Weather
Stories for 8 December 1999
Accrington News
Student distraught after losing work
A DISTRAUGHT 18-year-old from Accrington fears she may have to put off going to university for a year because she lost her schoolwork on a bus. more...
Poppy record
THE poppy appeal in Great Harwood has collected a record sum this year. more...
Blackburn Business
Celebration Time for award firm
TIME Computers is celebrating after winning a prestigious award to mark the company's achievements. more...
Green firms join forces to save money
LOCAL companies are joining forces and going green to make savings. more...
Safety first for firm
A COMPANY has been honoured with a prestigious safety award. more...
Blackburn Leisure
FIVE YEARS AGO: Bootleg clampdown
BOOTLEGGERS bringing cheap beer to East Lancashire were warned of a cross-channel clampdown after customs smashed a multi-million pound smuggling ring. more...
TEN YEARS AGO: Landlords fight back
BLACKBURN town centre landlords were fighting back against lager louts with a new early warning system. more...
Events in East Lancashire on Thursday, December 9th
Blackburn Artists' Society meet St Gabriel's Church Hall, Brownhill Drive, Blackburn, 7pm. Christmas Get-Together. more...
Blackburn News
Starring role for Anne and Bert
THE winners of a competition got star treatment when they switched on a light to dominate Blackburn's landscape over the Christmas period. more...
This moral cowardice
The opinions expressed by John Blunt are not necessarily those of this newspaper more...
Disdain is arrogant
ONE can, of course, be forgiven for being confused about the moral values of former transport minister, Steven Norris, the re-tread runner once again hoping to be Tory candidate for London's mayoralty. more...
Paying for the sick euro
BRITAIN'S Euro-sceptics - the majority of voters, I believe - should not take too much comfort in us not being signed up to the single currency as the euro dives to record lows. more...
The joke is on us
IN a week when it was announced that a stack of plastic bread crates were to be auctioned at Christie's for up to £6,000 as a piece of modern sculpture and, among more examples of such idiocy, an American artist was asking a similar sum for his display of three yellow detergent bottles and a football, East Lancashire was happily apprised that it does not lag behind in this lunacy. more...
Create your own haven for wildlife
Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy more...
Living on the edge
THE idea of there being a successful nature reserve right alongside a busy motorway would seem at first sight to be impossible. more...
Menace on the roads
I WOULD like to warn other road users about a driver who disregards the use of indicators or other road vehicles in her quest to go whichever way she pleases. more...
Comments not ageist
IN reply to Dave Snape's views (Letters, November 24) on my earlier remarks. What I wrote was not 'ageist comments' about young motorists. more...
Sympathy for farmers
WITH reference to Ian Tindall's remarks on farming (Letters, November 25), although myself or my family has never been involved in farming, I do have some sympathy for farmers. more...
Shopping 'cruelty free'
I AM writing to inform readers of the recent publication of the best guide to cruelty-free shopping - 'Compassionate Shopping Guide,' available for £1.50 from the animal welfare campaigning organisation Naturewatch. more...
Blunt bashed
I SHOULD be grateful if you would thank John Blunt (LET, December 1) for demonstrating and confirming my point about media ignorance of education. more...
Results show real value of school tests
A CASCADE of merit stars is showered on schools, teachers, pupils and the government today as so many emerge successful in the National Curriculum tests for 11-year-olds. And amid a sharp rise in standards across the country, particularly encouraging is the revelation that standards in basics are rising fastest in primary schools in the most disadvantaged areas. more...
Marriage statistics give pause for thought
AMID the spectacular collapse of marriage as a social institution, comes dispassionate evidence today that should give couples - and the government - pause for thought. more...
Match arrests
POLICE say there were eight arrests before the game between Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park last night. more...
Widow given four weeks to get out
COUNCIL chiefs are investigating a complaint from a teacher who has been given four weeks notice to find a new home for her elderly mother. more...
School one of the most improved
PUPILS at an East Lancashire primary school were celebrating a startling success today after it was named one of the most improved schools in the country. more...
Threat against MPs 'a throwaway line'
POLICE swarmed around James Arthur Notley's home after he threatened to kill Home Secretary Jack Straw, a court was told. more...
