Support floods in for head in Christmas ban controversy


THE national press swooped on a quiet Ribble Valley village this week after a local headteacher cancelled Christmas as a punishment for pupils


bad behaviour. As reported in the


Advertiser and Times last week, the head of Slaid- burn's Brennand's Endowed School, Mrs Bar­ bara Milne-Redhead, can­ celled festive a c t iv itie s after staff became fed up of youngsters being rude, answering back and using bad language The story has sparked interest from both the local


______________ by Vicky Carlin


and national press and has even been featured on North-West Tonight. But the media attention has aggravated s taff at the school. A spokesperson said: "We don't know what all the fuss is about." Since the story broke,


support has been flooding in for Mrs Milne-Redhead,


‘Bizarre story’ man is jailed for six months


A R IB B L E V A L L E Y man who was sent to prison earlier this year for horse neglect is back in


custody. John Robert Layland


(62), from Newsholme, near Gisburn, was found guilty by magistrates at Skipton of driving while disqualified and jailed for six months. He denied the offence,


but was accused by the prosecution of "concocting


a bizarre story". Chairman of the bench


Mr John Bailey told him: "This sentence has been imposed in view of your previous dreadful record and obvious refusal to obey court orders." PC Les Moorhouse, of


Settle, described how he stopped Layland when he was driving on the Wig- glesworth - Long Preston road on September 12th. He was arrested. But Miss Christine Mar­


garet Green, a local govern­ ment worker in Skipton, said she was driving the car,


as she had done since hers was written off in June. She denied a prosecution


suggestion that what she said was not true and that she was trying to get Lay- land out of a spot. "He knows that if he drives our relationship is over, but he has not done so since he was disqualified in the summer," Miss Green told the bench. Layland said that Green


had been driving, with her greyhound in the front seat of the car. But when they were stopped, he told Miss Green he would see the officer to stop her being troubled by the police again. The defendant denied a


prosecution suggestion that the whole story had been fabricated because he knew what a serious posi­ tion he was in. He had been banned until May,


1998. He was ordered to pay


£250 costs and was banned from driving for three years.


who has been head of the school for seven years. She has received many phone calls and letters from par­ ents supporting her action and has also had backing from the teaching staff and school governors. Mrs Milne-Redhead's


action involved bringing down the curtain on the annual Nativity play, call­ ing off the Christmas lunch and banning classroom dec­ orations. But she has stressed that the cancella­ tion is an isolated incident and that it would be "busi­ ness as usual" at the begin­ ning of the new term. Rehearsals for the Nativ­


i ty play, scheduled for today, were immediately cancelled, along with the children's favourite meal of the year. There will be no decorations to brighten the classrooms, nor, it is under­ stood, wi l l there be a Christmas tree in the hall. The punishment applies


only to the juniors at the 51-pupil school. Father Christmas will still deliver presents to the infants. Speaking to the Daily


Mail on Saturday, clerk to the governors Mr Donald Boardman said of the deci­ sion: "Th e head teacher works under some very dif­ ficult circumstances and I think most parents appre­ ciate this. "They want their chil­


dren to be given a good education. Anything that disrupts teaching has to be dealt with and the gover nors always support the headteacher when it comes to discipline." Mrs Milne-Redhead was


unavailable for further comment at the time of going to press.


Prices reflect problems in agriculture


M A R T prices were this week reflecting the problems faced by those in the agricultural livestock


trade. Clitheroe Auction Mart


reported little prospect of any immediate improvement, with butchers struggling to find out­ lets for beef against a backdrop of increasing imports daily and lit­ tle prospect of an immediate lift. A t Tuesday’s sale, there were


30 calves forward. Friesian bulls made to £79,


Limousin to £134, Charolais to £106, Blonde to £90, heifers to £20 and Simmental heifers to"


£58. Newly-calved dairy cows


made to £530 ( average £510). On Monday, only the best


Friesians hit 90p and a small number of Continental bulls saw


atop of 115p. Prices:- Continental bulls: Light made


to 114.50p (110.90p), medium to 107.50p (104.16p), overall to 114.50p(107.53p). Native bulls: Light made to


78.50p, medium to 86.50p (83.07p), overall to 86.50p


(82.16p). Continental steers: Light


made to 82.50p, medium to 86.50p (85.53p), heavy to 90.50p (88.22p), overall to 90.50p (86.63p). Na t iv e steers: Medium to 89.50p (86.24p), heavy to 88.50p


