2 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, October 21st, 2004


INSIDE YOUR CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES


H Valley Matters...................................6,7 H Village News ...........................11,12,13 H Letters ...........................................26,27 H Weekendplus.......................... 28,29,30 B Family Notices.............................. 32,33 H Weekend TV ................................34,35 HReadersplus........................................38 B Property p a g e s___i ____. . . . 40 to 43 B J o b s ............................................44 to 46 B Motorsplus............................... 52 to 67 B Sport...........................................68t^72


AT A GLANCE... ^


Stamp duty protest to raise roof - page 5 Pupils show off green fingers - page 17 Castle set to become TV star - page 18 Children raise money for needy - page 39


INFORMATION


Duty chemist; Lloyds Pharmacy, 5 Church Street, Clitheroe; Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. Police; 01200 443344. Fire; In emergency 999 and ask for fire service. Electricity; 0800 1954141. Gas; 0800 111999. Water; 0845 462200. Councils; Kibble 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. Aidsline; 01282 831101 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Domestic Violence Helpline; 01282 422024. Cruse Bereavement Care; Blackburn, Hyndburn and Kib­ ble Valley 01254 207999. Environmental Agency; Emergency Hotline - 0800 807060. Drugs; Local confidential advice and information line; 01200 444484. National; 0800 776600. Kibble 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. Kibble 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@eastIancsncws.co.uk news editor e-mail; duncan.smilh@castlancsncws.co.uk sport e-mail; cdward.lec@castlancsnews.co.uk


WEATHER


vrow.clitheroetoday.co.uk


Clilheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising) Burnley 422331 (Cla'ssifi^''


Youngster faces £4,000 legal bill


A NINE-YEAR-OLD Clitheroe boy could face a legal bill of up to £4,000 after making a “no win, no fee” com­ pensation claim. Jamie Bailey, of


Mitchell Street, Clitheroe, was involved in a car acci­ dent in 1998 when he was only three years old.


V His mother, Dawn (27), was driving a car which was hit by another vehicle on Pendle Road in Clitheroe. JamieJiad to be hospitalised overnight after the crash and was treated for whiplash and bruising. Later th a t year, his


father Bob (33), a street cleaner, was persuaded to claim for compensation on a day trip out to the Royal Lancashire Show after being approached by an Accident Group salesman. The salesman assured


him that he would pay no fee if he did not win the claim. Bob was also repeatedly reassured that there was no chance of him having to pay out any­ thing as it would all be cov­ ered by insurance. Bob agreed to take out


legal insurance for the claim at a cost of £840. He was told he would not have to pay anything and that if he signed the loan agree­ ment with the First National Litigation Fund­ ing Pic, that would cover everything. . They were also told^that


if they won the damages, they would be paid out from the other side or if they lost, the insurance would pay out. When the case went to court, Jamie was awarded £1,000 for his injuries, but as he was a


" / . 'i . '. ;s vS Whist win tSOLO whist winners at


A. Hartley, Mrs K. Mac Donald, Mr B. 'Wood.


New players welcome


every Monday at 7 p.m. Bridge winners at the Pendle Club were: Mrs


Frances Porter, Mr Joe Lynch, Mrs Pat Parkes and partner.


New members welcome


on Mondays at 1-30 p.m. Domino winners were: Mrs. M. Parkes, Mrs J


Joyce, Mrs M. Tomlinson, Mr J. Pye, Mr G, Berry. New members welcome


every Friday at 7 p.m. Sequence dancing is


held every Tuesday at 7- 30 p.m. and line dancing every Thursday at 1-30 p.m. New members always welcome.


A wise MP


WISE words from Kibble Valley MP Nigel Evans earned him a place in the Yorkshire Post’s “Words of the Week” column. Printed each Saturday,


it is a collection of notable quotes - some serious, some humourous - from the previous week. Mr Evans, who enjoys a


pint of the landlord’s finest, was quoted assay­ ing: “If we pull our fingers out and win the next elec­ tion there is every chance that I can be chairman off the All Party Beer Group. And people think I lack ambition.”


Blood donors


minor, this was paid into a court fund to be looked after until he turned 18. However, any victory


celebrations were short­ lived, as Jamie has now received a bill from First National who gave him the loan for £1,600. The inter­ est on the loan is currently building up at £20 per month and by the time Jamie receives his £1,000,


he will owe more than £4,000. Commenting on the issue. Bob said they would never fall for anyone selling “no win, no fee” compensation again. He added there was no


way the family could afford to pay the loan back.