Crooked cops to be targeted in crackdown
AN ELITE squad of corruption busters and a confidential phone line are likely to be set up in a bid to drive dishonest police out of the Lancashire force. more...
Extra police slash crime figures
LANCASHIRE has more police than ever before, Home Secretary Jack Straw has revealed. more...
Rare £38,000 watch among raid haul
A RARE diamond and sapphire studded watch, one of only 10 in the world, was among items stolen in an armed raid on a luxury farmhouse. more...
Boomerang boys aim for the big time
FORGET Sister Sledge and their hit single "We Are Family" and meet the Monks from Blackburn and their band Boomerang. more...
East Lancs shamed by TV licence cheats
TELEVISION watchers in East Lancashire are among the worst in the country for licence dodging, according to a new "league of shame." more...
Trolley back in action
A HOSPITAL tea round which was suspended because of safety fears is back on the wards and organisers are appealing new volunteers. more...
Blackburn Sport
Clarest boss blasts ref after Shield defeat
DISAPPOINTED Burnley boss Stan Ternent felt his side were robbed of a place in the second round of the Auto Windscreens Shield by two contrasting penalty decisions at Wigan last night. more...
As good as it gets, says Rovers boss
CARETAKER boss Tony Parkes reflected on Blackburn Rovers' best display of the season and said: "That's as good as it gets." more...
Best yet by inspired Rovers
Division One: Blackburn Rovers 3 Bolton Wanderers 1 - Neil Bramwell's verdict more...
Teenager's golden moment sinks Clarets
Auto Windscreens Shield 1st round: Wigan Athletic 2 Burnley 1 (after extra-time golden goal) - Pete Oliver's verdict more...
As good as it gets, says Parkes
CARETAKER boss Tony Parkes reflected on Blackburn Rovers' best display of the season and said: "That's as good as it gets." more...
Ternent blasts Shield referee
DISAPPOINTED Burnley boss Stan Ternent felt his side were robbed of a place in the second round of the Auto Windscreens Shield by two contrasting penalty decisions at Wigan last night. more...
Clarets form watch (v Wigan)
CRICHTON: Commanded his penalty area well and swept up impressively behind the defence when called upon...7 more...
Morris dancing
FORMER Burnley boss John Benson praised his young match-winner for a Roy of the Rovers finish as 17-year-old debutant Andrew Morris sent the Clarets sliding out of the Auto Windscreens Shield last night. more...
Bolton Business
Power to the cyclisty!
A BOLTON company aims to make a success out of electric-powered bicycles. more...
Breakfast launch for referral group
A SECOND Chapter is to be formed following a successful local launch for Business Network International. more...
Martin Dawes to expand at the double
A WARRINGTON company which employs people from all over the North-west - including Bolton - is planning a major expansion. more...
Successful staff taste Boddies treat
SALES staff at electronics component distributor Eurodis HB Electronics shattered sales targets in a joint promotion with semi-conductors and optos supplier Infineon. more...
Bolton Leisure
What's on in and around Bolton, Thursday, 9.12.99
LEISURE, SPORT AND KEEP FIT BOLTON Excel, Lower Bridgeman Street, tel: 334456: 50+ badminton, table tennis, squash and gym, 1pm-3pm; body conditioning, 2pm-3pm; step, 6pm-7pm; aerobics, 7pm-8pm. more...
Bolton News
Let's boycott boozers with entry charges on big night
I AM writing in agreement with B. Ingham who wrote to your column on December 2 about the greed of our pub landlords in Bolton who are charging an entry fee to their pubs . more...
'Tis the season to be jolly stressed out!
By Irma Heger WE are all told continually that Christmas is a time to be jolly . . . more...
From the BEN files
25 YEARS AGO more...
From the BEN files
25 YEARS AGO more...
Police hunt for roadside assault duo
DETECTIVES are hunting two men in connection with a series of assaults along one of Bolton's busiest roads. The men are believed to be responsible for six separate attacks along a half mile stretch of Chorley Old Road. The first victim, a 12-year-old old boy, was approached and threatened by two men who demanded money near Marsh Fold Lane at about 7pm on Monday. more...
