Archive

  • Please! Spare me the Christmas hard sell

    AFTER a weekend of chicken legs, car horns and traffic jams the flu finally caught up with me. Well, it wasn't really the flu but a sniffle. But I decided it might lead to something more deadly and headed straight for the doctor. He wasn't in so my old

  • EVENTS in East Lancashire on Saturday, November 20

    BURNLEY The American Four Tops, The Banqueting Centre, Fence Gate Inn, Wheatley Lane Road, Fence. Burnley Light Opera present "Jesus Christ Superstar," Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley, 7.30pm. Playstation and Games Night, Brunshaw Action Group's Community

  • National Colts Cup

    ROCHDALE 13 SEDGLEY PARK 12: ROCHDALE dominated the first half, kicking accurately, following up with speed and determination. Their tackling pressurised Sedgley into errors, and for most of the first period they were pinned into their own half. After

  • Redrow Lancashire Amateur League

    Bury Amateur AFC 4 Radcliffe Boys 2: IT was second against third at Drinkwater on Saturday, and the first of four tough games coming up for the Ammies. Against the physical but organised visitors, Bury weren't able to establish their usual flowing style

  • Soccer zone - Bury Sunday sixes

    Division A P W D L Pt Inter Cross 8 7 0 1 21 All Blacks 8 6 1 1 19 Top of the L 8 6 0 2 18 Ainsworth A 8 3 3 2 12 Rammy Leisure 8 2 3 3 9 Athletico Hams 8 2 1 5 7 Whitefield Ath 8 1 1 6 4 Kiav 8 0 1 7 1 DIVISION B P W D L Pt Arcadians 8 6 1 1 19 Carlsberg

  • Need to hit ground running

    SATURDAY'S visit to Ireland Avenue to face Nottingham is possibly one of Sedgley Park's most important games of the season. That is because like Sedgley, Nottingham have been tipped for relegation, so a win over the green and whites' could be worth 10

  • Prescott wasted £10million

    I AM sure most people are grateful to the voters in the North East who voted by 78 per cent to 22 per cent against having a Regional Assembly. The result was so emphatic that even the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who had been the leading advocate

  • Lomax hat-trick secures three more points

    PRESTWICH HEYS 4 WILMSLOW ALBION 0: A superb Carl Lomax hat-trick and another goal from Abbid Uddin, his eighth of the season, secured three more points for the Heys, as they ran out 4-0 winners over bottom club Wilmslow Albion. Two changes were made

  • RFU National One

    SEDGLEY PARK 25 EXETER CHIEFS 39: SEDGLEY very nearly recorded a surprise victory over Premiership pretenders Exeter, but in the end ran out of steam, despite giving the Devon side an almighty scare. However, after just 33 seconds, there looked to be

  • We must be more positive

    IN response to the letter (November 12) 'Filthy town looks like Beirut.' The issues raised in this letter are wholly unjustified. Undoubtedly Blackburn town centre has long been regarded as 'filthy' but in this new age of regeneration things are much

  • Town the poorer for losing Oxo

    I WOULD argue that Unilever valued its workforce in Great Harwood and was willing to invest here but pulled out of the town because of an unhelpful council and a few narrow-minded residents. Both my parents and various relatives worked at Brooke Bond

  • Evicted family put up in hotel

    A PADIHAM family evicted from their home for anti-social behaviour are being housed in a hotel - at a cost of almost £100 a night. Janis and John Gabriel and their three sons are being put up in two rooms at the Travelodge in Burnley after they were thrown

  • Family break silence on lake body woman

    BODY-in-the-lake "victim" Evelyn Lund's family today broke their three-year silence over the death following the arrest of her husband for murder. Daughter Patricia Taylor said she hoped the wait for answers may finally be coming to an end and that her

  • Helen had head for heights

    CHARITY worker Helen Clayton is to take a leap of faith to raise money for the blind and visually impaired. Helen works as a corporate fundraising manager for Henshaws Society for Blind People and on Sunday she will plunge 100 feet in a sponsored abseil

  • Patrol boost as phone system collapses

    EXTRA patrols were ordered on the streets and the borough's police stations stayed opened following the collapse of Greater Manchester Police's main telephone system. A technical problem on the 872 5050 switchboard resulted in the public being unable

  • Two star for coucil service

    SOCIAL services in Bury have been given an improved score from independent inspectors. The rating, awarded by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, could be enough to move Bury Council as a whole up another grade to 'good'. The department has been

  • Dunn determined to make a return

    FORMER Blackburn Rovers favourite David Dunn today hit back at reports that his career could be over. A story in one of the Sunday tabloids claimed Dunn may have to retire due to the persistent hamstring injuries that have dogged him during the last 18

  • Brownies to get funds

    APPROVAL was given to an application for Kickstart funding by the 8th Prestwich (Our Lady of Grace) Brownies. Prestwich area board agreed to grant £400 to the group to purchase social and educational equipment.

