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Stories for 7 January 2005
Accrington News
Hyndburn 'has been short-changed by government'
THE leader of Hyndburn Council has warned that ratepayers could be facing a huge hike in their council tax this year. more...
Plan to light up play area gets the nod
RESIDENTS in Oswaldtwistle have failed to block plans to light up a children's play area, which has become a magnet for local youths. more...
Children's home given go-ahead
A HOUSE in Accrington is to be turned into a residential home for children with learning difficulties, despite objections. more...
Council cash and clean-up action on agenda
HYNDBURN Council's budget will be one of the main items on the agenda at the next meeting of Peel and Barnfield Area Council. more...
Rotary funds for clean water
GREAT Harwood and Rishton Rotary Club is raising funds to buy water purifying kits and temporary shelters for the victims of the tsunami. more...
Blackburn News
Could it happen here one day?
THE world will never forget the tsunami which killed at least 150,000 on Boxing Day. And it brought home to many that no-one is safe when a natural disaster of such massive proportions occurs. But how safe are we in East Lancashire? And what arrangements are in place to deal with major incidents when and if they occur? Chief Reporter DAVID HIGGERSON reports. . . more...
So lucky to be alive
A COUPLE who escaped death twice have been reunited with the parents who almost lost them forever. more...
Blast at council sparks new row
A COUNTY councillor has re-ignited the row with Blackburn with Darwen Council after claiming it wasn't as good as it led people to believe. more...
Schools top of class
SIX East Lancashire schools have been named among the country's best by Government inspectors. more...
'I've bin left mad by jobsworth officers'
A BLACKBURN man has blasted "jobsworth" council workers for refusing to empty his recycling bin after he left it a few metres short of the collection point. more...
Invitation to quiz local councillors
A SERIES of meetings in which members of the public will be given the chance to question key decision makers on Blackburn with Darwen Council is to be launched tonight. more...
Muslim appeal raises £70,000
VOLUNTEERS from Lancashire's Muslim community have flown out to help the massive relief operation after £70,000 was raised in a few days. more...
'Recycle it' for 2005
LANCASHIRE householders are being urged to make a New Year's resolution to recycle more in 2005. more...
Bolton Business
Mike's helping hand for start-up firms
IF YOU want to know the VAT rate in South Africa or the type of timber used for railway sleepers, Mike Ashton, the chief excecutive of ChamberLink is the man to ask. more...
Firms get skills cash injection
TWENTY nine north-west companies, including Rainbow Embroidery based on Vernon Street, Bolton, have received a total investment of nearly £220,000 to help them improve the skills of their workforce. more...
Marks slashes profit forecast
Marks & Spencer dramatically slashed its forecasts for annual profits after it was forced to make deep price cuts to clear excess Christmas stock. more...
Bolton Bygone
From our files January 7
10 YEARS AGO more...
Sex lesson leads to a population explosion
IN September, 1981, pupils at Tonge Moor County Primary school, Bolton, learned about the birds, bees - and gerbils. more...
On this day January 7
1558: Calais, the last English possession on the mainland of France, was regained by the French. more...
Relics tell of curling days
HERE is some more on the curling saga. Regular readers will know that the Bolton branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club was a thriving local organisation in the early years of the last century. more...
Bolton Education
Pupils' shock over missing teacher
TRIBUTES have been paid to an "inspirational" Bolton teacher missing and feared to have been killed in the Asian tidal wave disaster. more...
Caring students in line for award
BIG-HEARTED Bolton students who helped transform an old army barracks into a shelter for the homeless could receive a top award from Britain's biggest volunteering group. more...
Bolton Leisure
Fans will welcome return of Daniel
CHART star Daniel Bedingfield is to appear in Manchester in March. more...
Branch out and recycle your tree
GREEN-fingered staff at a Bolton garden centre are offering people the chance to think about the environment and recycle their Christmas trees. more...
Church raises cash for roof
A CHURCH trying to raise £18,000 for a new roof, is organising a Race Night later this month. more...
World record for tea drinkers
TEA drinkers across the North-west have helped break a world record. more...
Campbell Community Group
Campbell Community Group will hold their Annual General meeting on Thursday 27th January 7.30pm at Campbell House. Application forms for elections can be allocated from the UCAN Centre located at 84 Campbell Street. more...
Green fingers
KEEN gardeners are welcome at the next meeting of the East Lancs Group of the Alpine Garden Society on Monday, January 10 at Ramsbottom Civic Hall at 7pm. more...
Dogs in art to go under the hammer
THREE paintings of dogs by a distinguished Bolton artist who found fame and fortune in America are to be auctioned later this month. more...
Circus troupe made it an unforgettable evening
THIS Montreal-based troupe of multinational artists blew into Manchester on the back of a mini hurricane, but nothing outside was more invigorating than this breathtaking, beautiful piece of physical theatre. more...
Bolton News
Know your rights on faulty goods
IT may be less than two weeks ago, but the spirit of Christmas is already being stretched to the limit. Bolton town centre is alive and kicking with shoppers returning unwanted gifts and spending their cash in the sales. But be careful: just because you hate the shirt your auntie gave you, it does not mean the shop is honour-bound to take it back. more...
