Author Archives: Pete of MIP

English Electric Canberra 60 years old

Posted on 13 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

 Just read Aircraft Illustrated, May 2009, and the big article with loads of pictures about it being 60 years in May since the first flight of the Canberra.  Some interesting stuff about the choice of name that I hadn’t read before. First … Continue reading →

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PNE 0 Blackpool 1

Posted on 12 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

Sounds like PNE should have won but didn’t really do the stuff. Over 21,000 there as well. Even if PNE get max points they’ll be struggling to get near the top 6. Stranger things have happened at sea though. Blackpool … Continue reading →

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North – South Divide

Posted on 10 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

Interesting programme on BBC last night. John Harris a Mancunian living in the south travelled to Yorkshire, Godalming and Cambridge to find out if there was a north south divide. Apparently people in the south don’t recognise such a thing … Continue reading →

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Local Newspapers

Posted on 10 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

I keep reading about the difficult times the local newspapers are having. I don’t buy the Lancashire Evening Post but I look at their website a lot and enjoy reading some of the comments people make under the articles. The … Continue reading →

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Manufacturing job losses in Blackpool

Posted on 9 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

EMCON Technology are an American company who make vehicle exhaust products at factories at Warton and Squires Gate, Blackpool. The Blackpool Evening Gazette says it was announced today that 100 jobs will be moved abroad from Squires Gate and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Road, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

BAE shares up

Posted on 8 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

I was reading that the US defence budget has been cut and it sent BAE shares up as it’s thought their business might actually increase. At risk are some of the big US projects like the Raptor for which BAE, … Continue reading →

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Brockholes Wetland at junction 31 of M6 / A59

Posted on 7 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust got funding to turn the gravel workings by the River Ribble and M6 into a wetland and has now received more funding to create a Visitor Centre which will open in 2010.  The official name is the Brockholes Wetland … Continue reading →

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CD factory closure in Blackburn

Posted on 5 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

Disappointing to see a factory closure imminent, not too far away in Blackburn. An American company called EDC, Entertainment Distribution Company, is closing the CD replicating facility that employs over 200 people in mid-year. The factory was bought by EDC in … Continue reading →

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Antiques Road Show filming at Blackpool

Posted on 3 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

We read that the Antiques Road Show was filming in Blackpool Tower Ballroom today and decided to take a look. After a sunny week it was misty on the front with a cool breeze at 9am. We arrived just after it … Continue reading →

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A59 improvements

Posted on 2 April 2009 by Pete of MIP

Beautiful day. Drove from the M6 along the A59 towards Samlesbury. New traffic lights outside the Swallow Hotel controlling traffic from Walton Le Dale. About time really, it always was a close your eyes and hope for the best type … Continue reading →

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PNE Football League Award

Posted on 30 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

PNE won Best Fan Marketing Campaign at this years Football League Awards ceremony last night.  They were also nominated for two other similar awards.  It’s only on the BBC at the moment, here is a link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7971194.stm It’s not on … Continue reading →

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Riding the Ribble Tidal Bore

Posted on 28 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Found a blog today called ‘Save the Ribble’. It’s against the Riverworks project but has a posting dated 15th February where the writer rode the Ribble Tidal Bore and got stuck on mud flats. An enjoyable read with humour reminiscent of Three … Continue reading →

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Salford Quays visit

Posted on 28 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

How far out of Preston can I write about, probably not as far as Salford but here goes. We had a day out there earlier this week, not a bad drive along the M602 and a couple of right turns.  … Continue reading →

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Scottish Independence and Lancashire

Posted on 27 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

I was reading about a politician in Dundee who moved from Labour to the SNP and handed over power in the city council. Independence is only a step away maybe.  Wonder if it could happen to the whole country and if it would … Continue reading →

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Our garden v the RSPB

Posted on 25 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

The RSPB listed the results of its Garden Survey 2009 today.  The results for Lancashire in Birds per Hour (bph) are;  Starling 4.77 , House sparrow 3.50, Blackbird 2.77, Blue tit 2.25, Collared dove 1.60, Chaffinch 1.57, Long tailed tit 1.41, Goldfinch … Continue reading →

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PNE: Countdown

Posted on 24 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

6 games to go, 3 at home. It will be a miracle if PNE get into the play-offs, they’ll need to win at least 4 games as they’re 5 points adrift assuming Cardiff make some use of their games in … Continue reading →

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NHS, Royal Preston Hospital, high marks

Posted on 24 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

I’ve been reading about poor care in hospitals, mainly the Stafford incident.  They always bring out the complainers.   Over a year ago I had two minor operations as a day patient at Preston in the plastic surgery ward. I want to say that … Continue reading →

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Building on the flood plain

Posted on 21 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

More shops are announced for the Capital Centre in Walton Le Dale. Quite a good spot,  just over the boundary from Preston.  It is on the flood plain of the river though. I don’t recall when Walton was last flooded … Continue reading →

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Visit to Blackpool and Green Party

Posted on 21 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Decided to look in at Blackpool today. The Green Party conference is there and we thought maybe we’d get some green ideas from some stalls. Their website wasn’t too encouraging as it said you needed a ticket but we thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Motorway accidents and traffic announcements

Posted on 21 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Travelling south on the M6 yesterday there was a plague of interrupting traffic news about roadworks on the B6576 in Oswaldton from Radio Lancashire.  Yet later heading back there was no news but I met a sign saying motorway closed ahead.  Apparently the M6 had been … Continue reading →

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