Rail Electrification Plan

Posted on 23 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

The government has released its Electrication Plan with 2 routes given the go-ahead: Manchester to Liverpool and London to Swansea. This effects the north-west as it is planned to re-route Manchester to Scotland trains onto the new route although I’d think Bolton will be the main loser. Also diesel carriages currently being used on the lines to be electrified are to be transferred onto non-electric lines like Manchester – Preston – Blackpool.

I read Northern Trains are already saying that the planned update of their carriages will be hit. My own observation is that Northern operate worse carriages than Trans-Pennine to the extent that you would pay more to go on the better ones, well I would.

The plan also repeats that the line from Manchester to Preston is being considered for electrification. I’d think a large town like Bolton would justify it. It isn’t clear where that leaves Preston to Blackpool as the map doesn’t show that being considered so the Blackpool to Buxton trains will still be diesel whatever.

The plan is available on-line: click here

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Edinburgh Fringe Report

Posted on 20 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Shouldn’t be on this blog but a few August days in Edinburgh.  Six shows, an art exhibition and a few bits and pieces. Our tale as it happened.

Best of John Betjemen – St Cuthberts Church – It’s not advertised as in 2 parts. We only went to the evening performance and discovered that this covers the latter part of his life. Can’t say I’m well up on JB so it was enough. Lance Pierson the actor who recites the life story and poems does a good job of making them come to life and I think is a member of the John Betjemen Society. Good show for showing how poetry can be brought to life, broadening knowledge and a sense of culture if you want that but don’t like JB much.

Art Exhibition – Spain – National Gallery –  I’m not a particular fan of Spain but this awoke some interest. It tells a story through art of the links between Britain and Spain. Whether through art itself or through military and political events that have resulted in art. The different styles and art of Goya and Picasso, with some El Greco and someone beginning with a V, as well as British and Scottish artists who lived or visited.

John Hegley – Pleasance – I’m a fan of JH. This year was an improvement on last years and very good, although he might be overplaying his French family background. His props are good especially the ironing board and Henry. These are one of his strong points as well as his trademark turns of mood. Even up against a baby making sounds right through the act – can’t think how anyone would bring a baby into a show like that – I can probably understand the PC arguments for it even if I don’t agree. Ban the baby.

4 poofs and a piano – Pleasance – A late choice and thought it would be in a small place. No, it’s in a big place. Pretty full as well. One of the best shows for entertainment and upbeat. A bit doubtful at times bringing you into their world of 4 poof behaviour. I’d recommend this to anyone who won’t be upset about their world.

Rhod Gilbert – Pleasance – Big place, full, big build up.  Fast talking bad tempered show. Pretty good, a lot of laughs although you might agree that going insane about a washing machine isn’t worth the bother. Seems to build up to about 10 minutes from the end and then starts to go downhill with a levelling end.

Clive James – Assembly – Conversation with Garrison Keillor around midday in a large hall. This was a late choice and probably my favourite show. Never heard of Garrison but he was interesting. Clive looked a bit worn and admits to being close to death with his creased clothes and walking stiffly and breathlessly across the stage. You might not agree with what he says and sometimes he seems to be just wrong but somehow whatever comes out of his mouth is interesting and entertaining and I want to hear more.

Paul Merton Impro Chums- Pleasance – Sold out and this year we got tickets at last. If you like party games you’d like this and most of the audience seemed to. Personally I hate party games and Paul and his chums were witty at times but it seemed a bit pointless. Wished we’d seen Grave Situation instead by Young Pleasance, I think, their costume and props looked good.

Life of Lola Mendez – New Town Theatre – A youngish cast playing a true (I think) story about a Flamenco dancing lady from Spain or was it Ireland. This was a typical Fringe theatre show and the sort I like to see at Edinburgh. Well played, if overplayed, by people you’ve never heard of with plenty of imagination. Shame we didn’t see more like it.

Went in Canongate Kirk and there was a rehearsal for a Chinese Music Show featuring a counter-tenor. After the hubbub of the Royal Mile this was an oasis of relaxation in a nice church. The rehearsal sounded good and different.

