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DIVERSITY RADIO 107 FM
31/3/05: DFM is back and sounding good! Its also what it sez on the label: pretty diverse – there really is something for everyone. After an initial test broadcast last autumn the present restricted service licence (RSL) covers air time 24 hours a day until April 15, after which DFM will hope to gain a five-year operating licence starting this summer.
It’s easy to access 107 DFM, either by turning your radio dial or by listening on-line at www.dfmradio.com where you can also find the full programme schedule.
All the presenters and DJs are volunteers, although some of them have a wealth of experience, and others seem to have picked up radio work extremely quickly, with the support of the excellent studio staff.
DFM radio broadcasts live each day from 8am 'til 10pm (with recorded shows throughout the night), and the shows’ contents range from 70’s or 80’s music to reggae to nu skool breaks to hip hop to original material to Asian fusion and more. Some presenters have a bit of banter or interview people – our own lovely Satori was interviewed live on the Pearl & Dean show last Friday.
Presenters are too many to mention, as there are at least 60 volunteers, (see schedules and playlists on dfmradio.com) but they include the redoubtable Steve Middlesbrough, Steve Jahvis, Freear, DJ Dee & Amrik just for starters.
DFM RADIO WANTS YOU!
If you are part of a local community group tell the world about it! All you have to do is phone DFM on 01524 383394, or email: postmaster@dfmradio.com
and speak to Toby, Matt, Tim or Martin about getting some air time. DFM also wants local events news.
If you want to volunteer or learn new skills, for example presenting, researching, interviewing, or technical skills, the same phone no. and email address apply – DFM is particularly interested in hearing from women and older people.
Tell your friends! There is an alternative radio station to listen to! It’s truly local, and its lots of fun.

COCKLING REGULATION: GANGMASTER'S LICENCE
30/3/05: A new Gangmaster's Licensing Authority (GLA) will be dealing with cockling from this Friday. Each gangmaster will have to apply and pay for a separate licence.
In three years time the GLA. will become part of the Health & Safety Executive. The new authority deals only with workers in agriculture and fisheries. Transport & General Workers Union representatives were disappointed having campaigned for a separate Gangmasters Agency to also cover industry, construction and all their other operating areas too. While they welcomed any improvement in the situation it was a national disgrace that workers are still similarly shamelessly exploited in other areas of employment, without recourse to the protection of the law.
Geraldine Smith MP said that this would be inefficient as it would entail two sets of officials (Health & Safety as well as GLA) going out onto the bay to check on workers. She is still campaigning for fisheries licensing legislation which would require cocklers to possess a certificate of competence. This would have the benefit of restricting collection to the 'bona fide fishing community'.
Support from an unexpected quarter may help her to get more attention at party HQ for the popular campaign she has determinedly waged since the appalling night in February 2004 when 23 Chinese cocklers were left by their gangmaster to drown in the bay's inrushing tide. The Conservative Shadow Fisheries Minister Owen Paterson, M.P visited Morecambe locals involved in cockling today pledging Conservative support for managing the local cockle fisheries. The local Conservative party have finally unravelled the mysteries of email press releasing and local prospective parliamentary candidate for Morecambe & Lunsdale James Airey informs us that meetings following the bay cockling tragedy have revealed that:
1. The police would not go onto the bay to enforce regulations.
2. The Health and Safety Executive would not go onto the bay to enforce regulations.
3. The Fisheries Executive was the only body asserting it would go onto the bay. And therefore QED
4. The North West Fisheries Executive is the appropriate body to be given extra powers in respect of the Morecambe Bay shellfisheries.
He adds; "All we have had so far from the present Government is words and no action – and that has got to change. I am pleased that Owen Paterson has been to see the problems for himself. He has made it clear that Conservatives are committed to delivering action on the problems in the Bay."
Local interests & sustainable management: read the Lib Dem's view on the cockling issue.

