Virtual Lancaster News Blog

Appeal for women wanted on prison recall

2013-06-18T17:48:00.001+01:00

Police are appealing for information about two women who are wanted on prison recall.

Linda McIntyre, 40, who is previously of Skerton House, Mainway, Lancaster was jailed for two years in June 2012 at Preston Crown Court for affray which happened on Kent Road in Blackpool on 24th April 2011.

She was later released from prison on licence to a Leeds address but has since breached the terms of that licence and has therefore been recalled to prison.

She has connections to the Lancaster and Wyre and Blackpool areas but her current whereabouts are unknown.

Linda is described as being white, around 5ft 6 inches tall, medium build, with brown eyes and short brown hair.

The second woman is Kirsty Yvonne Eloise Gaskell, 20, previously of Acre Court, Mainway, Lancaster. She was jailed for four years in June 2011 at Preston Crown Court for an attempted robbery which happened on the canal tow path Bolton Le Sands in October 2010.

Again, Gaskell was released from prison on licence but has since breached the terms of that licence and has therefore been recalled.

Gaskell is described as being white, around 5ft 5inches tall, medium build, with blue eyes and long dark brown hair.

She has connections to the Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth areas but her current whereabouts are unknown.

Detective Inspector Bev Foster said, “We would ask the public, particularly in the relevant areas to be vigilant and to report any sightings to the police - any details could be crucial.”

Anyone with any information should call Lancashire Police on 101.

People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line atCrimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Bus Fare rises next month

2013-06-18T10:09:00.001+01:00

New bus fares will be introduced from Saturday 7th July 2013 on all services which are subsidised by Lancashire County Council as part of an annual fares review.

Lancashire County Council provides 103 local bus service contracts throughout the county. These are a mixture of subsidised daytime rural and urban services, together with evening and weekend services which compliment the overall commercial bus network.

Whilst the county council is responsible for setting the fares on these bus services, the 1985 Transport Act states that fares on subsidised services should not be lower than those fares offered commercially.

Fares charged on those bus services which directly operate alongside commercial routes, for example those services that are provided commercially during the day and are subsidised in the evening or where they overlap commercial routes, will be revised to match exactly the Adult Single fares charged on commercial bus services.

Those local bus service fares not linked to commercial bus service fares will be increased on average by 3.3% in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI).

Art stolen from Heysham library

2013-06-18T08:04:00.001+01:00

Police are appealing for information after two paintings by local artist Bogie were stolen from an art exhibition at Heysham Library last week.

The artist who created the two pieces, had been holding a small exhibition in the library when they were stolen, it is believed, sometime between 3.15pm and 3.45pm on Tuesday the 11th June.

PC Jo Clement said, “These paintings are originals and there are no photographs or prints of them so they are all unique and easily identifiable.

“We have issued a picture of one of the artists other creations in the same style as the ones stolen in the hope that it might help jog someone’s memory, perhaps if they have been offered any similar pieces for sale, for example.

“We are very keen to re-unite the artist with his paintings and so, if anyone does have any information that they think might help, then I would urge them to contact us as soon as possible.”

Police in Heysham give out shed alarms to crack down on burglaries

2013-06-18T07:00:00.000+01:00

A neighbourhood police officer in Heysham has given out shed alarms to allotment owners following a spate of burglaries.

Two sheds at the Greenfingers allotment site on Smithy Lane were broken into back in March despite them being secured with padlocks. The thieves got away with small pieces of equipment.

The alarms have been provided thanks to part-funding from LANPAC (Lancashire Partnership Against Crime) the shed owners have had to pay just 2 pounds towards the cost of the alarms.

PCSO Dennis Nelson said: “I really wanted to do something to help the allotment owners, who were left feeling vulnerable after the break ins. They tried to protect their possessions by using padlocks but unfortunately that didn’t stop the thieves.

"These shed alarms make a loud noise if disturbed and I’m hoping they will help get people’s attention if any more break ins happen. Thanks to the funding from Lanpac I have given out 20 alarms which means every shed will have one, I hope this helps warn off thieves and helps to reassure allotment owners.”

If you want to report a burglary please contact Lancashire Police on 101 or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Road safety campaign launched in Lancashire

2013-06-17T16:30:00.001+01:00

“What do I have to do to get you to notice me?”

That’s the question Lancashire Constabulary are asking motorists on behalf of bikers as they launch a campaign aimed at making road users more aware of motorcyclists.

Over the last five years, motorcyclists have accounted for eight per cent of all casualties and 22 per cent of those killed and seriously injured on the roads. Many of these collisions occur because a driver doesn’t take the time to look out for a biker and just doesn’t notice them.

Billboards and posters have been produced showing a road policing officer naked on a bike and an officer on a bike dressed as a clown. The thinking behind the campaign is that people would notice a biker if they were riding naked or dressed as a clown but you should look out for them at all times.

