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WEST END GETTING RADIO ACTIVE!

Top: Toby Weymouth (DV107FM) with Rick Middleton (More Music in Morecambe) recording an interview with DV107FM DJs Evil Lewis & Silent Mark. Bottom: Children having fun learning ways to alter digital images.

20/3/05: Learners at the West End Community Shop Skills Taster Day on Saturday got a treat when the local community radio group Diversity 107FM turned up to give a demonstration of programme recording for radio. Sally Laver of the Community Learning Network explained that the West End project was trying out a number of brief and fun classes to see what local people fancied trying their hands at - digital imaging and image manipulation was certainly proving fun with the children and the adults were enjoying the music and the sunshine. Lucy Reynolds of the West End Community Allotment Project said, 'The best thing for the West End is when people see that they can easily do lots of things. People are often more powerful than they realise and it's good for a community to experience that.' The West End Community Shop is at 37 Yorkshire St, Morecambe, with lots of information on - most things. Tel: 01524 63760.
Diversity 107FM will be broadcasting from Lancaster YMCA until 16 April. Anyone who wishes to become involved or has any feedback can contact the studio on 01524 383394 or via their website at www.dfmradio.com.

GREEN PARTY COUNCILLORS BRING MAKE POVERTY HISTORY CAMPAIGN INTO THE CITY COUNCIL
18/3/05: Local councillors voted in support of a Green Party motion to support the aims of the MakePovertyHistory coalition at this week's Council Meeting.
A Labour amendment seeking to praise the Governement's role in the campaign was defeated after it was pointed out that under Labour, aid has actually been cut. (After Labour's 1997 election it was reduced to an all time low of 0.24% of Gross Domestic Product).
The motion supports the aim of the MakePovertyHistory coalition and agrees to help raise awareness of the aims of the MakePovertyHistory coalition by providing a link to their website on the City Council’s homepage.
• Read more about the politics of aid on our Cre8 page...

GREAVES PARK NURSERY PETITION
17/3/05: The local Green Party collected in A door-to-door campaign by the local Green party in the residential areas near Greaves Park Nursery resulted in over 350 signatures on a petition calling for the nursery to be kept open. The petition has been sent to the Lancashire Schools Organisation Committee which meets this week to decide the Nursery's fate.
Campaign organiser Matt Wootton Said "Local people feel very strongly about this issue, the County Council has targeted the Nursery for closure as a cost cutting exercise and has clearly underestimated the strength of support for the campaign to keep it open."
A decison on whether to close the nursery was postponed at a meeting of the Schools Organisation Committee in Januaury so that members of the committee could carry out a site visit . Green Councillor Chris Coates, who spoke to save the nursery at that meeting, said "Now that they have had a chance to see the nursery for themselves lets hope that they can see that we have one of the best nurseries in the County here at Greaves Park and that to close it would be a travesty."

£1M FUNDING LOST AT HEYSHAM MOSSGATE - OR IS IT?
17/3/05, updated 18/3/05: The future of the proposed Heysham Mossgate Facilities project which would bring several new amenities to Heysham residents seemed to be in doubt this week, after the the City Council and Heysham Mossgate Co Ltd issued a statement stating Sport England had withdrawn their promised £1m funding from the proposed Heysham Mossgate Facilities project. But in a statement to Virtual-Lancaster, Sport England denied funding had been withdrawn - they were just waiting for a revised bid.
According to Heysham Mossgate Community Facilities Co. Ltd., Sport England had withdrawn its promised funding , "because the project was no longer able to meet the timetable that accompanied the conditions of grant".
The original project, estimated at an overall cost of approximately £6 million, has support from Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council, the developer (MAC Construction) and Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust (MBPCT) and aims to provide, all under one roof: a new Library/ICT Centre; a Youth & Community Centre; Indoor and Outdoor Sports facilities and a Health Centre with dental practice and pharmacy.
Les Turner, Chair of the Heysham Mossgate Community Facilities Co. Ltd and Ian Barker of Lancaster City Council are blaming the problems for the project on Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust for apparently pulling out of the deal.
Board member of Heysham Mossgate Community Facilities Co. Ltd and Lancashire County County Cllr Jean Yates adds; "I am disappointed that the Morecambe Bay PCT are no longer part of the project."
However, the MBPCT say that's news to them. "We told the Heysham Mossgate Board six months ago that our ability to support the development would be dependent on and limited to the scope for transferring services from Heysham Health Centre to Mossgate," Leigh Griffin, Chief Exec of MBPCT told Virtual-Lancaster, "and then realising money from the sale of the health centre.
"It has become clear more recently that the cost of the space at Mossgate was likely to be far more than could be realised," he revealed. "The GP Practice based at the current health centre has expressed reservations about the proposals and it is becoming likely that they would prefer to buy the Health Centre themselves, remain there and develop that site.
"They are an independent company and we cannot force them into premises of our choice. They believe that under the new GP contact system this would be a better development option.
"We haven't pulled out of the deal at all though," he added, "and I don't know why anyone is saying this. If they buy the health centre we will channel the funds raised from the sale into Mossgate - obviously there would be no need to duplicate services that would still exist at the current health centre. However we would look to provide other services there, such as the dental suite, for one example. We have discussed all these issues with the Board as they have arisen. We cannot produce other money than this because we don't have it."
Adding to the confusion, a spokesman for Sport England confirmed that although the situation was complex things were still looking good. "There have been some problems with the original bid," he told Virtual-Lancaster, "and we are just waiting for a further approach'.
So can someone tell Les Turner, Ian Barker and Jean Yates that Morecambe Bay PCT and Sport England are still in the deal?

