Archive

Songs for a Summer Evening, St James Parish Church, Briercliffe, 7pm. Burnley High School Reunion -- former pupils aged 40 this year, Ighten Leigh Social Club, Padiham Road, Burnley. Soul Night, Town Hall, Accrington, 8pm. Irish Ceildh, The Idl Club,

A VISIT to Denton St Lawrence proved the bogey ground yet again for table-topping Prestwich. Victories on DSL soil are like gold dust for the Heys outfit. And any chance of striking the jackpot against one of their closest challengers last Saturday were

WHILST recognising that the UKIP did better than expected in the Elections to the European Parliament I find the reaction to their additional seats to be over the top. With proportional voting, people have the chance to vote positively for what they want

A CUCKOO lays its egg in another bird's nest, fooling the mother into bringing up the baby cuckoo. The cuckoo then flies the nest. Six persons join the local Labour Party, they use its manifesto and resources to be elected as Labour Party councillors,

DON'T tell me that these six councillors didn't have this planned months ago. They should be ashamed at letting people vote for them as members of Labour and then changing straight away. If the Conservatives and LibDems get into bed with them they will

I AM a respectable citizen of the Blackburn Asian community. There seems to be some confusion regarding the reason behind this breakaway of the six councillors. The six councillors are very well known, highly respected members of the community. The public

NINETEEN primary school children were taken to hospital after a car crashed into the bus carrying them back from a trip. A police investigation has been launched after officers said a motorist, who they believe was lost, had misjudged the junction of

TEACHERS today hit out at ambitious plans to transform local secondary education - and claimed they could have a bad effect on pupils' education. Members of the NASUWT, which represents 250 teachers in the Burnley area, have raised concerns about the

BLACKBURN Rovers face a daunting start to the new season after the fixture list threw up testing games against Arsenal and Manchester United in the opening fortnight. Graeme Souness's side will open up with a home game against newly-promoted West Brom

AN Althams Travel minibus driver was almost twice the drink-drive limit when he smashed into bollards as he went to pick up holidaymakers early on Sunday morning, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard John Askew, 49, hit two traffic islands 40 yards

SHAKERS have drawn an opener at home to Yeovil Town and Wigan Athletic meet are at home to Nottingham Forrest. Wanderers kick off their fourth season in the Premiership with a home clash at The Valley on August 14 the fixture lists revealed at 10am on

CONGRATULATIONS Mr Derek Brindle on saving one of Darwen's many wonderful buildings - the old Technical College - and in securing something concrete (not literally) for future historians. Hopefully, many more properties in and around the town will be

A 13-YEAR-old boy broke his leg and was rescued by firefighters after falling 13 feet off the George Street Bridge on to the bank of the River Blakewater in Blackburn. The Bishop of Blackburn, Dr W.M. Ashwith, was completing his duties before becoming

BLACKBURN College lecturers were set to ballot for strike action over new contracts. Union bosses revealed the move after the long-running dispute over pay and conditions escalated. Despite England not being involved, the country was going World Cup crazy

A COMPETITION is being organised to find a design for the redevelopment of Broadway in Accrington after councillors decided to spruce up the town centre site. The group behind plans for the East Lancashire panopticons - giant works of art in public parks

PENSIONER Billy Meadows has finally won a victory against his untidy neighbours - Wigan Council! The 72-year-old from Carlisle Street had for years been seeking action from the council to clean up two abandoned allotments adjoining his garden off Castle

MEMBERS of the Atherton branch of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Naval Association have unveiled ambitious plans to improve and extend the War Memorial site. In February Wigan Council donated land adjacent to the memorial to extend the site. The

FROM the beginning of July Wigan Council will take over responsibility for enforcing all existing parking regulations from traffic wardens and the police. Council chiefs say reducing the number of illegally parked vehicles will benefit everyone through

PHIL Starbuck has been a busy man since he returned from holiday, signing three players and giving another a deadline to agree a deal. The Leigh RMI manager beat off the challenge of Stevenage and Northwich to land Barry Miller, his second centre-half

