Author Archives: Pete of MIP

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

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 Heritage Lottery Fund, Preston, Renewal, The Harris | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Tagged Harris Preston Art, Preston Indoor Market, Whittingham Mental Hospital, Windrush Generation | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Preston North End | Tagged Preston North End, Preston North End | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in History, Made in Preston, Rail, Technology | Tagged Deltic, Last steam train, Strand Road West Works | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Made in Preston | Tagged 10 pin bowling, Curling, Entertainment, Preston | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Tagged Art, Harris | Comments Off

Tail winds at BAE Systems Lancashire

Posted on 23 July 2018 by Pete of MIP

First there was Tornado, then there was Typhoon and what next? The concept for the anticipated next aircraft project at BAE Systems in Lancashire and the Royal Air Force has been announced as the Tempest, photographed below. A concept design … Continue reading →

Posted in Aviation, Made in Preston, Political, Technology, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Comics at the Harris

Posted on 10 July 2018 by Pete of MIP

The latest exhibition at the Harris is ‘Comics’. 23rd June to 23rd September 2018. Three large rooms of comic artwork, much of it original so no photography allowed of single pieces of work. Who knew that the artist of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Made in Preston | Comments Off

Fair Do to Northern Rail?

Posted on 16 June 2018 by Pete of MIP

Northern are getting a lot of stick for delays to trains in the North West but is it fair? Since the new timetable came in on 20th May with the newly electrified track and new upgraded trains the system seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Rail | Comments Off

Ikea pull out, will NHS move in

Posted on 16 June 2018 by Pete of MIP

After announcing a month ago that Ikea would be the key store at the new retail area at Cuerden, 3 miles south of Preston, it’s been announced they’re pulling out. Ikea claim costs and delays no longer make the store … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston | Comments Off

Iconic Art at the Harris

Posted on 7 May 2018 by Pete of MIP

If you know the Harris, is an icon ‘Hannibal’s Sister’ or ‘Pauline in the Yellow Dress’? Your choice, but on 28th April we took in a talk by two Sisters from the St Elisabeth Convent in Minsk about creating religious … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Rail Electrification Next Step: April 16th

Posted on 15 April 2018 by Pete of MIP

The electrified line between Blackpool and Manchester is slowly re-opening. Driver training is underway and limited rail services to Blackpool are being introduced as described below. Also Bolton station will be closed on certain weekends as below. On Monday 16th … Continue reading →

Posted in Rail | Comments Off

The Notorious Fishergate Bollards

Posted on 1 April 2018 by Pete of MIP

No blog is complete without a mention of Preston’s Fishergate bollards. Lancashire County Council think they can be seen from the moon. Yet several motorists only feet away have actually gone over the top of them. These bollards have their … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Road | Comments Off

Courtaulds at the Harris

Posted on 1 April 2018 by Pete of MIP

The Preston Courtaulds factory operated from 1939 to 1981 producing Rayon. The display at the Harris shows a video of its history along with worker’s stories, maps and a painting from the Courtauld Gallery in London. The painting was selected … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Ikea at Cuerden

Posted on 31 March 2018 by Pete of MIP

The first Ikea in Lancashire is earmarked for the proposed 160 acre Cuerden retail site at the end of the M65 other retailers are being discussed. This nice green field site is another extension to the built up area south … Continue reading →

Posted in Road, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Preston’s New Market

Posted on 22 February 2018 by Pete of MIP

The Victorian Covered Market has been updated with a stylish structure creating an internal market space under the canopy. On entering from Orchard Street there are 3 smart stalls, as it’s just opened there are a few stalls still being … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Penwortham By Pass

Posted on 14 February 2018 by Pete of MIP

The Penwortham By Pass will run from the A59 to the A582 which runs to the M6/M65 and to Preston. Work started on the new £17.5m bypass in January 2018 and is scheduled to be completed early 2020.

Posted in Road, Uncategorized | Comments Off

New Road Costs increase by £60m

Posted on 14 February 2018 by Pete of MIP

The new Western Distributor Road from the M55 to Blackpool Road was originally around £100m but has now increased to £160m. This is due to two long viaducts being needed and that the original estimate was done without design or … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Delay to Rail Electrification to Manchester

Posted on 16 January 2018 by Pete of MIP

Network Rail announced that electric services on the route from Preston to Manchester have been delayed to December 2018 from May 2018, 7 months. Diesel services will continue but the line will be closed at weekends until September. Weekend Rail … Continue reading →

Posted in Rail, Uncategorized | Comments Off