2 Clitheroe Advertiser &T1tnes, Thursday, September 28th, 2006


INSIDE YOUR CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES


■ Valley Matters ..................................6,7 H Village News .................................. 10,11 ■ Letters .................................................16 I Weekendplus ................................ 20,21 ■ Weekend TV ...............................18,19 ■ Family Notices..................


22,23


■ Readersplus........................................ 14 ■ Motors Today................................34-44 ■ Sport...... ........................................46-48


AT A GLANCE...


Gisburn farmer’s world first - page 9 Footy fracas in court - page 25


“Little Voice” in Clitheroe - page 25 Strang Stee - your thoughts - page 26


INFORMATION


Duly chemist: Heyes Chemist, 35 Moor Lane, 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. 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 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: 01282 422331


Family Notices and Photo Orders: 01282 426161, ext. 410 Fax: 01200443467 editor e-mail: vivien.meath@eastlancsnews.co.uk news editor e-mail:duncan.smith@eastlancsnews.co.uk sports editor e-mail: edward.lee@eastlancsnews.co.uk


WEATHER


DUNSOP BRIDGE ■


CHIPPING ■


CLITHEROE ■ '!


LANGHOI ■ SLAIDBURN I GISBURN ICHATBURN


■ WHALLEY ■ BREAD


B BURNLEY I ACCRINGTON BLACKBURN I


WEEKEND WEATHER: I t will be a wet weekend with light showers tomorrow and Sunday and heaviest downpours on Saturday. Temperatures around 18°C.


SUNRISE: 7-06 a.m. SUNSET: 6-51 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME: 6-21 p.m.


www.ditheroetoday.co.uk


aitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 4 2 ^ 1 (Classified)


Schools back plans for exciting new centre


I coriliniied from page 1 Ribblesdale wants to lead a


partnership to deliver the many specialised diplomas. Leisure and tourism, applied art and design, construction and creative and media are just some of the possi­ ble subjects available. The centre, which could be up


and running by 2008-09, will ini­ tially focus on Level 2 qualifica­ tions. It will boast many 21st Centu­


ry learning areas including provi­ sion for lecture theatre, IT suite and cafeteria to benefit its learn­ ers of all abilities. The development will enable


employers in the Ribble Valley to work closely with the aim of


increasing access to high-quality vocational and work-based learn­ ing that will open up careers opportunities for young people. Mr Smith explained that there


will be every opportunity for learners to be involved in the run­ ning and management of the building. He added “‘Aspire’ will be open


to everyone and we are exploring options for community use too. In promising choices, chances, chal­ lenge and collaboration for our pupils, this is one way of realising it”. The scheme has won the back­


ing of Bowland High School, St Augustine’s RC High School and Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.


Rowland’s Mr Cox, added:


“Students from the Ribble Valley are having to travel to Accrington and Rossendale College or Black­ burn College for further educa­ tional opportunities, which is quite a distance for pupils who live in Bolton-By-Bowland or other remote villages. “We have a pilot scheme cur­


rently under way where 17 pupils from Bowland High attend Rib­ blesdale every Thursday after­ noon to study engineering, which is proving to be a big success and parents have been enormously supportive too..” Mr Anthony McNamara, head


at St Augustine’s RC High School, Billington: “This is an ini­ tiative by the Government to


ensure that all 14 to 19-year-olds can access education which is right for them and so that there are appropriate courses for every type of young person. “No individual school can pos­


sibly provide a full range of voca­ tional courses that the DfES requires by the year 2011. There­ fore, what we have to do is look at ways where we can collaborate. “Schools in the Ribble Valley


have a very good relationship with each other, but I just have general concerns about the prin­ ciple of children moving from institution to institution on a reg­ ular basis.” More details about the scheme


will follow in the Clitheroe Adver­ tiser and Times.


