Stories for 27 August 1998

Accrington News

HARTbreak for store thieves

POLICE have unveiled a new crime-busting initiative to make stores in Accrington town centre a 'no-go' area for known shoplifters.  more...

Agonising vigil for injured biker dad

A MOTORCYCLIST who was seriously injured in a road accident has been moved out of intensive care - but his family say his life is still in danger.  more...

Chance to step back in time

LOCAL history enthusiasts are invited to a fair at Accrington town hall on September 12 and 13.  more...

Blackburn Business

Whitbread's £2,500 boost for community

SMALL and medium-sized businesses in the Ribble Valley have received a welcome boost from one of the area's largest employers - Whitbread's Samlesbury Brewery.  more...

Footwear firm cuts jobs but profits rise

AN East Lancashire footwear company has announced increased profits a week after cutting 24 jobs.  more...

Andrew passes his LGV test

ANDREW Ainsworth has repaid the faith of his bosses at Gaskell textiles - and fulfilled a driving ambition.  more...

Seminar on Euro effect

A SEMINAR on the effect the Euro will have on businesses will be held in Burnley next month.  more...

Blackburn Leisure

FIVE YEARS AGO: Patient treatment fear

NEARLY 100 North West patients could be in line for a six-figure compensation payment after a catalogue of errors at a Midlands cancer hospital, it was revealed. South Birmingham Health Authority said at least 90 people from the North West were referred to Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital for bone tumour treatment. Health authority staff were concerned that the blunders may have affected East Lancashire patients.  more...

TEN YEARS AGO:Train crossing escape

A TRAIN screeched to a halt inches away from a car trapped between crossing barriers at Huncoat. The driver jumped out of the car and tried to push the barrier open after his car became trapped. British Transport Police warned motorists against dashing through closing barriers, saying it was "foolish and irresponsible".  more...

What's On: East Lancs events for Friday

Summer Playschemes: Barlow Institute, Edgworth; Roman Road Community Centre and Shadsworth Community Centre, Blackburn; Community Centre, Knott Street, Darwen. 1.30-4pm.  more...

Blackburn News

Big leap in serious and sex crimes

SEX attacks across Lancashire soared by more than 30 per cent over the last 12 months according to official figures.  more...

Freedom fight

THE parents of a Whalley soldier murdered by terrorists in Northern Ireland are backing a campaign for the release from prison of two of his former Army chums.  more...

Is a super stadium the goal fans want?

THE days are long gone when football fans queued up, hail, rain, and shine, to stand on the terraces and cheer their team on with only a soggy potato pie for comfort.  more...

Road scheme priority wrong

I AM horrified to note that Blackburn Council is proposing to make a section of Preston New Road a no-stopping zone from St. Silas' Church to the Beardwood estate between the hours of 8-9am and 3-4pm.  more...

Council fails to listen

I AM at a loss to understand why Blackburn with Darwen Council does not listen to the people who put it in office.  more...

Keep moors pair jailed

MY campaign is determined to block a move by peers, headed by Lord Longford, which could mean the release on parole of Moors Murderers, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.  more...

Contented caravanner

REGARDING your article "Caravan owners face boot," (LET, August 22), it appears that your reporter has been hood-winked by a handful of dissidents who are out to create as much trouble and unrest as they can.  more...

Strippers' shame

FEW months ago I went a walk down "Memory Lane," in Blackburn - down Feilden Street where I was born, past St Anne's Church, where I was married, up King Street towards King George's Hall, past Tony's Empress Ballroom: in fact, all the places where I spent the happy carefree days of my youth.  more...

Did you know Ernest Slater?

I AM researching the life of the Rev Ernest Slater (1868-1956) who was a Congregational minister between 1898 and the 1930s at churches in the Burnley, Kirkheaton and Huddersfield area.  more...

Real justice cannot be one sided

THE political forces shaping the Northern Ireland peace process have and will inevitably continue to distort true justice as long as concession and compromise remain vital factors in achieving that goal.  more...

Whistleblowers

SPECIAL measures to protect employees who report colleagues they suspect are involved in child abuse have been adopted by Lancashire County Council - after scandals in children's homes across the country.  more...

Big leap in serious and sex crimes

SEX attacks across Lancashire soared by more than 30 per cent over the last 12 months according to official figures.  more...

Waiting lists down 'and shrinking'

HEALTH chiefs have made huge inroads into tackling hospital waiting lists and say things can only get better.  more...

Renewed campaign to clear streets of A-boards

TOWN hall solicitors look set to resurrect the legal battle centred around A-boards and street signs.  more...

Council initiative on dog fouling

A COUNCIL initiative to inform the people of Blackburn and Darwen about a major clampdown on dog fouling has been completed.  more...

Watch out, it's raining spiders

ARACHNOPHOBES, fed up with the proliferation of spiders in their houses this summer, will not be particularly consoled by the news that the wet weather is to blame.  more...

Lancs beaten by the system

LANCASHIRE could be about to miss out on an historic treble - through no fault of their own.  more...

Council buildings upkeep set to cost thousands

MORE than £123,000 looks set to be spent on maintenance work on social services buildings in Blackburn and Darwen.  more...

Hospitals in race to beat Year 2000 bug

MORE than £400,000 could be spent to conquer the Millennium Bug in East Lancashire's hospitals and clinics.  more...

Blackburn Sport

Roy aims for 50th Euro tie

ROY HODGSON has a golden milestone in mind as he eagerly awaits tomorrow's UEFA Cup first round draw.  more...

Hawks land three imports

A TRIO of Canadian ice hockey stars - all forwards - have signed up for Blackburn Hawks...and there could be more to follow.  more...

Roy aims for 50th Euro tie

ROY HODGSON has a golden milestone in mind as he eagerly awaits tomorrow's UEFA Cup first round draw.  more...

Cooke boost for Clarets

ANDY COOKE looks poised to give the Clarets a major lift by returning to spearhead the Burnley attack at Walsall on Saturday.  more...

Eu're the man Roy!

IT'S less than 18 months since Roy Hodgson was leading Inter Milan into the UEFA Cup final against Schalke 04.  more...

Blackpool News

The games master!

IT'S a pub quiz with a difference and is certainly top of the league as far as regular players are concerned.  more...

A fun-filled jubilee day

A WESTERN style shoot-out and tug-of-war competition will be among many of the fun activities on offer at Cleveleys Jubilee Day this year.  more...

Stadium plans could be rescued

HOPES are still alive that Blackpool Football Club - dubbed the most decrepit ground in the Football League - may yet reach its goal of a new stadium at Whyndyke Farm.  more...

Wrong turn on tourism

BLACKPOOL holiday chiefs say seaside resorts are being pushed out of the spotlight in the national tourism drive.  more...

