Archive

  • Events in East Lancashire on Wednesday, March 28

    Parkinson's Disease Society, Temple Street Resource Centre, Burnley, 7.30pm. "History of Burnley Cinemas." Blackburn and District Probus Club, St Silas' Church Hall, Preston New Road, Blackburn, 10.30am. "A Blackburn Childhood in Wartime." Oswaldtwistle

  • Boro playing catch-up

    ONE defeat in seven games has hoisted Radcliffe Boro to ninth place in the Unibond Division One listing. This has been a rise of meteoric proportion considering that Boro were next to bottom in mid February. The Stainton Park outfit's problem was always

  • Gigg goes to seed

    SOCCER experts are moving in at Gigg Lane on the final day of the season in a bid to get the pitch looking perfect again. As soon as the Shakers last home match against Wycombe on April 28 has finished a team of specialists will move in. "They will be

  • Now, that's what I call inflation

    LAST week, I bought two balls of baby-wool at 89p each. On Saturday, I went for another ball and the same wool, on the same shelf, had gone up to 109p a ball. Could this be because of the foot and mouth outbreak? Baa! MRS SMITH, Lynwood Road, Blackburn

  • Poppy appeal total increase

    ONCE again the people of Blackburn gave with such generosity to the Poppy appeal that one can only describe the result in Blackburn as astounding. Poppy appeal 2000 raised in excess of £24,500 -- an increase on 1999 of over 30 per cent. I would like to

  • Punishment to fit the crime

    I AM sick of reading about old people being mugged and robbed and all the other crimes that happen -- and of Jack Straw spouting about getting tough on crime. What good will it do putting more bobbies on the beat if, when they catch the culprits, they

  • There's no need to say sorry

    I WAS astounded to read the article (LET, March 10) about the apology to the Co-op. Just who does Great Harwood Area Council vice chairman Peter Clarke think he is? He has the audacity to apologise because someone actually challenged the behaviour of

  • Help Cumbria: enjoy yourself

    THOUSANDS of readers visit the Lake District each year, and, despite the problems of foot and mouth disease affecting farmers, the message from the National Park Authority, the tourist board, and the government, is that Cumbria is open for business, and

  • How yobs are targeting Atherton's rail lines

    VANDALS attempted to derail a train in Atherton by placing a 16 foot rail across the track last week. In this week's Journal reporter DAVE CROOKES looks at the problems youths in the area have posed to train bosses already battling with overcrowded carriages

  • The price we would pay for saving money

    WHAT a sad world we would live in if it was left to the Lib-Dems. They want Blackburn Council to cancel the 150th birthday celebrations and spend the money on the roads (LET, March 16). Such petty comments show what an insignificant party they are. We

  • Advice for those who have retired

    RETIRING? If so you could benefit from an advice day on making the most of life after work. Tips on housing, benefits and consumer issues affecting older people will be given along with information about holidays and social activities. The day is being

  • Attack ended with stitches

    A PUB customer needed eleven stitches to his cheek after an attack in a Whitefield bar early on Saturday morning (March 24). The 25-year-old was punched in the face, smashing his glasses. He needed treatment at North Manchester General Hospital. Police

  • TA open day

    WOULD-BE Territorial Army soldiers are invited to an open day this weekend to get an insight into life with the force. Members of the TA will be on hand to talk about their experiences, and offer advice on the commitments of being a new recruit. The emphasis

  • My rape charge hell, by nightclub boss

    TWO bar bosses charged with sex offences against a 16-year-old girl today spoke of their hell after being told the case was being dropped. Deputy night club manager Andrew Clark McCamon says his life is in ruins because of the rape allegation he faced

  • Gibson doubt for Colls

    Atherton Colls have an injury doubt over striker Ian Gibson for tonight's clash at Alder House with Abbey Hey. The highly rated young forward limped out of the 1-0 home defeat by Mossley on Saturday at half time with a "dead" leg injury. Brett Golding

  • Brad may miss trip to Grimsby

    BRAD Friedel's international commitments with the United States could rule him out of Rovers' vital trip to Grimsby next month. America are due to take on Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier in Kansas City on April 25 -- just 24 hours after Rovers' game

