After a difficult year last year, people were hoping that 2021 would look a bit different but sadly, a lockdown and restrictions have meant it has looked very similar. But what have been some of the biggest stories for East Lancashire this year? Abigail Beaney looks back at another rollercoaster year...
JULY
Dad's horror as safety bar released during fair ride
A FATHER spoke out of his horror after a safety bar opened on a fairground ride just two carriages away from his children - however organisers have said that the incident posed no safety risk.
The dad, who wished to remain anonymous, had taken his two children to the Blackburn Mega Fun Park in Witton Country Park.
He was watching his children on a ride which is similar to a Ferris wheel, however the carriages also spin when a safety bar released on a carriage next to his children.
Man gets out of van at traffic lights to urinate on road
A COMPANY has apologised after a worker got out of a van and urinated at traffic lights in Blackburn.
The passenger was pictured on Queen’s Park Road and seemed oblivious to the fact there were worshippers leaving the mosque close by having conducted late evening prayers.
As the traffic lights turned red the man left the vehicle and urinated on the road.
Man empties contents of blue bin in back alley
A MAN was caught on CCTV emptying the contents of his own blue bin and dumping the rubbish in a back alley.
It was filmed behind Warrington Street in Little Harwood, Blackburn.
The footage shows the man looking inside the bin and then emptying paper and cardboard onto the ground before wheeling it away.
AUGUST
Aya Hachem's killers: Men guilty of murder and woman of manslaughter
THESE are the faces of the eight people found guilty today of the killing of Blackburn law student Aya Hachem.
The seven men were convicted of the murder of Aya, 19, and the attempted murder of the intended target, Pacha Khan, then 30, also from Blackburn, following a twelve-week trial at Preston Crown Court.
A woman - Judy Chapman - was found guilty of Aya’s manslaughter but not guilty of the attempted murder of Pacha Khan.
Each of the defendants were convicted for their distinct roles in the shooting.
Heartbreak and devastation as 33-year-old Nathan Aspin dies in tragic accident on holiday in Ibiza
TRIBUTES poured in for a father-of-one and stepfather-of-two who died on holiday in Ibiza.
Nathan Aspin, 33, from Blackburn, was with wife Natalie and son Blake when the 'tragic accident' occurred.
It is believed Nathan, who lived in Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley with his wife and family, slipped and fell from a balcony.
Blackburn man dies in hospital after delaying vaccine uptake
SEPTEMBER
Teacher wins wrongful dismissal claim after sacking
A TEACHER who was sacked after telling a disruptive pupil to go into a cupboard has won his claim for unfair and wrongful dismissal.
An employment tribunal found that Abdul Mohammad Basit meant it as a joke and was surprised when the 14-year-old, who liked to play the class clown, took it literally.
When questioned about it later the boy and three of his classmates said he had been in the cupboard for about five minutes, but Basit said it been no more than 10-15 seconds.
‘I just can’t believe it’: Blackburn man wins Porsche 911 and £50,000 in cash
A FACTORY manager from Blackburn won a £140,000 Porsche and £50,000 in cash after entering an online competition.
Kenneth Hindle was at home when BOTB’s Christian Williams turned up to tell him he was this week’s winner and the new owner of a Porsche 911 Turbo and the cash.
Players pay a £4 fee to enter the spot the ball competition and those who get closest to the judges' choices in the game are deemed the winners.
EG Group acquires a further 52 KFC restaurants
THE EG Group announced that it had acquired 52 KFC restaurants in the UK.
The network, across the south and south-west regions, comprises more than 1,600 staff and a mix of drive thru and traditional restaurant formats. The latest acquisition from the from Amsric Group Post-will see the company operate over 220 KFC restaurants in Europe and the UK.
It also takes the EG Group's portfolio of food service establishments to more than 1,700 foodservice.
