Latest story at top of page

BULLDOZING MORECAMBE
9/1/05: More opposition to the council's plans to destroy the large terraced houses of the West End (making countless local residents homeless) in favour of yet another sterile modern housing desert and a quick profit for outside developers comes from Derek Al Zarahri. In regenerating areas, which properties are always the most sought after, he asks? Why, the large Victorian terraced properties. Ask yourself, will this type of renaissance ever happen in Morecambe if they've replaced the big old houses with the type of vapid, anodyne housing you find in new estates across the land? You might as well re-name the resort Slough-on-Sea. His proposals for real regeneration challenge the council to use their brains, rather than being stampeded into more counter-productive schemes by PFI profiteers.
Read them...

HIGH WINDS BRING DOWN PRIORY BEACON, FLOOD WARNINGS
8/1/05: High winds buffeted the Lancaster area last night, causing plenty of minor damage to houses and bringing down trees in Ryelands Park. The River Lune was one of many subject of a flood warning and was running high and fast this afternoon.
Another casualty of the high winds was the beacon by Lancaster Priory, last used on Fireworks Night in November and quite regularly when Lancaster still ran major public events, in the days not so long gone before festival budgets were cut to shreds.
If it had hit someone when it fell, of course, the Council could have faced a manslaughter charge. Virtual-Lancaster is reliably informed that it was noted that the beacon was rotten before Fireworks Night last year. It was deemed safe to be used at that event but despite several warnings and attempts to get it repaired or some other action taken, no council department could decide which one of them should carry out remedial work. Now, it's too late.
Lancaster Priory, we're also told, was keen to see it repaired. Despite their own plans to build a car park on one of central Lancaster's few green spaces, it appears they would like to see events held on its grounds, and the beacon was a strong focal point at many past historical re-enactments.

BE PART OF THE BIG PICTURE!
6/1/04: Ugandan fiction writer, Jackee Batanda, will be visiting the North West for 12 weeks as part of a Litfest and Lancaster University residency, and Litfest are looking for three north west writers to work on 'The Big Picture'. However, if you are an interested writer, you don't have much time to apply!
'The Big Picture' is a great opportunity for three emerging/professional writers to meet and work with a writer from a different continent and explore the commonalities and oppositions of their world views through literature.
The selected writers led by Jackee Batanda will work together to create a piece or pieces for presentation at Litfest in November 2005. The work created may go on to be published as part of the project.
Each writer selected will be paid a performance fee of £175 and an expenses contribution of £150. Writers will be selected from across the region on the strength of their CV, a short selection of their previous creative writing and a short statement of interest.
Litfest seems to have been slow promoting this for some reason -- the deadline for applications is 1.00pm on 14 January 2005 - Selected writers will be informed on or before the 17th January. Submissions should be made by email to andy.darby@litfest.org

GREAVES NURSERY REPRIEVED?
6/1/05: The popular Greaves Park Nursery School could be reprieved from closure after it emerged figures used to justify it proved flawed.
After publicly claiming that an overwhelming number of people supported its proposals to close Greaves Park Nursery School, Lancashire County Council has now admitted that the majority of people who responded actually favoured keeping the nursery open.
Lancaster's Green Party has discovered a report to the Council's Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee on 14 September last year showed that 219 out of 227 parents and other residents responding were opposed to the closure.
But County Councillor Clive Grunshaw, cabinet member for Children and Families, claimed the result was of the consultation was overwhelmingly in favour of closure.
During a meeting with Lancaster City Council leader Ian Barker, senior County Council figures admitted that Councillor Grunshaw's claims were incorrect. It was also "accepted that lessons for future consultations could be learned from this process."
Leader of the Green Group on Lancaster City Council, Councillor Chris Coates, is to address the meeting of the Schools Organisation Committee on 13 January. This meeting will decide whether the closure proposals should go ahead.
"I'm pleased that Lancashire County Council has now accepted that the public is overwhelmingly opposed to its proposals to close Greaves Park Nursery," says Chris. "It's a shame that the [County] Cabinet Member chose to misrepresent the results in the first place, as it will make people wonder whether they can believe anything a member of the County Council cabinet says."

