2 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, January 27th, 2005


ADVERTISER AND TIMES I Valley Matters........................... 6 and 7 I Village News ........................11,12 ,13 3 Letters ................................... 16 and 17 3 Weekendplus..............................24 and 25 H Weekend TV ......................... 45 and 46 B Family Notices............................22 and 23 B Readersplus.......................................20 B Jobs ........................................... 47 to 50 B Propertyplus............................. 29 to 44 B Motorsplus............................... 55 to 69 B Sport ............,........................... 70 to 72


INSIDE YOUR CLITHEROE AT A GLANCE...


Shopkeeper jailed - page 4 Tsunami appeal - page 9 Club boss cleared - page 14 Former mayoress dies - page 22


INFORM ATION


Duly chemist: Lloyds P h a rm acy , 5 Church S t re e t , 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: Ribble Valley Borough Council, Clitheroe 425111. Clitheroe Town Council, 424722. Mo.spitals: Blackburn Royal Infirmary: 01254 263555. Queen's P a rk H o sp ita l, Black b u rn : 01254 263555. Airedale General Hospita l, 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 Rib­ ble Valley 01254 207999. Environmental .Agency: Emergencies - 0800 807060. Drugs: Local confidential advice and information line: 01200 444484. National: 0800 776600. Ribirle 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 Family Notices and Photo Orders: 01282 426161, ext. 410 Fax: 01200 443467 editor e-mail: vivicn.mealh@eastlancsnews.co.uk news editor e-mail: duncan.smith@casllancsnews.co.uk sport e-mail: cdward.lee@eastlancsncws.co.uk


W


DUNSOP BRIDGE ■


CHIPPI«<5iU^ CL1THE''CD^B ^ vAEANGHOB b r e a d BLACKBURN B


v,t.B Accrington''^ Tin


WEEKEND WEATHER: FORECASTERS predict Saturday will remain cloudy, while Sunday is set to be brighter.


SUNRISE: 8-06 a.m. SUNSET: 4-39 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME: 8-06 a.m.


EATHER


■ SLAIDBURN B GISBURN


B CHATBURN


vmw.ciitheroetoday.co.uk


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


55 cannabis plants seized in drugs raid


by Faiza Afzaal


POLICE seized 55 cannabis plants from a


terrace house in Park Street, Clitheroe, after a high-profile drugs raid


yesterday morning. The warrant was execut­


ed following information from concerned members of the public and a 30-year- old woman - believed to be from the Darwen area - was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class C drugs and cultivation of cannabis plants. She was yesterday being


questioned by detectives. As we went to press, a police spokesman said inquiries were being carried out to locate the house­ holder. The operation began at 8


a.m. on Wednesday morn­ ing when four police offi­ cers, along with six special­ ist search-trained police officers swooped on the house and discovered 27 large cannabis plants in the upstairs bedroom and a further 28 baby cannabis plants stored in the loft. Clitheroe PC Derek


Brownless, the officer lead­ ing yesterday morning’s raid, said: “This sizeable find has come as a result of community information.


contihuedfrom pagcil


Wife denies murdering


husband He was taken semi-con­ scious by ambulance to hospital and now and again opened his eyes to speak. Mr Mansell began to


ask him questions about the wound, on the assumption that he had stabbed himself. He asked Mr Osliffe:


“Why have you stabbed yourself?” The patient replied: “I don’t know.” Mr Mansell then said


to him: “We are under the impression that you stabbed yourself.” To which Mr Osliffe replied: “Cath’s done it.” Mr Mansell asked him:


“Have you had an argu­ ment?” The injured man answered: “No”. When asked what hap­


pened, Mr Osliffe said: “I was in bed. I woke up and she stabbed me.” He said he did not know how he got from the bedroom to the kitchen. The jury also heard


tha t when calling emer­ gency services, the defen­ dant claimed her husband had stabbed himself.


“We are glad that honest


and concerned law-abiding residents have come for­ ward and provided vital information to us. This has resulted in the arrest and the recovered drugs.” PC Brownless, along


with his team of officers, will spend the next few days delivering leaflets to houses in the town inform­ ing residents of the positive


police action in the fight against drugs. Following the raid,


Clitheroe police Inspector Bob Ford said: “We have simply acted on informa­ tion provided by members of the public and the raid also highlights our commit­ ment to cracking down on drug-related crime. “We are always grateful for community support


and welcome any informa­ tion related to drug dealing in cultivation because drugs spoil communities.” If you have information


about the supply of drugs in your area, please call the free-and-confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111. Our picture shows PC Brownless with the cannabis


plants. {CR260105/D Firms to submit housing plans


THREE companies have been asked to submit plans to redevelop a former coun­ cil depot site in Clitheroe. In November applica­


tions from the Medina Islamic Education Centre, Leon Greenwood and Max­ imum Protection Services Ltd to buy the site in Kirk- moor Road were turned down. Members of Ribble Valley Borough Council instead agreed th a t the whole area should be devel­ oped for elderly persons’ sheltered housing. The council’s chief exec­


