Category Archives: Uncategorized

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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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 →

Posted in Political, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

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 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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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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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

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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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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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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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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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

Tithebarn v Talbot

Posted on 17 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Blackpool announced the go-ahead of its Talbot Gateway re-generation today costing almost £300m. A company called Muse (formerly Amec) are to build it starting next year. Unlike Prestons plan it has no flagship shop but  includes hotels, cinema, supermarket, bus station … Continue reading →

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Fylde visit

Posted on 12 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

Tuesday 10th March a springlike,  sunny day. Take a trip to Cleveleys – the new promenade looks good, people are sitting in the sun looking at the sea and there is clear visibility to the Lake District and the snow covered fells.  … Continue reading →

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Planning for planners in the North West Region

Posted on 9 March 2009 by Pete of MIP

After my note below on Preston Vision I was reading about the vision and the North West Development Agency when another group came into focus.  They are 4NW. A cliche ridden name, can’t say I’d heard of it before. This … Continue reading →

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