Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bad Sewage Day with United Utilities

Posted on 29 June 2010 by Pete of MIP

There’s still raw sewage at the neighbours. Can’t say I’m impressed by United Utilities.
Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Bad Sewage Day with United Utilities

England v USA

Posted on 12 June 2010 by Pete of MIP

Here’s hoping for a good result for England. One not too good that it brings over-expectation, one that’s good enough, like 2-0. No goals conceded, a couple of good goals from different players so there’s no over-dependency. Here’s hoping that Wayne only gets … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on England v USA

Council Tax 13 years of excess

Posted on 24 May 2010 by Pete of MIP

Found an old South Ribble council tax bill for 1997 and discovered that since then inflation has increased by about 45% but council tax has increased by over 100%.  A change from £650 to £1350.  That means that the people of South Ribble … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Council Tax 13 years of excess

Lancashire Evening Post without the Lancashire

Posted on 24 May 2010 by Pete of MIP

Two days after Blackpool won promotion to the Premier league, a feat practically on a par with man landing on the moon, and the Lancashire Evening Post website hasn’t a mention of the event. Guess it’s a difficult one balancing … Continue reading →

Posted in Preston North End, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Lancashire Evening Post without the Lancashire

Local Repairman blues

Posted on 16 May 2010 by Pete of MIP

A few years ago our Hotpoint freezer went wrong and we called in a local repairman at under half the price of the Hotpoint man. Nice bloke, said it was an electronic unit that needed sending for repair by exchange. … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Local Repairman blues

Any problem with the coalition?

Posted on 14 May 2010 by Pete of MIP

Amazing things do happen. Having looked at the policies of all the parties and thinking a pick and mix might make a good option.  Such an option has been created in the coalition between LibDems and Conservatives. Good policies that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Any problem with the coalition?

Labour or Conservative best for Lancashire?

Posted on 11 April 2010 by Pete of MIP

Our fourth review seeking the effect of political parties on the region around Preston. This time it’s head to head with the Conservatives and Labour. Not only head to head but neck and neck in some places. With no major … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Labour or Conservative best for Lancashire?

Council Tax 2010 – Preston highest

Posted on 10 March 2010 by Pete of MIP

Council taxes have hardly increased in 2010 / 11.  That appears to be good news although I’m a bit sceptical about why, just before a General Election. Mustn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Preston has increased its Band … Continue reading →

Posted in Political, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Council Tax 2010 – Preston highest

Snowdrops in March

Posted on 26 February 2010 by Pete of MIP

It’s nearly the end of February and snowdrops are out.  I thought that was January’s job.  We’re going to get a rush they say as the season is a month late; crocii, daffodils, tulips, blossom. Most days it’s been around … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Snowdrops in March

1 Year Old

Posted on 18 February 2010 by Pete of MIP

Missed my blogs birthday on February 6th 2010. The Made In Preston Blog is 1 year old and has about 180 posts. I thought it’ll only last a few weeks but it’s still hot. So tonight I’ll pop a bottle of wine and … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on 1 Year Old

H.J.Berry in administration

Posted on 15 February 2010 by Pete of MIP

The old furniture maker in Chipping went into administation this week. A blow to a way of work, skills and manufacturing as well as the staff and village. Last year it featured on Gerry Robinson’s TV programme and he offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on H.J.Berry in administration

December 2009 house prices in Lancashire

Posted on 15 February 2010 by Pete of MIP

According to the Land Registry average house prices in Lancashire reached their lowest in August 09 and have since risen to £117,750 in December 2009,  equal to February 2006. This change is fairly uniform across the range of houses from … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on December 2009 house prices in Lancashire

Angel of Preston

Posted on 14 February 2010 by Pete of MIP

There is a flurry of commentary about placing a statue next to the M6 to symbolise Preston.  One is a semi-buried soldier denoting the historic battles that took place in Preston and the other is a statue symbolising a military … Continue reading →

Posted in Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Angel of Preston

Garden Bird observations in snowy weather

Posted on 10 January 2010 by Pete of MIP

Two Fieldfare birds have been visiting our garden this week.  Have never heard of them before, let alone seen one.  The snow has driven them out of the country and they’ve nearly stripped our holly tree of berry’s. We read … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Garden Bird observations in snowy weather

Coldest for years

Posted on 4 January 2010 by Pete of MIP

Don’t remember a cold spell like this for a long time. Certainly not at this time of year. Seem to recall 1981-ish being very cold in early January.  Went out this morning at 10am and it was minus 3C and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Coldest for years

Avenham, Miller Parks and Lancashire Museum get lottery funding

Posted on 17 December 2009 by Pete of MIP

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG) agreed a grant of £1.75m to Avenham and Miller Parks. This tops up the £2.7m granted in 2005. Also the Lancashire Museum in Stanley Street has been allocated £0.9m from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Avenham, Miller Parks and Lancashire Museum get lottery funding

Peace at Christmas

Posted on 11 December 2009 by Pete of MIP

President Obama made a great speech with many messages in Oslo when receiving his Nobel Peace Prize. The part below stood out as a lesson to everyone if viewed in the context of your personal life. ‘I know that engagement with repressive regimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Peace at Christmas

International Space Station over Preston

Posted on 25 November 2009 by Pete of MIP

The International Space Station with Space Shuttle Atlantis was visible from Preston yesterday morning (24th Nov) at 4.46 and it was very bright (if no clouds), I was in bed and it was probably raining. Atlantis undocked from the International … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, Uncategorized | Comments Off on International Space Station over Preston

House Prices Down but Turning (perhaps)

Posted on 13 November 2009 by Pete of MIP

The Land Registry figures for the end of September show the North West having one of the lowest average house prices in the UK. The North West being Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Manchester and Merseyside. Overall in the North West the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on House Prices Down but Turning (perhaps)

Competition Commission says Stagecoach must sell Preston Bus

Posted on 11 November 2009 by Pete of MIP

 The Evening Post alerted me to the Competition Commission announcement released today that Stagecoach must sell Preston Bus to a bidder able to provide a competitive service. It seems a bit late for this as the deal was done months ago, buses … Continue reading →

Posted in Road, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Competition Commission says Stagecoach must sell Preston Bus