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GO THE SHRIMPS!
18/4/03: Morecambe FC are preparing hard for the upcoming Conference play-offs which could see them join the Nationwide League next season.
According to the team's official web site, Morecambe boss Jim Harvey says he's looking forward to the end of season play-offs and doesn't mind who the Shrimps face in the battle for a place in the Nationwide League. Harvey's side join Doncaster Rovers, Chester City and Dagenham & Redbridge in the top five, with one of the quartet destined to join Yeovil Town in gaining promotion.
Harvey told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Our objective was to get in the play-offs, so the fact that we've achieved that is pleasing. "I'm not bothered who we play. They are all very tough and no matter who we get it will be a tough game, home and away.
Morecambe face Scarborough at Christie Park on Saturday, then play possible play-off opponents Doncaster away on Easter Monday.

• We would welcome reports and news on sports events for our site - please contact
Local team web links:
• Morecambe: www.morecambefc.com
• Lancaster: www.lancastercityfc.com

TOAST THE NIGHT AWAY
18/4/03: Elemental Nightclub on North Road, Lancaster, has now re-opened -- as Toast. The new club features a new plushly comfy chill-out room with waitress service, and a new bar. The dance area will be in a separate room with a fabulous new hi-tech sound system (the first of its kind in the North West, so we're told), and the biggest glitterball ever seen in Lancaster (trippy or what?). The (utterly lovely) manager Tim Milner says this will make it the best club Lancaster has ever seen. (Better than Styx? The Rendsburg? The Jazz Club? G-g-g-golly!)
Details: 25 North Rd, Lancaster - 01524 842444 7pm - 2am every night. Free entry before 10.00pm (when the main club area opens)
Music: largely house, RnB and funk. Special student rates between Mon + Wed.

VOULNTARY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
18/4/03: After the City Council attracted a huge number of entries for its local photography competition, the Volunteer Information Centre has just launched it own separate event, to celebrate Volunteers Week from 1st to 7th June 2003.
Photographic entries are invited that capture the spirit of volunteering There is a first prize of a £25.00 Boots voucher on offer and two runner-up prizes of £10.00 vouchers. The closing date is Friday, 30th May 2003 Prints (colour or black and white), accompanied by photographer's name, address and contact telephone number, should be sent to: vic Photography Competition, Trinity Community Centre, Middle Street, Lancaster LA1 1JZ
Further info: Tel: 01524 63760 or e-mail:

STUDENTS FACE CRIME WAVE
18/4/03: Students were urged by the Government to take simple steps to avoid being a victim of crime this week, as new Home Office research shows that although crime is falling overall, 10 per cent of students have been burgled and 12 per cent have been the victim of a theft.
Students are also being encouraged to report crimes to the police as the study showed 60 per cent of student crime incidents were not reported. Burglary of student residences is one major problem but so too are personal safety -- especially at night or in clubs.
The Home Office is writing to student leaders and Vice Chancellors asking them to give students more advice on how they can avoid being a victim of crime.
More info: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=457

SCARE ENOUGH
18/4/03: The Wray Scarecrow Festival is back next weekend (runs from Sat 26 April - 5 May) This is a strange event indeed, involving dozens of themed scarecrows who magically invade the village each year. The locals who make the scarecrows are keeping what they're building very secret, and take the competition very seriously. It's a truly remarkable collective creative effort with themes for this year's scarecrows including James Bond and Hammer Films.
Last year at the weekends there was a five mile traffic tailback to the car park field - which beats Glastonbury! This year, the organisers promise us it's all so well organised that that can't happen again, but they do ask that people consider cycling or walking to the village on Fair Day (5 May). The 80/81 bus to Ingleton takes under 60 minutes to get to Wray. (View the timetable as a PDF file on the Stagecoach web site).
Refreshments and a collection of Scarecrow souvenirs will be on sale throughout Scarecrow Week, at the Institute. The village pubs will be open for drinks and meals. Ice cream will be on sale from a van outside the Institute, and the village post office will be open for the purchase of soft drinks, cakes, pies and confectionery.
Please note that main street will be closed during Wray Fair and at other times during the week. Marshalls will be on duty, please help by following their instructions, thank you.

More about the Festival:
www.homestead.com/wrayscarecrows/scarecrow2003.html
How to Make a Scarecrow: www.scarecrowland.co.uk
Hammer Films: Go

TERROR IN MORECAMBE!
18/4/03: With the area awash with election leaflets -- well, Labour Party leaflets, anyway, because we haven't seen any others! - there's bound to be the occasional typo in them. Far be it for us to criticise given our spelling record, but we were rather taken by the leaflet promoting Harbour Ward Labour candidate Jane Hanson, who apparently loves walking her "West Highland terrorist around the ward."
If you've seen any similar howlers, . And feel free to point out ours...

