APPARENTLY every time a bomb goes off somewhere in the world I must condemn it. Especially if the perpetrators happen to be Muslim. Well that's what Foreign Office Minister Denis McShane wants. If I don't I'm not choosing the British way of 'political
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Craft Guild of West Lancs selling exhibition, Lewis Textile Museum, Exchange Street, Blackburn, 11am-4pm. Until Jan 17. 'Kleptomania' -- an exhibition featuring collectors
NO one can have anything but a deep sense of shock at hearing the town of Blackburn being linked with international terrorism. The whole country has been on a state of heightened alert for the past few weeks because intelligence reports suggested an act
WYTHENSHAWE AMS...2 ELTON VALE...1: WHEN you're down at the bottom life in football can be so cruel as Elton found out when they visited the reigning champions. Vale couldn't have battled any harder if they'd had suits of armour on but after dominating
A FORMER drug addict who had been shunned by his family stole in an effort to find favour with them. Blackburn magistrates heard that Sabir Ahemed's family had offered an olive branch, inviting him to join their Eid celebrations. And so he would not look
AN almost impenetrable wall of silence was built up around the terrorist raids in Blackburn yesterday. Lancashire police gave only the briefest comment on the raids, claiming the operation was being handled solely by Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan
A TEENAGER ended up in a high dependency hospital ward after he was attacked twice on a night out. Burnley Crown Court heard that victim, Adam Heaton, now18, was knocked unconscious and suffered a bleed on the brain after the attack in Blackburn, on September
AN author is searching for soldiers to give him accounts of bravery during the Second World War fighting at Dunkirk. Hugh Sebag-Montefiore, author of Enigma: The Battle for the Code, is researching the heroic actions of East Lancashire troops in 1940
THERE'LL be magic lamps, genies and panto capers a-plenty when Claremont Family Players present Aladdin next month in Blackpool. The show will take place at St Pauls Worship Centre, Egerton Road, Blackpool, December 4-6 at 7pm, with a matinee on the Saturday
AN exciting new festival of one-act plays is being planned for the newest entertainment venue on the Fylde Coast. It will be staged at the new-look Thornton Lecture Hall which has been transformed into a 200-seater theatre complete with first class stage
POLICE are growing concerned for the safety of a 25-year-old woman who has not been seen for three weeks. Emma Outenbaev went missing from her home in Victor Avenue, Bury, on November 6. She is 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build, with green eyes and long brown
BURY people are invited to a special "first birthday" party tomorrow (Saturday Nov 29) at Openshaw Park. Jim Wynn, park ranger, has been in his post for 12 months and he is hosting a fun event between 2pm and 4pm. There will be a bird of prey display,
BURY Beer Festival proved to be the toast of the town when it was staged after a year's absence. Real ale buffs packed The Met in Market Street during the two-day event, organised by the Rochdale, Oldham and Rochdale branch of the Campaign for Real Ale
RESIDENTS are being offered free tickets for a show which warns about bogus callers. Crime prevention is the message from the Feeling Good Theatre Company, over two performances on Tuesday(Dec 2) at Radcliffe Civic Suite. The hour-long show, which runs
RAMSBOTTOM Police have been strengthened with the appointment of a new sergeant. Sgt Paul Tresnan's move from Bury follows an extension to the role of Inspector Steve Clark, who remains head of Ramsbottom police, but is also becoming head of Radcliffe
A HOSTEL for people with learning disabilities is being closed and its 15 residents placed in the community. After a year of deliberation, social services bosses have decided to lock the doors at Knowle Hill View in Whitefield. They say that most other
POLICE have issued a warning after a conman duped two women before stealing a handbag and purse from their homes. The trickster is believed to have struck twice within an hour at properties in Five Quarters and Byland Gardens, Radcliffe on Tuesday evening
EAST LANCASHIRE was today in shock after anti-terrorist police swooped on an Islamic college and houses in Blackburn. Sajid Badat, a former student at the College of Islamic Knowledge and Guidance, in Moss Street, is being questioned in London suspected
A PIECE of land will be transformed into a focal point for the community of Redvales, thanks to a grant of more than £53,000. The Springs Tenant Management Co-operative (TMC) and Bury Council have been awarded the money from the Countryside Agency and
THE country's first "super nursery" opened in Bury this week. Children's minister Margaret Hodge officially opened the new £700,000 building at Hoyle Nursery School on Tuesday. Last year, the borough's only council-run nursery won Early Excellence Centre
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has issued another rallying call ahead of tomorrow's Premiership game with Tottenham Hotspur. The whole club were delighted with the way supporters responded to the 'We're in this together' call for the last home match against
