A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Sale of Goods, Read United Reformed Church, 6.15pm. Derek Acorah (spirit medium), Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, 7.30pm. "Witchcraft" Exhibition, Clitheroe Castle Museum
A GALA fund-raising night in aid of the East Lancashire Hospice and Macmillan nurses will be held at Ewood Park on October 1. The evening will begin with a charity fashion show arranged by Solitaire, of Duckworth Street, Darwen, and compered by radio
A COMPANY director from Blackburn, charged with unlawfully killing an employee by gross negligence, will appear before a court later this month. Peter Preston, of Rowen Park, is expected to appear for a pre-trial hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Friday
WHAT seems to have been the longest summer ever is nearly over with just a few days to the big kick off in the Blackburn Combination. While the World Cup was a welcome distraction from the monotony of cricket and tennis, the new season can't arrive quickly
JEALOUSY drove a Blackburn man to pick up a knife when he saw his former partner having drinks with two other men, a court was told. He put a knife to one victim and the man suffered an inch-long gash as he put a hand up to try and protect himself. His
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council is not doing itself any favours by no longer giving free parking after 3pm. I couldn't tell you the last time we shopped at Blackburn, but we needed something and went to park on the market car park. My husband went to get
PLANS to build bus lanes and a park and ride car park in Worsley as part of the Leigh to Manchester guided busway scheme were due to be decided today. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has applied to Salford Council for permission
PRESTON is to have its second royal visit of the year when The Princess Royal comes to the city later this month. Princess Anne will visit Preston Prison, Ribbleton Lane, on Tuesday, September 17, at 1pm, as patron of the Butler Trust, that aims to educate
PEOPLE worried about the county council's proposals for the threatened care homes can watch a meeting of councillors discussing the subject -- live on the internet. The council will allow millions of internet users across the world to look in on meetings
A FORMER Preston councillor has been found hanged in his home. Joe Fitzgerald, 36, was found by his partner at around 2.30am on Wednesday morning (September 4). Mr Fitzgerald had left a note. It is believed he was devastated by the arrest and charge of
HANG on to your seats -- for a university student has unearthed a watery antique that could be worth thousands of pounds. Marcus Hilton, studying on the BA (Hons) Antiques and Design Studies course at the University of Central Lancashire, found the deck
IT is hard to believe almost a year has passed since America experienced its worst terrorist attack. But for a Preston fireman September 11 will always be a haunting reminder of the day he lost many of his firefighting pals across the Atlantic. Lancashire
EARLY birds Jean and Ronald Arden are finally looking forward to a lie in after more than 30 years behind the counter of a popular newsagents. The couple, of R and J Arden Newsagents, Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, have been rising at dawn seven days a week
DOG owners who fail to clear up after their pooches will be hit with spot fines as part of a five-year improvement plan for Burnley's parks and open spaces. The improvement plan was launched following a wide-ranging review which included parks and open
WANDERERS confirmed today they are considering switch reserve games from Gigg Lane to Warrington. But reports that a deal has already been struck have been described as premature. Warrington Wolves RL club claim they will be staging the matches when their
A DEVELOPMENT brief for the Lucas Playing Fields, in Reedley, was described by councillors as a "wonderful opportunity". The brief, which will see half the land being developed for housing and half retained for sporting activities, was welcomed by members
TRADERS have been accused of over-reacting to plans for a new Radcliffe community centre. Last week the Radcliffe Times reported that town centre landlord Neil Higginson had launched a petition against the development in Church Street. He and more than
A MAN who died after becoming trapped in machinery at work was about to leave the factory for a new office job, his parents said today. Joyce and Ian Lord told how the police knocked on their door at Queensway, Newchurch, Rossendale, on Tuesday evening
LIPSERVICE bring their own brand of delicious humour to the Library Theatre with their Greek (style) epic Hector's House. This raucous comedy brings tales of gods and heroes, epic battles and love stories to life with a dash of togas and taramasalata.
