Penwortham Gala 2009

This is a guest post from Paul Holmes. He is an IT manager and part-time IT teacher. Find him on Twitter @psholmes. If you’d like to write a guest post for Preston Blog check out how you can get involved.

Penwortham Gala featured street processions. Image credit to vintage vix.

Penwortham Gala 13 June 2009 part 1 The Afternoon.

I have lived in Penwortham for most of my life, and when I was a kid in the 80’s one of the highlights for me was being on the back of a lorry parading through Penwortham and then spending the day on the park trying to win a prize or eating far too much candy floss.

During the 90’s I outgrew the gala but when I moved back to Penwortham 5 years ago from Leyland I was amazed at the sense of community this event brings, and never more so than this year’s gala event. The weather was perfect and all morning Penwortham had a buzz about it, and by noon side roads were swarming with families making their way to Cop Lane for the lunch time parade.

My wife and I meet up with all our family then joined some friends in their front garden across from Hurst Grange Park. Standing outside their house I was amazed at the good feeling on the streets, and how everyone knew everyone else. I saw people id not seen for years, but on a day like Saturday you instantly pick up from where you left off. Kids were excited, parents laughing and then the parade started.

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I was impressed with the pipers and the marching bands – also the floats were excellent (the Star Wars one my favourite), but we did feel that the parade was a little short – could this be the credit crunch, is it difficult to get a trucker to work Saturdays with the price of fuel?

After the parade went past people began to make their way to the park. The park was the busiest I’ve ever seen it. The rides and stalls were really attracting the crowds, and my young niece loved the rides and I suppose that’s who they are aimed at. Also with the incredible weather ice cream sellers must have made small fortune. Next year I’m going to have a stall selling spray on hair colour as every kid on the park was buying the stuff and walking round with bright green hair.

After an hour we decided to retire to the Fleece for a few drinks – again very busy but I was a bit put out that they had run out of Pear Cider and didn’t have enough staff behind the bar, but again the sense of community in the beer garden was brilliant, and everyone had one aim to return to the park at night.

Penwortham Gala 13 June 2009 part 2 The Evening

By 6.30 walking to Hurst Grange Park, you could smell barbeques and see people gearing up for a night of entertainment on the park. We took a cool box and picnic chairs and got a good spot in front of the stage. Again I couldn’t believe how many people had turned out, families had bbq going on the park (wish I thought of that) and numerous groups of people carrying chairs and picnic rugs.

First on stage was the Blues Brother Tribute band who really got the night going, singing not just Blues Brothers songs but other soul numbers. As the park got busier I wished the stage had been bigger, but as it was donated I suppose it did the job.

By 8.30 the park was again heaving, noticed the usual groups of teenagers with bags of cheep booze, tattooed blokes with their tops off, groups of giddy girls and families sprawled out across the fields, but not once did I see any trouble or bad feeling. Noticeable Police presence, but everyone was soaking up the last rays of sun before evening set in. Sat around the park with good friends and cold wine is a great way of spending a Saturday night.

The Robbie Williams Tribute was ok – if the crowd had thought he was Robbie Williams as much as the performer did the atmosphere would have been brilliant, saying that towards the end of his set, people did get up and sing along, however if I had got up on stage and sang Angels – people would have sang along too. Did think the Blues Brothers would have been better going on second as they could have really got the place going.

However don’t get me wrong – the entertainment did the job and it was free, a good job Penwortham Town Council. In this day and age it could have been easy to have organised nothing at all, as Preston City Council would have done. Maybe next year the Gala could show case some local talent and even have a theme where everyone could dress up, but in a year of constant doom and gloom, the Gala lifted my spirits and was a shining example of what a community event should be like. It made be proud to be British and more proud to be from Penwortham.

Summer menu launched at New Continental

Anyone who likes a nice meal out at a good pub will appreciate the food at the New Continental, Preston.

Good news for food lovers, they’ve launched their summer menu. Here’s the detail:

With the Continental classics meeting the seasonal glory that is summer, by the way of local producers – and turning out menu winners such as baked natural smoked haddock topped with mature cheese rarebit over Bury black pudding & dressed leaves; roasted rack of Pendle lamb on a minted mash with green beans and red wine sauce; followed by desserts such as raspberry brulee with yummy Continental-made raspberry meringue ice cream.

We may be visiting shortly for a meal, it’s got our mouths watering!

be2camp: London, Sydney, Birmingham, Arizona and Preston…

This is a guest post from Martin Brown. He is a blogger on the built environment at isite and can be found on twitter @fairsnape. If you’d like to write a guest post for Preston Blog check out how you can get involved.

