http://www.champnews.com All the latest Ormskirk news from Champion Newspapers en-uk Copyright 2007 Champion Media Group. All Rights Reserved http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6674 EDGE Hill's Performing Arts department are about to put on their largest student led and student performed production. They will be performing Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt, and will be bringing the scope and spectacle of an epic tale to a Lancashire mountain. The production is a collaboration of over fifty drama and dance students with a supporting student design team; promising an exciting and magical theatrical experience for adults and children alike. Ibsen's extraordinary fairy tale for adults still speaks as freshly as when it was first written. Here in David Rudkin's spare colloquial translation, trolls and madmen, harem and homestead are magically given life. Melissa Mcleod, a second year drama student, said:  "The Magical Production of Peer Gynt has allowed us in our second year to fly high with aspirations. "Working as a team with so many people; actors and designers alike, has allowed us to create strong bonds, which we will carry through into our third year." The production will be on at the Rose Theatre from Thursday, May 8 to Saturday, May 10, at 7.30pm each night, and a matinee of 2.30pm on the Saturday. Tickets are £7 adults, £3 concessions and available from the Rose Theatre box office on 01695 584480. The production involves 52 2nd Yr Drama students from Edgehill University, along with five 2nd Yr Theatre Design Students, and three 3rd Yr Theatre Production Students. 4/30/2008 3:07:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6670 West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has reacted angrily to the district council turning down a new equal opportunities scheme.   Miss Cooper wrote to West Lancs District Council in support of Skelmersdale-based South West Lancashire Trades Union Council's 'Two Ticks' campaign.   However, the council said that as they already had a "very robust Equal Opportunities Policy" they didn't think adopting the scheme was necessary.   Miss Cooper said: "I find the council's attitude very disappointing. 'Two Ticks' is a symbol all employers should be proud to adopt as an example of their commitment to the rights of disabled people." By Peter Swift 4/29/2008 8:22:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6665 West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper is on a collision course with foul-mouthed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Miss Cooper has demanded that his Kitchen Nightmares USA show be investigated after suggestions that elements of the programme are staged. She told The Champion: "I know Gordon Ramsay's show is immensely popular among many in West Lancashire. It is important they have full confidence that these reality shows are just that - real and not made up.  "Trust in TV programmes have taken a battering of late with various scandals including those involving Blue Peter and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. "I therefore feel it is important that these allegations are put under scrutiny by Ofcom and if necessary the appropriate action is taken.  "Otherwise, we could get to a point where there is a cloud of suspicion hanging over many of the shows and that would be damaging for the confidence of those working in the TV industry as well as the many of us tuning in at home."  Miss Cooper's intervention is a strange twist in a row that has developed between Mr Ramsay and the general manager of a restaurant featured on his show. In an infamous scene the chef berated Martin Hyde of Dillons Indian Restaurant in Manhattan using his customary foul language. Mr Hyde is now suing Mr Ramsay and the programme makers Granada and Optomen TV for £9 million in a New York District Court action. It was as part of the court action that 53-year-old Mr Hyde claimed the show was a sham. Among other allegations he said that extras had been paid $75 each to "look happy" at the re-opening of the restaurant to make it look like Ramsay's intervention had been a success. 4/25/2008 1:37:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6653 The Beatles and The Rolling Stones have played at Liverpool’s famous Cavern club and have their names etched on the bricks outside, but they can't claim to have the band's name on two bricks.   That honour falls on the district's town crier Don Evans, from Skelmersdale, who played at the Mathew Street venue in the 1950s with Los Toros skiffle group.   Now Don wants to revive the band and is asking for the help of the district's pensioners.   He came up with the idea after taking part an impromptu set with past members of Los Toros at his 70th birthday at O'Este in Ormskirk.     Don, who played the skiffle bass in the band, said: "I invited some old friends from Los Toros to my birthday. My grandson, Peter, tuned his keyboard into banjo mode, and we did a couple of numbers. I was amazed how good we sounded and thought we should revive the band.   "We need people to play in the group. If we do alright we could start to do charity shows for pensioners."   Los Toros played all over Liverpool and Crosby and did a set at the Empire theatre, and Don recalls how much Los Toros was paid for playing at The Cavern.   "In the days before rock n' roll skiffle was king," Don recalled. "The whole group was paid £3 for playing all night at the Cavern. But I don't know why we have two bricks on the wall.   "We then went over the road to the Grapes on Mathew Street, where beer was 1/9 a pint.   "We called it a day when rock n' roll came in." If you are interested in playing in Los Toros email Don at donald.evans@merseymail.com 4/22/2008 8:29:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6651 Dukinfield 18 Ormskirk 5 Ormskirk travelled to Dukinfield knowing that a win would guarantee promotion into South Lancashire/Cheshire I next season. They made hard work of it, but in the final analysis – and by the narrowest of margins, ‘kirk did indeed secure promotion…….. But it was all down to a phone call at the end of a game! The traveling Green Laners were frustrated and angry at nor being able to beat Dukinfield today, but knowing that Sefton had to beat Southport - and wipe out a points difference of 24 points – kept their hopes high. When Ormskirk found out that they had indeed been promoted by virtue of a superior points difference of just 9 points, the mood in the camp was improved somewhat!  Beating Dukinfield on their own patch (and a muddy patch at that) would have been sweet and would have given ‘kirk a psychological edge for next year – but it wasn’t to be today. Ormskirk put in a terrible performance.  They let Dukinfield play tough up front rugby. There was nothing fancy about their performance, it was just basic tactics done in their typically thuggish way! With a strong wind and a slope to contend with Dukinfield’s fly half controlled the game for most of the 80 minutes. His kicking for territory was well executed and he had runners working off him all day. Kirk once again gave away more silly penalties, and after 15 minutes they kicked one of these to go 3-0 up, then another one hit the posts and bounced back straight into the Dukinfield attack, but the kirk defence stood strong.  Moments later they scored a try from close range and then kicked the extras to go 10-0 up.  Leading into the last 20 minutes of the half, kirk now started to take control. They weathered the storm on their own line, and gradually moved up the field (and up the hill at the same time!) The forwards worked well, and were unlucky not to score, basic errors from both sides keeping the score at 10-0 after 40 minutes. With the strong wind and playing down the slope, Kirk were in confident mood. They used the tight game, made good yardage, and should have finished off 3 chances. Dukinfield’s defence was good, and when they came back at kirk they scored another try from a rolling maul. The missed conversion making it 15-0. This made kirk more determined, and knowing that the points difference was tight, they again attacked, John Curley out pacing his man on 2 occasions was unlucky not to score. Then a moment of brilliance from Andy Wilson. The young hooker took the ball out wide, skipped round 2 defenders and side stepped another to score a superb solo effort. The conversion was missed, making it 13-5.  The game became scrappy, and moments before the end the home team kicked another penalty to finish the game off at 18-5. The lads were gutted, knowing that they put in one of the worst performances of the season. Coach for the day Adi Molyneux tried to get the Sefton result over the phone, there was a nail biting 10 minute delay before the good news came! It’s a credit to the 1st team squad that even though they had been promoted they were still frustrated with their performance. But then the beer started flowing…..and flowing…… They got on the coach, and sang a few traditional rugby songs with titles that are not printable here. The antics carried on back at Green Lane, this was a big occasion and the lads wanted to celebrate in typical rugby fashion. Boat races were won by the forwards (the backs were handicapped as they had to take General Troutmen  to make up the numbers)  but later, with their slimline  physiques they made up for it by winning  a very competitive game of ‘Bar Diving’. A good end to the season, and Kirk have got what they deserved. With both the 1st and 2nd teams getting promotion there is a lot of hard work to be done in pre-season, competition for places will be high, as Kirk will want to go into that top league with a bang! This coming Saturday will see the annual ‘John Winn’ trophy being played for as Ormskirk host fellow rivals Southport at Green lane. Kick off 3pm 4/21/2008 9:28:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6650 Burscough 2 Gainsborough Trinity 2 A DECENT crowd of 342 fans turned up at Victoria Park on a cold day, and went home warmed by an exciting game, between two teams that had not decided to go into holiday mode two weeks early writes Neil Leatherbarrow. Burscough twice took the lead and Gainsborough twice equalised, by the final whistle both teams were left breathless by their efforts to secure victory, the victor in doubt until the last kick of the game. In the 5th minute Burscough opened the scoring with a fine piece of football. The ball was played down the right channel to Ciaran Kilheeney who had lost his marker by making space on the right, looking up Kilheeney picked out Craig Noone inside the 18 yard box with a short pass. The teenager having the confidence and time to slip the ball from right to left foot before thumping it across Trinity keeper Adam Sollitt into the far corner. It took Gainsborough just eight minutes to equalise. A corner from the left created havoc. Noone lost out on a challenge purely because his opponent was much stronger than him, and Daniel Sleath who is on loan from Mansfield Town stabbed the loose ball goalwards. McMillan parried the ball away, but unfortunately it went upwards, giving Liam Needham the chance to throw himself at the ball and direct it home. In the 28th minute, Burscough's pressure got its reward. Brian Moogan's corner to the far post was headed back and Kilheeney netted from close range, the problem was referee Mr Graham was pointing to the penalty spot. Although Kilheeney made no mistake with the spot kick, sending Sollitt the wrong way, to fire himself to the top of the Blue Square North goalscoring charts. The first twenty or so minutes of the second-half were probably the least entertaining of the game, though the game sprang into life in the 69th minute. Adam Burley swung a ball in from the left that hung on the wind, Clancy appeared to lose the flight of the ball, thus allowing Trinity captain Danny Anson just the chance he needed, sneaking in on Clancy's blindside before blasting a shot past a helpless McMillan 4/21/2008 8:56:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6649 People in West Lancashire will be able to make use of a new initiative which is being set up to enable pharmacists to play a leading role in health care. The scheme - which will start with the battle with obesity - will be directed by Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust will see a network of healthcare professionals brought together to enable pharmacists to take a more active role in the provision of health care. "We are targeting obesity in the first instance because it is a costly and debilitating lifestyle disease that is difficult for any one set of healthcare professionals to tackle alone," explains Malcolm Phillips, Central Lancashire PCT's head of medicine management. "Its association with a wide range of illnesses - including diabetes, heart disease, strokes and certain cancers - makes it a healthcare priority." Obesity already affects a quarter of the adult population in England and almost a fifth of children under the age of 16. Pharmacists across Central Lancashire will be offered training, ahead of the scheme's pilot in Summer 2008, to enable them to raise the issue of weight with patients. They may offer to screen for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and other ailments associated with poor weight management and patients may be referred to them by other weight management professionals. Learnings from the pilot will be shared with primary care trusts across the North West and, if successful, the scheme will be quickly rolled out across the region. 