Taking place over two days on the 14th and 15th,the festival promises even more stalls than previous years and will include a wide range of chilli-related items such as chutneys, jams, sauces, chocolate, seeds, rubs and powders, chilli smoothies, clothing, plants, breads and [...]]]> Leven’s Elizabethan Hall is the backdrop for the Lakes Chilli Fest this weekend.

Taking place over two days on the 14th and 15th,the festival promises even more stalls than previous years and will include a wide range of chilli-related items such as chutneys, jams, sauces, chocolate, seeds, rubs and powders, chilli smoothies, clothing, plants, breads and wine suitable for spicy foods.

On both days there will be entertainment provided by Maynard Flip Flap (a popular street entertainer) and the Milnthorpe Steel Band. A face painter will be there on both days and there will be garden trails for the children to enjoy. Salsa North West are demonstrating Salsa dancing both days and visitors are welcome to join in and there will also be a chance to “Have a Go Croquet” with the Westmorland Croquet Club.

John Rigg and his wife Ooy of Northern School of Asian & Oriental Cooking will be demonstrating their own very particular brand of cookery and are one of the food stalls providing food to take away to be eaten at home.

Tickets are available on the gate (Cash Only) £8 per Adult, includes entry to the World Famous Topiary Garden. Accompanied Children, under 16, FREE.

The festival runs from 10-4pm on both days.

Amongst the projects threatened are the National Football Museum’s move to Urbis.

Reacting to the [...]]]> Arts and lesuire activities across the North West are under threat after yesterday’s announcement by the region’s development agency that uncommitted projects will not receive NWDA funding this year and there will be no new financial commitments in the following year.

Amongst the projects threatened are the National Football Museum’s move to Urbis.

Reacting to the news that the soon to be abolished Development agency has to save £52 million from this year’s NWDA budget,Chief Executive Steve Broomhead said:

“We have made a start by cutting non-contracted projects and reducing our own administration budget but we now need to re-examine all existing projects and programmes to identify where further savings can be made.”

The size of the cuts means that the agency will have  little flexibility in  future budgets and the Agency will not be able to make any new investments or renew partner contracts before its dissolution in April 2012.

Amongst projects that have approached NWDA for possible funding but will not receive anything are

All Souls Church Restoration, Bolton,Preston Guild 2012,Roman Maryport,Carlisle Historic Core Public Realm,Lake District National Park Authority Employment Sites Programme,Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Arts Project and Manchester International Festival.

The deal is a  joint project with the TV channel and Blackpool Council, who are lending the Pleasure Beach £5m for the development.

It will [...]]]> Blackpool’s pleasure beach has clinched a deal with entertainment giant Nickelodeon to create a six-acre plot dedicated to the channel’s favourite characters which will create more than 270 jobs in the resort

The deal is a  joint project with the TV channel and Blackpool Council, who are lending the Pleasure Beach £5m for the development.

It will featuring 14 rides based on children’s favourites such as ‘Spongebob Squarepants’ and ‘Dora the Explorer’.

Visitors will be able to experience the Rugrats Lost River ride, Fairy World Taxi Spin, described as an enchanted taxi ride through the Fairy World, and the Avatar Airbender where you can step inside the mystical air temple Pagoda and get ready to ride the air waves.

Work starts in the autumn and the attraction should be open by April 2011.

Meanwhile the owners of South Pier have unveiled £8m plans to transform it into a state of the art family entertainment centre.

The new South Pier will house a bowling alley, soft play area, food court, American pool lounge and a seaview bar, in front of the existing rides.

The work is part of a wider scheme to renew part of the track on the Northern line in the tunnel [...]]]>

This weekend saw work start on a key phase of essential improvement work on the Liverpool underground railway, with passengers in south Liverpool set to benefit from a more reliable railway.

The work is part of a wider scheme to renew part of the track on the Northern line in the tunnel underneath the city centre. This is the same type of work that has been carried out on the curved parts of the Wirral line in recent years.

Almost 400 yards of track and approximately 130m³ of concrete will be ripped up, re-poured and re-laid. Replacing the concrete which should last for at least two decades completes this project, bringing better journeys for the people of Merseyside.

Work began on Saturday 24 July and will be completed on 27 August, in time for the Matthew Street Music festival.

Network Rail area general manager, Gary Openshaw said: “Following the renewal work, passengers will experience a smoother, quieter ride. The line will also require less maintenance in future, resulting in less disruption for passengers.

“Rail travel in the summer period is traditionally less busy so we are taking advantage of this quieter time to carry out essential improvement works on the underground railway.”

Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail’s managing director said: “I am sorry that our passengers in south Liverpool will be inconvenienced by these improvement works by Network Rail. But it is important that the track is in tip-top condition and although there is never a good time to close the line, the long term benefits will be worth the short term disruption.”