Accident Group folded


last year leaving thousands of people unsure of how


their claims will be resolved. Elton Ashworth, of


solicitors Houldsworths, Clitheroe, is now repre­ senting the family. He said: “It’s a lesson for


everyone, read what you sign and if you do have an accident go straight to the solicitors, not to a man with a clipboard.” (A191004/5)


NEW and existing blood donors are urged to attend donor sessions to be held next Wednesday at West Bradford Village Hall. They take place at the


hall, in Grindleton Road, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 5-30 p.m. to 7- 30 p.m. on October 27th. Giving blood is quick,


easy and virtually pain­ less, but could save some­


one’s life. One day that someone


could be you. Eccles cakes set to stay on the menu at village bakery


ECCLES cakes are here to stay inReadl The new owners of The,Vil­


lage Bakery have given an assurance that the traditional Lancashire cake, which has been axed by a national bakery chain due to a drop in sales, will still be on the menu. • “It is one of the best selling


WEEKEND WEATHER; Forecasters predict Saturday will remain cloudy with outbreaks of showers, but Sun­ day is set to be brighter.


SUNRISE; 7-47 a.m. SUNSET; 6 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME; 6 p.m.


cakes, but the most popular ones at the moment are the meringue snow figures and gin­ gerbread men,” said Mr Kevin Bartram who launched the start of a new era at the Whal- ley Road shop when he bought it with his business partner and colleague, Mr Paul Morton. For the shop was previously


run by three generations of the Grainger family. Admitting that it was a daunting task to take on such a well established business, Mr Bartram, (54),


who has worked in the confec­ tionery and bakery business all his life, said: “The response from customers has been fan­ tastic and the staff here are tremendous, everyone works really hard together, that is the secret to success.” Mr Bartram and Mr Mor­


ton, (32) decided to go it alone when the baker they worked for in Clayton-le-Moors sold up. Although used to the machin­ ery, working for themselves has proved to be one of the hardest aspects of the venture. Espe­ cially when it involves getting up at 4 a.m. sb: days a week as everything the shop sells, apart from doughnuts, is made on the premises. Our picture shows Mr Bar­


tram and Mr Morton at the bakery.


(G191004/2) .... ............ ,..111111111 , ^1 l_gl


RIBBLE valley MP Nigel Evans is calling for a controversial new sec­ ondary schools admissions policy to be scrapped. Under the new co-ordinated policy,


Ribble Valley pupils who are in their final year at primary school will be asked to list their top three preferred secondary schools. Unlike previous years, parents will


also have to include the Ribble Valley’s only grammar school - Clitheroe Royal Grammar School - in their choices if they want their child to attend there. Local parents are concerned that


under this system if they place CRGS as first choice but then their child does


he Pendle Club were' Mr


Clitlieroe. 422324 (Editqrial), 422323 (Advertisin.g), Bprnley 422331 (Classifi.e.d)


www.ciitheroetoday.co.uk


Clitheroe Advertise; & Times, October 21st, 2004,3 MP’s call to scrap new school admissions system by Julie Wintle


not pass his or her 11-plus exam, there will be limited places left a t their sec­ ond and third choice schools. Some fear this could mean their chil­


dren will have to attend schools outside the borough. Lancashire County Council, which


as the local education authority is responsible for allocating school places, has made it clear that parental prefer­ ence will override any other considera­ tions, including success in the 11-plus exam. In other words, whatever school par­


ents name as their first preferred choice on the form will, if possible, be allocat­ ed, regardless of other factors. Forms must be returned to the child’s primary school by this Thurs­


day, while children will sit their 11- plus exam two weeks later on November 6th. Mr Evans said: “It is a disgrace that


parents and youngsters are forced to endure this anguish. The system of having a second choice is clearly a sham and must be changed immediate­ ly. Ribble Valley youngsters should always have first choice for Ribble Val­ ley schools. “This is a further example of spite


by a Government which detests gram­ mar schools and would prefer to see them closed. All I am asking for is the same choice that the Prime Minister had for his children when he sent them to the Oratory in London.” He added: “I have today written to


Thank you for supporting our Christopher!