4/21/2008 2:38:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6645 The Champion's Natasha Robson has been named Young Journalist of the Year. At the O2 Media Awards last week, Natasha beat off a host of hopefuls to take the coveted trophy. The cream of the press and media industry gathered together for the lavish ceremony at O2's regional headquarters in Preston Brook, Cheshire, where Natasha accepted the award. Presenting the trophy, the judges said: "In an age of froth and spin, Natasha is a genuine chronicler. "Full of passion for truth, energy to see things through, fearlessness in the face of opposition, optimism that she can make a difference, she is truly the underdogÕs champion." The Champion's group editor Rob Doyle commented: "This is a well-deserved honour for a supremely talented journalist. We are all so proud of Natasha and thrilled by her success." 4/17/2008 7:48:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6641 WORKINGTON 0     BURSCOUGH 1   By Neil Leatherbarrow   A tremendous bit of skill by top scorer Ciaran Kilheeney has left Burscough with a remarkable record in the Blue Square North this season, victory at Borough Park, means that the Linnets have not drawn an away league game for an entire season.  For the record Burscough have played twenty-one away games and won eleven, but they had to withstand some severe pressure in the latter stages to secure this remarkable feat. Burscough started well and in the first six minutes, Kilheeney bidding to bag the top goal-scorer crown for the Blue Square North, went close on two occasions. The first saw his effort blocked after Allan Smart set him up, the second an overhead kick that went over the crossbar after livewire Craig Noone had a shot blocked.                     Both teams were playing some enterprising stuff and the Reds had their moments. In the eighth minute Anthony Wright shot wide after a mix-up between Chris Price and Adam Flynn presented him with the opportunity. Then in the 16th minute a visionary ball from Graham Anthony that split the Linnets defence, gave Johnny Wright a chance that was only snubbed out thanks to Burscough keeper Tony McMillan’s decisive action.                      Farrell Kilbane came to Burscough’s rescue in the 24th minute, diverting Michael Reed’s cross for a corner after Dave Hewson and Gari Rowntree carved another hole in the Linnets back-line.                     Anthony handled the ball in the 35th minute, then Matt McGinn hit a ferocious free-kick over the bar from 30yards out.                    Even though, play see-sawed to both ends of the pitch, defences had the upper hand, something special would be needed to break the deadlock and it arrived one minute into added time before the interval. Flynn arrowed a pinpoint thirty yard ball down the right, Kilheeney broke free of his marker by running into a wide position, on reaching the ball he lifted it over the now isolated central defender Dan Kirkup, Kilheeney then squared the ball across the penalty area to Smart, who had a simple task of sliding the ball home from a few yards out into a gaping goal. If Kilheeney had been a Portuguese Manchester United player the television would show the goal for weeks to come.                    The early period of the second-half, was probably the quietest of the game, taking until almost the hour mark to get going again. Robbie Booth being thwarted by Hewson after Noone and Kilheeney combined well to set him up in the 59th minute.                     A double save by McMillan retained Burscough’s advantage in the 62nd minute. First he rose well to punch the ball off Johnny Wright’s head after Rowntree hoisted an excellent ball into the area, then seconds later after the ball was worked forward again by the Reds, he made another great save (this time low down) to keep Anthony Wright at bay.                      Workington were piling on the pressure now, but they were soon to suffer a blow, an early ball from Lee Andrews found Matt Berkeley, he laid it off to Hewson who blasted over the bar, Hewson then fell to the ground in agony with what appeared an ankle injury.                       After McMillan beat away Johnny Wright’s 76th minute shot, Burscough broke away down the left, Noone’s ball into the box was met by a first time shot from Kilheeney, Workington’s impressive young keeper Aaron Taylor was well beaten but the bar wasn’t, the ball smashed against it and rolled to safety.                       It was in the latter stages that Workington managed to pressure Burscough again, Kyle May headed wide, then in stoppage time, Anthony’s rasping free-kick was saved by McMillan, followed a minute later by a loud penalty appeal was turned away by the referee.                       After the game, Burscough manager Liam Watson commented; “It was a carbon copy of the game earlier in the season at Burscough, except this time we won”. I suppose it could be said that there lies a twisted logic, as Burscough’s away form has been tremendous all season, but home form to their cost has been inconsistent.   WORKINGTON: Taylor, Andrews, Rowntree, May, Kirkup, Hewson (McLuckie, 70), Anthony ©, Johnston, Reed (Berkeley, 45), Wright J., Wright A. (Nicholson, 67) Subs (not used) Gray, Collin   BURSCOUGH: McMillan, Flynn, Clancy, Fitzhenry, Kilbane, Moogan A., McGinn (Parry, 42), Price ©, Smart (Booth, 45), Kilheeney, Noone (McCulloch, 82) Subs (not used) Davis, Hibbert   Referee: Bernard Law (Ravenstonedale, Cumbria)   Attendance: 325 4/17/2008 1:35:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6634  Ormskirk 13 Orrell Anvils 12 A nail biting end to the last home league match of the season brought celebration as the Green Lane men can nearly taste promotion! With 3rd place Sefton getting beat at Crewe, all Ormskirk have to do to guarantee promotion is win away at Duckinfield next week. If Kirk do lose, then Sefton could cause an upset. They play Kirk’s arch rivals Southport ( who stuffed Duckinfield 39-0 on Saturday) at home.  At the moment Ormskirk have the best points difference in the league, they also have the best defence. They have a better points difference of 24 points over Sefton, so it’s all to play for. Ormskirk will board the team bus with their expectant supporters on Saturday, with one goal in mind…. Beat Duckinfield and gain promotion! If they do it will prove to be one the most successful season in history with both 1st and 2nd teams gaining promotion! The game started well for Ormskirk, constant pressure on Orrells line brought about 2 early penalties which Fly half Whalley kicked to take Kirk into a lead of 6-0 after only 10 minutes. The referee made it very clear that he loves giving penalties, Kirk gave away far too many and with it gave easy yards. Orrell played the tight game, constantly hitting close to the ruck, the Kirk defence stood solid, Props Rowley and Gatley knocking back the men in black time and time again. The Lineout worked well, man of the match Andy Wilson provided clean straight ball for jumpers Phil Davis and Kieron Mahood.  Their flyhalf liked to run it from all over the pitch but the contrast of youth in Mark Webster, and the experience of Ex 1st team captain Paul Kearney worked well. In the scrums, Kirk dominated, Capatin kirkby leading from the front in the engine room. 25 minutes in, the kirk backs spun it wide, Andy Healey, back at scrum half linked well with Whalley, passing off to Johnson who drew his man and let wiry centre Curley run at Orrell. Fullback Ashworth timed his pass to perfection off-loading to Wroe who went round his man, caught 10 metres out, Wroe recycled with the support from Webster and Mahood. Healey played the short game, dragging in the defence, then Kirk swiftly moved it back to the other side of the pitch were Curley once again ran at his man and gave a great off load to left wing Pete Spengler, who turned on the burners and went round to score Kirks only try of the game.  Fly half Whalley kicked a beauty from the touchline to make it 13-0. Again Orrell came back and put real pressure on the Kirk line. The defence was awesome, a missed pentalty by Orrell made it 13-0 at half time. In the second half, kirk yet again gave away far too many penalties. Orrell attacked again, and managed to score a converted try on 60 minutes.  Kirk just couldn’t kill the game off, if they do get promoted…..This is something that will have to be improved. Orrell played with confidence and scored another try with 11 minutes to go, the missed conversion made it 13-12. The last 10 minutes was nip and tuck and the game could have gone either way. The Orrell travellers ( dressed in their yellow and black wooly hats) started chanting their team on, the referee then gave Orrell yet another penalty, which must have been the 40th of the game, the merry whistle blower informed us that this was the last play of the game. So for the third time this season, the opposition had to kick the goal to win the game in the last play of the game ( Thankfully Sefton and Ashton both failed, so we were hoping this run of luck would continue!) So it was all down to the last kick of the game. 30 metres out and straight infront of the posts, the Orrell second row had the destiny of Kirk’s season in the end of his boots. There was a lot of nervous faces, both on and off the field…… He strode up to the ball, and gave it an almighty wack, he had the right aim, but thankfully not the distance. The ball dropped just 80cm under the crossbar much to the jubilation of all. A hard fought win and now Kirk’s destiny is in their own hands. 4/14/2008 4:09:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6632 Following a House of Lords report which claimed that immigration doesn't benefit the national economy, West Lancs council have said they "value the contribution that migrant workers make." A spokesperson also said the only way some local agricultural businesses could operate was by using migrant workers because "this type of employment remains unattractive to local people." The spokesperson said: "In West Lancashire we have a large agricultural base and several years' experience of receiving migrant workers. So for some years, together with our partners, we have led the way when it comes to looking at issues surrounding people who come from oversees to work. "Whilst the District Council has not carried out any specific research studies to measure how valuable migrant workers are to the economy, it is touched upon in the West Lancashire Rural Economy Study completed in 2006. It recognised that 'temporary migrant labour is used extensively to support the horticultural part of the West Lancashire food chain.'" Editor of Farm Business magazine Cedric Porter said: "The international nature of agriculture is obvious on a growing number of British farms, where overseas labour is essential to plug the gaps in the availability of local staff." According to a monthly survey by Ipsos Mori Ltd immigration was the second biggest concern of voters in February. By Peter Swift 4/11/2008 2:39:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6630 LEIGH RMI 2     BURSCOUGH 1                    Burscough’s poor run of form continued at Hilton Park, not only did they make it three consecutive defeats, they had three players dismissed as the game turned bad tempered in the latter stages.                  The game started slowly, then after nine minutes burst into life. Craig Noone made space down the left, beat a defender, before slotting the ball across the face of goal, Ciaran Kilheeney charging into the penalty area stretched full-length in a desperate attempt to reach the ball, agonisingly failed and a great chance was gone.                   It came as a surprise when the Railwaymen took the lead in the 14th minute, but it was no fluke. Owen Roberts played the ball across the pitch from the right, Robin Gibson lost his marker and stroked a first-time ball into the heart of the penalty area, Leigh striker Gavin Salmon met the ball with a first-time side-footed effort, and the ball went under the diving Burscough keeper, Tony McMillan, for a goal of the highest quality.                   The game became pretty open from this point, Leigh despite their lowly league position do stick to football’s principles, playing a quick passing style, this was exposing a Burscough team who were committing men forward in search of an equaliser. The Burscough attack were looking likely to succeed in their quest, Robbie Booth and Kilheeney both put decent efforts over the crossbar, while Chris Price was only prevented from connecting with a Noone cross by a last ditch piece of defending.                   Leigh were having their moments and a skied clearance from Adam Flynn dropped to Salmon who shot wide, then Price was shown a yellow for stopping Gibson rather cynically.                   Burscough’s best chance of the half arrived in the 37th minute. Flynn was put away down the right and crossed the ball early into the box, Alan Moogan lost his marker and thumped a header at goal from six yards, only a superb reaction save from keeper Tim Dittmar keeping Moogan out.                   