Travellers are gadget mad these days. Nearly everyone sits and plays on their ipads and kindles when they go on holiday.

But going abroad means different electricity voltages, which can prove to be a bit tricky. That’s why the Go Travel tablet USB charger is a handy helper.

Its compact and easy to use and is compatable with most modern electronic devices. It can be used in 150 countries and means you are never far away from that technology fix!

Tablet Worldwide USB charger, £24.99, {http://www.go-travelproducts.com.go-travelproducts.com}

Security is a big thing these days when you go on holiday. So this nifty little dual combination padlock is a big help.

You can use your own combination to lock the padlock or there’s a back up key to use just incase.

Either way your luggage should stay safe.

Dual Combination or key lock, £8.99, {http://www.go-travelproducts.com.go-travelproducts.com}

Burnley supporters who have tickets for collection for this weekend’s East Lancashire derby are asked to collect their tickets ahead of Saturday wherever possible, in order to avoid unnecessary queues ahead of kick off.

Please note this is an all-ticket game. Tickets remain on general sale (in person, online and telephone) to Burnley FC supporters with a Clarets number.

Tickets will also be on sale from the ticket office from 9am on Saturday morning until kick off to any supporter with a Clarets number.

Please note: Only fans with Clarets Numbers are eligible to purchase a ticket for this game.

Queues should be expected at the ticket office and adjoining collection point on Saturday morning, so please arrive early.

Tickets can be collected from the ticket office until 11am, when they will be available from the collection point next to the Ticket Office on Harry Potts way.

The ticket office will be open from 9am on Saturday until kick off.

The Tickets section of the official website carries a stadium seating plan and FAQ’s with regards to ticket purchases.

To get your matchday ticket today you can purchase 1 of 3 ways:

1. ONLINE

2. PHONE 0871 221 1914 (Option 1)

3. TICKET OFFICE (in person)

PLEASE NOTE: You must have a CLARETS NUMBER for this match.

One ticket per Clarets number, tickets are non refundable and cannot be relocated once purchased.

All tickets ordered online or by phone need to be picked up from the ticket office. Persons collecting need proof of name and address.

Clarets Number: A Clarets Number is your customer number. If you have purchased a ticket via online, at the ticket office or over the phone in the past 10 years the odds are you will have a Clarets Number even if you are unaware of it. If unsure, please call the ticket office on 0871 221 1914 (option 2) and they will be able to help.

‘Oh horrors. Germany has invaded Poland. Now for hell let loose!’

At the outbreak of the Second World War, May Smith, 24, lived with her parents in Swadlincote, a small village near Derby, and taught at the local school.

She was an ordinary young woman living through extraordinary times and like many of those who experienced life on the Home Front, she recorded those six eventful, and often monotonously mundane, years in her diary.

Inevitably, the war brought changes, many of them captured for posterity in May’s entertaining and acerbic diaries. She was intelligent, clear-eyed and down-to-earth, and her moving and darkly funny diaries provide a compelling and authentic snapshot of life as it was really lived.

Evacuees arrived in the village, nights were broken by the wail of the siren as bombers flew overhead, the young men of May’s circle donned khaki and disappeared to far-flung places to ‘do their bit’ but, like many other Britons, May and her family took it all in their stride.

‘Auntie F came in announcing dramatically that Hitler is coming tomorrow, at which my father remarked that He Would, now that he’s Just Finished Papering Upstairs,’ May noted with some hilarity (and the use of capitals!).

A zealous rumour factory worked overtime but through it all, May still enjoyed tennis parties, holidays to Llandudno and going shopping for new outfits (coupons and funds permitting) and it was during these difficult time that May fell in love.

But however dull life might have seemed, every day brought reminders that Britain was at war. Rationing, the blackout (‘am getting quite used to lurching about in darkness now’ wrote May at the end of 1939), shortages, privations, restrictions and regulations – as well as destruction, loss, injury and death – all impacted on the civilian population.

May’s diaries highlight the anxiety, fear and, above all, the exhaustion of a long war that ground everyone down. Swadlincote received hundreds of evacuees from inner city Birmingham and these children had to be fitted into already overcrowded schools. In May 1944, May rejoices that she ‘only’ has 40 children in her class for once.

Inevitably, May looked forward to holidays, frequently cut short because ‘inessential’ travel was discouraged, and to pay day as her fondness for shoes, clothes and books often left her in debt to her family. ‘Only 4d to live on for the rest of the month,’ was a frequent refrain.

But May’s war was not just a chronicle of food eaten, clothes bought and altered, hair permed and frizzed and weather reports. She also listened to Churchill’s speeches on the radio and found them uplifting and inspiring, and worried about the course of the war.

Wartime life was a strange mix of dreadful events, freezing winters, anxiety, bereavement, chilblains, cold rooms, borrowed wedding dresses and what May called ‘Stygian gloom.’

May and her parents were typical of the average British family in wartime ... stoic, ever ready to dilute the exceptionalism of war, good at improvisation and determined to achieve victory whatever the cost.

Her observant, witty diaries are a joy to read and a hilarious yet heart-breaking account of life on the Home Front, a battleground where, Churchill recognised, a war can be won or lost.

(Virago, paperback, £7.99)

Concerns over “dangerous” parking on a residential road in Colne have been raised with Lancashire County Council.

Residents and Leader of Pendle Council Coun. Joe Cooney this week shared their fears about Alkincoats Road with the Colne Times.

They believe that a review of parking is needed on the 20mph zone due to poor visibility when turning onto Barrowford Road. A suggestion of double yellow lines in the area has also been made.

