Examining Preston’s Fossilised Past
It’s difficult even with help of study and older relatives to imagine the days when Britain was a leader in domestic manufacturing. Factories, mines, and shipping have largely been superseded by gleaming office blocks, shopping centres and colourful high streets. Massive outsourcing of labour, coinciding with a rapid period of decolonisation introduced commerce to the fact that both labour and resources were plentiful abroad; and both could be gathered cheaper than in Britain where, as a developed nation, wages and prices of goods are higher. read article »
Preston Wish List
Random yet fun post! Thought I’d play town planner for the day & list what I’d like to see in Preston’s city centre…Here’s my personal Top 10…
1. A whacking great big kid’s play area, on the scale of Withy Grove Park Play area in Bamber Bridge, with a skate park, BMX ramps, fountains, picnic tables & cafe for families.
2. An independent cinema.
3. Cultural quarter with subsidised artist’s workshops, offices, an exhibition space and shop.
4. Tramlines, cycle routes & zero traffic.
Give your views on Preston’s city status
The thoughts of Preston’s people are to be captured in a ‘participatory documentary’ this weekend, as the ‘Going Up Town’ booth makes its way around the city. read article »
Preston’s litter lights christmas campaign
Preston City Council may have decided to spend extra money on this years Christmas street lighting – but only if they could send a message to the public at the same time. read article »
Typecast Awards give young people a voice
A new website has been setup to give young people in Preston, and Lancashire, a voice to dispel the media myths about drugs, bullying, suicide and lots of other cultural taboos. read article »
Miller Park Art: Rourke’s Drift remembered or Colonial Wars glorified?
Many Prestonians and visitors will have noticed the art installation in a flower bed on the terrace of Miller Park which depicts British redcoats in white pith helmets firing into the Zulu attackers at the battle of Rourkes Drift in 1879. The explanation given is a local connection with the army chaplain who served with the regiment during the campaign. read article »
Preston Corn Exchange: The wrong statue?
It’s easy to dislike the statue in front of the corn exchange (what is now The Assembly pub). The sculpture uses a lumpen style which provokes people to like or dislike it. The statue cannot be easily dismissed for its artistic merit – or lack of – per se, however. The sculptor, for example, clearly knew their Goya and their Manet. read article »
Interview: Lawrence Butterfield who worked at Whittingham Mental Hospital
Corridor in Whittingham Mental Asylum near Preston, Lancashire
One of the most popular posts on this blog was David Perkin’s description of the urban exploration of the decaying Whittingham Mental Asylum just outside of Preston, Lancashire. But, what was it like when it was still operating and what was it like to work there? We got in touch with Lawrence Butterfield who worked at Whittingham from 1986 to 1988.
Preston station features in new Virgin Trains advert
A new advert for Virgin Trains, celebrating the new improved journey times on the West Coast Main Line features Preston station. The guy gets off the train at the end at Preston station. I saw them filming this at Preston station, I did wonder what it was for.
Creating a mapped Preston for everyone
The Preston map is beginning to take shape
Ever heard of an Open Street Map? No, it’s not that thing Google is doing where they drive past when you’re getting changed or snap your dog having a wee up against the lampost. Open Street Map is where people can help to map their local areas properly and it’s happening in Preston.
Water water bottled everywhere
This is a guest post from Martin Brown. He is a blogger on the built environment at isite and can be found on twitter @martinbrown. If you’d like to write a guest post for Preston Blog check out how you can get involved.
Lancashire's public bodies have been splashing out on bottled water
Why isn't Preston's MP on Twitter?
Mark Hendrick is Preston's MP
I was browsing the web and came across this excellent site that lists which MPs are on Twitter and gives you an insight into the corridors of power. It’s called Tweetminster. It got me thinking, is Preston’s MP Mark Hendrick on Twitter?
What will Preston be doing for Earth Hour?
Google showed its support for Earth Hour 2008
On Saturday 28th March 2009 the world will turn out its lights to send a message to world leaders that the world’s natural resources at running out and something needs to be done.
Whittingham Asylum… forgotten?
This is a guest post David Perkins, he is a keen photographer, web designer and urban explorer. He blogs at Planetperki and you can follow him on twitter @perki. If you would like to write a guest post for Preston Blog check out how you can get involved.
Preston snow pictures
Here’s a picture sent in my Preston Blog reader Graham Salisbury (Twitter: @grahamsalisbury) of the snow in Preston on Monday 2nd February 2009:
Preston park in the snow
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