Archive

  • East Lancashire events, Thursday, September 28

    Charity Auction, All Saints Primary School. Clayton le Moors, 7pm (viewing from 6pm). Organised by the PTA and Grange Bowling Club. Refreshments available. Blackburn Flower Club meet Trinity United Reformed Church, Brownhill Road, Blackburn. 'Magic of

  • Grave cause for concern

    THE decision to sell off two old graveyards that belonged to two East Lancashire mental hospitals has understandably sparked disquiet in some quarters. The graveyards will go to the highest bidder - raising the prospect of the dead being disinterred by

  • Oh to be in England now that autumn's here

    Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy AFTER three weeks in Australia, which I will write about next week, I returned to the Lancashire countryside hungry to see some local wildlife. I was not disappointed. I walked a circular route from Roughlee through Barley

  • Art? It just doesn't wash!

    HAVING viewed the latest works of art in Blackburn Museum's downstairs gallery, I find the exhibition in all its simplicity -- a piece of soap on a towel and mirrors on boards -- does little that is challenging, inspiring, diversionary or even creative

  • Fame its own reward

    WHY should Carl Fogarty (LET, September 25) be given any privileges by Blackburn? He, unlike many disadvantaged and marginalised people, has been able to spend his life doing exactly what he wanted to do, both in bike racing and the other unmentionable

  • Doomed to be in minority

    JUST looking at five of the policies the Liberal Democrats unveiled at their annual conference, shows why they will continue to be a minority party. Even though the euro hit yet another all time low against the dollar, they voted to scrap the pound and

  • We want value for money

    THIS year, in Blackburn, 'residents only' parking fees will increase by 50 per cent from £10 to £15. In the guidance notes residents have been given it states that residents' parking schemes will operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Has anyone

  • Mugging victim's thank-you

    A WOMAN wants to thank a group of Leigh men who helped her when she was mugged by a thug. The 59-year-old victim, who did not want to give her name, was helped by the good samaritans when she had her purse snatched as she walked across the cenotaph close

  • Redgrave passes test of time

    WHAT were you doing in 1984 ? I was still a year away from my 'O' levels, Michael Owen was four and Rochdale's Tony Ford, MBE, had only been a professional footballer for nine years. That summer, while the West Indies were completing a 'blackwash' over

  • Fears over bids for graveyards

    PLANS to sell off two graveyards have been condemned by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, amid fears that the land could be handed over to developers. The North West NHS Executive, which owns the Queen Mary's cemetery close to Calderstones hospital in Mitton

  • Brave Leigh halt Bulls charge towards the top

    Hereford Utd 1 Leigh RMI 1 RMI took their first away point in September and climbed a place to 13th in the Nationwide Conference after they recovered from an early goal at Edgar Street on Tuesday night. RMI produced a battling performance with a fine

  • Owls woo Harkness

    BLACKBURN Rovers defender Steve Harkness could be heading for the Ewood exit door in the next 24 hours. As I understand it, the out of favour full-back was set to have talks with another First Division club today -- believed to be Sheffield Wednesday.

  • All we got was humiliation

    IAN Millward appealed for a good gathering of fans for the Saints v Wigan match and he got them. But what did the fans get in return? Nothing except humiliation. Saints played absolute rubbish. Their heads were down as soon as they 'walked' out on to

  • Not again!

    I ATTENDED the Saints/Wigan game with a few people who haven't watched Saints this year. I am a season ticket holder but I persuaded them to come and watch a classic game. After the game, they said they won't be watching Saints again this season. The

  • A case of humble pie?

