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NOT IN OUR NAME
2/2/03 The Green Party is the only national political party with a clear anti-war stance. They thought it would be helpful for anyone interested in this problem to have a copy of their 10 reasons why we shouldn't go to war. Read on

PRIORY CAR PARK PLANS REVIVED
31/1/03: Lancaster Priory has reapplied for for planning permission to build car parking space on its land.
Plans for a car park on the west side of the Priory were first reported by Virtual-Lancaster last August (see "Piazza on the Priory", and form part of a larger scheme which includes new toilets and refurbishment of two memorials. The ammended application has reduced the amount of new car parking space -- originally 24 spaces -- by over half. Much of the current landscape surrounding the Priory -- a regular tourist attraction -- will remain unchanged.
The Priory originally proposed the creation of a "piazza" arguing it was required to comply with new Disability legislation that will apply to all "Service Providers" by 2004. This means the Priory has to provide better access for disabled visitors and users of the church. But although the Disability Act is a welcome call for organisations to make 'reasonable adjustments' to the physical features of premises to overcome barriers to access, the Disability Rights Commission has already told Virtual-Lancaster more car parking isn't an intentional part of the new Act.
Local residents previously expressed dismay at the proposed car park, arguing it would ruin one of the best views in Lancaster, overlooking Morecambe Bay and the Lake District, and questioning the actual need for such a huge expansion in car parking space and challenging the proposal as being in total contradiction to Council parking strategies.
"The whole scheme is clearly cleverly designed to sweeten the pill, emphasise conservation and disability, muddle together irrelevant parts, and smuggle the car park in amongst sweeter things," Robert Poole said of the original plans.
If the refurbishment goes ahead, the Priory will keep a 'watching brief' on any archaeological discoveries made during the work. Museum chief Doctor White believes it unlikely much will be found since the area was excavated in 1973 and has been used as a grave site since at least the 8th century.

Take action: The planning application number is 02/00941/FUL and can be viewed at Palatine Hall on request. To object, write to Andrew Dobson, Head of Planning and Building Control, Lancaster City Council, Palatine Hall, Lancaster, LA1 1PW.

M6 MOTORWAY CLOSED AGAIN THIS WEEKEND
31/3/03: The M6 motorway in Lancashire is to be closed overnight on Saturday evening while two farm access bridges are demolished.
This is the second closure dealing with this project - last Saturday's overnight work was completed on time. The motorway will be closed from 8.00pm on Saturday 1 February until 8.00am the following morning. The work will be carried out on subsequent weekends if delays occur. A clearly signed diversion will operate for Northbound traffic via M6 Junction 34, the A683, A6 and A601(M) to rejoin the motorway at Junction 35. Southbound traffic will be diverted via Junction 35 in the reverse direction to Junction 34.
The two bridges - Colewood at Lancaster and Lane Ends at Carnforth - are being replaced because they don't meet modern standards and are starting to deteriorate because of the salt corrosion.

ALL MOUTH!
31/1/03: Trendsetting band Mouth Music hit Morecambe's Platform venue on Sunday 23 February to mark the release of their new album Seafaring Man.
Mouth Music burst onto the roots scene with a striking debut album Same in 1991, combining Swan's experimental soundscapes with the voice of Gaelic singer Talitha MacKenzie. Their combining of traditional sounds and breakbeats made an immediate impact with world music fans and global dance fusion fans.
From cultural browsers and Afro-Gaelic trip hopping to their current stripped down acoustic incarnation, Martin Swan and his collaborators continue to re-define and re-direct Celtic music in their own inimitable way. Four albums, two singles and one hybrid have seen the band develop from a studio based project into a living breathing, popular unit.
This eclectic six piece with core members Alison Crawford and Martin Swan, plus funky guests including Martin Furey, will be exploring and re-inventing the musical soul of Scotland, Ireland and beyond.
Mouth Music is a literal translation of the Scottish Gaelic 'Puirt a Beul' which is a style of Gaelic vocal music intended for dancing. And that's exactly what can be expected from this meeting pool where deeply haunting Celtic music sits easily alongside Western and Eastern styles.
Tickets cost £9/£8 and are available from the Box office on 01524 582803.