Just a minute later disaster struck for Burscough. Flynn played a wayward ball across the defence and Roberts read the situation, after bounding clear of the Linnets back-four he was faced with the quickly advancing McMillan, Roberts lifted the ball over McMillan and looked sure to score, McMillan stuck out a hand and saved the shot, only to be a few yards outside his eighteen yard box. Referee Mr Simpson, had no choice other than to show McMillan the red card, leaving Matt Parry the real injured party, being substituted to allow substitute keeper Zak Hibbert onto the pitch.                    By the interval Burscough had settled down and during the break the general feeling was that if Burscough stepped up the tempo, they could still take the points. After the restart, Burscough did exactly that and were back on level terms inside three minutes. The enterprising Noone dribbled the ball about 25 yards from the halfway line, having rounded a man he squared the ball to Price who clipped it over Dittmar and into the net from 20yards out.                     Generally Burscough were doing well, with the reorganised three-man defence looking confident. Things changed dramatically in the 59th minute, when after clashing with an opponent Alan Moogan received a straight red card. Mr Simpson being seen to make a fist like gesture as Moogan left the field, that one could interpret as meaning that he thought Moogan had struck an opponent.                       Things looked grim for Burscough, but in the 61st minute they became even worse. Roberts swung a free kick into the area from the left, Cayne Hanley finding the space to send a flicked header beyond Hibbert and into the net.                       Leigh were having most of the play after the second dismissal and Hibbert saved from Brad Maylett after some good interplay in the 81st minute.                       Burscough started to assert more in the latter stages and Kilheeney fought hard to set up Booth in the 83rd minute, only to the see Booth’s shot go just wide. Even then you fancied Burscough could still grab something from the game.                        In the 85th minute, Neil Fitzhenry was floored by a crude looking challenge by Hanley, who it could be argued he was a little fortunate to just get a yellow card. Three minutes later Fitzhenry himself put a crude challenge in on Richard Chetcuti, words were exchanged and Fitzhenry swung at the Leigh forward, a third red card was brandished.                       Despite the cards count in the game, and Leigh themselves deservedly got some; it hadn’t particularly been a physical or aggressively fought out game. Burscough must really have gone home cursing, victory was well within their capability; they just lost it on the night, in more than one way.   LEIGH RMI: Dittmar, Metcalfe, Gibson (Hanley, 57), Heald, Booth P., Marsh-Evans, Maylett, Goulding, Salmon (Wright, 76), Chetcuti (Prout, 88), Roberts Subs (not used) Settle, Carroll   BURSCOUGH: McMillan, Flynn, Clancy (McGinn, 60), Davis, Fitzhenry, Price, Parry (Hibbert, 38), Moogan A., Booth R., Kilheeney, Noone (Tomlinson, 60), Subs (not used) Kilbane, McCulloch   Referee: Mr J. Simpson   Attendance: 156   4/9/2008 8:47:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6624 Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals are considering changing their parking policy to pay and display.     The review comes after Kew Liberal Democrat councillors called for parking charges to be scrapped, as has recently happened in Wales.     But Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust’s chief executive says that is simply not an option.     “The immediate effect of abolishing car park charges at the hospital would be the immediate loss of the equivalent of 50 full time nursing posts or 10 doctors,” Jonathan Parry said. “Furthermore there would be chaos in the car parks because all the staff would park first thing in the morning and patients and visitors would not be able to find a space.     “We would not be able to pay for car park attendants so it would be, literally, a free-for-all and no one would police the disabled spaces. We would have to deprive direct patient care to service the security system and to maintain the fabric of the car parks.”     The current charges are £3 per visit at the 820-space car park. Staff pay £25 per month to park.     The charges were first introduced in the early 1990s to pay back a loan used to extend the number of parking spaces at the hospital.     The charges now pay for the upkeep of the security and fabric of the car parks and provide a substantial sum for direct patient care.     Mr Parry accused councillors of using the hospital parking issue as a “campaign vehicle”.     He said: “Although not all of the street parking on Town Lane, or the Kew Estate or on Scarisbrick New Road is attributable to the hospital’s charging policy, there is insufficient car parking on the Kew industrial estate for example, some of it clearly is down to us. There are a number of actions local councillors could take which might lessen the problem. Altering the Park and Ride route to include the hospital is one idea that councillors have so far rejected.     “Improving public transport, extending double yellow lines and introducing residents parking schemes would also make the roads safer and reduce the problems experienced by our residual neighbours.” Hospital bosses are now reviewing the parking system with a view to introducing pay and display, but stressed no decisions have yet been made. By Natasha Robson 4/8/2008 8:07:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6619 CHANGES in stray dog legislation will councils solely responsible for lost or unwanted dogs. Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 came into effect on Sunday (April 6) meaning stray dogs can no longer be taken to police stations. And The Dog Trust dog welfare charity fear that strays will be left wandering the streets due to "vague wording" of the guidance on the new law. The law states that "where practicable" authorities must provide at least one place where dogs can be taken round the clock. The Dog Trust is worried that councils could claim that caring for every stray dog is not practicable. Veterinary Director Chris Laurence said: "We are concerned that stray dogs may be left wandering the streets during times when dog wardens are not available, such as weekends." David Tilleray, West Lancashire District Council's Community Services boss did little to allay these fears, saying that the new law does not "oblige the Council to provide a search and collect service outside of normal office hours... only dogs that are being held by people finding them will be collected." West Lancs council will not be providing somewhere that residents can take stray dogs 24 hours a day. However Mr Tilleray did say they were taking steps to ensure that a stray dog service will be available seven days a week, including Bank Holidays. "By working with Leigh Dogs and Cats Home, the Council has been able to extend its current stray dog service to offer those who find a stray dog an improved out-of-hours service," he said. "Previously, any person who found a stray dog out of office hours would either have to take care of it or take it to Ormskirk or Skelmersdale Police Stations, which was not always convenient, particularly for those residing in the northern parts of the District. Under the new arrangements, an effective door-to-door service will be provided." Anyone who has found and holds a stray dog can call the West Lancs Council's main switchboard on 01695 577177 to arrange collection. Calls can be received up to 9pm in the evening on weekdays and between 8am-7pm at weekends and Bank Holidays. Sefton Council were unable to comment. 4/4/2008 6:02:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6615 LANCASHIRE County Council are looking into the effects of climate change on the services it provides. A spokesperson said they were facing "an increasing challenge to maintain schools, care for vulnerable people and maintain highways" due to bad weather. Research already shows that storm damage cost the council over £1.5 million between 2003 and 2007 due to storm damage to buildings. Highways cost £700,000 to repair between 2003 and 2006 and 350 school days were also lost to bad weather between 2004 and 2007. Other problems include wet weather increasing the weight of waste and disposal costs, countryside paths being washed away and damage to street lights and furniture. The county council will be working with the UK Climate Impacts Programme to find ways to reduce the impact. County environment boss Councillor Matthew Tomlinson said: "The study will help us to direct resources where they are most needed so that we can limit the effects of a changing climate on our ability to deliver the services people in Lancashire value and need." 4/4/2008 5:53:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6596 "Images in the media, the cheap availability of alcohol and a lack of alternatives" are responsible for underage drinking according to a County Council task group. The group have said more must be done to tackle the problem. County Councillor Susan Shorrock, Chair of the Young People and Alcohol task group, said: "We all know that alcohol misuse by young people is a major problem, but to tackle it we need to focus on why they are drinking and the pressures that encourage them to drink. "We need to show them that alcohol misuse is damaging to themselves and those around them." Recommendations in the report include educating children, parents and schools about the dangers of alcohol misuse and providing more activities for young people at weekends. The group also found that advertising campaigns could appeal to susceptible children. It called on the government to make health warnings on alcohol compulsory, tighten advertising rules and separate alcohol sections in supermarkets to keep out children. Councillor Shorrock added: "There are more alcohol related deaths in the North West than anywhere else and the scale of the problem is reflected in Lancashire. "The only thing we know for sure is that alcohol causes a great deal of damage and harm to young people. We need to find a better way of getting this across to children, in the face of many conflicting messages from parents, peers, society and the media." By Peter Swift   3/28/2008 9:41:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6593 Not content with beating testicular cancer, intrepid Dave Cook has set off on a 2000-mile One Ball Rally. 24-year-old Dave set off from the Clock Tower in Ormskirk to Istanbul in a black cab last Friday (March 21 2008) to raise awareness of the disease. He will be accompanied by friends Adam Bell, Martin Pilkington and Paul Ashton. Dave was diagnosed with testicular cancer in January 2007 and received gruelling treatment from March to June. He said: "We wanted to raise awareness because testicular cancer is quite a taboo subject but it's life or death. We wanted to get young men interested." Dave's sense of humour about the disease is evident in the name of his expedition, a play on the famous Gumball Rally. He also got number plates with NADS on but can't use them because of problems with the DVLA. "You've got to laugh about it rather than get too worked up. We wanted to show men going through it that there's life after it and you can have a sense of humour." He wanted to praise the efforts of his friends. "They've all worked really hard, we've still got proper jobs so a lot of it has been done in our dinner hours." They bought the black cab, christened Betty, on e-bay for £700. The "eye catching" Big D Nuts girl and family and friends waved off Dave and the lads who will travel through Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Dave expects the trip to take two weeks. He said that beating cancer hade made him "realise my own mortality and want to see more of the world." Dave, who works for Lancashire Museums, also wanted to thank Big D Nuts, HostelWorld, who are contributing free accommodation and Unique Graphics of Southport. Above all, Dave wants men to be aware of the risks of testicular cancer. "Even if you have a slight suspicion go to the doctors. The doctors I went to were fantastic, they see it every day." By Peter Swift 3/26/2008 4:09:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6592 A 70-YEAR-old rollerblader has slammed the "headmistress-type" women who tick him off for skating on Chapel Street. Geoff Dornan, of Ormskirk, has been blading six years and loves coming to Southport to skate to the music of his favourite guitar-playing buskers. But although he raises plenty of smiles, not everyone is pleased to see him. "I would say 95% are absolutely, extremely positive," Geoff told Champnews.com. "Not just a little bit positive - over the top positive. But there is a kind of headmistress-type of lady who operates in Southport who tells me in very brisk terms I am not allowed to do that. I say no, it only says you have to do it safely, which I do. "I suspect if you were too beautiful people would object as well, but I don't come into that category." Champnews.com readers have criticised Geoff's antics as dangerous, saying he skates "very fast" and "weaves" between shoppers. "Personally I think that as a person of a certain age he should be setting a good example to the younger generation in Southport," one resident said. But Geoff says he gives pedestrians "100% right of way" and has never had any collisions. "I skate everywhere I go - that's why my car mileage has gone down 90% and my health has gone up a great deal," Geoff said. "People have the idea if you drive into Southport and go round and round you are not being dangerous, whereas if you rollerblade you are. I know what I would rather collide with - a car or a person. But I think it is completely wrong to collide with anybody and I never do." Geoff comes to Southport two or three times a week, driving to Kew park and ride and then skating to the town centre. He took up rollerblading after his daughter suggested he should lose some weight. Now keeping fit is a temptation rather than a chore, he said. At a recent routine health check-up doctors were so surprised with Geoff's fitness levels they took the tests again. "He said how come at the age of 70 you have got the physiology of a 25-year-old athlete?" Geoff said. Geoff lives near Edge Hill University and has become so popular with students he now has his own appreciation society on social networking website Facebook, with almost 2,000 members. By Natasha Robson 3/26/2008 3:57:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6589 Three men were rescued from a flat fire in Boundary Lane, Burscough.     