    I WRITE in response to Mrs Jane Roby's letter 'Pie In The Sky?' (Dear Star, September 7). Mrs Roby states that Billinge is Wigan and not St Helens, and therefore addressed as Billinge, Wigan. If this is the case, then why, when wheelie bins are emptied

  • Time for urgent action

    I FEEL that I must write this letter in the hope that someone from our Council office may read this and hopefully take some immediate action. I have two small children, a three-year-old and a one-year-old, and live in a very populated area of the town

  • Big lift for little Michael

    LITTLE Michael Hughes is one of just 60 children throughout the UK who suffer from Battens Disease. But now brave Michael and his family are being given a special helping hand by local charity, Big Chance Lottery, who have offered to provide him with

  • Cabbies will have a testing choice

    TAXI drivers in Pendle will be able to chose where they take their cabs for their annual MOT test from Sunday. In the past Pendle Council has relied on just one local garage to test all the borough's 215 hackney carriage and private hire cabs. Last night

  • Youth indecently assaulted girls, 9

    A 16-YEAR-OLD youth is awaiting sentence after being convicted at Burnley Crown Court of child sex offences. The teenager from the Padiham area -- who a judge ordered should not be named -- was found guilty of six allegations of indecent assault, after

  • Shoplifter mum 'over addiction'

    A COCAINE-addicted mother of four who helped herself to spirits worth more than £180 from two Asda stores has been put on probation. Burnley Magistrates heard how Karen Holding, 40, was now drug-free and shortly hoped to have her children, currently looked

  • Footprints trapped burglars

    TWO teenage burglars who were caught by their footprints are behind bars for raiding houses in Burnley. Steven Hargreaves was sent to custody for a total of two years by a judge at Burnley Crown Court who told him he had never seen as bad a record for

  • Boost for church as pews return

    A ROW over the removal of Victorian pews which split a village church has now led to the congregation increasing. Two church wardens and seven other members of St Anne's Church, Fence, quit after a special church court judgement ruled that the four sets

  • Showdown time at the JJB

    ALL roads will lead to Wigan's JJB stadium tomorrow night (Friday) when Saints and the Warriors lock horns in a mouthwatering play-off semi-final tie, kick-off 7.30pm. The glittering prize of a place in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 14 awaits

  • Amateur RL round-up

    RESULTS National Conference Division Two: Blackbrook 32 Cottingham Tigers 10, Keighley Albion 4 Thatto Heath 48. NWCL Premier Division: Folly Lane 6 Haydock 38, Portico Panthers 4 Simms Cross 36, Pilkingtons 12 Ulverston 22. Division Two: Adlington Rangers

  • Portico youngsters turn on the power

    Hindley U/15s 6 Portico 38 AN under-strength Portico side turned in a superb performance to overcome a strong Hindley outfit. Try scorers were John Greenall (2), Kevin Rooney (2), Chris Smith, Kevin Tench and man-of-the-match Martin Allender, with Rooney

  • Slow start costs Crusaders

    Thatto Crusaders U/16s 6 West Hull 14 Crusaders' young guns acquitted themselves well in this National Youth Premiership clash but failed to recover from a slow start and never totally made up for West Hull's two early tries. Try scorer Kev Brown was

  • Unforgettable Eddie's skip to TV fame

    WE'VE all seen the TV image and burst into gales of laughter. It's one that's regularly re-cycled, usually on FA Cup Final day. There's this vision of a chubby, thin-thatched soccer fantatic, braces dangling as he skips delightedly across the hallowed

  • Five years ago: market traders anger

    TENANTS of a town centre market quit amid claims that the council have driven away trade and let standards slip. Stallholders at the five-day council-owned market in Blackburn said they were walking away from thousands of pounds of investments rather

  • Hunt for attacker stepped up

    DETECTIVES today stepped up their hunt for a "monster" who left a pensioner with horrific injuries after attacking him outside his home. Officers have conducted house to house inquires in a bid to catch the man who left John Wolfenden, 72, who lives with

  • Fears over bids for graveyards

    PLANS to sell off two graveyards have been condemned by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, amid fears that the land could be handed over to developers. The North West NHS Executive, which owns the Queen Mary's cemetery close to Calderstones hospital in Mitton

  • Team work pays off

    Leigh U/11s 4 St Helens 22 THIS was a triumphant start to the season as the young lads in their first game gelled really well for an outstanding team effort culminating in a fine victory over a strong Leigh outfit. Try scorers were Gary Wheeler, Gareth

  • County date at Blackbrook

    THE Lancashire open-age side will meet the Great Britain Emerging Nations squad at Blackbrook on Wednesday, October 4, kick-off 7pm. Meanwhile, Haydock hooker Peter Cahalin has been named in an 18-man BARLA Great Britain and Ireland under 23s squad to

