ANGIE UNPLUGGED
26/4/02: Local singer songwriter Angie Palmer is at The Gregson, Lancaster, tonight (26th). She'll be supported by Kirsty McGee from Manchester, who won North-West singer-songwriter competition in 2000.
"I'll be doing a solo 'unplugged' set of all new material," Angie told us, "and then a set with my band which will include some new stuff and some from my album, romantica obscura."
Doors open at 8.00pm, support goes on at 8.30pm. Tickets are £4 and £3.50.

SCARE THE CROWS!
26/4/02: This week sees the annual Wray Scarecrow Festival take over the Lune Valley Village. The event started about eight years ago when people started putting scarecrows outside their houses, usually based on themes decided by a Scarecrow Committee. This year's themes included Lord of the Rings.
During the week, the village is visited by thousands of people from all over the UK and abroad. Various groups run activities and refreshments stalls to raise money for local causes. Scarecrow memorabilia is also on sale. Events include a road race and torchlight procession. There's also a Fair on May Bank Holiday Monday with rides, stalls, jazz bands, fell race and other attractions.
The Wray Scarecrow Village Site: Go

SON OF STAR WARS
26/4/02: Ximena and Lancaster and District CND has organised a showing of two videos about nuclear weapons and threats from arms build up at 11 am on Saturday 27 April at the Friends Meeting House, Lancaster. The screenings of Star Wars and the Militarisation of Space and In the Nuclear Shadow - what can the Children tell us follow an appearance by veteran disarmament campaigner Bruce Kent on Friday, at the same venue.
A Rough Guide to 'Son of Star Wars': Go

BLOBBYGATE 'FARCE'
26/4/02: The Lancaster Citizen reports that councillors have walked out on a special committee set up to respond to the District Auditor's Blobbygate enquiry describing it as a "farce."
Independent members say they want to put some distance between their group and the Unique Response Committee, which is currently meeting to draw up an official response to the Auditor's enquiry.
The Blobby affair continues to rumble on eight years after Lancaster City Council fell out with tv star Noel Edmonds and the The World of Crinkley Bottom was closed after a mere 12 weeks of operation in Morecambe's Happy Mount Park.
"We think it is farcical to expect councillors with little knowledge of what really went on to pass judgement on a report drawn up by highly qualified lawyers and accountants," Group leader Tricia Heath told The Citizen. "It's important that we send a message to the tax paying public that we, as an authority, are willing to accept what went wrong with Crinkley Bottom and are willing to come to terms with it."
Citizen News Online: Go

MY WRITE BICYCLE…
26/4/02: The City Council consultation on the "Marsh Cycle Route" ends on Monday (29th). The main provisions proposed include a link from Portland Street to the Infirmary (avoiding South Road); a new path alongside the Girls Grammar School playing fields; and a new path across Giant Axe field, including direct access to Platform 1 of Lancaster Station.
The consultation forms have been delivered to people along the route so there will be a bias towards affected people rather than potential users. "It's important there's a strong positive response," urges Councillor Jon Barry. You can pick up a consultation form from Lancaster Library, and/or e-mail a message of support to

BAD TIMING?
26/4/02: The Lancaster Guardian has a full-page feature on Lancaster's twin French town Perpignan this week. The French city has also been featured in the national press, as one of the place which had a strong turn out for National Front presidential candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen in last weekend's elections. Le Pen defeated Socialist Lionel Jospin in the polls and will now go head to head against Jacques Chirac for the French presidency.
All political parties fear a low turn out for upcoming local council elections here may see electoral gains for the far right in the UK. The British National Party are fielding 13 candidates in Burnley. Peter Pike, Burnley's long-serving Labour MP who deeply regrets the unfavourable publicity the BNP has brought to Burnley, told the national Guardian he hopes the French elections will not encourage the party. "I hope it will make people wake up to the danger of the BNP," he said. "But on the other hand it could be a spur to committed BNP supporters. It's difficult to predict which way it will go."
Perpigan Tourist Information (in French): Go

HEALING WEEK
26/4/02: Carnforth Healing and Therapy Centre is holding an Open Week which runs from Monday (29th) to Saturday May 4th 2002. Therapists will be on hand to talk about a variety of alternative therapy practices including Aromatherapy, Crystal Healing, Alexander Technique , Reiki and Past Life Regression. Each day will offer a different programme of events including free taster sessions and talks. For more details phone 01524 720916.

