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Preston Bus Station Demolition

A Preston Councillor was interviewed on Friday’s BBC North West Tonight. The gist of his statement was that the council could not afford to refurbish and keep open Preston Bus Station while it was under pressure on budgets for front line services.

This is the opposite to what he should have said. In times of hardship it is the duty of the council to think beyond the short term and protect the long term resources of Preston. If we destroy significant buildings to pay for a bit of short term difficulty there will be nothing of merit left. Good things always cost more than poor things.

To destroy infrastructure to pay for services is like knocking down your house to pay for heating. Soon there will be nothing to heat. We are often told that infrastructure comes from a different budget to front line services, however, it seems when it suits them it doesn’t.

Another factor is what interest rates can local authorities borrow at, and what grants are available to maintain such buildings. Blackpool Council purchased the Tower and Winter Gardens using the argument that a local authority can borrow much more cheaply than a company. The Tower is operated by Merlin Entertainments who pay the council. Perhaps no-one is interested in operating a bus station and car park but what options have the council considered?

It seems that this is a very serious decision by the council and the public should be advised how the decision was made and what the options are. In Winckley Square the council proposed swinging letters, searchlights and a totem pole, this doesn’t inspire confidence that this decision is wise.

Preston Bus Station to be destroyed by lack of vision

Preston Bus Station an iconic building to be demolished.
Demolition of Preston Bus Station will leave an anonymous space where once was a late 20th Century icon.

Preston Bus Station destroyed by vandals might be a bit hard.  Yet Preston Council have neglected the building and then announced that it will cost too much to refurbish. Even though it is one of Preston’s main features.

Quoting huge costs the council seeks to justify its case. Yet in nearly every case it looks like the council has opted for Gold Plated Solutions Ltd to do the work and since when did a council pay £2m interest on a £23m loan.

The council has let it deteriorate so it doesn’t look so good at close inspection and many will be taken in by that.  Yet from a distance it becomes more iconic with every passing year. Along with the Harris Museum and St Walburge’s it is surely a symbol of Preston and how it was prospering beyond the cotton era.

It is situated a mile from the railway station so if they said it was being moved then maybe that would increase the case. Or if they said something equally magnificent was going in its place. But no, this end of the centre is going to become a small bus station and a car park.  Welcome to Preston or is it Bury or Blackburn.  Maybe like Blackpool it will have no bus station and no-one knows where the buses are and they jam the streets.

There might be an option for knocking down half of it to leave a shortened building although no doubt that would be said to cost even more.

There is something solid and magnificent that adds to the claim to City status about the bus station. The other towns will be laughing and saying no Tithebarn, no iconic bus station, Preston is falling, come to us.

Police Commissioners – Labour candidate wins Lancashire

The Labour candidate, Clive Grunshaw, won the Police Commissioners £85,000 a year role in Lancashire on a 15% turn out and winning 39% of the first votes.  This gives him about 6% support overall, and a lot of indifference.

Not a job most would look forward to, so we wish him well.  To interject into the system will take some teeth, although the powers given to the commissioner give him some bite and a person of substance will make themselves felt.  The local BBC news gave the Merseyside commissioner the most publicity and she didn’t give the impression she’d take any prisoners if she was crossed.

We should give this a go and see how it works. There is a feeling that the police should be seen more everywhere, whether that can be achieved without more police and by cutting paperwork, like the government wants, is to be seen.

Politicising the police is a worry and we’ve already seen the new commissioner making statements that could be said to be critical of the government. We’ve also seen this week, in Rotherham, that certain political views can be read as unacceptable so there could be a fear related to this.

Overall we’ll hope the new system works for everyone and that it will get more support and interest as it goes on.  Although it is quite possible that continued dis-interest is more likely.

Police Commissioners – voting

It seems a bad idea to let each region have a police force led by someone with a political allegiance.  However an election is being held on the 15th November for Police Commissioners.