Possible the first global architecture, construction and facilities management meeting.  June 16th 2009

One year ago an idea to create a network that would explore the use of web technology and social media within the world of the built environment sustainability was born.

Since then be2camp (that’s be, from built environment, 2 from web 2 and camp from the barcamp approach to events) has held physical events, created an online forum for discussion with over 150 members and generated numerous spin off discussions, groups and events around the world

To mark the anniversary, a series of ,tweetups, are being held around the world as an opportunity for people connected with design, construction, facilities management, PR. Web and IT and more to meet chat and network.

We are delighted that the New Continental in Preston will host such an event.

So if you are in any way connected with the world of the built environment or social media, come along on the 16th June between 6 and 8pm.

More details on the be2camp network at http://www.be2camp.com or send a tweet message @fairsnape (that’s me, Martin Brown) or @be2camp

Look forward to seeing you there.

‘Along Lancashire Lines’ photography competition

The 'Along Lancashire Lines' competition aims to capture photos of transport in Lancashire. Image credit to phill.d

The Ribble Steam Railway are running a photography competition for all you budding photographers out there.

The theme is transport (walking and horse riding are excluded) and the shot should encompass Lancashire and transport.

The deadline is September 1st 2009. Preston Blog will be publishing the best entries.

To enter you need to fill out an application form. Download the application form.

Here’s the details:

We’re looking for photos that illustrate the varied transport scene in the County of Lancashire. Submissions should contain a form of vehicular transport (so no walking or horse-riding) from bicycles to trains, canal boats, buses, etc. More than one type can be included in the image, but there should be something that defines the area as being Lancashire. Be creative when composing the shots!

Photos submitted should be taken on or after 1st April 2009. The closing date of the competition is 1st September 2009.

The competition is open to two age categories – Under 16s and 16 and Over.

For those entering the Under 16s category, parental consent is required.

Both digital and film entries will be accepted, as per the Terms and Conditions attached. By entering the competition, you confirm that you have read and agree with the Terms and Conditions.

Entries should be posted to:

Ribble Steam Railway Photo Competition,

15, Lilac Avenue,

Penwortham,

PRESTON

PR1 9PB

E-mail entries should be sent to photocomp@steamtrains.org.uk

The winner of each category will receive as a prize a framed 24″ x 16″ canvas print of their winning entry, and a framed certificate. The runner-up in each category will receive as a prize a framed 10″ x 8″ canvas print of their entry, and a framed certificate.

Entrants can submit up to three photographs to the competition; these can be either prints or digital images. Prints submitted should be a minimum of 7″ x 5″, and digital images should be submitted in jpeg format, no smaller than 1200 x 900 pixels and no larger than 3MB if being submitted by e-mail. There is no maximum size limit for prints or digital images submitted by post.

Review: Paolo Nutini @ 53 Degrees

Paolo Nutini gave a powerful performance at 53 Degrees

Paolo Nutini rolled into Preston for a stop during his UK tour.

The Scottish singer song-writer played to a sell-out crowd at 53 Degrees.

Paolo was in good form, lurching around the stage and getting the crowd going during opening track ‘New Shoes‘.

Backed by a skillful band, Paolo was interacting well with the crowd – despite being far more Scottish in the flesh than on record, which led to some amusing moments when he said something and the crowd failed to understand it.

The tracks from his new album went down well, and an acoustic version of ‘Last Request’ was beautiful – with many a couple swaying in time as the lighting glowed red around Nutini as he stretched his vocals to the limit.

‘Jenny Don’t Be Hasty‘ got the biggest cheer of the night and the crowd left bopping to the upbeat tempo that Paolo and his bands managed to keep throughout the gig.

The show was excellent considering that it’s difficult sometimes for singer songwriters to keep the attention of the audience during a show, but Paolo’s energy on stage was brilliant and the album tracks definitely sounded better live. The only negative was the omission of ‘Rewind’ that was one of his stronger slower tracks.

Speed Networking in Preston

Speed Networking is a chance to meet other businesses and organisations in Preston

No, not speed dating – but speed networking for businesses. If you run, own or manage a business then this is a great chance to meet other business owners and find out what other people are up to, bounce ideas and make some contacts.

This is how it works:

People are arranged seated at tables facing each other. A whistle blows and a three-minute networking session begins.

One person begins by talking about who they are; what they do; and what they are looking for. Then it is the other person’s turn to do the same. The conversation can then turn to exploring any potential business opportunities between you.

The whistle blows again when three minutes has passed, one-person remains seated while the other moves one place up the row and a new three-minute meeting begins.

If you are serious about growing your business then this is a must attend event. It is the quickest way to make lots of new business contacts and meet potential clients.

