A FEW of weeks ago we rented a cottage at Cley-next-to-the-Sea. I know, I had never heard of it either, but after a long 300-mile drive we finally arrived at a lovely Norfolk village of about 250 houses very much like the Feniscowles of my childhood -
I DON'T think George Davies (Letters, August 2) is correct when he accused Jack Straw of supplying 'arms or parts of weapons' which are being used for the purpose of internal repression. Surely, they would have had to be used against the people of the
LANCASHIRE County Council's treatment of both care for the elderly and for handicapped adults in Lancashire is an abomination. The government recently announced a further 100 extra asylum seekers were to be allowed into this country every day, on top
A BRIDE and groom were certainly all revved up for their big day on Saturday! Traffic was brought to a standstill as couple Ian Carruthers and Tricia Williams and the bridal party vroomed into town on their motorbikes. The keen bikers, who between them
A COUNTY councillor has appeared in court charged with sex offences and inciting another person to commit kidnap, torture and murder. Coun Bill Chadwick, 48, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group at County Hall and the LibDem leader of Preston Council
A BURY man is on the starting grid for his big charity event of the year. A Track Day at the Three Sisters racing circuit in Wigan will take place this Friday (Aug 16) in aid of Round Table Children's Wish. John Francis, of Woodgate Avenue, Jericho, has
A TAXI parking bay in Ramsbottom town centre is driving shoppers round the bend. Whereas most complain about the shortage of cabs, the people of town have asked the space on Bridge Street be removed. Councillor Dorothy Gunther, said: "This rank for one
LEIGH RMI boss Steve Waywell says Tony Ellis could be a Leigh RMI player by the end of the day. Ellis looked set to retire last week despite Waywell's efforts to persuade the 37-year-old to play in a pre-season friendly, but it looks like the veteran
ROVERS chief executive John Williams has confirmed that a first division club has enquired about striker Egil Ostenstad but he said: "We will have to wait and see what happens. "There were a couple of calls about him around transfer deadline last season
TICKETS for Rovers' big Premiership home date with Liverpool on Wednesday August 28 (kick-off 8pm) are now on sale. It is the first Category A fixture of the new campaign and a match certain to produce a bumper attendance at Ewood Park. The visitors have
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has insisted Dwight Yorke still has the hunger to succeed at the top after Rovers' new £2 million signing saw his attitude called into question by Manchester United's Roy Keane. In a serialisation of his new autobiography
A SINGLE mother went shoplifting when she and her daughter were left with just £1.09 to live on over a weekend. Burnley Magistrates heard how ex-convict and drug addict Geraldine Breithaupt was told by the DSS that she would 'have to manage'. She then
BURNLEY'S bandstand is set to be fenced off in a bid to protect shoppers from dangerous skateboarders who are plaguing the town centre. The four-and-a-half foot fence, part of a £6,500 scheme, could be given the go-ahead by councillors tonight in a bid
BURY FC enter the second semester of their Oxbridge examination tonight (Tuesday) with manager Andy Preece hoping they have learned some harsh lessons. Preece was fuming after slack defence gifted Oxford United an opening day 2-1 victory over the Shakers
PUPILS and parishioners at a Pendle church and neighbouring school were due to be reunited today -- 40 years after a fire ripped them apart. The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, was invited to formally open the new St Thomas' Primary School
RADCLIFFE'S Judith Haslam is a real homemaker in more ways than one! The artist's home in Byron Avenue contains a home within a home thanks to her model-making skills. Mrs Haslam (59) is a qualified dressmaker who used to own a dressmaker's shop on Church
HUNDREDS of young people in Pendle can look forward to a music-filled Bank Holiday weekend, after the green light was given for the popular Up4It stage. The council said that the majority of neighbours living or working close to the stage opposite Colne
POLICE called out at midnight found a drunken man lying unconscious on the ground and a little boy next to him. Burnley magistrates heard how Karl Sanders, 20, was incoherent after officers tried to revive him, but was eventually able to give the child's
A 3-1 HOME defeat on the opening day of the season, Barry Kilby being booed onto the pitch at half time and strong rumours that Glen Little is off to Aston Villa this week. And to think -- I'd been looking foward to the big kick-off all summer long. Where
A WILPSHIRE designer had her signature all over stock in a chain of top stores. Jill France, 25, of Somerset Avenue, had her name stamped on ties she designed for Tie Rack.