GET YOUR SKATES ON!
16/4/03: Work will begin on the Skatepark at Green Ayre, Lancaster, before the end of this month.
The work will start at Green Ayre the week commencing 21 April 2003, and hopefully be finished by the end of May. The development of the Skatepark has been undertaken with the support of a number of local skaters, who have helped in the design and location of the Skatepark. The park, which will cost £63,000, will be constructed from concrete for the base and ramps, which will measure 27 x 11 metres. A range of quarter pipes, quarterpipes with platforms, pyramid fun box, rails, grind rails and flat bank are also part of the design. The park itself will be enclosed by a 1.2 metere high metal bowl top fence. "A number of individuals and organisations have worked long and hard to establish a Skateboard Park for the District," commented Lancaster City Council's Chief Leisure Officer, David Owen. "Lancaster City Council would wish to congratulate everyone who has supported the project, either through fundraising or working with local skaters to design the Skateboard Park".
Access to the Skatepark will be free, with the skaters who assisted and advised on the location and design helping out with the on-going management.
The Council are already planning an event to celebrate the opening of the park. The first Skatepark Festival will take place on Saturday 14 June from 12 midday to about 9.00/10.00pm), with a programme to include a battle of the bands - featuring local young bands - DJ sets - featuring the best of local young DJs - skateboard & BMX demonstrations, graffiti artists and breakdancing.
Currently there are no local dedicated facillities for skaters. The nearest major park is The Grind in Preston. "We'll be getting up at five am just to use it," said one local skater on hearing the news from Virtual-Lancaster. "This is great news."
• Out to skate feature by Matt Canty: Go

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
14/4/03: With local elections looming on 1 May 2003, we've asked every major local party to answer some questions about local issues. The answers appear on this web page and will be updated in the run up to the election, so please call back to read the latest responses.
We hope to include every party's stand on major local issues which the council has an impact on here , so people can compare the different standpoints "at a glance".
Where we have yet to have a reply from a party representative, some of the answers may be based on information in election leaflets or past comment rather than direct responses. We've indicated where this has been done. If you have had a local election leaflet delivered, please let us know if it covers any of the questions we've asked.
Who we asked on 10 April 2003: We contacted James Airey (Conservative), Ian Barker (Labour), John Gilbert (Liberal), Emily Heath (Greens - replied 12/4/03) and Tricia Heath (Current Council leader and Independents).

• For a full list of candidates in the local elections, click here

GREENS SLAM ENVIRONMENT OFFICE CLOSURE
14/3/03: Local Green Party councillors have condemned the Government's Environment Agency for proposing to close down their Lancaster offices, which will force the 25 staff to travel to Preston. The Environment Agency's own figures show that this move will create an extra 200,000 car miles per year.
"These proposals are extremely hypocritical," commented Coun Emily Heath. "The Environment Agency are supposed to reduce pollution and now they are making proposals that will greatly increase it. Not only that, the area can ill-afford to lose 25 jobs to Preston." "Many Lancaster employees of the Environment Agency currently walk or cycle to work to their offices at White Cross," added Green Party transport expert, Professor John Whitelegg. "The Environment Agency is always boasting about its 'Green Travel Plans'. However, these proposals show that they really are not serious about improving the environment at all. I urge them to reconsider and to stay in Lancaster."

SAFETY FIRST IN MORECAMBE BAY
14/4/03: With the Easter holidays upon us, the Council and local coastguard have are warning everyone to take care while enjoying the waters of Morecambe Bay -- and revealed their own plans to keep visitors and residents safe.
The Bay provides excellent opportunities for recreation ranging from bird watching to yachting and jet skiing, but the dangers around the coast should not be ignored.
Powerful waves and changing seabeds along with abnormal weather can temporary change placid conditions to those which are potentially life threatening.
Users of recreation watercraft, including yachts, dinghies and personal watercraft (jet skis), are being asked to follow a set of common-sense guidelines.

• It is important before setting out to sea to get some training first and learn how to operate the craft safely
• Users should be able to swim and wear a buoyancy aid.
• Keep clear of moored boats and other users and give way to sailing vessels
• Consult the manufacturers guidelines particularly regarding maintenance of personal watercraft and ensure that you have adequate insurance.
• Check the weather forecast and tide tables
• Tell someone ashore when and where you are going
• Ensure that your vehicle and trailer has an authorised permit to park and do not obstruct any slip way
• If you are water skiing or towing remember to take an observer.
• Wildlife in the Bay is vulnerable and rock groynes should be avoided, as these are sensitive areas for roosting birdlife.
• In the event of an emergency at sea telephone 999 and ask for the coastguard
• Observe the local bylaws. There is a speed restriction of 8mph or seven knots within 225m of the shoreline. Failure to comply with this bylaw may lead to prosecution.

