Author Archives: Pete of MIP

Rail Electrification Plan

Posted on 23 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

The government has released its Electrication Plan with 2 routes given the go-ahead: Manchester to Liverpool and London to Swansea. This effects the north-west as it is planned to re-route Manchester to Scotland trains onto the new route although I’d … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh Fringe Report

Posted on 20 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Shouldn’t be on this blog but a few August days in Edinburgh.  Six shows, an art exhibition and a few bits and pieces. Our tale as it happened. Best of John Betjemen – St Cuthberts Church – It’s not advertised … Continue reading →

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News and facts on the BBC

Posted on 16 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Off topic. According to the BBC website a new build UK house is just under a third of the size of an Australian or American house. Then in the small print it says the UK survey is based on asking owners of … Continue reading →

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Brockholes Wildlife Reserve

Posted on 14 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Great news for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust that its application has been approved by Preston council ( I didn’t know it was in Preston)  to build a Visitor and Education centre on the reserve by the River Ribble. I hadn’t previously … Continue reading →

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Earnings of an MP

Posted on 13 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

I was reading some of the fuss from Alan Duncans statement that MP’s are on rations. It isn’t clear if he’s speaking for himself or for MP’s in general. The economy is a mess and over 2 million are out … Continue reading →

Posted in Political | 1 Comment

Day Trip to Blackpool – Rolling Stones and Vulcan

Posted on 9 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

I wasn’t going to write but the worst TV programme I’ve ever seen was driving me crazy in the lounge, something about Jam and Jerusalem. Up till then it’s been a good day with full sun and we went to several … Continue reading →

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Miller Park to centre link

Posted on 5 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

It’s a long time since I walked from Miller Park into the centre but I noticed that it is proposed to make a cycle and pedestrian greenway linking Fishergate Shopping Centre with Avenham and Miller Parks.  This includes replacing a  missing bridge. … Continue reading →

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Pre-season transfers hotting up

Posted on 5 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Alan Irvine bought Paul Parry from Cardiff and Veliche Shumulikoski from Ipswich in the last 2 days. Both players are 28. Parry is a winger, Shumulikoski a midfielder. Irvine had been saying the midfield must be strengthened so Shumulikoski fits … Continue reading →

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Cost of Plastering

Posted on 3 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Got a quote from a plasterer to re-board a wall and the ceiling and to skim in our smallest room 18 square metres of plaster. £410.  Sounds a lot although he was recommended by a decorator I know. I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Sir Bobby Robson

Posted on 31 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Today Sir Bobby Robson died.  His praises are endless and one person said he was on the boundary between the modern and old fashioned manager. With the example of his non-demonstration when Maradonna scored the hand of God goal as … Continue reading →

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History of Preston

Posted on 31 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Went to Alston Hall near Longridge today to listen to Stephen Sartin speak about the history of Preston through its Guild Merchant. Stephen Sartin being one of the current  leading historians about Preston although he currently seems more involved in … Continue reading →

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Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3a signed

Posted on 31 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Announcement today that the UK has ordered another 40 Eurofighter Typhoons and in total the 4 nations involved 112 aircraft. This is just under half of the full Tranche 3 and is being called Tranche 3a. Good employment news in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aviation | 5 Comments

Organic Food investigation report

Posted on 30 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Shock, horror, the newspapers are carrying headlines that say organic food is no more nutritional than non-organic food. The reputable Food Standards Agency with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have conducted a study with 162 analyses and made … Continue reading →

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F35 JSF engine work in East Lancs

Posted on 29 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Rolls Royce announced it is investing in new plant at its Barnoldswick facility in East Lancashire to make engine fan blades for the Joint Strike Fighter.  The total investment in product development across the UK by RR and the government is valued at £300m.  Earlier in the … Continue reading →

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Quadrophenia

Posted on 24 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Went to the Grand Theatre in Blackpool to see Quadrophenia. Was a lot better than I expected.  Being someone who liked the Who I’m surprised that I wasn’t aware of it. It’s an interesting story of a rebellious youth who … Continue reading →

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Tatton RHS Show 2009

Posted on 24 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Drove down the M6 to Tatton for an enjoyable day at the show on Thursday.  Is it that we don’t listen to the weather forecast or that it’s never as they say. Expected the show to be pretty waterlogged but … Continue reading →

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PNE ins and outs

Posted on 20 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Paul McKenna signed for Notts Forest today. He’s a PNE vet and was captain. Seems PNE got a good price, said to be £750,000, and Paul was pleased to get some cash in his pocket and said he was pleased to join … Continue reading →

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Newspaper deliveries cancelled

Posted on 18 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Told today that a newsagent in South Ribble is stopping delivering newspapers because they can’t get anyone to deliver them. We all need to run our own businesses as best we can but from what I heard this newsagent hasn’t … Continue reading →

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Wind Turbine near Garstang

Posted on 16 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

A planning debate on a new Wind Turbine near Garstang has been on-going for nearly 2 years and it appears that the turbine is to be built after the local council was over-ridden by the Planning Inspectorate.  This is an … Continue reading →

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Criced – England v Australia

Posted on 12 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

I learnt the Welsh for cricket. Yes, it’s criced.  Pronounced crickedd probably. What is the relevance of that?  England are playing the first test away, in Wales. AT this moment England only need 100 runs to avoid an innings defeat with only … Continue reading →

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