St. Annes on the Sea Music, and Arts Festival 7th, 8th, 9th September 2012

For further details please contact
Cllr. B. Mackenzie on 01253 711584
or e-mail barbara@theanchoragestannes.co.uk

All New Releases Show On 103.2 Preston FM - Friday 7pm

Yes, it's a whole of hour of brand new releases in our "Best Kept Secrets" show on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday 31st August from 7pm!

We'll be featuring a great interview with Logan from The Ukuleles (pictured), as well as plying a couple of trackjs from their new iponymous CD.

We'll also be featuring the pick of the track from NEEDTOBREATHE's new CD "The Reckoning" and playing new songs from Papa Roach, Nik Kershaw and The Look.

There's also some Made in Lancashire fayre as we feature new mixes from Raven Traitor and Lucy London, a new song from Andy Hill and a rousing Olympics-inspired anthem from TV music composer Andrea Quarin.   

So join us for all this and lots more bedised on Friday 31st August from 7pm onwards.  You can tune in to Preston FM on 103.2 FM in the local area or "listen live" worldwide via the internet at www.preston.fm

NWCFL Premier Division: AFC Blackpool 3 - Stockport Sports 2

AFC Blackpool picked up their first home win of the league season with a hard fought 3-2 win over impressive Stockport Sports.

The visitors - coached by former England international and European Cup winner Peter Withe (photo below) - took the lead in the  15th minute but were shocked by 3 Blackpool goals before the break - from Marc Beattie (23) and Martin Baird (33, 35).

After a fairly comfortable second half, the visitors managed to pull goal back with 8 minutes to go and Blackpool then had to dig deep to hold out and secure the three points.

Squires Gate FC were also in NWCFL Premier Division action, losing 3-1 away at Wigan Robin Park.

AFC Blackpool are in home league action again on Tuesday evening when they entertain Barnoldswick in a 7.45 kick off.

Squires Gate are at home to Colne the same evening.

Next Saturday,AFC Blackpool are away at Runcorn Town in the First Qualifying round of the FA Vase while Squires Gate are at home to Norton United in the NWCFL Premier Division.

For more information, go to: www.afcblackpool.co.uk   and:  www.nwcfl.com

Get On The Playlist! New Releases Special on 103.2 Preston FM - 31st August

We'll be presenting another of our highly popular "New Releases" special shows on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday 31st August from 7pm and there's an opportunity for you or your band to get your new release or work-in-progress on the playlist.

In this 1 hour all music special, we'll be featuring a mixture of new releases from established artists and unsigned local talent, so if you have  a track ready that you'd like to submit, email it as an mp3 attachment to paul@bestkeptsecrets.biz, or contact us for the postal address if you want to send a CD.

All submissions must be received by Friday 24th August.

Preston FM can be heard on 103.2FM in the local broadcast area and worldwide over the internet by going to www.preston.fm and clicking on "Listen Live".

The playlist currently includes great new tracks from The Ukeleles, NEEDTOBREATHE, The Look, Rachael Sage and Raven Traitor and is bound to fill up quickly!

Listen Again: "Race Ror Life" interview With Mary Newman

If you missed our great interview with Mary Newman from the Parks Art Deco Cafe in Stanley Park, Blackpool, talking about the Race For Life charity run on our radio show on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday evening - do not worry!

You can listen to it right now by clicking on the sound icon below (please note this may take long to load if you are using a Mac...):



To find out more about the Parks Art Deco Cafe and their excellent "Swing Sunday" music lunches, check out the website here: http://www.parksartdecocafe.co.uk/

Ice Hockey: Fylde Flyers 4 - Sheffield Senators 4

Saturday 18^th August 2012 – Pre-Season Friendly

Fylde Flyers 4 – Sheffield Senators 4

Period Scores:  1-2, 2-1, 1-1

Flyers Scoring:

Dan Etherington 2+0, Danny Jones 1+1, Stewart Marriot 1+0, Joe Charlton 0+1, Chris Butcher 0+1, Kurtis Hall, 0+1

Shots On Goal: Sam Heyes faced 58 shots (4 goals)

Flyers MVP: Dan Etherington

Fylde Flyers ice hockey team played out an entertaining 4-4 draw with fellow Division 2 North side Sheffield Senators in this pre-season friendly encounter.

