Bristol Trades On Its Vibrant Past

Bristol is a city that has never really stood still. It made its name as a great trading port and a centre of innovation and invention, and the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel epitomised everything that the city stood for, his incredible feats include the development of the Great Western Railway to London and the design of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, as well as ships like the Great Britain, Great Eastern and Great Western.

Although remains found by archaeologists have dated human activity back some 60,000 years, public perception of this beautiful city has always been that this is a centre of innovation and expansion, a place that never rests on its laurels. Latterly the development of the Concorde supersonic aeroplane at Filton continued to cement Bristol's reputation for invention.

Trace history back to the latter days of the 15th century, and you will find the Italian navigator and explorer John Cabot coming to Bristol for sponsorship because the city had a reputation as being the only such city to have experience in expeditions of exploration.

A lot of this marine heritage is still available for you today to enjoy a short holiday break, for despite savage bombing during the Second World War resulting from its coastal importance, many fine old buildings and their surroundings remain intact today.

Redevelopment of the old docks area has resulted from the docks area being moved further down the Avon, and there are many modern family-based attractions. For more traditional tourist attractions, seek out places such as Bristol Cathedral and the famous Bristol Zoo. The cathedral is a Grade I listed building and displays many building designs and styles reflecting its long and varied history. Originally founded in 1140 it displays some features that were incorporated as late as 1888.

Bristol Zoo was founded in 1836, and is deemed to be the world's oldest provincial Zoo. Kids will love Explorers Creek and there is an aerial ropes course, known as ZooRopia.

Make sure that you find time to take in the views from the spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge, and the Cabot Tower, named after the aforementioned John Cabot who sailed from Bristol and landed in what became known as Canada in 1497.

Bristol also boasts a superb aquarium that is to be found in the Harbourside area. There are displays and exhibitions that include a full sized re-creation of a sunken ship. At-Bristol is a state of the art interactive science centre, while for something a little bit more sedate try a few hours at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.

Brunel's SS Great Britain takes centre stage as the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic, doing so in 1845 on a journey that took only fourteen days

As Bristol is regarded as Britain's eighth largest conurbation, you would expect it to deliver the goods as a fabulous tourist destination. Whether it is culture or down to earth old fashioned enjoyment, it really hits the mark.

Brighton Council Boss Highlights Problems Caused By Spending Cuts

Proving that there are financial difficulties even in the so called “prosperous South of England”, the leader of Brighton council, Jason Kitcat, has been drawing attention to the spending cuts of 2.8% that will be imposed on the city resulting from a new plan to fund local government.

Some town halls will receive more money, and local government secretary Eric Pickles claimed the new plan to fund town halls represented “a bargain for local authorities”. He added new handed-down responsibilities would give council bosses more incentives to improve their areas.

But politicians across Sussex warned reduced funding would hit services, residents and staff hard. The changes announced take into account the Government transferring a number of powers, such as administering council tax benefit and providing emergency funding to those in need, to local authorities. With town hall finance chiefs breaking down the detail, the full impact is not yet clear.

From April, Whitehall will also allow town halls to keep a portion of business rates collected in their areas, claiming the move “rewards those which improve their communities”. Mr Pickles claimed councils like Brighton and Hove, which had proposed a council tax rise for the coming year, were letting their residents down by “crying wolf”.

He urged local authorities to take advantage of a one-off sum to freeze the rates for 2013/14. The minister also produced a list of “50 ways to save” which he claimed would mean councils were run more efficiently.

But Coun Kitcat said he did not feel government funding should be allocated in a “robotic nature”. He added: “There’s no way a government minster can comprehend the diversity and the needs of areas.

“The only way they can do this is by devolving more power to councils rather than this pretend localism where ministers continue to hold the purse strings.” With more than £20 million of savings to be found, Coun Kitcat said there was some “room to manoeuvre” in the budget plans for next year, which will be discussed by all councillors in February.

In a telling phrase, Coun Kitcat said “We’re not a typical south east city. We’re not a Woking or a Guildford.” This serves to highlight the problem that arises when whole areas of Britain are assumed to have the same high standard of living. Even in the south east of England, there are obviously the haves and the have nots.

