A MAN recently released from prison resumed taking drugs at the same level he had done prior to being jailed – with tragic consequences, a Burnley inquest heard.

Brian Murray (29), of Fletcher Street, Nelson, was found dead at his home on September 6th last year. It was believed at the time he had taken a drugs overdose.

Pathologist Dr Walid Salman told the hearing that toxicology tests had revealed levels of tramadol, morphine and methadone in Mr Murray’s blood and gave the cause of death as a drugs overdose.

Mr Murray’s mother, Sheena Arthur, told the inquest her son had just been released from custody. He had had mental health issues since he was 11 but was able to look after his own medication and had been to see his doctor on September 3rd to discuss a change.

“I spoke to him about the future and he was looking forward to seeing his daughter,” she said.

A few days later. she said, she became concerned at not having seen Mr Murray and spoke to his sister, who went to the house where his body was found.

“It was a tragic mistake. He would not have taken too much,” said Mrs Arthur. “He was strong willed and there was no evidence he intended to take his own life.” East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor said Mr Murray believed it was safe to take drugs at the same levels he had done previously and had failed to appreciate that his time in custody had affected hois tolerance levels.

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

MR Pendle was irritated the other day when he heard a spokesman for something called the Libertarian Alliance arguing on the radio that stopping people driving vehicles and breathalysing them was a violation of their human rights.

And the man trumped that piece of arrant nonsense by saying shooting drink drivers at the roadside would be a more effective way of reducing the amount of drink driving than the current laws.

And he proceeded to match that piece of drivel by going on to say the breathalyser test was the equivalent of asking rail passengers to turn out their bags to see if they were carrying stolen property.

Now as someone who has been breathalysed twice over the years – and found to be negative on both occasions – Mr Pendle can say he never considered his human rights to have been violated when he was pulled over.

As someone with a good deal of respect for the police, he acknowledged they have a job to do.

They had obviously seen something in his driving manner that obliged them to stop him and subject him to a test.

Having passed the test, they allowed him to go on his way. End of.

No violation of human rights occurred, and Mr Pendle would not have thought of complaining to the Libertarian Alliance about what happened even if he had known it existed.

There may be a need for such a group, but too many people today think they should be allowed to do what they want, where they want and get away with it.

But laws such as the one relating to drink driving are there for a good reason, and calls for their repeal from whingeing protest groups should therefore be resisted.

THE controversial school closures due to the snows of late January saw those dreaded words health and safety surface once again.

In our part of the world, there were closures which were unavoidable as many schools were inaccessible.

But in other areas, Mr Pendle heard of schools being closed simply because playgrounds were icy.

What on earth is the world coming to?

It would never have happened when Mr Pendle was a boy.

Making slides on the ice was part of enjoying the winter weather.

If someone slipped and fell, everyone laughed, the victim got up and we carried on playing.

Not any of this “you must not do this in case ...” nonsense from po-faced pen pushing bureaucrats whose faces would probably crack if they attempted to smile.

Health and safety legislation is obviously necessary in some cases, but all too often it is used to highlight dangers where none exist or if they do, the chances of them occurring are about as likely as Mr Pendle going to the Moon for his next holiday.

THE death of an 82-year-old Colne man, who was found at his home last night, is not being treated as suspicious.

Police were called to Basil Street at 6-40pm on Tuesday, February 27th.

More to follow.

A HOUSEHOLDER was shocked to find a barefooted stranger rummaging through his fridge in the early hours, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how teenager Anthony Dewhurst had broken into Christopher Moore’s Barnoldswick home not because he wanted to steal something, but because he was homeless and wanted some food and to get warm.

Mr Moore, who lived with his elderly father, and had gone downstairs after being awoken by his dog barking, went on to let his intruder out after the defendant became very agitated.

Dewhurst put his liberty at risk for a 20 minute nap on a comfy sofa and a pork pie, but was spared jail after the court was told things were looking up for him. The defendant now had settled accommodation and was working for his brother.

Dewhurst (19), of Manchester Road, Barnoldswick, admitted burglary, last July 17th. He was given an 18 month community order, with 18 months’ supervision and 120 hours unpaid work.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said at 2-40am, the victim heard noises coming from the kitchen, went downstairs and found Dewhurst in front of the fridge, with the door open.

Mr Moore asked the defendant what he was doing and the defendant replied: “I thought somebody had broken into your house and I came in to get them out.”

The victim reported the matter to the police. He had discovered a pork pie and £5 were missing.

Mr Moore noticed Dewhurst had got into the property through a window. The defendant was arrested and questioned. He told police he had been homeless for about three or four months and had gone to the house for shelter.

John Woodward, for Dewhurst, said: “He does understand what he did was terribly wrong.” Dewhurst, who is now working as a labourer, had been sitting on the sofa trying to warm up for 20 minutes before the householder found him.

