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END FOR THE MIDLAND?

31/7/02: In a detailed report in today's print edition (45p from all good newsagents!) The Morecambe Visitor reports that local councillors have raised the possibility of demolition for the once-proud Midland Hotel. The paper also carries the results of its investigation into its ownership.
The current owner of Morecambe's Midland Grand Hotel has put the building up for sale, abandoning plans for its much-touted £10 million re-opening next year as restoration cost estimates soared. Read our earlier story...

RAIN STOPPED PLAY?
31/7/02: We hope government Tourism Minister, Dr Kim Howells enjoyed his trip to Morecambe on Tuesday and the torrential rain won't put him off from making a return visit when they put the sand back (but lose the bird life?). Howells was on a fact-finding visit of 'quality and leisure' facilities in the North West's regional resorts. (Midland Hotel and Winter Gardens and any boarded up shops carefully avoided, probably), though he did officially launch the recently completed 'See Wall', a further phase of the fantastic Tern Art Project.
The Tern Project is a terrific example of public art done well and Morecambe’s deservedly making the most of it – check it out for yourself here and here (or visit Morecambe!)
Morecambe Bay is an important wildlife site in Europe, which has been selected as a Special Area of Conservation for its marine habitats and as a Special Protection Area for its importance to birds.
Local MP Geraldine Smith has this week called for plans to create a 'Vision for Morecambe', proposing ideas for its long-term development. A Coastal Resorts Strategy investigation into the resort begins in August, funded by the North West Region Development Agency.

INTERBREW DROPS ACTION AGAINST GUARDIAN
26/7/02: Interbrew has withdrawn its threats to try to sequestrate the assets of The Guardian in a leaked documents case, reported earlier today. The paper itself has reported that the Belgian brewer, which has been trying to force four news organisations to hand over leaked documents about a possible takeover bid, has dropped its threat to seize the Guardian's assets.
Simmons & Simmons, solicitors for the company has said it would not go ahead with a high court hearing next Tuesday at which it planned to ask for sequestration of the paper's assets.
Meanwhile, Interbrew itself has announced via its website that it "is encouraged by the constructive dialogue currently taking place with the news organizations involved in the case over the leaked and falsified documents and welcomes the involvement of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and Euronext Brussels, in their relevant capacities, searching for a solution."
On 18 July it offered yesterday a settlement proposal over the leaked documents to the five news organizations. The proposal envisages the handing over of the original documents directly to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on the basis that the FSA would be under no obligation to provide either the documents or any information deriving from the documents to Interbrew. The offer expires on Monday 22 July 2002, at 10.00am.

CINEMA BUYER REVEALED
26/7/02: Newcastle-based property company Sharewave Limited, owned by engineering giant Metnor, has bought the leasehold for the ABC Cinema on King Street. The ABC closes 1 September. Sharewave told the Lancaster Guardian this week (26/7/02) it will announce its plans for the building in September. How about -- a cinema? (Just a thought).
Metnor's divisions also include mechanical and electrical shopfitting (and telecommunications) company Norstead, whose major clients include Ikea. Its longest serving client is Debenhams PLC and its clients also include Burton and Arcadia. Norstead cites commercial projects throughout the UK, including shopping centre infrastructure, as a major thrust in its business expansion plans.

CYCLEFEST IS GO
26/7/02: The sixth annual Cyclefest is on this week (1 -- 5 Aug), with a huge range of bike events based at St. Martin's College, drawing inventors, engineers, explorers, authors and historians and, above all, riders to Lancaster.
The event includes countryside social rides and many other events and socials.