End of the road for Avenue WHAT DO YOU THINK?


by Faiza Afzaal


IT is the end of the road for “Avenue”, the boy band fronted by Clitheroe’s singing sensa­ tion Jonny Lloyd. Up-and-coming star


Jonny (25), along with his band members, who bat­ tled their way through to the final 12 of Britain’s biggest and fiercely con­ tested TV talent contest “X-Factor”, have been dumped by bosses for breaching show rules. Earlier this month, the


Clitheroe Advertiser arid Times reported that the five-strong controversial group had made it through to the “boot- camp” stages of the tele­ vised competition, before it was revealed that they had been formed by British pop mogul Ashley Tabor. Mr Tabor happens to


be a business associate of Judge Louis Walsh and the show rules state that all contestants must not have signed professional contracts prior to audi-


imw


tioning on the pro­ gramme. Avenue’s failure to


declare this information led to their exit from the hit IT V show. A spokesman for X-


Factor confirmed they had breached show rules and have been eliminated from the competition. Louis, who mentored


the band, said it was a hard decision and that he had had “sleepless nights” over what to do for the best. “The boys are very tal­ ented, but they broke the


WERE the X-Factor judges right to kick


boyband Avenue off the show, instead of let­ ting the public judge them on talent alone?


Take part in our on-line poll vote by clicking on to


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk


rules and unfortunately they had to go,” he added. Fellow judge Simon


Cowell said: “They should have declared their man­ agement contract which they didn’t. They misled us. It wouldn’t have been fair to allow them to con­ tinue as they would have deprived another act of a chance to sing in the finals.” Jonny, pictured, an ex­


pupil of Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, is the son of Ian Lloyd, of Mor­ timers, Clitheroe, and his wife, Anne. Speaking exclusively to


the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, Mr Lloyd said he was very disappointed for the boys and felt that they had been used as a


publicity stunt for the show. He added: “Jonny and


the boys have been extremely upset by the decision and viewers will see their disappointment when it is screened on tele­ vision. “They did really well to


be selected for the live show stages after beating off fierce competition from 100,000 hopefuls who auditioned, but I think their exit has some­ thing to do with boosting viewing figures for the programme. “The lads have since


been on holiday to come to terms with the news and are due to meet sever­ al pop managers later this week about their future.”


Thumbs up to 20 more chalets


PLANNERS have given the green light to an application to site more than 20 static units on Todber Caravan Park at Gisburn. Members of Ribble Valley Bor­


ough Council’s Planning Com­ mittee approved an application that previously unused land at the park, situated to the east of the clubhouse, be utilised to accommodate 22 timber clad twin units. Consent requires the park’s


owners to st ill maintain the approved maximum number of 306 units on the site, which means they will have to identify 22 caravans from elsewhere with­ in the site to be removed. Each new unit will be served by


a single car parking bay and a sin­ gle track internal roadway will be marginally widened. In a report to members, plan­


ning officer Sarah Westwood explained: “The applicants have


stated that it is not the intention to increase the overall numbers on site, but remove the equivalent number of any degraded or unsatisfactory caravans/pitches, thereby reducing the density on


the existing developed parts of the site.” The application was approved


subject to numerous conditions including one to ensure the units


remained for holiday accommo­ dation only.


Pendle Club


BRIDGE winners at the Pendle Club were: Mrs Pat Parker, Mr Ernest Manning, Mrs Silvia Walsh, Mrs Joan Scott. New members welcome


on Mondays at 1-30 p.m. Solo whist winners at


the Pendle Club were: Mrs M. Parker, S. Holden, Mrs J. Thornton. New members welcome


every Monday at 7 p.m. Domino winners were:


H. Wolfenden, joint 2, D. Knight and J. Thornber; 4, A. Lowe; joint 5, M. Parkes, C. Wareing and C. Wiseman. New members welcome


every Friday at 7 p.m. Sequence dancing is


held every Tuesday at 7- 30 p.m. and line dancing every Thursday at 1-30 p.m.


