Author Archives: Pete of MIP

Nature: 3 woodpigeons, 1 squirrel, 1 mouse

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

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

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

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

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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Blackpools £100m investment

The government announced the go-ahead for new track and trains along the prom between Starr Gate at South Shore and Fleetwood. A new tram depot is included all to be up and running in 2012. Maybe this is part of the recession beating infrastructure … Continue reading

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Royal Lancashire Show in Preston

The last few years have been disastrous for the Royal Lancashire Show with venues being waterlogged. Now Moor Park is in the frame for the next one. Sounds a great idea. The agricultural show run by the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society … Continue reading

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New Minister of Defence

Bob Ainsworth appointed Minister of Defence. Time was when this was a very big appointment. Now the defence budget is much smaller than the social budgets. It’s still big to Preston though if you work at BAE SYSTEMS. The minister … Continue reading

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Lancashire, The Red Rose county goes blue

After Thursdays election Lancashire County Council now comprises: Con 51, Lab 16, Lib Dem 10, Independant 3, Green 2, BNP 1, Idle Toad 1.  35 seats changed hands. The Conservatives said they’d not increase Council Tax next year.  In the last … Continue reading

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Gordon Brown

I guess you can’t have a blog, whatever its subject, without writing something about the current state of the state. Why pick on Gordon Brown, he hasn’t been accused of exploiting expenses rules?  Yet, as a pensioner myself, I can’t … Continue reading

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North West England Regional Minister

I keep finding these layers of government relating to the area, mainly while searching for something else. Who is aware that Beverley Hughes, an MP in Manchester,  is Minister for North West England.  I think of all these organisations that the North … Continue reading

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Recession north v south

Today’s Times is crowing that the South East is less hit by the recession and will pull the rest of the country up “once again”. Well give us £9bn investment in a northern Olympic city, £20bn in a new underground … Continue reading

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PNE rumour mill

Talk is that Alan Irvine is wanted by Reading, although PNE are denying any offer. Hope it’s true and he stays at Preston. It’s always flattering and you know you have someone worthwhile if a club higher in the table … Continue reading

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Unwanted posts and what an unwonderful world this can be

I’m not getting a lot of genuine comment on this blog, although I don’t mind that.  The blog is fully moderated so posts need approval. Unfortunately the people who think they can automatically get a comment onto this blog that advertises … Continue reading

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Gas and Electricity Prices

We get both our gas and electricity from British Gas Norweb region. Some people say it’s foolish not to move but I’ve found BG tariffs to be competitive.  The downside is that you need to keep an eye on their … Continue reading

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Richard Branson wants to update Preston railway station

Richard Branson spoke at Euston Station and said in return for a longer franchise he would invest to improve the West Coast Line top speed and bring Preston, Crewe and Carlisle stations into the 21st century. Taken at face value … Continue reading

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Voting and Parties in the European Elections – North West England

In the North West we have 12 parties, each with 8 candidates who are ranked in priority. There are 8 seats which is the second highest representation in the UK.  The parties are:  Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green, BNP (British National … Continue reading

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European Parliament Elections

On 4th June there is an election for the European Parliament. So far I’ve received a leaflet from the Conservatives although I don’t know who my MEP is or what he or she does and the leaflet doesn’t tell me. … Continue reading

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Typhoon Tranche 3 initial signature

On May 14th the Prime Minister added his signature to the 4 nation requirement that will start negotiations for tranche 3 of Eurofighter Typhoon.  As is often the case the defenders of budgets in the treasury didn’t want to spend … Continue reading

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PNE v Sheff United 1-2 aggregate in the play-off 1st round

Watched the Deepdale game in full on TV while on holiday overseas. Do the players know how far their fame is spread. Overall PNE put on a decent display and looked threatening but without showing any real flair.  Sheffields goal in … Continue reading

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