GREEN PARTY COUNCILLORS BRING MAKE POVERTY HISTORY CAMPAIGN INTO THE CITY COUNCIL
16/3/05: Today the Green Party councillors are proposing to Lancaster City Council that the Council
1. supports the aim of the MakePovertyHistory coalition
2. agrees to help raise awareness of the aims of the MakePovertyHistory coalition by providing a link to their website on the City Council’s homepage.
Cllr Gina Dowding said: "Every single day, 30,000 children are dying as a result of extreme poverty. This year, 2005, we finally have the resources, knowledge and opportunity to end this shameful situation. In July of this year, 8 world leaders will have it in their power to create the changes which will make poverty history. But they will only use that power if enough people tell them to. The G7 Finance Ministers have already accepted for the first time that a massive increase in aid is urgently needed along with a new deal on debt."
• Read about the local G8 and Make Poverty History campaigns.

GUANTANAMO PRISONER'S FATHER DESCRIBES TORTURE

Azmat Begg (centre) with Vivian Yates & Billy Pye of the Peace & Progress party, organisers of the meeting..

16/3/05: Azmat Begg, the father of Moazzam Begg, one of the 4 British detainees at the notorious Gunatanamo Bay prison camp who was recently released, spoke movingly of his son's terrible experience this evening at the Gregson Centre, Lancaster. Moazzam was in Islamabad in Pakistan with his wife and 3 small children, shortly after the commencement of the bombardment of Afghanistan when the area in which he was staying was leafletted by the US offering a 5,000$ reward for anyone handing in terrorist. A group of men burst into his house and seized him and drove away with him in the boot of their car. They sold him to the US army in Kandahar and he was taken to the infamous US prison at Bhagram Airbase in Afghanistan. He was held there for a year, during which time he saw two of his fellow prisoners violently kicked to death. He was threatened with the same fate, beaten, kicked and punched daily and forced to beg for his food and water. He was kept in a cage without windows, in solitary confinement for long periods. Spiders and stinging insects were released into his cell in darkness. He has never been charged with any crime. No evidence has ever been produced against him.
Moazzam was then moved to the notorious Guantanamo Bay camp on territory leased by the US from Cuba. He was kept under constant camera surveillance in solitary confinement, with little food and water. Thanks in the main to his father's tireless campaign for justice for his son Moazzam and three other British citizens were recently released. However their passports have been taken from them and they still live under a cloud of suspicion - although no-one has ever specified what they are suspected of doing.
Five British residents are still held in Guantanamo - and Mr Begg said that the indifference of the British foreign office is the main factor keeping them there. Despite endless prevarication and stalling from the foreign office, Mr Begg said that the thing that kept him going was the tremendous support he received from the mass of British people with their entrenched beliefs in justice and human rights.
Azmat told us that his son is still very frail and it will take some time before he becomes accustomed to human company, and solid food again. Psychologically, he has been appallingly traumatised. There is speculation that Guantanamo prisoners are deliberately subjected to mentally destabilising treatment so that they will be unable to bear witness to the torture and killings they have seen. Billy Pye noted that of the detainees held without charge or trial on British soil, over 30% developed mental illnesses where previously they had had no history of mental problems. The confusion, uncertainty and helplessness of their situation of unlimited detention without rights has a intensely destabilising effect.
The meeting was organised by Peace and Progress, a recently-launched political party campaigning on a platform of Human Rights. One of its founders, Vivian Yates, spoke at length about the loss, after 800 years, of the British people's right of Habeas Corpus - not to be detained longer than 24 hours without any charge and the right to trial. It is incredible that in 1215, when private armies roamed the land and civil unrest threatened to unseat the monarchy, stability was bought by conferring this basic civil right upon the citizenry. In 2005, when we face no identifiable local threat, our government claims that stability can only be maintained by removing our basic rights and all 3 major politial parties concur. Under the new legislation it is likely that several of the people attending the G8 Campaign meeting at the Town Hall last Monday, advocating non-violent direct action, would be eligible to be subject to the new Control Orders and indefinite house arrest without any evidence, defense, charge, trial or appeal. All three major political parties are responsible for this situation. It's no wonder people don't bother to vote.

