Clltheroe.Advertiser&Times, Thursday, May 25th,^2005 . .3 2 ■ ClifteroeAdvefliseritiWies, fKiirsdaV,'May'25th,2006'


INSIDE YOUR CUTHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES


i Valley Matters................................. .4,5 I Village News............................ 10,11,12 I Letters


■ Weekendplus .......................... 19,20,21 ■ Weekend TV .................


.16 .26,27


■ Family Notices............................. .24,25 ■ Readersplus ...................................... 28 ■ Motors Today ....................


■ Spor t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 3 - 5 6 AT A GLANCE...


It’s never too late to learn — page 5


Bad taste brings good news - page 9 Rain fails to spoil fair - page 30


Blues’ new sponsorship idea — page 56 INFORMATION


Duty chemist: Heyes Chemist, 35 Moor Lane, Clitheroe: Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. Bank Holiday Monday: Boots the Chemtet, 15-19 C^tle Street, Clitheroe: noon to 1 p.m. Police: 01200 443344. Fire: In emergency 999 and ask for fire service. Electricity: 08001954141. 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 P a rk 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 Agency: Emergencies - 0800 807060. Drugs: Local confidential advice and information line: 01200 444484. National: 0800 776600. Kibble Valley Talking Newspaper: 01200 428604. Samaritans: 01254 662424. Monthly Voinntecr 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 e-mail: vivien.meath@easflancsnews.co.uk news editor e-mail: duncan.smilh@eastlancsnews.co.uk sport e-mail: edward.lee@eastlancsnews.co.uk


WEATHER


DUNSOP BRIDGE ■


CHIPPING ■ CLITI


LANGHOa


ISLAIDBURN ■ GISBURN


■CHATBURN


•“ ’ V ^ ■ BURNLEY


■ ACCRINGTON BLACKBURN I


WEEKEND WEATHER: It will remain wet and cold on Saturday, with sunny spells later on Sunday.


SUNRISE: 4-55 a.m. SUNSET: 9-15 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME: 9-45 p.m.


Mixed response to new building plan


byFaiza Afzaal


YOUNG people forced out of the Ribble Valley due to spiralling property prices could benefit from a proposed new hous­


40-52


ing development. Ambitious plans for a multi-million pound


housing scheme on land at Riverside, Low Moor, in Clitheroe, are being explored. The scheme is designed to help desperate first-time buyers to get a foot on to the property ladder and tackle the affordable housing crisis crip­ pling the rural borough. Under the plans, which are yet to be submit­


ted to Ribble Valley Borough Council by Mr David Ashworth, between 80 and 100 one to two-bedroomed homes would be built by Chor- ley-based housing developers Redrow Homes. The homes would be built on two-and-a-half


acres of land off Chapel Close and it is under­ stood that around 60% of the units would cost below £80,000 with none priced above £ 100,000. Although Mr Ashworth is aware that he will


need planning permission to change the of the land, he claims the development is the ideal opportunity to provide affordable accommo­ dation to local people. He commented: “Ribble Valley Borough


Council presently has a moratorium stating no new housing development unless social hous­ ing - this has actually created a shortage of affordable housing stock in the Ribble Valley. This has forced local people to move out of the area, which is why I approached Redrow Homes with a view to them developing the site for first-time buyers to provide affordable homes for local people so they can afford to live in the area and stay close to their families.”


Although the plans are in their early stages,


the news has prompted strong objections from Low Moor councillor John McGowan. He claims the scheme, if approved, could


have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area and fears it will result in horrendous traf­ fic problems. He said: “The scheme will ruin the Low


Moor area, which is already overdeveloped and cannot handle increased traffic. I am very unhappy about these plans as they will spoil a nice area and cause traffic chaos.” Earlier this week, Mr Colin Hirst, Ribble


Valley Borough Council’s forward planning manager, said: “We have been made aware of the proposals by,Redrow Homes and have been asked to arrange a meeting to discuss the development. The plans are in their initial stages and the outcome of the meeting will • determine the future of the scheme.”


