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Story shorts - 08/02/10
A round-up of news in brief from across Lancashire.
By-election due as politician quits
A by-election will be fought in the city after a politician quit the council.
Coun James Blakely resigned from serving the John O'Gaunt ward following a recent move out of the district. Coun Blakely was himself elected at a by-election in December 2005.
Inquest to begin
The inquest of a Bamber Bridge man killed in a car crash in Grimsargh, near Preston, is due to take place today.
Damien Ryan, 31, died after his Ford Focus collided head-on with a Subaru Impreza in August 2009.
The hearing will take place at Preston Coroner's Court.
Children's author to visit Kirkham
A best-selling children's author is set to visit Lancashire.
Justin Somper will be at Silverdell Bookshop, Poulton Street, Kirkham, on Wednesday, March 24.
The event is being held for the launch of Justin's latest book, Empire Of Night, which is the fifth installment in the popular Vampirates series.
Body found in ditch
The body of a man has been discovered in a ditch in a Lancashire village.
The grim discovery, in Scorton, near Lancaster, was reported to police at around 12.45pm yesterday.
Underwater rescue teams were brought in yesterday afternoon to recover the body and a police spokesman said the death is being treated as unexplained.
No other details have been released.
Committees to be scrapped
As many as a dozen decision-making committees are set to be scrapped.
County Hall's cabinet has gone ahead with plans to axe the Lancashire Local groups across the county's 12 districts, made up of members from both county and district councils.
It is hoped the move will save 100,000-a-year.
Celeb Big Brother winner brings his band to town
Celebrity Big Brother winner and Happy Mondays star Bez is bringing his new band, Domino Bones, to Morecambe for a night celebrating the best of Manchester.
From Manchester With Love is headlined by dance gurus 808 State. The festivities kick off at the Carleton Hotel, on Morecambe Seafront, on Saturday February 27 at 9pm.
For tickets, log on to www.citymouse.
co.uk or go to Lancaster's Reef Clothing store.
City is better for bicycles
Cyclists are benefiting from improvement works to Lancaster centre.
They can now travel along Penny Street, with the flow of traffic up to Marton Street and access a contra-flow cycle lane to allow them to travel to Penny Street Bridge Junction and new toucan crossings.
The scheme was planned by the authority's Cycling Town Project.
Coun Jon Barry, of Lancaster Council, said: "It is excellent that our vision for a more joined-up network of cycle lanes through Lancaster city centre is being realised."
Sounds of the 60s concert
A Sixties tribute act is set to perform hits from the decade in Lancashire this Friday, February 12.
The concert is to take place at The Platform in Morecambe from 7.30pm.
The Overtures, "one of the finest exponents of 60s music in the world today", will be the stars of the show.
Call 01524 582803 to book.
Road fence is damaged
A fence was damaged on Welsby Road, Leyland, between 6am and 6.15am on February 2. Anyone with information should call police on 0845 1 253545 or Crime-stoppers on 0800 555111.
Shoplifter in supermarket
A thief stole a bedding set and two sausage rolls from Sainsbury's on Cuerden Way, Bamber Bridge, between 3.20pm and 5.35pm on January 22.
Kids' stuff at the museum
Children can design and make their own badge with a World Cup theme at the National Football Museum at Deepdale, Preston.
The event will take place on Tuesday, February 16, between 11am and 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 3pm.
For more details, visit: prestonhandsongang.com.
Spotlight will be on services
Ways to improve services across the county are to be discussed at a County Hall meeting tomorrow.
The authority's cabinet committee on "performance improvement" is to meet from 2pm to 5pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Firm's bid to reclad its roof
A storage firm wants to smarten up the roof of its Preston warehouse. Safestore plc has applied to the city's council for permission to reclad the roof of the building on the Guild Trading Estate in Ribbleton Lane, Ribbleton.
Council's new website will help residents
A new website is being designed for Fylde Council after it won a grant from central Government.
Improvements include a "dedicated secure online account available to every resident" which will allow them to see details relevant to their area and their council tax account.
Coun Karen Buckley said public services will be brought together in one online location.
In the market for giving up cigarettes...
A campaign to stop people smoking is to visit the city's Flag Market on February 19.
The free event will offer smokers tips and advice on overcoming their addiction.
It will take place from 9.30am to 3.30pm at the Citizenzone van. Call 01772 777044 for more details.
Feed birds for winter
A bird feeders workshop will be held at a Preston park later this month.
The event, on February 17, is designed to help birds in Haslam Park, Ashton, Preston, survive the end of winter by providing feeders.
Anyone interested should meet at the park ranger's pavilion at midday. The event is free, although it will cost 1 to take a feeder home. Ring 01772 906471.
Dial Direct if you want help
A new number has been launched aimed at helping Lancashire residents in need of practical information or support.
Help Direct offers will point people in the direction of appropriate organisations and schemes to tackle problems. The number is 0303 333 1111 or visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/helpdirect for more details.
Enjoy fun at half-term
Youngsters can enjoy half-term fun with the park rangers at Worden Park in Leyland.
The outdoor activity will take place on Tuesday, February 16 (10.30am to noon) and will cost 1 per child.
Booking is essential. Call 01772 625625.
On a roll
Egg rolling is set to return to Preston this Easter. Preston Council has confirmed the annual tradition of tossing chocolate eggs down the hill before eating them is to take place in Avenham Park on Monday, April 5, despite the work currently taking place there.
Horse race prize winner
A West Lancashire woman has been picked to ride in the Cheltenham Festival.
Elaine Curran, 33, of Bickerstaffe, Ormskirk, was one of 12 women chosen to compete in the Festival Ladies Charity Sweepstake in aid of Cancer Research UK.
She will be competing against others including Elisabeth Murdoch, 42, daughter of media magnate Rupert Murdoch.
