HAVE you heard the one about the intelligence service with no intelligence? We have become accustomed over the past year to hearing inquiries and reports. It's one of those great things about being British - we love a good report. And the latest one concerning
Spring Vale Rambling Class, meet Clitheroe Railway Station, 11.30am. (11 miles). Kids Street-dance/Hip-hop, 10am-10.45am (six to 11-year-olds); 10.45pm-11.30am (12 to 16 year-olds), Sanderson Dance Fitness Centre, St John's Methodist Church, Albert Road
A PHOTOGRAPHER who has captured images of stars from the world of music and sport since the 1960s is bringing his prints to Lancashire. Harry Goodwin, 79, who has photographed hundreds of famous people from Mohammed Ali and the Beatles to David Beckham
PUPILS and parents gave a popular teacher a rousing send-off for her retirement. Mums and dads were invited to Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School to say goodbye to Mrs Karen Tenzer She has worked at the Parr Lane school for 20 years. Everyone took
Open House, with BILL JACOBS IN the Commons, Pendle MP Gordon Prentice asked Health Secretary John Reid about the need to train doctors in Lancashire so they stay in the county. Dr Reid told him: "It is not always I can start with the words 'I agree entirely
THE trip to the south coast to race national league fixtures against Hellingly Lions was enjoyable for the Bury Pedalsport members involved in the overnight stay and attendant socialising, but the team again suffered as several riders were unable to travel
LATEST results PREMIER DIVISION Albany 115(1), Seedfield A 158(11); Elton Lib A 148(3), Stanley YD 155(9); Hargreaves A 117(2), Seedfield A 154(10). PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: N. Bennett, B. Parton 21-4; N. Bennett 21-5; B. Parton 21-6. FIRST DIVISION Ainsworth
WITH Stand withdrawing from the Central Lancashire League this was to be the final Stand v Unsworth derby, and it was therefore a pity the weather intervened to reduce the game to 25 overs per side. Unsworth did not have too long to wait for their first
A DRUNKEN disqualified driver who "stole" a bus and left a trail of destruction in his wake -- including 12 damaged cars -- has been jailed for 20 months. Chey Dewitt was chased down a street by bus company staff after he drove off in the single-decker
The Andy Lochhead column. . . THEY say attack is the best form of defence. But Steve Cotterill is wasting no time adopting the belt and braces approach to getting the Clarets into shape for the new season. The defending was nothing short of woeful last
A WOMAN driver was forced out of her car by a gang of men while waiting at traffic lights. The carjacking happened at about 11pm on Tuesday (July 13) at the junction of Wash Lane and Rochdale Road in Bury. The woman was waiting at the lights when the
BURY Lions are in search of a hideaway for Santa's sleigh. Club officials are appealing for spare garage accommodation so it can store its festive sleigh and other regalia. The sleigh is a familiar sight on Bury's streets during the club's annual Christmas
IT was cake all round and many happy returns for Emily Oddy who has reached the grand old age of 101. Mrs Oddy celebrated her birthday with friends and family at Bank House Nursing Home in Brandlesholme Road, Bury, with a slice of cake and glass of sherry
YOUNGSTERS are putting their lives at risk by starting fires inside a derelict mill in Stoneclough. Fire chiefs fear the roof of the former Fletchers Paper Mill in Market Street could collapse on the young arsonists or firefighters tackling an incident
A PIGEON fancier is spitting feathers after being ordered to knock down two lofts that have stood for 30 years - because he didn't have planning permission for them. Angry David Brown, 62, has now branded Pendle Council 'petty' after they ruled he had
THE former Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen helped Labour tighten their hold on the council last night by securing a seat in an emotionally-charged Earcroft by-election. Just weeks after the death of her husband, the late Mayor Michael Barrett - who
THE last remaining family link with the Prestwich & Whitefield Guide has been severed with the retirement of Bury Times Group photographer David Butterworth. He joined the family-run Guide at the age of 16 at its offices in the town's Earl Street.
PUPILS in Radcliffe walked away from the town's two high schools for the final time this week. Staff and children from Coney Green Technology College and Radcliffe High will return for the new term in September to the Radcliffe Riverside School. Coney
GREEN-FINGERED pupils can now watch their handiwork bloom in memory of a classroom friend who died in the spring. Youngsters from Hollins Grundy Primary School helped design and plant a memorial garden for eight-year-old Rachel Drury, who died from a
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Andy Cole is expected to join Fulham later today. Rovers gave Cole permission to speak to the Londoners last night after their manager, former Rovers defender Chris Coleman, made a formal approach for the player. And providing
BLACKBURN Rovers duo Barry Ferguson and David Thompson are ready to make their long-awaited comebacks in Germany tonight. Graeme Souness has revealed the midfield pair are now in a position to start a competitive game for the first time in six months.
