I AM reasonable man for most of the time. If you see me around and ask me to buy you a pint I might even agree. Not that I drink myself but, hey, that's the kind of guy I am. Because I realise that in life it's the little things that matter. If more people
TOMORROW BURNLEY Playstation and Games Night, Brunshaw Action Group's Community Drop-in Centre, Burnley, 6pm-8.30pm. Free Internet Sessions, ICT Learning Centre, Turf Moor, Burnley, 10am-noon. Girls Dance Group (five-13 year-olds), Brunshaw Action Group's
THE first day at high school -- an emotional rollercoaster of anticipation, excitement and fear -- remains implanted on everyone's memory. As thousands of children returned to school yesterday, JEMMA DOBSON asked one new secondary school pupil - and her
Open House, with BILL JACOBS. . . UNSURPRISINGLY East Lancashire's lone Tory MP Nigel Evans has seized upon reports that the European Union's chief Romano Prodi is trying to hijack Britain's Olympic glory. He has been reported suggesting that all UK and
HE was the phantom understudy -- the man you only caught only a fleeting glimpse of before he disappeared behind the curtains. For Scotsman James Paterson is an Andrew Lloyd-Webber old-hand and his most famous moment came when he played understudy to
ANOTHER Surridge Cup match and another narrow defeat for Brox, leaving them with thoughts of what might have been. Euxton were the visitors to Summerseat and they sneaked home by one wicket. Things started badly for Brox, losing a wicket in the first
RAMSBOTTOM United go into their FA Cup adventure buoyed by their midweek draw at league leaders Bacup Borough. The Rams destroyed Bacup's 100 per cent start to the season with a resolute performance being rewarded by a goalless draw. And, manager Derek
BACUP BOROUGH ... 0 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED ... 0 North West Counties League Division One THE Rams left West View with mixed feelings after gaining a well-deserved point against Bacup Borough. However, a series of missed chances and a little misfortune denied
THE man who has guided Amir Khan to an Olympic silver boxing medal could have made a rod for his own back! Coach Mike Jelley can expect a influx of potential new members down at his Bury Boxing Club as youngsters keen to emulate the 17-year-old lightweight
MIKE JONES previews the new season for Bury RUFC WHILE last season wasn't a disaster for Bury RUFC it was by no means a success. Having started with some promise the expectations of spectators, players and the management went unfulfilled. Even the most
BURY...4 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS...0 BURY ended their Bank Holiday programme in superb style with a second stunning victory in three days. Hard on the back of Saturday's convincing 3-0 triumph at local rivals Rochdale it was the turn of Jan Molby's Kidderminster
MANCHESTER...13 SEDGLEY PARK...5: IT was a tight game, with the home side determined to spoil the play at every opportunity and catch the Tigers on the break, which they did twice. Manchester took the lead in the 12th minute when Andre Wilson put over
CRICKET - Prestwich CC: INCREDIBLE. That's probably the only word that can sum up Prestwich's season so far - and their game against bottom-placed Thornham last Saturday. The BBC's top producers could not dream up the drama that has unfolded in recent
SEDGLEY Park player-coach Tim Fourie believes the first month of the season will go a long way to determining whether his side compete or struggle in their inaugural National League One campaign. In the first four weeks of the new campaign, the Park Lane
CHORLEY LYNX ... 30 SWINTON LIONS ... 43: THE Lions cemented their place in the playoffs with a hard fought victory over The Lynx. Phil Cushion gave the Lions a dream start when former Lynx favourite Mick Coates sent the prop storming through for the
LIONS...42 LONDON SKOLARS...12: LIONS took another step towards the play-offs with a runaway victory over the luckless Skolars. "We knew it would be a tight game today because London are a much improved side and I am pleased with our performance especially
I FIND it difficult to believe that there was any necessity to change the bus stops for the Number 33 bus from Ainsworth Street to the Boulevard in Blackburn. Many people, particularly the elderly people were very distressed. They now have to carry heavy
I WONDER if the Countryside Alliance will comment on the Scottish gamekeeper who admitted killing 20 birds of prey. The birds died to protect birds being born, fed and raised for slaughter. Not for good but for the pleasure of the 'guns' and the profit
I AM writing to you regarding a young lady who I met recently. The lady was called Rochelle Cowell and was very pleasant and caring. She worked as a student nurse on B6 at Queens Park Hospital. At the time my father was a patient on the ward and was cared
A GRASSED area at Whitehead Park in Bury is to be turned into a car park. The south west area of the park on Lonsdale Street will be become an asphalt car park with 26 spaces. The application was passed by Bury Council's planning committee on Tuesday
FOSTER carers are still needed to look after teenagers despite a successful recruiting campaign. Bury Council's family placement team is delighted that, since the launch in May, 60 people have asked for an information pack. This response was so good that
GEMMA Moore rose to the occasion at Ramsbottom Horticultural Society's summer show when a committee member fell ill. The annual event at Ramsbottom Civic Hall on Bank Holiday Monday went ahead in all its colourful glory under the direction of the Ramsbottom
ANGRY community leaders have called for dogs to be banned from a Nelson burial site over claims that owners were allowing their pets to foul graves. But councillors have turned down calls to fence off parts of Nelson Cemetery. Instead they are looking
FIRE chiefs have launched a new campaign urging people to check their smoke alarms are in working order. Until October 31, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is running a hard-hitting national campaign -- Push the Button! Not Your Luck! -- telling
WOMEN under the age of 25 will no longer be given routine cervical smear tests. From this month, the local health authority will increase the age it invites women in the borough for such tests from 20 to 25. The change is in response to doctors' concerns
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Paul Dickov has urged fans to 'keep the faith' following the club's frustrating start to the season. Rovers currently find themselves second from bottom in the Premiership table after taking just two points from their opening
PRESTWICH area board will hold its next meeting on Thursday, October 14. The meeting will take place at Sedgley Park Primary School, in Kings Road, Prestwich starting at 7pm.