Colne resident Rob Bayley (26) said: “You can only see when in the middle of the road and then it’s too late. It won’t be long before there is an accident.”

And Coun. Cooney added: “I have raised this with the county council.

“The real problem is when you come out of Alkincoats Road and try and turn left.

“It can be dangerous.”

Responding Alan Capstick, highways manager for Pendle, said that nobody had been injured at the junction in the last five years.

However he went on to say that the issue will be brought up at the next meeting “to see if there’s a case to make any changes.”

He said: “We regularly meet with the police and district council to discuss traffic issues and have recently consulted on changes to regulations on a number of roads in Pendle to improve safety and sightlines.”

Colne roads that have recently been discussed by LCC include Keighley Road and Lowther Street.

Have your say! Have you experienced any problems turning onto Barrowford Road from Alkincoats Road?

The generosity of its citizens is one of the hallmarks of a civilised society and Burnley is no exception.

We might not regard our town as historic in the same way as, for example, Warwick and Arundel with their ancient charities, the consequence of medieval power and wealth, but the better-off residents of Burnley have long since attempted to provide for their poorer neighbours.

Since the coming of the Welfare State, after the last war, we have forgotten just how important charity was for many people. In the two generations that have passed since then, we have got used to not paying for the services of a doctor, a hospital appointment or even a stay on hospital. Similarly, we have forgotten about the once very necessary Benefit Burial Societies, the Grammar School Scholarships and Exhibitions that were once available for students from Burnley at university and a host of other charitable organisations that once existed and provided much needed funding in our town.

Of course the role of charitable giving has not come to an end. I have the honour to be chairman of the Acorn Fund, a charity which still undertakes very important work in Burnley. Until recently, the greater part of the present charity was known as the Sick Poor Fund, its original intentions encapsulated in those few words. In addition, the town still benefits from the Stocks Massey Bequest which was founded in 1909 although it did not become active until a few years later.

Mention of the Grammar School Scholarships puts me in mind of the days when these were a necessary feature of education in Burnley. I have, in front of me, the “Abstract of the Treasurer’s Accounts of the County Borough of Burnley for 1930”.

It contains details of the four main awards, the Master-Whitaker Exhibition, the Livesey Scholarship, the Milner-Grant Scholarship and the Phillip’s Scholarship. There were others, the Wilshaw Scholarship and the TC Skipper Scholarship to name but two but the Grammar School itself was financed, at least in part, by a charitable gift, a tithe rent on Cockeridge Farm, Briercliffe. In 1930 the rent produced only 15 shillings and two pence but, for many years, the charity had contributed to the salary of the headmaster.

Though there had doubtless been examples in Burnley of common Christian charity going back to earliest times, we know little of the subject until the early modern period, the 16th and 17th Centuries. Records, such as the Church Registers, which in Burnley date from the second half of the 16th Century, make reference to “a poor woman found dead at Horelaw”, “a poor man found dead in Habergham Eaves” and to “two poor children”.

These, however, merely confirm the existence of poverty, something which is never far from the reality of human life. That relief for the poverty of the kind indicated was necessary was recognised by the Elizabethan Poor Law, an early attempt at locally administered intervention which was effectively managed by the Church. It replaced the role of monastic houses which had been suppressed in the reign of Henry VIII. They had provided relief for the sick and elderly and even ran schools, though these were often for the sons of the wealthy.

The abbey at Whalley had a role in this. It ran a leper hospital at Edisford Bridge, on the site of the present inn, and there was a small hospital and school in the abbey precinct. The former Whalley Grammar School, now part of Clitheroe Grammar School, could have claimed to have been founded by the monks of the abbey.

No details of similar foundations survive in Burnley, as early as this, but we do know about numerous private gifts, usually small, made by the better off members of local society to their less well off contemporaries. One of the former was Dean Nowell of Read who, in 1567, gave alms “to a poor man of Burnley Parish”, to “a poor maiden at Mr Towneley’s gate” and to “seven poor at Towneley”.

Richard Shuttleworth, of Gawthorpe, is another example. His account books for the early 17th Century have survived. In 1600, he gave 15 shillings for the relief of the poor of Ightenhill and in 1618 he gave seven shillings and six pence for the relief of Burnley paupers. There are numerous examples of Richard’s charitable works in his accounts.

Others regularly gave money to the poor. In 1629 Barnard Bancroft gave the more substantial sum of £8 “for the poor” and, in 1636, Richard Couthest gave £2 for a similar reason.

At about this time a number of long-lived local charities were established. One of these was the Rochester Dole of 1649. It was set up by Robert Halstead of Rochester though he had local connections. His intention was to provide for the relief of the poor in Burnley and Worsthorne. I noticed, only the other day, the Trustees of this charity were due to have a meeting.

In 1672 a John Halstead of Broadbank, Briercliffe, bequeathed £3 a year from a rental of his Moseley Hill estate, near Burnley, to be distributed annually on St Thomas’s Day in five shilling doles to the poor of Briercliffe and Entwistle. This charity is still extant, presented annual doles to the late 1950s and, though the funds are not now collected, the charity is in the hands of Briercliffe Parish Council. However, other charities were established with more funding. One of these was the 1693 Sherburne Bequest of £190 which has since been lost.

Perhaps the best known of these charities was the Elizabeth Peel of Bridge End Charity which is memorialised on a tablet on the walls of St Peter’s Church, Burnley. Miss Peel was a member of the family that produced Sir Robert Peel the Victorian Prime Minister. In 1800, she left £1,244. 15s. 0d in her will to be invested to produce an income to be distributed, in four shilling doles, to the poor of Burnley and Habergham Eaves.