Good news for buyers
FIRST-time housebuyers in Bolton should be able to soon take advantage of an "orderly slowdown" in the housing market during 2005. more...
My pledge - by MP Ruth
NEW Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has quashed rumours she will be parachuted to a safer seat at the next General Election. more...
Home closure will hit 15 elderly residents
A RESIDENTIAL home in Bolton is to close next month, leaving 15 elderly residents facing an uncertain future. more...
Brenda's Kenya mission
A LIFE with no fresh water or electricity would not be appealing to many but for one former Bolton teacher it was a dream come true. more...
Addicts using plots as dens
GARDENERS are calling for action to stop vandals from trashing their allotments. more...
Bid to seal off alleys in fight against yobs
HOUSING bosses want to seal off four more ginnels across the borough in a bid to protect communities from crime. more...
Copter appeal takes off
THE Eagle will land sooner than expected for the regionís Air Ambulance charity. more...
Answer the call of the wild
YOUNG people from schools and youth clubs in the borough are invited to enter teams in an adventure competition. more...
Check salt in your soup
CONSUMERS in Bury are being urged to check out the salt content of fresh, canned and dried soups following a survey which found "disturbingly" high levels of the mineral in the ingredients. more...
Chance to 'meet' the Pope
YOUNG adults, aged 18 to 30, are being invited to join the Bishop of Salford on a trip to Germany in August. more...
Diabetes patients' views invited for new care policies
BOLTON'S diabetics are being given the chance to shape their own future through a Government consultation. more...
Health staff add quality
VOLUNTEERS working in the health sector add quality of life to patients, a new report has found. more...
A reminder that we are potty for Fred
I HAVE been watching a re-run of Fred Dibnah demolishing chimneys. more...
Vote for me
A DOCTOR from Bolton is hoping to win a seat in Parliament - by taking part in a reality television contest. more...
Agony wait for chef's family
THE distraught family of a chef from Worsley face an agonising wait to find out if he has survived the devastating tsunami in Thailand. more...
Pubs get bouncers licence warning
POLICE have threatened to take action against pubs, bars and clubs if their doormen fail to obtain new licences. more...
Charity night in memory of Emma
FRIENDS and family of a children's nurse who was killed in a road accident while on holiday in Tenerife are raising raise money for the ward where she worked with a charity night in her memory. more...
Police bid to put breaks on car 'torchers'
A SECOND police crackdown has been launched to tackle thieves who dump and set fire to vehicles on the streets of Little Hulton and Walkden. more...
Stolen car found in a scrapyard
A £21,000 car stolen from Wigan was found 16 months later in a scrapyard in Cambridgeshire, a court has heard. more...
Science whiz pupils reach gold standard
THREE students from Bolton School Boys' Division have been given gold awards from Britain's leading science charity for their outstanding contributions to the field. more...
'Community heroes' are honoured
A HUSBAND and wife dubbed "community heroes" have won a prestigious award for transforming a crime-ridden area of Bolton into a safer place to live. more...
New cars which plummet in value
SOME new cars could lose three-quarters of their value within three years, Which? magazine has said. more...
Star pupils return to Grange Hill
TWO budding young actors will be putting on the uniform of television's most famous secondary school next week. more...
Youngest drink driver locked up
A BOY of 13 has been named and shamed as the youngest drink driver in Britain - as he was locked up for four months in a detention centre. more...
Father Christmas collects £4,000
WESTHOUGHTON Rotary Club's annual Father Christmas tour has raised more than £4,000 for charity. more...
Charity raises £14,500
THEY might have had sore fingers from wrapping thousands of Christmas presents but Bolton's Guide Dogs for the Blind raised a massive £14, 612 from its annual festive event. more...
Police blasted for 'political correctness gone mad'
GREATER Manchester Police were accused of "political correctness gone mad" after banning the word "township" because it was considered racist. more...
Roadworks may cause long delays
MOTORISTS face a high level of disruption as traffic signals are upgraded and crossings are improved at various locations in Breightmet and The Haulgh. more...
Lorry driver hijacked at gun point
A LORRY driver from a Bolton firm was hijacked at gunpoint and robbed of thousands of pounds of cash. more...
Customers make good neighbours
CUSTOMERS at the HSBC branch in Bolton have been donating presents for the bank's Neighbours in Need scheme. more...
Residents 'want waiting times cut'
CUTTING waiting times in the health service is what residents in Bolton West are most concerned about, according to a poll by the Conservative party. more...
Post a festive tree-mail
UNWANTED Christmas cards can be recycled for the Woodland Trust by taking them into Crompton Place shopping centre in Bolton. more...
Drivers hurt as car spins in crash
TWO men were taken to hospital following an accident in which a car collided with three other vehicles. more...
Police plea to owner of stolen figurines
POLICE in Bolton have seized porcelain figurines, worth thousands of pounds, which they believe have been stolen. more...
Two men in drugs probe are bailed
TWO men from Bury have been arrested after crack cocaine with a street value of £10,000 was recovered at an address in the town. more...