Moonwalking!

SIR, - MUCH has been said and written about the roadworks taking place in and around the various town centres on the Fylde - and no doubt much more will be said on this particular aspect of our local highways.  more...

North Pier stages fireworks bonanza

BLACKPOOL will have a free grandstand seat at some of the most spectacular firework displays ever seen next month.  more...

No reply from U3A

YOU recently published a letter from Mavis Kirkland of the Blackpool North branch of the University of the Third Age.  more...

Brushing up on comic relief

A BLACKPOOL artist brought comic relief to HIV-positive children in Romania.  more...

Great support for charity bike ride

I AM writing to express my thanks to all those people who gave me their kind help and support during my charity bike ride from Blackpool to Bacup early last month.  more...

BAe 'talking with Libya'

BRITISH Aerospace is alleged to have had secret talks with Libya over developing the country's airline industry.  more...

No joke being up the pole!

I HAD to laugh when I read All You Need Is Faith (Citizen August 6) about the new Blackpool Tower attraction.  more...

Step back in time

A TRIP down memory lane to the original home of Northern Soul is being offered to Fylde folk.  more...

Rogue cabbies copped

CHEATING cabbies have been caught taking people for a ride by undercover officials.  more...

Roll out the barrel

A BEER bounty of 3,600 gallons a week could be on the way for Blackpool when a new brewery is fully operational.  more...

Changing pattern of health care

MENTALLY-ill patients can be better cared for in the community than in a hostel, say Blackpool council chiefs.  more...

Landau owners win battle with council

BLACKPOOL landau owners hailed a council climbdown over moves to ban them on busy Friday nights during the Illuminations.  more...

Blackpool Sport

Party in the park

ALTHOUGH the official Party in the Park was held on Sunday, Blackpool Cricket Club advanced their party to Saturday at Stanley Park after their Vaux Northern League Division One game.  more...

Shake, rattle and goals!

AFTER a shaky start, Blackpool turned on the style to beat Oldham 3-0 and get their home league campaign off to a great start on Saturday (Aug 15).  more...

Cup luck and controversy

BLACKPOOL ground out a place in the second round of the Worthington Cup after a 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe in the second leg of the first round, which gave the Seasiders a 2-1 aggregate win - but it wasn't without a great deal of luck and plenty of controversy.  more...

Bolton Business

80 cinema jobs on offer at fair

HUNDREDS of jobs are on offer at a Bolton jobs fair next month.  more...

Fire safety is the business

A SEMINAR is being planned in Bolton to co-incide with National Fire Safety Week next month.  more...

Improve voice at workshop

A SPECIAL exhibitors' workshop is planned in the run-up to Business Voice '98 - the major business-to-business event to be held at the Middlebrook Exhibition Centre in October.  more...

Bolton Info

Chemists on duty in the Bolton area:

Sun Aug 30: Nash, 63 Castle Street (9am to 10pm); Landmark, 12 Chorley New Road (9am - 1pm and 2pm - 11pm); Cohens, 576 Blackburn Road (9am to 10pm); Sykes, 328 St Helens Road (11am to 1pm); Gordons, 193 Bolton Road, Kearsley (noon to 1pm); Heatons, 228 Chorley New Road, Horwich (noon to 1pm); Cohens, 1 Market Street, Little Lever (11am to 1pm); McCallister, 44 Market Street, Westhoughton (noon to 1pm)  more...

Bolton Leisure

What's on in and around Bolton (Friday, 28/8/98)

FRIDAY THEATRE,MUSIC AND DANCE CALL (Charity at Local Level) is holding a beginners line dancing session at the Sutton Community Centre, Addington Road, off Wigan Road from 3pm-4pm. Admission is £1.50. For further information tel: 64678 or 653054.  more...

Bolton News

Answer needed

SIR: The letter from "Victim" needs to be answered by our apathetic Housing Department (Your Views, August 19).  more...

OPINION: A passport to success

WHATEVER the tears or joys of today's GCSE results, one thing is clear. If the educational experts are saying this year that there is a worrying drop in the overall pass rate, and only last year, "too many" were passing in so-called "soft" exams, then it's not the pupils but the system that's at fault.  more...

From the BEN files

25 YEARS AGO  more...

Youth drugs fight hits the airwaves

GREATER Manchester Drug Action Partnership has joined forces with Drug Action Teams from Lancashire, Liverpool and Wirral to run a series of educational radio campaigns.  more...

Oak tree protest woman makes a last-ditch stand

A BURY woman staged a "Swampy-style" demonstration in a bid to save an old oak tree from the chop.  more...

GM firefighters are a cut above the rest

CASUALTIES were cut free from the wreckage of a mangled car - winning Greater Manchester fire fighters top praise for their handiwork. It was all part of a national contest run by the fire brigade as a series of road accidents were mocked-up in a firefighters' competition. Thirty-six teams battled to remove 'casualties' from wreckage as members of the public watched at the Thompson Street Training Centre, Manchester.  more...

Change this TV rubbish

SIR: This is typical viewing for a Saturday night BBC 1: Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves; Match of the Day (Football); BBC 2: Book Mark - The Tale of a Publishing Phenomenon; Nobody's Fool; Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958); ITV: The Vanishing Man; Wycliffe; Tarrant ON TV; Jerry Springer Show; Millennium; and, on Ch 4 , there are at least four programmes about gay couples.  more...

'Mounties' want more fans!

CANADIAN Bolton Wanderers fans have mounted a recruitment drive to swell the ranks of their supporters club.  more...

It's a Festival full of top talent

IT'S festival time in Bolton this weekend. The town's popular Weekend Festival runs from tomorrow until Bank Holiday Monday.  more...

Teenagers have TV say on sex

BOLTON teenagers are set to have their say on teenage sex when they appear on TV.  more...

Daily poem

Under a cloud When clouds are grey,  more...

Couple slashed by sick raiders

TWO elderly Bolton shopkeepers were repeatedly slashed in a 40-minute terror ordeal by robbers wielding 10-inch kitchen knives. Parbhubhai Patel, aged 71, and his wife Tara, 70, were attacked at Patel's Off Licence, Derby Street, yesterday afternoon. Two balaclava-clad thugs burst into the corner shop at 4pm and started slashing the old couple as they demanded cash.  more...

Worker killed by 26-tonne casting

A WORKER was killed early today when tonnes of metal crashed down on him.  more...

Nicola's class lose 130 stone

LITTLE Lever Slimming World members are celebrating after losing a staggering 130 stones between them since the class opened in February.  more...

Mountain team help rescue rock fall boy

A TEENAGER was saved by Bolton mountain rescuers last night after he plunged 20 feet down a rock face.  more...

Golf course plan could threaten nature site

A CONTROVERSIAL golf course scheme will go before Bolton planners today.  more...

