THE partnership between Capita boss Ron Aldridge, politicians and education experts which will see the birth of Darwen's £35million Academy is both novel and refreshing. It is also a big opportunity to create an institution which could become a model
RADCLIFFE'S Remembrance Day parade will begin at 10.15am on Sunday at the British Legion on Water Street, and make its way to the cenotaph at the top of Spring Lane. There will be a two-minute silence, before the group carries on to St Thomas Church,
I WAS settled nicely listening to Radio 5 in the (usually vain) hope of hearing Manchester United lose 7-0 to Sparta Prague when suddenly the BBC switched to George Bush's acceptance speech! I realise that the US election is of some importance to us but
ON the letters page (October 29) Mr Z Ahmed stated that "Britain is only in Iraq to ROB the people!" He also quotes Nepal as a country whose people are "close to seizing power" from their government! Too much Al-Jazeera TV can, and does, affect many Muslims
IN reply to Mr Hamer's letter (LET, November 4), I for one look forward to receiving vouchers for holidays during the school holidays. Does Mr Hamer not realise how much travel companies raise their charges every school holiday? This is another burden
A GOLF match has helped to raise more than £3,000 for Bealey Hospital and Bury Hospice. The wild and windy weather couldnt put off members of Bury and District Golf Association clubs taking part in the match at North Manchester Golf Club in September.
I THOUGHT that the main reason (apart from fundraising) for the council assuming responsibility for parking in the borough was because the police had found it impossible to enforce regulations due to inadequate manpower. How is it then that they can provide
THE proposed regeneration of the former Bickershaw Colliery site has taken another step forward. The Northwest Regional Development Agency has announced £5m to help transform coalfield communities across the region and Leigh MP Andy Burnham hopes some
NEW police recruits are to be given new IDs to identify them as learners. Greater Manchester Police has become the first provincial police force to give trainee bobbies white ID cards, rather than a traditional blue warrant card, to identify them as officers
THE funeral of well-known Fairfield Hospital porter Billy Cuncarr will take place on Friday. Bachelor Billy, who lived in Falcon Close residential home in Bury, died peacefully on October 31 at the age of 60. He was born and brought up in Radcliffe. In
CHRIST Church Ainsworth will be involved in a double remembrance occasion on Sunday. For apart from the traditional Remembrance Day service at 10.30am, another special event will take place at 6.30pm to commemorate by name those whose funerals the church
RESIDENTS and law firms alike can get free legal information through a new Internet service at their local library. The JustCite database indexes all Acts of Parliament from 1235 onwards, and UK case law from the 19th Century to the present. It also offers
BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has given his firm backing to an initiative to produce a new generation of fully-trained managers. He helped launch a new national standards for management and leadership event in his capacity as Minister for Skills and Vocational
KIND-hearted staff at Asda in Pilsworth paid a visit to Bury Hospice to make a difference. Staff from the store in Pilsworth Road took brushes, shovels and power hoses along to the hospice in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe, to help clean the garden area. The
TOWN Hall bosses have launched a leaflet to dispel what they say are the "myths and legends" about asylum-seekers. The leaflet, which will be available at council offices and places like GP surgeries, has been produced to promote community relations and
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes believes his players are about to enter a 'make or break' period in their season. Saturday's trip to Manchester City marks the beginning of a five-game run against sides in the bottom half of the Premiership. And Hughes
A TEAM of detectives from Lancashire constabulary's Major Crime Unit have joined forces with police in Burnley to track down a gang of armed robbers who escaped with tens of thousands of pounds after a raid. The team of four will help look at whether
BURNLEY is set to be home to a flagship business centre set up to nurture the industry giants of tomorrow. A new generation of high technology businesses to revitalise local industry will be created when the £3.7 million Lancashire Digital Technology
A WOMAN fought back tears as she relived alleged sex abuse as a little girl, before a Crown Court jury. The 25-year-old is one of four alleged victims of Eric Green, now a 66-year-old pensioner, who is accused of charges going back more than 30 years.
