Will there be any Lancaster Pride Celebrations this year? Lancaster University student Ellie Best is keen to find out if anyone is intere...
Upcoming Events in the Lancaster Area...
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Panto season arrives at the Platform from 21st December, with a traditional tale of romance, comedy and good versus evil.
Sleeping Beauty will be presented by Fame Factory and the Robinson Read School of Dance who promise to bring this family favourite right up-to-date with music, dancing, some unexpected twists in the story and lots of audience participation.
Fame Factory pantos offer a fast moving, relevant and funny story and just like their other productions such as Aladdin or Cinderella, although each script is different there's always a happy ending, the villains always get their just deserts, the comic always hits a mix of comedy and pathos, the principal boy is a thigh-slapping hero and the dames are as outrageous as possible!
• Performances of Sleeping Beauty will take place on Tuesday 21, Wednesday, 22, Sunday 26 and Monday 27 December starting at 2.30pm.
• Tickets cost £7 adults, £6 concessions and £22 family from the box office on 01524 582803 or in person at Morecambe or Lancaster Visitor Information Centres.Read more...
Police in Lancaster are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in a nightclub in the city.
At approximately 3.00am on the 28th November, the 20 year old man was in Toast nightclub, sat in a booth talking to a woman when he was approached by a man who punched him in the head before walking away.
The offender has been described as white, between 18 and 25 years old and of slim build. He had short cropped dark hair which was slightly longer on top and was believed to have been wearing a blue checked shirt.
PC Dan Mitchell from Lancaster police said, “This was a particularly nasty and unprovoked assault and I would appeal for anyone with any information in relation to this assault to come forward and contact police.”
• Anyone with information can contact police on 01524 63333 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
They gathered yesterday, upward of a thousand of them, with their banners and placards and anti-cuts slogans, in a cold car park off a bottleneck in the Lancaster one-way system. Dozens of police, still caring passionately, in spite of their own employment and pensions troubles, turned up to cheer them on and keep them safe, bringing many horses to charm and entertain the children.
They were unionists and shopkeepers, teachers and care-workers, people worried about their pensions and their savings, people worried about their mortgages and their rent. Students worried about their debts and seniors worried about their pensions and services. Mostly strangers to each other and mostly surprised and lifted to see so many people. There were some great banners. "Lancaster Feminists are Coming to Cut Off Your Bonuses" got a lot of laughs. They practiced their chanting and there were repeated, delighted requests for the rude one about Nick Clegg.
And one man among them had come alone, to represent thousands. When he addressed the waiting crowds hardly anyone could see him and they had to strain to hear the bloke in the electric wheelchair telling them about cuts in disability benefits. But they had to listen because, he explained, disabled people had so little opportunity to be heard, struggling as they were with illness and incapacity. They faced cuts in housing benefits, mobility benefits and in services that few would be able to manage without, but they needed help to resist and fight for their lives. He knew they weren't the only group facing problems - he noted the presence of the Women Against the Cuts Group, but he was just asking people to care. "We do", the women promised him. "We will."
He got a warm cheer from the assembly, and then, with great dignity and flanked by banners, he wheeled toward the street. The crowd began chanting its slogans and marched out into the city streets, led by a smart honour guard of matching mounted police four abreast in their bright canary-yellow tabards.
They marched through the bright pre-christmas shopping centre to the cheering support of the masses, or at least their bemused momentary distraction from the business of completing task lists. The chant about Nick Clegg didn't fail to get a laugh, though it's not printable. They paused to boo at TopShop and BHS, owned by massive, massive tax-dodger Philip Green, a real scrounger on the state bending the cohabitation rules, who seems to have escaped the wrath of Daily Mail. If the taxes of the superrich were collected they would more than cover the savings expected from the these cuts to the poor and vulnerable, they shouted. And they sang to a conga beat "We won't shop at TopShop, we won't shop at TopShop, dah dah dah, dee-dah dah dah!" It didn't stop any shoppers but Rome wasn't built in a day.