  • Tommy the Tigers tamer

    Haydock A 35 Widnes Tigers 16 HAYDOCK'S second string made heavy weather in overcoming a plucky Widnes outfit. For the first 20 minutes the game was scoreless but the introduction of former Saint' stand-off Tommy Frodsham provided Haydock with the impetus

  • Finch fail to sparkle

    Haresfinch 10 Kirkholt 30 THIS was a subdued performance from Finch, after playing well in their first three games. Kirkholt took an early 10-point lead with two tries and a conversion. Finch eventually got into the game when skipper and loose-forward

  • Race ace Edmund sparks double triumph

    ST HELENS racing cyclist Edmund Leary made it a double for his club on Sunday when he won the junior category in the gruelling Blackstone Edge hill climb near Littleborough. Riding for ProVision Powerbar, Edmund battled through dense mist and torrential

  • Prescot fightback not enough

    West Park 2nds 27 Prescot RU 14 A DISAPPOINTING first-half display proved costly for Prescot but they rallied ater the break to finish well. Park took a grip in the opening 40 minutes with three tries, a conversion and a penalty to lead 20-7, the visitors

  • Sign of a healthy attitude

    "WE are a health promoting hospital," say a couple of signs at the entrance to the one at Queen's Park, Blackburn. Oh, really? Are there any that aren't? And how much has it cost to state the blooming obvious like this?

  • Kenna's comeback complete

    JEFF Kenna completed a full 90 minutes in Rovers' 1-1 Worthington Cup second round second leg draw with Portsmouth last night -- a result which sealed a 5-1 victory on aggregate. David Dunn grabbed an 88th minute equaliser to ensure Rovers go into the

  • Ternent blasts Palace assistant Houghton

    CLARETS boss Stan Ternent was involved in a bust-up with Crystal Palace assistant Ray Houghton as Burnley crashed out of the Worthington Cup at Selhurst Park last night on the away goals rule. And Ternent launched a verbal attack on the Palace backroom

  • Owls are pussycats

    Sheffield Wednesday 1 North End 3 THE 'Owls' were mere pussycats as North End turned in a second half performance that was par excellence to take the three points and move into fifth place in the first division. Preston started well with Lee Cartwright

  • Town joins culture club

    ST HELENS became the focal point of European education when teachers from the Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany and the Basque region of Spain met the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Pat Robinson, during a week-long cultural visit organised by teachers

  • Soccer: Up for the Cup

    RADCLIFFE BOROUGH take on World Cup winners West Auckland on Saturday bidding to take another step along the Wembley trail. The Co. Durham outfit lifted the famous trophy early last century after representing England in what was regarded as the first

  • Fear grows for missing Shireen

    POLICE are stepping up their enquiries into the disappearance of teenager, Shireen Chantelle Lilly. Their efforts have now spread across the UK as concern for her safety grows. Shireen (15) left her home in Union Bank Lane, Sutton to go to school at 7.55am

  • Spin along to fun casino...

    STAFF from the Halifax in St Helens are getting together to raise money for the special care baby unit at Whiston Hospital by organising a fun casino and auction night. The event will be held at the World of Glass, Chalon Way East, on Thursday, October

  • Sweet thoughts from caring kids

    A BUMPER bag of sweets will soon be on its way to help put a smile on the faces of orphans in Romania. Youngsters at St Edward's Primary School in Blackburn Road, including four-year-old Charlie Rhodes (pictured), Darwen have been collecting goodies for

  • Such friendly folk

    WEDDING anniversaries are often occasions to celebrate in some romantic hideaway. But not for Will and Eileen Cockfield, of Carr Mill, who marked their special day in sunny Scunthorpe! Eileen (71) began her allegiance to the industrial Lincolnshire town

  • Blooming great display

    SCENES of church life were depicted in floral arrangements at St James Church, Darwen during a weekend flower show with a difference. Church workers created 24 flower displays, each one showing a different part of the church year. Parochial Church Council

