Archive

  • Soccer boss mourns death of son

    FORMER Bury Football Club manager and assistant manager Sam Ellis is mourning the death of his son in a road accident. Mr Ellis' son Timothy James, aged 28, suffered multiple injuries in the incident on the A583 Kirkham by-pass between Preston and Blackpool

  • Keeper blunder ends Shakers' Trophy run

    Bury 2 Notts County 3 (after golden goal) by Steve Canavan of the Bolton Evening News GLYN Garner will remember his debut for a long time - in fact he will have nightmares about it. The young reserve goalkeeper was given a chance to impress in this LDV

  • Karaoke: The council ahs got it wrong

    REGARDING the Blackburn pub landlord taken to court for staging karaoke nights without a public entertainments licence (LET, October 22), Councillor Maureen Bateson states that the council is following Home Office guidelines. But it is quite clear that

  • Planners have lost the plot

    DESPITE the present focus on main road traffic chaos in Blackburn, let us not lose sight of the minor roads which have been targeted for alteration, adding still further to traffic problems. Oakenhurst Road -- the location of the Montague Health Centre

  • So sorry for Big Sam

    SUNDAY'S match against Wolves was the most disappointing Clarets display since I started covering them early last month. As I travelled down to Gillingham on Monday night after work I wondered how Burnley might get on in the "vital" game the next night

  • Blitz on street boozers

    TOWN centre streets are to become booze-free zones as local authorities and the police team up to take advantage of tough new legislation. Blackburn and Accrington are to be among the first places in the country to have a ban on drinking in a bid to cut

  • Elderly urged to "bottle it" for 999 staff

    ELDERLY and vulnerable people across Bury are being invited to help ambulance staff called to their home by filling a bottle with life-saving information. The "Message in a Bottle" scheme uses a small plastic container, which people store inside the fridge

  • Hull hat-trick ends RMI's brave Trophy bid

    Hull 3 Leigh R.M.I 0 by Martyn Hindley AN excellent hat-trick from Gary Alexander killed off Leigh RMI hopes of an LDV Vans Trophy upset at Boothferry Park. Leigh were condemned for their "lack of effort" by manager Steve Waywell during Saturday's FA

  • Bookings could hit Blackburn in pocket

    ROVERS are facing a fine from the FA in the wake of Monday night's match against Leicester at Ewood. Under new rules aimed at cleaning the game up, any team who has six players or more cautioned in the same game faces an automatic fine of £25,000. Referee

  • Bent not going anywhere

    EWOOD hot-shot Marcus Bent today shot down speculation linking him with a return south by pledging: 'I want to see out my contract with Rovers.' According to reports in the national Press at the weekend, Bent was said to be heading for the Ewood exit

  • Ewood horror show was one to forget

    ACCORDING to the calendar in our office, it's Halloween tonight. But anyone who was at Ewood on Monday night may argue it's already been and gone after Rovers and Leicester served up a horror show all of their own. Since Graeme Souness took charge 18

  • Appeal for 50-plus to lend a hand

    VOLUNTEERS are wanted to join a project in which older people lend a helping hand to the younger generation. Age Concern urgently want to hear from Burnley people aged 50 or over, who can spare half a day a week to help with their Trans Age Action project

  • Man called police after rage attack

    A MAN fuelled by drink wrecked his girlfriend's furniture and was told by a judge that he seemed to make a habit of it. Burnley Magistrates Court heard how Shaun Smith, 30, smashed her belongings three weeks after appearing in court for an identical offence

  • Four soccer fans get matches ban

    FOUR soccer fans from East Lancashire have been banned from matches for two years after being detained on their way to watch England's World Cup win in Germany. John Houston, 26, of Wellfield, Clayton-le-Moors, did not resist a police application in Manchester

  • Film star future of cancer fighter

    A CANCER patient who was determined not to give in to the dreaded disease is to celebrate his return to health with an appearance on the silver screen. Elwyn Woolfenden, 59, has also battled against multiple sclerosis and diabetes and has been treated

  • West Midlands company buys shopping malls

    A MULTI-MILLION pound takeover of Burnley town centre is expected to be sealed within a fortnight. Owners Great Portland Estates have revealed that it is in the process of finalising the details of a bid for an undisclosed amount from West Midlands firm

  • Five years ago

    JACK the Jack Russell escaped a 10 feet fall down the side of a chimney breast with a sore paw and a lot of dust. The pooch, of Queensgate, Burnley, was in the loft when he lost his footing and plunged down. Firefighters cut through a timber and plasterboard

