Archive

  • TOMORROW

    BLACKBURN "Requiem," by John Rutter, Blackburn Cathedral, 8pm. An Evening of Clairvoyance with Mary White and Julie Windsor, Thwaites Empire Theatre, Ewood, 7.30pm. Digital Photography Workshop, 10am-noon; Luncheon Club, noon-1pm; Social Afternoon, 1pm

  • Children blamed for arson

    CHILDREN are being blamed for starting a blaze which destroyed a quantity of refuse inside a derelict garage. A settee and an assortment of other rubbish was engulfed in the fire which broke out in the concrete structure at the rear of Bridgefield Street

  • Road safety risks

    LABOUR leader in Europe, Gary Titley, has accused his Tory counterparts of dicing with death by voting against new EU road safety rules. The Radcliffe-based MEP said: "Ask people on a coach holiday if they want to get home on time, then I'm certain they

  • Cable damage leaves 44 homes in the dark

    HOUSES in Ramsbottom were without electricity last Thursday night, after fire from a burning building spread to overhead cables. The blaze started in a storage unit at Stormer Mill, on Mill Street, at around 8.25pm, and quickly destroyed the portable

  • Silver lining for efforts

    A SELECTION of silverware was presented to members of Prestwich Co-op Camera Club for their efforts over the past year. Bury Times chief photographer Roy Bolton was invited to present trophies to the winners of the club's 52nd annual exhibition of prints

  • Breathe Easy donates gifts to Fairfield

    A SUPPORT group for people with breathing difficulties has thanked the medical specialists for their care. Breathe Easy Bury and District presented Fairfield Hospital with a stereo CD player and a set of exercise weights for their pulmonary rehabilitation

  • Bury FC hope for big crowd to mark years

    BURY FC supporters are keeping their fingers crossed that Friday's match proves to be a ground-filler to mark the 120th anniversary of the club. Forever Bury, the supporters' trust, is aiming to get 100 fans for every year of Bury FC at the Good Friday

  • Left behind by technology

    HELEN Mead (LET, March 14) on the issue of advanced technology was humorous and very informative I myself am confused by the many varied advances in technology. Understanding our video recorder after 10 years is as far as I go and have no wish to go further

  • Diesel steams ahead of the canine competition

    IT'S anything but a dog's life for the latest addition to the Royle family from Elton. For Diesel, a Bernese mountain dog, won first prize in the special puppy group on the last day of the world-famous Crufts held at Birmingham NEC. And having done that

  • Police keep us in suspense

    IN Wednesday's Telegraph there was an article about recruitment for the police force at an Islamic school. By all means they have a right to apply, but I bet they don't have to wait as long as my granddaughter has for a reply. She left university three

  • Medical help over break

    WALK-In centres will be open and doctors will be on call for people requiring medical attention over the Easter holidays. Both Prestwich and Bury NHS Walk-In centres will open from 9am on Bank Holidays and weekends. Bury's centre on Parsons Lane ,will

  • Police give a helping handout

    THE Greater Manchester Police community charity has given a helping hand to two local organisations. It donated £100 to Ramsbottom United Junior Football Club and £200 to Bury Victim Support and Witness Service. The charity, which is funded through an

  • Ancient antics, pagan rituals

    ONE of Bury's great springtime traditions, based on an ancient pagan ritual, has taken to the streets again. Bury Pace-Eggers have been out and about in the borough to present their ancient luck-bringing ceremony at a number of venues. Saturday saw the

  • School tears

    A REFORMED addict has died from a suspected overdose just hours after highlighting the dangers of drugs to school children. Russell De-la-rue joined other recovering junkies to issue a warning to pupils at St Bede's RC High School, Blackburn. But the

  • Ternent wants to keep duo

    GILLINGHAM manager Stan Ternent wants to keep Blackburn Rovers duo Jonathon Douglas and Jay McEveley until the end of the season. Douglas and McEveley recently joined the Gills on one-month loan deals but they have made such an impression at the south

