2 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, July 13th, 2006


INSIDE YOUR CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIIVIES


I Valley Matters ................................6, 7 I Village News ............................ 9,10,11 ■ Letters ............................................. .14 I Weekendplus........................ 20,21,22 I Weekend TV .............................. 42,43 I Family Notices.............................18,19 IReadersplus................ ..................... 23 I Motors Today..........................50 to 60 I Sport ........................................61 to 64


~ AT A GLANCE... SheepFest anger - page 5


Cheers to top water - page 7 School fun in pics - page 12 New Sgt welcomed - page 17


INFORMATION


Duty chemist: Read and Simonstone Pharmacy, 90 Whalley Road, Read, 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. 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: Ribble Valley 01200 429346. Environmental Agehcy: Emergencies - 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


Family Notices and Photo Orders: 01282 426161, ext. 410 Fax: 01200443467 editor c-mail: vivien.meath@castlancsncws.co.uk


news editor c-mail: Duncan.smith@castIancsncws.co.uk sports editor c-mail: cdward.lcc@castlancsncws.co.uk


WEATHER


BRIDGE ■ "TvV' DUNSOP


CHIPPING B B SLAIDBURN B GISBURN B CHATBURN


CLITHEROE ■ B WHALLEY BREAD


LANGHOB B BURNLEY I ACCRINGTON BLACKBURN B


WEEKEND WEATHER: Forecasters predict plenty of bright sunshine this weekend with temperatures reaching 25°C


SUNRISE: 4-55 a.m. SUNSET: 9-32 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME: 9-32 p.m.


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk


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


Trio accused of drugs operation


THREE men have been accused of having a cannabis growing operation, with a potential value of up to


£70,000. A jury has been told how 54


female plants were found in an attic and locked bedroom at the home of one of the defendants. Police also searched a unit at the


Waverledge Business Park in Great Harwood where 555 plants were dis­ covered, in three different stages of growth. The unit’s tenant was another


defendant who had been employed as a postman for Royal Mail, but had not been in work, apparently due to illness. The three men have gone on trial


at Preston Crown Court where they deny conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis, a Class C drug. They are: Gary Knowles (32), of


Park Street, Clitheroe: Stephen Scott (34), of Mitchell Street, Clitheroe, and Martin Grime (33), of Conway Avenue, Clitheroe. The court has been told that in


January and February last year police searched two addresses under the Misuse of Drugs Act. In each of


the premises, large quantities of female cannabis plants were said to have been found growing in what the Crown describe as expensive, sophisticated and professional growing systems. The premises searched in January


was the home of the defendant Knowles on Park Street. There, police found 54 female plants in the attic and a locked bedroom. Miss Heather Lloyd (prosecut­


ing) said: “Female cannabis plants have a greater yield than male plants and the unfertilised female flowering heads are regarded as being the most potent part of the plant. They are favoured by users, although both the flowering heads and leaves can be harvested and smoked.” The potential yield for the plants


seized at Park Street was between £1,000 and £1,500. The estimated value of only some of the equip­ ment there was around £2,400. The following month, 555 female


cannabis plants were found growing in three separate areas of the unit at Waverledge Business Park. There, the potential value was somewhere between £55,000 and £70,000.


The defendant Scott was the ten­


ant of that unit, where he paid rent of £280 a month. The prosecution allege that Knowles and Scott were plainly producing cannabis plants, cultivating it in order to supply to others. Knowles told police in inter­ view that he was growing cannabis for his own personal consumption. Scott made no comment in inter­ view, but provided a statement to say though he knew Knowles and Grime, he had not conspired with them. The Crown claim that the defen­


dant Grime was the link between Knowles and Scott and between the two premises. Grime made no comment to all


police questions in interview, but he did make a prepared statement. Miss Lloyd told the jury: “He is


the man organising and financing these productions. Unlike the oth­ ers who each earned less than £250 net per week, he did not work. “He paid no tax and claimed no


benefit, but he was able to buy and sell property and to buy and consid­ er buying expensive items, some­ times, as you will hear, in cash.” The trial continues.


New boss in the frame at company


WORKERS at Ultra­ frame were this week waiting to meet their new bosses following the com­ pany sell-off. On Monday, Latium


Holdings Limited announced that all the conditions of its recom­ mended cash offer for the whole of the issued and to be issued share capital of the company had been satisfied or waived. The offer was declared uncon­ ditional in all respects. By 1p.m. on Friday,


Latium had received acceptances representing approximately 89.1% of Uitraframe’s share capi­ tal. The company stated that it will now apply to the Financial Services Authority for the cancel­ lation of the listing of Ultraframe’s shares on the Official List and to


Bridge win


WINNERS at Clitheroe Bridge Club on Monday evening were NS J. Mar- tindale and J. Scott, C. Pollard and D. Blake. EW F. Porter and E. Wood, B. Cuba and I. Park. On Thursday evening


winners were: NS D. Blake and R. Ward, A.Norris and W. Norris. EW A.Pedder and G. Cap- stick, B. Wilson and J. Renton.


