Archive

  • Low-cost safety training to help business

    BUSINESSES in Pendle are being offered the chance to get vital training at a low cost. The council is bringing together a range of experts to conduct two health and safety seminars for people running small and medium sized firms. Construction Safety Awareness

  • Man was knocked out in outbreak of violence

    A MAN was knocked unconscious after violence erupted at the Craven Heifer pub, in Kelbrook, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how alleged victim Andrew Williams was then said to have been kicked in the head by Darren Storey and Ashley Firth,

  • No more clowning around...

    ANDREA Shepherd is hoping she will have the last laugh when she says goodbye to a lifesize clown called Chuckles. Chuckles is one of the last remaining props used by Andrea to decorate her business, Clown-A-Round Soft Play Centre, Knuzden. The centre,

  • School cleared after porn probe

    POLICE have traced the author of a poison pen letter which embroiled a private school in computer porn allegations -- but have decided not to prosecute. Officers swooped on Heathlands College, Sandy Lane, Accrington, two weeks ago after they received

  • Fill this, minister!

    A HEADTEACHER today handed Education Secretary Charles Clarke an empty suitcase in a bid to get it filled with Lancashire schools' missing cash. The move came during a visit to Whitehall organised by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope to discuss the funding crisis

  • New beds for mental health unit?

    A PSYCHIATRIC hospital in Langho where a dangerous patient escaped last month has unveiled plans to construct a new 18-bed unit. Managers at the Kemple View Unit in Longsight Road today reassured nearby residents that security at the site had been stepped

  • Double winners have a perfect Sales pitch

    SALESBURY have sussed out the Ribblesdale League first division - now they're looking to step up to the senior ranks. The Ribchester Road club have clinched a double double, winning the Division One championship and Lawrenson Cup for the second year running

  • Graeme's going nowhere

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today responded to speculation linking him with a shock move to Chelsea by saying: 'I've already got one of the best jobs in the Premiership.' A story in one of this morning's national newspapers claimed that Souness is being

  • Hamper prize on offer at farmers' market

    NEXT month sees the return of one of Ramsbottom's favourite attractions -- the traditional farmers' market. Shoppers have the chance to win a prize hamper of local produce in return for completing the Farmers Market Survey available at all the stalls

  • Body of addict was dumped in the street

    THE body of a drug addicted alcoholic who collapsed and died in the home of his supplier was carried out and dumped in a Blackburn street, an inquest heard. The hearing was told that children ran to tell the dead man's pregnant partner what had happened

  • Schools get lesson in combating arson

    TEACHERS are to be given specialist fire safety training in a bid to combat arson attacks on schools in East Lancashire. And the move has been welcomed by the headteacher of a school that was completely gutted by firebugs two years ago. Over 700 schools

  • Barrett at double to sink Chadderton

    NELSON sank Chadderton with three second half goals to take maximum points from this NWCL Second Division game at Andrew Street. Paul Barrett headed in Craig Bradshaw's right wing cross in a lightning move, then put Nelson further ahead after 66 minutes

  • Star Shaw wraps up Anchor Ground rout

    DARWEN won their first NWCL Division Two game in five attempts with a 6-1 hammering of Castleton Gabriels at the Anchor Ground. The match hung in the balance until the hosts hit four goals in the final 15 minutes to secure a flattering score-line. Dennis

  • Taylor helps Dale secure point

    ROSSENDALE United bounced back from their mauling at Witton Albion to produce a battling display and earn a point against a well-organised Guiseley side. Once again team selection was hampered by illness and injury, Russ Brierley having to drop to the

  • Nature Watch: Tracking down wildlife

    I FIRST began to take an interest in wildlife in the 1950s when steam railways were in full swing. This is why I now love walking on footpaths close to our steam railways. This week I strolled around Embsay using the attractive railway as a base. The

  • Memories of 9/11 horror

    PEOPLE across East Lancashire are preparing to mark the second anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Events planned tomorrow are less marked than a year ago when the first anniversary of the World Trade Centre attacks took place, but people and organisations

  • Were you in my class of '33?

