Author Archives: Pete of MIP

Blackpools £100m investment

Posted on 11 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 10 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 7 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 6 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 1 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 1 June 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 28 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 28 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 26 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 26 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 23 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 20 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 18 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 18 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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

Posted on 16 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

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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PNE in the play-offs

Posted on 4 May 2009 by Pete of MIP

Two great results.  Birmingham 1 PNE 2, PNE 2 QPR 1. Just ousted Cardiff from the play-offs by scoring 1 more goal than them. So the 6-0 victory must have been fortune smiling down.

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PNE 6 Cardiff 0

Posted on 18 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

One has to say,  jolly good result. Against a team that could still get an automatic promotion spot.  Sealed at least 8th for PNE and 4th still possible although only Burnley have a worse goal difference.  A good season, doing … Continue reading →

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Tithebarn on TV

Posted on 18 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

Blackburn council have distributed 59,000 newspapers outlining their objections to Prestons Tithebarn scheme.   I was impressed that, on BBC Look North, Blackburns council leader seemed to make Preston appear like a major centre that would become even more dominant in the region. It made … Continue reading →

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New nuclear station at Heysham

Posted on 15 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

Heysham nuclear power stations are 20 miles from Preston.  Lancaster is 5 miles away from them and on the route of the prevailing wind. I’ve never particularly  felt threatened by their proximity.  Should we be worried on the grounds of safety that a new … Continue reading →

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Football Finance

Posted on 13 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

After the complaints last year and Derek Shaw giving and retracting notice, the sense of PNE’s conservative financial policy is looking clearer (I’d add that the Made in Preston site has always supported this policy, ref 29/8/07  ).  This seasons financials weren’t … Continue reading →

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