The barrister continued: “His motivation wasn’t to steal to fund a habit. It was to try and find some shelter and some food, but the householder must have been terrified.”

Sentencing, Judge Anthony Russell, QC, said the incident must have been very disturbing for the householder.

The judge told the defendant: “As things developed, he perhaps realised you weren’t the sort of burglar that some people fear very much.”

The judge added: “Your circumstances do seem to have changed for the better. You have got a job. I think the court can be more lenient than might otherwise be the case for breaking into somebody’s home.”

In the volatile early years of Tudor Queen Mary’s blood-soaked reign, a Protestant rebellion was an ever-constant threat.

The only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon, Mary’s first act on her accession to the throne was to plan marriage to the Catholic King Philip of Spain, creating a powerful alliance to carry out her fanatical dream of ridding England of Protestantism.

In the second of Barbara Kyle’s colourful and exciting Thornleigh series of historical novels, she takes us to the heart of Mary’s dangerous court where Sir Thomas Wyatt, angered by the prospect of a Spanish marriage, is raising an army to oust the new queen.

Into this maelstrom steps Isabel Thornleigh from an old English family who are no strangers to rebellion and who will become a daring go-between in the ensuing battle.

Kyle, a Canadian writer with her eyes and heart set firmly on Tudor history, has perfected the art of melding fact and fiction, creating a nucleus of imaginary characters to play out thrilling adventures amidst real-life figures and real historical events.

The first book of the series, The Queen’s Lady, was set at the court of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and here again, romance and drama take centre stage as warring factions get to grips with a country dogged by religion, dissent and politics.

As Queen Mary prays for good weather to send Philip of Spain to England’s shores, 19-year-old Isabel Thornleigh is making plans for her own wedding to the handsome Martin St.Leger.

Isabel had an unconventional upbringing in the Netherlands and longs to escape from the quiet, dull lives of her staunchly Protestant parents, wool merchant Richard Thornleigh and his wife.

England is in turmoil, with various plots being hatched to overthrow Mary and bring her sister Elizabeth to power, but Wyatt’s rebellion appears to be gaining the greatest momentum.

When her father is imprisoned as a Protestant heretic, Isabel courageously agrees to act as a messenger for Wyatt but none of the secrets Isabel discovers compares to the truths hidden in her own family.

Only the enigmatic Spanish mercenary Carlos Valverde, with whom she has forged an unlikely and romantically perilous alliance, can help her. And with the rebellion and England’s future at stake, Isabel is prepared to risk all to change the course of history...

The King’s Daughter is an all-action thriller, bringing to life the passion and perils of the Tudor period as well as delivering a romance laced with mystery and authentic history.

Another fascinating chapter in the entertaining Tudor saga...

(Canvas, paperback, £7.99)

PASSENGERS travelling between Colne and Blackpool South are currently facing delays.

A spokesman from Northern Rail said that trains are having to run at a reduced speed due to a signalling problem at Kirkham and Wesham.

Slight diversions are taking place around Bamber Bridge.

It is unclear when the problem will be resolved.

EVERYONE needs a goal.

“A man without a goal is like a ship without a rudder,” philosopher Thomas Carlyle famously mused.

For some, achieving these goals comes effortlessly, for others their ambitions need a gentle nudge to spur them on and over the finish line.

For me, I need an almighty kick up the backside just to get out of bed in the morning ­– especially where running is concerned.

Never has this been more apparent that on one of my many agonizing and aimless dawn jogs battling against the unforgiving Burnley drizzle.

I am Carlyle’s rudderless ship. Nothing to run for and nothing to aim at. Just plodding along the rain-soaked pavements morning after morning, dodging the dog muck and stopping for air every 100 yards.

I always ran because it seemed like the right thing to do to keep fit, to lose weight, or whatever.

But it was always a grinding chore ploughing a lonely furrow along the dark and wind-swept Padiham Greenway at 7am before work.

It was clear I needed a goal ­- a purpose to keep pounding the streets and something to put the fun back into running (or at least something to stop me throwing my running shoes under a bus and giving up).

Scott needed the Antarctic, Hillary needed Everest and by gosh I needed some (marginally less extreme) kind of fitness challenge beyond the realms of trying to outrun the hungry-looking dog on my street every morning.

And then there it was. The Pennine Lancashire 10K run ­– all shiny, inviting and perfectly-formed. A ready-made goal to strive for, happening right here in Burnley (The Antarctic can wait, for now).

I’ve never entered a competitive race before - marathons never interested me and I still get flashbacks from the grim Somme-like cross-country runs forced upon us at school.

But the 10K sounded nice. It may not be the longest, hardest, or fastest race in the world but every journey starts with a first step.

The late Jane Tomlinson is testament to that. Jane’s first step came after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer aged just 36. This first step took her on a path that saw her run marathons, tackle Iron Man challenges and even cycle 6,781km across America.

