29th October 2009
Don’t let your old TV go to waste
HAS your old TV been made redundant by the digital switchover?
Would you like to give it a new lease of life, rather than simply chucking it away or letting it clutter up your garage or attic?
Bulky Matters, the recycling and reuse collection service, is here to help.
During November Bulky Matters will be helping people get rid of their old TV sets at the special discounted rate of £6 per TV.
They will be collected at a time that’s convenient to you and, even better, all the TVs that Bulky Matters collects will be recycled and put to good use.
So for a service that won’t cost the earth, give Bulky Matters a call.
To take advantage of this promotion telephone Lancaster City Council’s customer service centre on 01524 582491.
29th October 2009
Enjoy the beautiful melodies of Foster and Allen at The Platform
AN opportunity to hear the beautiful melodies of Irish duo Foster and Allen takes place at The Platform in Morecambe on Friday November 13.
Mick Foster and Tony Allen have both been professional musicians from a very early age. Mick was born in County Kildare and started playing the accordion at the age of 13. By the time he was 17, he had three All Ireland Accordion championships under his belt.
Tony Allen was born into a musical family in Mount Temple. By 1968 he had turned professional and played guitar with many well known Irish bands before forming Foster and Allen.
Since their first hit record in 1978, Foster and Allen have enjoyed phenomenal success all over the world. They have recorded 20 gold award winning albums and have toured the world extensively many times.
Don’t miss this opportunity to spend a wonderful evening being serenaded by this well loved pair who have been together for more than 30 years and are still going strong.
The show will start at 7.30pm and tickets cost £19.50 from the box office on 01524 582803. Come along to an evening of fun and laughter – a truly enjoyable show!
26th October 2009
Lancaster’s spectacular celebration of Lord Ashton’s generosity
AT 8pm on Saturday November 7, Lancaster City Council will launch its 17th Annual Fireworks Spectacular. The display takes place in the vicinity of the ancient Castle and Priory Church, on Castle Hill.
Due to the display’s increasing popularity, two official alternative viewing areas are also available this year, at the Giant Axe field, next to Lancaster City football ground and at Williamson Park. These will remain open throughout the evening, though admission to the Castle Hill site will close at 7.30pm, or earlier if the site is full.
Preceding the pyrotechnics will be a full day of events, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the opening of two of Lancaster’s most important public buildings, the Town Hall and Williamson Park’s Ashton Memorial. Both were donated, in 1909, to the people of Lancaster, by local millionaire industrialist, Lord Ashton.
The daytime programme features entertainment reminiscent of Lord Ashton’s time and also several events which explore his life and times. Lancaster Town Hall will be staging guided tours at 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.45pm. The tours will visit the Mayor’s Parlour, Council Chamber, former courtroom and police cells. A specially re-created Lord Ashton will be presiding over the occasion.
The Town Hall also hosts two talks. The first at 2pm, ‘Li’le Jimmy Williamson’, by Sue Ashworth, explores Lord Ashton’s lordship’s life and times. At 3.30pm, Dr Andrew White’s ‘Lord Ashton’s Legacy’, looks at the various buildings and places, which he gifted to his native Lancaster. The tours and talks are free of charge.
The Judges’ Lodgings Museum is opening specially, out of season, from 11am to 5pm, with discounted admission of £2 adults and no entry charge for accompanied children. Here there will be Punch and Judy and two amazing magic shows, presented by Bamboozlement, returning to Lancaster by popular demand, following their success at Williamson Park’s Centenary Celebrations in September. An Edwardian governess will also be on duty in the Lodgings’ Day Nursery, supervising children’s play, with toys and games of the period.
A short walk away, the music and song of the variety theatre and music hall will be on offer, in the Penny Almshouses Chapel, presented by Hautbois duo. There are three shows, at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. Admission is free and early arrival is advised, as space is limited.
In St Nicholas Arcades, Lancaster’s Inner State Theatre Co will be presenting a unique rendition of the Punch and Judy story, at various times.
Finally, a guided walk, led by local Blue Badge Guide, Janet Nelson, will bring to life the Lancaster of Lord Ashton, highlighting many of the places connected to him and his industrial rivals. ‘Lord Ashton’s Lancaster’ runs at 12pm and 2.30pm, starting from the Castle’s John O’Gaunt Gateway. It is free of charge.
A programme, giving details of the November 7 daytime events and a separate leaflet with full information on the evening Fireworks Spectacular are available, free of charge, from Lancaster and Morecambe Visitor Information Centres (Tel 01524 582394) or www.lancaster.gov.uk.