  • I want to stay at Ewood

    BLACKBURN Rovers defender Nissa Johansson is hoping to persuade Mark Hughes that he's worth a new contract. The Swedish international's present deal is due to run out in the summer, but he wants to stay at Rovers next season and he's hoping to open contract

  • School looks to the law

    THE head of an embattled sixth form today revealed the school is taking legal advice over plans for its closure as part of a huge £250 million overhaul of secondary education in Burnley and Pendle. John Swarbrick said St Theodore's RC High, is looking

  • The red sparrows

    THE humble house sparrow has been crowned Lancashire's most popular garden bird -- but spotting one is more difficult then ever. Fears about the little bird, distinctive for its dowdy plumage and speckled breast, has prompted a study to discover the reason

  • Baby death mother could sue

    A DEVASTATED mother is considering suing a hospital after her baby suffered fatal head injuries during childbirth. An inquest into the death of Ella Livesey was told that a medical team at Burnley General Hospital followed correct procedures during the

  • England aces back Gigg Lane appeal

    BURY'S famous footballing sons Gary and Phil Neville are urging townsfolk to get down to Gigg Lane on Friday for the Shakers' "Fill The Ground Day." The Manchester United and England pair won't be able to make Friday's clash against Grimsby Town as they

  • Learning the art of recycling

    CHILDREN in Pendle are being invited along to a free art workshop during the Easter break. Community artists will be working with the children on pieces of art such as collages and mosaics which will be made using recycled materials. The artwork will

  • College deserves more money says MP

    PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has pledged to help Nelson and Colne College get extra cash. He said it got less money per pupil than local school sixth forms. The Labour backbencher is backing a campaign for fairer funding locally and nationally. The Association

  • Jubilee work will improve it

    BOTH my husband and I are members of the Jubilee Centre in Bury and, along with friends - many of whom we have met there - enjoy the many activities and facilities provided for the over-50s. These activities help to keep both mind and body active, and

  • Learning the art of recycling

    CHILDREN in Pendle are being invited along to a free art workshop during the Easter break. Community artists will be working with the children on pieces of art such as collages and mosaics which will be made using recycled materials. The artwork will

  • College deserves more money says MP

    PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has pledged to help Nelson and Colne College get extra cash. He said it got less money per pupil than local school sixth forms. The Labour backbencher is backing a campaign for fairer funding locally and nationally. The Association

  • Ghost of a chance for town

    GHOSTLY goings on in Colne are spiriting a tourism boost for the area. For a new Colne "Heroes and Villains" tour, led by celebrated "ghost host" Simon Entwistle is aiming to bring in visitors and fascinate locals with spellbinding historical stories.

  • Diploma for DTE's Lynne

    A CAREER in payroll management has added up to success for Lynne Cramb of Bury-based business advisers DTE. She has been awarded the diploma in payroll management from the Institute of Payroll and Pensions Management. Commenting on Lynne's success, director

  • Alliance will target media

    TOP media specialists, Myadbase.com and Bury-based CLICKintoPR.com, have formed a strategic alliance to promote their services to media owners and marketers. Myadbase, the ad-space buying and selling exchange and online press release specialists CLICKintoPR

  • Appointment will add to winning strategy

    STUBBINS-based Strategic Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Ltd has appointed Iain Stringer to the position of director designate. Iain joins Strategic from Gill and Wilkinson where he was employed as senior contracts manager-business development manager

  • I'm sorry for way I behaved

    ADE Akinbiyi has apologised for the moment of madness that blighted the start of his Burnley career. The striker has spoken for the first time since his disastrous substitute appearance against Sunderland earlier this month, when he was sent off less

  • I'm still gutted I acted like that in front of my son

    IF the 9pm watershed was rigorously enforced in homes across Britain, Ade Akinbiyi probably wouldn't have felt so guilty about his bizarre Burnley debut. But it's unlikely many youngsters who watched the Friday night clash between the Clarets and Sunderland

