Ronnie Clayton – Preston born star of Blackburn Rovers

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

On October 29th Ronnie Clayton, the famous Blackburn Rovers midfielder of the 1950’s and 60’s, died aged 76. Making his first team debut at the age of 17, playing for England at 20 and captaining England at 25 and yet continuing to work in the local newsagency he owned in Darwen.  Somehow after going to school in Preston, Fishwick, he was spotted by Blackburn and went there. In Blackburn he is revered and regarded as a gentleman with a common touch much as Tom Finney is in Preston.

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Defence Review

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Pete of MIP

The defence review announced on the 19th October ended the UK requirement for Harrier, Nimrod MRA4 and vertical take off F35 which all provide work in the local BAE SYSTEMS factories.  The Nimrod has been in work for well over 10 years and much of the design and development is complete although upgrades and support would be expected. The Harrier fleet is a support activity but its termination coupled with end of the the vertical take-off F35 requirement reduces the UK foot in the door of advanced technology that was gained with the Harrier some 40 years ago.

What the implications are for the the status of the UK in the F35 programme will unfold as the details are finalised. Not to ignore the Rolls Royce involvement. Samlesbury has major investment due to the F35 and it would be bad for the region if this was affected.

That the Tornado and Typhoon continue as the RAF’s prime fighters is good news.  No mention of the future of unmanned aircraft projects although the French relationship is increasing overall which might be a clue.

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Liam Fox in Saudi Arabia supporting local industry

Posted on 24 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

It is reported the UK Minister of Defence Liam Fox is meeting the King of Saudi Arabia and will discuss potential arms sales.  The US has recently announced the sale of $100bn of arms to the region and the UK is hoping to gain a share of the market. This could include further sales of Typhoon and ships. The UK also sent a high level delegation to Brazil in the wake of the French and Italians who have already staked their positions and David Cameron visited India to promote the industry. It has been commented that the last government didn’t provide enough support to arms sales and there is a lot of ground to be made up in re-establishing contacts and position. The UK has traditionally been a major supplier of arms to enable friendly countries to defend themselves and to create alliances as well as to fund continued technological development.

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High Speed Rail to go ahead

Posted on 23 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

It was announced this week that the extension of high speed rail north from London will go ahead and not be part of a spending reduction. The statement was that building would begin in 2015 to Birmingham and then be extended to Manchester and Leeds.  The route to Scotland that could go via Preston was not mentioned and no doubt there will be debate about whether to build a west coast or east coast line.  As expected every part of the route is subject to objections, in particular the route through the Chilterns. Also whether to build a loop to Heathrow or a spur is being discussed, the loop allowing through trains.

A high speed rail link can bring major advantages to the areas it touches and the plan of completing the route to Manchester by 2027 seems too late.  Also the benefit of a Heathrow loop to allow fast travel from the north to Heathrow is vital to reduce the need for extra runways in the south.

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Andrew Flintoff – Freeman of Preston retires

Posted on 18 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

On the last day of the cricket season Andrew Flintoff MBE, Freeman of Preston, former captain of the Lancashire and England cricket teams, 2005 BBC sports personality of year, 2005 joint cricketer of the year, scorer of the most 6’s for England announced his retirement from cricket after a battle against injury.

Scoring almost 3,000 runs and taking over 250 wickets in international  matches the highlight of his career was his role in the Ashes win in 2005 where he scored 9 sixes and took 7 wickets in one game. This was one of the all time best and a tightly played Ashes series which broke years of Australian dominance. Afterwards, in 2006, Andrew was awarded the MBE and became a Freeman of Preston.

Born in 1977 in Preston he attended Greenlands Primary School in Ribbleton and then Ribbleton Hall High.  Throughout his youth Andrew excelled at cricket playing for St Annes and Lancashire.  He continued to develop in the international game and became a national favourite of the fans with his outgoing, laddish joviality and big game temperament. He’ll be missed.

