Lancaster Market changes to be debated by Full Council

After many delays and confusion from some stall holders about its future and much-discussed changes to stop it from being closed, the future of Lancaster Market will again be debated at Full Council next week, on Wednesday 14th September.

Although Council previously decided not to close the Market after a huge outcry from the public, it looks like closure could well be an option. A financial appraisal notes whatever future the Council chooses for the the market, it is expected to cost more than approved budget forecasts.

Just for next year, the estimated increase ranges from £123,000 to £189,000. The total increase up to 2015 ranges from £696,000 to £1.026 million.

The Council discussion comes as more stall holders prepare to leave - the most recent high profile move being the two butchers stalls, to premises near Penny Street - and with a financial appraisal drawing attention to many money worries, including over £28,000 being sought as rent arrears.

Councillors will discuss recommendations made by the council’s Cabinet on 26th July, which were that all market traders be moved onto the ground floor, as a matter of urgency, and rents or service charges not be increased at this point. The Council will also be looking for alternative tenants for the upper floor.

In addition legal agreement needs to be reached with traders on the move to the bottom floor and to costs that traders would pay for moving and fitting out.

The changes are needed quickly, not just for the benefit of existing businesses in the Market, but also to protect the Council's future rental income.

The Council meting will also discuss the recommendations in terms of improved marketing and management recommended to Council in the NCS report received in December 2010. These included new signage and improvements to make the Market more "user-friendly", but incredibly, none of the ideas have been implemented despite being suggested some nine months ago.

The Council meeting will also examine the costs of running the market be examined and whether these can be reduced.

In a statement, the Council says that because of the costs associated with the potential move to the ground floor, the Cabinet recommendations were referred to Full Council.

Cabinet also resolved that a detailed appraisal of the market and its potential financial future be produced for consideration by councillors during their discussions and decision making.

The finacial appraisal identifies the potential costs to the council of operating the market in both the medium and long term and, along with the legal implications, is attached as an appendix to the report.

• Full details of the financial appraisal are available as an appendix to the main report at http://committeeadmin.lancaster.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=305&MId=5586

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Tickle me pink! Heysham firm launches Mr Men merchandise range

Heysham-based company ThinkSkins have announced an exciting new addition to their range of high quality technology skins for laptops, iPhones and hand-held gaming devices: Mr Men and Little Miss branded skins.

As the only licensee holder for these products within the UK, ThinkSkins sell high quality Skins to customise and protect a wide range of consumer technology products, with a variety of designs to reflect the personality of the product's owner.

Based in Heysham, ThinkSkins specialises in a range of branded and designer protective skins which help to keep laptops and iPhones looking good. The range may be seen on, and purchased from, the Think Skins website www.thinkskins.co.uk.

The Mr Men and Little Miss design skins are made from 3M Controltac Plus graphic film, and are precision designed and cut to fit each item, to ensure the skin does not adversely affect the use or the performance of the item it is applied onto.

The Mr Men and Little Miss range initially includes Mr Tickle, Mr Happy and Mr Bump, along with the Little Misses Princess, Sunshine, Chatterbox, and of course, Little Miss Naughty.

The skins are available for the iPhone and the iPod Touch, and a further special Little Miss Princess skin will be available for the Nintendo DSi, exclusively from the ThinkSkins website.

“We all know and love the Mr Men and Little Miss Brands," says Grant Bodie, owner of ThinkSkins. "Personally I grew up with the books and now watch the animations with my little son -- so since taking on this business it was a brand that I knew would be popular across the generations.

"The people at [license holders] Chorion have been fantastic and I hope to expand the range to other devices very soon with both Laptop Skinsand iPad Skins already in the pipeline. Then come more designs!”

“We're delighted to have ThinkSkins on board with Chorion," added Bettina Koeckler at SVP Licensing. "This is an exciting time for the Mr. Men and Little Miss brand as we are celebrating 40 years and this fun new range reflects the brands enduring and contemporary appeal to consumers”

It's 40 years since author Roger Hargreaves created Mr Tickle and introduced his first six Mr Men books to youngsters. These were followed five years later by the first of his Little Miss characters, and their appeal has grown considerably over the intervening years, now selling over 75 million in the UK alone.