PROMISING teenage athlete Sharon Walls, from Leigh, has been in good form this season in the 100m hurdles. Earlier this month, at the Loughborough International meeting, Wigan Harrier Sharon ran an impressive race to finish first in the 'A' Guest race

ANOTHER frustrating and inconsistent performance by Leigh CC saw them miss out on a chance of victory at Trafalgar Road against Southport and Birkdale. The players were probably looking forward to an early return to Leigh for the club's 150th anniversary

BLACKBURN Rovers face a daunting start to the new season after the fixture list threw up testing games against Arsenal and Manchester United in the opening fortnight. Graeme Souness's side will open up with a home game against newly-promoted West Brom

THE FIRST anniversary commemorating the life of football fanatic David Taylor is to be kicked off with a bench dedicated to his memory. David, 25, a dedicated Manchester United and Rossendale United fan, will be remembered at a fun day, organised in his

A FOOTBALL-MAD family has been thrust into soccer conflict as East Lancashire prepares to cheer on England in the battle for a place in the Euro 2004 semi-finals. The Brooks family, who used to live in Bacup, Rossendale spent 10 years in Setubal, Portugal

THE battle for the best fish and chips in the North West is on. And Castle Hill Chippy in Hindley is one of 55 shops battling for regional title. The winner will then go on to be shortlisted for the overall UK award. Customers now have two weeks to vote

COLLECTORS will have the chance to buy new artists' work at their first big exhibition next month. The newly-formed and rapidly expanding Leigh Community Art Group is organising a free exhibition and sale in the Derby Room, Leigh Library, from July 2

A TEN-YEAR-OLD girl from Leigh along with her "pushy parent" mum appeared on TV this week. Talented young dancer Charlotte Lowndes, pictured, and her mother Jocelyne starred in the ITV fly-on-the-wall documentary called Pushy Parents which follows the

AROUND 30 tired and weary, but very happy, Freemasons and their wives arrived at Wigan & Leigh Hospice in Hindley where they presented a £2,300 cheque to Hospice chairman Gordon Valentine. The group was led by Alf Short who is visiting 14 hospices

PUPILS have been letting their imaginations run wild by bringing new inventions to life. A course run by Blackburn College's Rapid Prototyping Service, funded by the council, has given youngsters the chance to explore engineering and design. And after

A MOTORCYCLE enthusiast has been rubbing shoulders with sporting legends after taking an emotional trip round the TT. Frank Kay finally rode his restored 1955 Manx Norton Mead 250cc -- the only bike of its kind in existence -- at the Isle of Man races

YOUNG pupils were shocked to discover the Bishop of Blackburn earns less than their headteacher. The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade went back to school yesterday to visit Salesbury Church of England Primary School, where he met staff and pupils as part of a programme

A LABOUR Party election agent today revealed he quit because he was unhappy with the selection of three candidates who later defected after becoming councillors. Mike Madigan, a Labour councillor from 1976 to 2001 and mayor in 1986, said he was worried

I HAVE never intentionally tuned in to any of the Big Brother trash on Channel 4. Unfortunately I turned over to watch Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights on Thursday and found the show running over. Now, I'm certainly no prude, but I was disgusted. A bust up

SIR, I agree with FB Morris wholeheartedly regarding the new road markings on approach to the Greyhound roundabout. On June 9 I left work in Woolston at 5.20pm and arrived home in Astley at 6.45pm. It is a nightmare journey I have to make five days a

A LEIGH golfer will toast a Lancashire brewery every time he switches the TV on after a close call in a prestigious golf tournament. For winning the Daniel Thwaites Free Trade Northern Regional Invitation Golf Day, David Southern, 41, has collected a

JANET Anderson MP is correct to not want the expansion of slot machine venues that has happened in Australia. Her scrutiny committee has improved the gambling proposals. However she does want large casinos all over the country, each containing over a

