2 Clitheroe Advertiser & Tirhesl Septemfeer 2nd,'2'004 ■ Valley Ma t ters......................


INSIDE YOUR CUTHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES .........6, 7


■ Village N ew s ........................... ■ Letters ...................................... ■ Weekendplus ......................... ■ Weekend TV .......................


■ Family Notices......................... ■ Readersplus ............................. ■ J o b s ...............................


.......


■ Propertyplus.................. ■ Motorsplus........... ................... ■ Sport ........................................


AT A GLANCE...


Stolen tractor driven 70 miles -p a g e s Gardeners turn out in force - pages


Relief as sun shines on show - -page 14 TV star to join sponsored run - -page 22


INFORMATION


Duty chemist: Heyes Chemist, 35 Moor Lane, Clitheroe: Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. Police: 01200 443344. Fire: In emergency 999 and ask for fire service. Electricity: 08001954141. Gas: 0800111999. Water: 0845 462200.


Councils: Ribble Valley Borough Council, Clitheroe 425111. Clitheroe Town Council, 424722. Hospitals: Blackburn Royal Infirmary: 01254 263555. Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn: 01254 263555. Airedale General Hospital, Steeton: 01535 652511. Clitheroe Community Hospital: 427311. Alcohol Information Centre: 01282 416655. AidsUne: 01282 831101 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Domestic Violence Helpline: 01282 422024. Cruse Bereavement Care: Blackburn, Hymdbum and Rib­ ble VaUey 01254 207999.


Environmental Agency: Emergency Hotline - 0800 807060.


Drugs: Local confidential advice and information line: 01200 444484. National: 0800 776600. Ribble Valley Talking Newspaper: 01200 428604. Samaritans: 01254 662424.


Monthly Volunteer Helpline: 01200 422721. Lancashire Rural Stress Network: 01200 427771. QUEST (specialist smoking cessation service): 01254 358095. Ribble Valley Citizens’ Advice Bureau: 01200 428966.


CONTACT US! News: 01200 422324


Advertising: 01200 422323 Classified: 01282 422331 Fax: 01200 443467


editor e-mail: vivien.meath@eastlancsnews.co.uk news editor e-mail: duncan.smith@easllancsnews.co.uk sport e-mail: edward.lce@easllancsnews.co.uk


WEATHER


DUNSOP bridge ■


CHIPPING ■ SLAIDBURN ..X ^


CLITHEROE H ■ WHALLEY ■ READ


LANGHO ■ ■ BURNLEY -----A t BLACKBURN I


WEEKEND WEATHER: Forecasters predict the weather will remain mostly dry today and tomorrow. Outbreaks of rain are expected later on Sunday.


SUNRISE: 6-19 a.m. SUNSET: 7-58 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME: 7-58 p.m.


■ ACCRINGTON ■ GISBURN ■ CHATBURN . . . 24,25


vinvw.clitheroetoday.co.uk


eiitlieroe i22324 (EdltoriaV), 42^^^^


Permit refused for kiln dust dumping


by Duncan Smith


CASTLE CEMENT has been refused permission to continue dumping Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) at its main disposal site. The Environment Agency has


announced it will not issue a permit for the company to continue using Coplow Quarry, Clitheroe, for the continued disposal of CKD. It has been disposing of CKD from


ment Officer for the agency in Lan­ cashire, said: "The agency does not believe a permit can be issued because there is a small but dis­ cernible risk of leachate contamina­ tion from the quarry. "The groundwater risk assessment


A CLITHEROE taek­ wondo club is alive and


■kicking - after receiving a grant for £6,750. Jakeun Bal Taekwondo


Club has been meeting and training at Roefield Leisure Centre for the past year. Its members, aged six to


