Walled Garden Bistro nominated for national restaurant award

Ed Walker

25-year-old journalist. Currently working for Trinity Mirror in London, but founded Blog Preston in January 2009. Graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2007 with a first-class BA (Hons) in Journalism. Blogs at edwalker.net and twitters at @ed_walker86.

Walled Garden Bistro nominated for national restaurant award

17th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

A Preston restaurant has been voted as one of the UK’s best at a dining awards. The Walled Garden Bistro was in the running for best restaurant in the Hi-Life Dining Awards 2012. It lost out to Cheshire restaurant Michael Caines Abode which scooped the award. The bistro is part of the Barton Grange Hotel and last year won the Best North West restaurant at [...]

Information on how to host a Guild, Diamond Jubilee or Olympics street party released

16th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

The streets of Preston are set to come alive with parties this year for the Guild, Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics. Information has been released by the council about how you can apply to shut off your road and let the good times roll. There is no charge to hold a street party but you must apply to the council for permission, so the road [...]

Filming begins on Preston Passion in Frenchwood and city centre

15th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

Film crews working on a BBC drama of a contemporary re-telling of the Passion set in Preston have been hard at work today. Local photographer Tony Worrall spotted the cameras beginning to roll in Frenchwood and crew trucks on the Flag Market. The re-telling will feature over 1,000 Prestonians who are asked to volunteer as dancers and performers throughout the show. Fern Britton will anchor [...]

Two men wanted after thefts at Preston garden centre

14th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

Thieves who stole pet toys in a distraction robbery are being hunted by police. Two men are wanted in connection with the theft of a dog duvet and dog bed at Barton Grange Garden Centre. The incident took place between 1.10pm and 1.55pm on 15th January at the garden centre off the A6. PC Kevin Berry from Wyre Police said: “An investigation is underway and [...]

Preston’s bus station captured in glorious black and white photos

13th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

The Bus Station has been nothing short of controversial in relation to the future of the city centre, but these new images show its architectural side. It might provoke opinion to knock it down or keep it standing, or somewhere in-between, from nearly every Prestonian – but a professional photographer has attempted to capture the building in black and white. Known only as Ho, he [...]

Appeal after mountain bike stolen on Grange Estate

12th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

An appeal to find a bike stolen from a man while he was riding it has been launched. Preston Police are hunting a man who jumped a 20-year-old cyclist while he was riding through the Grange Estate. The incident happened at 10pm on Sunday 29th January on Rowan Avenue. The victim was grabbed from behind and dragged off his bike, which is worth around £300. [...]

Man fined for letting dog foul in Moor Park

11th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

A serial offender who let his dog foul on Moor Park has been prosecuted by the council for the third time in a year. Terence Utting has been fined £200 by Preston Magistrates Court after letting his dog relieve itself on 22nd October and not picking it up. Mr Utting, who lives on Milner Street near the park, was also ordered to pay prosecution costs [...]

Avenham Park could host weekly Park Run

10th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

A national organisation which puts on weekly 5k runs in parks across the world could be coming to Preston. Volunteers have been in talks with Preston City Council about staging a weekly event in Avenham and Miller Park. Park Run was set up in 2004 in South West London and since then has become a global phenomena, offering free weekly timed runs in parks in [...]

Britain’s oldest locomotive train arrives in Preston

8th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

The UK’s oldest working locomotive arrived in Preston this afternoon. This photo snapped by local photographer Bernie Blackburn shows the Furness Railway 20 being transported to the Ribble Steam Railway. The FR20 is set to run a special service later this month and then stay on for two months to help pull Sunday services at the railway. View more photos of the FR20 arriving and [...]

Dutch orchestra prepare for Preston-leg of UK tour

8th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

An exciting Dutch ensemble orchestra will be coming to the city tomorrow night. Orkest de Ereprijs bring their music to Preston Minster on the Preston stop of their UK-wide tour. The group will be performing music by a number of composers including Steve Reich and Louis Andriessen. Nick Casswell has been involved in organising the event. He said: “Orkest de Ereprijs are a great, exciting [...]

Preston railway prepares to welcome Britain’s oldest working locomotive

7th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

Britain’s oldest working locomotive will be pulling into Preston later this month for a special gala. Ribble Steam Railways will be taking delivery of the Furness Railway Number 20 on February 9th before it makes its debut at a special event. The Steam Gala Weekend on 18th and 19th February will give train enthusiasts a chance to ride the FR20 which was built in 1863. [...]

Preston MAPS Festival opens to applications from contemporary artists

6th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

A contemporary arts festival taking place during the Preston Guild has opened for applications. The MAPS Festival is looking for emerging and established artists to submit their work. The festival takes place on Saturday 8th September at a variety of locations across the city including the Oxheys Mill Studios. Jack Coverdale, from FallenWall Arts who are behind the event, told Blog Preston last month the [...]

Museum of Lancashire looking for young fans to plan its future

5th, February 2012 by Ed Walker

Young history fans in the city are being encouraged to get involved in the new look Museum of Lancashire. If you’re aged from 16 to 21 then the museum, based in Preston, wants you to help shape its future. The Museum of Lancashire reopened last Autumn after a major refurb and outreach officer Stephen Miller wants young people to guide its events and share their [...]