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PICNIC AT THE PRIORY!
5/9/03: Opponents of Lancaster Priory's plans to turn Castle Hill into a car park are holding a protest picnic on Saturday 13 September on the future site of the car park.
As Virtual-Lancaster reported last year, the Priory's plans to tarmac over the grass next to the headless lady and block the main path from Church Street to make a new car park have been met by universal condemnation: opponents of the scheme spent a few hours on the Bank Holiday Monday at the Georgian Festival, and were surprised at the depth of public feeling against the proposed Car Park.
"We think this is a madcap scheme that will destroy one of Lancaster's best known and loved beauty spots," says Kathryn Fahy, one of the Picnic Against the Car Park organisers, "and literally everyone we've spoken to has agreed. We simply can't believe that the city council gave planning permission for this destructive scheme - what were they thinking of?"
The Car Park is being described as necessary to ensure disabled access to the Priory, but the Church Solicitor has admitted that the area currently used for parking is more than adequate for use by people with disabilities. The new spaces are to accommodate able bodied parishioners.
An open letter has been handed to the Rev Canon Cavanagh asking him to rethink the proposals for a carpark. • More info: www.eco-action.org/~lancaster/grassroot/

GREEN APPOINT FIRST EVER LEADER
5/9/03: As the Green Party prepares to celebrate its thirtieth birthday at its Lancaster conference in September, the Greens in the North West today announced they have broken with 30 years of tradition ­ and have formally appointed a leader -- local city councillor and top transport and sustainability expert John Whitelegg.
Despite the common view that Greens are generally opposed to the idea of having a party leader, a one-member-one-vote ballot across the region delivered a convincing 75% in favour of the move, with just 23% opposed.
"I'm really pleased that Green Party members in the North West have chosen me as leader," John Whitelegg told Virtual-Lancaster. "It's a fantastic opportunity to push ahead with green policies and ideas and I'm honoured to be taking the lead.
"Our objective is a fundamental transformation of the North West so that we can all lead safe and secure lives, improve the quality of life for everyone but especially children and the elderly and get rid of stupid policies that waste a lot of money (nuclear power, GM crops, bypasses, invading foreign countries, privatised education, health care and transport).
"There's enough money around to give us all world best public transport, safe and secure streets, high quality affordable housing and high quality local jobs. Our job is to make this happen."
As well as being a local councillor -- elected earlier this year for the Bulk Ward -- John Whitelegg is an internationally respected transport and environment consultant. As well as being the party's Chief Policy Advisor on Transport, the Lancaster-based sustainability expert is Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of York and Professor of Sustainable Transport at Liverpool John Moores University.
Professor Whitelegg grew up in Oldham in an area of poor housing. When the area was subject to a slum-clearance programme his family moved to a council estate in Fitton Hill. John went to Cardinal Langley Grammar School in Middleton, Manchester before leaving for university in Aberystwyth to begin a highly successful career as an academic and consultant. In the last 30 years he has advised local and national govenments on transport and sustainable development in Britain, Germany, Australia and other countries, and has published seven books and over 50 reports for bodies ranging from Greenpeace, the CPRE and Transport 2000 to the T&G union and the European Commission. At 55 he is married with four grown-up children, and is managing director of his own consultancy, Eco-logica. He is believed to be about to be elevated to a key role in the party's "Green Cabinet".
Professor Whitelegg was recently selected to lead the Green Party's European election campaign in the North West, where he narrowly missed election as the region's first Green MEP in 1999. The Greens are much stronger regionally now than then, expecting to have twice as many members by the time of next year's elections as in 1999, and are confident that John Whitelegg will win a Euro-seat this time. His victory in the 2003 local council elections, when he won a seat on Lancaster City Council that had been a safe Labour seat for thirty years, is reckoned to be a good sign, as Green votes increasingly appear to be migrating from Labour.
John Whitelegg's deputy will be Cllr Gina Dowding, another key player in the run-up to the North West Euro-elections. Cllr Dowding is the Greens' cabinet member on the hung Lancaster council. She achieved renown this year as the councillor who blew the whistle on a behind-closed-doors cabinet decision to offer financial advantage to failing nuclear power company British Energy at considerable cost to the local taxpayer.
Gina Dowding, a 41-year-old mother of two young children, trained in languages and business management. She worked for twelve years as a Health Promotion Specialist before becoming a full-time councillor - one of the first elected to what is now Britain's strongest local authority Green Party group.
In the last few years the traditional Green view ­ that having a leader might mean focusing attention away from policies onto personalities and giving too much power to one person ­ has been challenged. The Scottish and Irish Greens have decided to elect leaders to be the public figureheads of their parties, and the Green Group on the London Assembly opted to appoint a leader. But the North West Greens have become the first English regional Green Party to make the decision.