    I WONDER if any of the people who went to Moss Street School in Blackburn in 1933 and were in Mr Hill's class would like to get in touch, seeing as it is now 70 years ago and we are all about 80 years old? I would love to hear from any of them. FRANCES

  • Get in touch, ex-pub pals

    THERE are only two of us left from the old Novas football team in Blackburn of 1937 to 1940, but Billie Jackson, who is 90 on October 6 and myself would like to hear from the customers who frequented the Horse Load pub on Bolton Road during this period

  • The name is nothing to do with respect

    REGARDING Anthony Haworth's comments (Letters, September 5) about name badges symbolising the downward spiral of respect towards police officers, I find it difficult to believe that any member of society decides how much respect to show somebody by whether

  • World champ Neil to be feted

    BURNLEY'S newly crowned World Superbike Champion is to be honoured by his home town. Neil Hodgson, who cruised to his historic victory on Sunday, will be invited by the mayor, Coun Lilian Clark, to a special civic reception at the town hall to celebrate

  • Academy's misfortune

    BLACKBURN Rovers' two Academy teams endured a frustrating weekend as neither managed to register a victory. The Under 19s were held to a 0-0 draw by Barnsley at Brockhall while the Under 17s went down 4-2 at Nottingham Forest. Chances were few and far

  • Graeme's going nowhere

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today responded to speculation linking him with a shock move to Chelsea by saying: 'I've already got one of the best jobs in the Premiership.' A story in one of this morning's national newspapers claimed that Souness is being

  • Repeat of bard in the barn

    A TOURING theatre company will be performing Shakespeare's Twelfth Night on September 20 in the Great Barn at Gawthorpe Hall. The C'est Tous Theatre Company are well known for their energetic performances and busy schedule which takes them all over the

  • Lanterns will light up town

    CHILDREN in Padiham will light up the town with their homemade lanterns during a procession through the town on Saturday, September 27. Local people will parade to the Memorial Park, where there will be firework display. Pupils from schools including

  • Police attack man faces deportation

    MAGISTRATES have recommended the deportation of a Pole who attacked two East Lancashire police officers. The court in Burnley heard father-of-two Arkadiusz Starost, 33, who could be facing jail if he was not sent back to his native country, did not oppose

  • Drop-in centre for drug users

    A NEW drop-in centre for drug users is to be opened in Burnley town centre. Although plans are at a very early stage it is likely to contain a prescribing service, a needle exchange and rehabilitation services and will serve as a base for outreach workers

  • Stage set for W-all to sing along

    PINK Floyd fans are in for a treat next month when tribute band, Think Floyd, appear in Colne as part of a national tour. Now in their eighth year, the band claim to faithfully recreate the "atmosphere, visual magnitude and musical genius" of the legendary

  • Skate park's pipe dream

    YOUNG people in Barnoldswick will be able to show off their skating skills when a piece of equipment costing £1,100 is unveiled at a new skate park. The facility, designed for skaters, skateboarders and stunt bike riders, is being developed in Victory

  • Four years of fostering togetherness

    A GROUP set up to unite Burnley is celebrating its fourth anniversary. The Community Alliance promotes community togetherness by working with the council and community groups to secure regeneration grants for the town. It played a role in bringing £20million

  • Farrelly targets Canaries clash

    BURNLEY new-boy Gareth Farrelly is winning his fitness fight to face Norwich this weekend. The on-loan Bolton ace has been sweating on the results of X-rays and scans after reportedly hearing a "crack" when sustaining a leg injury at Stoke last Saturday

  • Church ready to celebrate

    ST Cuthbert's Church, Darwen, is preparing to celebrate 125 years of worship. Three days of celebrations are planned for the church in Duckworth Street which is urging as many people as possible to join in. A church spokesman said: "Our church is a truly