More info direct from the Cyclefest web site: Go
or Tel. 01524 384474. Email:

ARTS QUARTER SOON?
26/7/02: A new Corporate Plan setting out Lancaster City Council's vision for the district and the strategic objectives the Council has set itself is now available from their web site (This is 2.7MB PDF file) or phone Liz Stokes on 01524 582150 or Richard Tulej on 01524 582079. The Council is keen to get public feedback on the document and would welcome views.
The plan includes key tasks the Council has set for the coming year, aiming to recognise Morecambe's value as a vital and vibrant coastal resort, promoting recognition for Lancaster as a nationally important learning city; and ensuring rural areas will have a sustainable quality of life that protects communities. The plan gives a brief overview of the budget it has available to achieve those objectives, and a brief summary of performance during the last year.
Meanwhile, it looks like the City Strategy Plan, which includes an 'arts quarter' in the New Street area and proposes the removal of the Market Square fountain, will be approved on Tuesday at a Council Cabinet meeting at Morecambe Town Hall at 10.00am, which is open to the public.

FARES FAIR?
26/7/02: Fed up with high rail fares? The Strategic Rail Authority is consulting passengers, train operators and other key stakeholders on rail fares policy by inviting comment and suggestions on issues that would both help deliver the growth targets set for rail by government and be affordable for taxpayers.
Future Fares Policy - Seeking Your Views, is a discussion document, not a policy paper, and includes information on how fares are set currently.
Download the document here
The cut off date for responses to the consultation is 11 October 2002.

PLAY ON!
26/7/02: The Mayor's Golden Jubilee Play Appeal, aimed at getting the council, businesses and other interested parties to form a partnership to improve both the quality and quantity of play facilities -- for all ages -- is getting plenty of support from local business. Bay Radio is just one of the latest to lend its support to the appeal, with other partners including Virgin Trains, Venture Caravan Parks, property agents Irvine Taylor and the Morecambe Visitor.
The year-long appeal is hoping to result in new skateboarding and other similar facilities and activities across the district.

CBBC WANT YOU! (IF YOU'RE UNDER 12)
26/7/02: Childrens BBC is looking for pairs of friends to be contestants on a brand new CBBC game show, All or Nothing.
If you're aged between 9-12 and you think that you and a friend or family member make a winning partnership, then write to CBBC with both of your names, ages, addresses, telephone numbers and a bit of information about your hobbies and interests at: ALL OR NOTHING, PO BOX 9989, London W12 7RJ
Or email:

DOWN BY LAW
26/7/02: Unavailable for many years, the classic film Down by Law will screen at The Gregson on Tuesday (30th). The film, presented by "Lucia and Pascal Films in association with a video recorder, the data projector and the big screen" stars Tom Waits, John Lurie and Roberto Benigni (music by Tom Waits) and established Jim Jarmush as one of the cool American film directors back in 1986.

BOYCOTT BODDINGTONS
Stella Artois. Beck's. Boddingtons. Labatt. Tennent's. Just some of the beers owned by Interbrew, the company seeking to seize the assets of The Guardian next week in a battle that is being seen as fundamental to the protection of press sources. It is also threatening other media organisations -- the Financial Times, the Times and Reuters -- with action but only The Guardian faces seizure of its assets.
Interbrew is to ask the high court next Tuesday to seize the Guardian's assets for refusing to hand over a copy of a leaked document, received anonymously and detailing a possible bid for South African Breweries. The action could result in sequestration or a hefty fine.
The media organisations threatened by Interbrew are seeking to uphold the principle of protecting their source or sources while the company wants to obtain the documents to unmask the leaker.
Virtual-Lancaster supports The Guardian in its opposition to Interbrew's demands that may result in the revealing of a source and urge all those who support the freedom of the press to boycott Interbrew products until they drop their action.
There's a full list of Interbrew products here (Flash site)

BILLY BRAGG PUSHES FOR MUSIC CHANGES
26/7/02: Billy Bragg is seeking to overturn the daft ancient rule which allows duos to play in a pub but not full bands. So Fatboy Slim could perform at the Litten Tree but not Blur Ð who would probably draw the same huge crowd!
More info here from The Guardian (registration required)