LOCAL BOOKS REVIEWED Virtual-Lancaster contributor Michael Nunn has been reading a lot lately: 'The Storey's Story' is a book compiled of memories and photos of the Storey Institute from the time when it served the people of Lancaster in line with its constitution. Sadly the building is about to be renovated into an office-rental ('creative-industries') development. (Read the review here) Another contribution to local knowledge comes from WR Michell, author of 'Bowland and Pendle Hill'. This book covers not only the history and culture of this 'fascinating, relatively inaccessible and 'no-man's-land' district which lies in both Yorkshire and Lancashire' but also provides a scholarly overview of the area's geology, topography and natural history. (Read the review here) Finally Robert Swain has given us 'Lancaster: A History & Celebration'. From AD70 to the present day, with illustrations and photographs, anyone who shares Robert's love of the city cannot fail to find this interesting.(Read the review here)

KINGSWAY WORK STARTS NEXT WEEK
6/1/05: Work to redevelop the Kingsway Baths site in Lancaster -- the final development will include new shops and a tower block of flats -- will begin next week.
Although Labour Bulk Ward councillors -- including Council leader Ian Barker -- have voiced concerns at some aspects of the development, the plans could not be changed because the deal had already been done before the current council came to power.
Owners Liberty Properties plc have been granted planning permission for the construction of a 75,000 sqft mixed residential and retail scheme. PC World have committed themselves to a 65,000 sqft unit.
Liberty Properties will undertake the £1 million regeneration of the former bridge houses and baths currently being marketed. The residential element will be carried out in conjunction with a residential partner.
A detailed planning application will be submitted by Liberty Properties in the next three months. The development is expected to take 12 months to complete.
• Read our updated background feature on developmenst in Lancaster's Kingsway area here

DUKES SEARCH FOR AN OLD PRAM!
6/1/04: The Dukes production team are on the look out for a baby's pram for their next theatre production, Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter.
The play is set in the 1940s so the pram needs to be that old! In those days prams were coach built carriage prams and much heavier than today's styles. The Dukes would be interested in buying such a pram from anyone that wants to get rid of one, or if the pram has sentimental value, the theatre would be happy to hire it.
In the play seven seven-year-olds are mucking about in the countryside and one of the little girls has a pram to play with. But as the children are all played by adult actors the pram needs to be a full-size one and not a toy one!
If you can help, please contact the Dukes on 01524 598505.
If you would like to book tickets for the show please call 01524 598500.

NATIONAL UK COHOUSING CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE IN LANCASTER
6/1/05: Do you ever feel lonely, even when you are in a crowd? Do you distinguish between loneliness and aloneness? Do you ever feel you would like to be around people who are friends and acquaintances, but will leave you alone if that's how you want to be? Do you ever feel you would like to live in a place where you can find some people to be with at a moment's notice -- with the option that you can dive back into your private space if necessary? Would you like the choice of eating each evening with friends and acquaintances, or just by yourself at home? If so, then a CoHousing Community might be what you're looking for -- and a conference about such communities will take place at Lancaster's Friends Meeting House on 25 - 27 February 2005
CoHousing Communities are resident-developed mutually beneficial neighbourhoods where individual households are clustered around a Common house with shared facilities such as a dining room, an area for childcare, workshops and laundry. Each home is self sufficient with a complete kitchen, but resident cooked dinners are often available in the common house for those who wish to participate.
These developments are also unique in that they are organised, planned and managed by the residents themselves. By redefining the neighbourhood concept to better address contemporary lifestyles, CoHousing Communities can create cross-generational neighbourhoods for singles, families and the elderly.
The conference is aimed at members and representatives of forming cohousing and ecovillage groups, as well as newcomers wishing to learn about the cohousing concept. It will be an opportunity to meet and learn from other groups, both existing and forming, as well as experts in the area. There will be talks and breakout sessions covering site finding; working with planners; finance; recruiting community members; architectural design; project management; legal and business structures; group decision making processes; and the reality of living in communities. This will be an informal conference with a maximum of 60 delegates and an emphasis on social interaction as much as anything.
•Further information available at: www.cohousing.co.uk