  • Bereaved man smashed window

    A NEWLY-bereaved man smashed a window at a car showroom in 'sheer frustration' -- when an off-duty police officer was inside the premises. Burnley magistrates were told how Graham Banks, 26, had tried to run off and was so drunk he then fell 10 feet into

  • Move to higher fees divides taximen

    PROPOSALS to increase taxi fees by 3.5 per cent will be decided by councillors in Burnley tomorrow. Objections to the increase have been registered by the 408-strong Burnley Private Hire Association. The Hackney Carriage Association has told the council

  • Ten years' jail for attack on clubber

    A KNIFE attacker who slashed a nightclubber from the back of his head to his mouth- and then caught him again on the chin- is behind bars for 10 years. Burnley Crown Court heard how William Fullerton, 39, laughed and joked in triumph after the early hours

  • Ten years ago

    TWO fire fighters rescued 76-year-old Margaret Robinson after finding her trapped on the bathroom floor of her blazing house in Tintern Crescent, Blackburn. Firefighters Steve March and Paul Briggs were lucky to escape injury after opening a door and

  • Hey hey he's a Monkee

    TALENTED teenager Christopher Bottomley is in line for the biggest performance of his life -- but he needs you to help him Monkee around. The 19-year-old is just a whisker away from being plucked to appear on Stars in Their Eyes when it comes back on

  • Serial shoplifter banned from town centre

    TRADERS were today celebrating after a man with 105 convictions for theft and shoplifting was banned from their town centre for three years. Michael Aspin, 25, was warned that he would be jailed if he set foot in Accrington, where his catalogue of offences

  • Wear it and dump it, say firm's chiefs

    A COMPANY has been forced to make employees wear disposable clothing in a bid to stop them spreading foot and mouth disease. Animal feed provider Dugdale Nutrition, of Bellman Mill, Clitheroe, says it is facing a bleak future as the virus continues to

  • Nothing predictable in high noon showdown

    IT WAS impossible to tell at the time. But given the benefit of hindsight, last December's game between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers turned out to be a defining moment in the story of both clubs' seasons. Don't forget that entering the game, Blackburn

  • We need the fans behind us: Branch

    CLARETS wideman Graham Branch insists the Burnley fans will also need to be at their best to help inspire Stan Ternent's men to derby victory at Ewood Park. Burnley are set to take some 5,000 supporters to Blackburn for Sunday's televised showdown. And

  • Songbird Julie wins 1st heat

    SINGER Julie Duckworth has made it through into the semi-final of a nightclub karaoke competition. Julie, of Ravenglass Close, Blackburn, won the first heat of the 11-week competition after singing 'Believe' by Cher. Run by the owners of Castle 'Knightclub

  • Holidays are brewing

    STAFF at Samlesbury Brewery have been packed off on a well earned holiday as recognition for performing beyond the call of duty. Four workers were picked out of 180 employees after being labelled as star performers at an awards night dubbed the 'Employee

  • Legion is fighting again for Becky

    FUNDRAISERS at Rishton Royal British Legion are preparing to start arranging events to help the parents of 10-year-old Becky Baxter, who has been diagnosed with cancer less than two years after thinking she had beaten the killer disease. Becky and her

  • Suzanne wants to be Hollywood star

    POPSTARS singer Suzanne Shaw has revealed a burning ambition to become a Hollywood film star. The 19-year-old, who is wowing teenage fans with her band Hear'Say, said it was her dream to become an actress. And, displaying single-minded determination,

  • End to misery of Bank Holiday "hoarding"

    BURY'S revamped refuse collection service swings into action next week. As part of a series of sweeping changes in the service, bins will be collected from Tuesday to Friday only, starting from the week of April 2. It will bring the curtain down on the

  • We need the fans behind us: Branch

    CLARETS wideman Graham Branch insists the Burnley fans will also need to be at their best to help inspire Stan Ternent's men to derby victory at Ewood Park. Burnley are set to take some 5,000 supporters to Blackburn for Sunday's televised showdown. And

  • Friedel to miss trip to Grimsby

    BRAD Friedel's international commitments with the United States could rule him out of Rovers' vital trip to Grimsby next month. America are due to take on Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier in Kansas City on April 25 -- just 24 hours after Rovers' game