The billboards will be on display at locations across the county and posters will be placed in petrol stations, car parks and motoring shops. Banners have also been produced and these will be on display on road bridges.

There has been an increase in the numbers of motorcycle casualties and during 2012/13 thirty two people were killed on our roads seven of which were motorcyclists. Many of the collisions could have been avoided if only the motorists had been aware of bikers.

Chief Inspector Debbie Howard, Head of Road Policing said, “This campaign has been developed to educate other road users on the importance of being aware of motorcyclists. The concept for this campaign is ‘What do I have to do to get you to notice me?’ It aims to increase awareness amongst road users of the need to be aware bikers when driving.

“The posters are something different to what we have done in the past but we felt that this was a good way to get our message across.

“We work closely with motorcyclists and biking organisations to offer them safety advice and help keep them safe on our roads. Other road users have a huge role to play too – you must make sure you are mindful of the increase in motorbikes on our roads at this time of year, be aware of their vulnerability and take extra time to make your observations."

County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "Working together with the police through The Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety we have been successful in reducing casualties on Lancashire's roads across the board, but deaths and serious injuries amongst motorcyclists remain a concern.

"The evidence suggests a substantial proportion of accidents involving motorcyclists happen because another driver has made a manoeuvre without seeing them.

"As a motorcyclist I have been involved in some very close misses with cars especially when they have been distracted by mobile phones or appear to be in a hurry and jump out of side roads. I always wear high visibility clothing which I believe has saved me a number of times from being in an accident.

"This campaign is vital to remind drivers to 'think bike' and to ask motorcyclists to consider whether there's more they could do to make themselves visible and therefore safer."

Councillors view Canal restoration progress

2013-06-16T07:36:00.000+01:00

The canal narrow boat Waterwitch was the venue for a delightful trip by Kendal, Lancaster, District and County Councillors to see the excavations and restoration of Lancaster Canal at Stainton on Friday.

Waterwitch, owned by the Lancaster Canal Trust, sailed under new livery featuring Nether Bridge, Kendal and Lancaster Castles and the coat of Arms of Lancaster and Kendal, painted by a group of artist members.

They were met at Crooklands landing stage by LCT President Hal Bagot and Richard Trevitt, the chairman of the organisation that has been dedicated to restoring and re-opening the length of the canal from Tewitfield, just north of Carnforth, to Kendal since 1963. The Trust also aims to increase awareness and promote interest amongst all users of this historic and beautiful waterway, be they boaters, walkers, cyclists, or anglers.

Disembarking at Stainton landing stage, where work continues in earnest on this long term engineering project, the party were impressed with the work already completed, mostly by volunteers, and looked forward to seeing the project complete and in water. The wildlife, flora and fauna of this beautiful stretch of canal was also appreciated.

The party were presented with information packs detailing work so far, as the Trust continues to seek support and backing for its restiration activities, which would do much to encourage more tourism, benefitting Lancaster, Carnforth and beyond.

"It's impossible for me to find adequate words to express my overwhelming admiration for all the Trust members and volunteers who have done such outstanding regeneration work," commented Lancaster City Councillor Ron Sands, who was so enthused by the trip he promptly joined the Trust to support what he calls their "exceptional work".

The 25 kilometre Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal were effectively blocked in the 1960s by the construction of the M6, which severed the waterway in three places. The restoration work, co-ordinated by the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership, seeks to tackle the reintegration of the waterway with three motorway and four trunk road crossings and work includes the enhancement and conservation of 52 historically important and listed structures.

Recently, the LCRP revived its attempts at canal restoration and is now looking at breaking down the long term programme into smaller projects that have more chance of finding grant funding, which can build on the volunteer work already in progress by Canal Trust, and possibly reverse the direction of restoration activity to proceed from south to north.

This means that the two miles of canal from Tewitfield to the Lancashire county boundary near Burton-in-Kendal are now critical to the restoration programme and the Trust has already begun discussions with Lancashire County Council and South Lakeland District Council.

The LRCP's work is one of a number of important projects across the UK to restore the canal network across the UK getting attention at the moment, considered vital for tourism and business alike.

As well as working towards full restoration, the Trust is committed to the ongoing maintenance of our existing heritage. As a result of the efforts of the Trust many of the Canal's original structures have been protected, further losses of cruising waterway have been successfully resisted, notably in Preston, and improvements have been made to the towpath by erecting interpretative panels at various sites along the canal.

The Canal Trust is one of the members of Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership, which aims to restore the Lancaster Canal to Canal Head, Kendal. It includes South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council, Kendal Town Council, Canal & River Trust, Lancaster Canal Trust, The Inland Waterways Association, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council and other interested groups.

• Lancaster Canal Trust web site: www.lctrust.co.uk

• Read an article about work on the 'First Furlong' of work on the Canal at Stainton last year, which includes pictures of some of the canal still awaiting restoration on the Epiphany narrow boat web site

Morecambe man jailed for seven years for making homemade bomb

2013-06-14T16:43:00.001+01:00

A Morecambe man has been jailed for 7 years after he made a homemade bomb to try and harm a work colleague.