A TORRENTIAL downpour was not enough to dampen spirits on Preston's Moor Park, on Saturday, as 165 people pulled on their running shoes and joined the Sport Relief Mile charity challenge. The event was organised by the city council to coincide with the
EVER fancied looking inside a police cell, sitting inside a police car or having your finger prints taken? If the answer is yes, then pop along to Bamber Bridge police station, Station Road, where there is an open day, on Sunday 25 July, from 11am-3pm
GET down to Preston's Haslam Park on Sunday for a cracking fun day for all the family as the second Millennium Ribble Link Sponsored Walk and family fun day kicks off. The six mile walk, supported by the Citizen, will raise funds for charity, Emmaus Lancashire
TALENTED singers and dancers could find themselves performing at The Met arts centre in Bury for a charity variety show. Following the huge success of a similar production by The Talent Forum in April, the non-profitmaking organisation is set to do it
A FILM about respect made by budding stars at a Leyland primary school could be seen at schools across Lancashire. Schoolchildren at Stonehouse Nursery and Primary School, School Lane, filmed, designed, acted, danced and made costumes for the ten-minute
CORKS were popped when a former head girl from Prestwich was welcomed back to school as a very special guest. Mrs Anne Carroll, of Ferndene Road, was back at Elton High in Bury to open a picturesque Monet Garden as a focus for the school's 50th anniversary
THE last remaining family link with the Prestwich & Whitefield Guide was severed this week with the retirement of Bury Times Group photographer David Butterworth. He joined the family-run Guide at the age of 16 at its offices in the town's Earl Street
THE task of spending £1,100 on new equipment was child's play for a Prestwich group. The Parent and Toddler Group, which meets in the community rooms at St Gabriel's Church in Sedgley Park, was awarded a kickstart grant by Prestwich Area Board to get
GETTING it sorted! That is Bury Council which is taking advantage of new methods in sorting and separating household waste for recycling. When the local authority's kerbside recycling collection was launched in March, it was labour-intensive and involved
RACEHORSE owner Darren Mercer, formerly from Prestwich, has been banned from attending racecourses for six months. He was found guilty by the Jockey Club of laying his own horse to lose on a betting exchange. Mr Mercer (40), a former pupil of Stand Grammar
STREET performers will be mingling with the crowds at Burnley's Reach 2 Festival next month. They will be among the many attractions at the event, which is being held at Queen's Park, Burnley, on Sunday, August 22, from noon to 6.30pm. The festival promises
POLICE are hunting a gang they believe could be responsible for a series of raids on licensed premises in Burnley. A quantity of cash has been stolen in the raids on four pubs and clubs in the borough in recent weeks. DS Marie Jackson of Burnley CID's
A MYSTERIOUS inflatable dome is set to appear in a Burnley park later this year. Visitors to Towneley Park in September can take a look inside Arcazaar -- a huge, inflatable maze of tunnels, passageways and spaces. It is illuminated by lights of every
IT'S a been a case of Friends Reunited at Gigg Lane since Joe Hinnigan arrived to take over the physiotherapist's role at the club. The former Sunderland and Chester City player has replaced temporary physio Phil McLoughlin, who was filling in following
DON'T get too worked up over Tuesday night - that's the message from Bury boss Graham Barrow after the Shakers' 4-1 defeat at the hands of Radcliffe Boro. The manager has been too long in the game to worry about a pre-season friendly reverse, even if
NELSON people are being invited to influence the development of the town. They are being encouraged to attend a series of drop-in sessions to have their say about how to improve their neighbourhoods and the local environment. Issues will include abandoned
A WOMAN was kidnapped and driven to a barn where she discovered the body of her murdered husband, a court was told. Two men took Julie Waters from her home in Nantwich, Cheshire, and drove her to a farmhouse where she found the body of her battered husband
50 years ago THE Queen met a Blackburn blind girl as she told her "mind that stool." Ranking as one of the most informal greetings from a meeting with the Queen, Hilda Cunliffe was honoured. Miss Cunliffe worked for the National Institute for the Blind
A TOP Tory councillor known as 'Gentleman Jim' has announced he is to step down from his "demanding roles" on Hyndburn Council. Coun Jim Dickinson, represents the Baxenden ward, is deputy leader of the Conservative group, and sits on the council's cabinet
MICHAEL Wood Homes is making all the right moves! For the company has become the main sponsors of the Bury Rapidplay Chess Congress. Organised by Bury Chess Club, the event will take place on December 12 in the sumptuous surroundings of the Elizabethan
BUSINESS owners in Bury are being urged to make an early start on their tax returns to avoid the risk of an Inland Revenue investigation. So says Alan McCann, tax partner at Bury-based national business advisory group DTE. He said: "The problem that most
AN innovative on-line questionnaire could prove to be just the answer for Bury firms to find out more about their growth potential. The latest diagnostic technique to help local companies has been launched by Business Link North Manchester's web site,
JEAN Howcroft (Recycling is good but difficult, July 2) complains that the bag for newspapers is too small. We would be delighted to send her another if she contacts. Mrs Howcroft also poses a number of questions which I will respond to. At the moment