Dr Who Exhibition to Get New Neighbours in Cardiff

Building work is starting on a centre for creative industries on the final section of undeveloped land along Cardiff Bay's waterfront. The BBC's Roath Lock studios and Doctor Who Experience attraction have already opened as part of the Porth Teigr development.

Work is now beginning on the Welsh government's £6m flagship centre for creative industries. The building will create office space and should be open by June 2014.

The Porth Teigr project - to create a hub for the creative industries - will host up to 8,000 jobs when completed, the Welsh government said.

As well as studios and office space, the finished development will include shops, restaurants and some 1,000 homes. Business Minister Edwina Hart officially cut the turf to start the construction of the creative centre on Wednesday. When the centre was given the go-ahead by planners in October she said it had the potential to "act as a catalyst to create a strong sector cluster".

"Wales has a strong and diverse creative industries sector which has been identified as one of our strategically important economic sectors with high growth potential," she added.

The BBC's Roath Lock drama village - the first building work completed on the site - has been given a Breeam outstanding certificate for its green credentials. Breeam is an environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings.

The studio complex was the first industrial building in the UK to get the highest possible environmental rating. The new six-storey creative centre will also be built to Breeam standards and will have environmentally friendly features to minimise energy consumption and reduce the need for heating and cooling.

It will be the first building at Porth Teigr to provide office space to private companies and can accommodate up to 300 staff. It will be located directly opposite the BBC studios, overlooking the waterfront. The Welsh government has spent £12m on a road and bridge to the 38-acre Porth Teigr site, part of the old Roath Dock which was built in 1874.

The centrepiece of the development is Roath Lock, which is home to BBC programmes including Doctor Who, Casualty, the Welsh-language drama Pobol y Cwm and children's drama Wizards vs Aliens. Porth Teigr is also home to two new visitor attractions - World of Boats and the Doctor Who Experience.

One Step Forward, One Step Back For Major Bournemouth Redevelopment

Described as the biggest town centre redevelopment in Bournemouth’s history, the regeneration scheme of the Winter Gardens has been put before the planning board with a recommendation for refusal.

“It's an improvement but still not good enough” – that’s the verdict on the redrawn proposals. The plans are indeed ambitious with plans for apartments, hotel and a cinema.

Planning officers accept the town centre site has the potential for a mixed-use scheme and say the scheme is markedly improved from the first set of plans, which were submitted in January and withdrawn two months later.

But there are still concerns that the buildings are too dominant and out of character with the surrounding area, that the public square is not grand enough to be a focal point and that the cinema is tucked away towards the back of the development.

The report that was put before councillors on Monday stated: “The overall scale is inappropriate to the aims of the Area Action Plan and the development will not respect the character of the former Winter Gardens site and will not produce a good enough quality development between the Hotel and Terrace Mount sites.”

The scheme, which would cost around £75million to build, comprises a cinema, external piazzas for winter ice skating and public events, restaurants, a new 100 to 120-bedroom hotel, around 141 residential apartments and 595 car parking spaces.

They say there is interest from an “internationally-known American leisure operator” to run the cinema and leisure elements and that Accor Group has confirmed interest in running the hotel as a full-service Novotel.

Cllr Dave Kelsey, the chairman of Bournemouth’s planning board, said: “We will look at every aspect of it and make a decision accordingly. It’s a massive scheme for Bournemouth so it’s important we get it right.”

Motor Vessel Balmoral Won't Sail in 2013

Disappointing news from Waverley Excursions Ltd, that the motor vessel Balmoral, the fleet mate of the Waverley itself is unlikely to sail next year.

Kathleen O’Neill, chief executive of Waverley Excursions Ltd, said that the Balmoral’s cruise programme had been disrupted in recent years by bad weather, and that to continue to operate the ship in 2013 would risk the viability of both the Balmoral and the Waverley.

The Balmoral was bought by the Waverley’s owners, the Waverley Steam Navigation Company Ltd, in 1985 to boost the company’s earnings as a way of safeguarding the Waverley’s future.

In a letter to Waverley and Balmoral stakeholders, Ms O’Neill said: “Balmoral’s operation has been hampered increasingly in recent years by extreme weather conditions. This has led to many cancelled or disrupted sailings, which has had a significant impact on that ship’s contribution to operating results. Waverley’s timetable is less susceptible to such disruptions.

