A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Bat 'N' Ball Sports Courses for Children, Harrison Playing Fields, Lammack Road, Blackburn. Star:Track Scheme, Seedhill Athletics Track, Nelson. Medieval Mayhem, Burnley
THE difficulty of eradicating or even containing prostitution on the streets is plain from the fact that the latest purge in East Lancashire is the latest of several in recent years. The sex trade thrives according to the immutable law of supply and demand
THEY lit the blue touch paper and set off a night of musical fireworks at Hoghton Tower. The Northern Chamber Orchestra Symphonia performed a midsummer night's stream of classics before East Lancashire's version of the big bang lit up the night sky. Proceeds
CAN anyone explain why a military jet fighter came screaming at low altitude over the south end of Darwen at 10.30pm on July 18? I didn't see it, but I heard it and it was low and loud and moving very fast. The following day I asked people if they had
A YOUNGSTER has returned home after an horrific car accident but has been told he needs major brain surgery to repair a severed facial nerve. Garred Simpson, 11, of Carr Hall Road, Barrowford, suffered a fractured skull when he collided with a car in
Workington 8 Leigh 39 by Mike Hulme IT'S been quite a while coming but Paul Terzis's financial outlay to bring Vila Matuatia from St Helens to Centurions is now starting to look like money well spent. The Samoan front rower scored his first try in Leigh
AN 83-year-old woman woke to find two people in her sheltered flat and later discovered they had stolen her handbag and £180 cash. The woman, who lives in privately owned sheltered accommodation on Harcourt Street, Burnley, had been asleep in an armchair
A PLANNING appeal decision has left Burnley Council unable to control the number of vehicles operated by a taxi firm in the town centre. An enforcement notice had been served on Union Cabs, which uses premises in Plumbe Street, after the owner continued
FANS of talented young footballer Jake Hepple can expect little response from the six-year-old when he's sporting his favourite soccer strips - unless you call him by the name on the back of his shirt. Jake, of Hawthorne Avenue, Reedley, takes on the
PLANS to build an extension for a function room at a busy restaurant could be thwarted because no agreement can be reached on opening hours. Anthony Locke, of Ridge Cottage, Ridge Avenue, Burnley, addressed members of Burnley Council's development control
TWO "model" youths have been sent to custody after a court heard how they robbed a man "for a laugh". Alexander Butterworth and Heath Nield, both 19, both admitted robbery and were sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for nine months after appearing
NELSON rocked to the sound of Asian music as the second mela was held at Victoria Park. Although numbers were down on last year, organiser Marie Davies, a project manager with Mid Pennine Arts, said she was pleased with the event and the number of groups
A DRIVER who gave false details when stopped by police did the same thing again a few months later when confronted by the same officer. Burnley Crown Court heard how Mohammed Nazir, 25, appeared in court and then went to Pakistan for 12 months. The defendant
FROM a clear-out of some drawers at his home in Stockton-on-Tees, Gordon Tomlinson sends this picture of the victorious team which won the 27th Infantry Brigade's football cup for the Territorials of the East Lancashire's Regiment 4th Battalion. Gordon
FELLOW Blackburn exiles in Canada tell expat Derek Anderson he must be dreaming when he recalls seeing a windmill on walks he used to take around Shadsworth and the Roman Road area of his home town in the 1950s. Yet Derek, of Welland, Ontario, swears
OWNERS of MG cars presented a cheque to the chairman of Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle after first enjoying a drive around Pendle. Members of the MG Owners Club met up at the Stone Trough Inn, Colne Road, Kelbrook, before touring the villages around
PENDLE councillors have called for an urgent meeting to discuss the condition of the A56 Earby Road before someone is killed on it. Ward councillor Rosemary Carroll told the executive committee that stretch between Earby and Thornton-in Craven was so
A CHURCH group who visited Poland told the people of East Lancashire to count their blessings that they lived in Britain. The team was headed by the Rev Derek North, of Higherford Methodist Church, Barrowford.
