The Clitheroe imes Thursday, February 9th, 2006 No. 6,237 news and views from the Centre of the Kingdom < ZSSBfesI sgT rv. J


HOUSE M i i FOR


S A I ^


First choice for property in the Ribble Valley


Hundreds of homes for sale


Heartbreak for family over son’s tragic death


___________ by Faiza Afzaal____________


A BRAVE 14-year-old boy with a cheerful outlook on life has died after a three-year


battle against a brain tumour. Tom Smith, a Year 9 pupil at Bowland High


• School, Grindleton, died at home on Monday evening with his family around him. 'The popular teenager lived with his parents,


Chris and Julie Smith, his brother, Lewis, and sister, Chloe, in Forrest Beck, Bolton-by-Bow- land. Tom was diagnosed with the condition short­


ly after turning 11. He had always been a fit and active child before becoming ill. Prior to the diagnosis, Tom developed


headaches, which doctors initially thought were stress-related. However, he then started experiencing double


_yision and was referred to Queen’s Park Hospi­ tal,'Blackburn, for scans and investigations. The family was hit with the bombshell news in December 2002 that Tom had a brain tumour.


' i , He spent the festive period of that year in Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, for sur­ gery to remove the tumour. He subsequently completed a course of radiotherapy and for the next year underwent regular chemotherapy treatment.


. The family thought the worst was behind


them and a year later, Tom had an extra special Christmas. The keen Manchester United supporter was


, delighted to have been visited by his favourite soccer hero, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Corona­ tion Street actress Sarnia Gahdie, who plays


hairdresser Maria. The duo chatted to Tom and signed autographs. They also handed out Christmas gifts, including a watch and a selec­ tion box. Despite on-going hospital treatment, coura-


'geous Tom fought.the illness on all fronts and missed very little school. News of his untimely death has saddened


hundreds of people. Hls parents were too dis­ tressed to speak to us earlier this week, however, his teachers and friends have paid tribute to the popular teenager, describing him as a “brave and selfless pupil who was determined to enjoy, life”.


■ Speaking of the school’s deep sorrow, head­


teacher Mr Maurice Graham, said: “When Tom arrived at Bowland High in September - 2003, he very quickly became a popular young man,.not just in his own form group,: but throughout the school., “He always had a smile on his face and just wanted to be treated like everyone else. Staff


' and pupils alike will remember. Tom for his sense of humour and optimism. “His form tutor remembers all the times he


used to watch his mates playing'football, even though he couldn’t join in.


• “He would jovially comment that he was,


checking on the competition ready for his . return to the pitch. “There are many similar stories all of which


show Tom’s strength of character and cheerful outlook on life. “Tom will be greatly missed by everyone a t ;


Bowland.” Our picture shows Tom (centre) with his fam-, ily at Christmas 2003. (T291203/1)


m:


Homebase is turned down


TOWN centre traders in Clitheroe are celebrating after an application from DIY giant Homebase was refused by planners this week. Members of Ribble Valley


Borough Council’s planning committee threw out plans to construct a store with associat­ ed garden centre, car parking and landscaping in Queensway, next to Sainsbury’s, despite it being recommended for approval by the council’s plan­ ning officers.. Coun. Frank Dyson moved


refusal on the grounds it would affect the vitality of Clitheroe town centre and would be a disaster architecturally. Other councillors were con­


cerned about the scale of the enterprise. “I t would allow people to buy everything under one roof and people would not want to walk anywhere else,” ; added Coun. Doreen Taylor. Coun. Howard Douglas was


the only councillor who sup­ ported the application. “I ’m all in favour of it. I


would guess that 75 per cent of things Homebase would sell, you could not find in Clitheroe,” he commented to a backdrop of jeers from traders seated in the public gallery. Speaking after the meeting,


Terry Joy, secretary of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade, said he was overjoyed with the decision.


At the time of going to


I Press, Homebase was consider­ ing whether to appeal against the decision. •


FAMILY NOTICES... PAGES 46,47 ■ AT YOUR SERVICE... PAGES 6,7 ■ VILLAGE NEWS... PAGES 11,12,13 66%Off


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)Qw m m MUST


DEPARTMENT STORE ' Everything for ydiir home...'


END SOON 56 icing Street, Clitheroe Telephone; 01200 425151


; ^ www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Price jSOp


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