It’s £25. Due to be held at Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium on Thursday 9th July 2009.

Find out more and book a place

Preston Tringe Festival line-up announced

Preston Tringe Festival is bringing an exciting range of acts to the city

The line-up for the first Preston Tringe Festival has been unveiled. Running from 23rd July to 31st July 2009 at various venues across the city, the Tringe will be a hodgepodge of comedy, music, theatre and other live performance events – complete with a Tweetup about the Preston arts scene thrown in for good measure.

The standard of shows over the Tringe is extraordinary for a new festival, with two five-star rated shows from Edinburgh International Festival confirmed to play.

Liz Bentley and Russell Thompson come to Avenham Park Pavilion on Friday 31st July with ‘Liz and Rachel Get in Touch with their Feelings’.

Thompson will also be bringing ‘Project Adorno’s Top 10 of British Culture’ to the Tringe at the Adelphi pub on Thursday 30th July and Friday 31st July.

These are just two shows from a diverse line-up.

Sam Buist, from Preston’s Screaming Theatre Group and who is co-organising the festival, said in an interview with Preston Blog in April: “We just want Preston Tringe to be accessible to anyone and everyone and allow people to experience a range of theatre, music, literature and other contemporary stuff for a week.

We wanted to take this event to the people and make it in places you wouldn’t expect to see drama or these type of events.

“I’d like to think we can detach the stigma that’s sometimes attached to drama and live performance, that’s it’s for those with money and needs to be in a big swanky theatre.”

Preston Tweetup II – how do we support the arts in Preston?

Preston Tweetup brings together people to discuss a particular topic and generate new ideas

We’re pleased to announce that the second Preston Tweetup has been confirmed. We’ll be back at the New Continental and this time we’re part of the Preston Tringe Festival that’s taking place in late July, showcasing theatre, music, comedy and much more across the city.

The topic for the next Preston Tweetup is ‘How do we support the arts in Preston?’. There’s already a lot happening with the New Continental’s events and the Tringe Festival but what more could we do? How can we get this city buzzing with a great arts community?

The event is on Monday 27th July 2009 from 8 PM in the Snug area of the pub. Please register to attend (we’re working on another drinks offer for those who register), so charge up those laptops and mobiles, and get your thinking caps on. It’s going to be a great event. Only 40 places available.

It’s free, fun and creative. If you’re unsure of what all this Tweetup business is, take a look at what happened at the last one.

Ribble Steam Railway 2009 operating dates

Ribble Steam Railway operates throughout the year

The Ribble Steam Railway on Preston’s docklands will be operating on the following days, and are holding a range of special events in 2009:

June 2009

13,14 Weekend Steam Trains

20,21 Classic Cars & Bikes

27,28 Weekend Steam Trains

July 2009

4,5 Weekend Steam Trains

11,12 Weekend Steam Trains

18,19 Weekend Steam Trains

25,26 Trains & Boats – Preston Riversway Festival

August 2009

1,2 Weekend Steam Trains

5 Summer Midweek Trains

8,9 Weekend Steam Trains

12 Summer Midweek Trains

15,16 Friendly Engines Weekend

19 Summer Midweek Trains

22,23 Weekend Steam Trains

26 Summer Midweek Trains

29-31 Classic Commercials

September 2009

5,6 Weekend Steam Trains

12,13 2009 Steam Gala

19,20 Weekend Steam Trains

26,27 Weekend Steam Trains – Final Weekend of the main season

October 2009

3,4 2009 Diesel Weekend

November 2009

Closed All month

December 2009

5,6 Santa Specials

12,13 Santa Specials

19-22 Santa Specials

Vintage Cars & Classic Bikes at Ribble Steam Railway

The Ribble Steam Railway runs around Preston's docklands area

The Ribble Steam Railway on Preston’s Docklands is staging its third event of the year over the weekend June 20th & 21st 2009.

As its Father’s Day, why not treat him and all the family to a Steam Train Ride on the Ribble Steam Railway, a journey alonside the River Ribble which crosses the Docklands Swingbridge over the Preston Marina.

As a bonus this weekend there will be Vintage Cars & Classic Bikes on show and you can talk to their owners about each machine. There will be different vehicles each day and as a bonus there is no increase on the normal admission rates of £5-50 Adults, £3-50 Children with a Family Ticket & Concession rates available as well.

Mr Ribble, from the Preston Hands-On Gang invites all the kids to join his Adventure Trail around the museum and learn about various aspects of Railways & Engines and to get your free Mr Ribble badges.

There is a shop and cafe on site and the workshops are open so you can find out what the volunteers are working on behind the scenes.