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has launched a bid to sign United States international striker Brian McBride. As we exclusively revealed in our later editions last night, Souness wants to bring in a target man to beef up his strike-force after scrapping
BRAD Friedel is ready to regain his number one spot in time for Christmas by sparking a Blackburn Rovers revival. Last season, Friedel was voted the Premiership's top stopper after keeping more clean sheets than any of his major rivals. The United States
LANCASHIRE Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been given the green light to proceed with an application for Foundation status. The Trust which covers Royal Preston, Sharoe Green, and Chorley and South Ribble Hospitals has been informed that its preliminary
THE vice-chancellor of Preston's university said he would be forced to charge students the top rate if the Government's plan to introduce fees goes ahead. It comes as about 100 Labour MPs plan to revolt against Prime Minister Tony Blair's scheme to charge
FORMER Beirut hostage Terry Waite will be in Preston on Monday to give a major boost to a homeless charity. His visit as the UK president of Emmaus International, looks set to seal the charity's bid for a new premises in the city to house 25 homeless
LOWERHOUSE Bowling Club held their annual presentation night at the Rosegrove Railway Club where Margaret Gawthorpe presented the cups and shields to the winners of the club competitions. These included a shield in memory of her late husband Derek. Around
A PADIHAM wine bar doorman found with CS gas, a knuckle duster and an extendable baton after police turned up at the premises is behind bars. Burnley Crown Court heard how David Waterhouse, 28, a doorman for 10 years, had told a jury he had found the
BURNLEY Council is helping children fight the flab by running after-school activity sessions. Its healthy lifestyle team has organised the sessions in response to a recent survey published in the British Medical which revealed that 20 per cent of four
BURY'S Canadian U-23 international defender Justin Thompson scored twice as the Shakers' second string defeated Wrexham 3-1 at the Racecourse Ground on Wednesday evening. A lacklustre first half ended goalless but the game exploded into life four minutes
DOZENS of Christmas shoppers at Nelson's Pendle Rise shopping centre were evacuated yesterday after roof tiles fell from the ceiling. Around five tiles fell from the ceiling near the Going Places unit at lunchtime and the centre was immediately evacuated
BRIERFIELD residents are celebrating the end of a 'nightmare' after the alleyway behind their homes was gated off to keep yobs out. One resident said today she had been afraid to use her back yard or go out to the back of her home during the last year
THE cultural spotlight is to fall on Radcliffe in more ways than one in a unique festival of light. Two award-winning top artists have been enlisted for the Lighting the Way event, which will see a huge lantern procession through the town centre and a
A PRESTON schoolboy mapped his way to gold after taking part in the British Schools' Orienteering Championships in Delamere Forest, Cheshire. Christopher Nash, nine, of Ashton Primary School, became the individual British Schools' Champion for year five
FARMERS in Ribblesdale and Bowland were planning measures to keep raiders away from their Christmas stock of geese and turkeys. One farmer even installed secret equipment by his bedside to alert him to any unauthorised person approaching his field.
MOVE OVER Austin Powers - Hyndburn's council leader has been accused of trying to create a mayoral "Mini Me" empire! Area council chairmen are to be asked to stump up £2,800 on chains of office for area council meetings. Each area council chairman, including
A FATHER-of-three found with a potentially deadly home-made bazooka the day after a shooting is behind bars -- as a judge voiced the public's concern over increasing gun crime. Jobless Brian Roper's home in Rishton was raided by police after a victim
HARD cash is helping to fund a software solution for boffins at a Bury company. Morgan Doyle of Devon Street has won a DTI research and development grant of £20,000 to develop a new computer software product: the Active Directory Design Advisor (ADDA)
PART of a scenic East Lancashire woodland is being returned to its former glory -- thanks to a group of committed individuals. About 50 hazel and 50 willow tress are to be planted in a newly-created coppice by the Friends of Spring Wood, at the Lancashire
BLACKPOOL Stanley lost their unbeaten away league record more through a bad display of refereeing than rugby with a referee that constantly penalised Stanley and gave no protection of any of their players. It was a good start for Stanley with some good
EX-FYLDE and England rugby captain, Bill Beaumont, says he believes his former club can take advantage of world cup victory. Beaumont, England's representative on the International Rugby Board, has just returned from Australia and hopes his local club
JONATHAN Staples has been appointed a partner at Bury-based chartered accountants Horsfield & Smith. He has been with the firm for ten years as audit manager dealing with owner-managed businesses and as a specialist dealing with charity accounts.