  • New tonic for Brian's appeal

    THE family of a young man who was killed two years ago while crossing a road, have received a bumper boost in their campaign to raise cash for a Bangladeshi orphanage to honour his memory. Brian Byrnes was just days away from his 20th birthday in 1998

  • New horizons at glass site

    AN application for outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the St Helens Glass factory site has been submitted to St Helens Council by Sterling Capitol in conjunction with Shire House Developments. The proposed scheme, which will create up

  • Vicky helps athletes through pain barrier

    BUSINESSWOMAN Vicky Lee (pictured) is jumping for joy after the success of two of her patients -- Olympic medallists Jonathan Edwards and Ian Peel. She was thrilled to hear of Jonathan's gold medal success at the triple jump after treating him for ankle

  • Baby delight for tragic tot's family

    A FAMILY who lost their three-year-old son to meningitis has welcomed a £2.2million boost to children's intensive care services in the North West -- and revealed they are expecting a new baby. David and Janet Haworth praised the decision to invest more

  • Strike is blamed for cuts

    BUS bosses claim summer strike action has fuelled moves to slash services across East Lancashire. Stagecoach Ribble management says the series of one-day strikes by drivers since May have hit company finances and forced the move, which will last indefinitely

  • No child should suffer like I did

    A WOMAN who was raped as a youngster is hoping to raise awareness of child abuse by telling her life story at schools and colleges throughout East Lancashire. Bernadette Rogers (pictured), from Samlesbury, has turned to writing to help overcome her traumatic

  • Non league: Colne suffer

    Oldham 5 Colne 2 TWO late Colne goals were little consolation for another hiding. Oldham raced into a 5-0 lead before late replies from Lee Coleridge and Dave Armitt gave the scoreline some respectability. Mark Flowers put Oldham ahead on seven minutes

  • Non league: Clitheroe carry on winning

    Flixton 1 Clitheroe 2 MARTIN Aspinall bagged his seventh goal of the season as league leaders Clitheroe continued their winning streak. Aspinall struck on the quarter hour with a shot from just inside the box as Clitheroe made it eight wins in nine starts

  • Non league: Chorley work hard

    Chorley 2, Kendal Town 2 FORMER Chorley manager Bryan Griffiths had his Kendal players fired up for this game and the Magpies were made to work hard for their point. Kendal deserved their lead on 32 minutes when Les O'Keefe cracked in a loose ball after

  • Champions held to a draw

    CROWNED champions of Division Two, Rainhill CC had to settle for a draw in their final game of the season against Liverpool Manweb. Batting first, Rainhill 161 for 5 decared thanks mainly to captain Mike Rotheram (53) and all-rounder Nick Chapman (22

  • Martin on the mark

    THE St Helens School under 15s and under 14s soccer squads both kicked off their seasons with home fixtures against Mid-Cheshire. Paul Martin (Rainhill) starred for the under 15s, continuing last season's good form by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw

  • Grant is bully for club!

    ST HELENS Hockey Club have been awarded a grant of £5000 from the Millennium Festival 'Awards for All' committee, to develop young hockey players, as well as getting present players their coaching certificate. The money is also there to help in preparing

  • Heavy going for veterans

    SIX members of St Helens Sutton AC travelled over the Pennines to compete in the Bradford Veterans 10k race in miserable wet conditions. Leading the men's team home was Andy O'Connor (36.47) followed by John Appleton (39.29) with Andy Boyack (40.16) completing

  • Back from the brink

    Selby 14 West Park 20 WEST Park's visits to the other side of the Pennines have more often than not ended in disaster. This first round Tetley Bitter cup-tie very nearly went the same way with Yorkshire Division One side Selby snatching the lead, with

  • Cables cruise to victory

    ESH Winning 0 Prescot Cables 2 IT took Cables a few minutes to settle into their stride in this Carlsberg FA Vase clash but after that it was virtually all one-way traffic as the Northern League Division Two outfit struggled to contain them. The first

  • Check it out!