When three is not a crowd

A BOLTON pensioner is facing a doggy dilemma and is hoping a national animal charity can help out.  more...

Daniel is a pass master

BATTLING Daniel Worsley overcame illness to achieve top marks in his GCSE exams.  more...

Positive lessons for gays

A NORTH-WEST charity has launched the second stage of its major education campaign aimed at HIV and gay men.  more...

Betty's final edition makes the news

A WOMAN who has dished out millions of copies of the Bolton Journal is set to call it a day.  more...

Chain gang protesters make freedom bid

SHOPPERS watched in amazement as campaigners paraded through Bolton town centre with an iron chain over their shoulders.  more...

£500 builds up to great hospital gift

A BIG hearted building firm has given a cash injection to Fairfield General Hospital.  more...

Clinic here?

SIR: We ask the PDSA when they are going to open a hospital or clinic in Bolton, where pets can be treated.  more...

New target to cut waiting lists

BOLTON hospital bosses have set themselves ambitious targets on waiting lists.  more...

Fears grow for missing Nicola, 19

FEARS are growing for the safety of a missing Leigh teenager.  more...

How your cash could help victims of abuse

A PIONEERING Bury scheme to help young victims of sexual abuse is in desperate need of funding. The KYPASH Project (Keeping Young People Active, Safe and Happy) is an arts-based programme which provides vulnerable youngsters with a week of fun activities in a safe environment, giving them the chance to develop new skills and build self confidence. It grew from the self-help and support group MOSAC, (Mothers of Sexually Abused Children), which was established in 1995 with the help of Bury social services and Bury Metro Victim Support.  more...

Lest she forget . . .

WILTSHIRE pensioner Majorie Dolman is 93 but has faithfully tended the grave of a Bolton soldier she had never met - for more than 80 years.  more...

Ainsley's day of disappointment

TODAY should have been one of the most memorable days in Ainsley Kenyon's life. But instead of celebrating ten good grade GCSEs with her friends, she had to make do with a set of mediocre results.  more...

Michael's bravery spurs fundraisers

THE mum of a dying Bolton teenager spoke out today in a bid to raise money for terminally-ill children.  more...

Funnyman bids for Fringe benefit

BOLTON comedian Peter Kay has been shortlisted for the Perrier Pick of the Fringe Award - one of the best awards a comic can win.  more...

Woman's anger at rent demand

A GRIEVING daughter claims council officials mistakenly sent her a rental demand for her dead mum's empty home.  more...

This year's results look better than ever

EDUCATION chiefs are hoping today's GCSE results will mean fewer pupils than ever before leaving Bolton schools without any qualifications. Early results suggest schools in the town have bucked the national trend which has seen the number of pupils failing their exams nearly double. Today as thousands of pupils picked up their results, education chiefs were celebrating what looks set to be a dramatic reduction in the failure rate.  more...

MP joins fur ban call

LOCAL MP David Chaytor is one of only a handful of MPs to support a public campaign to end fur farming in Britain. Mr Chaytor, who has slammed the practice as "cruel and barbaric", added his name to a full-page advertisement in the national press, taken out by animal welfare organisation Respect For Animals. The group is calling for the Government to fulfil is manifesto pledge and ban fur farming throughout the country.  more...

Balloon 'inches from disaster'

A hot air balloon was just inches from disaster as it skirted above a Bolton street.  more...

Snooker pals remember Barry

A SNOOKER-mad dad who died of a brain haemorrhage is to be remembered by friends and team-mates with a special memorial trophy. Barry Parkinson collapsed at the home he shared with his fiancee Sharon Crossley last month. He was admitted to Hope Hospital, Salford, and never regained consciousness despite a desperate five day battle to save his life.  more...

The need for open spaces at the south side of town

SIR: I have known and admired Cllr Foster for a long number of years, but am bewildered by his attitude to the proposed Singing Clough development. Clearly planning permission to tip there years ago was only given on condition that the land became a park. I would have thought that his duty as chairman was to see that planning decisions were carried out.  more...

Going for gold

SIR: As chief executive of the British Epilepsy Association (BEA), I am writing to thank you personally for your recent interest in branch members and the personal experiences of local people in your area who have epilepsy.  more...

Bolton Sport

Wanderers six in country calls

PER Frandsen and Claus Jensen, as expected, brought Wanderers' international brigade up to six when they were named in Denmark's squads for next week's Euro qualifiers.  more...

WANDERERS: Dean at centre of cup riddle

COLIN Todd was looking forward with a measure of confidence to a second round Worthington Cup tie today as mystery surrounded events from Tuesday's 3-0 triumph at Hartlepool.  more...

Burnley News

Brand new image for town

A "BURNLEY United" image will be the aim of a new partnership to provide better marketing of the town.  more...

Police search sparked by false alarm

POLICE have revealed they launched massive search for a seriously injured man only to learn an attack never took place.  more...

'Flying visit' ends in ban

A MAINTENANCE electrician who had a drink with a relative on a 'flying visit' paid the price with a 12-month driving ban.  more...

Bury Business

Investment of a different kind!

ON the ball - that's Bury firm DRM Industrial Fabrics which is scoring business goals by developing its people  more...

Going down?

THE growing feeling that the economy - both locally and nationally - is heading for a shutdown has gathered momentum.  more...

Salon is keeping ahead

"ANTONY For Hair" salon team have scored a first for Bury town centre.  more...

Bury News

On route for leisure park

ROUTE 66 is continuing to take shape with further plans submitted to Bury Council.  more...

'Home guard' rallying call

RESIDENTS living off Walmersley Road in Bury are helping to build a new community spirit.  more...

Leave your car at home!

A NEW initiative has been launched to get us out of our cars and into the forest - without leaving Greater Manchester.  more...

Father of council in fall

BURY'S most senior councillor is recovering in hospital after a serious fall outside his house.  more...

Get in touch with religion

HOWEVER you worship a brand new publication could be the answer to your prayers.  more...

Casualty staff under seige

ANGRY casualty staff at Bury General Hospital claim cost-cutting has put their lives at risk.  more...

Spen Moor showdown next year

CONTROVERSY over the future of Spen Moor is set to drag on into next year.  more...

Chemical scare at factory

FIREFIGHTERS were forced to wear special protection suits when they responded to a chemical scare at a Whitefield factory.  more...

Green bike lanes ignored by drivers

BURY'S green cycle lanes, introduced more than 12 months ago, are failing to protect riders due to a lack of awareness by other road users, according to Bury Council.  more...

No justification for peers' power

S. I. MADERS (Your Letters, August 14) suggests that "I object to open democratic debate and questions".  more...

Free will is precious gift

THERE are many arguments for and against same-sex attraction. Some are more worthy than others.  more...