WE SHOULD DO IT HERE
The Christian Science Monitor reports the cell-phone-happy people of the Philippines are turning to text messaging to fight air pollution. The non-profit organisation Bantay Kalikasan, or Environmental Watchdog, has launched a campaign to get dirty trucks and buses off the streets of Manila, among the most polluted cities in Asia. People with cell phones are encouraged to report, via mobile text, any vehicles they see emitting black smoke. BK then sends lists of vehicles that have five or more complaints filed against them to the government agency responsible for issuing licenses to trucking and commercial vehicle companies, and the agency summons the owners for emissions testing. In the first two weeks of the campaign alone, 123 vehicle owners were called in. BK's ultimate goal is to get the government to enforce its Clean Air Act, enacted in 1999, so that cell-phone owners can go back to texting their friends. Just imagine if a similar system was set up in the UK to report old buses belching fumes (like we seem to have plenty of around Lancaster), or lorries. Gosh, it could even be extended to reporting persistent bad drivers! Full story by Abby Tan, 19 Jul 2002: Go

SECOND COUNCIL WORKERS STRIKE ANNOUNCED
23/7/02: With no resumption of talks in sight, public service unions have announced a second one day strike on Wednesday 14 August.
Approximately 55 per cent of Lancaster City Council workers took part in last week's strike action, resulting in a number of Lancaster City Council offices being closed to the public. Salt Ayre Leisure Centre and Lancaster Market remained open. In addition contingency plans were in place to ensure essential services that impact on health and safety were maintained.
Employers have offered a 3 per cent pay increase - which unions have called 'derisory'. Workers are asking 6 per cent or a flat rate payment to help bring public sector pay levels back up after decades of cutbacks. Over a quarter of a million low paid staff earn less than £5 an hour.
The three main unions in local government – UNISON, the GMB and the TGWU – agreed that a second national strike and further selective action would go ahead last Friday.
The strike will again impact on various services. In particular, it is anticipated bins which would normally have been emptied on Wednesday 14 August are unlikely to be emptied until the following Wednesday, as was the case last week.
"Although the Council's preferred option would have been to operate the refuse collection rounds a day behind schedule and to use Saturday to catch up, employees decided, as in other parts of the country, that they were not willing to work the overtime," said a council spokesperson.
A third day of national strike action is also being planned for September.

THE MIDLAND GRAND HOTEL IS PUT UP FOR SALE
23/7/02: The current owner of Morecambe's art-deco Midland Grand Hotel has regretfully notified staff and the Local Council of its decision to put the prestigious hotel up for sale. The £10m restoration project -- with a planned re-opening next year -- will be stopped and the hotel's visitor centre closed with immediate effect, due to costs rising unexpectedly above the project's budget. All staff at the hotel and centre have been offered a redundancy package.