“Clearly, we are unable to predict the weather for 2013, but none of the forecasters is predicting a significant improvement over recent years. After taking a wide range of considerations into account, we have decided, reluctantly, that it would be too great a risk to operate Balmoral next year and that doing so would increase the threat to the future of both ships.

“We are not in a position to take such a risk and so we will not be operating Balmoral on a programme of cruises in 2013.

“At the moment Balmoral is being looked after on a care and maintenance basis by volunteers in Bristol. We are looking at alternative ways of utilising the ship in 2013 and, over the coming months, we will seek to identify a robust operating programme to offer the prospect of returning her to service in 2014 and beyond.

“Waverley will operate her usual extensive programme visiting all the areas she has served for so many years.

“This has been a very difficult decision but we consider that it offers the best way in the current circumstances to ensure Waverley’s continued operation.”

Built at Woolston, near Southampton, and launched in 1949, the Balmoral’s annual cruise programme has in recent years been increasingly focussed on the waters of the Bristol Channel, south Wales and the south coast of England.

Her last spell in Scottish waters was a short programme of cruises from Oban in September.
The Waverley’s own future has been under threat in recent years due to a combination of poor weather, rising fuel costs and the economic downturn.

Donations from several public and private sector organisations and individuals, including Largs-based Euromillions jackpot winners Chris and Colin Weir, raised enough money to keep the paddler sailing during 2012, 65 years since her launch, while a development board has been formed to look at other ways in which the steamer might be a source of income.

Appledore Library Refuses to Die

In a world where everything seems to be dominated by big issues and national problems, it warms the cockles of your heart to hear of local people pulling together to save a community service that is danger of dying.

Such a story has caught my attention lately, where the community of Appledore in North Devon has pulled with the strength of Sampson himself to save and ultimately secure the future of their local library. This is not a subject that will normally catch the attention of the national press, but surely sums up the fortitude that locals sometimes have to show to protect their local facilities.

The story begins in January 2006, nearly seven years ago now when it was announced that twelve Devon libraries would close. Nick Arnold, local resident and author of the “Horrible Science” books has been at the forefront of the campaign to retain the library and describes in a recent article how the decision was made to fight rather than let it happen.

By forming the Friends of Appledore Library, they had a vehicle as a “campaign bus” to use as a focal point. Even a local “Queen Victoria” turned up to harangue council officials on a June 2006 Consultation Day!

By November of that year, it was deemed that the library would not close, but that in many ways was the start of more serious problems. The community's offer to run the library could only be short term (why should they fund a facility that most of Devon received for free?),

Not to be disheartened, the community convinced all candidates standing in the 2009 elections to include a pledge for full funding, and this was achieved. Other truths then had to be faced, the main one being that the building itself was not “fit for purpose” (modern phraseology for damp, shabby and no disabled access!)

There was no council money, so step forward local hero Walter Fowler who for years had been selling used books in an Appledore garage. £18,000 was forthcoming from this source and hey presto!, work could commence.

Heaps of depressing rubble gave raise to pessimistic thoughts, but Jim Jackson, another local hero project managed the whole thing despite falling off a ladder. Neighbours provided power, and Devon Libraries funded lighting and new heating.

On the 15th August this year the Friends plus Devon County Council formally celebrated the opening, with speeches and Walter Fowler cutting the ribbon.If you visit Appledore, find time to visit this bright, sparkling building. There is a first floor events room, but as Nick Arnold concludes, the greatest benefit is the invisible one, and that is the young lives that will blossom and gain hope through reading. Local spirit and determination has won out yet again.

Check out the web site below for full details of the Appledore Book Festival and plans for the 2013 event.

http://www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk

Portmeirion – Different Things To Different People

Located in Gwynedd, North Wales on the estuary of the River Dwyryd about 2 miles south east of Porthmadog, Portmeirion is a popular tourist village and one of the top attractions in Britain. There are different reasons for this popularity as we shall see as we go along.

Tourists flock to the coastal village as much for the sheer curiosity value as anything else, for Portmeirion is an Italianate style extravaganza designed between 1925 and 1975 by the well known English born architect Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis, who moved to the area aged four as a return journey to his father's homeland.

He inherited a local property called Plas Brondanw in 1908 and set about restoring and improving it. Work began on the construction of Portmeirion around 1925, and incorporated fragments of demolished buildings, including works by a number of other architects.