STOREY GARDENS NEED A SPRUCE UP!
6/1/04: Lancaster Seedsavers group is looking for someone to take up the gauntlet and continue tidying up Storey Gardens, which nestles behind the Folly Gallery on Castle Hill.
"This autumn and winter, we have done bits of work in the Storey Gardens," explains Seedsavers' Lucia Marquart. "We removed the turf around the fruit trees and applied much, pruned the apple and pear trees, and started weeding the beds in the garden bit, next to the Folly building.
"We're happy to continue looking after the trees, but can't really take on the responsibility to work the gardens, next to the Folly. The lady who used to tend the beds is not doing this anymore and they are starting to look really bad. "It's a lovely place with great potential," says Lucia, "and it doesn't take much to keep it maintained, plant and harvest some vegetables, maybe some more fruit bushes or perennial foods.
"I would think this would be a very nice thing to do for a group of Castle residents, or other people who don't have a garden but would like to have a space to potter/ gain experience.
"We could offer support/ advice/ help people to get involved."
• If you'd like to spruce up the Storey Gardens, contact Lucia by e-mail: lucia.marquart@gmx.de

NOROVIRUS HEALTH FEARS CONTINUE
6/1/05:With outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis continuing to be reported across the country, the Health Protection Agency is issuing further advice on how to avoid norovirus infection, the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhoea at this time of the year.
The norovirus causes 'winter vomiting' which affects 600,000 to one million people in the United Kingdom every year. It can be a nasty experience for those affected but it is normally a short-lived infection from which people will recover within 12 to 60 hours. The condition is highly contagious unless great care is taken to contain it.
For the otherwise healthy individual, 'winter vomiting' does not require anything other than the drinking of fluids and a period of rest at home. Generally there is no need for hospital treatment or a visit to the Accident and Emergency Department, but the elderly or very young can sometimes get more severe infection and they, or anyone else who is concerned about their medical condition, should telephone their GP service or NHS Direct for advice.
"Real difficulties are caused when norovirus is introduced to closed environments such as hospitals, residential homes or schools," Professor Martyn Regan, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West's lead regional epidemiologist, explained. "In most cases there is no benefit in someone with this type of gastrointestinal infection being in hospital. People with the condition should stay at home, take plenty of fluid until the condition passes and, if the illness persists, contact their family doctor or take advice from NHS Direct, the 24-hour NHS information service.
"Thorough hand-washing is vital in preventing the spread of gastro-intestinal infections in the community and this is particularly important after toilet visits. Anyone with norovirus infection should avoid mixing with others and handling or preparing food whilst they are infectious. It is important to ensure that contaminated surfaces and areas are thoroughly disinfected after an episode of illness."
Norovirus symptoms can be unpleasant whilst they last with diarrhoea, projectile vomiting and fever. Transmission is from person-to-person and the infection is more likely to spread where people reside in close proximity, such as in hospitals, schools and cruise ships. People with symptoms of norovirus should avoid contact with such communities.
• Information on norovirus infection is available on the website: www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/norovirus/menu.htm