A CRACKDOWN on misuse of fireworks in Nelson and Brierfield has been a great success, according to police. Operation Fawkes was aimed at educating youngsters about the dangers of messing around with fireworks and enforcing new laws on persistent offenders
PARTS of a Radcliffe residential care home have been given a facelift to add more of a personal touch. The residents' doors in the dementia centre at Rose Court have been personalised so their rooms are easier to recognise. Not only have the doors been
HOW many Blackburn folk remember taking the plunge at the old Belper Street baths as children? It was built in 1906 at a cost of £9,328 to cope with the rising demand at the town's original pool at Freckleton Street which had opened in 1868. Local schools
FOLLOWING the Cotton Famine of 1862-63, the staple trade of Burnley regained fair prosperity, and in some cases the Masters were able to compensate the mill operators. This situation didn't last for long however, and a further depression showed itself
I THINK that the right-hand turn from Water Street into Lord Street, Radcliffe, is a disgrace. There should be a turning point because the traffic is held up all the time. There is no delay on the lights from the opposite direction so there is almost
AN Accrington mum was banned from a toy shop for buying too many toys. Desperate Kelly Cormick rushed to Toymaster in Accrington when she heard they had received delivery of a batch of Power Rangers figures. Her five-year-old son had asked for a full
BURY HF: Saturday walk (6 to 8 miles). Meet Tenter Street car park (law courts) at 1pm or 1.30pm Bulls Head car park, Greenmount. Sunday walk: Meet Belle Vue Terrace car park at 10am for Edgworth. Bring lunch and flask. Tuesday walks (max 8 miles) meet
HUNCOAT residents are being invited to view the results of a recent community appraisal. The appraisal was carried out by Huncoat Forum, as part of the Prospects Foundation's Community Development Programme. The aim was to strengthen the Forum by encouraging
LATEST details Tuesday Nights M Wood Homes Premier Division P W D L Pts Wilton Arms 11 11 0 0 33 Victoria A 12 6 1 5 19 Inter 9 6 0 3 18 Hardy Hall 11 6 0 5 18 Victoria B 9 4 0 5 12 Bay Horse 9 3 0 6 9 AA Scaffolding 11 3 0 8 9 Saints FC 9 2 0 7 6 FIRST
CHILDREN living in a remote region of The Gambia will soon be able to attend school full-time thanks to the generosity of pupils and staff at an Accrington school. Heathland School decided to raise money for the Tanji Lower Basic School in Serekunda after
A TOWN centre supermarket has been forced to abandon 24--hour opening in the run-up to Christmas because drunken yobs have been threatening staff and customers. Clitheroe's Tesco store, in Duck Street, reverted to conventional opening hours this week
TWO brothers who run a thriving sports autographs business have put their shirts on Brazilian soccer legend Pele. For Les and Andy Kersh travelled to Zurich for the superstar to sign 500 football jerseys which are now up for grabs on their popular web
DISCRIMINATION against guide dog owners may be prevalent in many parts of the country, but Bury has been given glowing praise. Public services for blind people in the borough has been acclaimed, although a recent survey found that more than half the number
LATEST results SEPTEMBER 12: Shirt Club 4 (2) Swan & Railway 5 (1), Old Cross 8 (2) Staff of Life 1 (1), Victoria 7 (1) Wellington 2 (2), British Legion 1 (3) Bridge Tavern 8 (0), Bay Horse 7 (1) Hare & Hounds 2 (2). SEPTEMBER 14 Shirt Club 2
LATEST details PREMIER DIVISION RESULTS Duck Club 6, Walmersley A 2; White Horse 8, Hollinhurst 0; Totty Mix 6, Allens Gn A 2; Allens Gn C 6, Jubilee 2; Hot Shots 2, Allens Gn B 6; White Head Pk 7, Odds & Sodds 1; Seedfield 1, Ainsworth 7; Duck Club
WILTON lost the first game at Masons but then A. McAlister hit a 180 as he led the fight-back. Wilton took the next three before Masons clawed one back, but Wilton got a second wind and took the last two. No joy for the home side at dominoes either, with
However, they had to come from behind before wrapping the game up in style and pocketing the £1,800 prize money. The gulf between Unibond Premier League Boro and the First Division Steels soon became apparent. As early as the seventh minute Richard Battersby's
AFTER a hard week at school or college, young people are once again being invited to join in the fun at VIP in Radcliffe. The under-18s club will open again on Friday night after a successful opening night last month. There are now more than 150 members
A MYSTERY betting shop punter, known only as Ken, has claimed a jackpot of more than £1m at a betting shop in Greater Manchester. The man won £1,132,657 after gambling £480 on the Tote Scoop 6 at Betfred bookmakers in Salford. He placed the bet last Saturday
PEOPLE are being asked to Light Up A Life to help Rossendale Hospice. Lights on a special tree will shine out throughout the Christmas season in memory of friends and loved ones to help the hospice's work. The annual campaign asks people to sponsor a
RESIDENTS are invited to speak out about issues affecting Radcliffe at the next area board. The meeting will be held at Radcliffe Civic Suite on November 22, at 7pm.