HEART patients are to benefit from a new dedicated ambulance service which will shorten the time they wait to be transferred to and from a specialist cardiac centre. Patients from hospitals in Preston and Chorley are regularly transferred for specialist
THE dismal weather might have put a damper on this year's crop of garden produce, but that didn't stop Leyland being in full bloom on Saturday as members of Leyland and District Chrysanthemum and Horticultural Society unveiled their prized delights. St
WORK has started on the next generation of supersonic aircraft at BAE Systems' Samlesbury site, near Preston. The aerospace giant will build the aft fuselage, and the tail, for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) which is being built in co-operation with
A NEW era of parking enforcement starts on Monday in Preston and Leyland when a new scheme called ParkWise begins. ParkWise will see the handover of enforcement for on-street parking from the police to local councils. The initiative, which decriminalises
A CAMPAIGN group has slammed plans to build a care home for elderly people with dementia in Ashton Park, Preston. Lancashire County Council is carrying out a consultation on their proposals which would provide a 45-bed centre for long-term patients and
TOP class cyclists took in the sights of Prestwich and Whitefield as they peddled their way through the first leg of the Tour of Britain on Wednesday (Sept 1). The race began at 10.30am from Sportcity in Manchester, and the 120-mile leg saw riders race
WHITEFIELD junior wardens will take centre stage at the next area board. The youngsters, who work under the guidance of Whitefield's street wardens, will present a report on the work they have carried out since their group was formed two years ago. The
HORSE-LOVER Hannah Knaggs became the mane attraction as she shed her lovely long locks for charity. The pretty 28-year-old said "goodbye" to her shoulder-length blonde hair and opted for a short skinhead style in aid of the International League for the
A TEACHER who suffered a spinal injury in a car accident is preparing to battle through the pain barrier to run a gruelling half marathon for charity. Brave Paul Dugdale puts himself through agony on a daily basis training for the annual BUPA Great North
A KITE-POWER expedition backed by a Burnley firm has received a surprise blessing - from Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Three British adventurers, sponsored by Burnley-based VEKA, aim to ride into the record books with the first crossing of
A CRIMINAL dubbed Burnley's public enemy number one by police has lost a fight to have an Anti-social Behaviour Order quashed after a judge slammed him as a "social parasite". Ex-convict, drug addict and prolific thief Adrian Wilkinson, 23, has a long
Manchester Titans...1 Stand Athletic...5: IN a scrappy opening 20 minutes the Titans disrupted the discipline which Stand are trying to instill into their young team. The long ball from the left is exactly what the management are trying to dissuade, but
COUNCILLORS may ask a Nelson-based company with a history of noise nuisance to apply for planning permission to erect a screen to minimise disruption to residents. The Nelson committee is recommended to request Decopart apply for planning permission to
ANGRY community leaders have called for dogs to be banned from a Nelson burial site over claims that owners were allowing their pets to foul graves. But councillors have turned down calls to fence off parts of Nelson Cemetery. Instead they are looking
A CAMPAIGN to encourage local people to shop at Nelson's indoor market, The Admiral's Market Place, is to be launched this weekend. The 'Keep It Local' campaign has been launched by the Council-run market hall and will be on-going for the foreseeable
STAND ATHLETIC...4 ELTON VALE ...3: Remember the days before wall-to-wall football on television? When Match of the Day featured one game and could instinctively select a 1-0 or 0-0 whilst the other 20 teams in the first division were rattling in 30 goals
STAND made the trip to Crompton for the final time last Saturday in the Central Lancashire League and came away empty handed after another batting collapse. Having won the toss and electing to bat first, Crompton got off to a reasonable start reaching
THERE may have been some gold medal performances in Athens last Saturday - but Prestwich staged their own Olympian effort to stay at the top of the Lancashire County League over the weekend. The Heys side prevented the Saints from marching on and above
I AGREE more with correspondent Mr Mann than with council leader John Byrne (Letters, August 27) regarding Fairfield Hospital and problems associated with it. Only a fool would have failed to see that a new hospital at Fairfield would face a legion of
WITH basic councillor allowances starting at £7,050 (plus extras for additional responsibilities) it is no wonder that being on the council has become a "family affair" with spouses and siblings also joining the local government "gravy train". And it
50 years ago BLACKBURN and District branch of Topliners reported enrolling its tallest ever member. Twenty three year-old German Ursula Hartung, who lodged at Somerset Avenue, Wilpshire, stood 6ft 3in tall. She told members of the women's social group
THE Accrington branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) is launching its annual Wings Appeal this month. During the week beginning Monday, September 13, members of the association will be asking peopleto dig deep and donate as much as they can
PLANS drawn up by Hyndburn Council to deal with travellers' unauthorised camps has been welcomed. The move follows recent problems on the former Karrimor site, Petre Road industrial estate, in Clayton-le-Moors; on land along the King's Highway, near Huncoat
AN Accrington cricketer was branded a liar by a judge as he tried to win back his driving licence. Imran Hussain, 25, had earlier been convicted at Hyndburn Magistrates Court of getting behind the wheel while banned but claimed somebody else had been
HYNDBURN Council has had its knuckles rapped after changing its mind at the last minute on a scheme to give the controversial Scaitcliffe fountains a makeover. For years the council has been criticised for the state of the fountains, and earlier this