Sir Clough always tried to distance himself from the suggestion that the village was based on Portofino by Genoa on the Italian Riveria, but didn't help his denial by regularly referring to the village when talking of the beauty of the atmosphere of the Mediterranean.

In 1931, Sir Clough purchased Castell Deudraeth from his uncle, although the intervention of the Second World War interrupted his plans to develop this part of the Portmeirion Estate, although funding has now allowed its conversion to a hotel to be completed.

Another reason that people find their way to Portmeirion is not only to experience the atmosphere, but also to say that they purchased some of the beautiful Portmeirion Pottery that is on sale at a superbly presented showroom on site.

Founded in 1960 by Sir Clough's daughter Susan, the Portmeirion Pottery business was started from an existing small company in Stoke, and with the subsequent purchase of another small business a year later. The company purchased the Royal Worcester and Spode brands in 2009, cementing its place in the ceramics industry.

The third and perhaps most captivating reason for the popularity of the village is the fact that it was used as the setting for the cult TV series, “The Prisoner” which surprisingly lasted only between 1966 and 1967.

The village still hosts conventions and remains virtually unchanged from those days. Sir Clough insisted that the real life setting was not revealed until the final episode to avoid overcrowding and used the same reason to justify the levy of an entrance fee.

So whatever your reason, investigate Portmeirion and let it work its charm on you.

http://www.portmeirion-village.com

http://www.portmeirion.co.uk

http://www.the-prisoner-6.freeserve.co.uk

Fintona Comes Up Trumps With £1 Million Windfall

If you are small community located in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, supporting a community of some 1,400 hardy souls, it is pretty dramatic news when you find out that you have come into serious money.

Step forward Fintona, eight miles away from the county town of Tyrone, which is celebrating news that the area is to receive a £1 million windfall which will be spread over the next 25 years. The Fintona Community investment fund is being provided by the owners of the relatively small eight turbine Screggagh wind farm, built in 2010-11, which is located in the townland of the same name just outside Fintona.

The investment will be £40,000 per annum, (£5,000 per turbine), index linked to keep in line with inflation for a minimum of 25 years or the lifetime of the wind farm, and result in a minimum of £1 million investment at today’s value in local community initiatives. The cheques have already been signed on the first year’s instalment of £40,000 which will go towards a range of cross-community groups in the area.

Sinn Fein’s Frankie Donnelly said he has been involved in the negotiations with the company to finalise the funding on behalf of the wider Fintona community.

Following securement of the investment, Cllr Donnolly stated, “It has been a priority of ours for some time now in West Tyrone to ensure that local communities benefit from the installation of wind turbines in our communities.

“We have taken the initiative and engaged with wind farm developers/owners and the renewables industry in an effort to progress this. The renewable Industry’s response has been mixed.

“Whilst wind turbines are not favoured by everyone, where they are installed the local people and community structures should benefit, in that way sustainable energy can also contribute to sustainable communities and that is the intention for Fintona.”

Screggagh Wind Farm Ltd said it is “delighted” to make this commitment to the local area and town of Fintona.

A spokesperson said, “Screggagh was ten years in development before coming into operation last year, and whilst this fund was not part of the original plan, we do recognise that it is important to make a local contribution to community life.

“The case put to us by local elected representatives on behalf of Fintona was very convincing and our commitment to the 25 year Fintona Fund is in keeping with how we see ourselves as a socially responsible company. To demonstrate this commitment, the first year’s funding has been allocated to a range of local groups in the form of sponsorship totalling £40,000”.

This announcement comes on top of the recent £190,000 allocated to Fintona from ARC North-West through Dard’s Rural Development Programme.

Climate Change is Altering Plans for Next Year's East of England Show

Another example of how the change in our weather patterns is affecting the social calendar during the year came to light during the last week. A short while ago we were blogging about the Bridgwater Festival, one of the biggest carnival events of the autumn season, and describing how the number of floats was smaller because of greater problems in raising funds.

This question surfaced again, when we featured the outrageously popular “blazing tar barrels” of Ottery St. Mary where it was shown in some detail how poor weather conditions had impacted greatly on fund raising events.

Now, we hear that the organisers of the high profile East of England Show held in Peterborough in July are being forced to sit down and reconsider where the show goes from here following a pretty disastrous year with significant losses having been suffered.