16, learn self-defence tech­ niques and gain an insight into the martial art, which featured in the Olympic Games in Athens. In the future, members


hope to compete regularly against other clubs across the UK and the grant, awarded by the Local Area Network for Chil­ dren and Young People, will help to pay for these activities. I t will also buy vital


equipment and subsidise the cost of renting the leisure centre for training sessions and other events. Now the thriving club is


looking for more members and anyone aged six to 16 and interested in learning more can go to an open day at Roefield Leisure, Centre qn Saturday from


to replace its existing Waste Manage­ ment Licence with a new Pollution Prevention Control (PPC) permit and the agency has decided not to issue this because of fears of potential pollution from the quarry. Mr Phil Goodwin, Senior Environ­


its Ribblesdale Works into Coplow Quarry since the 1980s and the site is now almost full. However, the company is required


submitted with the application shows traces of the metal cadmium in groundwater boreholes, which appears to come from the quarry "In reaching its decision, the agen­


cy has had to take account of the 1998 Groundwater Regulations and the recently implemented European Landfill Directive, and under these regulations if there is any perceivable risk of such discharges then a permit cannot be issued." Despite the decision, Castle


Cement will not have to cease using the quarry immediately for the dis­ posal of CKD. Under the ruling, the company now has up to six months to appeal against the decision and can continue using the quarry in the meantime. The agency now plans to start dis­


cussions with Castle Cement to arrange the safe closure of Coplow Quarry in accordance with the r^uirements of the European Land­ fill Directive. Mr Goodwin said: "This announcement clearly puts pressure on Castle Cement to both reduce the amount of CKD produced from the cement making process and to find an alternative to disposing of


■


it at Coplow Quarry. We now hope to work with the company to find an acceptable solution to both issues as soon as possible." Castle Cement has submitted a


planning application to the county council for permission to use a part of Lanehead Quarry, Clitheroe, as a landfill site for CKD. Castle Cement will also need to apply for a permit to operate the landfill site. Responding to the Environment


Agency’s decision, Mr Gareth Price, general manager at the Ribblesdale Works, said: “Castle Cement’s cur­ rent landfill site at Coplow Quarry is nearly full and the company applied for planning permission for a new landfill site within its Lanehead Quarry in February 2003. “Castle Cement will be submitting


an application to the Environment Agency for a PPC permit for disposal of cement kiln dust later this week. The new site is designed to meet and exceed all regulatory requirements.’’ Castle Cement is also working


closely with the Environment Agen­ cy to explore alternative fuels for the high-temperature cement kUns at its Ribblesdale Works.


‘Temporary’ PO closure


SABDEN Post Office is likely to close temporarily m October because the sub­ postmaster has resigned. . Post Office Ltd this week assured customers it would


do all it could to retain a post office service in Sab- den.


ing the vacancy, either by buying the existing Whal- ley Road premises or offer­ ing alternative premises, should call 0846 6016260.


PACT meet


TO help gather ideas on how policing in Clitheroe c ^ be improved, two spe­ cial PACT — Police and Communities Together- meetings are being held next week.


Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. a t Clitheroe Cricket Club and is for residents of the Chatbum Road area. The second takes place on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Clitheroe Rugby Club, in Littlemoor Road, and is for residents in that part of town.


Found dead


A 39-YEAR-OLD Clith­ eroe man was found dead in his home on Monday evening. The man, who has been


1 . • ’■S r . • m


identified by police as Mr Christopher John Holden, was found at his home in The Crescent by ambu­ lance crews at around 7-30 p.m. Pohee have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances.


Care number


THE new number for the out-of-hours medical care for the Ribble Valley is now fully operational. The single number to


2 to 4 p.m. New faces are also welcome at the week­ ly Tuesday night training sessions, held from 5 to 6-


30 p.m. Or for more infor­ mation contact instructor


Philip Richardson on 07812147895.


Our picture shows Mr


Richardson with some of his taekwondo pupils.


(T310804/9) Write to my son in Thai prison, pleads dad c'oiiliniu'd I'roiii pace 1


-lems and many have Aids, TB and other serious diseases. “Chris is frightened to death that


he may catch something. He has to sleep on a concrete floor with only one blanket, and has lost a lot of weight and most of his teeth due to a poor diet.


“He suffers a great deal from


dehydration, as it is unbearably hot, and he can never have a minute on his own.


Mr Egan visits Christopher regu­ larly and has been given a special


allowpce by the Thai authorities to see him for two hours every week­ day. Normally the visiting times are just two hours per week. He added: “We are trying to live


as normal a life as possible, but we are living every parent’s nightmare. “We both are keeping our fingers


crossed for Christopher’s early release.”