3 MINUTE SILENCE FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS
5/1/05, updated 6/1/05: A three-minute silence was held across Britain yesterday at 12 noon to honour the memory of the victims of the South Asian tsunami disaster.
Lancaster area residents have donated some £20,000 to the Disaster Emergency Committee appeal for victims of the tsunami so far, not including private donations via the Committee's web site. The Lancaster Guardian reports that donations in Booths supermarkets across the district stands at some £6,500.
Oxfam in Lancaster has taken £3,750 in just four days, while lancaster Rotary Club is among other big money raisers, its members donating some £2,500.
Council leader Ian Barker led the three-minute silence in Lancaster's Memorial Gardens on Wednesday at noon, joined by many other Lancasterians, councillors and council workers.
So far, approximately 200 Britains are thought to be among the dead - currently reckoned to be be 140,000. Several local people have returned this week and more are said to be making their way home.
This Saturday, Lancaster & District Homeless Action Group have arranged for a special event to be held in Market Square, Lancaster, from noon until 4.00pm. You can write a message or a prayer for those affected by the disaster, which will become part of an artwork.
You can donate to the relief effort via the International Aid Trust, which was aleady working in Sri Lanka, at their charity shops on Albert Rd in Morecambe, or via their website at www.internationalaidtrust.org.uk or by telephone at 01772 611000.
The main appeal number for the Disaster Emergency Committee is 0870 6060900. Their web address for donations is www.dec.org.uk.

TOWNS URGED TO TWIN WITH TSUMANI VICTIMS
3/1/05: Local communities like Lancaster and Morecambe are being urged to twin with tsunami-devastated communities.
Professor Dr. John Ashton, North West Regional Director of Public Health, is urging local authorities throughout the region to follow the advice of former US President Bill Clinton and twin with localities that have been left devastated by the tsunami.
"When you hear fishermen who have lost their boats say that it will take them a year to save enough money just to replace their nets, we must ensure that our reactions to this terrible global catastrophe are sustainable into the future," Professor Ashton said.
"The generous response of the British public has been overwhelming in its magnitude, putting many Governments to shame. However, one way of making this response sustainable would be for councils to twin with specific communities that desperately need our help.
"There would be an onus on our local authorities to keep in touch with their Indian Ocean twins throughout the recovery period, to ensure that vital resources are provided as and when needed. For example, the fishermen in need of nets and boats should have these resources now so that they earn a living and contribute to their own recovery plan. I hope that many local authorities will give serious and urgent thought to this."

BINGE DRINKING: LONGER HOURS WON'T HELP
3/1/05: Professor Dr. John Ashton, North West Regional Director for Public Health and Regional Medical Officer, is calling for a radical re-think of the Government's plans for extended pub opening hours to ensure that they are successful.
Professor Ashton believes that rather than giving all licensed premises the right to stay open for longer, with those who abuse the position having their licences removed, pubs and clubs should be required to earn the right to an extended-hours license by demonstrating social responsibility.
"The proposal at the moment is that licensing hours will be extended, but publicans and club owners who abuse the position by serving liquor to people who are under age or already intoxicated will lose their liquor licences," Professor Ashton said.
"I would rather see a change in the burden of proof, with licences for extended opening only being granted to clubs and pubs that are able to demonstrate a record of social responsibility and care for the welfare of their customers. Pubs should have to earn the right to an extended-hours licence."
Professor Ashton believes that the drinks industry could play a part in curbing rogue landlords by funding the appointment of information clerks who would be based in hospital Accident and Emergency Departments.
"Anyone coming into A and E as a result of drink or with a drink-related injury or illness would be asked where their last drink was served. The clerks would then record this information on a database which would help to identify patterns of bad practice and enable action to be taken against the responsible licensees and licensed premises," said Professor Ashton.
"These information clerks would provide a very useful function, but I do not believe that they should be paid for from NHS resources. The drinks industry should play its part in curbing alcoholic excesses and binge drinking by funding the posts.
"I sympathise with those Chief Constables who are worried that 24-hours pub opening will not lead to a change in culture and a more mature and responsibility attitude to drinking," Professor Ashton continued, "as there is no evidence at present that opening pubs for longer will herald a change in the binge-drink culture.
"But if the proposed changes are introduced in a sensible way, with appropriate safeguards, the new licensing laws can be made to work effectively. We need to forge a partnership with the drinks industry and pub landlords to help foster a Mediterranean approach to drinking, where beer is savoured like a fine wine, rather than swilled down in the shortest possible time at weekends."