Residents flee flats blaze
A LUXURY apartment block in Manchester had to be evacuated after a fire broke out. more...
Polka dots help hospice
POLKA dots, capri pants, rock and roll and aging hippies were the focus of a 50s and 60s night for Derian House Children's Hospice, Chorley. more...
Donation point
SHOPPERS in the Market Place will now be able to donate money to help the thousands of people caught up in the tsunami disaster. more...
Campbell Community Group
Campbell Community Group will hold their Annual General meeting on Thursday 27th January 7.30pm at Campbell House. Application forms for elections can be allocated from the UCAN Centre located at 84 Campbell Street. more...
Asda to open fourth store
SUPERMARKET giant Asda is to open its fourth store in Bolton in May, creating 400 jobs. more...
Taxes are making the poor poorer
GORDON Brown has done a great job with the economy - or so we are led to believe! more...
Charity is not just for Christmas
NOW that the few days of "goodwill to all men" have passed, and we have all returned to the worship of our particular brand of mammon, may I, as one of the cynical critics of the system, ask a couple of questions? more...
Waste disposal law is rubbish
Under recent legislation, I understand that an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) may now be served on anyone putting their bin out too early or leaving it out for too long after it has been emptied. This nonsense rule is supposed to prevent anti-social youths from setting fire to them or tipping them over. I often work away from home, and, unfortunately, have little choice. more...
Bring back bridalways
HORSES should not be just something from days gone by, but part of the future. Children and adults who ride these days need to be kept off unsafe roads. more...
Give Fred's fans a chance to own a piece of his art
THERE have been a lot of letters in the Bolton Evening News about a memorial to Fred Dibnah. I believe that people would value this reminder of his influence on our appreciation of things mechanical. more...
Bolton Sport
Nugent transfer deal blow for Shakers
THE Shakers' depleted finances were dealt a major blow on Thursday night when talks to take leading scorer Dave Nugent to First Division Preston North End fell through. more...
Lutley eyes first victory
LEIGH RMI boss Geoff Lutley hopes the frustrations of the Christmas period will add up to the first victory since he took charge on Saturday. more...
Latics grateful for cup breather
WIGAN manager Paul Jewell has praised his charges for putting themselves into a great position to win promotion at the halfway mark in the season. more...
Another 'goal' that wasn't!
ATHERTON Collieries beat Tottenham to the inauspicious honour of having a perfectly good goal disallowed against St Helens on Monday. more...
Bolton's Bury cup clash
BOLTON Under 15s look to make progress in the Greater Manchester Schools County Cup when they take on local rivals Bury in their quarter final clash at the Derby School in Bury on Saturday (10.30am). more...
Boro look for Foster repeat
RADCLIFFE Boro will hope to build on some impressive recent results when they travel to Yorkshire to play Wakefield and Emley. more...
Cycling champ at club dinner
FORMER Olympian, World Hour Record holder, and champion cyclist Graeme Obree will be the guest of Lancashire Road Club on Thursday, January 13. more...
Now Law's an Englishman!
LANCASHIRE'S former Australia Test batsman Stuart Law is officially an English player, after being granted British citizenship. more...
Bolton Wanderers
Sam banks on Premiership cash
SAM Allardyce has 100 million reasons why he continues to put Premiership prosperity above FA Cup glory on his list of priorities. more...
I want to play - Jussi
WORKAHOLIC Wanderer Jussi Jaaskelainen has volunteered for FA Cup duty. more...
Stopper is Sam's top priority
WANDERERS network of scouts, agents and trusted contacts have been given the onerous task of finding another Florent Laville. more...
Diouf still a lot to prove - Sam
EL-HADJI Diouf still needs to prove himself, if he wants to secure a permanent deal with Wanderers. more...
Davies up for the cup
KEVIN Davies has been fast-tracked back into the Wanderers squad for Saturday's third round FA Cup tie at Ipswich. more...
Morrison charged over Hunt push
BIRMINGHAM striker Clinton Morrison has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after his push on Wanderersí full-back Nicky Hunt in Tuesday's Premiership clash at St Andrewís. more...
Hot Currie to face Wanderers
IPSWICH face Wanderers with a member of last season's Team of the FA Cup in their midst. more...
Burnley News
Would-be thief posed as charity worker
A WOULD-be thief posing as a charity worker was rumbled when she tried to gain access to a Burnley pensioner's flat. more...
MP meets care home staff and residents
BURNLEY MP Peter Pike was due to visit three residential care homes today to say 'Happy New Year' on his last annual visit before he retires. more...
Plant could close again
WORKERS at a Burnley factory will learn on Monday if they are to lose their jobs. more...
'Kidnapped' businessman accused of illegal activities
A BUSINESSMAN at the centre of an alleged £500,000 kidnap ran a wide-ranging criminal empire from his second-hand shop, a court heard. more...
Residents fear scheme will bring addicts to area
MORE than 100 people packed into a public meeting to voice their opposition to plans for a drug treatment centre near their homes. more...
Did you escape rapist?
POLICE fear a New Year's Eve sex attacker could have targeted other potential victims before striking, it was revealed today. more...