Two engines from Ormskirk and one from Tarlton were called to the blaze at 3.15am yesterday (Tuesday, March 25).     Ormskirk firefighters are treating the incident as accidental and believe the fire was caused by a cigarette in the lounge of the first-floor flat.     When the fire service arrived at the scene there were flames coming through the lounge window upstairs, and considerable smoke coming out through other windows.     On entering the property firefighters found one man in the lounge and one in the bedroom. One of the men was unconscious, and the other was calling for help.     They were taken out of the room, which was on fire, and down the stairs through the front door.     The other man was at the window and the fire service rescued him through a first-floor window using a ladder.     The three men, two of them who were in their 20s and one was in his 60s, were taken to Southport Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.     As of yesterday two of the men remained in hospital and the other had signed himself out.     The fire service were on the scene till about 5am.     There was considerable fire damage to the lounge, and the rest of the property had severe smoke damage.     Martin Gallagher was the crew manager of the first fire appliances to attend and said: “The fact that a smoke alarm was in the premises detected the fire and alerted the neighbour. The detector was instrumental in saving their lives.”     Residents can receive free fire safety advice and smoke alarms by phoning 0800 169 1125. By Henry James   3/25/2008 9:16:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6587 Burscough 2 Blyth Spartans 2 THE record books will say that this was two points dropped by Burscough in their hunt to secure a play-off place in the Blue Square North, but it might well be a point saved, writes Neil Leatherbarrow. Blyth had remarkably only once been beaten at Victoria Park and had won on five of their last seven visits. The away team led 2-1 late into the game and were seemingly holding the Linnets at bay, and looked well on course for another three points. Then with only eight minutes left, Brian Moogan latched onto a poor clearance from a Matt McGinn corner and after side-stepping a challenge blasted the ball into the Blyth goal. His shot left the Tynesider's England non-league international goalkeeper grasping at fresh-air. This season, Blyth are struggling to stay above the relegation zone, so when Ciaran Kilheeney hit the Blyth post inside 100 seconds after a clever twist in the penalty area, Burscough looked to have the measure of their opponents. Adam Flynn soon got forward but shot wide of the target, then after eight minutes Burscough struck. A good movement on the right saw the ball delivered to Kilheeney, who ran straight at the heart of the Blyth defence. He held off one challenge, and then stormed past another, before placing the ball wide of advancing Blyth keeper, Adam Bartlett and into the net. Blyth were clearly determined not to fall down and let Burscough dominate, with a strong wind at their backs they set about Burscough and their long ball game was causing problems for the Linnet's defence. That they didn't equalise in the 16th minute was quite unbelievable. A poor back header found Andy Johnson on a poaching mission beyond the Linnet's backline. Johnson steered the ball past keeper Tony McMillan, and he was two yards out and about to pull the trigger when Flynn stole the ball from the end of his toe. Flynn then controlled the ball and moved it away from the immediate danger zone. The tackle fully deserved the round of applause Flynn received from the crowd. The Spartans fought on. McMillan did well to palm an Alex Gildea shot away in the 26th minute, then a minute later McGinn booted the ball off the line as Martin Houlahan attempted to back-heel the ball home. The play was not entirely one way at this stage and Kilheeney put a 29th minute effort just wide of Bartlett's far post after good work by Brian Moogan. The second-half began with Burscough on the attack. In the 47th minute Allan Smart held the ball up then laid it back to Craig Noone, who lifted the ball over Bartlett only to see it land on the roof of the net. Two minutes later, Noone himself set up Brian Moogan, whose powerful effort was fisted away by Bartlett. Just as Burscough looked to be establishing a tempo, Blyth equalised. Bartlett kicked the ball long down the field in the 52nd minute and Houlahan was too strong for Neil Fitzhenry. The bounce of the ball sat up nicely for a strike, and Houlahan's half volley left McMillan with no chance. Things almost instantly got worse for Burscough. In the 56th minute, Gildea hoisted a cross from the right to the far post, and the big striker Robert Dale, who was allowed space, from a few yards out comfortably headed home. From that moment on Burscough were in trouble, Blyth are a strong team and they fell back in numbers, smothering Burscough and at times looking impregnable. Burscough in the conditions were finding it difficult to build any kind of sustained pressure. In the 59th minute Noone shot past the far post, Robbie Booth shot over the bar in the 73rd minute and Smart was fractions off a telling touch to a long ball from Farrell Kilbane, but they were all at best half-chances. Just as all appeared lost a bit of Moogan magic came to the rescue in the 82nd minute. As injury-time beckoned Burscough almost snatched maximum points. Smart flicked the ball into Kilheeney's path and from about ten yards he hit a thunderous effort, but Bartlett somehow diverted the ball away from his goal. Although in added time Blyth were reduced to ten men when Gary Brown was shown a second yellow card, it was too late to matter much to the result. Blyth would have gone home feeling very sorry for themselves if they had not held on in the latter stages, they justified a reward for their contribution. Burscough perhaps when taking into account Blyth's record at Victoria Park and the weather conditions on the day, should look upon it as a point gained. Burscough: McMillan, Moogan B., McGinn, Fitzhenry, Kilbane, Flynn, Price (Smart, 45), Moogan A., Booth, Kilheeney, Noone (Tomlinson, 72) Subs (not used) Clancy, Davis, McCulloch Blyth Spartans: Bartlett, Christenson, Hedley, Leeson, Williams (c), Brown, Webster, McCabe (Snowden, 81), Houlahan, Johnson (Dale, 45), Gildea A. (Boyle, 74), Subs (not used) Stephenson, Fenton Referee: J. R. Tyas (Holmfirth) Attendance: 392 Burscough's Blue Square North game against Leigh RMI at Hilton Park on Monday afternoon was postponed because of the condition of the pitch. A date for the rescheduled game has yet to be fixed. 3/24/2008 6:41:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6585 RESIDENTS with financial problems in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk have been given a £30,000 boost. Riverside Housing has received the money from Abbey to fund affordable credit projects in the area. A spokesperson said: "Credit unions and community development finance initiatives help people take control of their finances by encouraging them to save what they can, and borrow only that which they can afford to pay back. The Riverside Group is committed to tackling financial exclusion in its neighbourhoods by supporting credit unions and community finance initiatives." Ben Leech, Community Investment Manager for The Riverside Group said:  "The funding from Abbey will help us to raise awareness of credit unions and community development finance initiatives as alternatives to unaffordable doorstop lending.  Finance problems can have a huge impact on people's lives.  Projects such as this help us to make a big difference by informing people of a more affordable way of managing their money." The money will benefit Preston MoneyLine, a group that helps people in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk as well as Preston.  If you would like more information about Preston MoneyLine telephone 08445611292 local rate number or call into the office at the Ecumenical Centre, Northway, Skelmersdale. 3/24/2008 6:33:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6584 LANCASHIRE Police are bringing young offenders to justice quicker than ever before. The latest figures show that after being arrested, it took an average of 65 days to bring young offenders to justice in 2007 compared to a national target of 71 days. Inspector John Clucas said: "The figures show that we are moving swiftly when it comes to dealing with persistent young offenders which is excellent news for victims. "At the same time, the number of young offenders who fail to appear at court is at an all time low, which means that those who choose not to bother turning up at court are quickly being arrested and put back before the courts. "Dealing with young offenders promptly, particularly the small number of persistent young offenders, can only increase the satisfaction of victims and the confidence Lancashire' s communities have in the criminal justice system." 3/24/2008 6:32:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6582 Bernie Murphy, the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton veteran star, finished an amazing 18th in a field of 10,000 in the classy Bath Half Marathon.   Going through 10K in 33.38 he went on to clock a very respectable 1.11.29 for the full course. He is really enjoying his running these days and this sort of test sets him up well for the forthcoming London Marathon.   Toby Loveridge (Mersey) has enjoyed a fantastic first season with LPS but his luck ran out at the Inter-counties Cross Country Championships at Nottingham`s Wollaton Park. Leading briefly in the Under 15 event disaster overtook him on a sharp bend, he pulled a hamstring and was forced to drop out. A frustrating experience that happens to most athletes at some time or other. His focus will now shift to the track season and lowering his personal best times.   In the same event Mike Bride (Mersey) will be more than content with his 140th spot after an injury prone year. Chris Hatton recorded 166th for Lancashire.   At Under 13 level Kyle Nicholls was 132nd and fourth counter in the Lancashire team that finished 16th.   Warren Turner was 169 for Merseyside.   Also in a Merseyside vest Kirsty Longley had what was a poor run for her after fighting a virus for several weeks. At 191st in the Senior Women`s race she was still third in for Merseyside. A small consolation. 3/20/2008 10:11:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6581 Tommy Rogers Skelmersdale & District Sunday Football League Sunday, March 16, 2008 Premier League Games   Polo 2 Derby Arms 0 The Polo dominated the majority of the first 45 minutes of this game and deservedly took the lead after Steve Edwards cleverly lobbed the keeper after eight minutes reports Kevin Mulholland. Although it looked like the flood gates would then open, Derby held on and the second goal didn’t come until the 42nd minute, when Carl Osman netted from six yards out. The second half was much more of an even contest with Derby having their fair share of chances spurred on by veteran striker Darren Cooney who kept on plugging away and was unlucky not to find the net. Despite chances at both ends as the game wore on, there were no further goals and Polo took the points with Michael Cole taking the Man of the Match award for a superb display.   Horse & Jockey 2 Toby Celtic 3 Horse & Jockey took early control of this match with some good possession and the opening goal after 18 minutes when J. Carter found the net. The game was frenetic from then on with both sides holding nothing back, and Toby levelled the scores when Mike Moores headed over the keeper on 35 minutes. Two minutes before half time Toby were awarded a penalty which was superbly saved by the Horse & Jockey keeper but Toby’s John Carroll reacted quickly and slammed home the rebound to make it 2-1. The second period started with both sides looking to press on and it was John Carroll who again found the net on the hour mark with a tremendous free kick.  Horse & Jockey showed great resilience however and Lee Seddon grabbed a goal back in the 78th minute to set up a very tense finish. Both sides hit the crossbar in the latter stages but Toby held on for the win.   Athletico Edge Hill 3 Tawd Vale 1 Tawd started this game very well playing some neat and tidy football and taking the lead after 13 minutes through Nick Slobom. The fact that they never added to this goal when on top would prove the decisive factor as the game wore on. The second half saw Edge Hill gradually taking control of the game as Tawd ran out of steam and P. Mahaffey helped himself to a hat trick with goals in the 78th, 85th and 90th minutes.   