m m m


Controversial waiting list. Additionally,


St Vincent’s will be build­ ing a purpose-built special needs bungalow for local women with disabilities. The bungalow will be completed during March 2007, with the rest of the development being com­ pleted before the summer. Approved by Ribble


Valley Borough Council last November, the plans proved controversial with local residents concerned the development would mean an increase in traf­ fic. Many went on to argue the site should be used for housing for the elderly. However, council bosses said that a major housing survey revealed that the Ribble Valley was in danger of becoming a dormitory for the wealthy and affordable housing must be a priority. The council’s Housing


Needs Survey revealed that the average house price in the borough was 88% higher than the rest of Lancashire, with prop­ erty prices seeing a 100% hike since 2001. It is hoped the new homes, all of which are for local peo­ ple, will bring a much- needed resource to the Ribble Valley, and help address the massive short­ age of affordable housing in the area. Coun. Joyce Holgate, chairman of Rib­ ble Valley Borough Coun­ cil’s Housing Committee, said: “Affordable housing is a huge concern in Ribble Valley, with many first­ time buyers now unable to get on the housing ladder. “Young people are being


k I ■ - M


driven out of communities their families have been part of for generations in the hunt for affordable accommodation, with dis­ astrous consequences for community infrastruc­ ture, as village post offices, shops, schools and pubs go to the wall. “We have been doing all


the London Stock Exchange for the cancel­ lation of the admission to trading of its shares on the London Stock Exchange’s market for


FOR the first time in its lengthy history, the Royal Lancashire Show will be staged over a weekend. The venue, for the fourth year, is Salesbury


listed securities. It is anticipated that this will take effect from the close of business on August 8th. On Friday, executive and non-executive direc­


Lancashire Show weekend


Hall Farm, Ribchester. The action starts on Fri­ day July 21st to Sunday July 23rd. There will be a record number of exhibitors.


Valley MP will hold surgery


THE Ribble Valley’s MP, Nigel Evans, will be holding an open surgery on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and at 6 p.m. at 9 Railway View in Clitheroe. Please phone Chris­ tine on 01200 425 939 to confirm if you wish to attend .


tors of the board tendered their resignation and pic­ tured are on Monday Brian Kennedy, Stuart Lees and Bryan Stock joined the new board, (s)


■ SOLO whist winners at the Pendle Club were: B. Wood, Mrs M. Parker, Mrs D. Knight. New members welcome


every Monday at 7 p.m. Bridge winners at the


Pendle Club were: Mrs Sylvia Walsh, Mrs Ellen Woo'd, Mrs Margery Col­ lier, Mrs Doris Farnsworth. Domino win­ ners were: W. Cooke, G. Berry, M. Parkes, joint 4th, R. Bark and M. Smith.


we can with our partners to tackle the problem and this latest scheme from St Vincent’s Housing Associ­ ation is to be welcomed.” Director of St Vincent’s,


Peter Smith, said: “These homes will go to local peo­ ple and the design fits in well with the character of the town. We are pleased to be making a contribu­ tion.” Dating back to the 1800s, and once a thriving place of work and centre of the community, the depot has stood silent for a number of years now. When excavation works began at the depot in 2005, workmen unearthed a massive pit and the orig­ inal crushing machine, which was used to break down coal brought into the yard by locomotives. The pit had been concret­ ed over, and no-one knew it was even there.


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


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, July 13th, 2006 3


The Castle is for keeps! and that’s now official


by Vmen Meath


“CLITHEROE Castle - It’s for Keeps” - is the new buzz slogan as the Ribble Val­ ley’s campaign to draw in £550,000 to move the North West’s most ambitious heritage project moves into top gear. High Sheriff and Clitheroe resident Peter


Robinson hosted a reception at Maxwell’s on Monday. Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s set the ball


rolling, presenting a cheque to launch the “£500 Challenge” as council officials outlined plans to position the town’s castle as the focus of Clitheroe’s identity and leisure experience. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already approved a £2m. bid from the borough council to redevelop the Castle and museum. The total project spend is £3.2m., a further


£650,000 has already been secured leaving a balance of £550,000 to make the project hap-


pen. Public and private investment is now sought to ensure that the project goes ahead in the


exclusive association with one of the scheme’s five principal features - the lifelong learning suite; exhibition space/gallery, or one of three permanent exhibitions in the new museum. • For £5,000 “key benefactor” sponsorship is


available. • For £1,000 there is the chance to become


“A Lifelong Friend of Clitheroe Castle” with recognition displayed in the new entrance to the museum by way of floor waymarkers or plaques. • For £500, in the special challenge, commu­


nity groups and schools can secure a mention on a special wall in the museum. • Cafe sponsorship is also available offering


either branding or franchise opportunities. Welcoming guests, Mr Robinson expressed