  • A world beater in town

    THE journey from Geneva to Blackburn is as long as it is bizarre -- but that is the trip that has just been undertaken by the revolutionary Aston Martin Vanquish, one of the world's most expensive cars. Fresh from its successful launch at the Geneva International

  • Town leaps up the profitability table

    BLACKBURN has leapt 100 places in a profitability league table compared to last year, but still lags behind its Lancashire neighbours. Just weeks after it was revealed the town was behind Burnley as a shopping centre another survey shows it is still trying

  • Ex-joiner builds a future in the art world

    AN artist from Ramsbottom could have a bright future after his work was selected for a national prize. Stephen Booth, from Tanners Street, Ramsbottom, entered the PizzaExpress Prospects 2001 art prize which aims to encourage newly-graduated artists. He

  • Jobless man's heroin delivery pay-off

    UNEMPLOYED Suhal Laher took up the offer of a "delivery job" -- and ended up carrying heroin wraps. He was caught out by police on a Blackburn street and jailed for 18 months when he appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court. Laher, 23, of Warrington

  • Appeal to crooks after attack on woman

    POLICE are appealing for help from Blackburn's criminal underworld after a woman was brutally beaten up and robbed on her way to work today. The 52-year-old was punched in the face and her handbag was grabbed as she walked to her town centre cleaning

  • Spinners give Lancs the lead

    A FINE all round effort from the spinners and a century opening partnership put Lancashire in control at the end of the second day against Boland Academy at Bellville. Chris Schofield bowling for the first time on tour struck twice in an over just before

  • Crooks should be on a leash

    IT is little wonder that police and traders are celebrating today after the reign of terror by the dreadful and brutal serial thief Michael Aspin was brought to an end by his being banned from Accrington town centre for the next three years. For if ever

  • Rams face tough test

    RAMSBOTTOM United entertain a St Helens Town side that hammered Glossop North End 9-2 on Saturday. United are in a rich vein of form themselves having beaten joint top NWCL Division One side Salford City 1-0 at the weekend but this could be a serious

  • Concert aid

    A FUNDRAISING concert in aid of a historic theatre is due to get under way next month. 'Broadway and Beyond -- the sequel' boasts a star-studded line up of top stage and screen celebrities and hopes to raise £10,000 for the Royal Court Theatre, in Bacup

  • Soloist stars

    SOLOIST Elizabeth Couling will star in Blackburn Symphony Orchestra's next performance at the end of this month. Voted as the BBC Young Musician of the Year woodwind finalist, Elizabeth will play an Oboe Concerto by Strauss. Other features will include

  • Sergio's gallop to lose his accent

    ITALIAN barber Sergio Solazzo will star in this year's spring production of 'Post Horn Gallop' by Derek Benfield. Sergio, who has a barber shop in Bacup, is the newest member of the village's St Mary's Players, and has got the cast wondering how he is

  • Python comedy with dark side

    MICHAEL Palin's comedy The Weekend debuts at the New Millennium Theatre, Waterfoot, next week. The Rossendale Players are presenting the play by the ex- Monty Python star, which uses modern humour to look at family values but also has a much darker side

  • Superstardom boost for TKO

    TKO'S bid for pop stardom is set to be boosted by the same talent that helped singer George Michael become a superstar. Jules De-Martino, a member of the former Wham star's songwriting team, has penned four songs for the Leigh-based musical trio. The

  • Brothers facing assault charges

    TWO brothers from Prestwich will appear in court today (Tues March 27) following an alleged assault on a police officer. They were arrested and charged in connection with an attack on PC Kevin Graham who suffered severe facial injuries after responding

  • Caravan and sign damaged in fires

    CHILDREN playing with matches are suspected of starting a fire which damaged a caravan. A burning seat cover was pulled clear of the mobile home, parked at the rear of Sterling Grove in Whitefield, before the flames had chance to take hold. Firefighters

  • Parents convicted over children's school absences

    MORE parents have appeared before the courts in Bury because their children have played truant from school. Magistrates convicted William and Carol Hilton, of Eldon Street, Bury, after hearing how their child, a pupil at Broad Oak High, attended school