THE funeral takes place on Friday of a former Radcliffe cricketer. Mr Eric Baxter, of Low Farm, Hawkshaw, passed away at Fairfield General Hospital at the age of 74. He spent more than 32 years as a newsagent in north Bury, but had been a fast bowler
BURY HF: Saturday walk (6 to 8 miles). Meet Tenter Street car park (law courts) at 1pm or 1.30pm Bulls Head car park, Greenmount. Sunday walk: Meet Belle Vue Terrace car park at 10am for Edgworth. Bring lunch and flask. Tuesday walks (max 8 miles) meet
From the Radcliffe Times, November 12, 1954: l A tentative agreement had been reached between all of Radcliffe's political parties on future Mayoral selections, following controversy in previous years. l Lancashire County Council voted in favour of plans
ONE of the two most improved schools in the country celebrated its achievements at its annual prize giving last night.. The Department for Education and Skills recently used Witton Park School Business and Enterprise College in Blackburn as an example
A TEENAGER was fighting for his life today after plunging from a moving bus following a clash between youths and the driver. The 19-year-old, from Little Harwood, is believed to have hit his head on the pavement when he tumbled off the number 14 Blackburn
BLACKBURN with Darwen's approach to educating children who cannot attend school has been given top marks by government inspectors. The inspectors were so impressed with the way St Thomas' pupil referral unit mirror mainstream classes, they are set to
AN ELECTRICITY box, which a company boss claimed was being used to give burglars a step up into the yard of his roofing business, has been moved by council bosses. But the owners of Wasp Roofing Supplies, in Weir Street, Blackburn, say that a parking
Talking sport with Sports Editor Paul Plunkett CONFESSION time: I've been involved in a love triangle for many years. Myself, Beer and Football - the Three Amigos as we like to call ourselves - have shared many great moments. Some unforgettable. Some
BEING a disabled driver, I am a little disgusted with the disabled parking facilities in Bury. On most car parks there are very few spaces and when these are full, normal parking prices apply. What a difference in Bolton where disabled parking is free
THE political power and social clout Jeff Lewis complains about (Letters, November 4) is in full swing, led by those leading the very party formed to eliminate bias. With additions to already generous salaries, ever-increasing allowances, additional homes
MR Fitzgerald's letter (October 28) rightly draws attention to the increasing arrogance of extremism. Some people smoke; others don't. If pubs and restaurants return to the provision of smoking and non-smoking rooms - additionally with extractors in the
A GULF War veteran has been found dead at his RAF barracks in Gibraltar. Rick Borland, aged 31, of Holbeach Close, Brandlesholme, Bury, was found collapsed in his room. Two post mortem examinations have been carried out but they have been unable to establish
I AGREE with H Hamer up to a point. The taxpayer shouldn't have to foot the bill for parents to take their children on holiday. The real culprits are the tour operators. Neither do I think parents should be fined for taking their children out of school
I DO agree to a point with R Harvey Moran's letter (October 21) which was that National Service should be brought back for 17-25 year-olds. A two-year National Service programme would probably curb a lot of the drug culture that looms on our streets today
LAST Thursday, members of Radcliffe Literary Society welcomed back Blue Badge Guide, John Doughty, who gave an illustrated talk entitled "Folklore and Traditions of the North West". Many of the old traditions are still in vogue today, and we saw examples
RADCLIFFE cadet, Danny Downes, has been appointed to the post of Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major for the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force. Danny (17), from Radcliffe has been a member of the group for almost five years, and has been Cadet Company Sergeant
A TEENAGER was fighting for his life today after plunging from a moving bus following a clash between youths and the driver. The 19-year-old, from Little Harwood, is believed to have hit his head on the pavement when he tumbled off the number 14 Blackburn
BURNLEY is set to be home to a flagship business centre set up to nurture the industry giants of tomorrow. A new generation of high technology businesses to revitalise local industry will be created when the £3.7 million Lancashire Digital Technology