THE High Sheriiff receives a £500 cheque from Mr Mark Herrington, store manager at Sains­ bury’s in Clitheroe (CR100706/1)


anticipated timescale. A range of sponsorship opportunites were this week outlined, all of which give sponsors recognition and input into the scheme. • For £25,000, headline sponsors will secure


his pride in being able to champion the scheme in his home town during his year in office. The scheme, he said, was the largest in the


North West and would greatly enhance the region and combine past, present and future and position the Castle as one of the region’s premier heritage sites. Community development manager Chris Hughes described the Castle as “the most loved


£ lm . facelift for health centre


by Faiza Afzaal and Olma Wharam


WORK on a £lm. scheme to revamp Clitheroe Health Cen­ tre is to begin in September. And officials are calling on


patients to remain tolerant while the transformation gets under way.


Earlier this week, health chiefs


announced, that the planned development, which will result in the 30-year-old building being upgraded through refurbishment and extension, is moving ahead smoothly. The money has been secured by


Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Pri­ mary Care Trust (PCT) under a new type of funding project called Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) through its enabling funds scheme. The proposed facelift to the


building in Railway View, which is used by Pendleside Medical Practice and Castle Medical Group, will result in improved and enlarged facilities for staff and patients. Providing the town with a new


health centre has been long debated, but a lack of money, and also finding an appropriate site.


have proved to be stumbling blocks. Over the years the situation has


become desperate with the cur­ rent health centre becoming over­ crowded and unable to accommo­ date new services. The proposed development is


good news for both patients and staff. Currently there are 30 doctors


and nursing staff in both prac­ tices struggling to use the existing 14 consulting rooms. The makeover will result in


eight new consulting rooms - allowing for improved access for clinical staff. These rooms will be built on the first floor at the rear of the building. Work will also include the


installation of a lift, providing full access to the consulting rooms upstairs, and an improved waiting area for patients collect­ ing prescriptions from the dispen­


sary. Although officials have wel­


comed the proposed refurbish­ ment, they have stressed that the scheme does NOT replace plans for the town to have a new multi­ million pound health centre. Mr Phil Mileham, practice


manager for the Castle Medical Group, said: “The £ lm . cash


injection for the existing health centre will keep the building going for the next few years. “However, the possibility of a


multi-million pound health centre in Clitheroe cannot be ruled out.” As reported earlier this year,


three health centres - two in Accrington and one in Clitheroe - were planned under the LIFT project. A total of £65m. had been


secured for six health centres across East Lancashire, including up to £7m. for the Clitheroe scheme. Mr Mileham added: “It is part


of a longer term plan to further improve things in the future. “We would ask our patients


and staff to bear with us while the building work is going on. Although it will be disruptive for everyone, the health ceqtre will remain open as usual.” Similar views were shared by


Mrs Linda Underwood, practice manager for Pendleside Medical Practice. More details about the scheme


will follow in the Clitheroe Adver­ tiser and Times. It is hoped that the refurbished


health centre will officially open its doors to the public in March next year.


Shackletons: we’re not moving


RUMOURS that Shackletons Garden Centre in Chatburn is for sale are “fabricated” according to its owners. Speaking on behalf of the


Shackleton family this week, David Shackleton said: “The rumours have become so fabricat­ ed that we feel we need to set the record straight.” In a letter to the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, he denied


allegations that the Shackleton family is selling or has already


sold the garden centre. Mr Shackleton went on to


explain that planning permission was granted earlier this year for a refurbishment of the garden fur­ niture sales area in order to create a more pleasant environment for customers to view the centre’s garden furniture and lifestyle products.


“We currently have a sale with­


in this area, as advertised with your paper in the last fortnight, to clear certain stock lines to make way for the new retail area, which is scheduled to commence in the autumn of this year,” Mr Shackleton added. “We would just like to reassure


all our customers that Shackle­ tons is not for sale and never has been.”


tehOIZOO 429929


fax:91299 442991 www.ultraframe-conservatories.co.uk


ultra ■ 4si : k » ■ ■iL OF


\CASTLE V


• /


and significant asset this town has,” adding “we need to build on it.” And Edmund Southworth, County Museums Officer, admitted that the museum had been allowed to get stale, the site had become scruffy and the signposting was atrocious. But, he revealed that the Crow’s Nest view­


point would be left intact, explaining that the Keep could not be rebuilt, but with the best view in the county, a new iconic glass structure to be floated between the museum and the sound archive - the renaissance of Clitheroe would be under way. For more information contact Chris Hughes:


01200 414479. WHAT’S NEXT


THERE wiU be a public meeting on Monday, July 24th, at Ribble Valley Council Chamber starting at 6 p.m. for 6-30 p.m. The latest visuals and presentation will be


given by Mr Hughes and Mr Southworth. Refreshments will be served and there’will be a chance to ask questions.


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