Her unparalleled ambition brought hope and inspiration to thousands of people and raised millions for charity, leaving a lasting legacy of For All Events which hosts running events including Burnley’s Pennine Lancashire 10K.

It’s amazing what having a goal can do.

A PENDLE councillor has hit back after confidential comments he made on the Lord Rennard sex scandal were leaked online.

Over the past week, Lord Tony Greaves has come under fire over two private posts he made on an internal Liberal Democrat blog.

Much of the criticism he has received from social media users and newspaper bloggers comes from his comment that “it is hardly an offence for one adult person to make fairly mild sexual advances to another.”

He has also been blasted for his opinion that “if the allegations as made are a matter for resignation, perhaps around a half of the male member of the Lords over the age of 50 would probably not be seen again.”

But Coun. Greaves has now spoken out, claiming that his quotes on the former Liberal Democrat chief executive were “taken out of context”.

On Tuesday’s Daily Mail front page Lord Greaves’s posts were described as “an astonishing attempt to defend Lord Rennard”.

And Telegraph blogger Tom Chivers wrote that “Lord Greaves, a Lib Dem peer, has decided to ride to the aid of his colleague Lord Rennard”.

Responding, Coun. Greaves told the Leader Times Newspapers: “The quotes are taken out of context.

“They were leaked from a private discussion from a right wing blogger who recently said ‘he hates all politicians’.

“I will tell you what I think. The allegations are dreadful. The Lib Dems have set up two inquiries.

“We must now respect that process and wait to see the results of the inquiries. Anyone with complaints to make has every opportunity to make them.

“Meanwhile people in our party should calm down and stop using the national media to air their complaints.

“The national media have their own agenda and they are not helpful towards our party, and are often quite malevolent.

“People who allow themselves to be used in this way do no favours either to themselves or their political ideals.”

Lord Rennard was last week accused of sexual impropriety, following a programme broadcast by Channel Four.

Throughout the documentary it was alleged that Lord Rennard, who retired in 2009, “inappropriately touched and propositioned female party workers”. He has strongly denied the allegations.

A Liberal Democrat party spokesman said that the case is being taken “very seriously”, and that independent and internal investigations are now unde way. The results will ascertain whether or not criminal activity has taken place.

The spokesman said: “We are now waiting for the results of the investigations. We have a really clear policy on harassment in the workplace.”

Wes Fletcher is set to celebrate his birthday with a loan move to League One promotion chasers Yeovil Town.

The Clarets’ frontman is travelling to the West Country with a view to completing a deal running for an initial month.

Fletcher has been limited to just two senior appearances for Burnley since emerging from the club’s youth team.

But the striker – who is 22 today – has gained Football League experience during loan spells at Crewe Alexandra, Accrington Stanley, Stockport County and Grimsby Town.

And after recovering from an ankle injury to deliver a two-goal display in a Development Squad friendly last week, the Merseysider will now be looking to help fire the in-form Glovers closer to promotion.

• The Burnley Express has launched a FREE football app which is now available to download on {http://bit.ly/LkG6ap|iPhone|Download our football app on iPhone} and {http://bit.ly/IdEJgn|Android|Download our football app on Android} devices.

AFTER a closely contested local derby Padiham eventually emerged victorious as the top team in the North West Counties Premier Division.

Due to injuries and players being unavailable Colne had to give debuts to three new signings.

Bill Williams came in as a central defender, Krystian Evans joined Jason Hart as a striker and Daniel Bryan joined Colne’s midfield playing wide right.

Colne had the majority of the possession in the early stages. In the first few minutes Williams came forward for a corner and just failed to connect at the far post.

Then Kenny Taylor created Padiham’s first chance when he broke clear down the right but his cross into the box evaded everybody.

Hart’s pace was causing problems for Padiham but their defence stood strong and managed to block his efforts on goal. Ashley Carter was also creating problems with his darting runs and quick feet but his team-mates could not capitalise on his balls into the area.

For Padiham Mark Sharples and Kenny Taylor were causing threats down the flanks but the Colne defence remained strong and easily cleared the dangers.

At the half way stage honours were justifiably even and all was to play for in the second half.

Colne made a good start to the second half. Carter continued to cause Padiham problems and just minutes in he combined with Evans to create a chance for Hart who dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Minutes later Bryan latched onto a poor clearance but he too could only watch his shot fly wide.

The play continued to revert from end to end without any real threats to the goalkeepers.

But on 67 minutes came the moment which was to determine the result when Taylor appeared to stumble on the edge of the area as he tried to get the ball out of his feet and remarkably the referee first awarded a free kick and then pointed to the penalty spot. Ben Allan gratefully stepped up to drill the ball into the bottom corner to give Padiham the lead against the run of play.

Then as Colne pressed forward in search of a goal which would have given them a well deserved equaliser they were caught out by a log clearance over the top and Taylor nipped in between two defenders and lobbed the advancing Thompson.