From a simple and non-party perspective it seems that law and order is likely to be best supported by a Conservative or a UKIP candidate.  Although at the moment the Conservatives seem to be cutting back the police and saying they can operate more efficiently. Perhaps there is a case for that, but it might be a better idea to make them operate more efficiently and spend some of the saving on more police.  The riots in London and around the country a couple of years ago showed how thin and impotent the blue line is when challenged by a violent mob, and the TV programme ‘999 What’s Your Emergency’ shows that more and stronger policing is required.

I read a statement from the Conservative candidate, Tim Ashton, that he wants 20mph speed limits to be widespread.  I’d support this in front of schools and perhaps at school finishing times but it seems ridiculous driving at a snails pace in second gear on an empty road for miles like in Garstang and Knott End. For me this counts him out and his statement seems to parrot the party line which is another negative in showing lack of imagination.

For these reasons, although I support membership of the EU and dislike UKIP, on this issue they have my vote.

BAE Systems and EADS proposed merger

BAE Systems announced that they are in talks to merge their business with the European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company (EADS). This naturally arouses some fears ranging from a personal job level up to a national security level.

In 1999 BAE Systems was formed by merging British Aerospace (BAe) with Marconi Electronic Systems (MES) who have a large US presence.  At the time this was controversial as BAe had been talking to Daimler Chrysler Aerospace of Germany with a view to merging and the sudden move to merge with MES was seen by the Germans as a betrayal.  The Germans then merged with French and Spanish companies to form EADS which has most of the Airbus manufacture.

Then in 2006 BAE Systems sold off their commercial aircraft Airbus activity to EADS along with several thousand UK jobs to focus on the US defence market.  This broke the old rule of thumb that the cycle of defence and commercial aerospace tended to balance each other.

In 2012 that rule of thumb is working against the defence biased BAE Systems who are now looking for a partner with commercial aircraft work, worrying that western defence budgets are being slashed.

The merger is taking BAE Systems into what appears a political hotbed with the German, French and Spanish governments having shares in EADS. It might also be said that the UK government has a ‘golden’ share in BAE Systems although it is quite ‘hands-off’.

There are those who immediately get a rush of blood to the head at the mention of Europe and are making themselves heard without it being clear if their issue is political, defence or business oriented.  On the other side are those who say BAE Systems would be eaten by a merger with an American company.  We shouldn’t forget that BAE Systems build nearly all the main defence equipment for the UK and are the biggest and one of the most sophisticated engineering design and manufacturing companies in the UK,  if not worldwide. The products include submarines, ships, aircraft, vehicles, guns and electronic equipment.

In Lancashire BAE Systems has two large factories in the Preston area at Samlesbury and Warton.  The main projects are the Typhoon, F35, with R&D on UAVs as a seedcorn.  Product support is a major item as well.  Historically the sites have had their eye on the horizon for the next project that will bring continuity to design, development, manufacturing and support work.  The Typhoon is now looking for export work and is in a late phase of its cycle, F35 is mainly manufacturing so the future hinges on either a big new project or a step up in UAV work particularly for Warton.  The big new project, even if joined by the Typhoon partners looks unlikely and the UAV market is still in embryo form with new entrants, and France being looked on as a likely partner.

In theory a merger with EADS could bring in work currently outside the scope of BAE Systems if perhaps Typhoon could be re-organised.  Warton has been the main beneficiary of UK aviation industry consolidation, could it benefit from European consolidation?  On the other hand, sharing of knowledge with the US on the F35 might be made more difficult with a European merger.  Also whether the centre of gravity and decision making in military air vehicles will move towards Europe is a worry.  Overall it seems that without the big new project Warton will be looking at a gradual reduction and change of shape over time whatever happens.  Samlesbury should have a future as an F35 manufacturing and a support business for quite some time.   There are so many balls in the air that it’s hard to determine whether an EADS merger will change any of that. With defence there is always a national defence aspect that involves the government and so brings in politics related to national capability and jobs.  It could be said the safest thing to do is to stay in your bunker and resist the merger yet there is a much bigger picture that needs to be assessed if the local ship is to remain in a healthy form of whatever type.  Warton and Samlesbury have depended on huge projects and consolidation on these continues on the chessboard of the worldwide defence, technology and aviation industry.