ZAPPA'S DELIGHT!
26/4/02: An absolute must for all Zappa fans, the Muffin Men will play at the Platform on Saturday 4 May. Founded in 1990 to perform a one off show to celebrate the 50th birthday of Frank Zappa, the Muffin Men have established themselves as one of the world's leading exponents of Zappa music. In their ten year history they have played nearly 400 shows in 8 countries during more than 25 European tours. They have released 10 CDs and the line ups over the years have included 4 original Zappa band members. Box Office: 01524 582803.

ARTISTS GET TOGETHER
26/4/02: A one day forum to discuss artists networks will be held at The Harris Museum, Preston on Friday 10th May, 9.45am to 5.00pm.
Speakers from across the UK will present examples of artist networking strategies and projects. All those participating in the LAN scheme and anyone interested in artists' networks are invited to attend to consider the future development of the Lancashire Artists' Network and any issues raised.
A charge of £5 will be made to cover the cost of lunch and drinks, which will be provided.
Please contact Folly and not the Harris Museum and Art Gallery to book a place. The last deadline for bookings will be Tuesday 7th May. To register your interest in receiving further information about LAN contact the LAN Administrator at Folly Gallery,Tel: 01524 388550 or e-mail: .
Folly web site: Go

NO MORE NUKES AT HEYSHAM?
19/4/02: The Lancaster Citizen has reported that a geological fault in the land next to Heysham 1 and 2 has ruled out the possibility of ever building a new nuclear power station at that site.
British Energy has admitted that existence of the fault means would be "impossible" to construct a Heysham 3 or 4.
Local environmentalists have recently been campaigning to stop an expansion of the area's nuclear power fearing that Heysham could be chosen under the Government's energy review.

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY
19/4/02: The Nuffield Theatre begins its new season next week with and evening of new dance works from the award-winning choreographer Russell Maliphant. In the collection of pieces being performed on Tuesday 30 April his company explores the relationship between movement, light and music.
Light, shadow and distance are used enchantingly to create new spaces and make the 'stage' all but disappear, like a live fairytale hologram floating in a black void. Spooky!
Maliphant is one of the most sought after UK dance artists. His own astonishingly fluid dance style, his innovative choreography and his ability to collaborate with other artists, especially lighting designer Michael Hulls, makes this ex-Royal Ballet performer something special. Box Office: 0800 028 3042

FIRE BUGS
19/4/02: Local firefighters have been facing even more danger than usual this week, after being called to deal with two fires on the Ryelands Estate containing deadly gas cylinders. The fire brigade fears the cylinders were deliberately placed in the fires, one in a pile of rubbish and the other in a shed.
Paul James, station officer at Lancaster, told the Morecambe Visitor he believed the fires were being started to deliberately harm members of the fire service. "I'm totally incensed about it all. The whole ethos of the fire service is to help people and for somebody to try and injure us is beyond my comprehension."

E-I-EZIO!
19/4/02: The Platform hosts the return of the excellent Ezio on Staurday 27th, who made their first appearance here 12 months ago.
Since their appearance at the Platform last year, Ezio have been very busy. Many of Latin duo Booga and Ezio Lunedi gigs on their last tour sold out completely, including the Shepherds Bush Empire. The band made a number of appearances at festivals all over Europe and their album Higher was in the charts in Germany and Benelux for over 26 weeks. They also found time to play two 30-minute live studio sessions for Radio 2's Richard Allison Show and to record a new album. Box Office: 01524 582803

POST OFFICE CLOSURES AHEAD
19/4/02: Both the Lancaster Guardian and the Morecambe Visitor have run items on possible sub post office closures this week, with the Visitor devoting almost a full page to the issue. The Federation of Small Businesses is calling on the Post Office to reconsider plans to close 3000 urban post offices – rural post office are protected.
Skerton post office owner Paul Holroyd told the Visitor he would prefer to close and claim compensation from Consignia, citing dwindling earnings as the reason.

ON THE BUSES
19/4/02: A new, free bus map and guide for Lancaster and Morecambe area has been produced by Lancashire County Council. The large colour map features an easy-to-read and helpful guide to local services, making it easy to plan your journey around the Lancaster and Morecambe area.
The maps are available free of charge from your local County Information Centre, or by calling Traveline on 0870 608 2 608.

A Monitor Lizard in Sydney Zoo, Australia. Photo © Brad Powell and used with kind permission.

LIZARD ON THE LOOSE!
19/4/02: The Lancaster Guardian reports a carnivorous monitor lizard is on the loose in Morecambe. The RSPCA have warned the public the lizard could give someone a nasty bite and ask for any sighting to be reported on 01524 424342.
A huge snake that gave its Morecambe owners the slip turned up in an airing cupboard a year later. A monitor lizard would be unlikely to survive a British winter.



BACK TO THE THIRTIES!

