Archive for February, 2008

The chairman of Blackpool’s regeneration company is leaving his post to lead a bid for European funds to build an extension of Blackpool’s tram system to Preston. Professor Sir Peter Hall of ReBlackpool said, ‘After nearly four years in the chair at ReBlackpool, helping to develop the casino bid and then the post-casino regeneration strategy to rebuild the town’s economy, published in our Blackpool Task Force report to government last summer, I think it is time to move on. As ReBlackpool shifts from strategic thinking to delivery my successor will lead on this delivery. Meanwhile, provided our bid is successful, and I am confident that, fully supported by NWDA and other partners, it is more than good enough – I will focus on delivering the next stage of development of the Blackpool Tramway as part of the regeneration of the town.’

The proposed system will utilise a new type of tram developed in Germany that uses a hybrid power system capable of switching from electric to diesel power to run on non-electrified tracks.

Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters will perform the band’s Dark Side of the Moon album in its entirety at a concert at the Liverpool Echo Arena on May 15 2008. In a press release Waters also promised that the show would feature state-of-the art staging, lighting, and sound.

Waters co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright. Dark Side of the Moon is widely regarded as their greatest album. It is one of the top 10 selling albums of all time and spent a record 14 years in the US album charts.

A copy of one of the most important books in the history of British poetry has gone on display at the Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere. The 1800 edition of Lyrical Ballads is a signed presentation copy given to one of Wordsworth’s childhood friends. It is one of only seven copies in existence that contain replacement pages to correct a misprint. It was recently purchased by the Wordsworth Trust for £42,000.

Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West and the current Secretary of State for Transport, officially opened the new look Salford Central train station on Friday. Over £5m has been spent on a new glass entrance hall, ramps and lifts, restoration of Victorian brickwork, a new ticket office, customer information screens, and CCTV.

After scooping this year’s MTV Awards, the new Liverpool Echo Arena has landed another prestigious event. The BBC has announced that the Sports Personality of the Year show will be held at the new venue on December 14 2008 and broadcast live on BBC 1.

Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool said, ‘This is a major achievement for the city of Liverpool and for our venue. It is entirely fitting that a city with such an illustrious sporting history and pedigree should host these awards during its year as European Capital of Culture.’

Antiques Roadshow, the popular BBC TV programme, will kick of its 31st series at Chester Cathedral on April 3 2008. Leading antiques experts will be available to offer free advice and valuations of antiques brought to the venue.

Those wishing to have an item valued before lunchtime are advised to arrive around 8.30 am, one hour before the doors open. The doors close at 4.30 pm with filming continuing to approximately 7 pm.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is to introduce admission charges from 2009 for the first time in its history. Visitors will have to pay £5 for a Freedom Pass to enter the theme park, or purchase an Unlimited Ride Wristband. The Freedom Pass will allow access to 5 of the less popular rides.

The introduction of admission charges at the company’s theme park in Southport were regarded by many as a significant factor in its subsequent closure.

Morecambe FC has submitted plans for a new 7,000 capacity stadium. The complex, in the Westgate area of the town, will also include a training pitch, community sports areas, and a 40-room hotel.

A multi-million pound redevelopment of Rawtenstall’s Valley Centre has been given the go ahead by Rossendale Council. The derelict eyesore will be demolished and replaced with 16 shops, 6 restaurants/bars, and over 100 residential apartments. A pedestrianised square and car park will also be constructed. Completion is expected in 2010, subject to approval by the Secretary of State.

Carlisle Cathedral has received an award to preserve its stain glassed windows, including a memorial window to a former Dean. The £62,000 grant, from English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation, will go towards the estimated £88,000 cost of the project.

The present Dean of Carlisle, the Very Reverend Mark Boyling, said ‘The grant will enable us to preserve a well-loved memorial window to a former Dean and his family. It was paid for by public subscription in 1856 after Dean Tait had lost five daughters to scarlet fever within six weeks of each other. We are grateful to English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation for their support in helping us to retain this, and four other cathedral windows, for the future.’