Book Festival – We like to nosey in here and would like to hear a talk but I’m more interested in technology and so my wife has to find something that will be at least tolerable for me. This hasn’t happened yet although I did enjoy hearing Garrison Keillor talking to Clive James so I can feel an in on this.

Meals: David Bann – good veggie meal, staff seemed to be going through the motions. Pizza Express near Holyrood – smart building a bit echo and squeaky, pleasant service. Hendersons Café – OK veggie, well worn but cheapish, friendly chappie cleaning tables.

We’re foot sloggers and came home well worn. Pleasance – Assembly Hall and back becomes a chore – needs a tram line. Princes Street dug up for trams – makes it quiet though. Other thing is watching big names makes you want to queue and this sucks your  time.  Also long queue at the Fringe Booking Office, I’ll do all my booking on the internet next time.

Overall a good visit – must see more theatre and less ‘names’. What would I see again: Clive James, John Hegley and 4 poofs so negating my previous sentence but I’d add in an unheard of or two.

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News and facts on the BBC

Posted on 16 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Off topic. According to the BBC website a new build UK house is just under a third of the size of an Australian or American house. Then in the small print it says the UK survey is based on asking owners of  houses built between 2003 and 2006 located within 1hr of London.  The UK has shrunk to within 1hr of London, one of the most densely populated areas in Europe. How valid is the sample and the measurement? 

Can I guess that the American house survey was based on asking a man walking down a street in Lubbock, Texas who said he owned a ‘ranch’ built last year and said it is pretty big say 40 steer long.   The Aussie house survey was based on the number of  barbies that fit in the barbie storage room in Alice Springs and it was measured as a lot, quite a lot and a few but the biggest is 3 times more than the biggest balcony in Paddington, so there’s the answer.

It was only on the news page.  Why get involved in the details if a story sounds good, plausible and might cause discontent.  Wheel in Joe Egg and he’ll tell us the man in Texas wore a big hat and he thought the barbie was a valid unit in Australia and it would be non-PC to doubt either.

I guess the story is plausible. We visited Queensland and they were chopping down forest, but calling it bush, to build new houses in vast suburbs and the unbuilt land seemed to stretch endlessly beyond.  Nothing like that in London. What about Sydney though?

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Brockholes Wildlife Reserve

Posted on 14 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Great news for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust that its application has been approved by Preston council ( I didn’t know it was in Preston)  to build a Visitor and Education centre on the reserve by the River Ribble. I hadn’t previously thought there was any doubt but the Lancashire Evening Post is reporting objections from local residents about traffic. The Trust is forecasting 250,000 visitors a year. Sounds a lot, could it be optimistic?

The locals had 24hr gravel diggers for several years and I read 30 lorries a day plus the M6 and A59 traffic. They didn’t like the thought of these slow moving cars carrying people with an interest in nature. Looking at the map if the same access road is being used there are about 20 houses nearby and nice houses they are as well although the motorway takes some shine off it.

The North West Development Agency (NWDA) introduces a couple of new terms for me;  Newlands – New Economic Environments via Woodlands which has £59m to spend.  DUNS – Derelict Underused and Neglected Lands Survey. 

As far as DUNS is concerned this was beautiful land before the gravel diggers arrived so I don’t know how this works. Someone moves a load of gravel making some money and leaves a DUNS for the taxpayer to sort out?

The NWDA also states that this land is close to an area in the top 10% of multiple deprivation in the UK. Maybe a bus service will be needed?

The plans which are costing around £8m include a stylish floating building, as it’s on the flood plain and in a water filled gravel pit, and a roofline below the tree height. The total size of the reserve is 106 hectares which is over 100 football pitches and over half of it is existing woodland. It certainly looks and sounds good and I look forward to visiting.  Hope there’ll be hides and decent coffee and not too much motorway noise.

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Earnings of an MP

Posted on 13 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

I was reading some of the fuss from Alan Duncans statement that MP’s are on rations. It isn’t clear if he’s speaking for himself or for MP’s in general.