YOUNGSTERS at Blackburn schools adopted by Diana during a special visit took part in a special memorial service. Children from Blackamoor and Dame Evelyn Fox special schools held an assembly with around 20 pupils who originally met the Princess of Wales
JESSICA Taylor and Kevin Simm, local singing sensations who defied the critics to storm to success in Liberty X, are setting out on their first tour of the UK next year. Jessica, from Penwortham, and Kevin, from Leyland, will be performing hits like Just
PRESTON'S Feast of Jazz are teaming up with the Arts Association to hold a night of music at the Playhouse Theatre, in Market Street West, on Friday, September 13. Jenny Lee and the Vernon Gallery Big Band will be joined by Jennifer Johnston singing with
A MAN has died five weeks after suffering serious injuries in a Westleigh car crash. Derek Crane, 55, from Laxey Crescent, received internal injuries and needed intensive care treatment after the incident which happened shortly before 7.30pm on the evening
A TEENAGER has joined the fight against the closure of Lancashire's care homes. Luke Scarr is only 13 but he stood up at a meeting of Accrington Area Council and asked councillors to reconsider their proposals to close 32 of the county council's 48 homes
LONG distance swimmer Mark Blewitt has conquered the English Channel. Lowton marathon man Mark, 35, who suffers from diabetes, completed the Channel crossing in 16 hours 20 minutes. Already he has swam 28.5 miles around New York's Manhattan Island and
TOTAL sums paid to elected members of Wigan Council for the financial year ended March 31, 2002 in respect of basic, special responsibility and attendance allowance were: K Anderson £15,808.79, R Atkinson £7,811.62, N D Ash £6,300.33, M Aldred £2,758.89
A YEAR after being diagnosed with leukaemia teenager Christopher Boyd has had a bone marrow transplant, gained two GCSEs and met Rio Ferdinand -- but all he really wants is to be with his family. Brave Chris, 16, of Laxey Crescent, Leigh, was doing well
SPEEDY Adam Morgan of Stonyhurst College has set his sights on a career as a Formula One racing driver. The talented 13-year-old, of Ribchester, swaps his rugby boots for a crash helmet when he races in the Junior Max Kart Championships. Adam was last
A MOTHER who set up a support group after her son died of a flesh eating bug is having a get-together on Saturday for families affected by the illness. Doreen Marsden spent a week in July visiting and giving comfort and advice to survivors and their relatives
A YEAR on from the devastation wreaked by foot and mouth, trade is flourishing at a fortnightly rural market in Clitheroe. Theresa Robson went to see for herself the turnaround in the fortunes of the Ribble Valley... A GLIMMER of hope surfaced in the
MARLON Beresford has returned to Turf Moor to provide a much needed boost to Burnley's fight to turn around a disastrous start to the season. Burnley have just one senior goalkeeper on their books, Greek international Nik Michopoulos, and boss Stan Ternent
CLARETS striker Ian Moore is chasing a dream double this weekend - the winning goal at Derby on Saturday and the birth of a healthy baby daughter. After a frustrating start to the season Moore hopes the two events will prove to be a launch pad for the
IT WAS a long time coming in more ways than one, but David Byas finally became the first player to score a Championship century for both Lancashire and Yorkshire at Old Trafford yesterday. The 39-year-old, who was tempted out of retirement by Lancashire
LEYLAND Folk Dance Club are starting their autumn season on Tuesday, September 10. The club meet every Tuesday from 7.30pm to 10pm at Moss Side Community Centre, off Dunkirk Lane. No previous experience is necessary, and entry is £1. For information ring
LOCAL dance act Paradise will be keeping their fingers crossed when their debut single Rising Sun is released in October. Leigh barber Rob Grice and part-time DJ Stuart Connor, aged 30, have been writing and producing dance music together for two years
ST Joseph's Players are hard at work rehearsing for their next production, Frank Hardy's brilliant drama based on Thomas Hardy's On the Western Circuit. Anna, a servant girl who has been somewhat befriended by her mistress, meets Charles at the annual
CHRIS Cooke beat Matthew Lee in the final of the junior crown green bowls competition staged at Leigh Cricket Club. Twent boys and girls, aged between 10 and 17, entered the competition organised to raise the profile of the sport by Stan Walmsley. The