"This should have been the flagship development to put the seal on the huge investment which has gone into Morecambe in the past few years," commented John Regan, one of the Directors of Lancaster's Chamber of Commerce and Chair of its Tourism Policy Group. "The Chamber hears the announcement with great disappointment.
"The project was high risk from the start and the viability of the building as a hotel for the future must be questioned even with the proposed extension.
"We are more than happy to offer our support and assistance in any re-marketing of the site. We do however call for a realistic appraisal of the uses to which this high profile building could be put."
Since gaining planning permission in April 2002, the owner of the hotel, Midland Grand Hotel Limited, has carried out detailed research into the costs of conserving and restoring the building to the specified plans in line with carrying out work to the highest possible standard. Initially Midland Grand Hotel Limited projected the hotel would break even by its third year. However, as the costs of restoration have risen following further investigation of the fabric of the building overall costs now exceed a tight budget.
The spiralling costs have raised concerns from the company's investors, who are unwilling to commit the additional funding which would be required to proceed with full restoration. This has led to the decision to sell with the hope that a different owner would not have the same budgetary constraints.
"Reluctantly the company has made the decision to withdraw from the project and put the hotel on the market immediately," commented Mike Baron, Managing Director of Leisure Group UK Limited. "We are very aware that this news will be a disappointment to the local community.
"I personally would like to thank all those that have given us support and encouragement over the past year including our staff, Lancaster City Council, the Friends of the Midland and English Heritage.
"We are deeply disappointed that we are unable to deliver our dream. It is sad that such an exciting project should have to end this way especially with the amount of time and effort which has been expended. We are hopeful that a buyer who is able to fully restore this splendid building of national significance can soon be found before the hotel falls further into disrepair."
Lancaster City Council has had talks to ensure Midland Grand Hotel Limited, as the current owners, will continue to provide security and meet their obligations as owners of a listed building. They have indicated that they will do so and have also said that they will continue to remove the asbestos from the building.
"Although the Midland is not a city council building it is nevertheless a key building for the town." commented Council Leader Coun Tricia Heath on the news. We are obviously very disappointed that the development is not going to proceed as planned. It is an important landmark for Morecambe and forms an integral part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative, which the Council has secured as part of its ambition to see Morecambe capitalise on its heritage, which includes the Midland.
"As far as the city council and English Heritage were concerned, plans for the building were progressing in the right direction and this news comes as a blow for the building."
"I am personally extremely disappointed by the news," said Coun James Airey, the Council's Cabinet member for Regeneration. "The city council is committed to the continuing redevelopment of Morecambe and will work with English Heritage, the North West Development Agency and the private sector to find a solution for the Midland Hotel."
Only the Twentieth Century Society, who opposed the new design proposals for the hotel as unkeeping with its art-deco style, have welcome news of the venture's failure. "We are glad that the proposed scheme has now fallen through, and that the Midland Hotel will not be extended in the immediate future," the society told Virtual-Lancaster. "However, we are extremely concerned about the listed building‚s future, and would expect the statutory authorities to take all measures to secure its re-use and restoration.
"The Midland presents a fantastic opportunity for an imaginative entrepreneur, but it needs someone who is willing to invest in its repair and its long-term maintenance. It needs someone who will market it as a unique place and capitalise on its fantastic architecture."
The Society feels the Midland belongs to the top five per cent of all British listed buildings and it would be advisable to hire the services of an experienced conservation architect to bring the sphinx back from the ashes.
The hotel is currently being valued and the selling price has not yet been set. It will take at least six months for any sale to go through. International property experts Knight Frank have been appointed to handle the sale. Mike Baron and Tudor Williams (the hotel's General Manager) has said he would be happy to act as consultants to any the new owners should this be required.
The Midland Grand Hotel was purchased earlier this year by Midland Grand Hotel Limited, part of Leisure Group UK Limited. The restoration plans were only announced in April, after outline planning permission was given for the project in March.
The hotel was managed and operated under Kalber Leisure - a brand name of Leisure Group UK Limited. Leisure Group UK Limited operates a number of hotel, restaurant and nightclub operations throughout the UK. A private equity management company, Leisure Asset Management Holdings, backs the group.

DANCING IN THE STREETS!
19/7/02: It's festival time again in Lancaster and Morecambe and what a start to the season, with the wildest and wackiest weekend of the summer – the Street Theatre Festival this weekend – a family treat definitely not to be missed!
Full info on performances in our Events Pages.

CINEMA HOPES
19/7/02: Good news for film goers, we hope. The Lancaster Guardian reports today (Friday 19) that a major new cinema operator is "very interested" in taking on Lancaster's new six-screen complex in Church Street if the Australian company behind the scheme pull out. This news follows announcement of the closure of the ABC.
Go direct to the Lancaster Guardian story: Go
Background on this story on this site: Go

CHURCH SPOTTING
19/7/02: Harpist Rachel Gladwin is the latest performer at the free lunch time concerts at St John's Church, Chapel St., Lancaster this week. She's back by popular demand on Thursday (25th) following her successful lunchtime concert at The Platform Morecambe, playing a mixture of classical, traditional and original tunes for the harp.
Local girl Rachel is only 18, but has been playing the harp since the age of five. Her father, Paul Guppy, made the harp she is currently playing. Rachel recently completed a residency at Thurnham Hall.
The concerts run from 12.45-1.30pm. Admission free, donations welcome
For further information and a programme contact: Lancaster Arts & Events on 01524 582803