Drivers to get traffic info on road screens
MOTORISTS in Burnley will soon be in the fast lane when work starts on a £360,000 state-of-the-art traffic scheme later this month. more...
Robbers beat up man for his phone
A MAN was attacked and beaten up in the street by three robbers who took his mobile phone. more...
Guns and bullets stolen in house burglary
TWO guns and live ammunition have been stolen in a burglary in Burnley. more...
Medal joy for family of soldier
AN East Lancashire Army cadet chief is to hand back one of the first pieces of war memorabilia he collected to the family of the teenage soldier who was awarded it nearly 90 years ago. more...
Cyclists get fines warning
POLICE today warned town centre cyclists in Burnley they could face £30 on the spot fines for breaking bike restrictions. more...
Man in court on murder charge
A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a disabled Burnley grandad. more...
Bury Education
Pupils mourn tragic headteacher
PUPILS and colleagues are mourning the death of a popular headteacher from Bury who was found hanged. more...
Georgia plays Alison in New Grange Hill series
A TEENAGER is set to hit the big time after winning one of the starring roles in the long-running children's drama Grange Hill. more...
Learn another language
NORTH west MEP Chris Davies is urging the people of the borough to expand their linguistic skills and learn another language. more...
Bury Leisure
Town rallies around to raise cash
CLUBS, communities and individuals are rallying round throughout Bury to help stricken parts of Asia. more...
Sunday chemist rota
l Asda in-store pharmacy, Asda, Radcliffe: 11am-5pm. more...
Bury News
Our terror as giant wave hit hotel
AN elderly couple caught up in the Asian tsunami while holidaying in Sri Lanka have spoken about their terror as the giant killer waves smashed into their luxury resort. more...
Pupils mourn tragic headteacher
PUPILS and colleagues are mourning the death of a popular headteacher from Bury who was found hanged. more...
Fears for safety of elderly man
A SEARCH is underway for a missing pensioner after police recovered his car at a Bolton park. more...
Shortages led to 'wrong decision'
FAIRFIELD General Hospital is already in the spotlight for children's services. But our experience highlighted shortcomings in its adult services. more...
Strengthen our sense of community
AS we look forward to a new year, the David Blunkett saga must have once again raised questions in many peopleís minds about the relevance of politics to their everyday lives. more...
There are fascists - but not in the BNP
IN his desperation to attack the BNP, your correspondent P. Charles (Letters, December 10) notches up an extraordinary tally of inaccuracies and distortions. more...
Tesco car park was gridlocked
COULD your Letters page solve the burning question of the new year? more...
'Explosion of hatred' proved my point
THE explosion of hatred and the sheer viciousness of the replies (Letters, December 24) to my criticism of the extreme right in British politics proved my point pretty well. more...
Festival idea was to have fun
FOR the benefit of correspondents, the Celebrating Diversity Festival on Nov 27 was funded by Bury Council's Community Cohesion fund (money given by the Treasury to spend solely on events and projects which promote community cohesion in Bury) together with sponsorship from the Children's Fund, Bury Primary Care Trust and Connexions. more...
Tesco car park is like a maze
COULD your Letters page solve the burning question of the new year? more...
Keep it - but train it too
WE are sure that some people will have received puppies for Christmas this year, despite all the usual festive warnings. more...
Is there only one speed camera
AFTER reading about demands for a speed camera on Bolton Road, Radcliffe, following a fatal accident there, I was upset to learn that there is only one speed camera in the whole of Bury Metro. Is this true? more...
They wont destroy us
IN reply to the query from P. Charles (Letters, December 10) I am sorry to say that the manifesto is not currently available on the BNP website. more...
Report on race
GREATER Manchester Police has pledged to do all it can to fight racism and discrimination following the publication of its latest report on race and diversity. more...
Tap into a natural resource - water
UNITED Utilities have teamed up with the National Kidney Research Fund to encourage people in Radcliffe to drink plenty in the New Year. more...
'Bail bandits' drive
POLICE are launching a new offensive on "bail bandits". more...
Copter appeal takes off
THE Eagle will land sooner than expected for the regionís Air Ambulance charity. more...
Answer the call of the wild
YOUNG people from schools and youth clubs in the borough are invited to enter teams in an adventure competition. more...
Chance to 'meet' the Pope
YOUNG adults, aged 18 to 30, are being invited to join the Bishop of Salford on a trip to Germany in August. more...
Big cash boost for police
GREATER Manchester Police (GMP) is to receive an extra £19.4 million to tackle crime. more...
Helping hands for Africa
VOLUNTEERS willing to lend a hand for sick children in Africa are urged to attend a meeting in Ainsworth. more...
Sunday chemist rota
l Asda in-store pharmacy, Asda, Radcliffe: 11am-5pm. more...
Big drop in numbers out of work
UNEMPLOYMENT in Bury South has more than halved since Labour came to power. more...
Brother's details posted on 'missing' website
A MAN who moved from Radcliffe to live in a beach hut on the Thai island of Phuket is still missing following the tsunami disaster. more...
Six schools get awards for dyslexia work
A RADCLIFFE school is one of six across the borough who are leading the way for dyslexia awareness. more...