Leigh East 26, West Hull 22 LEIGH East staged a dramatic second half revival to leave reigning champions West Hull still searching for their first National Conference win of the season. West Hull had proved formidable opposition, especially in the first
ATHERTON CC's in and out season continued on Saturday when they lost an entertaining game at Darcy Lever by three wickets. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Karl Brown and Paul McLoughlin posted 39 for the first wicket before McLoughlin was
LEIGH CC travelled to second placed Bootle desperate for a win to retain their outside chance of winning the Liverpool Competition ECB Premier League championship. They had to field first after losing the toss but had an early success when Ronnie Davis
LEIGH RU edged out old rivals Tyldesley 13-7 to regain the annual pre-season Sean Grainey Trophy. Leigh started the stronger with the pack quickly establishing superiority. The opening points came from the boot of Fisher but Leigh had to wait for their
BLACKBURN winger Keith Gillespie today admitted he faces a fight for his future following the arrival of David Thompson from Coventry City. Gillespie's current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and, with Thompson now on board to provide
WORLD Cup star Eddie Lewis has been granted a work permit to play at North End. After having one appplication turned down, North End were forced to appeal to make sure their new winger could figure at Deepdale. That appeal was upheld late on Wednesday
NORTH West MEP Gary Titley has taken over as leader of Labour's Euro MPs -- and immediately lent his backing to the single currency. Radcliffe-based Mr Titley beat the current deputy leader, Linda McAvan, who represents Yorkshire. She was favourite to
A MINIBUS appeal for Mencap and Gateway in Rossendale is being launched at Waterfoot Social Club on September 27. Committee member Linda Hardman, who also runs the Mencap shop in Bacup Road, Waterfoot, is masterminding the appeal to raise more than £20,000
FRIENDS will be holding a football match in Crawshawbooth in memory of a teenager who died suddenly in a house in Burnley. Lee Trickett, 19, of Hapton Way, Loveclough, died in July and an inquest has still to be held. Some of his friends could not attend
FIREFIGHTERS in Rawtenstall were called out to three fires in just over an hour last night in the Queen Street area of the town. They began with a firelighter being posted through the letterbox of a house in Queen Street, at 2.30am, but the family were
USERS of Rossendale Council facilities set to shut under a cost-saving scheme are drawing up battle plans to keep their centres open. Rossendale Museum in Whitaker Park and the Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall, Haslingden Public Hall, Whitworth Baths and
LEIGH MP Andy Burnham will hold advice surgeries on: Friday, September 6 (6pm-6.45pm) at Atherton Town Hall and (7.15pm-8pm) at Golborne Day Centre; Saturday, September 7 (10am-11am) at 10 Market Street, Leigh.
ATHERTON Heritage Society members welcome one of their favourite speakers, Margaret Curry, to their September 11 meeting (7.30pm start) in St Richard's Jubilee Hall. Her topic "Cotton Wool Country" is a simple and entertaining explanation about industrial
TYLDESLEY Brass Band is staging a celebration concert next month to mark its 125th anniversary. The Band, directed by Mr Steven Booth, will host the October 6 concert which will feature an array of talent at Atherton Formby Hall. Special Guests include
LEIGH parishioners will join New York in remembrance on the anniversary of the Trade Centre disaster on Wednesday. The congregation of Christ Church, Pennington, will reflect on the horrific events of September 11 with the help of a presentation created
LEIGH'S award winning bakery, Waterfields has once again been selected as a finalist in the Baking Industry Awards 2002. Product development manager Peter Fort is hoping the Cafe Tart -- a sweet pastry case filled with marzipan and franzipan and topped
CELEBRATE the arrival of the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness with Strawberry Champagne Jelly from Nigel Smith, chef patron at the Feilden's Arms, Mellor Brook. Although Nigel has used strawberries, blueberries, blackcurrants and raspberries in
FIREFIGHTERS are warning youngsters they are putting their lives at risk after being called out to blaze at a disused factory for two nights running. Two crews, from Blackburn and Accrington, were called out to a former kitchen factory in Oak Street,
A 56-YEAR-OLD chef tried to claim £23,000 through the Blackburn offices of the Norwich Union for a Mercedes car he claimed had been stolen but which had in fact been sold to a scrap dealer four days before the alleged theft. But Blackburn magistrates