TAKING UP RESIDENCE
Tech.2 are running an Artists in Residency series of activities at the Folly Gallery between 16t August and 9 September. They're interested in promoting the recycling of computer technology, the use of Linux and are working alongside the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, Powys and Grizedale Forest Park, Cumbria.
For more information please look at their website: Go
Or email Lisa Haskel:

ROLLOVER BETHOVEN!
Christ Church, Carnforth plays host to a recital of music by Johann Sebastian Bach next Friday (26th), given by two well-known professional performers, Deirdre Ward (baroque violin) and Ann Bond (harpsichord).
Tickets are available at the Whitaker Studio, 43, New Street, Carnforth (Tel: 01524 736056) or at the door.

DON'T RING MY BELL
Good news for those of you fed up with beeping singing phones going off at concerts, restaurants and on trains (especially Virgin's supposed Quiet carriages). It seems there's strong support for ban on mobiles in public places (unless
you're under 18, that is), although people in Britain are considerably more tolerant of mobile usage than people in other European countries.
A study last year showed that in Finland and Italy (where over 80 per cent of the population has mobile phones), more than seven out of ten people were in favour of using mobile phone blocking technology.
Read more on EuropeMedia: Go

A LIFE CUT SHORT
16/7/02: Virtual-Lancaster.net extends its sympathies to the family and friends of 10-year old Jade Catherine Slack from Galgate, who it is suspected has died from consuming Ecstasy pills.
Lancashire Police have confirmed that Jade died on Sunday following a suspected drugs overdose.
Jade, from Meadow Park, Galgate near Lancaster was spending the afternoon with a friend also aged 10-years-old. It is understood the two girls were at an address on Salford Road in Galgate when Jade reported that she did not feel well. It is believed the occupiers were known to the friend of the deceased. Jade was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary where she died at around 6.00pm.
Report in the national Guardian (registration required): Go

ACCESS ALL AREAS!
15/7/02: Lancashire County Council and the Countryside Agency are consulting with a wide range of individuals and organisations over its plans to make the countryside accessible for everyone – including improving access for disabled people.
The consultation will run hand in hand with an audit of selected footpaths to identify routes that have the potential to be upgraded.
Countryside furniture like gates and stiles are also being looked at and examples of good practice highlighted. Even the way the Council publicise routes and provide information is being scrutinised, to see if those areas can be further improved.
"It's not just people with disabilities that benefit," said County Councillor Tim Ormrod, after seeing some improvements for himself at Tarnbeck Drive in Mawdesley. "Young families need pushchair friendly routes and the elderly and those unfamiliar with the countryside also need easy to use and barrier free."
Lancashire County Council has produced a draft policy document looking at its approach to these issues and welcomes feedback from the general
public on this policy.

View the Policy Document: Go
Alternatively contact Tony Lund on 01772 264709.

FOOD PATENTING VICTORY
15/7/02: British charity ActionAid has scored a partial victory in its campaign against food patents, which threaten the livelihoods of many third world farmers and peoples. The charity is now asking supporters to write to their MPs to ask that the British government drop its support for food patenting.
ActionAid turned the international spotlight on the problem of corporate patents on basic food crops by targeting RiceTec Inc, from Texas, who had a US patent on US-grown basmati rice. The US Patent Office struck off 15 out of 20 of RiceTec's claims to basmati rice after fierce lobbying by ActionAid and 90 campaigning organisations worldwide in support of an Indian Government challenge. However, RiceTec can still grow three varieties of basmati in the US.
ActionAid continues to campaign globally to change World Trade Organisation rules which allow patents on plants on crops.
The Food Rights Campaign hosted a Pakistani woman farmer who travelled to the United Nations to denounce the Basmati rice patent. "We have always grown our Basmati," Ghulam Medina said at a press conference organised by ActionAid. "It is our livelihood. How can a big company claim to own what my family has owned for generations?"
• Read more about Bio-patenting: Go