POLICE have travelled across the Pennines to get tips on how to handle this year's Royal Lancashire Show. The move comes after last year's event was abandoned amid traffic chaos and bad weather, prompting organisers to introduce a wide range of improvements
MICHAEL Duff will make his debut tomorrow in Steve Cotterill's Turf Moor bow as Burnley boss. Duff, a summer signing from Cotterill's former club Cheltenham Town, sat out last weekend's friendly at Accrington Stanley as he was still ramping up his pre-season
A DECISION over proposed traffic restrictions on Fairfax Road is still on hold while discussions take place. As reported in the Guide, contractors for the Radius apartments complex, Carillion, applied to Bury Council for a temporary road closure on part
AN alarming rise in the number of people contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, was the subject of a top-level health conference in Bury. According to figures just released by the Health Protection Unit, the numbers contracting HIV
THE Great Britain croquet team ensured that 2004 was not a complete sporting disaster for the country. In a four- day tournament hosted by Bury Croquet Club, Great Britain left their American cousins standing, in an overwhelming 17-4 victory. The 21 matches
A FORMER Rotary president has threatened to boycott evening functions at the Longfield Suite after he was stung with a late-night parking ticket. Ken Abbott, a member of the Rotary Club of Prestwich and Whitefield, was slapped with a £60 fee for not parking
NEW homeowners in Gigg are celebrating after plans for an industrial park near Pilsworth were thrown out. The refusal comes after planners were given powers to turn down applications without the consent of councillors, where vital details have been omitted
AFTER leading the pack to obtain specialist sport status, Broad Oak High School continues to race ahead. A year of "outstanding achievements" was celebrated at its first speech and awards evening since new headteacher Mr Neil O'Connor joined the school
THIS ladies round robin drawn pairs competition will be held at Nuttall Park Bowling Club, Ramsbottom on Sunday, August 15, 2004. Entry is £2 per person and refreshments will be available on the day. Please contact Alex Hall on 01706 829257 or Jean Hughes
RADCLIFFE Cricket Club's Stephen Cheetham, Simon Curtis and Liam Nuttal, along with Bury CC's Mark Haigh have been selected to represent the East Lancashire Youth Cricket Council (ELYCC) in this year's Lancashire Under 16s Cricket Festival, which begins
HOLCOMBE Brook Sports Club ladies tennis team made it though to the finals of the Kia National Clubs League at the weekend - but not the way they'd have liked! The Longsight Road outfit were to have entertained East Gloucester in a play-off clash after
"IT started off miserable and continued to rain on and off all day and we didn't finish until 8.45pm. "I got the impression the umpires and the home team were doing their best to get a result, it was an absolute farce," was Radcliffe skipper Graeme Simpson's
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Andy Cole is expected to join Fulham later today. Rovers gave Cole permission to speak to the Londoners last night after their manager, former Rovers defender Chris Coleman, made a formal approach for the player. And providing
ALL eyes will be on Preston's new boys this weekend as fans get their first chance to see Craig Brown's summer signings put through their paces. Brown and 18 of his first team players are due to fly back in from a four-team tournament in Ibiza in time
The Milltown Brothers are back with the original line-up and a successful new album. They spoke to CLIVE LAWRENCE about their change of fortune. . . GLOWING reviews, a new album and sold-out shows have seen the good times return for Colne indie boys The
ARCHAEOLOGISTS in Darwen hope to reveal a piece of history by digging down to the Roman-built road at Eccleshill. Darwen Archaeology Society will hold the dig from tomorrow until next Friday as part of National Archaeology Week. Dorothy Wareing, chairman
A DARWEN scrap metal merchant has been fined £20,000 following an illegal bonfire blaze which sent fumes soaring into the air. Blackburn magistrates heard that a call centre had to be evacuated after staff began to feel the effects of the fumes and residents
THE former Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen helped Labour tighten their hold on the council last night by securing a seat in an emotionally-charged Earcroft by-election. Just weeks after the death of her husband, the late Mayor Michael Barrett - who
CORKS were popped when a former head girl from Prestwich was welcomed back to school as a very special guest. Mrs Anne Carroll, of Ferndene Road, was back at Elton High in Bury to open a picturesque Monet Garden as a focus for the school's 50th anniversary
A NEW slogan for Rossendale has been rejected by council chiefs. At a meeting of the council's Executive Committee on Wednesday members were told that Rossendale Partnership, which brings together representatives from key organisations in the borough,
PARRENTHORN High School looks set to become the second smoke-free high school in Bury after closing down its staff smoke room. Last week, the Guide revealed that Philips High School, in Whitefield and 14 primary schools in the south of the borough were
A ROSSENDALE pooch has impressed judges of an 'alternative' dog show with his handsome good looks. The North West's answer to the world famous dog show Crufts - the PAL Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year 2004 competition - saw Toby the crossbreed