  • Gutsy Shakers outshine leaders

    WHILE understandably delighted with a superb victory at League Two's top team, there was more than a tinge of frustration in Graham Barrow's post-match interview at Huish Park. For the second time this season he had watched his Bury side take three points

  • I'm sorry for way I behaved

    ADE Akinbiyi has apologised for the moment of madness that blighted the start of his Burnley career. The striker has spoken for the first time since his disastrous substitute appearance against Sunderland earlier this month, when he was sent off less

  • I want to stay at Ewood

    BLACKBURN Rovers defender Nissa Johansson is hoping to persuade Mark Hughes that he's worth a new contract. The Swedish international's present deal is due to run out in the summer, but he wants to stay at Rovers next season and he's hoping to open contract

  • Pole jump!

    EAST Lancashire businesses are being urged to become 'Poles' apart from their competitors -- by breaking into the market in Poland. The East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is behind the rallying call, stressing now is the time for the region's firms to

  • Lions experience the Spotland sting

    ROCHDALE HORNETS 54, SWINTON LIONS 20: Lions suffered their first defeat in the Northern Rail Cup Group Two, as Coach Paul Kidd took the opportunity to rest several players, as the Lions have already secured their place in the play-off stages. Hornets

  • £4,000 boost for Green site

    MEMBERS of the Hoddlesden Millennium Green committee were celebrating today after receiving £4,000 for the creation of history and nature trails on the site. Organisers appealed for help from residents last year in a bid to raise enough money to continue

  • Metrolink expansion plans boost

    METROLINK expansion plans will form the cornerstone of a 15-year public transport-led strategy for Greater Manchester. The county-wide Integrated Transport Strategy has been developed by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) and the

  • Park and rise plan for town

    THE hunt is on to find a site for a park and ride scheme to reduce congestion in Blackburn town centre. Blackburn with Darwen Council has confirmed it is spending £40,000 of its annual transport allowance from the Government on looking for a suitable

  • The red sparrows

    THE humble house sparrow has been crowned Lancashire's most popular garden bird -- but spotting one is more difficult then ever. Fears about the little bird, distinctive for its dowdy plumage and speckled breast, has prompted a study to discover the reason

  • Baby death mother could sue

    A DEVASTATED mother is considering suing a hospital after her baby suffered fatal head injuries during childbirth. An inquest into the death of Ella Livesey was told that a medical team at Burnley General Hospital followed correct procedures during the

  • Passion brings a perfect 10

    ACCRINGTON Stanley proved they can still be a 'top 10' on Saturday. But you won't find manager John Coleman adjusting the numbers in his starting line-up tonight. The Reds go into their game at Canvey Island on the back of a crucial win over play-off

  • Skip fire

    FIREBUGS set the contents of a metal skip ablaze in Clegg Street, Whitefield, on Saturday night. A crew spent 20 minutes at the scene, after being called out at 8.30pm.

  • Tips from top market

    BURY Market is aiming to spread the secret of its success when it welcomes a delegation from Trafford Council on April 20. Councillors and officers, who are thinking about regenerating their own market, want to learn from Bury's achievements, which include

  • Cameras don't reduce deaths

    QUITE simply, in response to recent correspondents, speed cameras are not working and speeding is not an "epidemic" among drivers. Speed cameras have not reduced the number of deaths on our roads, as it was claimed they would. In 1997, there were in the

  • Town Hall strike called off

    A STRIKE by hundreds of Bury Council workers on Wednesday has been called off. Services affecting social work, leisure centres and the weekly bins collection had been under threat over Government plans to cut pension entitlements. However, ministers reached

  • Thieves steal mum's car - with baby inside

    THIEVES stole a car from a busy main street - with a 21-month-old baby asleep inside. The mother had parked her silver Volkswagen Golf in Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, on Monday morning and left her baby son sleeping in the car and the keys in the ignition

  • Just leave the daffs alone

    SPRING is sprung and it's that time of the year when our roadside verges and central reservations begin to look really colourful with daffodils in bloom. But the addition of a dash of yellow to the landscape in Blackburn and Darwen also seems to act like

