Clitheroe imes


Vandals target historic Castle


by Faiza Afzaal


"LIFE-THREATENING acts of vandalism have led to police step­ ping up patrols in and around Clitheroe Castle grounds and vowing to come down hard on the culprits. Over the past few weeks, gangs of


juveniles, believed to be as young as 14, have been spotted tearing heavy stones out from the ground near the Castle Keep and hurling them over the fencing into the Castle grounds. The large number of rocks thrown


from the historic keep, some of which have rolled down the 30ft embank­ ment on to the path below, has


caused considerable damage to the town’s top tourist attraction. But more serious is the real fear that any­ one walking below could be seriously injured or killed by the lethal mis­ siles. Last weekend, a gang of vandals


attempted to break into the 12th Century Keep, but failed. Instead they damaged the flag flying to mark St George’s Day. The spate of vandalism has not


only caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to one of the Ribble Valley’s main tourist attractions, but has prompted fresh calls for CCTV cameras in the area and more "bob­ bies oh the beat". Insp. Bob Ford, of Clitheroe


Police, is appealing to members of the public to contact the police if they witness anything suspicious. Also upset by the recent attacks,


town Mayor Coun. Joan Knight said: “Clitheroe has a very good rep­ utation and the Castle itself attracts a lot of tourists. Disgraceful behaviour by a minority of young­ sters is appalling. “I think more should be done to


safeguard the Castle including the fact that parents should take full responsibility for where their children are at all times.” Officials at Ribble Valley Borough


Council say the problem has spiralled with the lighter nights. The council’s leisure and tourism


manager Mr Chris Hughes said he was disgusted with the recent spate of attacks. “I am concerned not only for the safety of the youths carrying out these attacks, but also for the safety of pedestrians and motorists as some of the stones thrown could have injured someone.,” he said. “I believe these problems are being


caused by a minority of youngsters and CCTV cameras installed in trou­ ble hotspots will help to crackdown on crime.” Street cleansing and grounds main­


tenance manager for the borough council, Mr Alan Boyer, stressed that the nuisance behaviour had gone on long enough and must end. “These attacks have been occurring for quite a few weeks now and we are hoping that mobile CCTV cameras, together with increased police in the area, will catch the culprits,” he said. In the meantime, a new group


called “The Friends of Clitheroe Cas­ tle” is being formed to discuss ways in which local people can become involved with the future develop­ ments in and around the 800-year-old Castle. Anyone who witnessed the recent


vandalism attacks is asked to con­ tact the police on 01200 443344. Our picture shows Ribble Valley


Borough Council gardener Mr John Latter with some of the large rocks thrown from the Castle Keep. (CR230404/1)


INTREPID Daisy is pictured at take-off with her grandson, David (s) Daring Daisy goes sky high!


DARING Daisy Miller this week proved you’re never to old to try some­ thing new. On Monday the plucky pensioner


from Slaidburn took to tbe skies over the Ribble Valley for an hour-long bal­ loon ride - the eagerly anticipated treat for her 93rd birthday! Great-grandmother Daisy passed


tha t milestone last October and has been eagerly awaiting the airborne treat ever since. On Monday the weather was just


right as she and other passengers took off from Ribchester, landing around an


hour later just beyond Whalley Golf Club. I t was the thrill of a lifetime for


Daisy, who loved every minute of the flight, according to her grandson, David Miller, who flew with her. He had booked th flight with local


company Pendle Balloons after being tipped off that Daisy, despite her years, would love to fly in a balloon. That tip-off came from Daisy’s


daughter, Mrs Maureen McGowan, and her husband, Alex, who share their


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