RESIDENTS in Ainsworth fear that heavy lorries using a farm track could be damaging a 300-year-old chapel. The track next to the Unitarian Chapel is within the Ainsworth conservation area and runs between two listed buildings. The roadway leads to a site
LEIGH Centurions are close to completing their Super League jigsaw. Coach Darren Abram has just a handful of places remaining to fill in his squad before pre-season training gets underway later this month. Abram has 21 full-time players signed up and
TWO members of Leigh Centurions' promotion-winning squad are bitterly disappointed that they haven't been given the chance to play in Super League. Prop Simon Knox and back rower Anthony Blackwood have both had to find new clubs after the Centurions didn't
Rovers duo Brett Emerton and Lucas Neill have been named in Australia's squad to face Norway at Fulham's Craven Cottage next Tuesday. Aussie team coach Frank Farina has named 10 British-based players in his squad for the match. Neill and Emerton have
POLICE in Burnley have secured an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) on a youth who has been causing problems for people in the Lanehead area of town. The ASBO served on Aaron George, 14, will last until October 2006 and will stop him: Drinking alcohol
CRIMINALS are being warned they have reached the end of the road by police who have set up a new targeting team to track down travelling thieves. The new Automatic Number Plate Recognition Unit is made up of specialist targeting and road policing officers
PADIHAM man John Harbour, former borough councillor for the Hapton with Park Ward, has been selected to serve as a town councillor in Hapton. THE Mayor of Padiham Coun Mark Jinkinson reported that the Padiham Council website was currently being designed
KNOWN thieves are being booted out of stores in Nelson in a bid to cut shoplifting. Nelson Excludes Thieves is a police scheme to keep convicted shoplifters away and save businesses thousands of pounds. A rogues' gallery of mugshots has been given to
PENSIONERS in the town over the age of 70 are once again being invited to the Christmas party organised by Radcliffe Rotary Club. For the sixth consecutive year, the elderly can apply for tickets for the event at Radcliffe Civic Suite at 12.15pm on Thursday
WHY do racists always begin their dull-witted bile with with the preface: "I have never been a racist, but . . ." Let's never be fooled by the BNP's spineless and devisive tactics. What the borough of Bury needs is a multi-cultural music festival every
MORE than 30 homes could be built on a former industrial site. Earby Light Engineers Advanced Technologies has applied for outline planning permission to convert its office premises fronting Skipton Road. Colne, into housing. If the scheme gets the go
A JINX that dogged an Oswaldtwistle drama society struck for a third time when their tape recorder was stolen on the eve of a performance. The society's first jinx struck when the church they were due to perform at was burnt down by kids the night before
THREE pub regulars were fined £10 after asking the landlord for "one for the road". The men were fined for after hours drinking at the Grey Mare Inn in Oswaldwistle. The licencee was also fined £3 for supplying liquor after hours and £3 for aiding and
THE funeral takes place on Friday of a former Radcliffe cricketer. Mr Eric Baxter, of Low Farm, Hawkshaw, passed away at Fairfield General Hospital at the age of 74. He spent more than 32 years as a newsagent in north Bury, but had been a fast bowler
BURY Metro Sports Forum have started their search for the borough's sportspeople of the year, and the public are invited to nominate their choices for the various categories. There will be awards for: sportsman and sportswoman of the year, disabled sportsperson
FIXTURES Fishpool Lib A v Fishpool Lib B; Greenmount CC v Huntley Unionists; Summerseat Lib v Bury Bridge WMC; Hollins SC open date. LEAGUE TABLES SNOOKER W L Fr Ag Tl Fpool Lib B 4 2 18 8 26 Huntley Un 4 2 18 8 26 Fpool Lib A 3 3 16 6 22 Bury Br WMC
A DANCING queen has been named the best in Europe despite being diagnosed with a condition which nearly left her crippled. Eleven year-old disco diva Kiera Haworth, of Rishton, was given the title of European under-12 beginners champion for disco dancing
THE A.G.M. was held at Dobbies Social Club with a slightly better attendance than in previous years. The following motions were all voted on and passed for 2005 season. 1. All players to be registered by May 31 with no exceptions. 2. All individual handicaps
A YOUNG father who died after his motorcycle collided with an oncoming car had lost his own dad in a bike crash two years earlier. Darren Clancy (24), of Wingate Drive, Whitefield, was two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit when the accident
