HYNDBURN Theatre Group's new season includes visits to the Grand Theatre in Blackpool and the Bridgewater Hall and Palace in Manchester. There are 19 coach pick-up points and membership costs £5 a year. Contact 01254 389254 or 234323. Full details are
THE Revidge Fold United Reformed Church Amateur Dramatic Society will present the comedy Breath of Spring on November 14, 15 and 16. Performances in the church hall in Shear Brow will start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £3.50 adults, £3 concessions and £2 children
THE Countryside Alliance thanks all in Lancashire who gave up their Sunday on September 22 to be part of the display of people-power which brought more than 400,000 people into London to march peacefully for liberty and livelihood. Unsurprisingly, the
A RURAL MP is backing the national launch today of a campaign aimed at tackling boredom among young people. The Kids Clubs Network is launching a campaign at the House of Commons targeting the lack of opportunities for teenagers. Campaigners claim teenagers
SAM Ellis is hoping that Burnley's woeful record at Blundell Park will be a thing of the past after tonight's match at Grimsby. The Clarets have lost both matches at the ground since their return to the first division, 1-0 two seasons ago and a damaging
GRIMSBY'S player-manager Paul Groves is facing problems in both defence and midfield as he prepares for tonight's visit by Burnley. And fans at Blundell Park have been joking that it is only a matter of time before he has to put "Harry the Haddock" on
DRINKERS at a Great Harwood pub can now enjoy a pint in new surroundings thanks to a £50,000 refurbishment. The Royal Hotel, on Station Road, finished the first stage of its renovation after its new bar was relocated within the pub. The mammoth task has
AN EAST Lancashire Comedy Club is preparing for its next show following the success of its resident compere. Martin Cassidy of the Lock n Load Comedy Club has reached the final of Manchester's City Life Comedian of the Year competition. Martin fought
NEW Zealand Army Rugby League Test tour of the UK reaches its climax on Friday at Leigh Miners Welfare Club when they take on the British Army in the third match of the series, kick off 7.30pm. Entry is free. So far the Kiwis have demonstrated their speed
IN the Air Miles Manchester Football League Gilgryst Cup, Wilmslow Albion found their scoring boots in extra-time at Leigh Athletic, where they eventualy won 6-1. Steve Bevin had put the Latics ahead in the first half, but Albion levelled to take the
RESIDENTS in Rossendale have been urged to voice their opinions and play their part in helping police tackle crime in the valley. The plea came during an open forum held by community beat bobby Clare Foster on Thursday night. PC Foster was horrified to
LANCASHIRE police today received an early Christmas present as it was revealed 72 new community support workers are to take to the streets. Each of Lancashire Constabulary's six divisions will get 12 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The officers
OPERA singers from music colleges across the country descended on Blackburn for the annual Kathleen Ferrier Society singing competition. The young hopefuls gathered at King George's Hall for the chance to walk away with the society's £3,000 bursary. The
Xll Apostles Church, Leigh are holding their Christmas Fayre on Saturday at 12 noon in the parish hall, Westleigh Lane. There will be all the usual attractions including bingo and refreshments. Admission is 20p
A MAN arrested after doing a good turn for a friend shouted: "Hell" at magistrates when they jailed him for four months. Stephen Higginbottom manoeuvred a car down a narrow alleyway so his friend could move furniture into a new home. But Higginbottom,
BOSSES at one of Blackburn's flagship department stores were today counting the cost of a flood which closed parts of two floors, just weeks after a £400,000 refit was completed. Staff at Marks & Spencer in King William Street, Blackburn, had to shut
EAST Lancashire police today received an early Christmas present as it was revealed 72 new community support workers are to take to the streets. Each of Lancashire Constabulary's six divisions, including Eastern covering Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington
A GRANDMA will be able to greet her new grandchild thanks to lifesaving surgery to fight cancer. Shirley Barnes was told by her doctor five years ago that she was suffering from stomach cancer and today she relived the moment the doctor said: "You have
A MOTHER today relived the horrific moment when her five-year-old daughter fell into a bath of scalding water and was badly burned. Katie Cowell suffered 15 per cent burns when she tumbled while climbing to reach her toothbrush and could now be scarred
NEW Zealand captain Stacey Jones admits Adrian Morley will be one of the biggest threats to the tourists in the forthcoming rugby league Test series with Great Britain. That three-match series kicks off at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park on Saturday, November
