Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) 2 Clitheroe Advertiser &Times, Thursday, September 14th, 2006
INSIDE YOUR CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES
H Valley Matters ..................................4,5 ■ Village News ............
■ Letters ..................
12,13,14 -10
■ Weekendplus ................................29,30 ■ Weekend TV..................................26,27 ■ Family Notices ...................
24,25
■ Readersplus................................... .18 ■ Motors Today................................39-52 ■ Sport.............................................. 53-56
AT A GLANCE...
Paul cooks for TV chef - page 5 Win tickets for jazz night - page 8
Valley tally in best-kept contest- page 24 World crown for canoeist - page 56
INFORMATION
Duty chemist; Boots the Chemist, l.i-19 Castle Street, Clitheroe: Sunday, noon to 1 p.ra. 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 Informution Centre: 01282 416655. Aidsline: 01282 831101 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Domestic Violence Helpline: 01282 422024. Cruse Bereavement Care; Ribhle Valley 01200 429346. Environmental Agency: 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: 01282422331 Family Notices and Photo Orders: 01282 426161, ext. 410 Fax: 01200 443467 editor e-mail:
vivien.mealh@
eastlancsnews.co.uk news editor e-mail:
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eastlancsnews.co.uk sports editor e-mail:
cdward.lee@easllancsncws.co.uk
WEATHER ■ SLAIDBURN
DUNSOP BRIDGE ■
CHIPPING
V ' r BGISBURN ■ CHATBURN
CLiTHEROE ■ ■ WHALLEY
UVNGHO ■ . BLACKBURN I d7t7rf<*
WEEKEND WEATHER: Rain clouds will descend on Saturday with showers throughout the day. Tem peratures will remain constant at 20 '^C with the weather brightening up on Sunday.
SUNRISE: 6-42 a.m. SUNSET: 7-25 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME; 6-55 p.m.
■ HEAD ■ BURNLEY I ACCRINGTON Bridge club
WINNERS at Clitheroe Bridge Club on Monday evening were NS Robin Atkinson and Pauline Holden, Chris Pollard and Janet Bailey. EW Kath Fisher and Jessie Telfer, Moira Philips and Jean Bailey. On Thursday evening
were: NS Ralph Bailey and Kath Fisher, Michael Jeffrey and Moira Philips. EW John Renton and Brenda Wilson, Joan Scott and Frances Porter. GP
Use it or lose it’ is the | Railway thugs put lives at risk village store message
16
www.clitheroetoday.co.uk clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) by Faiza Afzaal
“STAY away from railway lines” - say Clitheroe Police. This is the stark message to
by Julie Magee
“USE it or lose it” is the message from the owner of one of the Rib ble Valley’s remaining small vil lage stores. Sarah Leach, who took over
Hurst Green’s village store 15 months ago, says the business will not survive if current trading conditions continue. Providing an unusual combina
tion of a village store and estate agency, property adviser Mrs Leach has introduced several ini tiatives to boost business. But despite the shop now sell
ing fresh vegetables, local cheeses on the deli counter and fresh meat to order, the venture’s future is still uncertain. Mrs Leach, pictured, whose
three children attend Stonyhurst College, used to drive past the store every day and noticed it closed at 5 p.m. When she took over, incorporating her estate agency business, she wanted to rebuild it as a real community amenity and started to open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow local res
idents to use the store before and after work. Trade was initially good, par
ticularly during the summer, with selling points such as fresh sand wiches made daily, home-baked scones and bread, hot pies and ice cream all proving popular, partic ularly with tourists and ramblers. However, this initial interest soon wavered and a downward spiral in sales followed, much to the disap pointment of the 43-year-old. In a last ditch attempt to save
the business, Mrs Leach has made an emotional appeal through a letter displayed in the store’s front window asking the local community to support the business. I t reads: “To make the shop
viable, I need the full support of the local community, simply buy ing cigarettes, milk and newspa pers does not support your local shop. I literally make pence on these items. I firmly believe that a thriving local shop adds to the community spirit of the village, and incidentally adds value to the local properties. It is in no ones interest for it to close.”