(84.19p), overall to 89.50p (85.07p). Continental heifers: Medium


to 100.50p (87.95p), overall to 100.50p(87.95p). Native heifers: Medium to


65.50p, overall to 65.50p. There was a further reduction


in the price of iambs and ewes. The most interest was shown


in the best Suffolks and Texels. Many vendors were presenting what appeared to be their last draw of lambs. Suffolks and Tex- eis over 40kg were in the early 80*s, with Mules around 70p per


kg. Best Mules were up to £33.50,


Lonks to £28.50, Swales to £20, Scotch Ewes to £19, Texels to £49.50 and Charolais to £39.50. Prices: Lambs: Light made to 73.33p,


standard to 94.59p (81.54p), medium to 87.06p (78.26p), heavy to 86.02p (74.38p), over­ weight to 85.71p (67.92p), over­ all to 94.59p (78.23p). Ewes made to £49.50


(£22.49) and rams to £31 (£28). A t Friday's sale of store cat­ tle, there were nearly 100 ani­


mals forward. The day's business was


improved with a good entry of Mule and Texel in-lamb Ewes and store lambs. Broken-mouthed Mules for


February reached £53 per head, correct Mules a pound or two stronger, while some February Shear Texels reached £81 per head. Suffolk Store lambs fell fractionally short of £30 per head and Horned Wethers achieved £18 per head.


‘Resign’ call to councillor fails


A BOROUGH councillor's demand for one of his col leagues to resign or apologise over remarks he made regarding charges for senior citizens has failed. At the recent full council meeting, Coun. Bert Jones


(Low Moor) put forward a motion for Coun. Harry Backhouse (Waddington) to withdraw comments he made about charges for recreational facilities at the last Community Committee meeting, but his attempt was unsuccessful when a seconder for the motion could not be


found. Coun. Jones considered Coun. Backhouse's remarks to


be "ill-considered and offensive".


Money is found for new school


at Sabden A N EW village school for Sabden moved a step closer


this week. On Tuesday, the scheme


which will see St Mary's RC School replaced with a brand new building was given the final seal of approval by the Govern­


ment. Lancashire County


Council had hoped to get a share of the cash available for school building projects


in the latest round of Gov- . ernment spending. And this week the LE A ,


was told it would be get­ ting £436,000 from the Government and diocese towards the cost of replac­ ing the village's Victorian


school. The total cost of the pro­


ject has been estimated at £740,000 - with the bal­ ance being made up by the county council. Plans for the new school,


which will be built on the p laying fields in Watt Street, have already been drawn up and staff, pupils and governors were just waiting for the final seal of approval from the Govern­


ment. / ,


Varied haul in village burglary


BU RGLARS who brpke into a house in Read escaped with property val­ ued at £700. The incident happened


between 4-25 p.m. and 5-30 p.m. on Tuesday. Entry was gained to the village centre property through a ground-floor patio door. A Panasonic video


recorder, valued at £300, was taken, along with a gold chain valued at £200, and an antique silver watch chain valued at £200. The intruders then made off, undetected, through the back garden. Anyone with any infor­


mation is urged to call Clitheroe police on 01200 443344.


‘Puss in Boots’ purrs to success


READ and Simonstone Players' production of "Puss in


Boots" was a roaring success. Three evening performances and a matinee saw sold-


out signs go up outside Read United Reformed Church. .Producer of the panto was Doreen Collinson, Puss was


Lesley Wild, John was played by Sue Lightbown, the Merchant by Peter Benson, Dame by Clifton Pollard, merchant's daughter by Lauren Chimside, James by Alec Slater and the ogre by Peter Bolton. Children from the two villages also took part in the


pantomime - some as animals, others as villagers and oth­ ers as the ogre's sons and daughters. (CAT14931)


Band’s centenary offer to benefit a local charity


THE sound of brass could


help your charity or local organisation soar into the New Year. ' Slaidburn Brass Band has brought thousands of people pleasure during a century of making music. Now, as a thank you, the


band is offering its services free for a special one-off


Benefit payments dates over Christmas


PENSIONS, child benefits and other allowances due for collection on Christ­ mas Day can be collected from post offices today instead. Those due on Boxing Day are available


from tomorrow, while New Year's Day payments will be available on Monday,


December 29th. All local post offices are open to at least


12-30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. They will then close until Saturday, December 27th, when normal trading hours will apply. They will also be open as usual on New


Year's Eve. Baptists enjoy a seasonal buffet


gala performance. The band is launching its


centenary celebrations at its annual Christmas con­ cert and dance at Newton on Saturday. During the evening, a


draw wi l l be made to decide who will benefit by the one-off performance. All fund-raisers have to


do is tune up by contacting the Clitheroe Advertiser’ and Times by noon tomor­ row. Let us have the name- of the charity, your own; contact details - name, address and daytime tele­ phone number. The concert wi l l take


place during 1988 at a venue selected and booked by the winner. The winner will also be responsible for concert tickets and pro­ grammes, but will keep all profits on behalf of their charity. More details are avail­ able from 01200 423855.