  • Serial shoplifter banned from town centre

    TRADERS were today celebrating after a man with 105 convictions for theft and shoplifting was banned from their town centre for three years. Michael Aspin, 25, was warned that he would be jailed if he set foot in Accrington, where his catalogue of offences

  • OAPs conned

    A BOGUS water board official escaped with £300 from a Bury pensioner after he tricked his way into the man's home. The thief struck shortly before 5pm on Thursday (March 22) in Threshfield Close. He distracted the 84-year-old, searched the house and stole

  • Residents to find out what the future holds for town

    RESIDENTS of Radcliffe, can find out next week what the future may hold for the town. On Tuesday April 3, beginning at 6pm in Radcliffe Civic Suite on Thomas Street, there will be an opportunity to take a look at the proposed updated Unitary Development

  • New speed limit in Parkhills area

    DRIVERS in the Parkhills area of Bury will have their speed curbed when a new 20 mph limit is introduced. The measure is intended to complement existing traffic calming measures and was given approval at a meeting of the highways and traffic management

  • "Pet food for people" probe into Bury firm

    A FATHER and son from Bury were arrested following a probe into unfit food. Brian Davies (61) and his son, also called Brian, were detained on Thursday morning (March 22) after police and health officials swooped on their B Davies and Son factory in Bright

  • LR facing injury crisis

    INJURY problems are beginning to mount for Atherton LR manager Alan Lord. With free- scoring striker Gavin Salmon having been recalled to Unibond side Hyde United and very highly rated young full back Danny Caldercott out for at least a month with a knee

  • Most important match of season

    ONE by one, the runners in the Grand Nationwide Handicap Chase have begun to string out. The early leader is still setting a furious pace, almost as if someone has offered a British passport to the owner of the first past the post. Now it's starting to

  • Derby game will NOT be a sellout

    EWOOD Park will not be a sellout for Burnley's first visit to Blackburn Rovers in 18 years. With some sections of the Darwen End -- where the Clarets fans will be housed -- due to be left empty in the interests of segregation, the ground capacity for

  • 'Premier' Ben's No 10 hope

    STUDENT Ben Stuart will find out today if he is Downing Street bound after he was voted 'Best Prime Minister' in the North of England. The pupil at Ivy Bank High School, Burnley, took part in the regional finals of the Motorola Youth Parliament Competition

  • My rape charge hell, by nightclub boss

    TWO bar bosses charged with sex offences against a 16-year-old girl today spoke of their hell after being told the case was being dropped. Deputy night club manager Andrew Clark McCamon says his life is in ruins because of the rape allegation he faced

  • Disabled pervert is jailed at last

    A WHEELCHAIR-bound paedophile who was spared prison after a judge was misinformed about the facilities available for disabled prisoners, has now been jailed for two years. The mix-up was revealed after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph contacted the Prison

  • Park gets a spring clean

    ALKINCOATS Park in Colne looks a lot cleaner and brighter, thanks to a team effort. The Friends of Alkincoats Park, Pendle Council Parks and Cemeteries and Pendle Pride got together to paint the bowls pavilion, cover up graffiti and clean up from the

  • Five years ago

    BLACKBURN with Darwen Council got together with Lancashire Police to bid for almost £88,000 of government cash towards a £341,000 CCTV scheme in Darwen. The bid was expected to provide three cameras as well as monitoring equipment at Darwen Police Station

  • Landmark must be made safe

    ONE of Oswaldtwistle's best-known landmarks is set to shrink in size in a bid to make it safe. Councillors will decide tomorrow if they will approve a scheme to take the top 12 metres off the 66 metre high chimney at Rhyddings Mill, in Rhyddings Street

  • Turf Moor price rise

    SEASON-TICKET prices for adult fans at Turf Moor are set to go up by 17.5 per cent next season. Match-day admissions are also rising with fixtures being graded for the first time. Category 'A' games will cost £2 more at the gate, while 'B' games will

  • Favourite up for sale

    LICENSEES Ken and Hazel Peet are finally calling time by putting their pub on the market. The couple, who have run the Railway Hotel, in Victoria Road, Pleasington, Blackburn, for eight years, have decided to retire and put the pub up for sale for £59,000