Whilst denying claims that next year's show has been cancelled, Jeremy Staples, society chief executive, said: “The unprecedented wet weather at last year’s East of England Show resulted in significant losses for the East of England Agricultural Society and as a result, officials are reviewing plans for the event in 2013.

“A number of agricultural shows suffered similar issues in the summer with unrelenting wet weather – with some cancelled halfway through and others which were called off completely. Others soldiered on and subsequently suffered financial losses.”

Organisers have further denied suggestions that the losses ran as high as £400,000, but admitted that proposed changes would mitigate against similar weather conditions next year.

He said: “2013 will be a transitional year for the show and give us time to refocus our objectives which are education, Food Direct From The Farm campaign and rural life.”

He also pledged there will be three events taking place during one weekend in July including an education event – where the society expects more than 3,000 children to attend – a livestock event featuring cattle and sheep and a Food Direct From The Farm food festival.

He added: “From there, we will review the event for 2014.”

Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, said: “The show is a premier event for the area and it really is very regrettable to see that it’s in difficulties caused partly by the very bad weather.

“I very much hope, and I will do whatever I can to assist to ensure, that we continue to put on a premier show which I know is enjoyed by thousands in and around the area.”

Cromwell's Look Out Post Receives Lottery Grant

A fascinating story dating back to Cromwellian times has surfaced as a result of a successful application for a lottery grant. It recalls a not very pleasant time in the history of St. Cybi Church in Holyhead, Anglesey when it suffered at the hands of Cromwell's troops, not the first time in its chequered history that it had received rough treatment.

Let's sort this lottery thing out first. Although it was the last of the times that the church was used and abused, it had a pretty fundamental effect on the external appearance when a further seventeen feet was added to the existing tower in 1650, not to enhance the beauty of the building, but to increase its effectiveness as a look out post over the coast to provide greater warning against pirates. The church had not been well treated at this time as Cromwellian soldiers had been garrisoned there and had systematically destroyed the interior windows, font, tombs and statues. The empty niches in the porch stand in testament to their actions. Thankfully, the carvings above the door survived.

Now holding a Grade I listing, St. Cybi, which is located on the Wales Coastal Path has landed £4,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Wales heritage body Cadw has said it may give a grant of £21,000 to work at the 13th Century church.

The vicar, Rev Jane Bailey, said £111,000 is needed to complete the repairs. Rev Bailey said the renovation work would include removing vegetation growing on the tower and re-pointing the stonework. She added: "It is estimated approximately 10,000 visitors a year come to see the church, making it a key part of the community for businesses as well as residents.

"This work will help preserve the building for future generations of both worshipers and visitors and will greatly improve the visual appearance of Holyhead's most important building."

St. Cybi's can be dated back to Roman times, where it was within the protection of an abandoned Roman fort. St. Cybi was a first cousin of St. David, the patron saint of Wales. He ended his days here, having preached widely throughout Gaul, Cornwall, Devon and South Wales as well as more locally.

He died in 554 AD. The church was sacked by the Vikings in the 10th century and suffered further violation when Henry IV's army invaded Anglesey from Ireland in 1405, most of Wales being under the control of Owain Glyndwr at the time.

The Friends of St. Cybi are also delighted to report that the restoration work is complete on the sun dial. Check out their web site on:

http://www.stcybi.co.uk

Berwick – The Border Town with the Confusing History

With the plethora of local government changes that seem to take place with regularity, you can be forgiven for wondering where exactly you live half the time. Those responsible for the changes point to the fact that nothing stays the same forever, and with population patterns being fluid, and towns and cities becoming better known as conurbations, the needs of cities become very different to the needs of counties.

Hence the arrival of places such as Cleveland, Teeside, Avon, West Midlands, Greater Manchester and so on. Powys takes in old Welsh counties such as Brecknockshire, Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire, and Scottish counties can be mystery, even to the Scots themselves.

But having been a little critical of the “change for change sake” attitude, at least you wake up each morning knowing what country you live in. Five hundred years ago, living in the border town of Berwick on Tweed, you wouldn't even had enjoyed that luxury. For the price that the poor old town paid for being set on one of the most disputed borders in Britain was that it changed ownership between England and Scotland on no less than twelve occasions.