We are the jewel in Bury's crown!

"BEHOLDEN to No One" (Your Letters, August 7) seems to feel that we in Ramsbottom are undeserving of the money spent on Market Place and the proposed restoration of the Memorial Garden.  more...

Total waste of public money

I REFER to your article in the Bury Times (August 14) regarding the Dicky Bird estate and the proposed tenant management organisation (TMO).  more...

Why change a good thing?

NEXT month, Chesham Fold tenants will decide whether to hand over control of their homes to the TMO or remain with the council.  more...

Cyclists at risk on today's roads

FOR some time now I have been following the letters published in the Bury Times regarding pedal cyclists using the main roads.  more...

Cars are stupid - and they smell

It seems incredible to me that motorists in Bury - and some councillors - are already complaining about the few cycle lanes so far provided by the council. Talk about living in the past!  more...

The answer to Owd Sam's prayers

IN reply to the challenge by Yvonne Wright (Your Letters, August 14), here is a bit of nonsense about a black pudding entitled "Owd Sam's Pan".  more...

Road humps attract children

AS a resident of the Neston Road estate in Walshaw I would like to ask why stupid ramps have been placed on so many of our roads. They are neither use nor ornament and are certainly not doing the job they are supposed to do.  more...

Borough's A-levels best ever

WEEKS of waiting were over for hundreds of local students yesterday when the long-awaited A-level results arrived.  more...

Council backs dream trip

BURY Council has stumped up nearly £30,000 to help the borough's millennium dream come true.  more...

Cash boost for Holcome camp

HOLCOME'S army camp is to receive an injection of cash under the Government's defence review plans.  more...

Holiday complaint makes history - but no cash

A BURY couple who were refused compensation after a judge flew to Malta to inspect their holiday accommodation have spoken of their "disgust and disappointment."  more...

£1.4 million boost for sick kids

CHILDREN'S hospitals across the region are to share in a £10 million scheme to improve intensive care units.  more...

Cancel Third World debt: Chaytor

LOCAL MP David Chaytor has called on the Government to cancel Third World debts by the year 2000.  more...

Shopkeeper's deadly game with raider

A LOCAL shopkeeper engaged in a deadly game of bluff with an armed robber.  more...

'Ello, 'ello, 'ello to new CID boss

THE new head of Bury and Rochdale CID is certainly a "force" to be reckoned with!  more...

Golf contest on the back nine

BURY'S annual mayoral charity golf tournament has proved to be yet another big hit in its 10th year.  more...

Agent Mark on the move

THE Tories' local Mr Fixit has been promoted and handed the reins of regional power.  more...

25 years ago:

From the Bury Times, August 17, 1973  more...

Bury Sport

Millennium men!

IT'S barely two weeks old but the new campaign just gets better for the unbeaten Shakers!  more...

Le Roi est mort, vive L'autre Roi!

Burnley 1, Bury 4 (2-5 agg)  more...

Battling Bradley makes a point

LAST Saturday saw Prestwich on the verge of humiliation at Dukinfield until, at 56-7 in the 37th over chasing a home total of 151, they found an unlikely hero in the shape of opening bowler Andy Bradley.  more...

Patience will be a virtue

KEVIN Glendon has this week appealed to the Radcliffe Borough faithful to be patient as his team prepares to kick off the new season.  more...

Neil in demand

IT'S been a busy midweek for in-demand Shakers boss Neil Warnock.  more...

Chorley News

Blooming marvellous at Daisy Meadow

I FEEL I must write in response to the article Going Up the Wall (Citizen, August 6), by Shaun Gibbons.  more...

Former vicar's funeral is held

THE funeral of a former Chorley churchman took place this week.  more...

Trying to trace a relative

I HAVE today read with interest your web pages on Chorley.  more...

Welcome back to faithful Ermintrude

ERMINTRUDE arrived in style after completing a mammoth journey from John O'Groats to Lands End in aid of Derian House.  more...

If it ain't broke don't fix it

WHAT a load of codswallop to suggest a referendum to elect a mayor for the borough.  more...

Crane driver cheats death

A CRANE driver is recovering after cheating death as he worked on part of a £26m gas pipeline project.  more...

Do you share the Citizen's birthday?

YOUR favourite weekly newspaper is celebrating its 15th birthday next month and we are looking for some very special people to join our party.  more...

Chorley man, 23, dies in car crash

A YOUNG Chorley man died in a road crash involving two cars in Leyland.  more...

Sunny smiles at top carnival

"EVERYBODY'S gone away happy. We've managed to put smiles on probably 20,000 faces this year."  more...

MP in Ordnance jobs pledge

CHORLEY MP Lindsay Hoyle says he will be pressing British Aerospace to attract other firms to the Royal Ordnance site at Euxton in the wake of last week's jobs' bombshell.  more...

Boy maimed for life by callous driver

A PAPERBOY has been left with lifelong injuries after being knocked off his bike by a hit-and-run driver.  more...

No more cycling in Market Walk

THE brakes have been put on dangerous cyclists in Chorley's "tunnel from hell".  more...

What's on at the cinema

GURU IN SEVEN (cert 18) Running Time 109 mins. Starring Nitin Chandra Ganatra, Ernestina Quarcoo, Adlyn Roass and Gurdial Sira. Directed by Shani Grewal. IT'S present day London, and twenty-something artist Sanjay (Ganatra) and his long-term girlfriend, Jill (Quarcoo) are having relationship problems.  more...

Railway vandals campaign pays off

A CAMPAIGN to combat vandalism on North West railways is making an impact according to Railtrack.  more...

Prepare to be alarmed

CRIME prevention officers are busy promoting a portable alarm which is helping in the fight to beat the burglar.  more...

Can you rise to the hospice challenge?

FORCED to raise £3 a minute - every hour, every day!  more...

Apology for pensioner who paid too much

AN 86-YEAR-OLD woman has been given a refund and an apology after British Gas workmen overcharged her for installing a carbon monoxide detector.  more...

Report reveals the sorry state of our pavements

A REPORT has condemned the state of the country's pavements - which is leading to an epidemic of injuries.  more...

Our lads witness Omagh bomb horror

CHORLEY soldiers were at the scene of the Omagh atrocity within minutes of the blast - the worst in Northern Ireland's history.  more...

Chorley Sport

Brinscall go eight points clear

BRINSCALL remain top of the Marwill Chorley and District Amateur League after beating Whittle-le-Woods at home by four runs last Saturday.  more...

Manager tearing his hair out

Chorley 2 Ashton Utd 3 CHORLEY'S final pre-season friendly ended in defeat to leave manager Bryan Griffiths with a number of selection problems before this weekend's big kick-off.  more...

Rangers reap rugby reward

Newcastle Lions ARLFC 4  more...