MORE than 500 people have backed a campaign to save a new Blackburn coffee shop threatened with closure because council bosses believe it will jeopardise the town's retail economy. Ian Finch placed a petition in his Puccino's franchise in King William
THOUSANDS of people will file into Villa Park this weekend to see England take on Portugal in a friendly. And nobody will be more proud than the grandad of England's newest recruit David Dunn. When the Blackburn Rovers ace was told he had made the senior
SCHOOLCHILDREN are to watch county council meetings live in lessons after a project to broadcast them online was unveiled. Teachers will be encouraged to hook classes up to the web and watch live discussions from county hall as part of the new citizenship
TINA Lewis of Clayton Le Moors Harriers broke the 20 minute barrier by a single second to win the Over 35 title at the Radcliffe 5K Trail Race. Elsewhere, Sandra Snape of Blackburn Road Runners was second Over 35 in the Kendal Gathering Half Marathon.
CHRIS Hart, 16, of Burnley AC finished third in the final Horwich Jubilee Night Race of the season completing the four miles in 19 minutes and 46 seconds. Only the crack Salford pair John Brown and Neil Wilkinson had his measure while even Darwen's Welsh
GREAT Harwood once more could not break Lincolnshire side Winterton Rangers down - but secured a place in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup after penalty drama. The two sides played out a goalless draw at the Showground on Saturday and neither
THE Hades Hill Race is tonight. With a 7pm start, it is five miles long with 1,200 feet of ascent. Start is from Taylor Street in Whitworth, near Rochdale. The Orienteering starts again after a mid summer break with Pendle Forest Orienteers holding their
A COMBINATION of a strong turnout from our local clubs and perfect weather set the records tumbling at the 24th Pendle Open Meeting at Seedhill Athletic Track. Twelve Meeting Records were broken and a 13th equalled as a stream of personal best performances
HOLIDAYMAKERS in Blackpool had to be evacuated from their hotels early today over fears of an explosion due to a nearby fire. Police closed off the streets surrounding a car body repair shop in Blundell Street, near to the Central Pier, after a fire broke
BOLTON comedian Peter Kay's "Phoenix Nights" gave me the best laugh provided by any TV programme for ages. Frenzied licensee Jerry St Clair singing a super fast Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to an audience of golden oldies had me in rolling over in fits. Fans
I'M delighted to hear that old Athertonian Nancy Boardman finds my comments good enough to form a church service. Great grandmother Nancy, who now lives in Marton, near Blackpool, keeps up with the local news, like many other ex-pats, through friends
ON Sunday firefighters will wear a commemorative ribbon in memory of the heroes who have died on duty, including those involved on September 11. The day will be annual British Firefighters' Day and will provide all firemen and women and members of the
LEIGH Athletic threw away a golden chance to go third in the Manchester Premier League as they went down 1-0 at home to Royton. After a poor start Leigh got themselves into the game but two missed chances by Clark Dobson and Danny Wilson left the game
Southport 4, Leigh RMI 2 by Martyn Hindley RMI's hopes of first points away from Hilton Park were dashed in controversial fashion at Haig Avenue on Tuesday night. Steve Waywell's men were well in control of the first half until the start of stoppage time
Leigh RMI 2, Margate 0 By Martyn Hindley LEIGH RMI came through a defensive crisis of sorts to comfortably edge out Margate for all three points on an afternoon of little entertainment at Hilton Park. Manager Steve Waywell was without the services of
WORLD arm wrestling champion Neil Pickup has kept up his dream of winning the British title at every possible weight after doing the 'double' in this year's finals. The Blackburn puller won his fifth consecutive title when he stepped up to the 100kg category
LANCASHIRE Fire and Rescue's Swift Water Team are preparing for the launch of an inflatable boat to help people in difficulties in dangerous waters. The seven-seater boat, powered by a 25-horse power outboard engine, will be put through its paces this
The fun factor is what has really driven happy-go-lucky Dave Barritt in all his years in motor sport. For ever since he climbed in to the car as a 17-year-old, the ability to enjoy himself has been just as important as handling a car or reading a map.