WITH regard to the article about playing football in the street, maybe our budding footballers would benefit from playing on proper football pitches. I can only speak from local knowledge, but why don't all local schools open up their pitches for kids

I WRITE as a resident of the Bastwell ward who is dismayed by the decision of the three Labour councillors recently elected to the borough council to withdraw their support from the Labour Party and to continue on the council as independents. This decision

I FEEL the article concerning the six councillors that quit their positions from the Labour Party was one-sided. I have known the Bastwell ward councillors for quite a long time. They are very highly respected citizens of the community. The only reason

AN honour and a privilege -- that's the verdict of Radcliffe councillor Barry Briggs who was installed as the new Mayor of Bury yesterday (Wed June 23). Coun Briggs, who successfully defended his Radcliffe North seat in the local elections, took over

ONE man show John Mathias will entertain Leigh Townswomen's Guild members at a social studies evening that starts at 7.15pm on Tuesday, July 6 in the Derby Room at Leigh Library. The following Tuesday you can watch an expert at work when Wendy Gilmott

BURNLEY'S kerb-side recycling schemes for glass, cans and garden waste are to be binned due to a funding crisis. The blue box collections of glass and cans will stop at the end of the month and the brown wheelie bin collections of garden waste look set

A BUSINESSMAN killed a pensioner in a road smash due to a "momentary lapse in concentration," a court heard. Burnley Crown Court was told Zahid Shafi, 39, was speeding in his five series BMW and heading for a takeaway restaurant when he hit John Fallows

I AGREE with the editor's comments in the LET (June 18). The actions of the six Labour councillors so soon after election are disgusting. It would appear that they are more concerned with their own ambitions and self-aggrandisement than the welfare of

Bygone Burnley, with JACK NADIN AN inscription above the main doorway at Rosegrove Unity Social Club reveals the building's age: A.D. 1852. Although greatly altered over the years to suit its present use, this building, originally a fine double gabled

A PATHOLOGIST told a court that the stress of falling victim to a burglary could have led to the death of a pensioner. The court heard how James Allen, 87, of Cobham Road, Accrington, could have died because of stresses put on his heart by the theft and

FOOTPATH fighters are claiming victory in their battle to have a right of way through an industrial estate re-instated. Lowton residents were furious when steel fencing was erected across the well-used path, a short cut from St Helens Road to Pennington

THE first four bars of the French National Anthem heralded "Cash in the Attic" couple Isabelle and Richard Sykes for their second wedding ceremony. The Lowton newlyweds, who married in France in May, went the whole hog with a second weekend of celebration

FAMILY recipes started in an exercise book in the Victorian era have been published over a century later. "Around the Kitchen Table - A Lancashire Childhood" by Gertrude Bark has been edited by Diane Good, friend and daughter of former Journal photographer

A DRIVER who collided with a trailer fled from the scene - leaving his wife behind, Bury magistrates heard. Roger Evans, aged 37, of Beechcroft, Sedgley Park, Prestwich, was in a collision with a parked trailer, which was attached to a Land Rover. The

PUPILS at Clitheroe Grammar School are set to meet Prince Andrew when makes a whistle-stop tour to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the school's Royal Charter The Duke of York will be visiting the school ahead of the milestone anniversary celebrations

HE'S been Leigh RMI's Sol Campbell - the integral defender whose contributions to the causes of the past four seasons have meant more than most. But Hilton Park will be without the imposing figure of Neil Durkin for the new season after he was ruled out

IF the Centurions are successful in Sunday's Arriva Trains Cup semi-final at Whitehaven, tickets for the final will go on sale on Monday, June 28. As last season, the final will be staged at Rochdale's Spotland ground on Sunday, July 18. Leigh's initial

PARCHED Dale Connearn is looking forward to his first beer this weekend after giving up booze for five months to help him complete the Blackpool marathon. The former Stacksteads councillor gave up alcohol on New Year's Eve -- and hasn't touched a drop

IT may have been pouring down but Witton Park's seventh annual Race For Life had its biggest ever turnout to boost the fight against cancer. And the 2,700 East Lancashire women who ran, jogged or walked the 5km (3.3 mile) circuit last night raised £120,000