SHOULD Blackpool become Britain's casino capital? This is the question faced by Fylde women - Pat Mancini and Jean Rogers - after they were flown out to sample the delights of Las Vegas by ITV's 'Tonight with Trevor McDonald' show. The highly acclaimed
A YOUNG delivery man died after being crushed by his own lorry outside a St Annes pub, a Blackpool inquest heard. Andrew Paul Hough, 20, suffered fatal abdominal injuries when he was trapped between the reversing Matthew Clarke beer wagon and a gate by
CAN ANYONE help Doris Wood change her bathroom back into the cosy haven it once was? The 81-year-old can't find a plumber who can, because of the stone floor installed for the benefit of her late husband. "The floor was put in about 15 years ago. My husband
FYLDE civil servants were in London yesterday telling MPs exactly what they thought about planned job cuts announced this week. Fylde Coast members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union joined colleagues from all over the country at the House
ONE of Blackpool's biggest ever building projects is getting under way this week - with one civic leader comparing it to the start of work on the famous tower. Car parks along Seasiders Way are to become a lush new 'gateway' to the resort in a £12 million
AS A Blackpool pensioner gets set to feature in a new 'filthy homes' documentary, his former landlady says 'Come back Dennis - all is forgiven!" Dennis Bostock, 68 - aka 'The Blackpool Womble' - achieved notoriety for 'collecting' rubbish at his Bloomfield
FOR the first time ever there is a waiting list to get a home in Avenham. The once notorious estate is now considered one of the top choices for people applying for social housing in Preston. And it is being held up as an example of how other estates
BNP officials in Blackburn with Darwen have reacted to the screening of the BBC documentary The Secret Agent. The undercover programme, screened last night, allegedly showed BNP members in Bradford making racist comments and slurs. Anthony Dailly, who
A VILLAGE school has lost almost half its infant pupils in a parents' protest over education standards. St Joseph's RC School, Bury Lane, Withnell, has been relying on supply teachers after the department's two full-time staff went off sick. Now parents
ACCRINGTON Stanley's first summer soccer school will run from July 19 to 22. The course, which is open to boys and girls aged six to 12 inclusive, will be held at Highams Playing Fields, Thorneyholme Road, Accrington. The soccer school covers all aspects
CAN I please ask you to consider printing my letter about Blair handing back sovereignty to the people of Iraq. Surprise, Surprise with no Cilla in sight. 'President' Tony Blair announces the handover of sovereignty to the people of Iraq. So how does
VEGETARIAN mums to be and those who want to bring up their children as vegetarian but are worried about optimum nutrition can now have help in the form of a new guide from the vegetarian society. "Vegetarian Pregnancy, Vegetarian Babies" is designed to
Unfortunately, these new laws do not apply to producers selling their own ungraded eggs direct to individuals for their own consumption. This includes egg sales at markets, farm gates etc. There may be unscrupulous or uninformed farmed/retailers who continually
HOW fortunate we are, Citizens of St Annes, to have a structure like the Institute placed so conveniently near the centre of our town, in a green corner of the Ashton Gardens. What opportunities for community activities it could provide! Based here, schools
I MUST comment on unkempt cemeteries and graveyards in this country... we should be grateful that the ours are still being maintained. Unfortunately in these days of efficiency the only way to do this is the most cost efficient method. There would be
BLACKPOOL Airport will become a leading regional player - but the resort must clean up to reap the benefits. That's the message from City Hopper, the firm which has finally agreed a takeover of the Squires Gate site after months of discussions with Blackpool
TRY as I might, I could find little to fault during a recent stay in Fairfield Hospital. Nursing skills, food, comfort were all first-class and anybody who thinks he can do a lot better by paying for private treatment is kidding himself. But there is
JEAN Howcroft (Recycling is good but difficult, July 2) complains that the bag for newspapers is too small. We would be delighted to send her another if she contacts. Mrs Howcroft also poses a number of questions which I will respond to. At the moment
I HAVE read many of the letters about road safety from cycling's "Caped Crusader" Mr Allan Ramsay. To some degree, I can see where he is coming from with his tireless campaigning. On the other hand, he constantly uses his argument as an excuse to have
GREEN-FINGERED pupils can now watch their handiwork bloom in memory of a classroom friend who died in the spring. Youngsters from Hollins Grundy Primary School helped design and plant a memorial garden for eight-year-old Rachel Drury, who died from a
STAR pupil Sam Whittaker has made it through eight years of school without a single day off. Fellow pupils at St Joseph and St Bede's RC Primary School held a special assembly in tribute to his remarkable record. Sam (11), who has also achieved above
AFTER leading the pack to obtain specialist sport status, Broad Oak High School continues to race ahead. A year of "outstanding achievements" was celebrated at its first speech and awards evening since new headteacher Mr Neil O'Connor joined the school
THE mother of triplets born 14 weeks prematurely at Fairfield has spoken of her shock over the controversial plans and vowed to fight for the life-saving baby unit. Alison and Carl Chapman were featured in last week's Bury Times after Chloe, Joshua and