Grapple time at Guild Hall
An "American wrestling spectacular" is being lined up for Preston.
The Guild Hall event on February 27 promises "high flying superheroes" and "mean and massive monsters". It is set to start at 7.30pm. Call 01772 258858.
Car targeted by vandal
A vandal scratched a car's bonnet and doors while it was parked in Beech Grove, Ashton, Preston.
It happened between 3pm on February 4 and 7.10am the following day.
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Register to get your vote
Wyre residents are being urged to register their chance to vote in the forthcoming general election.
Voters can also register to have their say by post if they cannot turn up to a polling station on the day. Visit www.wyrebc.gov.uk/Find/Vote_by_Post or call 01253 891000 for details.
Thief stole from shop
A shoplifter stole a woman's top in BHS on Fishergate, Preston and hid it in a pram. It happened at 4.20pm on February 4
Car windows are smashed
Vandals smashed a car windows in Goldfinch Street, Deepdale, Preston. some time between 9pm on February 4 and 12.15am the next day.
Car sprayed by vandal
A vandal spray painted a car on Stratford Road in Chorley between 6.20pm and 11pm on February 4.
Running into history
A blind charity is giving Lancashire runners the chance to create their own piece of history.
Galloway's Society for the Blind, based in Penwortham, near Preston, is applying for places for the Newham London Run – the first run in the Olympic Park where the London 2012 games will be held.
There are 3,000 public entries available and the 10km race, on March 7, is open to runners of all abilities aged 15 and over.
Anyone interested in taking part and raising sponsorship for the charity should contact Galloway's appeals manager George Turner on 07743 825818.
Tea dance at Caring Cafe
Age Concern is inviting people to a tea dance on February 18.
It will take place at the Caring Cafe, Charnley Fold in Bamber Bridge, between 1.30pm and 3pm.
Ian Scott, cafe information awareness officer and tea dance organiser, said: "You don't need to be Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers.
"Everyone is welcome and we look forward to people putting their best foot forward."
Last chance for postal vote
Residents in Wyre are running out of time to register for a postal vote in the general election.
Anyone can request to cast their vote by post instead of visiting a polling station.
Phone 01253 891000.
Anyone who has previously registered for a postal vote does not need to do so again unless they have moved house.
Cool drinks for patients
Two charities will present Hazelwood Ward at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital with a new ice machine tomorrow.
The Friends of Chorley Hospital and the Trust's Incubator Appeal have both given 1,250 to fund the equipment, which will give patients access to ice and iced water during their time in hospital.
Bowlers look back on year
Clayton-le-Woods Community Bowling Club will hold its annual general meeting tonight. The meeting will be held at the Ley Inn, Back Lane, from 7.30pm.
Get fighting fit with Liz
Military fitness is coming to Avenham Park to raise money for Derian House.
UCLan student Liz Street has organised the event, which will take place on Saturday, February 27.
For more information, or to book a place, contact Liz on 07825 650885.
Show shares gypsy tales
A travelling theatre is to offer an insight into a "gypsy caravan".
The performance of Tales from a Gypsy Caravan is to take place at the Clayton Brook Village Hall on February 20 from 4pm to 6pm.
A one-hour multi-cultural craft event will follow with cash raised from the event going towards a multi-cultural festival in June. Call 01772 698074 for details.
Poetry with your cuppa
Tickets are on sale for a poetry reading event at a Lancashire coffee shop.
Poets from the Pennine Lancashire Poetry Stanza will take to the stage at Starbucks, Capitol Centre, Walton le Dale, on Wednesday February 17.
The event, from 7pm to 8pm, is called 'Family' and readers include writer and editor Jo Harding of Clitheroe Books, and Phil Burton, known as Pip the Poet. Tickets are 2 (1 concessions) on the door.
Mobile gym tours schools
A Lancashire football club has teamed up with NHS staff to encourage children to get fit.
Morecambe Football Club and NHS North Lancashire have joined forces to bring the new Gym Stars mobile gym to primary schools.
The scheme is being delivered by Morecambe FC community sport's Chris Squirrell.
Contact Janet Preston or Chris Squirrell on 01524 411797.
Free tips on winter travel
Travel advice packs offering winter travel tips are being given to residents.
They are being put together by Lancashire county council's Road Safety Group with free packs including ice scrapers and guides on driving safely in the winter, reducing carbon emissions and using public transport. Visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/roadsafety or call 0800 328 1635 for more details.
Teatime for the dancers
A tea dance is to take place in a Lancashire village hall next Saturday.
The event, at Clayton Brook Village Hall, will offer people the chance to learn new dance moves before light tea is served.
Tickets are 1 each. Call 01772 698074 to book.
Climbers learn ropes
Youngsters are being offered the chance to try climbing at a Preston leisure centre.
Children aged between eight and 16 can try out a climbing wall after developing basic skills with an instructor at West View Leisure Centre.
The sessions will take place from 1pm until 2pm between February 15 and 19. Sessions are 4 per person. Call Gill Peet on 01772 903159 to book.
Wartime in Samlesbury
Discover Samlesbury's wartime history with an exhibition at Samlesbury Hall, near Preston.
The community lost 13 servicemen during the First World War and the aerodrome was in full production during the Second World War.
The hall, in Preston New Road, is holding an exhibition until February 28, with memorabilia, sounds and real-life stories.
Ring 01254 812010 or visit www.samlesburyhall.co.uk for more information.
Get your skates on
Ice skaters can pull on their blades at a Lancashire pub later this month.
Guy's Thatched Hamlet in Bilsborrow, near Preston, re-opens its rink on Thursday, February 11 from 4pm until 10pm.
It will then be open every day from 11am until 10pm until Sunday, February 21.
Ring 01995 640010 for more information.
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