She adds: “However, unless I
receive the long-term support of the village community, I will close the village store.” The letter has so far received a
mixed response with some locals finding its tone threatening, while others agree wholeheartedly with its sentiments. Hurst Green resident Simon
Bailey, who is a member of the parish council and co-ordinates the village website, said: “Send ing a questionnaire out to all the villagers would help a lot rather than putting a statement out that if we don’t start using it then it’ll have to close.” He added th a t he was quite
happy to feature a questionnaire on the village website. Meanwhile, villager Dr
Edmond Cams said: “I work from home and cannot just bob out to Clitheroe every day. Sarah has gone to a great deal of trouble not just to provide the standard stuff people need, but also the special things. I t really is a lifeline to me. Hurst Green is quite a big catchment area and we just need to get the message across.”
mindless vandals from PC Stu art Eddleston, after chairs were hurled on to the town’s railway track - endangering the lives of rail passengers. Unknown offenders caused
around £4,000 damage when they climbed'on to the roof of Booths supermarket, in Station Road, and damaged the store’s refrigeration system. They then went on to tear out
, I n ' ' ' Resident Kath Molyneux
added: “I use the shop and ray first reaction when I saw the notice was ‘oh no’, I haven’t been using it enough!” She said she was now considering ordering her meat from the shop. “I would like to thank those
who come in and support the store on a regular basis,” said Mrs Leach. “But we can’t get away from reality. If i t’s not viable, I can’t keep it going.” ( A110906/1)
Trio of doves mark couple’s golden day
MORE than a hundred visitors helped a golden Downham couple mark a marital milestone. On their 50th wedding anniversary, Mr and
Mrs Bob and Kath Swarbrick opened the doors of their village^home. They found themselves inundated with well-wishers, including villagers, friends and family, who joined them for a slice of cake and a glass of bucks fizz. A special surprise came in the guise of tliree
doves, courtesy of Downham’s Dovetails, which the Swarbricks released in honour of the occasion. The couple, who have lived in the Ribble
Valley for more than four decades, met at Blackpool’s Palace of Variety. Mr Swarbrick was a market gardener from the coast, while his bride-to-be originally came from Cum berland. They got engaged when the future Mrs
Swarbrick was just 17 and were married a year later - with permission from the bride’s mother, as she would not officially “come of age” for another three years. After their wed ding at Holy Trinity Church, South Shore,
Banner to be unfurled
A BANNER created a t multicultural workshops held throughout the sum mer will be unveiled at a party in Clitheroe on Satur day. Everyone is welcome at
the party, being organised by the Tamanna group - a local multicultural group - and taking place a t the Trinity Centre, in Wesleyan Row, from 1 to 4 p.m. The free event will also include craft workshops.
face painting and henna, and food will be available. The focus of the party
will be the new multicultur al banner, which has kind ness as its theme. It wias created using three
stories from different faiths and one non-faith story as its inspiration. After Saturday’s party,
Blackpool, Mr and Mrs Swarbrick lived at the market garden with Mr Swarbrick’s par ents for three years. Then, after seeing an advert in the Farmers Guardian for the post of gardener at Downham HaU, Mr Swarbrick applied, accepted the post and moved inland to the Ribble Valley, where the couple have lived ever since. Mr Swarbrick worked for Lord Clitheroe
for more than 40 years. Now retired he plays golf at 6 a.m. every day and has just become a “silver surfer” after enrolling on a five-week computer course. Until her retirement Mrs Swarbrick
worked at Clitheroe Hospital initially in the physiotherapy department, before moving to occupational therapy. Over the years she h^ raised funds for good causes including Chil dren in Need and Downham and Twiston Cricket Club, among many others. As well as opening their home on their
anniversary, the Swarbricks enjoyed a family party for their four children, their partners and seven grandchildren. Mr and Mrs Swarbrick releasing the doves to mark their golden wedding. (B010906/6)
Pendle Club latest results
BRIDGE winners at the Pendle Club were: Mrs Frances- Porter, Mrs Jackie Pilling, Mrs Sylvia Walsh, Mrs Muriel Wilson. Solo whist winners at
Friday at 7 p.m. Domino winners: R-
Knight, B. Holden, J- Lloyd, joint 4th, Mrs J.
Sagar.. Sequence dancing is
the Pendle Club were: D. Grant, Mrs A. Foster, Mrs M. Holding. New members welcome every
the banner will go on dis play outside the Platform Gallery, in Station Road, Clitheroe.
held every Tuesday at 7- 30 p.m. and line dancing every Thursday at 1-30 p.m.
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slates off a section of the roof, used a sharp instrument to punch holes inside it, before get ting hold of plastic seating and throwing it on to the nearby railway track. Although no one was injured in the incident, which took
place at approximately 11 p.m. on Friday, September 8th, PC Eddleston believes it could have resulted in “catastrophic loss”. He added that it is strongly
believed that the chairs were hit by two trains travelling at high speed through Clitheroe. This is not the first time
Booths supermarket has been targeted. Police investigations are con
tinuing into reports that van dals daubed graffiti on the rear walls of the supermarket recent ly.
PC Eddleston has condemned
the actions of the “mindless and irresponsible” vandals, who he says are not only putting rail passengers’ lives at risk, but are jeapordising their own lives. Now officers have increased
patrols in and around the Star- tion Road area to clamp down on the “rail-pranksters”.