37 year old Stephen Kay of Mardale Avenue in Morecambe was found guilty during a trial of offences against the person relating to explosives.

He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm and possession of prohibited weapons in the form of two CS sprays as well as a charge of place/lay an explosive substance with intent to cause grevious bodily harm.

The charges relate to incidents dating back to March 1999 when a viable Improvised Explosive Device was left outside the home of one of Mr Kay’s work colleagues at Crofters Fold in Heysham. It is believed that Mr Kay held a grudge towards the colleague and had become paranoid and deluded.

The victim and his wife discovered the device but luckily were not injured as it failed to explode.

Stephen Kay was originally arrested in September 2010. The original arrest led to the evacuation of around 80 people and major disruption to the Lune Street area of Lancaster as suspicious devices were found.

Kay was arrested again in August 2012 and charged. He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today (Friday 14th June)

Speaking after the sentencing Sergeant Clive O'Beirne said: “We are really happy with the sentence given today and hope it shows that, despite the incident taking place 14 years ago Lancashire Constabulary will never forget about a case and all major crime will continue to be reviewed and re-investigated until we find out the truth.

I am glad that we finally know who was responsible and hope the residents of Heysham and the surrounding areas are feeling reassured that Stephen Kay is no longer in a position to put lives at risk.

Lancashire police will never tolerate anybody taking the law into their own hands, it was only luck that the device did not explode which could have caused the serious injury or even death of the victim and his wife. Finally I would like to thank everybody for their patience and co-operation during this investigation, particularly during the disruption caused when Stephen Kay was first arrested.”

Lancaster Bus Station gets its notice board back at last

2013-06-14T16:38:00.000+01:00

Campaigners welcome the arrival of the new Bus Station sign earlier today.
Photo courtesy Lancaster City Council

A new bus information board has been unveiled at Lancaster Bus Station today to signpost travellers in the right direction, finally replacing the departure board switched off by Lancashire County Council in 2011 as a cost-saving measure.

Councillors, residents and campaigners have hailed the sight of the new board, the result of a one and a half year campaign to get a renewed service - and a partnership between Lancaster City Council, United Utilities and Lancaster University.

Councillors Ian and Margaret Pattison began their campaign to get a new board up in November 2011, when Lancashire County Council switched off the previous service. The Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee investigated the issue and initiated talks with Stagecoach and Lancaster University to look at options for replacement signage.

Thanks to the campaigners, working with City Council, Lancaster University and United Utilities the new system has been produced to help residents and tourists get around the district from Lancaster as smoothly as possible.

Lancaster University Information Systems Services had already developed a similar solution for the university underpass and used their know-how to design a similar system for Lancaster Bus Station.

After being contacted by Lancaster and Fleetwood MP, Eric Ollerenshaw, water company United Utilities agreed to fund the project as a thank you to the local community for putting up with major road works.

The new system uses the university’s iLancaster mobile phone platform and a modern LCD screen to display bus departures.

In a join statement Coun Ian Pattison and Coun Margaret Pattison, who campaigned to get the Bus Station Board as one of the Council’s priorities, said, “It is great to see the new board up and working. It really makes the hours spent here in the bus station and out on the streets campaigning with residents for a new information board worth while.

“A big thank you to those and the University who used their expertise to make this happen, the Officers in Democratic Services Lancaster City Council who worked so hard after we brought it to Overview and Scrutiny and to United Utilities for working with us to make this public private project a success.”

“The success of this campaign truly shows good things can be done even when the public sector is having a difficult time financially. Now this is done, we will have to look for another campaign and project to work on to help residents and tourists enjoy living, working and visiting our district as much as possible.”

“I was delighted to help facilitate the re-introduction of an Electronic Bus Service Time Table for our City," says local MP Eric Ollerenshaw. "This will make a real difference to people getting around Lancaster and many thanks to United Utilities for helping Lancaster City Council make this happen.”

Coun David Kerr, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Lancaster City Council, said: “This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved by being able to tap into the technical expertise on offer at Lancaster University, as well as the support from United Utilities. I am certain that the return of the information board at Lancaster Bus Station will be a welcome sign for many.”

Dawn Harrington, United Utilities’ Project Manager for Lancaster, said: “We’re doing a lot of work around Lancaster at the moment to improve our wastewater network and clean up the River Lune. It’s meant a lot of upheaval at the bus station because some pretty major work needed to be done there. I’m really pleased we can reward passengers for their infinite patience by funding this sign. Hopefully it will make their lives a little easier.”

“It’s been fantastic to be able to give something back to the community in this way,” said Chris Dixon, Lancaster University's Head of Service Delivery and Operations.

“Projects like this demonstrate what the university is about. Innovating and then taking that innovation and learning to the wider community. Now not only users travelling to the university, but the public can benefit and, once again, have access to a much needed service.”