SEASIDERS coaching stalwart, Mike Davies, said a final goodbye to Bloomfield Road last week as a new central defender arrived. Davies has officially been on sick leave since the start of the season and an agreement was reached last week to terminate his
BARDON Concrete, the nationally focused mixed concrete operation of Aggregate Industries, has opened a new concrete plant in Bury. The move is part of the company's strategy to increase coverage in key regional areas with strong building and construction
BURNLEY will be down to the bare bones at Sunderland after Delroy Facey today returned to Bolton. Clarets boss Stan Ternent had been hoping to agree a deal to sign Facey, who has impressed during his three-month loan spell. The Wanderers striker scored
FANS at the Stadium of Light have suddenly been plunged into a dark depression. In three of the last four home games, Mick McCarthy's men have failed to hit the target and rouse around 25,000 passionate supporters. Striker Marcus Stewart insists no Black
PUPILS at a Leyland school have not only saved up for new playground equipment for themselves but have spared a thought for orphans living in Africa at the same time. Youngsters at Farington Primary have been busy fundraising for their own school and
VANDALS caused damage estimated at more than £1,000 to a popular St Annes park at the weekend. Windows were smashed at building in Ashton Gardens, only weeks after Fylde Council dealt with broken benches and graffiti at a shelter in the town. Cllr Alfred
A BLACKPOOL father whose son died while serving in the army is to launch a legal action against the army minister. Joe McGregor says he is carrying out the wishes of his son, Derek, who, in an emotional letter written just before his death, said he 'didn't
HOT AIR adventurer, David Hempleman-Adams, has donated part of his world record-breaking balloon to a Fylde Children In Need charity auction. As reported in The Citizen (October 3), scaffolding boss, Dave Brand, 40, of Out Rawcliffe, and software designer
A BRAVE Fleetwood teenager has been named a CosmoGirl! of the Year. Nicole Mallett, 19, was one of seven young women awarded the title by CosmoGirl! magazine at a ceremony in central London yesterday (Wednesday). She won the 'risk taker' categor y in
THE FAMILY of a rugby fan from the Fylde who drowned while celebrating England's World Cup victory say they are devastated by his death. Anthony Owers, 27, from Fleetwood, died after diving into the freezing cold sea off the end of the Palace Pier, Brighton
A BISPHAM church is hoping to topple the problem of dangerous headstones with a new device to make its churchyard safer. Testing with a 'toppleometer' has started at Bispham Parish Church, All Hallows Road, and any wobbly headstones failing the test will
A LOCAL landlord has expressed his doubts about a new Government housing benefit initiative being piloted in Blackpool. As the Citizen revealed this week, Blackpool has become the first town in the country to pioneer the Local Housing Allowance. The allowance
PARKING has turned into a pain for a group of pals who live in a block of flats in Whitefield. Residents living in the complex in Higher Lane say there are not enough parking spaces and they have to leave their cars in a council-owned car park nearby.
ANXIOUS villagers met on Tuesday night to discuss the best way to deal with fears over fast cars and narrow pavements in Holcombe. Around 60 people gathered at Emmanuel Holcombe CE Primary School to debate possible traffic calming measures. The meeting
FEARS that Fairfield General could lose its accident and emergency department have been voiced again after the hospital trust refused to fund a study into a new emergency access road. Bury Council has agreed to implement immediate short-term measures
CAMPAIGNERS face an anxious wait to see if they have secured the future of land overlooking a Lowercroft fishing lodge. A three-day public inquiry into village green status for the beauty spot concluded on Wednesday. Applicants the Friends of Cockey Moor
DRESSING up, singing songs and shaving beards all paid off on last week, when Manchester helped to raise a massive £677,072 for Children in Need. More than £15 million was raised nationally, with donations still to be collected. The figure is already
CAPTURING an escaped monkey was one of John Higson's first assignments when he joined the police. And the intervening 31 years, while not being quite so extraordinary, have nevertheless been packed with equal satisfaction at a job well done. Mr Higson
RAMSBOTTOM United FC have hit back at accusations of a lack of ambition following the decision not to apply to the UniBond Northern Premier League next season. The committee of the North West Counties League outfit have taken the unusual step of issuing
BURNLEY will be down to the bare bones at Sunderland after Delroy Facey today returned to Bolton. Clarets boss Stan Ternent had been hoping to agree a deal to sign Facey, who has impressed during his three-month loan spell. The Wanderers striker scored
BLACKBURN striker Dwight Yorke has said the tragic death of his sister will be his inspiration. The former Manchester United star has admitted that his form has dipped this season. Yorke has scored just two goals in the Premiership and four times in total
A 26-YEAR-OLD Kurdish asylum seeker, charged with the attempted abduction of an eight-year-old girl in Darwen, has been cleared of the charges. Jamal Mohammed Ali, of no fixed address, was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court charged with attempting
A 24-YEAR-OLD man who had complained of stomach pains for several days died last night in hospital in Blackburn. Police are waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination being carried out later today to establish the cause of the man's death. Carl