A THRIVING ladies' shoe shop in Ramsbottom is planning a sparkling occasion next week for its first birthday. Deana Harper, who runs Imelda's in the town's Square Street, will launch the celebration next Wednesday between 6pm and 9pm in association with
A RADCLIFFE company boss has "rallied" round to help a sports car crew. John Cope has donated a set of professional safety harnesses to rally driver Chris Reid (21), and his co-driver Phil Peak. The businessman, whose Cope Engineering firm is based in
TAKING an interest beyond the profit margin has led to the chief executive of United Utilities receiving a top award. John Roberts has received the HRH Prince of Wales's Ambassador Award from Business in the Community. He was given the accolade for being
A SECOND unit at Bury's £1 million Bracken Trade Park has been let. The building on the Dumers Lane site has been taken on a six-year lease by Chint Europe (UK) Ltd at the asking rental of £25,900 per annum. Chint specialise in the manufacturing and distribution
ALMOST £200,000 in funding is available to north west manufacturing companies who want their key personnel to benefit from a nationally recognised qualification. The Diploma in Manufacturing course, run by The Manufacturing Institute in Manchester, is
A RAMSBOTTOM waste company is getting to grips with a system to save wear and tear on its company vehicle tyres. ISM Waste is benefiting from four tyres in one by utilising Michelin's Four Lives tyre package managed by their local ATS branch in Bury.
CORRESPONDENT Derek Ryder plainly is a Tory supporter and has lived through the same times as myself. Without doubt our worst Prime Minister, a fact which he carefully glosses over, was Margaret Thatcher who allowed this country to become "dispirited"
I AM so glad that "Ceeaitch" (Letters, August 20) has plumped for consideration against only efficiency in public policy. I just hope his conscience is as clear about his voting record these 50 years as is his brilliant vision, the vision that did not
I WOULD prefer MPs Ivan Lewis and David Chaytor to vote according to the views of their constituents and not their own personal views, or those of the Labour Party, or of the Government. Examples include their vote against corporal and capital punishment
LATEST research suggests that people exposed to passive smoke have a 50 to 60 per cent risk of a heart attack. And, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal, non-smokers who live with a smoker, have a 15 per cent greater risk of premature
A STREET-DRINKS ban has left council bosses with a headache after it was revealed warning signs were wrongly worded. Twelve signs put up at a cost of £2,375 may now have to be replaced after a councillor spotted they incorrectly stated that it was an
PRIMARY schools in the borough have been singled out for government praise after the SATs tests. Figures showed that older primary pupils have made the grade in English and maths by a wider margin than ever. The results of Standard Assessment Tests (SATs
A COMMUNITY artist who brought to life the heritage of Prestwich is to share his skills at a special festival. Darren "Brad" Bradshaw is responsible for creating an eye-catching piece of art in the Longfield Centre. The mosaic, made of colourful ceramic
BOSSES are being urged to ensure that the number's up for employees using mobile phones while driving. In a bid to underline the perils of mobile phones distraction, Bury Council organised a special virtual reality event to prove the point. On Wednesday
MP Ivan Lewis has urged town hall planners to "get a move on" with proposals for a new supermarket in Whitefield. The Bury South MP has urged Bury Council to give a speedy "thumbs-up" to the revised application from Dransfield Properties Ltd for a Morrisons
DARWEN cricket club will be praying for good weather when they bid for their first cup success for a decade at home to Leyland on Sunday. Their opponents, who are bottom of the Northern Premier League, have thrived on wash-outs this season and have reached
WITH a little help from my friends. Sixteen-year-old Lisa Pickering is back on safe ground thanks to her pals, after falling 12 feet from a tree in the Lake District. As reported in last week's Guide, four of her teenage friends helped paramedics to carry
The SIMON GARNER column GRAEME Souness's decision to sell Dwight Yorke to Birmingham City earlier this week was a bold gamble on the manager's part. Some fans would argue that Yorke's sale was long overdue after becoming frustrated by his laid-back style
CRAIG Bradshaw is set to return to the Nelson side after a minor car accident kept him out of the midweek draw at Blackpool Mechanics. But manager Dave Hall is more concerned with the fact that his side are returning to NWCL Division Two action after
THE confidence from becoming the first team to take points off Bacup Borough this season can propel Ramsbottom United into the next round of the FA Cup, according to manager Derek Egan. Wednesday's 0-0 draw at West View ended close rivals Bacup's 100
DARWEN boss Steve Mullen is hoping the excitement he has for the FA Cup rubs off on his players. Mullen graced the world's top knock-out competition in his Bury days and also at the non-league end with Clitheroe and his current club. "I always look forward
ROSSENDALE United are hoping Gambian international Baboucarr Njie turns out to be a 'Lucky' FA Cup omen. Dale will hand the former Manchester United trialist a debut in tomorrow's preliminary round tie against Liversedge at Dark Lane. And boss Ashley
BACUP Borough manager Brent Peters has tried to entice former Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and Burnley defender David May out of retirement. Peters made the bold move ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup preliminary round clash with neighbours Chorley at
COLNE are sensing some more cup fever, and there's no better place to catch it than their destination for tomorrow's FA Cup tie. Last year's FA Vase heroes travel to Chester-le-Street, one of the teams they saw off on their way to the semi-finals last
PADIHAM are ready to re-write their history books. The Storks feature in the FA Cup for the first time in over 50 years as they entertain Northern League Division One leaders Billingham Synthonia in the Preliminary Round. And manager Steve Wilkes is the
