Author Archives: Pete of MIP

CD factory closure in Blackburn

Posted on 5 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

Disappointing to see a factory closure imminent, not too far away in Blackburn. An American company called EDC, Entertainment Distribution Company, is closing the CD replicating facility that employs over 200 people in mid-year. The factory was bought by EDC in … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston | Tagged , | Comments Off on CD factory closure in Blackburn

Antiques Road Show filming at Blackpool

Posted on 3 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

We read that the Antiques Road Show was filming in Blackpool Tower Ballroom today and decided to take a look. After a sunny week it was misty on the front with a cool breeze at 9am. We arrived just after it … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Antiques Road Show filming at Blackpool

A59 improvements

Posted on 2 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

Beautiful day. Drove from the M6 along the A59 towards Samlesbury. New traffic lights outside the Swallow Hotel controlling traffic from Walton Le Dale. About time really, it always was a close your eyes and hope for the best type … Continue reading →

Posted in Road | Tagged , | Comments Off on A59 improvements

PNE Football League Award

Posted on 30 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

PNE won Best Fan Marketing Campaign at this years Football League Awards ceremony last night.  They were also nominated for two other similar awards.  It’s only on the BBC at the moment, here is a link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7971194.stm It’s not on … Continue reading →

Posted in Preston North End | Tagged , | Comments Off on PNE Football League Award

Riding the Ribble Tidal Bore

Posted on 28 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Found a blog today called ‘Save the Ribble’. It’s against the Riverworks project but has a posting dated 15th February where the writer rode the Ribble Tidal Bore and got stuck on mud flats. An enjoyable read with humour reminiscent of Three … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Riding the Ribble Tidal Bore

Salford Quays visit

Posted on 28 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

How far out of Preston can I write about, probably not as far as Salford but here goes. We had a day out there earlier this week, not a bad drive along the M602 and a couple of right turns.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Salford Quays visit

Scottish Independence and Lancashire

Posted on 27 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

I was reading about a politician in Dundee who moved from Labour to the SNP and handed over power in the city council. Independence is only a step away maybe.  Wonder if it could happen to the whole country and if it would … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Scottish Independence and Lancashire

Our garden v the RSPB

Posted on 25 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

The RSPB listed the results of its Garden Survey 2009 today.  The results for Lancashire in Birds per Hour (bph) are;  Starling 4.77 , House sparrow 3.50, Blackbird 2.77, Blue tit 2.25, Collared dove 1.60, Chaffinch 1.57, Long tailed tit 1.41, Goldfinch … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Our garden v the RSPB

PNE: Countdown

Posted on 24 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

6 games to go, 3 at home. It will be a miracle if PNE get into the play-offs, they’ll need to win at least 4 games as they’re 5 points adrift assuming Cardiff make some use of their games in … Continue reading →

Posted in Preston North End | Comments Off on PNE: Countdown

NHS, Royal Preston Hospital, high marks

Posted on 24 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

I’ve been reading about poor care in hospitals, mainly the Stafford incident.  They always bring out the complainers.   Over a year ago I had two minor operations as a day patient at Preston in the plastic surgery ward. I want to say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on NHS, Royal Preston Hospital, high marks

Building on the flood plain

Posted on 21 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

More shops are announced for the Capital Centre in Walton Le Dale. Quite a good spot,  just over the boundary from Preston.  It is on the flood plain of the river though. I don’t recall when Walton was last flooded … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Comments Off on Building on the flood plain

Visit to Blackpool and Green Party

Posted on 21 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Decided to look in at Blackpool today. The Green Party conference is there and we thought maybe we’d get some green ideas from some stalls. Their website wasn’t too encouraging as it said you needed a ticket but we thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Motorway accidents and traffic announcements

Posted on 21 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Travelling south on the M6 yesterday there was a plague of interrupting traffic news about roadworks on the B6576 in Oswaldton from Radio Lancashire.  Yet later heading back there was no news but I met a sign saying motorway closed ahead.  Apparently the M6 had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Road | Comments Off on Motorway accidents and traffic announcements

Pizza makers in Leyland

Posted on 18 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Schwan the American Pizza maker in Leyland has sold out to the German Pizza maker Dr Oetker. Reading newspaper reports this gives Dr Oetker 43% of the UK frozen pizza market and this might be too much. Dr Oetker previously had 12% so … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Comments Off on Pizza makers in Leyland

Tithebarn v Talbot

Posted on 17 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Blackpool announced the go-ahead of its Talbot Gateway re-generation today costing almost £300m. A company called Muse (formerly Amec) are to build it starting next year. Unlike Prestons plan it has no flagship shop but  includes hotels, cinema, supermarket, bus station … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Tithebarn v Talbot

Fylde visit

Posted on 12 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Tuesday 10th March a springlike,  sunny day. Take a trip to Cleveleys – the new promenade looks good, people are sitting in the sun looking at the sea and there is clear visibility to the Lake District and the snow covered fells.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Fylde visit

PNE 7 days – 3 games – 1 point

Posted on 11 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Saturday 7th March – Crystal Palace 2 PNE 1.  Tuesday 10th March – PNE 1 Sheff Wed 1. Not exactly promotion form. Neither opponent had been doing well. Add in Notts Forest last week and the story isn’t too great. … Continue reading →

Posted in Preston North End | Comments Off on PNE 7 days – 3 games – 1 point

Preston transport in the news

Posted on 11 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Cabbies fearing loss of business to late night buses. Cabbies able to pick up passengers at bus stops. Preston bus only weeks from being bust, Stagecoach saves jobs and pensions. Mayor says bus station underpass dangerous. It’s all happening on … Continue reading →

Posted in Road | Comments Off on Preston transport in the news

Planning for planners in the North West Region

Posted on 9 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

After my note below on Preston Vision I was reading about the vision and the North West Development Agency when another group came into focus.  They are 4NW. A cliche ridden name, can’t say I’d heard of it before. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Planning for planners in the North West Region

Nottingham Forest 2 PNE 1

Posted on 6 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Tuesday 3rd March. Billy Davies strikes back, I’m a fan of his.   The Lancashire Evening Post gave the impression PNE could have won, they’re still well placed.

Posted in Preston North End | Comments Off on Nottingham Forest 2 PNE 1