  • Grabbi 'remarks' won't build spirit

    TYPICAL! I wait excitedly for Monday night's game so I can squeeze all the excitement into the column and e-mail it in the nick of time before Tuesday's deadline. What do I get? A performance Souey described on Radio Rovers as the worst while in charge

  • Musical to herald Yuletide

    A CONCERT to herald Christmas will take place at Accrington Town Hall on Saturday, November 24, at 7.30pm. Accrington Male Voice Choir will be joined by St Christopher's CE High School Chamber Choir and Jazz Band and Rhyddings High School Steel Band in

  • Enjoy an Holywe'en, not Hallowe'en

    WITCHES and warlocks will be strictly banned from a special Holywe'en party tonight where the focus will be entirely on treats and no tricks. Children from the Huncoat parish of St John with St Augustine will attend the Bolton Avenue church for a variation

  • Silver screen flickers back to life again

    ACCRINGTON'S new cinema is on course to open in time for next summer's movie blockbusters. Now plans are being drawn up to make the opening of the multi-million pound venture the event of the summer. The £2million project, given the green light by councillors

  • Club petrol bomb 'after threat'

    A NIGHTCLUBBER who threatened to burn down the premises later allegedly returned and petrol bombed it, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how David Poulton, 24, who now lives in Burnley, and an accomplice had earlier been asked to leave Eclipse

  • Criminals to go on anti-crime patrols

    CRIME-BUSTING community wardens are set to take to the streets of Hyndburn's most deprived area -- along with criminals trying to make amends. A £206,000 grant from the Government means nine wardens and one supervisor will patrol the Blackburn Road, Accrington

  • Crash mum's death 'a tragic accident'

    THE death of a mother of two whose car ploughed into a tree was a tragic accident, an inquest heard. Shelagh Lunt, of Chipping Road, Chaigley, was driving her Rover 400 towards Gisburn on July 9 when she crossed the carriageway and smashed into the tree

  • Pool crack home four

    THE Seasiders saw off the Stags to move into the quarter finals of the LDV Vans Trophy thanks to a scoreline that flattered Blackpool's performance at Field Mill. A brace each from Neil Mackenzie and Brett Ormerod created a 4-0 score that was rather harsh

  • Clarets compassion plea kicked out

    BOSSES at Burnley Football Club tried to get last night's clash with Gillingham postponed after the death of assistant manager Sam Ellis's son, it has been revealed. Clarets chairman Barry Kilby said he contacted the Football League 24 hours before kick

  • TURF TALK: So sorry for Big Sam

    SUNDAY'S match against Wolves was the most disappointing Clarets display since I started covering them early last month. As I travelled down to Gillingham on Monday night after work I wondered how Burnley might get on in the "vital" game the next night

  • Hegg is handed captain's role

    LANCASHIRE have confirmed that Warren Hegg will take over as captain next season. Hegg will succeed John Crawley, who was relieved of the captaincy duties last month. The 33-year-old wicket keeper has been Crawley's vice-captain for the last two years

  • Bolton steal the show

    I DON'T know about you but it already seems like the Arsenal match was a long time ago, and it will seem even longer when we finally play again on Monday night. Having had two great results on the bounce I know that everyone will be making us firm favourites

  • It's a lottery in the rain

    Warrington Town 1 Atherton LR 1 LR despite being without the injured Barry Massey, Steve Powell and Steve Strange matched Warrngton all the way. Tight defending early on paid off in the 30th minute when Mark Jones headed in a Mark Fitton cross to give

  • Colls in the dark over defeat

    Clitheroe 2 Atherton Colls 1 A PLAYER sent off just before the interval, a failed floodlight and a goal which came out of the darkness on 93 minutes robbed Colls of any reward for a superb showing. They had taken the lead against the run of play on 41

  • Goldline Trophy Quarter-Final Round-up by Martyn Hindley

    DEFENDING champions Charnock Richard made their tournament intentions clear at Atherton Collieries as they raced into the last four with a 5-1 thrashing of Eagley. Charnock stamped their authority on the tie when Nick Vosper's looping cross-shot found

  • Stick it up your junta!

