Author Archives: Pete of MIP

Residential Speed limits to be 20mph – ridiculous!

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Pete of MIP

Lancashire County Council announced that all residential roads will have a speed limit of 20mph by 2013 to create a new attitude towards speeding and reduce road deaths. There is some merit in the proposal but how many deaths will … Continue reading →

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Phil Brown appointed Preston manager

Posted on 6 January 2011 by Pete of MIP

Some optimism now. We all know Phil from his extravert antics at Hull, providing a lot of entertainment; singing to the crowd, keeping the players on the pitch at half-time. He did a good job there, although they seemed to … Continue reading →

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Stoke City take back loan players from Preston

Posted on 31 December 2010 by Pete of MIP

If David Unsworth becomes a successful manager he has the opportunity to perhaps look back to this week as his finest hour.  Imagine that 2 days before a match you’re appointed caretaker manager and later in the day 2 of your best players have … Continue reading →

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Manchester United take back loan players from Preston

Posted on 31 December 2010 by Pete of MIP

Following the ending of Darren Ferguson’s term at PNE his father Sir Alex Ferguson has immediately recalled two loan players and a third who is on a longer contract is wanted back.  Two of the players appear to have made a … Continue reading →

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Darren Ferguson sacked

Posted on 29 December 2010 by Pete of MIP

Yesterday PNE lost 3-1 at home to Middlesbrough and a win for either team would have been a good lift up the relegation area. That PNE lost and Scunthorpe won cemented PNE well down in the relegation spots.  Overall PNE had … Continue reading →

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Might have been Swine Flu

Posted on 27 December 2010 by Pete of MIP

Merry Christmas!  For most, and then there is a case of what might have been a mild dose of Christmas Swine Flu.  Here’s its story. Tuesday had a suspicious wheezy throat.  Thursday whole windpipe felt inflamed on a brisk very cold walk.   … Continue reading →

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The Strange Story of the Secret Park and Ride

Posted on 23 December 2010 by Pete of MIP

Down in Bluebell Way, east of Preston in Lancashire lies a secret Park and Ride.  No-one knew why it was there or what it was for.  It seems someone had a good idea and then there it was. If only other plans … Continue reading →

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BAE SYSTEMS announces potential redundancies

Posted on 14 December 2010 by Pete of MIP

The UK’s biggest advanced engineering company, BAE SYSTEMS, has announced potential local job losses following the cancellation of the UK Nimrod MRA4 and Harrier contracts.  These include 668 at Warton and 119 at Samlesbury.   In addition jobs will be lost … Continue reading →

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Manchester to Blackpool rail electrification by 2016

Posted on 27 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

Philip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Transport, stated in Parliament on the 25th November 2010: ‘The Chancellor also announced on 20 October the electrification of the lines between Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackpool, representing an investment of up to £300 … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Rail, Technology | 5 Comments

Dewlay Wind Turbine at Garstang

Posted on 17 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

The very large wind turbine built at the Dewlay Cheesemaker site at Garstang is now operating.  Driving past it is very impressive and creates quite a landmark.  Yesterday was a very light wind but the turbine was turning and seemed to … Continue reading →

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Manchester to Blackpool Rail Electrification

Posted on 17 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

It was a surprise to discover the good news announced in the governments spending review on 21st October 2010 seemed to have no coverage.  Here is what the chancellor said: ‘In the North West, we will invest in rail electrification between Manchester, … Continue reading →

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PNE bottom of the championship

Posted on 14 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

How many clubs have stayed with a manager when they have been at the bottom with things seeming to be getting worse in November, yet……… Yesterday PNE dropped to bottom following the home defeat to Hull and Crystal Palace winning at … Continue reading →

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Anyone for strawberry picking?

Posted on 8 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

Reading in the paper today that David Cameron is taking a business delegation to China to follow on from his Indian visit.  A bit further down an article that Jaguar – Land Rover might build a factory in China to … Continue reading →

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Ronnie Clayton – Preston born star of Blackburn Rovers

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

On October 29th Ronnie Clayton, the famous Blackburn Rovers midfielder of the 1950’s and 60’s, died aged 76. Making his first team debut at the age of 17, playing for England at 20 and captaining England at 25 and yet continuing … Continue reading →

Posted in Preston North End | 1 Comment

Defence Review

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

The defence review announced on the 19th October ended the UK requirement for Harrier, Nimrod MRA4 and vertical take off F35 which all provide work in the local BAE SYSTEMS factories.  The Nimrod has been in work for well over 10 years … Continue reading →

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Liam Fox in Saudi Arabia supporting local industry

Posted on 24 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

It is reported the UK Minister of Defence Liam Fox is meeting the King of Saudi Arabia and will discuss potential arms sales.  The US has recently announced the sale of $100bn of arms to the region and the UK … Continue reading →

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High Speed Rail to go ahead

Posted on 23 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

It was announced this week that the extension of high speed rail north from London will go ahead and not be part of a spending reduction. The statement was that building would begin in 2015 to Birmingham and then be extended to Manchester … Continue reading →

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Andrew Flintoff – Freeman of Preston retires

Posted on 18 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

On the last day of the cricket season Andrew Flintoff MBE, Freeman of Preston, former captain of the Lancashire and England cricket teams, 2005 BBC sports personality of year, 2005 joint cricketer of the year, scorer of the most 6’s for England announced … Continue reading →

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Burnley 1 Referee 3 PNE 3

Posted on 11 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

North End live on BBC2 today and looking good at 3-1 in the lead. Then a bit of an incident where Burnley thought a PNE player had handled although it looked one of those unavoidable handballs.  The ref looked a … Continue reading →

Posted in Preston North End | 1 Comment

3rd degree vulnerability in Preston

Posted on 10 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

The data research company Experian has published an analysis that shows the areas around Preston to be more vulnerable than average to government cut-backs.  Out of 324 areas Preston and its surroundings are generally in the third quartile 0r positioned around 250th.  … Continue reading →

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