The economy is a mess and over 2 million are out of work including a lot of youngsters, also MP’s have mis-used their expenses. You might also think an MP would have a mission and salary might only be an issue if you could earn massively more. Also the pension and expenses are generous but the job can be consuming and precarious.

So what should an MP earn?

Someone who earns 50 to 65,000 a year is probably titled something like ‘Head of ….’, just below director.  Better than most but not top dog. So you could say the salary and pension isn’t bad for an ordinary MP without any special responsibilities many of who probably wouldn’t reach that level.  Although attracting top calibre people might be  a problem without the mission factor and I’m not aware of any grading or fast tracking.

So without going into much depth or even understanding it too much I’d conclude that the salary package is reasonable for most MP’s but needs to have recognition for performance in both government and opposition. Some kind of grading.

Alan Duncan is a very visible MP, and maybe that doesn’t make him any better than someone who is great for their constituents, but we are pleased when our MP’s excel on the national level.  So his personal case is good,  just badly timed,  and he should be forgiven.  Probably that wouldn’t be so for about 500 MP’s out of the 645.  Maybe more.

Considering the MP’s in the areas around Preston: Mark Hendrick, David Borrow, Michael Jack, Ben Wallace, Nigel Evans, Rosie Cooper. I wouldn’t say much for or against them but they tend to being worker bees for who the remuneration package is probably fair. Mark Hendrick has got a special role which might give him a bit more. Nigel Evans raises his head from time to time but can’t say I hear much of the others even though one of them is my MP.

As a postscript. It wasn’t apparant on national news but Nigel Evans MP for Ribble Valley was on the secretly taken video and in the Lancashire Evening Post is reported saying he can’t manage on his salary or words to that effect. He is also reported as saying it was a joke. My own opinion is that it sounds so ridiculous that I’d agree it was a joke although I can understand people doubting it based on other remarks MP’s have made. However like Alan Duncan, Nigel Evans is a visible MP and seems well meaning so I’d give him the benefit of any doubt.

Posted in Political | 1 Comment

Day Trip to Blackpool – Rolling Stones and Vulcan

Posted on 9 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

I wasn’t going to write but the worst TV programme I’ve ever seen was driving me crazy in the lounge, something about Jam and Jerusalem. Up till then it’s been a good day with full sun and we went to several events in Blackpool.

First there was an allotment open day near Stanley Park so we had a look in. Some commendable plots and some demonstrating how nature can take over quickly. One lady said the owner next door had been ill and in that year it had grown 4 feet high rushes from the neighbouring marshland.

That was before we went onto Stanley Park which was looking healthy with its floral displays. There was a cool group with the coolest singer on the bandstand making pretty good covers of Rolling Stones numbers – Not Fade Away. Being of the age that NFA was the song of a new era I wanted to join in but one mustn’t be an embarrassing grandpa.  Good turn out as well sitting in the pseudo-Roman ampitheatre by the lake.

There was a steam train taking passengers from Blackburn and Preston to Blackpool in what is being called Wakes Week festivities in Blackpool.  It was intended to see this but the allotment was an unexpected time sucker and we missed it.

Then we walked to the prom to watch the Blackpool Air Display. The new headlands are ideal with steps like an ampitheatre to the sand and it was packed. RAF Typhoon life size replica and a Tornado cockpit. Flying dispaly of Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Extras, Vulcan, Red Arrows and lots more. The Vulcan made a short display with a pass followed by a steep climb away to emphasise the noise and that made it all worthwhile – I felt suddenly exhilarated and wanted to shout yah-hoo but thought it might not have looked too good. Although there was a punk meeting in Blackpool and there were some amazing outfits around who might have sympathised. I thought a lot of them looked a bit self conscious yet it’s good to see people being different. There seemed to be a lot of big motorbikes about as well.

The other thing about the headland is that there is now grass on Blackpool prom and people seemed to like it.  It’s time they finished the prom it seems to have been in progress for years although the bits finished look good.  It was a good day out, didn’t cost much either.  Nearly time to watch Louis Theroux, so neat timing.