Town rallies around to raise cash
CLUBS, communities and individuals are rallying round throughout Bury to help stricken parts of Asia. more...
Hospital's 'thanks a million' for family's gift
HEALTH bosses have said "thanks a million" to a former Bury family on the official opening of Fairfield Hospital's new education centre. more...
Jail for internet groomer who posed as teenager
A 42-year-old engineer who "groomed" a 14-year-old girl over the internet and then sexually assaulted her has been jailed for four years and three months. more...
Bury Jazz Society
Last Monday evening at the Mosses Centre Bury Jazz Society continued their Christmas theme with a vintage recording from 1927 by Clarence Williams Jazz Kings which featured Louis Armstrong Santa Claus Blues with Williams wife Vaudeville singer Eva Taylor singing the vocal chorus. more...
Bury Ramblers
OUR contribution to the Ramblers' Association "Festival of Winter Walks" took place with a nine-mile walk on the West Pennine Moors led by Brenda Wheatley. more...
Sentences ' not a soft option'
PEOPLE in Greater Manchester underestimate the severity of community sentences and are unaware of the benefits this type of punishment can offer to their local community. more...
A vision to help
A BURY optometrist has helped to safeguard the sight of many desperately poor Ugandans during a vital mercy mission with Vision Aid Overseas. more...
New £1m extension opens
A HOME for disabled children and young adults has welcomed a £1 million addition to its accommodation. more...
Children's centre for Besses
A PIONEERING children's centre for Whitefield is set to be launched next year. more...
Rotary swings into action for fund
THE Rotary Club of Prestwich and Whitefield has pledged more than £5,000 worth of aid to the Tsunami disaster appeal. more...
Bunnyhops joy at Ofsted report
STAFF at Bunnyhops Nursery in Prestwich are jumping for joy at the findings of an Ofsted report. more...
Prestwich Co-op Camera Club
THE new year at the Prestwich Co-op Camera Club opened with an excellent selection of prints and a good selection of slides. more...
Atrium is a triumph
A HOME for disabled children and young adults has welcomed a £1 million addition to its accommodation. more...
Check salt in your soup
CONSUMERS in Prestwich and Whitefield are being urged to check out the salt content of fresh, canned and dried soups following a survey which found "disturbingly" high levels of the mineral in the ingredients. more...
Concert pupils on a high
TALENTED musicians at Castlebrook High School have ended a momentous year on a high note. more...
UNICEF office 'inundated'
RESIDENTS throughout the borough are surpassing all expectations with their generous donations to help the survivors of the tsunami disaster. more...
Can you solve family puzzle?
CAN you help fit the pieces of an ancestry puzzle and track down some long-lost family members from Whitefield? more...
Tsunami terror for birthday trip couple
A BELATED birthday present on a luxury island turned sour for Oliver Thompson and his fiancee. more...
Immigration must end now
I AM neither an extremist nor a racist but I care about my country and want it to remain British. more...
We're being taken over by mosques
P. CHARLES (Letters, December 10) rebukes me because I object to non-Christian places of worship in English cities, and says I should realise that in a democracy people have a choice of faith. more...
Tsunami treated them all the same
HOW interesting that the outburst of hysteria and intolerance from BNP supporters and the like was published on the Letters page on Christmas Eve. more...
ELR also causes inconvenience
IT'S a bit rich of the East Lancs Railway to complain about the car boot sales in Ramsbottom, when their own activities cause so much inconvenience to residents. more...
Christmas meal was wonderful
ON Christmas Day, my mother and I attended the dinner so kindly provided by the Friends of St Mark's and St John's church in Bury. more...
Letters page full of intolerence
WHAT a disgrace that a perfectly sensible call by our MP (Letters, December 17) for a broader range of opinion in the media, should be subject to such a torrent of abuse from the "thought police" of the far right. more...
Do they refuse medical treatment
THE Bury Times Letters page (December 24) was full of the most appalling abusive letters from the members of the Bury National Party and their fellow travellers. more...
Queen's message 'food for thought'
I WONDER if any of those BNP supporters and others whose letters dominated the Bury Times on Friday, December 24, sat down to listen to the Queen's Christmas message the following day. It might have given them some food for thought more...
Has MP got 'the Queens ear'?
HAS our MP been colluding with the Queen, or was it just coincidence that David Chaytor's call for a more tolerant and broad-minded Britain (Letters, December 17), was echoed by the Queen in her Christmas message this year? more...
Talks on future of mill
RESIDENTS are being given the chance to shape the future of an eagerly-awaited community centre. more...
Drama parents give show to parents
DRAMA students with stars in their eyes performed several showstopping routines for an end-of-term Parents' Day to celebrate their academyís 25th anniversary. more...
New role for former governor
A FORMER prison governor has become the borough's "Older People's Champion". more...
Area board tsunami help
PRESTWICH residents will get the chance to offer support to the survivors of the tsunami disaster at the next area board. more...
Beatrice celebrates her ton!
BEATRICE Maxwell heralded the New Year in style by celebrating her 100th birthday. more...