Even now, with ownership having been settled with the English since 1482, there are many people who would consider that Berwick is more Scottish than English. The home town team play their football in the Scottish league system, the “on-Tweed” part of the name suggests a more Scottish background, and the local accent is definitely rooted more in the north of the border than the south.

As a town it had a certain wealth which made it appealing, although its position was of equal significance. The result was that England and Scotland fought over this small patch of land as if there were no tomorrow. The French, always a nation with an eye to the main chance, also came into the picture, but we won't dwell on that for the moment.

William Wallace's arm being waved about (without the rest of him) in 1305 was one of many indignities that poor old Berwick had to contend with. Having said that, all of this military to-ing and fro-ing has left a wide range historic remains that now form the backbone of a thriving tourism industry. After all that it has been through, surely it is no more than Berwick deserves.

Top of the list would surely be Berwick Castle, although the fact that it is a ruin is not wholly surprising. All of the action that it has seen surely makes up for the number of other castles throughout the country who have seen very little action at all. Edward I took an oath of allegiance here in the thirteenth century, but the all-action Victorian industrialists built a railway platform on the very spot! Conservation is a word that meant little to our nineteenth century forebearers.

Equally as impressive are the Elizabethan town walls. £129,000 these days can buy you a reasonable house in some parts of the country, but in those times you could encircle a whole town and still have change. They hold a Grade I listing these days, although once again, they destroyed a lot of what was there previously. This is a theme that is developing here, namely Berwick gets there in the end but has to survive a lot of knocking about first.

The ramparts surround the town, there being only four access points. Wonderful town and North Sea beach views can be obtained during the three quarters of an hour that it takes to complete the walk.

There is one particularly curiosity about Berwick's history that had mighty Russia quaking in its boots and that was the fact that Berwick was once at war with that country. Historically some proclamations were made “in the name of England, Scotland and the town of Berwick-on-Tweed”, such as a “minor” one in 1850 when war was declared on Russia and the Crimean War ensued. When peace was eventually ratified, the wording “Berwick-on-Tweed” was left out, leaving Berwick, shall we say, slightly exposed. Fortunately things have been resolved, so that the Russians could at last sleep at night.

Look out for the viaduct that was opened on completion by Queen Victoria in 1850, having been designed by Robert Stephenson, son of George Stephenson of “The Rocket” fame. It looks fabulous when floodlit, a fine introduction to the town. Enjoy the attractions, the farmers markets and the Northumberland National Park, as well as the Heritage Coastline. Take the chance to pop over the border into Scotland, just a couple of miles north of the town. You never know, it could be time for a change again!

A Chance To Name The New Forth Road Bridge

The general public are to be offered the chance to name the new Forth Replacement Crossing, with a panel of civic, business and community representatives considering all entries, and then shortlisting names for a final public vote next year.

The construction programme is Scotland's largest infrastructure project in a generation and began last year with a projected completion date in 2016. A completion date for the new crossing was brought forward in the wake of concerns about the condition of the Forth Road Bridge, which is now more than 40 years old.

The new structure will take advantage of modern state of the art wind shielding, allowing it to remain open in more turbulent conditions than its predecessor can stand.

The money for the project is coming from the Scottish government's capital budget, and is expected to support more than 1,200 new jobs during construction and protect up to 3,000 posts. The bridge itself is costing £790m, while the the Forth crossing project - including motorway upgrades - is to cost between £1.45bn and £1.6bn.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "The Forth Replacement Crossing, as it is currently known, is an exciting, iconic and economically vital project that we want the people of Scotland to take pride in.

"We fully recognise that finding the appropriate name for the new bridge is a matter of considerable interest both locally and nationally.

"It is absolutely right then that the people of Scotland have the final say on the identity of this historic project."

Jan Short, of North Queensferry Community Council, said: "The building of this bridge is an historic event in the life of a village which is already steeped in history.

"The new bridge is very significant to the village of North Queensferry in many ways and it is important that we are represented on the bridge naming advisory panel."

Festive Blackpool Proves That It Is A Winter Resort As Well

With the decorations coming out of hibernation, Blackpool leaps to the fore to prove that it is more than a sunshine, candy floss and sun cream resort.

There are great shows on offer, and whether you fancy a family day out, an evening with friends or even a bit of retail therapy, Blackpool most certainly has it covered. For families everywhere Christmas means that it is panto’ season with Britain’s favourite holiday resort offering not one, but two spectacular pantomimes to choose from. Surely not ? Oh yes it is!

