Man wanted on prison recall

Police are appealing for information that will help them track down a man who is wanted on prison recall.

Craig Wilde was jailed in August 2008 at Preston Crown Court for offences of burglary and theft and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

He was released from jail in June 2010 but has since failed to keep to the conditions of his prison licence so was recalled to prison by his probation officer from Lancashire Probation Trust.

Wilde has recently resided in Morecambe but it is now believed he may be in the Lancaster area. He is known to have previously slept in a tent in the Lancaster area and may again have resorted to sleeping outside.

Wilde is 5' 10'' tall, green eyes, with extensive tattoos on both arms his chest and back.

Wilde’s photograph, and details of other people who are currently wanted by police, can be found at the "Wanted" section of www.lancashire.police.uk.

Inspector John Clucas, Lancashire Police, said: “I would ask the public to report any sightings to the police. I would also appeal directly Craig Wilde to come forward and contact us.”

• Information can be passed to the police on 0845 1 25 35 45, by using the email address that can be found in the ‘Wanted’ section on www.lancashire.police.uk/wanted, or details can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

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Police appeal as hunt for missing Lancaster man steps up

Police are appealing for information as to the whereabouts of a Lancaster man who went missing earlier this month.

43-year-old Anthony Ramos, of Ambleside Road, Lancaster, was reported missing by his family on 9th August. He was last seen in Preston in April and is known to have been in London in April – May.

Anthony, who also uses the name Fred Redman, is 4ft tall and walks with the aid of two crutches. He has collar length black hair and a beard.

“Anthony has gone without making contact with his family for long periods in the past before, but on this occasion they are particularly worried about him," says Sgt Simon Twist of Lancashire Police.

“I would ask Anthony, or anyone who may know where he is, to get in touch so that we can put minds at rest. If he does not want to speak to his family directly, we can pass on a message to let them know that he is alright.

“Anthony can also attend any police station in the country, where officers can see he is safe and well, and they can pass on a message to us.”

• Anyone with information about Anthony is asked to contact Lancashire Police on 0845 1 25 35 45.

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Borough comedy night expands to meet demand

Lancaster seems to be experiencing a comedy boom of late, with several new nights having opened. Never ones to lack behind, the good folk at The Borough in Dalton Square have increased the frequency of The Lancaster Comedy Club to twice a month with the first 'extra' show on Sunday 12th September with something of an eclectic line up covering comedians from three continents - Daliso Chaponda, Wes Zaharuk and Mickey Sharma.

A stand up comedian with raw Eddie Murphy confidence, Daliso Chaponda was born in 1979 and says he is very proud of this achievement. His earliest aspiration was to become a reverend but alas, he enjoys sinning too much. Stand-up comedy is the closest he has come to his initial dream of the pulpit.

Although born in Malawi, he began his comedy career in Canada with the acclaimed one man show ‘Feed This Black Man’. In 2004 Daliso Chaponda headlined the ‘Don’t Let Them Deport Me’ Comedy Show as a plea to officials to have his Canadian visa extended. The show was sold out, well reviewed, and frenzied letters were written to bureaucrats. He was forced to leave anyway after one final show, 2005’s “They’re Deporting Him Anyway.” Next, he worked as a comedy writer and performer in South Africa before moving to the UK.

"It takes a special kind of act to work on both sides of the Atlantic (as well as across Africa)," noted the News and Star of this comedian, "but it seems an easy transition as he compels the crowd with his socially insightful comedy.

Manic physical Canadian comedian Wes Zaharuk credits his comic roots to his parents. They made ‘not listening’ an Olympic event. As a child, his parents dressed him in wool pants that were incredibly itchy. Complain as he would, his words fell on deaf ears. When he developed a skin condition that looked like a large, all-dressed pizza, he was tested for allergies. It was found that he was allergic to wool. Through it all, Wes developed his desire to be heard — if only to reduce rash.

About the use of props in his performance Wes quips “Show business sometimes lures people who didn't get enough love early in life. I feel as a child I didn't get enough unsupervised time with power tools but who has perfect parents?”

Also on the bill is London's beatboxing comic Mickey Sharma and, representing Lancashire, compere Rob Riley.

"Lancaster as a city is well suited to comedy," says Rob, the man behind the The Borough's event, who will also be compering on Sunday. "It's got a large student population and tourists in the Summer, which means good audiences throughout the year.

"The Borough is a great venue for comedy too. Shows sell out well in advance and excellent feedback indicates we have the same balance on quality and price at our comedy nights as we have in the bars and kitchen!"

• The show starts at 8pm prompt and advance tickets at £6 are available from www.wegottickets.com, The Borough or you can pay £8 on the door if there are seats left. The show is strictly adults only.

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Future plans for developing Lancaster Market

Despite its concerns about the costs of keeping Lancaster Market open, and the huge amount of research and feedback Lancaster City Council has already undertaken in their efforts to keep it going, the Council has decided it still needs to employ even more expert advisors to recommend ways in which the future of Lancaster Market can be secured.

Let's just hope these advisors have a bit more to them than the ones that recommended the sell-off of the building to the now moribund supermarket chain, ASCO - a plan which Full Council sensibly rejected.

Following the council’s decision earlier this year to keep the market open, prospective advisors are being asked to bid for a contract to put together a comprehensive report on the market.

Areas the successful bidder will be expected to cover in their final report include:

• The viability of providing a predominantly (specialist) food retail market, in the context of Lancaster’s developing role as a heritage city

• Whether the current structure and layout of the market is fit for purpose and to identify any changes, that might be necessary

• What appropriate lease arrangements should be in place between the council and the market traders, including the viability of a tenants’ charter

• Advise to what extent, if any, other complementary, non-physical works are required, e.g. marketing, to ensure a viable market.

• Advise how the indoor and charter markets can be linked

Although the idea of yet more talking and consulting will surely rankle with market traders, the Council's move has been welcomed by one of the major opponents to the proposed ASCO sell-off.

"I have been impressed by the commitment of councillors from all political groups to make the market a success," Coun Jon Barry, chair of the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group, and one of only two councillor to oppose the Cabinet-backed sell-off plan back in February, said. "We have seen how markets in other towns in the north-west can be the hub of their town centres.

“I am convinced that we can make this happen in Lancaster. Employing proven market experts to draw together all of the ideas about how we can improve our market is the first step towards achieving this.

“I am optimistic about the future of the market and about the city council and market traders working together to make Lancaster market a success."

The deadline for bids for the contract is 24th September. The successful bidder will be chosen by members of the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group.

It is anticipated that the final report will be presented to the liaison group by the end of the year - almost 12 months since proposals to sell off the Market were first discussed.

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Date set for Harbour ward council by-election

The date for a by-election to elect a new councillor for the Harbour ward of Lancaster City Council has been announced as Thursday 7th October.

Anyone who is interested in standing as a candidate should telephone the elections office on 01524 582905.

The closing date for nominations is noon on Friday 10th September.

The vacancy has arisen following the recent sad death of Coun John Barnes.

New applications to vote by post must be made by 5.00pm on 22nd September to vote in the election. For details of how to apply for a postal vote contact the elections office on 01524 582905.

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