  • They've fot keys to door

    THE Housing Link is 21-years-old this year and is holding a birthday party to celebrate its role in providing supported housing for homeless people in the borough. The event will take place on Thursday November 25 at the Elizabethan Suite at Bury Town

  • Museum gets cash backing

    PRESTWICH Heritage Society is closer to creating its own museum after being awarded a £3,000 Kickstart grant. The grant was approved by Prestwich area board on Monday evening subject to further funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The society's aim

  • Accused of stealing a home

    A PRESTWICH man accused of stealing a mobile home from a rental company has been committed to the Crown Court by Rochdale magistrates. Les Rogers (49), of Park Street, is charged with stealing a Benimar 5000 motor home, worth £35,000, belonging to Penfold

  • Crown court for alleged attack man

    A 20-YEAR-old man has denied being involved in an attack on two youths at a Prestwich takeaway. Michael Anthony Flynn, of Venwood Road, Prestwich, pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting Matthew McGuinness and Sam Allen causing actual bodily harm.

  • 100mph but avoids ban

    VEHICLE recovery operator Carl Smart was given five extra penalty points on his licence after admitting driving at nearly 30 mph above the 70 mph limit on the M60 at Middleton. Smart (26), of Douglas Walk, Whitefield, told Rochdale Magistrates' Copurt

  • No 'hit list' for main post offices

    BOSSES have denied that Crown post offices in Prestwich and elsewhere in Greater Manchester are on a closure 'hit list'. Although the network of main post offices nationally is losing £70 million a year, the Post Office says no plans have been drawn up

  • Beehive is a real money pot for hospital

    A WHITEFIELD pub buzzing with customers has raised more than £2,000 for charity. The Beehive in Bury New Road handed over a cheque for £2,359 to Booth Hall Hospital thanks to the generosity of its regulars. Customers filled a swear jar with loose change

  • Dads and Lads idea is copied on island

    A SCHEME to bring fathers and sons in Lancashire closer together has proved such a hit that it is being copied -- in Malta. Lancashire's 'Dads and Lads' project links literacy with sporting activities to encourage fathers to become more involved in their

  • Tips on beating festive thieves

    CHRISTMAS shoppers in Nelson have been given a lesson in self-defence. Police community support officer Eamon Kilbride came up with the idea of teaching people a few smart moves to protect themselves, their presents money and gifts. He put his plan into

  • £20,000 wrecking spree at pub by regular

    A PUB regular involved in a £20,000-plus theft and wrecking raid at the premises is behind bars for two years. Burnley Crown Court heard how father-to-be Mohammed Asif, 25, had been to a party at the Forest Inn, Fence, and had been among a group who took

  • Old Standians 2 Govern FC 6

    IT was a disappointing display from Old Standians' reserve team, especially after going two goals up inside five minutes. Standians lined up with two wide forwards, Jorge Jesus Mendes on the left and Dan Perkin on the right, supporting lone striker Tom

  • Tell trail signs for young stars

    YOUNGSTERS from Accrington's most deprived areas will exhibit art and performance work at an outdoor event tomorrow. The group of 60 seven to 16 year olds are to be the stars of the show at Tell Trail, an outdoor display from 7pm being held at Gatty Park

  • School is £50,000 over budget on project

    A HEADTEACHER has revealed that her school is thousands over budget and months behind in a project designed to take advantage of its new science college status. But Katrina Ryan, head at Mount Carmel, Wordsworth Road, Accrington, reassured pupils, staff

  • Conservatory roof needs replacing

    I URGE those people living in the Nursery Road, Prestwich, area who let off 'high explosives' rather than fireworks, to have a re-think before next year. I was away that weekend but my sister, who was looking after my elderly cat, told me that he was

  • Recritment under the microscope

    BARRIERS to job recruitment and selection will come under the microscope at the latest Embracing Diversity Employer Forum to be staged by Bury Employment Support & Training (EST). The event is to be held at the town's Bolholt Country Park Hotel next

  • I have smoked a pipe since I was 18

    YEARS ago, before the NHS, my doctor used to smoke incessantly. He continued to smoke until one day he attended an autopsy on one of his patients, where he could see for himself the disastrous effect on the lungs. That was 20 years ago. He has not smoked