Children still delight in the stories with their simple, colourful illustrations, and the Think Skins Mr Men and Little Miss designs will appeal both to the young and the young at heart, as well as protecting their technology products from the knocks and bangs of everyday wear and tear.

It's great to see a local company landing such a prestigious license -- why not check out their web site.

• More info on the ThinkSkins website: www.thinkskins.co.uk.

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Seeds for Change seek new co-op member

Local worker's co-op Seeds for Change is looking for a new member, so if you're an activist and an anarchist and want to facilitate workshops and create training resources for other activists, then you might be who they're looking for.

The Seeds For Change Network is a non-profit training and support co-op helping people organise for action and positive social change. The network started in 2000 with informal co-operation between people who were doing workshops in their spare time.

Providing training, workshops and support to grassroots campaigners is still the main focus of the co-op's work, and this is financed by donations and working part time as trainers for NGOs, co-ops and charities.

Seeds for Change says applicants don't need loads of experience in facilitating meetings and workshops, but you do need to be involved in direct action, be into consensus, be reliable, organised and, of course, nice.

You'll be working 30 hours per week (negotiable) doing training for other activists, researching and writing guides on consensus, facilitation and practical action skills as well doing fundraising and other admin type stuff.

If you're up for it - and let's face it, how often do you see a job vacancy for an anarchist? - then there are details of the job and selection process, plus application forms to download at
www.seedsforchange.org.uk/jobs

Alternatively, you can ring them on 01524 840028 or email jobsATseedsforchange.org.uk with any questions. Or
send an SAE to Seeds for Change Lancaster, 96 Church St, Lancaster, LA1 1TD asking
them to post you an application pack.

The deadline for applications is the 24th October 2011, and they hope to hold interviews in the week beginning 21st November 2011.

• Seeds for Change Lancaster is online at: www.seedsforchange.org.uk

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Lancaster University aims for Top of the World (rankings, that is)

Lancaster University has stormed up quality rankings of the world's universities, new figures reveal.

The University is one of the biggest risers in the QS World University Rankings published on 5th September 2011, making a gain of 28 places to be ranked 153 out of 300 Universities globally and in the top one per cent in the world.

According to a report on the University's web site, Lancaster is also ranked 100th for employer reputation and 85th for the proportion of international students.

Lancaster is also ranked 84th for Social Sciences and Management and 122nd for Arts and Humanities.

This latest global ranking follows top ten positions for Lancaster in all the major UK university league tables.

• More info at: www.topuniversities.com

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Council's vital planning consultation for area's future ends soon

Lancaster City Council has been consulting the local community over the summer on future planning policies and potential development sites for the Lancaster district - but now that call for views is coming to an end.

The Council says that many local residents have had their say on the implications of the draft Development Management and Land Allocations Development Plan documents at a series of exhibition events. Although those have now finished, there's still a chance for people to have their say and help shape the future of the district.

The draft Development Management Development Plan Document includes a number of policy topics which the council believes require more detail at local level than the national planning guidance provides.

The document, which has attracted comments from local people online (although it could do with a lot more, perhaps), the Duchy of Lancaster and Network Rail, is split into three parts: promoting the local economy, protecting the local environment and the creation of sustainable communities.

Within each part there are a series of policy and sub-policy areas which will provide a local planning framework that can be used in the approving or refusing of planning permissions. This will eventually replace the policies contained within the Lancaster District Local Plan, which was originally adopted in April 2004. As this document continues its preparation process through the course of 2011 and 2012, further information will be added to each policy area including criteria thresholds and standards (where required), all of which can assist in guiding future development.

The draft Land Allocations Development Plan Documents include position statements on issues ranging from the natural environment to transport, from housing to retail. These position statements set out the current issues affecting the district, the evidence base which underpins our understanding of them and what the council will seek to do about them.