OCTOBER
Blackburn's Issa brothers to submit plans for cemetery
THE ISSA brothers released plans for a new cemetery on land between Blackburn and Oswaldtwistle, the Lancashire Telegraph can reveal.
If approved, the plans will see a cemetery built on the land off Blackburn Road near West End Business Park on the outskirts of Oswaldtwistle.
The forecourt magnates, who run the Blackburn-headquartered EG Group and who own Asda supermarkets, are submitting an application to Hyndburn Council. The size of the development is around 90 acres.
Much-loved pub restaurant closes as head-chef departs for pastures new
A RESTAURANT inside a pub, which became the first community owned establishment in Lancashire, has closed.
The Dog Inn at Belthorn temporarily closed its restaurant after Mark Taylor decided to end his tenure as head chef to move onto pastures new.
Posting on their Facebook page, a spokesperson for the Dog Inn said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances the restaurant will be closed until further notice.”
Couple say they were 'humiliated' at Argos store trying to return Xbox
A COUPLE say they were ‘humiliated and insulted’ after going an Argos store to return an Xbox.
Kazim Dalvi, said he has complained to the chain store following the incident which stemmed from him wanting to return the goods which had only been purchased days earlier.
Argos have confirmed Mr Dalvi has been banned from the store and said they would ‘not tolerate any abusive behaviour towards staff’.
NOVEMBER
Blackburn's Barbara Castle Way camera snares hundreds
HUNDREDS of drivers have been caught out by a camera on one of Blackburn’s most dangerous roads.
The new traffic offences enforcement camera detected a high number of motoring offences on Barbara Castle Way in the first four weeks after it went live on October 18.
Detections after just four weeks of data showed an alarming number of incidents per day. Between November 1 and November 15, detections show 396 speeding offences and 78 occasions when motorists have gone through a red light on the busy road.
Blackburn youths lure police to 'dying person' before attacking them with fireworks
POLICE and ambulance crews were attacked with fireworks after being lured to an 'incident' by youths.
Phone calls were made to the emergency services reporting that a person had been found unconscious and not breathing in the Audley area of Blackburn late on Bonfire night.
The ambulance crews arrived and were attacked by juveniles who threw fireworks at paramedics.
Clog and Billycock pub site sold to property investor
A MUCH-loved food pub was bought by a property investor for an undisclosed cash sum.
The Clog and Billycock in Pleasington was sold to the Zedex Group, with founder and CEO, Ziafat Ali, promising to invest a further £10million in other projects across Lancashire.
The Zedex Group, which owns a portfolio of commercial and residential properties throughout the county, purchased the land that is home to the Clog and Billycock, but has reassured customers that no changes will be made to the current running of the pub and restaurant.
DECEMBER
Blackburn business named and shamed for failing to pay minimum wage
A BUSINESS in Blackburn with Darwen has been 'named and shamed' for failing to pay their lowest-paid staff minimum wage.
Over 200 employers have been named by the government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.
The 208 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers £1.2 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage law, leaving around 12,000 workers out of pocket.
First look at new £250k Blackburn town centre restaurant
WORK has begun on a £250,000 town centre restaurant which is set to open in the new year.
The DWNTWN (Down Town) restaurant in Blackburn will take up the space vacated by the Roomali Restaurant which has moved to the former Woodlands Hotel on Preston New Road.
The new 80-seater eaterie will be created over two floors and includes terraces, balcony areas and glass-fronted exteriors.
The White Horse pub to re-open after £500k makeover
THE REFURBISHMENT of a derelict village pub will begin under new leadership.
Building work will start in late December on a £485,000 overhaul of The White Horse, Edgworth, by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars alongside Northwest pub and restaurant operator Yogesh 'Yogi' Mistry.
The investment aims to breathe new life into The White Horse - which has been closed since early 2019 - with hopes of it becoming 'a standout destination food pub for families, cyclists and dog walkers wanting teas, coffees and lunch during the day, and for residents wanting somewhere to socialise and eat in the evening'.
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