HYNDBURN Leisure Services have arranged an Access Summer Fun playscheme, for children with disabilities at White Ash School, Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from August 6 until August 29. Offering activities for young
CLARETS chairman Barry Kilby has got his fingers crossed as he waits for the verdict in the court case involving the Football League and Carlton and Granada. The case, which began last Thursday, could finish today or tomorrow and he admitted: "We are
THE Clarets continue their pre-season preparations with a match against Accrington Stanley at the Crown Ground tonight. The Clarets have named a 16-man squad and will field a young side but given the reduced number of professionals at manager Stan Ternent's
THERE was a thriller at Centre Vale where Bacup clinched victory in the last over against Todmorden. Set 195 to win, Bacup needed four to win from the final over delivered by Todmorden skipper Nigel Hunter. The first delivery was signalled a wide, the
ONE more win could be enough to secure Lancashire's First Division status in the Frizzell County Championship. Saturday's 111-run win against Hampshire in Southampton was enough to drag them out of the relegation zone - with an eight-point cushion over
READ let their challenge at the top of the Jennings Ribblesdale League slip as they fell to a three wicket defeat at the hands of Whalley. The Ribble Valley club secured the win with just four balls to spare with Andy Pratt top scoring on 51 as Read professional
BURNLEY - perhaps inspired by the exploits of their team mate James Anderson for Lancashire, produced one of their best performances of the summer. They rattled up a mammoth 261-4 against Ramsbottom at Turf Moor on their way to their fourth successive
A STUNNING knock of 127 from professional Martin Van Jaarsveld helped Enfield to the top score of the weekend as they realised 293-8 against Church. Despite a seemingly impossible target Church made the home side sweat. A string of batsmen kept the pace
CLARETS chairman Barry Kilby has got his fingers crossed as he waits for the verdict in the court case involving the Football League and Carlton and Granada. The case, which began last Thursday, could finish today or tomorrow and he admitted: "We are
WITH Dwight Yorke now a Blackburn Rovers player, manager Graeme Souness is expected to step up his efforts to strengthen other areas of his squad. Striker Yorke completed his £2m move from Manchester United on Friday and joined up with the Rovers squad
A GOAL from Lee Connell earned Bury a 1-0 victory in their annual pre-season friendly clash against neighbours Radcliffe Boro writes Phil Thorp Shakers boss Andy Preece was far from impressed with the performance against the UniBond First Division side
A MAN went to resolve a dispute with a neighbour he knew as Phillip, fuelled by an early morning drinking session. Blackburn magistrates heard the neighbour, whose name was given by the prosecution as Christine Holden, was sitting in her flat when she
TRIBUTES have been paid to Darwen Scouts chairman Bill Watson, who has died after a six-month battle with cancer. Mr Watson was involved in the Scouting movement for just under half a century, receiving the most prestigious award for an "exceptional contribution
POLICE today praised a community youth group for helping cut street crime in the face of an expected annual summer increase. Youth nuisance reports in Darwen have fallen by 3.4 per cent since last year and police are hoping for further improvements this
A WAR veteran and Valley sports supporter has been invited to meet the Queen when she visits Preston next month. Walter Whittaker, 79, of Staghills, Newchurch, has been sent his "Royal appointment" and said: "I am very pleased about it." He is hoping
A YOUNGSTER born with a rare sight condition is back on the road to recovery - after doctors prescribed him contact lenses. When Robert Halshaw smiled at his mum for the first time it was an extra-special occasion because she then knew he could finally
MAGISTRATES agreed to give Francis Joseph Gallagher a chance to get his life back on track after hearing the reformed alcoholic had fallen off the wagon and returned to drink. Basharat Ditta, defending, told Blackburn magistrates Gallagher would welcome
THE family of a community champion have been left devastated after she died without recognition for her voluntary work. Marion Montgomery, 76, was a founder member and trading secretary of the local branch of Save the Children Fund. Her family said an
COUNTY Hall bosses today pledged to improve the lot of prisoners being held in ageing police stations across East Lancashire. The move comes as new state-of-the art facilities take shape in Blackburn and Burnley. The Lancashire Police Authority has launched
A FUND was set up today to help a pensioner pay a £100,000 medical bill she received after being diagnosed with cancer abroad. Phoebe Morley, 76, was on holiday in Orlando with second husband Peter and daughter Michelle when she was diagnosed with cancer
BOWLERS will have to wait another year before getting a replacement pavilion for the one destroyed by arsonists. Lottery cash which will be used to restore Blackburn's Corporation Park is not expected to be officially made available until next February
JOHN Coleman has a wealth of strikers but he will be hoping his whole team continues as they have started off this pre season - with everyone chipping in to steer Stanley to the Nationwide Conference. It was only a pre-season friendly against a young
FOR one brief moment Craig Heap saw his name in lights in first place on the scoreboard on the final round of the men's individual gymnastics - but unfortunately for Heap and his new found fans it wasn't to last for long. The big guns of the eventual
THE spirit of the Commonwealth Games is definitely NOT flowing through the streets of Prestwich around Heaton Park thanks to selfish motorists. That's the claim from frustrated residents living in the area of St Margaret's Road who say they are like prisoners
SUNSHINE helped make this year's Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show the best-ever. The Chorley show ran for three days and attracted thousands of people from all over the country. Its success was clear to see. Even the Dry Stone Walling Association attracted
POLICE are asking town centre DJs to put out a crime prevention message at the weekends to halt a spate of thefts. In the last 10 days police have received seven reports of theft from revellers visiting pubs and clubs in Blackburn town centre. The majority
ANDREW Nolan claimed he had been assaulted by a taxi driver for leaning on his car. But Blackburn magistrates heard it was Nolan and his friend who were arrested when police attended a dispute outside the offices of Silverline Taxis in Darwen Street.