Merseyrail is providing replacement bus shuttle services between Hunts Cross and Liverpool Central stations throughout the five week project. Train services will continue to operate between Liverpool Central and Southport/Ormskirk/Kirkby.

Once again these will be fronted by the energetic talents of Ian Fox who entertained the crowds last season [...]]]> Pendle Productions return to Worden Park in Leyland and to the Lowther Pavilion at Lytham St Annes for a second season of children’s summer outdoor theatre following on from last years huge success.

Once again these will be fronted by the energetic talents of Ian Fox who entertained the crowds last season with his high energy, versatile performances complete with super speed character changes.

Ian who has adopted the Fylde coast as his home has been singing from an early age. He frequently appeared on BBC television, sang at the Royal Albert Hall, toured with a choir across the UK and Europe and still makes numerous solo guest concert appearances. Ian also supports and teaches children of all ages with his weekly glee style fun choirs at the newly formed Civic Arts Centre in Oswaldtwistle.

The season of shows features an adaptation of children’s favourites, Alice through the looking glass, the secret garden, Pinocchio and Peter Pan as well as the original tale of the Dragon who lost his home, penned by Timothy James Lince, Artistic Director of Pendle Productions. This is a heart warming tale of Eric the Dragon’s search for his mother. This is guaranteed to be a tale that will live on in your hearts and Eric is a dragon that you will never forget. Complete with a 12ft Mother Dragon and 8ft Dodo that are not to be missed!

Pendle Productions are a Blackpool based Professional Production Company who deliver high quality professional shows to schools, arts centres, English Heritage sites and theatres throughout the UK with the touring Storytellers Theatre Company. They also deliver many children’s and adult workshops for schools, corporate companies and so forth.

The summer shows are at Lowther Pavilion every Wednesday starting July 28th. All tickets £6 with one free adult for every two children. Season ticket available £50 for all five shows for two children and one adult.
And at Worden Park Leyland every Monday starting Monday July 26th at 1230 p.m and 230 p.m tickets £6 adult and £4 children. Group bookings available with one free ticket for every ten

So enjoy a day out in beautiful surroundings, bring a picnic and sit back and allow the storytellers to ask you “Do you believe in magic?” As they transport you into their world of adventure.

The Environment Agency was alerted to the pollution on the 13 June 2009 by reports from members of the public. On inspection [...]]]> The North West water provider United Utilities have been fined £6,000 after a sewage spill into Walverden Water in Nelson, Lancashire. The company have also been ordered to pay costs of 3,575.84GBP.

The Environment Agency was alerted to the pollution on the 13 June 2009 by reports from members of the public. On inspection Walverden Water was found to be polluted with milky white deposits which were settling on the river sides and river bed. The pollution could also be seen in Pendle Water where it meets with Walverden Water approximately 200 metres downstream.

An Environment Officer notified United Utilities of the pollution.  Investigation found that there was a blockage in the sewerage system and this was causing sewage to discharge via a storm overflow.  The overflow should only discharge in times of high flows caused by wet weather. The blockage was cleared by United Utilities on the evening of 14 June and the discharge stopped.

Follow up investigations found that there had been an alarm from the overflow on the 10 June 2009 during heavy rain and this had failed to clear after the rain had stopped.  This should have alerted United Utilities to the problem but although the company had attended the site it had not identified that there was a blockage and discharge to the river.

Ecological surveys carried out by the Environment Agency found that the pollution had a serious impact on the water quality and ecology of the watercourse with a number of dead stone loach and bullheads.

Simon Boocock, Environment Officer for the Environment Agency said,
“The Environment Agency take all pollution incidents seriously. The company’s failure to respond to the alarm meant that sewage was discharged into Walverden Water for four days. This resulted in a significant amount of pollution that had a serious impact on water quality and the ecology within Walverden Water. “

Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose has today published the list of applications to join the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China,the Sydney Opera House  and more [...]]]> Blackpool and the Lake District are amongst the 38 places vying to be added to the UK’s new Tentative List of sites for World Heritage status.

Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose has today published the list of applications to join the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China,the Sydney Opera House  and more than 800 other sites on UNESCO’s list of the most iconic and important parts of the planet’s heritage.

John Penrose, Tourism and Heritage Minister said:

“The UK’s heritage is world class and this list represents the unique variety and history present in all corners of this country and our overseas territories. We wanted a strong and varied list to eventually put to UNESCO and I’m delighted that so many wonderful, diverse places have been put forward.

“Any list that includes Jodrell Bank, the Forth Bridge, Blackpool and the Turks and Caicos Islands certainly doesn’t lack variety. But what all 38 sites have in common is a wow factor and a cultural resonance that makes them real contenders to sit alongside The Pyramids and Red Square in this most distinguished of gatherings.”