Milkman victim of rounders' bat attack
A MILKMAN was beaten with a rounders bat during a vicious attempt to rob him in Prestwich. more...
Police on stand-by
A GROUP of 30 officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are on standby to fly to the affected areas of south east Asia. more...
Reunion for Adrian and Beth at cinema
PRESTWICH'S international swimmer Adrian Turner met a familiar young face at a special event to thank people for giving blood more...
Margaret scoops prize from survey
A PRESTWICH woman received an surprise present after winning a prize draw run by Bury Councilís area initiatives team. more...
Doctor's radio talk
A PRESTWICH-based doctor is to give an insight into a new and alternative approach to cosmetic surgery. more...
Visit was a real eye-opener
A WHITEFIELD pensioner had an enlightening visit to her optician. more...
Scouts get cheque from neighbours
A CONSERVATIVE Club did not have to go far to give a donation to their local Scout group. more...
Learn another language
NORTH west MEP Chris Davies is urging the people of the borough to expand their linguistic skills and learn another language. more...
First baby joy on New Year's Day
THE arrival of 2005 was extra special for one Whitefield mum who celebrated the birth of her first child. more...
Polish doctors recruited at hospital
EASTERN European doctors have been offered posts to work at North Manchester General Hospital. more...
Borough's tribute
A THREE-minute silence was observed in the borough on Wednesday to remember the victims of the tsunami tragedy. more...
TV show boosts home interest
A PRIME time slot on Channel 4's Richard and Judy has helped sales soar for Bett Homes after a Whitefield apartment block was used in a £100,000 competition. more...
Church fund boosts appeal
PARISHIONERS at Our Lady of Grace RC Church in Prestwich have raised more than £3,000 to help survivors of the earthquake in south east Asia. more...
Tsunami tribute
WHITEFIELD area board paid a silent tribute to the victims of the tsunami disaster on Wednesday. more...
OAP Eric's grand gesture
PENSIONER Eric Dearden made his own grand gesture to the tsunami appeal. more...
Police on tsunami stand-by
OFFICERS from Greater Manchester Police are getting set to fly out the devastated regions of South East Asia. more...
Russell's top award
BIRD fancier Russell Taylor had plenty to crow about on New Year's Day when he took the top award at the 162nd Ye Olde Gamecock Show. more...
Pupils' delight as classmate is safe
CHILDREN at a Bury school breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that a Sri Lankan classmate was safe and well. more...
The magnificent seven
EXPRESS delivery company TNT has paid tribute to their Ramsbottom-based "magnificent seven". more...
Paper chase leads home
A FORMER paper boy is returning to his roots - to reopen a Brandlesholme newsagents. more...
Pensioner showered with glass in New Year attack
A SLEEPING pensioner was showered with glass when a rock was hurled through his bedroom window. more...
Mum's anxious wait for news of son
A COUPLE from Tottington are anxiously awaiting news of their son who has not been in touch since the south east Asia tragedy. more...
Attacked car 'for no apparent reason'
A MAN who attacked a car on two separate occasions for no apparent reason has been fined £370 and ordered to pay £200 in compensation. more...
Bury Red Cross founder dies
A FOUNDER member of the Bury branch of the Red Cross has died at the age of 90. more...
Bikers riding roughshod over the law
YOUNG quad bikers could be driving straight into serious trouble with their new Christmas presents. more...
Bid to trace dead man's relatives
THE coroner's office has issued an appeal to trace the relatives of a Bury man found dead at his home on Monday. more...
Entering a new year and a new century!
IT looks set to be another good year for Wallace Good who celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday. more...
£10,000 drugs raid by police
POLICE seized drugs with an estimated street value of £10,000 and arrested two men after executing warrants at addresses in Bury. more...
Alpine Garden Society
THE East Lancs Group of the Alpine Garden Society holds its first meeting of the new year on Monday at Ramsbottom Civic Hall. more...
Accused of assault on court officer
A MAN is to face trial later this month accused of assaulting a security officer at Bury magistrates court. more...
Fraud charge
A MAN accused of car fraud has been committed by Rochdale magistrates to stand trial at crown court. more...
Gang grab girl's mobile
A TEENAGER had her mobile phone snatched from her grasp as she walked along Ramsey Grove in Bury on Tuesday night. more...
Man's jump threat
A MAN was coaxed back to safety by police after threatening to throw himself from the M60 motorway footbridge at Whitefield in the early hours of New Year's Day. more...
Bury Sport
Fourie's fury at late penalty try
SEDGLEY Park player-coach Tim Fourie was in furious mood after a 79th minute penalty try robbed his team at Plymouth Albion. more...
Boro look for Foster repeat
RADCLIFFE Boro will hope to build on some impressive recent results when they travel to Yorkshire to play Wakefield and Emley. more...
FA cup won by Shakers for sale
THE second and oldest existing FA Cup is to be sold at auction. more...
Sports directory on the web
A NEW Bury Sports Directory is being published in the New Year, both as a booklet and on the internet. more...
Forever Bury: Latest bulletin
THE New Year has opened for Bury Football Club with a flurry of rumours and facts (mostly disquieting} but few points in the league table. more...