A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to give Darwen a radical facelift was discussed for the first time in public this week. The plan, known as the Darwen Town Centre Strategy, will cover transport, a refurbished train station and enhancement of the town's historic
THE 'Gateway of the Valley' will be blighted by land being used as a dumping ground, according to a civic trust member. Kathy Fishwick, of Rossendale Civic Trust, spoke at the Borough Council's Development Control meeting against a retrospective plan
A FRIENDS-style cafe-bar is set to open its doors in the heart of Rossendale next month. The Artisan is the brainchild of Michelle Booth, former head chef at the Digby Trout restaurant in the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford
PEOPLE claiming housing benefit are being encouraged to move to Blackpool by private landlords hoping to make cash out of a new way of paying benefits. The resort is pioneering a scheme which will see a set amount paid direct to tenants rather than landlords
GOVERNMENT plans to bring in top-up fees of up to £3,000 for elite universities have split East Lancashire MPs. Gordon Prentice and Lindsay Hoyle are among 127 Labour MPs to sign a Commons motion opposing the move, saying it will deter working-class children
A YOUNG Blackburn soldier who buried a pick axe into the head of his Lance Corporal has been found not guilty of attempted murder. Private Grant Kenyon, 18, admitted swinging the axe at Lance Corporal Konrad Bisping's head but said it was not his intention
A CARDBOARD city will be built in Blackburn town centre to highlight the problems faced by young homeless people. Put together by staff and youngsters from the Nightsafe charity, the project will consist of a huge shelter made entirely from donated cardboard
BUS bosses who cancelled all their services in Blackburn could face fines and a public inquiry into their actions. The office of the Traffic Commissioner for the North West, has revealed that Buzy Buz Ltd and Catch-Me-Bus.com Ltd, whose owner is Suzanne
SAJID Mahomed Badat spent almost a year studying at The College of Islamic Knowledge and Guidance in Blackburn. The 24-year-old man had planned to become an alim -- an Islamic preacher -- before his arrest yesterday. It has been reported that a fellow
LEE Buggie looks set to make his first start for Ramsbottom tomorrow as they seek to extend their run to five games without defeat under caretaker manager Ged Walsh. And the Rams' squad has also been boosted by the return of Colin Bulwich and Danny Goodall
DAVID Hall is overjoyed to have virtually a clean bill of health as his Nelson side kick-off a crucial phase of the season, writes BEN COLLINS. Striker Steve Whittaker is the only doubt for tomorrow's home game with Oldham Town after suffering a knock
PAUL Lynch is relishing the chance to take Rossendale United further than they've ever been before in the FA Trophy. Victory over Guiseley at Dark Lane tomorrow will give United the chance to face Conference opposition in the third round and boss Lynch
THE Old Girls who started at Arnold High School for Girls in the year 1954 are planning a Grand Weekend Reunion at the Imperial Hotel on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th June 2004. A number of Old Girls who have not seen each other since school days have
AS a Fishing Skipper/Owner for over 30 years, I would like to comment on the letter in The Citizen November 13, 2003, "a few EU facts not fiction for you to consider" from Mr Mike Turner. With all the guile of a political spin-doctor (on orders from Lord
FOLLOWING the recent contributions to the Letters page from Mr Ramson and Mr Kaiserman, perhaps I could clarify a few points. 1. I generally "rush back" from Westminster every Thursday and "rush back" to Westminster every Sunday. This enables me to try
SOME weeks ago, the parishioners of St Bede's, and other parishes within the diocese, were notified before mass of sweeping changes which were to take place within specified periods of time (a fait accompli in effect) and that these changes are being
VAL Woods (Letters, November 21), who has not been a Nangreaves resident for many years, can be forgiven for not having a full understanding of what has gone on here in the past. She is, of course, correct to point out that when meetings were held in
DUST off that tuxedo, jump in the Aston Martin and grab a gorgeous girl as the RNLI invites you to be 'shaken, not stirred' at its James Bond Party. The event -- which is set to be held at the Blackpool Winter Gardens on December 5 -- will feature a whole
DECEMBER 1st, marks the 15th anniversary of World AIDS Day. It's a time to pay tribute to the millions of people, family and friends included, who have already lost their lives to the condition. A time to show some support for those affected by both HIV
TIP worker Frank Mills likes a challenge. So when a tearful Lesley Weston told him she had dropped her diamond ring among tons of rubbish, 47-year-old Frank set about finding a needle in a haystack! It seemed an impossible task, but an hour later Frank
BURY...17 ASHTON UNDER LYNE...16: RISING from my bed at some ungodly hour to make my way to the Radcliffe Road home of Bury Rugby Club - only the England versus Australia final would induce normally such bizarre behaviour from this writer. In the company
LIKE most of its customers and employees, we believe United Utilities has a responsibility to protect wildlife on its land. However, while United Utilities continue to permit hare hunting they not only compromise the welfare of hares but of all wildlife
WITH regard to Mr Reynolds' comments about the need for English language. I am an Englishman running a German company. Now you might imagine that with the advent of the EC, we would all have a common law regarding what is racism - no chance. I can legally