Preston Guild 2012 – that was the fabulous week that was

Not a lot to say about Preston Guild 2012 –  just brilliant.  The processions, ceremonies, shows, events, displays and the crowds were the cake and the cream.   The small touches like the Temperance Display and the P3 20 added scattered a few thousands on top.   It was well planned and presented, professional and the weather played its part by behaving itself.  Congratulations to the Council and the staff, helpers and participants. Job well done!

Preston Guild 2012 – I was there – Saturday 1st September 2012

Preston Guild is once every 20 years so we weren’t going to miss this one.  We loved the Royal Jubilee, the Olympic Games and we were sure we’d enjoy Preston Guild.

It seemed everyone was in a great mood, the weather was good.  The streets were packed and the Square Food Festival ram jam full. The Vintage Weekend filled after the procession and Miller and Avenham Parks were in good form.

Read our account with photos on the webiste.

http://www.madeinpreston.co.uk/General/PrestonGuild2012report.html

One Week to Preston Guild 2012: Our Plan

Wake me up on Friday in time for Preston Guild.  There are some great things being planned, but here is our plan.

Saturday 1st September will be our main day. Will be fighting the crowds flooding in for the Final Proclamation on the Flag Market.  Then will we find a great spot to watch the Trades Procession and will we get a piece of Preston Cake City. These are major questions.

The proclamation is at 10.30am, the Trades Procession starts at 11am presumably from Moor Park so what time does it hit the centre, before 12?   The Square Food Festival with Victorian Pop Up Pie Shop in Winckley Square and drink as well!  Probably should get the Guild train if there is one.   Then those City cakes; will we be able to eat the Harris Museum Cake and what time is it eaten.

Fill up then float into Avenham Park to look at the Vintage Market on the Promenade and take in the atmosphere and activity in both Avenham and Miller Parks. My wife’s great at threadwork so we’ll be looking at craft.   There are plenty of displays and shows as well as Tringe Festival activities in the centre, but we’ll take that as it comes.

Discover Preston in the Harris Museum and Art Gallery will be a must see but maybe in mid-week and we had a preview when it was half open.  We’ve seen the Deltic in the Ribble Steam Railway so we’re already Guild hardened.

Question marks over going to the fair on Moor Park, sounds good.  Then there is the Torchlight Procession on Friday night.

Will we be get so carried away we buy a Preston Guild flag to hoist outside our house, and the mandatory plate or cup to be handed down as done by our forefathers.

Looking at the longer term weather forecast it looks dry on Saturday.  See you there!

Local TV applicants in Preston

The government is planning to grant licenses for up to 65 local TV stations. Applications are now in and successful ones will be announced later this year. They will be expected to start broadcasting within 2 years with many expecting to start well before then.  Freeview Channel  8 in England is to be used and Sky are proposing a Yellow Button option.

Whether this is a good idea is open to debate.  There are plenty of local and regional radio stations and  newpapers. Although some of these are under stress with competition from the internet which gives the ability to read and listen anywhere at any time to almost anything.

No doubt not all will succeed but if enough begin there is more chance that some will find a successful formula that can be spread about.  Although different places are likely to have different markets.

Interesting times; nothing ventured, nothing gained.