The teams met 4 times in the league last season, with Senators winning 3 out of 4, including both visit to the Sub Zero Ice Arena in Cleveleys so this performance was definitely an encourgaing start to the new season.

Flyers showed off their new playing shirts - white with an orange stripe for the home shirts and a very stylish black with a similar hoop for the away shirts (in competitive ice hockey, the home team is usually wears the lighter colour...) and paraded their new signings.

New defenceman Dan Etherington has joined the flyers from Division 1 North side Trafford Metros and marked his Fylde debut with 2 goals and the Most Valuable Player award.  John Boswell had a rough introduction to ice hockey, having moved from roller hockey, and missed most of the game following a facial injury that required hospital treatment while Blackpool Seagulls recreational players Danny Jones and Joe Charlton made impressive "full contact" debuts scoring 1+1 and 0+1 respectively.

The English National Ice Hockey League Division 2 North season face off in earnest on Saturday 1st September when Fylde Flyers entertain newly relegated Nottingham Lions at the Sub Zero arena - 5pm face off.

For ice hockey nostalgists, Deeside Dragons will be visiting in the league season , having changed back to their original name from last season's "Flintshire Freeze" while the team that everybody always loved to hate - the Solihull Barons - are also playing Division 2,  having been relegated from Division One last season.

Another new name for the season sees last year's whipping boys Lancashire Raptors rebranded at the Blackburn Eagles.

To find out more about the Fylde Flyers, check out their website at: www.fyldeflyers.co.uk

Photo: Danny Jones makes his Flyers debut (photo by Lisa Jones)

Listen Again: Interview With Blackpool Artist David Healy

If you missed our great interview with Blackpool artist David Healy (pictured) on our radio show on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday evening - do not worry! 

You can listen to it right by by clicking on the relevant sound icon below (please note this may take long to load if you are using a Mac...):



To find out more about the things that David has mentioned, follow the links below:

Miss Blackpool 2012 Final - Exclusive Interview With Miss Bottrop!

Special guest at the grand final of the Miss Blackpool 2012 competition was reigning Miss Bottrop Larissa Schenten, who travelled from Germany to make a TV feature with German station RTL.

As a follow up to Larissa's visit to Blackpool, outgoing Miss Blackpool Hollie Robinson and newly crowned Kim Braithwaite have been invited back to Bottrop, which is twinned with Blackpool.

We had a chat with Larissa and asked her what she thought to the Miss Blackpool competion and what the competitions were like in Germany.

You can listen to the interview right now by clicking on the sound icon below (please note this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):

NWCFL Premier Division: AFC Blackpool 1 - Runcorn Linnets 1

Third place AFC Blackpool had to dig deep to hold on for a point in this extraordinary game against Runcorn Linnets which saw 4 red cards handed out in the last 10 minutes of the game.

The match was finely poised at 1-1 when AFC goalkeepr O'Boyle was sent off  and this set off a series of niggly moments  which then marred an otherwise well played game by both sides.

 A subsequent goalmouth fracas involving most of the 21 players still on the pitch saw two more Blackpool players sent off and one Runcorn player and this left the home side with little option but to hang on for a point.

This result leaves AFC Blackpool in 6th place in the NWCFL Premier Division with 7 points from their first 4 games.

Squires Gate FC lost 3-0 away at Congleton, meaning they have just 1 point from 4 games so far this season and are currently 3rd from bottom.

Squires Gate are at home to Silsden on Tuesday 21st August while AFC Blackpool are away at Bacup Borough the following night.

On Saturday 25th August, AFC Blackpool entertain Stockport Sports in the NWCFL Premier Division while Squires Gate are away at Wigan Robin Park.