Shevington Park 2 Busy Bee 4 This was a great game to watch as both sides played the match in a superb spirit without confrontation.  Busy Bee took the lead after 28 minutes through A. Leadbetter and D. Stoddern added the second on the 35 minute mark. G. Miller replied for Shevington Park 10 minutes into the second half and J. Stewart levelled the scores on the hour mark. Busy Bee stepped up a gear and found two late goals from Leadbetter again (68) and L. Phillips (75) to take the points.   Field Lane 5 Wakefield Shannons 0 A convincing win for Lane who dominated the play straight from the kick off, J. Bowers opened the scoring after 36 minutes with T. Naylor adding a second three minutes later.  The remainder of the goals came in the second half with P. Bliscombe grabbing two on 57 and 72 minutes with Bowers grabbing another after 60 minutes.   Randles 10 Dallas 0 A pretty one sided game with Dallas trying to keep Randles at bay, but Randles simply had too much for them. The excellent Mark King opened the scoring after four minutes and he added the second after 25. Lee Caffrey continued the goalscoring with a hat trick (32, 40 & 60 minutes) and Ray Turner chipped in with a goal on 47 minutes. The rout was completed by Daley Connolly (66), Craig Stannard (80), Paul Rogers (82) and John Anderson (86). 3/20/2008 10:05:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6576 A WEST Lancs psychic says he had vital clues as to the whereabouts of missing Shannon Matthews seven days before she was found. Joe Power met with Shannon's mother Karen and stepfather Craig on Saturday March 8 2008. He gave both known names of her abductor and the place where she was found. He also claims to know where Madeleine McCann was taken after she was snatched at a hotel in Portugal. Joe, 41 said: "People contacted me to see if I could help find Shannon, they took me to an area outside the school and I went down to the hairdressers where I felt the abductor was hanging around. "I felt Shannon got in the car with a person she knew. I said 'I'm picking up a lot of feelings here' so it was arranged that I would meet her mother and stepfather." Joe went to Karen Matthews and Craig Meehan's home. When there he says Craig left the room. "I just got this sense that he should stay," said Joe. "I said to Karen, do you know a Mick or Michael and she mentioned somebody else so I said 'no he's connected to Craig.' So I touched on who it was six days before she was found. "I said 'something to do with Paul.'" The man who is being charged with Shannon's abduction is known as Michael Donovan and Paul Drake. Joe also says that he identified the area she had been taken to. "I heard a voice saying she'd been taken to Batley, through one of my guides, crystal clear." Reporters from the People newspaper substantiate Joe's claims and passed all his information to police. And Joe believes that the police should make more use of mediums in missing person's cases. "The main thing is that in Britain it's about time the police recognised real, gifted psychics who can save the police millions of pounds. It should be in the law. They do it in America. "If they did they could have had Shannon seven days earlier." Joe also claims that he could have helped in the Madeleine McCann case. "I would have a good instinct of where that little girl is. I got a picture of the location where the police should be searching, when Madeleine was taken from the hotel she was taken to a house which isn't far away and her DNA would be there. "I got hundreds of e-mails asking for assistance in that case." By Peter Swift 3/19/2008 10:03:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6571  BOSTON UNITED 0    BURSCOUGH 1                      During the midweek prior to this game, Burscough manager Liam Watson said he fancied his chances at York Street, as he thought the Pilgrims were not the quickest at the back, Watson duly selected a team that was loaded with pace. By the interval it was clear to see he was absolutely correct in his judgement, the Linnets at times were like a green swarm, leading the Boston defence a dance, the only down point was that they should have been more than one goal up at half-time. The Linnets producing one of the most one sided halves Burscough away supporters are likely to see this season.                       Boston started well and in the eighth minute, Jon Rowan latched onto a poor header at the back, only to toe-end his shot over Zak Hibbert’s crossbar.                      Just a minute later Burscough came to life and the goal they struck was decisive. Robbie Booth controlled the ball in the middle and played it to Matt Parry wide on the right, after flying past the home left-back Parry lifted a cross over to the far post area, arriving late on the scene Booth side-footed his effort low inside the foot of the post, home keeper Simon Rayner couldn’t get down in time and the ball squirmed over the line.                      Burscough then set about their task with relish. In the 11th minute, Craig Noone got to the goal line and pulled the ball back to the in rushing Parry, whose header went just over the angle of post and crossbar. Then after a foul on Noone, Rayner saved well from a Brian Moogan free kick.                      The game now had an open pattern to it, though; Burscough looked by far the most dangerous in attack. In the 21st minute a delightful move involving Matt McGinn, Alan Moogan and Booth saw the ball delivered to Brian Moogan on the right side of the area, his 20-yard shot only being finger-tipped to safety by Rayner, who had to dive full-length to rescue Boston.                       Boston were not sitting back and in the 23rd minute, Jon Froggatt put a shot inches wide from 25 yards out, that gave the home support some hope.                       In the 26th minute Noone weaved a path across the edge of the 18-yard box and was only thwarted by Tony Crane pulling him back. After a yellow card was displayed to the big central defender, Brian Moogan went close with the free kick.                       Zak Hibbert was not having a stroll in the Burscough goal, getting down low to keep out a Stewart Talbot effort in the 29th minute.                       Parry hit the ball early into the box from the right in the 33rd minute, Ciaran Kilheeney getting to the ball first flicked a header just beyond the far post, during a period when Burscough played some top-class possession football. On the rare occasions Boston threatened they were limited to long-range efforts, and from one of these Hibbert again frustrated Froggatt in the 35th minute.                       Adam Flynn probably should have doubled Burscough’s lead in the 44th minute. Rayner punched clear from a corner and Noone gathered the ball some 25 yards from goal, after an excellent first touch he floated the ball back into the penalty area, where Flynn with a superbly timed run had only Rayner to beat with a free-header, but missed the target.                       Hibbert put in an almost flawless performance, though, he did have a let off right on the half-time whistle, a fairly innocuous shot from Froggatt seemed to be misjudged by Hibbert and hit the outside of his post and went for a goal-kick.                       In the second-half Burscough resumed where they stopped at the interval. In the 52nd minute, Booth terrorised Boston captain Paul Ellender as they both went for a Brian Moogan long ball, Booth only being denied a second goal by a super save from Rayner.                       In the 64th minute, Alan Moogan and Flynn combined to send Noone away down the right side of the Boston defence, again Rayner saving Boston as he fended away Noone’s powerful shot.                       Boston United manager Tommy Taylor made changes, arguably he had to, Burscough were still in complete control. After the substitutions, gradually Boston came more into the game. In the 66th minute a Liam Green free-kick created a problem, but this was soon eased by the intervention of referee Matt Foley after Crane jumped all over Hibbert as he challenged for the high ball.                       In the 69th minute Noone was again kept out by Rayner, then Kilheeney was similarly frustrated in the 78th minute, as a now more defensive minded Burscough took advantage of defensive gaps caused by Boston chasing an equaliser.                       Twice Boston had opportunities in the 86th and 87th minutes. The first was snubbed out by another Hibbert save from Kieran Leabon, the second a shot from distance by Talbot that was off target.                       It had been a highly impressive performance from the Linnets, in a game that was open and entertaining.                       After the game Watson commented that he thought “one nil flattered Boston”, he added “we had a plan…the lads stuck to it well…it was a great three points”. Liam unusually did single out one player on the day, praising the impressive contribution of goalkeeper Zak Hibbert, who was stepping to replace the injured Tony McMillan.                      On this form Burscough must feel they can take on all comers. The spectators must be really looking forward to next Saturday’s encounter with Blyth Spartans at Victoria Park, and hopefully another three points towards that play-off spot. Though, Blyth are fighting to stay in the Blue Square North and will pose a different type problem for Burscough.   BOSTON UNITED: Rayner, Matthews, Bloomer, Ellender ©, Crane (Bailey, 80), Talbot, Nicholls (Stevenson, 58), Gaughran (Leabon, 58), Froggatt, Green, Rowan Subs (not used) Weaver, Thompson BURSCOUGH: Hibbert, Flynn, McGinn (Clancy, 68), Davis, Kilbane, Moogan B. (Price, 72), Parry (Tomlinson, 72), Moogan A. ©, Booth, Kilheeney, Noone Subs (not used) McCulloch, Smart Referee: Matt Foley (Sheffield) Attendance; 1204                              3/18/2008 10:05:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6569 A GROUP of friends fell just short of a darts world record. The men, including professional golfer David Shacklady, attempted to get the most points scored in 24 hours in the bid at The Windmill Inn on Wigan Road on Saturday (March 15). The attempt, starting at noon, was in aid of Sports Relief and Rainbow House. David, 41 from Ormskirk said: “It makes you realise how hard it is.” The world record is 1,003,000 points and although David has been Ormskirk Town and District League champion an unprecedented six times they couldn’t reach the total. David, who was also given the Order of Merit for the PGA North last year praised the people who kept score: “It’s a mind-numbing thing to do.” He also said the record attempt was difficult because it was a fine balance between speed and accuracy and was a real test of endurance. “You can feel your arm getting tighter and tighter and your whole body aches,” said David. Twenty four hours of darts was obviously not enough for the group as the pub amazingly had a match on Monday night. David praised the efforts of organisers Mike Glover and Phil Day and also the staff at the pub who provided food for the players. 3/18/2008 9:59:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6568 A WEST Lancs psychic claims he had vital clues as to the whereabouts of missing Dewsbury girl Shannon Matthews seven days before she was found. Joe Power, who grew up in Skelmersdale and who now lives in Ormskirk, met with Shannon’s mother Karen and stepfather Craig on Saturday March 8. He gave both known christian names of her abductor and the place where she was found. And. sensationally, he also claims to know where Madeleine McCann was taken after she was snatched at a hotel in Portugal. Joe, 41, said: “I was contacted to see if I could help find Shannon. I was taken to an area outside her school and I went down to a hairdressers where I felt the abductor was hanging around. “I felt Shannon got in the car with a person she knew. I said ‘I’m picking up a lot of feelings here’ so it was arranged that I would meet her mother and stepfather.” Joe went to Karen Matthews and Craig Meehan’s home. When there he says Craig left the room. “I just got this sense that he should stay,” said Joe. “I said to Karen, do you know a Mick or Michael and she mentioned somebody else so I said ‘no he’s connected to Craig.’ So I touched on who it was six days before she was found. “I said it was ‘something to do with Paul.’” The man who is being charged with Shannon’s abduction is known as Michael Donovan and Paul Drake. Joe also says that he identified the area she had been taken to. “I heard a voice saying she’d been taken to Batley, through one of my guides, crystal clear.” Reporters from the People newspaper substantiate Joe’s claims and passed all his information to police. Joe believes the police should make more use of medium “The main thing is that in Britain it’s about time the police recognised real, gifted psychics who can save the police millions of pounds. It should be in the law. They do it in America. “If they did they could have had Shannon seven days earlier.” Joe also claims that he could have helped in the Madeleine McCann case. “I would have a good instinct of where that little girl is. I got a picture of the location where the police should be searching. “ When Madeleine was taken from the hotel she was taken to a house which isn’t far away and her DNA would be there. “I got hundreds of e-mails asking for assistance in that case.” 3/18/2008 9:56:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6566 Council tenants in West Lancashire will be able to look for homes anywhere in the country after the council teamed up with a housing website. HomeSwapper.co.uk is the UK's largest web-based community of social housing tenants looking to swap homes. Tenants using it can search for homes either near to where they live or right across the country and it can mean finding a new home more quickly than waiting on a transfer list. To find a swap tenants must first register. HomeSwapper then checks daily for any matches and will send match alerts either by email or SMS text, should any be found. Match alerts contain the other tenants contact details to get in touch with and arrange to view one another's property. Potential swappers need to make sure they have the permission of their landlords. Any council tenant or tenant of other social landlords can join. The service is free to tenants of landlords who are HomeSwapper partners, as West Lancashire District Council will be, otherwise there is small admin charge to join. Councillor Val Hopley, Portfolio Manager for Housing, said: "HomeSwapper will allow our tenants to look beyond West Lancashire for the possibility of a new home.  "West Lancashire District Council is happy to join the scheme and provide our tenants with greater opportunity should they be looking to move." The council will team up with the website on April 1. For more information on HomeSwapper go to www.homeswapper.co.uk or speak to Johanna Moss or Christine Holding in the Council's Voids and Allocations Team on 01695 585297 or email them at Homeswapper@westlancsdc.gov.uk. 3/14/2008 9:50:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6565 Critically lauded and provoking stage invasions at gigs, The Steeples are a band that could be on the verge of big things. Named for the parish church in Ormskirk, the boys have been accepting accolades from BBC Radio One, who called them "surprisingly refreshing," and The News of the World, who called debut single Britney's Tears "ace". First things first, guitarist Danny Rankin, 24 from Ormskirk, is keen to point out that Britney's Tears is not about the increasingly unstable pop siren. "Its nothing to do with Britney Spears. We thought it was an interesting line but it gets misconstrued a lot. Its just a line in the song," he said. According to Danny the song is about "lads who wanna be in a band for the sake of being in a band rather than coming up with decent tunes." Released last Monday (March 17) it was given five stars in Glasgow's Daily Record newspaper and manager Drew Shaw said they are increasingly popular in the Scottish city. "They've got a good following up there. They need security because people try and get on stage and stuff," he said. Danny is particularly pleased with the reaction they get from playing their uptempo indie pop live. He said: "We are definitely creating a real product. We've got a great live sound. We're not spotless but we've got great energy." Signed to local label Easy Money Records the band are building their profile rapidly. The video for Britney's Tears has been played on MTV2 and E4 music and the lads have also appeared on Nuts TV. Their album Tea for Two was recorded at Aliensound Studios in Westhead and according to Danny sounds "incredible at the moment." It will be released in June. The band have a straightforward approach to naming things. The album is called Tea for Two simply because "we just drink so much tea because right now we can't afford drugs so it keeps us awake." They are called The Steeples because both Danny and singer Andy Culshaw, 24, can see the parish church from their houses. "We got our amazing rock n roll name because we were about to do our first gig and we needed a name quickstyle." The other two members of the band are Alex Caskie and Chris Hutchinson 20 and 18 who play drums and bass respectively although Andy and Danny do all the writing. Danny said that they are highly critical of themselves. "We never write a song and say 'oh that'll be a b-side.' The best things we come up with are when we are at our most brutal," said Danny. Their next single will be Loosy Lucy, a quite explicit song about "a certain lad who used to go out with a certain girl." The Steeples are playing at The Comrades Club in Skelmersdale on April 4. Before that they will be playing at Bumper in Liverpool on March 20 and Academy 2 in Liverpool on March 21. You can find out more and listen to their music at www.thesteeples.com or www.myspace.com/thesteeplesmusic. 3/14/2008 9:42:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6562 A report has slammed local authority pension schemes as "over-generous and unaffordable". The Taxpayers' Alliance - a pressure group that campaigns for a 'low tax society' - compiled the study that shows council pension contributions have risen 13% in a year to more than £10 million per local authority. They called the increase "worrying" and said the trend is unsustainable. They have criticised the Local Government Pension Scheme, that allows many employees to retire early with the benefits of a final-year salary. This could be "stopped tomorrow" and individual councils have failed to lobby for change, the report added. Andrew Allum, Chairman of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "It's unacceptable that ordinary families and pensioners who struggle to pay inflated council tax bills see so much of their money spent on gold-plated council pensions that have all but disappeared in the wider economy. With pension costs jumping 13% in one year, the problem is clearly getting worse and requires urgent attention. Councils should start correcting their own behaviour immediately, and the Government must face down union pressure and reform the outdated local government pensions scheme as soon as possible." The report lists Sefton Council's pension contributions for 2006-07 to be £18,036,000 - a rise of 9.3% from 2005-06. West Lancashire District Councils' contributions were £2,631,000, the report said, an increase of 7.2% from the previous year. Responding to the Taxpayers' Alliance report, John Ransford, Deputy Chief executive of the Local Government Association, a cross party organisation that represents councils in England, said: "The Taxpayers' Alliance appears to be condemning lollipop ladies, bin men, street cleaners and librarians for getting a pension worthy of the years of service they have given helping local people. Councils provide more than 800 different services for local residents and these cannot be delivered by robots or machines. "The Local Government Pension Scheme recently underwent a radical overhaul, which provides greater value for money to the taxpayer while at the same time recognising the invaluable work that council staff do to make the lives of local people better. "According to the Treasury, councils are the most efficient and effective part of the public sector and the independent Audit Commission has recently said that councils are delivering better services than ever before." A West Lancs District Council spokesman said they had ceased the practice of awarding added years. By Natasha Robson   Their pension figures contained in the report were correct, he added. 3/13/2008 8:36:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6558 Southport and Ormskirk hospitals have "robustly reviewed" their cleaning routines after a man's operation was cancelled because bone fragments were found on sterilised surgical equipment. Michael Mayor, 69, had been anaesthetised ready for an operation on his spine at Ormskirk Hospital, but when the surgeon opened the sealed instrument tray he noticed tiny pieces of bone still on them. A further two trays were opened and rejected for the same reason so the operation was cancelled. The hospital NHS Trust revealed their improved cleaning regime after being approached by Chanpnews.com. "I am glad the surgeon was good enough not to do the operation with dirty tools," Mr Mayor, of Cleveleys Road, Marshside, Southport, told Champnews.com. "But if the surgeon could see visual signs of contamination, surely whoever cleaned it could see it.  And what about such things as knives and scalpels that they can't see the germs on? It does make you think.  You hear all these things about diseases being passed on." Mr Mayor's operation has been rescheduled. He complained to the hospital about his experience, who offered their sincere apologies. A spokesman said: "Whilst there are checking systems in place in the hospital's Instrument Sterilisation Department there is also a final check undertaken in all operating theatres to ensure that, prior to start of any surgery, all instruments are available and safe to use.  It was during this process that the problems were identified and a decision made, quite rightly, not to proceed with the surgery. "We have robustly reviewed our systems to ensure that all possible action has been taken to prevent this from happening again.  As the type of instrument involved was of a complicated, specialist nature, replacement instruments have since been purchased that can be taken apart during the cleaning, sterilising and checking processes. "We can only apologise again and appreciate Mr Mayor's concerns about his rescheduled operation and as a particular assurance to him and to ease his anxiety the instrument tray will be opened and checked prior to him being anaesthetised." By Natasha Robson 3/13/2008 5:23:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6550 Burscough 3 Hyde United 2 BRIAN Moogan was the Linnets saviour as they recovered from being two goals down to secure all the points in this play-off six pointer at Victoria Park writes Neil Leatherbarrow. Moogan did not only hit two crucial goals, he also supplied the corner that resulted in Burscough's equalising penalty, having earlier scrambled the ball off Burscough's goal line when Hyde had a period of dominance. Burscough had started the day kicking into a real squall, the wind and rain making matters very difficult indeed. Hyde sought to use the elements to their advantage, and in the first ten minutes deluged crosses into the Linnets' area. After just 60 seconds, Burscough keeper Tony McMillan made a reaction save to keep out the impressive Gareth Morris, then repeated the act by thwarting Shane Killock, who got his head to the resulting corner. In the 4th minute, Peter Band went close with a header and Brian Moogan booted the ball clear, but Morris again sent in a dangerous looking corner. Two minutes later Hyde were kept out by a coat of paint as a Morris' header left the crossbar rocking. Having ridden their luck, Burscough began to adapt their style to playing into the teeth of the storm. Craig Noone broke down the left side, his cross to the far-post looked certain to find the unmarked Allan Smart, before Andy Teague stepped in to rescue the Tigers. The crowd were clearly in for a treat and the neutrals present were not to be sent home disappointed. Hyde, with the wind at their backs if not in their sails, pushed on. In the 16th minute McMillan bravely saved at Matthew Tipton's feet, then a minute later Tipton headed beyond the far post after Killock flicked on a Steve Pickford cross. After a relatively quiet spell, Burscough forced a save out of Hyde's Craig Dootson. Moogan had launched a free-kick, and Matt Parry was just unable to capitalise on the rebound. In the 35th minute, Noone forced the Hyde defence to back peddle as he thrust through the middle of the park. He then slipped the ball sideways to Smart, who again brought some action out of Dootson. The spectators having needed the interval to draw breath and soothe the nerves were treated to a second-half that was even better. The tempo was set by Hyde from the off, only this time they were rewarded for their efforts inside four minutes. Band was fed the ball from the right-wing and proceeded to search for an outlet that would create a chance, nothing was on, so with almost no back-lift, he fired the ball low to McMillan's right-hand side, this time McMillan couldn't reach the ball and Hyde had the lead. Hyde continued to carry the game to Burscough, though the Linnets' defence were not for yielding a second time, although that was to change when Morris lined up a 58th minute corner on the left. Chris Simm lost his marker and launched himself at the ball from Morris, the power behind the header beating a group of players on the line as it thumped into the Burscough net. Inside two minutes, Burscough were back in the game. Parry was fouled in the centre some 25 yards from goal. Then Brian Moogan must have spotted a gap in the Hyde defensive wall, because he drove the ball low in the corner, with Dootson seeing the ball much too late to do anything about it. In the 68th minute, Burscough were back onto level terms. Brian Moogan swung in a corner from the left, Earl Davis attacked the ball, but was prevented from scoring by the hand of Band. Youthful referee Mr Holloway did well to spot the offence and gave a penalty. Ciaran Kilheeney stepped up to slide the ball comfortably past Dootson. In the space of ten minutes from looking a beaten side, Burscough had showed the grit and determination to pull themselves back into the game. Now it the Linnets who were calling the tune and the Tigers' roar was silenced. Burscough swept forward, Matt