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Burnley 1 Referee 3 PNE 3

Posted on 11 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

North End live on BBC2 today and looking good at 3-1 in the lead. Then a bit of an incident where Burnley thought a PNE player had handled although it looked one of those unavoidable handballs.  The ref looked a bit worried that he’d missed something and moments later sent off the North End player for a totally trivial offence. Was this evening the score?  Anyway it changed the match and Burnley scored 3 goals against 10 man PNE.

To me it was a good reason not to watch football. I wonder why you should pay so much and have the result skewed on a whim.

Strangely having looked at the Evening Post website at 10.30pm  there is only a small article tucked away well down the page and not a single letter from a fan.   Am I missing something or is the LEP blacked by PNE fans.

Posted in Preston North End | 1 Comment

3rd degree vulnerability in Preston

Posted on 10 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

The data research company Experian has published an analysis that shows the areas around Preston to be more vulnerable than average to government cut-backs.  Out of 324 areas Preston and its surroundings are generally in the third quartile 0r positioned around 250th.  The main reasons given are that people are vulnerable to long term unemployment, low numbers of self-employed and professional workers, as well as some areas having vulnerable employment.

In the region Burnley, Hyndburn and Blackpool are below the 300th. In many ways much of this could be guessed but it puts more focus on those areas and these areas should be looking for assistance from the government rather than cut-backs.  The BBC contains fuller information.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11233799

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BAE trims its cloth

Posted on 10 September 2010 by Pete of MIP

Around 450 jobs are to go at BAE SYSTEMS Warton and Samlesbury plants out of a total of 950 that will be shed nationally.  In such a large company it could be expected that there will be a lot of volunteers and redeployment but with the Strategic Defence Review approaching the company workforce could be in for a rocky time so transferring to another site might not be a good move.

Over the years there have been many ups and downs and the factories in the north west have benefitted from consolidation of the industry.  With the rump of the aircraft sector now being in the north-west there isn’t a lot more consolidation available and changing technologies mean new types of aircraft are being developed with new companies entering the market as well as new countries.

Over the years this industry has done well for the region and there is little opportunity for similar work possibly in the UK so any damage could further degrade the UK skilled engineering base.  Reduce the potential for exports and influence while creating a need to import these expensive products: double losses all round.  Not to mention the small factories all over the north-west who supply parts.

At the moment it hasn’t come to major reductions and Liam Fox commented that he wanted new technology to be introduced rather than upgrading old products.  Upgrading is a useful piece of business but the prestige of producing a new and complete product creates a more solid core and a reputation that brings customer confidence and a position of strength in negotiations with potential partners.

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PNE in 21st place at the end of August

Posted on 29 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

Not the best start to the season. Scoring one goal in 4 games and playing 2 teams who are struggling.

Interesting controversy about Portsmouth being a premium game with an entrance charge of £30. PNE need to get some money in but £30 is a lot to pay.  Is football on a par with the cinema or a show.  Theatre can cost £20 outside a city but then most people don’t go to the theatre every couple of weeks.  So maybe £10 for a casual spectator to £15 for a fanatical supporter at a Championship football match seems reasonable.  Although no doubt the die-hards would want that reversing.  Maybe the charge should increase as the clubs position improves and premium games sounds a good scheme from such a base.

There are options to make a contribution to the club on the PNE website and from £35 to £48 a year there is a subscription to match highlights and live commentary with news-shots. It isn’t clear who gets how much money for this as the subscription goes to the Football League. Someone has to manage it as it would be difficult to set up as a club so it seems a reasonably priced option to contribute to PNE. 

Use it or lose it is a good adage and a football club puts a place on the map.  Blackpool are saying the advertising from this season couldn’t be bought, and is Wigan a better known place than Lancaster nowadays, certainly is. So there is value to the ratepayers for a contribution.