It was a slow climb back up the A6 to Dalton Square. The battery on the wheelchair powered a stately progress. The crowd settled behind the pace of the lone wheelchair, and together arrived in the square. At which point the man driving it had to nip off in it round the side to the flat entrance while everyone else piled up the steps.
The speeches were brief and to the point. About banking charge rip-offs, tax dodging, and how the cuts would damage every layer of our wide community but benefit the obscenely wealthy. They came from unionists, feminists, students and people who were desperate and a warning. They had the same message: 'If you don't resist you will lose what you can't hold onto. Our only recourse is to speak up and do so immediately, repeatedly and more and more loudly until we are heard. Attacking the poor to save the fortunes of the super rich is not our only choice. People are worried about protecting their savings and pensions and they think that the cuts will save them. But it would be far cheaper to guarantee the savings of the many than to guarantee the astronomical debts of a handful of billionaires.'
'The Lib Dems have to vote in parliament on increased tuition fees on Thursday 9 December. To keep the coalition government stable they have to vote for policy that directly opposes their pre-election core promise of preserving access to education for all. That would spell the end of the Lib Dem party values and in the eyes of the public represents a moral and political crossroads for every Lib Dem MP. It's a test.'
More anti cuts protests are scheduled in Lancaster in the coming week as pressure for change is maintained. Check out the Lancaster & Morecambe Against the Cuts Website for up to the minute information.
This is not an impartial report, but it is a balance to the News International global media corps output. In addition, as only City Councillors from the Green Party turned up, it is a report on the views of a significant constituency. And we all made a promise to an old bloke in a wheelchair.
72% of the cuts being brought in by the Con-Dem coalition will come from women's pockets, claim a new Lancaster group 'Women Against the Cuts' who will be joining the protest march through Lancaster City Centre at noon tomorrow in their unions, community groups and side-by-side with a city unsettled by the proposed job losses and savaging of public services and benefits to the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities.
The march has been organised by Lancaster & Morecambe Against the Cuts, an umbrella organisation of trades unions, voluntary and community groups, to protest the unfairness of the outcome of the government's spending review which they believe is set to widen the gap between rich and poor and create a two nation state where unemployment, homelessness, destitution, lack of education and isolation will become the order of the day for those who don't or can't fight back for themselves and their families.
Students and schoolchildren who face loss of Education Maintainance Allowances for the poorest 16-19 year olds and a trebling of higher education tuition fees will be joining the protest in the lead up to their own Day of Action on 9 December when a vote on tuition fees will be taking place in parliament.
A Lancaster Feminist group has been tracking the effects on women of the cuts researched by the Fawcett Society, which reports to the government on the differential impacts of polices on women. Summarising this research, Lancaster Women Against the Cuts explain:
"Because of pregnancy and family care, women are still disadvantaged in the labour market and too many are in the part-time, low paid jobs that are always the first to go. Women rely on benefits twice as much as men do.
"Cuts in Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits, Child Benefit, Housing Benefit and pensions will disproportionately hurt women. The two most vulnerable groups have been identified as lone parents, 90% of whom are women, and women single pensioners.
"Women make up 73% of local authority services employees and 77% of the NHS workforce. Cuts to these services depend on the unspoken assumption that women will just be forced home to fill the gaps, taking on more and more unpaid care and domestic work to support the whole family’s caring needs. And our neighbours’ too, unless we want to watch them suffer. The Tory / Lib Dem plans rely on women’s unpaid coping work at home and in the community replacing paid jobs.
"The quality of care services for all elderly people in this country is a national scandal but because women tend to live longer than men and women’s pensions are on average 60% less than men’s, older women are particularly vulnerable to cuts in care services. Public services are not ‘charity’. They are our right!
"The annual deficit is £70bn - but the 1000 wealthiest individuals make £77bn in a year and £120bn of tax is dodged by the rich. Yet they are still fixing 72% of the cuts to the budget to come from women’s pockets. These cuts are stealing the progress made by women over the past fifty years and blighting the hopes of future generations of girls who will have to pick up what we leave."
