Archive

  • EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Friday, June 29

    'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat,' St Bartholomew's Church, Ewood, Blackburn, 7.30pm. 'Equilibrium,' presented by Burnley Youth Theatre, Quarry Theatre, Queen's Park Road, Burnley, 7.30pm. Mars and the QUarter Moon, Planet Earth Centre,

  • Over 450 families earn activity awards

    PARENTS collected awards after participating in a council's Family Learning Activities. Presentations were made to over 450 families at the Jan's Conference Centre, Higher Audley Street, Blackburn. Over the past few months they had taken a variety of

  • Double trouble for man in two fights

    JAMEIL Yasin was seen to try to punch a pregnant woman during a disturbance outside an Accrington petrol station. And Blackburn magistrates heard that in a separate incident Yasin was seen fighting with another male in Westbury Gardens, Blackburn, where

  • Patience call to patients

    IAGREE with everything Mr K Scott said about Blackburn Infirmary (Letters, June 20). Over the years, I have been treated plenty of times at the Accident and Emergency Department and not once have I had any reason to complain. There are only two types

  • Ban smoking in public, before alcohol

    I'm writing as regards to an article I read in the Telegraph on Tuesday the 26th June, regarding Hyndburn District council considering a ban on the consumption of Alcohol in public places. I think it would be more significant to ban SMOKING in public

  • Hunting headline was misleading

    NOT only was the headline 'Huge support for ban on hunting' (LET, June 15) highly misleading, but the contents of the report showed it also to be arrant nonsense. It said: "In a MORI poll... 80 per cent who describe themselves as 'New Labour' want the

  • A sinister motive to slaughter?

    THE foot and mouth epidemic rolls on remorselessly. Millions of animals, the majority perfectly healthy, are being slaughtered needlessly. Our politicians seem to have no real solution except mass killing. Surely, in these days of scientific advancement

  • LOCAL SOCCER: East Lancs 7-a-side Midweek League

    RESULTS and league table round-up. RESULTS -- Division One: Lord Raglan 2 Celta 7s 3; Ivy Hotel 2 Babar Zaman 2; Rightway C&C 4 Moorings 0; Galligreaves 1 FJM Pawnbroker 1. Division Two: Sapphire Win 5 Corus 0; Princess Trust 2 Caprice Apparell 6;

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Peter Benson Ribblesdale Youth League

    ROUNDING-UP the junior cricket scene. UNDER 15 Cherry Tree...81-7 Blackburn Northern...88-6 R Crawshaw 26 Baxenden...44-5 Earby...46-0 A Hudson 3-6 Padiham...78-9 Immanuel...152-2 Ribblesdale Wands...78-6 Great Harwood...70-6 C Wilson 29, P Stephenson

  • LOCAL CRICKET: It's a family affair

    IT was a real family affair in this top-of-the-table clash in the Samuel Cooke Burnley and District League Division One. Brothers Talat Darr and Abdul Waheed led the teams into battle while Darr's son Amad Hassan and other sibling Abdul Hafeez also lined

  • Leader's pledge to grant cynics

    A COUNCIL leader today pledged to tell cash cynics the truth about grant allocation in Burnley in the wake of the riots and insisted: "We are being fair." Coun Stuart Caddy said one of the biggest lessons learned from the racially motivated troubles was

  • Judge raps sex case probe

    A FORMER undertaker today vowed to take legal action after enduring two years of hell before being cleared of sexually assaulting mentally-handicapped men. The move came after a Crown Court judge severely criticised the investigation into allegations

  • Is that Jack Waring?

    IN the Star letter from California in 'Home Thoughts', I was surprised to read about a Jack Waring, now 78-years-old. I often thought about a young lad named Waring and a young lad named Briscoe, but did not remember their first names. If this is the

  • Searching for cousin Billy

    MY uncle (William Turner) was a United States citizen and served in the United States Air Force during the late 1940's - 1960's. He was born in Carbondale, Oklahoma (USA) on March 16, 1929. His parents were Mr. And Mrs. Carl Patrick Turner of Ponca City

  • Leader's pledge to grant cynics

    A COUNCIL leader today pledged to tell cash cynics the truth about grant allocation in Burnley in the wake of the riots and insisted: "We are being fair." Coun Stuart Caddy said one of the biggest lessons learned from the racially motivated troubles was

  • New club a boost for readers

    YOUNG bookworms in Pendle are hoping to earn themselves prizes and medals as members of the new Relay Readers club launched at Nelson Library. It replaces the popular Junior Readers' Club and allows more opportunity to gain awards, with prizes and certificates

  • School celebrates a glowing report

    STAFF and pupils at a primary school in Pendle are celebrating after receiving an almost flawless Ofsted report with most sections of the school described as 'good', 'very good' or 'excellent'. The inspection of the voluntary-aided Wheatley Lane Methodist

