Issa brothers split, farewell to local heroes, and Morecambe's motorhome hell

The Lancashire Lead - June 9, 2024

Jun 09, 2024

Hello and welcome to today's edition of The Lancashire Lead which is again in the evening slot where you can expect it you land in your inbox from now on.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this and for giving feedback. I’m always keen to hear what people do and don’t want to read so if there’s anything you’d like to be included, please get in touch either through the contact form or at jamie@thelead.uk.

Please also keep sharing the newsletter so others can find it too, your support in helping to keep this project growing is hugely appreciated.

Share The Lancashire Lead

On Friday, I sent out a special edition detailing every General Election candidate across Lancashire along with some info on the key seats to watch. I also promised this edition would have much less focus on the election so I’ve kept that in mind.

I will focus briefly on one politically related story - albeit on someone in a non-elected role. This week saw the departure of Lancashire County Council’s chief executive as she moved onto a similar role down south.

Angie Ridgwell leaves with well wishes from those who worked closely with her and the authority is now left needing to find the right person to take over a critical role.

“I know this has been a hard decision for Angie, but the opportunity to work closer to where she was brought up was one not to miss - and I know she will make a great success of her new role”

LCC leader Phillipa Williamson on departing chief exec Annie Ridgwell

Elsewhere, Lancashire folk were out in force to join in the celebration of Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers as a huge motorcycle convoy passed through on the M6. Blog Preston has pictures and tributes from those who felt moved by Dave’s death.

Speaking of pictures, the Blackpool Gazette has an excellent gallery from the Pride celebrations which have taken place in the resort this weekend. You can check them out here.

One of the big things local journalism can do is give a voice and an audience to those who feel voiceless. That’s exactly what local democracy reporter Robbie MacDonald has done this week as he paid a visit to Morecambe to speak with residents who say their lives are blighted each summer by an influx of motorhomes on the Promenade.

Before I move to the news digest, a quick shout out to some of the excellent work done across The Lead’s stable this week. In Blackpool, Michael Holmes had a jaw-dropping (literally, according to my own reaction) piece on the United Utilities boss who’s been urged to step down as an ambassador for Blackpool.

United Utilities has come under fire over the state of the water at Blackpool’s beaches (pic: The Blackpool Lead)

It was also good to see national titles picking up the Blackpool Lead’s coverage of women’s safety concerns relating to the Young Farmers DIY AGM.

If you can forgive the brief dip back into election chat, I spoke with the Labour and Conservative candidates for Hyndburn and Haslingden for this week’s Hyndburn Lead. You can check that one out here.

Subscribe to The Blackpool Lead | Subscribe to The Hyndburn Lead

🚓 A childminder who caused the death of a playful and loving toddler pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the day she was due to stand trial (LancsLive).

🗎 The Issa brothers who built a billion pound empire from their Blackburn base have split their empire - with a nine figure deal and a change of leadership (City AM).

🏚️ Families who saw their homes destroyed when a fire ripped through from a nearby property are still living in boarded up homes a year later (LancsLive).

🧡 Tributes have been paid to Ruth Eastwood, a beloved former chief executive at Blackpool Grand Theatre (Coastal Radio).

“Ruth was a remarkable woman, combining a deep knowledge and understanding of theatre with a keen business sense. She was fearless in her pursuit of what she knew to be right for The Grand.”

Linda Tolson MBE, founding member of The Friends of The Grand

🐕 A dog was stranded in the middle of a motorway for a terrifying 18 hours, with emergency services needed to set the pooch free (LancsLive).

💚 Tributes have also been paid to another woman who played a major role in Lancashire’s recent past. Lisa Stanton was among those who fought against the fracking efforts in the county, even landing herself in court as a result (Blog Preston)

🚨 A Nelson man has been locked up after he crashed his car at high speed while high on drugs, killing passenger Irslaan Nowkhaiz (Lancashire Telegraph).

🏗️ Plans to build 135 homes on the site of a former Lancaster school have faced early opposition (Lancaster Guardian).

🔥 A fire which broke out at former DWP offices in Blackpool was branded “inevitable” by those living nearby (Blackpool Lead).

Thanks once again to Beyond Radio for keeping tabs on Eden Project Morecambe developments so diligently. This week, Greg Lambert reported that people are being invited for a 'Wonder Walk' around the site.

Once again we finish on a round-up of some What’s On stories from the past week. If you have an event, story or activity you’d like to have featured here, please get in touch.

Thanks again for reading this edition of The Lancashire Lead. Please share it so others can find it as well.