Author Archives: Pete of MIP

Preston Centre walk 31st January 2023

Posted on 3 February 2023 by Pete of MIP

A windy wintery day.  The Harris Museum parcelled for refurbishment viewed from Lancaster Road.  How bright will it look when all is revealed in 2024. Preston Market, half outdoor, half indoor.  The old Victorian Covered Market with another just across … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Preston Centre walk 31st January 2023

A few photos of Preston 9th January 2023

Posted on 20 January 2023 by Pete of MIP

A short walk in Preston with a few photos on the 9th January 2023. A view from the train of part of the University of Central Lancashire, UCLan.   Ever growing and now a major, perhaps the major, part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston | Tagged | Comments Off on A few photos of Preston 9th January 2023

Book Review: Types and Shadows – A history of Preston City Parish

Posted on 8 January 2023 by Pete of MIP

Although published in 2015, we only recently stumbled upon this book in Preston Libary.   The library is now in the Guild Hall unfortunately while the Harris is refurbished, what a shame about the Guild Hall as well, but that’s another … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Comments Off on Book Review: Types and Shadows – A history of Preston City Parish

A few photos from a walk in Preston 1st November 2022

Posted on 3 November 2022 by Pete of MIP

Walking from the south east corner of the open Fishergate Centre car park you go out onto the street and turn right past a small car park and carry on to Milller Park.  The view is below: There are some … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on A few photos from a walk in Preston 1st November 2022

Harris Museum and Art Gallery Jigsaw 2022

Posted on 10 October 2022 by Pete of MIP

In 2022 a new jigsaw of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery is available to buy at the Library.  Note that while the Harris building is being upgraded the Library is in the Guild Hall. The jigsaw is a 360 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Harris Museum and Art Gallery Jigsaw 2022

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 →

Posted in History, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Covid 19 data in Preston March 15th 2021

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 →

Posted in Made in Preston, Road, Uncategorized | Comments Off on British Commercial Vehicle Museum re-opens after Covid Closure

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 →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Harris Your Place – Plan up for Review

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 →

Posted in Road | Tagged | Comments Off on Work Starts on new Western Distributor Road

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 →

Posted in Art, Made in Preston | Tagged | Comments Off on The Harris Open Art Exhibition 2019

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 →

Posted in Rail, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Trains in Preston: A time of change December 2019

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 →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Harris Art Gallery Exhibition – Beautiful and Brutal 50 years of Preston Bus Station

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 →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on A Walk from Preston Station

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 →

Posted in Rail, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Railway Improvements – New trains and electrification Northern Rail

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 →

Posted in Made in Preston, Rail | Tagged , | Comments Off on A visit to The Ribble Steam Railway and Museum

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 →

Posted in Road | Tagged , | Comments Off on Old Tram Road Bridge Closed

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Museum of the Moon at the Harris

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:

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Preston Open Art Exhibition at The Harris

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 →

Posted in Rail | Comments Off on Wires to Bolton

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 →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Made in Preston | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Harris: The Renewal