THE family of a tragic teenage motorbike rider have paid an emotional tribute to their sporting hero who "died doing what he loved." Hundreds of friends and relatives were due to pay their respects to Steven Anderton during a funeral service at St Luke's

I AM aware of a crisis in the dental world and that rules are rules, but I was disgusted by the jobsworth approach at my mother's surgery. On Monday she rang for an appointment at the Leigh practice at which she has been a patient for over 40 years and

SIR, I totally agree with the person whose letter you printed on the front page of last week's journal following the tragic death of the little boy in Hope Street. It was a matter of time, a tragedy waiting to happen. I am a resident of Charles Street

POLICE are targeting speeding drivers on a busy road which has claimed the lives of two people in the last three years. Since 2001, there have been 28 reported accidents on Bolton Road, Radcliffe, resulting in 40 casualties, including the two fatalities

THOUSANDS of women ran, jogged and walked their way around Blackburn's Witton Park last night. In doing so they were seeking to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK. Every year the Race for Life event attracts not just runners of all

ANTHONY Battersby made club history in the Horwich Jubilee 4 Mile by being the first Astley & Tyldesley Road Runner to beat Shaun Moran. Anthony, 25, has only been running for the club for two months and coach Moran said afterwards: "It's great to

PERENNIAL title challengers Rochdale avoided the banana skin that is Stand when the two teams clashed at the weekend. Stand won the toss and elected to bat but were soon under the cosh when Jon Henderson had removed Warren without troubling the scorers

UNSWORTH have the perfect opportunity to challenge the leaders in the Central Lancashire League this weekend after another convincing win in the Central Lancashire League. A five-wicket victory over Werneth means the Pole-Laners stand just three points

DRIVING round the side streets of Hyndburn, I notice a number of streets have a sign saying Weak Bridge. Now the puzzling anomaly is that there isn't a bridge to be seen anywhere. Now when I drive through places like the Trough of Bowland I stop to see

WELL done to Andy Foulds and Ronnie Brown who are making a difference when it comes to championing the old and new talent around East Lancashire. The punk compilation they have recorded on their new record label, as featured in the LET (June 16), has

JAMES Ponton has left the Zurich Premiership's Leeds Tykes to join Sedgley Park's voyage of discovery into the waters of National One next season. "He's a cracking player, he's what we needed," said player-coach Tim Fourie who played with Ponton for two

MYSTERY still surrounds the deaths of a woman and her boyfriend. The body of the woman was discovered in the heavily blood-stained front passenger seat of a car parked in a quiet lane alongside Leigh Cemetery. She had been stabbed in the neck. As detectives

COMMUNITY spirit has helped to clear up a litter-strewn area of Radcliffe. The Dumers Lane Tenants' and Residents' Association, and helpers, gathered along Seddon Avenue, on Saturday armed with litter pickers and bin bags. The team of more than 30 people

BULLYING in schools was the main issue of debate at a north west conference spearheaded by Bury South MP Ivan Lewis. Headteachers and governors from the region attended Park Hall in Chorley to highlight effective practices in tackling playground intimidation

CONEY Green Technology College has taken another step to banishing couch potatoes. The school, in Spring Lane, has upgraded its walking and cycling route, in a bid to encourage people to take more exercise. Bury Council built the path to encourage walking

LEIGH Centurions are sweating on the fitness of star half-back Tommy Martyn ahead of Sunday's Arriva Trains Cup semi-final showdown at Whitehaven. Leigh's talisman hobbled off after just 20 minutes in last weekend's win at Hull KR with a knee injury and

A DRUG addicted thief who faces major heart surgery knew he was asking for trouble if he continued his habit, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how James Patrick Shaw had been given "frightening messages" from doctors after being taken to hospital

THE number of mobile phone masts in Burnley is set to increase, campaigners have warned. Protestors fear the town will be swamped by the masts, which are being put up by mobile phone companies to support the so-called third generation phones. 3G phones

