Previous stories: December 2007
Next stories: 16 - 31 January 2008

NEW LIVE JAZZ VENUE IN LANCASTER

15/1/08: The abrupt closure of the John O' Gaunt on Market Street, reported earlier this week by virtual-lancaster, has led to the launch of a new venue for live music fans, with jazz for all tastes at The Robert Gillow pub from this week onwards.
On Sundays the Sun Street Stompers will be performing their classic New Orleans and Dixieland jazz from 12.30 midday. Later in the afternoon Max's Blues Club welcomes all blues lovers to listen or join in with a song or tune of their own.
Monday evenings being more cool and melodic, while on Tuesday evenings there will be modern/ Hot Club/ swing/ other forms of jazz.
Tonight (Tuesday) Hot-Club style swing ensemble Hotcha offer gypsy rhythms, inspired by the great Django Reinhardt. Guitarists Jon Moore and Alan Pill provide the perfect foil for virtuoso violinist Heath Lavery. Again, a 9 o'clock start - or get there even earlier to be sure of a seat!
The Thursday night Folk sessions have also moved to the Robert Gillow, and this Thursday will see Victoria Hume play guitar and piano with “definite shades of Joni Mitchell and John Martyn”.  She is also part of a successful band with Chris Letcher, who played SxSW in Texas this year, amongst other things. 
Entry to all events is free. The Robert Gillow is on the top end of Market Street, opposite the main post office in Lancaster - formerly Elliot's Restaurant. It's been tastefully redeveloped, and is cosy and comfortable with great beer from Hydes in Manchester and a relaxed ambience.
Please come along and support live music, and spread the word to others who might be interested.
If you have any queries you can ring The Robert Gillow on 01524 36092.
More info about the pub online at: http://www.hydesbrewery.co.uk/html/pubs/rob.html
Special thanks to Sue Parish and Jon Moore for the above information.

JOHN O'GONE?
7/1/08, updated 8/1/08: The grapevine is buzzing with the fact that Lancaster's famous John O' Gaunt appears to have shut up shop - but no-one as yet can find out why. A sign is in the window of the Market Street pub, famed for its music nights, saying closed until further notice but virtual-lancaster readers tell us the landlord is uncommunicative.
"Apparently [landlord] Robin Edmundson just closed the pub," according to one loyal JOGer. "He told all the staff they have no jobs any more, so John Mills has gone back to Carlisle, while others are just resigned to being unemployed."
Whether the costs of running the pub have risen out of step with the work involved - a problem that has faced many independent landlors - or there other reasons for the clousure remains unknown at this point.
virtual-lancaster mourns the apparent passing of one of Lancaster's unique institutions and hopes some bright landlord will rise to the challenge of providing a similar venue for live music in the near future.

MIDLAND TO REOPEN IN JUNE
7/1/08 Developers Urban Splash have announced Morecambe's famous art-deco Midland Hotel will re-open in June. "We are beside ourselves with excitement as we announce that the glorious Midland Hotel in Morecambe will be opening its doors again in June 2008," the company announced in a press release.
"The Midland is a real architectural gem and we've worked very hard over the past few years to restore its beautiful original features, as well as adding our own touch and style. We think we've got an icon on our hands! Olivier Delaunoy and his team are ready to take bookings for rooms, weddings, conferences, launch events and good old parties, just call 01524 424 000 or email rooms@midlandmorecambe.co.uk.
• For more information about the Midland Hotel click www.midlandmorecambe.co.uk

ACTION URGED ON NOROVIRUS
7/1/08: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West is urging people to help limit the spread of a virus that is currently causing isolated cases and outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea throughout the country.
The Agency is stressing that people with the virus should do all they can to avoid bringing it into GP surgeries, hospitals and residential care homes.
Dr. Kenneth Lamden, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with the HPA’s Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Unit, said: “There’s a lot of D & V about at the moment, caused by norovirus infection which is very common at this time of the year.
“The norovirus causes an unpleasant but generally short-lived illness that usually lasts about three days. People can feel quite poorly whilst they are ill, but there is no specific treatment other than rest and lots of drinks to replace lost fluids. People who are otherwise fit and healthy will make a full recovery without any medical intervention.
“It is therefore not necessary for people with norovirus infection to visit GP surgeries or hospital Accident and Emergency departments. If the symptoms persist, or seem to be getting worse, patients should phone NHS Direct, the 24-hour nurse-led health advice service or ask for a telephone consultation with their GP.
“We also strongly advise people with the infection not to visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes and to stay away from work or school until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours. Norovirus is highly infectious and it can spread rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, residential care homes and schools.”
Dr. Lamden stressed that good hygiene is the key to avoiding the infection and preventing spread where it has occurred.
“Thorough hand washing after using the toilet, before and after handling or preparing food and before eating is especially important,” he said.
“Contaminated surfaces should be thoroughly disinfected after an episode of illness and food preparation should also be avoided until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have disappeared.”
Norovirus, which used to be known as winter vomiting, is the most frequent cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales, affecting between 600,000 and one million people each year.