A YOUNG dancer from Langho was in the spotlight after she was made a junior associate of the Royal British Ballet School, London. Melissa Wright, 10, of Snodworth Road, also won medals at the All England dance championships.
SEVENTY jobs will be created when the new Marks and Spencer store opens in Prestwich in October. The company has revealed that work on the Neighbourhood Food Store is going to schedule and it is expected to open on Monday, October 7. However, they are
FORMER pupils of Stonyhurst College enjoyed a special trip to Belgium. Senior members of the Stonyhurst Association visited the city of Bruges, where Stonyhurst College was based in the 1700s, during the persecution of the Jesuits. Peter Hardwick, of
SEVENTY jobs will be created when the new Marks and Spencer store opens in Prestwich in October. The company has revealed that work on the Neighbourhood Food Store is going to schedule and it is expected to open on Monday, October 7. However, they are
HUNDREDS turned out for the annual flower show in Cliviger. Arts and crafts, home-made wine and photography were all on display at the event at Cliviger Village Hall on Saturday. One of the organisers Alice Harris said: "There was a fabulous selection
BUSINESSES and householders in East Bury can find out what's happening on their doorstep by looking at the highway. The information super highway, that is. And by taking a peek at the worldwide web, they will be able to find out more about the help and
LANCASHIRE today clinched the signing of Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. The Turbanator will join Stuart Law as the second overseas player at Old Trafford next season. Lancashire have been chasing Harbhajan for the last month but faced late competition
LANCASHIRE are aiming to condemn crisis-torn Yorkshire to the Second Division at Old Trafford this week. The Tykes have gone from champs to chumps in spectacular style this season, failing to win any of their 11 matches to leave them marooned at the bottom
MARK HIGGS and Michael Clarke will both be reaching for their mobile phones when they land in Hong Kong on their way home to Australia. Both have left England today to link up with the Australia A squad for their Test against South Africa. And the professionals
A TODMORDEN pub waved goodbye to two barmaids in one week after both moved on to run their own bars. Amanda Jarvis, 19, and Lindsay Kyme, 33, both of Dyneley Avenue, worked at the Black Swan before they were offered licensee positions. Amanda now runs
A BACUP pub which closed for a facelift when the new owner took over at the end of last year has finally reopened its doors. Stuart Schofield took over the Welcome Inn in South Street last September. The former Yorkshire fish fryer spent the next few
YOUNG people from Leigh and Wigan are invited to a free youth arts and music festival. Mesnes Power 2 will be held at Mesnes Park, Wigan, on Saturday between 11.30am and 6pm. There will be a live music stage featuring some of Wigan's best new talent,
THE latest tragic outbreak of Legionnaires Disease has brought a timely reminder from health and safety staff in Bury about the importance of managing cooling and water systems properly. While there is no suggestion whatsoever that there is a current
SUPER swimmer Adrian Turner celebrated a "beautiful" moment after winning two medals in the Commonwealth Games. Just two years ago the 25-year-old from Prestwich was close to death after being struck down with a debilitating blood disease. But he battled
BURNLEY'S players know they let down their manager, their fans and not least themselves against Brighton on Saturday but they have vowed to put things right. "Our pride has been hurt and we have to do better," admitted angry midfielder Paul Weller. "We
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has insisted Dwight Yorke still has the hunger to succeed at the top after Rovers' new £2 million signing saw his attitude called into question by Manchester United's Roy Keane. In a serialisation of his new autobiography
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 77-year-old woman was knocked down in Duckworth Street. Jean Monks, of Britten Street, Darwen, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with with head and leg injuries after the accident at the junction with Wood
DARWEN Lions are staging their first extra fund-raising event as they bid to make up a shortfall in charity funds. On September 1, a fun day is being staged for children at Darwen Leisure Centre car park so they can go wild the day before they return
THE friends of Sunnyhurst Woods have received a cash boost as it was revealed repairs to their flood-ravaged beauty spot could take a year. Almost £11,000 has been donated to the residents' group by Sure Start, a Government-funded initiative which helps
A COMMUNITY group has been set up in Rossendale to give Asian people more of a say. Twenty-five Asian people attended a meeting with the Rossendale Chartists when it was decided to set up a joint action for race equality in Rossendale. An initial eight-member