VOLUNTEERS HONOURED AT VIC AWARDS

Yakub Patel and Volunteer of the Year Bernadette Fusco of the Marsh Community Centre

16/3/05: Hundreds of volunteers were honoured at the Volunteer Information Centre (VIC) Awards Ceremony yesterday (Tuesday 15) at Lancaster Town Hall, in recognition of 2005 as 'The Year of the Volunteer'. CVS Chair Anne Thompson praised the work done in this area by volunteers, which she estimated totalled approximately 10,000 hours per week of essential unpaid support to the community, worth millions of pounds a year. This reporter felt honoured indeed to be in in the company of so many considerate and generous people. As Anne said, anyone who wants to can make a real difference in the world. It was hard for the judges to select a 'Volunteer of the Year' from so many nominations, each one an inspiring individual story of effort, care and spirit but winner Bernadette Fusco is well known to the users of the Marsh Community Centre where she cheerfully and efficiently works all hours to the great benefit of the community.

Mayor of Lancaster Cllr John Day MBE and Virtual-Lancaster's Chief Arts Correspondent Michael P Nunn

G8 - LANCASTRIANS ORGANISE AGAINST AID & TRADE' INJUSTICE

Gleneagles Hotel, Petershire

16/3/05: Over 100 people came to a meeting at Lancaster Town Hall on Monday evening to find out more about this July's meeting of the G8 at Geleneagles in Scotland and to learn how this coalition of the world's richest countries (USA, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the UK) is responsible for increasing the divide between the world's richest and the world's poorest nations.
The locally based group Cre8 was formed in response to the aniticipated G8 Summit. Similar groups are forming nationwide to protest about way the IMF and World bank, (controlled by the G8) force countries to accept trade deregulation that will disadvantage them against G8 competitors while G8 countries indulge in restrictive and subsidised protectionism for their internal markets and producers. In combination with the faith-based 'Make Poverty History' movement it looks as if hundreds of people from this area alone will be participating in this civil movement to call the G8 to account.
While the G8 has promised to (and taken kudos for) write off £100 billion in 3rd world debt (in many cases lent to support previous puppet governments who in some cases trousered the cash into personal accounts) in practice less than half of this amount has actually been cut. Promises by Gordon Brown to increase aid to Africa are in fact a short term package with many strings attached that will be followed by aid reductions. It takes no account of the climate change - precipitated by the greenhouse gases of the rich countries, this will have the severest impact on the poorest.
• Read the presentation given at this meeting and find out more about planned events.

UNIVERSITY PROTESTERS CHARGED - 5 MONTHS LATE
11/3/05: Six months after a demonstration at Lancaster University Management School, six protesters have been charged with 'Aggravated Trespass'. On 10 September 2004 The Management School played host to representatives from The Carlyle Group, BOC Gases, BAE Systems, Alvis, GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever, DuPont and Shell.
The highlight of the day was the opening speech given by Lord Sainsbury. There is no platform to debate the ethics of supporting such gatherings at the University or the part they play in influencing the direction and focus of academic research and protesters claimed that this was the only way in which they could bring this issue to public attention. They pointed out the need for a forum for staff and students to discuss whether they want to offer support to arms manufacture, the destruction of the environment, GM crops, animal testing and human rights abuse. The objectors left the hall when asked. However on 11 February this year they were amazed to receive summonses following a complaint made to the police by the University earlier that day - five months after the event. The six are pleading 'not guilty'.
Read the report on the original demonstration