Chorley cricketers are back on top

Chorley 210/5 dec Leyland 96 - Vaux Northern League  more...

Clitheroe News

Freedom fight

THE parents of a Whalley soldier murdered by terrorists in Northern Ireland are backing a campaign for the release from prison of two of his former Army chums.  more...

£10,000 clothes ram-raid sickens shop owner

THIEVES grabbed £10,000 worth of high-fashion outdoor clothing from a town centre shop in a late-night smash and grab.  more...

Chance to get in on the act!

YOUNGSTERS from a Ribble Valley village have been treading the boards during a professional theatre production.  more...

Colne News

'Encouraging' report for school

A POPULAR primary school has come top of the class with inspectors who found it had many strengths and provided high quality education.  more...

Fun time as carnival hits the streets

A CARNIVAL atmosphere will hit the streets of Colne this Bank Holiday weekend as the town centre buzzes with music, entertainment and fun for all ages.  more...

Rolls-Royce profits soar

AERO-engine maker Rolls Royce has boosted profits after pulling in record orders.  more...

Darwen News

School pals meet up after 53 years

CHILDHOOD best friends Mary Mellor and Edna Stackow have become inseparable for the second time in seventy years.  more...

Lancaster News

Police kept posted

PEOPLE living in the John O'Gaunt area of Lancaster will be able to seek help from their local police officers by simply popping into their local shop.  more...

Citizen Smith MP!

MORECAMBE MP Geraldine Smith is undertaking a wide ranging consultation exercise with her constituents.  more...

Pigs fly as driver fails to bring home the bacon

THE motorway at Lancaster was closed down after an articulated lorry smashed into the central reservation and spilled 20 tons of frozen pigs and 100 gallons of diesel on the road.  more...

Care home closes in wake of tragedy

A MORECAMBE care home, where a man fell to his death as fire ravaged through the building last week, has been closed down.  more...

Wardens sought to man police inquiry desks

POLICE chiefs are using traffic wardens to man inquiry desks at local police stations, the Citizen can reveal. A consultation process is currently looking at staff redeployment and local traffic wardens have been asked to help with public inquiries. The exact details of the arrangements are under review but some wardens are said to be unhappy about the changes.  more...

Death plunge man named

POLICE named the name who jumped from the third floor of a Morecambe care home during a fire in the building this week.  more...

Jobs shock for forbo workers

THE district's economy has been dealt a severe blow with the announcement of 275 job losses at Forbo Lancaster. Management at the wallcoverings factory at Lune Mills, which in its heyday employed more than 3,000 people, blamed the massive redundancies on a "fiercely competitive market." This brings the recent number of job losses in the area to 355 after Imperial Home Decor (formerly Storeys) last week announced 80 job cuts at its factory on the White Lund.  more...

Stage plight

A TEENAGE dancer from Lancaster has been denied a chance to attend an internationally famous stage college for the want of a few hundred pounds from education chiefs. Gemma Elsworth, 16, who has a room full of medals and trophies as testament to her talent, had been promised National Lottery cash to pay for half the fees for the famous 'Italia Conti' school - if she had succeeded in securing the £1,250 council grant. But now, if she fails to win an appeal against Lancashire County Council, she plans to complete her A levels or a GNVQ before taking a performance arts course at university. All of which will end up costing the taxpayer a lot more over the years.  more...

Stitched up!

A LANCASTER teenager helped put the finishing touches to counterfeit jeans in the cellar of his parents' home, a court has heard. Trading Standards officers found sewing machines, assembly items and boxes of fake designer jeans at the house in Blades Street, Lancaster. Kabir Patel, 19, of Blade Street, admitted three charges of applying false trade descriptions and six of unauthorised use of trademarks. He was sentenced to 180 hours unpaid work for the community and ordered to pay £1,200 cost.  more...

Fight for us now!

"WE fought for you, will you fight for us?" that's the rallying call from residents at a Lancaster old folks home earmarked for closure. Lancashire County Council has plans to close Fair Elms and privatise Dolphinlee old folks homes in the city but elderly residents say they want things to stay as they are. And now the old folk, many of whom were active in the last war, are hoping a campaign group set up to fight the changes will win the day.  more...

Baby girl suffers in damp conditions

THE damp is so severe in Martin Wright's council house that the ceiling is rotting away and fungus grows on the walls. As the father of an asthmatic baby girl he is naturally concerned about the effects on his daughter's health and was stunned when a council official suggested he "wipe the mould off with a cloth." Attempts to improve the property in Ryelands Road have proved useless with newly applied paint peeling off and Mr Wright (pictured with baby) says he is angry that his landlords, the city council, has let him down.  more...

Trolley good show

SHOPPERS at Asda Superstore were literally left in the dark for more than an hour last week. A power cut plunged the popular store into darkness and, although an emergency power supply was activated, that too went off. But lucky shoppers waiting at the check-outs were treated to 'favourable' estimated bills.  more...

Police to learn lessons

LANCASHIRE'S police chiefs have held up their hands and said sorry to officers and staff upset by the major reorganisation of the force last year.  more...

Alarm bells sound for 999 service

TIME wasting calls to paramedics are pushing the over-stretched service to breaking point, claims a local ambulanceman. Morecambe paramedic Greg Delaney says members of the public didn't realise that the resort only has one 24-hour ambulance and one which is part-time. He added that local provision hadn't changed much since he started in 1979 - despite the significant population increase.  more...

Police hunt for balding flasher

A FLASHER is targeting the Carnforth area.  more...

Watchdog challenges council's cash transfer

THE District Auditor has questioned the legality of a £4.4 million creative accounting procedure used by Lancaster city council.  more...

I do believe the public should know what I do

IT is with some reluctance that I write again about events surrounding the side letter in the Blobby fiasco. Reluctant because, although the Crinkley Bottom affair is a deeply serious one, I cannot say the same about the contributions of Councillors Wilson and Heath on the subject.  more...

Let's concentrate on this council's achievements

I'M amazed that following a weekend when record crowds raved over a spectacular weekend's entertainment it only merited a short paragraph on page 3 while most of your paper was taken up by the Blobby fiasco. Isn't it time we focused more on the resort's achievements rather than the opposite? Ironically a few years ago TV crews were slated for focusing on the resort's eyesores rather than the view of the Bay, which to be fair, was all we had to offer at the time.  more...

Independents' preaching is too much

THE sanctimonious moralising from members of the Morecambe Bay Independent Party is really something to behold. In your letters page last week we had the spectacle of Cllrs Geoff Wilson and Tricia Heath calling for an investigation into the 'Blobby' affair separate from the one being called for by the District Auditor. When it comes to talking drivel, Cllr Wilson is Olympic standard.  more...