HEALTH chiefs are warning of an explosion in cases of tuberculosis in Burnley and Pendle over the next 12 months. The East Lancashire TB/Meninigitis service, set up in January, has employed two specialist nurses to tackle the disease in the Burnley, Pendle
PRESTON'S Liberal Democrat leader, Councillor William Chadwick, appeared before the city's magistrates on Monday facing charges following alleged offences relating to an internet chatroom. Chadwick, 48, of Avenham Road, Preston, is charged with incitement
POLICE have appealed for witnesses to an accident which resulted in a 30-year-old motorcyclist being taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary. David Shaw, of Heys Close, Blackburn, suffered fractures and internal injuries in the accident in Livesey Branch Road
BURY District Citizens Advice Bureau has announced a new local rate phone number for people wishing to contact their advice line. The line provides advice and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new local rate number is 0845 1203757 and
ARMED robbers escaped with around £4,000 in cash after a raid on a Bury club. Now staff and customers at Elton Liberal Club believe the masked team of robbers had been watching the club for several weeks before carrying out Sunday afternoon's (Aug 11)
ELDERLY residents have won a first round legal victory in the fight to save old folk's homes. A judge has ordered a High Court review of Bury Council's plans to close Warthfield in Bury and Whittaker House in Radcliffe. The hearing will be held on Thursday
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Introduction to map reading for children aged eight and over, followed by practical work in the field. Meet Bowland Visitor Centre, 10am. Sessions lasts three hours,
THE row gripping East Lancashire's flagship library as staff fear their jobs are threatened by 'serve-yourself' machines being installed in a £1million refit may revolve around the introduction of new technology, but the issue itself is an old-fashioned
THEY'LL be rolling back the years at Radcliffe Boro's Stainton Park ground on Sunday afternoon when a Bury FC Veterans XI take on their counterparts from Bolton Wanderers. The aim of the match, sponsored by Tower FM, is to raise money for Bolton Childrens
ATHERTON Colleries drew 1-1 with Prestwich Heys in the latest game in the Goldline Trophy. Charnock Richard became the first side to book a spot in the quarter-finals when they battled to a 4-1 win at Radcliffe Amateurs. Radcliffe looked as though they
SO that there are no more "misleading statements in the Letters column" perhaps Councillor Dave Smith (Letters, August 7) would inform readers of how many houses in the private sector Blackburn with Darwen Council has inspected and approved for the use
COMMUNITY groups in the North-west have been offered the chance to get involved in fighting illegal drug use. The Wigan and Leigh Community Safety Partnership is offering £5,000 to any group with plans for reducing drug-related activity as part of the
REGARDING the number of speed cameras that have been sited in and around Blackburn and Darwen, I would like to congratulate both the police and the council on this excellent initiative. For far too long many motorists have blatantly ignored speed restrictions
LEIGH Parish Church is more than half way towards its tower restoration appeal target. Over £74,000 has been raised since Leigh fire fighters's world record breaking launch in June last year. They lit 1,000 candles on a huge cake to kick off the £130,000
A MAN struck a pensioner in the face at an amusement arcade, a court was told. Bury magistrates heard that Peter Fleming, aged 34, hit the 73-year-old without warning. Staff pinned Fleming to the ground and held him there until police arrived. The attack
BURY District Citizens Advice Bureau has announced a new local rate phone number for people wishing to contact their advice line. The line provides advice and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new local rate number is 0845 1203757 and
TALENTED teenager Heidi Hudson has danced her way to the top of the North West Senior Ballet Championships. Now, the 14-year-old Tottington High School pupil could become the international ballet champion when she competes next June in Sheffield. Heidi
A BEAUTY spot which was once a favourite haunt of walkers and a source of local pride has turned into a "filthy, smelly eyesore", according to Walmersley residents. They claim the Clarence Park Lido has been "left to rot" with litter strewn across the
A MAN and a woman at the centre of a fake marriages scam recruited "brides" to help illegal immigrants stay in Britain, a court has been told. And the couple wrote fake letters from the women to immigration officials which told of their love for their
A TEENAGE cricket fan was due to appear in crown court for trial today after being charged after an incident at a one-day international between Australia and Pakistan at Lords. Student Yasin Shafi, 18, of Oxford Road, Burnley, and two other cricket fans