  • Passing on his expertise

    HARNESSING his expertise in human resources to help a new breed of businesses is Bury man Brian Little. The 50-year-old has launched his own company after working within industry for the past 30 years. Now, he aims to pass on his experience to assist

  • BNP admits their prejudice

    YOUR correspondent S. Forsyth (November 5) writes-off our democracy because of what he/she sees as the faults of our Labour government. That Government, however, is still accountable to the electorate, something which an unelected class of rulers such

  • Pensioner exposed himself as girl queued for ice cream

    A 76-YEAR-OLD ice-cream man exposed himself to a 13-year-old girl as she queued for her cornet with her mother and her aunt, a court was told. Fred Watson, of George Street, Clitheroe, had worked as a summer salesman for three years, despite having previous

  • Clarets are 'favourites'

    BRIGHTON manager Mark McGhee insists Burnley travel to the Withdean Stadium as firm favourites. The Seagulls have lost five of their nine home matches in the Championship ahead of tomorrow's clash with the Clarets. McGhee, whose side won 1-0 win at West

  • Hyde grants Tony's wish

    LIFE has become so much easier for Tony Grant since his toughest opponent joined him at Burnley! Clarets midfielder Grant was always an admirer of Micah Hyde when he came up against the Jamaican in Watford colours. So when Hyde arrived at Turf Moor last

  • Smoke-free Parrenthorn

    PARRENTHORN High has become the second high school in the borough to go smoke-free. The Prestwich school was presented with a certificate from Bury Mayor and Mayoress, Councillors Barry and Sharon Briggs, marking its new status, which it now shares with

  • Work on road brought forward

    ESSENTIAL water mains repairs have begun on a busy Prestwich road and will tie in with a road safety project. Council bosses and United Utilities negotiated an early start for the mains replacement scheme along Scholes Lane - to save it being dug up twice

  • New Mesivta High School is taking shape

    A PRESTWICH high school celebrated a landmark agreement with Bury Council last week. The former Manchester Jewish Grammar School, in Charlton Avenue, launched a new name and was welcomed into Bury local education authoritys family of schools for the first

  • Truancy team in TV documentary

    BURY Council's battle against truancy will be in the national spotlight for the next six weeks as part of a major new BBC documentary, which started on Thrusday night. Through the eyes of the children and Bury Council's education welfare officers, Truants

  • Old boys can have sting in the tail

    The SIMON GARNER column BLACKBURN Rovers' preparations for the visit of Birmingham City have been overshadowed this week by all the furore surrounding the sacking of Tony Parkes. But now that particular storm seems to have subsided, everyone at the club

  • Spencer enjoying hotseat

    BUOYANT Clitheroe manager Lee Sculpher has paid tribute to lone striker Neil Spencer. The rangy centre forward has not been daunted by taking on defences single-handedly, and proved he is relishing the task by scoring the winner in last week's 2-1 win

  • Coates playing it cool over Colne's chances

    TO supporters it won't seem two minutes since Colne reached the FA Vase semi-final. To manager Nigel Coates it seems a world away after getting to grips with a higher division and building his squad. But tomorrow they have the chance to rekindle the memories

  • Magpies want to turn one into three

    JOHN Hughes has urged his Chorley troops to find the winning formula. The Magpies are unbeaten in five games but, out of those, four have been draws. Now manager Hughes is hoping his side can go one step further and begin turning one point into three,

  • 45 days in jail for Metrolink fare dodger

    A PERSISTENT Metrolink fare dodger, who has been caught 71 times by inspectors, has begun a 45-day jail sentence. Barry Costello (26), of Grange Grove, Whitefield, who also owes £2,500 in outstanding fines, was sentenced when he appeared before Bury Magistrates

  • End of the open road for John

    CANCER sufferer John Tunnicliffe claims he has been left out in the cold after deciding to put an end to his travelling lifestyle. The caravan-dwelling artist made up his mind to finally settle down after he was diagnosed with a lymphoma last month. However

  • Ex-cop dies at home in Spain

    A FORMER Ainsworth police sergeant has died after choking on food at his retirement home in Spain. A memorial service in honour of 53-year-old Phil Hood was held at Christ Church in Ainsworth on Thursday of last week at the same time as his funeral was

  • Holcombe Brook brakes plea

    COUNCILLORS are to write to the Department of Transport in a bid to put the brakes on motorists speeding through Holcombe Village. The move follows a lengthy campaign by The Holcombe Society to have traffic-calming measures installed in the picturesque

