Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) 2 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, March 8th, 2007


INSIDE YOUR CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES


H VallcA'Mailers .................. ............6,7 H Village N gavs ............................... ...9,10,11 B Lellers ................................


H Weekendplus...................... . .21,22,23 B Thurscla)' fealure................


B Family Nolices.................. . . . .18,19


HReadersplus........................ ............20 B World Book Day ................ ............60 H Sport...... ........................... ..


AT A GLANCE... ASBO Avoman facing jail - page 8


Charily boost folloAvs tragedy -page 12 NeAv plan for BarroAV site - page 24


Valley golfers’ Pro-Am success - page 64 INFORMATION


Duly clicmisi: Read and Simonstone Pharmacy, 90 Whalley Road, Read: Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. Police: 01200 4433‘M. Fire: In emergency 999 and ask for fire service. Eleclricily: 0800 1954141.


Gas: 0800 111999.


Water: 0845 402200. Councils: Ribble Valley Borough Council, Clitheroe 425111. Clitheroe Town Council, 424722. Hospitals: Royal Blackburn Royal Hospital: 01254 203555. Airedale General Hospital, Steeton: 01535 052511. Clitheroe Community Hospital: 427311. Alcohol Information Centre: 01282 410055. Aidsline: 01282 831101 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Domc.slic Violence Helpline: 01282 422024. Cruse Bereavement Care: Ribble Valley 01200 429340. Environmental Agency: Emergencies - 0800 807000. Drugs: Local confidential advice and information line: 01200 444484. National: 0800 770000. Ribitle Valley Talking Newspaper: 01200 428004. Saniarilan.s: 01254 002424. Monllily Volunteer Helpline: 01200 422721. Lancashire Rural Stress Nelworlc 01200 427771. QUE.Sl’ (specialist smoking cessation service): 01254 358095. Riitble Valley Citizens’ Advice Bureau: 01200 428900.


CONTACT US! News: 01200 422324


Advertising: 01200 422323 Classified: 01282 422331


Family Notices and Photo Orders: 01282 420101, evl. 410 Fax: 01200 443107


editor e-mail: vivien.mealh@easllancsnews.co.uk news editor e-mail: tluncan.smi(h@easllancsnew.s.co.uk sports etiitor e-mail: edward.lee@eiisllancsnews.co.uk


WEATHER


DUNSOP BRIDGE ■


CHIPPING ■ ■ CHATBURN


CLITHEROE ■ ■ WHALLEY B R E AD


LANGHOB O 4 BLACKBURN I AYEEKEND WEATHER: It will be cloudy, but fine


over the weekend with temperatures reaching a maxi­ mum of 10°C. SUNRISE: 6-38 a.m. SUNSET: 6 p.m. LIGHTING UP TIME: 5-30 p.m.


■ BURNLEY ■ ACCRINGTON I SLAIDBURN ■ GISBURN www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified)


Now it’s for tenants to vote on new landlord


by Julie Magee


A PREFERRED partner for the transfer of the council’s housing in the Ribble Valley has been chosen - bringing a £65m. homes investment a step nearer. Cheshire-based “Vicinity” will


set up a brand new, local, not-for- profit housing organisation to own and manage the borough’s 1,000 council homes, if the trans­ fer goes ahead. I t was one of two housing


organisations - or Registered Social Landlords - shortlisted by a panel made up of tenants, coun­ cillors and council officers. Their


selection followed a rigorous and thorough process which involved holding an open day for tenants to meet the organisations, visits to the housing organisations and various presentations. A total of 14 housing organisa­


tions expressed an interest in being the preferred partner for the borougL The group’s decision was officially approved at a meet­ ing of the full council on Tuesday. The council’s proposal to trans­


fer the ownership and manage­ ment of its 1,000-plus homes to a local housing organisation would unlock around £65m. of invest­ ment, if tenants vote in favour. Coun. Joyce Holgate, chairman


of the Housing Committee, said: “The selection process has been


exceedingly thorough. There was a great deal of interest from organisations wanting to partner with'the council. “Vicinity was chosen as the


preferred partner as we firmly believe they will help ensure a local housing organisation deliv­ ers the type of homes and housing service that tenants in the bor­ ough have been saying they want. The decision to choose Vicinity is the crucial link in the partnership to transform social housing in the borough, if that is what tenants want.” The Ribble Valley housing


organisation would be brand new and based in the borough. I t would be a subsidiary of Vicinity if transfer goes ahead. Tenants