SHUTTER SPEED!
5/9/03: Lancaster's very own KOMA & BONES release their new album this week. Watch this space for Perksy Jobsworth’s exclusive interviews with Breakbeat stars Koma & Bones & a profile of record label TCR boss and international Breakbeat artist Rennie Pilgrem! Included in the detailed Koma & Bones interview are technical specs, influences, and some very interesting personal observations…
PLUS
Koma & Bones competition!
We have a copy of the amazing new album, SHUTTER SPEED, to give away to the winner of our K&B competition, which will be in our next newsletter.

TRAINING WITH BITE!
5/9/03: Are you involved in a community or voluntary group? Would you like help to make your group be more efficient? Manage its money better? Get its meetings to run smoothly?
Then Lancaster Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) can help, with its new Bitesize Confident Committee training programme, which starts on 18 September. These five stand-alone workshops look at things that committee members running voluntary organisations have to do. They are suitable for residents and tenants groups, local charities and other community-focussed organisations. And best of all - they are free!
CVS is also running a new training programme to on staffing and legal issues.
• For further information ring CVS on 01524 63760 or e-mail for a copy of their Autumn training programme.
CVS web site: www.lancaster.cvs.org.uk

ROADS ROADSHOW IN LANCASTER
5/9/03: Lancashire's First Road Safety Roadshow, organised by the County Council, comes to Lancaster this week. The show offers a chance to quiz the experts from the Traffic and Safety Section Group, and pick up information leaflets and watch a video about the Group's work. Visitors will also get a chance to voice their opinion on the issues that matter to them -- everything from driving, walking, cycling to the school run.
"Everyone has questions and opinions about road safety as it ultimately affects us all," explained Terry Carter, Traffic and Safety Section Manager, "so it is important that we explain how we reach the decisions that affect local people.
"Road safety is not just about traffic calming and speed cameras - that is why we will also be highlighting important things we do like training for school children, safer driving and research."
Local Dates:
• Tues 9 September am Morecambe Sea front nr statue
• Weds 10 September am Lancaster Dalton Sq
• Weds 10th September pm Lancaster Dalton Sq
Morning session are between 9am and 12noon. Afternoon sessions are between 1.00pm and 4.00pm

GREENS OPEN TO ALL
5/9/03: The Green Party has invited local people to two public debates at the Gregson with speakers being held as part of its national conference this week.
Wednesday's debate is titled "Prospects for Peace: is a peaceful world possible?" and features speakers Paul Ingram - defence analyst with the Oxford Research Group and the British American Security Information Council, Graham Kemp - Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, Lancaster University; and a speaker from the Lancaster and District Coalition Against the War
Thursday's debate, titled "Replacing Globalisation from the bottom up" features Molly Scott-Cato from the Green Party and North West Green Party leader and local councillor leader John Whitelegg.
Both events start at 8.00ppm.
The Green Party, celebrating its 30th birthday, is using its autumn conference at St. Martins College, Lancaster to launch preparations for what the Greens say will be their most successful year to date.
Conference highlights will include appearances by London mayor Ken Livingstone, Billy Hayes (general secretary of the Communication Workers' Union) and Mark Serwotka (general secretary, Public & Commercial Services Union).
• Further info: www.greenparty.org.uk/conferences