"We’re not having this. We’re not here just to be exploited. We’re going to pull together and fight back in our workplaces and communities – everywhere!"
Police are asking residents and visitors to help hunt down poachers who commit additional crime while filling up on festive bounty - and have made a number of arrests recently.
Deer and game poaching tends to increase at this time of year, as poachers look to fill their Christmas tables with stolen meat.
Officers in rural areas in the north of the county have been carrying out high-visibility patrols, particularly around the border areas with Cumbria and Yorkshire, in a bid to reduce poaching and the accompanying crime that comes with it.
Poachers often commit criminal damage to rural properties, and can also be responsible for thefts from residential homes and farm buildings.
Members of the public are being asked to assist officers in their fight against poaching by reporting any suspicious activity to the police.
PC Antony Marsh, community beat manager for Silverdale and Warton, said: “While hundreds of deer are lawfully and professionally culled by trained deer stalkers every year, many more are cruelly killed by poachers looking to sell the meat on the black market. We tend to see a peak in this trade during the weeks surrounding Christmas.
“As well as taking animals, poachers are often responsible for thefts from farms and rural areas, so it is not just the local wildlife that is affected by them but also rural residents. There are also the associated problems of threats to farmers and game keepers, along with damage to property and crops.
“During our latest joint operation between Carnforth and Lancaster Rural NPTs, with the support of North Yorkshire Police and Cumbria Constabulary, six searches of people and vehicles were conducted, 12 traffic offences dealt with, and four arrests for theft offences were made," he added.
"This just highlights that other types of crime arise from poaching activity and we would really urge the public to support us by contacting us whenever they see something suspicious.”
• Poaching can also be reported to police on 0845 1 25 35 45, or on 999 if a crime is in the process of being committed. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Updated, 11:19 - this missing man has now been traced in the Kendal area.
Police continuing the search for missing man, Ronald Shearer from Larbert, believe he may be heading to the Lancashire area.
Officers now think that 75-year-old Mr Shearer is heading to or has already arrived in the Lancaster or Morecambe areas, with a view to then heading back up the coast towards Scotland.
Prior to this, he's believed to have travelled through the Dumfries and Cumbria areas.
A spokesman for Central Scotland Police said: "Mr Shearer has been missing now for over a week and there is a strong possibility that he doesn't realise he has been reported missing or that his family are worried for his safety and well-being.
"All we would ask of him is that he gets in touch with police or his family to let them know he is safe and well.
"We are keen to speak to anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mr Shearer, in particular, we are asking proprietors if guest houses and hotels to look out for him. Some-one may have given him a lift or seen him on public transport and we are asking anyone who can assist with information, to contact us."
Mr Shearer was last seen on Wednesday 24 November at Torwood Avenue, Larbert. At the time he was wearing hillwalking clothes, including dark waterproof trousers, a dark hat, walking boots and was carrying a black backpack with red trim. He is described as 5 ft 2 inches tall with dark, short hair and is balding. He has a tattoo of a lion on his left forearm.
• Anyone with information regarding Mr Shearer is asked to contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456 000.Read more...
The recent bad weather conditions is causing difficulties for the refuse and recycling collecting from many areas of the district, but Lancaster City Council say they are doing their best to return to collect missed refuse and recycling collections as quickly as they can.
Many of the side roads taken by the collection vehicles are too dangerous to drive along given the icy conditions. As the collection vehicles weigh up to 20 tonnes they could cause considerable damage, to other vehicles, property and pedestrians if they were to slide on the ice.
In the mean time, the Council is asking people not to report a bin as missed until 24 hours after its normal collection time. If your neighbours' bins have also been missed it is likely due to hazardous road conditions in your area.
• For further information on refuse and recycling collections please visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/bins or phone customer services on 01524 582491
• The Council has also put together a page with links and information on winter services in the district at www.lancaster.gov.uk/severe-weather
The story centres on the Midland and the famous Eric Gill stone relief of Odysseus being welcomed from the sea by Nausicaa.