  • Joynt doubtful for Hull trip

    SAINTS' skipper Chris Joynt is doubtful for Saturday's daunting trip to Hull (6.05pm) - just one game away from setting a club consecutive appearances record! The Great Britain forward is troubled by a leg injury sustained against Wigan, when he equalled

  • Saints drop to derby defeat

    Saints 28 Wigan Warriors 29 COMEBACK kings Saints failed to deliver in a cliff-hanger for the first time this season, but they were magnificent in defeat after what was surely the ultimate heart-stopper against the old enemy. The issue lay in the balance

  • Chemists on weekend dispensing duty

    THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing service on Sunday, July 1, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): LLoyds Pharmacy, 473 Warrington Road, Rainhill; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10 till 8pm); LLoyds

  • Coming soon for readers

    THERE'S a fabulous variety of yarns in the pipeline, thanks to the feedback from faithful followers of this page. We'll be discussing how grandad managed to beat the boredom threshold; and wartime days when metal dining tables were handed out to deflect

  • Parr Rock puzzler

    HERE'S a little yedscratter to get the grey matter stirring. Can anybody tell us where the so-called Rock of Gibraltar stood in the Parr area and perhaps explain what this local feature actually was? The puzzler comes from George McNicholas of Crawford

  • Play area won't be screened

    RESIDENTS living close to Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick, car park may have to put up with the nuisance of children using it as an unofficial play area because the council cannot afford to put up a protective screen of trees around the area. People living

  • Rock of Gibralter puzzler

    HERE'S a little yedscratter to get the grey matter stirring. Can anybody tell us where the so-called Rock of Gibraltar stood in the Parr area and perhaps explain what this local feature actually was? The puzzler comes from George McNicholas of Crawford

  • Low life swoop in

    JUST a word in the ear of the scum who stole a section of my stone-flagged front driveway in the dead of night. I'm determined to track you down. Nothing, it seems, is safe from the claws of the low-life. Those flags were obviously stolen to order and

  • The great 'bus busker'

    HE was known as the Whistling Busman -- though he was just as likely to be found cheerfully yodelling, playing his mouth-organ or wisecracking with the passengers. This character from the past (a sort of on-board busker, except that he didn't take the

  • We ain't stumped any more!

    THERE'S no stumping the loyal customers of this column who repeatedly prove themselves to be in world class when it comes to solving tricky yedscratters of both the historical and weird and wonderful kind. And it's back into the archives we now go with

  • Five years ago

    BLACK puddings from Accrington fell under the chandelier spotlight at a top London store. Fortnum and Mason were placing a regular order to sell Wild's black puddings after a sell out-out tester day at the store. Accrington butcher Arthur Wild, who was

  • Ten years ago

    A QUICK thinking boss saved the takings of his company when a masked thug rammed the side of his car. Alan Pilkington, 55, was on his way to the bank with the takings from B and M Furniture in Oswaldtwistle when a ford Granada rammed into his Toyota Corolla

  • Washed-out mural is now a knock-out

    AFTER rain stopped play an artist has finally put the finishing touches to a mural. Designed with the help of school children, the mural -- on the corner of Queen Street and Park Road, Great Harwood -- reflects the local and natural history of the area

  • Dumping ground to paradise!

    A FORMER dumping ground in Accrington has been turned into a play area and community garden designed by local people. The top of Park Street was an eyesore used for fly-tipping and general rubbish dumping before the West Accrington Residents Association

  • House plan for ex-club

    A BURNT-OUT nightclub which closed when its owners went into liquidation owing more than £1million is to rise from the ashes -- as a house. Hyndburn Council has received a planning application for the charred shell of the former Brassingtons Cabaret Club

  • Lecturers on strike given pay 'increase'

    STRIKING college lecturers have received a pay slip with a difference. For the 'slip' has awarded the lecturers an extra day's wages -- for stopping work for 24 hours. Accrington and Rossendale College decided to dock the salaries of staff who went on

  • Curfew plan for teen tearaways

    A PARK could become out-of-bounds after dark as councillors battle to combat teeny terrors who have turned it into a no-go zone. Councillors have pledged to look into the possibility of closing Rhyddings Park at night - after more than 100 residents in

  • Bid to improve tourism services

    A BOROUGH council's tourism service had been ordered to work more closely with other borough departments to make the area more visitor-attractive A Best Value audit -- ordered by government officials to review the department and see how it can be improved

  • Secrets of the secretaries

    RESEARCH has revealed that one in five secretaries tell porkies to cover up for their bosses' long lunches and one in ten fib to hide affairs, according to research by recruitment service fish4jobs. For more job information log on to www.thisislancashire.co.uk

  • Bangers and Ash!