Similar charities were established in the early years of the 19th Century when Burnley was beginning to expand into the industrial town it later became. These included the Hindle Charity of 1804, the Stevenson Charity of 1805, the Hargreaves Charity of 1814 and the Burnley Ladies Charity of 1820. The provisions of this latter charity were to make available food and warm clothes for poor women during confinement. Rather than there being a single benefactor this charity was run by the wives of some of Burnley’s leading citizens. From their friends they collected annual subscriptions which were then distributed to those in need of very specific support.

As the 19th Century progressed and Burnley continued to grow, the work of meeting the needs of the local poor changed as it did elsewhere in the country. Attitudes to the services needed by the poor, and how they were to be provided, also changed. We have already mentioned the Elizabethan Poor Law which, by this time, had been applied, with a number of changes, for over 200 years. In this system every parish was responsible for its own poor but, in our part of the world, that was very difficult to implement as Burnley was but a Township in the vast Parish of Whalley.

Here, each Township had its own poor house, often known as the workhouse, though sometimes groups of Townships joined together to resolve what they should do with the poor. The choice was between two kinds of relief – in door relief and out door relief. The first was relief in the poorhouse, usually reserved for the sick, elderly and very young. The second was relief, through money, food and heating etc but in the home of the pauper.

Burnley’s first workhouse was in the Brennand Street area and we know it was operating in the 1730s. There was another early workhouse in Padiham/Simonstone and a third in Briercliffe. The latter was situated in Haggate but what makes this remarkable is that an account book from this workhouse for the 1750s has survived.

There is nothing worse when you go on holiday than having to take lots of bags. This handy little rucksack is ideal to use for beach gear or sandwiches.

It comes in the tiniest bag and is easy to put back in, but when it is unravelled, it is a good-sized rucksack to fit in all the things you need.

It’s light too and won’t take up much room in your case.

Ultralite Packable Daysack, {http://www.lifeventure.co.uk|www.lifeventure.co.uk}

A Barrowford resident and former baker in Nelson – Nora Mason – has passed away.

Born in County Limerick, Ireland, the second child of Joe and Bridie Fean, Nora was 15 when she moved to England with her parents, brother John and sister Breda.

Her younger brothers, Joseph and Vincent, were born once the family were settled in Burnley while her elder brother Michael stayed in Dublin working for the Irish Post Office.

The family move from Ireland came in the the school summer holidays and Nora learned that the local Parkinson Pill Factory was taking on new staff who were ready to start work straight away.

Nora immediately joined the work force and remained in it instead of returning to school after the summer.

Keen to continue her studies, she moved on from the factory and became an apprentice baker. She worked with and learned her craft from baker Margaret Acton, who at that time owned the bakery in Smith Street, Nelson.

The two became friends and eventually Nora bought the baking business and became her own boss.

For years she ran the small but very popular shop, making delicious bread and cakes as well as catering for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations in the Burnley, Colne and Nelson area.

At the same time Nora was an active member of the Knights of St Columba Club on Yorkshire Street, Burnley. She spent many happy evenings meeting her friends there.

She was also an avid follower of the fortunes of Burnley’s football team. After her brothers moved from Burnley to complete their studies and follow their different careers, she could always be relied on to provide them with the latest news on the Clarets.

In 1979, she married Alan Mason, a widower and long-time family friend who was living in Blackburn but originally came from Nelson. She sold the bakery and moved to Blackburn where Alan was employed by Norweb.

Nora then became a catering assistant, working at a local school and then at Donaghdee Carpets. On Alan’s retirement they moved to Barrowford and Nora worked until her own retirement in the catering department at the Rolls-Royce factory in Barnoldswick.

Nora was the lynch-pin of the Fean family and kept them up to date with each other’s news.

On marriage, she gained step-son Ron and daughter-in-law Sue, and over the following years became grandmother to their children Chris and Anne – a role she thoroughly enjoyed.

Her personality drew the Mason and Fean families together – she was consistently cheerful, caring, ready to listen and keen to help. A person of deep faith, Nora was a popular parishioner at Saints Peter and Paul’s Church in Barrowford.

She passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of August 28th, following a short illness. She is sadly missed by Alan and the family, by her brothers and their families and by her nephew Gary Jordan, son of her late sister Breda.

Nora’s funeral took place last Friday at Ss Peter and Paul’s. And her family hope she will she rest in peace. Her Burnley-born brother Sir Vincent Fean has been a High Commissioner in Malta, an Ambassador in Libya and is now Consul General in Jerusalem.

When you are three-years-old there is nothing better than jumping in puddles. Just ask children’s cartoon character Peppa Pig.

She’s an expert at it, as is Flora, who will go out of her way to find the biggest and splashiest puddle she can find, especially if you happen to be stood next to it!

To avoid wet socks and chilly toes, Flora needs the gear to keep the feet nice and dry. And where better to look than Kozikids. The name oozes care for small ones and the firm’s puddleboots are top-notch!

Made out of 100 per cent rubber with a warm fleece lining, the boots range from size 25 to 35 and come in different colours.

KoziKids was set up in 2009 by Tomas and Linda Torstensson and is based on high quality Swedish design clothing and accessories for children to wear whatever the weather.

So watch out next time you stood next to Flora and a puddle!

Kozikidz Puddleboots £25, {http://www.kozikidz.com.kozikidz.com}

Burnley and Blackburn Rovers Football Clubs have issued the following joint statement ahead of Saturday’s East Lancashire derby.