  • Killed himself while wife was at church

    A RETIRED insurance agent took his own life after a long history of mental problems, an inquest heard. Mr Clement Whittaker (75), of Greenside Drive, Greenmount, died from carbon monoxide poisoning after connecting an exhaust pipe into the back seat of

  • HIV victim had first living will

    A MAN who died from a suspected overdose has become the first known person to have had a living will, an inquest heard. Wayne David Ellis (42), who was HIV positive, was found unconscious at his home on Salisbury Road, Radcliffe, on April 28, with some

  • New injury worry adds to Cotterill's problems

    STEVE Cotterill is preparing another late head count for tomorrow's long trek to Brighton. The Burnley manager again has a plethora of injuries to contend with, including a fresh setback in midweek that the manager is keeping under wraps. And Cotterill

  • Adult's attitude wrong

    EMMERDALE actress Charley Webb was one of many pupils at Philips High School in Whitefield who made an outstanding individual achievement in the class of 2004. The 16-year-old, who plays young Debbie Jones in the popular soap - daughter of Charity and

  • School's dance dreams

    A DANCE and drama studio is being planned at part of a Blackburn school's expansion of its performing arts facilities. The development was announced as the head teacher at Our Lady and St John Catholic Arts College, praised a "multi-talented and unforgettable

  • Family break silence on lake body woman

    BODY-in-the-lake "victim" Evelyn Lund's family today broke their three-year silence over the death following the arrest of her husband for murder. Daughter Patricia Taylor said she hoped the wait for answers may finally be coming to an end and that her

  • James sets a target

    LUTEL James believes he can only benefit from his loan spell at Droylsden. And the Accrington Stanley striker has made his aims clear for the three-month deal after falling out of favour with manager John Coleman. "I need to be playing first team football

  • They have money to fight a war

    THE council has put almost £2million extra into the Social Services budget this year, but is still having to make cuts to balance the books. This year the cuts will seriously affect elderly people, adults with disabilities, children in need and their

  • It was help up as a 'flagship service'

    THE council have just cut through their main artery by announcing that funding for a service (the Re:d Centre) which is desperately needed by the disabled children of the borough, is to be reduced 50 per cent. This 'artery' is the pride of the council

  • It will get worse for our children

    THE Red Centre is a vital resource for many disabled children and carers, not only today but for the future. Children of today are the adults of tomorrow and anything that helps children grow into fulfilled adults benefits them and society in the future

  • Road chaos at rush hour

    EMERGENCY repairs to a gas main at Bury Bridge will cause chaos for thousands of motorists at one of the towns busiest junctions - for at least a week. Tottington Road and Walshaw Road were being closed to northbound traffic last night, from Crostons

  • Keep phone box lifelines in use

    MANY of us probably have not used a telephone box for some considerable time. The explosion of the mobile phone industry means they are largely obsolete in towns and cities because so many people have their own means of communication. But there are still

  • Why Bullseye Jim is aiming a little lower

    Comedian Jim Bowen is an established star, accustomed to performing for huge audiences. So why is he about to appear in a local production to a relative handful of people? He explained all of CAROLINE INNES. . . TV STAR Jim Bowen is more used to starring

  • National 2nd XV Championship

    DONCASTER 15 SEDGLEY PARK 13: SEDGLEY started brightly enough, with Chris Glynn worrying the home side with an exceptional penalty effort from long range, passing just wide of the mark. Then the Yorkshiremen began to dominate up front, and with only a

  • Letter was far too flippant

    IN reply to Mr R Riddehough's flippant letter (LET, November 11). Firstly Mr Riddehough, to set the record straight, I worked for nearly 28 years for the NHS in nursing - and mill workers were the salt of the earth, putting Lancashire on the map. Also

  • No thought given to Iraq's furure

    IN this post Iraq War situation, I take no pleasure in saying that the situation described in my letter to your columns earlier this year, has come to fruition. In the current climate of Iraq, it is obvious that little thought was given to Iraq's future

  • Pit gets big cash and there's more to come

    MORE colliery cash is on its way to Leigh - a whopping £19 million worth. After last week's news that £5 million has been allocated to regenerate former mining areas around Leigh comes the latest windfall. Now English Partnerships has announced funding

  • Fly-Mo is a cut above for Cotterill's Clarets

    The ANDY LOCHHEAD column FLEXIBILITY has been the key to Burnley's season so far, and it looks like Steve Cotterill might have to bend over backwards again at Brighton. The loss of so many influential players would damage any squad, but when you have