MY husband and I were travelling into Blackburn the other day in our car with our two-year-old grandson. I had the seat belt on in the back seat with my grandson on my knee and my arms around him as he is too small for the seat belt, unaware I was breaking
WE have all travelled at 70 mph on motorways and no doubt commented where are the police, when constantly passed by speeding motorists. A similar thought perhaps on other roads when inconsiderate drivers grow impatient whilst following others and then
I HAVE read with interest the various contributions to the speed camera debate and am in no way surprised at the groundswell of opinion against the policy which Lancashire Constabulary is currently implementing. Like Stephen Sadler (Letters, July 17)
A WORKER from Aspull has died from crush injuries after being trapped in a vacuum press machine at a Westhoughton factory for more than 20 minutes. Colleagues used a fork lift truck in a bid to free Phillip Ashcroft from the machine at Barkston Plastic
THIS is going to be a very important few days for us in the both the League and the Worthington Cup - but at least we go into the matches with a point on the board. Okay, the display against Crystal Palace was nothing to write home about but at least
A MAN who spent 18 years behind bars for two murders he did not commit was told today that police would not be investigating the case again. Peter Fell,41, said he is outraged at the decision not to reopen the double murder he was wrongly convicted of
DISTRAUGHT relatives today called for urgent repairs to a graveyard after 200 plastic bags were placed over headstones. And the vicar of St Leonard's Parish Church, Church Street, Padiham, branded his grounds "hideous" but said nothing could be done to
Hull KR 18, Leigh Centurions 12 by Mike Hulme ADAM Bristow could find himself in more disciplinary trouble after Tuesday night's controversial ending to Leigh's first defeat in 12 games. Leigh's Aussie skipper, sent off for a high tackle only last Sunday
BLACKBURN Rovers' new kit will be on sale for the first time at the club's Open Weekend at Ewood Park on the 6th ( fair only), 7th and 8th of September. Much in demand, the exclusively-designed Kappa strips will be one of the many attractions at the always
DAVID Dunn today hailed the impact made on his career by Graeme Souness after realising his dream of earning a first call-up into the England senior squad. The former England Under-21 skipper is hoping he can match the achievements of Blackburn manager
BLACKBURN winger Keith Gillespie today admitted he faces a fight for his future following the arrival of David Thompson from Coventry City. Gillespie's current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and, with Thompson now on board to provide
A TEAM from Lancashire Fire and Rescue are preparing for the launch of a new inflatable rescue boat to help out Preston folk in dangerous waters. The seven-man boat, which is powered by a 25 horse power out board, will be put through its paces on Friday
A GROUP of Preston traders have teamed up to try and rid their street of vagrants who, they claim, are frightening away their customers. Shop owners and managers say the beggars who regularly hang-out in Church Street are terrorising members of the public
RESIDENTS in some of the most deprived wards in Burnley have received a £2.5million cash boost. The fund for home improvements and face-lift schemes in Accrington Road and Burnley Wood has been given the green light by members of Burnley Council's executive
ST John the Baptist RC Church is inviting people of Padiham and Hapton to a week long open invitation from September 21-29. Everyone is welcome to take part in activities. Events will include music, drama, discussion, themed liturgies, prayer and reflection
DISTRAUGHT relatives today called for urgent repairs to a graveyard after 200 plastic bags were placed over headstones. And the vicar of St Leonard's Parish Church, Church Street, Padiham, branded his grounds "hideous" but said nothing could be done to
A CYCLIST is going to great lengths to help beat the disease which almost claimed the life of his young son -- 924 miles to be precise. Philip Punchard, 34, of Higham, is cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for meningitis research
A NEW club for martial arts fans, the Kendo Club, has opened in at Deafway, Brockholes Brow, Preston. The club opened on September 4. A beginners' course starts on September 18. For more information contact Dave on 01772 462304 or Andy on 07932 803469