The 130 acre, Grade II* listed site contains the remnants of at least three [...]]]> The Lowther Castle & Gardens Trust has  announce the appointment of Andrew Mercer as Commercial Director for the ambitious project to open the ruin of Lowther Castle and its abandoned hidden gardens near Penrith in the Lake District National Park.

The 130 acre, Grade II* listed site contains the remnants of at least three significant buildings, and of gardens that represent 400 years of garden history including one of England’s greatest 17th century gardens.

The Castle and Gardens are at the centre of the 3,500 acre Lowther Park, the seat of the Lowther family, the Earls of Lonsdale, for 800 years. The castle was last inhabited in 1936 by the 5th Earl who died in 1944 without a direct heir. Its contents were sold, and, when no further use could be found for it, it was partly demolished in 1957. It has never been open to the public. The gardens were open for one season in 1936 but then overplanted with timber and left largely undisturbed.

After 20 years of efforts to find a future for the Castle, in 2009, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) approved plans for a £9 million project at Lowther to create a major new visitor attraction in the Lake District.

Andrew has a wealth of experience of developing businesses and events in the countryside. He joined the East of England Agricultural Society as Chief Executive in 2001, re-invigorated the Charity with a portfolio of successful events, and established an innovative catering business sourcing food from local farmers.

Mastermind of a £9.5 million exhibition centre, he established the East of England Showground as a major event centre attracting 800,000 visitors annually.

As Chief Executive, Andrew will take the development of the Lowther Castle & Gardens project to practical completion. Visitors will be able to see the first restoration work in action from 2011.

Commenting on his new appointment, Andrew Mercer said: “Lowther Castle and Gardens will become a wonderful attraction for tens of thousands of visitors to the Lake District. The challenge of recovering, restoring and developing the gardens and castle presents a wonderful opportunity for me, and I am excited to be joining the enthusiastic team of supporters and professionals committed to the Lowther project.”

Andrew will take up his appointment on 27 August 2010.

The £1.4 million Padiham Greenway runs along a former railway line through the centre of Padiham and forms part of a longer route proposed between Great Harwood and Burnley.

The scheme has transformed a derelict railway line that suffered from flytipping, litter [...]]]> Lancashire’s  latest dedicated off-road route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders has been officially unveiled.

The £1.4 million Padiham Greenway runs along a former railway line through the centre of Padiham and forms part of a longer route proposed between Great Harwood and Burnley.

The scheme has transformed a derelict railway line that suffered from flytipping, litter and vandalism into an attractive Greenway linking housing areas with Padiham Town Centre and Padiham Memorial Park.  In the central area of the site a bridge and embankments have been demolished and new railings and lowered stone walls built to improve visibility and connections between communities on either side of the Greenway.

Lancashire County Council’s REMADE team is behind the new 2.5km greenwaywhich was officially opened by Lancashire County Councillor Michael Green, Cabinet member for planning and environment, at a ceremony on Thursday 24th June.

County Councillor Michael Green said: “This is a wonderful new facility for residents in Padiham and surrounding areas. It has transformed neglected and under-used land, which was blighted by fly tipping and vandalism, into a high quality traffic-free, off-road route.

“The greenway will encourage more people to walk and cycle, whether they are heading to work, shops or schools, or simply for leisure, which will help to reduce congestion on our roads and boost people’s health and wellbeing.”

The opening event was part of a week of community-based celebrations to mark completion of Padiham Greenway and improvements to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath, which coincided with Team Green Britain Bike Week.

The Highways Agency announced in February it had appointed EnterpriseMouchel as its new Managing Agent Contractor (MAC) [...]]]>

Civil engineering workers in Cumbria and north Lancashire are celebrating a new era today with the start of a new contract to help the Highways Agency operate motorways and key A roads across the area.

The Highways Agency announced in February it had appointed EnterpriseMouchel as its new Managing Agent Contractor (MAC) responsible for the day to day running of motorways and strategic roads in Cumbria and north Lancashire .

The Area 13 contract as it is known, secures employment for around 250 staff, will run for five years and is worth around £149m.

From today the company is responsible for the maintenance of 260 miles of roads and bridges in the area including the M6 and M55 motorways, the A66, A590 and parts of the A585 and A595.

The contract includes providing repairs, routine maintenance and network inspections, winter services including salting and snow clearance, small improvements and renewals and road lighting and traffic signal maintenance along some of the most diverse and scenic sections of the Highways Agency ‘ s network.

Today staff celebrated the start of the new contract by moving into a brand new building which EnterpriseMouchel has funded and delivered north of the A66 near Penrith Auction Mart.

Bob Baldwin, the Highways Agency’s Area Performance Manager for Area 13, said, “Highways Agency staff in Manchester have worked hard over the last two years to secure a contract which will provide good value for public money.

“While the new contact will also deliver a high degree of continuity in the relationships we have developed over the last 11 years it also raises our expectations of our contractor in helping us deliver safer roads, more reliable  journeys and better information for road users.”