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Industrial Revolutionaries in Preston

Posted on 24 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

The Industrial Revolutionaries is a display at the Harris Museum in Preston.  The revolutionaries are the people who made an impact in Preston and include cotton magnates and reformers, mill workers and inventors.  The display was funded by a number of organisations to make that key part of Preston’s history come alive for locals and tourists.  This is achieved to some degree although if you already have a decent knowledge of local history it might not be deep enough whereas to many it will be just right. 

Entering the museum it isn’t obvious where the display is if you come in when the monitor is showing something else. It’s on the third floor.

The information is in a modern well presented display made of a number of islands in subdued light. The story is formed around 7 people in different segments of society which can still be recognised to this day in the UK wrapped in 200 years of new legislation while the changes from rural to urban industrial can be seen today in the development of China.  As a side issue, sort of worrying about where we are heading, we need some new inventors in the north west. 

For me the most interesting part was the 100 year old film of the raw cotton being processed into material in the Yard Mill.  Looking at the workers, their reactions to the camera and thinking they were walking round Preston over a 100 years ago sparked curiosity.  Ladies in shawls, men in flat caps or bowlers.  We see where the flat cap worker image comes from in the north, whereas in the south it often represents the wealthy country gentleman.  The story of the workhouse and prison reform was interesting as well.  They’re all interesting and even though it might not appear too deep there is enough, as it would be a good test to name the main characters on leaving. I’d fail. 

It would be good if this could be made into a permanent exhibition coupled with updating the History of Preston exhibition.  Having been ‘Stuarted’ which is  a term used for those intercepted and spoken to by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable museum worker Stuart, it appears that to do that will cost a lot of money and probably at this time the cash will be difficult to find.  If I win the Euro Millions maybe. Been to see this twice now and overall it’s definitely worth a visit. On until 6th November 2010.  Website;  http://www.revolutionaries.org.uk/index.php

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Southport Flower Show 2010

Posted on 19 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

Visited the Southport Flower Show today, Thursday, only 16 miles from Preston along the A59.  Enroute was impressed by the large flat fields that are now on the Ribble Estuary.  Don’t recall fields being that far out before. Would it be worth laying a road towards Lytham that could be used at low tide.  Around half a million people live on the Fylde and millions travel to Blackpool, such a link might benefit the regions on both sides of the river and be an interesting novelty crossing. 

The flower show was a lot better than expected. Spread over Victoria Park fairly close to the centre of Southport. Lots to see including; mmmm …..flowers, stalls selling mainly garden stuff but quite a lot of fashion and food producers; had an excellent steak pie in great pastry from the food tent.  There is an arena and a bird handler had a very large eagle and vulture which were one of the high spots, incredible, as well as dog handlers and some stunt men.

The Amateur Gardening Tent was good with some excellent veg; leeks bigger than your arm. Very tasty looking fruit presentations and flowers.  All kind of horticultural displays including Robinsons Mammoth Onion, interesting modern floral displays, show gardens with an impressive winner. 

Enjoyed the Bee and honey tent, photo below of the display winner in one category. That’s a lovely old hive and the display had 4 types of hive. 

A long day arriving at 10 and leaving at 4 which is unusual for us and it seemed there was more catering at Southport than at Tatton so the queues were shorter.  Good day out, on until Sunday, not cheap, save money by booking tickets in advance.  Maybe you book ahead and pick them up at the show, check.

Southport Flower Show 2010 - Bee and Honey displays

Southport Flower Show 2010 - Bee and Honey displays - nice hive

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Game 2: Swansea 4, PNE 0

Posted on 14 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

Nothing much to say, looks pretty bad.

The case for the defence:
It is said PNE have never done well at Swansea. 
It is said PNE players are coming back from injury. 
It is said it’s early yet.

To use the words from the film ‘High Noon’.

‘I do not know what fate awaits me I only know I must be brave’.