LUKE Watson is returning to Preston for the new season after several seasons in the National League. He is expected to add organisation and skill to central midfield as the hockey team embark on a new season a higher league after winning promotion from
BRIG suffered a penalty shoot-out heartbreak in the FA Cup on Tuesday (September 3) going out 4-2 to Abbey Hey on spot kicks after a tight tussle. The Irongate side had started the match well creating several early chances and in the 23rd minute Lee Pryers
ALTHOUGH numbers were down on last year, organisers of the 59th Earby and District Gardeners' Show were pleased with the turnout. People submitted entries in many different categories including painting, vegetables, flowers, plants and photography, as
PLANS to turn the former Whittaker's Ironmongers, in Colne, in to a betting office could be turned down because it would create too many non-shop units. Ladbrokes Ltd has submitted plans for the change of use and the proposal will be discussed tonight
OPERATIC tones will be bellowing out from St Pius School, in Garstang Road, Preston, on Tuesday nights, as Preston Orpheus Choir begins its new season this week. The choir is always looking for new members and is currently rehearsing its next performance
THE Motown legend behind classic hits like SOS, War! and Headline News can't wait for another chance to sing his hits. And he won't have to wait long because Edwin Starr is at the Guild Hall next week for another night of dancing and classic Northern
A CONVOY of new age travellers settled in Pickup Bank in preparation for a music festival. The 100-strong convoy brought streets near Hoddlesden to a stand still earlier in the day while police guarded the roads. Lord Clitheroe branded the travellers
INTERNATIONAL performance poet Pink Sly will be joined by a local name when he stops off at the Adelphi pub in Fylde Street, Preston. Preston's own MC Gabby will be joining the accomplished poet who has played at the Glastonbury and Edinburgh festivals
ST MARY'S Amateur Dramatic Society are opening their new season with a performance of 84 Charing Cross Road. The play, about a New York writer and the staff of a London book shop, opens on Tuesday, September 17, and runs until Saturday 21. All performances
POLICE in Accrington will be on special patrol in one of the town's traffic hotspots next week. Town centre officers will be joined by officers from the road policing unit and traffic wardens. They will monitor traffic and parking in Blackburn Road as
COUNCILLORS serving on Wigan Council will hold advice surgeries at the following venues: THURSDAY, September 5: Golborne Library (10-11) D Kelly, B Strett; Lane Head Methodist Church, Lowton (7-7.45) P Franzen; Abram Library (10.30-noon) A Bennett. FRIDAY
SCHOOLCHILDREN are to watch county council meetings live in lessons after a project to broadcast them online was unveiled. Teachers will be encouraged to hook classes up to the web and watch live discussions from county hall as part of the new citizenship
TYLDESLEY upholsterer Mavis Foster had the 'king' of all weddings. Elvis-mad duo Mavis and husband Maurice celebrated the happiest day of their lives by inviting top Aussie impersonator, Colin Paul, to their wedding reception. Then the couple, who met
LOCAL history writer Peter Riley has captured 100 years of history. In an ingenious new book Then and Now Peter has taken a photographic look at the changing faces of 11 towns incuding Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne, Astley, Glazebury, Lowton and
MU'O-BE Stephanie Marsh was horror struck when she spotted a 6ft snake on her garden fence. She alerted neighbour Lisa Dowling of the sighting, then returned to witness the tail end of the reptile vanishing under the eaves into the loft of her home. on
THERE is a great little website at www.isthisyou.co.uk. Someone has come up with the great idea of putting lost photographs online to try and link them back up with their owners. If you have ever lost a passport photo or a set of pictures they may appear
TAKING digital photos is one thing, sharing them with your friends and family is another. Of course the simplest way to do that is by sticking your edited pictures on a web page somewhere, then emailing your loved ones to tell them where to look. This
AN inexperienced Clarets side suffered a second successive home defeat despite a much improved display against the Blades last night. Once again there was not a single player in the Burnley side that has played a League match and they were up against