  • Murder suspect arrested

    A MAN has been arrested in connection with the assault of a Ramsbottom father four weeks ago. The 43-year-old victim suffered serious facial injuries after being attacked by a six-strong mob in Holt Street, Ramsbottom, on October 24. He needed metal plates

  • Smoke-free home visists

    SMOKERS can now be asked to stub out their cigarettes when visited at home by hospital staff. This is part of a new policy being introduced by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, including Fairfield Hospital, which will also ban medical staff from smoking

  • Manhunt following late night stabbing at takeaway

    A MANHUNT was launched after a customer was stabbed in the back during a row at a Bury takeaway. The 27-year-old victim, Mr Mohammed Shafiq, from Rochdale, was yesterday in a stable condition at Fairfield General Hospital after the attack at the Punjab

  • Injured trio give Hughes a late headache

    BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes is sweating on the fitness of three key players in the build up to Sunday's game with Birmingham City. Jonathan Stead, Paul Dickov and Barry Ferguson were all forced to withdraw from international duty in midweek due

  • St Mary's meeting

    A MEETING to establish support for St Mary's Park in Prestwich is to be held on Monday. Organised by the Council's parks and countryside department, the meeting is for anyone with an interest in the park to join a 'Friends of St Mary's Park' group. The

  • Stand boys reunion

    CALLING all 'old boys' of Stand Grammar School in Whitefield. The Old Standians Association is holding its annual reunion and dinner next Friday, in the Memorial Hall at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich. Guest speaker this year will be 'old boy' and former

  • Fare dodger is jailed

    A PERSISTENT Metrolink fare dodger, who has been caught 71 times by inspectors, has begun a 45-day jail sentence. Barry Costello (26), of Grange Grove, Whitefield, who also owes £2,500 in outstanding fines, was sentenced when he appeared before Bury Magistrates

  • Carved name in cell

    A PRESTWICH youth arrested in connection with an offence of criminal damage ended up in trouble for carving his name on a police cell door, Bury magistrates heard. Gareth David Williams (19), of Rooden Court, Park Street, pleaded guilty to damaging a

  • Just the ticket!

    WAR veteran David Teacher was left with an unusual souvenir of Armistice Day this year. As he parked his car in Manchester town centre, along with his wife Nancy, on Thursday November 11, he put his money in a pay and display machine. This ordinary act

  • Police act as phones collapse

    EXTRA patrols were ordered on the streets and the borough's police stations stayed opened following the collapse of Greater Manchester Police's main telephone system. A technical problem on the 872 5050 switchboard resulted in the public being unable

  • Sorting out salt

    A TASTY agenda is on the menu at the next meeting of Whitefield and Unsworth area board. Claims of 'reduced fat', 'low salt' and 'low sugar' in our food will come under the spotlight as the NHS Primary Care Trust unpicks the marketing jargon and food

  • Partially sighted pensioner victim 'despicable' attack

    A PARTIALLY-SIGHTED pensioner was mugged outside her own home in Prestwich. Detectives have described the attack on the 75-year-old woman as "despicable" and launched an appeal for witnesses to the incident in Richmond Avenue, Sedgley Park, at 4.30pm,

  • Vandals make light work of 'unbreakable' lamps

    COUNCIL bosses are hoping to throw new light on a vandal problem hitting the Longfield Centre. They are being forced to reconsider the design of a set of uplighters situated in the car park after repeated acts of vandalism. The lights, which line the

  • Let's go on with the snow

    IT could not have been timed better and was, perhaps, the most spectacular show of the night. As Del Boy and Bo Selecta characters began a walkabout round Burnley's Charter Walk shopping centre the snow began to fall. Despite the cold, plenty of families

  • Evicted family put up in hotel

    A PADIHAM family evicted from their home for anti-social behaviour are being housed in a hotel - at a cost of almost £100 a night. Janis and John Gabriel and their three sons are being put up in two rooms at the Travelodge in Burnley after they were thrown

  • Challinor aiming for cup return

    INJURED Bury skipper Dave Challinor could be back in action as early as two weeks time. That's the good news to come out of Gigg Lane, after a scan on the knee injury he picked up in last Saturday's FA Cup first round win against Vauxhall Motors showed

  • Centre equipped for whole community

    A STATE-of-the-art community resource centre has opened in Nelson. Voluntary, community and faith groups now have a video editing suite, conference facilities, video cameras, laptops, internet, projector and a funding library at their fingertips. The

  • 'Give wards sensible names'