The draft DPD will identify a series of 'Strategic Sites' (if they are allocated for development, they will be very important for meeting Lancaster district's development needs - particularly in relation to housing). Whilst not all these potential 'Strategic Sites' will be needed, the council does believe that some of the sites identified will be required to meet the future demand for housing, employment or retail needs.

There is also an appendix to the Land Allocations document which contains a portfolio of sites (over a specified size threshold) which have been put forward by landowners / interest parties for their future development potential. As with the list of Strategic Sites, not all the sites identified in the appendix will be needed for future development, however, some sites will be needed to meet the needs of the district as a whole, and in particular the needs of the communities within that locality.

• The consultation period ends on 16th September 2011 and until then you can still make comments on both the draft documents via the council's website - via http://lancaster-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal - or by email or by post.

All written comments that the council receives to the consultation will appear on-line. So whether people use the Consultation Portal directly, send an e-mail to ldf@lancaster.gov.uk or write a letter, everything will be made available to view.

For comments that are submitted straight to the Portal these are read through prior to publication, and then they appear on the Portal a little later. The e-mails and letters received by the Council will be uploaded onto the Portal once the consultation has closed. Previous experience suggests that many comments arrive towards the end of the consultation period.

During the summer Planning Officers had discussions with many residents at exhibitions and evening meetings; including a Saturday in Lancaster's Market Square and a Saturday at the Morecambe Sandcastle Festival. These discussions were very useful in sharing views, knowledge and understanding about local issues. It is anticipated that many people who had discussions with Planning Officers will submit their views in writing; it is felt that these face-to-face discussions often help people in compiling their responses.

• You can email comments to ldf@lancaster.gov.uk or by post to The Local Development Framework, Lancaster City Council, PO Box 4, Town Hall, Lancaster, LA1 1QR

• If you wish to discuss the documents in person, you could also drop into Morecambe Town Hall to talk to planning policy officers or contact them on 01524 582000

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CCTV released after Morecambe pub assault

A CCTV image of a man police would like to speak to in connection with an assault at Morecambe's Imperial pub last month has just been released.

Police were called to the pub on Regent Road after a fight broke out at around 11.15pm on Tuesday 30th August.

It is believed that the fight, involving a group of men and women, began inside the pub but then spilled out on to the street outside.

On arrival, police found a 49-year-old man with serious head injuries and he was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary. He has since been discharged, but is continuing to receive hospital treatment.

Detectives are now making a renewed appeal for anyone who may have been in the area at the time to contact them.

“We're keen to trace the bald headed man in the light coloured shirt captured on CCTV," asks DC Clare Wilson from Lancaster CID, "and I would urge anybody who knows him to come forward.

“This was a nasty assault that resulted in some serious injuries and I would appeal to anyone who has any information that could help with our investigation to come forward and contact us.”

• Anyone with any information can contact police on 01524 63333 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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The Dukes plays host to Charlie and Lola's 'Bestest Play'

Everyone’s favourite brother and sister off the telly – Charlie and Lola – are bringing their magical stage show to The Dukes, Lancaster.

Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play is a wonderful chance for children aged three and older to experience a show designed especially for them.

Charlie is seven and Lola is four. She adores her older brother and has an imaginary friend, Soren Lorenson. Find out if Lola will ever tidy her room or if Charlie will get Lola to sleep, even though she is not sleepy and will not go to bed.  The Tigers want their bedtime milk, the Dancing Dogs have borrowed Lola’s pyjamas – not to mention the Ogre in the wardrobe!  Who’d have known there were so many problems to overcome? 

Now in its third season on CBeebies, based on the books by Lauren Child, Charlie and Lola is a multi-award winning cut out photomontage celaction 2D animation series aimed at a pre-school audience. In each episode, Charlie and Lola deal with issues that they as young children, encounter everyday -- little issues spiral into a succession of imaginative games, role plays and flights of fancy, normally invented by Charlie to coax his spirited little sister Lola round to seeing things in a more reasoned way.