A BID to secure village green status for lodge land is in trouble after an inspector ruled that Lowercroft was not a neighbourhood. Following a public inquiry last November, Mr Alan Evans decided the plot overlooking the lower Whiteheads lodge did not
PLANS to build housing for people with mental health problems have angered residents of Walmersley. The Mill Road housing scheme application was passed by Bury's planning committee on Tuesday, but neighbours claimed they felt it was a "done deal". Now
VOTERS in the borough are set to see the return of polling booths after a report gave the thumbs down to all-postal elections. The Electoral Commission wants people to be given a choice of voting methods in future elections. Despite an increased voter
BURY TV bride Sam Lilley's big day has gone to pot -- after she broke her ankle in a fall. After months of planning and with millions expected to watch her marry Radcliffe barber Darren Foster live on TV in Cyprus on Friday, the bride will certainly be
A BURY traffic warden who was found to have falsified a parking ticket is to keep his job. Bury Council chiefs have said that no action would be taken against NCP parking attendant Mr Steve Zajack, despite a ruling this week that he had "falsely issued
BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill has money to spend in his pursuit of new players. That is the message from chairman Barry Kilby as the race to strengthen the Clarets squad hots up. Cotterill has spent all week glued to the telephone in the hope of attracting
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Paul Dickov has urged fans to 'keep the faith' following the club's frustrating start to the season. Rovers currently find themselves second from bottom in the Premiership table after taking just two points from their opening
BLACKBURN is preparing itself for an invasion later this month when five of Canada's most up and coming alternative rock acts head into town. Parallel 49 is the tour which will play at the Cellar Bar on Saturday, September 18 -- one of only five dates
The spirit of '77 is alive and well in Blackburn with punk popsters Boredom turning back the years as JOHN ANSON discovered. . . IT has taken them nine years but pop punksters Boredom have finally got round to doing what their fans have long hoped they
A RADCLIFFE man has appeared before Bury magistrates accused of being involved in an incident outside a night club in which another person suffered a fractured cheekbone. Nicholas Robinson, aged 25, of Harper Fold Road, Radcliffe, denied unlawfully and
COME on down and see for yourself - the new-look Shakers are flying at the moment. It's early days yet - we've only just arrived in September - but there is no denying that the side Graham Barrow has assembled this summer looks well equipped for an assault
RESIDENTS can have their say on how cash earmarked for a neighbourhood green should be spent. At a consultation event being held tomorrow on the Olive Lane green, Darwen, from 11am to 3pm, residents can submit their ideas to council representatives. The
DETECTIVES hunting a man in connection with a stabbing in Darwen have executed search warrants across Manchester. Two men suffered serious knife wounds following an argument in Sudell Road at around 4am on Sunday, July 25. A 17-year-old youth was stabbed
VICTIMS of a solicitor who swindled grieving relatives out of many thousands of pounds today branded him a grave robber. As crooked Philip Pressler was blasted for ruining lives after stealing £600,000, the Law Society revealed it was trying to recover
A POLICE officer is launching a one-man crusade to help encourage community cohesion in Rossendale. PC Dave Greenwood has set up a police football team to compete against residents' groups to help break down barriers in the community. The move aims to
MP JANET Anderson is stepping up her battle to tackle anti-social behaviour in Rossendale both at Westminster and the town hall. Following the latest in her series of meetings on the issue, she will be raising it with Ministers in the House of Commons
THE current proposal to redevelop Cuerden Church Primary School, Bamber Bridge, and Bamber Bridge Methodist Church as a combined school and worship centre raises a matter of major public concern: the demolition of a new classroom extension built only
By Marc Higginson RADCLIFFE professional Pasan Wanasinghe is to up stumps and move clubs after the Racecourse side reluctantly released the popular Sri Lankan for financial reasons. But he will leave with words of praise flowing from all at Radcliffe
LEEK TOWN ... 0 RADCLIFFE BORO ... 0 BORO arrived minus their kit and left with a point after a tense struggle with fellow promotion hopefuls Leek. Motorway congestion meant that the Boro kit didn't arrive in time and saw Kevin Glendon's men take to the
By Marc Higginson RADCLIFFE Boro boss Kevin Glendon is refusing to press the panic button after just four games of the new campaign. Despite being favourites to finish top of the pile, Boro have had a slow start to their campaign and stand mid-table following
RADCLIFFE BORO ... 1 BRIDLINGTON ... 1 THE early season promise had quickly evaporated and two points dropped against a very average Bridlington Town underlined the fact. Following the disappointing result against Burscough in midweek, manager Kevin Glendon
IT will be bedlam on Sunday when nurses set off on a marathon bed push to their new home in Chorley. Around 20 nursing staff, all dressed up in hospital scrubs, will be taking part in the gruelling nine-and-a-half mile trek from their Sharoe Green Hospital
A 48-YEAR-old Blackburn woman who ran a cleaning business at the same time as she was claiming invalidity benefits has been jailed. Blackburn magistrates heard Denise Pye was overpaid by more than £16,000 over nearly four years. But defence solicitor
THE transformation of wasteland into a community garden has put a stop to nuisance from youngsters playing football on the land. Residents in Greenside Avenue, off Shorrock Lane, in Livesey, Blackburn, were fed up after ball games caused accidental damage
AN ice cream company has proved it takes some licking - after specialising in some unusual flavours. Basil, Dolly Mixtures and strawberry and cracked black pepper may seem strange combinations, but they are just some of the concoctions mixed by staff
