Football Result: Holker Old Boys 0 Darwen 0 (28/10/08)

Darwen were held to a goalless draw away at lowly Holker Old Boys. Lat nights opposition have struggled to find the back of the net too often this season, scoring only 9 goals in their opening 9 games. After Darwen's recent run of form manager Dennis Hill was hoping to take advantage by picking up all three points.

A draw still leaves his side undefeated in 4 games and a win against Leek CSOB at the Anchor Ground on Saturday will see them overtake the 8th placed side.

Darwen take on Leek CSOB at 3pm on Saturday 1 November looking to climb the Vodkat League First Division. Depending on results elsewhere they should find themselves in the top 10 on 15 points.

Vodkat League

Football Result: Darwen 4 Norton United 3 (25/10/08)

Darwen recorded their third consecutive win at the weekend after beating Norton United in an exciting game at the Anchor Ground.

The Salmoners were 2-1 in front with just 2 minutes to go until half time despite conceding the first goal as early as the fifth minute. However, 2 goals from the away side in the dying minutes of the first half saw Darwen go into the break 3-2 down.

Fogarty drew the scores level again on 64 minutes and as with the game against Ashton Town, Darwen left in late to claim all three points with an 89th minute winner scored by O'Neil.

Elsewhere in the league last weeks opponents were thrashed 6-0 by Oldham Town leaving them routed to the foot of the table. Darwen's latest victory means they can stop looking over their shoulders as much and concentrate on climbing the table. A win against third from bottom Holker Old Boys on Tuesday could see the side reach 9th in the league, over taking Norton United.

After the away fixture versus Holker Old Boys, Darwen play Leek CSOB at home on Saturday 1 November. Should the side continue the current run of good form they will be sitting in the top half of the table by next week. With Saturdays low attendance of just 20, it would be nice to see more Darreners turn out next week. However, the terrible weekend weather probably had something to do with the low attendance!

Vodkat League Table

UK is halfway to an official recession

Figures have revealed that the UK economy shrunk by 0.5% in the previous 3 months and although the statistics don't come as a major shock, the UK still isn't in an official recession.

A downturn in the economy actually becomes a recession following TWO or more consecutive negative quarters. There is no doubt in many peoples minds that we are already in a recession and just need the figures to prove it. Growth of the economy is measured by the GDP (gross domestic product) which measures national income and output.

These latest figure for the third quarter of 2008 are the worst since 1990 and although we're not technically in a recession the second quarter of 2008 showed zero growth which first indicated to many that we were heading for a recession.

Rising unemployment figures and ever rising food and fuel prices have only made the recession an ever increasing possibility since the second quarter. Together with the bank crisis, recession fears have caused the FTSE to fall to it's lowest level in 5 years. The British Pound has also fallen to a 5 year low against the US Dollar.

How is the "credit crunch" affecting you?

Darwen Personal Safety Day

An event funded by Blackburn with Darwen Community Safety Partnership was held in Darwen town centre today to promote personal safety. Members of the local police force were on hand to offer residents crime prevention help and advice.

In addition to the free fire and safety advice elderly shoppers were being offered free personal attack alarms and a local business was giving away shredders whilst also offering free advice on how to dispose of confidential documents.

The police were offering advice and handing out the personal attack alarms in the Atrium between 9am and 1pm whilst shredding demonstrations were being held onboard a special lorry which was parked outside the main entrance to the market hall.

Various leaflets were also being handed out offering a range of advice on personal safety. Amongst the leaflets were signs for the home to notify unwanted visitors that you didn't want to be bothered by Trick or Treaters over the coming week.

What are your thoughts on Trick or Treaters?

Deli Carlo celebrating 12 months in Darwen Market

Carlo Ricioppo is celebrating his first 12 months in Darwen 3 day market. His food stall, which sells genuine Italian sourced food including pasta and sauces, opened 1 year ago tomorrow (Saturday 25th October).

Carlo would personally like to thank all the customers who have purchased products from him in his first year of trading and will be rewarding his regular customers with free gifts to celebrate.

Carlo Italian Delicatessen imports food from Calibria in Italy where Carlo was originally born before moving to Darwen when he was 5 years old. His speciality stall attracts people from all over Lancashire and is especially popular with the local Italians.

Carlo told us "Business has been great since starting up last year, in fact I might be looking to expand shortly. I am very grateful to all my regular customers and will be rewarding them with a free gift next time they visit the stall."

He already sells food supplies online through his own ecommerce website www.melodiafood.co.uk which has seen people place orders from all over the UK.

Carlo is keen to embrace the advantages of the Internet and has recently created his own Facebook page where his customers can keep in touch. If you're registered on the social networking site why not become a fan of Melodia Food by visiting his Facebook page!

If you own a local business and would like to start benefiting from being online why not get in touch with your local web designer CML Design who runs Darwen Online.