Mike Baron, CEO of Kalber Leisure and Lancaster Mayor Pat Quinton at the launch party to mark the beginning of refurbishment of the Midland Hotel. Photo courtesy Kalber Leisure.

The impressive staircase of the Midland Hotel, designed by Eric Gill. Photo © John Freeman

The new Midland team hope to attract new visitors and impress them with a 1930s theme. Looks like this chap's arrived a bit too soon. Photo © John Freeman

16/4/02: Kalber Leisure chiefs revealed their plans for the refurbished Midland Hotel, Morecambe, to a packed lunch time party for local dignitaries on Tuesday (16/4/02), including the Mayor of Lancaster.

It's hoped that major refurbishment work, costing at least £9.6 million, will start in late May, with an opening at Easter 2003.

A contractor for the refurbishment has yet to be appointed, although specialist work has begun on the Eric Gill-designed art deco building. The hotel will hopefully be fully operational by July, in time for the 70th anniversary of its opening in 1933.

The Kalber team, who bought the hotel last year, promised a return to 1930s style with some modern touches. "We want people to feel they have stepped back in time," Mike Baron told a largely enthusiastic audience. Plans include a restaurant which will be open to diners as well as guests; a new 200-capacity function room; and a 1930s-style night club in the hotel's basement.

The new designs draw on images of the hotel from a 1933 article about the hotel in Country Life and aim to deliver a 1930s theme to the Hotel's look and style. The 50 bedrooms will be refurbished, each with their own celebration of a notable 1930s personality, such as film star Clark Gable. (We're guessing they won't go with Benito Mussolini or Neville Chamberlain).

Talking about the day Kalber took over the hotel last year, Mike Baron revealed his first visit was an almost surreal experience. The hotel closed in September 2000 after the central heating broke down and couldn't be fixed, with staff sacked and guests sent packing. When Baron made his first tour, he found tables still laid for breakfast and beds still made, "like the Marie Celeste."

Plans for the new Midland Hotel, Morecambe, have been given a major promotion this week. Image © 2002 Deighton International All Rights Reserved.

Lancaster's mayor, Pat Quinton, welcomed the planned developments. "I'm sure it will be a success for the whole of Morecambe," she commented. "We need something different to bring people back."

Although some party-goers remained dubious about the plans, citing past setbacks for their reservation, the majority at the event were enthusiastic about the plans.

The event also marked the launch of a competition for Lancaster and Morecambe College design students, who are being challenged to create an art deco-styled design for new art. The winning designs, which will be chosen in early Spring 2003, will be commissioned and go on permanent display in the Hotel.

More on the Midland Hotel and its history: Go

Which 1930s personality do YOU think should be celebrated in the new Midland Hotel?

WHO'S TRADING FAIRLY IN 'FAIRTRADE CITY'?
12/4/02: That's what GlobalLink, promoters of international fair trade need to know to compile their new local directory of publicly accessible organisations, shops, cafes, restaurants and so on in the area which serve or sell Fairtrade products, as a step towards Lancaster and District taking on the 'Fairtrade City' status. Responses in the form of Name, Location, Type of business and what FT goods are offered would be appreciated. Please email responses directly to .

LEVELLING MORECAMBE
12/4/02: Advance warning that top punk-rock-folk band The Levellers are playing the Dome on Saturday 11th May. Tickets are £13 from the Dome or Tourist Information Centres. You can get them from the TIC or the Dome.
Official web site: Go
Michael Eccleshall's Levellers Site: Go

YOUTH COUNCIL PLANS
12/4/02: Local councillors are considering the creation of a Youth Council, which could improve youth involvement in local politics. The Lancaster Guardian reports the local councillors have discussed ideas with John Gordon, district team manager of Lancashire Youth and Community Service. The youth council would work in conjunction with schools and other organisations as a means of giving young people a voice in city council matters. A report is to be drawn up for further consideration.

THUMBS UP FOR MOLLIE!
12/4/02: The Westmoreland Gazette has been raving about local songstress Mollie Baxter's most resent release, 'Tracy Don't Take Sugar'. 'Not since Suzanne Vega has someone sung this catchily about cafe liasons,' says the paper.
Want to hear a free sample? Go
The four track single is available for £2.49 from 'Andy's Records,' Lancaster, 'Atticus' Bookshop, Lancaster or by emailing

WHERE'S THAT CINEMA?
12/4/02: The City Council has told local press it's optimistic that the cinema multiplex on Lancaster's Church Street will go ahead even if Warner decide to pull out.
The Citizen reports that the cinema was due to open last year but it remains an empty shell while negotiations continue between Warner and the development company, Marshgate.
All this delay is good news for the ABC, which earned a stay of execution earlier this year, shortly after LUKO talked to their national Head of Marketing and explained how behind schedule Warners' plans were.
The council claims other companies are ready to step to develop a cinema on Church Street should Warner pull out. Who are they?
More on this story: Go