FINAL CURTAIN FOR THE ABC
12/7/02: Despite public protest earlier this year, Lancaster's ABC Cinema -- the town's only commercial cinema screening mainstream films on release -- will close on 1 September 2002. The lease to the cinema complex site has been sold to an undisclosed buyer, although Odeon Limited, who currently it, have yet to reveal their identity.
11 people will lose their jobs, although they have all been offered either a redundancy package or employment at other Odeon cinemas in the region.
• Full story: Go

GET ASSEMBLED
12/7/02: Lancaster City Council is about to begin a promotional campaign for its King Street-based Assembly Rooms site and there are stalls for hire at very reasonable rates. "We're looking for artists and craftspeople, especially," urged an Assembly Rooms spokesperson.
• Phone 01524 66627 for stall enquiries.

POETS WIN PRIZES
Five minutes behind the microphone could win you a £25 First Prize at this week's Spotlight at the Yorkshire House (Friday 19 July).
As part of a new annual program Lancaster's literary Spotlight Club is hosting a Competition Open Mic night, a development of the sessions that have proved one of Spotlight's most popular regular features. These sessions offer five minute spots for performers to 'try-out' being on stage in front of a microphone or to test reactions to new material, experimental writing or work in progress.
This first Spotlight Open Mic Special -- instigated this special open mic night due to the heavy demand for places to perform -- offers participants to chance to perform their own writing and compete to win the £25 First Prize! There will also be a second prize of £10. Winners will be chosen by audience vote on the night.
With 20 'Open Mic' spots up for grabs entrants must perform their own original writing, be it poetry, a short story or monologue, on stage for five minutes.

•Entrants must book their spot in advance by phoning 01524 381642 or e-mail:

VOLUNTEER FOR SUMMER!
The Volunteer Information Centre, Lancaster's resource for information and advice on volunteering, has recently posted some interesting volunteering opportunities, for those with time on their hands this summer.
How would you fancy four weeks on a Greek beach? Well one organisation is looking for people for just that, to assist with a Sea Turtle Protection Project. It will be demanding work, but accommodation is provided. If volunteering overseas appeals, then you'll find other opportunities to go to any of 45 countries.
Closer to home, but no less interesting, the RSPB in Leighton Moss are looking for people to help with dry-stone walling, woodwork, reed-clearing and other conservation duties. School holidays will shortly be upon us and that means help is required to run the districts Summer Play schemes, and if you are into cycling and/or recycling you could find plenty to interest you at "Pedal Power", the new cycle project, which launched in Lancaster last week. They are currently looking for people who are good with repairs or can help with admin work or driving.

• Details on all of these opportunities have just gone online on the VIC web site: Go

CHRIS RIGBY AT NO.6
12/7/02: Silverdale-based artist Chris Rigby is back at the No. 6 café in China Street as part of a new cibachrome exhibition.

A THOUSAND ACRES ... WELL, MAKE THAT 4.7
12/7/02: Eco-zine Grist reports that global standards of living will plummet by mid-century unless human beings drastically decrease their use of natural resources. That's according to the Living Planet Report 2002 issued by the World Wildlife Fund. The main culprits in the overuse of resources are the world's richest countries: the U.S., Canada, Japan, and most of Western Europe.
The report found that more than 20 per cent more natural resources are used every year than can be regenerated, meaning that by 2050, a second Earth would be necessary to meet human demand.
The report suggests using technology to cut down on waste, gradually abandoning reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting health care and education to control population growth.
• Read the report: Go
• Take action to turn the tide against consumption: Go

GUARDIANS TRUE COLOURS?
12/7/02: Just when you thought the Lancaster Guardian was improving, the editor starts waxing lyrical about how wonderful it would be to have a big store like Debenhams move into town and how it might stop people shopping elsewhere. Yes, and of course so many small businesses like Jules, Margees and others would just love healthy competition. Face it, commerce-heads – if big business benefited small ones then every retail unit around Littlewoods would be taken and the market wouldn't look half empty…

BUGS IN THE GARDEN?
12/7/02: Good old soap and water is one of the best and safest all-purpose insecticidal sprays you can use in your garden. Just make sure that you don't use more soap than the recipe calls for, or you can kill the plants.
More about dealing with garden bugs: Go

