Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn Citizen - the newspaper for our community.

Stories for 5 April 1999

Accrington News

Animals in a 'filthy' condition

TWO pet shop owners are awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to a series of offences of mistreating animals at their Rishton store.  more...

Grave attackers slated

THE granddaughter of a well-known former Rishton coach driver has slammed cemetery vandals for attacking his grave.  more...

Towpath sex fiend

POLICE are hunting a man who indecently assaulted two schoolgirls on the canal towpath in Clayton-le-Moors.  more...

Minimum wage welcomed by MP

HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope has welcomed the introduction of the first-ever National Minimum Wage as good news for hard-up workers in his constituency.  more...

Denial over store

A COUNCIL chief has denied rumours that a national retail chain has pulled out of discussions to open a store as part of a proposed £7 million shopping complex in Accrington.  more...

Blackburn Business

Computer firm grows

A MAJOR expansion programme has been announced by a fast-growing computer firm.  more...

New machines in birthday boost

A £250,0000 investment is helping an engineering firm celebrate its second anniversary.  more...

Agency winners in campaign battle

AN East Lancashire advertising agency has beaten off competition from the capital to land a major campaign.  more...

Blackburn Leisure

FIVE YEARS AGO: Hooligans crackdown

A SENIOR police officer welcomed moves to crack down on lager louts and hooligans in Oswaldtwistle.  more...

TEN YEARS AGO: Bikers' kind thought

EASTER Monday snow showers failed to deter members of a motor cycle club.  more...

Events in East Lancs/North West tomorrow (Tuesday, April 6th)

Blackburn Breast Care Support Group meet Beardwood Hospital, Preston New Road, Blackburn, 7pm-9pm. For ladies who have had breast cancer or who are worried about it. Fashion Show and Video.  more...

Blackburn News

Wreckers on roof: 3 on damage charge

FAMILIES were left dodging missles thrown from the roofs of nearby houses in two late-night incidents.  more...

Towpath sex fiend: Girls assaulted

POLICE are hunting a man who indecently assaulted two schoolgirls on the canal towpath in Clayton-le-Moors.  more...

Falling in love: Beautiful spot brings back happy memories

Ron Freethy's Easter Walks - Aysgarth  more...

Back to the future

I RECENTLY came across an advance draft of the 2005 electoral manifesto for Hyndburn Borough Council. Much of it is intelligible, but you may be interested to read the section dealing with transport. It reads as follows:  more...

Turn criticism into praise

I SET out to take my dog for a walk the other day, but when I got to the front door I thought better of it - the rain was torrential.  more...

Card crime on increase

THE situation faced by garage owner Mike Eccles, after his customers' discarded payment slips were used by criminals to purchase mail order goods (LET, March 25), is another outcome of plastic card crime which cost £135 million last year.  more...

Warm homes, cold hospitals

THE government seems to give with one hand and take with the other. They give pensioners £100 for winter fuel payments - full marks for that - then take £1m winter payments, granted last year, away from Burnley Health Care Trust (LET, March 26). Extra help is not given on a regular basis.  more...

Concern over contact

WE are hoping to contact two of our customers, a lady and gentleman who rang our Insurance Office for information.  more...

Plumbing the depths

A RECENT survey stated that one in five British adults cannot read and these these unfortunates would not be able to find a plumber in the yellow pages.  more...

Government should heed Bishop's call

THE WARNING by the Bishop of Blackburn to the government against harming schools through lack of resources or taxation policies may seem superfluous, given the priority Tony Blair has given to education.  more...

American cousin in search of his roots

THE question fired out of the blue from across the Atlantic at Blackburn reader Mrs Carmela Ainsworth hit the wrong spot, but she hopes that 'Looking Back' might steer it in the right direction.  more...

Pilot dropped in for breakfast

IN an echo to 'Looking Back's' tale of March 15 of the Army aeroplane that made an unscheduled landing at Guide, near Blackburn, an eye-witness of the 1952 event tells us that its pilot brought it down not so much as a precaution because of bad weather, as he told the old Northern Daily Telegraph, but because its fuel gauge was heading for 'Empty'.  more...

Lion proving elusive

WE know that the Red Lion Hotel puzzle pub in an old photograph featured in the newspaper on March 22 was run by "A. Gilleade from Blackburn" - because it said so on the side wall.  more...

Extra boost for area's economy

THE NORTH West's new Regional Development Association has been launched by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott who said it would be a major boost to the local economy.  more...

Taxation a threat to teaching resources

THE Bishop of Blackburn has warned the Government against damaging education through inadequate resources or ill-considered taxation policies.  more...

New machine a BAe boster

ANOTHER multi-million pound investment for production of the Eurofighter Typhoon in East Lancashire has been unveiled.  more...

Blackburn Sport

Little ban blow hits Clarets

BURNLEY dangerman Glen Little will play just one more home game this season following this afternoon's crunch clash with Colchester after picking up a costly eighth yellow card of the campaign at Notts County.  more...

NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Khan fury over Stanley response

HONG Kong banker Ilyas Khan is considering legal action in his bid to buy Accrington Stanley.  more...

NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Old boy makes it a Black day for Accrington

Accrington Stanley 1 Leigh RMI 2  more...

SNOOKER: McCulloch's tough test in Worlds

IAN McCulloch has been handed one of the toughest possible baptisms at the Embassy Snooker World Championships.  more...

MOTORSPORT: Second-place Lund sounds stock warning

JOHN Lund launched his bid for the 1999 World Stock Car Championship with podium place at the Coventry International Speedway stadium.  more...

Meddlesome Middlesbrough keep pressure on Kidd's men

Premier League: Blackburn Rovers 0 Middlesbrough 0 - Peter White's big match verdict  more...

Division Two: Notts County 0 Burnley 0 - Pete Oliver's big match verdict

IT WASN'T pretty but it was certainly effective.  more...

Form watch (v Middlesbrough)

FILAN: One hairy first-half moment but was well protected and did little wrong under limited fire...7  more...

Little hit by ban blow

BURNLEY dangerman Glen Little will play just one more home game this season following this afternoon's crunch clash with Colchester after picking up a costly eighth yellow card of the campaign at Notts County.  more...

Johnson frustration at dropped points

DAMIEN Johnson was one of several frustrated Rovers attackers after they failed to find a way through the massed ranks of a packed Middlesbrough defence.  more...

Form watch (v Notts County)

PAUL CRICHTON: Did everything he had to efficiently in keeping a first clean sheet in 13 games but he could almost have taken the afternoon off 6  more...

Rovers youth face Zagreb tester

ROVERS' youngsters take on Croatia Zagreb tonight in the final of the Northern Italian under-16s tournament after some excellent performances over the weekend.  more...

Payton penalty plea

BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent felt his side had been denied a likely match-winner in their relegation stalemate at Notts County.  more...

Burnley set to reveal new strip

THE Clarets' new strip for next season was set to be unveiled at Turf Moor this afternoon.  more...

Bolton Leisure

What's on in and around Bolton on Tuesday

Theatre, music & dance BOLTON Music Service activities at Bolton Music Centre, The Deane School, New York, Bolton include Bolton Youth Stage Band, 7.30pm-9.30pm; Bolton Beginners Brass Band, 5.45pm-7.15pm; Bolton Training Orchestra, 6.30pm-8.30pm and at Eagley Junior School Bolton Training Wind Ensemble (Turton) will be playing from 4pm-5pm. Tel: 658804 for further details.  more...

Hotpants: Oldham Coliseum Theatre. Runs until April 24

THIS new musical, crammed with seventies' songs, has no hidden depths, but seeks simply to entertain. It succeeds wonderfully well.  more...

Bolton News

Aware of the duties

AS a magistrate for 32 years, until reaching retirement age in 1993, I was disgusted to read your opinion (March 30) on the appointment of 19 new magistrates to the Bolton Bench. What right or authority have you, as Editor of the Bolton Evening News, to lecture new magistrates on their duty? I have no doubt that these 19 worthies have been chosen for their common sense and their ability to consider and adjudicate on the facts of each case. It is not their duty just to impose the sentences the community demands. The details and backgrounds to cases are often not fully known to the press, and what the community demands can be unfair as a result of a press campaign whipped up to increase circulation.  more...

Have you got the Millennium blues already?

THE biggest celebration of our lifetime is less than nine months away.  more...

From the BEN files

25 YEARS AGO  more...

Octagon Theatre's a flagship for town

AS an avid supporter of Bolton Octagon Theatre, I am horrified to learn the theatre has financial problems.  more...

Pupils also suffer

I BELIEVE I have seen it all now!!  more...

Rockers are alive and well-mannered

SQUEAKY-clean Bury band AL!VE are to front a national campaign telling youngsters: "It's cool to be good mannered"!  more...

MP's 'look again' appeal on mining

BOLTON West MP Ruth Kelly has called for the re-opening of the public inquiry into plans for open cast mining on green fields at Cutacre, Over Hulton after the government published tough new guidelines on quarrying for coal.  more...

Safety crackdown on Bolton crimpers

ENVIRONMENTAL officers in Bolton are to blitz hairdressers in a bid to raise awareness of health and safety issues.  more...

Quiet Church

AS the crisis in Kosovo unfolds, the 'noises' from the Church leaders are unbearable. A tragedy taking place on the Vatican's doorstep. But these refugees are not of the same creed, they just breathe the same air. A perfect recipe for racial intolerance.  more...

Computer couple in gun terror

A YOUNG couple were terrorised at gunpoint in their own home after advertising a computer for sale.  more...