    PEOPLE in Pendle are being asked where they want to live. The electoral map for Lancashire County Council is being redrawn to even out the number of people in each ward. But people living in Brierfield and north Nelson now have homes in Pendle Central

  • Lancashire Cup First Round

    Sedgley Park U17 14 Widnes U17 17: IT was a shame that two of the better sides should meet at such an early stage in the competition. As in a game that would have been worthy of the final, Widnes snatched the victory with a late try. Sedgleys pack dominated

  • Sedgley Park U13 27 Blackburn U13 12

    BLACKBURN started well, looking the better side in the early stages and,deservedly, scoring the first try. Initially there was too much ball-watching from the Sedgley pack, but the all-round excellence of the Park team gradually began to emerge. The pack

  • Sedgley Park U16 5 Oldham U16 26

    IT was a disappointing display by the Sedgley lads, up against a big, useful Oldham side. The first fifteen minutes were fairly even and an Oldham try was quickly cancelled out by one from Sedgley centre Adam Glover, who sliced through a wrong-footed

  • Feeling just champion!

    PRESTWICH Cricket Club walked away on cloud nine from the presentation night of the Lancashire County League last Friday. The Heys Road club received nine accolades at the event, held at Lancashire CC, where Essex captain Ronnie Irani was guest speaker

  • The lowdown on: Nottingham

    AFTER avoiding relegation by two points the season before last, the 'green and whites' went into last season's campaign with a degree of trepidation, however, it proved totally unfounded. Four wins from five in November (the defeat coming at Park Lane

  • Reviews of the latest sounds

    DESTINY'S CHILD: Destiny Fulfilled THREE years after their last album, 2001's Survivor, the Texan trio return to satisfy eager fans, starting with first single, Lose My Breath. The album chronicles an emotional journey through relationships, looking at

  • Drink-driver faces jail

    A MAN who committed his second drink-driving offence this year is facing jail. Burnley Magistrates heard that Wesley Atkinson, 27, was found in a vehicle on the motorway by police. The defendant was not driving but the engine was running and he was arrested

  • Hollands' owners announce losses

    THE parent company of Baxenden-based Hollands Pies today said it had fallen into the red as it counted the cost of its business shake-up and factory closures. Northern Foods, which also makes Fox's biscuits, Dalepak frozen foods and Goodfella's pizzas

  • Anger over waste site proposals

    RESIDENTS in Huncoat opposing a planned waste treatment facility on the former power station site claim they are still not having their questions answered. It followed a meeting of Huncoat Area Council last night where they demanded to know what effect

  • MP's bid to secure workers' future

    HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope has launched a battle to ensure the future of community wardens in Accrington. The Labour backbencher is alarmed that cash to pay for the police support staff will run out in April next year. But he is urging Deputy Prime Minister

  • Enjoyment of that last cigarette

    WHAT a selfish race of people we have become. How many of our young men, who lay dying in the mud in the two world wars, would have missed the comfort of that last drag on that last fag if there had been people like Paul Thomas around then (Letters, November

  • Tesco choice disappointed us

    I READ with interest Peter Wright's letter 'Unhappy at Tesco's sausage curfew' (November 5). On Tuesday at 5.30pm my family had a similar experience. Even though Tesco offer to cook your 'evening meal for you, we found this was not the case and that nothing

  • Workers and family give Irene fantastic farewell

    BURY-based company Century Seal has given Irene Bush a fantastic farewell to mark her retirement from her position as PA to the managing director. Irene marked her 60th birthday and retirement on the same day when the firm laid on a special event at the

  • He is always kind and understanding

    I READ with sadness that Dr Laurence Sherman has been suspended from the Greyland Medical Centre in Prestwich and is 'under investigation' (Guide, November 12). One thing I do know for sure is that Dr Sherman is the best and the kindest doctor I have

  • This crazy law must be changed

    WHILST The Freedom Association welcomes the support of the public, and some sections of the press, for our campaign for a change in the law to protect the rights of home-owners who are attacked in their homes, we still need to persuade many of our politicians

  • So more flights are an EU 'benefit'?