RECOGNISED BY ROYALTY?
5/9/03: "Apply Now" is the message to businesses in the Lancaster area to earn Royal recognition with a Queen's Award for Enterprise. So far only four companies have applied for details of the 2004 Awards which are given for exceptional achievements in international trade, innovation and sustainable development.
But officials at the Queen's Awards Office believe there are many more who can show they are among the best in the country. To date four companies from Lancaster have responded, with three each from the Barrow/ Ulverston, and Kendal/Kirkby Lonsdale areas, and only one from Heysham.
"The number from Lancaster and the South Lakes area is a little disappointing," commented Stephen Brice, acting Secretary at The Queen's Awards Office, "and we would like to see more applying for this most prestigious of business accolades.
"Over the years there have been many winners from the North West and there is no reason why successful companies in these areas shouldn't apply to join them.
The Queen's Awards scheme is open to all UK-based businesses with a minimum of two full-time, or equivalent, employees could be just as eligible as a neighbouring company with its 10,000- strong workforce. And even if a company does not win, the feedback report detailing the strengths and weakness of their application is a valuable tool towards future success.
• Would-be Queen's Awards winners should phone 0870 513 4486 or visit www.queensawards.org.uk for an entry pack. The deadline for this year's Awards is 31 October 2003.

HISTORY COMES ALIVE AT CARLISLE CASTLE
5/9/03: If you fancy a trip northwards this weekend, Roman soldiers and Royal guests will be meeting brave troops from across the centuries in a five-hour extravaganza, 'Highlights of Carlisle's History' at Carlisle Castle (6 ­ 7 September).
Roman re-enactment group The Ermine Street Guard will set up camp with artefacts and tools as brandished by the 1st Century AD invaders. Roman enthusiasts will also take part in various displays in the arena highlighting the training skills, ranks and equipment of the soldiers. Included in this living history encampment are the only two authentic leather tents in the world.
The weekend will also offer the chance to meet Mary Queen of Scots, thanks to history group Past Pleasures. Other figures from Carlisle's past to be represented in period costume will include the Governor of Carlisle and Mary's first custodian, Sir Frances Knollys.
+ The entertainment begins at noon each day. Admission prices to Carlisle Castle are Adult £5 / Child under 16 £2.50 / Concessions £4.
For further information contact 01228 591992

CUDDLY KILLERS?
5/9/03: In a touching nod toward political correctness, Spearhead, organisers of this week's DSEI Arms Fair at the ExCel Centre in London's Docklands have asked exhibitors not to display cluster bombs at DSEi!
SchNews reports that according to UNICEF, more than 1000 children have been injured by cluster bomblets and other unexploded weapons since the 'end' of the war in Iraq. Of course, cluster bombs can still be bought at DSEi, just not displayed, and like everything else on sale there they will not be subject to UK export controls.
The Lancaster Coalition Against the War is organising a minibus on Tuesday 9 September to go down to the actions against the DSEI Arms Fair in London. It'll be for one day, leaving early Tuesday morning and coming back at night.
If you are interested or want to find out more get in touch with them at the Saturday stall (12-2pm, outside Museum in Market Square) or phone 01524 383 012 (leave a message) or email .
•To find out more about the Arms Fair visit the official DSEI website: www.dsei.co.uk
•For protest and actions look up www.dsei.org

LINUX WORKSHOPS GO AHEAD
5/9/03: The long awaited and much rumoured Community Linux Workshops are finally happening!
If you are interested in trying out the free computer software based on co-operation and sharing then the Linux workshops are for you.
Linux is a stable and secure (no more virus worries!) operating system that can be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be. It can run on PCs, Apple Macs and lots of other types of computers.
The workshops will introduce you to using Linux for word-processing, emailing, web-browsing etc, and if you want, show you how to install it, and set up networks.
The organisers won't charge for the workshops, but entry is by registration only, and donations to cover room hire and the maintenance of the hardware are welcome.
Participants should have basic computer skills, but if you haven't, and are interested in Linux then please get in touch and the organisers can see what they can organise for you.
• Community Linux Workshops: Four hours, starting at 1.00pm and .006pm Weds 17th Sept. (workshop times are subject to demand, and may change).
• If you'd like more information please have a look at the info-sheet on linux at: seedsforchange.org.uk/res/linux.html