    IF devolution of local government into smaller 'area councils,' being proposed for Blackburn with Darwen by the Liberal Democrats, is rejected by the public on the grounds that they are 'toothless talking shops,' according to council leader Bill Taylor

  • Weakened Boro go clear at top

    Gretna 1 Radcliffe Boro 2 DESPITE having several key players missing Boro strengthened their lead at the top of the Unibond League Division One table with an impressive victory north of the border. Ace striker Jody Banim opened the scoring after only

  • Game will be good test

    BOTH Preston North End and Coventry have surprised the pundits so far this season. Both were tipped for promotion and both have so far stuttered. Coventry have been better at picking up the points so far, but Preston are also hitting form - and tonight's

  • Tough security plans ahead

    TWO of Britain's biggest airlines are fitting reinforced cockpit doors to prevent suicide hijackers storming the flight deck. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are strengthening the doors with armour plating and fitting locks which can only be operated

  • Preece linked to County job

    BURY boss Andy Preece is being linked with the vacant manager's job at Stockport County. Preece admitted he was flattered by County's interest saying: "It is probably because I am a former player but of course it is flattering to be mentioned." Stockport

  • Bryn finds a faithful following

    THEY rocked in the aisles at St Barnabas Church when Christian guitarist Bryn Haworth visited. Parishioners were given tips on how to spice up their music in church during two workshops by Bryn, before he treated them to his one-man concert whose songs

  • Patient threw trolley across corridor

    A MAN being treated at Blackburn Royal Infirmary threw a trolley across a corridor as he waited in a treatment room. Blackburn magistrates heard that Carl Houghton had gone to hospital because of a suspected drug overdose and had little recollection of

  • Stranded - for the sake of a bus fare

    AN MP today branded the system which deals with asylum seekers a mess after it was claimed scores of people are being left stranded in East Lancashire. The situation was highlighted by the case of mother and daughter Gabriela and Simona Cervenakova from

  • Illness strikes cast of new 'Doctor' play

    ILLNESS has forced the postponement of Bacup St Mary's Players' latest production. Two of the leading players in "Doctor in the House" have had to cry off late in the day because of health reasons. It is now hoped to stage the production some time early

  • Crossing death: Man in court

    A MAN was due to appear in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving following the death of a pensioner on Monday night. Feroz Razik Sullan, 20, of Shear Brow, Blackburn, is also charged with failing to stop and report an accident, after the

  • Inquest told of car's 'excessive speed'

    A SILVER car similar to one involved in a crash in which four people died had been seen driving at 'excessive speed' moments before, an inquest has heard. The accident happened last Thursday on a road outside Thornton Grammar School in Bradford. Two-year-old

  • Panel will fill in 'LiL' surveys

    PUBLIC opinion is set to play a new role in decision making at town halls across Lancashire. Lancashire County Council has teamed up with Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils to launch Life in Lancashire, with the help of a 2,700-strong panel

  • Tears knifeman given jail term

    A KNIFEMAN who went into a building society but was then comforted by the manager when he started to cry has been sent to jail for four years. Ex-convict, William James Thomas, 47, who had told the manager he was armed and wanted to go back to prison,

  • Police 'winning the crime war'

    POLICE claim they are winning the long term war against burglary and car crime in Blackburn, despite increases which have prompted a new crackdown. Figures for the last five years show that average levels of both car crime and burglary have fallen and

  • Visits to 'at risk' children on target

    ALMOST every youngster on the Child Protection Register in Lancashire is now receiving the required visits from social workers, according to the councillor in charge. Just weeks after performance indicators showed that only 11 per cent of children on

  • Dale put on a horror show at Dark Lane

    HALLOWEEN arrived a day early at Dark Lane as Rossendale produced a horror show and were easily beaten by a strong Matlock side in the UniBond First Division. The vistors outfought and out-thought a Rossendale side who were a shadow of the side that won

  • Russ is top man for Rams

    RUSSELL Brierley took his tally to 21 goals for the season with a hat-trick against local rivals Great Harwood and former Rochdale striker Jamie Taylor chipped in with two in this NWCL Division One fixture. Denis Underwood's side went behind on eight

  • Mark unlocks Gate

    DARWEN pulled off a great win over highly-rated Squires Gate as their rollercoaster NWCL Division Two season continued. After losing to Chadderton at the weekend - in a game they were expected to win - they bounced back against the fourth placed side

  • Hawks' unbeaten run comes to an end

    A RUN of five unbeaten English National Ice Hockey League games came to an end for Blackburn Hawks as Billingham Eagles stole the points at the Arena on Sunday. For defending champions Billingham, the 6-3 scoreline represents their first win of the season

  • Game will be good test

    BOTH Preston North End and Coventry have surprised the pundits so far this season. Both were tipped for promotion and both have so far stuttered. Coventry have been better at picking up the points so far, but Preston are also hitting form - and tonight's

  • 'Mess' is surely too weak a word

    ALREADY under fire for failure to cope with the flood of asylum seekers, the government today was rapped in East Lancashire -- for effectively preventing those who want to leave the country from doing so. The absurd situation -- branded a mess by Rossendale

  • Industrial blight gone in a Flash!

