"Clown Heads" -- designing and painting activity, Helmshroe Textile Museum, Holcombe Road, Helmshore, 2pm-4pm. Sequence Dance, Knowle Green Village Hall, 8pm. Spring Vale Rambling Class, Ranken Arms, Hoddlesden, 7pm. Children's Activities (eight-12 year-olds
THERE has been plenty of talk in the past few weeks about the problem of child obesity and what to do about it. One way of keeping youngsters healthy is ensuring that they get good exercise and don't spend too much of their time sitting at computer screens
WHAT goes on behind the scenes of East Lancashire's top amateur dramatic productions? JENNY SCOTT joins the Oswaldtwistle Players in the build-up to their performance of their comedy. . . FOR years the over-the-fence gossip of the Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough
OUR water bills are set to rise by a massive amount over the next few years. We have been told that this is to replace Victorian systems which are now breaking down. I believe that this is not the real reason. The real reason is that we must comply with
ACCORDING to the article "We're not fanatics" (LET, August 12), it is 'police operations' which are unfairly tarnishing Islam. This is nonsense. Any sensible person can see that it is Muslim terrorists creating carnage worldwide, extremist clerics spouting
WITH reference to Mr Edwin Bibby's letter (LET, August 5) headed 'Unions are just puppets of the establishment'. I firmly believe that Mr Bibby has very much hit the nail on the head. However, I do have some disagreements in that Mr Bibby appears to be
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 55-year-old man was attacked by two youths on a bus in Leigh. The man caught the 551 service to Bolton at Leigh bus station at 9.45pm last Saturday night and his attackers got on about five minutes later in Lord
A GANG who stabbed a teenager in the head are being hunted by police. The unprovoked assault happened after 10pm on Friday in Woodward Road, Prestwich. Between four and six black men approached a 19-year-old and attacked him with a sharp implement, causing
POLICE are hunting arsonists who painted a racist remark on a garage before setting fire to it. Bury fire fighters were called out shortly after 5am on Friday to the rear of Colville Drive to discover the double garage ablaze. The word "Paki" had been
BURY Boxing Club's Amir Khan defeated Greek hope Marios Kaperonis with a third round stoppage to get his dream of Olympic medal glory off to a flyer in Athens yesterday. The 17-year-old lightweight, coached by Mike Jelley, overcame early nerves to put
A DEVASTATED mother has told of how she tried to talk her 13-year-old son down from the roof a house following the suspected suicide of his friend. She spoke as a boy was today due to appear before magistrates accused of affray, assault and criminal damage
MORE than 200 people were evacuated from a theatre when a man claiming to be a terrorist rang to say there was a bomb in the building. A police rapid response unit was called to Blackburn's Thwaites Empire Theatre just before 8pm as staff interrupted
LEIGH RMI have signed Gregor Rioch, son of former Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch. The 29-year-old left-sided defender, who was a free agent after being released by Northwich, will go straight into the squad at Burton Albion on Tuesday
BLACKBURN Rovers are lining up a move for Nigerian international striker Peter Odemwingie. The 23-year-old is due to arrive at Brockhall today for a second trial, after impressing during his first one 10 days ago. Rovers have already told his Belgian
A BURNLEY psychiatric patient who went missing from her hospital ward more than seven weeks ago has been found safe and well. Police said Christiane Roper, 31, had headed for London with £40 after she went missing from the psychiatric ward at Burnley
HOLLYOAKS star Nick Pickard was the special guest at the Alchemy Club's Celebrity Question Time at Turf Moor, Burnley. Nick, who plays the TV soap's posh food restaurateur and serial worrier Tony Hutchinson, answered a wide variety of questions from club
A DEVASTATED mother has told of how she tried to talk her 13-year-old son down from the roof a house following the suspected suicide of his friend. She spoke as a boy was today due to appear before magistrates accused of affray, assault and criminal damage
ONE of three men who raided a working men's club and made off with a £800 haul after disabling the alarm has been jailed for four months. Burnley Magistrates heard heroin addict Dale Barratt, 34, was filmed on CCTV cameras after the attack on the Paradise
BURNLEY is to become home to a new holiday call centre for the UK's gay and lesbian community. Outlet 4 Travel is being launched at North Bridge House, in Elm Street, by travel professionals Glenn Davidson and Paula Sullivan, who first met as teenagers
A NEW group is being set up to watch over a major new town centre project in Burnley. Burnley Council has decided to form the cross-party group after backing plans to build a state-of-the-art health and leisure centre. St Peter's multi-storey car park
A MARTIAL arts centre is celebrating after scooping more than £6,000 in funding to encourage youngsters to take part in sport. Jak Eun Bal Taekwondo, based at Marsden Primary School, Nelson, secured £6,750 from the Area Network, which aims to provide