Moonlit Pendle PENDLE was sharply out­ lined by moonlight as 36 members of Clitheroe Ram­ blers set out on their annual evening walk. ' Starting from the Calf's


Head in Worston, the group walked briskly up the road past Hall Foot towards, Downham, before turning right into the bridleway, running below Little Mear-


ley Across the A59, the group


picked up the old Four Lane Ends-to-Worston road and followed it back to Worston and the Calfs Head, where a very good hotpot supper awaited them.. The next meeting is on


F IN E festive fare helped members o f Billington's Ebenezer Baptist Church to tuck into Christmas. The seasonal buffet featured as part of a Christmas party, organised by members of the church's social committee, which


concluded with a chorus of favourite carols. (CAT 14643)


Sunday and members.are asked to meet at Waterloo car park at 9-30 a.m., for Pendle Hill.


But yesterday chairman ‘ •■■■>■■■


of governors Fr P eter Birmingham said he was still waiting with baited breath to get the official confirmation about the news from the diocese or


LEA.


Waistline assault by


ramblers W H IT T L E away extra inches that may collect on the waistline over the fes­ tive season with a walk. • The Ramblers' Associa­


tion is organising 300 win­ ter walks nationwide,


including a series of local treks, to tempt those


'beached in their armchairs for the holidays into the


fresh air. - All the walks are free to


join, with the m a jo r ity between four and seven miles. The car park in the centre of Sabden is the starting point for a Christ­ mas Sunday,jau nt on December 28th, with an earlier Boxing Day venture planned from nearby Bar­ ley.


Further information on


these and other Lancashire walks can be obtained by sending a large SAE to the Ramblers' Association at 1- 5 Wandsworth Road, Lon- : don SW8 2XX, or by tele­ phoning its office on 0171 339 8556. .


Goes to hospital after flat fire


A C H IP pan f ire at a Clitheroe f la t led to the occupant being taken to hospital. M r Derek Hartley (63) inhaled some smoke during


the M ond ay evening drama in Waterloo Road, Clitheroe. He was detained for a time in Blackburn R oy al. Infirmary. The emergency services were soon at the scene; and fire­ fighters used breathing apparatus to tackle-the blaze. Some damage was caused to the flat.


DOWNHAM


Jolly A very jolly group of mem­


bers and friends of Downham and Twiston Gardening Club


enjoyed a festive meal at the Assheton Arms, Downham. A festive raffle of wine,


port, sherry and such result­ ed in the following winners: Carol Hanson, Lady Clitheroe, JuneRumfitt, Bob Whipp, Kath Swarbrick, Bernard Driver, Daphne Porter, Carole Ashworth. Entertainment was pro­


vided by the excellent Moor­ land Folk Group, based in Blackburn, and headed by Mr David Higginson, a well- known vet. The group was very professional and tapes and CDs were available for members to purchase. Thanks were extended to Mr and Mrs David Busby


for an excellent evening. At the next meeting, in the


WITH 1998 WORLD CUP CALENDAR GET YO U R V O U C H E R TH IS W E E K E ND IN :


THElEXPRESS


" When responding to advertisements...


Please mention the Clitheroe Advertiser


village hall on January 8th, Peter Foley, of Holden Clough Nursery, Bolton-by-Bowland, will speak about winter colour in the garden.


Pre-School Downham pre-school chil­


dren thank everyone who bought tickets and gave prizes for their Christmas raffle, espe- cially the Assheton Arms, Downham Post Office and The Falconry Centre, Settle. The first prize of a Christmas ham­ per was won by Mrs Rachel Wilkinson and over £300 was raised. Guess the name of the reindeer competition was won by Sarah Swarbrick - its name was "Christmas".


Anniversary Wedding anniversary


greetings, for 54 years of mar­ riage,were extended to the president of Downham WI, Mrs Elsie Barker, and her husband, Bill, at the Christ­ mas party of Downham WI. Mrs Barker welcomed 70


members, husbands and friends, including LFW I


president Mrs Audrey Weatherill and secretary Mrs Susan Orchard to the party. A report on the shopping


trip to York, which had proved to be very enjoyable,


was given by Mrs B. Hunt


and birthday cards were given to Mrs Dillon, Mrs Hanson, Mrs Barker and Mrs Wilson. Entertainment was in the


form of line dancing and the room was full of dancers learn­ ing the steps from caller John. When everyone was exhausted supper was served of chicken, beef, jacket potatoes and rice. A competition for an edible


table decoration was won by Mrs Elizabeth Wrigley, Mrs Val Eccles and Mrs Emily Edgar. Mrs Edgar also won the competition cup for most points throughout the year. A raffle, in aid of the


SuperScan Appeal, was won by Mrs Barker, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Edgar and Mrs Eccles, Mrs Irene Brindle stood in


for Mr Jim Parker in leading the traditional carol singing, accompanied by Mrs Kirsty Walmsley on piano.