RICHARD Cresswell used his head to give Preston only their second win of the season at Deepdale and Lady Luck seems to have returned too! Just 24 hours before the start of the game, Cresswell was at A&E after sustaining a suspected broken foot in
ROBBERS threatened to slit a customer's throat during an armed raid on a Greenmount post office. The terrified woman had a machete held to her neck by one man while his accomplice ordered the sub-postmaster to open the security doors. The two men had
HOW very disappointed a lot of people were after completing the nine-mile walk in aid of the Magic Eye Appeal. On returning "triumphant" to Blackburn College, my daughter and I and a lot of other weary walkers looked in disbelief as we saw the college
THREE teenagers accused of causing an affray at the Warner Village cinema complex in Bury are to be dealt with by the crown court. Bury magistrates heard that Mark Britton, aged 18, from Canterbury Drive, Bury, Ryan Madeley, also aged 18, of Orwell Close
ROAD safety experts are using the bus to put across the "take care" message to motorists and bikers in a bid to cut soaring accident rates. The number of motorcycle riders who have died in accidents has risen by 50 per cent in just three years. With sales
SPECULATION over the future of Paul Terzis is finally over with Leigh Centurions announcing that Paul Terzis has agreed a new 12 month contract to stay with the club as Head Coach. The Aussie's future had been in doubt ever since the Centurions were beaten
DENNIS Bergkamp has ADMITTED stamping on Rovers defender Nils-Eric Johansson. The Arsenal striker was caught on camera putting the boot into Johansson during Saturday's Highbury clash but the incident was missed by referee Graham Barber and the FA are
GRAEME Souness has enlisted the help of his old club Rangers to boost Rovers' preparations for Thursday's UEFA Cup clash with Celtic at Parkhead. Rovers will put the finishing touches to their plans for the second round tie by training at Rangers' Murray
BLACKBURN winger Damien Duff today delivered the news all Rovers fans wanted to hear by declaring himself fit and ready for Thursday's UEFA Cup showdown with Celtic. Duff returned to training yesterday for the first time since he suffered a hamstring
JUNIOR school pupils were given a taste of life at secondary school during an open evening at Habergham High School. The school, in Byron Street, Burnley, hosted the evening for children from year six who will be moving up to year seven in August next
THE MAYOR of Burnley was given an insight into the changing face of the town as he made a presentation to winners of a photographic competition. Councillor Gordon Birtwistle proudly hosted the ceremony at Burnley Town Hall and awarded all winners with
ORGANISERS of the Christmas fair at St John's have renewed their appeal for donations of any items for the event. The fair will open from 11.30am until 2pm on Saturday, November 16. Welephant, Fireman Sam and Postman Pat will be in attendance, as well
SOME of East Lancashire's top clergy will join councillors and other VIPs for the centenary celebrations of the Bishopric of Burnley tomorrow. The town's Mayor, Councillor Gordon Birtwistle, will host a civic event at Burnley Town Hall, Manchester Road
A DISTRAUGHT mother today spoke of her anger over her son's death after the driver in the crash which killed him escaped with a £145 fine. Joiner Alan Cawdrey, 19, lost control in Skipton Road, Foulridge, crossed the road and hit a car coming in the opposite
A GROUP of Lancashire artists and designers will be showing off their work in Pendle until Friday, November 29. The exhibition of the Craft Guild of West Lancashire, which opened on Saturday, features fine art, textiles, photography, wood, ceramics, jewellery
BURY travel to Lincoln City tonight looking for a victory that would catapult them into the play-off places for the first time this season. Saturday's home win over Macclesfield Town - a third triumph in the space of eight days - moved Andy Preece's side
AN EMPTY shop unit in Hibson Road, Nelson, could remain that way for a while longer if Pendle councillors follow planners' advice to refuse plans for it to be turned in to offices. The unit at 8 and 10 Hibson Road was, until recently, a greengrocers and
NELSON runner Lee Anderson achieved a personal best in a recent half-marathon -- and helped raise cash for the local hospice. Lee took part in the Great North Run, in Newcastle, passing the finishing line in 1hr 42 minutes. It was the second time Lee,
WEB sites for the disabled and the law will come under the spotlight at the next meeting of BURYBUSINESS.NETwork (BBN). The event will take place at the town's Bolholt Country Park Hotel today (Tuesday) beginning with a free buffet at 6pm. Mike McNicholas
PENDLE folk have been given the chance to help shape the area's future in six consultation sessions. The public were invited to Barrowford Civic Hall on Saturday to have their say on issues that matter most to them in their area. Five more consultation
RUNNER Gary Finnigan took to the streets for a charity midnight marathon on his birthday. Garry, of Bombay Street, Blackburn, decided to raise money for the burns unit at Manchester's Withington Hospital.