THE amount of extra money Ribble Val­ ley council tax payers will pay this year was finalised this week. Ribble Valley Borough Council calcu­ lated all its sums with the figures being


approved at Tuesday night’s full council meeting. As a result the Valley faces an overall


council tax increase of 5.2%. This year, the borough council has


managed to restrict the increase in its share of the tax to only 2% - the lowest increase in East Lancashire by a district authority and one which equates to £128.65 for a Band D property. However, due to much larger requests


than normal from the county’s other authorities, the council tax increase has risen to above 5% overall.’ Lancashire County Council, which


takes the biggest share of the cash, is tak­ ing an additional 4.95%, an increase of nearly £50 per household at Band D


Bridge winners


WINNERS a t Clitheroe Bridge Club on Monday evening were: NS Jean Mar- tindale and Jean Taylor, Chris Pollard and Janet Bai­ ley. EW Joan-Bowker and Kath Higson, B. Guha and Use Park. On Thursday evening win­


ners were: NS Jean Martin- dale and Jane t Bailey, Pauline Grant and Philip Manning. EW Kath Higson and Use Park, John Renton and Brenda Wilson.


Allowed bail


CLITHEROE woman Tracey Taylor (39), of East- moor Drive, was remanded bn bail by Hyndburn magis­ tra te s after pleading not guilty to three charges of fail­ ing to notify a change of cir­ cumstances under Social Security regulations which affected her entitlement to income support, housing benefit and council tax bene­ fit.


Council tax: Valley’s lowest increase in E. Lancs


level. Part of the council tax. cash is also paid to the county’s Police Authority and the Combined Fire Authority. This year the police authority wants a


whopping 11.4%rise, citing increased demands on its resources as the reason, while the Fire Authority wants 4.99%. On top of this most Valley residents


also have to pay a relatively small addi­ tional sum as every parish council le'vies its own precept from council tax payers to cover work carried out by the parish council. As a result, householders living in a


typical Band D property in Ribble Val­ ley will receive a council tax bill for £1,358.24, plus the small parish precept for their area. • See next week’s Clitheroe Advertiser


and Times for a table setting out the final amounts for each valuation band in each area of the Ribble Valley.


Walkers set out


from Beacon Fell IT was a miserable morning in February with a heavy drizzle and the cloud level down, when 14 Clitheroe Ramblers set out from Beacon Fell. A route through fields and along roads led to the


Brock valley at Walmsley Bridge where a break for a snack was taken, standing up as it was so wet, but at least it had by then stopped raining. The course of the Brock was then followed


upstream. The ground underfoot for this section of route varied from good made paths to boggy fields and narrow woodland paths. About an hour after the first stop another


longer break was enjoyed in greater comfort at the picnic site at Brock Mill Bridge. The walkers continued up the valley eventually


passing through the grounds of Waddacar Scout Camp noting all the activities available to Scouts nowadays.


Reaching the road just above Jack Anderton


Bridge, it was followed to Higher Brock Mill where the walkers turned almost due south to start climbing back up on to Beacon Fell. They reached the trig, point where they


admired the views and then made their way back to the car park, some finishing the day with a cup of tea in the cafe.


will decide on transfer in a ballot later this year.