“We encourage all supporters attending this game to respect each other and the authorities.

“An East Lancashire derby between our two historic clubs is always a special occasion and we hope Saturday’s Championship game will be remembered for the action on the pitch and the positive backing of both sets of supporters.

“We acknowledge that there will be some disruption to the normal matchday schedule.

“However, this has been done with the safety of all supporters in mind and all fans should be aware that breaches of stadium regulations - including anti-social behaviour - will not be tolerated.

“Burnley and Blackburn Rovers also have a zero tolerance for discrimination of any sort, on the pitch or in the stands.

“If you experience any form of discrimination before, during or after the game, or require assistance in any matter, please contact a matchday steward.

We look forward to welcoming you to Turf Moor.”

The chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association said its members will fully support and stand behind their MP Nigel Evans, who has been charged with offences including sexual assault, indecent assault and rape.

However, despite the charges, Mr Evans will carry on working as normal and hold regular surgeries across his constituency.

In a statement on the associaton’s website released this morning (Wednesday), chairman Mr Michael Ranson said: “Ribble Valley Conservation Association is disappointed that the CPS have indicated that they have charged our MP Nigel Evans with rape and other sexual offences. Nigel has strongly denied all the offences and has said that he will vigorously defend them in the United Kingdom. “A person is presumed innocent until he is found guilty in a court of law and we will continue to support Nigel at this very difficult time.

“We understand that Nigel has resigned as Deputy Speaker and will return to the backbenches where he will continue to represent the people of the Ribble Valley as he has done for the last 20 years. He will hold regular surgeries and deal with the usual heavy caseload of constiuents’ problems.

“We hope that the case will come to court as soon as possible so that the uncertainty hanging over Nigel and the constituency can be quickly resolved.”

The 16 regional finalists of CAMRA’s Pub of the Year competition have been announced to mark the launch of this year’s Good Beer Guide.

The top 16 pubs will go forward and have a chance to win the National Pub of the Year competition, won last year by The Baum in Rochdale. Pubs are judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix, but most importantly –quality of beer.

The Good Beer Guide’s Editor, Roger Protz, had this to say on how pubs are selected for the guide,

“The Good Beer Guide 2014 is the most up to date guide to the best real ale pubs in the UK and is compiled solely through recommendations and independent judgement. Unlike other guides which charge pubs to feature, the Good Beer Guide lists pubs on their merit alone and doesn’t charge any pub or brewery for entry in the guide. If you’re a lover of real ale and want to know where the best places in the UK to drink are, then the Good Beer Guide is an invaluable resource.”

The top 16 pubs in the UK as selected by CAMRA

Central Southern

Pub name: Nag’s Head

5 Russell Street, Reading, RG1 7XD

In six years the nag’s head has established itself as a premier ale and cider venue. Pies and baguettes are available during the week, with a roast on Sunday. An eclectic mix of bottled beers is stocked. Numerous board games are available above the (tuned and working) upright piano.

East Anglia

Pub name: The Dove

68 Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JU - {http://www.thedovepub.co.uk|thedovepub.co.uk}

A traditional Victorian Ale House just five minutes’ walk from the historic town centre. The Dove has six handpumps and real ciders but no music, TV, gaming machines or lager. A no frills main bar has scrubbed floorboards, alongside the carpeted parlour. The staff offer a warm and friendly welcome and are knowledgeable about the beers they sell – a varied, ever-changing range from East Anglia and established regional brewers.

East Midlands

Pub name: Horse and Jockey

20 Nottingham Road, Stapleford, NG9 8AA - {http://www.horseandjockeystapleford.co.uk|horseandjockeystapleford.co.uk}

Known locally as simply ‘The Jockey’, this pub is situated close to the main crossroads in the centre of town. Refurbished and turned into a traditional ale house in 2012, it offers a choice of ten ever changing real ale, plus local ciders.

Kent

Pub name: The Berry

23 Canada Road, Walmer, CT14 7EQ - {http://www.theberrywalmer.co.uk|theberrywalmer.co.uk}

Far from an ordinary pub, with its 10 handpumps alongside two ciders and a perry. Entertainment includes darts, pool, a monthly quiz and live music on some Saturdays. There is a real ale festival in February, a cider festival in May, and a continental flavour is assured at the Oktoberfest.

Merseyside & Cheshire

Pub name: Freshfield Hotel

1a Massams Lane, Freshfield, Formby, L37 7EU

Following refurbishment the pub has increased its range of beers to 14. Due to a CAMRA-led campaign the extended bar was retained, even though the refurbishment had been driven by a food based agenda. The enlightened licensees have maintained the pub’s usual consistency in beer, quality and range, with Liverpool Organic beers featuring regularly. This dog friendly pub set in a residential area has maintained its community focus and is an example of how a Green King pub should operate.

Scotland / Northern Ireland

Pub name: The Cobbles

7 Bowmont Street, Kelso, TD5 7JH – {http://www.thecobbleskelso.co.uk|www.thecobbleskelso.co.uk}

An award-winning gastro-pub offering eclectic mix of British classics, Pacific Rim and modern European cuisine, using the finest locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. To the right of the main dining area is a lounge bar where beers from Tempest, the pub’s own microbrewery, are featured. Though the focus is on food, drinkers area welcome here. Private functions are catered for upstairs.