In the last 15 minutes Colne introduced McVarish and Saunders who breathed some life into their attack but they were unable to influence the result which Colne will regard as an injustice on the balance of play..

Tomorrow Colne are at Glossop North End, kick-off 3 p.m.

• COLNE are to host a free football trial Game for 16–18-year-olds on Sunday, March 31st at 11 a.m., meeting at 10 a.m.

The club and Pro-Direct Soccer Academy are looking for 25 talented footballers to join their Youth Football Scholarship Programme.

Players who join the elite programme will be given a college education in Btec Sport Level 2 and 3 alongside training and playing in a Football Academy environment.

The Youth Football Scholarship Programme is for two years and will be based at Colne Football Club.

Players will be aiming to play reserve team and ultimately first team football at a Colne.

The competitive games programme will consist of fixtures at a variety of venues across the country against semi-professional and professional football clubs, with transport provided on match days to and from the venue.

To apply or for more information, contact Ed O’Neill (07837 223217, {mailto:ed.oneill@prodirectsocceracademy.com|ed.oneill@prodirectsocceracademy.com}, {http://www.prodirectsocceracademy.com.prodirectsocceracademy.com}).

• Colne have announced two forthcoming fund-raising events.

On Friday, March 15th, ‘An evening with Mike King’ is being held at the Alma Inn, Laneshawbridge, Colne.

The evening also features former Middlesbrough and Blackburn midfielder Craig Hignett and magician Andrew Dean.

A limited number of tickets at £40 per head, including meal, are available.

If anyone is interested, contact Dave Blacklock on 07804 137049 or send a message via the club website.

On Sunday, May 12th, commemorative matches against AFC Emley are being staged at the Holt House Stadium.

The games are being staged to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Colne Dynamoes winning the FA Vase, when they beat Emley 1-0 at Wembley.

Reds manager Nigel Coates, who played in the final for Colne Dynamoes, also celebrates 10 years as Colne manager this year.

The club are looking to contact any former players and officials who are interested in being present on the day.

Anyone wishing to get in touch should contact Chairman Dave Blacklock or any other committee member at Colne FC.

An elderly Pendle woman was murdered in an attack in her home, carried out by her granddaughter’s partner, it has been claimed.

Constance French (80), known as Connie, was video interviewed by police at her hospital bedside, where she wrote the name “George” on paper 12 days before her death.

Footage of the interview has been played at Preston Crown Court where George Portsmouth (25), formerly of Varley Street, Colne, denies her murder last April.

The court has heard that, in the early hours of March 27th last year, her alarm pendant was activated. Carers found her lying in the front room floor of her home, in North Street, Colne, with injuries, including one to her neck and money was missing. She died in hospital the next month.

Following her admission to Bradford Royal Infirmary, Mrs French was video interviewed by police in which she nodded her head to questions, wrote “George” and mouthed the word “Portsmouth”. She indicated a pillow had been placed on her neck and face and wrote “money” on a sheet of paper. At the start of the trial, Judge Anthony Russell told the jury they would see the video interview and should put aside emotions and sympathy they would feel.

Miss Kate Blackwell (prosecuting) said money and the alarm pendant had gone missing from the home when she was found.

The defendant was the then partner of the woman’s granddaughter, Janie Shuttleworth. The couple had been due to marry last September but, in the event, the wedding did not take place.

The prosecution say whoever attacked Connie had access to her home as there was no sign of a break-in.

It has been suggested Portsmouth may have had a financial motive, having fallen into debt. He was one of few people who knew Mrs French had substantial amounts of cash in her property, said Miss Blackwell.

The prosecution claim the defendant helped himself to some of her cash using a cash card.

On March 26th, Portsmouth arrived at work and boasted to colleagues he had won £720 at the bookies. The prosecution say the money had been taken from Mrs French’s account.

Portsmouth was later asked to take £230 cash to her. The money had been taken out of her account at her request to part pay for Janie’s wedding dress.

At 2-47am on March 27th, the alarm pendant worn by Connie was activated carers found her lying on the floor of the front room with a pillow under her head. She said someone had been into her house. The money that had earlier been delivered to her home had gone.

The prosecution say a spot of the defendant’s blood was found on a pillow case at the address. The Crown claim it was left when he put the pillow over her head to try to smother her. Blood and saliva was found on the opposite side of the pillow and a DNA profile matched that of Mrs French.

At hospital she was adamant in her story and a doctor described her as orientated, alert and not appearing confused. She told a nurse someone had gone in and tried to kill her and told her son someone had tried to put a pillow over her face.

Mrs French expressed a fear to her family that the defendant might come back in the night and asked her family, communicating in writing, how she should shout if he returned. “Please tell the police” was put on a piece of paper.