Showtime! New Guide on Filming Council Meetings Published

2013-06-14T16:06:00.000+01:00

A new government guide has been published online for local people explaining how they can film and report their local council and cabinet meetings. It is called 'Your council's cabinet – going to its meetings, seeing how it works: A guide for local people'.

The new how-to guide gives practical information for the public to attend meetings of a council’s executive and how to obtain council documents. The government has changed the law to allow citizens to report, blog, tweet and film council meetings in England. It also outlines the assorted rights that taxpayers have to access council papers and documents.

The new guidance explicitly states that councillors and council officers can be filmed at council meetings, and corrects misconceptions that Data Protection or Health & Safety legislation might prohibit this.

Lancashire County Council already provides webcasts of its meetings of full council and cabinet on its website at http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/council/meetings/ and we hope it will not be long before Lancaster City Council follows suit. Currently Lancaster City Council minutes record the decisions taken, but the discussions that lead up to them are rarely documented.

The new rules do not apply to Wales, as they have not been introduced by the Welsh Government which has devolved responsibility.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles said: “Councillors shouldn’t be shy about the public seeing the good work they do in championing local communities and local interests."

Living dangerously in Lancashire - premature death central.

2013-06-14T15:27:00.002+01:00

Longer Lives, http://longerlives.phe.org.uk/ is a new Public Health England (PHE) website which shows how local authority areas rate on premature deaths (under the age of 75) from each of England’s four biggest killers – cancer, heart disease and stroke, lung disease and liver disease. Using a traffic-light rating system, Longer Lives ranks areas showing those above average in tackling avoidable deaths as green, while those that are shortest-lived are red. The Lancashire County Council area is solidly deepest red on all factors. But Manchester is definitely threatening our lead. There is so much more that can be done.

Many people are still under the misapprehension that health issues are tackled by the NHS. However under new legislation local councils have been given a pivotal role in leading the local health and care system, through their Health and Well-being Boards, to improve the health of their local citizens. (So next time you see your Councillor, be sure and tell him / her about that pain you've been getting.) Their new public health role was part of the changes to the whole health system in April 2013, part of a move to 'empower local areas to make real change in people’s lives'. To help them deliver these improvements the government has given them £5.46bn of funding to tell us to stop smoking, eat and drink more healthily and take more exercise. And to tell our kids to do likewise. And cheer up, for heaven's sakes!

It's not clear if this will result in any action on school dinner menus and licensing of food outlets close to schools too. Or affordable membership rates at local authority fitness centres. Studies show that people who are caring for elderly or disabled relatives are particularly likely to experience poor health, (especially during the periods between Atos assessments and appeals when their households must live without income).

Lancashire County Council has already made an invaluable contribution to these figures over the last two years by cutting respite and social care (ie. home-helps) and exponentially increasing charges for services such as day and residential care.

Some studies have suggested that northerners do not seek treatment for potentially life-threatening conditions early enough. Local GPs who offer repeat prescriptions of ibuprofen and paracetamol (well-known to be particularly effective on the northern working class physique) during those crucial early visits can play a vital role here.

Prof Paul Johnstone, Regional Director for PHE in the North of England, said: “It’s important to be clear that there are lots of reasons why discrepancies in levels of health exist. Lots of issues like being in a job, living in safe housing, good town planning with green spaces and leisure areas and access to good education all affect how healthy people are. One of the opportunities in moving public health from the NHS into local government, is to help tackle these wider issues.

“Not everything can be done locally either. Job creation, regeneration and policies on childhood poverty, alcohol consumption, tobacco, educational attainment and promoting healthy eating are also the responsibility of national government, Going forward, we need a joined up approach, across areas and nationally, to look at how by working together we can really turn things round."

The Longer Lives website provides examples of best practice from other local authorities, guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and links to NHS Choices so that individuals, families and citizens can learn about these conditions and what they can to do to improve their health and their local authority.

This data is the first information to be rolled out as part of the Government’s plans to provide the public and health professionals in local areas with clear easy accessible information on how health and care services are doing in improving health outcomes wherever we live.
Or not.

In tandem with these changes, the local Hospital NHS Trust is cutting its services overall by 13% this year with further cuts planned year on year.

See: http://virtual-lancaster.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/rli-ward-closures-planned-nhs-trust.html

Nesting chicks cause short delay to bridge works

2013-06-14T13:56:00.000+01:00

Restoration work to the Crook O' Lune bridge has been temporarily halted due to nesting birds.

Work to the east cycleway bridge has been underway since April but was stopped last week when engineers reached the stage of demolishing the old bridge deck and found Blue Tits and Jackdaws nesting beneath it.

Lancashire County Council has taken advice from an ecologist and expects to be able to resume the repairs during the last week in June.