  • Gail's clever trick to boost cancer charity

    A DARWEN artist has donated a view of ancient Rome to raise funds for women with breast cancer. Gail Goodson, 52, who specialises in trompe l'oeil or 'trick of the eye' art, has painted an original piece to be auctioned on October 18 at a fundraiser at

  • Heart attack killed model Adam

    A FORMER model found dead at his home three months ago died of a heart attack, an inquest has been told. The inquest heard Adam Maden, 32, of Phillipstown, Whitewell Bottom, was discovered on Friday, May 30, by a friend who climbed in through his bedroom

  • Pensioner died after fighting hob blaze

    A WOMAN suffered a heart attack after attempting to extinguish a fire at her Rossendale home. An inquest heard how Patricia Turner, 64, of Burnley Road, Weir, had returned from shopping in Burnley before the blaze. Richard Taylor, acting East Lancashire

  • Tumour tragedy of Sharon, 33

    A 33-YEAR-OLD woman was killed by a brain tumour which had left her feeling less poorly than an attack of sunstroke, an inquest was told. And pathologist Dr Richard Prescott told the inquest that his post mortem examination of Sharon Beard had revealed

  • Hat-trick hero Wilkinson keeps Colwyn at Bay

    BACUP Borough are on the verge of bringing in Chris Bennett on loan from Southport. Manager Brent Peters was hoping to include the 21-year-old, who can play wide or at centre forward, in the squad for tonight's NWCL Division One home game against Squires

  • Hawks off to a flying start

    BLACKBURN Hawks got their league campaign off to the best possible start with comfortable wins over Bradford Bulldogs and Grimsby Buffaloes. Starting away at Bradford, the Hawks emerged convincing winners at 13-2, and then 24 hours later, back at the

  • At last - the naked truth!

    IT'S not just about jam and Jerusalem, nor is it about taking off all your clothes. But between these two extremes lies the definition of a Women's Institute. With their latest exploits brought to the big screen in Calendar Girls, rumours are flying about

  • School reunion photos plea

    FORMER pupils of Park Road Primary School in Park Road, Blackburn, are asked to bring old photographs to a reunion on September 27. The event has been organised by Lesley Dulling (nee Richardson) and her mother May Nuttall, who were both pupils at the

  • 'Calming' bad for some folk

    PEOPLE who want more traffic calming ought to consider the environment of those who live in a supposedly traffic-calmed area. Pollution caused by slow moving and standing traffic is the cause of many health problems, particularly for those who suffer

  • Passenger and bag reunited

    RECENTLY I left a shopping bag on the Mellor bus and immediately telephoned Blackburn Transport's lost property office. A very helpful member of staff telephoned the bus driver at the Mellor terminus and he confirmed having my bag. Lost Property asked

  • Treatment of couple disgusting

    I READ recently about an old couple who, a few years ago, had to go into different care homes, with the understanding that the husband could visit his wife every day by taxi paid for by social services. Now, he has been told there isn't enough money in

  • Services 'victory' was a hollow one

    REGARDING your story (LET, September 5) about Darwen's 'victory' in the fight to have the name of the 'Blackburn' services on the M65 in Darwen changed. This must be the most hollow victory in Darwen's history -- that is, if you can call it a victory.

  • Burnham attacks flouride 'scare stories'

    MP Andy Burnham criticised "nonsense scare stories" about fluoridation of water supplies as MPs debated the issue at the Second Reading of the Water Bill in the Commons. The Leigh MP said a new poll by the British Fluoridation Society showed solid public

  • Doors open on old treasures of the borough

    HISTORICAL buildings in Burnley will be opening their doors for free this weekend to show off hidden architectural and cultural treasures. Doors open to a number of sites as part of Heritage Open Days, a national event organised by the Civic Trust. Visitors

  • 'Challenge' of life in the village

    CLIVIGER challenge week came to an end with a computerised display about life in the village. David Stott, 17, who is studying IT at Nelson and Colne College, used his computer skills to create the display. The final evening of the three-day consultation