McGinn sent a shot dipping just over the bar, and then after another great run from Noone, Kilheeney chipped over the target as well. Seven minutes from time, Parry made a superbly timed challenge to shut out a Hyde attack and play ran straight down the pitch aided by a delightful twist by Noone and Smart went close to grabbing a winner. The Linnets got their winner five minutes later. Burscough were awarded a free-kick and Brian Moogan deliberated with McGinn as to who would take the ball, Moogan won the day and curled the ball past the Hyde defensive wall and high into Dootson's net. The victory was achieved with a group of absences; the Linnets even lost Alan Moogan with a trapped nerve in the pre-match warm-up. It was a victory for the fitness levels that Liam Watson builds into the team in the pre-season and the team spirit that has become almost a Linnets' trademark. Burscough: McMillan (Hibbert, 57), Parry, McGinn, Fitzhenry, Kilbane (c), Davis, Moogan B., McCulloch, Smart, Kilheeney, Noone Subs (not used) Moogan A., Robinson Hyde United: Dootson, Teague, Lynch (Warner, 12), Brass (c), Killock, Morris, Band, Pickford, Tipton, Simm, Clee (Tolson, 87), Subs (not used) Innes, Bushell, Rick, Referee: D. C. Holloway Attendance: 399 3/10/2008 2:51:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6546 The authorities in Lancashire are continuing their battle against fraud. Following the County Council's Scamnesty Month during February, the Police have produced three podcasts to offer advice on dealing with scams. The three being targeted are the 'criminal cash back' scam, the 'advanced fee fraud' scam and the 'Spanish/Canadian lottery' scam. Victims of the criminal cash back scam receive an email offering employment which involves cashing cheques through their own personal accounts. They are told they can keep 10 per cent of the balance but are asked to forward the rest to another account. The scam is made all the more real when the victims are sent contracts of employment on letter headed paper from legitimate companies. However, after sending 90 per cent of the balance the victims find that the cheques are returned unpaid leaving them out of pocket. In the advanced fee fraud people are asked to make a payment in advance for a 'business deal' or to provide their bank details so payment can be made into their account, which of course never happens. And in the Spanish/Canadian lottery scam people are told they've won the lottery and are asked to make a payment to cover an admin fee. They are also asked for their bank details so payments can be made into their accounts. The victims not only part with their money but give fraudsters access to their bank accounts. DC Mark Turner, from Lancashire Constabulary's Economic Crime Unit, said: "The best way to deal with these emails is to delete them. If they sound too good to be true then the chances are they will be. "Never ever send any money or provide your bank account details in reply to these emails." The podcasts are available to download now at www.lancashire.police.uk.       3/7/2008 6:06:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6544 West Tower Country House Hotel and The Swan in Aughton have been bought by Simon Matthews-Williams, chairman of Sanguine Hospitality and Paul Bolton of Monetier. The two businesses were sold by Formby millionaire Mike McComb for an undisclosed sum. John Allanson, managing director of the northern business commented: "We are delighted, this has increased our portfolio in the North of England to five venues within the past 12 months." The new owners currently run Hoole Hall, Chester. Co-owner Mr Matthews-Williams said: "Sanguine are becoming a major provider within the hotel and leisure sector and will be announcing further acquisitions in the South of England later this year." Paul Bolton added: "We are thrilled to have acquired these two excellent venues." The deal does not affect other properties under the ownership of Mr McComb, including the Scarisbrick Arms in Downholland and the Carlton Hotel in Southport. Earlier this year Mr McComb told The Champion he planned on bringing the Scarisbrick back as a fine-dining pub. By Henry James   3/6/2008 8:53:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6540 PUBLISHERS Collins have agreed to include Martin Mere on their next road atlas of Britain following a complaint. Mrs Hart, 75, was amazed that the 326-acre wetland nature reserve, which has been the home for the BBC’s Autumnwatch for the last two years, did not appear on the Collins Road Atlas of Britain 2008. The Ormskirk resident said: “Hesketh Light Railway does appear on the map, but Martin Mere, which has recently been on television, does not. “On the map you can also go to Blackpool, but not Martin Mere. “Collins claims their atlas is Britain’s clearest most trusted map with over 6,000 places of interest, but not Martin Mere.” A spokeswoman for Collins publishers said they would make changes to next year’s edition to make sure that the Mere is clearly shown. She said: “Martin Mere is listed in the index for the Collins Road Atlas of Britain, and there is a bird symbol on the map, but it is not named. “For the Collins Road Atlas of Britain 2009 we will make sure Martin Mere is named on the map and moved closer to where the reserve is accessed.” 3/6/2008 7:32:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6536 The final Mid-Lancs Cross Country League match was held at Blackburn and the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Under 15 squad were a relaxed second placed team, the previous results having already confirmed that the championship trophy would return once more to the Edge Hill University base.   Chris Hatton (5), Ed Rimmer (9), John Meakin (12) and Adam Goldfarb (21) were the scorers with Jake Oldham (28) also available.   It`s been another successful season for this age group with Northern silver medals in the autumn relays, bronze in the cross country championships and a fine 6th slot in the National race.   Although not running on this occasion Toby Loveridge is also confirmed as the age groups most prominent individual.   The Under 13s record for consistency continued at the tough Witton Park course with Kyle Nicholls (7), Warren Turner (11), Andrew Hutchinson (14) and David Reece (21) finishing third team and having Darren McDonald (35) and Ben Haines (37) usefully in reserve.   Overall though they secured the silver medals and will be content with that performance. The highly promising Nathan Browne was the clubs only entry in the Under 11 race, his excellent fourth spot indicating his progress.   Among the girls Under 11 Erin Devlin was 27th, Under 13 Charlotte Haines 36th and the duo of Jade Hislop(18) and Nicole Garner(34) competed for LPS in the Under 15 event. 3/5/2008 8:45:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6530   CHORLEY 2         BURSCOUGH 0   Burscough were forced to handover the Co-Operative Challenge Cup that they won last season, after a lifeless performance against a newly transformed Chorley at Victory Park. The Magpies deserved victory, achieved thanks to a brace of goals from Runshaw College student Danny Nolan, to bag a place in the final. In the first ten minutes Burscough carried the game to Chorley, but the best they could do was threaten via a Robbie Booth dipper that was safely dealt with by Chorley’s former Burscough youth keeper Peter Collinge. As they found themselves making progress in the Burscough half, Chorley visibly gained in confidence after a tentative start. Nolan found the roof of the net from a tight angle in the 11th minute, and then his strike partner Steven Burke curled an effort just beyond Burscough keeper Tony McMillan’s far post. Burscough’s Matt Parry was denied a great opportunity in the 14th minute, thanks to a fine clearance by home defender Liam Colne after good work down the right by James Dunn and Brian Moogan. The game during the mid-half period became an end-to-end encounter for a while. Impressive Chorley number seven Mike Eckersley had a powerful shot blocked in the 18th minute, then, as play switched Brian Moogan suffered the same fate with a volley. Chorley midfielder Gavin Lee-Ellison shot wide of the Linnets goal from distance in the 26th minute, then Dunn headed over the Chorley goal in the 28th. The Chorley attack, were really beginning to cause problems as the half progressed. In the 36th minute Eckersley almost punished a defensive slip-up, then in the 38th minute Chorley got the reward their enterprise deserved. Burke held the ball up in the centre then slipped a defence splitting pass through to Nolan, who showed tremendous nerve in coolly stroking the ball wide of McMillan from 15 yards out. It was expected that Burscough would set about Chorley after the break and in the 53rd minute, Chris Price played a short free-kick to Brian Moogan and his rocket from 25 yards left Collinge glued to the spot at it grazed the woodwork. In the 56th minute, Chorley netted what proved a killer second goal. Eckersley threaded the ball through the Linnets defence and in almost a carbon copy of his opener; Nolan again showed his cool temperament as he beat the advancing McMillan from 12 yards. The Burscough comeback just did not materialise. Chorley with a two-goal lead was able to form a blanket defence; falling back deeply and fending off anything Burscough could throw at them. Burscough manager Liam Watson made changes in an effort to liven things up, including the introduction of regular number nine Allan Smart. Parry had a dangerous cross headed out from under the Chorley crossbar by giant defender Colne in the 65th minute, and then Earl Davis put a header over the bar from a good position. All the time Chorley were stretching the Burscough defence on the counterattack, Burke had a shot saved by McMillan, then Ian Taylor saw his free-kick saved by the same man. In the last ten minutes substitute Chris Robinson had a shot saved at the near-post by Collinge, but by then Burscough were just running out of ideas on how the breakthrough the organised Chorley side. Even though Wigan referee Mr Bond played around five minutes added time, it was to no avail from a Burscough perspective, by then it was obvious the goalscoring chance would never arrive. By Neil Leatherbarrow   CHORLEY: Collinge, Clark ©, Taylor, German, Colne, Brookes, Eckersley (Bagdagi, 76), Lee-Ellison, Nolan, Burke (Walker, 83), Goodeve Sub (not used) Priestley   BURSCOUGH: McMillan, Moogan B., Clancy, Davis, Kilbane, Moogan A., Booth (Robinson, 64), Price ©, Dunn (Smart, 63), Kilheeney, Parry Subs (not used) Flynn, McGinn, McCulloch   Referee: Mr D. Bond (Wigan)   3/5/2008 2:32:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6528 ORMSKIRK’S Edge Hill University’s sports facilities have received top recognition after being selected to feature in the London 2012 Olympic Pre Games Training Camp Guide.   The University is one of 73 locations across the North West that have been named in the guide published by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) as a facility where athletes from across the world can train and acclimatise in their sport ahead of the London 2012 Games.   Edge Hill University was selected as a centre for training in athletics, road cycling and archery following a rigorous assessment from LOCOG, who used strict criteria to judge whether locations were able to offer facilities that are fit for use by elite international athletes.   The University said they have a proven track record in the sporting field, providing community sports facilities that are unrivalled in the North West and producing sports graduates of an extremely high calibre.   The on-campus sports centre, Sporting Edge, provides a fully equipped gym and swimming pool, as well as a running track and playing fields that are available for use by students, staff and the wider community.   John Cater, vice chancellor of Edge Hill University, said: “We are delighted to be featured in the Olympic Pre Games Training Camp Guide.   “Our inclusion is testament to the high standard of our community sports facilities and our continual investment in sporting life at Edge Hill.   “The University has a strong tradition in community sports provision and produces sports men and women of an extremely high standard.   “It is an exciting prospect to have an international sporting elite training alongside our athletes during the build-up to the 2012 games and we are confident they will find Edge Hill University to be an inspiring setting for their final preparations .”   Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “We said that we wanted the London Games to be for athletes, and the facilities listed in this Guide will really help overseas athletes prepare well. It also provides a great opportunity for towns throughout the UK to get involved in our plans.”   For a full list of locations included in the guide, visit  www.london2012.com.   