26th October 2009
Appalachian roots with Ira Bernstein and Riley Baugus at The Platform
AN American old time music and dance variety show full of humour and skill comes to The Platform in Morecambe on Saturday November 7.
Appalachian Roots is a dynamic mix of traditional dance, song and instrumental music from the Southern Appalachian region of the United States, with a few international twists thrown in.
Performed by renowned percussive step dancer Ira Bernstein and virtuoso old-time musician, singer and raconteur Riley Baugus, the concert will include percussive flat footing and buckdancing, rhythm tap dancing, clogging, boot dancing, fiddle tunes, Appalachian songs and ballads, old time fiddle and banjo tunes and mountain preaching by Riley.
Ira Bernstein is regarded as one of the most versatile and accomplished performers of percussive step dancing in America and, in particular, as one of the foremost southern Appalachian flatfooters in the world. His repertoire is a wide range of dances that all share a common thread – the production of rhythmic, percussive sounds.
The dances are more than movements accompanied by music, they are movements that make music – his feet are the sticks and the floor is his drum. He has performed at many festivals and concerts all over the US and Canada and at 17 other countries around Europe, Asia and the Middle East and has appeared numerous times on television and in theatrical productions.
Riley Baugus first came to the British public’s attention when his singing was featured on the soundtrack to the recent Academy Award winning film ‘Cold Mountain’. Those who have watched the DVD have seen the superb concert featuring the singers and musicians from the film with Riley upfront. A native of North Carolina, he began playing music and singing at an early age and developed a love and appreciation for traditional Appalachian music. Riley also plays with the Dirk Powell Band and Polecat Creek and has played with numerous other old time string bands. Collectively the pair have nearly 60 years of music and dance experience.
The show will start at 7.30pm and tickets cost £12 adults and £11 concessions, from the box office on 01524 582803.
13th October 2009
Stud farm owner loses planning appeal
THE owner of a stud farm has been ordered to return an unauthorised dwelling back into an agricultural barn after losing an appeal against a planning enforcement notice.
Jason Capstick, of Vianova Stud Farm on Postern Gate Road in Quernmore, has been told to make the changes after losing his appeal against an enforcement notice issued by Lancaster City Council.
Following a refusal of planning permission for the siting of a residential caravan on this isolated site in the countryside and the dismissal of several subsequent appeals, Mr Capstick secretly converted an agricultural building, previously used as stables, into a family home.
The appeal was heard at a public inquiry in August and September of this year, at which Mr Capstick admitted to secretly converting the building.
Mr Capstick claimed that because the home had been in existence for more than four years it was immune from planning enforcement.
The inquiry heard evidence from the council that the building had been converted into a family home in stages but was not substantially complete by the date the notice was served.
In reaching his conclusions to dismiss the enforcement appeal the inspector, John Waldron, stated that “Four years before the enforcement notice was issued the building was not in the state that the appellant originally contemplated and intended.” The building was not therefore immune from enforcement action.
Mr Capstick has therefore been ordered to remove the building’s internal walls, windows and the bathroom to convert it into an agricultural building.
Coun Keith Budden, chairman of the city council’s Planning Committee, said: “Thankfully cases such as this are rare because the majority of people respect the planning laws and realise that they are there for a good reason.
“Where the law is breached we will have no hesitation in taking action and this case should act as a warning to others who think they can get away with not complying with the planning regulations.”
12th October 2009
The Illegal Eagles come to the Morecambe Dome
DIRECT from California and New York, the Illegal Eagles hit the Morecambe Dome on Thursday October 22 as part of their massive 2009 world tour.
This full length evening show features all the classic Eagles songs delivered in authentic Eagles sound and vision. If you missed the Eagles recent stadium tour dates, don’t worry – it’s all here in ‘the fast lane’! Expect ‘Hotel California’, ‘Lyin’ Eyes’, ‘Tequila Sunrise’, ‘One of Those Nights’, ‘New Kid in Town’, ‘Heartache Tonight’, ‘Take it to The Limit’ and many more old and new. Pure entertainment, pure Eagles!
When faced with the challenge of performing not only the classic Eagles tracks, but now the fabulous ‘Long Road Out of Eden’ songs, the Illegal Eagles have brought together six fabulous musicians to delight all Eagles fans! Exquisite musicianship and breathtaking harmonies. If you are a fan of the Eagles, don’t miss this show!
The show will start at 7.30pm and tickets cost £18.50 from the box office on 01524 582803.
8th October 2009
Secrets to a healthy bike – revealed!
Want to know the secrets to a healthy bike?
