CLITHEROE modern pentathlete Samantha Murray continued her impressive start to 2012 by winning the Hungarian Indoor Championships in Budapest at the weekend.

Murray followed up her win at the final national selection competition in Bath last month by taking gold in Budapest, comfortably beating Lithuania’s world number two Laura Asadauskaite into second place.

Murray, originally from Clitheroe, is combining training at the Pentathlon GB high performance centre with studying for a degree in French and Politics at the University of Bath.

She totalled 5,564 points to win by 112, and Murray said: “It was a good weekend to have a competition and see where I am at the moment.

“Winning was great, but I’m not going to get carried away.

“It’s good to see some of the changes I’ve made over the winter are working and hopefully I can take this forward to the next World Cup.

“The squad has been training really hard and the hard work has paid off.”

Murray’s Great Britain teammate, Beijing 2008 Olympian Katy Livingston, took bronze, eight seconds behind Asadauskaite, with Kate French seventh and Kerry Prise 18th.

Murray returns to action at the opening World Cup of the year in Charlotte, the USA, from March 8th to 11th.

She is joined by Heather Fell, Freyja Prentice and Mhairi Spence in the women’s team.

If any film-makers out there have never curled up with a Jill Mansell book, then perhaps now is a good time to start.

A Walk in the Park is just the latest of her trademark romantic comedies which seem to gravitate to the top of the best-seller lists like a compass point to magnetic north.

And judging by this sparkling little number, she’s just getting better and better...

Wryly funny, wise and always deliciously on-song, her stories feature the kind of characters we have all met ... or would like to meet.

Take Lara Carson – at the tender age of 13, she was understandably hacked off when her father installed his new love Janice in their home just six months after Lara’s mother died.

It was clear from the start that Lara wasn’t welcome there any more. ‘Why can’t she just join the army or something,’ the lovely Janice was overheard confiding to a friend.

Three years later, life was still grim but she did have the consolation of Flynn Erskine, the handsomest and ‘best boyfriend’ in the world who made up for a lot of the misery in her life.

That is until her father chucked her out for being late home one night and she ended up on the doorstep of Aunt Nettie in Keswick who welcomed her with a big, warm maiden aunt hug and the promise of a new home with her.

There was just one problem... Lara had brought an extra ‘item’ with her baggage, the baby she was expecting to the blissfully unaware and now ex-boyfriend Flynn.

Fast forward over 18 years and Lara and her beautiful and bubbly daughter Gigi have returned to Bath for the funeral of Lara’s father and the unexpected news that his house is now theirs.

Of course, Lara’s return is causing a stir – not least with former best friend Evie who has a lot to catch up on and is on the verge of marrying her ‘bad boy’ dream lover Joel Barber.

There’s also the not insignificant and disturbing re-acquaintance with once adored boyfriend Flynn, now a handsome, mature and be-suited man rather than the dishevelled teenager in a T-shirt that she remembers.

The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how will Flynn react when he discovers the secret she has been keeping from him? There’s a lot of catching up to be done, that’s for sure...

Mansell knows all about life and love, how to make us laugh, how to make us cry and how to keep us reading long after the clocks have struck midnight.

Resourceful Lara, the lovable Gigi and ever-resilient Evie make a terrific starring threesome in a story as full of surprises and drama as it is of comic capers and true romance.

Now turn all these gorgeous goings-on into a film and the likes of Notting Hill and Love Actually would really get a run for their money!

(Headline Review, hardback, £14.99)

IT’S four defeats in six now for Clitheroe and 17 in total for the season.

The first of two games in 48 hours saw the Blues return to the scene of their last league outing, taking on the landlords of Stade France, but they left West Yorkshire empty-handed having been beaten 2-0 by an industrious Ossett Town side.

Clitheroe started brightly and could have taken the lead inside two minutes. A corner from Lee Pugh was flicked on by Andrew Naylor at the front post, but neither Kev Brown nor Jerrome Matthews could force the ball home.

The Blues continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession but found themselves behind against the run of play in the 16th minute when a through ball from Shane Kelsey found Neil Towler, and his cross was side-footed into the net by Martyn Scully.

The visitors largely remained in the ascendancy throughout the first half but failed to create many clear cut chances. Ash Parillon fired wide after being found by Naylor, and the pair combined again before Parillon attempted to lift the ball over Ossett keeper Ashley Connor, only for the effort to be turned behind.