WITH reference to Councillor Derek Hardman's letter (November 17) regarding cash allocated to the community centres, the information concerning Audley Community Centre is misleading. A number of new projects have been initiated by the council eg. Sure
AS a member of the Foulridge Parish Council and a governor at the local school, I fully understand the need for public funds to be accounted for. Both of these excellent institutions submit annual accounts for independent audit and, subject to minor comments
CAN the Tory councillors not get to grips with the fact that the 'five star' rating in relation to the trip taken by a group of the Borough's youngsters is an adjective used to describe the standards in general during the Lake District Activities short
A LAVISH Puccini/Verdi double bill enchanted Grand Theatre opera fans this week. The staging of Madama Butterfly on Monday, complete with tinkling streams and tanks of live fish, set the scene for a flawless performance by sweet-voiced soprano Rosa Lee
A QUEEN'S Speech full of controversial ideas has been warmly welcomed by Bury North MP David Chaytor. Despite opposition in his own ranks over some plans, the Labour backbencher says the Government's programme is "good news for families across the borough
A troubleshooting team is now ready to work with youngsters in the borough to prevent them offending or being a public nuisance. Four Youth Inclusion and Support Panel Officers (YISPO) will deal with children aged 8 to 17, as part of Bury's Youth Offending
A GROUP of workers from Asda who have clocked up 261 years of service between them have been rewarded for their commitment. Ten employees of Radcliffe Asda and one from Bury Asda were treated like VIPs for the day on as a thank-you by store bosses. They
GREATER Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd says the force is embarking on a year of major change and development. In his first annual report for 2002-03, Mr Todd recognises that he has faced a challenge to improve the policing provided to
THE father of Konrad Bisping -- the lance corporal attacked with an axe by Grant Kenyon -- said today: "My son is serving a sentence for the rest of his life." Jan Bisping, from Clitheroe, was speaking as 18-year-old Kenyon, of Blackburn, was cleared
DR Helen Gilchrist, the principal of Bury College, has been presented with her CBE by the Queen. Dr Gilchrist travelled down to Buckingham Palace to receive the honour in recognition of her services to further education. She "rubbed shoulders" with actor
HUNDREDS of council staff could have their free car parking permits taken away by their employers. Town hall bosses are considering making them pay half the cost in a bid to promote "alternative" ways of getting to work. But union leaders have promised
THE Government has given the go-ahead for a £75m scheme to give Lancashire one of the best waste management systems in the world. Lancashire County Council will work with neighbouring councils on the project, called Lancashire Waste Strategy, which aims
DRIVERS who opt to stay off the booze while out for a night with friends can get free soft drinks as part of an initiative launched in Preston today (Thursday) by Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety. The 'I'll be Des' pilot project, unveiled at Oceans
A BUS passenger from Walton-le-Dale is calling on South Ribble Borough Council chiefs to stump up some cash to clean up the authority's bus shelters. Hugh Smith, 71, claims the authority's shelters are a 'smelly and disgusting' disgrace in comparison
THE headteacher of a Burnley High School has congratulated former pupils on "exceeding expectations" in their GCSE results. Debbie Hill, head of Walshaw High School, welcomed back this year's school leavers to the annual prize giving ceremony. She said
AN ex-convict who smashed his stepfather's leg in a street brawl has been jailed for 18 months. Burnley Crown Court heard how Scott Dumigan, 22, was said to have jumped on Peter Haslam's legs but claimed the victim put his leg out. The defendant had charged
THREE pupils have been suspended from a Brierfield school after an incident where BNP signs were displayed on a school bus. One Mansfield High School pupil was arrested on suspicion of trying to incite racial hatred following the incident on board the
CONTRACTORS in Pendle are being invited to attend a free seminar to discover more about tendering for work on the new £6million Nelson Health Centre. The seminar aims to get local businesses involved in regeneration in the area by supporting them in bidding
A SUBSTANTIAL number of workers at Blackburn textile machinery manufacturers British Northrop were on the verge of losing their jobs because of the continuing recession in the textile machinery industry. Union representatives were in meetings with the
COUNCILLORS have declared war on a grot spot in front of a shop. And they have the backing of the store manager in their bid to clean up the land at the Co-op, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle. Bushes in front of the shop have become a dumping ground for
THE BROTHER of a planespotter cleared of espionage says his brother is tormented because of a fight to recover £10,000 bail money. Stephen Jenkins, of Queens Road West, Church, said his brother, Andrew, was taking action to recover the money so he could
A 15-YEAR-OLD boy had to undergo surgery on his foot after a sniper took a pot shot at him with an air rifle. Surgeons at Fairfield Hospital removed a metal pellet from Philip Dawson's left foot after he was targeted walking along Heywood Road in Prestwich
YOUNG designers from St James' Primary School in Clitheroe are celebrating after winning a national competition. The pupils at the Greenacre Street School have scooped the prize after entering a competition to decorate a one metre tall cardboard man.