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Blackpool 11, Preston 3*

Posted on 14 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

A wake up call. The elected Preston council is struggling to get its projects put into place. Tithebarn, Winckley Square, Flag Market are being thwarted. On transport the bus sale has been done and redone, and light rail proposals seem uncertain.  The football team is in difficulty and the National Football Museum lost.   Successes have been the Deepdale Retail Centre, updating the football ground, updating St Georges and probably the biggest success;  UCLan. 

Compare that with Blackpool who looked lost not long ago when the casino plans were rejected.  Since then the promenade has been rebuilt for £100m with more to come, a new main shopping mall built, several streets and main square pedestrianised. A light rail system and depot is replacing the trams, the Tower and Winter Gardens have been taken over by the council and a £40m grant obtained.  The Central Library is about to be given a £3m modernisation. A central gateway has been built enabling fast access to the town centre. A large sound and light effects structure has been built along the length of a shopping street with an EU grant.  The Pleasure Beach and South Pier have announced £10m of investment in the next year.  Not to mention the football team and its ground. Granted it still looks like a building site but all these are underway or done.

Blackpool has 11 major improvements. Preston possibly 3*.   Yes, Blackpool is only making up lost ground. Preston is still ahead on points overall but wouldn’t it be good to get some great new stuff. Shouldn’t those stalled projects get better attention or is it too late now with the economy needing the heat turning down.

Note:  *Tithebarn could be worth 8 points to make the score equal.

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Garstang Agricultural Show

Posted on 7 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

Went to the Garstang Show today. Bit worried the car would be stuck in the field but it was pretty dry. 

The bulls are creatures of awe bellowing at the cows, not sure what it was about but imagined. Horses, sheep, miniature goats, bantams, rabbits, dogs, budgerigars and some alpaca they’re all there.  The miniature goats had quite a following and made quite a nice squeaking sound.

Enjoyed the country tent with the vegetables, flowers, cakes and childrens work. Cheese tent as well. The children in Garstang did a great job with those displays. Especially the poems, miniature gardens and drawings.  There was a nice crocodile made from a cucumber and several excellent drawings of grandad and grandma and other good ideas.

The food tent was good as well. Nice looking pies, jams and other  good stuff. Quite fancied a hot pot in the Eden Valley tent but my wifes a vegetarian and so we went to separate stands.

The Womens Institute tent had a lot going on and learnt the Roman name for Garstang but forgot it. Had a coffee in the Methodist tent.

Overall a lot going on and stayed a lot longer than intended.

Garstang Agricultural Show 2010, childrens competition

Garstang Agricultural Show 2010, childrens section

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PNE 0 Doncaster Rovers 2

Posted on 7 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

First game of the season and PNE are in good company as Middlesbrough and Reading lost at home as well.  Do names matter though. 

Last season PNE won all their opening games and in the end just managed to escape relegation.  This season they might lose all their opening games and get promoted.  Hope is what makes humans resilient.

As part of a personal campaign for summer relaxation, football is being almost ignored until 1st September.

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Inception

Posted on 2 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

Best film for ages, began to feel high at the fantastic idea behind it. Need to keep alert to follow the multi-threaded story. Great music. Was I dreaming?

Couldn’t help thinking Leonardo Di Caprio has developed a hint of Marlon Brando or was it the part.

Posted in Not particularly Preston, Technology | Comments Off on Inception

Leyland bus name slips into Blackburn

Posted on 1 August 2010 by Pete of MIP

The Leyland name is once more associating itself with bus manufacture in Lancashire.  Optare the Leeds based bus manufacturer who bought out East Lancashire Coachbuilders of Blackburn have agreed that Ashkok-Leyland of India will buy a 26% stake in the company.   There is quite a mis-match in size as the Indian company makes thousands of commercial vehicles a year and is higher valued than Optare.

Ashkok-Leyland is owned by Hinduja Group and has factories in India as well as the UAE and East Europe. The company began in 1948, although the tie up with Leyland in the 1950’s created the name Ashkok-Leyland. It has manufacturing and technology agreements with Nissan and Avia as well as its own research.  The tie up with Optare provides Optare technology while giving Optare access to A-L lower cost sources and wider market base.