By Peter Swift 3/4/2008 8:29:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6522 Prolific local historian Dr Mona Duggan has produced a new book about Ormskirk. Ormskirk: A History is full of interesting tales about the town and its people from the early hunter-gatherers to the closure of the Burscough Curves and beyond. Though archaeological remains have been found proving that early man lived in the area, the first documentary evidence of the town is the foundation of Burscough Priory in 1189. The book charts the ups and downs of Ormskirk from the prosperity of the Tudor Period to the famine and plague during the English Civil War. Former primary school teacher Mona became interested in local history when she moved to Ormskirk from Blackpool after marrying her husband. She went to the Open University when her children themselves went away to study. She later did a PhD at Lancaster University on the subject of Ormskirk 1600-1800. When asked what interests her about the town she says it is the sheer depth of its history. "It's the age of the town from my point of view because Blackpool is a new town whereas places like Leytham House have so many stories," she said. She now has quite a following in Ormskirk. Mona said: "I had a book signing at Waterstones and there was a little queue which was nice." Mona also said that people always ask her questions about their family history. The individual stories of people are what interest her most. "There was one man who went to help with the harvest down south and was press ganged and lost an eye. He appealed to Ormskirk Court of Sessions for help and got some money or whatever. It made it very real that people would go that far for work." The book is available at Waterstones in Ormskirk or you can contact Mona on 01704-841029. 2/29/2008 1:59:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6498 Junior Football Under 9 Dynamo Rangers 12 Bickerstaffe 0 The Rangers’ formation was changed today with keeper Brad injured. Thomas went in goal for the 1st half and Danny the second half. Rangers produced attack after attack, but the Bickerstaffe keeper made some fantastic saves to keep the score line down to a minimum. The majority of the game was played in the Bickerstaffe's half with shot after shot from Rangers and Bickerstaffe's keeper kept busy all game. Goal scorers for Rangers were Sam 3, Joel 2, Jake 2, Liam 2, Kyle 1, Jordan 1, and Thomas 1. Ref's MoM Sam Rawsthorne. Parent's MoM James McBride.   Craven Minor Under 9 Southport Trinity 1 Ormskirk FC 1 Great spirit was shown by both teams in this entertaining game. Ormskirk started the better with chances falling to Tom Bigland and Matthew Callaghan, but it was Trinity that broke the deadlock against the run of play. A nice move involving Jordan Patterson and Jamie Barnes was finished off coolly by Matthew Callaghan. The second half began with Ormskirk doing all the pressing, but the ball came back off the woodwork twice and scrambles in the six yard box where cleared by some stout defending and brave keeping by Trinity. Trinity came close to winning the game themselves late on, but that would have been unfair based on attempts and possession. Jamie Barnes was awarded Man of the Match for his tireless running and was unlucky not to score with a header from a Matthew Wood's corner.   Under 10 The Academy FC 3 v Old Skem Boys 1 The Academy were slow to get going with bad decisions given against both sides, but The Academy soon sorted themselves and beat a team who made it very hard for them. MoM Academy Liam Roach, MoM OSB the keeper.   Under 12 Forefield 7 Dynamo Rangers 0 Although Dynamo had a depleted side this was a hard fought match. Connor once again played some good football, and he was Man of the Match. N Warren picked up Ref’s MoM. Calvin, who was in goal for the first time, pulled off some amazing saves. Dynamo was unlucky to have to goal cleared on the line.   Girls football Under 11 girls Birkdale 4 Dynamo Rangers 1 Birkdale, who were still smarting from their cup exit at the hands of Rangers, started the game strongly putting the Rangers’ defence under pressure. Rangers slowly got into the game and were unlucky not to take the lead when Leah's low shot was well saved by the Birkdale keeper. Birkdale took the lead in the last minute of the half when Rangers failed to clear their lines and a strong shot from the edge of the box found the bottom Corner. The second half saw Rangers starting brightly, with Abby and Alice strong in the midfield and Leah continuing to be a threat up front. Woeful defending from Rangers allowed Birkdale to extend their lead directly from a free kick. Rangers continued to press the Birkdale goal, but a lack of composure in front of goal and a good performance from the keeper, prevented them from scoring. Birkdale were able to hit on the break and quickly added two more. Rangers finally began to dominate but a late consolation goal from Abby was all they could muster. WotM Alice   Under 11 Skem Athletic 0 Northfield 0 This hotly contested match ended honours even in a thrilling table topping clash. These two well matched sides battled hard right from the whistle, both looking to grab an early goal, but Skem gained the early possession and looked to pressure Northfield at every opportunity. Athletic almost went ahead when a Grace Vella free kick looped over the Northfield defensive wall, and hit the underside of the bar and ricocheted along the goal line, denying Skem the opening goal. Neat passing and excellent movement from Skem continually tested Northfield, who looked to break away and gain the upper hand on Athletic, only to be thwarted by superb defensive play from Emma Valentine and Sam Chadwick who were ever solid in defence plus a good display from Chloe McMaster in nets for Skem. Both sides threw everything at each other and were now playing some great entertaining football, much to the delight of the watching spectators who were given plenty to cheer about. Skem looked to break the deadlock in the second period, putting the Northfield goal under relentless pressure and almost went ahead again when an Olivia Weedall close range effort whistled in front of the keeper. Megan Woodward and Grace Vella, ever busy in midfield battled well against Northfield's finest, supplying great balls for Skem's lively strike force of Laura Butler and Olivia Weedall who did everything but score. It was clear whoever scored first in this pulsating contest would go on to win, but it wasn't to be for Skem who came close to scoring on several occasions. This thoroughly entertaining match ended honours even at 0-0, with both sides taking a well-earned point. Woman of the match for Skem Athletic Under 11s was Emma Valentine.   Under 12 TMS 1 Dynamo Girls 3 This game was played in a true sportsmanship style. TMS were first to score with a well took strike, that Melissa had no chance of saving. Dynamo's Megan scored two well placed goals and only just missed out on a hatrick. Dynamo's third goal was from Lauren Mc. Dynamo girls Lydia, Lauren, Lauren Mc and Megan played some great football, with the usual top quality support from Jade (C), Rachael, Faye and Carrina. Dynamo’s sub bench consisted of super subs Amy, Shanice and Sam (MoM), who all played like a true team.                    2/21/2008 1:38:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6497 Rugby Union First XV Match report - Saturday, February 16 Ormskirk 31 Liverpool Collegiate 12   After two drawn games on the road in recent weeks, Ormskirk finally returned to winning ways at home in front of a large crowd basking in the winter sunshine.   The game got off to a mixed start, with Collegiate winning the early forwards battle.   After some massive pressure on the Kirk line, the men in Green defended well and kicked back down in to the Collegiate 22.   After conceding a penalty, the Kirk fly half kicked the home team into a 3-0 lead.   Moments later, Ben Davis made a great break down the middle of pitch, and he tried to dummy the collegiate full back.   The full back brought Davis down, but Mahood was on hand to score under the posts. With the conversion successful, Kirk went in at half time 10-0 up.   The 2nd half started with a bang, Kirk pushed into the collegiate half, and with a well rehearsed backs move, Whalley fed the ball to winger Wroe 20 metres out, who rounded his man and side stepped the cover to go in under the posts. Whalley adding the extras.   From the kick off, the Kirk backs were feeling confident, the ball was moved wide straight away, and with slick hands the ball finally found super sub Ashworth who turned on the burners to go in at the corner. A fine team try and Whalley slotted the kick to make it 24-0.   Collegiate to their credit never gave up, they piled more pressure on Kirk, setting up camp on the try line.   But after some good rucking on the Collegiate line, Kirk swung the ball wide to Wroe. He managed to use his dazzling foot work to dance round the cover, and managed to get round under the sticks to score his 17th try of the season. Again Whalley adding the extras.   Unfortunately Collegiate managed to sneak in two tries in the last five minutes to make the final score 31-12. 2/20/2008 3:34:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6492 Premiership star and former Skem resident Leon Osman has said new Astroturf pitches at Banks Leisure Centre are so good he would use them himself if he lived nearer. Leon was given the opportunity to test the pitches at the unveiling last Thursday (February 7). And the Everton midfielder, a product of the Skem junior league, was wholly enthusiastic about the effect it will have on kids in the area. He said: "The pitches look great and I can see that the money has been well spent. I'm sure it will help to keep the kids off the streets and will get them interested in sport. I'd encourage people to try out the new facilities - If I lived closer I'd definitely use them myself!" Work started last October to overhaul the old pitches and replace them with the more modern Astroturf surfaces. The project also included new internal drainage, floodlighting, goal posts and surrounding fences for security. They were unveiled to customers just before Christmas.  Bill Lloyd, Chairman of the West Lancashire Community Leisure Trust, said: "We unveiled the new pitches to our customers in December and they have been delighted with the new facilities so we thought it would be a great idea to get a well-known premiership player down to test the new facilities." To find out more about what's on at sports centres, log onto www.westlancsdc.gov.uk/sportscentres or  www.westlancsleisure.com. By Peter Swift       2/15/2008 6:57:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6489 This week The Champion's Stop The Gravy Train campaign looks at the pay of local authorities' management. A new study by the Taxpayers Alliance - a pressure group that campaigns for a 'low tax society' - reveals the average local authority is employing more than nine times as many people on £50,000-plus packages as 10 years ago - 66 people in 2006-07 compared with 20 people in 2001-02 and 7 people in 1996-97. Nationwide, they say these wages count for £1 out of every £11 of council tax. Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "With council tax doubling in the past decade, it's extremely disappointing that town halls have chosen to hire a new class of middle managers, many of whom are being paid more than MPs. Local authorities should study these findings carefully to see where savings can be made, instead of using their half billion pound PR machine to obscure their finances from taxpayers." The figures in the report are from councils' annual accounts, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. It reveals that in 2006-07 Sefton Council employed 65 staff on packages of £50,000 and above - one less than the national average - at a total cost of £4,375,000.  Figures from previous years were not available to make a comparison. This cost worked out at £15.77 per head of the Sefton population. Sefton Council refused to comment on the study. For West Lancashire District Council the number of staff on wages of £50,000 and above has risen, from six in 1996-97 to 10 in 2001-02, dropping to nine for 2006-07. This totaled £655,000 for the last financial year, working out at £5.97 per head of the West Lancs population. A spokesman for West Lancs District Council said: "The Council is not only prides itself on being recognised as excellent but it also prides itself on being efficient and giving value for money to the taxpayer as a top priority. "Over the last few years the Chief Executive Bill Taylor has significantly reduced management numbers, first by sweeping away an entire tier of directors and then by moving to a flat divisional management structure. "Gradually, over time as some of these managers have left to retire or move on to employment elsewhere, we have striven, wherever possible not to fill the posts and have asked the remaining managers to take on ever greater workloads. "The Audit Commission rates West Lancashire District Council's performance and value for money extremely highly. "The total number of managers who earn £50,000 and above at West Lancashire is 12 and this compares favourably with organisations of a similar size. "Unlike the private sector, the salaries of the chief executive and all the executive managers for West Lancashire are already on public record and are freely available." By Natasha Robson What do you think?  Write to us HERE.   2/14/2008 6:55:00 AM http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6487 Formby residents could face a rise in council tax if the value of their homes has increased. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms, along with conservatories, parking spaces, special features and the area, layout and style, may all be considered as key focus points in plans for re-evaluation tax hikes. The increases could see residential areas bumped up to the next highest tax band if a significant number of the a