A MAN out causing a rumpus and shouting in the early hours had too much to drink after the strain of working and looking after his sick father. Burnley magistrates heard police found Christopher Clough standing in the street without his top on and calling
AN ex-convict twice broke into the same coffee shop by smashing his way through the roof. Burnley Magistrates heard how Thomas Leverett, 43, helped himself to cash, took a charity box and on the second occasion caused £1,000 damage. He was bailed for
A YOUNG dad vandalised his former partner's car in frustration because he could not see his son. Burnley Magistrates heard how James Gorton, 25, drove past his ex-girlfriend's home to try and catch a glimpse of the five-year-old boy he has seen only a
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build flats for homeless youngsters look set to be approved on Thursday, despite long-standing opposition from neighbours. More than 300 residents living near the proposed site at Spa Mill, Whittlefield, Burnley, have signed a petition
A BURNLEY councillor is calling for the return of a traditional village policeman following the latest in a spate of attacks on homes and businesses. Chairman of Worsthorne parish council Tony Lambert said a dedicated beat bobby for the village would
A 13-YEAR-OLD boy was so terrified after an early hours burglary at his home he would not be left alone, a court heard. Burnley Crown Court was told how the teenager had been asleep with his family at their house in the town when former drug addict Mark
A TINY bat left dangling in mid-air when it became ensnared on a fishing hook has been freed and released back into the wild. The unusual victim was rescued by a patrolling British Waterways worker who found the pipistrelle bat on the banks of the Leeds
A Fun Day for the community of Topping Fold and Fairfield will take centre stage later this month. The tenants and residents assocation has masterminded the event to take place at Broad Oak playing fields on Sunday August 18. Mayor of Bury, Councillor
STREETS around Nelson bus station were cordoned off for just over an hour last night when a young woman threatened to jump from the top of the car park stack. The girl, believed to be in her late teens, was spotted by a taxi driver who contacted the police
POLICE called out at midnight found a drunken man lying unconscious on the ground and a little boy next to him. Burnley magistrates heard how Karl Sanders, 20, was incoherent after officers tried to revive him, but was eventually able to give the child's
ANOTHER great sporting summer draws to a close. Some things never change. The headline writers could have written it in advance. 'England flop in World Cup', 'Henman flops at Wimbledon', 'Clarets flop in Isle of Man' (despite coming up with the novel
A MAN who was beaten and left for dead on an Accrington street has spoken to police for the first time after the attack. Dennis Shaw, of Kingston Avenue, suffered head injuries and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital after what police described as a "
A NIGHTCLUB which was shunned by revellers after a teenager was allegedly attacked shortly before his death is to reopen Churchills, in Cannon Street, Accrington, will be open again on Friday with former manager Angela Calvert at the helm after buying
RESIDENTS and businesses in one of Hyndburn's worst-hit flood areas are considering mounting a group legal action against United Utilities. Properties in Spring Street, Rishton, have been repeatedly flooded during heavy rainfall, and now owners say they
A MINI-MAD youngster had a massive surprise when he got to be co-driver to a world record stunt man. Dylan Scott, of Lynwood Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors, thought he was going to Blackpool Pleasure Beach on a family trip. But when his family pulled up at
WORKSHOPS for youngsters in film and art are being held at the Grand Cinema in York Street, Clitheroe. The PG Club, for children aged eight and over, is offering a series of art and craft workshops, followed by a movie. On Thursday, there is a junk sculpture
PLANS have been unveiled for Clitheroe's old sorting office to become a restaurant. But objectors to the scheme, in King Street, fear it will lead to increased congestion and more vandalism and rowdy behaviour in the town centre. Members of Ribble Valley's
FOOTBALLERS in Clitheroe will highlight the plight of aboriginals at their first match of the season. Clitheroe FC's first match in Division One of the North West Counties League against Prescot Cables is being held on behalf of the ATSIC: Aboriginal
TOWN councillors are at loggerheads with their borough council counterparts over plans to build 24 new homes in Clitheroe. The two and three-storey houses on the site of the old bus depot are set to be backed by Ribble Valley borough councillors. Members