A FIVE-year-old girl was bruised after the public toilet she sat on collapsed. Danielle Culshaw, of Wensley Road, Blackburn, was taken to Blackburn Infirmary with a bump on her head and scratches and bruises on her legs Today, Blackburn with Darwen Council
HUGH Litherland thought running a pub would be a dream. But the illusion was quickly smashed when he started having to work 19-hour days. Hugh, 55, has now started using a gym to combat the strain the long days have taken on his health. And he revealed
JOHN Coleman is eager to welcome the next generation of Accrington Stanley stars. The Reds chief has thrown his weight behind the club's Programme for Academic and Sporting Excellence (PASE) scheme, run by coach and youth development officer Paul Lodge
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has urged supporters vote to with their feet and swell the stadium. Attendances haven't been as good as the club had anticipated at the beginning of a promising new season following the Reds' decision to turn full-time
COUNCILLORS are set to decide the fate of an infamous Blackpool massage parlour over accusations that it is a brothel. Bosses at Pleasures Escort and Massage, Dale Street, will face the council's Development Control Committee for alleged breach of planning
IN his/her letter headlined "Love Thy Neighbour" (August 20) regarding the plan for flats in Walmersley for the mentally ill, T. O'Neill piously states: "Mr Rimmer seems more worried about Santa's Sleigh being moved from storage than human beings being
I READ in dismay the Bury Times editions of August 13 and 20 and found it very upsetting that some comments implied that the parish of Christ Church Walmersley had some connection with the objections to the mentally-ill people being allowed to live in
ONCE again, the self-appointed "Parkers' Watchdog" (Letters, August 27) seems to ignore the facts. Contrary to his assertion, the general charges for on-street and off-street parking in Bury town centre have not increased twice this year. Parking charges
COUNCILLOR Derek Boden (Letters, August 14) alleges that my earlier letter was inaccurate. He says: "There is no evidence of any effects on health from mobile phone masts . . . " This sweeping statement leaves me astounded. As far as I know there is not
PUPILS from Rossendale School in Ramsbottom are celebrating success in the GCSE examinations. The specialist residential school for young people aged seven to 16, entered six pupils for the exams. They achieved 46 grades, 54 per cent at grade A to C.
BLACKPOOL'S footballers face an enforced early season break from the league programme - giving boss, Colin Hendry, plenty to think about. Wrexham's international call-ups mean Saturday's game at Bloomfield Road has been postponed, so Blackpool's next
RESIDENTS today backed plans to deal with travellers setting up unauthorised camps in Hyndburn borough. The strategy, put forward by Hyndburn Council, follows recent problems with travellers on the former Karrimor site, on the Petre Road industrial estate
SMALL construction firms throughout Bury are being invited to attend a free Health & Safety Executive safety awareness day at Haydock Park on Friday, October 8. There were 13 fatal construction accidents in the north west and almost 500 serious injuries
A HOUSEBUILDER has hit a brick wall in its attempts to recruit skilled tradesmen to work at its sites in Tottington and Radcliffe. Morris, one of the UK's largest privately-owned housebuilders, is looking for bricklaying gangs. The company says it's struggling
WHITEFIELD man Bryan Seddon has added another chapter to his book-selling business. After operating shops in Prestwich and Radcliffe, he has now set up in a former post office in Bolton Road, Bury. And The Book Shop is to act as a magnet for local bookworms
ST MONICA'S High School is leading the way in tackling the rising rate of obesity in the borough's children. The Prestwich school has agreed to allow in health and council investigators as part of a healthy eating campaign which could spell the end for
THE mother of a six-year-old boy shot in the head while playing in his own back garden has slammed the use of air weapons. Assad Mehmood was left shocked and bleeding after he was shot with an air rifle from a house overlooking their back garden. The
RIDERS sped through Blackpool yesterday (Wednesday) in the biggest cycle race Britain has seen for the last five years. Riders took part in a sprint along the promenade at South Shore as part of the first stage of the Tour of Britain took in a 128 mile
FYLDE Rugby Club get their new season under way this weekend with renewed hope for the future. The club start the season with a home fixture against Macclesfield at the Woodlands on Saturday (kick off 3pm) and fans will be able to get in for free. The
IT WAS A fantastic Bank Holiday weekend for Fleetwood who picked up 27 points from their two games and moved 10 points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League table with two games remaining. On Saturday they brushed aside Leyland Motors on a track
BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill has money to spend in his pursuit of new players. That is the message from chairman Barry Kilby as the race to strengthen the Clarets squad hots up. Cotterill has spent all week glued to the telephone in the hope of attracting
WHITEFIELD man Bryan Seddon has added another chapter to his book selling business. After operating shops in Prestwich and Radcliffe, he's now set up in a former post office in Bolton Road, Bury. And The Book Shop is set to act as a magnet for local book
VOTERS in the borough are set to see the return of polling booths after a report gave the thumbs down to all-postal elections. The Electoral Commission wants people to be given a choice of voting methods in future elections. Despite an increased voter
METROLINK noise victim Maria Fuller has been asked by transport bosses to back their "Get Our Metrolink On Track" campaign. After years of suffering the effects of trams passing by her house in Cedar Grove, Prestwich, ironically, Mrs Fuller has been invited
IT IS one for the boys as Whitefield Garrick's new season of plays kicks off later this month. With household names such as Harold Pinter, Alan Ayckbourn and Alan Bennett dominating the writer's line-up, the theatre in Bank Street has a lot to offer.