If you already know the basics of keeping your bike in tip-top condition but want to know more or learn something new, Lancaster City Council is offering a number of free bike maintenance courses to help you on your way.
Advanced (level 3)
Saturday, 31 October Mixed – 10.30am -1pm
Intermediate (level 2)
Saturday, 28 November – 10.30am – 1pm
There’s also a special session on offer for parents and grandparents who are thinking about buying their loved one a shiny new bike for Christmas this year and want it to be fit for the road ahead of the big day.
Saturday, 19 December – 10am – 1pm
All sessions will take place at the headquarters of local recycling and training organisation Pedal Power at Ridge Square, Lancaster.
For more information on any of the above training opportunities and courses for beginners taking place next year, visit the council’s cycling website – www.celebratingcycling.org. Alternatively you can contact the Cycling Town Team on 01524 582392 or by email to celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk.
6th October 2009
Yes tribute Seyes to perform at The Platform
YES tribute Seyes bring their two hour-plus show of classic 70s Prog Rock to the Platform in Morecambe on Friday 16 October.
Five piece Seyes re-create the live sound of Yes during their 70s multi-million album selling heyday. The band comprises Phil Bernia on lead vocals with Tim Lockyer, Tim Rothwell, Chris Bradshaw and Pete Greenwood on guitar, drums keyboards and bass respectively.
There have been many Rock tributes but a Yes tribute is something of a rarity. Says bass guitarist Pete Greenwood: “The sheer hard work that Yes put into their compositions is reflected in the depth and power of the music and it’s hard to find five musicians willing (and crazy enough) to delve into that and re-create it because it takes time.”
Yes music is “live” music and Seyes is about keeping Classic Yes music in a live situation which is where it was intended for. Yes can be seen as a bit of a “guilty” pleasure but we want an audience to just come and enjoy the pleasure of a live Yes music show sometimes for the first time since the 70s . When someone brings their children to a show it’s always great to see younger people in the audience enjoying live Yes music for the first time”
During the show Seyes will be performing the entire “Close To The Edge” album which reached Gold status when it hit the charts in September 1972 plus “The Gates Of Delirium” to mark the 35th anniversary of the 1974 “Relayer” album.
The show will start at 8pm and tickets cost £10 adults, £9 concessions, from the box office on 01524 582803.
6th October 2009
Making every penny count – have your say on council spending
LANCASTER City Council is inviting local residents to get involved and have their say on how it spends its money for next year.
The council has already set its priorities for the next three years, focusing on the social, economic and environmental issues of our district. However, with predicted reductions in government expenditure on public services over the next few years, local authorities are set to come under increasing pressure to make every single penny count and focus on the services that people most need and want.
The council feels it is more important than ever that local people are given the opportunity to have their say on the services that are important to them and how it should be spending its budget in 2010/11.
Coun Stuart Langhorn, Leader of Lancaster City Council said: “Although we will have to accept that we will no longer be able to do everything we currently do, we are absolutely committed to providing value for money services and delivering our main priorities.
“Engaging local people in helping us make the right decisions next year will ensure we focus on the things that are important to them.”
One of the ways you can get involved is by registering your interest in attending one of a number of workshops that are planned to take place at various venues across the district early next year.
You can do this by sending an email to consultation@lancaster.gov.uk giving your name and contact details. Alternatively you can contact the council’s consultation officer by telephoning 01524 582268.
1st October 2009
Fill in a survey and win a Christmas hamper
Lancaster City Council is asking for just a few minutes of your time for a chance to win a luxury Christmas hamper worth £125.
The council’s Cycling Town (CT) Team is carrying out its annual travel survey to find out what modes of transport residents most often use to get themselves to work and what prevents them from using others.
The results of the survey will help the team develop more ways in which it can encourage more people to travel by bike.
Completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a number of prizes including a hamper filled with a selection of delicious food and drink provided by Booths, Scotforth.
The simple questionnaire is available online at www.celebratingcycling.org or you can request a paper copy by contacting the CT Team on 01524 582392 or by email to celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk.
But you’ll have to be quick – completed surveys must be returned by Monday, 14 December.
25th September 2009
Students given crime prevention packs to beat the burglars
MORE than 700 university students are being given crime prevention packs in a bid to beat the burglars.
The Lancashire Police packs are being given to Lancaster University and University of Cumbria students who live in the 220 off-campus properties managed by Lancaster University Student Union.
Housing staff will hand deliver the packs containing crime prevention advice, ultra violet marking pens and timer switches.
Jan Brown, Lancaster Police’s crime prevention officer, said: “As the students return for the new term, we endeavour to work in partnership with the local universities to provide crime prevention advice.