To find out more about AFC Blackpool, check out their website at: www.afcblackpool.co.uk

You can find out more about the North West Counties Football League at: www.nwcfl.com

Miss Blackpool 2012 - Grand Final Result & Interviews

Grand Final Result
1st: Kim Braithwaite
2nd: Kendall Rae Knight
3rd: Charlotte Kershaw

Top 8:
As above, plus:Olivia Firth, Sophie Jarvis, Leanne Carroll, Lisa Cox, Jessica Bradder

You can listen to our great interview with new Miss Blackpool Kim Braithwaite right now by clicking on the sound icon below (please note this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):

'Best of British Day' at Ricoh Women's British Open to celebrate Summer of British Excellence

The Ricoh Women’s British Open will celebrate an amazing year of sporting triumph, the Olympics and national pride of the Golden Jubilee with a special ‘Best of British Day’ on Saturday, 15^th September of the 2012 Championship.

The players will be asked to support the day by wearing red, white and blue while competing at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, while spectators will be encouraged to give their Jubilee outfits a final airing on this special Saturday. They will enjoy a day not only of watching the highest calibre of golf but one packed with family fun and festivities including a Beatles tribute act, a traditional British brass band and a chance to be photographed with the ‘Queen’ as well as face-painters and other fun interactive activities for people of all ages.

The British players will fly the flag as they arrive at the 2012 Ricoh Women’s British Open, 13^th to 16^th September, in the best possible form with 2009 Champion Catriona Mathew leading the home challenge fresh from victory at the 2012 Irish Women’s Open. Other British challengers include Carly Booth who has posted two victories on the LET already this season and Melissa Reid (in photo), who won the Prague Golf Masters in June. British favourite Laura Davies, herself a former British Women’s Open Champion, is also showing a timely return to form despite picking up an injury to her Achilles a couple of months ago while Karen Stupples, the 2004 Champion, has already started her preparations with a visit to Hoylake last week.

And to ensure that everyone can join in the fun organisers the Ladies Golf Union and IMG have launched a special ‘Best of British ticket’, available by advance purchase and valid on Saturday only, which includes access to the Championship for two people and a bottle of Champagne for £65. Spectators can purchase the ticket via the Championship website.

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew commented, “I think the ‘Best of British Day’ is a fantastic way to celebrate the amazing year we’ve had, starting with the Jubilee celebrations and moving into a summer sporting achievement that will be tough to rival. Hopefully we can manage one more amazing British performance between us that will see one of the home players winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open, the final Major of the year, to cap a fantastic summer of British sporting achievement.”

England’s own Mel Reid added, “This is a great initiative and one that promises to engage sports fans across the board. It’s the final Major of the year and I hope everyone comes down and gets involved in the amazing atmosphere of the Ricoh Women’s British Open.’’

This year fans will again be able to watch the BBC’s extensive coverage of the Ricoh Women’s British Open in HD (high definition) underlining the significance of the Championship in the BBC’s sports portfolio.

The Ricoh Women’s British Open was founded by the LGU in 1976 and is staged in conjunction with IMG, the world’s largest sports marketing company. The event has been co-sanctioned by the LPGA and LET since 1994 and gained Major status in 2001.

Ricoh, the leading technology provider of Managed Document Services and Production Printing, has been the title sponsor of the Ricoh Women’s British Open since 2007.

For further information please visit www.ricohwomensbritishopen.com 

| About the Ladies’ Golf Union (“LGU”) |

Founded in 1893, the LGU is the encompassing body for ladies’ amateur golf in Great Britain & Ireland. The LGU Executive Council includes representatives of ladies’ golf’s national governing bodies in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Operational activities are undertaken by a wholly owned subsidiary, LGU Championships Limited (“LGUCL”), which in particular owns and runs the Ricoh Women’s British Open, founded by the LGU in 1976 and one of the four Major Tournaments for Professional Women golfers. LGUCL also has responsibility for running British Amateur Championships and Home International events, and preparing the Great Britain & Ireland teams for representative matches, such as the Curtis Cup and the Vagliano Trophy.

Further information about the LGU is available on www.lgu.org.

| About Ricoh |

Ricoh is a global technology company specialising in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group, operates in more than 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2012, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,903 billion yen (approx. 23 billion USD).