Blackpool Scorpions travelled to Oldham in the Cup looking to overturn a recent home league defeat by the St Annes team. Blackpool started strongly. They defended resolutely and looked menacing in attack. Gareth Chadwick opened the scoring by racing 50
BLACKPOOL'S run of good form will be put to the test on Saturday when Bristol City visit Bloomfield Road. City, one of the division's most consistent performers in recent seasons, come to Bloomfield Road holding the sixth and final play-off spot -- just
ROBBIE Blake has vowed to keep up his scoring streak at Sunderland - at the expense of Stan Ternent. Blake was stuck in a rut without a goal in nine games before the canny Clarets chief struck a psychological bet with the hitman before last weekend's
A BISPHAM pensioner who took the law into his own hands to stop youths using a car park behind his cottage as a 'race track' has escaped jail, despite his second conviction. Robert Leggat, 68, was fined £400 after grabbing a piece of wood studded with
BLACKPOOL'S lifeboat crew are on course for a training boost after opening a brand new Tesco Express in Blackpool. Six crew members donned full seagoing regalia to officially open the Lytham Road store on Monday morning. And Tesco Express donated a fabulous
IT is surprising that Bury teenager Victoria Grabowski (pictured) has any spare time. Her dedication and commitment to the needs of others have impressed judges so much that last Friday (Nov 21) they chose her as Greater Manchester Police's Young Citizen
JUST look at me now! That's the message from 18-year-old dyslexic Joshua Burrell, who was branded "stupid" and "thick" as a child . The bright teenager has silenced his critics by gaining a coveted place at Durham University, where he intends to study
BURY District Parks Bowling Association voted against a merger with the Bury & District Bowling League at their Annual General Meeting on Monday. The proposed move was defeated by 19 votes to 18 and has resulted in seven teams leaving the Parks League
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help rid a Darwen park of an unwanted resident. A number of rhododendrons have sprung up around Bold Venture Park and are stifling the growth of other plants. Now, the Wildlife Trust has arranged 'rhododendron bashing' on
A DARWEN company boss failed a breathalyser on his way home from work, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard it was the second time in three years that Eric Winne Jones, 55, of Wiswell Lane, Whalley, had fallen foul of the drink-driving laws.
RESIDENTS have been urged to save water after dry weather left a key East Lancashire reservoir less than half full. United Utilities said reservoir levels supplying the Rossendale Valley have fallen well below normal after one of the driest years on record
THE Grab City arson case is set to go to court again as the site's owners seek damages from the couple convicted of burning it down. Brunswick Property Co is suing Beryl and Terence Newton for £1,394,964 in respect of damages caused in the October 2002
I respectfully suggest that Liberal Democrat Mike Turner visits his optician to enable him to discern between the letters M and B and also to have the rose coloured tint removed from his spectacles; checking my original email to the Blackpool Citizen
FOR a more tendentious and mischievous piece of journalism your piece last Thursday on Blackpool Council's Library Development Plan took some beating. Your headline ("fails to do it by the book") suggests sleight-of-hand if not impropriety. You are naughty
THE last 0-0 draw at Preston was in September 2002 - and by rights that statistic should still stand, had it not been for chances going begging when PNE played Norwich. Chris Lucketti came closest, smashing against the crossbar, while only the acrobatics
BE more adventurous and push forward -- that's the message Craig Brown will deliver to his midfield men ahead of this weekend's away day to Sheffield. North End notched up their first goal-less league draw in more than a year against high-flying Norwich
I HAVE been a resident of the Leemans Hill Estate in Tottington for more than 12 years. In that time, correspondent Mr Stringfellow and his family have done little to ease the situation with youths on the estate (Yobs drove my family away, Letters, November
IN the atmosphere of mutual respect and cordiality which has existed between myself and Councillor Mike Connolly since the ending of "hostilities" between his department and CARE (Care and Respect for the Elderly), I would like to congratulate them on
AS a trader on Bury market for many years, I would like to thank the public for their overwhelming support during the present debate on its future. Bury's "world-famous" market is an institutional endearment which represents traditional shopping and is
STERLING efforts by governors at Elton High School have helped the school to recover from its worst financial predicament. The achievement was outlined by headteacher Neil Scruton in his address at the school's annual speech evening. The audience heard
WOMEN in Blackpool are being invited to two special 'safety days' run by Lancashire Police, following two attacks on lone women in the resort. The days, at Collegiate High School, will provide an opportunity for women over 18 to learn about general crime
ST ANNES - ENJOY a coffee and hear about 'The Lure of Gold' from speaker Alf Henderson at today's meeting of the Probus Club, at the Pensioners' Hall, St Albans Road. For more details telephone Keith Barlow on 713961. FESTIVE fair trade with this year's
AFTER Saturday's hard fought 2-2 draw on the Fylde, the Rams returned to the Riverside hoping to progress to the next round against the odds. Not only did they complete their task but produced some stunning football that would have done justice to the
EAST Lancashire buildings are being highlighted in a special document published this week into the state of the north west's historic environment. English Heritage's 'Heritage Counts 2003' looks at the area's listed buildings, ancient monuments and even