“The ultra violet marking pens can be used to security mark students’ property and the timer switches will make sure that their homes look occupied, even when they are out at lectures or down at the pub.”
Michael Payne, president of Lancaster University Students Union, added: “This important initiative is part of the Students’ Union and the University’s campaigns to keep students safe, working in partnership with our local police. The University is lucky to be known as one of the safest in the UK, and we want to maintain this as well as helping the police with crime prevention.”
21st September 2009
Funding approved for Morecambe PCSOs
COUNCILLORS have agreed to continue to fund four Police Community Support Officers for Morecambe’s West End area.
Members of Morecambe Parish Council agreed to provide the £45,000 necessary to fund the four PCSOs at a recent meeting.
This funding will last until the end of the financial year, when the situation will be reviewed again.
The agreement was made after several councillors spoke up in praise of the work being done by PCSOs and how this had led to an improvement in life in the town. This included PCSO involvement in the police’s Operation Brisk, aimed at tackling the problems associated with drugs and drug dealing, and the Staysafe project, which targets vulnerable youths who are exposed to drink and drugs.
In January – August 2006 - when the West End had only one PCSO - there were 758 incidents of anti-social behaviour recorded. This year the figure fell to 558 incidents. Burglary has dropped from 30 incidents to 18 and violent crime is down from 155 incidents to 86.
Inspector Geoff Tagg, Morecambe Police, said: “PCSOs are very much a part of the uniform policing of the Morecambe area and they provide a visible presence on the street. A cut in their numbers would be in a very real sense a cut in policing in Morecambe.
“With the PCSOs dealing with the more low level incidents it frees up the PCs to deal with other matters where officers with full police powers are required.
”I am very pleased that funding will continue for these four positions and believe we will continue to see direct improvement in the lives of Morecambe residents as a result of the work the four PCSOs will do.”
18th September 2009
University students get dedicated police team
STUDENTS at Lancaster University are to benefit from their own dedicated police team.
Community beat manager PC Gary Wynne and PCSO Tom Owen will be based at the university from the start of the new term.
Both will be providing a reassuring police presence for the students and staff at the Bailrigg campus site on the outskirts of the city and will be able to listen and act on any concerns they have.
The duo will be in attendance at the Freshers’ Fayre on September 30 and will be giving introductory talks on October 1.
PC Wynne, who himself studied physics at Lancaster University and who has been with Lancashire Constabulary for four years, said: “The university is almost like a self sufficient town and it is possible to live on campus without even having to venture in to the city centre.
“Due to its large population, the university deserves the attention of a dedicated police team, and we hope both the students and staff will find our presence beneficial.”
18th September 2009
PCSOs’ investigations lead to discovery of £400,000 cannabis factory
POLICE have discovered a 1,000-plant cannabis factory in an industrial unit following an investigation initiated by two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs.)
The two PCSOs had been on patrol in Garstang at 4pm on Wednesday and had been dealing with a suspicious looking Ford transit van.
Inside the van they discovered over 40 cannabis plants. Two men who were with the van were detained, but a third man fled the scene.
Further inquiries then led police to a warehouse in Oakenclough and on entering the premises officers found approximately 1,000 cannabis plants growing under a sophisticated hydroponic system. The plants, which were in varying stages of maturity, have an estimated street value of around £400 – 400,000.
The two men, aged 27 and 38 and from Merseyside, were arrested on suspicion of possession and cultivation of cannabis and being concerned with the supply of cannabis.
Detective Inspector Phil Jones, Lancashire Police, said: “This was a very professional outfit with blacked out windows and material lining the walls to contain the heat – and this professional operation has been disrupted by the tenacity of the two PCSOs.”
Anyone with information about drug dealing should contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
15th September 2009
Youngsters go snooker loopy for free sessions
OVER 30 youngsters took their cue to attend Lancaster’s first ever police-led free snooker session.
Members of Lancaster Police’s Bulk ward neighbourhood policing team have set up the weekly snooker event in connection with the Paul Hunter Foundation.
The foundation was established in 2006 with the aim of giving disadvantaged, able bodied and disabled youngsters an opportunity to play snooker.
The children, aged from eight to 17, were helped by volunteers, police officers, PSCOS and staff from the foundation as they took part in snooker bouts and various other snooker related games.
The free Monday night two-hour sessions are being held at Squires Snooker Centre, King Street. Doors open at 6pm, with tuition starting at 6.30pm. Professional coaches will be available to offer help and advice for the first 10 weeks, and then the sessions will continue with the help of the ‘snooker-loopy’ volunteers.