A NEW North Manchester Export Network is to be launched this Autumn to help local companies develop their international trade. It is being formed by the four North Manchester Chambers of Commerce -- Bolton and Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Wigan -- and Business
BURNLEY'S players know they let down their manager, their fans and not least themselves against Brighton on Saturday but they have vowed to put things right. "Our pride has been hurt and we have to do better," admitted angry midfielder Paul Weller. "We
A COLNE pub has been voted one of the best for food after it scooped a top score in a national inspection. The Langroyd Hall Brewers Fayre pub restaurant in Langroyd Road won the top mark in a mystery auditor contest run by the pub-restaurant chain. A
A BLACKBURN man beat more than 60 people in a drinking competition in a Darwen pub to win a trip to Amsterdam. Thomas Culligan, of Lynthorpe Road, won Bar Java's yard of ale contest with a time of five seconds. He downed the measure at the pub on Wellington
PERSISTENT shoplifter Anthony Fullerton has found himself back before the courts. Fullerton, aged 34, of Coronation Road, Radcliffe, recorded his 77th conviction after pleading guilty at Bury magistrates. The court heard that Fullerton was stopped in
PRESTWICH rally ace, Fin McCaul, suffered a disappointing early end to his Volkswagen Castrol Polo Challenge outing. He and his co-driver, Kirstie Cousins, were contesting the fifth round of the championship, the Manx Trophy Rally. The pair only got as
AN acclaimed artist has won a national commission to produce a painting which will ultimately be auctioned off at a gala dinner at the Royal Albert Hall. Chris Lever, 54, of Water Picture Gallery, Waterfoot, has been asked to create a piece of work for
ROSSENDALE'S Town Crier has something to shout about after agreeing to lead a mercy mission to the Black Sea. Peter Gill and his wife Christine will lead a convey of lorries heading out to a converted Soviet boot camp, now used as a holiday centre for
EAST Lancashire pet owners have been warned not to take their animals on holiday as the risk of infections in humans grows more pronounced. Easier European travel for pets has introduced diseases such as Mediterranean spotted fever which results in a
A LEADING Blackburn solicitor has called for a complete review of the criminal representation system. Michael Cunningham, a senior partner with Cunningham Turner, said criminal law has been treated as the poor relation and the downgrading has led to a
A COUNTY councillor has appeared in court charged with sex offences and inciting another person to commit kidnap, torture and murder. Coun Bill Chadwick, 48, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group at County Hall and the LibDem leader of Preston Council
AN attack victim's gay lifestyle is being investigated by police trying to find the person who left her battered and fighting for life. Mandy Burton, 30, of Moorgate Street, Blackburn, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary on Sunday night with serious
NEIGHBOURS today told of how police were repeatedly called to the house of an attack victim in the week before she was found battered. Mandy Burton, 30, of Moorgate Street, Blackburn, was left fighting for her life after being taken to Blackburn Royal
COUNCIL bosses today refused to rule out job cuts at Blackburn's award-winning library after plans were unveiled to install serve-yourself machines. The new machines will be fitted as part of a £1million refit of the central library in Town Hall Street
A NURSE who ignored a mentally handicapped woman's head injury and told her she did not care if she got "run over," has been struck off. Janet Hardy, 43, of Park Farm Road, Blackburn, sat down while the disturbed resident headbutted her office wall until
A MAN and a woman at the centre of a fake marriages scam recruited "brides" to help illegal immigrants stay in Britain, a court has been told. And the couple wrote fake letters from the women to immigration officials which told of their love for their
A BURY man is on the starting grid for his big charity event of the year. A Track Day at the Three Sisters racing circuit in Wigan will take place this Friday (Aug 16) in aid of Round Table Children's Wish. John Francis, of Woodgate Avenue, Jericho, has
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has swapped one Barry for another. Left back Barry Hart looks like he will leave the Crown Ground this season as he is taking up a job in the prison service which will leave him without much spare time. But as a replacement
SUPER swimmer Adrian Turner celebrated a "beautiful" moment after winning two medals in the Commonwealth Games. Just two years ago the 25-year-old from Prestwich was close to death after being struck down with a debilitating blood disease. But he battled
THREE Leigh schools have relaunched their web sites in preparation for the new term. Parents, existing children and new starters can access the sites for information which includes an interactive virtual tour and kids' zone. The schools are : Leigh St