Clitheroe’s best chance fell to Matthews moments before the break as he ran onto a superb pass from Naylor, rounded the keeper, but failed to keep his shot down.

After the interval Clitheroe continued to have territorial advantage and, after forcing a number of early corners, came close to equalising on 53 minutes when Chris Smalley drilled a shot narrowly wide.

As in the first half, Ossett barely threatened the visitor’s goal yet doubled their advantage on 61 minutes when Ryan Laight met Scully’s corner to power a header past Zack Hibbert.

Moments later it could have been worse for the Blues as Hibbert was forced into a smart save to deny Towler.

Clitheroe continued to press as in the final quarter of an hour but Connor bundled an effort from Lee Pugh behind for a corner and the lively Duncan Watmore, who replaced Matthews, saw an effort rebound off the post.

Unfortunately, with these opportunities went Clitheroe’s hopes of salvaging anything.

Carl Garner’s next task was to pick his players up for a trip to the Tameside Stadium to face title-chasing Curzon Ashton who were unbeaten at home all season.

The Blues took the lead in the second minute, but not before Curzon wasted a glorious opportunity in the opening seconds as Hibbert’s clearance went straight to Lee Blackshaw, who bore down on goal but saw his flick clear the crossbar.

Moments later excellent control by Duncan Watmore allowed him to arc a through ball into the path of debutant Ben Waddington, who beat the off-side trap and produced an assured finish - scoring the Blues’ 500th league goal at this level of football.

Waddington and Watmore linked again after 18 minutes with a sharp one-two that saw strong penalty appeals waved away by the referee after Graham Kay appeared to trip Waddington.

However, after 38 minutes Curzon equalised. Blackshaw cut inside and found Matthew Kay on the edge of the box who fired a shot over Hibbert into the net.

Clitheroe refused to be rocked by this and were on the front foot again before the half was over. A driven free-kick by Pugh was flicked on by Watmore for Dent at the far post, but his effort was blocked.

The visitors were immediately in the ascendancy at the start of the second period as Parillon surged forward and found Watmore. His shot was saved by Joshua Ollerenshaw, and the rebound refused to fall for Parillon or Waddington.

While the Blues had to withstand a flurry of corners, delivered with precision by Samuel Walker, they continued to look dangerous.

Hibbert’s clearance was flicked forward by Dent for Waddington and Watmore to combine and release Roberts, whose driven effort narrowly cleared the angle.

But Curzon scored what proved to be the winner after 69 minutes.

For once Clitheroe failed to deal with a long clearance, and Chris McDonagh cut inside and angled a shot across Hibbert into the corner of the net for his 20th goal of the season.

John Flanagan’s side started to gain the upper hand from this point and Watson thumped a header from a Kay corner against the bar in the 72nd minute.

Roberts was only inches from restoring parity as he fizzed an effort through a crowd of players as the game entered the final 10 minutes., but from another Walker corner, Purcell found McDonagh whose header looped onto the crossbar and was cleared.

The Blues now entertain Durham City on Saturday and will look for some home comforts as they return to Shawbridge for the first time in a month.

PUPILS in the Ribble Valley are being invited to brag about their careers.

Last October saw the launch of the Ribble Valley School’s Partnership, which included Bowland High, Ribblesdale High School Technology College, St Augustine’s RC High and Clitheroe Royal Grammar School joining forces to organise the “BRAG About Your Career” event. This proved to be a resounding success for Year 11 pupils.

To coincide with the options process and the notion that it is important for Year 10 pupils to start to plan their futures, especially in the current tough economic climate, the four schools have decided to hold a further evening for all Years 9 and 10 pupils.

Parents and pupils are invited to attend the BRAG Event on Monday, March 5th at The Grand, Clitheroe, from 4 to 7 p.m. 

The fundamental objective of the event is to help Year 9 pupils obtain information and guidance with regards to their GCSE choices and for Year 10 pupils to gain impartial careers information to enable them to make well-informed and realistic decisions about their futures beyond school, whether in further education or employment.

This event will provide an opportunity for parents and pupils to find out information regarding courses, subject choices, entry requirements and employment opportunities from sixth forms, colleges and local training providers enabling them to achieve their individual career aspirations. 