A couple visit the hotel for a romantic break, but their afternoon soon turns into an afternoon fraught with tension as discussions about the Eric Gill artwork exposes fundamental differences in their outlooks on life.
A freelance writer, poet and translator, David Constantine was born in Salford, Lancashire, in 1944. His poetry books include Watching for Dolphins, Caspar Hauser and Something for the Ghosts. His novel Davies (published in 1985) won the Southern Arts Literature Prize and his non-fiction book, Early Greek Travellers and the Hellenic Ideal (1984), won the 1986 Runciman Award. He is also co-editor of the literary journal Modern Poetry in Translation, and author of the collection of short stories, Under the Dam.
Constantine said his win was "deeply satisfying. I don't think I write in a way that's realistic, naturalistic, streetwise, and modern, so it's a confirmation of what I do – and I couldn't do it any other way, the national Guardian reports. He also called the award "an immense boost" to his publisher, Comma Press, which had sought him out specifically because they wanted to publish short stories, a form often neglected by publishers.
Coun June Ashworth, Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism at Lancaster City Council, said: “We’ve always known that we had something special with the Midland and this award once again proves how blessed we are.
“Since it reopened in 2008 the hotel has attracted thousands of people to the town, and the publicity that this award gives to the Midland and Morecambe will hopefully attract thousands more.”
As the food waste recycling scheme continues to be rolled out across the Lancaster and Morecambe district, the majority of households should have received their silver kitchen caddies and those without green garden bins, a green outdoor caddy.
All types of food can be included in the food waste collection – cooked and uncooked – including leftover or out of date food, peelings, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grinds, meat, bones, fruit and vegetables, and much more.
The silver kitchen caddies can be lined with newspaper or compostable bags, bearing the compostable logo, that can be purchased from supermarkets or online. Unfortunately bags which are not compostable will not be collected.
Once full, the contents of the kitchen caddy including the newspaper or compostable bag, should be emptied into either the green wheelie bin or the outdoor caddy. The green wheelie bin should be put out for collection as normal, and residents who have an outdoor caddy should put these out for collection in the same place as their recycling boxes.
The city council is also trialling some new replacement lids for kerbside recycling boxes. The new lids, called box hats, are waterproof covers which are tied to the recycling box. The lids are being issued to replace damaged or missing lids and it is hoped that these will reduce the number of lids needing to be replaced each year due to bad weather.
• Further information about what can and can’t be recycled is available from www.lancaster.gov.uk/foodwaste or by calling the city council’s Customer Services on 01524 582491.
Online shoppers are being urged to take precautions when buying presents from the web this Christmas.
Tips on how to protect yourself while internet shopping are being given out ahead of the UK’s busiest on-line shopping day – ‘Mega Monday’ on 6th December.
The increased web activity is often a boost for local businesses but can also raise the risk of buyers losing money to criminals and each year, shoppers fall prey to legitimate looking websites which actually sell counterfeit goods - or no goods at all.
Previous reports to Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.org.uk) and other agencies suggest smart phones, digital cameras, designer goods (including jewellery and branded boots), laptops and PC notebooks and video game systems are the goods most likely to feature in online shopping and auction fraud:
“There can be a lot of disappointment on Christmas Day when goods bought in good faith from bogus websites turn out to be fake and shoddy – or perhaps they won’t turn up at all," notes DC Tony McClements of Lancashire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit. "However, there are a number of steps that on-line shoppers can take so that they don’t fall victim to the festive fraudsters and ensure that they and their families have a Merry Christmas.”
To make sure your online shopping is safe and secure remember these top tips:
• Use secure websites that you trust. Do your research before making a purchase. Check online forums for feedback
• Do they have a real-world presence – ie do they have a shop on a high street or a warehouse in the UK? Can you see their address and phone number? Is it a valid UK registered phone number?