    WHEN TV bosses wanted to see if Coronation Street butcher Ashley was a smash at making bangers they sent him to the most famous sausage maker in East Lancashire. For one afternoon Cliff Cowburn -- of Cowman's Famous Sausage, in Castle Street, Clitheroe

  • Get into the R'n'B groove

    IF you can't wait for the 12th major European annual Rhythm and Blues event that takes place around the streets and pubs of Colne every year, have a look at www.bluesfestival.co.uk. People travel from all over the country to join in with the Bank Holiday

  • Camp sites guide

    AS temperatures soar and the summer holidays are looming, camping popularity is ever increasing, whether it may be in the UK or Europe. Although many UK campsites have been affected by foot and mouth, over two thirds of Britain's camping sites have been

  • All aboard for the schmooze cruise

    THE world's first virtual schmooze cruise has set sail on the cyber-seas of love after the lauch of the all new Flirtboat. Flirtboat is the world's first online interactive flirting game that helps visitors perfect their flirting skills and to learn new

  • Open door at Turf Moor

    THE Clarets are to stage an open day on Saturday, July 21. Turf Moor will open its doors between 9am and 3pm and supporters will get the chance to see Stan Ternent's first-team squad in training before they set off for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Tournament

  • Burnley will be television stars

    SMALL-SCREEN stars Burnley will launch ITV Sport's new televison deal when they kick off their season in front of the live cameras. The Clarets opening game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday has been put back a day to Sunday, August 12 with a 6.15pm

  • Haynes the star as Lancs cruise

    JAMIE HAYNES seized his first-team chance with a lesson in concentration as Lancashire cruised into the last 16 of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at Blackpool yesterday. The 26-year-old wicket keeper, who had already been selected as opener for

  • Wooders training starts

    BURTONWOOD RUFC have started pre season training and they are inviting old and new players to the sessions, every Saturday at 2pm. Contact Ike 01744 28705 or Harpo 01925 221559 for information.

  • Cowley face Kiwi challenge

    COWLEY'S successful young rugby squad are about to embark on a ground-breaking tour to New Zealand. The 26-man squad leaves for Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland on July 13. Cowley have had one of the most successful seasons for 10 years, winning

  • Cricket feast in store

    SUNDAY July 1 sees the start of Rainford CC's annual festival of cricket with record breaking Aussie skipper Andrew Robinson's First XI taking on the might of the Presidents XI. Tony Hemmingway's XI features Neil Rimmer from Leyland, New Zealand test

  • Earlestown keep tight grip

    EARLESTOWN'S grip on the West Lancs continued with a convincing win against Liverpool outfit Goodlass. Skipper Williams won the toss and asked the home side to bat again. P Jay (7-12) was outstanding with the ball, supported by tight bowling and fielding

  • Blake may fly with Eagles

    CRYSTAL Palace have joined the hunt for Rovers striker Nathan Blake. The First Division club want Blake in a reported £1.5 million deal and were due to hold talks with the Blackburn front man today. Blake will be allowed to leave Ewood Park if the price

  • Footwear profit warning

    LAMBERT Haworth, the former East Lancashire footwear company that made hundreds of people redundant in the 1990s, has issued a profits warning. Shares in the company slumped by 20 per cent to a new low of 129p within hours of an announcement by chairman

  • Software giant's international hub

    BLACKBURN is at the hub of an international software development corporation that has more than 1,300 employees spanning four continents. The Nasdaq-quoted AremisSoft Corporation, with its global headquarters in Westmont New Jersey, has its origins in

  • Colin's blistering feat pays off

    A CARING son has raised more than £2,000 for a cause that's close to his heart. For 38-year-old Colin Leyland, whose mother is partially sighted, raised the money for the National Association of Guide Dogs by completing this year's London Marathon in

  • Big date for brass champs

    ST HELENS Youth Brass Band continue their voyage to prestigious venues next month when they play at the Royal Festival Hall on London's South Bank. The National Youth Brass Band Champions have been chosen to perform there as part of this year's Music

  • Audrey earns palace date

    A LIFETIME of devotion to the care of special needs children earned a royal salute in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for a locally-born teacher who retired at Christmas. For Audrey Westhead, of Dentons Green Lane, who was head of Chestnut Lodge school

  • Billy's cancer return bombshell

    BURY coach Billy Ayre has spoken out about the biggest battle of his life - beating cancer, writes STEVE CANAVAN. Ayre was devastated when he found out a cancer of the lymph glands - which he first suffered from six years ago - had returned to his body

  • Ravens set up home in gas tower

    A PAIR of ravens and their chicks have been spotted nesting 200ft up the Transco gas holder in Jackson Street. According to North West birdwatchers, ravens are rarely found nesting in towns, having been driven out of built-up areas as scavengers many