APPLE DAY RETURNS
4/9/03: The next apple day is approaching (Saturday 4 October) and the organisers are hoping for a lot of volunteers at the day to make it happen! They could also do with some helpers to pick apples (possibly next weekend in Arnside)! And can anyone help out with a cool storage space (cellar, workshop) somewhere near the Gregson where they can store apples for two weeks? You will be rewarded with a delicious apple smell!
The Apple Day at the Gregson will again have space for local groups and campaigns to display materials, please make use of it! Contributions to the programme are also still welcome - especially arts and crafts activities (such as vegetable puppetry!!) and storytellers. Contact Lucia Marquart if you can help/ if you want to contribute to the day!

NAME THAT COLOSSUS
4/9/03: Name that Colossus. With all media eyes focusing on the Greek island of Faliraki in the past week and the Blackpool police squad sent out to offer advice on the problems there with drunks and the like, Virtual-Lancaster would like to ask a few questions about the man in charge...
Which advocate of a 'firm but fair' approach to young people led a squad of 80 riot cops into a small Lancaster club where they smashed everything in sight, illegally interviewed clubgoers on video, carried out strip searches in the clubs toilets and denied an asthmatic girl access to her inhaler before releasing unescorted females singly onto streets haunted by an uncaptured rapist?
When the raid failed to find the vast drugs haul it sought, whose officers told a student to drop the cocaine he had in his pocket onto the floor of the clubs chill-out room, released him without charge and subsequently accused the club owner of being responsible for it?
Whose officers failed to spot the incident being recorded on cctv and who didn't count on the student making a sworn statement describing the stunt? Who took a local journalist along for the ride and earned a Front Page accolade for the fiasco ? Whose current headquarters is less than 100 yards from the Jaggy Thistle pub where on 12 July this year, with officers looking on, the street outside was rendered impassable by hordes of drunken Rangers fans drinking, disrobing, urinating and discarding bottles whilst happily belting out such inoffensive anthems as 'Could you go a chicken supper Bobby Sands'?
Whose policing methods boil down to a series of inane and ineffective media stunts designed to reassure CrimeWatchers and Political cheque-signers that something is happening when it clearly isn't. Whose latest firm but fair suggestion is that arrested youths be held in on-street cages to relieve pressure on crowded custody suites and who had this barmy mindrot reported unironically in the local press, next to a Clint Eastwood-style publicity photo complete with steely jaw and gaze into middle distance?
Finally, who now appears to have gulled the entire National Media that he has something meaningful to say about public order, pub culture and effective policing?
Step forward Superintendent Andy Rhodes, Dionysus must be terrified.
(Thanks to Steve Cook)
• Warehouse Raid story: Click Here

WORLDBEAT TAKES A BATTERING
4/9/03: Festival? This was so not a festival. But let's be positive and not talk about the lack of publicity that kept this weekend one of the best-kept secrets in the region, the total absence of food concessions (at a pointlessly overpriced £300 a concession with few tickets sold, no-one could risk it), the lack of a beer tent, the disappearance of the global marketplace, the sparseness of punters, the fact that we were down to one venue - the Platform - and most of all, lets not compare it to any previous festivals, and especially not the WOMAD ones, or even last year's. Oh, and let's really not question that the headline act was an accordian-player. Excellent in parts anyway - specially if you got a free ticket.
• Read all about it and look at the pics

TRAFFIC BACK TO NORMAL AT LAST
2/9/03: Multinational carmakers breathed a sigh of relief this morning as Lancaster traffic returned to its traditional bumper to bumper slow moving rush hour jam. After months of empty roads it seems many car makers feared car users -- many of them driving alone to work -- had given up on their automobiles for good. But the start of the new school term instantly brought an end to these fears.
Mrs Mandy MadeUpSurname, whose drive from Skerton to her office takes three quarters of an hour, not including the race to find the last remaining parking spot on Queen Street, told Virtual-Lancaster "It's about freedom of choice. I don't see why I'm being labelled selfish and accused of creating poluttion all the time when it's my taxes that keep the roads in shape."
"Everyone's entitled to a moment of lunacy," commented a Skerton resident whose walk into town takes just 12 minutes. "But every day? It's a bit of a worry."