Outings At the annual meeting of


Waddington W I Mrs Doreen Hammond thanked everyone for the support she had received during her time in office and treasurer Mrs Eliza­ beth Bradley gave a healthy financial report. The institute has lost two


highly valued members, the iate Mrs Joyce Milne, and Miss C. Moverley, who is now residing in a home in Clitheroe. The annual report described


outings members had enjoyed during an eventful year. VCO Mrs Margaret


Davies spoke briefly about making meetings interesting and member orientated. Officers elected were: Miss


Joyce Lockett (president), Mrs Nina Foster (secretary), Mrs Elizabeth Bradley (treasurer), Miss Hylda Emsden (vice- president), Mrs Violet Wood (Press), Mrs Pauline Sykes (outings secretary).


Skip The waste paper skip will


be outside Simonstone School from tonight for the monthly


Supper and entertainment followed during which three


young friends instructed members on line dancing, which was enjoyed by all.


collection tomorrow.


Carol A carol service will be held


on Sunday at St Peter's Church, Simonstone, at 6 p.m.


Refuse The weekly refuse collec­


tion, which normally takes place on Thursdays, will be on Wednesday next week and Friday the following week.


WADDINGTON


Network An air of festivity greeted


ladies of Waddington Methodist


(Network)


Women's Fellowship, when they met for their Christmas party. The schoolroom had been tastefully arranged with small tables and decorated with Christmas trimmings. The ladies were joined by


members and friends of St Helen's Church Mothers' Union. Readings were given by Mrs C. Greenwood, Mrs D. Knowles, Miss M. Bridge, Mrs M. Wood, Mrs F. Scott, Mrs N. Kay, Mrs S. Baines and Mr Tim Perkins. Musical items were presented by Mrs E. Spurgeon and her daughter Mrs I. Dugdale. A Jacob's join tea was


enjoyed by all and a collec­ tion taken for "Water Aid". At the next meeting on


January 15th Mrs M. Fogg will be guest speaker.


SAWLEY


Log fire A roaring log fire and sea­


sonal table decorations set the scene at Sawley WI Christmas meeting. President Mrs Rita Webb welcomed members and read a letter from Mrs Mar­ garet Dyson, a former WI member and village resident, who thanked everyone for flowers and a card taken to her by Mrs Walker and Mrs Giles. Mrs Ann Askew thanked Mrs Webb for all her hard work during her time in office. Guest speaker Mr Martin James was introduced and he


times being confined to a wheelchair, he still lives a var­ ied and interesting life, being a reporter and broadcaster on radio and also a volunteer for Crossroads Care Scheme. He gave an enthusiastic talk on two contrasting holidays he had taken. The first was to a small town, 36-hour train ride from Winnipeg, Canada, called Churchill, and he proceeded to show beautiful slides of the wildlife in the surrounding countryside. He then changed the scene entirely to a wanner climate in the middle east to a holiday in Dubai. Mrs Joyce


Walker thanked Mr James. A tasty supper followed,


served by the committee. Winner of the competition


was Mrs Vera Giles. At the next meeting, on


January 15th, Mr Trevor and Mrs Maureen Gate will talk about their experiences travelling in a microlight. New members are welcome.


WHALLEY


Advent candle Sunday morning's service


at Whalley > Methodist Church was led by the Rev. Chris Cheeseman. It was-a service of Holy Communion and 10 people were received into membership. /The service opened with


the Introit "New Every and continued


with the lighting of the advent candles, while the


congregation sang "The Holly and the Ivy". Bible readings were deliv-


ered by Mr I. Butler and Mr Colin Britcliffe. Mr Cheese-


man welcomed the new


members and the theme of his address was "The Word Made Flesh". The service closed with the congregation singing "Lo He Comes".


Concert "Joy to the World" is the


title of a Christmas concert by the A Cappella Singers, in


Whalley Methodist Church on Saturday at 7-30 p.m.


The Ribble Valley Mayor


Coun. Mrs Jenny Grimes will be present and the proceeds will go to the Whalley Uniformed Groups' Minibus Appeal.


SLAIDBURN


Good T ime : . Members of Slaidbu


YFC met in the village h for an entertaining gam evening and a good time w had by all. ■


Next week's meeting v


be.to discuss the Christir party and members are ask to be at the village hall for


45 p.m. New members i welcome, for further inquir telephone 01200 448634.


BARROW


Action Gr< Barrow A<


invites village to get in the fe joining memb around the C tomorrow at ( Salvation Ar again lead the


For more ini


tact M. Heyw 824256 or P. ]


01254 822652.


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