West Pennines

Pub name: Swan with Two Necks

Main Street, Pendleton, BB7 1PT – {http://www.swanwithtwonecks.co.uk|swanwithtwonecks.co.uk}

A pub that was in the final four of CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year competition in 2012. Guest beers are often from micros such as Phoenix, Dark Star and Salamander, and there is always a real cider. A discount if offered for CAMRA members. The home-made food here comes in portions ideal for hungry walkers. There is outdoor seating in the garden and in front of the pub, looking out onto a small stream running through the beautifully kept village. Cosy open fires blaze in the winter months. An amazing collection of teapots is on display.

North East

Pub name: Quakerhouse

2 Mechanics Yard, Darlington, DL3 7QF - {http://www.quakerhouse.net|quakerhouse.net}

Ten times local CAMRA Town Pub of the Year, this bar is the first point of call for CAMRA members visiting Darlington. The lively award-winning free house opened in 1998 in the former Quaker Coffee House in one of the old yards just off the pedestrianised town centre. The drinking establishment has the feel of a cellar bar, offering 10 guests from regional and microbreweries countrywide, and Old Rosie cider. A popular music venue, it caters for all tastes from acoustic to rock – on Wednesday there is a door charge after 7.30pm

Greater Manchester

Pub name: Baum

33-37 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 0NU – {http://www.thebaum.co.uk|thebaum.co.uk}

Fabulous pub with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere set within a conservation area and joined to the original Pioneer building that houses the first ever Co-op. A single bar with eight handpumps, one dedicated to cider, caters for two levels and a conservatory. Local beers are always available alongside others from far and wide. Excellent fresh food is sourced locally. Outside, there is a large beer garden and two boules pistes. Greater Manchester and National CAMRA Pub of the Year 2012,. Not to be missed.

Yorkshire

Pub name: Old No.7

7 Market Hill, Barnsley, S70 2PX – {http://www.oldno7narnsley.co.uk| oldno7narnsley.co.uk}

The jewel in the crown of Barnsley town centre’s burgeoning real ale scene. This Acorn Brewery owned bar boasts seven real ales and one cider/perry, all on handpump. Two further ciders/perries are usually found behind the bar, plus an extensive range of quality foreign beers. The attentive staff and well-run bar attract a broad clientele including circuit drinkers, football fans and beer connoisseurs, who are all made equally welcome. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2012 and 2013 and Yorkshire Regional Cider Pub of the Year 2013.

Surrey & Sussex

Pub name: Surrey Oaks

Parkgate Road, Parkgate, Newdigate, RH5 5DZ – {http://www.surreyoaks.co.uk|surreyoaks.co.uk}

Great 16th-century pub offering an excellent and ever-changing selection of ales from microbreweries (hoppy beers and dark ales popular), plus cider. Third-pint glasses are available. Good home-made food is served in the bar and restaurant (no food Sun or Mon eves). Low beams, flagstones and an inglenook feature; outside are two boules pitches in the large garden and a skittle alley in the barn. Beer festivals are held on the late spring and August bank holidays. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2003-2013.

Wales

Pub name: Albion Ale House

Uppergate Street, Conwy, LL32 8RF – {http://www.albionalehouse.weebly.com|albionalehouse.weebly.com}

Multi-room heritage pub superbly refurbished by the current owners. The rooms all retain original

1920s features including some amazing fireplaces. There is no music, TV or fruit machines, just pleasant conversation. The pub is managed by four local brewers – Conwy, Great Orme, Nant and

Purple Moose – and showcases their beers as well as guest ales. There are two guest Welsh ciders. An excellent wine list and a good selection of malt whiskies is also offered. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013.

West Midlands

Pub name: Seven Stars

40 Albert Square, Rugby, CV21 2SH

Family brewers Everards of Leicestershire teamed with Banks and Taylor’s of Bedfordshire to create their 24th Project William pub. Following refurbishment, the Seven Stars now has a smart traditional bar area, comfortable lounge, snug and small conservatory. Full of charm and character, it is free of electronic games and music, making conversation a delight. The bar boasts 14 handpumps serving a range of beers including a mild and two ciders. Winner of local CAMRA Most Improved Pub and Pub of the Year 2012 awards.

Wessex

Pub name: Trooper Inn

Golden Hill, Stourton Caundle, DT10 2JW – {http://www.thetrooperinn.co.uk|thetrooperinn.co.uk}

Stone-built, single-room community pub with a separate function room/skittle alley. There is an attached camping and caravan site and a children’s play area next to the beer garden. Good food is available lunchtimes and early evenings, with a popular Friday fish and chips night. Two guest beers are often on tap, one from the pub’s own microbrewery, the other from elsewhere in the region, plus a farmhouse cider. An annual beer festival is held in the spring. Dogs and walkers are welcome.

London

Pub name: The Hope

48 West Street, Carsholton, SM5 2PR - {http://www.hopecarshalton.co.uk|hopecarshalton.co.uk}

CAMRA Greater London Pub of the Year 2012 and local Pub of the Year 2013, this pub is owned by members of the local community. The seven handpumps dispense beers from microbreweries, including a dark ale, and a good range of British and foreign bottled beers is stocked. Real cider is also always available. Regular themed festivals are held, and many other community events. A conservatory has been added to help make room for the many customers from near and far.

South West

Pub name: Old Spot

2 Hill Road, Dursley, GL11 4JQ - {http://www.oldspotinn.co.uk|oldspotinn.co.uk}

Current county CAMRA Pub of the Year, this awardwinning free house dates from 1776, serving up to eight independent ales. Named after the Gloucestershire Old Spot pig, a porcine theme blends with the extensive brewery memorabilia, low ceilings and log fires to create a convivial atmosphere. The pretty garden has a heated, covered area. Wholesome, freshly prepared dishes complement the pub’s enthusiasm for real ale. On the Cotswold Way, it hosts regular beer festivals, and is adjacent to ample free parking.