Honorary title for Valley vicar


CLITHEROE vicar Rodney Nicholson has become one of 21 Honorary Canons at Blackburn Cathedral. An 80-strong party from the


Ribble Valley, representing Chat- burn, Clitheroe and Downham, joined the congregation for the occasion. The Bishop of Blackburn, the


Shock follows


sudden death MANY people have been shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of a 26-year-old former Rib­ ble Valley woman. Bernadine Laycock, (known to


many as Bemie), formerly of Whal- ley Road, Clitheroe, was discovered dead in her home in West Heath, near Birmingham last Thursday. An inquest is due to be opened to


determine the cause of death, although the police have confirmed that there are no suspicious circum­ stances. Bom and brought up in Clitheroe,


it is believed that Bernie'moved to Birmingham five years ago. Her grieving parents Martin and


Margaret Laycock, of Brook Street, Clitheroe, have this week paid trib­ ute to their “full of life” daughter, who would go out of her way to help others. In a moving tribute, Mr Laycock


told the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times: “She was a friendly, bubbly person and was always smiling. “She left Clitheroe for Birming­


ham and quickly made friends there because of her happy attitude to life. “She always wanted to help oth­


ers, be involved in everything and left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She will be sorely missed by all.” Bemie is survived by her parents,


Mr and Mrs Laycock, and her brother, Paul (24). Funeral arrangements are yet to


aged 15. (s)


be completed. Bemie is pictured when she was


Rt Rev. Nicholas Reade, collated Mr Nicholson, along with the Rev. Simon Bessant, the diocesan director of mission. They were then officially


installed by the Dean of Black- bum, the "Very Rev. Christopher Armstrong. Canon John Hall, the vicar of


Warton, near Carnforth, had received his invitation to preach at the special service from the two new canons, who both respect the work he carries out in the diocese and in South Africa. Mr Nicholson, who has now


assumed his new title - Canon Nicholson, said Sunday’s service had gone very well in front of a congregation numbering 250. (s)


Cars collide at notorious blackspot


A NOTORIOUS accident blackspot has been the scene of another serious road accident when two cars collided head-on. The collision on Sunday after­


noon is the latest to hit the A671 ■Whalley Road, Read, resulting in one elderly woman being cut from her car and airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital with suspected broken arms and legs. The collision, which happened


at 5-30 p.m., on the major road out of Padiham, involved a Rover 200 and a Vauxhall. Fire crews from Padiham cut


the elderly woman from the Rover car free and she was air­ lifted to hospital by the North "West Air Ambulance; The driver of the Vauxhall was taken to hos­ pital by ambulance. There have been a t least 60


injury accidents in the past seven years, and dozens more minor


accidents which have not been recorded are also known to have taken place on the busy road. Major improvement work was


60 m.p.h. was reduced to 50


m.p.h. Road traffic police from


carried out in 2004 which includ­ ed instalhng a special skid resist­ ant surface and resurfacing. The previous national speed limit of


Accrington attended the scene. We are grateful to a Clitheroe


Advertiser and Times reader who took this photograph of the after- math of the crash, (s)


:


A CLITHEROE .man has appeared in court charged with possessing an imita­ tion handgun with intent to cause fear of violence. James Ford (42), of


Lowergate, was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court by Blackburn mag­


istrates. The charge relates to an


incident in the Jubilee pub in Blakey Moor, Black- bum, last Sunday. The court heard the imi­


tation hand gun was bran­ dished in the pub by a man who visited the town cen­ tre establishment twice on


Sunday, the first time at 3 p.m. and again three hours


later.


• SWIMMING, self- defence and outdoor activ­ ities will be on the curricu­ lum at Roefield Leisure


next week. A range of activities


have been planned at the Edisford Road centre as part of its Spring Bank playscheme. The scheme costs £10 per day and runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details, or to book, ring 01200 442188.


A ‘dry’end to first beer festival


NOT a drop of beer was left at the end of Ribble Valley’s first- ever Real Ale Festival. More than 500 thirsty punters


from air over the region descend­ ed on St Mary’s ' Centre, Clitheroe, and drank the one-day festival dry.