Kim Whalley, senior bridge engineer, said: "We found the birds as we prepared the old bridge deck for removal. We were expecting to be able to reopen the bridge in late October, and we'll try to make the time up over the coming weeks, but this delay might pus! h it back to early November."

The listed structure, which links Caton with the River Lune Millennium Park, was originally closed for safety reasons in March 2011 after an inspection unearthed problems, particularly with the timber beams underneath.

The restoration will see the timber decking replaced, ironwork repainted, and the masonry re-pointed.

A diversion currently redirects people over the Caton Lune Bridge on Low Road, where a temporary walkway allows them to cross alongside the traffic.

Lancaster pupils crack down on speeding drivers

2013-06-14T10:26:00.001+01:00

School children in Lancaster have teamed up with police officers to crack down on motorists who drive too fast.

The pupils from Lancaster Royal Grammar school took part in the Roadwatch scheme at a check point on Quernmore Road in Lancaster.

Over a two hour period 165 vehicles passed through the check point with 11 drivers being spoken to by pupils regarding their speed.

Community Beat Manager PC Gillian Syer said: “Both the pupils and the drivers found the scheme to be very effective, I think motorists are more likely to think twice about speeding when they’re being spoken to by a youngster and hopefully this operation will make the young people think about the dangers of speeding when they eventually become drivers themselves.”

Get creative at the Platform in Morecambe this summer

2013-06-13T16:44:00.003+01:00

Tender is the Night by Colette Bain

A Lancaster based artist is inviting you to sharpen your drawing skills and unlock your imagination with new creative writing and drawing classes at the Platform in Morecambe.

Colette Bain has exhibited her art internationally and undertaken work for the Wildlife Trust. She exhibits her work in Arteria in Lancaster and galleries further afield.

The weekly drawing classes begin on Tuesday 2nd July from 10am-12.00 noon and are open to complete beginners as well as anyone who would like the opportunity to develop their drawing skills.

"Drawing is a wonderful way to re-engage with the world and strengthen creativity," enthuses Colette. "I believe that anyone can learn to draw and these classes will be a great chance to prove it."

Colette is passionate about writing, too, and in 2010 completed an MA in Writing for Children gaining a distinction. She is currently editing her first novel, due out this summer.

Creative writing class start on Wednesday 3 July from 10am to 12pm and will provide a supportive environment for people to develop their voice in whichever area of writing they choose. The basics of good writing will be covered, making this class ideal for complete beginners or anyone wanting to refresh their skills.

Both classes cost £8 per session but can be booked in advance in six week blocks at a discounted rate of £7 per session.

All classes take place at The Platform, Station Buildings, Marine Road Central, Morecambe, LA4 4DB.

• Read an interview with Colette about her work on UK Handmade

• Visit Colette's official web site: www.emmaswolf.com

Missing Animal? Here's Some Useful Information

2013-06-13T10:34:00.003+01:00

Prompted by the sad discovery of a dead black and white cat on Owen Road, Skerton this morning, we're publishing some useful advice on what to do if you find a domestic animal (living or passed) that might be useful.

In the event of finding a dead animal, Lancaster City Council says it should be left in situ, as they will collect it (Customer Services: 01524 582000). They will not collect a dead animal from a residence.

However, we have been advised that although the Council do log reports of dead animals, should anyone phone them, they do not however scan dead domestic animals for microchips.

If your pet has gone missing, here are some the first local organisations or vets to call or email to see if they have information or if the animal has been handed in to them:

Animal Care
Blea Tarn Road, Scotforth, Lancaster, LA2 0RD
Tel: 01524 65495 Email: adminATanimalcare-lancaster.co.uk
Web: www.animalcare-lancaster.co.uk

Wolfwood
Tel: 07931220094 Email: wildlife@wolfwood.co.uk
Web: www.wolfwood.co.uk

Cats Protection
PO Box 179, Morecambe, Lancs, LA3 1WL
Tel: 01524 850112 Email: lancandmorecambecp@hotmail.com.
Web: www.lancaster.cats.org.uk/lancaster

It's also a good idea to advise the three main local vets of your find:

Bay Vets
Baldrand House, Bowerham Road, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 3AJ
Tel: 01524 32696 Email: info@bayvets.co.uk
Web: www.bayvets.co.uk/surgeries/lancaster.aspx

Burch Tree Vets
43 Gladstone Terrace, Lancaster
Tel: 01524 720002 Email: btvets @gmail.com
Web: www.freewebs.com/longleyandburch

Dimples
Units 4 - 5 Lake Enterprise Court, Ladies Walk, Caton Road, Lancaster LA1 3NX
Tel: 01524 67777 Web: http://lancaster.lanesvets.com

West Coast Main Line works in July

2013-06-13T07:43:00.001+01:00

Network Rail's high output Track Renewal System 4 in action. Photo: Network Rail

(with thanks to Lancaster, Morecambe & District Rail User Group): The West Coast Main Line will be partly closed for improvement works in July - and Network Rail has organised an event at Lancaster railway station this Friday to explain what is going on

Part of the line will be closed between Warrington and Preston from Saturday 13 July - Sunday 21 July (a total of nine days), with a replacement bus service between Warrington, Wigan and Preston

Virgin Trains and Northern Rail will be providing a joint bus service for passengers directly connecting Preston, Wigan and Warrington stations.