The Blackpool Tower Circus presents Alice's Adventures in Mooky's Circus Wonderland from November 24th to January 20th, while at The Grand Theatre it is Cinderella starring Emmerdale's Danny Miller and Milkshake's Amy Thompson.

The Grand will also feature a variety of events over the holidays including Beyond the Barricade on December 11th and a Christmas Concert with carols and Poulton-le-Fylde Brass Band on Tuesday 18th.

If it is thrills you are after then Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach will be transformed into a winter wonderland for twelve very special days of Christmas. Enjoy 12 amazing rides, a visit to Father Christmas in his Grotto and much more on selected dates throughout December.

For ice lovers there is also the opportunity to see Peter Pan’s Adventures on Ice at The Arena, Blackpool Pleasure Beach between December 23rd and January 1st.

At Blackpool Zoo, Santa's Christmas Workshop will take place on the 15th and 16th December where you can leave your children for two hours of fun making presents for the animals, eating a HUGE breakfast and meeting Santa and his reindeer.

Four free live shows will entertain visitors at North Pier over the festive season until December 22nd. Every Wednesday there’s Roberts ‘n’ Ashcrofts’ Christmas Cabaret, Thursday’s it is songstress Sara Cheston and That Swing Thing Band, Friday nights sees The Kasuals return to the Merrie England Showbar and joining the Christmas line-up every Saturday afternoon will be comedian Joey Blower with his Christmas House Party.

Meanwhile if you fancy an evening of glitz and glamour why not head down to Funny Girls where you are promised a spectacular evening? The Christmas show features brand new routines, new sets and costumes, and an unforgettable new finale.

But before all that fun and entertainment there is shopping to be done. You can take advantage of late night shopping every Thursday until 8pm at Houndshill Shopping Centre which will be extended to every evening between December 17th and 23rd. There will also be free parking at Houndshill from 5pm until closing on Thursdays until December 27th, and at the West Street and East Topping Street car parks between 5pm and 9pm each Thursday until Christmas.

Great festive stuff, and a chance to check the place out. Maybe a test run for next year's summer holiday ?

Northumberland's Belford Now Has A Permanent Exhibition Of History

With a ceremonial cutting of ribbons, the Northumberland village of Belford has just celebrated the establishment of its own permanent exhibition exploring the hidden history of the village. Located in the 100 year old Reading Room, the project has come to fruition thanks to a £25,000 grant from the National Lottery Village SOS scheme and a further £5,000 from the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership.

There was a happy band of some 60 people present when Majorie MacDonald performed the ceremony last Friday. Marjorie , a local lady, has invested most of her life in supporting the Belford community in so many ways and whose Belford-based family can be traced back to the 19th century. All of this has come to fruition as a result of many months of work and preparation by Belford Community Group’s Hidden History sub-committee.

Fiona Renner-Thompson, whose previous history exhibitions have led to this great achievement for the village, thanked the Reading Room trustees and committee and all who had helped provide material for the exhibition and the team of workers which had made the exhibition a reality.

With her extensive local knowledge, Majorie was able to reveal that the Reading Room had at various times been the home for people who could go in and read their papers, the base of several very successful snooker and billiard teams, and the place for many fund-raising events. It would now fulfill a new function in housing the artefacts, photographs, writings and a computer-based interactive display of the history of the Belford area.

Majorie also asked Dr George MacDonald, a descendant of the long line of Belford Drs MacDonald, to present the Pitt Cup on loan to the exhibition. The cup was first presented for billiards in 1925 and finally won by her husband James MacDonald, who beat local dentist Geoff Stephenson.
She paid tribute to ‘an excellent job done by a dedicated few’ before cutting the ribbon.

The guests took the chance to look around the exhibition and completed their visit with refreshments in St Mary’s church gallery where they also enjoyed the work of local historian, Joan Wright, whose photographic history displays have become a permanent feature of the church.

The Belford and District Hidden History Exhibition is open daily from 10am and is free, although donations are welcome to assist with heating and lighting costs.

The grants to put the Reading Room back into use were allocated in April and the exhibition had opened in September to coincide with with Heritage Open Days in the village.