BYPASS OBJECTORS GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
11/3/05: On Tuesday 8 March, 100 local residents opposed to the Northern Bypass met at the Vale of Lune.
They were keen to campaign to stop the Bypass, and to prepare alternative plans to address the traffic problems of the Lancaster & Morecambe area.
Coun. Emily heath was impressed with the turnout, 'There are lots of people here who have never been involved in something like this before. A real cross-section of the community coming together with enthusiasm to protect an area that they really value."
• Read more about the Northern Bypass and why it's such a stupid idea

WEST END PLANS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL CABINET
11/3/05: Lancaster City Council Cabinet has now adopted the West End Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document. Coun. Ian Barker notes, "The implementation of the Masterplan will inevitably cause disruption to some individuals.." while Cllr David Whittaker has accused objectors of being 'mischievous' and having 'hidden agendas'.

GUANTANAMO PRISONER'S FATHER VISITS LANCASTER
11/3/05: Azmat Begg, the father of Moazzam Begg who was recently released from US detention at Guantanamo Bay, will be speaking at a public meeting in Lancaster next week. Azmat, head of a family that has served the British for generations, became famous for the dignity of his tireless campaign for his son to be brought to trial. He refused to plead his son's innocence. 'If he is guilty then let him be punished'. Moazzam was tortured and held in isolation for years but never charged with any crime.
The meeting, organised by 'Peace and Progress', is entitled 'No More Detentions Without Trial'. It will take place on Wednesday 16 April at the Gregson Centre, Lancasterat 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend.
For more information contact 07789 840935 or visit www.peaceandprogress.org

COUNCIL RETAINS HOUSING STOCK
11/3/05: The Government Office for the NorthWest has“signed off” the City Council's 30-year business plan for Council Housing. It is likely that Lancaster and Barrow may be the only councils in the North West that will retain their stock. Coun. Ian Barker noted, "We have been lucky that we have relatively few high rise or system built properties, but we also made the right decisions in the late eighties and most of the nineties to invest in stock refurbishment and energy efficiency."

BOGUS CALLER WARNING
9/3/05: Elderly residents in the Wyre are being urged to be on the look out for a bogus door-to-door salesman.
Wyre Housing Association says it has received reports of a man falsely claiming to sell intercom door systems on its behalf, targeting mainly sheltered housing in the Fleetwood and Poulton-le-Fylde areas of Wyre.
Residents are being warned to check the identification of visitors.
"We will always try to arrange an appointment with our residents," Ian Henderson, chief executive of the association told BBC News, "and we ask all members of staff and contractors working on behalf of the association to wear an identification card."
Earlier this week, TV presenter Angela Rippon headed up a list of celebrities who are lining up behind a Home Office campaign to advise older people on how to avoid being victim to bogus callers.
Terry Wogan, Esther Rantzen and Saeed Jaffrey are just some of the other names who have lent their support to the Lock, Stop, Chain and Check campaign.
The Home Office campaign is backed by Lancashire Police as well as organisations including Age Concern and Gala Bingo, which are delivering thousands of leaflets and stickers to the elderly to help ensure they know and follow the simple steps to doorstep security.
"As someone who's been the victim of crime, I really do appreciate just how important it is to stay vigilant and aware at all times," said Angela Rippon. "Fortunately, on the whole, older people are less likely to be the victims of crime, and the numbers of bogus callers are relatively low. Still, it does happen, and any crime can have a devastating effect on your confidence and health."

Simple steps to avoid bogus callers

* LOCK Always keep your back and front door locked even when you are at home or just popping out briefly.
* STOP If there is someone at your door, stop and think whether you are expecting anyone. Ensure the back door is locked before answering the front door so that nobody can access your house while you are distracted.
CHAIN If you decide to open the door, put the door bar or chain on first. Keep the chain on while you talk to the person on the doorstep. When the door is closed, remove the chain in case you need to get out quickly.
CHECK If a stranger wants to come in and claims that they are from a utility company, the local authority or any other organisation, always ask for their ID, even if you were expecting them - genuine callers will happily show you ID. Close the door and check the ID carefully. Call the head office if you are still unsure, but use the number from the telephone directory or a recent utility bill, not the one on the card.

* Remember, only let a caller in if you are absolutely sure that they are genuine - if in doubt, keep them out!