A DEADLY disease is threatening to wipe out some of Bury's oldest and largest poplar trees. More than 300 have already fallen victim to the killer poplar scab for which there is no known cure. Bury Council and Red Rose Forest report that the disease has
I WRITE in support of Mr J. Renniker (Letters, August 20) and his condemnation of the decision by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to sack any police officer who is a member of the British National Party (BNP). The BNP, whose views I deplore
BURY'S TV bride Sam Lilley will limp rather than walk down the aisle today when she marries her sweetheart in front of millions of viewers. For the 23-year-old bride-to-be sustained a hairline fracture of her ankle at her "hen" party just 48 hours before
HAMMER-wielding car thieves have struck again in Ramsbottom, getting into a house and demanding the keys to a vehicle. But detectives say they are keeping an open mind as to whether the latest incident was carried out by the same gang involved in a similar
SCHOOL tuck shops could bite the dust in a bid to stop Bury pupils turning into modern-day Billy Bunters. Health and council leaders have ordered an investigation into what youngsters are eating and drinking. It could mean chocolate machines and fizzy
A GREENMOUNT lawyer will be boxing clever as he aims to maximise the lucrative opportunities beckoning Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan. Gareth Williams (38) acts for the 17-year-old boxing sensation and flew from Malaga to Athens at the request of
BOSSES are being urged to ensure that the number's up for employees using mobile phones while driving. In a bid to underline the perils of mobile phones distraction, Bury Council organised a special virtual reality event to prove the point. On Wednesday
JON Newby was on target for Bury reserves on Wednesday afternoon as they fought out a 1-1 draw with a strong Blackpool side at Bloomfield Road. The Seasiders opened the scoring in the second half with a deflected effort credited to Jamie Burns. However
RUGBY League fans in the region are in for a treat during the coming months with Swinton Lions lining up a series of events at both Sedgley Park and Clifton Cricket Club. The Lions now ply their trade at Park Lane, Whitefield and they kick off their entertainment
GREENMOUNT'S title challenge was de-railed at the weekend despite a convincing victory over Heaton. However, the villagers lost pace with the leaders after going down to defeat to a tenacious Tonge outfit. Greenmount batted first at Heaton and openers
FUNDRAISERS have turned to Rat Pack-style entertainers to make this year's Rossendale Hospice dinner the most successful ever. The glittering annual event is at Blackburn Rovers's Ewood Park ground on October 16, with the theme being the Rat Pack. Tributes
I WOULD like to request your help in urging all people travelling to a malarial country to seek health advice from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist well in advance of travelling. Deaths due to malaria are on the increase among UK travellers. Every year 2000
STOOD in a very long queue at the post office on Tuesday I wondered if any of the powers that be, who make decisions about our city, ever come into Preston to see life as it is. Maybe it was the bank holiday the previous day, and the fact that it was
SEEING the Preston Citizen's headline: 'Families in a jam over traffic', and the residents' concerns regarding parking at and in the vicinity of the Royal Preston Hospital (RPH) has prompted me to write this letter. Since all the facilities at the Sharoe
By Marc Higginson THERE was disappointment all round at the Racecourse on Saturday as Radcliffe slumped to a another defeat in Pasan Wanasinghe's final game for the club. Radcliffe were outplayed in both disciplines of the game and were made to pay by
Unibond League Premier Division OSSETT TOWN...0 RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...2 WITH optimism running high following a promising pre-season, the first real test came with this visit to league new boys Ossett, and Borough were not found wanting. They orchestrated
BORO BOW TO LIVELY LINNETS RADCLIFFE BORO...1 BURSCOUGH...2 Unibond League Premier Division THE new season may only be two games old but Boro boss Kevin Glendon will already be making changes. After watching his charges from behind the dug-out wall, after
Racecoursemen make heavy weather of it Central Lancashire League 'IT never rains it pours' not only sums up the summer's abysmal weather, it also describes Radcliffe Cricket Club's fortunes. When they are good they are very good, when they are bad they
THE people of Blackpool are being urged to show the strength of feeling against a plan to remove seating from the town hall. Blackpool Council will re-open the debate over the proposed removal of seating in historic Committee Room A at a special meeting
POLICE have issued public safety warnings after two separate incidents involving dummy weapons sparked panic on the Fylde coast earlier this week. In the first incident staff and visitors were forced to evacuate for three hours after a refuse collector
BLACKPOOL Council chiefs have defended the success of their postal voting experiment - despite an independent watchdog's call for a ban on similar pilots. A report by the Electoral Commission recommended an end to all-postal voting in a review of June's
AN EAST Lancashire surveyor has begun drawing up plans to save at least the memory of a piece of Blackburn history. A warehouse behind the town's railway station was used as a goods depot for decades after being built in 1858. But it is now no more than
AN Elvis fan today told how she was punched in the face as she fought off robbers trying to steal a cherished memento of The King. Linda Taylor, 49, was left bruised but still holding her Elvis Presley bag following an attempted robbery as she walked
COUNCIL leader John Byrne (Letters, August 27) has incredible cheek to deny making a remark at the meeting some time ago at St. Bede's about the access route to Fairfield Hospital. Every person in that packed meeting heard me ask why the local authority
IN my initial response to correspondent Anti-PC, I asked if he/she was able to provide any hard evidence to support his/her accusation that ethnic minority police officers were being "over promoted". Judging from the second letter (August 20) the answer