WHEN two-year-old Joseph Stevens was born eight weeks prematurely with a collapsed lung, Fairfield's Special Care Baby Unit nursed him back to health. His mother, Alison Herity, has labelled current plans to close it as "scandalous". She said: "If it
THE announcement that the special care baby unit at Fairfield Hospital is to close did not come as news to us, nor should it have to our many readers. We reported on this back in February when confidential documents came into our possession which clearly
HEALTH bosses have defended controversial proposals to cut maternity services at Fairfield Hospital and close the special care baby unit. They insist it is not a cost-cutting measure, but a move towards improving and delivering safer services for women
WE are bombarded on a daily basis with information about the dangers of allowing yourself to become overweight. Newspapers, magazines, TV and radio also push out details of how to lose weight you have put on. But for many of us the pace of life doesn't
From table tennis star to music phenomenon -- that was the leap taken by Shehzad Roy. As he prepared to perform at Blackburn's Mela, he spoke to JENNY SCOTT. . . HE was once his province's table tennis champion, before he swapped his bat for a guitar
THE Blackburn with Darwen Mela arrives back in the town this weekend -- and there is much to celebrate. This year is the fifth anniversary of the event -- and it has already made its name as a world player, attracting international stars. Mela chairman
RECORD-breaking sexagenarian Marie Caldwell is still breaking records on the verge of her 67th birthday! The evergreen runner was at it again at the weekend when she competed in the East Hull Harriers 24-hour Track Race at Costello Athletic Stadium in
CHARLES Monaghan was this week jailed for three years and four months after sexually abusing East Lancashire girls he lured through internet chatrooms. Crime Reporter IAN SINGLETON looks at what parents can do to ensure their children surf the net in
BROOKSBOTTOMS were left cursing the weather on Saturday after the elements conspired to deny them what appeared to be a certain six points. An early shower that delayed the start by ten minutes gave a sign of what was to come. Brox took something of a
MIKE Jelley, trainer of Bury Boxing Club's Amir Khan, has spoken of his anger at being frozen out of his charge's corner for the Olympic Games. The talented 17-year-old will be Britain's sole boxing representative in Athens and Jelley was hoping to crown
RAMSBOTTOM pulled off a remarkable victory against last seasons LANCASHIRE LEAGUE champions East Lancs thanks to some inspirational play from their middle order batsmen. Having asked the opposition to take first knock the Acre Bottom side were indebted
RACEHORSE owner Darren Mercer, formerly from Prestwich, has been banned from attending racecourses for six months. He was found guilty by the Jockey Club of laying his own horse to lose on a betting exchange. Mr Mercer (40), a former pupil of Stand Grammar
LIONS...34 DEWSBURY RAMS...15: LIONS continued their fine winning run to complete the double over the Rams. "We didn't play to our potential but I was quite happy with the performance and we controlled the game," said Lions' coach Paul Kidd. "Dewsbury
IN an article on the Labour Party inquiry into recent council events you mistakenly ennobled Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality. The reporter should, however, take heart. For, with the "race relations industry" booming and
PRE-season training is well under way at Sedgley Park, as the Tigers prepare for life in National One - even though the opening league game is not until Saturday 4 September. And leading the Tigers' drive to physical perfection is the aptly named 'Scrapper
ANIMAL welfare bills should consign the zoo and circus industry to history, ending the keeping of captured wildlife. Indeed if zoos and circuses remain after the passage of legislation surely the word welfare is simply deleted from the title. Elephants
I AM writing to express my concern and to set the record straight in relation to the sensationalist and alarmist stories carried by the LET in relation to Regional Development Agency (RDA) funding for Blackburn with Darwen on July 8 and 9, 2004. I take
TALENTED singers and dancers could find themselves performing at The Met arts centre in Bury for a charity variety show. Following the huge success of a similar production by The Talent Forum in April, the non-profitmaking organisation is set to do it
RING and Ride users in Bury now have a new Mercedes minibus to travel in. The keys to the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 411 CDI minibus, with improved accessibility tail lifts, support steps and hand rails, were handed over to Ring and Ride depot manager Peter
THE memories of Euro 2004 live on after Bury-based PC World held a fund-raising day for a children's charity. Staff at PC World Business and Genesis Communications, based at Waterfold Retail Park, raised £1,311 for the Children's Hospital Appeal Trust
EXTRAORDINARY women are being sought for the title of Bury Woman of the Year 2004. The title will be awarded at a special luncheon in October to recognise and celebrate the work of women in the borough. Nominations are being sought for women who "give
THE spirit of a small rural primary school, which was controversially shut last year, will live on this weekend. A special reunion is being held for former Affetside Primary School pupils and staff, who will come together for the first time since the
GETTING it sorted! That is Bury Council which is taking advantage of new methods in sorting and separating household waste for recycling. When the local authority's kerbside recycling collection was launched in March, it was labour-intensive and involved