EX-COUNCILLOR BRIAN PEARSON
2/9/03: Ex-councillor Brian Pearson died on Friday 29 August 2003. Brian was elected to the council in June 1988 until May 1995 when he represented Heysham North as an Independent member.
During his years of service, Brian served on several council committees including finance and resources and planning.
Brian suffered a suspected heart attack and was admitted to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary the week before his death. He was moved to Blackpool Victoria Hospital later in the week to undergo a triple heart bypass, but died before the surgery could be performed.
Brian was a well liked and respected member of the local business community and will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

DAWSON STANDS DOWN
1/9/03: Lancaster MP Hilton Dawson has announced he will not be running for Parliament at the next General Election.
The MP says he plans to return to his native Northumberland and play a part in the development of the North East under regional government. "I also want to be free to take part in implementing some of the crucial legislation for children with which I've been involved as an MP," he says in a letter announcing his decision.
" It is an enormous privilege and joy to be Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Wyre," says Hilton. "I am very proud that we now have more people in work and huge investment in schools, hospitals and regeneration."
Here is his letter in full:
"I am writing to tell you that I do not intend to seek re-selection as the Labour Party candidate for Lancaster & Wyre at the next General Election.
"By then Sue and I will have lived here for 25 years. We want to go home to Northumberland, I want to play a part in what I believe will be a great future for the North East under regional government. I also want to be free to take part in implementing some of the crucial legislation for children with which I've been involved as an M.P.
"It is an enormous privilege and joy to be Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Wyre. I am very proud that we now have more people in work and huge investment in schools, hospitals and regeneration. I am pleased that we now have a more effective response to crime. Above all I've been delighted to campaign, often successfully, with local people in ways that empower them over issues which are important to their lives.
"There is a great deal more to do before I go. I will be working for regional government for the North West and for an elected assembly to be based in Lancaster, I will be doing everything I can to bring us nearer to full employment and to achieve the reform of Park Homes legislation for which I've been working for six years. There are a host of matters upon which I intend to continue campaigning with the community, not least the traffic and transport issues causing concern across the whole of Lancaster & Wyre.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the local media. There are times when I get cross with you when I think that you're more interested in bad news rather than good or the short term sensation over the long term big issue. No doubt you groan at the umpteenth press release extolling the virtues of Tony Blair or me.
"This will all go on for a little while yet because I certainly do not believe that there will be a General Election for at least two years. Whenever it comes I will be working in the forefront of the campaign to elect a new Labour M.P. in Lancaster & Wyre. Although it may not always seem that way, I profoundly believe that the Labour Party is the only really effective means of bringing about the improvement of our society.
"It is essential that we consolidate and build upon success for all the people of Lancaster & Wyre. It is vital that we win again.
"I firmly believe that a new candidate with a fresh approach and their own ideas will help us win the next General Election in Lancaster & Wyre. They will have my utmost support. All the people of Lancaster & Wyre will have my utter commitment until the time comes to hand this job on."