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Miller Park to centre link

Posted on 5 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

It’s a long time since I walked from Miller Park into the centre but I noticed that it is proposed to make a cycle and pedestrian greenway linking Fishergate Shopping Centre with Avenham and Miller Parks.  This includes replacing a  missing bridge. Interesting about a missing bridge, I wonder where it was and where it went.  I seem to recall a metal bridge many moons ago somewhere north of the park and crossing the river on the old L&Y bridge is still possible.  Sounds a good scheme and I’ll be looking out for the signs to it.

 

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Pre-season transfers hotting up

Posted on 5 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Alan Irvine bought Paul Parry from Cardiff and Veliche Shumulikoski from Ipswich in the last 2 days. Both players are 28.

Parry is a winger, Shumulikoski a midfielder.

Irvine had been saying the midfield must be strengthened so Shumulikoski fits that. He  was wanted on loan last year but Ipswich didn’t want him to come to Preston, maybe it was because of their proximity in the league.

During the week Alan Irvine starred on Sky Sports with a demonstration of flicking balls into a bag during a public training day.

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Cost of Plastering

Posted on 3 August 2009 by Pete of MIP

Got a quote from a plasterer to re-board a wall and the ceiling and to skim in our smallest room 18 square metres of plaster. £410. 

Sounds a lot although he was recommended by a decorator I know. I thought around £300 a reasonable price. I think he could do it in under 2 days and materials aren’t much. I’ve seen these guys work and plasterers seem to be leaving almost as soon as they arrive. Do you get what you pay for or should I get another quote.

I’ve always avoided plastering but having taken the tiles off, removed the plasterboard on one wall and fitted a frame for a false ceiling I have the urge to carry on and maybe buy  better fittings with the saving. I reckon that 3 sheets of plasterboard, 50kg of plaster, edging, nails and a plasterers toolset will cost under £100.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Sir Bobby Robson

Posted on 31 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Today Sir Bobby Robson died.  His praises are endless and one person said he was on the boundary between the modern and old fashioned manager. With the example of his non-demonstration when Maradonna scored the hand of God goal as traditional but his knowledge of the international game being his way of the new.  He never seemed to be lost for words, lived football and was in some of the greatest games. It looks an enviable life although it wasn’t all roses.

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History of Preston

Posted on 31 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Went to Alston Hall near Longridge today to listen to Stephen Sartin speak about the history of Preston through its Guild Merchant. Stephen Sartin being one of the current  leading historians about Preston although he currently seems more involved in Lancaster.

A lot of interesting points and plenty of anecdotes providing further points for reading . Such as the coat of arms having the sitting lamb of St John the Baptist from around 1600. Before that date it was the standing lamb of St Wilfrid. Most texts I’ve read say the current one is St Wilfrids. Said to be because Wilfrid was too Catholic at that time.

The possibility of a charter earlier than the widely recognised first one of 1179. Also the term ‘custumal’ to represent a statement of the earliest freedoms.  That a town that in those days was small has played a part in many major national events like the civil war and has a thread through time like the Guild Merchant provides a lot to talk about. The passage next  to the Red Lion pub on Church Street, according to Mr Sartin, saw the creation of the invention in a local joiners shop that brought on the factory system a world changing event. Arkwrights Water Frame.  Good stuff.

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Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3a signed

Posted on 31 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Announcement today that the UK has ordered another 40 Eurofighter Typhoons and in total the 4 nations involved 112 aircraft. This is just under half of the full Tranche 3 and is being called Tranche 3a.

Good employment news in the area. Some might say it could have been better but it takes some uncertainty away. This order is only half the quantity originally expected and the Ministry of Defence and RAF are making noises that they don’t want any more Typhoons the difference being taken up by export orders.

Posted in Aviation | 5 Comments

Organic Food investigation report

Posted on 30 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Shock, horror, the newspapers are carrying headlines that say organic food is no more nutritional than non-organic food.