A REPORT in a local evening newspaper recently suggested that the rumour and uncertainty surrounding Fairfield's maternity and special care baby units is already having an adverse effect, with some local expectant mothers now opting instead for Bolton
HAVING just read the Bury Times on my return from holiday, I feel that I should write regarding the proposal for flats in Walmersley for those with mental health and housing needs. I am informed that Christ Church hall was not made available to "a pressure
"PINOCCHIO" (Letters, August 27) argues that Bury Council broke its own rules regarding extra budget expense resulting from the primary school closure programme. The Strategic Review process was the subject of the most intense scrutiny, with the proposals
I WRITE in support of Mr J. Renniker (Letters, August 20) and his condemnation of the decision by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to sack any police officer who is a member of the British National Party (BNP). The BNP -- whose views I
COPIES of the current Members Allowance Scheme for Bury councillors are now available, free of charge, from the Democratic Services Department at the town hall. A comparison with previous years gives an indication of how the index-linked formula used
SOCCER fan Francis Fletcher netted £28,000 on last week's football results -- for a £1 stake. The 76-year-old, from Chesham, Bury, guessed the outcome of 15 matches. But far from being on the edge of his seat for the deciding result, Francis had taken
PROBLEMS caused after travellers suddenly appear on patches of land across East Lancashire are hardly a new phenomenon. For many years the scenario has been the same. A group of travellers appear and local residents, businesses and land owners immediately
Famous as the man-eating Dorien in the TV comedy Birds of a Feather, actress Lesley Joseph has now taken on a very different role. She spoke to JENNY SCOTT. . . IT'S certainly not a subject they used to discuss in Birds Of A Feather. But Lesley Joseph
PROPERTY speculators have turned their sights on East Lancashire, where homes are being snapped up before they are built or without a single viewing. Reporter IAN SINGLETON investigates the boom in buying to let in East Lancashire. . . LOTS of profit
RAMSBOTTOM were dealt a severe blow to their title chances when Sunday's game against Nelson was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to the appalling state of the square at Seedhill. With the game between Haslingden and Church also falling victim
ELTON landed one hand onto the Bolton Association championship last Saturday as they pulverised a struggling Blackrod outfit. Elton elected to field first and soon had the Horwich side on the ropes at 7-2. Without their pro, Will Halton, who suffered
FOLLOWING the great championship win by Fred Rothwell in the 'Vets,' the British under-19 and the championship weekend which both promised so much were something of a disappointment, particularly for rising star Ben Scranage. The under 19s at Coventry
LAST week saw continued heavy rain and water levels on the rise again. On Wednesday evening Island Lodge was the venue for a small junior match carrying plenty of colour. Top weight fell to six-year-old Callum Hogan with 1-11-0 of roach and perch to win
WITH just one pre-season friendly before the big National One kick-off, Sedgley Park are in need of a morale boosting performance against National Two new boys Waterloo tomorrow at Blundellsands. Player-coach Tim Fourie identified composure on the ball
RE the letter from Mr W Woods (LET, August 31). Hitler hoped the British Government would make an alliance with him. He thought a great deal about the English. His would have been a strict regime but fair, the working man had nothing to fear from Hitler
I FEEL so sorry for all who have been affected by the recent floods. It's hard for most of us to imagine the chaos and heartbreak, to say nothing of financial implications. I used to live on a stretch of Cedar Street in Blackburn which was on the level
A TAXI driver was hit in the face and had his cab stolen in an horrific attack. Police are working on the theory that two Manchester United fans were involved after the cab was hailed close to the Reds' home ground at Old Traffod soon after last Wednesday
A FEAST of drama awaits at Thornton Little Theatre (TLT) this month. Poulton Drama presents Lady Windermere's Fan, by Oscar Wilde, nightly until this Saturday, tickets £5. British Stage Productions presents and Old Time Music Hall on September 9 at 2pm
IT'S Blackpool's big weekend of the year! The town is expected to be packed as thousands of tourists arrive to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Blackpool Illuminations. As well as Friday night's extravaganza, featuring switch-on start Geri Halliwell
The ANDY LOCHHEAD column SINCE when did swearing in the dug-out become a sending off offence? I'm led to believe that's the sole reason Steve Cotterill was sent to the stands last Monday on a black day for the Clarets - a few naughty words at a sensitive
BURY bi-annual Charter Fair rolls back into town this month - and it's all change for drivers while it is here. The Rock car park is once again the site, and will be closed from September 13 to 26. During this time, the nearby Parsons Lane car park behind
BURY South Conservatives have chosen the man they hope will unseat Labour at the next General Election. Alex Williams,29, a councillor for Altrincham on Trafford Council, is the party's prospective Parliamentary candidate to take on education minister
THOUSANDS of fans are expected to join a celebration party tomorrow (Saturday) to honour Bury's Olympic boxing hero Amir Khan. Amir, wearing his coveted silver medal, is due to appear on the steps of Bolton Town Hall at 10.30am. The 17-year-old, who developed
LOCAL people are being asked to contribute to a £500,000 appeal has been launched by North West Air Ambulance to replace its existing 30-year-old helicopter. Operation Eagle is being spearheaded by Gulf War Prisoner of War John Nichol at its launch on
A FAIRER system of penalties for motorists caught speeding has been outlined by highways chiefs. The new proposals would mean a reduced penalty for motorists not far above the speed limit and a higher penalty for those who are significantly above it.