THE A671 Whalley Road is due to be closed during July and August so that traffic safety measures can take place. The bridge at Devil's Elbow is to be strengthened, the adverse camber -- which has been the cause of many accidents -- will be improved and

BURNLEY'S out-going mayor reluctantly gave up her chain of office at a special meeting of the council. Coun Lilian Clark said she would leave the role with regret after having the "most amazing and happy" year in office. At the council's annual meeting

NINETEEN primary school children were taken to hospital after a car crashed into the bus carrying them back from a trip. A police investigation has been launched after officers said a motorist, who they believe was lost, had misjudged the junction of

TEACHERS today hit out at ambitious plans to transform local secondary education - and claimed they could have a bad effect on pupils' education. Members of the NASUWT, which represents 250 teachers in the Burnley area, have raised concerns about the

WITH reference to your 'Talking Bull' headline, there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. SARAH BOOTH-HENRY, California, USA.

THE six councillors who defected en masse from Labour areguilty of a premeditated and cynical manipulation of our democratic process. They have put personal self-interest and reprehensible racial allegiance before the good of the town they have seemingly

I AGREE with the editorial regarding the breakaway Labour councillors abandoning their voters so soon after election. I don't know how those Blackburn voters must feel seeing their democratic right for representation being treated with such disregard.

SCROOGE traders have been blamed for Colne's poor display of Christmas lights last year - but councillors are willing to give them one more chance. In recent years, 60 shops and business in Albert Street, Church Street, Keighley Road and Lidgett have

POLICE revealed that a group of French exchange students were operating as a shoplifting gang in Blackburn. It prompted the mayor at the time, Coun Rendall Allen, to call for the 20 students, visiting Darwen Vale High School, to be better supervised.

A WEEKEND of music and fun is in store for visitors to Pennington Hall Park, Leigh. The park's new multi-purpose 'gazebo' will be officially opened by the Mayor of Wigan, Cllr John Hilton, at 11am on Saturday. Celebrations are planned for the whole weekend

POLICE investigating a hit and run death today urged the driver to come forward for the sake of the victim's devastated family. Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell attempted to stir the driver's conscience after Jennifer Metcalfe, of Ruskin Avenue,

LOLLIPOP lady Marjorie Salsbury has got the birthday present of her dreams. On the eve of her 70th birthday new rules were introduced which mean she can continue to help schoolchildren across a busy Leigh road. For over 10 years Marjorie has helped thousands

HYNDBURN Council has lost its battle to have an annual government inspection rating overturned and has been rapped for its financial management. The council was originally told by Audit Commission inspectors if had been graded as a "fair" authority. The

A WIDOW today paid tribute to her husband's bravery in the face of death after he had a heart attack at the wheel -- but pulled over to save others. Maria Hodgson, of Cambridge Street, Great Harwood, flew home from a holiday in Spain after the death of

DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott was this week urged to give the all-clear for work to begin on Leigh Sports Village. Leigh MP Andy Burnham yesterday urged ministers from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to give the final green light and allow

A MAN who attacked his best friend during a row leaving him blind in one eye has been jailed for 27 months. Mark Howarth, aged 35, forced Brian Derbyshire to the ground and kicked him once causing him to lose the sight in his left eye. Subsequently Mr

ALMOST a year after a fishing trip ended in the deaths of a father and his teenage sons, family and friends were in the House of Commons to hear Leigh MP Andy Burnham's call for another investigation into the accident. On July 12 last year Shaun Ridley

SOMETHING truly historic happens in Iraq next week. After decades of oppression and war, the Iraqi people are finally to begin to take control of their own destiny. Under Saddam Hussein's brutal rule, few Iraqis could ever have dared imagine that the

STEVE Cotterill is delighted to be handed a home bow as Burnley boss when the Coca Cola championship gets underway. The Clarets will entertain Sheffield United at Turf Moor on Saturday, August 7 in a feisty War of the Roses clash. And Cotterill insists

