Latest news stories at top of page

DSEI Protest 2003.Good to see our police using their diplomatic skills, eh? Photographs by Chris Cooome

CLEANING OUT THE ARMS TRADE
10/9/03: Appalled by the Bomb Supermarket that the government is subsidising with our tax money, some Lancastrians headed down to London to help stop the Arms Exhibition called Defence Systems Exhibition International. Undaunted by a state of emergency called by the police under the Terrorism Act and massive overpolicing, Lancastrians took on the task of cleaning out all the filth and the dirt from London - wielding feather dusters and wearing pinafores!

• More news on DSEI and a short video of our intrepid Char ladies from Lancaster can be be downloaded from www.indymedia.org.uk: Go (Quicktime required)
Links:
• Disarm DSEI: www.dsei.org
• Indy Media - Actions Section DSEI 2003
- http://indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2003/dsei/

FED UP WITH THE RAT RACE?
9/9/03: If you always wanted to run your own restaurant or fancy yourself as the new Jamie Oliver, Ricochet South is looking for friends or family who want to open and run a restaurant together, but have little or no prior experience.
If you're serious about food and the restaurant business and you're ready to give up your jobs or go part time to find out what running a restaurant is really like, please call the Restaurant team on 01273 604 792 or email us: and clearly label your message "Restaurant".

COUNCIL PLANS FOR REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
9/9/03: Lancaster City Council has announced its preference for a new local authority if plans for a North West Regional Assembly go ahead.
The Council has decided that if there is to be Regional Government and therefore unitary local government, its first preference is to bring together the existing areas covered by Barrow, Southlakes and Lancaster City Councils. This is also the first preference of Barrow Borough Council.
The Boundary Committee for England has been directed by the Government to carry out a review of local government in two-tier areas of the North West as a precursor to a referendum on an elected Regional Assembly. After consulting councils to make proposals for unitary local government in their area, it has to submit its final recommendations to the Secretary of State by 25 May 2004. These must include at least two options for unitary government in each county area.
The Council's proposal would bring together large parts of what was formely Westmorland, Furness and North Lancashire and the shared boundaries with the Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust. "This would create would be a great help with the planning and delivery of important local public services," feels Coun Ian Barker, Leader of the Council.
Lancaster City Council's Second preference is for unitary local government based on the existing Lancaster City Council's boundary.

RECYCLING PLANS GOING WELL
9/9/03: Councillors and officers from both Carlisle and Eden District Councils visited Lancaster City Council to find out about the its new doorstep recycling system.
"The new three stream system is generally working well," Head of City Contract Services Mark Davies, told the delegates. "Latest figures show that in 2002/3 we recycled 38 per cent of household waste on the Silverdale and Carnforth pilot scheme and districtwide effectively arranged for the reuse of 5,500 tonnes of material that would otherwise have gone to landfill. It is a great compliment to the Council that other authorities are taking notice of this system and are coming to us for advice."
"I'm delighted with the way that the majority of householders have adapted to the new way of collecting waste in the first round," said John Barry, the cabinet member with responsibility for recycling, who outlined the impact of the new collections system. "The Council is intending to launch two further rounds in February. It is vital that we do this if we are to hit Government targets for recycling."
The presentation also included a video of the round in operation that morning. This included footage of the front line staff operating the new system. "Our staff generally prefer the new system as it is cleaner and safer," said Recycling liaison officer Hilary Dennison, "and far less messy than bin bag collection".
The recycling scheme's trial round in Silverdale and Carnforth covers 7,200 properties. A further 1000 properties came under the new scheme this summer. There are 28 bring sites throughout the district and 30,200 households have access to kerbside dry recyclate collection.

TOWN BEADLE SAVES PRE-SCHOOL
9/9/03: Lancaster City Council's Town Beadle made a lot of children smile recently when he saved their pre-school from closure.
Tony Whitehead of Lancaster, whose face is already familiar to many as the mayor's chauffeur, came to the rescue of his local pre-school at Hala on hearing that it was in desperate need of a chairman in order for it to open on 1st September.
The pre-school, based at St. Paul's Community Centre, Hala, Lancaster has already been running for almost 20 years, opening its doors each morning to welcome up to 20 children aged between two and five years old. Being a registered charity means that a full complement of committee members are legally required for it to remain open.
"I was approached by one of its members at quite a late date and was interested in finding out more," says Tony. "In the end, I couldn't refuse. I have children of my own and know how essential pre-schools are in preparing them for primary school and life itself. They are great kids in great hands".
"I cannot express how relieved we all were when we heard the news," Cheryl Vollor, Senior Playleader revealed. "I'm sure Tony will be a great Chairman. Having children of his own is experience enough for him to have an interest in the pre-school and its aims. We can now look forward to another great year."