FOOD HYGIENE COURSE TO BE HELD IN CANTONESE 31/1/03: Lancaster City Council's Food Safety Team and PT Consultants have organised a food hygiene course for Cantonese-speaking food handlers in the area.
The course is being held on Monday 3 February 2003 at Morecambe Town Hall. The Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene is a nationally recognised qualification aiming to improve food hygiene knowledge and practices. Food Hygiene Trainer Peter Tang will translate the course syllabus into Cantonese.
There has been an overwhelming response from local restaurants and take-aways, and 35 local caterers are due to attend.
Suzanne Lodge, Head of Health and Strategic Housing Services said "The Council is delighted to offer this course in partnership with PT Consultants. There appears to be a definite lack of food hygiene courses in this area in languages other than English.
"We're really pleased with the number of people showing interest and hope that the candidates will learn safer methods of food handling as a result of attending this course."

RAIL CUTS: 'A RECIPE FOR GRID LOCK'
31/3/03: Reacting to the launch of the Strategic Rail Authority's just-announced Strategic Plan, Transport 2000 has condemned the cancellation and delays in key rail projects as "a recipe for gridlock". "The Plan promises a bright future for rail in the long term," commented Transport 2000 director Stephen Joseph, but he has reservations. "The reality is that the budget cuts imposed by the Government have put on hold all work on expanding the railways, even down to small but vital local schemes to improve reliability and win more passengers and freight away from the roads. This is a recipe for gridlock. Sooner or later, the Government will have to realise that the country needs a good, functioning rail network. "The SRA is right to focus on cutting costs," he added. "The current rail industry structure is clearly too costly, but that means that we need to reform the structure and cut costs, not add to past underinvestment in the railways. Users and the country generally are fed up with waiting for better rail services."

DOUBLE SUCCESS FOR BEST CENTRE STUDENT
31/1/03: Andrew Gregson is on a real lucky streak. After taking a business development course at the Best Centre, Lancaster, he applied for and won a Princess Trust Grant to open his New Business, the Mungmee Food store in Church Street, Lancaster, which sells authentic Thai food. The Best Centre entered Andrew in a UK Online competition and guess what, he won a new computer system.
As part of the UK online survey of new and returning learners Andrew just filled in a form to highlight his opinion of both UK online and the Best Centres help in attaining his dream of running his own business. Who says dreams don't come true?
John Donnellon, head of Economic Development and tourism, Lancaster City council, will present the computer equipment on Monday 3 February. "Although it has been really hard work it's been worth it," says Andrew. " The Best Centre and the Princess Trust have been brilliant and winning this computer has been the icing on the cake."
Peter Neaves from the Best Centre Lancaster, which is part of the Economic development and Tourism Department, said: "Andrew had an original idea, plus enough drive and enthusiasm to realise his dream. We will always be here for further support and truly wish him the best in the future."

CRINKLEY BOTTOM SAGA NEARS ITS END
30/1/03: District Auditor Mr Clive Portman has announced he expects to publish his decisions on the various objections received in relation to the former Crinkley Bottom Theme Park, and to produce a statement outlining the reasons for those decisions, this Friday, 31 January. Simultaneously, he will publish a Public Interest Report and his Statement of Reasons will be attached as an appendix to that report, thereby making the Statement of Reasons a public document. More news as we get it.

RICH HALL IS OTIS LEE CRENSHAW
30/01/03 Otis has been married several times - all to women named Brenda. 'If there's a Brenda out there, I'm all here for you - I'd ruther have mah heart broke all over agin than git a tattoo removed.'
They keep bringing out suberb, national / international standard comedy acts to play in this old railway station. It's remarkable how they do it - do they lie to them? Con them into coming? I don't know how they do it but they have to keep it up.
Rich Hall live at the Platform - read review by satori

READY FOR RAW?
30/1/03: Lancaster Spotlight performer and stand-up comedienne Ann Wilson launched has just launched her new performance poetry collection Raw, the first collection in a meaty trilogy. The second, Rare, will be launched with an event on Saturday 29 March in The Cavendish Arms, Dalton at 8.00pm. The launch will feature music sets from outstanding singers Ali Rigg and Lancaster-based Mollie Baxter. More guest musicians are to be confirmed. The third collection, Well Done, will be sizzling away through the summer with a launch in July or August.
Ann can usually be seen at Lancaster Spotlight which she says is the most friendly and diverse venue she's had the priviledge to perform in.