A BURY resident has been released on police bail after computer equipment was seized as part of a force-wide investigation into child porn. A total of 50 homes across Greater Manchester were raided by police on Wednesday morning (July 14), resulting in
STAR pupil Sam Whittaker has made it through eight years of school without a single day off. Fellow pupils at St Joseph and St Bede's RC Primary School held a special assembly in tribute to his remarkable record. Sam (11), who has also achieved above
IT WAS case of "Lord of the slings" when a House of Lords debate on the war in Iraq suffered its own casualty. Lord Joel Barnett, who lives in Whitefield, was attending the debate when he fell on a flight of stairs, breaking his collarbone. Lord Barnett
IT was full steam ahead when more than 500 rail enthusiasts rolled up to the Ribble Steam Railway Museum, Preston, at the weekend. Renovated tracks by the museum, in Chain Caul Road, Ashton, provided a viewing area, and visitors even got a chance to go
A CRIME slashing campaign, aimed at keeping youths out of trouble during the school holidays, is back in full swing for the third year running. Streetwise Soccer organisers are hoping the free football coaching initiative, for children aged ten to16,
PRESTWICH'S popular Marks & Spencer store is not under threat despite plans to reduce the number of food lines to customers. The Bury New Road premises opened in 2002 as a Neighbourhood Food Store, but this week M&S announced that around 500 food
A FIREFIGHTER from Preston has been chosen to appear in a national recruitment campaign. Dave Newton, who is a community firefighter in Avenham, Fishwick and St Matthew's, was chosen because of his innovative way of engaging with people. He features in
A HOST of charities were given a cash boost thanks to the Rotary Club of Prestwich and Whitefield. The club held its annual disbursement dinner at Sedgley Park Rugby Club and invited representatives from various local groups and organisations to receive
A SUMMER of freedom is on the cards for pensioner Myra Harrison thanks to the kindness of Prestwich Lions club. Myra (79), was told she would have to wait at least ten weeks for a wheelchair from the NHS and faced the prospect of spending the long summer
HEATON Park was transformed into a giant athletic track at the weekend as thousands of people of all ages went the extra mile for charity. The park was the venue for the Fitness First Sport Relief Mile, and 7,000 runners from children to pensioners joined
STAFF and customers at a Burnley pub will be swapping their beers for bikes and their pints for plimsolls at a special charity event this weekend. The Sizzling Pub Co, The Prairie, in Keswick Road, will be taking its customers back to their school days
PREMIERSHIP giants Manchester City will be bringing their strongest possible squad when they arrive at Gigg Lane for a pre-season friendly against Bury next Wednesday evening. Over the past two years the Sky Blues have fielded a team of youth team and
RADCLIFFE BORO...4 BURY...1: A HEAVY defeat at the hands of non-league neighbours isn't an ideal way to start a pre-season campaign, but Graham Barrow won't lose any sleep over this result. That's not to say that Radcliffe Boro didn't deserve their win
TRIATHLETE Rachel Jones is back in the saddle after suffering a serious accident while competing in the Elite World Duathlon Championships in Geel, Belgium. Rachel was in the finishing stretch of the 25-mile cycle part of the event when she was involved
THE BEES: Free the Bees (Virgin) YOU imagine that the members of The Bees grew up surrounded by vinyl LPs from the Sixties as their sound is part Byrds, part summer of love and offers a blast of sunshine through your speakers. With close harmonies --
A PIGEON fancier is spitting feathers after being ordered to knock down two lofts that have stood for 30 years - because he didn't have planning permission for them. Angry David Brown, 62, has now branded Pendle Council 'petty' after they ruled he had
AN 18-YEAR-OLD woman was being quizzed by detectives today after a man was stabbed in Huncoat. An ambulance was called to an address in Walter Street between 2pm and 3pm yesterday and the police set up a cordon outside one of the properties there. The
DELIVERIES of wheely bins to parts of Hyndburn could be delayed after fears they could be used by burglars to identify families on holiday. Hyndburn Council is moving to a fortnightly system of waste collection, where householders are expected to recycle
A RADCLIFFE-based firm of chartered accountants will unlock the secrets of long-term business success and growth in a series of free seminars. The business development team at Wilds, in Blackburn Street, is putting on the one-hour evening seminars which
I WONDER if any readers have noticed the posters put up by Bury Council, advertising Bury in Bloom and asking people to report any litter or overgrown areas. Some years ago, the council carried out work in Philips Park, Whitefield, which at the time caused
BURY girl Melanie Hughes has certainly made a healthy career move. For 22-year-old Melanie has joined Manchester-based HealthSure as account development co-ordinator. The Greenmount woman is tasked with growing the national healthcare provider's client
I FEAR that Ms Watson's demand (Letters, July 9) for a fox hunting ban is just another example of the growing puritan tendency in this country. She does not approve of something, therefore no-one must do it. The fact that such a ban is likely to be completely
BURY has its very own "ambassador" whose company is helping to break down the language barriers in an otherwise united European Union. Val McGrory's Brussels-backed Diplom'act business, which has a distinct French connection, is spearheading audio and