  • Challenge for pupils

    A MINI Commonwealth Games event will take place at Darwen Moorland High School tomorrow. The school's head of physical education, Erika Rogerson, has co-ordinated the Top Link Netball Festival event. A group of 74 children from six primary school in the

  • Coach fights to save club

    A BOXING coach in Rainhill is fighting to save a disused local youth club which has been left to fall into disrepair. The building on the corner of Old Lane and Warrington Road, which was once used for community activities, has now become the target of

  • Monster sculpture helps to ring the changes

    A 30ft elm sculpture was due to arrive at River Darwen Parkway today completing the 'Time and Place' arts project to rejuvenate 31 hectares of land on the edge of the town. The work of art, which will take four days to install, has been created by environmental

  • High-tech move to combat crooks

    A SUCCESSFUL high-tech police scheme is set to start in Darwen in a bid to slash crime. E-mailer Watch will link Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators with the police via a special machine. Every week intelligence briefings will be sent out to hightlight

  • Mum pleads for ashes to be moved

    A GRIEVING mother is preparing to ask for her baby's remains to be exhumed - less than three months after her child was laid to rest. Georgina Shorrock, 23, wants the final resting place of her two-and-a-half-year old daughter to be moved to a new plot

  • Readers' fears over warranties

    A NUMBER of worried customers of the former St Helens Glass Company have contacted the Star expressing fears over the validity of their guarantees for work carried out by the firm. The new owners of the company maintain that they are not legally responsible

  • Cash from beyond grave

    ROSSENDALE council treasurers have reached out into Europe in their pursuit of unpaid council tax. And they even went beyond the grave in a bid to rake in the cash, councillors were told. Although they were often successful in getting tax debtors to pay

  • Nursery bosses win baths battle

    NURSERY bosses have won the battle to buy the old Bacup baths from the council -- thwarting a bid by developer Brian Boys to snap up the site. Rossendale's corporate policy committee gave the nod to the Sure Start -- a Government-funded programme to provide

  • A good week for veggies

    THIS week is National Vegetarian Week and book publishers Foulsham have sent the Lancashire Evening Telegraph three cookery books containing dozens of meat-free meals. Food scares and animal welfare issues have resulted in thousands of British people

  • Brilliant veggie burger(RANK:2

    WE'VE picked a menu from Simply The Best Vegetarian Barbecue Recipes book so you can enjoy a home-made veggie option. Brilliant Veggie Burgers 100g (4oz) rolled oats 75g (3oz) wholemeal flour 2 celery sticks, finely chopped 2 carrots, grated 1 small parsnip

  • Nursery's good leadership is praised by Ofsted inspectors

    A NURSERY has been praised for being an 'effective school with a number of outstanding features' by government inspectors. The Ofsted visit found that the majority of children at John Smethurst Nursery School, in St James' Road, Blackburn, are on-line

  • Del Boy joins in wedding celebrations

    AN unexpected wedding guest helped to make a couple's big day 'cushdy'. Del Boy, from TV's Only Fools and Horses gatecrashed Nigel Smith and Emma Jane Thornton's wedding at Hazlewood Castle, Leeds. Nigel who runs the Feildens restaurant, Mellor, has made

  • The fast ladies!

    MORE than 1,800 women from throughout Lancashire woke up nursing aching limbs and blistered feet today -- but they know that their pain might have saved somebody else's life. Women and girls of all ages and abilities came together last night at Witton

  • ATHLETICS: Swede success for Whalley pair

    TWO Whalley businessmen, Andrew Ronnan and Garry Wilkinson, competed in the Stockholm Marathon on June 9 and both turned in good personal performances. With 10,467 runners this year, it is Sweden's biggest sporting event. The start and finish centred

  • GOLF: Haworth holds on to his crown

    ANDY Samuels' quest for the elusive Derek Chadwick Trophy continued last night when he was beaten in the final for the sixth time. The two-time Harold Ryden champion has never won the Burnley knockout competition -- or the club championship. And he was

  • ATHLETICS ROUND-UP: What's On

    CLAYTON Harriers are inviting local runners to pay tribute to a popular stalwart of the Lancashire running scene. The Roger Hargreaves Memorial 5M Road Race is tonight at 7:30pm. Location is Foulridge Village Hall on the A56 between Foulridge and Earby

  • ATHLETICS: Rebecca thrives under pressure

    REBECCA White certainly knows she can thrive under pressure at the highest level of international athletics. The 21-year-old triple jumper competed in her first European Cup for the Great Britain senior team last weekend and after three no jumps needed

  • ATHLETICS: Fish storms to win

    NINETEEN year old Ben Fish stormed to a first victory as the Horwich Jubilee Night Race Series made a belated start last Wednesday. Ben won the four race series last year with consistent scoring in each round, and a best finish of third. For the past

  • Rainhill's day of frustration

    RAINHILL1st XI totally dominated their home game against Ainsdale in a frustrating draw with the match sponsored by PBS Windows of Prescot. Captain Mike Rotherham lost the toss and on a fine wicket Rainhill were requested to bat first. In an excellent

  • A blooming great party

    SUE Ryder care home, Billinge, will hold their annual garden party on Sunday, July 1, with the opening ceremony being at 2pm.