The event, which coincided ■


with the Community Rail Day, featured 14 different ales from six nearby breweries. The beer extravaganza was the brainchild of Mr Nick Lakin, programmes co-ordinator for Stage and Screen at the centre and he has hailed it


a massive success. “I t was absolutely fantastic


and we had lots of people not only from the Ribble Valley, but from Wigan, Bolton and Manchester that attended,” he commented. “The beer had finished by 10


p.m. and everyone was just hav­ ing a great time enjoying the quality entertainment on offer. “The festival attracted a large


response and it’s a credit to all the volunteers who put the time and effort in ensuring the event went


smoothly.” For rail enthusiasts there was


plenty to see throughout the day.


with a Class 57 diesel on platform three at Blackburn Station, where rail staff were on hand to give tours of th e locomotive and answer questions. St Augustine’s RC High School


Swing Band performed in the sta­ tion foyer a t Blackburn in the afternoon and local band Bio Jan­ gles performed on the station in the morning, prior to taking a musical trip on the 1-48 p.m. train to Clitheroe.


The band th en processed


through the town to the real ale festival, where there were per­ formances from Celtic Cross. In addition, th e East Lan­


cashire Community Rail Partner­ ship was officially launched dur­ ing the day and there were infor­ mation stands about community rail and rail user groups, includ­ ing Ribble Valley Rail - regarded as one of the most successful of its kind in the country.


A MAN who shouted racist abuse at taxi drivers parked up in Clitheroe claimed he was not a


racist. Blackburn magistrates heard


that, despite his “colourful” lan­ guage, George William Smith was


not a racist. The court heard th a t Smith


called driver Martin Brown a “black bastard”, but when Mr Brown pointed out he was white, Smith said he didn't care and called him a “white bastard”.


Drinking man admits racist abuse charges Smith (53), of The Crescent,


Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to two charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £43 costs. Mr Scott Ainge (prosecuting),


said that after abusing Mr Brown, Smith turned his attentions to a Mr Mohammed, who was in the taxi


behind. Other drivers got out of their


vehicles and when he was told the IT’S all


hands to (he pump for


organisers Sieve


Ragnall and Nick Lakin pictured


during (he successful beer


festival. (G200506/4a)


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


helps local people have an affordable home _______ by Natalie Cox


A NEW affordable housing scheme in Sabden has been offi­


cially opened. St Vincent’s Housing Association


has created six self-contained one- bedroom apar tments at Holme Bank. Coun. Joyce Holgate, the chairman


of Ribble Valley Council’s Housing Committee, officially opened the building which aims to provide affordable housing for local people. In the 19th Century, Holme Bank


was the Oddfellows building - the local headquarters of the society which provided insurance against sickness and loss of work. I t later became the Liberal Club


and in the 1930s the Labour Club. The groundfloor was taken up by several small shops, including a bar­ bers and general store. Three decades ago the premises


were used by Demdike’s Crafts and more recently they housed a picture framers.


In November, 2003, St Vincent’s


was contacted with a view to pur­ chasing 39 to 45 Padiham Road as it had been empty for some time and was in need of major restoration


work. After detailed planning consent


was gained from Ribble Valley Bor­ ough Council, and grants received from the Housing Corporation, St Vincent’s purchased the properties and work started in July 2004. Mr Peter Smith, the director of St


Vincent’s, said: “People in the village seem particularly pleased that the buildings have been restored and brought affordable housing to the


area. “We have six new tenants and each


is a local person. Affordable housing for people who have grown up in rural areas is scarce and there are few options available, we have tried to address these sorts of issues with this scheme.” Our picture shows the newly-refurb


ished Holme Bank providing afford­ able homes for local people. (B120506/3C)


police had been called. Smith walked off. Mr Stephen Barker (defending) said Smith was a regu­ lar taxi user and had no problems with the Asian community. On the night of the incident he


had been drinking and felt that must have been a factor in him behaving in the way he did. "The first taxi driver was, in fact,


white and it would appear my client’s awareness of what was actu­ ally happening wasn't very good," said Mr Barker.


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