The Clitheroe Thursday, November 6th, 2003 No. 6,122 vertiser andTimes news and views from the Centre of the Kingdom www.cntheroetoday.co.uk Price 52p ■


AT A GLANCE


A Ribble Valley drug baron’s attempt to reduce his 17-year jail sentence fails.


mi .....- ....—page 10


Clitheroe’s Bonfire Night is a spectacular success.


page 3


A former Blues chairman hopes for a return to Shawbridge post.


"n.M.. page 36


Amelia (five) invites Lan­ cashire’s residents to look into the county’s future.


......—— page 9


A former Advertiser and Times reporter wins top novel award.


.................


WEEKEND WEATHER: A fairly cloudy, week­ end, becoming colder, with storniy weather possible on Sunday.


SUNRISE: 7-16 a.m. SUNSET: 4-29 p.m.


LIGHTING UP TIME: 4-29 p.m.


.......page 3 CALLUS


News: 01200422324 Advertising: 01200422323 Classified: 01282 422331 Fax: 01200 443467


Editorial e-mail: vivien.mcath@ castlancsnews.co.uk


Head speaks out over drugs after suspensions


A RESPECTED head teacher has reinforced his opposition to drug use after revelations that 17 pupils were suspended from his school in July. This week, Mr Anthony McNamara,


head of St Augustine’s RC High School, Billington, described how an investiga­ tion before th e summer holidays revealed that the pupils had been using cannabis. "We registered our anger and disap­


pointment. We tackled it and sent a clear message out that we mean business”, he told the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times. The pupils involved were suspended for


periods ranging from a few days to several weeks.


Mr McNamara is now determined to


ensure tha t the youngsters are not demonised and that they, along with all other pupils at the school, receive advice and support regarding the drug issue, particu­ larly as the suspension periods have been completed and all involved have returned to school. "They have done their punishment.


There have been tears in different houses and parents have been upset. “We now want to make sure that these


youngsters get through their GCSEs and leave school with their heads held high," he added, explaining that the investigation was started after teachers became concerned when a group of children appeared to behave abnormally during a school trip.


Staff discovered that others were


involved and a number were found in the school grounds with the drug. As a result Mr McNamara decided to


make absolutely sure that it was understood thatheandhisstaff would not tolerate drug


use. “Drugs are just one issue, one which is


part of a much broader subject," he said, adding "but cannabis is illegal, so we took a hard line on it". The headteacher expressed his extreme


concern and that of his staff that substance misuse often led to children becoming involved with "seedy characters." The school would, he said, do all it possi­


bly could to protect its pupils and alert them to the very real dangers which were outside.


He stressed that all issues regarding sub­


stance use which can develop into problems for children will be discussed at an aware­ ness evening this month, arranged for teachers and parents. He added that drugs, alcohol, eating dis­


orders, smoking, even chocolate, can become real problems for children which have to be examined in a broad context so that the actions taken and decisions made are appropriate. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said:


“This is an issue that has been promptly resolved. “The school can now get on with provid­


ing the excellent education that everyone in the Ribble Valley knows it for.”


Village PO milks a good deal for farmers by1 Vivien Meath


MILKING a good idea for all i t is worth is Chatburn Post Office! On Sunday, owners Martin


and Abigail Turner took delivery of their first supplies of Bowland Fresh milk. The couple are keen to ensure


th a t residents and visitors to Chatbum have the opportunity to buy local goods whenever pos­ sible and the latest product to feature on their shelves looks cer­ tain to be a winner. "We can get the milk cheaper,


The latest kitchen


appliances


in stock for Christmas


X


the local farmers are paid more money and it is better for every­ one," said Mrs Turner. I t was during the summer of


2002 that the Northern super­ market chain Booths launched its trailblazing marketing initia­ tive which meant that milk from the cows on 15 local family-run farms was supplied to 26 of the company's supermarkets in the North-West. Milk from farms in the area of


Outstanding Natural Beauty between Dunsop Bridge and Sabden and Whitewell to Pendle­


ton is.still collected by tanker ‘ each day for bottling and distrib­ ution to the company's super­ markets over an area between Keswick and Ilkley, Knutsford and Windermere. Now the farm­ ers involved are hoping th a t , other outlets, as well as Booths, will also decide to stock it. This week, Chatburn Post


