Author Archives: Pete of MIP

Covid 19 data in Preston March 15th 2021

Posted on 15 March 2021 by Pete of MIP

Preston appeared to have less Covid 19 than similar places in northwest England but in late February the slow decline left Preston in the top ten case areas in England and on some measures, it is said, at the top. … Continue reading →

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British Commercial Vehicle Museum re-opens after Covid Closure

Posted on 28 July 2020 by Pete of MIP

On Saturday 18th July 2020 the British Commercial Vehicle Museum (BCVM) in Leyland re-opened after its Covid-19 Closure. We visited just a few days later.  The first museum visit for several months.   Things have been adjusted to protect everyone. On … Continue reading →

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Harris Your Place – Plan up for Review

Posted on 26 June 2020 by Pete of MIP

The Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library is proposing a major facelift.   So far £3.7 million is in place and support and development funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.  The next stage is a £4.5 million … Continue reading →

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Work Starts on new Western Distributor Road

Posted on 13 March 2020 by Pete of MIP

Work is underway on the M55 to create a new junction for the Preston Western Distributor also at the A583 intersection.  This new road will link Preston and the southern Fylde: Freckleton, Warton, Lytham St Annes, to the M55 early … Continue reading →

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The Harris Open Art Exhibition 2019

Posted on 16 December 2019 by Pete of MIP

Between 14th December 2019 and into the new decade 26th January 2020 is the Open Art Exhibition at the Harris in Preston city centre for artists living in the PR post code. Three big rooms of local art.  Not to … Continue reading →

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Trains in Preston: A time of change December 2019

Posted on 1 December 2019 by Pete of MIP

On December 9th First Trenitalia, to be known as Aventi, take over the West Coast Main Line services from Virgin.   Express services between London Euston, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh via Preston are effected. Also in December new trains, … Continue reading →

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Harris Art Gallery Exhibition – Beautiful and Brutal 50 years of Preston Bus Station

Posted on 1 December 2019 by Pete of MIP

An interesting display between 21st September and 24th November 2019 to mark the 50th year of Preston’s Bus Station and it’s car park.    Controversial because of its brutal style and that it was accessible to passengers only through subways … Continue reading →

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A Walk from Preston Station

Posted on 30 October 2019 by Pete of MIP

A lovely day 30th October 2019.   Just right for a walk in the country, a wander round some shops and pop into The Harris Museum and Art Gallery.  About 3 miles. Leaving the station in Butler Street, turn right towards … Continue reading →

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Railway Improvements – New trains and electrification Northern Rail

Posted on 28 July 2019 by Pete of MIP

Northern Rail are obtaining 101 brand new diesel and electric trains from CAF of Spain.  Many of these will be assembled in Newport, Wales.  There are also 243 ex-ScotRail diesel trains, class 158, and ex-Thameslink electric trains, class 319, being … Continue reading →

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A visit to The Ribble Steam Railway and Museum

Posted on 18 May 2019 by Pete of MIP

Saturday 27th April 2019 parked in the large car park and bought a ticket to ride and visit the Ribble Steam Railway museum and workshop on Preston Docks.    Starting in the cafe and then taking a ride before going … Continue reading →

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Old Tram Road Bridge Closed

Posted on 20 March 2019 by Pete of MIP

The Old Tram Road Bridge was declared unsafe and has been fenced off. It’s said to cost too much to repair so might be closed for a long time. The Old Tram Road is one of those features of Preston … Continue reading →

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Museum of the Moon at the Harris

Posted on 14 February 2019 by Pete of MIP

This is an excellent exhibition at the Harris in Preston, The Museum of the Moon until 24th February 2019. The star exhibit being a 23ft diameter moon hanging over central atrium, at night it’s illuminated. While we were there dozens … Continue reading →

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The Preston Open Art Exhibition at The Harris

Posted on 8 January 2019 by Pete of MIP

Every year artists from the PR postcode are invited to submit work to be exhibited and categorised prizes are awarded. The 2019 exhibition finishes on 20th January 2019, below are some photos from the exhibition:

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Wires to Bolton

Posted on 25 November 2018 by Pete of MIP

Work continues on the Preston to Bolton and Manchester electrification programme.  December 2018 was set as a new target after problems with ground conditions such as old mining works and drifts of soft sand.  Pylons for the electric cabling needed … Continue reading →

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The Harris: The Renewal

Posted on 9 November 2018 by Pete of MIP

The Friends of the Harris, a registered charity, are working with The Harris to revitalise and do critical repairs to the building and its presentation. They have held several public discussions and learnt what the public want – such as … Continue reading →

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Harris 125th and Triple Exhibition

Posted on 31 October 2018 by Pete of MIP

The 26th October 2018 is the 125th birthday of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery in Preston.  Congratulations! Three exhibitions are on and these are Whittingham Hidden Lives,  Windrush Generation and Preston Indoor Market. All end on 25th November 2018. … Continue reading →

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North End low down

Posted on 18 September 2018 by Pete of MIP

Just for the record hoping there’ll be great news in 6 months.   After a poor start North End are second from the bottom of the Championship.   The season was opened with a win, since there there has been 2 draws … Continue reading →

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Railway Anniversary Month and Strand Road closure

Posted on 30 August 2018 by Pete of MIP

August 1968 was the month of the last steam services.  Preston was involved in these services.   Also in August 2018 Alstom officially closed the Strand Road West Works were trams, trains and motors had been built for over a 100 … Continue reading →

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Barton Grange turns on the entertainment with style

Posted on 17 August 2018 by Pete of MIP

Barton Grange Garden Centre has opened its big extension – The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre.    Curling, Cinemas, Bowling, Golf Simulator, Crazy Golf, Cafe, Chip Shop Restaurant.  All done in the high class Barton Grange style. We made a visit … Continue reading →

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Dear Harris

Posted on 15 August 2018 by Pete of MIP

In honour of the hanging at the Harris. Dear Harris,   (abridged) Is your permanence set in stone? On the road to death do you tread? Frequented by the old, neglected by the young, But the young will polish your dreary … Continue reading →

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