There are two applicants for Preston and these are:

Service name: Metro8 Preston
Contact: Romen Podzyhun
Public address:2 Park Lane, Leeds LS3 1ES
Email address: info@metro8.co.uk
Phone number: London: 0 203 603 9221 x.226
Toronto: +1 416 492 1595 x.226
Website: www.metro8.co.uk

Service name: YourTV Blackpool & Preston
Contact: Tony Carr
Public address: YourTV Blackpool & Preston Ltd c/o Flat 2 The Royals, 11 Links Gate, Lytham St Annes, FY8 3LJ
Email address:anthonydavidcarr@btinternet.com
Phone number: 01253 344 123
Website: www.yourtvblackpoolpreston.co.uk

Heroes of Salamanca

July 22nd, 1812. Salamanca, Spain.  Wellington’s troops defeat Napoleon’s in the first major victory of the Peninsular War that demonstrated the prowess of the Duke of Wellington, then an Earl. To mark this victory the Rifles were given the freedom of the City of Salamanca in a special ceremony that took place on the 20th to 22nd July 2012.

Today a trophy of that war stands in Fulwood Barracks, Preston:  The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Lancashire Infantry Museum.  One of the two French ‘Imperial Eagles’ captured on that day is on display. This one belonged to the French 22nd Line Regiment and was taken by Ensign John Pratt of the Light Company of the 2nd Battalion, 30th First.  (much reduced account from the Times, an excellent write up on Saturday 21st July 2012).

http://www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk/

Preston Guild – Honorary Burgesses Named

To be a burgess at Preston Guild is quite an honour. Putting yourself into a line that goes back centuries.  It is a hereditary role so new ones are joined at the Guild Ceremony by existing burgesses and those who have had the honour passed down.

A former colleague who is a hereditary burgess jokingly described that when he appeared in the procession his pompous boss standing in the crowd nearly had a seizure.

Twenty new honorary burgesses for 2012 will be formally appointed at the Adjourned Guild Court on Saturday 8 September in the Guild Hall.

Their names have just been announced, it is an impressive list and good to read what they have done. They include some I’ve met and some recognised from their work such as:

Stephen Sartin who was art curator at the Harris Art Gallery and now presents interesting courses on the history of Preston at Alston Hall.  With one on Preston Guild on the 10th August.

Alan Crosby of the Lancashire Records Office who knows all there is to know about the history of the area and also gives great local history lectures, without notes it seems.

Some of Preston most successful businesses: Edwin Booth of Booths Supermarket and Eddie Topping of Barton Grange.  Ian Hall and Chris Miller whose businesses are familiar via their lorries have been a part of Preston for as long as most can remember.

Peter Ward who has spent a lot of time in Trade Union politics and charity work and who was once a long distance cyclist who we went to specially to watch in the Milk Race a very long time ago, maybe 50 years ago.

The full list with description of their work is contained on the Preston Council website which is linked here and downloads a pdf file. Impressive work.

Click here to the Council Guild Burgess webpage, the link to the names is halfway down on the left.

 

Olympic Torch Relay in Preston

The Olympic Torch passed through Preston on the 23rd June.  Some 10,000 turned out to watch it. It is fascinating how many watch this and why. We went to Garstang, the day before it went through Preston, and the weather was terrible.  Yet the streets of Garstang were packed.

There was the waiting in the rain, then the short cavalcade followed by a runner carrying a torch. Then it was gone. This has struck a chord with the public and seems to signal big support and interest in the games.  Let’s hope so and that it all goes well. This is the biggest sporting event in the world.

What next for Lord Coe? He’s been a great front man and must surely get more honours. It’s what the honours system is about, recognition for good work.

Preston Passion

The Preston Passion play on Good Friday was shown live on BBC from Preston Bus Station.  Yes this sounds unromantic yet Preston Bus Station is a huge structure of unique style well suited to such a performance.

The performance used scenes of Preston and Lancashire, and local people played a major role.  Fern Britton hosted and Jamelia sang the finale.

The story was based on three stories including the cotton workers riots of 1842, a mother sending her son to war in 1916 and a young girl in difficulty in 2012.  Over 1 million are estimated to have watched the live performance on TV, although we watched it on iPlayer.

 

Preston area Rail Electrification dates announced

Network Rail have announced the dates for electrified rail services near Preston as follows:

  1. Manchester to West Coast Main Line and Newton-le-Willows, December 2013
  2. Newton-le-Willows to Liverpool Lime Street; Hyton to Wigan, December 2014
  3. Preston to Blackpool, December 2015
  4. Manchester Victoria to Preston, December 2016

Electrifying the line to Newton le Willows enables services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland through Preston to use electric traction.

