Story shorts - 16/04/09
A round-up of news in brief from across Lancashire.
Government minister to meet with gardner
Local government minister John Healey is due in Preston today to meet a long-serving gardener.
He is set to present Preston Council's head nursery gardener, Alan Rampling, with an award to mark almost 46 years' service.
Mr Healey will also be stopping off at County Hall to launch Lancashire's new green policies.
Police converge on railway
Police converged on a Lancashire railway station after reports that a missing teenager had been spotted.
Witnesses reported seeing officers going into Lostock Hall Railway Station after reports the 16-year-old boy had been seen in the area.The boy was reported missing by his family 12 days ago and is believed to have breached a curfew.
Jobs safe
Five jobs will be safe despite Preston council losing a grounds maintenance contract for social housing Community Gateway Association.
A council spokesman said: "If we do lose the contract, five council staff would have to transfer to any new contractor."
Murray to return to Preston
Comedian Al Murray is to make a return visit to Preston – despite the threat of being sued by a local man.
The TV star, who performed at the Guild Hall earlier this month, was recently threatened with legal action by Fulwood builder Malcolm Snape after being ridiculed on stage.
Murray will appear at the Guild Hall on October 30 from 8pm as part of his Pub Landlord's Beautiful British Tour.
Children's war day
Children are packing their bags and being sent back to the Second World War.
An Evacuee Experience event will take place tomorrow at the Museum of Lancashire, Stanley Street, Preston.
Children will have the chance to grab a suitcase, make an evacuee label and send a postcard home.
It will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Tickets are 3 for adults and 2 for concessions. Places can be booked by calling 01772 534075.
Quiz your councillors
People in Lostock Hall and Farington will have the chance to question their local decision-makers.
Residents can discuss issues of concern with local councillors at the Central Area Committee on Tuesday, April 21.
The meeting will be at St Gerard's Parochial Centre, Brownedge Road, Lostock Hall, from 6.30pm.
Dates for blood donors
People in Preston are being invited to help save lives by donating blood.
The National Blood Service is holding two sessions at the Guild Hall on Monday, April 20 between 10am and noon and from 1.45pm until 3.45pm.
Call 0845 7 711 711 to book an appointment.
Meeting for Samaritans
The next annual general meeting of Preston Samaritans will take place on Thursday, April 23.
It will be at County Hall, Fishergate Hill, at 7pm. There will be a guest speaker and light refreshments.
Meat feast
Feast your eyes on a variety of tasty food at the Merchant of Hoghton Farmers' Market. The market will take place at Hoghton Tower, on Sunday from 10am to 2pm, with a wide variety of food from wild salmon to ostrich meat. Admission costs 1 per car.
Hotel hosts a wedding fair
Park Hall Hotel, Charnock Richard, hosts a wedding fair on Sunday.
Organisers Margaret Osburn and Yasmin Riggon will be using the event to raise money for the Legacy Rainbow House in Mawdesley, near Chorley.
Instead of charging an entry fee, visitors will be asked to make a contribution to the charity's crisis appeal. The event, from 11.30am, will feature more than 40 exhibitors.
Plans for a launderette
A bathroom showroom could be turned into a launderette.
Preston Council is considering plans to make changes at a ground floor premises in New Hall Lane, Fishwick.
Take survey of our firms
A survey of Lancashire firms has been launched. The second Downtown Preston in Business Lancashire Business Survey is underway. It is at www.lancashirebusinesssurvey.co.uk
Invite to craft group
Lostock Hall Craft group meets on the third Monday of each month from 7-9pm. All are welcome – current members include knitters, quilters, lacemakers, spinners, card-makers and embroiderers.
Thief sent to prison
A Preston man who was serving a community order has been jailed after stealing 620 worth of property.
Leroy Nathan Allen stole a satellite navigation system, cash box, tool box and documents from a car.
The 22-year-old, from Tennyson Mill Court, Preston, was jailed for 90 days after admitting the offence. He was given a community order originally for stealing property, Preston magistrates were told.
No insurance driver fined
A driver has been fined 65 after being convicted of driving without insurance at Preston Magistrates Court. Jason Stephen Eastwood, 36, of St Paul's Square, Preston, will also pay 15 to the victim surcharge fund.
St George in full bloom
A group of patriotic Prestonians will be handing out roses to women in the city centre on St George's Day.
The volunteers will be helping the Royal Society of St George celebrate England's patron saint at the Flag Market on April 23 from 10am.
Michael Vaughn, from Deepdale, said: "The Mayor will be there with us and hopefully other groups may be encouraged to celebrate the day in some way."
NHS staff put on two wheels
A new bike scheme has been launched for NHS staff in North Lancashire.
Two pool bikes are available so workers at the healthcare organisation's Lancaster headquarters can use pedal power to get out and about during the working day, as well as travelling to and from work.
Rose Roberts, public health improvement specialist, said: "The bikes have been ideal for travelling to meetings in Lancaster or Morecambe because I can beat the traffic."
Late Easter fair
An Easter fair will held to help raise money for elderly people in a residential home.
Preston Private Care Home in Midgery Lane, Fulwood, will host stalls, tombolas and a raffle from 2pm on Saturday.
Proceeds will go towards days out and activities for elderly residents.
Solar panel plan at club
A heat pump and solar panels could be installed at a Leyland cricket ground.
Leyland Cricket Club has applied for planning permission for the works at its pavilion in Fox Lane.
Lean-to hope for farm
An agricultural lean-to building could be erected in Penwortham. Prior notification of the work has been submitted to South Ribble Council for the building at Tithebarn Farm, Howick Cross Lane.
Surgery's ramp bid
A ramped entrance could be installed at a doctor's surgery in Lostock Hall. South Ribble Council will consider the application for Lostock Hall Medical Centre, Leyland Road.
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 29 July 2010
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 15 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 15 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