GARSTANG GETS BUS CASH BOOST
30/1/03: Two Garstang bus services will benefit from new government cash to improve the service.
The Gasrtang Super 8, #476, 873 services will all benefit as part of a £20 million cash injection announced by Transport Minister John Spellar to help set up new bus schemes to improve public transport in rural areas across England. The 46 projects benefiting from this money are the winners of the fifth round of the Rural Bus Challenge. The Challenge aims to improve the provision of public transport in rural areas, in particular by means other than the conventional scheduled bus service.
The new projects will include new or enhanced bus services, demand responsive taxi- bus services and improved passenger information.
Today's announcement means that the total awarded under the Rural Bus Challenge is now £89 million.

NEW POULTON ARTWORK UNVEILED
30/1/03: The latest in a series of gable-end murals has just been unveiled in Victoria Street, Morecambe.
This is the fourth mural to be completed and depicts a Morecambe Bay shrimping boat set against a backdrop of the setting sun and Lakeland hills.
The design for the mural was chosen by the members of the Heritage Group, which consists principally of Poulton Residents and was originally formed following Poulton's declaration as a Renewal Area in July 2000.
As part of the on-going programme to regenerate the Poulton Area, work is about to start on the landscaping of the open ground adjacent to the mural. Three empty properties were demolished to create this open space. They had become a focal point for vandalism and anti-social behaviour and their removal was one of the key objectives of the renewal programme.
"Victoria Street is an important link between the Festival Market/Morrisons and the Arndale Centre," says Coun Tricia Heath, Leader of Lancaster City Council. "The removal of derelict buildings from the street and the creation of another colourful and attractive mural and the landscaping works which are about to begin are all examples of this Council's determination to support the Poulton Renewal Area programme and enhance the area in which the Poulton Community live."

NEW FRIENDS OF THE EARTH GROUP PLANNED
30/1/03: Local resident Abi Mills is planning to set up a North Lancs FOE group particularly aimed at parents with babies/toddlers. The Group would meet once a month during the day, possibly at somewhere like Barton Road Community Centre. It would campaign on environmental issues of particular relevance to parents with small kids. The meetings would have kids activities.
If you are interested in getting involved or coming along please let Abi know either via this email address - - or by calling 01524 389069.

PLANNING COURSE ANNOUNCED
30/1/03: The Lancashire Branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England are organising a series of training events/workshops at three venues around Lancashire.
The events are to be funded by the CPRE Lancashire Branch and the Lancashire Adult and Community Learning Association. and are free to any individual or community/group representative who may wish to attend. These events are particularly suited to CPRE members, Parish Councillors, community groups or anyone with an interest in Planning Applications and Policy. The events could help people in planning applications for community-based developments, such as those proposed by Real Planning for Lancaster for the Edward Street and Bulk Road area of Lancaster.
A series of three one day (Saturdays) events are to be held, at each venue, and the material will be particularly suited to anyone who would like to learn more about the Planning system and wishes to develop their skills in participating in community decision making. This could range from understanding and responding to development applications, commenting on Local Plans or representing a group or community at Public Inquiries.
Information and workshops will concentrate on rural situations and issues and will assume no previous knowledge of Planning or Local Government. There is no requirement for anyone to commit to attending all three events in a series, though they have been arranged so as to build on each other.
The first series of events will take place at Great Eccleston Village Centre (in the Wyre District):
22 February 2003 - Introduction to Planning, Local Plans & national Policy (PPG's).
15 March 2003 - Local, Structure (County) and Regional (North West) Plans.
29 March 2003 - Appeals and Public Inquiries + tips on organizing a campaign.
All events are frte, but booking is essential. The days will run between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Tea/coffee is provided and Great Eccleston offers an excellent choice of places for lunch. This first series of events is intended to serve people from the north of the county: Lancaster, Wyre, Fylde, Blackpool, Preston and Ribble Valley areas.
The full course will be repeated at Worden Hall (Leyland) in April/May and in the east of the county around September/May.