If you would like further information regarding this event please contact Julia Billington at Ribblesdale High on 01200 422563.

Lafferty gets first game in strong Burnley team - Clarets Mad

Carl Fletcher tight-lipped over extending Alex MacDonald loan deal - This Is Plymouth

Howe Happy With Forward Options - EatSleepSport

Ben Mee Goal Line Clearance - Reading v Burnley - You Tube

Burnley’s Ben Mee stops point blank shot with his head - Yahoo

Burnley Youth Craven for Blackburn? - Vital Football

Dabbers sign up Burnley youngster Lynch - This Is Satffordshire

Reading Third after beating Burnley - EuroSport

Barry has been good for Burnley - Todmorden Today

Prince of Wales supports Burnley Football Club - Daily Telegraph

Prince Charles Revealed as Burnley fan - Guardian

Burnley FC has Prince Charles’ Royal approval - The Sun

Prince Charles admits to being a Burnley FC fan - Daily Mail

IT’S all part of my morning routine.

Let the dog out, scare away the heron and then put the kettle on. But while Monty and our resident heron never disappoint, the all important first-brew-of-the-day has been much less easy to rely on, as recently tea bags have been conspicuous by their absence.

As previously related, Wifey has pressed hard in recent years for us to redecorate the house and, after only 22 years, I finally caved in. New curtains and carpets were booked and we agreed to get someone in to help with the decorating and fettle those little jobs around the house that accumulate as the years pass by.

In fairness, things have gone very well but I should have been just that bit suspicious of what I presumed was our decorator’s beer belly. Now in the illustrious circles I socialise in such a physical attribute is considered something of a badge of honour. Unfortunately, I am no Sherlock Holmes, and I failed to question the evidence clearly available to me, and so my diagnosis was wrong.

Everyday the job progressed well. Our decorator arrived on time and, without delay, launched himself into the travails of the day. Barely stopping to take the odd break, he applied himself to his tasks with commitment diligence and professionalism. We were impressed.

But then I noticed something. The kettle never seemed to cool. We seemed to get through gallons of milk and, most significantly, the tea bags seemed to evaporate. Such energetic application to his work had to be fuelled by a constant supply of tea and custard creams. At one point the power had to be turned off, and you could see the naked fear in his eyes that brews might not be forthcoming. I had to counsel him with the reassurance we could always boil a kettle on the stove and his panic subsided. The work continued apace.

It was at that point I realised he was a disappointment. I could not fault his professionalism or his commitment to the task in hand. Indeed it was not unpleasant having him around, but there was a deep character flaw that dismayed me. This was not a man to invite on our cycle tours. That was no beer belly. It was tea bloat.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for me, and so the diet continues. After an impressive start losing a stone, I have been unable to shed any more weight. I need to get back out on my bike but the frozen ground twice thwarted my plans. The freeze, and the fact I no longer bounce like I once did, meant that cycling on the canal bank was just too hazardous. Instead Wifey and I pulled on our boots to go walking instead. Even this was not easy. Rain had fallen on frozen ground leaving everything covered in what climbers sometimes call ‘verglas’, a thin coating of ice (as on rock). We plodded along for a few miles but packed it in as we realised we had taken in no views whatsoever, so careful were we to avoid a fall onto that iron-hard surface.

In truth the cold snap had been a blessing. Everything has been held back by the cold temperatures allowing us to concentrate on the house before the beginning of the garden season. Mind you, the thaw this week has been rapid and after just a few days of more moderate weather the odd crocus has joined the snowdrops in flower. The daffs once more will start to grow at speed and life will soon return to the countryside and our gardens, and with it I will start to be busy at work.

We re-open at Reedley on March 1st and I can see March being a busy month for us. I’m quite excited about it really. I tend to get all fired up and often skip meals relying instead on that mark of the true professional, a constant supply of brews to keep me going as we set things out. My only concern? After all this decorating, will there be any teabags left?

SCOUT Phil Smith assesses Eddie Howe’s first year in charge and the potential to make the play-offs

Several readers have been in touch to request my opinion on Eddie Howe, now that he has recently celebrated a year in charge of this magnificent football club.

The question warranted a sizeable response, and thus it was unable to be answered in a short summary at the end of a regular column.

However, the lack of a midweek fixture has now provided ample opportunity to offer a suitable reflection.