She died on April 13th. Portsmouth had earlier been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder while visiting her at hospital on March 31st. Following her death he was arrested on suspicion of murder and made no comment to any police questions.

The trial is continuing and is expected to last two weeks.

In the wake of two sassy, contemporary novels, Aussie author Toni Jordan moves up a gear in a cross-generational story which opens in Melbourne in 1939 as the world teeters on the edge of war.

Her romantic comedies Addition and Fall Girl won much acclaim but Nine Days, an ambitious, multi-layered saga featuring one family, nine narrative voices and a critical day in each of their lives, takes Jordan’s beautifully spare, descriptive writing to a new level.

It was inspired by a single photograph, seen here on the book cover, of an unidentified couple whose picture is included in the State Library of Victoria’s Argus newspaper collection.

From their emotional, evocative farewell, Jordan has woven a complex story of a tragedy and the ripples that spread out from it for over 70 years. Packed with recurring themes and motifs, clever structural connections, disparate but linked characters and with a moving and compelling story at its heart, this is a book that teases, impresses and entertains.

It’s 1939 and deep in the working-class Melbourne suburb of Richmond, 15-year-old Kip Westaway, failed scholar and stable hand, is about to live through the most important day in his young life.

A lively, witty lad, Kip is keenly aware that his family’s fortunes have seriously changed since his drunken father fell from a tram. His mother Jean is struggling to make ends meet, twin brother Francis is proving to be an academic and older sister Connie is trying desperately to map out her future.

Connie is destined to cross paths with next door neighbour Jack Husting, a young man recently returned to Australia with his parents, but war is only a heartbeat away and what happens during the next 24 hours is the catalyst for momentous events strung across eight more moments in time – love and deception, near-misses and misunderstandings.

The repercussions of that day on the cusp of conflict will affect the lives of the Westwood family, even those not yet born, including another pair of twins who will help us to piece together the past.

Spiky characters, staccato sentences and Jordan’s sharp observations on the minutae of ordinary people and their ordinary lives transform Nine Days from a standard war novel to a work of distinct and delicate precision.

War, abortion, religion, class and age-old tensions between duty and desire all have parts to play but love in all its many forms is the star role and the glue that binds together both the Westwood family and this warm, wise and inspirational story.

One wonders where Jordan will go next...

(Sceptre, hardback, £16.99)

THE man who was found hanged at a Burnley business has been named as Mr David Campbell.

Mr Campbell (51), of Casterton Avenue, Burnley, was found hanged at Ultra Finishing in Widow Hill Road on the Heasandford industrial estate, by a security guard opening the premises at 6-30am on Monday.

Police were called but said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Pathologist Dr Abdul Al-Dawoud conducted a post-mortem examination and gave the cause of death as hanging. He has requested toxicological tests be carried out.

East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor opened and adjourned an inquest, which is set to be heard in June.

BURNLEY are set to complete the loan signing of Fulham midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic.

Kacaniklic who has scored three goals in the Premier League this season knows Sean Dyche well after spending a three month loan spell under his tutelage at Vicarage Road last season, scoring once for the Hornets against Burnley.

The Swedish international will be Dyche’s first signing for the Clarets since taking over from Eddie Howe in October.

• The Burnley Express has launched a FREE football app which is now available to download on {http://bit.ly/LkG6ap|iPhone|Download our football app on iPhone} and {http://bit.ly/IdEJgn|Android|Download our football app on Android} devices.

TOWN took the lead after 24 minutes when a great cross field pass found Liam Blades, he took the ball on into the penalty area and was brought down.

Mark Threlfall converted the resulting penalty, shooting into the top left hand corner of Ben Proctor’s net.

Town should have increased their lead three minutes into the second half, a Liam Blades free kick found Threlfall and Shaun Airey all alone at the far post, Airey heading wide of the far post when it was easier to score.

Glossop equalised after 64 minutes, a long throw into the Town penalty area was headed on at the near post, Jonathan Hirst swivelled to hit the ball over Billy Carrington into the roof of the net. It didn’t take Town long to regain the lead though, on 72 minutes Andy Lee split the Glossop defence with a cunning ball inside the fullback, Blades ran onto the ball and crossed to the near post, Threlfall slid in with a defender and the ball was deflected to Danny Morton who made no mistake.

Six minutes later and new Signing Thomas Bradley won a tackle 30 yards out and quickly stormed into the penalty area sliding the ball past the advancing Proctor for his first goal for the club and the final one of the game.

Barnoldswick Town 2, Silsden 0

TOWN won again against a spirited hard working Silsden side at the Silentnight Beds stadium on Tuesday night.

Town almost drew first blood when Andy Lee found himself one on one with the keeper but spurned the chance. As the half wore on Town started to turn the screw and were starting to look the better side.

They went 1-0 up when Airey turned his man and in one movement smashed the ball into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.