The National Pub of the Year for 2013 (chosen from the above finalists) will be announced in February 2014.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has today (Wednesday) made a statement to the House of Commons explaining his decision to stand down as deputy speaker after being charged with sex offences.

In a statement to MPs, the 55-year-old vowed to “robustly defend” his innocence after being charged with offences including sexual assault, indecent assault and rape.

Mr Evans, who last night resigned as Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, explained that he will continue to represent his constituents as an independent MP.

He added: “I’m proud to serve the people of the Ribble Valley and the best tribute that I can give them now is to get on with the job they sent me here to do.”

A number of special arrangements will be in place for supporters for Burnley’s Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers at Turf Moor on Saturday, September 14 (12.15pm KO).

Both clubs have worked closely with police to ensure that the game goes ahead with the minimum of incident.

Blackburn supporters will be transported to Turf Moor on coaches and taken to a point adjacent to the turnstiles for the away end and, from there, guided immediately into the stadium.

After the match, upon exiting Turf Moor, an area of Harry Potts Way will be cordoned off, and Belvedere Road will be out of bounds for a short time to home supporters on foot.

Those fans affected will have to take an alternative route from the home area turnstiles, via the arrowed routes shown in the document attached.

Before the game, the first coaches from Blackburn will arrive at 10.45am so home supporters and guests using the car park in Harry Potts Way are encouraged to arrive early.

Guests and home supporters will be unable to return to the Harry Potts Car Park until after the coaches have left and it is anticipated that both car parks will remain closed for approximately one hour after the match finishes.

The bar in the Foundation Lounge in the Jimmy McIlroy Stand, open from 10am, will also remain open to all home supporters after the match.

Supporters are also encouraged to use town centre car parks to avoid congestion around Turf Moor.

Meanwhile, all supporters are asked to arrive early with Turf Moor expecting its biggest crowd of the season.

Turnstiles will open at 11am.

Burnley Football Club hopes these arrangements will not adversely affect your enjoyment of the day and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Plans have been submitted to Pendle Council to erect six houses in Trawden.

If given the green light, the proposals, which have been submitted by Mr D. Nicholson, would see three pairs of semi-detached properties built on land at Green Meadow, in Colne Road. The two-and-a-half storey houses would each have four bedrooms.

Taking over the reins from his famous father was never going to be an easy ride for Felix Francis, but three books down he is hitting his stride and proving an odds-on favourite with crime thriller fans.

Going solo seems to be no obstacle for the younger son of Dick Francis, the legendary author of a stableful of racing whodunits. In fact, Francis Jnr, who trained as a physicist and taught A-level physics for 17 years, is turning out to be the family’s dark horse.

After becoming his father’s manager and collaborating with him on four books before his death in 2010, scientifically-minded Felix took up the mantle of novel writing and has been on a winning run ever since.

Refusal follows hard on the heels of Bloodline and Gamble, both set in the world of racing and both written with the famous Francis flair and style, but here he re-introduces Sid Halley, the irrepressible former jockey and private detective who took centre stage in four of his father’s novels.

And it’s pleasing to report that Sid’s rebirth is a seamless transition from his outings in Odds Against, Whip Hand, Come to Grief and Under Orders which were penned by Francis Snr over several decades.

Sid Halley gave up the investigating business six years ago but he has not been idle. It has been six years of building up a moderately successful business as an investment adviser and six years of stress-free living.

He is happily settled in the rural tranquillity of the Oxfordshire countryside with his second wife Marina, a medical researcher, and his six-year-old daughter Sassy and that’s the way Marina likes it. Nothing could persuade Sid to go back to being a PI… or could it?

When Sir Richard Stewart, chairman of the horse racing authority, pays a visit and asks Sid to look into some suspicious race results, he has to admit that his interest is aroused.

Sir Richard is convinced that someone is beating the system and Sid who can ‘find out more with his eyes closed than the whole of the Met Police with theirs open’ is the man to dig out the truth.

Sid, however, is on the straight and narrow and feels obliged to turn him down. Everything changes the next day when Sir Richard is found dead and Sid receives a threatening call from a man with a strong Northern Irish accent.

The man insists that Sid should investigate the alleged race-fixing but again Sid shies away from getting involved. It is only when Sassy goes missing that Sid realises that he could pay the ultimate price for his refusal. With his life in tatters and his family in mortal danger, Sid is finally forced to act. Extreme situations demand extreme solutions and Sid is desperate to get his life back, or die trying...

Sid’s encore was an inspired move by Francis… the fearless, fast-thinking, one-armed ex-jockey, who was always wont to chomp recklessly at the bit when it came to solving crime, has the added dimension of a wife and child in tow, adding new depth and diversion to his hard-nosed character.

Refusal delivers a terrifyingly ruthless enemy, some spine-tingling suspense and a complex, satisfying story with plenty of plot threads to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Another excellent run-out for the new racing raconteur…

(Michael Joseph, hardback, £18.99)

One of the most important documents which relate to our local social history is the Briercliffe Poor Book of 1754-5. It is a pity that information for only a very short period has survived but this, in itself, is close to miraculous and is repeated for no other Township in our locality.

We have seen that the Overseer of the Poor for Briercliffe found work and training for the children of poor people and they also resolved settlement matters relating to Briercliffe families who had moved elsewhere and families who had moved to Briercliffe but who were settled in other places.