These buses will be for local journeys only. For all other journeys, passengers will be directed to use the diverted trains.

Virgin Trains

Customers travelling from Scotland, Cumbria and Lancashire
Edinburgh to Carlisle: every two hours
Glasgow to Preston: every hour
Preston to Birmingham New Street (diverted via an alternative route): every hour - passengers for London Euston must change trains at Stockport)
Warrington to London Euston: every hour

Customers travelling from London Euston
Euston to Warrington (via Crewe): every hour – passengers must change trains at Crewe for a Preston, north west England and Scotland.
Birmingham New Street to Preston (diverted via an alternative route): every hour
Preston to Glasgow Central: every hour
Carlisle to Edinburgh: every two hours

• For timetables and more information visit the Virgin Trains website

Northern Rail

Services from Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North will terminate at St.Helens Central. A replacement bus service will operate between St. Helens Central - Wigan - Preston where train connections will be available to Blackpool North.
From Preston to Ormskirk: there will be changes to train times.

• For more information visit the Northern Rail website

First TransPennine Express

Services will not be directly affected, however they are expected to be extremely busy from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Manchester.

East Coast Trains, while not directly affected, are expecting an increase in passengers travelling on the East Coast Main Line from Edinburgh to London King’s Cross who would normally travel by Virgin Trains.

• West Coast Main Line information event, Lancaster Railway Station 7.00 - 10.00am Friday 14th June. Web: www.networkrail.co.uk/wcml

Morecambe Brass Band performs to raise money for good cause

2013-06-13T07:31:00.001+01:00

Morecambe Brass Band will be raising the roof of the Ashton Hall in Lancaster as well as funds for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital when they perform this Friday evening (14th June) at Lancaster Town Hall.

Featuring principal horn player of the famous Black Dyke Mills Band, Sheona White as well as an exciting programme of music to suit all tastes, the concert will start at 7.30pm.

Commenting on the charity event, conductor of the band, Andrew Warriner, said: "Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital will always hold a special place in many people's hearts especially my own.

"My daughter Hannah spends a number of days each year at GOSH and my wife Sam and I just wanted to give a little bit back in thanks for all the dedicated work the staff do down there."

Here's a video of the Band's performance at the Ashton Hall last December at the Ashton Hall, just to put you in the mood...

• Tickets cost £10 and £8 (concessions) and available on the night or in advance from Lancaster or Morecambe Visitor Information Centre

• Morecambe Brass Band web site: www.morecambeband.co.uk

Heysham Community Sports centre opens its doors to the public

2013-06-12T15:16:00.001+01:00

Heysham Mossgate Community Sports Facility will throw open its doors on Saturday 22nd June and again on the evening of Monday 24th June inviting members of the public to visit and have a look around the centre.

Staff will be on site from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday and from 6.00 to 9.00pm on Monday, to meet customers and will be available to advise on the future plans and how members of the public, customers and volunteers can get involved.

The centre consists of two main rooms, available for hire to accommodate dance and fitness classes and private hire functions. Outdoors there is a full size floodlit all weather G4 football pitch with changing rooms, showers and a private meeting room also available for hire.

Jean Yates, Chair of the Heysham Mossgate Board said recently, “We are positively encouraged by the number of enquiries we have already received in particular for the football pitch and private party enquiries.

"We already have a number of Summer holidays bookings, for children running throughout the school Summer holidays and we anticipate our fitness suite will be available in the Autumn”.

The centre's facilities can be booked by local clubs, groups and schools for that end of term school sports day. Bookings can be made by calling 01524 855019 or by e mailing to heyshammossgatecommunity@live.co.uk; or check the Centre out on facebook, Heysham Mossgate Community & Sports Facilities

Mice day for it: children's author Krystina Kellingley at Lancaster Library

2013-06-12T15:11:00.000+01:00

Krystina Kellingley

Local author Krystina Kellingley, author of Our Street Books new children's title Mistflower the Loneliest Mouse, and illustrator Sarah Nash will be in Lancaster library on Saturday 22nd June.

Krystina will be reading extracts from the book and Sarah will be drawing animal characters from the story.

Krystina is a reader and commissioning editor/copy editor/publisher of imprints Axis Mundi Books, Cosmic Egg Books (Fantasy/Sci Fi/Horror), Our Street Books (children’s books) and Dodona Books. She is currently working on an adult supernatural fiction novel.

She has had several short stories published in spiritual magazines as well as many online articles on dream interpretation and other subjects. As well as teaching creative writing, she has worked as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and a dream analysist. Krystina travels internationally to tutor in writing workshops as well as privately mentoring new writers of adult and children’s fiction.