  • Homless total down

    THE number of people becoming homeless in the north west in the last quarter of 2004 fell by four per cent compared to the same period the previous year. In Manchester, according to the latest national statistics, the number of households becoming homeless

  • So-called art just makes me cross

    I THINK the Stations of the Cross paintings are ghastly, but what I found really offensive is the four occasions that "His" and "Him" are written with lower case first letters in your narrative. It seems to be that there is more than a hint of "Emperor's

  • Yobs will not respect hijab

    ON your report (LET, March 16) regarding the proposed recruitment of Muslim girls to the Lancashire Constabulary, I was perturbed to learn that as a special privilege, any individual accepted as a constable will be rewarded by being allowed to wear their

  • Local Hero

    He's the awe inspiring genius Who lives just down our lane. He wears a size twelve trilby hat, To protect his massive brain. He can lecture Einstein's theory And his maths are quite the tops, He knows algebra and calculus Why -- his talent never stops

  • Hospital staff don't know they're born

    HAVING read your front page (Hospital nursery bombshell, March 18) I'm absolutely amazed that workers at Queen's Park Hospital are complaining! I feel that I have to write on behalf of 'normal fee paying' parents of children who attend private day care

  • Rape charge man appears

    A 22-year-old Atherton man accused of raping and attacking a woman appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday. Jon Leaver, of Mayfield Street, is alleged to have raped the woman and wounding her with intent on February 20. Leaver, who appeared via video

  • £58m new look for town

    AN artist's design for the proposed £58 million development at Townside Fields in Bury town centre has been unveiled. Four blocks, built between Bury Town Hall and the Metrolink line, will comprise offices, apartments, retail space, and a new crossing

  • Health and booze in the spotlight

    HEALTH services in the area will be given the "once over" by the Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor Area Board on Tuesday night. Officers from Bury Primary Care Trust will be giving a presentation about the future of the health service and improvements

  • Mum scares off street attack thug

    A THUG is being hunted by police after he tried to rob a 15-year-old boy on his way to school. He fled empty-handed after a woman pushing a pram appeared on the scene. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident in Gigg Lane, Bury, at 8.30am on

  • Pub toasts two more awards

    AN award-winning pub is still pulling in the honours. For the popular Garsdale Country Inn in Woodhill Road, Bury, has scooped two prizes in the licensed trade's annual Morning Advertiser Best Pub Awards. The Brandlesholme hostelry, run by licensee David

  • 'Threat to kill' warden

    A TEENAGER has been charged with assaulting and threatening to kill a traffic warden while he was on duty in Nelson. Police said the incident began at about 9am yesterday in Railway Street when a Parkwise officer was allegedly confronted and threatened

  • Long haul school trips 'not green friendly'

    TEACHERS are being warned that taking pupils on trips abroad can have a disastrous effect on the environment. Bury Environment Forum claims that taking youngsters on just one foreign holiday can generate the same amount of carbon dioxide as the electricity

  • Bike crash sparks 'no-go' campaign

    RESIDENTS have backed a campaign to have parts of a neighbourhood turned into a no-go area for traffic after a youngster was hit by a motorbike. Cory Reilly-Sully (14), of Spruce Avenue, Bury, was injured when a motorbiker pulling a wheelie stunt lost

  • Rovers have nothing left in reserve

    A TIRED looking Blackburn Rovers Academy side slipped to a 3-2 defeat against Everton at the weekend Several members of Gary Bowyer's team had appeared for the reserves earlier in the week and those exertions appeared to catch up with them as they slumped

  • Balance of working life is right

    NEW working arrangements for staff have won Bury Council special Investor in People accreditation for its 'work/life balance'. The programme allows employees to opt for job sharing, unpaid breaks and flexi-time to suit their domestic life. Councillor