Belford is located between Alnwick and Berwick-on-Tweed, not too far from the east coast. Its history is well reflected in attractions such as Belford Hall, a Grade I listed Palladian style eighteenth century mansion house, and Spindlestone Ducket Mill, an 18th century tapering cylindrical stone tower with a conical roof of Welsh slate. Its previous usage is uncertain.

Westhall is a privately owned Victorian house built in the style of the castellated fortified house that it replaced on the same site. The moat that surrounded the original building can still clearly be seen. It is now in use as a farmhouse.

Back To Those Pylons Again!

You may have picked up on the blog that I wrote on the 7th November about the plans to construct electricity pylons across the Somerset levels linking the Hinkley Point C Power Station and Avonmouth.

It is becoming apparent that there is more than the usual amount of fluffing of local feathers about this plan, and the objectors include some well heeled celebrities in a lane that is known as millionaire's row.

You will recall that for part of its length, it is planned that the connector route will run underground, but what is really causing the squawking in the local hen house is the remainder of the length that will cut through this sensitive environmental area by way of pylons carrying 400,000 volts.

The millionaire's row in question is Cadbury Camp Lane in Clapton-in-Gordano, home to luminaries such as TV presenter Carol Voderman, and show biz agent John Miles. There is currently a line of pylons passing over the area, but the voltage carried is at the lesser figure of 132,000.

The new line will come over Tickenham Ridge, along Cuckoo Lane and over Cadbury Camp Lane and Caswell Lane before heading out over towards Portbury.

The new power line will replace the existing one which currently crosses Cadbury Camp Lane – where the average property costs around £2 million. Residents on the lane have already held a series of meetings and are currently putting together a fighting fund and drawing up a battle plan.
Mr Miles, who is helping to lead the campaign, said: "When we bought our properties we knew there was a 132,000 volt line and we accepted that.

"But what we don't accept is the need to replace this with a 400,000 volt, much larger line which we believe should be put underground.

"There are 44 houses along Cadbury Camp Lane and none of us want to have to pass under this much higher voltage cable which will just be metres above us each day.

"It has been proven that these electricity cables pose health risks and we do not want this over our heads or those of our children."

Mr Miles added: "National Grid has said itself it would cost just an additional £1 on people's bills to put this line underground.

"I am sure that everyone in this area would agree to have a little more on their energy bills to get this line underground. This is not just about fighting for the residents of Cadbury Camp Lane, but everyone affected by this new power line.

"But if National Grid thinks we are just a small group of people it can ride roughshod over, it is very much mistaken."

All parties appear to agree that the line is needed to bring the electricity into the power network, and certainly it seems possible that many sensitive areas will receive protection via underground cables. But National Grid have said that putting the whole route underground was not practical due to the costs.

People have until December 18 to make comments on the draft route.

National Grid will then consult on more detailed proposals before making a formal application for consent to construct the connection.

Broadband Boost For Scottish Highlands

Proving that there is nowhere in Britain that can't benefit from modern technology, Three's Rural Broadband Working Group, a UK-wide initiative which works with local politicians to identify areas with a need for broadband, is providing free access to high-speed broadband for rural areas in the Scottish Highlands.

Three said it is bringing almost four million megabytes of mobile broadband to people and businesses in the northern coastal areas of Melvich and Durness, as well as connecting the port in Invergordon.
The project will give away 20 devices to community hubs, families and local businesses, providing around three million web pages-worth of free access. This is the first time that the group has operated in Scotland and will see sites such as a community hall, a hotel and two cafes benefit from connection.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The numerous educational, economic and social benefits brought about by high-speed internet are often slower to come to rural areas such as the Highlands, so initiatives like this are crucial.

"This is all part of a longer-term commitment to ensuring Scotland enjoys a world-class digital infrastructure across the entire country by 2020."

Speaking on behalf of Three, chief executive Dave Dyson said, “"With the Highlands having some of the most remote areas in Europe, these communities often don't have access to the benefits of high-speed broadband. We have built a network specifically for the internet and are passionate about using this to connect people wherever they are, whether this is in the Highlands or towns and cities around the UK."

There was obviously a positive response from the people who will benefit from this largesse, and Kevin Arrowsmith, of Durness Development Group voiced the views of all of them when he said,
"Internet access is absolutely key to the economic and social well-being of Highland communities which are otherwise disadvantaged by their extremely remote location, so the more broadband we can get the better."