JAZZ FESTIVAL DRAWS LOCAL TALENT
9/9/03: This year's Jazz Festival will continue its efforts to promote the diversity in the district's Jazz talent.
From Thursday 18 September to Sunday 21st, various venues in Lancaster will be grooving to the music of local and national artists.
Thursday 18th in St John's, sees the final lunchtime concert of 2003 at 12.45pm with the Gershwin Gang followed by Stephen Grew, Phillip Marks and Marcio Mattos at 8.00pm in the Gregson who will perform 'free flowing improvisations on a wild scale, akin to free jazz mixed with the subtlety of detached control, cocooned by crashing waves and blacksmiths sparks'. The trio will be joined in the second part of the evening by dancer Danny Henry and Flytipper who consist of Pete French on Hammond and keyboards, Mark Waterman on drums, Dave Mackness on bass and Ben Sayers on guitar. DJ Not4Sale of the RhythmHive collective will also join them and other special guests, including live dubbing from Dean McPhee.
Friday's programme will blast off with an epic and exciting performance from Billy Jenkins, Huw Warren and the Creative Jazz Orchestra. Billy Jenkins has been invited once more to 'play' the voice of Buster Keaton in a re-run of pianist Huw Warren's music score written for the classic 1928 silent "Steamboat Bill JR". The music was originally commissioned by Birmingham Jazz for performance at Birmingham International Film and TV Festival in1998 and scored for guitar, piano, saxophone, bass and percussion.
Now, North West motivator, musician and mystic Nick Purnell has arranged three performances this autumn with an enlarged ensemble, adding a second saxophone, cello, double bass and tuned percussion - all drawn from members of Purnell's Creative Jazz Orchestra. Warren, apart from his genre busting work with Perfect Houseplants and the Orlando Consort, held the piano chair with BJ's VOGC/Fun Horns of Berlin project in the mid '90s - from which two great recordings emerged.
Saturday's itinerary will 'go to town', exploring the cities as cultural backdrop in Sun Street Square and Market Square. The local favourites Dogmatic, Bob Moffatt, Groovin' High Big Band, Sue Parish, Inside Out, Lune Valley Jazz, Off the Rails, and the Jon Moore Quartet will excite the crowds during the day, whereas night time sees Soweto Kinch (a must-see) ignite the stage in the Gregson.
This year, the Round Midnight slots in the Gregson, on each night from 10pm onwards, are filled with top musicians such as Superjoy, Santeria 3, Rokasayers, Sue Parish, Lou Armer and Liz Jackson. The lucky audience members with tickets will experience the live lounge atmosphere with a late bar. This is definitely a part of the festival you won't want to miss!
Sunday sees the recurrence of the pub-trail inviting those who wish to relax during the day to music to enjoy a host of ensembles. Sun Street Stompers continue their appearance at the John O'Gaunt, Colin Galbraith and Catherine Sewell bring an extra flavour to Pizza Margherita, Groovin High Big Band perform their second slot of this year in Williamson Park, Shady Jazz perform in the Wagon and Horses, Bettys Blues, Off the Rails, and the Divas return to the Gregson.
Full details of Festival events are in our what's on section, or call (01524) 582803 for the booking hotline and information on the free events.
As ever, the Arts and Events service are always willing to receive positive ideas and suggestions about any of the events that it organises. If you feel that you would like to contribute an idea, then please call Jon Harris (Head of Arts and Events) on (01524) 582801 or Euan Smith (Cultural Programming) on (01524) 582802.

BOOKING INFORMATION
Paid events - Jazz Festival, 18-21 September
Box Office Hotline - 01524 582803, open 9am -5pm (Monday to Friday)
Postal Bookings: Jazz 2003 Box Office, The Platform, Station Buildings, Central Promenade, Morecambe, LA4 4DB.
Cheques made payable to: Lancaster City Council.

LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR CHILDSPLAY
9/9/03: Mrs Shirley Childs and her husband Gary are about to open their dream business in Morecambe after receiving help from Lancaster City Council's BEST Centres.
The old Salvation Army building on West End Road opens this week as 'ChildsPlay Nursery' following the completion of the OFSTED inspection. The building, which has been fully refurbished, will provide much needed child care facilities for up to 9 babies and 28 children aged 2 to 5.
"Our aim is to provide a show piece centre where parents can safely leave their children whilst they are at work," says Shirley, "or going about their business."
Shirley was considering buying a small nursery in the West End of Morecambe. But, before going ahead, Shirley booked a meeting with Nik Grimshaw, a business advisor at The BEST Centres. Nik undertook a full appraisal of the idea and suggested a better alternative might be the old Salvation Army Centre and persuaded Shirley to have a look with her husband. A meeting was arranged with the owner Mr. Freddie Edmondson and a deal thrashed out.
This was followed by much hard work and mental anguish as business plans and financing, not to mention the copious regulations, which were developed under the guidance of the team at The BEST Centre. At last they were all overcome and the nursery is now ready to open. Shirley is over the moon and can't wait for the doors to open.
"This is a dream come true for me," says Shirley, "and I would publicly like to thank Nik Grimshaw and Mr Edmondson for all the help they have given me. If anyone is thinking of setting up their own business I would recommend that they visit The BEST Centres and get some professional advice before they spend any money. The support I have had is wonderful."
"This is another example of where an idea matched with sound business guidance and hard work can turn a vision into a viable business," feels Nik Grimshaw business advisor at The BEST Centres. "The BEST Centres have a very wide remit to help anyone either setting up in business or improving an existing business by providing hands-on support or referral to the many contacts and agencies available".
"It's great to see new businesses opening in the centre of Morecambe," says Brian Moore, Manager of the BEST Centres, "especially one that's going to provide much needed services to the residents. Nik has worked hard to help Shirley but I would also like to mention the support given by Mr Edmondson the landlord who has been very supportive, and finally I want to wish Shirley all the success with her new venture".
The BEST Centres are part of Lancaster City Council's Economic Development Unit, which provides a wide range of support for local businesses. In the Poulton area of Morecambe they have received additional funding from Poulton Neighbourhood Management for additional business support. They work closely with Businesslink and provide business skills training on their behalf which is aimed at making most of meaningful business ideas.

• If you would like to know more about how The BEST Centres can help you with your business ideas call Nik Grimshaw on 01524 831721. If you are interested in the facilities provided by Childsplay Nursery call Shirley on 01524 409409

Last Week's News Items: Go