Howard Haigh

ORCHESTRA VOX: MAKE VOICE MUSIC!
30/3/05: A call is out for participants in a totally new community choir. In Orchestra Vox each voice will be an instrument producing weird and wonderful sounds to create fantastic colours and textures. Singers and non-singers (shouters, groaners, moaners and squealers welcome) are needed to take on this challenging and exciting musical adventure. The choir will become part of a new commission, Shifting Sands, by composer Howard Haigh which is inspired by the many images of Morecambe Bay. Weekly rehearsals will be starting atThe Platform, Morecambe Box Office 01524 582803on Monday 4th April and will lead up to two performances of the full concert on May 14th and 15th. Several local choirs and three schools will also be joining in the project. A total of 150 voices will be involved together with music from Lava and Off the Rails.
If you would like to take part please contact Jon Harris at Lancaster Arts & Events on 01524 582801 or email
jharris@lancaster.gov.uk. Voices from all age groups and all sections of the community are needed and you do not necessarily have to be a good singer to participate.
NB: For the last 25 years Howard Haigh has regularly composed music for voices with an emphasis on creating unconventional vocal techniques in conjunction with more traditional approaches. He has performed all over Europe with his band LAVA and as a guitarist and composer for companies like The Royal Ballet, WOMAD, and Saddlers Wells. Howard’s last commission, 'Saeta', for the Crouch End Singers was performed at The Barbican in London.

PARK PANTO: WE NEED A RATPACK!
30/3/05: Following on from last years popular success, this August Limelight Productions will be staging 'Dick Whittington' in Happy Mount Park. To get the ball rolling this year Dawn Baxter of Limelight tells us they are looking for 50 rat-children to join the merry band! It's quite an assignment; "They will have to spread disease and terror in 18th Century London" she explains, "or Happy Mount Park, if you want to be more accurate." Rehearsals for the rats/ natives/ fairies/ dancers etc will be starting in April and will take place at Regent Road Studios (next-door to the Park Hotel).
Volunteers with youth work or admin experience are also very welcome to get in touch, as Dawn says, "either to put in a few hours of helping or just to give us sound advice. (We have already had advice like DON'T DO IT). The Limelights feel that all kids deserve a chance to shine and there will be lessons in singing, acting, dancing, filming and stunts etc. We am hoping that the boys will give all the above a go!!"
The Limelights are a local non-profit group dedicated to promoting local arts and the annual Panto in the Park is a community event with all-comers welcome to participate. They can by contacted by phoning 01524 851020.

MEP Chris Davies & Cllr. Alex Stone

LIB DEMS: BAY COCKLE BEDS AT RISK
27/3/05: Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Morecambe & Lunesdale Cllr. Alex Stone met the Lib Dem environment spokesman in the European Parliament, MEP Chris Davies on Morecambe Bay last week to assess what environmental impact current cockling activities are having with a view to pressing for local interests and sustainability.
Cllr Stone said: "The Sea Fisheries Committee will be meeting shortly to assess the effects of cockling and may consider closing more (and perhaps all) of the Bay. We are very concerned about the current levels of cockling activity and the harm this may be having on future cockle stocks.
"If they decide to close large sections of the Bay, I would need to be convinced that the interests of local cocklers have been taken into account and that such an order could be effectively and safely enforced."
North West MEP Chris Davies said : "It is just a few months since Morecambe Bay was declared a European special area of conservation because of its unique importance. The government is bound by EU law to ensure that no activities threaten its survival as a habitat for rare species of value to future generations. Decisions to curb cockling should not be delayed if there is evidence that it is causing long term damage. The environment of Morecambe Bay is too precious an asset to put at risk."
Many locals agree, the feeling being that the industry needs to be better regulated to remain a sustainable resource for local cocklers who have harvested the bay responsibly for centuries before the heavy influx of cockling gangs from elsewhere in the UK over recent years. Their discarded equipment and abandoned vehicles have been a much-discussed eyesore and present a further threat to to the marine environment.

