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.

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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

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.

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