Presented by four puppeteers and using the voices from the TV series, Charlie and Lola appear as cut-out cartoon characters in the same magical world they inhabit in the books and BBC TV series featuring music, magic tricks, pink milk and party rings.

Charlie and Lola will be performing three shows during their visit to Lancaster on Saturday 17th September at 11.00am, 1.30pm and 3.45pm.

• Tickets are priced £12/£10. Concessions £2 off. To book, please contact The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or www.dukes-lancaster.org

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By George! Quayside pub wins Real Ale award

Kye Lloyd and partner Ian with
their CAMRA award.
Photo courtesy CAMRA

Staff at the George and Dragon on Lancaster's Quay are celebrating after winning a coveted award from the Campaign for Real Ale from the Lunesdale Branch of CAMRA.

The award is given to pubs that have demonstrated dramatic improvement in areas such as facilities, drinking environment, atmosphere and ale quality.

Delighted licensee Kye Lloyd, who has ran the Admiral Taverns-owned pub for the past two years alongside her partner Ian, said: “I’m over the moon with the award, all of the staff work so hard and they deserve some recognition.

“The secret to our success is that we talk regularly to our customers to see what they want – which is fine cask ales and great food.

“We go through 10-12 barrels a week and we serve cask ales from all over the UK, not just the North West.

“It is such a friendly atmosphere here and we get a wide range of people; from accountants to builders, and everyone socialises together and gets on.”


The Lloyds say they are trying to research the history of the pub and would welcome information about its past.

"Tenants Ian and Kye have transformed the George and Dragon since taking it over," said Julian Holt from CAMRA. "It is now a thriving, lively community pub with a friendly atmosphere. The pub has a strong local following but also gives a warm welcome to newcomers.

The George and Dragon
Image via official web site

“Most importantly, it offers an imaginative selection of real ales, always in immaculate condition. Such progress doesn't take place by accident, but through hard work and dedication - and Ian and Kye are to be congratulated on their superb achievement."

This is the first time the MIPA certificate has been awarded by the branch.

• George and Dragon online at: www.gndlanc.webs.com

• Lunesdale CAMRA: www.lunesdalecamra.org.uk

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Red Arrows set for Morecambe show this weekend

Image: Tim Beach

The Red Arrows have confirmed that they plan to attend the Morecambe Seaside Festival on Sunday (11th September).

The visit had been put in doubt due to the recent tragic death of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, who died following a crash last month but following a period of mourning, the Arrows have confirmed that they plan to continue the rest of the season’s public displays.

This includes a visit at noon on Sunday to the Morecambe Seaside Festival.

“This has obviously been a very emotional time for the Red Arrows and we would have understood if they had cancelled their visit to Morecambe," notes Coun Ron Sands, the City Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism.

“However, it’s great news that they have announced that they will be continuing their displays and I’m sure it will be a fitting tribute to Flight Lieutenant Egging.”

The Seaside Festival kicks off on Saturday and features a live music stage, culminating with Take That tribute Re-Take That at 7.00pm and a fireworks display over Morecambe Bay at 9pm.

On the Sunday, as well as the planned appearance by the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be flying into town along with more live music.

Programme of events

Saturday 10 September

11.00am: Chas Jacob’s Exhibition and Vintage Village Hall Display - Platform
Noon: Batala Lancaster Live Music - Arena
12.45pm: Brendan Cleary Live Music - Arena
1.30pm: Silhouette Live Music - Arena
2.15pm: The DH Five Live Music - Arena
3.00pm: Nancy Kent Live Music - Arena
3.45pm: The Reggimentals Live Music - Arena
5.15pm: Break
7.00pm: Re-Take That (Tribute) Live Music - Arena
9.00pm: Fireworks From Stone Jetty

