The secret legal row, baffling public complaints, and saviour of an iconic venue
The Lancashire Lead - May 12, 2024
Hello and welcome to today's edition of The Lancashire Lead. On Wednesday, I sent out the first midweek digest and I’m delighted to say that will be a regular feature now, with two newsletters sent out each week. If you haven’t already, subscribe below to receive it direct to your inbox.
In a week when a very questionable Piers Morgan interview dominated so much attention, it’s nice to be able to come here and draw attention to another side of journalism and keep drawing your attention to well-researched, impactful reporting. I want this newsletter to be a place you can find all the important and interesting reporting that happens every week, without having to wade through the less relevant stuff or battle social media algorithms which prioritise things differently.
Here in Lancashire, there’s been lots of good work going on and my colleagues at The Lead have been, well, leading the way. The must-read Reclaim Blackpool piece I mentioned on Wednesday was followed up by an exclusive piece from new MP Chris Webb and a look at the secret legal row involving Blackpool Council builders working on the multimillion-pound Talbot Gateway scheme.
For the Hyndburn newsletter, Antonia Charlesworth Stack took a look at the work of the Hyndburn Towpath Taskforce as a new mural brightening up a previously unloved stretch of canal was unveiled.
Before we move onto the news digest, did anyone else manage to miss all of the excitement of the Northern Lights being seen over Lancashire? I’ve rounded up a few pictures below for others like me who managed to completely miss out.
💰 A lottery winner who bagged a huge £500,000 celebrated with a trip to Blackpool (Blackpool Gazette).
🙅 We thought he was gone but Scott Benton still picked up headlines - and it’s more he didn’t want. The disgraced former MP saw his complaint against the newspaper sting which brought him down rejected (Press Gazette).
🎤 In fantastic news for Preston’s music scene, the Ferret has been officially saved (Blog Preston). The news has come after lots of hard work and a celebration event took place on Friday, with attendees including representatives of Preston City Council, Arts England and trust whose scheme enabled the purchase.
“This is a monumental moment for The Ferret. We’re extremely pleased to be able to say that our venue is now safe and secure for years to come.”
Matt Fawbert, Director and Programme Manager at the Ferret
🍔 Tributes have been paid after the death of Burger Bill - the man who served Lancaster for some 35 years (LancsLive).
🏥 A family have warned others after receiving fines while taking their 92-year-old dad to hospital and displaying both a blue badge and a parking ticket (Lancashire Post).
🚯 Three men who dumped 2,000 tonnes of rubbish on a Bacup farm have been sentenced (Lancashire Telegraph).
😠 Phil McCann and the BBC have been dogged in its reporting of carers prosecuted over benefit claims mistakes in recent week. Now it says the CPS is standing by two decisions which have caused public outcries (BBC).
🎶 A piece of my own reporting here as a record store owner was left baffled at a backlash he received for hosting a pre-release album listening party - despite it being an official event (Blog Preston).
🚨 You likely read about the death of pregnant Frankie Hough when her car was hit by a distracted, speeding driver on the hard shoulder of the M66. Her heartbroken partner spoke of how the loss has devastated those around her as part of the launch of the 'Touch. Screen' campaign, from Safer Roads Greater Manchester (LancsLive).
⛰️ Blackburn woman Zaynab Jogi is set to lead a women’s only group up to the highest peak in North Africa to raise money for charity (BBC).
Two anniversaries to draw your attention to this week. First, the birth of Preston North End FC. It had been in existence as a cricket club since 1863 and moved to Deepdale in 1975.
To keep busy in winter, the club tried out rugby in 1887 before moving to football instead and it was in May 1880 that Preston North End FC was officially formed. The early success was unparalleled with the team nicknamed the ‘Invincibles’ after winning the first league and cup double without losing a game - an achievement which has never been matched. Another league win followed the next season but PNE never managed the feat again.
In more recent history, I was shocked to realise Joe Garner’s wonder goal in the play-off semi-final occurred a full ten years ago this week. Time flies almost as fast as that volley it seems.
Another anniversary of note marks 57 years since the legendary Jimi Hendrix played at the Imperial Ballroom in Nelson. It might be hard to imagine now but the venue brought the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Tina Turner to the East Lancs town.
Built in 1911 as a skating rink, it was later converted to a town hall and then ballroom and at one point was believed to be the largest indoor building in Europe. Some of the biggest names in pop music passed through its doors in the 1960s, including Jimi Hendrix on May 6, 1967.
Tragically, the venue would burn down in March 1976. In a week in which the future of another music venue - The Ferret - was saved, it’s worth taking a look back at the late Steve Chapples’ writing about the Imperial.
Calls to Action 📢
One of the biggest problems with reduced engagement with news and politics is people becoming less aware and involved with local issues. For years, it’s been very common for social media comments to reference people having no clue about a major development or decision, even after multiple news stories have been published.
With newsrooms more stretched than ever, I’ll try to highlight a few consultations, petitions and issues which could otherwise go missed. This week we have:
A last chance to have your say to changes affecting parking in Lancaster City Centre
Rossendale Borough Council wants people to get involved with its 50 year anniversary
Depending on where and when the looming thunderstorms hit, my recommendation for any sunny weekend is to get out and explore Lancashire. For those fancying a walk, you’ll find plenty of suggestions from Lancashire County Council; from the Ribble Valley Walks with Taste series; and from my writing in a previous job.
Today sees day two of one of my favourite West Lancs event - the Ormskirk Medieval Festival. The free event takes place from 11am-4pm at Coronation Park and features battles, demonstrations, archery, and plenty more.
I did promise to share some Northern Lights pictures so this feels an appropriate place for them.
Finally, here’s a few What’s On stories to sign off the newsletter:
New aqua park with giant floating playground is coming to Blackpool
The plan to recreate new home for music and arts in Skelmersdale
Festivals in Lancaster and Morecambe are drawing larger crowds and making more money
Blackpool Grand Theatre receives £445k for restoration and repairs to Grade II listed building
Thanks for reading today’s edition of The Lancashire Lead. Please share it far and wide so others can enjoy it too. I’ll be back on Wednesday for the midweek digest.
 | A guest post by
|