    ONCE more our MEP Mr Titley extols the many benefits of the EU and, in doing so, cites the massive increase in the number of people able to fly to Europe for holidays. As air flights are said to create more atmospheric pollution and about a thousand times

  • Jailed for seven years

    A PRESTWICH man has been jailed for seven years for the attempted rape and false imprisonment of a student. Alex Reay (20), of Russell Street, subjected his victim to a 25-minute ordeal in a launderette in Hulme in March. He beat the 22-year-old victim

  • BT urged to keep phone boxes for emergencies cover

    BT bosses have been urged to rethink proposals to close remote rural phone boxes across the Ribble Valley because they provide a vital emergency service. Campaigners hoping to retain some public phone boxes also want the phone giant to consider possible

  • Why Brighton is lucky 13th for Claridge

    STEVE Claridge appeared to have hung up his boots back in 2003, turning down a two-year contract extension from Millwall to move into management. This signalled the end of an eventful 20-year career that had seen him play almost 700 games and score over

  • New injury worry adds to Cotterill's problems

    STEVE Cotterill is preparing another late head count for tomorrow's long trek to Brighton. The Burnley manager again has a plethora of injuries to contend with, including a fresh setback in midweek that the manager is keeping under wraps. And Cotterill

  • Meade Hill Road Safety scheme go ahead

    PRESTWICH councillors have welcomed a new safety scheme for Meade Hill Road. Bury Council highlighted the road as having a poor accident record and suggested the scheme would help reduce the number of casualties. Over a three year period, from 2000 to

  • Brave Helen's blindfold drop

    A PRESTWICH charity worker is to take the ultimate leap of faith to raise money for the blind and visually-impaired. Helen Clayton works as a corporate fundraising manager for Henshaws Society for Blind People and on Sunday she will plunge 100 feet in

  • Now it's Sonny and Shelley!

    IT IS sure to be an entertaining partnership as The Sonny and Shelley Show comes to the Nicky Alliance Day Centre. Fundraising executive at the centre, Mr Sonny Warner has welcomed on board a newcomer to his team in the form of Mrs Shelley Blackston.

  • Christmas hopes for man in jail

    A PRESTWICH security guard jailed for 14 years for being the 'insider' in a £6.6 million armoured car robbery faces an anxious wait to clear his name. The family of Graham Huckerby say the Appeal Court decision could take up to eight weeks, after judgement

  • Stub it out!

    MEDICAL staff at Fairfield and North Manchester General Hospitals are to be banned from smoking during working hours. Smoking shelters are to be erected in the grounds of Fairfield Hospital, replacing a smoking area outside the building. At North Manchester

  • Hospital patients to get memorial

    A LASTING memorial to former patients of Prestwich Hospital is to be created in St Mary's Churchyard. As reported in last week's Guide, the Prestwich parish church action group applied to the area board for Kickstart funding to enable the project to go

  • He didn't make £600m by providing free parking

    FOLLOWING complaints about charging on Elms car park, Whitefield, I would like to make readers aware that the owner of Total Fitness (and presumably, owner of the car park), the one and only Albert Gubay, failed to make the top 10 in the list of Britains

  • Hall is hard to please

    A COMFORTABLE 5-0 win over Chadderton last week ended a barren run for Nelson, but it still wasn't enough to impress the boss. Dave Hall asked for more belief from his side and that's what he got but there's still room for improvement. "I said that we'd

  • Grimshaw looking for a long run

    RAMSBOTTOM assistant manager Andy Grimshaw has urged the Riverside outfit not to throw away the chance to extend their FA Vase run. Grimshaw is confident the Rams won't be suffering a hangover on the back of last week's 4-1 league defeat at Stone Dominoes

  • Massive test for Moly's men

    MASSIVE is the only way to describe Rossendale United's clash with Warrington Town, according to player-manager Mark Molyneaux. The Dark Lane outfit have the chance to leapfrog their UniBond First Division rivals tomorrow and put further distance between

  • Borough boss is denied in market

    BACUP Borough manager Brent Peters has revealed his frustration at failing to land Karl Marginson. Peters made him a target last week and all the signs indicated he was ready to move from West View. However, Marginson instead opted to sign for Flixton

  • Wilkes vows to make changes so Storks can fly

    AMBITIOUS Padiham manager Steve Wilkes has admitted his current squad is not good enough to lift the North West Counties Division Two title. The Storks boss has vowed to make changes after losing 3-2 at home to promotion rivals Flixton on Saturday. And

  • Fag ban gets full backing

    HEALTH chiefs in Bury have voted to support a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places. Board members of Bury Primary Care Trust say they are very disappointed that the Governments White Paper allows exemptions to private clubs and some pubs.