Vicinity was founded more


than 40 years ago and has consid­ erable experience and expertise in the social housing sector. It owns and manages homes across the North West. O Ribble Valley councillors


voted reluctantly to transfer their housing stock after their officers reported there was no realistic alternative. Massive investment is needed to bring the housing up to new Government standards. The council could only raise the


money needed through increased council house rents, whereas a Registered Social Landlord can raise money in other ways, lifting the burden off tenants.


Two in court over taxi assaults


TWO men have appeared before Blackburn magis­ tra te s charged with assaults on taxi drivers. • Gary Lee Haslam (36), of Talbot Close, is charged with assaulting Naeem Ahmed and damaging a wing mirror on his car . Darren Lee Allen (35),, of Richmond Terrace, is


charged with two assaults on Naeem Ahmed and assaulting his colleague Raja Khan. Both men pleaded not


guilty to all charges and elected to be tried at Pre­ ston Crown Court. They were remanded on bail for the preparation of commi- tal papers.


Son is remanded in custody


A 26-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with an attack on his father in his home in Clitheroe. Hyndburn magistrates


heard th a t a knife was brandished during the incident which left the father, Mr Stuart Parker,


xvith a deep cut above his eye. Benjamin Parker, of Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, was remanded in custody on charges of assaulting his father caus­ ing him actual bodily harm, and assaulting Ms Sarah Dewhurst, his father’s partner.


Man smashed up living room


CLITHEROE man Steven High (21), of Tower Hill, was bound over in the sum of £100 to keep the peace for six months .when he appeared before Blackburn magis­ trates and admitted a breach of the peace. The court heard th a t


police called to High's home were met by a dis­


SOLO whist winners a t the Pendle Club were: S. Holden, D. Grant, K. Holding. New members welcome


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


Pendle Club were: Mrs Doris Blunt, Mr Brian ■ Holden, Mrs Pat Parker, Mrs Margaret Firth. Experienced players


tressed female who said he has smashed up the living room before punching a hole in the wall. High had then gone and laid on one of the children’s beds and refused to move! High,' who was drunk, refused to co-operate with police and was eventually hand­ cuffed and removed from the property.


Pendle club weekly results


welcome every Monday at 1-30 p.m. Domino win­ ners: joint 1, E. Fox, R. Knight, J. Leach, P. Met­ calfe, Mrs M. Parkes. 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 a t 1-30 p.m.


For news online go to... Avww.ditheroetoday.co.uk


r ; I


COMMUNITY Champion and Pendle Primary School Governor Shanaz Hus­ sain delivered an assembly to pupils all about traditional clothes. She celebrated the diverse and differ­


ent clothes worn by the pupils on the day and paid particular attention to the role of celebrating cultural, religious and social allegiance through clothing. Children and staff were encouraged to


attend in clothing that was reflective of their culture, heritage or interests. The outfits of children and members of


staff varied from sports clothing, party dresses, mosque clothes, Chinese dress, to horse-riding and walking gear. The whole day was dedicated to cele­ brating the rich culture that exists in the


locality and making other pupils aware of the uniqueness of each child. The special assembly aimed to cele­


brate difference, but equally to recognise the commonality that exists between all human beings. Headteacher Margaret Carrington


added that the assembly was very special for the children. “It allowed for individual celebration


of the uniqueness of clothing with the message that it was good to feel distin­ guished because of who you are; what you w'ear and be able to celebrate your heritage with pride,” she said. Our picture shows Mrs Hussain with


the pupils, who took part in the tradi­ tional dress day. (s)


[The Clitheroe umero


vertiser and limes LATEST VALLEY


m STORIES A -..


I f I f


Jewel heist driver jailed by Court Reporter_____


A MAN who found himself act­ ing as the getaway driver follow­ ing a gems theft at a Clitheroe jewellers has been given a jail term. James Blakeborough gave an


acquaintance a lift to East Lan­ cashire, believing he was seeking a refund on a gold chain. But his companion grabbed £7,000


worth of diamond rings from Mars- dens jewellers in King Street, Clitheroe. Blakeborough (46), of Neweliffe


Road, Blackley, Manchester, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to handling stolen goods.