LANCASTER COUPLE SURVIVES TSUNAMI TERROR
1/5/05, updated 3/1/05: Lancaster couple Laura Newton and Luke Ham from Rydal Road ran for their lives as giant waves wrecked a Thai beach resort in the Asian tsunami disaster on Boxing Day.
The Lancaster Guardian has reported the couple were spending Christmas on the island of Ko Lantha off Phuket as part of a round-the-world trip, when they had to flee huge walls of water in the wake of the massive underwater earthquake.
The world's most devastating natural disaster in modern times has left over 100,000 dead and many more missing -- and millions now under threat from starvation and disease.
"We lost one of our nine lives that day," Laura says. "We came so close to death. It has all been very humbling."
A friend they made while travelling is, however, missing.
Local charities have already begun collecting money to help relief measures to help the millions left homeless in the area.
A total of 40 Britons have been confirmed dead so far, but this figure is set to rise, with over 150 missing who are it is believed could be dead.
Many of the dead have not been named and others are still listed simply as missing.
• Read the full story in tis week's Lancaster Guardian or on the paper's web site: Go
• British Victims of the disatster (BBC News)
• Make a donation to help the region by donating to the UK's Disaster Emergency Committee's combined charity effort to raise money for the tsunami victims of Asia: www.dec.org.uk

ELECTRICAL WORK RULES COME INTO FORCE
1/1/05: New building regulations aimed at curbing the unacceptable number of deaths, injuries and house fires caused by faulty electrical installations, come into force today (1 January 2005).
The new rules affect anyone considering electrical work in the home, including DIY enthusiasts. Failure to comply could lead to householders being required to bring the work up to standard and may make it more difficult to sell their homes.
Minor jobs like replacing sockets and light switches in low risk areas will not be affected. However anyone thinking of, for example, carrying out electrical work in kitchens, bathrooms or outdoors or adding new circuits to any part of their house will have to get building control involved. The alternative is to get the work carried out by a suitably qualified electrician.
The key question for householders is who will be carrying out the work. If it is themselves, a friend or relative then they will have to notify the local authority building control department unless only minor work is involved. An alternative is to employ someone who is registered with a 'competent person' scheme.
The ODPM leaflet 'New rules for electrical safety in the home', explains the options and how to go about finding a 'competent person' in your area in a clear, easy to read style. You can view it online now at www.odpm.gov.uk/electricalsafety and hard copies will be available from local authorities and competent person scheme operators.
The changes bring England and Wales further into line with Scotland where Building Regulations already address electrical safety issues.

ARKHOLME-WITH-CAWOOD PARISH COUNCIL BY-ELECTION
1/1/05: There will be a by-election for a Parish Councillor in the Arkholme-with-Cawood Parish Council on 20 January. There are two candidates standing for election: Henry Helme and Michael Mailer.
Anyone included in the Register of Electors for the Arkholme-with-Cawood Parish can apply for a postal vote, but they must apply by 12th January. Electors may also apply to vote by proxy if there is a particular reason why they cannot vote in person. Again, the deadline is 12 January. For further information about voting at this election - telephone 01524 582905.
• The point of contact within the City Council for election queries is Claire Wardle - telephone 01524 582058 or email cwardle@lancaster.gov.uk

