Author Archives: Pete of MIP

Leyland Vehicle Event 2009

Posted on 12 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Havn’t been to the event for a couple of years and discovered late that it’s moved to the middle of Leyland now. Sign on the motorway said use Junction 29 and then I discovered that all signs led to Park and … Continue reading →

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A visit to Blackpools Art Gallery

Posted on 10 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Yesterday had a look at the Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool. It’s a small place, but not a bad building,  near North Station. At the moment there is a collection of photographs mounted in acrylic to give a high gloss … Continue reading →

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Harris Museum & Art Gallery

Posted on 10 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Thought we’d have a look in the museum this week although we were short of time and I now wish I’d written something earlier as I’ve forgotten the details.  The painting of Sir Richard Arkwright that the museum has bought … Continue reading →

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Marina at Cottam?

Posted on 4 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

I read in the LEP that a planning application has been submitted to build a marina, apartments, Tesco and nature reserve at Cottam. Sounds a good thing from reading it and having little knowledge of the area. I might wonder … Continue reading →

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Alan Irvine Stays

Posted on 3 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

A bit late with this one although there is something on the website. Snippets are coming out since the decision on Tuesday morning that Alan Irvine has turned down the job at WBA.   He wanted to listen to what they had … Continue reading →

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Barton Grange

Posted on 3 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Visited the new Barton Grange yesterday. It was a very hot day, about 28degC.   We’ve not been before and it was further towards Garstang than I expected,  just north of the turn off to Guys and through Bilsborrow. You’re impressed from … Continue reading →

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Baxi merge with Dutch company

Posted on 3 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Baxi the central heating boilermaking company who began life in Bamber Bridge over 150 years ago have merged with a Dutch company. The company is now based in Derby and owns the names of many of Britains best known central … Continue reading →

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Tithebarn Project

Posted on 26 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

The Preston Council Leaders blog says the Planning Committee will be sitting on Wednesday’s 8th and 15th of July to assess the Tithebarn planning application. I have some doubts although overall it sounds good enough. Liverpool One cost about £1bn which is about … Continue reading →

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PNE – Alan Irvine summer gossip

Posted on 26 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

Alan Irvine is being linked with the vacant West Brom manager post.  A bit flattering for North End, but unwelcome. Papers in the midlands have a list of likely candidates.  Former WBA captain Derek McInnes is a favourite of the … Continue reading →

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National Politics: A couple of recent events – the Con. Lab. Speaker and the £9.6m man

Posted on 23 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

I don’t like putting national stuff on here but sometimes I get a bit fired up.  So a note on a couple of things that came out yesterday.  Lets see if these are storms in teacups or just a further step … Continue reading →

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Preston Bus Station preservation

Posted on 22 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

Interesting article in the Times at the weekend about the architectural value of Preston bus station.  According to English Heritage it is ‘one of the most innovative pieces of transport architecture in Britain’.  Part of Prestons identity according to the … Continue reading →

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More on Digital Switchover

Posted on 21 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

Went on a visit to my old aunt south of Preston. She had a letter from an alleged Switchover Help Scheme saying the BBC can help you switch to digital TV. It mentioned a company called DSHS Ltd sounds a … Continue reading →

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Preston Military Show and Football Museum

Posted on 21 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

Saturday 20th June, a sunny day after early cloud, parked at Deepdale and wandered round the National Football Museum. Thought it had improved since my last visit. Seemed a lot to take in and so I focussed on the last … Continue reading →

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Digital Britain

Posted on 19 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

I’ve read that the recently released government sponsored report ‘Digital Britain’ proposes everyone should be able to have a 2MB broadband link – almost 3 million homes havn’t. Also that higher speed lines should be available to 90% of the population.  To … Continue reading →

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University of Central Lancashire (UCL) in Times league table

Posted on 18 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

Exeter University does a survey of Universities each year that is published in the Times newspaper. I thought I’d have a look at this and produce a laymans view. The criteria are; Student Satisfaction, Research Quality, Entry Standards, Student / Staff … Continue reading →

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Nature: 3 woodpigeons, 1 squirrel, 1 mouse

Posted on 17 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

The birds have been well fed in our garden for several years though protection from pests is a constant battle. The hanging seed container gets unwanted visitors like squirrels and yesterday a baby mouse had climbed up the post around 10am … Continue reading →

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PNE first games

Posted on 17 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

August 8, Morecambe in the Carling Cup at Deepdale. Morecambe havn’t reached the status of deadly local rivals and maybe they’ll bring some shrimps so take some butter to the game. They beat PNE last time so don’t get cocky.  … Continue reading →

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TV Aerial – Digital Switchover

Posted on 17 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

Our TV aerial started banging on the chimney so I called the man who fitted it about 10 years ago.  His first line was I needed a new aerial for digital switchover in November anyway, something about frequency. I said that … Continue reading →

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Beeching in reverse: railway improvements Preston / Blackpool / Fleetwood

Posted on 16 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

In the last month there have been a couple of reports, one from Network Rail(NR) and the other from the Association of Train Operating Companies(ATOC).  Both of these propose improvements to the rail system following increased usage in the last … Continue reading →

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Premier League upper tier – Ronaldo

Posted on 11 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

Real Madrid are said to be offering £80m for Ronaldo of Manchester United.  If the offer is true it seems irresistable. Noticed that one reporter said Real Madrid havn’t confirmed the figure.  Ronaldo is a great player that brightens up … Continue reading →

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