The work is already showing effect to Blackpool with plans raise bridges and close roads along the route being announced.

Electrification of the Manchester to Blackpool line

The Chancellor confirmed in Wednesday’s budget what had been stated before. That the line from Manchester to Blackpool via Preston will be electrified.  Just to remind us that some money is flowing into the North West, although it doesn’t compare with the £50+ billions spent on the Olympics, Crossrail, Thameslink, a possible new sewer and a possible airport expansion for London.

Preston Passion – Good Friday 6th April 2012, 10am.

On Good Friday a Passion Play will take place in Preston, televised live on BBC1.  Ticket are available to be an active member of the performance or to be an audience member. Click on the link below.

http://www.prestonguild2012.com/?OBH=413&ID=322

The Manchester Passion Play televised a couple of years ago was a good performance and we look forward to this being its equal. In this year of Preston Guild.

First win for Westley at PNE

Preston 1 Hartlepool 0.  Over 14,000 watched PNE score fairly late in the game and take their first win for the new manager.  The team has a lot of new faces and PNE could be on target for record turnover of players: 01 Stuckmann, 05 Robertson, 35 McAllister (Murphy – 67′ ), 42 Hunt, 10 Nicholson (Mayor – 54′ ), 13 Marrow, 15 Barton, 17 Parry, 38 Procter, 37 Holroyd, 39 Cummins. Substitutes: 25 Arestidou, 03 McLaughlin, 50 Brown, 16 Mayor, 34 Murphy (McLaughlin – 90′ ).

High Speed Rail to Preston

Ben Wallace MP for Wyre and Preston North spoke in parliament on including Preston in the High Speed Rail route, HS2. To which Justine Greening replied as below.

As reported in ‘they work for you’:

Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North, Conservative)

I think that I am on the slow line, Mr Speaker. I warmly welcome my right hon. Friend’s announcement today about High Speed 2. As a good northern girl, she will know that the north of England does not start and stop at Leeds and Manchester. On the route map published today, it seems that High Speed 2 on the north-west line extends further north than Manchester, perhaps to what looks like Preston. Will she give serious consideration to ensuring that Preston is included in phase 2, so that Lancashire and one of the hubs of British manufacturing get direct access to the south?

Justine Greening (Economic Secretary, HM Treasury; Putney, Conservative)

I am delighted to tell my hon. Friend that places such as Preston will gain from phase 1, in terms of connectivity between the west coast main line and HS2. I am as passionate as he is about ensuring that his area has excellent railway links, and we are looking at developing the HLOS2 proposal for shorter and medium-term funding in our railways. I have no doubt that he will continue to represent his constituents’ needs to us as powerfully as he just did, and I will continue to pay very close attention to them.

PNE end Phil Brown’s time

After a poor run of results PNE’s new Chairman, Peter Ridsdale, told Phil Brown his time was up yesterday, 14th December, only 11 months after he replaced Darren Ferguson. PNE have had a string of management changes with Alan Irvine and Paul Simpson following Billy Davies.  Phil Brown is an optimistic and charismatic manager and it is with regret that this has happened, yet results aren’t good.

A win at Hartlepool at the end of November was the first league win since the end of September when PNE were well established in the top 6 of the league. Since then poor results have continued although injuries seemed to fog the issue and PNE are clinging onto the top half of the table.

Now PNE are in the hands of Paul Unsworth and Graham Alexander who will be given a chance to prove themselves. With four games up to new year and then a two week break it could be that decisions will need to be made before the transfer window closes if PNE have any money to spend. Rumours abound that there are clubs after certain players, which in some ways is a good thing, if PNE can hold onto them.

The season is no-where near over and an automatic promotion place is still possible, although in reality a play-off place might be optimistic.