GOLD STAR FOR FOR COUNCIL?
1/1/05: Lancaster City Council has received a positive and encouraging end of year report from the Audit Commission which indicate our elected representatives are making significant improvements in the way they work.
In his Annual Letter the District Auditor, Michael Thomas, says that since the Comprehensive Performance Assessment, back in January 2004, the city council has made significant progress in terms of planning and organisation. Mr Thomas feels the council's approach to regeneration shows promising prospects for improvement, and it is making progress in adopting a more joined-up approach to delivering improvements -- which he believes will continue
The council's financial situation has also been strengthened -- and improved financial planning processes have contributed to controlling council tax increases whilst maintaining a sound financial base for the Council's future.
The council has earned particular praise for a significant improvement in the performance of the council's Housing Benefit section, which has resulted in much quicker processing of housing benefit claims; a substantial growth in the amount of external funding the council attracts for regeneration; and the improved effectiveness of political structures and decision making
Also welcomed is the use of council tax increase income from those with second homes to support initiatives, through the Local Strategic Partnership and the Community Safety Partnership, to support local community projects such as improved bus shelters, projects for young people and dealing with victims of domestic violence. However, the Auditor also indicates the Council needs to continue its focus on its improvement plan, improve the quality of its performance information, further improve arrangements for risk management and follow a number of recommendations regarding regeneration.
"This really is another great report for the Council," feels Council leader Ian Barker. "Last year's Letter and the CPA report, earlier this year, recognised the improvements the council had already made. This year's letter recognises not only how hard the Council is striving to further improve itself and the services it provides for the community, but also the success it is having.
The City's Council Tax rise will be below 5 per cent this year, for the first time in six years. At the same time, services are improving and will continue to improve. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that this council provides an excellent service to the community, while avoiding excessive increases in Council Tax. We will continue to focus on the priorities identified by local people through the Community Strategy.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the efforts of all our staff who have worked extremely hard over the last year on behalf of the community they serve.

MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE - AND GET REWARDED!
1/1/05: While most of us make New Year's Resolutions and then quickly forget them, the Lancaster District Sustainability Partnership is offering us a cash incentive to stick to them this time round.
The is making £100 available as a reward to community groups or individuals whose New Year's Resolution will be most likely to 'Make the World a Better Place' by running a competition that asks: what are you doing to make the world a better place?
"No one can do everything, but we can all play a part in making the world a better place not just for ourselves now, but for future generations," says Coun Gina Dowding, Chair of the Sustainability Partnership. "Considering the kind of world our children, grandchildren and their children will inherit is at the heart of sustainable development'.
"If we all make one or two simple actions, the joined effect can be quite significant."
To enter the local competition, simply write to Joy Grayson, Environment Co-ordinator at Lancaster City Council, St Leonards House, St Leonardsgate, Lancaster, or email her at jgrayson@lancaster.gov.uk and tell us what you are doing to 'Make the World a Better Place'. Please include a photograph if you have one.
The Partnership sets out ten resolutions for a better future, that anyone can do. Simply choose your favourite three and start doing them now!
Food - Buy local food such as from Lancaster and Carnforth's Farmers' Markets, as well as the district's regular markets.
Energy - Why not switch your electricity supply to an environment friendly supplier, where the power comes from renewable sources? Check out www.ukgreenpower.co.uk for a list of energy suppliers, which could save you money, as well as help save the world from the effects of climate change!
Improving your home - Ask your Council what grants are available for installing renewable energy and insulation in your home.
Gardening - Plant a local variety of apple tree in your garden - the apples taste better and are fresher. Why eat apples flown from half way across the world, when it's the apple season here? If you only have a small space, you can still do your bit by making a mini wildlife habitat in a back yard or window box.
Waste - Say 'NO' to plastic carrier bags - cotton bags are more sustainable. Or encourage supermarkets to use biodegradable bags. Barnados Charity shops is a great local example of how this can be done.
Travel - Walk or cycle to school/work or take the bus... or avoid the stress of driving when on holiday and relax on a train.
Shopping - Support your Fair Trade District by buying fairly traded tea, coffee and chocolate - more information from Global Link by calling 01524 36201 or checking out their website at www.globallink.org.uk
Water - use a water butt on a drainpipe for watering the garden or house plants
In your community - get involved with a local community group,. There's plenty to choose from. Why not treat yourself to the 'Council for Voluntary Services (CVS)' directory, due out soon
On holiday - Why not have a holiday in UK next year? There are plenty of beautiful places to explore.
• More alternative resources in our Market section: Go