  • Concerns over the privilege of youth

    FEARS have been raised by users of the Elton Centre after being updated on plans for a new building. The Alston Street centre is to be demolished to make way for a £400,000 centre of excellence for youth provision. But the current users fear they will

  • Injured trio give Hughes a late headache

    BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes is sweating on the fitness of three key players in the build up to Sunday's game with Birmingham City. Jonathan Stead, Paul Dickov and Barry Ferguson were all forced to withdraw from international duty in midweek due

  • Cathie's music is an inspiration

    A WOMAN from Blackburn has stepped up her campaign to encourage people to be more self-empowering by releasing a music album. Cathie Higginson, who was living at the Findhorn foundation in Scotland during filming of Channel 4s documentary The Haven, believes

  • Rocking all over again!

    Rock legends Status Quo are in Blackburn tomorrow for another huge gig as part of their UK tour. JEMMA DOBSON spoke to Rick Parfitt about the life on tour, his secret dislike of Radio One - and a new game. . . WITH a 35-year career and more hit singles

  • Green businesses rewarded

    BUSINESS bosses from across East Lancashire were praised for their efforts to protect the environment at an award giving ceremony last night. Held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, The Lancashire Business Environment Association Awards gave

  • Housing facelift set for new year

    WORK on improving the look of houses in Melrose Street, Nicholas Street and Edensor Street, Darwen, is set to begin in the new year. Blackburn with Darwen's full council meeting was told last night that money from the government's Housing Market Renewal

  • Can't some bright spark sort it out?

    THE residents of Tockholes have never had a gas supply to their village - but now it seems electricity has become a luxury, too. Villagers claim they have had around 18 power cuts this year alone and are demanding improvements. Resident Steve Willis says

  • Blaze woman in window fall

    A HOUSE fire in Rossendale left a woman seriously injured after she fell from a first floor window trying to escape the blaze. Police were called to the fire in Venture Street, Bacup, at shortly after 3am today where they found the ground floor of the

  • Tory in bid for 'spy' TV in town centre

    THE man hoping to become Rossendale's next MP has launched a petition to lobby for CCTV to combat crime in Rawtenstall Town Centre. Nigel Adams, Rossendale's Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate is asking shoppers and traders to support his

  • Best results in history

    A ROSSENDALE high school celebrated its best ever exam results at an awards evening with a special visit from a past pupil - the Canon of Bradford Cathedral. Cannon David Brierley, who left Fearns Community Sports College in 1970, was invited back to

  • Civic hall to rise from the ashes?

    THE fire-ravaged Whitworth Civic Hall could rise from the ashes on its original site if councillors give community proposals the go-ahead next week. Leaders of the community group CLAW (Community Leisure Association of Whitworth), who are spearheading

  • Disney trip lined up for brave Connor, 6

    AN APPEAL for funds to send a sick Rossendale youngster to Florida for dolphin therapy has got off to a flying start. Children's charity When You Wish Upon a Star will pay for the trip of a lifetime after hearing about the plight of Connor Hurst. Connor

  • Pubs are target of Aids Day

    HEALTH workers are to target Blackburn pubs in the run up to World Aids Day to help tackle sexual diseases. Volunteers will hand out condoms provided free by Durex to punters in pubs across the town on Saturday, November 27, and give sex advice. And the

  • Teen sex attack spurs on bid for cash

    A COMMUNITY shocked by a sex attack on a 15-year-old girl is making urgent moves to improve security in the park where it happened. Money had already been ear marked to improve lighting in Roe Lee Park, Blackburn, but the incident on Wednesday afternoon

  • Can we stub out all our bad habits?

    SMOKING is a criminal offence, children are banned from eating sweets and ice cream and playground hide and seek is replaced by gym classes - a gross exaggeration perhaps, of where we may end up. But changes announced in this week's government's White

  • Cavanagh hoping the tough times are over

    PETER Cavanagh is keeping his fingers crossed that his toughest spell as Accrington captain is well and truly behind him. The full back, whose leadership skills belie his tender 23 years, confessed that keeping his team-mates' spirits raised proved immensely

  • Chiefs have the edge

    SEDGLEY PARK 25 EXETER CHIEFS 39: SEDGLEY very nearly recorded a surprise victory over Premiership pretenders Exeter, but in the end ran out of steam, despite giving the Devon side an almighty scare. However, after just 33 seconds, there looked to be

  • Why do this to my brother?

    MY brother is 10 years old and has severe autism. Until he went to the Re:d Centre in Morley Street, Bury, he had no friends and didn't go anywhere without my parents. He can not play out like other children of his age but he got a place for a 'teatime

  • It provides much-needed resipte

    AS a parent who has two disabled children using the precious facilities at the threatened Re:d Centre in Bury, I am concerned at news that the council is to cut its spending on the centre by 50 per cent. This is totally unacceptable. The council say they