Red Cross appeal - for your help

DYNAMIC fundraisers are urgently needed if the work of the British Red Cross is to continue in the North-west.  more...

Heatwave sparks huge moors blaze

THIRTY firefighters were needed to control a huge grass fire sparked by the Easter heatwave.  more...

Family escape petrol bomb attack

A FAMILY fled their semi-detached home after a petrol bomb attack in the early hours of yesterday morning.  more...

Young stars keep the beat to raise £1,500

THE beat of dancing feet helped pull in plenty of cash for the Bolton Mayor's charity.  more...

Drinks blame

THE BEN recently highlighted under-age drinking in the town centre but did not mention the Astley Bridge, Sharples and Smithills areas, where it is rife every Friday and Saturday evening. These are the ones that go on the rampage in the parks and the cemeteries and wreck the bus shelters, after they have consumed the high alcohol drinks supplied by unscrupulous shopkeepers and supermarkets. It is time these people are not only fined, but lose their licences as well.  more...

Why the attempt to divert all our efforts?

WHEN everyone in Westhoughton, including all borough and town councillors of all political parties, are fighting passionately against the massive Lee Hall development, it is vital that we concentrate all our efforts on opposing this scheme with a united, concerted stance. Hence the drafting, duplicating and supplying of a letter, supported by all town councillors, objecting on nine points to the Lee Hall site, which is being circulated in Westhoughton for people to address, sign and return to the Planning Department. We are urging a tremendous response.  more...

Vital families

ANKYLOSING Spondylitis is a little-known but severely disabling condition which affects 115,000 people in the UK, leading to inflammation and severe stiffness of the spine. Ultimately it may leave the spine and neck absolutely rigid. We would like to appeal to the public to help us tackle this potentially crippling condition.  more...

Bolton Sport

SOCCER: Shakers land another draw as improvement continues

SHAKERS boss Neil Warnock wishes he could have started the season with this team - it's easy to see why. Although they once again failed to pick up that elusive first away victory there can be no denying that there's been a rapid on-the-field improvement in the Bury ranks.  more...

WORRYING TIMES . . .

OXFORD UNITED 0, WANDERERS 0 COLIN Todd is finding there are more questions than answers as he tries desperately to keep Wanderers in the promotion hunt. He's used the softly-softly approach, keeping faith with his troubled troops while gently massaging their confidence and self-belief.  more...

Skipper prepared to pledge his future to Wanderers

SELLARS WANTS NEW DEAL SCOTT Sellars is ready to pledge his future to Bolton Wanderers - irrespective of whether they are successful in their bid to return to the Premiership.  more...

Skipper prepared to pledge his future to Wanderers

SELLARS WANTS NEW DEAL SCOTT Sellars is ready to pledge his future to Bolton Wanderers - irrespective of whether they are successful in their bid to return to the Premiership.  more...

RUGBY: Leigh coach demands instant tonic

IAN Millward has set his Leigh Centurions' side a new target. The Hilton Park coach has singled out tonight's game against Oldham at Spotland as the starting point of another winning sequence.  more...

Burnley News

Burnley Blues Festival: Another day in blues heaven

AS THE sun rose high in the clear blue sky on the second day of the festival, it was the fringe that kept the flag flying until Reconsider took the Mechanics main stage at 5pm.  more...

Wreckers on roof

FAMILIES were left dodging missles thrown from the roofs of nearby houses in two late-night incidents.  more...

Housing chairman threatens to quit

HOUSING chairman Rafique Malik talked of resigning when Labour bosses refused to back Daneshouse as the focus for a £25million government cash bid, Burnley Council leader Stuart Caddy revealed.  more...

Disabled pupils' £2.9m school boost

SEVEN East Lancashire schools will get a share of a £2.9 million government package to improve access for the disabled in North West schools.  more...

Rambling a tribute to ex-Labour leader Smith

GOVERNMENT legislation giving ramblers the "right to roam" on open and uncultivated countryside will be a suitable memorial to former Labour leader John Smith, Burnley MP Peter Pike has claimed.  more...

Dirty dogs are foul play

DOG fouling on public streets and land has brought hundreds of complaints from residents, says council Liberal Democrat leader Gordon Birtwistle.  more...

Clitheroe News

Man on 'Gentle Giant' murder charge

A MAN has been charged with the murder of Anthony Leecy, whose body was found in a brook in Clitheroe.  more...

Colne News

Spring sunshine is good for flower show

STUNNING daffodils filled Barnoldswick Civic Hall as the town's horticultural society staged its fourth annual spring flower show.  more...

Paedophile-warning family terrorised

A TERRIFIED family accused of harbouring a paedophile today said they were too scared to leave their home.  more...

Rawtenstall News

Fanciers flock to aid Jo's op appeal

PIGEON fanciers flocked to Stacksteads for the sale of the century to raise money to send a teenager to America for a life-saving heart and lung operation.  more...

  
Restrict search to 5 April 1999