Nugent transfer deal blow for Shakers
THE Shakers' depleted finances were dealt a major blow on Thursday night when talks to take leading scorer Dave Nugent to First Division Preston North End fell through. more...
Shakers Comment by BT Sports Editor Phil Thorp
IN recent seasons Bury Football Club have been involved in more cliffhangers than Frank Spencer's car but this time it appears the end really could be nigh. more...
Boss can only dream of Orient excess
SHAKERS boss Graham Barrow will be hoping his rapidly dwindling first team squad isn't further reduced by a virus this weekend. more...
Tigers give Albion a nasty scare
PLYMOUTH ALBION 24, SEDGLEY PARK 19: Park made the long journey down to South Devon and came within a minute of causing a huge upset. more...
Reds too hot, but plenty to please
SALFORD CITY REDS 34, SWINTON LIONS 16: Lions' coach Paul Kidd was happy with his team's performance in a very testing friendly at the Willows. more...
All we are saying is . . . give us a game
Bring on the New Year. . . and a game of football. more...
Clarets Sport
McGreal bids to halt his heroes
AS A teenage Kopite, you might imagine John McGreal carefully studying the movements of Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson. more...
Moore aims to keep up record
IAN Moore hopes to continue his love affair with the FA Cup and grab the goalscoring mantle at Burnley. more...
Why Tyler can't wait to see Cahill
THE last time Martin Tyler commentated at Turf Moor, his velvet voice described how Burnley knocked Premiership side Fulham out of the FA Cup third round. more...
Confident Blake ready to step up
FORMER Burnley captain Robbie Blake is confident of transferring his Turf Moor goalscoring record to the Premiership after completing his £1.25million switch to Birmingham City. more...
Russell runs Reds into a cup siding
BURNLEY 0 LIVERPOOL 0 more...
Leave out Gerrard at your peril!
TONY Grant has warned Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez: Leave out Steven Gerrard at your peril. more...
BURNLEY v LIVERPOOL
Turf Moor, tonight 7.45 more...
We've come on leaps and bounds in a year
WHAT a difference a year makes. more...
Why Hoyland is sick of playing at Anfield
LIVERPOOL 1 more...
Clitheroe News
Bored youngsters get drop-in centre
BORED youngsters have been given somewhere to go thanks to the chamber of trade and a local businessman. more...
Gifts go to 'Russia' with love
CHILDREN'S homes in the former Soviet Union are benefiting from recycling at Bashall Barn. more...
Patients book in for health MoT test
PATIENTS at Calderstones NHS Trust will have their general health needs checked as part of a health MoT month. more...
Colne News
Battle over homes
COLNE residents have launched a campaign to stop 40 houses being built at the back of their homes. more...
Darwen News
Boy band needs a break
FOUR Darwen teenagers are hoping the people of East Lancashire can give their band the break they have been hoping for. more...
Worried pupils get own advice centre
ONE of Lancashire's first centres aimed at promoting health and well-being for teenagers will open at Darwen Vale High School next week. more...
Banned driver's unhappy New Year
A DISQUALIFIED driver anxious not to be locked up on New Year's Eve gave police false details. more...
Lancashire Leisure
Long live The King!
ELVIS is back from the grave to celebrate his birthday with a tour accompanied by some of his original band members. JEMMA DOBSON spoke to concert promoter Jef Hanlon about his extraordinary plans. . . more...
Reviews of the latest sounds
THIRTEEN SENSES: The Invitation (Mercury) more...
Lancashire News
So lucky to be alive
A COUPLE who escaped death twice have been reunited with the parents who almost lost them forever. more...
'Kidnapped' businessman accused of illegal activities
A BUSINESSMAN at the centre of an alleged £500,000 kidnap ran a wide-ranging criminal empire from his second-hand shop, a court heard. more...
Aim for a peaceful merger
WITH reference to the story headlines 'MP demands a review of new regimental name' (LET, December 27) 2004. more...
Blair was right not to cut short his holiday
THE calls for the Prime Minister to return from his holiday because of the tsunami disaster are some of the most ludicrous ever. more...
Woods carols were wonderful
I WOULD like to thank the people who supported the Carols in the Wood event held in Sunnyhurst Wood, Darwen on a cold winter's day (December 19). more...
Well done for 'porn' attack
I AM writing to give my support to Luke Carter following your article 'Rid the Streets of Porn' (LET, December 29). more...
Commandments can do only good
RE the letter from R Harvey-Moran (LET, January 4). more...
Row could have been avoided
ENCOURAGING people to recycle by separating their bottles, jars and tins and putting them into a special box is an excellent idea. more...
Spend, spend, spend? Give, give, give instead
SPEND, spend and spend some more. more...
Lancashire Sport
Stead warning
BLACKBURN Rovers today issued a firm hands-off warning to any clubs planning a January swoop for Jonathan Stead. more...
Benitez brings in the kids for FA Cup clash
LIVERPOOL are set to spring a surprise tonight by fielding a virtual reserve team at Turf Moor. more...
Let's start as we mean to go on
STEVE Wilkes has urged his side to turn back the clock in their push for promotion. more...