  • Beware loan offer scam

    TRADING standards officers are warning people seeking a loan to be wary of a new advance fee scam originating in Canada. Consumers who respond to these newspaper adverts are told that their loan has been agreed, but they first have to pay for insurance

  • Metrolink expansion plans boost

    METROLINK expansion plans will form the cornerstone of a 15-year public transport-led strategy for Greater Manchester. The county-wide Integrated Transport Strategy has been developed by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) and the

  • 'Threat to kill' warden

    A TEENAGER has been charged with assaulting and threatening to kill a traffic warden while he was on duty in Nelson. Police said the incident began at about 9am yesterday in Railway Street when a Parkwise officer was allegedly confronted and threatened

  • Man hit out at strangers

    MAGISTRATES have called for help for a mentally-ill man who has repeatedly attacked innocent people in the street. Osman Bacha, 28, who has a range of health problems and is autistic, was sent to jail for four months by the bench, but won his release

  • Bury FC hope for big crowd to mark years

    BURY FC supporters are keeping their fingers crossed that Friday's match proves to be a ground-filler to mark the 120th anniversary of the club. Forever Bury, the supporters' trust, is aiming to get 100 fans for every year of Bury FC at the Good Friday

  • One more month for Rover Fitz

    BURY have secured the services of on-loan Blackburn Rovers defender John Fitzgerald for another month. The uncompromising centre-back has been a tower of strength since his arrival from Ewood Park in January, however he won't be staying at Gigg to the

  • Spend a few pennies on the toilets

    "£180,000 to add comfort to bus station: Transport bosses aim at user-friendly facilities" (Bury Times, March 8). Really? So when are they going to spend some money on providing toilets that are not so revolting that you would never enter them? MALCOLM

  • Why should we have to pay?

    I READ your report about fly-tipping at Openshaw Place in the Chesham area of Bury. While I do not condone this practice, anyone self-employed will tell you how difficult it is to dispose of other peoples rubbish at the Fernhill yard without paying a

  • Water going down the drain

    WHILST I am fortunate enough to live in a Band A property, I still have to pay £330 per year for my water and sewerage. When I received my water bill I was also offered additional services, and assured that any problems would be dealt with promptly. I

  • Swan's taste of success

    A POPULAR Bury pub has scooped a sensational hat-trick of culinary honours. The Swan Hotel on Tottington Road has been named as the area winner of Daniel Thwaites Brewery's catering pub of the year - its third culinary success in as many years after twice

  • Braced for a wave of claims

    EMPLOYERS in the North-west could face a surge of claims under new disability protection regulations, warn legal experts. The Disability Discrimination Bill is expected to come into force in 2006 and will extend disability protection to include a larger

  • Late agony for Clarets

    OLDHAM YOUTH 3 BURNLEY YOUTH 2 (after extra time) BURNLEY youths suffered extra time heartbreak after clawing back a two-goal deficit to Oldham in their Lancashire FA Youth Cup semi final. Striker Cayne Hanley struck a second half brace to cap a superb

  • Barritt deal to race in British Rally

    DANIEL Barritt and David Higgins will contest the 2005 British Rally Championship after clinching a deal with Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi. Barritt, from Hapton and his Welsh-based driver will compete in all eight rounds of the series, driving a Group

  • £350,000 skills vow

    PROBLEMS of recruiting staff with relevant skills in East Lancashire are set to be eased with a £350,000 boost for the region. More than half of East Lancashire employers have problems finding staff who are equipped to do the job. And Blackburn medical

  • I'll drink to that

    AN East Lancashire firm has signed a £1million deal to supply Indian wine to restaurants and wholesalers across the North West. Darwen entrepreneur Tony Melia is hoping to take advantage of the trend for Indian lagers such as Cobra in Indian restaurants

  • More paste, less heed!