RACIAL intolerance is to be tackled in Pendle thanks to a £50,000 cash injection. A major arts education programme is to be rolled out in secondary schools and colleges in Pendle before going into Burnley. The Rossendale-based Horse and Bamboo Theatre
THE public are being invited to fall in to help give the town's brave Fusiliers a new home. On Sunday, August 29, Wellington Barracks in Bolton Road, Bury, will be throwing open to visitors in aid of the Fusiliers' Museum Appeal. Attractions include exhibitions
COUNCILS in East Lancashire are turning to the internet to save cash when they buy pens and paper. Three authorities - Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale - managed to save almost 50 per cent on a huge stationery order after joining forces and using a high-tech
AN animal lover spoke of the stomach-churning moment he opened a tin of cat food - and found it full of maggots. Colin Ellison, 19, of Clayton-le-Moors, had taken his ex-partner Julia Lord shopping on Saturday to Accrington Asda. And there, as usual,
AROUND 140 residents lost their phones and emergency intercoms for almost five days after construction workers accidentally severed an underground cable. BT staff were in Station Road, Huncoat, yesterday trying to restore the services. The majority of
SALES and profits for small businesses in the north west are on the up. That's the encouraging conclusion of a new report which also indicates that some of the region's newest businesses are growing fastest. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) quizzed
BUOYANT house prices are proof that a £5 million regeneration scheme in East Bury is working, say town hall bosses. Council homes around Willow Street and Shaw Street were pulled down and replaced with new homes for sale, shared ownership and rent. The
A GANG who stabbed a teenager in the head are being hunted by police. The unprovoked assault happened after 10pm on Friday in Woodward Road, Prestwich. Between four and six black men approached a 19-year-old and attacked him with a sharp implement, causing
A HOSPICE volunteer has been out and about in Burnley collecting and replacing donation tins from homes, shops and businesses across the borough. Terry McMahon, from the Rosehill area of the town, has been helping the hospice for the past four years.
A SPORTS club has had its plans to develop community facilities hit on the head. Fairfield Sports Club was hoping to use land on Broad Oak playing fields. But plans for a ball zone have been passed instead. The sports club aimed to raise money to take
BURY Amateur Boxing Club's Amir Khan got his Olympic dream off to a flyer on Monday with a third round stoppage of Greece's Marios Kaperonis. The 17-year-old lightweight, coached by Mike Jelley, dusted off some early nerves to dominate the local favourite
POLICE surrounded a flat in Ashton Road, Darwen, last night after residents reported they thought they had heard gun shots. Worried neighbours called police at 10pm, who were already attending a call in the flat below. Officers left after residents in
YOUNGSTERS and artists have teamed up to launch a Rossendale art project. The initiative, run by the Rural Opportunities Across Rossendale (ROAR) scheme and organised by charitable group Community Futures, will see young people in Water work with artists
TWO Rossendale lodges are set to be given a new lease of life after a £35,000 grant was secured from the Environment Agency Fisheries Fund. The Lumb Valley Anglers and Rossendale Rivers Society have been working with Groundwork Rossendale to improve Jack
PEOPLE living in Rossendale are being asked to give their opinions on the service Rossendale Borough Council gives to residents. The Customer Services Review is part of thye council's corporate improvement plan and is designed to help create a customer
THE owner of a dog that became world famous for its telepathic powers is helping to conduct research into the power of the female mind. Pam Smart, 47, of Kay Brow, Ramsbottom, hit the headlines last year when her 15-year-old telepathic terrier Jaytee
FORMER Radcliffe Borough striker Jody Banim has joined Accrington Stanley on a three-month loan deal after being transfer listed by Shrewsbury. The striker had been linked with a return to Stainton Park after failing to make an impact at Gay Meadow, but
POLICE must today release or charge a Blackburn man held in custody for two weeks since arrest at gunpoint by anti-terrorist officers. Junaid Feroze, of Malham Gardens, is one of nine men who have been held at Paddington Green Police Station, Central
BLACKBURN eight year-old Nathan Haworth could today become one of the youngest million dollar winners in a gaming competiton. Beyblade champ Nathan, of Peel Mount, Knuzden, is currently in New York to compete in the World Beyblade Championships. He is
A WOMAN and her three-month-old son narrowly escaped injury when they were "trapped by the door" as they tried to get off a bus. Sian Evans, 19, of Queen Victoria Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn, was left upset by the incident as she left the 22c Leyburn
PEOPLE in East Lancashire suffering from anxiety and insomnia are more likely to be prescribed a drug linked to addiction and abuse than anywhere else in England, figures have revealed. Now the area's three primary care trusts are drawing up plans to
DOCTORS, nurses and other hospital staff have been hit with "massive" increases in childcare charges as health bosses grapple to reduce a £3.5million debt. Parents claim costs have gone up by 30 per cent after an £85,000 annual subsidy for the staff nursery