CSS Ex-Smokers

COUNCIL HELPS WORKERS QUIT SMOKING
24/3/05: The recent introduction of a no smoking policy throughout the council has encouraged a group of workers to quit for good.
One member of staff in the Council's City Contract Srvices (CSS) had already successfully quit smoking thanks to an NHS course, and the idea of a no-smoking class was raised. At the request of union representatives and staff the NHS was drafted in by Head of CCS Mark Davies. 17 volunteers listened to Morag Rowe (NHS) and her assistant talk about the dangers and effects of smoking, and explain about the types of treatment on offer from the NHS. They also received No Smoking packs to help them along the way. The group now meet on Thursdays, to discuss any problems with the NHS staff, and are encouraged to admit if they¹ve sneaked a ciggy, although they're normally forgiven!
All 17 members are nearing the end of the no-smoking course, and while most are due to receive their final patches this week, some have already quit completely. More workers are now turning up to the clinic, following the success of their colleagues.
John Murie, of the Transport and General Workers Union, was keen to encourage other council workers, and said: 'If we can do it, so can you, all it takes is a phone call and a little will power'.
The group's achievement is acknowledged by the head of City Contract Services Mark Davies, who said: 'The Council should be seen as a leader in the field for others to follow. The council's anti-smoking policy recognises the need to support staff who wish to give up smoking. I am really pleased that by working with staff, trade unions and the NHS, we have been able to put in place weekly support sessions that help staff who want to stop smoking on a one-to-one or group basis".

LOCAL CAMPAIGNERS JOIN
LONDON ANTI-IRAQ WAR PROTEST

22/3/05: A coachload of local anti-war campaigners left Lancaster early last Saturday (19 March) to join the 200,000 demonstrators marching past the US Embassy, where members of Military Families Against the War laid a coffin to remember all the dead caused by the war and a two minute silence was held, then on to rally in Trafalgar Square in protest against the Iraq war of occupation. The demonstration was called by the National Stop the War Coalition.
Showing impeccable spirit, the local contingent marched in the sunshine with the famous samba band Rhythms of Resistance. Jackie Skinner (who took the photo above) said: 'People were very obviously aware of our responsibility for the current situation in Iraq but were hopeful and determined to work towards a peaceful and constructive resolution. It was a very cheerful and good-hearted demo.' Billy Pye of the Lancaster & District Coalition Against the War added: 'It was well worth going and it showed that resistance to the war is still very strong.' Salma Yaqoob, from the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition, told the rally in Trafalgar Square, “I stand here with confidence because we have built the biggest movement which says that what unites us is more important than what divides us. “The ‘war on terror’ is a war of terror. There is the economic terrorism killing 30,000 children a day. Let’s continue our fight to make war and poverty history.

ID CARDS WASTE OF MONEY -
COUNCIL BACKS LIB DEMS MOTION
22/3/05: Last week Lancaster City Council passed Liberal Democrat Cllr. Stuart Langhorn's motion opposing central government proposals to introduce ID cards as a waste of money and resources - £5.5 billion that would be better spent on Community Policing Schemes, which have produced excellent results locally. Proposing the motion the Lancaster and Wyre Parliamentary Candidate said, 'Many people are concerned about how ID cards will effect their civil liberties. How can having an ID card improve police - community relations in sensitive areas. Many say 'if I have done nothing wrong I have nothing to worry about' - but the cards will cost each person at least £85 to buy one - and will contain much more information than just your name and address. It is particularly pertinent that we debate this motion this week as it is the anniversary of Winston Churchill getting rid of ID cards after the war."

THE NATIVES ARE RESTLESS TONIGHT!
21/3/05: The local airwaves will resound with the pounding of drums tonight as women's bongo band Sista Slap guest for a 2-hour session on Freear's JiLteD show from 8pm - 10pm tonight (Monday) on community radio Diversity 107FM. Sista Slap are well known for their juicy, footshaking, ass-twitching rhythms and tonight's live show promises to be excellent, with some unexpected elements in the mix. Since the transmitter was moved from Morecambe High to St Martin's College, Diversity 107FM reception has improved in Lancaster but the team ask if you can let them know how the sound quality is in your area. You can contact the studio on 01524 383394 or via their website at www.dfmradio.com.

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