utive Mr David Morris has now sent a development brief to three registered social landlords asking each to submit its written pro­ posals, including drawings, by February 11th. The three companies are Space Housing Association, Har­


vest Housing Group Ltd and St Vincent’s Housing Association Ltd. A proposed development


brief for the land states that each application must include the provision of a four-bedroomed bungalow for severely physically and mentally impaired adults, as well as ensuring that the whole site is developed for elderly persons' housing. The brief, presented to


the borough’s Housing Committee, noted that the site was recently valued at £420,000 and added that residential development will not be permitted unless it provides afford­ able housing to meet iden­ tified local needs. A report to committee said that the results of a Housing Needs Survey carried out in Clitheroe had discovered


th a t “more retirement housing bungalows and sheltered accommodation are needed”. I t said that currently the council rents 102 elderly person bunga­ lows to Clitheroe residents, but the waiting list stands at more than 400. Members of the Housing Committee agreed to con­ firm and support the pro­ duction of a development brief for the site, agreed with the selection of the three named companies to produce their proposals for its development and to del­ egate the selection of the preferred scheme to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the chairman, vice- chairman, shadow chair­ man and shadow vice- chairman of the Housing Committee.


Psychiatric patient is found safe


A PSYCHIATRIC pat­ ient, who sparked a major hunt when he escaped from Kemple View Hospital, has been found safe and well in Aberdeen. A police spokesman con­


firmed that Mr John Hill (32), who had been missing since January 12th, after


forcing open a window to escape from the hospital in Langho, was captured by police at 4 p.m. on Mon­ day. This was the second time


in two years Mr Hill absconded from the hospi­ tal. It is imderstood that he escaped in August 2003,


but was found by the police in his local area within 36 hours of his disappearance. Arrangements are cur­


rently being made for Mr Hill to be taken back to Kemple View Hospital, where a full internal review is under way to determine how he escaped.


'x .


Firm fighting to weather storm - AGM


THERE was a gloomy picture for Ultraframe’s shareholders at Tuesday’s annual meeting. But despite a 28%


reduction in turnover against the first quarter of the previous year, redun­ dancies and plummeting shares. Ultraframe’s direc­ tors maintain that they will weather the storm. Yesterday, as shares


dipped to 49.5p, managing director Vanda Murray told us: “I t ’s a tough mar­ ket and a tough industry We are doing our very best.” The company is continuing to invest and is looking hard at material costs and maximising pro­ ductivity and profits against a background of a slow market with rising interest rates. Following the announce­


ment of redundancies at the end of 2004, 12 man­ agement employees left, but the company managed to redeploy others whose jobs had been threatened. Company chairman


Rod Sellers told Tuesday’s meeting that the outlook for 2005 remained unchanged, with the board anticipating lower than expected levels of sales in the second quarter. Increased legal costs relat­ ed to ongoing litigation in the UK would lead to an underlying pre-tax loss in the first half of the year. The group was expected to show an improvement in trading in the second half.


Police probe is continuing


at two farms A SLAIDBURN livestock- farmer arrested last week on suspicion of forgery and obtaining property by deception has been released on police bail until March 7th, pending further investigations. A number of police officers, working with staff from Trading Standards, Defra and the British Cattle Movement Service will continue to carry out investigations at the Slaid- burn farm, as well as another farm in Pendle­ ton.


Bridge Club


WINNERS at Clitheroe Bridge Club on Monday evening were: NS Mr Roy and Mrs Pat Ward, Mrs Janet Gilmour and Mrs Linda Wilkinson. EW Mr Chris Pollard and Mrs Janet Bailey, Mr B. Guha and Mrs Use Park. On Thursday winners


were: NS Mrs Jean Mar- tindale and Mrs Janet Bailey, Mr Ken Bushby and Mr Alan Singer. EW Mrs Irene Hinks and Mrs Sheila Cornwell, Mrs Doreen Blake and Mrs Mary Thompson. CP


i -


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


www.clitheroetbday.coTuk


■ Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, January 27th, 2005 3 . - y


Spice is very nice as guests eat for appeal


MORE than 50 guests feasted on the delights of Indian cui­ sine in aid of the tsunami appeal. "The event, which raised


£700, was held at the Balti Spice Restaurant, in Clitheroe and organised by Mr Peter Duckworth, of Peel Street. Attended by the Ribble Val­


ley Mayor and Mayoress, Coun. Charles Warkman and his wife, Ruth, the Mayor expressed his congratulations to the staff from the restaurant for providing a wonderful evening. He said: “I had a fantastic


night and would like to thank all those who supported it.” The fund-raising event, which featured a three-course


>: I


Ex-boss on child porn charges


by Court Reporter


THE former managing director of a Clitheroe company is due to be sentenced tomorrow after admitting child porn charges. David Brown was trapped by the