The majority of the company's revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialised industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.

Under its corporate tagline, imagine. change. Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com/about/

| About IMG |

IMG Worldwide is a global sports, entertainment and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging:  IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in China, Brazil and India; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academies; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing.  More information is available atwww.imgworld.com. 

"In Conversation" Show On 103.2 Preston FM - Friday 7pm

Join us for another fascinating edition of "Best Kept Secrets...In Conversation" on 103.2 Preston FM from 7pm this Friday 17th August where, once again, we will be talking to lots of interesting people.

There's an in-depth interview with local artist / designer David Healy (in photo), who talks about painting on LP records, pianos and all sorts of unusual things.

Also in the show:
Mary Newman talks about the Parks Art Deco Café team who took part in the recent "Race For Life" along Blackpool Promenade,
Carole Cuneo tells us about her famous artist father Terence Cuneo and the Terence Cuneo Society
Comedian Stu Francis talks about how he got into showbusiness, being on "Crackerjack" and the new Cannon & Ball show at Blackpool Grand Theatre.
Scouse comic Stan Boardman talks about the Comedians show which is on at Blackpool Grand Theatre until 2nd September
and Mick Miller and friends tell us about the Mick Miller Comedy Bonanza show which is on at the Blackpool Grand Theatre until November.

There's also music from Relic, the Royal Marines, the Ukeleles and The Look.

So join us between 7 and 8pm on Friday. You can tune in on 103.2 FM in the local area or worldwide via the internet by going to www.preston.fm and clicking on "listen live".

CD Release: "The Reckoning" by NEEDTOBREATHE - 10th September

Not content to rest after a half year of touring their native America, NEEDTOBREATHE are gearing up for their UK release of fourth album The Reckoning on the 10^thSeptember.

Helmed by the brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart, the four-piece from South Carolina had already made a big noise with their third album The Outsiders, which scaled the Billboard top 20 in 2009. Two years later, The Reckoning affirmed their place in the mass American consciousness by debuting at #6.

 And it’s not just the public that has fallen in love with them – the critics too have been raving about the band, with The New York Times declaring that The Reckoning’s songs reach “the far seats of the arena”, and USA Today acclaiming it as “an ode to the redemptive qualities of romance and a tank full of gas”. NEEDTOBREATHE hail from a long American musical tradition of stadium-filling hooks laced with a whole lot of heart and soul.

 “We wanted to make an important record in the way that people used to make records,” explains frontman Bear Rinehart of The Reckoning.

“Bands rarely have the time that allows them to create a game-changing album like Born To Run, Rumours or Damn The Torpedoes. So we said, ‘Let’s set ourselves up to do that. Let’s believe in the songs enough that we’re willing to take the time they need and really push ourselves’. It may sound naïve, but we still have a dream that we’re going to make a record that’s going to change everything for us.”

The Reckoning certainly has changed everything for NEEDTOBREATHE. Soaring sales in their native America have been accompanied in recent months by nationwide TV appearances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Late Show With David Letterman, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Not to mention their inclusion on the same day as Bruce Springsteen and John Fogerty for Hard Rock Calling at London’s Hyde Park.

NEEDTOBREATHE play songs to salve a wounded world, to bring hope and restore faith to a humanity oppressed by economic meltdown and fearful of an uncertain future. In many ways the album is an uplifting soundtrack for troubled times, especially on tracks like new single ‘Keep Your Eyes Open ’ and ‘Drive All Night’ – recently described by USA Today as “more than just a search for a fresh start, it’s an ode to the redemptive qualities of romance and a full tank of gas.”

 The band recognise both their human and artistic responsibility to shine a light on the world, which they do with irresistible, inspiring melodies.

“We’ve always bought into the fact that anything worth having is going to cost you a lot,” says Bear, “So I think we were prepared to lose everything. The Reckoning is our investigation into everything we believed to be true, and a justification for everything we still do.”