SCARECROWS ON THE MARCH AGAINST GM
9/3/05: Scarecrows joined Lancaster residents on Wednesday 23 February to urge local MP Hilton Dawson to protect their right to choose GM-free food. Hundreds of people from across the country converged in London for a mass lobby of Parliament and anti-GM rally, with speakers including former Environment Minister Michael Meacher MP.
The event took place as the Government considers legislation to control pollution from GM crops.
The event, organised by Friends of the Earth, the Five Year Freeze, farm and the National Federation of WomenÕs Institutes was held as the threat of GM food and crops is increasing. The US is leading attempts to force GM food into Europe through a legal dispute at the World Trade Organization, which has already led to two new GM foods being approved for import into the European Union.
The UK Government supports GM crops being grown here and is now deciding what rules are needed to pave their way. While nearly two thirds of people in the UK have said they want tough rules to prevent any GM contamination of non-GM crops and food, the Government seems set to allow widespread contamination. A public consultation, which has been repeatedly delayed, is expected this year.
"GM crops are a threat to our local food, farming and the environment," feels Mr Paul Martyn of Friends of the Earth in Lancaster. "I canÕt sit back and let the Government take away my right to choose to eat GM-free food.
That's why we took our scare crow to London to urge Mr Hilton Dawson, MP, to stand up for our right to choose, for strict laws to prevent GM contamination and liability laws to ensure biotech companies pay if anything goes wrong."
Mr Dawson said that he shared our concern. His consultation with a scientist in the GM field had confirmed the real danger of contamination. Mr Dawson signed the Early Day Motion asking the Government to draft legislation to prevent GM contamination and to assign liability to the biotech companies should contamination still occur, as well petitions to the EU.
He also agreed to write to Mrs. Margaret Becket telling her of our concern about GM contamination.
More information about the rally and mass lobby is at http://www. Gmfreescarecrows.org

SISTERS ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES!
9/3/05: If you can rap, sing or dance or maybe you just want to have a go,
More Music in Morecambe will be running their always-popular Free girls only music course "Girls Allowed" at The Hot House, Devonshire Road, Morecambe on the 29th, 30th and 31st of March, from 11am Ð 4pm.
Professional tuition is available from an all female team for girls aged 12 to 18 who want to take part in music making activities including singing, song writing, dancing and recording using state of the art studio technology. No experience is necessary as the course caters for all levels of ability.
Places are limited and must be booked in advance on 01524 831997 or email: info@mormusic.net
Girls Allowed is part of More Music in Morecambe's work for the Positive Activities for Young People scheme.

GOVERNMENT ENERGY POLICY A "DISASTER"
9/3/05: Lancaster City Councillor Prof. John Whitelegg has dismissed government announcments this week suggesting it was responding to increasing concerns about the environment, describing their energy policy as a "disaster".
Earlier this week, the government released details of a new poll wchich showed that people in the North West of England are big supporters of green energy.
In an RSGB Omnibus survey, more than eight in every ten respondents in the North West expressed support for the expansion of electricity generation from renewable sources.
Asked how likely they would be to support the production of more of the UK's electricity from renewables, such as solar, wind, tidal and wave power, 81 per cent responded "Very" or "Quite" likely.
The results come from polling to explore people's dependence and attitudes on electricity, as a Department of Trade and Industry educational vehicle tours the North West of England to promote understanding of renewable energy.
Renewable energy offers an alternative that will not run out, and can be turned into electricity without producing emissions.
"Developing renewables as part of a diverse energy mix is the best way to ensure people in the North West and throughout the UK can continue to go about their everyday lives without harming the environment," says Energy Minister Mike O'Brien. "This poll shows that people in the North West ealise the importance of renewables to a clean and sustainable energy future."
But although the results of the poll were welcomed by Prof. Whitelegg, he told Virtual-Lancaster "None of this is reflected in government policy. We still pour hundreds of millions into nuclear power and hardly anything into renewables.
"The North West could have massive wave power installed capacity, massive off-shore wind turbines and massive solar roof/photo voltaic technology," says John. "Government could fund every school, college, hospital, council building and university to have 50% of its energy from individual wind turbine, PVs and increase energy efficiency (insulation) but it doesn't.
"The government record in this area is a disaster and no amount of green/waffle can cover this up."
Only 6 per cent of respondents to the survey throughout the North West correctly identified electricity generation as the UK's biggest cause of greenhouse gasses. More than eight out of ten incorrectly believed it was either transport or industry.
Currently three-quarters of UK electricity is generated from oil, gas and coal. As well as contributing to climate change, these fossil fuels are finite, raising questions about future sources of electricity supplies.
(VL apologises for originally stating that Prof Whitelegg was the Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate. That honour is of course held by local Councillor John Barry.)