IT was certainly the weather for ducks -- but not the public! -- when Forever Bury staged its main fundraiser of the year over the Bank Holiday Weekend. For Bury FC's supporters trust had to delay Sunday's third annual duck race for 30 minutes after the
NAOMI K Whiteley is a model student in more ways than one. While she's been struttin' her stuff on the catwalk, the 21-year-old has also been studying at the University of Gloucestershire where she has graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in fine art and
VICTIMS of a solicitor who swindled grieving relatives out of many thousands of pounds today branded him a grave robber. As crooked Philip Pressler was blasted for ruining lives after stealing £600,000, the Law Society revealed it was trying to recover
A DEDICATED doctor who "loved his job and the people of Bury" has died at age of 42. Dr Mohammed Nawaz, who worked in the accident and emergency department at Fairfield Hospital, died on Friday at his home in Canning Street, Bury. The father of four young
BLOOD donor sessions will be held at All Saints Church, Church Lane, Whitefield, on Friday, September 24 between 1.30pm and 3.30pm and from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Similar sessions will also take place at the Longfield Centre, Prestwich, on Sunday, October
MEMBERS of Prestwich area board held a minute's silence in memory of their colleague Nick Harrison. As reported in last week's Guide, Mr Harrison was found dead at home by his wife, Dawn, just three days before his 35th birthday. His funeral was held
FOOTBALL legend Sir Tom Finney has come out in support of the Citizen's campaign to save the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR) from a merger that, army chiefs say, would erode its identity. Earlier this year the Ministry of Defence announced its intentions
BURY South Conservatives have chosen the man they hope will unseat Labour at the next General Election. Alex Williams (29), a councillor for Altrincham on Trafford Council, is the party's prospective Parliamentary candidate to take on education minister
A FREAKY circus show which staged an impromptu performance on Preston's Flag Market last year is heading back to the city with its outrageous show. This time it will be playing to crowds at the Guild Hall, and Preston-born ring master and creator, John
A 96-year-old woman was prevented from activating a security system by a robber who barged his way into her flat. The pensioner was sitting in the ground floor living room of her apartment in St Mary's Court, Sharp Street, Prestwich, when a man knocked
BURY South MP Ivan Lewis heaped praise on local pupils for their "tremendous" exam results. The education minister also issued an encouraging "back to school" message for the new term. He said: "I am proud of the tremendous results we have seen in Bury
GOOD news travels fast and a quick telephone call from Spain enabled GCSE student Peter Bowden to celebrate excellent results. St Monica's RC High School pupil Peter (16) was on holiday with his family when the exam results were published. So with a bit
WOMEN under the age of 25 will no longer be given routine cervical smear tests. From this month, the local health authority will raise the age at which it invites women in the borough for such tests from 20 to 25. The change is in response to doctors'
AN electrical fault is believed to have started a fire at a Burnley engineering works last night. The blaze at A and E Engineering, Old Hall Street, started on the ground floor about 9.15pm. Four crews from Burnley, Padiham and Nelson arrived at the fire
CARING for others is a real family affair in the Cross household. Former nurse Kevin, of Walker Avenue, Whitefield, is to undertake a gruelling 100k bike ride in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care along with his 17-year-old daughter Sarah. Kevin (46) now
A YOUNG dad smashed up an innocent person's car after finding out he was not the father of his youngest child, a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told how Matthew Carmen, who is the victim of a rare illness, caused about £500 damage in a fit of temper
WHALLEY RANGE...2 OLD STANDIANS...2: IT seemed as if someone had forgotten to tell Old Standians first team that the season has started after the showing given on Saturday afternoon, away against Whalley Range. After a stalemate first 20 minutes, Standians
THE MOONEY SUZUKI: Alive and Amplified (Columbia) TOO often bands take themselves too seriously, How refreshing it is to some across a group that has a sense of fun -- and some blistering guitar riffs thrown in! The Mooney Suzuki are a bit of a throwback
PENDLE'S first walking festival was due to kick off today attracting ramblers from all parts. The four-day festival started this morning at Aisled Barn, Wycoller, with a short ceremony before the first two walks began. Organisers hope to attract as many
HYNDBURN Council workers chased a thief who stole a saw from the back of their truck. The vehicle was in Tremellen Street, Accrington, at around 9.15pm yesterday when the offender struck. He was disturbed by the workers who gave chase, but didn't catch
POLICE have stepped up patrols at Hapton station in a crackdown on rampaging yobs frightening elderly passengers. The move follows residents complaining to councillors about anti-social behaviour by juveniles at the train station. For the past few months