PLEASE may I ask people to help save the planet by buying second-hand? A car becomes second-hand as soon as it is driven. There is a brand-new, green, secondary school blazer priced £3 in a charity shop. These shops have shirts, skirts, trousers, jumpers
HAVING just returned from Switzerland and paying £1.20 there for a small rubbish bag, I think it is time we got the show on the road with this kerbside collection. If we have the money there, let us put it to good use and stop all this unsightly and smelly
SINCE the local elections when 9,984 people in Burnley voted for the BNP, the response of politicians and councillors has been red-necked with hate and fear in their campaign to condemn these people as sinister bogey men and wander stamping the streets
I AM afraid Eric Leaver is his usual reactionary self, whinging on about Lancashire County Council's bike loans (LET, July 17). The fact is that employers heavily subsidise their car-borne staff when they provide free car parking -- not a cheap commodity
KERB crawlers and prostitutes are being targeted in a new police crackdown after more than 30 call girls flooded a residential area. The influx of prostitutes to the Bank Top area of Blackburn is believed to have been sparked by a clampdown on vice in
WITH Dwight Yorke now a Blackburn Rovers player, manager Graeme Souness is expected to step up his efforts to strengthen other areas of his squad. Striker Yorke completed his £2m move from Manchester United on Friday and joined up with the Rovers squad
A 20-YEAR-OLD who handled the proceeds of a house raid has had his case put back to see if he is fit to do community punishment - but may yet end up behind bars. Burnley Crown Court heard Irudyam Farooq was one of three men seen coming from a youth's
A COUNCILLOR today defended a decision to cut down trees around spike-topped railings in a children's playground after a nine-year-old boy underwent life-saving surgery when he became impaled. Coun Barry Guttridge, executive member for Burnley leisure
FIREFIGHTERS who were called to fires at the same house in Duke Street, Burnley Wood, three times in four days are warning someone could be seriously injured. In the first incident, at 5.15pm last Thursday, a firefighter suffered heat stroke. He had to
A YOUNGSTER has returned home after an horrific car accident but has been told he needs major brain surgery to repair a severed facial nerve. Garred Simpson, 11, of Carr Hall Road, Barrowford, suffered a fractured skull when he collided with a car in
A BAXENDEN daredevil appealed for sponsors to support a parachute jump. Devron Wood, Scott Avenue, overcame his fear of heights to raise money for the ambulance service's Heart of Lancashire Appeal.
RISHTON student Ben Callon couldn't bear to be parted from his girlfriend when he won a sports scholarship to America so he arranged for her to be awarded one at the same university. The 19-year-old, of Essex Road, Rishton, learned in January that he
THE FAMILIAR football chant of "who ate all the pies" could soon be ringing out around Accrington Stanley' s ground again after an absence of two years. Crusty fans have besieged the club's website with complaints after the favourite half-time nosh was
CLARETS fans are being encouraged to buy tickets for Wednesday night's clash with Bolton Wanderers ahead of the game. Buying earl will help prevent long queues on the day of the match. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions in all
SOUTH African professional Jacques Rudolph set a new league record as he hit a fifth successive century but it was all in vain. Having set 229 for the loss of just one wicket Rudolph and his Lowerhouse team-mates were stunned as they slipped to a seven
DARWEN enjoyed two comprehensive victories during the weekend. On Saturday they tightened their grip on the Northern Premier League when they took 15 points from a 122 run win over Fleetwood. Darwen were put into bat and after losing two quick wickets
TRAINING equipment has been stolen from St John Ambulance head quarters in Darwen. Raiders broke in through fire doors at the Blackburn with Darwen St John's Ambulance centre in George Street. A 28in television, video recorder and computer system worth
STARTING school in Darwen next term could be a lot less daunting for some pupils thanks to an award-winning scheme. Students at Darwen Vale High School, Bolton Road, came up with a new way of welcoming students into secondary education as part of a BT
A JUDGE has praised the bravery of a police officer called to a blaze after a woman torched her home in a "cry for help". Judge Lesley Newton said she wanted to commend the prompt and courageous actions of Bacup officer PC Neil Hayhurst who was faced
PLANS for a £30million leisure complex including a 10-screen cinema have suffered a delay. The development firm behind the project, which would occupy land behind Blackburn Railway Station, had originally hoped to announce which cinema operator would
WAJID Hussain's parting shot after being sacked from Prestige Medical was to punch one of his bosses. Blackburn magistrates heard that Nigel Baldwin was knocked off his feet and banged his head against a metal fire exit bar. When being treated at Blackburn
AN East Lancashire health chief has blamed a GP recruitment crisis after Government watchdogs said some of her patients were struggling to find a local doctor to treat them. The Department of Health this week issued its first-ever performance indicators
KERB crawlers and prostitutes are being targeted in a new police crackdown after more than 30 call girls flooded a residential area. The influx of prostitutes to the Bank Top area of Blackburn is believed to have been sparked by a clampdown on vice in
BLACKBURN police have launched a blitz on kerb crawlers and prostitutes reporter David Higgerson spent a night with the men charged with cleaning up the streets, and the women who ply their trade... THE man inside the car looked sheepish as two plain-clothed
OLYMPIC silver medallist Ian Peel was sent into seventh heaven after claiming his seventh Commonwealth Games medal. Peel, from Blackburn, and partner Chris Dean picked up a silver in the Trap Pairs on Saturday - but were unlucky not to get gold after
SAMANTHA Smithson believes in doing her bit for her country. For not only is the 26-year-old a flight lieutenant in the RAF but, today, she takes her place in the English Judo squad's Commonwealth Games village in Kendal. Sam, as she likes to be known