AS a person afflicted with multiple sclerosis, I would like to relate my experiences regarding wheelchair access in Bury. Being a resident, I often visit the Mill Gate shopping centre which I find to be most suitable for the wheelchair-user in terms of
A FORMER councillor is outraged at plans to close the Special Care Baby Unit at Fairfield Hospital and turn the maternity wards into a day-care centre. Mrs Pam Walker, of Nuttall Avenue, Whitefield, has spent thousands of pounds from the cash legacy left
A DAY of football and fun raised almost £2,000 for Greater Manchester Headway House. Coronation Street and Phoenix Nights stars gathered for a game of celebrity football at Manchester United's former training complex at The Cliff in Broughton on Sunday
PARRENTHORN High School looks set to become the second smoke-free high school in Bury after closing down its staff smoke room. Last week, the Guide revealed that Philips High School, in Whitefield and 14 primary schools in the south of the borough were
IT'S been a busy six months for the Radcliffe and Whitefield Lions as they welcomed a new president and waved goodbye to some familiar faces. Tony Greenhalgh has taken over the chains of presidency from Vera Smith, who served two years in the role. Mrs
COMMUTERS across the borough are being encouraged not to turn a blind eye to crime. Research has revealed that one in seven public transport passengers have witnessed a crime during their travels, including vandalism, physical and verbal abuse, robbery
WELL-BEHAVED, happy and confident children can be found at Stand Pre-School Nursery, according to official inspectors. A recent Ofsted inspection revealed that the nursery provides good quality education for its pupils and the children were interested
EMMA James is helping women quench their thirst for an all-female networking club which mixes business with pleasure. The Prestwich woman, a freelance PR, launched Thirsty Thursday (TT) two years ago. Now, the club has 350 women members drawn from a wide
The Simon Garner column. . . ANDY Cole's latest spat with Graeme Souness perfectly illustrates the point that there's only ever one winner when a player falls out with his manager. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out there's a serious clash
TWO letters in the Guide (July 9) really did make me smile. One was from Alan Quinn (Sedgley Park Labour Party) headed "Tories gutted by election results"; the other was from Jonathan Grosskopf (Unsworth Conservatives) headed "What about some free transport
AN empty mill could be given a new lease of life with plans to transform it into 25 luxury apartments. An application to redevelop the former textile factory Edenwood in Stubbins, near Ramsbottom, has been submitted to Rossendale Council. The company
ADVANCES are being made by the local health authority to treat patients quicker and closer to home. Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) is now delivering specialist services such as lung function testing, ear care clinics, physiotherapy and investigative treatments
MORE than 12,000 visitors flocked to Bury Agricultural Show as the long-established event demonstrated it can still pull in the crowds. The show, which dates back to 1850, provided a bumper programme of attractions with a distinct rural dimension. Sunday's
THE Great Britain croquet team ensured that 2004 was not a complete sporting disaster for the country. In a four- day tournament hosted by Bury Croquet Club, Great Britain left their American cousins standing, in an overwhelming 17-4 victory. The 21 matches
TWO caring teenagers are starting their school holidays by embarking on a mercy mission to needy villages in eastern Europe. Radcliffe High pupil Jamie Jones (15) and Sorina Siddall (12), who attends Coney Green, will be leaving this weekend on the aid
RADCLIFFE Boro take on Premiership neighbours Bolton Wanderers at Stainton Park tomorrow (3pm). Kevin Glendon's UniBond Premier League men will be looking to kick-on from Tuesday's morale-boosting 4-1 victory over the Shakers. They began their pre-season
LATEST results Clarence 174(8), Buchanan 144(2); Hopwood 168(5), Openshaw 153(5); Nuttall Park 148(2), Tottington A 178(9); Hoyle's 177(7), Manchester Rd 142(3); Dobbies 165(9), Nuttall Park 126(1); Openshaw 166(8), Clarence 119(2). Tottington A 138(3
LAST Saturday's eagerly awaited local derby game between BOLTON ASSOCIATION leaders Elton, and current champions Walshaw was sadly lost to yet another wet weekend. Despite this setback, Elton have perhaps the most glamourous game in their history to look
WHEN Radcliffe Boro take on a Manchester United XI in a friendly on Saturday July 24, they could have a couple of 'ringers' in their line-up to try and even the odds up. One of them is a Reds' legend, 'Captain Marvel' himself, Bryan Robson. The other
MICHAEL Duff will make his debut tomorrow in Steve Cotterill's Turf Moor bow as Burnley boss. Duff, a summer signing from Cotterill's former club Cheltenham Town, sat out last weekend's friendly at Accrington Stanley as he was still ramping up his pre-season
STEPHEN Hudson's Uncle Jeff should probably look away now. For it was in honour of his uncle that 19-year-old singer songwriter Stephen named his band -- although his reasons weren't entirely flattering. "My Uncle Jeff is a legend," said Stephen, from
THE Great Britain croquet team ensured that 2004 was not a complete sporting disaster for the country. In a four- day tournament hosted by Bury Croquet Club, Great Britain left their American cousins standing, in an overwhelming 17-4 victory. The 21 matches
ANGRY MP Janet Anderson today said she was 'appalled and disappointed' at Darwen's 18 month wait to have its name included on the M65 Blackburn Services sign. A 700-name petition asked for the name to be changed to Darwen Services and Mrs Anderson took