Also, there are lifebelts placed at various intervals along the promenade between Teal Bay and Heysham Barrows. They can save lives and must never be tampered with. Lancaster City Council's Leisure Services, who provide the equipment, ensure that they are monitored on a daily basis and take incidents involving tampering with lifebelts very seriously. Penalties can be as large as £1000. Anyone who witnesses a person tampering with equipment should alert the police or Leisure Services immediately.
City Council beach patrol staff will be patrolling the promenade, monitoring the foreshore, offering advice to visitors and locals alike and, where necessary, requesting individuals to avoid certain areas for their own safety.
The area to the end of Morecambe's Stone Jetty, especially on the lea ward, has some soft sand which is highly dangerous to venture out on and should be avoided. The sea defence rock groynes can also be dangerous and children are asked not to walk on them.
Parking near to slipways for launching vessels is controlled by Promenade vehicle permits, which can be applied for from the Tourist Information Centre or from Leisure Services, Morecambe Town hall.

TOWN HALL TOURS ANNOUNCED
14/4/03: This Easter sees the start of the fifth summer season of guided tours around Lancaster's grand Edwardian Town Hall.
Building on the success of the previous years, tour co-ordinator, Mike Derham, is now preparing for the new season of tours which begins on Wednesday 23 April. Visitors to the Town Hall will be able to explore parts of the building which are normally out of bounds or rarely available to view.
From the Mayor's official parlour and impressive Ashton Hall to the old court room where Buck Ruxton appeared as well as the old police cells, the tour is a must-do for all Lancastrians and everyone interested in architecture, fine furniture and local history. All those embarking on the tour will be given a comprehensive and illuminating talk on the building, full of anecdotes, from its conception to its current day uses.
The hour-long tours, starting at 2.30pm, will run once a week on Wednesdays all the way from 23 April through until the end of September. Tickets cost £2.50 (concessions £2) and are available in advance from Lancaster Town Hall reception desk. Numbers are limited to a maximum of 15 persons per tour.
"It's always a pleasure to be able to show off this magnificent town hall," commented tour organiser Mike Derham. Although it was built only 94 years ago, it's steeped in history and has something of interest for everyone.
"When we began the tours in 1999 we could not have anticipated the interest would be so great and, judging from the feedback, we can predict this year's tours will be a big hit once again.
Included in this exploration of this fine Edwardian Grade II* listed building will be:
• the imposing Council Chamber with the grand Mayor's chair
• the Mayor's Parlour with the fine collection of civic silver and Gillow furniture including the magnificent centrifugal table
• the majestic Ashton Hall with its grand concert organ and the fine display of heraldic art on the ceiling.
• the former Magistrate's Court Room complete with all the original furniture. From the prisoner's dock visitors will be "sent down" to view the atmospheric subterranean police cells, which in 1935 held Lancaster's notorious double murderer, Dr. Buck Ruxton



ANTI-WAR COALITION PROTEST AGAINST US BOMBING OF IRAQI RESIDENTIAL AREAS
14/4/03: Members of the Lancaster & District Coalition Against The War demonstrated in Market Square on Saturday to draw attention to the huge cost of the war in terms of injuries and fatalities to innocent civilians. Demonstrators held up cards which on one side spelt out the words 'Precision Bombing?' and on the other showed pictures of civilian casualties (see image), and alternated them. "People may be becoming bored with the war," said one demonstrator. "It's a disease of the media that we become callous to the terrible tragedies that we are financing and permitting to take place in our names, so that the US can loot this country of its oil resources. It is important to recognise and refuse to collaborate with these crimes."
• See LDCAW page
• Anti-war events calender

PRIORITÉ À GAUCHE
14/4/03: Spoof French pop icons Priorite A Gauche gave their all to a tiny audience at The Platform, Morecambe, last Thursday night. 'sexual swagger, arrogance and strangely tailored trousers.' The verdict: 'Assez drole'. Read a review by satori.

THE STINK: DATE SET FOR COURT CASE
14/4/03: The trial case against Nightingale Farm owners Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd. - who are accused of breaching strict conditions banning offensive odours beyond their process boundary on Quernmore Road - will begin in June. The Lancaster Guardian reports that the hearings may be moved to Manchester, Liverpool or Carlisle because newspaper coverage and local campaigns about the smell could prejudice a local jury. Residents of Lancaster have had to put up with the stench from the animal rendering plant for years before the City Council finally acted. A public enquiry was held back in 1998. The proceedings brought against Fats and Proteins have been complicated because an announcement on the terms under which the entire rendering industry operates is due to be made soon by the Secretary of State.

Last Week's News Items: Go