He was sentenced to two months in


prison, to be added on to a jail term he is already serving. The crime took place in September


2005. The jewellery was stolen around 5


p.m. on a Friday afternoon by a man who entered the shop saying he was looking for an engagement ring for his girlfriend and a gold band for himself. Mr Steven Johnson (prosecuting)


said the man ran off with the tray of diamond rings, valued at £7,140. An eyewitness took the registration number of the getaway car and the following day Blakeborough was apprehended. He told police he knew the other


man vaguely saying he was called Derek, and he asked for a lift to


Dressed to be different I


Clitheroe to sell a gold chain. He parked up, not knowing there


was going to be a theft, and later the other man ran towards him, telling him to run and get in the car. He maintained he had not seen the


tray of jewellery. Blakeborough pleaded guilty on


the basis that he had no idea that the other man intended to steal any­ thing. The defendant said he received no


payment or reward for his involve­ ment. Mr Saul Brody (defending) said


Blakeborough had only become involved once he realised that a theft had occurred. “He knew something had gone on


in the shop. That was not the reason why he drove to Clitheroe.


Racecourse meetings


RESIDENTS in Read and Simon- stone are being reminded of two pub­ lic meetings to dis­ cuss plans for East Lancashire’s first multi-million pound racecourse. Proposals for the


state-of-the-art facili­ ty, to be built between, Altham and Simonstone, will be discussed at 2 p.m. on Monday at the Unit­ ed Reformed Church, East A^iew, Read and 7 p.m. at Read Pri­ mary School, Straits Lane. The meetings are


intended to give resi­ dents the chance to listen to the consor­ tium’s plans. Due to health and


safety and fire regu­ lations, the numbers permitted to attend the meetings have been restricted to 120 people. Admission is by


ticket only (one tick­ et per household) and can be obtained from Read Library, by e- mailing Carolyn@thevil- lagedirectory.net or by contacting Coun. John Hill on 01282 772201.


Nothing suspicious in toddler’s death


POLICE investigating the death of a three-year-old boy are not treating it as suspicious. Ambulance crews were called to a house in Thorncroft, Barrow, at 4-40 a.m. on Monda.y,


after Nazem Patel was discovered in his cot by his foster parents. He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital, but was pronounced dead. A post­ mortem examination proved incon­


clusive. Further tests will now be conducted to determine the cause of death. Sgt Graham Marsli'all, of Clitheroe Police has ruled out any suspicious circumstances:


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r M a t t r e s s O n l y “He had wrongly assumed there


was an entirely lawful reason for going there. After the theft, he drove, thus providing a lift to the other man, when he knew by then that property had been stolen.” Blakeborough is presently serving a five-month prison sentence imposed for police assault and a bail offence. Passing sentence, Judge Christo­


pher Cornwall told Blakeborough: “For a small retail jeweller, to lose a tray of rings is a matter of some con­ siderable importance. “Even if there was proper insur­


ance, it means higher insurance pre­ miums in future. “By continuing to drive as you did,


you enabled the man to enjoy the fruits of his crime.”


Former Mayor sent for trial


A t r ia l at Preston Crown Court awaits a Ribble Valley councillor and former Mayor who has been commit­ ted on a charge of benefit fraud. John McGowan, of Ribble AA^ay,


Low Moor, Clitheroe, faces a charge of failing to notify a change of cir­ cumstances that affected his entitle­ ment to disability living allowance. His ease was committed to Crown


Court by Blackburn magistrates. The prosecution allege th a t


McGowan was claiming the benefit between 2004 and 2006. During that time they say he was seen playing golf at Stonyhurst Golf Course, shopping in a supermarket and doing' a paper round. The total overpayment claimed by


the Department of AA^orks and Pen­ sions is £13,114.


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk


WEEKEND SPORT UPDATES


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, March 8th, 2007


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