• To make a booking or for further information please call the Lancashire CPRE office at Worden Hall: Tel. 01772 456181 or e-mail Terry Blackburn at
Web site : www.lancashirecpre.freeserve.co.uk

LANCASHIRE SCHOOLS NEEDED FOR GROUNDBREAKING DRUGS EDUCATION PROJECT
30/1/03: Secondary schools in Lancashire are being asked to take part in the first ever UK pilot project to develop a comprehensive drug education programme. The aim is to find out what will really work in enabling young people to make well-informed decisions about drug use, thereby reducing the number of young people in Lancashire taking drugs of any kind. The schools will form a group of 30 across the country to test a new way of learning about the dangers of drugs through specially designed lessons, group discussions and input from families, parents and local health experts.
The Blueprint Research Programme, run by the Home Office, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health, will train teachers and provide funding to deliver the new skills based approach over a two year period. The education programme is aimed at 11 to 13 year olds and secondary schools in Lancashire are being asked to apply now to take part in the groundbreaking project, which is based on evidence gathered from drug education projects around the world, and from two very successful programmes in the USA in particular.
Bob Ainsworth, Home Office Minister, said, "Research in the USA has shown that a comprehensive drug education programme can reduce drug taking by young people. However, we have no similar evidence from studies in the UK. The Blueprint project will allow us to put that right by monitoring the impact of drug education over a total of five years so we can see exactly what impact it has on young people's drug use.
"We are appealing for secondary schools in Lancashire to come forward and apply to join this exciting project. They will receive full training and support from local and national personnel and all the materials necessary to take part over a two-year period."
Eligible schools will be receiving an invitation letter explaining the project in detail. Only 30 schools in the UK will be taking part, and these will be in the 3 LEA areas where most schools apply.

• Schools who are interested in applying should contact: Ruth Joyce OBE, Blueprint Programme, Room 350, Horseferry House, Dean Ryle Street, London SW1P 2AW.

CITIZEN ON STRIKE
28/1/03: Journalists and photographers at the Lancaster and Morecambe Citizen and its sister newspaper, The Westmorland Gazette, have voted unanimously to go on strike in protest at the company's latest pay offer.
The newspapers, which are owned by Newsquest (a division of the US media multinational, Gannett) made pre-tax profits of £1.8 million last year and journalists and photographers have been offered a pay increase of 1.5 per cent.
Following an NUJ meeting on Monday night, members unanimously agreed to hold a series of two day strikes starting next week on Wednesday 29 January. An improved pay offer of two per cent was rejected by the members.
A spokesman for the local NUJ chapel said: "With inflation at 2.9 per cent the management offer is essentially a pay cut. This is unacceptable considering that local journalists already earn well below the national average earnings. Some loyal and long-serving workers take home less than £250 a week despite the company making very healthy profits. This is exploitative and demeaning and we feel we have little choice but to withdraw our labour in protest."
The spokesman added: "We would welcome any support from the public or advertisers during our dispute. Instead of all the profits being syphoned off to fill the coffers of an America mulitnational, hard working employees should be paid a decent wage for their labour, which could then be spent supporting local businesses and services."
The NUJ has asked for a 9.5 per cent pay increase across the board.

GET EDUCATED!
28/1/03: Educating Rita, the first Dukes production of 2003 opens on Friday 14 February.
Set in the north of England in the 1980s, Educating Rita is about a Liverpool hairdresserÕs ardent desire to know everything about literature in order to change her life, get educated and discover herself. It is about the clash of cultures between her tutor, Frank, and herself. She is conscious of her working class background in the privileged world of the university campus and she believes that getting herself an education will allow her to leave her old life behind.
Winner of many best comedy awards, Educating Rita is one of the most popular plays of the last 20 years. Cast for the play are Simon Armstrong as Frank, last seen at the Dukes in the popular Park production of Arabian Nights in 2001, and Kristin Hutchison as Rita. Kristin was last at the Dukes in 2001 in David Hare's Skylight.
Directed by Ian Hastings, the play will be performed in the intimate space of the Dukes studio which designer Terry Brown has transformed into FrankÕs dusty study with piles of books hiding bottles of whisky!

CHARTER MARKET RELOCATES
28/1/03: Owing to the resurface works that are taking place in Lancaster City Centre, the City's Charter Market will be moved from Market Square with effect from Wednesday 29 January 2003. The Market can be found on Cheapside in Lancaster every Wednesday and Saturday and stall holders are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new.

CELEBRATING VICTORY
28/1/03: The Gregson is having a major celebration tonight (28th January) to mark local residents Public Enquiry victory over Nightingale Hall Farm. There will be free nibbles, bubbles, music, song and dance a-plenty!
Five years ago public and community objections to the animal rendering plant at Nightingale Hall Farm were made clear at a massive public enquiry in Lancaster. Now residents complaints about the stink of the Farm will actually mean something.
There's also plenty of campaigners on hand tonight to explain in more detailwhat the enquiry victory means, and how to make your voice heard the next time the smell comes around.