The reputable Food Standards Agency with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have conducted a study with 162 analyses and made the conclusion that organic food contains no additional nutritional value.

Whether there are exceptions I don’t know. Whether organic food produced by someone who cares gives more satisfaction than mass produced, chemically stimulated, processed and perfectly shaped food probably wasn’t in the equation.

I always thought organic farming was about having less in the food. Less chemicals that is.  Less effect on our fellow creatures and less effect on our water supply etc. Less effect on the environment in general. I don’t think the study touched this.

I havn’t read the full report and it sounds lengthy but as a supporter in general of the theme of organic farming I think it’s limited scope misses the target. I’ve never bought organic food thinking it tasted better although I might think it does if it was bread baked in a bakery that cares and maybe makes the bread nice and full, not rubbery and light. I like my food to digest with a natural amount of roughage, why take out the roughage and then have to eat a pile of bran or take tablets to make your body work.  Do I need the dye contained in some foods that a study last week shows is one of the few things that penetrates certain internal membranes so helping a new drug to cure nerve damage.

So please file the report under ‘blinkered studies’ and send the cheque from the taxpayer to the School of Tropical Medicine with a note of thanks. It’s not their fault they did what they were asked to do.

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F35 JSF engine work in East Lancs

Posted on 29 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Rolls Royce announced it is investing in new plant at its Barnoldswick facility in East Lancashire to make engine fan blades for the Joint Strike Fighter.  The total investment in product development across the UK by RR and the government is valued at £300m. 

Earlier in the year the Barnoldswick plant was subject to job losses so this is a boost in the area. Overall it adds to the north-wests part in the aircraft and defence manufacturing industry and this has both an upside and a downside.  The upside being the jobs are generally highly skilled and quite well paid but the downside being subject to the fluctuations of one sector. Particularly the F35 which will have a large airframe facility at BAE SYSTEMS Samlesbury. Good news for jobs in the next few years anyway.

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Quadrophenia

Posted on 24 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Went to the Grand Theatre in Blackpool to see Quadrophenia. Was a lot better than I expected.  Being someone who liked the Who I’m surprised that I wasn’t aware of it. It’s an interesting story of a rebellious youth who has four elements to his personality so there are 4 actors on stage as well as his mates and girlfriends. All in 60’s gear going to Brighton.  The music is good and the acting was good. It’s an opera so it’s all singing with some Who numbers thrown in.  Got a bit lost with the plot late in the second half but the final number is good and well sung.  The actor reminded me of the Clockwork Orange actor whose name escapes me. Is it Roddy MacDowell? Pretty loud show well done.

Some folk outside with scooters added to the atmosphere.

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Tatton RHS Show 2009

Posted on 24 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Drove down the M6 to Tatton for an enjoyable day at the show on Thursday.  Is it that we don’t listen to the weather forecast or that it’s never as they say. Expected the show to be pretty waterlogged but it was quite dry and where there was water they put down wood chippings and it was pretty warm and sunny till 2pm when a couple of showers went by.  

Thought this years was the best one I’ve been to and I’ve been to most. A fuller story with photos is on the website. Click here to read it .

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PNE ins and outs

Posted on 20 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Paul McKenna signed for Notts Forest today. He’s a PNE vet and was captain. Seems PNE got a good price, said to be £750,000, and Paul was pleased to get some cash in his pocket and said he was pleased to join Forest. Although I suppose he would say that. Hope he isn’t another vet who moves into the Premier League after leaving North End.

Simon Whaley left for Norwich. He was a player who seemed to have mixed performances.

Chris Neal, goalie, left for Shrewsbury. Alan Simpson land.

North End beat an Austrian team 11-0 although that was eclipsed by Villareal beating a team 27-0.  Not sure what to think as I thought there was a sort of gentlemens agreement about trouncing teams in friendlies. OK so you’re a fully trained and coached footballer. Well done, do you beat up small children as well.