  • From drag to Glam

    PETER Eddleston, who runs the castle 'Knightclub' in Market Street Lane, Blackburn, has thanked customers for raising £125 for Comic Relief, after the men on the staff swapped their uniforms for more feminine attire. He said: "It was a great evening and

  • John and Anne are best in North West

    LICENSEES John and Anne Staley raised their glasses after becoming the regional winners of a national competition. The couple, who run the Borough Hotel, in Grimshaw Street, Darwen, will now face 16 other regional finalists in the grand final after beating

  • Asbestos 'diary' read at inquest

    WORKING with asbestos eventually led to the death of a plumber, a Bury inquest was told. Alan Fletcher, 60, of Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, had worked with asbestos, sometimes covered in clouds of the deadly material, at a time when its lethal potential

  • Cut price Shakers hope for goal bonus

    THE Shakers will be hoping for another big crowd tonight when promotion chasing Stoke City visit Gigg Lane. There is another popular quid a kid deal for under-16s while adults can sit in the Cemetery End for just £10. Andy Preece is looking for his side

  • Spending spree for villagers who have £100,000

    VILLAGERS have gathered round to come up with ways of spending a £100,000 grant. The response of people in Hoddlesden has even surprised its local councillor, who has been inundated with calls. Councillor Fred Slater said he seemed to have spoken to everyone

  • Vandals wrecking spree across town

    DARWEN has fallen victim to vandals once again -- and this time the culprits have caused thousands of pounds-worth of damage. Cars and buildings across the town were targeted in this latest round of vandalism. In all, there were 10 cases of criminal damage

  • The joy of school music

    A CELEBRATION of music in schools in Rossendale will be held at Haslingden Public Hall next Tuesday and Wednesday. The event is organised by former Mayor and former councillor Geoff Atkinson to allow young musicians a chance to meet each other and celebrate

  • Sports Festival hopes

    RAMSBOTTOM'S Sports Festival will go ahead in June and so far organisers are hoping the annual Holcombe Fell Race will take place -- but it depends on the foot-and-mouth crisis. The week of sporting activities culminates on June 16 with a family fun day

  • Lifeline scheme for car transport needs

    A VOLUNTEER car scheme for Bacup, Stacksteads and Whitworth is now being organised by area co-ordinators. The County Cars Bacup and Whitworth Car Scheme provides a lifeline service for people in the area who do not have their own transport and find using

  • 'The best lollipop lady in the world'

    A WOMAN who became a lollipop lady to make new friends has proved she is top of the pops. Sharron O'Keeffe is the first school crossing person on her patch to be awarded a charter mark for service -- but the smiles and laughter of the children she looks

  • Pub death mystery

    DETECTIVES are investigating the death of a 26-year-old man found hanging inside a Hindley pub. The unmarried man, from Bickershaw, near Leigh, was found in the men's toilets at the Mechanics Arms, Leigh Road, on Saturday when the pub opened for business

  • Bakers get a piece of The Simpsons

    CRUMBS! Or should that be "Ay, carumba!"A Blackburn bakery company has bought a piece of The Simpsons! In a big-money takeover that would leave hard-up Homer Simpson declaring "Doh!", Inter Link Foods has bought the Salisbury-based Nicholas & Harris

  • Vulnerable pensioners tricked into handing over cash

    COMMUNITY leaders have vowed to stamp out an epidemic of bogus callers who have tricked vulnerable pensioners into handing over cash. Bank Top Community Association has started a massive leaflet drop operation in the district warning residents about a

  • ATHLETICS: Rochdale race

    The Colin and Brenda Robinson Hospice 4.3 mile road race will take place tomorrow starting at 6.45pm. It starts from Springhill Hospice, Broad Lane, Rochdale (A671 Oldham Road).

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Coleman dismisses Alty link

    ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has quashed rumours linking him with the vacant position at Altrincham. Former Evertonian Mark Ward parted company with the Moss Lane club last week and Coleman's has been one of the names in the frame. But, as

  • Ex-fire chief admits sex charges

    A FORMER fire boss masked his face as he conducted a series of sex attacks on lone women a court heard today. A jury at Manchester Crown Court heard allegations that George David Heyes, 44, of Banburgh Close, Radcliffe, had committed a series of attacks