RAIL ACTION WEEK
12/4/02: Next week is a Rail Week Of Action organised by North Lancashire Friends of the Earth. The local group will highlight a national FOE campaign for a safe, reliable and affordable rail service. At some point in this week they plan some campaigning at Lancaster station.
More info: Noth Lancashire Friends of the Earth



BUILDING ON WHINNEY CARR: OPPOSITION CONTINUES
4/4/02: A leaflet has been distributed to homes in the South Scotforth area by the Green Party to protest at plans for the Whinney Carr Housing Estate. See below for details of where to write / email.

Here's the text of that leaflet:
Proposed Housing Development - Whinney Carr Farm
It is now up to Stephen Byers, as Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, to decide whether a new residential neighbourhood will be developed on farmland south of Scotforth.

We have written to him explaining why he should refuse permission for the development. If you have strong feelings we would advise you do so too.

The key points, as we see them are:

1. 535 new homes beyond normal walking distance from City Centre amenities will cause intolerable increases in traffic on the already congested road system.

2. There is no need for so many new homes. The development has been justified only on the basis of the Lancashire Structure Plan, which is now out of date.

3. This development would be at the expense of the regeneration of run down areas elsewhere in the region, including Morecambe.

For more information visit: http://www.greenparty.org.uk/lancaster

Friends of the Earth press release

Mr Byers can be contacted at DTLR, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU.
If you don't have time to write to Steven Byers please take a couple of minutes to e-mail him at:

Cllr Emily Heath 4 Rossmoyne Road tel: 01524 380169

Cllr Jonathan Sear 52 Willow Lane tel: 01524 39066

WHINNEY CARR: PROTEST MOUNTS
5/4/02: Lancaster Green Party is urging concerned locals opposing the Whinney Carr housing development in South Scotforth to write to Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. With the public inquiry over Byers is the government minister who must approve the controversial residential development that will see 535 new homes being built beyond normal walking distance from City Centre amenities.
Opponents of the scheme say it will cause intolerable increases in traffic on the already congested Lancaster road system and that there is no need for so many new homes. The development has been justified only on the basis of the Lancashire Structure Plan, which is now out of date.
The Greens are also concerned this development will be at the expense of the regeneration of run down areas elsewhere in the region, including Morecambe.
Mr Byers can be contacted at DTLR, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU. E-mail (though letters on paper always have more impact):

Green Party web site: Go

BLUE SKIES INSIDE!
5/4/02: Singer Sue Parish and guitarist Jon Moore aim to warm hearts and set toes tapping when they present "Blue Skies Over the Rainbow" at Lancaster's Gregson Centre on Friday 19 April. The cabaret-style concert will include songs and tunes from some of the greatest names in 20th century jazz. Expect classics made famous by singers from Ella Fitzgerald to Eva Cassidy via instrumental masterpieces from Thelonious Monk and Pat Metheny to name but a few.
"We've chosen a programme of our very favourite music, with a strong emphasis on accentuating the positive," says Sue. "We're aiming to please the ears and lift the spirits. The music will be as joyous as we can make it!"

FACING THE MUSIC!
5/4/02: Five top local councillors will be on hand to answer the public's questions directly on Thursday (11), as part of Local Democracy Week. In a special event at Morecambe Town Hall Councillors Tricia Heath (Independent), Abbot Bryning (Labour), James Airey (Conservative), John Gilbert (Liberal Democrat) and Jon Barry (Green) have agreed to face public interrogation.
The event starts at 7.30pm. Have your Blobbygate auditor reports ready!

LANCASTERS, THIS IS LANCASTERS
5/4/02: After receiving a classified ad from Lancaster, South Carolina Virtual-Lancaster editor John Freeman spent a fun hour finding some links to other Lancasters around the globe. They're now posted here
There's even an indie pop/rock rock band with the same name - based in Brisbane, Australia.

HEAR IT FROM THE HEART
5/4/02: One of the greatest guitarists of the modern age, Gordon Giltrap, makes a welcome return visit to the Platform on Friday 19 April.
Gordon has been playing the guitar since the age of 12. Like most youngsters he was influenced by the music of the day - Cliff and the Shadows, the Beatles, the Who and Bert Jansch. By the time he was 18 he had secured his first recording contract and has since made over 25 albums in his 30-something year career.

2/4/02: WORST NORTH WESTERN!
RAIL STRIKE PLANNED FRIDAY.