More info about the band can be found here: www.needtobreathe.net

order link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reckoning-Needtobreathe/dp/B005DKGNMG/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1345043849&sr=1-1

Ice Hockey: Fylde Flyers Sign Trafford Defenceman

Fylde Flyers ice hockey team have further bolstered their squad for the English National League Division 2 North with the signing of experienced defenceman Dan Etherington (pictured), who has played for the past two seasons with Division 1 North side Trafford Metros.

The 24 year old right defenceman from Oswaldtwistle is 5'9" and weighs 180 lbs and helped Metros to fifth place in the table last season.

He joins fellow new recruits Danny Jones and Joe Charlton who have both been playing recreational ice hockey with the Blackpool Seagulls and also John Boswell who has been playing top level roller hockey and is now transferring his skills to the ice.

Fylde Flyers will be showing off their new playing shirts as well as their new players in a friendly match against Sheffield Senators at the SubZero Ice Arena in Cleveleys this Saturday 18th August - 5pm face off (doors open 4.30pm).

The new ice hockey season starts with a home game against relegated Nottingham Lions on Saturday 1st September.  The full fixture list can be seen here: http://www.bestkeptsecrets.biz/2012/08/ice-hockey-fylde-flyers-fixtures-for.html

FA Cup: AFC Blackpool 3 - AFC Liverpool 6

AFC Blackpool crashed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle and found themselves on the wrong end of a masterclass in seizing opportunities and clinical finishing from this lively Liverpool side.

Squires Gate FC also crashed out of the FA Cup, losing 3-0 away at Maine Road.

AFC Blackpool are away at Wigan Robin Park in NWCFL Premier Division action on Tuesday evening and then entertain Runcorn Linnets in the leagu at home on Saturday 18th August.

Squires Gate FC travel to Padiham on Wednesday night and are then are away at Congleton on Saturday.

More info:
www.afcblackpool.co.uk

www.nwcfl.com

Ice Hockey: Fylde Flyers Fixtures For 2012/13 Season

Fylde Flyers ice hockey team have announced their fixtures for the 2012/13 season. The shirts for the new season will be unveiled at a pre-season friendly match on Saturady 18th August against fellow Div 2 North contenders Sheffield Senators.

The full list of fixtures is shown below:

Pre-Season Friendly:
18^th Aug: home v Sheffield – 17.00

English National League Division 2 North

1st Sept: home v Nottingham -  17.00
29th Sept: home v Blackburn - 17.00
30th Sept:  away @ Solihull - 18.00
6th Oct: home v Hull - 17.00
14th Oct: away @ Hull - 17.00
20th Oct: home v Sheffield - 17.00
21st Oct: away @ Blackburn -  17.45
27th Oct: home v Deeside -  17.00
3rd Nov: away@ Bradford -  16.30
10th Nov: home v Bradford - 17.00
24th Nov: home v Solihull – 17.00
2nd Dec : away @ Nottingham - 19.15
16th Dec: away @ Deeside -  18.40
23rd Dec: away @ Sheffield -  16.30
12th Jan: home v Hull - 17.00
13th Jan: away @ Deeside -  18.40
19th Jan: home v Bradford -  17.00
20th Jan: away @ Sheffield -  16.30
26th Jan: home v Deeside -  17.00
2nd Feb: home v Blackburn - 17.00
3rd Feb: away @ Solihull -  18.00
9th Feb: home v Solihull - 17.00
10th Feb: away @ Hull -  17.00
16th Feb: home v Sheffield - 17.00
23rd Feb: away @ Bradford - 16.30
9th March: home v Nottingham - 17.00
17th March: away @ Sheffield -  19.15
24th March: away @ Blackburn -  17.45

Miss Blackpool 2012: Sandcastle Photo Shoot - Last Chance For Final Tickets!

This really is a Best Kept Secret! The Final of Miss Blackpool is open to the public and you can get tickets - but hurry! Tickets cost £35 per person and tables are in 10s or 12s but you can just book as many tickets as you want.

This prestigious, black tie event, held at the Norbreck Castle Hotel on Friday, 17th August 2012 starts at 7.00 p.m. with a 4-course meal served at 7.30 p.m.