Loads of money being sloshed about and yes I think it’s OK if the money is there and the player is an exceptional talent. Then there is the game of chess. A rich club put in a large bid with no intention of buying so another club with less money has to up its offer and spend all its got. That’s business, what a laugh for the poor fan paying a fortune to watch.

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Newspaper deliveries cancelled

Posted on 18 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

Told today that a newsagent in South Ribble is stopping delivering newspapers because they can’t get anyone to deliver them.

We all need to run our own businesses as best we can but from what I heard this newsagent hasn’t asked anyone what they’d be willing to pay for delivery and hasn’t offered an alternative.  I have no idea what a delivery person gets paid but I think I’d probably pay more than I do for my delivery.

Who is losing out here? If it was my newsagent I’d not go there anymore as it’s not in a place I normally go to. I wouldn’t get a paper every day if it wasn’t delivered. So both the newsagent and the paper would be losing and you’d think it in their interest to sort it.

As it is, newspapers are getting a lot more expensive. I noticed that mine now costs 90p a day and at the weekend a lot more.  The weekend paper is full of supplements that go straight in the bin so there is a loss of value there.

The South Ribble newsagent must be losing customers due to high prices and the recession but just cuts off those who aren’t questioning the cost without making any attempt to keep them. Must be running a gold mine.

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Wind Turbine near Garstang

Posted on 16 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

A planning debate on a new Wind Turbine near Garstang has been on-going for nearly 2 years and it appears that the turbine is to be built after the local council was over-ridden by the Planning Inspectorate. 

This is an interesting microcosm of a national debate where it is said that over half of the planned ‘green’ energy turbines are being blocked by local opposition. The old debate about national need v local inconvenience. 

The single turbine near Garstang is about 500 metres from the nearest house and has a mast 80m (250ft) high and turbines that extend to 120m (400ft) high. It will generate up to 1MW of power for the Dewlay Cheese Factory on windy days. 

It is said that around 300 letters objecting to the proposal have been written with a variety of reasons including the risk of car crashes caused by distracted drivers. It is little surprise that the local council should reject the plan as they havn’t much to gain by letting it through unless Dewlay made the unlikely decision to shut shop. 

As a citizen of the UK is it right that remote windmills inconveniencing very few people a little bit should be blocked. What alternative power sources are the blockers proposing. A nuclear power station on someone elses doorstep or a barrage across Morecambe Bay?  I pass Dewlay a few times a year and it appears to be quite isolated. When I get out of my car either in Garstang or Scorton I’m met by noise from the motorway that really does cause irritation. There are a couple of lines of pylons in the Garstang area as well.

 It’s a bit like the on-going war between Cantaxx and the locals about storing gas underground in Wyre. I have a lot of sympathy with locals about the risks involved but also noted that the government said the UK has the lowest amount of gas storage in Europe and is therefore vulnerable to shortages. Once again local opposition is a factor.

 Where safety is a factor there must be restrictions but if a few people can see and even fewer hear a single turbine in the distance as well as some pylons and a motorway should we have sympathy.

 As a final test I looked out of our window and there is a small hill over roofs about 500yds away. I think it would be enhanced by an impressive 400ft high wind turbine. Although I don’t believe in carte blanche situation of windmills. Shame they aren’t like the old windmills which brings on another stream of mixed thoughts.

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Criced – England v Australia

Posted on 12 July 2009 by Pete of MIP

I learnt the Welsh for cricket. Yes, it’s criced.  Pronounced crickedd probably.

What is the relevance of that?  England are playing the first test away, in Wales.

AT this moment England only need 100 runs to avoid an innings defeat with only the tail enders remaining. Anything other than defeat seems unlikely.

As it’s on Sky I havn’t seen any but you have to hand it to the Aussies they made it appear like they were playing a poor team when these are the best we have.  So what to do about it?  It seems England have no worthy bowlers so is it possible to develop a fielding plan to compensate or are there any alternative bowlers.  Is the captain up to it?  I’ve no idea, it seems that anything involving a bat or racket and England are out. Then again it’s only the first test and if a lesson is to be taught it’s best to get it early.

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