“Putting obstructions in
front of trains, throwing items from bridges on to the railway can be potentially fatal,” said PC Eddleston. “The railway track is a dangerous place. For tunately, on this occasion it did not lead to a major incident, but the actions of these vandals could have easily resulted in the derailment of the train. Offend ers think by damaging property they are having a laugh, but it’s not funny. “If on that night the weather
conditions had been wet, the vandals could have slipped on to the track. This is a serious crime and one we take a dim view of.” The matter is also being
investigated by British Trans port Police. Earlier this week, a
spokesman for the rail company said: “Crimes such as stone throwing or obstructing the rail
way present a serious safety hazard - both to railway staff and passengers travelling on trains, as well as those commit ting the crimes itself. “If objects are placed on the
track it could cause the train to derail, which could have serious or fatal consequences. British Transport Police is committed to targeting these incidents, however, we do need the help of the local community to contact us should they have any infor mation about people misusing the railway. “Please call our freephone on
0800 405040, Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Clitheroe Police on 443344, if you witness any rail-related vandalism.” Our picture shows PC Eddle
ston warning “rail-pranksters” of the dangers of hurling objects on to the railway track. (T100906/9)
Burglar (38) targeted elderly
A PROLIFIC burglar who target ed old people across East Lan cashire, including the Ribble Val ley, was trapped by DNA taken from a single bead of sweat. That tiny piece of evidence led
police to uncover a one-man crime spree during which Simon Paul Moran, pictured being led into cus tody, used a cross-county motor way as his corridor of crime. Blackburn magistrates heard
that after his arrest for a burglary in Darwen, during which he was confronted by an 83-year-old woman, police were able to link him to another eight unsolved bur glaries. But Moran then took them on a tour of Lancashire and point-
' ed out other homes he had burgled during an 18-month period. When he appeared in court, Moran admitted a total of 102 house bur glaries. Moran (38), of Nevis Grove,
Astley Bridge, Bolton, pleaded guilty to six charges of burglary at addresses in Whalley, Darwen, Padiham, Rossendale, and two in
offences, he was never disturbed until the incident in Darwen,” said Sergeant McCreadie. Mr Neil White (prosecuting)
Chorley and asked for a further 96 offences to be taken into considera tion. He was remanded in custody
awaiting sentence at Preston Crown Court after magistrates told him the length of prison term he faced was beyond their sentenc ing powers. Speaking after the hearing, Act
ing Detective Sergeant Chris McCreadie said that in 18 years in the police he had never come across such a prolific offender. “He has come over the moors
from Bolton and then used the M65 motorway to move around the county. Despite the number of
described how Moran specifically targeted the homes of elderly or infirm people, then used skills acquired when he worked for a UPVC door and window manufac turing company to disable the door lock and gain entry. He said Moran had 10 previous
conviction for burglary, the last in 1995. Mr Andrew Church-Taylor
(defending) said five years ago Moran's girlfriend had been killed in a car accident and he had start ed taking crack cocaine. He eventually built up a debt of
£10,000, said Mr Church-Taylor. “After several unpleasant incidents he began to burgle to pay off the debt. Mr White said the “huge” list of
offences included crimes in Clitheroe, Whalley, Read, Accring ton, Padiham, Burnley and Black- bum.
Valley jobs boost as new store opens
UP to 25 jobs have been created for local people with the opening of Somerfield’s new convenience store on the outskirts of Clitheroe. Situated on the Ribble Valley
Enterprise Park just off the A59, Somerfield invested more than £500,000 in transforming the site as part of a nationwide investment programme costing £155m. The store, which opened last
week, aims to attract the transient trade of drivers using the A59. Store manager Steve Hodgkiss
said: “All the staff have been hand picked from the local area, from Barrow, Whalley and Clitheroe.” Mr Hodgkiss, who highlighted
the petrol forecourt as the busi ness’s primary attraction, added: “Our aim is to be part of the com munity, we are not here to hit the smaller shops, as we’re here for the fuel side of things.”
Open Monday to Saturday from
6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the store also has an of-licence. Meanwhile, on the petrol fore
court, the environmentally-friend- ly LPG fuel will be available along side the usual pumps and there is a car wash as well as a jet wash, air, water and vacuum facilities.
There are currently in excess of
10 Somerfield stores within a 25- minute drive radius of Clitheroe, but only one of those is like the new Clitheroe store. Our picture shows Craig Souter,
the first customer to fill up at the new Somerfield petrol forecourt and store. (A060906/1)
A SPECIAL public meeting Youth Shelter. The village it is being abused by the has been called next parish council has said pub- y'outbs who use it late in the Wednesday at 7
p.m.to dis- lically that it would like the evening. The meeting is in cuss the future of Sabden’s shelter to go because it feels St Mary’s Hall.
www.clitheroetoday.co.uk
Ciitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, September 14th, 2006 3
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