Bridge winners


WINNERS at Clitheroe Bridge Club on Thursday evening were:-NS Chris Pollard and George B. Pol­ lard, Merle Allen and Alasdair Carter. EW Janet Bailey and Jean Martindale, Geoff Cap- stick and Ann Pedder. On Monday evening


winners were: NS Chris Pollard and Jafiet Bailey, Janet Gilmour and Linda Wilkinson. EW Ruth Reid and Richard Lapthorne, Frances Porter and Eileen Wood. GP


• SEVERAL free places have arisen at St James’ Rainbows for girls aged from five to seven years old. The group meets at St James’ Church Hall on Thursdays between 5-30 p.m. and 6-30 p.m. For more details call Mrs Middleton on 01200 423908 or Rachel Steer on 0792153030.


Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) Good news for


students keeps on coming!


by Faiza Afzaal________


EXCITING times lie ahead for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. Staff and pupils at the school have


been celebrating after being told that the school has successfully been awarded specialist languages status. The move will enable the school to


enhance the curriculum by offering seven different languages to its pupils. And the deputy headteacher Mr


Peter Mulholland, who has spear­ headed the project, believes the recog­ nition will result in the school becom­ ing a real “centre-piece” for languages for the Ribble Valley community. “The announcement has been a real


boost for the school,” he commented. “This will allow us to build on existing strengths in languages.” French, Spanish, German and Latin


are currently taught at the school. The prestigious recognition will see the possible introduction of a further three - Mandarin, Russian and Urdu. Under the plans, specialist school


status will see the introduction of a £500,000 language suite at the Chat- bum Road site. The new building, which will be for


school and community use, will com­ prise a glass atrium entrance and four classrooms. The development, which has


already been granted planning per­ mission, will feature a digital lan­ guages laboratory - complete with 21st Century software offering brand- new computers, headphones and CDs. Work on the state-of-the-art build­


ing is scheduled to begin in October and should be complete by Easter next year. Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is


renowned for its close links with pri­ mary schools in the area and since plans for the bid were first announced, the school has been working in part­ nership with six primary and three high schools. Students from the York Street and


Chatburn Road have delivered out­ standing assemblies at the schools


with an international languages theme.


Fund-raising events were held, both


inside and outside the school, in an attempt to raise a total of £50,000 required to successfully submit the bid. In addition. Languages College Committees were set-up by pupils from both sites demonstrating the benefits the new status would bring for pupils and the wider community. Mr Mulholland believes that


becoming a specialist school will not change the grammar school’s name or ethos, but will continue to raise the standards of its excellent academic reputation. He added that the special title will help to establish an exchange link with a school in Shanghai, China, as well as other international destina­ tions. “I am delighted that we have been awarded specialist language status,” he added. “This is a fantastic boost for the school and the local community - enabling us to teach more languages, hence improve opportunities for everyone. “This is an exciting time for the


school and a tremendous amount of opportunities will soon be available for pupils, staff and members of the pub­ lic, who can attend classes at the grammar school and help with the provision of language teaching.” Mr Mulholland thanked HSBC,


Clitheroe the Future, the Bowland Trust, Castle Cement and fiymoto for substantial donations towards the bid. He also expressed a big thank you to school governors, pupils and the friends and parents of the school, who organised several fund-raising events towards the £50,000 required to sub­ mit the bid. Headteacher Miss Judith Evans


said: “I’m delighted we’ve been awarded specialist school status. I think it’s going to open more opportu­ nities for the school and its students.” Our picture shows grammar school


pupils celebrating specialist status success. (B120906/4)


:■ Y- ■


Weezo’s sponsors Castle scheme


PREMIER Clitheroe restau­ rant, Weezo’s, is one of the first corporate sponsors of the Clitheroe C a s t le H e rita g e Scheme. The restaurant, owned by Kathy