On 25 minutes Kevin Ryan entered the book for a late lunge on Billy Priestley which finished his game at half-time. The next action came from a free-kick from the left from Tom Bradley who delivered for Threlfall, Threlfall tried to overhead kick it but miscued straight to Andy Lee who headed wide. Almost straight away Bradley had a half volley saved by Watson in the Silsden goal.

The second goal was not long in coming though as again a set piece caused confusion in the Silsden penalty area. Morton knocked the ball goalwards and Threlfall was on hand to finish the job with his 21st of the season. Town pegged Silsden back and had two corners in succession. Lee had two shots blocked and Priestley missed with a header from six yards out. Two minutes before half time Town forced a corner, Blades played the ball in, Airey stepped over and Threlfall smashed the ball goalwards but it came back off the bar. From the resulting break Carrington had to be quick off his line to deny Garrod, diving smartly at his feet to clear the danger.

Threlfall had the first chance of the second half but Watson denied him with a great save down to his left. Danny Morton blazed over on 53 minutes when well positioned. Then a deep cross from Bradley was put high and wide by Blades. A couple of minutes later Danny Morton was brought down and Lee put the free kick wide of the upright.

Danny Morton broke through again on 73 minutes but pulled back for Threlfall when a shot may have resulted in a goal.

Michael Garrod was cautioned for a late tackle taking Silsdens tally to four bookings for the night. After 81 minute Fildes replaced Threlfall, Silsden also brought on Bland for Mcnulty. Silsden picked up their fifth booking which was harsh as Moses appeared to go down a little easily and was booked for simulation, when it looked like he may have been fouled.

The last sub of the night was made when Ngoe-Ngoe came on for Wademan. Fildes broke but his shot was blocked and a minute later he fresh aired a shot when positioned well.

Silsden did have the ball in the back of the net deep into injury time but the ref had blown the whistle long before it got there.

All in all a fruitful night for Town and a clean sheet to boot..

Town entertain Wigan on Saturday at the Silentnight Beds stadium.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

BURNLEY’S Thursday Fight Night returned as Rosegrove Unity Working Men’s Club played host to Sandygate’s first show of 2013 in a 300-ticket sell out.

Opening the proceedings was Dylan “Deadly” Lord (10) in a bout of skill against Bury’s D. Mawdsley (Dynamics ABC). Lord had the better of the opening exchanges, working well off a strong lead jab. The second saw Mawdsley increase his work rate, testing Lord’s defence.

The final round was a blistering affair, with the boys displaying all their skills in this non-decision affair.

Cameron “Hurricane” Hird (11) was next up, facing J. Shaw. Straight from the off, Hird showed his dominance, controlling the centre of the ring and catching Shaw with relative ease. The second and third were much like the first, as the Rose Hill boxer took full control and delivered a very one-sided display.

The last skills bout saw the extremely popular “Smokin’” Joe Crawford (10) enter the room to the night’s biggest roar, as he was pitted against Yorkshire’s L. Steel (Platinum ABC). Crawford started strongly, moving well and making good use of his combinations. In the second, Crawford showed off his countering skills, keeping it tight and punching through his opponent’s defences. The third round saw both boys give it their all, earning a large ovation from the crowd at the bell.

Reagan “Jock” Driver (13) narrowly lost a majority verdict against A. Fiaz (Northside ABC), with the Mancunian boxer being that little bit busier.

Brandon “Bam-Bam” Collins (14) was also at the wrong end of a majority decision in what was a promising debut.

Hoping to get the Hargreaves Club back to winning ways was Charlie Martin (15) in the show’s title bout. Martin was challenging for the North West Regional ABA Junior Championship Class 4 Belt at 70-75kg, against champion J. McGovern (St John’s ABC) over three two -minute rounds.

The first was a cagey affair, with both boys feeling each other out, not wishing to get caught with any heavy handed shots.

McGovern was the more active of the two, although his punches were only catching the gloves of Martin, who stuck to his game plan of boxing and not getting involved in a brawl, racking up the points with clearer punches.

The second saw Martin up the work rate while still keeping a sensible approach, using pinpoint accuracy to hit McGovern with some crisp combinations. The third and final round saw Martin dominate, as he connected with several flurries to the champion’s head and body with his long reach.

It was no surprise when Martin was announced the winner as McGovern simply had no way of stopping his momentum.

Sam “Kit-Man” Larkin (22) graced the canvas next against B. Adamson (Platinum ABC) in what was a cracking contest from the opening bell. Larkin took the middle of the ring, and a powerful combination seemed to open the defences of his Yorkshire opponent.

The second round saw Larkin keep up the pace as he switched up from Adamson’s head to body. Larkin dominated the third, forcing Adamson from corner to corner as he eased to a comprehensive victory.

Accrington Road’s Calum “Two-Tone” Rainey (16) lost out to E. Irvine (Sharples ABC) in a closely-fought contest which could have gone either way.