THAT'S the English champions accounted for. Now for the Scottish ones! Highbury has proved a surprisingly happy hunting ground over the past decade and so it proved on Saturday. In nine league visits we've had three wins, four draws and only two defeats
A SCHEME to clamp down on crime in places of worship is set to be introduced in Accrington later this year. Churchwatch is a national scheme which aims to help churches and other places of worship keep their doors open for people to pray without worry
A JOURNALIST'S eight-year campaign to free a man wrongly convicted of murder is to be turned into a major TV drama. And as well as helping to write the script, Don Hale is hoping for a cameo role in the drama of the controversial killing. Prestwich-born
GREEK keeper Nik Michopoulos is on his way back to Burnley after playing four games in a month while on loan at Crystal Palace. The international star was signed on loan by Trevor Francis as cover for the injured pair of Matt Clarke and Alex Kolinko but
DEAN West has agreed a new deal with the Clarets that will keep him at Turf Moor until the end of next season. But negotiations are continuing with goalkeeper Marlon Beresford in the hope of securing his services for the same length of time. Manager Stan
BURY manager Andy Preece faces a tough fight to keep his freshly bolstered squad from falling apart. It has been an exciting week or so at Gigg Lane, with victories over Rushden and Rochdale, Pawel Abbott and Terry Dunfield extending their Shakers contracts
A FRESH hunt for funding to bring back Blackburn's pioneering 'bouncers on the buses' scheme has been launched by the borough council. Blackburn with Darwen Council ran two late night services on Friday and Saturday nights in November and December last
TV STAR Penelope Keith breezed into East Lancashire to film her latest screen role and revealed: "This is my second home!" The star used to own a cottage in Wycoller with husband Rodney Timpson, originally from Waterfoot, and became a honorary East Lancastrian
PUPILS at Hesketh Fletcher High School are to have their creative work displayed inside Manchester Cathedral and are inviting the wider community to become involved in the project. Leanne Gray, aged 16, will be the first pupil from the Atherton school
GOVERNMENT permission for police to recruit and set up a network of 72 new community support workers in Lancashire could prove to be a turning point in the way the service operates - and public perceptions of it. At present we expect uniformed officers
TODMORDEN Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society is going up in the world with a high-rise adventure. Three plays will mark the opening of the Hippodrome Theatre's Studio Production Season later this week - Feeding The Ducks, Jumping Off and All Of The
REGARDING the future of care homes for the elderly, I understand that Health Secretary Alan Milburn has dropped or eased the requirements as to their standards, which led to the closure action by Lancashire County Council. So they should reconsider. V
WHEN I so often read of accidents in the workplace, I think employees should not be allowed to drink at dinner time and then go back to operate machinery. In my day, we were not allowed to leave work. Now, everyone goes out for a drink at lunchtime and
I READ with wry amusement 'Fight conditions causing crime' (Letters, September 26). Create Utopia, and all criminals will disappear. If only it was that simple! Proving cause and effect is notoriously difficult. The poor and abused can often be the most
A GOOD Samaritan was attacked by two drunken men after he escorted a pensioner home from the pub, a court was told. Eric Gunning was beaten around the head and body with a wooden pole after the two men burst into the pensioner's home. Robert Gray and
A MOTHER today relived the horrific moment when her five-year-old daughter fell into a bath of scalding water and was badly burned. Katie Cowell suffered 15 per cent burns when she tumbled while climbing to reach her toothbrush and could now be scarred
A MOTHER of three is pressing for traffic calming measures after her four-year-old daughter broke a leg in an accident involving a car. Tia Taylor was hurt after running from behind a parked vehicle outside her home in Cornwall Drive, Bury. Although the
RESIDENTS in the Trinity area of Burnley are being given a chance to air their concerns about crime at a series of police surgeries. Local community beat manager PC Adam Gordon will hold two surgeries in the run-up to Christmas, both of which will take
A TEENAGER who was trapped under a police car after officers chased a suspected stolen vehicle has been charged with three offences. The move came as police renewed their appeal for witnesses to the incident, in Halifax Road, Brierfield, at 1.45am on
POLICE launched a major investigation after a man was found dead at his home in Brierfield. David Lee Cardwell, 30, was found in his house in Berkeley Street by police at 8pm on Sunday after neighbours raised the alarm, saying he had not been seen since
BARNOLDSWICK will be transformed into Middle Earth this weekend as part of a fireworks spectacular which promises to pay homage to the Lord of the Rings. Members of Pendle Council will host the event at Victory Park on Sunday, November 3, after deciding
AH well, all good things come to an end and so it was on Saturday. The Clarets' impressive 12-match unbeaten run ground to a halt against a Portsmouth side which, inspired by the brilliant Paul Merson's creative promptings, looked as good as anything
POLICEMAN Tony Ellis literally got the bird when he spotted a rook attacking a parakeet. Dog-handler Tony flew to the rescue of the terrified bird just behind Blackburn police station.