AN AWARDS ceremony for a Ribble Valley school proved to be a poignant occasion for staff, parents, and pupils. Bowland High School's awards night, held at Clitheroe's Parish Hall, Church Brow, was the first time the parents of a popular pupil had returned
AN effort to unearth details of her family history proved successful for one reader living in Yorkshire. Mrs Irene Coyle, of Doncaster, wanted to trace ancestors from Radcliffe named Leach. The family were known to have earned their living in coal mining
BURNLEY Football Supporters Club travel times: Sunderland v Burnley -- Depart Nelson bus station 11am; Nelson bus station 10.50am; Queensgate 10.40am; Turf Moor 10.30am; Tim Bobbin 10.20am; Rawtenstall 10am (pick ups start at Rawtenstall). Plymouth Argyle
INJURED Burnley duo Danny Coyne and Richard Chaplow look like being spared surgery that would delay their comebacks. The Clarets are currently without both players as they battle back from hamstring and cartilage injuries respectively. Both Coyne and
AN impressive performance from Chris Ingham was the catalyst for a Colne victory that moved them into the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy second round at the expense of neighbours Padiham. The midfielder bagged the second goal as the visitors all but sewed
LOOKING back on Saturday's 4-1 cup win over Stocksbridge Park Steels, Radcliffe Boro boss Kevin Glendon was pretty pleased with what he saw. "No disrespect to them but it was very difficult keeping my lads focussed at half-time because no matter how hard
ST Mary's emphatically registered their claim for leadership of Bury Amateur Billiards League with a 6-0 victory over Seedfield BC, while Walshaw Con A leapt into second place in front of their B team who were without a match. At the bottom, Dobbies B
RESULTS and tables MILLENNIUM CUP Bird in Hand 2, Huntley Mount 3; Elt Vale Sports 8, Boundary Utd 3; Horse & Jockey 5, Walshaw Cross 0; Lord Clive 6, Hare & Hounds 1; Marauders 2, PSV Hang 3. PREMIER DIVISION Boundary Wanderers 0, The Cave 10
Radcliffe Boro U14s 4, Whitworth U14s 0 North Bury Junior Football League: On Saturday, Boro's determination and temperament were tested to the limit. The early stages were dominated by the away side who, setting off at a terrific pace, took control in
LATEST results and tables PREMIER DIVISION Welcome Inn A 3, Masons Arms A 4; Rose & Crown (Rams) 3, Swan Hotel (Rad) 4; Victoria Hotel A 1, Hamers Arms 6; Staff of Life A 4, Rileys Snk. Club 3; Shirt Club 4, Roach Hotel A 3. FIRST DIVISION Summerseat
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes believes his players are about to enter a 'make or break' period in their season. Saturday's trip to Manchester City marks the beginning of a five-game run against sides in the bottom half of the Premiership. And Hughes
INJURED Burnley duo Danny Coyne and Richard Chaplow look like being spared surgery that would delay their comebacks. The Clarets are currently without both players as they battle back from hamstring and cartilage injuries respectively. Both Coyne and
FLAMES swept through an MOT testing centre late at night, raising fears that nearby residents might have to be evacuated . It was feared acetylene cylinders were in the burning building at the Easy Service Centre garage in Ringley Road West, Radcliffe
OLYMPIC silver medalist Amir Khan's first ring appearance since Athens is to be shown live on TV. The Bury boxer's match against an as yet unnamed opponent for England against the United States at the Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, on December
THE community has rallied behind Blackburn with Darwen's first extended school and last night it was a chance for pupils to celebrate their achievements. Darwen Vale High School has worked hard over the last 12 months to engage parents and pupils in learning
THE achievements of a woman who built up a successful florists shop from nothing are celebrated in a new exhibition launched today. Karen Anne Jones, 35, was a single mother who had just escaped a troubled past when she set out on the path to business
A DARWEN pal of Liverpool football legend and television personality Emlyn Hughes has paid tribute to a "fantastic" lad. Mark Hoghton, 42, of Belgrave Road, Darwen, went on holiday to Magaluf last year with Emlyn and recalled how he was one of the fittest
THE man behind Darwen's £35 million Academy today moved to reassure parents of his reasons for developing the town's new high school. But union bosses claimed his ability to run the Academy would be based on funding rather than educational expertise.