  • Historic setting for tribute to famous son

    HISTORIC Gawthorpe Hall is to premiere a work by famous East Lancashire composer and pianist, William Blezard, who died earlier this year. Prior to his death he had been working on a composition entitled Gawthorpe Dances, which had been inspired by his

  • Raiders steal £25,000 in hospital equipment

    DETECTIVES are hunting raiders who broke into Burnley General Hospital and made off with computer equipment worth £25,000. Police say they scaled a stone wall to climb onto the roof of a warehouse storing the computers. The incident happened sometime

  • Worsthorne Bulletin

    LANCASHIRE County Council are to be thanked for the prompt action they took in cutting back the bushes, grass and nettles on Swain Lane, footpath number 41. ST John's Church raised £6,062 at their Art and Crafts Fair. Big thank you to everyone who helped

  • World champ Neil to be feted

    BURNLEY'S newly crowned World Superbike Champion is to be honoured by his home town. Neil Hodgson, who cruised to his historic victory on Sunday, will be invited by the mayor, Coun Lilian Clark, to a special civic reception at the town hall to celebrate

  • Green champs ensure fair trade

    PENDLE celebrated becoming the first-ever Fairtrade Borough by becoming green champions. The council will be ensuring products are bought through Fairtrade -- buying food and drink from growers and producers for which a guaranteed fair price has been

  • Bowls challenge

    THE best bowlers in Pendle will be showing off their skills at the Annual Bowls Championship in Alkincoats Park, Colne. The event starts at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 20, and will feature 16 men from eight clubs across the borough and 14 ladies representing

  • Pal tells jury of bloody stabbing

    A YOUTH told a jury of his horror as his friend was knifed in an early hours attack in Barnoldswick. Shaun Parkinson, who took off his shirt to stem the flow of blood from teenager Lee Myers' wounds, said he had tried to carry Mr Myers home but had to

  • A real credit to their town

    A CREDIT union which has loaned more than £260,000 to needy Darwen people in the last seven years has been nominated for our Pride of East Lancashire awards. Darwen Tower Credit Union Limited, a non-profit making savings and loans co-operative, has also

  • Five years ago

    RACHEL Horsfield, 12 from Stonyhurst was back home after diving in the Bahamas with 80 sharks. The newly qualified diver followed in the footsteps of mum Hilary Lee and her partner Mark Beaman who were both keen scuba divers.

  • Ten years ago

    PRIME Minister John Major visited the Ribble Valley for a morale-boosting trip for local Tories. Mr Major arrived by helicopter at the Stirk House Hotel in Gisburn where gave a talk in advance of the Conservative Party's annual conference in Blackpool

  • Couple slam homes freeze

    AN elderly couple who need to sell their home and business because of ill health have hit out at a council's new housing freeze. Lorna and Russel King looked set to sell KBS Catering and their flat in Park Road, Great Harwood, to a builder until they

  • Student scoops top prize in £500 draw

    A STUDENT of Longridge Teaching Centre has won the £500 top prize in the learndirect Summer Sizzler Prize Draw, Kevin Peel, 45, of Pasturelands Drive, Billington, was presented with Asda vouchers and other prizes to the sum of £500 by learndirect Operations

  • No excuses for young Clarets

    TERRY PASHLEY refused to look for excuses after seeing his Burnley Youth Team beaten 5-0 at Stockport County last weekend. A hugely inexperienced Clarets side, most of who have also been playing reserve team football this season, surrendered four goals

  • Physio Jim took fair share of knocks

    HE WAS one of the best known faces at Turf Moor for over 30 years - but he never kicked a ball. Jimmy Holland did pick up plenty of knocks though, after becoming club physio purely by luck. Jimmy was living in Boston, Lincolnshire, when a chance meeting

  • Farrelly targets Canaries clash

    BURNLEY new-boy Gareth Farrelly is winning his fitness fight to face Norwich this weekend. The on-loan Bolton ace has been sweating on the results of X-rays and scans after reportedly hearing a "crack" when sustaining a leg injury at Stoke last Saturday