Even the greatest football manager will make mistakes in the transfer market, Manucho and Mame Biram Diouf at Manchester United evidence of this point. The latter scored just once whilst at Old Trafford, typically against ourselves!

I remain adamant that we require an extra central midfielder, but, in terms of the acquisitions he has made, Howe can be pleased with his efforts. Replacing Tyrone Mears with Kieran Trippier was an absolute masterstroke, and the former Manchester City loanee could play in the Premier League right now, of that I have no doubt.

His own experience as a youth coach at Bournemouth, coupled with the appointment of Jason Blake, should see more of our own talent come through the ranks.

Bar a few obvious exceptions, we haven’t had that many make the transition from Gawthorpe to Turf Moor, and any improvement in this ratio must be encouraged.

Ultimately, however, football is a result based industry, and, as a result, a definitive assessment can only be made at the end of his tenure.

When Brian Laws was dismissed as manager, we were sat in ninth place, two points off the top six, with a game in hand.

The season concluded with us seven points away from the play-offs, and so we cannot point to an improvement in the first five months of his reign.

The current campaign began poorly, and relegation was more than an unsubstantiated concern as late into the season as November.

The frustration grew as we began to be outplayed up at the KC Stadium, but, all of sudden, David Edgar banged one in 12 minutes from time, and we went on to win the game in the most remarkable of circumstances.

A demolition of Ipswich Town and a fully deserved victory at the Boleyn Ground followed, and, by New Years Eve, we had climbed into seventh place.

We have not been any higher since, adverse weather against Derby County and Peterborough United can probably be to blame for five points, but defeats at Leeds United and Southampton were difficult to stomach.

Our Premier League Parachute payments are slashed from the start of 2012/2013,and logic dictates that when you also factor in the imminent FFP ruling, promotion will become harder as the years begin to progress.

When relegated, did anyone genuinely believe that, two years later, we would have failed to earn a play-off spot, at the very least?

Evidently, the final 14 games of the season will determine whether that is the case, but, if it becomes a reality, it cannot be classed as anything but failure.

Eddie currently enjoys a greater win percentage as Burnley manager than Owen Coyle.

I doubt he would be as arrogant to liken promotion to “leading us out of the wilderness”, but Howe will ultimately be judged on his ability to get us out of this division.

I am sure I am not alone in wishing him every success with this aim.

A RIBBLE Valley businessman who pursued his dream of offering top quality at highly competetive prices has seen his company recognised again.

Roger Astin, who lives with his family at Dunsop Bridge, founded the Kitchen Design Centre 26 years ago on the belief that there was a niche in the market for a company which could offer a complete package to its customers and the most sophisticated products at mid-market prices.

Originally the Kitchen Trade Centre, the company changed direction in 1992 to become primarily a retailer, with business-to-business sales taking a secondary role. Its Blackburn showroom opened in 1993, with Colne and Manchester showrooms following as the company grew.

Right from the stars Roger’s commitment to quality at every level began to earn his company an enviable reputation within the industry. Now the latest confirmation of that has come from built-in appliance brand leader Neff, which has just appointed Kitchen Design Centre (KDC) of Colne as a 5-star dealer in its new three-tiered structure for its MasterPartner® kitchen specialist retailers in the UK.

Since the start of 2012, all Neff MasterPartner® dealers have been graded into one of three new levels. As a 5-star Neff MasterPartner dealer, KDC is now entitled to use the exclusive 5-star logo in its showroom and on its website to reflect its new status with the Neff brand. It denotes expertise at the very highest level and provides consumers with added confidence at point of sale.

Neff Sales Director Mike Jarrett explained: “By introducing a new top 5-star status, we can define a more tangible measurement for consumers and give more recognition to MasterPartner dealers like Kitchen Design Centre whose dedication and loyalty to the Neff brand goes the extra mile.”

When he first started the business Roger had just married and lived in West Bradford. As his family expanded, he found himself moving to Waddington, then Cowark and eventually to Dunsop Bridge.

“This area is very special to me,” said Roger. “It holds many attractions, and my wife and family have been very happy here. Being surrounded by beautiful places and peaceful countryside is just what we enjoy together when I’m not working and the business is still extremely busy despite the recession.

“So it’s onto the next stage really and we’re getting excited already about planning a fourth branch later in the year.”