SALT AYRE SWIMMING POOL TO CLOSE
8/3/05: Salt Ayre Sports Centre swimming pool will close for three months in October, as part of a major refurbishment.
A Full Council meeting on 2 March agreed to implement a number of measures to renovate the sports centre, which has come in for criticism from many users including the replacement of fitness equipment within Reflexions gym and other specific building maintenance work.
Although some of the work can be undertaken whilst the building remains open, the Council has announced it will have to close the swimming pool only, for a period of up to three months from October this year.
Leisure Services are making arrangements so that swimmers will be able to use the Community Pools at Carnforth, Heysham and Hornby, which will be free of charge to swimming pass holders and annual Reflexions members. Club and education swimming requirements will be discussed with representatives with a view to accommodating them at the community pools. The Leisure Development Team are currently exploring the alternative sporting options for such groups during this period which will enable fitness levels to be maintained.
Refurbishment of the swimming pool area will include replacing tiles and undertaking essential maintenance work to the two moveable floors. The Reflexions fitness suite is to see the installation of the very latest equipment which will enable customers to benefit from state of the art technology.
"Salt Ayre Sports Centre is one of the most popular sports centres in the North West," commented Council Leader Coun Ian Barker. "The refurbishment work to improve the pool and gym facilities can only be good news for the more than one million visitors the centre has each year."
The running of the Centre and its general cleanliness has been criticised by some users. One sauna user found used tampons on the floor of the women's changing rooms on a recent visit and complained to staff.

HOW TO GET BATS IN YOUR BELFRY... OR YOUR GARDEN
8/3/05: Would you love to make your garden a natural haven for wildlife? Do you wish there was more life in your backyard? Create your own rural idyll bursting with life with tips from the experts: Lancaster District Wildlife Forum will reveal how in a Wildlife Friendly Gardening Event next Thursday, 17 March.
Wildlife Forum experts will show how to attract butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife to your garden or back yard at the event at Lancaster Town Hall.
The Wildlife Friendly Gardening event is free and takes place from7pm (for 7.30pm start) to 9.30pm at the Banqueting Room of Lancaster Town Hall, where experts will be on hand to give tips and explain how to attract butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife to your garden or back yard.
There will be talks, displays and information about garden ponds, a new garden orchard project, wildflower lawns, providing homes for wildlife (birdboxes etc), plants for wildlife and where to get them locally, and wildlife friendly allotment gardening ideas. Light refreshments will be provided.
Visitors will also have the chance to take part in the 'Best Wildlife Friendly Gardening Tip Competition'.
Robin Horner, Chair of the Wildlife Forum, said: "This is an ideal opportunity for everyone to find out how easy it is to contribute to the wildlife of the Lancaster district through their gardens and back yards. All are welcome to this free event. Please invite members of your group, friends and family."
The wildlife evening is being organised by the local Wildlife Forum, part of the Lancaster District Sustainability Partnership. The Wildlife Forum holds two free Open Evenings each year. To receive information about these events, join the forum or include your project or group in the local web based Wildlife Directory, contact: Joy Grayson, Environmental Co-ordinator, Lancaster City Council. Tel: 01524 582061 email: jgrayson@lancaster.gov.uk Website: www.lancaster.gov.uk (search for WD)

MARSH CYCLING & WALKING ROUTE NEARS COMPLETION
8/3/05: The final part of a new cycle and walking route is due to take shape over the coming weeks.
With the kind permission of Lancaster Girls Grammar School, Lancaster City Council is about to construct the final part of a scheme which has already provided new access to Lancaster Railway Station and open space at Fairfield Green.
The latest addition will be the work to an existing footpath at Carr House Lane/Sibsey Street. This will be widened to accommodate cycling and improvements for pedestrians will include a new surface and better lighting.
As part of the scheme nine mature trees with a degenerative disease are being replaced with new native species including oak, ash and maple. A mixed hedge will also be planted.
The works will take about six weeks to complete and a footpath closure order will be in force for the duration of the works.
The cycle/footpath improvements have been funded by Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council, SEED Lottery Fund, ERDF European funding and with kind support of Lancaster Girls Grammar School and the local community.