Safeway debate

DO members of the council's planning committee live in the real world? Do they listen to what people have to say? Everyone in Carnforth knows that Lodge Quarry is the best place to site the Safeway supermarket. I loath going to Lancaster to do my shopping and at 80 I find some roads can be a death trap. A Safeway at Lodge Quarry would be easy to get to. The planning committee has 20 members and only two are from Carnforth. The chairman, Cllr Jean Yates, has been very rude to people who have supported Safeway's. I've also been told that the party whip was on for this decision. Who do they think they are?  more...

Lancaster Sport

Lavelle to crush Blyth spirit!

LANCASTER City completed the signing of a new player on the eve of the new Unibond season this week. Former Morecambe favourite Ben Lavelle is the latest addition to the team joining from Accrington Stanley. But it is now looking increasingly likely that Stuart Gelling will not be returning to City for the coming season. Gelling, one of last season's best players, has commitments at football schools of excellence in Liverpool and is looking for another club.  more...

Last gasp victory

Morecambe 172-9 Netherfield 171-4  more...

Derby drama

THIS derby had the lot.  more...

Sharp practise

Blackpool 132-5 Lancaster 131-9  more...

Leigh News

Leigh struggle to avoid wooden spoon

TIME is quickly running out for Leigh.  more...

We want the best, says Higgins

LEIGH are close to naming their new coach.  more...

Louis 'slashed to the bone'

DETECTIVES investigating the savage attack on Leigh man Louis Makin believe it could be part of a deadly drugs war in the town.  more...

Seeing red for top cancer charity

ILSE and Bob Splaine see red when anyone mentions the Christie Hospital.  more...

It's good for Adam to talk - to the dolphins

THE MOTHER of a young boy suffering from Down's Syndrome is praying their trip-of-a-lifetime to Florida to swim with dolphins will help her son talk.  more...

Steph needs six of the best

ANIMAL lover Stephanie Else felt sorry for a heavily-pregnant bitch she watched scavenging in Leigh town centre.  more...

You've said 'No way' to busway

YOU don't want the busway! That's the overwhelming 20-1 against result of The Journal's reader poll on the £20 million plans.  more...

Snake shocker from India

A SNAKE discovered in a shipping container certainly shook off the staff's Monday morning blues at an Astley company.  more...

Quest for Hippodrome look to Classic

A DERELICT Leigh town cinema is set to return to the 'good olde days'.  more...

Here's to the Millennium

NEWCHURCH WI are planning for the Millennium.  more...

CCtv foils store raiders

LEIGH'S town centre TV cameras have thwarted early morning store raiders.  more...

Tom brings style to feast of flowers

A FLOWER festival at St. Stephen's Church in Astley commemorated the 30th anniversary of the consecration of the new church.  more...

More than just sex

Re-Sex Talkers (Journal July 30). Apart from the obvious comment, "What's new!" we should welcome the Youth Service initiative. But two things need to be noted.  more...

Keep it up

LEIGH is alive and celebrating we are told on a banner which extends across King Street.  more...

Just bin it!

AN angry Leigh pensioner has sent me a chain letter she received recently.  more...

New booze battle

PLANS have gone before Wigan planners for two new pubs in the area.  more...

What a state we're in

TEACHERS were last week warned not to put sun cream on young pupils because they could be accused of CHILD ABUSE.  more...

Elvis magic lives on

THE 'king' has rocked again.  more...

Stepmum speaks of Samurai attack horror

LOUIS Makin is still fighting for his life after a horrific Samurai sword attack in which two of his limbs were almost severed.  more...

Happy Christmas pledge from pub watchers

CHEERS! Tyldesley publicans are celebrating three successful Pub Watch years.  more...

Drinks plan for ex-bus depot

A PUB is planned for the old Howe Bridge Bus Depot.  more...

Dave's super snap hunt

PROFESSIONAL Leigh photographer Dave Walker is seeking a trio of subjects he snapped a decade ago.  more...

New Angers role for Anne-Marie

WIGAN'S next ambassadoress to the borough's French twin town, Angers, is Standish graduate Anne-Marie Mitchinson.  more...

Top cop's b-test arrest

WIGAN Division police chief Stuart Hindley has failed a breath test in his home town of Rochdale.  more...

Leigh Sport

Miners face a new challenge

LEIGH MINERS are back to centre stage again this weekend.  more...

Lowton follow Arsenal into Europe

THE Arsenal are in there, so are Liverpool and Chelsea. But how about Lowton!  more...

League welcome handful of new clubs

FIVE new clubs hope to make their mark as Leigh & District Amateur Football League kick off a new season on Saturday. The famous five, all in Division Two, are Courts, Sportsman, Brewery Inn, Mechanics Arms and Howe Bridge Mills Reserves.  more...

Pairs line up at the Gardens

HOW the teams line up this weekend for the Botanical Open Pairs Competition . . .  more...

RMI hit back from early blow

LEIGH RMI had to recover from an early setback at Netherfield.  more...

Title hopes fade at the double

LEIGH hopes of winning the Penketh Liverpool Competition for the first time are fast fading.  more...

Cracker Craig strikes Gold

STRIKER Craig Stevenson earned Atherton Colls a quarter-final berth in the Goldline Trophy.  more...

Second class from top riders

GOOD riding from Robert Black, Damien Hack and Martin Phillips earned A&T Cycle Speedway second spot in the Manchester League Division Two match at Bury.  more...

Leyland News

Market traders issue SOS to shoppers

LEYLAND'S market traders are urging locals that there's more to their site than meets the eye.  more...

Campaigners call to reopen of train station

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to reopen a Leyland train station believe the success of Preston's park and ride scheme will help their cause.  more...

Residents call to put brakes on speeding motorists

PEOPLE living in a residential street used as a rat-run by motorists say a fatal accident could be just around the corner.  more...

Wash-day blues for Leyland homeowners

HOUSEHOLDERS are suffering from wash-day blues as chance thieves target washing lines in the town.  more...

Local football league chiefs move to Leyland

THE governing body behind local league football has moved to Leyland - despite the town's lack of soccer success.  more...

Leyland Sport

North End fans' agony at blunt edge

LUTON TOWN1 PRESTON NE 1 FOR 45 minutes North End camped out in the Luton half of the pitch, totally in control and the Preston travelling army of support loved it.  more...

Lytham News

We'll fight to save our home!

THE fight to save a Lytham home for the elderly gained intensity this week with a 3,700-name petition, and condemnation from Fylde Council.  more...

Heaven-sent opening

BEING in heaven every night for a week. That's the job of local vicar David Phillips after he stepped in at the last minute to rescue the Lytham Amateur Operatic's performance of Carousel.  more...

Sherri land her dream title

WINNING the Women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes was like a dream for outsider Sherri Steinhauer from the USA, especially after a nightmare nine-over-par round on the first day.  more...