Entertainment by vocalist / guitarist Jay Thackery and X Factor finalist AAron Levi. Table magic by Darren Robinson.

There will also be a raffle in aid of Blackpool Polar Bears Multi-Disability Swimming Club.

After dinner the final of Miss Blackpool 2012 will begin and it is always a wonderful evening - so why miss out? Come and see Miss Blackpool 2012 crowned.

To book your tickets, please call Angels Elite Model and Promotions Agency on 01253 820226.

More information from: www.missblackpool2012.co.uk

Photo by Howard Barton, official competition photographer: http://www.preciousimagephotography.co.uk/

Family Fun Day To Launch Grand Theatre Panto - 29th August

The Grand Theatre is holding a free family fun day in Blackpool’s Stanley Park from 11am to 2pm. Come and meet the stars of this years pantomime, Cinderella including Danny Miller (Emmerdale’s Aaron Livesy ), Grand favourite Steve Royle (in photo) , Amy Thompson (Channel 5’s Milkshake) and Radio Wave’s Hayley Kay.

Come along to this free family fun day at Blackpool’s awarding-winning picnic area on Wednesday 29 August. There’ll be lots of exciting, free things to do for everyone including face painting, a big bouncy castle, an appearance from the Grand Theatre’s very own Matcham Monkey, a chance to meet all the pantomime stars and much much more!

This exciting family fun day will launch the Grand Theatre’s 2012 pantomime, Cinderella, which is on at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool from Friday 7 December 2012 to Sunday 6 January 2013.

Tickets are available from only £12.50 with children’s prices, grandparent’s prices, concessions, family tickets, schools and group discounts also available (Booking and Transaction fees apply.)

Don’t forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

For the fastest way to book tickets for any show visit The Grand’s brand new interactive website www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk where you can now select your own seat!

Knitters Required For World Premiere At Blackpool Grand Theatre

The Grand Theatre needs your knitted creations to help construct the set of a world premiere production!

The world premiere of Inspector Norse will be staged at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre on Monday 15 October and The Grand are looking for avid knitters to get involved!

Cast on, yarn back and get ready to knit! Do you enjoy knitting? Would you like your knitted creations to be part of the set of a world premiere production at theGrand Theatre, Blackpool!?

LipServiceTheatre has chosen Blackpool’s beautiful Grand Theatre as the venue for the world premiere of their Swedish crime thriller Inspector Norse. However, this is a production with a set like no other! It will be partially knitted and created through a joint effort between local knitting groups. So knitting needles at the ready-don’t miss this unique opportunity to get involved!

Comedyduo Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding are the talented LipService Theatre Company. Their all-new Swedish crime thriller Inspector Norse promises to be a night of nerve-jangling suspense, laughter…and a partially knitted set that hopefully you can contribute to!

The Grand Theatre wants to get all keen knitters involved in creating the set of Inspector Norse! So if you enjoy knitting and would like to have your knitted creations used in the set of the world premiere of Inspector Norse, send an email to emmar@blackpoolgrand.co.uk  Get knitting!

You can fiund out more about what's on at the Grand Theatre - or book tickets - at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

NWCFL Premier Division: AFC Blackpool 0 - Padiham FC 1

After winning their opening day clash of the new season 1-0 away at newly promoted Norton United, AFC Blackpool were unable to make it two wins from two starts with this bad tempered game against Lancashire rivals Padiham.

The only goal of the game came after 60 minutes and decisions and luck deserted the home side as time ticked away.

AFC Blackpool are at home to AFC Liverpool in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon 11th August - 3pm kick off.

Squires Gate FC are away at Maine Road - also in the FA Cup - on Saturday.

To find out more about AFC Blackpool and their excellent youth set-up, visit the website at: www.afcblackpool.co.uk

To find out more about the North West Counties Football League, go to: www.nwcfl.com

Boomtown Rats Garry Roberts & Simon Crowe at The Grand, Clitheroe - 10th August

Boomtown Rats Roberts & Simon Crowe (+ Panjenix)

FRI AUG 10TH - CLITHEROE, The Grand Doors 7pm. £10 (advance)
http://www.thegrandvenue.co.uk/FeaturedEvents

The Boomtown Rats crawled into the semi-darkness of founder member Garry Roberts' kitchen in Dublin in 1975. Guitarist Garry and drummerSimon share a passion for raw R'n'B and rock music and have been playing together since they formed a band at school. Now, some three decades later, these Rats have returned to reclaim their lair as true pioneers of New Wave.

