Combined effort

THE Accrington Combination Under 21 Inter-League team feature in this week’s Looking Back column.

The picture (top left) was taken in circa 1970 and was sent to the Observer by reader Peter Ashworth. It shows the players before their game against a Great Harwood eleven and included Jimmy Hinksman and Don Bramley.

A cheque for £400 was presented to representatives of the Cancer Research Campaign by pupils of Norden County High School in Rishton (top right). Most of the money was raised through a games evening, sponsored football marathon, lunchtime Christmas games and the Parents Teachers Association.

The annual buffet dance for the Accrington branch of Marks and Spencer in 1977 attracted nearly 100 people (right).

It was held at Fence Gate restaurant and during the evening several presentations were made to Thomas Walmsley, warehouse branch foreman at the store since the 1960s. The picture shows, left to right, Mary Comey, Angela Eccles, Annette Fowles, Janet Cross and Sheila Briggs.

Members of St Paul’s Church choir in Accrington were pictured (bottom right) preparing for a United Service, organised by the Oswaldtwistle Council of Churches, to mark the end of a national Week of Prayer. It includes Andrew Miller, Ruth Spencer, Paul Spencer, Neville Dearden, Philip Dearden and Neil Dearden.

Stanley Scout Group proved victorious in a five-a-side football competition which was held at Rhyddings County High School in Oswaldtwistle. Eight teams took part in the competition organised for the Hyndburn Scout District by Ken Smith and Douglas Haworth. The picture (bottom right) shows Lancashire Football Association referee Geoff Richardson getting the first round of the competition underway.