  • Motor cyclist in fatal crash

    A MOTOR cyclist was involved in a fatal road traffic accident when he was in collision with a Silver Citroen Xantia on Rainford Road, Billinge, at about 4pm on Wednesday, June 20. The man was taken to Ormskirk General Hospital where he later died as a

  • Penalty shoot-out scores big win

    A MASSIVE £28,000 was raised by the series of 'Going for Goal' events held around the region, including Victoria Square, St Helens. The money will be divided among hospices in Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire with Willowbrook Hospice receiving a share

  • Screen treat for pensioners

    ST HELENS' new cinema is launching a special treat for Senior Citizens... for from Monday, July 16 Cineworld, St Helens will be showing film classics for you to watch in the afternoons and the admission charge of £3.50 includes tea and biscuits. Here

  • Appeal for pet sanctuary

    ANIMAL lovers from the St Helens Lost and Found Pets Register are appealing for funds to open an animal sanctuary. The group, which rescues sick and stray animals, has earmarked a possible site for the sanctuary, but need financial backing from to take

  • Knife attack woman pleaded for help

    ONLOOKERS ignored a young mum's pleas for help as she fought off a crazed knifeman. Now police have issued a warning to other women in Radcliffe to be on their guard if they are out alone at night. Caroline Mahon (24) was attacked as she headed home from

  • Special reward for nest watch teams

    VOLUNTEERS who mounted a round-the-clock nest-watch scheme to stop thieves stealing rare Black-Tailed Godwit eggs on the Fylde coast are being given a special thank-you by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Their determination not to let the

  • Beckham idea a strange one

    IT is a strange suggestion of yours (Opinion, LET June 15) that the behaviour of a football player should influence sensible educational and social policies. Given that David Beckham's brains are in his boots, the location would appear to be unsuitable

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Accrington and District Cricket League

    A LOOK at the local cricket scene. Attock A...189-7 Accrington A 119 A Shah 38, M Ismail 38, M Shah 3-60, T Pendergast 2-28 I Hussain 28, A Burrows 20, M Uddin 3-16, M Ismail 2-11 Has Meth...141-5 T'ners A ...122-8 I Ticehurst 73, C Sudworth 39no, P Fitzpatrick

  • Blake may fly with Eagles

    CRYSTAL Palace have joined the hunt for Rovers striker Nathan Blake. The First Division club want Blake in a reported £1.5 million deal and were due to hold talks with the Blackburn front man today. Blake will be allowed to leave Ewood Park if the price

  • Don't blame Jim

    IN reply to 'Worried Yicker' writing about Councillor Caunce, a lot of local Haydock people would disagree over comments made about the Cottage Hospital. He did more than his fair share trying to block the closure. Over a long period he fought hard with

  • Court hears offensive weapons charges

    SEVERAL people have appeared in court following the Burnley riots. Asad Aftab, of Branch Road, was accused of possessing an offensive weapon on Monday and was bailed until 11 July with a condition of residence. Alhaj Mahmud of Crossall Close was charged

  • The great 'bus busker'

    HE was known as the Whistling Busman -- though he was just as likely to be found cheerfully yodelling, playing his mouth-organ or wisecracking with the passengers. This character from the past (a sort of on-board busker, except that he didn't take the

  • Attacker 'shocked' at seeing kicking on CCTV

    A COACH firm worker who gave a perceived 'love rival' a kicking -- and was captured on CCTV doing it -- has walked free from court. Burnley Crown Court heard how Darren Gee, 22, was more shocked than anybody when he saw on film what he had done and his

  • MP urges survival deal for crippled Valley

    TORY MP Nigel Evans has called on rural affairs supremo Margaret Beckett to provide a survival package for the Ribble Valley, ravaged by the foot and mouth epidemic. And Lancashire County Council has stressed that financial assistant from the government

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Lowerhouse wait on Kent

    LOWERHOUSE expect to find out within the next few days whether professional Jon Kent will be able to play for them again this season. The South African has been out of action for over a month with a tendon injury in his hip which prevents him from bowling

  • Haydock ground staff scoop award

    HAYDOCK Park Racecourse has been presented with the national award for the best racing surface in Britain. The award was given by the Racecourse Association in recognition of the high standard that Haydock maintains during both summer and winter. Haydock