    MORE than 200 people were made redundant at Crown Wallcoverings, formerly Potters of Darwen, when it closed last year. Around 300 jobs were axed at Coloroll wallpaper manufacturer when its Nelson factory closed its doors to business five years ago Yet

  • Boys crash out of cup

    BURY U15s crashed out of the Greater Manchester Schools' Woodhead Cup first round, going down 6-1 against Warrington at Victoria Park, Adam Edwards' (Prestwich) scoring their consolation goal. Bolton U15s, who are still in with an outside chance of a

  • Rams suffer travel bug again

    NANTWICH TOWN 2, RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 0: If officials at the North West Counties League Premier Division drew a line from Chester to Congleton as it's southern boundary, the Rams would probably be Champions-elect by now. As it is, every time they have to

  • Boro blanked by high-flying Reds

    RADCLIFFE BOROUGH 0 WORKINGTON 2: VISITORS Workington proved just why they are top of the Unibond League Premier Division and heading for Conference North. Boro proved why they are destined for another season in the Unibond Premier. They obstinately tried

  • Pervert, 21, in jail after spate of assaults

    A MAN who assaulted women students as they made their way to Blackburn College has been jailed for three years. In three incidents, Kirk Hartley made suggestive comments to the young women -- and two were pulled into an alleyway. The judge at Preston

  • Save our specialists

    COUNCILLORS are calling for Rawtenstall's specialist shops in the cobbled Bank Street to be safeguarded when the town centre is totally transformed. Consultants are working withRossendale Council to create an action plan for the centre alongside a separate

  • Long haul school trips 'not green friendly'

    TEACHERS are being warned that taking pupils on trips abroad can have a disastrous effect on the environment. Bury Environment Forum claims that taking youngsters on just one foreign holiday can generate the same amount of carbon dioxide as the electricity

  • Balance of working life is right

    NEW working arrangements for staff have won Bury Council special Investor in People accreditation for its 'work/life balance'. The programme allows employees to opt for job sharing, unpaid breaks and flexi-time to suit their domestic life. Councillor

  • Anger at cruel con on elderly

    PENSIONER welfare groups have reacted angrily after a drug addict who conned her way into the homes of lone elderly women was jailed for 14 months. Mother-of-three Rebecca Duxbury, 22, struck almost 20 times in Blackburn, deliberately and repeatedly targeting

  • Pervert, 21, in jail after spate of assaults

    A MAN who assaulted women students as they made their way to Blackburn College has been jailed for three years. In three incidents, Kirk Hartley made suggestive comments to the young women -- and two were pulled into an alleyway. The judge at Preston

  • Don't be daff-t

    COUNCIL workers have been told to stop chopping down daffodils after complaints began pouring into a council for the fourth year running. Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern has stepped in to protect the spring flowers by insisting they

  • Katie has wish granted

    A MOTHER whose six-year-old girl was on the brink of death has today revealed her amazing fight for life and said: "She's one in a million." The parents of cancer sufferer Katie Martin spoke after celebrating the news that her cancer was in remission.

  • School tears

    A REFORMED addict has died from a suspected overdose just hours after highlighting the dangers of drugs to school children. Russell De-la-rue joined other recovering junkies to issue a warning to pupils at St Bede's RC High School, Blackburn. But the

  • Car blaze

    A SUSPECTED stolen Honda car was extensively damaged after being set ablaze in Rupert Street, Radcliffe, on Saturday night. A fire crew was at the scene for around 20 minutes after being called out at 10pm.

  • Litter: We can all do something

    NOW that spring is once again almost upon us, we all have the opportunity to see our town and surrounding areas beyond the gloomy days of winter. And I have to say that parts of Bury are not a particularly pretty sight. Despite the fact that the council

  • Long haul school trips 'not green friendly'

    TEACHERS are being warned that taking pupils on trips abroad can have a disastrous effect on the environment. Bury Environment Forum claims that taking youngsters on just one foreign holiday can generate the same amount of carbon dioxide as the electricity

  • Blame fly-tipping on Euro leguislation

    THE reason that fly-tipping in our communities is increasing is not simply because people are too lazy to go to their local tip. It is indirectly because of the crazy EU legislation which has put pressure on individuals and companies to dispose of waste