Smith and Stosie Madi, is to sponsor a permanent exhibition at the new- look Clitheroe Castle Museum called the Victorian Kitchen. The museum currently houses a


Victorian kitchen exhibition featur­ ing weird and wonderful kitchen artefacts such as horn beakere, can- dlesnuffers, a wrought iron toaster and a “goffering” machine for crimp­ ing starched collars and cuffs! And the new enhanced exhibition


will feature an in-depth insight into Victorian kitchens, as well as many more fascinating artefacts. Weezos, situated in the Grade II-


listed Old Tollhouse in Parson Lane, has won a raft of awards and caught the eye of famous TV chef Gordon Ramsey. Kathy Smith said: “Stosie and I


are fascinated by the history and heritage of kitchens, and delighted to be sponsoring this exhibition. We wish the scheme every success.” The High Sheriff of Lancashire,


Peter Robinson, who is championing the Clitheroe Castle Heritage Scheme, added: “We are absolutely


interactive display facilities and an education suite. The museum will undergo major


restoration and internal modernisa­ tion in a bid to develop a reputation as a quality visitor attraction, with strong links in the education and specialist interest sectors. The Heritage Lottery Fund has


delighted that one of Clitheroe’s newest and most vibrant restaurants is supporting the project and their sponsorship of the Victorian Kitchen is particularly apt.” • The £3.2million Clitheroe Cas­


tle Heritage Scheme, spearheaded by Ribble Valley Borough Council, is the biggest heritage project in the North West and aims to position Clitheroe Castle and Museum as a major visitor attraction. It will position Clitheroe Castle


and Museum as a central feature of the North West’s leisure experience, with a glass atrium linking the museum and North West Sound Archives on two levels, facilities for the disabled, cafe, exhibition space.


pledged £2million bid to the scheme, Ribble Valley Borough Council £250,000 and the SITA Trust a fur­ ther £150,000. Clitheroe the Future is also poised to put £250,000 in the pot on behalf of the North West Development Agency and a fundraising drive in the private sec­ tor has attracted further pledges. Sponsorship packages for the


Clitheroe Castle Heritage Scheme are available from £5,000 to £25,000. Sponsors receive exclusive association with a particular facet of the scheme, such as a stand-alone exhibition or whole suite. In some cases, exhibitions will be housed in individual rooms named after the sponsor. An information pack and avail­


ability list is available from Ribble Valley Borough Council’s regenera­ tion officer Anne Ainsworth on 01200 414531. Pictured from the left are Kathy,


Mr Robinson and Stosie, toasting the sponsorship deal, (s)


Evil thieves target charity shop


THIEVES have been seen stealing donations left on charity shop doorsteps in Clitheroe. In one instance, the driver of a red


BMW was seen to stop outside the Age Concern shop in Moor Lane, delve into a bag on the doorstep, try on a coat and admire his reflection in the shop window, then put the whole bag in the boot of his car. When challenged by an onlooker, the thief made an Offensive gesture then drove away. That incident and others, involv­


ing the same red BMW and a white van, have been reported to the


pohee. Most have happened on Sun­ days, when people having a weekend clearout have l§ft bags of donations on local charity shop doorsteps. Also, people who have a stall at a car boot sale often leave unsold items outside the charity shops after the sale is over. It is thought the thieves could be


visiting the area for its many Sun­ day car boot sales, but also taking a quick trip around Clitheroe to pick up some extra “bargains”. Now local people are being asked


not to leave donated goods on the doorsteps, but instead arrange to


get them to the charity shops during opening hours. A spokesman for the Age Concern


shop stressed that it only sold donated items - some charity shops now sell new goods too - so it relied entirely on the generosity of local people in making donations. Thieves stealing those donated goods were in effect stealing direct­ ly from needy people. Anyone who sees such a theft


should inform Clitheroe Police on 01200 443344 and, if possible, make a note of the registration number of any vehicle involved.


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Mm


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, September 28th, 2006 3


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