    HEALTH workers in St Helens and Knowsley are attempting to raise people's awareness of the cause of strokes as part of next week's National Stroke Awareness Week. Trained staff will be manning mobile units in various locations where shoppers can obtain

  • Hospital hit by water supply crisis

    WHISTON Hospital experienced very serious problems with its water supply on Tuesday, September 26. The problems started at around 8am in the morning and as a result the hospital had to implement a number of emergency measures to conserve and supply water

  • Windfall for stroke club

    MEMBERS of St Helens and District Stroke Club are celebrating a £1,900 cash windfall from the National Lottery. The money will enable the committee to improve facilities within the club, and organise various trips out for members.

  • Playing host to German visitors

    STUDENTS at St Aelred's Catholic Technology College have been playing host to a party of German youngsters as part of a cross-culture exchange visit. The 14 German pupils and their teachers, Christel Heinrich and Roswitha Schroer, from the town of Werl

  • Reaching out to offer support

    ST HELENS Council's Mental Health Outreach Team has joined forces with St Helens Coalition of Disabled People to organise an event to help people living or working in the borough to find out information about the services and support available to them

  • Young green giants

    TWO St Helens schools have proved their commitment to the local environment by winning top awards in the BT Grounds for the Future scheme. Broadway Community High School, Grange Park and Wargrave House School, Newton-le-Willows, were both highly commended

  • Golfers chip in for hospice

    A CHARITY golf day has raised more than £5,000 in aid of Willowbrook Hospice. The inaugural Rosaleen Bowl 2000 was held at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in July in memory of Rosaleen Boggan, who died at the hospice in March, 1999. The event was organised

  • Help share the care

    A CHILDREN'S charity is appealing for volunteers in St Helens to give up a little of their time to help care for disabled youngsters over short periods of time. Barnardo's launched its national Share the Care scheme this month in a bid to find new part-time

  • Facelifts for play areas

    FOUR more children's play areas are to be refurbished by St Helens Council at a cost of £120,000. And members of the public are to play a key role in shaping the new areas at Lynton Way, Windle; Holt Lane, Rainhill and Vulcan Village, Newton-le-Willows

  • MP seeks action on peril junction

    DAVE Watts has welcomed St Helens Council's ongoing road improvement safety schemes but has asked them to consider introducing a scheme this year at the junction of Islands Brow and Haresfinch Road. The St Helens North MP said; "I would like to congratulate

  • Nation's spirit has gone

    AFTER the panic at the petrol pumps and the clearance of supermarket shelves, I wondered: Was this the nation which, 60 years ago, won the Battle of Britain against overwhelming odds and bravely withstood blitzes on its towns and cities? Incidentally,

  • There is no alternative

    BRIAN Watson (Letters, September 22) seems to be living in the Dark Ages, referring to the horse and cart and the use of various forms of energy other than petrol. Surely, he must realise that petrol is a necessity -- there are no alternative resources

  • Petrol taxes are fair

    SHIRLEY Whiteley (Letters, September 20) says we should be grateful to the fuel protesters. I'm not. Petrol is a finite resource and should be protected and I am not selfish enough to refuse an increase in taxation. In order to help others we need to

  • Boost for church as pews return

    A ROW over the removal of Victorian pews which split a village church has now led to the congregation increasing. Two church wardens and seven other members of St Anne's Church, Fence, quit after a special church court judgement ruled that the four sets

  • Pulis defiant in face of boo boys

    UNDER PRESSURE Pompey boss Tony Pulis remained defiant last night after David Dunn's late equaliser denied his side a much-needed confidence booster. After three straight defeats, fans have started to call for the head of the former Gillingham chief.

  • Not a good week to be a Tony

    Portsmouth 1, Rovers 1 IT IS turning out to be a difficult week for the two Tony's on the South Coast. Yesterday, Prime Minister Tony Blair faced up to the flak at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton following the furore over the fuel crisis. Last

  • Scooter alert

    WHILE on the cycle way at Jockey's Brow, Ravenhead recently, I saw a young man on a mini-scooter who was zooming round the pathways. He wore no helmet and in my opinion, he can risk injury to himself if he wants to. But sat in front of him was a little

  • Under the carpet?