ANOTHER POST OFFICE CLOSES
1/9/03: Yet another Lancaster sub post office is facing closure -- this time in Beaumont, Skerton.
The news that the Post Office and the sub-postmaster of Beaumont Post Office in Slyne Road have agreed that the branch will close in November comes hot on the heels of the Post Office decision to close the Marsh and Scotforth Road post office later this month. Primrose Hill Post Office has already closed.
Ron and Jan Walsh, who run the Beaumont office, blame the changes on the way benefits are paid for the imminent closure.
"We're sad to close and it's a very sad day for the community,' Mrs Walsh told the Lancaster Guardian.
"The changes in the way benefits are paid has seen our custom fall off. We have done our best in recent months to offer the new services but not enough people have responded."
Local Labour councillors had already protested earlier this year about local post office closures and tried to persuade local MP for Skerton Geraldine Smith to take action.
"As usual [the closure] is going to hit the most vulnerable people, the elderly, the disabled, single mothers, the hardest," Coun John Harrison commented.
"They will now have to go to the branches at Red Cross or on Noel Road. The Post Office just doesn't seem to care about its customers."
Myra Rowett, secretary of Skerton Community Centre told the Guardian the the proposal was a "kick in the teeth" which would cause nothing but inconvenience for the branch's customers.
"This is going to overwhelm some of the other post offices in the area," said Myra.
"They will now have to take on the whole of the Beaumont area, which is vast. Can you imagine the queues on pension days?"
The Post Office Ltd claims there are too many urban post offices competing for too little business. As a result, subpostmasters aren't making enough money and are shutting their shops. Post Office Ltd says that by closing some post offices the remaining ones in an area will be strengthened and will stay in business.
However, one of the major reasons for the closures is the change in the way benefits and pensions are being paid -- not through post offices in cash, but straight into bank accounts, which has affected post office revenues. According to the National Federation of SubPostMasters, Figures given in Parliamentary debates earlier this year show that hundreds of thousands of post office pension and benefit customers are being actively persuaded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to leave the post office network and have their money paid directly into a bank or building society account, rather than a post office account.
The Federation says the majority of post office customers want to continue receiving their benefits and pensions via the post office. But before they can get these accounts, they are forced to ring a DWP Helpline, where they are actively encouraged to have their money paid directly into a bank or building society instead of the post office.
In October 2002, Parliament gave the go-ahead for a three-year programme which involves the closure of up to 3000 urban post offices across the UK. However in June 2003 Allan Leighton (Chairman of Royal Group Plc) announced that the programme would be accelerated in order to finish by December 2004.
Sub-postmasters volunteering to leave the service are offered two years' pay in compensation, while those choosing to stay on are eligible for grants of up to £10,000 to help them modernise their branches.
The Post office says the programme, which means that about one in three urban post offices will be closed, is vital to ensure that the post office can maintain an effective network. The BBC reported last year that government ministers have argued that even after the closures, 95% of the UK population will live within a mile of a post office.
Starting this month, the Post Office is supposed to consult on all closures in an area simultaneously. This will allow customers and other stakeholders to understand what post office provision will remain in an area after the reinvention programme has finished. The post office watchdog, Postwatch, along with other stakeholders such as MPs and local councillors, had called for this approach and welcomed this announcement.
• Anyone with views should send letters to the National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans AL1 5XN by 8 October. We suggest you also write to Geraldine Smith who used to work for the Post Office and represents Skerton in Parliament
• Greatcoat angry comment on post office closures: click here

Cre8 A CD!
1/9/03: Youth Music has instigated a project that gives an opportunity for young people with a talent for music to work in top professional studios with some of the biggest names in the business.
A CD is being produced to showcase the work funded by Youth Music. As Lancashire's Youth Music Action Zone, More Music in Morecambe will be sending three young musicians to create a Hip Hop/R'n'B track along with others from Manchester and Liverpool.
The musicians chosen are Luke Slater, a didgeridoo player and Thomas Harrison, producer, who both attend the Stages evening sessions at the Hothouse in Morecambe; and Eyton Fordham (known as 4dem) a rapper involved with MMM's Studio PDQ project in Accrington.
The participants will travel to Parr St. Studios in Liverpool (where Coldplay have recently recorded their new album) to create a Hip Hop/R'n'B track with the help of Blackstreet, a top production company that has worked with Craig David, Misteeq and Mary J. Blige, and , a community musician with extensive experience in the field.
This will be a fantastic opportunity for them to gain experience in a state-of-the-art studio environment creating a commercial quality track with people that have extensive experience in the music industry.
A documentary will be filmed during the process for broadcast on television and the young musicians will be invited to a launch party in London where they will meet music celebrities and industry bigwigs.
MMM manages the Lancashire Action Zone, one of 21 across the country which have been instigated and funded by Youth Music.