Give Craig a ring 0845 2240784. Darwen Online listings for less than 50p per week!

Statue of comedian Les Dawson unveiled

A statue of Manchester born comedian Les Dawson is to be unveiled by his widow in St Annes on Thursday night.

The comic, famed for his role in popular TV shows Opportunity Knocks and Blankety Blank, died in June 1993 aged just 62 after suffering a heart attack whilst in hospital.

Fellow comedians voted Les Dawson as one of the best 50 comedy acts ever in a 2005 poll and he will forever be remembered for his facial expressions whilst on television. Whether he was hosting a game show or performing a comedy sketch dressed as an elderly lady he could always make people laugh.

He lived with his second wife in Lytham, St Annes for many years before his death. The statue will now be unveiled in a floodlit ceremony next to St Annes pier.

Les Dawson (1931-1993)

Darwen Weight Watchers receives Diamond Leader award

Local Weight Watchers leader Lorraine Jones was recently awarded the Diamond Leader certificate in recognition for all the hard work put into running the local gathering.

The work Lorraine and others put into arranging the class, which gathers every Thursday at the Methodist Church, hasn't gone unnoticed as the winners of the Diamond Awards are chosen by reviewing member comments.

Lorraine says she is so proud of all her members and would like to thank them for any comments which may have helped gain the achievement. She says the award is in recognition of the success her members have had in their bid to lose weight.

Two members in particular stand out from the group after losing over 50lbs each in less than 7 months. Sarah, who lost 55lbs, and Denise, who lost 66lbs. Key to their success has been a change in lifestyle but they both still enjoy socialising with a drink or going out for a meal.


Sarah, whose before and after photographs can be seen above, says "You don't necessarily have to cut everything you enjoy from your diet as long as you're conscious of what you eat. Weight Watchers makes that possible with their points system"

"I gain encouragement by coming to the classes where we all share tips and offer each other support. I've met some good friends and we often chat to each other when we're passing in the street to see how we're doing."

Denise agrees with Sarah by adding "You don't need to cut back totally. As long as you exercise regularly and get your heart rate up. I use a heart rate monitor when walking and it's surprising what a brisk walk can do for you."

"The secret is maintaining a high level, it's no good exhausting yourself within minutes. In fact speed walking is better for you than running."


Both members, pictured above with Lorraine (right) and her Diamond Leader Award, say they have changed their lifestyles completely and won't be reverting back to their old ways now they've both achieved their goals.

Also pictured is Beryl (third from left) who has lost nearly 3 stone and has managed to keep the weight off for over 4 years.

"I'm still attending the classes even though I've lost more weight than I set in my original target. I enjoy coming to the classes where we all offer each other support." Sarah explained.

In addition to watching their daily intake of food, they both indicate that walking is now a big part of their lives by walking their dogs upto 4 miles per day and even more at the weekends. The good news for Darreners is that you don't have to travel very far to find a nice walk.

They both agreed that you can't beat a walk up to Darwen Tower then over the moors to Winter Hill - it's free and it's right on your doorstep!

Denise also offered one last tip for people looking to lose weight "Watch your salt intake - it makes your body retain more water, something which will increase with age anyway."

"And try to drink plenty of water throughout the day. I've replaced cups of coffee with water and sliced lemon, it has made me feel much better and helped me achieve my weight loss goal in less than 7 months" Sarah added.

Both members attend the morning sessions at the Methodist Church on the main road next to ATS Garage. In total there are three classes held there every Thursday, one morning class (9.30am-10.30am) and two evening classes (5pm-6pm and 6.30pm-7.30pm).

Anyone wishing to join any of the classes should contact Lorraine on 0845 345 1500 or email customerservices@weight-watchers.co.uk.

Are you a member of Weight Watchers?

Last Orders - Darwen pub bucks trend

A Darwen pub ignored statistics showing a pubs are closing at the fastest rate for decades by opening in the face of adversity. Pubs are being forced to close their doors as people tighten their belts as the so called "credit crunch" hits our pockets

The aptly named Last Orders in Darwen opened last month after undergoing lots of work as it was transformed from what was previously known as THE PUB. With it's low prices and welcoming atmosphere it continues to defy the statistics.

New figures from the British Beer and Pub Association show that 36 pubs per week are closing, compared with an average of just 2 per week in 2005. Research shows that small pubs are at the sharp end of the slowdown in consumer spending as fewer people are calling into their local pubs after work.

As part of a new trend which also sees people opting for 'own-brand' supermarket goods people are starting to have more cheap nights in rather than going out drinking or visiting local restaurants.

Many pubs in Darwen have faced closure over the past few months whilst others, like Last Orders, believe it will take more than a credit crunch to stop Darreners from visisting their local for the odd pint or two.

Where do you go drinking? Is it still busy or is it about to call last orders?