blackpool Pleasure Beach thousands of pounds and drawing a large crowd to South Promenade. Fathers 4 Justice campaigners Colin Vallis, 34, and Rory Wilmer, 25, closed the popular 235ft

  • How time flies!

    BLACKPOOL Airport took a step back in time on Monday with a spectacular air show recreating the first ever flights from Squires Gate in 1909. The event, which marked the 95th anniversary of Blackpool Airport, saw pilots taking off in microlight aircraft

  • Dad's elation at amnesty

    A TEACHER jailed in Thailand for drugs offences could be home six months earlier after the country's Queen brought forward his repatriation. Christopher Egan, 34, whose parents live in Whalley, was expected to be allowed to complete his four-year jail

  • Brothers' sorrow in verse

    THE brothers of a blind toddler who died suddenly at home surprised their family when they expressed their grief in poems in remembrance of their sibling. Faheem, six, and Naseer, seven, Patel had asked their mum, Sahada, 29, for arts and crafts papers

  • Drugs bust

    DRUG dealers across Blackburn, Darwen Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley have been warned to expect a visit from the police during the next few months as part of a major clampdown on criminal activities. The warning came as the first crackdown day linked

  • Flynn to meet up with ex-team-mate

    SCARBOROUGH head coach Nick Henry is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Stanley defender Mike Flynn tomorrow. The duo's paths first crossed at Oldham's Boundary Park in 1987 as they both began their football careers on the same day. And they

  • Defence could be best form of attack

    JOHN Coleman is urging Accrington Stanley to build on the defensive foundations they have laid this season. The Reds chief was particularly impressed with his rearguard's display in last Saturday's 0-0 draw at third placed Aldershot, hailing centre half

  • Throw of the dice

    BLACKPOOL will 'continue to decline' unless multi-million pound casino developments are built in the resort, a town hall chief claims. Reg Haslam, head of New Horizons, which is heading the £1.4 billion Masterplan, welcomed the news that the increasingly

  • Bring the silence back to Burrs

    TEN years ago we bought a house on Plumpton Drive, Walmersley, for the lovely landscape and the "green belt" land in front of it, so I was outraged to read in the Bury Times that 80-plus caravans were about to descend on this rural landscape. As we are

  • Parking: the whole thing is a mess

    COUNCILLOR Mike Connolly (Letters, October 8), in attempting to answer a reader's query about car boot "parkers", has raised even more questions. He implies that NCP does not have jurisdiction over roads without parking restrictions. I must remind him

  • Get my Rob's killer

    THE wife of a Bury man, who was kicked to death as he walked home from his birthday night out, choked back tears as she appealed for the "cold and callous" killer to be caught. Sharron Johnston made the plea after the attacker punched, kicked and stamped