    PENNINGTON Flash country park, near Leigh, is a triumph for conservationists -- because it was once one of the most productive coal mines in the country. It is easily reached from East Lancashire via junction 23 of the M6 and then following the brown

  • Claims don't add up

    IN response to the story (LET, October 18) titled 'Crackdown after £1,000,000 pavement payout,' I don't know if I am the weakest link or a sandwich short of a good picnic but I find it very hard to come to terms with this story, one of the reasons being

  • She's won the race of her life

    KEEN runner Marie Caldwell was well and truly stopped in her tracks when she was chosen as the Bury Woman of the Year 2001. Moments after learning she had won the award at yesterday's Bury Woman of the Year luncheon, Mrs Caldwell (64) said: "I can't believe

  • Signers among the 70 winners

    THE signs were good for three council employees when they picked up a training award. Paula Lythgoe, Shirley Coyne and Judith Shepherd successfully completed basic training in the British Sign Language. They were among more than 70 council employees to

  • Running in the family

    FUND-RAISING for Fairfield General Hospital's diabetic unit has become something of a family affair for one Bury household. Dad Chris Postle (37) has completed nine half-marathons and one full marathon and over the past few years has raised up to £4,000

  • Warwickshire company buys shopping malls

    A MULTI-MILLION pound takeover of Burnley town centre is expected to be sealed within a fortnight. Owners Great Portland Estates have revealed that it is in the process of finalising the details of a bid for an undisclosed amount from Warwickshire firm

  • EWOOD EYE: Horror show was one to forget

    ACCORDING to the calendar in our office, it's Halloween tonight. But anyone who was at Ewood on Monday night may argue it's already been and gone after Rovers and Leicester served up a horror show all of their own. Since Graeme Souness took charge 18

  • Clarets compassion plea kicked out

    BOSSES at Burnley Football Club tried to get last night's clash with Gillingham postponed after the death of assistant manager Sam Ellis's son, it has been revealed. Clarets chairman Barry Kilby said he contacted the Football League 24 hours before kick

  • Former charge nurse is new trust chairman

    FORMER charge nurse Jim Heyes has been appointed chairman of the newly established Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust. The trust becomes operational on April 1 and will include the community services currently provided by Burnley Health

  • Former charge nurse is new trust chairman

    FORMER charge nurse Jim Heyes has been appointed chairman of the newly established Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust. The trust becomes operational on April 1 and will include the community services currently provided by Burnley Health

  • Dom Bernardo's spirited return

    HALLOWE'EN drinkers at a pub in Pendle will be keeping an eye open for some ghostly goings on tonight after a mystery visitor from the past set nerves on edge. There have been several sightings and strange noises at the Cross Gaits Inn, in Beverley Road

  • Dom Bernardo's spirited return

    HALLOWE'EN drinkers at a pub in Pendle will be keeping an eye open for some ghostly goings on tonight after a mystery visitor from the past set nerves on edge. There have been several sightings and strange noises at the Cross Gaits Inn, in Beverley Road

  • Certain certainties in football

    IN football, as in life in general, there exists certain immutable truths. Certain facts which it seems have been pre-determined and can never be challenged or changed. Facts such as whatever division the hilarious Manchester City find themselves rattling

  • Ten years ago

    A HOUSEWIFE escaped serious injury by seconds as a car careered into her garage after hitting two others and severing a gas main. Julie Blackstock had just left the garage next to her Openshaw Drive home in Blackburn when the vehicle smashed into the

  • Man facing charges on remand

    A 39-YEAR-OLD Clayton-le-Moors man has appeared in court charged with 14 offences of theft and deception Kelvin Clark, 39, of Rutland Close, is charged with obtaining property by deception from his former employee, Best Electrical, of Whalley Old Road

  • Promise honoured to court youth

    A TEENAGER promised a non-custodial sentence by magistrates and then later sent to detention, has won his freedom again. The 17-year-old, given a three months detention and training order after punching another youth, was given 60 hours community punishment

  • Clarets do talking on the pitch

    BURNLEY'S shattered players let their football do the talking at Gillingham last night as they came from 2-0 down to earn a deserved point. And it was impossible not to think that the impressive comeback was inspired by a desire to do it for Sam. Following