999 chiefs predict big rise in Millennium calls
FIREFIGHTERS in Bolton are expecting to deal with a huge surge in the number of calls on Millennium Eve night - FIVE times more than normal. more...
Historic Bolton Wanderers programmes go for song
TWO Bolton Wanderers football progammes were together sold for an astonishing £3,000 at an auction of soccer memorabilia. more...
Facts need to be examined
YOUR recent correspondent, who preferred to remain anonymous, tried his or her best to belittle the achievements of this Government, but I'm afraid it won't wash. more...
Devastated mum vows to battle on
BATTLING mum Brenda Rowley has lost another round in the fight for justice for her son. more...
5,000 needles collected
MORE than 5,000 drug users' needles were collected by Bolton's "sharps" collection service in a year. more...
DAILY POEMS
EVERY MORNING Every morning lean thine arms awhile; more...
Tributes pour in for ex-landlady^Z
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular former pub landlady who died suddenly. more...
OPINION: School's job well done!
CONGRATULATIONS to all at St Brendan's Primary School in Harwood on their great "league table" results announced today. Headteacher Anne Thornton puts their success down to teamwork, and we're sure that this is the case in many local schools. more...
Student in plea for return of stolen course work
THIEVES stole more than usual when they broke into Karen Wolfenden's car. They might have stolen her chance of passing an important managerial course. more...
Fire chief indecency charge
A FIRE chief will appear in court tomorrow charged with indecent exposure following an incident at a remote local beauty spot. more...
Jigsaw man's German joy
A BOLTON jigsaw fanatic who had his pride and joy - Britain's largest jigsaw puzzle - destroyed in front of millions of viewers is now a star of German TV. more...
Still being penalised
QUITE a few letters have appeared in the BEN about our pensioners and, for those who bang the drum for them, I say well done. more...
Bid to preserve Odeon picture house
BOLTON Civic Trust is to push for one of the town's best known former cinemas to become a listed building. more...
Comedian no laughing matter
A COMEDIAN who turned Christmas blue has prompted an apology from a top business leader. more...
Plans would send class sizes soaring
WE have read much in recent editions of the BEN from Tories trying to con us into believing our children's education is safe in their hands but people won't be conned. more...
Lifejackets for firefighters
LIFEJACKETS are to be given to Bolton firecrews, three months after an officer drowned during a rescue attempt. more...
Explain lack of Tory criticism
BRIAN Derbyshire took great delight in informing us of his left-wing credentials and voiced his outrage at being called a Tory. However, the fact remains that many of the points he makes, on a variety of issues, came straight from Tory central office. more...
Brave Sophie's Lapland treat
A BRAVE little Bolton girl today jetted off on the dream trip of a lifetime - one she never thought she would see. more...
Why ban cyclists from using A666?
IT would be instructive, as well as fair, to know what part cyclists had to play in making the A666 three times more dangerous for motorists than the M61? Of course, such a comparison would be impossible without letting cyclists rampage on the M61 for a time. more...
The mayor is here to stay
COUNCILLORS have declared that Bolton's Mayor is here to stay. more...
Why is pension frozen?
I ENJOYED a visit to Bolton not too long ago and have just visited your newspaper on the Web from Canada. I read readers' letters on old age pensions and would like to add to the debate. more...
Family grave could be dug up again
A BOLTON grave may be dug up for a second time amid renewed claims a stranger's coffin was buried in the plot. more...
Don't be fooled
DURING the launch of the Britain in Europe campaign, our Prime Minister stated that he wished for a "clear and honest debate on Britain's membership of the EU." When does it begin? more...
GPs plan to revamp mental health care
FAMILY doctors in the South of Bolton are looking to revamp mental health services. Bolton South East Primary Care Group has drawn up plans to make it easier and quicker for patients to see the right people at the right time. Building on Government plans to make access to mental health services at a primary care level, faster and more efficient the group is looking to develop a "Primary Care Liaison Service." more...
Fiona's golden Palace day out
A FORMER pupil of Bolton School was due to be presented with a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in a ceremony at St James's Palace, London, today. more...