Mr Egan, who was national trea­


surer for Round Table, praised the remarkable efforts of everyone from the Foreign Office and the embassy in Chiang Mai dealing with Christor pher’s case. He is urging people who


ters from people, especially those that he knew at school.


deal of comfort and provides him mth hope to face another day in the


horrific prison,” concluded Mr Egan. Anyone wishing to write to


Chratopher can do so by addressing Meir letters to: Christopher Egan, Chiang Mai Central Prison, 142 Chotana Road, Tambon Chang Puak, Muang District, 50300, Chi­ ang Mai, Thailand.


knew his son to write letters to him. Christopher loves receiving let­


“Reading letters gives him a great


ring in a non-999 out-of­ hours emergency is 0845 2262626 (local rate). This will connect people to the “intelligent network” of advisors, nurses and doc­ tors, who will assess the problem and decide on the correct level of care.


Bridge Club


WINNERS a t Clitheroe Bridge Club on Monday were: N/S Mr and Mrs R- Atkinson, Mrs J. Martin- dale and Mrs J. Taylor; E/W Mrs J. Bowker and Mrs K. Higson, Mr G. Wharfe and Mrs P. Mur­ ray. On Thursday, winners were: N/S Mr A. and Mr W. Norris, Mrs J. Martin- dale and Mrs D. Atkinson; E/W Mr and Mrs R- Ward, Mrs M. Foulds and Mrs J. Wheatcroft.


WMJ ^[»rt|ijir|Mn|ljM|linpinplll|nn|ijM|im|nxi|jin^ The first takes place on


to this area as soon as uos- sible.” Anyone interested in fill­


Chris Roberts said: “We apologise for any inconve­ nience this closure may cause, but I can assure cus- tomers that we are com­ mitted to restoring services


Rural Transfer Advisor


Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified)


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Father’s grim warning


pher Egan is warning young people to be on their guard when visiting Thailand and to stay well away from using or smuggling drugs in the country. Thousands of Britons visit Thailand every


to visitors to Thailand H


AVIN G witnessed the health- shattering conditions in Thai prisons, the father of Christo­


In an exclusive interview, Clitheroe


Advertiser and Times reporter FAIZA AFZAAL speaks to the father of


Christopher Egan, jailed for four years in Thailand for drug smuggling


year and many are attracted by the availabil­ ity of drugs, but Whalley resident Mr Tony Egan (62), is stressing that holidaymakers taking drugs will encounter harsh treatment. Thailand’s Prime Minister Thakshin Shi-


nawatra has declared war on drugs because of the high number of users in the country. Thai government officials make no apolo­


gies for their zero tolerance war on drugs, with no second chance for those caught fuelling the lethal trade. Until last year, people caught with drugs in


the country were executed by machine gun. Now they are either given life imprisonment or the death penalty via a lethal injection, with just two hours' notice for the chosen prisoner. Mr Egan, who is devastated by the living


conditions in Chiang Mai Central Prison, where his 34-year-old son, Christopher, who


went to teach English is serving a four-year jail sentence for narcotics offences, says the risk is not worth taking. He commented: “Anyone travelling to


Thailand must be aware of the drugs situa­ tion. “No way should they try to be clever and


smuggle drugs into the country to make some easy money, because the consequences are horrifying to say the least.” The former accountant is also warning peo­


ple always to be alert and not to leave their luggage insecure or unattended. He claims some Thais plant drugs on foreigners and make a profit from the arrest. He added: “Illegal drug use has been ram­


pant in Thailand for decades and several dozen drug dealers have been executed in recent years in an attempt to combat traf­ ficking. “I have been told that some Thai criminals


k


plant drugs on innocent holidaymakers and then report them to the police. .And when the innocent people are arrested, the criminals are given a cash reward.” According to Mr Egan, the prison where


Christopher, who is a former pupil of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Blackburn, is being kept is similar to the notorious “Bangkok Hilton”, where many western drug traffickers have been held in the past. Christopher, who could be home by Christ­


mas next year, regularly writes to his parents describing the conditions as “a living hell”. In a three-page heartbreaking letter to his


parents, dated July 22nd, Christopher wrote: “When I arrived here people told me i t would become easier the longer I was here. “.As far as I am concerned, nothing could be


further from the truth. “Each day is worse than the last. Each


night I am tom between longing for today to be over and dreading tomorrow even starting. “Each day I am convinced I cannot possi­


bly feel any lower than I do today. “And then tomorrow comes along and


proves I am totally wrong in this way of thinking. “ I know th a t I will always be more depressed tomorrow than I am today.”