  • Hearts on sleeves

    BURNLEY'S players may have let themselves down at Molineux on Sunday but they left the Priestfield Stadium last night with their heads held high. It was always going to be a difficult night for the team after the tragic death of assistant manager Sam

  • Make best of a 'bum' job

    DARWEN councillor David Fenton thinks people are being deterred from coming to the town by the state of the land around the 'Arte et Labore' statue near the Darwen exit of the M65, featuring a twice life-size figure with a bare behind lying across a slab

  • Benefits staff have rights too

    FEARFUL of attacks from furious claimants, staff at the new state-of-the-art, open-plan job and benefits centre in Blackburn were on strike when Pensions Minister Ian McCartney paid an opening-day visit. Who can blame them -- when there are no longer

  • Stunning derby win for Rammy

    Ramsbottom United 5 Gt Harwood Town 0 THE Rams obliterated rumours of lack of confidence with a stunning home derby win. Two first half goals from Jamie Taylor on eight minutes and Russell Brierley on 26 set the Rams up for a much-needed victory. Taylor

  • Goldline Trophy Quarter-Final Round-up by Martyn Hindley

    DEFENDING champions Charnock Richard made their tournament intentions clear at Atherton Collieries as they raced into the last four with a 5-1 thrashing of Eagley. Charnock stamped their authority on the tie when Nick Vosper's looping cross-shot found

  • Bent not going anywhere

    EWOOD hot-shot Marcus Bent today shot down speculation linking him with a return south by pledging: 'I want to see out my contract with Rovers.' According to reports in the national Press at the weekend, Bent was said to be heading for the Ewood exit

  • Clarets do talking on the pitch

    BURNLEY'S shattered players let their football do the talking at Gillingham last night as they came from 2-0 down to earn a deserved point. And it was impossible not to think that the impressive comeback was inspired by a desire to do it for Sam. Following

  • Family show will be simply wizard

    THIS year's Christmas show at Darwen Library Theatre is the Wizard of Oz. The show runs from December 12 to Christmas Eve. The theatre has joined forces with George Critchley for PMA productions and, after last year's successful Christmas show Pinocchio

  • Community can build for future

    RESIDENTS have been given two weeks to help shape the future of Pickup Bank. The community is invited to air its views and wishes during an exhibition on Saturday, November 10. Suggestions will help prepare an action plan for the East Rural Community

  • Man, 46, admits child sex offences

    A 46-year-old man is awaiting sentence by Burnley Crown Court after admitting a total of 28 offences of child cruelty, indecent assault, indecency with a child and assault causing actual bodily harm. David Morris, formerly of West View, Haslingden, was

  • Court told that slap led to attack on girlfriend

    PAUL Holland carried out a sustained attack on his girlfriend after she slapped him and threw his clothes out of the bedroom window. Magistrates at Bury heard that Holland, 32, and his barmaid girlfriend, Sarah Harrison, had been for a drink after she

  • Soldiers marching home

    THE flags will be flying when members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment march through Blackburn town centre tomorrow to celebrate the regiment's freedom of the borough. More than 100 soldiers, based in Alma Barracks, Catterick, will march from the town

  • Man stole from his girlfriend's father

    LEE Warren Holden stole bank books belonging to his girlfriend's father, and withdrew more than £4,500 from his accounts in a two-week period. Blackburn magistrates heard that Holden had stolen the money after finding himself caught in a debt situation

  • Clitheroe in the habit of leaving it late

    CLITHEROE are making a habit of leaving it late but player-boss Lee Sculpher won't mind because they are also making a habit of winning. The Blues made it nine wins from Sculpher's 11-game reign for the NWCL Division One club with a come from behind victory

  • Striker crisis for unlucky Stanley

    STANLEY outplayed Altrincham for long periods of this UniBond Premier League fixture but came away from Moss Lane pointless. They also played for 50 minutes without a recognised striker when firstly flu victim Lutel James cried off before the kick off

  • Cleared rape case teacher's new fight

    A MARRIED teacher from Prestwich, who was cleared of raping a 17-year-old girl he admitted having sex with, now faces a fight to save his career. Lee Savage, 31-year-old head of history at Sharples School, now faces a disciplinary inquiry to be conducted

  • Pool crack home four

    THE Seasiders saw off the Stags to move into the quarter finals of the LDV Vans Trophy thanks to a scoreline that flattered Blackpool's performance at Field Mill. A brace each from Neil Mackenzie and Brett Ormerod created a 4-0 score that was rather harsh