GOING WILD AT THE DUKES
1/9/03: Lancaster actress Sue McCormick will be performing her one-woman show Wild as the White Waves in the Dukes studio on Wednesday 17 September at 8.00pm.
A journey through the tempestuous life of Edna St Vincent Millay, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, this is an extraordinary story of bisexual love affairs, alcohol and drug addiction, political agitation and a remarkable marriage.
From early poverty in New England through the Greenwich Village set in the 20s to a reclusive farmhouse in upstate New York, we follow a woman who can still speak to us today, who is by turns funny, moving and ultimately inspiring.
Sue was last seen at the Dukes in The Ugly Duckling and before that in Cyrano de Bergerac and Around the World in 80 Days. Most recently she has been in several shows at The Royal Exchange, Manchester as well as at The Oldham Coliseum, The New Vic, Theatre by The Lake, Keswick and many appearances with Demi-Paradise at Lancaster Castle.
Directed by Dukes guest director Eileen Murphy, Wild as the White Waves is in the Studio at 8.00pm. To book please call the Dukes on 01524 598500.

LIVE WRITING SPOTLIGHT
1/9/03: Lancaster's Spotlight Club organisers is running a programme of free workshops designed to promote and develop live-writing in the North West at the grass roots, funded by the Regional Arts Lottery Programme. The Free Writing surgeries, offering crerators the chance to have their work critiqued face to face with a Creative Writing Tutor, will take place at Atticus Books, King Street, Lancaster on the following dates:
• Tuesday 16th September - 7 - 9pm
• Tuesday 23rd September - 7 - 9pm
• Sunday 5th October - 2 - 4pm
• Sunday 12th October - 2 - 4pm
Run by Ron Baker, Sarah Fiske and Saleel Nurbhai, places are limited to nine per workshop, offering nine 20 minute surgeries. Work must be submitted in advance by prior arrangement. Work limited to 1,500 words of prose or four poems.
Sarah Fiske currently teaches Creative Writing at Lancaster Adult College Ron Baker and Saleel Nurbhai are currently Creative Writing Tutors at Lancaster University
• For further details or to book a 20 minute surgery call: 01524 381642 or e-mail .

ALOHA!
1/9/03: Photographer Linda Robshaw has an exhibition of her photos, mostly of Hawai'i, in the Whale Tail Cafe throughout September.
"All the photos. bar one, were taken on a trip to Hawai'i with my partner earlier in the year," says Linda. "He was there as a volcanologist, and I'm also about to begin a PhD studying lava flows, so there's some backgound information on the shots taken at Kilauea, Hawai'i's active volcano.
"If anyone's interested in purchasing a shot, they're limited to a print run of just 10, and can be ordered at the Whale Tail."
• More info at: www.anathema.org.uk

ITALIAN SAUCE FOOD HAZARD WARNING
1/9/03: Lancaster City Council on behalf of the Food Standard Agency is warning that Cirio Brand Arrabbiata sauce, which has been imported from Italy by Cirio Del Monte NE Limited, has been found to be contaminated with an illegal dye, Sudan I.
Sudan I is not a permitted colour under the Colours in Food Regulations 1995. It is a considered to be a genotoxic carcinogen and its presence, at any level is not permitted in foodstuffs for any purpose.
This product has been on sale in Sainsburys and a number of other retailers.
The Company have undertaken a trade withdrawal on 21 August 2003 of all the affected product which has a Best Before End date up to and including 06/04. The Company have also set up a telephone help line for customers which will be available from Tuesday 2 September 2003. The number of the help line is 0800 9156188.
No other Cirio products are known to be affected.
The sauce is sold only in 400g glass jars, which are circular in shape, and have a blue metal lid. The jar bears a front label which has the Cirio brand name on it, and the words Pasta Sauce Arrabbiata Chilli, and a back label bearing the ingredients, weight and serving suggestions.

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