Sunday 11 September

10.00am: Classic Bike Display - Winter Gardens
11.00am: Chas Jacob’s Exhibition and Vintage Village Hall Display - Platform
11.00am: Historic Vehicle Rally - West Promenade
Noon: Red Arrows Display
12.45pm: The Hustle Live - Music Arena
1.30pm: Rockitt 88 Live - Music Arena
2.15pm: Free Beer Band Live - Music Arena
3.10pm: Battle of Britain Flyover
3.30pm: Katy Pickles Band - Live Music Arena
4.15pm: 24/7 - Live Music Arena

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Blight puts part of Williamson Park out of bounds

Urgent work is being carried out in The Dell in Lancaster's Williamson Park in a race to preserve woodland around the park.

The Dell has been blighted with diseased Rhododendron bushes and Lancaster City Council says the area will be inaccessible to the general public until they are removed. It is necessary to remove the diseased plants to prevent further infection.

The Rhododendron ponticum bushes are not native to Britain and are the bane of many working on environmental and wildlife projects around the country (there are even "Rhodie Bashing Days" to get rid of it). They're known to be very invasive and, once established, outcompete many native species. Due to their low habitat value they also drive many birds and wildlife species away.

Since their introduction to Williamson Park some areas have also developed a disease known as Phytophthora ramorum that threatens other areas of woodland in the park.

The disease is a fungus-like pathogen of plants that is causing extensive damage and mortality to trees and other plants in parts of the United Kingdom. It has also been found in a number of European countries, but mostly on plants and shrubs and has caused significant damage and mortality to many trees and other plants.

It was first identified in the mid-1990s as the cause of widespread devastation of wild oak trees in California and Oregon in the United States (which earned it the name 'Sudden oak death'), the pathogen was subsequently found in the nursery trade in North America in 2001. In Europe, including the UK, Phytophthora ramorum has been found mainly on container-grown Rhododendron, Viburnum and Camellia plants in nurseries. It was first detected in the UK in 2002 and measures to prevent its spread include the destruction of infected plants, a ban on imports of susceptible material from affected areas of the USA, and notification of movements of susceptible nursery stock.

The Forestry Commission says that infection of larch trees has now been confirmed at sites in Lancashire and Cumbria in North West England, the Peak District of Derbyshire in central England, and on the island of Mull in western Scotland. Other larch sites in Lancashire and Cumbria are also strongly suspected of being infected and are being further investigated.

Lancaster City Council are working closely with DEFRA to deal with infected species in Williamson Park and are taking preventative measures with the assistance of the Forestry Commission through Woodland Improvement Grants.

"It’s important to keep the park as healthy and as natural as possible," explains Elliott Grimshaw, Senior Outdoor Ranger for Lancaster City Council, "and the Rhododendron has spread so widely that it is decreasing the value of our woodlands.

“Williamson Park is renowned for its wide range of woodland flora and fauna, yet the Rhododendron are threatening the existence of these native species.

"It’s therefore important that we manage the park in a sustainable manner and increase the biodiversity within it to ensure it is available for others to enjoy in years to come.”

The current improvement works will commence in October and be completed by March 2012.

Fact sheets explaining to park visitors what is happening will be made available during this time.

• For further information about the removal of Rhododendron bushes in Williamson Park, please contact the park on 01524 33318 or visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/williamsonpark

• For more information about the Rhododendron ponticum bush and the problems it can cause please visit:
Forestry Commission website: www.forestry.gov.uk/pramorum

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Could wanted man Graeme Jarman be in our area?

Two weeks after the murder of Hexham pensioner Judith Richardson, police are widening their enquiries and have announced a nationwide hunt for suspect Graeme Jarman.

Police say he could be anywhere in the country - including the North West.

Miss Richardson (77) was found dead at her home on Saint Wilfrid's Road, Hexham on the evening of Friday, August 19. She had been beaten to death with a hammer.

For the past week police in Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland have been working to trace Graeme Jarman (47) who went missing from his Durham home on 17th August and has been named as a suspect in the murder investigation.