MORE than half a century of teaching at Heaton Park Primary School will come to an end today (Fri July 16). Three members of staff at the Cuckoo Lane school will retire after long and distinguished careers. Mrs Kate Vogt, a Year 4 teacher and Key Stage
A GIFTED singer is hoping to emulate her role model Luciano Pavarotti in her bid for opera success. And Soraya Mafi, 16, of Moorland Rise, Haslingden, is well on her way to achieving her ambition after winning the prestigious Junior English Songprize
TALENTED singers and dancers could find themselves performing at The Met arts centre in Bury for a charity variety show. Following the huge success of a similar production by The Talent Forum in April, the non-profitmaking organisation is set to do it
BLACKPOOL and Fylde voters will go to the polls on November 4 to decide on the future shape of local government in the area. As well as choosing whether or not there will be a north-west regional assembly, voters outside the borough of Blackpool will
NOW that summer's here, it's time to enjoy getting out and about in the fresh air - and get ready for Blackpool's annual British Heart Foundation (BHF) walk! The Citizen is once again proudly backing this annual fund-raising event, a gentle 4.5 mile stroll
A BLACKPOOL mum who swapped the Golden Mile for the Australian Gold Coast is set to feature in a second TV documentary about her move down under. Lorraine Singleton, 50, has just finished filming the second instalment of Channel Four's 'A New Life Down
A PRESTWICH primary school has taken an imaginative approach to tackling issues of racial equality. While there is a statutory requirement for schools to have policies on race equality and race harassment, pupils at Sedgley Park Primary have added the
A 14-YEAR-OLD Blackburn girl only attended school on 14 days in two years. And magistrates heard that when she was put on an incentive programme, the girl took the reward without paying the price of school attendance. Blackburn magistrates were told that
A BLACKBURN chippy nominated for a national award has revealed the secret behind its success -- a secret recipe for fish batter. And the owner gives his customers extra value by wrapping his chips in old copies of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is pleased with the way his side's pre-season preparations are going. And he hopes the good work will continue when the Reds take on Stafford at the Interlink Express Stadium tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 3pm). As
FRANK Clarkson challenges me to answer "a simple question" about why Mexico and Switzerland can trade with the EU without paying £1m per hour to be a member of "this corrupt club" (1 July). Mr Clarkson, one of my longstanding critics, strikes me as a
MIKE TURNER (July 1) is highly critical of UKIP for saying that they intend to 'wreck' the European Parliament. Further, he claims that this demonstrates a "contempt for parliament'. But is it really a parliament other than in name? The people who run
FLOWERY Field almost uprooted table-topping Prestwich in a run-crazed thriller last Saturday. The Heys side won by a narrow seven-run margin after the game was reduced to a 22-over contest. The drizzly grey clouds refused to budge for much of the afternoon
THE fact that Bury Council has withdrawn funding from Bury Racial Equality Council comes as no surprise to me. What is surprising is that it has taken so long to realise that they have been flogging a dead horse. Bury REC was set up with good intentions
AS a person afflicted with multiple sclerosis, I would like to relate my experiences regarding wheelchair access in Bury. Being a resident, I often visit the Mill Gate shopping centre which I find to be most suitable for the wheelchair-user in terms of
LYTHAM A GARDEN party takes place at Lytham Hospital this Saturday (July 17) at 2pm, run by Friends of Lytham Hospital. Stalls to include books, cakes, plants, bric-a-brac and a raffle, plus games and tombola. Entrance free. ROCHDALE'S Jon Brennan presents
FIRST-TIME father Robert Bateman told how he would always be indebted to Fairfield's Special Care Baby Unit for saving his daughter's life. Tiny Sophie was born seven weeks prematurely on July 2, weighing just 4lbs 4oz, and is still under 24-hour observation
A MUM wants to show her gratitude for the special care which saved her son's life by leading a campaign to stop the unit from shutting. Sharron Entwistle was so grateful for the care both her sons received after being born prematurely, she joined the
ENGLAND footballer Phil Neville has vowed to help rescue the special care baby unit which saved his daughter's life. The Manchester United star's daughter, Isabella, weighed just 3lbs when she was born eight weeks prematurely at St Mary's Hospital, before
HAVING friends from the South staying with us, we took them shopping in Bury and they thought the town and the shops were great, and that the market was wonderful. On the way back we stopped in Radcliffe and visited the market and they could not believe
A FORMER councillor is outraged at plans to close Fairfield's Special Care Baby Unit and turn the maternity wards into a day-care centre. Mrs Pam Walker, of Nuttall Avenue, Whitefield, has spent thousands of pounds of the cash legacy of her late father
A MUM wants to show her gratitude for the special care which saved her son's life -- by leading a campaign to stop the unit from shutting. Sharron Entwistle was so grateful for the care both her sons received after being born prematurely, she joined the
A MASSIVE campaign is being launched in a bid to save the special care baby unit at Fairfield Hospital from closure. An emergency meeting was held on Thursday by the trustees of the Baby Lifeline Society, including medical staff and parents of children