MUMPS FEAR FOR FOOTBALLERS
8/3/05: Local Football clubs should follow the example of Tranmere Rovers and protect their players from mumps, according to the North West's leading Health Protection doctors.
Professors John Ashton, Regional Director of Public Health, and Qutub Syed, Director of the Health Protection Agency North West, are writing to the region's football clubs warning that mumps has the potential to decimate their playing squads -- unless they take action.
"We saw more mumps in 2004 than in the previous four years combined and this year the infection is shaping up to far outstrip 2004 with notifications currently running at up to 1,300 a week in England and Wales," Professor Ashton said.
Last month, Tranmere Rovers offered the controversial MMR vaccine to all 36 players on the Club's books after two youth team members developed mumps. 32 players took up the offer.
"The infection is rife amongst 14-25 year-olds who missed out on two doses of MMR vaccine when it was introduced in 1988," says John Ashton, "and the reason for the sudden increase is because these unprotected young people have reached an age where they are mixing together in further education or work environments for the first time."
"When you get unprotected teenagers and young adults living and working together in close proximity, mumps has a propensity to go through them like wildfire, as we've seen in our schools, colleges and universities. Football clubs are no different to further education establishments and players tend to be in the most vulnerable age group.
Nationally, 900-1300 cases of mumps are being notified every week at present. The number of confirmed cases in England and Wales in 2004 was 7,856. In the previous four year period from 1999-2003 there were just 3,907 confirmed cases. In Cumbria and Lancashire there have been some 317 notifications of mumps this year alone, compared with 1069 for the whole of 2004.

CITY COUNCIL STAFF GO COMIC!
8/3/05: And before some of you say "No change there then," this Friday, it's all part of joining in the fun to raise money for Comic Relief.
On Friday 11 March, Red Nose Day, council staff are being encouraged to rummage through their drawers and rifle through their wardrobes in search of something red to wear for work and to donate money to Comic Relief for the privilege.
Lancaster Town Hall receptionist Jackie Olsen will be going a step further and having her hair dyed red, brightening up the day of both visitors and staff alike.
"Once again, we are looking forward to raising as much money as possible on this special day of fundraising, says Angie Rowlands, Reception Manager and organiser of the event. "I'm confident that with the support of Lancaster City Council staff, the event will be a great success".

RECYCLING CHAMPIONS
8/3/05: The Governement's Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett has confirmed that during 2003/04 householders in the North West recycled over 22% more household waste than they did during 2002/03.
This leap in recycling by households in the North West means that England has successfully met and exceeded its target to recycle and compost 17 per cent of household waste during 2003/4.
Government figures published today show that householders in England are now recycling and composting nearly 18% (17.7%) of their household waste, up 3.2% from 14.5% in 2002/03 and more than double that recycled in 1996/97 (7.5%), beating the national target by almost 1%.
Householders in the North West recycled 14.1% of their household waste in 2003/04, compared to just 11.3% in 2002/03. The City Council has already announced an expansion of its existing recylcing scheme for later this year.

COUNCIL TAX SAVINGS FOR PENSIONERS
8/3/05: Local Pensioners could cut their Council Tax bills by an average of £400 if they apply for Council Tax Benefit. That's the message from Council Tax Benefit Minister Chris Pond, who yesterday urged pensioners not to miss out as local councils start to send out bills this month.
"Many pensioners think they don't qualify for a council tax rebate because they live in a big house or own their home," said the Minister, launching a nationwide campaign to make pensioners aware of the benefits. "As a result less than half of all home-owners, many of whom are pensioners, claim the money they are entitled to."
"A call now to their local council could save pensioners hundreds of pounds -- so don't wait, act today."
According to the Government, over 660,000 people are already better off as a result of Council Tax Benefit in the North West. More information on Council Tax Benefit is available at www.dwp.gov.uk

SPECIAL TREE PLANTING PLANNED
7/3/05: Lancaster City Council is planting a Lancaster Whitebeam Tree in Dalton Square to demonstrate its commitment to local biodiversity.
The tree, donated by Rob Petley Jones, will be planted at 5.00pm on 17 March by Councillor Gina Dowding, Chair of the Sustainability Partnership. The Lancaster Whitebeam is of local and national importance and the Morecambe Bay region supports the only natural population of this tree species in Britain.

STOCK CAR ACCIDENT AT WARTON
7/3/05: Two men were taken to hospital after a crash at Warton Stock Car Club, after a car left the track during an event on Sunday.
The car hit two people on a part of the track away from spectators.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.