MAY I extend a very big "thank-you" to everyone connected with organising "The Party in the Park" at Openshaw Park on Sunday, August 8. It was a tremendous community event enjoyed by all. I am already looking forward to our next "party", at Hoyles Park
BIG game hunting in Africa should by now, be as out-dated as the rigid class system of which it was so much a feature. Alas, it isn't. In South Africa it continues in the form of "canned hunts" which involve an animal -- usually a lion or a leopard --
STUART Penketh (Letters, August 10) complains about the "Labour council's action in trying to 'gag' the opposition committee members over the proposed closure of the special care baby unit at Fairfield Hospital" as though it were true. I attended the
STUDENTS at Bury's schools and colleges are to be given a creative take on the perils of racism in society. The HoBo project, which will raise awareness of intolerance, will feature drama, craft and visual theatre techniques. Based on the work of Charlotte
TEN people, including four members of the deputy Mayor of Bury's family, were injured in a two-car crash at the weekend. They were Councillor Wilf Davison's daughters, Fiona Davison from Prestwich, and Louise Harrison, and her two children, Alex (11)
ACCRINGTON war memorial is becoming a pilgrimage site for amateur dramatics groups across the country who are using the experience to prepare for a play dedicated to East Lancashire's most famous regiment. A Leyland drama group has become the latest troupe
REGARDING the £7million lottery win by rapist Iorworth Hoare. The Government should make him pay for his keep while in prison out of his winnings - not taxpayers. We should treat him with the contempt he deserves. KEITH HARTLEY, St Michael's Court, Blackburn
I AM an Australian visitor seeking any information on any descendants of James, George, William and Eliza Taylor, children of John and Emma Taylor, who lived at 28 Woone Lane, Clitheroe in 1881. Also Ellen, Benjamin, Edmund, Louisa, Annie and Joseph King
WHY is anyone surprised what this Government does? (Re Mrs Carr, LET, August 14). I am losing a large amount of my pension due to my scheme being wound up. Because people like myself were forced to pay into a private company scheme and with Government
BURY Boxing Club's Amir Khan defeated Greek hope Marios Kaperonis with a third round stoppage to get his dream of Olympic medal glory off to a flyer in Athens yesterday. The 17-year-old lightweight, coached by Mike Jelley, overcame early nerves to put
YOUNGSTERS have been discovering that fun and religion do mix at Bolton Road Methodist Church's summer holiday club. Volunteers from the church, helped by local Christians, have run the club since 1987. Around 90 children aged from five to 11 have attended
A KEEN golfer has had a "hole" lot of success with his fundraising to thank the hospital staff who helped him beat cancer. Mike Heath, of Swinton Crescent, Unsworth, raised £2,500 at a special golf competition arranged to thank the medical team at Fairfield
LEIGH RMI aim to kick-start their season when they travel to Burton Albion on Tuesday night. The Railwaymen were bitterly disappointed to lose their opening game against Crawley, on Saturday, after leading 1-0 at the interval and manager Phil Starbuck
PADIHAM Allotments Association and Garden Club is preparing for its 50th Annual Flower Show. The event, at Padiham Town Hall, on Saturday, August 28, will be opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Padiham Mark and Denise Jinkinson, at 2.15pm. There are more
BURNLEY'S waste recycling 'farce' is jeopardising Lancashire's record, it was claimed today. New Government figures reveal the county was in the national top 10 for dealing with waste last year. But Burnley was today described as Lancashire's recycling
A VIOLENT fork-lift truck driver who spat at two police officers in the face - hitting one inside her mouth - has been told he won't be going to jail. One of Thomas Green's victims, WPC Ruth Easthope, was so distraught over what happened to her she was
BURY FC has revealed its new kit and proud sponsor Bury Council is cheering them on for a successful season. Leader of the council, Councillor John Byrne, met team captain Dave Challinor at the Gigg Lane ground as the £50,000-a-year deal entered its third
GRAHAM Barrow wants his Shakers players to learn a hard lesson from Saturday's crushing defeat at Grimsby Town. The Shakers boss reckons there is still plenty to look forward to this season despite the 5-1 mauling on Humberside. But that optimism is reliant
PUPILS in Pendle will be the first to road test new specially designed road safety footwear to help stamp out child casualties on the country's highways. Lancashire Constabulary has joined forces with Bacup-based Courtesy Shoes to develop a range of road
10 years ago GROUNDWORK Trust staff set up new roots after a £740,000 grant. The 'green' troubleshooters moved to the purpose-built environment centre on the Leeds and Liverpool canalside. The move from offices at Glenfield Park to the new site at Nova
A REWARD is being offered to help catch thieves stealing car parts from two garages in Accrington. Hugh Davies, and Accrington Garages, both in Burnley Road, have both been targeted by crooks who have taken anything from wheels to air-bag systems from