WILL someone pinch me, please, just to check I'm not dreaming! ...Because that's exactly how the last 36 hours have felt since I got the most important phonecall of my life -- one long dream. It's a really strange feeling, that's the only way I can explain
TWO new comedy productions will be showing at Bolton's Octagon Theatre this month. The first is fast and furious comedy sketch show, Masala Girls, which runs from September 9-11. This series of hilarious sketches, inspired by Asian life and traditions
THE men's first team at Golborne Tennis Club have won promotion for a fourth year in succession. The team went through the season undefeated to win Division Five of the Warrington and District League. The newly established second team hope to push for
LONG distance swimmer Mark Blewitt has conquered the English Channel. Lowton marathon man Mark, 35, who suffers from diabetes, completed the Channel crossing in 16 hours 20 minutes. Already he has swam 28.5 miles around New York's Manhattan Island and
ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners Welfare-CTA Direct Cycle Speedway nudged one step nearer to winning the Northern Junior League title after their match at Stockport on Sunday. Although finishing second to nearest challengers Bury on the day, A & T remain
LEIGH and Hindley Methodist Circuit Performing Arts Group present Step in Time from next Wednesday. The show combines music, dance and drama and runs at Wigan Road Methodist Church, Leigh, from Wednesday, September 11 until Saturday, September14. Tickets
MARLON Beresford has returned to Turf Moor to provide a much needed boost to Burnley's fight to turn around a disastrous start to the season. Burnley have just one senior goalkeeper on their books, Greek international Nik Michopoulos, and boss Stan Ternent
A SUPER mum who brought up her 15-year-old daughter alone has reached the final of the Lancashire Mum of the Year 2002. Vivien Alker, Hacking Street, Darwen, was nominated by her daughter Kara after she battled through an arduous operation when her lung
ATHERTON branch of Kwik Save has been given a £47,000 facelift. And today customers can celebrate the store's relaunch with children's entertainment throughout the day. Improvements include a new non-food aisle offering a range of household goods, clothing
PROMOTER Dave Horrocks is offering talented entertainers five minutes of radio fame. The Leigh impresario who is working with GMR in Manchester wants talented young people seeking some exposure to contact him to try for a radio spot. They are available
ON Sunday Weeping Ash, gardening guru Ron Bent's private Glazebury wonderland, will be open to be public in aid of the Red Cross. It will also be open on Sunday, September 15, as part of the National Garden Schemes. Situated next to Bents Garden Centre
DREAMS came true for Terry Ward and Paul Simpkin at the bottom of a swimming pool. On their first ever underwater dive the duo from Fourways Assessment Unit at Tyldesley spent an hour playing cards to raise funds for a gym at the Tyldesley centre which
A LIFESIZE video game warrior is up for grabs to help the terminally ill. Leigh newsagent's, Cannings, is raffling the Orc from War Craft 111 to raise money for Wigan and Leigh Hospice. The lucky winner will be able to take the 6ft warrior, already a
THE Glazebrook Timberland Trail with waterside trekkers pounding the 18 kilometres walkway which runs from Pennington to Cadishead is open from Friday. Once a jumble of meandering paths, the wonder trail has been laid making an area rich with history
TWENTY Leigh churches have raised £2,027.15 for the Disasters and Emergencies arm of the British Red Cross. Churchgoers wanted specifically to help with famine relief in Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The various
A FORMER Preston firefighter has pledged to step into the breach if local firefighters go on strike over a pay deal. Lee Forshaw, 26, says he is ready to serve his community at a moment's notice if members of the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) vote in favour
TRADERS on Blackburn Market have called on council bosses to allow an outdoor market, tried out over the summer, to become a permanent fixture. Four market stallholders were allowed to set up outdoor stalls in Salford, outside the market complex in a