She has a BA in Imaginative Writing and Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. She lives in the UK.

"Mistflower started out as a way to redress the balance between the love animals so freely and unconditionally give and the way people sometimes fail to appreciate their worth," says Krystina, "but in the process of writing other aspects came to the surface, like the way the companionship of an animal can help us deal with loss and grief or sudden or unwelcome change."

Get along and enjoy the fun, which starts at 11.30am. It's free.

• Mistflower the Mouse web site: http://mistflowerthemouse.com

Boldly go to The Dukes - for a Star Trek double bill

2013-06-12T14:54:00.002+01:00

The Dukes cinema will not only be screening the latest big screen instalment of the Star Trek series but also a classic from more than 30 years ago.

With rumours circulating about the identity of Benedict Cumberbatch’s character in Star Trek: Into Darkness there’s no better time to revisit one of the most beloved Star Trek films – Wrath of Khan.

Watch William Shatner as Captain Kirk in Star Trek: Wrath of Khan at 6pm on Saturday, 22nd June – and then see his successor, Chris Pine in Star Trek: Into Darkness at 8.30pm. This latest film is also repeated on 23rd June.

Anyone who books for the double bill before 22nd June will receive Khan tickets for just £2.

To book tickets, ring The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org

Skerton store is first test bed for new DVD rental kiosk

2013-06-12T14:38:00.004+01:00

A Skerton shop is one of the first locations in Britain to test a new DVD rental service called MovieQoob.

Ryelands Spar on Owen Road now features a brand new "robotic kiosk" which holds over 450 new and recent release movies – and is ready 24 hours' a day to dispense entertainment. The machine is as quick and simple to operate as an ATM, with rentals starting at £1.99 each.

MovieQoob tell us you don't need to be a member to rent a new movie. "Customers select their movies, pay and play, when they want and where they want," a spokesperson explains.

The MovieQoob kisoks are spreading to over 1000 towns and cities in the UK over the coming year.

"Lancaster was singled out as a priority location in response to research which concluded that Lancaster people are more likely to watch movies at home than average," we're told, "and that they do not have access to a DVD rental service in the City.'

The MovieQoob kiosk is re-stocked every week with up to six new release movies, so there is always new entertainment to enjoy. Customers can browse the movies using the touch screen on the kiosk, or they can log into the machine online at www.movieqoob.com using their PC or smartphone to check what's available in advance.

There's also a free weekly email newsletter which gives details of new movies available to rent. Sign up for the newsletter at movieqoob.com, or simply pop down to the Spar / BP on Owen Road and test the MovieQoob Robot for yourself.

• More info from movieqoob.com or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Movie-Qoob/299289263450534

Police cadets break out of jail - for charity

2013-06-12T08:31:00.001+01:00

Lancaster and Morecambe police cadets have raised more than £1,000 for charity by taking part in a sponsored jail break.

The group of 16-19 year olds had to get as far as they could from Lancaster Castle and back in eight hours – without spending money.

They all managed to get out of Lancashire with the help of donated train and bus tickets from Stagecoach and help from family and friends – and the winning team managed to get all the way to Glasgow.

Other teams reached Wales, Manchester, Cumbria, Hull and Leeds.

Some of the cadets travelled in fancy dress and the teams carried donation buckets around with them.

Overall, the cadets raised £1010.30 for the Brain Research Trust which was chosen as the ‘cadet charity of the year’ in memory of Detective Inspector Glen Oldham, who worked for Lancashire Constabulary but sadly died suddenly from a brain stem haemorrhage in November 2010.

“I used to be a police cadet and I took part in a charity jail break," says organiser PCSO Nicolle Croft. "It was great fun and a really unusual way to raise money for charity. I think it teaches the cadets teamwork and helps to boost their confidence, they had to plan their routes and approach businesses for support which I think is a really great life skill.”

• Glen Oldham’s wife Audrey has set up a website in his memory. Find out more by visiting www.remember-glen.co.uk

• Find out how to become a police cadet: www.lancashire.police.uk/about-us/citizens-in-policing

Euer not taking it easy! Fund raiser gets to walk the Cistercian Way for Gregson

2013-06-11T12:07:00.001+01:00

Gregson Community Association trustee John Euers is to walk the historic Cistercian Way to help raise money for Lancaster's Gregson Centre.

The Centre is attempting to raise £50,000 for to put a much needed new roof on the building and John's latest fund-raiser follows the success of his West Highland Way adventure (on a walking machine in the Gregson) last year - but there will be no walking machine this time around.

The Cistercian Way is an ancient waymarked trail of middle distance which traverses the low limestone fells that fringe the shores of Morecambe Bay and the sands of the Furness and Cartmel peninsulas. The trail takes about two to three days to complete.