  • Lost weekend for Windleshaw Roaders

    ST Helens did not enjoy the most productive of weekends, slipping to two away defeats at Orrell Red Triangle and Leigh respectively. After struggling to 56-7 in the game at Orrell, the Windleshaw Roaders recovered to 188-8 with an excellent unbeaten knock

  • Burnley will be television stars

    SMALL-SCREEN stars Burnley will launch ITV Sport's new televison deal when they kick off their season in front of the live cameras. The Clarets opening game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday has been put back a day to Sunday, August 12 with a 6.15pm

  • Brilliant treble for schools

    ST HELENS is celebrating a shining treble for its award-winning education service as three schools receive special status. St Augustine's High and St Peter's CE Primary schools have been given Beacon status -- two of only 20 across the North West to achieve

  • Big day for men from the ministry

    FOUR new faces will soon be seen at churches across the area after an ordination ceremony at St Cuthbert's Church in Darwen. The men gathered for a rehearsal before the big day on Saturday when the 6.30pm ceremony will be conducted by the Bishop of Burnley

  • Finance secured for future of town's CCTV

    THE future of crime-cutting cameras in Stacksteads is secure -- after Rossendale council bosses guaranteed finance for years to come. The cost of setting up five CCTV cameras in the district has come from Government Single Regeneration Budget funds and

  • Lesson in waste disposal as pupils visit mill

    YOUNGSTERS will get an insight into the workings of a mill and how it deals with its waste when they visit a site in Haslingden. Year Six pupils from St Mary's and St Joseph's, in Blackburn, will take a trip to JH Birtwistle's in Grane Road, on Friday

  • Police launch hunt for race fight teenager

    POLICE were today hunting a teenager who tried to incite a racial fight between school pupils in a Blackburn park. Police said two children had decided to fight each other on Queen's Park, Queen's Road, Blackburn, attracting a large crowd. Inspector Graham

  • Pay dispute as staff split ranks

    EMPLOYEES at the former Norweb depot in Blackburn are locked in a pay dispute that has divided former work mates. Workers have been offered a different deal by new owners Alstom that will see over 100 contracting engineers paid £3,000 less than their

  • CYCLING: Fraser's record breaking double

    RACING cyclist Fraser Snape of the North Lancs Road Club produced two new course record performances in the space of 48 hours in events on local roads. On Tuesday in the Rossendale Road Club promotion on the Accrington to Burnley Road over 9.4 miles,

  • P&O storm home

    PRESCOT & Odyssey Cricket Club achieved an emphatic victory over high-flying Cheshire Lines last Saturday. The P&O skipper was able to stick to his pre-meditated game plan when he won the toss and put the Lines in to bat on a wicket resembling

  • Yickers suffer heavy loss

    HAYDOCK First XI made the trip to Mawdsley last Saturday and slipped to a heavy defeat in the sun. Batting first Mawdsley had first use of the wicket and made a steady start through the first 20 overs to reach 55. Their innings continued steadily until

  • Thompson's the man for Recs

    KEVIN Thompson has been named as new first team coach at Pilkington Recs ARLFC. The current Lancashire open-age coach, Kevin moves to City Road from local rivals, Haydock where he has enjoyed a number of successful seasons. Pilks, members of the NWCL

  • Champ Jones ko'd by Smith

    THERE will be a new name on the Star Individual Darts Championship trophy after holder Steve Jones was knocked out by Doug Smith in a thrilling second round tie. Jones came into the contest in no mood to loosen his grip on the cup, but the draw paired

  • Fire crews called out

    FIRE crews were called to a house in Jubits Lane, Sutton Manor, at about 7.45am on Thursday, June 21. The first floor bedroom was severely damaged by fire and other sections of the property were affected by heat and smoke.

  • Can you help tots?

    A TOWN-centre playgroup are on the look-out for a new home. The Teeny Tots Playgroup currently use Holy Cross School in Charles Street, but the school is undergoing a modernisation programme from July and they need to find new premises. They are looking

  • Will anyone pay for this mess?

    CLEARED and told by a Crown Court judge that not a stain lies on his character, East Lancashire defendant Richard Chew is obviously a much-relieved man after the sudden collapse of the case against him in which he was accused of nine counts of indecently

  • Epilepsy can strike anyone, at any time

    THERE is a popular misconception that a person suffering from epilepsy has a mental health problem. But the story of how Peter Dunn's world fell apart five years ago is a warning that anyone can be struck by the condition. Epilepsy is a neurological condition

  • Cocaine stash by school

    A COCAINE dealer who hid his £300 stash outside Blackburn's Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, is awaiting sentence. Imran Hussain, 23, was found guilty of possessing 14 wraps of the drug, with intent to supply after a two day trial, at Burnley Crown Court