    I READ with some interest the letter from Councillor John Beirne of the Liberal Democrats regarding the fuel protests. I doubt we will see any mention of the proposed Liberal Democrat carbon tax or taxing polluting fossil fuels in the next Lib Dem manifesto

  • We are listening

    IN reply to letter from the Good Companions Writers of St Helens. The decision to create Freemen of the Borough is a long process of consideration and a great deal of consultation. I am sure people will appreciate that we get requests frequently from

  • Mal makes Clock tick

    Clock Face Miners 32 Rylands A 18 TWO brilliant individual tries either side of the break by Mal Grant ensured that Clock put last week's defeat firmly behind them and got back to winning ways. Clock led 14-4 at half-time with tries by winger Chris Davis

  • Recs second sting Hornets

    Irlam Hornets nil Pilkington Recs A 28 Recs collected their first victory of the season in Division Five with an impressive all-round team performance. They led 14-0 at the break and never looked like losing. Tries were scored by Andy Broderick (2), Nicky

  • Four-try Andy is Brook hero

    Blackbrook Bulldogs 32 Cottingham Tigers 20 ANDY Shaw was the four-try hero as Blackbrook once again came from behind to record their fourth win in succession. League newcomers Cottingham, striving to get back on course after winning their opening two

  • Thatto Heath Crusaders A 12 Vine 34

    Despite numerous changes to the previous week's winning line-up Crusaders still turned out a strong team, although obviously not strong enough on the day to overcome a well-organised Vine outfit. The visitors got off to a flying start with an early try

  • Warriors off to a flyer

    Folly Lane U/16s 10 Haydock Warriors 14 The Warriors got off to a flying start with a pass by Barry Kerkhof sending Wayne Dollin over. Folly Lane struck back midway through the first half with a converted try, but good play and another pass from Kerkhof

  • Heath maintain 100 per cent reord

    Keighley Albion 4 Thatto Heath Crusaders 48 THATTO Heath continued their impressive 100 per cent start to their first season in the National Conference with this nine-try demolition. Heath opened in determined fashion with half-backs Mitchell and Ashall

  • Joynty to the rescue!

    Saints 16 Bradford Bulls 11 CAPTAIN courageous Chris Joynt has scored 96 tries in eight glorious seasons at Saints -- but arguably the most vital one came in the final second of this compelling play-off qualifier. Picture a scene of nerve-jangling drama

  • Recording a happy disco era

    A MUSICAL memories web page, featuring early dance venues in St Helens, is being set up . . . on the other side of the world. Geoff and Denise Lovett, from Auckland, New Zealand, provide this surprising snippet of news in a message which says: "We are

  • A victory over temptation

    MY recent tale about the rag-and-bone man who handed in a thick wad of banknotes discovered among some cast-off coats has brought a similar honesty incident back to light. Mrs M.H. of Newton-le-Willows (she asks me not to publish her full identity) recalls

  • The 'six in a bed' kids!

    TO the working-class folk from the surrounding network of terraced streets it was just the local lock-up where drunks and after-hours street battlers were kept overnight to cool their heels. But to the the outsized Ledwith family -- all 12 of them, including

  • Ten years ago: arson attacks up

    THE number of arson attacks in Lancashire soared and general 999 blaze alerts rocketed. Fire calls received by crews in Lancashire leapt by six and a half per cent by the end to 28,089, compared to 26,369 the previous year. The number of fires investigated

  • Nigel's banking on never being ill

    WORKAHOLIC gardener Nigel Ireland is hedging his bets that he will not pull a sicky for another three years. And if he does manage to get through the next 1,095 days in perfect health, council worker Nigel stands to pick up £1,000 in prize money. For

  • 'Have your say on Cemfuel'

    GREEN campaigners are urging people to give their views on the burning of Cemfuel by Castle Cement in Clitheroe. The firm has applied to the Environment Agency to burn Cemfuel as an up to 40% substitute for coal on a permanent basis on its dry kiln at

  • Smith: We fully deserved to go through

    CRYSTAL Palace manager Alan Smith insisted his side fully deserved their place in tomorrow's Worthington Cup third-round draw. The Londoners looked to be on their way out as they trailed Burnley going into injury-time of the second leg at Selhurst Park