A HUSBAND today spoke of his 'tragic loss' following the death of his wife after two years in a coma. Duncan Brown, 71, of Quebec Street was at his wife's bedside when she died at Nazareth House Nursing Home, Preston New Road, Blackburn. And it was at
CELEBRITIES from the world of sport and entertainment have joined Blackburn Rovers star striker Andy Cole in launching a major appeal to fight famine in Africa. The former England man is the driving force behind the Andy Cole Children's Foundation which
SCHOOLS across East Lancashire today won top marks today for the way they coped after new teachers were banned from classrooms. Pupils faced disruption when they returned to school after the summer holidays because many incoming teachers and support staff
NURSES Elaine Atkinson and Sue Nuttall will be taking time off from caring for cancer sufferers to raise money for life-saving equipment. The pair, who normally work with cancer patients on Ward Four of Blackburn Royal Infirmary, are swapping their uniforms
A MAN who spent 18 years behind bars for two murders he did not commit was told today that police would not be investigating the case again. Peter Fell,41, said he is outraged at the decision not to reopen the double murder he was wrongly convicted of
CLAYTON Harrier Ted Orrell was the winning Over 60 in the Kirkham 10K Road Race which incorporated the Lancashire Championships. Team-mates Paul Brannon and Graham Cunliffe were third M40 and third M45 respectively, while Peter Lynch of Blackburn Harriers
FOUR Clayton Harriers have been selected to represent Lancashire in the Inter Counties 10K Road Race Championships at Bradford on Sunday. Mark Brown, Andrew Hartley and Lee Passco are in the eight man squad for the race which also incorporates the AAAs
A GENERATION ago the name of Harry Walker was synonymous with fell running on Pendle Hill. He won the Pendle Fell Race five times and the Pendleton Race three more. On Saturday, he was an interested spectator as his son Dave led the Pendleton Race from
IT'S well known that Football League managers feel the strain - and it doesn't get any easier in non-League. Stanley boss John Coleman kicked every ball, felt every knock and made sure the referee felt his presence as his team made it six wins out of
WITH a new manager to impress PNE's women's team were determined to put up a good show at the weekend against tough opposition, but in the end payed the price for missing some easy chances, going down 3-0 at home to Trafford Ladies. Trafford took the
A LANDMARK Leyland church is in danger of ruin if parishioners fail to raise the £100,000 needed to save its roof. St James' Parish Church, Slater Lane, is the only church in Leyland with a pointed spire, but its future is in doubt unless cash is found
YOU'D think the Beckhams were the only couple ever to have had a baby with all the publicity of Sunday's birth. It's sickening. How could they name their second son Romeo? It's just anything to be different. If their surname was Beckhamo it would be fine
I DO go on about litter, I know, but I really wish we had the civic pride of the French. The grass verge cutters have been operating recently, cutting down a summer of growth. That's no bad thing, but the big problem is that it reveals a mass of rubbish
LEYLAND and Farrington won the Fox Lane floodlit cricket festival with a little help from the rain in a closely fought final at the weekend. Guest professional Neil Parlane smashed 76 off 77 balls to help the home side set a target of 164 for opponents
A SPILT drink in a pub led to romance and karate chops for a couple who have just got married. Yvonne and Mark Basnett met five years ago in a Radcliffe pub when someone spilled a drink over her accidentally and Mark gallantly stepped in to help. The
Centurions...60, Swinton Lions...14 Mike Hulme reports from Hilton Park NICK Oddy could emerge as a key player in the Centurions' Grand Final plans. The Halifax whistler found himself at the centre of a disciplinary storm which has left the Hilton Park
BEDFORD Rangers and Fives Athletic battled out an exciting 3-3 draw in the newly-formed Under 18s league. Craig Gardner gave Bedford the lead with a penalty and eight minutes later added a second. Fives pulled a goal back just before half time and levelled
THE 18-year-old woman accused of murdering her lesbian lover has been remanded in custody after staff at 10 bail hostels refused to accept her. Louise Berry is awaiting trial at Preston Crown Court on a charge of murdering Mandy Burton, 30, at her home