COLLEGE staff in East Lancashire are poised for industrial action after a row over pay and conditions. Unison, the largest union among support staff in all colleges, has organised the national walk-out for Tuesday, November 5 after balloting members.
WEB sites for the disabled and the law will come under the spotlight at the next meeting of BURYBUSINESS.NETwork (BBN). The event will take place at the town's Bolholt Country Park Hotel today (Tuesday) beginning with a free buffet at 6pm. Mike McNicholas
THE Women's Royal Voluntary Service needs volunteer drivers to help deliver meals on wheels in the Mellor and Salesbury area. Meals are delivered on every weekday except Friday and each round takes one to two hours. The amount of time a volunteer gives
DARREN Barnard's left boot has been a great weapon in recent seasons for both Barnsley and Bristol City and now it is going to be a key factor in whether Grimsby can beat the drop again. And tonight his battle with Glen Little down one side of the pitch
HAVING lost for the first time in two months on Saturday, Clarets defender Ian Cox is delighted that they are straight back in action at Grimsby tonight. "We have got to look to try and start another run and the important thing is to bounce back as soon
NEW Zealand Army Rugby League Test tour of the UK reaches its climax on Friday at Leigh Miners Welfare Club when they take on the British Army in the third match of the series, kick off 7.30pm. So far the Kiwis have demonstrated their speed and pack strength
Bury Times reporter Terry Morgan jetted into war-ravaged Afghanistan to talk to the local TA lads helping to keep the peace. Here is the first of two pieces he has filed from the front line. A SHIVER ran down my spine and my heart froze as the plane's
Radcliffe Boro 2 Chester City 4 - IT was good while it lasted but Radcliffe's FA Cup ride was derailed by FA Conference outfit Chester City at Stainton Park. Borough matched their opponents in all areas in the first-half, with Chester having to resort
PRESTON North End face a big task as they take on rampant Portsmouth at Fratton Park tonight. Pompey hope to welcome back Italian defender Gianluca Festa as they bid to extend their lead at the top of the Nationwide League's first division. The former
A NEW war on fly-tipping was launched after it was revealed cases of illegal dumping rocketed 300 per cent in just three years. Blackburn with Darwen Council is piloting a new project in back streets around Darwen which involve regular clean-ups and no-dumping
PLANNING chief Frank Connor makes decisions for the benefit of Blackburn -- but on Thursday he will be hoping for Rovers' downfall. Glasgow-born Coun Connor will not even let the fortunes of his adopted town stand in the way of his beloved Celtic in the
HOSPITAL staff have been put on alert following an incident where a cleaner fought off a sex attacker. Bosses at Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley NHS Trust have told staff to be aware after the Saturday morning attack in the grounds of Queen's
A RAMSBOTTOM Primary school WILL close, a Government inspector has ruled. The gates of St Paul's CE Primary will be locked for the last time at the end of the summer term next year as part of Bury's proposals to address falling pupil rolls and surplus
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Children's Hallowe'en Party, The Dog Inn, Belthorn, 6pm-8pm. Fancy dress, karaoke, disco and games. Padiham and District Photographic Society, Padiham Cricket Club, Arbory
I HAVE been doing a bit of socialising this past couple of weeks. You can't beat a natter and a convivial glass or two, it refreshes the soul, so to speak. I was at a bit of a posh do the other week in Blackpool, Thwaites were the hosts, it was to launch
BLACKBURN Gilbert and Sullivan Society will stage the historic first public concert at the town's new Thwaites Theatre on Saturday. When the theatre opened at a star-studded weekend gala it was the realisation of a 20-year dream. Now, the G and S specialists
REGARDING the resignation of Jim Bowen from the Radio Lancashire morning show as a consequence of using the word nig-nog (LET, October 7) I was curious to know what exactly this word means and from where it derives. Radio Lancashire has a slot on the
NEW public toilets have been opened in Tyldesley town centre after the old facilities were closed because of safety concerns. The old toilets, close to Tyldesley town centre's main car park, had become the target of repeated vandal attacks. Wigan Council's
A DISTRAUGHT mother today spoke of her anger over her son's death after the driver in the crash which killed him escaped with a £145 fine. Joiner Alan Cawdrey, 19, lost control in Skipton Road, Foulridge, crossed the road and hit a car coming in the opposite