Piazza's new topping

WORKERS are all set to start digging up the piazza in Lytham Square again in the next few weeks.  more...

Reunited after 40 years

TEARS of joy were shed when Theresa Leonard travelled from Merseyside to surprise Roy Boulton at his Blackpool home yesterday (Aug 19) as the two cousins were reunited after more than 40 years.  more...

Lytham Sport

Three-mendous!

ST ANNES won their third league match of the season with a 54 runs victory, finishing on 207-9 against Fleetwood's total of 153.  more...

Nelson News

Dad's sex on football field shock

A MAN was assaulted after complaining to two men and a 16-year-old girl who he saw involved in a sex act on a football pitch, Hyndburn magistrates were told.  more...

Preston News

Armed police siege uncovers residents' crime fears

CONCERNED residents who watched an armed police siege on a Preston estate have spoken of their day-to-day struggle against crime - and their fears for the future.  more...

Trading standards swoop on another Viagra-style pill

TRADING Standards bosses have seized another brand of pills which are being advertised as a rival to Viagra.  more...

Healthy scheme to beat sick days

COUNCIL chiefs are planning to keep their employees fit and healthy in a bid to cut the number of days taken off by sick staff.  more...

Thieves getaway with kid's car

A BURGLAR stole an unusual getaway vehicle - a battery-operated car -from a garage in Lea, near Preston.  more...

HAS this man got the scariest job in Bosnia?

Captain Charlie 'boom' Morris oversees Explosive Ordinance Disposal assistance based at Sipovo, home to 5 Field Ambulance, in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  more...

Deepdale Duck steps into Big Mac's shoes

PRESTON'S newest fast food restaurant throws open its doors on Monday (August 24), but a famous face has turned down the chance to put in an appearance.  more...

Councillor's agent to stand in ward by-election

INDEPENDENT councillor Terry Cartwright's agent is to stand against the official Labour candidate in the St Matthew's by-election, the Citizen can reveal.  more...

Meet Red Rose 999's Beck and Carter

THIS week on the show we successfully repaired the British summer by having Rat Boy Steve Saul dance a naked sun dance in the studio.  more...

Railtrack praises Preston for cut in vandalism

A NATIONAL campaign by rail companies to cut trespass and vandalism on the railways has seen incidents in Preston drop by a quarter.  more...

Pensioners' warning after catching burglar red-handed

AN elderly couple are urging householders to ensure their houses are fully secured after they found a burglar roaming inside their home.  more...

Softly softly attack on roadstone plant

ANGRY residents living near to a proposed asphalt works are to study plans submitted to council bosses before deciding what action to take.  more...

Water mains get £1 million revamp

PRESTON'S dilapidated water mains are about to get a £1 million face-lift.  more...

What's up pussycat?

Cat foster mum Val Chew had to laugh when she spotted one of her cuddly kittens taking a cat-nap in a wine glass.  more...

Nursing home resident slams county council chiefs

A FURIOUS pensioner has slammed Lancashire County Council's plans to close six care homes in the area.  more...

Police search for bus station attackers

A DUO who attacked a 20-year-old man in the toilets at Preston Bus Station escaped with just £35 in cash.  more...

LETTER:Time zealots realised it's the 1990s

THE zeal with which so many people pursue the idealised state of matrimony and continue to regard living together as a sin, amazes many Christians - myself among them.  more...

Christmas shoppers to face hefty parking charges

HEFTY parking charges will be imposed on motorists making the most of Preston's pre-Christmas Sunday shopping.  more...

LETTER:Who's responsible for council estates?

PRESTON Council are a disgrace (over and over) and a waste of time, space and money.  more...

LETTER:A really genuine thank-you

I WRITE in response to your article Angler Memorial Match (Citizen August 6).  more...

LETTER:Attack on Councillor Jim Breakell is shabby

I WRITE to protest in the strongest terms about a letter from Mrs T M Slater printed on August 6 called "Mansion Far From Derelict."  more...

Preston Sport

Cool heads secure points for Bramley

LANCASHIRE LYNX 22 BRAMLEY 23  more...

Look back to World Cup '90

THIS tournament was, arguably, the most negative in the history of the competition.  more...

North End's exit cup in tense shoot-out

Worthington Cup - First Round 2nd leg: PNE 0 Grimsby Town 0  more...

'We never wanted Lee Ashcroft to leave'

PNE'S chief executive has hit back at claims North End forced midfielder Lee Ashcroft out of Deepdale.  more...

Blackburn Rovers set sights on PNE defender

PRESTON defender Colin Murdock has become the latest target for Blackburn Rovers, according to sources at Deepdale.  more...

North End fans' agony at blunt edge

LUTON TOWN1 PRESTON NE 1 FOR 45 minutes North End camped out in the Luton half of the pitch, totally in control and the Preston travelling army of support loved it.  more...

A working class game no more

HOW refreshing it was to see that on the last day of the final test match between England and South Africa, the Headingley bosses decided to make it free entry.  more...

North End's exit cup in tense shoot-out

Worthington Cup - First Round 2nd leg: PNE 0 Grimsby Town 0  more...

On-form Preston fails to knock Leyland Daf

LEYLAND DAF 120-7 PRESTON 118  more...

Chorley on top after Leyland win

CHORLEY 210-5 dec LEYLAND 96  more...

Preston Parks Veteran's Men's Bowling league results

PRESTON Parks Veteran's Men's Bowling league results:  more...

Rawtenstall News

Council bugged by twin high tech crisis

A COUNCIL is facing a twin technology crisis, which could throw its whole housing operation into chaos at the turn of the century.  more...

Fireman Pete's ready to ring the changes

OYEZ, Oyez! Fireman Pete Gill is hanging up his hat for good, but he is not turning his back on a job that has made him famous across the Valley.  more...

Families in need charity cash crisis

A CHARITY which helps families in need is operating at only half strength in one of East Lancashire's most troubled towns because of lack of cash.  more...

Probe as council tenants vanish

THE mystery of a council's disappearing tenants is to be probed by town hall staff.  more...

St Helens News

1,000 and still going strong

ST HELENS Chamber is powering ahead for local youth employment with the signing up of the 1,000th Modern Apprentice in St Helens.  more...

From war zone to Sutton

A BOSNIAN refugee who fled his war-torn home country to start a new life in England has been awarded a first class honours degree from Salford University.  more...

Eagle owl Oscar is stolen

WANTED; a huge brown European Eagle Owl, almost two feet high with a massive wing span of seven feet - who answers to the name of Oscar.  more...

Stuart joins the chain gang

BROTHERLY love won the day when energetic Stuart Bridge decided to do his bit for Alder Hey Hospital's Rocking Horse Appeal.  more...