It is forecast that the total Indian workforce will grow to be larger than that of China by 2030 and rise to a billion by 2040. If the forecast is accurate and the planet can sustain such numbers it will create a massive market that will be a magnet for worldwide manufacturers. India is training engineers at a rate not heard of here for a long time and they are generally looking to be self sufficient.  Survival in the world market requires strategic intelligence as well as technological prowess and carefully controlled costs and it is hoped that Optare can cleverly tread through this minefield to continue as a British manufacturer with design and development in the UK.

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PNE pre-season friendlies start

Posted on 26 July 2010 by Pete of MIP

July, and next years season is getting into gear with the first friendlies.   Seems a bad idea.  Surely the season should start on 1st September or maybe August Bank Holiday with a couple of friendlies in the week before. Especially with the World Cup ending what seems like yesterday.

Sir Alec Ferguson is backing a winter break to the season.  It seems a good idea.  Long ago players would skate on ice and wade through mud but now they are superfit athletes playing at lightning speed and it seems inappopriate. Not to mention such conditions favouring the physical players who like to give the more skilful players we all want to see a hard time. It also means clubs need more players to ensure they can rotate and cover for injuries so a break might make those clubs more solvent and enable better players to move to lower clubs.  A break would make the fixture list more compressed so something else might have to give and that sometimes takes money away from less wealthy clubs. Not to mention the TV companies not being in favour. So overall it looks like a non-starter.

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Sunday morning cruising in Preston

Posted on 25 July 2010 by Pete of MIP

This morning, Sunday, was warm and bright and it was necessary to drive across Preston quite early. Just the day to take a leisurely detour. It’s times like this when Preston looks very pleasing, so much greenery, several old buildings and generally looking in decent condition.

The A6 from Broughton, left at the Black Bull to pass the hospital, nice area. The old hospital and workhouse at Sharoe Green is a character building and some kind of public museum facility would be a great feature there. Then all those trees lining Watling Street Road and it was tempting to go into some of the side streets as they have a  lot of character as well. Turning right at the old 1840 Barracks into Deepdale Road.  Past the PNE football ground which is so transformed and contrasting with the trees and  park across the road.  The former Park Grammar school looking quite small nowadays.  Was impressed by the cleaned up architecture of the offices at the old Bus Depot, had never noticed it before. Then a bit further on the original former Preston Royal Infirmary is an attractive building. The well built stone fronted terraced houses are a stand out feature as is the small green area just further along the road.  At the end of Deepdale Road is the old harsh looking prison building. Deepdale Road has a barracks at one end and a prison at the other and they’re both built using those large old stone blocks that look like they would withstand a bomb.  

Just round the corner on London Road is the remaining wall of the former Horrocks Mill complex that once took up a quarter of Prestons centre. While across the road is the Lancashire Museum building in a fine old house, a church and another Horrocks Mill just along New Hall Lane. Travelling out of Preston on London Road down the hill to the river is a view of trees and hills that reminds you that Preston is on the edge of lush and remote countryside. At the bottom of the hill is the river bridge where Jacobite armies crossed and fought and Joseph Livesey lived nearby while forming the Teetotallers. There’s so much heritage in Preston.  It was a pleasant drive, quite lifting.

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What’s in a name: The Mall re-named St Georges

Posted on 25 July 2010 by Pete of MIP

Will confess that it isn’t too long ago that I realised that the name of St Georges Shopping Centre had been changed to The Mall mall and now it’s reverted to St Georges.  Seems a mistake to call a mall The Mall. Like calling your house House, perhaps in Street Street.  St Georges is the long term name of the area of Preston it is in and is England’s patron saint so there are two good reasons for it to be known as St Georges. It was always St Georges Shopping Centre, not mall, but no worries.  Good to move forward without breaking all links with the past.

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