DO THE FANDANGO!
6/7/02: ¡Fandango!, this summer's Walkabout Theatre in Williamson Park from the Dukes, has begun its run. Set in Andalucia in 1803, birthplace of the bullfight and flamenco, ¡Fandango! is a light hearted romantic adventure full of froth, fun and theatricality – a story of obsession and desire.
Adapted from the Spanish novella "The Three Cornered Hat" by Pedro Antonio de Alarcon this fast-moving and tightly-plotted intrigue is the story of what happens when a powerful man falls in love with an honest peasant woman, and it features a host of characters plus two gorgeous, almost human
donkeys!
With relatively little trekking, this year's production is particularly accessible to wheelchair users and those with impaired mobility. Bookings: 01524 598500

TAKE TO THE STREETS
6/7/02: Be prepared -- The Lancaster & Morecambe Street Theatre Festival will soon be upon us! Our streets and Morecambe's Prom are about to be brought to life with jugglers, acrobats, clowns & musicians, all with one objective - to make you laugh!
This is just one the major free events put on by the Council over the summer, offering hilarious antics from the best street theatre acts around, in Lancaster's streets on Saturday & Morecambe promenade on Sunday, plus the amazing Family Cabaret Show at the Platform on Saturday night. Acts include The Desperate Men, The Pierotters, Quilombo Acrobats, Miss Behave the Lady Sword Swallower, Fairly Famous Family's new show Lifeguards, Skate Naked and Gifted The Space Cadet.
The festival runs from 20-21 July. Miss it at your peril! Further info on 01524 582803, full schedule on our web site event pages.

HOP HOP HOP!
6/7/02: Don't forget – 1960s-inspired The Hop are playing a special charity gig at The Wagon and Horses this Saturday (6th). Along with a costume prize for most authentic-looking 1960s rocker or mod, there's a collection on the night in aid of the Wrigley Ward at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. The ward is the main unit in the North West for children with kidney problems.

A PERFECT CHERRY
6/7/02: Much-praised benchtours bring their new and very funny version of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard to the Brewery Arts Centre next weekend (12 – 13 July). Translated by Michael Frayn the play, set in post-revolution Russia, finds friends, neighbours and servants preparing for the long-awaited return of Madame Ranevsky - the debt-ridden mistress of the cherry orchard estate. Social, political and personal changes give all gathered something to discuss, dissect and come to terms with!
Chekhov's classic, his last great play, is a triumph of natural action,

Box Office: 01539 725133 More info: Go

BEHIND THE TIMES
6/7/02: Virtual-Lancaster.net contributor John Freeman made a quick trip to Nottingham this week to cover filming of the new Robot Wars series, due on BBC2 in the autumn. "What a treat to find bus stops with timetables, a hotline phone number in all of them to call if the shelter was vandalised," he comments. "Plus buses that run every half hour, a mobile text service available so you could check immediately when the next bus was due and a new tram line being built. Wake up, Lancaster!"

• Nottingham Express Transit Website: Go
• More on the Nottingham Tram Project, including a list of suppliers: Go
• Links to every bus service web site in the country on this site: Go


LANCASTER GREENS WARY OF SUPERMARKET PLAN
2/7/02: Lancaster's Green Party has expressed concern at Chelverton's proposals for a new supermarket devlopment on land it owns on Kingsway. "This seems like a really bad development to me," councillor Jon Barry told Virtual-Lancaster.net. "Indeed, it was the sort of development that the City Council planners resisted (to their credit) when Chelvertons were trying to buy the other part of the Kingsway site from the Council.
"The strong danger is that a sort of third town centre at Kingsway will be created (in addition to Lancaster and Morecambe) and that this one will be served almost exclusively by the car. So we will have more car journeys and a sucking of trade away from established businesses in Lancaster and Morecambe."
Property developers CR Chelverton announced £40 million proposals for a new supermarket and other developments for Lancaster at a Chamber of Commerce meeting last week. Read More...