  • Walkers help ensure wishes are granted

    HUNDREDS of people attended the Wishbone Orthopaedic Walk, a maximum one mile sponsored walk at Witton Park, Blackburn, in aid of orthopaedic research in Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. Organised by the NHS Trust the event provided a fun day

  • The Tories left a mess to clean up

    WALKING around the town, I was surprised to see posters at various locations saying 'Vote Conservative.' My first thought was that the last election had been declared null and void and another was being held. Reason, however, suggested that the local

  • Brass band, simply grand

    WELL done the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods and all concerned with the gala held on Sunday. It was lovely to see the woods so full of people, all having a happy time. And what a treat to hear the Darwen Brass Band -- they played for two and a half hours

  • TENNIS: Chris at the double

    CHRIS Sutton has been crowned East Lancs singles champion after a mammouth two hour battle with Nigel Isherwood which will go down as one the best finals ever. Sutton of East Lancs came from a set down and saw Isherwood miss the chance to win the game

  • Wolves have six appeal

    CLITHEROE Wolves proved to be the perfect hosts as they won three and came runners-up in two finals in their own Soccer Sixes tournament. Wolves triumphed in the under 10s, 11s and 13s and were beaten finalists in the under nines and the girls under 12s

  • Busy start for young star

    ROVERS' Premiership build-up could be disrupted by Damien Duff 's likely international call-up, just three days before Blackburn kick-off at Derby County. The Republic of Ireland have hurriedly pencilled in a friendly against Croatia at Lansdowne Road

  • Just what we wanted?

    I WENT for a biopsy for breast cancer the other day. I am still awaiting a result. While in the waiting room, there was a repeat on the television of Alma, from Coronation Street, dying from cancer. Were they trying to cheer us up, or what. Name and Address

  • Centre for stray animals

    I FEEL as a resident of St Helens there should be a centre built for re-housing strays. There seems to be a lot of stray cats and dogs roaming the streets. It seems a shame and the local council should provide the money to build one, there is plenty of

  • Jim's time well spent

    I FELT most concerned when I read the letter headed 'What Have We Go'' from 'Worried Yicker'. I have never written to a newspaper before and I have no wish to curry favour with Councillor Caunce, but it would be most dishonest of me if I did not offer

  • Time we had some answers

    THE grieving mother of a popular amateur Rugby League player who died after suffering a massive cardiac arrest 18 months ago is hoping that an independent review will finally reveal the whole truth about her son's death at the age of 24. Diabetic Anthony

  • Leader's pledge to grant cynics

    A COUNCIL leader today pledged to tell cash cynics the truth about grant allocation in Burnley in the wake of the riots and insisted: "We are being fair." Coun Stuart Caddy said one of the biggest lessons learned from the racially motivated troubles was

  • Man accused of internet fraud

    A 28-YEAR-OLD Nelson man appeared before Blackburn magistrates, charged with fraud connected with an internet auction site. Brian Taylor, of Lomeshaye Road, Nelson, faces 29 charges of obtaining money transfers by deception for goods offered for sale

  • Officers back plans to extend home

    BRIERCLIFFE Lodge residential home, in Rainhall Crescent, Barnoldswick, could be expanded to cater for three more people if plans for single storey extensions to side and front of the building are given the green light on Monday. The redevelopment would

  • More theatre echoes roll in

    AND still the response comes in... Following my extensive spread last week on the much-mourned Pilkington Theatre at Ravenhead (originally a first world war hospital for the troops) three other readers have chipped in with their own fond memories. Pat

  • Now we ain't stumped any more

    THERE'S no stumping the loyal customers of this column who repeatedly prove themselves to be in world class when it comes to solving tricky yedscratters of both the historical and weird and wonderful kind. And it's back into the archives we now go with

  • Nobody's Perfect

    SERVING up its final play before the summer season, the Grand's piece de resistance is a slick romantic comedy sure to break box-office records. Not only has author Simon Williams produced an excellent script, full of breathtakingly funny one-liners,

  • Train attack yobs put slab on track

    YOBS who put a concrete slab on a railway line could have killed train passengers, police said today. The concrete, which covers cables at the side of the tracks, had been moved into the middle of the railway line about 200 yards on the Church and Oswaldtwistle

  • Prepare to be wowed

    FANS of Ricky Martin can take heed from his website dedicated to his fans from all over the world. There is exclusive information on his new album Sound Loaded with the brilliant track "Nobody Wants To Be Lonely," where Ricky sings a duet with the talented

  • Judge raps sex case probe

    A FORMER undertaker today vowed to take legal action after enduring two years of hell before being cleared of sexually assaulting mentally-handicapped men. The move came after a Crown Court judge severely criticised the investigation into allegations

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Rams travel

    RAMSBOTTOM will consider themselves unlucky to be drawn away both times in cup finals. In the Worsley Cup final on Sunday, August 5, the Acre Bottom side will travel to Transco Lancashire League champions Bacup. And in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph

  • UGB back in training

    PRE-season training for the UGB Lions amateur RL club will start on Tuesday, July 3 at 7pm at Bobbies Lane Sports and Social Club. Further details from Phil Anders on 01744 616469.