The final bout of the evening and main event saw North West ABA Senior Finalist Joe “Silent” Knight (19) box the solid P. Salazor (Northside ABC).

Knight started brightly and his class was apparent as he rolled under Salazor’s advances and connected with scoring blows before retreating.

The second and third rounds demonstrated why Knight is so highly thought of in boxing circles as he dominated Salazor as he secured a unanimous victory, in what was a perfect warm-up bout before the ABAs.

Sandygate coach Nik Tucker was delightedd: “Little Joe collected the minors’ best bout of the night award after really impressing all at the club, and it was tough call between all the schoolboys who boxed.”

His sentiments were echoed by fellow coach Andy Howcroft: “Charlie Martin really deserved his championship belt after sticking to our game plan to the letter, boxing with great maturity and control. As for Knighty, it was a great warm-up bout for the ABAs on the 8th.”

The club would like to thank all at Rosegrove Unity WMC and all volunteers for helping put on a memorable show.

Anyone interested in taking up the sport can contact the club via {http://www.sandygateabc.com.sandygateabc.com} or from their apple/android app.

The new Bishop of Blackburn has been announced as The Venerable Julian Henderson, currently Archdeacon of Dorking.

The announcemment coincided with his first public appearance in the Blackburn Diocese today (March 1st) at the Blackburn Foodbank. He then made his first visit to nearby Blackburn Cathedral where he met with the Dean and staff from the Diocese offices. Later he made a private visit to Whalley Abbey to meet with senior Diocese clergy and staff.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Henderson commented: “To find that I am the person invited to become the next Bishop of Blackburn is extremely humbling. It is an honour to be entrusted with such an important and significant responsibility.”

Age 58, The Venerable Julian Hendrson has been Archdeacon of Dorking since 2005. He was educated at Keble College, Oxford, and ordained as a Deacon in 1979 and a priest in 1980. He is married to Heather and has two grown-up children, Susannah (27) and Jamie (25). In his leisure time he enjoys gardening, design and DIY, walking, reading, tennis and cycling.

“Heather and I come to the diocese in response to a call from God through His church to serve both His people and the whole wider community in Lancashire,” said Mr Henderson, “and we do so joyfully with a real sense of expectation and excitement.

“I am very aware of the very significant challenges facing many in Lancashire at a time of austerity and cutbacks and a shortage of jobs. It is no coincidence that this announcement is taking place at a foodbank, one of many round the country, each one a sign of the struggle it is for some to get through the next week. I would hope to be a champion and spokesman for those whose voice is often not heard.

He added: “We look forward to moving to Lancashire and becoming part of your life here. When that will be has yet to be decided, but I hope we shall be able to give you dates in the not too distant future. In the meantime, we value your prayers not just for us, but also Bishop John and the team as they continue to carry the responsibility of the vacancy.”

Rt Rev. John Goddard, Bishop of Burnley and Acting Bishop of Blackburn, added: “I am delighted to welcome The Venerable Julian Henderson as our next Bishop. He has the full support of the senior clergy in the Diocese, including myself, as he seeks to bring God’s Word to Lancashire in the years ahead. We are all looking forward immensely to this new era for Blackburn Diocese.”

A NURSE is facing a string of professional misconduct charges relating to care of residents at a Burnley nursing home.

Bilquees Akhtar, who worked at the Grove Care Home in Rosegrove in 2010, has seen 12 different allegations made against her.

The registered nurse was said to have forced medication into the mouth of one resident and left another out of reach of her emergency buzzer allegedly saying: “You have done this to yourself, you have put yourself on the floor, you can do more than you are letting on.”

She will face a fitness to practice hearing before the Nursing and Midwifery Council in London, starting on Monday.

Akhtar is accused of refusing requests to assess one resident from care assistants and attempted to administer medication without reviewing the resident’s medication chart at all in November 2010. She is said to have tried to put medication in his mouth against his will and shouted at the resident.

A second resident was said to have been pushed outside in her just her night clothes by Akhtar who is also accused of failing to carry out any observations on the resident after she had a fall.

Akhtar is accused of failing to assess a third resident in a timely manner when they required urgent assessment. She was also said to have failed to promptly advise paramedics called to treat the resident whether or not there was a “Do Not Resuscitate Order” in place.

She is accused of only administering half of the prescribed dosage of insulin to a fourth resident and failed to inform a doctor that he was refusing to take his full prescription of insulin.

Accusations say that a fifth resident was not checked adequately by Akhtar for injuries after she had fallen on the floor. She is alleged to have said to a woman called “Ms A” words to the effect that she should “ignore her [resident], get her up off the floor and onto the bed, you’ll get no sense from her.”

Akhtar is alleged to have failed to immediately attend a sixth resident who was an insulin-dependant diabetic and found to be “pale and sweaty”.