The Boomtown Rats began as a hard-hitting, guitar-driven Rhythm and Blues band with a straight up, stripped-down sound. Their first album was considered a classic R'n'B offering - likened to the early Stones and Dr Feelgood. Their debut single ‘Looking After Number One’ gnawed its way into the UK charts in 1977. This was the first of a succession of Rats' hits spanning the next decade.

The hits kept on coming, with ‘Mary Of The Fourth Form’, ‘She’s So Modern’ and ‘Like Clockwork’. Then, in 1978, the band released ‘Rat Trap’ which shot straight into the number one slot and remained in the charts for 15 weeks. ‘Rat Trap’ was the first New Wave Number One and the first UK Number One for an Irish group since The Bachelors 'My Diane' in 1964. The band's second album ‘A Tonic For TheTroops’ also went to number one, staying in the album charts for an amazing 47 weeks, and was voted the Number One Album by Melody Maker readers. The Rats were now well established.

1979 saw the massive international number one‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ followed by major top five hits ‘Diamond Smiles’, ‘Someone’s Looking At You’ and ‘Banana Republic’.The band continued having million selling albums and chart success up to 1986,when Bob Geldof left the band to pursue his solo career.

Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe, the dynamic force behind the Rats sound, have put their powerful alliance together once again to re-ignite and develop the essence of their music with its driving rhythms and meaty guitar riffs.

Their new band, Boomtown Rats Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe, performs all the classic hits, along with live favourites like ‘Joey’s On The Street Again’ and ‘Neon Heart’. Their music still holds its appeal and is a reminder of how this vital outfit is as relevant today as it ever was.

Info & Bookings: http://www.thegrandvenue.co.uk/FeaturedEvents

Lisa Cox Is Crowned Miss Radio Wave 2012

Lisa Cox was announced as the winner of the 2012 Miss Radio Wave competition at the final heat of Miss Blackpool competition at Uncle Tom's Cabin last night.

As well, as representing the local radio station for the next 12 months, Lisa also qualifies - along with runner up Jessica Guillot - for the grand final of the prestigious Miss Blackpool compeition.

You can hear what Lisa had to say about winning Miss Radio Wave by clicking on the sound icon below (please note this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):




The Miss Blackpool 2012 Grand Final will be held on Friday 17th August at the Norbreck Castle Hotel.

This is a fabulous black tie occasion - 4 course meal, live entertainment, plus the dramatic finale of the 2012 competition. Tickets £35 each available now - call Karen on 01253 820226

Support Dan's Prom Skate For Callum - 26th August

Kind- hearted ice hockey player Dan Fearon will be skating up and down Blackpool promenade for 12 hours on Sunday 26th August.

Dan, who played for the Fylde Flyers ice hockey team in English National League Division 2 North  will be skating between the North and South piers  to raise money for Callum Pollock.

Dan explains: "Callum has a terminal illness called Hurler Syndrome and I used to coach him at Blackpool before he had a hip operation that went wrong and left him paralysed. Cal continues to come and watch the Flyers but this is something very close to my heart - so please sponsor me."

A sponsorship form will be available for people to fill in at the first Fylde Flyers home match of the season - a friendly game against the Sheffield Senators at the Sub Zero Ice Arena in Cleveleys on Saturday 18th August, face off 5pm -  or you can sponsor Dan online via the new website that he has set up.