A BLACKBURN school has been asked to take part in a national tree planting season. National Tree Week is the Tree Council's festival to launch the start of the planting season and to celebrate trees and woods. As part of this the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire
A NORTH-WEST Euro MP has added her support to a European Parliament bid to ban trading in cat and dog fur. And Labour MEP Arlene McCarthy also wants to see an end to seal culling. She has added her name to two European Parliament Written Declarations
ONCE again MEP Chris Davies is seeking any avenue to garner support for the European constitution, once more relying on crude anti-Americanism and falsehoods. Take for example the sentence "A sense of fairness gradually exerts influence over our trade
ANOTHER council department has "benefited" by an improved score from Government inspectors. Bury's benefits service has earned a "high fair" rating from the Benefits Fraud Inspectorate, weeks after social services and cultural services won "two stars"
EVEN the smallest cars can carry more than one person! Bury and Bolton councils piled as many people as possible into a Mini to publicise the importance of car sharing, especially during the rush hour. Taking part in the cram, held at Williams Bolton,
WHITEFIELD Conservative Club has thrown its weight behind plans for a Morrisons supermarket by handing over a 500-name petition. The majority of members at the club, in Elms Street, have signed in support of the scheme, which aims to bring 350 jobs to
FOUR more primary schools are celebrating receiving the Government-backed Basic Skills Quality Mark. The latest success stories are at Lowercroft CP in Bury, Gorsefield CP in Radcliffe, St Joseph's RC in Ramsbottom and Christ Church Walshaw, CE. This
A SCHOOL with a family atmosphere and a strong religious ethos has celebrated its 60th anniversary. And pupils and staff of the Bury Catholic Preparatory School staged celebrations over two days to mark their milestone occasion. Although the Manchester
SICKNESS rates at Bury Council are still among the worst in the country. Long-term absences are blamed for placing Bury in the bottom quarter of the local authority league. Each employee took an average of 13.18 sick days off work, according to figures
I WAS delighted to hear that Graeme Souness plans to bring a striker in when the transfer window opens at the end of next month. Regular readers of this column will know that I've been banging on about targeting a target man for some time. And I think
BLACKBURN striker Dwight Yorke has said the tragic death of his sister will be his inspiration. The former Manchester United star has admitted that his form has dipped this season. Yorke has scored just two goals in the Premiership and four times in total
SCOUTS from Preston and South Ribble will be taking the trip of a lifetime to Greenland as part of an expedition to study ecology and the glaciers. When most people will be digging out their shorts and T-shirts next summer, 29 members of the West Lancashire
AN elderly man has died after a hit-and-run incident in Burnley last night. John Fallows, 71, was hit by a car while crossing Colne Road, near the junction with Ivy Street, at 11.45pm. Police have appealed for witnesses in the hunt for the driver who
A COUNCILLOR has voiced his delight after work started on a flagship regeneration project to improve an area of Burnley. Residents in Coal Clough Lane are at last seeing improvements take place with the redevelopment of the back street. Burnley Council
THE headteacher of one of the three Pendle schools to be bulldozed to make way for two new state-of-the-art schools said the disruption will be worth it. Speaking at Edge End High School's annual prize-giving, Martin Burgess supported the school's inclusion
THE team were itching to play and get a good result after their defeat in the WFA Cup two weeks ago, and their cancelled game last week. After 2 mins, Louise Cafferkey broke through the Chorley defence, but her shot was deflected wide of the post. PNE
A BOOK of recipes from in and around Colne will be launched at a family fun day alongside a selection of tasty treats. The new Colne Recipe Book contains residents' recipe ideas along with celebrity chef Paul Heathcote's version of Pendle Pie. The official
AN award winning band which has just finished a nationwide tour with the Fun Lovin' Criminals, is heading to Preston next week. The loveGods, which recently picked up two gongs at the Brighton Music Awards, will be playing upstairs at the Adelphi pub
MARTIAL arts expert Chris Holden kept his cool to bring a pensioner back from the dead. The Good Samaritan gave the kiss of life to an elderly lady after she collapsed in Clitheroe Town Centre. The lady had stopped breathing after suffering a suspected
CHILDREN abused by strangers have not received the same level of police service as those maltreated by a family member or carer, a review has found. The best-value review, conducted last January and completed in July, recommends that senior Lancashire
POOR attenders at an Accrington school are to be targeted by a specialist truancy buster. Pupils at Moorhead High School could also win prizes including a DVD player for 100 per cent attendance, as part of a drive to improve figures. The prize is among
A CHINA crisis has been averted after a businessman stepped in to help out a fledgling Chinese Furniture shop. Eastern furniture gallery Mihan was due to open in Barrowford earlier this year, but the SARS epidemic forced owner Fiona Arnold to put her
A BUSINESS leader has expressed his disappointment at this week's Queen Speech. Mr Paul Foster, policy and communications executive at Chamber Business Connectons said: "Of greatest concern is the planned increase in pay-outs for unfair dismissal cases
JULIO Arca insists Sunderland do not have a phobia about playing at home - despite failing to score in three of their last four games. Coventry recently followed Cardiff and Rotherham in securing a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light. Argentinian defender