Christopher is no hero, so let his tale be a warning to others


IN the poem repro­ duced below, Christo­ pher gives an insight into his feelings as he sits in his cell waiting for the day he will be released and be allowed to return home.


No space to laugh No space to cry No space to relax No space to be shy No space to create No space to dream No space to speak No space to scream No space to remember No space to hurt No space to kiss No space to flirt No space to sleep No space to lie down No space to read No space to frown No space to breathe No space to protest No space to enjoy No space to detest No space to eat No space to drink No space for secrets No space to think No space for mistakes No space to ask why No space for “if onlys” Just space to die.


by the Editor WHAT Christopher Egan did was


wrong. This newspaper does not intend to set


out to portray him as a hero. His story is a stark warning to many. By his own admission, Christopher


was a drug addict. We do not condone that. He is, however, now paying the price


in a Thai prison. He eats, drinks, sits, sleeps, writes and reads on the concrete floor of a 6ft. by 7ft. cell. There is a light on 24 hours a day and he has not seen "darkness, the night sky or the stars" since his arrest. "I do not want pity or sympathy


from anyone regarding my miserable situation," he writes. "Any pity or sympathy can be saved


for my poor family who could not have been more supportive, loving helpful, loyal or caring than they have been ever since the moment they learned of my a r re s t ..... I am undeserving of their love. My parents are my idols - you could not meet a finer pair of human


beings." I t was Christopher's inability to cope


with the situations around him that led to reliance on amphetamines as a means of escape. He tells us that he was robbed of his


business by his partner; he lost a close friend in the World Trade Center on 9/11 - speaking to Christopher by mobile phone as the building's first


THIEVES and vandals who attempted to break into a silver Honda CR-V over the Bank Holi­ day weekend left empty-handed. Police are appealing for informa­


tion after offenders used a sharp instrument to open the driver’s side


tower collapsed, and that he was in fear of his life after being made homeless. He was then, he says, "set up" by a


Thai drug dealer who, he later discov­ ered, had turned police informant in a bid to keep himself out of a Thai jail. In a letter written on "Day 150" he


writes: "Each day is worse than the last even though you are sure each and every day that tomorrow could not pos­ sibly be worse than today and it always is." Ironically Christopher was about to


return home when he was arrested. He had, he says, not taken drugs for two days in preparation for his flight to England. "I knew I was on a suicide mission and needed help soon if I want­ ed to live anything like a normal, healthy life. I guess I realised I would end up dead soon if I did not get myself back to the UK." Owed money by his dealer, he visited


him in a bid to collect it. I t was there, he says, that he was confronted by gun- wielding police. His "friend," he says, placed eight tablets in his bag and three more in a bowl. The money he had paid to Christopher included marked police notes. I t is impossible to begin to imagine


how his parents have coped during the months their son has spent in prison. For them, his incarceration in a Thai prison is a continual nightmare. They have made frequent visits to the coun­ try and are counting the days until his release at the end of 2005. Our thoughts are with them.


Thieves leave empty-handed after car break-in attempt fails


door of the vehicle while it was parked at Clitheroe Golf Club’s car


park. When it failed to open, the van­


dals gained entry by smashing the


window. The.v tampered with the ignition


until the alarm activated, at which point they escaped unseen. Inquiries are continuing into the


incident, which took place between 11-45 a.m. and 12-45 p.m. on Sun­ day, but if you can help, please call Clitheroe police on 01200 443344.


f a x s 0 1 2 0 0 4 4 2 9 9 1 '


Ultraframe Retail Division Salthill Road, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 1 PE www.ultraframe-c6nservatories.co.uk


w odd class conscn atoiy systems ultra! i CHRISTOPHER in Thailand before his arrest (s) I


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, September 2nd, 2004 3


m I


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