THE exit road from Asda in Radcliffe could be widened to make room for more shoppers. Plans have been submitted to Bury Council to make provide an additional exit lane on Sion Street near the supermarket. The application will be discussed at a future
RADCLIFFE'S Remembrance Day parade will begin at 10.15am on Sunday at the British Legion on Water Street, and make its way to the cenotaph at the top of Spring Lane. There will be a two-minute silence, before the group carries on to St Thomas' Church,
BORO boss Kevin Glendon has brought in Accrington Stanley's former Bury and Chester City stopper, Steve "Hacker" Halford on a months loan. He sees the rugged, no-nonsense centre-back as just the kind of player his side needs, as it bids to climb the Unibond
TRAVELLERS who set up camp in the Lomax Street area of Radcliffe last week moved on voluntarily on Wednesday morning. Bury Council were taking enforcement action after complaints by residents.
PET owners can have some peace of mind and keep their animals safe by having them microchipped. The RSPCA is holding a national microchipping day on November 21 when Regans Vets, of Water Street, Radcliffe, will microchip pets for just £10, between 10am
FESTIVE lights are at last twinkling outside the home of a Christmas-loving grandmother. Mrs Elizabeth Sayers (62), of Unsworth Street, Radcliffe, got into the festive spirit early but vandals cut the wires before the lights could be "officially" switched
THE case of a parking attendant charged with perverting the course of justice has been adjourned. Tracy Platt, from Radcliffe, appeared before Bolton Crown Court, sitting in Bury, on Wednesday after allegedly falsifying evidence in relation to a parking
PENSIONERS in the town over the age of 70 are once again being invited to the Christmas party organised by Radcliffe Rotary Club. For the sixth consecutive year, the elderly can apply for tickets for the event at Radcliffe Civic Suite at 12.15pm on Thursday
MORE than 21,000 youngsters will be able to access new football facilities in Blackburn as part of a new Football Foundation Project aimed at boosting grassroots football. St Bede's Roman Catholic High School and Specialist Sports College will unveil
POLICE have launched a national hunt for a homeless sex offender who has breached his terms of release from prison. The details of Derek Brakenbury, who was known to sleep at the rear of Blackburn's TJ Hughes store, have been circulated on a national
Travel news A SUPPORTERS' coach is running to Accrington Stanley's next away game at Barnet on Novewmber 20. The coach will leave the Crown pub on Whalley Road, Accrington, at 8am and costs £20 per person. Anyone wishing to book their place on the coach
The Paul Mullin column IT would be ironic if we could come full circle on Saturday, but it it would certainly be a more than welcome feat. Our game at Northwich earlier in the season was probably the one that signalled the start in our gentle slide down
IN reply to your correspondent Jeff Lewis (Letters, November 4) I still say that the BNP has no public "voice". If it had, the televised party political broadcast on behalf of the BNP in the June elections would not have the plug pulled! It would, and
MEP Gary Titley (Letters, October 21) needs to look closer to home to wash the grime from his own party before he starts berating others for their public performances. People should not throw stones from within their own shattered greenhouses. If one
WHAT on earth is going on at the Elms Medical Centre in Whitefield? Or should I say, the car park of the centre? My wife and I returned late on Sunday night, October 31, from two weeks abroad and drove onto the car park, having been through the barrier
TOWN Hall bosses have launched a leaflet to dispel what they say are the "myths and legends" about asylum-seekers. The leaflet, which will be available at council offices and places like GP surgeries, has been produced to promote community relations and