I DON'T know about you, but I've been walking round with a big grin on my face all week. The wait for a victory has been long and frustrating, but finally the ghosts were laid to rest on Tuesday with a thoroughly professional performance. I thought the
BLACKPOOL'S councillors look set to give themselves an inflation-busting pay increase next week after recommendations from an independent panel. A full council meeting next Wednesday will consider changes to the councillor's allowance system including
AN AMERICAN company's bid to store gas under the River Wyre suffered a setback this week when councillors said 'no' to a pipeline across public land. The request, by Canatxx Energy Ventures Limited, was for easement of an 80cm diameter pipeline crossing
A HOLISTIC centre which helps people cope with emotional distress is facing a crisis of its own. The Creative Living Centre in Prestwich was recently refused funding from the Community Fund to allow it to continue for another three years. From January
THERE was only going to be one winner at a charity race night organised in aid of Bury Hospice. And that was charity champion and event organiser Mrs Ann Cowie who was rewarded for her tireless fund-raising efforts over the last 30 years. Officials of
FAIRFIELD...2 LYMM RES...2: THERE was a bad start to the day for Fairfield when they found a burned out car on their pitch. Consequently, the game was switched to the reserves ground at Goshen. The first half hour was a tight affair but then a tactical
BURY GSOB...1 RADCLIFFE AMS...7: A PITIFUL performance from the Old Boys enabled local rivals Radcliffe Amateurs to comfortably walk away with all three points and inflict a league double over their close neighbours. The result was never in doubt after
TWO brothers glassed in a Darwen nightclub attacked one of their alleged attackers as he left the premises. Blackburn magistrates heard that police were speaking to the blood-spattered pair when they launched their attack, during which one of them bit
A FORMER Conservative Club is to be redeveloped in what would have been its centenary year. The club, in Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, which was forced to close after membership numbers dwindled, is set to be converted into eight residential apartments
'BLACKPOOL'S buses are running in profit, but at what cost?' a leading Blackpool councillor wants to know. Tory opposition leader Cllr Peter Callow says he is 'disgusted' by Blackpool Transport's £1.7million profits declared this week, because he says
A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to store gas under the River Wyre has been formally submitted to the County Council this week. American company Canatxx Energy Ventures Limited has sent its proposals to Lancashire County Council, and plans will shortly
THE Government has given the go-ahead for a £75m scheme to give Lancashire one of the best waste management systems in the world. Blackpool Council will work with Lancashire County Council on the project, which aims to cut rubbish sent to landfill sites
NEW laws which could treble the number of people visiting casinos moved one step closer this week. The Government published more details of its draft Gambling Bill on Wednesday, including clauses giving the go-ahead to new super-casinos of the kind proposed
KNEELING on the cold pavement 50 yards from my home is a teenage girl, unwell from drinking, and beside her, her worried boyfriend. He is carrying an opened bottle of cheap wine, and is only 17 himself. They are not violent, they've just been drinking
A FYLDE sex change patient is celebrating "an important step forward" in her battle to stay married post-op. Hotelier Gina Large, 56, said she is "elated" by a report into the new Gender Recognition Bill published on November 20. As reported in The Citizen
COUNCIL tax payers across the Fylde look set to be hit in the pocket again next after councils declared themselves disappointed with their annual grant from Government. Blackpool Council has pledged to maintain the lowest council tax rate in Lancashire
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has been given more government cash than any other council in East Lancashire, a report has revealed. The report from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) said that Blackburn with Darwen Council was given a larger
STUDENTS at Lancashire colleges are being targeted in a new initiative to cut drink driving. Although drinking and driving occurs across a wide range of age groups it is a particular problem among young men aged 17 to 24 in relation to casualties and
EAST LANCASHIRE was today in shock after anti-terrorist police swooped on an Islamic college and houses in Blackburn. Sajid Badat, a former student at the College of Islamic Knowledge and Guidance, in Moss Street, is being questioned in London suspected
THE father of Konrad Bisping -- the lance corporal attacked with an axe by Grant Kenyon -- said today: "My son is serving a sentence for the rest of his life." Jan Bisping, from Clitheroe, was speaking as 18-year-old Kenyon, of Blackburn, was cleared
GORDON Armstrong could be called upon to help boost Accrington Stanley's depleted defence tomorrow. The former Burnley stalwart featured predominantly in the Clarets' rearguard during his five-year spell at Turf Moor. And with captain Peter Cavanagh,
BACUP Borough boss Brent Peters has dismissed the threat of high-flying Clitheroe by calling tomorrow's derby 'just another game, writes Ben Collins. Despite the chasm between their league positions, Peters believes that his side are as good as the Blues
JONNY Wilkinson picked up this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award the moment his drop kick split the uprights in last Saturday's dramatic Rugby World Cup Final. An easy choice for BBC viewers - but who would you chose as your greatest sporting
IF all the money and resources spent on the wages, salaries, meeting, communications and other bureaucratic expenses by Wyre Borough and Blackpool Transport had been spent instead on tram shelters they could possibly have erected a dozen rather than just