The nurse is also accused of telling another seventh resident her husband was a “pig” and shouted in the face of an eighth resident to “take her pills”.

She is also alleged to have been heard calling colleagues names.

IT’S been quite a long time since we had a game based off of the fantastically epic Ridley Scott trilogy of films and let’s face it, not many have quite cut it although a universe such as the Aliens universe isn’t that easy to emulate and bring forth its unique feel.

Well it’s finally here, developed by Gearbox Software and published by Sega, Aliens: Colonial Marines, a first person shooter which brought us a lot of hope of a true to life Aliens experience upon its announcement but does it deliver all expectations?

Set seventeen weeks after the events of Aliens, players take control of a United States Colonial Marine named Cpl Christopher Winter who is part of a team on board the USS Sephora, which has been sent out to investigate a distress call from the USS Sulaco. Upon boarding the Sulaco, it is not long before Cpl Winter discovers the Sulaco has fallen victim to an extensive Xenomorph infestation which has impregnated and killed everyone on board except from Cpl Dwayne Hicks, who helps the player throughout sections of the game. The xenomorphs then begin to use the crew of the Sephora as hosts to their offspring and so you as Winters must find a way to rescue whoever you can and end the infestation. I didn’t like the story, even though thanks to the decent voice acting the story progressed nicely and at a steady pace.

Aliens: Colonial Marines is a bog standard first person shooting game with a slight horror theme to it, meaning its dark space setting brings tension and occasional jumps as the Xenos are really fast and can come at you from any angle.

This is no different from any other FPS, players can shoot weapons featured from the films all of which have a primary and secondary firing mode, throw grenades as well as activating switches and activating scripted contextual actions such as freeing trapped allies, using a blow torch , forcing open a door or shaking off a Xeno. It’s all standard stuff however things are ramped up a little due to the vehicle sections where players can pilot the walkers from the film which handles sluggish however it does induce a feeling of invincibility. All of the Xenomorph types are here, from the creepy facehuggers to the Runner alien from Alien 3 but they aren’t the only enemies players will face, at some point during the game players will fight off Weyland- Yutani soldiers which are humans.

Fans of the series will love this game as it’s the best one yet, however players looking for a deep and satisfying shooter will be disappointed as the Alien intelligence from the films is nowhere to be seen here and Xenos gladly throw themselves in the middle of your crosshairs making it difficult to miss and ruin the whole experience, even on harder difficulties, the AI doesn’t shape up any.

The visuals of Aliens: Colonial Marines is something I can’t fault, the whole feel of the films has been successfully ported over and thanks to the graphics of today, and everything looks outstanding. Xenomorphs are just as intimidating and scary as they are in the films and the facehuggers are just as creepy. Death brings different animations depending on whatever Xeno type they get killed by for example, the Drones are seen mounting the player and shoving the mini set of alien teeth emitting from its mouth into the player, just like the film.

Summary

Here we have a simple first person shooter that doesn’t bring anything new to the table, even the multiplayer is bland although being able to play as a Xeno is quite fun. Fans of the films will be right at home and will appreciate its authenticity however FPS fans won’t fight beyond half an hour into the game due to its dumb AI. There are some great moments in the game that do the films justice however these are far and few between and don’t expect to see a skin headed Sigourney Weaver.

Aliens: Colonial Marines

Developer: Sega

Publisher: Sega

Xbox 360®

Playstation 3®

PC

WiiU

Genre: First Person Shooter

Release Date: 12th February 2013

Story – 3/5

Graphics – 4/5

Gameplay – 3/5

Overall – 3/5

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Independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack of a man in Blackburn.

The victim of the attempted murder is a 41 year old man who was attacked in his home in Blackburn in the early hours of Sunday, February 24th, and remains in a critical condition at the Royal Preston Hospital.

He was found with multiple injuries inside his home, in Coleridge Street, by police around 1am after reports three men had broken into his house.

It is believed the three men ran from the address towards Stansfield Street. The first man is described as white, aged 25 to 30 years and of a medium or athletic build. He had short brown hair, which was longer on top and spoke in a local accent.

The second man is described as white, around 6ft. tall and of a strong or heavy build with short dark hair and a local accent. The third man is also described as white, 6ft. tall and of a strong or heavy build with a local accent.

Crimestoppers Regional Manager for the North West Gary Murray, said: “An innocent man is suffering in hospital as a result of this horrific attack. The police are aware three men who may not be linked with the attack were present in the premises and could have vital information that can help find those responsible. Please come forward anonymously.

“We are offering this reward of up to £5,000 to anyone who tells us what they know anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

“Those responsible for this heartless violence should not be allowed to get away with this crime. Help us to prevent similar crimes from happening by telling us what you know, not who you are.”

To be eligible for the reward, information must be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Information can be given via a secure online form found on www.crimestoppers-uk.org but will not be eligible for a reward.