Office became the first, thanks to.. West Bradford resident Mr John Nelson. He already provides the village store with local cooked meats, cheese and ham and is confident that others will quickly follow in Mr and Mrs Turner's footsteps. Mr William Slinger, one of the


three farmer directors of the scheme, has welcomed the move. "It is three years since I knocked on Booths' door," he recalled, adding th a t many farmers believe there are far too many people involved in the supply chain, all taking a cut. "I feel the customer can buy a


better product for less and it has proved quite lucrative. We have had quite a lot of interest since we started. The milk is fully traceable and we hope to provide a Bowland Fresh cream next


MR SLINGER


toasts the new deal with one of the “pro­


duction staff”! (C031103/5b)


Police praise for


Hallowe’en revellers PENDLE HILL was teeming with Hallowe’en revellers on Friday night, but police reported no major problems. They had anticipated a large number of peo­


ple visiting the spooky landmark and prepared well, working in partnership with other agencies including borough and county councils, coun­ tryside wardens and the local mountain rescue


team. Measures taken, for reasons of public safety,


included a temporary one-way system and 30 m.p.h. speed limit on the narrow roads around the hill, plus temporary parking restrictions. Visitors to the hill were urged to wear suitable


clothing, carry torches and mobile phones and stay in groups. Leaflets highlighting safety on the moors were handed out. Despite a cold and occasionally wet night, the revellers were out in force for their Pendle pil­


grimage. There was even a big wheel and other fair­


ground attractions on the car parks over the Nick of Pendle, plus various hot food vans. The biggest headache for police was parking,


with some drivers choosing to ignore the tempo­ rary restrictions preventing parking on narrow sections of road. Several parking tickets were issued and, in cases where vehicles were parked dangerously,


some were towed away. However, Clitheroe Police Insp. Bob Ford said


for the most part the operation had gone well. “There was no crime or disorder and people


were good-humoured, despite the weather. Cars were parked right the way down to Sabden and some people had a long walk. “My biggest fear was for safety and some peo­


ple were poorly dressed. A lot of people wore Hallowe’en costumes, but wearing black cloth­ ing on a completely unlit road is not a good


idea.” Insp. Ford thanked all those who heeded the


police’s previous advice to either stay away from the hill or behave sensibly during their visit.


HOWARTH & J EPSON


year in response to customer demand". The deal has meant that the


farmers are between 10% and 15% better off than if they sold the milk on the open market. "This can be ploughed back


into effective land management in the area of outstanding nat­


ural beauty - keeping it beauti­ ful for locals and visitors alike," emphasised Mr Slinger. Meanwhile Booths will con­


tinue to supply and support Bowland Fresh milk, in line with the company's policy of providing the best local foods wherever possible.


And, as residents in and


around Chatburn wake up to creamy Bowland Fresh, Mr Nelson hopes other small shops and outlets will follow Mr and Mrs Martin's initiative by contacting him, tel. 01200 444017/07976374310.


Police launch dawn raid on suspected drug dealer


by Duncan Smith


A SUSPECTED drug dealer in Clitheroe was given an early morning wake-up call on Mon­ day, courtesy of the police. Specially trained officers in full


JUST ARRIVED


^ESPRESSO COF FE E SYS


PICTURED are specially trained officers about to


' smash open the door, above; and


right, carrying out a detailed search of the suspected offender’s property


protective clothing mounted an early morning drugs raid in the Low Moor area of town, arresting one man suspected of dealing in Class A drugs. . As the day was dawning and


many in the town were still asleep, - officers used a batterin g ram to smash open the triple-locked door of the property and rush inside. They hoped that by catching the suspect­ ed offender by surprise, a detailed search of his home might turn up


further evidence of criminal activity. Monday morning’s raid - carried


out with professional skill and effi­ ciency by officers trained in forced entry and search techniques - was one of two taking place simultane­ ously at addresses in the Ribble Val­ ley.


The other was in the Whalley


area. I t was the first time that warrants


had been executed under Operation Nimrod, Lancashire Constabulary's high-profile crackdown on suspected


, drug dealers. The starting point is intelligence


gathering, with, in many cases, months of detailed investigation into suspected offenders and their activi- ties.before an arrest is made. That work can include conventional obser­


vation of suspects, gathering video evidence and even test purchases by undercover officers who have gained the trust of alleged dealers. . Despite the intense secrecy sur­


rounding the investigation leading up to an arrest, the arrest itself is deliberately high profile. I t helps to reassure the public that, while they may not be aware of it, there is con­ siderable work going on all the time to identify suspected dealers, gather evidence against them and ultimate­ ly to convict them. Invited to observe Monday’s raid


in Low Moor were two members and two officers of Ribble Valley Bor­ ough Council, and the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, as represents


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