  • Sutton in nine wicket loss

    ON Saturday Sutton lost a crucial game at Aigburth by nine wickets. Sutton were asked to bat first on a lively wicket. Sutton's problem this year though has been their batting and this continued as Aigburth's professional Negi took 9-36 in bowling Sutton

  • Vikings plunder points

    THERE were panic stations at Ruskin Drive when Vikings had to start their match with Haydock with half their team at the wrong ground! Although the 'lost' players eventually made the game, Vikings had to start with just six batters. Haydock were ahead

  • Life-saving scheme uncorked

    A PIONEERING scheme to provide emergency services with life-saving information has been uncorked! Message in a Bottle has been launched by Ramsbottom and Tottington based Peel Lions Club and is the first scheme of its kind in Greater Manchester and one

  • The best of British

    A COMPANY which has almost trebled its overseas business has won a royal salute for its continuing success. Glassbond (NW) Ltd, which employs 40 people, has been presented with the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise (International Trade) by the

  • Joe laid foundation of Saints' success

    COUNTLESS friends in the worlds of Rugby League and business are mourning the death of a popular personality who gave a lifetime of support to Saints. Mr Joseph Pickavance, of Eccleston, died in Whiston Hospital aged 83. His wife Bessie passed away last

  • D-Day in battle of Parr High

    FOLLOWING a hard-fought battle by parents and pupils of Parr High, the school's future was hanging in the balance last night (Wednesday) when a decision was due to be made by councillors. At the time of going to press, St. Helens Council's Executive Committee

  • Repairs promised after injuries

    ROSSENDALE Council has carried out temporary repairs to pavements in Stacksteads after two people fell and injured themselves. Council workers have removed some concrete flags on Newchurch Road and have replaced them with asphalt. Stacksteads ward Coun

  • Youth 'learned life of crime from his dad'

    AN 18-year-old who effectively learned about crime 'at his father's knee' was jailed for eight months by Blackburn magistrates. The court heard that Michael Anthony Jackson had 35 previous convictions, mostly for offences of dishonesty and was in breach

  • Take its easy? Not with a train service like this

    A BLACKBURN woman was unable to "Take It Easy" after a delayed train meant that she missed an Eagles concert. But the following night it was "The Same Old Scene" when another hold-up led to her missing part of a Roxy Music show. Sara Boothman, of Whalley

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Stanley hand trial to striker

    ACCRINGTON Stanley are giving a trial to 6ft striker Tom Beech. And they are also looking at three players released by Nationwide Second and Third Division clubs and will be seeing if they fit the bill over the next week after pre season training started

  • Mixed fortunes for Rainford

    RAINFORD had another mixed weekend, crashing to a six-wicket defeat in the league on Saturday and then cruising into the last four of the Sandhurst Shield the following day. The league defeat came at the hands of Southport Trinity who seem destined for

  • Battle rages for Hamlet

    FIRST and second round matches in The £7,000 Hamlet Bowling Championship at the Carr Mill Hotel continue this week with play on Sunday and Monday, July 1 and 2. Fixtures Sunday, July 1 (1pm start): B. Henstead (Pemberton) v N. Grant (Worsley), M. Chamberlain

  • Veteran Stan strikes gold

    ST HELENS Sutton AC's star veteran track runner Stan Erlam once again showed that he is up with the leading runners in his age group when he took part in the Northern Veterans Track & Field Championships held at Victoria Park, Warrington. Stan took

  • Destroyer Garvey bags the points

    ST HELENS Recs 1st XI took maximum points with a nine wicket home win over Bolton on Saturday. The visitors batted first, but once again Garvey was in top form, partnered by Paul Ford, and the wickets tumbled. Ford (2-24) was then replaced by the spin

  • Search for the master

    WE'RE counting down and ready for lift-off in one of the most popular and prestigious events on the local crown green bowling calendar. The St Helens Star Masters tournament is re-launched this year and promises to be bigger and better than ever with

  • What's On with Sue Gerrard

    DANCE fans are in for a treat at the Theatre Royal on Sundays, July 1 and 8. For the Eccleston School of Dance are staging their annual show at the Corporation Street venue on those dates with curtain up at 2pm and all proceeds going to the local branch

  • Ingredients of a good talk

    GUEST speaker, Mrs Pat Hayward entertained members of Rainford WI with a talk entitled 'Sugar, Spice, Salt and Vinegar' in which she spoke of the history of the use of the four ingredients and how from olden times they had been used in preservation of