Dale need to turn up
IF Rossendale United turn up for their game at North Ferriby United it will be a vast improvement on last week, according to manager Mark Molyneaux. more...
Preston's new role
ANDY Preston is set to become Darwen's new midfield dynamo. more...
Leigh News
Towns rally to help tsunami victims
THE wave of death which devastated Asia on Boxing Day struck horror into the heart of Tyldesley drummer Ian Clark. more...
Leigh Sport
Lutley eyes first victory
LEIGH RMI boss Geoff Lutley hopes the frustrations of the Christmas period will add up to the first victory since he took charge on Saturday. more...
Nelson News
Doorman on murder charge
A NIGHTCLUB doorman has appeared before a court charged with murder. more...
Northend Sport
Davies drafts in reinforcements
PRESTON have swooped for Sheffield United full-back Rob Kozluk - and he's set to play against West Brom on Saturday. more...
Preston News
Community rallies to relief effort
THE tsunami disaster triggered an instant response from the people of Preston and South Ribble who rallied round to raise funds and donate goods for the relief effort. more...
Dramatic new venture for actress Melanie
BUDDING actors are being offered the chance to train with a famous soap actress at a new drama school in Preston. more...
Preston Sport
Davies drafts in reinforcements
PRESTON have swooped for Sheffield United full-back Rob Kozluk - and he's set to play against West Brom on Saturday. more...
Prestwich Education
Children's centre for Besses
A PIONEERING children's centre for Whitefield is set to be launched next year. more...
Concert pupils on a high
TALENTED musicians at Castlebrook High School have ended a momentous year on a high note. more...
Learn another language
NORTH west MEP Chris Davies is urging the people of the borough to expand their linguistic skills and learn another language. more...
Bunnyhops joy at Ofsted report
STAFF at Bunnyhops Nursery in Prestwich are jumping for joy at the findings of an Ofsted report. more...
Prestwich News
What happened to fireworks ban
LAST year legislation was passed in Parliament regarding the selling and use of fireworks. more...
Right business, wrong location
IVAN Lewis presumes "a storm of protest" from Prestwich residents had there been no Marks & Spencer locally. more...
Try earning it, not stealing it
THERE are still scum-bags around - even at Christmas. more...
Howard 'not telling the truth'
THE tragic events that followed the earthquake and tsunami in Asia have shocked and moved millions of people across the country. more...
Keep it - but train it too
WE are sure that some people will have received puppies for Christmas this year, despite all the usual festive warnings. more...
Ode to the council
AN ode to Bury Council on the occasion of their being elevated in status by the Audit Commission from "Fair" to "Good": more...
Oil workers' £1,000 gift for kids
From the Guide files of Friday, January 4, 1980: OIL rig workers kindly donated £6,000 to Nazareth House in Prestwich. more...
Can you solve family puzzle?
CAN you help fit the pieces of an ancestry puzzle and track down some long-lost family members from Whitefield? more...
Prestwich,Bury Leisure
Doctor's radio talk
A PRESTWICH-based doctor is to give an insight into a new and alternative approach to cosmetic surgery. more...
Sunday chemist rota
l Asda in-store pharmacy, Asda, Radcliffe: 11am-5pm. more...
Prestwich,Bury News
Six schools get awards for dyslexia work
LOCAL schools are among six in the borough are leading the way for dyslexia awareness. more...
Sunday chemist rota
l Asda in-store pharmacy, Asda, Radcliffe: 11am-5pm. more...
Rawtenstall News
Putting new spin on textile history
THE textile history of Rossendale is set to be brought to life when a major landmark is created in the Valley. more...
Workshop is offering a new branch of learning
RESIDENTS in Ramsbottom are being invited to twig on to facts about trees at a one-day workshop. more...
Brothers jailed after car spree
TWO brothers in crime who went on a one-night car offending spree are both behind bars for five months. more...
A treat in store on designer day
A TEAM of international designers is due to visit Rossendale next week. more...
Two cars skid off road after fuel spill
TWO cars skidded off the Grane Road yesterday afternoon after a fuel tanker started leaking diesel. more...
Rovers Sport
Rovers must show their FA Cup opponents real respect
WHEN people talk about the 'magic' of the FA Cup, they're usually making reference to some of the great upsets down the years. more...
Thorne targets his hero
WHEN Peter Thorne was growing up as an aspiring young footballer his father would often encourage him to be more like Mark Hughes. more...
Stead warning
BLACKBURN Rovers today issued a firm hands-off warning to any clubs planning a January swoop for Jonathan Stead. more...
Nelsen's on board
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes was today poised to make his second signing in the January transfer window. more...
Hughes knows what he's up against
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes has revealed he hasn't had to do much homework as he prepares to head back to Cardiff in the FA Cup tomorrow. more...
Specials Insideout
EVENTS in East Lancashire on Saturday, January 8
BLACKBURN more...
Stanley Sport
New Year, new start for Stanley
The Paul Mullin column more...
Stanley's Howarth gunning to hang on to first team spot
LAST year is one that Paul Howarth may be glad to see the back of. more...
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