Author Archives: admin

Williamson Park, Lancaster

Under a mile from Lancaster city centre up a hill is Williamson Park, a small lake and fountain, a wooded area, the Ashton Memorial, Butterfly House, aviary, mammal house and cafe.  Most of all there is a scenic view of … Continue reading

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East Lancashire Railway and The Whitaker Museum

A visit to the ELR on Saturday 14th October for the Steam Event.  Running were ex Southern 34092 City of Wells and ex-LNER 60009 Union of South Africa plus some local locos. We drove to Rawtenstall which is the nearest … Continue reading

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Northern Powerhouse v Midlands Engine

Traditionally Birmingham has been known as the ‘second city’ after London.  For the last 20 years Manchester’s star has been rising and it now makes a valid claim to be second city.  The Northern Powerhouse seemed to support this call … Continue reading

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Announcement of General Election 8th June 2017

A shock announcement on Tuesday 18th April that the government intends to call a General Election for the 8th June.   This needs a 2/3 majority in the House of Commons to over-ride the law that elections will be held … Continue reading

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Railway Electrification in the North West

Work is underway at a fairly slow pace on electrifying more track in the North West of England. Currently the Manchester to Blackpool line is forecast for completion for the summer timetable of 2018.  Work on re-aligning the track is … Continue reading

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Offshore Windfarms near Lancashire

If you visit the north Lancashire coast you can see rows of windmills near the horizon.   The closest is Barrow, 90MW.  Nearby are 3 others:  West of Duddon Sands 389MW,  Ormonde 150MW, Walney 9MW.   Just off the Mersey … Continue reading

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Parliamentary Boundary Review 2018

The Electoral Commission is to publish initial findings on the 13th September for its review of boundaries.  There will then be a 12 week public consultation period and two other public reviews before the September 2018 presentation to Parliament.   … Continue reading

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Lake District and Yorkshire Dales Extended

On the 1st August it was announced that the Lake District will be extended eastwards to the M6 and the Yorkshire Dales will be extended westwards to the M6. From the west coast to the east coast there is now … Continue reading

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Attractive Lancashire hill country

Lancashire has some interesting places.   We visited Slaidburn in the Forest of Bowland with the Friends of the Lancashire Archives.  That area has large parts of the Duke of Westminster’s Estate.   From the west you can access it … Continue reading

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EU Referendum – the North West votes

June 23rd was the day the UK voted to leave the EU by 52%/48%.   In England the country and towns voted to leave while the big cities voted to remain.  Wales voted out.  Scotland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar voted … Continue reading

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EU referendum impressions at the end of May

Seems like everyone I speak to or read on Facebook wants out of the EU.  On this basis the result will be 90/10 for leaving. Yet the pundits say it’s a very close thing and Remain is likely to win. … Continue reading

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North West Plastic Bag Factory Closure

A packaging company in Nelson, East Lancashire, has closed due to cheap imports of plastic packaging and the 5p charge on plastic bags.  Some 50 manufacturing jobs lost in an area that needs jobs.  Bad news.

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Trident Nuclear deterrent?

A decision is due on replacing the existing submarines for the Trident nuclear weapon system.  These submarines are built in the North West of England. Those who support it believe it is a deterrent and weapon of last resort that … Continue reading

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The Beauty of the North West

The North West of England is a great place to live.  The northern half is all hills and lakes with attractive towns like Ambleside and Keswick.  Even the roads are great, the M6 winds through the hills at Tebay and … Continue reading

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Who will land on Mars first

The USA stepped up its space programme yesterday with the test launch and recovery of the Orion capsule designed for a manned journey to Mars and back.   The flight was the first time an inhabitable capsule has gone beyond … Continue reading

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Transport in a whirl or is it the modern norm

Overall there seems to be a lot of untidiness and uncertainty in the government’s transport policy. Perhaps they could smarten up their act. Last week we it was announced First Group have been selected for West Coast Main Line contract, … Continue reading

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High Speed Rail looks like being approved

HS2 the high speed rail link between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds looks like it will be approved next week. As usual the rest of the UK will be waiting for investment in London rail to peak before work begins. … Continue reading

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Referendum 2011: Alternative Voting System

The government is expected to announce, on Tuesday, a referendum on using the Alternative Voting System.  This is a key part of the Coalition agreement although not as far as the Proportional Representation System the LibDems want. At the moment there are … Continue reading

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Chloride and Tate & Lyle going foreign

More British names transferring overseas. Chloride look certain to be taken over by rival Emerson, a US company.  While Tate & Lyle are selling their sugar and syrup business to rival Domino, a US company. Names are never lost, they can … Continue reading

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New Manufacturing Jobs Announced

After bad news in chocolate and steel manufacturing some good news in cars and nuclear engineering. Most of it with the help of government loans. Nissan announced that their new electrically powered car, the Nissan Leaf, will be produced in Sunderland from 2013. … Continue reading

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