Over the past two weeks we have had hundreds of calls and pursued numerous lines of enquiries. However there have been no confirmed sightings since Friday 26th August and this means that we have to consider the possibility and probability that Jarman could be anywhere in the country.

"We are keen to speak to Graeme Jarman, who has committed serious violent and sexual offences in the past," said Det Chief Supt Neil Adamson.

"We have been making lots of enquiries about his background.

"What we know is that he likes sport, including cricket and football, and that he also likes to go to bookmakers and betting shops.

"In fact we now know he has had a problem with gambling for years.

"It is just possible that in the week before the murder Graeme Jarman has lost a lot of money at the bookies and he has been desperate to get his money back.

"We know that he reads the papers and follows the news and if gambling is a cause for what has happened, if it makes sense to him, he knows he can walk into a police station and then there would be a lot less stress for everyone.

"So far our enquiries have been predominantly around the north east, but as the days go by, we have to consider the possibility and probability that he has moved away from this area.

"He has a background of offending in numerous parts of the country and so I am asking people across the UK who may have seen Mr Jarman to get in touch with information.

"We particularly want to hear from people who run guest houses, visit betting shops, charity shops or libraries.

"We need people to call in - what might appear to be trivial could be crucial in our efforts to speak to Graeme Jarman."

The niece of Judith Richardson has also spoken to ask for the public's help in finding her aunt's killer.

She said: "We are a very private family and we are finding all of this so horrific. We thank everyone for all the lovely condolences and good wishes that we have received and sincerely thank everyone who has helped the police in anyway.

"We would also like to ask everyone to please keep helping the police with any information to assist them in finding whoever is responsible for Judith's devastating death."

Det Chief Supt Adamson added: "We urge anyone to contact Northumbria Police or their local force should they see this man. He should not be approached by the public as it is believed he could be a risk to himself and others."

- Anyone with information should contact police on 03456 043 043 or 0191 375 2176.

- Crimestoppers is also offering a £5000 reward to any one with information which leads to the arrest and conviction of Judith Richardson's murderer.

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Police appeal after Skerton cash machine raid

Image via Google Maps

Police are appealing for witnesses following a break in at a cash machine located next to a BP petrol station in Skerton last month.

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday 26th August, at around 2.30am at an ATM at the BP filling station on Owen Road.

The offenders caused damage to the doors hinges and were able to force their way inside the room that houses the cash machine. Once they entered the building they were able to disable the alarm and spent a considerable amount of time cutting a hole into the cash box to access the money and stole a large amount of cash.

Detective Sergeant Colin Forsythe said, “I would appeal to anyone who was in the Owen Road/Torrisholme Road area of Lancaster between 9.30pm on the Thursday and when the incident happened to come forward if they witnessed anything suspicious.

“If anyone has any information that would assist this investigation then I would ask them to call Lancaster CID on 01524 63333 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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Greenfingers Research Project launched at Williamson Park

Volunteers with green fingers and an interest in conservation are needed to take part in a research project at Williamson Park by the University of Cumbria and Lancaster City Council.

The ‘Greenfingers Research Project’ aims to encourage community involvement in green projects at Williamson Park. All ages and fitness levels are catered for with a choice of tasks including; planting, digging, sawing and clearance work. The sessions take place every Thursday from 10am to 1pm starting on September 29.

Students from the Sports Studies degree programme at the University of Cumbria are planning the project with assistance from Lancaster City Council staff at Williamson Park. The students will benefit from gaining experience from planning the sessions and studying the physical, social and psychological benefits of engagement with outdoor conservation. This work will be officially assessed by the university and contribute to the student’s degree.

If you are interested in joining ‘Greenfingers’ this autumn, registration for new volunteers is from 10am to 10.30am on Thursday 29th September in the park's café.

• For more information, please contact Will Griffith 01524 33318 or wgriffithsATlancaster.gov.uk,  or the researcher Mark Christie at the University of Cumbria on mark.christieATcumbria.ac.uk

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