I have been contacted by a number of people who would like to know more about the “concept of settlement” as it applies to the relief of the poor. We can trace this back to the Black Death of 1348, a plague which claimed over one million victims, not in one year, but over perhaps 20 years when there were four or five attacks.

The result was that the balance of feudal society was disturbed. Villages were abandoned largely because the labourers needed to tend its animals and sow its crops were no longer present. There was a shortage of labour which resulted in an increase in its price. Some landlords were prepared to acknowledge this but others were not. The latter often leased their property to small farmers thus preserving at least some of their income but others refused to release tied labourers from the bondage of the feudal system.

It was this that, in part, destabilised society. On the one hand some benefitted from the recognition that things had changed but others remained subject to the rules of the old system becoming increasingly unhappy with their lot. It was, in fact, much worse in that, in 1351, an Act of Parliament attempted to control wages indicating they would not be allowed to rise above the level they had been in 1346.

The Act was not adhered to by everyone and some landowners, even including the administrators of some royal estates, promised higher wages to labourers who would work for them. Workers had, therefore, an incentive to seek work elsewhere in the country but this resulted in harsh laws. People of the labouring classes found themselves moving around the country seeking work. This was one of the reasons that resulted in increased vagrancy which was made a crime by legislation passed in 1349, 1361 and 1383. In fact, the levels of crime in the 14th and 15th Centuries, much of it put down to vagrants, increased dramatically.

Five years later, in 1388, the Poor Law Act was passed. One of the provisions of the Act was that no servant or labourer was allowed to move out of the district in which he lived to serve or live elsewhere, or even go on pilgrimage, unless he had permission from crown officials. Anyone found in another locality, but without permission, was to be arrested, put in the local stocks and imprisoned to be returned to the place of his old service. Beggars and vagrants got the same treatment.

Settlement usually meant the place of an individual’s birth but one could obtain the right of settlement in another place. The significance of this was that the place of settlement became responsible for the maintenance of the poor whether they lived locally or not.

The Briercliffe Poor Book does not say all that much about settlement or vagrancy. We have noted several examples of the former but these references come from other papers that have survived. There are, though, at least two references to vagrant warrants. In October 1754 the Overseer paid 3s.1d to John Smith to administer a vagrant warrant. There was another payment of 2s.6d to John Stanworth in June 1754 for helping with the issue of vagrant warrant. What was probably happening was that the Overseer had obtained a document from a local magistrate to have someone removed from Briercliffe who was not legally settled there.

Another function of the Overseer was to send to Briercliffe families not living in the Township, but still chargeable on the poor rate, monies should they require help. The best example of this is for the Lord family who lived in Rossendale. In June, 1755 there is this reference; “Paid, to two poor children of Lord’s in Rossendale, 19s.6d”. Previously “Mary Lord in Rossendale” had obtained 3s.6d.

Getting back to Briercliffe, it was expected those in receipt of relief should, if they were able to do so, work to offset the cost of their relief. In 1754, for instance, monies were received for spinning, this was a pretty regular income, at least one person was put to knitting and another did some carding.

The knitter and carder shared the same surname. “Old Mary Proctor” did £1’s worth of knitting in July, 1754 and “Old Proctor”, presumably her husband, did a little carding at the same time. It is thought this family gave their name to Proctor Cote in Extwistle. Even children did work as in October, 1754, when “children’s work” brought in 2s.7d.

Involvement in the textile industry, wool at this time, also brought some costs. There are several references to the purchase of wool and money was expended, in 1754, on “a pair of wool cards” and a spindle. Thread, coloured and “gray” was also bought and buttons are mentioned several times.

The purchase of cloth and clothing is also mentioned. In June, 1755 the sum of three pence was spent on cloth for children’s “capps”. In December the previous year, four and a half yards of cloth, costing six shillings, was bought for “William Nuttall, a new coat”. In April, 1754, 18 yards of “canvas cloth” at almost a shilling a yard was bought. Five yards of this was for Henry Nuttall and Thomas Rost “for the workhouse”.

In July, 1755, some twenty-seven and a half yards of “strong plain” cloth was bought by Henry Halstead, presumably the Overseer at the time. It was to be divided among a number of local families some of which include the Lord (of Rossendale?), Shackleton, Pilkington, Proctor, Simpson, Emmot (sic), Greenwood and Nuttall families. We even have details of how the cloth was to be used – Lawrence Proctor and “Old William Nuttall” were to get new “breeches” and Thomas Emmot, James Simpson, and Charles Greenwood intended to use their cloth for “waistecoats”. Mary Lord obtained three yards for a “smock petticoat”.

It is worthy of noting some of these families were in need assistance almost a century later when, in the 1840s, there was considerable unemployment among handloom weavers. In the lists of those receiving help at this time are members of the Simpson and Emmett families.

Footwear was another item bought for poor families. These include clogs for a “child of Shackleton” and the item “shoose mending” is frequently mentioned. Heating and lighting is another area of expenditure. In March, 1755 Grace Taylor obtained 2d worth of coal. None of the sums were very large but coal was granted to people in their own homes on a regular basis. Candles provided most of the light. Purchases were made for the workhouse and people in their own homes.

However, the greatest proportion of income from the poor rates was spent on food and the following items are mentioned between 1754 and 1755; salt, “treackle”, “meal” (presumably oatmeal), “wheat flour”, malt, butter, milk, veal, potatoes, onions, “barms”, mutton and beef. The purchase of meat was rare but some was bought at least once a month. Eight pounds of mutton, costing 1s.5d was bought in October, 1754. Then, early in November of the same year, 2s.9d was spent on beef.