  • It's time to speed up the wheels of justice

    AT first, 82-year-old pensioner, retired maths teacher James Clegg, took it on the chin when he was nabbed doing 36 mph by a now-notorious speed camera on a road where the limit had been lowered from 40 mph to 30 mph. All the same, he reckoned it was

  • Name and shame muck spreaders

    GIVEN the unsightly state of pavements and public places covered in gobbets of discarded chewing gum, I am sure lots of East Lancashire people will support Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans' demand for on-the-spot fines for those who spit out the stuff . Mr

  • Driver panicked at shock news

    HAIRDRESSER Mauro Ceraldi panicked when he learned his pregnant girlfriend had been involved in a car crash, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that he went to her assistance without giving a thought to the home-made wine and Irish Coffee he

  • Green garden scheme 'a success'

    THE first phase of a recycling project in Ramsbottom and neighbouring town's has been hailed a success. And Bury Metro Council's major green project to collect and recycle garden waste from homes across the borough is now to be doubled later this month

  • Family rallies for cash after boy gets rare illness

    THE devastated parents of East Lancashire youngster with a rare genetic disorder have organised a massive fundraising effort. Terminally ill Jack Heath, four, has been diagnosed with Hunters Syndrome, which affects only one in every 150,000 boys in the

  • Christine and the life lessons from a real baby doll

    A NEW leader has been appointed in charge of a novel scheme to cut teenage pregnancy by getting youngsters to face up to the consequences of having a baby. Christine Goodman is now in charge of the Virtual Baby project which uses a realistic looking,

  • Dad firebombed family three times

    A FORMER Blackburn man fire-bombed the home of his estranged wife three times in an attempt to kill her and her four children, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard the man had since fled to Pakistan and there was nothing the police could do.

  • Union blasts county 'scaremongers'

    UNION officials have accused Lancashire County Council bosses of scaremongering over the regional assembly. The County Council last week confirmed it was opposed to a regional assembly but said if North West voters opted for one during a referendum next

  • 'Adult cot death' ruled out at inquest

    A MOTHER told an inquest that her heroin-taking son may have died as a result of the adult version of cot death syndrome. But a senior Home Office pathologist said sleep apnoea syndrome would not have killed Jason Paul Faulkner, who he said was in a "

  • Council looks to slicker service

    A COUNCIL is set to spend £8.9million in the next ten years improving the way its services are delivered to the public. Blackburn with Darwen has drawn up the spending plan to bolster its reputation after a one-off "mystery shopping exercise" revealed

  • McMahon bid for Brett is rebuffed

    STEVE McMahon has made a sensational bid to bring Southampton's Accrington-born striker Brett Ormerod back to Bloomfield Road. The Blackpool boss phoned Gordon Strachan at Southampton to ask if he could have the former Accrington Stanley hitman back on

  • Champagne goes flat for Clitheroe

    THE champagne that was flowing after last week's League championship victory tasted a little flat for Clitheroe's open tennis team this week, as they succumbed to Accrington B by three matches to one in their last match of the season. They encountered

  • Chorley's hat-trick hero

    LEE Wilkinson was the hat-trick hero as Chorley hauled themselves out of the UniBond Division One bottom three last night. A dream debut goal by Alex Porter, on loan from Bamber Bridge, was another highlight of a game played in continuous rain in north

  • Clitheroe's unbeaten run comes to an end in derby

    THE Rams picked the perfect time to score their first league victory of the season, and in doing so ended Clitheroe's perfect start to the campaign. There was never a hint of the 7-0 drubbing that Clitheroe handed out to their opponents in April, as the

  • A traffic nightmare

    HOMES were evacuated, businesses were forced to shut and thousands of motorists were caught up in traffic chaos. And the cause? A small pallet fire started by arsonists in the yard of a Bury factory. A 200-metre exclusion zone was placed around the Sillavan