COUNCIL SETS TRAVEL EXAMPLE
28/1/03: Lancaster City Council is setting an example to other big employers in the district with the development of its own Business Travel Plan that may cut car use among its staff.
Over the last few years, Lancaster City Council has been instrumental in encouraging greater use of public transport, cycling and walking. Now, as one of the biggest employers in the District and with 'A Healthier Environment' as one of its key objectives, the council's examining the travel habits of its own employees. The hope is that this will enable the creation of a Business Travel Plan which will encourage its workers to use healthier and more efficient means of travel to, from and within work.
Staff are currently being surveyed to find out more about their current travelling arrangements and what are the obstacles to them using public transport, walking or cycling. Councillors, Unions and other representatives will also be consulted. The information will be used to help develop the Business Travel Plan.
"Encouraging greater use of public transport, cycling and walking is an important objective of the Council," the Cabinet member with responsibility for External Affairs councillor Gina Dowding said. "The staff travel survey is the first step in the City Council adopting its own Business Travel Plan as a responsible approach to managing travel demand."
The announcement follows suggestions reported in the local press by local MP Hilton Dawson arguing for the introduction of congestion charges in Lancaster. Green spokesperson Dr. John Whitelegg, who was involved in setting up London's new congestion charge system which begins 17 February, has said such a system will not work in Lancaster.
"Congestion charging is a last resort - we have to try other things first," he told the Lancaster Citizen. "We don't yet have frequent, high quality bus routes, properly segregated cycle routes or company transport plans, where a consultant would go into a company and negotiate with people to suggest alternative ways of getting to work. You can reduce traffic by 20 per cent through that alone."
The situation in London is very different, says Dr. Whitelegg. "It will only work in places with a large population and large numbers of vehicles coming in from outside - there are 150,000 cars a day going into London."

WISH FOR A WORLD WITHOUT WAR
27/1/03: Local people concerned about the possibility of a war with Iraq are gathering on Friday 31 January for a symbolic action to protest Britain's involvement. The group will be enacting an old traditional custom called "Breaking the Bounds" which was used to drive out evil spirits. The boundaries of the village were walked amid much noise, banging shouting and chanting to scare away the spirits. "We will be walking from the centre of the city to the old city walls making as much noise as possible bring drums, pans and whistles," explained a spokesperson. "Our intention is to focus on overcoming the negativity, fear, greed, apathy etc which prevent us from believing in, and living in a world without wars. "We also want to continue to visually and loudly express our opposition to this war. We will finish the walk with a campfire and some food." The boundary walk will end in time for the Potato Day Celidh in the evening at the Gregson at 8.00pm.
If you'd like to take part, meet at the "beheaded woman" tomb behind Lancaster Castle in the Priory churchyard at 6.00pm. The event will start and finish with a brief meditation for those who wish to participate. Dressing up is encouraged and highly recommended!

SOUNDS ANEW
The magnificence of marches and sweet sounds of symphonies will soon be heard coming from within Lancaster Town Hall.
Dr. Colin Parsons, a well-known Lancaster based organist wants to give the Town Hall organ a new lease of life. He has approached the Council with a plan to organise a series organ recitals in the Ashton Hall with a view to all money raised being ploughed back into the 94-year old organ's restoration.
Dr. Parsons is not only a highly respected local organist and choirmaster but also the Founder and Principal of the North and Midlands School of Music with membership of more than 400 members from all over the world. He was organist and choirmaster at Lancaster Priory in the mid 1980's when he worked with the City Organist, Keith Worsman.
His proposals are to launch the project with a lunchtime recital at 12.30 p.m. on Thursday 27 March, featuring international organist Robert Munns of Eastbourne and continuing throughout the summer with two or three each month using highly talented and experienced members of his school. An admission fee of £2.50 will be payable at the door.
"I regard the Ashton Hall Organ as a 'hidden jewel' in our City, the existence of which is well worth promoting," says Dr. Parsons. "It has a unique sound and a tonal range way beyond any church organ in the area and is a real pleasure to play. I am certain that with the support and sponsorship from local residents and businesses to help fund the project we can look forward to the day the organ is playing to the magnificence of it's full potential."

• If anyone is interested in supporting the cause, sponsoring the project or helping in any way, you should get in touch with Dr. Colin Parsons on 01524 64904 who will be more than happy to hear from you.

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