  • Inury time sickener

    Crystal Palace 1 Burnley1 Aggregate 3-3, Crystal Palace win on away goals "GO on son, make a name for yourself." Alan Smith could have said that to either of the young charges he despatched from the bench to try and conjure up the late goal he needed

  • Bold suffer for slow start

    Addlington 20 Bold Miners 14 BOLD were made to pay for a slow start as Addlington raced into a 12-point lead in the first six minutes. The visitors hit back with some strong running from Wes Singleton and Andy O'Dowd, resulting in Ian Honey touching down

  • Sorry Hounds lack bite

    Parr Hare & Hounds 6 Ecces A 36 A SECOND-half capitulation saw Hounds slump to a third successive league defeat against a very ordinary Eccles side. Having held the visitors to a 10-6 interval lead in the face of a strong wind, the home side could

  • Youngsters hit the goal trail

    GOALS were once again in plentiful supply in the Rainhill Junior League at the weekend with no fewer than 139 scored in the 18 games played. RESULTS Under 15s: Blackbrook 4 Oak 9, Denton Athletic 4 Bleak Hill Rovers 2, Eccleston United 2 Knowsley South

  • Just think of Glen when you grumble

    HE is not out of the woods yet. But five-year-old Glen Kennedy's return to school in Accrington is something we must all admire. For this is another brave step in a fight against illness that had this little lad being given just days to live as he lay

  • Home rule's a daft rule

    HANDS up those who want a 'parliament' for the North West - one like the Welsh Assembly and perhaps, as urged last week by Pendle's Liberal Democrat peer Tony Greaves, with as many as 76 members. Oh, all right, I know the argument - that we've as many

  • Bags of ideas - but they're off the rails

    YOU know the feeling -- eventually, the luggage-claim carousel starts to turn (after what seems like an hour if it's Manchester your plane has landed at) and, immediately, worry gnaws your guts. Will your bags turn up? Are they forlornly going round and

  • Beverley goes for a 'grand' vision

    A CARING young shop assistant has vowed to raise £1,000 for research into breast cancer. Eighteen-year-old Beverley Fenney from Portico is currently in the second year of a two-year retail course at St Helens College. As part of her course, she has been

  • On the Dawn Patrol

    CORONATION Street regular, Malcolm Hebden (otherwise known as Norris Cole) has helped to launch an innovative scheme to help local elderly people. Dawn Patrol is a voluntary scheme designed to check that elderly people living on their own stay safe, warm

  • Hundreds hit the heritage trail

    HUNDREDS of people took the chance to take a look inside some of St Helens' most historic buildings when the borough played host to a heritage weekend on September 16 and 17. In a series of open days, buildings as diverse as the town hall and the little

  • Under one roof at last

    PRIMARY school pupils have switched from their mobile classroom to a brand new extension to the school. Youngsters at St Paul's CE Primary School, in Baynes Street, Hoddlesden finally moved into their new purpose-built classroom, which completes the first

  • Saint's portrait painted

    A PORTRAIT at St Edward's RC Primary School, Darwen, has finally given pupils a chance to put a face to the name of their patron saint. Head teacher Mrs Alyson Grundy commissioned a local art teacher, Simon Painter, to paint a portrait of Edward the Confessor

  • Glass giant Sir Antony dies

    PILKINGTON have led the tributes to the company's former chairman, Sir Antony Pilkington, who died on Friday, September 22. A spokesman for the company said: "Everyone at Pilkington is aware of the contribution Sir Antony made to the development of the

  • Young actors' date at the Millennium Dome

    NEXT stop the Millennium Dome! Young actors from East Lancashire are making the final preparations for their part in "Our Town's Story" to be performed at the dome next month. The multi-media show, co-ordinated by the Action Factory, is part of a huge

  • Crime buster will help bring in money

    A CRIME and disorder manager is to be appointed by Blackburn with Darwen Council in a bid to help reduce crime. The holder of the new post, which will pay up to £28,000 a year, will draw together different crime-fighting initiatives in the borough, and

  • Olympic star needs more horsepower!