British arm of an investigation originating in the United States, tackling images of sexual abuse against children put on the Inter­ net. Details of the defendant’s e-mail


address were found when the database of an American web base was checked for transactions. I t became apparent that con­


tacts had been established for Brown’s then address in Clitheroe. He had accessed a site known as Lolita’s World, paying $29 for a 14- day period. When Brown was questioned by


police he protested his innocence and suggested that others must have gained access to his personal computer in order to download the material. Brown (51), now of St Andrew’s


Road South, St Annes, had plead­ ed guilty to 20 counts of making an indecent image of a child. He was


appearing at Preston Crown Court for sentence. The court was told that the vast


bulk - 560 impages - he had down­ loaded were of full sex between adults and children. But 1% were of the most serious level and included physical vio­


lence. Mr Andrew Alty (prosecuting)


said payments to access the mate­ rial had been made by a credit card in Brown’s name. He had given a password “con­


crete”, which had relevance as he was managing director of Gee Co Precast Ltd, of Clitheroe, a t the time. A warrant was obtained and exe­ cuted at the Clitheroe address in


April 2003. The defendant claimed, “My


computer’s knackered. My son or his mates have done it. They have used my credit cards and all sorts”. His response showed he knew


where the evidence lay against him, said the prosecution. When the computer hard drive


was recovered it was found to con­ tain eight movie clips of child pom. In police questioning Brown falsely implied that one of his sons


might be responsible for the down­ loading. Testimonials were handed in to


the court on the defendant’s behalf. Defence barrister Mr Simon


Newell said: “He is contrite and ashamed of the offence. “The extent of his involvement is


related to nine occasions when access was made to prohibited material.” The video images were the only


ones that had been saved. Mr Newell added: “These cases


rightly attract criticism, disgust and revulsion by right-thinking people. This operation has brought forward into the dock Mr Brown and others, people of considerable ability and reputation.” From inauspicious beginnings


the defendant had worked long and hard to build up a successful busi­ ness. He was not working at pre­ sent.


Brown was assessed as low risk of


re-offending. Counsel asked the court to avoid


sending him to jail and instead pass a community based sentence. Sentence was put back to tomor­


row with Brown being remanded on bail by Judge Edward Slinger.


In custody for alleged roof siege Mystery surrounds


A CLITHEROE man arrested after an alleged siege at Burnley Miners’ Club in the early hours of Saturday has appeared before the town's magistrates charged with further offences. Michael Davies (28), of


Darby S tre e t, was brought before justices on Monday to face allegations of burglary with intent, affray and criminal dam­ age. Davies had been arrested


after an alleged incident in which the area surrounding the club in Plumbe Street, was sealed off. It is said the defendant broke into the club, then climbed on to


the roof of RDA Trading next to it and threatened to throw slates a t the police on the


ground. Yesterday it emerged Davies


had allegedly held his solicitor "prisoner," in his cell when the lawyer went to see him at Burn­


ley police station. He is also accused of spitting


at a Group Four officer and striking another in the groin. He is charged with false imprison­ ment and two counts of assault. Davies, whose case will be


heard at the crown court, was remanded in custody u n til February 1st after an applica­ tion for bail was refused.


latest traffic survey NO one appears to know why a traffic survey was carried out in Clitheroe over


the weekend. Although Huddersfield consultancy


Sanderson Associates has confirmed that a study was carried out in the Peel Street and Highfield Road area, it is keeping tight-lipped about the reasons why. A spokesman for the company said it had undertaken the work to investi­ gate the existing traffic flow in that area for a potential development which is in its very early stages. He added that the external consultants were not at liberty to release information about the plans at this stage, only to confirm tha t it would have to go through all the usual planning procedures.


FENSA Registered Company tel:01200 429929


fax:91200 442991 www.ultraframe-conseivatories.Go.iik


ultra DOWNHAM has been voted the second


Chocolate-box image wins award for village ing the title for its picturesque setting and


best village in the country. Readers of Period Living and Traditional


Homes were asked to vote for their top 10 favourite villages in Britain. Downham received the highly commend­


ed award for its unspoilt charm. Winner was Plockton, Ross-shire, scoop­


community spirit. Ribble Valley’s tourism and arts officer,


Jane Silvester, is quoted in the magazine as saying: ’’Downham captures the essence of rural Britain, yet remains a relatively secret gem. No developments are permitted that may ruin the chocolate-box image."


Ultraframe


Making quality windows, doors and conservatories for over 21 years. Always providing first class service and guaranteed world class products. Approved by the Guild of Master Craftsmen.


meal, was followed by a raffle. Mr Duckworth, who is


training to be a Methodist minister, has been involved with charity events before and was delighted with how suc­ cessful the event had been, due to peoples’ generosity. He added: “ I am over­


whelmed by the response and how much people are willing lo give to such a deserving cause.” All proceeds raised will be


donated to World Vision, a charity helping with numerous projects in the disaster struck areas. Our picture shows the


Mayor and Mayoress with staff and officials at the chari­ ty night in aid of the tsunami appeal. (T180105/2)


m


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37