Community beat manager for Bulk ward, PC Phil Ladlow said: “We were quite taken aback by the turn out – it has been brilliant and the support that has been offered by the volunteers who are here to coach the kids is fantastic.
“We hope that these sessions will continue to be a success in the future.”
Chris Lovell, Paul Hunter Foundation and North Lancashire Training Group’s world snooker coach, said: “Offering these free sessions is a really good way to get the kids off the streets and doing something positive with their time.
“The way that the sessions are delivered also helps improve their literacy and numeracy skills – not just their snooker skills. It is a great game that can be played by all ages and abilities. We are really pleased that we have been invited to Lancaster to get involved with the young people here.”
10-year-old Corey Burns said: “I haven’t played snooker before but I had a good time and it’s even better because it’s free.”
Mick Hoyle, proprietor of Squires snooker club, added: “We were approached by PC Ladlow about putting on some sessions for the kids and thought it would be a good way of doing something for the local community. They have all really enjoyed themselves and it has given some of them their first taste of the game.”
3rd September 2009
Appeal after cash in transit robbery in Lancaster
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a security guard was threatened with a knife while making a delivery in Lancaster.
The guard had been outside the Spar store in Bowerham Road at 6.18pm on Tuesday September 1 when he was approached by a white male who had been standing in the nearby bus stop.
The man then drew a knife out from a plastic bag and demanded the guard hand over money.
The robber then ran away with a cash box containing £20 notes and got into a white Rover 216, which a second male was driving.
The car was later found abandoned in an alleyway at the rear of Belle Vue Terrace.
The security guard was unharmed during the incident.
Police are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the robbery to contact them.
Detective Inspector Glen Oldham, Lancaster CID, said: “The road was quite busy at the time of the robbery and we would like to speak to any motorists, passers-by or people in the shops who may have seen the incident taking place.
“We would also like to speak to anyone who may have noticed the white Rover either before or after the robbery took place, or any other vehicle in the area at the time of the robbery which was acting suspiciously.”
Contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
1st September 2009
Seat belt crack down as part of Operation Pathway
PARENTS are being reminded to ‘belt up’ their children – or risk putting their loved ones’ lives in danger.
The warning comes ahead of a crack down on the correct use of seat belts and child restraints.
Throughout September police officers will be carrying out road side checks on motorists to make sure they are wearing seat belts. And as pupils return to school this week, officers will also be carrying out spot-checks on parents as they drop off and pick up their children from school to ensure child restraints are being used correctly.
The operation will be taking place across Northern Division, with particular focus being paid to the road accident hot spot towns of Lancaster, Morecambe, Fleetwood and Cleveleys.
The fine for not wearing a seat belt has recently been increased from £30 to £60 in a bid to highlight the importance of using the safety device.
Sgt Nigel Ralphson, of Northern Division’s road policing unit, said: “We are having to increase our activity in this area of road casualty reduction because it is clearly evident from our observations, and injuries suffered in crashes, that too many people still don’t wear their seatbelts.
“It’s an offence that is viewed as trivial to many, however, in that moment when you need it, a seatbelt will make the difference between suffering a minor injury to one that is life-threatening or life changing.
“The aim isn’t to enforce the law just because it’s there, but to reduce the seriousness of injuries suffered unnecessarily”.
13th August 2009
YOUNGSTERS are being offered free snooker sessions as part of a new community initiative.
Members of Lancaster Police’s Bulk ward neighbourhood policing team have set up a weekly snooker event in connection with the Paul Hunter Foundation.
The free Monday night two-hour sessions will be launched at Squires Snooker Centre, King Street, on Monday September 14. Doors will open at 6pm, with tuition starting at 6.30pm. Professional coaches will be available to offer help and advice for the first 10 weeks, and then the sessions will continue with the help of ‘snooker-loopy’ volunteers.
The Paul Hunter Foundation was established in 2006 with the aim of giving disadvantaged, able bodied and disabled youngsters an opportunity to play snooker. A successful police-led scheme is already in place in Accrington.
Bulk ward community beat manager PC Phil Ladlow, who is behind the Lancaster sessions, said: “The main aim of the event is to get the children off the streets and doing something positive with their spare time.
“We have found that sport is an excellent way to bring people together and snooker is accessible to everyone – anyone can play no matter what their age, sex or ability.
“The coaches will be on hand to help people improve their skills so there is also a learning and developing process involved. But the best thing is that it is really fun and we know that all the youngsters involved will have a really good time.”
The activity is part of Operation Pathway, an ongoing road safety campaign being carried out by police.