TYLDESLEY RU Director of Rugby, Aaron Adams, has chosen a new coaching team for the forthcoming season with Kevin Williams and Geoff Jones responsible for the forwards and backs respectively. Both coaches have differing backgrounds. Williams was a player

BOLTON Association leaders Atherton CC lost top spot after losing to Adlington on Saturday. But they quickly pulled themselves together and the following day beat defending champions Walshaw. Atherton are now three points behind new pace-setters Elton

ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare-CTA Direct cycle speedway team fielded their strongest squad for the Northern Fours League match at Tameside on Sunday. In conditions made difficult by heavy rain pre-match, making both the starts and the circuit

Hull KR 8 Leigh Centurions 35: YOU know when you've done a job well. Only your own supporters stick around to see the conclusion. With more than 20 minutes left hundreds of Rovers fans were streaming for the exits. They'd seen enough. They didn't have

STEVE Cotterill is delighted to be handed a home bow as Burnley boss when the Coca Cola championship gets underway. The Clarets will entertain Sheffield United at Turf Moor on Saturday, August 7 in a feisty War of the Roses clash. And Cotterill insists

A COMMUNITY group which restored an historic bridge today blasted thieves who have undone all their hard work. Walkers in Darwen's Sunnyhurst Wood this week discovered that six sections of stone work had been stolen from the Huntington Bridge, leaving

A SPECIAL needs school in Rossendale is set to launch a new sensory play area for pupils and the local community. Following 18 months' of work, Tor View School, Clod Lane, Haslingden, is putting the finishing touches to a sensory learning facility. The

PAST members returned to Culcheth WI to help celebrate the group's 18th birthday. A letter was read from a founder, Mrs Helen Carey, who was unable to attend and all members were presented with a brooch to mark the occasion. Humorous poems read by Mesdames

MARIE Little is back in town tomorrow night (Friday) as guest artist at Leigh Folk Club. Talented Marie has an amazing voice and the ability to sing with such passion she keeps her audience mesmerised, and her sense of comedy is unbelievably brilliant

AN osteopath accused of sexually molesting male patients in Atherton appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday. Stephen Milward, of Hough House, Bolton, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to indecently assaulting a man on September 25, 1990

SYLVIA Cooke showed slides and told Newchurch WI members of her Indian holiday experience then judged the souvenir competition won by Amy Williams with Dorothy Holden runner-up and Sylvia Brown third. The president thanked Olive Lee for her flowers. The

TALENTED musicians turned out in force at the first acoustic session organised by a Lowton duo. Guitarist John Ridyard and Gordon Shaw, who together make up "The Big Ask" decided to provide a monthly platform for live players at Lowton Labour Club and

AN exhibition of interactive sculpture opens in Leigh on Saturday when the Art Factory returns to town. Following the success of last year's event when visitors did their own drawings, this years is again 'hands on'. Jan Niedojadlo's walk-in sculptures

HEALTH staff from Blackburn were among a select band of community workers invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street. Consultant midwife Sheena Byrom and consultant nurse Brigid Reid were chosen to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Health Secretary

A LEISURE company claims it is weeks away from a court showdown with Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses. Sceptre Leisure, of Chorley, said it is due to name a court date for an appeal against the council's decision not to grant it a licence to transform

A FAMILY today spoke of their quest for the truth after a 69-year-old died after a fall in hospital. An inquest had previously heard the family of Doreen Wootton claim she had been moved from an alarm buzzer because staff felt she was a 'nuisance'. But

LOWTON Community Sports College walked away with the top award at the Wooden Spoon Charity Marathon distance sprint relay. With a time of 2hrs 7 minutes Lowton finished quickest and pledged £665 to the Wooden Spoon Society.With prizes for the most money

A TEN-YEARS-OLD champion Leigh dancer and her "Pushy Parents" had their 15 minutes of fame on Monday. Charlotte Lowndes', mother Jocelyne and dad Owen, were featured in the ITV fly-on-the-wall documentary which followed the exploits of parents with talented