POULTON MUSEUM IS OPEN AT LAST
7/3/05: A local museum, housing artefacts from Morecambe's past, has been arranged in Morecambe Library thanks to Poulton Neighbourhood Management and Poulton Heritage Group.
Poulton Heritage Group has been desperate to house the many items they have collected over the years for a long time and have been campaigning for a museum in Morecambe.
"We are thrilled that we can display our items," says campaigner Marie Tyson, who is delighted with the new exhibit. "I hope to encourage others to donate anything they might have."
Councillor Shirley Burns, Chair of Poulton Neighbourhood Management, said: "I'm so pleased that the public are able to see these wonderful historic artefacts many of which originate from Poulton itself."
Some of the items are of historic interest such as share certificates for the Winter Gardens and the West End pier; there are also souvenir programmes and a collection of china, porcelain and bottles.
Poulton Neighbourhood Management have purchased the glass cabinet housing the collection and have had many of the items framed to preserve them. The items are available to the public to view in the reference section of the Morecambe Library.
If anyone would like to donate items for the display, please contact Poulton Neighbourhood Management on 01524 425200.

THUMBS UP FOR TEENAGE SPORTS FACILLITY
7/3/05: A public consultation asking Highfield residents if the Council should provide sports facilities for teenagers has had the resounding approval of local residents.
The consultation, conducted by Council, as part of the Community Safety Partnership, which was undertaken via post and e-mail, produced almost 500 responses, with an overwhelming "yes" response rate of 90% to have a half-court basketball court, five-a-side football area and youth shelter on part of Low Moor.
The initial request to the Community Safety Partnership came from young people and community groups in and around Low Moor, and has the support of a number of agencies represented on the Community Safety Partnership, including the Police, and Youth & Community Services.
"This will be an attractive and well used facility for young people," feels Ward Councillor and Leader of Lancaster City Council, Councillor Ian Barker. "They told us they want more things to do where they are safe not disturbing others. I am very grateful to everyone, young and old, who took the trouble to respond, the response rate has been excellent.'
Councillor John Whitelegg, who is also a Bulk Ward Councillor, added: 'We were approached some time ago to consider this request. This provision is obviously supported and forms part of a longer term plan to provide a range of community facilities as determined by local residents.'
The project, for a half-court basketball court, five-a-side football area and a youth shelter, is to be installed over the next couple of months.

PRINT MATTERS
7/3/05: Print Matters, a new exhibition at the Dukes running until 17 March, comprises a selection of work from students undertaking the Bachelor of Fine Art course at St. Martin's College, Lancaster. In their second year, students are taught a range of printmaking techniques. These include intaglio printing techniques such as etching, drypoint and aquatint and relief techniques such as lino and woodblock printing.
The exhibition aims to show how the students have developed and experimented with these various techniques in relation to their own ideas, as well as to the larger tradition of printmaking. The aim of this particular course is to encourage students to develop their own personal style.
Many students choose to work with subject matter that has personal significance, whether it is the place where they grew up or their relation to actual experiences with friends and family. Some students on the other hand take a more imaginary or fantastical approach to their imagery or use their art to comment on larger political or social issues. There are also those who are simply seduced by the medium itself and whose projects are about exploring the possibilities for printmaking. With some students this means using quite complicated printmaking techniques, whilst with others the means with which they realise their ideas is very direct and quite simple. This exhibition offers a wide and interesting range of printmaking techniques and exciting ideas.

LANCASHIRE WELCOMES VICTIM OF CRIME CONSULTATION
7/3/05: Lancashire Criminal Justice Board has welcomed a three-month government consultation period on the levels of support offered to victims of crime.
Views are being sought on a draft Victims' Code of Practice, which sets out the information and support services that victims of crime can expect from criminal justice agencies ranging from the police to the courts.
The consultation also invites views on an accompanying Guide for Victims, which provides victims with an easy to read summary of their rights.
The consultation period will run until 30 May 2005. The final Code of Practice will be drawn up and take effect by the beginning of next year.
Lancashire has already introduced a number of measures to improve the levels of support offered to victims of crime. A new Witness Care Unit was opened in Blackpool on 28 February, with two more planned before the end of this year in Burnley and Preston. The Units will offer personalised support for victims and witnesses of crime from charge right through to sentencing. A Victim and Witness protocol was established by Lancashire's criminal justice agencies including the Witness Service, to improve the co-ordination of contact with victims and witnesses. Preston Crown Court has also opened a brand new witness suite for victims and witnesses giving evidence.

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