To find out more about Callum's story, to make a donation and to see how else you can help support Dan's fundraising efforts, visit the website at:  http://www.sponsorheartandsoul.co.uk/

Miss Blackpool 2012 - Heat 7 Result & Interviews

Heat 7 Result

1st: Jessica Bradder (left in photo)
2nd: Rebecca Copsey

You can hear our great interview with Jessica and Rebecca - and also with new entrant Davina Davidson from London - by clicking on the relevant sound icon below (please note this may take longer to load if you are using a Mac...):





Both girls have now qualified for the Miss Blackpool 2012 Grand Final, which will be held on Friday 17th August at the Norbreck Castle Hotel.

This is a fabulous black tie occasion - 4 course meal, live entertainment, plus the dramatic finale of the 2012 competition. Tickets £35 each available now - call Karen on 01253 820226

Rebellion Festival 2012 at Winter Gardens, Blackpool - Day One Diary

Nice big breakfast at Caffe Dolce on Abingdon Street to start the day - give it a try, it'll really set you up.  Got in - got wristband, got nice colour programme. Dropped by the STP Records stand and said hello to Stu Taylor - band promoter and record producer extraordinaire!

Checked out the various merchandise stands - nice one selling hand pressed screen prints, among others and then went to see the Punk Art Exhibition in the Spanish Hall.  There are great works by all sorts of people here, including Gaye Black (Gaye Advert as was), Charlie Harper and Knox and our local mate David Worth with his Punk Rock Cartoons.

We finally got to see local lads Outl4w playing live on the Arena stage and also took in a few acts on the Acoustic Stage and the New Bands Stage in the Pavilion.

The Literary Stage and the new Spoken Word/Poetry stage are set up in the Spanish Hall as well this year and we heard Max Splodge tell some humouorus tales and Micky Fitz from The Business talk quite thought-provokingly about overcoming his alcohol addiction, the over-commercialisation of football and also telling some funny stories about touring and Scottish banknotes - to mention but a few.

Yes, I know we're missing some good stuff tonight like The Business and the Buzzcocks but it;s the last heat of the Miss Blackpool 2012 competition at Uncle Tom's Cabin (9pm start if you fancy a change of scene...) and we need to be there to cover it.

More later!

To find out what else is going on at this year's Rebellion Festival, check out the official website at: www.rebellionfestivals.com

Viv Albertine World Airplay Exclusive On Preston FM - Friday from 7pm

It may not be the same as seeing her perform live on the Pavilion stage at the Rebellion festival in Blackpool on Friday evening but, if you are unable to get there, make sure you tune in to the Rebellion Special edition of our "Best Kept Secrets" show on 103.2 Preston FM between 7 and 8pm on Friday 3rd August.

We can reveal that we will playing an exclusive preview of a brand new song from Viv Albertine (formerly with The Slits) from her new album. This song is so new that nobody has heard it yet and it is so hot off the presses that we are having to use tongs and welders gloves to handle it!

We are so sworn to secrecy that we can't even tell you what it is called until it played on our show on Friday evening between 7 and 8pm UK time!

So join us for a Viv Albertine world airplay exclusive - and we'll also have music from: Choking Susan, Rust, Monica & The Explosion, Outl4w, TV Smith, Vice Squad, Los Fastidios, Dirt Box Disco, Dragster, Loaded 44, Ren Spits At Magpies, The Duel, Louise Distras, Billy Liar and Attila The Stockbroker.

You can tune in to Preston FM on 103.2 FM in the broadcast area or "listen live" worldwide via the internet at www.preston.fm

To find out more about Viv Albertine, check our her website at: www.vivalbertine.com

Photo by Mark Clacy

Review: Mick Miller's Comedy Bonanza At Blackpool Grand Theatre - Until 31st Oct

An absolutely first class show full of fun for all the family to enjoy together - don't miss it!

Featuring excellent song and dance routines by the "Kids from Scream"
hilarious visual comedy from Billy Hunter
gorgeous vocalist Claire Brady
great juggling and humour with Steve Royle
timeless hilarity from Mick Miller
all held together by compère Tony Jo.

To book your seats, call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or go to the website at: http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/shows/performance/combo-2012

To hear our great preview interviews with Mick Miller, Claire Brady and Billy Hunter click here: http://www.bestkeptsecrets.biz/2012/07/mick-millers-comedy-bonanza-at.html