The trail, which passes through some superb scenery, commences at the Edwardian resort of Grange-over-Sands and continues for 33 miles, passing through the characterful village of Cartmel and Cartmel Priory, perhaps one of the finest ecclesiastical buildings in the north of England.

The trail then progresses through the market town of Ulverston , Dalton, the ancient capital of Furness and Barrow-in-Furness, an attractive Victorian seaside town with miles of beaches set against the background of the Lake District Mountains and finishes at Roe Island, just off Barrrow.

Despite his severe mobility problems, John will be walking the 24.7 miles of the Way, in daily stages, from Roa Island to Grange Over-Sands.

You can sponsor John on line by clicking the link below and following the instructions: http://www.sponsorme.co.uk/billypye/john-euers-cistercian-way-roof-fund-walk.aspx

John’s attempt will begin on Thursday 25th July and he will do a final 0.3 of a mile in Lancaster on Friday 2nd or Saturday 3rd of August to make up the overall distance walked to 25 miles and will end up in the Gregson Bar around tea time.

An event is being planned at the Gregson to mark the end of his walk so look out for announcements.

• As well as looking for sponsors for John's efforts the Gregson are looking for volunteers to join him on the legs of the walk. If you are interested in doing this please email Billy Pye at billypye64ATaol.com for more information.

John will be travelling to the start of each leg from Lancaster and will come back again after the day’s walk. Some of this will be done by train but if you have transport and would like to help out please get in touch.

That's 20! Superb TT Senior race victory for McGuinness

2013-06-10T10:36:00.001+01:00

Photo: Mark Walters

Morecambe’s John McGuinness ended his 2013 Isle of Man TT campaign with a superb win in Friday’s Senior race, taking his 20th TT win and 41st podium in total, the latter the highest total ever achieved in the history of the event.

The Honda TT Legends rider was in imperious form around the Mountain Course once more and eventually ran out the victor by 10.1s from team-mate Michael Dunlop.

The initial race, which got underway at 1.00pm, was red flagged after a racing incident and so the race was re-run at the later time of 4.30pm and it was Dunlop who led from John at the end of the opening lap, the gap between the duo just 1.4s. There was little to choose between the team-mates in the early stages but a lap of 131.272 mph gave the Morecambe Missile a 2.3s lead at the end of the second lap as the riders came in for their first pit stop.

John’s pit crew again excelled at the stop and with another 131mph+ lap on the fourth lap, his lead went up to six seconds and it gave him the breathing space he needed. Circulating at high speed on the roads with Kawasaki rider James Hillier, John added another four seconds to his lead in the final two laps and he was able to come for his sixth Senior race victory, one less than the great Mike Hailwood but one more than Italian legend Giacomo Agostini.

Speaking later, a delighted John said; It feels absolutely fantastic to win again and if there’s one race to win, it’s the Senior. I’ve had a good week but a win’s escaped me so do it today with the sun shining and thousands of fans waving me all the way, is brilliant. The conditions were incredible, the bike was fantastic and with two superb pit stops we got the job done. I still feel really sharp and I hit all my apexes on the final lap and I’ve never known a reception like it all the way round the course. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many fans lining the roadside and the Island really is an amazing place. I couldn’t have asked for a better day and the job’s a dream!”

It's now back to National Superstock 1000cc Championship duty for John with the next round taking place at Knockhill, Scotland on June 14-16.

Kriss Foster, the man from T.I.G.E.R.!

2013-06-10T07:57:00.000+01:00

Local musician and comedian Kriss Foster has a show at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, but help him make it really good he's putting on a preview show at the Gregson, Lancaster this Saturday (15th June)

Here's the Festival write-up about his show:

"A man from Lancaster in a homemade leopard suit performs songs about Vimto, trains, service stations and the seaside. Returning to the fringe for the second time and bringing along his friend Mr. Ferris he presents a show full of stories, interesting instruments and trinkets. For fans of Flight of the Conchords and John Shuttleworth."

Kriss is a very funny bloke, who recently performed a tour of service stations which you can see on his website: www.krissfoster.co.uk

• To book tickets at the Fringe go to: https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/kriss-foster-and-friend

• Doors open at 8.00pm and the show starts at 9.00pm

CCTV appeal after man is assaulted in Morecambe shop

2013-06-07T18:19:00.000+01:00

Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they need to speak with after a shopkeeper was assaulted in Morecambe.

The incident took place around 7.00pm on Tuesday 21st May at Body 'n Soul on Regent Road in Morecambe when the shopkeeper was involved in an altercation with a man who has hit him in the face. Fortunately the victim, who is 34, was uninjured.

The offender is described as a being white, aged in his late 30s or early 40s, 5ft 10inches tall, with short grey hair. He was wearing a blue denim shirt, dark blue jeans and trainers. The offender smelt of alcohol and had a Staffordshire bull terrier dog.

Sergeant Guy Hamlett said: “I’d appeal to anybody that recognises the man in the CCTV image to contact Lancashire police on 101 quoting log number LC-20130521-1332.”