Rail bosses get a rocket

MERSEYTRAVEL'S political chiefs have condemned levels of service on Merseyrail's troubled City Line.  more...

Hannah is truly a Star Babe

DARK-HAIRED beauty Hannah Broderick went to the St Helens Show with a pal and returned home with the title of Daily Star Babe.  more...

Teenager in gang attack terror

A TEENAGE boy needed treatment for a broken jawbone when he and his three friends were set upon as they waited for a bus in St Helens Bus Station.  more...

Police plea after OAP is mugged

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a handbag theft which left the 88-year-old victim with a broken wrist.  more...

Office with first class post

ECCLESTON Lane Ends Post Office has been voted the North West's Best Post Office in the Community 1998.  more...

Pedal pushers power in

PEDAL power has proved a real money-spinner for youngsters from Rivington County Primary School - for the fourth year in a row.  more...

Armed robber jumped over counter

AN armed robber jumped over an off-licence counter and forced the woman cashier to hand over the contents of the safe.  more...

Royal salute for brave Michelle

CHAMPION fundraiser, Michelle Lewis, was delighted when she was given the opportunity to meet the Queen during a royal visit to Ellesmere Port.  more...

Day nursery earns salute

THE Wind in the Willows Day Nursery has been accredited by the Pre-school Learning Alliance - the first voluntary accreditation scheme for pre-schools.  more...

Hot topic for householders

COUNCIL environmental health officers are urging residents to adhere to strict guidelines before burning rubbish in their gardens.  more...

Cost of big clean-up

ENGLISH Partnerships is to plough millions of pounds into St Helens to clear up acres of neglected and derelict land throughout the borough.  more...

Man fined for dog fouling

A BILLINGE man who failed to pay a fixed penalty fine of £25 issued by the council's dog warden for failing to clean up after his dog had fouled a playing field has been fined £50 plus £50 costs. He had pleaded not guilty to the offence which occurred on a playing field at London Fields in Billinge.  more...

Bob's special delivery by cycle

ICELAND Frozen Foods delivery driver, Bob Baugh, is celebrating his 40th birthday by gearing up for a mammoth cycle ride to raise money for the Cancer Research Campaign.  more...

Appeal after car park assault

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a seemingly motiveless attack on a 31-year-old man in the car park outside the Carr Mill Hotel on Saturday, August 8, at 9.30pm.  more...

Come and join in the fun

A BILLINGE-based community group have organised a Fun Day which will take place this Sunday, August 23 on Dam Flacks and Eddleston Fields off Rainford Road.  more...

Three held on drug charge

POLICE arrested and charged three men after executing a search warrant at an address in Parr.  more...

Raising the roof at theatre

THE rescue team at the Theatre Royal are breathing a sigh of relief this week after enough money has now been raised to begin urgent repairs to the roof... though the fund raising work must also continue on an ongoing basis.  more...

Cost of caring for sad people

THERE are so many beggars, alcoholics and drug addicts about the town centre because patients from the big mental hospitals have been let back into the community.  more...

Ways to deal with problem youths

I am writing in response to JB (Moss Bank), August 6, regarding older youths urinating on public park slides. This is just one of the many disgusting traits that the youths of today have adopted, and it will only get worse before it gets better.  more...

Dr Paddy's pennies

OF all the unforgettable characters to grace the working-class terraces of old St Helens, none deserved to top the honours list more than Dr Patrick Joseph (Paddy) O'Keeffe.  more...

Sounding off about noise

SOME time ago you published a letter from someone in Rainford about noisy neighbours in the summer. I too live in Rainford and I am beginning to think it is the noisiest place on the planet.  more...

The sweet smell of new RL era

WHAT'S Rugby League coming to!  more...

Time for a little Christian charity

I WAS quite sad when I read the letter about the poor souls who gather in the town centre.  more...

Another peep from under the robe

JUST when I thought it was safe to wrap up the great christening robe saga which has featured on this ancient page for several weeks past, up pops another candidate for the oldest and most-used baptismal outfit in town.  more...

I'd soon be out of pocket

A GREAT deal of pleasure has been removed from my shopping trips to the town centre. This is because of the army of charity collectors who rattle their collection tins at shoppers like myself outside all the large shops of the town.  more...

Gala's crowning glory

ORGANISERS of a village gala have been rescued from their right royal pickle.  more...

Where do these people go?

JUST where does Mr 'Proud Sintelliner (Letters, July 30) propose to send the homeless and beggars of St Helens. Has he no compassion?  more...

St Helens Sport

Saints face Shark attack

FOUR-POINTERS' appear to be par-for-the-course as the Super League play-off race hots up, and that will certainly be the case for Saints on Sunday when they make the daunting trip to Hull Sharks, kick-off 3.15pm  more...

Football: Town make a flying start

St Helens Town 3  more...

Cricket: St Helens' derby joy

ST HELENS cruised to a comfortable success in their derby clash with St Helens Recs at Ruskin Drive on Saturday.  more...

Cricket: Rainford rock Yickers

RAINFORD leapfrogged over neighbours Haydock in the Southport and District League after a hard-fought draw on Saturday.  more...

Denis Whittle talks Rugby League with Shaun McRae

WHITTLE: 'Gateshead bound!' scream the headlines. True or false?  more...

Cricket: Blow for Rainhill

RAINHILL CC's fight for first division status took a major blow with defeat at Runcorn.  more...

Saints hit the heights

Saints 33 Bradford Bulls 25 SIMPLY breathtaking! That's my verdict on 80 minutes of sheer theatre which almost exceeded superlatives as Saints tightened their grip on fourth place in the table on Sunday evening, writes DENIS WHITTLE.  more...

Cricket: Sutton take a hammering

SUTTON'S were thrashed by high-flyers Wavertree on Saturday.  more...

Saints bid farewell to Bobbie

THE sometimes troubled but often triumphant reign of Bobbie Goulding at Saints came to end last week when the Great Britain Test star joined Huddersfield Giants on a free transfer.  more...

Watersport: Keith bids for world title

JET-SETTER Keith Rimmer is out to conquer the world.  more...

Royals in command

Blackbrook Royals under 13s 11  more...

Motorsport: Andy nearly there

ST HELENS Nissan dealer Andy Middlehurst needs just one more point from three races to win the Dunlop National Saloon Cup for the fourth time.  more...

Pilks' super seven

PILKINGTON Recs under 10s won the club's seven-a-side competition on Saturday.  more...

Park's friendly date

WEST Park have arranged an attractive pre-season friendly with Welsh League Division One side Rumney. They will travel up from Cardiff with four former Welsh International players, one of whom, Steve Ford, will be familiar to local rugby league fans.  more...

  
Restrict search to 27 August 1998