• Check the browser address changes from 'http' to 'https' to indicate you have a secure connection and look for a padlock or an unbroken key symbol on your web browser
If website prices for designer items, games and smart phones seem too good to be true, they probably are. Legitimate popular technology and designer items are rarely discounted
• For further advice and to report fraud, log onto www.actionfraud.org.uk or call 0300 123 2040, Textphone 0300 123 2050. Visit www.getsafeonline.org.uk for other tips on staying safe online.
Lancashire Constabulary’s Christmas drink and drug driving campaign gets underway today (Wednesday 1st December).
The festive crackdown will see high profile enforcement activity taking place across the county throughout the month of December, including checkpoints at key locations where officers will administer drink and drugs tests.
In addition, a high profile radio campaign and hundreds of posters and beer mats, funded by the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, will be distributed to pubs and clubs across Lancashire warning of the dangers of drink driving.
“We want people to have fun this Christmas but to remember the consequences of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs," commented Superintendent Peter O’Dwyer.
“Between 1 January and 1 October this year, there were 35 fatal collisions in Lancashire. Six of these involved drink or drugs and this is simply not acceptable."
Nationwide in 2009, it was estimated that 11,990 reported casualties (5 per cent of all road casualties) occurred when someone was driving whilst over the legal alcohol limit. The provisional number of people estimated to have been killed in drink drive accidents was 380 in 2009 (17 per cent of all road fatalities), which although a decrease of 20 fatalities compared to the final 2008 estimate is still 380 too many.
“The consequences of drink driving are high," Superintendent Dwyer added. "If you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a road crash than a driver who hasn’t been drinking, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
A conviction for drink driving will result in a minimum 12 months driving ban or a minimum of a 3 year driving ban if you have a previous drink driving conviction in the past 10 years. You might even end up in prison for up to six months or face a fine of up to £5000.
“A conviction could also mean that you lose your job, home, family and friends. The consequences can be absolutely devastating.”
County Councillor Tim Ashton, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport added: "We want everyone in Lancashire to have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
"Our advice to those people out celebrating and drinking over the festive season is to leave the car at home and use public transport or a taxi. Getting behind the wheel after even one drink is not worth the risk and could have many serious consequences.
“It is also important that people think about their plans for the following day. If you are drinking late into the night then people need to remember that they are more than likely to still be over the limit the morning after.”
The number of people caught drink and drug driving continues to fall in Lancashire, with 2.2 per cent of those tested during last year’s Christmas campaign failing or refusing a test – despite more tests being carried out.
Supt O’Dwyer added: “Whilst the figures suggest that there are now less people getting behind the wheel after drinking, one person drink or drug driving is too many.
“Our message is simple – do not drink and drive and do not take drugs and drive.”
Police are also urging revellers to take care during the party season and have issued the following advice:
• If you are going out and drinking plan how you are going to get home and stick to that plan.
• Try to keep to busy well-lit areas and don't take short cuts and walk away from bushes and buildings.
• Where possible, don't walk alone after dark. Take someone you know with you.
• Always walk facing oncoming traffic.
• To avoid delay, have your keys ready when you are approaching your car or home.
• Never accept lifts from strangers.
• When telephoning for a taxi, ask for the driver's name and check this when he/she arrives.
• If you would like to report someone who you suspect of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, contact the police on 0845 1 25 35 45.
• DrinkDriving.org: Statistics
(This sitewhich does not condone drink driving, provides an open online community and a comprehensive information resource for all people who have been affected by drinking and driving in any and every way imaginable)
The latest local news almost as it arrives, and sometimes before it hits the main virtual-lancaster.net web site.
virtual-lancaster is an independent community web site for the Lancaster, Morecambe and surrounding area, compiled by a group of volunteers. For more information about the site, visit www.virtual-lancaster.net/contact/about.
FixMyStreet is a site to help people report, view, or discuss local problems they’ve found to their local council by simply locating them on a map. It launched in early February 2007 and is run by MySociety (There's more here about what kind of problems you can report).
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