PLAYING MUSIC IS GOOD FOR YOU
7/1/08: Playing music at work could increase productivity and lead to a happier and more motivated workforce, according to an academic from University of Cumbria.
Richard McGregor, Professor of Music, believes the right level of background music can make the day seem shorter, keep spirits high and reduce the number of stressful situations that can occur. However, choosing the wrong type of music can cause office arguments and lead to more problems than it was intended to solve.
"There's clear evidence that a happy workforce is a productive one and the easiest way of raising the spirits in the office is to put on the radio or a CD," says Richard. "But the choice of music is vital and there is a risk that if it's the wrong choice, it could be a recipe for office disaster and upset most of the office."
While factories, garages and workshops are amongst the last bastion of workplaces that still echo to the sound of music, Richard McGregor believes it's just as important that office workers work to their favourite tunes to prevent stress and tension. And while Richard won't go so far as to say we should follow the example of Snow White's Seven Dwarves and 'whistle while we work' he remains convinced that music is a must for anyone 'working nine 'till five.'
"Most offices operate in near silence, with the only noise being the sound of keyboards tapping and phones ringing, but this in itself puts people on edge and can make them fearful of making any noise," Richard argues. "However, the right level of background music leads to an immediate change in atmosphere and encourages creativity and relaxation amongst everyone. And with the increasing popularity of MP3 players and personal music systems, there's no reason why people in the office can't pop their headphones in and listen to their own favourite music - as long as their singing doesn't disturb everyone else of course!"

ON THE MOVA!
7/1/08: Drivers are set to benefit from smoother traffic flows after a new traffic sensor system is installed at a busy junction on the M6 near Lancaster.
Work started today (Monday, 7 January) to install a MOVA - or Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation - system, which uses electronic sensors to adjust traffic light signals in response to changing traffic flows. The scheme is due to be completed by Friday, 18 January 2008.
The system is being installed on the southbound slip road of the M6 at Junction 34/A683 Caton Road to smooth traffic flows and ease congestion.
During the work the southbound exit and entry slip roads at Junction 34 will be closed to traffic and a diversion will be in place south to Junction 33 and north to Junction 35. There will also be temporary traffic management measures in place on the A683 eastbound and westbound approaches to the junction.
Whilst the slip roads are closed, the Highways Agency will take the opportunity to resurface the carriageway and make improvements to the bridge supporting it as part of a £160,000 package of work.

WANTED: CHRISTMAS LEFTOVERS
7/1/08:Santa has been and gone and the festivities are over for another year, but are you still surrounded by Christmas cards?
Lancaster City Council and the Woodlands Trust can help. Over the festive period more than one billion Christmas cards are sent in the UK, this is around 17 cards per person. Give your cards a second chance by recycling them at collection banks in the customer service centres at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls.
There are also collection points at W H Smith and Marks and Spencer in Lancaster as well as Tesco in Carnforth. In 2007 The Woodlands Trust collected around 93 million cards, this is 1,844 tonnes of Christmas cards sent for recycling and the money generated is used to plant trees.
As the twelfth day of Christmas approaches it’s time to think about taking down your Christmas tree. If you bought a real tree this year take it to a household waste recycling site (Salt Ayre, Lancaster or Keer Bridge, Carnforth) or alternatively Lancaster City Council can collect your tree for you and recycle it. Collection dates are available on January 12 and 13 to arrange please telephone 01524 582491.
Coun Jon Barry, cabinet member with responsibility for City Council (Direct) Services, said: “After the Christmas period I’m sure people will have plenty of waste to recycle. I’m pleased that we can help by recycling their Christmas cards and trees on top of our regular recycling programme.”

BEAT THE CHRISTMAS BULGE
7/1/08: Made the annual New Year’s resolution to keep fit this year? Still sat on that sofa? Well here’s your chance to shed those Christmas pounds.
Lancaster City Council’s Cycling Demonstration Town (CDT) team has organised drop in cycling sessions for those seeking a healthier lifestyle in 2008.
So whether you’re trying to beat the bulge or just fancy a leisurely ride, why not scoot along to Salt Ayre Sports Centre every Friday morning from 18 January.
The free rides start at 11am, last for an hour and are not only a great way to keep fit and healthy but also a chance to meet new friends.
The sessions can help returning cyclists or those who lack that bit of confidence to get back on their bikes. Instructors will be on hand to offer advice and support to riders.
Cyclists should bring their own bikes although there is a limited supply available for hire from Salt Ayre. Those wishing to hire a bike should contact the CDT Team in advance - see contact details below.
• There’s no need to book - just turn up. For more information please contact the CDT Team on 01524 582392 / 582086 or celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk

VANDALS DESTROY LIGHTS
7/1/08: Vandals are believed to have used an air rifle to cause £5,000 of damage to brand new lighting columns in Heysham.
On Boxing Day Lancaster City Council received a report that the lantern heads of 23 new lights had been damaged on the section of promenade at Sunny Slopes.
It is suspected that an air rifle was used to shoot out the lights over a short period of time.
What makes the incident particularly galling is that the lights were only switched on in the week before Christmas as part of major development work between The Battery and Whinnysty Lane.
Coun Evelyn Archer, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration in Morecambe, said: “I am appalled by this act of mindless vandalism.
“It is an insult to the hard work and dedication of those who have worked so tirelessly over the last few years to make significant improvements to this stretch of promenade.
“I would urge anyone with information about this crime to contact the police so these vandals can be caught and receive the punishment they deserve.”
The new lighting columns were erected as part of Phase 6 of the coastal defence works. Other elements of the scheme have included the provision of rock armour breakwaters and wall protection to prevent flooding, provision of a fishing jetty, remodelling of the promenade, and a climbing wall at Sunny Slopes.
Although a number of spare lights are in stock, Lancaster City Council does not have enough to replace all 23 units so they may be out of action for some time.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to telephone Lancaster police on 01524 63333 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Previous stories: December 2007
Next stories: 16 - 31 January 2008