Hard work pays off for Asif
HOURS of hard work during the summer holidays has paid off for Bolton teenager Asif Patel. more...
Jobs shed at one of town's oldest firms
TWENTY-five jobs are to go at a long-established Bolton printing firm. more...
Pupils are fully aware of rules on P.E. kits
I HAVE always tried to refrain from entering into correspondence with the BEN when, on rare occasions, the newspaper has been contacted by parents about issues concerning the school. more...
OPINION: Heritage must be preserved
WE'RE delighted that Bolton Civic Trust is spearheading a campaign to make one of the town's former cinemas a listed building. more...
How dare you speak out Sir!
HOW dare Cllr Walsh challenge the wisdom of the Planning and Environment Committee, albeit his active knowledge of traffic control? more...
Keep battling for needy OAPs
I WAS pleased to read in 'A Week In Westminster' BEN December 2, that Brian Iddon had spoken up on behalf of pensioners in the House. I was also pleased to be told, in a letter to me from David Crausby, that he to has been asking questions on the same subject. more...
Bolton Sport
A game too far for weary Bolton
YOU often hear footballers complaining about having to play two matches in a week, well they should try playing two in two days. more...
Knockout blow floors Shakers
Mansfield 2, Bury 1 ROOKIE goalkeeper Pat Kenny and veteran striker Paul Barnes took the rap as Bury crashed out of their second Cup competition in the space of seven days. more...
Pals twist the knife
Blackburn Rovers 3, Bolton Wanderers 1 THERE are times when a result says more about the club than it does about the team. Such an event occurred last night when the presence in the victorious opposition ranks of three of the most influential players in Wanderers' recent history underlined the ongoing struggle to balance the books of footballing ambition. more...
New deal for Farrelly?
SAM Allardyce is hoping to turn Gareth Farrelly's loan deal into a permanent transfer before the weekend. The Wanderers boss is in talks with the £500,000-rated Everton midfielder and believes he is close to finalising a deal. more...
Sam may have to call up Reserves
SECOND Division Cardiff City could be facing a 'second string' Bolton line-up in Saturday's FA Cup third round tie at the Reebok. Sam Allardyce admitted today he may be forced to field a below-par side after the latest bulletin from the Euxton treatment room. more...
Burnley News
Lights illuminate boom town Burnley
IT was boom town Burnley as Christmas lights switch-on night triggered a trading bonanza for retailers. more...
Pauline's new heart meant a new life
BRAVE Pauline Ratcliffe is saying three cheers as she prepares to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her new heart. more...
School's class act
A CLASS act by a village school made it one of the country's top performing primaries in Government league tables published today. more...
'Prolific' burglar put behind bars
A BURGLAR has been sent to jail for 16 months despite his barrister's plea for him to be put on a special probation initiative for "prolific" raiders. more...
Clarets fans gotta be at the Grotto!
CLARETS fans are being are being urged to turn Derby's Pride Park into Santa's Grotto for Saturday's FA Cup clash. more...
Christmas in prison for thief
A THIEF made the "brave" decision to be sentenced before Christmas, when other offenders were trying to get out of it, Burnley magistrates heard. more...
Bandits take games machine apart
POLICE are looking for "bandits" who dismantled an amusement machine at a Burnley pub to steal the cash box containing about £200. more...
Clitheroe News
Valley volunteers' aid adds up to £5million
VOLUNTEER work in Ribble Valley is worth nearly £5million a year, a survey has revealed. more...
No, we shall not forget
YOUNGSTERS from St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst, visited the First World War battlefields of the Somme and Ypres. more...
Colne News
Phew - ready for bed!
WHEN Tony Corrigan, bedroom furniture buyer at Littlewoods, wanted to learn more about the supply and delivery of new beds to his mail order customers across the UK, he contacted Barnoldswick-based Silentnight, the UK's biggest bed manufacturers. more...
Darwen News
Meningitis victim is improving
A TEACHER struck down by the killer disease meningitis almost two weeks ago is still recovering in hospital. more...
Nelson News
Screams foil robbery attempt
A TEENAGER was left badly shaken when she was pushed against a wall by a youth who tried to steal her shoulder bag. more...
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