Exclusive by Faiza Afzaal I


THE parents of Thai prisoner Christopher Egan have thanked Clitheroe Advertiser and Times readers for their support and for helping Christopher regain his confidence and happiness. Whalley residents 'Tony and Joan


Egan explained how Christopher had been inundated with letters from people who read of his plight in this newspaper (September 2nd edi­ tion). As a result, he was a lot happi­ er and mentally more stable. In a letter written on “Day 204”, Christopher revealed that he was


“pretty upbeat for once.” Speaking about the difference seen


in his son following the article, Mr Egan said: “His mood has per­ formed a U-tum. “He has turned from someone


very negative about life to someone who is looking forward to the future. “In a recent letter, he asked for a


set of 60 blank Christmas ca r^ for him to send out to his new friends and is more enthusiastic about life.” This is evident in a recent two- page letter written to his parents on


September 15th. “For once, you will be pleased to


know, I am lost for words,” (Jhristo- pher writes. “I didn’t receive just one letter - but a sackful. “All were from strangers who had


read about me in the Clitheroe Advertiser and were writing to me to


wish me all the best. It took me over two hours to read them all. Receiv­ ing the letters has meant the world to me and all the letters have been written in a manner tha t would restore anybody’s faith in the human


race.” Last month we revealed the


health-destroying conditions that Christopher was suffering while in Chiang Mai Central Prison and how he was counting the days until his release. He claimed it was hot, humid and dangerous in the prison. More than half the 4,000 inmates had mental health problems and many had Aids, TB and other seri­


ous diseases. He spent the first night in a


cramped cell in soaring temperatures with 63 other prisoners and woke to found a rat between his ankles. His endless heartbreaking letters


were deeply upsetting his parents until Mr Egan pleaded for people to


write to him. “We would like to thank everyone


MR and Mrs Egan, pictured with their son (s)


for their support,” added Mr Egan, who is a retired accountant.


“We cannot put into words the


comfort Chris has gained from the many letters he has received. One letter a day cheers him up, never mind receiving a sackful. “All the letters are very much


appreciated and provide him with the hope to face another day in the horrific prison, where boredom and lack of sleep are unquestionably his biggest problems. “We are happy because Christo­


pher is, and would urge people to continue to write to him until his release next year.” Mr Egan concluded by saying


th a t friends who had attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Blackburn, at the same time as his son, but were now living as far as Singapore and Iceland, were among those who had put pen to paper. Anyone wishing to write to


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


MR and Mrs Egan, who arc thanking our read­ ers for the letters they have sent to their son while in a Thai prison, (s)


the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP, asking for him to immediately scrap this stressful and unfair system. “This system is clearly unfair and


children should not be placed under more pressure to perform in exams than they already face - it is unfair to them and unfair to their parents.” A Lancashire County Council


spokesman commented: “The previous system did allow parents to apply to different admission authorities and this sometimes resulted in some pupils receiving three or four offers of a school. “However, this also meant that some


other pupils could not be offered any of their preferred schools. The new sys­


tem enables all parents to provide one set of preferences and receive one school offer only.” He added: “The new arrangements


are not designed to disadvantage par­ ents who wish to seek a grammar school place, but to introduce some transparency to the system. “The new arrangements will assist in


areas of the county where there are no grammar schools but where cross bor­ der admissions with neighbouring edu­ cation authorities currently causes con­ fusion and duplication. “Lancashire County Cduncil and


local schools will be working very close­ ly together to try to ensure that as many pupils as possible receive places at their parents'preferred schools.”


A book of Valley walks


WALKERS who love to get out and about in the glori­ ous local countryside are in for a real treat. The Clitheroe Group of


the Ramblers Association is today launching a new book entitled “25 Walks in the Ribble and Hodder Val­


leys”. Details of the walks have


previously been published


monthly in the Valley mag­ azine, supplied free with your Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, and they have been revised and collected together in a handy A5 size booklet. Each of the 25 routes is


clearly explained and accompanied by an easy-to- follow sketch map, guiding walkers to some of the val­


leys’ hidden gems. The book also features photographs of the scenery and the ramblers “in action”. The book will be launched


today at 3 p.m. at Clitheroe Tourist Information Centre, where it will be on sale. 9 For a more detailed


review, see next week’s Clitheroe Advertiser and Times.


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