    MEDAL winner Jeanette Brakewell (pictured) has returned home to the reality of life as a British Olympic hero and admitted: "I still haven't even got my own horsebox!" The 26-year-old member of the British horse riding team, who learned to ride at Wheelton

  • Non league: Spot of trouble for Rams

    Prescot Cables 1 Ramsbottom United 0 FORMER Accrington Stanley striker Paul Heavey buried Ramsbottom from the penalty spot after just five minutes. The kick was awarded after Gary Jensen was fouled by Rams defender Mike Smith. Following this early setback

  • Non league: Padiham crushed

    Squires Gate 5 Padiham 1 TORRENTIAL rain and sheet lightning made things difficult for the teams and two injury time goals from Squires Gate ensured a harsh scoreline. It was the visitors who went ahead after 12 minutes through Lee Chambers, but Squires

  • Sponsor boost for JOL

    THE McDonald's Drive Thru in St Helens is once again sponsoring the JOL as well the league's Player of The Month and Player of The Year awards. The league would like to give special thanks to Heather Jordan, manager of the Drive Thru for her support of

  • Signing off in style

    PRESCOT & Odyssey CC completed their season in emphatic style against local rivals Sutton. Batting first, P&O struggled to109 all out as the Sutton pro Muckerjee bowled excellently to take 8-27 with Sean Yeats (30) Ian Wilkinson (25) and Steve

  • Town's great escape

    Yorkshire Amateurs 3 St Helens Town 6 (After Extra Time) TOWN duly went into the hat at Lancaster Gate on Monday for the next round of the Carlsberg FA Vase but only after a dramatic escape of Houdini proportions. Trailing 3-2 with seconds to go they

  • Duo bow out of Intermediate Cup

    St Helens Combination COMBINATION Premier Division outfit Eccleston United and Division One Broad Oak went out of the LCFA Intermediate Cup, both losing 3-1 to Warbreck Reserves and De la Salle respectively. The Garswood Hospital Cup kicked off with two

  • Owls are pussycats

    Sheffield Wednesday 1 North End 3 THE 'Owls' were mere pussycats as North End turned in a second half performance that was par excellence to take the three points and move into fifth place in the first division. Preston started well with Lee Cartwright

  • Who said crime doesn't pay...

    A PRISONER detained in the cells at St Helens nick couldn't believe his luck when he was put behind bars. Since the police canteen closed for weekend business a short while ago, the Salvation Army has been providing food for those detained in the cells

  • Top neighbours Hilda and Agnes

    'BEING there when needed' has won an award for two local women who have been voted 'good neighbours of the year.' Hilda Ashall, from Newton-le-Willows and Agnes Vickers from Parr, were voted for by neighbours for their "tremendous help." In a new competition

  • Striking the right chord

    DAWSONS music students raised £261 for the Breast Awareness campaign by holding a special concert at the Percival Rooms at Ruskin Leisure. Ensemble students Christian Gilbart, Craig Stewart, Louise Kapper and Nicola Critchley, who won the prestigious

  • Rockin' to that disco beat

    THERE will be no shortage of talented dancers at our fifth Disco and Rock & Roll Competition which is being held at the Silhouette Dance Club on Sunday, October 1. The event will also be raising money for The Willowbrook Hospice and has been organised

  • Bid to curb stone-throwers

    POLICE are stepping up patrols in the Stoney Lane area of Rainhill following reports of youngsters -- some as young as six years of age -- throwing stones at vehicles. And officers are urging parents to ensure they know where their children are and what

  • Woman held after man's motorway death

    DETECTIVES are still quizzing a 30-year-old woman after a man's badly mutilated body was discovered on the motorway. Mr Terence Mangan (38), was found on the carriageway of the M60 at Whitefield early on Tuesday (Sept 26). Police closed off the stretch

  • It just gets worse for Pool

    Blackpool 1 Chesterfield 3 Blackpool (0) 1 Bushell (75) Chesterfield (2) 3 Beckett (10), Williams (14), Ebdon (73) Att: 3970 Promotion challenge? Forget it, Blackpool are heading for another relegation battle this year. After their 5th defeat in 6 games