HEALTH and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors are to take a tough line to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by falls. Tony Trenear, HSE regional operations manager, said: "Falls from height cause many serious and devastating accidents
GREATER Manchester's small business bosses are casting aside their entrepreneurial Del Boy image in favour of a softer, greener approach. That's according to research issued today by Clarity Business Banking from The Co-operative Bank. The survey of 500
A THRIVING PR and design company is certainly making all the right moves to forge a prosperous future. And Appleby Bowers is justifiably blowing its own trumpet after receiving a £30,000 grant following its transfer to new premises. Earlier this year,
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a crash caused traffic chaos in Whitefield town centre on Saturday. Ten people, including four members of the deputy Mayor of Bury's family, were injured in the two-car crash. They were Councillor Wilf Davison's
IAN Moore today paid a personal tribute to Stan Ternent as the former Burnley manager prepares for an emotional evening at Turf Moor. The current Clarets side takes on the mighty Manchester United tonight, when a galaxy of stars will come out to celebrate
STAFF and regulars at Sydney Street WMC, Accrington, will be celebrating tonight when they are presented with the Club of the Year Award 2004 from East Lancs CAMRA. It is the third time the club has won the accolade, awarded solely for the quality and
NEW plans to turn a Ramsbottom quarry into a landfill site have been submitted to Bury Council. Under a revised proposal, Fletcher Bank in Shuttleworth would be visited by 290 lorries each day. The applicants, Peel Investments and Marshalls Mono, want
FIREFIGHTERS in Bury are bracing themselves for strike action after claims that the Government has sabotaged a deal with bosses. Members of the Fire Brigades Union have pressed ahead with a ballot on industrial action after national talks with employers
IAN Moore today paid a personal tribute to Stan Ternent as the former Burnley manager prepares for an emotional evening at Turf Moor. The current Clarets side takes on the mighty Manchester United tonight, when a galaxy of stars will come out to celebrate
BLACKBURN Rovers are lining up a move for Nigerian international striker Peter Odemwingie. The 23-year-old is due to arrive at Brockhall today for a second trial, after impressing during his first one 10 days ago. Rovers have already told his Belgian
CONSERVATORY maker Ultraframe has rocked investors with a fresh profits warning after a disappointing start to its key summer season. Shares slumped more than 31 per cent after the Clitheroe-based firm said full-year profits were likely to be a third
FLAT green bowler, Janet Cropper produced the best performance ever by a Lancashire player in the English Women's Bowling Association National Championships. The Bolton Bowling Club player reached the final of the two-wood singles at Leamington. She has
TWO residents have used 'people power' to get an eyesore transformed into a beautiful garden. The piece of land, which runs alongside the road in Hawkshaw Avenue, Darwen, had become overgrown and rubbish strewn and attempts to trace the owner had failed
A SOCIAL services department is hoping to help raise awareness of children in need at a town gala. Blackburn with Darwen social services will be having their own stall at Darwen Gala after increasing interest in fostering following a new recruitment campaign
MORE than 200 people were evacuated from a theatre when a man claiming to be a terrorist rang to say there was a bomb in the building. A police rapid response unit was called to Blackburn's Thwaites Empire Theatre just before 8pm as staff interrupted
SALADS are to be offered free to school pupils at lunchtime in a bid to improve their eating habits. Blackburn with Darwen Council has announced that the daily healthy alternative to traditional lunchtime grub will be given out to pupils. The move comes
I COLLECT ashtrays and beer mats from former breweries. I now have 560 but am unable to trace any from the Bury Brewery Co Ltd, which closed in 1949. Can anyone help me? I can be contacted on 01962 866967. GEOFFREY HAMMOND
IN 1997 Tony Blair promised to safeguard key NHS services, things such as the special care baby unit at Fairfield hospital. But seven years later and the unit is threatened with closure. That promise was another lie. The people of Bury have just elected
THE grouse-shooting season began on Thursday, and we have found that extremists involved in hunt sabotage are already recruiting shooting saboteurs via their website. This tallies with an increase in animal rights activity around shooting in recent years
I FEAR that Alan Fairhurst (Letters, August 3) makes ridiculously exaggerated claims in his letter about fox hunting. Far more babies and toddlers are injured by untrained, uncontrolled, domestic dogs than by timid foxes, and I have yet to hear of a fox
AT the risk of appearing a summer spoilsport, can I appeal to parents to ensure that their children do not make local quarries a place for play. Quarries can look like fun places to swim, climb, dig or ride, but they carry a variety of unseen hazards.
I HOPE Tory councillor Sam Cohen, who has been appointed to represent Bury on the Greater Manchester Police Authority, agrees with me that the Government seems to be endlessly presenting its policies on a never-ending loop system, a regurgitation of "