Potatoes were bought regularly. They were often obtained from a shop-keeper, or perhaps a farmer, called Jackson. They were usually bought in bulk, actually in strikes or half strikes. Flour, often spelled “flower”, was also obtained from Jackson’s. Dairy produce, in large quantities, was obtained from Burwains, Yeoman’s, Windle House and Haggate House. Butter could be had at 4d per pound and milk was less than 1d per pint.

The reference to “barms” is worth expanding. These were probably barn-cakes and they were obtained at Holt Hill in 1754. If so, there must have been some sort of bakery at Holt Hill. Alternatively, the reference could be to yeast (which was known locally as “barm”) and, if that is the case, it is possible the workhouse had its own bread ovens.

A man who tried to prevent a young victim from giving evidence in a grooming case has been jailed.

Qasim Hussain (20), of Townley Street, Brierfield, was previously found guilty of perverting the course of justice after a two-week trial at Burnley Crown Court in July and was given a two-year sentence on Friday.

Hussain coerced the victim into travelling to Bradford where she was told to write a letter to say she had made up allegations that she had been abducted and sexually abused at a house on Sackville Street, Brierfield.

A second man, Furqan Amjad (23), of Halifax Road, Brierfield, was jailed for 15 months for the same offence following the trial. He was involved in bombarding the girl with text messages, phone calls and money in an attempt to bribe her against giving evidence

As part of a linked investigation, Amjad’s brother – Mohammed Imran Amjad – was jailed for four years, three months in April after pleading guilty to three offences of child abduction and one of sexual activity with a child.

He was also given a seven-year sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) which prohibits him from contacting any girl under the age of 16 or being in a vehicle with a girl under the age of 16 without express permission from the child’s parent. He must sign the sex offenders’ register and will remain on it for an indefinite period.

On Friday, Hussain was also given another two-year sentence to run consecutively for supplying a class A drug and possession with intent to supply a class A drug. This offence was unrelated to the incident involving the young girl.

He was additionally given an eight-month sentence to run concurrently for another count of perverting the course of justice. This relates to him trying to inaccurately change his bail address while on bail for the offence relating to the young girl.

Detective Chief Inspector Sion Hall said: “I am pleased with the sentence handed to Qasim Hussain, given the ordeal that the young victim was subjected to.

“The result is the last sentencing in a long and complex investigation.

“We’ve worked extremely hard with the young victim over a long period of time. It has been extremely traumatic for her and her family and she has shown a tremendous amount of courage and bravery throughout the case.

“People who interfere with victims and witnesses of crime – whether through bribes or other means – are committing a very serious offence. We treat these incidents very seriously and I hope that the sentences in this case show just how committed we are to identifying those responsible for these crimes and bringing them to justice.”

The funeral of a well-known Colne businessman and former Trawden parish councillor will be held at St Bartholomew’s Church from 10-30am today.

Raymond Clough (75) died from kidney and heart failure on September 3rd, after being admitted to Airedale Hospital with pneumonia last month.

The former Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School student will be remembered for his tireless contribution to the local area, and for his approachable and friendly nature.

Raymond, who was born and brought up in Great Harwood, set up plant and machinery hire business RJ Clough & Son at Parrock Farm, in Winewall, in 1970 – having moved from Hanson Feeds Ltd in his home town.

Due to expansion, the vintage vehicle enthusiast took his firm to Red Scar Works, Primet Street, in 1994, after buying the premises in 1988. Paying tribute this week, Raymond’s son and business co-owner Andrew Clough (47), of Skipton Old Road, said: “He was a very talkative man, and people said to me he was a very nice man. He always had the time of day to talk to somebody. A lot of his customers developed into friends, and quite a few are a bit shocked and upset.”

Raymond, who worked on the parish council for approximately five years, was a member of Ribble Valley Vintage Club, and was also a huge supporter of the annual Trawden Agricultural Show. In his later life he enjoyed travelling.

Donations to be made to the North West Air Ambulance or the RNIB.

Following their impressive 3-0 win away at Derby County last weekend, this Saturday sees the Clarets host Blackburn Rovers in a eagerly anticipated local derby clash that rarely fails to disappoint.

Leading odds comparison site Oddschecker.com can reveal that Sean Dyche’s men are best priced at 13/10 with BetVictor to beat Rovers at Turf Moor. The visitors are on offer at 5/2 with Stan James for the three points, whilst the draw is available at 12/5 with BetVictor.

Interestingly, both games between these two last season finished 1-1, a score line on offer at 13/2 with Ladbrokes. The Clarets have kept three clean sheets in their last four games in all competitions and if you fancy Burnley to make that four from five, it is on offer at 2/1 with Coral. Burnley to win and keep a clean sheet is available at 5/2 with Stan James.

Danny Ings has scored twice in his last two games, and there will be plenty of money going on him to break the deadlock in Saturday’s early kick off, best priced at 11/2 with bet365. If you think he’ll score and Burnley will win, the double is available at 11/4 with Paddy Power.

Alternatively you might look at Sam Vokes to add to his impressive tally so far this season. With three in his last five, the Welshman to score anytime and Burnley to win is a tempting option, also on offer at 11/4 with Sky Bet.

Three of Burnley’s last four games have resulted in -2.5 goals, and if punters fancy backing the trend, -2.5 goals is an option best priced at 5/6 with BetVictor

Having been 18/1 to gain promotion during preseason, Burnley are now as short at 8/1 with William Hill to make a return to the Premier League. They are best priced at 6/1 to make the play offs with Stan James and 13/8 with Sky Bet to finish in the top half.