A GROUP of model steam train enthusiasts will be getting ready to show off their masterpieces at an exhibition next month. The North West group of the Gauge One Model Railway Association have built a portable indoor exhibition track which they will be
DIRECTORS of one of Burnley's major employers received almost £1million in bonuses despite falling sales. But the seven directors of engineering giant Smiths Group -- the parent company of Aero and Industrial Technology and Aero and Industrial Services
THE family of an autistic teenager have won their fight to get him funding for a place at a special college. After months of negotiations, Lancashire County Council has agreed to a top-up grant for 16-year-old Timothy Rosen, of Brierfield, so he can attend
A BONFIRE party led to violence when a man later turned up at a house and smashed his niece's estranged husband's jaw, a jury heard. Roger Atkinson, 55, allegedly headbutted victim David Loughlin, knocking him to the floor, stamped on his face and then
TAKE a stroll into the acidic world of George and Martha in the Library Theatre's production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Edward Albee's sixties Broadway smash is a hard-hitting portrait of a boozy night hosted by history lecturer George and his
AN Atherton woman is seeking stories of Shakerley from years gone by. An anonymous writer wants to hear from people who lived in the area, used the Piggy Bridge or played in Bluebell Hollow. She is collecting both serious or humorous tales. Anyone wishing
DISABLED people at five Lancashire day centres will soon be able to brush up on their computer skills thanks to a £800,000 boost from the Government and the New Opportunities Fund. The scheme, which has been set up by Lancashire County Council Social
COUNCIL bosses have pledged to review their policy on drivers after a convicted sex offender was found to be transporting special needs children. Lancashire County Council insisted it already had "strict procedures" to ensure the safety of children, with
A STREET drinking ban comes into force in the Ribble Valley next month. Police will be able to stop people drinking or carrying bottles and glasses on the streets of Clitheroe, Longridge and Whalley. The ban will coincide with the switch-on of Clitheroe
AN Accrington social club will hold a number of nights in November to raise money for charity. The Poplar Social Club, on Wellington Street, will hold the final fundraising event of the year for the NSPCC on Saturday, November 2 at 8pm. The night will
MILL Hill Working Men's Club raised more than £1,300 for the Magic Eye Appeal after weeks of hard work. The organisers at the social club, on Moorgate Street, Blackburn, raised money by getting local firms to give sponsorship, holding raffles and running
BLACKBURN winger Damien Duff today delivered the news all Rovers fans wanted to hear by declaring himself fit and ready for Thursday's UEFA Cup showdown with Celtic. Duff returned to training yesterday for the first time since he suffered a hamstring
DEAN West has agreed a new deal with the Clarets that will keep him at Turf Moor until the end of next season. But negotiations are continuing with goalkeeper Marlon Beresford in the hope of securing his services for the same length of time. Manager Stan
A YOUTH responsible for a string of burglaries in Darwen was committed to Preston Crown Court for sentence after magistrates ruled their powers were insufficient. James McGrady, 18, of Portland Street, pleaded guilty to burglary at a house in Bolton Road
DARWEN'S jobs boom in India Mill has caused traffic chaos on the town's major road. More than 500 new posts were created as private firm Capita brought contracts with the Criminal Records Bureau and TV Licensing to town. But the new employees, together
POLICE in Rossendale today warned motorists that every car which has property on display is a potential target for thieves. The warning comes after 10 cars were broken into in Bacup, Waterfoot and Rawtenstall over the past week. Detective Sergeant Andy
THE search is on to find the county's top young citizens. The Young Citizen Award scheme seeks to celebrate and reward the achievements of individuals, in particular those who have put others before themselves. The award is open to young people aged between
IF you ask Graham Howarth whether he thought his Padiham side would make a good start to the season he says: "No, definitely not!" But a good start they have made. The Storks are the only side in the North West Counties or UniBond Leagues to still have
IT WAS a very quiet journey home from Harrogate Town a week last Tuesday. Our Millennium Stadium dream was over for another 12 months, and the next game against Worksop Town at home couldn't come quick enough. The game itself was a great advert for non-League
